Taxation

A Voice for Victims Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2015

A Voice for Victims Act of 2015 This bill makes unenforceable any agreement between an employer and an employee to arbitrate a dispute with respect to a tort claim arising out of rape. This declaration applies to: any "employer" engaged in an industry affecting commerce who has 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks (excluding the United States, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, or any agency of the District of Columbia subject to competitive service, or a bona fide private membership club [other than a labor organization] which is exempt from federal taxation); and any "employee" except individuals elected to state public office, personal staff of such an officer, or policy-making appointees or immediate advisers to the office.

A bill to repeal the medical device excise tax, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2015

This bill repeals the excise tax on medical devices and offsets the cost of such repeal by prohibiting: (1) major integrated oil companies from using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting method; and (2) the issuance of new oil or natural gas production leases in the Gulf of Mexico under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to any person who does not renegotiate their existing leases to generate payment of royalties from such leases.

To require the Secretary of the Treasury to implement security measures in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated with electronic identity theft.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2015

This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service to implement security measures, including the use of security questions, in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated through electronic identity theft.

VETS Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2015

Veterans Education Tax Security Act of 2015 or the VETS Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of a veteran with a service-connected disability rated as total, or from the gross income of a parent or cosigner of a deceased veteran, income imputed from the discharge of student loan amounts under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Members of Congress Tax Accountability Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2015

Members of Congress Tax Accountability Act of 2015 Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require Members of Congress to include in their annual financial disclosure reports the amount of any delinquent tax liability owed to the United States or any state or local government entity. Requires the appropriate congressional ethics committee to open an inquiry immediately into the tax delinquency of that Member to determine: (1) his or her total delinquent tax liability and reason for such delinquency, (2) whether the Member has a plan to eliminate it, and (3) whether it has reflected poorly on Congress. Requires such Member to arrange with the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, and the Internal Revenue Service to have an appropriate amount of his or her salary designated to pay the taxes owed to the United States within a reasonable time period.

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2015-FY2024: (1) for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or procurement of a long-range penetrating bomber aircraft; (2) to procure an SSBN-X submarine (and prohibits the use of such funds for FY2025 and thereafter to procure more than eight such submarines); or (3) for the RDT&E or procurement of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds authorized to be appropriated for FY2015 or thereafter for DOD or the Department of Energy: (1) to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons; (2) until the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy jointly certify that the total cost of the B61 life extension program has been reduced to not more than $4 billion; (3) for the W78 life extension program; (4) for the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility project; (5) for the uranium processing facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; or (6) for RDT&E of a new air-launched cruise missile or for the W80 warhead life extension program. Prohibits Navy forces, beginning in FY2021, from including more than eight operational ballistic-missile submarines available for deployment. Requires initial and annual reports from the Secretaries of Defense and Energy outlining their respective plans to carry out the requirements of this Act. Directs the President to submit to Congress an annual report containing a comprehensive accounting by the Office of Management and Budget of the amounts obligated or expended by the federal government for each nuclear weapon and related nuclear program during the fiscal year covered by the report for the life cycle of such weapon or program.

End Discriminatory State Taxes for Automobile Renters Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

End Discriminatory State Taxes for Automobile Renters Act of 2015 This bill prohibits a state or locality from levying or collecting a discriminatory tax on the rental of motor vehicles, the business of renting motor vehicles, or motor vehicle rental property, except where such tax is imposed as of the enactment date of this Act, the tax does not lapse, the tax rate does not increase, and the tax base for such tax does not change. A tax is considered discriminatory if it is applicable to the rental of motor vehicles or to motor vehicle businesses or property, but not to the majority of other rentals of tangible personal property or businesses within a state or locality. The bill allows a person who is aggrieved by a discriminatory tax to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for damages, injunctive relief, other legal or equitable relief, or declaratory relief.

Family Health Care Flexibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Family Health Care Flexibility Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that: (1) restrict payments from health savings accounts, Archer medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending and reimbursement arrangements for medications to prescription drugs and insulin only (thus allowing payments for over-the-counter medications); and (2) impose a $2,500 limitation on salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan.

Tribal Adoption Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Tribal Adoption Parity Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Indian tribes to make the determination that a child is a child with special needs for purposes of the adoption tax credit.

SISA Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Sanction Iran, Safeguard America Act of 2015 or the SISA Act Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, and the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to eliminate authority to waive sanctions relating to: transportation of crude oil from Iran; financial institutions that engage in certain transactions; the financial sector of Iran; persons that support or conduct certain transactions with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and other sanctioned persons; the sale, supply, or transfer of certain materials to or from Iran; the provision of underwriting services or insurance or reinsurance for activities or persons with respect to which sanctions have been imposed; and foreign financial institutions that facilitate financial transactions on behalf of specially designated nationals. Amends the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to direct the President to prohibit any correspondent account or a payable-through account opened and maintained in the United States by a foreign financial institution that has knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant financial transaction, on or after July 31, 2012, for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical products from Iran. Requires the imposition on violators of specified sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. Directs the President to block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests in property in or that enter the United States (or the possession or control of a U.S. person) of any person that has, on or after July 31, 2012, materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial support or related goods or services for the National Iranian Oil Company, the Naftiran Intertrade Company, or the Central Bank of Iran. Directs the President also to block and prohibit similar transactions involving the purchase or acquisition of U.S. bank notes or precious metals by the government of Iran. Amends the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to direct the President to block and prohibit similar transactions involving any Iranian person included on the list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury. Directs the President to impose specified sanctions with respect to: (1) a person that has, on or after June 1, 2013, knowingly engaged in a significant financial transaction in connection with the automotive sector of Iran; (2) any related correspondent account or a payable-through account held by a foreign financial institution that has knowingly facilitated such a transaction; and (3) any foreign financial institution that has knowingly facilitated a significant financial transaction on behalf of any blocked person or specially designated Iranian national. Requires revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require a certification from each prospective federal contractor that is part of the automotive sector of any foreign country, that the prospective contractor (and any person owned or controlled by it): (1) does not have a business relationship with the government of Iran; and (2) has not, in the previous 90 days, conducted any transaction with an Iranian person or any entity owned or controlled by one. Amends the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to prohibit importation into the United States of refined petroleum products made using Iranian origin crude oil regardless of whether the crude oil was commingled with crude oil not of Iranian origin. Prohibits any regulatory exception to the prohibition on direct or indirect imports from Iran. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 with respect to sanctions on petroleum transactions. Directs the President to block and prohibit all activities or transactions that contribute materially, or pose a risk of material contribution, to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or the means to deliver them. Prohibits any obligation or expenditure of authorized appropriations for negotiations with Iran until a join resolution has been enacted making specified certifications. Prohibits the President from terminating Iran's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism unless: the President submits to Congress a notice of intent to terminate such designation and a required certification, and there is enacted into law a joint resolution approving the termination of the designation. Extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

Medical Device Tax Elimination Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Medical Device Tax Elimination Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the excise tax on medical devices and offsets the cost of such repeal by: (1) eliminating the tax deduction for income attributable to oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof for major integrated oil companies (companies that have an average daily worldwide annual production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels and annual gross receipts in excess of $1 billion); (2) prohibiting the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting method by major integrated oil companies; and (3) denying the foreign tax credit to major integrated oil companies that are dual taxpayers (companies that receive an economic benefit from a foreign country or a possession of the United States that does not impose a generally applicable income tax).

Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2015 This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to create a safe harbor from requirements for an escrow or impound account for the payment of taxes and hazard insurance in the case of mortgage loans made by a creditor with consolidated assets of $10 billion or less that holds the loan on its balance sheet for three years after its origination. A creditor shall be deemed to have complied with the three-year balance sheet requirement if it transfers a loan by reason of its bankruptcy or failure, the purchase of it by another, or by a supervisory act or recommendation from a state or federal regulator. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is required to exempt mortgage servicers that service 20,000 or fewer mortgage loans from requirements of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 pertaining to the servicing of mortgage loans and administration of escrow accounts.

Slain Officer Family Support Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Slain Officer Family Support Act of 2015 This bill authorizes a charitable tax deduction for cash contributions made for the relief of the families of slain New York Police Department Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos even if such contributions are made for the exclusive benefit of such families. A taxpayer who makes such a contribution may claim a deduction in 2014 for contributions made between January 1, 2015, and April 15, 2015. The bill also provides that the recordkeeping requirements for the charitable tax deduction will be satisfied if the taxpayer produces a telephone bill showing the name of the organization to which a contribution was made with the date and amount of such contribution.

Providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 27) establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 27) establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025.

Preserve Access to Medicare Rural Home Health Services Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Preserve Access to Medicare Rural Home Health Services Act of 2015 This bill amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend through calendar 2020 the payment increase (add-on) for Medicare home health services in rural areas. The ceiling on the total amount of the additional payments or payment adjustments otherwise made in the case of home health outliers with respect to a fiscal year or year is lowered, in the case of each of 2016 through 2020, from 2.5% to 2.25% of the total payments projected or estimated to be made under the prospective payment system for home health services.

Family Health Care Flexibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Family Health Care Flexibility Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that: (1) restrict payments from health savings accounts, Archer medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending and reimbursement arrangements for medications to prescription drugs and insulin only (thus allowing payments for over-the-counter medications); and (2) impose a $2,500 limitation on salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan.

Tribal Adoption Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Tribal Adoption Parity Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Indian tribes to make the determination that a child is a child with special needs for purposes of the adoption tax credit.

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2015-FY2024: (1) for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or procurement of a long-range penetrating bomber aircraft; (2) to procure an SSBN-X submarine (and prohibits the use of such funds for FY2025 and thereafter to procure more than eight such submarines); or (3) for the RDT&E or procurement of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds authorized to be appropriated for FY2015 or thereafter for DOD or the Department of Energy: (1) to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons; (2) until the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy jointly certify that the total cost of the B61 life extension program has been reduced to not more than $4 billion; (3) for the W78 life extension program; (4) for the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility project; (5) for the uranium processing facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; or (6) for RDT&E of a new air-launched cruise missile or for the W80 warhead life extension program. Prohibits Navy forces, beginning in FY2021, from including more than eight operational ballistic-missile submarines available for deployment. Requires initial and annual reports from the Secretaries of Defense and Energy outlining their respective plans to carry out the requirements of this Act. Directs the President to submit to Congress an annual report containing a comprehensive accounting by the Office of Management and Budget of the amounts obligated or expended by the federal government for each nuclear weapon and related nuclear program during the fiscal year covered by the report for the life cycle of such weapon or program.

Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the accelerated depreciation (seven-year recovery period) of motorsports entertainment complexes.

Sensible Estate Tax Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Sensible Estate Tax Act of 2015 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish new estate tax rates of between 41% (for estates with a value in excess of $1 million) and 55% (for estates with a value in excess of $10 million), (2) allow a $1 million estate tax exclusion, and (3) provide for an inflation adjustment to such amounts for decedents dying after 2016. Restores the estate tax credit for any estate, inheritance, legacy, or succession taxes paid to a state (expired after 2004). Repeals the deduction currently allowed for such taxes. Sets forth estate valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets and limits estate tax discounts for certain individuals with minority interests in a business acquired from a decedent. Requires that the value of the basis in any property acquired from a decedent be consistent with the basis as determined for estate tax purposes. Requires executors of estates to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service, and to recipients of any interest in an estate, information identifying the value of each interest received. Expands rules for valuing assets in grantor retained annuity trusts to require that: (1) the right to receive fixed amounts from an annuity last for a term of not less than 10 years and that such fixed amounts not decrease during the first 10 years of the annuity term, and (2) the remainder interest have a value greater than zero when transferred. Terminates the generation-skipping transfer exemption for certain long-term trusts (perpetual dynasty trusts) 90 years after the establishment of such trusts.

Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2015

Innovation, Research, and Manufacturing Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for increasing research activities, to: (1) increase such credit (from the sum of 20% of the excess of qualified research expenses for the taxable year over the base amount, 20% of the basic research payments, and 20% of the amounts paid by the taxpayer in carrying on any trade or business during the taxable year to an energy research consortium for energy research to the sum of 30% of each of those); (2) make such credit permanent; and (3) allow such credit to offset the employment taxes of an eligible small employer, as defined by the Small Business Act.

An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025.

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2015

Establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2016 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY2017-FY2025. Recommends levels and amounts for FY2016-FY2025 for federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits, public debt, debt held by the public, federal tax expenditures, Social Security, Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses, and the major functional categories. Includes reconciliation instructions directing the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to each submit to the Senate Budget Committee legislation reducing the deficit by at least $1 billion over FY2016-FY2025. Requires the legislation to be submitted by July 31, 2015. Establishes deficit-neutral and spending-neutral reserve funds that provide flexibility in applying budget enforcement rules to legislation addressing a wide range of specified issues across the federal budget. Sets forth budget enforcement procedures for legislation considered in the Senate. Extends procedures for waivers and appeals of specified points of order. Makes permanent Senate points of order against legislation that violates Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rules or increases the short-term deficit. Repeals the point of order against reconciliation legislation that would increase the deficit or reduce a surplus. Provides directions to the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation regarding the scoring of specified legislation and the contents of required reports.

Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025.

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2015

Establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2016 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY2017-FY2025. Recommends levels and amounts for FY2016-FY2025 for federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits (on-budget), debt subject to limit, debt held by the public, and the major functional categories. Includes reconciliation instructions directing 13 House authorizing committees to submit deficit reduction legislation to the House Budget Committee no later than July 15, 2015. Requires specified House committees to submit to the House Budget Committee findings identifying changes in law to achieve savings through eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. Sets forth budget enforcement procedures addressing the inclusion of macroeconomic effects (dynamic scoring) in cost estimates for legislation, measures affecting Social Security solvency, administrative expenses, transfers to the Highway Trust Fund, advance appropriations, fair value credit estimates, long-term spending, allocations for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism, and legislation that decreases direct spending and authorizes appropriations for the same purpose. Establishes reserve funds for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act repeal, health care reform, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), graduate medical education, trade agreements, tax reform, revenue reductions, poverty reduction, transportation, federal retirement reform, defense sequestration replacement, and Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism. Provides estimates for the rate of growth in means-tested and non-means tested direct spending and proposes changes to specified programs. Sets forth recommended long-term levels for revenues, outlays, deficits, and debt as a percentage of gross domestic product in FY2030, FY2035, and FY2040. Includes policy statements on several public policy issues.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

United States · United States Senate · 19 March 2015

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

United States · United States Senate · 19 March 2015

[H.A.S.C. No. 114-25] HEARING ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 March 2015

[H.A.S.C. No. 114-26]FISCAL YEAR 2016 GROUND FORCE MODERNIZATION AND ROTORCRAFT MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 19 March 2015

[ERRATA] DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 19 March 2015

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 19 March 2015

Honor the Nevada Enabling Act of 1864 Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Honor the Nevada Enabling Act of 1864 Act Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to convey, in phases and without consideration, to the state of Nevada all interest of the United States in federal lands owned, managed, or controlled by the federal government through the USDA or Interior for the purpose of permitting the state to use them to support select beneficiaries. Specifies exceptions, including components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, National Park System, and National Wildlife System, and federally recognized Indian reservations and lands. Defines "select beneficiaries" as public elementary and secondary education; public higher education; public specialized education; public mental and medical health services; social, senior, and veterans services; public programs for recovery plan development and implementation for candidate and threatened or endangered species; and political subdivisions of the state, but only with respect to payment for services and infrastructure on conveyed identified federal lands that would otherwise be financed through property taxes or other revenues available to a political subdivision of the state.

Small Contractors Improve Competition Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Small Contractors Improve Competition Act of 2015 This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the government to ensure small business participation in procurement contracts from a wide variety of industries and from a broad spectrum of small businesses within each industry. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 is amended with respect to the requirement that federal agency heads ensure that senior executive personnel responsible for acquisition assume responsibility for that agency's success in achieving small business contracting goals and percentages. Such personnel are also made responsible for the agency's success in achieving small business prime contracting and subcontracting goals and percentages. The Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) must develop a methodology for calculating a score card to be used to: (1) evaluate the compliance of each federal agency with meeting SBA goals, and (2) develop a scorecard based on it. By assigning a score to each federal agency, the Administrator shall establish a program to use the developed scorecard to evaluate whether each entity is creating the maximum practicable opportunities for the award of prime contracts and subcontracts to: (1) small businesses in general, (2) those small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, (3) qualified HUBZone small businesses, (4) those owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and (5) those owned and controlled by women. The Administrator may not award limited SBA guarantee loans for any fiscal year after FY2017 as part of certain SBA-administered pilot programs until this program is established. Revisions are made to the Administrator's plan to improve the quality of data reported on bundled and consolidated contracts in the federal procurement data system. The Administrator may not award limited SBA guaranteed loans after FY2017 until the plan is implemented. A small business is permitted to bid on a bundled or consolidated contract that provides for the use of a joint venture of small businesses. Use of the methods of a reverse auction (an auction between a group of offerors who compete against each other by submitting offers for a contract or task or delivery order with the ability to submit revised offers with lower prices throughout the course of the auction) is prohibited for certain SBA federal procurement contracts for: design and construction services; goods purchased to protect federal employees, members of the Armed Forces, or civilians from bodily harm; or goods or services other than these: (1) to be awarded based on factors other than price and technical responsibility, or (2) if awarding the contract requires the contracting officer to conduct discussions with the offerors about their offer. The permission to submit an offer for a procurement contract, even though the offeror is not the actual manufacturer or processor of the product in question, is extended to additional kinds of small businesses, including: women-owned small businesses; HUBZone small businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. The SBA Office of Hearing and Appeals is established. Exceptions to certification training requirements are revised for SBA procurement center representatives and SBA Business Opportunity Specialists serving on, before, or after January 3, 2013. Persons may file with the Office of Hearings and Appeals petitions or reconsiderations of a size standard revised, modified, or established by the Administrator.

Educational Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Educational Opportunities Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit for charitable contributions to a scholarship granting organization. Allows a maximum credit amount of $4,500 ($2,250 for a married individual filing a separate return). Defines "scholarship granting organization" as a tax-exempt entity whose exclusive purpose is to provide scholarships for the tuition and other expenses of elementary and secondary school students from low income households (i.e., household income not exceeding 250% of federal poverty guidelines). Allows corporate taxpayers a tax credit, up to $100,000, for contributions to a scholarship granting organization. Imposes a penalty on scholarship granting organizations that fail to distribute at least 90% of their total receipts for elementary and secondary school expenses in a taxable year.

Reducing Federal Mandates on School Lunch Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Reducing Federal Mandates on School Lunch Act This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from implementing, administering, or enforcing a specified regulation, or promulgating or enforcing any new rule or regulation, establishing a maximum calorie limit or quantity of grains, meat, or meat alternatives for the school lunch program. USDA may not implement, administer, or enforce specified rules and regulations with respect to any school food authority that certifies to its state that it: (1) has calculated the costs of complying with such rules and regulations; and (2) has determined, in a manner consistent with school district operational procedures, that it cannot operate a food service program without incurring increased costs for complying with those rules and regulations. Those rules and regulations are: the rule entitled "National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010"; any new rule regarding foods sold in schools that are not foods provided under the school lunch or breakfast programs; a specified regulation and any new rule or regulation regarding school lunch price increases; and a specified regulation and any new rule or regulation which establishes new food-based meal patterns, nutrition standards, or meal planning approaches for the school breakfast program. USDA may not define the phrase "costs of complying" or establish or suggest how a school food authority is to calculate those costs or increased costs for complying. The prohibitions will remain in effect until a law is enacted that extends by at least five fiscal years the authorization or duration of one or more school lunch or breakfast programs. The bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to prohibit USDA from implementing any regulation that would require a reduction in the quantity of sodium contained in federally reimbursed meals, foods, and snacks sold in schools below specified July 2014 maximum levels allowed in school breakfasts for school year 2014-2015. With respect to grain contents, USDA shall only require that half of all grains in such food items are whole grain-rich. School food authorities must comply with the applicable grain component or standard with respect to the school lunch or school breakfast program in effect before July 1, 2014.

To ensure that certain TRICARE program beneficiaries may enroll in TRICARE Prime regardless of the location of their residence.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to permit an affected eligible beneficiary who was enrolled in TRICARE Prime as of September 30, 2013, and as of December 25, 2013, resided farther than 100 miles from a military medical treatment facility, to make the one-time election to continue TRICARE Prime coverage. Makes this Act effective as if included in the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

CLEAR Relief Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Community Lending Enhancement and Regulatory Relief Act of 2015 or the CLEAR Relief Act of 2015 Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to exempt from its rules regarding management assessment of internal controls the following institutions which, as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, had total consolidated assets of $1 billion or less (adjusted annually according to a certain formula): (1) a bank holding company, (2) a savings and loan holding company, or (3) an insured depository institution. Amends the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) to require the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to exempt from requirements governing escrow or impound accounts affecting certain consumer credit transactions any loans secured by a first lien on the principal dwelling of a consumer, if such loans are held by an insured depository institution having assets of $10 billion or less. Includes as a qualified mortgage, with respect to the presumption that a qualified residential mortgage loan meets certain minimum standards, any mortgage loan originated and retained in portfolio for at least three years by a depository institution having less than $10 billion in total assets. Requires the CFPB (which currently is merely authorized) to provide by regulation that a "qualified mortgage" includes a balloon loan extended by an insured depository institution that: (1) originates and retains balloon loans in portfolio for at least three years, and (2) together with its affiliates has less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets.

Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund a Social Security Surplus Protection Account to hold the Social Security surplus for the fiscal year of the sum of Social Security taxes collected, as well as the aggregate increase in certain tax liabilities, over the sum of benefits paid. Establishes in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund a Medicare Surplus Protection Account to hold amounts equivalent to the Medicare part A surplus for the fiscal year of the sum of hospital insurance taxes collected over the sum of Medicare part A benefits paid. Denies the availability of the balance in either Account for investment by the Managing Trustee. Establishes in the executive branch a Social Security and Medicare Part A Investment Commission to study the most effective vehicles for investment of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (other than investment in the form of U.S. obligations).

Retirement Health Savings Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Retirement Health Savings Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, distributions from certain tax-exempt retirement plans to a health savings account in which an individual who is covered by a high deductible health care plan is participating (qualified HSA funding distribution). The bill also exempts such distributions from the 10% penalty for premature retirement plan distributions.

Repeal of the Obamacare Bay State Boondoogle Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Repeal of the Obamacare Bay State Boondoogle Act Revises requirements for the non-rural area wage index floor in the formula for the national adjusted diagnosis-related group (DRG) prospective payment rate used in calculating payments under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for each inpatient hospital discharge in a fiscal year involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2015, to apply budget neutrality, under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and related regulations, on a state-specific rather than national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor, including a minimum wage index, for each non-rural area, using a specified methodology as if it had been fully implemented for FY2011 using a 100% state-specific adjustment to the area wage index. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed as preventing the Secretary, for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2015, from modifying related regulations in carrying out budget neutrality requirements. Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to end the application of budget neutrality on a national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor as of April 1, 2015.

SISA Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Sanction Iran, Safeguard America Act of 2015 or the SISA Act Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, and the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to eliminate authority to waive sanctions relating to: transportation of crude oil from Iran; financial institutions that engage in certain transactions; the financial sector of Iran; persons that support or conduct certain transactions with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and other sanctioned persons; the sale, supply, or transfer of certain materials to or from Iran; the provision of underwriting services or insurance or reinsurance for activities or persons with respect to which sanctions have been imposed; and foreign financial institutions that facilitate financial transactions on behalf of specially designated nationals. Amends the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to direct the President to prohibit any correspondent account or a payable-through account opened and maintained in the United States by a foreign financial institution that has knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant financial transaction, on or after July 31, 2012, for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum, petroleum products, or petrochemical products from Iran. Requires the imposition on violators of specified sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. Directs the President to block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests in property in or that enter the United States (or the possession or control of a U.S. person) of any person that has, on or after July 31, 2012, materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial support or related goods or services for the National Iranian Oil Company, the Naftiran Intertrade Company, or the Central Bank of Iran. Directs the President also to block and prohibit similar transactions involving the purchase or acquisition of U.S. bank notes or precious metals by the government of Iran. Amends the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to direct the President to block and prohibit similar transactions involving any Iranian person included on the list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury. Directs the President to impose specified sanctions with respect to: (1) a person that has, on or after June 1, 2013, knowingly engaged in a significant financial transaction in connection with the automotive sector of Iran; (2) any related correspondent account or a payable-through account held by a foreign financial institution that has knowingly facilitated such a transaction; and (3) any foreign financial institution that has knowingly facilitated a significant financial transaction on behalf of any blocked person or specially designated Iranian national. Requires revision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require a certification from each prospective federal contractor that is part of the automotive sector of any foreign country, that the prospective contractor (and any person owned or controlled by it): (1) does not have a business relationship with the government of Iran; and (2) has not, in the previous 90 days, conducted any transaction with an Iranian person or any entity owned or controlled by one. Amends the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to prohibit importation into the United States of refined petroleum products made using Iranian origin crude oil regardless of whether the crude oil was commingled with crude oil not of Iranian origin. Prohibits any regulatory exception to the prohibition on direct or indirect imports from Iran. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 with respect to sanctions on petroleum transactions. Directs the President to block and prohibit all activities or transactions that contribute materially, or pose a risk of material contribution, to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or the means to deliver them. Prohibits any obligation or expenditure of authorized appropriations for negotiations with Iran until a join resolution has been enacted making specified certifications. Prohibits the President from terminating Iran's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism unless: the President submits to Congress a notice of intent to terminate such designation and a required certification, and there is enacted into law a joint resolution approving the termination of the designation. Extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

Military Sequester Flexibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Military Sequester Flexibility Act This bill permits the Department of Defense (DOD) to transfer authorizations of funds made available to DOD. DOD may transfer amounts between authorizations for the same fiscal year if: (1) the transfer is necessary to mitigate the effects of spending reductions due to a reduction in the discretionary spending limit or a sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, and (2) it is in the national interest. Transfers in a fiscal year are limited to a total of $50 billion, excluding transfers between military personnel authorizations. The transfers must be used for higher priority items, may not be used for an item that has been denied an authorization by Congress, and may not reduce an authorization by more than 50%. DOD must notify Congress of each proposed transfer, and Congress may prohibit a transfer by enacting a joint resolution disapproving the transfer within 30 days of notification. The transfer authority expires on September 30, 2023.

Educational Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Educational Opportunities Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit for charitable contributions to a scholarship granting organization. Allows a maximum credit amount of $4,500 ($2,250 for a married individual filing a separate return). Defines "scholarship granting organization" as a tax-exempt entity whose exclusive purpose is to provide scholarships for the tuition and other expenses of elementary and secondary school students from low income households (i.e., household income not exceeding 250% of federal poverty guidelines). Allows corporate taxpayers a tax credit, up to $100,000, for contributions to a scholarship granting organization. Imposes a penalty on scholarship granting organizations that fail to distribute at least 90% of their total receipts for elementary and secondary school expenses in a taxable year.

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2015 Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for employment-related expenses incurred for the care of a taxpayer's dependent, to: (1) increase to $120,000, the adjusted gross income threshold level above which such credit is incrementally reduced; (2) increase the dollar limit on the allowable amount of such credit; (3) allow an inflation adjustment to the threshold amount and the maximum credit amounts, beginning after 2016; and (4) make such credit refundable.

Fair BEER Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Fair Brewers Excise and Economic Relief Act or the Fair BEER Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the excise tax on beer brewed or produced, and removed for consumption or sale, within the United States or imported into the United States. The revised tax ranges from $0 for an amount not exceeding 7,143 barrels to $18 per barrel on an amount exceeding 2 million barrels.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and improve the Indian coal production tax credit.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for producing electricity from an Indian coal production facility, to eliminate: (1) the requirement that such a facility be placed in service before January 1, 2009, and (2) the limitation on the period during which such coal is required to be produced and sold.

To require that overseas contingency operations be paid for.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

This bill requires Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) appropriations to be paid for with revenues. FY2015 OCO funds must not be used during a period beginning 90 days after enactment of this bill and ending upon enactment of a law increasing revenues by at least the amount of the OCO appropriation. The bill also amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to create a point of order against legislation increasing funding for OCO for any fiscal year unless a provision increasing revenues by at least the same amount is included. Under current law, OCO funding is exempt from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules.

Partnership to Strengthen Homeownership Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Partnership to Strengthen Homeownership Act of 2015 Amends the National Housing Act to remove the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and establish it as an independent entity governed by a Board of Directors in place of the HUD Secretary. Transfers to Ginnie Mae the powers, duties, personnel, and property of Federal Housing Finance Agency, that is hereby abolished. Establishes within Ginnie Mae the Issuing Platform, available for use only by eligible mortgage originators and aggregators, to issue standardized mortgage-backed securities. Requires Ginnie Mae to establish: (1) limitations governing the maximum original principal obligation of eligible mortgage loans that may collateralize the issued securities, and (2) an insurance fund and insure 100% of each security issued by the Platform. Prescribes requirements for: (1) a participating mortgage originator or aggregator to deliver to the Platform a pool of eligible mortgage loans; and (2) the Platform to create standardized mortgage-backed securities collateralized by such mortgages and transfer them to the mortgage originator or aggregator. Exempts standardized mortgage-backed securities issued by the Platform from federal securities laws. Prescribes requirements for Ginnie Mae's or the Financial Stability Oversight Council's actions if unusual and exigent circumstances have created or threaten to create an anomalous lack of mortgage credit availability within the housing market that could materially and severely disrupt the functioning of the federal housing finance system. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to make any lender of home mortgage loans eligible to become a member of a Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB). Directs the Director of Ginnie Mae to: (1) prohibit the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs, Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae] and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac]) from issuing, guaranteeing, or purchasing any security backed by mortgages on 1- to 4-family residences except as specifically authorized by this Act; (2) permit a GSE to act until a certain time as a participating aggregator of eligible mortgages for securitization if the business volume of their originators is insufficient to allow them to aggregate and securitize such mortgages; and (3) allow a GSE to act as a reinsurer for a mortgage-backed security until the GSE goes into receivership. Requires each GSE to establish a risk-sharing pilot program to develop private sector first-loss positions on mortgage-backed securities. Continues the current conservatorships of the GSEs until the commencement of mandatory receivership. Requires the Director to appoint Ginnie Mae as receiver of the GSEs. Prescribes requirements for winding down the GSEs. Directs the Director to direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop a plan to establish a subsidiary to provide sufficient multifamily housing financing and to establish a competitive housing market for multifamily housing guarantors engaging in multifamily covered securities. Directs the Director to develop, adopt, publish, and enforce standards for the approval of multifamily guarantors to: (1) issue securities collateralized by eligible multifamily mortgage loans, and (2) guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on these securities and insured by Ginnie Mae. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to allow Ginnie Mae to securitize multifamily loans insured or reinsured under such Act under certain circumstances. Requires the Platform in each fiscal year to charge and collect a certain fee for the outstanding principal balance of all eligible mortgage loans that collateralize securities insured under this Act and all other mortgage loans collateralizing securities on which Ginnie Mae guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest. Amends the Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 with respect to the Housing Trust Fund and housing for Indians. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize FHLBs to make long-term secured advances to their members to provide funds to community development financial institutions. Requires such FHLBs, at the time of origination or renewal of the loan or advance, to obtain and maintain a security interest in collateral eligible pursuant to any such secured loan.

Child CARE Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Child Care Access and Refundability Expansion Act or the Child CARE Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for employment-related expenses incurred for the care of a taxpayer's dependent, to: (1) make such credit refundable, (2) deny such credit for services provided outside the United States, (3) increase the dollar limit on the allowable amount of such credit and the percentage rate for qualified expenses, (4) deny such credit for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 in a taxable year; and (5) allow an annual inflation adjustment to the threshold amount for reducing such credit and the maximum allowable credit amount, beginning after 2015. The bill also allows a new tax credit for 50% of the child care educational expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000 in any taxable year, paid with respect to the operation of a qualified child care center.

Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2015

Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2015 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an excise tax on the transfer of ownership in certain securities (covered transaction), including any share of stock in a corporation, any partnership or beneficial interest in a partnership or trust, any note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness (excluding tax-exempt municipal bonds), or derivative financial instruments; (2) impose a penalty on taxpayers who fail to include a covered transaction on their tax return or information statement; and (3) allow an individual taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income does not exceed $50,000 ($75,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns) a tax credit for the amount of tax paid on covered transactions.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

United States · United States Senate · 18 March 2015

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

United States · United States Senate · 18 March 2015