United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2006
Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2006 - Prohibits any person who is a licensed health care service provider but who is not a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine, dental surgery, or dental medicine from making any statement or engaging in any act that deceives or misleads the public or a prospective or current patient into believing that such person is a doctor or has the same or equivalent education, skills, or training. Treats such statements or acts as unfair or deceptive acts or practices prescribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct an investigation of health care providers engaging in such acts to: (1) identify specific acts and practices constituting a violation of this Act; (2) determine the frequency of such acts and practices; (3) identify instances of harm or injury resulting from such acts and practices; and (4) identify instances where any state public policy has permitted such acts and practices.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2006
United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) it may be in the U.S. interest to enter into an agreement for nuclear cooperation under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA) with a country that has never been a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) with respect to civilian nuclear technology if certain criteria have been met; (2) India meets such criteria; and (3) it is in the U.S. national security interest to deepen its relationship with India across a full range of issues, including peaceful nuclear cooperation. Declares the policy of the United States to oppose the development of a capability to produce nuclear weapons by any non-nuclear weapon state, within or outside of the NPT. Declares certain U.S. policy objectives with respect to South Asia, including to seek to halt the increase of nuclear weapon arsenals in South Asia, and to promote their reduction and eventual elimination. Specifies conditions which the President must determine to exist in order to exercise authority to: (1) exempt a proposed agreement for nuclear cooperation with India from the AEA requirement that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards be maintained for all nuclear materials in peaceful nuclear activities; (2) waive application to India of the AEA prohibition against U.S. export of source material, special nuclear material, production or utilization facilities, and any sensitive nuclear technology unless such safeguards are maintained; and (3) waive certain AEA export restrictions required because of the detonation of a nuclear explosive device by a non-nuclear-weapon state, and failure to take steps representing sufficient progress toward terminating activities involving source or special nuclear material with direct significance for the manufacture or acquisition of nuclear explosive devices. Prescribes procedures for: (1) submission to Congress of information concerning such determinations; and (2) approval by Congress of a proposed agreement for nuclear cooperation with India. Requires termination of nuclear transfers to India if India makes materially significant transfers of nuclear or nuclear-related material, equipment, or technology, or of ballistic missiles or related equipment or technology, that do not conform to guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) or the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Honors the town of Nicodemus, Kansas, for its contribution to American history. Commends and encourages the preservation efforts of the National Park Service and the residents of Nicodemus.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2006
Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2006 - Prohibits any state other than the home state of an insured from requiring any premium tax payment for nonadmitted insurance. Prescribes requirements for reporting, payment, and allocation of premium taxes. Subjects nonadmitted insurance solely to the regulatory requirements of the insured's home state. Prohibits a state, beginning two years after enactment of this Act, from collecting any fees relating to licensing of a nonresident insurance broker in the state unless the state has laws or regulations in effect that provide for its participation in the national insurance producer database of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Prohibits a state from establishing eligibility criteria for nonadmitted insurers domiciled in a U.S. jurisdiction except in conformance with the Non-Admitted Insurance Model Act. Prohibits a surplus lines broker from placing nonadmitted insurance with, or procuring nonadmitted insurance from, a nonadmitted insurer domiciled outside the United States that is listed on the Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers maintained by the NAIC International Insurance Division. Prescribes conditions under which a surplus lines broker seeking to procure or place nonadmitted insurance in a state for an exempt commercial purchaser shall not be required to satisfy any state requirement to make a due diligence search to determine whether the full amount or type of insurance sought by such exempt commercial purchaser can be obtained from admitted insurers. Specifies the preemption of state laws regarding a ceding insurer, except those of the ceding insurer's state of domicile. Declares the state of domicile of a reinsurer solely responsible for regulating the reinsurer's financial solvency if such state is NAIC-accredited.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2006
Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the estate and gift tax exclusion amount to $5 million beginning in 2010; (2) lower to 15% the estate tax rate for estates up to $25 million and 30% for estates of $25 million or more; (3) repeal after 2009 the estate tax deduction for estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession taxes paid to states; (4) allow a surviving spouse to claim any unused portion of a deceased spouse's estate or gift tax exclusion amount; and (5) allow a taxpayer election to deduct from gross income the lesser of 60% of qualified timber gain or net capital gain. Provides that the general termination date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001(EGTRRA) (i.e., December 31, 2010) shall not apply to the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions of EGTRRA not amended by this Act. Repeals provisions of EGTRRA relating to carryover basis of estate property to allow heirs of such property after 2009 to use date-of-death fair market values.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 802 South Carrier Parkway in Grand Prairie, Texas, as the "Alexander McRae Dechman Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
Fuel Consumption Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into a partnership with interested industry groups to create a public education campaign for U.S. drivers about immediate measures that can be taken to conserve transportation fuel.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Stealth Tax Relief Extension Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the exemption from the alternative minimum tax for individual taxpayers in 2007; and (2) extend through 2007 the allowance of certain nonrefundable tax credits against alternative minimum tax liability.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Praises the U.S. diplomatic staff of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba, for their actions in support of freedom for the Cuban people. Condemns the Cuban regime's: (1) harassment of such personnel; and (2) 47 years of brutality and oppression against the Cuban people. Supports the Cuban people's right to exercise fundamental political and civil liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, movement, the press, and the right to multiparty elections.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2006
HSA Premium Affordability Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow payment of premiums for high deductible health insurance coverage from health savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2006
Condemns the vote by the British National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) on May 29, 2006, to boycott Israeli academics and academic institutions that refuse to declare their opposition to the government and State of Israel. Finds NATFHE's criticism of Israeli policy particularly objectionable given the Israeli government's courageous and far-reaching contributions to peace. Urges the University and College Union (UCU) to nullify and void the NATFHE resolution and issue a statement deploring the campaign to boycott Israeli academia. Commends the British government and leading academics for criticizing the NATFHE resolution. Deplores any comparison between Israel, where all citizens are equal before the law, and the former apartheid regime in South Africa. Urges governments and educators throughout the world to reaffirm the importance of academic freedom and open dialogue.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to promote the collection and categorization of trauma data in a consistent and standardized manner. Removes authorization for the National Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services. Allows the Secretary to make grants to entities to carry out demonstration projects to improve emergency medical services in rural areas by increasing communication and coordination with state trauma systems. Revises the matching requirements for states to be eligible for grants to improve emergency medical services in rural areas. Prohibits the Secretary from making trauma care grants to a state unless the state's emergency medical services plan coordinates planning for trauma systems with state disaster emergency planning and bioterrorism hospital preparedness planning. Requires the Secretary to update the model plan for the designation of trauma centers and for triage, transfer, and transportation policies. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine or another appropriate entity to conduct a study on trauma care and trauma systems research.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Stormwater Enforcement and Permitting Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require the owner or operator of any point source to provide information necessary to address an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment. Requires the Administrator to provide an operator a reasonable opportunity to correct a violation of a permit condition for a site with residential construction activity before initiation of an enforcement action, if such violation has not resulted in a discharge of stormwater. Prohibits more than one opportunity to correct violations of the same condition. Prohibits the Administrator from requiring a permit for stormwater runoff from such a site if: (1) the runoff enters a municipal separate storm sewer system that is covered by a permit and the operator is in compliance with runoff requirements; and (2) such site has minimal potential for soil erosion. Prohibits the Administrator from exercising enforcement authority with respect to a state permit that authorizes stormwater discharge from such a site unless: (1) such a discharge flows across a state line or onto a federal facility or Indian tribal lands; (2) such permit was issued under a state program that the Administrator has suspended or withdrawn; or (3) a discharge results in imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment. Prohibits the Administrator from paying any state penalty for a violation of a permit for such a discharge. Requires the Administrator to establish a program that will develop and distribute to site operators a pamphlet that explains permitting requirements for stormwater discharges. Authorizes the Administrator or the state to issue a general permit for no more than five years on a state, regional, or nationwide basis to cover any category of discharges, sludge use, disposal practices, or facilities. Declares that the Administrator or state is not required to review, approve, or provide an opportunity for public comment on any application for a discharge under a general permit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Independent Health Record Bank Act of 2006 - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe standards for the establishment and certification of independent health record banks to store individual electronic health records. Gives an individual ownership over his/her entire health record with the right to review its contents at any time during normal business hours. Allows a bank to generate revenue through the sale of nonidentifiable and partially identifiable health information contained in the bank for research purposes, but requires that such revenue be shared with account holders and allows such revenue to be shared with health care providers and payers. Excludes any such revenue from the gross income of the bank, account holder, or health care provider or payer. Requires prior authorization by an individual before access can be given to his/her electronic health record. Permits access to a limited, authenticated information set concerning an individual for emergency response purposes without the individual's prior consent. Requires the Board of Governors, acting through the Under Secretary for Technology or other appropriate official, to: (1) develop a program to certify entities to operate independent health record banks; and (2) establish an interagency council to develop standards for federal security auditing for entities operating banks. Imposes fines and/or imprisonment for the wrongful disclosure of information collected, maintained, or made available by a record bank. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for the cost paid by a taxpayer to maintain an independent health record bank account.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 217 Southeast 2nd Street in Dimmitt, Texas, as the "Sergeant Jacob Dan Dones Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act of 2006 - Prohibits any court from certifying an action as a class action under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in any civil immigration action. Sets forth the requirements under which a court may order prospective relief in such an action. Provides that preliminary injunctive relief shall expire 90 days after entry unless otherwise determined by the court. Requires a court to promptly rule on any government motion to vacate, modify, dissolve, or otherwise terminate an order granting prospective relief in a civil immigration action. Provides for an automatic 15-day stay of the prospective relief order. Authorizes a court to enter an order to postpone for up to 15 days the effective date of an automatic stay. Provides that: (1) whenever a higher court remands a decision on a motion to a lower court the order granting prospective relief that is the subject of the motion shall be automatically stayed until the district court grants or denies such motion; and (2) any order staying, suspending, delaying, or otherwise barring the effective date of an automatic stay, other than an order to postpone the effective date, shall be treated as an order refusing to vacate, modify, dissolve, or otherwise terminate an injunction and shall be appealable. States that: (1) no court has jurisdiction to grant or continue an order affecting an expedited removal action against an alien; (2) upon the government's filing of a motion to vacate, modify, dissolve, or otherwise terminate an order granting prospective relief in a civil immigration action, the court involved shall determine whether it continues to have jurisdiction and shall vacate any order or part of a relief order that is not within its jurisdiction; and (3) sections (1) and (2) of this paragraph shall not apply to a relief order that was entered before the date of the enactment of this Act to remedy a violation of constitutional rights. Sets forth consent decree and private settlement agreement provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Constitutional Amendment - Marriage Protection Amendment - Declares that: (1) marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman; and (2) neither the U.S. Constitution nor the constitution of any state shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon any other union.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Veterans Identity Protection Act or VIP Act - Establishes as an independent office in the executive branch the Office of Veterans Identity Protection Claims, headed by a Director, to receive, process, and pay claims for injuries suffered as a result of the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of identifying information stolen from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Authorizes judicial review of claim determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to the energy conservation program for consumer products other than automobiles. Declares that the requirements for such program preempt any state regulation, meeting specified criteria, which provides for submission of information in any manner regarding any measure of energy consumption or water use of certain products.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Internet Gambling Study Commission Act - Establishes the Internet Gambling Study Commission to: (1) conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the existing legal framework that governs such activities and transactions; (2) report to the President and Congress on study findings and conclusions; and (3) transmit a copy of such report to each state governor or chief executive officer and Native American tribal government.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Responsible Bioterrorism Funding Act of 2006 - Requires, for FY2007 and subsequent fiscal years, that all grants to states administered by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for preparation for or response to bioterrorism be distributed in accordance with a risk-based formula predicated on a quantitative assessment of threat, vulnerability, and consequences. Directs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) develop such formula, which shall be established and provided to the HHS Secretary by March 31, 2006; and (2) periodically review (and revise as appropriate) the formula to accurately distribute funds based on risk. Makes a revision ineffective for a fiscal year unless it is approved by both Secretaries by July 1 of the preceding year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Zero Baseline Budget Act of 2006 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to eliminate sequential and cumulative adjustments for inflation from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline projections for discretionary appropriations with respect to: (1) expiring housing contracts and social insurance administrative expenses; (2) offset pay absorption and pay annualization; (3) inflation; and (4) any accounting for changes required by law in the level of agency payments for personnel benefits other than pay. Exempts from the requirement that budgetary resources (other than unobligated balances) be at the level available in the current year any resources designated as an emergency requirement or provided in supplemental appropriations laws. Prohibits adjustments for inflation or or any other factor. Amends the Act to extend indefinitely the formula used to calculate the baseline.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5441) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2006
Reaffirms the national motto, "In God We Trust," on its 50th anniversary. Commends it as fundamental to America's national life and affirms its substance as vital to the nation's future success.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Congratulates the people and government of Mongolia on the 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood, and commends the people and government of Mongolia for their commitment to democracy and economic reform. Affirms that the United States is proud to be considered Mongolia's "third neighbor," and supports efforts to strengthen strategic, political, economic, educational, and cultural ties between the two countries. Urges the government of Mongolia to take further steps to fight corruption and provide greater accountability in government operations. Encourages private investment and increased business ties between investors in both countries, and increased people-to-people ties through expanded academic, cultural, and sports exchanges. Supports increased Mongolian participation in international organizations and initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2006
Competitive and Open Markets that Protect and Enhance the Treatment of Entrepreneurs Act, or the COMPETE Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the management assessment of internal controls in the annual report of each issuer of registered securities to require certain rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to permit a small public company to elect voluntarily not to provide in its annual report an assessment of (or a related public accounting firm attestation concerning) the effectiveness of its internal control structure and financial reporting procedures, if it meets specified size criteria. Includes among such criteria: (1) total market capitalization of less than $700 million; (2) total product revenue of less than $125 million; and (3) fewer than 1500 record beneficial holders. Requires SEC rules to provide for random audits after the first year for which an attestation and report of such a small public company is made by a registered public accounting firm. Directs the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Board) to: (1) alter the standard for review from a remote likelihood standard for noting weaknesses to a 5% de minimus material weakness criterion (based on 5% of net profits); (2) establish specific guidelines for measuring certain terms; and (3) modify independence rules to allow prudent interaction between registered public accounting firms performing such assessments and internal consultants. Directs the SEC and the Board to: (1) jointly study and report to Congress on the principles-based Turnbull Guidance under the securities laws of the United Kingdom; and (2) compare and contrast such principles to the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for the establishment within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a Directorate of Emergency Management (DEM) (replacing the Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response). Requires DEM to be headed by an Under Secretary for Emergency Management and to include Deputy Under Secretaries for: (1) Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation; and (2) Emergency Response and Recovery. Directs the Under Secretary to serve as a Cabinet Officer during an Incident of National Significance. Establishes within DEM: (1) an Office of State, Local, and Tribal Government Coordination and an Office of Public and Community Preparedness; (2) a National Citizen Corps Council; (3) a National Incident Management System and National Response Plan Integration Center; and (4) a National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. Establishes in DHS Offices of Grants and Planning, Training and Exercises, Emergency Communications, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity and Telecommunications. Establishes the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) regularly update, revise, or replace essential capabilities for state, local, and tribal government emergency preparedness; (2) require any state or urban area that applies for federal homeland security assistance to maintain a catastrophic emergency plan; (3) establish the National Advisory Council on Emergency Management, a System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders Program, a Homeland Security Education Program in the National Capital Region, a Prepositioned Equipment Program, and a National Asset Inventory Program; (4) develop an integrated national public alert and warning system; and (5) establish within DHS a Gulf Coast Long-Term Recovery Office. Redesignates the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection as the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that all programs within DEM administering federal assistance maintain proper internal management controls to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse; and (2) annually certify that such controls are in place. Provides for the establishment within DHS of a Deputy Inspector General for Response and Recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2006
Reform of National Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments Act - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to direct the President, upon receiving written notification by any party involved of a possible merger, acquisition, or takeover which could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce in the United States (covered transaction), or upon a motion of a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to review the covered transaction to determine whether it threatens to impair U.S. national security and whether such threat can be mitigated. Requires CFIUS, if it determines that the covered transaction is a foreign government-controlled transaction, to conduct its own investigation. Requires the President, in his investigation, to take necessary action to protect national security with respect to the covered transaction. Makes any review final and complete only after its findings and report are approved and signed by both the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to carry out an analysis of the threat to national security of any covered transaction. Makes CFIUS a statutory committee under the Defense Production Act of 1950, with a revised membership. Requires the consideration, as additional factors in determining whether it should be investigated, of whether a covered transaction: (1) has a security-related impact on critical infrastructure; and (2) is a foreign government-controlled transaction. Authorizes CFIUS to: (1) negotiate, impose, and enforce any agreement or condition with any party to a covered transaction in order to mitigate any threat to national security; (2) track withdrawn notifications; and (3) monitor the enforcement of any agreements. Requires reports to Congress by the President and CFIUS concerning investigations of covered transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
401Kids Family Savings Act of 2006 - Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to extend through 2015 provisions allowing increased annual contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow tax-free distributions from a Coverdell education savings account for first-time homebuyer expenses; (2) permit rollovers from Coverdell education savings accounts to Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs); and (3) rename Coverdell education savings accounts as 401Kids Savings Accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require schools and libraries that receive universal service support to enforce a policy that prohibits access to a commercial social networking website or chat room through which minors may easily: (1) access or be presented with obscene or indecent material; (2) be subject to unlawful sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or repeated offensive sexual comments from adults; or (3) access other material that is harmful to minors. Allows an administrator, supervisor, or other authorized person to disable such a technology protection measure during use by an adult, or by minors with adult supervision, to enable access for educational purposes. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) establish an advisory board; (2) annually publish a list of commercial social networking websites and chat rooms that have been shown to allow sexual predators easy access to personal information of, and contact with, children; (3) issue a consumer alert regarding use of the Internet by child predators and the potential dangers to children because of such use, including the potential dangers of commercial social networking websites and chat rooms; and (4) establish a website resource of information for parents, teachers, school administrators, and others regarding potential dangers posed by the use of the Internet by children.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Shoulder-Fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006 - Defines "MANPADS" as: (1) a surface-to-air missile system designed to be man-portable and carried and fired by a single individual; or (2) any other surface-to-air missile system designed to be operated and fired by more than one individual acting as a crew and portable by several individuals. States that it is U.S. policy to assist foreign governments to secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of MANPADS and other conventional weapons that pose a proliferation, security, or humanitarian threat. Authorizes the Secretary of State to carry out an accelerated global program to secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of MANPADS and other conventional weapons that pose a proliferation, security, or humanitarian threat. States that it should be U.S. policy to hold foreign governments accountable for knowingly transferring MANPADS to state-sponsors of terrorism or terrorist organizations. Directs the President, upon a determination that a foreign government which has repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism knowingly transfers MANPADS to a foreign government or a terrorist organization, to: (1) report such information to the appropriate congressional committees; and (2) impose specified foreign assistance and military assistance sanctions on the transferring government. Exempts humanitarian assistance from such prohibition. Authorizes a national security waiver. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should pursue strengthened international diplomatic efforts to: (1) limit the availability and proliferation of MANPADS; and (2) exert diplomatic pressure to influence member country compliance with such efforts. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting MANPADS and conventional weapons threat reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Gang Elimination Act of 2006 - Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on a national strategy to eliminate the illegal operations of National Threat Drug Gangs (i.e., the top three international drug gangs that present the greatest threat to law and order in the United States). Sets forth criteria for the Attorney General to consider in identifying a National Threat Drug Gang, including (1) ties to international terrorist organizations or state-sponsored terrorism; (2) the volume of controlled substances imported or distributed by such gangs; and (3) the threat to children and schools in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Tax Free Health Savings Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individual taxpayers a tax deduction for high deductible health plan premiums, a tax credit for employment taxes related to the payment of such premiums, and a refundable tax credit for the coverage costs under a high deductible health plan: (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for advance payments of tax credit amounts to providers of high deductible health plans; (3) increase the tax deduction for contributions to health savings accounts; (4) allow health savings accounts to incorporate flexible spending arrangements or health reimbursement arrangements, or both; (5) allow payment of high deductible health plan premiums from health savings accounts; and (6) exempt employers from health savings account contribution requirements for certain employees with high levels of medical expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Small Business Paperwork Amnesty Act of 2006 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to direct agency heads not to impose civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns unless there is potential for serious harm to the public interest, the detection of criminal activity would be impaired, the violation is not corrected within six months, the violation is a violation of internal revenue law or a law concerning the assessment or collection of any tax, debt, revenue, or receipt, or the violation presents a danger to the public health or safety. Permits an agency to determine that a fine should not be imposed for a violation that presents a danger to public health or safety if the violation is corrected within 24 hours after receipt by the small business owner of notification of the violation in writing. Makes this Act inapplicable to any violation by a small business of a requirement regarding the collection of information by an agency if the small business previously violated any requirement concerning the collection of information by that agency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2006
Medicare Teaching Anesthesiology Funding Restoration Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to set forth a special payment rule of 100% of the fee schedule amount for teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents, if certain presence and availability requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that, as a matter of economic and national security, the U.S. Government should provide America's currency with the protection and support necessary to defend its integrity throughout the world, effectively deter counterfeiting, and preserve the status of the dollar as the world's reserve currency.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people, and extends warm congratulations to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 58th anniversary of Israel's independence. Commends the bipartisan commitment of all U.S. administrations and Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being. Congratulates the United States and Israel for strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of defense, trade, and homeland security and encourages both nations to continue their cooperation in resolving future mutual challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow bonds guaranteed by the federal home loan banks to be treated as tax-exempt state or local bonds (thus excluding interest on such bonds from gross income).
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Allows the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to accept an application for an extension of the term of a patent which claims a product, a method of using a product, or a method of manufacturing a product if: (1) such application is filed no more than 5 days late; and (2) the applicant files a petition showing that the delay in filing the application was unintentional. Deems such petition to be denied if no determination has been made on the petition within 30 days of filing. Establishes the fee for filing such a petition. Applies this Act to any application for patent term extension which: (1) is pending on the date of enactment; (2) is the subject of a request for reconsideration of a denial of a patent term extension; or (3) has been denied a patent term extension in a case in which the period for seeking reconsideration of such denial has not yet expired.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2006 - Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) modify guidelines governing the maximum principal loan obligation; (2) extend the mortgage term; and (3) revise requirements for cash payment by the mortgagor in the eligibility criteria for mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to establish a mortgage insurance premium structure involving a single premium payment collected prior to the insurance of the mortgage that may vary during the mortgage term as long as the basis for determining the variable rate is established before the execution of the mortgage. Permits the Secretary to insure any mortgage covering a one-family unit in a condominium project if the project has a certain blanket mortgage insured by the Secretary. Revises requirements for the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund. Sets limitations upon the Secretary's authority to enter into commitments for loan guarantees. Makes insurance of a Native Hawaiian or Indian reservation mortgage the obligation of the MMI Fund (instead of the General Insurance Fund). Eliminates the limitation placed upon the aggregate number of home equity conversion mortgages insured under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to insure a home equity conversion mortgage when its primary purpose is to enable an elderly mortgagor to purchase a 1-to 4 family dwelling in which the mortgagor will occupy one of the units. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements to insure temporarily certain mortgages for a single family residence located within a presidentially declared major disaster area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Independent Pharmacy Protection Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each prescription drug plan contract entered into with a plan sponsor to provide for: (1) the availability of direct deposit payments; (2) an increased dispensing fee for generic drugs; and (3) payments within 10 days for certain pharmacies. Requires the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent to a brand name covered part D drug dispensed through the pharmacy to be at least 50% greater than the dispensing fee for the brand name drug. Limits to $10 the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug. Prohibits a prescription drug plan, subject to exception by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from decreasing the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a brand name drug to an amount less than the dispensing fee paid for it on the date of enactment of this Act. Applies this Act to contracts with a Medicare Advantage organization in the same manner as they apply to those with a prescription drug plan sponsor.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2006
Tax Return Choice Act of 2006 - Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from providing individual taxpayers with free electronic tax preparation and filing services except through the Free File program and the Internal Revenue Service's Taxpayer Assistance Centers, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, and volunteer income tax assistance programs. Repeals the provision of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 directing the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a return-free tax system.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/115_rp_tx_32_sessions_pete_200.jpg)