On August 6, 2010, the American Apparel and Footwear Association issued a press release announcing that Senator Schumer (D) had introduced the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act (S. 3728), a bill that would offer intellectual property protection to unique and original fashion designs. Supported by the AAFA and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, S. 3728 would, for the first time, allow American designers to benefit from legal protections and at the same time continue to ensure the competitiveness of the U.S. apparel and footwear industry as it delivers fashionable and affordable clothing to consumers.
On August 4, 2010, the Senate passed H.R. 1517, to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service.
On August 5, 2010, the Senate agreed to S. Res. 411, recognizing the importance and sustainability of the U.S. hardwoods industry and urging that U.S. hardwoods and the products derived from U.S. hardwoods be given full consideration in any program to promote construction of environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private buildings, and the resolution was then agreed to.
On July 29, 2010, Senator Specter introduced the Safe Highway Markings Act of 2010 (S. 3670) which would establish a limit of 200 parts per million of arsenic or lead in each glass bead used in pavement markings on or along any road or highway.1
The Food Safety Enforcement Act of 2010 (S. 3669) introduced by Senator Leahy (D) on July 29, 2010 would increase the criminal penalties for certain knowing violations relating to food that is misbranded or adulterated.
On August 5, 2010, Representative Michaud, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued a press release praising Senators Crapo, Collins, and Kohl for introducing the Senate version of his bill, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (H.R. 1799), which would allow Maine and other states to increase the weight of trucks allowed on the Interstate System within state borders. Michaud states that the current patchwork of differing weight requirements harms safety by forcing trucks onto roads not designed for their use and hurts the economy by reducing the efficiency of freight networks.
The House of Representatives will return from its August recess on August 9-10, 2010 to consider the Senate's amendment to H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act.