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151 records in US in 2005
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Clean and Green Solar Tax Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2011: (1) the tax credit for residential energy efficient property; and (2) the investment tax credit for certain solar energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue to increase the expensing allowance (i.e., a tax deduction in the current taxable year) for the cost of Gulf Opportunity Zone property placed in service in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2006 the: (1) allowance of certain nonrefundable tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax liability; (2) election to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; (3) tax credit for increasing research activities; (4) tax deduction for higher education tuition and related expenses; (5) tax deduction for elementary and secondary school teacher expenses; (6) authority to issue qualified zone academy bonds; (7) Indian employment tax credit and accelerated depreciation for business property on Indian reservations; (8) tax deduction for corporate donations of computer technology and equipment for educational purposes; (9) eligibility provisions for the medical savings accounts tax deduction; (10) accelerated depreciation of leasehold and restaurant improvements; (11) suspension of the taxable income limit on percentage depletion for oil and natural gas from marginal properties; (12) certain tax benefits for investment in District of Columbia Enterprise Zones; (13) possession tax credit for American Samoa; and (14) parity requirement for the application of group health plan limits to mental health benefits; and (15) authority for certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) undercover operations. Revises the work opportunity and welfare-to-work tax credits to: (1) consolidate such credits into a single tax credit and extend the consolidated tax credit through 2007; (2) repeal income eligibility requirements for ex-felons; and (3) increase the age limit for food stamp eligibility from 25 to 35. Extends through 2007 the expensing allowance for environmental remediation costs, including remediation of petroleum products. Extends through 2008 the exemption of active financial services income from Subpart F taxation. Extends through 2010 the: (1) tax credit for retirement savings contributions (saver's credit); (2) increased expensing allowances for depreciable business assets; and (3) reduced tax rates for capital gains and dividend income.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Windfall Profits Tax Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on certain oil companies for 50% of the windfall profit from all barrels of taxable crude oil. Defines "windfall profit" as the excess of the removal (sales) price of a barrel of taxable crude oil over the adjusted base price of such barrel ($40 per barrel adjusted annually for inflation). Allows a tax deduction for any windfall profit tax paid. Terminates the tax 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act. Allows an income tax rebate for individual taxpayers of $150 in 2006 and, in subsequent years, of an amount to be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury based upon a percentage of windfall profit tax revenues collected. Establishes in the Treasury the Low-Income Energy Assistance Trust Fund. Transfers windfall profit tax revenues to such Fund and provides for expenditures from such Fund for the low-income energy assistance program. Allows a tax credit for investment in energy efficient motor vehicles and for related research and development costs. Bases the amount of such credit on the achievement of specified levels of fuel economy. Terminates such credit after 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Home Energy Assistance Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for residential heating costs paid in 2006. Allows a maximum credit of $500, but reduces or eliminates such credit for taxpayers at higher income levels. Requires integrated oil companies with gross receipts in excess of $1 billion to use the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory accounting method for purposes of determining their current federal income tax liabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Low-Income Home Energy Security Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow certain low-income individuals a refundable tax credit for residential energy costs; (2) provide for advance payments of such credit to providers of residential energy; and (3) require providers of residential energy to file informational returns for any advance tax credit payments received.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Windfall Profits and Consumer Assistance Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose upon producers of crude oil an excise tax of 50 percent of their net windfall profit from the production of taxable crude oil in a taxable year. Defines "windfall profit" as the excess of the removal price (sales price) of a barrel of taxable crude oil over the adjusted base price of such barrel (i.e., $40 per barrel, adjusted for inflation). Terminates such tax three years after the enactment of this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Consumer Energy Assistance Trust Fund. Transfers to such Fund windfall profit tax revenues and makes amounts in such Fund available to carry out the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. Grants to taxpayers an income tax rebate in an amount to be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury based upon the number of taxpayers and available windfall profit tax revenues (reduced by amounts appropriated to such Fund).
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Consumer Windfall Excess Oil Profits Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax of 50 percent on the windfall profit from sales of any crude oil, natural gas, or related products and the net gains from transactions related to the price of crude oil, natural gas, or related products. Defines "windfall profit" as the excess of taxpayer adjusted taxable income over the reasonably inflated average profit for the taxable year (average of taxpayer adjusted taxable income for 2000-2004, plus 10 percent of such average). Allows a tax deduction for the payment of any such windfall profit tax. Appropriates equal amounts of the windfall profit tax generated by this Act to carry out the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 and to increase funding for Department of Veterans Affairs medical services.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Home Office Simplification Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a standard minimum tax deduction of $2,500 for business use of a residence.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Katrina/Rita Hurricane Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction from gross income (available to taxpayers who do not itemize deductions) for cash contributions made between August 28, 2005, and December 31, 2006, to a charitable organization for relief efforts related to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a qualified public electric utility to elect to expense (i.e., deduct all costs in the current taxable year) the cost of installing an underground electric transmission line to replace an aboveground line.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2005
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4241) to provide for reconciliation under the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY2006.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2005
Energy Tax Rebate Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a formula for an energy tax rebate to eligible individuals for the taxable year beginning in 2005. Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should appropriate $5.1 billion for FY2006 and each subsequent fiscal year for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981. Declares it is unlawful for any person to sell crude oil, gasoline, or petroleum distillates at a price that: (1) is unconscionably excessive; or (2) indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of circumstances to increase prices unreasonably. Prohibits geographic price-setting and territorial restrictions. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State Attorneys General to enforce this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the FTC to: (1) facilitate price transparency in markets for the sale of crude oil and essential petroleum products at wholesale; (2) seek to ensure that consumers and competitive markets are protected from the adverse effects of potential collusion or other anticompetitive behaviors that can be facilitated by untimely public disclosure of transaction-specific information; and (3) conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other appropriate agencies relating to information sharing.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose upon integrated oil companies an excise tax of 50 percent of their net windfall profit from the production of taxable crude oil in a taxable year. Defines "windfall profit" as the excess of the removal price (sales price) of a barrel of taxable crude oil over the adjusted base price of such barrel (i.e., $40 per barrel, adjusted for inflation). Terminates such tax three years after the enactment of this Act. Allows a tax deduction for the payment of any windfall profit tax. Appropriates windfall profit tax revenues generated by this Act for the sole purpose of carrying out the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2005
Corporate Entitlement Reform Act of 2005 - Establishes the Corporate Entitlement Reform Commission to: (1) examine and identify federal programs and tax laws that provide corporate entitlements (federally-funded payments to profitmaking enterprises provided without a reasonable expectation that activities performed in return for such payments would result in benefits to the public at least as great as the payments); (2) review such entitlements; (3) recommend $50 billion in federal savings on corporate entitlements for the period beginning October 1, 2006, and ending September 30, 2016; and (4) report to Congress on its findings and recommendations. Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration and implementation of the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2005
American Health Benefits Program Act of 2005 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish under a new title XXII (American Health Benefits Program) a program to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to all Americans who are: (1) not covered under certain federal health insurance programs; and (2) not eligible for employer-provided insurance coverage. Requires provision of such coverage in a manner similar to that in which coverage has been provided to Members of Congress, federal government employees, retirees, and their dependents under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Establishes in the Treasury an American Health Benefits Program Trust Fund. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose on every employer an excise tax equal to the applicable percentage of the wages paid employees; and (2) allow a tax credit to certain individuals equal to the sum of the aggregate amount of premiums paid (other than government contributions) with respect to the individual's coverage, and the applicable premium subsidy for any eligible individual. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to provide for an increase in the federal Medicaid assistance percentage (FMAP) for American Health Benefits Program-covered services. Terminates the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under SSA title XXI upon the initiation of the American Health Benefits Program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2005
Waives points of order against consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2862 (FY2006 Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce, and related agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2005
Waives points of order against consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2419 (FY2006 energy and water development appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2005
Regional ID Theft Task Force Act of 2005 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to coalitions of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to establish regional task forces to more effectively investigate and prosecute identity theft and other economic crimes. Directs the Attorney General: (1) to consider, in selecting grant recipients and in determining grant amounts, the population of the region to be served, the degree of cooperation between the law enforcement agencies and the financial institutions involved, and the rate of economic crimes in the region; (2) after three fiscal years, to evaluate and report to Congress on the effectiveness of such task forces; and (3) develop and make available a standard form that may be used by a local law enforcement agency in receiving a report that a person is the victim of an economic crime. Prohibits a local law enforcement agency from declining to accept a report of an economic crime from a victim residing in its jurisdiction on the basis that the crime occurred outside such jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2005
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 - Provides for reconciliation of the budget for FY2006 pursuant to H.Con.Res. 95 (congressional budget resolution) by the House Committees on: (1) Agriculture; (2) Education and the Workforce; (3) Energy and Commerce; (4) Financial Services; (5) the Judiciary; (6) Resources; (7) Transportation and Infrastructure; and (8) Ways and Means. Agricultural Reconciliation Act of 2005 - Prescribes or revises requirements for: (1) reduction of covered commodities and peanuts program payments; (2) reduction in advance direct payments; (3) cotton competitiveness; (4) reduction in the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for watershed rehabilitation programs; (5) reductions in funds for the conservation security program; (6) limitations on use of CCC funds for agricultural management assistance programs; and (7) termination of the use of CCC funds for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements programs. Terminates funding for enhanced access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas, valued-added agricultural product market development grants, rural business investment programs, rural business strategic investment grants, rural firefighters and emergency personnel grants, and for initiative for future food and agriculture systems. Revises requirements for the food stamp program, commodities for the emergency food assistance program, and food stamp residency requirements with respect to qualified aliens. Authorizes federal payments to states for 100% of administrative costs relating to disaster food stamp programs in effect during the presidentially declared emergency in response to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2005 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require universal engagement and family self-sufficiency plans with respect to block grants to states for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); and (2) revise work participation requirements and work-related performance improvement. Promotion and Support of Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2005 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to establish a fatherhood program. Amends the SSA to provide state option to make TANF programs mandatory partners with one-stop employment training centers. Expresses the sense of Congress that a state welfare-to-work program should include a mentoring program. Places a prohibition on offshoring for states who receive block grants for TANF. Caring for Children Act of 2005 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 with respect to child care and a waiver of authority to expand the availability of services under such Act. Establishes program coordination demonstration projects. Higher Education Budget Reconciliation Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to: (1) student loans; (2) unsubsidized Stafford loans; (3) elimination on termination dates from Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004; (4) loan fees from lenders; and (5) higher education relief. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums. Medicaid Reconciliation Act of 2005 - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) regarding: (1) prescription drugs under Medicaid; (2) revision of asset transfer rules; (3) expanded access to certain benefits; (4) managed care organization provider tax reform; (5) Medicaid transformation grants; (6) modified enforcement of documentation requirements; (7) emergency services furnished by noncontract providers for Medicaid managed care enrollees; (8) adjustment in computation of Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) to disregard an extraordinary employer pension contribution; (9) Health Opportunity Accounts; (10) Hurricane Katrina health care relief; and (11) Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Energy Relief. Digital Television Transition Act of 2005 - Provides for: (1) additional deadlines for the analog spectrum recovery; (2) auction of recovered spectrum; (3) revision of the Digital Television Conversion Fund; (4) establishment of a digital-to-analog converter box program and a Public Safety Interoperable Communications Fund; (5) low-power television transition and digital-to-analog conversion; (6) consumer education regarding analog televisions; and (7) deployment of broadband wireless technologies. Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 - Requires merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund into the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF). Revises requirements for deposit insurance coverage, reserve ratio and reserve range, and DIF restoration plans. Requires studies of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) structure, expenses, certain activities, and further possible changes to the deposit insurance system. FHA Asset Disposition Act of 2005 - Provides for Federal Housing Administration asset disposition. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require fees with respect to immigration services for intracompany transferees. Federal Judgeship Act of 2005 - Provides for: (1) circuit judges for the circuit courts of appeals; (2) district judges for the district courts; (3) establishment of a judicial district in the Virgin Islands; and (4) revisions of the jurisdiction of the Virgin Islands court and its jurisdiction over income tax matters. Enhanced Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2005 - Provides for: (1) additional bankruptcy judgeships; (2) temporary bankruptcy judgeships; and (3) conversion of existing temporary bankruptcy judgeships. Judicial Administration and Improvements Act of 2005 - Modifies: (1) the number and composition of circuit courts; (2) the number of circuit judges; (3) places of circuit courts; and (4) requirements for judicial assignments. Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2005 - Provides for: (1) a leasing program for lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; and (2) national mining and minerals policy. Northern Nevada Sustainable Development in Mining Act - Provides for disposal of certain public lands in Nevada. Central Idaho Sustainable Development in Mining Act - Provides for disposal of certain public lands in Idaho. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify requirements for commercial leasing of oil shale and tar sands. Ocean State Options Act of 2005 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act regarding: (1) determination of adjacent zones and planning areas; (2) administration of leasing, including natural gas leases; (3) reservation of lands and rights; (4) environmental studies; and (5) review of OCS development and production plans. Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Fund Act of 2005 - Establishes the Federal Energy Natural Resources Enhancement Fund. Terminates the effect of all existing federal law prohibiting the spending of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural gas leasing and preleasing activities for OCS areas. Renames the Minerals Management Service as the National Ocean Energy and Royalty Service. Rigs to Reefs Act of 2005 - Authorizes use of decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms and other facilities for mariculture, artificial reef, and scientific research, or other uses. Establishes the Federal Energy and Mineral Resources Professional Development (FEMRPD) Fund. Energy and Mineral Schools Reinvestment Act - Requires use of FEMRPD funds to maintain and restore historic and existing petroleum and mining engineering education programs. Establishes a Committee on Petroleum, Mining, and Mineral Engineering and Energy and Mineral Resource Education. Prohibits new OCS onshore and offshore mineral lease fees after January 1, 2005. Establishes the Atlantic OCS Region and the Pacific OCS Region headquarters. National Geologic Data and Mapping Fund Act of 2005 - Establishes the National Geological Data and Mapping Fund. Prescribes requirements for: (1) leases for areas located within 100 miles of California or Florida; (2) the sale and conveyance of certain federal lands; and (3) extension of vessel tonnage duties. Work, Marriage, and Family Promotion Reconciliation Act of 2005 - Amends the SSA to modify requirements relating to: (1) the TANF program; (2) child (foster) care; (3) child support; (4) child welfare; and (5) supplemental security income (SSI). Promotion and Support of Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2005 (sic) - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to establish a fatherhood program. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to repeal requirements for the annual distribution of the continued dumping and subsidy offset.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions governing the determination of interest amounts on education loans made after December 31, 2004, and treat such interest, with certain adjustments and restrictions, as tax deductible.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2005
Child Support Enforcement Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a custodial parent (a parent entitled to receive child support) a refundable tax credit for unpaid child support; and (2) include in the gross income of any taxpayer who is delinquent in the payment of child support the amount of such unpaid child support. Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from selecting a tax return for audit based upon any discrepancy between the tax returns of a custodial parent and a taxpayer delinquent in the payment of child support.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a five-year depreciation recovery period for certain farming business machinery or equipment placed in service before January 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Farmers Tax Deferral Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat the exchange of qualified agricultural property as a like-kind exchange for purposes of allowing the nonrecognition or deferral of gain from such exchange; and (2) allow installment sales treatment of such property. Defines "qualified agricultural property" as any single purpose agricultural or horticultural property and any equipment or fixtures related to such property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Affordable Health Care for Americans Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction from gross income for the health insurance costs of an individual taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents (available whether or not a taxpayer itemizes deductions).
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for health insurance costs paid for the benefit of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents; (2) require business taxpayers who receive payments for certain employee health insurance coverage to file informational returns; and (3) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments of health insurance tax credit amounts to health insurance providers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2005
Waives points of order against the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3057) making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act or the CLASS Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a national, voluntary disability insurance program (CLASS program) under which: (1) all employees are automatically enrolled, but are allowed to waive enrollment; (2) payroll deductions pay monthly premiums; and (3) two-tiered benefits are provided, based on the level of disability, to purchase nonmedical services and supports that the beneficiary needs to maintain independence. Establishes the Independence Fund within the Treasury. Requires the CLASS program to be treated for tax purposes in the same manner as a qualified long-term care insurance contract. Amends the Social Security Act to require each state to: (1) assess the extent to which personal care services providers are serving or able to serve as fiscal agents, employers, and providers of employment-related benefits for personal care attendant workers, who provide personal care services to individuals receiving benefits under this Act; (2) designate or create entities to serve such purposes; and (3) ensure that such entities will not impede the ability of individuals to retain, manage, or dismiss such workers or inhibit individuals from relying on family members for such services. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Personal Care Attendants Workforce Advisory Panel to examine and advise the Secretary and Congress on workforce issues related to personal care attendant workers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction for premiums paid for the CLASS program; (2) a credit for low-income CLASS program enrollees; and (3) a credit for employers for the cost incurred to automatically enroll employees and withhold monthly premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
National Employee Savings and Trust Equity Guarantee Act of 2005 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to revise and establish requirements relating to pension plans, including plan funding, limitations on benefits which underfunded plans may provide, diversification of assets, and worker access to and information about their plans. Sets forth requirements relating to participants and their diversification rights under defined contribution plans. Revises requirements for informing participants, including investment advice and retirement planning assistance. Revises rules for single-employer pension plans, including requirements relating to funding, benefit limitations, deductions, and interest rate assumptions. Replaces the 30-year Treasury rate for calculating lump-sum distributions. Provides that defined benefit pension plans, including hybrid plans such as cash balance plans, may be deemed nondiscriminatory as to age if they comply with certain requirements, in cases of reduction in accrued benefits because of attainment of any age. Sets forth disclosure and benefit statement requirements for single-employer defined benefit plans. Revises funding rules for multiemployer defined benefit plans. Increases certain premiums to be paid by single-employer plans to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Limits PBGC guarantee of shutdown benefits and other unpredictable contingent event benefits under single employer plans. Revises requirements relating to spousal pension protection under ERISA and the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974. Revises pension portability and distribution rules. Revises requirements relating to: (1) employee plans compliance resolution systems; (2) governmental and tribal pension plans; (3) black lung disability trust funds; (4) treatment of death benefits from corporate-owned life insurance; and (5) compensation and pensions of Tax Court judges.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should not repeal or substantially alter the federal tax deduction for state and local taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Hurricane Katrina Recovery, Reclamation. Restoration, Reconstruction and Reunion Act of 2005 - Hurricane Katrina Victim Restoration Fund of 2005 - Provides for the determination of eligibility for compensation for any individual (or relatives of a deceased individual) who sustained economic or noneconomic losses as a result of Hurricane Katrina so that the individual (or relatives) are restored as nearly as possible to their condition before Hurricane Katrina. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a Comprehensive Environmental Sampling and Toxicity Assessment Plan. Provides for federal and state government to notify hurricane survivors of health risks they may face upon returning to their domiciles. Provides for the offer of alternative land and/or housing as compensation to residents whose homes or businesses have been destroyed or terminally compromised. Revises the TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act of 2005 to provide for reimbursement of states for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits provided under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to families from other states affected by Hurricane Katrina. Sets forth requirements relating to emergency extended unemployment compensation. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program of emergency health coverage continuation relief. Sets forth housing and education requirements. Displaced Citizens Voter Protection Provisions of 2005 - Prescribes requirements for the protection of voting rights of Katrina evacuees. Prescribes requirements for: (1) regulatory relief for financial services; and (2) disaster loans and small business relief. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for: (1) a tax credit for an eligible homebuyer who purchases a principal residence in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area; (2) an increase in the housing credit dollar amount; and (3) tax-exempt bonds for qualified Gulf Coast recovery projects. Hurricane Katrina Bankruptcy Relief and Community Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the federal bankruptcy code to exempt victims of natural disasters, including small businesses, from certain requirements for debtors seeking relief. Directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a temporary flood insurance buy-in program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should present, within six months, a plan to eradicate poverty in the United States by 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Superfund Revenue Reinstatement Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until 2014 the environmental tax on corporate income.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2005
Windfall Profits Rebate Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an excise tax on oil companies for a percentage of the windfall profit from all barrels of taxable crude oil; (2) allow a tax deduction for the payment of any windfall profit tax; and (3) allow an income tax rebate for all taxpayers based upon windfall tax revenues, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Defines "windfall profit" as the excess of the removal (sales) price of a barrel of taxable crude oil over the adjusted base price ($40 per barrel adjusted for inflation) of such barrel.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax deduction for charitable contributions of services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2005
401(k) Penalty Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to waive the penalty for premature distributions from a 401(k) retirement plan for employee hardship distributions due to the bankruptcy of an employer, the termination of a retirement plan, or the closure of a facility of the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules relating to the recognition of gain from distributions by corporations of stocks or securities in connection with certain leveraged transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2005
Health Care COBRA OffSet Tax Savings Act of 2005 or the Health Care COSTS Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for 50% of the premium for COBRA continuation coverage under a group health plan. Requires notice of the availability of this tax credit to individuals entitled to COBRA continuation coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Fair Flat Tax Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to individual taxpayers to: (1) reduce to three (15, 25, and 35%) the number of income tax brackets for married and single taxpayers; (2) repeal tax rate reductions for capital gains and dividend income; (3) increase the basic standard tax deduction; (4) allow a refundable tax credit for state and local income, sales, and real and personal property taxes; (5) revise the earned income and child tax credits for taxpayers with no children; (6) repeal the alternative minimum tax; and (7) repeal certain tax credits, deductions, and exclusions after 2005. Imposes a flat tax of 35 percent on corporate taxable income. Allows a limited tax deduction for use of a corporate aircraft. Terminates certain preferential tax provisions for corporations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on: (1) the elimination of tax benefits that subsidize inefficiencies in the health care system; and (2) reform of business pass-through entities. Terminates this Act after 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Second Chance Act of 2005: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention or the Second Chance Act of 2005 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize, rewrite, and expand provisions regarding adult and juvenile offender reentry demonstration projects, including by authorizing funds for grants to: (1) provide structured post-release housing and transitional housing; and (2) establish or expand the use of reentry courts. Sets forth grant priorities and requirements, including that each applicant establish or empower a Reentry Task Force or other authority. Authorizes the Attorney General to make a grant to provide for the establishment of a National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center. Directs the Attorney General to establish an interagency task force on federal offender reentry programs. Authorizes research on offender reentry. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review the role of state child protective services at the time of arrest; and (2) the Secretary of Labor to implement a program to educate employers and one-stop center workforce development providers about existing incentives and tax credits for hiring former prisoners. Amends the federal criminal code to direct a court to revoke a term of supervised release or a sentence of probation for a defendant who commits a crime of violence against, or an offense of unlawful sexual contact with, a person under age 16. Requires: (1) the Department of Justice to modify existing procedures and policies to enhance case planning and improve the transition of persons from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons to the community, including placement of such individuals in community corrections facilities; and (2) the Bureau to establish reentry planning procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Spending Money Accountably to Rebuild After Tragedy Act or SMART Act - Provides a 5% rescission in the: (1) budget authority provided (or obligation limitation imposed) for FY2006 for each discretionary account in each FY2006 appropriations Act (except any FY2005 supplemental appropriation Act, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006, and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act); (2) budget authority provided in any advance appropriation for FY2006 for such account in any prior fiscal year appropriations Act; and (3) contract authority provided in FY2006 for any program subject to a limitation contained in this joint resolution. Permits the President to except certain programs, projects and accounts, in whole or in part, from such rescission; provided however, that such exceptions do not, in the aggregate, exceed 1% of the overall amount rescinded. Prohibits the FY2006 cost of living adjustments in the statutory pay system of federal employees. Allows such adjustment for federal law enforcement officers. Provides for a two-year: (1) delay of implementation of the Medicare part D prescription drug benefit under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA); and (2) extension of the Medicare prescription drug discount card and the transitional assistance program. Increases the transitional assistance for such period. Amends SSA to accelerate the income-related reduction in Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled) premium subsidy. Repeals the authorization for funding for high priority projects programs provided in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Rescinds any such unobligated balances as well as other unobligated balances of funds authorized by SAFETEA-LU for specified programs. Reduces the obligation ceiling for: (1) federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, with specified exceptions; and (2) contract authority for certain transportation research programs. Rescinds any unused obligation limitation for certain high priority projects. Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs; and (2) submit to Congress a plan recommending any realignments or eliminations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
International Fund for Ireland Enhancement Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. assistance for the International Fund for Ireland has contributed greatly to the economic development of Northern Ireland and that both objectives of the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986, economic development and reconciliation, remain critical to achieving peace in the region, especially in the economically-depressed areas; and (2) the Fund is encouraged to support programs that enhance relations between communities and enhance relations between the police and the communities they serve, promote human rights training for police, and enhance peaceful mediation in neighborhoods of continued conflict. Amends the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986 to encourage the Fund to support programs that: (1) enhance relations between communities, and between the police and the communities they serve; (2) promote human rights training for police; (3) enhance peaceful mediation in neighborhoods of continued conflict; (4) promote training programs to enhance the new district partnership police boards recommended by the Patten Commission; and (5) assist in the transition of former British military installations and prisons into sites for peaceful, community-supported activities, such as housing, retail, and commercial development. Authorizes FY2006-FY2007 appropriations for U.S. contributions to the Fund. Expresses the sense of Congress that at least 35% of such amount for each such fiscal year should be used to carry out programs to improve local community relations and relations between the police and the people they serve.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create a Gulf Opportunity Zone (GO Zone) as part of the Hurricane Katrina disaster area to provide tax benefits to businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina, including: (1) tax-exempt bond financing and additional advance refunding of existing bond obligations in the states of Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi; (2) increased depreciation and expensing allowances for GO Zone property; (3) expensing of GO Zone demolition and cleanup costs and environmental remediation costs; (4) increased expensing for GO Zone reforestation expenditures; and (5) carrybacks of net operating losses for certain GO Zone businesses and public utilities. Provides for federal guarantees of bonds issued in Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi for revenue and infrastructure purposes related to Hurricane Katrina. Establishes a Rita GO Zone as part of the Hurricane Rita disaster area and extends to businesses and individuals in such Zone tax benefits currently available in Hurricane Katrina disaster areas, including: (1) tax-free distributions and loans from retirement plans for disaster relief; (2) suspension of limitations on personal casualty losses; and (3) adjustments to earned income of Hurricane Rita victims in 2005 to preserve eligibility for certain tax benefits. Allows certain small employers a business tax credit for up to 40 percent of the wages paid to employees in a GO Zone between August 29 and December 31, 2005. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury should designate Gulf Coast Recovery Bonds in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Waives points of order against the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2744) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2005
Expresses the sense of Congress that the portion of tax cuts enacted in or after 2001 that benefited the wealthiest 5% of Americans should be repealed and the revenues from such repeal should be used to alleviate poverty in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Repeals: (1) the income tax, including the tax on capital gains and the alternative minimum tax; (2) estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes; and (3) the Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns provisions. Imposes a sales tax of 8.4% on the use or consumption of taxable property or services, to be administered and collected by the states. Allows certain credits against such tax for, among other things, business use conversion, export sales, bad debt, insurance proceeds, and previously taxed property. Grants a family consumption allowance for certain low-income families. Repeals the corporate income tax and related provisions. Imposes a business tax of 8.4% of the annual gross profit on the sale of taxable property and services in the United States by a business entity. Defines "gross profits" as the taxable receipts of a business entity over the allowable deductible amounts for such entity, including the cost of business purchases and loss carryover deductions. Sets forth rules for the taxation of income from the non-exempt business activities of governmental entities. Revises the tax treatment of charitable and other nonprofit organizations. Imposes a tax of 8.4% of the customs value of all property brought into the United States for consumption, use, or warehousing. Revises tax administration provisions, including registration, accounting, penalty, and taxpayer rights provisions. Prohibits funding of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2010. Savings for Working Families Act of 2005 - Allows certain low-income individuals to establish individual development accounts (IDAs) to accumulate assets for, among other things, higher education expenses, first-time home purchases, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Provides for federal matching funds to certain financial institutions for investment in IDAs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Children's Health Equity Technical Amendment Act of 2005 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to permit qualifying states to use up to 20% of their SCHIP allotment for any fiscal year (currently, only for FY1998-FY2001) for certain Medicaid expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2005
Equine Equity Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat any race horse as three-year property for depreciation purposes; and (2) reduce to 12 months the holding period for capital gains treatment of horses. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to include horses in livestock assistance, compensation, or feed programs. Amends certain agricultural acts to qualify horses for disaster and other assistance programs. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to qualify horse breeders for emergency loans under the agricultural credit program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Strengthening America's Workforce Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) amend the definition of H-2B nonimmigrant worker; and (2) add a new H-2C nonimmigrant worker category (willing worker program). Requires employers seeking to hire H-2B or H-2C workers to undertake specified recruitment efforts for U.S. workers, and to submit specified labor attestations. Provides worker protections. Addresses portability. Provides derivative status for spouses and children of H-2B and H-2C workers. Establishes annual numerical limitations on the number of aliens who may receive H-2B and H-2C status. Specifies authorized periods of admission for each category. Establishes the Immigration Study Commission to review the impact of this Act on national security and the economy and families. Sets forth H-2B and H-2C alien provisions respecting: (1) nonimmigrant status change and permanent immigrant status adjustment; (2) exemption from certain grounds for inadmissibility; (3) employer petition fees; (4) collective bargaining coverage; and (5) status ineligibility. Provides for stays of removal for aliens involved in workplace claims. Prohibits disclosure to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by a federal or state agency of information concerning the immigration status of any worker. Triples civil penalties for a commercial enterprise that commits immigration-related document fraud for commercial or financial advantage. Exempts from fiscal year admission limits foreign students who have earned an advanced degree in science, technology, engineering or math from a U.S. university or who are employed. Exempts from direct numerical limitations: (1) aliens with an advanced degree in science, technology, engineering, or math who have been working in a related field in the United States during the three-year period preceding their application for an employment-based immigrant visa; (2) certain aliens who are priority workers or who have received a national interest waiver; and (3) immediate relatives of an employment-based immigrant. Authorizes full-time foreign students to work part-time off campus. Requires employer attestation respecting: (1) wages; (2) hours; and (3) U.S. citizen recruitment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2005
Immigration Accountability Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to create an earned permanent resident status adjustment program for long-term undocumented aliens who have satisfied requirements respecting: (1) security and law enforcement clearance; (2) U.S. residency and employment duration; (3) admissibility; (4) payment of federal and state income taxes; (5) citizenship skills; and (6) selective service registration. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) criminal penalties for false application statements; (2) public benefits eligibility; (3) administrative and judicial review; (4) fees; (5) employer protections; and (6) derivative status for the spouses and children. Creates a program for qualifying illegal aliens who cannot meet the earned adjustment program work or residence requirements under which such aliens may be granted deferred mandatory departure status (three-year maximum) in order to leave the United States and subsequently seek immigrant or nonimmigrant admission. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) U.S. residency and employment; (2) admissibility (and ineligibility); (3) medical examination; (4) security and law enforcement clearance; (5) registration at time of departure; (6) terms of status; (7) criminal penalties for false application statements; (8) fees; (9) employability; and (10) judicial review. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to allow aliens granted adjustment of status under this Act to correct social security records without criminal prosecution. Amends INA to exempt immediate relatives from the family-sponsored immigration cap. Expands the definition of immediate relatives to include spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.