United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
Warning, Alert, and Response Network Act - Establishes: (1) a voluntary National Alert System to provide a public communications system capable of alerting the public to emergency situations on a national, regional, or local basis; and (2) the National Alert Office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to administer, operate, and manage the System. Sets forth System functions and capabilities, including: (1) enabling federal, state, tribal, or local government officials with credentials issued by the Office to alert the public to imminent threats that present a significant risk of injury or death; and (2) incorporating multiple communications technologies without interfering with existing alerts or communications systems employed by emergency response personnel. Requires the System to operate consistent with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) All-Hazards Radio System. Requires the Office to establish a process for issuing credentials to enable officials responsible for issuing safety warnings to access the System. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to initiate proceedings to: (1) allow licensees providing commercial mobile service to elect to transmit System alerts to subscribers; and (2) require public broadcast television licensees to install necessary equipment to enable transmitters to receive and retransmit System alerts. Requires the Director of the Office to establish a National Alert System Working Group to develop recommendations for protocols, procedures, guidelines, and standards and to coordinate with the operators of nuclear power plants and other critical infrastructure facilities to integrate emergency alert systems.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2006
Expresses condolences to the people of India and the victims and their families for the July 11, 2006, terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai, and condemns these heinous attacks on the people of Mumbai. Expresses U.S. resolve to strengthen the newly-expanded relationship with India, a friend and democratic ally of the United States. Calls upon the international community to strengthen efforts to: (1) combat the social injustice, oppression, poverty, and extremism that breeds terrorism; (2) defeat terrorists in all countries by defeating the ideology and the terrorist networks that train and carry out attacks; and (3) increase international cooperation to advance human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Land Between the Rivers Southern Illinois National Heritage Area Act of 2006 - Establishes the Land Between the Rivers National Heritage Area in Illinois. Designates the Southern Illinois University Carbondale as the management entity for the Area.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress concerning the importance of success in moving families from welfare to work, as well as in promoting healthy marriage and other means of improving child well-being.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Calls on the North Korean government to: (1) cease all production of weapons of mass destruction and proliferation of ballistic missiles; (2) return to international diplomatic negotiations and the Six Party talks; and (3) abandon its development of the Taepodong 2 missile. Expresses support for U.S. allies threatened by North Korean provocations.
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 · 9 June 2006
Calls on the government of Germany to take action to combat sex trafficking in connection with the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Urges European countries to support public awareness campaigns to educate the general public, particularly athletes, sports fans, and financial sponsors of the 2006 World Cup, about the potential for trafficking in human beings. Encourages governments, international and nongovernmental organizations, 2006 World Cup sponsors, tour operators, and air transportation providers to join the efforts to end the sexual exploitation of women and girls and prevent trafficking in human beings. Commends the "Final Whistle--Stop Forced Prostitution Campaign" launched by the National Council of German Women's Organizations and calls on sports associations, including FIFA, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the German Football Association to support this campaign. Urges Germany and all countries to ratify or accede to, and to implement, the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month, and recognizes the importance of homeownership in building strong communities and families.
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 · 23 May 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2020 excise tax credits and refunds for liquid fuels and mixtures derived from coal (including peat) through the Fischer-Tropsch process.
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
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 202 East Washington Street in Morris, Illinois, as the "Joshua A. Terando Princeton Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois, as the "Congressman Owen Lovejoy Post Office Building."
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 · 19 May 2006
Commends the government of Canada for: (1) its renewed and long-term commitment to the Global War on Terror; and (2) working to secure a democratic and peaceful Afghanistan. Commends the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom. Expresses U.S. gratitude and appreciation for Canada's enduring friendship and leadership in the Global War on Terror.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2006
Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to reauthorize for FY2007-FY2010 various loan programs for small businesses guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), including: (1) general section 7(a) start-up and equity loans; (2) the small business development center (SBDC) program; (3) the disaster mitigation pilot project; (4) the microloan program; (5) the drug-free workplace program; (6) the women's business center program; (7) the HUBZone (heavily underutilized business zone) Program; (8) veterans programs; (9) the federal and state technology partnership program; (10) the new markets venture capital program; and (11) the pilot program for very small business concerns. Certified Development Company Program Act - Requires certified development companies (CDCs) which elect not to apply for authority to foreclose and liquidate defaulted loans guaranteed by the SBA, or which the SBA Administrator determines to be ineligible for such authority, to contract with a qualified third party to perform such foreclosures and liquidation. Provides additional authorities for CDCs to aid small businesses, including additional equity, debt refinancing, and lowering of loan fees. Provides criteria under which state and local development companies may qualify as CDCs. Small Business Lending Improvement Act - Authorizes the Administrator to establish a National Preferred Lenders Program. Increases maximum loan amounts for small businesses. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee the payment of redemption price and prioritized payments on participating securities issued by small business investment companies providing equity capital to small businesses. National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small businesses through SBDCs, the Association of Small Business Development Centers, and federal compliance partnership programs. Vocational and Technical Entrepreneurship Development Act - Directs the Administrator to establish a program of grants to state SBDCs for the provision of technical assistance to secondary, vocational, or technical schools for the development and implementation of curricula designed to promote vocational and technical entrepreneurship. Provides SBDC outreach, development, and small business enhancement assistance to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Second-Stage Small Business Development Act - Establishes a pilot program of grants for second-stage (high-growth) small businesses for the development of peer learning opportunities. Establishes in the SBA the Associate Administrator for International Trade.
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
Restoring Emergency Services to Protect Our Nation From Disasters Act of 2006 or the RESPOND Act of 2006 - Reestablishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a cabinet-level independent establishment in the executive branch to be headed by a Director appointed by the President. Requires FEMA to: (1) include all functions and authorities prescribed by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act; (2) carry out its mission by leading and supporting the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system; and (3) be the lead agency for the National Response Plan. Provides for an Office of the Inspector General within FEMA. Requires the Director to develop a human capital strategy. Establishes within FEMA a disaster workforce reserve cadre to meet surge requirements during emergencies. Requires the Director to: (1) establish a program to assist states and local governments representing areas at substantial risk for a catastrophic incident; (2) maintain and operate a national emergency operations center; (3) develop an efficient, transparent, and flexible logistics system for procurement and delivery of goods and services; and (4) establish and maintain an interoperable communications capability. Amends the Stafford Act to require the President, acting through the Director, to establish at least three national response teams, sufficient regional and other response teams, and a national emergency preparedness goal and system. Requires the Director to: (1) carry out a grant program to improve state and local government emergency response capabilities; (2) establish a comprehensive system to assess the nation's overall emergency preparedness; and (3) establish a National Emergency Preparedness Task Force. Establishes a national incident management system.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Protection of University Governance Act of 2006 - Prohibits a nongovernmental entity that regulates intercollegiate sports from penalizing, or denying any benefit to, an institution of higher education by reason of the name, symbol, emblem, or mascot of the school's intercollegiate sports team. Makes an entity which violates such prohibition subject to injunction and liable to an aggrieved school for damages and legal fees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Internet Safety Month. Recognizes that parents, teachers, and community leaders can empower children to resist online sexual predators. Encourages parents to take online safety concerns seriously and to safeguard family members from such threats. Asks state governors to actively promote National Internet Safety Month. Encourages the launch of a national media campaign on Internet safety awareness.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
American Flag Display Protection Act - Prohibits an elementary school, secondary school, or institution of higher education from receiving federal funds by grant or contract if the school has a policy or practice preventing students from respectfully displaying or wearing a representation of the U.S. flag in a manner at least equal in quality and scope to their right to respectfully display or wear any other representation.
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
Amends the the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that U.S. foreign assistance to a nongovernmental organization or contributions to an international organization may be provided only if the organization and each subrecipient submits to the U.S. government a certification that the assistance or contributions will not be used to: (1) intentionally traffic in goods or services that contain counterfeit marks; and (2) provide goods or services that are unauthorized by the owner or holder of the intellectual property rights (including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets) in such goods or services. Directs the President to suspend or terminate assistance or contributions for violations of such prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain investors a business tax credit for 25% of equity investments made in small businesses, up to an annual limit of $500,000. Terminates such credit after 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2006
Small Business Trade Promotion Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to establish in the Executive Office of the President the Office of Trade Promotion. (Currently, there exists a Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC), which the Office shall replace.) Requires the Office to perform duties currently assigned to the TPCC, as well as advise the President and others within the Executive Office on matters relating to trade promotion policies and programs of the U.S. Government. Requires the President to appoint an Office Director. Authorizes the President to appoint up to two Associate Directors. Directs the President to establish the Advisory Board on Trade Promotion to advise the Office Director. Amends the Small Business Act to establish in the Small Business Administration (SBA) an Associate Administrator for International Trade.
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 · 6 April 2006
STEM Scholarship Database Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain, on the public website of the Department of Education, a database of information on public and private programs of financial assistance for the study of postsecondary and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Requires that such database: (1) provide separate information for each field of study; (2) be searchable by category and combinations of categories; (3) indicate programs targeted toward specific demographic groups; and (4) provide searchers with program sponsor contact information and hyperlinks.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2006
Calls for: (1) the United States to not complete agreements relating to accession of the Russian Federation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) until the Russian Federation takes steps to address widespread intellectual property violations; (2) the People's Republic of China to change its intellectual property rights enforcement model by significantly increasing the application of criminal sanctions against major copyright pirates and imposing effective deterrent penalties; (3) Mexico, Canada, India, and Malaysia to cooperate with the U.S. government and U.S. industries to address piracy problems within their borders; and (4) the President to use all effective remedies and solutions for the protection of U.S. intellectual property rights and to maintain policies that vigorously respond to the failure by other countries to abide by international standards of protection or to adequately protect intellectual property.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2633 11th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, as the "Lane Evans Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2006
Declares that the House of Representatives expresses its: (1) gratitude and appreciation for the professional manner in which the U.S. Capitol Police carry out their diverse missions; and (2) appreciation for the dedication such officers have for protecting the Capitol Complex. Commends them for their continued courage and professionalism in protecting the Capitol Complex and its employees and visitors.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2006
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States through FY2011. Requires the President of the Bank to establish and maintain a Small Business Division and a Small Business Committee. Establishes within the Division an office for financing of exports by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and small business concerns owned by women. Extends through FY2011 the Advisory Committee established to assist in the development and implementation of policies and programs designed to support the expansion of the Bank's financial commitments in sub-Saharan Africa under its loan, guarantee, and insurance programs. Specifies requirements for the Bank's: (1) improved liaison with African regional financial institutions; (2) closer cooperation with other U.S. agencies working in Africa; (3) adjustments in procedures to promote qualification of African entities for participation in Bank programs; and (4) development of procedures allowing it to finance certain African programs in local currencies. Extends through FY2011 Bank authority to provide financing for the export of nonlethal defense articles or services whose primary end use will be for civilian purposes. Prescribes requirements for Bank transparency initiatives and revises specified reporting requirements, especially for the annual competitiveness report. Requires at least two members of the Advisory Committee to represent the environmental nongovernmental organization (NGO) community (although no two from the same organization). Requires the environmental organizations represented to have demonstrated experience with environmental issues associated with the Bank, the Export Credit Group of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2006
Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit any U.S. officer or employee, or person operating under color of federal law, under control of a federal official, or providing services to such person, while acting in support of relief from a major disaster or emergency, from: (1) seizing or authorizing seizure of any firearm the possession of which is not prohibited under federal or state law, other than for forfeiture in compliance with federal law or as evidence in a criminal investigation; (2) requiring registration of any firearm for which registration is not required by federal or state law; (3) prohibiting possession of any firearm in any place or by any person where such possession is not otherwise prohibited; or (4) prohibiting the carrying of firearms by any person otherwise authorized to carry firearms, solely because such person is operating under the direction, control, or supervision of a federal agency in support of relief from a major disaster or emergency. Authorizes any individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act to seek relief by bringing an action for redress and by bringing a civil action in U.S. district court for return of a confiscated firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2006
Authorizes the President, upon making specified determinations, to exempt a certain proposed cooperation agreement with India from requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEC) regarding: (1) mandatory maintenance of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards for nuclear materials in peaceful nuclear activities; (2) certain additional export criteria and procedures; and (3) conduct resulting in termination of nuclear exports. Renders any such determinations without effect if the President finds that India has detonated a nuclear explosive device after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2006
Self-Employed Health Care Affordability Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed taxpayers to deduct health insurance costs in computing their net earnings.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2006
Congressional Tribute to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Act of 2006 - Authorizes The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, in recognition of his enduring contributions to the United States and the world.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2006
Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf as a player, teacher, and commentator.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 105 North Quincy Street in Clinton, Illinois, as the "Gene Vance Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2006
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) pluralistic and geographic expansion is necessary for its continued effectiveness and relevance; (2) Israel's demonstrated commitment to uphold democracy and to combat terrorism, in addition to its strategic and military capabilities, make Israel deserving of NATO membership; (3) the United States, as Israel's strong ally, should take the lead in supporting an upgrade in Israel's NATO relationship to that of a leading member of NATO's Individual Cooperation Program as a first step toward Israel's full NATO membership; and (4) Israel's deepened relationship with NATO would be mutually beneficial to both Israel and NATO member states, including the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Small Business Expensing Permanency Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase and make permanent the taxpayer election to expense (i.e., deduct all costs in current taxable year) depreciable business property, including computer software; (2) increase the investment threshold amount used to calculate reductions in the amount of such expensing allowance; (3) allow an inflation adjustment to the amount of the expensing allowance and the investment threshold amount; and (4) make permanent the taxpayer's right to revoke an election to expense.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2006
Amends rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide that it shall not be in order to consider a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that establishes a new program or modifies an existing program by adding a new function unless such legislation also eliminates one or more existing programs of equal or greater total cost. Excludes legislation that establishes a new defense, homeland security, or emergency program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2006
Domestic Energy Production through Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act of 2006 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to revise the determination of adjacent zones and planning areas in the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Prescribes guidelines for: (1) lease administration; (2) lease grants; (3) lease receipts ; and (4) allocations to states and coastal municipal political subdivisions. Modifies review guidelines for OCS exploration plans and drilling permits. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to include in each five-year program lease sales that offer at least 75% of the available unleased acreage within each OCS Planning Area for oil and gas or natural gas leasing. Revises requirements for review of OCS development and production plans. Establishes the Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Fund. Declares without force or effect all provisions of existing federal law that prohibit spending appropriated funds for OCS oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing. Prohibits a federal agency from permitting certain activities on federal OCS or in state waters that are incompatible with either oil or natural gas leasing, or with exploration and production of tracts that are geologically prospective for oil or natural gas. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise regulation of surface-disturbing activities. Redesignates the Minerals Management Service as the National Ocean Resources and Royalty Service. Rigs to Reefs Act of 2005 - Amends the OCSLA to prescribe requirements for the use of decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms for mariculture, artificial reef, and scientific research. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the requirement for: (1) a comprehensive inventory of OCS oil and natural gas resources; and (2) payments for oil shale and tar sands leases. Establishes the Federal Energy And Mineral Resources Professional Development Fund. National Geologic Data and Mapping Fund Act of 2006 - Establishes the National Geologic Data and Mapping Fund. Prescribes implementation guidelines for leasing areas located within 100 miles of California or Florida. Amends the OCSLA to repeal the coastal impact assistance program.
![Official portrait of Rep. Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001138_200.jpg)