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2,642 ingested bills from United States in 2004. Walk years back as far as this source still publishes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Declares Ricardo F. Pedrotti to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Deems an annuity payable to Susan Overton Huey.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act of 2004 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to double liability limits associated with oil spills for double-hull tank vessels, other vessels, offshore facilities (except deepwater ports), and onshore facilities and deepwater ports. Gradually phases out (over six years) liability limits for single-hull vessels. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish separate liability limits for the transportation of oil by vessel to deepwater ports. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to require the Secretary to promulgate regulations under which port owners or operators may request that the Secretary place restrictions on the entry of tank vessel shipments presenting a risk of severe harm to the environment, economy, or public safety of the port or port region. Requires single-hull tank vessels that are more than 15 years old to undergo annual inspections. Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a study assessing the total economic cost of oil spills, and the types of costs resulting from such spills, and to report the findings to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
United States Court of Federal Claims Special Trial Judges Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal judicial code to establish within the U.S. Court of Federal Claims special trial judges (currently, special masters) to conduct proceedings on petitions under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services' participation in such proceedings. Establishes an office of special trial judges within the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Requires the judges of such court to appoint special trial judges, one of whom shall serve as chief special trial judge. Establishes guidelines for the conduct of proceedings on petitions. Authorizes review of special trial judge decisions by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and further appeal by the Secretary or an aggrieved petitioner to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Amends the Public Health Service Act to reflect the above changes to the Program. Sets forth transition provisions for: (1) persons exempted from specified civil service programs by operation of this Act; and (2) persons currently serving as special masters. Establishes a retirement annuity system for special trial judges and addresses their participation in existing retirement programs. Amends the Federal judicial code, the Organic Act of Guam, the Act of November 8, 1977, and the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to include bankruptcy, magistrate, and territorial judges in the definition of "judge" for purposes of Federal employees' life insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Retirement Security for Life Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for 50 percent of the amount otherwise includible in gross income as guaranteed payments from certain annuity or life insurance contracts. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $20,000 in any taxable year. Provides for an inflation adjustment of the $20,000 limitation beginning in 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advocacy Act - Establishes within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) an Office of Consumer Advocacy and Outreach to protect minority consumers, disabled consumers, and other targeted consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires the head of the Office to: (1) assist law enforcement personnel in investigating unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect such consumers and in increasing the amount of information available about such conduct through the Consumer Sentinel or equivalent database system; (2) provide such consumers with information regarding the detection of unfair or deceptive acts or practices; (3) administer a program permitting the anonymous reporting of information concerning unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect such consumers; (4) carry out a program of monetary rewards for reports of such conduct if such reports result in civil penalties; and (5) carry out a public awareness campaign in Spanish.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2004 or ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State (DOS). Requires the President to appoint an Ambassador at Large to head the Office. Transfers to the Office all immigration functions with respect to intercountry adoptions currently performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant automatic U.S. citizenship to internationally adopted children upon entry of a full and final adoption decree (thus dispensing with the need for such children to obtain visas). Creates a new W nonimmigrant visa category for children traveling to the United States to be adopted by U.S. citizens. Allows adopted children age 18 or under to claim an exception to immunization requirements for purposes of admissibility (currently limited to those age 10 or under). Redefines the term "adoptable child." Requires U.S. citizen adoptive parents to obtain approval of an adoption petition prior to issuance of a W visa or a full and final adoption decree. Provides that such petitions are subject to the terms applicable to orphan petitions. Directs the Secretary of State to issue regulations: (1) establishing an expedited reapproval process for families whose prior approvals to adopt have expired; and (2) governing the appeal of petition denials. Requires the Office to determine whether a child is an adoptable child, pursuant to specified procedures, as a prerequisite to the issuance of a W visa or a full and final adoption decree. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for certain violations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Smarter Funding for All of America's Homeland Security Act of 2004 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a State and Regional First Responder Grant Program under which the Secretary may make grants to States and eligible regional entities on the basis of the threat to a State or region's population and critical infrastructure, as determined by the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to evaluate and prioritize grant applications, considering factors such as threats to the population, specific economic sectors, major communications nodes and transportation systems, specific elements of the food supply, the water and energy supplies, civic infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, and specific structures of symbolic national importance. Bars the use of grant funds to supplant State or local funds that would otherwise be available for homeland security or first responder projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the Advisory Council on First Responders, which shall report to the Secretary through the head of the Office of State and Local Government Coordination; and (2) revise the Homeland Security Advisory System to require that any designation of a threat level or other warning be accompanied by a designation of the geographic regions and economic sectors to which it applies. Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to conduct a study of whether there is a need to assign additional bands of frequencies of electromagnetic spectrum to assist first responders.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act of 2004 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to double liability limits associated with oil spills for double-hull tank vessels, other vessels, offshore facilities (except deepwater ports), and onshore facilities and deepwater ports. Gradually phases out (over six years) liability limits for single-hull vessels. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish separate liability limits for the transportation of oil by vessel to deepwater ports. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to require the Secretary to promulgate regulations under which port owners or operators may place restrictions on the entry of tank vessel shipments presenting a risk of severe harm to the port or port region. Requires single-hull tank vessels that are more than 15 years old to undergo annual inspections. Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a study assessing the total economic cost of oil spills, and the types of costs resulting from such spills, and to report the findings to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Safe and Effective Drug Act - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, to develop a meta-analysis and report to Congress on the scientific data regarding the safety and health risks of smoking marijuana and the clinically-proven effectiveness of smoking marijuana for medicinal purposes. Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to: (1) post such report on the Internet site of the Food and Drug Administration not later than 30 days after receipt; and (2) promptly disseminate such report to principal public health agencies of all States, and to public health associations, health care professionals, and other appropriate entities that advocate or recommend the smoking of marijuana by patients for medicinal purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense and U.S. military installations and units to support the Boy Scouts of America by: (1) officially sponsoring Boy Scout units serving dependents of members of the Armed Forces; and (2) making facilities of the Department of Defense available for Boy Scout meetings and other activities such as national and world Boy Scout Jamborees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
Amends the Transportation, Treasury, Independent Agencies, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2005 (division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005) to repeal provisions requiring each Federal agency to have a Chief Privacy Officer to assume primary responsibility for privacy and data protection policy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Technical Corrections Act of 2004 - Makes technical corrections to certain amendments made by the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Jobs Investment Act of 2004 - Authorizes a State to provide to any entity a tax or fee credit or other tax incentive for investment in the acquisition, construction, installation, and rehabilitation of improvements, real estate, fixtures, equipment, and facilities located in the State. Provides that any such action taken by a State shall be considered to be a reasonable regulation of commerce and shall not be considered to impose an undue burden on interstate commerce or to otherwise impair, restrain, or discriminate against interstate commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
Amends the Transportation, Treasury, Independent Agencies, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2005 (division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005) to revise provisions establishing a Chief Privacy Officer in each Federal agency with primary responsibility for privacy and data protection policy. Requires the Chief Privacy Officer to assist the agency Chief Information Officer in matters relating to the use, collection, and disclosure of personally identifiable information. Repeals the mandate that each Federal agency establish privacy and data protection policy procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025
Prohibits any Federal law, rule, or regulation from being construed to limit any Federal agency from providing any form of support to the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, including: (1) holding meetings, jamborees, camporees, or other scouting activities on Federal property if such organization has received permission from the appropriate Federal official responsible for such property; or (2) hosting or sponsoring any official event of such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Declares Rosario Amato and Salvatore Amato to each be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Controlled Substances Export Reform Act of 2004 - Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to authorize the Attorney General to allow any controlled substance that is in schedule I or II or that is a narcotic drug in schedule III or IV to be exported from the United States to a country (first country) for subsequent export to another country (second country) if: (1) both such countries are parties to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971; (2) each of such countries has maintained an adequate system of substance import controls; (3) the substance is consigned to a holder of permits or licenses required under the first country's laws and a permit to import the substance has been issued; (4) substantial evidence that the substance is to be consigned to a permit holder as required under the second country's laws is furnished, a permit to import it is to be issued, the substance is to be applied exclusively to legitimate uses within that country, and it will not be re-exported; (5) within 30 days after export from the first country, the person who exported it from the United States certifies that re-export has occurred; and (6) the Attorney General has issued a permit to export the substance from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal existing microenterprise development grant authority and reestablish and revise it as a separate title, title VI - Microenterprise Development Assistance, which shall be administered by an Office of Microenterprise Development (established by this Act) within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2004 -Artists' Rights and Theft Prevention Act of 2004 or the ART Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the unauthorized, knowing use of a video camera or similar device to transmit or make a copy of a copyrighted audiovisual work from a performance in a movie theater. Establishes criminal penalties for willful copyright infringement by knowingly making a computer program, musical work, motion picture, or sound recording being prepared for commercial distribution available to the public on a computer network. Family Movie Act of 2004 - Exempts from copyright and trademark infringement, under certain circumstances: (1) making limited portions of the audio or video content of a motion picture for private home viewing imperceptible; or (2) the creation of technology that enables such editing. National Film Preservation Act of 2004 - Amends the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 to direct the Librarian of Congress to carry out preservation activities, including generating public awareness of the National Film Registry, updating the national film preservation program with technological advances, and utilizing the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center to ensure that Registry films are properly stored and disseminated in accordance with copyright law and any relevant agreements. Reauthorizes film preservation provisions. National Film Preservation Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2004 - Allows the Foundation's board of directors to determine the location of its principal office. Authorizes appropriations to the Library of Congress for the Foundation. Preservation of Orphan Works Act - Provides that the limitation on reproduction and distribution of copyrighted works does not apply to the authority of libraries or archives, during the last 20 years of copyright, to reproduce, distribute, display, or perform in facsimile or digital form a copy or phonorecord of published works for preservation, scholarship, or research under certain conditions. Anticounterfeiting Act of 2004 - Prohibits knowingly trafficking in: (1) a counterfeit label on a phonorecord, computer program, motion picture, or other audiovisual work; or (2) counterfeit documentation or packaging. Fraudulent Online Identity Sanctions Act - Prohibits knowingly providing materially false contact information when registering a domain name. Cooperative Research and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) Act of 2004 - Provides that patentability is not precluded on the basis of obviousness where subject matter which qualifies as prior art is developed by a person different from the person claiming the invention, under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Federal Death Care Inspection and Disclosure Act - Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the position of Coordinator of Funeral, Burial, and Disposition Services, to: (1) survey existing State laws pertaining to the death care industry; and (2) formulate standards specifying the elements of an effective system for registering, inspecting, and monitoring the handling and disposition of human remains by funeral homes and other death care providers. Requires the Coordinator to: (1) award Federal assistance grants to State agencies that regulate death care providers; and (2) establish minimum standards and requirements governing State regulation of funeral homes and other death care providers. Sets forth deceptive trade practices, including funeral provider practices that: (1) fail to make timely price disclosures regarding funeral goods and services; (2) fail to give an itemized written statement for retention to a purchaser of funeral goods or funeral services at the conclusion of the discussion related to such goods and services and prior to providing any services beyond taking possession of a deceased human body for authorized embalming; (3) make specified misrepresentations; (4) condition goods and services upon the purchase of other goods and services; and (5) provide embalming services without prior approval. Prohibits unsolicited telephone offers or door-to-door direct offers to sell funeral goods, services, crematory services, interment rights, or other cemetery and memorialization goods and services. Sets forth consumer protections with respect to certain cash advance prohibitions and requirements, and preneed and prepaid funeral service transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Innovation Competitiveness Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to designate a Technology Transfer Director within the Technology Administration to perform oversight and policy and development for technology transfer activities at the Department of Commerce. Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate activities of the Interagency Working Group on Technolgy Transfer; (2) coordinate with certain technology partnership ombudsmans; and (3) establish procedures for coordinating the Commerce Department's technology transfer outreach activities between appropriate Federal agencies, including the National Technical Information Service and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Directs the Secretary to establish a research program within the Technology Administration that: (1) involves consultation with the various units of the Commerce Department; (2) builds upon ongoing private sector efforts; and (3) involves consortia. Instructs the Director to work with industry, trade associations, professional societies, and others to: (1) develop improved technology transfer research tools and practices; and (2) conduct a specified study. Requires the Director to oversee a dissemination and technical assistance program for the immediate dissemination and implementation of the practices, standards, and codes developed by the Technology Administration. Directs the Secretary to designate a small business advocate within the Commerce Department to: (1) increase the participation of small business concerns; and (2) establish guidelines for a small business program under this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a State and Industry Task Force to highlight areas where the Federal Government can help States to provide a complementary research and development environment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
National Center for Transportation Solutions Act of 2004 - Establishes the National Center for Transportation Solutions, consisting of the National Center for Transportation Solutions Board and the Director of National Transportation Research. Directs the Center to develop and encourage the execution of a long-term national policy for the promotion of research and development related to multimodal transportation. Requires the Director to award grants to establish regional centers for transportation solutions located in each of four regions established by the Board for the northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest regions of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Prohibits any Federal law, rule, or regulation from being construed to limit any Federal agency from providing any form of support to the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, including: (1) holding meetings, jamborees, camporees, or other scouting activities on Federal property if such organization has received permission from the appropriate Federal official responsible for such property; or (2) hosting or sponsoring any official event of such organization.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Stop Trafficking of Persons Act of 2004 or STOP Act - Amends Federal law with respect to jurisdictional immunity of foreign states to include within the definition of "commercial activity" trafficking in human beings for sexual activity or other purposes. Amends the Violence Protection Act of 2000 to: (1) include a country's efforts to reduce international sex tourism within its borders among the criteria for determining whether a country is taking serious steps to eliminate trafficking in human beings; and (2) state that nothing in such Act shall be construed to require any federally-funded nongovernmental organization that investigates foreign trafficking activities to notify foreign governments or targets of such investigation's funding source.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Provides that a specified provision of the Departments of Transportation and Treasury, Independent Agencies, and General Government Appropriations Act, 2005, as included in the conference report of H.R. 4818, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, which directs the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to allow designated agents of the House or Senate Appropriations Committee access to IRS facilities and tax return information, shall have no force and effect.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Universal Service Antideficiency Suspension Act - Makes Federal provisions which prohibit the obligation or expenditure of funds either in excess of appropriated amounts or in violation of sequestration orders under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1986 inapplicable, during the period beginning on the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2005, to: (1) any amount collected or received as Federal universal service contributions; or (2) the expenditure or obligation of amounts attributable to such contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Save Our Waters From Sewage Act of 2004 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in administering the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program, from promulgating regulations or issuing guidance authorizing a publicly-owned treatment works to divert flows to bypass a portion of its treatment facility. Creates an exception for situations where the bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award one-year grants to each approved State to establish or improve a State controlled substance monitoring program. Requires the Secretary to develop minimum standards for States to ensure security of information collected and to recommend penalties for the provision or use of information in violation of applicable laws or regulations. Requires each approved State to: (1) require dispensers to report to the State within one week of each dispensing of a controlled substance to an ultimate user or research subject; and (2) establish and maintain an electronic searchable database containing the information reported. Allows a State to provide information from the database in response to certain requests by practitioners, law enforcement, narcotics control, licensure, disciplinary, or program authorities, the controlled substance monitoring program of another State, and agents of the Department of Health and Human Services, State Medicaid programs, State health departments or the Drug Enforcement Administration. Requires the Secretary to: (1) specify a uniform electronic format for the reporting, sharing, and provision of information under this Act; and (2) study and report to Congress on such programs, including on interoperability between programs, the feasibility of a real-time electronic controlled substance monitoring program, privacy protections, and technological alternatives to centralized data storage.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Amends the Inspector General Act to require the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Justice (DOJ), in preparing semiannual reports on the activities of the IG's office, to describe each settlement or compromise of any claim, suit, or other action entered into with the DOJ that: (1) related to an alleged violation of statutory provisions prohibiting major fraud or false claims against the United States; and (2) results from a claim of damages in excess of $500,000. Specifies the required elements of each such description.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2026
Wolf House Study Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to: (1) study and report to specified congressional committees on the suitability and feasibility of designating the Wolf House located on Highway 5 in Norfolk, Arkansas, as a unit of the National Park System; and (2) consider management alternatives for the Wolf House.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Prohibits more than five percent of the total participants in any system of precertification for the earned income tax credit from being residents of the same metropolitan statistical area.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2004 - Makes technical revisions and clerical corrections to specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, including certain provisions related to: (1) the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; (2) the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004; (3) the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003; (4) the Trade Act of 2002; (5) the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001; and (6) the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Provides that such revisions and corrections shall take effect as if included in the original enactments to which they relate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
National Food and Agricultural Science Act of 2004 - Establishes: (1) in the National Science Foundation a Division of Food and Agricultural Science, which shall be administered by a Director of Food and Agricultural Science; and (2) in the Division a Standing Council of Advisors. States that the Division's sole function shall be to award grants to promote complementary, fundamental agricultural research to: (1) individual scientists; (2) single and multi-institutional research centers; and (3) private and public sector entities, including the Department of Agriculture, the Foundation, or other Federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Free Speech Protection Act of 2004 - Prohibits judicial, legislative, or executive branch entities of the Federal Government with the power to issue subpoenas or provide other compulsory process from compelling any person who engages in news or information gathering for dissemination to the public (covered person) through the news media to disclose: (1) the source of news or information, or any information that would tend to identify the source, whether or not the source has been promised confidentiality; or (2) any news or information procurred while providing services to the news media that is not itself communicated to the news media. Extends this protection to supervisors, employers, or other persons assisting a covered person. Renders inadmissible in any Federal action, proceeding, or hearing news or information obtained in violation of this Act. Creates an exception from the prohibition on compelled disclosure for news or information not communicated to the news media if a court finds that the requesting party has established by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) disclosure is critical and necessary to the resolution of a significant legal issue; (2) the news or information could not be obtained by alternative means; and (3) there is an overriding public interest in disclosure. States that publication by the news media, or dissemination by a person while providing services for the news media, of a source of news or information shall not constitute a waiver of the protections provided by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Firefighters Special Operation Task Force Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration to award grants to a task force (two or more fire services operating under a cooperative agreement to coordinate incident response within a geographic area) for: (1) salary and benefits to hire or rehire firefighting personnel to provide services to the task force; (2) expenses related to the participation of firefighting personnel in appropriate training courses offered by the Department of Homeland Security, the National Fire Academy, or a State or local fire academy; (3) training related to incident response; (4) appropriate equipment or support systems for task force members; or (5) improved communications between task force members and a local police department or hospital. Requires the Administrator, in selecting grantees, to give priority to task forces serving geographic areas within 50 miles of: (1) a nuclear power facility; (2) a large facility that produces, treats, or refines chemicals or petroleum products; (3) a business district of national significance; or (4) a location with one or more critical infrastructures. Requires grantees to provide non-Federal matching funds of at least 55 percent of the amount awarded by the Administrator for each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2026
Swain County Settlement Act of 2004 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) offer to compensate Swain County, North Carolina, for a road along the north shore of the Fontana Resevoir not being built in an amount determined by the parties to a specified agreement dated July 30, 1943, taking into consideration the estimated cost of the proposed road; and (2) pay to the County the amount of compensation determined. Declares that acceptance by the County of such payment by the Secretary constitutes full settlement of the claims of the County against the United States, the Department of the Interior, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) under the agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform and Rural Equity Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) revise ambulance payment rates; and (2) provide additional payments for providers furnishing ambulance services in rural areas. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review the system for adjusting payments for rural ambulance services to determine their adequacy and appropriateness. Amends SSA title XVIII with respect to a Secretary-specified uniform coding system identifying furnished ambulance services for purposes of a fee schedule. Directs the Secretary to establish a system or systems for the coding of claims for ambulance services for which payment is made, including a code set specifying the medical condition of the individual who is transported and the level of service that is appropriate for the transportation of an individual with that medical condition. Requires the code set to take into account the list of medical conditions developed in the course of the negotiated rulemaking process. (Current law authorizes the Secretary to require the claim for any ambulance services to include a code (or codes) under a uniform coding system specified by the Secretary, but does not require the establishment of such a coding system.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Asia Freedom Act of 2004 - Authorizes the President to provide assistance to North and South East Asia (as defined by this Act) for: (1) humanitarian needs; (2) democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; (3) independent media; (4) free market systems; (5) security; (6) social programs; (7) environment; (8) political opposition; (9) parliamentary exchanges; and (10) migration. Sets forth specified funding authorities, including funding for: (1) security assistance; (2) an institute for reform in Asia; (3) law enforcement; (4) promotion of competitive elections; (5) political transitions; and (6) Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to deny entry visas to public or private individuals who have impeded human rights, the rule of law, and economic freedom in North and South East Asia. Directs the Secretary of State to maintain a database of individuals who may be denied entry. Expresses the sense of Congress that any democracy fund established by the United Nations (UN) in response to the September 21, 2004, speech by President George W. Bush to the UN General Assembly should be known as the ``Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Democracy Fund."
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Declares Fatuka Kaikumba Flake to be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2026
Class Action Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal judicial code to specify the calculation of contingent and other attorney's fees in proposed class action settlements that provide for the award of coupons to class members. Prohibits a Federal district court from approving: (1) a proposed coupon settlement absent a finding that the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate; (2) a proposed settlement involving payments to class counsel that would result in a net monetary loss to class members, absent a finding that the loss is substantially outweighed by nonmonetary benefits; or (3) a proposed settlement that provides greater sums to some class members solely because they are closer geographically to the court. Specifies requirements for notices of proposed settlements. Grants district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $5 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is between citizens of different States, or citizens of a State and a foreign State or its citizens or subjects. Lists those factors pursuant to which a district court may decline to exercise jurisdiction over a class action, and specifies those circumstances in which a district court must decline jurisdiction. Sets forth provisions governing the removal of interstate class actions to Federal district court and the review on appeal of remand orders. Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report on class action settlements, incorporating recommendations for best court practices to ensure fairness for class members and appropriate fees for counsel.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Small Business and Farm Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to assist small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of a sharp and significant increase in the price of heating fuel or electricity. Prohibits any such loan from being made if the total amount outstanding and committed to the borrower would exceed $1.5 million, unless the applicant is a major source of employment in its surrounding area. Requires, for such assistance: (1) a declaration by the President or the SBA Administrator that an area is affected by a sharp and significant increase in such price; or (2) a certification from the governor of the State that its small businesses have suffered such economic injury and are in need of assistance which is not otherwise available. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to farm operations that qualify as a small business and have or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury from a sharp and significant increase in energy costs or input costs from energy sources occurring on or after November 1, 2004, in connection with an energy emergency declared by the President or the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into new and renewal contracts with the City of Aurora, Colorado, or an enterprise of the City, for a term not to exceed 50 years for the use of excess capacity in the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project for specified purposes, including conveying non-project water for irrigation, domestic, municipal, or industrial purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Retirement Enhancement Revenue Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules relating to tax-exempt retirement and employee benefit plans. Imposes new qualification, reporting, and disclosure requirements for public employee pension plans. Revises pension rules to provide for: (1) automatic enrollment of all eligible employees in 401(k) plans; (2) diversification of defined contribution plans that hold employer securities; (3) an increase to age 75 for beginning mandatory distributions from retirement plans; (4) restrictions on the exclusion of unionized employees from 401(k) plan participation; and (5) removal of the $5,000 limit on certain mandatory retirement plan distributions. Makes the tax credit for retirement savings contributions refundable and permanent. Allows certain small employers a business tax credit for contributions to employee pension plans. Modifies requirements for joint and survivor annuities and for railroad retirement benefits for divorced and former spouses. Revises rules for defined benefit plans to permit such plans to include 401(k) plans. Modifies certain defined benefit plan eligibility rules. Allows: (1) an exemption from prohibited transaction restrictions for certain transactions between an employee benefit plan and a plan participant (i.e., aborted emergent transactions); (2) loans from retirement plans for health insurance and job training expenses; (3) income averaging of corrected civil service annuity benefit payments; and (4) an exemption from prohibited transaction penalties for certain employer-provided investment advice.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Long Term Care Quality Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) detailed reporting of nursing expenditures; (2) development and reporting of new quality measures; and (3) linking payments to quality performance. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study current and future financing of quality nursing facility care.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Medicare Nursing Facility Pay-for-Performance Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through a contract with a qualified independent party (such as the National Quality Forum), to provide for identification of: (1) between ten and 15 quality measures for the performance of skilled nursing facilities under Medicare; and (2) the data to be reported, including their collection and formatting, on a calendar quarter basis for each such quality measure. Requires the values obtained for quality measures to be appropriately risk-adjusted as applied to individual skilled nursing facilities in order to increase the likelihood that any differences in such values reflect differences in the care provided by the facilities and not differences in the characteristics of their residents. Provides for: (1) adjusting payments for skilled nursing facilities based on quality performance, including an increase of two percent for facilities in the top ten percent in quality as well as a decrease of one percent for facilities below the quality threshold; (2) limiting market basket increases to facilities that voluntarily report information; and (3) using FY 2005 payment rates as a floor for subsequent updates. Establishes the Long-Term Care Financing Commission to analyse and report to Congress on the financing of long-term care.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2025
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make corrections to a map subtitled "Four Mile Hill Unit TX-16P, North Padre Island Unit T10/T10P," in order to ensure that depictions of areas on that map (one in a set of maps of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System) are consistent with the depictions of areas appearing on the map entitled "Corrections to Coastal Barrier Resources System Map-Unit T-10," dated June XX, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Emergency Flu Response Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to immediately declare the shortage of the influenza vaccine to be a public health emergency justifying an authorization of the use of unapproved products. Requires the Secretary to: (1) consult with certain foreign countries to assess the availability of excess vaccines; (2) determine whether such vaccines meet the criteria for emergency authorization; (3) purchase, import, and distribute such vaccines; (4) award a grant to each State to develop and implement a plan to respond to the current shortage; and (5) establish a program to purchase and redistribute excess doses for administration to individuals in priority areas. Requires the head of each executive agency and the Attending Physician of the Capitol to ensure that vaccines are administered only to employees in priority groups and to provide the Secretary with any excess doses for redistribution. Allows the Secretary to purchase any approved drug to treat influenza for inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to conduct clinical trials to determine whether a diluted influenza vaccine is effective in priority groups. Establishes the National Quarantine Compensation Program to pay individuals subject to a State or Federal quarantine order an amount equal to lost wages. Prohibits an employer from discharging or discriminating against such individuals. Allows the Secretary, upon determining that measures taken under this Act have not been effective, to: (1) take additional measures necessary to protect the public health; and (2) require manufacturers or anyone in possession of the vaccine to sell their supply to the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Fair Vaccine Price Act of 2004 - Prohibits the sale of any vaccine intended to prevent or mitigate the effects of influenza or any biological terrorist agent at a price per dose of 150 percent or more of the baseline price if: (1) a declared shortage of the vaccine is in effect; or (2) the seller knows or has substantial reason to believe there will be a shortage within 60 days and such a shortage is declared within such time. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to declare a shortage period. Designates as a vaccine's baseline price the average price of the vaccine sold by the seller either during the preceding 60 days or 12 months before the effective date of the shortage declaration. Allows the Secretary to determine an appropriate baseline price of the vaccine if the seller did not sell the vaccine during either such period or if the difference in price is unrelated to the causes of the shortage. Requires the Secretary to determine an appropriate baseline price at the time of declaring a shortage. Sets forth penalties for violations under this Act, including imprisonment and a fine. Allows a person to commence a civil action to compel compliance with, or for damages for violations of, this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2025
Medicare PPO Fairness Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide written notice to each individual who is, or has been, enrolled in the Medicare PPO Demonstration Project of the following: (1) the fact that the enrollees are, and have been, eligible for coverage of services whether the services were provided by in-network or out-of-network providers; and (2) there is a procedure for reimbursement for claims for services that should be (or have been) covered but were not covered because of their provision by an out-of-network provider. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a procedure for reimbursement of enrollees under the Medicare PPO Demonstration Project for claims for services furnished before January 1, 2005, that should be (or have been) covered but were not covered because of their provision by an out-of-network provider; and (2) provide for an adjustment in the capitation rates for plans under the project for months in 2005 so as to reduce payment under such rates, in the aggregate, by the aggregate amount of payments the Secretary estimates will be paid under such procedure.