United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 or Laci and Conner's Law - Provides that: (1) whoever engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes) and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense; and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Specifies that a violation of such provisions does not require proof that: (1) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or (2) the defendant (or accused) intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child. Prohibits imposition of the death penalty for an offense under this Act. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) of any person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Offers the gratitude of the House of Representatives on behalf of the American people to the thousands of individuals who worked tirelessly to recover the Space Shuttle Columbia debris.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Calls for the establishment of a National Truck Safety Month to raise public awareness about the contributions, responsibilities, and needs of truck drivers to make the Nation's highways safer.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins, which shall be emblematic of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia (the first permanent English settlement in America). Provides for a $35 per coin surcharge for the $5 dollar coins and $10 per coin for the $1 dollar coins. Directs that: (1) half of the surcharges be used to support programs to promote the understanding of the legacies of Jamestown (to be paid to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation); and (2) half be used to sustain the ongoing mission of preserving Jamestown, to enhance national and international educational programs relating to Jamestown, to improve infrastructure and archeological research activities relating to Jamestown, and conduct other programs to support the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown (to be distributed by the Secretary in equal shares to the Secretary of the Interior, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation).
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects (fuels projects) on specified types of Federal lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to give priority to fuels projects that provide for the protection of communities and watersheds. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to make grants: (1) to improve the commercial value of forest biomass to produce electric energy, sensible heat, transportation fuels, or substitutes for petroleum-based products; and (2) to offset the cost of projects to add value to biomass. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to permit the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to provide assistance to State foresters and officials for the purpose of expanding State forest capacities and activities to address watershed issues on non-Federal forested lands and potentially forested lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to establish an accelerated program to plan, conduct, and promote comprehensive and systematic information gathering on bark beetles. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the healthy forests reserve program within the Forest Service for the purpose of protecting, restoring, and enhancing degraded forest ecosystems to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species as well as improve biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a comprehensive plan to inventory, monitor, characterize, assess, and identify forest stands and potential forest stands in specified locations. States that issues to be addressed shall include: (1) the early detection, identification, and assessment of environmental threats; and (2) the loss or degradation of forests.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Intermediate Sanctions Compensatory Revenue Adjustment Act of 2003 (ISCRAA) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on the collecting attorney: (1) in each excess fee transaction a tax equal to five percent of such fee; and (2) in any case in which such tax is imposed and the excess fee involved is not corrected within the taxable period, a tax of 200 percent of the excess fee involved. Defines: (1) collecting attorney; (2) excess fee transaction; and (3) taxable period. Authorizes Tax Court declaratory judgments with respect to excise taxes on excess fee transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal in recognition of Jackie Robinson's contributions to the Nation. Calls for designation of a national day recognizing Robinson's accomplishments.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Real Estate Investment Trust Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise real estate investment trust (REIT) provisions respecting: (1) straight debt safe harbor; (2) limited rental exception; (3) customary services exception; (4) hedging instruments; (5) prohibited transaction safe harbor; (6) distributions attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests; and (7) rules of application for asset requirements and limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2003
Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to replace provisions regarding the purchase of prison-made products by Federal departments with provisions establishing a Government-wide procurement policy relating to purchases from Federal Prison Industries (FPI), which shall generally require the use of competitive procedures. Requires that an analysis of the probable impact of a proposed expansion of sales within the Federal market by FPI on private sector firms and their non-inmate workers be made whenever FPI proposes to authorize the sale of a new specific product or service or to expand production of a current product or service. Authorizes FPI to enter into a contract with a Federal contractor to produce products as a subcontractor or supplier in the performance of a Federal procurement contract. Establishes within the Bureau of Prisons: (1) the Enhanced In-Prison Educational and Vocational Assessment and Training Program; and (2) the Cognitive Abilities Assessment Demonstration Program. Directs: (1) the Chief Operating Officer of FPI to develop proposals to have FPI donate products and services to eligible entities that provide goods or services to low-income individuals who would likely otherwise have difficulty purchasing such products or services; (2) the Director of the Bureau to afford to inmates opportunities to participate in programs and activities designed to help prepare such inmates to obtain employment upon release; (3) the Attorney General to establish the Federal Reentry Center Demonstration Project; and (4) the Comptroller General to undertake to have an independent study conducted on the effects of eliminating FPI's mandatory source authority.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2003 - States that a person (including a governmental or other entity) who donates fire control or fire rescue equipment to a volunteer fire company shall not be liable for State or Federal civil damages for personal injuries, property damage or loss, or death proximately caused by the equipment after the donation. Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's act or omission causing the injury, damage, loss, or death constitutes gross negligence, or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person is the manufacturer of such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Truth in Employment Act of 2003 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that nothing in specified prohibitions against unfair labor practices by employers shall be construed as requiring an employer to employ any person who seeks or has sought employment with the employer in furtherance of other employment or agency status.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Freeing Alternatives for Speedy Transportation (FAST) Act - Amends Federal highway law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish and implement an Interstate System FAST Lanes program under which the Secretary shall permit a State, or a public or private entity designated by the State, to collect fees to finance the expansion of a highway by constructing additional lanes on the Interstate System for the purpose of reducing traffic congestion. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study for a project with an estimated total cost of $50 million or more to determine: (1) if a toll facility for such project is feasible; and (2) if privatizing the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility is financially advisable (while retaining legal and administrative control of the portion of the Interstate route).
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Pension Preservation and Savings Expansion Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Economic Growth and Tax Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Social Security Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Retirement Protection Act of 1994 to revise various pension and retirement provisions, including provisions affecting: (1) pension portability; (2) retirement plan participation and coverage; (3) IRAs; (4) defined benefit plans; (5) retirement plan contribution and distribution rules; (6) retirement plans of tax-exempt organizations and plans for government employees; (7) stock options; and (8) retiree health plans.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the additional requirements for qualified veterans mortgage bonds to: (1) revise the definition of a qualified veteran to mean any veteran who served on active duty (removes the limitation of service before January 1, 1977) and who applied for financing before 30 years after leaving service (removes the additional proviso of, or before January 31, 1985); (2) revise the State veterans limit; and (3) permit a State to elect to carry forward any of such unused limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Child Custody Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit transporting a minor across a State line to obtain an abortion and thereby abridging the right of a parent under a law in force in the State where the minor resides requiring parental involvement in a minor's abortion decision. Makes an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the life of the minor. Specifies that neither the minor transported nor her parent may be prosecuted or sued for a violation of this Act. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution for, or to a civil action based on, such a violation that the defendant reasonably believed that before the minor obtained the abortion, the parental consent or notification or judicial authorization that would have been required had the abortion been performed in the State where the minor resides, took place. Authorizes any parent who suffers harm from a violation to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action. Defines "parent" to include a guardian, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis who has care and control of the minor, and with whom the minor regularly resides, who is designated by such law as a person to whom notification, or from whom consent, is required.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Sickle Cell Treatment Act of 2003 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to include primary and secondary preventative medical strategies, treatment, and services, including genetic counseling and testing, for individuals who have Sickle Cell Disease as medical assistance under the Medicaid program. Directs the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration to conduct a demonstration program for the development and establishment of systemic mechanisms, including a National Coordinating Center, to improve the prevention and treatment of Sickle Cell Disease.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as the Dr. Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the rights of victims of violent crime, being capable of protection without denying the constitutional rights of those accused of victimizing them, are hereby established and shall not be denied by any State or the United States and may be restricted only as provided in this article. States that a victim of violent crime shall have: (1) the right to reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime and of any release or escape of the accused; (2) the rights not to be excluded from such public proceeding and reasonably to be heard at public release, plea, sentencing, reprieve, and pardon proceedings; and (3) the right to adjudicative decisions that duly consider the victim's safety, interest in avoiding unreasonable delay, and just and timely claims to restitution from the offender. States further that these rights shall not be restricted except when and to the degree dictated by a substantial interest in public safety or the administration of criminal justice, or by compelling necessity. States that nothing in this article shall be construed to provide grounds for a new trial or to authorize any claim for damages. Authorizes only the victim or the victim's lawful representative to assert the rights established by this article. Prohibits any person accused of the crime from obtaining any form of relief under this article.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Constitutional Amendment - States that people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools. States that the United States and the States shall not establish any official religion nor require any person to join in prayer or religious activity.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Anti-Hoax Terrorism Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for engaging in conduct with intent to convey false or misleading information that may reasonably be believed and that concerns an activity which would violate prohibitions regarding biological weapons, chemical weapons, nuclear materials, or weapons of mass destruction. Makes any persons who engage in such conduct jointly and severally liable to any party incurring expenses incident to any emergency or investigative response to that conduct. Directs the court to order a defendant who has been convicted of such an offense to reimburse any party incurring such expenses. Specifies that an order of reimbursement shall, for the purposes of enforcement, be treated as a civil judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2003 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) give greater weight to scientific and commercial data that is empirical or that has been field-tested or peer-reviewed in determining that a species is an endangered or threatened species; and (2) promulgate regulations that establish criteria for data to be used as the basis of such a determination. Prohibits the Secretary from determining that a species is endangered or threatened unless the determination is supported by field data. Requires the Secretary to include in the rule-making record of such a determination data collected by landowners. Requires the Secretary to publish a description of additional scientific and commercial data that would assist in the preparation of a recovery plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) solicit recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences and develop a list of qualified reviewers to participate in independent scientific review actions; and (2) appoint from such list three individuals who shall report on the scientific information and analyses on which final action is based. Requires the Secretary, when consulting with a Federal agency to determine whether agency action will jeopardize an endangered or threatened species or destroy the critical habitat of such species, to: (1) consider information provided by affected States; and (2) allow any person who has sought agency authorization or funding for an action to participate in related consultations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Apprenticeship Enhancement Act of 2003 - Amends the National Apprenticeship Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to ensure that applications relating to apprenticeship programs are processed in a fair and timely manner. Allows aggrieved applicants to file petitions for judicial review of final determinations by the Secretary or applicable designee.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Asbestos Compensation Fairness Act of 2003 - Requires as an essential element of a nonmalignant asbestos claim that there be physical impairment to which asbestos exposure was a substantial contributing factor. Sets forth prima facie evidence of that impairment, including as a minimum, that the exposed person have: (1) both a detailed occupational and exposure history and a medical and smoking history; (2) at least a Class 2 permanent respiratory impairment rating; (3) asbestosis or diffuse pleural thickening; and (4) total lung capacity below the lower limit of normal along with either a determination of exposure at or above specified levels concerning ratios of FEV1 to FVS or a chest x-ray showing opacities graded at or above specified levels on the ILO scale. Prohibits any civil action alleging an asbestos claim based upon lung cancer without prima facie evidence which shall include specified minimum requirements. Prohibits claims involving other cancers without prima facie evidence which shall include specified minimum requirements. Declares that no prima facie evidence is necessary in a civil action alleging an asbestos claim based upon mesothelioma. Requires the use of AMA guidelines or other authoritative standards. Sets forth requirements concerning claim consolidation (with consent only if not members of the same household), venue, preliminary proceedings, and removal. Delineates the statute of limitations for claims for asbestos conditions. Sets forth certain requirements for the scope of liability and damages involving civil actions under this Act, including that: (1) a defendant shall be liable only for that portion of a judgment that the defendant has responsibility for; and (2) no punitive damages may be awarded. Sets forth liability rules applicable to product sellers, renters, and lessors.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Citizenship Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit automatic citizenship at birth to a child born in the United States who: (1) was born in wedlock to a parent either of whom is a U.S. citizen or national, or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence; or (2) was born out of wedlock to a mother who is a U.S. citizen or national, or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Publicly Traded Partnership Equity Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include distributions from publicly traded partnerships as qualifying income of regulated investment companies. Excludes such distributions from the source-based inclusion limitation applicable to other partnerships. Applies specified passive activity provisions for publicly traded partnerships to regulated investment companies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes and which make collegiate housing and infrastructure improvement grants to continue to be treated as tax-exempt organizations so long as all of the active members of the recipient organization are full-time students at the college or university with which the recipient organization is associated.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike such gold medal (and authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals); and (2) deposit sums received from the sale of the bronze medals into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Constitutional Amendment - States that no person born in the United States shall be a citizen of the United States, or of any State, on account of birth in the United States unless the mother or father of the person is a citizen of the United States, or is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, at the time of the birth.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Parental Notification and Intervention Act of 2003 - Prohibits any person or organization from performing, permitting facilities to be used to perform, or assisting in the performance of an abortion on an unemancipated minor under age 18, without: (1) clear and convincing evidence of physical abuse of the minor by the parent and the provision of written notification to the parents; (2) compliance with a 96-hour waiting period after notice has been received by the parents; and (3) compliance with judicial intervention procedures. Prescribes penalties of up to ten years' imprisonment and/or a $1 million fine for violating such prohibition. Provides for an exception where a physician without principal responsibility for making the decision to perform the abortion determines that: (1) a medical emergency exists due to a grave, physical disorder or disease that would cause the minor's death if an abortion is not performed; (2) parental notification is not possible as a result of the emergency; and (3) certifications and determinations to that effect have been entered in the minor's medical records. Requires parental notification through certified mail or personal delivery. Authorizes a notified parent to bring an action in Federal district court which shall enjoin the abortion: (1) until the court's judgment is final; or (2) permanently unless the court determines that granting such relief would be unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Small Business Opportunity and Growth Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the tax imposed on the recognition of built-in gain by an S corporation shall not apply to the extent such gain is reinvested in the business.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Commends the bravery and professionalism of members of the U.S. armed forces and its coalition partners. Extends sympathies to the families of such members who are killed, wounded, missing in action, or taken prisoners of war in Iraq. Condemns the failure of Iraqi authorities to treat prisoners of war in strict conformity with Geneva Convention. Demands that Iraqi authorities: (1) abide by the principles and obligations of such Convention; and (2) permit the Red Cross to visit any and all American and any other prisoners of war at the earliest possible time. Joins the President in warning all Iraqi authorities that any individual who mistreats such prisoners of war shall be considered a war criminal and prosecuted to the fullest extent of U.S. and international law. Expresses support for the President in: (1) committing the U.S. Government to the repatriation of all prisoners of war at the earliest possible moment; and (2) seeking the fullest possible accounting, at the earliest possible time, of all members of the U.S. armed forces who are in a missing status as a result of operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Condemns the attacks on U.S. citizens by Palestinian terrorists and demands that the Palestinian Authority work with Israel to protect all innocent individuals, regardless of citizenship, from terrorist atrocities. Offers condolences to the families and loved ones of U.S. citizens who were killed by such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Honors and recognizes: (1) the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish community; and (2) the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History (formed by the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the American Jewish Historical Society, and the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives) and its efforts to plan, coordinate, and execute commemorative events. Expresses support for designation of American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the waiver requirement by a farm owner, operator, or tenant in order for an aerial applicator of agricultural fertilizer or other substances to qualify for a gasoline-farming use (excise) tax exemption in the case of an applicator who is the ultimate purchaser of the gasoline so used. Includes within such exemption gasoline used between the airfield and farm. Exempts fixed-wing aircraft used for forestry purposes from the passenger air transportation (excise) tax.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Reforestation Tax Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to a taxpayer who has a qualified timber gain in an amount equal to the qualified percentage of such gain. Allows a deduction, for qualified timber property, for reforestation expenditures and terminates current provisions allowing for the amortization of such expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Pulmonary Hypertension Research Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute with respect to research on pulmonary hypertension and to coordinate the Director's activities with related activities of other national research institutes and National Institutes of Health agencies. Requires the Director to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of centers to conduct research and programs on pulmonary hypertension, including: (1) basic and clinical research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control, and treatment of the disease; (2) training programs for scientists and health professionals; (3) programs to provide information and continuing education to health professionals; and (4) programs for the dissemination of information to the public. Requires the Director to establish: (1) a data system for the collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and dissemination of data derived from patient populations with pulmonary hypertension; and (2) an information clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding of pulmonary hypertension by health professionals, patients, industry, and the public.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction of premiums for mortgage insurance. Provides for the phaseout of such deduction based on income.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the role played by national and community organizations and health care providers in promoting awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, testing, and ongoing screening for pulmonary hypertension should be recognized and applauded; (2) the Federal Government should raise awareness about the importance of the early detection of and proper treatment for pulmonary hypertension, increase funding for research, and improve access to quality health care services for early detection and treatment; (3) the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute should continue to take a leadership role through the expansion of basic, clinical, and genetic research; (4) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should give priority consideration to the establishment of a pulmonary hypertension awareness program aimed at the general public and health care providers; and (5) National Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month should be established.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
American Dream Downpayment Act - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to participating jurisdictions for downpayment assistance to low-income, first-time home buyers; and (2) make the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 inapplicable to such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should renegotiate the Extradition Treaty between the United States of America and the United Mexican States (signed in Mexico City on May 4, 1978 (31UST5059)), so that the possibility of capital punishment or life imprisonment will not interfere with the timely extradition of criminal suspects from Mexico to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2003 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Adoption Information Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to limit grants or contracts for family planning service projects or programs to projects or programs that will provide a pamphlet containing a comprehensive list of adoption centers in that State.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Asbestos Compensation Act of 2003 - Establishes in the Department of Justice the Office of Asbestos Compensation (OAC) with exclusive jurisdiction over proceedings to determine if a claimant is entitled to compensation for an asbestos claim and the amount of such compensation. Excludes any claim brought under any workers' compensation law or veterans' benefits program. Establishes within OAC: (1) an Asbestos Compensation Fund to make payments to claimants under this Act; and (2) an Office of Administrative Law Judges for expedited administrative adjudication of asbestos claims.. Requires the OAC to implement a legal assistance program to provide legal representation to claimants. Prescribes guidelines governing: (1) medical eligibility; (2) damages; (3) come back rights; (4) class actions; (5) core claims; (6) eligible medical categories; (7) fiscal and financial management of the Asbestos Compensation Fund; and (8) transitional civil actions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Family Time Flexibility Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for compensatory time for all employees. Allows an employee to receive, in lieu of monetary overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to direct the chairman of the Budget Committee to maintain a Discretionary Spending Ledger, divided into entries corresponding to Appropriations Committee subcommittees. States that each entry will consist of the Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance which may be credited with any reductions in new budget authority offered in an amendment to an appropriation bill. Requires such chairman to maintain a Mandatory Spending Ledger, divided into entries corresponding to the House Committees receiving budget allocations, excluding Appropriations. States that each entry will consist of the First Year Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance and the Five Year Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance which may be credited with applicable reductions in new budget authority offered in an amendment to a bill. Permits such reductions to be used to offset an increase in other new budget authority or remain within the applicable allocation. Prohibits the entry of a negative amount. Requires the chairman to maintain and make available to Members running tallies of the amendments adopted, reflecting increases and decreases of budget authority in bills as reported.