United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2005
Fairness, Accuracy, Inclusivity, and Responsiveness in Ratings Act of 2005 or FAIR Ratings Act - Prohibits a person from selling, offering to sell, or otherwise providing data from a television ratings measurement system (system) that produces data to be used commercially as currency ratings unless that system is accredited by the Media Ratings Council. Requires such Council to: (1) accredit such systems on the basis of audits; and (2) preapprove any change made to a current system. Provides accreditation standards. Requires any dispute between an operator of a system and the Council to be resolved through dispute resolution procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2005
Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act - Establishes an Unsolved Crimes Section in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Requires the Chief of the Section to be responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of criminal civil rights statutes in which the complaint alleges that such a violation occurred not later than December 31, 1969, and resulted in a death. Requires the Chief to consult with state or local officials regarding the appropriate venue for a case where there has been a violation of a criminal civil rights statute that is also a violation of a state or local law. Directs the Chief to refer cases to the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division if the Chief determines that the subject of the complaint has violated a criminal civil rights statute but the violation does not meet the requirements for the Unsolved Crimes Section. Requires the Chief, annually, to determine the cases under his or her jurisdiction for which there is sufficient evidence to prosecute violations of criminal civil rights statutes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2005
Public Good IRA Rollover Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income distributions from individual retirement accounts for certain charitable purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2005
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 15, 2005, relating to the removal of coal- and oil-fired electric generating units from the list of major sources of hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2005
Recognizes the achievements and contributions of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission on the occasion of its 72nd anniversary and the first day of sale of the 2005-2006 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and expresses strong support for the continued success of the Stamp. Encourages the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in its efforts to broaden understanding of, and appreciation for, the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to the National Wildlife Refuge System and to conservation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Protection of Homes, Small Businesses, and Private Property Act of 2005 - Declares that the power of eminent domain shall be available only for public use, which shall not be construed to include economic development. Applies such limitation to all exercises of eminent domain by the federal government or by state and local governments through the use of federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2005
Red Tide Emergency Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Small Business Act to make aquaculture enterprises eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance loans to small businesses. (Currently, such enterprises are specifically excluded from eligibility for such assistance.)
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 · 23 June 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow affiliated life and non-life insurance companies to file consolidated tax returns; (2) phase in, between 2005 and 2011, the full application of losses of affiliated non-life insurance companies against the taxable income of an affiliated life insurance company; and (3) automatically waive the five-year waiting period applicable to affiliated non-life insurance companies for offset of their losses against life insurance company income.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2006 and FY2007 for the Coast Guard (CG). Sets forth authorized FY2006 levels of CG active duty military personnel and average military training student loads. Sets forth civil penalties for continuing violations of the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Establishes a pilot program for dockside safety and survivability examinations for uninspected U.S. commercial fishing vessels. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the CG is operating (Secretary) to conduct a pilot program for the long-range tracking of vessels by satellite to aid maritime security and response to maritime emergencies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) work with foreign officials to enhance flag state oversight and enforcement of security, environmental, and other agreements adopted within the International Maritime Organization; (2) undertake outreach programs to reduce pollution from boats using two-stroke engines; (3) integrate vessel monitoring system data into CG maritime operations databases to improve enforcement of federal fisheries laws; and (4) report to Congress on CG efforts to improve its detection and interdiction of illegal foreign fishing vessel incursions into the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Revises criteria for determining grade distribution of CG Reserve officers. Authorizes the Secretary during an act of terrorism or transportation security incident to order CG Ready Reserve members to active duty to no more than 60 days (currently, 30 days) in any four-month period and no more than 120 days (currently, 60 days) in any two-year period. Directs the Secretary to provide to Congress a proposal and cost analysis for construction of an enclosed hangar at Air Station Barbers Point. Makes conforming amendments to reflect the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005
Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or cooperative agreements to a recommended agency, organization, or political subdivision to develop respite care programs at the state or local level or to evaluate the effectiveness of such care. Defines "respite care" to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver. Instructs the Secretary to work cooperatively with existing federal respite program officers to ensure coordination of services for family caregivers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a review panel to make recommendations on applicants; and (2) give priority to applicants with the greatest likelihood of implementing or enhancing lifespan respite care statewide. Permits the use of funds for respite care services and training programs for volunteers and family caregivers. Limits grants to five years. Directs the Secretary to award a grant or cooperative agreement to a public or private nonprofit entity to establish the National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to: (1) maintain a national database on lifespan respite care; (2) provide training and technical assistance to state, community, and nonprofit respite care programs; and (3) provide information, referral, and educational programs to the public on lifespan respite care.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2005
Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2005 - Directs the President to establish a Green Chemistry Research and Development Program to promote and coordinate Federal research, development, demonstration, education, and technology transfer activities related to green chemistry. Requires the President to establish an Interagency Working Group to oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program. Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to provide for the Regional Centers for the Transfer of Manufacturing Technology to enhance productivity and technological performance in U.S. manufacturing through the enabling of supply chain manufacturers to continuously make improvements with the aim of reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out a program to award grants to institutions of higher education to support their efforts to revise their undergraduate curriculum in chemistry and chemical engineering to incorporate green chemistry concepts and strategies. Requires such Director to enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council to conduct a study of, and report on, the factors that constitute barriers to the successful commercial application of promising results from green chemistry research and development. Directs the agencies participating in the Program to carry out a joint, coordinated program to award grants to institutions of higher education to establish partnerships with companies in the chemical industry to retrain chemists and chemical engineers in the use of green chemistry concepts and strategies.
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 · 20 June 2005
Expresses appreciation and gratitude for those States which host refugees and offer refugee resettlement, and denounces the practice of warehousing refugees. Urges the Secretary of State to pursue refugee assistance models that permit refugees to enjoy all the rights recognized in: (1) the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees; and (2) the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. Calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to monitor refugee situations more effectively. Encourages: (1) those countries that have not ratified the Convention or the Protocol to do so; and (2) all countries to enact legislation or promulgate policies to provide for the legal enjoyment of the basic rights of refugees as outlined in the Convention.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005
Health Information Technology Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award grants to eligible health care entities to offset costs related to clinical health care informatics systems and services designed to improve quality in health care and patient safety, including costs for the purchase, lease, or installation of computer software and hardware. Requires the Secretary to conduct studies to: (1) evaluate the use of clinical health care informatics systems and services to measure and report quality data; and (2) assess the impact of such systems and services on improving patient care, reducing costs, and increasing efficiencies. Directs the Secretary to establish a methodology for making adjustments in Medicare payment amounts for providers of services and suppliers who use health information technology and technology services with patient-specific applications that improve the quality and accuracy of clinical decision-making, compliance, health care delivery, and efficiency. Requires the Secretary to provide for the development and adoption of national data and communication health information technology standards that promote the efficient exchange of data between varieties of provider health information technology systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an eligible entity to elect to expense qualified health care informatics system expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005
Renewable Energy Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources; (2) increase the rate of such credit; (3) extend the 10 year credit period to all qualified energy facilities eligible for the credit; (4) include incremental geothermal energy production and incremental hydropower production as qualified energy resources for purposes of the credit; (5) increase the credit rate for co-production facilities and qualified facilities located within certain Indian and Alaskan Native Indian lands; (6) permit the transfer of tax credit amounts earned by certain tax-exempt entities to taxable entities; and (7) allow the credit to offset alternative minimum taxable income. Denies the tax credit for facilities which are not in compliance with applicable state and federal pollution prevention, control and permit requirements.
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 · 9 June 2005
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2005 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold such drugs, devices, or services. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2005
Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Program to protect the environmental integrity of undeveloped coastal and estuarine areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make program grants to coastal States, except to ones that have lost less than one percent of their wetlands to development or conversion to other land uses, for the purpose of acquiring property that will further the goals of an approved Coastal Zone Management Plan or Program, a National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan, or a regional or state watershed protection plan.. Prohibits any more than 75 percent of the grant funding from being derived from Federal sources. Authorizes the Secretary to provide $5 million for a regional watershed protection demonstration project that: (1) leverages land acquisition funding from other Federal conservation or acquisition programs; (2) involves partnerships with Federal, State, and non-governmental entities; (3) creates conservation corridors; (4) protects habitats under imminent threat of development or conversion; (5) provides water quality protection for areas under the National Estuarine Research Reserve program; and (6) provides a model for future regional watershed protection projects. Reserves 15 percent of program funds for acquisitions benefitting the National Estuarine Research Reserve. Specifies that when property is acquired under this program, the grant recipient shall provide assurances that: (1) title will be held by the grant recipient; (2) property will be managed consistent with the purpose of the program; and (3) funds will be returned to the Secretary for redistribution if the property is sold, exchanged, or divested. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to allow the Secretary to enter into contracts or other arrangements with other Federal agencies (including interagency financing of Coastal America activities) as well as any other qualified person for the purposes of carrying out technical assistance and research to support coastal zone management. (Current law allows the Secretary to enter into such arrangements only with any qualified person).
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2005
Congratulates the Small Business Development Centers of the Small Business Administration on their 25 years of service to America's small business owners and entrepreneurs. Recognizes the service of such Centers in helping small businesses start, grow, and flourish. Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Association for Small Business Development Centers for appropriate display.
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 · 7 June 2005
Calls on Congress, on the 40th anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut in which the Supreme Court held that married people have a constitutional right to use contraceptives, to take steps to ensure that all women have universal access to affordable contraception.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2005
Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005 or Johanna's Law - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of women with respect to gynecologic cancers, which shall include: (1) maintaining a supply of written materials to provide information to the public on gynecologic cancers; and (2) developing and placing public service announcements to encourage women to discuss their risks of gynecologic cancers with their physicians. Requires the Secretary to award grants to nonprofit private entities to test different outreach and education strategies for increasing such awareness among women and health professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Acadia National Park Improvement Act of 2005 - Extends the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission. Increases the ceiling on the amount of appropriations for the acquisition of lands and interests with respect to the Acadia National Park. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in the planning, construction, and operation of an intermodal transportation center located outside the Park's boundary, in the town of Trenton, Maine, to improve the management, interpretation, and visitor enjoyment of the Park.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2005 - Provides for federal climate change research initiatives and related activities, including: (1) National Science Foundation fellowships for graduate studies in climate change; (2) a report on the impact of the Kyoto Protocol on the United States; (3) abrupt climate change research; (4) research on the impact of climate change on low-income populations worldwide; and (5) a Climate Change Education and Outreach Initiative Program for agricultural organizations and individual farmers. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain the National Greenhouse Gas Database to collect, verify, and analyze information on greenhouse gas emissions. Establishes a program for market-driven reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through the use of tradeable allowances. Requires certain covered entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy to submit to the Administrator, beginning in 2010, one tradeable allowance for every metric ton of GHGs emitted. Allows tradeable allowances to be sold, exchanged, purchased, retired, or otherwise used as permitted by this Act. Establishes the Climate Change Credit Corporation to manage tradeable allowances. Renames the Technology Administration in the Department of Commerce as the Innovation Administration. Assigns innovation-related duties to the Secretary of Commerce relating to climate change. Provides for various climate change innovation initiatives, including: (1) technology transfer opportunities; (2) climate innovation partnerships; (3) a climate change science and technology enhancement program for math and science teachers; (4) agricultural sequestration; and (5) energy efficiency audits. Establishes a loan guarantee and technology challenge program to encourage technological innovation for reducing GHGs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Legal Services Benefit Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore, increase, and make permanent the exclusion from gross income for amounts received under qualified group legal services plans.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Medicare Mental Health Copayment Equity Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide, by a gradual increase in the percentage of expenses considered incurred expenses, for a gradual reduction (from 50% to the standard 20%) by 2011 of copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that: (1) constitutes a crime of violence under federal law or a felony under state or Indian tribal law; and (2) is motivated by prejudice based on the race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of the victim or is a violation of the hate crime laws of the state or tribe. Directs the Attorney General to give priority for assistance to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one state and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary investigation or prosecution expenses. Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to assist state, local, and Indian law enforcement officials with such extraordinary expenses. Directs the Office of Justice Programs to: (1) work closely with funded jurisdictions to ensure that the concerns and needs of all affected parties are addressed; and (2) award grants to state and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Prohibits specified offenses involving actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to study and provide sentencing enhancements for adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes. Amends the Hate Crimes Statistics Act to require the crime data to be collected and published by the Attorney General to include data about crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on gender.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Treatment of Children's Deformities Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan, and a health issuer offering group health insurance coverage, that cover surgical benefits to also cover outpatient and inpatient diagnosis and treatment of a child's congenital or developmental deformity, disease, or injury. Requires that such coverage: (1) be subject to pre-authorization or pre-certification requirements of the plan or issuer; and (2) include any surgical treatment deemed by the treating physician to be medically necessary to approximate a normal appearance. Defines "treatment" to include reconstructive surgical procedures that are performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease, including: (1) procedures that do not materially affect the function of the body part being treated; and (2) procedures for secondary conditions and follow-up treatment. Excludes cosmetic surgery performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve appearance or self-esteem.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers to elect to expense (i.e., deduct all expenses in the current taxable year) qualified broadband expenditures, including installation and connection costs for subscribers in rural or underserved areas. Permits mutual or cooperative telephone companies to elect to reduce their unrelated business taxable income in any year by the amount of their qualified broadband expenditures. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) designate census tracts identifying rural and underserved areas under this Act; and (2) prescribe regulations for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Prohibits federal or state agencies from adopting regulations and ratemaking procedures that would eliminate or reduce the broadband expense deduction provided by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Directs the Secretary of Defense to permit any member of the Armed Forces to provide to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission testimony on the military value of a military installation inside the United States, for purposes of the consideration by such Commission of the Secretary's recommendations for the 2005 round of defense base closures and realignments under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. Prohibits any retaliation or discrimination against a member providing or about to provide such testimony.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the definition of dealer (in animals) to include: (1) sellers of dogs imported from outside the United States; and (2) persons who sell more than 25 dogs or cats or who whelp for sale more than six litters of dogs or cats annually. Defines "retail pet store" for purposes of the Act as a public retail establishment that sells animals commonly kept as pets in U.S. households (e.g., dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters). Excludes from such definition: (1) a person breeding animals to sell to the public as pets; (2) a person selling hunting, security, or breeding dogs; or (3) a person selling wild animals. Requires dealers and retail pet stores to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with source records relating to the purchase or acquisition of dogs and cats. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the period for the temporary suspension of a dealer license for a violation of the Act from 21 to 60 days, if the Secretary believes that such violation will continue past the initial 21-day period and will jeopardize the health of any animal. Authorizes the Secretary to apply directly to a U.S. district court for a temporary restraining order or injunction to address violations of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005
Supports the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day and encourages the people of the United States to learn about the history of the Purple Heart and to honor its recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005
Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress is committed to achieving domestic hunger goals and ending hunger by 2015; (2) federal food and nutrition programs should receive adequate funding; and (3) the entitlement nature of the child and adult care food program, the food stamp program, the school breakfast and lunch programs, and the summer food service program should be preserved. Directs: (1) the American Communities Survey to collect and submit food security information to the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) the Secretary to conduct an annual study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80 %.) Sets forth grant priorities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005
Requires the Secretary of Defense, within seven days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress all Department of Defense (DOD) documentation related to the 2005 round of defense base closures and realignments. Terminates the 2005 round if such documentation is not provided. Extends certain recommendation submission and related report dates under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 relating to the 2005 round of closures and realignments by the number of days after May 16, 2005, that the above documentation is submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2005
College 529 InvEST Act of 2005 - Makes permanent the provision relating to qualified tuition programs enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA).
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2005
Liquefied Natural Gas Import Terminal Authorization Act - Amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit siting, constructing, expanding, or operating a liquefied natural gas import terminal within a state unless: (1) an application to do so is submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and to the agency with siting authority in the state in which the liquefied natural gas import terminal is located; and (2) FERC and the state agency issue an order approving the application. Sets forth terms and conditions for application approval. Amends federal transportation law to permit a state to adopt additional or more stringent safety standards for liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities if those standards are compatible with the minimum standards prescribed under federal pipeline safety law. Prohibits a state authority from adopting or continuing in force safety standards for interstate pipeline facilities or transportation, except in the case of liquefied natural gas pipeline facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2005
Mourns the death and commends the life of His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos, former archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. Recognizes his service to members of his church and to the people of this Nation. Honors his commitment to the principles of equality, humanity, and peace.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualified hearing aid for an individual who is either: (1) age 55 or older; or (2) is claimed as a dependent of the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005
Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to postpone the 2005 round of defense base closures and realignments, as currently required under such Act, until the last of the following occurs: (1) the complete analysis, consideration, and implementation by the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) of the recommendations of the Commission on Review of Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States; (2) the return from deployment in Iraq of substantially all major U.S. combat units and assets; (3) the receipt by the congressional defense committees of the report on the quadrennial defense review to be submitted by the Secretary in 2006; (4) the complete development and implementation by the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security of the National Maritime Security Strategy; (5) the complete development and implementation by the Secretary of the Homeland Defense and Civil Support directive; and (6) the receipt by the defense committees of a report from the Secretary assessing military installation needs. States that, effective May 13, 2005, the list of recommendations for 2005 base closures and realignments submitted by the Secretary pursuant to such Act shall have no further force and effect.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005
IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to establish a set of requirements or obligations on providers of IP-enabled voice service (Internet protocol-enabled service for real-time two-way or multidirectional voice communications) to ensure that 911 (emergency) services and E-911 services (services that automatically delivers a 911 call to the appropriate public safety answering point) are available to customers of IP-enabled voice service. Requires: (1) nondiscriminatory IP provider access to 911 and E-911 services; (2) IP providers to provide to customers a clear and conspicuous notice of the unavailability of 911 and E-911 services; and (3) IP provider and user immunity in the provision and use of 911 and E-911 services to the same extent as local exchange companies and other persons, respectively. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require the E-911 Implementation Coordination Office to develop and report to Congress on a national plan for migrating to a national IP-enabled emergency network capable of receiving and responding to all citizen activated emergency communications.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005
Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY2006-2008 to: (1) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); and (2) the Department of Transportation (DOT). Authorizes the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Border and Transportation Security (Under Secretary), acting through the TSA, to establish the position of Intermodal Manager throughout regions of the nation to: (1) serve as regional coordinator of the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security's response to terrorist incidents and threats to maritime and land assets; and (2) coordinate efforts related to maritime and land security with other Department officials, state and local law enforcement, and other public and private entities. Prohibits the Under Secretary from imposing a passenger security service fee in FY2007 and later unless: (1) such fee is imposed by rule promulgated by the Under Secretary; and (2) Congress approves. Requires the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (TSA) to: (1) report to Congress on the adequacy of training for TSA screeners; and (2) establish an employee internship program for training students to perform screening of passengers and property at airports. Rail Security Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a task force (including the TSA, the DOT, and other appropriate agencies) to complete a vulnerability and risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation. Requires the Secretary, based on the assessment, to develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to Amtrak for certain systemwide security upgrades. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for certain fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to Amtrak tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to freight railroads (including Amtrak), hazardous materials shippers, universities and research centers, and state and local governments for freight and passenger rail security upgrades to prevent or respond to acts of terrorism or sabotage. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a research and development (R&D) program to improve freight and intercity passenger rail security. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Secretary of Transportation a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents involving an Amtrak intercity train and resulting in a loss of life. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Transportation to develop and issue guidance for a rail worker security training program to prepare front-line workers for potential threat conditions. Sets forth certain whistleblower protections for rail employees or other persons who have provided information regarding a perceived threat to security to the employer, Federal Government, or Congress, or who have refused to violate or assist in the violation of any regulation related to rail security. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require rail carriers transporting high hazardous materials to develop high hazard material security threat mitigation plans containing appropriate measures to address assessed risks to high consequence targets. Directs the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to set forth certain standards for welded rail and tank car safety improvements. Requires certain rail security studies, including one on the rail passenger transportation security programs in Japan, European Union (EU) member nations, and other foreign countries. Prohibits a commercial motor vehicle operator registered to operate in Mexico and Canada from operating a commercial motor vehicle transporting a hazardous material in U.S. commerce until the operator has undergone a background records check similar to the background records check required for commercial motor vehicle operators licensed in the United States to transport hazardous materials in commerce. Sets forth provisions requiring: (1) written route plans for hazardous material motor carriers; (2) the equipping of certain commercial motor vehicles that transport high hazardous materials with wireless terrestrial or satellite communications technology; (3) the review of hazardous materials security plans of shippers or carriers of hazardous materials; (4) the development of a Pipeline Security and Incident Recovery Protocols Plan; (5) the review of pipeline operator adoption of certain recommendations, including pipeline security plans and critical facility inspections; and (6) the development of a national public sector response system to respond to accidents, threats, and other safety and security risks or incidents. Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to private operators of over-the-road buses for certain system-wide security improvements to their operations. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish joint operational centers for port security at all Tier 1 ports in order to improve interagency cooperation and sharing of intelligence information so as to provide greater protection for port and intermodal transportation systems against terrorism. Amends federal shipping law to require the Administrator of the Maritime Administration to identify foreign assistance programs that could facilitate implementation of port security antiterrorism measures in foreign countries. Requires importers shipping goods to the United States via cargo container to supply entry data under an advance notification system. Increases the number of overseas U.S. Customs Service inspectors for inspecting intermodal shipping containers being shipped to the United states. Calls for random inspection of shipping containers. Requires the promulgation of standards and procedures for the inspection and screening of cargo in foreign ports intended for shipment to the United States. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate a strategic plan for transportation R&D. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Directorate of Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security a competitive research program that supports projects related to homeland security research.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005
Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 - Amends Federal monetary law to set forth requirements for the redesign and issuance of circulating $1 coins emblematic of each President of the United States. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to issue bullion coins emblematic of the spouse of each such President during the same period in which the $1 coins are issued. Expresses the sense of Congress about the issuance of such coins. Instructs the Secretary to strike and issue for sale $20 gold bullion coins initially bearing the original designs by James Earle Fraser, which appear on the 5-cent coin commonly referred to as the "Buffalo nickel" or the "1913 Type 1." Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue 1-cent coins during the year 2009, whose obverse design continues to bear the Victor David Brenner likeness of President Abraham Lincoln, and whose reverse design bears four different designs each representing a different aspect of Lincoln's life.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) at the 57th 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.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Supporting Our Patriotic Businesses Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Veteran Business Development. Amends the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 to permanently extend the authority and duties of the SBA's Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs. Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to exempt service members called to active duty from professional or occupational continuing education requirements while they are called up, or within the 120-day period after active duty release. Amends the Small Business Act to allow small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans to extend their SBA program participation time limitations by the length of time of active duty. Requires the Secretary of each military department to take measures to counsel Guard and Reserve members about the importance of timely notifying their employers after they receive active duty orders (other than training).
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a colonoscopy, or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether the screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for such tests.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)