United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2005
Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act of 2005 - Designates: (1) specified public lands in the Chugach National Forest, Alaska, as National Wilderness Preservation System components; and (2) specified public lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, as wilderness areas or System components. Provides with respect to specified public lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, for: (1) a wilderness designation study; (2) designation as Land Use Designation II lands; (3) designation as restoration lands; and (4) designation as special management areas. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate, or study for designation, as wild, scenic, and recreational rivers specified waters in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests, Alaska.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2005
Recognizes that each generation's sacrifice for the cause of freedom in the world extracts a toll that lingers long after the battles end, and that veterans outreach activities known as "Stand Down events" restore the dignity and hope of the Nation's homeless veterans. Honors the men and women who organize and support Stand Down events, which save lives and serve the Nation's former guardians.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2005 - Amends the National Dam Safety Program Act to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program to provide grant assistance to States for use in rehabilitating publicly-owned dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards and pose an unacceptable risk to the public (deficient dams). Sets forth provisions regarding procedures for grant awards and fund allocation. Requires the Director to develop a risk-based priority system for identifying deficient dams for which such grants may be made. Limits the Federal share of rehabilitation costs to 65 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Desalination Drought Protection Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make specified incentive payments to the owners or operators of qualified desalination facilities (facilities first used to produce desalinated water after enactment of this Act) for up to ten years to partially offset the cost of electrical energy required to operate such facilities; and (2) support research and development of promising novel technology approaches for the cost-effective desalination of water.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
National Park Centennial Act - Establishes the National Park Centennial Fund in the Treasury. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers to designate overpayments and contributions for the benefit of the National Park System. Allocates such amounts to the Fund (along with necessary amounts from the General Fund to the extent that such amounts are inadequate in any fiscal year) for expenditure by the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes appropriations for a public awareness campaign about the Fund and the ability of taxpayers to make tax-related contributions. Requires a specified percentage of Fund deposits to be used: (1) for the elimination of the backlog of unmet needs in the national parks as identified in the Facility Condition Index of the National Park Service (NPS); (2) to protect natural resources within the parks; and (3) to protect cultural resources within the parks. Requires a majority of such percentages to be distributed to those national parks that have completed comprehensive business plans under the Business Plan Initiative of the NPS. Directs the Government Accountability Office annually to submit a report on the National Park System to specified congressional committees. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide grants to elementary and secondary schools for cooperative agreements with the NPS providing distance learning and onsite education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Save Our Waters From Sewage Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) from intentionally diverting waste streams to bypass any portion of the treatment facility unless: (1) the bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; (2) there is no feasible alternative; and (3) the treatment works provides notice of the bypass in accordance with this Act; or (4) the bypass does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded and is for essential maintenance. Requires POTWs to provide the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (or the State if the State has an approved permit program) with: (1) prior notice of an anticipated bypass; and (2) notice of an unanticipated bypass within 24 hours of becoming aware of such bypass as well as follow-up notice. Directs the Administrator to establish procedures to ensure that permits issued to POTWs under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System include requirements to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Notification of Risk to Personal Data Act - Prescribes notification procedures governing any agency, or person engaged in interstate commerce, that owns or licenses electronic data containing personal information, following the discovery of a breach of security of the system containing such data. Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to require a financial institution, at which a breach of personal information is reasonably believed to have occurred, to promptly notify: (1) each affected customer; (2) each pertinent consumer reporting agency; (3) the information clearinghouse established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under this Act; and (4) appropriate law enforcement agencies in any case in which the financial institution has reason to believe that the breach or suspected breach affects a large number of customers. Requires any person that maintains personal information for or on behalf of a financial institution to notify promptly the financial institution of any case in which such customer information has been, or is reasonably believed to have been, breached. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a consumer reporting agency to maintain a fraud alert file with respect to any consumer upon receiving notice of a breach of personal information from: (1) an agency or person engaged in interstate commerce pursuant to this Act; or (2) a financial institution subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Authorizes State Attorneys General to bring civil actions in Federal district court to enforce this Act on behalf of the residents of the State. Directs the FTC to establish and maintain a clearinghouse to collect and analyze information required under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Anti-phishing Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal criminal code to criminalize Internet scams involving fraudulently obtaining personal information (phishing). Imposes a fine or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for a person who knowingly and with the intent to engage in an activity constituting fraud or identity theft under Federal or State law: (1) creates or procures the creation of a website or domain name that represents itself as a legitimate online business without the authority or approval of the registered owner of such business; and (2) uses that website or domain name to solicit means of identification from any person. Imposes a fine or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, for a person who knowingly and with the intent to engage in activity constituting fraud or identity theft under Federal or State law sends an electronic mail message that: (1) falsely represents itself as being sent by a legitimate online business; (2) includes an Internet location tool referring or linking users to an online location on the World Wide Web that falsely purports to belong to or be associated with a legitimate online business; and (3) solicits means of identification from the recipient.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Full Funding for IDEA Now Act of 2005 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-446), to set forth a mandatory minimum level of Federal grant payments to States for assistance for education of all children with disabilities under IDEA part B. Entitles a State to receive such a minimum grant allotment in an amount determined by current formulas for maximum authorization levels in specified fiscal years (which such minimum entitlement replaces). Eliminates the current authorization of appropriations for specified fiscal years for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Fuel Efficiency Truth in Advertising Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise certain Federal vehicle fuel economy test procedures to take into consideration higher speed limits, faster acceleration rates, variations in temperature, use of air conditioning, shorter city test cycle lengths, and the use of other fuel depleting features.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Essential Air Service Preservation Act of 2005 - Amends Federal transportation law to repeal the mandate for the Essential Air Service local participation program (a pilot program under which up to ten designated essential air service communities located near hub airports shall assume ten percent of their essential air service subsidy costs for a four-year period).
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2005
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that if the Government of Japan continues to delay in meeting its obligations under the understanding reached with the United States on October 23, 2004, to resume beef imports from the United States, the U.S. Trade Representative should immediately impose retaliatory economic measures on Japan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2005
Ombudsman Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to reestablish the Office of the Ombudsman within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifies the Ombudsman's duties and authorities. Requires the Ombudsman to appoint a Deputy Ombudsman for each EPA region. Provides employee protections for persons complying with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2005
Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2005 - Repeals current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces. Prohibits the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation against any member of the Armed Forces or any person seeking to become a member. Authorizes the re-accession into the Armed Forces of otherwise qualified individuals previously separated for homosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexual conduct. Requires such Secretaries to ensure that regulations governing the personal conduct of members of the Armed Forces are written and enforced without regard to sexual orientation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2005
Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2005 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise its regulations to provide that digital audio radio satellite service (DARSS): (1) licensees shall not provide services that are locally differentiated or that result in programming being delivered to consumers in one geographic market that is different from programming delivered in any other geographic market; and (2) repeaters shall be restricted to simultaneously retransmitting the programming transmitted by satellite directly to DARSS subscribers' receivers. Requires the FCC to complete a rulemaking proceeding to determine whether DARSS licensees should be permitted to provide locally oriented services on nationally distributed channels, taking into account, among other things, the ability of such licensees to afford listeners the same emergency and other information as is afforded listeners of local broadcast stations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit certain amendments, waivers, or other modifications to mortgages held by a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC) or a Grantor Trust without disqualifying such mortgages as REMIC or Grantor Trust mortgages. Permits amendments, waivers, or modifications that do not: (1) extend the final maturity date of a mortgage; (2) increase the outstanding balance of the mortgage; (3) result in the release of an interest in real property securing the mortgage; or (4) result in an instrument or property right which is not debt for Federal income tax purposes. Exempts such amendments, waivers, or modifications from the penalty for prohibited transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2005
Amends rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise the procedures of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Repeals the requirement that a complaint be dismissed if an investigative subcommittee has not been established within 45 days after the complaint is filed (Automatic Dismissal Rule). Requires the committee to establish an investigative subcommittee if a complaint is not disposed of within the 45 days (or a 45-day extension). Subjects to such (automatic) subcommittee establishment rule the current related requirement that an investigative committee be established only by an affirmative of the majority of the committee members, if at any time during the applicable time period either the committee chairman or ranking member places on the agenda the issue of whether to establish such an investigative subcommittee. Requires the Committee to establish an "investigative" instead of "adjudicatory" subcommittee when requested by a Member, officer, or employee of the House, contesting the contents of a written complaint. (Thus repeals the right of a Member, officer, or employee to demand an immediate trial by an adjudicatory committee within the initial 45-day period, before a case has been adequately prepared.) Revises the right to counsel of a respondent or witness. Strikes provisions allowing a respondent or witness appearing before the investigative subcommittee or investigative hearing to obtain counsel of his or her choice, even if such counsel represents another respondent or witness. (Thus allows the committee to adopt a rule that prohibits a counsel from representing more than one respondent or witness.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
National Parks Anniversaries-Great American Spaces Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue silver coins emblematic of certain National Parks that are observing historic anniversaries of their founding. Directs the Secretary to take action to ensure that minting and issuing coins under this Act will not result in any net cost to the United States Government. Prohibits coin issuance unless the Secretary has received: (1) full payment for the coin; (2) security satisfactory to the Secretary to indemnify the United States for full payment; or (3) a guarantee of full payment satisfactory to the Secretary from a depository institution whose deposits of which are insured by either the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration Board.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare recognition of the services of respiratory therapists that are furnished as part-time or intermittent nursing care or physical therapy services under a plan of care for home health services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on the impact of paying for the services of respiratory therapists as a separate benefit under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare, and as an explicit component of the several benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Mailing Support to Troops Act of 2005 - Authorizes free mailing privileges for mail matter sent by a family member from within an area served by a U.S. post office to members of the Armed Forces on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, or hospitalized at an Armed Forces facility as a result of such service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Northern Marianas Delegate Act - Prescribes a procedure for election to the House of Representatives as a nonvoting Delegate of the Resident Representative to the United States authorized under the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to give family- or employment-based immigrant visa priority to the otherwise eligible children, sons, or daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized as U.S. citizens under the Immigration Act of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Compassionate Visitor Visa Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a presumption that certain aliens seeking temporary entry into the United States in connection with the serious illness or death of a specified U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member (or other emergency or compelling circumstances involving such family members as the Secretary of Homeland Security may establish) are entitled to nonimmigrant status unless a consular or immigration officer determines that the applicant: (1) is inadmissible; or (2) does not intend to depart the United States following the period of authorized admission.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Wartime Parity and Justice Act of 2005 - Allows certain individuals of Japanese ancestry who were brought forcibly to the United States from countries in Latin America and interned during World War II or who lost other specified rights or privileges due to their ancestry to be provided restitution under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Urges the President to transmit a letter of apology to each such individual. Makes the Attorney General responsible for identifying and locating individuals eligible for restitution. Authorizes judicial review of a denial of compensation. Permits an individual covered by this Act who has accepted payment on a related claim before this Act's enactment to receive an appropriately reduced payment. States that certain individuals covered by this Act shall not be considered to have been unlawfully present in the United States during the evacuation, relocation, or internment period. Directs: (1) each U.S. agency to correct any records indicating otherwise; (2) agencies to disclose all information relating to the removal and internment of such individuals; and (3) the President to share such information with other countries and encourage those countries to make that information available. Reestablishes in the Treasury the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund, establishes a board of directors for the Fund, and sets forth permissible uses for Fund disbursements, including sponsorship of research and public education activities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prescribe guidelines for a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard for calendar years 2008 through 2037. Specifies a schedule of graduated annual percentages of a supplier's base amount, from one percent in 2008 up to 20 percent in 2027 and thereafter, that shall be generated from renewable energy resources. Authorizes a supplier to satisfy such requirements through the submission of renewable energy credits to the Secretary of Energy. Provides for energy credit trading or borrowing among suppliers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage federally-owned utilities, municipally-owned utilities, and rural electric cooperatives that sell electric energy to electric consumers for purposes other than resale to participate in the renewable portfolio standard program; and (2) establish by December 31, 2007, a State renewable energy account program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Broad-Based Stock Option Plan Transparency Act - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require companies to include within certain mandatory reports details regarding stock option plans, stock purchase plans, and other arrangements involving employee acquisition of an equity interest in the company, including: (1) a discussion of the dilutive effect of stock option plans (written in accordance with the Plain English Handbook published by the Office of Investor Education and Assistance of the Commission); (2) expanded disclosure of the dilutive effect of employee stock options on the company's earnings per share number; (3) prominent placement and increased comparability of all stock option related information; and (4) a summary of stock options granted to the five most highly compensated executive officers, including outstanding stock options of those officers. Directs the SEC to examine and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the enhanced disclosures required by this Act in increasing transparency to current and potential investors. Prohibits the Commission, between enactment of this Act and submission of such report, from recognizing as generally accepted accounting principles any new accounting standards regarding the treatment of stock options. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on broad-based employee stock option plans, particularly in the high technology and any other high growth industries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Bipartisan Commission on Medicaid Act of 2005 - Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on Medicaid to review: (1) each of Medicaid's major functional responsibilities; (2) issues that either threaten or improve the long-term financial condition of Medicaid; (3) Federal and State policies for Medicaid and Medicare enrollment (including enrollment sites), income eligibility, outreach, and documentation; (4) the operation and effectiveness of Medicaid premium assistance programs; and (5) Medicaid payment policies.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage organizations to provide for a payment rate for critical access hospital services and rural health clinic services at least 101 percent of the payment rate otherwise applicable under the Medicare Program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the outpatient therapy cap.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to each State to carry out a program for making available throughout that State the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on health and human services, including volunteer services. Requires a participating State to ensure that at least 50 percent of the resources of the program funded by the grant will be derived from other sources. Requires a State seeking a grant to carry out its activities through a lead entity to be known as a 2-1-1 Collaborative. Requires grant amounts to be used solely to make available to a State 2-1-1 telephone service for community information and referral on human services to all citizens of that State with phone access, including telephone connections between families and individuals seeking services and the service providers. Requires grant recipients to: (1) abide by the Key Standards for 2-1-1 Centers; and (2) collaborate with human service organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to provide information or referral to individuals utilizing the 2-1-1 service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Fiscal Honesty and Accountability Act of 2005 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to extend pay-as-you-go requirements through FY 2010. Extends through FY 2009 the spending limits (spending caps) for the discretionary categories in new budget authority and outlays. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to address issues of emergency spending by requiring: (1) Committee on the Budget guidelines; (2) a separate House vote on an emergency designation; and (3) detailed reserve funds for emergencies in the President's budget request to Congress. Prescribes a procedure for adjustments in committee allocations resulting from such spending in joint budget resolutions. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit floor amendments to amendments reported by the Committee on the Budget (or from the consideration of which the Committee has been discharged) with respect to legislation for emergency reserve funds for certain military operations. Prohibits consideration of an amendment to a joint budget resolution which changes the amount of budget authority and outlays set forth in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for the emergency reserve fund. Requires reports on legislation which provide new budget, spending, or credit authority, or otherwise provide an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures, to include a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projection of the cost of debt servicing (interest). Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 concerning: (1) CBO cost analysis (scoring) for conference reports; (2) legislation which evades specified budget enforcement mechanisms; and (3) legislation which is unreported by committee (for purposes of budget point of order rules). Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives concerning: (1) budget compliance statements (permitting inclusion of budgetary implications); (2) requirements for budget act waivers (inclusion mandatory for bill consideration); and (3) a separate vote to waive a major budget act point of order.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House by rollcall vote. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to report implementing legislation to achieve a balanced budget without increasing the receipts or reducing the disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to achieve that goal.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Commends the outstanding efforts in response to the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, by members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Recognizes that the actions of these individuals went above and beyond the call of duty and thanks them for their service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Recognizes and commends the members of the U.S. Marine Corps and other U.S. Armed Forces who participated in such Battle, especially those who gave their lives there.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to: (1) require conference reports to include Congressional Budget Office cost estimates in their accompanying joint statements if such legislation provides for new budget, spending, or credit authority or otherwise provides an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures; (2) prohibit consideration of such conference reports if the cost estimates are not included; (3) require roll call votes on legislation authorizing or providing new budget authority of at least $50 million; (4) repeal rule XXVII (the Gephardt Rule, relating to mandatory adjustment of the statutory limit on the public debt to conform to a budget resolution); and (5) revise rule XIII (prohibiting same-day consideration of Rules Committee reports) to extend the prohibition to the same calendar day or less than 17 hours after that. Prohibits the Rules Committee from reporting a rule or order without two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present to waive the layover requirement concerning the availability of reports, the three-day layover requirement, the three-day Internet availability requirement, or the scope requirement. Prohibits consideration by the House of: (1) reported legislation until the third calendar day on which the underlying measure or matter has been made available by the Rules Committee on its Internet site; or (2) a conference report until the third calendar day on which such conference report and its joint explanatory statement have been made available on its Internet site by the standing committee of the House with subject matter jurisdiction over the underlying legislation. Requires: (1) the report that accompanies any general appropriation bill to contain a separate written justification for each earmark contained in such bill or report; and (2) each committee to report at six-month intervals to the Speaker and the minority leader on its compliance with its oversight plan. Requires such biannual reports to be made available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005
Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act or STOP Underage Drinking Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish an interagency coordinating committee to guide policy and program development across the Federal Government on underage drinking; (2) issue an annual report card to rate the performance of each State in enacting, enforcing, and creating laws, regulations, and programs to prevent or reduce underage drinking; (3) develop a set of outcome measures to prepare report cards, including the strictness of the minimum drinking age laws and the number of compliance checks conducted; (4) fund and oversee the Ad Council's national adult-oriented media public service campaign; (5) award grants to reduce the rate of underage alcohol use and binge drinking among students at institutions of higher education; and (6) collect data on, and conduct or support research on, underage drinking, including the impact alcohol use and abuse has upon adolescent brain development, the scope of the underage drinking problem, and progress in preventing and treating underage drinking. Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to award grants to design, test, evaluate, and disseminate strategies to maximize the effectiveness of community-wide approaches to preventing and reducing underage drinking. Requires the Secretary to carry out activities toward the objectives of: (1) testing every unnatural death of persons ages 12 to 20 for alcohol involvement; (2) obtaining new epidemiological data that identifies alcohol use and attitudes about alcohol use during pre- and early adolescence; and (3) developing or identifying successful clinical treatment for youth with alcohol problems.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005
War Funding Accountability Act - Requires the President, within 30 days of enactment of an appropriations Act that funds military operations or reconstruction in Iraq, to prepare and transmit to Congress a report (as well as subsequent progress reports) detailing U.S. goals with respect to such operations or reconstruction efforts, including: (1) a description of the purposes for which amounts will be made available; (2) a plan for the security of Iraq including a plan to ensure participation by the armed forces of additional countries in Iraq; (3) a plan for the reconstruction of Iraq; (4) a description of progress toward elections for a permanent Iraqi government; and (5) a description of U.S. efforts to obtain financial support for Iraq from other countries and international financial institutions. Requires the President, under the same time period and with similar plan requirements as above, to prepare and transmit to Congress a report (as well as subsequent reports) detailing U.S. goals with respect to military operations or reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. States that if the requirements to transmit such initial or subsequent reports are not met, then unobligated or unexpended amounts for reconstruction with respect to the subject of such reports may not be obligated or expended until transmittal to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005
Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2005 - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of: (1) a project in Kalaeloa, Hawaii, to desalinate and distribute seawater for direct potable use within the service area of the Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii; (2) facilities in Kealakehe, Hawaii, for the treatment and distribution of recycled water and for environmental purposes within the County of Hawaii; and (3) facilities in Lahaina, Hawaii, for the distribution of recycled water from the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility for non-potable uses within the County of Maui (authorizes the Secretary to acquire land for such facilities). Limits the Federal share to 25 percent of the total cost of any such project. Prohibits the use of funds provided by the Secretary for project operation and maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005
Restore Scientific Integrity to Federal Research and Policymaking Act - Prohibits a federal employee from engaging in: (1) tampering with the conduct of federally funded scientific research or analysis; (2) censorship of findings of such research or analysis; or (3) directing the dissemination of scientific information known by the directing employee to be false or misleading. Sets forth a penalty for violations of such prohibition. Includes under prohibited personnel practices the taking or failing to take, or threatening to take or failing to take, a personnel action with respect to any employee because of: (1) the development or dissemination, within the scope of employment, of scientific research or analysis that the employee reasonably believes to be accurate and valid; (2) any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences tampering with the conduct of federally funded scientific research or analysis, censoring the findings of such research or analysis, or directing the dissemination of scientific information known by the directing employee to be false or misleading. Sets forth requirements relating to federal scientific advisory committees. States that all appointments to such committees shall be made without regard to political affiliation, unless required by federal statute. Directs each federal agency to determine a peer review process that is appropriate for the agency's functions and needs. Provides for "The Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review", issued on December 16, 2004, to have no force or effect as of enactment of this Act and to not apply to information disseminated by the Federal Government to the public. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to provide annual reports regarding scientific integrity.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives to investigate the awarding and carrying out of Government contracts to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism. Directs the committee to make recommendations regarding: (1) bidding, contracting, and auditing standards; (2) oversight procedures; (3) forms of payment and safeguards against money laundering; (4) accountability of contractors and Government procurement officials; (5) penalties for violations and abuses; (6) subcontracting under large comprehensive contracts; (7) inclusion and utilization of small businesses, through subcontracts or otherwise; and (8) such other matters as the select committee deems appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005 - Requires the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish: (1) voluntary guidelines, based on the best currently available scientific knowledge, for the remediation of former methamphetamine laboratories, including guidelines regarding preliminary site assessment and the remediation of residual contaminants; and (2) a program of research to support the development and revision of such guidelines. Directs the Assistant Administrator to: (1) periodically convene a conference of appropriate State agencies, as well as individuals or organizations involved in research and other activities directly related to the environmental or biological impacts of former methamphetamine laboratories; and (2) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a study of the status and quality of research on the residual effects of methamphetamine laboratories. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support a research program to develop: (1) new methamphetamine detection technologies, with an emphasis on field test kits and site detection; and (2) appropriate standard reference materials and validation procedures for methamphetamine detection testing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Increases from $300 to $1,000 the burial plot allowance for a veteran who dies in a Department of Veterans Affairs facility or a facility providing Department-contracted care. Includes such allowance under authorized adjustments tied to increases under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act - Repeals, as of the later of October 1, 2005, or the date of enactment of this Act, certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Provides for the recoupment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2005 - Increases the authorized allowance for burial and funeral expenses for deceased veterans who: (1) at the time of death were in receipt of veterans' disability compensation or veterans' pension benefits; or (2) were veterans of any war or were discharged or released from active military service for a service-connected disability and for whom there is no next of kin or sufficient resources to cover funeral and burial costs. Increases the burial plot allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were receiving hospital or nursing home care in or through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Authorizes the annual adjustment of such allowances based on increases in Social Security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should: (1) renegotiate the provisions of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) relating to access to the U.S. sugar market, so as to grant no greater access to that market than is currently enjoyed by CAFTA signatories; and (2) exclude sugar as an element of free trade negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005
Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2005 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization, or exceeding authorized access, by causing a computer program or code to be copied onto the protected computer, and intentionally using that program or code: (1) in furtherance of another federal criminal offense; (2) to obtain or transmit personal information (including a Social Security number or other government-issued identification number, a bank or credit card number, or an associated password or access code) with intent to defraud or injure a person or cause damage to a protected computer; or (3) to impair the security protection of that computer. Prohibits any person from bringing a civil action under state law premised upon the defendant's violating this Act. Provides that this Act does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency or a U.S. intelligence agency. Authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General for prosecutions needed to discourage the use of spyware and the practice called phishing. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of Justice should vigorously prosecute those who use spyware to commit crimes and those that conduct phishing scams.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005
Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) under title V (Developing Institutions). Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Limits a part B grant award's duration to not more than five years. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from awarding more than one part B grant to an HSI in any one fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees. Eliminates the requirement that an eligible HSI provide assurances that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income students. Includes, among authorized activities under part A grants, articulation agreements and student support programs to help transfers from two-year to four-year institutions. Eliminates the two-year wait-out period between any two five-year part A grants to an HSI.
![Official portrait of Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001055_200.jpg)