Housing

Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2005

Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Native American Housing Assistance Act of 1996 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from restricting access to a Native American affordable housing grant based solely on one of four specified factors. Amends title V (Farm Housing) of the Housing Act of 1949 to state that federally recognized Indian tribes who exercise powers of self-government (or their instrumentalities) shall comply with the Indian Civil Rights Act (title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) when receiving assistance under title V. States that title VI (Federally Assisted Programs) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and title VIII (Fair Housing) of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 shall not apply to tribes: (1) covered by Federal law commonly known as the Indian Civil Rights Act; or (2) tribes acting under affordable housing provisions of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. Amends the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act to make Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities, or other agencies primarily serving Indians eligible for Youthbuild grants.

Strengthening America's Armed Forces and Military Family Bill of Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2005

Strengthening America's Armed Forces and Military Family Bill of Rights Act - Increases Army and Marine Corps end strengths for FY 2005 and thereafter. Makes members of the Selected Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve eligible for either the Prime or Standard option of the TRICARE Program (a Department of Defense managed health care program), allowing for either self-coverage or self-and-family coverage. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay the applicable premium to continue in force any qualified health plan coverage for a reserve member (and his or her dependents) while the member is serving on active duty pursuant to a call or order issued during a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress. Requires the continuation of COBRA coverage during such period. National Reservist Enterprise Transition and Sustainability Act of 2005 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program to provide business planning assistance to small businesses owned and operated by members of the National Guard and Reserve. Authorizes SBA: (1) loans to new veteran entrepreneurs; and (2) grant assistance for military reservists' small businesses. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a reserve component employment credit equal to the sum of the employment credit with respect to all qualified employees of the taxpayer and the self-employment credit of a qualified self-employed taxpayer. Disallows the credit for failure to comply with reserve member employment or reemployment rights, or when a reserve member is called or ordered to active duty for training. Authorizes a taxpayer to designate overpayments of income tax for payment into the the American Military Family Relief Fund (established herein), to be used to make distributions to individuals and family of members who serve or have served in the Armed Forces for needs not met by other laws or programs. Authorizes penalty-free withdrawals from retirement plans for individuals called or ordered to certain active duty. Increases the military death gratuity from $12,000 to $250,000. Continues for 365 (currently 180) days the basic allowance for housing for dependents of members who die while on active duty. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to employ at least one psychiatrist and a complimentary clinical team at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center to provide post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for veterans of service in Afghanistan and Iraq and the War on Terrorism.

DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 17 February 2005

A resolution recognizing the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association on its 75th anniversary and its members' vital contributions to the infrastructure of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005

Congratulates the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association for its 75-year history and its contributions to the construction of the infrastructure of the United States, including homes, buildings, bridges, and highways. Recognizes the Association as an invaluable asset in developing the history and character of the United States. Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Association as an expression of public appreciation and for public display at the Association's 2005 national convention.

Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005

Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant qualifying alien agricultural workers (and their spouses and minor children) temporary resident status and subsequently lawful permanent resident status upon the fulfillment of specified agricultural work and residency requirements. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) adjustment of status applications, including penalties for false statements; (2) the waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for inadmissibility; (3) the temporary stay of removal and work authorization; (4) administrative and judicial review; and (5) dissemination of program information. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the correction of such aliens' social security records. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth application requirements for H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) employers and employer associations, including assurances: (1) that the job opportunity is temporary or seasonal and is not the result of a labor dispute; (2) that attempts have been made to hire U.S. workers; and (3) respecting required wages and benefits and compliance with labor laws. Sets forth employment requirements with respect to H-2A worker wages, housing, and transportation reimbursement. Establishes the Commission on Agricultural Wage Standards under the H-2A program. Revises provisions respecting the admission and extension of stay of H-2A workers. Provides special rules for alien sheepherders. Sets forth worker protection and labor standards enforcement provisions for such aliens.

Rural Housing Tax Credit Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2005

Rural Housing Tax Credit Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable tax credit (the lesser of ten percent of the purchase price or $5,000) for the purchase of a principal residence in a rural area by a first-time homebuyer. Limits the amount of such credit based on taxpayer modified adjusted gross income. Requires the recapture of credit amounts if a taxpayer fails to use a residence for which a tax credit is allowed as a principal residence or sells such residence within five years of purchase.

Meningococcal Vaccination Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Meningococcal Vaccination Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require entering students who will reside in on-campus housing at postsecondary institutions to have received meningococcal vaccinations.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2005, through September 30, 2005, October 1, 2005, through September 30, 2006, and October 1, 2006, through February 28, 2007.

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2005

Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from March 1, 2005, through September 30, 2005, October 1, 2005, through September 30, 2006 , and October 1, 2006, through February 28, 2007: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; (11) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (12) Judiciary; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. Provides that within the funds in the account "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" appropriated by the legislative branch appropriations Acts for FY 2005, 2006, and 2007, there is authorized to be established a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.

Public Housing Drug Elimination Program Reauthorization Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2005

Public Housing Drug Elimination Program Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations for the assisted housing drug elimination program. Limits activities for programs designed to reduce drug use in and around assisted low-income housing to: (1) providing drug abuse treatment through rehabilitation or relapse prevention; (2) providing education about the dangers and consequences of drug use or violent crime; (3) identifying drug users, and assisting drug use discontinuance through education or treatment programs; (4) providing after school youth activities; and (5) providing capital improvements and security services to discourage or eliminate drug use or violent crime.

Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2005

Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends title V (Farm Housing) of the Housing Act of 1949 to state that federally recognized Indian tribes who exercise powers of self-government (or their instrumentalities) shall comply with the Indian Civil Rights Act (title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) when receiving assistance under title V. States that title VI (Federally Assisted Programs) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and title VIII (Fair Housing) of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 shall not apply to tribes: (1) covered by the Indian Civil Rights Act (title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1968); or (2) tribes acting under affordable housing provisions of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. Amends the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act to make Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities, or other agencies primarily serving Indians eligible for Youthbuild grants.

Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant qualifying alien agricultural workers (and their spouses and minor children) temporary resident status and subsequently lawful permanent resident status upon the fulfillment of specified agricultural work and residency requirements. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) adjustment of status applications, including penalties for false statements; (2) the waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for inadmissibility; (3) the temporary stay of removal and work authorization; (4) administrative and judicial review; and (5) dissemination of program information. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the correction of such aliens' social security records. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth application requirements for H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) employers and employer associations, including assurances: (1) that the job opportunity is temporary or seasonal and is not the result of a labor dispute; (2) that attempts have been made to hire U.S. workers; and (3) respecting required wages and benefits and compliance with labor laws. Sets forth employment requirements with respect to H-2A worker wages, housing, and transportation reimbursement. Establishes the Commission on Agricultural Wage Standards under the H-2A program. Revises provisions respecting the admission and extension of stay of H-2A workers. Provides special rules for alien sheepherders. Sets forth worker protection and labor standards enforcement provisions for such aliens.

Military Families Financial Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2005

Military Families Financial Security Act - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act, with respect to income eligibility for SSI, to provide for the treatment of cash military compensation other than basic pay as earned income, and of certain housing payments as in-kind support and maintenance.

A bill to amend the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to provide assistance for residential properties designated as Superfund sites.

United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005

Amends the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to give priority, when awarding grants for lead-based paint hazard reduction under that Act, to residential properties included on the National Priorities List established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the week of August 7, 2005, be designated as "National Health Center Week" in order to raise awareness of health services provided by community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005

Designates the week of August 7, 2005, as National Health Center Week.

To amend the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to provide assistance for residential properties designated as Superfund sites.

United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005

Amends the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to give priority, when awarding grants for lead-based paint hazard reduction under that Act, to residential properties included on the National Priorities List established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2005

Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to cover employees at worksites that employ fewer than 50 employees, but not fewer than 25 employees. Continues to exempt from FMLA coverage employees at worksites that employ fewer than 25 employees (currently 50), if the total number of employees employed by that employer within 75 miles of that worksite is fewer than 25 (currently 50). Allows all employees covered by FMLA to take up to 4 hours during any 30-day period, and up to 24 hours during any 12-month period, of parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's or grandchildren's educational and extracurricular activities. Amends Federal civil service law to apply such parental involvement leave allowance to Federal employees. Includes under FMLA entitlement leave for transporting children and grandchildren to medical and dental appointments and for visiting elderly relatives in nursing or group homes.

Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005

Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to establish: (1) in lieu of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an independent Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Agency which shall have authority over the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (2) the Federal Housing Enterprise Board. Sets forth operating, administrative, and regulatory provisions of the Agency, including provisions respecting: (1) assessment authority; (2) authority to limit nonmission-related assets; (3) minimum and critical capital levels; (4) risk-based capital test; (5) capital classifications and undercapitalized enterprises; (6) enforcement actions and penalties; (7) golden parachutes; and (8) reporting. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to establish the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation. Transfers the functions of the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Banks to such Corporation. Excludes the Federal Home Loan Banks from certain securities reporting requirements. Abolishes the Federal Housing Finance Board.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005

Authorizes expenditures by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for the 109th Congress.

HUD Transparency and Accountability Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005

HUD Transparency and Accountability Act of 2005 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to notify specified congressional committees of any funding shortfall, and the estimated corrective amount, in the section 8 rental assistance program.

Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005

Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a mortgage emergency assistance program for qualifying homeowners with National Housing Act-insured mortgages who are temporarily unable to meet their obligations due to financial hardship beyond their control. Requires: (1) homeowner repayment of such assistance and interest; and (2) certain conditions to be met before legal action may be taken against a qualifying homeowner, including providing the homeowner with program notice.

To amend title 40, United States Code, to designate certain counties and a city as part of the Appalachian region.

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2005

Amends Federal provisions concerning Appalachian regional development to revise the definition of "Appalachian region" to include: (1) cities located within listed counties; and (2) Franklin, Henry, and Patrick Counties and the City of Martinsville in Virginia.

A resolution honoring the life of Johnny Carson.

United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2005

Honors the life of Johnny Carson (host of The Tonight Show who passed away on January 23, 2005). Recognizes his contributions to his home State of Nebraska. Expresses admiration and gratitude for his sense of humor and late night presence in U.S. homes for over 30 years.

Heritage Homes Tax Incentive Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2005

Heritage Homes Tax Incentive Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to grant a tax deduction (whether or not the taxpayer itemizes deductions) for 125 percent of residence interest paid or accrued on acquisition indebtedness for heritage homes. Defines a "heritage home" as a taxpayer's principal residence that is at least 50 years old and a certified historic structure in a registered historic district.

Brownfields Improvement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2005

Brownfields Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate activities relating to the redevelopment of brownfield sites and the promotion of eco-industrial development under such Act with other Federal agencies, States, local governments, consortia of local governments, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and public-private partnerships. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for projects to alleviate or prevent conditions of excessive unemployment, underemployment, blight, and infrastructure deterioration associated with brownfield sites through projects involving: (1) the development of public facilities or services; (2) business development; (3) the development of affordable housing; (4) planning; (5) technical assistance; (6) training; and (7) the purchase of environmental insurance with respect to certain of these activities. Sets forth grant criteria. Authorizes assistance under this Act for activities identified by a community, the economy of which is injured by one or more brownfield sites. Authorizes appropriations for brownfield site redevelopment grants for FY 2006 through 2010. Limits the Federal share of costs for activities funded by such grants to 75 percent of the total. Defines "brownfield site" by reference to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) as real property the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant (subject to certain exclusions), and with respect to which an entity has received or is eligible to receive CERCLA funding for site characterization, assessment, or remediation.

Pamela Hughes Patenaude, of New Hampshire, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Romolo A. Bernardi.

United States · United States Senate · 24 January 2005

Ronald Rosenfeld, of Oklahoma, to be a Director of the Federal Housing Finance Board for the remainder of the term expiring February 27, 2009, vice John Thomas Korsmo, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 24 January 2005

Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005

Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005 - Addresses the care and custody of unaccompanied alien children, defined as children under the age of 18 with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States who is available to provide care and physical custody. Directs immigration officers who find such children at U.S. land borders or ports of entry to permit them to withdraw their applications for admission and return to their country of nationality or last habitual residence in certain circumstances. States that such children shall have the right to consult with a consular officer prior to repatriation and with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (the Office) at the Department of Health and Human Services. Gives the Office jurisdiction over the care and custody of all other such children, including trafficking victims, except those charged with or convicted of felonies (excluding offenses proscribed by the Immigration and Nationality Act) or who threaten national security, whose custody and care is vested in the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security (the Directorate) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to notify the Office promptly of the apprehension or discovery of such children. Specifies the order of preference for placing such children, subject to the discretion of the Director of the Office (the Director) and a suitability assessment by the State of the child's proposed residence or a voluntary agency contracted with the Office. Prohibits the placement of such children in adult detention facilities or in facilities housing delinquent children unless they exhibit violent or criminal behavior. Requires the Director and the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations incorporating standards for the conditions of detention of such children; and (2) develop procedures prohibiting the unreasonable use of restraints, solitary confinement, or pat or strip searches. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Government should undertake efforts to ensure that it does not repatriate children in its custody into settings that would threaten their life and safety. Requires: (1) the Secretary of State to include in each year's State Department Country Report on Human Rights an assessment of the degree to which each country protects children from smugglers and traffickers; and (2) the Directorate to consult that report and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: Trafficking in Persons Report in assessing whether to repatriate an unaccompanied alien child. Requires the Director to develop procedures for promptly determining the age of aliens in the custody of DHS or the Office when age is at issue. Authorizes the Director to appoint qualified and duly trained guardians ad litem for such children. Specifies the duties and powers of such guardians ad litem. Requires the Director to: (1) provide professional training for such guardians ad litem; and (2) implement a pilot program for their appointment. States that the Director should ensure that all such children in the Custody of the Office or the Directorate, except those being repatriated to a contiguous country, have competent counsel to represent them in immigration proceedings or matters. Requires the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to develop and implement model guidelines for the legal representation of alien children in immigration proceedings. States that counsel shall: (1) have reasonable access to such children; (2) be given 24 hours advance notice of a transfer absent compelling and unusual circumstances; and (3) except in emergency situations involving the child's physical safety, be given prompt and adequate notice of all immigration matters affecting or involving such children. Bars such children in the custody of the Office from consenting to immigration actions, including voluntary departure, unless first afforded an opportunity to consult with counsel. Makes such guardian ad litem and counsel provisions applicable to all such children in Federal custody on, before, or after the effective date of this Act. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to specify that: (1) aliens seeking special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) status must be 18 years of age and under on the date of application; (2) court orders declaring such aliens dependent on a juvenile court located in the United States or placing them in the custody of a State entity due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or similar grounds shall be binding on the Secretary for purposes of SIJ adjudications; and (3) the Office must certify to the Director that SIJ classifications with respect to alien children in Federal custody have not been made solely to provide immigration benefits. Excludes presence without admission or parole as a ground for inadmissibility with regard to aliens seeking SIJ status. Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain additional grounds of inadmissibility. Makes the SIJ-related amendments of this Act applicable to all aliens who were in the United States before, on, or after enactment of this Act. Commends the (former) Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for its issuance of the Guidelines for Children's Asylum Claims and encourages implementation of such guidelines by INS and its successor. Calls upon EOIR to adopt such guidelines in its handling of children's asylum claims. Requires the Secretary to provide periodic comprehensive training under such guidelines. Requires such children apprehended by the Directorate, except those subject to contiguous country rules, to be placed in removal proceedings. Exempts such children from certain bars to seeking asylum. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to make the Director responsible for: (1) continued assessments of the suitability of placements of such children; and (2) ensuring that minimum standards of care are met with regard to such children who reside in settings that are alternatives to detention. States that the amendments to HSA made by this Act shall be effective as if enacted as part of HSA.

MORE Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005

Marriage, Opportunity, Relief, and Empowerment Act of 2005 or the MORE Act - Makes permanent specified provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 relating to tax benefits for children and marriage penalty relief. Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone Act or the PRIDE Act - Amends the Social Security Act to: (1) revise the program of grants to States for temporary aid to needy families (TANF) to, among other things, extend the authority for family assistance grants, promote family employment and self-sufficiency programs, and establish a responsible fatherhood program; (2) extend the authority for the sexual abstinence education program; (3) revise child support enforcement requirements; (4) extend the authority for approving certain child welfare demonstration projects; and (5) extend the Transitional Medical Assistance Program (TMA). CARE Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to charitable giving, including to: (1) allow nonitemizing taxpayers to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions; (2) permit tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes; and (3) allow individual taxpayers to claim a tax deduction for contributions of food and book inventories. Revises various disclosure and oversight requirements relating to tax-exempt organizations. Restores and increases funding for the Social Services Block Grant Program. Savings for Working Families Act of 2005 - Allows certain low income individuals to establish individual development accounts for accumulating assets for homeownership, education, business startup and other purposes. Allows an investment tax credit for contributions to an individual development account. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to and enter into cooperative agreements with nongovernmental organizations to assist nonprofit community-based organizations in delivering social services. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract for an evaluation of maternity group homes under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for the conversion of cooperative housing corporations into condominiums.

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the nonrecognition of gain or loss resulting from certain distributions by cooperative housing corporations to their stockholders.

A resolution making majority party appointments to certain Senate committees for the 109th Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005

Makes majority party appointments to the Joint Economic Committee and the following Senate Committees for the 109th Congress: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (11) Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; (12) Intelligence; (13) Judiciary; (14) Aging; (15) Budget; 16) Ethics; (17) Indian Affairs; (18) Rules and Administration; (19) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and (20) Veterans' Affairs.

A resolution making minority party appointments to certain Senate committees for the 109th Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005

Makes minority party appointments to the Joint Economic Committee and the following Senate Committees for the 109th Congress: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (11) Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; (12) Judiciary; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Budget; (18) Ethics; (19) Indian Affairs; and (20) Intelligence

Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005

Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants (without certain otherwise-required loan guarantees) to eligible public entities and Indian tribes to assist in the environmental cleanup and economic development of brownfield sites including mine-scarred lands. Makes brownfields-related environmental cleanup and economic development activities eligible for community development block grant (CDBG) assistance. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to establish a pilot program for national redevelopment of brownfields; and (2) appropriations for pilot program grants and related administrative costs. Authorizes CDBG use to administer renewal communities.

Civil Rights Amendments Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005

Civil Rights Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of affectional or sexual orientation with respect to: (1) public accommodations; (2) public facilities; (3) federally assisted programs; (4) equal employment opportunities; (5) housing sales and rentals; and (6) brokerage services.

Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2005

Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2010 for certain surface transportation research and development (R&D) activities. Amends Federal highway law to revise requirements for transportation: (1) research strategic planning, requiring development of a five-year transportation R&D strategic plan to guide Federal transportation R&D activities; and (2) deployment grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a National Multimodal Trends Policy Research Program that systematically addresses critical short-term, medium-term, and long-term social science issues affecting and affected by the transportation system. Directs the Secretary to implement programs to promote and demonstrate the application of innovative pavement technologies and technologies in highway safety. Establishes the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program. Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Research Council to develop a National Transportation Information Needs Assessment. Requires the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to establish an Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics. Directs the Secretary to establish a Future Strategic Highway Research Program. Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to revise the Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 1998 and rename it the Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 2005. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2010 for: (1) transit R&D; (2) highway safety R&D; and (3) motor carrier R&D. Directs the Secretary to establish an Innovative Practices and Technologies Demonstration and Deployment Program. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary (or the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development when required for urban transportation planning) to make grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to: (1) conduct competent R&D and investigations into the theoretical or practical problems of urban transportation; and (2) train individuals to conduct further R&D or obtain employment in an organization that plans, builds, operates, or manages an urban transportation system. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a motor carrier R&D program; (2) a multimodal energy and climate change program to study the relationship of transportation, energy, and climate change as part of the National Climate Change Technology Initiative and the Climate Change Research Initiative; (3) a national cooperative freight transportation R&D program; (4) data exchange formats to ensure that highway and transit monitoring systems data, including statewide incident reporting systems, can readily be exchanged across jurisdictional boundaries; and (5) a planning capacity building initiative to support enhancements in transportation planning. Directs the President shall establish a Next Generation National Transportation Policy Study Commission.

Prevention of Predatory Lending Through Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

Prevention of Predatory Lending Through Education Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to States, units of local government, and nonprofit organizations for counseling, referral, and education programs for the prevention of predatory lending. Directs the Secretary to establish a toll-free telephone number for predatory lending complaints. Establishes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development a Predatory Lending Advisory Council, which shall: (1) advise the Secretary on issues concerning predatory lending practices; and (2) conduct a study of the causes of home loan defaults and foreclosures.

FHA Single Family Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

FHA Single Family Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2005 - Amends the National Housing Act to revise eligibility requirements for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single family mortgage insurance to increase the maximum principal obligation to the lesser of: (1) 100% (currently 95%) of the median single-family house price in the area; or (2) 100% (currently 87%) of the alternative the dollar amount limitation.

College Fire Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

College Fire Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive demonstration grants to private or public colleges or universities, fraternities, or sororities for up to half the cost of installing fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in student housing and dormitories owned or controlled by such entities. Requires grant priority to be given eligible entities that demonstrate the greatest financial need. Reserves the following portions of grant funds made available for each fiscal year: (1) at least ten percent for eligible entities that are historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and tribally controlled colleges and universities; and (2) at least ten percent for eligible entities that are social fraternities and sororities. Provides that any application for assistance under this Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity (except a proceeding to enforce an agreement entered into between the Secretary and an eligible entity under this Act).

Asthma Awareness, Education and Treatment Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

Asthma Awareness, Education and Treatment Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for projects for specified asthma-related activities in low-income communities, including screening and referrals, information and education, and workshops for parents and other individuals who supervise children. Authorizes the Secretary to award contracts to provide for a national media campaign to inform the public and health care providers about asthma, allergies, and related respiratory problems, especially in children. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to give taxpayers licensed and engaged in the trade or business of providing pest control services or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services an income tax credit for the aggregate cost of providing such services without charge to: (1) public housing; or (2) any multifamily residential rental property at least 75 percent of whose occupants are reasonably expected to have incomes below 200 percent of the official poverty line. Directs the Secretary to provide for research regarding a causal relationship between air pollutants and the occurrence of asthma, allergies, and related respiratory problems. Requires the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, through the National Asthma Education Prevention Program Coordinating Committee, to: (1) identify Federal programs that carry out asthma-related activities; and (2) develop and submit to Congress a Federal plan for responding to asthma. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect and publish asthma-related data.

Filipino Veterans Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

Filipino Veterans Fairness Act - Makes former members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or new Philippine Scouts who served with U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and became U.S. citizens or lawfully resided in the United States eligible for: (1) payment of compensation ($100 per month) for service-connected disability; (2) vocational rehabilitation as well as job counseling, training, and placement; and (3) veterans' housing loans made or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish outpatient health care at the Manila Outpatient Clinic in the Republic of the Philippines for such veterans residing in the Philippines. Makes spouses of such veterans eligible for veterans' educational assistance. Makes the rate of assistance for such spouses and children residing in the United States equal to the rate for the dependents of U.S. veterans. Makes such spouses and dependents eligible for job counseling, training, and placement benefits. Requires the Secretary to ensure that at least one member of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans is a Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout.

Health Empowerment Zone Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

Health Empowerment Zone Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Director of the Office of Minority Health, to: (1) designate health empowerment zones and make grants in accordance with this Act; and (2) establish a health empowerment zone coordinating committee for each zone. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a community as a health empowerment zone if a participating community partnership requests such designation and demonstrates that the community is a community of color experiencing disproportionate disparities in health status and health care. Directs the Secretary to make grants to community partnerships to establish health empowerment zone programs to improve the health or environment of minority individuals and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health status and health care. Requires at least one such grant to be made to a health empowerment zone in a U.S. territory or possession. Gives preference in awarding grants to indigenous community entities with expertise in providing culturally appropriate and linguistically responsive services to communities of color. Directs the Secretary, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to: (1) provide assistance for such programs; (2) identify programs that may be used to further the purposes of such zones; and (3) give priority in administering identified programs to a designated community if doing so would further the purposes of the empowerment program.

National Health Insurance Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

National Health Insurance Act - Requires that medical services, hospital services, and other personal health services be made available to eligible individuals in all U.S. health-service areas as rapidly as possible. Sets forth minimum income requirements for eligibility. Allows health care professionals and hospitals to enter into agreements to furnish services to eligible individuals. Gives responsibility for administration of the benefits provided under this Act to local administrative committees or officers. Allows a State to assume responsibility for administration of the personal health benefits provided under this Act. Establishes: (1) the National Health Insurance Board in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and (2) the National Advisory Medical Policy Council. Requires the Secretary of HHS to determine the eligibility of any individual for benefits under this Act. Limits benefits under this Act for an individual to only those services for which the individual is not eligible under Medicare. Requires the Board to: (1) determine the sums to be made available for the provision of personal health-service benefits; and (2) allot amounts to each State based on population, available professional services and facilities, and the cost of compensation. Allows the Board to make grants for the training of professionals providing benefits under this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a value added tax of five percent on each sale of property, performance of services, and importation of property in the United States by a taxable person in a commercial-type transaction. Sets forth exceptions, including for food, housing, medical care, exports, interest, governmental entities, and certain tax-exempt organizations. Establishes the National Health Care Trust Fund and appropriates to it amounts equal to the revenue received by the Treasury from such tax. Requires the Secretary to study and report on the various methods to control the costs of providing personal health benefits under this Act.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should declare its support for the independence of Kosova.

United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2005

States that the United States should: (1) support the independence of Kosova within its existing borders as a sovereign and democratic state; (2) establish a monitoring body in conjunction with the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other multilateral organizations to ensure that the new state of Kosova provides for the protection of minority and community rights, and to facilitate an orderly transition from a UN protectorate to a democratic government; (3) work with the Council of Europe to develop and implement anti-racism programs throughout the Balkans; (4) work with the UN and NATO to facilitate the return of Albanians and Serbs to their pre-war homes in Mitrovica and other parts of Kosova; and (5) provide assistance, trade, and other programs to support an independent Kosova.