Summary:
Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit an exhibitor from allowing for the participation of an exotic or wild animal (including a non-human primate) in an animal act if, during the 15-day period preceding such participation, such animal was traveling in a mobile housing facility, unless the use of such animal is: (1) in an exhibition at a non-mobile, permanent institution or facility; (2) a part of an outreach program for educational or conservation purposes by an accredited zoo or aquarium and such animal is not kept in a mobile housing facility for more than 12 hours a day; (3) by a university, college, laboratory, or other research facility registered with the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA); (4) in film, television, or advertising if such use does not involve a live public exhibition; or (5) in a rodeo.

Subjects a traveling circus or exhibitor that fails to comply with this Act to specified penalties.

traveling exotic animal protection act amends animal welfare act prohibit exhibitor allowing participation exotic wild animal including non human primate animal act day period preceding participation animal traveling mobile housing facility use animal exhibition non mobile permanent institution facility outreach program educational conservation purposes accredited animal kept mobile housing facility hours day university college laboratory research facility registered secretary agriculture usda film television advertising use involve live public exhibition subjects traveling exhibitor fails comply act specified penalties


Summary: Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide that no permit shall be required for: (1) the use of a pesticide that is registered or otherwise authorized for use under such Act; (2) the use of a biological control organism for the prevention, control, or eradication of a plant pest or noxious weed that is in accordance with the Plant Protection Act; or (3) the conduct of any other plant pest, noxious weed, or pest control activity conducted in accordance with the Plant Protection Act.

amends federal_insecticide fungicide rodenticide_act provide permit shall required use pesticide registered authorized use act use biological control organism prevention control eradication plant pest noxious weed accordance plant_protection_act conduct plant pest noxious weed pest control activity conducted accordance plant_protection_act


Summary:
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to define a "high volume retail breeder" as a person who, in commerce, for compensation or profit: (1) has an ownership interest in or custody of one or more breeding female dogs; and (2) sells, via any means of conveyance, more than 50 of the offspring of such dogs for use as pets in any one-year period. Considers such a breeder of dogs to be a dealer.

Requires dealers to include on licensing applications and annual renewals the total number of dogs exempted from exercise on the premises of the dealer in the preceding year by a licensed veterinarian.

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to promulgate requirements for the exercise of dogs at facilities owned or operated by a dealer, including requiring daily access to exercise that: (1) allows the dogs to move sufficiently in a way that is not forced, repetitive, or restrictive; and (2) is in an area that is spacious, cleaned at least once a day, free of infestation by pests or vermin, and designed to prevent the dogs from escaping. Allows an exemption if: (1) a licensed veterinarian determines that a dog should not exercise because of the health, condition, or well-being of the dog; and (2) such determination is reviewed and updated at least once every 30 days by the veterinarian, unless the basis for the determination is a permanent condition. Subjects such a determination to review and approval by the Secretary.

puppy uniform protection safety act amends animal welfare act define high volume retail breeder person commerce compensation profit ownership interest custody breeding female dogs sells means conveyance offspring dogs use pets year period considers breeder dogs dealer requires dealers include licensing applications annual renewals total number dogs exempted exercise premises dealer preceding year licensed veterinarian requires secretary agriculture usda promulgate requirements exercise dogs facilities owned operated dealer including requiring daily access exercise allows dogs sufficiently way forced repetitive restrictive area cleaned day free infestation pests designed prevent dogs allows exemption licensed veterinarian determines dog exercise health condition dog determination reviewed updated days veterinarian basis determination permanent condition subjects determination review approval secretary


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

Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Reauthorization Act of 2013 - Title I: Fees Relating to Animal Drugs - Animal Drug User Fee Amendments of 2013 - (Sec. 103) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend for FY2014-FY2018 the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect animal drug user fees, specifically new animal drug application or supplemental animal drug application fees, animal drug product fees, animal drug establishment fees, and animal drug sponsor fees.

Revises the due date for annual user fees to the later of January 31 of each year or the first business day after enactment of an appropriations act providing for the collection and obligation of fees for the fiscal year.

Establishes the amount of revenue such fees can generate. Specifies percentages of the total revenue that shall be derived from each type of user fee.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adjust the total revenue amounts for FY2015 and subsequent fiscal years for inflation.

Authorizes the Secretary to accept payment of user fees prior to their due date.

Requires the total fees collected for FY2016-FY2018 to be increased by the cumulative amount, if any, by which the amount of user fees collected and appropriated for prior fiscal year falls below the cumulative amount of fees authorized.

(Sec. 104) Extends requirements for the FDA to report to Congress on achieving goals related to animal drug development and review processes and implementation of authority to collect animal drug user fees.

(Sec. 107) Terminates the authority to collect user fees October 1, 2018.

Title II: Fees Relating to Generic Animal Drugs - Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2013 - (Sec. 202) Extends for FY2014-FY2018 the authority of the FDA to collect generic animal drug user fees, specifically abbreviated application fees for generic new animal drugs, generic new animal drug product fees, and generic new animal drug sponsor fees.

Subjects generic animal drug applications to a fee 50% of the amount of the normal fee if the application is for an animal drug which contains more than one active ingredient, or the labeling of the drug prescribes, recommends, or suggests use of the drug in combination with one or more other animal drugs, and the active ingredients or drugs intended for use in the combination have previously been separately approved.

Revises the due date for annual generic animal drug user fees to the later of January 31 of each year or the first business day after enactment of an appropriations act providing for the collection and obligation of fees for the fiscal year.

Establishes the total amount of revenue each type of generic user fee shall generate.

Authorizes the Secretary to accept payment of user fees prior to their due date.

(Sec. 203) Extends requirements for the FDA to report to Congress on achieving goals related to the generic animal drug development and review process and the implementation of the authority to collect generic animal drug fees.

(Sec. 206) Terminates the authority to collect generic animal drug user fees October 1, 2018.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated animal drug animal generic drug user fee reauthorization act title fees relating animal drugs animal drug user fee amendments sec amends cosmetic act extend fy2014 fy2018 authority food_and_drug_administration fda collect animal drug user fees specifically new animal drug application supplemental animal drug application fees animal drug product fees animal drug establishment fees animal drug sponsor fees revises date annual user fees later january year business day enactment appropriations act providing collection obligation fees fiscal year establishes revenue fees generate specifies percentages total revenue shall derived type user fee requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs adjust total revenue amounts fy2015 subsequent fiscal years inflation authorizes secretary accept payment user fees prior date requires total fees collected fy2016 fy2018 increased cumulative user fees collected appropriated prior fiscal year falls cumulative fees authorized sec extends requirements fda report congress achieving goals related animal drug development review processes implementation authority collect animal drug user fees sec terminates authority collect user fees october title fees relating generic animal drugs animal generic drug user fee amendments sec extends fy2014 fy2018 authority fda collect generic animal drug user fees specifically abbreviated application fees generic new animal drugs generic new animal drug product fees generic new animal drug sponsor fees subjects generic animal drug applications fee normal fee application animal drug contains active ingredient labeling drug prescribes recommends suggests use drug combination animal drugs active ingredients drugs intended use combination previously separately approved revises date annual generic animal drug user fees later january year business day enactment appropriations act providing collection obligation fees fiscal year establishes total revenue type generic user fee shall generate authorizes secretary accept payment user fees prior date sec extends requirements fda report congress achieving goals related generic animal drug development review process implementation authority collect generic animal drug fees sec terminates authority collect generic animal drug user fees october


Summary:
Animal and Public Health Protection Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to offer to enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with eligible laboratories to: (1) detect emerging or existing threats to animal health and support the protection of public health, the environment, and the agricultural economy; (2) provide the capability for standardized test procedures, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, interconnected electronic data reporting, and emergency preparedness evaluation; and (3) coordinate the development and implementation of national veterinary diagnostic laboratory capabilities.

Directs the Secretary to give priority to eligible laboratories at existing federal and state facilities and those at institutions of higher education.

rural investment act direct secretary agriculture usda offer enter contracts grants cooperative agreements eligible laboratories detect emerging existing threats animal health support protection public health environment agricultural economy provide capability standardized test procedures laboratory biosafety biosecurity interconnected electronic data reporting emergency preparedness evaluation coordinate development implementation national veterinary diagnostic laboratory capabilities directs secretary priority eligible laboratories existing federal state facilities institutions higher education


Summary: Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2013 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit a veterinarian who is registered to manufacture or distribute controlled substances from being required to have a separate registration in order to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice at a site other than such veterinarian's principal place of business or professional practice, as long as the dispensing site is located in a state where the veterinarian is licensed to practice.

veterinary medicine mobility act amends controlled substances act prohibit veterinarian registered manufacture distribute controlled substances required separate registration order transport dispense controlled substances usual course veterinary practice site veterinarian principal place business professional practice long dispensing site located state veterinarian licensed practice


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

Amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit a veterinarian who is registered to manufacture or distribute controlled substances from being required to have a separate registration in order to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice at a site other than such veterinarian's principal place of business or professional practice, as long as the site of transporting and dispensing is located in a state where the veterinarian is licensed to practice.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated amends controlled substances act prohibit veterinarian registered manufacture distribute controlled substances required separate registration order transport dispense controlled substances usual course veterinary practice site veterinarian principal place business professional practice long site transporting dispensing located state veterinarian licensed practice


Summary:
Farmer Identity Protection Act - Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or any EPA contractor or cooperator, from disclosing the information of any owner, operator, or employee of a livestock operation provided to EPA by a livestock producer or a state agency in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) or any other law, including: (1) names; (2) telephone numbers; (3) e-mail addresses; (4) physical addresses; (5) global positioning system coordinates; or (6) other information regarding the location of the owner, operator, livestock, or employee.

Prescribes criteria for such a disclosure, however, in a statistical or aggregate form without specifically identifying information.

epa epa contractor cooperator disclosing information owner operator employee livestock operation provided epa livestock producer state agency accordance federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act law including names telephone numbers mail addresses physical addresses global positioning system coordinates information location owner operator livestock employee prescribes criteria disclosure statistical aggregate form specifically identifying information


Summary:
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2014 or the PAST Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Horse Protection Act (HPA) to replace the Designated Qualified Persons program responsible for inspecting horses for soring with a new inspection system. (The soring of horses is any of various actions taken on a horse's limb to produce a higher gait that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness.) Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prescribe regulatory requirements to license, train, assign, and oversee persons who are to be hired by the management of horse shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions and are qualified to detect and diagnose sore horses or otherwise inspect horses at such events.

Prohibits issuing a license to any person unless such person is free from conflicts of interest. Authorizes USDA to revoke a license for unsatisfactory performance. Requires USDA to give a preference to persons who are licensed or accredited veterinarians in issuing the licenses.

Requires USDA to assign USDA-licensed inspectors after receiving notice that management intends to hire the inspectors.

Directs an inspector to issue a citation for violations and notify USDA of the violations within five days of the citation being issued.

Requires USDA to: (1) publish on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's website information on violations of such Act; and (2) disqualify a horse that is sore for specified time periods that increase after the first, second, and third instance.

Prohibits a person in any horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction from causing or directing a horse to become sore for the purpose of showing, exhibiting, selling, auctioning, or offering for sale the horse.

 Prohibits showing, exhibiting, selling, or auctioning a Tennessee Walking, a Racking, or a Spotted Saddle horse with: (1) an action device that causes friction by rotating around a horse's leg or sliding up and down the leg or strikes the hoof, coronet band, fetlock joint, or pastern of the horse; or (2) a weighted shoe, pad, wedge, hoof band, or other device or material if it is constructed to artificially alter a horse's gait and is not strictly protective or therapeutic.

Increases the maximum criminal penalties and maximum civil liability penalties for certain HPA violations.

Authorizes USDA to disqualify a violator from: (1) transporting or arranging for the transportation of a horse to or from a show, exhibition, sale, or auction; (2) personally giving instructions to an exhibitor; or (3) being knowingly present in a warm-up area, inspection area, or other area that spectators are not permitted.

 Permits USDA to permanently disqualify a person with at least three violations after notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

prevent soring tactics act past act sec amends horse protection act replace designated_qualified_persons program responsible inspecting horses soring new inspection system soring horses actions taken horse limb produce higher gait cause pain distress inflammation lameness directs department_of_agriculture usda prescribe regulatory requirements license train assign oversee persons hired management horse shows exhibitions sales auctions qualified detect diagnose sore horses inspect horses events prohibits issuing license person person free conflicts interest authorizes usda revoke license unsatisfactory performance requires usda preference persons licensed accredited veterinarians issuing licenses requires usda assign usda licensed inspectors receiving notice management intends hire inspectors directs inspector issue citation violations notify usda violations days citation issued requires usda publish animal plant_health_inspection_service website information violations act disqualify horse sore specified time periods increase second instance prohibits person horse horse exhibition horse sale auction causing directing horse sore purpose showing exhibiting selling auctioning offering sale horse prohibits showing exhibiting selling auctioning tennessee walking spotted saddle horse action device causes friction rotating horse leg sliding leg strikes band joint horse weighted pad wedge band device material constructed artificially alter horse gait strictly protective therapeutic increases maximum criminal penalties maximum civil liability penalties certain violations authorizes usda disqualify violator transporting arranging transportation horse exhibition sale auction personally giving instructions exhibitor knowingly present warm area inspection area area permitted permits usda permanently disqualify person violations notice opportunity hearing


Summary:
Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2014 - Amends the Horse Protection Act to replace the Designated Qualified Persons program responsible for inspecting horses for soring with a new inspection system. (The soring of horses is any of various actions taken on a horse's limb to produce a higher gait that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness.)

Requires a sore horse to be disqualified from being shown or exhibited for at least 30 days for the first determination that the horse is sore and 90 days for a second determination and any subsequent determination.

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a single Horse Industry Organization (HIO) in order to establish a formal affiliation with the management of each horse sale, horse exhibition, and horse sale or auction, appoint inspectors to conduct inspections, contract with equine veterinary experts to advise the HIO Board on objective scientific testing methods and certification of testing results, and otherwise ensure compliance with the Horse Protection Act.

Directs the appointment of individuals by the Commissioners of Agriculture for Tennessee and Kentucky to govern the HIO. Requires those individuals to appoint individuals representing the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

horse protection amendments act amends horse protection act replace designated_qualified_persons program responsible inspecting horses soring new inspection system soring horses actions taken horse limb produce higher gait cause pain distress inflammation lameness requires sore horse disqualified shown days determination horse sore days second determination subsequent determination requires secretary agriculture usda establish single order establish formal affiliation management horse sale horse exhibition horse sale auction appoint inspectors conduct inspections contract equine veterinary experts advise objective scientific testing methods certification testing results ensure compliance horse_protection_act directs appointment individuals kentucky govern requires individuals appoint individuals representing tennessee walking horse industry


Summary:
Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2014 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require prescribers of animal drugs to verify prescriptions and provide copies of prescriptions to pet owners, pet owner designees, and pharmacies, without the prescriber demanding payment or establishing other conditions.

Treats a violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

fairness pet owners act directs federal_trade_commission ftc require prescribers animal drugs verify prescriptions provide copies prescriptions pet owners pet owner designees pharmacies prescriber demanding payment establishing conditions treats violation act unfair deceptive act practice federal_trade_commission_act


Summary:
Fair and Transparent Stakeholder Involvement Fee Act

This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from issuing or enforcing a final rule based on the proposed rule entitled "User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services." The proposed rule adds new fee categories and adjusts current fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection services that are provided in connection with vessels, trucks, railroad cars, aircraft, and international passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the United States.

The bill also prohibits USDA from issuing a final rule for quarantine and inspection fees authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade (FACT) Act of 1990, except in compliance with negotiated rulemaking procedures.

fair transparent stakeholder involvement fee act bill prohibits department_of_agriculture usda issuing enforcing final rule based proposed rule entitled user fees agricultural quarantine inspection services proposed rule adds new fee categories adjusts current fees charged certain agricultural quarantine inspection services provided connection vessels trucks railroad cars aircraft international passengers arriving ports customs territory united_states bill prohibits usda issuing final rule quarantine inspection fees authorized fact act compliance negotiated rulemaking procedures


Summary:
Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2015

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem equine (horses and other members of the equidae family) parts to be an unsafe food additive or animal drug.

 Prohibits the knowing sale or transport of equines or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for purposes of human consumption.

amends cosmetic act deem equine horses members family parts unsafe food additive animal drug prohibits knowing sale transport equines equine parts interstate foreign commerce purposes human consumption


Summary: This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture from using funds for grants or cooperative agreements for research on the prevention of rose rosette disease. The bill also rescinds any unobligated balances from appropriations provided for this purpose. Rose rosette disease is caused by a plant virus that is transmitted by mites and can kill infected roses.

bill prohibits department_of_agriculture funds grants cooperative agreements research prevention disease bill rescinds unobligated balances appropriations provided purpose disease caused plant virus transmitted kill infected


Summary:
Safe Agriculture Production Act of 2015

This bill amends the Plant Protection Act to allow state, local, or tribal governments to use methyl bromide as a fumigant if: (1) the use is required to respond to an emergency concerning a significant economic loss of crops to pests or diseases, and (2) the Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not object to that use within a specified time period.

The bill allows this use of methyl bromide during an emergency event regardless of whether the use is registered and included in the label approved for the product by the Environmental Protection Agency under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

The bill limits the amount of methyl bromide that may be used per emergency event at a specific location to not more than 20 metric tons. The aggregate amount of methyl bromide used in the United States each year may not exceed the total amount authorized under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The bill gives USDA exclusive authority for determining which species are considered quarantine pests.

safe agriculture production act bill amends plant_protection_act allow state local tribal governments use methyl bromide use required respond emergency concerning significant economic loss crops pests diseases department_of_agriculture usda object use specified time period bill allows use methyl bromide emergency event regardless use registered included label approved product environmental_protection_agency federal_insecticide fungicide rodenticide_act bill limits methyl bromide emergency event specific location metric tons aggregate methyl bromide united_states year exceed total authorized montreal protocol substances ozone layer bill gives usda exclusive authority determining species considered quarantine pests


Summary:
Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act of 2015 or the AIPM Act of 2015

This bill amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to expand the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program to include grants to colleges, universities, and other entities for qualified areawide integrated pest management projects to prevent the spread of pests and invasive species.

The bill establishes an areawide integrated pest management committee to consider stakeholder feedback and determine priorities for the projects.

The projects must be implemented on a landscape scale or larger and include collaboration with specified federal, regional, state, and nongovernmental entities. The projects may prevent the spread of pests and invasive species through: prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression; educational programs; and physical, mechanical, cultural biologically-based, or chemical controls.

A qualified project must:

 provide for significant benefits for the prevention, eradication, or management of pests and invasive species; provide for economic and environmental benefits to agriculture, individuals, wildlife, and the environment; address the annual priorities established by the integrated pest management committee; last no more than five years; establish a regional advisory committee to oversee the project; and involve the cooperative extension services in translating the results of research into practical information and tools to be shared. USDA must transfer to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture the authority for the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program.

act bill amends education reform act expand department_of_agriculture usda extension competitive grants program include grants colleges universities entities qualified integrated pest management projects prevent spread pests invasive species bill establishes integrated pest management committee consider stakeholder feedback determine priorities projects projects implemented landscape scale larger include collaboration specified federal regional state nongovernmental entities projects prevent spread pests invasive species prevention avoidance monitoring suppression educational programs physical mechanical cultural biologically based chemical controls qualified project provide significant benefits prevention eradication management pests invasive species provide economic environmental benefits agriculture individuals wildlife environment address annual priorities established integrated pest management committee years establish regional advisory committee oversee project involve cooperative extension services translating results research practical information tools shared usda transfer national_institute_of_food_and_agriculture authority extension competitive grants program


Summary:
This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reimburse producers on farms for losses that are due to the inability to plant, grow, or ship a crop to market due to a federal or state government quarantine to control the Oriental fruit fly.

The payments are limited to 70% of the market value of the affected crop and end as soon as possible once the producer is able to resume marketing a crop after the quarantine is lifted.

In implementing this bill, USDA must not discriminate against or penalize a producer that obtained, or did not obtain, crop insurance, noninsured crop disaster assistance, or similar risk protection for the same type of crop, except that assistance provided by this bill must be reduced by the amount of assistance provided for the same losses under any other federal law.

Producers receiving assistance under this bill must agree to obtain crop insurance, noninsured crop disaster assistance, or similar risk protection for the same type of crop for at least the next two crop years, if the insurance, assistance, or protection is available.

bill amends agricultural act require department_of_agriculture usda reimburse producers farms losses inability plant grow ship crop market federal state government quarantine control fruit fly payments limited market value affected crop end soon possible producer able resume marketing crop quarantine lifted implementing bill usda discriminate penalize producer obtained obtain crop insurance noninsured crop disaster assistance similar risk protection type crop assistance provided bill reduced assistance provided losses federal law producers receiving assistance bill agree obtain crop insurance noninsured crop disaster assistance similar risk protection type crop crop years insurance assistance protection available


Summary:
VFD Repeal Act of 2016

This bill repeals the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) final rule regarding the Veterinary Feed Directive published on June 3, 2015, and prohibits the FDA from issuing any similar rule. (Veterinary Feed Directive regulations prohibit the use of medically important antibiotics for animal production purposes. Under these regulations, an animal producer may only use such antibiotics with the authorization of a veterinarian for the prevention, control, or treatment of a specifically identified disease. The rule repealed by this bill revised those regulations, including to require a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship for a veterinarian to authorize the use of antibiotics.)

bill repeals food_and_drug_administration fda final rule published june prohibits fda issuing similar rule regulations prohibit use medically important antibiotics animal production purposes regulations animal producer use antibiotics authorization veterinarian prevention control treatment specifically identified disease rule repealed bill revised regulations including require valid veterinarian client patient relationship veterinarian authorize use antibiotics


Summary:
Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act of 2015

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to refuse a new animal drug application if the drug is a medically important antimicrobial (used to treat humans) and the applicant fails to demonstrate that the drug meets specified criteria for use in animals, including that: (1) the drug is effective, (2) the drug is targeted to animals at risk of developing a specific bacterial disease, (3) the drug has a defined duration of therapy, and (4) there is reasonable certainty of no harm to human health from microbial resistance to the drug.

Sponsors of certain medically important antimicrobials already approved for use in food-producing animals must submit evidence to the FDA that demonstrates that their drug meets the criteria described above for approved indications. The FDA must withdraw approval for any indication for which the FDA determines there is insufficient evidence that the drug meets the criteria.

This bill expresses the sense of the Senate that a veterinarian-client-patient relationship should ensure that medically important antimicrobials are used in food-producing animals in a manner consistent with best practices.

preventing antibiotic resistance act bill amends cosmetic act require food_and_drug_administration fda refuse new animal drug application drug medically important antimicrobial treat humans applicant fails demonstrate drug meets specified criteria use animals including drug effective drug targeted animals risk developing specific bacterial disease drug defined duration therapy reasonable certainty harm human health microbial resistance drug sponsors certain medically important antimicrobials approved use food producing animals submit evidence fda demonstrates drug meets criteria described approved indications fda withdraw approval indication fda determines insufficient evidence drug meets criteria bill expresses sense senate veterinarian client patient relationship ensure medically important antimicrobials food producing animals manner consistent best practices


Summary: National Heroes Credit Protection Act - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to authorize a member of the reserves who is deployed outside the United States for 180 days or more in support of a contingency operation (servicemember) to request that a consumer reporting agency (CRA) include in that servicemember's file a military service deployment explanation (explanation) with respect to an account that was opened by the servicemember before such deployment. Requires: (1) a reseller of credit reporting information to include in any report on a servicemember any explanation placed in such servicemember's file by another CRA; and (2) any user of a consumer credit report containing such explanation to acknowledge the explanation.

authorize member reserves deployed outside united_states days support contingency operation servicemember request consumer reporting agency include servicemember file military service deployment explanation explanation respect account opened servicemember deployment requires reseller credit reporting information include report servicemember explanation placed servicemember file user consumer credit report containing explanation acknowledge explanation


Summary: National Guard Empowerment Act of 2007 - Expands the: (1) authority of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Bureau) to include membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) (and raises the grade of the Chief from lieutenant general to general); and (2) functions of the Bureau to include facilitating and coordinating, with other federal agencies and the states, the use of Guard personnel and resources for, and in, contingency operations, military operations other than war, natural disasters, and support of civil authorities. Directs the Chief to: (1) identify gaps between federal and state capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies; and (2) make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense on Guard programs and activities to address such gaps. Requires annual Department of Defense (DOD) budget justification documents to include separate amounts for Guard training and equipment for military assistance to civil authorities and other domestic operations. Expresses the sense of Congress calling for consideration of eligible reserve officers for promotion to the grades of lieutenant general or vice admiral on the active duty list. Treats service as a Bureau adjutant general as joint duty experience. Requires the position of Deputy Commander of the U.S. Northern Command to be filled by a qualified Guard officer eligible for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general. Requires an annual plan for the use of the Armed Forces and National Guard for responding to disasters and acts of terrorism.

expands authority chief national_guard_bureau bureau include membership joint_chiefs_of_staff jcs raises grade chief lieutenant general general functions bureau include facilitating coordinating federal agencies states use guard personnel resources contingency operations military operations war natural disasters support civil authorities directs chief identify gaps federal state capabilities prepare respond emergencies recommendations secretary programs activities address gaps requires annual department_of_defense dod budget justification documents include separate amounts guard training equipment military assistance civil authorities domestic operations expresses sense congress calling consideration eligible reserve officers promotion grades lieutenant general vice admiral active duty list treats service bureau adjutant general joint duty experience requires position deputy commander filled qualified guard officer eligible promotion grade lieutenant general requires annual plan use responding disasters acts terrorism


Summary: Forgotten Veteran's Retirement Compensation Act - Limits the conditions under which military retired pay based on nonregular service involving members of reserve components completing their service before 1966 may be revoked. Provides for back payment of retired pay to such veterans or, if deceased, to their surviving spouses and dependent children.

retirement compensation act limits conditions military retired pay based nonregular service involving members reserve components completing service revoked provides payment retired pay veterans deceased surviving spouses dependent children


Summary: Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to the Minnesota Air National Guard Historical Foundation, Inc., all interest of the United States in and to the A-12 Blackbird aircraft with tail number 60-6931 that is under the jurisdiction of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and as of January 1, 2007, was on loan to the Foundation and on display with the 133rd Airlift Wing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minnesota.

directs secretary air_force convey interest united_states aircraft tail number jurisdiction january loan foundation display airlift wing paul international airport minnesota


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business tax credit for up to 50 percent of the actual compensation paid to employees who were members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard and who were absent from work to perform active duty. Limits such credit to $2,000 for any one Ready Reserve-National Guard employee.

amends internal revenue code allow employers business tax credit percent actual compensation paid employees members ready_reserve national_guard absent work perform active duty limits credit ready_reserve-national_guard employee


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide employers a business tax credit for up to ten percent of compensation not paid to their employees who were members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard absent from work to perform active duty. Limits such credit to $2,000 for any one Ready Reserve-National Guard employee per year.

amends internal revenue code provide employers business tax credit percent compensation paid employees members ready_reserve national_guard absent work perform active duty limits credit ready_reserve-national_guard employee year


Summary: Excludes funds provided for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program by federal agencies other than the Department of Defense from the matching-funds requirement. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 to the Secretary of Defense to carry out the Program.

excludes funds provided national_guard_youth_challenge_program federal agencies department_of_defense matching funds requirement authorizes appropriations fy2008 secretary defense carry program


Summary: Ready Employers Willing to Assist Reservists' Deployment Act of 2007 or the REWARD Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a tax credit for 50% of the wages paid to their employees on active military duty for more than 90 days as Ready Reserve or National Guard and for 50% of the wages paid to temporary replacement employees.

ready employers willing assist reservists deployment act reward act amends internal revenue code allow employers tax credit wages paid employees active military duty days ready_reserve national_guard wages paid temporary replacement employees


Summary: National Guard and Reserve Retirement Modernization Act - Amends federal law concerning receipt of retired pay for non-regular service to provide that, in the case of a member of the Ready Reserve who serves on active duty after September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation or in response to a national emergency, retirement eligibility age shall be reduced below 60 by three months for each aggregate of 90 days during which the member so performs in any fiscal year after such date. Prohibits such retirement eligibility date from being reduced below age 50. Continues age 60 as the minimum eligibility age for DOD-authorized health care for such retirees.

federal law concerning receipt retired pay non regular service provide case member ready_reserve serves active duty september support contingency operation response national emergency retirement eligibility age shall reduced months aggregate days member performs fiscal year date prohibits retirement eligibility date reduced age continues age minimum eligibility age dod authorized health care retirees


Summary: Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow a military reservist who is ordered to active duty for a period of more than 90 days: (1) an exemption during the period of active duty from payment of rent on a primary residence occupied by such member or dependents; and (2) a deferral of mortgage payments on a principal residence. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow lessors of military reservists granted an exemption from rent payments under this Act a refundable tax credit for the exempted lease amounts.

amends servicemembers civil relief act allow military reservist ordered active duty period days exemption period active duty payment rent primary residence occupied member dependents deferral mortgage payments principal residence amends internal revenue code allow lessors military reservists granted exemption rent payments act refundable tax credit exempted lease amounts


Summary: Coming Together for Guard and Reserve Families Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enhance and improve Department of Defense (DOD) programs to provide family support for families of members of the National Guard and Reserve undergoing deployment (members). Requires such support to include post-deployment assistance for spouses and parents of returning members. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a pilot program of family-to-family support for families of such members; and (2) contract for support services for children, infants, and toddlers of such members. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly expand and enhance access to mental health services for families of members who are disabled during military service. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress on barriers to access to mental health services through TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program), including the number of providers under TRICARE that are located more than 40 miles from a military installation.

coming guard reserve families act directs secretary defense enhance improve department_of_defense dod programs provide family support families members national_guard_and_reserve undergoing deployment members requires support include post deployment assistance spouses parents returning members directs secretary conduct pilot program family family support families members contract support services children infants toddlers members directs secretary secretary veterans_affairs jointly expand enhance access mental health services families members disabled military service requires report comptroller_general congress barriers access mental health services tricare dod managed health care program including number providers tricare located miles military installation


Summary: Montgomery GI Bill Integration Act of 2007 - Recodifies under federal veterans' benefits provisions former federal armed forces provisions relating to educational assistance programs for members of the reserve components. Increases monthly educational assistance benefit amounts. Includes under such recodification provisions concerning Selected Reserve educational assistance allowances for: (1) apprenticeships and on-the-job training; (2) correspondence courses; (3) flight training; (4) tutorial assistance; (5) courses beyond the baccalaureate degree level; (6) persons with skills or specialties for which there is a critical shortage; and (7) licensing and certification tests. Extends the time limitation for the use of such entitlement to the earlier of 14 years after the person first becomes entitled to such assistance or the date upon which the person is separated from the Selected Reserve (currently, ten years after the person first becomes entitled to such assistance). Extends the time limitation for the use of the Ready Reserve educational assistance entitlement to ten years after separation from the Ready Reserve.

montgomery bill integration act recodifies federal veterans benefits provisions federal armed forces provisions relating educational assistance programs members reserve components increases monthly educational assistance benefit amounts includes provisions concerning selected_reserve educational assistance allowances apprenticeships job training correspondence courses flight training tutorial assistance courses baccalaureate degree level persons skills specialties critical shortage licensing certification tests extends time limitation use entitlement earlier years person entitled assistance date person separated selected_reserve currently years person entitled assistance extends time limitation use ready reserve educational assistance entitlement years separation ready_reserve


Summary: Permits the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay up to $300 for travel expenses to a member of the Selected Reserve performing inactive duty training or attending a unit training assembly outside the commuting limits of the member's station for the purpose of maintaining mission readiness.

permits secretary military department concerned pay travel expenses member selected_reserve performing inactive duty training attending unit training assembly outside commuting limits member station purpose maintaining mission readiness


Summary: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a national combat veteran reintegration program (to be known as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program) to provide National Guard members and their families with information, services, referral, and outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle. Requires the Program to consist of informational events and activities for such members, their families, and community members through the following phases of the deployment cycle: (1) pre-deployment; (2) deployment; (3) demobilization; and (4) post-deployment-reconstitution. Requires the: (1) National Guard Bureau to establish the Office for Reintegration Programs to administer state National Guard reintegration programs; and (2) Bureau Chief to establish a Center for Excellence in Reintegration.

directs secretary defense establish national combat veteran reintegration program known yellow ribbon reintegration program provide national_guard members families information services referral outreach opportunities entire deployment cycle requires program consist informational events activities members families community members following phases deployment cycle pre deployment deployment demobilization post deployment reconstitution requires national_guard_bureau establish administer state national_guard reintegration programs bureau chief establish


Summary: Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly submit to Congress a plan to maximize access to the benefits delivery at discharge program for members of the reserves who have been called or ordered to active duty at any time since September 11, 2001.

directs secretaries defense veterans_affairs jointly submit congress plan maximize access benefits delivery discharge program members reserves called ordered active duty time september


Summary: Reservists and Guardsmen Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2008 the exemption from tax penalties for premature distributions from retirement plans by members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve called to active duty.

reservists tax relief act amends internal revenue code extend exemption tax penalties premature distributions retirement plans members called active duty


Summary: Hire a Hero Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the federal government should support private sector employment initiatives for military personnel to help ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces have access to gainful employment. Authorizes the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Chief) to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist the following individuals in securing employment in the private sector: (1) a member of the National Guard or reserve; (2) a member of the Armed Forces who is nearing separation, discharge, or release; and (3) a former member of the Armed Forces. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Chief, in awarding such grants, should consider organizations that partner with private entities and associations involved in construction, energy, transportation, aerospace, domestic security, and other areas in which the employment of individuals having past military service would be of particular utility. Requires the Chief to establish fiscal control, accountability, and program performance measures for grantees.

hire hero act expresses sense congress federal government support private sector employment initiatives military personnel help ensure serve served armed_forces access gainful employment authorizes chief national_guard_bureau chief award grants nonprofit organizations assist following individuals securing employment private sector member national_guard reserve member armed_forces nearing separation discharge release member armed_forces expresses sense congress chief awarding grants consider organizations partner private entities associations involved construction energy transportation aerospace domestic security areas employment individuals having past military service particular utility requires chief establish fiscal control accountability program performance measures grantees


Summary: Utah National Guard Readiness Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to convey, without consideration, to the state of Utah all interest of the United States in and to certain lands that are located within the boundaries of the public lands currently withdrawn for military use by the Utah National Guard and known as "Camp Williams" for the purpose of permitting the Utah National Guard to use such conveyed land. Revokes a specified Executive Order only insofar as it affects the lands identified for conveyance.Provides for the reversion to the United States of the lands conveyed if the Secretary determines that the land, or any part of such land, is sold or attempted to be sold, or that it or any part of it is used for non-National Guard or non-national defense purposes. Requires that any such determination be made in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Governor of Utah and on the record after an opportunity for comment. Requires the state, with respect to any part of the land conveyed that the Secretary determines is subject to reversion and if the Secretary also determines that the part contains hazardous materials, to pay the United States the fair market value of that part of the conveyed land. Bars the application of the reversionary interest to that part of the land.

secretary interior acting bureau_of_land_management blm convey consideration state utah interest united_states certain lands located boundaries public lands currently withdrawn military use utah_national_guard known camp williams purpose permitting utah_national_guard use conveyed land revokes specified executive order insofar affects lands identified conveyance provides reversion united_states lands conveyed secretary determines land land sold attempted sold non national defense purposes requires determination consultation secretary defense governor utah record opportunity comment requires state respect land conveyed secretary determines subject reversion secretary determines contains hazardous materials pay united_states fair market value conveyed land bars application reversionary interest land


Summary: National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2007 - Provides employment and reemployment rights for certain individuals ordered to full-time National Guard duty.

provides employment reemployment rights certain individuals ordered time national_guard duty


Summary: National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to prohibit the bankruptcy court from dismissing or converting a case based on means testing while the debtor: (1) is either on active duty in the military service of the United States or performing a homeland defense activity for at least 90 days, and during the 540 days following the end of such period; and (3) was called to such active duty or performed such homeland defense activity after September 11, 2001, as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or the National Guard. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on whether and to what degree members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and the National Guard: (1) avail themselves of the benefits of this Act; (2) are debtors in federal bankruptcy cases substantially related to service that qualifies such members for such benefits of this Act; and (3) are debtors in federal bankruptcy cases materially related to such service. Requires such study to include the effects that the use by such members of this Act has upon: (1) the bankruptcy system; (2) creditors; and (3) the debt-incurrence practices of such members.

national_guard reservists debt relief act amends federal bankruptcy law prohibit bankruptcy court dismissing converting case based means testing debtor active duty military service united_states performing homeland defense activity days days following end period called active duty performed homeland defense activity september member reserve component directs comptroller_general_of_the_united_states study report congress degree members reserve components benefits act debtors federal bankruptcy cases substantially related service qualifies members benefits act debtors federal bankruptcy cases materially related service requires study include effects use members act bankruptcy system creditors debt incurrence practices members


Summary: National Guard and Reserve Active Duty Higher Education Act - Revises eligibility requirements for educational assistance to members of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces supporting contingency operations to require such assistance to be based on the members' cumulative days of active duty service. (Currently, such assistance is based on the members' consecutive days of active duty service).

duty higher education act revises eligibility requirements educational assistance members ready_reserve_of_the_armed_forces supporting contingency operations require assistance based members cumulative days active duty service currently assistance based members consecutive days active duty service


Summary: Strengthening the Transition and Reintegration of the National Guard and Reserves Act or STRONGR Act - Provides an additional 180-day period of military mental health care coverage for members of the reserves separated from service following active duty of more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel supporting contingency operations. Entitles a federal employee who is a member of a reserve component to receive the difference in pay between military compensation and civilian compensation during periods of active duty exceeding 30 days. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse states or local governments for 50% of the civilian compensation paid by such governments to equalize military and civilian pay. Increases the reimbursement rate to 100% if active duty extends beyond nine months. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an active-duty reserve component employee credit for employers who provide compensation to employees on active duty.

strengthening transition reintegration national guard reserves act act provides additional day period military mental health care coverage members reserves separated service following active duty days support contingency operation increases basic educational assistance montgomery bill members selected_reserve reserve personnel supporting contingency operations entitles federal employee member reserve component receive difference pay military compensation civilian compensation periods active duty exceeding days directs secretary military department concerned reimburse states local governments civilian compensation paid governments equalize military civilian pay increases reimbursement rate active duty extends months amends internal revenue code establish active duty reserve component employee credit employers provide compensation employees active duty


Summary: Veterans Education Benefits Extension Act of 2008 - Eliminates the ten-year time limit for use of entitlement to education assistance under the Montgomery GI bill. Prohibits, however, any increase in the rate of benefit payments after the end of the ten-year period following the last discharge or release from active duty of an individual entitled to educational assistance. Prohibits, furthermore, any transfer of an individual's entitlement to a dependent after the end of such ten-year period. Extends the time periods for the use of educational assistance benefits to which members of the selected reserve and members of the reserve component supporting contingency operations are entitled.

veterans education benefits extension act year time limit use entitlement education assistance montgomery bill prohibits increase rate benefit payments end year period following discharge release active duty individual entitled educational assistance prohibits furthermore transfer individual entitlement dependent end year period extends time periods use educational assistance benefits members selected reserve members reserve component supporting contingency operations entitled


Summary: Provides for continued National Guard support for border control activities along the U.S.- Mexico border under Operation Jump Start until operational control of such border has been achieved. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide funding to a state that submits to the Secretary of State a state border control activities plan that meets certain requirements. Limits the number of National Guard that may be so deployed.

provides continued national_guard support border control activities mexico border operation start operational control border achieved authorizes secretary defense provide funding state submits secretary state state border control activities plan meets certain requirements limits number national_guard deployed


Summary: National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2008 - Adds the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Chief) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Requires the Chief to: (1) identify gaps between federal and state military capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies; and (2) make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense for military assistance to civil authorities to address such gaps. Requires annual defense budget documents to specify separate amounts for training and equipment for the National Guard for military assistance to civil authorities and other domestic operations. Redesignates the: (1) Director and Deputy Director of the Army National Guard as the Vice Chief and Deputy Vice Chief of the Army National Guard; and (2) Director and Deputy Director of the Air National Guard as the Vice Chief and Deputy Vice Chief of the Air National Guard. Treats Vice Chief service as an adjutant general as joint duty experience for assignment or promotion purposes. States that the United States Northern Command and the United States Pacific Command shall be the combatant commands principally responsible for the military support of civil authorities in the United States. Requires the Commander of each Command and the Chief to enter into a memorandum of understanding setting forth the operational relationships, and individual roles and responsibilities, during responses to domestic emergencies among such Commands and the National Guard Bureau. Directs the Secretary to assure that tactical control of the Armed Forces on duty within a state or possession is vested in the governor thereof when such forces are engaged in emergency response activities. Requires the officer serving as: (1) Commander of Army North Command to be an officer in the Army National Guard; and (2) Commander of Air Force North Command to be an officer in the Air National Guard. Expresses the sense of Congress that, in assigning officers to such positions, the President should afford a preference to officers who have served as a state adjutant general. Requires at least one of each of three specified commander and deputy commander joint task force positions to be an officer in the Army or Air National Guard.

state national defense integration act adds chief national_guard_bureau chief joint_chiefs_of_staff requires chief identify gaps federal state military capabilities prepare respond emergencies recommendations secretary defense military assistance civil authorities address gaps requires annual defense budget documents specify separate amounts training equipment national_guard military assistance civil authorities domestic operations redesignates director deputy director army_national_guard vice chief deputy vice chief army_national_guard director deputy director air_national_guard vice chief deputy vice chief air_national_guard treats vice chief service adjutant general joint duty experience assignment promotion purposes states shall combatant commands principally responsible military support civil authorities united_states requires commander command chief enter memorandum understanding setting forth operational relationships individual roles responsibilities responses domestic emergencies commands national_guard_bureau directs secretary assure tactical control armed_forces duty state possession vested governor thereof forces engaged emergency response activities requires officer serving commander officer army_national_guard commander officer air_national_guard expresses sense congress assigning officers positions president afford preference officers served state adjutant general requires specified commander deputy commander joint task force positions officer army air_national_guard


Summary: National Guard and Ready Reserves Employment Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a tax credit for 15% of the first $10,000 of wages paid to an employee who is a member of the National Guard or Ready Reserve. Terminates such credit after 2011.

amends internal revenue code allow employers tax credit wages paid employee member terminates credit


Summary: National Guard Technician Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008 - Provides that if an individual is first employed by the National Guard as a military technician (dual status) while already a member of a reserve component, the Secretary of the military department concerned may not require the individual to repay any enlistment, reenlistment, or affiliation bonus connected with the individual's enlistment or reenlistment before such employment. Prohibits such individual from being precluded from receiving any such bonus or denied the opportunity to participate in any Department of Defense (DOD) educational loan repayment program as an additional incentive to accept and maintain reserve membership. Repeals the prohibition against overtime pay for such technicians.

retention act provides individual employed national_guard military technician dual status member reserve component secretary military department concerned require individual repay enlistment reenlistment affiliation bonus connected individual enlistment reenlistment employment prohibits individual precluded receiving bonus denied opportunity participate department_of_defense dod educational loan repayment program additional incentive accept maintain reserve membership repeals prohibition overtime pay technicians


Summary: Guard and Reserve Financial Stability Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow small employers (employers with 50 or fewer employees) a business tax credit for 50 percent of the lesser of: (1) actual compensation paid to each Ready Reserve-National Guard employee while on active duty or hospitalized incident to such duty; or (2) $30,000. Terminates such credit after 2009.Allows employers a work opportunity tax credit for the hiring of temporary employees to replace Ready Reserve-National Guard employees for the period such employees are on active duty.

amends internal revenue code allow small employers employers fewer employees business tax credit percent lesser actual compensation paid ready reserve national guard employee active duty hospitalized incident duty terminates credit employers work opportunity tax credit hiring temporary employees replace ready_reserve-national_guard employees period employees active duty


Summary: Helping Our Patriotic Employers at Helping Our Military Employees Act of 2007 or the HOPE at HOME Act of 2007- Entitles federal employees who are absent from their jobs for a period of more than 90 days for the purpose of performing active duty service in the uniformed services to receive the full amount of basic pay that they would have received if there had been no such interruption in their federal employment.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow employers a business tax credit for 50 percent of the actual compensation paid to Ready Reserve-National Guard employees while on active duty or hospitalized incident to such duty; (2) allow employers a tax credit for wages paid to temporary employees hired to replace Ready Reserve-National Guard employees while on active duty; (3) provide for withholding of tax on differential wage payments to active duty members of the uniformed services; and (4) treat such differential wage payments as employee compensation for retirement plan purposes, including for the deductibility of contributions to individual retirement accounts.

helping patriotic employers helping military employees act hope home act entitles federal employees absent jobs period days purpose performing active duty service uniformed services receive basic pay received interruption federal employment amends internal revenue code allow employers business tax credit percent actual compensation paid ready_reserve-national_guard employees active duty hospitalized incident duty allow employers tax credit wages paid temporary employees hired replace ready_reserve-national_guard employees active duty provide withholding tax differential wage payments active duty members uniformed services treat differential wage payments employee compensation retirement plan purposes including deductibility contributions individual retirement accounts


Summary: National Guard Empowerment Act of 2007 - Expands the: (1) authority of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (Bureau) to include membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) (and raises the grade of the Chief from lieutenant general to general); and (2) functions of the Bureau to include facilitating and coordinating, with other federal agencies and the states, the use of Guard personnel and resources for, and in, contingency operations, military operations other than war, natural disasters, and support of civil authorities. Directs the Chief to: (1) identify gaps between federal and state capabilities to prepare for and respond to emergencies; and (2) make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense on Guard programs and activities to address such gaps. Requires annual Department of Defense (DOD) budget justification documents to include separate amounts for Guard training and equipment for military assistance to civil authorities and other domestic operations. Expresses the sense of Congress calling for consideration of eligible reserve officers for promotion to the grades of lieutenant general or vice admiral on the active duty list. Treats service as a Bureau adjutant general as joint duty experience. Requires the position of Deputy Commander of the U.S. Northern Command to be filled by a qualified Guard officer eligible for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general. Requires an annual plan for the use of the Armed Forces and National Guard for responding to disasters and acts of terrorism.

expands authority chief national_guard_bureau bureau include membership joint_chiefs_of_staff jcs raises grade chief lieutenant general general functions bureau include facilitating coordinating federal agencies states use guard personnel resources contingency operations military operations war natural disasters support civil authorities directs chief identify gaps federal state capabilities prepare respond emergencies recommendations secretary programs activities address gaps requires annual department_of_defense dod budget justification documents include separate amounts guard training equipment military assistance civil authorities domestic operations expresses sense congress calling consideration eligible reserve officers promotion grades lieutenant general vice admiral active duty list treats service bureau adjutant general joint duty experience requires position deputy commander filled qualified guard officer eligible promotion grade lieutenant general requires annual plan use responding disasters acts terrorism


Summary: Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for the Army and Air National Guards for equipment reset (resupply) requirements, and to otherwise remedy other equipment shortfalls in order to bring the Army and Air National Guards to full equipment readiness. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the capability of the U.S. defense industrial base to produce the necessary equipment.

authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2013 department_of_defense dod army equipment reset requirements remedy equipment shortfalls order bring army equipment readiness requires report secretary congress capability defense industrial base produce necessary equipment


Summary: Coming Together for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enhance and improve Department of Defense (DOD) programs to provide family support for families of members of the National Guard and Reserve undergoing deployment (members). Requires such support to include post-deployment assistance for spouses and parents of returning members. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a pilot program of family-to-family support for families of such members; and (2) contract for support services for children, infants, and toddlers of such members. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly expand and enhance access to mental health services for families of members who are disabled during military service. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress on barriers to access to mental health services through TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program), including the number of providers under TRICARE that are located more than 40 miles from a military installation.

coming national_guard_and_reserve families act directs secretary defense enhance improve department_of_defense dod programs provide family support families members national_guard_and_reserve undergoing deployment members requires support include post deployment assistance spouses parents returning members directs secretary conduct pilot program family family support families members contract support services children infants toddlers members directs secretary secretary veterans_affairs jointly expand enhance access mental health services families members disabled military service requires report comptroller_general congress barriers access mental health services tricare dod managed health care program including number providers tricare located miles military installation


Summary: Veterans Small Business Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to extend certain small business loan time limits with respect to a small business owned and controlled by: (1) a veteran called to active duty on or after September 11, 2001; or (2) a service-disabled veteran who became disabled due to an injury or illness incurred or aggravated during a period of active duty on or after such date. Extends such time limits by the period that the veteran was on active duty. Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study for promoting positive working relations between employers and their reserve component employees. Increases: (1) certain Small Business Administration (SBA) loan limits for small business owners who are members of the National Guard or reserves; and (2) SBA funding for the Office of Veterans Business Development. Directs the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate federal efforts to increase capital and business development opportunities for, and increase the award of federal contracting and subcontracting opportunities to, small businesses owned and controlled by disabled veterans and other veterans (businesses). Requires the SBA Administrator and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure one-stop online registration for such small businesses. Authorizes the Secretary to develop business development assistance for such small businesses.

opportunity act amends small business act extend certain small business loan time limits respect small business owned controlled veteran called active duty september service disabled veteran disabled injury illness incurred aggravated period active duty date extends time limits period veteran active duty directs secretary defense conduct study promoting positive working relations employers reserve component employees increases certain small_business_administration sba loan limits small business owners members national_guard reserves sba funding directs president establish interagency task force coordinate federal efforts increase capital business development opportunities increase award federal contracting subcontracting opportunities small businesses owned controlled disabled veterans veterans businesses requires sba administrator secretary veterans_affairs ensure stop online registration small businesses authorizes secretary develop business development assistance small businesses


Summary: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a national combat veteran reintegration program (to be known as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program) to provide National Guard members and their families with information, services, referral, and outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle. Requires the Program to consist of informational events and activities for such members, their families, and community members through the following phases of the deployment cycle: (1) pre-deployment; (2) deployment; (3) demobilization; and (4) post-deployment-reconstitution. Requires the: (1) National Guard Bureau to establish the Office for Reintegration Programs to administer state National Guard reintegration programs; and (2) Bureau Chief to establish a Center for Excellence in Reintegration.

directs secretary defense establish national combat veteran reintegration program known yellow ribbon reintegration program provide national_guard members families information services referral outreach opportunities entire deployment cycle requires program consist informational events activities members families community members following phases deployment cycle pre deployment deployment demobilization post deployment reconstitution requires national_guard_bureau establish administer state national_guard reintegration programs bureau chief establish


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of: (1) contracting with a private entity with expertise in the health and well-being of families and children in order to enhance and develop support services for the children of members of the National Guard and reserve who are deployed; and (2) establishing a pilot program on family-to-family support for families of deployed members of the National Guard and reserve.

directs secretary defense conduct study evaluate feasibility advisability contracting private entity expertise health families children order enhance develop support services children members national_guard reserve deployed establishing pilot program family family support families deployed members national_guard reserve


Summary: Higher Education Opportunity for Our National Guard and Reserve Soldiers Act - Extends by an additional ten years the time limit for the use of educational assistance by members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel supporting contingency and certain other operations. Prohibits such extension with respect to any person discharged or released from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.

higher education opportunity act extends additional years time limit use educational assistance members selected_reserve reserve personnel supporting contingency certain operations prohibits extension respect person discharged released armed_forces dishonorable conditions


Summary: Requires the Coast Guard Commandant to study an area commonly identified as Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, located in Buffalo, New York, and report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the most cost-effective method for providing shore facilities and the feasibility of consolidating and relocating shore facilities on a portion of the existing site while meeting and expanding Sector Buffalo operational requirements. Requires that the report contain a preliminary plan for the design, engineering, and construction of the proposed project.

requires coast_guard_commandant study area commonly identified coast_guard located buffalo new_york report committee_on_commerce science transportation_of_the_senate cost effective method providing shore facilities feasibility consolidating relocating shore facilities portion existing site meeting expanding operational requirements requires report contain preliminary plan design engineering construction proposed project


Summary: Increases authorized monthly educational assistance amounts for members of the Selected Reserve. Reduces the military retirement eligibility age in the case of a person who serves in the reserves on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, below 60 years of age by six months for each 90 days that the person so serves. Prohibits such eligibility age from being reduced below 50. Requires that, if a member of the reserves requires treatment for more than 30 days for a wound or injury incurred on active duty, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall transfer such member to a treatment facility that is not more than 30 miles from either the hometown or permanent duty station of the member, as elected by such member. Requires a member of the reserves who travels more than 50 miles for drill, instruction, or annual training duty to be reimbursed for the costs of such travel.

increases authorized monthly educational assistance amounts members selected_reserve reduces military retirement eligibility age case person serves reserves active duty iraq afghanistan september years age months days person serves prohibits eligibility age reduced requires member reserves requires treatment days wound injury incurred active duty secretary military department concerned shall transfer member treatment facility miles permanent duty station member elected member requires member reserves travels miles drill instruction annual training duty reimbursed costs travel