UNT Libraries Government Documents Department - 139 Matching Results
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- FEMA's Firefighter Assistance Grants: Reauthorization or Sunset?
- This report discuses FEMA's (Federal Emergency Management Agency's) Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program (SAFER) and the reauthorization process in Congress. Unless legislation is passed by both the House and Senate by January 8, 2018, sunset provisions will come into effect for the programs.
- Third Treasury Report on Regulatory Relief: Asset Management and Insurance
- This report provides an overview of the third U.S. Treasury publiscation in a series of reports describing regulations of the financial system and ways that it could be improved. This report specifically addresses asset management and insurance with background information and recommendations for improvements.
- Financial Regulation: Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations and the Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10)
- This report discusses the Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10) and the FY 2018 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3354, Division D). The Senate Appropriations Committee released an FY2018 FSGG chairmen's mark on November 20, 2017, but further action has yet to occur on the bill. Much of the federal government, including agencies covered by FSGG appropriations, has been operating for the first part of FY2018 under a continuing resolution effective through December 8, 2017.
- The Deduction for Out-of-Pocket Teacher Expenses
- This report discusses the tax deduction for out-of-pocket teacher expenses and the proposals to eliminate or increase it that were made in the House and Senate draft tax bills. The final bill left the deduction at its current rate.
- What Happens if the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Lapses
- This report provides a short overview of what would happen if the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were not to be reauthorized by December 8, 2017, and was allowed to lapse.
- Financial Regulation: The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155)
- This report discusses the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155) which aims to provide regulatory relief to banks, relax mortgage lending rules, and provide additional consumer protections related to credit reporting and other areas.
- Policy Options to Increase Physician Training Education in Proper Opioid Prescribing
- This report discusses the recommendations of the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis regarding mandating "medical education and prescriber education initiatives in proper opioid prescribing and risks of developing an SUD [Substance Use Disorder]." It provides an overview on various policy options to encourage further training for physicians and other prescription empowered providers while in school and training as well as on the job.
- "Extraordinary Measures" and the Debt Limit
- This report discusses the U.S. government debt limit and the use of extraordinary measures by the U.S. Treasury to delay implementation of the debt limit by Congress.
- Proposed Offsets Exceed Spending for Agriculture in the Administration's Disaster Assistance Request
- This report discusses the Trump Administration's request for a third round of supplemental funding for disaster assistance which would include agricultural programs but be payed for by reducing agriculture funding overall in the future. It outlines programs that would be affected and possible impacts of the plan.
- Jerusalem: U.S. Recognition as Israel's Capitol and Planned Embassy Move
- This report discuses President's Trump's announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel and stating that the U.S. embassy would be moved there from Tel Aviv "as soon as practicable". It includes an overview of policy questions and concerns, international reactions, and Congressional reactions.
- "Extraordinary Measures" and the Debt Limit
- This report briefly examines the statutory debt limit and the use of extraordinary measures by the Treasury Department when Congress does not modify the debt limit by the deadline.
- Medicare Temporary Payment Adjustments for Ground Ambulance Scheduled to Expire
- This report discusses the Medicare program which allows for adjustments in payment for ambulances due to the location of the service and level of service provided. A chart is provided showing the number of zip-codes in urban, rural, and super-rural areas for each state and territory.
- Floodplain Management and Flood Resilience: Current Policy and Considerations for Congress
- This report describes presidential direction for federal floodplain management and presents considerations for Congress.
- The 2017 National Security Strategy: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) document released by the Trump Administration on December 18, 2017, and its major themes.
- What Share of Taxpayers Would See a Tax Increase or a Tax Decrease Under a Senate Version of the Tax Reform Bill
- This report provides a brief overview and charts illustrating statistics about who would receive tax cuts, tax increases, or stay the same under the Senate version of the Tax Reform Bill.
- Taylor Force Act: Palestinian Terrorism-Related Payments and U.S. Aid
- This report discusses possible legislation (the Taylor Force Act) that would affect U.S. aid payments to the Palestinian Authority. It provides background on the concerns that money might go toward payments to families accused of terrorism by Israel, as well as a discussion of proposed bills.
- The $50 Billion Threshold in the Dodd-Frank Act: Key Findings
- This report provides an overview key findings from the newly issued CRS Report R45036, Bank Systemic Risk Regulation: The $50 Billion Threshold in the Dodd-Frank Act. It includes some background information and a list of bills that may also affect the legislation.
- Natural Disasters of 2017: Congressional Considerations Related to FEMA Assistance
- This report provides a short overview of issues Congress may consider in its oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) federal assistance during the 2017 hurricane season (e.g., Harvey, Irma, and Maria) and other disasters (e.g., fires in California).
- Supplemental Appropriations and the 2017 Hurricane Season
- This report provides tables listing all the bills, departments, and programs which received supplemental funding related to disaster relief after the 2017 hurricane season and wildfires in California.
- Reid Vapor Pressure Requirements for Ethanol
- This report discusses legislation (H.R. 1311, S. 517) regarding providing a waiver for ethanol-fuel blends containing greater than 10% ethanol (E15) from the Clean Air Act's (CAA) strict requirements on volatility of gasoline. This requirement currently prevents E15 gas from being sold during the summer. Major points of the legislation, various types of waivers and current rules under the CAA for gasoline and possible options for Congress are discussed.
- Tax Incentives for Charitable Giving in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1)
- This report discusses provisions of the proposed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R.1) which would reduce the tax incentive for charitable giving by decreasing the deduction amounts that most taxpayers would receive from charitable gift deductions.
- Keystone XL Pipeline: Recent Developments
- This report discusses the Keystone XL Pipeline and the recent route modification and its effects on permits and permissions needed. A brief overview of the controversy regarding the pipeline and areas of land that require various permits to cross are included.
- Impact of the Budget Control Act Discretionary Spending Caps on a Continuing Resolution
- This report answers common questions regarding the government's discretionary spending limits under the Budget Control Act which if they are exceeded trigger sequestration. The result of continuing budget resolutions and possibilities for fiscal year 2018 are addressed.
- Payments for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Cost-Sharing Reductions
- This report discusses President Trump's announcement that the federal government would stop issuing cost-sharing reductions(CSRs) to insurers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and potential implications for the insurance market and consumers.
- Comprehensive Energy Planning for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
- This report discusses the electric power grid of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands which were mainly destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria with Puerto Rico being the hardest hit power grid. The report mainly concerns previous and current efforts to create long-term comprehensive energy plans for insular areas such as Puerto Rico and some of the challenges encountered in doing so.
- Volcano and Landslide Provisions in Title X of S. 1460, the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017
- This report discusses a proposed volcano early warning system and a landslide hazards reduction program that would both be administered by the USGS. Provisions of the law that would create the system and volcanoes on the high priority watch-list are described.
- The President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for the National Science Foundation
- This report discuses the Trump Administration's 2018 fiscal year budget request for the National Science Foundation which proposed significant funding cuts across the agency's major research, education, and construction accounts. Overall, the request includes $6.653 billion for NSF, $819 million (11%) below the FY2017 enacted amount of $7.472 billion (P.L. 115-31).
- Implementation of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Amendments (P.L. 114-182)
- This report summarizes select EPA actions to implement the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments over the past year since their passage on June 22, 2016 as a part of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for 21st Century Act (P.L. 114-182). Brief discussions and lists of various chemicals that are being evaluated or have been evaluated under the law are included.
- U.S. Beef: It's What's for China
- This report discusses the opening of the Chinese market to U.S. beef imports under certain restrictions. The negotiation process and conditions of the agreement and China's current largest beef import partners are also discussed.
- Contracting the Adversary
- This report discusses the training of Navy and Air Force pilots through the use of "adversary" squadrons which fly planes that are either similar or actual versions of those used by enemy countries. The Air Force is considering contracting out this service due to the pilot shortage in the Air Force. Various options and precedent for such contracting services are discussed.
- Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
- This report discuses the Diversity Immigrant Visa program (DV) which is a lottery system that makes 50,000 visas available annually to immigrants from countries who had sent less than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. over the last five years. Eligibility, the application and admission process, statistics on places of origin, and legislative proposals are discussed.
- Tax Reform: The Child Credit and the Child Care Credit
- This report discusses the child credit and the child care credit and what changes are being made to them in the new tax reform plan currently being debated. This report provides background to help assess who would be assisted by potential changes to either credit. It shows what types of families with children receive both credits and how the credits are distributed across the income distribution.
- GAO Issues Opinions on Applicability of Congressional Review Act to Two Guidance Documents
- This report discusses the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) issued opinions regarding whether a 2013 interagency guidance document and a 2016 amendment to the Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan by the Department of Agriculture were considered "rules" and as such be subject to the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The GAO determined neither document was a rule and thus they were not subject to CRA.
- The President's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request for the Department of Energy
- This report discusses President's Trump's 2018 fiscal year budget request for the Department of Energy. The FY2018 request is $28.0 billion which is $2.7 billion (8.8%) less than the FY2017 enacted appropriations of $30.7 billion. While this request would reduce the total budget for DOE, it would increase overall funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and increase funding for cleanup programs within the Office of Environmental Management. The request would reduce funding for the Offices of Science, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Nuclear Energy (NE), Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE), and Fossil Energy (including the Fossil Energy Research and Development [R&D] program). It would also reduce funding for the Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy (ARPA-E) to wind down operations in FY2018 for cessation of its functions in FY2019, and would eliminate funding for two programs within EERE--the Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program--and two programs within the Loan Program Office--Title XVII Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program (Title XVII Loan Program) and Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program in FY2018.
- Natural Disasters of 2017: Congressional Considerations Related to FEMA Assistance
- This report provides a short overview of issues Congress may consider in its oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) federal assistance during the 2017 hurricane season (e.g., Harvey, Irma, and Maria) and other disasters (e.g., fires in California).
- When an Agency's Budget Request Does Not Match the President's Request: The Fiscal Year 2018 CFTC Request and "Budget Bypass"
- This report discuses two competing 2018 fiscal year budget requests for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from President Trump and from the CFTC themselves. The Presidential request is $250 million, which is the same amount the CFTC had the past year, while CFTC is requesting an additional $31.5 million in funding for a total request of $ 281.5 million. The process of submitting budgets to the President and Congress is discussed as well as ways to reconcile the two conflicting budget requests.
- Energy Tax Provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts (H.R.1)
- This report discusses energy-related tax provisions in the The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R.1). These changes are summarized in Table 1. H.R. 1 includes a broad restructuring of the federal income tax system. A full analysis of the consequences of this proposal for the energy sector, or various subsets of the energy sector, is beyond the scope of this insight.
- Ransomware Attacks Renew Foccus on HIPAA Security Sttandards
- This report discuses ransomware attacks on healthcare facilities and safeguards against loss of information in such an attack through the proper implication of HIPAA regulations for patient privacy in electronic health records.
- The Distribution of the Tax Policy Changes in H.R 1 and the Senate's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
- This report discusses the Joint Committee on Taxation's (JCT) November 14, 2017 distributional analysis report of the House and Senate's proposed tax reform legislation which outlines how the changes made by the bill would effect the economic well-being of American taxpayers.
- Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program
- This report discuses the National Flood Insurance Program and private flood insurance which meets federal guidelines in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). Related legislation in the 115th Congress and options for privatizing flood insurance are also discussed.
- Inspector General Community Launches Oversight.gov to Increase Accessibility to Reports
- This report discusses the launch of oversight.gov by the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) and which agencies are currently participating in the beta test. The site allows Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reports related to participating agencies to be accessed in one place with keyword searchability.
- Trump Administration Releases First Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions
- This report discusses the issuing of President Trump's first Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions on July 20, 2017 and changes in terminology in this report from previous ones.
- S. 488, H.R. 1343, and Section 406 of H.R. 10: Encouraging Employee Ownership
- This report provides background and a policy discussion of similar legislation, S. 488, H.R. 1343 (which passed the House on April 4, 2017), and Section 406 in H.R. 10, the Financial CHOICE Act, which passed the House on June 8, 2017. According to H.R. 1343's sponsor, Representative Randy Hultgren, the legislation is aimed at "eas[ing] the ability of companies to offer ownership to their ... employees."
- Productivity Growth Across the Economy
- This report examines recent trends in productivity growth in the U.S. economy and particular industries, and briefly discusses potential programs and policies that can increase productivity growth.
- FirstNet's Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network Moves Forward
- This report discusses FirstNet's announcement of a partnership with AT&T to build a dedicated wireless broadband network for use by public safety agencies which will allow first responders during an emergency to share information with other public safety departments and have a dedicated internet connection for emergency communication.
- Floodplain Management and Flood Resilience: Current Policy and Considerations for Congress
- This report describes presidential direction to federal agencies on floodplain management and flood resilience and presents considerations for Congress.
- Implementation Date Nears for HHS Emergency Preparedness (EP) Rule
- This report discusses the new emergency preparedness rules for organizations which participate in the Medicaid and Medicare programs that will be required to be in place by November 16, 2017.
- Gun Control: "Bump-Fire" Stocks
- This report discusses "bump-fire" stocks for guns which allow less experienced users to shoot semiautomatic rifles more rapidly. "Bump-stocks" that contain a coiled spring are considered firearms by the ATF but other varieties of modified stocks that do not contain coiled springs are not classified as firearms and as such are unregulated. The shooter in the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting used semiautomatic rifles with 'bump-stocks" which has led to renewed interest in their regulation in Congress.
- The Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Program
- This report discusses the WIN-T communications program and network used by the Army for distributing information to the whole Army while in the field. There are two main stages of development and implementation the first being stationary command posts communication networks which is fully implemented and the second is equipping combat vehicles with mobile real-time communication devices to improve situational awareness and providing combat commanders with the same type of mobile communication abilities. The second stage is partially implemented and continues to be added to units each year. Related DOD reports and Congressional concerns are also addressed.
- National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority
- This report evaluates the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) borrowing authority to receive loans from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), particularly in the context of major floods, and discusses the current financial situation of the NFIP as it begins to pay claims from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.