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Bill· HRH.R. 4392 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2004
Technology Retraining And Investment Now Act of 2004 (TRAIN Act of 2004) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow businesses and individuals a tax credit for 50 percent of their information and communications technology education and training expenses up to $8,000 for a taxable year. Increases the allowable amount of the credit to $10,000 for expenses for a program operated: (1) in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community; (2) in a school district in which at least 50 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches under the National School Lunch Act; (3) in an area designated as a disaster area under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; (4) in a designated rural enterprise community; (5) in an area designated as a Rural Economic Area Partnership Zone; (6) in an area over which an Indian tribal government has jurisdiction; (7) by an employer who has 200 or fewer employees for each business day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year; or (8) for an individual with a disability. Defines "information technology education and training program expenses" to include: (1) course work: (2) certification testing; (3) apprenticeship programs registered by the Department of Labor; and (4) other expenses that are essential to assessing skill acquisition. Redefines" eligible educational institution" to include a commercial information and communications technology training provider.
Bill· SS. 2433 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2004
Equity for Our Nation's Self Employed Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs in computing the tax on self-employment income.
Bill· HRH.R. 4384 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2004
Truth in Spending Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise disclosure requirements for tax-exempt political organizations. Requires such organizations to file monthly reports in any calendar year in which they accept a contribution or make an expenditure for an exempt function and to file a single year-end report not later than January 31 of the following calendar year. Eliminates the quarterly reporting requirement in calendar years in which a regularly scheduled election is held.
Bill· HRH.R. 4379 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2004
Working Parents Child Care Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $6,000 the exclusion from the gross income of an employee for employer-paid dependent care assistance. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the exclusion amount for taxable years beginning in a calendar year after 2005.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 648 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4200) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2005 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2005.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 649 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2004
Waives points of order against the consideration of the conference report on S.Con.Res. 95 (congressional budget).
Bill· HRH.R. 4372 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2004
Working Families Assistance Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit up to $500 of unused dependent care benefits in a dependent care flexible spending plan or arrangement to be carried forward to the next year of such plan or arrangement without affecting its status as a tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plan.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 644 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4359) to amend the Internal Revenue Code to increase the child tax credit.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 428 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2004
Recommends that: (1) the amount of funds appropriated for ballistic missile defense programs for FY 2005 should be capped at FY 2004 levels; (2) any funds appropriated for such programs for FY 2005 should not be used to deploy a ground-based, strategic, midcourse, ballistic missile defense system that has not met operational testing requirements demonstrating the maturity of all critical technologies; and (3) funds appropriated for port security programs within the Department of Homeland Security for FY 2005 should be increased by $500 million over FY 2004 levels.
Bill· SS. 2424 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2004
National Employee Savings and Trust Equity Guarantee Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a defined contribution plan holding publicly traded securities to provide employees with: (1) the opportunity to divest employer securities; and (2) at least three investment options other than employer securities. Revises requirements relating to: (1) information to assist pension plan participants; (2) protection of plan participants; (3) pension plan funding; (4) the interest rate of 30-year treasury securities; (5) portability and distribution rules; (6) executives and stock options; (7) women's pension protection, including spousal consent for distributions from defined contribution plans and division of pension benefits upon divorce; (8) railroad retirement; (9) joint and survivor annuity benefits; and (10) compensation and pensions of Tax Court judges.
Bill· SS. 2423 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the reduction in the top tax rate for individual taxpayers for taxable years beginning in 2003 and thereafter (increasing the rate from 35 to 39.6 percent). Expresses the sense of the Senate that any increase in Federal revenue resulting from the repeal of tax rate reductions by this Act should be used to improve benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill by $6 billion over ten years, to fund Federal Pell grants at the full amount authorized for FY 2004, and to double to FY 2004 funding for Perkins loans, Federal work-study programs, and Federal supplemental educational opportunity grants (SEOG).
Bill· SS. 2422 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit certain amendments, waivers, or other modifications to mortgages held by a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC) or a Grantor Trust without disqualifying such mortgages as REMIC or Grantor Trust mortgages. Permits amendments, waivers, or modifications that do not: (1) extend the final maturity date of a mortgage; (2) increase the outstanding balance of the mortgage; (3) result in the release of an interest in real property securing the mortgage; or (4) result in an instrument or property right which is not debt for Federal income tax purposes. Exempts such amendments, waivers, or modifications from the penalty for prohibited transactions.
Bill· SS. 2419 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Tax Relief for Americans in Combat Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat nontaxable combat zone compensation as earned income for purposes of calculating the refundable portion of the child tax credit.
Bill· SS. 2416 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 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. 4362 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to accept, in trust for the Nisqually Tribe, all right, title, and interest of the United States in two specified parcels of real property at Fort Lewis, Washington, in lieu of the conveyance of the parcels directly to the tribe under the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002. Directs the tribe to continue to comply with provisions of that Act specifying consideration for the transfer in the form of a land exchange. Requires such consideration to be free from all liens, encumbrances, or other interests except those acceptable to the recipient. Requires the acceptance of real property in trust for the Nisqually Tribe pursuant to this Act to recognize and preserve to the Bonneville Power Administration specified rights in existence at the time of conveyance with regard to portions of such property upon which the Administration retains transmission facilities. Directs the Secretary to grant to the Administration such additional easements as the Administration deems necessary to accommodate relocation or reconnection of transmission facilities from property owned by the tribe and held in trust by the Secretary.
Bill· HRH.R. 4359 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the scheduled reductions in the amount of the child tax credit for taxable years beginning in 2005 through 2009 (from $1,000 to $700 in 2005 through 2008 and $800 in 2009). Makes the $1,000 credit amount permanent. Increases the income threshold amount for calculating reductions in the credit amount to $125,000 ($250,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return). Eliminates the reduction in the percentage of earned income for calculating the refundable portion of the credit (15 to 10 percent) for taxable years beginning before 2005. Includes in earned income for purposes of calculating the refundable portion of the credit otherwise tax excludable combat zone compensation of members of the armed forces. Exempts from the general termination date in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (December 31, 2010) provisions of that Act disregarding as income any refunds from the child tax credit for purposes of determining eligibility for federally funded assistance programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 4365 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Taxpayer Protection Against Wasteful Energy Credits Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the inflation adjustment to the phaseout amount for the tax credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source; and (2) the extension of the tax credit for facilities producing synthetic fuels from coal.
Bill· HRH.R. 4341 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004
Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act - Amends Federal postal service law to direct the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) (established by this Act) to establish a modern system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products (all first-class mail, periodicals, non-parcel post standard mail, media mail, library mail, and bound printed matter). Directs the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service to establish rates and classes for products in the competitive category of mail (priority mail, expedited mail, mailgrams, international mail, and parcel post). Directs the PRC to establish rules to ensure that workshare discounts (presorting, barcoding, etc.) do not exceed the cost that the Postal Service avoids as the result of private sector workshare activity. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving Postal Service Competitive Products Fund which shall be available to the Postal Service without fiscal year limitation for the payment of: (1) costs attributable to competitive products; and (2) all other costs incurred by the Postal Service, to the extent allocable to competitive products. Requires the Postal Service to: (1) compute its assumed Federal income tax (which would be the taxable income of a corporation) on competitive products income for such year; and (2) transfer from the Competitive Products Fund to the Postal Service Fund the amount of that assumed tax. Prohibits the Postal Service from: (1) establishing anti-competitive rules or regulations; (2) compelling the disclosure, transfer, or licensing of intellectual property to any third party; or (3) obtaining information from a person that provides any product, and then offering any product or service that uses or is based in whole or in part on such information, without the person's consent. Makes the Secretary of State responsible for foreign policy related to international postal services and other international delivery services. Requires the Postal Service to forward mail received and forwarded by a commercial mail receiving agency following proper filing of a change-of-address form. Replaces the Postal Rate Commission with the Postal Regulatory Commission. Directs the Postal Service to report to the President, Congress, and: (1) PRC on universal postal service in the United States; and (2) Postal Service Board of Governors on the postal processing and distribution network. Repeals the authority of the Postal Service to impose fines on air carriers transporting mail beyond U.S. borders for unreasonable or unnecessary delays and other delinquencies. Directs the Postal Service to prescribe regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous materials in the mail. Provides civil penalties, plus cleanup costs, for violations. Revises postal pension funding requirements under the Civil Service Retirement System. Establishes the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 4352 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004
Corporate Jet Tax Shelter Reform Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the tax deduction allowable for employer-provider aircraft flights to the expenses for goods, services, and facilities relating to such aircraft which are treated as employee compensation and wages. Dedicates any increase in Federal receipts resulting from this Act solely to reduction of the public debt.
Bill· HRH.R. 4351 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004
Tax Shelter Promoter Liability Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the penalties for: (1) promoting abusive tax shelters; (2) aiding and abetting the understatement of tax liability; (3) failing to provide required information on potentially abusive tax shelters or for filing false or incomplete information; and (4) failing to maintain a client list of tax shelter investors. Revises the penalty for failure to report interests in foreign financial accounts to impose a penalty for simple violations (current law imposes a penalty only for willful violations). Allows an exemption from the penalty for reasonable cause, except for willful violations. Adds a new penalty for failure to include potentially abusive tax shelter information with a tax return or statement. Revises requirements for disclosure of potentially abusive tax shelters and requirements for material advisers with respect to potentially abusive tax shelters to keep client lists. Disallows tax deductions for the penalties added or increased by this Act. Extends the limitation period for assessing tax due to underpayments of tax attributable to undisclosed tax shelters.
Bill· HRH.R. 4356 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2004
Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain small employers (not more than 50 employees) a business tax credit equal to 50 percent of amounts paid by such employers for the health care coverage of their employees under a qualified health pooling arrangement. Limits the period during which the tax credit may be taken to four years from the date the employer begins participating in a qualified health pooling arrangement. Defines "qualified health pooling arrangement" as a national or state arrangement that provides health benefits coverage substantially similar to that of the four largest health benefit plans offered to Federal employees. Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor to provide for the offering and oversight of qualified State and national health pooling arrangements and to conduct a study, through the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, of the operation of such arrangements.
Bill· SS. 2403 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2005 for: (1) activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration in carrying out programs necessary for national security, with specified allocations for weapons activities, defense nuclear nonproliferation, naval reactors, and the Office of the Administrator for Nuclear Security; and (2) environmental restoration and waste management activities in carrying out national security programs, with specified allocations for defense environmental management, other defense activities, and defense nuclear waste disposal. Makes certain environmental restoration and waste management funds available for the treatment of disposition waste from reprocessed low-level or transuranic waste. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a local stakeholder organization for each DOE Environmental Management 2006 closure site; (2) provide certain support for public education in the vicinity of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico; and (3) conduct a review of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, New Mexico. Establishes the Pajarito Plateau Homesteaders Compensation Fund for payments with respect to lands acquired by the United States during World War II for the Manhattan Project. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Authorizes the disposal of up to 50,000 tons of ferromanganese from the National Defense Stockpile during FY 2005.
Bill· SS. 2402 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) and the Secretaries of each military department to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes each department Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) and each military department for fiscal years after 2004 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of authorized construction projects. Modifies certain prior-year construction projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2004 for such Program. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2004 for the Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Terminates all authorizations contained in this Act on October 1, 2007, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2008, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Authorizes specified military land conveyances. Authorizes the: (1) Secretary to carry out a DOD follow-on laboratory revitalization demonstration program; and (2) Secretary of the Army to enter into an agreement for the design, construction, and operation of a heritage center for the National Museum of the United States Army.
Bill· SS. 2401 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 2005. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including science and technology projects and ballistic missile defense; (3) operation and maintenance, including environmental restoration, defense working capital funds, the defense health program, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; and (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths. Extends certain bonus, special, and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes certain: (1) travel and transportation allowances; and (2) military retired pay and survivor benefits. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) environmental provisions, including cleanup costs at certain military installations; (2) active and reserve military personnel policy, including joint officer duties and management and DOD policy and procedures on prevention and response to sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces; (3) military health care, including establishment of a chiropractic health care benefits advisory committee; (4) acquisition policy and management, including major defense acquisition programs, establishment of the Commission on the Future of the National Technology and Industrial Base, and management of the defense acquisition and support workforce; (5) DOD organization and management, including establishment of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, and a United States Military Cancer Institute; (6) budget and financial matters, including defense business systems investment management, a space posture review, and a panel on the future of military space launch; (7) additional defenses against terrorism; (8) matters relating to other nations, including assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan military and security forces; (9) DOD civilian personnel policy, including intelligence personnel and personnel of nonappropriated fund instrumentalities; and (10) cooperative threat reduction with states of the former Soviet Union.
Bill· SS. 2400 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD), military construction, and national security programs of the Department of Energy for FY 2005. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including science and technology projects and ballistic missile defense; (3) operation and maintenance, including environmental restoration, defense working capital funds, the defense health program, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program; (6) Guard and Reserve forces facilities; and (7) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Extends certain bonus, special, and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes certain: (1) travel and transportation allowances; and (2) military retired pay and survivor benefits. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) environmental provisions, including cleanup costs at certain military installations; (2) active and reserve military personnel policy, including joint officer duties and management and DOD policy and procedures on prevention and response to sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces; (3) military health care, including establishment of a chiropractic health care benefits advisory committee; (4) acquisition policy and management, including major defense acquisition programs, establishment of the Commission on the Future of the National Technology and Industrial Base, and management of the defense acquisition and support workforce; (5) DOD organization and management, including establishment of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, and a United States Military Cancer Institute; (6) budget and financial matters, including defense business systems investment management, a space posture review, and a panel on the future of military space launch; (7) additional defenses against terrorism; (8) matters relating to other nations, including assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan military and security forces; (9) DOD civilian personnel policy, including intelligence personnel and personnel of nonappropriated fund instrumentalities; (10) cooperative threat reduction with states of the former Soviet Union; and (11) the national defense stockpile. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes military construction, military family housing, and certain military land conveyances.
Bill· HRH.R. 4323 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to rapidly acquire, as specified herein, equipment needed by a combatant commander to eliminate a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities. Requires the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to develop a process for such rapid acquisition authority and submit to Congress a detailed explanation of the process, including procedures to be followed in carrying out the process. Requires the process to provide for the following: (1) a requirement that the process be used only to acquire the minimum amount of equipment needed until the needs of the combatant commander can be fulfilled under existing acquisition policies; (2) a goal of awarding a contract for the equipment within 15 days after receipt of a request from a commander; and (3) in a case in which the equipment cannot be acquired without an extensive delay, a requirement for an interim solution to minimize the combat capability deficiency and combat fatalities until the equipment can be acquired. Requires the process to provide for the waiver of the applicability of laws, policies, directives, and regulations related to: (1) the establishment of the requirement for the equipment; (2) the research, development, test, and evaluation of the equipment; and (3) the solicitation and selection of sources, and the award of the contract, for procurement of the equipment. Permits the use of such authority only: (1) after the Secretary of Defense, without delegation, determines in writing that there exists a combat capability deficiency that has resulted in combat fatalities; and (2) to acquire equipment in an amount aggregating not more than $100,000,000 during a fiscal year.
Bill· HRH.R. 4338 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Makes provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 expanding the tax credit for adoption expenses permanent. Repeals the five-year limitation on carryforwards of unused adoption credit amounts.
Bill· HRH.R. 4339 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Volunteer Firefighter Tax Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow volunteer firefighters a tax deduction from gross income for personal safety clothing (including helmets and boots) used in performing fire fighting services.
Bill· HRH.R. 4325 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Health Security for All Americans Act - Amends the Social Security Act to provide participating States with funding to provide health insurance coverage through State-administered plans targeted at low-income residents. Requires States to implement systems to ensure universal health insurance coverage for their residents by 2009, including by requiring employers to contribute to health insurance premiums for their employees. Requires health plans to: (1) create entities to serve as employers for their home care providers; (2) ensure that enrollees will continue to receive health services if the plan's services are terminated; and (3) supply the State with information on their health care workers. Incorporates the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, as passed by the Senate on June 29, 2001, and the Patient Safety and Health Care Whistleblower Protection Act of 2001, as introduced on June 27, 2001. Establishes the Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards Institute (and a related advisory committee) within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality with a mission to demonstrate how patient safety issues and workplace conditions are linked to quality patient care, reduce medical errors, and improve patient safety and care. Requires that individuals entitled to Medicare benefits be provided full mental health and substance abuse treatment parity. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research to identify model programs for the provision of long-term and home health care services. Expresses the sense of Congress that funds to implement this Act should be offset by: (1) general revenues available as a result of an on-budget surplus for a fiscal year; (2) direct saving in health care expenditures; and (3) reductions in unnecessary Federal tax benefits available to individuals and large corporations in the maximum tax brackets.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 637 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4275) to amend the Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket.
Bill· HRH.R. 4319 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2004
Title 46 Codification Act of 2004 - Enacts into positive law title 46 of the United States Code, entitled "Shipping." Sets forth organizational and administrative provisions regarding the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Amends Federal shipping law to make technical and conforming amendments and set forth requirements with respect to: (1) documentation of vessels; (2) maritime liability; (3) regulation of ocean shipping; (4) the merchant marine; (5) clearance of, and tonnage taxes and duties levied against, vessels; (6) maritime security and drug enforcement; (7) vessel wrecks and salvage; (8) ice patrol and the destruction or removal of vessel derelicts; (9) safe containers for international cargo; and (10) the Maritime Administration. Repeals specified shipping laws.
Bill· SS. 2394 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent provisions allowing the expensing of environmental remediation costs; (2) revise the definition of "qualified contaminated site" to include toxic as well as hazardous substances; (3) include within the definition of "hazardous or toxic substances" extremely hazardous substances, as defined by Federal law, and petroleum contaminants; and (4) eliminate the recapture of the expensing deduction upon the sale of environmental remediation property.
Bill· HRH.R. 4314 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2004
Requires the total amount of funds awarded to a State under part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) of title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for FY 2004 to be not less than the total amount of funds awarded to the State under such part for FY 2003.
Bill· HRH.R. 4307 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2004
Small Business Jobs Creation Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer with annual gross receipts of less than $25 million a business tax credit for 50 percent of the excess of unemployment insurance wages paid in the current year over 102 percent of such wages paid during the preceding calendar year. Limits the annual amount of such credit to $100,000. Terminates the credit after 2009.
Bill· SS. 2383 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Central Contractor Registry Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to maintain a centralized, electronic database, to be known as the Central Contractor Registry, for the registration of sources of property and services (contractors) who seek to participate in contracts and other procurements entered into by various Federal procurement officials. Requires the Registry to include certain tax-related information for each contractor, including their taxpayer identification numbers and authorization for the Secretary of Defense to obtain verification of such numbers from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Makes contractors who do not register such information, or who register invalid information, ineligible for contracts entered into under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949.
Bill· SS. 2386 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 2005 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (2) Department of Defense (DOD); (3) Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) National Security Agency (NSA); (5) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (6) Departments of State, the Treasury, and Energy, and Justice; (7) Federal Bureau of Investigation; (8) National Reconnaissance Office; (9) National Imagery and Mapping 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, 2004 2005, for such activities are those specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations. Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), 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 2004 2005 (by not more than two percent) when necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions. Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account of the DCI for FY 2004 2005 as well as for full-time personnel for elements within such Account. Earmarks a specified amount of such funds for the National Drug Intelligence Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 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 authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States. Permits the use of authorized funds for counterdrug and counterterrorism activities for Colombia. Requires the DCI to carry out pilot programs of the feasibility of: (1) permitting intelligence community (IC) analysts to access and analyze intelligence from other IC elements, including NSA signals intelligence; and (2) training students for employment as intelligence analysts. Directs the National Science Foundation and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to jointly sponsor not less than two workshops on the coordination of Federal research on the use of behavioral, psychological, and physiological assessments of individuals in the conduct of security evaluations. Protects CIA personnel authorized to carry firearms and NSA employees performing special police functions from tort liability when reasonably acting within the scope of their employment. Provides for the protection of NSA operational files. Authorizes DOD funds to be used by DOD IC personnel to award personal service contracts in carrying out authorized missions. Makes permanent (currently expires after September 30, 2003) the CIA voluntary separation incentive program. Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to authorize the DCI to take certain actions to: (1) protect from unauthorized disclosure intelligence operations, the identities of undercover intelligence officers, intelligence sources and methods, or intelligence cover mechanisms; or (2) meet special requirements of work related to the collection of foreign intelligence or other authorized activities. Permits the use of funds currently authorized for counterdrug activities in Colombia for counterterroism and emergency human health activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 4279 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit up to $500 of unused health benefits in a plan or other arrangement that provides for a health flexible spending arrangement to be carried forward to the next year of such health flexible spending arrangement or be contributed to a health savings account without affecting the status of such plan or arrangement as a tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 4281 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations, and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. (Thus, through ERISA preemption of State laws, certified AHPs are exempted from State regulation of health insurance providers, including State consumer protection laws and State requirements for health care benefits to be offered by such entities, with certain exceptions.) Establishes rules governing AHPs, including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation and coverage, nondiscrimination, plan documents, contribution rates, benefit options, applications for certification, notice of voluntary termination, corrective actions, and mandatory termination. Requires AHPs which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage to maintain certain reserves and comply with other solvency requirements. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply for appointment, and carry out specified duties, as trustee of any insolvent AHPs which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage. Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on any AHP commencing operations in such State after the enactment of this Act. Sets forth limits on such tax, including reduction by the amount of any tax or assessment otherwise imposed by the State on specified other insurance related items maintained by the AHP. Requires AHPs to include in their summary plan descriptions, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of any solvency or guarantee fund protection secured under ERISA or applicable State law. Allows a certified AHP to exist in a State regardless of any State law that would preclude it. Preempts State requirements for benefits to be offered by AHPs; but allows a State in which an AHP is domiciled to require the domiciled AHP to cover particular types of diseases and conditions. Allows health insurance issuers to offer coverage of the same policy type offered in connection with a particular AHP to eligible employers, regardless of whether such employers are members of the particular association and regardless of State law. Deems health insurance coverage policy forms filed and approved in a particular State in connection with an insurer's offering under an AHP as approved in any other State in which such coverage is offered when the insurer provides a complete filing in the same form and manner to the authority in the other State. Makes inapplicable to certified AHPs certain current ERISA provisions which allow State regulation of multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs). Revises ERISA preemption rules to permit State regulation of self-insured MEWAs providing medical care which do not elect to meet the certification requirements for AHPs. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees by January 1, 2009, on the effect, if any, AHPs have had on the number of uninsured individuals. Revises requirements for treatment of single employer arrangements. Allows two or more trades or businesses to be deemed a single employer if they are in the same control group offering medical care benefits, under specified conditions. Provides for enforcement of AHP requirements, including criminal penalties for certain willful misrepresentations, issuance of cease and desist orders, and the responsibility of AHP boards of trustees for certain claims procedures. Directs the Secretary, regarding the exercise of authority, to consult only with the recognized primary domicile State for an AHP. Provides for transitional and other rules relating to treatment of certain existing health benefit programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 4288 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the exemption amount under the alternative minimum tax to $100,000 for married taxpayers filing joint tax returns and surviving spouses and to $75,000 for unmarried taxpayers. Increases the phase-out levels for calculating reductions in the such exemption amount and the rate of phase-out. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the exemption amount and phase-out level. Exempts the amendments made by this Act from the general terminating date of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (December 31, 2010).
Bill· HRH.R. 4289 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the disqualification under the low-income housing tax credit for buildings receiving moderate rehabilitation assistance under the Housing Act of 1937.
Bill· HRH.R. 4275 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the increased upper limit amounts for the ten percent income tax rate bracket for individual taxpayers ($14,000 for married taxpayers filing joint tax returns and surviving spouses, $10,000 for heads of household, and $7,000 for unmarried individuals and married individuals filing separately). Allows an inflation adjustment to such amounts for married taxpayers filing joint tax returns, surviving spouses, and heads of household for taxable years beginning after 2003 based on the difference from the Consumer Price Index for 2002.
Bill· HRH.R. 4295 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2004
Rural Economic Investment Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income interest received by a bank or savings association that is insured under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act on a loan secured by agricultural real estate or by a leasehold mortgage on agricultural real estate (real property used for agricultural production or certain single family rural residences).
Bill· SS. 2382 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Native American Connectivity Act - Establishes within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration a Native American telecommunications block grant program to provide grants on a competitive basis to an Indian tribe or organization, tribal college or university, or institution of higher education acting jointly with an Indian tribe to carry out activities for the development of telecommunications capacities in Indian country. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide training and technical assistance grants to: (1) develop a training program for telecommunications employees; or (2) provide assistance to students who participate in telecommunications or information technology work study programs and are enrolled in a full-time program in telecommunications-related education, development, planning, or management. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) fiscal year block grant set-asides for the training and technical assistance grants; (2) audits of grant fund uses; (3) environmental compliance in the development of telecommunications facilities; (4) remedies for noncompliance with block grant requirements; and (5) reporting requirements of the Secretary and grant recipients.
Bill· SS. 2376 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Working Family Tax Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the scheduled reductions in: (1) the amount of the child tax credit for taxable years 2005 through 2009 (maintains the current $1,000 credit amount for all taxable years after 2004); (2) the basic standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns and surviving spouses for taxable years 2005 through 2008; and (3) the increased upper limit threshold amounts for qualifying married individuals filing joint returns for the 15 and ten percent income tax brackets. Allows an inflation adjustment to such threshold amounts for taxable years beginning after 2003 based on the difference from the Consumer Price Index for 2002. Exempts from the general terminating date (December 31, 2010) under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 provisions relating to: (1) the increased upper limit amounts for the ten and 15 percent tax bracket for married taxpayers filing joint returns and surviving spouses; (2) the increase in the child tax credit; (3) the increased standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns; and (4) the earned income tax credit. Extends the increased amounts of the exemption from the alternative minimum tax for individual taxpayers through 2005.
Bill· HRH.R. 4263 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 4272 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 to modify the terms of an authorized land exchange involving Fort Lewis, Washington, between the Secretary of the Army and the Nisqually Tribe to: (1) authorize the Secretary of the Army to make such transfer to the Secretary of the Interior to hold in trust for the Tribe; (2) correct the acreage involved in the exchange; (3) consider such exchange a transfer (currently, a conveyance); (4) provide for the treatment of existing permit rights; and (5) direct the Secretary of the Interior to grant to the Bonneville Power Administration easements across the transferred property as necessary to relocate or reconnect power transmission facilities.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 619 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4227) to amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend to 2005 the alternative minimum tax relief available in 2003 and 2004 and to index such relief for inflation.
Bill· SS. 2375 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 4251 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2004
Maritime Transportation Amendments of 2004 - Amends Federal law to increase the maximum amount that the Commandant may expend for contingencies of the Coast Guard in any one fiscal year. Repeals the Commandant's authority to authorize the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy to expend up to a certain amount of such funds for Academy contingencies. Requires a Reserve rear admiral or rear admiral (lower half) to be removed from an active status on the day that officer completes four years of service after appointment to rear admiral (lower half), unless such officer is retained in or removed from an active status under any other law. Increases the maximum amount appropriated per annum for necessary expenses for the operation of the Coast Guard that can be made available for investigative expenses of a confidential character. Extends the authority of certain waterway safety advisory committees. Amends Federal shipping law to authorize members of the Coast Guard while in the performance of official duties: (1) to carry a firearm; and (2) while at a facility, to make an arrest without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, and to seize property as provided by law. Authorizes a State or local government law enforcement officer to make an arrest for violation of a security zone regulation prescribed by a Coast Guard official, if the violation is a felony, and the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such violation. Subjects any vessel that is used in violation of certain port security regulations to in rem liability for any civil penalty assessed because of such violation. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to refuse or revoke any clearance with respect to a vessel in which the owner or operator of the vessel is liable for a civil penalty assessed because of a violation of such regulations. Directs the Secretary to notify the owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel of deficiencies found during any inspection. Requires the head of an agency in which a civilian of a Federal agency, an officer in the Public Health Services, or an officer in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who is employed in any capacity on board a vessel operated by the agency and who has received from a Medical Review Officer a report of a positive drug test to release the report to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Subjects: (1) certain National Transportation Safety Board final orders regarding maritime matters to judicial review; and (2) towing vessels to Coast Guard inspection. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a certificate of documentation with appropriate endorsement for employment in the coastwise trade for certain named vessels. Authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in certain named vessels to certain named recipients, without consideration, provided certain conditions are met.
Bill· SS. 2369 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2004
Community Options for Rural Elders Act of 2004 or the CORE Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the Administrator of Health Resources and Services to work with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish Programs for All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE) providers in rural areas. Directs the Secretary to permit a rural PACE provider applicant to adapt its PACE program to the unique requirements of eligible participants residing in rural areas and the challenges of providing services to them. Directs the Secretary to utilize the authority provided for flexibility in exercising waiver authority under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, and the regulations issued to carry it out with respect to the operations of rural PACE providers. Requires the Secretary to waive certain requirements of titles XI, XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act as necessary for purposes of supporting the delivery of PACE services in rural areas. Directs the Secretary to waive the requirement that a rural PACE provider, in at least its first three years of operation, be at full financial risk, and authorizes the Secretary, upon the provider's request, to waive such requirement for subsequent years of operation if the provider is operating properly and has demonstrated a reasonable basis for not assuming full risk. Directs the Secretary to award site development grants to rural PACE providers. Directs the Secretary, through the Office of Rural Health Policy, to make awards to tax-exempt organizations for the purpose of establishing a technical assistance program to provide: (1) outreach and education to State agencies and provider organizations interested in establishing PACE programs in rural areas; and (2) technical assistance necessary to support providers awarded site development grants. Requires the Secretary to establish a fund to reimburse rural PACE providers awarded a site development grant for outlier costs incurred with respect to eligible enrollees who reside in, or receive services in, a rural area. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory group that will review and comment on progress related to providing PACE program services in rural areas, including prospective PACE provider applications.