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Bill· SS. 2217 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004 - Requires specified agencies to: (1) standardize health care quality measures across all Federal government programs; (2) standardize public reporting requirements; and (3) support data collection and reporting efforts in Federal and State agencies. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to improve access to health care for health care disparity populations and to support efforts to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Provides for refundable tax credits to offset the cost of health insurance. Changes the name of the Office of Minority Health to the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and changes the duties of the Office and its associated advisory committee to include health disparities as a problem to study and address. Provides grants to support: (1) health professions education for racial or ethnic minorities or health disparity populations; and (2) curricula development for cultural competency training. Requires the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to: (1) develop and maintain an Internet clearinghouse to improve health care quality for individuals with specific cultural needs, limited English proficiency, or low functional health literacy; and (2) reduce or eliminate the duplication of efforts to translate materials. Authorizes grants or assistance for and establishes programs and projects to address: (1) the analysis of the causes and sources of health care disparities and strategies to reduce disparities; (2) disease management; (3) the effective measurement of disparities; (4) the analysis and collection of health disparity data; and (5) the recruitment of minority scientists or research professionals to the health disparity field.
Bill· SS. 2210 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Tax Shelter and Tax Haven Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add or increase penalties for: (1) promoting abusive tax shelters; (2) aiding and abetting the understatement of tax liability; (3) failing to provide required information on a tax shelter; (4) failing to maintain a client list of tax shelter investors; (5) failing to disclose potentially abusive tax shelters; and (6) failing to report certain interests in foreign financial accounts. Extends the expiration period for assessing and collecting tax for failure to disclose information relating to a potentially abusive tax shelter. Expands the types of tax shelter activity for which the Secretary of the Treasury can obtain injunctive relief. Authorizes the Secretary to censure or fine tax practitioners who violate standards of behavior for practice before the Department of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to impose specified standards for issuing professional tax shelter opinions. Expands provisions denying privilege for communications between a tax shelter promoter and a corporate client to include any person directly or indirectly participating in tax shelter activities. Authorizes the Secretary to share certain tax return information with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other agencies relating to tax shelter and tax evasion activities. Revises rules allowing disclosure of tax return information by tax practitioners to certain governmental agencies, including congressional committees. Imposes a penalty on tax practitioners who make a fee agreement with a taxpayer contingent upon actual or projected tax savings. Expresses the sense of the Senate that additional funds should be appropriated for Internal Revenue Service enforcement efforts against abusive tax shelter activities and that the IRS should devote more of its enforcement funds for that purpose. Sets forth rules for the application of the economic substance doctrine. Imposes additional penalties for underpayment of taxes resulting from abusive tax shelter activities and from transactions lacking economic substance. Requires disclosure of payments of $10,000 or more to accounts or persons located in an uncooperative tax haven (a foreign country that imposes no or nominal taxation and that has rules and practices that impede disclosure of tax information). Directs the Secretary to publish an annual list of uncooperative tax havens. Denies certain tax benefits for income attributable to activities in an uncooperative tax haven.
Bill· HRH.R. 3967 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal various provisions allowing for reductions in the excise tax on certain alcohol fuel mixtures. Allows taxpayers to apply the income tax credit for alcohol products used as fuel against their excise tax liability. Repeals provisions limiting the amount of alcohol fuel tax receipts that shall be transferred to the Highway Trust Fund. Provides that the amount of such receipts that shall be appropriated to the Fund shall include amounts equivalent to the excise tax credits allowed for alcohol fuel mixtures. Exempts certain mobile machinery from the excise tax on heavy trucks sold at retail, the use tax on highway vehicles, and the tax on tires. Makes changes to certain administrative provisions of the excise tax on gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene (taxable fuels), including revisions concerning: (1) the tax on aviation-grade kerosene; (2) registration of vendors of taxable fuels; (3) penalties for failure to register or report information on taxable fuels; (4) the authority of the Internal Revenue Service to inspect books and records of fuel vendors; (5) mechanical dyeing of diesel fuel and kerosene; and (6) claims for refunds and credits of fuel excise taxes. Revises tax rules relating to ultimate vendors of taxable fuels for purposes of claiming tax refunds. Revises the excise tax on tires. Treats bonds issued for certain transportation facilities as tax-exempt facility bonds. Limits the depreciation period for computer software that is leased to a tax-exempt entity. Disallows certain tax losses resulting from leases of property to tax-exempt entities. Requires an appraisal for non-inventory motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft that are claimed as a charitable deduction. Revises rules for documenting noncash charitable contributions in excess of $500. Sets forth rules for the charitable contribution deduction of patents and other intellectual property. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to contract with collection agencies to collect unpaid Federal taxes. Allows a civil action against collection agencies, but not against the United States, for unauthorized collection activities. Allows sport franchises an amortization deduction for certain intangibles, including goodwill. Allows a 15- and 20-year recovery period respectively for the depreciation of gas utility property and electric utility transmission and distribution plant grading costs. Increases from 15 to 100 percent the amount of the continuing levy on payments to Federal vendors for unpaid taxes.
Bill· SS. 2194 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Child Support Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends parts A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) and D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) modify the rule requiring assignment of support rights as a condition of receiving TANF; (2) increase child support payments to families; (3) revise child support distribution rules; (4) ban the recovery of Medicaid (SSA title XIX) costs for the birth of children for whom support rights have been assigned; and (5) change from mandatory to discretionary the authority of States to retain certain support rights assignments after a certain date (thus giving them the option to discontinue such assignments), and allow to remain assigned any rights assigned before enactment of this Act to a State to support obligations accruing before the date a family first receives TANF (thus giving States the option to discontinue such assignments). Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to provide for: (1) a decrease in the amount of child support arrearage triggering passport denial; (2) use of the tax refund intercept program to collect past-due child support on behalf of children who are not minors; (3) garnishment of compensation paid to veterans for service-connected disabilities in order to enforce child support obligations; and (4) revised interstate enforcement. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to specified congressional committees on the procedures States use to locate custodial parents for whom child support has been collected but not yet distributed. Provides for the use of new hire information to assist in the administration of unemployment compensation programs under SSA title IV part D. Amends Federal money and finance law to modify Federal debt collection practices. Amends SSA title IV part D to provide for the maintenance of technical assistance and Federal Parent Locator Service funding. Provides for the electronic disbursement of child support payments to families. Allows States to expand their State disbursement unit to create a centralized payment location for all child support wage withholding. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to implement the medical support performance measure developed under the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring the State of Texas to apply for a waiver from applicable requirements to continue to operate the State's program for monitoring and enforcement of a child support court order without the necessity of a written application.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 29 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits, except in time of war, Federal fiscal year expenditures from exceeding: (1) Federal revenues for that fiscal year, except revenue received from the issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations of the United States; and (2) 20 percent of the gross national product for the preceding calendar year. Authorizes suspension of these prohibitions by concurrent resolution approved by a three-fifths vote of each House of Congress.
Bill· HRH.R. 3953 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Cool and Efficient Buildings Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 15-year depreciation recovery period, calculated on a straight line basis, for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration systems installed in nonresidential buildings.
Bill· HRH.R. 3925 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Deficit Control Act of 2004 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require annual joint (currently, concurrent) budget resolutions signed by the President. Sets forth provisions regarding the establishment of a reserve fund for emergencies. Eliminates inflation adjustments. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide spending caps on the growth of entitlements and mandatory budget outlays. Excludes from such limits any benefits payable under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) (as well as old age, survivors, and disability insurance under SSA title II and Tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, as under current law), along with specified Government accounts and activities (including existing exemptions). Revises other existing exceptions, limitations, and special rules with respect to sequestration exemptions, removing Medicare benefits from the current list. Sets limits on discretionary spending programs for FY 2006 through FY 2014, specifying such limits each fiscal year for the nondefense category. Provides for points of order against any increase in such limits. Establishes a procedure for enhanced and expedited consideration by Congress of rescissions proposed by the President. Establishes the Commission to Eliminate Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. Provides for accrual funding of the: (1) Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (2) Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System; (3) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System; and (4) post-retirement health benefits costs for Federal employees. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Retirement Fund; (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Retirement System; and (3) the Coast Guard Military Retirement Fund. Changes the name of the Department of Defense Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund to Uniformed Services Health Care Fund (thus, providing health care programs for all uniformed service retirees, under certain conditions). (Currently, such programs are for Department of Defense Medicare-eligible beneficiaries). Decreases the limit on the public debt from $7.384 trillion to $4.393 trillion. Amends the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to extend: (1) certain budget enforcement requirements through FY 2014; (2) PAYGO requirements through FY 2018; and (3) PAYGO requirements through FY 2014 to provide for an offsetting sequestration for direct spending and receipts legislation enacted before October 1, 2014, that causes a net deficit increase. Declares that the term "receipts legislation" does not include provisions of a bill or joint resolution amending the Internal Revenue Code that increases the deficit, if the amount of deficit increase does not exceed for any fiscal year covered by such resolution the amount by which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be decreased under it.
Bill· HRH.R. 3924 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2004
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend the annual authorization of appropriations for mental health courts through FY 2009.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 95 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2004
Sets forth the congressional budget for the Federal Government for FY 2005, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2006 through 2009. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 2005 through 2009, with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, outlays, and administrative expenses for Social Security and specified major functional categories for FY 2005 through 2009. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the Senate Committee on Finance. Provides for certain reserve funds for health insurance for the uninsured, higher education, and energy legislation. Provides for adjustments with respect to discretionary spending for: (1) surface transportation; (2) supplemental appropriations for Iraq and related activities; and (3) wildland fire suppression Prohibits Senate legislation that would require advanced appropriations, with a specified exception. Amends H.Con.Res. 95 (108th Congress, 1st Session) to provide that, in the absence of an extension of the discretionary spending limits and PAYGO requirements under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), any new budget authority, outlays, and receipts resulting from any provision designated as an emergency requirement shall count (currently, shall not count) for purposes of Senate discretionary spending limits and PAYGO requirements of H.Con.Res. 95. Declares that new budget authority, outlays, and receipts resulting from any provision designated as an emergency requirement shall not count for the purposes of any concurrent resolution on the budget. Establishes specified discretionary spending limits in the Senate. Adopts scoring rules for Pell Grant Awards and the Project Bioshield. Declares the sense of the Senate on: (1) budget process reform; (2) budget process reform with regard to the creation of bipartisan commissions to combat waste, fraud, and abuse and to promote spending efficiency; (3) the relationship between annual deficit spending and increases in debt service costs; (4) the costs of the medicare prescription drug program; (5) pay parity; (6) returning stability to payments under medicare physician fee schedule; (7) the use of Federal funds to support American companies and American workers; (8) closing the "tax gap"; and (9) drug comparativeness studies.
Bill· SS. 2163 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act of 2004 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management to administer a separate health insurance program for non-Federal employees who are either self-employed or employees of a small business with fewer than 100 employees. Allows the Office to contract with carriers to provide health insurance under this Act. Requires rates charged to reasonably and equitably reflect the costs of the benefits provided. Permits rates and premiums to vary based on age but not on health status factors. Permits the Office to reimburse a carrier for costs that exceed premiums received by a specified percentage. Requires a carrier to make payments to a contingency reserve fund established by the Office if the carrier's costs are lower than expected by a specified percentage. Allows the Office to use such funds to provide assistance to carriers that experience unanticipated financial hardships. Requires the Office to establish a reinsurance fund to provide payments to carriers that experience a catastrophic claim (a claim over $50,000) for benefits provided to an individual enrolled under this Act. Authorizes the Office to contract with entities to administer this health program regionally. Allows certain benefits to be offered to Medicare beneficiaries. Requires the Office to implement a public education campaign regarding this health insurance program. Allows a refundable tax credit for health insurance expenses of small employers who pay a specific percentage of employee expenses under such a health plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 3893 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
We the People Act - Prohibits the Supreme Court and each Federal court from adjudicating any claim or relying on judicial decisions involving: (1) State or local laws, regulations, or policies concerning the free exercise or establishment of religion; (2) the right of privacy, including issues of sexual practices, orientation, or reproduction; or (3) the right to marry without regard to sex or sexual orientation where based upon equal protection of the laws. Allows the Supreme Court and the Federal courts to determine the constitutionality of Federal statutes, administrative rules, or procedures in considering cases arising under the Constitution. Prohibits the Supreme Court and the Federal courts from issuing any ruling that appropriates or expends money, imposes taxes, or otherwise interferes with the legislative functions or administrative discretion of the States. Authorizes any party or intervener in matters before any Federal court, including the Supreme Court, to challenge the jurisdiction of the court under this Act. Provides that the violation of this Act by any justice or judge is an impeachable offense and a material breach of good behavior subject to removal. Negates as binding precedent on the State courts any Federal court decision that relates to an issue removed from Federal jurisdiction by this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3907 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Sets forth the duties of the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including to: (1) advise and coordinate with other Federal agencies on how to address the problem of driving under the influence of an illegal drug; (2) conduct research on the prevention, detection, and prosecution of driving under such influence; and (3) report annually to Congress on the extent of the problem in each State, including a description of the progress each State has made in addressing such problem. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to transfer to the Administrator increasing percentages of funds otherwise apportioned to a State out of the Highway Trust Fund from any State that does not enact laws to prohibit driving under the influence of an illegal drug. Requires transferred funds to be used to carry out NHTSA duties. Requires the Secretary, if any funds are transferred to the Administrator, to transfer to the Administrator also a calculated amount of obligation authority distributed for the fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3892 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Brownfield Redevelopment Reserve Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for payments made to a tax-exempt Hazardous Waste Remediation Reserve (Reserve). Limits such deduction for any taxable year to the lesser of $1,000,000 or the excess (if any) of $1,000,000 over the amount paid into the Reserve for all prior taxable years. Includes in taxpayer gross income any amount distributed from the Reserve and any penalties for self dealing or failure to distribute funds for Reserve purposes. Imposes a penalty of ten percent additional tax for any amount distributed from a Reserve that is not used exclusively to pay qualified hazardous waste costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3901 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income for premiums paid under a high deductible health plan by an individual eligible for a deduction for amounts paid into a health savings account, for months when such taxpayer is not covered under any other plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 3891 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the use of tax-exempt redevelopment bonds for the costs of environmental remediation. Defines "environmental remediation" as: (1) abatement or control of hazardous substances; (2) demolition of existing contaminated structures, permit fees necessary for remediation, and environmental audits; (3) health assessments or health effects studies related to a contaminated site; and (4) remediation of off-site contamination caused by activity on a contaminated site. Denies an income tax deduction for interest paid on redevelopment bonds for environmental remediation if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that a remediation plan financed with redevelopment bonds was not satisfactorily completed.
Bill· HRH.R. 3879 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Coast Guard (CG), under the categories of: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, aircraft, and related equipment; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation of technologies, materials, and human factors directly related to improving CG mission performance; (4) retired pay and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents; (5) alteration or removal of bridges constituting obstructions to navigation, and Bridge Alteration Program costs; (6) environmental compliance and restoration at CG facilities; and (7) maintenance and operation of CG Reserve facilities, supplies, equipment, and services. Authorizes a CG end-of-year strength of 45,000 active-duty military personnel for FY 2005. Authorizes average military training student loads for FY 2005.
Bill· HRH.R. 3881 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
Trade Adjustment Assistance Equity for Service Workers Act of 2004 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend trade adjustment assistance (TAA) to workers in a service sector firm or its subdivision or public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to include: (1) a shift, by a public agency to a foreign country, of production of articles, or in provision of services, like or directly competitive with articles produced or services provided by the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency; and (2) the situation where such workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency obtains or is likely to obtain such services from a foreign country. Repeals group eligibility requirements that: (1) the country to which the workers' firm has shifted production of the articles be a party to a free trade agreement with the United States; (2) such country be a beneficiary country under the Andean Trade Preference Act, African Growth and Opportunity Act, or the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; or (3) there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of articles that are like or directly competitive with articles which are or were produced by such firm or subdivision. Requires the Secretary of Labor to certify as eligible to apply for TAA any adversely affected secondary workers in a service sector firm or its subdivision or public agency. Specifies criteria for determination of the existence of increased imports of like or directly competitive articles or services. Increases from $220 million to $440 million the amount of fiscal year payments for training of adversely affected workers under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to waive training requirements for an individual receiving a trade readjustment allowance if he or she has an advanced degree or postgraduate certification in a specialized field and there is a reasonable expectation of employment at equivalent wages in the foreseeable future. Permits as a training program for an adversely affected worker to continue enrollment at an institution of higher education for purposes of obtaining a degree for a maximum 104-week period, and there is a reasonable expectation of employment at equivalent wages in the foreseeable future. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to provide technical assistance for the establishment of industrywide programs for new service development. Modifies the trade monitoring system to include imports of services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to tax credits for health insurance costs of certain TAA and Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) pension recipients with respect to: (1) redefining "eligible individual" to include any individual who is covered by a TAA petition, under certain conditions; (2) allowing a 100 percent tax credit for the first month of such costs; (3) modifying the cost requirements and the period of creditable coverage; (4) adding a special rule for eligible PBGC pension recipients; (5) continued qualification of family members after an eligible individual becomes Medicare eligible; and (6) offering by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Secretary of the Treasury jointly of Federal fallback coverage in States not offering State qualified health insurance.
Bill· HRH.R. 3882 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the harbor maintenance excise tax ferry trailer cargo which is in a truck trailer or semitrailer on a ferry for the sole purpose of being transported between two ports due to traffic congestion on the nearest international bridge.
Bill· SS. 2157 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Trade Adjustment Assistance Equity for Service Workers Act of 2004 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend trade adjustment assistance (TAA) to workers in a service sector firm or its subdivision or public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to include: (1) a shift, by a public agency to a foreign country in provision of services, like or directly competitive with services which are provided by the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency; and (2) the situation where the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency obtains or is likely to obtain such services from a foreign country. Requires the Secretary of Labor to certify as eligible to apply for TAA any adversely affected secondary workers in a service sector firm or its subdivision or public agency. Specifies criteria for determination of the existence of increased imports of like or directly competitive articles or services. Increases from $220 million to $440 million the amount of fiscal year payments for training of adversely affected workers under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance for the establishment of industrywide programs for new service development. Modifies the trade monitoring system to include imports of services.
Bill· SS. 2155 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Growing Our Manufacturing Employment (GoME) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish as a general business tax credit a manufacturer's jobs credit equal to a certain percentage of wages paid to the employees (including employees eligible for a trade readjustment allowance) of a taxpayer that has a certain level of domestic production gross receipts in the current and preceding taxable years and that is not disqualified as an inverted domestic corporation (a foreign corporation that manipulates its structure to evade U.S. taxes). Allows an income tax deduction for: (1) nine percent of income allocable to domestic production activities; (2) up to $10,000 of reforestation expenditures in the current taxable year. Permits a taxpayer to revoke a prior election to treat the cutting of timber as a sale or exchange. Qualifies the outright sale of timber for capital gains tax treatment. Repeals the investment tax credit for reforestation expenditures. Sets forth requirements for transactions to qualify for tax benefits under the economic substance doctrine, including special rules for transactions with tax-indifferent parties. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of inverted domestic corporations (a foreign incorporated entity that acquires substantially all of the properties of a domestic corporation or partnership, that retains 80 percent of stock ownership identity, and that does not have substantial business activities in the foreign country under whose law the entity is created, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. taxation). Treats a foreign corporation deemed to be an inverted domestic corporation as a domestic corporation for U.S. tax purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3868 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Social Security Tax Hike Phaseout Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce from 85 to 60 percent the maximum applicable percentage of social security benefits includable in the gross income of a taxpayer. Phases in this reduction between 2005 and 2008. Appropriates to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund amounts equal to the reduction in revenues to the Treasury by reason of the enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3873 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to reauthorize various programs, including the national school lunch and breakfast, child and adult care food, after-school snack, summer food service, and special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC). Revises requirements relating to eligibility for and access to such programs. Reauthorizes, without any termination date, the exclusion of military housing allowances from consideration as income in determining eligibility for free or reduced price lunches. Includes as automatically eligible for free lunches and breakfasts: (1) children or youth defined as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; and (2) youth served under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Makes eligible also for such special payments any new schools which draw attendance from schools receiving severe need assistance. Extends through FY 2009 the summer food pilot projects and the summer food service program for children. Allows nonprofit organizations to participate in such programs. Revises the child and adult care food program. Extends indefinitely the period during which private day care providers with at least 25 percent of served children eligible for free and reduced price lunch are eligible to participate. Extends, from three years to five years, the period of a tier classification of a family or group day care home. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to issue regulations requiring States to develop and use a standard form of agreement between each family or group home day care sponsoring organization and their homes participating in the program. Extends through FY 2006 the period during which the Secretary is required to reserve funds for providing training and technical assistance to States to improve program management and oversight. Authorizes the Secretary or a State agency to disregard any overpayment to an institution if the total overpayment does not exceed a collection cost amount consistent with other disregards, except where there is evidence of a violation of criminal law or civil fraud law. Allows children up to age 18 (currently 12) to be served program meals while residing at homeless or domestic violence shelters. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with States and participating institutions, to examine the feasibility of reducing paperwork under the program. Revises eligibility and certification requirements for free and reduced price lunches. Directs the Secretary to base income eligibility guidelines on nonfarm income poverty guidelines issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires applications and related descriptive materials for free and reduced price lunches to be distributed at least annually to parents and guardians in clear and understandable format and language. Requires descriptive material to contain: (1) only the income levels for reduced price lunches, and an explanation that lower income levels may mean eligibility for free lunches; and (2) notice that WIC participants in the program are eligible for free or reduced price lunches. Allows applications to be submitted by an adult of the household: (1) as a single application for all children in the household; and (2) electronically if the filing system meets confidentiality standards. Directs local education agencies (LEAs) to verify information in a sample of approved applications, with variations in such samples according to specified formulae based non-response rates. Provides for direct certification of children as eligible for free meals, without further application, based on their being in households receiving assistance under the food stamp program or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program under title IV part A of the Social Security Act. Sets forth privacy protections. Prohibits requiring LEAs to submit free and reduced price meal policy statements to State agencies after the initial submission unless there is a substantive change in such policy. Requires, with certain exceptions, a child's eligibility for free and reduced price lunches to remain in effect from the date of approval for the current school year until the beginning of school in a subsequent school year, or as otherwise specified by the Secretary. Transfers responsibility for local administration of school lunch and breakfast programs from local school food authorities (LSFAs) to LEAs (including appropriate entities determined by the Secretary in cases of private nonprofit school food authorities). Makes LEAs, as well as LSFAs, responsible for program compliance and accountability. Directs the Secretary to give priority consideration to States that will use reallocated funds for technology and information management improvements. Requires States to describe how they will use technology and information management systems to improve program integrity in certain ways. Raises the amount of the minimum State administrative expense grant, and guarantees that such a grant shall not be less than the one received in a previous fiscal year. Permits eligibility for special assistance to be determined district-wide, as an alternative to determining it on an individual school basis. Directs the Secretary to develop and distribute training and technical assistance materials relating to administration of school meals programs. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide training and technical assistance related to administrative practices to improve program integrity and administrative accuracy to State educational agencies (SEAs), LSFAs, and LEAs; and (2) assist SEAs in reviewing administrative practices of LSFAs. Establishes additional administrative and performance review requirements for selected LSFAs and LEAs that have demonstrated high levels of or high risks for administrative errors. Directs SEAs, where such a selected LSFA or LEA fails to meet performance criteria established by the Secretary, to: (1) require such entity to develop and carry out a plan of corrective action; (2) provide technical assistance; and (3) conduct a follow-up review. Authorizes the Secretary require the SEA to recover funds that were expended in error and use them to improve program integrity and administrative accuracy. Requires States to provide annual training and technical in administrative practices, emphasizing requirements established under this Act. Requires the Secretary to assist the State or provide such training and technical assistance or directly. Authorizes the Secretary or the State to contract with a third party conducting such activities. Requires each LSFA or LEA to insure that an individual conducting or overseeing such administrative procedures receives such training at least annually. Authorizes the Secretary to assist States in carrying out State training and administrative reviews of selected LSFAs and LEAs with excessive error rates. Requires LEAs participating in school meals programs to establish local school wellness policies with: (1) goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities; (2) nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on school campus during the school day in order to promote health and reduce obesity; (3) a plan to ensure policy implementation, including designating persons with operational responsibility; and (4) involvement of parents, students, and representatives of the LSFA, school board, school administrators, and the public. Revises the system of nutrition education grants to SEAs to provide assistance to State agencies, schools, and nonprofit entities for the Team Nutrition Network (TNN) program and other nutrition education projects that improve student understanding of healthful eating patterns, the quality of school meals, and access to local foods in schools and institutions operating programs under NSLA and CNA. Establishes TNN to: (1) promote the Nation's schoolchildren's health through nutrition education, physical fitness, and other activities supporting healthy lifestyles; (2) provide grants to States to develop Statewide, comprehensive, and integrated nutrition education and physical fitness programs; and (3) provide training and technical assistance to States, school and community nutrition programs, and child nutrition food service professionals. Requires State TNN Coordinators to: (1) administer and coordinate a comprehensive integrated statewide nutrition education program; and (2) coordinate efforts with the Food and Nutrition Service and State agencies responsible for children's health programs. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance for the following types of three-year pilot projects: (1) to States on a competitive basis for State TNN Coordinators to create model nutrition education and physical fitness programs for school students; and (2) to not more than 100 LEAs, at least one per State, to promote healthy eating habits and increase physical fitness among school students. Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) technical assistance to SEAs to improve school meal quality; and (2) technical assistance and competitive matching grants to schools and nonprofit entities to improve access to local foods in schools and institutions. Includes fruits and vegetables among the foods to be emphasized in commodity distribution. Revises fruit and vegetable pilot program requirements to direct the Secretary to make available fresh and dried fruits and fresh vegetables to 25 schools in each of four additional States and one Indian reservation, with an emphasis on low-income schools. Requires schools to serve milk in a variety of fat contents. Permits substitute nutritionally-equivalent nondairy beverages to be reimbursable, if a note is provided from a medical authority or the child's parent or guardian. Extends the period during which weighted averages are not required to be used in nutrient analysis of foods under the school lunch program, if school food authority has an equivalent nutrient analysis system. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate rules, based on Federal nutrition guidelines, to increase the presence of whole grains in foods offered in school nutrition programs; and (2) enter into an agreement with a science-based organization to study, determine, and report on appropriate nutritional standards for foods available to students in school, considering total daily dietary intake of students participating in the school foods program. Revises WIC program (under CNA) definitions of: (1) nutrition education to include child development and physical activity; and (2) supplemental foods to provide for consideration of the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Revises certification requirements for WIC program participation to allow: (1) a State to certify breastfeeding women for up to one year or until they stop breastfeeding, whichever is earlier; (2) a local agency to waive the physical presence requirement for infants under eight weeks of age; and (3) applicants or participants to reschedule appointments to apply or be recertified. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate a rule updating the prescribed supplemental foods available through the WIC program, within six months of receiving the review of the WIC food package undertaken by the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine in September 2003; and (2) beginning in 2013, and at least every ten years thereafter, conduct scientific reviews of supplemental foods available in the WIC program and recommend changes to reflect nutrition science, current public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. Requires State agencies to notify vendors in writing of violations, unless the notification would compromise an investigation. Authorizes State agencies to round up to the next whole can of infant formula to ensure all infants receive the full-authorized nutritional benefit. Revises WIC program competitive bidding provisions to require infant formula: (1) rebate invoices to provide reasonable estimates or actual counts of numbers of units sold to program participants; and (2) bid solicitations amounts to be adjusted on a cent-by-cent basis according to changes in the lowest national wholesale truckload price. Authorizes demonstration projects, in up to ten local sites, to evaluate inclusion of fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables, to be made available through private funds, as an addition to supplemental food provided under the WIC program. Revises WIC program provisions for management information systems to require: (1) States to comply with certain standards for electronic benefit systems; and (2) the Secretary to implement a national Universal Product Code Database for use by all State agencies. Requires participating vendors in the WIC program to purchase infant formula from a State-maintained list of approved manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Prohibits State alliances from exceeding 200,000 infant participants (except alliances with such numbers as of October 2003). Allows any State agency serving under 5,000 participants, or any Indian Tribal Organization, to request to join any State alliance. Increases from one to three percent the maximum portion of nutrition services and administration funds a State may expend during the subsequent fiscal year for allowable expenses incurred during a fiscal year. Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the WIC program; (2) WIC nutrition services and administrative funds; and (3) WIC farmers' market nutrition program. Revises requirements relating to training and technical assistance under NSLA, CNA, and other federally-assisted feeding programs. Directs the Secretary to develop policy and establish procedures regarding the purchase, distribution, notice of consumption, and provision of information regarding irradiated foods in Federal school meals programs. Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) State administrative expenses (CNA); (2) the commodity distribution program (NSLA and the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987); (3) purchases of locally produced foods (NSLA); (4) training, technical assistance, and food service management institute (NSLA); and (5) compliance and accountability (NSLA).
Bill· HRH.R. 3877 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Social Security Alternative Voluntary Expenditure Act of 2004 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to authorize individuals eligible for OASDI benefits to elect to waive payment of all benefits based on their wages and self-employment income. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction of 20 percent of the actuarial present value of future benefits foregone by reason of such an election. Provides a tax deduction, as well, for the divorced spouse of an individual making a waiver under this Act. Amends SSA title II to require special Government obligations issued for purchase by the social security trust funds to bear interest at the average market yield then prevailing for comparable obligations issued in the private sector.
Bill· HRH.R. 3875 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to designate the provision of qualified homeowner dowpayment assistance as a "charitable purpose" for purposes of income, estate, and gift taxes. Defines "qualified homeowner downpayment assistance" as a gift of cash for the purpose of providing any downpayment for the purchase of a principal residence. Denies an income tax deduction to certain donors of homeowner downpayment assistance who receive a direct financial benefit in connection with the purchase of a principal residence for which the purchaser received downpayment assistance.
Bill· SS. 2148 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2004
U.S.A. Jobs Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to prohibit a contract that is entered into by the head of an executive agency from being performed outside the United States except to meet a requirement of that agency for the contract to be performed specifically at a location abroad. Prohibits funds appropriated for financial assistance for a State from being disbursed to or for such State during a fiscal year unless that State's chief executive has transmitted to the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, by April 1 of the preceding fiscal year, a written certification that (except as provided above) none of those funds will be expended for the performance of State contracts outside the United States. Makes an exception where the State's chief executive certifies in advance to the Administrator that such expenditure is for a contract that cannot be performed within the United States. Makes this Act inapplicable to disbursements of funds to a State during the first two fiscal years of its enactment.
Bill· SS. 2144 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2004
Foreign Affairs Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs; (2) educational, cultural, and public diplomacy programs; (3) international organizations and conferences; and (4) international commissions. Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for: (1) migration and refugee assistance; and (2) U.S. international broadcasting activities. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) interference with protective functions; (2) administrative subpoena authority; (3) Department of State authority for uniformed security officers; (4) prohibition on transfer of certain visa processing fees; (5) reimbursement from the United States Olympic Committee; (6) biotechnology promotion authority; and (7) the United States Diplomacy Center. Authorizes the establishment of the Latin America Civilian Government Security Program. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize establishment of the Fellowship of Hope Program. Revises provisions of such Act respecting: (1) reemployed Foreign Service annuitants; (2) home leave; (3) suspension of Foreign Service members without pay; and (4) repeal of the recertification requirement for Senior Foreign Service members. Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 respecting the provision of living quarters and allowances to the United States representatives to the United Nations. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to place a 40 percent limit on the United States' share of assessments for UN peacekeeping operations after FY 2004. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise foreign terrorist organization-designation provisions. Provides for the strengthening of United States educational and cultural exchange programs with countries having a significant Muslim population. Edward R. Murrow Fellowship Act - Establishes the Edward R. Murrow Fellowship program pursuant to which the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall provide fellowships to foreign national journalists in positions at the Voice of America, RFE/RL, Incorporated, or Radio Free Asia. International Parental Child Abduction Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act revise provisions respecting the inadmissibility of aliens supporting international child abductors and relatives of such abductors. Authorizes fellowships for multidisciplinary training on nonproliferation issues. Limits fund use for any diplomatic facility in Jerusalem that is not under the supervision of the United States Ambassador to Israel. Reaffirms congressional policy regarding the criteria for recognition of a Palestinian state. Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to authorize grants for a Middle East Broadcasting Network. Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act - Amends the Peace Corps Act to revise Peace Corps provisions, including increasing the size of the Peace Corps. Authorizes appropriations. Foreign Assistance Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and other Acts for: (1) agricultural, educational, and environmental sectors, and the Development Fund for Africa; (2) child survival and health programs fund; (3) development credit authority; (4) technical assistance to foreign governments and foreign central banks of developing or transitional countries; (5) international programs and organizations; (6) international disaster assistance; (7) transition and development assistance; (8) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (9) assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; (10) operating expenses and capital investment funds of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); (11) millenium challenge assistance; (12) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (13) economic support fund; (14) assistance for Israel; (15) assistance for Egypt; (16) international military education and training; (17) peacekeeping operations; (18) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related assistance; (19) foreign military financing program, including assistance for Israel and Egypt; (20) Inter-American Foundation; and (21) African Development Foundation. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 respecting: (1) assistance for nongovernmental organizations; (2) fund use for unanticipated contingencies; (3) lethal excess property; (4) reconstruction assistance under international disaster assistance authority; (5) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (6) waiver of net proceeds resulting from disposal of U.S. defense articles provided to a foreign country on a grant basis; (7) transfer of certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in the war reserve stockpiles for allies to Israel; (8) additions to war reserve stockpiles for allies for FY 2004 and 2005; (9) restrictions on economic support funds for Lebanon; (10) administration of justice; (11) demining programs; (12) special waiver authority, including certain provisions respecting Germany; (13) prohibition of assistance for countries in default or to a government resulting from a military coup; (14) exceptions to the requirement for congressional notification of program changes; (15) alternative dispute resolution; (16) assistance for law enforcement forces; (17) special debt relief for the poorest countries; (18) Congo Basin Forest Partnership; (19) landmine clearance programs; and (20) designation of a Middle East Foundation. Amends the Arms Control Act respecting: (1) advance notice to Congress of sales or upgrades of defense articles and comprehensive export authorizations; (2) bilateral agreement requirement exceptions for defense item transfers to the United Kingdom and Australia; and (3) cataloging data and services to non-NATO countries. Makes certain waiver authority under the Freedom Support Act for assistance to independent States formerly under the Soviet Union permanent. Amends Federal law to extend Pakistan foreign assistance waivers. Authorizes Haitian Coast Guard defense purchases. Exempts NATO members, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand from certain license requirements for the transfer of commercial communications satellite information. Authorizes the transfer of certain missile frigate vessels to Portugal and Bahrain. Radiological Terrorism Security Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of State to report on embassy preparations to detect and mitigate radiological attacks. Authorizes the Secretary to assist foreign countries develop radiological response plans. Global Pathogen Surveillance Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary to award fellowships to eligible nationals to pursue in the United States master of public health degrees with a concentration in epidemiology or advanced public health training in epidemiology. Directs the Secretary to support overseas pathogen identification training for laboratory technicians and other public health personnel. Authorizes: (1) assistance to eligible developing countries for public health laboratory and communications equipment to identify pathogens which may cause disease outbreaks or be used as a biological weapon; (2) assignment of U.S. public health officers or employees to enhance disease and pathogen surveillance efforts in developing countries; and (3) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish new country or regional foreign epidemiology training programs in eligible developing countries. Directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and the Department of Defense to expand their respective laboratories in eligible developing countries that conduct infectious disease research. Amends specified reporting provisions respecting: (1) territorial integrity; (2) Columbia; (3) foreign military training; (4) human rights in Haiti; and (5) arms and chemical weapons control compliance. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 respecting certain claims for expropriation by the Government of Nicaragua. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) Sierra Leone; (2) Ethiopia; (3) Somalia; and (4) the central African region and the central African countries of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Authorizes the use of specified funds for the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program. Conditions the provision of certain funds to Indonesia upon the Government of Indonesia's investigation of the 2002 attack on U.S. citizens in West Papua. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to make specified Caribbean countries eligible for assistance to combat HIV/AIDS.
Bill· SS. 2130 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Medicare Prescription Drug Cost Containment Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the same date on which the President submits a budget to Congress, to determine to Congress whether excess general revenue Medicare prescription drug funding is projected for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted. Treats an affirmative determination as a Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) funding warning in the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of the year in which the determination is made. Amends Federal money and finance law, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to direct the President to submit to Congress proposed legislation to respond to such a warning within 15 days after the budget submission to Congress for the succeeding year. States that such requirement shall not apply if, during the year in which the warning is made, legislation is enacted which eliminates excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period beginning with the fiscal year for which the determination is made through September 30, 2013, as certified by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Expresses the sense of Congress that legislation submitted by the President in response to a warning should be designed to eliminate excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period that begins with the fiscal year for which the determination is made through September 30, 2013. Sets out the special procedures for House and Senate consideration of the President's legislative proposal in response to such warning.
Law· SS. 2136 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Amends provisions of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 which establish the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States to: (1) extend the Commission's final report date from 18 to 20 months after the enactment of such Act; (2) terminate the Commission 30 (currently 60) days after such final report; and (3) earmark $1 million for Commission activities out of amounts appropriated for programs and activities of the Federal Government for FY 2004.
Bill· HRH.R. 3854 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Medicare Prescription Drug Cost Containment Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the same date on which the President submits a budget to Congress, to submit to Congress a determination as to whether there is projected to be excess general revenue Medicare prescription drug funding for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, and if there is an affirmative determination it shall be treated as a Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) funding warning in the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of the year in which the determination is submitted to Congress. Amends Federal money and finance law, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to direct the President to submit to Congress proposed legislation to respond to such a Medicare part D funding warning made in a year within the 15-day period beginning on the date of the budget submission to Congress for the succeeding year. Provides that such amendment shall not apply if, during the year in which the warning is made, legislation is enacted which eliminates excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period beginning with the fiscal year for which the determination is made and ending on September 30, 2013, as certified by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund not later than 30 days after the enactment of such legislation. Expresses the sense of Congress that legislation submitted pursuant to such amendment in a year should be designed to eliminate excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period that begins with the fiscal year for which the determination is made and ends on September 30, 2013. Sets out the special procedures for House and Senate consideration of the President's legislative proposal in response to such warning.
Bill· HRH.R. 3857 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Private Bonds for Modern Roads Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include as a tax-exempt facility bond any bond that is part of an issue 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of which are to be used to provide surface transportation facilities. Defines "surface transportation facilities" to mean certain highway facilities and surface freight transfer facilities. Limits the aggregate face amount of a bond issue that may be treated as tax-exempt under this Act. Exempts such bonds from the State cap on volume for private activity bonds.
Bill· HRH.R. 3845 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Increases the maximum amounts for any one fiscal year for the Federal share of construction costs, and for any single project, that may be allotted by the Secretary of the Army for the construction of small shore and beach restoration and protection projects.
Bill· HRH.R. 3865 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Prescription Drug Safety and Affordability Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny prescription drug manufacturers an income tax deduction for gifts provided to or for the benefit of a physician, not including product samples.
Bill· HRH.R. 3840 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Children's Health Equity Technical Amendments Act of 2004 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to permit qualifying States to use a portion of their SCHIP allotment for any fiscal year for certain Medicaid expenditures.
Bill· HRH.R. 3829 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that an interest in or owned by an investment partnership shall not be treated as a U.S. real property interest (and thus be subject to a higher rate of taxation upon the sale of such interest) if, during a specified testing period: (1) less than 50 percent in value of the capital or profits interests in such partnership is held directly or indirectly by foreign persons; (2) no single foreign person owns directly or indirectly more than ten percent of the capital or profits of such partnership; and (3) the adjusted basis of the partnership's U.S. real property interests does not exceed ten percent of the adjusted basis of its assets. Exempts dispositions of such interests of such partnerships from tax withholding requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 3837 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer seeking an income tax deduction for the charitable contribution of a patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, trade secret, know-how, software or similar technology property to: (1) contribute the entire right, title, and interest in such property to certain tax-exempt universities, teaching hospitals or reseach institutions; and (2) require that any cash or cash equivalents donated with such property be used for patent prosecution or maintenance and for the scientific and commercial development of such patents or other technology property. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the appraisal of such patents or other technology property and for the prevention of taxpayer abuse of charitable deductions for such property.
Bill· HRH.R. 3827 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Job Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the foreign sales corporation/extraterritorial income (FSC/ETI) exclusion, with an exemption for certain binding contracts in effect before enactment of this Act. Permits a foreign corporation that elected to be treated as a domestic corporation to revoke such election and be treated as a domestic corporation transferring its property to a foreign corporation with no gain recognized on such transfer. Provides: (1) a transitional 2004 through 2006 sliding-scale deduction for an FSC/ETI beneficiary based on the corporation's 2001 FSC/ETI benefit; and (2) special rules for 2004 and for fiscal year taxpayers. Defines "FSC/ETI benefit." Allows a deduction for income attributable to U.S. production activities equal to ten percent of qualified production activities. Provides a 2004 through 2007 phase-in period. Defines "qualified production activities income" as the product of: (1) the portion of the modified taxable income attributable to domestic activities; and (2) the domestic/ worldwide fraction. Sets forth related provisions with respect to: (1) determination of income attributable to domestic production activities; (2) domestic production gross receipts; (3) qualifying production property; (4) the domestic/worldwide fraction; and (5) special rules. Amends the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 to extend, from 2006 to 2008, the provisions allowing for increased expensing of small business assets. Amends certain tax shelter provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) place limits on the transfer or importation by a corporation of built-in losses; (2) prohibit allocation of any decrease in the adjusted basis of partnership property to stock in a corporation that is a partner in such partnership; (3) repeal special rules for financial asset securitization investment trusts (FASITS); (4) expand the definition of a disqualified debt instrument for purposes of the disallowance of interest deductions on certain corporate debt instruments, (5) expand the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to disallow tax benefits derived from stock transfers designed to evade taxes; and (6) modify certain rules relating to tax treatment of income of passive foreign investment companies. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) to extend provisions imposing fees for certain customs services through FY 2006 and fees for processing of merchandise through FY 2013.
Bill· HRH.R. 3826 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Program Assessment and Results Act - Amends the Federal law provisions concerning the budget and fiscal, budget, and program information to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to review program activities of Government agencies at least once every five fiscal years. Instructs the Director to develop criteria for identifying program activities to be reviewed each fiscal year. Requires the results of such reviews to be submitted in a report to Congress at the same time the President submits the next Federal budget. Requires the head of each agency to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and to the Congress a strategic plan for program activities not later than September 30 of each year following a year in which an election for President occurs, beginning September 30, 2005.
Bill· SS. 2103 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer seeking an income tax deduction for the charitable contribution of a patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, trade secret, know-how, software or similar technology property to: (1) contribute the entire right, title, and interest in such property to certain tax-exempt universities, teaching hospitals, or reseach institutions; and (2) require that any cash or cash equivalents donated with such property be used for patent prosecution or maintenance and for the scientific and commercial development of such patents or other technology property. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the appraisal of such patents or other technology property and for the prevention of taxpayer abuse of charitable deductions for such property.
Bill· SS. 2110 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize through March 31, 2004, expenditures for obligations under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) from: (1) the Highway Trust Fund; (2) the Mass Transit Account of such Fund; and (3) the Sport Fish Restoration Account and the Boat Safety Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish: (1) a credit against the gasoline and diesel fuel excise tax for an amount equal to the sum of an alcohol fuel mixture credit plus a biodiesel mixture credit; and (2) a general business income tax credit for biodiesel used as fuel equal to the sum of a biodiesel mixture credit and a biodiesel credit.
Bill· SS. 2107 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations for mental health courts from FY 2004 through 2009.
Bill· SS. 2106 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to define certain self-created musical works or copyrights in musical works as capital assets eligible for capital gains tax treatment.
Bill· HRH.R. 3820 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
United States Workers Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to prohibit: (1) outsourced Federal Government work from being performed by a contractor outside the United States unless Federal employees previously performed such work outside the United States (currently, prohibited by the Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004); (2) work on a procurement contract from being performed outside the United States unless it is necessary in order to meet a requirement for goods and services outside the United States or the President deems it necessary for national security reasons; and (3) Federal funds from being disbursed to a State until the Governor of the State has transmitted written certification that none of the funds will be spent on work performed outside the United States. Provides that this Act becomes effective for States two fiscal years after enactment.
Bill· SS. 2089 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow aliens eligible for diversity visas to remain eligible beyond the fiscal year in which they applied. Provides that such visas shall be counted against the worldwide diversity immigrant level for the fiscal year of selection, except for applications properly filed in FY 2003 for which visas shall be deemed available. Makes this amendment applicable to immigrant visas available for FY 2004 and subsequent years, and allows for retroactive application to FY 1998 in those cases where the alien applicant or the Government moves to reopen the alien's case.
Bill· SS. 2068 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Guard and Reserve Enhanced Benefits Act of 2004 - Provides for benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who serve extended periods on active duty, including special assistance to them and their families through: (1) family leave, under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (2) child care, under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (3) educational assistance, under Federal law relating to Montgomery GI Bill benefits; (4) student loan deferments, under the Higher Education Act of 1965; (5) preservation of educational status and tuition, under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; (6) non-reduction in pay in the case of those who are Federal employees, under Federal civil service law; (7) a tax credit to their employers for the income differential between their wages and their military pay, or a self-employment credit, under the Internal Revenue Code; (8) reduced minimum age for non-regular service retired pay, under Federal law relating to the Armed Services; and (9) health benefits, through expanded eligibility for the TRICARE program and continuation of non-TRICARE plan coverage for dependents, under Federal law relating to the Armed Services.
Bill· SS. 2093 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Marriage Penalty Relief Extension Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate for taxable year 2005: (1) the scheduled reduction of the standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns; and (2) the scheduled reduction of the taxable income threshold amount for qualifying such married taxpayers for the 15 percent tax bracket.
Bill· SS. 2094 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
United States Workers Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to prohibit: (1) outsourced Federal Government work from being performed by a contractor outside the United States unless Federal employees previously performed such work outside the United States (currently, prohibited by the Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004); (2) work on a procurement contract from being performed outside the United States unless it is necessary in order to meet a requirement for goods and services outside the United States or the President deems it necessary for national security reasons; and (3) Federal funds from being disbursed to a State until the Governor of the State has transmitted written certification that none of the funds will be spent on work performed outside the United States. Provides that this Act becomes effective for States two fiscal years after enactment.
Bill· SS. 2084 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Internet Tax Ban Extension and Improvement Act - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend the ban on State taxation of Internet access and on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce until November 1, 2005. Makes such tax ban inapplicable to a tax on Internet access that was generally imposed and enforced prior to October 1, 1998, if, before that date, the tax was authorized by statute and either: (1) a provider of Internet access services had a reasonable opportunity to know that an agency has interpreted and applied such tax to Internet access services; or (2) a State or political subdivision generally collected such tax on charges for Internet access. Applies the same rule for a tax on Internet access that was generally imposed and enforced as of November 1, 2003. Changes the definition of "Internet access service" to exclude telecommunications services (current law), except to the extent such services are purchased, used, or sold by an Internet access provider to connect a purchaser of Internet access to the Internet access provider. Changes the definition of "tax on Internet access" to: (1) mean a tax on Internet access regardless of whether such tax is imposed on a provider of Internet access or a buyer of Internet access and regardless of the terminology used to describe the tax; and (2) exclude a tax levied upon or measured by net income, capital stock, net worth, or property value. Permits subjecting Internet access charges to taxation if they are aggregated with telecommunications service charges and the provider cannot identify them from regular business records.
Bill· SS. 2072 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Senior Elder Care Relief and Empowerment (SECURE) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit for 50 percent of expenses exceeding $1,000 that are incurred for the care of chronically ill individuals who have attained normal retirement age (as determined under the Social Security Act). Allows the credit for certain long-term care services, respite care, or adult day care, but disqualifies expenses that are compensated by insurance or paid to a nursing facility.
Bill· SS. 2095 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Sets forth a program to spur diverse energy research and development including the following: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Indian energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; and (10) energy tax incentives. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings. Institutes grant programs for low-income community energy efficiency and energy efficient public buildings. Revises energy conservation standards for: (1) additional consumer products; (2) affordable housing and assisted housing; and (3) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revamp guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing proposals for alternative conditions and requirements governing project works within a Federal reservation. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to promote hydroelectric production. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities governing the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Sets forth a program of production incentives that includes: (1) oil and gas royalties in kind; (2) marginal property production; (3) natural gas production in the gulf of Mexico; and (4) oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Project Coordination in the same manner and with the same mission as the White House Energy Projects Task Force established by specified Executive Order. Prescribes implementation guidelines for access to Federal land for: (1) oil and gas leasing; (2) expedited permits; (3) energy rights-of-way and corridors on public and Federal lands; (4) renewable energy on Federal land; and (5) electricity transmission line rights of way on public land. Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - Requires the President and the Secretaries of the Interior and of Energy to expedite the Federal decision-making process for access to Federal lands for energy projects. Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project and pipeline expansion following an expedited approval process. Instructs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to train adult and dislocated workers in Alaska in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to offer Federal loan guarantees to specified certificated entities for infrastructure projects. Sets forth a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Authorizes Federal loan guarantees for designated coal gasification projects, including: (1) a loan to the owner of a specified experimental plant on such terms and conditions as the Secretary of Energy determines, including interest rates and upfront payments; (2) a coal gasification project that produces power in deregulated energy generation markets; and (3) a petroleum coke gasification polygeneration project. Modifies statutory constraints governing Federal coal leases, including acreage limitations, mining plans, and advance royalty payments. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to facilitate production and generation of coal-based power and the installation of pollution control equipment. Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2003 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote Indian tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees and Department of Energy (DOE) contractors. Prohibits assumption by the United States Government of liability for certain foreign incidents. Addresses general nuclear matters, including: (1) establishment of an NRC training and fellowship program for individuals with critical nuclear safety regulatory skills; (2) elimination of pension offset; (3) a DOE decommissioning pilot program; (4) uranium sales; (5) special demonstration projects for the uranium mining industry; (6) whistleblower protection prescriptions; (7) medical isotope production; (8) uranium enrichment facilities; and (9) the national uranium stockpile. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project. Prescribes implementation guidelines for a training program to respond to threats against designated nuclear facilities, including use of firearms by licensee security personnel and NRC certificate holders. Sets forth a transportation fuels program that uses: (1) alternative fuels for dual-fueled vehicles; (2) fuel credits for medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; and (3) lease condensates. Sets forth implementation guidelines for pilot programs that target: (1) alternative fueled vehicles; (2) fuel cell vehicles; (3) advanced vehicles; and (4) hybrid vehicles. Instructs the Secretary of Energy, in partnership with the private sector, to conduct programs that address production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources. Directs the President to establish an interagency task force on hydrogen fuel infrastructure for hydrogen-carrier fuels, including fleet transportation. Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement Initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application in the following areas: (1) energy efficiency; (2) distributed energy and electric energy systems; (3) renewable energy; (4) nuclear energy; (5) fossil energy; (6) ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas, and other petroleum resource exploration and production; (7) science; and (8) energy and the environment (including international cooperation). Electric Reliability Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC regulatory jurisdiction over an Electric Reliability Organization. Prescribes guidelines for electric reliability standards, including electric transmission infrastructure, operation and transmission rates. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) require electric utilities to make net metering and smart metering available upon consumer request; and (2) terminate mandatory purchase and sale requirements pertaining to cogeneration and small power production utilities. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2003 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) direct FERC to promulgate market transparency rules governing sales of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce, or transmission services in interstate commerce; and (2) prohibit round trip trading. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules that prohibit in the absence of consumer consent: (1) the change of selection of an electric utility ("slamming"); and (2) the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer ("cramming"). Mandates review of Federal agency review authorities over mergers to determine if duplicative authorities exist. Revises Federal Power Act prescriptions governing electric utility mergers. Energy Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish energy tax credits in the following areas: (1) renewable electricity production; (2) alternative motor vehicles and fuels; (3) energy efficiency; (4) clean coal technologies; (5) oil and gas, including Alaska natural gas; and (6) electric utility restructuring. Prescribes tax treatment of tax shelters and corporate expatriation. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize Federal grants to rural and remote communities with specified electricity costs for improved electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Provides royalty payment relief for offshore oil and gas production leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to change the composition, operation, and duties of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Retains the effect of a specified Department of Energy Order regarding transmission security. Extends the attainment date for certain downwind ozone nonattainment areas. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) to establish criteria for safe and environmentally protective use of specified granular mine tailings. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator to promulgate regulations ensuring that domestic motor vehicle fuel consumption includes renewable fuel containing ethanol and other biomass components. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to provide assistance to merchant producers of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in making the transition from producing MTBE to producing other fuel additives. Authorizes the President to make a determination by 2014 that the prohibitions against the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel under this Act shall not take place and that the legal authority to prohibit its use in motor vehicle fuel shall become null and void. Conditions the Administrator's approval of State fuel restrictions upon a finding that such restrictions will neither cause fuel supply or distribution interruptions nor have a significant adverse impact on fuel producibility. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make loan guarantees for private sector construction of facilities for the processing and conversion of municipal solid waste and cellulosic biomass into fuel ethanol and other commercial byproducts; and (2) provide grants for construction of ethanol production facilities. Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator to distribute specified fund percentages from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to States to pay costs incurred for regulation of underground storage tanks (USTs). Allows undistributed funds to be used for enforcing UST regulations.
Bill· SS. 2069 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
International Weapons of Mass Destruction Informant Act - Expands the S nonimmigrant visa classification of the Immigration and Nationality Act to include aliens who possess and are willing to share with the U.S. Government critical reliable information concerning the activities of governments or organizations with respect to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related delivery systems, where those weapons or systems are at risk of being developed, sold, or transferred. Provides for S nonimmigrant status for specified family members of such aliens in appropriate circumstances. Increases the numerical limitation on S nonimmigrant visas to 3,500 per fiscal year. Establishes a Weapons of Mass Destruction Informant Center within the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, which shall : (1) receive and report to specified Federal agencies all information provided by aliens granted S nonimmigrant status under this Act; (2) ensure that aliens who have provided WMD-related information are given the highest consideration for S nonimmigrant visas; (3) educate consular officers and immigration inspectors and examiners regarding the expanded visa classification; (4) facilitate, receive, and evaluate visa requests submitted pursuant to this Act and facilitate the issuance of visas when requests are approved; (5) facilitate the cooperation with the U.S. Government of aliens receiving WMD-related S nonimmigrant visas; (6) ensure that aliens who receive such visas comply with visa terms; and (7) ensure that such visas are not used to gain entry into the U.S. for purposes other than those outlined in this Act.
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