Taxation

ACE Kids Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act or the ACE Kids Act This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish a state Medicaid option to provide for medical assistance with respect to coordinated care provided through a health home (i.e., a designated provider or team of health-care professionals) for children with medically complex conditions. A state shall make payments for such health-home services regardless of whether they are provided through a fee-for-service or managed-care system. For an initial period of eight fiscal-year quarters, the federal matching rate applicable to such payments shall be increased by 20 percentage points, not to exceed 90%. A state that exercises this option shall specify its methodology for determining payment and evaluating quality of care, in accordance with requirements established by the bill. In addition, the state must meet specified requirements regarding hospital referrals, out-of-state providers, education and outreach, data collection, and reporting. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must issue guidance on best practices for using out-of-state providers to provide care to children with medically complex conditions. The Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission must report to Congress and to the Department of Health and Human Services on specified matters related to children with medically complex conditions.

BRAVE Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Burial Rights for America's Veterans' Efforts Act of 2017 or the BRAVE Act of 2017 This bill increases the amounts payable through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) burial and funeral expenses of certain veterans, and (2) such expenses in connection with a veteran's death due to a service-connected disability. The VA shall increase such amounts each fiscal year by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.

World Bank Accountability Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

World Bank Accountability Act of 2017 This bill provides that for each of FY2018-FY2023, 15% of appropriations for the World Bank's International Development Association shall be withheld and not disbursed until the Department of the Treasury reports to Congress that the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development: (1) is implementing institutional incentives that prioritize poverty reduction, development outcomes, and capable project management over the Bank's lending and grant making volume; (2) is taking, or has completed, steps to address the management failures from the Uganda Transport Sector Development Project; and (3) is strengthening its trust fund management in order to increase accountability for poverty reduction and development outcomes. An additional 15% of appropriations for such fiscal years shall be withheld and not disbursed until Treasury reports that the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development: (1) is emphasizing its support for secure property rights, due process of law, and economic freedom as essential to sustained poverty reduction in World Bank borrowing countries; (2) has not approved any loans or grants to a country designated by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terrorism and is strengthening the ability of Bank-funded projects to undermine violent extremism; (3) is taking steps to conduct randomized forensic audits of projects receiving Bank assistance; and (4) is working to detect and minimize corruption in projects involving development policy lending. Such conditions will be considered to have been satisfied for a fiscal year if they have been satisfied for the preceding three fiscal years. The bill amends the International Development Association Act to authorize the Governor of the International Development Association to contribute a specified amount on behalf of the United States to the 18th replenishment of the association's resources.

Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for up to 8,000 employment-based immigrant visas per fiscal year for qualifying nurses, physical therapists, and other health care workers (excluding physicians) and their accompanying family members. Such aliens are exempted from worldwide and foreign state numerical limits. A petition filed on behalf of such an immigrant must be accompanied by evidence that the prospective U.S. employer has the ability to pay the proffered wage.

Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act of 201 7 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional tax deduction for the cost of installing mechanical insulation property. The bill: (1) limits the amount of such deduction to the lesser of 30% of the cost or the reduction in energy loss from the installed mechanical insulation property compared to property that meets the minimum requirements of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard 90.1-2007; and (2) allows the cost of mechanical insulation property that is placed in service to replace insulation property to be treated as a deductible business expense in the current taxable year. The bill defines "mechanical insulation property" as insulation materials, facings, and accessory products: (1) placed in service in connection with a mechanical system which is located in the United States and of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation; and (2) utilized for thermal requirements for mechanical piping and equipment, hot and cold applications, and heating, venting and air conditioning applications which can be used in a variety of facilities. The bill also allows a tax deduction for capital expenditures related to mechanical insulation property.

Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new business-related tax credit for the start-up expenses of a veteran-owned small business in an underserved community. The allowable amount of such credit is 15% of start-up expenditures that do not exceed $80,000. To be eligible for the credit, the small business must (1) be owned and controlled by one or more veterans or spouses of veterans, and (2) have a principal place of business in an underserved community. An "underserved community" is any area located within: (1) a HUBZone (as defined by the Small Business Act), (2) an empowerment zone or an enterprise community, (3) an area of low income or moderate income (as recognized by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council), or (4) a county with persistent poverty (as classified by the Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture).

Strengthening Taxpayer Rights Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Strengthening Taxpayer Rights Act of 2017 This bill modifies requirements for the preparation of tax returns and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) procedures for the collection of taxes. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: apply tax preparer penalties for the understatement of a taxpayer's liability and other violations to other submissions to the IRS, in addition to tax returns or refund claims; increase tax preparer penalties for gross misconduct and other violations; require identifying numbers to be included for all submissions to the IRS by tax return preparers (limited to tax returns or refund claims under current law); limit the disclosure of taxpayer information to the express purpose for which the taxpayer granted consent; provide for de novo review by the Tax Court of IRS innocent spouse relief determinations; specify that the determination of whether or not a debt has been discharged may not be based solely on a nonpayment period; and restrict the authority of the IRS to use a levy after the collection period has expired. The bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to reduce from seven years to two years the period that a tax lien may appear on a taxpayer's credit report.

Smoke Free Affordable Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Smoke Free Affordable Housing Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the low-income housing tax credit, to require state allocation plans to include a preference for allocating dollar amounts of the credit to projects consisting only of buildings in which smoking is not permitted.

Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2017 This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to make it one of the purposes of the Act to extend financial and technical assistance to the states for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting. The bill also prescribes a formula for the allocation of funds apportioned to a state that may be used for any activity or project to recruit or retain hunters and recreational shooters. Amounts apportioned to the states from any taxes on pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows may be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. The funds apportioned to a state for wildlife restoration management may be used for related public relations. If a state has not used all of the tax revenues apportioned to it for firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants, it may use its remaining apportioned funds for the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. Up to $5 million of the revenues covered into the wildlife restoration fund in the Treasury from any tax imposed for a fiscal year on the sale of certain bows, arrows, and archery equipment shall be available to the Department of the Interior exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act This bill revises the methodology for calculating Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits and phases out the cap on compensation subject to Social Security taxation. The bill directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to prepare and publish a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) to track cost-of-living changes for individuals age 62 or older. Beginning in two years after the enactment of this bill, the CPI-E, instead of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, shall be used to calculate the cost-of-living adjustment for OASDI benefits. The bill also includes surplus earnings in the calculation of the primary insurance amount (i.e., the amount received by a beneficiary who elects to receive OASDI benefits at full retirement age). The bill phases out and, after 2023, eliminates the cap on compensation ($128,400 in 2018) subject to Social Security taxation.

Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017

Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Department of the Treasury and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to disclose certain tax return information in cases of identity theft. If Treasury believes that there has been a fraudulent use of a Social Security number on a statement submitted regarding wages paid to employees, Treasury must disclose to the individual who was validly assigned the Social Security number: (1) that there is reason to believe that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number in an employment context, and (2) other information that Treasury determines would be helpful and appropriate to provide to a victim of identity theft. If the SSA believes that the Social Security number included on such a statement is not the correct number for an employee, the SSA must provide a notification to the employer that includes: (1) the name of the employee and the Social Security number included on the statements, and (2) relevant information regarding the availability of the Social Security Number Verification Service. The bill also imposes new criminal and civil penalties for tax-related identity theft and misappropriation of tax identification numbers.

100 by '50 Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

100 by '50 Act This bill calls for the United States to aggressively reduce carbon pollution as rapidly as practicable and achieve 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050. It provides financial support (e.g., grant programs and loans) for clean and renewable energy, including support for affordable zero-emission vehicle-based public transportation, solar energy, and energy efficiency retrofits in homes. The bill provides job training, unemployment compensation, health benefits, and pension and other benefits and services to adversely affected workers employed in the fossil fuel energy sector. The bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to create annual caps on fossil fuel electricity beginning in 2022 and ending in 2050 when it is phased out. The Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a grant program for energy storage and dispatchable energy technologies. The bill provides financial incentives (e.g., tax credits and grants) for clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency improvements, and energy storage. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to establish a zero-emission vehicle standard. In addition, it establishes: (1) a carbon fee to transition the commercial aviation, maritime transportation, and rail sectors away from fossil fuel usage; (2) grant programs for zero-emission vehicles; (3) a national highway decarbonization grant program; and (4) tax credits for electric vehicles, hybrid trucks, biofuels, and alternative fuels. DOE must also establish a zero-emission residential and commercial heating grant program. The bill: (1) terminates specified fossil fuel subsidies, and (2) creates a climate duty for carbon-intensive products imported from other countries. The Department of the Treasury must issue climate bonds. The proceeds of the bonds must be deposited in the Climate Fund, which may be used to carry out the bill.

Paperwork Reduction for Farmers Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Paperwork Reduction for Farmers Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a process for filing petitions for nonimmigrant temporary agricultural workers (H-2A visa) that ensures that: (1) petitions may be filed through Labor's website or in a paper format, and (2) any technical deficiency in the petition will be indicated to the petitioner before submission. An employer that has received a request for evidence from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) may request that such evidence request be delivered in an online format. CIS, within 10 days of the employer's submission of evidence, shall: (1) provide an online response indicating whether the evidence is sufficient; and (2) if the evidence is insufficient, provide the employer with an opportunity to address the deficiencies. The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to include year-round equine or livestock workers (including dairy or poultry workers) within the H-2A visa category. The requirement that apple pressing be performed on a farm in order to qualify for H-2A status is eliminated. The bill permits multiple employers to submit a joint petition to import nonimmigrant H-2A visa temporary agricultural workers. Upon approval of such petition, each joint employer shall be subject to the Act's H-2A provisions with respect to each alien listed in the petition. An employer seeking to rehire H-2A workers who previously worked for the employer as H-2A workers at any time may submit a simplified petition, to be developed by CIS, which shall include a certification that the employer complies with all applicable employment requirements. Such petitions shall be approved upon completion of applicable security screenings. An employer seeking to hire H-2A workers during different time periods in a given fiscal year may submit a single petition to CIS detailing each alien's employment period.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1436) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1436) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for the year, excluding outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. The President must submit an annual budget in which total outlays for the fiscal year do not exceed total receipts. Congress may waive the requirements for any fiscal year in which: a declaration of war is in effect, the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security as declared by a joint resolution, or a national emergency has been declared by a joint resolution. Any waiver must identify and be limited to the specific increase for the year that is necessary for the military conflict or emergency. Any increase in spending pursuant to a waiver must be offset by a budget surplus within 10 years of the end of the waiver.

Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act This bill revises the methodology for calculating Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits and phases out the cap on compensation subject to Social Security taxation. The bill directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to prepare and publish a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) to track cost-of-living changes for individuals age 62 or older. Beginning in two years after the enactment of this bill, the CPI-E, instead of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, shall be used to calculate the cost-of-living adjustment for OASDI benefits. The bill also includes surplus earnings in the calculation of the primary insurance amount (i.e., the amount received by a beneficiary who elects to receive OASDI benefits at full retirement age). The bill phases out and, after 2023, eliminates the cap on compensation ($128,400 in 2018) subject to Social Security taxation.

Frank Adelmann Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Frank Adelmann Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit equal to 75% of the gain from the sale or exchange of real property to a qualified manufactured home community cooperative or corporation if: (1) the property is acquired for use as a manufactured home community, (2) the seller (or any related person) owned the property for at least two years before the sale or exchange, and (3) the property is transferred subject to a binding covenant that the property will be used as a manufactured home community for at least 50 years. A "qualified manufactured home community cooperative or corporation" is a cooperative or a nonprofit corporation established pursuant to the laws of the state in which the property is located. The bill specifies membership and governance requirements for the communities owned by the cooperative or nonprofit corporation. The bill also imposes a tax on buyers who violate the covenant to use the property for manufactured housing for at least 50 years.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for balanced budgets for the Government.

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Constitutional Amendment This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year, unless three-fifths of each chamber of Congress authorizes the excess with a rollcall vote. The authorization must include an adequate increase in the debt limit for the specific excess of outlays. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. The President must submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Total outlays for the Social Security trust funds over 75 years must not exceed total receipts for 75 years, unless three-fifths of each chamber of Congress authorizes the specific excess by a rollcall vote. Congress may waive the requirements by a rollcall vote for any year in which a declaration of war is in effect. The waiver must: (1) identify and be limited to the outlays necessary for the war, and (2) include an adequate increase in the debt limit for the specific excess of outlays.

Objecting to the conduct of the President of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Declares that the House of Representatives has no confidence that President Trump is faithfully executing the office of President. Calls for President Trump to: release his tax returns; place his private business assets in a blind trust or divest from them; donate to the U.S. Treasury any personal profit from foreign patronage of hotels in which he has an ownership interest; refrain from taking any action that results in taxpayer money being spent on goods or services from businesses in which he has an ownership interest; seek congressional consent for any emoluments he has received from foreign countries; refrain from using Twitter inappropriately; support the First Amendment, support freedom of the press, refrain from calling reporting "fake news," refrain from posting video of himself wrestling with a press logo, and stop limiting full electronic press access to White House press briefings; promote democracy, freedom of the press, and human rights in foreign policy; unequivocally acknowledge that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and work to protect our electoral process from future foreign interference; refuse any offer to form a cybersecurity unit with the Russian government to protect the United States from election hacking; respect the independence of our nation's judicial branch; respect Members of Congress and refrain from using derogatory nicknames for them; and conduct foreign policy in a manner that reflects the U.S. traditional role as leader of the free world.

Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 201 7 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend to all domestic corporations, including S corporations, provisions allowing deferral of tax on gain from the sale of employer securities to an S corporation-sponsored employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The Department of the Treasury must establish the S Corporation Employee Ownership Assistance Office to foster increased employee ownership of S corporations. The bill also amends the Small Business Act to define "ESOP business concern" and allow such a concern to continue to qualify for loans, preferences, and other programs under such Act.

Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit equal to 75% of the gain from the sale or exchange of real property to a qualified manufactured home community cooperative or corporation if: (1) the property is acquired for use as a manufactured home community, (2) the seller (or any related person) owned the property for the entire two-year period before the sale or exchange, and (3) the property is transferred subject to a binding covenant that the property will be used as a manufactured home community for at least 50 years. A "qualified manufactured home community cooperative or corporation" is a cooperative or a nonprofit corporation established pursuant to the laws of the state in which the property is located. The bill specifies membership and governance requirements for the communities owned by the cooperative or nonprofit corporation. The bill also imposes a tax on buyers who violate the covenant to use the property for manufactured housing for at least 50 years.

Paperwork Reduction for Farmers Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017

Paperwork Reduction for Farmers Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a process for filing petitions for nonimmigrant temporary agricultural workers (H-2A visa) that ensures that: (1) petitions may be filed through Labor's website or in a paper format, and (2) any technical deficiency in the petition will be indicated to the petitioner before submission. An employer that has received a request for evidence from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) may request that such evidence request be delivered in an online format. CIS, within 10 days of the employer's submission of evidence, shall: (1) provide an online response indicating whether the evidence is sufficient; and (2) if the evidence is insufficient, provide the employer with an opportunity to address the deficiencies. The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to include year-round equine or livestock workers (including dairy or poultry workers) within the H-2A visa category. The requirement that apple pressing be performed on a farm in order to qualify for H-2A status is eliminated. The bill permits multiple employers to submit a joint petition to import nonimmigrant H-2A visa temporary agricultural workers. Upon approval of such petition, each joint employer shall be subject to the Act's H-2A provisions with respect to each alien listed in the petition. An employer seeking to rehire H-2A workers who previously worked for the employer as H-2A workers at any time may submit a simplified petition, to be developed by CIS, which shall include a certification that the employer complies with all applicable employment requirements. Such petitions shall be approved upon completion of applicable security screenings. An employer seeking to hire H-2A workers during different time periods in a given fiscal year may submit a single petition to CIS detailing each alien's employment period.

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2018 Provides FY2018 appropriations to the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary, the District of Columbia, and several independent agencies. Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2018 Provides appropriations to the Department of the Treasury, including the Internal Revenue Service. Executive Office of the President Appropriations Act, 2018 Provides appropriations to the Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President. Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2018 Provides appropriations to the judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court, other federal courts, administrative offices, and the U.S. Sentencing Commission. District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2018 Provides appropriations to the District of Columbia, including Federal Funds and District of Columbia Funds. Provides appropriations to independent agencies, including: the Administrative Conference of the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Election Assistance Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Election Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the Federal Trade Commission, the General Services Administration, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Fund, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Historic Publications and Records Commission, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of Government Ethics, the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Special Counsel, the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, the Public Buildings Reform Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Selective Service System, the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Postal Service, and the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth requirements and restrictions for the use of funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts. Includes several provisions that modify various financial services laws and were included in H.R. 10 (Financial CHOICE Act of 2017), as passed by the House of Representatives on June 8, 2017. Financial Institution Bankruptcy Act of 2017 Amends federal bankruptcy law to establish a new bankruptcy process for certain large financial institutions.

Concrete Pump Tax Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017

Concrete Pump Tax Fairness Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a mileage-based user fee on owners of mobile mounted concrete boom pump vehicles, (2) allow a credit against the fee for certain fuel taxes and other specified taxes that currently apply to the owners of the vehicles, and (3) require the revenues from the fee to be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. The bill defines "mobile mounted concrete boom pump vehicle" as a vehicle that is mobile machinery and on which the mounted machinery consists of a concrete boom pump and related subordinate parts.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an above-the-line deduction for health insurance premiums.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer a deduction from gross income of insurance premiums paid for the health care coverage of the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse and dependents. The bill makes the deduction available whether or not the taxpayer itemizes other deductions.

Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017

Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act of 201 7 This bill allows owners of eligible dwelling units a new tax credit for up to 50% of the lead hazard reduction activity costs for each such unit in a taxable year. An "eligible dwelling unit" is any unit located in the United States that was placed in service before 1978 and the residents of which during the preceding taxable year have a cumulative adjusted gross income of less than $110,000. The bill: (1) specifies the types of lead hazard reduction activity costs eligible for the credit, including risk assessment and abatement costs; and (2) limits the amount of the credit in any taxable year to $3,000 for specified abatement measures and $1,000 for interim lead control measures.

A REVIEW OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT REAUTHORIZATION BILL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION PLANS

United States · United States Senate · 17 July 2017

Water and Energy Sustainability through Technology Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2017

Water and Energy Sustainability through Technology Act This bill addresses the link between energy and water systems (energy-water nexus), including: (1) the water needed to produce energy; (2) the energy needed to transport, reclaim, treat, store, and reuse water and wastewater; (3) the energy available in organic wastewaters and wet waste streams (e.g., methane); and (4) the waste heat available in industrial process and cooling water discharges, steam system condensate and cooling water, and thermoelectric cooling water discharge. The bill provides support for increasing: the availability of energy-water nexus data about surface water, groundwater, or recycled water; the use of energy-water nexus technology; the energy efficiency of certain water systems; the use of water efficiency methods and products; water quality; the recharge of groundwater; the ability of water systems to address climate-related impacts on water quality or quantity; and the infrastructure of water and wastewater systems. In addition, the bill establishes a United States-Israel Water Cooperation Working Group to seek to strengthen dialogue between the United States and Israel in order to: (1) improve the use of water resources through water-saving technologies and practices; (2) counter water shortages; (3) modernize pipeline and other applicable infrastructure; and (4) pursue best practices in drip irrigation, water recycling, and desalination. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate certain tax incentives related to the extraction of oil, gas, or certain minerals.

E-2 Visa Improvement Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2017

E-2 Visa Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit a nonimmigrant E-2 alien (treaty investor) who has been in the United States in such status for at least 10 years and has created full-time employment for at least 2 individuals to apply for immediate employment-based immigrant status. Up to 10,000 such visas may be made available each fiscal year. Sons and daughters of E-2 aliens (or aliens seeking such status) can remain on their parent's visa as a child until age 26. Employment authorization may be granted at age 18.

Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel, and Alternative Fuels Extension Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2017

Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel, and Alternative Fuels Extension Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend and modify the tax credits for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and alternative fuels. The bill extends through 2021: (1) the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, (2) the excise tax credit for biodiesel mixtures, (3) the excise tax credit for alternative fuels, (4) the excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures, and (5) the payments that are equivalent to the excise tax credits for biodiesel mixtures and alternative fuels. Beginning in 2019, the bill phases down the credits for biodiesel, biodiesel mixtures, alternative fuels, and alternative fuel mixtures by reducing the credits by specified amounts.

FITARA Enhancement Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2017

FITARA Enhancement Act of 2017 This bill repeals the expiration date of (thus making permanent) provisions of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 that require: (1) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make available to the public a list of each major information technology investment made by a covered agency for information technology, including data on cost, schedule, and performance; (2) the Chief Information Officer of each covered agency and the program manager of the investment within the agency to conduct a risk management review of those investments that have received a high risk rating for four consecutive quarters; and (3) the implementation by OMB of a process to assist the covered agencies in reviewing their portfolio of information technology investments. The bill amends such Act to extend the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative through FY2020.

To expand access to the Rural Community Facilities Program of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2017

This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify the requirements for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Facilities Program, which provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. For the purposes of the program, a "rural area" may not have a population of more than 20,000 inhabitants. The bill increases the limit to 35,000 inhabitants for determinations made under the program on or after April 1 of any fiscal year. In making a grant or loan on or after April 1, USDA must give priority to applications with respect to community facilities at which public safety, health care, and job training are to be provided. In awarding grants for essential community facilities technical assistance and training, USDA must allow applications for grants from qualified organizations for the sole purpose of providing on-site training and technical assistance on a national or multi-state regional basis.

Heroin and Opioid Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2017

Heroin and Opioid Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require manufacturers, producers, and importers of active opioids to pay an excise tax of one cent per milligram of opioid. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to states for: (1) research on opioids (including heroin), and (2) opioid abuse prevention and treatment. The Department of the Treasury must transfer an amount equal to the revenue collected from the tax to HHS to carry out this bill. The bill makes the funds available without further appropriation and designates the funding as an emergency requirement under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO).

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018

United States · United States Senate · 13 July 2017

CARE Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Critical Access and Rural Equity Act of 2017 or the CARE Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to specify that, for purposes of determining Medicare payment and reasonable costs for both inpatient and outpatient critical access hospital (CAH) services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall recognize as allowable costs those related to specified emergency, diagnostic, anesthetist, community health, and off-campus clinical services. Furthermore, in determining payment and reasonable costs for both inpatient and outpatient CAH services, CMS shall not disallow payment to a CAH on the basis that such payment offsets the cost of a current permissible health care-related tax imposed on and paid by the CAH. CMS must make specified payment adjustments to account for such a tax.  Generally, under current law, a facility must be located beyond a specified driving distance from another hospital or facility in order to be designated as a CAH. The bill specifies that this requirement does not apply with respect to a CAH's off-campus provider-based clinic. Current law further requires a facility to provide certain 24-hour emergency care services as a condition of designation as a CAH. The bill allows CMS to waive this requirement with respect to a facility that coordinates with a nearby facility or hospital that provides such services.

Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2017 This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to modify the definition of "private nonprofit facility" to include any facilities (including roads, bridges, sewer systems, and other critical community infrastructure) owned or operated by a common interest community that provide essential services of a governmental nature. The bill also defines additional terms under such Act, including "condominium" and "housing cooperative." "Common interest community" is defined as: (1) any nonprofit mandatory membership organization comprised of owners of real estate (other than a condominium or housing cooperative) described in a declaration or created pursuant to a covenant or other applicable law with respect to which a person, by virtue of the person's ownership of a unit, is obligated to pay for a share of real estate taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance or improvement of, or services or other expenses related to, common elements, other units, or any other real estate other than the unit described in the declaration; and (2) a condominium project that is comprised entirely of detached single family units or that is comprised of four or more multi-unit housing structures and that owns or operates facilities that provide essential services of a governmental nature. The bill amends such Act to provide that for purposes of the provision of federal disaster assistance with respect to residential elements that are the legal responsibility of an association for a condominium or housing cooperative, the terms "individual" or "household" include the association. The President must determine the maximum amount of assistance that any such association may receive under such Act for a single disaster.

Refund Equality Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Refund Equality Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt certain same-sex couples who were legally married under state law from the three-year time limitation for filing: (1) a claim for a credit or refund of an overpayment of any tax, or (2) an election to file jointly after having filed separate returns. Certain legally married same-sex couples who were first treated as married for federal tax purposes by the application of the holdings of Revenue Ruling 2013-17 may file amended returns for previous years until the due date for the return for the year in which this bill is enacted. The bill applies only to amended returns and claims for a credit or refund that relate to a change in the marital status of the spouses. (In Revenue Ruling 2013-17, the Internal Revenue Service adopted a general rule recognizing, for federal tax purposes, the validity of a same-sex marriage that was valid in the state where it was entered into, regardless of the married couple's place of domicile.)

Refund Rights for Taxpayers Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Refund Rights for Taxpayers Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the statute of limitations for making a claim for a credit or refund for the overpayment of any tax, and (2) shorten the statute of limitations for a collection after the assessment of any tax. (Under current law, the statute of limitations for making a claim for a credit or refund is three years from the time the return was filed or two years from the time the tax was paid, whichever period expires later. If no return was filed by the taxpayer, the limit is two years from the time the tax was paid.) The bill extends this limit to seven years from the later of the time the return was filed or the tax was paid or, if no return was filed, seven years from the time the tax was paid. With respect to the statute of limitations for a collection after the assessment of any tax, the bill decreases the limit from 10 years to 7 years after the assessment of the tax.

Preserving Taxpayers' Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Preserving Taxpayers' Rights Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish new procedures and requirements for administrative appeals of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) deficiency determinations. If the IRS determines that there is a deficiency with respect to a tax imposed, it may send a notice of deficiency to a taxpayer after: the taxpayer has been issued a letter of proposed deficiency that explains the basis for the determination of deficiency and provides an opportunity for administrative review in the IRS Office of Appeals; and either: (1) the time provided in the letter for requesting administrative review in the office has expired and the taxpayer has not made such a request, or (2) the office has officially concluded the administrative review process with respect to the deficiency. The bill includes exceptions to these requirements for frivolous tax positions and issues in cases designated for litigation. The IRS must permit a taxpayer to appeal a deficiency prior to issuing a deficiency notice if 60 or fewer days remain on the statute of limitations and the taxpayer agrees to extend the period for 12 months. The bill modifies appeals dispute resolution procedures. It also restricts the authority of the IRS to: (1) designate cases for litigation without permitting an appeal, or (2) offer settlement agreements that preclude an appeal. The bill modifies the authority of the IRS to issue a summons and limits the access that people outside of the IRS have to returns and return information acquired by a summons.

Stop Outsourcing and Create American Jobs Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Stop Outsourcing and Create American Jobs Act of 201 7 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to develop and publish a list of countries that are tax havens for corporations. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the penalties on corporations for: (1) underpayment of tax involving an undisclosed foreign financial asset located in a tax haven country; (2) reportable transaction understatements involving transactions in a tax haven country; and (3) fraud, tax evasion, or false statements involving transactions in a tax haven country. The bill also: (1) permits federal departments and agencies to grant a preference in the award of federal contracts to contractors who have not engaged in outsourcing, (2) requires federal departments and agencies to request outsourcing information from potential contractors, and (3) defines "outsourcing" as the laying off of a U.S. worker from a job and the hiring or contracting for the same job to be performed in a foreign country. Revenues generated by this bill must be set aside for the reduction of the public debt.

Outsourcing Accountability Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Outsourcing Accountability Act of 2017 This bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require registered securities issuers to disclose annually to the Securities and Exchange Commission and to shareholders: (1) the total number of employees domiciled in the United States and listed by number in each state (including those of consolidated subsidiaries); (2) the total number of such employees physically working in and domiciled in any country other than the United States, listed by number in each country; and (3) the percentage increase or decrease in such numbers from the previous reporting year. Certain new public companies and issuers with total annual gross revenues of less than $1 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year shall be exempt from these requirements.

Refund Equality Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Refund Equality Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt certain same-sex couples who were legally married under state law from the three-year time limitation for filing: (1) a claim for a credit or refund of an overpayment of any tax, or (2) an election to file jointly after having filed separate returns. Certain legally married same-sex couples who were first treated as married for federal tax purposes by the application of the holdings of Revenue Ruling 2013-17 may file amended returns for previous years until the due date for the return for the year in which this bill is enacted. The bill applies only to amended returns and claims for a credit or refund that relate to a change in the marital status of the spouses. (In Revenue Ruling 2013-17, the Internal Revenue Service adopted a general rule recognizing, for federal tax purposes, the validity of a same-sex marriage that was valid in the state where it was entered into, regardless of the married couple's place of domicile.)

Veterans Education Experience Improvement Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Veterans Education Experience Improvement Act of 2017 This bill revises the administration of certain veterans educational benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall establish training requirements for school certifying officials (SCOs) employed by educational institutions offering approved veterans education courses. An institution shall employ one SCO for every 500 unduplicated veteran's enrollment certifications made during a fiscal year. The VA may disapprove any course of education offered by an institution that does not meet such requirements. The bill increases: (1) the VA reporting fee paid to an institution for each individual using veterans educational benefits at such institution, and (2) resources available to SCOs and state approving agencies. The VA shall provide: (1) veterans with on-campus educational and vocational counseling services, and (2) institutions with educational assistance information regarding enrolled veterans. A course that begins within seven days of the beginning of an academic term shall be treated as beginning on such date for purposes of certifying a veteran's eligibility for educational benefits. The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended to December 31, 2022.

Debt Buy-Down Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Debt Buy-Down Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers to designate up to 10% of their adjusted income tax liability for the reduction of the public debt. The bill also establishes in the Treasury a Public Debt Reduction Trust Fund to hold tax revenues generated by this bill for the reduction of the public debt. The bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to: (1) require spending to be reduced annually by an amount equivalent to the revenue generated by this bill, and (2) enforce the requirement for spending reductions using a sequestration, with exemptions for Social Security retirement benefits, veterans benefits, and net interest payments on the debt. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)

Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

Economic Freedom Zones Act of 201 7 This bill prohibits the federal government from providing: (1) assistance (e.g., loans, loan guarantees, or purchases) to a municipality or zip code, other than the assistance provided for in this bill for an area designated as an Economic Freedom Zone; and (2) financial assistance to a bankrupt or insolvent municipality, except as provided by this bill. The bill sets forth requirements for designating municipalities, counties, cities, and zip codes as zones for a 10-year period, including bankruptcy eligibility, risk of insolvency, pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow reduced tax rates, tax credits, tax-exempt educational savings accounts, increased expensing of business property, and other tax incentives for individuals and businesses located in or investing in a zone. The zones are exempt from compliance with: (1) specified environmental regulations, (2) the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, (3) requirements applicable to a National Heritage Area, and (4) wage rate requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act. The bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow a special allocation of grant funds for children from families who reside in a zone and have incomes below the federal poverty level. The Department of Homeland Security may issue special visas to aliens meeting certain capital, educational, and skill requirements who intend to enter the United States to invest in a zone.

NEW GIG Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017

New Economy Works to Guarantee Independence and Growth Act of 2017 or the NEW GIG Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a test for determining if a service provider should be classified as an independent contractor rather than as an employee for tax purposes. If the requirements of the test are met, the provider may not be treated as an employee, the recipient or any payor may not be treated as an employer, and compensation for the service may not be treated as paid or received with respect to employment. The factors of the test include: the relationship between the parties (i.e., the provider incurs expenses; does not work exclusively for a single recipient; performs the service for a particular amount of time, to achieve a specific result, or to complete a specific task; or is a sales person compensated primarily on a commission basis); the place of business or ownership of the equipment (i.e., the provider has a principal place of business, does not work exclusively at the recipient's place of business, and provides tools or supplies); and the services are performed under a written contract that meets certain requirements (i.e., specifies that the provider is not an employee, the recipient will satisfy withholding and reporting requirements, and that the provider is responsible for taxes on the compensation). The bill also: (1) sets forth withholding and reporting requirements for service recipients who meet the requirements of the test, and (2) allows service providers to petition the U.S. Tax Court for a determination of employment status.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018

United States · United States Senate · 12 July 2017

Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act for Fiscal Year 2018

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2017

Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act for Fiscal Year 2018 This bill addresses several aspects of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), including eliminating the limitation on the number of contractors that can provide services as adjunct professors in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; authorizing MARAD to accept a qualified guarantee from a donor or donors for the completion of a major project for the benefit of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; authorizing MARAD to pay all necessary expenses in connection with the conveyance or transfer of a gift, devise, or bequest to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; requiring MARAD to ensure that each cadet from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy who is participating in the Sea Year program is provided a functional satellite communication device; and authorizing MARAD to provide assistance to small shipyards for capital improvements and for maritime training programs to foster technical skills and operational productivity relating to shipbuilding, ship repair, and associated industries.

FLIGHT R&D Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2017

FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act or the FLIGHT R&D Act This bill reauthorizes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) research and development (R&D) programs for FY2018-FY2023. No funds are authorized to be appropriated for a fiscal year for: (1) Environmental Sustainability Research and Development programs unless the full amount authorized for that fiscal year is appropriated for Safety Research and Development programs, Economic Competitiveness Research and Development programs, and Mission Support programs; or (2) the FAA's Office of the Administrator unless the Secretary of Transportation has submitted the National Aviation Research Plan to Congress no later than the submission of the President's budget request for that fiscal year. The FAA shall appoint an Associate Administrator for Research and Development. The FAA shall develop a plan in the event of the transition of FAA R&D activities to a non-federal entity. The bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to revise requirements with respect to the FAA's five-year roadmap for the introduction of civil unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into the national airspace system. The roadmap shall include, at a minimum, a description of how the FAA plans to use R&D to integrate drones into the system. No funds are authorized to be appropriated for the Office of the Administrator for a fiscal year unless the Secretary has submitted the unmanned aircraft systems roadmap to Congress on an annual basis. The FAA shall coordinate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to research the collision of drones with manned aircraft. The bill prohibits the FAA, with a specified exception, from promulgating regulations regarding the operation of drones for R&D purposes. The FAA shall establish R&D programs: to improve the cybersecurity of civil aircraft and the system, on civilian air traffic surveillance over oceans and other remote locations, in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft with remote piloting and computer piloting, and regarding the use of the electromagnetic spectrum in the civil aviation domain. The FAA shall submit to Congress a research plan for certification and implementation of new technologies (including Next Generation) into the system.

Providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2810) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2017

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2810) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.