Administrative Appeals in the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service (open access)

Administrative Appeals in the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service

This report describes Congressional interest in the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) appeal process due to rumors that it affects the BLM's capacity to handle various resources. Moreover, the report defines what an administrative appeal is, and describes the process required to undertake one. The report also lists the various types of administrative appeals.
Date: March 28, 2012
Creator: Alexander, Katrina
System: The UNT Digital Library
Colombia: Background, U.S. Relations, and Congressional Interest (open access)

Colombia: Background, U.S. Relations, and Congressional Interest

Report that contains information related to the internal revolutionary and narcotic conflicts of Colombia the past and present relationship between Colombia and the United States.
Date: November 28, 2012
Creator: Beittel, June S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy (open access)

Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy

This report discusses the revolution and current conflict in Libya. The current crisis was triggered in mid-February 2011 by a chain of events in Benghazi and other eastern cities that quickly spiraled out of Qadhafi's control. Although Libyan opposition groups had called for a so-called "day of rage" on February 17 to commemorate protests that had occurred five years earlier, localized violence erupted prior to the planned national protests. As of April 25, U.S. and coalition officials stated that coalition military operations had destroyed the ability of the Libyan military to control Libyan airspace and had reduced the capability of Libyan ground forces by roughly 30%-40%.
Date: March 28, 2012
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Issues in the U.S. Ratification Debate (open access)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Issues in the U.S. Ratification Debate

None
Date: November 28, 2012
Creator: Blanchfield, Luisa; Brougher, Cynthia & DeBergh, James V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones: Background and Issues for Congress

Members of Congress have demonstrated their interest in the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) system through hearings and legislation over the past seven decades. The program may enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, support employment opportunities, and impact U.S. tariff revenues. Balancing these potential gains, others argue that the program may also be trade distorting, and may play a role in misallocating resources in the economy as a whole. This report provides a general perspective on the U.S. FTZ system. It is divided into three parts. As background, the first section discusses free trade zones worldwide. The second section focuses on the U.S. FTZ program—its history, administrative mechanism, structure, growth and industry concentration, and benefits and costs. The third section focuses on current issues for Congress relating to the U.S. FTZ program.
Date: August 28, 2012
Creator: Bolle, Mary Jane & Williams, Brock R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Community Development Block Grants: Funding Issues in the 112th Congress and Recent Funding History (open access)

Community Development Block Grants: Funding Issues in the 112th Congress and Recent Funding History

This report discusses funding Issues in the 112th Congress and Recent Funding History The Administration's FY2012 budget proposes to: (1) increase funding for CDBG formula grants by 10.5% from $3.303 billion appropriated in FY2010 to $3.691 billion; (2) eliminate funding for the Neighborhood Initiative and Economic Development Initiative programs; (3) eliminate funding for Section 107 activities; (4) transfer its Sustainable Communities Initiative to a new stand-alone account; and (5) convert Section 108 loan guarantees to a fee-based program.
Date: June 28, 2012
Creator: Boyd, Eugene
System: The UNT Digital Library
Weather-Related Power Outages and Electric System Resiliency (open access)

Weather-Related Power Outages and Electric System Resiliency

This report focuses on the impacts of sustained power outages as might result from the result of seasonal storms, and whether there is a role for the federal government in hastening the restoration of power from weather-related outages.
Date: August 28, 2012
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Internet Firearm and Ammunition Sales (open access)

Internet Firearm and Ammunition Sales

This report discusses the sale of firearms and ammunition over the Internet, with a focus on the extent to which federal law regulates such activity.
Date: August 28, 2012
Creator: Chu, Vivian S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector (open access)

Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector

This report examines the possibility of damage to or destruction of the nation's water supply and water quality infrastructure by terrorist attack or natural disaster, which could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threatening public health and the environment, or possibly causing loss of life. Interest in such problems increased after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
Date: November 28, 2012
Creator: Copeland, Claudia
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Application to the Internet (open access)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Application to the Internet

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides broad nondiscrimination protection in employment, public services, public accommodations, and services operated by private entities, transportation, and telecommunications for individuals with disabilities. As stated in the act, its purpose is "to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities".
Date: March 28, 2012
Creator: DeBergh, James V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Stealing Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage: An Overview of 18 U.S.C. 1831 and 1832 (open access)

Stealing Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage: An Overview of 18 U.S.C. 1831 and 1832

Report that gives an overview of 18 U.S.C. 1832 (theft of trade secrets) and 18 U.S.C. 1831 (economic espionage). It also describes what constitutes as a stolen trade secret, and how such crimes are prosecuted.
Date: August 28, 2012
Creator: Doyle, Charles
System: The UNT Digital Library
Military Construction: A Snapshot of the President's FY2013 Appropriations Request (open access)

Military Construction: A Snapshot of the President's FY2013 Appropriations Request

This report looks at President Obama's FY2013 budget request, which included an $11.2 billion for military construction appropriations.
Date: February 28, 2012
Creator: Else, Daniel H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Funding of Presidential Nominating Conventions: Overview and Policy Options (open access)

Federal Funding of Presidential Nominating Conventions: Overview and Policy Options

None
Date: June 28, 2012
Creator: Garrett, R. Sam & Reese, Shawn
System: The UNT Digital Library
International Corporate Tax Rate Comparisons and Policy Implications (open access)

International Corporate Tax Rate Comparisons and Policy Implications

This report focuses on the global issues relating to tax rate differentials between the United States and other countries. It provides tax rate comparisons; discusses policy implications, including the effect of a corporate rate cut on revenue, output, and national welfare; and discusses the outlook for and consequences of a revenue neutral corporate tax reform.
Date: December 28, 2012
Creator: Gravelle, Jane G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dispute Settlement in the World Trade Organization (WTO): An Overview (open access)

Dispute Settlement in the World Trade Organization (WTO): An Overview

This report describes the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), which is the World Trade Organization's (WTO) means of resolving disputes arising under WTO agreements. The report includes criticisms of certain flaws in the DSU, as well as WTO Members' suggestions for improvement. The report also describes the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which represents the United States in WTO disputes, and discusses pieces of legislation that dictate procedures for specifically the United States in instances of WTO disputes.
Date: August 28, 2012
Creator: Grimmett, Jeanne J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities (open access)

Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities

This report discusses the physical security at nuclear power plants and concerns of radiological sabotage, a deliberate act against a plant that could directly or indirectly endanger public health and safety through exposure to radiation.
Date: August 28, 2012
Creator: Holt, Mark & Andrews, Anthony
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of the “Buffett Rule” (open access)

An Analysis of the “Buffett Rule”

This report is an Analysis of the “Buffett Rule”.
Date: March 28, 2012
Creator: Hungerford, Thomas L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Disability Retirement for Federal Employees (open access)

Disability Retirement for Federal Employees

This report is categorized into two categories: (I) Sick Leave and (II) Disability Retirement. Disability Retirement is further categorized into three categories such as (I) Civil Service Retirement System, (II) Federal Employees' Retirement System and (III) Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
Date: December 28, 2012
Creator: Isaacs, Katelin P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Financial Action Task Force: An Overview (open access)

The Financial Action Task Force: An Overview

This report provides an overview of the task force and of its progress to date in gaining broad international support for its recommendation.
Date: November 28, 2012
Creator: Jackson, James K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran Sanctions (open access)

Iran Sanctions

This report looks at the purposes and results of U.S. sanctions on Iran, which were initiated as a result of Iran's nuclear program and human rights issues. It ends by discussing future issues that Congress can consider regarding the sanctions.
Date: March 28, 2012
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran Sanctions (open access)

Iran Sanctions

The objective of sanctions-to compel Iran to verifiably demonstrate that its nuclear program is for purely peaceful uses-has not been achieved to date. The international coalition that is imposing progressively strict economic sanctions on Iran is broadening and deepening, with increasingly significant effect on Iran's economy. U.S. officials believe that these sanctions might yet cause Iran to return to the nuclear bargaining table with greater seriousness and intent toward peaceful resolution. The report discusses the effect of these sanctions as well as the pros and cons of increasing sanction.
Date: March 28, 2012
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Deductibility of Corporate Campaign Expenditures (open access)

Deductibility of Corporate Campaign Expenditures

This report discusses Disallowance of Deduction for Political Expenditures and Constitutionality of IRC Section 162(e).
Date: February 28, 2012
Creator: Lunder, Erika K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Services Block Grant: Background and Funding (open access)

Social Services Block Grant: Background and Funding

This report discusses the background and funding information of the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). Topics include the use of the funds provided by the grant, its funding history, and its proposed repeal.
Date: August 28, 2012
Creator: Lynch, Karen E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Contracting Programs for Alaska Native Corporations: Historical Development and Legal Authorities (open access)

Contracting Programs for Alaska Native Corporations: Historical Development and Legal Authorities

This report discusses historical development and legal authorities related to contracting programs for Alaska Native Corporations.
Date: November 28, 2012
Creator: Manuel, Kate M.; Luckey, John R. & Smith, Jane M.
System: The UNT Digital Library