Summary: Includes an unmarried dependent child who is under 25 years of age (currently, under age 22) or incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 25 (currently, before age 22) as a member of a federal employee's family who is eligible for coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

includes unmarried dependent child years age currently age incapable self support mental physical disability existed age currently age member federal employee family eligible coverage federal_employees_health_benefits_program


Summary: Entitles federal employees who satisfy age and service requirements for immediate or early retirement under the Federal Employees' Retirement System or the Foreign Service Pension System and who are separated from service or transferred to a position not subject to either of those retirement systems to a lump-sum payment for 15% of the amount of their accumulated sick leave exceeding 500 hours.Prohibits such a payment from exceeding $10,000. Excludes hours of sick leave that are creditable in the computation of any other compensation or benefit.

entitles federal employees satisfy age service requirements immediate early retirement federal employees retirement system foreign_service pension system separated service transferred position subject retirement systems lump sum payment accumulated sick leave exceeding hours prohibits payment exceeding excludes hours sick leave creditable computation compensation benefit


Summary: Congressional Review Act Improvement Act - Repeals the requirement that federal agencies must submit rules (and related reports) that are published in the Federal Register to both Houses of Congress before such rules can take effect (thus making the Comptroller General the sole recipient of such rules).Requires the Comptroller General to submit to each House of Congress a weekly report containing a list of the rules received by the Comptroller General, including a notation indicating whether or not a rule is a major rule. Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate to publish in the Congressional Record each report received from the Comptroller General and a statement of referral to the committee or committees responsible for the review of the rules in each such report.

congressional review act improvement act repeals requirement federal agencies submit rules related reports published federal_register houses congress rules effect making comptroller_general sole recipient comptroller_general submit house congress weekly report containing list rules received comptroller_general including notation indicating rule major rule requires speaker house_of_representatives senate publish congressional_record report received comptroller_general statement referral committee committees responsible review rules report


Summary: Directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to establish a program under which an employing office of the House of Representatives may agree to have payments made from the applicable House accounts to reimburse employees for child care expenses incurred while they are carrying out official duties.

directs chief administrative officer house_of_representatives establish program employing office house_of_representatives agree payments applicable house accounts reimburse employees child care expenses incurred carrying official duties


Summary: Fair Share Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) of the Social Security Act to treat certain foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies performing services under a contract with the U.S. government as U.S. employers for purposes of Social Security and Medicare employment taxes.

fair share act amends_the_internal_revenue_code title old age survivors disability_insurance benefits social_security_act treat certain foreign subsidiaries companies performing services contract government employers purposes social_security medicare employment taxes


Summary: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) eight administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave.Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to allow the same substitution for covered congressional employees.Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow the same substitution for Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Library of Congress employees.Requires GAO to study and report on the feasibility and desirability of providing an insurance benefit to federal employees which affords partial or total wage replacement with respect to periods of qualified leave. Defines "qualified leave" as leave that: (1) is available by reason of the need to care for the spouse, child, or parent of the employee having a serious health condition or by reason of a serious health condition affecting the employee that renders such employee unable to perform the functions of his or her position; and (2) would otherwise be leave without pay.

federal employees paid parental leave act allows federal employees substitute available paid leave leave pay available birth child placement child employee adoption foster care makes available weeks leave employee entitled purposes administrative weeks paid parental leave connection birth placement involved accumulated annual sick leave amends congressional_accountability_act allow substitution covered congressional employees amends family_and_medical_leave_act allow substitution government_accountability_office gao library_of_congress employees requires gao study report feasibility desirability providing insurance benefit federal employees affords partial total wage replacement respect periods qualified leave defines qualified leave leave available reason need care spouse child parent employee having health condition reason health condition affecting employee renders employee unable perform functions position leave pay


Summary: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to up to eight administrative workweeks, based on the consideration of: (1) the benefits provided to the federal government of offering increased paid parental leave, including enhanced recruitment and retention of employees; (2) the cost to the federal government of increasing the amount of paid parental leave that is available to employees; (3) trends in the private sector and in state and local governments with respect to offering paid parental leave; and (4) the federal government's role as a model employer. Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to allow the same substitution for covered congressional employees.Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow the same substitution for Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Library of Congress employees.

federal employees paid parental leave act allows federal employees substitute available paid leave leave pay available birth child placement child employee adoption foster care makes available weeks leave employee entitled purposes administrative weeks paid parental leave connection birth placement involved accumulated annual sick leave authorizes director office_of_personnel_management opm increase paid parental leave available administrative workweeks based consideration benefits provided federal_government offering increased paid parental leave including enhanced recruitment retention employees cost federal_government increasing paid parental leave available employees trends private sector state local governments respect offering paid parental leave federal_government role model employer amends congressional_accountability_act allow substitution covered congressional employees amends family_and_medical_leave_act allow substitution government_accountability_office gao library_of_congress employees


Summary: Allows federal employees to use up to two days of sick leave per year to perform community service for a charitable organization participating in the Combined Federal Campaign.

allows federal employees use days sick leave year perform community service charitable organization participating combined federal campaign


Summary: Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure that executive agency employees who receive their pay by electronic funds transfer are given the option of receiving their pay stubs electronically.

requires office_of_personnel_management opm ensure executive agency employees receive pay electronic funds transfer given option receiving pay electronically


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: ( 1) modify the exemption from the 10% penalty for premature distributions from governmental employee benefit plans to qualified public safety employees to eliminate the restriction that such plans be defined benefit plans; and (2) exempt from tax penalties certain periodic payments made to qualified public safety employees before the enactment of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (i.e., August 17, 2006).

amends_the_internal_revenue_code modify exemption penalty premature distributions governmental employee benefit plans qualified public safety employees eliminate restriction plans defined benefit plans exempt tax penalties certain periodic payments qualified public safety employees enactment pension_protection_act august


Summary: Military Family Support Act of 2008 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish a program to authorize a caregiver (a federal employee at least 18 years of age capable of providing care to a child or other dependent family member of a member of the Armed Forces) to use: (1) any available sick leave for the provision of such care in the same manner as annual leave is used; and (2) any federal leave available to that caregiver as though that period of caregiving is a medical emergency. Requires the program to: (1) provide a process for reasonable notice of the need for leave; and (2) protect employees from discrimination or retaliation for the use of leave under this Act and provide the opportunity to appeal a denial of its use. Requires the service member for whom the caregiving is provided to be performing service in support of a contingency operation or in situations for which hostile fire or imminent danger pay is authorized and to designate the caregiver for his or her family. Terminates the program on December 31, 2012.Provides for an offsetting reduction in FY2008 appropriations for the Department of Defense for research, development, test and evaluation.

military family support act directs office_of_personnel_management opm establish program authorize caregiver federal employee years age capable providing care child dependent family member member armed_forces use available sick leave provision care manner annual leave federal leave available caregiver period caregiving medical emergency requires program provide process reasonable notice need leave protect employees discrimination retaliation use leave act provide opportunity appeal denial use requires service member caregiving provided performing service support contingency operation situations hostile fire imminent danger pay authorized designate caregiver family terminates program december offsetting reduction fy2008 appropriations department_of_defense research development test evaluation


Summary: Disabled Public Safety Officers Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for payment of disability benefits to public safety officers who became permanently and totally disabled prior to the enactment of such Act.

disabled public safety officers fairness act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act provide payment disability benefits public safety officers permanently totally disabled prior enactment act


Summary: Provides that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2009 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the statutory pay system (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year). Expresses the sense of Congress that any savings resulting from the enactment of this Act should be dedicated to reducing the federal budget deficit.

provides automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2009 rates basic pay members congress statutory pay system eliminating pay adjustment members fiscal year expresses sense congress savings resulting enactment act dedicated reducing federal budget deficit


Summary: Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act of 2008 - Revises requirements for participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to require the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to provide regulations for automatic enrollment of new participants to make contributions at the default percentage of basic pay. Allows a default investment in an alternative fund or funds (in lieu of the Government Securities Investment Fund (G Fund)), as the Board may designate in regulations, if an election has not been made with respect to any TSP sums available for investment. Requires the Board to include in the TSP, by regulation, a qualified Roth contribution progam (under which an employee may elect to make designated Roth contributions in lieu of elective deferrals under the retirement plan). Authorizes the Board to permit the addition of self-directed investment options under the TSP if it determines that such an addition would be in the best interests of participants. Limits such investment options to: (1) low-cost, passively-managed index funds that offer diversification benefits; and (2) other appropriate retirement investment vehicles for participants. Deems a participant, in the case of a default investment in the G Fund or an alternative fund, to have: (1) elected to invest in such fund; and (2) executed the acknowledgement of risk otherwise required.

thrift savings plan enhancement_act revises requirements participation thrift savings plan tsp require federal_retirement_thrift_investment_board provide regulations automatic enrollment new participants contributions default percentage basic pay allows default investment alternative fund funds lieu government securities investment fund fund board designate regulations election respect tsp sums available investment requires board include tsp regulation qualified roth contribution employee elect designated roth contributions lieu elective deferrals retirement plan authorizes board permit addition self directed investment options tsp determines addition best interests participants limits investment options low cost managed index funds offer diversification benefits appropriate retirement investment vehicles participants deems participant case default investment fund alternative fund elected invest fund executed acknowledgement risk required


Summary: Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2008 or the Non-Foreign AREA Act of 2008 - Revises federal employee locality-based comparability payments provisions to include U.S. territories and possessions, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, within a pay locality. Revises the calculation of allowances based on living costs and conditions of environment for pay of employees stationed outside the continental United States or in Alaska to apply it only to areas designated as of December 31, 2008. Provides a formula for adjustment of such rate using a transition schedule for calendar years 2009-2011. Requires adjustment of special rates of pay in such areas in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for VA personnel. Allows a temporarily raised limitation on the amount of special rates during the transition period.Expresses the sense of Congress that application of this Act to an employee should not result in a decrease in take home pay.Defines as covered employees for purposes of this Act those who are or will be eligible for a cost-of-living allowance (COLA).Allows an employee subject to this Act's transition schedule and who retires from service during the period from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2011, to elect to have the COLA paid during that period considered as basic pay for purposes of annuity computation.Provides procedures for employees to make an irrevocable election to be covered by this Act.

non foreign area retirement equity assurance act non foreign area act revises federal employee locality based comparability payments provisions include territories possessions including commonwealth_of_puerto_rico commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands pay locality revises calculation allowances based living costs conditions environment pay employees stationed outside continental united_states alaska apply areas designated december provides formula adjustment rate transition schedule calendar years requires adjustment special rates pay areas accordance regulations prescribed director office_of_personnel_management opm department_of_veterans_affairs personnel allows temporarily raised limitation special rates transition period expresses sense congress application act employee result decrease home pay defines covered employees purposes act eligible cost living allowance employee subject act transition schedule retires service period january december elect cola paid period considered basic pay purposes annuity computation provides procedures employees irrevocable election covered act


Summary: Requires disregard of any hours worked by a firefighter under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement for purposes of any determination relating to federal eligibility for or the amount of any overtime pay.

requires disregard hours worked firefighter qualified trade time arrangement purposes determination relating federal eligibility overtime pay


Summary: Healthy Air for Federal Workers Act - Prohibits the smoking of tobacco products in any area outside of any federal executive, legislative, or judicial building which is within 25 feet of any of the building's entrances, exits, windows that open, or ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area of the building where smoking is prohibited. Excludes the smoking of tobacco products which occurs solely for purposes of research on smoking conducted by an agency. Requires the Administrator of General Services, in conjunction with agency heads, regarding executive branch buildings, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, regarding judicial branch buildings, to inform all employees and visitors to such buildings about the smoke-free policy, educate employees about the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke, and undertake necessary related activities.

healthy air federal workers act prohibits smoking tobacco products area outside federal executive legislative judicial building feet building windows open ventilation serve enclosed area building smoking prohibited excludes smoking tobacco products occurs solely purposes research smoking conducted agency requires administrator general_services conjunction agency heads executive branch buildings director administrative_office_of_the_united_states_courts judicial_branch buildings inform employees visitors buildings smoke free policy educate employees dangers exposure secondhand smoke undertake necessary related activities


Summary: Administrative Law Judges Retirement Act of 2008 - Sets forth separate provisions governing Government and employee contributions, annuity eligibility requirements (ten years of service and age 60), early retirement, and annuity computation (2.5% and 1.7%, respectively, of average pay for each year of service) for administrative law judges under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees' Retirement System.

administrative law judges retirement act sets forth separate provisions governing government employee contributions annuity eligibility requirements years service age early retirement annuity computation respectively average pay year service administrative law judges civil_service_retirement_system federal employees retirement system


Summary: National Commission on State Workers' Compensation Laws Act of 2008 - Establishes the National Commission on State Workers' Compensation Laws. Requires the Commission to: (1) review the findings and recommendations of the previous National Commission on State Workmen's Compensation Laws; and (2) study and evaluate state workers' compensation laws to determine their adequacy and whether additional remedies should be available to ensure the payment of benefits and medical care.

national_commission state workers compensation laws act establishes national_commission state workers compensation laws requires commission review findings recommendations previous national_commission state compensation laws study evaluate state workers compensation laws determine adequacy additional remedies available ensure payment benefits medical care


Summary: Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2008 or the No FEAR Act of 2008 - Amends the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002, or No FEAR Act of 2002, to require a federal agency, after receiving a final finding of discrimination, to arrange with the Department of the Treasury for a two-year payment schedule for reimbursing the Judgment Fund for its payment to a federal employee, former federal employee, or applicant for federal employment who has prevailed in an anti-discrimination or whistle blower protection complaint. Requires a federal agency to: (1) give written notification of the rights and protections available to federal employees to any employee of a contractor receiving more than half of its annual gross revenues from federal contracts; and (2) notify its employees annually by email or voice mail of the agency's Internet site. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report annually to specified congressional and executive entities on the total costs incurred during the fiscal year associated with processing and litigating cases involving prohibited personnel practices. Requires each federal agency to establish performance goals reflective of its efforts to implement such Act. Specifies the No FEAR Institute as a source of training and counseling for federal employees regarding their rights and remedies under antidiscrimination, retaliation, and harassment, as well as whistleblower protection laws. Prescribes disciplinary action an agency must take against a culpable official in: (1) a case in which the official's discriminatory or retaliatory acts have contributed to a loss of life or limb or any other substantial diminishment of an employee's mental or physical health; or (2) other cases of discrimination. Prescribes monetary penalties for each week an agency failed to take action against employees who falsify evidence in a proceeding under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and any agency that becomes aware of a criminal violation to refer the matter to the Department of Justice for prosecution when agency officials are found liable for intimidating or harassing employees that testify before Congress. Directs the Comptroller General to ensure that a No FEAR Oversight Office is created within GAO. Sets the liability limits for federal workplace discrimination cases under Title VII at $300,000 per each claim or alleged violation.

notification federal employee retaliation act fear act amends notification federal employee retaliation act fear act require federal agency receiving final finding discrimination arrange department_of_the_treasury year payment schedule reimbursing judgment fund payment federal employee federal employee applicant federal employment prevailed anti discrimination whistle blower protection complaint requires federal agency written notification rights protections available federal employees employee contractor receiving half annual gross revenues federal contracts notify employees annually email voice mail agency internet site directs government_accountability_office gao report annually specified congressional executive entities total costs incurred fiscal year associated processing litigating cases involving prohibited personnel practices requires federal agency establish performance goals reflective efforts implement act specifies fear institute source training counseling federal employees rights remedies retaliation harassment whistleblower protection laws prescribes disciplinary action agency official case official discriminatory retaliatory acts contributed loss life limb substantial employee mental physical health cases discrimination prescribes monetary penalties week agency failed action employees evidence proceeding title vii civil rights act requires equal_employment_opportunity_commission eeoc agency aware criminal violation refer matter department_of_justice prosecution agency officials found liable intimidating harassing employees testify congress directs comptroller_general ensure fear oversight office created gao sets liability limits federal workplace discrimination cases title vii claim alleged violation


Summary: Payments System Protection Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) from proposing, prescribing, or implementing any regulation against funding unlawful Internet gambling, including proposed regulations published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2007, except to the extent such regulation: (1) pertains to unlawful Internet sports gambling; or (2) is developed on the record jointly by the Secretary and the Board, after opportunity for an agency hearing with an administrative law judge (or similar official), complete with a definition of "unlawful Internet gambling," and after conducting a full economic impact study of the proposed regulations under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Requires the Secretary and the Board jointly to prescribe interim final regulations governing unlawful Internet sports gambling. Defines "unlawful Internet sports gambling" as bets or wagers placed over the Internet on a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based, directly or indirectly on competitive games in which athletes participate (excluding parimutuel animal racing or jai-alai games), or on performances of such athletes in such games. Declares ineffective any regulations to implement certain policies and procedures governing restricted transactions unless such regulations: (1) require the Secretary to compile and maintain a list of unlawful Internet sports gambling businesses; and (2) do not require any person to block or refuse to honor any transaction, or prohibit the acceptance of any product or service of such person, other than in connection with a business on a specified list maintained by the Secretary.

payments system protection act prohibits secretary treasury board_of_governors federal_reserve_system board proposing prescribing implementing regulation funding unlawful internet gambling including proposed regulations published federal_register october extent regulation pertains unlawful internet sports gambling developed record jointly secretary board opportunity agency hearing administrative law judge similar official complete definition unlawful internet gambling conducting economic impact study proposed regulations regulatory flexibility act requires secretary board jointly prescribe interim final regulations governing unlawful internet sports gambling defines unlawful internet sports gambling bets wagers placed internet lottery sweepstakes betting gambling wagering scheme based directly indirectly competitive games athletes participate excluding animal racing games performances athletes games declares ineffective regulations implement certain policies procedures governing restricted transactions regulations require secretary compile maintain list unlawful internet sports gambling businesses require person block refuse honor transaction prohibit acceptance product service person connection business specified list maintained secretary


Summary: Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Servants Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend eligibility for tax-free distributions from governmental employee benefit plans for health and long-term care insurance to any retired state or local public employee (currently, limited to retired public safety officers); (2) provide for a tax deduction of such distributions rather than an exclusion from gross income; (3) allow nonitemizing taxpayers to claim such tax deduction; and (4) allow an annual inflation adjustment to the $3,000 distribution limit beginning after 2009.

healthcare enhancement local public servants act amends_the_internal_revenue_code extend eligibility tax free distributions governmental employee benefit plans health long-term_care insurance retired state local public employee currently limited retired public safety officers provide tax deduction distributions exclusion gross income allow taxpayers claim tax deduction allow annual inflation adjustment distribution limit beginning


Summary: Provides that the pay used to compute monthly compensation based on the death of a federal employee who died from personal injury sustained in the line of duty as a public safety officer, or any survivor annuity under such circumstances, shall be determined based on the pay grade or level which is one grade higher than would otherwise apply.Entitles anyone who is eligible for such monthly compensation or annuity as the survivor of a public safety officer who died on or after January 1, 1974, to: (1) have such compensation or annuity recomputed upon application submitted within 12 months after enactment of this Act; and (2) a lump-sum payment for the period between January 1, 1974, and the date as of which regular monthly compensation or survivor annuity payments are adjusted to reflect the recomputation.

provides pay compute monthly compensation based death federal employee died personal injury sustained line duty public safety officer survivor annuity circumstances shall determined based pay grade level grade higher apply entitles eligible monthly compensation annuity survivor public safety officer died january compensation annuity application submitted months enactment act lump sum payment period january date regular monthly compensation survivor annuity payments adjusted reflect


Summary: Requires government contributions for health benefits for an individual who first becomes an annuitant by reason of retirement from employment with the United States Postal Service on or after July 1, 1971, or for a survivor of such an individual or of an individual who died on or after that date while employed by the Postal Service, to be paid first from the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund up to the amount contained in the Fund, with any remaining amount paid by the Postal Service (current law requires such contributions to be paid by the Postal Service through September 30, 2016).

requires government contributions health benefits individual annuitant reason retirement employment united_states_postal_service july survivor individual individual died date employed postal_service paid postal_service_retiree_health_benefits_fund contained fund remaining paid postal_service current law requires contributions paid postal_service september


Summary: Executive Branch Family Leave Act - Entitles a federal employee of the executive branch to paid leave of: (1) eight weeks for giving birth; (2) at least five days for a father for the birth of a child; (3) at least five days for adopting a child; and (4) eight hours during any 12-month period to accompany a child to medical or school appointments.

executive branch family leave act entitles federal employee executive branch paid leave weeks giving birth days father birth child days adopting child hours month period accompany child medical school appointments


Summary: Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) allow a person appointed as U.S. attorney to serve until the qualification of a U.S. attorney for such district appointed by the President, or the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General, whichever is earlier; and (2) provide that, if an appointment so expires, the district court for such district may appoint a U.S. attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled.Applies this Act to any person serving as a U.S. attorney on the day before the enactment of this Act who was appointed by the Attorney General under current law.

preserving united_states attorney independence act amends federal judicial code allow person appointed attorney serve qualification attorney district appointed president expiration days appointment attorney general whichever earlier provide appointment expires district_court district appoint attorney serve vacancy filled applies act person serving attorney day enactment act appointed attorney general current law


Summary: Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

amends legislative reorganization act eliminate automatic pay adjustments members congress


Summary: Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take into consideration the special needs of veterans suffering from PTSD in developing and implementing the program required under this Act. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) a national mental health campaign to increase mental health awareness in the veteran community; (2) mandatory training on suicide and suicide prevention for appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and contractor personnel; (3) family education and peer support counseling; (4) veterans' health assessments, counseling, and treatment programs; (5) suicide prevention counselors; (6) research on suicide prevention; (7) treatment programs for veterans suffering from substance abuse; (8) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; and (9) a toll-free hotline. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on VA programs and activities to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.

joshua veterans suicide prevention act expresses sense congress suicide veterans suffering post traumatic stress disorder ptsd problem secretary veterans_affairs consideration special needs veterans suffering ptsd developing implementing program required act directs secretary develop implement comprehensive program reducing incidence suicide veterans requires program include national mental health campaign increase mental health awareness veteran community mandatory training suicide suicide prevention appropriate department_of_veterans_affairs employees contractor personnel family education peer support counseling veterans health assessments counseling treatment programs suicide prevention counselors research suicide prevention treatment programs veterans suffering substance abuse hour veterans mental health_care availability toll free hotline requires report secretary congress programs activities reduce incidence suicide veterans


Summary: Amends the the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide direct and guaranteed loans, loan guarantees, and grants to complete the construction and rehabilitation of rural critical access hospitals.

amends consolidated_farm rural_development act provide direct guaranteed loans loan guarantees grants complete construction rehabilitation rural critical access hospitals


Summary: LIHEAP Emergency Reform Act - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to authorize the Governor of a state to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for: (1) certification of an energy emergency in that state; and (2) an allotment of certain appropriated amounts. Directs the Secretary to adopt prescribed procedures for equitable consideration of such applications.

emergency reform_act_-_amends low income home energy assistance_act authorize governor state apply secretary health_and_human_services certification energy emergency state allotment certain appropriated amounts directs secretary adopt prescribed procedures equitable consideration applications


Summary: Senate Family Leave Act - Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to entitle a covered legislative branch employee, other than an employee of the House of Representatives, and in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), to paid leave of: (1) eight weeks for giving birth; (2) at least five days for a father (or partner) for the birth of a child; (3) at least five days for adopting a child or taking it into foster care; and (4) eight hours during any 12-month period to accompany a child to medical or school appointments. Applies such leave separately for each child of the employee. Extends certain FMLA employment and benefits protections to such an employee. Prescribes a remedy for any violation of such protections. Applies the paid leave requirements of this Act to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Library of Congress, and each of their employees who has met certain length of employment requirements.

senate family leave act_-_amends congressional_accountability_act caa entitle covered legislative branch employee employee house_of_representatives accordance family_and_medical_leave_act fmla paid leave weeks giving birth days father partner birth child days adopting child taking foster care hours month period accompany child medical school appointments applies leave separately child employee extends certain fmla employment benefits protections employee prescribes remedy violation protections applies paid leave requirements act government_accountability_office gao library_of_congress employees met certain length employment requirements


Summary: Rhode Island Federal Worker Fairness Act of 2007 - States that the wage schedules and rates applicable to prevailing rate employees in the Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, wage area shall be the same as the wage schedules and rates applicable to prevailing rate employees in the Boston, Massachusetts, wage area.

rhode_island federal worker fairness act 2007_-_states wage schedules rates applicable prevailing rate employees bay rhode_island wage area shall wage schedules rates applicable prevailing rate employees boston massachusetts wage area


Summary: Federal Supervisor Training Act of 2007 - Revises provisions relating to specific training programs for federal agency supervisors. Requires the head of each federal agency to establish: (1) a program to provide interactive instructor-based training to supervisors on developing and discussing relevant goals and objectives with the employee, communicating and discussing progress on performance goals and objectives and conducting performance appraisals, mentoring and motivating employees and improving employee performance and productivity, effectively managing employees with unacceptable performance, and addressing reports of a hostile work environment, reprisal, or harassment; (2) a program to provide training to supervisors on prohibited personnel practices and processes to enforce employee rights; and (3) a program under which experienced supervisors mentor new supervisors. Requires: (1) supervisors to complete such programs every three years; and (2) regulations prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to include measures by which to assess the effectiveness of agency supervisor training programs. Requires the Director to issue guidance to federal agencies on competencies supervisors are expected to meet in order to effectively manage, and be accountable for managing, the performance of employees. Requires each agency to: (1) develop competencies to assess the performance of each supervisor and, in developing such competencies, to consider such guidance developed by the Director and any other qualifications or factors determined by the agency; (2) assess the overall capacity of the supervisors in the agency to meet such guidance; (3) develop and implement a supervisor training program to strengthen issues identified during such assessment; and (4) measure the effectiveness of that program in improving supervisor competence. Instructs each agency, every year or on any basis requested by the Director, to submit a report to OPM on the progress of such agency in implementing the requirements specified above, including measures used to assess program effectiveness.

federal supervisor training_act revises provisions relating specific training programs federal agency supervisors requires head federal agency establish program provide interactive instructor based training supervisors developing discussing relevant goals objectives employee communicating discussing progress performance goals objectives conducting performance appraisals mentoring motivating employees improving employee performance productivity effectively managing employees unacceptable performance addressing reports hostile work environment reprisal harassment program provide training supervisors prohibited personnel practices processes enforce employee rights program experienced supervisors mentor new supervisors requires supervisors complete programs years regulations prescribed director office_of_personnel_management opm include measures assess effectiveness agency supervisor training programs requires director issue guidance federal agencies competencies supervisors expected meet order effectively manage accountable managing performance employees requires agency develop competencies assess performance supervisor developing competencies consider guidance developed director qualifications factors determined agency assess overall capacity supervisors agency meet guidance develop implement supervisor training program strengthen issues identified assessment measure effectiveness program improving supervisor competence instructs agency year basis requested director submit report opm progress agency implementing requirements specified including measures assess program effectiveness


Summary: Federal Workforce Performance Appraisal and Management Improvement Act of 2007 - Revises provisions relating to the establishment of performance appraisal systems by certain federal agencies. Requires agencies to establish one or more new performance appraisal systems to promote high performance. Revises provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for the development of performance appraisal systems. Revises provisions relating to specific mandatory training programs for supervisors. Revises provisions relating to federal employee pay rates and systems with respect to employees whose performance rating is below the fully successful level to, among other things, prohibit a pay increase for such employees.

federal workforce performance appraisal management improvement act revises provisions relating establishment performance appraisal systems certain federal agencies requires agencies establish new performance appraisal systems promote high performance revises provisions relating responsibilities office_of_personnel_management opm development performance appraisal systems revises provisions relating specific mandatory training programs supervisors revises provisions relating federal employee pay rates systems respect employees performance rating fully successful level things prohibit pay increase employees


Summary: Senior Professional Performance Act of 2008 - Amends provisions relating to locality-based comparability payments for federal employees to exempt senior-level (SL) and scientific and professional personnel (ST) employees from limitations on total basic and comparability pay established at level III of the Executive Schedule. Increases the rate of basic pay for certain senior-level positions to level III. Permits a further increase to level II for agencies with a performance appraisal system that has been certified as making meaningful distinctions based on relative performance. Protects employees who are transferred to an agency subject to existing pay limitations from pay reductions. Provides that appointments to positions classified above GS-15 may be made on approval of the appointee's qualifications by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on the basis of qualification standards developed by the agency involved in accordance with criteria prescribed by the Director. Makes the amendments to senior-level pay provisions effective 180 days after enactment. Prohibits a reduction in the rate of basic pay for certain senior-level positions as a result of amendments made by this Act. Limits an agency's certification of performance appraisal systems to 24 months, with an additional extension of up to six months by the Director. Allows extensions of certifications scheduled to expire at the end of 2008 or 2009.

senior professional performance act amends provisions relating locality based comparability payments federal employees exempt senior level scientific professional personnel employees limitations total basic comparability pay established level iii executive schedule increases rate basic pay certain senior level positions level iii permits increase level agencies performance appraisal system certified making meaningful based relative performance protects employees transferred agency subject existing pay limitations pay reductions provides appointments positions classified approval appointee qualifications director office_of_personnel_management opm basis qualification standards developed agency involved accordance criteria prescribed director makes amendments senior level pay provisions effective days enactment prohibits reduction rate basic pay certain senior level positions result amendments act limits agency certification performance appraisal systems months additional extension months director allows extensions certifications scheduled expire end


Summary: Makes a U.S. citizen employed by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission eligible to obtain federal health insurance.

makes citizen employed roosevelt international park commission eligible obtain federal health insurance


Summary: Veterans' Justice Assurance Act of 2007 - Repeals, for judges appointed after the enactment of this Act, the 15-year term limit for members of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). Increases the annual salary for the Court's chief judge. Eliminates the 180-day per-year limit on service of retired Court judges who voluntarily return to such service. Requires recalled judges to receive the pay of current judges only during the period of recall, less the amount of any applicable annuity. Prohibits recall service in excess of five years for judges who are recalled involuntarily. Requires the chief judge to establish guidelines for determining whether recall-eligible judges should be recalled on either a voluntary or involuntary basis. Removes the $30 annual limit on practice and registration fees for those admitted to practice before the Court. Requires an annual report from the chief judge to the congressional veterans' committees summarizing the Court's workload. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Court should be provided with appropriate office space, without undue disruption, inconvenience, or cost. Requires a report from the Administrator of General Services to the veterans' committees on the feasibility of leasing additional space for the Court, and using the entire building in which the Court is now housed as a Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center.

veterans justice assurance act repeals judges appointed enactment act year term limit members court_of_appeals veterans claims court increases annual salary court chief judge eliminates day year limit service retired court judges voluntarily return service requires recalled judges receive pay current judges period recall applicable annuity prohibits recall service excess years judges recalled involuntarily requires chief judge establish guidelines determining recall eligible judges recalled voluntary involuntary basis removes annual limit practice registration fees admitted practice court requires annual report chief judge congressional veterans committees summarizing court workload expresses sense congress court provided appropriate office space undue disruption inconvenience cost requires report administrator general_services veterans committees feasibility leasing additional space court entire building court housed veterans courthouse justice center


Summary: Law Enforcement Officers Retirement Equity Act - Redefines the term "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: (1) federal employees not otherwise covered by such term whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; and (2) such employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns. Requires that such service which is performed by an incumbent law enforcement officer be treated: (1) on or after the enactment date of this Act, for all purposes, as service performed as a law enforcement officer, irrespective of how such service is treated under the following; and (2) before, on, or after such date, for purposes of CSRS and FERS, as service performed as such an officer, but only if an appropriate written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) five years after such date or before separation from government service, whichever is earlier. Provides that nothing under current law respecting mandatory separation from government service under CSRS or FERS shall cause the involuntary separation of an officer before the end of the three-year period beginning on such date.

law enforcement officers retirement equity act redefines term law enforcement officer provisions federal_employees_retirement_system fers civil_service_retirement_system csrs include federal employees covered term duties include investigation apprehension suspected convicted individuals authorized carry firearm employees internal_revenue_service irs duties primarily collection delinquent taxes securing delinquent returns requires service performed incumbent law enforcement officer treated enactment date act purposes service performed law enforcement officer irrespective service treated following date purposes csrs fers service performed officer appropriate written election submitted office_of_personnel_management opm years date separation government service whichever earlier provides current law respecting mandatory separation government service csrs fers shall cause involuntary separation officer end year period beginning date


Summary: Federal Law Enforcement Pension Adjustment Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Law Enforcement Pay Equity Act of 2000 to apply a prohibition against treatment of the conversion of positions and members of the U.S. Park Police and the Secret Service Uniformed Division to a new salary schedule and the associated initial adjustments in basic pay rates with respect to any payment made prior to January 1, 2007, as an increase in salary for purposes of increased annuitant pension benefits. (Thus permits cost-of-living adjustments in pension benefits for annuitants of the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division for payments made in 2007 and in subsequent years.)

federal law enforcement pension adjustment equity act amends law enforcement pay equity act apply prohibition treatment conversion positions members park police secret_service uniformed division new salary schedule associated initial adjustments basic pay rates respect payment prior january increase salary purposes increased annuitant pension benefits permits cost living adjustments pension benefits annuitants park police secret_service uniformed division payments subsequent years


Summary: Thomas P. O'Hara Public Land Career Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to provide competitive status to certain permanent federal employees in Alaska after: (1) if the appointment is full-time, the completion of two years of competitive and satisfactory full time service; or (2) if the appointment is less than full time, the period that is equivalent to two years of competitive and satisfactory full time service.

thomas public land career opportunity act amends alaska_national_interest_lands_conservation_act provide competitive status certain permanent federal employees alaska appointment time completion years competitive satisfactory time service appointment time period equivalent years competitive satisfactory time service


Summary: Federal Judicial Salary Restoration Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Increases the salaries of: (1) judges of U.S. District courts; (2) judges of the U.S. Court of International Trade; (3) judges of the U.S. courts of appeals; (4) associate justices of the U.S. Supreme Court; and (5) the Chief Justice of the United States. (Sec. 3) Repeals the prohibition on judiciary salary increases. (Sec. 4) Amends the federal judicial code to increase from 80 to 84 the sum of age and years of service a federal judge or justice must meet to retire on salary. (Retains the current age and years of service sum of 80 where the judge or justice retains the office but retires from regular active service.) Increases the workload-equivalent requirement from three to four months for senior judges to have met in order to retire and retain their salary. (Sec. 5) Revises requirements for annual salary adjustments. (Sec. 6) Requires an earned income-related reduction, according to a specified formula, in the retirement annuities of justices or judges. (Sec. 7) Prohibits a judicial officer from accepting a gift of an honorary membership with a value of more than $50 in any calendar year. (Sec. 8) Requires judicial officers to make certain disclosures with respect to travel.. Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require each report by a judicial officer under such Act to be publicly available. (Sec. 9) Applies to the U.S. Supreme Court the Regulations of the Judicial Conference of the United States Under Title VI of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 Concerning Outside Earned Income, Honoraria, and Outside Employment and under Title III of the Act Concerning Gifts. (Sec. 10) Prohibits a federal judge or justice from accepting any single trip or gift, including outside earned income, valued at more than $2,000, except from: (1) the federal government or a state or local government (other than a public educational institution); or (2) a federal, state, or local bar association, a subject-matter bar association, a judicial association, the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association, or the National Judicial College. Prohibits a federal judge or justice from accepting any travel, food, lodging, reimbursement, outside earned income, or anything that would be considered a gift under such Regulations in connection with attending, as a speaker or participant, a program, a significant purpose of which is the education of U.S. federal or state judges, except from the same sources. Exempts from these prohibitions any trip approved by the Department of State to promote the rule of law or developing legal systems in foreign countries, if the reimbursement for that trip is provided only for travel, meals, and lodging expenses. Sets the maximum aggregate value of all travel, gifts, and other regulated things accepted by a federal judge or justice within a single year at $20,000, adjusted annually for inflation. (Sec. 11) Extends to active and senior judges of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims coverage of the semiannual report of the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on: (1) the number of motions pending for over six months (and the names of related cases); (2) the number of bench trials submitted for over six months (and the names of the cases involved); and (3) the number and names of cases that have not been terminated within three years after filing. (Sec. 12) Increases from $15 to $75 the fee paid by the Judicial Conference of the United States to bankruptcy trustees serving on cases. Declares that no additional fee or cost charged to individual debtors or their attorneys shall be assessed to provide funding, directly or indirectly, for any of the $60 increase in such trustee payments. (Sec. 14) Authorizes appropriations.

federal judicial salary restoration act sec increases salaries judges district_courts judges court international_trade judges courts appeals associate justices supreme_court chief justice united_states sec repeals prohibition judiciary salary increases sec amends federal judicial code increase sum age years service federal judge justice meet retire salary retains current age years service sum judge justice retains office retires regular active service increases workload equivalent requirement months senior judges met order retire retain salary sec revises requirements annual salary adjustments sec requires earned income related reduction according specified formula retirement annuities justices judges sec prohibits judicial officer accepting gift membership value calendar year sec requires judicial officers certain disclosures respect travel amends ethics_in_government_act require report judicial officer act publicly available sec applies supreme_court regulations judicial_conference_of_the_united_states title ethics reform_act concerning outside earned income outside employment title iii act concerning gifts sec prohibits federal judge justice accepting single trip gift including outside earned income valued federal_government state local government public educational institution federal state local bar association subject matter bar association judicial association judicial division american bar association national judicial college prohibits federal judge justice accepting travel food lodging reimbursement outside earned income considered gift regulations connection attending speaker participant program significant purpose education federal state judges sources exempts prohibitions trip approved department_of_state promote rule law developing legal systems foreign countries reimbursement trip provided travel meals lodging expenses sets maximum aggregate value travel gifts regulated things accepted federal judge justice single year adjusted annually inflation sec extends active senior judges court federal claims coverage semiannual report director administrative_office_of_the_united_states_courts number motions pending months names related cases number bench trials submitted months names cases involved number names cases terminated years filing sec increases fee paid judicial_conference_of_the_united_states bankruptcy trustees serving cases declares additional fee cost charged individual debtors attorneys shall assessed provide funding directly indirectly increase trustee payments sec authorizes appropriations


Summary: Public Servant Retirement Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the current windfall elimination provision (WEP) (that reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who also have pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security) for individuals first performing non-covered service beginning one year after enactment of this Act. Establishes a new formula for the treatment of non-covered earnings in determining Social Security benefits. Applies such formula to individuals subject to the current WEP if the benefit under the new formula would be higher.

public retirement protection act amends title old age survivors disability_insurance social_security_act ssa repeal current windfall elimination provision reduces social_security benefits workers pension benefits employment covered social_security individuals performing non covered service beginning year enactment act establishes new formula treatment non covered earnings determining social_security benefits applies formula individuals subject current benefit new formula higher


Summary: Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act - Amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants as eligible providers of medical, surgical, and hospital services and supplies under such Act.

improving access workers compensation injured federal workers act_-_amends federal employees compensation act include nurse practitioners physician assistants eligible providers medical surgical hospital services supplies act


Summary: Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include within the meaning of the term member of the Special Exposure Cohort a Department of Energy (DOE) employee, DOE contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee who was so employed for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days before January 1, 2006, at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California. Provides that a claim that an individual qualifies for compensation or benefits under such Act shall be considered notwithstanding any denial of any other claim for compensation with respect to such individual.

amends energy_employees_occupational_illness_compensation_program_act include meaning term special exposure department_of_energy doe employee doe contractor employee atomic weapons employee employed number work days aggregating work days january santa field laboratory california provides claim individual qualifies compensation benefits act shall considered notwithstanding denial claim compensation respect individual


Summary: Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2008 - Provides that: (1) specified diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, tuberculosis, hepatatis, human immunodeficiency virus, and specified cancers, of federal employees in fire protection activities shall be presumed to be proximately caused by such employment; (2) the disability or death of such an employee due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence. Defines an "employee in fire protection activities" as a firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, rescue worker, ambulance personnel, or hazardous material worker, who: (1) is trained in fire suppression; (2) has the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression; (3) is engaged in the prevention, control, and extinguishment of fires or response to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk; and (4) performs such activities as a primary responsibility of his or her job.Directs the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to examine the implementation of this Act and appropriate scientific and medical data related to the health risks associated with firefighting and to report to Congress on: (1) an analysis of the injury claims made under this Act; (2) an analysis of the available research related to the health risks associated with firefighting; and (3) recommendations for any administrative or legislative actions necessary to ensure that those diseases most associated with firefighting are included in the presumption created by this Act.

federal firefighters fairness act provides specified diseases including heart disease lung disease tuberculosis human immunodeficiency virus specified cancers federal employees fire protection activities shall presumed proximately caused employment disability death employee disease shall presumed result personal injury sustained performance duty presumptions rebutted preponderance evidence defines employee fire protection activities firefighter paramedic emergency medical technician rescue worker ambulance personnel hazardous material worker trained fire suppression legal authority responsibility engage fire suppression engaged prevention control extinguishment fires response emergency situations life property environment risk performs activities primary responsibility job directs national institute occupational safety health niosh examine implementation act appropriate scientific medical data related health risks associated firefighting report congress analysis injury claims act analysis available research related health risks associated firefighting recommendations administrative legislative actions necessary ensure diseases associated firefighting included presumption created act


Summary: Federal Merit System Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2010 for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).Repudiates assertions that federal employees are not protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Expresses the sense of Congress that discrimination on such basis against federal employees and applicants is currently prohibited. Prohibits any federal employee who has authority to take, direct, recommend, or approve any personnel action from discriminating for or against any federal employee or applicant on such basis.Revises procedures of the MSPB and OSC, including by requiring the MSPB to use the National Labor Relations Board model for procedural due process and by requiring the OSC to prescribe regulations necessary to receive and investigate allegations of prohibited personnel practices.Requires the Special Counsel to have professional experience that demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to protecting the merit based civil service.Requires the OSC to publish specified whistleblower disclosures and reports.Sets forth MSPB and OSC reporting requirements with respect to incidences of prohibited personnel practices.

federal merit system reauthorization act amends whistleblower protection act authorize appropriations fy2008 fy2010 merit_systems_protection_board mspb office_of_special_counsel assertions federal employees protected discrimination basis sexual orientation expresses sense congress discrimination basis federal employees applicants currently prohibited prohibits federal employee authority direct recommend approve personnel action discriminating federal employee applicant basis revises procedures mspb including requiring mspb use national_labor_relations_board model procedural process requiring prescribe regulations necessary receive investigate allegations prohibited personnel practices requires special_counsel professional experience demonstrates understanding commitment protecting merit based civil service requires publish specified whistleblower disclosures reports sets forth mspb reporting requirements respect incidences prohibited personnel practices


Summary: Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by states or local governments. Directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (Authority) to determine whether state law provides specified rights and responsibilities for public safety officers, including: (1) granting public safety employees the right to form and join a labor organization which excludes management and supervisory employees, and which is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for such employees; and (2) requiring public safety employers to recognize and agree to bargain with the employees' labor organization. Requires the Authority to issue in accordance with the public safety employee rights and responsibilities regulations establishing collective bargaining procedures for public safety employers and employees in states that do not substantially provide for such rights and responsibilities. Directs the Authority , in such cases, to: (1) determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation; (2) supervise or conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a voting majority of the employees in an appropriate unit; (3) resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith; (4) conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices; and (5) resolve exceptions to arbitrator's awards. Grants a public safety employer, employee, or labor organization the right to seek enforcement of such Authority regulations and orders through appropriate state courts. Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts, sickouts, work slowdowns, or strikes. Provides that existing collective bargaining units and agreements shall not be invalidated by this Act.

public safety employer employee cooperation act provides collective bargaining rights public safety officers employed states local governments directs federal labor relations authority authority determine state law provides specified rights responsibilities public safety officers including granting public safety employees right form join labor organization excludes management supervisory employees seeks recognized exclusive bargaining agent employees requiring public safety employers recognize agree bargain employees labor organization requires authority issue accordance public safety employee rights responsibilities regulations establishing collective bargaining procedures public safety employers employees states substantially provide rights responsibilities directs authority cases determine appropriateness units labor organization representation supervise conduct elections determine labor organization selected exclusive representative voting majority employees appropriate unit resolve issues relating duty bargain good faith conduct hearings resolve complaints unfair labor practices resolve exceptions arbitrator awards grants public safety employer employee labor organization right seek enforcement authority regulations orders appropriate state courts prohibits public safety employers employees labor organizations engaging work strikes provides existing collective bargaining units agreements shall invalidated act


Summary: Citizenship Processing Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive the application of provisions relating to annuities and pay on reemployment or any similar legal provision under a government retirement system on a case-by-case basis for an annuitant reemployed on a temporary basis if: (1) such waiver is necessary due to an emergency involving a direct threat to life or property or other unusual circumstances; or (2) the annuitant is employed in a position that provides assistance to the Secretary with a substantial backlog of naturalization petitions or assistance for processing petitions filed from January 31-July 30, 2007.Provides that an annuitant as to whom such a waiver is in effect shall not be considered an employee for purposes of any government retirement system.Terminates the Secretary's authority under this Act regarding naturalization petitions on January 1, 2009. Prohibits an annuitant to whom such a waiver applies from being so employed after January 1, 2010.

citizenship processing backlog reduction act authorizes secretary homeland_security waive application provisions relating annuities pay reemployment similar legal provision government retirement system case case basis annuitant reemployed temporary basis waiver necessary emergency involving direct threat life property unusual circumstances annuitant employed position provides assistance secretary substantial backlog naturalization petitions assistance processing petitions filed january july annuitant waiver effect shall considered employee purposes government retirement system terminates secretary authority act naturalization petitions january prohibits annuitant waiver applies employed january


Summary: Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2007 - Provides that a federal employee and his or her domestic partner shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married federal employee and his or her spouse.Defines "domestic partner" to mean an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship. Defines "benefits" to include federal health insurance and enhanced dental and vision benefits, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. Excludes members of the uniformed services from the definition of "employee."Sets forth requirements for filing: (1) an affidavit of eligibility as such a domestic partner, which shall include a certification that the employee and the domestic partner are each other's sole domestic partners and intend to remain so indefinitely; and (2) a statement upon dissolution of such a domestic partnership.

domestic partnership benefits obligations act provides federal employee domestic partner shall entitled benefits available shall subject obligations imposed married federal employee spouse defines domestic partner mean adult unmarried person living adult unmarried person sex committed intimate relationship defines benefits include federal health insurance enhanced dental vision benefits retirement disability benefits family medical emergency leave group life insurance long-term_care insurance compensation work injuries benefits disability death captivity excludes members uniformed_services definition employee forth requirements filing affidavit eligibility domestic partner shall include certification employee domestic partner sole domestic partners intend remain indefinitely statement dissolution domestic partnership


Summary: Repeals specified exceptions to rights of certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees to engage in collective bargaining. Requires a final decision of the VA with respect to the review of an adverse personnel action against a VA employee to be issued not later than 60 days after such action has been appealed. Subjects such decision to judicial review in the appropriate U.S. District Court or, if the decision is made by a labor arbitrator, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

repeals specified exceptions rights certain department_of_veterans_affairs employees engage collective bargaining requires final decision respect review adverse personnel action employee issued later days action appealed subjects decision judicial review appropriate district_court decision labor arbitrator court_of_appeals federal_circuit


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking any administrative action for one year to finalize or otherwise implement provisions contained in the proposed rule published on December 28, 2007, relating to the Department of Appeals Board established in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including provisions allowing the Secretary to review, amend, or reverse Board decisions.

prohibits secretary health_and_human_services taking administrative action year finalize implement provisions contained proposed rule published december relating department appeals board established department_of_health_and_human_services hhs including provisions allowing secretary review amend reverse board decisions


Summary: Contractors and Federal Spending Accountability Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of General Services to establish and maintain on a General Services Administration (GSA) website for use by officials of all federal agencies a database of information regarding the integrity and performance of persons awarded federal contracts and grants. Requires the database to include information on such persons for the last five years regarding: (1) any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding resulting in payment of a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, damages, or settlement of $5,000 or more to the federal or a state government; and (2) each contract and grant terminated due to default; (3) each suspension and debarment; (4) each federal and state administrative agreement signed in a proceeding that could have led to a criminal conviction or a finding of liability; and (5) each federal determination that such a person is not a responsible source under the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act. Requires disclosure of such information by applicants for grants or contracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. Requires the Administrator to require: (1) notification of any covered person when information relevant to the person is entered into the database; and (2) an opportunity for such person to append comments to such information.Requires agency officials to: (1) review such database prior to awarding a contract or grant; and (2) document why a prospective awardee against whom a judgment or conviction for similar offences has been rendered more than once within any three-year period is considered presently responsible. Sets forth the role of the Interagency Committee on Debarment and Suspension, including to: (1) determine the agency responsible for initiating proceedings; (2) facilitate cooperative efforts among agencies in the suspension and debarment system; and (3) report to Congress on improvements to and each agency's activities in such system. Allows federal agencies, commissions, or organizations not currently participating in the federal suspension and debarment system to participate. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on all databases that include information about federal contracting and grants and on creating a centralized federal contracting and grant database.

contractors federal spending accountability_act requires administrator general_services establish maintain general_services_administration gsa website use officials federal agencies database information integrity performance persons awarded federal contracts grants requires database include information persons years civil criminal administrative proceeding resulting payment monetary fine penalty reimbursement restitution damages settlement federal state government contract grant terminated default suspension debarment federal state administrative agreement signed proceeding led criminal conviction finding liability federal determination person responsible source office_of_federal_procurement_policy_act requires disclosure information applicants grants contracts exceeding simplified acquisition threshold requires administrator require notification covered person information relevant person entered database opportunity person comments information requires agency officials review database prior awarding contract grant document prospective awardee judgment conviction similar rendered year period considered presently responsible sets forth role interagency_committee debarment suspension including determine agency responsible initiating proceedings facilitate cooperative efforts agencies suspension debarment system report congress improvements agency activities system allows federal agencies commissions organizations currently participating federal suspension debarment system participate requires administrator report congress databases include information federal contracting grants creating centralized federal contracting grant database


Summary: OPEC Accountability Act - Requires the President to initiate consultations with Indonesia, Kuwait, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Saudi Arabia to seek their elimination of any action that: (1) limits the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product; (2) sets or maintains the price of any such product; or (3) otherwise is an action in restraint of trade with respect to such products when such action constitutes an act, policy, or practice that is unjustifiable and burdens and restricts U.S. commerce. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to: (1) initiate World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute proceedings if the consultation is not successful with respect to any such country; and (2) take appropriate action regarding the country under U.S. trade remedy laws.

accountability act_-_requires president initiate consultations indonesia kuwait nigeria qatar united_arab_emirates venezuela saudi_arabia seek elimination action limits production distribution oil natural gas petroleum product sets maintains price product action restraint trade respect products action constitutes act policy practice burdens restricts commerce requires trade representative initiate world_trade_organization wto dispute proceedings consultation successful respect country appropriate action country trade remedy laws


Summary: Amends the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 to state that for purposes of alien inadmissibility based upon terrorist-related grounds the African National Congress (ANC) shall not be considered to be a terrorist organization on the basis of any act or event that occurred before the date of enactment of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State (after consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security) or the Secretary of Homeland Security (after consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General) to determine, in such Secretary's sole unreviewable discretion, that inadmissibility based upon specified criminal convictions or terrorist activities shall not apply to an alien with respect to activities undertaken in opposition to apartheid rule in South Africa. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security should exercise such authority in appropriate instances to exempt the anti-apartheid activities of aliens who are current or former officials of the government of the Republic of South Africa. Directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Director of National Intelligence, to ensure that databases used to determine U.S. admissibility are appropriately updated.

amends department_of_state foreign_operations related programs appropriations act state purposes alien inadmissibility based terrorist related grounds african national congress anc shall considered terrorist organization basis act event occurred date enactment act authorizes secretary state consultation attorney general secretary homeland_security secretary homeland_security consultation secretary state attorney general determine secretary sole discretion inadmissibility based specified criminal convictions terrorist activities shall apply alien respect activities undertaken opposition rule south_africa expresses sense congress secretary state secretary homeland_security exercise authority appropriate instances exempt anti activities aliens current officials government republic south_africa directs secretary state coordination attorney general secretary homeland_security director federal_bureau_of_investigation director national_intelligence ensure databases determine admissibility appropriately updated


Summary: Armed Forces Housing Security Act - Increases the maximum loan guaranty amount for certain veterans' housing loans guaranteed through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review and streamline the process for guaranteeing veterans' home loans for the purchase of condominiums. Repeals the veterans' home loan fee. Authorizes the Secretary to provide loans to veterans to refinance loans of up to 100% (currently 90%) of the value of the dwelling or farm residence securing the loan. Allows the VA to guarantee refinanced loans not previously guaranteed by the VA. Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to one year after completion of military service the grace period against the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of a defaulted mortgage. Prohibits a member of the Armed Forces from waiving such protection. Specifically applies such protection to members (regular and reserve) serving on active duty as part of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom (covered member), and their dependents. Provides protections against loan owners or insurers for loan servicers who implement qualified loan modifications or workout plans for covered members and their dependents. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide financial services counseling relating to a mortgage and mortgage foreclosure to a veteran, covered member, and their dependents.

armed_forces housing security act increases maximum loan guaranty certain veterans housing loans guaranteed department_of_veterans_affairs directs secretary veterans_affairs review streamline process guaranteeing veterans home loans purchase repeals veterans home loan fee authorizes secretary provide loans veterans refinance loans currently value dwelling farm residence securing loan allows guarantee refinanced loans previously guaranteed amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act extend days year completion military service grace period sale foreclosure seizure defaulted mortgage prohibits member armed_forces waiving protection specifically applies protection members regular reserve serving active duty operations iraqi_freedom enduring_freedom covered member dependents provides protections loan owners insurers loan servicers implement qualified loan modifications workout plans covered members dependents directs secretary defense provide financial_services counseling relating mortgage mortgage foreclosure veteran covered member dependents


Summary: United States Postal Service Financial Relief Act of 2009 - Reduces the amount the United States Postal Service must pay into the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund by September 30, 2009, from $5.4 billion to $1.4 billion.

united_states_postal_service financial relief_act reduces united_states_postal_service pay postal_service_retiree_health_benefits_fund september billion billion


Summary: Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2009 or the No FEAR Act of 2009 - Amends the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002, or No FEAR Act of 2002, to require a federal agency, after receiving a final finding of discrimination, to arrange with the Department of the Treasury for a two-year schedule for reimbursing the Judgment Fund for its payment to a federal employee, former federal employee, or applicant for federal employment who has prevailed in an anti-discrimination or whistle blower protection complaint.Requires a federal agency to: (1) give written notification of the federal employee rights and protections available to any employee of a contractor receiving more than half of its annual gross revenues from federal contracts; and (2) notify its employees annually of the agency's Internet site.Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report annually to specified congressional and executive entities on the total costs incurred for processing and litigating cases involving prohibited personnel practices.Requires each federal agency to establish performance goals reflective of its efforts to implement such Act.Specifies the No FEAR Institute as a source of training and counseling for federal employees regarding their rights and remedies under antidiscrimination, retaliation, and harassment, as well as whistleblower protection laws.Prescribes disciplinary action an agency must take against a culpable official in: (1) a case in which the official's discriminatory or retaliatory acts have contributed to a loss of life or limb or any other substantial diminishment of an employee's mental or physical health; or (2) other cases of discrimination.Prescribes monetary penalties for each week an agency failed to take action against employees who falsify evidence in a proceeding under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and any agency that becomes aware of a criminal violation to refer the matter to the Department of Justice for prosecution when agency officials are found liable for intimidating or harassing employees that testify before Congress.Directs the Comptroller General to ensure that a No FEAR Oversight Office is created within GAO.Sets the liability limits for federal workplace discrimination cases under Title VII at $300,000 per each claim or alleged violation.

notification federal employee retaliation act fear act amends notification federal employee retaliation act fear act require federal agency receiving final finding discrimination arrange department_of_the_treasury year schedule reimbursing judgment fund payment federal employee federal employee applicant federal employment prevailed anti discrimination whistle blower protection complaint requires federal agency written notification federal employee rights protections available employee contractor receiving half annual gross revenues federal contracts notify employees annually agency internet site directs government_accountability_office gao report annually specified congressional executive entities total costs incurred processing litigating cases involving prohibited personnel practices requires federal agency establish performance goals reflective efforts implement act specifies fear institute source training counseling federal employees rights remedies retaliation harassment whistleblower protection laws prescribes disciplinary action agency official case official discriminatory retaliatory acts contributed loss life limb substantial employee mental physical health cases discrimination prescribes monetary penalties week agency failed action employees evidence proceeding title vii civil rights act equal_employment_opportunity_commission eeoc agency aware criminal violation refer matter department_of_justice prosecution agency officials found liable intimidating harassing employees testify congress directs comptroller_general ensure fear oversight office created liability limits federal workplace discrimination cases title vii claim alleged violation


Summary: Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act - Declares that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2010 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the General Schedule (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

stop congressional pay raise act declares automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2010 rates basic pay members congress general_schedule eliminating pay adjustment members fiscal year


Summary: Congressional Pay Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress. Requires the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress to be the rate payable as of the enactment of this Act, until such rate is adjusted following recommendations by the President under the Federal Salary Act of 1967 (or under any other law). Requires any bill or resolution, or its amendment, providing for any increase in such payable rate (other than a pay adjustment recommended by the President under the Federal Salary Act of 1967) to be adopted by the House of Representatives or the Senate only by a recorded vote so as to reflect the vote of each Member.

congressional pay reform_act amends legislative reorganization act eliminate automatic pay adjustments members congress requires annual rate pay members congress rate payable enactment act rate adjusted following recommendations president federal salary act law requires bill resolution amendment providing increase payable rate pay adjustment recommended president federal salary act adopted house_of_representatives senate recorded vote reflect vote member


Summary: Repeals the requirement that federal, state, and local governmental entities withhold 3% of payments due to vendors providing goods and services to such entities.

repeals requirement federal state local governmental entities withhold payments vendors providing goods services entities


Summary: Delay Congressional Pay Raise Act - Declares that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2010 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the General Schedule (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

delay congressional pay raise act declares automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2010 rates basic pay members congress general_schedule eliminating pay adjustment members fiscal year


Summary: Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

amends legislative reorganization act eliminate automatic pay adjustments members congress


Summary: Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to: (1) extend comparability pay adjustments to Foreign Service members assigned abroad; and (2) amend the death gratuity computation payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad.

foreign_service overseas pay equity act amends foreign_service act extend comparability pay adjustments foreign_service members assigned abroad amend death gratuity computation payable surviving dependents foreign_service employees die injuries sustained performance duty abroad


Summary: Stop the Congressional COLA Act - Declares that no automatic pay adjustment shall be considered to have taken effect in FY2010 in the rates of basic pay for Members of Congress under the General Schedule (thus eliminating the pay adjustment for Members for such fiscal year).

stop congressional cola act declares automatic pay adjustment shall considered taken effect fy2010 rates basic pay members congress general_schedule eliminating pay adjustment members fiscal year


Summary: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available (subject to specified requirements) for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to promulgate regulations to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to such an employee to a total of eight administrative workweeks, based on the consideration of: (1) the benefits to the federal government, including enhanced recruitment and employee retention; (2) the cost to the government; (3) trends in the private sector and in state and local governments; (4) the federal government's role as a model employer; and (5) the impact of increased paid parental leave on lower-income and economically disadvantaged employees and their children. Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow the same substitution for covered congressional employees, Government Accountability Office (GAO) employees, and Library of Congress employees. Counts certain service by an employee of the executive branch, Congress, GAO, or the Library of Congress while on active duty as a member of the National Guard or Reserves as service for that branch or agency for purposes of determining such employee's eligibility to take or substitute leave as provided under this Act.

federal employees paid parental leave act allows federal employees substitute available paid leave leave pay available birth child placement child employee adoption foster care makes available subject specified requirements weeks leave employee entitled purposes administrative weeks paid parental leave connection birth placement involved accumulated annual sick leave authorizes director office_of_personnel_management opm promulgate regulations increase paid parental leave available employee total administrative workweeks based consideration benefits federal_government including enhanced recruitment employee retention cost government trends private sector state local governments federal_government role model employer impact increased paid parental leave lower income economically disadvantaged employees children amends congressional_accountability_act family_and_medical_leave_act allow substitution covered congressional employees government_accountability_office gao employees library_of_congress employees counts certain service employee executive branch congress gao library_of_congress active duty member national_guard_or_reserves service branch agency purposes determining employee eligibility substitute leave provided act