This report discusses the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provides one-time benefit payments to persons who may have developed cancer or other specified diseases after being exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing or uranium mining, milling, or transporting.

This report provides an overview of the relationship between executive and legislative authority over national security information, and summarizes the current laws that form the legal framework protecting classified information -- including current executive orders and some agency regulations pertaining to the handling of unauthorized disclosures of classified information by government officers and employees. The report also summarizes criminal laws that pertain specifically to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information, as well as civil and administrative penalties, and some recent developments.

This report discusses information on extant Department of Defense (DOD) reform proposals being considered during the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act debates. It includes key provisions incorporated in H.R. 4909, the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) reported by the House Armed Services Committee on May 4, 2016 (H.Rept. 114-537), and S. 2943, the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act reported by the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 18, 2016 (S.Rept. 114-255).

This report discusses the Berry and Kissell amendments, two separate but closely-related laws requiring that certain goods purchased by national security agencies be produced in the United States.

This report provides information and analysis on the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) to provide background for current negotiations over softwood lumber.

This report discusses legislation (H.R. 1311, S. 517) regarding providing a waiver for ethanol-fuel blends containing greater than 10% ethanol (E15) from the Clean Air Act's (CAA) strict requirements on volatility of gasoline. This requirement currently prevents E15 gas from being sold during the summer. Major points of the legislation, various types of waivers and current rules under the CAA for gasoline and possible options for Congress are discussed.

This report provides background information and data that may be useful for policymakers evaluating the recent debates regarding health services to disadvantaged populations at Planned Parenthood Health Centers (PPAHCs) and whether the same services could be offered at other health centers. Although a number of other facility types could potentially provide similar services as PPAHCs, this report focuses on federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)--a term used interchangeably with health centers or community health centers--because these facilities have been the focus of recent policy discussions, including the American Health Care Act of 2017 (H.R. 1628, AHCA) in the 115th Congress. This report provides information on three central dimensions of health care. For one health facility to begin to provide services to patients that had previously been seen at a different facility, one could argue that the receiving facility should provide similar services, serve a similar population, and be located in a similar geographic area.This report provides national-level data on these three dimensions.

This report discusses past and current energy tax incentives and their effects. The following sections estimate the value of tax incentives relative to the level of energy produced using fossil and renewable energy resources. Before proceeding with the analysis, some limitations are outlined. The analysis itself requires quantification of energy production and energy tax incentives. Once data on energy production and energy tax incentives have been presented, the value of energy tax incentives can be evaluated relative to current levels of energy production. Trends in tax incentives are also discussed.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the civil commitment of sexually violent predators, the operation of the Texas Civil Commitment Office, and certain related offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the inclusion of education and training regarding human trafficking in the curriculum of commercial driver's license training programs offered by public junior colleges and career schools and colleges and to certain requirements for commercial driver's licenses.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the participation of deregulated telecommunications companies in the lifeline program.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the authority of certain persons to defer or abate the collection of ad valorem taxes on a person's residence homestead.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the creation of the Trinity Lakes Municipal Utility District of Montgomery County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to providing road district powers to the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 131; providing authority to issue bonds.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to taxes and fees imposed on cigarettes and other tobacco products, including an exemption to the cigarette tax, related administrative matters, and the elements of certain related offenses.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the creation of the Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 224; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to providing road powers to the Wood Trace Municipal Utility District No. 1, of Montgomery County, Texas; providing authority to issue bonds.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 154; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the availability of certain hotel occupancy tax information.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to continuing education requirements for county tax assessor-collectors.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the composition of the Texas Historical Commission.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to providing road district powers to the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 130; providing authority to issue bonds.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to bill payment assistance programs offered by certain municipalities.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to providing road district powers to the Wood Trace Municipal Utility District No. 3 of Montgomery County, Texas; providing authority to issue bonds.