Williams

And, @Bass Reevesthe chair has to preside over the motion. 

Sike. Check the charter, @Bass ReevesYou need more seconds than that

*BANGS GAVEL*

I move for unanimous consent of the House for passage of this legislation.

I yield.

*RAPS GAVEL*

THE HOUSE SHALL COME TO ORDER!

In consideration today is the McLean Honor Act. Pursuant to the House rules, debate shall commence for a period of 72 hours beginning now! 

*RAPS GAVEL*

FULL TEXT OF THE LEGISLATION AS INTRODUCED IS AS FOLLOWS:

Quote

 

110TH CONGRESS

 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

Mr. Williams, for himself (with thanks to Mr. Thompson; Ms. Jackson-Lee; Mr. Blumenthal; Mr. Espaillat; Mr. Cicilline; Mrs. Klobuchar; & Mrs. Collins), and others, offer

 

A BILL

 

To reform the background check system to ensure every firearm sale is subject to such, among other goals.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 

This Act shall be cited as the “Universal Background Check Act of 2007”.

 

SECTION 2. POLICY REFORM OF FIREARM TRANSFERS.

 

(a) Ensuring Universal Background Checks.-- Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

 

“(aa) (1) (A) It shall be unlawful for any person who is not a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to transfer a firearm to any other person who is not so licensed, unless a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer has first taken possession of the firearm for the purpose of complying with subsection (t).

 

“(B) Upon taking possession of a firearm under subparagraph (A), a licensee shall comply with all requirements of this chapter as if the licensee were transferring the firearm from the inventory of the licensee to the unlicensed transferee.

 

“(C) If a transfer of a firearm described in subparagraph (A) will not be completed for any reason after a licensee takes possession of the firearm (including because the transfer of the firearm to, or receipt of the firearm by, the transferee would violate this chapter), the return of the firearm to the transferor by the licensee shall not constitute the transfer of a firearm for purposes of this chapter.

“(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to:

 

“(A) a law enforcement agency or any law enforcement officer, armed private security professional, or member of the armed forces, to the extent the officer, professional, or member is acting within the course and scope of employment and official duties;

 

“(B) a transfer or exchange (which, for purposes of this subsection, means an in-kind transfer of a firearm of the same type or value) that is a loan or bona fide gift between spouses, between domestic partners, between parents and their children, including step-parents and their step-children, between siblings, between aunts or uncles and their nieces or nephews, or between grandparents and their grandchildren, if the transferor has no reason to believe that the transferee will use or intends to use the firearm in a crime or is prohibited from possessing firearms under State or Federal law;

 

“(C) a transfer to an executor, administrator, trustee, or personal representative of an estate or a trust that occurs by operation of law upon the death of another person;

 

“(D) a temporary transfer that is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, including harm to self, family, household members, or others, if the possession by the transferee lasts only as long as immediately necessary to prevent the imminent death or great bodily harm, including harm to self, and the harm of domestic violence, dating partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and domestic abuse;

 

“(E) a transfer that is approved by the Attorney General under section 5812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or

 

“(F) a temporary transfer if the transferor has no reason to believe that the transferee will use or intends to use the firearm in a crime or is prohibited from possessing firearms under State or Federal law, and the transfer takes place and the transferee’s possession of the firearm is exclusively:

 

“(i) at a shooting range or in a shooting gallery or other area designated for the purpose of target shooting;

 

“(ii) while reasonably necessary for the purposes of hunting, trapping, pest control on a farm or ranch, or fishing, if the transferor -

 

“(I) has no reason to believe that the transferee intends to use the firearm in a place where it is illegal; and

 

“(II) has reason to believe that the transferee will comply with all licensing and permit requirements for such hunting, trapping, pest control on a farm or ranch, or fishing; or

 

“(iii) while in the presence of the transferor.

 

“(3) It shall be unlawful for a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to transfer possession of, or title to, a firearm to another person who is not so licensed unless the importer, manufacturer, or dealer has provided such other person with a notice of the prohibition under paragraph (1), and such other person has certified that such other person has been provided with this notice on a form prescribed by the Attorney General.

 

“(4) The Attorney General shall make available to any person licensed under this chapter both Spanish and English versions of the form required for the conduct of a background check under subsection (t) and this subsection, and the notice and form required under paragraph (3) of this subsection.”.

 

(b) Ghost Gun Regulation. -- Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended:

 

(1) in paragraph (3), by striking “or (D) any destructive device” and inserting “; (D) any destructive device; or (E) any combination of parts designed or intended for use in converting any device into a firearm and from which a firearm may be readily assembled”; and

 

(2) in paragraph (4)—

 

(A) by adding “and” at the end of subparagraph (A);

 

(B) by striking “and” at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting a period; and

 

(C) by striking subparagraph (C).

 

(c) Closure of Hate Crime Loophole. -- Section 922(d) of such title is amended in the first sentence:

 

(1) in paragraph (8)(B)(ii), by striking “or” at the end;

 

(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting “; or”; and

 

(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

 

“(10) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor hate crime (defined under 18 USC Sec. 249), or has received from any court an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence.”.

 

(d) Stalker Prohibitor. --  Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended:

 

(1) in subsection (d):

(A) in paragraph (8)(ii), by striking “or” at the end;

(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; or”; and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

“(10) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of stalking.”; and

(2) in subsection (g):

(A) in paragraph (8)(C)(ii), by striking “or” at the end;

(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the comma at the end and inserting “; or”; and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

“(10) who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of stalking,”.

 

(e) Guns for Terrorists Prohibitor. -- On and after the date of enactment of this Act, in accordance with the procedures under this section, and without regard to section 842, 843, section 922(g) or (n), or section 923 of title 18, United States Code, the Attorney General may deny the transfer of a firearm, not later than 3 business days after a licensee under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, contacts the national instant criminal background check system established under section 103 of Public Law 103–159 (34 U.S.C. 40901), deny the transfer of an explosive, or deny the issuance of a Federal firearms or explosives license or permit, if either of the following are met:

 

(A) NO FLY LIST.—The Attorney General determines that the transferee or applicant—

(i) based on the totality of the circumstances, represents a threat to public safety based on a reasonable suspicion that the transferee or applicant is engaged, or has been engaged, in conduct constituting, in preparation of, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing material support or resources therefor; and

(ii) based on credible information, poses—

(I) a threat of committing an act of international terrorism or domestic terrorism with respect to an aircraft (including a threat of piracy, or a threat to airline, passenger, or civil aviation security);

(II) a threat of committing an act of domestic terrorism with respect to the homeland;

(III) a threat of committing an act of international terrorism against any United States Government facility abroad and associated or supporting personnel, including United States embassies, consulates and missions, military installations, United States ships, United States aircraft, or other auxiliary craft owned or leased by the United States Government; or

(IV) a threat of engaging in or conducting a violent act of terrorism and is operationally capable of doing so.

(B) SELECTEE LIST.—The Attorney General determines that the transferee or applicant—

(i) based on the totality of the circumstances, represents a threat to public safety based on a reasonable suspicion that the transferee or applicant is engaged, or has been engaged, in conduct constituting, in preparation of, in aid of, or related to terrorism, or providing material support or resources therefor; and

(ii) based on credible information, is—

(I) a member of a terrorist organization (including a foreign terrorist organization designated pursuant to a statute or Executive order); and

(II) associated with terrorist activity, unless information exists that demonstrates that the application of secondary screening to such individual is not necessary.

 

(f) Effective Date. -- The amendment made by this section shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

 

 

PLAIN ENGLISH SUMMARY

 

Section 1 - Titles the Act, “Universal Background Check Act of 2007”

 

Section 2 - Requires unlicensed sellers who sell guns online or at gun shows to conduct a background check prior to a sale. Expand firearms definition to include any combination of parts designed or intended to be used to convert a device into a firearm and from which a firearm may be readily assembled. Prohibits the sale of firearms to individuals convicted of hate crimes. Establishes new federal firearms restrictions for individuals who are convicted of misdemeanor stalking offenses. New rules must go into effect within 180 days. Authorizes the Attorney General to deny the transfer of firearms and explosives and Federal firearms and explosives licenses and permits to known or suspected terrorists

 

BANGS GAVEL

I move for unanimous consent of the House for final passage of this bill.

I yield.

*RAPS GAVEL*

THE HOUSE SHALL COME TO ORDER!

In consideration today is the Transportation Infrastructure Development and Economic Opportunity Act. Pursuant to the House rules, debate shall commence for a period of 72 hours beginning now! 

*RAPS GAVEL*

FULL TEXT OF THE LEGISLATION AS INTRODUCED IS AS FOLLOWS:

Quote

 

110TH CONGRESS

 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

Mr. Williams, Mr. Reeves, and Mr. Hughes, for themselves (with thanks to Mr. Baucus), and others, offer

 

A BILL

 

To amend title 23, United States Code, to improve economic opportunity and development through highway investment, and for other purposes..

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 

This Act shall be cited as the "Transportation Infrastructure Development and Economic Opportunity Act".

 

SECTION 2. TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM.

 

(a) In General.—Subchapter I of chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 149 the following:

 

Ҥ 150. Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity program

 

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish and implement a "Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity" program to promote opportunity and economic development in the United States by allocating funds to States for the preservation and improvement of highways.

 

(b) State Allocations.--

 

(1) IN GENERAL.-- Funds authorized to be appropriated for the program established under subsection (a) shall be allocated for each fiscal year among States in accordance with this subsection.

 

(2) STATE SHARES.-- The Secretary shall determine the percentage of funds to be allocated among eligible States by assigning:

(A) 50% of funds to each State with a population density of 50 or fewer individuals per square mile of land area;

“(B) 50% of funds to each State with a population density of 50 or more individuals per square mile of land area.

 

(3) USE OF 2000 DECENNIAL CENSUS.-- In determining the population density of States under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall use data contained in the 2000 decennial census.

 

(c) Use Of Funds.-- Funds allocated to a State for the program established under subsection (a)

(1) may be used for any type of project eligible under section 133 (related to highways, bridges, tunnels, including designated routes of the Appalachian development highway system and local access roads; ferry boats and terminal facilities; transit capital projects; and other projects);

“(2) are not subject to other provisions of section 133; and

“(3) may not be expended on projects located within the geographical boundaries of an area that has been identified or designated as a transportation management area under section 134(k)(1).”.

 

SECTION 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 

(a) From amounts available in the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), there is authorized to be appropriated, for fiscal year 2010 and for each subsequent fiscal year, $250,000,000,000, which shall be used for the Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity program established under the previous section. 

 

PLAIN ENGLISH SUMMARY

 

Establishes the Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity program; authorizes $250bn a year allocation to fund transportation infrastructure projects detailed in Section 133, which includes various infrastructure projects, including constructing highways, bridges, tunnels, including designated routes of the Appalachian development highway system and local access roads and others.

 

HANDS OFF GAVEL

I move for unanimous consent of the House for passage of this legislation.

I yield.

*RAPS GAVEL*

THE HOUSE SHALL COME TO ORDER!

In consideration today is the Youth Entrepreneurship Project Act. Pursuant to the House rules, debate shall commence for a period of 72 hours beginning now! 

*RAPS GAVEL*

FULL TEXT OF THE LEGISLATION AS INTRODUCED IS AS FOLLOWS:

Quote

 

 

 

Mr. Bauman for himself presents,

 

A BILL

 

To create incentives for new business start-ups by young people.

 

Section 1. Creation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Project
(2) A new program is created, to be known as the Youth Entrepreneurship Project
(2) The program shall be administered through the Department of Commerce.
(3) The project's purpose shall be to encourage new businesses by young people aged up to 25 years.

Section 2. Eligibility
(1) Applicants to the project must be duly incorporated companies
(2) The owners of the applicant company must be American citizens/or permanent residents aged 25 or below. 
(3) Applicants may be refused by the Department of Commerce if the application is frivolous or the applicant is unable to carry out a successful business venture.

Section 3. Temporary exemption from business/corporation taxation and advisory list
(1) Eligible applicants shall pay aligned to their tax rate; those who make over $6,063 will pay 15% in federal income tax

(2) The Department of Commerce may extend this exemption to other forms of taxation.

(3) Section 127(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking and at the end of subparagraph (A), by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C), and inserting it after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph:

(B)the payment by an employer, whether paid to the employee or to a lender, of principal or interest on any qualified education loan (as defined in section 221(d)(1)) incurred by the employee.
(4) The Department of Commerce shall maintain a list of executives with at least five years of experience in business willing to act as advisers to companies accepted into this scheme. This list shall be available to all enterprises accepted into this scheme on request.

 

Section 4. Employer-Provided Higher Education Assistance Credit

(a) Employer-provided higher education assistance credit determined under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to the sum of—

(1) 50 percent of the student loan repayment expenditures of the taxpayer for the taxable year, and

(2) 50 percent of the qualified dependent 529 contributions are made by the taxpayer for the taxable year.

(b) Dollar Limitation.—The amount taken into account under each of paragraphs (1) and (2) concerning any employee for any taxable year shall not exceed $5,250.

 

PES:

Creates the Youth Entrepreneurship Project, allows young people aged 25 to develop new businesses by allowing them to pay taxes incurred by their company aligned to their individual tax bracket while also amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance to include payments of qualified education loans by an employer to either an employee or a lender.

 

HANDS OFF GAVEL

I move for unanimous consent of the House for final passage on this legislation.

I yield.

*RAPS GAVEL*

THE HOUSE SHALL COME TO ORDER!

In consideration today is the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act. Pursuant to the House rules, debate shall commence for a period of 72 hours beginning now! 

*RAPS GAVEL*

FULL TEXT OF THE LEGISLATION AS INTRODUCED IS AS FOLLOWS:

Quote

 

H. R. XXX

             To facilitate the development of markets for biofuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel through research and development and data collection.

---

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quarter 3, 2007

 

Mr. Reeves an Mr.Hughes (for themselves, and for others) with thanks to Mr. Lott introduced the following bill;

AN ACT

To facilitate the development of markets for biofuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel through research and development and data collection.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act”.

 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that—

 

(1) in order to lessen United States dependence on foreign sources of petroleum, and decrease demand for petroleum in the transportation sector, the Nation must diversify its fuel supply to include domestically produced biofuels including hydrogen;

 

(2) while ethanol has been successful in the market place as a fuel additive, newer biofuels may present unique challenges that may render the fuels incompatible with the current fuel transportation and delivery infrastructure, placing the burden of costly refurbishment and construction on fuel distributors and retailers;

 

(3) chemical additives to the fuels may mitigate the negative impacts of some biofuels on existing infrastructure and preclude costly retrofitting or installation of new biofuel compatible infrastructure and transportation systems;

 

(4) in order to mitigate air pollution and comply with Federal mandates, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel was introduced into the marketplace in 2006;

 

(5) fuel labeled Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel may accumulate more than the statutory limit of 15 parts per million of sulfur when transported through multiple pipelines, tanks, and trucks to the final point of sale;

 

(6) fuel distributors and retailers may inadvertently take delivery of fuel labeled Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel with more than 15 parts per million of sulfur without a practical means of verifying sulfur content; and

 

(7) fuel distributors and retailers may transform their business by dispensing hydrogen, reformed on site from various feedstocks, or delivered by pipeline or tube trucks, resulting in new storage, handling, and equipment challenges.

 

SEC. 3. BIOFUEL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ADDITIVES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency (in this Act referred to as the “Assistant Administrator”), in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall carry out a program of research and development of materials to be added to biofuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale. The Assistant Administrator is encouraged to utilize Land Grant Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other minority-serving institutions among other resources to undertake research for this program. The program shall address—

 

(1) materials to prevent or mitigate—

(A) corrosion of metal, plastic, rubber, cork, fiberglass, glues, or any other material used in pipes and storage tanks;

 

(B) dissolving of storage tank sediments;

 

(C) clogging of filters;

 

(D) contamination from water or other adulterants or pollutants;

 

(E) poor flow properties related to low temperatures;

 

(F) oxidative and thermal instability in long-term storage and use;

 

(G) microbial contamination; and

 

(H) problems associated with electrical conductivity;

 

(2) alternatives to conventional methods for refurbishment and cleaning of gasoline and diesel tanks, including tank lining applications;

 

(3) strategies to minimize emissions from infrastructure;

 

(4) issues with respect to certification by a nationally recognized testing laboratory of components for fuel dispensing devises that specifically reference compatibility with alcohol blended and other biofuels that contain greater than 15 percent alcohol;

 

(5) challenges for design, reforming, storage, handling, and dispensing hydrogen fuel from various feedstocks, including biomass, from neighborhood fueling stations, including codes and standards development necessary beyond that carried out under section 809 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16158);

 

(6) issues with respect to where in the fuel supply chain additives optimally should be added to fuels; and

 

(7) other problems as identified by the Assistant Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

 

SEC. 4. SULFUR TESTING FOR DIESEL FUELS.

 

 

(a) Program.—The Assistant Administrator, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall carry out a research, development, and demonstration program on portable, low-cost, and accurate methods and technologies for testing of sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel.

 

(b) Schedule Of Demonstrations.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator shall begin demonstrations of technologies under subsection (a).

 

SEC. 5. STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIALS AND DATA BASE DEVELOPMENT.

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall develop a physical properties data base and standard reference materials for biofuels. Such data base and standard reference materials shall be maintained and updated as appropriate as additional biofuels become available.

 

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS SUBJECT TO PAY AS YOU GO.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency $10,000,000 for carrying out this Act, to be derived from amounts otherwise appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency for energy research, development, and demonstration activities related to fuels or environmental research and development activities related to fuels.

 

SEC. 7. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the program under this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall transmit a report to Congress containing suggestions for any Federal incentives that could help such program be more successful.

 

SEC. 8. ADDITIONAL FINDING.

The Congress also finds that in order to lessen United States dependence on foreign sources of petroleum, and decrease demand for petroleum in aircraft, such as passenger planes with 42 business class seats capable of transcontinental flights, the Nation must diversify its fuel supply for aircraft to include domestically produced alternative fuels.

 

SEC. 9. ADDITIONAL ISSUES.

Research and development under this Act shall address issues with respect to increased volatile emissions or increased nitrogen oxide emissions.

Passed the House of Representatives February 8, 2007.

 

Plain English Summary

 

Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act - Instructs the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a program of research and development of materials to be added to biofuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale.

Cites problem areas to be addressed, including microbial contamination.

Directs the Assistant Administrator to: (1) implement a research, development, demonstration program on portable, low-cost, and accurate methods and technologies for testing sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel; and (2) begin demonstrations of such technologies within a year after enactment of this Act.

Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a physical properties database and standard reference materials for biofuels.

 

HANDS OFF GAVEL

I move for unanimous consent of the House for passage of this bill.

I yield.

*RAPS GAVEL*

THE HOUSE SHALL COME TO ORDER!

In consideration today is the Clean Tech Manufacturing Act of 2007. Pursuant to the House rules, debate shall commence for a period of 72 hours beginning now! 

*RAPS GAVEL*

FULL TEXT OF THE LEGISLATION AS INTRODUCED IS AS FOLLOWS:

Quote

 

110TH CONGRESS

 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

Mr. Williams, Mr. Reeves, and Mr. Hughes, for themselves (with thanks to Mrs. Stabenow), and others, offer

 

A BILL

 

To build a clean energy manufacturing technology incentive program.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.

 

This Act shall be cited as the “Clean Tech Manufacturing Act of 2007”. In this Act, the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.

 

SECTION 2. CLEAN TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

 

(a) Loans.-- The Secretary shall provide loans to manufacturers to help finance the cost of:

 

(1) reequipping, expanding, or establishing (including applicable engineering costs) a manufacturing facility in the United States to produce clean technology products and the significant component parts of those products, including:

(A) wind turbines;

(B) solar energy products;

(C) fuel cells;

(D) advanced batteries and storage devices;

(E) biomass engines;

(F) geothermal equipment;

(G) ocean energy equipment;

(H) carbon capture and storage;

(I) energy efficiency products, including appliances and products that are used to increase energy efficiency by at least 30 percent over a baseline product (and significant components of the appliances and products), subject to the condition that the parts shall be integral to the overall efficiency of the end product; and

(J) products for retrofitting a manufacturing facility to improve industrial processes and create greater energy efficiency through the use of technologies, including:

(i) combined heat and power systems;

(ii) natural gas pressure recovery;

(iii) advanced cogeneration;

(iv) gasification;

(v) anaerobic digestion; and

(vi) landfill gas recovery; and

 

(2) improving the energy-efficiency of the industrial processes of the manufacturers other than through the production of products and component parts described in paragraph (1)(J).

 

(b) Period Of Availability.-- A loan under subsection (a) shall apply to:

(1) facilities and equipment placed in service before December 30, 2012; and

(2) clean technology retooling costs, retrofitting costs, worker training costs, and other costs described in subsection (a) incurred during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 30, 2020.

 

(c) Direct Loan Program. -- 

 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the Secretary shall carry out a program to provide a total of not more than $150,000,000,000 in loans to eligible individuals and entities (as determined by the Secretary) for the costs of activities described in subsection (a).

 

(2) APPLICATION.—An applicant for a loan under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a written assurance that the wages and benefits that will be provided to each individual that is employed by the applicant (including a contractor or subcontractor) in carrying out activities described in subsection (a) are at least equal to the average in the area, as determined by the Secretary.

 

(3) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—The Secretary shall select eligible projects to receive loans under this subsection in cases in which, as determined by the Secretary, the loan recipient:

(A) has a viable market for the product or component described in subsection (a);

(B) will provide sufficient information to the Secretary for the Secretary to ensure that the qualified investment is expended efficiently and effectively;

(C) will provide such information as the Secretary may request to demonstrate that the qualified investment will preserve or create jobs; and

(D) has met such other criteria as may be established and published by the Secretary.

 

(4) RATES, TERMS, AND REPAYMENT OF LOANS.-- A loan provided under this subsection:

(A) shall have an interest rate that, as of the date on which the loan is made, is equal to the cost of funds to the Department of the Treasury for obligations of comparable maturity;

(B) shall have a term equal to the lesser of:

(i) the projected life, in years, of the eligible project to be carried out using funds from the loan, as determined by the Secretary; and

(ii) 25 years;

(C) may be subject to a deferral in repayment for not more than 5 years after the date on which the eligible project carried out using funds from the loan first begins operations, as determined by the Secretary;

(D) shall be made by the Federal Financing Bank; and

(E) shall be repaid in full if the loan recipient moves production of activities described in subsection (a) outside of the United States during the term of the loan.

 

(5) FEES.—Administrative costs shall be no more than $100,000 or 10 basis point of the loan.

 

(d) Priority.-- In making loans to manufacturers under this section, the Secretary:

(1) shall give priority to those facilities that are located in regions with the highest unemployment rates; and

 

(2) may provide awards or loan to facilities that are idle.

 

(e) Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.-- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in carrying out the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program established under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k, 278l).

 

(f) Funding.-- 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, on October 1, 2009, and on each October 1 thereafter through October 1, 2012, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary for the cost of loans and loan guarantees to carry out this section such sums as are necessary to provide the amount of loans authorized under subsection (c)(1), to remain available until expended.

 

(2) RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE.—The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.

 

 

PLAIN ENGLISH SUMMARY

 

Requires the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to provide loans to manufacturers to help finance the cost of: (1) reequipping, expanding, or establishing a manufacturing facility in the United States to produce clean technology products and significant component parts of those products, including wind turbines, solar energy products, fuel cells, advanced batteries and storage devices, biomass engines, and geothermal equipment; and (2) improving the energy-efficiency of the industrial processes of the manufacturers other than through the production of products and component parts for retrofitting a manufacturing facility. Applies such loans to: (1) facilities and equipment placed in service before December 30, 2012; and (2) costs incurred between the date of this Act's enactment and December 30, 2020. Requires the Secretary to give priority to facilities in regions with the highest unemployment rates. Authorizes the Secretary to provide awards or loans to idle facilities.

 

*BANGS GAVEL*

Debate has concluded.

BANGS GAVEL

By a vote of 220-215, the motion is agreed to and the bill is tabled.

*BANGS GAVEL*

Aye

*RAPS GAVEL*

Debate on the legislation, City Youth Violence Recovery Act, has concluded and a final vote, pursuant to House rules, shall commence for the next 72 hours! *Raps Gavel*

Here's the full legislation as presented, with approved amendments, before Congress for a final vote:

Quote

 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

Mr. Hobson (for himself, Mr. Reyes, Mr. O'Hallaron and Mr. Hughes of Indiana) introduced the following bill; with thanks to Mr. Larson of Connecticut

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of youth violence in eligible urban communities by providing violence-prevention education, mentoring, counseling, and mental health services to children and adolescents in such communities.

 

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "City Youth Violence Recovery Act".

 

Section 2. Findings

The Congress finds the following:

(1) The mental health of young people is essential to their overall well-being. Mental health affects how young people think, feel, and act; their ability to learn and engage in relationships; their self-esteem; their ability to evaluate situations and make choices; and their ability to handle stress, relate to other people, and acquire the skills and training needed for adulthood.

(2) Each year many children and adolescents sustain injuries from violence, lose friends or family members because of violence, or are adversely affected by witnessing violence.

(3) Youth violence, perpetrated both by and against young people, results in enormous physical, emotional, social, and economic consequences.

(4) The National Institutes of Health has found that inner-city children experience the greatest exposure to violence, and youngsters who have been exposed to community violence are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior or depression within the following year.

(5) Any event that can cause a person to feel fear, helplessness, horror, and a sense that life or safety is in danger puts a person, especially children, at risk for posttraumatic stress.

(6) Many cities lack the resources to provide the appropriate youth counseling and therapy services to minimize the long-term emotional harm of community violence.

 

Section 3. Grants to prevent or alleviate the effects of youth violence

(a) Grants

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney General of the United States, may award grants to eligible entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of youth violence in eligible urban communities by providing violence-prevention education, mentoring, counseling, and mental health services to children and adolescents in such communities.

(b)Priority

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that agree to use the grant in one or more eligible urban communities that lack the monetary or other resources to address youth violence.

(c) Limitation

The Secretary may not make a grant to an eligible entity under this section unless the entity agrees to use not more than 15 percent of the funds provided through the grant for violence-prevention education.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(1) The term eligible entity means a partnership between a State mental health authority and one or more local public or private providers, such as a city agency, State agency, educational institution, or nonprofit or for-profit organization.

(2) he term eligible urban community means an urban community with a high or increasing incidence of youth violence.

(3) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(e) Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.

 

PES

Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to partnerships between a state mental health authority and one or more local public or private entities to prevent or alleviate the effects of youth violence in urban communities with a high or increasing incidence of such violence by providing violence-prevention education, mentoring, counseling, and mental health services to children and adolescents. Gives priority to grant applicants that agree to use the grant in communities that lack the resources to address youth violence. Requires grant applicants to agree to use no more than 15% of a grant for violence-prevention education.

 

*RAPS GAVEL*

Debate on this legislation has concluded, it moves to a vote for final passage!

*RAPS GAVEL*

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Ms. Smith of Vermont, for herself, Mr. Reyes of New York, Mr. Hughes of Indiana, Mr. Greenspan of Connecticut, and Mr. O'Hallaron of New York, present

 

A RESOLUTION

 

To recognize two heroes of the Mclean Mass Shooting.

 

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “McLean Honor Act"

 

SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

 

As reported by MSNBC: 

In the store was the Primary class of Mr. Jonathan Vincente. Mr. Vincente ran out into the mall to distract Dragov, giving Ms. Cunningham enough time to pull and lock the gate to the store, while she moved the children into the stockroom of the store. Mr. Vincente was gunned down, and died, while Ms. Cunningham received multiple injuries, though she has since recovered.

 

SECTION 3. AWARDS.

 

(a) Presentation authorized - The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President  of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to Joshua Vincente's next of kin and Emily Cunningham. Upon passage of this resolution by both Houses, the Speaker shall present to Jonathan Vincente's next of kin a Congressional Gold Medal.

(b) Design and striking - For the purposes of the presentation referred to in subsection (a) and (b), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Secretary) shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary. Upon passage of this resolution by both Houses, the Speaker shall present to Emily Cunningham a Congressional Gold Medal.

 

SECTION 4. DEFINITION.

 

(a) A hero, for purposes of this resolution, is someone who does the right thing in a situation where they realize it may or will lead to their death.

 

Sec. 5. Duplicate Medals.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

 

Sec. 6. Status of Medals.

(a) National medals - The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
(b) Numismatic items - For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

Sec. 7. Authority to use fund amounts; proceeds of sale
(a) Authority to use fund amounts - There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act.
(b) Proceeds of sale - Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 5 shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

 

PES: Congressional Gold Medal to the family of Jonathan Vincente, killed in the McLean mass shooting distracting the shooters from his class, and Emily Cunningham, who was wounded sufficiently to require hospitalization and surgery in also helping to protect Vincente's class.

 

 

 

THIS BILL PASSED VIA UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE HOUSE

/s/ Christopher Williams /s/

Speaker of the House of Representatives

110th Congress of the United States

*BANGS GAVEL*

With their having been no objections following the unanimous consent motion, this bill HAS PASSED!

*BANGS GAVEL*

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SPEAKER

Dear Members of Congress,

It is the pleasure of the Speaker of the House to announce the fifth docket of the 110th Congress:

• Clean Tech Manufacturing Act of 2007
• Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act
• Youth Entrepreneurship Project Act
• Transportation Infrastructure Development and Economic Opportunity Act
• Universal Background Check Act of 2007

So ordered,

/s/ Christopher Williams /s/ 

Speaker of the House of Representatives

110TH CONGRESS

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

Mr. Williams, Mr. Reeves, and Mr. Hughes, for themselves (with thanks to Mr. Baucus), and others, offer

A BILL

To amend title 23, United States Code, to improve economic opportunity and development through highway investment, and for other purposes..

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act shall be cited as the "Transportation Infrastructure Development and Economic Opportunity Act".

SECTION 2. TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM.

(a) In General.—Subchapter I of chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 149 the following:

Ҥ 150. Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity program

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish and implement a "Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity" program to promote opportunity and economic development in the United States by allocating funds to States for the preservation and improvement of highways.

(b) State Allocations.--

(1) IN GENERAL.-- Funds authorized to be appropriated for the program established under subsection (a) shall be allocated for each fiscal year among States in accordance with this subsection.

(2) STATE SHARES.-- The Secretary shall determine the percentage of funds to be allocated among eligible States by assigning:

(A) 50% of funds to each State with a population density of 50 or fewer individuals per square mile of land area;

“(B) 50% of funds to each State with a population density of 50 or more individuals per square mile of land area.

(3) USE OF 2000 DECENNIAL CENSUS.-- In determining the population density of States under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall use data contained in the 2000 decennial census.

(c) Use Of Funds.-- Funds allocated to a State for the program established under subsection (a)

(1) may be used for any type of project eligible under section 133 (related to highways, bridges, tunnels, including designated routes of the Appalachian development highway system and local access roads; ferry boats and terminal facilities; transit capital projects; and other projects);

“(2) are not subject to other provisions of section 133; and

“(3) may not be expended on projects located within the geographical boundaries of an area that has been identified or designated as a transportation management area under section 134(k)(1).”.

SECTION 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) From amounts available in the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), there is authorized to be appropriated, for fiscal year 2010 and for each subsequent fiscal year, $250,000,000,000, which shall be used for the Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity program established under the previous section. 

PLAIN ENGLISH SUMMARY

Establishes the Transportation Development and Economic Opportunity program; authorizes $250bn a year allocation to fund transportation infrastructure projects detailed in Section 133, which includes various infrastructure projects, including constructing highways, bridges, tunnels, including designated routes of the Appalachian development highway system and local access roads and others.

110TH CONGRESS

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

Mr. Williams, Mr. Reeves, and Mr. Hughes, for themselves (with thanks to Mr. Allen), and others, offer

A BILL

To  improve access to broadband service in rural and underserved areas of the United States, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act shall be cited as the “Rural America Communication Expansion for the Future Act of 2008”. 

SECTION 2. TAX CREDIT FOR BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS EXPENSES.

(a) In General.-- Part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to itemized deductions for individuals and corporations) is amended by inserting after section 190 the following new section:

“(a) Treatment Of Expenditures.-- 

“(1) IN GENERAL.-- A taxpayer may elect to treat any broadband expenditure which is paid or incurred by the taxpayer as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account. Any expenditure which is so treated shall be allowed as a deduction.

“(2) ELECTION.-- An election under paragraph (1) shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation.

“(b) Qualified Broadband Expenditures.-- For purposes of this section-- 

“(1) IN GENERAL.-- The term ‘qualified broadband expenditure’ means, with respect to any taxable year, any direct or indirect costs incurred after the date of the enactment of this section and before the date which is 4 years after such date and properly taken into account with respect to-- 

“(A) the purchase or installation of qualified equipment (including any upgrades thereto), and

“(B) the connection of such qualified equipment to any qualified subscriber.

“(2) CERTAIN SATELLITE EXPENDITURES EXCLUDED.—Such term shall not include any costs incurred with respect to the launching of any satellite equipment.

“(3) LEASED EQUIPMENT.—Such term shall include so much of the purchase price paid by the lessor of qualified equipment subject to a lease described in subsection (c)(2)(B) as is attributable to expenditures incurred by the lessee which would otherwise be described in paragraph (1).

“(4) LIMITATION WITH REGARD TO CURRENT GENERATION BROADBAND SERVICES.—Only 50 percent of the amounts taken into account under paragraph (1) with respect to qualified equipment through which current generation broadband services are provided shall be treated as qualified broadband expenditures.

“(c) When Expenditures Taken Into Account.-- For purposes of this section-- 

“(1) IN GENERAL.-- Qualified broadband expenditures with respect to qualified equipment shall be taken into account with respect to the first taxable year in which-- 

“(A) current generation broadband services are provided through such equipment to qualified subscribers, or

“(B) next generation broadband services are provided through such equipment to qualified subscribers."

(2) QUALIFIED EQUIPMENT.-- 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘qualified equipment’ means equipment which provides current generation broadband services or next generation broadband services--

“(i) at least a majority of the time during periods of maximum demand to each subscriber who is utilizing such services, and

“(ii) in a manner substantially the same as such services are provided by the provider to subscribers through equipment with respect to which no deduction is allowed under subsection (a)(1)."

SECTION 3. CREDIT FOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES FOR WIRELESS BROADBAND NETWORKS SERVING RURAL OR UNDERSERVED AREAS.

(a)  In General.—Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 45O. CREDIT FOR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES FOR WIRELESS BROADBAND NETWORKS SERVING RURAL OR UNDERSERVED AREAS.

“(a) General Rule.—For purposes of section 38, the wireless broadband operations credit determined under this section for the taxable year is the amount equal to the qualified operational expenses of the taxpayer for the taxable year.

(b) Limitation.—The amount allowed as a credit under this section for a taxable year shall not exceed $10,000.

(c) Qualified Operational Expenses.—For purposes of this section:

(1) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘qualified operational expenses’ means amounts paid or incurred to provide broadband services in the United States to rural subscribers or underserved subscribers through the radio transmission of energy. Such amounts does not includes amounts properly allocable to capital account.

“(2) BROADBAND SERVICES.—The term ‘broadband services’ means the transmission of signals at a rate of at least 5,000,000 bits per second to the subscriber and at least 1,000,000 bits per second from the subscriber.

“(3) OTHER DEFINITIONS.—The terms ‘rural area’, ‘subscriber’, ‘underserved area’, have the meanings given the respective term by 191(e).

“(d) Related Persons.—For purposes of this section, all persons treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52 shall be treated as a single taxpayer.

“(e) Denial Of Double Benefit.—For purposes of this section, no amount taken into account as a deduction or credit under any other provision of this chapter shall be taken into account under this section.”.

(b) Credit Treated As Business Credit.—Section 38(b) of such Code (relating to current year business credit) is amended by striking “plus” at the end of paragraph (30), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (31), and inserting “, plus”, and by adding at the end the following:

“(32) the wireless broadband operations credit determined under section 45O(a).”.

SECTION 4. EXTENSION OF PUBLIC SAFETY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Section 315(b) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 904e(b)) is amended by striking “2002 through 2007” and inserting “2009 through 2013”.

SECTION 5. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS.

(a) Definitions.—Section 601(b) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

“(2) ELIGIBLE RURAL COMMUNITY.—The term ‘eligible rural community’ means any area of the United States that is not--

“(A) included within the boundaries of any city, town, borough, or village, whether incorporated or unincorporated, with a population of more than 40,000 inhabitants; or

“(B) the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town.”.

(b) Paperwork Deduction. -- Section 601(c) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb(c)), as amended by subsection (b)(2) of this section, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(4) PAPERWORK REDUCTION.—The Secretary shall take steps to reduce the cost and paperwork associated with applying for a loan or loan guarantee under this section by first-time applicants, particularly those who are smaller and start-up Internet providers, including by providing for a new application which shall maintain the ability of the Secretary to make an analysis of the risk associated with the loan involved.”.

(c) COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM. -- Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 602. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM.

“(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a grant program to be known as the ‘Community Connect Grant Program’ to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants to provide broadband transmission service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety services.

“(b) Eligibility.—To be eligible for a grant under this section, the applicant must--

“(1) be legally organized as an incorporated tribal organization, an Indian tribe, or tribal organization, as defined in subsections (b) and (c) of section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(b) and (c)), a State or local unit of government, or other legal entity, including a cooperative, private corporation, or limited liability company organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis;

“(2) have the legal capacity and authority to own and operate broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts, and to otherwise comply with applicable Federal statutes and regulations; or

“(3) be in an eligible rural community (as defined in section 601(b)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936).

(c) Authorization Of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section not more than $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013.”.

SECTION 6. COMPREHENSIVE RURAL BROADBAND STRATEGY.

(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the President, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing a comprehensive rural broadband strategy that includes:

(1) recommendations:

(A) to promote interagency coordination of Federal agencies in regards to policies, procedures, and targeted resources, and to improve and streamline the polices, programs, and services;

(B) to coordinate among Federal agencies regarding existing rural broadband or rural initiatives that could be of value to rural broadband development;

(C) to address both short- and long-term solutions and needs assessments for a rapid build-out of rural broadband solutions and applications for Federal, State, regional, and local government policy makers;

(D) to identify how specific Federal agency programs and resources can best respond to rural broadband requirements and overcome obstacles that currently impede rural broadband deployment; and

(E) to promote successful model deployments and appropriate technologies being used in rural areas so that State, regional, and local governments can benefit from the cataloging and successes of other State, regional, and local governments; and

(2) a description of goals and timeframes to achieve the strategic plans and visions identified in the report.

SECTION 7. TELEHEALTH PROGRAMS.

(a) Telehealth Network And Telehealth Resource Centers Grant Programs.—Subsection (s) of section 330I of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–14) is amended to read as follows:

“(s) Authorization Of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section:

“(1) for grants under subsection (d)(1), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013; and

“(2) for grants under subsection (d)(2), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.”.

(b) Telemedicine; Incentive Grants Regarding Coordination Among States.—Subsection (b) of section 330L of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 245c–18) is amended to read as follows:

“(b) Authorization Of Appropriations.—To carry out subsection (a), there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.”.

SECTION 8. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS.

(a) Section 315(b) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 904e(b)) is amended by striking “2002 through 2007” and inserting “2009 through 2013”.

PLAIN ENGLISH SUMMARY

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers in rural or underserved areas to elect to expense broadband expenditures, including installation and connection costs. Permits mutual or cooperative telephone companies to reduce their unrelated business taxable income in any year by the amount of their broadband expenditures. Allows a business-related tax credit for providing broadband services to rural or underserved subscribers through the radio transmission of energy. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to establish a grant to a local government with at least one rural or underserved area to establish publicly available broadband networks. Extends funding for: (1) public safety communications interoperability; (2) 911 access; and (3) telehealth programs. Establishes the Community Connect Grant Program to provide broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety services.

110TH CONGRESS

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

Mr. Williams, Mr. Reeves, and Mr. Hughes, for themselves (with thanks to Mrs. Stabenow), and others, offer

A BILL

To build a clean energy manufacturing technology incentive program.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.

This Act shall be cited as the “Clean Tech Manufacturing Act of 2007”. In this Act, the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.

SECTION 2. CLEAN TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

(a) Loans.-- The Secretary shall provide loans to manufacturers to help finance the cost of:

(1) reequipping, expanding, or establishing (including applicable engineering costs) a manufacturing facility in the United States to produce clean technology products and the significant component parts of those products, including:

(A) wind turbines;

(B) solar energy products;

(C) fuel cells;

(D) advanced batteries and storage devices;

(E) biomass engines;

(F) geothermal equipment;

(G) ocean energy equipment;

(H) carbon capture and storage;

(I) energy efficiency products, including appliances and products that are used to increase energy efficiency by at least 30 percent over a baseline product (and significant components of the appliances and products), subject to the condition that the parts shall be integral to the overall efficiency of the end product; and

(J) products for retrofitting a manufacturing facility to improve industrial processes and create greater energy efficiency through the use of technologies, including:

(i) combined heat and power systems;

(ii) natural gas pressure recovery;

(iii) advanced cogeneration;

(iv) gasification;

(v) anaerobic digestion; and

(vi) landfill gas recovery; and

(2) improving the energy-efficiency of the industrial processes of the manufacturers other than through the production of products and component parts described in paragraph (1)(J).

(b) Period Of Availability.-- A loan under subsection (a) shall apply to:

(1) facilities and equipment placed in service before December 30, 2012; and

(2) clean technology retooling costs, retrofitting costs, worker training costs, and other costs described in subsection (a) incurred during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 30, 2020.

(c) Direct Loan Program. -- 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the Secretary shall carry out a program to provide a total of not more than $150,000,000,000 in loans to eligible individuals and entities (as determined by the Secretary) for the costs of activities described in subsection (a).

(2) APPLICATION.—An applicant for a loan under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a written assurance that the wages and benefits that will be provided to each individual that is employed by the applicant (including a contractor or subcontractor) in carrying out activities described in subsection (a) are at least equal to the average in the area, as determined by the Secretary.

(3) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—The Secretary shall select eligible projects to receive loans under this subsection in cases in which, as determined by the Secretary, the loan recipient:

(A) has a viable market for the product or component described in subsection (a);

(B) will provide sufficient information to the Secretary for the Secretary to ensure that the qualified investment is expended efficiently and effectively;

(C) will provide such information as the Secretary may request to demonstrate that the qualified investment will preserve or create jobs; and

(D) has met such other criteria as may be established and published by the Secretary.

(4) RATES, TERMS, AND REPAYMENT OF LOANS.-- A loan provided under this subsection:

(A) shall have an interest rate that, as of the date on which the loan is made, is equal to the cost of funds to the Department of the Treasury for obligations of comparable maturity;

(B) shall have a term equal to the lesser of:

(i) the projected life, in years, of the eligible project to be carried out using funds from the loan, as determined by the Secretary; and

(ii) 25 years;

(C) may be subject to a deferral in repayment for not more than 5 years after the date on which the eligible project carried out using funds from the loan first begins operations, as determined by the Secretary;

(D) shall be made by the Federal Financing Bank; and

(E) shall be repaid in full if the loan recipient moves production of activities described in subsection (a) outside of the United States during the term of the loan.

(5) FEES.—Administrative costs shall be no more than $100,000 or 10 basis point of the loan.

(d) Priority.-- In making loans to manufacturers under this section, the Secretary:

(1) shall give priority to those facilities that are located in regions with the highest unemployment rates; and

(2) may provide awards or loan to facilities that are idle.

(e) Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.-- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in carrying out the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program established under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k, 278l).

(f) Funding.-- 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, on October 1, 2009, and on each October 1 thereafter through October 1, 2012, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary for the cost of loans and loan guarantees to carry out this section such sums as are necessary to provide the amount of loans authorized under subsection (c)(1), to remain available until expended.

(2) RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE.—The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.

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PLAIN ENGLISH SUMMARY

 

Requires the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to provide loans to manufacturers to help finance the cost of: (1) reequipping, expanding, or establishing a manufacturing facility in the United States to produce clean technology products and significant component parts of those products, including wind turbines, solar energy products, fuel cells, advanced batteries and storage devices, biomass engines, and geothermal equipment; and (2) improving the energy-efficiency of the industrial processes of the manufacturers other than through the production of products and component parts for retrofitting a manufacturing facility. Applies such loans to: (1) facilities and equipment placed in service before December 30, 2012; and (2) costs incurred between the date of this Act's enactment and December 30, 2020. Requires the Secretary to give priority to facilities in regions with the highest unemployment rates. Authorizes the Secretary to provide awards or loans to idle facilities.

 

PASSED 435-0

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IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. HUGHES of Delaware, for himself, Mr. GERBHARDT of Pennsylvania, Mr. HARMON of Ohio, and Mr. ALLEN of New Mexico, with thanks to Mr. SCHIFF of California, introduce the following bill;
 

A BILL,

 

To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit authorized committees and leadership PACs of a candidate or an individual holding Federal office from making payments to the candidate’s or individual’s spouse, to require such committees and PACs to report on disbursements made to the immediate family members of the candidate or individual, and for other purposes.

 

SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE.

   This Act may be cited as the, "Campaign Expenditure Accountability Act".

 

SEC. 2. PROHIBITING PAYMENT OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO SPOUSES OF CANDIDATES; DISCLOSURE OF PAYMENTS TO FAMILY MEMBERS.

   (a) Prohibition.—Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 

      “(c) Restrictions On Payments To Spouses; Disclosure Of Payments To Family Members.—

 

         “(1) PROHIBITION.—

 

            “(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an authorized committee of a candidate and a leadership PAC of a candidate or individual holding Federal office may not make any payment to the spouse of the candidate or individual (as the case may be) for services provided to the committee or leadership PAC.

 

            “(B) EXCEPTION FOR REIMBURSEMENTS FOR TRAVEL.—Subparagraph (A) does not apply to amounts paid to reimburse a spouse for any travel expenses which the committee or leadership PAC involved is permitted to reimburse under this Act.

 

         “(2) DISCLOSURE OF PAYMENTS TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS.—In addition to any other information included in a report submitted by an authorized committee or a leadership PAC of a candidate or individual holding Federal office under section 304, the committee or PAC shall include in the report a separate statement of any disbursements made to any immediate family member of the candidate or individual (as the case may be) during the period covered by the report, as well as any disbursements made to the spouse of the candidate or individual which the committee or leadership PAC is permitted to make under the exception described in paragraph (1)(B).

 

         “(3) TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN ENTITIES.—For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), a payment to an entity shall be considered to be a payment to the spouse or an immediate family member of the candidate or individual (as the case may be) if the spouse or immediate family member is an officer or director of the entity.

 

         “(4) EXCEPTION FOR NOMINAL REIMBURSEMENTS.—Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to nominal amounts paid to reimburse a spouse or immediate family member for supplies and equipment used by the committee or leadership PAC involved, so long as the total amount paid by the committee or leadership PAC for all such reimbursements during a calendar year does not exceed $500.

 

         “(5) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection—

 

            “(A) the term ‘immediate family member’ means the son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother, father, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, or grandchild of the candidate or individual involved; and

 

            “(B) the term ‘leadership PAC’ means a political committee which is directly or indirectly established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate for election for Federal office or an individual holding Federal office but is not an authorized committee of the candidate or individual, except that such term does not include any political committee of a political party.”.

 

   (b) Conforming Amendment.—Section 313(a)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 439a(a)(1)) is amended by striking “for otherwise” and inserting “subject to subsection (c), for otherwise”.

 

SEC. 3. IMPOSITION OF PENALTY AGAINST CANDIDATE OR OFFICEHOLDER.

   Section 309 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 

      “(e) In the case of a violation of section 313(c) committed by an authorized committee or leadership PAC of a candidate or individual holding Federal office, if the candidate or individual knew of the violation, any penalty imposed under this section shall be imposed on the candidate or individual and not on the committee or leadership PAC.”.

 

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

   The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to elections occurring after December 2007.

 

 

PES: Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit authorized committees of a candidate or any other political committee established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or an individual holding federal office (other than a political committee of a political party) from directly or indirectly compensating the spouse of the candidate or the individual (as the case may be) for services provided to or on behalf of the committee.

 

Requires any such committee to report on disbursements to the spouse or an immediate family member of the candidate or individual.

 

Requires any penalty imposed for violation of this Act to be imposed on the candidate or federal office holder whose spouse receives compensation. Prohibits the committee involved from reimbursing the candidate or office holder for any such penalty.

 

PASSED 435-0 

Quote

 

IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. HUGHES of Delaware, for himself, Mrs. KING of Illinois, and Mr. HOBSON of the District of Columbia, with thanks to Mr. HILL of Indiana, introduce the following bill;
 

A BILL,

 

To establish the House Independent Ethics Commission, and for other purposes.

 

SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE.

   This Act may be cited as the, "House Independent Ethics Commission Creation Act".

 

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF HOUSE ETHICS COMMISSION.

   (a) Establishment.--There is established an independent ethics commission within the legislative branch of the Government to be known as the House Independent Ethics Commission (in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').

   

(b) Membership and Terms of Office.--

 

      (1) The Commission shall consist of 14 individuals. Six former Democratic Members shall be appointed by the Republican leader and 6 former Republican Members by the Democratic leader of the House of Representatives. Two members who have never served in either House of Congress shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and the House Majority and Minority Leaders acting in concert. Except as provided by paragraph (2), the terms of all members of the Commission shall be 2 years and no member may serve for more than 6 years.

 

      (2) Of the members first appointed--

 

         (A) 2 appointed by each leader shall be for a term of 2 years;

 

         (B) 2 appointed by each leader shall be for a term of 4 years; and

 

         (C) 2 appointed by each leader shall be for a term of 6 years; as designated by each such leader at the time of appointment.

 

   (c) Chairman and Vice Chairman.--The chairman and the vice chairman of the Commission shall be selected by the members of the Commission at its first meeting. No member may serve for more than one 2-year term as chairman and no member may serve for more than one 2-year term as vice chairman.

 

   (d) Qualifications.--Except as stated in sub section (1) above, only former Members of the House of Representatives shall be eligible for appointment to the Commission.

 

   (e) Dismissal. -- A member of the Commission can be removed prior to the conclusion of their respective term from the Commission by a unanimous agreement of the House Republican and House Democratic leaders.

 

   (f) Compensation.--Members shall each be entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay in effect for Level III of the Executive Schedule for each day (including travel time) during which they are engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission.

 

   (g) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. (g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairman or a majority of its members.

 

SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

   The Commission is authorized--

 

      (1) to investigate any alleged violation, by a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives, of any law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to the conduct of such Member, officer, or employee in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, and after notice and hearing (unless the right to a hearing is waived by the Member, officer, or employee), shall report to the House of Representatives its findings of fact and recommendations, if any, upon the final disposition of any such investigation, and such action as the Commission may deem appropriate in the circumstances;

 

      (2) to issue any letter of reproval or admonishment with respect to such an alleged violation;

 

      (3) to report to the appropriate Federal or State authorities any substantial evidence of a violation, by a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives, of any law applicable to the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, which may have been disclosed in a Commission investigation; and

 

      (4) to adopt rules governing its procedures to provide protections to respondents comparable to those that were provided by clause 3 of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives in effect immediately before the amendments to such rule made by section 8.

 

SEC. 4. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

   (a) Hearings and Evidence.-- The Commission or, on the authority of the Commission, the chairman or vice chairman, may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act--

 

      (1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, administer such oaths; and

 

      (2) subject to subsection (b), require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as the Commission or the chairman or vice chairman may determine advisable.

 

   (b) Subpoenas.--

 

      (1) In general.--A subpoena may be issued only under the signature of the chairman or the vice chairman, and may be served by any person designated by the chairman or the vice chairman.

 

   (c) Obtaining Information.--Upon request of the Commission, the head of any agency or instrumentality of the Government shall furnish information deemed necessary by the panel to enable it to carry out its duties.

 

SEC. 5. PROCEDURAL RULES.

   (a) Majority Approval.--No report or recommendation relating to the official conduct of a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives shall be made by the Commission, and no investigation of such conduct shall be undertaken by the Commission, unless approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Commission.

 

   (b) Investigations.--Except in the case of an investigation undertaken by the Commission on its own initiative, the Commission may undertake an investigation relating to the official conduct of an individual Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives only--

 

      (1) upon receipt of a complaint, in writing and under oath, made by or submitted to a Member of the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Commission by such Member, or

 

      (2) upon receipt of a complaint from the chairman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives, in writing and under oath, made by that committee.

 

   (c) Prohibition of Certain Investigations.--No investigation shall be undertaken by the Commission of any alleged violation of a law, rule, regulation, or standard of conduct not in effect at the time of the alleged violation.

 

   (d) Disclosure.--No information or testimony received, or the contents of a complaint or the fact of its filing, shall be publicly disclosed by any member of the Commission or staff of the Commission unless specifically authorized in each instance by a vote of the Commission.

 

SEC. 6. STAFF OF COMMISSION.

   The Commission may appoint and fix the compensation of such staff as the Commission considers necessary to perform its duties. The director shall be appointed jointly by the Speaker and minority leader and shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for Level III of the Executive Schedule.

 

SEC. 7. ACTION ON COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS.

   (a) Printing of Reports in Congressional Record.--Upon receipt by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives of any report of the Commission, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall have the report printed in the Congressional Record.

 

   (b) House Consideration of Independent Ethics Commission Recommendations.--Within 14 calendar days after a report referred to in subsection (a) is printed in the Congressional Record, that portion of the report recommending action by the House of Representatives respecting any alleged violation, by a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives, of any law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to the conduct of such Member, officer, or employee in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities shall be introduced (by request) in the House by the Speaker of the House, for himself and the minority leader of the House in the form of a resolution.

 

   This resolution shall constitute a question of privilege under rule IX of the Rules of the House of Representatives. Any Member favoring the resolution may call it up as a question of privilege but only on the third day after the calendar date upon which such Member announces to the House his intention to do so.

 

SEC. 8. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF THE HOUSE TO CHANGE THE DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT.

   (a) House Rules Amendments.--Clause 3 of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended as follows:

 

      (1) In paragraph (a), strike subparagraphs (1), (2), and (3), and redesignate subparagraphs (4), (5), and (6), as subparagraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively.

 

      (2)(A) Paragraph (b)(1) is amended by striking ``(A)'', by striking ``a resolution, report, recommendation, or'' and inserting ``an'', and by striking ``, or, except as provided in subparagraph (2), undertake an investigation'', and by striking subdivision (B).

 

         (B) Paragraph (b) is further amended by striking subparagraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) and by redesignating subparagraphs (6) and (7) as subparagraphs (2) and (3), respectively.

 

      (3) Strike paragraphs (j) (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), and (q). (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 803 of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d).

 

SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.

   This Act shall take effect upon the date of its enactment, except that sections 3, 4, and 8 shall not take effect until the later of 6 months after such date of enactment or immediately prior to noon January 3, 2009.

 

PES: Establishes an independent House Independent Ethics Commission within the legislative branch. Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise the duties of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to conform with this Act.