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United States · Official source
5,130 records where Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify any motorsports entertainment complex asset as 7-year property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery system.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 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 Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D. (who performed the first successful coronary bypass, pioneered the field of telemedicine, was elected the first President of Baylor College of Medicine, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction and the National Medal of Science) in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Amends the Public Health Service Act to remove language requiring, subject to certain provisions, health insurance issuers that offer health insurance coverage in the small group market in a State to accept every small employer that applies for such coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Reforming, Accelerating, and Protecting Interstate Design (RAPID) Act - Authorizes a State transportation department or local transportation agency to award a multimodal transportation project that is located within the boundaries of a donor State (a State that receives a percentage of Highway Trust Fund apportionments and allocations that is less than the percentage attributable to tax payments from highway users in that State), that is within a network of interconnected corridors, that is privately financed, and that contains multiple transportation modes (including highway and rail and utility corridors), using any procurement process permitted by applicable State and local law. Allows a donor State to authorize a consultant under a contract for such a project to prepare an environmental impact assessment relating to a segment of the project of less than independent utility and without logical termini. Increases the Federal cost share of certain activities carried out within a donor State. Makes a limitation on the use of toll revenues inapplicable to a donor State. Allows the total amount of funds paid from the Highway Account to a State for construction of a highway, bridge, or tunnel within the boundaries of that State to be repaid to the Secretary of Transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Internet Tobacco Sales Enforcement Act - Amends the Jenkins Act to require each person who engages in an interstate sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco or in an interstate distribution of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to comply with all the excise, sales, and use tax laws applicable to the sale or other transfer of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in the State and place in which the cigarettes or smokeless tobacco are delivered. Prohibits the cigarettes or smokeless tobacco from being delivered to the buyer unless in advance of the delivery the excise tax has been paid and any required stamps or other indicia that such tax has been paid are properly affixed or applied, with an exception. Authorizes a State Attorney General to bring a civil action to obtain any appropriate relief, including money damages where appropriate, against any person who violates such prohibition or who knowingly assists or participates in such a violation. Expresses the sense of Congress that any State Attorney General who commences such a civil action should inform the U.S. Attorney General who should make information about the case publicly available. Authorizes civil penalties for violations. Eliminates the $1,000 criminal penalty limitation. Declares that the Act does not limit the remedies provided by State or Federal law with respect to alleged violations relating to a sale or distribution of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in connection with an interstate sale or distribution of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2427 (Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003).
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Qualified Personal Service Corporations Clarification Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the criteria for determining whether a corporation is a qualified personal service corporation. Includes within the definition of qualified personal service corporation a qualifying corporation substantially all of whose stock is held by certain former employees (thus permitting such corporation to use the cash method of accounting).
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
John Marshall Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) to mint and issue not more than 400,000 silver one dollar coins emblematic of Chief Justice John Marshall and his contributions to the United States in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of his birth; and (2) in cooperation with the Legacy Fund of the Library of Congress, to develop and implement a marketing program to promote and sell the coins. Directs that all sales of coins minted under this Act include a ten dollar per coin surcharge, to be paid by the Secretary to the Supreme Court Historical Society for purposes of: (1) supporting historical research about the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and related topics; (2) supporting fellowship programs, internships, and docents at the Supreme Court; and (3) collecting and preserving related antiques, artifacts, and other historical items.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Marina Day.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Calls upon the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp to promote public awareness of Down syndrome.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Government Accountability and Streamlining Act of 2003 - Requires the Comptroller General, to the extent practicable, to prepare for public bills and joint resolutions (measures) reported by congressional subcommittees or committees, and submit to such subcommittees or committees, determinations of whether: (1) new Federal entities, programs, or functions are authorized by the measure; and (2) an existing entity or program carries out functions that are similar to those authorized by the measure and such existing entity or program may more effectively and efficiently perform the functions and carry out the purposes of the measure than the proposed entity or program. Requires such statements to accompany reports on legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to distribute to States at least 80 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated under this Act from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to pay the reasonable costs incurred under cooperative agreements of: (1) certain corrective actions and compensation programs; (2) directly related administrative expenses; or (3) enforcement of State or local requirements regulating underground storage tanks (USTs). Allows undistributed funds to be used for enforcing UST regulations. Requires the Administrator or a State with an approved program to require compliance inspections of USTs at least once every two years. Directs the Administrator to publish operator training guidelines and States to develop and implement a training strategy consistent with stated requirements. Authorizes the use of funds made available for the petroleum response program to carry out corrective actions with respect to methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) releases. Requires implementation reports by any Federal or State agency responsible for USTs. Authorizes a State or the Administrator to prohibit the delivery of regulated substances (motor fuels) to non-compliant tanks. Provides temporary relief for certain tanks in remote locations. Includes underground storage tank systems and release response activity (as well as underground storage tanks) that are under Federal jurisdiction under the UST control and abatement requirements. Requires implementation reports by any Federal agency responsible for USTs which list the USTs and describe compliance actions. Requires the Administrator and Indian Tribes to correct UST releases on Indian lands. Permits States to establish requirements more stringent than the Federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2003 - Requires a manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold or introduced into commerce in the United States to disclose to the vehicle owner, a repair facility, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the information necessary to diagnose, service, or repair the vehicle. Sets forth protections for trade secrets. States that manufacturer noncompliance with this Act constitutes an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting commerce within the purview of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Authorizes a vehicle owner or repair facility to bring a civil action in Federal district court for violations of this Act without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties. Instructs the FTC to prescribe a uniform methodology for manufacturer disclosure in writing, and on the Internet. Prohibits the FTC from prescribing rules that interfere with the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding motor vehicle emissions control diagnostics systems.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect as to any food in interstate commerce any requirement for food that is not identical to specified FDCA provisions. Prohibits any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect any notification requirement for a food that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FDCA provisions. Allows current State notification or food safety requirements to continue for 180 days after the enactment of this Act, during which such State may petition for an exemption or a new national standard. Allows a State to petition for an exemption and for a national standard regarding any requirement under the FDCA, as amended by this Act, or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows a State to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this paragraph if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that if a taxpayer is a member of an affiliated group of corporations which files a consolidated return, the tax attributes concerning reduction of tax attributes and exclusion from gross income by reason of discharge of indebtedness shall be the aggregate tax attributes of such group.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Terminates a provision that requires the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on the construction work performed on Federal-aid highway projects are paid prevailing rate wages. Permits a State to enact a law to provide for continued enforcement of the requirements of such provision in that State.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2003 or the CLEAR Act of 2003 - States that: (1) State and local law enforcement personnel are fully authorized to investigate, apprehend, or remove aliens in the United States (including interstate transportation of such aliens to detention centers) in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws; and (2) a State that does not have a statute permitting enforcement of Federal immigration laws within two years of enactment of this Act shall not receive certain Federal incarceration assistance. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to illegal aliens to: (1) establish criminal penalties and forfeiture for aliens unlawfully present in the United States; (2) increase specified criminal and civil penalties for illegal entry and failure to depart violations; and (3) provide for payment of funds from certain civil penalties to State and local law enforcement agencies for apprehension of such aliens. Provides for the listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center database. Requires States and localities to provide the Department of Homeland Security with specified information about apprehended illegal aliens. Eliminates certain Federal incarceration assistance for noncompliance. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to local police agencies for equipment and facilities related to housing and processing illegal aliens. Amends the Act to provide for Federal custody and State or local compensation of State or locally apprehended illegal aliens. Establishes a process for State and local claims against the Federal Government for failure to cooperate in enforcing immigration laws. Directs the Secretary or the Attorney General to establish immigration-related training for State and local personnel. Provides: (1) personal liability immunity for Federal, State, or local personnel enforcing immigration laws within the scope of their duties; and (2) civil rights money damage immunity for Federal, State, or local agencies enforcing immigration laws unless their personnel violated criminal law in such enforcement. States that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security shall continue to operate the Institutional Removal Program, which shall be expanded to all States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. (posthumously) and his widow, Coretta Scott King, in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Congratulates Rafael Palmeiro of the Texas Rangers for hitting 500 major league home runs and thanks him for being a role model.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 438 (teacher recruitment and retention).
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to extend Federal preemption to State law enacted after January 1, 2004, that declares explicitly that it is intended to supplement the FCRA and grant greater protection to consumers than is provided under Federal law. (Thus repeals the protection from Federal preemption granted to more stringent State consumer protection laws). Sets forth measures to address identity theft prevention, including: (1) credit card issuer responsibility to investigate cardholder change of address; and (2) truncation of credit and debit card account numbers. Places an affirmative duty upon a consumer reporting agency to: (1) make notification of fraud alert; (2) provide a summary of rights to identity theft victims; and (3) block information resulting from identity theft. Directs the Federal banking agencies to establish procedures for depository institutions to identify possible instances of identity theft. Instructs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe rules for coordination of consumer complaint investigations. Requires a consumer reporting agency to take specified actions to reconcile discrepancies pertaining to a consumer address. Prohibits furnishing information to a consumer reporting agency that is known to include identity theft activity. Repeals limitations attached to mandatory free annual credit report disclosures that are furnished upon consumer request. Requires a consumer reporting agency, when fulfilling a consumer request for all information in the consumer's file, to include a summary of how any individual consumer credit score was derived and how it might be improved. Excludes from FCRA consumer disclosure requirements certain communications pertaining to employee misconduct investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Recognizes the university campuses affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and other faith-based campuses. Supports the goals and ideas of Christian Higher Education Month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) grave concerns exist concerning the deployment by the People's Republic of China of hundreds of ballistic missiles directed toward Taiwan which threaten the security and stability in the Taiwan Strait; (2) the President should direct U.S. officials to raise these concerns with the appropriate Chinese officials, and should seek a renunciation from the Chinese leaders of any threat or use of force against Taiwan; (3) the President should affirm to the Chinese leaders that there will not be a quid pro quo between the dismantling of missiles aimed at Taiwan by China, and arms sales to Taiwan by the United States; (4) China should dismantle the missiles that threaten Taiwan, otherwise the President should authorize the sale of the Aegis system to Taiwan in order that it may defend itself against the threat of a missile attack by China; and (5) the future of Taiwan should be determined peacefully and with the express consent of the Taiwanese people.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Federal Property Asset Management Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to direct the Administrator of General Services to: (1) establish, maintain, and apply current asset management principles to real and personal property; (2) establish performance measures to determine Federal real property management effectiveness; and (3) establish and maintain a single database of all Federal real property interests. Requires each Federal landholding agency to appoint a Senior Real Property Officer to monitor and administer real property assets. Authorizes landholding agencies to apply enhanced asset management tools, such as interagency transfers or exchanges, sales or exchanges with non-Federal sources, and subleases or outleases to other Federal agencies or non-Federal entities, for real property. Allows the Administrator to: (1) review any transaction undertaken by an agency utilizing such authority; and (2) disapprove such transaction if it does not reflect due diligence by the agency, is not in the best interest of the United States, or does not comply with property management requirements. Permits a building to be constructed or altered only: (1) in compliance with one of the nationally recognized model building codes and with other applicable nationally recognized codes; and (2) after consideration of all requirements (other than procedural requirements) of zoning laws and laws relating to landscaping, open space, minimum distance from the property line, maximum height historic preservation, and esthetic qualities and other similar laws of a State that would apply if it were not a building constructed or altered by a Federal agency. Sets forth special rules for consultation, review, and inspections by State and local government officials. Allows such officials to make recommendations concerning measures that are necessary to meet such codes and measures that should be taken in consideration of local conditions. Waives such provisions with respect to any building if their application would adversely affect national security. Prohibits agency actions involving use of enhanced asset management tools, determing real property to be excess, or disposing of excess real property with respect to specified Federal land and improvements in Los Angeles and Sepulveda, California. Provides for: (1) the crediting of monetary proceeds from the disposition of real and related personal property to existing agency accounts to pay for capital asset expenditures of that agency; (2) Federal agencies to retain from proceeds of sales of personal property amounts necessary for recovering full direct and indirect costs incurred in disposing of such property; and (3) implementation of such disposal and accounting requirements for FY 2003 through 2007. Authorizes the: (1) conveyance of surplus Federal property to non-profit organizations for preservation purposes and, generally, for public airport use; and (2) abandonment, destruction, or other disposal of property if it has no commercial value or if costs of continued care and handling would exceed its fair market value. Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to revise procedures for the consideration of surplus real property for homeless assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
First Responders Funding Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the USA PATRIOT Act to require: (1) that each State be allocated in each fiscal year not less than .5 percent (currently, .75 percent) of the total amount appropriated for domestic preparedness grants; (2) such grants to be awarded based on a quantitative risk assessment for threat, vulnerability, and consequences; and (3) the Office for State and Local Domestic Preparedness Support of the Office of Justice Programs, by March 1 of each year, to submit that assessment to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2003
Condemns any restriction of the freedom of thought, expression, or association in Hong Kong, consistent with the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992. Recognizes that because Hong Kong exercises considerable influence in international affairs, as a developed economy, financial center, trading entrepot and shipping center, reductions in the existing freedom of the Hong Kong people would be of global significance. Urges the Hong Kong Government and the People's Republic of China to withdraw the proposed implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law insofar as it would reduce the basic human freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. Calls upon the People's Republic of China, the National People's Congress, and any other groups appointed by the Government of China to leave all revisions of Hong Kong law to a legislature elected by universal suffrage. Urges immediate elections for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong according to rules approved by the Hong Kong people through an election-law convention, referendum, or both. Calls upon the Government of China to fully respect the autonomy and independence of the chief executive, the civil service, the judiciary, the police of Hong Kong, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Calls upon the U.S. Government, other governments, the people of the United States, and the people of the world to support freedom in Hong Kong by: (1) making clear statements against any limitations on existing human freedoms in Hong Kong; and (2) transmitting those statements to the people and the Government of the People's Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2003
Waives points of order against the consideration of the conference report on S. 342 (child abuse and family violence prevention and treatment).
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Parent's Right to Know Act of 2003 - Prohibits making available any funds appropriated for carrying out title X of the Public Health Service Act (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) to any family planning project under specified provisions of that title if any service provider in the project knowingly provides contraceptive drugs or devices to a minor, unless: (1) the minor is emancipated; (2) by court direction; (3) the provider has given actual written notice to the custodial parent or guardian five days in advance; or (4) the minor has written consent of a custodial parent or guardian.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Medicare Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Establishment of Medicare Premium Support System) to restructure the Medicare program under SSA title XVIII into a health care program similar to that for Federal employees under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (which includes prescription drug benefits). Provides for standard and high option Medicare plans, while allowing certain Medicare beneficiaries to elect to retain their current Medicare benefits. Bases premiums on the beneficiary's level of income. Pays the entire premium in cases involving qualified low-income Medicare beneficiaries with income that does not exceed 200 percent of the official poverty line, with partial premium payments for other low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Establishes in the Treasury the Medicare Trust Fund, consisting in part of an appropriation of hospital insurance taxes from under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance), for paying the expenses incurred by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2003 - Declares that the sunset provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 shall not apply to Title V: Estate, Gift, and Generation-skipping Transfer Tax Provisions of such Act. (Makes the repeal of estate and generation-skipping taxes under the Internal Revenue Code, and certain reductions of the gift tax, permanent.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Year of the Korean War Veteran (2003 marks the final year of the United States' 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration and the 50th year of the Armistice).
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Health Savings Account Availability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to individuals (both itemizers and nonitemizers) in high deductible health plans for contributions to health savings accounts. Limits monthly contributions to an account to one-twelfth of the annual deductible. Defines a high deductible plan and a health savings account. States that a plan or other arrangement shall not fail to be treated as a cafeteria plan solely because qualified benefits under such plan include a health flexible spending arrangement under which not more than $500 of unused health benefits may be: (1) carried forward to the succeeding plan year of such health flexible spending arrangement; or (2) contributed on behalf of an employee to a qualified retirement plan, an eligible deferred compensation plan, or a health savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct during fiscal years 2004 and 2005 a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of contracting with private memory care facilities to provide services for veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease as an alternative to the provision by the Secretary of inpatient or home health care for such veterans. Requires the pilot program to be conducted through five medical centers of the Veterans Health Administration selected by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Community Savings and Investment Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a separate tax rate for a qualified community lender; and (2) permit the exclusion from gross income of distressed community banking income.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2003
Social Security Earnings Limit Repeal Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained age 62 may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2003
Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to bar the use of Department of State funds to pay the U.S. share of assessed contributions for the United Nations regular budget in an amount greater than the largest assessed contribution of any other permanent member country of the United Nations Security Council (currently, an amount greater than 22 percent of the total of all assessed contributions).
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 1474 (substitute checks and check collection innovation).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to make minimum wage and maximum hours requirements inapplicable to seasonal employees working at facilities or locations where the primary source of revenue comes from sale of fireworks directly to consumers.
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
Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require the Secretary of Transportation to limit allocations under the Act to high priority corridors that connect to the border between the United States and Mexico or the United States and Canada. Requires the Secretary to give priority consideration to only those on which traffic has increased since enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act and is projected to increase in the future. Authorizes separate appropriations for the NAFTA corridor planning and development and coordinated border infrastructure programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Establishes a joint committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate to study and review the procedures which should be adopted by the House, the Senate, and Congress to: (1) ensure congressional continuity and authority during times of crisis; (2) improve congressional procedures necessary for the enactment of measures affecting homeland security during such times; and (3) enhancing the ability of each chamber to cooperate effectively with the other body on major and consequential issues related to homeland security.
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 · 19 May 2003
Medicare Osteoporosis Measurement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include coverage of bone mass measurements under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for all individuals, including estrogen-deficient women, at clinical risk for osteoporosis.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Financial Contracts Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and the Federal Credit Union Act (FCUA) to redefine specified contracts, agreements, and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution prior to the appointment of a conservator or receiver. Retains the right of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the National Credit Union Administration Board (NCUAB) to: (1) accelerate a qualified financial contract with an insured depository institution in receivership status; and (2) transfer, disaffirm, or repudiate a qualified financial contract of a failed institution. Prohibits enforcement of a walkaway clause in a qualified financial contract of a failed insured depository institution. Revises guidelines pertaining to an insolvent insured depository institution and: (1) transfers of qualified financial contracts; and (2) the termination rights of counterparties to a qualified financial contract. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the disaffirmance or repudiation of qualified financial contracts by the conservator or receiver for a failed depository institution; and (2) the treatment of a master agreement as a single agreement and a single qualified financial contract. Amends the Federal Bankruptcy Code to: (1) deny an automatic stay to set-offs under certain swap and netting agreements; and (2) restrict bankruptcy trustee avoidance power regarding certain master netting agreement transfers to those that are fraudulent in nature. Sets forth statutory guidelines governing: (1) the termination or acceleration of certain kinds of contracts and agreements; and (2) commodity broker and stockbroker liquidation with respect to the priority of unsecured claims, or customer property or distributions. Amends the FDIA and the FCUA to authorize more detailed recordkeeping requirements for qualified financial contracts if the pertinent institution is in a troubled condition. Exempts specified collateralization agreements involving bankruptcy estate funds, extensions of credit, or certain qualified financial contracts from the contemporaneous execution requirement, failure to meet which ordinarily renders invalid certain agreements found to be against FDIC interests in an asset acquisition. Amends the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1971 to prohibit a judicial protective decree, or one issued by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, from operating as a stay of creditor's contract rights to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate designated contracts and agreements. Allows such a protective order, however, to operate as a stay of foreclosure on securities collateral pledged by the debtor.
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
Health Access and Flexibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to Archer medical savings accounts to: (1) eliminate such accounts' availability to only self-employed individuals and employees of small employers; (2) repeal the 750,000 limitation on the number of such accounts; (3) reduce the permitted minimum deductibles on qualifying high deductible plans to $1,000 (single coverage), and $2,000 (family coverage); (4) increase the monthly (and thus the annual) deduction limitation permitted for account contributions; (5) permit employer and employee contributions to be made to an account; (6) make cost-of-living adjustments applicable to only high deductible plan maximums; and (7) provide for 60-day rollovers from a health flexible spending arrangement to an account. Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) to authorize a State to provide alternative medical benefits for eligible population groups which shall consist of at least: (1) coverage for medical expenses in a year after a catastrophic deductible has been met; and (2) contribution into a medical freedom account (as defined by 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
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
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).