United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2007
Industrial Bank Holding Company Act of 2007 - Requires an industrial bank holding company to register and file certain reports with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) within ninety days after becoming an industrial bank holding company. Prohibits such holding company from being controlled by a commercial firm. Grandfathers certain institutions to exempt them from the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2007
Arts Education Advancement Act of 2007 - Amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to require, when appropriations for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) exceed a certain level, that all of the excess funds be used for the arts education program. (Current law requires the use of only half such excess NEA funds for arts education, and allows the NEA to use a greater amount for other purposes before such set-aside for arts education is triggered.) Requires half the funds for the arts education program in any fiscal year to be used in formal systems of elementary and secondary education.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2007
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 · 23 January 2007
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, in commemoration of disabled American veterans. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent possible, the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York. Limits the period for coin issuance to the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2010. Imposes a $10 surcharge per coin, to be distributed to the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the purpose of establishing an endowment to support the construction of American Veterans' Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2007
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a day should be established as Dutch-American Friendship Day to celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2007
Helping Families Adopt Orphans Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that any "covered individual" (an individual whose Application for Advanced Processing of Orphan Petition was approved on or after July 1, 2005) may file a Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative for at least two years after the approval of the individual's application. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring: (1) a covered individual who files a timely petition to pay any fees or complete any requirements already paid or completed in conjunction with the application or contingent on the amount of time that elapses between the application's approval and the petition's filing; and (2) any person who was a covered individual on this Act's enactment date from paying any fee for the timely filing of a petition unless that fee was required at the time the application was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2007
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards to ensure the safety and accuracy of medical imaging studies and radiation therapy treatments. Imposes such standards on personnel who perform, plan, or evaluate, or verify patient doses for, medical imaging studies and radiation therapy procedures and not on the equipment used. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Directs the Secretary to ensure that individuals demonstrate compliance with such standards. Requires the Secretary to provide a method for the recognition of individuals whose training and experience are determined to equal or exceed that of: (1) a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty; or (2) an individual who is regularly eligible to take the licensure or certification examination for that discipline. Directs the Secretary to certify qualified nonprofit organizations as approved bodies to provide accreditation to individuals that demonstrate compliance with such standards. Requires individuals who provide medical imaging services relating to mammograms to continue to meet standards under the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992. Deems state standards for licensure or certification of personnel, accreditation of educational programs, or administration of examinations to be in compliance with the standards under this Act unless the Secretary determines otherwise. Requires the Secretary to establish a process by which a state may appeal such a determination. Requires the Secretary to ensure that all programs under the authority of the Secretary meet such standards. Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural areas or health professional shortage areas as appropriate to assure access to quality medical imaging.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2007
Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the nation have a committed health benefits obligation to retired military personnel that exceeds the obligation of corporate employers to civilian employees; and (2) DOD has many additional options to constrain the growth of health care spending in ways that do not disadvantage beneficiaries, and should pursue such options rather than seeking large fee increases for beneficiaries. Prohibits an increase after: (1) April 1, 2006, in a premium, deductible, copayment, or other charge prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for medical and dental health care coverage for military personnel; and (2) September 30, 2007, in the dollar amount of a cost-sharing requirement under the DOD pharmacy benefits program. Prohibits: (1) charges for DOD inpatient care from exceeding $535 per day; and (2) beginning on April 1, 2006, an increase in premiums under TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program) for certain members of the Selected Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2007
Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of items and services under a cardiac rehabilitation program and a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2007
Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016: (1) the energy tax credit for solar energy property and qualified fuel cell property; and (2) the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures. Allows such credits to be applied against alternative minimum tax liability. Includes advanced energy storage systems as energy property for purposes of the tax credit. Provides for a special credit amount for solar photovoltaic energy property and residential energy efficient property based upon kilowatt capacity. Allows accelerated depreciation (three-year recovery period) for solar energy and fuel cell property.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2007
Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include territories and Indian tribes as eligible grant recipients (or reaffirm that eligibility) under the programs to: (1) address the manufacture, sale, and use of methamphetamine; (2) aid children in homes in which methamphetamine or other drugs are unlawfully manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or used; and (3) address methamphetamine use by pregnant and parenting women offenders.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2007
Redesignates the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 1501 San Pedro Drive, SE, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the "Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center."
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2007
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 · 12 January 2007
Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2007 - Exempts provisions expanding the adoption tax credit and adoption assistance programs enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 from the general terminating (sunset) provisions of that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2007
Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program ) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for continuity of coverage of prescription drugs under Medicare prescription drug plans for full-benefit dual eligible individuals. Provides for Medicare prescription drug coverage of benzodiazepines and of off-label uses of prescription drugs and biologicals. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to permit state Medicaid programs to cover Medicare prescription drug copayments for full-benefit dual eligible individuals. Amends SSA title XVIII to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive denial of Medicare prescription drug coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2007
Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act - Requires that, whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase by the same percentage the amounts payable as veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2007
Establishes as an independent office within the legislative branch the Office of Public Integrity to: (1) oversee financial disclosure and other reports filed by Members of Congress, congressional officers and employees, and registered lobbyists; (2) investigate alleged violations of any applicable rule or other standard of conduct; (3) present a case of probable ethics violations to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or the Senate Select Committee on Ethics (ethics committees); and (4) make recommendations about reporting to the appropriate federal or state authorities any substantial evidence of a violation. Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) and Rule X (Organization of Committees) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, as well as the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (EGA of 1978), the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, and the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA), to conform to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2007
Notch Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act with respect to the benefit computation formula for individuals affected by the changes in benefit computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of 1977 who became eligible (at age 62) for (early retirement) old-age insurance benefits after 1978 and before 1989 (and reached age 65 for full-retirement benefits after 1981 and before 1992). Sets forth a schedule of additional benefit increases for such beneficiaries (and related beneficiaries), with percentages declining from 55% to 5% keyed to the year an individual became eligible for (early retirement) benefits between 1978 and 1989. Provides for an election to receive such payments in a lump sum.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2007
Gang Elimination Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on a national strategy to eliminate the illegal operations of National Threat Drug Gangs (i.e., the top three international drug gangs that present the greatest threat to law and order in the United States). Sets forth criteria for the Attorney General to consider in identifying a National Threat Drug Gang, including (1) ties to international terrorist organizations or state-sponsored terrorism; (2) the volume of controlled substances imported or distributed by such gangs; and (3) the threat to children and schools in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2007
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend, and the United States Postal Service to issue, a commemorative postage stamp to promote public awareness of Down syndrome.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2007
Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act - Amends federal military retired pay provisions to: (1) permit veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to claim both retired pay and disability compensation; (2) eliminate provisions requiring a phase in between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013, of concurrent receipt of retired pay and disability compensation; (3) provide a special reduction rule with respect to the concurrent receipt of retired pay and disability compensation in the case of disability retirees with less than 20 years of creditable service; and (4) extend combat-related special compensation to certain veterans with less than 20 years of service who have a combat-related disability.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Working Americans Growing the Economy (WAGE) Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day. States that, if an employer provides an employee with health care or child care benefits of at least $2,500 per year, the applicable minimum wage rate paid to such employee shall be: (1) $5.15 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; (2) $5.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $6.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day. Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) define the categories of health care benefits and child care benefits which qualify an employer to pay the latter rates; and (2) establish a method for determining the value of such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts from taxation benefits paid under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend the Act through FY2013. Revises requirements regarding the merchantable material contracting pilot program. Requires counties participating in county projects to submit a specified notification for each project for which the participating county obligated county funds. Provides for the review of such notifications.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to each state to carry out a program for making available throughout that state the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. Requires a participating state to ensure that at least 50% of the resources of the program funded by the grant will be derived from other sources. Requires a state seeking a grant to carry out its activities through a lead entity to be known as a 2-1-1 Collaborative. Requires grant amounts to be used solely to make available to a state 2-1-1 telephone service for community information and referral on human services to all citizens of that state with phone access, including telephone connections between families and individuals seeking services and the service providers. Requires grant recipients to: (1) abide by the Key Standards for 2-1-1 Centers; and (2) collaborate with human service organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to provide information or referral to individuals utilizing the 2-1-1 service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition: (1) activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates; and (2) the right, power, or ability of any financial holding company to engage in any activity, or acquire or retain the shares of any company engaged in an activity authorized for financial holding companies on December 6, 2001 ("grandfather clause").
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2006
Long-Term Care Improvement Act of 2006 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Own Your Own Future long-term care awareness campaign should be expanded and implemented in all states; and (2) the Administration on Aging should distribute the document entitled "Long-Term Care Planning Kit" published by the Department of Health and Human Services as part of such campaign. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate a day each year as the Day for a National Conversation on Long-Term Care. Establishes the Long-Term Care Financing Commission to conduct analyses of the financing of long-term care, including the financing of nursing facilities. Requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to consider the operating margins, government funding, and quality improvement efforts of skilled nursing facilities in making its payment rate recommendations for such facilities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individuals a tax deduction for long-term care insurance premiums; (2) allow long-term care insurance to be offered in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements; and (3) make certain consumer protection provisions applicable to long-term care insurance contracts. Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to repeal limitations on the eligibility of residents of certain small publicly-operated community residences for supplemental security income benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
New Mexico Rivers Feasibility Studies Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to conduct feasibility studies to identify opportunities to increase the surface flows of the Rio Grande, Canadian, and Pecos Rivers in New Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2006
Margaret Thatcher Congressional Gold Medal Act - Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Margaret Thatcher in recognition of her dedication to the values of free markets and free minds.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2006
Expresses support for the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to provide a special opportunity to offer education on the importance of monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms. Recognizes breast cancer survivors, the efforts of victims, volunteers, and professionals who combat breast cancer, and the work of national and community organizations in promoting breast cancer awareness, providing information, and offering treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2006
New Mexico Aquifer Assessment Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to conduct a study of water resources in New Mexico, to include: (1) a survey of groundwater resources and a characterization of surface and bedrock geology; and (2) the Salt Basin, Tularosa Basin, and middle Rio Grande Aquifer.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
Medicare Outpatient Therapy Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize providers of outpatient physical therapy services and of occupational therapy services to submit to a national therapy outcomes database information on quality and efficiency (Q & E) measures. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish procedures for disclosure of such information to the public. Directs the Secretary to establish a value-based purchasing program for such services under which service providers will receive higher payments for high quality care, reduced payments for low quality care, or no payments if they have not submitted Q & E information. Revises requirements for the treatment of such services under the Medicare therapy cap, especially during the period before implementation of the value-based purchasing program. Requires physical or occupational therapists who furnish Medicare therapy services as an incident to physicians' services meet the licensing requirements of the Secretary. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary shall develop a system under which each covered provider of covered outpatient therapy services participating in the Medicare program has a unique supplier identification number in order to enable the Secretary to monitor the quality and efficiency of such services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2); payment for clinical laboratory tests furnished by critical access hospitals; (3) rebasing for sole community hospitals; (4) establishment of a rural community hospital program; (5) extension of the Medicare rural hospital hold harmless provision under the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department services; (6) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (7) permanent treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare; (8) extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for a physician scarcity area; (9) proportional representation of interests of rural areas on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; and (10) additional payments for providers furnishing ambulance services in rural areas and prompt payment of clean claims by Medicare prescription drug plans and MedicareAdvantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans under the Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program). Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend: (1) certain Medicare hospital wage index reclassifications and disregarding hospital reclassifications for purposes of group reclassifications; (2) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas; and (3) the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to eligible entities in rural areas for purchase and enhanced utilization of qualified health information technology systems; (2) establish a capital infrastructure revolving loan program and a Rural Health Quality Advisory Commission; and (3) provide for delta rural disparities and health systems development.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Directs the Secretary of Defense to pay compensation as prescribed under this Act to those living members of the Armed Forces and U.S. civilian employees who were captured by Japan, who were used as slave labor during World War II, and whose application for compensation is approved. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to accept any monetary contribution (with exceptions) made by any person upon on the condition that the contribution be used to provide such compensation to a selected veteran or civilian internee. Requires amounts received as contributions to be deposited in the Department of Defense General Gift Fund. States that, any amount paid to a selected veteran or civilian internee as compensation under this Act is in addition to any other amount paid to such veteran or civilian internee under any other provision of law as compensation for the performance of slave labor during World War II. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding contributions by certain Japanese corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
Helping Families Adopt Orphans Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that any "covered individual" (an individual whose Application for Advanced Processing of Orphan Petition was approved on or after January 1, 2005) may file a Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative for at least two years after the approval of the individual's application. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring: (1) a covered individual who files a timely petition to pay any fees or complete any requirements already paid or completed in conjunction with the application or contingent on the amount of time that elapses between the application's approval and the petition's filing; and (2) any person who was a covered individual on this Act's enactment date from paying any fee for the timely filing of a petition unless that fee was required at the time the application was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Pueblo of Isleta Settlement and Natural Resources Restoration Act of 2006 - Establishes in the Treasury the Pueblo of Isleta Natural Resources Restoration Fund for: (1) settlement of the claims of the Pueblo of Isleta; and (2) the acquisition, restoration, improvement, development, and protection of land, natural resources, and cultural resources within the exterior boundaries of the Pueblo. Provides for the maintenance and investment of the restoration fund. Ratifies the Agreement of Compromise and Settlement entered into between the United States and the Pueblo dated 12, 2005, as modified by the Extension and Modification Agreement executed by the United States and the Pueblo on June 22, 2006, to settle the claims in the case of Pueblo of Isleta v. United States , Docket No. 98-166L, pending in the United States Court of Federal Claims. Directs the Pueblo and the United States to execute and file a joint stipulation for entry of final judgment in dismissal of such case. Provides for the payment of compensation to the Pueblo from the permanent judgment appropriation for all monetary damages and attorney fees, interest, and other fees and costs of any kind that were or could have been presented in connection with Docket No. 98-166L.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) establish a national program for the elimination of tuberculosis and expand tuberculosis research and development activities and demonstration projects; (2) expand the duties and membership of the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis and require the Council to develop and implement a national plan to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States; (3) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force to develop new tools for the elimination of tuberculosis, including drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines; (4) require the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH tuberculosis research, to make awards to faculties of medical and osteopathic schools to develop curricula for tuberculosis prevention, management, and control, and to make awards to support career development of clinically trained professionals committed to pulmonary infection research; (5) require the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH to work to develop a tuberculosis vaccine; (6) require the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences to carry out an international training program regarding tuberculosis; and (7) require the Secretary to ensure that a portion of funds appropriated to repay education loans of qualified health professionals, researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds, and clinical researchers is reserved for contracts with individuals who research tuberculosis.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2006
Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to include as an "agent of a foreign power" under such Act a person who possesses or is reasonably expected to transmit or receive foreign intelligence information while in the United States. Authorizes the use of electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes, including against agents of a foreign power. Authorizes the Attorney General (AG) to require any person with access to electronic communications or equipment to provide information, facilities, or technical assistance: (1) necessary to accomplish authorized electronic surveillance; or (2) to an official designated by the President for up to one year, if the AG certifies that the provision of such information, facilities, or assistance does not constitute electronic surveillance. Allows the AG to authorize the emergency employment of electronic surveillance if the AG determines that an emergency situation exists to obtain foreign intelligence information before an order authorizing such surveillance can be obtained. Authorizes electronic surveillance or physical searches for up to 60 days following an armed attack against the United States. Allows the President to authorize electronic surveillance to acquire foreign intelligence information without a court order for up to 45 days following a terrorist attack against the United States, following certification to the congressional intelligence committees. Requires recertification for each subsequent 45-day period. Permits electronic surveillance of more than 90 days without an order only upon making a specified certification.
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
Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2006
Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to promote the collection and categorization of trauma data in a consistent and standardized manner. Removes authorization for the National Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services. Allows the Secretary to make grants to entities to carry out demonstration projects to improve emergency medical services in rural areas by increasing communication and coordination with state trauma systems. Revises the matching requirements for states to be eligible for grants to improve emergency medical services in rural areas. Prohibits the Secretary from making trauma care grants to a state unless the state's emergency medical services plan coordinates planning for trauma systems with state disaster emergency planning and bioterrorism hospital preparedness planning. Requires the Secretary to update the model plan for the designation of trauma centers and for triage, transfer, and transportation policies. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine or another appropriate entity to conduct a study on trauma care and trauma systems research.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies needed for the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; and (2) establish a competitive grant pilot demonstration program to provide up to 25 grants annually to state and local governments and metropolitan transportation authorities, or combinations of them, to implement demonstration projects for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Veterans Identity Protection Act or VIP Act - Establishes as an independent office in the executive branch the Office of Veterans Identity Protection Claims, headed by a Director, to receive, process, and pay claims for injuries suffered as a result of the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of identifying information stolen from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Authorizes judicial review of claim determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive, for two-year periods, requirements for awarding breast and cervical cancer grants to states if certain conditions are met, including that granting such a waiver will not reduce the number of women in the state receiving examinations and screening for breast or cervical cancer or the quality of such services. Requires the Secretary to review performance under the waiver and allows the Secretary to extend such waivers. Authorizes appropriations for breast and cervical cancer grants through FY2012.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Veterans Identity Protection Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) certify in writing to Congress that any individual whose personal information is compromised due to lax data security at the VA has been appropriately notified in writing of such compromise; and (2) provide free of charge to each such individual credit monitoring services during the one-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment and a copy of the affected individual's credit report (in addition to any other credit report provided under otherwise applicable law) once annually during the two-year period beginning on the date on which the credit monitoring services terminate.
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 · 11 May 2006
National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for the establishment within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a Directorate of Emergency Management (DEM) (replacing the Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response). Requires DEM to be headed by an Under Secretary for Emergency Management and to include Deputy Under Secretaries for: (1) Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation; and (2) Emergency Response and Recovery. Directs the Under Secretary to serve as a Cabinet Officer during an Incident of National Significance. Establishes within DEM: (1) an Office of State, Local, and Tribal Government Coordination and an Office of Public and Community Preparedness; (2) a National Citizen Corps Council; (3) a National Incident Management System and National Response Plan Integration Center; and (4) a National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. Establishes in DHS Offices of Grants and Planning, Training and Exercises, Emergency Communications, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity and Telecommunications. Establishes the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) regularly update, revise, or replace essential capabilities for state, local, and tribal government emergency preparedness; (2) require any state or urban area that applies for federal homeland security assistance to maintain a catastrophic emergency plan; (3) establish the National Advisory Council on Emergency Management, a System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders Program, a Homeland Security Education Program in the National Capital Region, a Prepositioned Equipment Program, and a National Asset Inventory Program; (4) develop an integrated national public alert and warning system; and (5) establish within DHS a Gulf Coast Long-Term Recovery Office. Redesignates the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection as the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that all programs within DEM administering federal assistance maintain proper internal management controls to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse; and (2) annually certify that such controls are in place. Provides for the establishment within DHS of a Deputy Inspector General for Response and Recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2006
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2006 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise requirements for health care programs and services for Indians, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Provides for: (1) enrollment of qualified Indians in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as Medicare under SSA title XVIII and Medicaid under SSA title XIX (as under current law); and (2) related payments to Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations operating in the state. Replaces the Urban Health Programs Branch with a Division of Urban Indian Health. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Indian Health Service and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to consolidate certain existing programs into a new program of comprehensive behavioral health, prevention, treatment, and aftercare for Indian tribes. Establishes the National Bi-Partisan Indian Health Care Commission to: (1) establish a Study Committee to study the extent of Indian health services needs; (2) review and analyze the Study Committee's report; and (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding the delivery of federal health care services to Indians. Reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act through FY2015. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (SCHIP) to conform with this Act. Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to direct the Secretary to establish the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2006
Federal Energy Price Protection Act of 2006 - Declares that it shall be an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act for any person to sell crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, or any biofuel at a price that constitutes price gouging. Instructs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate enforcement rules within six months after enactment of this Act. Grants enforcement authority exclusively to: (1) the FTC; (2) the Attorney General of the United States; or (3) state attorneys general. Prescribes guidelines for enforcement of civil actions by state attorneys general. Preempts state action while federal action is pending. Subjects violations of this Act to specified civil and criminal penalties.
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