![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin.....................................February 6, 2008**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.Con.Res. 273---**Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the National
> Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
>
> **H. Res. 867---**Commending the Houston Dynamo soccer team for
> winning the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup
>
> **H. Res. 942---**Recognizing the significance of Black History Month
>
> **H. Res. 931---**Expressing support for designation of February 17,
> 2008, as "Race Day in America" and highlighting the 50th running of
> the Daytona 500
>
> **H.Res. 943---**Remembering the space shuttle Challenger disaster and
> honoring its crew members, who lost their lives on January 28, 1986
>
> **H.Con.Res. 287---**Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United
> States Explorer I satellite, the world\'s first scientific spacecraft,
> and the birth of the United States space exploration program
>
> **H.Res. 907**---Congratulating the X PRIZE Foundation\'s leadership
> in inspiring a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles
>
> **H.Res. 947**---Congratulating Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the
> Presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishing him well during his
> time of transition and his inauguration on February 25, 2008
>
> **H.Con.Res. 283**---Calling for a peaceful resolution to the current
> electoral crisis in Kenya
>
> **H.R. 4848**---To Extend for One Year Parity in the Application of
> Certain Limits to Mental Health Benefits
>
> **S.781**---Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007

H.Con.Res. 273---Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the National
Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (Mack, Mary, R-CA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 273 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 273 would express the sense that
the Congress "congratulates The Recording Academy during its 50th GRAMMY
celebration for its important work in improving the environment for
music and music makers."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "In 1957, a group of visionary leaders gathered at the famed Brown
    Derby in Los Angeles to form The National Academy of Recording Arts
    & Sciences;

-   "The Recording Academy soon created the GRAMMY Award which is the
    world\'s most visible and prestigious award for music;

-   "The GRAMMY was created as a peer award, given by music makers, for
    music makers, to honor the highest quality recording music of the
    year without regard to sales or chart position;

-   "Through its 12 chapters across America, The Recording Academy
    serves more than 18,000 musicians, singers, songwriters, producers,
    engineers, and other music professionals;

-   "The GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative, based in Washington, DC, works
    to advance the rights of the music community through advocacy,
    education, and dialogue; and

-   "Through this initiative, The Recording Academy has become a leading
    advocate for music makers."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 273 was introduced on
December 19, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the resolution, by
voice vote on January 29, 2008.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H. Res. 867---Commending the Houston Dynamo soccer team for winning the
2007 Major League Soccer Cup *(Green, Gene, D-TX)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 867 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 867 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Commends the Houston Dynamo soccer team for winning the 2007 MLS
    Cup; and

-   "Congratulates the team for back-to-back MLS Cup wins in their first
    2 seasons in Houston."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The Houston Dynamo soccer team won the 2007 Major League Soccer
    Cup, defeating the New England Revolution by a score of 2-1 at RFK
    Stadium on November 18, 2007;

-   "The Houston Dynamo came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat
    the Revolution;

-   "Dwayne De Rosario, assisted on the tying goal to Joseph Ngwenya,
    scored the winning goal and was named the game's MVP;

-   "The Houston Dynamo has won the Major League Soccer Cup for the
    second consecutive year;

-   "The Houston Dynamo is the first team to win back-to-back MLS Cups
    in 10 years; and

-   "The Houston Dynamo have won the MLS Cup in their first 2 years of
    existence in Houston."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 867 was introduced on
December 11, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the resolution by
voice vote on January 29, 2008.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H. Res. 942---Recognizing the significance of Black History Month
*(Green, Al, D-TX)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 942 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 942 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important
    time to recognize the contributions of African-Americans in the
    Nation's history, and encourages the continued celebration of this
    month to provide an opportunity for all peoples of the United States
    to learn more about the past and to better understand the
    experiences that have shaped the Nation; and

-   "Recognizes that the ethnic and racial diversity of the United
    States enriches and strengthens the Nation."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The first Africans were brought involuntarily to the shores of
    America as early as the 17th century;

-   "These Africans in America and their descendents are now known as
    African-Americans;

-   "African-Americans suffered involuntary servitude and subsequently
    faced the injustices of lynch mobs, segregation, and denial of
    basic, fundamental rights;

-   "Despite involuntary servitude, African-Americans have made
    significant contributions to the economic, educational, political,
    artistic, literary, religious, scientific, and technological
    advancement of the Americas;

-   "In the face of injustices, United States citizens of good will and
    of all races distinguished themselves with their commitment to the
    noble ideals upon which the United States was founded and
    courageously fought for the rights and freedom of African-Americans;

-   "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived and died to make real these noble
    ideals;

-   "The birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass inspired the
    creation of Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History
    Month;

-   "Negro History Week represented the culmination of Dr. Carter G
    Woodson's efforts to enhance knowledge of black history started
    through the Journal of Negro History, published by Woodson\'s
    Association for the Study of African-American Life and History; and

-   "The month of February is officially celebrated as Black History
    Month, which dates back to 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson set
    aside a special period of time in February to recognize the heritage
    and achievement of Black Americans."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 942 was introduced on
January 28, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the resolution by
voice vote on January 29, 2008.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H. Res. 931---Expressing support for designation of February 17, 2008,
as "Race Day in America" and highlighting the 50th running of the
Daytona 500 (Feeney, R-FL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 931 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 931 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Recognizes the 50th running of the Daytona 500, 'The Great American
    Race'; and

-   "Supports the designation of a 'Race Day in America' in honor of the
    Daytona 500."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious stock car race in the
    United States;

-   "The Daytona 500 annually kicks off the National Association for
    Stock Car Auto Racing ('NASCAR') Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR's top
    racing series;

-   "Millions of racing fans have spent the third Sunday of each
    February since 1959 watching, listening to, or attending the Daytona
    500;

-   "The purse for the Daytona 500 is typically the largest in motor
    sports;

-   "Winning the prestigious Harley J. Earl Trophy is stock car racing's
    greatest prize and privilege;

-   "Daytona International Speedway becomes one of the largest cities in
    the State of Florida by population on race day, with more than
    200,000 fans in attendance;

-   "Well-known politicians, celebrities, and athletes take part in the
    festivities surrounding the Daytona 500; and

-   "February 17, 2008, would be an appropriate day to designate as
    'Race Day in America' because the Daytona 500 celebrates its
    historic 50th running on this day."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 931 was introduced on
January 17, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the resolution by
voice vote on January 29, 2008.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Res. 943---Remembering the space shuttle Challenger disaster and
honoring its crew members, who lost their lives on January 28, 1986
*(Hodes, D-NH)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 943 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 943 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Honors the 22nd anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger
    disaster;

-   "Celebrates the courage and bravery of the crew of the Challenger,
    and Christa McAuliffe and her passion for encouraging America\'s
    children to pursue careers in science and mathematics;

-   "Commits itself and the Nation to using the lessons learned in
    inquiries into the space shuttle Challenger accident to ensure that
    the space agency always operates on a strong and stable foundation;
    and

-   "Recognizes the continued dedication of the United States to the
    goal of space exploration for the benefit of all mankind."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "January 28, 2008, marks the 22-year anniversary of the tragic
    accident of the space shuttle Challenger, Mission 51-L, and the loss
    of seven of America's bravest and most dedicated citizens;

-   "The space shuttle Challenger disaster occurred off the coast of
    central Florida, at 11:39 a.m. on January 28, 1986;

-   "The space shuttle Challenger disintegrated 73 seconds into its
    flight after an O-ring seal in its right solid rocket booster failed
    at lift-off;

-   "The seven-person crew on the shuttle included Commander Francis R.
    Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialist Judith A. Resnik,
    Mission Specialist Ellison S. Onizuka, Mission Specialist Ronald E.
    McNair, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis, and Payload Specialist
    Sharon Christa McAuliffe;

-   "Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher from Concord, New Hampshire, was
    on board as the first member in the Teacher in Space Project;

-   "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected
    Christa McAuliffe from a field of 11,000 applicants to be a part of
    the Challenger crew and teach lessons to schoolchildren from space;

-   "The Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
    Representatives conducted oversight hearings on the Challenger
    disaster and released a report on October 29, 1986, on the causes of
    the accident; and

-   "The House of Representatives continues to support NASA and its
    ongoing efforts to explore and educate the American public about
    space."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 943 was introduced on January
28, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, which
took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Con.Res. 287---Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States
Explorer I satellite, the world\'s first scientific spacecraft, and the
birth of the United States space exploration program *(Udall, D-CO)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 287 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 287 would express the sense that
the Congress:

-   "Celebrates the achievement of the late Dr. James A. Van Allen and
    his science team and all of the individuals at the Jet Propulsion
    Laboratory and Army Ballistic Missile Agency who, through the
    successful launch of Explorer I, brought the United States into the
    space age and science into the realm of space;

-   "Supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
    education programs, which are critical for preparing the next
    generation to lead future United States space endeavors;

-   "Recognizes the role of the United States space program in
    strengthening the scientific and engineering foundation that
    contributes to United States innovation and economic growth; and

-   "Looks forward to the next 50 years of United States achievements in
    the robotic and human exploration of space."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "January 31, 2008, is the 50th anniversary of the launch of Explorer
    I, the first United States satellite to be successfully lofted into
    space and the world's first scientific satellite;

-   "The launch of Explorer I marks the birth of the era of United
    States space exploration, a half-century of advances in both robotic
    and human exploration of space, including the first footsteps by
    humanity on another world;

-   "The next 50 years of United States accomplishments in outer space
    will rely on individuals possessing strong mathematics, science, and
    engineering skills and the educators who will train such
    individuals;

-   "The United States space program enables the development of advanced
    technologies, skills, and capabilities that support United States
    competitiveness and economic growth;

-   "Dr. Van Allen, commenting on the future of space science a decade
    ago, said 'there is no shortage of great ideas on what we\'d like to
    do. \... There is virtually no limit to what can be investigated in
    interplanetary science and astronomy.'; and

-   "Over the next 50 years the United States will attain additional
    exciting and significant achievements in robotic and human space
    exploration."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 287 was introduced on
January 29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Science and
Technology, which took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Res. 907---Congratulating the X PRIZE Foundation\'s leadership in
inspiring a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles

(Lungren, R-CA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 907 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 907 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Congratulates the X PRIZE Foundation's leadership for inspiring a
    new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles that help break
    our addiction to oil through the Automotive X PRIZE competition;

-   "Congratulates the X PRIZE Foundation on their innovation and vision
    to bring together some of the finest minds in government,
    non-government, university, and industry to advise and participate
    in the Automotive X PRIZE competition; and

-   "Applauds the X PRIZE Foundation\'s ongoing commitment to find
    solutions to some of humanity\'s greatest challenges as exemplified
    in the Automotive X PRIZE."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The United States is heavily dependent on foreign sources of oil
    that are concentrated in tumultuous countries and regions;

-   "The National security and economic prosperity of the United States
    demand that we move toward a sustainable energy future;

-   "The ability of foreign governments to assert great control over oil
    production allows unfriendly regimes to use energy exports as
    leverage against the United States and our allies;

-   "Continued reliance on the use of greenhouse gas intensive fuels may
    impact global climate change;

-   "The automotive sector is heavily dependent on oil, which makes
    Americans vulnerable to oil price fluctuation and is a major source
    of greenhouse gas emissions;

-   "The average fuel economy in the United States has increased slowly
    during the last 20 years;

-   "Many promising technologies exist that can lead to a breakthrough
    vehicle that will meet the need for sustainable transportation;

-   "Breakthroughs are often achieved by the free market fueling the
    entrepreneurial spirit of inventors and investors;

-   "The Automotive X PRIZE is a private, independent,
    technology-neutral competition being developed by the X PRIZE
    Foundation to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient
    vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects
    of climate change; and

-   "The Automotive X PRIZE will award a multi-million dollar reward to
    teams that can design, build, and demonstrate production-capable
    vehicles that achieve 100 MPG or its equivalent."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 907 was introduced on
December 19, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Science and
Technology, which took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Res. 947---Congratulating Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the
Presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishing him well during his time
of transition and his inauguration on February 25, 2008

(Royce, R-CA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 947 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 947 would express the sense that the
House "congratulates Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the presidency of
the Republic of Korea and wishes him well during his time of transition
and on his inauguration on February 25, 2008."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The United States and the Republic of Korea share a longstanding
    and comprehensive alliance rooted in the common principles of
    freedom and democracy;

-   "There are deep cultural and personal ties between the peoples of
    the United States and the Republic of Korea, as exemplified by the
    large flow of visitors and exchanges each year between the two
    nations, as well as the nearly two million Korean-Americans;

-   "Congress recognizes January 13 as Korean-American Day, honoring the
    contributions of Korean-Americans in forging stronger bilateral ties
    between our two countries;

-   "The Republic of Korea is the United States seventh largest trading
    partner and the United States is the third largest trading partner
    of the Republic of Korea with nearly \$80 billion in annual trade
    volume;

-   "The United States and the Republic of Korea are working closely
    together to promote international peace and security, economic
    prosperity, human rights, and the rule of law; and

-   "Lee Myung-Bak, upon winning the election to become the next
    President of the Republic of Korea, stated that he would seek to
    further strengthen the relationship with the United States."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 947 was introduced on January
29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which took
no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Con.Res. 283---Calling for a peaceful resolution to the current
electoral crisis in Kenya *(Payne, D-NJ)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 283 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 283 would express the sense that
Congress:

-   "Commends the Kenyan people for their commitment to democracy and
    respect for the democratic process as evidenced by the high voter
    turnout and peaceful voting on election day;

-   "Strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Kenya and urges all
    parties concerned to immediately end use of violence as a means to
    achieve their political objectives;

-   "Calls for a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the conflict in
    Kenya;

-   "Calls on the two leading presidential candidates to accept offers
    of external and internal assistance to help find a solution to the
    current crisis which has the support of the people of Kenya;

-   "Calls on Kenyan security forces to refrain from use of excessive
    force and respect the human rights of Kenyan citizens;

-   "Calls for those who are found guilty of committing human rights
    violations to be held accountable for their actions;

-   "Calls for an immediate end to the restrictions on the media, and on
    the rights of peaceful assembly and association;

-   "Condemns threats to civil society groups, journalists, religious
    leaders, human rights activists, who are making every effort towards
    a peaceful, just, and equitable political solution to the current
    electoral crisis;

-   "Calls on the international community, United Nations aid
    organizations, and all neighboring countries to provide assistance
    to those affected by violence and encourages to use all the
    diplomatic means at their disposal to persuade relevant political
    actors to commit to a peaceful resolution to the current crisis."

Finally, the resolution urges the President to:

-   "Support diplomatic efforts to facilitate a dialogue between leaders
    of the Party of National Unity, the Orange Democratic Movement, and
    other relevant actors;

-   "Consider the imposition of targeted sanctions, including a travel
    ban and asset freeze, on leaders in the Party of National Unity, the
    Orange Democratic Movement, and other relevant actors who refuse to
    engage in meaningful dialogue to end the current crisis; and

-   "Conduct a review of current U.S. aid to Kenya for the purposes of
    restricting all non-humanitarian assistance to Kenya unless the
    parties are able to establish a peaceful political resolution to the
    current crisis which is credible to the Kenyan people."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "On December 27, 2007, the citizens of Kenya went peacefully to the
    polls to elect a new parliament and a new President and signaled
    their commitment to democracy by turning out in large numbers and,
    in some instances, waiting in long lines to vote;

-   "On December 29, 2007, the opposition presidential candidate, Raila
    Odinga, was reportedly over 300,000 votes ahead of the incumbent
    with 90 percent of the precincts reporting;

-   "On December 30, 2007, the head of the Electoral Commission of Kenya
    (ECK) declared that Mwai Kibaki won the presidential election by
    197,000 votes;

-   "The Government of Kenya imposed a ban on live media that day, and
    shortly after the election results were announced, in contravention
    of Kenyan law, the Government also announced a blanket ban on public
    assembly and gave police the authority to use lethal force;

-   "More than 700 people have died and an estimated 250,000 have been
    displaced as a result of the violence; and

-   "The instability in Kenya is not rooted in tribal violence but in a
    struggle for democracy and concerns that the gains of the past
    decade may be lost."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 283 was introduced on
January 23, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
which took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 4848---To Extend for One Year Parity in the Application of
Certain Limits to Mental Health Benefits *(Pallone, D-NJ)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 4848 would extend through December 31,
2008 certain provisions relating to mental health parity coverage that
previously expired on December 31, 2007.

Specifically, the bill would reinstitute federal mandates first included
in the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, and extended in subsequent
legislation, requiring that annual and lifetime limits on coverage for
mental health treatments equal similar limits for physical illnesses.
Group health plans failing to meet the requirements of the Mental Health
Parity Act would be subject to an excise tax; however, employers with
fewer than 50 employees would be exempt from the federal requirements.\
\
H.R. 4848 would also include Medicare provider payments in the Federal
Payment Levy System, which imposes a 15% levy on contractors to recover
outstanding federal tax debt. A 2004 Government Accountability Office
study determined that 21,000 Medicare providers owed more than \$1.3
billion in back taxes, in part because payments under Medicare Parts A
and B are currently exempt from participation in the Federal Payment
Levy System. H.R. 4848 would extend the Federal Payment Levy system to
Medicare Part A and B claims over a three-year period ending on
September 30, 2011.\
\
Finally, H.R. 4848 would deposit additional savings in the Physician
Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund, which is used by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to finance physician payment and
quality improvement initiatives.

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: Some conservatives may
be concerned that the bill would raise the cost of health insurance by
re-imposing a lapsed federal mandate on individual and group health
plans. Some conservatives may also be concerned that the bill could lead
to further action on full mental health parity legislation (H.R. 1424;
S. 558) being considered in the 110^th^ Congress, further inflating
health insurance premiums nationwide.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 4848 was introduced on December
19, 2007 and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce,
and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Education and
Labor, where no further action was taken.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H.R. 4848 would reduce federal
revenues by \$25 million over ten years by increasing the cost of health
insurance, thus leading employees with group coverage to exclude more of
their income from federal income and payroll taxes. The bill would
offset that foregone revenue through the extension of Part A and B
Medicare payments to the Federal Payment Levy System as described above,
saving a total of \$374 million over ten years. The bill diverts the
additional revenue generated in excess of the foregone income and
payroll taxes (\$349 million over ten years) to the Physician Assistance
and Quality Improvement Fund.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** Yes, the bill reinstitutes
federal mandates on individual and group health insurance plans
regarding the design of their benefit plans.

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}**: A Committee report
designating compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI is unavailable.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A Committee report citing
Constitutional authority is unavailable.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Chris Jacobs; (202) 226-8585;
<christopher.jacobs@mail.house.gov>

**S.781---Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007 *(Pryor,
D-AR)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: S.781 would permanently authorize the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) to maintain the federal Do-Not-Call (DNC)
Registry and to assess and collect fees for access to the registry.

Under S. 781, companies or people must obtain the data in the FTC's
registry to legally conduct telemarketing. The FTC would be authorized
to collect annual fees of up to \$54 for access to the data for an
individual area code and up to \$14,850 for access to data for every
area code in the registry. An entity requesting access to five or less
area codes would not be charged. The FTC would be authorized to collect
up to \$27 per area code for DNC Registry data accessed in the last six
months of a year. The fees would be adjusted for inflation annually, in
accordance with the Consumer Price Index.

The bill would also change the current annual report requirement by
making mandatory reports biennial.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Do-Not-Call Act was signed
into law in March of 2003, making it illegal for telemarketers to call
certain consumers on the DNC Registry. According to [Senate Report
110---244](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr244)),
the DNC Registry has collected over 144 million individual phone numbers
since it was created. The original legislation required the FTC to
develop and maintain the DNC Registry and collect fees from
telemarketing agencies that need the information to adhere to the law.
The fees collected are used to offset the cost of maintaining the
registry. Any fees collected over and above the cost of the registry are
used to offset FTC's annual budget. According to CBO, the FTC is
expected to collect \$2 million more than the cost of the registry over
a five year period.

On December 11, 2007, the House passed an identical bill ([H.R.
2601](http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:4:./temp/~c110wXT18t::)),
which was not acted on by the Senate, by voice vote.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: S.781 was passed in the Senate, with
an amendment, by unanimous consent on December 17, 2007. The same day
the bill was received in the House, which held the bill at the desk.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, the FTC would
collect \$107 million in fees accessed under the bill over a five year
period. Over the same period, CBO estimates that the FTC would expend
\$105 million maintaining the DNC Registry. Thus, implementing S. 781
would decrease net spending (subject to appropriation) by \$2 million
over the FY 2008 ---FY 2012 period.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** Yes, the bill would make the
authority of the FTC to assess and collect fees on telemarketing
companies permanent.

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** [Senate Report
110---244](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr244))
does not include information regarding compliance with House Rules
regarding earmarks, limited tax benefits or limited tariff benefits.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: [Senate Report
110---244](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr244))
does not cite constitutional authority.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.