Education

RAISE Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006

Raising Achievement through Improving Supplemental Education Act of 2006, or the RAISE Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct local educational agencies (LEAs) to make supplemental educational services (SES) (after-school tutoring programs) available to eligible children attending schools identified as needing improvement because of their having failed, for two consecutive years, to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) pursuant to state academic performance standards. (Currently such services are required only after an additional year of failing to meet such standards.) Makes low-performing children from such schools who are not from low-income families eligible for SES and gives them priority, in the case of insufficient funding, over children who are poor but not low-performing. Requires LEAs to: (1) create a streamlined SES notification, registration, and provider selection process designed to increase the number of eligible children receiving such services and the information available to parents and SES providers; (2) grant approved providers access to school facilities that is equivalent to access provided to other after-school and extracurricular programs; and (3) enter into a written agreement with the parents' chosen provider, within a specified period, requiring such provider to render services within 20 days after the LEA and provider receive the child's contact information. Requires states to: (1) provide advance notice to LEAs of their SES duties; (2) make a downloadable SES application form available to LEAs and parents; (3) evaluate providers in a valid and reliable manner that considers student achievement and parent satisfaction; (4) safeguard against conflicts of interest and underperformance when LEAs provide SES themselves; and (5) prohibit LEAs from reprogramming SES funds when there is inadequate parental notification or unsatisfied demand for services. Prohibits the offering, by providers, of selection incentives to parents and eligible children. Allows states to shift to nonprofit organizations, under a contract or cooperative agreement, performance of the SES responsibilities of LEAs that face conflicts of interest or are unreliable. Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a model program coordinating the provision of SES with 21st century community learning centers.

Education for Retirement Security Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006

Education for Retirement Security Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to a national entity to carry out a subgrant program for economic and financial education. Requires a grant recipient to award subgrants to enable eligible area entities to deliver economic and financial education programs to mid-life and older individuals who reside in local communities in order to: (1) enhance financial and retirement knowledge; and (2) reduce financial abuse and fraud, including telemarketing, mortgage, and pension fraud and identity theft. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to: (1) create and make available materials and information that promote economic and financial education; and (2) provide training and assistance regarding the establishment of economic and financial education programs to eligible area entities awarded a subgrant.

TANF Economic and Financial Education Promotion Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006

TANF Economic and Financial Education Promotion Act of 2006 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require a state to use TANF grant funds to establish a program to provide economic and financial education directly for parents and caretakers receiving TANF. Allows a parent's or caretaker's hours of participation in such a program to count as a required work activity.

IQ Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006

Improving the Quality of and Access to Supplemental Educational Services Act, or the IQ Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require local educational agencies (LEAs) to make supplemental educational services (SES) (after-school tutoring programs) available to disadvantaged students by the beginning of the first full school year, rather than after an additional school year, after their school has been identified as needing improvement because of having failed, for two consecutive years, to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) pursuant to state academic performance standards. Directs each state to: (1) establish a system that evaluates each SES provider primarily by the extent to which the provider improves the academic performance of all students receiving SES, even those not in a grade subject to a state academic assessment; (2) establish a process for removing providers subject to repeat complaints; (3) publicize data concerning SES evaluations, cost, attendance, and timeliness; (4) assist LEAs in creating a streamlined enrollment process and providing timely services; (5) provide LEAs with a choice of providers capable of serving children who are disabled or have limited English proficiency; and (6) offer incentives, where appropriate, to providers to service rural areas. Requires an LEA to: (1) permit approved and successful SES providers access, at a fair rent, to its public schools if other external groups are given such access; (2) ensure that the SES registration process is uncomplicated and easily accessible to parents; (3) report to the state on SES spending and progress toward increasing student participation; and (4) ensure the beginning of SES as soon as possible after the beginning of the school year. Directs the Secretary of Education to study the impact differences in the provision of SES, the use of highly qualified teachers as tutors, and provider incentives have on improving student performance and SES attendance. Allows LEAs identified as needing improvement and schools not so identified to provide SES. Prohibits providers from offering material selection incentives to schools, LEAs, states, parents, or students.

A resolution supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research.

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2006

Calls for Congress to support: (1) efforts to promote awareness of cancer in children; (2) investment in childhood cancer research; (3) medical trainees and investigators in the field of pediatric oncology; (4) incentives to encourage the development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric cancers; (5) policies that encourage participation in clinical trials; (6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients; and (7) enhanced education, services, and other resources related to late effects from treatment.

September 11 Survivors Student Loan Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006

September 11 Survivors Student Loan Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to discharge or cancel the federal student loan indebtedness of spouses and parents of individuals who died (or die) or who became (or become) permanently and totally disabled from injuries suffered in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. States that, in the case of a consolidation loan used jointly by a victim of such attacks and his or her spouse, the discharge or cancellation shall apply only to that portion of debt incurred on behalf of the victim; except that, where the victim served as a police officer, firefighter, other safety or rescue personnel, or member of the Armed Forces, all of the debt on such loan shall be discharged or canceled.

Classroom Commitment Partnership Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006

Classroom Commitment Partnership Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Education to provide demonstration grants to states to extend the academic year at elementary and secondary schools to at least 200 academic days, each day comprising at least seven hours of actual instruction. Conditions a state's grant eligibility on its having laws and policies ensuring such school year length and hours of daily instruction for the three consecutive academic years covered by the grant.

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to improve the infrastructure of elementary and secondary schools.

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006

Amends of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a new title X, School Construction, Modernization, And Infrastructure Improvement. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to state educational agencies for elementary and secondary school construction, reconstruction, renovation, or modernization for information technology. Sets forth wage requirements for such projects, including Davis-Bacon Act compliance and overtime; but allows exceptions for certain workers who voluntarily donate their services without full compensation.

Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2006

Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2006 - Requires the Bureau of Prisons to develop a comprehensive policy to coordinate HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, and prevention for federal prison inmates. Requires such policy to include provisions for: (1) testing and counseling of inmates immediately following admission to a prison facility; (2) education regarding HIV/AIDS transmission and encouragement of behavior to reduce the risk; (3) HIV/AIDS testing annually or after exposure to HIV; (4) procedures for inmates to request HIV/AIDS counseling and tests confidentially; (5) comprehensive medical treatment of inmates who test positive and confidential counseling on managing their medical condition and preventing transmission to others; (6) testing, counseling, and referral prior to reentry into the community; and (7) noting but not penalizing an inmate's refusal of HIV/AIDS testing. Amends federal criminal code provisions relating to HIV/AIDS testing to: (1) make such testing available to all federal prison inmates upon intake and upon release regardless of length of sentence or risk factors; (2) allow inmates to decline such testing.

Sara Alicia Tucker, of California, to be Under Secretary of Education, vice Edward R. McPherson, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 5 September 2006

Biofuels Investment Trust Fund Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2006

Biofuels Investment Trust Fund Act - Establishes a Biofuels Investment Trust Fund consisting of transferred amounts received in the U.S. Treasury from duties collected on imports of ethyl alcohol or any mixture containing ethyl alcohol that is to be used as a fuel or in producing a mixture of gasoline and alcohol, a mixture of a special fuel and alcohol, or any other mixture to be used as a fuel (including motor fuel). Directs the Secretary of Energy to use amounts in the Trust Fund to: (1) provide assistance to farmers, producers, biorefiners, researchers, universities, and other persons or entities involved in the research, development, and deployment, or production of biofuels, especially for cellulosic ethanol production; or (2) advance research, development, and deployment of biofuels, especially cellulosic ethanol produced from biomass feedstocks.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE: HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 September 2006

Long-term Care Quality and Modernization Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006

Long-Term Care Quality and Modernization Act of 2006 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to long-term care. Amends SSA titles XVIII and XIX to require states to establish a process for joint training and education of nursing home surveyors and providers at least annually as changes to nursing facility regulations, guidelines, and policy are implemented and used in surveys of participating facilities. Amends SSA titles XVIII and XIX with respect to: (1) facility-based training for new surveyors; and (2) resumption of nurse aid training programs for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) after correction of deficiencies. Permits split or shared Medicare billing by physicians and nurse practitioners in SNFs. Amends SSA title XVIII to permit nurse practitioners employed by SNFs to certify skilled care. Directs the the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a condition-based system of physical therapy services based on medical necessity, including a standardized patient assessment tool for evaluating service levels and limiting Medicare coverage. Amends SSA title XVIII with respect to: (1) Medicare SNF specific wages; (2) authority to exclude high cost and low probability cancer treatment drugs as well as additional items and services from the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for SNFs; and (4) exclusion of all ambulance services from that PPS. Directs the Secretary to establish a national nursing database to predict future nursing shortages. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require annual reports to the Secretary on nursing levels. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for: (1) a 10-year recovery period for qualified long-term care improvement property; (2) an investment tax credit for long-term care facility information technology; (3) tax-exempt long-term care trust accounts to which an individual may contribute up to $5,000 annually; (4) a refundable tax credit for 10% of annual contributions to such an account; and (5) an income exclusion for certain distributions from such an account for chronically-ill individuals. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to make contributions for repair or replacement to the owner or operator of a long-term care facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster.

National Mathematics and Science Consistency Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006

National Mathematics and Science Consistency Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to convene a panel to produce, for kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12), voluntary national expectations for science and mathematics education, sample assessment questions based on them, and a model mathematics and science curriculum. Requires such expectations to be based on core ideas in mathematics and science common to all states, and the model curriculum to be taken or adapted from effective state mathematics and science teaching materials. Requires the panel also to develop and coordinate professional development criteria that would prepare teachers to incorporate such expectations. Requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to states to: (1) develop instructional materials based on the voluntary national mathematics and science curriculum; (2) ensure that the infrastructure and technical assistance to provide such instructional materials online and free of charge to school personnel is available; and (3) train K-12 mathematics and science teachers to use the instructional materials and assessment questions in teaching.

Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act

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.

Enhancing Drug Safety and Innovation Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006

Enhancing Drug Safety and Innovation Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require an application for approval for a new drug or biological product to include a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, which must include: (1) labeling for the drug for use by health care providers; (2) submission of reports for the drug; and (3) a statement as to whether the analysis and surveillance are sufficient to assess the serious risks of the drug. Establishes within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the Reagan-Udall Institute for Applied Biomedical Research to advance the Critical Path Initiative to modernize medical product development, accelerate innovation, and enhance product safety. Requires the Institute to have a Board of Directors. Allows the Board to establish one or more Critical Path Institutes to conduct research, education, and outreach and to modernize the sciences of developing, manufacturing, and evaluating the safety and effectiveness of diagnostics, devices, biologics, and drugs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish and administer a clinical trial registry database and a clinical trial results database. Requires a responsible part for a clinical trial to submit clinical trial information to the Director for inclusion in the databases. Requires a member of a panel advising or recommending to the Secretary regarding FDA activities to disclose any financial involvements that the member may have. Directs the Secretary to recuse members with a high magnitude of financial involvement.

A bill to authorize the establishment of the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives at the University of Hawaii.

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to the University of Hawaii Academy for Creative Media for the establishment, maintenance, and periodic modernization of the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives at the University of Hawaii. Requires the Archives to use grant funds for: (1) facilities and equipment to house and provide computer and web access to a repository of Native Hawaiian historical data; (2) scholarships to assist disadvantaged students in attending college; (3) the creation of educational materials from the archives that are applicable to a broad range of indigenous students; (4) outreach to elementary and secondary school students; (5) teacher training, so that the teaching of kindergarten through grade 12 students is culturally congruent with the learning modalities of such students, particularly indigenous students; and (6) the enhancement of the economic and financial literacy of college students.

Tax and Education Assistance for Children (TEACH) Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006

Tax and Education Assistance for Children (TEACH) Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a tax credit for the tuition paid by taxpayers to send their dependents to private or religious elementary or secondary schools. Sets the annual credit limit at $4,500 for single individuals and taxpayers filing a joint return, and $2,250 for a married individual filing a separate return.

Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-Day Slavery Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006

Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-day Slavery Act - Defines "modern-day slavery." Establishes a congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-day Slavery which shall: (1) study matters relating to modern-day slavery, including vulnerabilities of commonly affected populations; (2) study the roles of the rule of law, lack of enforcement, and corruption within international law enforcement institutions that allow the proliferation of modern-day slavery; (3) review relevant governmental programs; and (4) convene additional experts from nongovernmental organizations as part of the Commission's review. States that the Commission shall seek to promote goals of: (1) providing a comprehensive evaluation of best practices to prevent modern-day slavery, to rescue and rehabilitate its victims, and to prosecute traffickers and increase accountability within countries; (2) identifying countries which provide the greatest opportunity for abolition of modern-day slavery specific to U.S. involvement; (3) examining the economic impact on communities and countries that demonstrate measured success in fighting modern-day slavery; and (4) increasing education and awareness about modern-day slavery.

Tax Relief and Minimum Wage Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2006

Tax Relief and Minimum Wage Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2007 various provisions relating to business investment and economic development, education, research, health care, environmental remediation, and investment in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. Revises the system of tax incentives for investment in New York Liberty Zone property. Modifies tax administration provisions relating to awards for whistleblowers, frivolous tax filings, authority of the Internal Revenue Service to disclose tax return information, and refund rules for aviation kerosene. Authorizes the issuance of tax-exempt zone academy bonds and rural renaissance bonds. Allows expensing of mine safety equipment and a tax credit for mine rescue team training costs. Allows a taxpayer election to deduct certain gain from timber sales. Suspends until 2008 the disallowance of the tax deduction for business travel expenses of a spouse. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage rate. Applies such increased wage rate to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2006 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to: (1) reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (AMR Fund) through FY2021; (2) reduce rates of reclamation fees payable by mine operators to the AMR Fund; and (3) revise allocations of payments to states for reclamation of abandoned mines. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to liability of mine operators for payment of health care premiums of retired miners.

State-Based Health Care Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2006

State-Based Health Care Reform Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Health Care Reform Task Force to: (1) approve state, local, or tribal applications for a health care reform grant; and (2) establish minimum performance measures with respect to coverage, quality, and cost of state health care programs. Requires states seeking a grant to submit to the Task Force a state health care plan that: (1) designates the lead state entity that will be responsible for administering the program; (2) contains a list of the minimum benefits that will be provided to all individuals covered under the state program; (3) includes specific target dates for decreasing the number of uninsured individuals in the state; (4) describes how the state will ensure that an increased number of individuals residing within the state will have expanded access to health care coverage; (5) describes the minimum benefits package that will be provided to every beneficiary; (6) includes provisions to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health care in the state; and (7) complies with premium and cost sharing limitations. Requires the Secretary to provide a matching grant to a state with an approved application to enable the state to carry out the state health program. Authorizes appropriations for the grant program and specifies offsetting savings and fee provisions. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to carry out a Student Aid Reward Program to encourage institutions of higher education to participate in the student loan program under such Act that is most cost-effective for taxpayers.

America's Communities Leveraging Assets for Students and Schools (America's CLASS) Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2006

America's Communities Leveraging Assets for Students and Schools (America's CLASS) Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporations (other than S corporations) a tax credit for 50% of cash contributions of $5,000 or more made to a non-profit scholarship organization or an educational improvement organization. Limits the annual amount of such credit to $75,000.

THE AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY: AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL MODEL FOR TODAY'S MILITARY EDUCATION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 29 July 2006

Coordinated Youth Education, Employment Training, and Residential Treatment Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Coordinated Youth Education, Employment Training, and Residential Treatment Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor to make grants to Boys and Girls Home and Family Services, Inc., to establish programs and facilities for residential treatment, specialized education, and employment training and other appropriate levels of service to youth with serious mental, psychological, behavioral, and emotional problems.

Diploma Integrity Protection Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Diploma Integrity Protection Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make available to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the heads of other appropriate federal agencies a list of: (1) accrediting agencies and associations recognized by the Secretary or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; (2) institutions of higher education eligible under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program; and (3) foreign institutions of higher education whose authority to issue degrees is accepted in their home country and that the Secretary deems to be academically equivalent to FFEL participants in this country. Conditions a school's eligibility for student assistance funding under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 on its providing notice on its internet website of its recognition by the Secretary as a legitimate degree-granting institution for immigration and federal employment purposes. Requires an accreditation agency or association to be on such list for its authority to be recognized for any federal purpose. Requires the Secretary to establish the Diploma Mill Task Force to develop: (1) guidelines for distinguishing between legitimate and fraudulent degree-granting institutions for federal purposes; (2) a strategic diploma integrity protection plan to address the sale and use of fraudulent degrees; and (3) legislative language to effectuate such plan. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to define as an unfair and deceptive act or practice: (1) the offering of a degree by an entity that is not recognized as a legitimate degree-granting institution in accordance with the Task Force's guidelines; or (2) the issuing of any accreditation by an entity not recognized by the Secretary, any other appropriate federal agency, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or, in the case of a foreign entity, by the appropriate agency in its home country. Requires the Secretary to study: (1) both legitimate and fraudulent degree-granting institutions that are not properly accredited; and (2) steps taken by the Secretary to repair vulnerabilities of the FFEL program to fraudulent degree-granting institutions.

Linking Educators and Developing Entrepreneurs for Reaching Success (LEADERS) Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Linking Educators and Developing Entrepreneurs for Reaching Success (LEADERS) Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to support business incubation at institutions of higher education that award associate or baccalaureate degrees. Directs the Secretary to make competitive, matching awards to: (1) a nonprofit entity that manages or provides technical assistance to a degree-granting institution's affiliated incubator (or to the institution that manages in the absence of such an entity), for helping acquire or renovate space for incubators, and for developing curricula, providing services, or providing programming for entrepreneurs housed in an incubator; and (2) a degree-granting institution or a nonprofit local government or community development organization, for feasibility studies to determine the need for or siting of incubators. Requires the Secretary to reserve certain amounts for research regarding best practices for incubator programs, including the development of a benchmarking system based on uniform measures, and for dissemination of information regarding such practices. Authorizes contracts for such purposes with organizations with expertise in business incubation practices.

Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2006 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to Predominantly Black Institutions to: (1) enhance their capacity to serve more low and middle-income Black American students; (2) expand higher education opportunities for students eligible for student assistance under title IV of the Act by encouraging such students to prepare for college and persist in secondary and postsecondary education; and (3) strengthen their financial ability to serve the academic needs of such students. Defines such institutions as accredited institutions: (1) serving at least 1,000 undergraduate students, at least 50% of which are pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree; (2) serving an undergraduate population at least 40% of which are Black Americans and at least 50% of which are low-income or first-generation college students; and (3) whose spending per full-time undergraduate student is low in comparison to that of institutions offering similar instruction. Allows grant recipients to use up to 20% of their grant on an endowment fund, provided they raise nonfederal matching funds at least equal to the amount of the grant used for such endowment. Allots funding among institutions on the basis of their share of Pell Grant recipients, graduates, and graduates pursuing a higher degree. Establishes a minimum allotment for each institution of $250,000, which is to be ratably reduced if appropriations are insufficient to pay such amount.

War on Terror Wounded Heroes' Bill of Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

War on Terror Wounded Heroes' Bill of Rights Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide prompt emergency cash assistance to a member of the Armed Forces or a veteran who, on or after September 11, 2001, was or is severely wounded or injured while serving on active duty in combat operations of Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom (each such individual to be known as a War on Terror Wounded Hero) and, due to such injury and subsequent medical treatment, is undergoing significant financial difficulty. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to ensure the provision of sufficient services to meet the needs of all War on Terror Wounded Heroes without regard to residential geographic location with respect to the following medical services: (1) adult day health care; (2) home health care; (3) respite care; (4) home-based primary care; (5) hospice; and (6) such other noninstitutional extended care services as appropriate. Directs the Secretary to operate and maintain a voluntary program in caregiver education, training, and certification for family members of War on Terror Wounded Heroes. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities to furnish care to War on Terror Wounded Heroes, under certain conditions. Requires review by the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee of the emergency cash assistance, medical services, and caregiver support programs established under this Act. Provides a business tax credit for employers hiring War on Terror Wounded Heroes.

Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore the unified estate and gift tax exclusion after 2009, phase in an increase of such exclusion to $5 million in 2015, and lower the estate tax rate. Extends through 2007 various tax provisions relating to business investment and economic development, education, research, health care, environmental remediation, and investment in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. Revises the system of tax incentives for investment in New York Liberty Zone property. Modifies tax administration provisions relating to awards for whistleblowers, frivolous tax filings, authority of the Internal Revenue Service to disclose tax return information, and refund rules for aviation kerosene. Authorizes the issuance of tax-exempt zone academy bonds and rural renaissance bonds. Allows expensing of mine safety equipment and a tax credit for mine rescue team training costs. Allows a taxpayer election to deduct certain gain from timber sales. Suspends until 2008 the disallowance of the tax deduction for business travel expenses of a spouse. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2006 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to: (1) reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (AMR Fund) through FY2021; (2) reduce rates of reclamation fees payable by mine operators to the AMR Fund; and (3) revise allocations of payments to states for reclamation of abandoned mines. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to liability of mine operators for payment of health care premiums of retired miners. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage rate.

Comprehensive Awareness of Problem Gambling Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Comprehensive Awareness of Problem Gambling Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national campaign to raise awareness of problem gambling issues. Requires the Secretary to: (1) administer and coordinate the voluntary donation of resources to assist in implementing new programs and augmenting existing national campaigns to provide national strategies for dissemination of information intended to address problem gambling; (2) encourage media outlets throughout the country to provide information aimed at preventing problem gambling; and (3) target radio and television audiences of sporting events and gambling. Requires the President: (1) to establish and implement a national program of research on problem gambling; (2) to appoint an advisory commission to coordinate the activities of federal agencies relating to such research; (3) to consider the National Gambling Impact Study Commission's recommendations; and (4) acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to develop a Treatment Improvement Protocol for problem gambling. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states, local governments, and nonprofit agencies to provide comprehensive services with respect to treatment and prevention of, and education about, problem gambling issues. Expresses the sense of Congress that every state should contribute a percentage of its revenue from gambling towards prevention and treatment of, and services and education about, problem gambling.

Secure the Border Now Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Secure the Border Now Act of 2006 - Directs the the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) establish a plan applicable to pay, recruitment, relocation, and retention of federal law enforcement officers, which shall include Border Patrol recruitment, retention, salary, and transfer incentives; (2) take steps to control the costs of hiring, training, and deploying new Border Patrol agents, including FY2007 per-agent training cost limits; (3) enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement training academies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and private companies to replicate the initial training provided to new Border Patrol agents; and (4) enter into contracts with private entities to provide temporary administrative and other support to Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection Officers deployed at U.S. ports of entry or along the international land and maritime borders of the United States. Amends the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States to: (1) extend Federal Law Enforcement Training Center authority to appoint and maintain a cadre of federal annuitants; and (2) increase the maximum number of such annuitants from 250 to 350. Authorizes the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to appoint and employ (for up to five years) up to 500 federal annuitants for CBP border-related positions. Authorizes the Secretary to use specified security and terrorism prevention grant funds for border security activities.

Universal College Credit Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Universal College Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit up to $4,000 annually for the qualified tuition and related expenses of an individual taxpayer, a taxpayer's spouse, and dependents. Allows such credit for four years of undergraduate education expenses and six years of graduate or professional education expenses. Excludes expenses for courses involving sports, games, or hobbies (unless part of a degree program) and expenses unrelated to an academic program (e.g., student activity fees, athletic fees, or insurance fees).

Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2006 - Defines "child soldier." States that Congress condemns the conscription, forced recruitment, or use of children by governments, paramilitaries, or other organizations in hostilities. Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related uses from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future placement of children in combat roles and to ensure that no children are recruited before the age of 16 years old or forcibly recruited or conscripted before the age of 18 years old. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to a country for international military education and training otherwise prohibited under this Act upon certifying to Congress that such assistance is for programs that directly address the child soldier problem. States that the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs shall coordinate U.S. policy on child soldier issues.

Pension Protection Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Pension Protection Act of 2006 - Title I: Reform of Funding Rules for Single-Employer Defined Benefit Pension Plans: Subtitle A: Amendments to Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - (Sec. 101) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to repeal existing funding rules for defined benefit pension plans for plan years beginning after 2007. Establishes new minimum funding standards for single-employer defined benefit pension plans, single-employer money purchase plans, and multiemployer plans. Requires employers to pay certain minimum required contributions. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) waive minimum funding standards in the event of a temporary substantial business hardship for single-employer plans or a substantial business hardship in the case of a multiemployer plan if application of the standard would be adverse to the interests of plan participants in the aggregate; (2) require a single-employer maintaining such a plan to provide security to such plan as a condition for granting or modifying a waiver. Limits the number of waivers that may be granted. Prohibits any amendment which increases the liability of a plan from being adopted if a waiver is in effect. (Sec. 102) Amends ERISA to set forth funding rules for single-employer defined benefit pension plans. Makes the minimum required contribution for single-employer plans the sum of the target normal cost of the plan for the plan year, the shortfall amortization charge, and the waiver amortization charge. Allows funding shortfalls to be amortized over seven years. Allows waiver charges to be amortized over five years. Sets forth rules governing the valuation of plan assets and liabilities. Allows a plan to determine the value of plan assets using fair market value if certain requirements are met. Requires a determination of present value to be based on actuarial assumptions and methods which: (1) are reasonable, taking into account the experience of the plan and reasonable expectations; and (2) offer the actuary's best estimate of anticipated experience under the plan. Establishes a segmented interest rate for determining the present value of plan benefits. Bases the interest rate on the corporate bond yield curve for bonds which mature at three different times: in less than 5 years; between 5 and 20 years; and after 20 years. Defines "corporate bond yield curve" as a yield curve prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury which reflects the two-year average of monthly yields on investment grade corporate bonds with varying maturities and that are in the top three quality levels available. Sets forth transition rules for plans to implement the segmented interest rates. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe mortality tables to be used for determining any present value based on the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in such experience. Requires such tables to be revised at least every 10 years to reflect the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in such experience. Sets forth special rules for at-risk plans based on whether they are underfunded. Requires such plans to make different actuarial assumptions, which include assuming that participants will retire at the earliest possible date. (Sec. 103) Sets forth limitations on distributions and benefit accruals under single-employer plans. Prohibits the payment of benefits due to plant shutdowns and other unpredictable contingent events if the adjusted funding target attainment percentage for a plan year: (1) is less than 60%; or (2) would be less than 60% taking into account such occurrence. Prohibits underfunded plans, with funding targets less than 80% as of their valuation dates, from: (1) adopting amendments that increase plan liabilities; and (2) providing lump sum distributions or other accelerated forms of benefits. Prohibits underfunded plans, with funding targets less than 60% as of their valuation dates, from all future benefit accruals. Sets forth exceptions to such prohibitions, as well as special timing rules, provisions for restoration of benefits, and notice requirements. (Sec. 104) Delays the effective date of the funding rules under this Act for eligible cooperative plans until: (1) the first plan year for which the plan ceases to be an eligible cooperative plan; or (2) January 1, 2017. Revises the interest rate used to determine the current liability and required contribution of an eligible cooperative plan sponsored by multiple employers to use the third segment rate, which is the rate of interest based on the corporate bond yield curve for such month taking into account only bonds maturing after 20 years. Makes such rate effective after 2007 and before new funding rules apply. (Sec. 105) Delays application of the funding rules for a PBGC settlement plan until January 1, 2014. Applies the third segment rate after 2007 and before 2014 to determine such a plan's current liability and required contribution. (Sec. 106) Delays application of the funding rules for an eligible government contractor cooperative plan until, at the latest, January 1, 2011. Applies the third segment rate after 2007 and before the funding rules become effective. (Sec. 107) Makes technical and conforming amendments. Subtitle B: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - (Sec. 111) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish minimum funding standards for single-employer defined benefit pension plans. (Sec. 112) Sets forth funding rules for single-employer defined benefit pension plans. (Sec. 113) Sets forth limitations on distributions and benefit accruals under single-employer plans. (Sec. 114) Makes technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 115) Sets forth a special funding rule for any underfunded plan sponsored by an employer engaged primarily in the interurban or interstate passenger bus service. (Sec. 116) Sets forth the treatment, including tax treatment, of deferred compensation to certain executives or highly compensated employees under nonqualified deferred compensation plans during any period when an employer's defined benefit plan is in, or within six months of, at-risk status or bankruptcy. Title II: Funding Rules for Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plans and Related Provisions - Subtitle A: Amendments to Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - (Sec. 201) Amends ERISA to establish new funding rules for multiemployer defined benefit plans. Requires amounts attributable to unfunded past service liability, plan amendments, investment gains and losses, actuarial changes, and waived funding deficiency to be amortized over 15 years. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to extend the amortization period for up to 5 years upon a determination that: (1) without the extension, the plan would have an accumulated funding deficiency in any of the next 10 plan years; (2) the plan sponsor has adopted a plan to improve the plan's funded status; and (3) the plan is projected to have sufficient assets to pay expected benefit liabilities and other anticipated expenses in a timely manner. Authorizes the Secretary to grant an additional 5-year extension if not permitting it would result in substantial risk to voluntary continuation of the plan, or substantial curtailment of pension benefit levels or employee compensation, and be adverse to plan participants' aggregate interests. (Sec. 202) Establishes additional funding rules for multiemployer plans in endangered or critical status, including certification and notice requirements. Deems a plan to be in endangered status if it is not in critical status for the plan year and either: (1) its funded percentage for the plan year is less than 80%; or (2) it has an accumulated funding deficiency for the plan year or is projected to have such a deficiency for any of the six succeeding plan years, taking into account any extension of certain amortization periods. Deems plans to be in critical status if their funded percentage is less than 65% and certain other conditions are present, and in specified alternative circumstances. Requires for endangered plans (in various degrees of endangered status): (1) funding improvement plans; (2) sponsor actions, maintenance of contributions, and benefit restrictions pending such funding improvement plans' approval; (3) certain restrictions upon such approval; (4) default (critical status) if an improvement plan is not adopted; (5) standard funding improvement periods; (6) special rules for seriously underfunded plans; and (7) sponsor recommendation of alternative proposals to bargaining parties, and making relevant information available. Requires for plans in critical status: (1) rehabilitation plans; (2) 10-year rehabilitation periods; (3) plan development proposals that include at least one for the reduction of future benefit accruals (at a limited rate) and one for an increase in contributions; (4) default schedules, with allocation rules for those containing reductions in future benefit accruals; (5) automatic employer surcharges; and (6) benefit adjustments. Allows plan sponsors discretion to treat a failure of a contributing employer to make required contributions under the rehabilitation plan as a withdrawal from the plan. (Sec. 203) Amends ERISA to require a sponsor of a plan in reorganization who determines that the plan will be insolvent in the next five years (by comparing the value of plan assets with the total amount of benefit payments made under the plan) to make such comparison at least annually until the sponsor determines that the plan will not be insolvent in any of the next five plan years. (Sec. 204) Revises the table used to determine an employer's withdrawal liability upon the employer's sale of assets. (Sec. 205) Prohibits a sponsor of a multiemployer plan or any other person from discriminating against any contributing employer for: (1) exercising rights under this Act; or (2) testifying before Congress in any proceeding relating to this Act. (Sec. 206) Exempts a multiemployer plan that is a party to an agreement approved by PBGC that increases benefits and provides for special withdrawal liability rules from the funding rules and withdrawal liability rules under this Act. Subtitle B: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - (Sec. 211) Amends the IRC to establish funding rules for multiemployer defined benefit plans. (Sec. 212) Establishes additional funding rules for multiemployer plans in endangered or critical status. (Sec. 213) Amends the IRC to require a sponsor of a plan in reorganization who determines that the plan will be insolvent in the next five years to evaluate the plan at least annually until the sponsor determines that the plan will not be insolvent in any of the next five plan years. (Sec. 214) Prohibits a tax from being imposed for any accumulated funding deficiency of a multiemployer pension plan meeting certain requirements, including having contributing employers that participate in a federal fishery capacity reduction program and the Northeast Fisheries Assistance Program. Subtitle C: Sunset of Additional Funding Rules - (Sec. 221) Directs the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury and the PBGC Executive Director to report to Congress on the effect of this Act on the operation and status of multiemployer plans. Provides for the sunset of multiemployer funding rules under this subtitle. Provides that such rules shall cease to apply to plan years beginning after December 31, 2014, and that ERISA and IRC rules in effect before the amendments made by this Act shall be applicable again, except with respect to any plan operating under a funding improvement or rehabilitation plan for its last year beginning before January 1, 2015. Title III: Interest Rate Assumptions - (Sec. 301) Extends through 2007 interest rate rules that require the use of a rate based on long-term investment grade corporate bonds rather than 30-year Treasury securities to calculate a defined benefit plan's liability and required contributions, current liability, and the premium to be paid to PBGC. (Sec. 302) Sets forth the interest rate calculation and mortality tables for determining the present value of a qualified joint and survivor annuity or a qualified preretirement survivor annuity that will be immediately distributed. Phases in use of a yield curve method involving interest rates on corporate bonds to determine the amount of such payments. (Sec. 303) Revises the interest rate assumptions for adjusting a benefit for lump sum distributions. Title IV: PBGC Guarantee and Related Provisions - (Sec. 401) Replaces the interest rate based on 30-year Treasury securities used for the valuation of vested benefits with segmented interest rates based on investment grade corporate bonds with varying maturities. Makes permanent provisions establishing additional premiums to be paid to PBGC upon termination of a single-employer plan. (Sec. 402) Allows commercial passenger airline plan sponsors to elect to: (1) apply an alternative funding schedule and special rules, including amortization of unfunded liability over 17 years; or (2) use applicable funding rules, but amortize the shortfall amortization base over a period of 10 years (rather than 7). (Sec. 403) Makes PBGC responsible, in the event of an unpredictable contingent event, for benefits as of the date of the event. (Sec. 404) Sets the terminating date of a pension plan for PBGC purposes as the date the plan sponsor files for bankruptcy. (Sec. 405) Sets forth maximum premiums to be paid to PBGC by small employers. (Sec. 406) Authorizes PBGC to pay interest on the amount of any premium overpayment refunded to a designated payor. (Sec. 407) Revises rules for substantial owner benefits in terminated plans with respect to: (1)the phase-in of guarantee; and (2) the allocation of assets. (Sec. 408) Provides for accelerated computation of benefits payable to participants and beneficiaries by the PBGC from recoveries of employer liability. Revises provisions relating to: (1) the average recovery percentage of the outstanding amount of such benefits; and (2) the valuation of recovery liability in determining such benefit amounts. (Sec. 409) Establishes a special rule for treatment of certain plans where a member that maintained a single-employer defined benefit plan that is fully funded ceases to be a member of a controlled group. (Sec. 410) Directs PBGC to issue missing participant rules for multiemployer plans. Allows the transfer of missing participants' benefits to PBGC upon plan termination for certain plans not subject to the PBGC termination insurance program. (Sec. 411) Replaces the chairman of the board of directors with a Director to head PBGC, to be approved by the Senate. (Sec. 412) Requires certain information to be included in the PBGC annual report, including: (1) a summary of the Pension Insurance Modeling System microsimulation model; (2) a comparison of the average return on investments earned by PBGC compared to an average return on other specified investments; and (3) a statement regarding the deficit or surplus for such year that PBGC would have had if the corporation earned the same return as the specified investments. Title V: Disclosure - (Sec. 501) Revises requirements for defined benefit plan funding notices and the types of information which multiemployer plans must provide. Requires single-employer plans to provide such notices. (Sec. 502) Requires an administrator of a multiemployer pension plan to furnish actuarial reports, financial reports, and any application for an amortization extension upon the request of any plan participant or beneficiary, employee representative, or any employer with an obligation to contribute to the plan. Requires plan sponsors or administrators to furnish a notice of potential withdrawal liability upon the request of any employer. Requires notice of any amendment providing for a significant reduction in the rate of future benefit accruals to be provided to each such employer. (Sec. 503) Sets forth additional requirements for annual reports to the Secretary of Labor by defined benefit plans, including the funded percentage of each plan and explanations of actuarial assumptions and methods used. (Sec. 504) Requires identification, basic plan information, and actuarial information included in the annual report to be: (1) filed in an electronic format; and (2) displayed on a website maintained by the Secretary of Labor and on an intranet website maintained by the plan sponsor or administrator. (Sec. 505) Requires a contributing sponsor to file a financial report with PBGC if the funding target attainment percentage of the plan is less than 80%. (Currently, the criteria for sponsor reporting is based on the aggregate unfunded vested benefits of the plan.) (Sec. 506) Sets forth requirements for a single-employer plan to disclose termination information to affected parties. (Sec. 507) Requires plan administrators to notify plan participants or beneficiaries of their right to divest employer securities at least 30 days before eligibility. (Sec. 508) Requires an administrator of an individual account plan or a defined benefit plan to provide participants or beneficiaries with a pension benefit statement on a specified schedule. (Sec. 509) Revises the definition of "one-participant retirement plan." Makes such change effective as if it were included in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Title VI: Investment Advice, Prohibited Transactions, and Fiduciary Rules - Subtitle A: Investment Advice - (Sec. 601) Exempts from prohibited transaction rules the provision of investment advice (and certain transactions pursuant to such advice, as well as certain fees for such advice) to a plan and its participants and beneficiaries regarding plan assets subject to such participants' and beneficiaries' direction, if such advice is given by fiduciary advisors meeting specified requirements. Subtitle B: Prohibited Transactions - (Sec. 611) Establishes exemptions from prohibited transaction rules for specified types of transactions involving: (1) block trading; (2) bonding relief; (3) providing services between a plan and a party in interest, but only if adequate consideration is involved; (4) electronic communication and similar networks subject to governmental regulation, where the identity of the parties is not taken into account; (5) foreign exchange; and (6) cross trading. (Sec. 612) Establishes a prohibited transaction exemption for a transaction that would have been prohibited but is corrected within 14 days after the fiduciary or party in interest or other person discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, that the transaction would constitute a prohibited transaction. Subtitle C: Fiduciary and Other Rules - (Sec. 621) Makes certain provisions for relief from fiduciary liability inapplicable during suspensions of the ability of participants or beneficiaries to direct investments. (Sec. 622) Increases the maximum bond amount required for fiduciaries of an employee benefit plan who hold employer securities. (Sec. 623) Increases penalties for coercive interference with the exercise of ERISA rights. (Sec. 624) Treats a participant in an individual account plan as exercising control over assets where a plan designates default investments meeting certain requirements. (Sec. 625) Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations clarifying that the selection of an annuity contract as an optional form of distribution from an individual account plan to a participant or beneficiary is not subject to the safest available annuity standard. Title VII: Benefit Accrual Standards - (Sec. 701) Revises ERISA rules relating to reductions in accrued benefits. Sets forth the requirements with which defined benefit pension plans, including hybrid plans such as cash balance plans, must comply to be deemed nondiscriminatory as to age in cases of a reduction in accrued benefits because of attainment of any age. (Sec. 702) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to apply such requirements to cases where conversions to applicable defined benefit plans are made with respect to groups who become employees due to mergers, acquisitions, or similar transactions. Title VIII: Pension Related Revenue Provisions - Subtitle A: Deduction Limitations - (Sec. 801) Set forth rules establishing the deduction limit for single-employer defined benefit plans. (Sec. 802) Sets the maximum deductible amount for multiemployer defined benefit plans as not less than the excess of 140% of the current liability of the plan over the value of the plan's assets. (Sec. 803) Applies deduction limits for plan sponsors maintaining both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans, in the case of employer contributions to one or more defined contribution plans, only to the extent that those contributions exceed 6% of the compensation otherwise paid or accrued to beneficiaries during the plan year. Subtitle B: Certain Pension Provisions Made Permanent - (Sec. 811) Repeals the sunset of provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 related to individual retirement accounts and pensions. (Sec. 812) Repeals the sunset of the tax credit for qualified retirement savings contributions. Subtitle C: Improvements in Portability, Distribution, and Contribution Rules - (Sec. 821) Revises the definition of "permissive service credit" to include: (1) service credit for periods for which there is no performance of service; and (2) service credited in order to provide an increased benefit for service credit which a participant is recovering under the plan. (Sec. 822) Allows rollover of after-tax amounts to an annuity contract. (Sec. 823) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations under which a governmental plan shall be treated as having complied with trust distribution requirements if the plan complies with a reasonable good faith interpretation of those requirements. (Sec. 824) Allows direct rollovers from eligible retirement plans to Roth IRAs. (Sec. 825) Provides that an individual is not precluded from participating in an eligible deferred compensation plan by reason of having received a distribution from a governmental plan or a tax-exempt employer. (Sec. 826) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify rules for determining whether a participant has had a hardship or unforeseen financial emergency. (Sec. 827) Exempts a distribution made to a reservist who is called to active duty for at least 179 days from the imposition of a tax for early distribution from qualified retirement plans. Makes provision retroactive to September 11, 2001. (Sec. 828) Exempts a distribution made to a qualified public safety employee after separation of service after attainment of age 50 (currently, 55) from the imposition of a tax for early distribution from qualified retirement plans. Applies such exemption to police, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel. (Sec. 829) Permits a distribution from an eligible retirement plan of a deceased employee to an individual retirement plan of a designated beneficiary that is not the surviving spouse of the employee. (Sec. 830) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make available a form for individuals to direct that a portion of any tax refund be paid directly to an individual retirement plan. (Sec. 831) Allows, and gives credit for, additional individual retirement account payments in certain bankruptcy cases. (Sec. 832) Amends the calculation of the average compensation for the high three years when calculating the annual benefit limit under a defined benefit plan. (Sec. 833) Adjusts for inflation the maximum income limits for the tax credit for qualified retirement savings contributions. Subtitle D: Health and Medical Benefits - (Sec. 841) Permits an employer maintaining a defined benefit plan to transfer excess pension assets to cover current retirees future health liabilities. (Sec. 842) Removes the exclusion that prevents multiemployer pension plans from transferring excess pension assets to health benefits accounts for retirees. (Sec. 843) Allows qualified asset accounts to include a reserve for medical benefits provided through bona fide association health plans. (Sec. 844) Excludes from gross income any charge against the cash value of an annuity contract or the cash surrender value of a life insurance contract made as payment for coverage under a qualified long-term care insurance contract which is part of or a rider on such annuity or life insurance contract if the investment in the contract is reduced (but not below zero). Requires an individual excluding such charges from gross income to file a return with the Secretary of the Treasury. (Sec. 845) Excludes from gross income direct distributions from governmental retirement plans to pay for health and long-term care insurance premiums for retired public safety officers. Subtitle E: United States Tax Court Modernization - (Sec. 851) Provides for cost-of-living increases to annuities for surviving spouses and dependents of Tax Court judges based on increases paid under the Civil Service Retirement System. (Sec. 852) Authorizes the Tax Court to pay increases in the cost of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance for judges age 65 and over. (Sec. 853) Allows Tax Court judges to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan. (Sec. 854) Provides for the payment of annuities to surviving spouses and dependents of magistrate judges. (Sec. 855) Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Tax Court for collection due process case appeals. (Sec. 856) Authorizes the Chief Judge of the Tax Court to recall retired magistrate judges for service. Limits the term of such service to 90 days in any calendar year. (Sec. 857) Authorizes the assignment of employment tax cases involving $50,000 or less to special trial judges. (Sec. 858) Permits the Tax Court to apply the doctrine of equitable recoupment (a defendant's right to claim an offset against a debt in a creditor action) to the same extent that it is available in civil tax cases before the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. (Sec. 859) Authorizes the Tax Court to impose a fee of up to $60 for the filing of any petition. (Sec. 860) Requires a portion of Tax Court practitioner fees to be used to provide services to pro se taxpayers (taxpayers representing themselves before the Tax Court). Subtitle F: Other Provisions - (Sec. 861) Extends to all governmental plans the exemption from application of minimum participation and nondiscrimination rules in favor of highly compensated employees applicable to state and local plans. (Sec. 862) Eliminates the limit that prohibited payments from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund to pay accident or health benefits for retired miners and their spouses and dependents from exceeding an amount based on aggregate limits from all taxable years. Requires that such limits be based only on the prior taxable year. (Sec. 863) Includes in gross income benefits paid to other employees, directors, and highly compensated employees under employer-owned life insurance contracts upon the death of an insured employee that exceed the sum of the premiums and other amounts paid for the contract. (Sec. 864) Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1978 to deem to not be an employee any individual providing services as a test proctor or room supervisor by assisting in the administration of college entrance or placement examinations. (Sec. 865) Provides that annuity payments from qualified church plans that otherwise meet specified distribution requirements for money purchase pension plans under the IRC shall not fail to satisfy qualified trust distribution requirements merely because the payments are not made under an annuity contract purchased from an insurance company. (Sec. 866) Defines a "qualified organization" to include a church-maintained retirement income account for purposes of determining the tax on unrelated debt-financed income from real property interests. (Sec. 867) Exempts participants in church plans who are not highly compensated employees from certain defined benefit plan limitations. (Sec. 868) Requires that the amount of a qualified gratuitous transfer to an employee stock ownership plan allocated each year be determined on the basis of the fair market value of securities when allocated to participants. Title IX: Increase in Pension Plan Diversification and Participation and Other Pension Provisions - (Sec. 901) Requires defined contribution plans holding publicly traded securities to provide employees with: (1) the opportunity to divest employer securities; and (2) at least three investment options other than employer securities. (Sec. 902) Allows qualified automatic contribution arrangements where eligible employees are treated as having elected to have the employer make elective contributions in an amount equal to a qualified percentage of compensation until the employees otherwise make an affirmative election. (Sec. 903) Sets forth benefit, contribution, and notice requirements for treatment of eligible combined defined benefit plans and qualified cash or deferred arrangements. (Sec. 904) Provides for faster vesting of employer contributions in defined contribution plans. (Sec. 905) Revises the definition of "employee pension benefit plan" to allow distributions prior to termination of covered employment that is made to an employee who has attained age 62 and who is not separated from employment at the time of the distribution. (Sec. 906) Revises the definition of governmental plan to treat Indian tribal pension plans as tax-qualified governmental plans. Title X: Provisions Relating to Spousal Pension Protection - (Sec. 1001) Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations relating to the time and order of issuance of qualified domestic relations orders under ERISA and IRC provisions. (Sec. 1002) Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to eliminate the requirement that an individual be entitled to and receiving an annuity in order for a divorced spouse to receive an annuity. (Sec. 1003) Extends the payment of any portion of Tier II railroad retirement benefits to surviving former spouses pursuant to court decrees upon the death of the individual who performed the service, unless the termination of benefits is required by such court decree. (Sec. 1004) Requires pension plans to offer participants the option of a qualified joint and 3/4 survivor annuity (as an alternative to the current qualified joint and survivor annuity). Title XI: Administrative Provisions - (Sec. 1101) Grants the Secretary of the Treasury full authority to establish, implement, update, and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System and any other employee plans correction policies, including the authority to waive income, excise, or other taxes to ensure that any tax, penalty, or sanction is not excessive and bears a reasonable relationship to the nature, extent, and severity of the failure. (Sec. 1102) Increases the period during which: (1) a participant may elect to waive the qualified joint and survivor annuity form of benefit; and (2) a plan must provide notice to a participant. Requires the notification to describe not only a participant's right (if any) to defer receipt of a distribution but also the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 1103) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the requirements for filing annual returns to ensure that one-participant plans with assets of $250,000 or less are not required to file an annual return. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor to provide for the filing of a simplified annual return for any retirement plan which covers fewer than 25 participants. (Sec. 1104) Amends the IRC and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to treat certain voluntary early retirement incentive and employment retention plans of local educational agencies and of educational associations as bona fide severance pay plans to the extent that payments as early retirement benefits could otherwise be made, subject to specified conditions. Amends ERISA to treat such plans as welfare plans (not pension plans) for purposes of such payments. (Sec. 1105) Prohibits states from reducing unemployment compensation as a result of any pension, retirement or retired pay, annuity, or similar payment which is not included in the gross income of the individual for the taxable year because it was part of a rollover distribution. (Sec. 1106) Allows a plan to revoke its election to not be treated as a multiemployer plan under certain circumstances. (Sec. 1107) Sets forth provisions relating to plan amendments. Title XII: Provisions Relating to Exempt Organizations - Subtitle A: Charitable Giving Incentives - (Sec. 1201) Amends the IRC to exclude from the gross income of certain individual retirement account holders up to $100,000 of their distributions from such accounts made for charitable purposes. Terminates this tax exclusion after 2007. Increases penalties for the failure of split-interest trusts and trusts claiming certain tax deductions for charitable contributions to file required informational returns. (Sec. 1202) Extends through 2007 provisions allowing non-corporate taxpayers to make tax deductible contributions of food inventory. (Sec. 1203) Provides that the amount of an S corporation shareholder's basis reduction in the stock of such corporation due to a charitable contribution made by the corporation will be the shareholder's pro rata share of the adjusted basis of the contributed property. (Sec. 1204) Extends through 2007 the increased tax deduction for corporate contributions of book inventories to public schools. (Sec. 1205) Sets forth a special rule for the tax treatment of payments of interest, rents, annuities, or royalty payments made to a tax-exempt organization which has a controlling interest in the entity making such payments. Terminates such rule after 2007. Requires the Secretary to report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee on the effectiveness of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in administering this tax provision. (Sec. 1206) Allows individual taxpayers an increased tax deduction (50% of taxpayer contribution base) for qualified conservation contributions (real property donated to a charitable organization exclusively for conservation purposes). Increases such tax deduction to 100% for contributions by certain farmers or ranchers. Allows a 15-year carryforward of unused deduction amounts. Allows an increased tax deduction (and 15-year carryover of such tax deduction) for qualified conservation contributions made by corporate farmers and ranchers. Terminates such provisions after 2007. (Sec. 1207) Exempts tax-exempt blood collector organizations from: (1) the excise tax on diesel and special motor fuels; (2) the manufacturer's excise tax; (3) the communication excise tax; and (4) the excise tax on heavy vehicles. Subtitle B: Reforming Exempt Organizations - Part I: General Reforms - (Sec. 1211) Requires tax-exempt organizations which acquire a direct or indirect interest in certain life insurance, annuity, or endowment contracts to file informational returns during a specified two-year period. Imposes penalties on such organizations for failure to file required information. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study the use of such contracts by tax-exempt organizations and to report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. (Sec. 1212) Increases penalties on charitable organizations, including private foundations, for: (1) self-dealing and excess benefit transactions; (2) failure to distribute income; (3) excess business holdings; (4) investments which jeopardize charitable purpose; and (5) taxable expenditures (e.g., political activities). Increases penalties on managers of such organizations for prohibited activities. (Sec. 1213) Modifies requirements for the tax deduction for charitable contributions of easements on buildings in registered historic districts to require such easements to preserve the entire exterior of the building and to prohibit any change that is inconsistent with the historical character of such exterior. (Sec. 1214) Disallows enhanced tax deductions for charitable contributions of taxidermy property (a work of art which is the reproduction or preservation of a dead animal). (Sec. 1215) Sets forth rules for the recapture of tax benefits for charitable contributions of tax-exempt use property which is not used for charitable purposes. Modifies reporting requirements relating to the disposition of charitable deduction property by a donee. Imposes a $10,000 penalty for the fraudulent identification of tax-exempt use property. (Sec. 1216) Disallows a tax deduction for clothing or household items that are not in good used condition or better. Defines "household items" to include furniture, electronics, appliances, linens, and other similar items, but excludes food, paintings, antiques and other objects of art, jewelry and gems, and collectibles. (Sec. 1217) Modifies recordkeeping requirements for charitable contributions of monetary gifts to require bank records for such contributions or confirmation letters from the donee organizations. (Sec. 1218) Requires a tax-exempt organization which receives a donation of a fractional interest in an item of tangible property to take actual possession of such item for the portion of the year corresponding to the organization's percentage interest in such item. (Sec. 1219) Increases penalties for substantial and gross overstatements of valuations of charitable deduction property. Imposes a penalty for intentional misstatements of appraisal values. Sets forth definitions relating to appraisers and appraisals. (Sec. 1220) Establishes standards and requirements for tax-exempt credit counseling organizations. (Sec. 1221) Revises the definitions of private foundation gross investment income and capital gain net income for purposes of the excise tax on such income. (Sec. 1222) Defines "convention or association of churches" to include individuals (with or without voting rights) as well as churches. (Sec. 1223) Imposes certain reporting requirements on exempt organizations not currently required to file information returns (e.g., organizations with gross receipts of less than $25,000). (Sec. 1224) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to notify state officials of adverse actions taken by the IRS against certain charitable organizations. (Sec. 1225) Permits public disclosure of unrelated business income tax returns filed by tax-exempt charitable organizations. (Sec. 1226) Directs the Secretary to study the organization and operation of donor advised funds and report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee on such study. Part 2: Improved Accountability of Donor Advised Funds - (Sec. 1231) Imposes a 20% excise tax on supporting organizations (5% tax on fund management) for making taxable distributions from a donor advised fund. Limits the amount of such tax to $10,000 for any one taxable distribution. Defines "sponsoring organization" as a tax-exempt organization which is not a private foundation and which maintains one or more donor advised funds. Defines " donor advised fund" as a separately identified fund which is owned and controlled by a sponsoring organization and which permits a donor to have advisory privileges as to the distribution or investment of fund assets. Authorizes the Secretary to exempt a fund from treatment as a donor advised fund under certain conditions. Imposes penalty taxes on prohibited benefits resulting from certain distributions made from donor advised funds. (Sec. 1232) Extends penalties applicable to tax-exempt organizations for excess benefit transactions involving donor advised funds. (Sec. 1233) Extends penalties applicable to private foundations for excess benefit holdings of donor advised funds. (Sec. 1234) Limits the tax deductibility of charitable contributions made to donor advised funds by individuals, estates, and donors of gifts. (Sec. 1235) Requires a supporting organization to report for its taxable year: (1) its total number of its donor advised funds; (2) the aggregate value of assets held in such funds; and (3) the aggregate contributions to, and grants made from, such funds. Part 3: Improved Accountability of Supporting Organizations - (Sec. 1241) Sets forth requirements for supporting organizations relating to distributions and responsiveness to supported organizations. (Sec. 1242) Extends penalties applicable to tax-exempt organizations for excess benefit transactions involving supporting organizations. (Sec. 1243) Extends penalties applicable to private foundations for excess benefit holdings of supporting organizations. (Sec. 1244) Limits distributions and taxable expenditures made by nonoperating private foundations to supporting organizations. (Sec. 1245) Sets forth reporting requirements for supporting organizations. Title XIII: Other Provisions - (Sec. 1301) Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, to make technical changes. (Sec. 1302) Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to change the amount authorized for the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park, Montana, and to make such funds available as if they were apportioned consistent with other federal highway aid. Increases the unobligated funds apportioned to the states before September 30, 2009, for certain transportation activities that are subject to rescission. (Sec. 1303) Excludes electricity provided to the city of Hoonah, Alaska, from the determination as to whether any private activity bond issued before May 31, 2006, and used to finance the Snettisham or Lake Dorothy hydroelectric facilities is a qualified bond for purposes of excluding bond interest from gross income. (Sec. 1304) Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to permanently extend provisions related to a qualified tuition program. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to carry out or prevent abuse of such provisions. Title XIV: Tariff Provisions - Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2006 - Subtitle A: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions - Chapter 1: New Suspensions and Reductions - (Sec. 1411) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) to provide for temporary duty suspensions, increases, or reductions through December 31, 2009 for: (1) certain non-knit auto mechanic's gloves; (2) certain microphones for automotive interiors; (3) various specified acrylic or modacrylic synthetic staple fibers and filament tows; (4) nitrocellulose; (5) potassium sorbate; (6) sorbic acid; (7) certain capers; (8) certain preparations of pepperoncini; (9) certain chemicals, chemical mixtures, and dyes; (10) hydraulic control units; (11) shield asy-steering gear; (12) certain master cylinder assembles; (13) certain transaxles; (14) converter asy; (15) module and bracket asy-power steering; (16) unit asy-battery hi volt; (17) certain articles of natural cork; (18) DEMBB distilled-iso tank; (19) certain acrylic fiber tow; (20) M-alcohol; (21) certain machines for the assembly of motorcycle wheels; (22) palm fatty acid distillate; (23) certain cosmetic bags; (24) formulations of prosulfuron; (25) ion-exchange resins; (26) ion-exchange resin powder; (27) certain cases for toys; (28) aspirin; (29) various specified kinds of camel and vicuna hair; (30) low expansion laboratory glass; (31) stoppers, lids, and other closures; (32) various specified kinds of basketballs; (33) certain volleyballs; (34) certain decorative plates, sculptures, and plaques, and architectural miniatures; (35) certain music boxes; (36) certain footwear; (37) certain refracting and reflecting telescopes; (38) certain liquid crystal device (LCD) panel assemblies; and (39) certain watertube boilers and reactor vessel heads. Chapter 2: Existing Duty Suspensions and Reductions - (Sec. 1611) Extends the existing suspension or reduction of duty through December 31, 2009, for: (1) certain chemicals and dyes; (2) certain yarn of viscose rayon; (3) certain ion-exchange resins; (4) certain bags for toys; (5) cases for certain children's products; (6) certain children's products; (7) certain light absorbing photo dyes; (8) certain R-core transformers; (9) certain filament yarns; (10) certain semi-manufactured forms of gold; (11) sodium petroleum sulfonate; and (12) ceiling fans. Extends the suspension of duty on certain chemicals through December 31, 2009. Imposes a duty on certain chemicals through December 31, 2009 (thus, rescinding their duty-free treatment). Decreases the duty on certain chemicals through December 31, 2009. Subtitle B: Other Tariff Provisions - Chapter 1: Liquidation or Reliquidation of Certain Entries - (Sec. 1621) Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (Commissioner) to admit free of duty into the United States three tramway cars and their associated spare parts manufactured in Ostrava, Czech Republic, for the use by the city of Portland, Oregon, and imported pursuant to a contract with the city. Requires the Commissioner to reliquidate (refund the duties) paid on such entries before enactment of this section. (Sec. 1622) Requires the Commissioner to liquidate or reliquidate, and refund any amounts owed or interest previously paid on, certain entries of: (1) candles without assessment of antidumping duties and interest; (2) roller chain without assessment of interest; and (3) soundspa clock radios. Chapter 2 - Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 1631) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 and the HTS to exempt from duty the cost of equipment, repair parts, and materials involved in the repair of certain vessels by U.S. crews done in foreign waters or in a foreign port that does not involve foreign shipyard repairs by foreign labor. (Sec. 1632) Suspends from April 2, 2006 through June 30, 2009, the requirement that the administering authority direct the Customs Service to allow, at the option of the importer of such merchandise, the posting, until completion of the review, of a bond or security in lieu of a cash deposit for each entry of the subject merchandise (bonding privileges). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to specified congressional committees: (1) recommendations on whether such suspension should be extended; and (2) assessments of the effectiveness of any administrative measures that have been implemented to address the difficulties giving rise to the suspension. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to specified congressional committees, with recommendations for additional action, on the major problems experienced in the collection of duties, including fraudulent activities intended to avoid their payment. (Sec. 1633) Amends the HTS to extend the duty suspensions and duty-free treatment for certain wool products through December 31, 2009. Amends the Wool Suit and Textile Trade Extension Act of 2004 to require the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to make annual (currently, two additional) payments from the Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund to importing and nonimporting manufacturers of certain wool products during calendar year 2005. Requires each subsequent annual payment to be made after January 1 of each subsequent year, but on or before April 15 of such year through calendar year 2010. Extends the authorization of the Secretary of Commerce through calendar year 2009 to provide grants to manufacturers of certain worsted wool fabrics during calendar years 1999, 2000, and 2001. Makes only manufacturers who weave worsted wool fabric in the United States eligible for such grants. Amends the Trade and Development Act of 2000, as amended by the Wool Suit and Textile Trade Extension Act of 2004, to extend the Wool Research, Development, and Promotion Trust Fund through December 31, 2010. (Sec. 1634) Authorizes the President to proclaim modifications to the HTS to carry out amendments to the Agreement proposed by the United States and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), the terms of which are contained in letters of understanding specified in this Act. Terminates such authority on December 31, 2007. Authorizes the President to proclaim such modifications to carry out amendments proposed by the United States, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, the terms of which are contained in the letters of understanding exchanged between the countries relating to the rules of origin for articles containing pocket bag fabric used in an apparel article classifiable under the HTS that contains a pocket or pockets. Subjects such modification to consultaton and layover requirements of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (DR-CAFTA IA). Makes such modification ineffective if a joint resolution of Congress is enacted into law disapproving it. Terminates such authority on December 31, 2007. Authorizes the Commissioner of Customs to require an importer to submit at the time the importer files a claim for preferential tariff treatment under the Agreement a certificate of eligibility, properly completed and signed, or transmitted pursuant to an authorized electronic data interchange system, by an authorized official of the government of Nicaragua to implement the tariff preference level for Nicaragua provided in the Agreement. Authorizes the President to proclaim a reduction in the overall limit in such tariff preference level if Nicaragua fails to comply with a commitment under an agreement between the United States and Nicaragua with regard to the administration of such tariff preference. Makes a technical correction to the DR-CAFTA IA relating to retroactive application for certain liquidations and reliquidations of textile or apparel goods. Requires, within 30 days after enactment of this Act, and at least quarterly thereafter, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of negotiations and amendments proposed by the United States, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic to the Agreement regarding any change to the rule of origin or alteration of the tariff treatment of certain socks classified or described in this Act. Requires the USTR to provide to the appropriate congressional committees copies of any amendments: (1) to be proposed by the United States before the amendments are offered; and (2) received by the United States relating to such negotiations. Terminates such reporting requirements on the date on which any change is made to the rule of origin pursuant to the Agreement for such socks or December 31, 2007, whichever occurs later. (Sec. 1635) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930, the Trade Act of 1974, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, and the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002 to make technical corrections. Subtitle C: Effective Date - (Sec. 1641) Sets forth the effective date for amendments made by this title.

Reinforcing the Federal Government's Federal trust relationship and commitment to working with American Indian Nations to empower, promote, and support the educational development of American Indian and Alaska Native children and youth.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Affirms the federal government's special legal and political relationship with American Indian and Alaska Native people by recognizing the sovereignty of Tribal Nations. Calls upon the federal government, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Education, to recognize and fulfill its trust responsibilities and consultation obligations to American Indian and Alaska Native people and communities. Acknowledges that past federal policies of the forced removal of children from reservations to boarding schools have negatively impacted American Indian and Alaska Native families, communities, and youth. Urges the federal government to promote success and eliminate disparities among American Indian and Alaska Native children and youth during consideration of the reauthorization of Head Start and the No Child Left Behind Act, and through the federal appropriation process. Urges the federal government to recognize, promote, and work towards strengthening the educational needs of American Indian and Alaska Native youth and families. Reinforces the educational commitment to promote the best interests of American Indian and Alaska Native children by reinforcing native cultural and language development which strengthens, preserves, and promotes cultural identity. Recognizes that it is imperative that the federal government sharpen its focus and commitment to title VII of the No Child Left Behind Act consistent with the desires of American Indian and Alaska Native people. Recognizes that education is significantly linked to overall quality of life and therefore must be prioritized and organized to meet the unique and specialized needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students.

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding textbook equity.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Expresses the sense of Congress that all students deserve up-to-date textbooks in order to meet national education requirements and that states should ensure that poorer school districts are not deprived of such textbooks. Resolves that primary and secondary schools receive equitable funding for textbooks.

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the need for additional research into the chronic neurological condition hydrocephalus, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health should: (1) be commended for working with leading scientists and researchers to organize the first National Institutes of Health conference on hydrocephalus; and (2) continue the current collaboration among specified entities with respect to such condition. Calls for increased: (1) funding for hydrocephalus research; and (2) public awareness and professional education regarding hydrocephalus through federal government and patient advocacy organization partnerships.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND: CAN GROWTH MODELS ENSURE IMPROVED EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS?

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 July 2006

Healthy School Bus Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Healthy School Bus Act of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study air quality inside school buses and develop strategies for improving such air quality. Authorizes appropriations for activities to improve air quality inside school buses, including expansion of the Clean School Bus USA program. Expresses the sense of Congress that schools should assign school buses that pollute less to the longest routes and adopt and implement policies to decrease school bus idling.

A resolution congratulating Spelman College on its 125th anniversary.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Congratulates Spelman College on its 125th anniversary. Commends those associated with the College for their outstanding achievements and contributions to African American education, history, and culture.

HeLP America Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act or the HeLP America Act - Sets forth provisions regarding healthy eating in schools, including: (1) limiting foods of minimal nutritional value sold in schools; and (2) providing for healthy school nutrition environment incentive grants. Healthy Workforce Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to: (1) allow a wellness program credit for employers; (2) remove the reduction in the highest tax rate applicable for taxable years after 2000; and (3) exclude from an employee's income the fees paid by an employer to an athletic or fitness facility on the employee's behalf. Provides for grants to promote individual and community health and to prevent the incidence of chronic disease. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) regulate tobacco products (through the Food and Drug Administration); and (2) establish the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. Sets forth tobacco product standards and registration, recordkeeping, reporting, manufacturer and importer user fee, labeling, advertising, and marketing requirements. Requires vending machines and certain restaurants to provide nutritional information about each food offered, including the number of calories. Amends the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain counseling and screening services. Requires the Secretary to encourage a state program to utilize school-based health centers to deliver primary care to children eligible for federal medical assistance. Establishes the HeLP (Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention) America Trust Fund to fund smoking cessation efforts and other efforts required by this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct research on obesity prevention, treatment, and control.

High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 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. 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 leased 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.

Stop Obesity in Schools Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Stop Obesity in Schools Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to reduce childhood obesity that: (1) provides for the reduction of childhood obesity rates by 10% by the year 2010; (2) addresses solutions to reducing the rates of childhood obesity; (3) identifies how the federal government can work effectively with entities to implement the strategy; and (4) includes measures to identify and overcome all obstacles to achieving the goal of reducing childhood obesity. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to: (1) make grants to local educational agencies to reduce childhood obesity by adopting wellness policies and anti-obesity initiatives; (2) arrange for the evaluation of a wide variety of existing programs designed to prevent obesity in children and adolescents in order to identify factors contributing to program effectiveness; and (3) make grants on a competitive basis to state governments, local governments, and consortia of local governments to reduce childhood obesity through establishing or expanding healthy living and wellness coordinating councils and supporting regional workshops.

21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Education to make grants in each fiscal year to local educational agencies (LEAs) in each state for the construction, modernization, or repair of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools to make them safe, healthy, high-performing, and technologically up-to-date. Gives priority to LEAs serving a high number or percentage of disadvantaged children and those whose public schools are in relatively poor condition. Requires LEAs to contribute funds toward the costs of the program, but uses a sliding scale that factors in the relative poverty of an LEA's service area. Requires the Secretary to make low-interest loans to LEAs in each fiscal year for the same purposes and with the same priorities given in the distribution of the grants. Establishes the School Construction, Modernization, and Repair Revolving Fund consisting of amounts derived from the low-interest loans and appropriations made to the Fund by this Act. Amends part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize and make appropriations for educational technology.

Rewarding Student Achievement Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Rewarding Student Achievement Act - Requires the Secretary of Education to ensure that grants awarded to support merit-based teacher compensation systems, under the Teacher Incentive Fund or the Fund for the Improvement of Education under part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, support compensation systems that are based primarily or exclusively on student learning gains, the maintenance of such gains, or both.

Freedom through Renewable Energy Expansion (FREE) Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Freedom through Renewable Energy Expansion (FREE) Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal provisions regarding: (1) next generation nuclear plant project; (2) standby support for certain nuclear plant delays; and (3) incentives for oil and gas production from federal lands. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to repeal: (1) the credit for production from advanced nuclear power facilities; (2) the election to expense certain refineries; (3) treatment of natural gas distribution lines as 15-year property; (4) treatment of natural gas gathering lines as seven-year property; (5) the rule for determining the small refiner exception to the oil depletion deduction; and (6) the amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to repeal the suspension of: (1) offshore royalties pertaining to the Planning Areas offshore Alaska; and (2) the royalty with respect to the national petroleum reserve in Alaska. Directs the President to suspend the application of federal law granting relief from royalty payments for production of oil or natural gas from federal lands occurring within specified periods. Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate certain average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles manufactured after model year 2008. Amends the IRC to extend the credit for: (1) renewable electricity production; (2) solar energy property, qualified fuel cell property, and geothermal property; and (3) residential energy efficient property. Allows a tax credit for wind energy property installed in residences and businesses. Authorizes appropriations for geothermal research. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prescribe a federal renewable portfolio standard. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise certain federal energy purchase requirements. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for local schools and school districts to promote the use of renewable energy sources in school facilities.

American Energy Independence Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

American Energy Independence Act - Establishes the National Commission on Energy Independence to review U.S. energy policy. Amends federal transportation law to provide: (1) phased increases in fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles; and (2) a national tire efficiency program for passenger cars and light trucks. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish Energy Star Program requirements, and an Energy Star rating program for solar water heating devices. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prescribe standards for household appliances in standby mode. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the energy efficient commercial buildings deduction; (2) extend the timeframe for placing into service production facilities for renewable electric energy; and (3) establish a tax credit for telecommuting. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prescribe: (1) a federal renewable portfolio standard; and (2) special rules for net metering. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an investment tax credit for the construction of new electricity transmission lines to carry electricity from renewable energy resources. Authorizes loan guarantees for biorefineries and renewable energy production facilities. Directs the President to take measures to ensure decreased electricity consumption for federal nondefense related activities. Requires design phases for future federal buildings to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating standard. Prescribes guidelines governing the fuel economy of the federal fleet of vehicles. Requires executive agency motor purchases to include high-efficiency vehicles, or hybrid electric vehicles. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize appropriations for basic research at the Department of Energy (DOE). Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to prescribe organization guidelines for mathematics, science, and engineering education programs. Authorizes DOE research grants for early career scientists and engineers to pursue independent research. Establishes: (1) the Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy; and (2) the Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Energy Technologies. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate transit-oriented development corridors in urbanized areas; and (2) award transit grants for transit facilities, bicycle transportation, and pedestrian walkways in a transit-oriented development corridor. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to increase and extend weatherization assistance. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a grants program, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees for commercialization of new: (1) renewable energy technologies; (2) technologies for energy generation from fossil fuels that incorporate carbon sequestration; and (3) energy efficiency technologies.

Bodegas as Catalysts for Healthy Living Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Bodegas as Catalysts for Healthy Living Act - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to local organizations that represent small business concerns and local redevelopment agencies to assist: (1) independently owned and operated small businesses, such as bodegas and corner stores, in expanding their inventories to include fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy alternatives (as defined by the Department of Agriculture); and (2) community-based organizations, such as community health centers, in carrying out consumer outreach and education programs to encourage the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy alternatives and to inform communities about health risks and the benefits of healthy living. Requires small businesses and community-based organizations to collaborate in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Limits grant amounts to $100,000. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to cover additional primary and preventive services relating to obesity treatment and prevention, supervised exercise sessions, stress testing, lifestyle modification education, and nutrition education.

Medicare Residency Program Fairness Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Medicare Residency Program Fairness Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to payments to hospitals for the direct graduate medical education (DGME) costs of inpatient hospital services, particularly the redistribution among qualifying hospitals of unused resident positions which figure in the calculation of DGME costs. Requires a specified adjustment to the reduction of Medicare resident positions for rural and small urban hospitals, where that reduction was based on a cost report subsequently settled, whether as a result of an appeal or otherwise, if the reference resident level under such settled cost report is higher than the resident level used for the reduction.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006

Declares that Congress: (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month; (2) should work with health care providers and celiac disease advocacy and education organizations to encourage screening and early detection of celiac disease; and (3) should increase federal funding for celiac disease research.