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Year-End Report
Rep. Burgess Votes to Protect Military Survivor’s Benefits
Posted by Michelle Stein on May 20, 2004
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.S. (TX-26) voted today in favor of a bill allowing thousands of military survivors to receive increased annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan, also known as “The Widow’s Tax.” The SBP provision was included in the $422 billion H.R. 4200, the Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policies, programs and funding levels for the nation’s military and was adopted in the House of Representatives with a bipartisan 391 to 34 vote. “The archaic program was simply not providing military survivors the level of benefits they deserved,” said Rep. Burgess. “When soldiers serve in the U.S. military, their families serve too. Depriving them of the funds that they rightfully deserve is unjust.” In the 70’s and 80’s, enrollees were not informed of the sharp drop in benefits, and the unexpected loss of income was often financially devastating. Provisions in H.R. 4200 will include eliminating the Social Security offset under the Survivor Benefit Plan and increasing the annuities paid to survivors of military retirees who are 62 or older from 35 percent of retired pay to the percentages indicated for the following periods: (1) For months after September 2005 and before April 2006: 40 percent (2) For months after March 2006 and before April 2007: 45 percent (3) For months after March 2007 and before April 2008: 50 percent (4) For months after March 2008: 55 percent “As Memorial Day approaches, and we continue to fight The War on Terror, it is crucial that we in Congress honor those who have served and who are currently serving to protect our freedom,” stated Rep. Michael Burgess.
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H.R. 4200 DOD Authorization, Fiscal Year 2005
Posted by on May 20, 2004
H.R.4200 Approved, 391-34 Burgess voted YES Goode of Virginia Amendment Approved, 231-191 Burgess voted YES Davis of California Amendment Failed, 202-221 Burgess voted NO Hunter of California Amendment Approved, 416-4 Burgess voted YES Kennedy of Minnesota Amendment Failed, 162-259 Burgess voted YES Weldon of Pennsylvania Amendment Approved, 308-114 Burgess voted NO Skelton of Missouri Amendment Approved, 410-0 Burgess voted YES Tauscher of California Amendment Failed, 204-214 Burgess voted NO Ryun of Kansas Amendment Approved, 290-132 Burgess voted YES Title:To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2005 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52] (by request) (introduced 4/22/2004) Cosponsors: 1 Committees: House Armed Services House Reports: 108-491, 108-491 Part 2 Related Bills: H.RES.648, S.2400, S.2401 Latest Major Action: 5/21/2004 Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 537. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 4/22/2004--Introduced. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 2005. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, and shipbuilding and conversion; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including ballistic missile defense capabilities; (3) operation and maintenance, including for defense working capital funds, the Armed Forces Retirement Home, the Defense Health Program, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; and (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths. Extends certain bonus, special, and incentive pay authorities. Provides bonus repayment requirements with respect to unserved periods. Expands certain travel and transportation allowances. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) active and reserve military personnel policy, including revised promotion and duty requirements for joint officers, the extension of age limits for active-duty general and flag officers, and revised retirement rules for officers; (2) ROTC and the military service academies, including the establishment of a Board of Visitors at each academy; (3) acquisition policy and management, including defense acquisition workforce changes and the privatization of military utilities located on non-Federal lands; (4) DOD organization and management; (5) budget and financial matters; (6) the establishment of auxiliaries for military departments and a National Defense Heritage Foundation; (7) DOD civilian personnel policy, including a priority placement program for displaced civilian employees and pay parity with respect to certain DOD civilian personnel; and (8) matters relating to other nations, allies, and friendly foreign nations. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes the Secretaries of Defense and the military departments to acquire real property and carry out specified military construction projects. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) chemical demilitarization construction; and (4) National Guard and reserve forces facilities. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to establish the Museum Center of the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
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H.R. 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act
Posted by on May 20, 2004
H.R.4359 Approved, 271-139 Burgess voted YES Title:To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the child tax credit. Sponsor: Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] (introduced 5/13/2004) Cosponsors: 71 Committees: House Ways and Means Related Bills: H.RES.644 Latest Major Action: 5/21/2004 Received in the Senate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 5/20/2004--Passed House, without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the scheduled reductions in the amount of the child tax credit for taxable years beginning in 2005 through 2009 (from $1,000 to $700 in 2005 through 2008 and $800 in 2009). Makes the $1,000 credit amount permanent. Increases the income threshold amount for calculating reductions in the credit amount to $125,000 ($250,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return). Eliminates the reduction in the percentage of earned income for calculating the refundable portion of the credit (15 to 10 percent) for taxable years beginning before 2005. Includes in earned income for purposes of calculating the refundable portion of the credit otherwise tax excludable combat zone compensation of members of the armed forces. Exempts from the general termination date in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (December 31, 2010) provisions of that Act disregarding as income any refunds from the child tax credit for purposes of determining eligibility for federally funded assistance programs.
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National Safe Boating Council Present Burgess with Confluence Award
Posted by Michelle Stein on May 19, 2004
Today, the National Safe Boating Council presented Rep. Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) with the National Safe Boating Council Confluence Awards which recognizes Members of Congress who have worked to better the resources and vision of safe and recreational boating opportunities on America's Waterways. A member of the House Boating Caucus, Congressman Burgess represents a sizable portion of North Texas which houses multiple lakes including Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville and Lake Grapevine. Nationally, Texas ranks 6th among the states for the number of registered boats with just over a half a million. This statistic alone makes boating safety a major health and financial issue for the state of Texas. “I am honored to receive this award,” stated Rep. Michael Burgess. “As a doctor, the safety of my constituents is a top priority. With the beautiful lakes we have in the 26th District, I knew it was critical to become involved in boat safety.” Next week begins National Safe Boating Week (May 22-28, 2004). This year’s theme: “BOAT SMART. BOAT SAFE. WEAR IT!” covers the many aspects of safe boating. Smart and safe boating can help in our Nation’s homeland security efforts by keeping our safety forces available instead of looking for a boater that has had a mishap due to lack of education or not following common safety practices. Boaters simply need to “Boat Smart and Boat Safe” to help in this effort. The Congressional Boating Caucus is an informal, bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives concerned with issues affecting the recreational marine industry. The caucus seeks to improve the economic viability of the industry and support the protection of the environment, boating safety and the creation of international trade opportunities for the industry. The mission of the National Safe Boating Council is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education with memberships in over 325 U.S. and Canadian organizations. For more information on National Safe Boating Week, please visit their website at http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com.
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S.Con.Res. 95 Congressional Budget for the U.S. Government for FY 2005
Posted by on May 19, 2004
S.CON.RES.95 Approved, 216-213 Burgess voted YES Title:An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2005 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 through 2009. Sponsor: Sen Nickles, Don [OK] (introduced 3/5/2004) Cosponsors: (none) Committees: Senate Budget Latest Conference Report: 108-498 (in Congressional Record H3187-3226) Related Bills: H.CON.RES.393, H.RES.649 Latest Major Action: 5/19/2004 Conference report agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 213 (Roll no. 198). Note: The House Rules Committee has posted the text of the S.Con.Res. 95 conference report (pdf) and joint explanatory statement (pdf). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 3/29/2004--Passed House, amended. (There are 3 other summaries) Sets forth the congressional budget for the Government for FY 2005, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2004 and for FY 2006 through 2009. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts for FY 2004 through 2009 with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. (Sec. 102) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY 2004 through 2009. Title II: Reconciliation and Report Submission - (Sec. 201) Requires recommendations of changes in law within its jurisdiction sufficient to reduce revenues and increase or reduce (as indicated) the total level of outlays by specified amounts to the House Committee on the Budget by the following Committees: (1) Agriculture; (2) Education and the Workforce; (3) Energy and Commerce; (4) Government Reform; and (5) Ways and Means. Requires the House Committee on the Budget to report to the House a reconciliation bill carrying out all such recommendations without any substantive revision. Requires the House Committee on Ways and Means to report a budget reconciliation bill that consists of changes in laws within its jurisdiction sufficient to reduce revenues by not more than $13.182 billion for FY 2005 and by not more than $137.580 billion for FY 2005 through 2009. Provides that if such reconciliation bill does not increase the deficit for such fiscal years above the permitted levels, the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget (Chairman) may revise the reconciliation instructions to permit the Committee on Ways and Means to increase the level of direct spending outlays, make conforming adjustments to the revenue instruction to decrease the reduction in revenues, and make conforming changes in allocations to the Committee on Ways and Means and in budget aggregates. (Sec. 202) Requires the House Committee on Armed Services to report to the House Budget Committee on its findings that identify $2 billion in savings from activities determined to be a low priority to the successful execution of current military operations, or to be wasteful or unnecessary to national defense. Requires the identified funds to be reallocated to programs and activities that directly contribute to enhancing the combat capabilities of the U.S. military forces with an emphasis on force protection, munitions, and surveillance capabilities. Directs the Chairman to insert the report by the Committee on Armed Services in the Congressional Record by May 21, 2004. Title III: Reserve Funds and Contingency Procedure - Subtitle A: Reserve Funds for Legislation Assumed in Budget Aggregates - (Sec. 301) Authorizes the Chairman, if the House reports legislation that provides health insurance for the uninsured, to make the appropriate adjustments in allocations and aggregates to the extent such measure is deficit neutral in FY 2005 and for FY 2005 through 2009. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Chairman, if the Committee on Energy and Commerce reports legislation that provides medicaid coverage for children with special needs (the Family Opportunity Act), to make the appropriate adjustments in allocations and aggregates to the extent such measure is deficit neutral in FY 2005 and for FY 2005 through 2009. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Chairman, if the Committee on Armed Services reports legislation that increases survivors' benefits under the Military Survivors' Benefit Plan, to make the appropriate adjustments in allocations and aggregates to the extent such measure is deficit neutral resulting from a change other than to discretionary appropriations in FY 2005 and for FY 2005 through 2009. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Chairman, for any bill, including a bill that provides for the safe importation of FDA-approved prescription drugs or places limits on medical malpractice litigation, that has passed the House in the first session of the 108th Congress and, after the adoption of this resolution, is acted on by the Senate, enacted by Congress, and presented to the President, to make the appropriate adjustments in the allocations and aggregates to reflect any resulting savings from any such measure. Subtitle B: Contingency Procedure - (Sec. 311) Authorizes the Chairman, if the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reports legislation that provides new budget authority for accounts in the highway transit categories in specified amounts and the amount of excess is offset by reductions in mandatory outlays from the Highway Trust Fund or an increase in receipts appropriated to such Fund, to revise committee allocations, aggregates, and allocations of budget authority and outlays in this resolution by the amount provided in such legislation. Authorizes the Chairman to increase the allocation of outlays and appropriate aggregates for FY 2004 or 2005 for a House Committee by the amount of outlays corresponding to such obligation limitations if such committee reports legislation establishing obligation limitations in excess of $40.116 billion for FY 2004 or $41.204 billion for FY 2005 but an amount up to such limit was offset under this subtitle for programs, projects, and activities within the highway and transit categories, and if legislation has been enacted that satisfies specified conditions of this subtitle. Title IV: Budget Enforcement - (Sec. 401) Sets forth prohibitions on advance appropriations in the House. Allows advance appropriations for FY 2006 or 2007 for specified accounts identified in the joint explanatory statement accompanying this resolution, but only in an aggregate of up to $23.568 billion in new budget authority. (Sec. 402) States that if legislation is reported that makes supplemental appropriations for FY 2005 for contingency operations related to the global war on terrorism, or for any emergency requirements, then the resulting new budget authority, new entitlement authority, outlays, and receipts shall not count for certain purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for the provisions of such measure that are designated as making appropriations for such contingency operations. Requires the committee report and any accompanying managers' statement, if legislation is designated as an emergency requirement, to explain the manner in which it meets specified emergency criteria, including a threat to life, property, or the national security that is sudden, quick, unforeseen, unpredictable, and temporary in nature. Requires the committee to cause the explanation to be printed in the Congressional Record in advance of floor consideration if such legislation is to be considered by the House without being reported. Deems an emergency that is part of an aggregate level of anticipated emergencies, particularly when normally estimated in advance, as not unforeseen. (Sec. 403) Requires all House budgetary legislation, as well as the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on any concurrent resolution on the budget, to include in its estimated levels of new budget authority and total outlays, or allocations, any discretionary amounts provided for the Social Security Administration. Title V: Sense of the House - (Sec. 501) Expresses the sense of the House that, in order to enact legislation to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars, authorizing committees should actively engage in oversight utilizing: (1) the plans and goals submitted by executive agencies pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993; and (2) the performance evaluations submitted by such agencies (that are based upon the Program Assessment Rating Tool which is designed to improve agency performance). Expresses the sense of the House that: (1) all Federal programs should be periodically reauthorized and funding for unauthorized programs should be level-funded in FY 2005 unless there is a compelling justification; (2) committees should submit written justifications for earmarks and should consider not funding those most egregiously inconsistent with national policy; (3) the FY 2005 budget resolution should be vigorously enforced and legislation should be enacted establishing statutory limits on appropriations and a PAY-AS-YOU-GO rule for new and expanded entitlement programs; and (4) Congress should make every effort to offset nonwar-related supplemental appropriations. (Sec. 502) Expresses the sense of the House that authorizing committees should: (1) systematically review all means-tested entitlement programs and track beneficiary participation across programs and time; (2) enact legislation to develop common eligibility requirements for such programs, accurately rename them, and coordinate program benefits in order to limit to a reasonable period of time the Government dependency of means-tested entitlement program participants; (3) evaluate the costs of, and justifications for, nonmeans-tested, nonretirement-related entitlement programs; and (4) identify and utilize resources that have conducted cost-benefit analyses of participants in multiple means- and nonmeans-tested entitlement programs to understand their cumulative costs and collective benefits.
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H.R. 3722 Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments
Posted by on May 18, 2004
H.R.3722 Failed, 88-331 Burgess voted NO Title:To amend section 1011 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to impose conditions on Federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens. Sponsor: Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] (introduced 1/21/2004) Cosponsors: 4 Committees: House Energy and Commerce Latest Major Action: 5/18/2004 Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 88 - 331 (Roll no. 182). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 1/21/2004--Introduced. Undocumented Alien Emergency Medical Assistance Amendments of 2004 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to: (1) prohibit Federal reimbursement of hospital-provided emergency and certain transportation services to undocumented aliens unless the hospital provides the Secretary of Homeland Security with information regarding an alien's citizenship, immigration status, financial data, and employer; (2) make the employer of certain undocumented aliens responsible for such costs; and (3) direct the Secretary to initiate removal procedures against an alien determined to be removable under Federal immigration law. Directs the Secretary of State to analyze the feasibility of effecting treaties for international medical evacuations.
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H.R. 2728 Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Day in Court Act
Posted by on May 18, 2004
H.R.2728 Approved, 251-177 Burgess voted YES Title:To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for adjudicative flexibility with regard to an employer filing of a notice of contest following the issuance of a citation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; to provide for greater efficiency at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; to provide for an independent review of citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; to provide for the award of attorney's fees and costs to very small employers when they prevail in litigation prompted by the issuance of citations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and to amend the Paperwork Reduction Act and titles 5 and 31, United States Code, to reform Federal paperwork and regulatory processes. Sponsor: Rep Norwood, Charlie [GA-9] (introduced 7/15/2003) Cosponsors: 26 Committees: House Education and the Workforce House Reports: 108-487 Related Bills: H.RES.645, H.R.2432, H.R.2729, H.R.2730, H.R.2731 Latest Major Action: 5/20/2004 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 535. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 5/18/2004--Passed House, amended. (There are 2 other summaries) Title I: Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Day in Court Act - Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Day in Court Act of 2004 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) to exempt employers from a 15-day deadline for notifying the Secretary of Labor of their intent to contest citations, notices of uncorrected violations, and proposed penalties issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), if their failure to meet such deadline results from mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. Title II: Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Efficiency Act - Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Efficiency Act of 2004 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) to increase the membership of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) from three to five. Requires the presence of three of such five members to constitute a quorum. Includes an individual's legal training among possible qualifications for OSHRC membership. Authorizes the President to extend for up to 365 days the term of an OSHRC member until a nominated successor is confirmed to serve by the Senate. Title III: Occupational Safety and Health Independent Review of OSHA Citations Act - Occupational Safety and Health Independent Review of OSHA Citations Act of 2004 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) to revise judicial review provisions to require deference to be given to reasonable conclusions of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), with respect to all questions of law that are subject to agency deference under governing court precedent relating to citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against businesses for violations of the OSH Act. Title IV: Occupational Safety and Health Small Employer Access to Justice Act - Occupational Safety and Health Small Employer Access to Justice Act of 2004 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) to provide for the award of attorney's fees and costs to certain small employers when they prevail in specified administrative or court proceedings. Requires such awards to prevailing employers if they had not more than 100 employees and a net worth of not more than $7 million at the time of: (1) the initiation of the administrative proceedings (in the case of an adversary adjudication); or (2) the filing of the action addressed in the court proceedings (in the case of judicial review of an administrative action). Provides for such awards without regard to whether the position of the Secretary of Labor or the Federal Government was substantially justified or whether special circumstances make an award unjust. Title V: Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act - Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act of 2004 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review information collection conducted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify actions IRS can take to reduce the information collection burden imposed on small business concerns, and to include the results of such review in a specified annual report. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal specified exemptions from Paperwork Reduction Act requirements and certain other rulemaking requirements. Amends the Truth in Regulating Act of 2000 to make permanent the authority of a chairman or ranking member of a congressional committee to request the Comptroller General to perform a regulatory analysis of an economically significant rule upon agency publication. Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 to instruct the Director of OMB to require each agency annually to submit an estimate of the total annual costs and benefits of Federal rules and paperwork for the agency and each agency program. Requires the Director to designate at least three agencies to participate in a study on regulatory budgeting for FY 2006 and 2007. Includes the regulatory budgets of the designated agencies as an alternative budget presentation. Requires a report on the study to be included in a certain report to Congress, as well as submitted directly to specified congressional committees.
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H.R. 2729 - Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Efficiency Act
Posted by on May 18, 2004
H.R.2729 Approved, 228-199 Burgess voted YES Title:To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for greater efficiency at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Sponsor: Rep Norwood, Charlie [GA-9] (introduced 7/15/2003) Cosponsors: 25 Committees: House Education and the Workforce House Reports: 108-486 Related Bills: H.RES.645, H.R.2728 Latest Major Action: 5/18/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 228 - 199 (Roll no. 184). Note: On 5/18/2004, H.R. 2729 was laid on the table and its text appended to H.R. 2728, pursuant to H.Res. 645. For further action, see H.R. 2728. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 5/18/2004--Passed House, amended. (There are 2 other summaries) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Efficiency Act of 2004 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) to increase the membership of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) from three to five. Requires the presence of three of such five members to constitute a quorum. Includes an individual's legal training among possible qualifications for OSHRC membership. Authorizes the President to extend for up to 365 days the term of an OSHRC member until a nominated successor is confirmed to serve by the Senate.
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H.R. 2730 Occupational Safety and Health Independent Review of OSHA Citations Act of 2004
Posted by on May 18, 2004
H.R.2730 Approved, 224-204 Burgess voted YES Title:To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for an independent review of citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Sponsor: Rep Norwood, Charlie [GA-9] (introduced 7/15/2003) Cosponsors: 26 Committees: House Education and the Workforce; House Judiciary House Reports: 108-488 Part 1 Related Bills: H.RES.645, H.R.2728 Latest Major Action: 5/18/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 224 - 204 (Roll no. 185). Note: On 5/18/2004, H.R. 2730 was laid on the table and its text appended to H.R. 2728, pursuant to H.Res. 645. For further action, see H.R. 2728. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 5/18/2004--Passed House, amended. Occupational Safety and Health Independent Review of OSHA Citations Act of 2004 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) to revise judicial review provisions to require deference to be given to reasonable conclusions of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), with respect to all questions of law that are subject to agency deference under governing court precedent relating to citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against businesses for violations of the OSH Act.
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H.R. 2432 Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act
Posted by on May 18, 2004
H.R.2432 Approved, 373-54 Burgess voted YES Waxman of California Amendment Failed, 201-226 Burgess voted NO Title:To amend the Paperwork Reduction Act and titles 5 and 31, United States Code, to reform Federal paperwork and regulatory processes. Sponsor: Rep Ose, Doug [CA-3] (introduced 6/11/2003) Cosponsors: 9 Committees: House Government Reform; House Budget House Reports: 108-490 Part 1, 108-490 Part 2 Related Bills: H.RES.645, H.R.2728 Latest Major Action: 5/18/2004 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 373 - 54 (Roll no. 188). Note: On 5/18/2004, H.R. 2432 was laid on the table and its text appended to H.R. 2728, pursuant to H.Res. 645. For further action, see H.R. 2728. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY AS OF: 5/14/2004--Reported to House, amended, Part I. (There is 1 other summary) Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to: (1) require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Office of Tax Policy of the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, in minimizing the Federal information collection burden, to conduct a review of the collections of information by the IRS to identify actions that it can take to reduce the information collection burden imposed on small business concerns, consistent with current Federal law requiring the task force on information collection and dissemination to examine the feasibility of requiring Federal agencies to consolidate requirements regarding collections of information with respect to small business concerns within and across such agencies; and (2) include the results of such review in the annual report submitted to Congress for FY 2006 on the major activities respecting Federal information policy. (Sec. 4) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal specified exemptions from Paperwork Reduction Act requirements and certain other rulemaking requirements. Makes the repeal of such exemptions effective 180 days after the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 5) Amends the Truth in Regulating Act of 2000 to make permanent the authority of a chairman or ranking member of a congressional committee to request the Comptroller General to perform a regulatory analysis of an economically significant rule upon agency publication. (Sec. 6) Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 to: (1) instruct the Director of OMB, in carrying out requirements for the accounting statement and associated report submitted to Congress with the Federal budget submitted to the President, to require each agency annually to submit to OMB an estimate of the total annual costs and benefits of Federal rules and paperwork to the extent feasible for the agency and each agency program; and (2) include such accounting statement and associated report as part of the Federal budget submitted to the President. Requires the Director, after consultation with the head of each agency, to designate at least three agencies (or offices within an agency) to participate in a study on regulatory budgeting for FY 2006 and 2007, including three regulatory agencies or offices from among the Department of Labor, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires such study to address the preparation of regulatory budgets and such budgets to include the presentation of the varying estimated levels of benefits that would be associated with the different estimated levels of costs with respect to the regulatory alternatives under consideration by the agency (or office within the agency). Includes in the accounting statement and associated report submitted to Congress for calendar year 2006 a presentation of the different levels of estimated regulatory benefits and costs with respect to the regulatory alternatives under consideration for at least one of the major regulatory programs of each of the designated agencies. Requires the Director to include in such statement and report submitted to Congress for calendar year 2009 a report on the study which: (1) assesses the feasibility and advisability of including a regulatory budget as part of the Federal budget submitted to the President; (2) describes any difficulties encountered by OMB and the participating agencies in conducting such study; and (3) recommends, to the extent the President considers necessary or expedient, proposed legislation regarding regulatory budgets.
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