United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Directs: (1) the U.S. Trade Representative to certify to Congress by December 15, 2005, that Japan is no longer prohibiting the importation of U.S. beef; (2) the Secretary of the Treasury, if such certification is not made, to impose additional tariffs (which shall continue until the certification is submitted to Congress) on Japan by December 31, 2005; and (3) the Secretary of Agriculture to begin negotiations with Japan to end such beef import prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2005
Government Settlement Transparency Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the rule denying a tax deduction for fines and penalties paid to a government for the violation of any law to provide that no deduction shall be allowed for any fine or penalty paid (whether by suit, agreement, or otherwise) to, or at the direction of, a government or nongovernmental regulatory entity for a violation of law or for the investigation or inquiry by such government or entity into a potential violation of any law. Allows exceptions to the general rule of nondeductibility for: (1) certain restitution payments or payments required to come into compliance with law; (2) court-ordered payments not involving a government or nongovernmental regulatory entity; and (3) amounts paid or incurred as taxes due. Requires governmental agencies involved in a settlement with a taxpayer to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and the taxpayer information about such settlement, including the amount of the settlement, the amount paid as restitution or remediation of property, and the amount paid to come into compliance with law.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins emblematic of the San Francisco Old Mint Building, its importance to California and U.S. history, and its role in rebuilding San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and fire. Requires that all surcharges received by the Secretary from such coin sales be promptly paid to the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society to rehabilitate the Historic Old Mint in San Francisco as a city museum and an American Coin and Gold Rush Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2005
Empowering More Property Owners With Enhanced Rights Act of 2005 or EMPOWER Act - Amends the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 to require a federal agency when acquiring real property to provide to a property owner with: (1) at the beginning of the negotiation process, the current contact information for the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsperson; (2) a description of available mediation and other dispute resolution alternatives; and (3) in specified cases, a copy of the appraisal. Establishes the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsperson to: (1) at the request of a federal or state agency, advise the agency with respect to actions that may affect property rights; (2) advise private property owners that have a legitimate potential or actual claim against a federal agency involving property rights; and (3) if appropriate, and if requested by a private property owner, mediate or arrange arbitration for disputes between private property owners and federal agencies that involve property rights, eminent domain, or relocation assistance under the Act. Sets forth requirements for arbitration and mediation requested by a private property owner and arranged by the Property Rights Ombudsperson. Authorizes the establishment of other federal and state offices of property rights ombudspersons.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2005
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating a Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office in operation as of the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2005
Cleanup of Inactive and Abandoned Mines Act - Includes among purposes of this Act to: (1) encourage the partial or complete remediation of inactive or abandoned mining sites for the public good by Good Samaritans; (2) provide appropriate protections for such Good Samaritans under applicable environmental laws; and (3) create an efficient permit process for remediation projects. Defines "Good Samaritan" as a person who is unrelated to an inactive or abandoned mining site, who had no role in the creation of such site or no significant role in the environmental pollution caused by such site, and who is not liable by law for the remediation of such site. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a permit to a Good Samaritan for a remediation project. Establishes eligibility requirements for permits, including that: (1) the principal purpose of the project is the reduction of pollution caused by historic mine residue; (2) a state remediation program be in effect prior to the issuance of a permit; and (3) a permit applicant provide specified information to the Administrator to demonstrate ability to complete the project. Requires the Administrator to: (1) consult with permit applicants; (2) maintain all records relating to permits and the permit process; (3) provide notice to the public about permit applications; and (4) monitor remediation projects. Imposes civil penalties for violations of permit requirements and authorizes injunctions to require compliance with a permit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2005
Gulf Coast Infrastructure Redevelopment and Recovery Act of 2005 - Federal Infrastructure Preparedness Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of the Army to establish a Federal Infrastructure Task Force to improve preparedness for the effects of extreme weather events on U.S infrastructure. Requires the Task Force to serve as the coordinating entity to distribute federal funding for infrastructure redevelopment required by Hurricane Katrina (Katrina). Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to obligate more than $100 million in a state for a fiscal year under the emergency relief program for projects for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads, and trails in response to Katrina. Emergency Water Infrastructure Assistance Act of 2005 - Authorizes Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to provide additional subsidization to projects that receive funds through a revolving loan under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to repair, replace or rebuild publicly-owned treatment works in Katrina-affected areas or water quality projects directly related to relief efforts. Amends: (1) the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for post-disaster economic recovery; and (2) the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Delta Regional Authority to designate as a disaster area a county or parish that is affected by the declaration of a major disaster in response to Katrina. Directs the Authority to establish the Delta Regional Authority Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Directs: (1) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use specified funds for activities, including cleanup, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of drinking water supplies and wastewater treatment plants, and to report on hazardous materials releases; and (2) the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to conduct an assessment of Corps infrastructure in the region to determine whether opportunities exist for project modifications that may reduce future hurricane impacts. National Levee Safety Program Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a program under which the Secretary inspects U.S. levees every 10 years; (2) establish the Interagency Committee on Levee Safety; (3) establish the National Levee Safety Review Board; and (4) establish and maintain a national levee safety program. Emergency Water Infrastructure Assistance Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to enter into an emergency lease, for up to five years, during a major disaster declared by the President or the head of a federal agency. Habitability of Residential Homes, Schools, and Commercial Buildings Affected by Hurricane Katrina Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator to establish a grant program to pay the federal share of the cost of abatement and inspection activities for residential homes, commercial buildings, and schools affected by Katrina. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide reimbursement for the establishment of commuter assistance programs to improve worker access to assist in the rapid recovery of communities in response to a major disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should not be a signatory to any agreement or protocol with respect to the Doha Development Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, or any other bilateral or multilateral trade negotiations, that adopts any proposal to lessen the effectiveness of domestic and international disciplines on unfair trade or safeguard provisions, including certain proposals, and would lessen in any manner U.S. ability to enforce rigorously its trade laws, including the antidumping, countervailing duty, and safeguard laws. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. trade laws and international rules appropriately serve the public interest by offsetting injurious unfair trade, and that further "balancing modifications" or other similar provisions are unnecessary and would add to the complexity and difficulty of achieving relief against injurious unfair trade practices; and (2) the United States should ensure that any new agreement relating to international disciplines on unfair trade or safeguard provisions fully rectifies and corrects decisions by WTO dispute settlement panels or the Appellate Body that have unjustifiably and negatively impacted, or threaten to negatively impact, U.S. law or practice, including a law or practice with respect to foreign dumping or subsidization.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2005
Libby Health Care Act - Amends federal bankruptcy law to prohibit the court from entering an order confirming a plan of reorganization under chapter 11 involving a responsible party, or issuing an injunction in connection with such order, unless the responsible party: (1) has established a health care trust fund for the benefit of individuals suffering from an asbestos-related disease or illness; and (2) has deposited not less than $250 million into such health care trust fund. Defines "responsible party" as a corporation: (1) that has engaged in mining vermiculite that was contaminated by tremolite asbestos; (2) whose officers or directors have been indicted for knowingly releasing asbestos into the ambient air and knowingly endangering the residents of Libby, Montana, and the surrounding communities; and (3) for which the Department of Justice has intervened in a bankruptcy proceeding. Requires any payment received by the United States for recovery of costs associated with the actions to address asbestos contamination in Libby, Montana, to be deposited into such fund. Sets eligibility criteria for medical benefit payments from the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2005
Pension Security and Transparency Act of 2005 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish new minimum funding standards for single-employer and multiemployer defined benefit pension plans. Limits benefits under underfunded plans. Establishes additional funding rules for multiemployer plans in endangered or critical status. Requires measures to forestall insolvency. Revises deduction limits for such plans. Revises deduction rules for combinations of defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans. Sets forth interest rate assumptions for determining lump sum distributions and for applying benefit limitations to such distributions. Increases certain premiums to be paid to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Provides for phasing-in increases of: (1) the annual flat-rate premium paid by all single-employer plans; and (2) the additional risk-based premium, which is to be paid by all underfunded plans. Limits PBGC guarantee of shutdown benefits and other unpredictable contingent event benefits under single employer plans. Revises requirements for defined benefit plan funding notices. Requires additional disclosures in annual reports and to plan participants and beneficiaries. Provides that defined benefit pension plans, including hybrid plans such as cash balance plans, may be deemed nondiscriminatory as to age if they comply with certain requirements, in cases of reduction in accrued benefits because of attainment of any age. Requires defined contribution plans to allow employees to divest employer stock and diversify their pension asset investments. Provides that defined benefit pension plans, including hybrid plans such as cash balance plans, may be deemed nondiscriminatory as to age if they comply with certain requirements, in cases of reduction in accrued benefits because of attainment of any age. Sets forth participant protections, including diversification rights, under defined contribution plans. Revises requirements relating to: (1) portability and distribution rules; (2) information, including investment advice and retirement planning, to assist pension plan participants; (3) spousal pension protection under ERISA and the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974; (4) employee plans compliance resolution systems; (5) governmental and tribal pension plans; (6) black lung disability trust funds; (7) treatment of death benefits from corporate-owned life insurance; and (8) compensation and pensions of Tax Court judges.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2005
Medicare Cost-Sharing and Welfare Extension Act of 2005 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to extend through September 2006 the program of cost-sharing assistance to qualifying individuals for the Medicare Part B premium (QI program). Sets the total amount available for allocation for the QI program for the: (1) period that begins on October 1, 2005, and ends on December 31, 2005, at $100 million; and (2) period that begins on January 1, 2006, and ends on September 30, 2006, at $300 million. Extends through March 31, 2006: (1) the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) under SSA title IV part A; (2) the separate program for abstinence education; (3) additional grants for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; (4) supplemental grants for population increases in certain states; and (5) the Transitional Medical Assistance program under Medicaid. Makes appropriations. Extends the National Random Sample Study of Child Welfare and Child Welfare Waiver Authority through March 31, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2005
Emergency Health Care Relief Act of 2005 - Requires a state to provide medical assistance to eligible Hurricane Katrina survivors under a state Medicaid plan. Increases the federal medical assistance percentage for providing medical assistance under a state Medicaid plan to any individual residing in certain affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain requirements in any geographical area in which there are a significant number of evacuees from an emergency area. Establishes the Disaster Relief Fund for payments to: (1) Medicaid providers to offset costs incurred by such providers as a result of Hurricane Katrina; and (2) state insurance commissioners for making payments to health insurance issuers for health insurance premiums for eligible individuals or qualified employers. Amends the TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act of 2005 to revise the definition of "needy state" for purposes of Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) block grants to include any direct impact states and any other states that provide benefits or services to a family that resided in a direct impact state and traveled to the state as a result of the hurricane. Increases the maximum amount of all TANF loans that can be made to a state. Allows the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama to enter into and participate in an agreement with the Secretary of Labor to make payments of temporary extended unemployment compensation to individuals who are not otherwise entitled to such compensation. Authorizes modifications to procurement procedures as necessary for the support of Hurricane Katrina rescue and relief operations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2005
Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief to Hurricane Katrina victims, including by: (1) permitting penalty-free withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement accounts for disaster relief; (2) allowing certain tax credits for employers and employees affected by Hurricane Katrina; (3) increasing, between August 28 and December 31, 2005, the limitation on individual and corporate charitable cash contributions; (4) permitting tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes relating to Hurricane Katrina disaster relief; (5) allowing individuals (in addition to corporations) to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventories; (6) allowing an additional personal tax exemption for the housing of individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina; (7) increasing the standard mileage rate for the tax deduction for charitable usage of a passenger automobiles; (8) excluding from gross income cancellation of certain indebtedness owned by Hurricane Katrina victims; (9) suspending limitations on casualty losses incurred by Hurricane Katrina victims; and (10) authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose to state officials information concerning the tax status of certain charitable organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2005
Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 - Temporary Medicaid Disaster Relief Act of 2005 - Allows states to provide medical assistance to Hurricane Katrina survivors under a state Medicaid plan without regard to eligibility requirements. Provides for grants to local educational agencies and states with a large influx of displaced students due to Hurricane Katrina. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) authorize higher education institutions to waive federal financial aid requirements for students affected by Hurricane Katrina; and (2) make payments to institutions for financial aid for such students. Helping to House the Victims of Hurricane Katrina Act of 2005 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide temporary rental assistance to individuals and families affected by Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Emergency Limitation on Payments (HELP) Act of 2005 - Prohibits certain penalties against a person affected by Hurricane Katrina for failing to make timely payments on a federal financial obligation. Allows the President to provide mortgage or rental payments to people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the President to provide appropriate benefit assistance to any individual unemployed as a result of a major disaster. Provides tax relief to taxpayers affected by Hurricane Katrina, including disregarding a specified period in determining the tax liability of such taxpayers and excluding certain withdrawals from retirement plans from gross income. Hurricane Katrina Food Assistance Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide expedited and increased food stamp benefits for households in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Delays the changes to bankruptcy law for residents of a declared major disaster area in connection with Hurricane Katrina.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2005
National Parks Anniversaries-Great American Spaces Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue silver coins emblematic of certain National Parks that are observing historic anniversaries of their founding.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2005
Acknowledges Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist's lifelong service to the United States. Commends his 33-year tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court and his many accomplishments as Chief Justice. Extends sympathy to his family and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2005
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses the condolences of the Nation to the victims of Hurricane Katrina; (2) commends the resiliency and courage of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; and (3) commits to provide the necessary resources and to stand by the people of such states in the relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify provisions which suspend interest and penalties for taxpayers not contacted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about additional tax liability within 18 months of the filing of their tax returns to deny certain tax shelter participants suspension of any interest or penalties accruing on or before October 3, 2004, except those participants who accept certain IRS tax shelter settlement initiatives (current law applies only to interest accruing after October 3, 2004). Provides that the 18-month period for IRS notification of additional tax liability for taxpayers who file amended tax returns or return information showing additional tax liability begins on the date such amended returns or information are filed.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Pesticide Harmonization and Joint Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to establish procedures for the joint labeling of registered pesticides by the United States and any country which has a harmonized pesticide registration regulatory process (harmonized country). Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with a harmonized country, to review and approve joint labels. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) require joint labeling of new pesticides or uses; and (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with any harmonized country to address joint registration and labeling procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) for the past 40 years, Medicare has made significant medical, social, and economic contributions to our Nation; (2) the access to care provided by Medicare has changed the course of health outcomes for the elderly and those with disabilities preventing phsical deterioration and preventing more individuals from slipping into poverty; and (3) Congress must continue to support, strengthen, and enhance the quality of care in this vital federal health insurance program that guarantees all Medicare beneficiaries affordable health care that meets their needs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) over the past four decades Medicaid has been a core component of the American health system; (2) Medicaid has ensured that the vast majority of Medicaid beneficiaries did not join the ranks of the current 45 million Americans with no health insurance; and (3) Congress must continue and strengthen the state-federal partnership that provides this vital health insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) oversee and support a national education campaign focusing on reducing falls among older adults and preventing repeat falls; and (2) award grants to design and carry out local education campaigns. Directs the Secretary to conduct and support research to: (1) improve the identification of older adults who have a high risk of falling; (2) improve data collection and analysis to identify fall risk and protective factors; (3) design, implement, and evaluate the most effective fall prevention interventions; (4) tailor effective strategies to reduce falls to specific populations of older adults; (5) maximize the dissemination of proven, effective fall prevention interventions; (6) improve the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of elderly fall victims; and (7) assess the risks of falls occurring in various settings. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct research and develop, implement, and evaluate the most effective approaches to reduce falls among high-risk older adults living in long-term care facilities; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of community programs; (3) provide professional education for physicians and allied health professionals in fall prevention; (4) oversee and support specified demonstration and research projects; (5) award grants to design, implement, and evaluate fall prevention programs using proven intervention strategies and carry out a multistate demonstration project; and (6) report to Congress on the effects of falls on health care costs, the potential for reducing falls, and the most effective strategies for reducing associated health care costs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to create in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) the position of Chief Trade Prosecutor (CTP) to ensure that U.S. trading partners comply with trade agreements to which the United States is a party. Requires the CTP to assist the USTR in: (1) investigating and prosecuting disputes before the World Trade Organization (WTO) and pursuant to other trade agreements to which the United States is a party; and (2) carrying out USTR functions under the Act. Require the CTP to: (1) make recommendations with respect to administration of U.S. trade laws relating to foreign government barriers to U.S. goods, services, intellectual property, and other trade matters; and (4) perform such other functions as the USTR may direct.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Hunting Heritage Protection Act - Requires that federal public lands be open to access and use for recreational hunting except: (1) as limited by the federal agency with responsibility for such lands for national security or public safety reasons, or for reasons authorized in applicable federal statutes as reasons for closure; and (2) as such hunting is limited by the state in which such lands are located. Directs the head of each federal agency with authority to manage a natural resource or public lands on which such a resource depends to exercise that authority in a manner so as to support, promote, and enhance recreational hunting opportunities. Declares that federal land management decisions and actions should result in no net loss of land area available for hunting opportunities on federal public lands. Requires the heads of federal agencies with authority to manage federal public lands on which recreational hunting occurs to report annually to specified congressional committees on areas administered that have been closed during the previous year to recreational hunting and reasons for such closures and on areas that were open to such hunting to compensate for closed areas. Prohibits a withdrawal, change of classification, or change of management status that effectively closes 5,000 or more acres of federal public land for use for recreational hunting from occurring unless the head of the federal agency with authority to manage the land has submitted written notice of the action to both Houses of Congress. Grants states the right to file civil actions in district courts in cases where federal agencies fail to comply with state authority to manage or regulate fish and wildlife.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
Internet Safety and Child Protection Act of 2005 - Requires: (1) an operator of a regulated pornographic website to verify (using Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-certified software) that any user attempting to access its site is age 18 or older; (2) a bank, credit card company, third-party merchant, Internet payment service provider, or business that performs financial transactions for such a website to only process age-verified Internet pornography credit card transactions; (3) the FTC to require use of appropriate age-screening software and maintain a list of websites that do not comply; and (4) violations of the age verification requirement to be treated as a Federal Trade Commission Act violation. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose upon the operator of a regulated pornographic website for any Internet pornography display or distribution a tax equal to 25 percent of the amounts charged. Establishes in the Treasury the Internet Safety and Child Protection Trust Fund into which such taxes shall be deposited. Requires Fund amounts to be allocated (in order of priority) for: (1) federal agencies to enforce this Act; (2) the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to ensure that the cyber tip line is fully operational and staffed 24 hours a day; (3) states to support Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces; (4) companies to support research and development into new filtering technologies; (5) state agencies to support educational training; and (6) specified federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and nonprofits to support child Internet safety activities, including combating sex trafficking and sex crimes against children.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005
Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a three-year pilot program under which up to 15 states may issue electronic migratory bird hunting and conservation stamps. Prohibits a state's participation in the program absent the Secretary's approval of an application providing details of the state's electronic stamp process. Requires the Secretary to publish eligibility requirements and selection criteria. Directs the Secretary to require participating states to: (1) provide an actual (paper) stamp to each individual to whom the state sells an electronic stamp by the date on which the electronic stamp expires; and (2) collect and transmit to the Secretary electronic stamp revenue and customer information. Authorizes participating states to charge a reasonable fee to cover program costs. Sets forth requirements for electronic stamps. Authorizes termination of a state's participation in the program by the Secretary for violations of application terms or by a state upon providing written notice.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Industries Act of 2005 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of Labor, upon the request of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative, or of a congressional resolution, to initiate an investigation promptly to determine a petition for eligibility for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by: (1) a group of workers (which may include workers from more than one facility or employer); or (2) all workers in an occupation. Prescribes duties of the governor of such state in which the workers' firm or subdivision is located, and of the Secretary with respect to the petition and its investigation. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary study a domestic industry whenever the International Trade Commission (ITC) begins investigations with respect to such industry. Requires, before certain actions are taken, notification to appropriate individuals by: (1) the ITC regarding certain investigations, determinations, and bilateral safeguards; (2) the Commissioner of Customs regarding agricultural safeguards; (3) the President regarding textile safeguards; and (4) the ITC regarding antidumping and countervailing duties. Requires the Secretary, upon receiving a request or a resolution on behalf of workers in a domestic industry or occupation, or upon receiving three or more of such TAA petitions within six months on behalf of such workers, to make an industry-wide determination with respect to the domestic industry or occupation in which the workers are or were employed. Requires the Secretary also, if TAA eligibility is not certified under such a determination, to make a determination of TAA eligibility regarding each group of workers in that domestic industry or occupation from which a petition was received. Requires industry-wide certification, as appropriate, including industry-wide certification for agricultural commodity producers, to be based on specified global safeguards, bilateral safeguard provisions, or antidumping or countervailing duty orders. Increases from $220 million to $440 million the total amount of fiscal year payments that may be made for training of adversely affected workers under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005
Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2005 - Makes technical and clerical corrections to the Internal Revenue Code, including corrections to provisions enacted by: (1) the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; (2) the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004; (3) the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003; (4) the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001; (5) the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century; and (6) the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005
Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act - Authorizes the President to award a medal to be known as the "Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Congressional Medal," to the personal representative or next of kin of individuals killed as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in recognition of their sacrifice and to honor their deaths. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike three medals, to be representative of and in honor of, respectively: (1) victims of the attack at the World Trade Center, including civilians, public safety officers, emergency workers, and hijack victims; (2) victims aboard United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania; and (3) victims at the Pentagon, including the hijack victims. Declares eligible for such medal any individual who died on or after September 11, 2001, as a direct result of that act of terrorism within the United States. States the medals are national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Gaylord A. Nelson, a former member of the United States Senate from Wisconsin. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on July 11, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Nelson.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2005
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses deepest sympathies and condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the victims and their families for the heinous terrorist attacks that occurred in London on July 7, 2005; (2) condemns these barbaric and unwarranted attacks on the innocent people of London; (3) expresses strong and continued solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom and pledges to remain shoulder-to-shoulder with them to bring the terrorists responsible for these brutal attacks to justice; and (4) calls upon the international community to renew and strengthen efforts to defeat terrorists by dismantling terrorist networks and exposing the violent and nihilistic ideology of terrorism, increase international cooperation to advance personal and religious freedoms, ethnic and racial tolerance, political liberty and pluralism, and economic prosperity, and combat the social injustice, oppression, poverty, and extremism that breeds terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Better Healthcare Through Information Technology Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to develop a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the public-private American Health Information Collaborative to recommend to the President uniform policies to support the widespread adoption of health information technology and modifications to standards for the electronic exchange of health information. Requires the President to review and, if appropriate, provide for the adoption of such standards. Prohibits any federal agency from expending federal funds to purchase hardware, software, or support services that are inconsistent with adopted standards. Requires all federal agencies collecting health data to comply with the adopted standards. Requires the Secretary to develop criteria to: (1) ensure uniform and consistent implementation of any standards voluntarily adopted by private entities; and (2) ensure and certify hardware, software, and support services compliance with adopted standards. Allows the Secretary to award grants to: (1) facilitate the purchase and enhance the utilization of qualified health information technology systems; and (2) carry out demonstration projects to develop academic programs integrating qualified health information technology systems in the clinical education of health professionals. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop quality measurement systems for the purposes of measuring the quality of care patients receive; and (2) study methods to create efficient reimbursement incentives for improving health care quality. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ), to develop a Center for Best Practices for the effective use health information technology. Allows the Director of AHRQ to establish a demonstration program to award grants or contracts to support health information network planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Amends the Social Security Act to allow physicians to receive financial support regarding the electronic exchange of health information.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of qualified foreign corporation for purposes of qualifying dividends paid by such corporations for preferential tax rates to require that such corporations be created or organized in a foreign country that has a comprehensive tax system.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Medicare Value Purchasing (MVP) Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to add a new part E (Value-Based Purchasing) under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop measurement systems to provide value-based payments to: (1) hospitals; (2) physicians and practitioners; (3) health plans; (4) end stage renal disease (ESRD) providers and facilities; and (5) home health agencies. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study how the Medicare value-based purchasing programs will impact Medicare beneficiaries, Medicare providers, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary to establish a program under which value-based payments are provided each fiscal year to hospitals that demonstrate a high quality health care for inpatients entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance). Directs the Secretary to make a value-based payment to a hospital with respect to a fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the quality of the care provided in that year to Medicare inpatients: (1) has substantially improved over the prior year; or (2) exceeds a threshold established by the Secretary. Prescribes a formula for the amount of such value-based payments, ranging from 1% of their Medicare payments for FY2007 by specified increments up to 2% for FY2011 and after. Directs the MEDPAC to study and report to Congress and the Secretary on the advisability and feasibility of establishing Medicare value-based purchasing programs, including ones for prescription drugs and renal dialysis facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a Medicare value-based purchasing demonstration program for critical access hospitals; and (2) a demonstration project to determine the threshold amount of information technology connectivity necessary to improve the ability of rural and frontier physicians and practitioners to collect and use quality of care data. Outlines a Medicare Advantage Plans value-based purchasing program. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to direct the Secretary to implement a value-based purchasing program for providers and facilities participating in the demonstration of bundled case-mix adjusted payment system for ESRD services. Requires the Secretary to establish chronic kidney disease demonstration projects. Outlines a value-based purchasing program for home health agencies and for skilled nursing facilities. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on appropriate measures to evaluate the quality of health care provided by skilled nursing facilities to Medicare patients. Provides for a national health information network pilot project. Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on telehealth and telemedicine.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
ALS Registry Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); and (2) establish a national registry for the collection and storage of ALS data. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish the Advisory Committee on the National ALS Registry to study and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning: (1) the development and maintenance of the registry; (2) the type of information to be included; (3) the manner in which data is to be collected; (4) the use and availability of such data; and (5) the collection of information about diseases and disorders that primarily affect motor neurons that are considered essential to furthering the study and cure of ALS. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on ALS. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) identify, build upon, expand, and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure wherever possible; and (2) provide for public access to an electronic national database that accepts data from state registries, health care professionals, and others as recommended by the Advisory Committee in a manner that protects personal privacy. Requires the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information is made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award up to ten demonstration grants to states for the development, implementation, and evaluation of alternatives to current tort litigation for resolving disputes over injuries allegedly caused by health care providers or health care organizations. Requires such states to: (1) develop such an alternative to current tort litigation; and (2) promote a reduction of health care errors by allowing for patient safety data related to such disputes to be collected and analyzed by organizations that engage in voluntary efforts to improve patient safety and the quality of health care delivery. Sets forth model alternatives to current tort litigation that states may utilize.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat all members of a corporation's separate affiliated group as one corporation for purposes of determining whether such corporation and its subsidiaries meet the active business test required for corporations seeking nonrecognition of gain from the distribution of property in a reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Reorganization Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish in the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce an Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance to assist the Secretary of Commerce in carrying out his or her responsibilities with respect to the provision of trade adjustment assistance to firms that have been adversely affected by import competition.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005
Trade Adjustment Assistance Equity for Service Workers Act of 2005 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend trade adjustment assistance (TAA) to workers in a service sector firm or its subdivision or public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to include: (1) a shift, by a public agency to a foreign country, of production of articles or in provision of services, like or directly competitive with articles which are produced, or services which are provided by the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency; and (2) the situation where the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency obtains or is likely to obtain such services from a foreign country. Requires the Secretary of Labor to certify as eligible to apply for TAA any adversely affected secondary workers in a service sector firm or its subdivision or public agency. Specifies criteria for determination of the existence of increased imports of like or directly competitive articles or services. Increases from $220 million to $440 million the amount of fiscal year payments for training of adversely affected workers under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to provide technical assistance for the establishment of industrywide programs for new service development. Modifies the trade monitoring system to include imports of services.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2005
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2005 - 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 benefits paid under this Act from taxation. Provides for benefits for World War II Merchant Mariners under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005
American Indian Elderly and Disabled Access to Health Care Act of 2005 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to allow the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or an urban Indian organization to pay the monthly premium of an Indian who is a Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) eligible individual enrolled in a prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan under Medicare part D.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005
Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2005 - Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reallocating primary allocations of bands of frequencies of the amateur radio and amateur satellite services, diminishing the secondary allocations of such bands to such services, or making additional allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce their utility to the amateur radio or satellite service, unless the FCC provides equivalent replacement spectrum to amateur radio and satellite service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005
Expresses: (1) deep gratitude and sincere respect for Jesse R. Nichols, Sr. (first African American Clerk employed by the U.S. Senate) for his unfailing service and dedication to the Senate; and (2) condolences to the family due to his death on February 18, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable J. James Exon, former United States Senator for Nebraska. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on June 13, 2005, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Exon.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2005
Violence Against Women Act of 2005 - Reauthorizes and increases funding under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 for grants to combat violence against women. Authorizes the Attorney General, through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, to award grants to improve court responses. Reauthorizes provisions of the Violence Against Women Acts of 2000 and 1994 concerning training and services for the elderly and the disabled and provisions of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act regarding funding for the national domestic violence hotline. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prevent cyber-stalking. Provides increased penalties for repeat domestic violence offenses and protection order violations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to: (1) fund programs serving domestic violence victims ages 12 to 24; (2) develop collaborative responses and services to families where there is both child maltreatment and domestic violence; (3) strengthen home visitation and health care system responses; and (4) develop long-term housing options for domestic violence victims who are homeless. Directs the Attorney General to award grants to reduce violence against women on college campuses. Authorizes limited emergency leave for a public employee who is a victim of domestic violence. Grants the Secretary of Homeland Security (currently, the Attorney General) authority to determine whether an alien is or has been a victim of a severe form of trafficking. Makes inapplicable a provision finding an alien inadmissible upon demonstrating a connection between the alien being a victim of a severe form of trafficking and that alien's unlawful presence in the United States. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) permit Indian law enforcement agencies to enter into, and obtain information from, federal criminal information databases, in cases of domestic violence; and (2) develop a national tribal sex offender registry and a tribal protection order registry. Establishes in the Office a Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2005
VetsRide Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in remote rural areas in order to assist: (1) such veterans to travel to Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and (2) in providing medical care to such veterans. Limits grant amounts to $50,000.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Fair Treatment for Precious Metals Investors Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat bullion (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) as a long-term capital asset (currently, treated as a collectible), eligible for preferential capital gains tax rates.
![Official portrait of Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000243_200.jpg)