United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Children's Hope Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a credit ($100, $200 for joint return) which is dependent on enactment of State qualified scholarship tax credits and which is allowed against the Federal income tax for charitable contributions to education investment organizations (as defined by this Act) that provide qualifying assistance for elementary and secondary education. Excludes from gross income amounts received from an education investment organization for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Rural Veterans Access to Care Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that no less than five percent of the funds made available each fiscal year for the Medical Care appropriation of the Department of Veterans Affairs are used to improve access to medical services for highly rural or geographically remote veterans, including the use of such funds for: (1) acute or chronic sympton management; (2) nontherapeutic medical services; and (3) other appropriate medical services as determined by the director of the geographic service region involved. Provides for the allocation of such funds to such service regions. Requires review of the operation of this Act and, if necessary, recommendation for an adjustment to the percentage of Medical Care funds required for such purpose.
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 · 4 June 2003
Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund and the Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to oppose any loans by the Fund or the Bank to the Government of Iraq unless the Secretary determines that there are sufficient safeguards to prevent loan proceeds from being used to reimburse any government or individual for losses arising from credit extended to the Government of Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the current required beginning date for distributions from individual retirement plans and distributions of elective deferrals under qualified cash or deferred arrangements and make the required beginning date the date of the death of the employee.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2003
Permits one additional advance refunding of certain tax-exempt bonds, of which the net proceeds are used to finance the costs of electric generation, transmission, or distribution assets owned by the issuer or by a consortium of State or local governments which includes the issuer. Sets certain conditions the bonds must meet to qualify for the advance refunding.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2003
Government Labor Neutrality Act of 2003 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to prohibit Federal, State, and local governments from either requiring or prohibiting an agreement with a labor organization by an employer in the construction industry in connection with any construction, alteration, painting, or repair work. Applies such prohibition to Federal agencies or departments, agents acting on the Federal Government's behalf, recipients of Federal grants or financial assistance, persons who have entered into cooperative agreements with the Federal Government, and State or local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to provide for an extension of time for States to request payments for activities to improve administration of elections and for replacement of punch card or lever voting machines. Repeals the exemption of the Election Assistance Commission from certain Government contracting requirements (thus requiring the Commission to advertise for proposals for purchases and contracts for supplies or services). Revises audit capacity requirements to require the voting system to produce a voter-verified paper record suitable for a manual audit equivalent or superior to that of a paper ballot box system. Requires the voting system to provide a mechanism for voter-verification of results with respect to individuals with disabilities which separates the function of vote generation from the function of vote casting, but does not require the use of paper. Requires instruction of election officials in the rights of the disabled to vote with the assistance of an aide of their selection under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Requires the Commission to study and develop best practices to enhance accessibility and voter-verification mechanisms for disabled voters. Accelerates the deadline for compliance with voting systems standards from January 1, 2006, to the regularly scheduled November 2004 general Federal election. Requires each State and jurisdiction unable to meet such deadline to receive a paper voting system at Commission expense that shall be deemed compliant with such standards for use in the November 2004 general election. Requires Federal certification of technological security of voter registration lists. Directs the Commission to: (1) conduct manual mandatory surprise recounts of the voter-verified records of each election for Federal office (and, at State or local option, of elections for State and local office) in .5 percent of the jurisdictions in each State and .5 percent of the overseas jurisdictions in which voter-verified records are preserved in accordance with this Act immediately following each general election for Federal office; and (2) promptly publish the results of those recounts.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Reduction in Distribution of Spam Act of 2003 - Prohibits a person from initiating in interstate commerce the transmission of any unsolicited commercial electronic (UCE) mail message unless the message contains: (1) identification as an advertisement or solicitation; (2) notice of an opt-out opportunity, along with a mechanism for doing so; and (3) a valid physical street address of the vendor. Prohibits the transmission of UCE mail: (1) after valid objection; (2) with fraudulent header information; and (3) from illegally harvested email addresses. Provides a right of enforcement action for: (1) providers of Internet access service; (2) States on behalf of any of their residents; and (3) the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Amends the Federal Criminal code to provide criminal penalties for: (1) falsifying the identify of an UCE mail sender; (2) failing to place warning labels on UCE mail containing sexually oriented material; (3) bulk email violations and repeat offenses; and (4) illegal harvesting of email addresses. Provides for enforcement of such penalties through actions by Internet service providers, the Attorney General, and State attorneys general. Requires the FTC to issue regulations to implement this Act. Requires the FTC and the Federal Communications Commission to report to Congress: (1) regarding the need to protect the rights of users of email to avoid receiving unwanted commercial email; and (2) a detailed analysis of the effectiveness and enforcement of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Prisoner of War Protection Act of 2003 - Declares it is U.S. policy to: (1) search out and try in U.S. courts any persons who have mistreated (including willfully killing, torturing, or treating inhumanely) U.S. prisoners of war during the First and Second Gulf Wars; and (2) hold liable countries that commit grave breaches of the Third Geneva Convention against U.S. prisoners of war, including willful killing, torture, and inhumane treatment. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, at the request of the plaintiff, to pay from the Treasury, but not exceeding the sum of Iraqi blocked funds that were vested by Executive Order 13290 of March 20, 2003, any judgment in Civil Action No. 02-0632 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia brought by U.S. prisoners of war and their families against the Republic of Iraq, the Iraqi Intelligence Service, and Saddam Hussein for the brutal torture of them during the First Gulf War. Declares that it shall be U.S. policy to support the claims of U.S. prisoners of war and their families against the Republic of Iraq if, following the Second Gulf War, it becomes evident that U.S. prisoners of war have been killed, tortured, or mistreated during that war, or that the unaccounted-or U.S. prisoner of war from the First Gulf War was killed or tortured by Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the wholesale distributor of certain drugs who is not the manufacturer or an authorized distributor of record for a calendar year of a drug to provide to the recipient of the drug a statement identifying each prior sale, purchase, or trade of such drug (currently, the language "for a calendar year" is not in the Act).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Assistant United States Attorneys Retirement Benefit Equity Act of 2003 - Makes applicable to Assistant United States Attorneys the provisions of the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System that apply to Federal law enforcement officers. Directs the Department of Justice to provide notice to incumbent Assistant U.S. Attorneys as to their election rights under this Act and the effects of making or not making a timely election under this Act. Allows such incumbents to elect the option to be treated either: (1) in accordance with the amendments made by this Act; or (2) as if this Act had never been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Highway Funding Equity Act of 2003 - Revises Federal highway funding minimum guarantee provisions. Requires the Secretary of Transportation, for each of FY 2004 through 2009, to allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that: (1) the percentage for each State of the total apportionments for the fiscal year for the National Highway System (NHS), the high priority projects program, the Interstate maintenance program, the surface transportation program, metropolitan planning, the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program, the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, the recreational trails program, the Appalachian development highway system, and the basic minimum guarantee equals or exceeds 95 percent of the ratio that the estimated tax payments to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) attributable to highway users in the State bears to such payments attributable to highway users in all States (with a specified exception for any State having a population density of less than 50 individuals per square mile); and (2) when HTF allocations (other than from the Mass Transit Account, for such programs, emergency relief, and the discretionary minimum guarantee) for the fiscal year have been identified, the percentage for each State of all of those allocations for the fiscal year equals or exceeds the percentage that is equal to 95 percent of such tax payments ratio. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the programmatic distribution of NHS funds exceeding $2.8 billion; (2) the apportionment of the remainder of funds to the States; and (3) required adjustments where the sum of State percentages exceeds 100.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - Directs the head of any Federal agency that awards or obligates funds for any construction contract, or that awards grants, provides financial assistance, or enters into cooperative agreements for construction projects, to ensure that bid specifications, project agreements, or other controlling documents do not: (1) require or prohibit a bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor from entering into, or adhering to, agreements with labor organization, with respect to that construction project or another related construction project; or (2) otherwise discriminate against such a party because it did or did not become a signatory or otherwise adhere to such an agreement. Allows exemptions to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve national security. Allows additional exemptions for certain projects. Directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement this Act with respect to the applicable Federal contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
School Readiness Act of 2003 - Amends the Head Start Act to revise provisions and reauthorize appropriations for Head Start programs. Includes outreach to homeless families among activities for which quality improvement funds are to be used. Directs (currently authorizes) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to assist collaboration among State early childhood education activities under Head Start and other activities carried out in and by the State to benefit low-income children and families, and by Head Start agencies with other State and local planning, resource, and referral agencies. Includes community-based or faith-based organizations among the entities that may be designated as Head Start agencies. Requires Head Start grantees to establish and demonstrate they have met their own goals for: (1) educational instruction in prereading, premathematical, and language skills; and (2) providing health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services. Revises the additional educational performance standards included as program quality standards, and performance measures for program monitoring. Exempts military housing from being counted as family income in determining a child's eligibility to enroll in a Head Start program. Requires all Head Start teachers hired in center-based programs after enactment of this Act, within three years after such enactment, to: (1) have an associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree in early childhood education; (2) have such a degree in a field related to early childhood education, with experience in teaching preschool children; or (3) be enrolled in study program for an associate degree in early childhood education, to be completed within three years of their hiring. Requires Head Start teachers who have received financial assistance under the Act to teach in a Head Start Center for an amount of time equal to the time period in which they received financial assistance. Allows qualifying States to participate in State demonstration programs in which their allocation of Federal Head Start funding would be administered by those States through grants to coordinate Head Start with State early education programs. (Current law provides direct Federal funds to local grantees.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Ready to Teach Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise provisions and reauthorize appropriations for title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement): (1) part A, Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships; and (2) part B, Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Recognizes the "Code Adam" child safety program. Commends all retail businesses and public establishments that have implemented such programs to protect children from an abduction or lost scenario and urges those that have not implemented such programs to consider doing so.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Encourages employers who employ members of the National Guard or reserves to provide a pay differential benefit and an extension of employee benefits while such members serve on active duty, and commends employers who already provide such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003 - Establishes within the National Science Foundation (NSF) an Office of Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology to: (1) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements (assistance) to eligible institutions to provide educational instruction in digital and wireless network technologies; and (2) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions. Requires the NSF Director to establish an advisory council on the best approaches for involving eligible institutions in supported activities and for reviewing and evaluating submitted proposals. Requires the council to include members from minority serving institutions. Makes the following institutions eligible for such assistance: (1) a historically Black college or university; (2) a Hispanic-, Alaska Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institution; (3) a tribally controlled college or university; or (4) an institution determined to have enrolled a substantial number of minority, low-income students who received assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Provides a matching funds requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Farming Flexibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 with respect to oilseed base acres to: (1) deem the planting, prevented planting, or production of fruits or vegetables to be the same as the planting, prevented planting, or production of oilseeds for purposes of oilseed base acre calculations; and (2) permit fruit or vegetable production on oilseed base acres, except that direct payments and counter-cyclical payments for oilseeds shall be reduced by an acre for each acre planted to a fruit or vegetable.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits the Constitution or any State constitution, or State or Federal law from being construed to require that marital status or its legal incidents be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2003
National Guard and Reserve Comprehensive Health Benefits Act of 2003 - Makes members of the Selected Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve eligible for either the Prime or Standard option of the TRICARE Program (a Department of Defense managed health care program), allowing for either self-coverage or self-and-family coverage. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide at least one open enrollment period each year for such members; and (2) charge applicable premiums, deductibles, and copayments for such coverage. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay the applicable premium to continue in force any qualified health plan coverage for a reserve member (and his or her dependents) while the member is serving on active duty pursuant to a call or order issued during a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress. Requires the continuation of COBRA coverage during such period. Prohibits simultaneous coverage under both the qualified health plan and TRICARE.
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
Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a judicial officer from declaring forfeited a bail bond for violation of specified collateral release conditions other than failing to appear in court. Makes forfeiture of a bail bond for violation of such collateral release conditions unavailable as a sanction. Amends rule 46 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to provide that if the defendant fails to appear physically before the court (currently, if there is a breach of condition of a bond), the district court shall declare a forfeiture of the bail.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Increases the annual salaries of the Chief Justice and associate justices of the Supreme Court, U.S. circuit and district judges, and judges of the U.S. Court of International Trade and Court of Federal Claims by 16.5 percent on January 1, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Law Enforcement Officers Due Process Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to law enforcement agencies (agencies) that: (1) have in effect an administrative process or an existing procedure that complies with officer rights requirements; or (2) certify that they will establish, within two years, an administrative process that complies with such requirements. Requires the administrative process to require that an agency that investigates an officer for matters which could reasonably lead to disciplinary action provide recourse for the officer that includes: (1) access to any existing administrative process established by the employing agency prior to disciplinary action; and (2) the right to a hearing before a fair and impartial board or hearing officer, to be represented by an attorney or other officer at such officer's expense, to confront any witness testifying against such officer, and to record all meetings. Permits the immediate suspension with pay of an officer: (1) whose continued presence on the job is considered to be a substantial and immediate threat; (2) who refuses to obey a direct order issued in conformance with the agency's written and disseminated rules and regulations; or (3) who is accused of committing an illegal act. Makes this Act inapplicable to an agency if the Attorney General determines that such agency has in effect an established civil service system, agency review board, grievance procedure, or personnel board which meets or exceeds the minimum standards set forth in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2003
Old Man of the Mountain Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 gold coins and 350,000 $1 silver coins emblematic of the Old Man of the Mountain (the granite symbol of New Hampshire's fierce independence). Directs that surcharges be paid by the Secretary to the Old Man of the Mountain Revitalization Fund, Inc., to be used for the objects and purposes of such fund.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2003
Expedited Remedy for Persistent Dumping Act of 2003 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise requirements for monitoring cases of suspected persistent dumping to: (1) provide for an expedited antidumping investigation of merchandise from an additional supplier country if the Department of Commerce discerns imports of merchandise from the additional supplier country have increased by 15 percent or more during a period of 90 days or longer; and (2) establish Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission procedures and deadlines for making determinations as to whether or not dumping and injury have occurred. Adds specific conditions for reducing the price used to establish export price or "constructed export price," meaning the amount at which the merchandise is first sold or agreed to be sold in the United States by or for the producer or exporter.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2003
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction (increasing percentages with full deductibility as of 2008) for eligible long-term care insurance premiums for a taxpayer, spouse, and dependents and (2) long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Allows an income-adjusted (limited) credit for eligible individuals with long-term care needs. Sets forth specified requirements for qualifying long-term care insurance contracts. Treats an exchange of qualified long-term care insurance contracts as a disposition of property for which no gain or loss is recognized.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Supports and commends the contribution of pregnancy resource centers, their staffs and volunteers. Encourages government agencies at all levels to assist such centers and decries any attempts to prevent their use.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Recognizes the importance of veterans to the United States. Expresses support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students Day (programs that educate children about the service of veterans and the sacrifices made by them and their families).
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Commends: (1) President Bush, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, and U.S. Central Command commander General Franks for their planning and execution of successful military campaigns in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; (2) the members of the U.S. armed forces who participated in such operations; and (3) Department of Defense civilian employees, civilian contractors, and defense contractor personnel whose skills made possible the equipping of the armed forcesr. Expresses: (1) the Nation's gratitude to the 21 allies in Operation Enduring Freedom and to the 49 coalition members in Operation Iraqi Freedom; and (2) sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of the members of U.S. and coalition forces who have been injured, wounded, or killed during those operations. Calls upon communities across the Nation to prepare appropriate ceremonies to honor and welcome home the members of the armed forces participating in such operations and to recognize their contributions to U.S. homeland security and to the Global War on Terrorism. Recommits the United States to ensuring the safety of the U.S. homeland, to preventing weapons of mass destruction from reaching the hands of terrorists, and to helping the people of Iraq and Afghanistan build free democratic societies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2003
Ten Commandments Defense Act of 2003 - Declares the following : (1) that the power to display the Ten Commandments on or within property owned or administered by the several States or their political subdivisions is among the powers reserved to the States respectively (under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution); (2) that the expression of religious faith by individual persons on or within property owned or administered by the several States or their political subdivisions is among the rights secured (under the First Amendment) against laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion made or enforced by the Federal Government; and (3) that the expression of religious faith by individual persons on or within property owned or administered by the several States or their political subdivisions is among the liberties of which no State shall deprive any person without due process of law made in pursuance of powers reserved to the States respectively.
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
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 or Laci and Conner's Law - Provides that: (1) whoever engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes) and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense; and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Specifies that a violation of such provisions does not require proof that: (1) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or (2) the defendant (or accused) intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child. Prohibits imposition of the death penalty for an offense under this Act. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) of any person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Charitable Giving Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to charitable giving and charitable organizations to: (1) allow a deduction for a portion of charitable contributions to individuals who do not itemize; (2) allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable purposes; (3) increase the cap on corporate charitable contributions; (4) provide a special rule for charitable contributions of food inventory; (5) revise certain excise taxes related to private foundations; (6) modify the excise tax on unrelated business taxable income of charitable remainder trusts; (7) extend and expand the charitable contribution for scientific property used for research and for computer technology and equipment used for educational purposes; (8) adjust the basis of S corporation stock for certain charitable contributions; (9) suspend the tax-exempt status of terrorist organizations; (10) revise church tax inquiry provisions; (11) revise declaratory judgment remedy provisions relating to tax-exempt organizations; (12) exclude from gross income certain landowner initiatives programs to conserve endangered habitats or species; (13) repeal the grassroots expenditure limit for charitable organizations; and (14) set forth a private foundation's permitted holdings, including provisions relating to a corporation that is publicly traded and publicly controlled. Amends title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to any private entity that operates a promising social services program (as defined by this Act). Amends the Assets for Independence Act to authorize appropriations for the assets for independence programs. Expresses the sense of Congress encouraging corporate contributions to faith-based organizations. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to include maternity group homes (as defined by this Act) within the program for transitional living youth projects for homeless youth. Authorizes FY 2003 and 2004 appropriations for such group homes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the exemption from the minimum wage and overtime compensation requirements for certain computer professionals to include computer network and database analysts, and computer systems, network, and database designers and developers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Fairness for America's Servicemen and Women in Higher Education Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise title IV student loan and grant assistance repayment provisions with respect to individuals who serve on active duty during a war or national emergency. Exempts students who withdraw from higher education institutions to serve on active duty during a war or national emergency from requirements to repay certain title IV grant assistance. Defers repayments of principal, and directs the Secretary of Education to make interest payments, on specified types of student loans during a war or national emergency when a borrower is: (1) a member of a regular component on active duty, and receives specified compensation; (2) on active duty, regardless of the location at which such active duty service is performed; or (3) on full-time National Guard duty under a call to active service for a period of more than 30 consecutive days to respond to a national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins, which shall be emblematic of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia (the first permanent English settlement in America). Provides for a $35 per coin surcharge for the $5 dollar coins and $10 per coin for the $1 dollar coins. Directs that: (1) half of the surcharges be used to support programs to promote the understanding of the legacies of Jamestown (to be paid to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation); and (2) half be used to sustain the ongoing mission of preserving Jamestown, to enhance national and international educational programs relating to Jamestown, to improve infrastructure and archeological research activities relating to Jamestown, and conduct other programs to support the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown (to be distributed by the Secretary in equal shares to the Secretary of the Interior, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation).
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects (fuels projects) on specified types of Federal lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to give priority to fuels projects that provide for the protection of communities and watersheds. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to make grants: (1) to improve the commercial value of forest biomass to produce electric energy, sensible heat, transportation fuels, or substitutes for petroleum-based products; and (2) to offset the cost of projects to add value to biomass. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to permit the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to provide assistance to State foresters and officials for the purpose of expanding State forest capacities and activities to address watershed issues on non-Federal forested lands and potentially forested lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to establish an accelerated program to plan, conduct, and promote comprehensive and systematic information gathering on bark beetles. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the healthy forests reserve program within the Forest Service for the purpose of protecting, restoring, and enhancing degraded forest ecosystems to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species as well as improve biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a comprehensive plan to inventory, monitor, characterize, assess, and identify forest stands and potential forest stands in specified locations. States that issues to be addressed shall include: (1) the early detection, identification, and assessment of environmental threats; and (2) the loss or degradation of forests.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exempt from certain child labor restrictions the employment, inside or outside of businesses where machinery is used to process wood products, of individuals between ages 14 and 18 who are members of religious sects that do not permit formal education beyond the eighth grade. Permits such youth employment if the individual: (1) is supervised by an adult relative or by an adult member of the same religious sect or division; (2) does not operate or assist in the operation of power-driven woodworking machines; (3) is protected from wood particles or other flying debris within the workplace by a barrier appropriate to such potential hazard or by maintaining a sufficient distance from machinery in operation; and (4) is required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to excessive levels of noise and sawdust.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) and the Missing Children's Assistance Act (MCAA) to reauthorize and revise programs under such Acts. Amends RHYA part A (Runaway and Homeless Youth Grant Program) to provide for an exception to a 20-youth-maximum-capacity requirement for funding a runaway and homeless youth center or a locally controlled temporary shelter if the applicant assures that there is a State or local law or regulation that requires a higher maximum to comply with licensure requirements for children and youth serving facilities. Includes maternity group homes among the types of transitional living youth projects eligible for grants under part B (Transitional Living Grant Program) of RHYA.. Extends an individual youth's eligibility to remain in a part B shelter beyond the regular 540-day period, until the earlier of the youth's 18th birthday or the 180th day after the end of the 540-day period. Extends through FY 2008 the authorization of appropriations for programs under: (1) RHYA part E, Sexual Abuse Prevention Program; and (2) all other parts of RHYA. Increases to a minimum 45 percent, and a maximum 55 percent under certain conditions, the part B portion of funds allocated to parts A and B. Revises RHYA part A coordination assurance and part B coordination agreement requirements to provide for coordinating services with school district liaisons designated the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, to assure that runaway and homeless youth are provided information about the educational services available to such youth under such Act. Requires part B plan development to include referral of homeless youth to postsecondary education, to training services and programs under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and welfare programs under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) report on strategies to end youth homelessness; and (2) evaluate RHYA part B programs to report on long-term housing outcomes for youth 12 to 18 months after exiting the program. Sets 18 years as the maximum age limit for youth seeking shelter in RHYA part A centers. Amends MCAA to extend through FY 2008 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) an annual grant by the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (in the Department of Justice) to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC); and (2) other programs under MCAA. Requires NCMEC to coordinate the operation of a cyber tipline for reporting Internet-related child sexual exploitation in the areas of: (1) distribution of child pornography; (2) online enticement of children for sexual acts; and (3) child prostitution.
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 · 29 April 2003
National Pain Care Policy Act of 2003 - Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on Pain Care, which shall identify barriers to appropriate pain care. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a National Center for Pain and Palliative Care Research. Requires the Director of NIH to carry out a program to develop and advance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of pain and palliative care. Permits the Secretary to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to public and private entities to further the education and training of health care professionals in pain and palliative care. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a national campaign to provide information to the public on responsible pain management, related symptom management, and palliative care. Amends Federal law to direct the Secretaries of Defense, Transportation, and Health and Human Services to develop and implement a pain care palliative initiative in all health care facilities of the uniformed services. Amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare) to require Medicare+Choice plans to meet certain pain care standards. Requires TRICARE (a Department of Defense managed health care program) to meet such pain care standards. Amends Federal law to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a pain care initiative in all health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2003
Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2003 - Amends the Hobbs Act to authorize imposition of a fine of up to $100,000, 20 years imprisonment, or both for: (1) obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by robbery or extortion (or attempting or conspiring to do so); and (2) threatening physical violence to any person or property in furtherance of a plan or purpose to interfere with commerce by threats or violence. Makes provisions regarding any such interference inapplicable to conduct that: (1) is incidental to otherwise peaceful picketing during the course of a labor dispute; (2) consists solely of minor bodily injury, or minor damage to property, or threat or fear of such minor injury or damage; and (3) is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of coordinated violent activity. Subjects such conduct to prosecution only by the appropriate State and local authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from income and employment taxes and wage withholding a rebate of real or personal property taxes, or any other benefit, provided by a State or political subdivision on account of services performed as a member of a qualified volunteer emergency response organization.
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 · 12 April 2003
Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to replace provisions regarding the purchase of prison-made products by Federal departments with provisions establishing a Government-wide procurement policy relating to purchases from Federal Prison Industries (FPI), which shall generally require the use of competitive procedures. Requires that an analysis of the probable impact of a proposed expansion of sales within the Federal market by FPI on private sector firms and their non-inmate workers be made whenever FPI proposes to authorize the sale of a new specific product or service or to expand production of a current product or service. Authorizes FPI to enter into a contract with a Federal contractor to produce products as a subcontractor or supplier in the performance of a Federal procurement contract. Establishes within the Bureau of Prisons: (1) the Enhanced In-Prison Educational and Vocational Assessment and Training Program; and (2) the Cognitive Abilities Assessment Demonstration Program. Directs: (1) the Chief Operating Officer of FPI to develop proposals to have FPI donate products and services to eligible entities that provide goods or services to low-income individuals who would likely otherwise have difficulty purchasing such products or services; (2) the Director of the Bureau to afford to inmates opportunities to participate in programs and activities designed to help prepare such inmates to obtain employment upon release; (3) the Attorney General to establish the Federal Reentry Center Demonstration Project; and (4) the Comptroller General to undertake to have an independent study conducted on the effects of eliminating FPI's mandatory source authority.
![Official portrait of Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_sc_2_wilson_joe_200.jpg)