United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2006
Iraq Reconstruction Accountability Act of 2006 - Amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to change the date for termination of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (Office). Provides that the Office shall terminate 10 months after 80% of the funds appropriated or made available for the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund have been expended. Requires the Special Inspector General, prior to the termination date of the Office, to prepare a final forensic audit report on all funds appropriated or made available to the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Budget Enforcement Legislative Tools Act of 2006 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for expedited consideration of certain rescissions proposed by the President of discretionary budget authority in an appropriation Act. Prohibits funds made available for obligation under this procedure from being proposed for rescission again. Sets forth requirements for: (1) the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding a proposed rescission; (2) a maximum 25% ceiling on amounts subject to rescission; and (3) expedited congressional consideration of such proposal. Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider any direct spending or revenue legislation that would increase the on-budget deficit or cause an on-budget deficit for: (1) the first year or first five fiscal years covered by the most recently adopted concurrent resolution on the budget; or (2) the five fiscal years following such fiscal years. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to retain (by eliminating the expiration of) pay-as-you-go requirements. Extends specified budget enforcement mechanisms through FY2011.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) promulgate regulations necessary to reduce the aggregate net levels of global warming pollution emissions; and (2) establish a market-based emissions cap and global warming pollutants trading program. Establishes the Climate Reinvestment Fund. Requires EPA to: (1) establish, and revise every five years, standards for passenger vehicle emissions; and (2) research global climate change standards and processes. Sets forth requirements for retail electricity suppliers and EPA concerning: (1) energy efficiency and peak load reduction; (2) a related trading system; (3) renewable energy types and sources; and (4) a renewable energy credit program and related penalties. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish standards for accrediting certified reductions in carbon dioxide emission through biological sequestration activities. Requires major stationary sources to report annually to EPA about global warming pollutant emissions. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to report biennially to EPA and Congress about U.S. progress in avoiding dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Replaces specified volumes of renewable fuel required in gasoline for 2006-2012 with benchmarks for 2010, 2020, and 2030 and a requirement that EPA determine the volume for each year not specified annually. Requires the Secretary of Energy to ensure that major oil companies that sell gasoline in the United States through wholly-owned or branded stations provide pumps that dispense E-85 fuel at specified percentages. Creates a related trading program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to double the new qualified fuel cell motor vehicle credit, the new advanced lean burn technology motor vehicle credit, and the conservation credit. Creates a new plug-in hybrid motor vehicle credit and an advanced technology motor vehicles manufacturing credit. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) require securities issuers to inform investors of financial and economic risks relating to global warming; and (2) declare that U.S. commitments to reduce emissions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are considered to be a material effect and that global warming constitutes a known trend. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish a National Climate Change Vulnerability and Resilience Program and an Office of Climate Change Vulnerability and Resilience Research.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should continue to demonstrate international leadership regarding the conservation and sustainable use of high seas living marine resources by promoting adoption of a resolution at this year's U.N. General Assembly calling on all nations to prohibit destructive fishing activity in areas where there are no applicable conservation or management measures or in areas with no applicable international fishery management organizations or agreements until conservation and management measures consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, and other relevant instruments are implemented; and (2) calls upon U.N. member nations to adopt a resolution to protect the living resources of the high seas from destructive fishing practices.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Honors Mr. Britt "Max" Mayfield's 34 years of service and his commitment to improving the accuracy of hurricane forecasting upon his retirement as Director of the National Hurricane Center's Tropical Prediction Center.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Declares that the Senate will work with federal agencies, national organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the development and implementation of existing and future computer security voluntary consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of computer security in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2006
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain investors a business tax credit for 25% of equity investments made in small businesses, up to an annual limit of $500,000. Terminates such credit after 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2006
Expresses support for the goals of Red Ribbon Week. Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people to promote the creation of drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2006
Keep Children Covered Act of 2006 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to: (1) establish a special rule for redistribution of unspent FY2004 allotments; (2) provide for additional allotments to eliminate FY2007 funding shortfalls remaining after redistribution of unspent FY2004 allotments; and (3) extend authority through FY2006 for qualifying states to use certain SCHIP funds for Medicaid expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2006
Supports the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Declares that the Senate will work with federal agencies, national organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to encourage the development and implementation of existing and future computer security voluntary consensus standards, practices, and technologies in order to enhance the state of computer security in the United States.
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
Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006 - Allows the President to authorize a Terrorist Surveillance Program (Program) of electronic surveillance without a court order for periods of up to 45 days if: (1) the President determines that the surveillance is necessary to protect the United States, its citizens, or its interests, whether inside or outside the United States; (2) there is probable cause to believe that a surveillance subject is an agent or member of a group or organization on the Terrorist Surveillance List (established in this Act); (3) the surveillance is initiated and conducted in a manner reasonably designed to acquire only communications to or from the United States where at least one party to the surveillance is located outside the United States, or the communications appear to originate or terminate outside the United States; (4) there is not a substantial likelihood that the surveillance will acquire the substance of any communication where every party thereto is located within the United States; and (5) procedures are in place for the minimization of privacy infringement standards outlined under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. Directs the President to establish and maintain a Terrorist Surveillance List. Requires the Attorney General: (1) after the end of each Program period, to review and recommend to the President whether the program should be reauthorized; and (2) to review the surveillance of individual targets within the United States under each Program. Provides for the creation of Senate and House intelligence subcommittees to oversee and monitor surveillance conducted by the President under each Program. Requires regular subcommittee reports to the full intelligence committees. Amends federal criminal law to provide criminal penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of information collected under each Program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006
Condemns the government of Sudan's: (1) military offensive in Darfur in violation of the terms of the Darfur Peace Agreement (2006) and the N'Djamena cease-fire accord (2004); and (2) rejection of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1706 (2006). Commends the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) for its monitoring of the N'djamena cease-fire agreement and encourages the African Union (AU) to leave the AMIS force in place until a U.N. peacekeeping mission is deployed to Darfur. Calls upon the government of Sudan to: (1) cease its military offensive in Darfur; and (2) comply with the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers to Darfur. Calls upon the United Nations to: (1) deploy as quickly as practicable well trained and equipped peacekeeping troops as authorized by Security Council Resolution 1706; and (2) begin considerations of sanctions as called for by Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004) and Security Council Resolution 1564 (2004). Urges the President to help improve the security situation in Darfur by: (1) pursuing the imposition of a "no-fly zone" in Darfur in cooperation with the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or NATO allies; (2) garnering support for NATO assistance with the AU handover of AMIS to the United Nations; (3) obtaining the support of China, Russia, and U.S. allies in the Arab League to secure Sudan's compliance with U.N. peacekeeper deployment; (4) supporting full funding for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Sudan; (5) securing U.N. member state support for a special session on Sudan in the U.N. Human Rights Council; and (6) appointing a Special Envoy to Sudan to head the Office of the Presidential Special Envoy. Urges the international community to: (1) support the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers to Darfur financially, with logistical and equipment support, or through troop contributions; (2) fulfill financial obligations to U.N. and international humanitarian aid agencies for responding to the crisis in Darfur or addressing humanitarian needs throughout Sudan; (3) impose targeted sanctions against members of the National Congress Party responsible for human rights violations, war crimes, and crimes against humanity; and (4) impose sanctions consistent with Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1564.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Meningitis Immunization Awareness Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and make available to day care centers, camps, educational entities, prisons, and other entities that provide dorm-like housing, information concerning bacterial meningitis and the meningitis vaccine.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans. Requires the program to include: (1) a national mental health campaign to increase mental health awareness in the veteran community; (2) mandatory training on suicide and suicide prevention for appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and contractor personnel; (3) family education and peer support counseling; (4) veterans' health assessments, counseling, and access to mental health services; (5) suicide prevention counselors; (6) research on suicide prevention and on mental health of veterans who experienced sexual trauma; (7) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; and (8) a toll-free hotline. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary should take into consideration the special needs of veterans suffering from PTSD in developing and implementing the program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Surety Bond Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee any surety against loss from a small business principal's breach of bond on any total work or contract amount that does not exceed $3 million (currently, $2 million); (2) allow the Administrator to authorize a surety that issues, monitors, or services such bonds to use rates approved by the insurance commissioner in the state in which the contract will be performed; and (3) prohibit the Administrator from refusing to make payment on a surety guarantee based on facts, circumstances, or defects that the Administrator should reasonably have identified during the guarantee process. Requires the Administrator to notify the congressional small business committees regarding a proposed change in fees charged to guarantee surety bonds. Expresses the sense of Congress that the surety bond guarantee program is not required to be self-funding and, therefore, may at times operate at a loss.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax-preferred empowerment zones, enterprise communities, and renewal communities to: (1) extend the period of designation for empowerment zones and renewal communities through 2015; (2) provide a safe harbor standard for employee residency requirements in empowerment zones; (3) eliminate certain residency requirements for the empowerment zone employment tax credit; (4) grant authority to expand the boundaries of empowerment zones, enterprise communities, and renewal communities (requires expansion of such communities located in rural areas upon the request of a local government if specified conditions exist); (5) allow carryovers of unused expensing allowances for enterprise zone businesses; (6) allow certain empowerment zone businesses to elect to receive payments in lieu of tax benefits; and (7) allow federal guarantees and tax exemptions for enterprise zone facility bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow qualified retail improvement property a 15-year recovery period for purposes of the tax deduction for depreciation. Defines such property as any improvement to an interior portion of a building which is nonresidential real property, if: (1) such portion is open to the general public and is used in the trade or business of selling tangible personal property or services to the general public; and (2) such improvement is placed in service more than three years after the date the building was first placed in service. Excludes specified improvements, including the enlargement of a building, any elevator or escalator, or the internal structural framework of a building.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006
Small Business Information Security Act of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish the Small Business Information Security Task Force to address the information technology security needs of small businesses. Requires the Task Force, among other duties, to make recommendations to the Administrator on the establishment of an Internet portal to be used by the SBA to receive and dispense information and resources with respect to such needs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2006
Small Business Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to reauthorize for FY2007-FY2009 certain small business assistance programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA), including a predisaster mitigation program and grants to microloan program intermediaries and technical assistance providers. Makes permanent the Small Business Innovation Research Program. Extends through FY2009 various loan programs for small businesses under the Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, including: (1) general section 7(a) start-up and equity loans; (2) the microloan program; (3) certified development company financing; (4) the Service Corps of Retired Executives program; (5) disaster loan programs; and (6) the new markets venture capital program. Establishes: (1) the National Preferred Lenders Program; and (2) an Office of Minority Small Business Development. Authorizes: (1) the SBA Administrator to guarantee participating debentures issued by a licensed company to interim small business funding providers; (2) various development company loan programs, to be known collectively as the local development business loan program; (3) the Administrator to guarantee loans made by private lenders to small businesses located in disaster areas, including loans for disaster relief and reconstruction; (4) funding for veterans' and reservists' small business loan programs; (5) energy loans for small businesses; and (6) assistance for women-owned small businesses. Increases funding under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Provides technical and financial assistance for small business innovation. Native American Small Business Development Act of 2006 - Establishes a Native American small business development program and related pilot programs. National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2006 - Establishes a pilot program to assist small businesses in complying with federal and state regulatory requirements. Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot Program Act of 2006 - Establishes a small business intermediary lending pilot program. Establishes a: (1) pilot program for the development of peer learning opportunities for second-stage (high-growth) small businesses; (2) microenterprise technical assistance and capacity building grant program; and (3) minority entrepreneurship and innovation pilot program.
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 · 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).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2006
EPSCoR Research and Competitiveness Act of 2006 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Requires the Director of the NSF: (1) in the administration of the NSF's research infrastructure improvement grant program, to authorize states participating in the grant program to include partnership with out-of-state research institutions if the amount of funding transferred to another state does not exceed 5% of the amount of the grant in any fiscal year; and (2) from the amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act, to make available specified amounts for FY2007-FY2011 to such grant program. Requires the Director to obligate and spend not less than 20% of the amount available for EPSCoR on co-funding projects that are ranked by a peer-review process in the top 20% of all proposals submitted in response to an announced competition. Requires the submission of annual reports providing information concerning: (1) co-funded projects on a state-by-state basis; and (2) the amount and use of co-funding by each of the NSF's directorates. Requires the Director: (1) through the Office of Cyber Infrastructure, to develop and publish a plan enabling states participating in EPSCoR to develop partnerships and participate fully in the NSF's Cyber Infrastructure Initiative; and (2) through the Office of Major Research Instrumentation, to develop and publish a plan enabling states participating in EPSCoR to develop partnerships and participate fully in the NSF's major research instrumentation program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish a hybrid tax-exempt retirement plan to be known as an eligible combined plan, which is maintained by a small employer (having not more than 500 employees) and which combines features of a defined benefit plan and a qualified cash or deferred compensation arrangement. Sets forth benefit, contribution, vesting, and nondiscrimination requirements for such combined plans. Permits automatic contributions to such combined plans on behalf of employee participants.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Farm and Forestry Worker Transportation Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, in promulgating vehicle safety standards under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, to ensure that designated seats with operational seat belts are provided for the transportation of agricultural workers, with an exception for buses otherwise not federally required to have seat belts. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue minimum performance requirements for the strength of seats and the attachment of seats and seat belts in vehicles that are converted, after being sold for purposes other than resale, for the purpose of transporting such workers. Requires, effective seven years after enactment of this Act, vehicles converted for transport of such workers to provide the same level of safety as vehicles manufactured or altered for such purpose prior to being sold for purposes other than resale.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Medicare Prescription Drug Lifeline Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a process under which an individual may terminate enrollment in the prescription drug plan or the Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) Plan in which he or she is enrolled and enroll in any prescription drug plan or MA-PD Plan serving the area where the individual resides that provides some coverage of covered part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs after the individual has reached the initial coverage limit but not yet the annual out-of-pocket threshold. Sets forth a special rule permitting applicable individuals to enroll in a prescription drug plan outside the region in which they reside. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the costs to the Medicare program of eliminating the initial coverage limit and providing specified standard prescription drug coverage until the individual reaches the annual out-of-pocket threshold; and (2) the adjustment to the applicable coinsurance that would be necessary to eliminate the initial coverage limit under such conditions without increasing the costs to the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Veterans Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to make it the principal purpose of the Veterans Corporation to establish and maintain a national network of information and assistance centers for use by veterans and the public. Revises requirements for appointment of voting members of the Board of the Corporation. Shortens the term of appointment from six to four years. Provides for removal of a Board member deemed unable to fulfill his or her duties. Postpones from October 1, 2006, to October 1, 2009, the date upon which the Corporation shall assume the duties of the Advisory Committee on Veterans Affairs. Extends the authorization of appropriations. Revises grant matching requirements, establishing limitations on the Corporation's nonfederal sources of revenue. Directs the Corporation to develop and implement a plan to raise private funds and become a self-sustaining corporation within six months after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2006
Commends the efforts of former Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick in Darfur and the contributions of White House Policy Advisor Michael Gerson, Ambassador Cindy Courville, and Ambassador Michael Ranneberger. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States needs an individual of Ambassadorial rank and high stature to devote exclusive attention to Darfur and related issues concerning peace and stability in Sudan; (2) such individual should formulate and coordinate policy, lead negotiations, engage with parties to the conflict to monitor their compliance with the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement, gather donor resources, and ensure that this crisis remains a top U.S. government priority; and (3) the President should appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan with the rank of Ambassador and should provide not less than $250,000 to support the Presidential Special Envoy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
International Child Marriage Prevention and Assistance Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the incidences of child marriage around the world by further integrating this issue into U.S. development efforts. Requires the Secretary to submit reports to Congress on such strategy and on child marriage and U.S. assistance programs that address it. Authorizes the President to provide assistance for programs to reduce the incidences of child marriage and promote the empowerment of girls, including support for the treatment and reduction of fistula in countries with high rates of such surgery. Requires the Secretary to work through the U.S. Agency for International Development and other agencies of the Department of State and in conjunction with other relevant agencies as part of their ongoing research and data collection activities concerning child marriage. Requires the Secretary to include in the Department of State's Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices a section for each country where child marriage is prevalent, outlining the status of the practice.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
HIV Prevention for Youth Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that sexually active young people who live in a country where HIV infection is spreading through the general population, rather than being confined to specific populations should be: (1) considered at high risk of contracting HIV infection; and (2) provided with the knowledge, skill-building programs, and tools to protect themselves from HIV infection. Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to define "abstinence-until-marriage programs" as programs that place the highest priority on encouraging unmarried individuals to abstain from sexual activity, which if practiced 100% correctly and consistently is the only certain way to protect against exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. (Such programs include information on the health benefits of delayed sexual debut in reducing HIV transmission and may be used to support approaches that promote skill-building strategies for practicing abstinence.) Reserves at least 33% of the Act's appropriations for FY2006-FY2008 for prevention of the sexual transmission of HIV (currently, for HIV/AIDS prevention). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include within the activities for which HIV/AIDS assistance is available preventive intervention education for sexually active young people who live in a country experiencing a generalized HIV epidemic. Defines " generalized epidemic" as a country where: (1) HIV infection is spreading through the general population, rather than being confined to specific populations, such as sex workers and their clients, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men; and (2) the HIV infection rate among people between the ages of 15 and 49 exceeds 1%.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
Women's Small Business Ownership Programs Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act with respect to the Office of Women's Business Ownership to direct the Assistant Administrator of the Small Business Administration to: (1) address issues concerning management, operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and product sales, international trade, and other disciplines required for starting, operating, and growing a small business concern; and (2) develop programs and services for women-owned businesses. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to award women's business center grants to private nonprofit organizations. Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to authorize the National Women's Business Council to enter into agreements as a cosponsor with public and private entities in order to implement its duties. Establishes within such Council: (1) the Committee on Manufacturing, Technology, and Training and Professional Services; (2) the Committee on Travel, Tourism, Product and Retail Sales, and International Trade; and (3) the Committee on Federal Procurement and Contracting. Directs the Council to serve as a clearinghouse for information on small businesses owned and controlled by women. Directs the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration to serve as acting chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise until a chairperson is appointed. Establishes a Policy Advisory Group to assist the chairperson in developing policies and programs. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, when filling vacancies, to ensure that there are an equal number of members on the Council from each of the two major political parties.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2006
Protection against United Nations Taxation Act of 2006, the PUNT Act of 2006, or the Helms-Biden Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Requires the withholding of 20% of U.S. contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations (U.N.) and other applicable international organizations until the President certifies that neither the United Nations (or U.N. agencies) nor any other international organization has authority under U.S. law to impose, or has imposed or proposed, taxes or fees on the U.S. government, states, or U.S. corporations or nationals. States that such provision shall not apply to: (1) fees for publications or other fees that are not tantamount to a tax on U.S. citizens; (2) the World Intellectual Property Organization; or (3) staff assessment costs of the United Nations and its agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
EXTEND the Energy Efficiency Incentives Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit, through 2010, for residential energy efficiency expenditures certified to achieve certain levels of energy savings; (2) modify standards for nonbusiness energy property (i.e., air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters, etc.) and extend the tax credit for such property through 2010; (3) revise the tax credit for solar electric and hot water property to include all technologies for solar-derived electricity; (4) extend through 2010 the tax credits for residential energy efficient property and new energy efficient homes; (5) extend through 2011 the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings and increase the maximum amount of such deduction; (6) allow a tax deduction for energy efficient low-rise buildings (four stories or less); (7) extend through 2011 the investment tax credit for solar energy and fuel cell property; and (8) allow a business-related tax credit for qualified training and certification costs and equipment expenditures for certifying residential energy savings.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue to exclude from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of certain multifamily housing property to a housing agency or related organization (preservation entity) that agrees to maintain certain affordability and use restrictions for such property. Limits the excludable amount of such gain to the depreciation adjustments for such property.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings. Requires the Office Director to: (1) establish a Green Building Advisory Committee; (2) carry out public outreach; (3) develop and recommend a high-performance green building research plan; (4) analyze current budget and contracting practices that affect achievement of high-performance green buildings; and (5) develop and implement a comprehensive indoor air quality program for federal facilities. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide grants to educational agencies for use in: (1) providing technical assistance for EPA's programs (including the Tools for Schools Program and the Healthy School Environmental Assessment Tool) to schools for use in addressing environmental issues; and (2) developing state school environmental quality plans. Authorizes the EPA to provide grants to nonprofit organizations to assist in community and public education on healthy school environments. Requires the EPA to develop school site acquisition guidelines that account for: (1) the special vulnerability of children to hazardous substances or pollution exposure where the potential for site contamination exists; (2) available modes of transportation; and (3) potential use of the school as an emergency shelter. Requires the EPA to issue guidelines for states in developing and implementing environmental health programs for schools. Requires the Director to identify incentives to encourage the use of green buildings and related technology in federal government operations. Requires the Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to: (1) revise applicable acquisition regulations; and (2) issue guidance to federal procurement executives on renegotiating proposed facilities design, existing facilities renovations, and eased facilities improvements. Requires the Director to consult with the Committee to assist in the implementation of the Environmental Stewardship Scorecard announced at the White House Summit on federal sustainable buildings in 2006. Requires the Office to carry out specified demonstration projects at federal buildings and universities to contribute to its research goals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a registration system for payroll tax deposit agents. Requires such agents to: (1) submit to a bond or annual audit; (2) make certain disclosures to their clients concerning liability for payment of employment taxes; and (3) pay penalties for failing to collect or pay over employment taxes or for attempting to evade or defeat payment of such taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act - Amends federal transportation law to revise corporate average fuel economy standards (CAFE Standards) for automobiles to exclude light trucks (currently, only passenger automobiles are excluded) from such standards. Prescribes graduated increased average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks beginning in model year 2009 in order to achieve a combined average fuel economy standard of at least 35 miles per gallon (or such other number of miles per gallon as the Secretary may prescribe) beginning in model year 2017. Prohibits such regulations from making any distinction between passenger automobiles and light trucks by not later than model year 2011 (effectively eliminating the SUV loophole). Sets forth minimum CAFE standards for domestic and foreign passenger automobiles manufactured in a model year prior to enactment of this Act. Prescribes maximum CAFE standards for: (1) work trucks manufactured beginning in model year 2011; and (2) light trucks manufactured beginning in model year 2009. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a motor vehicle safety standard to reduce vehicle incompatibility and agressivity between passenger vehicles and non-passenger vehicles. Revises federal test procedures used to determine fuel economy values for labeling purposes to require such process to take into consideration certain current factors like speed limits, acceleration rates, and driving patterns for passenger automobiles by model year 2015. Requires passenger automobiles and light trucks be equipped with fuel economy indicators and devices beginning with model year 2013. Establishes a CAFE credit trading program to allow manufacturers whose automobiles exceed CAFE standards to earn credits to be sold to manufacturers whose automobiles fail to achieve such standards. Revises fuel economy labeling requirements to require labels attached to passenger automobiles and light trucks to also include greenhouse gas and other emissions consequences information.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
American-Owned Property in Occupied Cyprus Claims Act - Amends the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949 to urge the President to authorize the Secretary of State to begin negotiations with Turkey to allow for certain claims by U.S. nationals respecting real property in the Turkish-held portions of Cyprus. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury a Claims Fund for the payment of unsatisfied claims of U.S. nationals against Turkey. Sets forth payment procedures. Amends federal law to grant U.S. district court jurisdiction for civil actions against any private person (any natural person or legal entity other than Turkey) by a U.S. national who owns property in the Turkish-held portion of Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Extension Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend permanently the floor (at 1.00) on the Medicare work geographic adjustment under the fee schedule for physicians' services. (The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required, after calculating the work geographic index for payment for physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 2004, to increase the work geographic index to 1.00 for any locality for which the calculated index is less than 1.00.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to grant jurisdiction to the U.S. Tax Court to review taxpayer petitions for equitable relief from joint and several tax liability (i.e., innocent spouse relief).
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Internet Safety (Stop Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Youth) Act of 2006 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) financial transactions that facilitate access to, or the possession of, child pornography; (2) the operation of a child pornography enterprise; and (3) the use of deceptive wording or images to deceive persons, including minors, into viewing obscene material on the Internet. Increases criminal penalties for: (1) registered sex offenders who commit a felony offense involving a child; (2) the sexual exploitation of children; (3) child pornography; and (4) child sex trafficking and sexual abuse. Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to: (1) increase monetary penalties for willful failure of electronic communication service providers to report child pornography; and (2) impose new penalties for negligent failure to report. Requires commercial website operators to place warning marks prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission on web pages that contain sexually explicit material. Establishes in the Department of Justice an Office on Sexual Violence and Crimes against Children. Authorizes additional (not less than 200) U.S. attorneys in FY2007 to prosecute crimes relating to the sexual exploitation of children. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to increase the number of Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations to establish and maintain programs for the prevention of sexual offenses against minors.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Rural Hospital and Provider Equity (HoPE) Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2) extension of the temporary increase in payments to certain rural hospitals (Medicare hold harmless provision) under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services; (3) the definition of low-volume hospital for purposes of the Medicare inpatient hospital payment adjustment; (4) critical access hospitals; (5) extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; (6) extension of the 1.00 floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment to payments for physician services; (7) Medicare home health care planning; (8) rural health clinics; (9) use of medical conditions for coding ambulance services; (10) extension of increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services in rural areas; and (11) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 with respect to the extension of: (1) Medicare wage index reclassifications for certain hospitals; and (2) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas. Amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to: (1) a capital infrastructure revolving loan program; and (2) community health center collaborative access. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct pilot projects to provide incentives to home health agencies to utilize remote home monitoring and communications technologies; and (2) facilitate the provision of telehealth services across state lines.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) at the 58th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission the United States should remain firmly opposed to commercial whaling (including any linking of a Revised Management Scheme (RMS) to the lifting of the commercial whaling moratorium), and take other specified related steps; and (2) the United States should make full use of all appropriate diplomatic mechanisms, federal law, relevant international laws and agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms to implement these goals.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)