Summary:
Songwriter Equity Act of 2015

Amends federal copyright law regarding the exclusive rights of sound recording copyright owners to remove a provision that prohibits license fees payable for the public performance of sound recordings, by means of a digital audio transmission, from being taken into account in any administrative, judicial, or other governmental proceeding to set or adjust the royalties payable to copyright owners of musical works for the public performance of their works.

Requires Copyright Royalty Judges (CRJs), when setting royalty rates under the compulsory license available for the reproduction and distribution of musical works (commonly referred to as a "mechanical license"), to establish rates and terms that most clearly represent the rates and terms that would have been negotiated in the marketplace between a willing buyer and seller.

Requires CRJs, in establishing such rates and terms, to base their decision on marketplace, economic, and use information presented by the participants. Allows consideration of comparable uses and circumstances under voluntary license agreements.

equity act amends federal copyright law exclusive rights sound recording copyright owners remove provision prohibits license fees payable public performance sound recordings means digital audio transmission taken account administrative judicial governmental proceeding set adjust royalties payable copyright owners musical works public performance works requires copyright royalty judges setting royalty rates compulsory license available reproduction distribution musical works commonly referred mechanical license establish rates terms clearly represent rates terms negotiated marketplace willing buyer seller requires establishing rates terms base decision marketplace economic use information presented participants allows consideration comparable uses circumstances voluntary license agreements


Summary:
No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act

Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to prohibit U.S. courts from recognizing, enforcing, or otherwise validating any assertion of rights by an individual (under current law, by a designated Cuban national) of a mark, trade name, or commercial name that was used in connection with a business or assets that were confiscated by the Cuban government unless the original owner of such mark or name, or such owner's bona fide successor, has expressly consented. Applies such prohibition only if the individual asserting the rights knew or had reason to know at the time of acquiring the rights asserted that the mark or name was the same or substantially similar to the mark or name used in connection with the business or assets that were confiscated.

stolen trademarks honored america act amends department_of_commerce_and_related_agencies_appropriations_act prohibit courts recognizing enforcing validating assertion rights individual current law designated cuban national mark trade commercial connection business assets confiscated cuban government original owner mark owner bona fide successor expressly consented applies prohibition individual asserting rights knew reason know time acquiring rights asserted mark substantially similar mark connection business assets confiscated


Summary:
American Royalties Too Act of 2015

Expands copyright owners' exclusive rights, in the case of a work of visual art, to include the right to collect or authorize the collection of a royalty if the work is sold by a person other than the author for at least $5,000 in an auction.

Defines "auction" as a public sale of visual art to the highest bidder run by an entity that sold at least $1 million of works of visual art during the previous year.

Revises the term "work of visual art" to make requirements for photographs consistent with requirements for paintings, drawings, and prints. (Currently, a photograph must be a still photographic image produced for exhibition purposes only.)

Limits the amount of such a royalty to the lesser of: (1) 5% of the purchase price; or (2) $35,000, subject to cost-of-living adjustments.

Directs entities conducting such auctions to collect and pay the royalties to a visual artists' copyright collecting society. Requires the collecting society, at least four times each year, to distribute the appropriate royalties (minus administrative expenses) to authors or successor copyright owners.

Requires an author of a work of visual art, in order to be eligible to receive such a royalty, to: (1) be a citizen of, or domiciled in, the United States or a country that provides resale royalty rights; or (2) have first created the work in the United States or a country that provides such royalty rights.

Establishes a copyright infringement offense for the failure to pay such a royalty. Subjects infringers to: (1) statutory damages, and (2) liability for the full royalty.

Prohibits the sale, assignment, or waiver of the right to collect such a royalty, subject to exceptions for works made for hire and transfers of copyright ownership.

Directs the Register of Copyrights to issue regulations governing visual artists' copyright collecting societies.

american royalties act expands copyright owners exclusive rights case work visual art include right collect authorize collection royalty work sold person author auction defines auction public sale visual art highest bidder run entity sold million works visual art previous year revises term work visual art requirements photographs consistent requirements prints currently photograph photographic image produced exhibition purposes limits royalty lesser purchase price subject cost living adjustments directs entities conducting auctions collect pay royalties visual artists copyright collecting society requires collecting society times year distribute appropriate royalties minus administrative expenses successor copyright owners requires author work visual art order eligible receive royalty citizen domiciled united_states country provides resale royalty rights created work united_states country provides royalty rights establishes copyright infringement offense failure pay royalty subjects statutory damages liability royalty prohibits sale assignment waiver right collect royalty subject exceptions works hire transfers copyright ownership directs register copyrights issue regulations governing visual artists copyright collecting societies


Summary:
Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation Act of 2015

Revises procedures established under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act for the Librarian of Congress to conduct an administrative rulemaking every three years to determine whether to exempt certain noninfringing uses of a copyrighted work from the statutory prohibition on circumventing a technological measure controlling access to a particular class of work.

Requires the Librarian, when evaluating whether to allow an administrative exemption, to consider the impact of the circumvention prohibition on: (1) any reduction in the availability for use of copyrighted works; (2) repairs, recycling, or other fair uses when applied to copyrighted works, as well as access to information not subject to copyright protection; (3) accessibility of works and technologies for persons with disabilities; and (4) security research.

Prohibits the Librarian from placing the burden of proof on the proponent of an exemption. Requires consideration of the totality of the evidence.

Allows the Librarian to make administrative exemption determinations through rulemaking proceedings outside of the three-year review process if it is substantially likely that users of a copyrighted work are, or are likely to be in the succeeding three-year period, adversely affected by virtue of the prohibition in their ability to make noninfringing uses.

Requires the Librarian to automatically renew for an ensuing three-year period any exemptions granted under a rulemaking unless, as a result of changed circumstances, it is unlikely that users are adversely affected by the prohibition.

Establishes a presumption that users are likely to be adversely affected if a technological measure inhibits noninfringing uses that improve accessibility of works or technologies for persons with disabilities.

Expands existing statutory exceptions by removing certain restrictions and conditions that apply to permissible circumventions for:

 reverse engineering to achieve interoperability of an independently created computer program with other programs; encryption research on copies, phonorecords, performances, or displays of a published work; activities to prevent the collection or dissemination of personally identifying information about a natural person; or authorized security testing on computer systems or networks.

breaking barriers innovation_act revises procedures established digital millennium copyright act librarian congress conduct administrative rulemaking years determine exempt certain uses copyrighted work statutory prohibition technological measure controlling access particular class work requires librarian evaluating allow administrative exemption consider impact circumvention prohibition reduction availability use copyrighted works repairs recycling fair uses applied copyrighted works access information subject copyright protection accessibility works technologies persons disabilities security research prohibits librarian placing burden proof proponent exemption requires consideration totality evidence allows librarian administrative exemption determinations rulemaking proceedings outside year review process substantially likely users copyrighted work likely succeeding year period adversely affected virtue prohibition ability uses requires librarian automatically renew ensuing year period exemptions granted rulemaking result changed circumstances unlikely users adversely affected prohibition establishes presumption users likely adversely affected technological measure uses improve accessibility works technologies persons disabilities expands existing statutory exceptions removing certain restrictions conditions apply permissible reverse engineering achieve interoperability independently created computer program programs encryption research copies performances displays published work activities prevent collection dissemination personally identifying information natural person authorized security testing computer systems networks


Summary: Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Education Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to educational organizations to carry out educational programs about the Holocaust.

holocaust education assistance act_-_authorizes secretary education competitive grants educational organizations carry educational programs holocaust


Summary: Expand and Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable tax credit to holders of school construction bonds. Sets forth requirements for issues of school construction bonds, including that: (1) 95% of the proceeds of such bonds must be used to construct new elementary and secondary school facilities and provide equipment for such schools; (2) local education agencies must require private business contributions of not less than 10% of the proceeds of an issue; and (3) bonds must be used for schools which meet specified criteria relating to curriculum, the alleviation of classroom overcrowding, and student-teacher ratios. Provides for a national school construction bond limitation of $400 million in 2008 and 2009.

expand rebuild america schools act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow nonrefundable tax credit holders school construction bonds sets forth requirements issues school construction bonds including proceeds bonds construct new elementary secondary school facilities provide equipment schools local education agencies require private business contributions proceeds issue bonds schools meet specified criteria relating curriculum classroom student teacher ratios provides national school construction bond limitation million


Summary: Every Student Counts Act - Requires states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and high schools annually to calculate and report, as part of the report cards required under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), the percentage of high school students: (1) graduating in four years and in five years with a regular high school diploma from each cohort graduating class; and (2) the percentage of students in each grade, except the graduating grade, prepared to advance to the next grade. Requires such data to be reported in the aggregate and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, migrant status, English proficiency, and status as economically disadvantaged. Directs states that lack a statewide longitudinal data system with individual student identifiers to make certain interim graduation rate calculations, but requires all states to make the four and five-year adjusted cohort graduation rate calculations by 2012. Requires the use of such rates in determining the success of each high school and LEA in making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards under the ESEA. Requires schools and LEAs whose four and five-year adjusted cohort graduation rates fall below 90% overall or for any low-income, minority, disabled, migrant, or limited English proficient student subgroup, to make specified yearly progress in improving such rates or be deemed as failing to make AYP.

student counts act_-_requires states local educational agencies leas high schools annually calculate report report cards required title elementary secondary education act esea percentage high school students graduating years years regular high school diploma cohort graduating class percentage students grade graduating grade prepared advance grade requires data reported aggregate disaggregated race ethnicity gender disability status migrant status english proficiency status economically disadvantaged directs states lack statewide longitudinal data system individual student identifiers certain interim graduation rate calculations requires states year adjusted cohort graduation rate calculations requires use rates determining success high school lea making adequate yearly progress ayp state academic performance standards esea requires schools leas year adjusted cohort graduation rates fall overall low income minority disabled migrant limited english proficient student subgroup specified yearly progress improving rates deemed failing ayp


Summary: School Emergency Notification Deployment Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish competitively neutral rules to permit universal service support to public and nonprofit elementary and secondary schools to be used for a communications service or system that can be used by school administrators and other public officials to deliver emergency messages to students and their parents, faculty, and staff, and their designated emergency contacts, via messages carried over telecommunications and information services, including those transmitted by providers of commercial mobile service.

school emergency notification deployment act_-_amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc establish competitively neutral rules permit universal service support public nonprofit elementary secondary schools communications service system school administrators public officials deliver emergency messages students parents faculty staff designated emergency contacts messages carried telecommunications information services including transmitted providers commercial mobile service


Summary: Pledge Language is English Declaration and Government Endorsement Act of 2008 - Prohibits state or local educational agencies from requiring or permitting the Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem to be recited or sung in any language other than English in any elementary or secondary school under their jurisdiction. Withholds federal funds from state or local educational agencies that violate such prohibition, unless the funds are specifically appropriated to such agencies after they have been found to be violating the prohibition. Establishes a private right of action for persons injured by violations of such prohibition.

pledge language english declaration government endorsement act prohibits state local educational agencies requiring permitting pledge allegiance national language english elementary secondary school jurisdiction withholds federal funds state local educational agencies violate prohibition funds specifically appropriated agencies found violating prohibition establishes private right action persons injured violations prohibition


Summary: Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that a nonimmigrant foreign student seeking to enter the United States to study at a language training program enroll in a program recognized as accredited by the Secretary of Education. Provides for a specified three-year exception to such requirement.

amends immigration_and_nationality_act require nonimmigrant foreign student seeking enter united_states study language training program enroll program recognized accredited secretary education provides specified year exception requirement


Summary: Mentoring for All Act of 2009 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to award competitive, matching, three-year grants to nonpartisan, collaborative, public-private partnerships at the state and local level for efforts to grow and strengthen direct-service youth mentoring programs in all forms and settings in their service areas. Requires partnership grantees to use at least 80% of their grant for competitive subgrants to mentoring programs: (1) operated by or being created by, nonprofit organizations, schools, or local governments; or (2) operated by local collaboratives that each include at least two experienced youth mentoring organizations and at least one entity that provides volunteer mentors. Allows partnership grantees to give subgrant priority to collaboratives. Requires each partnership grantee to participate in a collaborative national network of mentoring partnerships. Directs the Corporation to award competitive, matching, three-year grants to entities or collaboratives of entities enabling the entities or collaboratives to: (1) build the necessary infrastructure to create a state mentoring partnership; or (2) implement national mentoring projects. Requires the Corporation to evaluate this Act's programs and provide training and technical assistance to grant fund recipients that is based on support from the national network of mentoring partnerships.

mentoring act amends national_and_community_service_act direct corporation_for_national_and_community_service award competitive matching year grants nonpartisan collaborative public private partnerships state local level efforts grow strengthen direct service youth mentoring programs forms settings service areas requires partnership grantees use grant competitive subgrants mentoring programs operated created nonprofit organizations schools local governments operated local collaboratives include experienced youth mentoring organizations entity provides volunteer mentors allows partnership grantees subgrant priority collaboratives requires partnership grantee participate collaborative national network mentoring partnerships directs corporation award competitive matching year grants entities collaboratives entities enabling entities collaboratives build necessary infrastructure create state mentoring partnership implement national mentoring projects requires corporation evaluate act programs provide training technical assistance grant fund recipients based support national network mentoring partnerships


Summary: National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports Establishment Act - Establishes the National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports as a charitable, nonprofit corporation to promote participation by private organizations in the activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Subjects any person who uses the Council's or Foundation's official seal or any trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia falsely representing association with, or authorization by, the Council or Foundation for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of any goods or services, or to promote any theatrical exhibition, athletic performance, or competition without the Foundation's consent to a civil action for remedies provided in the Trademark Act of 1946. Allows the Foundation, in conjunction with the Council, to authorize contributors and suppliers of goods or services to use such trade name, trademark, seal, symbol, insignia, or emblem in advertising under specified conditions.

national foundation physical fitness sports establishment act establishes national foundation physical fitness sports charitable nonprofit corporation promote participation private organizations activities president council physical fitness sports subjects person uses council foundation official seal trademark trade sign symbol insignia falsely representing association authorization council foundation purpose trade induce sale goods services promote theatrical exhibition athletic performance competition foundation consent civil action remedies provided trademark act allows foundation conjunction council authorize contributors suppliers goods services use trade trademark seal symbol insignia emblem advertising specified conditions


Summary: Open College Textbook Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive one-year grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs), professors from IHEs, and producers of open textbooks to create or update open textbooks, or adapt textbooks into open formats, for postsecondary coursework. (Open textbooks are defined as college textbooks or course materials in electronic format that are licensed under an open license, which is an irrevocable intellectual property license that grants the public the right to access, customize, and distribute copyrighted material.) Requires such textbooks to be posted on an easily accessible and interoperable website and made available to the public free of charge. Directs the Secretary to develop a peer review and evaluation process to ensure that these textbooks are of the highest quality, accurate in content, and meet or exceed market quality and accessibility standards. Requires all elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational materials created through federal grants to be licensed under an open license, posted on an easily accessible and interoperable website, and made available to the public free of charge. Expresses the sense of Congress that IHEs should encourage professors to consider open textbooks within the generally accepted principles of academic freedom which give faculty the right and responsibility to select pedagogically appropriate coursework.

open college textbook act authorizes secretary education award competitive year grants institutions higher education ihes professors ihes producers open textbooks create update open textbooks adapt textbooks open formats postsecondary coursework open textbooks defined college textbooks course materials electronic format licensed open license irrevocable intellectual property license grants public right access distribute copyrighted material requires textbooks posted easily accessible interoperable website available public free charge directs secretary develop peer_review evaluation process ensure textbooks highest quality accurate content meet exceed market quality accessibility standards requires elementary secondary postsecondary educational materials created federal grants licensed open license posted easily accessible interoperable website available public free charge expresses sense congress ihes encourage professors consider open textbooks generally accepted principles academic freedom faculty right responsibility select appropriate coursework


Summary: Home School Opportunities Make Education Sound Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow all taxpayers, including taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions, a tax deduction for expenses relating to the home schooling of their children at the elementary or secondary school level.

home school opportunities education sound act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow taxpayers including taxpayers itemize deductions tax deduction expenses relating home schooling children elementary secondary school level


Summary: National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition Establishment Act - Establishes the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition as a charitable, nonprofit corporation: (1) to develop, in conjunction with the Office of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, a list and description of activities which would further the purposes and functions outlined in Executive Order 13265 (established the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports) and with respect to which combined private and governmental efforts would be beneficial; (2) to promote private organization participation in, and private gifts to support, those activities; and (3) in consultation with such Office, to undertake and support activities to further the purposes and functions of such Executive Order. Prohibits the Foundation from accepting any federal funds.

national foundation fitness sports nutrition establishment act establishes national foundation fitness sports nutrition charitable nonprofit corporation develop conjunction office president council fitness sports nutrition list description activities purposes functions outlined executive order established president council physical fitness sports respect combined private governmental efforts beneficial promote private organization participation private gifts support activities consultation office undertake support activities purposes functions executive order prohibits foundation accepting federal funds


Summary: National Guard Youth Challenge Enhancement Act - Amends the National Guard Youth Challenge Program (a training program to improve life skills and employment potential of civilian youth participants) to increase the authorized Department of Defense (DOD) share of expenses to 100% of operating costs for the first three years of a state program of the Program.

national_guard youth challenge enhancement act_-_amends national_guard_youth_challenge_program training program improve life skills employment potential civilian youth participants increase authorized department_of_defense dod share expenses operating costs years state program program


Summary: Healthy Media for Youth Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to nonprofit organizations to provide for the establishment, operation, coordination, and evaluation of programs to: (1) increase the media literacy of girls and boys, and (2) support the empowerment of girls or boys in a variety of ways. Permits giving priority to grant applicants providing non-federal matching funds. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in coordination with the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, to review, synthesize, and conduct or support research on the role and impact of depictions of girls and women in the media on the psychological, sexual, physical, and interpersonal development of youth. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to convene a task force, to be known as the National Task Force on Girls and Women in the Media, to develop voluntary steps and goals for promoting healthy and positive depictions of girls and women in the media for the benefit of all youth.

healthy media youth act_-_directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs award grants nonprofit organizations provide establishment operation coordination evaluation programs increase media literacy girls boys support empowerment girls boys variety ways permits giving priority grant applicants providing non federal matching funds directs secretary acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc coordination director national_institutes_of_health nih director eunice kennedy shriver national institute child health human development review synthesize conduct support research role impact depictions girls women media psychological sexual physical interpersonal development youth directs federal_communications_commission fcc convene task_force known national task_force girls women media develop voluntary steps goals promoting healthy positive depictions girls women media benefit youth


Summary: Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to educational organizations to carry out proposed or existing Holocaust education programs. Prohibits such grants from being used to supplant nonfederal funds the grantees would otherwise have used for Holocaust education programs.

amends elementary secondary education act authorize secretary education award competitive grants educational organizations carry proposed existing holocaust education programs prohibits grants supplant nonfederal funds grantees holocaust education programs


Summary: Lifelong Learning Accounts Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish tax-exempt lifelong learning accounts to pay certain educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and information technology devices required for the education of, or courses of instruction of, the account beneficiary; (2) allow individuals between ages 18 and 71 an income-based tax credit for cash contributions to their lifelong learning accounts; (3) exclude from employee gross income employer contributions to a lifelong learning account; and (4) allow employers a tax credit for contributions made to the lifelong learning accounts of their employees and for administrative costs associated with small employer lifelong learning accounts.

lifelong learning accounts act amends_the_internal_revenue_code establish tax exempt lifelong learning accounts pay certain educational expenses including tuition fees books supplies information technology devices required education courses instruction account beneficiary allow individuals ages income based tax credit cash contributions lifelong learning accounts exclude employee gross income employer contributions lifelong learning account allow employers tax credit contributions lifelong learning accounts employees administrative costs associated small employer lifelong learning accounts


Summary: Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2012 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into cooperative agreements with states to establish state and multistate infrastructure banks that make loans to local educational agencies, public libraries, and charter schools or their developers to construct or renovate public elementary or secondary schools and public libraries. Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks. Directs the Secretary to make grants to such banks to provide initial capital for such loans. Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal capitalization grant made to the state and contributed to the bank. Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans. Requires borrowers to use, to the maximum extent practicable, green construction or renovation practices that are consistent with: (1) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standards, (2) Energy Star standards, (3) Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria, (4) Green Building Initiative environmental design and rating standards (Green Globes), or (5) equivalent standards adopted by the entities that have jurisdiction over them.

investing tomorrow schools act authorizes secretary treasury enter cooperative agreements states establish state multistate infrastructure banks loans local educational agencies public libraries charter schools developers construct renovate public elementary secondary schools public libraries grants congressional consent states interstate compacts establish multistate infrastructure banks directs secretary grants banks provide initial capital loans requires states contribute nonfederal sources federal capitalization grant state contributed bank lists types projects eligible bank loans requires borrowers use maximum extent practicable green construction renovation practices consistent leadership energy environmental design leed green building rating standards energy_star standards collaborative high performance schools chps criteria green building initiative environmental design rating standards green_globes equivalent standards adopted entities jurisdiction


Summary:
National Program for Arts and Technology Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish and implement a national program for arts and technology that addresses the complex needs of the poor and undereducated by awarding competitive grants to qualified centers (private, nonprofit educational entities) and interested communities to provide: (1) financial support to establish new qualified centers, and (2) management expertise to guide such centers and communities.

Prohibits federal funds received under this Act from being used for capital expenditures or endowment gifts.

Requires a qualified center or an interested community to match federal contributions.

national program arts technology act directs secretary education establish implement national program arts technology addresses complex needs poor awarding competitive grants qualified centers private nonprofit educational entities interested communities provide financial support establish new qualified centers management expertise guide centers communities prohibits federal funds received act capital expenditures endowment gifts requires qualified center interested community match federal contributions


Summary: Prohibits funds from being used to carry out the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation or any other program that provides grants for cultural preservation outside the United States.

prohibits funds carry ambassador fund cultural preservation program provides grants cultural preservation outside united_states


Summary: Declares that no federal agency may obligate or expend funds appropriated to such agency for a fiscal year to provide technical assistance to any nongovernment entity for the production of any motion picture, television show, documentary, music video, commercial advertisement, CD-ROM game, or other audiovisual program.

declares federal agency obligate expend funds appropriated agency fiscal year provide technical assistance nongovernment entity production motion picture television documentary music video commercial advertisement game program


Summary:
National Jazz Preservation, Education, and Promulgation Act of 2014 - Establishes a National Jazz Preservation Program, to be carried out by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution through the Director of the National Museum of American History and in collaboration with other Smithsonian museums, to preserve knowledge and promote education about jazz.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) record audio and video interviews with leading jazz artists; (2) acquire, preserve, and interpret jazz artifacts; (3) continue to recognize Jazz Appreciation Month; (4) establish collaborative agreements with specified entities for the sharing of such artifacts; and (5) encourage, consult with, and engage in capacity building with community-based and regional organizations with the potential to establish jazz archival collections.

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow certain funds to be made available under the Act for programs to promote jazz education, which may include: (1) a Jazz Artists in the Schools program; (2) a program for the development of lesson plans and other educational materials about jazz, the distribution of such materials, and teacher training on jazz education; and (3) an Ambassadors of Jazz program.

Establishes a National Jazz Appreciation Program to be carried by the Secretary through the Director of the National Museum of American History and in collaboration with other Smithsonian museums and affiliates, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), to further the appreciation of jazz music throughout the nation.

Requires the Secretary to establish a series of jazz performances at Smithsonian affiliates throughout the nation that provides broad geographic access to jazz and supports public appreciation for the diversity of jazz music.

national preservation education promulgation act establishes national preservation program carried secretary smithsonian_institution director national museum american history collaboration smithsonian museums preserve knowledge promote education requires secretary record audio video interviews leading artists acquire preserve interpret artifacts continue recognize appreciation month establish collaborative agreements specified entities sharing artifacts encourage consult engage capacity building community based regional organizations potential establish archival collections amends elementary secondary education act allow certain funds available act programs promote education include artists schools program program development plans educational materials distribution materials teacher training education program establishes national appreciation program carried secretary director national museum american history collaboration smithsonian museums affiliates national_endowment_for_the_arts national_endowment_for_the_humanities appreciation music nation requires secretary establish series performances smithsonian affiliates nation provides broad geographic access supports public appreciation diversity music


Summary:
Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Improvement Act - Establishes the Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Committee to:

 coordinate federal oversight of proprietary institutions of higher education (IHEs); coordinate federal activities to protect students from unfair, deceptive, abusive, unethical, fraudulent, or predatory practices, policies, or procedures of proprietary IHEs; encourage information sharing among federal agencies regarding federal investigations, audits, or inquiries of such IHEs; increase coordination and cooperation between federal and state agencies to improve oversight and accountability of proprietary IHEs; and develop best practices and consistency among federal and state agencies in the dissemination of consumer information regarding such IHEs. Requires the Committee to: (1) meet at least once each quarter of each fiscal year; and (2) meet at least once each fiscal year, and otherwise interact regularly, with state attorneys general, state approval agencies, veterans service organizations, and consumer advocates.

Directs the Committee to submit, and make publicly available, an annual report to Congress that includes: (1) recommendations for legislative and administrative actions the Committees deems necessary to improve the enforcement of applicable federal laws, increase the accountability of proprietary IHEs to students and taxpayers, and ensure the promotion of quality education programs; and (2) specified financial and consumer information regarding such IHEs.

Requires the Committee, each academic year, to publish the For-Profit College Warning List for Parents and Students, which is to be comprised of proprietary IHEs:

 that have engaged in illegal activity during the previous academic year as determined by a federal or state court; that have entered into a settlement resulting in a monetary payment; that have had any higher education program withdrawn or suspended; or for which the Committee has sufficient evidence of widespread or systemic unfair, deceptive, abusive, unethical, fraudulent, or predatory practices, policies, or procedures that threaten the academic success, financial security, or general best interest of students.

proprietary education oversight coordination improvement act establishes proprietary education oversight coordination committee coordinate federal oversight proprietary institutions higher education ihes coordinate federal activities protect students unfair deceptive abusive unethical fraudulent predatory practices policies procedures proprietary ihes encourage information sharing federal agencies federal investigations audits inquiries ihes increase coordination cooperation federal state agencies improve oversight accountability proprietary ihes develop best practices consistency federal state agencies dissemination consumer information ihes requires committee meet quarter fiscal year meet fiscal year interact regularly state attorneys general state approval agencies veterans service organizations consumer advocates directs committee submit publicly available annual report congress includes recommendations legislative administrative actions committees deems necessary improve enforcement applicable federal laws increase accountability proprietary ihes students taxpayers ensure promotion quality education programs specified financial consumer information ihes requires committee academic year publish profit college warning list parents students comprised proprietary ihes engaged illegal activity previous academic year determined federal state court entered settlement resulting monetary payment higher education program withdrawn suspended committee sufficient evidence widespread systemic unfair deceptive abusive unethical fraudulent predatory practices policies procedures threaten academic success financial security general best interest students


Summary:
Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into cooperative agreements with states to establish state and multistate infrastructure banks that make loans to local educational agencies, public libraries, and charter schools or their developers to construct or renovate public elementary or secondary schools and public libraries. Requires loans also to community learning centers to connect and improve broadband services.

Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks.

Directs the Secretary to make grants to such banks to provide initial capital for such loans.

Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal capitalization grant made to the state and contributed to the bank.

Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans.

Requires borrowers to use, to the maximum extent practicable, green construction or renovation practices that are consistent with: (1) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standards, (2) Energy Star standards, (3) Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria, (4) Green Building Initiative environmental design and rating standards (Green Globes), or (5) equivalent standards adopted by the entities that have jurisdiction over them.

investing tomorrow schools act authorizes secretary treasury enter cooperative agreements states establish state multistate infrastructure banks loans local educational agencies public libraries charter schools developers construct renovate public elementary secondary schools public libraries requires loans community_learning_centers connect improve broadband services grants congressional consent states interstate compacts establish multistate infrastructure banks directs secretary grants banks provide initial capital loans requires states contribute nonfederal sources federal capitalization grant state contributed bank lists types projects eligible bank loans requires borrowers use maximum extent practicable green construction renovation practices consistent leadership energy environmental design leed green building rating standards energy_star standards collaborative high performance schools chps criteria green building initiative environmental design rating standards green_globes equivalent standards adopted entities jurisdiction


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2014 - Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for FY2015-FY2019 for maintenance, repair, and security, and for capital projects.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated john kennedy center reauthorization act amends john kennedy center act authorize appropriations board_of_trustees john kennedy center performing arts fy2015-fy2019 maintenance repair security capital projects


Summary:
School Turnaround and Rewards Act of 2013 or the STAR Act of 2013 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to replace the school support and recognition program with a blue ribbon schools program that allows each state to annually identify the top 5% of its schools as blue ribbon schools based on: (1) the percentage of their students who are on track to college and career readiness for English or language arts and mathematics; (2) in the case of high schools, their graduation rates; (3) the performance of their student subgroups; (4) student growth; and (5) school gains.

Allows states to provide each blue ribbon school with: (1) increased autonomy over its budget, staffing, and time; (2) flexibility in using funds provided under the ESEA for any purpose allowed under the ESEA; and (3) a monetary award, through its local educational agency (LEA), if it agrees to use it to improve student achievement and provide technical assistance to the lowest-achieving schools in the state that have characteristics similar to it.

Requires states to identify their lowest-achieving schools each year, which include: (1) the lowest-achieving 5% of public high schools and the lowest-achieving 5% of public elementary and secondary schools that are not high schools, and (2) the public high schools that have less than a 60% graduation rate. Requires each state to notify the parents of students of a school's status as one of its lowest-achieving schools.

Requires states to compile a list of its schools identified as lowest-achieving that: (1) receive assistance under part A of title I of the ESEA, (2) are public high schools at least 50% of whose students are low-income students, or (3) are public high schools that have less than a 60% graduation rate. Requires the list to be made publicly available.

Identifies as persistently low-achieving those schools that have been on that list for two consecutive school years (for the 2013-2014 school year, a school on the list the preceding school year shall be so identified). Continues their characterization as such for five years following their identification.

Allows states to apply to the Secretary of Education for a waiver from the requirement to identify schools as persistently low-achieving if they determine that all of their schools are performing at a satisfactory level.

Requires LEAs receiving part A funds to conduct a data-driven needs analysis of each of their persistently low-achieving schools and use it to select and implement the most appropriate school improvement strategy to improve student performance at each school. Identifies the school improvement strategies as the transformation model, the restart model, the school closure model, and the turnaround model. Lists the activities that each strategy entails. Requires all of the strategies to provide: (1) school staff with ongoing training and performance evaluations, and (2) students with instruction and instructional supports that meet their individual needs.

Authorizes the Secretary to carry out activities of national significance to support state and local efforts to turn around persistently low-performing schools.

school turnaround rewards act star act amends elementary secondary education act esea replace school support recognition program blue ribbon schools program allows state annually identify schools blue ribbon schools based percentage students track college career readiness english language arts mathematics case high schools graduation rates performance student subgroups student growth school gains allows states provide blue ribbon school increased autonomy budget staffing time flexibility funds provided esea purpose allowed esea monetary award local educational agency lea agrees use improve student achievement provide technical assistance lowest achieving schools state characteristics similar requires states identify lowest achieving schools year include lowest achieving public high schools lowest achieving public elementary secondary schools high schools public high schools graduation rate requires state notify parents students school status lowest achieving schools requires states compile list schools identified lowest achieving receive assistance title esea public high schools students low income students public high schools graduation rate requires list publicly available identifies persistently low achieving schools list consecutive school years school year school list preceding school year shall identified continues characterization years following identification allows states apply secretary education waiver requirement identify schools persistently low achieving determine schools performing satisfactory level requires leas receiving funds conduct data driven needs analysis persistently low achieving schools use select implement appropriate school improvement strategy improve student performance school identifies school improvement strategies transformation model restart model school closure model turnaround model lists activities strategy requires strategies provide school staff ongoing training performance evaluations students instruction instructional supports meet individual needs authorizes secretary carry activities national significance support state local efforts turn persistently low performing schools


Summary: Support Theaters in America Growth and Expansion Act or the STAGE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing of the costs of qualified film and television productions, to: (1) extend through 2015 provisions allowing such expensing, (2) allow such expensing for the costs of certain live theatrical productions, and (3) provide for the tax treatment of dispositions of an interest in a live theatrical production as a passive activity.

support theaters america growth expansion act stage act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect expensing costs qualified film television productions extend provisions allowing expensing allow expensing costs certain live theatrical productions provide tax treatment dispositions interest live theatrical production passive activity


Summary:
Student Visa Integrity Act - Amends the federal criminal code to subject to fine and a 15-year prison term an owner, official, employee, or agent of an educational institution who commits fraud or misuse of visas, permits, and other immigration documents in connection with the institution's participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) (Secretary) to require academic institutions (other than seminaries or other religious institutions) to be accredited for F-visa purposes if: (1) the institution is not already required to be accredited, and (2) an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education is able to provide such accreditation.

Authorizes the Secretary to waive the accreditation requirement for an established college, university, or language training program that is otherwise in compliance with F-visa requirements and has been a candidate for accreditation for at least one year and continues to progress toward such accreditation.

Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary to impose a monetary fine and suspend authority to issue a Form I-20 with regard to an institution failing to comply with Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) reporting requirements.

Authorizes the Secretary, upon reasonable suspicion that an owner of, or a designated school official at, an approved institution of higher education, another educational institution, or a designated exchange visitor program has committed SEVP-related fraud, to: (1) suspend such certification without prior notification, and (2) suspend such official's or such school's SEVIS access.

Disqualifies permanently an owner or school official who is convicted of SEVP-related fraud from filing future petitions and from having an ownership interest or a management role in any U.S. educational institution that enrolls nonimmigrant alien students or nonimmigrant alien vocational students.

Prohibits an individual from serving as a designated school official or from being granted access to SEVIS unless the individual: (1) is a U.S. national or a lawful permanent resident alien who, during the most recent three-year period, has undergone a specified background check; and (2) has completed a SEVP and SEVIS training course. Authorizes the Secretary to collect a fee for each such security check.

Prohibits any flight school in the United States from accessing SEVIS or issuing a Form I-20 to an alien seeking a student or vocational student visa if the flight school has not been certified to the satisfaction of the Secretary and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Requires: (1) an accrediting agency or association, at the time it is required to notify the Secretary of Education and the appropriate state licensing agency of the final denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of an institution's accreditation, to notify the Secretary of such determination; and (2) the Secretary to withdraw the school from the SEVP and prohibit the school from accessing SEVIS.

Directs the Secretary to implement both phases of the second generation SEVIS (SEVIS II) within two years.

student visa integrity act_-_amends federal criminal code subject fine year prison term owner official employee agent educational institution commits fraud misuse visas permits immigration documents connection institution participation student_and_exchange_visitor_program sevp directs secretary homeland_security dhs secretary require academic institutions seminaries religious institutions accredited visa purposes institution required accredited accrediting agency recognized secretary education able provide accreditation authorizes secretary waive accreditation requirement established college university language training program compliance visa requirements candidate accreditation year continues progress accreditation amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act authorize secretary impose monetary fine suspend authority issue form regard institution failing comply student_and_exchange_visitor_information_system sevis reporting requirements authorizes secretary reasonable suspicion owner designated school official approved institution higher education educational institution designated exchange visitor program committed sevp related fraud suspend certification prior notification suspend official school sevis access disqualifies permanently owner school official convicted sevp related fraud filing future petitions having ownership interest management role educational institution enrolls nonimmigrant alien students nonimmigrant alien vocational students prohibits individual serving designated school official granted access sevis individual national lawful permanent resident alien recent year period undergone specified background check completed sevp sevis training course authorizes secretary collect fee security check prohibits flight school united_states accessing sevis issuing form alien seeking student vocational student visa flight school certified satisfaction secretary federal_aviation_administration faa requires accrediting agency association time required notify secretary education appropriate state licensing agency final denial withdrawal suspension termination institution accreditation notify secretary determination secretary withdraw school sevp prohibit school accessing sevis directs secretary implement phases second generation sevis sevis years


Summary:
United States Library Trust Fund Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish in the Treasury the United States Library Trust Fund, and (2) allow taxpayers to designate a portion of any tax overpayment (not less than $1) to the Fund. Authorizes public libraries or public school libraries to receive grants from the Fund.

united_states library trust_fund act amends_the_internal_revenue_code establish treasury united_states library trust_fund allow taxpayers designate portion tax overpayment fund authorizes public libraries public school libraries receive grants fund


Summary:
Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Improvement Act

Establishes the Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Committee to:

 coordinate federal oversight of proprietary institutions of higher education (IHEs); coordinate federal activities to protect students from unfair, deceptive, abusive, unethical, fraudulent, or predatory practices, policies, or procedures of proprietary IHEs; encourage information sharing among federal agencies regarding federal investigations, audits, or inquiries of such IHEs; increase coordination and cooperation between federal and state agencies to improve oversight and accountability of proprietary IHEs; and develop best practices and consistency among federal and state agencies in the dissemination of consumer information regarding such IHEs. Requires the Committee to: (1) meet at least once each quarter of each fiscal year; and (2) meet at least once each fiscal year, and otherwise interact regularly, with state attorneys general, state approval agencies, veterans service organizations, and consumer advocates.

Directs the Committee to submit, and make publicly available, an annual report to Congress that includes: (1) recommendations for legislative and administrative actions the Committees deems necessary to improve the enforcement of applicable federal laws, increase the accountability of proprietary IHEs to students and taxpayers, and ensure the promotion of quality education programs; and (2) specified financial and consumer information regarding such IHEs.

Requires the Committee, each academic year, to publish the For-Profit College Warning List for Parents and Students, which is to be comprised of proprietary IHEs:

 that have engaged in illegal activity during the previous academic year as determined by a federal or state court; that have entered into a settlement resulting in a monetary payment; that have had any higher education program withdrawn or suspended; or for which the Committee has sufficient evidence of widespread or systemic unfair, deceptive, abusive, unethical, fraudulent, or predatory practices, policies, or procedures that threaten the academic success, financial security, or general best interest of students.


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2015

 Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to reauthorize appropriations for FY2016-FY2020 for maintenance, repair, and security, and capital projects for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated john kennedy center reauthorization act amends john kennedy center act reauthorize appropriations fy2016-fy2020 maintenance repair security capital projects john kennedy center performing arts


Summary:
National Jazz Preservation, Education, and Promulgation Act of 2015

 Establishes a National Jazz Preservation Program and a National Jazz Appreciation Program, to be carried out by the Smithsonian Institution through the National Museum of American History, to: (1) preserve knowledge and promote education about jazz, and (2) further the appreciation of jazz music throughout the nation.

Requires the Smithsonian Institution to: (1) record audio and video interviews with leading jazz artists; (2) acquire, preserve, and interpret jazz artifacts; (3) continue to recognize Jazz Appreciation Month; (4) establish collaborative agreements with specified entities for the sharing of such artifacts; and (5) encourage, consult with, and engage in capacity building with community-based and regional organizations with the potential to establish jazz archival collections.

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow certain funds to be made available under the Act for programs to promote jazz education, which may include: (1) a Jazz Artists in the Schools program; (2) a program for the development of lesson plans and other educational materials about jazz, the distribution of such materials, and teacher training on jazz education; and (3) an Ambassadors of Jazz program.

Requires the Smithsonian Institution to establish a series of jazz performances at Smithsonian affiliates throughout the nation that provides broad geographic access to jazz and supports public appreciation for the diversity of jazz music.

national preservation education promulgation act establishes national preservation program national appreciation program carried smithsonian_institution national museum american history preserve knowledge promote education appreciation music nation requires smithsonian_institution record audio video interviews leading artists acquire preserve interpret artifacts continue recognize appreciation month establish collaborative agreements specified entities sharing artifacts encourage consult engage capacity building community based regional organizations potential establish archival collections amends elementary secondary education act allow certain funds available act programs promote education include artists schools program program development plans educational materials distribution materials teacher training education program requires smithsonian_institution establish series performances smithsonian affiliates nation provides broad geographic access supports public appreciation diversity music


Summary:
Facilitating Investments in Local Markets Act or the FILM Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing of the costs of qualified film and television productions, to: (1) extend through 2016 provisions allowing such expensing, and (2) allow such expensing for the costs of certain live theatrical productions.

facilitating investments local markets act film act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect expensing costs qualified film television productions extend provisions allowing expensing allow expensing costs certain live theatrical productions


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016 the expensing rules for the costs of certain film and television productions.

bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code extend expensing rules costs certain film television productions


Summary:
History Is Learned from the Living Act

 This bill establishes the History Is Learned from the Living grant program.

The Department of the Interior shall make one-year grants to community groups, organizations, or institutions to carry out projects through which the community may learn about historical movements in the United States in the past century through the oral histories of community members who participated in those movements.

history learned living act bill establishes history learned living grant program department_of_the_interior shall year grants community groups organizations institutions carry projects community learn historical movements united_states past century oral histories community members participated movements


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 to reauthorize through FY2026 the national sound recording preservation program of the Library of Congress and the National Recording Preservation Foundation.

The number of members of the Board of Directors of the National Recording Preservation Foundation is increased from 9 to 12, at least 8 of whom (currently, at least 6) must be knowledgeable or experienced in sound recording production, distribution, preservation, or restoration.

(Sec. 2) The bill amends the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 to reauthorize through FY2026 the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress and the National Film Preservation Foundation.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill amends national recording preservation act reauthorize fy2026 national sound recording preservation program library_of_congress national recording preservation foundation number members board_of_directors national recording preservation foundation increased currently knowledgeable experienced sound recording production distribution preservation restoration sec bill amends national film preservation act reauthorize fy2026 national film registry library_of_congress national film preservation foundation


Summary:
Youth Exchange Support Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $50 to $400 per month the amount of the charitable contribution tax deduction for taxpayers who provide housing and support to a student enrolled in an educational program. This increased amount is adjusted for inflation for taxable years beginning after 2016.

youth exchange support act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code increase month charitable contribution tax deduction taxpayers provide housing support student enrolled educational program increased adjusted inflation taxable years beginning


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Gold Star Families Voices Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Veterans' Oral History Project Act to require the veterans oral history program to include the collection of video and audio recordings of biographical histories by immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces who became missing in action or who died as a result of their wartime service.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated gold star families act sec bill amends veterans oral history project act require veterans oral history program include collection video audio recordings biographical histories immediate family members members armed_forces missing action died result wartime service


Summary:
National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act

This bill designates as the "National Memorial to Fallen Educators" an existing memorial located at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas. The memorial is not a unit of the National Park System, and its designation shall not require or allow federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to it.

national memorial fallen educators act bill designates national memorial fallen educators existing memorial located national teachers hall kansas memorial unit national_park_system designation shall require allow federal funds expended purpose related


Summary:
Support Theaters in America Growth and Expansion Act or the STAGE Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing of the costs of qualified film and television productions, to: (1) extend through 2016 provisions allowing such expensing, (2) allow such expensing for the costs of certain live theatrical productions, and (3) provide for the tax treatment of dispositions of an interest in a live theatrical production as a passive activity.


Summary:
Artist-Museum Partnership Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who create literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions or similar property a fair market value (determined at the time of contribution) tax deduction for contributions of such properties, the copyrights thereon, or both, to certain tax-exempt organizations, if such properties are properly appraised and are donated no less than 18 months after their creation. Limits the amount of such deduction based upon the donor's artistic adjusted gross income, as defined by this Act.

artist museum partnership act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow taxpayers create literary musical artistic scholarly compositions similar property fair market value determined time contribution tax deduction contributions properties copyrights thereon certain tax exempt organizations properties properly appraised donated months creation limits deduction based donor artistic adjusted gross income defined act


Summary:
Arts Require Timely Service Act of 2016 or the ARTS Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjudicate O and P visa petitions (nonimmigrant visas for aliens with extraordinary ability or achievement, and artists and entertainers) within 14 days after receiving such petitions and related documents.

The bill grants premium visa processing without charge to a petitioner that is a nonprofits arts organization if DHS does not meet the deadline for adjudicating a visa petition.

arts require timely service act arts act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act require department_of_homeland_security dhs adjudicate visa petitions nonimmigrant visas aliens extraordinary ability achievement artists entertainers days receiving petitions related documents bill grants premium visa processing charge petitioner nonprofits arts organization dhs meet deadline adjudicating visa petition


Summary:
Protecting Continuing Physical Education and Patient Care Act

 This bill amends title XI (General Provisions, Peer Review, Administrative Simplification) of the Social Security Act to exempt from required manufacturer transparency reporting to the Department of Health and Human Services any transfer of value to a covered recipient of peer-reviewed journals, journal reprints, journal supplements, conference reports, and medical textbooks that directly benefit patients or are intended for patient use.

The bill also excludes from such mandatory reporting any indirect payment or transfer of value to a covered recipient who is a physician:

 for speaking at, or preparing educational materials for, an educational event for physicians or other health care professionals that does not commercially promote a covered drug, device, biological, or medical supply; or that serves the sole purpose of providing the physician with medical education, such as the tuition required to attend an educational event or any materials given physicians at such an event.

protecting continuing physical education patient care act bill amends title general_provisions peer_review administrative simplification social_security_act exempt required manufacturer transparency reporting department_of_health_and_human_services transfer value covered recipient peer reviewed supplements conference reports medical textbooks directly benefit patients intended patient use bill excludes mandatory reporting indirect payment transfer value covered recipient physician speaking preparing educational materials educational event physicians health_care professionals commercially promote covered drug device biological medical supply serves sole purpose providing physician medical education tuition required attend educational event materials given physicians event


Summary: Environmental Justice Act of 2007 - Authorizes and directs the President to execute, administer, and enforce as a matter of federal law the provisions of Executive Order 12898, dated February 11, 1994, (Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice In Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations) with modifications: (1) defining "environmental justice" and "fair treatment"; and (2) providing that the provisions concerning judicial review shall not apply.Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry out specified recommendations set forth in the following reports: (1) the EPA Inspector General's report number 2006-P-00034 entitled "EPA needs to conduct environmental justice reviews of its programs, policies and activities"; (2) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report numbered GAO-05-289 entitled "EPA Should Devote More Attention to Environmental Justice when Developing Clean Air Rules"; and (3) the Inspector General's report number 2004-P-00007 entitled "EPA Needs to Consistently Implement the Intent of the Executive Order on Environmental Justice."Requires the Administrator to report semiannually to Congress on the implementation of such recommendations as well as progress on modifying emergency management procedures to incorporate environmental justice in the agency's Incident Command Structure in accordance with the December 18, 2006, letter from the Deputy Administrator to the Acting Inspector General).

environmental justice act authorizes directs president execute administer enforce matter federal law provisions executive order dated february federal actions address environmental justice minority populations low income populations modifications defining environmental justice fair treatment providing provisions concerning judicial review shall apply requires administrator environmental_protection_agency epa carry specified recommendations set forth following reports epa inspector_general report number entitled epa needs conduct environmental justice reviews programs policies activities government_accountability_office gao report numbered entitled epa attention environmental justice developing clean_air rules inspector_general report number entitled epa needs consistently implement intent executive order environmental justice administrator report semiannually congress implementation recommendations progress modifying emergency management procedures incorporate environmental justice agency incident command structure accordance december letter deputy administrator acting inspector_general


Summary: CAFO Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow owners or operators of a concentrated animal feeding operation a business-related tax credit, up to $500,000 in a taxable year, for the cost of compliance with a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Terminates such credit after 2014.

tax credit act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow owners operators concentrated animal feeding operation business related tax credit taxable year cost compliance national_pollutant_discharge_elimination_system permit issued federal_water_pollution_control_act terminates credit


Summary: Rural Colorado Water Infrastructure Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to establish a pilot program to provide environmental assistance to non-federal interests in Colorado, which may be provided in the form of design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects. Requires projects to be publicly owned as a prerequisite for assistance.Directs the Secretary to enter into local cooperation agreements with non-federal interests for project design and construction. Sets the federal share of project costs under local cooperation agreements at 75 percent. Sets the non-federal share of operation and maintenance costs for projects constructed with assistance under this Act at 100 percent.

rural colorado water infrastructure act_-_authorizes secretary army acting chief_of_engineers establish pilot program provide environmental assistance non federal interests colorado provided form design construction assistance water related environmental infrastructure resource protection development projects requires projects publicly owned prerequisite assistance directs secretary enter local cooperation agreements non federal interests project design construction sets federal share project costs local cooperation agreements percent sets non federal share operation maintenance costs projects constructed assistance act percent


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the current year tax deduction (expensing) for environmental remediation costs; and (2) repeal requirements for the recapture upon sale of such deduction as ordinary income.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code permanent current year tax deduction expensing environmental remediation costs repeal requirements recapture sale deduction ordinary income


Summary: Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the rebuttable presumption that the use of a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 would apply to actions by either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture in managing public lands with respect to specified activities if such activities are conducted pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act.

amends energy policy act repeal rebuttable presumption use categorical exclusion national_environmental_policy_act apply actions secretary interior secretary agriculture managing public lands respect specified activities activities conducted pursuant mineral_leasing_act


Summary: American Farm Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Farmland Stewardship Process whose purposes shall be to: (1) enable conservation programs to be responsive to local and site-specific conditions; (2) reduce administrative procedures and costs; and (3) coordinate multiple conservation programs and develop a delivery mechanism which can be applied to individual owners, operators, or producers. Sets forth program provisions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into stewardship conservation agreements with owners, operators, and producers; and (2) make rural land stewardship implementation grants (from funds available for the farmland protection program). Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, the Clean Air Act, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and Executive Order 13134 to harmonize specified definitions, including "biomass," "renewable biomass," "cellulosic biomass," and "cellulosic feedstock." Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to: (1) guarantee loans made by private institutions for construction of facilities to process and convert cellulosic biomass materials directly into alcohol-based fuels, bio-fuels, or other commercial products; and (2) make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to farm owners and tenants for the purchase and installation of equipment and the construction of facilities for processing animal wastes and byproducts into liquid fuel, energy, and other commercial products. Amends the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 to include the production of crops grown for cellulosic feedstock and biomass (energy crops) in the biomass research and development initiative.

american farm improvement act amends food security act direct secretary agriculture establish farmland stewardship process purposes shall enable conservation programs responsive local site specific conditions reduce administrative procedures costs coordinate multiple conservation programs develop delivery mechanism applied individual owners operators producers sets forth program provisions directs secretary enter stewardship conservation agreements owners operators producers rural land stewardship implementation grants funds available farmland protection program amends energy policy act biomass research development act clean_air act farm_security rural investment act executive order harmonize specified definitions including biomass renewable biomass cellulosic biomass cellulosic feedstock amends consolidated_farm rural_development act authorize secretary guarantee loans private institutions construction facilities process convert cellulosic biomass materials directly alcohol based fuels bio fuels commercial products grants loans loan guarantees farm owners tenants purchase installation equipment construction facilities processing animal wastes byproducts liquid fuel energy commercial products amends biomass research development act include production crops grown cellulosic feedstock biomass energy crops biomass research development initiative


Summary: Clean Air and Water Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include air and water pollution control facilities among the projects for which tax exempt facility bonds may be issued. Defines such facilities as any property: (1) to be used to abate or control water or atmospheric pollution or contamination by removing, altering, disposing, or storing pollutants, contaminants, wastes, or heat; (2) which is either land or of a character subject to the allowance for depreciation; and (3) that a federal, state, or local agency has certified is designed for abating or controlling atmospheric or water pollution or for meeting local requirements for controlling such pollution. Provides that a water pollution control facility includes the necessary intercepting sewers, pumping, power, and other equipment, and their appurtenances. Makes this Act applicable to bonds issued after December 31, 2006.

clean_air water investment act amends_the_internal_revenue_code include air water pollution control facilities projects tax exempt facility bonds issued defines facilities property abate control water atmospheric pollution contamination removing altering disposing storing pollutants contaminants wastes heat land character subject allowance depreciation federal state local agency certified designed controlling atmospheric water pollution meeting local requirements controlling pollution provides water pollution control facility includes necessary intercepting sewers pumping power equipment appurtenances makes act applicable bonds issued december


Summary: Alerting Localities of Environmental Risks and Threats (ALERT) Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promptly notify the governor of a state and/or the head of a local government whenever the Administrator (or the Attorney General) takes specified enforcement actions (including the issuance, settlement, or final determination of an administrative order or complaint) with respect to any environmental law violation in, or directly affecting, that jurisdiction.

localities environmental risks threats alert act_-_requires administrator environmental_protection_agency epa promptly notify governor state head local government administrator attorney general takes specified enforcement actions including issuance settlement final determination administrative order complaint respect environmental law violation directly affecting jurisdiction


Summary: Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to establish sustainability programs at institutions of higher education. Requires such programs to develop and implement: (1) sustainability practices, including in the areas of energy management, green building, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and toxics management; and (2) other aspects of sustainability that integrate campus operations with multidisciplinary educational programs and are applicable to the private and government sectors. Directs the Secretary to convene a summit of higher education experts, federal representatives, and business and industry leaders to encourage cooperative efforts to enhance sustainability programs at institutions of higher education and apply such programs to the community and workplace.

higher education sustainability act amends higher education act direct secretary education grants establish sustainability programs institutions higher education requires programs develop implement sustainability practices including areas energy management green building waste management purchasing transportation toxics management aspects sustainability integrate campus operations multidisciplinary educational programs applicable private government sectors directs secretary convene summit higher education experts federal representatives business industry leaders encourage cooperative efforts enhance sustainability programs institutions higher education apply programs community workplace


Summary: Environmental Justice Access and Implementation Act of 2007 - Requires specified federal agencies to establish an Office of Environmental Justice pursuant to Executive Order 12898 (concerning federal actions to address environmental justice in minority and low-income populations).Defines "environmental justice" as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, educational level, or income in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Requires the inclusion of minority and low-income populations with health vulnerabilities and exposure to certain environmental conditions in criteria for defining an environmental justice community. Requires federal agencies to integrate the environmental justice strategy developed under Executive Order 12898 into their operations and missions and explicitly address compliance with this Act. Directs the Interagency Federal Working Group on Environmental Justice (Working Group) to coordinate an integrated environmental justice training plan for federal agencies.Requires federal agencies subject to the requirements of this Act to carry out certain outreach activities relating to environmental justice and to report on such activities to the Working Group.Directs federal agencies to fund and establish community technology centers to provide technical assistance and other services in the environmental justice area.Requires the President and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide certain reports to Congress relating to environmental justice.

environmental justice access implementation act requires specified federal agencies establish office environmental justice pursuant executive order concerning federal actions address environmental justice minority low income environmental justice fair treatment meaningful involvement people regardless race color national origin educational level income development implementation enforcement environmental laws regulations requires inclusion minority low income populations health vulnerabilities exposure certain environmental conditions criteria defining environmental justice community requires federal agencies integrate environmental justice strategy developed executive order operations missions explicitly address compliance act directs interagency federal working_group environmental justice working_group coordinate integrated environmental justice training plan federal agencies requires federal agencies subject requirements act carry certain outreach activities relating environmental justice report activities working_group directs federal agencies fund establish community technology centers provide technical assistance services environmental justice area requires president government_accountability_office gao provide certain reports congress relating environmental justice


Summary: Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, with respect to abatement actions because of the release of recycled oil and liability for costs or damages resulting from such oil's release in the course of disposal or transport, to limit liability of a service station dealer with respect to any period between November 8, 1986, and the effective date of certain corrective action regulations or standards promulgated under the Solid Waste Disposal Act if the dealer complied with all applicable laws and regulations relating to disposal.

amends comprehensive environmental response compensation liability act respect abatement actions release recycled oil liability costs damages resulting oil release course disposal transport limit liability service station dealer respect period november effective date certain corrective action regulations standards promulgated solid_waste disposal act dealer complied applicable laws regulations relating disposal


Summary: Environment and Public Health Restoration Act of 2008 - States that it is U.S. government policy to work with states, territories, tribal governments, international organizations, and foreign governments to act as a steward of the environment for the benefit of public health, to maintain air quality and water quality, to sustain the diversity of plant and animal species, to combat global climate change, and to protect the environment for future generations.Requires the President to enter into an arrangement under which the National Academy of Sciences will: (1) study and report to the public, Congress, and implementing agencies on the impact on public health, air quality, water quality, wildlife, and the environment of specified clean water, clean air, and forest and land management regulations, laws, proposed laws, and guidance documents; and (2) make recommendations to maintain, restore, or improve protections for public health, air quality, water quality, wildlife, or the environment for each of such regulations, laws, proposed laws, or documents.Requires the head of each federal agency that issued or implemented such laws or regulations to submit to Congress a plan describing steps to restore or improve such protections.

environment public health restoration act 2008_-_states government policy work states territories tribal governments international organizations foreign governments act environment benefit public health maintain air quality water quality sustain diversity plant animal species combat global climate change protect environment future generations requires president enter arrangement national_academy_of_sciences study report public congress implementing agencies impact public health air quality water quality wildlife environment specified clean water clean_air forest land management regulations laws proposed laws guidance documents recommendations maintain restore improve protections public health air quality water quality wildlife environment regulations laws proposed laws documents requires head federal agency issued implemented laws regulations submit congress plan describing steps restore improve protections


Summary: Climate Change Drinking Water Adaptation Research Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and provide funding for a program of directed and applied research, to be conducted through a nonprofit water research foundation and sponsored by drinking water utilities, to assist suppliers of drinking water in adapting to the effects of climate change.Requires research areas to include: (1) water quality and quantity impacts and solutions; (2) impacts on groundwater supplies from carbon sequestration; (3) infrastructure impacts and solutions; (4) desalination, water reuse, and alternative supply technologies; (5) energy efficiency and greenhouse gas minimization; (6) regional and hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions; (7) utilities management, decision support systems, and water management models; (8) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy demand management; (9) water conservation and demand management; and (10) communications, education, and public acceptance.

climate change drinking water adaptation research act_-_requires administrator environmental_protection_agency epa establish provide funding program directed applied research conducted nonprofit water research foundation sponsored drinking water utilities assist suppliers drinking water adapting effects climate change requires research areas include water quality quantity impacts solutions impacts groundwater supplies carbon sequestration infrastructure impacts solutions desalination water reuse alternative supply technologies energy efficiency greenhouse gas minimization regional hydrological basin cooperative water management solutions utilities management decision support systems water management models greenhouse gas emissions reduction energy demand management water conservation demand management communications education public acceptance


Summary: People for the Planet Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Environmental Protection Trust Fund to promote ecosystem restoration, reforestation, reclamation of timber roads in national forests, watershed protection, preservation of Great Lakes and other bodies of water, and funding of biodiversity partnerships. Allows individual taxpayers (other than nonresident aliens) to designate on their income tax returns a payment of $3 of their income tax liability to such Trust Fund.Makes permanent the tax deduction for individual and corporate contributions of conservation easements.Allows a tax deduction for reforestation expenditures. Expresses the sense of Congress that the government should encourage biodiversity partnerships.

people act amends_the_internal_revenue_code establish treasury environmental protection trust_fund promote ecosystem restoration reforestation reclamation timber roads national forests watershed protection preservation great_lakes bodies water funding biodiversity partnerships allows individual taxpayers nonresident aliens designate income tax returns payment income tax liability trust_fund makes permanent tax deduction individual corporate contributions conservation easements allows tax deduction reforestation expenditures expresses sense congress government encourage biodiversity partnerships


Summary: CAFO Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow owners or operators of a concentrated animal feeding operation a business-related tax credit, up to $500,000 in a taxable year, for the cost of compliance with a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Terminates such credit after 2010.


Summary: Water Infrastructure Revitalization Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to establish a program to provide environmental assistance to non-federal interests in North Dakota, which may be provided in the form of design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects. Requires projects to be publicly owned as a prerequisite for assistance. Directs the Secretary to enter into local cooperation agreements with non-federal interests for project design and construction. Sets the federal share of project costs under local cooperation agreements at 75%. Requires a reduction in the non-federal share of the cost of constructing projects under this Act, using a federal formula for water rate affordability, where the rate for affordability relating to the project area exceeds the average state-wide rate by a specified percentage. Sets the non-federal share of operation and maintenance costs for projects constructed with assistance under this Act at 100%.

water infrastructure revitalization act_-_directs secretary army acting chief_of_engineers establish program provide environmental assistance non federal interests north_dakota provided form design construction assistance water related environmental infrastructure resource protection development projects requires projects publicly owned prerequisite assistance directs secretary enter local cooperation agreements non federal interests project design construction sets federal share project costs local cooperation agreements requires reduction non federal share cost constructing projects act federal formula water rate affordability rate affordability relating project area exceeds average state wide rate specified percentage sets non federal share operation maintenance costs projects constructed assistance act