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Bill· SS. 2616 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Emergency Relief for Rural Borderlands Act - States that aliens issued H-2B (temporary nonagricultural worker) nonimmigrant visas may not be counted toward the numerical limitation applicable to such visas during FY 2004 if the alien is working: (1) at a work site in a rural area not more than 50 miles from an international border; and (2) for an employer who has hired H-2B workers during not less than two fiscal years between FYs 1999 and 2003. Requires expedited visa processing for aliens who meet such requirements. Requires these provisions to take effect as if enacted on September 30, 2003.
Bill· HRH.R. 4777 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Fuel Efficiency Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the phaseout of the tax credit for qualified electric vehicles; (2) repeal the phaseout of the tax deduction for qualified clean-fuel vehicle property; and (3) exempt new qualified hybrid motor vehicles from the limitations on the depreciation of luxury automobiles.
Bill· HRH.R. 4767 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 20 to 60 percent the credit amount for basic research expenditures under the tax credit for increasing research activities.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 707 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4755) making appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 709 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Modifies the conference report on S.Con.Res. 95 (congressional budget) and the accompanying joint explanatory statement, as made applicable to the House of Representatives by H.Res. 649 (providing for the consideration of the conference report), with respect to major functional categories relating to: (1) Veterans Benefits and Services; and (2) International Affairs. Provides that such modifications shall have force and effect in the House as though they were included in the conference report and accompanying statement.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 705 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2004
Urges the President to report to Congress: (1) annually on progress in pursuing multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations to eliminate specified trade barriers described in the Trade Act of 2002; and (2) early in the 109th Congress on proposed alternatives to the disparate treatment of direct and indirect taxes presently provided by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other proposals for redressing the tax disadvantage to U.S. businesses and workers, either by changes to the U.S. corporate income tax or by the adoption of an alternative, including assessment of the impact of corporate tax rates, a system based on the principal of territoriality, and a border adjustment for exports such as is already allowed by the WTO for indirect taxes.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 701 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4754) making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005.
Bill· HRH.R. 4755 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2004
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for the House of Representatives for FY 2005 for: (1) salaries and/or expenses of the House leadership offices, committees (including the Committee on Appropriations), officers and employees, and the Child Care Center; (2) Members' representational allowances; and (3) the preparation of statements of appropriations. Declares the sense of the House that its Members who use vehicles in traveling and for official and representational purposes, including Members who lease vehicles for which the lease payments are made using funds provided under the Members' Representational Allowance, are encouraged to use hybrid electric and alternatively fueled vehicles whenever possible in order to move our Nation toward the use of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and reduce our dependence on oil. Makes appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Economic and Taxation Committees; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office; (4) the Capitol Police; (5) the Office of Compliance; (6) the Congressional Budget Office; and (7) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of Capitol buildings and grounds, House office buildings, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, the Capitol Police buildings and grounds, and the Botanic Garden. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, Congressional Research Service, and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding (including transfer of funds); (3) GPO for the Office of Superintendent of Documents (including transfer of funds); (4) the General Accounting Office for salaries and expenses; (5) a payment to the Government Printing Office Revolving Fund; and (6) a payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 4753 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Enhancing America's Guard and Reserve Act - Entitles a Federal employee who is a member of a reserve component to receive the difference in pay between military compensation and civilian compensation during periods of active duty exceeding 30 days. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse States or local governments for 50 percent of the civilian compensation paid by such governments to equalize military and civilian pay. Increases the reimbursement rate to 100 percent if active duty extends beyond nine months. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an active-duty reserve component employee credit for employers who provide compensation to employees on active duty. Modifies age and service requirements for receipt of retired pay for non-regular service. Permanently extends authority for certain TRICARE benefits for members of reserve components. Makes permanent the extended time period during which members of the Armed Forces separated from active duty may seek transitional health care (repealing time limits set forth in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 and the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan). Increases the amount of basic educational assistance for members of reserve components under the Montgomery GI Bill and indexes such payments to the cost of higher education. Prohibits the termination of educational assistance for a member's failure to participate satisfactorily in required training due solely to a call to active duty. Authorizes the limited use of telecommuting to satisfy inactive-duty training. Requires the Secretary of Defense to give Selected Reserve members eligibility for travel on Department of Defense aircraft on a space-available basis.
Bill· HRH.R. 4748 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment by: (1) allowing a credit amount of $3,000 for each qualifying individual; (2) increasing to $125,000 the adjusted gross income threshold amount at which credit amounts are reduced; (3) providing for an inflation adjustment to such credit and threshold amounts; and (4) making the credit refundable.
Bill· HRH.R. 4732 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Federal Whistleblower Protection Tax Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income damages (other than punitive damages and lost income) and amounts awarded as attorney fees and costs for claims under Federal whistleblower provisions prohibiting the discharge of, or discrimination, retaliation, or reprisal against, an employee for asserting rights or taking permitted actions. Provides for the averaging of such lost income for income tax purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 4718 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Agricultural Business Security Tax Credit Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a retailer of agricultural products or a manufacturer, formulator, or distributor of food-use pesticides a business tax credit for up to 50 percent of the cost of protecting certain hazardous chemicals or food-use pesticides from unauthorized access. Sets an annual limit on such credit of $2 million and a per facility limitation of $50,000 (reduced by credits received for the five prior taxable years).
Bill· HRH.R. 4729 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to rename the earned income tax credit as the Ronald Reagan earned income tax credit.
Bill· HRH.R. 4723 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income of student loan payments made for an employee by an employer. Imposes upon such an employer a tax for failure to make comparable payments on certain education loans of employees.
Bill· HRH.R. 4714 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Retirement Savings Account Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace Roth Individual Retirement Account provisions with Retirement Savings Account (RSA) provisions. Allows cash only contributions to RSAs up to the lesser of $5,000 (adjusted for inflation) or the taxpayer's compensation includible in gross income for a taxable year. Allows tax free distributions from RSAs after the account beneficiary attains age 58, dies, or becomes disabled.. Allows conversions of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) into RSAs and provides special rules for the tax treatment of amounts converted into an RSA prior to 2006. Requires a five-year holding period for amounts converted to an RSA from an IRA or an Employer Retirement Savings Account.
Bill· HRH.R. 4726 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Describes the following as acts that unreasonably burden and discriminate against interstate commerce, and prohibits States, political subdivisions, and any other taxing authority from: (1) assessing natural gas pipeline property at a value that has a higher ratio to its true market value than the ratio used to assess other commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction; (2) levying or collecting a tax on such an assessment; (3) levying or collecting an ad valorem property tax on natural gas pipeline property at a rate that exceeds the rate applicable to commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction; or (4) imposing any other tax that discriminates against a natural gas pipeline providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Grants jurisdiction to U.S. District Courts over cases involving violations of such prohibitions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4721 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Estate Tax Deferral for Working Farms and Land Conservation Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude property used by a decedent's heir as farmland from the gross income of the decedent's estate. Imposes an additional estate tax if the decedent's heir disposes of such farmland or ceases to use it for farming purposes. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the estate tax exclusion for land subject to a qualified conservation easement.
Bill· HRH.R. 4736 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2004
Independent Film Small Business Job Creation Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for expenditures relating to the production, promotion and distribution of U.S. independent motion picture films with budgets between $2 and $20 million (adjusted for inflation). Requires that not less than 95 percent of the wages or self-employment income paid for producing such films be for services provided within the United States or its possessions. Requires the recapture as income of amounts deducted if a production company ceases to qualify as an independent film production company.
Bill· SS. 2603 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a person from using any telephone facsimile (fax) machine, computer, or other device to send, to another fax machine, an unsolicited advertisement to a person who has requested that such sender not send such advertisements, or to any other person unless: (1) the sender has an established business relationship with the person; and (2) the advertisement contains a conspicuous notice on its first page that the recipient may request not to be sent any further unsolicited advertisements, and includes a domestic telephone and fax number (neither of which can be a pay-per-call number) for sending such a request. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide that a request not to send unsolicited advertisements complies with FCC requirements if: (1) the request identifies the recipient fax number to which the request relates; (2) the request is made to the telephone or fax number of the sender; and (3) the person making the request has not subsequently provided express invitation or permission to have such advertisements sent. Authorizes the FCC to allow professional tax-exempt trade associations to send unsolicited advertisements to their members in furtherance of association purposes. Requires the: (1) FCC to report annually to Congress on the enforcement of the above requirements; and (2) Comptroller General to study, and report to specified congressional committees on, complaints received by the FCC concerning unsolicited advertisements sent to fax machines.
Bill· SS. 2589 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Sets forth rules regarding the status of certain retirement plans maintained by specified types of ecumenical organizations as church plans under the Internal Revenue Code. Exempts certain of such plans from prohibitions, under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, against commingling specified assets for investment purposes.
Bill· SS. 2604 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce from ten to seven years the period during which certain built-in gains of subchapter S corporations are subject to tax.
Bill· SS. 2588 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 and succeeding fiscal years for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Bill· SS. 2594 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Faircare Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require additional data collection and reporting for funded health programs. Authorizes the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to develop a set of quality measures for each of the most common treatment settings, including hospitals and outpatient settings. Requires the Agency to rank these measures according to their potential to remedy health care disparities. Requires the Agency to establish an Advisory Committee on Quality to recommend quality indicators for all quality data sets developed by the Agency. Establishes the Office of National Healthcare Disparities and Quality within the Agency to administer the development and submission of the annual National Healthcare Disparities Report and the National Healthcare Quality Report. Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program under which financial incentive payments are made to hospitals if they meet certain criteria regarding data collection, high quality care, and the treatment of health disparity populations. Amends the PHSA to require the Secretary to: (1) designate health centers that receive Federal assistance as Faircare Health Centers if they meet such criteria; and (2) make designated health centers eligible for annual bonuses. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants and carry out activities to expand the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Program (REACH 2010). Sets forth provisions for allowing tax credits and awarding grants for qualified medical malpractice insurance expenditures for eligible health care providers and eligible entities.
Bill· SS. 2584 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Agricultural Producers Value-Added Investment Tax Credit Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals who materially participate in a farming business and certain farmer-owned entities a business tax credit up to $30,000 for investment in qualified value-added agricultural property. Defines "qualified value-added agricultural property" as depreciable property which is used to add value to a good or product, suitable for food or nonfood use, derived in whole or in part from organic matter which is available on a renewable basis, including agricultural crops and agricultural wastes and residues, wood wastes and residues, and domesticated animal wastes. Terminates the credit after 2010.
Bill· SS. 2580 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Technology Bond Initiative of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit for investment in qualified technology bonds. Defines "qualified technology bonds" as bonds issued by a State or local government for a term not exceeding 15 years, 95 percent or more of the proceeds of which are used to finance State or local projects for expanding broadband telecommunication services. Gives preference to projects for underserved urban or rural areas lacking access to high-speed Internet connections and projects reflecting partnerships and comprehensive planning between State and local governments and the private sector. Requires the inclusion in the gross income of a taxpayer amounts allowed as a tax credit under this Act. Limits the amount of bonds that may be issued nationwide to $100 million for each of calendar years 2005 through 2009. Allows a carryover of unused bond amounts to the next calendar year.
Bill· SS. 2585 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Small Business Jobs Tax Credit Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified small business employees as a targeted group eligible for the work opportunity tax credit. Defines "qualified small business employee" as an individual who resides in and is hired by a small business located in a development zone. Defines "development zone" as any area which has (1) a development zone designation and a nomination as a renewal community; (2) a population between 5,000 and 150,000; (3) a certain level of poverty; (4) an annual average rate of job growth of less than two percent over a specified period; and (5) a population loss of at least two percent since 1990. Sets forth special rules for determining the amount of the allowable credit based upon wages paid to employees in a development zone over a five-year period.
Bill· HRH.R. 4713 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Makes specified Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to limitations on credits or refunds after a limitation period inapplicable to a claim filed by Christine L. Barrott of Milton, Florida, for credit or refund of overpayments of the individual Federal income tax Christine L. Barrott paid for the taxable years 1990 through 1998, but only if such individual submits a claim within the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4692 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Children's Health Equity Technical Amendments Act of 2004 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to permit qualifying States to use a portion of their SCHIP allotment for any fiscal year for certain Medicaid expenditures.
Bill· HRH.R. 4684 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Neighbors in Need Act - Amends the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 (TEUCA) to provide a program extension for States experiencing high unemployment. Amends the Social Security Act to require: (1) increases and decreases in the earnings credited to State accounts when States meet or fail to meet funding goals; and (2) restriction of interest-free advances to State accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund to States which meet funding goals. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) suspend the tax on individual unemployment compensation for 2004 and 2005; (2) allow certified States to elect to collect Federal unemployment taxes under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA); and (3) require States to distribute to unemployed individuals State-specific information packets explaining unemployment insurance eligibility conditions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4704 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to qualify resources used to produce climate neutral combustion for the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources. Defines "climate neutral combustion" as a combustion system for generating electricity which is fueled by biomass or fossil energy carriers, from which the released carbon dioxide is captured or stored, and from which there are no atmospheric emissions of mercury or greenhouse gases nor emissions that form fine particles, smog, or acid rain.
Bill· HRH.R. 4707 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the nonrecognition of up to $50 million of gain (for capital gains tax purposes) from the sale of a telecommunications business to a qualified business. Defines "qualified business" to mean: (1) for a telecommunications sale including any interest in a broadcast station, any person that owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest in ten or fewer broadcast stations; and (2) for any other telecommunications sale, any individual, partnership, or corporation with net assets not exceeding $30 million and average after-tax income for the two preceding taxable years of not more than $10 million. Restricts to three the number of telecommunications sales a qualified business may complete without forfeiting tax deferral. Requires the recapture of deferred gain if a qualified business resells a telecommunications business within five years, unless the resale is to another qualified business or the sales proceeds are reinvested in another telecommunications business within 60 days of the resale. Authorizes the Small Business Administration to guarantee loans made to a qualified business for the purchase of a telecommunications business. Requires security for such loans, including forfeiture of any Federal Communications Commission license of a borrower who defaults on a loan.
Bill· HRH.R. 4697 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 694 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4614) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005.
Bill· SS. 2569 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a person from using any telephone facsimile (fax) machine, computer, or other device to send, to another fax machine, an unsolicited advertisement to a person who has requested that such sender not send such advertisements, or to any other person unless: (1) the sender has an established business relationship with the person; and (2) the advertisement contains a conspicuous notice on its first page that the recipient may request not to be sent any further unsolicited advertisements, and includes a domestic telephone and fax number (neither of which can be a pay-per-call number) for sending such a request. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide by rule that a request not to send unsolicited advertisements complies with legal requirements if: (1) the request identifies the recipient fax number to which the request relates; (2) the request is made to the telephone or fax number of the sender; and (3) the person making the request has not subsequently provided express invitation or permission to have such advertisements sent. Authorizes the FCC to allow professional tax-exempt trade associations to send unsolicited advertisements to their members in furtherance of association purposes. Requires the: (1) FCC to report annually to Congress on the enforcement of the above requirements; and (2) Comptroller General to study, and report to specified congressional committees on, complaints received by the FCC concerning unsolicited advertisements sent to fax machines.
Bill· SS. 2570 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Health Care Assurance Act of 2004 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to: (1) develop a target actuarial value for standard health care coverage offered by any plan or group or individual health insurance coverage; (2) specify how premiums for health care coverage are to be set; and (3) require health plans and issuers to disclose rating practices. Sets forth provisions governing the operation (including premium setting and enrollment) of qualified small employer purchasing groups, qualified association plans, church plans, multi-employer plans, plans maintained by rural electric cooperatives, and plans maintained by rural telephone cooperatives. Requires small employers to offer, but not contribute to, standard health care coverage. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose taxes on the failure of specified health insurance plans to comply with this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding "continuation coverage" (COBRA), including regarding deductibles, terminating coverage, length of coverage, and coverage of dependent children. Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) revise the definition of an eligible ''low-income child'' to mean a child whose family income is at or below 233 percent (currently, 200 percent) of the poverty line; and (2) authorize States to extend SCHIP coverage to include health care assistance for low-income parents and pregnant women. Increases the authorized appropriations for the Account for Medicare Integrity Program. Requires the Secretary to provide for reporting systems, training, education, and a national database to reduce medical errors. Establishes the Trust Fund for Medical Treatment Outcomes Research to be funded using taxes related to health insurance policies. Sets forth provisions regarding information technology, including regarding how the use of such technology can be encouraged. Requires the Secretary to educate the public about health care choices and to develop ways to improve advance directives and living wills. Amends the title XVIII (Medicare) of the SSA to increase the reimbursement rate for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. Requires the Secretary to establish programs to recruit high school or college students to careers in general medicine.
Bill· HRH.R. 4658 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Servicemembers Legal Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to define "judgment" for purposes of that Act as any judgment, decree, order, or ruling, whether final or temporary. Requires written waivers of rights and protections provided by the SCRA to be executed as separate instruments and in 12 point type. Extends to plaintiffs the same right to request stays of civil proceedings as is granted to defendants under the SCRA. States that a servicemember's termination of a residential or motor vehicle lease shall terminate any obligation of the servicemember's dependents under such lease. Specifies that motor vehicle lease termination provisions apply to servicemembers who receive military orders: (1) for a permanent change of station from a location in the continental United States to a location outside the continental United States or from a location in a State outside the continental United States to any location outside that State; or (2) to deploy with a military unit or as an individual in support of a military operation for not less than 180 days. Prohibits tax jurisdictions from imposing use, excise, or similar taxes on the personal property of nonresident servicemembers absent a credit for such taxes paid on the same property in another tax jurisdiction.
Bill· HRH.R. 4652 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Energy Independence Act of 2004 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a renewable fuel program for motor vehicle fuel sold or dispensed in the contiguous United States. Authorizes the Administrator to allow participation by noncontiguous States. Prohibits the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a fuel additive. Requires Federal agency fleet vehicles to be clean fuel vehicles. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) to expand business tax credits (credits) for electricity produced from renewable resources. Authorizes pro rata allocation of the small ethanol producer credit to patrons of cooperative organizations. Establishes a business credit for energy efficient appliances. Repeals the retail excise tax on diesel fuel for diesel-powered trains. Reduces the excise tax rate on fuel used in inland waterways transportation. Provides a business credit for construction of energy efficient homes and a personal credit for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes. Sets forth special rules applicable to the business credit for renewable electricity production. Establishes a credit against manufacturers excise taxes for alcohol fuel and biodiesel mixtures. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify date restrictions applicable to additional duties on certain fuels. Amends the IRC to extend the alcohol fuels business credit. Establishes a general business credit for biodiesel fuels. Expands the qualified small-issue bond program. Establishes a personal credit for alternative motor vehicles. Establishes a business credit for engines complying with specified emissions levels.
Bill· HRH.R. 4662 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Health Care Choice Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the primary State (as designated by the health insurance issuer) apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer both in the primary State and in any secondary State. Exempts health insurance issuers from any State law or regulation that would: (1) regulate the operation of the health insurance issuer in the secondary State, except for certain activities, including paying taxes and registering with the State insurance commissioner; (2) require any individual health insurance coverage issued by the issuer to be countersigned by an agent or broker residing in the secondary State; or (3) discriminate against the issuer issuing insurance in both primary and secondary States. Allows States to require brokers to obtain a license from that State, but not to impose any requirements that discriminate against nonresident brokers. Requires health insurance issuers offering coverage in more than one State to submit to the insurance commissioner of each State a copy of a plan of operation or a feasibility study, written notice of any change in designation of its primary State, and an annual financial statement. Declares that this Act does not affect the authority of Federal or State courts to enjoin the sale of health insurance coverage to any person or group who is not eligible for such insurance or by a health insurance issuer that is in hazardous financial conditions. Sets forth requirements for primary States. Gives sole jurisdiction to primary States to enforce the covered laws in primary and secondary States. Sets forth procedures for resolving disputes.
Bill· HRH.R. 4663 (108th)failed
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Spending Control Act of 2004 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to: (1) revise for FY 2004 discretionary spending limits (spending caps) for the highway and mass transit categories; (2) set forth for FY 2005 and 2006 new budget authority and outlays for the general purpose discretionary category, outlays for the highway category and new budget authority and outlays for the mass transit category; and (3) set forth for FY 2007 through 2009 outlays for the highway category and new budget authority and outlays for the mass transit category. Revises the requirement that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) make adjustments to the highway category to conform to estimated levels of highway receipts. Sets forth the level of obligation limitations (sum of budget authority and obligation limitations) for the highway and mass transit categories for FY 2004 through 2009. Provides that, in any of FY 2005 through 2006, discretionary advance appropriations provided in appropriation Acts in excess of $23,558 billion shall be counted against the discretionary spending limits for the fiscal year for which the appropriation Act containing the advance appropriation is enacted. Extends PAY-AS-YOU-GO requirements through FY 2009 to provide for an offsetting sequestration for direct spending (currently, direct spending and receipts) legislation that is enacted before October 1, 2009, that causes a net increase in direct spending (currently, net deficit increase). Provides, under specified conditions, for additional new budget authority in FY 2005 or 2006 for fire suppression and for an adjustment in the discretionary spending limit for FY 2005 for appropriations for the global war on terrorism. Excludes from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and OMB estimates certain extending provisions in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Requires the estimates set forth in the discretionary sequestration preview and final reports issued by OMB and CBO to include the current year and each subsequent year through FY 2006 (or FY 2009 solely to enforce the discretionary spending limits for the highway and mass transit categories). Extends: (1) certain budget enforcement requirements through FY 2006 (or 2009 for enforcement of spending caps for highway and mass transit categories); and (2) PAY-AS-YOU-GO requirements through FY 2013.
Bill· HRH.R. 4653 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Compassionate Assistance for Parents with Children with Special Needs Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the medical expenses of disabled children under the age of 18 shall be tax deductible without regard to the 7.5 percent adjusted gross income threshold .
Law· HRH.R. 4654 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Amends the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to authorize: (1) appropriations for concessional loan debt reduction for developing countries with tropical forests; (2) specified amounts for program audits and evaluations; and (3) principal and interest payments in local currency (under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954).
Bill· HRH.R. 4655 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Patriotic Employers of Guard and Reservists Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business tax credit for 50 percent of the lesser of: (1) actual compensation paid to each Ready Reserve-National Guard employee while on active duty; or (2) $30,000. Allows employers a refundable credit against payroll taxes for wages paid to employees who are first responders (i.e., law enforcement officials, firefighters, paramedics, and Ready Reserve-National Guard employees). Allows employers a tax credit for 50 percent of the lesser of: (1) the wages paid to each employee hired to replace a Ready Reserve-National Guard employee or self-employed Reservist while on active duty; or (2) $12,000. Increases the amount of the credit for certain U.S. manufacturers. Disqualifies an employer for the tax credit if the employer has failed to comply with employment or reemployment rights of military personnel.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 692 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4663) to amend part C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to extend the discretionary spending limits and pay-as-you-go through fiscal year 2009.
Bill· SS. 2558 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2004
Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act or the HeLP America Act - Sets forth provisions for the establishment of, and incentives for, preventive health programs. Provides for: (1) a program to make free fresh fruits and vegetables available in schools; (2) establishment of a local school wellness policy; (3) healthy school nutrition environment incentive grants; and (4) school mental health program grants. Healthy Workforce Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for: (1) a wellness program credit; and (2) an income exclusion for employer-provided off-premises health club services. Provides for grants to promote individual and community health, to prevent the incidence of chronic disease, and to implement Living Well With a Disability Programs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop enhanced standards for the design of roads and intersection controls to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety; and (2) implement public health surveillance measures to address mental and behavioral health needs. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary to: (1) regulate tobacco products (through the Food and Drug Administration); and (2) establish the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. Sets forth tobacco product standards and registration, recordkeeping, reporting, manufacturer and importer user fee, labeling, advertising, and marketing requirements. Requires vending machines and certain restaurants to provide nutritional information on each food offered, including the number of calories. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to allow the Secretary to prohibit the advertising of certain foods in participating schools. Disallows deductions for certain tobacco-related advertising and marketing expenses. Provides for national and local campaigns to reduce the use of tobacco products. Allows the Secretary to impose penalties on the tobacco industry for failure to achieve specified goals to reduce youth smoking. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage of certain counseling and screening services, including for substance use, diet, exercise, clinical depression, anxiety, and cessation of tobacco use. Establishes the Help (Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention) America Trust Fund to fund smoking cessation efforts and other efforts required by this Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct research on obesity prevention, treatment, and control with regard to the effectiveness of physical activity and dietary counseling. Revises provisions concerning tax shelters, including defining economic substance and adding or increasing the penalty for certain types of tax shelter activity.
Bill· HRH.R. 4648 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2004
Mandatory Spending Control Act of 2004 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to extend PAY-AS-YOU-GO requirements through FY 2009 to provide for an offsetting sequestration for direct spending (currently, direct spending and receipts) legislation that is enacted before October 1, 2009, that causes a net increase in direct spending (currently, net deficit increase). Excludes from Congressional Budget Office and Office of Management and Budget estimates certain extending provisions in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Extends PAY-AS-YOU-GO requirements through FY 2013.
Bill· HRH.R. 4639 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2004
Federal Advertising Reform Act of 2004 - Prohibits amounts appropriated to an agency in any fiscal year which exceed $10 million to prepare or produce print, radio, or television advertising campaigns, as well as video news releases, uses of outdoor media, and internet advertisements on websites not operated by the Federal Government from being expended unless: (1) any proposed advertisement is submitted to the Comptroller General of the United States for review; and (2) the Comptroller General determines that such advertisement does not contain a political message and is not false, misleading, or deceptive.
Bill· HRH.R. 4649 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2004
Discretionary Spending Control Act of 2004 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to: (1) revise for FY 2004 discretionary spending limits (spending caps) for the highway and mass transit categories; (2) set forth for FY 2005 and 2006 new budget authority and outlays for the general purpose discretionary category, outlays for the highway category and new budget authority and outlays for the mass transit category; and (3) set forth for FY 2007 through 2009 outlays for the highway category and new budget authority and outlays for the mass transit category. Revises the requirement that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) make adjustments to the highway category to conform to estimated levels of highway receipts. Sets forth the level of obligation limitations (sum of budget authority and obligation limitations) for the highway and mass transit categories for FY 2004 through 2009. Provides that, in any of FY 2005 through 2006, discretionary advance appropriations provided in appropriation Acts in excess of $23,558 billion shall be counted against the discretionary spending limits for the fiscal year for which the appropriation Act containing the advance appropriation is enacted. Provides, under specified conditions, for additional new budget authority in FY 2005 or 2005 for fire suppression and for an adjustment in the discretionary spending limit for FY 2005 for supplemental appropriations for the global war on terrorism. Requires the estimates set forth in the discretionary sequestration preview and final reports issued by OMB and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to include the current year and each subsequent year through FY 2006 (or FY 2009 solely to enforce the discretionary spending limits for the highway and mass transit categories). Extends certain budget enforcement requirements through FY 2006 (or 2009 for enforcing the spending caps for the highway and mass transit categories).
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 685 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2004
Modifies the conference report on S.Con.Res. 95 (congressional budget) and the accompanying joint explanatory statement, as made applicable to the House of Representatives by H.Res. 649 (providing for the consideration of the conference report), with respect to: (1) recommended levels and amounts; (2) major functional categories; (3) allocations made to the House Committee on Appropriations; and (4) additional reconciliation instructions to the House Committee on Ways and Means to change tax laws to increase revenues by a specified amount through reduction or offsetting of tax reductions received during tax year 2005 by taxpayers filing joint returns with adjusted gross income above $1 million and comparable amounts for taxpayers with other filing statuses. Provides that such modifications shall have force and effect in the House as though they were included in the conference report and accompanying statement.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 686 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4548) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2005 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System.
Bill· HRH.R. 4628 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2004
Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to apply patient protection and quality care standards to group health plans and issuers of health insurance coverage. Applies such standards also to Federal health insurance programs. Requires such plans and issuers to have approved utilization review programs, claims procedures, and appeal procedures concerning claims denials. Requires patient access to health plan information and to care, including: (1) a consumer choice option and choice of health care professional; (2) emergency care; (3) timely access to specialists; (4) obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics; (5) care continuity; (6) prescription drugs; (7) participation in clinical trials; and (8) breast cancer treatment hospital stays and consultations. Restricts interference by a plan or insurer with the doctor-patient relationship. Prohibits discrimination against a licensed health care professional with respect to participation or indemnification. Sets forth requirements relating to payment of claims and protection of patient advocacy. Provides a tax credit for the health insurance expenses of small businesses. Treats qualified health benefit purchasing distributions by private foundations as distributions for a charitable purpose. Establishes demonstration grants programs to: (1) increase access to health insurance through alternative means; and (2) provide health insurance information to small employers.