Taxation

CORE Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005

Community Options for Rural Elders Act of 2005 or the CORE Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the Administrator of Health Resources and Services to work with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish Programs for All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE) providers in rural areas. Directs the Secretary to permit a rural PACE provider applicant to adapt its PACE program to the unique requirements of eligible participants residing in rural areas and the challenges of providing services to them. Requires the Secretary to waive certain requirements of titles XI, XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act as necessary to support the delivery of PACE services in rural areas. Directs the Secretary to award site development grants to rural PACE providers. Directs the Secretary, through the Office of Rural Health Policy, to make awards to tax-exempt organizations for the purpose of establishing a technical assistance outreach and education program. Requires the Secretary to establish a fund to reimburse rural PACE providers awarded a site development grant for outlier costs with respect to eligible enrollees in rural areas. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory group.

Economic Development Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005

Economic Development Act of 2005 - Authorizes any State to provide to any person for economic development purposes tax incentives that otherwise would be the cause of discrimination against interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. Makes exceptions for any incentive that: (1) is dependent upon State or country of incorporation, commercial domicile, or residence of an individual; (2) requires the recipient to acquire, lease, license, use, or provide services to property created in the State; (3) is reduced or eliminated as a result of an increase in out-of-State activity by the recipient or other person or as a result of such other person not having a taxable presence in the State; (4) results in loss of a compensating tax system, because the tax on interstate commerce exceeds the tax on intrastate commerce; (5) requires that other taxing jurisdictions offer reciprocal tax benefits; or (6) requires that a tax incentive earned with respect to one tax can only be used to reduce a tax burden for, or provide a tax benefit against any other tax that is not imposed on, apportioned interstate activities.

SCHOOL Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005

Supportive Communities Helping Offer Opportunities for Learning Act of 2005 - SCHOOL ACT of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish the Supportive Communities Helping Offer Opportunities for Learning (SCHOOL) Program. Allows educational scholarships under the SCHOOL Program to be grants to eligible low-income elementary or secondary school students to cover all or part of: (1) private or religious school tuition and fees; (2) the cost of transportation to a public school; or (3) any other school or educational program expenses as the Secretary may determine. Authorizes the Secretary to certify scholarship granting organizations participating in the SCHOOL Program if they meet specified requirements. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for individuals and corporations for their contributions to qualified scholarship granting organizations certified as SCHOOL Program participants.

Social Security Forever Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005

Social Security Forever Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on employers, employees, and self-employed individuals an additional employment tax for wages in excess of the social security contribution and benefit base. Declares that it is not in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any direct spending or revenue legislation that would decrease a unified-budget surplus or cause or increase a unified-budget deficit. Makes exceptions for legislation affecting full funding of deposit insurance guarantee commitments, and for periods of war or recession. Requires all Treasury securities to bear a facsimile of the signatures of the President and the Secretary of the Treasury.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2361) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2005

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2361) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 17 May 2005

Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005

Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) and the Secretaries of each military department to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes each department Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) and each military department for fiscal years after 2005 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of authorized construction projects. Modifies certain prior-year construction projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2005 for such Program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2005 for the Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Terminates all authorizations contained in this Act on October 1, 2008, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY2009, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Authorizes specified military land conveyances.

Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 2006

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005

Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY2006 for: (1) activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration in carrying out programs necessary for national security, with specified allocations for weapons activities, defense nuclear nonproliferation, naval reactors, and the Office of the Administrator for Nuclear Security; and (2) environmental management activities in carrying out national security programs, with specified allocations for defense environmental management, other defense activities, and defense nuclear waste disposal. Requires reports from the Secretary of Energy on: (1) achieving compliance under the Design Basis Threat issued by DOE; (2) a cost estimate for the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project at the Hanford Site, Richland, Washington; and (3) the management of border security programs in countries of the former Soviet Union and other countries. Authorizes appropriations for FY2006 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Revises required receipt objectives for previously authorized disposals from the National Defense Stockpile.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense, military construction, and national security programs of the Department of Energy for FY2006. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including science and technology projects, ballistic missile defense, and manufacturing technology; (3) operation and maintenance, including defense working capital funds, the defense health program, and environmental restoration; (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program; (6) Guard and Reserve forces facilities; and (7) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Extends certain bonus, special, and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes certain: (1) travel and transportation allowances; and (2) military retired pay and survivor benefits. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) active and reserve military personnel policy; (2) military justice, including statutes of limitations with respect to murder, rape, and child abuse, and the establishment of the offense of stalking; (3) defense dependents' education, including assistance to local educational agencies; (4) military health care; (5) acquisition policy and management, including the establishment of defense contract support acquisition centers and certain defense acquisition workforce improvements; (6) DOD organization and management, including an advisory committee on DOD space control, and the authority to exempt from public disclosure certain operational files of the Defense Intelligence Agency; (7) budget and financial matters, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for U.S. border reconnaissance, and certain counter-drug activities; (8) DOD civilian personnel policy; (9) matters relating to other nations, including increased assistance for the detection and clearing of landmines; (10) cooperative threat reduction with states of the former Soviet Union; and (11) the national defense stockpile. Authorizes emergency supplemental appropriations for DOD for FY2006 for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the global war on terrorism, specifically for: (1) procurement; (2) operation and maintenance; (3) the defense health program; (4) military personnel; and (5) the Iraq Freedom Fund. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes military construction, military family housing, and certain military land conveyances.

Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005

Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2006. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including science and technology projects, ballistic missile defense, and manufacturing technology; (3) operation and maintenance, including defense working capital funds, the defense health program, and environmental restoration; and (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths. Extends certain bonus, special, and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes certain: (1) travel and transportation allowances; and (2) military retired pay and survivor benefits. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) active and reserve military personnel policy; (2) military justice, including statutes of limitations with respect to murder, rape, and child abuse, and the establishment of the offense of stalking; (3) defense dependents' education, including assistance to local educational agencies; (4) military health care; (5) acquisition policy and management, including the establishment of defense contract support acquisition centers and certain defense acquisition workforce improvements; (6) DOD organization and management, including an advisory committee on DOD space control, and the authority to exempt from public disclosure certain operational files of the Defense Intelligence Agency; (7) budget and financial matters, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for U.S. border reconnaissance, and certain counter-drug activities; (8) DOD civilian personnel policy; (9) matters relating to other nations, including increased assistance for the detection and clearing of landmines; and (10) cooperative threat reduction with states of the former Soviet Union. Authorizes emergency supplemental appropriations for DOD for FY2006 for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the global war on terrorism, specifically for: (1) procurement; (2) operation and maintenance; (3) the defense health program; (4) military personnel; and (5) the Iraq Freedom Fund.

Commuter Benefits Equity Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005

Commuter Benefits Equity Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to equalize and increase to $200, with a modified cost-of-living adjustment, the tax exclusion for both transportation and parking fringe benefits. Extends such benefits to federal employees.

College 529 Invest in Education Savings for Tomorrow Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005

College 529 Invest in Education Savings for Tomorrow Act of 2005 - Makes permanent the provisions relating to qualified tuition programs enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA).

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1817) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2005

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1817) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for the Department of Homeland Security.

Gas Price Reduction Through Increased Refinery Capacity Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2005

Gas Price Reduction Through Increased Refinery Capacity Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to elect to expense (i.e., deduct in the current taxable year) the cost of qualified refinery property placed in service before January 1, 2012, or under a binding construction contract before January 1, 2008. Requires that such refinery meet specified production levels and comply with all applicable environmental laws Classifies petroleum refining property as five-year property for depreciation purposes.

Immediate and Full Repeal of the Disabled Veterans Tax Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2005

Immediate and Full Repeal of the Disabled Veterans Tax Act of 2005 - Amends federal military retired pay provisions to: (1) repeal a required a phase-in, during the period beginning on January 1, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2013, of the full concurrent receipt by qualified individuals of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation; and (2) include as a qualifying disability, for purposes of eligibility for such concurrent payments, a service-connected disability (or combination of service-connected disabilities) rated at not less than ten (currently 50) percent by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit interest on Federally guaranteed water, wastewater, and essential community facilities loans to be tax exempt.

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from tax interest on federally-guaranteed bonds for the financing of water, wastewater, and essential community facilities.

Troops Phone Home Free Extension Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2005

Troops Phone Home Free Extension Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, as amended by the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, respecting the Department of Defense (DOD) telecommunications benefit program to: (1) expand coverage from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to any contingency operation (including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom); (2) revise the deadline from September 30, 2006, through the date that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense determines that a contingency operation has ended; and (3) include members of the Armed Forces who are hospitalized as a result of wounds or other injuries incurred while serving in direct support of a contingency operation. Defines "contingency operation."

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2360) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2005

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2360) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, THE JUDICIARY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 12 May 2005

STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 12 May 2005

Suburban Core Opportunity, Restoration, and Enhancement (SCORE) Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Suburban Core Opportunity, Restoration, and Enhancement (SCORE) Act of 2005 - Defines "SCORE project area" as any area that: (1) is ineligible for renewal community designation under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code); (2) is not smaller than a census-designated place; and (3) includes some of the following, proximity to existing development and infrastructure (including mass transit), substandard or underutilized residential, commercial, and industrial properties, or an economically obsolescent regional mall (Greyfield mall), has an average housing cost-burden of at least 50 percent of gross income, or a 30 percent higher than average commercial vacancy rate. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to: (1) designate SCORE project areas from among local government entity-designated areas; (2) make SCORE project area planning and revitalization grants. Requires a local government grantee to establish a SCORE Reinvestment Fund. Sets forth provisions respecting housing units, businesses, and economic development projects in SCORE project areas that are receiving community development block grant funds. Amends the Code to: (1) include SCORE project areas within the work opportunity tax credit; and (2) permit an additional first-year depreciation amount for certain SCORE project area residential real property or residential rental property.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to add meningococcal vaccines to the list of taxable vaccines for purposes of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include any meningococcal vaccine as a taxable vaccine for excise tax purposes.

COMPETE Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Collaborative Opportunities to Mobilize and Promote Education, Technology, and Enterprise Act of 2005 - COMPETE Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for research and education by: (1) extending a research credit; (2) increasing rates of an alternative incremental credit for research; (3) establishing an alternative simplified credit for qualified research expenses; (4) providing a credit for information and communications technology education; and (5) setting an alternative percentage limitation for corporate charitable contributions to the mathematics and science partnership program. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to award grants to partnerships of institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other entities to establish 10 regional training and research Making America Competitive (MAC) Centers to help maintain U.S. workforce and education investment and infrastructure in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make partnership bonus grants annually to a certain number of elementary and of secondary schools in each state that show the most improvement in mathematics and in science, respectively. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Science of the Department of Energy to award matching grants to IHEs to: (1) provide stipends or other financial assistance for students enrolled in graduate programs in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics; and (2) support outreach and mentoring activities to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics at all or any level of education, including elementary, secondary and postsecondary education. Amends federal patent law to require the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for any fiscal year when estimated fee collections exceed appropriations to the Office, to reduce fees under the Trademark Act of 1946 for that fiscal year or its remainder so that estimated collections equal the amount appropriated.

Health Care Choice Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Health Care Choice Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the primary state (as designated by the health insurance issuer) apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer both in the primary state and in any secondary state if the coverage and issuer comply with this Act. Exempts health insurance issuers from any laws of the secondary state that would: (1) regulate the operation of the health insurance issuer in the secondary state, except for certain activities, including paying taxes and registering with the state insurance commissioner; (2) require any individual health insurance coverage issued by the issuer to be countersigned by an agent or broker residing in the secondary state; or (3) discriminate against the issuer issuing insurance in both the primary state and any secondary state. Prohibits a health insurance issuer that provides individual health insurance coverage in a primary or secondary state from: (1) upon renewal, taking certain actions based on health-status related factors, including increasing premiums assessed; and (2) offering coverage in a secondary state that is not currently offered for sale in the primary state. Allows states to require brokers to obtain a license from that state, but not to impose any requirements that discriminate against nonresident brokers. Requires health insurance issuers offering coverage in both primary and secondary States state to submit to the insurance commissioner of each state: (1) a copy of a plan of operation, a feasibility study, or similar statement; (2) written notice of any change in designation of its primary state; and (3) quarterly financial statements. Sets forth requirements (regarding determination of capital and an independent review process) that must be met by primary states in order for an issuer to provde insurance in a secondary state. Gives sole jurisdiction to primary states to enforce the covered laws in primary and secondary states.

Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for the production of certain water and energy efficient appliances (e.g., dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators). Bases the amount of such credit on specified energy and water efficiency ratings.

Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for health plans or issuers of health insurance coverage, including requirements for: (1) utilization review activities; (2) procedures for claims benefits processing, prior authorization determinations, appeals, and internal reviews; and (3) access for an independent, external review. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Health Care Consumer Assistance Fund to award grants to States for consumer assistance activities designed to provide information, assistance, and referrals to consumers of health insurance products. Sets forth requirements for managed care programs and their access to care, including requiring such programs to: (1) offer coverage that allows for non-network coverage through another plan or issuer; (2) provide access to out-of-network emergency care without prior authorization; and (3) provide timely access to specialists. Requires certain annual disclosures from health plans or issuers, including disclosures of covered benefits, cost-sharing requirements, and participating providers. Prohibits a plan or issuer from: (1) restricting a health care professional's ability to advise a patient on the health of an individual or on medical care or treatment for the individual's condition or disease; and (2) operating any physician incentive plan. Establishes a cause of action against a plan or issuer that fails to exercise ordinary care in making a decision that results in a personal injury or death to a participant or beneficiary. Provides a tax credit to small businesses for expenses paid by the business for health insurance coverage of employees.

Digital Opportunity Investment Trust Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Digital Opportunity Investment Trust Act - Establishes the Digital Opportunity Investment Trust, which shall receive 30 percent of the proceeds received by the Federal Government each fiscal year quarter through FY 2028 from any use of the publicly owned electromagnetic spectrum after September 30, 2007. Establishes: (1) a Board to oversee administration of the Trust; and (2) a Director of the Trust. Sets forth authorized Trust uses. Obligates specified amounts for public television stations.

A bill to exempt the natural aging process in the determination of the production period for distilled spirits under section 263A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from determination of the production period for distilled spirits any period allocated to the natural aging process for purposes of determining whether a taxpayer can expense, rather than capitalize, interest costs paid or incurred during the production period.

Health Care Choice Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Health Care Choice Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the primary state (as designated by the health insurance issuer) apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer both in the primary state and in any secondary state if the coverage and issuer comply with this Act. Exempts health insurance issuers from any laws of the secondary state that would: (1) regulate the operation of the health insurance issuer in the secondary state, except for certain activities, including paying taxes and registering with the state insurance commissioner; (2) require any individual health insurance coverage issued by the issuer to be countersigned by an agent or broker residing in the secondary state; or (3) discriminate against the issuer issuing insurance in both the primary state and any secondary state. Prohibits a health insurance issuer that provides individual health insurance coverage in a primary or secondary state from: (1) upon renewal, taking certain actions based on health-status related factors, including increasing premiums assessed; and (2) offering coverage in a secondary state that is not currently offered for sale in the primary state. Allows states to require brokers to obtain a license from that state, but not to impose any requirements that discriminate against nonresident brokers. Requires health insurance issuers offering coverage in both primary and secondary States state to submit to the insurance commissioner of each state: (1) a copy of a plan of operation, a feasibility study, or similar statement; (2) written notice of any change in designation of its primary state; and (3) quarterly financial statements. Sets forth requirements (regarding determination of capital and an independent review process) that must be met by primary states in order for an issuer to provde insurance in a secondary state. Gives sole jurisdiction to primary states to enforce the covered laws in primary and secondary states.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 50-percent bonus depreciation added by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permanently extend the 50 percent and 30 percent bonus depreciation for certain original use property, including water utility property, computer software, or qualified leasehold improvement property; (2) permit the use of the percentage of completion accounting method for computing certain depreciation allowances; and (3) allow corporate taxpayers to elect an increased refundable alternative minimum tax credit in lieu of taking a bonus depreciation deduction.

Suburban Core Opportunity, Restoration, and Enhancement (SCORE) Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Suburban Core Opportunity, Restoration, and Enhancement (SCORE) Act of 2005 - Defines "SCORE project area" as any area that: (1) is ineligible for renewal community designation under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code); (2) is not smaller than a census-designated place; and (3) includes some of the following, proximity to existing development and infrastructure (including mass transit), substandard or underutilized residential, commercial, and industrial properties, or an economically obsolescent regional mall (Greyfield mall), has an average housing cost-burden of at least 50 percent of gross income, or a 30 percent higher than average commercial vacancy rate. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to: (1) designate SCORE project areas from among local government entity-designated areas; (2) make SCORE project area planning and revitalization grants. Requires a local government grantee to establish a SCORE Reinvestment Fund. Sets forth provisions respecting housing units, businesses, and economic development projects in SCORE project areas that are receiving community development block grant funds. Amends the Code to: (1) include SCORE project areas within the work opportunity tax credit; and (2) permit an additional first-year depreciation amount for certain SCORE project area residential real property or residential rental property.

Totalization Agreement Congressional Approval Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Totalization Agreement Congressional Approval Act of 2005 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that any agreement to establish a totalization arrangement which is entered into with another country shall enter into force with respect to the United States if (and only if): (1) the President, at least 90 calendar days before the date on which he enters into the agreement, notifies each House of Congress of his intention to enter into it, and promply thereafer publishes notice of such intention in the Federal Register; (2) he transmits the text of such agreement to each House of the Congress; and (3) a joint resolution regarding such agreement has passed both Houses of Congress and been enacted into federal law. Sets forth procedures for the consideration of such a joint resolution.

Federal Land Compensation Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Federal Land Compensation Act - Provides for the phasing-in of permanent funding for the following programs: (1) Bureau of Land Management Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT); and (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's refuge revenue sharing program.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to expense property eligible for bonus depreciation.

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction in the current taxable year for the entire adjusted basis of certain qualified property eligible for bonus depreciation allowances. Defines "qualified property" to include: (1) computer software, water utility property, or qualified leasehold improvement property that has a depreciation recovery period of 20 years or less and that was acquired after May 12, 2005; and (2) certain noncommercial aircraft acquired after May 12, 2005. Permits the use of the percentage of completion accounting method for computing certain depreciation allowances. Allows corporate taxpayers to elect an increased refundable alternative minimum tax credit in lieu of a bonus depreciation deduction.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 11 May 2005

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 11 May 2005

Palliative Care Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Palliative Care Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to provide Hospice and Palliative Care Academic Career Awards to individuals that: (1) are board certified or board eligible in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics and their subspecialties; (2) have completed an approved fellowship program or demonstrated specialized experience in palliative medicine; and (3) have a junior faculty appointment at an accredited school of medicine within an approved internship or residency program. Provides that the amount of such an Award shall be $75,000 for FY2006 (to be adjusted for subsequent fiscal years to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index) and the term shall not exceed five years. Requires an individual who receives an Award to provide training in hospice care and palliative medicine, which shall constitute at least 75 percent of the obligations of such individual under the terms of the Award.

Medicaid Formula Fairness Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Medicaid Formula Fairness Act of 2005 - Prohibits the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for a State for FY2006 from being less than the greater of: (1) the FMAP determined for the State for FY2005, decreased by 0.5 percentage points; or (2) the FMAP that would have been determined for the State for FY2006 if the per capita incomes for 2001 and 2002 that were used to determine the FMAP for the State for FY2005 were used. Provides that the FMAP applicable to a State for FY2006 after the application of the above limitation on reduction shall apply only for purposes of titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act and payments under such titles that are based on a certain enhanced FMAP, and shall not apply with respect to payments under title IV (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)) of the Social Security Act. Repeals this Act effective as of October 1, 2006, and provides that it shall not apply to any fiscal year after FY2006.

Medical Malpractice Relief Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Medical Malpractice Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for taxable years beginning in 2005 or 2006 for expenditures for medical professional malpractice insurance. Allows a credit for: (1) 30 percent of the malpractice insurance expenditures of a physician who practices in any surgical specialty or subspecialty, emergency medicine, obstetrics, or anesthesiology or who does intervention work that is reflected in medical malpractice insurance expenditures; and (2) 20 percent of such expenditures of a physician who practices in general medicine, allergy, dermatology, pathology, or other specialty and of any hospital, clinic, or long-term care provider. Limits the amount of expenditures that may be taken into account to twice the average of costs of medical malpractice insurance for similarly situated health care providers. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to make grants to certain nonprofit hospitals, clinics, and long-term care providers to assist such entities in defraying their medical malpractice insurance expenditures. Limits the amount of such grants to 15 percent of the medical malpractice insurance expenditures incurred by such entities in any year.

To prevent a severe reduction in the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for a State for fiscal year 2006.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Prohibits the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for a State for FY2006 from being less than the greater of: (1) the FMAP determined for the State for FY2005, decreased by 0.5 percentage points; or (2) the FMAP that would have been determined for the State for FY2006 if the per capita incomes for 2001 and 2002 that were used to determine the FMAP for the State for FY2005 were used. Provides that the FMAP applicable to a State for FY2006 after the application of the above limitation on reduction shall apply only for purposes of titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act and payments under such titles that are based on a described enhanced FMAP, and shall not apply with respect to payments under title IV (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)) of the Social Security Act. Repeals this Act effective as of October 1, 2006 and provides that it shall not apply to any fiscal year after FY2006.

Transportation Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Transportation Empowerment Act - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the interstate maintenance program, the interstate and Indian reservation bridge program, the Federal lands highways program, highway safety programs, and transportation research programs. Authorizes a state, upon determining that excess funds have been made available, to transfer the excess funds to, and use such funds for, any surface transportation purpose (including mass transit and rail) in the state. Revises requirements regarding state apportionments under the interstate maintenance component for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) extend the availability of HTF funds for authorized expenditures; (2) set a essential programs financing rate for gasoline, special motor fuels, kerosene, and diesel fuel; (3) establish in the HTF an Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund; and (4) provide for the return of excess tax receipts to states for transportation purposes. Directs the head of each executive agency to: (1) assist state and local governments in efforts to privatize their transportation infrastructure assets; and (2) approve requests from such governments to privatize such assets and waive or modify conditions relating to the original Federal program that funded the asset under specified circumstances. Amends the IRC to reduce taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels funding the HTF.

COLI Best Practices Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

COLI Best Practices Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the tax exclusion for benefits paid by employer-owned life insurance contracts upon the death of an insured employee, with certain exceptions for directors and highly compensated employees and for proceeds paid to the heirs of an insured employee. Requires employers to provide written notice to employees of intent to insure their lives and obtain written consent from such employees to being insured under a company-owned life insurance contract. Imposes certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements for employer-owned life insurance contracts.

Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for health plans or issuers of health insurance coverage, including requirements for: (1) utilization review activities; (2) procedures for claims benefits processing, prior authorization determinations, appeals, and internal reviews; and (3) access for an independent, external review. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Health Care Consumer Assistance Fund to award grants to States for consumer assistance activities designed to provide information, assistance, and referrals to consumers of health insurance products. Sets forth requirements for managed care programs and their access to care, including requiring such programs to: (1) offer coverage that allows for non-network coverage through another plan or issuer; (2) provide access to out-of-network emergency care without prior authorization; and (3) provide timely access to specialists. Requires certain annual disclosures from health plans or issuers, including disclosures of covered benefits, cost-sharing requirements, and participating providers. Prohibits a plan or issuer from: (1) restricting a health care professional's ability to advise a patient on the health of an individual or on medical care or treatment for the individual's condition or disease; and (2) operating any physician incentive plan. Establishes a cause of action against a plan or issuer that fails to exercise ordinary care in making a decision that results in a personal injury or death to a participant or beneficiary. Provides a tax credit to small businesses for expenses paid by the business for health insurance coverage of employees.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain payments made to the European Union in lieu of income taxes to a member of the European Union as income taxes paid to a foreign country for purposes of the foreign tax credit.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who pay employment taxes to the European Union a foreign tax credit for such payments.

Guard and Reserve Financial Stability Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Guard and Reserve Financial Stability Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow small employers (employers with 50 or fewer employees) a business tax credit for 50 percent of the lesser of: (1) actual compensation paid to each Ready Reserve-National Guard employee while on active duty or hospitalized incident to such duty; or (2) $30,000. Terminates such credit after 2006. Allows employers a work opportunity tax credit for the hiring of temporary employees to replace Ready Reserve-National Guard employees for the period such employees are on active duty.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and make refundable the credit for expenses for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment by: (1) allowing a credit amount of $3,000 for each qualifying individual; (2) increasing to $125,000 the adjusted gross income threshold amount at which credit amounts are reduced; (3) providing for an inflation adjustment to such credit and threshold amounts; and (4) making the credit refundable.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 10 May 2005

Jobs Protection and Estate Tax Reform Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005

Jobs Protection and Estate Tax Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accelerate the repeal of the tax on estates and generation-skipping transfers to January 1, 2005, and to make such repeal permanent.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose an excise tax on amounts received under certain insurance policies in which certain exempt organizations hold an interest.

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on certain tax-exempt organizations or other nonexempt persons which acquire a direct or indirect interest in any life insurance, annuity, or endowment contract for 100 percent of the acquisition costs of such interest. Allows an exception from such tax for individuals with insurable interests, named beneficiaries, and trust beneficiaries. Requires tax-exempt organizations and other nonexempt persons which acquire a taxable interest in such insurance contracts to file certain informational returns.

Pension Fairness and Full Disclosure Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005

Pension Fairness and Full Disclosure Act of 2005 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish a termination fairness standard that limits availability of benefits under an employer's nonqualified deferred compensation plans if such employer's defined benefit pension plan is subjected to: (1) a termination based on bankruptcy reorganization; or (2) a conversion to a cash balance plan. Prohibits funding nonqualified deferred compensation plans while maintaining underfunded defined benefit plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose excise taxes on funding nonqualified deferred compensation plans: (1) in the event of a pension plan termination based on bankruptcy reorganization or of a conversion to a cash balance plan; or (2) while maintaining underfunded defined benefit plans. Requires disclosure with respect to nonqualified deferred compensation plans.