Taxation

HOPE at HOME Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005

Help Our Patriotic Employers at Helping Our Military Employees Act or HOPE at HOME Act - Entitles a Federal employee who is a member of a reserve component and is absent from Federal employment under a call or order to active duty for a period of more than 30 days to the difference between the amount of the civilian base pay that would otherwise have been payable to such employee for such period and the amount of military compensation received for the active-duty service. Continues such entitlement: (1) while the employee is hospitalized for, or convalescing from, an injury or illness incurred in or aggravated during such active duty; or (2) during the 14-day period following the end of such active duty. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide as a general business credit for employers a Ready Reserve-National Guard employee credit equal to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the actual compensation paid with respect an employee who is absent from employment during the above periods; or (2) $30,000. Provides for the tax treatment of differential wage payments made under this Act. Provides an employer credit for income differential payments made with respect to the employment of activated military reservist and replacement personnel. Permits, without loss of tax benefits, employer payments to an individual retirement plan while an employee is performing active duty military service for a period of more than 30 days.

Emergency Spending Control Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005

Emergency Spending Control Act of 2005 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the contents of the annual concurrent resolution on the budget (eliminating certain matters in an effort to keep such resolution to one page). Requires the report accompanying the budget resolution to include: (1) new budget authority and outlays for each major functional category, based on allocations of the total levels set forth in the resolution; and (2) with respect to each major functional category, an estimate of total new budget authority and total outlays, with the estimates divided between discretionary and direct (currently, mandatory) spending amounts. Allows reconciliation directives to be included in the report. Modifies the President's budget request to Congress to eliminate most current requirements and include only: (1) totals of new budget authority and outlays; (2) total Federal revenues and the amount, if any, by which their aggregate level should be increased or decreased by bills and resolutions to be reported by the appropriate committees; (3) the surplus or deficit in the budget; (4) subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for nondefense and defense discretionary spending, direct spending (excluding interest), interest, and emergencies (for the reserve fund and for military operations in the Act); (5) the public debt; and (6) as a separately delineated statement, the levels required in (1) through (5) for at least each of the four ensuing fiscal years. Repeals sequestration requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) regarding: (1) adjustments for emergency appropriations (except those covering agricultural crop disaster assistance); (2) emergency legislation; and (3) the scope of estimates of such legislation. Eliminates adjustments of appropriations designated as emergency requirements under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to define "emergency" as an unanticipated situation that requires new budget authority and outlays (or new budget authority and the outlays flowing therefrom) for the prevention or mitigation of, or response to, loss of life or property, or a threat to national security. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to set forth requirements with respect to: (1) the President's budget request for reserve funds for emergencies; (2) treatment of emergency legislation to fund both nonmilitary emergencies and certain military operations; and (3) committee notification of any emergency legislation. Prohibits floor amendments to amendments reported by the Committee on the Budget (or from the consideration of which the Committee has been discharged) with respect to legislation for emergency reserve funds for certain military operations. Requires congressional summary budget scorekeeping reports to include an up-to-date tabulation of amounts remaining in the reserve fund for emergencies.

To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend contracts for national dairy market loss payments through the end of fiscal year 2007.

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 with respect to national dairy market loss payments to extend, by two years, program sign-up and contract periods.

Taxpayer Protection Against Wasteful Energy Credits Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2005

Taxpayer Protection Against Wasteful Energy Credits Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the inflation adjustment to the phaseout amount for the tax credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source; and (2) the extension of the tax credit for facilities producing synthetic fuels from coal.

PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROGRAMS

United States · United States Senate · 15 February 2005

Retirement Security for Life Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Retirement Security for Life Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for 50 percent of the amount otherwise includible in gross income as guaranteed payments from certain annuity or life insurance contracts. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $20,000 in any taxable year. Provides for an inflation adjustment of the $20,000 limitation beginning in 2007.

Flu Protection Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Flu Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct, annually, a public influenza awareness campaign and education and outreach efforts preceding the flu season. Requires the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to urge early and full preordering of the influenza vaccine by Medicare providers. Requires the Director to: (1) work with the Administrator to publish influenza immunization rates among Medicare recipients; (2) support the development of State adult immunization programs that emphasize improving influenza vaccine delivery to high-risk populations and the general population; and (3) work with appropriate agencies to assess the efficacy of the influenza vaccine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a vaccine manufacturing facilities investment tax credit (20 percent of qualifying property per year) for property placed in service by December 31, 2009. Requires the Secretary to: (1) enter into contracts with manufacturers to produce additional necessary doses of the influenza vaccine; and (2) encourage States to develop a contingency plan for maximizing influenza immunization for high-risk populations in the event of a delay or shortage of the vaccine. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Vaccine Program, to establish a protocol to prevent, prepare for, and respond to an influenza pandemic or epidemic.

Climate Change Technology Tax Incentives Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Climate Change Technology Tax Incentives Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a tax credit for investment in a greenhouse gas intensity reduction project; (2) a business tax credit for production from a qualifying clean coal technology unit; (3) a tax credit for investment in qualifying advanced clean coal technology; (4) a business tax credit for production from a qualifying advanced clean coal technology unit; and (5) a business tax credit for production from advanced nuclear power facilities. Permits the transfer of unused credit amounts by certain organizations, including tax-exempt organizations, public utilities, States, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Terminates all tax credits proposed by this Act after 2010. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the tax credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources should be extended through 2010; and (2) the tax credit for increasing research activities should be increased and made permanent.

Dawson Family Community Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Dawson Family Community Protection Act - Amends the Office of National Drug Control Policy Act Reauthorization Act of 1998 to require the Director of National Drug Control Policy to ensure that at least $5 million of amounts appropriated for a fiscal year for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program is used in high intensity drug trafficking areas with severe neighborhood safety and illegal drug distribution problems to: (1) ensure the safety of neighborhoods and the protection of communities, including the prevention of intimidation of potential witnesses; and (2) combat illegal drug trafficking through methods the Director considers appropriate, such as establishing or operating a toll-free telephone hotline for the public to provide information about illegal drug-related activities.

Flu Protection Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Flu Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct, annually, a public influenza awareness campaign and education and outreach efforts preceding the flu season. Requires the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to urge early and full preordering of the influenza vaccine by Medicare providers. Requires the Director to: (1) work with the Administrator to publish influenza immunization rates among Medicare recipients; (2) support the development of State adult immunization programs that emphasize improving influenza vaccine delivery to high-risk populations and the general population; and (3) work with appropriate agencies to assess the efficacy of the influenza vaccine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a vaccine manufacturing facilities investment tax credit (20 percent of qualifying property per year) for property placed in service by December 31, 2009. Requires the Secretary to: (1) enter into contracts with manufacturers to produce additional necessary doses of the influenza vaccine; and (2) encourage States to develop a contingency plan for maximizing influenza immunization for high-risk populations in the event of a delay or shortage of the vaccine. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Vaccine Program, to establish a protocol to prevent, prepare for, and respond to an influenza pandemic or epidemic.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters.

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include a bicycle commuting allowance as a qualified transportation fringe benefit, excludable from gross income.

Congressional Pay for Performance Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Congressional Pay for Performance Act - Provides that, if the Congress has not passed all general appropriation bills before the beginning of a fiscal year, then the permanent appropriation for the compensation of Members of Congress shall not be effective for such fiscal year. Makes it out of order for either the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider the legislative branch appropriation bill for any fiscal year until all other general appropriation bills for such fiscal year have been presented to the President.

Retirement Security for Life Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Retirement Security for Life Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for 50 percent of the amount otherwise includible in gross income as guaranteed payments from certain annuity or life insurance contracts. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $20,000 in any taxable year. Provides for an inflation adjustment of the $20,000 limitation beginning in 2007.

To make permanent the individual income tax rates for capital gains and dividends.

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2005

Amends the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 to make the reductions in capital gains rates permanent.

College Quality, Affordability, and Diversity Improvement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2005

College Quality, Affordability, and Diversity Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) and Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to set forth provisions relating to: (1) access to college for all; (2) teacher quality enhancement; (3) diversity, retention, and enriched academics for matriculating students; (4) opportunities at Hispanic-serving institutions; (5) historically Black colleges and universities; and (6) recruitment of teachers to teach at tribal colleges or universities. Makes appropriations in a specified amount to carry out the HEA Pell Grant program. Increases the maximum amount of an individual Pell Grant. Revises the IRC Hope Scholarship program. Eliminates origination fees under HEA student loan programs. Directs the Secretary of Education to adjust fees and terms for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans to equal those for Unsubsidized Stafford Loans for middle-income borrowers. Direct Loan Reward Act - Amends HEA to require the Secretary to carry out a Direct Loan Reward Program to encourage institutions of higher education (IHEs) to participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program for student loans. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants under HEA to university consortia to engage in endeavors to reduce college costs. Requires a certain maintenance of effort by States in supporting public IHEs. Amends IRC to provide a nonrefundable tax credit for interest on higher education loans. Amends HEA to provide refinancing authority for Federal Direct Consolidation Loans. Sets a quarterly rate of special allowance for holders of loans funded through tax-exempt securities. Requires windfall profit offset payments from eligible lenders of student loans. Exempts from student aid need formula determinations earnings of up to specified amounts. Repeals provisions suspending individual eligibility for HEA student assistance on the basis of convictions for drug-related offenses. Increases and extends through FY 2011 authorizations of appropriations for special programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork, and for the following Federal campus-based aid programs: (1) Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants; (2) Work-Study; and (3) Perkins Loans. Provides for increased amounts of forgiveness and cancellation under HEA student loan programs for certain teachers. Provides student loan forgiveness after certain public sector employees have made 120 payments under an income contingent repayment plan. Revises provisions and reauthorizes appropriations for HEA title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement): (1) teacher quality enhancement grants for States and partnerships; and (2) technology preparation for teachers. Establishes a HEA program for college admissions test preparation for low-income students. Revises HEA title IV regarding student aid applications and certain support services to increase student retention. Revises provisions and extends authorizations of appropriations for the following HEA title IV programs of support services for low-income students: (1) Federal Trio; (2) GEAR UP; and (3) LEAP. Revises provisions for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) under HEA title V (Developing Institutions). Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Extends and increases authorization of appropriations for HEA title V part B programs for strengthening historically Black Colleges and universities (HBCUs). Establishes the Patsy T. Mink graduate fellowship program for eligible institutions that serve various minorities. Tribal Colleges and Universities Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act - Amends HEA title IV to provide for the cancellation of a specified percentage of the total amount of any Federal Perkins loan, Federal Family Education loan, or direct student loan for each year of employment (up to five) as a full-time teacher at a tribal college or university if the borrower is not in default on such loan.

Artist-Museum Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2005

Artist-Museum Partnership Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who create literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions or similar property a fair market value (determined at the time of contribution) tax deduction for contributions of such properties, the copyrights thereon, or both, to certain tax-exempt organizations, if such properties are properly appraised and are donated no sooner than 18 months after their creation. Limits the amount of such deduction based upon the donor's artistic adjusted gross income, as defined by this Act.

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2005

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit an alien counted toward the numerical limitation applicable to H-2B nonimmigrants (temporary nonagricultural workers) during any of the three fiscal years prior to submission of an H-2B petition from being counted toward the limitation in the year of petition approval. Makes this provision effective as if enacted on October 1, 2004. Provides for its expiration on October 1, 2006. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on employers filing H-2B petitions. Mandates the deposit of such fees into the Fraud Prevention and Detection Account. Authorizes additional penalties for a substantial failure to meet any condition of an H-2B petition or the willful misrepresentation of a material fact in such a petition. Requires the allocation of the numerical limitation on the issuance of H-2B visas (currently, 66,000) such that the total number of H-2B nonimmigrants entering the United States during the first six months of a fiscal year is not more than 33,000. Directs the Secretary to provide the House and Senate Judiciary Committees with information on: (1) the numbers of aliens granted H-2B status or terminated from H-2B status, on a quarterly basis; and (2) the countries of origin, occupations of, and compensation paid to aliens granted H-2B status, the number of aliens terminated from such status, and the number of aliens provided such status during both the fiscal year reported and the preceding fiscal year, on an annual basis. Requires the Secretary of State to provide information relevant to such reports.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

United States · United States Senate · 10 February 2005

THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET REQUEST: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SMALL BUSINESS?

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 February 2005

FISCAL YEAR 2006 DRUG BUDGET

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 February 2005

THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 February 2005

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit an alien counted toward the numerical limitation applicable to H-2B nonimmigrants (temporary nonagricultural workers) during any of the three fiscal years prior to submission of an H-2B petition from being counted toward the limitation in the year of petition approval. Makes this provision effective as if enacted on October 1, 2004. Provides for its expiration on October 1, 2006. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on employers filing H-2B petitions. Mandates the deposit of such fees into the Fraud Prevention and Detection Account. Authorizes additional penalties for a substantial failure to meet any condition of an H-2B petition or the willful misrepresentation of a material fact in such a petition. Requires the allocation of the numerical limitation on the issuance of H-2B visas (currently, 66,000) such that the total number of H-2B nonimmigrants entering the United States during the first six months of a fiscal year is not more than 33,000. Amends the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 to require the Secretary to submit to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate information regarding: (1) the numbers of aliens granted H-2B status or terminated from H-2B status, on a quarterly basis; and (2) the countries of origin, occupations of, and compensation paid to aliens granted H-2B status, the number of aliens terminated from such status, and the number of aliens provided such status during both the fiscal year reported and the preceding fiscal year, on an annual basis. Requires the Secretary of State to provide information relevant to such reports.

Capital Construction Fund Qualified Withdrawal Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Capital Construction Fund Qualified Withdrawal Act of 2005 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act and the Internal Revenue Code to permit as qualified withdrawals from fishing capital construction funds any money used by retiring fishermen for the following purposes: (1) retiring an owner's commercial fishing vessels and related commercial fishing permits; (2) making a rollover contribution into an owner's individual retirement plan; (3) making a payment of an industry fee authorized by the fishing capacity reduction program; (4) acquiring a vessel monitoring system as a safety improvement for a fishing vessel; and (5) acquiring or constructing fishing gear designed to minimize or avoid bycatch.

Next Generation Hispanic Serving Institutions Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Next Generation Hispanic Serving Institutions Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) under title V (Developing Institutions). Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Limits a part B grant award's duration to not more than five years. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from awarding more than one part B grant to an HSI in any one fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees. Eliminates the requirement that an eligible HSI provide assurances that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income students. Includes, among authorized activities under part A grants, articulation agreements and student support programs to help transfers from two-year to four-year institutions. Eliminates the two-year wait-out period between any two five-year part A grants to an HSI.

Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise requirements for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) under title V (Developing Institutions). Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Limits a part B grant award's duration to not more than five years. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from awarding more than one part B grant to an HSI in any one fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees. Eliminates the requirement that an eligible HSI provide assurances that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income students. Includes, among authorized activities under part A grants, articulation agreements and student support programs to help transfers from two-year to four-year institutions. Eliminates the two-year wait-out period between any two five-year part A grants to an HSI.

Crosby-Puller Combat Wounds Compensation Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Crosby-Puller Combat Wounds Compensation Act - Requires a member of the Armed Forces who is wounded or otherwise injured while serving in a combat zone for which special pay is authorized to be paid monthly military pay, during the period in which the member recovers from such wound or injury, that is at least equal to the monthly pay received by the member immediately before receiving the wound or injury. Makes such requirement effective for pay periods beginning on or after September 11, 2001. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to continue during such recovery period the combat zone special pay income tax exclusion. Makes such requirement effective for months beginning on or after the above date.

To amend section 5202 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to provide for assured funding for more Border Patrol agents.

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010, to make available to the Secretary of Homeland Security necessary funding to ensure a 20 percent increase in each such fiscal year in the number of border patrol agents.

PILT and Refuge Revenue Sharing Permanent Funding Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

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

To amend the Act of August 13, 1946, to raise the maximum amount that may be allotted by the Secretary of the Army for the construction of small shore and beach restoration and protection projects, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Increases the maximum amounts for any one fiscal year for the Federal share of construction costs, and for any single project, that may be allotted by the Secretary of the Army for the construction of small shore and beach restoration and protection projects.

Fair Care for the Uninsured Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Fair Care for the Uninsured Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for health insurance paid for the benefit of a taxpayer, his spouse, and dependents (no more than two). Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments of credit amounts to the provider of the taxpayer's health insurance. Requires each health insurer, health maintenance organization, and health service organization to participate in a State-established health insurance safety net to assure the availability of health insurance to uninsurable individuals. Funds such safety nets through assessments against such insurers and organizations. Permits such insurers and organizations to add the costs of such assessments to the costs of their insurance or coverage. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow health benefits coverage through individual membership associations (IMAs). Sets forth IMA requirements, including that the IMA be an organization operated under the direction of an association and that IMA health benefits coverage only be provided through contracts with health insurance issuers. Requires IMAs to include a minimum of two health insurance coverage options.

Farmland Capital Gains Equity Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Farmland Capital Gains Equity Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of qualified farm property. Defines "qualified farm property" as U.S. property used by a taxpayer or a member of his family as a farm for farming purposes for at least three years. Requires such taxpayer or family member to materially participate in the operation of the farm. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $500,000 ($250,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return), reduced by the aggregate amount of gain excluded for all preceding taxable years.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from income taxation all compensation received for active service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income all compensation received for active service as a member of the Armed Forces, not including pensions and retirement pay. (Terminates the current limited exclusion from gross income for combat pay.)

Expressing the sense of the Congress that comprehensive fiduciary standards should be included in any legislation providing for individual accounts as part of, or supplemental to, Social Security.

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2005

Expresses the sense of the Congress that any legislation establishing individual accounts as part of, or supplemental to, Social Security which is favorably considered by the Congress should: (1) specify fiduciary responsibilities for the account managers and other fiduciaries in connection with such accounts; and (2) provide for liability and penalties for failure to meet such responsibilities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any legislation specifying such fiscal responsibilities, and providing for such liability and penalties, should be at least as comprehensive in relation to such individual accounts as are requirements of certain Federal civil service law in relation to accounts maintained for Members of Congress and Federal employees under the Thrift Savings Plan.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005: ENSURING JOBS FOR OUR FUTURE WITH SECURE AND RELIABLE ENERGY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 9 February 2005

THE FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004

United States · United States House of Representatives · 9 February 2005

PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET WITH OMB DIRECTOR BOLTEN

United States · United States House of Representatives · 9 February 2005

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET

United States · United States Senate · 9 February 2005

Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that advance payments of the earned income tax credit are not transferable or assignable or subject to the claims of any creditors, except outstanding claims of the Federal Government. Prohibits: (1) the collection of a debt from a debtor's Federal tax refund by means of a refund anticipation loan; and (2) mandatory arbitration as a condition of providing a refund anticipation loan. Terminates the Department of Treasury Debt Indicator Program. Excludes tax returns that have been filed subject to a refund anticipation loan from any determination of whether goals for electronic filing of tax returns have been met. Allows earned income tax credit benefits to be paid through electronic transfer accounts. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) develop and implement a program to encourage the greater use of the advance earned income tax credit; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with federally insured depository institutions to provide low- and moderate-income taxpayers with the option of establishing low-cost direct deposit accounts using appropriate tax forms.

Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY 2007 130 percent of the amount obligated during FY 2005. Adjusts the amount provided for fiscal years after FY 2007 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of other persons eligible but not enrolled who are provided care, multiplied by the per capital baseline amount for FY 2005, as increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits the availability of such funds for: (1) construction, acquisition, or alteration of veterans' medical facilities (other than for repairs provided for before the date of enactment of this Act); or (2) grants for the construction of State home facilities for the furnishing of veterans' domiciliary, nursing home, and hospital care.

A bill to prohibit the retirement of F-117 Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft during fiscal year 2006.

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Prohibits the retirement during FY 2006 of F-117 Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft in use by the Air Force during FY 2005.

Renewable Energy Production Incentive Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Renewable Energy Production Incentive Reform Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to modify renewable energy production incentive payment guidelines to provide that if there are insufficient appropriations to make full payments for electric production from all qualified renewable energy facilities in any given year, the Secretary of Energy shall assign 60 percent of appropriated funds for that year to facilities that use solar, wind, geothermal, or closed-loop (dedicated energy crops) biomass technologies to generate electricity, and assign the remaining 40 percent to other projects. Redefines a qualified renewable energy facility as one: (1) owned by certain tax-exempt electricity-generating cooperatives, certain public utilities, a State, territorial, or local governments or an Indian tribal government; and (2) which may involve electricity generation by landfill gas. Extends through FY 2015 the deadline for first use of a facility eligible for incentive payments.

Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the tax credit for social security taxes paid for employee cash tips to employers of cosmetologists. Requires employers of cosmetologists to report income and tips of their cosmetologist employees and to provide income and tip information to self-employed cosmetologists to whom they pay more than $600 in the taxable year. Imposes similar reporting requirements upon individuals who rent chairs to cosmetologists. Requires such employers to provide their cosmetologist employees and self-employed cosmetologists with information on the tax and tip reporting obligations of employees and self-employed individuals.

AMT Middle Class Fairness Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

AMT Middle Class Fairness Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow as a deduction against alternative minimum taxable income certain State and local taxes; and (2) provide for an inflation adjustment of the alternative minimum tax exemption amount for individual taxpayers.

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law governing: (1) conversion of bankruptcy petitions; (2) abusive creditor practices; (3) domestic support obligations; (4) consumer protections, including protection of personally identifiable information; (5) measures to discourage bankruptcy abuse, including reduction of the homestead exemption for fraud; (6) guidelines for general and small business bankruptcies, including appointment of a committee of retired employees; (7) bankruptcy data dissemination and bankruptcy tax provisions; (8) ancillary and other cross-border cases to incorporate the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency; and (9) financial contracts and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution before its conservatorship or receivership. Reenacts Chapter 12, Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income. Brings family fishermen within the purview of Federal bankruptcy protection. Prescribes guidelines for insolvent health care businesses and related patients' rights. Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Judicial Code to mandate appointments for additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships in designated States. Prescribes additional consumer credit disclosures, including open end credit plans and introductory rates.

Medicare Drug Cost Credibility Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Medicare Drug Cost Credibility Act of 2005 - Provides that, if the net mandatory outlays for the Medicare prescription drug benefit for a fiscal year exceed the original Congressional Budget Office estimate of such benefit for that fiscal year, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall utilize negotiating authority in order to reduce the acquisition cost for prescription drugs.

September 11th Tax Correction Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

September 11th Tax Correction Act - Excludes from gross income, and exempts from the prohibition against tax deductions for expenses and interest relating to tax-exempt income, retention grants paid from Federal community development block grant funds for assistance for properties or businesses damaged by, or for economic revitalization related to, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City. Exempts such retention grants from information reporting requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.

Self-Employed Health Equity Adjustment to Lower Tax Hindrance Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Self-Employed Health Equity Adjustment to Lower Tax Hindrance Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed taxpayers to deduct health insurance costs in computing their net earnings.

Erroneous Tax Refund Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Erroneous Tax Refund Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to abate interest on erroneous refund checks without regard to the amount of the refund check (current law provides for no abatement for refund checks exceeding $50,000 or for erroneous refunds caused by the taxpayer or a related third party). Authorizes the Secretary to deny abatement if the taxpayer received notice of the erroneous refund before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made demand for repayment and did not attempt to resolve the issue within 30 days.

Agricultural Business Security Tax Credit Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Agricultural Business Security Tax Credit Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a retailer of agricultural products or a manufacturer, formulator, or distributor of certain pesticides a business tax credit for up to 50 percent of the cost of protecting certain hazardous chemicals or pesticides from unauthorized access. Sets an annual limit on such credit of $2 million and a per facility limitation of $100,000 (reduced by credits received for the five prior taxable years).

Expressing disapproval by the Congress of the totalization agreement between the United States and Mexico signed by the Commissioner of Social Security and the Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute on June 29, 2004.

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2005

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should immediately disapprove the totalization agreement signed by the Commissioner of Social Security and the Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute on June 29, 2004, and refrain from transmitting such agreement to the Congress; and (2) the Commissioner of Social Security should withdraw from any further negotiations with Mexico relating to totalization agreements between the United States and Mexico.