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301 records in US in 2004
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2004
AMT Middle Class Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow as a deduction against alternative minimum taxable income certain State and local taxes; and (2) provide for an inflation adjustment of the alternative minimum tax exemption amount for individual taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4613) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2004
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 - Appropriates funds for FY 2005 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance (including for the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Account, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, environmental restoration, overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid, and former Soviet Union threat reduction); (3) procurement (including for shipbuilding and conversion, and purchases under the Defense Production Act of 1950); (4) research, development, test and evaluation; (5) revolving and management funds; (6) the Defense Health Program; (7) chemical agents and munitions destruction; (8) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; (9) the Office of the Inspector General; (10) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund; (11) the Intelligence Community Management Account; and (12) the National Security Education Trust Fund. Specifies authorized, restricted, and prohibited uses of appropriated funds. Rescinds specified funds from various accounts under prior defense appropriations Acts. Reduces by specified amounts the total amount appropriated in this Act to: (1) reflect savings attributable to efficiencies and management improvements in the funding of miscellaneous or other contracts in military departments; (2) reduce cost growth in information technology development and modernization; (3) reflect cash balance and rate stabilization adjustments in DOD Working Capital Funds and the DOD Transportation Working Capital Fund; (4) reflect savings from revised economic assumptions; (5) reflect savings attributable to the offsetting of payments to contractors for the collection of unpaid taxes owed to the United States; and (6) reduce amounts budgeted in anticipation of the application of non-statutory funding set-asides. Appropriates additional funds, to be designated for overseas contingency operations, for DOD for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance; (3) the Iraq Freedom Fund; (4) procurement (including National Guard and reserve equipment); (5) revolving and management funds; and (6) the Defense Health Program. Appropriates additional funds, with the same designation, for the Department of State for diplomatic and consular programs, embassy security, international disaster and famine assistance, and migration and refugee assistance. Authorizes the use of DOD funds for specified activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, including supporting U.S. military and security forces, combating terrorism, and providing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. Reaffirms U.S. policy against the torture of prisoners of war and detainees.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2004
Gasoline Price Reduction and Refinery Tax Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to define "oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or transmission facilities" as all field activities or operations associated with exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations, or transmission facilities, including activities necessary to prepare a site for drilling and for the movement and placement of drilling equipment, whether or not such field activities or operations may be considered to be construction activities. Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Project Coordination (Office) within the Executive Office of the President. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) perform an internal review of Federal onshore oil and gas leasing and permitting practices; and (2) implement certain best management practices to ensure timely action on oil and gas leases and applications for permits to drill on lands otherwise available for leasing. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to: (1) enter into a prescribed Memorandum of Understanding regarding oil and gas leasing on public lands; and (2) establish a joint data retrieval system and a joint Geographic Information System mapping system. Amends the Energy Act of 2000 to require the Secretary of the Interior's inventory of all Federal onshore lands to identify restrictions or impediments to oil and gas resource development of such lands. Directs each Federal agency head to require the agency, before it takes action that could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of domestic energy resources from Federal public land, to act in compliance with a certain Executive Order that identifies actions to expedite energy-related projects. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to set a deadline for expeditious consideration of applications for permits for oil and gas leases. Requires a Federal agency, in issuing any rule or order relating to gasoline production and distribution, to include a detailed analysis of the effects the rule or order would have on gasoline supply and seek to ensure that no rule or order is issued that will increase U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accelerated depreciation for refinery machinery. Requires each Federal agency with the authority to do so to approve or disapprove (with specified explanations) within 180 days of its receipt any application for approval of an action affecting the siting or operation of U.S. refineries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2004
Eminent Domain Relief for the Little Guy Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the nonrecognition of gain from the involuntary conversion (by eminent domain) of property held by individuals, corporations, or partnerships with gross receipts of $5 million or less. Exempts such taxpayers from certain tax rules for involuntary conversions, including the requirement that the condemned property be converted into similar property within a specified two-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2004
Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act - Establishes within the Treasury the Southern California Basins Groundwater Remediation Fund, which shall be used by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to provide grants to a local water authority within the natural watersheds of the Santa Ana River or the San Gabriel River in California for the Federal share of costs associated with designing and constructing groundwater remediation projects. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating any funds appropriated to the Fund in a fiscal year until the Secretary has deposited a matching amount provided by non-Federal interests of at least 35 percent for a project. Makes each authority responsible for providing the required non-Federal amount. Directs the Secretary to credit the appropriate authority with the value of all prior compatible expenditures by non-Federal interests made after January 1, 2000. .
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2004
Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to make Alzheimer's disease research a priority within the National Institute on Aging. Requires the Director of the Institute to: (1) undertake an Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Initiative to accelerate the discovery of new risk and protective factors, to rapidly identify therapies and preventive interventions, and to implement effective prevention and treatment strategies; (2) conduct and support cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's; and (3) conduct research concerning early detection and diagnosis, the relationship between Alzheimer's and vascular disease, and interventions designed to help caregivers. Authorizes the Director to establish a National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to facilitate collaboration among Alzheimer's Disease Centers and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to educate the public and public health community regarding Alzheimer's disease. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants or cooperative agreements to develop coordinated respite care programs on a statewide basis. Defines "respite care" to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver of such child or adult. Directs the Secretary to award a grant or cooperative agreement to a public or private nonprofit entity to establish a National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a nonrefundable tax credit for each individual certified as having long-term care needs and for whom the taxpayer is acting as a caregiver; (2) a tax deduction for long-term care premiums paid under a qualified insurance contract; and (3) qualified long-term care insurance to be offered in a cafeteria plan and flexible spending arrangements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2004
Keeping American Jobs at Home Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) prohibit tax credits or deductions for certain expenses relating to the outsourcing of goods and services from the United States; (2) provide for advance payments of the health insurance tax credit for trade adjustment assistance workers (TAA workers) for months prior to the issuance of a qualified health insurance costs credit eligibility certificate; (3) cover spouses of Medicare-eligible TAA workers under such tax credit; and (4) increase the amount of such tax credit from 65 to 75 percent of health insurance costs. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to: (1) extend trade adjustment assistance to workers in the service sector and public agencies; (2) increase funding levels for job retraining programs; and (3) establish a wage insurance program for displaced workers which includes health insurance benefits. Creates a business judgment defense to shareholder lawsuits to protect corporate officers or directors who determine that it is in the best interest of their corporations to keep jobs or other business activities in the United States. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) prevent a lapse of health care coverage for TAA workers; and (2) align coverage periods under such Acts with eligibility periods for TAA workers. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require a State or entity to use national emergency grant funds to provide TAA workers and their family members with health insurance coverage for periods prior to their first eligibility month.
United States · United States Congress · 16 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.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2004
Alaska Native Allotment Subdivision Act - Authorizes an Alaskan Native owner of restricted land (land in Alaska subject to Federal restrictions against alienation and taxation), with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, to: (1) subdivide the restricted land in accordance with State laws or applicable local platting authority; and (2) execute a certificate of ownership and dedication regarding such land with the same effect under State law as if the subdivided and dedicated land were held by unrestricted fee simple title. Ratifies and confirms prior subdivisions and dedications as of the date of the Secretary's approval. Provides that, except in a case in which a specific interest in such restricted land is dedicated, nothing in this Act terminates, diminishes, or otherwise affects the continued existence and applicability of Federal restrictions against alienation and taxation on restricted land or interests in restricted land (including such subdivided restricted land).
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2004
New Markets Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase for 2004 through 2007 the limitation on the investment amounts for the new markets tax credit; and (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations for the designation of low-income communities for purposes of the tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2004
Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to make Alzheimer's disease research a priority within the National Institute on Aging. Requires the Director of the Institute to: (1) undertake an Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Initiative to accelerate the discovery of new risk and protective factors, to rapidly identify therapies and preventive interventions, and to implement effective prevention and treatment strategies; (2) conduct and support cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's; and (3) conduct research concerning early detection and diagnosis, the relationship between Alzheimer's and vascular disease, and interventions designed to help caregivers. Authorizes the Director to establish a National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to facilitate collaboration among Alzheimer's Disease Centers and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to educate the public and public health community regarding Alzheimer's disease. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants or cooperative agreements to develop coordinated respite care programs on a statewide basis. Defines "respite care" to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver of such child or adult. Directs the Secretary to award a grant or cooperative agreement to a public or private nonprofit entity to establish a National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a nonrefundable tax credit for each individual certified as having long-term care needs and for whom the taxpayer is acting as a caregiver; (2) a tax deduction for long-term care premiums paid under a qualified insurance contract; and (3) qualified long-term care insurance to be offered in a cafeteria plan and flexible spending arrangements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2004
National Security Education Program Enhancement Act of 2004 - Amends the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1992 to require the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to transfer specified amounts to the Secretary of Education from Intelligence Community Management (ICM) appropriations to carry out national security education scholarship, fellowship, and grant programs. Revises post-education service obligations for such programs to: (1) allow a delay in the commencement of service obligations; (2) require only a one-year obligation for scholarship recipients; and (3) allow service obligations to be served with a variety of Federal agencies. Requires the DCI to transfer ICM funds to carry out grant programs for the National Flagship Language Initiative (an Initiative for achieving advanced proficiency in languages designated as critical to national security). Amends the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to require students receiving training under the Initiative to enter into service agreements with the intelligence community element providing such training or reimburse the United States. Directs the Secretary of Defense to take steps to increase the number of qualified educational institutions receiving Initiative grants. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to award scholarships to U.S. citizens who are native speakers of languages designated as critical and not proficient at a professional level in English to enable them to pursue English studies. Requires recipients to enter into service agreements. Requires the DCI to transfer ICM funds to carry out such program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend the limitation period for filing refund claims for overpayments of tax for any veteran whose overpayment relates to a determination by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that such veteran was entitled to service-connected disability compensation. Provides that the suspension period begins on the date a veteran submits a claim for compensation and ends on the date the Secretary makes a determination. Permits a veteran to file a refund claim for overpayment of tax (relating to benefit determinations made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs after 1995) even if the claim is barred by law, if the claim is filed before the end of one year after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4568) making appropriations for the Department of Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4567) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2004
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency; (2) Department of Defense; (3) Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) National Security Agency; (5) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (6) Departments of State, the Treasury, Energy, and Justice; (7) Federal Bureau of Investigation; (8) National Reconnaissance Office; (9) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; (10) Coast Guard; and (11) Department of Homeland Security. Specifies that the amounts authorized and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 2005, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. Allows the Director of Central Intelligence, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to authorize employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY 2005 when necessary for the performance of important intelligence functions. Requires notification of the congressional intelligence committees on the use of such authority. Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account for FY 2005, as well as for full-time personnel for elements within such Account. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise permitted by the Constitution or laws of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2004
Tax Incentives to Encourage Recycling Act of 2004 (TIER Act of 2004) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow manufacturers of computer and television equipment a business tax credit for the disposal and recyling of such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 50 percent of the cost of a qualified hydrogen-powered vehicle refueling property (defined as depreciable property used for the production, storage, or dispensing of hydrogen fuel into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle) and its installation. Excludes from gross income amounts attributable to the sale of hydrogen fuel sold at retail for use in a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2004
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the tax exclusion for extraterritorial income. Reduces corporate tax rates on domestic production activities income and on certain small businesses. Extends until 2008 provisions allowing expensing of small business assets and revises rules for the depreciation of certain leasehold improvements, restaurant property, aircraft, and bonus depreciation property. Revises tax rules for S corporations and rules relating to the foreign source income of U.S. businesses and individuals. Reduces the alternative minimum tax for certain corporations and farmers. Repeals excise tax reductions for certain alcohol fuel mixtures and allows the tax credit for alcohol products used as fuel to reduce excise tax liabilities. Adds tax reporting requirements to regulate the payment of certain fuel excise taxes. Extends certain expiring tax credits and deductions and authorities for the issuance of certain tax-exempt bonds. Permits a taxpayer election to deduct State and local general sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes. Sets forth rules relating to the tax treatment of expatriated individuals and corporations. Adds or increases penalties for abusive tax shelter activities. Revises tax rules for the treatment of certain transactions made primarily for the avoidance of U.S. taxation. Revises rules for the tax treatment of certain leases made with tax-exempt entities. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into contracts with private collection agencies for the collection of unpaid taxes. Sets forth rules for the tax deduction for charitable contributions of patents and other similar intellectual properties and for motor vehicles, boats, and aircraft. Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 - Eliminates tobacco quota and price support programs and provides for transitional payments to tobacco quota holders and active producers of quota tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Makes permanent the reduction in taxes on dividends and capital gains enacted by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Simple Tax for Seniors Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to taxpayers age 65 or older a new income tax form to be known as "Form 1040S" which shall be as similar as practicable to Form 1040EZ. Allows use of this form without regard to the amount of the taxpayer's taxable income or even if the taxpayer's income includes social security income, distributions from qualified retirement plans, interest and dividends, or certain capital gains and losses.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the cost of transporting food to assist hunger relief efforts of certain charitable organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act of 2004 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management to administer a separate health insurance program for non-Federal employees who are either self-employed or employees of a small business with fewer than 100 employees. Allows the Office to contract with carriers to provide health insurance under this Act. Requires rates charged to reasonably and equitably reflect the costs of the benefits provided. Permits rates and premiums to vary based on age but not on health status factors. Permits the Office to reimburse a carrier for costs that exceed premiums received by a specified percentage. Requires a carrier to make payments to a contingency reserve fund established by the Office if the carrier's costs are lower than expected by a specified percentage. Allows the Office to use such funds to provide assistance to carriers that experience unanticipated financial hardships. Requires the Office to establish a reinsurance fund to provide payments to carriers that experience a catastrophic claim (a claim over $50,000) for benefits provided to an individual enrolled under this Act. Allows a participating employer to offer supplemental coverage options to employees for excepted benefits that are not subject to the Public Health Service Act requirements for health plans. Authorizes the Office to contract with entities to administer this health program regionally. Allows certain benefits to be offered to Medicare beneficiaries. Requires the Office to implement a public education campaign regarding this health insurance program. Allows a refundable tax credit for health insurance expenses of small employers who pay a specific percentage of employee expenses under such a health plan.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Energy Policy Act of 2004 - Sets forth a program to spur diverse energy research and development including the following: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Indian energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; and (10) energy tax incentives. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings. Institutes grant programs for low-income community energy efficiency and energy efficient public buildings. Revises energy conservation standards for: (1) additional consumer products; (2) affordable housing and assisted housing; and (3) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2004 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revamp guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing proposals for alternative conditions and requirements governing project works within a Federal reservation. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to promote hydroelectric production. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities governing the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Sets forth a program of production incentives that includes: (1) oil and gas royalties in kind; (2) marginal property production; (3) natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico; and (4) oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Project Coordination in the same manner and with the same mission as the White House Energy Projects Task Force established by a specified Executive Order. Prescribes implementation guidelines for access to Federal land for: (1) oil and gas leasing; (2) expedited permits; (3) energy rights-of-way and corridors on public and Federal lands; (4) renewable energy on Federal land; and (5) electricity transmission line rights of way on public land. Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - Requires the President and the Secretaries of the Interior and of Energy to expedite the Federal decision-making process for access to Federal lands for energy projects. Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project and pipeline expansion following an expedited approval process. Instructs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to train adult and dislocated workers in Alaska in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to offer Federal loan guarantees to specified certificated entities for infrastructure projects. Sets forth a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Authorizes Federal loan guarantees for designated coal gasification projects, including: (1) a loan to the owner of a specified experimental plant; (2) a coal gasification project that produces power in deregulated energy generation markets; and (3) a petroleum coke gasification polygeneration project. Modifies statutory requirements governing Federal coal leases, including acreage limitations, mining plans, and advance royalty payments. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to facilitate production and generation of coal-based power and the installation of pollution control equipment. Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2004 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote Indian tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 [sic] - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees and Department of Energy (DOE) contractors. Prohibits assumption by the U.S. Government of liability for certain foreign incidents. Addresses general nuclear matters, including: (1) establishment of an NRC training and fellowship program for individuals with critical nuclear safety regulatory skills; (2) elimination of pension offset; (3) a DOE decommissioning pilot program; (4) uranium sales; (5) special demonstration projects for the uranium mining industry; (6) whistleblower protection prescriptions; (7) medical isotope production; (8) uranium enrichment facilities; and (9) the national uranium stockpile. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project. Prescribes implementation guidelines for a training program to respond to threats against designated nuclear facilities, including use of firearms by licensee security personnel and NRC certificate holders. Sets forth a transportation fuels program that uses: (1) alternative fuels for dual-fueled vehicles; (2) fuel credits for medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; and (3) lease condensates. Sets forth implementation guidelines for pilot programs that target: (1) alternative fueled vehicles; (2) fuel cell vehicles; (3) advanced vehicles; and (4) hybrid vehicles. Instructs the Secretary of Energy, in partnership with the private sector, to conduct programs that address production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources. Directs the President to establish an interagency task force on hydrogen fuel infrastructure for hydrogen-carrier fuels, including fleet transportation. Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application in the areas of: (1) energy efficiency; (2) distributed energy and electric energy systems; (3) renewable energy; (4) nuclear energy; (5) fossil energy; (6) ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas, and other petroleum resource exploration and production; (7) science; and (8) energy and the environment (including international cooperation). Electric Reliability Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC regulatory jurisdiction over an Electric Reliability Organization. Prescribes guidelines for electric reliability standards, including electric transmission infrastructure, operation and transmission rates. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) require electric utilities to make net metering and smart metering available upon consumer request; and (2) terminate mandatory purchase and sale requirements pertaining to cogeneration and small power production utilities. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2004 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) direct FERC to promulgate market transparency rules governing sales of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce, or transmission services in interstate commerce; and (2) prohibit round trip trading. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules that prohibit in the absence of consumer consent: (1) the change of selection of an electric utility ("slamming"); and (2) the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer ("cramming"). Mandates review of Federal agency review authorities over mergers to determine if duplicative authorities exist. Revises Federal Power Act prescriptions governing electric utility mergers. Energy Tax Policy Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish energy tax credits affecting: (1) residential and business property; (2) alternative motor vehicles and fuels; (3) low sulfur diesel fuel; (4) clean coal technology units; and (5) certain alternative minimum tax provisions. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize Federal grants to rural and remote communities with specified electricity costs for improved electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Provides royalty payment relief for offshore oil and gas production leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to change the composition, operation, and duties of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Retains the effect of a specified Department of Energy Order regarding transmission security. Extends the attainment date for certain downwind ozone nonattainment areas. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) to establish criteria for safe and environmentally protective use of specified granular mine tailings. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator to promulgate regulations ensuring that domestic motor vehicle fuel consumption includes renewable fuel containing ethanol. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to provide assistance to merchant producers of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in making the transition from producing MTBE to producing iso-octane, iso-octene, alkylates, or renewable fuels. Prohibits the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel by December 31, 2014, in any State that does not specifically authorize it. Authorizes the President to determine by June 30, 2014, that this prohibition against the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel shall not take place and that the legal authority to prohibit its use in motor vehicle fuel shall become null and void. Eliminates the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline. Conditions the Administrator's approval of State fuel restrictions upon a finding that they will neither cause fuel supply or distribution interruptions nor have a significant adverse impact on fuel producibility. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make loan guarantees for private sector construction of facilities for the processing and conversion of municipal solid waste and cellulosic biomass into fuel ethanol and other commercial byproducts; and (2) provide grants for construction of ethanol production facilities. Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2004 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator to distribute specified fund percentages from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to States to pay costs incurred for regulation of underground storage tanks (USTs). Allows undistributed funds to be used for enforcing UST regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Long-Term Care Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income distributions from an individual retirement account and other tax-exempt retirement plans used to pay long-term care insurance premiums.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Justice and Understanding By IMF Loan Elimination and Equity (JUBILEE) Act of 2004 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to commence immediate efforts, within the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other appropriate multilateral development institutions (MDI's), to accomplish: (1) cancellation of all debts owed to the IMF by specified eligible poor countries, and the financing of such debt cancellation from ongoing IMF operations, procedures, and accounts established as of the end of the most recent fiscal year, including the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (formerly known as the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility or ESAF); (2) limitation of any waiting period before receipt of debt cancellation to one month from the date of an eligible poor country's application for it; and (3) encouragement of the government of each eligible poor country to allocate at least 20 percent of its national budget, including the savings from such debt cancellation, for the provision of basic health care services, education services, and clean water services to individuals in the country. Sets forth requirements for: (1) a prohibition against the IMF's requiring any country receiving new concessional loans to privilege the IMF as a creditor over the United States; (2) establishment of a framework to ensure the transparency regarding each international financial institution's activities; and (3) availability on the Treasury Department's website of U.S. Executive Directors' remarks at meetings of international financial institutions' Boards of Directors. Requires the Secretary to commence immediate efforts, within the Paris Club, the IMF, and other appropriate MDI's, to ensure that the provision of debt cancellation to such countries is not conditioned on any agreement by such a country to implement or comply with specified policies that deepen poverty or degrade the environment. Bars funds appropriated in any Act (except those providing for debt relief to poor countries) from being obligated or made available to IMF unless specified conditions are met relating to debt cancellation for all eligible poor countries and termination of conditioning debt relief on certain structural adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2004
Public Good IRA Rollover Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income distributions from individual retirement accounts for certain charitable purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2004
Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for up to 50 percent of qualified remediation expenditures for contaminated sites (property used in a trade or business on which there has been a release (or threat of release) or disposal of any hazardous substance) in certain poverty-rated areas. Defines "qualified remediation expenditures" as expenditures for: (1) the abatement or control of any hazardous substance, petroleum, or any petroleum by-product at a contaminated site in accordance with a State-approved remediation and redevelopment plan; (2) the complete demolition of a structure; (3) the removal and disposal of property; and (4) the reconstruction of utilities on a contaminated site. Requires States to allocate credit amounts under an allocation plan that considers specified criteria, including: (1) poverty rates: (2) location of a contaminated site; and (3) the amount of new employment expected to result from redevelopment. Imposes a ceiling on the State environmental remediation credit and limits the national environmental remediation credit for each calendar year to $1 billion. Sets forth special rules for: (1) allocating unused environmental remediation credit carryover amounts among States: (2) adjusting the limitation on the national environmental remediation credit for inflation; (3) assigning portions of the credit; and (4) recapturing credit amounts if a taxpayer fails to properly complete environmental remediation under a State approved remediation and redevelopment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2004
Educational Opportunity for the 21st Century Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Education for FY 2005. Includes specified amounts for various programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Assistive Technology Act of 1998, Helen Keller National Center Act, Education of the Deaf Act of 1986, and other education laws. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from implementing or enforcing for award year 2005-2006 any annual update to an allowance for State and other taxes in HEA need analysis to determine students' expected family contributions. Provides for additional amounts for specified ESEA programs for disadvantaged students to be available for those local educational agencies that would otherwise receive, under the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2004, smaller allocations for FY 2004 than FY 2003. Reduces by 55.7 percent the tax reduction for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes above $1,000,000 for 2004 resulting from enactment of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2004
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend to FY 2010 the authorization of appropriations for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program in Louisiana and Mississippi.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2004
Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the ten percent penalty on early distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans withdrawals made by military reservists or national guardsmen called to active duty for a period in excess of 179 days or for an indefinite period. Permits reimbursement of such withdrawals within two years after the end of the active duty period. Applies the provisions of this Act to individuals ordered or called to active duty after September 11, 2001, and before September 12, 2005, for retirement plan distributions made after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Tax Code Termination Act - Mandates the termination of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after December 31, 2009, except for self-employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes, and Railroad Retirement taxes. Declares that any new Federal tax system should be a simple and fair system that: (1) applies a low rate to all Americans; (2) provides tax relief for working Americans; (3) protects the rights of taxpayers and reduces tax collection abuses; (4) eliminates the bias against savings and investment; (5) promotes economic growth and job creation; and (6) does not penalize marriage or families. Requires that the new Federal tax system be approved by Congress in its final form by July 4, 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Community Security Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a volunteer first responder employee tax credit. Allows a deduction for a volunteer first responder for training expenses. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct: (1) the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response to establish a standard of basic preparedness for local first responders and to provide for the award of need-based, competitive grants to States and local governments for basic personal equipment and communications enhancement needed to perform disaster response, mitigation, and recovery missions; and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Homeland Security Competitive Research Grant Program and to award research grants to colleges and universities for purposes including understanding how the Homeland Security Advisory System operates as a useful communication tool for citizens. Amends: (1) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out activities including training elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators to identify and prevent avoidable disasters, and to assist children in dealing with the aftermath of terrorism and disasters; and (2) the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide for financial assistance to affected State and local governments for school-based community mental health counseling.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 to revise the per-unit cost calculation for expiring tenant-based rental assistance contracts under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide: (1) emergency financial assistance to agricultural producers who have incurred qualifying 2003 and/or 2004 crop losses due to weather or related conditions; and (2) payments to livestock producers who have incurred 2003 and/or 2004 losses in an emergency-designated county, with set-asides for the American Indian livestock program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to involuntary conversion rules to: (1) permit the replacement of livestock with other farm property in the case of drought, flood, or other weather-related conditions (such provision currently applies only to cases of soil or other environmental contamination); and (2) extend the replacement period for livestock sold on account of weather related conditions. Allows an individual engaged in an eligible farming or commercial fishing business a deduction for any taxable year of up to 20 percent of taxable income attributable to the eligible farming or commercial fishing business paid in cash by the taxpayer to a Farm and Ranch Risk Management Account (FFARRM Account). Includes non-exempt FFARRM distributions in the taxpayer's gross income, and subjects to a special ten percent surtax distributions not made within five years of contribution. Prohibits FFARRM distributions from being used to overcapitalize any fishery. Establishes a tax on excess contributions, but exempts the taxpayer from the tax on certain prohibited transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Llagas Reclamation Groundwater Remediation Initiative - Establishes within the Treasury an interest bearing account to be known as the California Basins Groundwater Remediation Fund, which shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, in cooperation with the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Requires that the Fund be used by the Secretary to provide grants to reimburse the District for the Federal share of the costs associated with designing and constructing groundwater remediation projects. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating any funds appropriated to the Fund in a fiscal year until the Secretary has deposited a matching amount provided by non-Federal interests of at least 35 percent for a project. Makes each local water authority responsible for providing the non-Federal amount required for projects under that authority. Allows the State of California, local government agencies, and private entities to provide all or any portion of the non-Federal amount. Directs the Secretary to credit the appropriate authority with the value of all prior expenditures by non-Federal interests made after January 1, 2000, that are compatible with the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Ecoterrorism Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit plant enterprise terrorism (offenses to disrupt or damage a plant enterprise). Enhances penalties for animal enterprise terrorism and establishes penalties for plant enterprise terrorism. Prohibits the use of explosives or arson against animal or plant enterprises. Authorizes restitution for economic damage resulting from the violation. Makes animal and plant enterprise terrorism predicate offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Includes within prohibitions under the Hobbs Act denying another the right to exercise control over another's property by threatening to violate animal and plant enterprise terrorism prohibitions. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to establish and maintain a national clearinghouse for information on incidents of crime and terrorism committed or directed against: (1) any animal or plant enterprise; (2) any commercial activity because of the perceived impact or effect of such commercial activity on the environment; or (3) any person because of such person's perceived connection with or support of any such enterprise or activity. Requires the Director to report annually on domestic terrorist organizations. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to make security upgrade and technical assistance grants on a competitive basis to colleges and universities. Includes animal and plant enterprise terrorism within the scope of provisions regarding harboring or concealing terrorists and providing material support to terrorists. Establishes procedures for designation by the Attorney General of domestic terrorist organizations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the suspension of the tax-exempt status of such organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Makes appropriations for homeland security programs within the Departments of Energy (DOE), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Homeland Security (DHS) for FY 2005, including to: (1) DOE for atomic energy defense and defense nuclear nonproliferation activities; (2) HHS for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, the Strategic National Stockpile, and for activities to ensure a year-round influenza vaccine production capacity and the development and implementation of rapidly expandable influenza vaccine production technologies; and (3) DHS for border and transportation security and customs and border protection, Federal air marshals, air and marine interdiction operations and procurement, the Transportation Security Administration (for civil aviation security and maritime and land transportation security), the Office for Domestic Preparedness (including for State and local government grants for terrorism prevention activities and for firefighter assistance grants), countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations, and emergency management performance grants.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Requires up to ten percent of funds made available to Federal departments and agencies for U.S. development or humanitarian assistance programs in any fiscal year to be made available to foreign countries through U.S. organizations or businesses that are owned or controlled by naturalized U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from those countries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Long-Term Care Support and Incentive Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax deduction from gross income for 50 percent of the long-term care premiums paid under a qualified long-term care insurance contract for individuals under age 65 (increases the deduction percentage to 75 percent for premiums paid for individuals age 65 or older); (2) permit qualified long-term care insurance contracts to be offered in a cafeteria plan and flexible spending arrangements under certain conditions; (3) allow a nonrefundable tax credit of $4,000, subject to a phase-out for incomes exceeding $150,000 (joint returns) or $75,000 (individuals), for each individual age 65 or older who has been certified as having long-term care needs for at least 180 consecutive days in a taxable year and for whom the taxpayer is acting as a caregiver; and (4) mandate certain consumer protections for long-term care insurance contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Makes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) the Veterans Health Administration for the maintenance and operation of hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities; (2) the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund; (3) medical and prosthetic research; (4) medical administration and miscellaneous operating expenses; (5) general departmental operating expenses; (6) National Cemetery Administration operation and maintenance; (7) the Office of Inspector General; (8) construction, major projects; (9) construction, minor projects; (10) the parking revolving fund; (11) grants for the construction of State nursing home and domiciliary facilities; and (12) grants for establishing, expanding, or improving State veterans' cemeteries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Appropriates FY 2005 appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the: (1) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (2) Rural Community Advancement Program; (3) Rural Housing Service; and (4) Rural Utilities Service (rural telephone bank program account, and distance learning, telemedicine, and broadband program). Appropriates FY 2005 appropriations to the Department of Education for the rural education achievement program. Appropriates FY 2005 appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for rural programs of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Appropriates FY 2005 appropriations to the Department of Transportation for air carrier payments. States that for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $1 million for calendar year 2004 the amount of the tax reduction resulting from enactment of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 and enactment of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 shall be reduced by 5.1 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Appropriates funds for FY 2005 for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air Force Reserve; and (2) family housing construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force. Reduces by 6.3 percent the amount of tax reduction for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes in excess of $1 million for calendar year 2004 resulting from enactment of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Revitalizing Older Communities Through Housing Improvements Act of 2004 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize, under specified circumstances, a public housing agency to establish an increased voucher program payment standard in situations of: (1) low lease success rate or voucher holder concentration in high-poverty areas; and (2) disability accommodations. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue implementing regulations with respect to certain voucher program recommendations made by the Millenial Housing Commission. Requires each housing assistance voucher contract to provide that it shall be a breach of contract for the owner to fail to pay State or local real estate taxes, fines, or assessments relating to an assisted dwelling unit or the building in which the unit is located. Establishes the Commission to Revitalize Older Communities Through Housing Improvements which shall study and report on: (1) the public housing community service requirement; and (2) voucher concentration reduction. Terminates the Commission 30 days after report submission.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Fair Housing Protection Act - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 to revise the per-unit cost calculation for expiring tenant-based rental assistance contracts under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop a plan to end section 8 waiting lists. States that if the Secretary withdraws amounts from the reserve account for any public housing agency, or takes any other action that reduces reserve accounts without agency approval, the Secretary shall: (1) notify the agency of such withdrawal or action; and (2) before the commencement of the quarter of the fiscal year first commencing after such withdrawal or action, replenish the reserve account with the full amount of such withdrawal or reduction. Prohibits a zero balance withdrawal by the Secretary without prior notice to, and written approval from, a public housing agency. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to authorize additional appropriations for the fair housing initiatives program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Makes specified FY 2004 emergency supplemental appropriations for the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture for wildland fire management, to remain available through December 31, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Appropriates specified sums for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 2005 for: (1) science and technology, including research and development activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of the Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) the hazardous substance superfund, including transfers of funds; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response; and (8) State and tribal assistance grants. Authorizes the Administrator of EPA to: (1) award cooperative agreements to federally-recognized Indian tribes to assist in implementing Federal environmental programs; (2) collect and obligate pesticide registration service fees; and (3) use FY 2005 appropriations to award brownfield remediation grants under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Reduces by four percent the amount of tax reduction for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes in excess of $1 million for calendar year 2004 resulting from enactment of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2004
Military Reserve Mobilization Income Security Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow members of the National Guard or the Ready Reserve who have been activated for military duty a refundable income tax credit for the lesser of: (1) the excess of such reservist's daily civilian compensation over the reservist's daily military pay while on active duty or full-time National Guard duty; or (2) $54.80 per day. Includes the amount of such credit in the reservist's gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2004
Uniformed Services Differential Pay Protection Act - Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 to state that differential pay (the difference between an employee's civilian wages and wages received while on active duty in the uniformed services for more than 30 days) shall be treated as payment of wages by the employer to the employee for Federal income tax purposes. Requires any contribution to an employee pension benefit plan on behalf of an employee who is receiving differential pay to be treated as a contribution with respect to a current employee of the employer.