Summary:
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2014 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (SAA, 2008) to extend emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) payments for eligible individuals to weeks of employment ending on or before June 1, 2014.

 Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until May 31, 2014, requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC.

 Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and November 30, 2014, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)

 Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from December 31, 2013, to May 31, 2014, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula.

 Amends the SAA, 2008 to appropriate funds out of the employment security administration account through the first five months of FY2015 to assist states in providing reemployment and eligibility assessment activities.

Requires the provision of such activities to an individual, at a minimum, within a time period after he or she begins to receive Tier-1 EUC benefits, and if applicable, again within a time period after he or she begins to receive Tier-3 EUC benefits. Requires the Secretary of Labor to determine appropriate time periods.

Specifies the purposes of the activities, namely to:

 better link the unemployed with the overall workforce system by bringing individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits in for personalized assessments and referrals to reemployment services; and provide them with early access to specific strategies that can help get them back into the workforce faster, including through: (1) the development of a reemployment plan, (2) provision of access to relevant labor market information, (3) provision of access to information about industry-recognized credentials that are regionally relevant or nationally portable, (4) provision of referrals to reemployment services and training, and (5) an assessment of the individual's on-going eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through May 31, 2014, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits.

Makes a change in application of a certain requirement (nonreduction rule) to a state that has entered a federal-state EUC agreement, under which the federal government would reimburse the state's unemployment compensation agency making EUC payments to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under state or federal law and meet specified other criteria.

 (Under the nonreduction rule such an agreement does not apply with respect to a state whose method for computing regular unemployment compensation under state law has been modified to make the average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid on or after June 2, 2010, less than what would have been paid before June 2, 2010.)

 Declares that the nonreduction rule shall not apply to a state which has enacted a law before December 1, 2013, that, upon taking effect, would violate the nonreduction rule. Allows a state whose agreement was terminated, however, to enter into a subsequent federal-state EUC agreement on or after enactment of this Act if, taking into account this inapplicability of the nonreduction rule, it would otherwise meet the requirements for an EUC agreement. (Thus allows such a subsequent EUC agreement to permit payment of less than the average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid on or after June 2, 2010.)

Prohibits the use of federal funds to: (1) make payments of unemployment compensation to any individual whose adjusted gross income in the preceding year was at least $1 million; or (2) determine whether or not this prohibition applies to them.

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to:

 study the use of work suitability requirements to strengthen them to ensure that unemployment insurance benefits are being provided to individuals who are actively looking for work and truly want to return to the labor force; and brief Congress on the ongoing study, including preliminary recommendations for appropriate legislation and administrative action. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to revise the applicable percentages for determining minimum funding standards for single-employer defined benefit pension plans (funding stabilization). Exempts plans providing accelerated benefit distributions from the application of such standards.

Amends ERISA with respect to pension insurance premiums paid by a designated payor to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). (A designated payor is the contributing sponsor or plan administrator for a single-employer plan, and the plan administrator for the multiemployer plan.)

Allows a designated payor to elect to prepay, during any plan year, the applicable PBGC flat dollar insurance premium due for up to five consecutive subsequent plan years specified in the election.

Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend through FY2024 the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to collect customs user fees for the processing of certain merchandise.

emergency unemployment compensation extension act amends supplemental appropriations act saa extend emergency unemployment compensation euc payments eligible individuals weeks employment ending june amends assistance unemployed workers struggling families act extend requirements federal payments states cover euc amends unemployment compensation extension act exempt weeks unemployment enactment act november prohibition federal-state_extended_unemployment_compensation_act fseuca federal matching payments state week individual eligibility period extended compensation sharable regular compensation paid state law provides payment regular compensation individual week compensable unemployment allows temporary federal matching week extended benefits states waiting period amends fseuca postpone similarly december termination period state determine indicators according specified temporary substitutions formula amends saa appropriate funds employment security administration account months fy2015 assist states providing reemployment eligibility assessment activities requires provision activities individual minimum time period begins receive tier-1 euc benefits applicable time period begins receive tier-3 euc benefits requires secretary labor determine appropriate time periods specifies purposes activities better link unemployed overall workforce system bringing individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits personalized assessments referrals reemployment services provide early access specific strategies help workforce faster including development reemployment plan provision access relevant labor market information provision access information industry recognized credentials regionally relevant nationally portable provision referrals reemployment services training assessment individual going eligibility unemployment insurance benefits amends railroad_unemployment_insurance_act extend temporary increase extended unemployment benefits makes change application certain requirement nonreduction rule state entered federal state euc agreement federal government reimburse state unemployment compensation agency making euc payments individuals exhausted rights regular unemployment compensation state federal law meet specified criteria nonreduction rule agreement apply respect state method computing regular unemployment compensation state law modified average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid june paid june declares nonreduction rule shall apply state enacted law december taking effect violate nonreduction rule allows state agreement terminated enter subsequent federal state euc agreement enactment act taking account inapplicability nonreduction rule meet requirements euc agreement allows subsequent euc agreement permit payment average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid june prohibits use federal funds payments unemployment compensation individual adjusted gross income preceding year million determine prohibition applies requires comptroller general gao study use work suitability requirements strengthen ensure unemployment insurance benefits provided individuals actively looking work truly want return labor force brief congress ongoing study including preliminary recommendations appropriate legislation administrative action amends employee retirement income security act erisa internal_revenue_code revise applicable percentages determining minimum funding standards single employer defined benefit pension plans funding stabilization exempts plans providing accelerated benefit distributions application standards amends erisa respect pension insurance premiums paid designated payor pension_benefit_guaranty_corporation pbgc designated payor contributing sponsor plan administrator single employer plan plan administrator multiemployer plan allows designated payor elect prepay plan year applicable pbgc flat dollar insurance premium consecutive subsequent plan years specified election amends consolidated_omnibus_budget reconciliation act extend fy2024 authority secretary treasury collect customs user fees processing certain merchandise


Summary:
Bankruptcy Fairness and Employee Benefits Protection Act of 2014 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to require the debtor in possession, prior to filing an application seeking rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, to propose only those minimum modifications to employee and retiree benefits and protections (including health insurance) that are necessary to prevent liquidation of the debtor.

Requires a proposal which modifies employee or retired employee health insurance benefits to modify also the health insurance benefits of the debtor's officers and directors so that their benefits are not more generous than those of debtor's employees.

Requires a proposal which modifies other employee benefits, including wages and pension benefits, also to modify such benefits of the debtor's officers and directors by an amount that, at a minimum, is equal to the percentage by which the employees' benefits are modified.

Conditions court approval of an application for rejection of a collective bargaining agreement upon a finding that the debtor has established by clear and convincing evidence that modification of employee benefits and protections is the minimum modification necessary to prevent the debtor's liquidation.

Declares that rejection of a collective bargaining agreement constitutes a breach of the agreement that entitles debtor's employees to a claim for damages.

Grants any retirees whose benefits are modified by a court according to certain procedures a claim equal to the value of benefits lost as a result of the modification.

Requires a debtor to pay cash to a retired employee making a claim in an amount equal to the two-year cost of premiums for: (1) continuation coverage; or (2) a comparable health insurance plan offered through a health care exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Authorizes the court to require the debtor to pay such retiree claim in an amount equal to the cost of premiums for continuation of coverage, or for such a health insurance plan, for more than two years.

Prohibits allowance or payment of a bonus payment to an insider of the debtor, including an incentive-based bonus payment.

 Increases the priority claim amount for employee wages and benefits.

Authorizes the court to prohibit a transfer of compensation made to an insider of the debtor within one year before the petition is filed if it finds that the transfer: (1) was not made in the ordinary course of business, or (2) resulted in unjust enrichment.

Amends the Judicial Code to require that a case under bankruptcy law be commenced in the district court for the district in which the largest share of employees, retired employees, physical assets, and operations of the person or entity that is the subject of the case were located in the year immediately preceding commencement of the case.

 Requires a debtor in possession that sponsors a pension plan or is a member of the controlled group with respect to such a plan, or the trustee of the debtor in possession, to make all required pension contributions that fall due after filing the petition in bankruptcy.

Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require the mandatory summary description of a group health plan to declare: (1) whether the plan permits either the plan sponsor or any participating employer to unilaterally modify or terminate plan benefits affecting employees, retirees, and beneficiaries; and (2) when and to what extent plan benefits are fully vested with respect to these individuals.

Presumes that retiree health benefits cannot be modified or terminated as of the date an employee retires or completes 20 years of service with the employer. Allows this presumption to be overcome only upon a showing, by clear and convincing evidence, that the employee, before becoming a plan participant, was made aware, in clear and unambiguous terms, that the plan allowed for such a modification or termination of benefits.

Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for a labor organization and employer to enter into a contract or agreement to modify a previous agreement in a manner that results in a reduction or termination of retiree health insurance benefits, if the modification occurs after the retiree's retirement date.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on strategies used by corporations to avoid obligations to pay promised employee and retiree benefits.

bankruptcy fairness employee benefits protection act amends federal bankruptcy law require debtor possession prior filing application seeking rejection collective bargaining agreement propose minimum modifications employee retiree benefits protections including health insurance necessary prevent liquidation debtor requires proposal modifies employee retired employee health insurance benefits modify health insurance benefits debtor officers directors benefits generous debtor employees requires proposal modifies employee benefits including wages pension benefits modify benefits debtor officers directors minimum equal percentage employees benefits modified conditions court approval application rejection collective bargaining agreement finding debtor established clear convincing evidence modification employee benefits protections minimum modification necessary prevent debtor liquidation declares rejection collective bargaining agreement constitutes breach agreement entitles debtor employees claim damages grants retirees benefits modified court according certain procedures claim equal value benefits lost result modification requires debtor pay cash retired employee making claim equal year cost premiums continuation coverage comparable health insurance plan offered health care exchange established patient_protection affordable care act authorizes court require debtor pay retiree claim equal cost premiums continuation coverage health insurance plan years prohibits allowance payment bonus payment insider debtor including incentive based bonus payment increases priority claim employee wages benefits authorizes court prohibit transfer compensation insider debtor year petition filed finds transfer ordinary course business resulted unjust enrichment amends judicial code require case bankruptcy law commenced district court district largest share employees retired employees physical assets operations person entity subject case located year immediately preceding commencement case requires debtor possession sponsors pension plan member controlled group respect plan trustee debtor possession required pension contributions fall filing petition bankruptcy amends employee retirement income security act erisa require mandatory summary description group health plan declare plan permits plan sponsor participating employer unilaterally modify terminate plan benefits affecting employees retirees beneficiaries extent plan benefits fully vested respect individuals presumes retiree health benefits modified terminated date employee retires completes years service employer allows presumption overcome showing clear convincing evidence employee plan participant aware clear unambiguous terms plan allowed modification termination benefits amends national_labor_relations_act unfair labor practice labor organization employer enter contract agreement modify previous agreement manner results reduction termination retiree health insurance benefits modification occurs retiree retirement date directs comptroller general gao report congress strategies corporations avoid obligations pay promised employee retiree benefits


Summary:
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to the treatment as a substantial employer subject to specified liability of any employer that ceases operations at a facility in any location with the result that more than 20% percent of the total number of the employees participating under the employer's single-employer pension plan are separated from employment.

(The substantial employer liability referred to as specified under current law is the liability of a substantial employer for withdrawal from, or termination of, single-employer plans under multiple controlled groups.)

(Sec. 1) Revises the meaning of a substantial cessation of operations.

Eliminates the requirement that more than 20% of the total number of the employer's employees who participate under its single-employer plan be separated from employment.

Exempts from the general rule any single employer plan if, for the plan year preceding the plan year in which the substantial cessation of operations occurred: (1) there were fewer than 100 participants with accrued benefits under the plan as of its valuation date, or (2) the ratio of the market value of the assets of the plan to the plan's funding target for the plan year was 90% or greater.

Redefines "substantial cessation of operations" as a permanent cessation of operations at a facility which results in a workforce reduction of a number of eligible employees at the facility equivalent to more than 15% of the number of all the employer's eligible employees, determined immediately before the earlier of: (1) the date of the employer's decision to implement the cessation; or (2) the earliest date on which any such eligible employee was separated from employment in the case of a workforce reduction including one or more eligible employees whose separation, during the three years before the cessation, is nonetheless related to permanent cessation of operations at the facility.

Precludes from taking into account in computing a workforce reduction any separated employee replaced, within a reasonable period of time, at the same or another facility located in the United States, by a U.S. citizen or resident.

Prescribes requirements for treatment of eligible separated employees when a portion of operations, otherwise substantially ceased, are subsequently conducted by another (transferee) employer by reason of a sale or other disposition of the assets or stock of a contributing sponsor (or any member of the same controlled group as the sponsor) of the plan.

Eliminates from account in computing a workforce reduction, also, any eligible employee separated from employment with a transferor employer if the employee is replaced by the transferee employer, within a reasonable period of time, by a U.S. citizen or resident.

Eliminates from account in computing a workforce reduction, as well, an eligible employee who participates in a single employer plan maintained by the transferor employer if the transferee employer, within a reasonable period of time, maintains a single employer plan including the assets and liabilities attributable to the accrued benefit of the eligible employee at the time of separation from the transferor employer.

Declares that an eligible employee who continues to be employed at the facility in question by the transferee employer shall not be taken into account in computing a workforce reduction if: (1) the eligible employee is not a participant in a single employer plan maintained by the transferor employer; or (2) in any other case the transferee employer, within a reasonable period of time, maintains a single employer plan including the assets and liabilities attributable to the accrued benefit of the eligible employee at the time of separation from the transferor employer.

Permits an employer to satisfy its liability with respect to a plan by reason of the treatment accorded under this Act in the event of a substantial cessation of operations at a facility by making contributions to the plan, in addition to any minimum required contribution, and in amount determined according to a specified formula, for each plan year in the seven-plan-year period beginning when the cessation occurred.

 Waives an employer's obligation to make such additional contributions, however, with respect to: (1) the first plan year (after the cessation occurs) for which the ratio of the market value of the plan assets to the plan's funding target for the plan year is 90% or greater, or (2) any plan year following such a year. Makes such a waiver permanent if the Secretary of the Treasury issues the funding waiver for a plan year within the seven-plan-year period beginning when the cessation occurred.

Prescribes requirements for enforcement of any additional plan contributions elected.

 Declares that, for purposes of this Act, an employer shall not be treated as ceasing operations at a qualified lodging facility (hotel, motel, or any other establishment more than half of whose dwelling units are used on a transient basis) if those operations are continued by an eligible independent contractor pursuant to an agreement with the employer.

amends employee retirement income security act erisa respect treatment substantial employer subject specified liability employer ceases operations facility location result percent total number employees participating employer single employer pension plan separated employment substantial employer liability referred specified current law liability substantial employer withdrawal termination single employer plans multiple controlled groups sec revises meaning substantial cessation operations eliminates requirement total number employer employees participate single employer plan separated employment exempts general rule single employer plan plan year preceding plan year substantial cessation operations occurred fewer participants accrued benefits plan valuation date ratio market value assets plan plan funding target plan year greater redefines substantial cessation operations permanent cessation operations facility results workforce reduction number eligible employees facility equivalent number employer eligible employees determined immediately earlier date employer decision implement cessation earliest date eligible employee separated employment case workforce reduction including eligible employees separation years cessation nonetheless related permanent cessation operations facility precludes taking account computing workforce reduction separated employee replaced reasonable period time facility located united_states citizen resident prescribes requirements treatment eligible separated employees portion operations substantially ceased subsequently conducted transferee employer reason sale disposition assets stock contributing sponsor member controlled group sponsor plan eliminates account computing workforce reduction eligible employee separated employment transferor employer employee replaced transferee employer reasonable period time citizen resident eliminates account computing workforce reduction eligible employee participates single employer plan maintained transferor employer transferee employer reasonable period time maintains single employer plan including assets liabilities attributable accrued benefit eligible employee time separation transferor employer declares eligible employee continues employed facility question transferee employer shall taken account computing workforce reduction eligible employee participant single employer plan maintained transferor employer case transferee employer reasonable period time maintains single employer plan including assets liabilities attributable accrued benefit eligible employee time separation transferor employer permits employer satisfy liability respect plan reason treatment accorded act event substantial cessation operations facility making contributions plan addition minimum required contribution determined according specified formula plan year seven plan year period beginning cessation occurred waives employer obligation additional contributions respect plan year cessation occurs ratio market value plan assets plan funding target plan year greater plan year following year makes waiver permanent secretary treasury issues funding waiver plan year seven plan year period beginning cessation occurred prescribes requirements enforcement additional plan contributions elected declares purposes act employer shall treated ceasing operations qualified lodging facility hotel motel establishment half dwelling units transient basis operations continued eligible independent contractor pursuant agreement employer


Summary:
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2014 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (SAA, 2008) to extend emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) payments for eligible individuals to weeks of employment ending on or before five months after enactment of this Act.

 Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until five months after enactment of this Act requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC.

 Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of such Act and 11 months after enactment of this Act from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)

 Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from December 31, 2013, to five months after enactment of this Act, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula.

 Amends the SAA, 2008 to appropriate funds out of the employment security administration account through FY2015 to assist states in providing reemployment and eligibility assessment activities.

Requires the provision of such activities to an individual, at a minimum, within a time period after he or she begins to receive Tier-1 EUC benefits, and if applicable, again within a time period after he or she begins to receive Tier-3 EUC benefits. Requires the Secretary of Labor to determine appropriate time periods.

Specifies the purposes of the activities, namely to:

 better link the unemployed with the overall workforce system by bringing individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits in for personalized assessments and referrals to reemployment services; and provide them with early access to specific strategies that can help get them back into the workforce faster, including through: (1) the development of a reemployment plan, (2) provision of access to relevant labor market information, (3) provision of access to information about industry-recognized credentials that are regionally relevant or nationally portable, (4) provision of referrals to reemployment services and training, and (5) an assessment of the individual's on-going eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2014, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits.

Makes a change in application of a certain requirement (nonreduction rule) to a state that has entered a federal-state EUC agreement, under which the federal government would reimburse the state's unemployment compensation agency making EUC payments to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under state or federal law and meet specified other criteria.

 (Under the nonreduction rule such an agreement does not apply with respect to a state whose method for computing regular unemployment compensation under state law has been modified to make the average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid on or after June 2, 2010, less than what would have been paid before June 2, 2010.)

 Declares that the nonreduction rule shall not apply to a state which has enacted a law before June 30, 2014, that, upon taking effect, would violate the nonreduction rule. Allows a state whose agreement was terminated, however, to enter into a subsequent federal-state EUC agreement on or after enactment of this Act if, taking into account this inapplicability of the nonreduction rule, it would otherwise meet the requirements for an EUC agreement. (Thus allows such a subsequent EUC agreement to permit payment of less than the average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid on or after June 2, 2010.)

Prohibits the use of federal funds to: (1) make payments of unemployment compensation to any individual whose adjusted gross income in the preceding year was at least $1 million; or (2) determine whether or not this prohibition applies to them.

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to:

 study the use of work suitability requirements to strengthen them to ensure that unemployment insurance benefits are being provided to individuals who are actively looking for work and truly want to return to the labor force; and brief Congress on the ongoing study, including preliminary recommendations for appropriate legislation and administrative action. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to revise the applicable percentages for determining minimum funding standards for single-employer defined benefit pension plans (funding stabilization). Exempts plans providing accelerated benefit distributions from the application of such standards.

Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend through FY2024 the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to collect customs user fees for the processing of certain merchandise.

emergency unemployment compensation extension act amends supplemental appropriations act saa extend emergency unemployment compensation euc payments eligible individuals weeks employment ending months enactment act amends assistance unemployed workers struggling families act extend months enactment act requirements federal payments states cover euc amends unemployment compensation extension act exempt weeks unemployment enactment act months enactment act prohibition federal-state_extended_unemployment_compensation_act fseuca federal matching payments state week individual eligibility period extended compensation sharable regular compensation paid state law provides payment regular compensation individual week compensable unemployment allows temporary federal matching week extended benefits states waiting period amends fseuca postpone similarly december months enactment act termination period state determine indicators according specified temporary substitutions formula amends saa appropriate funds employment security administration account fy2015 assist states providing reemployment eligibility assessment activities requires provision activities individual minimum time period begins receive tier-1 euc benefits applicable time period begins receive tier-3 euc benefits requires secretary labor determine appropriate time periods specifies purposes activities better link unemployed overall workforce system bringing individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits personalized assessments referrals reemployment services provide early access specific strategies help workforce faster including development reemployment plan provision access relevant labor market information provision access information industry recognized credentials regionally relevant nationally portable provision referrals reemployment services training assessment individual going eligibility unemployment insurance benefits amends railroad_unemployment_insurance_act extend december temporary increase extended unemployment benefits makes change application certain requirement nonreduction rule state entered federal state euc agreement federal government reimburse state unemployment compensation agency making euc payments individuals exhausted rights regular unemployment compensation state federal law meet specified criteria nonreduction rule agreement apply respect state method computing regular unemployment compensation state law modified average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid june paid june declares nonreduction rule shall apply state enacted law june taking effect violate nonreduction rule allows state agreement terminated enter subsequent federal state euc agreement enactment act taking account inapplicability nonreduction rule meet requirements euc agreement allows subsequent euc agreement permit payment average weekly unemployment compensation benefit paid june prohibits use federal funds payments unemployment compensation individual adjusted gross income preceding year million determine prohibition applies requires comptroller general gao study use work suitability requirements strengthen ensure unemployment insurance benefits provided individuals actively looking work truly want return labor force brief congress ongoing study including preliminary recommendations appropriate legislation administrative action amends employee retirement income security act erisa internal_revenue_code revise applicable percentages determining minimum funding standards single employer defined benefit pension plans funding stabilization exempts plans providing accelerated benefit distributions application standards amends consolidated_omnibus_budget reconciliation act extend fy2024 authority secretary treasury collect customs user fees processing certain merchandise


Summary:
Schedules That Work Act - Grants an employee the right to request that his or her employer change the terms and conditions of employment relating to:

 the number of hours or times the employee is required to work or be on call; the location; the amount of notification he or she receives of work schedule assignments; and minimizing fluctuations in the number of hours the employee is scheduled to work on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Requires the employer, if the request is made, to engage in a timely, good faith interactive process with the employee that includes a discussion of potential schedule changes that would meet his or her needs. Outlines the process for either granting or denying a change.

Requires the employer to grant a request, unless there is a bona fide business reason for denying it, if the request is made because of the employee's serious health condition, his or her responsibilities as a caregiver, or enrollment in a career-related educational or training program, or if a part-time employee requests such a change for a reason related to a second job.

Authorizes an employer, if an employee requests a change for any other reason, to deny it for any reason that is not unlawful. Requires the employer to give the employee the reason for the denial, including whether it was a bona fide business reason.

Outlines employer requirements for paying reporting time and split shift pay and for giving advance notice of work schedules to retail, food service, or cleaning employees, except for those in bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacities.

Makes it unlawful for any employer or other person to: (1) interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise or the attempt to exercise any right of an employee specified in this Act; (2) retaliate against an individual for exercising his or her rights, or (3) interfere with proceedings or inquiries with respect to violation of an individual's rights.

Sets forth administrative enforcement procedures and civil remedies for violation of these prohibitions.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to give information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning compliance with this Act.

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the impact of certain difficult scheduling practices on employees and employers.

Makes this Act inapplicable to any employee covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement if its terms govern work scheduling practices.

schedules work act grants employee right request employer change terms conditions employment relating number hours times employee required work location notification receives work schedule assignments minimizing fluctuations number hours employee scheduled work daily weekly monthly basis requires employer request engage timely good faith interactive process employee includes discussion potential schedule changes meet needs outlines process granting denying change requires employer grant request bona fide business reason denying request employee health condition responsibilities caregiver enrollment career related educational training program time employee requests change reason related second job authorizes employer employee requests change reason deny reason unlawful requires employer employee reason denial including bona fide business reason outlines employer requirements paying reporting time split shift pay giving advance notice work schedules retail food service cleaning employees bona fide executive administrative professional capacities makes unlawful employer person interfere restrain deny exercise attempt exercise right employee specified act retaliate individual exercising rights interfere proceedings inquiries respect violation individual rights sets forth administrative enforcement procedures civil remedies violation prohibitions directs secretary labor information technical assistance employers labor organizations general public concerning compliance act requires comptroller general gao study impact certain difficult scheduling practices employees employers makes act inapplicable employee covered bona fide collective bargaining agreement terms govern work scheduling practices


Summary:
Layoff Prevention Extension Act of 2014 - Amends the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 with respect to state short-time compensation programs that allow employers to reduce the workweek of their employees in lieu of layoffs.

Extends federal financing of the programs for an additional year.

Extends through December 31, 2015, the deadline for a state to submit to the Secretary of Labor its application for a short-time compensation program grant.

layoff prevention extension act amends middle class tax relief job creation act respect state short time compensation programs allow employers reduce workweek employees lieu layoffs extends federal financing programs additional year extends december deadline state submit secretary labor application short time compensation program grant


Summary:
Protecting Employees and Retirees in Municipal Bankruptcies Act of 2015

Amends federal bankruptcy law with respect to the requirement for a municipality to be a debtor under Chapter 9 (Adjustment of Debts of a Municipality) that the municipality has negotiated in good faith with creditors and failed to obtain the agreement of those holding at least a majority in amount of the claims of each class that the municipality intends to impair under a plan.

Requires that, with respect to creditors who are the municipality's employees or retirees, "good faith" has the same meaning as it does in the National Labor Relations Act.

Requires the municipality also to establish by clear and convincing evidence that it satisfies all eligibility criteria.

Repeals the limitation placed upon on court authority to issue a stay pending an appeal of an order for relief.

Amends the Judicial Code to confer upon the appropriate court of appeals jurisdiction of any appeal of a bankruptcy court determination that an entity is eligible to be a municipal debtor. Requires the appellate court to consider and determine such appeal on an expedited basis as a direct appeal, which shall be reviewed and heard de novo on the merits.

Requires the court to confirm the bankruptcy plan of a municipality which modifies a collective bargaining agreement or a retiree benefit in any manner otherwise prohibited by nonbankruptcy law if the plan is agreed to by the authorized representative of either the employees covered by collective bargaining or the individuals receiving the retiree benefits.

 Designates the labor organization signatory to a collective bargaining agreement as the authorized representative of individuals receiving retiree benefits covered by that agreement.

Sets forth procedures for court appointment of an authorized representative if a labor organization elects not to serve as one, or if the retired employees are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

protecting_employees retirees municipal bankruptcies act amends federal bankruptcy law respect requirement municipality debtor chapter adjustment debts municipality municipality negotiated good faith creditors failed obtain agreement holding majority claims class municipality intends impair plan requires respect creditors municipality employees retirees good faith meaning national_labor_relations_act requires municipality establish clear convincing evidence satisfies eligibility criteria repeals limitation placed court authority issue stay pending appeal order relief amends judicial code confer appropriate court appeals jurisdiction appeal bankruptcy court determination entity eligible municipal debtor requires appellate court consider determine appeal expedited basis direct appeal shall reviewed heard novo merits requires court confirm bankruptcy plan municipality modifies collective bargaining agreement retiree benefit manner prohibited law plan agreed authorized representative employees covered collective bargaining individuals receiving retiree benefits designates labor organization signatory collective bargaining agreement authorized representative individuals receiving retiree benefits covered agreement sets forth procedures court appointment authorized representative labor organization elects serve retired employees covered collective bargaining agreement


Summary:
Automatic IRA Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require certain employers who do not maintain qualifying retirement plans or arrangements to make available to their eligible employees a payroll deposit individual retirement account (IRA) arrangement (automatic IRA arrangement) which grants such employees the right to opt-out of participation; (2) require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide employers with a model notice for notifying employees of their opportunity to participate in an automatic IRA arrangement and to provide participants with an annual statement setting forth payments, earnings, value, and other specified information; (3) impose a penalty on employers who fail to provide eligible employees access to an automatic IRA arrangement; (4) allow employers who do not have more than 100 employees a tax credit for costs associated with establishing an automatic IRA arrangement; and (5) increase the dollar limitation on the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs.

Establishes an Automatic IRA Advisory Group to make recommendations regarding automatic IRA investment options.

Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to jointly conduct feasibility studies on: (1) extending spousal consent requirements to automatic IRA arrangements; (2) automatically transferring amounts saved by employees in retirement bonds into alternative, private sector, diversified investments when employees' automatic IRA balances reach a certain dollar level; (3) using investment data to notify individuals with multiple small balance retirement accounts of consolidation options; and (4) using investment arrangements associated with automatic IRAs to assist in addressing the problem of abandoned accounts.

Directs the Secretaries to prescribe administrative guidance for the use of multiple employer plans by December 31, 2015.

automatic ira act amends internal revenue code require certain employers maintain qualifying retirement plans arrangements available eligible employees payroll deposit individual retirement account ira arrangement automatic ira arrangement grants employees right opt participation require secretary treasury provide employers model notice notifying employees opportunity participate automatic ira arrangement provide participants annual statement setting forth payments earnings value specified information impose penalty employers fail provide eligible employees access automatic ira arrangement allow employers employees tax credit costs associated establishing automatic ira arrangement increase dollar limitation tax credit small employer pension plan startup costs establishes automatic ira advisory group recommendations automatic ira investment options requires secretary secretary labor jointly conduct feasibility studies extending spousal consent requirements automatic ira arrangements automatically transferring amounts saved employees retirement bonds alternative private sector diversified investments employees automatic ira balances reach certain dollar level investment data notify individuals multiple small balance retirement accounts consolidation options investment arrangements associated automatic iras assist addressing problem abandoned accounts directs secretaries prescribe administrative guidance use multiple employer plans december


Summary:
Retirement Security Act of 2015

 Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) prescribe final regulations to permit employers to participate in multiple employer pension benefit plans, (2) promulgate regulations or other guidance to simplify and clarify rules relating to the timing of participant notices required under tax-preferred pension plans and the automatic escalation rules, and (3) modify the 1040EZ tax return form to allow taxpayers to claim the tax credit for retirement savings (saver's credit) on such form.

Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer pension benefit plans, to: (1) allow employers to maintain a tax-exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan even if the employers sponsoring the plan share no common interest, (2) modify requirements for secure deferral arrangements with respect to nondiscrimination and employer matching contributions, and (3) allow employers with not more than 100 employees a business-related tax credit to cover increased matching contributions required by this Act.

retirement security act directs secretary treasury prescribe final regulations permit employers participate multiple employer pension benefit plans promulgate regulations guidance simplify clarify rules relating timing participant notices required tax preferred pension plans automatic escalation rules modify 1040ez tax return form allow taxpayers claim tax credit retirement savings saver credit form amends employee retirement income security act erisa internal_revenue_code respect employer pension benefit plans allow employers maintain tax exempt multiple employer pension benefit plan employers sponsoring plan share common interest modify requirements secure deferral arrangements respect nondiscrimination employer matching contributions allow employers employees business related tax credit cover increased matching contributions required act


Summary:
CEO-Employee Paycheck Fairness Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a publicly held corporation a tax deduction for the payment of performance-based remuneration in excess of $1 million to any of its current or former officers or directors if such corporation does not meet the pay fairness requirement established by this Act. Deems the pay fairness requirement to be satisfied if: (1) the average compensation paid by the employer for all applicable U.S. employees for the taxable year exceeds the inflation and productivity growth adjusted average (i.e., $118,450 in 2015) of such compensation for the preceding taxable year; and (2) the aggregate compensation paid by the employer to or for all applicable employees for the taxable year is not less than the aggregate of such compensation for the preceding taxable year.

ceo employee paycheck fairness act amends internal revenue code deny publicly held corporation tax deduction payment performance based remuneration excess million current officers directors corporation meet pay fairness requirement established act deems pay fairness requirement satisfied average compensation paid employer applicable employees taxable year exceeds inflation productivity growth adjusted average compensation preceding taxable year aggregate compensation paid employer applicable employees taxable year aggregate compensation preceding taxable year


Summary:
Permanent IRA Charitable Contribution Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the exclusion from gross income of distributions from individual retirement accounts made for charitable purposes.

(Sec. 3) This provision exempts the budgetary effects of this Act from entry on PAYGO scorecards under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

permanent ira charitable contribution act sec bill amends internal_revenue_code permanent exclusion gross income distributions individual retirement accounts charitable purposes sec provision exempts budgetary effects act entry paygo scorecards statutory pay act


Summary:
New IDEA Act or the New Illegal Deduction Elimination Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for wages and benefits paid to or on behalf of an unauthorized alien. Extends to six years the period for assessing and collecting underpayments of tax due to deductions claimed for wages paid to unauthorized aliens.

Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretaries of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Treasury to jointly establish a program to share information that may lead to the identification of unauthorized aliens. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide taxpayer identity information to the Commissioner of Social Security and the DHS Secretary on employers who paid nondeductible wages to unauthorized aliens and on the aliens to whom such wages were paid.

Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to: (1) make permanent the E-Verify Program for verifying the employment eligibility of alien workers, (2) apply such program to current employees in addition to new hires, (3) establish a rebuttable presumption that employers who participate in the E-Verify Program and obtain confirmation of identity and employment eligibility have not violated hiring requirements under such Act, and (4) allow employers participating in the E-Verify Program to make a conditional offer of employment pending final verification of the identity and employment eligibility of the job applicant.

new idea act amends internal revenue code deny tax deduction wages benefits paid behalf unauthorized alien extends years period assessing collecting underpayments tax deductions claimed wages paid unauthorized aliens directs commissioner social_security secretaries_of_homeland_security dhs treasury jointly establish program share information lead identification unauthorized aliens requires secretary treasury provide taxpayer identity information commissioner_of_social_security dhs secretary employers paid nondeductible wages unauthorized aliens aliens wages paid amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act permanent e-verify_program verifying employment eligibility alien workers apply program current employees addition new hires establish rebuttable presumption employers participate e-verify_program obtain confirmation identity employment eligibility violated hiring requirements act allow employers participating conditional offer employment pending final verification identity employment eligibility job applicant


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the special rule for the exclusion from gross income of amounts received by an employee from a governmental accident or health plan to include amounts paid from plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision.

amends internal revenue code expand special rule exclusion gross income amounts received employee governmental accident health plan include amounts paid plans established behalf state political subdivision


Summary:
Healthy Families Act

 Requires certain employers, who employ 15 or more employees for each working day during 20 or more workweeks a year, to permit each employee to earn at least 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked.

Authorizes small employers with fewer than 15 employees to provide the same paid sick time, but allows them to opt out. Requires any small employer that opts out to provide at least 56 hours of unpaid sick time to each employee per calendar year.

Declares that an employer shall not be required to permit an employee to earn more than 56 hours of paid sick time in a calendar year, unless the employer chooses to set a higher limit.

Allows employees to use such time to: (1) meet their own medical needs; (2) care for the medical needs of certain family members (including a domestic partner or the domestic partner's parent or child); or (3) seek medical attention, assist a related person, take legal action, or engage in other specified activities relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Prohibits an employer from interfering with an employee's exercise of such rights.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to exercise certain investigative and enforcement authority for employees covered by this Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, or the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991. Grants the same authority, for employees under their jurisdiction, to the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General, the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance, and the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Authorizes civil actions by employees, individuals, or their representatives for damages or equitable relief against employers who violate this Act.

Waives a state's sovereign immunity with respect to a suit brought by an employee of a federally-assisted state program or activity for relief authorized under this Act.

Requires the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to compile information annually on paid sick time and the Comptroller General to study related matters.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting or retaining more generous leave policies.

healthy_families_act requires certain employers employ employees working day workweeks year permit employee earn hour paid sick time hours worked authorizes small employers fewer employees provide paid sick time allows opt requires small employer provide hours unpaid sick time employee calendar year declares employer shall required permit employee earn hours paid sick time calendar year employer chooses set higher limit allows employees use time meet medical needs care medical needs certain family members including domestic partner domestic partner parent child seek medical attention assist related person legal action engage specified activities relating domestic violence sexual assault stalking prohibits employer interfering employee exercise rights directs secretary labor exercise certain investigative enforcement authority employees covered act family medical leave act government employee rights act grants authority employees jurisdiction librarian congress comptroller_general board_of_directors office_of_compliance merit_systems_protection_board authorizes civil actions employees individuals representatives damages equitable relief employers violate act waives state sovereign immunity respect suit brought employee federally assisted state program activity relief authorized act requires commissioner labor_statistics compile information annually paid sick time comptroller general study related matters declares act shall construed discourage employers adopting retaining generous leave policies


Summary:
Accountability in Unemployment Act of 2015

 Amends title III (Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation) of the Social Security Act to require state laws to deny unemployment compensation to applicants unless they undergo drug testing and test negative.

Requires a retest after a 30-day waiting period for applicants who test positive for any one of several specified drugs.

Denies unemployment compensation for five years to any applicant who tests positive for drugs three or more times.

accountability unemployment act amends title iii grants states unemployment compensation social security act require state laws deny unemployment compensation applicants undergo drug testing test negative requires day waiting period applicants test positive specified drugs denies unemployment compensation years applicant tests positive drugs times


Summary:
Flexibility for Working Families Act

Authorizes an employee to request from an employer a temporary or permanent change in the terms or conditions of the employee's employment if the request relates to: (1) the number of hours the employee is required to work, (2) the times when the employee is required to work or be on call for work, (3) where the employee is required to work, or (4) the amount of notification the employee receives of work schedule assignments. Sets forth certain employer duties with respect to such requests.

Makes it unlawful for an employer to interfere with any rights provided to an employee under this Act. Authorizes an employee to file a complaint with the Secretary of Labor for any violations of such rights. Provides for the investigation and assessment of civil penalties or the award of relief for alleged violations, including the review in federal courts of appeal of orders of the Secretary.

Requires the Secretary and certain federal agency administrative officers to provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public regarding compliance with this Act.

Requires the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor to issue guidance on compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act that provides a flexible work environment through changes in employee terms and conditions of employment provided in this Act.

Applies the requirements of this Act to certain classes of employees, including employees of the Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress.

flexibility working families act authorizes employee request employer temporary permanent change terms conditions employee employment request relates number hours employee required work times employee required work work employee required work notification employee receives work schedule assignments sets forth certain employer duties respect requests makes unlawful employer interfere rights provided employee act authorizes employee file complaint secretary labor violations rights provides investigation assessment civil penalties award relief alleged violations including review federal courts appeal orders secretary requires secretary certain federal agency administrative officers provide information technical assistance employers labor organizations general public compliance act requires administrator wage hour division department_of_labor issue guidance compliance fair labor standards act provides flexible work environment changes employee terms conditions employment provided act applies requirements act certain classes employees including employees government_accountability_office library_of_congress


Summary:
Employee Benefits Protection Act of 2015

 Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require the mandatory summary description of a group health plan to declare: (1) whether the plan permits either the plan sponsor or any participating employer to unilaterally modify or terminate plan benefits affecting employees, retirees, and beneficiaries; and (2) when and to what extent plan benefits are fully vested with respect to these individuals.

Presumes that retiree health benefits cannot be modified or terminated as of the date an employee retires or completes 20 years of service with the employer. Allows this presumption to be overcome only upon a showing, by clear and convincing evidence, that the employee, before becoming a plan participant, was made aware, in clear and unambiguous terms, that the plan allowed for such a modification or termination of benefits.

Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for a labor organization and employer to enter into a contract or agreement to modify a previous agreement in a manner that results in a reduction or termination of retiree health insurance benefits, if the modification occurs after the retiree's retirement date.

Directs the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on strategies used by corporations to avoid obligations to pay promised employee and retiree benefits.

employee benefits protection act amends employee retirement income security act erisa require mandatory summary description group health plan declare plan permits plan sponsor participating employer unilaterally modify terminate plan benefits affecting employees retirees beneficiaries extent plan benefits fully vested respect individuals presumes retiree health benefits modified terminated date employee retires completes years service employer allows presumption overcome showing clear convincing evidence employee plan participant aware clear unambiguous terms plan allowed modification termination benefits amends national_labor_relations_act unfair labor practice labor organization employer enter contract agreement modify previous agreement manner results reduction termination retiree health insurance benefits modification occurs retiree retirement date directs government_accountability_office report congress strategies corporations avoid obligations pay promised employee retiree benefits


Summary:
Vested Employee Pension Benefit Protection Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employees in the building and construction industry to make distributions from their tax-exempt multi-employer pension plan at age 55 if they are not separated from employment at the time of such distributions and were participants in such plan on or before April 30, 2013, and the plan provides for payment of separate accrued benefits when the employee attains the plan's normal retirement age. Suspends payment of distributions for such building and construction industry employees if their multi-employer plan is in endangered or critical status.

vested employee pension benefit protection act amends internal revenue code allow employees building construction industry distributions tax exempt multi employer pension plan age separated employment time distributions participants plan april plan provides payment separate accrued benefits employee attains plan normal retirement age suspends payment distributions building construction industry employees multi employer plan endangered critical status


Summary:
Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the $1 million limitation on the deductibility of employee compensation, to: (1) extend such limitation to any individual who is a current or former officer, director, or employee of a publicly-held corporation; (2) eliminate the exemption from such limitation for compensation payable on a commission basis or upon the attainment of a performance goal; and (3) make such limitation applicable to all publicly-held corporations that are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to register securities and provide periodic reports to their investors.

bonuses act amends internal revenue code respect million limitation deductibility employee compensation extend limitation individual current officer director employee publicly held corporation eliminate exemption limitation compensation payable commission basis attainment performance goal limitation applicable publicly held corporations required securities_and_exchange_commission register securities provide periodic reports investors


Summary:
Lifetime Income Disclosure Act

 Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require the quarterly pension benefit statement furnished to a participant or beneficiary with the right to direct the investment of assets in his or her account under an individual account plan to include a lifetime income disclosure at least once during any 12-month period.

Requires such lifetime income disclosure to set forth the lifetime income stream equivalent of the participant's or beneficiary's total benefits accrued. Defines a lifetime income stream equivalent of the total benefits accrued as the monthly annuity payment the participant or beneficiary would receive if those total accrued benefits were used to provide lifetime income streams to a qualified joint and survivor annuitant.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to:

 issue a model lifetime income disclosure, written in a manner which can be understood by the average plan participant; and prescribe assumptions that plan administrators may use in converting total accrued benefits into lifetime income stream equivalents. Declares that no plan fiduciary, plan sponsor, or other person shall have any liability under ERISA solely by reason of the provision of lifetime income stream equivalents derived in accordance with such assumptions and related rules and including explanations contained in the model lifetime income disclosure.

lifetime income disclosure act amends employee retirement income security act erisa require quarterly pension benefit statement furnished participant beneficiary right direct investment assets account individual account plan include lifetime income disclosure month period requires lifetime income disclosure set forth lifetime income stream equivalent participant beneficiary total benefits accrued defines lifetime income stream equivalent total benefits accrued monthly annuity payment participant beneficiary receive total accrued benefits provide lifetime income streams qualified joint survivor annuitant directs secretary labor issue model lifetime income disclosure written manner understood average plan participant prescribe assumptions plan administrators use converting total accrued benefits lifetime income stream equivalents declares plan fiduciary plan sponsor person shall liability erisa solely reason provision lifetime income stream equivalents derived accordance assumptions related rules including explanations contained model lifetime income disclosure


Summary: This bill requires that all monies designated for union health insurance plans or funds be, without exception, fully reciprocated to a worker's home health plan or fund.

bill requires monies designated union health insurance plans funds exception fully worker home health plan fund


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the additional 50% depreciation allowance, known as bonus depreciation, for depreciable business property (i.e., qualified property) placed in service after December 31, 2014. The term "qualified property" is modified to include qualified improvement property, in lieu of qualified leasehold improvement property, which is defined as any improvement to an interior portion of a building that is nonresidential real property if such improvement is placed in service after the date such building was first placed in service. The bill also increases by $8,000 (with an annual inflation adjustment after 2015) the maximum allowable depreciation deduction for a passenger automobile (i.e., any 4-wheeled vehicle that is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways and is rated at 6,000 pounds unloaded gross vehicle weight or less).

The bill also makes permanent the election to increase the alternative minium tax credit limitation in lieu of bonus depreciation for taxable years ending after December 31, 2014.

The bill allows an additional depreciation allowance for any specified plant that is planted, or grafted to a plant that has already been planted, by the taxpayer in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's farming business. The term "specified plant" means: (1) any tree or vine that bears fruits or nuts, and (2) any other plant that will have more than one yield of fruits or nuts and that generally has a period of more than two years from the time of planting or grafting to the time at which such plant begins bearing fruits or nuts. This allowance is applicable to specified plants planted or grafted after December 31, 2014.

(Sec. 2) The bill prohibits the entry of the budgetary effects of this Act on any PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

sec bill amends internal_revenue_code permanent additional depreciation allowance known bonus depreciation depreciable business property qualified property placed service december term qualified property modified include qualified improvement property lieu qualified leasehold improvement property defined improvement interior portion building nonresidential real property improvement placed service date building placed service bill increases annual inflation adjustment maximum allowable depreciation deduction passenger automobile wheeled vehicle manufactured primarily use public streets roads highways rated pounds unloaded gross vehicle weight bill makes permanent election increase alternative tax credit limitation lieu bonus depreciation taxable years ending december bill allows additional depreciation allowance specified plant planted plant planted taxpayer ordinary course taxpayer farming business term specified plant means tree vine bears fruits nuts plant yield fruits nuts generally period years time planting time plant begins bearing fruits nuts allowance applicable specified plants planted december sec bill prohibits entry budgetary effects act paygo scorecard maintained pursuant statutory pay act


Summary:
Receiving Electronic Statements To Improve Retiree Earnings Act

This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a document of any type that is required or permitted to be furnished to a retirement plan participant, beneficiary, or other individual to be furnished in electronic form if: (1) the system for furnishing such a document is designed to result in effective access to the document; (2) an annual paper notice is provided to each pension plan participant, beneficiary, or other individual that describes the selection of the specific electronic means for the furnishing of such document; and (3) the electronically-furnished document is prepared and furnished in an appropriate style and format and includes a notice that apprises the recipient of the significance of the document.

receiving electronic statements improve retiree earnings act bill amends employee retirement income security act erisa internal revenue code authorize document type required permitted furnished retirement plan participant beneficiary individual furnished electronic form system furnishing document designed result effective access document annual paper notice provided pension plan participant beneficiary individual describes selection specific electronic means furnishing document electronically furnished document prepared furnished appropriate style format includes notice recipient significance document


Summary:
Group Term Life Insurance Increase Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limit on the amount of employer-provided group term life insurance that an employee may exclude from his or her gross income for income tax purposes. Currently, an employee may exclude from gross income up to $50,000 of the cost of such insurance plus any amount paid by the employee for the purchase of such insurance. The bill increases the $50,000 limit to $375,000, and adjusts such increased limit for inflation in taxable years beginning after 2015.

bill amends internal_revenue_code increase limit employer provided group term life insurance employee exclude gross income income tax purposes currently employee exclude gross income cost insurance plus paid employee purchase insurance bill increases limit adjusts increased limit inflation taxable years beginning


Summary:
Keep Our Pension Promises Act

This bill repeals the elimination of the pension anti-cutback provisions under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014. The anti-cutback provisions prohibit reductions in pension benefits to participants in multiemployer pension plans.

The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a plan sponsor of an eligible multiemployer plan to petition the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for a partition of a financially-troubled pension plan. PBGC is required to establish a legacy fund to cover the administrative and benefit costs resulting from a partition..

The bill amends the federal bankruptcy code to assign first claim priority to pension obligations under ERISA.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a limit of $1 million on the exemption of the gain from the exchange of real property in a like kind exchange, (2) prohibit the use of like kind exchanges for collectibles, (3) establish estate valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets, and (4) limit estate tax discounts for certain individuals with minority interests in a business acquired from a decedent.

bill repeals elimination pension anti provisions multiemployer pension reform act anti provisions prohibit reductions pension benefits participants multiemployer pension plans bill amends employee retirement income security act erisa allow plan sponsor eligible multiemployer plan petition pension_benefit_guaranty_corporation partition financially troubled pension plan pbgc required establish legacy fund cover administrative benefit costs resulting partition bill amends federal bankruptcy code assign claim priority pension obligations erisa bill amends internal_revenue_code impose limit million exemption gain exchange real property like kind exchange prohibit use like kind exchanges collectibles establish estate valuation rules certain transfers nonbusiness assets limit estate tax discounts certain individuals minority interests business acquired decedent


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-free rollovers from tax-exempt retirement plans, annuities, and deferred compensation plans into a simple individual retirement account.

amends internal revenue code allow tax free rollovers tax exempt retirement plans annuities deferred compensation plans simple individual retirement account


Summary:
Schedules That Work Act

Grants an employee the right to request that his or her employer change the terms and conditions of employment relating to:

 the number of hours or times the employee is required to work or be on call; the location; the amount of notification he or she receives of work schedule assignments; and minimizing fluctuations in the number of hours the employee is scheduled to work on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Requires the employer, if the request is made, to engage in a timely, good faith interactive process with the employee that includes a discussion of potential schedule changes that would meet his or her needs. Outlines the process for either granting or denying a change.

Requires the employer to grant a request, unless there is a bona fide business reason for denying it, if the request is made because of the employee's serious health condition, his or her responsibilities as a caregiver, or enrollment in a career-related educational or training program, or if a part-time employee requests such a change for a reason related to a second job.++_

Authorizes an employer, if an employee requests a change for any other reason, to deny it for any reason that is not unlawful. Requires the employer to give the employee the reason for the denial, including whether it was a bona fide business reason.

Outlines employer requirements for paying reporting time and split shift pay and for giving advance notice of work schedules to retail, food service, or cleaning employees, or the Department of Labor's (DOL) designated employees, except for those in bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacities.

Makes it unlawful for any employer or other person to: (1) interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise or the attempt to exercise any right of an employee specified in this Act; (2) retaliate against an individual for exercising his or her rights, or (3) interfere with proceedings or inquiries with respect to violation of an individual's rights.

Sets forth administrative enforcement procedures and civil remedies for violation of these prohibitions.

Directs DOL to give information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning compliance with this Act.

Directs DOL, acting through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of the Census to: (1) include in the Current Population Survey questions on, among other things, the amount of fluctuation in the number of hours the employee is scheduled to work on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis; and (2) conduct at regular intervals the Contingent Worker Supplement, the Work Schedules and Work at Home Supplement, and other relevant supplements to the Current Population Survey.

Makes this Act inapplicable to any employee covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement if its terms govern work scheduling practices.

schedules work act grants employee right request employer change terms conditions employment relating number hours times employee required work location notification receives work schedule assignments minimizing fluctuations number hours employee scheduled work daily weekly monthly basis requires employer request engage timely good faith interactive process employee includes discussion potential schedule changes meet needs outlines process granting denying change requires employer grant request bona fide business reason denying request employee health condition responsibilities caregiver enrollment career related educational training program time employee requests change reason related second authorizes employer employee requests change reason deny reason unlawful requires employer employee reason denial including bona fide business reason outlines employer requirements paying reporting time split shift pay giving advance notice work schedules retail food service cleaning employees department_of_labor dol designated employees bona fide executive administrative professional capacities makes unlawful employer person interfere restrain deny exercise attempt exercise right employee specified act retaliate individual exercising rights interfere proceedings inquiries respect violation individual rights sets forth administrative enforcement procedures civil remedies violation prohibitions directs dol information technical assistance employers labor organizations general public concerning compliance act directs dol acting bureau_of_labor_statistics bureau_of_the_census include current population survey questions things number hours employee scheduled work daily weekly monthly basis conduct regular intervals relevant supplements current population survey makes act inapplicable employee covered bona fide collective bargaining agreement terms govern work scheduling practices


Summary:
Pension Accountability Act

This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules for voting on the suspension of pension benefits under multiemployer plans in endangered or critical status. The bill changes the voting procedure for suspending plan benefits to provide that a suspension shall go into effect unless a majority of plan participants and beneficiaries who cast a vote (currently, a majority of all plan participants and beneficiaries) reject the suspension. The bill also eliminates the authority of the Department of the Treasury, in the case of systemically important plans, to override a vote of plan participants to reject a suspension. A plan is systemically important if projected financial assistance to the plan will exceed $1 billion if suspensions are not implemented.

pension accountability act bill amends employee retirement income security act erisa internal_revenue_code revise rules voting suspension pension benefits multiemployer plans endangered critical status bill changes voting procedure suspending plan benefits provide suspension shall effect majority plan participants beneficiaries cast vote currently majority plan participants beneficiaries reject suspension bill eliminates authority department_of_the_treasury case systemically important plans override vote plan participants reject suspension plan systemically important projected financial assistance plan exceed billion suspensions implemented


Summary:
Small Businesses Add Value for Employees Act of 2015 or the SAVE Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to employer-established simple individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and pension plans, to:

 repeal restrictions on rollovers from simple IRAs to qualified retirement plans; allow employers to elect to terminate simple IRAs at any time during the year; repeal the increased 25% penalty on premature distributions from simple IRAs within the first two plan years; allow additional nonelective employer contributions to simple IRAs not exceeding 10% of compensation; establish automatic deferral IRAs to permit the automatic enrollment of employees earning at least $5,000 in a preceding year; establish secure deferral arrangements for automatically enrolling employees at 6% of pay with annual increases; allow small employers a new tax credit for the cost of adopting safe harbor requirements for secure deferral arrangements; allow a transfer of unused benefits in a flexible spending arrangement to a qualified retirement or eligible deferred compensation plan; increase the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs; and establish multiple small employer retirement plans that provide for automatic employee contributions. The bill requires: (1) the Department of the Treasury to promulgate regulations regarding the timing of notices to participants in automatic contribution pension plans; (2) the Office of Financial Education of Treasury to develop and implement an outreach plan to educate small businesses on the types and benefits of available retirement plans; (3) Treasury and the Department of Labor to develop recommendations for small businesses to improve retirement outcomes; and (4) Treasury, in consultation with the Department of Education, to develop age-appropriate financial literacy curricula for elementary and secondary schools.

The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to: (1) exempt IRAs that permit payroll deductions from additional pension plan requirements, (2) require disclosures relating to lifetime income from pension plans and annuities, and (3) set forth safe harbor criteria for the selection of an annuity contract and an insurer.

small businesses add value employees act save act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect employer established simple individual retirement accounts iras pension plans repeal restrictions rollovers simple iras qualified retirement plans allow employers elect terminate simple iras time year repeal increased penalty premature distributions simple iras plan years allow additional nonelective employer contributions simple iras exceeding compensation establish automatic deferral iras permit automatic enrollment employees earning preceding year establish secure deferral arrangements automatically enrolling employees pay annual increases allow small employers new tax credit cost adopting safe harbor requirements secure deferral arrangements allow transfer unused benefits flexible spending arrangement qualified retirement eligible deferred compensation plan increase tax credit small employer pension plan startup costs establish multiple small employer retirement plans provide automatic employee contributions bill requires department_of_the_treasury promulgate regulations timing notices participants automatic contribution pension plans treasury develop implement outreach plan educate small businesses types benefits available retirement plans treasury department_of_labor develop recommendations small businesses improve retirement outcomes treasury consultation department_of_education develop age appropriate financial literacy curricula elementary secondary schools bill amends employee retirement income security act erisa exempt iras permit payroll deductions additional pension plan requirements require disclosures relating lifetime income pension plans annuities set forth safe harbor criteria selection annuity contract insurer


Summary:
Church Plan Clarification Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of church pension plans, to: (1) provide that an organization otherwise eligible to participate in a church plan shall not be aggregated with another such organization and treated as a single employer with it unless one such organization provides at least 80% of the operating funds for the other organization during the recipient organization's preceding tax year and there is a degree of common management or supervision between the organizations, (2) adopt benefit accrual limitations for church defined benefit plans established before 1982, and (3) allow transfers and mergers of qualified church retirement plans.

The bill also: (1) preempts any state law relating to wage, salary, or payroll payment, collection, deduction, garnishment, assignment, or withholding that would directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the inclusion in any church plan of an automatic contribution arrangement; and (2) allows church plans and their supporting organizations to invest plan assets in a group trust (as defined by Internal Revenue Service Revenue Rulings).

church plan clarification act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect tax treatment church pension plans provide organization eligible participate church plan shall aggregated organization treated single employer organization provides operating funds organization recipient organization preceding tax year degree common management supervision organizations adopt benefit accrual limitations church defined benefit plans established allow transfers mergers qualified church retirement plans bill preempts state law relating wage salary payroll payment collection deduction garnishment assignment withholding directly indirectly prohibit restrict inclusion church plan automatic contribution arrangement allows church plans supporting organizations invest plan assets group trust defined internal_revenue_service_revenue_rulings


Summary:
Women's Pension Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to: (1) extend spousal consent requirements to defined contribution pension plans, and (2) allow certain long-term part-time workers to participate in pension plans that include either a qualified cash or deferred arrangement or a salary reduction agreement.

Financial product or service providers who sell retirement financial products or services must provide purchasers of their products or services an easily accessible link to the website of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to obtain information relating to retirement planning or later life economic security.

The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor shall award grants to certain community-based organizations to improve the financial literacy of women who are working age or in retirement.

bill amends employee retirement income security act erisa extend spousal consent requirements defined contribution pension plans allow certain long term time workers participate pension plans include qualified cash deferred arrangement salary reduction agreement financial product service providers sell retirement financial products services provide purchasers products services easily accessible link website bureau_of_consumer_financial_protection obtain information relating retirement planning later life economic security shall award grants certain community based organizations improve financial literacy women working age retirement


Summary:
Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act

This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to modify requirements related to fiduciaries and the provision of investment advice for employer-sponsored retirement plans. It also prohibits the Department of Labor from implementing regulations changing the definition of "fiduciary" unless Congress affirmatively approves the rule.

(Under current law, a person who provides investment advice has a fiduciary obligation that requires the person to provide advice in the sole interest of plan participants and beneficiaries.) This bill amends the statutory definition of fiduciary by adding a definition of investment advice. It also adds a new statutory prohibited transaction exemption for transactions related to the provision of investment advice.

(Sec. 2) The bill specifies that the purpose is to provide that advisors are subject to liability under ERISA if they: (1) provide advice that is impermissible under the prohibited transaction provisions, or (2) breach the best interest standard for the provision of investment advice.

(Sec. 3) The bill defines "investment advice," as it relates to fiduciary duties under ERISA, as a recommendation that relates to:

 the advisability of acquiring, holding, disposing, or exchanging any moneys or other property of a plan by the plan, plan participants, or plan beneficiaries, including any recommendation on whether to take a distribution of benefits from the plan or any recommendation relating to the investment of any moneys or other property of the plan to be distributed from the plan; the management of moneys or other property of the plan, including recommendations relating to the management of moneys or other property to be distributed from the plan; or the advisability of retaining or ceasing to retain a person who would receive a fee or other compensation for providing any of these types of advice. For a recommendation to be considered investment advice, it must be rendered pursuant to either:

 a written acknowledgment of the obligation of the investment advisor to act in accordance with fiduciary standards under ERISA; or a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding (which may include limitations on the scope, timing, and responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring or advice services) between the person making the recommendation and the plan that the recommendation is individualized to the plan and the plan intends to materially rely on the recommendation in making investment or management decisions with respect to any moneys or other property of the plan. Any disclaimer of a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding with respect to a recommendation must be limited to specified language indicating that the information is not individualized or intended to be materially relied on in making investment or management decisions for the plan.

The bill specifies circumstances under which information that is provided with certain disclosures, by certain individuals, or that is limited to certain non-individualized content is not treated as a recommendation made pursuant to a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding for purposes of the definition of investment advice and must include a disclaimer.

The bill establishes an exemption from ERISA prohibited transactions rules for certain transactions related to the provision of investment advice if the following conditions are met:

 no more than reasonable compensation is paid for the advice; if the advice is based on a limited range of investment options, which may consist of proprietary products, the limitations are clearly disclosed to the recipient prior to any transaction based on the advice using a notice that also indicates that the same or similar investments may be available at a different cost from other sources; and if the advice may result in variable compensation to the investment advisor, the receipt of the compensation is clearly disclosed to the advice recipient prior to any transaction based on the advice. A recommendation will not fail to qualify for the exemption solely because the person, acting in good faith and with reasonable diligence, makes an error or omission in disclosing the required information if the disclosure occurs as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after the person knows of the error or omission.

The Department of Labor may not amend any rules or administrative positions promulgated under, or applicable for purposes of, the ERISA statutory definition of fiduciary. No rule or administrative position promulgated by DOL on the subject before the date of enactment of the bill but not effective on January 1, 2015, may become effective unless legislation specifically approving the rules or administrative positions is enacted no later than 60 days after the enactment of this bill.

The bill sets forth effective dates and transition rules.

bill amends employee retirement income security act erisa modify requirements related fiduciaries provision investment advice employer sponsored retirement plans prohibits department_of_labor implementing regulations changing definition fiduciary congress affirmatively approves rule current law person provides investment advice fiduciary obligation requires person provide advice sole interest plan participants beneficiaries bill amends statutory definition fiduciary adding definition investment advice adds new statutory prohibited transaction exemption transactions related provision investment advice sec bill specifies purpose provide advisors subject liability erisa provide advice impermissible prohibited transaction provisions breach best interest standard provision investment advice sec bill defines investment advice relates fiduciary duties erisa recommendation relates advisability acquiring holding disposing exchanging moneys property plan plan plan participants plan beneficiaries including recommendation distribution benefits plan recommendation relating investment moneys property plan distributed plan management moneys property plan including recommendations relating management moneys property distributed plan advisability retaining ceasing retain person receive fee compensation providing types advice recommendation considered investment advice rendered pursuant written acknowledgment obligation investment advisor act accordance fiduciary standards erisa mutual agreement arrangement understanding include limitations scope timing responsibility provide ongoing monitoring advice services person making recommendation plan recommendation individualized plan plan intends materially rely recommendation making investment management decisions respect moneys property plan disclaimer mutual agreement arrangement understanding respect recommendation limited specified language indicating information individualized intended materially relied making investment management decisions plan bill specifies circumstances information provided certain disclosures certain individuals limited certain non individualized content treated recommendation pursuant mutual agreement arrangement understanding purposes definition investment advice include disclaimer bill establishes exemption erisa prohibited transactions rules certain transactions related provision investment advice following conditions met reasonable compensation paid advice advice based limited range investment options consist proprietary products limitations clearly disclosed recipient prior transaction based advice notice indicates similar investments available different cost sources advice result variable compensation investment advisor receipt compensation clearly disclosed advice recipient prior transaction based advice recommendation fail qualify exemption solely person acting good faith reasonable diligence makes error omission disclosing required information disclosure occurs soon practicable later days person knows error omission department_of_labor amend rules administrative positions promulgated applicable purposes erisa statutory definition fiduciary rule administrative position promulgated dol subject date enactment bill effective january effective legislation specifically approving rules administrative positions enacted later days enactment bill bill sets forth effective dates transition rules