TWICAPR25

(TheWeekInCongress.com) April 24, 2008 - The House moved an $8 billion bill that would increase the size of the US Coast Guard, build it resources over 25 years and assign it the responsibility of protecting US Liquid Natural Gas ports.

The bill, HR 2830, would incorporate three other House-passed bills, HR 2722 that supports the 25 year, $24 billion Deep Water program of expanding and improving USCG ships and aircraft resources, HR 802 that would improve maritime anti-pollution efforts, and HR 2399 that would further combat the smuggling of aliens.

Under the bill, responsibility for maritime bridges would be transferred from Homeland Security that inherited the job when the USCG was moved into that department after 9-11.

Among the bill's miscellaneous provisions is the requirement that cruise lines create a website documenting customers who went missing from the cruise or who were subject to a crime. Another makes it a federal criminal offense subject to fines, imprisonment, or both for the operation and embarkation of any stateless submersible or semi-submersible vessel. ##

HR 2830 - Bill Report and votes

HR 2722 - Bill Report and votes

HR 802 - Bill Report and votes

HR 2399 - Bill Report and votes

SENATE INCREASES REACH OF VETERAN LIFE INSURANCE

(TheWeekInCongress.com) April 24, 2008 - The Senate agreed to a 'level premium' life insurance policy for veterans younger than 65 who also have a service-connected disability. The maximum coverage is to be $50,000.

VA benefits for traumatic brain injury would become retroactive to members of the Armed Forces who incurred traumatic brain injury in the line of duty between October 7, 2001 and December 1, 2005.

The bill also makes provisions for structural changes to homes of severely disabled veterans.

S 1315

SENATE AGREED TO HOUSE GENETIC NON-DISCRIMINATION BILL

Governed in particular are companies that issue Medicare supplemental insurance policies who must not prohibit coverage based on genetic information or efforts by the applicant or applicant’s family to acquire existing genetic testing data on the applicant. If the company picks up genetic information on an applicant in the process of gathering or purchasing information on the applicant it may not consider the data to qualify the applicant and determine coverage.

HR 493

Bills Aim to Oversee government Contractors; Improve Life Insurance for Disable Veterans; and Expand Small Business Programs.

Government Contractors

Three bills would impact those who contract with the federal government.

Violation Disclosure

Contractors must notify Inspector Generals of any violations of Federal criminal law.

HR 5712

Ownership Disclosure

Privately held companies with contracts in excess of $80 million must disclose who owns the company and how much they are paid.

HR 3928

Contractor Database

The General Services Administration would establish a website for Federal contract procurement officers on which civil, criminal and administrative proceedings brought against the contractor by the federal and state governments would be posted.

HR 3033

Small Business Administration

Two SBA programs would be revised to allow certain venture capital investment into small businesses doing research and development for government agencies.

HR 5819