Congress completed work on the FY '06 Transportation Appropriations bill before Thanksgiving and the president is expected to sign it. The bill funds highways at the SAFETEA-LU provided level for FY '06 of $36 billion. Work has been completed on nine of the 11 FY 2006 appropriations bills.

The following chart provides an update on issues of importance to the aggregates industry. If you have any questions, please contact NSSGA's Government Affairs division.

Bill	House Action	Senate Action	Outcome
SAFETEA-LU	The conference report on H.R. 3 passed the House 7/29/05 on a vote of 412-8.	The conference report on H.R. 3 passed the Senate 7/29/05 on a vote of 91-4.	Signed by the president and became Public Law No. 109-059 on 8/10/05. Provides $286.4 billion over six years for transportation projects, including $193.2 billion over five years for the nation's highway systems. It contains most of the NSSGA recommendations for reauthorization including increased investment, environmental streamlining, and funding for aggregates research.
FY 2006 Transportation-Treasury-HUD Appropriations	H.R. 3058 passed the House 6/30/05 on a vote of 405-18.	H.R. 3058 passed the Senate as amended 10/20/05 on a vote of 93-1.	Conference Report H. Rept. 109-307 cleared the House on a vote of 392-31 and the Senate approved it without objection on 11/18/05. Presidential signature pending. Funds highways at $36 billion for FY 2006.
FY 2006 Congressional Budget Resolution	H. Con. Res. 95 passed the House 3/17/05 on a vote of 218-214.	S. Con. Res. 18 passed the Senate 3/17/05 on a vote of 51-49.	Conference Report H. Rept. 109-62 cleared the House and Senate 4/28/05.
Budget Reconciliation (Spending Cuts)	H.R. 4241 passed the House 11/18/05 on a vote of 217-215.	S. 1932 passed the Senate 11/3/05 on a vote of 52-47.	House-Senate conference pending. The Senate bill includes ANWR provisions eliminated from the House bill. The section of the House bill supporting mining schools has been deleted. It is not included in the Senate bill.
Asbestos Trust Fund	H.R. 1360 introduced 3/17/05 and referred to the Committees on the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services.H.R. 1957 introduced 4/28/05 and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	S. 852 introduced 4/19/05 and referred to Judiciary Committee where it was marked up 4/28/05-5/25/05. Reported out of committee 6/16/05. Most recent committee hearing held 11/17/05.	The Senate Majority Leader has named S. 852 as the first item on the Senate's 2006 legislative agenda. The bill includes the accurate definition of asbestos as advocated by NSSGA.
Endangered Species Act Reform	H.R. 3824 passed the House 9/29/05 on a vote of 229-193.	Received in the Senate 9/30/05 and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.	Senate action not expected until 2006. The House bill makes sound science reforms to ESA supported by NSSGA.
Permanent Repeal of the Death Tax	H.R. 8 passed the House 4/13/05 on a vote of 272-162.	Senate has not yet voted on H.R. 8.	Senate action is targeted for late Feb. 2006 following the President's Day congressional recess. NSSGA is a member of the Death Tax Working Group that supports permanent repeal essential to the well-being of family-owned businesses.
Eminent Domain	H.R. 4128 passed the House 11/3/05 on a vote of 376-38.	S. 1313 introduced 6/27/05 and referred to Judiciary Committee. Most recent hearing held 9/20/05.	Eminent domain legislation would bar federal funds from going to communities that exercise their power of eminent domain for purposes of economic development to transfer private property from one private owner to another.
Class Action Lawsuit Reform	S. 5 passed the House 2/10/05 on a vote of 279-149.	S. 5 passed the Senate 2/10/05 on a vote of 72-26.	Signed by the president and became Public Law No. 109-002 on 2/18/05. Amends the procedures that apply to interstate class action lawsuits, allowing them to be removed to federal court rather than proceeding in state courts where outcomes may differ from state to state.
Association Health Plans	H.R. 525 passed the House 7/26/05 on a vote of 263-165.	Received in the Senate 7/27/05 and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.	No Senate action is expected until 2006. The bill would permit members of trade associations, particularly small businesses, to pool together for purposes of purchasing more affordable health insurance coverage for their employees - a position long supported by NSSGA.
Fax Ban Exemption	S. 714 agreed to by the House 6/28/05 on a voice vote.	S. 714 passed the Senate 6/24/05 with amendments by Unanimous Consent	Signed by the president and became Public Law No. 109-021 on 7/9/05. Codifies the "Existing Business Relationship" exemption for purposes of sending unsolicited commercial faxes, which NSSGA advocated.