United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Amends the Organic Act of Guam to revise the local judicial structure of Guam to vest judicial authority, not only in the District Court of Guam (as currently), but also in a unified judicial system composed of: (1) an appellate court designated as the "Supreme Court of Guam"; (2) a trial court designated as the "Superior Court of Guam"; and (3) such other lower local courts as may have been or may hereafter be established by the laws of Guam. Authorizes the Supreme Court of Guam to create divisions of the Superior Court and other local courts of Guam. Lists the courts of record for Guam. Outlines the jurisdiction and powers of the local courts. Provides that the qualifications and duties of the justices and judges of the courts shall be governed by the laws of Guam and the rules of such courts. Repeals provisions granting the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit jurisdiction to review all final decisions of the Supreme Court of Guam (effectively allowing direct review of such decisions to the Supreme Court of the United States).
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Urges the President to authorize the transfer of ownership of one of the bells taken from the town of Balangiga on the island of Samar, Philippines, which are currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, to the Philippine people as a measure of friendship, good will, and cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital and nursing home care and medical services, on the same basis as provided to veterans, to a Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout who resides in the United States as a citizen or lawfully admitted alien, provided that the Secretary first certifies that sufficient resources are available at the facilities at which the majority of such veterans or Scouts would receive such care and services.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Establishes a standard for access to care for veterans seeking care from the Department of Veterans Affairs of 30 days from the date the veteran contacts the Department seeking an appointment until the date on which a visit with a primary care provider is completed, or 30 days from the date on which the veteran is referred for specialty care until that date on which a visit with an appropriate specialty care provider is completed. Directs the Secretary to develop and disseminate an appropriate standard of waiting time between the time a veteran's visit is scheduled and the time the veteran is seen by the provider. Requires periodic review of the performance of Department facilities compared to that standard. Requires the Secretary, when unable to meet the standard for access to care, to furnish health care and services for that veteran in a non-Department facility.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Transit in Parks Act - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Transportation to establish and administer a transit in parks program to encourage and promote the development of mass transportation systems in the National Park System for improving visitor mobility and enjoyment, reducing pollution and congestion, and protecting park resources. Sets forth requirements for such program, including the development of transportation plans for units of the National Park System and the making of grants and contracts for the planning, engineering, design, and evaluation of mass transportation projects in such units and for capital projects and investment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY 2005 130 percent of the amount obligated during FY 2003. Adjusts the amount provided for fiscal years after FY 2005 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of other persons eligible but not enrolled who are provided care, multiplied by the per capital baseline amount for FY 2003, as increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits the availability of such funds for: (1) construction, acquisition, or alteration of veterans' medical facilities (other than for repairs provided for before the date of enactment of this Act); or (2) grants for the construction of State home facilities for the furnishing of veterans' domiciliary, nursing home, and hospital care.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Working Taxpayer Fairness Restoration Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the refundability of the child tax credit, to accelerate the increase to the 15 percent rate. Limits, to fair market value immediately following a transaction, the importation of net built-in loss by a corporation. Prohibits an allocation of any decrease in the adjusted basis of partnership property to stock in a corporation which is a partner in the partnership. Repeals part V (Financial Asset Securitization Investment Trusts) of subchapter M (Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts). Expands the definition of a disqualified debt instrument with respect to deduction disallowance on certain debt instruments of corporations. Expands the authority to disallow deductions, credits, or other allowances under provisions disallowing such benefits due to acquisitions made to evade or avoid income tax. Amends provisions affecting passive foreign investment companies to state that the term "qualified portion" (of a shareholder's holding period) does not include any period if there is only a remote likelihood of an inclusion in gross income under subpart F (Controlled Foreign Income). Adds to the definition of the term "real estate investment trust" by stating that such term includes a corporation, trust, or association which is not a controlled entity. Directs the Secretary to establish a program requiring the payment of user fees, until September 30, 2013, for: (1) requests to the Internal Revenue Service for ruling letters, opinion letters, and determination letters; and (2) other similar requests.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2003
Species Protection and Conservation of the Environment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make renewable two-year Aldo Leopold Native Heritage Grants for harmful nonnative species control projects to States, local governments, interstate or regional agencies, or private persons with adequate personnel, funding, and authority to carry out and monitor or maintain such a project. Authorizes a grant to a State to carry out an assessment project to: (1) identify harmful nonnative species occurring in the State; (2) assess the needs to restore, manage, or enhance native fish and wildlife and their natural habitats and processes; (3) identify priorities for actions to address such needs; (4) identify mechanisms to increase capacity building in a State or across State lines to conserve and protect native fish and wildlife and their habitats and to detect and control harmful nonnative species within the State; and (5) incorporate, where applicable, the guidelines of the National Management Plan referred to in Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999, and entitled Meeting the Invasive Species Challenge. Authorizes the Secretary to assist financially a rapid response to outbreaks of harmful nonnative species when rapid eradication or control is possible. Establishes: (1) the National Invasive Species Council to provide leadership and coordination among Federal agencies, and between the Federal Government and State and local governments; and (2) the Invasive Species Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the ocean is of paramount importance to the economic future, environmental quality, and national security of the United States; (2) the United States has a responsibility to exercise and promote comprehensive stewardship and understanding of the ocean and the living marine resources it contains; and (3) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe a National Oceans Week with appropriate recognition, programs, ceremonies, and activities to further ocean literacy, education, and exploration.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Tribal Government Amendments to the Homeland Security Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include the participation of Indian tribes with respect to activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security, including information analysis and infrastructure protection, science and technology, the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security, emergency preparedness and response, treatment of charitable trusts for members of the Armed Forces and other governmental organizations, coordination with non-Federal entities, and training of law enforcement officers by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms of the Department of Justice. Amends the Cyber Security Enhancement Act of 2002, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA Patriot Act), and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to include Indian tribes among the participating entities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the space science learning center in Downey, California, should be designated as the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center; and (2) the Federal Government, along with public and private organizations and persons, should continue to cooperate in the establishment of such center.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
National War Permanent Tribute Historical Database Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish and maintain the National War Permanent Tribute Historical Database for identifying and cataloging the many thousands of permanent tributes that commemorate U.S. military conflicts and the service and sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces. Requires the Database to be publicly accessible through the Internet or other means in a format that permits the public to submit information for the purpose of updating and expanding the Database. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress assessing the efficacy and desirability of establishing a permanent fund within the Treasury for the repair, restoration, and maintenance of the memorials identified and cataloged.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Insular Areas Tax Credit Guarantee Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the coordination of United States and certain possession individual income taxes, to direct the United States to pay to: (1) any possession whose income tax laws mirror the Code an amount equal to the refundable portions of the child care and earned income credits paid by such possession; and (2) Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands, the amount of taxes withheld from Federal personnel who are temporarily assigned or deployed in such possession for more that 30 days in a calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2003
Children's Vision Improvement and Learning Readiness Act of 2003 - Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States for the purposes of: (1) providing comprehensive eye examinations for children identified as being at high risk of vision impairment, with priority to go to children under nine years old; (2) providing subsequent treatment or services necessary to correct vision problems; and (3) developing and disseminating educational materials with regard to the need and benefits of comprehensive eye examinations for children. Directs the Secretary to develop criteria for the collection of data related to vision assessment and the utilization of followup services. Directs the Secretary to coordinate the grant program, as appropriate, with other Federal and State programs that provide services to children. Requires a State to submit an application to the Secretary in order to receive a grant, which shall include a plan for the use of the grant. Requires a State to submit to the Secretary an annual evaluation of the operations and activities carried out under a grant.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2003
Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2003 - Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to uterine fibroids. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate to the public information regarding uterine fibroids, including on: (1) the elevated risk for minority women; and (2) the availability of a range of treatment options. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on uterine fibroids, including on: (1) the elevated risk for minority women; and (2) and treatment options.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain in recognition of his contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to strike such medal and authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Taxpayer Savings and Employee Notification Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in gross income from nonqualified company-owned life insurance contracts (as defined by this Act) income and death benefits (amounts exceeding reported income and premiums). States that violations of such provisions shall be treated as a violation of an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2003
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and recognizes the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define: "minor species" as animals other than cattle, horses, swine, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats; and (2) "minor use" as use on minor species or on other species for a disease or condition that occurs infrequently or in limited geographic areas. Provides for: (1) designation of new animal drugs for minor use; and (2) three-year approval exclusivity. Provides for establishment of an index of unapproved new animal drugs for minor species, and allows marketing of such drugs that evidence no human food safety concern. Authorizes: (1) designation of new animal drugs for minor use or minor species; and (2) grants or contracts for development (and exclusivity) of designated new animal drugs. Modifies new animal drug approval requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2003
Pledge Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any court established by Act of Congress to hear or determine any claim that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance violates the first amendment of the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in making any asthma-related grant to a State educational agency or a local educational agency, to give preference to any such agencies in States that require schools to allow students to self-administer medication to treat that student's asthma or anaphylaxis. Expresses: (1) the sense of Congress regarding the strategies identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for addressing asthma within a coordinated school health program; and (2) the support of Congress for the goals and ideals of such strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team Implementation Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to fully implement, by September 30, 2004, requirements under the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 that the Secretary: (1) establish 23 additional Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams, for a total of 55; and (2) ensure that at least one such team is established in each State and territory. Increases the authorized end strengths for full-time Army and Air National Guard personnel as of September 30, 2004, in order to meet such requirements. Provides funding through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Increases from two to three each year the end strength for appointments to the military service academies from Guam and the Virgin Islands from nominations made by the Delegates in Congress from Guam and the Virgin Islands.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Iraq Cultural Heritage Protection Act - Bans the importation into the United States of any archaeological or cultural material of Iraq that was removed from Iraq after the issuance of Executive Order 12722 of August 2, 1990, unless the Government of Iraq certifies that the exportation of such material from Iraq was not in violation of Iraqi law. Requires U.S. custom officers to detain such material until it can be certified as legally exported from Iraq. Subjects to seizure and forfeiture any Iraqi archaeological or cultural material that is illegally imported into the United States or that cannot be certified as legally exported from Iraq. Requires the return to Iraq of any archaeological or cultural material forfeited under this Act. Defines "country of origin" for purposes of applying U.S. tariff and customs laws to certain archaeological materials. Amends the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act to: (1) redefine an object of archaeological interest as one that is at least 100 years old (currently, at least 250 years old); (2) limit the period during which import restrictions under the Act may be placed on the archaeological or ethnological material of any country to ten years (subject to extensions by the President for emergency conditions) after the date such restrictions are published in the Federal Register; and (3) extend from five to ten years the effective period of bilateral or multilateral agreements for import restrictions on archaeological or ethnological materials.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
American Asian Justice Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include certain children born in the Philippines or Japan to U.S. fathers among those children given preferential immigration treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft, on a space-available basis, for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 50 percent or more, and for their dependents, on the same basis that such transportation is provided to former military personnel entitled to retired or retainer pay.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance and Employment Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act , the Internal Revenue Code, and Medicare supplemental policy provisions to prohibit health plans and insurers, with respect to protected genetic information, from discriminating in enrollment, eligibility, contribution rates, and premium rates based on such information. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate because of protected genetic information.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal in recognition of Jackie Robinson's contributions to the Nation. Calls for designation of a national day recognizing Robinson's accomplishments.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage, with regard to hospital stays in connection with breast cancer treatment, from: (1) covering less than 48 hours after mastectomies or less than 24 hours after lymph node dissections; or (2) requiring plan or issuer authorization for prescribing any length of stay. Prohibits: (1) denying eligibility, enrollment, or renewal to avoid these requirements; (2) providing payments or rebates to women; or (3) penalizing or providing incentives to providers. Applies the same requirements to issuers in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Flight Attendant Certification Act - Amends Federal taransportation law to require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to prescribe standards for cabin crew training and certification for individuals working in an aircraft cabin on board a transport category aircraft with twenty or more seats. Requires all new and existing cabin crew members to be certified by the Administrator after successful completion of an air carrier's training program consisting of: (1) initial, indoctrination, and emergency training; (2) air carrier specific training related to aircraft types and operator's certificate; and (3) submission by the air carrier to the Administrator confirming such completion. Declares that the Administrator shall be prohibited from granting an air carrier a waiver of cabin crew training requirements or an exemption from any part of such requirements. Requires a cabin crew member, to qualify for a cabin crew certificate, to successfully: (1) complete the training requirements established by the Administrator, including all initial, indoctrination, emergency, transition, differences, recurrent, and requalification training; (2) complete the cabin security and self-defense training requirements established by the Transportation Security Administrator; and (3) perform the assigned duties of a cabin crew member and complete the approved proficiency check, under the supervision of a certified instructor or supervisor, for not less than five hours of initial operating experience. Requires air carrier training programs to receive the Administrator's approval.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2003
Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) the Government of Syria should immediately and unconditionally halt support for terrorism, permanently and openly declare its total renunciation of all forms of terrorism, and close all terrorist offices and facilities in Syria, including the offices of Hamas, Hizballah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command; (2) the Government of Syria should take other specified steps to withdraw its armed forces from Lebanon, halt development of certain weapons, halt illegal imports and transshipments of Iraqi oil and illegal sales and supplies of weapons and military-related equipment to Iraq; (3) the Government of Lebanon should deploy the Lebanese armed forces to all areas of Lebanon, including South Lebanon, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 520 (September 17, 1982) (Security Council Resolution 520); (4) the Governments of Lebanon and Syria should enter into serious unconditional bilateral negotiations with the Government of Israel in order to realize a full and permanent peace; (5) the United States should continue to provide humanitarian and educational assistance to the people of Lebanon only through appropriate private, nongovernmental organizations and appropriate international organizations, until such time as the Government of Lebanon asserts sovereignty and control over all of its territory and borders and achieves full political independence; and (6) being in violation of several key United Nations Security Council resolutions and pursuing policies which undermine international peace and security, Syria should not have been permitted to join the United Nations Security Council or serve as the Security Council's President, and should be removed from the Security Council. Declares that it is U.S. policy: (1) Syria will be held responsible for attacks committed by Hizballah and other terrorist groups with offices or other facilities in Syria, or bases in areas of Lebanon occupied by Syria; (2) the United States shall impede Syria's ability to support acts of international terrorism and efforts to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction; (3) the Secretary of State will continue to list Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism until it ends support for terrorism, including its support of Hizballah and other terrorist groups in Lebanon and its hosting of terrorist groups in Damascus, and comes into full compliance with U.S. law relating to terrorism and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (September 28, 2001); (4) efforts against Hizballah will be expanded given the recognition that Hizballah is equally or more capable than al Qaeda; (5) the full restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity is in the U.S. national security interest; (6) Syria is in violation of Security Council Resolution 520 through its continued occupation of Lebanese territory and its encroachment upon its political independence; (7) Syria's obligation to withdraw from Lebanon is not conditioned upon progress in the Israeli-Syrian or Israeli-Lebanese peace process but derives from Syria's obligation under Security Council Resolution 520; (8) Syria's acquisition of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs threaten the security of the Middle East and U.S. national security interests; (9) Syria is in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 661 (August 6, 1990) and subsequent relevant resolutions through its continued purchase of oil from Iraq and shipments of weapons and other military equipment to Iraq; (10) Syria will be held accountable for any harm to Coalition armed forces of Operation Iraqi Freedom caused by shipments of military supplies from Syria to Iraq; and (11) the United States will not provide any assistance to Syria and will oppose multilateral assistance for Syria until Syria withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon, halts the development and deployment of weapons of mass destruction and medium and long range surface to surface ballistic missiles, and complies with Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions. Sets forth the following penalties against Syria until the President determines and certifies to Congress that Syria meets the requirements of this Act. Directs the President to prohibit the export to Syria of any item, including the issuance of an export license, on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations. Requires the President, at the same time, to impose two or more of the following sanctions: (1) prohibit the export to Syria of U.S. products (other than food and medicine); (2) prohibit U.S. businesses from investing or operating in Syria; (3) restrict Syrian diplomats in Washington, D.C., and at the United Nations in New York City, to travel only within a 25-mile radius of Washington, D.C., or the United Nations headquarters building, respectively; (4) prohibit aircraft of any air carrier owned or controlled by Syria to take off from, land in, or overfly the United States; (5) reduce U.S. diplomatic contacts with Syria (other than those required to protect U.S. interests or carry out the purposes of this Act); and (6) block transactions in any property in which the Government of Syria has any interest, by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions for one or more six-month periods if the President determines that it is in the vital national security interest of the United States to do so and reports his reasons to Congress. Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to Syria and Lebanon under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 if he certifies to Congress that: (1) Syria meets the requirements of this Act; (2) substantial progress has been made both in negotiations aimed at achieving a peace agreement between Israel and Syria and in negotiations aimed at achieving a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon; and (3) the Government of Syria is strictly respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government of Lebanon through the Lebanese army throughout Lebanon, as required under Security Council Resolution 520. Requires annual reports to the appropriate congressional committees on Syria's progress in complying with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act respecting naturalization through service in the armed forces to: (1) reduce the required service from three years to two years; (2) prohibit the imposition of a naturalization fee; and (3) qualify the Selective Reserve of the Ready Reserve for such benefits. Provides for overseas naturalization proceedings for members of the armed forces. Retains immediate relative status for the alien wife, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen who died from injury or disease incurred while serving honorably on active military service. (Requires petition filing within two years of such death.) States that an application for status adjustment by the alien wife, child, or parent of an alien member of the armed forces who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship may be adjudicated as if the death had not occurred. (Requires application filing prior to such death.) Treats the spouse, child, or parent of a lawful permanent resident who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship as a valid petitioner for immediate family status. (Requires parent filing within two years of such death.) Permits such aliens to apply for permanent resident status adjustment. Waives specified grounds of inadmissibility.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Makes it unlawful to: (1) import, export, or transport in interstate commerce conventional steel jawed leghold traps and articles of fur derived from animals trapped in such traps; or (2) sell or acquire such a trap transported in violation of such provision. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward persons (other than Government employees performing official duties) for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected containers or merchandise and any accompanying documents, to make arrests without warrants with probable cause, and to execute warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Requires payment of an awarded Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus to a member during a period of active duty to which such member is called or ordered, notwithstanding such active-duty service.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the calculation of the earned income credit; (2) revise the credit's application to married individuals; and (3) repeal provisions denying the credit to individuals having excessive investment income.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Caribbean National Forest Act of 2003 - Designates approximately 10,000 acres of land in the Caribbean National Forest/Luquillo Experimental Forest in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as the El Toro Wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Provides that designation of the Wilderness shall not be construed to prevent within the area's boundaries: (1) installation and maintenance of hydrologic, meteorological, climatological, or atmospheric data collection and transmission facilities when they are essential to the scientific research purposes of the Luquillo Experimental Forest; (2) construction and maintenance of nesting structures, observation blinds, and population monitoring platforms for threatened and endangered species; or (3) construction and maintenance of trails to such facilities as necessary for research purposes and the recovery of such species.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan or health insurance issuer from denying benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of an injury solely because such injury resulted from the participation of the participant or beneficiary in a legal transportation and recreational activity such as motorcycling or skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Consumer Credit Disclosure Act of 2003 - Amends the the Truth in Lending Act to require enhanced disclosures under an open end consumer credit plan about repayment information applicable to the outstanding balance, including: (1) the required minimum monthly payment on that balance, represented as both a dollar figure and as a percentage of that balance; (2) the number of months (rounded to the nearest month) that it would take to pay the entire amount of that balance, if the consumer pays only the required minimum monthly payments and if no further advances are made; (3) the total cost to the consumer, including interest and principal payments, of paying that balance in full, if the consumer pays only the required minimum monthly payments and if no further advances are made; and (4) the monthly payment amount that would be required for the consumer to eliminate the outstanding balance in 36 months if no further advances are made.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Veterans Earn and Learn Act - Adjusts the Montgomery GI Bill veterans' educational assistance entitlement charges for each month that an eligible veteran is paid a job training assistance allowance through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Increases such charge for any month in which the veteran fails to complete 120 hours of such training. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a lump-sum incentive payment to an individual who successfully completes a full-time program of job apprenticeship before his or her assistance allowance is exhausted, under the educational assistance programs for: (1) the post-Vietnam era; (2) survivors and dependents; and (3) the Selected Reserve. Increases the assistance payable under such programs for each month in which an individual pursuing a full-time program of apprenticeship or other on-job training is also enrolled in a course of classroom instruction related to such training. Directs the Secretary, when determining the period of a competency-based program of apprenticeship, to consider the approximate program term in registered apprenticeship program standards recognized by the Secretary of Labor. Requires the sponsor of any job training to notify the Secretary upon the successful completion of that program by the veteran or other eligible person. Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program of up to three years for training Department employees to become qualified adjudicators of claims for veterans' compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions. Requires the Secretary of Defense to furnish to the Secretary, at the time of a member's discharge, pertinent information concerning each registered apprenticeship pursued by such member during his or her service.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act - Repeals, as of the later of October 1, 2003, or the date of enactment of this Act, certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age. Provides for the recoupment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, based on recommendations from the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Advisory Panel (established by this Act), to make grants, after a process of peer review and programmatic review, to public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of not more than eight centers for the purpose of conducting multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research on environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Coral Reef and Coastal Marine Conservation Act of 2003 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of the Treasury the Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine Resources Facility. Authorizes the President, through the exchange by the Facility of new obligations for outstanding obligations of an eligible Latin American or Caribbean country with a coral reef or other coastal marine resource meeting specified requirements, to reduce the amount owed by the country to the United States that is outstanding as of January 1, 1999, as a result of concessional loans. Authorizes the President to sell, reduce, or cancel such loans in order to facilitate a debt-for-nature swap or a debt buyback with an eligible purchaser or eligible country to support activities to conserve, maintain, and restore the country's coral reefs and other coastal marine resources. Authorizes appropriations. Requires each beneficiary country that has entered into a Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine Resources Agreement with the Secretary of State to establish a Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine Resources Fund to receive payments of interest on new obligations undertaken by the country to provide grants to certain entities in such country to conserve, maintain, and restore its coral reefs and other coastal marine resources. Requires the Enterprise for the Americas Board to carry out certain duties with respect to implementing this Act. Requires the President to: (1) consult with the appropriate congressional committees on a periodic basis to review the operation of, and the eligibility of countries for benefits from, the Facility; and (2) report annually to Congress on Facility operations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, with respect to the granting of posthumous citizenship to a member of the armed forces who died from an active service-related injury or disease incurred during a period of military hostilities, to eliminate the prohibition on the provision of, and provide immigration status benefits to, the surviving spouse and children of such person. Makes the provisions of this Act applicable to grants of posthumous citizenship after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Teacher Education for Autistic Children Act of 2003 - TEACH Act of 2003 - Authorizes additional appropriations for: (1) training of special education teachers with expertise in autism spectrum disorders (ASD); and (2) improving results for children with ASD, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to carry out a student loan forgiveness program of assuming the obligation to repay up to specified amounts of certain loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965 for borrowers who are employed as full-time special education teachers of children with ASD for three consecutive complete school years. Provides for additional amounts to be repaid at the end of each of the next two additional consecutive years of such employment, up to a total maximum amount. Amends IDEA to require local educational agencies receiving IDEA assistance to report on autism early intervention activities. Directs the Secretary: (1) acting through the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to establish and provide administrative support for a task force on ASD; (2) with the Secretary of Labor to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of Federal vocational training programs in providing appropriate assistance to individuals with ASD; and (3) to make grants to each State that establishes and operates at least one State autism ombudsman office.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Ocean Habitat Protection Act - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prohibit the use of bottom trawls with rollers, bobbins, tires, rockhoppers, or any other device affixed to the footrope and in excess of eight inches in diameter, for fishing that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including fishing by a U.S. vessel beyond the equivalent of the exclusive economic zone of all countries. Permits the Secretary of Commerce or his designee to exempt from this prohibition fishing in the exclusive economic zone if the Council having jurisdiction over the area submits to the Secretary: (1) substantial evidence that the area is composed predominately of sand and mud bottom and that the prohibited devices are necessary to prevent a significant increase from rates of bycatch of non-target managed species, or to provide other significant benefits; (2) the geographic boundaries of the area; and (3) a credible and effective vessel monitoring plan of bottom trawl fishing in the area that is adopted by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to provide to the owner of a qualified fishing vessel: (1) the depreciated cost of prohibited fishing devices that are part of the fishing gear of a vessel on the date of the enactment of this Act, and are disposed of in an approved manner; (2) the cost of converting trawl nets to compliance; and (3) payment for cessation of trawling. Requires the Secretary to provide economic assistance to the owners and crew members of any qualified fishing vessel that ceases fishing in bottom trawl fisheries and does not continue fishing in other fisheries. Requires the Secretary to undertake a program to collect, and make available to Regional Fishery Management Councils, information and maps on diverse bottom habitats of the exclusive U.S. economic zone.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Pension Benefits Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) to protect pension benefits of employees in defined benefit (DB) plans, and to ensure that age discrimination laws are applied to conversions to cash balance plans and other such plans that are hybrids of DB's and defined contribution plans. Requires ERISA, the Code, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1967 to be applied and administered without regard to certain proposed regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury that relate to reductions of accruals and allocations because of the attainment of any age, and to application of nondiscrimination cross-testing rules to cash balance plans. Amends ERISA and the Code to protect certain DB plan participants from forced conversions to hybrid DB plans by plan amendments which change the way the accrued benefit to participants or beneficiaries are expressed and which reduce the rate of future benefit accrual of one or more participants. Requires employers, at the time such amendment takes effect, to provide employees who have attained 40 years of age or 10 years of service with certain notices and an election upon retirement to receive benefits as determined either under the plan in effect at time of retirement or under the plan in effect immediately before the plan amendment. Sets forth a formula to determine when a plan amendment adopted by a large (100 or more participants) DB plan shall be treated as wearing away accrued benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
United States Forces Korea Quality of Life Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income so much of combat zone compensation as does not exceed the maximum enlisted amount received for active service as a member of the armed forces serving in South Korea.
![Official portrait of Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001245_200.jpg)