United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Savings for Working Families Act of 2006 - Allows certain low-income individuals between age 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Sets forth rules for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of IDAs. Permits tax-free withdrawals from IDAs for qualified expenses, but requires IDA beneficiaries to complete one or more financial education courses prior to making an IDA withdrawal. Allows certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, and Indian tribes to sponsor and administer IDAs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow such entities a business-related tax credit for the cost of administering IDAs and for making matching contributions to IDAs in parallel accounts. Provides that IDA amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under certain means-tested federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2006 - Amends the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 to extend for three years the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker).
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2006
Recognizes: (1) the importance of military recruiting in ensuring national security; and (2) the essential role of U.S. Armed Forces in protecting the nation and providing valuable resources and life experiences for future leaders. Condemns: (1) municipal and university actions which defy federal statutes regarding military recruiters, including recruiter access provisions; and (2) those who denigrate military service as less significant or valuable than higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2006
Amends the federal criminal code to allow any person who was the victim of a sexual crime while a minor to sue in federal court for damages for resulting injury, regardless of whether the injury occurred while such person was a minor. (Current law allows a minor who is the victim of a sexual crime to sue.) Increases from $50,000 to $150,000 the minimum amount of damages such a victim shall be deemed to have sustained.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2006
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to promote the emergence of a democratic Palestinian governing authority that denounces and combats terrorism, upholds human rights for all people, and has agreed to recognize Israel as an independent Jewish state. Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act or any other provision of law to the Palestinian Authority (PA) only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined: (1) that no PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization and no member of a foreign terrorist organization serves in a PA ministry, agency, or instrumentality; (2) that the PA has publicly acknowledged Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, and is adhering to all previous agreements and understandings with the government of the United States, the government of Israel, and the international community; and (3) that the PA has made demonstrable progress toward purging from its security services individuals with ties to terrorism, dismantling all terrorist infrastructure and cooperating with Israel's security services, halting anti-Israel incitement, and ensuring democracy and financial transparency. Directs the President to make and transmit such certifications to Congress every six months. Prohibits during a period in which a certification is is not in effect with respect to the PA.: (1) assistance to nongovernmental organizations for the West Bank and Gaza (exempts assistance for basic human health needs from such limitation.); (2) U.S. contributions to the United Nations intended for U.N. agencies providing assistance directly to the PA; (3) visa issuance to any PA official or affiliated person (with a case-by-case exemption for U.S. security needs); (4) travel outside of a 25-mile radius of the U.N. headquarters building for officials and representatives of the PA and of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who are stationed at the United Nations in New York City; and (5) establishment of an office, headquarters, premises, or other facilities within U.S. jurisdiction at the direction of, or with funds provided by, the PA or the PLO. Requires the President to direct the executive director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to prohibit assistance to the PA during any such period. Directs the Secretary of State to audit and report respecting duplicative entities and functions of: (1) the United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights; (2) the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; (3) the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority; (4) the NGO Network on the Question of Palestine; (5) the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories; and (6) any other entity the Secretary determines results in duplicative efforts or funding or fails to ensure balance in the approach to Israeli-Palestinian issues. Withholds specified U.S. contributions to the United Nations for such entities until the report's recommendations are implemented. Expresses the sense of Congress that during any such period the territory controlled by the PA should be deemed to be in use as a terrorist sanctuary for purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979, and of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989. Prohibits funds to be used by any U.S. officer or employee to negotiate, attend official meetings, or have official contacts with members or official representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, or any other Palestinian terrorist organization, until such organization: (1) recognizes Israel's right to exist; (2) renounces terrorism; (3) dismantles the terrorist infrastructure; and (4) recognizes all previous agreements and understandings between Israel and the PA.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Amends the federal criminal code to permanently bar former Members of Congress from lobbying current Members, officers, or employees of either house of Congress or any other legislative branch employee.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006 - Prohibits any person from obtaining or causing the disclosure of, or requesting another person to obtain, customer proprietary network information relating to another person by: (1) making a false statement to a telecommunications carrier; or (2) providing any information knowing that it is counterfeit, that it was obtained fraudulently or without the customer's consent, or that it contains a false statement. Prohibits a person from selling customer information relating to any other person knowing it was obtained in such manner. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require each telecommunications carrier to notify a customer when proprietary network information relating to such customer is disclosed in violation of such prohibitions. Treats a violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Gives all of the functions and powers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under that Act to the FCC to enforce compliance. Prescribes penalties, which double for violations that are part of a pattern of illegal activity.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Limitation on Assistance to the Palestinian Authority Act of 2006 - States that it shall be U.S. policy to promote the emergence of a democratic Palestinian government that: (1) denounces and combats terrorism; (2) is actively working to disarm and dismantle terrorist agencies, networks, and facilities; (3) is actively working to eliminate terrorist incitement and the commemoration of terrorists in Palestinian society; (4) respects its neighbors' boundaries and sovereignty; (5) recognizes Israel's existence and its right to secure borders; and (6) upholds the human rights of all people. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance under such Act or any other provision of law to the Palestinian Authority (PA) only during a period for which a presidential certification has determined that the PA: (1) is not controlled by a foreign terrorist organization; and (2) recognizes Israel's right to exist, disarms all militias, renounces violence against Israel, takes definitive steps to be an active and willing participant in peace negotiations, and removes people with ties to terrorist organizations from its security services. Directs the President to make and transmit such certifications to Congress every six months.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Expresses support for the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the vital contributions of America's thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2006
Amends rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that general appropriation bills contain a separate list of all earmarks in the accompanying report and the name of the sponsoring Member of each such earmark.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2005
Condemns the actions taken by President Hugo Chavez Frias to: (1) increase his control over Venezuela's democratic institutions and eliminate opposition to his rule as detrimental to democracy in Venezuela and to regional stability; and (2) support radical forces in Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia in an effort to destabilize those nations. Calls for an end to the continued verbal assaults on the United States. Supports the efforts of the Venezuelan democratic civil society to create the conditions for a a free election process and open dialogue within Venezuela and the international community. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it should be U.S. policy to support democratic forces in Venezuela, and to work with the international community, including the Organization of American States (OAS), to assist democratic forces in Venezuela; (2) it is critical that the 2006 elections in Venezuela be free and transparent; and (3) the U.S. government should provide assistance and material support to Venezuelan nongovernmental organizations and to political parties, ensuring that the assistance goes for party strengthening and be open to all legitimate Venezuelan political forces.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2005
Clean Alternatives for Energy Independence Act of 2005 - Repeals certain tax benefits relating to oil and natural gas enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase: (1) the tax credit for investment in residential and business fuel cell property; (2) the tax credit for investment in fuel cell motor and advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles; (3) the number of hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for the alternative motor vehicle tax credit; and (4) the tax credit for investment in commercial and residential alternative fuel vehicle refueling property. Extends through 2012 the tax credit for business fuel cell property. Extends through 2019 the tax credits for: (1) investment in qualified fuel cell motor vehicles; (2) investment in alternative fuel vehicle refueling hydrogen-related property (through 2011 for other fuel-related property).
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2005
No Parole for Sex Offenders Act - Requires a state, in order not to reduce the funds available for Local Law Enforcement Block Grants by 10%, to have in effect a law that disallows parole for a sexually violent predator or an individual convicted of a criminal offense against a minor. Provides for the redistribution of withheld funds to participating states that are in compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2005
Health Care Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the tax deduction for medical expenses without the gross income percentage limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2005
Teachers for Tomorrow's Careers Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2006 the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses; and (2) allow an unlimited deduction for the expenses of certified science, technology, engineering, or math teachers and professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2005
Code Talkers Recognition Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal: (1) to persons, including specified individuals, who served as Sioux or Comanche Code Talkers during World War II; (2) honoring the Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I; and (3) to any other Native American member of the armed forces, identified by the Secretary of Defense, who served as a Code Talker in any foreign conflict in which the United States was involved during the 20th Century. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under this Act and to deposit the proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals awarded under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2005
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro Tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many contributions to peace and religious understanding.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress, or a survivor or beneficiary, from receiving an annuity or retired pay if such Member is: (1) convicted of bribery of public officials and witnesses, conspiracy either to commit any offense against the United States or to defraud the United States, perjury, or subornation of perjury; or (2) indicted or has outstanding charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Defines "Member of Congress" as the Vice President, a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Condemns the vile assertions concerning Israel and the Holocaust made by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and again demands that he disavow his remarks. Calls upon the U.N. Security Council and all civilized nations to censure Iran for its government's dangerous attempt to rewrite history. Reiterates the House of Representatives' pledge to prevent Iran from procuring nuclear weapons and its steadfast bonds with Israel. Affirms its understanding of all of the lessons of World War II, including that the millions murdered in the Holocaust must never be forgotten and such atrocities should never happen again.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2005
Urges the President to issue annually a proclamation calling on state and local governments and the people of the United States to observe an American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2005
Children's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2005 - Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act - Requires each state, territory, and federally recognized Indian tribe to maintain a sex offender registry. Prescribes registration, notification, and verification requirements and penalties for violations. Establishes the Jessica Lunsford Address Verification Program and the Megan Nicole Kanka and Alexandra Nicole Zapp Community Program (notification). Requires the Attorney General to: (1) maintain a National Sex Offender Registry at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) maintain the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website; (3) establish a Sex Offender Management Assistance program; (4) carry out a demonstration project on the use of electronic monitoring devices to manage sex offenders; (5) assist jurisdictions in apprehending sex offenders who violate registration requirements; and (6) make registration enforcement grants. Prescribes enhanced penalties for: (1) using a controlled substance to facilitate a sex offense; (2) violent crimes against persons under age 18; (3) sexual offenses against children; (4) conduct relating to child prostitution; (5) aggravated sexual assault; and (6) sexual abuse of a ward. Establishes within the Department of Justice an Office on Sexual Violence and Crimes against Children to administer sex offender-related registration, notification, and assistance programs. Amends: (1) the DNA Identification Act of 1994 to expand the scope of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples to be included in the Combined DNA Index System; and (2) the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to authorize the Attorney General to collect DNA samples from individuals who are arrested, detained, or convicted under U.S. authority. Calls for state implementation of the Attorney General's model code on investigating missing persons and deaths. Requires background checks and fingerprint-based checks of national crime information databases and state child abuse registries before approval of foster or adoptive placements. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the civil commitment of sexually dangerous persons; and (2) grants for state civil commitment programs for such persons. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) establish recordkeeping requirements for the production of matter containing simulated sexually explicit conduct; and (2) prohibit the production, with the intent to transport in interstate commerce, of obscene matter. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) judicial branch security; (2) specified crimes against federal officials, judges, law enforcement officers, public safety officers, jurors, and witnesses; and (3) grants to states for witness protection programs, threat assessment databases, juvenile and young adult witness assistance programs, and reentry courts. Authorizes federal judges and prosecutors to carry firearms. Modifies and expands code prohibitions against, and penalties for, criminal street gang activity. Increases penalties for various offenses, including interstate travel or transportation or violent crimes in aid of racketeering. Establishes additional penalties for violent crimes relating to drug trafficking, for using interstate commerce to commit multiple murders, and for certain crimes committed by illegal aliens. Authorizes grants to hire additional prosecutors, and fund technology, equipment, and training, to increase accurate identification of gang members and violent offenders. Directs the Attorney General to award grants for state and local reentry courts. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide a grant to a private, nonprofit organization to undertake specified activities to promote crime prevention.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2005 - Prohibits any person engaged in the business of betting or wagering from knowingly accepting on behalf of another person participating in Internet gambling: (1) credit; (2) electronic fund transfers or funds transmitted through money transmitting businesses; (3) any instrument payable through any financial institution; or (4) the proceeds of any other form of financial transaction involving a financial institution as payer or financial intermediary. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations requiring each designated payment system and all participants in such system to establish policies and procedures to identify and block restricted transactions and to prevent acceptance of products and services of a payment system in connection with such transactions. Grants federal district courts exclusive jurisdiction to prevent or restrain violations. Specifies requirements regarding relief granted against an interactive computer service. Provides that this Act shall not be construed as authorizing the Attorney General or a state official to institute proceedings to prevent or restrain a violation against a financial transaction provider with respect to that provider's designated payment system. Establishes liability for any financial transaction provider or any interactive computer service or telecommunications service that has actual knowledge and control of bets and wagers and that owns or operates an Internet website at which unlawful wagers are offered or may be made. Calls for the United States, in deliberations with foreign governments, to: (1) encourage cooperation in identifying whether Internet gambling operations are being used for money laundering or other crimes; (2) advance policies that promote international cooperation in enforcement; and (3) encourage the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering to study the extent to which Internet gambling operations are being used for money laundering purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2005 - Directs the President: (1) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to revise the USAID country plan for Ethiopia to provide support for independent human rights monitoring and related training for government officials, and to provide support for training political parties on organization building, message development, and election monitoring; (2) through the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program of the Department of Justice, to provide training for Ethiopian police, security, and prison personnel in maintaining international standards for arrest and interrogation; (3) through USAID, to support programs to increase the independence and competence of the Ethiopian judicial system, and to provide assistance for development of Ethiopia's Nile and Awash River resources, including assistance to help Ethiopia with technology for the construction of dams, irrigation systems, and hydroelectric power that might prevent future famine; (4) provide financing for U.S.-Ethiopian commercial ventures; and (5) suspend joint security activities until a certification is made that Ethiopia is observing international human rights standards and enforcing the principle of the rule of law. Declares that the current stalemate in the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea has the potential to lead to conflict and must be addressed. Prohibits assistance to the governments of Ethiopia or Eritrea (with exceptions for assistance for democracy, peacekeeping, child survival and health, education, and agriculture) until the Secretary of State certifies that Ethiopia or Eritrea is taking steps to comply with the Algiers Agreements. Prohibits nonessential U.S. assistance to Ethiopia if the government of Ethiopia obstructs U.S. technical assistance to Ethiopian opposition parties.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Medicare Plan Enrollment Fraud Protection Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a criminal penalty for fraud in connection with enrollment under an Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2005
Reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment to the security of Israel. Asserts that: (1) terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, should not be permitted to participate in Palestinian elections until such organizations recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, cease incitement, condemn terrorism, and disarm and dismantle their terrorist infrastructure; and (2) Hamas' or any other terrorist group's inclusion into the Palestinian governing structure will inevitably raise serious U.S. policy considerations, potentially undermining the ability of the United States to provide financial assistance and conduct normal relations with the PA. Calls on the Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas before the election to declare openly his intention to dismantle the terrorist organizations. States that progress in the peace process requires sustained Palestinian effort to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to authorize the disclosure to government agencies of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) records on assistance provided to individuals in connection with a major disaster or emergency for purposes of complying with a federal or state sex offender registry or notification law. Conditions receipt of federal funds by non-governmental organizations under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act on the organization providing assurances satisfactory to the President that it will disclose its records for the purpose of permitting a requesting jurisdiction to comply with a federal or state sex offender registry or notification law.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2005
10 by 10 Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to make it unlawful after December 31, 2009, for any person to sell, supply, offer for sale or supply, dispense, transport, or introduce into commerce, for use in any motor vehicle, any gasoline with less than 10% renewable fuel by volume.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2005
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 to exclude manure from the definition of "hazardous substance" or "pollutant or contaminant" under that Act. Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to exempt releases associated with manure from the emergency notification requirements under that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2005
Amends the Wetland Loan Act to extend funding for conservation of migratory waterfowl and habitat. Amends the Duck Stamp Act (the Act) to increase the price of federal migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamps, and to revise procedures for disposing of unsold stamps. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to require a person to affix a stamp sold under such Act to any other license as a condition of engaging in hunting under the authority of the stamp. Expresses the sense of Congress that the funds provided pursuant to this Act should be used for preserving and increasing waterfowl populations in accordance with the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and to that end, should be used to supplement and not replace current conservation funding, including funding for other federal and state habitat conservation programs. States the sense of Congress that this Act should be implemented in a manner that helps private landowners achieve their long-term land use objectives in ways that enhance the conservation of wetlands and wildlife habitat.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Foreign Operations Grant Sunshine Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of State to make publicly available information related to certain funding provided to nongovernmental organizations by the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the continuing success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is in the U.S. national interest because APEC is the only multilateral institution in the Asia-Pacific region that includes the United States; and (2) APEC should remain at the center of U.S. diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2005
Makes an exception to certain eligibility requirements of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) under any law or regulation with respect to a grant or other financial assistance program for nonprofit organizations to carry out affordable housing or public infrastructure development activities. Makes inapplicable to such a nonprofit organization any law, regulation, or restriction making it ineligible for such grants or assistance, or limiting its eligibility, based on the organization's engaging in voter registration activities, to the extent that the organization is required under state law to engage in such activity.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2005
Child Support Enforcement Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a custodial parent (a parent entitled to receive child support) a refundable tax credit for unpaid child support; and (2) include in the gross income of any taxpayer who is delinquent in the payment of child support the amount of such unpaid child support. Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from selecting a tax return for audit based upon any discrepancy between the tax returns of a custodial parent and a taxpayer delinquent in the payment of child support.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2005
Constitutional Amendment - Authorizes the President to reduce or disapprove appropriations in any bill, order, resolution, or vote, which is presented to him or her. Declares that any legislation that the President approves and signs after such amendment shall become law as so modified. Requires the President to return those portions of the legislation that contain reduced or disapproved appropriations with objections to the chamber where such legislation originated. Allows Congress to consider separately any reduced or disapproved appropriations in the manner prescribed under the U.S. Constitution for bills disapproved by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to allow U.S. manufacturers that use products subject to countervailing or antidumping duty proceedings or use domestic like products (industrial users) to participate in such proceedings. Requires the U.S. International Trade Commission, when deciding whether an antidumping or countervailing duty should be imposed or continued, to weigh harm to industrial users from such imposition or continuation, as well as (under current law) the potential benefits to the industry in the United States materially injured or threatened with material injury by a foreign countervailing subsidy.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Supports the goals and ideals of Cambodian-American Freedom Day. Honors the 30th anniversary of the arrival of the first Cambodian immigrants to the United States, and recognizes the contributions Cambodian-Americans have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to develop research protocols for collecting and analyzing scientific information about the effectiveness and ecological impacts of catastrophic event recovery projects and emergency stabilization treatments undertaken as part of a burned area emergency response to increase the long-term benefits of management activities and to decrease short-term impacts. Requires such Secretaries to enter into cooperative agreements with land-grant colleges and universities to form forest health partnerships to utilize their education, research, and outreach capacity to address the recovery of forested land after a catastrophic event. Requires such Secretaries to conduct catastrophic event recovery evaluations of damaged federal lands. Directs such Secretaries to prepare a list of pre-approved management practices that may be immediately implemented as part of catastrophic event recovery projects or catastrophic event research projects. Requires determinations of whether or not to: (1) use any pre-approved management practices that can be immediately implemented; and (2) develop and carry out a recovery or research project or part of such a project using the alternative arrangements authorized by this Act. Directs such Secretaries to clarify agency-wide guidance regarding reforestation in response to catastrophic events. Provides for assistance to restore landscapes and communities affected by catastrophic events. Provides for the availability and use of pre-approved management practices and alternative arrangements on National Forest experimental forests.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Health Information Technology Promotion Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add a new title II part D (Health Information Technology). Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Directs the National Coordinator to: (1) maintain, direct, and oversee the continuous improvement of a strategic plan to guide the nationwide implementation of interoperable health information in both the public and private health care sectors; and (2) serve as the coordinator of federal government activities relating to health information technology. Prescribes conditions under which any nonmonetary remuneration (in the form of health information technology and related training services) made by a hospital or a critical access hospital to a physician shall not be considered a prohibited payment (subject to civil and criminal penalties) made as an inducement to reduce or limit services to certain individuals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on whether pertinent state laws and current federal standards should be conformed to create a single set of national standards to preserve and protect the security and confidentality of patient health information. Amends SSA title XI to provide for establishment of uniform confidentality and security standards with respect to individually identifiiable patient health information. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate a final rule for upgrading specified Accredited Standards Committee X12 (ASC X12) and National Council For Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) Telecommunications standards and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes; and (2) develop a strategic plan related to the need for coordination in the area of health information technology.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to prohibit any state or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect for any food in interstate commerce: (1) any requirement that is not identical to specified FFDCA provisions (that would result in materially different requirements), including those related to adulterated foods, unsafe food additives, and new animal drugs; or (2) any notification requirement that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FFDCA provisions. Allows a state to petition for an exemption or to establish a national standard regarding any requirement under FFDCA or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide such an exemption if the requirement: (1) protects an important public interest that would otherwise be unprotected; (2) would not cause any food to be in violation of any federal law; and (3) would not unduly burden interstate commerce. Allows a state to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FFDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this Act if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met. Declares that this Act does not preempt certain state and local laws relating to labeling or a consumer advisory relating to food sanitation imposed on a food establishment or recommended by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Strengthening American Citizenship Act of 2005 - Directs the Chief of the Office of Citizenship of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide grants (not to exceed $500) to assist legal U.S. residents who declare an intent to apply for citizenship in the United States to meet naturalization requirements. Provides such grants to an accredited institution of higher education or other qualified educational institution for tuition, fees, books, and other educational resources required by the English language course in which the legal resident is enrolled. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to provide that a legal U.S. resident who demonstrates English fluency will satisfy the residency requirement upon the completion of four (currently, five years) years of continuous U.S. legal residency. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) establish an American citizenship grant program for qualified entities to provide civics, history, and English classes to promote the patriotic integration of prospective citizens; (2) establish the United States Citizenship Foundation to support the functions of the Office of Citizenship; and (3) implement a strategy to enhance public awareness of naturalization ceremonies. Amends INA to set forth a new oath of allegiance. Directs the Secretary to: (1) incorporate a knowledge and understanding of the oath of allegiance into the history and government citizenship test; and (2) notify the embassy of the country of which a new citizen was a citizen or subject that such citizen has renounced allegiance to that foreign country, and sworn allegiance to the United States. Establishes a new citizens award program to recognize citizens who: (1) have made an outstanding contribution to the United States; and (2) were naturalized during the ten-year period ending on the date of such recognition.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005 - Prohibits any state or political subdivision from exercising its power of eminent domain for economic development if that state or political subdivision receives federal economic development funds during the fiscal year. Makes a state or political subdivision that violates such prohibition ineligible for any such funds for two fiscal years. Prohibits the federal government from exercising its power of eminent domain for economic development. Establishes a private cause of action for any private property owner who suffers injury as a result of a violation of this Act. Sets the statute of limitation for such an action at seven years. Allows the prevailing plaintiff's attorney to obtain reasonable attorney's fees and expert fees. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) compile a list of the federal laws under which federal economic development funds are distributed; (2) provide to each state and publish on a Department of Justice website the text of this Act, a description of the rights of property owners under this Act, and the compiled list of relevant federal laws; and (3) publish such text and description in the Federal Register. Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the appropriate congressional committees identifying states or political subdivisions that have used eminent domain in violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Condemns the government of Syria for its apparent involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and demands that Syrian President Bashar Assad and the government of Syria cooperate with international and Lebanese efforts to further investigate such assassination and bring those responsible to justice. Supports: (1) the findings of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC); and (2) full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1595. Urges the United States to support international and Lebanese efforts to investigate such assassination and bring its perpetrators to justice, including establishment of an international tribunal, if so requested by the government of Lebanon.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2005
Community Cancer Care Preservation Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to subject to quarterly reconciliation any payments to physicians for drugs or biologicals made according to average sales price payment methodology in order to assure that they do not exceed or fall short of the actual average sales price during any preceding period. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review all such payments in the preceding quarter and compare them to the verified average sales price reported by the manufacturer for such quarter. Removes prompt pay discounts from the calculation of the manufacturer's average sales price. Extends through December 31, 2006, the current demonstration project to identify and assess oncology services that positively affect cancer outcomes. Requires the Secretary to make an additional 2% for drug administration services payment to physicians for overhead and related costs. Directs the Secretary to develop indicators for the evaluation of the quality of oncology services provided in the physician office setting. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to develop a strategic plan to increase the number of cancer patients who enroll in clinical trials.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States and other responsible governments send clear signals to the marketplace that the current structure of oversight and management of the Internet's domain name and addressing service works, and will continue to deliver tangible benefits to Internet users worldwide in the future; and (2) the authoritative root zone server should remain physically located in the United States and the Secretary of Commerce should maintain oversight of ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) so that ICANN can continue to manage the day-to-day operation of the Internet's domain and addressing system, remain responsive to Internet stakeholders worldwide, and otherwise fulfill its core technical mission.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend the period reasonable cost reimbursement contracts under Medicare can remain in the market, and the period during which they can be modified to expand their service area; and (2) apply to extended or renewed reasonable cost contracts certain requirements under Medicare part C (Medicare Advantage).
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Rescind the Congressional Pay Raise Act of 2005 - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress. Requires the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress to be the rate payable as of December 31, 2004, until such rate is adjusted under the Federal Salary Act of 1967 or other law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
Milk Regulatory Equity Act of 2005 - Amends the the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to subject specified Class I milk handlers (including producer-handlers) to federal milk marketing order minimum and uniform price requirements applicable to the county in which the plant of the handler is located, at federal order class prices, if the handler has packaged fluid milk product route dispositions, or sales of packaged fluid milk products to other plants, in a marketing area located in a state that requires handlers to pay minimum prices for raw milk purchases. Exempts from such provision: (1) a handler operating a nonpool plant; (2) a producer-handler for any month during which packaged fluid milk route dispositions and sales to other plants are less than three million pounds of milk; or (3) specified handlers whose fluid milk products are disposed of as route dispositions or transfers, or whose dispositions or transfers are in states requiring minimum prices for raw milk purchases. Subjects a Class I milk handler in the Arizona-Las Vegas marketing area (Order 131) to minimum milk price requirements for any month in which the handler distributes in such area at least three million pounds of Class I products from his or her own production. Excludes Nevada from federal milk marketing orders.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2005
ALS Registry Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); and (2) establish a national registry for the collection and storage of ALS data. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish the Advisory Committee on the National ALS Registry to study and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning: (1) the development and maintenance of the registry; (2) the type of information to be included; (3) the manner in which data is to be collected; (4) the use and availability of such data; and (5) the collection of information about diseases and disorders that primarily affect motor neurons that are considered essential to furthering the study and cure of ALS. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on ALS. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) identify, build upon, expand, and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure wherever possible; and (2) provide for public access to an electronic national database that accepts data from state registries, health care professionals, and others as recommended by the Advisory Committee in a manner that protects personal privacy. Requires the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information is made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2005
Financial Data Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prescribe safeguards for data security. Declares that each consumer reporter shall have an affirmative obligation to implement policies and procedures to protect the security and confidentiality of any consumer's sensitive financial personal information maintained, serviced, or communicated by or on the reporter's behalf against any unauthorized use reasonably likely to result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the consumer. Defines "consumer reporter" as any consumer reporting agency, financial institution, or person: (1) which, for monetary fees, dues, on a cooperative nonprofit basis, or otherwise regularly engages in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer information for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, of providing or collecting payment for or marketing products and services, or for employment purposes; and (2) which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for such purposes. Prescribes implementation guidelines that include: (1) investigation requirements; (2) investigation notices and system restoration requirements; (3) third party duties; (4) consumer notice; (5) financial fraud mitigation; and (6) free file monitoring. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Trade Commission jointly to develop implementing standards and guidelines.
![Official portrait of Rep. Kennedy, Mark R. [R-MN-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000358_200.jpg)