datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
‘‘(c) The benefits to be provided under enhanced vi-
sion benefits plans under this chapter may be of the fol-
lowing types:
‘‘(1) Diagnostic (to include refractive services).
‘‘(2) Preventive.
‘‘(3) Eyewear.
‘‘(d) A contract approved under this chapter shall re-
quire the qualified company to cover the geographic serv-
ice delivery specified by the Office. The Office shall require
qualified companies to include underserved areas (with re-
spect to vision services) in their service delivery areas.
‘‘(e) If an individual has vision coverage under a
health benefits plan under chapter 89 and also has cov-
erage under a plan under this chapter, the health benefits
plan under chapter 89 shall be the first payor of any ben-
efit payments.
‘‘§ 8945. Information to individuals eligible to enroll
‘‘(a) The qualified companies, at the direction and
with the approval of the Office, shall make available to
each individual eligible to enroll in a vision benefits plan
information on services and benefits (including maxi-
mums, limitations, and exclusions) that the Office con-
siders necessary to enable the individual to make an in-
formed decision about electing coverage.
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5293
To require States to conduct general elections for Federal office using an 
instant runoff voting system, to direct the Election Assistance Commis-
sion to make grants to States to defray the costs of administering 
such systems, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 8, 2004
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on House Administration 
A BILL 
To require States to conduct general elections for Federal 
office using an instant runoff voting system, to direct 
the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to 
States to defray the costs of administering such systems, 
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Majority Vote Act of 
2004’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following:
(1) In some general elections the majority of 
voters split their votes between two similar can-
didates letting a third candidate, supported only by 
a minority of the electorate, win the election, thus 
denying the will of a majority of the voters. 
(2) In other general elections the majority of 
voters split their votes between two dissimilar can-
didates, letting a third candidate, supported by an 
even smaller minority of the electorate, determine 
the election victor, and again denying the will of a 
majority of the voters. 
(3) The simple plurality winner system used in 
most general elections for Federal office creates an 
incentive for candidates to engage in negative cam-
paigning. 
(4) The principle of majority rule is violated 
when the majority does not choose the winner of an 
election, and denies the winner a mandate to govern. 
(5) A simple solution to this problem of non 
majority winners is to require the winner of an elec-
tion to earn a majority of votes. 
(6) Instant runoff voting, as used in Utah Re-
publican Party primaries, Ireland, Australia, and 
London, requires the winner of an election to earn 
a majority of votes. Voters rank candidates in case
‘‘(b) The Office shall make available to each indi-
vidual eligible to enroll in a vision benefits plan, informa-
tion on services and benefits provided by qualified compa-
nies participating under chapter 89.
‘‘§ 8946. Election of coverage
‘‘(a) An eligible individual may enroll in a vision bene-
fits plan for self-only, self plus one, or for self and family.
If an eligible individual has a spouse who is also eligible
to enroll, either spouse, but not both, may enroll for self
plus one or self and family. An individual may not be en-
rolled both as an employee, annuitant, or other individual
eligible to enroll and as a member of the family.
‘‘(b) The Office shall prescribe regulations under
which—
‘‘(1) an eligible individual may enroll in a vision
benefits plan; and
‘‘(2) an enrolled individual may change the self-
only, self plus one, or self and family coverage of
that individual.
‘‘(c)(1) Regulations under subsection (b) shall permit
an eligible individual to cancel or transfer the enrollment
of that individual to another vision benefits plan—
‘‘(A) before the start of any contract term in
which there is a change in rates charged or benefits
provided, in which a new plan is offered, or in which
an existing plan is terminated; or
‘‘(B) during other times and under other cir-
cumstances specified by the Office.
‘‘(2) A transfer under paragraph (1) shall be subject
to waiting periods provided under a new plan.
‘‘§ 8947. Coverage of restored survivor or disability
annuitants
‘‘A surviving spouse, disability annuitant, or sur-
viving child whose annuity is terminated and later restored
may continue enrollment in a vision benefits plan, subject
to the terms and conditions prescribed in regulations
issued by the Office.
‘‘§ 8948. Premiums
‘‘(a) Each eligible individual obtaining supplemental
vision coverage under this chapter shall be responsible for
100 percent of the premiums for such coverage.
‘‘(b) The Office shall prescribe regulations specifying
the terms and conditions under which individuals are re-
quired to pay the premiums for enrollment.
‘‘(c) The amount necessary to pay the premiums for
enrollment may—
‘‘(1) in the case of an employee, be withheld
from the pay of such an employee; and
(1) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and 
(2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
year 2006 and each succeeding fiscal year. 
SEC. 5. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS. 
Nothing in this Act may be construed to supersede 
or conflict with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
1973aa et seq.) or the National Voter Registration Act 
of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg et seq.). 
SEC. 6. SEVERABILITY. 
If any provision of this Act or amendment made by 
this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment 
to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitu-
tional, the remainder of this Act and amendments made 
by this Act, and the application of the provisions and 
amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be 
affected by the holding.
Æ
(5) a description and assessment of the various
contracting arrangements by which the Government
could make those additional benefits available, in-
cluding whether such benefits should be contracted
for on a regional or national basis;
(6) the estimated cost of those additional bene-
fits, including an analysis relating to whether any
regular Government contributions or allocation for
start-up costs might be necessary or appropriate;
(7) a description of how those additional bene-
fits could be made available through—
(A) the Federal employees health benefits
program;
(B) one or more plans outside the Federal
employees health benefits program, including
supplemental plans referred to in paragraph
(2);
(C) the program described in subpara-
graph (A) in combination with one or more of
the plans described in subparagraph (B); and
(D) any other hearing coverage delivery
method;
(8) an analysis of the advantages and disadvan-
tages associated with the alternatives described
under paragraph (7), including—
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5294
To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations 
for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 8, 2004
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. LATOURETTE, and 
Ms. NORTON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize 
appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the 
Performing Arts, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘John F. Kennedy Cen-
ter Reauthorization Act of 2004’’. 
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 13 of the John F. Kennedy Center Act (20 
U.S.C. 76r) is amended by striking subsections (a) and 
(b) and inserting the following:
‘‘(a) MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND
SECURITY.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Board to 
carry out section 4(a)(1)(H)—
‘‘(1) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and 
‘‘(2) $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005, 
2006, and 2007. 
‘‘(b) CAPITAL PROJECTS.—There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Board to carry out subparagraphs 
(F) and (G) of section 4(a)(1)—
‘‘(1) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and 
‘‘(2) $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005, 
2006, and 2007.’’. 
SEC. 3. JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER PLAZA.
(a) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY.—Section 
12(b) of the John F. Kennedy Center Act (20 U.S.C. 76q–
1(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) PROJECT TEAM.—
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—To further con-
struction of the Project, the Secretary shall es-
tablish a Project Team. 
‘‘(B) MEMBERSHIP.—The Project Team 
shall be composed of the following members: 
‘‘(i) The Secretary (or the Secretary’s 
designee).
‘‘(ii) The Administrator of General 
Services (or the Administrator’s designee). 
‘‘(iii) The Chairman of the Board (or 
the Chairman’s designee). 
‘‘(iv) Such other individuals as the 
Project Team considers appropriate. 
‘‘(C) PROJECT
DIRECTOR.—The Project 
Team shall have a Project Director who shall be 
appointed by the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Administrator of General Services and the 
Chairman of the Board. The Project Director 
shall report directly to the Project Team.’’. 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 12(c)(1) of such Act 
(20 U.S.C. 76q–1(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, 
in consultation with the Project Team,’’ after ‘‘The 
Board’’. 
(2) CONSTRUCTION
OF
BUILDINGS.—Section 
12(c)(3) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 76q–1(c)(3)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, in consultation with the 
Project Team,’’ after ‘‘The Board’’. 
(3) APPROVAL
BY
PROJECT
TEAM.—Section 
12(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 76q–1(c)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
111 
Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 
1947, and entered into force November 21, 
1947, between the United Nations and the 
United States, or other applicable international 
obligations. 
(c) WAIVER.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The President may waive 
the application of sanctions under this section on a 
case-by-case basis with respect to a person, for re-
newable periods of not more than 90 days each if 
the President determines and reports to Congress 
that such a waiver is vital to the national security 
or foreign policy interests of the United States. 
(2) REPORTING
PROCESS.—The Secretary of 
State, in coordination with the Secretary of the 
Treasury, shall establish a process by which persons 
may confidentially supply such information as the 
President may require to evaluate the merits of ap-
plications for waivers authorized by paragraph (1). 
(3) SUNSET.—The authority to issue a waiver 
under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date 
that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(d) CONGRESSIONAL REQUESTS.—Not later than 10 
days after receiving a request from the chairman or rank-
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112 
ing member of the appropriate congressional committees 
that meets the requirements of paragraph (2) with respect 
to whether a person meets the criteria of a person de-
scribed in subsection (a) the President shall— 
(1) determine if the person meets such criteria; 
and 
(2) submit a classified or unclassified report to 
the chairman or ranking member of the appropriate 
congressional committee that submitted the request 
with respect to that determination that includes a 
statement of whether or not the President imposed 
or intends to impose sanctions with respect to such 
person. 
(e) IMPLEMENTATION; PENALTIES.— 
(1) IMPLEMENTATION.—The President may ex-
ercise the authorities provided to the President 
under sections 203 and 205 of the International 
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 
and 1704) to the extent necessary to carry out this 
section. 
(2) MONITORING.—The President shall estab-
lish a system to monitor compliance with United 
States export control laws, including the foreign di-
rect product rule, by being informed by multiple 
sources, including— 
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115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3903 
AN ACT 
To amend the Securities Act of 1933 to expand the ability 
to use testing the waters and confidential draft registra-
tion submissions, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5297
For the relief of the Big Spring Independent School District. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 8, 2004
Mr. NEUGEBAUER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
For the relief of the Big Spring Independent School District.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANTS UNDER RURAL AND 
LOW-INCOME SCHOOL PROGRAM. 
The Big Spring Independent School District in the 
State of Texas shall be eligible to receive a grant under 
subpart 2 of part B of title VI of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7351 et seq.; 
commonly referred to as the ‘‘Rural and Low-Income 
School Program’’) for any fiscal year in which the Big 
Spring Independent School District—
(1) meets the eligibility criterion of section 
6221(b)(1)(A) 
of 
such 
Act 
(20 
U.S.C. 
7351(b)(1)(A)); and 
(2) would meet the eligibility criterion of section 
6221(b)(1)(B) 
of 
such 
Act 
(20 
U.S.C. 
7351(b)(1)(A)), but for the inclusion of the Federal 
prison population in the calculation of the school lo-
cale codes described in that section.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5298 
To amend title 4, United States Code, to clarify the treatment of self- 
employment for purposes of the limitation on State taxation of retirement 
income. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 8, 2004 
Mr. CANNON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To amend title 4, United States Code, to clarify the treat-
ment of self-employment for purposes of the limitation 
on State taxation of retirement income. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF SELF-EM-
PLOYMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE LIMITA-
TION ON STATE TAXATION OF RETIREMENT 
INCOME. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 114(b)(1)(I) of title 4, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘including
there shall be credited or refunded (without interest) 
to the brewer or importer an amount equal to the 
decreased tax (if any) with respect to such beer. 
(2) DECREASED TAX.—For purposes of para-
graph (1), the term ‘‘decreased tax’’ means, with re-
spect to any beer, the excess of—
(A) the tax imposed by section 5051 of 
such Code with respect to such beer (to the ex-
tent a credit or refund of such tax is not allow-
able without regard to this subsection), over 
(B) the amount of tax which would be im-
posed by section 5051 of such Code with re-
spect to such beer were such tax determined on 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(3) TIME FOR FILING CLAIM.—Credit or refund 
shall be allowed or made under this subsection only 
if claim therefor is filed with the Secretary of the 
Treasury or his delegate on or before the date which 
is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(4) HELD BY DEALER.—For purposes of this 
subsection, beer shall be treated as held by a dealer 
if title thereto has passed to such dealer (whether or 
not delivery to him has been made), and if for pur-
poses of consumption, title to such beer or posses-
reduction of direct purchases has cost Federal and 
State governments hundreds of millions of dollars in 
lost tax revenues. The ‘‘luxury tax’’ on beer has cost 
millions more in increased outlays for unemployment 
compensation and other social services to help those 
who were put out of work by this ill-conceived tax 
increase. 
(6) Because of the regressive nature of the 
‘‘luxury tax’’ on beer, its negative impact on the 
economy, and its unreliability as a source of Federal 
income, this ‘‘luxury tax’’ should be repealed. 
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF ‘‘LUXURY TAX’’ ON BEER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 5051(a) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to imposi-
tion and rate of tax on beer) is amended by striking ‘‘$18’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$9’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
(c) FLOOR STOCKS REFUNDS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any beer—
(A) on which tax was determined before 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
(B) which is held on such date for sale by 
any dealer,
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 529
To reinstate and transfer a hydroelectric license under the Federal Power 
Act to permit the immediate redevelopment of a hydroelectric project 
located in the State of New York, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 4, 2003
Mr. SWEENEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To reinstate and transfer a hydroelectric license under the 
Federal Power Act to permit the immediate redevelop-
ment of a hydroelectric project located in the State of 
New York, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that it is in the public interest 
to have reinstated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Com-
mission (‘‘FERC’’) the hydroelectric license for Project 
No. 2696 and to have FERC transfer the license to the
Town of Stuyvesant, New York, in order to utilize the hy-
draulic potential of waters of the United States. 
SEC. 2. REINSTATEMENT AND TRANSFER. 
(a) REINSTATEMENT AND TRANSFER OF FEDERAL 
LICENSE
FOR PROJECT NUMBERED 2696.—Notwith-
standing section 8 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
801) or any other provision of such Act, the Federal En-
ergy Regulatory Commission (‘‘FERC’’) is directed to re-
instate the license for Project No. 2696 and to transfer 
the license, without delay or the institution of any pro-
ceedings, to the Town of Stuyvesant, New York, holder 
of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Preliminary 
Permit No. 11787, within 30 days of enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) HYDROELECTRIC
INCENTIVES.—Project No. 
2696 shall be entitled to the full benefit of any legislation 
passed by Congress that promotes hydroelectric develop-
ment within 2 years either before or after this Act’s effec-
tive date. 
(c) PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING.—The 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (‘‘FERC’’) shall 
permit the town to add as a co-licensee any private or pub-
lic entity or entities to the reinstated license at any time, 
notwithstanding the issuance of a preliminary permit to 
the Town of Stuyvesant and any consideration of munic-
ipal preference. The town shall be entitled, to the extent 
that funds are available or shall be made available, to re-
ceive loans under sections 402 and 403 of the Public Util-
ity Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2702 and 
2703), or similar programs, for the reimbursement of fea-
sibility studies, or development costs, or both, incurred 
since January 1, 2001, through and including December 
31, 2006. All power produced by the project shall be 
deemed incremental hydropower for purpose of qualifying 
for any energy credit or similar benefits.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 52
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the ‘‘luxury tax’’ 
on beer, enacted in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, 
which doubled previous excise levels. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 7, 2003
Mr. COX introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal 
the ‘‘luxury tax’’ on beer, enacted in the Omnibus Budg-
et Reconciliation Act of 1990, which doubled previous 
excise levels.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The 1990 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act, which contained several so-called ‘‘luxury 
taxes’’, increased the Federal excise tax on beer by 
100 percent, to $18 per barrel. As a result, as much
as 44 percent of the retail price of beer is now con-
sumed by taxes. 
(2) Middle and lower-income Americans, who 
comprise 
the 
vast 
majority 
of 
our 
Nation’s 
90,000,000 beer drinkers, cannot afford this tax on 
one of their few ‘‘luxuries’’. Those who would pre-
sume to indulge in the ‘‘luxury’’ of purchasing beer 
are now among the most heavily taxed people in our 
society. 
(3) The 100 percent increase in the Federal 
beer tax—this so-called ‘‘luxury tax’’—has destroyed 
31,000 jobs. It has, however, succeeded in pre-
venting people from enjoying this ‘‘luxury’’: after the 
passage of the tax in 1990, total beer sales suffered 
the worst decline in 30 years. 
(4) As a result of the ‘‘luxury tax’’ on beer, 
$463,000,000 in wages has been lost in the brewing, 
wholesaling, and retailing industries. In addition, di-
rect purchases of products needed to make beer, in-
cluding 
agricultural 
products, 
has 
fallen 
by 
$207,000,000. 
(5) The 100 percent increase in the Federal 
beer tax has not, unfortunately, resulted in a dou-
bling of Federal revenues. To the contrary: the de-
cline in demand, the resultant loss of jobs, and the
sion thereof has not at any time been transferred to 
any person other than a dealer.
Æ