Taxation

American Manufacturing Workforce Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2015

American Manufacturing Workforce Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow, through 2021, tax credits for: (1) up to $1,000 of the expenses for tuition, fees, and course materials paid or incurred for the training of a worker to develop or improve skills for a manufacturing position; and (2) up to 20% of the first $1,000 of education or training expenses for manufacturing under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 or a curriculum approved by the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor for individuals employed in manufacturing positions. The bill also: (1) establishes the Presidential Award for Business Leadership in Manufacturing Job Training to recognize companies and other organizations for extraordinary efforts in assisting their employees and members to develop or improve manufacturing skills and training and increase productivity; and (2) directs Labor to periodically collect and disseminate best practices for manufacturing job training.

Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2015

Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue, and promote the purchase of, Clean Energy Victory Bonds to pay for the energy-related tax benefits established or extended by this Act. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: extend through 2023 the tax credit for investment in solar energy property, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cell property, microturbine property, combined heat and power system property, and small wind energy property; allow an energy tax credit for investment in offshore wind facilities placed in service before January 1, 2022; extend through 2024 the tax credit for residential energy efficiency improvements; extend through 2023 the placed-in-service requirement for wind facilities and other renewable energy facilities for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources; extend through 2023 the tax credit for nonbusiness residential energy property; allow a new tax credit, through 2024, for home energy efficiency improvements that increase energy efficiency by at least 20%; extend through 2023 the tax credit for new energy efficient homes; and increase, and extend through 2023, the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. The bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a voluntary voucher program, through 2018, for the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles.

Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2015

Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a full deduction in the current taxable year of the cost of replanting lost or damaged citrus plants. The taxpayer must own an equity interest of at least 50% in such replanted plants and may deduct costs paid or incurred through 2025.

PUERTO RICO'S FISCAL PROBLEMS: EXAMINING THE SOURCE AND EXPLORING THE SOLUTION

United States · United States Senate · 1 December 2015

PUERTO RICO'S FISCAL PROBLEMS: EXAMINING THE SOURCE AND EXPLORING THE SOLUTION

United States · United States Senate · 1 December 2015

Fostering Innovation Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2015

Fostering Innovation Act of 2015 This bill amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 with respect to the requirement that each registered public accounting firm that prepares or issues an audit report for an issuer of securities (other than an emerging growth company) shall attest to, and report on, the internal control assessment made by the management of the issuer. This requirement shall not apply with respect to any audit report prepared for an issuer that: ceased to be an emerging growth company on the last day of its fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of its first sale of common equity securities, had average annual gross revenues of less than $50 million as of its most recently completed fiscal year, and is not a large accelerated filer.

SENIORS Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2015

Saving the Earnings and Noting the Investment of Our Retired Seniors Act of 2015 or the SENIORS Act of 2015 This bill expresses the sense of Congress on a cost-of-living increase to Social Security benefits for seniors. The Department of the Treasury shall disburse a one-time payment to certain individuals who are entitled to a benefit under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSAct), an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, or a veterans benefit, or are eligible for a cash benefit under SSAct title XVI (Supplemental Security Income). The amount disbursed shall be 12% of the amount of such benefit payment or SSI cash benefit payable to the individual for November 2015. The Internal Revenue Code is amended to require a Social Security number to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit. As offsets for these payments: all balances under the United States Enrichment Corporation Fund are hereby permanently rescinded; of the amounts obligated, but not expended, under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 for the Making Home Affordable Program, Treasury shall transfer $2.5 million to the general fund of the Treasury; and of the funds made available to the Department of Energy under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program Account for the cost of direct loans as authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the unobligated balance is hereby rescinded.

Seniors And Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2015

Seniors And Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to disburse a payment equal to 3.9% of the average amount of annual benefits to certain individuals (except prisoners, fugitive felons, or aliens) who are entitled to a specified benefit under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA), an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, a veterans benefit, or are eligible for a cash benefit under SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income), including a special benefit for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. A refundable income tax credit is allowed for the first taxable year beginning in 2015 in an amount equal to $581 for certain eligible government retirees who do not receive such a payment. The Internal Revenue Code is amended, with respect to the $1 million limitation on the deductibility of employee compensation, to: eliminate the exemption from that limitation for compensation payable on a commission basis or upon the attainment of a performance goal; extend the limitation to any individual who is a current or former officer, director, or employee of a publicly-held corporation; and apply the limitation to all publicly-held corporations required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to register securities and provide periodic reports to their investors.

A resolution supporting the designation of December 1, 2015, as "#GivingTuesday" and supporting strong incentives for all people of the United States to give generously.

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2015

Supports the designation of December 1, 2015, as #Giving Tuesday to: (1) encourage charitable giving; (2) effect positive change; and (3) promote causes dedicated to progress, prosperity, and a better world. Supports strong incentives for all people of the United States to give generously to charitable organizations by: (1) protecting the existing charitable donation tax deduction; and (2) continuing incentives that encourage philanthropy, volunteering, and innovation.

Tax Return Preparer Competency Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2015

Tax Return Preparer Competency Act of 2015 This bill grants the Department of the Treasury authority to regulate the practice of tax return preparers and to sanction preparers for incompetency or misconduct. The bill also imposes minimum competency standards for tax return prepares and requires Treasury to make publicly available a database identifying qualified tax return preparers.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the policies of the United States should support a transition to near zero greenhouse gas emissions, 100 percent clean renewable energy, infrastructure modernization, green jobs, full employment, a sustainable economy, fair wages, affordable energy, expanding the middle class, and ending poverty to promote national economic competitiveness and national security and for the purpose of avoiding adverse impacts of a changing climate.

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2015

Declares that the House of Representatives shall: support the achievement of near zero greenhouse gas emissions nationally by January 1, 2050, through policies that shift the U.S. energy supply strategy from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and implement zero waste practices to end dependence on fossil fuels and to promote climate security, jobs, universal access to clean energy, national economic competitiveness, and national security; establish a national goal of deriving 50% of electricity from renewable sources by January 1, 2030; establish policies and programs to modernize the national infrastructure, transition toward full employment with new green jobs, and build a sustainable economy, focusing on historically unemployed or underemployed communities; provide educational and job training programs, transitional financial assistance, and job opportunities for displaced fossil fuel industry workers; provide retraining and re-employment opportunities in green jobs for military veterans; provide increased funding for educational, training, and job assistance programs for rural residents and for increased emergency preparation and assistance to rural communities damaged by the adverse impacts of climate change; help the people of the United States to establish resiliency to withstand the significant impacts of climate change; establish policies that capture and store carbon currently in the atmosphere by protecting forests and improving land and agricultural practices; support trade policies that maintain American labor and environmental standards; support tax incentives that promote the growth of green jobs; ensure universal access to clean energy for moderate- and low-income families; create policies or programs that result in net positive environmental and economic benefits in impacted communities, which shall receive at least 25% of revenues committed to or generated by the implementation of carbon reducing programs; phase out subsidies for fossil fuels; establish a national goal of doubling efficiency of existing buildings from 2015 levels by January 1, 2030; and support a policy to work with international organizations and other nations to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to set a goal to achieve near zero greenhouse gas emissions by January 1, 2050, through replacing fossil fuels with 100% renewable energy, conservation, and energy efficiency.

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2015

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 TITLE I--INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES This bill authorizes FY2016 appropriations for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of: the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI); the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); the Department of Defense (DOD); the Defense Intelligence Agency; the National Security Agency; the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; the Coast Guard; the Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy (DOE), and Justice; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the National Reconnaissance Office; the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DNI, if it provides prior notification to Congress, may authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY2016 when necessary for the performance of important intelligence functions. The bill authorizes FY2016 appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account. It provides for funds identified in the classified schedule for advanced research and development to remain available until September 30, 2017. The National Security Act of 1947 is amended to allow DOE, DHS, the State Department, or Treasury to appoint individuals to certain excepted service positions that the DNI determines are necessary to carry out intelligence functions. TITLE II--CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM The bill authorizes FY2016 appropriations for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS The bill authorizes inspectors general of the CIA and the intelligence community, subject to the concurrence of the DNI, to request information or assistance from state or local governmental agencies . The Inspector General of the Intelligence Community is included within the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. The bill prohibits the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 from being construed to authorize the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board to gain access to information regarding activities that the President determines may be authorized as covert actions to support identifiable U.S. foreign policy objectives that are important to national security. The DNI must direct specified executive agencies, military departments, and elements of the intelligence community to implement a program to provide enhanced security review of agency employees or contractors who have been determined eligible to access classified information or hold a sensitive position. Automated record checks under the enhanced program must be conducted at least twice every five years to ensure continued eligibility of agency employees and contractors. The DNI must implement a plan to eliminate the backlog of overdue periodic reinvestigations of such individuals under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The DNI must: (1) notify Congress within 15 days after learning that an electronic communication service provider that generates call detail records in the ordinary course of business has changed its retention policy to a period of less than 18 months, and (2) identify each electronic communication service provider that has a policy to retain such records for 18 months or less. The DNI must: issue a directive containing a written policy for the timely notification to Congress of the identities of individuals occupying senior level positions within the intelligence community, designate an official to manage intelligence regarding the tactical use of tunnels by state and nonstate actors, establish a formal internal reporting process for tracking requests for country clearance submitted to overseas DNI representatives by U.S. agencies, evaluate duplication in finished intelligence analysis products and submit a plan for revising standards to ensure customers are able to identify differences among intelligence products on similar topics that are produced contemporaneously, and carry out a study and report findings regarding appropriate standards to measure the damage of cyber incidents. The DNI must collaborate with DOD and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop and report on a strategy for a comprehensive interagency review of policies for planning and acquiring national security satellite systems and architectures, consistent with the National Space Policy issued on June 28, 2010. TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO ELEMENTS OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY The bill requires the National Counterintelligence Executive to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Currently, the DNI appoints such executive.) The DNI must: (1) assign the Chief of the Analytic Integrity and Standards Group to review finished CIA-produced intelligence products to assess whether the CIA's reorganization has resulted in any loss of analytic objectivity, and (2) submit review results to Congress. The bill prohibits funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or made available for the intelligence community for FY2016 from being used to initiate a transfer of funds from the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund or the Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund for intelligence activities unless the DNI or DOD: (1) notifies Congress at least 30 days in advance, or (2) waives such prohibition in an emergency situation and notifies Congress. TITLE V--MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES The DNI must: (1) notify Congress if the intelligence community receives intelligence that the Russian Federation has deployed, or is about to deploy, the Club-K container missile system through the Russian military or has transferred or sold, or intends to transfer or sell, such system to another state or nonstate actor.; and (2) update Congress regarding any intelligence community engagement with a foreign partner on such a deployment and the impacts of a deployment to any potentially impacted nation. The DNI must submit to Congress assessments of: the funding of political parties and nongovernmental organizations in former Soviet states and countries in Europe by the Russian Security Services since January 1, 2006; the use of political assassinations as a form of statecraft by the Russian Federation since January 1, 2000; and the resources used for intelligence collection efforts with regard to the South and East China Seas. The State Department must ensure that: (1) key supervisory positions at U.S. diplomatic facilities in Cuba are occupied by U.S. citizens, and (2) U.S. diplomatic facilities in Cuba that are constructed or upgraded after the enactment of this Act include a sensitive compartmented information facility. The DNI must report regarding: (1) the monetary value of any sanctions relief that Iran has received since the Joint Plan of Action first entered into effect; (2) Iran's use of such funds, including to support international terrorism or the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, to advance nuclear weapons or ballistic missile efforts, or to commit any violation of the human rights of the people of Iran; and (3) the extent to which senior Iranian officials have diverted sanctions relief funds for their personal use. TITLE VI--MATTERS RELATING TO UNITED STATES NAVAL STATION, GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA The bill prohibits funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to an element of the intelligence community from being used through December 31, 2016, to: transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is not a U.S. citizen or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is or was held on or after January 20, 2009, at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by DOD; construct or modify any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions (except at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo) to house an individual located at Guantanamo, as of October 1, 2009, who is not a U.S. citizen or member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is in DOD custody or control or is otherwise detained at Guantanamo, unless authorized by Congress; or transfer or release a Guantanamo detainee in DOD custody or control to the custody or control of Libya, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen. TITLE VII--REPORTS AND OTHER MATTERS The DNI must report: (1) in coordination with the National Science Foundation, regarding the employment by the intelligence community of graduates of the Cyber Corps Scholarship Program; and (2) regarding the representation of certain minority-owned, women-owned, small disadvantaged, service-disabled veteran-owned, or veteran-owned businesses among the contractors awarded contracts by elements of the intelligence community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must permit grant recipients under the Urban Area Security Initiative or the State Homeland Security Grant Program to work in conjunction with DOE's national laboratories when grant funds are used to achieve target preparedness capabilities for federal, state, local, and tribal governments to respond to acts of terrorism under guidelines required by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The bill also includes certain Hispanic-serving and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions of higher education among the minority-serving institutions eligible for DNI grants to provide programs of study for individuals to learn advanced foreign languages, to study abroad, or to develop other skills that meet the needs of the intelligence community.

Taxpayer Rights Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2015

Taxpayer Rights Act of 2015 TITLE I--TAXPAYER RIGHTS This title amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, to publish a summary statement of primary taxpayer rights; and (2) in consultation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), ensure that IRS employees are familiar with and act in accordance with such rights. Taxpayer rights include the right to be informed, the right to quality service, the right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax, the right to challenge the position of the IRS and to be heard, the right to appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum, the right to finality, the right to privacy, the right to confidentiality, the right to retain representation, and the right to a fair and just tax system, including access to the National Taxpayer Advocate. TITLE II--PREPARATION OF TAX RETURNS The IRS must establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (VITA grant program) for the development, expansion, or continuation of qualified return preparation programs assisting low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. The National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is established to: (1) promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of federal income tax returns, (2) provide technical assistance to tax return preparation program managers, (3) identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management, (4) support outreach and marketing efforts, and (5) provide for the evaluation of programs and activities funded under this title. This title: (1) grants Treasury the authority to regulate paid tax return preparers and to sanction them for incompetence or misconduct; (2) imposes or increases penalties on tax return preparers for understating taxpayer liability, gross misconduct, and other violations; (3) permits enrolled agents who represent taxpayers before the IRS to use the designation "enrolled agent," "EA," or "E.A."; and (4) limits the disclosure of taxpayer information to the express purpose for which the taxpayer granted consent. TITLE III--IMPROVING IRS PROCEDURES This title revises IRS procedures for filing a notice of lien to: (1) require the IRS to consider the compliance history of the taxpayer and the economic impact of a tax lien on the taxpayer, and (2) limit IRS authority to attach retirement accounts. This title amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to reduce from seven years to two years the period that a tax lien may appear on a taxpayer's credit report. This title provides for de novo review by the Tax Court of IRS innocent spouse relief determinations. The IRS must: (1) develop annual training for all IRS officers and employees regarding taxpayer rights, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate's case criteria and mission, and Taxpayer Assistance Order procedures; (2) provide taxpayers with notice and an opportunity to be heard if the IRS Office of Appeals issues a notice of deficiency; and (3) assign one appeals officer and one settlement agent from the Office of Appeals to each state. TITLE IV--NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVOCATE This title grants the National Taxpayer Advocate the authority to: (1) appeal a modification or rescission of a Taxpayer Assistance Order by an IRS Deputy Commissioner to the IRS Commissioner for a final determination; (2) inspect taxpayer administrative files in the performance of its duties; (3) issue a Taxpayer Advocate Directive to improve IRS operations and to protect the rights of groups of taxpayers (or all taxpayers); and (4) designate essential employees to assist taxpayers during any lapse in appropriations for the IRS.

Taxpayer Rights Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2015

Taxpayer Rights Act of 2015 TITLE I--TAXPAYER RIGHTS This title amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, to publish a summary statement of primary taxpayer rights; and (2) in consultation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), ensure that IRS employees are familiar with and act in accordance with such rights. Taxpayer rights include the right to be informed, the right to quality service, the right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax, the right to challenge the position of the IRS and to be heard, the right to appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum, the right to finality, the right to privacy, the right to confidentiality, the right to retain representation, and the right to a fair and just tax system, including access to the National Taxpayer Advocate. TITLE II--PREPARATION OF TAX RETURNS The IRS must establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (VITA grant program) for the development, expansion, or continuation of qualified return preparation programs assisting low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. The National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is established to: (1) promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of federal income tax returns, (2) provide technical assistance to tax return preparation program managers, (3) identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management, (4) support outreach and marketing efforts, and (5) provide for the evaluation of programs and activities funded under this title. This title: (1) grants Treasury the authority to regulate paid tax return preparers and to sanction them for incompetence or misconduct; (2) imposes or increases penalties on tax return preparers for understating taxpayer liability, gross misconduct, and other violations; (3) permits enrolled agents who represent taxpayers before the IRS to use the designation "enrolled agent," "EA," or "E.A."; and (4) limits the disclosure of taxpayer information to the express purpose for which the taxpayer granted consent. TITLE III--IMPROVING IRS PROCEDURES This title revises IRS procedures for filing a notice of lien to: (1) require the IRS to consider the compliance history of the taxpayer and the economic impact of a tax lien on the taxpayer, and (2) limit IRS authority to attach retirement accounts. This title amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to reduce from seven years to two years the period that a tax lien may appear on a taxpayer's credit report. This title provides for de novo review by the Tax Court of IRS innocent spouse relief determinations. The IRS must: (1) develop annual training for all IRS officers and employees regarding taxpayer rights, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate's case criteria and mission, and Taxpayer Assistance Order procedures; (2) provide taxpayers with notice and an opportunity to be heard if the IRS Office of Appeals issues a notice of deficiency; and (3) assign one appeals officer and one settlement agent from the Office of Appeals to each state. TITLE IV--NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVOCATE This title grants the National Taxpayer Advocate the authority to: (1) appeal a modification or rescission of a Taxpayer Assistance Order by an IRS Deputy Commissioner to the IRS Commissioner for a final determination; (2) inspect taxpayer administrative files in the performance of its duties; (3) issue a Taxpayer Advocate Directive to improve IRS operations and to protect the rights of groups of taxpayers (or all taxpayers); and (4) designate essential employees to assist taxpayers during any lapse in appropriations for the IRS.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

United States · United States Senate · 24 November 2015

Church Plan Clarification Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Church Plan Clarification Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of church pension plans, to: (1) provide that an organization otherwise eligible to participate in a church plan shall not be aggregated with another such organization and treated as a single employer with it unless one such organization provides at least 80% of the operating funds for the other organization during the recipient organization's preceding tax year and there is a degree of common management or supervision between the organizations, (2) adopt benefit accrual limitations for church defined benefit plans established before 1982, and (3) allow transfers and mergers of qualified church retirement plans. The bill also: (1) preempts any state law relating to wage, salary, or payroll payment, collection, deduction, garnishment, assignment, or withholding that would directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the inclusion in any church plan of an automatic contribution arrangement; and (2) allows church plans and their supporting organizations to invest plan assets in a group trust (as defined by Internal Revenue Service Revenue Rulings).

SECURE Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Stop Extremists Coming Under Refugee Entry Act or the SECURE Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to notify each alien admitted as a refugee or asylee that he or she must register with and be interviewed and fingerprinted by DHS. DHS shall screen, perform a security review, and monitor all individuals seeking asylum or refugee status to ensure that they do not present a national security or terrorism risk. The Department of State may not approve a refugee application and DHS may not approve an asylum application for any national from the following high risk countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, or the Palestinian Territories. This moratorium may be lifted when specified conditions are met. DHS, in cooperation with the State Department, shall ensure that any new visa application is not approved: (1) for at least 30 days, and (2) until completion of an enhanced security screening. Unless otherwise permitted under this Act, DHS, in cooperation with the State Department, shall ensure that no alien enters the United States until after 30 days of security assessments have been conducted, regardless of whether or not the alien's country of origin is a visa waiver country. DHS may approve qualified applicants for enrollment in the global entry trusted traveler program regardless of the applicant's nationality or country of habitual residence. DHS may not approve any application for U.S. entry from an alien (other than a trusted traveler) who is a national of, or who is applying from, a high-risk country until: (1) completion of the congressional review process, and (2) enactment of a law authorizing termination of the visa moratorium. DHS, the State Department, and the Director of National Intelligence shall certify jointly to Congress that: (1) a national security screening process has been implemented that significantly improves the government's ability to identify security risks posed by aliens from high-risk countries, (2) the biometric entry-exit control system has been implemented, and (3) a policy has been implemented to remove aliens who have overstayed their period of lawful U.S. presence. In order to carry out 100% land exit tracking, DHS shall integrate the records collected through the automated entry-exit control system into an interoperable data system and any other database necessary to correlate an alien's entry and exit data. DHS may not: process travel documents of U.S. citizens (with certain exceptions) while documenting the departure of outbound individuals at each land point of entry along the Southern or Northern border; or designate an outbound U.S. citizen for secondary inspection or collect biometric information from a U.S. citizen under outbound inspection procedures unless criminal or other prohibited activity has been detected or is strongly suspected. An individual shall not be permitted to leave the United States if, during outbound inspection, DHS detects previous unresolved criminal activity by the individual. Any individual in asylum status, refugee status, legal permanent resident status, or any other permanent or temporary visa status who: intends to remain in the United States in such status for longer than six months shall submit to DHS a signed affidavit stating that the alien has not voted in any federal election, and will not register to vote or vote in any such election while in such status; or illegally registers to vote or votes in any federal election after receiving such status or visa shall not be eligible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship, or shall lose permanent residence status if ready granted it and be subject to deportation. State and local governments: shall require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to provide proof of citizenship, may not accept an affirmation of citizenship as proof of citizenship for voter registration purposes, and may require identification information from voter registration applicants. Beginning one year after admission, a refugee or asylee: (1) is ineligible for assistance under specified federal means-tested programs, and (2) may not claim the earned income tax credit. An alien who applies for and receives such assistance or who claims and is allowed such credit shall be permanently prohibited from U.S. naturalization.

Foster EITC Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Foster EITC Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the earned income tax credit by: (1) making permanent the increase in the rate of such credit for taxpayers with three or more children, (2) increasing the credit for taxpayers with no qualifying children, (3) reducing the qualifying age for such credit for certain childless individuals (from age 25 to age 21) and for youth formerly in foster care (from age 25 to age 18), (4) imposing new reporting requirements for youth in foster care who have attained age 16, and (5) revising eligibility rules relating to married individuals living apart and qualifying children claimed by another family member.

Universal Savings Account Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Universal Savings Account Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the establishment of Universal Savings Accounts. These Accounts shall be tax-exempt and may be opened by any individual who is at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Contributions to these Accounts must be in cash and may not exceed $5,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) in any calendar year. Distributions from a Universal Savings Account are excluded from the gross income of the account holder for income tax purposes.

Philanthropic Facilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Philanthropic Facilitation Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand the definition of, and requirements relating to, "program-related investments" made by private foundations to for-profit entities to further certain charitable purposes; (2) allow a judicial determination (i.e., declaratory judgment) as to whether investments in any entity qualify as program-related investments; (3) require expanded reporting by for-profit entities that receive program-related investments of their gross income, expenses, disbursements, and other information; and (4) allow public inspection of any petition seeking a determination that an investment by a private foundation is a program-related investment and of any information reported by organizations receiving program-related investments.

A PLUS Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act or the A PLUS Act   This bill allows each state to receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and manage the funds to advance the educational policy of the state. States must submit to the Department of Education a declaration of intent no less than every five years. Each declaration must be formulated by a combination of specified state officials or by referendum and must list the programs for which consolidated funding is requested. States may use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law, but must make certain assurances that they will use fiscal control and fund accounting procedures, abide by federal civil rights laws, advance educational opportunities for the disadvantaged, and use federal funds to supplement rather than supplant state funding. Each declaration state shall: (1) inform the public about its student achievement assessment system; (2) report annually on student progress toward the state's proficiency standards by specified student groups; and (3) provide for the equitable participation of private school children and teachers in the same manner as provided for under current law.

Carbon Capture Improvement Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Carbon Capture Improvement Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for the financing of qualified carbon dioxide capture facilities A qualified carbon dioxide capture facility is a facility that captures or stores carbon dioxide from coal, natural gas, biomass, and other industrial sources.

Student Loan Relief Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Student Loan Relief Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish a temporary three-year program to facilitate federal student loan refinancing into the private market, at no cost to the federal government, to ensure payment of lower interest rates on student loans. Private lenders under such refinancing program shall be eligible to receive a federal government guarantee of 95% of loans. Treasury shall, in consultation with the Department of Education, begin a national awareness campaign to alert student loan borrowers about such refinancing program with a disclosure that a private loan that results from such refinancing is not eligible for income driven repayment or loan forgivingness. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for the payment of an employer, either to an employee or a lender, of any indebtedness of an employee under a qualified education refinance loan or any interest relating to such a loan. The term "qualified education refinance loan" means any indebtedness used solely to refinance a qualified education loan with respect to which the lender offers the borrower protection in the event of unemployment or financial hardship.

BRAIN Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Best Return on America's Investment Now Act or the BRAIN Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make up to 10% of the worldwide employment-based immigration level available to qualified immigrants who: (1) hold a doctorate degree in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM degree) from a U.S. doctoral institution of higher education; and (2) have taken all doctoral courses in a STEM field, including all courses taken by correspondence or by distance education, while physically present in the United States. The number of immigrant visas available to skilled workers, professionals, and other workers is reduced. The computation of the total number of immigrant visas that may be made available to natives of any single foreign state or dependent area in a fiscal year is revised. The permanent priority date for any employment-based petition shall be the date on which the petition is filed with Department of Homeland Security (or the Department of State, if applicable), unless such filing was preceded by the filing of a labor certification with the Department of Labor, in which case that date shall constitute the priority date. An alien who is the beneficiary of an employment-based petition that was approvable when filed shall retain that petition's priority date in the consideration of any subsequently filed employment-based petition.

Coordinating Transportation Services for Transportation Disadvantaged Individuals Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Coordinating Transportation Services for Transportation Disadvantaged Individuals Act of 2015 This bill establishes in the Department of Transportation (DOT) the New Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility to coordinate transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals (those who require the use of public transportation but have difficulty accessing it due to disability, income level, age, or veteran status) in a manner that is cost effective and efficient and that minimizes the fragmentation and duplication of such services. The Council shall: develop a strategic plan that identifies federal agency roles and responsibilities and measurable outcomes in coordinating such services; develop a joint cost-sharing policy among federal agencies with representatives on the Council that provides clear guidance to state and local governments regarding cost allocation; maintain an inventory of all federal programs that provide such services; and partner with State Transport Coordinating Commissions (STCCs) and aid them in coordinating such services. A state must establish an STCC to coordinate transportation for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. An STCC shall: compile information on transportation operations for and needs of such individuals; establish statewide objectives for coordinating transportation services for such individuals; develop written policies and procedures for the coordination of government funding for such individuals; identify and pursue the elimination of barriers to transportation services; establish an information clearinghouse; assist communities in developing transportation systems designed to serve such individuals; verify that purchasing procedures aid the coordination of such services; verify that purchasing agencies purchase all trips within transportation systems that serve such individuals, unless they use more cost-effective alternative providers; and develop a strategic plan that addresses the transportation problems and needs of such individuals over a five-year period. DOT must withhold 1% of the amount required to be apportioned to a state under specified federal-aid highway programs on the first day of each fiscal year beginning with FY2017 if the state does not meet this bill's requirements. Each federal agency shall keep an accounting of expenditures directly related to services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. No federal agency may make capital investments for the purpose of providing the services. The bill terminates the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility.

First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $10,000 to $25,000 the maximum amount that may be withdrawn, without penalty, from a qualified retirement plan for purposes of assisting a first-time homebuyer in purchasing a principal residence. This increased distribution amount shall be adjusted annually for inflation for taxable years beginning after 2015.

Mobile Mammography Promotion Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Mobile Mammography Promotion Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the motor fuel excise tax fuel used in any highway vehicle designed exclusively to provide mobile mammography services.

Bike to Work Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Bike to Work Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include a bicycle sharing system as a mass transit facility for purposes of the tax exclusion of employer-paid commuting expenses. The bill defines "bicycle sharing system" as a public transportation system: (1) consisting of a network of stations at which bicycles are made available to customers for commuting and short-term, point-to-point use within the network's service area; and (2) that is operated or authorized by a government agency or public-private partnership.

Universal Savings Account Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Universal Savings Account Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the establishment of Universal Savings Accounts. These Accounts shall be tax-exempt and may be opened by any individual who is at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Contributions to these Accounts must be in cash and may not exceed $5,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) in any calendar year. Distributions from a Universal Savings Account are excluded from the gross income of the account holder for income tax purposes.

Promoting Offshore Wind Power Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Promoting Offshore Wind Power Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 30% tax credit for investment in a qualifying offshore wind facility (an offshore facility using wind to produce electricity), and (2) direct the Department of the Treasury to establish a qualifying credit for offshore wind facilities program to consider and award certifications for investments eligible for such a credit to qualifying offshore wind facility sponsors. The bill requires Treasury to review credits allocated under this Act periodically and authorizes Treasury to make additional allocations and reallocations of such credits upon determining that: (1) the limit on the total amount of megawatt capacity for offshore facilities with respect to which credits may be allocated under the program has not been attained, or (2) scheduled placed-in-service dates of previously certified facilities have been significantly delayed and the applicant for certification will not meet the required timeline.

Church Plan Clarification Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2015

Church Plan Clarification Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of church pension plans, to: (1) provide that an organization otherwise eligible to participate in a church plan shall not be aggregated with another such organization and treated as a single employer with it unless one such organization provides at least 80% of the operating funds for the other organization during the recipient organization's preceding tax year and there is a degree of common management or supervision between the organizations, (2) adopt benefit accrual limitations for church defined benefit plans established before 1982, and (3) allow transfers and mergers of qualified church retirement plans. The bill also: (1) preempts any state law relating to wage, salary, or payroll payment, collection, deduction, garnishment, assignment, or withholding that would directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the inclusion in any church plan of an automatic contribution arrangement; and (2) allows church plans and their supporting organizations to invest plan assets in a group trust (as defined by Internal Revenue Service Revenue Rulings).

SAVE Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2015

Small Businesses Add Value for Employees Act of 2015 or the SAVE Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer-established simple individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and pension plans, to: repeal restrictions on rollovers from simple IRAs to qualified retirement plans; allow employers to elect to terminate simple IRAs at any time during the year; repeal the increased 25% penalty on premature distributions from simple IRAs within the first two plan years; allow additional nonelective employer contributions to simple IRAs not exceeding 10% of compensation; establish automatic deferral IRAs to permit the automatic enrollment of employees earning at least $5,000 in a preceding year; establish secure deferral arrangements for automatically enrolling employees at 6% of pay with annual increases; allow small employers a new tax credit for the cost of adopting safe harbor requirements for secure deferral arrangements; allow a transfer of unused benefits in a flexible spending arrangement to a qualified retirement or eligible deferred compensation plan; increase the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs; and establish multiple small employer retirement plans that provide for automatic employee contributions. The bill requires: (1) the Department of the Treasury to promulgate regulations regarding the timing of notices to participants in automatic contribution pension plans; (2) the Office of Financial Education of Treasury to develop and implement an outreach plan to educate small businesses on the types and benefits of available retirement plans; (3) Treasury and the Department of Labor to develop recommendations for small businesses to improve retirement outcomes; and (4) Treasury, in consultation with the Department of Education, to develop age-appropriate financial literacy curricula for elementary and secondary schools. The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to: (1) exempt IRAs that permit payroll deductions from additional pension plan requirements, (2) require disclosures relating to lifetime income from pension plans and annuities, and (3) set forth safe harbor criteria for the selection of an annuity contract and an insurer.

Give States a Chance Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2015

Give States a Chance Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the governor of any state in which it is proposed to place or resettle as a refugee an alien meeting certain criteria to refuse such placement or resettlement if the governor: has not properly been informed of the intended sponsorship process for the refugee, has determined that the proposed location for the refugee within the state is inappropriate because the proportion of refugees and comparable entrants in that location's population is too high, or is not reasonably satisfied that the refugee does not post a security threat. A covered refugee may not be admitted to the United States until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) certifies to Congress that he or she is not a U.S. security threat. A "covered refugee" is any alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who: is a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or Syria, or has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011. The Inspector General of DHS shall review 20% of all certifications made each fiscal year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall ensure that each covered refugee receives a thorough background investigation before admission. A covered refugee may not be admitted until the FBI certifies that such an investigation has been done.

Workforce Health Improvement Program Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2015

Workforce Health Improvement Program Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax exclusion of the value of on-premises employer-provided athletic facilities. The bill provides for an exclusion from the gross income of an employee for: (1) the value of any on-premises employer-provided athletic facility; and (2) so much of the fess, dues, or other membership expenses paid by an employer on behalf of an employee, but not exceeding $900 per employee per year. The bill sets forth an expanded definition of "athletic or fitness facility," which specifies that the health or fitness component of such a facility cannot be incidental to its overall function and purpose. The bill also allows an employer to claim a tax deduction for the fees, dues, or membership expenses paid to an athletic or fitness facility on behalf of an employee.

Promote Startups Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2015

Promote Startups Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum tax deduction for business start-up expenditures from $5,000 to $15,000 and to increase the deduction for the organizational expenditures of corporations from $5,000 to $10,000. The bill also increases the ceilings for such expenditures over which the amount of the tax deduction is reduced.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold social security numbers on Form 990 from public disclosure.

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Internal Revenue Service to withhold from public inspection any social security account number included on the information return of a tax-exempt organization (i.e., Form 990).

Pre-K for USA Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Pre-K for USA Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award high-quality prekindergarten (pre-K) program development grants on a competitive basis to states, local education agencies, or other local government entities. A grant recipient may use the grant funds to award subgrants to local entities, provided that the entity did not receive pre-K program funding within the same fiscal year. Grants are nonrenewable and shall be awarded for a period of no more than three years. Unless granted a financial hardship waiver by ED, a grant recipient shall contribute matching funds equal to at least 20% of the grant amount.

Syrian Refugee Verification and Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Syrian Refugee Verification and Safety Act This bill declares that: (1) no alien who is a refugee because of the conflict in Syria (covered alien) may be admitted to the United States as a refugee, (2) no funds may be expended to process refugee applications for covered aliens, and (3) no funds may be expended by the Department of State or the Department of Health and Human Services to resettle covered aliens in the United States. These restrictions shall remain in effect until 30 days after the President certifies to Congress regarding: protocols and interagency coordination to adjudicate such U.S. admissions and resettlement; evaluation and review of such protocols and coordination by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community; State Department submission to Congress of an updated Congressional Presentation Document of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for Fiscal Year 2016 that reflects security or other risks posed by covered aliens; and a State Department briefing to Congress on the increase in covered aliens seeking refugee admission and so admitted, including information on any terrorist conduct. This certification: (1) may not be submitted to Congress before 270 days, and (2) shall not have any effect if Congress enacts into law a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 days.

Retirement and Income Security Enhancements (RAISE) Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Retirement and Income Security Enhancements (RAISE) Act Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to entitle divorced spouses to OASDI benefits after 5 (currently 10) years of marriage. Makes the monthly divorced spouse's benefits equal to one-half of the former spouse's primary insurance amount, reduced 10% for each year less than 10 the individual was married to the former spouse. Revises the widow's or widower's insurance benefit for any month to equal the greater of: (1) the primary insurance amount of a deceased individual (as under current law); or (2) in the case of a fully-insured widow or surviving divorced spouse, 75% of the sum of any old-age or disability insurance benefit to which the widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse is entitled plus the primary insurance amount of the deceased individual. Reduces a widow's or widower's insurance benefits for any month if that individual is also entitled to an old age or disability insurance benefit greater than the widow's or widower's insurance benefit. Sets the benefit in such a case at the level of the primary insurance amount of the deceased individual. Amends SSA title II and the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to extend benefits for full-time students up to age 23 (currently age 19) who are enrolled at an educational institution. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an OASDI surtax of: (1) 2% on an employee's income over $400,000 and 2% on the employer, and (2) 4% on an individual's self-employment income over $400,000. Adjusts the $400,0000 threshold each year according to a specified indexing formula. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to apply a similar 2% additional tier 1 tax on railroad employees earning over $400,000 as well as 2% on their railroad employers. Imposes a 4% additional tier 1 tax on representatives of railroad employees earning over $400,000. Specifies a formula to index the $400,000 annually after 2015. Amends SSA title II to: (1) include 2% of the individual's surplus average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) in OASDI primary insurance amounts; and (2) prescribe a formula for computing an individual's surplus AIME that accounts for the total of the individual's additional wages paid in and additional self-employment income credited to the benefit computation year, up to $500,000, indexed after 2015 according to a specified formula.

Syrian Refugee Verification and Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Syrian Refugee Verification and Safety Act This bill declares that: (1) no alien who is a refugee because of the conflict in Syria (covered alien) may be admitted to the United States as a refugee, (2) no funds may be expended to process refugee applications for covered aliens, and (3) no funds may be expended by the Department of State or the Department of Health and Human Services to resettle covered aliens in the United States. These restrictions shall remain in effect until 30 days after the President certifies to Congress regarding: protocols and interagency coordination to adjudicate such U.S. admissions and resettlement; evaluation and review of such protocols and coordination by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community; State Department submission to Congress of an updated Congressional Presentation Document of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for Fiscal Year 2016 that reflects security or other risks posed by covered aliens; and a State Department briefing to Congress on the increase in covered aliens seeking refugee admission and so admitted, including information on any terrorist conduct. This certification: (1) may not be submitted to Congress before 270 days, and (2) shall not have any effect if Congress enacts into law a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 days.

USAccounts: Investing in America's Future Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

USAccounts: Investing in America's Future Act of 2015 This bill establishes in the Treasury the USAccount Fund, from which an initial contribution and subsequent matching contributions of up to $500 annually shall be made to accounts known as USAccounts. USAccounts shall be established under this Act for individuals born after December 31, 2017, who have not yet attained age 18. The bill provides for contributions by the government and the private sector to such USAccounts and allows tax-exempt distributions from such accounts for higher education expenses and for funding the individual retirement accounts of an account holder, but prohibits any distributions before an account holder reaches age 18. The bill establishes in the executive branch a USAccount Fund Board to manage investments in the USAccount Fund. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt the USAccount Fund and USAccounts from income taxation, (2) increase the amount of the child tax credit by the applicable USAccount contribution amount, and (3) require the Internal Revenue Service to notify taxpayers of their potential eligibility for the earned income tax credit.

Bridge to a Clean Energy Future Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Bridge to a Clean Energy Future Act of 2015 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various tax credits and deductions relating to energy and to repeal certain tax preferences for oil and gas activities. TITLE I--EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF ENERGY TAX PROVISIONS This title extends through 2016: the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property; the tax credit for new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles; the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures; the tax credit for second generation biofuel production; the tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel; excise tax credits for alcohol used as fuel and biodiesel mixtures; the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources; the tax credit for energy-efficient new homes; the special depreciation allowance for second generation biofuel plant property; the tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings; tax deferral rules for sales or dispositions of qualified electric facilities; and excise tax credits for alternative fuels and alternative fuel mixtures. The title also revises the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel fuels to allow an increased credit for small biodiesel producers. TITLE II--ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS This title amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the energy tax credit to solar energy, fuel cell, microturbine, combined heat and power system, small wind energy, and thermal energy properties the construction of which begins before January 1, 2017; (2) modify capacity limitations for combined heat and power system property; (3) allow an energy tax credit for waste heat to power property; (4) define "qualified small wind energy property" for purposes of the energy tax credit; (5) allow renewable and alternative fuel projects to operate as publicly-traded partnerships; and (6) permit additional allocations of qualifying advanced energy project tax credits. TITLE III--ENDING OIL AND GAS TAX SUBSIDIES The title modifies or eliminates oil and gas tax subsidies by: increasing to seven years the amortization period for geological and geophysical expenditures; repealing after 2015 the tax credits for producing oil and gas from marginal wells and for enhanced oil recovery; repealing after 2015 the tax deduction for the intangible drilling and development costs of oil and gas wells; repealing percentage depletion for oil and gas wells and the tax deduction for tertiary injectants; repealing the exception to passive loss rules for interests in oil and gas properties; repealing the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities involving oil and gas; prohibiting the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting method for major integrated oil companies; and limiting the foreign tax credit for dual capacity taxpayers (i.e., taxpayers who are subject to a levy of a foreign country or U.S. possession and who receive specific economic benefits from such country or possession).

Veteran Small Business Tax Credit Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Veteran Small Business Tax Credit Act of 2015 This bill allows a new business-related tax credit for the start-up expenses of a veteran-owned small business. The allowable amount of such credit is 15% of start-up expenditures that do not exceed $80,000. The credit is allowed to any individual (or the surviving spouse of such individual) who: (1) has served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, and (2) has not been discharged or released from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that refugees may not be resettled in any State where the governor of that State has taken any action formally disapproving of the resettlement of refugees in that State, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the resettlement of refugees in a state whose governor has taken any action formally disapproving the resettlement of refugees, or of certain refugees, in that state during that fiscal year. A state: disapproving the resettlement of any refugees may not receive specified refugee resettlement funds during that fiscal year, or disapproving the resettlement of only certain refugees shall receive a reduction of such funds proportionate to the number of refugees not resettled.

Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2015

Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2015 This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Women's Business Ownership to address issues concerning specified disciplines required for starting, operating, and increasing a small business. The Office must work with SBA officials and collaborate with non-SBA entities to ensure that the work of the women's business center program: maximizes taxpayer dollars, and coordinates effectively with and is not duplicative of other federal and private sector programs. The mission of the Office is to assist women entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and competing in global markets by providing quality support with access to capital, access to markets, job creation, growth, counseling, and training in a specified manner. The SBA must: provide annual programmatic and financial examination training for women's business center representatives, award grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements related to the training, and develop plans for a professional development training program for women's business centers and for a women's business center accreditation program. The SBA may provide up to $250,000 per project year of financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct projects designed to provide training and counseling meeting the needs of women, especially socially and economically disadvantaged women. The SBA, upon request by a recipient organization, may waive for a fiscal year (but no more than two consecutive fiscal years) the requirement to obtain matching non-federal funds for the organization's technical assistance and counseling activities carried out using financial assistance under the program.

National Labor Relations Board Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2015

National Labor Relations Board Reform Act Amends the National Labor Relations Act to revise requirements with respect to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), and the process for appellate review. Increases NLRB membership from five to six. Requires three members to represent each of the two major political parties and, beginning January 1, 2020, each of the two members whose terms expire on the same date to represent a different major political party. Requires: (1) four NLRB members to constitute a quorum at all times, and (2) any NLRB determination to be approved by a majority of the members present. Specifies tenure, including staggered terms, of NLRB members. Sets forth judicial review procedures for any person subject to a complaint issued or authorized by the OGC. Sets the compensation rate for each NLRB member, in addition to the OGC, at level IV of the Executive Schedule and the Chairman of the NLRB, as under current law, at level III. Requires the NLRB to issue a final order reviewing an appeal of a report of an administrative law judge or decision of a regional director within one year after the report or decision; but if the NLRB does not issue a final order within that time, allows any party to the case to move to discharge it. Deems, upon such a motion, the report or the decision to be a final agency action. Prohibits the NLRB from taking further action on the matter. Reduces authorized appropriations to carry out the Act for each of the succeeding two fiscal years to 80% of the average amount authorized for the prior two fiscal years if, two years after enactment of this Act, the NLRB has failed to issue a final order on more than 90% of the cases pending on (or filed on or after) the date of enactment. Extends such reduced authorization of appropriations if after four years the NLRB has failed to issue a final order on more than 90% of the cases pending on (or filed on or after) the date that is two years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Equity and Excellence in American Education Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2015

Equity and Excellence in American Education Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to establish and administer several new grant programs. ED shall carry out the Equity and Excellence Initiative to provide grants to states to match each state's enhanced investment in meaningful educational opportunities for children who attend targeted schools. A "targeted school" is a public elementary or secondary school at which a specified percentage of students: (1) are eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch; (2) qualify as limited English proficient; or (3) are racial or ethnic minorities, Indian, or migratory. Schools may use these grant funds to implement systems-based reforms and initiatives to enhance student achievement. A state that receives grant funds must meet specified maintenance of effort requirements. If ED determines that a state has failed to invest sufficient resources to create meaningful educational opportunities for all children attending targeted schools in that state, ED is authorized, through the Educating Every Child Initiative, to make grants directly to local educational agencies for distribution to targeted schools. A state in which targeted schools receive grant funds must meet specified funding obligations with respect to those schools. ED is also authorized to establish the Equitable and Sustainable Fiscal Policy Program to provide technical assistance grants to support state fiscal reform efforts aimed at ensuring meaningful educational opportunities for all children. The bill establishes various reporting requirements for ED and for grant recipients. ED must develop accountability metrics to measure grant performance.

American SAFE Act of 2015

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2015

American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 or the American SAFE Act of 2015 This bill prohibits a covered refugee from being admitted to the United States until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) certifies to Congress that such individual is not a security threat to the United States. The Inspector General of DHS shall review 20% of all such certifications each fiscal year. The term "covered refugee" is defined as any alien applying for refugee status who is: (1) a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, or (2) present in Iraq or Syria at any time while the application for refugee status is pending. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall take actions to ensure that each covered refugee receives a thorough background investigation prior to admission. A covered refugee may not be admitted until the FBI certifies that such covered refugee has received such an investigation.

SAVE Benefits Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2015

Seniors And Veterans Emergency Benefits Act or the SAVE Benefits Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to disburse a payment equal to 3.9% of the average amount of annual benefits to certain individuals (except prisoners, fugitive felons, or aliens) who are entitled to a specified benefit under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA), an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, a veterans benefit, or are eligible for a cash benefit under SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income), including a special benefit for individuals who perform substantial gainful activity despite severe medical impairment. A refundable income tax credit is allowed for the first taxable year beginning in 2015 in an amount equal to $581 for certain eligible government retirees who do not receive such a payment. The Internal Revenue Code is amended, with respect to the $1 million limitation on the deductibility of employee compensation, to: subject to that limitation any compensation payable on a commission basis or upon the attainment of a performance goal; extend the limitation to any individual who is a current or former officer, director, or employee of a publicly-held corporation; and apply the limitation to all publicly-held corporations required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to register securities and provide periodic reports to their investors.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the limitation on the carryover of excess corporate charitable contributions.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the period in which a corporation may carryover excess contributions for purposes of the tax deduction for charitable contributions from 5 to 20 succeeding taxable years.