Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
Records
Bill· SS. 1614 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2005
Higher Education Amendments of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize various programs. Revises the definition of institution of higher education to eliminate a restriction on distance education in terms of relative number of courses an institution may offer by telecommunications, and relative number of students enrolled in such courses, for purposes of student assistance program eligibility (the 50 percent rule). Establishes a provisional grant assistance program (ProGAP) for students most in need of assistance, and reserves a portion of such program funds for national science and mathematics access to retain talent (SMART) grants for third and fourth year students of mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or critical foreign languages. Increases Pell grant maximums, allows year-round grants, and eliminates tuition-sensitivity. Eliminates programs of 21st Century Scholar Certificates, Academic Achievement Incentive Scholarships, and Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships. Revises HEA title IV need analysis and general provisions for student assistance, including forms. Requires an early financial aid information system and a college access initiative. Raises certain student loan limits. Revises parent loan interest rates. Provides for recapture of excess interest with respect to special allowance payments to lenders. Reduces lender insurance reimbursement rates. Requires guaranty agencies to deposit loan origination fees in a federal fund. Provides for student loan repayment deferment for military service in a combat zone. Prohibits guaranty agencies from: (1) having consolidation lending as an excessive proportion of their recoveries on defaulted loans; and (2) charging excessive collection costs on such consolidation loans. Repeals a single holder rule for consolidation loans. Provides for: (1) a school as lender moratorium; (2) income contingent repayment for public sector employees; (3) an increased income protection allowance for dependent students; (4) a simplified need test; and (5) an increased ceiling for automatic-zero eligibility. Reauthorizes appropriations for: (1) teacher quality enhancement grants for states and partnerships, grants for preparing teachers to use technology, and new centers of excellence for recruiting and preparing teachers; (2) grants for American Indian tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities; (3) student assistance; (4) developing institutions grants for Hispanic-serving institutions, and new grants for graduate programs at such institutions; (5) international education programs; and (6) graduate and postsecondary improvement programs. Establishes programs relating to: (1) mathematics and science scholars; (2) postsecondary education assessment; (3) job skill training in high-growth occupations or industries; (4) student retention and articulation agreements; (5) knowledge of American history, free institutions, and Western civilization; (6) Teach for America, the national teacher corps; (7) Patsy T. Mink graduate fellowships; and (8) college enrollment rates of secondary schools. Amends the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004 to make permanent: (1) a reduction of special allowance payments for loans from the proceeds of tax exempt issues; and (2) expanded student loan forgiveness for special education teachers in elementary and secondary schools and mathematics and science teachers in secondary schools. Reauthorizes appropriations for various programs under the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986 and the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978. Repeals certain programs under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. Navajo Nation Higher Education Act of 2005 - Reauthorizes appropriations for the Navajo Community College Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3653 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2005
Employee Participation Incentive Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) cap at 30 percent the maximum income tax rate for corporations that have a 20 percent or greater employee ownership rate; (2) exclude from employee gross income up to 20 percent of wages paid in stock; and (3) allow such corporations a tax deduction for certain stock options granted to employees.
Bill· SS. 1584 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Child Protection and Home Safety Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable tax credit for up to 25 percent of the cost of a qualified residential gun safe. Defines "qualified residential gun safe" as a container not intended for the display of firearms which is specifically designed to store or safeguard firearms from unauthorized access and which meets established performance standards. Limits the amount of such credit to $250.
Bill· SS. 1591 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify provisions which suspend interest and penalties for taxpayers not contacted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about additional tax liability within 18 months of the filing of their tax returns to deny certain tax shelter participants suspension of any interest or penalties accruing on or before October 3, 2004, except those participants who accept certain IRS tax shelter settlement initiatives (current law applies only to interest accruing after October 3, 2004). Provides that the 18-month period for IRS notification of additional tax liability for taxpayers who file amended tax returns or return information showing additional tax liability begins on the date such amended returns or information are filed.
Bill· SS. 1598 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Child Protection and Home Safety Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable tax credit for up to 25 percent of the cost of a qualified residential gun safe. Defines "qualified residential gun safe" as a container not intended for the display of firearms which is specifically designed to store or safeguard firearms from unauthorized access and which meets established performance standards. Limits the amount of such credit to $250.
Bill· SS. 1590 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Making Savings Automatic Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) automatic payments to employee pension plans; (2) direct payments of tax refunds to individual retirement plans; (3) a business tax credit for employer costs of a salary reduction arrangement.
Bill· SS. 1568 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Community Banks Serving Their Communities First Act, or the Communities First Act - Sets forth regulatory relief measures for community banks, including amendments to: (1) the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act to increase from $10 million to $250 million the asset levels of depository institution and home mortgage lenders that are exempt from disclosure requirements; (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to permit certain insured depository institutions to submit a short form report of condition; and (3) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to exempt certain small-sized depository institutions from management assessment of internal controls requirements. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to publish proposed revisions to the Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement on Assessment of Financial and Managerial Factors that provide that: (1) the policy shall apply to a bank holding company with pro forma consolidated assets of less than $1 billion that meets specified criteria; and (2) the debt-to-equity ratio allowable for a small bank holding company to remain eligible to pay a corporate dividend and for expedited processing procedures would increase from 1:1 to 3:1. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to increase from $250 million to $1 billion the asset size of institutions eligible for Federal banking examinations conducted at intervals subject to discretion of the appropriate Federal banking agency. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to increase from $1 million to $1 billion of total assets the size of small banks exempt from the limitation placed on extensions of credit to executive officers, director and principal shareholders. Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to increase from $250 million to $1 billion the size of financial institutions eligible for a less frequent examination schedule. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe regulations authorizing a consumer to waive the statutory three-day right of rescission in connection with a consumer credit transaction when the creditor is an insured depository institution. Amends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act to exempt from its recordkeeping and public disclosure requirements a depository institution that makes fewer than 100 reportable loans annually. Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to exempt specified financial institutions from the requisite annual disclosure of privacy policy. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to review reports of condition periodically and reduce filings of related information or schedules pursuant to specified determinations. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the aggregate amount of credit extensions that a member bank may make to an executive officer of the bank from exceeding $250,000. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide reduced tax rates and deferral of income recognition on long-term certificates of deposit; (2) exclude from gross income interest received by a qualified lender on any qualified real estate loan; (3) increase from $10 million to $30 million the cap on qualified small issue bonds; (4) provide limited liability company tax treatment for FDIC-insured limited liability companies; (5) provide a tax reduction on a C corporation which is a community bank; and (6) exempt community banks from the alternative minimum tax.
Bill· SS. 1602 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Improving Long-Term Care Choices Act of 2005 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to disregard benefits paid under long-term care insurance for purposes of determining Medicaid eligibility. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish specified additional consumer protections with respect to long-term care insurance policies, based on the October 2000 National Association of Insurance Commissioners model regulations. Amends SSA title XIX to permit the expansion of long-term care partnership insurance policies to all states. Requires all new partnership policies to be Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Policies. Directs the Secretary to set standards for reciprocity to provide for the portability of long-term care partnership policies from one partnership state to another partnership state. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction from gross income for eligible long-term care premiums paid during the taxable year; and (2) a tax credit to help cover long-term care expenses. Provides that no gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of a qualified long-term care insurance contract for another qualified long-term care insurance contract. Amends SSA title XIX to provide states with a new option to offer home and community-based services to Medicaid-eligible individuals without obtaining a federal waiver. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations removing administrative barriers under Medicare (SSA title XVIII) and Medicaid that impede the offering of integrated acute and long-term care services, which combine acute, home and community-based, nursing facility and mental health services, and coverage of prescription drugs, into a single model of care for individuals who are dually eligible for such programs. Directs the Secretary to make recommendations to Congress for removal of statutory barriers to the offering of such integrated services.
Bill· SS. 1595 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to assign a three-year recovery period for depreciation of qualified energy management devices placed in service before January 1, 2008. Defines "energy management device" as a meter or metering device to measure and record electricity usage data on a time-differentiated basis in at least four separate time segments per day.
Bill· SS. 1565 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Tax Shelter and Tax Haven Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase penalties for: (1) promoting abusive tax shelters; and (2) aiding and abetting the understatement of tax liability. Imposes a penalty for making fee arrangements for tax services based upon projected or actual tax savings. Requires federal banking agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to develop examination techniques to detect abusive tax shelter activities by certain financial institutions. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose tax return information requested by the SEC, federal banking agencies, or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to aid in the investigation of tax shelter activity. Directs the Secretary to require tax practitioners to meet certain standards for the issuance of tax opinions. Provides for awards to individuals (whistleblowers) who provide information about tax law violations to the Secretary. Establishes a Whistleblower Office in the Internal Revenue Service. Denies a tax deduction for fines or penalties for violations of law, except for amounts constituting restitution. Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to IRS enforcement efforts against abusive tax shelter activities. Sets forth rules for the application of the economic substance doctrine. Imposes additional penalties for understatements of tax resulting from transactions lacking economic substance. Requires disclosure of payments of $10,000 or more to accounts or persons located in an uncooperative tax haven. Imposes enhanced penalties for underpayments of tax related to certain offshore financial arrangements.
Bill· SS. 1587 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Children's Health Equity Technical Amendment Act of 2005 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to permit qualifying states to use up to 20% of their SCHIP allotment for any fiscal year (currently, only for FY1998-FY2001) for certain Medicaid expenditures.
Bill· SS. 1573 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Retiree Health Benefits Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the tax free transfer of excess pension assets to a health benefits account established to pay collectively bargained retiree health liabilities.
Bill· SS. 1567 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Surface Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends federal transportation law to authorize appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for FY2006-FY2009 for: (1) administrative expenses of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); and (2) FMCSA grant programs. Authorizes appropriations from the HTF for FY2006-FY2009 for grants to states for commercial motor carrier safety. Increases civil penalties for out-of-service, maximum hours of service, and recordkeeping and reporting violations by motor carriers and their employees. Establishes: (1) a motor carrier research and technology program; and (2) a program to ensure the safety of intermodal equipment used to transport intermodal containers. Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 - Revises federal motor carrier requirements to require a registered motor carrier (except a motor private carrier) to file a bond with the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary). Establishes: (1) an on-line Federal Unified Carrier Registration System; (2) a Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCR Agreement) to govern the collection and distribution of registration and financial responsibility information provided and fees paid by motor carriers and others; and (3) a Unified Carrier Registration Plan to implement and administer the UCR Agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states for commercial driver's license program improvements. Highway and Vehicular Safety Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations from the HTF for FY2006-FY2009 for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for highway safety programs (including highway safety research and outreach programs). Sets forth certain vehicle safety-related requirements regarding: (1) vehicle rollover prevention and crash mitigation; (2) tire aging research; and (3) safety belt use technology. Hazardous Material Transportation Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Expands the scope of federal safe transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) regulations to include persons who: (1) design or inspect a package for use in transporting hazardous material in commerce; (2) prepare or accept hazardous material for transportation in commerce; (3) are responsible for the safety of transporting it; (4) certify compliance with any requirement under such regulations; or (5) misrepresent whether they are engaged in such activities. Transfers from the Secretary to the Secretary of Homeland Security authority for the issuance of hazmat licenses for the transportation of hazardous materials. Sets forth various requirements governing the safe transportation of hazardous materials. Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to require shippers, motor vehicle or rail vehicle carriers, receivers, and other persons engaged in the transportation of food to use sanitary transportation practices prescribed by the Secretary of HHS to avoid adulteration. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish transportation safety inspection procedures to identify suspected incidents of contamination or adulteration of food, meat, and poultry products; and (2) train Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel in the appropriate use of the procedures. Household Goods Mover Oversight Enforcement and Reform Act of 2005 - Amends federal transportation law to require a carrier providing transportation for a shipment of household goods to give up possession of the household goods transported at the destination upon payment of the transportation charges. Provides for state enforcement of federal laws and regulations with respect to the transportation of household goods. Establishes a consumer complaint system and data base with respect to shipper complaints that relate to motor carrier transportation of household goods. Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2005 - Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to authorize appropriations from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (previously the Sport Fish Restoration Account) for each fiscal year available during the succeeding fiscal years. Earmarks an amount from the Account for FY2005 and each subsequent fiscal year for sport fish restoration projects under the multistate conservation grant program. Sets forth certain expenditures from the Boating Safety Account for FY2006-FY2010. Prescribes maintenance of effort requirements for state recreational boating safety programs.
Bill· SS. 1553 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the definition of gross receipts applicable to tax-exempt small property and casualty insurance companies to include gross investment income; (2) increase to $1.971 million (from $1.2 million) the limitation on net written premiums for purposes of qualifying non-life insurance companies for alternative tax rates; and (3) adjust such increased limitation amount annually for inflation after 2006.
Bill· SS. 1559 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Emergency Relief Tax Check-Off for Our Armed Forces Act of 2005 - Provides for a tax check-off on individual income tax returns to designate a contribution to the Armed Forces Relief Trust. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction from gross income (available for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions) for charitable contributions of up to $1,000 to the Trust. Establishes an advisory board of directors to advise the Trust on the distribution of contributed funds and the management of the Trust.
Bill· HRH.R. 3644 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Exempts an H-2B visa (temporary nonagricultural worker) alien coming to work in the United States as a boilermaker from fiscal year numerical limitations under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3624 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Technical Workers Fairness Act of 2005 - Amends the Revenue Act of 1978, as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, to repeal the prohibition on treating certain technical service providers as independent contractors.
Bill· HRH.R. 3632 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Secure America's Homes and Businesses Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for the cost of purchasing and installing a qualifying electronic premise security system in a residence or business. Defines "qualifying electronic premise security system" to include: (1) electronic fire or life safety devices, intrusion detection alarms, and other buglar alarms; (2) video surveillance cameras; (3) access controls, including biometric controls and automated fingerprint identification systems; and (4) equipment incidental or necessary to the installation or operation of such security systems. Limits the amount of such deduction to $5,000 for residential and $50,000 for commercial security systems.
Bill· HRH.R. 3643 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Spaceport Equality Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for spaceports.
Bill· HRH.R. 3629 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2005
Taking Care of Small Business Tax Simplification Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the deadline for filing a subchapter S election; (2) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to abate penalties for payroll taxes timely paid but not deposited in the prescribed manner; and (3) permit married couples who operate certain joint ventures to file separate tax returns.
Bill· SS. 1524 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Repeals the termination date in the Jobs Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 for provisions reducing individual tax rates on capital gains and dividend income.
Bill· SS. 1538 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
America's Better Classroom Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in qualified public school modernization bonds, defined to include: (1) bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of a public school facility or for the acquisition of land for such facility (qualified school construction bonds); (2) bonds to finance certain academic programs below the postsecondary level in empowerment zones or enterprise communities (qualified zone academy bonds); and (3) bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of certain Indian tribal schools (qualified tribal school modernization bonds). Establishes a national limitation on the issuance of such bonds and provides for the allocation of bond amounts among the states according to a specified formula. Limits the term of such bonds to 15 years and terminates the authority for issuance of such bonds after September 30, 2007 (December 31, 2012, for qualified tribal school modernization bonds). Amends the General Education Provisions Act to apply certain labor standards to public school construction projects financed by this Act. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require states to establish employment and training programs relating to the construction or reconstruction of public school facilities.
Bill· SS. 1530 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Community Forestry Conservation Act of 2005 - Provides for the treatment of qualified forest conservation bonds as tax-exempt facility bonds under the Internal Revenue Code. Defines "qualified forest conservation bonds" as bonds issued for certain forestry organizations within 36 months after the enactment of this Act. Requires 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of such bonds to be used for specified forestry project costs, including the acquisition of forest lands subject to a conservation restriction. Exempts from income tax income, gains, and other tax incidents generated by certain harvesting activity on forest lands purchased with qualified forest conservation bonds.
Bill· SS. 1528 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Equine Equity Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat any race horse as three-year property for depreciation purposes; and (2) reduce to 12 months the holding period for capital gains treatment of horses. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to include horses in livestock assistance, compensation, or feed programs. Amends certain agricultural acts to qualify horses for disaster and other assistance programs.
Bill· SS. 1535 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act to make member landowners eligible for the additional financial compensation provided to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for the acquisition by the federal government of 104,492 acres of land of the Tribe and member landowners for the Oahe Dam and Reservoir project. Defines member landowner as a member of the Tribe (or an heir of such a member) that owned land on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation that was acquired by the United States for the Oahe Dam and Reservoir Project. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Recovery Trust Fund an amount equal to 25% of the amount deposited into the Treasury from the power program during the preceding fiscal year for the period between October 1, 2004, and the last date of the fiscal year during which the total amount deposited into the Treasury from the power program equals a specified amount. Authorizes the plan prepared for the use of payments to the Tribe to provide for payment of additional compensation to member landowners. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to assist the Tribe in claims processing by providing any record requested to identify the heirs of member landowners within 60 days after receiving a request.
Bill· SS. 1533 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Incentives to Educate American Children (I Teach) Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax credit of $1,000 for: (1) teachers in public elementary or secondary schools or public kindergartens in rural areas or areas with high poverty; and (2) teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Grants a credit of $2,000 for a teacher meeting both criteria.
Bill· SS. 1523 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Small Business Expensing Permanency Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the increased expensing allowance ($100,000) for depreciable business assets and related provisions pertaining to phaseout amounts, inflation adjustments, and the period for revocation of an election.
Law· HRH.R. 3508 (109th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
2005 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act - Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to allow an increase of the amount appropriated as District of Columbia funds under a budget approved by an Act of Congress by a limited aggregate amount. Requires the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to certify that the increase in revenue and use of such funds is not anticipated to have a negative impact on the District's long-term financial, fiscal, or economic health. Prohibits the funds from being: (1) used to fund District government agencies under court-ordered receivership; or (2) obligated or expended without the approval of specified congressional committees in advance. Authorizes the District, under specified conditions, to allocate amounts from the emergency reserve and the contingency reserve funds. Amends the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 to revise the procedure for appointing members to the Public Charter School Board. Amends the District of Columbia Code to modify the duties of the Register of Wills to require that all wills proved before the Register or the court and other matters required by law be recorded in electronic or other format. Repeals requirements concerning the Register's fees and specified penalties imposed on the Register regarding them. Requires the Register to record all creditors' statements and releases of claims against a decedent's estate in lieu of maintaining a "Claims Against Nonresident Decedents" book. Increases the cap on rates of pay for nonjudicial employees of the D.C. courts. Limits the fixed rate of $25 per hour only for individuals providing investigative services to indigent defendants. Authorizes the DC courts, under specified conditions, to conduct proceedings outside of the District during emergencies. Revises requirements for the CFO, and the CFO's duties and term of office. Subordinates to the CFO, and changes the names of, the following District government offices or department: (1) the Office of Budget and Management to the Office of Budget and Planning; (2) the Department of Finance and Revenue to the Office of Tax and Revenue; and (3) the Office of Treasurer to the Office of Finance and Treasury. Consolidates the Office of the Controller and the Office of Financial Information Services into the Office of Financial Operations and Systems. Establishes: (1) the Office of Research and Analysis, headed by the Deputy CFO for the Office of Research and Analysis; and (2) the Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board. Provides that employees of the CFO Office shall be appointed by, serve at the pleasure of, and act under the direction and control of the CFO as at-will employees not covered by the District of Columbia Merit Personnel Act of 1978 (DCMPA). States that nothing in this Act, however, may be construed to prohibit the CFO from entering into a collective bargaining agreement governing such employees or personnel. Grants the CFO independent authority over legal personnel. Requires the CFO to carry out procurement of goods and services for the CFO Office through a procurement office or division that shall operate independently of, and shall not be governed by, the Office of Contracting and Procurement, or its successor office. Amends the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975 to require, except for emergency declaration, ceremonial, confirmation, and sense of the Council resolutions, all permanent bills and resolutions to be accompanied by a fiscal impact statement before final adoption by the Council. Amends the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 to authorize the District Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency to: (1) accept certain gifts; (2) accept and use reimbursement from the District government for space and services provided, on a reimbursable basis; and (3) charge fees to cover the costs of materials distributed to attendees of educational events, including conferences, sponsored by the Service. Amends the DCMPA to make the evaluation process and instruments for evaluating DC Public Schools employees a non-negotiable item for collective bargaining purposes. Applies DCMPA pay provisions to all District government employees. Amends the District of Columbia Procurement Practices Act of 1985 to require CFO review and certification of procurement contracts before their renewal or extension. Authorizes the Mayor to accept, obligate, and expend grants received by the District government that are not reflected in the budget approved by Act of Congress, under specified conditions. Requires an annual independent audit by the Inspector General of the District (in coordination with the CFO) of the financial statement and report submitted to the DC Council by the Mayor. Requires fines imposed for violation of traffic alcohol laws to be transferred to the District General Fund for enforcement and prosecution of such laws. Sets forth certification requirements by the CFO and the Inspector General regarding attorneys in cases brought under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the District.
Bill· HRH.R. 3558 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act to make member landowners eligible for the additional financial compensation provided to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for the acquisition by the federal government of 104,492 acres of land of the Tribe and member landowners for the Oahe Dam and Reservoir project. Defines member landowner as a member of the Tribe (or an heir of such a member) that owned land on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation that was acquired by the United States for the Oahe Dam and Reservoir Project. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Recovery Trust Fund an amount equal to 25% of the amount deposited into the Treasury from the power program during the preceding fiscal year for the period between October 1, 2004, and the last date of the fiscal year during which the total amount deposited into the Treasury from the power program equals a specified amount. Authorizes the plan prepared for the use of payments to the Tribe to provide for payment of additional compensation to member landowners. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to assist the Tribe in claims processing by providing any record requested to identify the heirs of member landowners within 60 days after receiving a request.
Bill· HRH.R. 3582 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Child Abuse Reform and Enforcement Act of 2005 - CARE Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to reduce by 25 percent certain fiscal year allocations and grant amounts, under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the National Child Protection Act of 1993, respectively, to any state that is not in compliance with requirements of this Act. Directs the Attorney General to use such withheld amounts and authorized funds under this Act for additional grants to states in compliance to computerize, improve, transmit, and index their own data and criminal history files in the national data and criminal history systems for child sexual abuse protection and sentencing reform. Requires a state, to be eligible for funding under this Act, to: (1) study its laws pertaining to intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual abuse of children, and examine issues concerning their differences; (2) examine disparities in charging and sentencing perpetrators of child sexual abuse; (3) examine, and implement, legislative actions necessary to equalize charging and sentencing without regard to familial relationship of perpetrator to child victim; (4) compile, analyze, and report relevant data; and (5) promote regulations requiring its courts and agencies to compile such data.
Bill· HRH.R. 3572 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Homeland Security Overtime Reimbursement Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize a recipient of a grant under a homeland security overtime program (i.e., a program for which a grant is made to fund overtime expenditures to law enforcement agencies for training and increased patrols related to homeland security concerns) to use grant funds to pay for homeland security overtime expenditures incurred during the fiscal year before the grant is made. Directs that: (1) the Attorney General waive the requirement of a nonfederal contribution for any portion of a grant used to pay for such expenditures; and (2) Puerto Rico be considered both a unit of local government and a state for purposes of such a program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3544 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Gasoline Price Stabilization Act of 2005 - Sets forth circumstances under which the President may issue orders and regulations to stabilize prices for wholesale and retail gasoline to levels at or below levels prevailing on March 1, 2004. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include, among prerequisites to a drawdown and sale from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a presidential determination that a severe price increase resulting from an emergency situation is likely to cause a major adverse impact upon a state or regional economy. Expands the scope of "severe energy supply interruption" to encompass a reduction in supply that is substantially caused by conduct that lessens competition (or tends to create a monopoly) by: (1) at least one foreign country or international entity; or (2) at least one producer, refiner, or marketer of petroleum products. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish mandatory minimum inventory levels of crude oil and petroleum products in order to limit the impact of unexpected supply disruptions on wholesale and retail prices. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal the authorization to export Alaskan North slope oil. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an excise tax on the sale in the United States of any crude oil, gasoline, or other taxable product equal to the applicable percentage of the windfall profit on such sale; and (2) allow a tax credit for the cost of any qualified passenger vehicle purchased by the taxpayer during the taxable year. Amends the Clayton Act to: (1) prohibit certain oil industry mergers; and (2) place a moratorium upon large petroleum and crude oil mergers. Amends federal transportation law to increase the average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks. Requires federal agency heads to manage vehicle procurement in a manner that results in specified increases in the average fuel economy of the federal fleet of vehicles.
Bill· HRH.R. 3614 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Charity Care for the Uninsured Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow physicians a tax credit for providing charity medical care. Provides for a credit amount of between $1,000 and $2,000, depending upon the hours of charity care provided.
Bill· HRH.R. 3580 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Environmental Restoration Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a transferable business tax credit for waste coal energy production; and (2) the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for waste coal processing facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 3584 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Superfund Polluter Pays Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by reinstating until January 1, 2016, the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate and the corporate environmental income tax.
Bill· HRH.R. 3574 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Lifetime Prosperity Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for retirement savings contributions; (2) revise the applicable percentage and dollar limitations for such credit; (3) provide for an inflation adjustment to adjusted gross income limitations applicable to such credit; and (4) allow a tax credit for contributions to Roth IRAs for children (under age 25).
Bill· HRH.R. 3591 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the cost of installing a qualified intelligent vehicle system in a motor vehicle. Defines "qualified intelligent vehicle system" to include devices designed to avoid collisions, ensure vehicle stability, provide automatic back-up warnings, or any other devices specifically identified by the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as significantly enhancing motor vehicle safety.
Bill· HRH.R. 3578 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Citizen Soldier Relief Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income military pay received by a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who is called or ordered to active duty for a period of more than 180 days or for an indefinite period.
Bill· HRH.R. 3498 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reduce the federal tax refund of any taxpayer who owes a past-due, legally enforceable tax obligation to a local government by the amount of such obligation. Requires notice to the taxpayer of the refund reduction. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit disclosure of taxpayer information to agencies of states requesting refund offsets for tax debts owed to local governments.
Bill· HRH.R. 3585 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Education Savings Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income employer contributions to a qualified tuition plan or a Coverdell education savings account held by an employee or the employee's spouse.
Bill· HRH.R. 3533 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers in chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings initiated before July 28, 2005, who have asbestos-related liabilities exceeding $250 million, to elect not to reduce their net operating losses by amounts discharged in such proceedings.
Bill· HRH.R. 3599 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a bona fide association (an association which has been actively in existence for at least five years and has been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance) to maintain an additional reserve fund for medical benefits plans not to exceed 35 percent of the sum of certain direct costs and changes in claims incurred.
Bill· HRH.R. 3587 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Church Plan Investment Fairness Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt church retirement income accounts from the tax on unrelated debt-financed income.
Bill· HRH.R. 3522 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Open Space Preservation Promotion Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow installment sales treatment for land sold to a governmental unit or tax-exempt charitable organization for conservation purposes even though the purchase funds for such sale are held in a sinking or similar fund, as required by state law.
Bill· HRH.R. 3586 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Small Business Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain small business owners a tax deduction for cash contributions to a Small Business Protection Account. Limits the amount of such deduction to 50 percent of a taxpayer's net profits. Directs the Small Business Administration, through the Small Business Development Center Program, to assist small businesses in establishing and operating Small Business Protection Accounts.
Bill· HRH.R. 3523 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Estate Tax Deferral for Working Farms and Land Conservation Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude property used by a decedent's heir as farmland from the gross income of the decedent's estate. Imposes an additional estate tax if the decedent's heir disposes of such farmland or ceases to use it for farming purposes. Repeals the $500,000 limitation on the estate tax exclusion for land subject to a qualified conservation easement.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 229 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005
Expresses support for: (1) the U.S. goal to establish a responsible energy policy toward the Gulf of Guinea region in Western Africa that encourages local content development and greater governmental transparency; and (2) United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding to support nongovernmental organizations working to overcome corruption in Africa. Urges the Bush Administration to: (1) provide debt-relief and trade benefits to countries that adhere to the principles of transparency, human rights, and democracy; and (2) work with local organizations in Africa that monitor oil wealth management. Urges the United Nations to: (1) support multilateral transparency and make the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforceable international law; and (2) use the U.N. development program to promote transparency, poverty reduction, and democratic participation in civil society. Urges oil companies operating in Africa to: (1) pursue local content development projects and participate in joint ventures with indigenous companies; (2) disclose taxes, fees, and other payments made to African governments; and (3) participate with the U.S. African-American business community in economic development opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea region. Urges the President to encourage leaders of African countries to: (1) implement local content development programs; (2) invest a portion of the current oil revenue of each such country to prepare for a post-oil future; (3) guarantee human rights, transparency, and full civil participation in the democratic process; and (4) provide for fair employment of women within the energy sector.
Bill· SS. 1514 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
The OTC Medicine Tax Fairness Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the provision limiting the tax deduction for medicine and drugs to prescribed drugs and insulin (thus allowing a tax deduction for over-the-counter medications).
Bill· SS. 1516 (109th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2011 for: (1) Amtrak capital and operating grants, including state capital grants; (2) the Federal Railroad Administration; (3) Amtrak repayment of long-term debt and capital leases; (4) excess Amtrak railroad retirement payments to the Railroad Retirement Account; (5) the rail cooperative research program; and (6) grants to Amtrak and states participating in the Next Generation Corridor Train Equipment Pool Committee. Amends federal transportation law to make certain Amtrak reforms and operational improvements, including: (1) state funding of Amtrak rail routes; (2) establishment of improved financial accounting system; (3) development of a five-year financial plan; (4) improvement of passenger train performance; (5) establishment of an alternative passenger rail service program; (6) employee transition assistance; and (7) development of a Northeast Corridor state-of-good-repair plan. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to an applicant state, Interstate Compact, or public agency to assist in financing the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide intercity passenger rail transportation. Establishes: (1) a Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee; and (2) a rail cooperative research program. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to Amtrak for certain systemwide security upgrades. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to Congress an assessment of the current system for preclearance and screening of rail and airline passengers and baggage, as well as freight railroad traffic, between the United States and Canada. Allows a tax credit to holders of rail infrastructure (intercity rail facility) bonds issued by a state, interstate compact, or Amtrak to finance or refinance certain rail improvement projects.
Bill· SS. 1507 (109th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005
Internet Safety and Child Protection Act of 2005 - Requires: (1) an operator of a regulated pornographic website to verify (using Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-certified software) that any user attempting to access its site is age 18 or older; (2) a bank, credit card company, third-party merchant, Internet payment service provider, or business that performs financial transactions for such a website to only process age-verified Internet pornography credit card transactions; (3) the FTC to require use of appropriate age-screening software and maintain a list of websites that do not comply; and (4) violations of the age verification requirement to be treated as a Federal Trade Commission Act violation. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose upon the operator of a regulated pornographic website for any Internet pornography display or distribution a tax equal to 25 percent of the amounts charged. Establishes in the Treasury the Internet Safety and Child Protection Trust Fund into which such taxes shall be deposited. Requires Fund amounts to be allocated (in order of priority) for: (1) federal agencies to enforce this Act; (2) the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to ensure that the cyber tip line is fully operational and staffed 24 hours a day; (3) states to support Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces; (4) companies to support research and development into new filtering technologies; (5) state agencies to support educational training; and (6) specified federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and nonprofits to support child Internet safety activities, including combating sex trafficking and sex crimes against children.