United States · United States Congress · 3 September 2003
Exempts from the requirement to pay subsistence charges while hospitalized in a military facility an officer or former officer, or an enlisted member or former enlisted member not entitled to retired or retainer pay or equivalent pay, who is hospitalized in a military facility because of an injury incurred: (1) as a direct result of armed conflict; (2) while engaged in hazardous service; (3) in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or (4) through an instrumentality of war.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for a phased elimination of the nontherapeutic use in food-producing animals of critical antimicrobial animal drugs. Defines "critical antimicrobial animal drug" and "nontherapeutic use." Requires manufacturers of a critical antimicrobial animal drug or an animal feed for food-producing animals containing such a drug to report annual sales information.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Commercial Fishermen Safety Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited fishing safety equipment credit to commercial fisherman for the purchase of qualified fishing safety equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Global Democracy Promotion Act of 2003 - Declares that foreign nongovernmental organizations: (1) shall not be ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 solely on the basis of health or medical services (including counseling and referral services) provided by them with non-U.S. Government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided, and would not violate U.S. Federal law if provided in the United States; and (2) shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. Government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Bringing America Home Act - Recognizes housing as a basic human right, and declares Congress' goal to end homelessness in the Unites States. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to establish the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which shall be used to fund specified housing and related programs. Authorizes appropriations for specified housing and related programs. Federal Homelessness to Housing Mutual Mortgage Association Act - Establishes the Federal Homelessness to Housing Mutual Mortgage Association (Hollie May), which shall provide housing and homeownership opportunities for the homeless in cooperative housing associations. Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to: (1) provide for the use of surplus Federal property to assist the homeless; and (2) revise and consolidate specified homeless assistance programs. Establishes in the Treasury the Emergency Rent Relief Fund. Exempts work performed in public housing from consideration as income under specified housing programs. Sets forth conditions for postal delivery service for the homeless. Authorizes grants for public housing police forces. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a temporary ex-offender low-income housing credit; (2) limit mortgage interest deductions; and (3) repeal the exclusion of gain on a principal residence sale. Expresses the sense of Congress against local ordinances that disadvantage the homeless. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) every person in the United States should have access to affordable and comprehensive medical care; and (2) Medicaid should be expanded. Authorizes appropriations for specified health and homeless programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act, with respect to substance abuse, mental health services, and the homeless, to: (1) require the establishment of Federal plans on addiction, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness; (2) provide grants for treatment; (3) revise the projects for assistance in transition from homelessness (PATH) program; (4) revise the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990. Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the right to a living wage or similar benefits. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize grants for a homebuild program for affordable housing construction and apprenticeship. Authorizes a Department of Labor apprenticeship program for working people experiencing homelessness. Sets forth day laborer and temporary worker employment and related provisions. Amends the Social Security Act to: (1) require supplemental security income (SSI) and old age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) outreach programs for the homeless; and (2) increase SSI asset limits, and provide presumptive eligibility for persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare recognition of the services of respiratory therapists that are furnished as part-time or intermittent nursing care or physical therapy services under a plan of care for home health services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on the impact of paying for the services of respiratory therapists as a separate benefit under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare, and as an explicit component of the several benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Small Employer Health Benefits Program Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to direct the Secretary of Labor to establish the Small Employer Health Benefits Program under which: (1) qualifying small employers are provided access to qualifying health insurance coverage for their employees; and (2) such employees may elect alternative forms of coverage offered by various health insurance issuers. Limits such program to small employers that elect to: (1) offer health insurance coverage to each individual employed for three months or longer; and (2) pay at least half the total premium for qualifying health insurance coverage for such individual. Provides for coverage of part-time employees. Requires the Secretary to enter into contracts with health insurance issuers for the offering of such insurance coverage. Reduces by five percent the total premium otherwise payable by such employer if an average of fewer than 25 employees were employed during the preceding calendar year. Requires the Secretary to provide premium subsidies (calculated according to specified formulae) to: (1) employers for coverage of employees whose individual income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line; as well as (2) such employees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
COBRA Coverage Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit for employer-provided COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation coverage for covered employees and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
Expresses support for designation of "Hire a Veteran Week." Encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon employers, labor organizations, veterans service organizations, and Federal, State, and local governmental agencies to lend their support to increase employment of men and women who have served in the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2003
Workers with Disabilities Opportunity Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to remove the limitation on the period of Medicare (SSA title XVIII part A) Hospital Insurance program eligibility for disabled workers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Directs: (1) 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 the family of the late Raul Julia in recognition of his dedication to ending world hunger and his great contributions to the Latino community and the performing arts; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer half of the amount by which the sum of any gifts and donations received and any proceeds from the sale of duplicate medals exceeds the costs incurred in carrying out this Act to the New York Public Theater and half to the New York Shakespeare Festival.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Honors the life and dedicated service of former Congressman Dalip Singh Saund of California. Remembers his achievements as the only Indian American to serve in Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2003
Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from taking any action proposed under the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs: (1) unless the Secretary has notified Congress of the intention to take such action; and (2) until the later of the expiration of a 60-day period, or 30 days of continuous congressional session, after such notification.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2003
Breastfeeding Promotion Act - Pregnancy Discrimination Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include lactation (breastfeeding, including expression of milk) as protected conduct under such Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow a limited credit to employers for expenses incurred in enabling employed nursing mothers to breastfeed. Safe and Effective Breast Pumps Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) put into effect a performance standard for breast pumps irrespective of the class to which the breast pumps have been classified under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and (2) issue a compliance policy guide which will assure that women who want to breastfeed a child are given full and complete information respecting breast pumps. Expands the IRC definition of medical care to include qualified breastfeeding equipment and services.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2003
Reiterates the condemnation of the House of Representatives of the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 18, 1994, and honors its victims. Urges the Government of Argentina to fulfill its international obligations and its promise to the Argentine people by pursuing the local and international connections to this act of terrorism, wherever it may lead, and to properly punish all those involved. Welcomes Argentine President Nestor Kirchner's political will to pursue the investigation of the bombing of the AMIA to its ultimate conclusions. Calls on the President of the United States to: (1) raise this issue in bilateral discussions with Argentine officials; and (2) underscore the U.S. concern regarding the past delay in the resolution of this case. Recommends that the President of the United States create more mechanisms for intra-regional information sharing and, where needed, joint counter-terrorism operations. Encourages the President of the United States to provide democratic governments in South America and Central America with the necessary financial resources as well as equipment and training for intelligence and security forces. Recommends that the U.S. Representative to the Organization of American States seek support from the countries composing the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism to assist, if needed, in the investigation of this terrorist attack. Calls on all governments in the Western Hemisphere to pursue an anti-terrorism campaign based on unity of purpose, dedication of resources, constant vigilance, and cooperation. Calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to: (1) respond favorably to the Argentine arrest warrant for five Iranian citizens believed to be responsible for the 1994 attack on the AMIA; and (2) cease any and all assistance to terrorist organizations, and renounce any and all involvement with terrorism.
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
Small Business Telework Act - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to conduct, in not more than five of the SBA's regions, a pilot program to raise awareness about telework among small business employers and to encourage such employers to offer telework options to employees. Requires the Administrator to make special efforts to conduct outreach to businesses owned by or employing individuals with disabilities, including disabled American veterans, and agencies, groups, or organizations that aid such individuals. Terminates such program after two years.
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
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Indian Child Welfare Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 concerning: (1) the application of the Act to any Indian child involved in a child custody proceeding regardless of whether such child has ever been part of an Indian family or maintained a social or cultural relationship with an Indian tribe; (2) jurisdiction over child custody and child adoption proceedings; (3) transfer of jurisdiction to tribal court; (4) intervention in state court proceedings, including the intervention rights of the extended family; (5) full faith and credit of tribal court judgments; (6) pending involuntary child custody proceedings, including a prohibition against prebirth involuntary custody proceedings; (7) voluntary termination of parental rights; (8) withdrawal of consent before a final decree; (9) notice to Indian tribes of the voluntary termination of parental rights or voluntary placement of a child; (10) intervention by an Indian tribe upon filing a notice of intent or a written objection; (11) written notice to parents of a terminated or changed adoptive placement or a commenced proceeding to adopt; (12) notice to extended family members; (13) invalidation of child custody proceedings; (14) expanded release of information concerning the tribal affiliation of biological parents; (15) assumption of jurisdiction over child custody proceedings by Indian tribes; (16) agreements between States and Indian tribes as they affect jurisdiction; (17) the content of notices with respect to pending involuntary child custody proceedings; (18) criminal sanctions for fraudulent representation during Indian child adoption proceedings; (19) visitation as an enforceable right; (20) Alaska Native postadoption inheritance rights; (21) promulgation of regulations governing compliance reviews; and (22) the application of these requirements to children of State-recognized and Canadian tribes. Amends the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to deem investigations conducted under such Act, and any foster or adoptive home licensed or approved by an Indian tribe under standards equal to or more stringent than those established under such Act, to satisfy the requirement of any other pertinent Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Air Line Pension Act of 2003 - Sets forth special funding requirements for certain pension plans maintained by commercial passenger air carriers (plans), notwithstanding any contrary provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Provides for such plans, if they have a funded percentage of less than 80 percent as of January 1, 2003, the following: (1) modifications of funding rules, including funded percentage, assumed interest rate for determining current liability, and estimation of current liability; (2) a moratorium on the deficit reduction contribution, under specified conditions; (3) a one-time amortization of 2008 unfunded current liability; and (4) recognition of a waiver in the deficit reduction contribution. Provides for such plans, if they are maintained for benefit of the carrier's employees pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement and if they terminated during calendar year 2003, the following: (1) restoration by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to the plan's pre-termination status and transfer of control of plan assets and liabilities to the employer, unless the collective bargaining agreement provides that the plan should not be restored; (2) exclusion of any expected increase in current liability due to benefits accruing during each plan year; (3) amortization of unfunded amounts under the restoration payment schedule; (4) inapplicability of certain contribution requirements to a restored plan until a plan year beginning on the initial post-restoration valuation date, with modified required annual payments; and (5) resetting of funding standard account balances. Limits PBGC liability with respect to certain plans under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Compact-Impact Reimbursement Act - Amends the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 to authorize and appropriate to the Secretary of the Interior specified funds for FY 2004 through 2023 for grants to Guam, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa to aid in defraying costs incurred by their governments as a result of increased demands placed on health, educational, social, or public safety services, or infrastructure related to such services, due to the residence of qualified immigrants. Provides food stamp eligibility for such immigrants and qualified nonimmigrants. Authorizes appropriations for grants to the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palua, Guam, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for establishing or continuing programs for the control and prevention of communicable diseases, including cholera and Hansen's Disease. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services to make medical facilities of the Department of Defense and the National Health Service Corps, respectively, available to the residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palua. Requires the United States to make available to the Governments of such States and Republics necessary sums for the payment of obligations incurred for the use of such facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Student Loan Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise student aid requirements for consolidation loans. Repeals a prohibition against refinancing consolidation loans. Allows borrowers to select lenders of consolidation loans. Requires lenders and institutions to provide certain information on consolidation loans to applicants. Revises interest rates on consolidated and reconsolidated loans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Native American Languages Act Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Native American Languages Act to require the Secretary of Education to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, Native American language educational organizations, Native American language colleges, Indian tribal governments, organizations that demonstrate the potential to become Native American language educational organizations, or consortia of such entities to establish Native American nests that meet specified requirements for students under the age of seven and families of the students. Requires the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, Native American language educational organizations, Native American language colleges or universities where such languages are taught, Indian tribal governments, or consortia of such entities, to operate, expand, and increase the number of Native American language survival schools throughout the United States and its territories for Native American children and Native American language-speaking children. Specifies eligibility requirements for recipients of such funds. Requires the Secretary to make grants, or enter into contracts, to establish four demonstration programs that will provide assistance to Native American language survival schools and Native American languages nests located at: (1) Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikolani College of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, in consortium with the 'Aha Punana Leo, Inc., and with other entities if determined to be appropriate by the College; (2) Piegan Institute of Browning, Montana; (3) the Alaska Native Language Center of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, in consortium with other entities as the Center determines to be appropriate; and (4) the Native American Studies Department of the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque in consortium with the Linguistic Institute for Native Americans and other entities as determined to be appropriate by the consortium.
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 · 8 July 2003
Overtime Compensation Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to prohibit the Secretary of Labor from promulgating any regulation that has the effect of exempting from FLSA overtime compensation requirements (which limit maximum hours at regular compensation) any employee who is not otherwise exempted under regulations in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. Provides that such prohibition does not bar the Secretary from reducing the number of employees who are exempt from such overtime compensation requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Living Equitably: Grandparents Aiding Children and Youth Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out demonstration programs to provide: (1) intergenerational family housing in connection with the supportive housing program; and (2) section 8 rental assistance to grandparent-headed or relative-headed covered families. Makes such covered families eligible for the following programs: (1) family unification assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937; (2) cottage housing opportunity units under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; and (3) fair housing initiatives program education, and outreach under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to provide Department of Housing and Urban Development personnel with training respecting covered family issues.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2003 - Allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire all or a portion of specified lands for inclusion in the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii. States that upon the inclusion of the lands or any portion of the lands, the purposes of the Refuge shall include: (1) the protection and recovery of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds and the endangered Nene (Hawaiian goose); and (2) the conservation and management of native coastal strand, riparian, and aquatic biological diversity.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) to direct the President to establish programs of border interdiction by providing grants to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that provide for transit shelters operating at key border crossings, and help train survivors of trafficking in persons to educate and train border guards, officials, and other law enforcement officials to: (1) identify traffickers and victims of severe forms of trafficking; (2) treat such victims appropriately; and (3) monitor the implementation of border interdiction programs, including helping in the identification of such victims to stop the cross-border transit of victims. Requires the President to establish programs supporting the production of television and radio programs to inform vulnerable populations overseas of the dangers of trafficking, as well as the public in countries of destination. Directs the President to require airlines to develop and disseminate materials alerting travelers that sex tourism is illegal. Directs the President to ensure that any Federal grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under which certain assistance funds relating to international affairs are to be provided to a private entity, in whole or in part, shall include a condition that authorizes the Federal department or agency involved to terminate the grant, contract, or agreement, without penalty, if the grantee or any subgrantee, or the contractor or any subcontractor: (1) engages in specified severe forms of trafficking in persons or has procured a commercial sex act during the period of time that the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement is in effect; or (2) uses forced labor in the performance of the grant, contract, or agreement. Extends to nonimmigrant alien family members the same benefits and services available to a trafficking victim. Revises the benefits and services eligibility criteria for trafficking victims to consider a victim's willingness to assist with a State or local investigation as well as with a Federal investigation. Allows a victim of criminal trafficking offenses to bring a civil action in any appropriate U.S. district court. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the minimum age at which a trafficking victim is required to assist in investigations and prosecutions to be eligible for a "T" visa. Adds unmarried siblings under age 18 to the family members of a trafficking victim eligible for a "T" visa. Amends the Federal criminal code to extend jurisdiction of sex trafficking offenses to acts of trafficking in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Amends the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (VTVPA) to require the Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, acting through the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking (OMCT) of the Department of State, to report to specified congressional committees on Federal agencies implementing such Act. Declares that the Director of OMCT shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, with the rank of Ambassador-at-Large. Establishes within the Task Force a Senior Policy Operating Group. Amends the VTVPA to direct the President, acting through specified entities, to carry out research on trafficking. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Small Business Federal Contractor Safeguard Act - Amends the Small Business Act to modify contract consolidation requirements. Replaces definitions of "bundled contracts" and "bundling of contract requirements" with definitions of "consolidated contract" and "multiple award contract." Prohibits a Federal contracting agency from executing a procurement strategy that includes a consolidated contract valued at more than $2 million unless such strategy: (1) identifies benefits anticipated from consolidation and alternative contracting approaches that would involve a lesser degree of consolidation; and (2) includes a determination that the consolidation is necessary and the benefits justify its use. Provides that a procurement strategy that includes a consolidation valued at more than $5 million shall also: (1) be supported by market research demonstrating that such contract will result in cost savings, quality improvements, reduction in acquisition cycle times, or better terms and conditions; (2) include an assessment of impediments to participation by small businesses as prime contractors that result from such consolidation; (3) specify actions designed to maximize small business participation as subcontractors; and (4) not be justified by savings in administrative or personnel costs unless such savings are substantial in relation to the total cost of the procurement. Allows a small business, if an agency head solicits offers for a consolidated contract, to submit an offer that provides for the use of a particular team of subcontractors. Requires equal evaluation of such an offer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Rebuild America Act of 2003 - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and Federal transportation law to increase, for FY 2003, the: (1) Federal-aid highway program obligation ceiling; (2) authorization of appropriations for formula grants from the Highway Trust Fund and General Fund; (3) Federal Transit Program obligation ceiling; and (4) authorization of appropriations for airport planning and development. Authorizes grants for airport baggage and other security improvement projects. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to holders of qualified AMTRAK bonds. Outlines requirements prior to the written approval by the Secretary of Transportation of qualified high-speed rail projects (which in turn qualify for the AMTRAK tax credit). Directs the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to submit to the President and Congress a multiyear capital spending plan. Expresses the sense of Congress that the proceeds of qualified AMTRAK bonds are intended to finance the construction of qualified high-speed projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 for AMTRAK capital expenditures. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of capital grants for the rehabilitation, preservation, or improvement of class II and III railroad track used primarily for freight transportation. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to: (1) increase the aggregate unpaid principal ceiling on railroad rehabilitation and improvement loans; (2) authorize the Secretary to make grants to supplement such loans and loan guarantees; (3) prohibit the Secretary from requiring such a loan applicant to provide collateral; (4) require loan approval or disapproval within 30 days; and (5) prohibit the Secretary from assessing fees for such loans. Authorizes appropriations for port security grants. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to: (1) require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assist States in establishing simplified procedures for small water treatment works to obtain assistance under such Act; (2) add to authorized purposes of State water pollution control revolving funds; (3) extend, from 20 to 30 years, the authorized term for loans made from such funds; (4) allow such funds to be used to provide owners and operators of small treatment works with certain technical and planning assistance; (5) allow an additional subsidization to benefit individual water rate payers; and (6) authorize FY 2003 appropriations for such funds, for sewer water overflow grants, and for safe drinking water revolving funds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 for: (1) Army Corps of Engineers construction, operation, and maintenance activities; (2) public works and economic development; (3) Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Great Plains regional development; and (4) security enhancements for properties of the General Services Administration. Provides with respect to projects under this Act: (1) priority consideration for security enhancement projects; and (2) Buy American requirements. Amends provisions of the Internal Revenue Code concerning tax shelters to provide penalties for failure to include reportable transaction information with respect to a return or statement for a transaction which the Secretary of the Treasury determines has the potential for tax avoidance or evasion. Imposes an accuracy-related penalty of: (1) 20 percent for understatements with respect to reportable transactions (with an exception for reasonable cause shown); and (2) 40 percent for understatements attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. Makes confidentiality of tax-related communications provisions inapplicable to communications between a tax practitioner and a person in connection with tax shelter participation. Requires each material advisor (currently, each tax shelter organizer) to disclose specified information with respect to such tax shelter (adding specified tax shelter threshold amounts). Increases penalties for failure to register tax shelters. Provides penalties for failure to report interests in foreign financial accounts and for frivolous tax submissions. Places limits on the transfer or importation of built-in losses. Provides for the prevention of corporate expatriation in order to avoid U.S. income tax.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Creates the Independent Commission on Intelligence about Iraq. Gives the Commission responsibility for: (1) evaluating executive branch intelligence collection, assessment, and representations concerning the threats posed by Iraq; (2) evaluating the effectiveness of collaborative arrangements between the United States and others in assessing such threats; (3) examining the extent to which Congress has imposed restrictions that have hampered the efforts of the intelligence community; (4) reviewing the work of other investigations; and (5) reporting its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to Congress and the President.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government should actively pursue a unified approach to strengthen and promote the national policy on aquaculture.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Declares that the immediate and unconditional release from prison in Turkey of the Kurdish Democracy Party parliamentarians Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan, and Selim Sadak is a vital step in upholding due process in Turkey and facilitating Turkey's integration into the European Union.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Reauthorizes for FY 2004 through 2009 and revises the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Requires any Department of Health and Human Services grant to or contract with Papa Ola Lokahi (an organization of public agencies and private organizations focused on improving the health status of Native Hawaiians) to support community-based initiatives that reflect holistic approaches to health. Requires Papa Ola Lokahi to report to Congress on the impact of Federal and State health care financing mechanisms and policies on the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. Makes Papa Ola Lokahi eligible to receive research endowments under the Public Health Service Act. Adds to authorized services the support of culturally appropriate activities enhancing health and wellness, including land-, water-, ocean-, and spiritually-based projects and programs. Allows a priority for Native Hawaiian health scholarships to be provided to employees of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and the Native Hawaiian Health Centers. Allows the provision of financial assistance to a scholarship recipient during the period of obligated service in any of such health care systems or health centers. Authorizes Papa Ola Lokahi to provide fellowships to Native Hawaiian health professionals. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate funds to carry out Native Hawaiian demonstration projects of national significance, including the establishment of specified Native Hawaiian Centers of Excellence. Deems the Papa Ola Lokahi as a qualified Center of Excellence.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in carrying out the pilot program to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans, to do so during FY 2003 at the FY 2002 level, without regard to a certain proviso in title I of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003. Treats such proviso as being of no force or effect. Ratifies any action taken by the Secretary before the enactment of this Act that is inconsistent with such proviso.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Salute to Veterans and the Armed Forces Act of 2003 - Allows the full payment of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, without deduction from either (current law), without the enactment of qualifying offsetting legislation. Repeals: (1) special compensation programs for certain severely disabled and combat-disabled military retirees; and (2) provisions requiring a dependency and indemnity compensation offset from surviving spouse annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Defense, for fiscal years after 2005, to provide a percentage increase in the higher learning cost index for determining basic educational assistance amounts. Directs the Secretary to pay a bonus to members who, at any time during service under Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, satisfied eligibility requirements for the receipt of special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. Directs the Secretary of Homeland to provide such bonus to qualifying Coast Guard members. Authorizes additional appropriations for veterans' improved access to medical care. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make interim payments under claims for veterans' benefits when the final decision regarding the payment of such benefits is delayed following remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the Board for Veterans' Appeals to the Secretary for expedited consideration. Prohibits with respect to veterans: (1) increases in medication copayments; and (2) the imposition of health care enrollment fees. Requires the: (1) Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Labor to provide appropriate information concerning veterans' benefits and employment opportunities; and (2) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prepare an annual plan for the conduct of veterans' outreach activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to place the maximum individual income tax rate at 38.6 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
National Heroes Credit Protection Act - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to require any consumer credit information entity that receives from a creditor a negative report of nonpayment or late payment with respect to the account of a person in military service to enter a notation that the account is delinquent or paid slowly due to military service. Requires any future potential creditor that receives a credit report that includes such a notation to disregard any negative information so noted.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Amends the Head Start Act to authorize additional appropriations for each of FY 2004 through 2008, to be allocated for Head Start program purposes to States that have an increase in the total number of children under six below the poverty level.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Government of Japan should: (1) issue an apology for the sexual enslavement of young women (known as "comfort women") during the colonial occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands during World War II; (2) pay reparations to the victims; (3) educate future generations about this crime against humanity; and (4) publicly refute claims that the subjugation and enslavement of such women never occurred.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Compact Impact Reconciliation Act - Amends the Organic Act of Guam to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to reduce, release, or waive all or part of any amounts owed by the Government of Guam to any department, agency, independent agency, office, or instrumentality of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Human Rights Information Act - Requires certain Federal agencies to identify, review, and organize all human rights records, for declassification and public disclosure, if the President determines bona fide a request for them by an individual or entity carrying an official mandate to investigate a pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. Prescribes guidelines under which the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel shall review agency determinations to postpone disclosure of any human rights record. Authorizes postponement of such public disclosures on specified grounds. Requires each Federal agency to identify, review, and organize all human rights records regarding activities occurring in Guatemala and Honduras for declassification and public disclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Minority Diabetes Initiative Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and private health care providers for the purpose of providing treatment for diabetes in minority communities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Downed Animal Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations to provide for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock by a covered entity, including a requirement that nonambulatory livestock be humanely euthanized. Provides that an entity shall: (1) not move nonambulatory livestock while such livestock is conscious; and (2) humanely euthanize such livestock. Prohibits an establishment covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act to pass nonambulatory livestock through inspection. Defines "covered entity," and "humanely euthanize."
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act - Requires hospitals, as a condition of receiving Federal funds, to provide emergency contraception to a woman who is a victim of sexual assault.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2003
Prescription Drug Parity for Americans Act - Amends provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act set forth in the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000 to: (1) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations permitting pharmacists and wholesalers to import Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription drugs from Canada (currently, from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, the countries in the European Union and the European Free Trade Association, or other countries designated by the Secretary); and (2) exclude an infused or intravenously injected drug or a drug that is inhaled during surgery. Prohibits discrimination in the sale of prescription drugs by manufacturers to pharmacists or wholesalers, requiring: (1) terms as favorable as those provided to foreign purchasers; and (2) full access to drugs permitted to be imported. Continues the requirement that exported donated prescription drugs may only be reimported by the manufacturer. Permits the Secretary to waive the prohibition against importing a prescription drug or device on a case-by-case basis, particularly those from Canada that are FDA-approved and for limited personal use. Requires a study and report by the: (1) Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences on the regulatory compliance of importers of drugs; and (2) Comptroller General on how drug prices were affected.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2003
Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire land in or immediately adjacent to the Karst Region of Puerto Rico for the purpose of protecting and managing the tropical forest areas of the Region, with particular emphasis on water quality and protection of the aquifers. Authorizes the Secretary to use funds from the Puerto Rico Karst Conservation Fund (established by this Act) as well as funds under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978, the Forest Legacy Program, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Requires these lands to be managed in accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978. Makes all lands in such region eligible for inclusion in the Forest Legacy Program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act - Redefines the term "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: (1) Federal employees not otherwise covered by such term whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; and (2) such employees of the Internal Revenue Service whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns. Requires that such service which is performed by an incumbent law enforcement officer be treated: (1) on or after the enactment date of this Act, for all purposes, as service performed as a law enforcement officer, irrespective of how such service is treated under the following; and (2) before, on, or after such date, for purposes of CSRS and FERS, as service performed as such an officer, but only if an appropriate written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management five years after such date or before separation from Government service, whichever is earlier. Provides that nothing under current law respecting mandatory separation from Government service under CSRS or FERS shall cause the involuntary separation of an officer before the end of the three-year period beginning on such date.
![Official portrait of Rep. Abercrombie, Neil [D-HI-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/a000014_200.jpg)