datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4275
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 
10-percent individual income tax rate bracket. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 5, 2004
Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. HASTINGS of Washington, Mr. CRANE, Mr. 
KINGSTON, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. COX, Mr. PICKERING, 
Mr. BURR, Mr. BROWN of South Carolina, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. BAKER, Mr. 
BRADY of Texas, Mr. HAYWORTH, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. REHBERG, Mr. 
OTTER, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. AKIN, Mr. 
SMITH of New Jersey, Ms. PRYCE of Ohio, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. SWEENEY, 
Mr. MURPHY, Mr. KIRK, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. RYUN of Kansas, Mr. BAR-
RETT of South Carolina, Mr. JENKINS, Mr. HAYES, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. 
ROGERS
of Michigan, Ms. GINNY
BROWN-WAITE
of Florida, Mr. 
RAMSTAD, Mr. SCHROCK, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. VITTER, Mr. DREIER, Mr. 
GIBBONS, Mr. CHOCOLA, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. WICKER, Mr. BURGESS, 
Mr. SIMMONS, Mr. TIBERI, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. GARRETT of 
New Jersey, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, and Mr. CANTOR) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways 
and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently 
extend the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF 10-PERCENT INDIVIDUAL IN-
COME TAX RATE BRACKET. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Clause (i) of section 1(i)(1)(B) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to the initial 
bracket amount) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) $14,000 in the case of subsection 
(a),’’. 
(b) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT BEGINNING IN 2004.—
Section 1(i)(1)(C) of such Code (relating to inflation ad-
justment) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(C) INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT.—In pre-
scribing the tables under subsection (f) which 
apply with respect to taxable years beginning in 
calendar years after 2003—
‘‘(i) the cost-of-living adjustment used 
in making adjustments to the initial brack-
et amount shall be determined under sub-
section (f)(3) by substituting ‘2002’ for 
‘1992’ in subparagraph (B) thereof, and 
‘‘(ii) such adjustment shall not apply 
to the amount referred to in subparagraph 
(B)(iii). 
If any amount after adjustment under the pre-
ceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such 
amount shall be rounded to the next lowest 
multiple of $50.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2003. 
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF SUNSET. 
Title IX of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Rec-
onciliation Act of 2001 shall not apply to—
(1) paragraph (1) of section 1(i) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986, and 
(2) the amendments made by paragraphs 
(1) and (7) of section 101(c) of such Act.
Æ
II 
Calendar No. 518 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4275 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
MAY 17, 2004 
Received and read the first time 
MAY 18, 2004 
Read the second time and placed on the calendar 
AN ACT 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently 
extend the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
HR 4275 PCS 
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF 10-PERCENT INDIVIDUAL IN-
COME TAX RATE BRACKET. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Clause (i) of section 1(i)(1)(B) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to the initial 
bracket amount) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) $14,000 in the case of subsection 
(a),’’. 
(b) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT BEGINNING IN 2004.— 
Section 1(i)(1)(C) of such Code (relating to inflation ad-
justment) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(C) INFLATION
ADJUSTMENT.—In pre-
scribing the tables under subsection (f) which 
apply with respect to taxable years beginning in 
calendar years after 2003— 
‘‘(i) the cost-of-living adjustment used 
in making adjustments to the initial brack-
et amount shall be determined under sub-
section (f)(3) by substituting ‘2002’ for 
‘1992’ in subparagraph (B) thereof, and 
‘‘(ii) such adjustment shall not apply 
to the amount referred to in subparagraph 
(B)(iii). 
If any amount after adjustment under the pre-
ceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such 
amount shall be rounded to the next lowest 
multiple of $50.’’.
HR 4275 PCS 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2003. 
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF SUNSET. 
Title IX of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Rec-
onciliation Act of 2001 shall not apply to— 
(1) paragraph (1) of section 1(i) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986, and 
(2) the amendments made by paragraphs 
(1) and (7) of section 101(c) of such Act. 
Passed the House of Representatives May 13, 2004. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.
Calendar No. 518 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4275 
AN ACT 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
permanently extend the 10-percent individual in-
come tax rate bracket. 
MAY 18, 2004 
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
year for grants under this section, the Secretary
shall make a grant in an amount of not more than
$105,000 to each eligible outlying area.
‘‘(2) GRANTS TO STATES.—From the funds de-
scribed in paragraph (1) that are not used to make
grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
make grants to States in accordance with the re-
quirements described in paragraph (3).
‘‘(3) CALCULATION OF STATE GRANTS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall allocate
funds to each State for a fiscal year in an
amount that bears the same ratio as the popu-
lation of the State bears to the population of all
States.
‘‘(B) MINIMUM
ALLOTMENT.—A State
shall receive an amount under a grant for a fis-
cal year that is not less than the amount the
State received under the grant provided under
title I of this Act (as in effect on the day before
the date of the enactment of the Improving Ac-
cess to Assistive Technology for Individuals
with Disabilities Act of 2004) for fiscal year
2004.
‘‘(C) RATABLE REDUCTIONS.—
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4277
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish the Pipeline Safety 
Administration in the Department of Transportation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 5, 2004
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish the 
Pipeline Safety Administration in the Department of 
Transportation.
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 ‘‘Pipeline Safety Admin-
istration Establishment Act’’.
SEC. 2. PIPELINE SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 116. Pipeline Safety Administration 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Pipeline Safety Administra-
tion shall be an administration in the Department of 
Transportation. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATOR.—The head of the Administra-
tion shall be the Administrator who shall be appointed by 
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate. The Administrator shall report directly to the Sec-
retary of Transportation. 
‘‘(c) DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR.—The Administration 
shall have a Deputy Administrator who shall be appointed 
by the Secretary of Transportation. The Deputy Adminis-
trator shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the 
Administrator. 
‘‘(d) RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
Administrator shall carry out the duties and powers vested 
in the Secretary under chapter 601 and additional duties 
and powers related to pipeline safety prescribed by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—
Nothing in this section shall affect any delegation of au-
thority, regulation, order, approval, exemption, waiver,
contract, or other administrative act of the Secretary with 
respect to laws administered through the Research and 
Special Programs Administration as of the day before the 
date of enactment of this section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 1 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
‘‘116. Pipeline Safety Administration.’’.
(c) DUTIES OF RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS 
ADMINISTRATION.—Section 112(d) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and 
redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) 
and (3), respectively. 
(d) EXECUTIVE SCHEDULE.—Section 5313 of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘Administrator, Pipeline Safety Administra-
tion.’’. 
(e) TRANSITION.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall provide for the transfer of duties and powers under 
the amendments made by this Act.
Æ
‘‘(B) services consisting of purchasing,
leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisi-
tion of assistive technology devices by individ-
uals with disabilities;
‘‘(C) services consisting of selecting, de-
signing, fitting, customizing, adapting, apply-
ing, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assist-
ive technology devices;
‘‘(D) coordination and use of necessary
therapies, interventions, or services with assist-
ive technology devices, such as therapies, inter-
ventions, or services associated with education
and rehabilitation plans and programs;
‘‘(E) training or technical assistance for an
individual with disabilities, or, where appro-
priate, the family members, guardians, advo-
cates, or authorized representatives of such an
individual; and
‘‘(F) training or technical assistance for
professionals (including individuals providing
education and rehabilitation services), employ-
ers, or other individuals who provide services to,
employ, or are otherwise substantially involved
in the major life functions of individuals with
disabilities.
‘‘(B) 
DEVICE
LOAN
PROGRAMS.—The
State shall directly, or in collaboration with
public or private entities, carry out device loan
programs that support the short-term loan of
assistive technology devices to individuals, em-
ployers, public agencies, public accommodations,
or others seeking to meet the needs of targeted
individuals, including to comply with the Indi-
viduals with Disabilities Education Act, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
‘‘(C) 
DEVICE
REUTILIZATION
PRO-
GRAMS.—The State shall directly, or in collabo-
ration with public or private entities, carry out
assistive technology device reutilization pro-
grams that provide for the exchange, recycling,
or other reutilization of assistive technology de-
vices, which may include redistribution through
device and equipment loans, rentals, or gifts.
‘‘(D) 
DEVICE
DEMONSTRATION
PRO-
GRAM.—The State shall directly, or in collabo-
ration with public or private entities, carry out
assistive technology device demonstration pro-
grams that provide for the ability of targeted
cational mainstream of society in the United 
States. 
‘‘(2) Technology is one of the primary engines 
for economic activity, education, and innovation in 
the Nation, and throughout the world. The commit-
ment of the United States to the development and 
utilization of technology is one of the main factors 
underlying the strength and vibrancy of the economy 
of the United States. 
‘‘(3) As technology has come to play an increas-
ingly important role in the lives of all persons in the 
United States, in the conduct of business, in the 
functioning of government, in the fostering of com-
munication, in the conduct of commerce, and in the 
provision of education, its impact upon the lives of 
individuals with disabilities in the United States has 
been comparable to its impact upon the remainder 
of the citizens of the United States. Any develop-
ment in mainstream technology would have profound 
implications for individuals with disabilities in the 
United States. 
‘‘(4) Over the last 15 years, the Federal Gov-
ernment has invested in the development of state-
wide comprehensive systems to help individuals with 
disabilities gain access to assistive technology devices
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT 
OF 1998. 
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
3001 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
‘‘(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘Assistive Technology Act of 1998’. 
‘‘(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents 
for this Act is as follows: 
‘‘Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
‘‘Sec. 2. Findings and purposes. 
‘‘Sec. 3. Definitions. 
‘‘Sec. 4. Grants to States for purchase of assistive technology devices and as-
sistive technology services. 
‘‘Sec. 5. Grants to States for protection and advocacy related to assistive tech-
nology. 
‘‘Sec. 6. Administrative provisions. 
‘‘Sec. 7. National activities. 
‘‘Sec. 8. Authorization of appropriations. 
‘‘SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
‘‘(1) Disability is a natural part of the human 
experience and in no way diminishes the right of in-
dividuals to— 
‘‘(A) live independently; 
‘‘(B) enjoy self-determination and make 
choices; 
‘‘(C) benefit from an education; 
‘‘(D) pursue meaningful careers; and 
‘‘(E) enjoy full inclusion and integration in 
the economic, political, social, cultural, and edu-
HR 4278 RFS 
tion taken by the Secretary under paragraph (1) or 
(2). As a part of such notification, the Secretary 
shall describe each such action taken under para-
graph (1) or (2) and the outcomes of each such ac-
tion. 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 
31 of each year, the Secretary shall prepare, and 
submit to the President and to the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a report 
on the activities funded under this Act to improve 
the access of individuals with disabilities to assistive 
technology devices and assistive technology services. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Such report shall include in-
formation on— 
‘‘(A) the type of alternative financing 
mechanisms used by each State under the pro-
gram; 
‘‘(B) the amount and type of assistance 
given to consumers (who shall be classified by 
age, type of disability, type of assistive tech-
nology device or assistive technology service fi-
nanced through the program, geographic dis-
have not been satisfied, and for which risk 
of loss has not yet been transferred, and 
for expected administrative costs with re-
spect to such benefit liabilities; 
‘‘(iii) a reserve sufficient for any other 
obligations of the plan; and 
‘‘(iv) a reserve sufficient for a margin 
of error and other fluctuations, taking into 
account the specific circumstances of the 
plan; and 
‘‘(B) establishes and maintains aggregate 
and specific excess /stop loss insurance and sol-
vency indemnification, with respect to such ad-
ditional benefit options for which risk of loss 
has not yet been transferred, as follows: 
‘‘(i) The plan shall secure aggregate 
excess /stop loss insurance for the plan 
with an attachment point which is not 
greater than 125 percent of expected gross 
annual claims. The applicable authority 
may by regulation provide for upward ad-
justments in the amount of such percent-
age in specified circumstances in which the 
plan specifically provides for and maintains
355 
HR 4503 RDS 
ment-to-government relationships between Indian tribes 
and the United States. 
TITLE VI—NUCLEAR MATTERS 
Subtitle A—Price-Anderson Act 
Amendments 
SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Price-Anderson 
Amendments Act of 2003’’. 
SEC. 602. EXTENSION OF INDEMNIFICATION AUTHORITY. 
(a) INDEMNIFICATION
OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY 
COMMISSION LICENSEES.—Section 170 c. of the Atomic 
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(c)) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘LI-
CENSES’’ and inserting ‘‘LICENSEES’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘December 31, 2003’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘December 31, 
2023’’. 
(b) INDEMNIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 
CONTRACTORS.—Section 170 d.(1)(A) of the Atomic En-
ergy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(d)(1)(A)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2004’’ and inserting ‘‘Decem-
ber 31, 2023’’. 
(c) INDEMNIFICATION OF NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS.—Section 170 k. of the Atomic Energy Act 
of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(k)) is amended by striking ‘‘Au-
356 
HR 4503 RDS 
gust 1, 2002’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Decem-
ber 31, 2023’’. 
SEC. 603. MAXIMUM ASSESSMENT. 
Section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 
U.S.C. 2210) is amended— 
(1) in the second proviso of the third sentence 
of subsection b.(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$63,000,000’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘$95,800,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$10,000,000 in any 1 
year’’ and inserting ‘‘$15,000,000 in any 1 year 
(subject to adjustment for inflation under sub-
section t.)’’; and 
(2) in subsection t.(1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘total and annual’’ after 
‘‘amount of the maximum’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘the date of the enactment 
of the Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 
1988’’ and inserting ‘‘August 20, 2003’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘such 
date of enactment’’ and inserting ‘‘August 20, 
2003’’. 
SEC. 604. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY LIABILITY LIMIT. 
(a) INDEMNIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 
CONTRACTORS.—Section 170 d. of the Atomic Energy Act
HR 4279 PCS 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this title, 
a plan or other arrangement shall not fail to be 
treated as a cafeteria plan solely because qualified 
benefits under such plan include a health flexible 
spending arrangement under which not more than 
$500 of unused health benefits may be— 
‘‘(A) carried forward to the succeeding 
plan year of such health flexible spending ar-
rangement, or 
‘‘(B) to the extent permitted by section 
106(d), contributed by the employer to a health 
savings account (as defined in section 223(d)) 
maintained for the benefit of the employee. 
‘‘(2) HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ARRANGE-
MENT.—For purposes of this subsection, the term 
‘health flexible spending arrangement’ means a flexi-
ble spending arrangement (as defined in section 
106(c)) that is a qualified benefit and only permits 
reimbursement for expenses for medical care (as de-
fined in section 213(d)(1), without regard to sub-
paragraphs (C) and (D) thereof). 
‘‘(3) UNUSED
HEALTH
BENEFITS.—For pur-
poses of this subsection, with respect to an em-
ployee, the term ‘unused health benefits’ means the 
excess of—
HR 4279 PCS 
stantially certain to suffer. In any health care lawsuit 
where no judgment for compensatory damages is rendered 
against such person, no punitive damages may be awarded 
with respect to the claim in such lawsuit. No demand for 
punitive damages shall be included in a health care lawsuit 
as initially filed. A court may allow a claimant to file an 
amended pleading for punitive damages only upon a mo-
tion by the claimant and after a finding by the court, upon 
review of supporting and opposing affidavits or after a 
hearing, after weighing the evidence, that the claimant has 
established by a substantial probability that the claimant 
will prevail on the claim for punitive damages. At the re-
quest of any party in a health care lawsuit, the trier of 
fact shall consider in a separate proceeding— 
(1) whether punitive damages are to be award-
ed and the amount of such award; and 
(2) the amount of punitive damages following a 
determination of punitive liability. 
If a separate proceeding is requested, evidence relevant 
only to the claim for punitive damages, as determined by 
applicable State law, shall be inadmissible in any pro-
ceeding to determine whether compensatory damages are 
to be awarded. 
(b) DETERMINING AMOUNT
OF PUNITIVE DAM-
AGES.—
HR 4279 PCS 
‘‘SEC. 
802. 
CERTIFICATION 
OF 
ASSOCIATION 
HEALTH 
PLANS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The applicable authority shall 
prescribe by regulation a procedure under which, subject 
to subsection (b), the applicable authority shall certify as-
sociation health plans which apply for certification as 
meeting the requirements of this part. 
‘‘(b) STANDARDS.—Under the procedure prescribed 
pursuant to subsection (a), in the case of an association 
health plan that provides at least one benefit option which 
does not consist of health insurance coverage, the applica-
ble authority shall certify such plan as meeting the re-
quirements of this part only if the applicable authority is 
satisfied that the applicable requirements of this part are 
met (or, upon the date on which the plan is to commence 
operations, will be met) with respect to the plan. 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE
TO CERTIFIED 
PLANS.—An association health plan with respect to which 
certification under this part is in effect shall meet the ap-
plicable requirements of this part, effective on the date 
of certification (or, if later, on the date on which the plan 
is to commence operations). 
‘‘(d) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
CONTINUED
CERTIFI-
CATION.—The applicable authority may provide by regula-
tion for continued certification of association health plans 
under this part.
HR 4279 PCS 
‘‘(A) the maximum amount of reimburse-
ment allowable to the employee for a plan year 
under a health flexible spending arrangement, 
over 
‘‘(B) the actual amount of reimbursement 
for such year under such arrangement.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall apply to taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2003. 
TITLE I—HELP EFFICIENT, AC-
CESSIBLE, LOW-COST, TIMELY 
HEALTHCARE (HEALTH) ACT 
OF 2004 
SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Help Efficient, Acces-
sible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 
2004’’. 
SEC. 1002. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.— 
(1) EFFECT
ON
HEALTH
CARE
ACCESS
AND 
COSTS.—Congress finds that our current civil justice 
system is adversely affecting patient access to health 
care services, better patient care, and cost-efficient 
health care, in that the health care liability system 
is a costly and ineffective mechanism for resolving