United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2007
Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to small businesses to: (1) extend through 2010 the increased expensing allowance for small business assets; (2) extend provisions allowing accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold and restaurant improvement property and to allow accelerated depreciation for improvements to property used in retail businesses; (3) allow certain small businesses to use cash accounting methods and exempt such businesses from the use of inventories; (4) extend through 2012 the work opportunity tax credit and extend such credit to the hiring of residents in certain economically-distressed areas and to certain disabled veterans; and (5) allow certified professional employer organizations to manage employment tax responsibilities for employers. Revises provisions relating to S corporations involving passive investment income, shareholder eligibility, and stock transfers. Revises tax rules relating to: (1) deductibility of punitive damages and of fines and penalties paid to governments for violations of law; (2) tax rules for the treatment of U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens who leave the United States to avoid payment of taxes; (3) criminal fines and monetary penalties for underpayment of tax due to fraud or tax shelter activities; (4) collection due process hearings for employment tax liabilities; and (5) the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower program. Extends the authorization for charging IRS user fees through FY2016.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2007
Indian Youth Telemental Health Demonstration Project Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a demonstration project to award up to five grants, of up to four years each, for the provision of telemental health services to Indian youth who have expressed suicidal ideas, have attempted suicide, or have mental health conditions that increase or could increase the risk of suicide. Makes eligible for such grants any Indian tribes and tribal organizations that operate one or more facilities: (1) located in Alaska and part of the Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network; (2) reporting active clinical telehealth capabilities; or (3) offering school-based telemental health services relating to psychiatry to Indian youth.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that not later than January 1, 2025, U.S. agricultural, forestry, and working land should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of total U.S. energy consumption and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2007
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak for FY2007-FY2012. Authorizes Amtrak to contract for the operation of an intercity rail service or route not included in the national rail passenger transportation system. Requires Amtrak to: (1) implement a modern financial accounting and reporting system; (2) submit an annual budget and business plan and a five-year financial plan; (3) submit grant requests for specified authorizations of appropriations, including for its operating and capital grants and debt repayment; (4) develop and implement a standardized methodology for establishing and allocating the operating and capital costs among the states and Amtrak associated with trains operated on state supported routes. Requires an independent auditor to develop and recommend objective methodologies for determining intercity passenger routes and services. Provides for: (1) minimum standards for measuring performance and service; (2) investigations of substandard performance; (3) annual evaluations of the financial and operating performance of each long distance passenger rail route; (4) passenger rail service to be provided by alternate carriers on certain Amtrak routes; (5) a northeast corridor state-of-good-repair plan; and (6) restructuring Amtrak's indebtedness. Authorizes: (1) grants to states for the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide or improve intercity passenger rail transportation; (2) a state to prepare and maintain a state rail plan. Requires Amtrak to establish a Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee, comprised of representatives of Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, and interested states. Provides, in order to carry out all railroad safety laws, for eight safety offices for eight geographical regions. Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a task force to complete a vulnerability and risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation. Provides for: (1) systemwide Amtrak security upgrade grants; (2) grants for fire and life-safety improvements to Amtrak tunnels on the Northeast Corridor; and (3) grants for freight and passenger rail security upgrades. Provides funding for oversight of capital projects and management plans. Requires a plan for addressing the needs of the families of passengers involved in any Amtrak intercity train rail passenger accident resulting in a loss of life. Requires a railworker security training program. Provides for whistleblower protection for rail security matters. Requires rail carriers transporting hazardous materials to develop high hazard material security threat mitigation plans. Encourages the equipping of rail cars transporting high hazard materials with wireless communications technology.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2007
Provides that the preferred rate of release of water from Yellowtail Dam located in Big Horn County, Montana, shall be not less than 2,500 cubic feet of water per second, with a minimum rate of 1,500 cubic feet of water per second. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to waive that minimum rate in case of emergency or if water levels in Bighorn Lake imminently preclude power generation at Yellowtail Dam. Includes the maintenance of a healthy fishery on the portion of the Bighorn River located downstream from the Yellowtail Dam among the purposes for which the Yellowtail Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program is authorized. Directs the Secretary to ensure that any reclamation project carried out within the Bighorn River watershed is coordinated with other reclamation projects within the watershed.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2007
Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance for: (1) crop disaster assistance for qualifying quantity or quality losses (other than sugar beets) for the 2005 and/or 2006 crop due to weather or related conditions (including disease, insects, and delayed harvest); (2) dairy losses; (3) livestock assistance for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses, including losses from blizzards that began in 2006 and continued into 2007; (4) livestock indemnity payments for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses, including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, anthrax, and blizzards that began in 2006 and continued into 2007; (5) ewe lamb replacement and retention; (6) sugar beet disaster assistance for crop year 2005 or 2006; (7) sugarcane growers in Hawaii through a payment to an agricultural transportation cooperative in Hawaii; and (8) flooded crop and grazing land in the Devils Lake basin, the McHugh, Lake Laretta, and Rose Lake closed drainage areas, North Dakota. Directs the Secretary to make grants to state agriculture departments or comparable agencies in qualified states for direct economic loss payments to eligible small businesses that suffered weather-related agricultural losses in crop year 2005 or 2006. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to carry out emergency measures under: (1) the emergency watershed protection program, including specified projects in Hawaii; (2) the emergency conservation program, including wildfire recovery efforts in Montana and other states and specified projects in Hawaii; and (3) the environmental quality incentives program, including wildfire and blizzard recovery efforts in Montana and other states. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to hire additional county Farm Service Agency personnel to expedite the delivery of agricultural disaster and economic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2007
Observes and celebrates the national holiday honoring Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Honors his example of nonviolence, courage, compassion, dignity, and public service. Pledges to advance the legacy of the Dr. King and encourages the U.S. people to celebrate the holiday and his life and legacy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2007
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Designation Act - Designates the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, a trail from Missoula, Montana to the Pacific Ocean, to provide for the public appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally significant natural and cultural features of the Ice Age Floods and to promote efforts to interpret and educate along the pathways of the floods. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to administer the Trail. Prohibits the Trail, except as provided in this Act, from being considered a unit of the National Park System (NPS). Allows the Secretary to establish and operate a Trail management office within the vicinity of the Trail. Requires the Secretary to prepare a cooperative management and interpretation plan for the Trail.
United States · United States Congress · 11 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 · 10 January 2007
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Constantino Brumidi, in recognition of his contributions to the Nation as a designer and decorator of the U.S. Capitol. Requires the Architect of the Capitol to arrange for the gold medal to be displayed in the Capitol Visitor Center as part of an exhibit honoring Constantino Brumidi.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2007
Encouraging Work Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the combined work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credit to: (1) make such credit permanent; (2) make individuals age 18 through 39 residing in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community (designated community residents) eligible for such credit; (3) allow vocational rehabilitation referrals under such credit after completion of certain individual work plans; and (4) allow an increased credit for the hiring of certain veterans with service-connected disabilities incurred after September 10, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2007
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program through FY2012.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2007
Amends the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 to remove the requirement that, in order to qualify for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program during the period beginning on October 7, 2001, and ending on November 30, 2005, the Secretary of the military department concerned must determine that the loss was a direct result of a traumatic injury incurred in the theater of operations for Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom (thus including traumatic injury incurred while performing other types of military service during such period under such coverage).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a task force to complete a vulnerability and risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation, and develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (or Secretary of Transportation, where appropriate) to make grants for certain system-wide Amtrak, freight, hazardous materials transportation, and passenger rail security upgrades, including to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. Requires railroad carriers to develop rail security training programs for all front-line workers. Sets forth certain whistleblower protections for rail employees or other persons providing information about perceived security threats. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (or Secretary of Transportation, where appropriate) to require: (1) rail carriers transporting hazardous materials to develop high hazard material security threat mitigation plans; and (2) motor carriers transporting hazardous materials to maintain route plans that meet certain requirements. Sets forth requirements regarding : (1) equipping rail cars and motor carriers transporting high hazard materials with wireless communications and tracking technology; (2) hazardous materials security plans of shippers, carriers, and other persons; (3) truck security assessment; (4) a national security public sector response system; (5) over-the-road bus operators or over-the-road bus terminal operators system-wide security improvements; (6) a Pipeline Security and Incident Recovery Protocols Plan; and (7) pipeline security plans and inspecting of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines and pipeline facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements. Requires the Secretary to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body and may result in improved understanding of treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but that are not derived from a human embryo. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research; (2) prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit; and (3) take into account techniques outlined by the President's Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact, and the President should sign, legislation to amend part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for fair prescription drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Appropriates to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2007 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions, an amount equal to that authorized to be appropriated for such purposes for such fiscal year under the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Division B of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007).
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Indian Tribes Methamphetamine Reduction Grants 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 such 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 · 4 January 2007
Trade Adjustment Assistance Improvement Act of 2007 - Trade Adjustment Assistance Equity for Service Workers Act of 2007 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to allow the filing of a petition for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance by adversely affected: (1) workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or public agency; and (2) service sector firms. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide technical assistance to service industries adversely affected by import competition. Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) certify as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance adversely affected secondary workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or a public agency; and (2) upon the request of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative, or resolution of Congress, initiate an investigation to determine the eligibility for trade adjustment assistance for a group of workers or all workers in an occupation (effectively providing another method for petitioning for trade adjustment assistance). Provides for industry-wide certification of workers, including agricultural commodity producers, for trade adjustment assistance where bilateral or other safeguard provisions are invoked or antidumping or countervailing duties have been imposed. Establishes: (1) the Office of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Advisor; and (2) the Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance. Revises alternative trade adjustment assistance program eligibility requirements for older workers. Revises trade readjustment assistance eligibility requirements for adversely affected workers to extend job training enrollment deadlines and the provision of assistance during such training. Extends the trade adjustment assistance program through FY2012. Trade Adjustment Assistance Accountability Act - Requires the Secretary to collect necessary data regarding the trade adjustment assistance program. Makes fishermen who harvest wild stock eligible for trade adjustment assistance. Modifies trade adjustment assistance group eligibility requirements for agricultural commodity producers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill individuals in certain length-of-service categories who, commencing on or after September 11, 2001, serve on active duty in the Armed Forces. Establishes the duration of such assistance (in most cases 36 months) and assistance amounts. Requires programs of education pursued with such assistance to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Allows for the pursuit of an approved program of education while on active duty. Allows, under such assistance, for the pursuit of: (1) programs on less than a half-time basis; (2) apprenticeship or other on-job training; (3) correspondence courses; (4) flight training; (5) tutorial assistance; and (6) licensure and certification tests. Makes individuals entitled to assistance under this Act also eligible for supplemental educational assistance for additional active duty service. Requires the Secretary to carry out a program, to be known as the "Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program," under which colleges and universities may enter into an agreement with the Secretary to cover, for certain individuals, a portion of established charges not otherwise covered and match contributions toward such costs. Requires educational assistance under this Act to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions). Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Prevention First Act - Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and PHSA to prohibit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage from excluding or restricting benefits in any way for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market. Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate information on emergency contraception to the public and to health care providers. Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act of 2007 - Requires hospitals, as a condition of receiving federal funds, to offer and to provide, upon request, emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault. At-Risk Communities Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for teenage pregnancy prevention programs. Requires the Secretary to award grants for teenage pregnancy prevention research. Truth in Contraception Act of 2007 - Requires that any information concerning the use of a contraceptive provided through specified federally funded education programs be medically accurate and include health benefits and failure rates. Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to expand Medicaid's coverage of family planning services. Responsible Education About Life Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary to make grants to states for family life education, including education on abstinence and contraception, to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2007
Research Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the tax credit for increasing research expenses to establish a standard 20% credit rate for research expenses exceeding 50% of average expenses over the preceding three year period; (2) establish a uniform 80% reimbursement rate for all contract research expenses (100% for basic research payments); (3) make such tax credit permanent; (4) allow a tax credit for equity investments in small business innovation companies; and (5) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for research park facilities used in connection with research and experimentation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) study and report to Congress on taxpayer compliance with the substantiation requirements for claiming the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (2) issue regulations on the application of private activity bond rules to the funding of federal research agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2006
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include territories and Indian tribes as eligible grant recipients (or reaffirm such 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 · 6 December 2006
Social Security Trust Funds Restoration Act of 2006 - Makes appropriations to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to restore amounts erroneously overpaid from the Trust Funds to the general fund of the Treasury between 1999 and 2005 as transfers, under the voluntary withholding program, of anticipated taxes on benefit payments under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2006
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend through September 30, 2007, a suspension of limitation on the period for which certain borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2006
Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain landowners whose property contains the habitat of an endangered or threatened species and who enter into a habitat protection agreement a tax credit for costs relating to habitat protection easements and restoration. Places limits on the amount of such credit for calendar years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Allows a tax deduction for expenditures related to recovery plans approved by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Excludes from gross income certain payments under: (1) the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program authorized by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act; and (2) the Landowner Incentive Program, the State Wildlife Grants Program, and the Private Stewardship Grants Program authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2006
Summer of Service Act of 2006 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to create Summer of Service programs providing at least 100 hours of summer community service learning opportunities to youth who will subsequently enroll in grades six through nine. Requires the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service to provide competitive three-year grants to: (1) states under a State Grant program; and (2) public or private organizations under a National Direct Grant program, when a state does not apply for funding or the community service program includes multiple states. Requires states and organizations, in making project subgrants, to favor entities with established track records that: (1) have leadership positions in the communities from which participating youth will be drawn; (2) focus on youth service during the transition year before high school; (3) encourage or enable youth to continue providing community service throughout the school year; (4) involve youth in the design and operation of the community service project; and (5) include youth of diverse backgrounds, at least 50% of which are from low-income families. Permits such entities to charge the parents of participants an income-based fee to contribute to the nonfederal share of project costs. Makes each youth serving at least 100 hours in a service-learning project eligible for an educational award of up to $500.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Canyon Ferry National Recreation Area Act - Designates specified federal land in Montana as the Canyon Ferry National Recreation Area and provides for its management and funding.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2006 - Makes technical and clerical corrections to the Internal Revenue Code, including corrections to provisions enacted by: (1) the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005; (2) the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005; (3) the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; (4) the Energy Policy Act of 2005; (5) the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; (6) the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003; (7) the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001; (8) the Tax Relief Extension Act of 1999; and (9) the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2006
Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance for: (1) crop disaster assistance for qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop due to weather or related conditions (including disease, insects, and delayed harvest; (2) livestock assistance for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses; (3) livestock indemnity payments for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses (including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and anthrax); (4) ewe lamb replacement and retention; (5) sugar beet disaster assistance for crop year 2005; (6) sugarcane growers in Hawaii through a payment to an agricultural transportation cooperative in Hawaii; (7) flooded crop and grazing land in the Devils Lake basin, the McHugh, Lake Laretta, and Rose Lake closed drainage areas, North Dakota; and (8) bovine tuberculosis indemnification. Directs the Secretary to make grants to state agriculture departments or comparable agencies in qualified states for direct economic loss payments to eligible small businesses. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to carry out emergency measures under: (1) the emergency watershed protection program; (2) the emergency conservation program, including wildfire recovery efforts; and (3) the environmental quality incentives program, including wildfire recovery efforts. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to expedite the delivery of agricultural disaster and economic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that public policy should continue to protect and strengthen the ability of farmers and ranchers to join together in cooperative self-help efforts to: (1) improve their income from the marketplace and their economic well-being; (2) capitalize on new market opportunities; and (3) help meet the food and fiber needs of consumers, provide for increased energy production, promote rural development, maintain and create needed jobs, and contribute to a growing U.S. economy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2006
Emergency Trade Program Extension Act of 2006 - Extends: (1) the Generalized System of Preferences under the Trade Act of 1974; (2) the Andean Trade Preference Act; and (3) the preferential treatment of certain textiles and apparel from lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries (including Mauritius) under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Requires congressional hearings on the future of trade preference programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2006
Education Competitiveness Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish scholarship programs for students pursuing degrees in: (1) early childhood education; (2) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; or (3) critical foreign languages. Requires scholarship recipients, for four years, to teach in their field of study or or work in employment that improves education. Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to nonprofit educational agencies to work with local educational agencies (LEAs) to expand or develop Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) programs in their schools. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to states for: (1) programs encouraging elementary and secondary school teachers to serve in rural or underserved areas; (2) voluntary universal prekindergarten programs focusing on child development; (3) coordination of prekindergarten through grade 16 (PK-16) programs and establishment of integrated data systems tracking student progress; (4) internships and summer programs for middle and secondary school students; (5) student mentoring, afterschool , and enrichment programs; and (6) summer science and engineering institutes for secondary school students. Requires states to take specified actions to raise early childhood education teachers' qualifications. Authorizes the Secretary to award: (1) matching grants to LEAs to establish and operate specialty science and mathematics secondary schools; (2) scholarships to students pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree who agree to work in their field of study for four years; and (3) research grants to scientists who are under age 40. Increases the Pell grant. Increases and extends funding for Indian education programs, including Native American language immersion programs. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary to award grants to partnerships between: (1) institutions of higher education and local workforce investment boards for job training in high-growth industries or occupations; and (2) such institutions and facilitators of small business development for small business training. Authorizes grants to states and LEAs for distance learning. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish education tax incentives which include: (1) a refundable higher education tax credit; (2) the application of retirement plan distributions to longer student loan repayment periods; (3) larger deductions for teachers' classroom expenses, student loan interest, and charitable contributions to schools; (4) a larger employee exclusion for employer provided educational assistance; (5) Young Savers Accounts; (6) the extension of the Qualified Academy Zone Bond program and participation by tribally controlled colleges and universities; and (7) an additional standard deduction for real property taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2006
Medicare Data Access and Research Act - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to: (1) enter into data release agreements with specified agencies to provide access to relevant data submitted by prescription drug (PD) plans and MedicareAdvantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans under part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of SSA title XVIII (Medicare) and linked to hospital, physician, and other relevant medical claims, utilization, and diagnostic Medicare and Medicaid (SSA title XIX) data; and (2) permit such an agency to link such data with other relevant health data as needed to accomplish its research objectives. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into data use agreements with specified research centers and organizations to provide access to the same kind of data; (2) permit them to link it with other relevant health data for research purposes; and (3) prepare the linked sets of data for release not later than July 1, 2007. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to provide a congressional support agency upon request with Medicare part D information for use in carrying out its functions and activities as mandated by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2006
Commemorates the life of each individual who died as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Extends deepest condolences to the victims, as well as to their families, friends, and loved ones. Condemns the attacks, the terrorists who perpetrated them, and their sponsors. Commits to support the necessary steps to defeat terrorists who plot to harm the American people. Recommits the Senate and the Nation to bringing the perpetrators of the attacks and their sponsors to justice. Honors members of the Armed Forces, law enforcement personnel, first responders, members of the intelligence community, and others who have bravely participated in the War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001. Declares September 11, 2006, to be a National Day of Remembrance, in commemoration of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. Declares that when the Senate adjourns today (September 11, 2006), it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to each individual who died as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
Help Our Patriots Employment (HOPE) Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) include veterans entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability as targeted group members for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit; and (2) increase from $6,000 to $12,000 the amount of first-year wages eligible for the work opportunity tax credit in the case of a veteran with a service-connected disability. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY2008 and FY2009 to operate the National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
Education for Retirement Security Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to a national entity to carry out a subgrant program for economic and financial education. Requires a grant recipient to award subgrants to enable eligible area entities to deliver economic and financial education programs to mid-life and older individuals who reside in local communities in order to: (1) enhance financial and retirement knowledge; and (2) reduce financial abuse and fraud, including telemarketing, mortgage, and pension fraud and identity theft. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to: (1) create and make available materials and information that promote economic and financial education; and (2) provide training and assistance regarding the establishment of economic and financial education programs to eligible area entities awarded a subgrant.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance for: (1) crop disaster assistance for qualifying quantity or quality losses for the 2005 or 2006 crop due to weather or related conditions (including disease, insects, and delayed harvest; (2) livestock assistance for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses; (3) livestock indemnity payments for 2005 and 2006 disaster-caused losses (including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and anthrax); (4) ewe lamb replacement and retention; (5) sugar beet disaster assistance for crop year 2005; (6) sugarcane growers in Hawaii through a payment to an agricultural transportation cooperative in Hawaii; (7) flooded crop and grazing land in the Devils Lake basin, the McHugh, Lake Laretta, and Rose Lake closed drainage areas, North Dakota; and (8) bovine tuberculosis indemnification. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for: (1) state grants to promote agriculture; and (2) grants for value of production. Requires a recipient state to give priority for livestock and specialty crops. Directs the Secretary to make supplemental economic loss payments to: (1) producers on a farm who received a crop year 2005 direct payment; and (2) dairy producers eligible to receive a 2005 national dairy market loss payment. Directs the Secretary to make grants to state agriculture departments or comparable agencies in qualified states for direct economic loss payments to eligible small businesses. Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to: (1) carry out emergency measures under the emergency watershed protection and emergency conservation programs; and (2) hire additional state and county Farm Service Agency personnel to expedite the delivery of agricultural disaster and economic assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006
Help Our Patriots Employment (HOPE) Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) include veterans entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability as targeted group members for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit; and (2) increase from $6,000 to $12,000 the amount of first-year wages eligible for the work opportunity tax credit in the case of a veteran with a service-connected disability. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY2008 and FY2009 to operate the National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Timely Access to Care Act of 2006 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) to waive the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage of individuals disabled by reason of exposure to tremolite asbestos.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Expresses the sense of the Senate that illegal immigrants should not receive Social Security benefits and that this prohibition should be strictly enforced.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 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 · 1 August 2006
Payment Accuracy Improvement Act of 2006 - Declares that, for payments to hospitals under under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for discharges occurring during FY2006-FY2007, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may not apply an occupational mix adjustment to more than 10% of the Medicare hospital area wage index. Requires the Secretary, when applying such an occupational mix adjustment, to use only the data that was to be used to make the adjustment to such wage index under the proposed rule published by the Secretary in the Federal Register on April 25, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Agriculture Fire Assistance Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance: (1) to agricultural producers who incurred fire-caused losses in 2006 for livestock indemnity payments and feed assistance; (2) for the emergency conservation and watershed protection programs, with priority given to producers who incurred fire-caused losses in 2006; and (3) for environmental quality incentive payments to producers who incurred fire-caused losses in 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2006
Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program to facilitate undergraduate study abroad for academic credit. States that the Program shall consist of: (1) undergraduate fellowships (Lincoln Fellowships); and (2) grants to institutions of higher education (Lincoln Institutional Leverage Grants).
![Official portrait of Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000243_200.jpg)