[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2111 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2111

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax benefits for 
  small businesses, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to 
           increase the minimum wage, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 7, 2001

  Mr. Quinn introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
   Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined 
 by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
        fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax benefits for 
  small businesses, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to 
           increase the minimum wage, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Tax 
Fairness Act of 2001''.
    (b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly 
provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in 
terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, 
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other 
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    (c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; references; table of contents.
                   TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS PROVISIONS

Sec. 101. Deduction for 100 percent of health insurance costs of self-
                            employed individuals.
Sec. 102. Increase in expense treatment for small businesses.
Sec. 103. Increased deduction for meal expenses.
Sec. 104. Increased deductibility of business meal expenses for 
                            individuals subject to Federal limitations 
                            on hours of service.
Sec. 105. Income averaging for farmers and fishermen not to increase 
                            alternative minimum tax liability.
Sec. 106. Repeal of occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, 
                            wine, and beer.
                    TITLE II--REAL ESTATE PROVISIONS

              Subtitle A--Private Activity Bond Volume Cap

Sec. 201. Acceleration of phase-in of increase in volume cap on private 
                            activity bonds.
 Subtitle B--Exclusion From Gross Income for Certain Forgiven Mortgage 
                              Obligations

Sec. 202. Exclusion from gross income for certain forgiven mortgage 
                            obligations.
     TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OF 1938

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Minimum Wage.

                   TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS PROVISIONS

SEC. 101. DEDUCTION FOR 100 PERCENT OF HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS OF SELF-
              EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 162(l) is amended to read 
as follows:
            ``(1) Allowance of deduction.--In the case of an individual 
        who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), 
        there shall be allowed as a deduction under this section an 
        amount equal to 100 percent of the amount paid during the 
        taxable year for insurance which constitutes medical care for 
        the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse and dependents.''.
    (b) Clarification of Limitations on Other Coverage.--The first 
sentence of section 162(l)(2)(B) is amended to read as follows: 
``Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any taxpayer for any calendar month 
for which the taxpayer participates in any subsidized health plan 
maintained by any employer (other than an employer described in section 
401(c)(4)) of the taxpayer or the spouse of the taxpayer.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 102. INCREASE IN EXPENSE TREATMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 179(b) (relating to 
dollar limitation) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) Dollar limitation.--The aggregate cost which may be 
        taken into account under subsection (a) for any taxable year 
        shall not exceed $30,000.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 103. INCREASED DEDUCTION FOR MEAL EXPENSES.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 274(n) (relating to only 
50 percent of meal and entertainment expenses allowed as deduction) is 
amended by striking ``50 percent'' in the text and inserting ``the 
allowable percentage''.
    (b) Allowable Percentages.--Subsection (n) of section 274 is 
amended by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and 
(4), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (1) the following 
new paragraph:
            ``(2) Allowable percentage.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
        the allowable percentage is--
                    ``(A) in the case of amounts for items described in 
                paragraph (1)(B), 50 percent, and
                    ``(B) in the case of expenses for food or 
                beverages, 60 percent (55 percent for taxable years 
                beginning during 2001).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--The heading for subsection (n) of 
section 274 is amended by striking ``50 Percent'' and inserting 
``Limited Percentages''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 104. INCREASED DEDUCTIBILITY OF BUSINESS MEAL EXPENSES FOR 
              INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO FEDERAL LIMITATIONS ON HOURS OF 
              SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (4) of section 274(n) (relating to 
limited percentages of meal and entertainment expenses allowed as 
deduction), as redesignated by section 103, is amended to read as 
follows:
            ``(4) Special rule for individuals subject to federal hours 
        of service.--In the case of any expenses for food or beverages 
        consumed while away from home (within the meaning of 
section 162(a)(2)) by an individual during, or incident to, the period 
of duty subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department 
of Transportation, paragraph (2)(B) shall be applied by substituting 
`80 percent' for the percentage otherwise applicable under paragraph 
(2)(B).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 105. INCOME AVERAGING FOR FARMERS AND FISHERMEN NOT TO INCREASE 
              ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX LIABILITY.

    (a) In General.--Section 55(c) (defining regular tax) is amended by 
redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3) and by inserting after 
paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Coordination with income averaging for farmers and 
        fishermen.--Solely for purposes of this section, section 1301 
        (relating to averaging of farm and fishing income) shall not 
        apply in computing the regular tax.''.
    (b) Allowing Income Averaging for Fishermen.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1301(a) is amended by striking 
        ``farming business'' and inserting ``farming business or 
        fishing business,''.
            (2) Definition of elected farm income.--
                    (A) In general.--Clause (i) of section 
                1301(b)(1)(A) is amended by inserting ``or fishing 
                business'' before the semicolon.
                    (B) Conforming amendment.--Subparagraph (B) of 
                section 1301(b)(1) is amended by inserting ``or fishing 
                business'' after ``farming business'' both places it 
                occurs.
            (3) Definition of fishing business.--Section 1301(b) is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Fishing business.--The term `fishing business' means 
        the conduct of commercial fishing as defined in section 3 of 
        the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
        (16 U.S.C. 1802).''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 106. REPEAL OF OCCUPATIONAL TAXES RELATING TO DISTILLED SPIRITS, 
              WINE, AND BEER.

    (a) Repeal of Occupational Taxes.--
            (1) In general.--The following provisions of part II of 
        subchapter A of chapter 51 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
        (relating to occupational taxes) are hereby repealed:
                    (A) Subpart A (relating to proprietors of distilled 
                spirits plants, bonded wine cellars, etc.).
                    (B) Subpart B (relating to brewer).
                    (C) Subpart D (relating to wholesale dealers) 
                (other than sections 5114 and 5116).
                    (D) Subpart E (relating to retail dealers) (other 
                than section 5124).
                    (E) Subpart G (relating to general provisions) 
                (other than sections 5142, 5143, 5145, and 5146).
            (2) Nonbeverage domestic drawback.--Section 5131 is amended 
        by striking ``, on payment of a special tax per annum,''.
            (3) Industrial use of distilled spirits.--Section 5276 is 
        hereby repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1)(A) The heading for part II of subchapter A of chapter 
        51 and the table of subparts for such part are amended to read 
        as follows:

                  ``PART II--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

                              ``Subpart A. Manufacturers of stills.
                              ``Subpart B. Nonbeverage domestic 
                                        drawback claimants.
                              ``Subpart C. Recordkeeping by dealers.
                              ``Subpart D. Other provisions.''.
            (B) The table of parts for such subchapter A is amended by 
        striking the item relating to part II and inserting the 
        following new item:

                              ``Part II. Miscellaneous provisions.''.
            (2) Subpart C of part II of such subchapter (relating to 
        manufacturers of stills) is redesignated as subpart A.
            (3)(A) Subpart F of such part II (relating to nonbeverage 
        domestic drawback claimants) is redesignated as subpart B and 
        sections 5131 through 5134 are redesignated as sections 5111 
        through 5114, respectively.
            (B) The table of sections for such subpart B, as so 
        redesignated, is amended--
                    (i) by redesignating the items relating to sections 
                5131 through 5134 as relating to sections 5111 through 
                5114, respectively; and
                    (ii) by striking ``and rate of tax'' in the item 
                relating to section 5111, as so redesignated.
            (C) Section 5111, as redesignated by subparagraph (A), is 
        amended--
                    (i) by striking ``and rate of tax'' in the section 
                heading;
                    (ii) by striking ``(a) Eligibility for Drawback.--
                ''; and
                    (iii) by striking subsection (b).
            (4) Part II of subchapter A of chapter 51 is amended by 
        adding after subpart B, as redesignated by paragraph (3), the 
        following new subpart:

                 ``Subpart C--Recordkeeping by Dealers

                              ``Sec. 5121. Recordkeeping by wholesale 
                                        dealers.
                              ``Sec. 5122. Recordkeeping by retail 
                                        dealers.
                              ``Sec. 5123. Preservation and inspection 
                                        of records, and entry of 
                                        premises for inspection.''.
            (5)(A) Section 5114 (relating to records) is moved to 
        subpart C of such part II and inserted after the table of 
        sections for such subpart.
            (B) Section 5114 is amended--
                    (i) by striking the section heading and inserting 
                the following new heading:

``SEC. 5121. RECORDKEEPING BY WHOLESALE DEALERS.'';

                and
                    (ii) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
                (d) and by inserting after subsection (b) the following 
                new subsection:
    ``(c) Wholesale Dealers.--For purposes of this part--
            ``(1) Wholesale dealer in liquors.--The term `wholesale 
        dealer in liquors' means any dealer (other than a wholesale 
        dealer in beer) who sells, or offers for sale, distilled 
        spirits, wines, or beer, to another dealer.
            ``(2) Wholesale dealer in beer.--The term `wholesale dealer 
        in beer' means any dealer who sells, or offers for sale, beer, 
        but not distilled spirits or wines, to another dealer.
            ``(3) Dealer.--The term `dealer' means any person who 
        sells, or offers for sale, any distilled spirits, wines, or 
        beer.
            ``(4) Presumption in case of sale of 20 wine gallons or 
        more.--The sale, or offer for sale, of distilled spirits, 
        wines, or beer, in quantities of 20 wine gallons or more to the 
        same person at the same time, shall be presumptive evidence 
        that the person making such sale, or offer for sale, is engaged 
        in or carrying on the business of a wholesale dealer in liquors 
        or a wholesale dealer in beer, as the case may be. Such 
        presumption may be overcome by evidence satisfactorily showing 
        that such sale, or offer for sale, was made to a person other 
        than a dealer.''.
            (C) Paragraph (3) of section 5121(d), as so redesignated, 
        is amended by striking ``section 5146'' and inserting ``section 
        5123''.
            (6)(A) Section 5124 (relating to records) is moved to 
        subpart C of part II of subchapter A of chapter 51 and inserted 
        after section 5121.
            (B) Section 5124 is amended--
                    (i) by striking the section heading and inserting 
                the following new heading:

``SEC. 5122. RECORDKEEPING BY RETAIL DEALERS.'';

                    (ii) by striking ``section 5146'' in subsection (c) 
                and inserting ``section 5123''; and
                    (iii) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
                (d) and inserting after subsection (b) the following 
                new subsection:
    ``(c) Retail Dealers.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Retail dealer in liquors.--The term `retail dealer in 
        liquors' means any dealer (other than a retail dealer in beer) 
        who sells, or offers for sale, distilled spirits, wines, or 
        beer, to any person other than a dealer.
            ``(2) Retail dealer in beer.--The term `retail dealer in 
        beer' means any dealer who sells, or offers for sale, beer, but 
        not distilled spirits or wines, to any person other than a 
        dealer.
            ``(3) Dealer.--The term `dealer' has the meaning given such 
        term by section 5121(c)(3).''.
            (7) Section 5146 is moved to subpart C of part II of 
        subchapter A of chapter 51, inserted after section 5122, and 
        redesignated as section 5123.
            (8) Part II of subchapter A of chapter 51 is amended by 
        inserting after subpart C the following new subpart:

                     ``Subpart D--Other Provisions

                              ``Sec. 5131. Packaging distilled spirits 
                                        for industrial uses.
                              ``Sec. 5132. Prohibited purchases by 
                                        dealers.''.
            (9) Section 5116 is moved to subpart D of part II of 
        subchapter A of chapter 51, inserted after the table of 
        sections, redesignated as section 5131, and amended by 
        inserting ``(as defined in section 5121(c))'' after ``dealer'' 
        in subsection (a).
            (10) Subpart D of part II of subchapter A of chapter 51 is 
        amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:

``SEC. 5132. PROHIBITED PURCHASES BY DEALERS.

    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary, it shall be unlawful for a dealer to purchase distilled 
spirits from any person other than a wholesale dealer in liquors who is 
required to keep the records prescribed by section 5121.
    ``(b) Penalty and Forfeiture.--

                                ``For penalty and forfeiture provisions 
applicable to violations of subsection (a), see sections 5687 and 
7302.''.
            (11) Subsection (b) of section 5002 is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``section 5112(a)'' and inserting 
                ``section 5121(c)(3)'';
                    (B) by striking ``section 5112'' and inserting 
                ``section 5121(c)''; and
                    (C) by striking ``section 5122'' and inserting 
                ``section 5122(c)''.
            (12) Subparagraph (A) of section 5010(c)(2) is amended by 
        striking ``section 5134'' and inserting ``section 5114''.
            (13) Subsection (d) of section 5052 is amended to read as 
        follows:
    ``(d) Brewer.--For purposes of this chapter, the term `brewer' 
means any person who brews beer or produces beer for sale. Such term 
shall not include any person who produces only beer exempt from tax 
under section 5053(e).''.
            (14) The text of section 5182 is amended to read as 
        follows:

                                ``For provisions requiring 
recordkeeping by wholesale liquor dealers, see section 5112, and by 
retail liquor dealers, see section 5122.''.
            (15) Subsection (b) of section 5402 is amended by striking 
        ``section 5092'' and inserting ``section 5052(d)''.
            (16) Section 5671 is amended by striking ``or 5091''.
            (17)(A) Part V of subchapter J of chapter 51 is hereby 
        repealed.
            (B) The table of parts for such subchapter J is amended by 
        striking the item relating to part V.
            (18)(A) Sections 5142, 5143, and 5145 are moved to 
        subchapter D of chapter 52, inserted after section 5731, 
        redesignated as sections 5732, 5733, and 5734, respectively, 
        and amended--
                    (i) by striking ``this part'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``this subchapter''; and
                    (ii) by striking ``this subpart'' in section 
                5732(c)(2) (as so redesignated) and inserting ``this 
                subchapter''.
            (B) Section 5732, as redesignated by subparagraph (A), is 
        amended by striking ``(except the tax imposed by section 
        5131)'' each place it appears.
            (C) Subsection (c) of section 5733, as redesignated by 
        subparagraph (A), is amended by striking paragraph (2) and by 
        redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
            (D) The table of sections for subchapter D of chapter 52 is 
        amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

                              ``Sec. 5732. Payment of tax.
                              ``Sec. 5733. Provisions relating to 
                                        liability for occupational 
                                        taxes.
                              ``Sec. 5734. Application of State 
                                        laws.''.
            (E) Section 5731 is amended by striking subsection (c) and 
        by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
            (19) Subsection (c) of section 6071 is amended by striking 
        ``section 5142'' and inserting ``section 5732''.
            (20) Paragraph (1) of section 7652(g) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``subpart F'' and inserting 
                ``subpart B''; and
                    (B) by striking ``section 5131(a)'' and inserting 
                ``section 5111(a)''.
            (21) The table of sections for subchapter D of chapter 51 
        is amended by striking the item relating to section 5276.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on July 1, 2001, but shall not apply to taxes imposed for 
periods before such date.

                    TITLE II--REAL ESTATE PROVISIONS

              Subtitle A--Private Activity Bond Volume Cap

SEC. 201. ACCELERATION OF PHASE-IN OF INCREASE IN VOLUME CAP ON PRIVATE 
              ACTIVITY BONDS.

    (a) In General.--The table contained in section 146(d)(2) (relating 
to per capita limit; aggregate limit) is amended to read as follows:
      

 
       ``Calendar Year           Per Capita Limit      Aggregate Limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2001.......................         $55.00            $165,000,000
  2002.......................          60.00             180,000,000
  2003.......................          65.00             195,000,000
  2004, 2005, and 2006.......          70.00             210,000,000
  2007 and thereafter........          75.00           225,000,000.''.

    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to calendar years beginning after 2000.

 Subtitle B--Exclusion From Gross Income for Certain Forgiven Mortgage 
                              Obligations

SEC. 202. EXCLUSION FROM GROSS INCOME FOR CERTAIN FORGIVEN MORTGAGE 
              OBLIGATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 108(a) (relating to 
exclusion from gross income) is amended by striking ``or'' at the end 
of both subparagraphs (A) and (C), by striking the period at the end of 
subparagraph (D) and inserting ``, or'', and by inserting after 
subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) in the case of an individual, the 
                indebtedness discharged is qualified residential 
                indebtedness.''.
    (b) Qualified Residential Indebtedness Shortfall.--Section 108 
(relating to discharge of indebtedness) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection:
    ``(h) Qualified Residential Indebtedness.--
            ``(1) Limitations.--The amount excluded under subparagraph 
        (E) of subsection (a)(1) with respect to any qualified 
        residential indebtedness shall not exceed the excess (if any) 
        of--
                    ``(A) the outstanding principal amount of such 
                indebtedness (immediately before the discharge), over
                    ``(B) the sum of--
                            ``(i) the amount realized from the sale of 
                        the real property securing such indebtedness 
                        reduced by the cost of such sale, and
                            ``(ii) the outstanding principal amount of 
                        any other indebtedness secured by such 
                        property.
            ``(2) Qualified residential indebtedness.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified residential 
                indebtedness' means indebtedness which--
                            ``(i) was incurred or assumed by the 
                        taxpayer in connection with real property used 
                        as the principal residence (within the meaning 
                        of section 121) of the taxpayer and is secured 
                        by such real property,
                            ``(ii) is incurred or assumed to acquire, 
                        construct, reconstruct, or substantially 
                        improve such real property, and
                            ``(iii) with respect to which such taxpayer 
                        makes an election to have this paragraph apply.
                    ``(B) Refinanced indebtedness.--Such term shall 
                include indebtedness resulting from the refinancing of 
                indebtedness under subparagraph (A)(ii), but only to 
                the extent the amount of the indebtedness resulting 
                from such refinancing does not exceed the amount of the 
                refinanced indebtedness.
                    ``(C) Exceptions.--Such term shall not include 
                qualified farm indebtedness or qualified real property 
                business indebtedness.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (2) of section 108(a) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and (D)'' and 
                inserting ``(D), and (E)''; and
                    (B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as 
                follows:
                    ``(B) Insolvency exclusion takes precedence over 
                qualified farm exclusion; qualified real property 
                business exclusion; and qualified residential shortfall 
                exclusion.--Subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) of 
                paragraph (1) shall not apply to a discharge to the 
                extent the taxpayer is insolvent.''.
            (2) Paragraph (1) of section 108(b) is amended by striking 
        ``or (C)'' and inserting ``(C), or (E)''.
            (3) Subsection (c) of section 121 of such Code is amended 
        by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Special rule relating to discharge of indebtedness.--
        The amount of gain which (but for this paragraph) would be 
        excluded from gross income under subsection (a) with respect to 
        a principal residence shall be reduced by the amount excluded 
        from gross income under section 108(a)(1)(E) with respect to 
        such residence.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to discharges after December 31, 2000.

     TITLE III--AMENDMENTS TO THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OF 1938

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Minimum Wage Increase Act of 
2001''.

SEC. 302. MINIMUM WAGE.

    Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 
206(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, not 
        less than--
                    ``(A) $5.15 an hour beginning September 1, 1997,
                    ``(B) $5.65 an hour beginning September 1, 2001, 
                and
                    ``(C) $6.15 an hour beginning April 1, 2002;''.
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