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Congressional Research Service Reports
- Enron: A Select Chronology of Congressional, Corporate, and Government Activities
- This report presents basic background information on the collapse of the Enron Corporation, identifying public policy issues in financial market oversight. This report briefly summarizes some federal laws carrying criminal penalties which may be implicated in the events surrounding the collapse of the Enron Corp. This report compares the auditing and accounting reform measures passed by the House (H.R. 3763) and reported by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. This report compares the major provisions of three auditor and accounting reform proposals: H.R. 3763, S. 2673, and a rule proposed on June 20, 2002, by the SEC that would create a new auditor oversight board by using the SEC’s existing authority to regulate corporate accounting. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2300/
- Enron: A Select Chronology of Congressional, Corporate, and Government Activities
- This report presents basic background information on the collapse of the Enron Corporation, identifying public policy issues in financial market oversight. This report briefly summarizes some federal laws carrying criminal penalties which may be implicated in the events surrounding the collapse of the Enron Corp. This report compares the auditing and accounting reform measures passed by the House (H.R. 3763) and reported by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. This report compares the major provisions of three auditor and accounting reform proposals: H.R. 3763, S. 2673, and a rule proposed on June 20, 2002, by the SEC that would create a new auditor oversight board by using the SEC’s existing authority to regulate corporate accounting. The report focuses on Section 404(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal statute that regulates employer-sponsored pension plans. Section 404(a) is considered the “touchstone for understanding the scope and object of an ERISA fiduciary’s duties.” digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs4005/
- Enron: A Select Chronology of Congressional, Corporate, and Government Activities
- This report presents basic background information on the collapse of the Enron Corporation, identifying public policy issues in financial market oversight. This report briefly summarizes some federal laws carrying criminal penalties which may be implicated in the events surrounding the collapse of the Enron Corp. This report compares the auditing and accounting reform measures passed by the House (H.R. 3763) and reported by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. This report compares the major provisions of three auditor and accounting reform proposals: H.R. 3763, S. 2673, and a rule proposed on June 20, 2002, by the SEC that would create a new auditor oversight board by using the SEC’s existing authority to regulate corporate accounting. The report focuses on Section 404(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal statute that regulates employer-sponsored pension plans. Section 404(a) is considered the “touchstone for understanding the scope and object of an ERISA fiduciary’s duties.” digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs4006/
- Line Item Vetoes in the 105th Congress, First Session: A Finding Aid
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs532/
- Hong Kong 2005: Changes in Leadership and Issues for Congress
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7696/
- An Economic Analysis and Brief Legislative Overview of Usury Ceilings
- This report gives an economic analysis of usury ceilings, laws which set the maximum legal rate of interest to be charged on particular types of loans. It provides a brief overview of recent Federal l e g i s l a t i o n dealing with usury, with special emphasis on the Federal authorities mandated by P.L. 96-221, and the effectiveness of Federal preemption of State usury laws. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8157/
- Department of Defense Facilities Energy Conservation Policies and Spending
- This report reviews energy conservation legislation and Executive Orders that apply to the Department of Defense, directives and instructions to the military departments and agencies on implementing the legislation and orders, Defense spending on facility energy over the last decade, annual Defense appropriations that fund energy-conservation improvements, and Defense energy conservation investments. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc86537/
- Department of Defense Fuel Costs in Iraq
- This report discusses the Department of Defense (DOD) fuel costs in Iraq. It analyzes the disparity between the higher price of fuel supplied to the United States Central Command compared to Iraq's civilian population that has been a point of contention. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc94246/
- Department of Defense Fuel Costs in Iraq
- Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the average price of fuels purchased for military operations in Iraq has steadily increased. The disparity between the higher price of fuel supplied to the United States Central Command compared to Iraq's civilian population has been a point of contention. Several factors contribute to the disparity, including the different types of fuel used by the military compared to Iraqi civilians, the Iraqi government's price subsidies, and the level pricing that the DOD's Defense Logistics Agency charges for military customers around the world. The Iraqi government has been pressured to reduce its fuel subsidy and black market fuel prices remain higher than the official subsidized price. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10776/
- The Navy Biofuel Initiative Under the Defense Production Act
- This report looks at the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into by the secretaries of Energy, Agriculture, and the Navy in order to “assist the development and support of a sustainable commercial biofuels industry.” The report specifically discusses how and why this understanding should be funded and why it is important for the U.S. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc93937/
- The Navy Biofuel Initiative Under the Defense Production Act
- This report looks at the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to “assist the development and support of a sustainable commercial biofuels industry" which was entered into by the Secretaries of Energy, Agriculture, and the Navy. It raises issues and concerns for Congress to consider when deciding how to fund MOU. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc93938/
- Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing: U.S. Policy Development
- This report discusses the reprocessing of nuclear fuel that refers to the chemical separation of fissionable uranium and plutonium from irradiated nuclear fuel. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc94224/
- Nuclear Power Plant Design and Seismic Safety Considerations
- This report presents some of the general design concepts of operating nuclear power plants in order to discuss design considerations for seismic events. This report does not attempt to conclude whether one design is inherently safer or less safe than another plant. Nor does it attempt to conclude whether operating nuclear power plants are at any greater or lesser risk from earthquakes given recent updates to seismic data and seismic hazard maps. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc83962/
- Nuclear Power Plant Design and Seismic Safety Considerations
- This report presents some of the general design concepts of operating nuclear power plants in order to discuss design considerations for seismic events. This report does not attempt to conclude whether one design is inherently safer or less safe than another plant. Nor does it attempt to conclude whether operating nuclear power plants are at any greater or lesser risk from earthquakes given recent updates to seismic data and seismic hazard maps. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc87179/
- Nuclear Power Plant Sites: Maps of Seismic Hazards and Population Centers
- This report gives a map of current commercial nuclear power plants and their relation to seismic hazards. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc99037/
- Oil Shale: History, Incentives, and Policy
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9211/
- Radioactive Tank Waste from the Past Production of Nuclear Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress
- How to safely dispose of wastes from producing nuclear weapons has been an ongoing issue. The most radioactive portion of these wastes is stored in underground tanks at Department of Energy (DOE) sites in Idaho, South Carolina, and Washington State. There have been concerns about soil and groundwater contamination from some of the tanks that have leaked. This report provides background information on the disposal of radioactive tank waste, analyzes waste disposal authority in P.L. 108-375, and examines potential implications for environmental cleanup. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10226/
- The Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Refined Product Reserves: Authorization and Drawdown Policy
- This report discusses the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in the Energy Policy and Consevation Act, which was authorized to help prevent a repetition of the economic dislocation caused by the 1973-1974 Arab oil embargo. The Government Accountability Office recently observed that the proportion of crude oil grades in the SPR has been growing less compatible with the heavier grades of crude oil that U.S. refineries have been upgrading to handle. This finding has raised questions about the SPR's effectiveness during a long-term oil disruption involving heavy oil. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc33021/
- The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Authorization, Operation, and Drawdown Policy
- This report looks at the history, purpose, and current status of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc86621/
- The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Authorization, Operation, and Drawdown Policy
- This report looks at the history, purpose, and current status of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc96717/
- The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Authorization, Operation, and Drawdown Policy
- This report looks at the history, purpose, and current status of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc96718/
- The U.S. Oil Refining Industry: Background in Changing Markets and Fuel Policies
- This report begins by looking at the current production capacity of the oil refineries operating in the United States, and the sources and changes in crude oil supply. It then examines the changing characteristics of petroleum and petroleum product markets and identifies the effects of these changes on the refining industry. The report concludes with discussion of the policy and regulatory factors that are likely to affect the structure and performance of the industry during the next decade. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc29627/
- The U.S. Oil Refining Industry: Background in Changing Markets and Fuel Policies
- This report begins by looking at the current production capacity of the oil refineries operating in the United States, and the sources and changes in crude oil supply. It then examines the changing characteristics of petroleum and petroleum product markets and identifies the effects of these changes on the refining industry. The report concludes with discussion of the policy and regulatory factors that are likely to affect the structure and performance of the industry during the next decade. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc31385/
- Nuclear Power Plant Design and Seismic Safety Considerations
- This report presents some of the general design concepts of operating nuclear power plants in order to discuss design considerations for seismic events. This report does not attempt to conclude whether one design is inherently safer or less safe than another plant. Nor does it attempt to conclude whether operating nuclear power plants are at any greater or lesser risk from earthquakes given recent updates to seismic data and seismic hazard maps. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc40150/
- Reimbursement of Local Private Nonprofit Organizations Under the Stafford Act
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9223/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Full Funding of State Formula
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1410/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Analysis of Changes Made by P.L. 108-446
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8437/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Medicaid
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7575/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Current Funding Trends
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6209/
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Interactions with Selected Provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA)
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9670/
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Interactions with Selected Provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA)
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9679/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Issues Regarding "Full Funding" of Part B Grants to States
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs1604/
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Overview of Major Provisions
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2207/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Possible Voucher Issues
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2205/
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Selected Changes that Would be Made to the Law by S. 1248, 108th Congress
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7102/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): State Grant Formulas
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs6535/
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): State Grant Formulas
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2551/
- Vocational Education: Legislation to Reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act
- No Description digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs732/
- Cybercrime: The Council of Europe Convention
- Forty-three countries, including the United States, have signed the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime of November 2001. The U.S. Senate ratified the Convention on August 3, 2006. The Convention seeks to better combat cybercrime by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative abilities, and boosting international cooperation. Supporters argue that the Convention will enhance deterrence, while critics counter it will have little effect without participation by countries in which cybercriminals operate freely. Others warn it will endanger privacy and civil liberties. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10144/
- Cybercrime: The Council of Europe Convention
- Forty-three countries, including the United States, have signed the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime of November 2001. The U.S. Senate ratified the Convention on August 3, 2006. The Convention seeks to better combat cybercrime by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative abilities, and boosting international cooperation. Supporters argue that the Convention will enhance deterrence, while critics counter it will have little effect without participation by countries in which cybercriminals operate freely. Others warn it will endanger privacy and civil liberties. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs2394/
- Europe and Counterterrorism: Strengthening Police and Judicial Cooperation
- The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States gave new momentum to European Union (EU) initiatives to combat terrorism and other crossborder crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and financial fraud. For many years, EU efforts to address such challenges were hampered by national sovereignty concerns, insufficient resources, and a lack of trust among law enforcement agencies. However, the terrorist attacks and the subsequent revelation of Al Qaeda cells in Europe changed this status quo as it became increasingly evident that the EU’s open borders and different legal systems allowed terrorists and other criminals to move around easily and evade arrest and prosecution. Thus, EU officials renewed their efforts to harmonize national laws and bring down traditional barriers among member states’ police, intelligence, and judicial authorities. As part of this initiative, the EU has also sought to enhance ongoing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement and judicial authorities so that information can be meaningfully shared and suspects apprehended expeditiously. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7370/
- European Approaches to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
- This report examines homeland security and counterterrorist measures in six selected European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. None of these European countries currently has a single ministry or department equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In most of these countries, responsibility for different aspects of homeland security and counterterrorism is scattered across several ministries or different levels of government. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs9493/
- The European Parliament
- The European Parliament (EP) is one of the three key institutions of the European Union (EU), and the only EU institution whose members are directly elected. This report discusses the construction and history of the EP, its role in functions of the EU as well as internationally, various international supports and criticisms of the EP, and the EP's ties with the U.S. Congress. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc29739/
- The European Parliament
- The 785-member, directly elected European Parliament (EP) is a key institution of the 27-member European Union (EU). Once limited to being a consultative assembly, the EP has accumulated more power over time. Currently, it plays a role in the EU's legislative and budgeting processes, and exercises general supervision over other EU bodies. Ties between the EP and the U.S. Congress are long-standing, and EPCongressional exchanges are expected to continue in the second session of the 110th Congress. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10625/
- The European Parliament
- The European Parliament (EP) is one of the three key institutions of the European Union (EU), and the only EU institution whose members are directly elected. This report discusses the construction and history of the EP, its role in functions of the EU as well as internationally, various international supports and criticisms of the EP, and the EP's ties with the U.S. Congress. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7331/
- The European Parliament
- The European Parliament (EP) is one of the three key institutions of the European Union (EU), and the only EU institution whose members are directly elected. This report discusses the construction and history of the EP, its role in functions of the EU as well as internationally, various international supports and criticisms of the EP, and the EP's ties with the U.S. Congress. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc26328/
- European Union Englargement
- The European Union (EU) views the enlargement process as a historic opportunity to promote stability and prosperity in Europe. Although the EU maintains that the enlargement door remains open, "enlargement fatigue" has become a serious issue in Europe and some experts believe that EU enlargement may be reaching its limits. The status of EU enlargement is one of many transatlantic issues likely to be of interest to the second session of the 110th Congress. This report lists the various nations admitted to the European Union within the past several years and analyzes the enlargement issue in general. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10580/
- European Union Enlargement
- On May 1, 2004, 10 states joined the European Union (EU), enlarging the Union to 25 members. The EU views the enlargement process as an historic opportunity to promote stability in Europe and further the integration of the continent by peaceful means. In addition to the 10 new members (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia), three other states — Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia — hope to accede to the EU by 2007. Turkey is also a candidate and is expected to begin accession negotiations in 2005. Macedonia has also applied for EU membership. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8436/
- European Union Enlargement
- On May 1, 2004, 10 states joined the European Union (EU), enlarging the Union to 25 members. The EU views the enlargement process as an historic opportunity to promote stability in Europe and further the integration of the continent by peaceful means. In addition to the 10 new members (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia), three other states — Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia — hope to accede to the EU by 2007. Turkey is also a candidate and is expected to begin accession negotiations in 2005. Macedonia has also applied for EU membership. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8216/
- European Union Enlargement
- On May 1, 2004, 10 states joined the European Union (EU), enlarging the Union to 25 members. The EU views the enlargement process as an historic opportunity to promote stability in Europe and further the integration of the continent by peaceful means. In addition to the 10 new members (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia), three other states — Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia — hope to accede to the EU by 2007. Turkey is also a candidate and is expected to begin accession negotiations in 2005. Macedonia has also applied for EU membership. digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7212/