United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2001
Voluntary Opportunities for Increasing Contributions to Education Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an annual tax credit of up to $500 for an individual ($1,000 for joint filers) and $100,000 for a corporation for 75 percent of the qualified charitable contributions (school tuition organizations, facility construction or renovation, computer acquisition or training) made on behalf of elementary or secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2001
Conveys the sympathies of the House of Representatives to Jim and Cory Bowers and to their extended families, friends, co-workers, and fellow missionaries at the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism for the loss of Veronica "Roni" Bowers and Charity Bowers in an attack by a Peruvian Air Force fighter jet on the plane in which they were traveling. Commends Kevin Donaldson for his heroic actions in safely landing the plane and wishes Mr. Donaldson a speedy and complete recovery from his injuries. Encourages the Governments of the United States and Peru to work together to determine all the circumstances that led to this incident and to ensure that an incident of this kind never occurs again.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 - Prohibits any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving the product of human cloning; or (4) importing such a product. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Federal Government should advocate for and join an international effort to prohibit human cloning; and (2) the President should commission a study by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission or a successor group of the arguments for and against the use of cloning to produce human embryos solely for research.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Innocent Children Protection Act of 2001 - Makes it unlawful for any U.S. authority to carry out a sentence of death on a woman while she carries a child in utero.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) mandate a single national average standardized payment amount for inpatient hospital services furnished, regardless of whether in an urban or non-urban area, under the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for discharges occurring in FY 2002 and thereafter; and (2) establish a minimum factor of .925 as a floor for area wage adjustment factors used under the PPS for inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Marriage IRA Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the applicable joint filer dollar amount limitation, with respect to the IRA deduction for active participants in certain pension plans, twice the amount available to other filers (other than married filing separately).
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to be commended for their progress toward political and economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for prospective members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); (2) such countries would make an outstanding contribution toward furthering NATO goals should they become members; (3) extension of full NATO membership to the Baltic states would contribute to stability, freedom, and peace in the Baltic region and Europe as a whole; and (4) with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines and criteria for membership, such countries should be invited to become full NATO members.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
American Hospital Preservation Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by Federal law commonly referred to as the (Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP) Benefits Improvement and Protection Act, to: (1) increase (restore the full) market basket update for inpatient prospective payment services hospitals; and (2) maintain the indirect medical education adjustment percentage at 6.5 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to eliminate the requirement that a covered military dependent obtain a nonavailability-of-health-care statement for the receipt of health care services related to pregnancy. Amends the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 to waive the requirement of such statement in the case of obstetrics and gynecological care related to the pregnancy of a covered beneficiary using TRICARE Extra (a Department of Defense managed health care program).
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Victims of Rape Health Protection Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reduce by ten percent the funds available to a State under the drug control (Byrne) grant program unless such State requires that the defendant be tested for HIV if the nature of the crime would have placed the victim at risk of HIV and the victim requests the test. Requires: (1) the defendant to be tested within 24 hours after the later of the date the information or indictment is presented or the time of the victim's request; (2) the test results to be confidential, with exceptions; and (3) the results to be made available as soon as practicable to the victim and to the defendant (or legal guardian, if the defendant is a minor). Requires: (1) the defendant to undergo any appropriate follow-up tests; (2) those test results to be made immediately available to the victim; and (3) if test results indicate that the defendant has HIV, such fact may be considered in the judicial proceedings conducted for the crime. Authorizes: (1) a State to restrict the victim's disclosure of the defendant's test results to third parties as a condition of making such results available to the victim; (2) funds reduced for noncompliance to be redistributed to complying States; and (3) grants for programs to test defendants for HIV disease.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Minimum Wage State Flexibility Act of 2001 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow a State to preempt the Federal minimum wage if the State: (1) sets a minimum wage rate or rates that are not less than $5.15 per hour; and (2) applies that rate or those rates to as many workers in the State as would otherwise be covered by the Federal minimum wage rate.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to repeal authority to regulate certain plumbing products and appliances, including showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning designated settlement funds to exempt from tax any designated settlement fund established for the principal purpose of resolving and satisfying present and future claims relating to asbestos. Sets forth special rules concerning asbestos liability losses.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Military Personnel Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of members of the Armed Forces any "qualified bonus." Defines the term "qualified bonus" to mean an enlistment, accession, reenlistment, retention, or other bonus paid to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States in exchange for the agreement of the member to accept a commission as an officer, extend an active service commitment as an officer, enlist, reenlist, or extend an enlistment as an enlisted member in an active or reserve component, or enter into a reserve affiliation agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Insulin-Free World Medicare Pancreas Transplantation Coverage Act of 2001 - Requires any medically necessary pancreas transplantation procedure to be a covered benefit under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, whether or not such procedure is done in conjunction with another organ transplantation procedure that is a covered Medicare benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Fair Care for the Uninsured Act of 2001- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid for qualified health insurance, subject to stated limitations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to the provider of an individual's qualified health insurance equal to such individual's qualified health insurance credit advance amount (the Secretary's estimate of the amount of credit allowable) with respect to such provider. Requires each health insurer, health maintenance organization, and health service organization to participate in a health insurance safety net which shall assure the availability of health insurance to uninsurable individuals. Funds such safety nets through assessments against such insurers and organizations. Permits such insurers and organizations to add the costs of such assessments to the costs of its insurance or coverage. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow health benefits coverage through individual membership associations (IMAs). Sets forth IMA requirements, including that the IMA be an organization operated under the direction of an association and that IMA health benefits coverage only be provided through contracts with health insurance issuers. Requires IMAs to include a minimum of two health insurance coverage options.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2001 - Provides that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if both parties consent in writing after such controversy arises. Requires the arbitrator to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Vaccine Injured Children's Compensation Act of 2001 - Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to: (1) designate the Program as a remedial program under which sovereign immunity does not apply; (2) change the burden of proof requirement for the award of compensation from a preponderance of the evidence to evidence sufficient to justify a belief that the petitioner's claims are well grounded (while giving the benefit of doubt to the petitioner); (3) require any defense raised that an illness, injury, or death was due to unrelated factors to be proved by clear and convincing evidence; (4) authorize as Program compensation expenses necessary for the establishment of a trust to receive Program funds, as well as expenses incurred for family counseling or training necessitated by the vaccine-related injury; (5) allow the award of petitioner's attorneys' fees; (6) increase to up to 72 months the statute of limitations under the Program; (7) allow such period to be extended for an additional 36 months after a petitioner first knew or should have known about his or her eligibility for compensation; (8) toll the statute of limitations until a petitioner reaches age 18 and, if a petitioner is incompetent, until 24 months after a guardian is appointed; and (9) authorize the refiling of a previously failed petition if the petitioner would have met the extended statute of limitations provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Community Solutions Act of 2001 - Title I: Charitable Giving Incentives Package - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a non-itemizer a deduction for charitable contributions. (Sec. 102) Permits tax-free distributions from an individual retirement account made directly to a qualified charity. (Sec. 103) Sets forth a rule for determining the amount of the deduction allowable for a charitable contribution of food inventory. (Sec. 104) Exempts a business entity from civil liability relating to any injury or death that results from the use of equipment, facilities (including tours of such facilities), or vehicles donated by such entity to a nonprofit organization, subject to stated exceptions. Title II: Expansion of Charitable Choice - Charitable Choice Act of 2001 - Includes religious organizations as nongovernmental providers, provided that no Federal, State, or local government funds or other assistance that is received by a religious organization aids the religion, for purposes of programs concerning the: (1) prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and the improvement of the juvenile justice system; (2) prevention of crime; (3) Federal housing laws; (4) the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (title I only); (5) Older Americans Act of 1965; (6) Child Care Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (7) Community Development Block Grant Program established under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; (8) intervention in and prevention of domestic violence; (9) hunger relief activities of such organizations; (10) Job Access and Reverse Commute grant program; or (11) activities necessary to assist students in obtaining the recognized equivalents of secondary school diplomas and activities relating to non-school-hours programs. States that the receipt by a religious organization of Federal, State, or local government funds is not and should not be perceived as an endorsement by the government of religion or the organization's religious beliefs or practices. Permits a religious organization, in order to aid in the preservation of its religious character and notwithstanding any other provision of law, to require that its employees adhere to the religious practices of the organization. Requires the appropriate Federal, State, or local governmental entity funding any of the above described programs, if a program beneficiary objects to the religious character of the organization from which the beneficiary receives, or would receive, assistance to provide to such beneficiary assistance that: (1) is an alternative, including a nonreligious alternative, that is accessible to the individual; and (2) has a value that is not less than the value of the assistance that the beneficiary would have received from such religious organization. Prohibits discrimination by a religious organization receiving such program assistance against a beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious belief, or a refusal to hold a religious belief. Title III: Individual Development Accounts - Provides for the establishment of individual development accounts (IDAs) for taxpayers with incomes of up to $20,000 ($25,000 for heads of households and for $40,000 on a joint return) from which expenses may be made for: (1) qualified higher education expenses; (2) qualified first-time homebuyer costs; (3) qualified business capitalization or expansion costs; (4) qualified rollovers; or (5) a qualified final distribution. Provides that an IDA programs shall consist of two components: (1) an IDA to which an eligible individual may contribute cash; and (2) a parallel account to which all matching funds shall be deposited. Defines a "parallel account"as a separate, parallel individual or pooled account for all matching funds and earnings dedicated to an IDA owner as part of a qualified IDA program, the sole owner of which is a qualified financial institution, a qualified nonprofit organization, or an Indian tribe. Requires the qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to deposit all matching funds for each IDA into a parallel account at a qualified financial institution, a qualified nonprofit organization, or an Indian tribe. Establishes an IDA tax credit for a qualified financial institution equal to the IDA investment provided. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) structure and administration of IDA programs; (2) procedures for opening and maintaining an IDA and qualifying for matching funds; (3) deposits by qualified IDA programs; (4) withdrawal procedures; (5) certification and termination of qualified IDA programs; (6) reporting, monitoring, and evaluation (and authorization of appropriations for such activities and implementing the IDA program); and (7) the disregarding of account funds for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2001
Public Expression of Religion Act of 2001 - Amends provisions regarding civil actions for deprivation of rights to specify that where the deprivation consists of a violation of a prohibition in the Constitution against the establishment of religion, the remedy shall be limited to injunctive relief. Prohibits the award of attorney's fees with respect to such claims.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2001
Welcomes the safe return of Arnie Alford, Steve Derry, Jason Weber, and David Bradley from captivity by terrorists in Ecuador and congratulates them for their perseverance in the face of adversity. Extends sympathy to the family of Ron Sander, who was killed by terrorists, and salutes his courage. Supports the U.S. commitment to bringing the killers and the kidnappers to justice. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States must redouble its efforts to prevent future kidnappings.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Lyme Disease Initiative of 2001 - Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, of Agriculture, of the Interior, and of Defense to: (1) establish specified detection test, improved surveillance and reporting system, and prevention goals to provide for a reduction in the incidence and prevalence of Lyme disease and related tick borne infectious diseases; and (2) establish a five-year plan of activities toward achieving those goals, and carry them out. Establishes the Lyme Disease Taskforce to advise the Secretaries with respect to achieving such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Municipal Solid Waste Flow Control Act of 2001 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize States and political subdivisions, under specified conditions, to exercise flow control authority for municipal solid waste and recyclable materials voluntarily relinquished by the owner or generator, directing such waste and materials to particular facilities. Imposes identification and volume restrictions on the exercise of flow control authority to the classes or categories of materials to which such authority was applicable on the suspension date. Sets dates for expiration of such authority. Defines "suspension date" as May 16, 1994; the date of an injunction or court order based on a ruling that a State or subdivision law or official act violated the Commerce Clause of the Constitution; or the date of a suspension or partial suspension of such law or act expressly because of the existence of such injunction or order. Imposes limitations on the use of revenues derived by a State or political subdivision from the exercise of flow control authority. Provides for the enforceability under State law of certain legally binding interim contracts. Allows a State to exercise flow control authority over solid waste if, on or before January 1, 1984, the State: (1) adopted regulations under a State law that required or directed the transportation, management, or disposal of such waste from residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial sources to specifically identified waste management facilities and applied those regulations to every political subdivision; and (2) subjected the facilities to the jurisdiction of a State public utilities commission. Lists additional conditions under which solid waste districts or political subdivisions may exercise flow control authority for 20 years after this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Solid Waste Interstate Transportation Act of 2001 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit a landfill or incinerator (facility) from receiving out-of-State municipal solid waste (MSW) for disposal or incineration unless the waste is received pursuant to a new or existing host community agreement or an exemption from this prohibition (which may be limited by the State). Establishes conditions for exemptions. Authorizes States to establish limits on the amount of out-of-State waste received annually for disposal at each facility. Allows a State to limit the amount of out-of-State MSW received annually at each facility to the amount received during 1995 if the State has enacted a comprehensive, statewide recycling program. Prohibits State limits from conflicting with permits or host community agreements that set higher (or no) limits. Sets the limitation amount for any facility that began receiving documented out-of-State waste before enactment of this Act at the amount received during 1993. Prohibits discrimination against shipments of such waste on the basis of State of origin. Allows States to require that a permit issued for a new facility or an expansion include an annual limitation of not less than 20 percent on the total quantity of out-of-State MSW relative to the total waste received by the facility. Requires percentage limitations to be uniform for all facilities and not discriminate against out-of-State waste according to the State of origin.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
Historic Homeownership Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 20 percent (up to a maximum limit of $40,000 for a joint return) of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to the certified rehabilitation of a qualified historic home which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and used as his or her principal residence. Allows the credit for such expenditures to be taken by a purchaser of the rehabilitated home. Permits, in lieu of the credit, a historic rehabilitation mortgage credit certificate, which may be transferred to a lender in exchange for a reduction in the rate of interest on the loan secured by the building.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of that House voting and present, unless the bill is determined at the time of adoption, in a reasonable manner prescribed by law, not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for purposes of determining any increase, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Requires journal entry of any vote. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
National Right-to-Work Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2001 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Prescribes procedural guidelines for both Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and State access to records of a holding company (including subsidiaries, associates, and affiliates) of a public utility or natural gas company. Instructs FERC to promulgate a final rule to exempt specified holding companies from such access requirements. Requires FERC to exempt any person or transaction from such access requirements if it finds that regulation of such person or transaction is irrelevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas company. Retains the jurisdiction of FERC and State commissions to determine whether a public utility company or natural gas company may recover in rates any costs of affiliate transactions. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the United States; (2) a State or its political subdivision; and (3) a foreign governmental authority not operating in the United States. Grants FERC certain Federal Power Act enforcement powers. Amends the Federal Power Act to repeal its conflict of jurisdiction guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
Student Athlete Protection Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to include as unlawful sports gambling a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based, directly or indirectly, on one or more: (1) competitive games in which high school or college athletes participate; (2) performances of high school or college athletes in competitive games; or (3) competitive games at the Summer or Winter Olympics.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Marriage Tax Elimination Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide that the basic standard deduction on a joint return shall be equal to 200 percent of the dollar amount of an individual who is not married. Provides a schedule for making, by 2005, the maximum taxable income in the lowest married bracket equal to double the maximum taxable income in the lowest single filer bracket. Increases the earned income credit phaseout amount on a joint return by $2,000. Revises IRC provisions relating to limitation based on tax liability and the definition of such liability to provide that the aggregate amount of credits allowed as nonrefundable personal credits shall not exceed the sum of: (1) the taxpayer's regular tax liability for the taxable year reduced by the foreign tax credit; and (2) the tax imposed by the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Economic Recovery and Growth Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to reducing or repealing, among other things: (1) tax rates for individuals; (2) alternative minimum tax; (3) capital gains; (4) estate and gift tax; (5) marriage penalty; (6) Federal communications excise tax; (7) taxes for farmers, ranchers, fishermen; and (8) occupational taxes relating to alcoholic beverages. Increases, extends, or expands tax benefits with respect to, among other things: (1) pensions and individual retirement accounts (IRAs); (2) child tax credit; (3) education IRAs and qualified tuition programs; (4) adoption expenses credit; (5) charitable contributions; (6) social security benefits; (7) expense treatment for small businesses; (8) self-employed health insurance cost deduction; and (9) research credit.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Leave No Child Behind Tax Credit Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a maximum $250 ($500 for joint filers) annual credit for contributions to charitable organizations that provide elementary and secondary student scholarships.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) with respect to pensions. (All the following are amendments to the Code, except where the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, is mentioned.) Increases: (1) annual dollar Individual Retirement Account (IRA) contribution limits; and (2) benefit and contribution limits, with indexes for inflation. Revises requirements relating to: (1) plan loans for subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors; and (2) specified top-heavy rules. Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. Repeals specified coordination requirements for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Revises certain deduction limits for stock bonus and profit sharing trusts and for defined contribution plans. Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as after-tax contributions. Allows individuals age 50 or older to make additional contributions to an applicable employer plan (section 401(k) or similar plan). Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under the Code and ERISA. Revises: (1) minimum distribution rules; (2) requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce; and (3) provisions for safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans. Permits, under certain conditions, rollovers: (1) from and to various types of plans; (2) of IRAs into workplace retirement plans; and (3) of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust. Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. Sets forth requirements for treatment of forms of distribution available under transferor and transferee plans under the Code and ERISA. Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. Allows trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. Allows employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out amounts, under retirement plan provisions of the Code. Revises minimum distribution and inclusion requirements for section 457 plans. Repeals, for plan years beginning in 2004 and following years, the current liability full funding limit under the Code and ERISA. Revises maximum contribution deduction rules, and applies them to all defined benefit plans. Allows an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent they exceed the full-funding limitation. Establishes an excise tax for the failure of a defined benefit plan or an individual account plan (except governmental, church, and other specified plans) subject to minimum funding standards to meet specified notice requirements, under the Code and ERISA, for plan amendments which significantly reduce benefit accruals. Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect the investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Establishes an excise tax for certain prohibited allocations of stock in an S corporation ESOP. Revises Code and ERISA requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. Allows applicable dividends of ESOPs to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Directs the Secretary to modify specified regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities. Treats the provision of certain retirement planning services by an employer for an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit to the extent it is not treated as a working condition fringe. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide simplified annual filing requirements for retirement plans with assets below a specified amount, if they cover: (1) one participant (an owner and spouse); or (2) fewer than 25 employees. Directs the Secretary to continue to update and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System, or any successor program. Repeals a multiple use test. Allows certain alternative ways of satisfying nondiscrimination, coverage, and line of business rules. Exempts plans maintained by any governmental entity from certain nondiscrimination rules. Directs the Secretary to modify specified regulations relating to the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Revises ERISA provisions relating to: (1) annual report dissemination; (2) the National Summit on Retirement Savings; (3) missing participants; (4) Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) reduction of premiums for new plans of small employers and of additional premiums for new and small plans; (5) PBGC authority to pay interest on premium overpayment refunds; (6) substantial owner benefits in terminated plans; (7) civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility; and (8) benefit suspension notices. Prescribes time requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Death Tax Elimination Act - Repeals the estate tax, gift tax, and the tax on generation-skipping transfers, effective January 1, 2011. Provides for annual reductions of the tax until such date. Increases the unified estate and gift tax credit to $1.3 million. Repeals the estate and gift tax provisions applicable to family-owned businesses. Amends provisions concerning the special rules for allocation of the generation-skipping tax (GST) exemption to provide, as a general rule, that: (1) if any individual makes an indirect skip during such individual's lifetime, any unused portion of such individual's GST exemption shall be allocated to the property transferred to the extent necessary to make the inclusion ratio for such property zero; and (2) if the amount of the indirect skip exceeds such unused portion, the entire unused portion shall be allocated to the property transferred. Declares that, if a trust is severed in a qualified severance, the trusts resulting from such severance shall be treated as separate trusts thereafter. Revises valuation rules for gifts for which a gift tax return was filed or deemed allocation made. Provides that, if an allocation of the GST exemption to any transfers of property is deemed to have been made at the close of an estate tax inclusion period, the value of the property shall be its value at such time. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe circumstances and procedures under which extensions of time will be granted to make an allocation of GST exemption or an election not to apply specified allocation requirements to certain lifetime direct skips, indirect skips, or transfers to a particular trust. Increases the permissible number of partners or shareholders in a closely held business for purposes of eligibility for an extension of estate tax payments.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2001
Budget Responsibility and Efficiency Act of 2001 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the Federal and congressional budget processes by establishing a two-year budgeting and appropriations cycle and timetable. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Conforms provisions of the Rules of the House of Representatives, provisions governing the President's budget, and requirements for certain strategic and performance plans and reports to the biennial framework. Provides a point of order against any measure that contains a specific authorization of appropriations unless such authorization is for each fiscal year in a biennium. Requires the President's budget submission for FY 2004 to identify budget accounts for which an appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the FY 2004-2005 biennium. Directs congressional committees, during the 108th Congress, to work with the Comptroller General to develop plans to transition program authorizations to a multi-year schedule. Sets forth additional transition requirements. Makes this Act applicable to budget resolutions and appropriations for the biennium beginning with FY 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001
Declares Executive Order 13166, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency," to be null and void. Prohibits the use of funds for the promulgation or enforcement of an executive order that creates an entitlement to services provided in a language other than English.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001
Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modify the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) define the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit projects.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2001
Sudan Peace Act - Declares that Congress: (1) condemns violations of human rights on all sides of the conflict in Sudan (including the Government of Sudan), the ongoing slave trade there, the Government's use and organization of "murahalliin" (or "mujahadeen"), Popular Defense Forces (PDF), and regular Sudanese Army units into raiding and slaving parties in Bahr al Ghazal, the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile regions, and its aerial bombardment of civilian targets; and (2) recognizes that the use of raiding and slaving parties is a tool for creating food shortages as a systematic means to destroy the societies, culture, and economies of the Dinka, Nuer, and Nuba peoples in a policy of low-intensity ethnic cleansing. Authorizes the Secretary of State to utilize Department of State personnel for the support of ongoing negotiations, and eventual implementation of a peace settlement, between the Government of Sudan and opposition forces. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations (UN) should be used as a tool to facilitate peace and recovery in Sudan. Directs the President to develop a contingency plan to provide, outside UN auspices, the greatest amount of U.S. Government and privately donated relief to all affected areas in Sudan, including the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and the Blue Nile regions, in the event the Government of Sudan imposes a ban on Operation Lifeline Sudan air transport relief flights.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2001
Social Security Right To Know Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require a certain annual report by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds on the operation and status of such Funds to include information on: (1) the unfunded long-term projected liability of the Social Security system and any change in such amount from the preceding year as well as the deficit or surplus that the system will run in the last year of the long-term projection period, with any aggregate assets or liabilities held by the Trust Funds in that final projected year; and (2) the economic model and relevant data used to make such projections. Requires Social Security account statements to contain: (1) a comparison of the annual Social Security tax inflows to the amount paid annually in benefits; and (2) a statement of whether the ratio will result in a cash flow deficit, what year such deficit will commence as well as the first year in which funds in the Trust Funds will cease to be sufficient to cover the deficit, and the percentage of benefits due at that time that could be paid from annual tax inflows. Requires account statements also to explain the average rate of return that a taxpayer can expect to receive on old- age insurance benefits as compared to the total amount of Social Security taxes a taxpayer expects to pay. Makes Social Security Administration Continuous Work History Sample data publicly available for statistical research purposes subject to certain limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2001
Medicare Education and Regulatory Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) concerning: (1) prospective application only of certain regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS); and (2) certain requirements for judicial and regulatory challenges of regulations. Requires the Secretary, with respect to Medicare audits, except when clear and convincing evidence exists of fraud or similar fault, to give a physician, provider of services, or provider of ambulance services (physicians or providers) the option of entering into: (1) an arrangement to offset alleged overpayments against future payments; or (2) a repayment plan with its carrier or fiscal intermediary to recoup such an overpayment. Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action to recoup an overpayment or to impose a penalty during the period in which a physician or provider is appealing a determination that such an overpayment has been made or the amount of the overpayment. Prohibits carriers, absent cause, from demanding the production of records or documentation before paying a Medicare claim. Amends SSA title XI with respect to prohibited extensions of remuneration to a Medicare-eligible individual to influence a choice of provider, practitioner, or supplier. Excludes from the meaning of remuneration any waiver of copayment made in a written, mailed communication with existing patients. Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to: (1) construction of hearing rights related to decisions to deny or not renew a physician enrollment agreement; (2) the post-payment audit process; (3) definitions relating to physicians or providers; and (4) the right to appeal on behalf of deceased beneficiaries. Amends SSA title XVIII to require carriers, fiscal intermediaries, and contractors to conduct education programs (funded from the Medicare Integrity Program) for physicians and providers on billing, coding, cost reporting, and documentation regulations and procedures. Outlines provisions with regard to certain information requests from physicians and providers. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for the inclusion of regulatory costs in the calculation of the sustainable growth rate with respect to the costs of physicians' services. Prohibits the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) from implementing any new evaluation and management documentation guidelines under Medicare, unless it: (1) has provided for an assessment of the proposed guidelines by organizations representing physicians; (2) has established a plan that contains specific goals, including a schedule, for improving use of such guidelines; (3) has completed a minimum of four pilot projects to test such guidelines; and (4) finds that specified objectives will be met in the implementation of such guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2001
Open Space Preservation Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the gain from the sale or exchange of farmland if there is a covenant prohibiting any use other than as farmland.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2001
Farmland Preservation Act of 2001- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from a decedent's gross estate qualified farmland which is restricted in perpetuity to use as farmland under a qualified farmland conservation easement.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001
Military Home School Children Equal Access Act of 2001 - Amends the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978 to allow home school students who are eligible for enrollment in a school of the overseas defense dependents' education system to use or receive auxiliary services of such schools without enrolling or registering for a minimum number of courses.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction (based on years of continuous coverage) for eligible long-term care insurance premiums for a taxpayer, spouse, and dependents, including accelerated deduction percentages for persons who are 55 years old; and (2) long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Allows an income-adjusted (limited) credit for eligible individuals with long-term care needs. Sets forth specified requirements for qualifying long-term care insurance contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals who are exempt from the self-employment tax because of their religious beliefs to establish pension plans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 should terminate on a specified date, with no extension or further quota agreement; and (2) the President should consult with appropriate stakeholders, including consumers, and continue discussions with the Government of Canada to promote open trade of softwood lumber between Canada and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions for: (1) a small employer (100 or fewer employees) retirement plan; (2) a credit for the expenses of establishing such a plan; and (3) a model small employer retirement plan.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000373_200.jpg)