Congressional Action On Pension Reform Expected In The Fall; ACEC Watching Closely Rep. Bill Thomas (R-CA) Comprehensive pension reform legislation is expected to be considered in the House and Senate when Congress returns from the August recess. Already, two Congressional committees have approved pension legislation, with a third—the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee—expected to act in early September. ACEC is monitoring committee action closely. Key issues for ACEC member firms include the development of interest rate rules for benefit plans that will simplify how employers measure their pension obligations. The new rules also will give employers more predictability and certainty about their future pension costs. Congress is also expected to consider guidelines governing 401(k) plans, including mandatory benefit statements and procedures for the diversification of company stock. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) plans on incorporating the House Education and the Workforce's Pension Protection Act (H.R. 2830) into a broad retirement security package, which could also encompass Social Security reforms, 401(k) provisions, and tax provisions.

ACEC/PAC Events Are Social Highlights Of Fall Conference The upcoming ACEC Fall Conference, September 21-24 at Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida makes it easy and fun for attendees to enjoy the very best of the Disney World experience—and support ACEC/PAC. ACEC members can choose from a variety of ACEC/PAC-sponsored activities including: a sweepstakes raffle to win one of Harley-Davidson's most popular touring bikes—the Road King Classic®; a golf outing at Disney's prestigious Eagle Pines Golf Course; or a spectacular Dessert Party and Laser Light Show at Epcot. Participation in these and other ACEC/PAC-sponsored events helps support the A/E industry's premier political tool to elect pro-business candidates to Congress. Fall Conference ACEC/PAC events include: ACEC/PAC Sweepstakes Raffle Grand Prize: A 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King® Classic! You'll feel like you're on top of the world when you bring the EFI Twin Cam 88® powertrain to life. Best of all, ticket sales are being capped at 300 tickets, enhancing your odds of winning! The winner will be announced at Saturday's breakfast, September 24. You do not have to be present to win. Cost: $200 per ticket (limited to five tickets per person). Bass Fishing Tournament, Friday, September 23, 6:30am–10:30am Let expert guides take you on Florida's Butler Chain Lake—one of bass fishing's best kept secrets. All fishing equipment is included along with breakfast, cold drinks and transportation. Cost: $250 per person Dessert Party and Laser Light Show at Epcot®, September 23, 8pm–9:30pm Enjoy an evening of world class desserts while experiencing up-close the premier nighttime spectacular IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth from a prime viewing location in the park. Cost: $125 (limited to first 100 tickets). Golf Outing on Disney's Eagle Pines Golf Course, September 24, 12:15pm–5:30pm Take on the rolling fairways and surrounding wetlands that give Eagle Pines' Carolina-style course a unique look and matchless challenge. ACEC/PAC "19th Hole" Reception included. Cost: $290 per person. For more information about ACEC/PAC and the events at the Fall Conference, and to register, please contact ACEC/PAC Director Corie Simmons at (202) 347-7474 or csimmons@acec.org. Click here for general Conference information.

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