FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS

Articles and editorials

Democracy by Decree, S3414 [24AP]

Get N.Y. the Money, Mr. President, E1145 [14JN]

Hey, Congress, How About Us?, H1001 [15MR]

How Federalism Could Spur Bipartisan Action on the Uninsured, S4221-S4224 [9MY]

Jimmy Carter Is Right—Amend the Immigration Bill To Require Voters To Show ID, S5052 [24MY]

Voter IDs Only Part of Elections Solution, S5053 [24MY]

Voting Reform Is in the Cards, S5053 [24MY]

Bills and resolutions

Arizona: authorize and direct the exchange and conveyance of certain national forest land and other land in southeast Arizona (see S. 2466), S2467 [28MR]

Armed Forces: ensure one half of National Guard forces of each State are available to such State at all times (see S. 2303), S1413 [16FE]

California: support continued administration of Channel Islands National Park, including Santa Rosa Island, in accordance with the laws (including regulations) and policies of the National Park Service (see S. Res. 468), S4051 [4MY]

Children and youth: repeal a provision enacted to end Federal matching of State spending of child support incentive payments (see H.R. 4794), H388 [16FE]

Constitutional amendments: limit power of Federal courts to force a State or local government to levy or increase taxes (see H.J. Res. 84), H1916 [27AP]

Courts: limit jurisdiction of Federal courts (see H.R. 5739), H4915 [29JN]

Delta/Black Belt Regional Authority: establish to provide community and economic development in the distressed Southern Black Belt and Mississippi Delta region (see H.R. 5082), H1452 [4AP]

Dept. of Agriculture: designate percentage of farmland protection program funds for grants to encourage the purchase of conservation easements by a State agency, county, or other eligible entity (see H.R. 5313), H2337 [9MY]

Dept. of Education: revise limitation on Impact Aid Program special payments (see S. 3530), S5950 [15JN] (see H.R. 5093), H1561 [5AP]

Dept. of Energy: establish a program of Federal support for local governments that establish Clean Energy Bond Acts (see H.R. 4990), H1128 [16MR]

———provide block grants to States to provide needs-based assistance to households of consumers of high-priced fuel (see S. 2820), S4695 [17MY]

Dept. of HHS: require bioterrorism-related grants provided to States and political subdivisions of States to be distributed on the basis of a risk-based formula (see H.R. 5468), H3225 [24MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: award competitive grants to units of local government for innovative programs that address expenses incurred in responding to the needs of undocumented immigrants (see H.R. 5217), H1915 [27AP]

———establish a Directorate of Emergency Management (see H.R. 5351), H2584 [11MY] (see H.R. 5759), H5046 [11JY]

———establish the U.S. Emergency Management Authority (see S. 3595), S6634 [28JN]

———require that grant recipients submit reports on expenditures as a condition of receipt of homeland security grants (see H.R. 5191), H1741 [25AP]

Dept. of Justice: authorize and expand Project Safe Childhood to protect children from exploitation by adults over the Internet (see S. 3432), S5490 [6JN]

———provide officers of State and local educational agencies with certain access to national crime information databases (see H.R. 4894), H644 [7MR]

Dept. of the Interior: authorize grants and cooperative agreements to advance the Water 2025 Program by improving water conservation, efficiency, and management in Reclamation States (see S. 2561), S3211 [6AP]

———authorize Western States to select public lands within their borders in lieu of receiving payment for the sale of public lands lying within said States (see S. 2569), S3211 [6AP]

———improve water conservation, efficiency, and management in Reclamation States through cooperative cost-shared grants (see H.R. 5192), H1741 [25AP]

———participate in implementation of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program for endangered species in the central and lower Platte River basin and modify the Pathfinder Dam and Reservoir (see S. 3611), S6786 [29JN]

Drugs: establish a federally-supported education and awareness campaign for the prevention of methamphetamine use (see S. 2315), S1414 [16FE]

———provide for a comprehensive Federal response to problems relative to methamphetamine abuse (see H.R. 4763), H332 [15FE]

Education: provide adequate and equitable educational opportunities for students in State public school systems (see S. 2828), S4695 [17MY]

Elementary and Secondary Education Act: clarify certain Federal requirements (see H.R. 5717), H4914 [29JN]

Employment: prevent acceptance of drivers license for employment eligibility verification if the issuing State uses taxpayer identification numbers other than Social Security numbers in application process (see H.R. 5506), H3307 (see H.R. 5506), H3360 [25MY]

Families and domestic relations: provide grants to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen low-income families (see S. 3607), S6786 [29JN]

Firearms: amend requirement that interstate firearms sales by Federal firearms licensees be made in accordance with the State law of the purchaser (see H.R. 5551), H3496 [7JN]

———permit access to certain information in the Firearms Trace System (see S. 2460), S2415 [27MR] (see H.R. 5033), H1196 [28MR]

Food industry: reform State inspection of meat and poultry (see S. 3519), S5949 [15JN]

Forest Service: enter into partnership agreements with entities and local communities to encourage greater cooperation in administration of activities on and near National Forest System lands (see S. 2676), S3704 [27AP]

Gulf Coast Region Redevelopment Commission: establish (see H.R. 4691), H154 [1FE]

Health: permit health insurance issuers an alternative to guaranteed coverage in the small group market to promote affordable access to portable health insurance (see H.R. 5475), H3226 [24MY]

———provide innovation in health care through State initiatives that expand coverage and access and improve quality and efficiency in the health care system (see S. 2772), S4211 [9MY]

Help America Vote Act: extend deadline by which States which received payments under such Act for the replacement of punch card or lever voting systems must ensure that all such systems are replaced (see H.R. 4666), H24 [31JA]

Higher Education Act: amend relative to Academic Competitiveness Grants to preserve State authority over secondary school curricula (see H.R. 4810), H449 [28FE]

Homeland Security Act: enhance information sharing (see H.R. 5001), H1129 [16MR]

———provide for information sharing partnerships (see H.R. 5002), H1129 [16MR]

Immigration: improve sharing of information and enhance Federal, State, and local enforcement of immigration laws (see S. 2365), S1680 [3MR]

Insurance: provide low-cost protection through State natural catastrophe insurance programs, encourage and promote mitigation and prevention for, and recovery and rebuilding from such events, and assist in financial recovery (see S. 3117), S5228 [25MY]

Law enforcement: provide Federal coordination and assistance in preventing gang violence (see S. 2671), S3704 [27AP]

———provide grants to units of local government and States to hire personnel to monitor the activities of sex offenders (see H.R. 4828), H508 [1MR]

Medicare: improve implementation of prescription drug program (see H.R. 4796), H388 [16FE]

———provide additional funding for State health insurance counseling programs (see H.R. 4737), H224 [8FE]

———provide for additional outreach and education and provide a special enrollment period for individuals who qualify for an income-related subsidy under the prescription drug program (see S. 2759), S4155 [8MY]

———reform the prescription drug program (see S. 2240), S510 [2FE] (see H.R. 4792), H388 [16FE]

———replace the prescription drug benefit with a revised and simplified program for all beneficiaries (see H.R. 4697), H154 [1FE]

Medicare/Medicaid: assure uninterupted access to necessary medicines under the prescription drug benefit (see S. 2238), S446 [1FE] (see H.R. 4685), H153 [1FE]

———eliminate cost-sharing for certain dual eligible populations under the prescription drug benefit (see S. 2234), S446 [1FE] (see H.R. 4722), H224 [8FE]

———eliminate cost-sharing for dual eligible populations under the prescription drug benefit (see S. 2203), S211 [26JA]

———provide for continuity of coverage of prescription drugs under the prescription drug plans for full-benefit dual eligible individuals (see H.R. 4937), H867 [9MR]

———provide for necessary dual eligible beneficiary protections in order to ensure access to the prescription drug benefit program (see S. 2183), S19 [20JA] (see S. 2183), S123 [25JA] (see H.R. 4660), H23 [31JA]

———reduce cost-sharing for certain dual eligible populations under the prescription drug benefit (see S. 2409), S2122 [14MR]

———reimburse States for costs incurred by covering dual eligible populations under the Medicare prescription drug benefit plan (see S. 2181), S19 [20JA] (see S. 2181), S123 [25JA] (see H.R. 4663, 4665), H23 (see H.R. 4675), H24 [31JA] (see H.R. 4721), H223 [8FE]

Motor vehicles: provide driver safety grants to States with graduated driver licensing laws that meet certain minimum requirements (see S. 2318), S1414 [16FE]

National Foster Care Month: observance (see S. Res. 471), S4211 [9MY]

National Guard: commend members, fully fund equipment needs, and request consultation by the Dept. of Defense with Congress and the States prior to proposing force structure changes (see S. Res. 355), S211 [26JA] (see H. Res. 665), H154 [1FE]

National security: ensure adequate funding for high-threat areas (see S. 3566), S6492 [26JN]

———improve preparedness for and response to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies (see S. 3042), S5226 [25MY]

North Carolina: convey Mattamuskeet Lodge and surrounding property to permit use of property as a public facility dedicated to conservation of natural and cultural resources of North Carolina (see H.R. 5094), H1561 [5AP]

Outer Continental Shelf: allocate a portion of the revenue derived from lease sales in the 181 Area to the land and water conservation fund for use by State and local governments for conservation purposes (see S. 3562), S6457 [23JN]

Pornography: limit Federal court jurisdiction over State laws restricting pornography (see H.R. 5528), H3423 [6JN]

Puerto Rico: provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process (see H.R. 4867), H564 [2MR]

———provide for a plebiscite on the status of the territory (see S. 2661), S3588 [26AP]

Railroads: exclude solid waste disposal from the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (see H.R. 4821), H450 [28FE]

St. Joseph, MI: provide for conditional conveyance of any U.S. interests in St. Joseph Memorial Hall (see H.R. 4700), H154 [1FE]

States: authorize taxing and spending for highway and mass transit programs (see S. 2512), S2901 [5AP] (see H.R. 5205), H1851 [26AP]

Taxation: make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (see H.R. 4862), H564 [2MR] (see H.R. 5422), H2832 (see H.R. 5422), H2890 [18MY]

Transportation: set minimum fuel economy requirements for Federal vehicles and authorize grants to States for the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles (see S. 2675), S3704 [27AP]

U.S. Marshals Service: establish a short term State witness protection program to provide assistance to State and local district attorneys to protect their witnesses in major violent crime cases (see S. 2246), S728 [6FE]

Factsheets

Health Partnership Act (S. 2772), S4221 [9MY]

Letters

Continued administration of Channel Islands National Park, including Santa Rosa Island, in accordance with the laws and policies of the National Park Service: several advocacy groups, H2363 [10MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security Emergency Management Performance Grant program funding: Bruce P. Baughman, National Emergency Management Association, H3311 [25MY]

———Michael D. Selves, International Association of Emergency Managers, H3311 [25MY]

Help America Vote Act funding: several organizations, S4023 [4MY]

Hurricane Rita recovery in southwest Louisiana: several Louisiana State and local officials, H1000 [15MR]

Implement Commission on Federal Election Reform recommendations to require presentation of vaild photo identification at polls: several organizations, S5059 [24MY]

U.S. Emergency Management Authority Act: Advocates For EMS (organization), S7313 [11JY]

———Barry Kasinitz, International Association of Fire Fighters, S7313 [11JY]

———Casey Perry, National Troopers Coalition, S7312 [11JY]

———Chuck Canterbury, Fraternal Order of Police, S7312 [11JY]

———Garry L. Briese, International Association of Fire Chiefs, S7312 [11JY]

———Harold Hurtt, Major Cities Chiefs Association, S7313 [11JY]

———Michael M. Meldon, Homeland Security and Defense Business Council, S7312 [11JY]

———William J. Johnson, National Association of Police Organizations, Inc., S7313 [11JY]

———William M. Webb, Congressional Fire Services Institute, S7313 [11JY]

Remarks in House

Colleges and universities: eliminate certain reporting requirements and eliminate ability for States to become recognized accreditors, H1327, H1336, H1337 [30MR]

Constitution—U.S.: importance of balance between federalism and States' rights, H852-H854 [9MR], H1630 [6AP], H1896, H1897 [27AP], H5015-H5017 [11JY]

Courts: limit judicial review for certain harmless error sentencing claims, E375 [15MR]

———limit jurisdiction of Federal courts (H.R. 5739), E1326 [29JN]

———limit the duration of Federal consent decrees to which State and local governments are a party (H.R. 1229), H1891 [27AP], H3892, H3895, H3897 [13JN]

Crime: provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes, H679, H682 [8MR], E351 [14MR]

———grant minimum guarantee of cotton and rice production funding to each State, H3102 [23MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: allow State and local governments to apply for grants for activities relative to prevention of, preparation for, response to, or recovery from terrorism that would otherwise be a Federal duty, H2142, H2143 [4MY]

———Emergency Management Performance Grant program funding, H3301, H3311, H3312 [25MY]

———ensure communications equipment purchased under the Port Security Grant Program is interoperable with Federal, State, and local agencies, H2141 [4MY]

———establish a Directorate of Emergency Management (H.R. 5351), H3124 [23MY]

———Metropolitan Medical Response System funding through reductions in the MAX HR performance management program funding, H3297, H3312, H3313 [25MY]

———Port Security Grant Program funding, H2147, H2148 [4MY]

———require that grant recipients submit reports on expenditures as a condition of receipt of homeland security grants, H2146 [4MY]

Dept. of Justice: establish a national sex offender registration database, H680 [8MR]

———Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces funding, H4748 [28JN]

———prohibit funding for State and local drug task forces that do not collect and make available data relative to the racial distribution of convictions, H4802-H4804 [29JN]

———provide officers of State and local educational agencies with certain access to national crime information databases, H681 [8MR]

———provide officers of State and local educational agencies with certain access to national crime information databases (H.R. 3445), H2311, H2312 [9MY], H3801 [13JN], H4014 [15JN]

———provide officers of State and local educational agencies with certain access to national crime information databases (H.R. 4894), H2312 [9MY], H3805-H3808 [13JN]

———State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funding, H4570, H4657 [27JN]

Dept. of Transportation: study amount each State spent to comply with Dept. of Transportation laws and regulations, H3955, H3956 [14JN]

Disasters: establish a program to provide reinsurance for State natural catastrophe insurance programs (H.R. 4366), H4593 [27JN]

———improve preparedness and response plans, H482-H486 [1MR]

Drugs: provide for a comprehensive Federal response to problems relative to methamphetamine abuse (H.R. 4763), H1499 [5AP]

Education: restore State sovereignty over public elementary and secondary education (H.R. 3499), H1891 [27AP], H2158-H2161 [4MY]

———strengthen the compact between States, Federal Government, and institutions of higher learning to address the rising cost of college tuition, E611 [26AP]

Elementary and Secondary Education Act: clarify certain Federal requirements (H.R. 5717), E1343 [29JN]

FDA: expedite consideration of State petitions for adoption of food warnings relative to cancer-causing agents, reproductive effects or birth defects, or children's exposure to certain harmful agents, H744-H746 [8MR]

———permit States to maintain or enact food warning laws that require notifications regarding health risks associated with sulfiting agents in bulk foods, H748-H751 [8MR]

———State notification requirement regarding the presence or potential effects of mercury in fish and shellfish, H751, H752 [8MR]

Food industry: allow States to require labeling of meat or fish packaged with carbon monoxide, H574 [7MR], H728, H730, H755, H756 [8MR]

Forest Service: encourage programs with local communities to encourage greater cooperation in prevention of forest fires on and near National Forest System lands, H2804 [18MY]

———funding, H3827 [13JN]

Homeland Defense-Homeland Security Technology Transfer Consortium: establish to facilitate the transfer of technologies to enhance security capabilites of Federal, State, and local first responders, H2525, H2526 [11MY]

Houston, TX: transportation projects funding, H3827 [13JN]

Hurricanes: establish an independent commission to examine the Federal, State, and local response to Hurricane Katrina and make FEMA an independent agency, H247 [14FE], H361 [16FE]

———establish an independent commission to examine the Federal, State, and local response to Hurricane Katrina and make immediate corrective measures to improve such responses in the future, H259, H260 [14FE], H777 [8MR], H1202 [29MR]

———provide assistance to individuals and businesses in Southwest Louisiana affected by Hurricane Rita, H1000 [15MR], H2624 [16MY]

Immigration: health care costs related to hospital treatment of illegal immigrants, H4192 [19JN]

———prohibit Federal grants to law enforcement agencies within jurisdictions that prohibit the provision of information to the Dept. of Homeland Security about illegal aliens, H513 [2MR], H3368-H3370, H3382 [6JN]

———prohibit funding to States or localities that restrict information on an individual's citizenship or immigration status, H4731-H4733 [28JN]

———State and local law enforcement training funding, H3320, H3321 [25MY]

———strengthen enforcement of immigration laws and enhance border security, H760 [8MR]

Local government: improve fiscal accountability at the State level and decrease dependence on Federal funding, H618-H621 [7MR]

———reduce State and local costs due to unfunded Federal mandates, H3345 [25MY]

———State and local costs due to unfunded Federal mandates, H1430 [4AP]

Massachusetts: construction of wind turbine energy facility in Nantucket Sound, H4525 [26JN]

Medicare: implementation of prescription drug program, H3800 [13JN], H4373 [21JN]

———reform the prescription drug program, H162 [8FE], H277, H278, H279, H300 [15FE]

Medicare/Medicaid: assure uninterupted access to necessary medicines under the prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4685), E55, E57 [1FE]

National security: improve security for driver's licenses and identity documents, amend immigration laws to prevent entry of terrorists, and ensure completion of certain border barriers (H.R. 418), H1627 [6AP]

———require homeland security grants for terrorism preparedness and prevention be awarded based on assessment of risk, threat, and vulnerabilities, H3366 [6JN], H3433 [7JN], H5104 [12JY], E1066 [8JN], E1145 [14JN]

Office of National Drug Control Policy: demonstration programs by local partnerships to coerce abstinence in chronic hard-drug users under community supervision through drug testing and sanctions, H808 [9MR]

———demonstration programs by local partnerships to shut down illicit drug market hot-spots by deterring drug dealers or altering the dynamic of drug sales, H808 [9MR]

———provide program that advises States on establishing laws and policies to address alcohol and drug issues, H833, H834 [9MR]

Ohio: Federal response to recent flooding, H4934 [10JY]

Puerto Rico: provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process (H.R. 4867), E265 [2MR]

St. Joseph, MI: provide for conditional conveyance of any U.S. interests in St. Joseph Memorial Hall (H.R. 4700), H1992, H1993 [3MY]

States: clarify jurisdiction over certain food adulteration standards in absence of a Federal standard and allow further regulation of dietary supplements, H743, H744 [8MR]

———preserve authorities that help defend and respond to bioterrorism attacks on the food supply, H747, H748 [8MR]

Taxation: deduction of State and local sales taxes, H2459 [10MY]

———reduce Federal tax on fuels by the amount of any increase in State fuel tax rates (H.R. 1097), H3955 [14JN]

Remarks in Senate

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: use oil and gas exploration proceeds to fund certain Energy Policy Act programs, S2272 [16MR]

Arizona: authorize and direct the exchange and conveyance of certain national forest land and other land in southeast Arizona (S. 2466), S2472 [28MR]

Armed Forces: ensure one half of National Guard forces of each State are available to such State at all times (S. 2303), S1423 [16FE]

———integration of active-duty and Reserve components, S6392 [22JN]

———support continued administration of Channel Islands National Park, including Santa Rosa Island, in accordance with the laws (including regulations) and policies of the National Park Service (S. Res. 468), S4077 [4MY]

Commission on Federal Election Reform: implement recommendations to require presentation of vaild photo identification at polls, S5051-S5060 [24MY]

Courts: expand and improve special expedited habeas corpus procedures for States relative to provision of legal representation in capital cases, S1620-S1628 [2MR]

———limit the duration of Federal consent decrees to which State and local governments are a party (S. 489), S3414 [24AP]

Crime: provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes (S. 1145), S111 [25JA], S323 [30JA], S438 [1FE], S506 [2FE], S767 [7FE], S857 [8FE], S969 [9FE], S1349 [15FE], S1531 [28FE], S1639 [2MR], S2116 [14MR], S2307 [16MR], S2595 [30MR], S2795 [4AP], S3498 [25AP], S3890 [2MY], S4039, S4044 [4MY], S4207 [9MY], S4465 [11MY], S4551 [15MY], S4689 [17MY], S4962 [23MY], S5771 [13JN], S6628 [28JN], S7411 [12JY]

Dept. of HHS: provide assistance to State and local governments for health care and educational costs related to immigration, S4771-S4774 [18MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: establish the U.S. Emergency Management Authority, S7309-S7316, S7318-S7326 [11JY]

———establish the U.S. Emergency Management Authority (S. 3595), S6722-S6724 [28JN]

———Homeland Security Grant Program State and local government terrorism prevention activities funding, S7392-S7398 [12JY]

Dept. of Justice: authorize and expand Project Safe Childhood to protect children from exploitation by adults over the Internet (S. 3432), S5494 [6JN]

———establish a national sex offender registration database, S2405 [27MR]

———establish a national sex offender registration database (S. 792), S4039 [4MY]

———provide officers of State and local educational agencies with certain access to national crime information databases (H.R. 4894), S5945 [15JN]

———State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funding, S4771-S4774 [18MY]

Dept. of Labor: limit compensation of employees funded through the Employment and Training Administration workforce investment programs, S3480, S3483 [25AP]

———authorize Western States to select public lands within their borders in lieu of receiving payment for the sale of public lands lying within said States (S. 2569), S3231 [6AP]

Drugs: establish a federally-supported education and awareness campaign for the prevention of methamphetamine use (S. 2315), S1433 [16FE]

Education: provide adequate and equitable educational opportunities for students in State public school systems (S. 2828), S4703 [17MY]

Families and domestic relations: provide grants to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen low-income families (S. 3607), S6793 [29JN]

Firearms: permit access to certain information in the Firearms Trace System (H.R. 5033), S3205 [6AP]

———permit access to certain information in the Firearms Trace System (S. 2460), S2422 [27MR]

Food industry: reform State inspection of meat and poultry (S. 3519), S5957 [15JN]

Health: provide innovation in health care through State initiatives that expand coverage and access and improve quality and efficiency in the health care system (S. 2772), S4215, S4219 [9MY], S4252 [10MY]

Help America Vote Act: funding, S4021-S4023 [4MY]

Hurricanes: establish an independent commission to examine the Federal, State, and local response to Hurricane Katrina and make immediate corrective measures to improve such responses in the future, S413 [1FE], S492 [2FE]

Immigration: provide financial aid to local law enforcement officials along U.S. borders, S2589 [30MR], S2720, S2721 [3AP], S7367 [12JY]

———require payment of a supplemental application fee by aliens seeking citizenship to assist States with border security, S5063-S5066 [24MY]

Insurance: extend Federal funding for operation of State high risk health insurance pools (H.R. 4519), S460 [1FE]

———provide low-cost protection through State natural catastrophe insurance programs, encourage and promote mitigation and prevention for, and recovery and rebuilding from such events, and assist in financial recovery (S. 3117), S5332 [26MY]

Law enforcement: provide Federal coordination and assistance in preventing gang violence (S. 2671), S3714 [27AP]

Local government: reduce State and local costs due to unfunded Federal mandates, S1390-S1393 [16FE]

Massachusetts: construction of wind turbine energy facility in Nantucket Sound, S4185-S4187 [9MY]

Medicaid: funding, S723 [6FE]

———provide families of disabled children with the opportunity to purchase coverage, S723 [6FE]

Medicare: provide a prescription drug benefit program which is administered directly through Medicare, S2266 [16MR]

———reform the prescription drug program, S1340-S1342 [15FE]

———reform the prescription drug program (S. 2240), S512 [2FE]

Medicare/Medicaid: eliminate cost-sharing for dual eligible populations under the prescription drug benefit (S. 2203), S230 [26JA]

———funding, S1083-S1086 [13FE], S1137 [14FE]

———provide for necessary dual eligible beneficiary protections in order to ensure access to the prescription drug benefit program, S482-S485, S491 [2FE]

———reduce cost-sharing for certain dual eligible populations under the prescription drug benefit (S. 2409), S2124, S2125 [14MR]

———reimburse States for costs incurred by covering dual eligible populations under the Medicare prescription drug benefit plan (S. 2181), S23-S25 [20JA], S130, S131 [25JA]

Motor vehicles: provide driver safety grants to States with graduated driver licensing laws that meet certain minimum requirements (S. 2318), S1434 [16FE]

National Foster Care Month: observance (S. Res. 471), S4239 [9MY]

National Guard: commend members, fully fund equipment needs, and request consultation by the Dept. of Defense with Congress and the States prior to proposing force structure changes (S. Res. 355), S231 [26JA], S414 [1FE], S776, S777 [7FE]

———require homeland security grants for terrorism preparedness and prevention be awarded based on assessment of risk, threat, and vulnerabilities, S7399-S7401 [12JY]

Public lands: restore stability to payments made to States and counties containing certain Federal lands used for the benefit of public schools and roads, S3858 [2MY]

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act: reauthorize (S. 267), S4463 [11MY], S5335 [26MY]

Taxation: make permanent the deduction of State and local general sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes, S1138 [14FE]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce, S1391 [16FE]

Transportation: set minimum fuel economy requirements for Federal vehicles and authorize grants to States for the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles (S. 2675), S3716 [27AP]

Reports filed

Dept. of Homeland Security Establishment of Intergovernmental Grants To Further the Needs of Federal, State, and Local Governments: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 1554), S6784 [29JN]

Provide Officers of State and Local Educational Agencies With Certain Access to National Crime Information Databases: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 4894) (H. Rept. 109-497), H3787 [12JN]

Statements

Expand and Improve Special Expedited Habeas Corpus Procedures for States Relative to Provision of Legal Representation in Capital Cases: Carol Fornoff, S1621 [2MR]

———Josh Ryen, S1624 [2MR]

———Ron Eisenberg, S1620 [2MR]

Homeland Security Initiatives: Senator Jeffords, S7315 [11JY]

Testimonies

Role of Local Governments in Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Efforts: Penelope A. Gross, E737 [5MY]

Texts of

H.R. 4700, provide for conditional conveyance of any U.S. interests in St. Joseph Memorial Hall in St. Joseph, MI, H1993 [3MY]

H.R. 4894, provide officers of State and local educational agencies with certain access to national crime information databases, H3805 [13JN]

S. 2181, Medicare State Reimbursement Act, S24 [20JA], S130 [25JA]

S. 2183, Requiring Emergency Pharmaceutical Access for Individual Relief (REPAIR) Act, S25-S27 [20JA], S132-S134 [25JA]

S. 2240, Medicare Part D Reform Act, S512 [2FE]

S. 2318, Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act, S1435 [16FE]

S. 2460, permit access to certain information in the Firearms Trace System, S2423 [27MR]

S. 2561, Bureau of Reclamation Water Conservation, Efficiency, and Management Improvement Act, S3218 [6AP]

S. 2672, provide Federal coordination and assistance in preventing gang violence, S3715 [27AP]

S. 2772, Health Partnership Act, S4216-S4219 [9MY]

S. 2828, Student Bill of Rights, S4703-S4706 [17MY]

S. 3117, Homeowners Protection Act, S5237-S5242 [25MY]

S. 3595, U.S. Emergency Management Authority Act, S6717-S6721 [28JN]

S. Res. 355, commend members, fully fund equipment needs, and request consultation by the Dept. of Defense with Congress and the States prior to proposing force structure changes of National Guard, S231 [26JA]

S. Res. 355, commend National Guard members, fully fund equipment needs, and request consultation by the Dept. of Defense with Congress and the States prior to proposing force structure changes, S777 [7FE]

S. Res. 468, support continued administration of Channel Islands National Park, including Santa Rosa Island, in accordance with the laws (including regulations) and policies of the National Park Service, S4077 [4MY]

S. Res. 471, National Foster Care Month, S4224, S4240 [9MY]