United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003 - MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2003 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish a MediKids program to meet the health needs of eligible children. Family Opportunity Act of 2003 or the Dylan Lee James Act - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to give States the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for them. Establishes a Commission on Children's Access to Care. Children's Health Insurance Accountability Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for children's health accountability standards. Kids Deserve Freedom from Tobacco Act of 2003 or the KIDS Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for additional restrictions on the marketing, advertising, and access to tobacco products. Comprehensive Insurance Coverage of Childhood Immunization Act of 2003 - Amends ERISA, PHSA, and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to outline standards relating to coverage of childhood immunization. Children's Environmental Protection Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to provide for environmental protection for children and other vulnerable subpopulations. School Environment Protection Act - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide for integrated pest management systems for public schools. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) to make grants to eligible States to support parenting support and education programs. Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act - Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Insurance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible entities to pay for the Federal share of projects to provide wage replacement for eligible individuals responding to family caregiving needs, including those resulting from the birth or adoption of a child. Family and Medical Leave Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to extend its coverage to private employers with 25 or more (currently, 50 or more) employees. Amends the Federal civil service law on family and medical leave to provide for an entitlement to leave for addressing domestic violence for Federal employees. Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2003 - Amends Federal civil service law on family and medical leave to authorize the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project that assists families by providing paid leave for eligible Federal employees who are responding to: (1) caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a son or daughter; or (2) other family caregiving needs. Time for Schools Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and Federal civil service law to provide for entitlement to school involvement leave of eligible individuals, including Federal employees. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to provide for optional FamilyCare coverage of targeted low-income parents and their children. Children's Environmental Protection and Right to Know Act - Amends: (1) the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 with respect to reporting toxic chemicals; and (2) the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to require publication of a list of substances or mixtures determined toxic to children. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to provide block grants to States for media campaigns promoting responsible fatherhood. Amends the Head Start Act and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to reserve specified funds for programs for infants and toddlers, especially programs to improve access to child care. Focus On Committed and Underpaid Staff for Children's Sake Act or the FOCUS Act - Establishes the Child Care Provider Development and Retention Grant Program and the Child Care Provider Scholarship Program. Federal Employees Child Care Act - Provides for child care centers in Federal facilities as well as child care services for Federal employees. Early Learning Linkages Act of 2003 - Repeals the Early Learning Opportunities Act to replace it with a program of grants by the HHS Secretary to State and Local Councils to provide funds to early childhood learning providers to: (1) increase the number of full-day full-year Head Start programs, and the number of children served by Early Head Start and State prekindergarten education programs; and (2) develop linkages among such programs within a community and between them and health care services for young children in ways that facilitate greater access to such programs. Child Care Facilities Financing Act - Authorizes the Secretary to award grants for the Federal share of the cost of the acquisition, construction, or improvement of child care facilities or equipment. Book Stamp Act - Directs the Secretary to make grants to State agencies to promote child literacy and improve children's access to books at home and in early learning and other child care programs. Amends the Higher Education Act regarding student loan forgiveness for teachers. America's Better Classroom Act of 2003 - Amends the IRC to establish an income tax credit for qualified public school modernization, school construction, and zone academy bonds. Child Opportunity Zone Family Center Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible partnerships to pay for the Federal share of the cost of establishing and expanding child opportunity zone family centers. Amends the IRC to increase the child tax credit and to make the credit partially refundable. Tax Relief for Working Families Act - Amends the IRC to increase the earned income tax credit for married couples and for two or more qualifying children. Extends the dependent care tax credit to respite care services. Establishes the Gateways Grant Program to improve the administration of State and county programs for low-income families with children. Child Support Distribution Act - Amends SSA title IV parts A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) and B (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to provide for increased child support payments to families and enforcement of child support obligations. Child Support Assurance Act - Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to States for child support assurance demonstration projects. Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2003 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for a graduated increase in the minimum wage (and apply it to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Federal Living Wage Responsibility Act - Specifies minimum hourly wages and other employment terms for employees under Federal contracts. Amends the IRC concerning: (1) parity for part-time workers, fair counting of wages, and use of improved technology for making wage data available; (2) ensuring unemployment compensation for individuals that are separated from employment due to domestic violence; and (3) loss of child care as good cause for leaving employment. Amends the TANF program concerning: (1) disregard of months engaged in work for purposes of the five-year TANF assistance limit; (2) replacement of case load reduction credit with employment credit; (3) elimination of limit on number of TANF recipients enrolled in vocational education or high school who may be counted towards the work participation requirement; (4) elimination of separate work participation rate for two parent families; and (5) strengthening of TANF individual responsibility plans. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 concerning the treatment of aliens under the TANF program. Amends the TANF program to provide for the reauthorization and extension of TANF State family assistance grants. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act concerning the child and adult care food program, and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 concerning the food stamp program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 concerning: (1) prevention of hunger among families with children; (2) encouragement of collection of child support; and (3) periodic redetermination of eligibility. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a rental assistance voucher program. Establishes in the Treasury the Voucher Success Fund and the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Housing Preservation Matching Grant Act of 2003 - Directs the HUD Secretary to make grants to States for low-income housing preservation. Amends SSA title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) to direct the HHS Secretary to reimburse States for preventive, protective, crisis, permanency, independent living, and post-permanency services. Social Services Block Grant Restoration Act - Amends SSA title IV part A (TANF) and SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to provide for restoration of funds for the social services block grant. Child Protection/Alcohol and Drug Partnership Act - Amends SSA title IV part B to provide for child protection and alcohol and drug partnerships for children. Amends SSA title IV part E to provide for a permanency grants program. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to authorize the HHS Secretary to award grants for programs to: (1) serve children who have been exposed to domestic violence; and (2) encourage the development and use of multisystem intervention models that respond to the needs of children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to establish a program through which the Secretary may make grants to States to address the mental health and developmental needs of young children. Younger Americans Act - Establishes a national youth policy. Establishes grants for State and community programs to encourage and assist States and youth development consortia in mobilizing and supporting communities in planning, implementing, and being accountable for strategies that link community-based organizations, local government, volunteer centers, schools, community colleges, colleges, universities, faith-based organizations, businesses, parks and recreation agencies, libraries and museums, arts and cultural organizations, other youth-serving organizations, and other segments of the community to ensure that all youth have access to, and participate in, the full array of described core resources. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a Coordinating Council for National Youth Policy. Mental Health Juvenile Justice Act - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) to establish grants for a State and local juvenile justice agency training program regarding access to mental health and substance abuse treatment for juveniles in contact with the State juvenile justice system. Establishes a Federal Coordinating Council on Criminalization of Juveniles With Mental Disorders. Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) provide for the regulation of firearms transfers at gun shows; and (2) require child handgun safety locks on firearms. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require child handgun safety locks. Prohibits weapons transfers to juveniles and imports of large capacity ammunition feeding devices. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to establish grants for: (1) State and local domestic violence offender recordkeeping improvements; and (2) local and antigun violence media campaigns. Provides for regulation of Internet firearms transfers. Prohibits multiple handgun sales or purchases. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish the Advisory Committee on Private Sector Support for Children and Families.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the exclusion from gross income for employer-provided health coverage for spouses ad children to other qualifying employee beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Establishes the Victims of Terrorism Memorial Advisory Board and authorizes it to establish a memorial to victims who died as a result of terrorist attacks against the United States or its people, at home or abroad, except those individuals identified by the Attorney General as participating or conspiring in terrorist-related activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $2,000, adjusted for inflation; or (2) an amount equal to two-thirds of the amount of any such monthly pension plan payment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Youth Exchange Support Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase, from $50 to $200 per month, the deduction allowed for host families of foreign exchange and other students; and (2) provide an inflation adjustment for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Urges the President to award a Presidential Citizens Medal in honor of Frederick Douglass. Recognizes his unwavering dedication to equality and civil rights and his profound contributions to American history.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Renewing the Dream Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a community homeownership tax credit based upon an applicable percentage of each qualified residence's eligible basis. Makes such credit available to residences located: (1) in a census tract with a median gross income not exceeding 80 percent of the greater area or statewide median gross income; (2) in a rural area; (3) on an Indian reservation; or (4) in an area of chronic economic distress. Prohibits a buyer's income from exceeding 80 percent (70 percent for families of less than three) of the area gross median income and requires owner occupancy. Specifies that the aggregate homeownership credit dollar amount which a homeownership credit agency (an "agency") may disburse is the portion of the "State homeownership credit ceiling" (the "ceiling") allocated to such agency. Allows "unused homeownership credit carryovers" to be allocated among qualified States. Sets aside at up to 90 percent least ten percent of a State's ceiling for certain housing projects in which a qualified nonprofit organization owns an interest and materially participates in the given project's development and operation throughout the credit period. Requires allocation of credit to residences to be in accordance with a "qualified allocation plan" of the agency issuing credit. Lists certain specified criteria such a plan must include and specifies that the plan must be approved by the governmental unit of which such agency is a part.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Accidental Shooting Prevention Act of 2003 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit any person from manufacturing or importing, or any Federal firearms licensee from transferring possession of or title to, a pistol manufactured on or after January 1, 2006, unless the pistol includes: (1) a plainly visible device in a contrasting color that clearly indicates whether the pistol is loaded; and (2) a mechanism that prevents any semiautomatic pistol that has a detachable ammunition magazine from being fired when the magazine is not attached. Directs the Attorney General to impose a civil fine for a violation of this Act, to suspend a firearms license for a second offense, and to revoke such license and license eligibility for subsequent violations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Wartime Parity and Justice Act of 2003 - Allows certain individuals of Japanese ancestry who were brought forcibly to the United States from countries in Latin America and interned in the United States during World War II to be provided restitution under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Urges the President to transmit a letter of apology to each such individual. Makes the Attorney General responsible for identifying and locating individuals eligible for restitution. Authorizes judicial review of a denial of compensation. Permits an individual covered by this Act who has accepted payment on a related claim before this Act's enactment to receive an appropriately reduced payment. Directs: (1) individuals covered by this Act to not be considered to have been present in the United States unlawfully during the evacuation, relocation, or internment period; (2) each U.S. agency to correct any records indicating otherwise; (3) agencies to disclose all information relating to the removal and internment of such individuals; and (4) the President to share such information with other countries and encourage those countries to make that information available. Reestablishes in the Treasury the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund and establishes a board of directors for the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2003 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments. Directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to determine whether State law provides specified rights and responsibilities for public safety officers, including: (1) granting public safety employees the right to form and join a labor organization which excludes management and supervisory employees, and which is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for such employees; and (2) requiring public safety employers to recognize and agree to bargain with the employees' labor organization. Requires the FLRA to issue regulations establishing collective bargaining procedures for public safety employers and employees in States that do not substantially provide for such public safety employee rights and responsibilities. Directs the FLRA, in such cases, to: (1) determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation; (2) supervise or conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a majority of the employees in an appropriate unit; (3) resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith; (4) conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices; and (5) resolve exceptions to arbitrator's awards. Grants a public safety employer, employee, or labor organization the right to seek enforcement of such FLRA regulations and authority through appropriate State courts. Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts or strikes. Provides that existing collective bargaining units and agreements shall not be invalidated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include permanent partners (as defined by this Act) within the scope of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - Prohibits a person from: (1) slaughtering a horse for human consumption; (2) importing to, or exporting from, the United States horseflesh or horses for human consumption; (3) selling, bartering, transferring, receiving, or distributing horseflesh or horses for human consumption; or (4) soliciting or knowingly causing any such actions. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) criminal and civil penalties; (2) enforcement authority of the Secretary of Agriculture; (3) placement of confiscated horses; (4) euthanasia of unplaceable or severely injured or diseased horses; (4) funding of animal rescue facilities; and (5) exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Local Emergency Health Services Reimbursement Act of 2003 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to appropriate $1,450,000,000 for each of FY's 2004 through 2008 for allotments to States for reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (presently such appropriations end after FY 2001). Sets forth formulas for the disbursement of funds by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Declares that $957,000,000 shall be allotted based on a percentage of undocumented aliens and $493,000,000 shall be allotted based on numbers of undocumented alien apprehensions (in the six States with the highest number of such apprehensions). Permits a State to receive funds on both accounts. Allows funds to go to States, local governments, hospitals, or other providers in a State, including providers of services received through an Indian Health Service facility (presently funds go only to States). Permits reimbursement to providers for the uncompensated provision of emergency health services to aliens who have been allowed to enter the United States for the sole purpose of receiving such services. Directs the Secretary to ensure that fraudulent payments are not made from allotments under this Act. Allows for the reallotment of unused funds. Declares that this Act constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize qualified physical therapists to provide services for Medicare beneficiaries without the requirement of a physician referral. Provides for treatment of outpatient speech-language pathology services separately from outpatient physical therapy services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a broadband credit equal to the sum of: (1) the current generation broadband credit; plus (2) the next generation broadband credit. Defines: (1) the current generation broadband credit for any taxable year as ten percent of the qualified expenditures incurred with respect to qualified equipment providing current generation broadband services to qualified subscribers and taken into account with respect to such taxable year; and (2) the next generation broadband credit for any year as twenty percent of the qualified expenditures incurred with respect to qualified equipment providing next generation broadband services to qualified subscribers and taken into account with respect to such taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Morris K. Udall Arctic Wilderness Act - Designates specified lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Technological Resource to Assist Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require a licensed manufacturer or importer of firearms to: (1) test fire manufactured or imported firearms as specified by the Attorney General; (2) prepare ballistics images of the fired bullet and cartridge casings; (3) make the records available to the Attorney General for entry into a computerized database; and (4) store the fired bullet and cartridge casings. Directs the Attorney General to assist firearm manufacturers and importers in complying with these requirements by: (1) acquiring, installing, and upgrading ballistics equipment and bullet and cartridge casing recovery equipment; (2) hiring or designating sufficient personnel to develop and maintain a ballistics database; (3) providing education about the role of ballistics; and (4) providing for the coordination among law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and the firearm industry to curb firearm-related crime and illegal firearm trafficking. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish a computer system through which State and local law enforcement agencies can promptly access ballistics records; (2) require training for all ballistics examiners; (3) conduct mandatory ballistics testing of all firearms obtained by or in the possession of the Department of Justice; and (4) report to Congress on the implementation of this Act. Prohibits the use of ballistics information of individual guns for prosecutorial purposes unless officials have a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that ballistics information would assist in the investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
State Budget Relief Act of 2003 - Requires the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for: (1) a State for FY 2002 to be substituted for the State's FMAP for each of such covered calendar quarters if the FMAP determined for a State for a covered calendar quarter would otherwise be less than the FY 2002 FMAP; and (2) each eligible State for each covered calendar quarter to be increased by two percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Artists' Contribution to American Heritage Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a fair market value (determined at time of contribution) deduction for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, scholarly compositions, or the copyright created by a qualifying donor. Exempts certain non-personal letters and memoranda from such treatment. Limits such increased deduction to the donor's artistic adjusted income (as defined by this Act).
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Calls on executive branch officials and Members of Congress to raise the issue of anti-Semitism in their bilateral contacts with other countries and at multilateral fora, including meetings of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the July 2003 Twelfth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Calls on participating OSCE States to: (1) condemn anti-Semitism, racial and ethnic hatred, xenophobia, and discrimination, as well as persecution on religious grounds whenever it occurs; (2) ensure effective local and national law enforcement against criminal acts stemming from anti-Semitism, xenophobia, or racial or ethnic hatred, including thorough investigation and prosecution of such acts; (3) promote the creation of educational efforts throughout the region to counter anti-Semitic stereotypes and attitudes among younger people, increase Holocaust awareness programs, and help identify the necessary resources to accomplish this goal; (4) play a leading role in combating anti-Semitism and ensure that the resolution adopted at the 2002 meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin is followed up by a series of concrete actions at the national level; and (5) organize a separately designated human dimension event on anti-Semitism as early as possible in 2003, consistent with the Porto Ministerial Declaration adopted by the OSCE at the Tenth Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in December 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Clean Water Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to define "fill material" to mean any pollutant which replaces portions of waters of the United States with dry land or which changes the bottom elevation of a water body for any purpose and to exclude any pollutant discharged into the water primarily to dispose of waste.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by determining that acquiring corporations in"corporate expatriation transactions" shall be considered domestic corporations. Defines a "corporate expatriation transaction" as, with certain exceptions, one in which a "nominally foreign corporation" acquires substantially all of the properties held by a domestic corporation and in which, immediately after the transaction, more than 80 percent of the stock of the acquiring corporation is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation. Lowers the 80 percent threshold to 50 percent when the acquiring "nominally foreign corporation" lacks substantial business activities in the foreign country in which it was created and organized compared to the total activities of the "expanded affiliated group" and the stock is publicly traded, with the principal market of trading being the United States. Defines the terms "nominally foreign corporation" and "expanded affiliated group." Applies similar rules to partnership transactions. Establishes that a series of related transactions relevant to the Act shall be handled as a single transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
United States Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an annual tax credit for 25 percent of up to the first $25,000 of qualified wages paid or incurred per qualified U.S. independent film and television production. Increases the credit to 35 percent if the production is located in an area eligible for designation as a low-income community or eligible for designation by the Delta Regional Authority as a distressed county or isolated area of distress.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Condemns the terrorist attacks in Mombasa, Kenya, which occurred on November 28, 2002, in which innocent Kenyan and Israeli civilians were targeted. Urges the President to seek the cooperation of all countries in the war on terrorism, including through the prohibition of financial support for Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in the Middle East and Africa and through opposing the glorification of suicide bombers and other terrorists. Urges the United States, Kenya, and Israel to stand united in the global war on terrorism and to work together to bring to justice the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in Mombasa, Kenya.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a joint special resource study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Rim of the Valley Corridor in southern California as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Health Care for Filipino World War II Veterans Act - Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital and nursing home care and medical services to any individual who is a Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout (current law) and who is: (1) residing in the United States; and (2) a U.S. citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Provides a rate of payment equal to the rate provided for active-service veterans and their survivors for: (1) dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of Commonwealth Army veterans or new Philippine Scouts; and (2) veterans' disability compensation for new Philippine Scouts residing in the United States. Provides national cemetery burial benefits for new Philippine Scouts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2003 - Deems certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts as active military service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Repeals certain provisions discounting such service as qualifying service.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Social Security Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) pension offset provisions applicable to husband's and wife's insurance benefits, widow's and widower's insurance benefits, and mother's and father's insurance benefits with respect to Old-Age and Survivors insurance benefit payments; and (2) windfall elimination provisions with respect to computation of the primary insurance amount of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 - Adjusts the basic Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity amount for surviving spouses, age 62 and older, of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent (current law), for months before October 2004; (2) 40 percent for months during FY 2005; (3) 45 percent for months during FY 2006; (4) 50 percent for months during FY 2007; and (5) 55 percent for months after FY 2007. Adjusts similarly percentage amounts with respect to survivors of reserve personnel and survivors of persons who die while on active duty. Provides a corresponding phased elimination of the SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided to such surviving spouses. Requires periodic recomputation of: (1) annuity amounts beginning in October 2004; and (2) retired pay reductions for supplemental survivor annuities. Provides a one-year open enrollment period for SBP participation, commencing October 1, 2004, for those currently not participating, those electing to increase current coverage, and those wishing to participate in the supplemental SBP. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to require appropriate premiums for SBP participation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Authorizes the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor the victims of the Ukrainian famine-genocide of 1932-1933. Prohibits the U.S. Government from paying any expense for the establishment of the memorial or its maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Recognizes the accomplishments of Ignacy Jan Paderewski as a musician, composer, statesman, and philanthropist, and acknowledges his invaluable efforts in forging close Polish-American ties, on the 11th anniversary of the return of his remains to Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Recognizes the historical significance of February 19, 1942, the date Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Roosevelt, restricting the freedom of Japanese Americans, German Americans, and Italian Americans, and legal resident aliens through required identification cards, travel restrictions, seizure of personal property, and internment. Supports recognizing those events on a National Day of Remembrance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2003 - Allows the Representative (Member of Congress, including Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress) of the immediate family of a deceased fire fighter, law enforcement officer, emergency technician, or other rescue worker who died in the line of duty to provide the family, at their request, with a Capitol-flown flag, together with a certificate, signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Representative providing the flag, which contains an expression of sympathy for the family.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Authorizes the President to award a gold medal to each of the seven crew members who perished aboard the space shuttle Columbia: Rick D. Husband; Michael P. Anderson; Laurel Clark; David M. Brown; William C. McCool; Kapana Chawla; and Ilan Ramon.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Condemns the selection of Libya to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Commends the President and the Administration and those countries which joined the United States for objecting to Libya's selection. Expresses dismay at the European Union common position of abstention on the critical vote over Libya's chairmanship. Promises to hold accountable countries who voted in favor of Libya's chairmanship. Calls on countries at various stages of democratization to demonstrate their commitment to human rights, democracy, peace and security, and support efforts to reform the Commission. Calls on the President to instruct the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees regarding the U.S. priorities and strategy for the 59th session of the Commission and strategy and proposals for its reform. Requests the President to object to the continued suspension of sanctions against Libya and call for their full reinstatement until Libya: (1) publicly accepts responsibility for the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing; (2) provides appropriate compensation to the victims; and (3) is in full compliance with all UN sanctions imposed as a result of Libya's orchestration of the Pan Am 103 terrorist attack. Calls on the Secretary of State to engage member countries to support U.S. efforts to ensure that states that are gross violators of human rights, sponsors of terrorist activities, or subject to UN sanctions will not be elected to leadership positions in the UN General Assembly nor will they be elected to membership or leadership positions on the UN Commission on Human Rights, the UN Security Council, or any other UN entity or affiliated agency.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2003
San Gabriel River Watershed Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct and report to specified congressional committees on a special resource study of the following areas in California: (1) the San Gabriel River and its tributaries north of and including the City of Santa Fe Springs; and (2) the San Gabriel Mountains within the territory of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Provides for the consideration of regional flood control and drainage needs and publicly owned infrastructure such as wastewater treatment facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2003
Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard, upon the decommissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, to convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to such vessel to the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History (the recipient), Port Huron, Michigan, if the recipient meets specified conditions. Includes among such conditions that it: (1) use the vessel for purposes of education and historical display; and (2) hold the Government harmless for claims arising from exposure to asbestos and other hazardous materials after the conveyance.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2003
SCHIP Allotment Extension Availability Act of 2003 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to provide for extending the availability through FY 2006 of SCHIP allotments for FY 1998 through 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of State to initiate a U.S. plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland, and to instruct the U.S. delegation there to implement such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) Federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas. Includes Capitol Police as law enforcement officers under such Act. Eliminates the limitation on the aggregate of basic pay and premium pay with respect to availability pay for Federal criminal investigators.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2003 - Directs Secretary of Education to: (1) develop and publish instructional materials accessibility standards for the national electronic file format to be used by publishers of instructional materials in the preparation of electronic files suitable for efficient conversion into specialized formats; (2) establish a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise and guidance in creating such national electronic file format; (3) periodically review and amend such standards to reflect technological advances or changes; and (4) establish a National Instructional Materials Access Center. Requires State educational agencies, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to develop and implement statewide plans and make contracts with publishers to ensure that instructional materials for classroom use in elementary and secondary schools are made available in specialized formats to individuals who are blind or have other print disabilities at the same time such materials are provided to individuals without such disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to provide or improve their capacity to prepare or obtain instructional materials in specialized formats, including the national electronic format. Provides for enforcement of rights of children and parents under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Housing Preservation Matching Grant Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make matching grants to States (including the District of Columbia and U.S. commonwealths, territories, and possessions) for low-income housing preservation. Sets forth requirements for projects: (1) with Department of Housing and Urban Development-insured mortgages; (2) with section 8 assistance; or (3) purchased by the residents.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to: (1) post on the official public Internet site of the House each registration and report filed with and retained by the Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995; and (2) provide notice of such posting on each registration and report form prepared and provided by the Clerk.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Honors the life-long commitment of Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel to human rights and democracy. Recognizes the exceptional achievements of Mr. Havel as playwright and president, and congratulates him for his outstanding service to the people of the Czech Republic.
![Official portrait of Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000410_200.jpg)