United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) revision in the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment adjustment for rural hospitals equalizing DSH payment amounts; (2) a single, standardized amount under the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS); (3) treatment of certain physician pathology services; (4) elimination of the 15 percent reduction in payment rates under the Medicare PPS for home health services; (5) a permanent increase in the Medicare payment amount for home health services furnished in a rural area; and (6) exclusion of certain rural health clinic services and federally qualified health center services from the PPS for covered skilled nursing facility services. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to establish: (1) a capital infrastructure revolving loan program under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make described loans to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements from the loan and loan guarantee fund under PHSA; (2) a high technology acquisition grant and loan program under which the Secretary may award grants and make loans to any eligible entity for any costs incurred by the eligible entity in acquiring eligible equipment and services for improving the quality of health care in rural areas; and (3) a program of grants to eligible entities under which the Secretary shall award such grants to public or nonprofit private entities to establish telehealth resource centers for the health care needs of individuals in rural areas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income for income tax purposes any payments received under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001 - Sets forth the overall trade negotiating objectives of the United States for trade agreements (generally similar to the objectives of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (OTCA)), including to: (1) further strengthen the system of international trading disciplines and procedures, including dispute settlement; and (2) foster economic growth, raise living standards, and promote full employment in the United States and to enhance the global economy. Sets forth the principal U.S. negotiating objectives (generally similar to the principal OTCA negotiating objectives) regarding trade barriers and other trade distortions, trade in services, foreign investment, intellectual property, transparency, improvement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, foreign regulatory practices, electronic commerce, reciprocal trade in agriculture, and WTO extended negotiations. Requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consult closely with Congress during trade negotiations. Sets forth the authority of the President (generally similar to the authority under OTCA) to enter into trade agreements with foreign countries regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. States that a trade agreement may be entered into (before June 1, 2005; or June 1, 2007, if trade authorities procedures (or fast-track procedures) are extended under this Act) only if it makes progress in meeting the overall and principal trade negotiating objectives, and the President satisfies certain notification and consultation requirements set forth in this Act, including submission of the agreement for assessment by the International Trade Commission. Applies trade authorities procedures to bills implementing trade agreements if they consist of: (1) a provision approving a trade agreement entered into under this Act, and approving any statement of administrative action; and (2) if changes in existing laws or new statutory authority are required to implement such agreements, provisions necessary to implement them, either repealing or amending existing laws or providing new statutory law. Authorizes both Houses of Congress to adopt, within 60 days of each other, a procedural disapproval resolution denying trade authorities procedures to any trade agreement if the President has failed or refused to notify or consult with Congress about it. Exempts from the notice and consultation requirements of this Act any tariff or nontariff agreement which results from negotiations commenced before enactment of this Act, and which: (1) is entered into under the auspices of the WTO regarding the rules of origin work program; (2) is entered into with Chile or Singapore; or (3) establishes a Free Trade Area for the Americas. Requires the appointment of a Congressional Oversight Group to serve as advisor to the U.S. delegation after the President notifies Congress of his intention to enter into the negotiation of any tariff or nontariff trade agreement. Requires the President to submit an implementation and enforcement plan at the same time a final text of any tariff or nontariff trade agreement is submitted to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Savings for Working Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit any qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to establish one or more qualified individual development account programs. Defines such an account as an account established for an eligible individual (income based) as part of a qualified individual development account program (matched individual and entity savings accounts for qualifying educational, first-time home purchase, or business expenses). Sets forth provisions concerning such accounts, including: (1) the structure and administration of account programs; (2) procedures for opening and maintaining an account and qualifying for matching funds; (3) withdrawal procedures; and (4) disregarding account funds for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs. Provides matching funds through a tax credit for a participating entity's program investment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should continue to honor its commitment to U.S. volunteer aviators who lost their lives flying for France during World War I by appropriating sufficient funds to restore the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2001
Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - Directs the head of any Federal agency that awards or obligates funds for any construction contract, or that awards grants, provides financial assistance, or enters into cooperative agreements for construction projects, to ensure that bid specifications, project agreements, or other controlling documents do not: (1) require or prohibit a bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor from entering into, or adhering to, agreements with labor organization, with respect to that construction project or another related construction project; or (2) otherwise discriminate against such a party because it did or did not become a signatory or otherwise adhere to such an agreement. Allows exemptions to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve national security. Allows additional exemptions for certain projects. Directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement this Act with respect to the applicable Federal contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Amends the Organic Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain a list of each person that notifies the Secretary that it is a manufacturer or seller that is: (1) licensed to engage in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product; or (2) is a trade association representing such manufacturers or sellers. Declares that any lawful conduct carried out by a manufacturer or seller in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product, or lawful conduct carried out by a trade association in the course of representing such manufacturers or sellers, shall not be the basis for imposing a restriction on such commerce (the award of civil damages, equitable relief, or any other specified limitation) as a result of harm caused by the criminal or other unlawful misuse of such firearm or ammunition product by any other person.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Safe Havens Support Act of 2001 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to allow a State to use a TANF grant to support an infant safe haven program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) specify restrictions on the sale and public display of social security account numbers (SSNs) (or any derivatives) by Federal, State, and local governments and bankruptcy case trustees; (2) prohibit the display of SSNs on checks issued for payment by such governments, or on driver's licenses or motor vehicle registrations issued by a State or local government; (3) prohibit the Federal, State, or local government display of SSNs (or any derivatives) on employee identification cards or tags (IDs); (4) prohibit access to the SSNs of other individuals by prisoners employed by Federal, State, or local governments; (5) require States to require independent verification of birth records provided in support of applications for SSNs; and (6) prohibit the selling, purchasing, or displaying of SSNs and the obtaining or using of any individual's SSN to locate or identify such individual with the intent to physically injure or harm such individual or to use the ID of such individual for any illegal purpose by any person, with specified exceptions. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act, including judicial orders of restitution. Provides that any person who refuses to do business with an individual because the individual will not consent to that person's receipt of his or her SSN shall be considered to have committed an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act, except in certain cases required under Federal law. Subjects to the Fair Credit Reporting Act information regarding a consumer's SSN (and any derivative) (credit header information).
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2001
Helpers Job Opportunity Act - Provides for the creation of an additional category of laborers or mechanics known as helpers under the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires a helper of a laborer or mechanic to be paid the prevailing wage of helpers of laborers or mechanics employed on similar projects in the same subdivision of the State.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2001
Amends part C (Administrative Simplification) of title XI of the Social Security Act to revise the deadline for initial compliance with standards for information transactions and data elements.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2001
Helping Our Professionals Educationally Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of each military department to permit a member who is entitled to basic educational assistance under the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), has served at least six years, has a critical military skill or is in a military specialty designated as critical, and agrees to serve at least four more years to transfer such assistance to one or more dependents. Allows up to 18 months of entitlement to be transferred. Prohibits a spouse from using such assistance until the transferor has completed six years of service. Prohibits a child from using such assistance until the transferor has completed ten years of service and the child has completed secondary school requirements or is 18 years of age. Authorizes a VEAP-entitled individual to elect to receive an accelerated lump-sum payment of basic educational assistance, under specified conditions. Makes Montgomery GI Bill benefits available for training which leads to licensing or certification in technological occupations. Makes members who continue in the Selected Reserve beyond the ten-year period required for entitlement to educational assistance eligible for such assistance for five years after separation from such service (unless such separation is under other than honorable conditions).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Apprenticeship Enhancement Act of 2001 - 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 · 22 May 2001
Dollars to the Classroom Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education award grants to States for use by States and local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve classroom services and activities for students. Prescribes requirements for participation of private school children and teachers in activities and services. Prohibits Federal control of State or local educational activities or services receiving such grant assistance. Repeals specified programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and certain other Acts, including: (1) demonstrations of innovative practices; (2) innovative elementary school transition projects; (3) Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program;(4) Technology for Education, including Star Schools, Ready-to-Learn Television, and the telecommunications demonstration project for mathematics; (5) Magnet Schools Assistance; (6) Women's Educational Equity; (7) Innovative Education Program Strategies; (8) Native Hawaiians Education; (9) Alaska Native Education; (10) Fund for the Improvement of Education; (11) Gifted and Talented Education; (12) Arts in Education; (13) Civic Education; (14) Allen J. Ellender Fellowship Program (Close-Up programs); (15) 21st Century Community Learning Centers; (16) Urban and Rural Education Assistance; (17) National Writing Project; (18) Extended Time for Learning and Longer School Year; (19) Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers; (20) Eisenhower Math and Science Regional Consortia; (21) State and local education systemic improvement; (22) school-to-work opportunities system development and implementation grants; and (23) Education for Homeless Children program. Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Act - Authorizes the Secretary to allow all 50 States to participate in the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Act program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Conservation Security Act of 2001 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a conservation security program to assist agricultural owners and operators promote conservation of soil, water, and related resources such as wildlife and wetlands. Requires a participant to submit a resource security plan. Sets forth three tiers of resource security plan conservation practices, and bases a participant's annual payments upon implemented tiers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to reauthorize and extend the supplemental grant for population increases in certain States under TANF for FY 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2001
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2001 - Provides that neither a person (including any other entity) who donates re-certified fire control or fire rescue equipment, nor a State or local agency that administers the distribution of such equipment, shall be liable for personal injuries, property damage, or death proximately caused after the donation by a defect in such equipment. Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's or agency's act or omission causing the injury, damage, or loss constitutes malice, gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person or agency is the manufacturer of such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2001
Small Business Liability Protection Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide (with exceptions) that persons shall be liable for response costs at a National Priorities List (NPL) facility as non-owners or operators only if the total of material containing a hazardous substance that the business arranged for disposal, transport, or treatment of, or accepted for transport, was greater than 110 gallons of liquid material or 200 pounds of solid material. Applies this exemption only to activities taking place before April 1, 2001. Exempts a person from liability for response costs (with exceptions) at a NPL facility for municipal solid waste (MSW) as a non-owner or operator if the person is an owner, operator, or lessee of residential property from which all of the person's MSW was generated, or a certain small business or small charitable tax-exempt organization that generated all its MSW, with respect to the facility concerned. Makes nongovernmental entities that commence a contribution action liable to the defendant for all reasonable costs of defending the action if the defendant is not liable based on the above-described exemptions. Adds to the list of parties eligible for de minimis final settlements certain persons and businesses that demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs. Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2001
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise provisions requiring a refund of duties (drawback) on articles or merchandise which has been exported or destroyed under the supervision of the Customs Service within three years after importation or withdrawal, and which, among other things, is ultimately sold at retail and for any reason returned to and accepted by the importer or the claimant under the provisions of the importer's or claimant's merchandise warranty provision. Authorizes a drawback to be claimed by designating any entry of such merchandise that was imported within one year before its exportation or destruction. Prohibits the allowance of a drawback unless the completed article is exported or destroyed under the supervision of the Customs Service within five years after its importation. Sets forth drawback requirements with regard to: (1) use of domestic merchandise acquired in exchange for imported merchandise of same kind and quality; (2) packaging material; and (3) liquidation of entries. Sets forth penalties for false drawback claims. Provides for the liquidation or reliquidation of certain entries filed at the ports of Laredo, Texas, Hidalgo, Texas, and Wilmington, Delaware.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2001
Unilateral Sanction Reporting Act - Directs the President to report annually to all committees of Congress with jurisdiction affected by U.S. policies on unilateral economic sanctions on: (1) the costs and benefits within the United States, and, to the extent possible, the economic implications for the targeted foreign countries or entities concerned, of the imposition of unilateral economic U.S. sanctions during the previous calendar year; and (2) the policy goals intended to be achieved by such sanctions, and the extent to which they were achieved. Requires other specified reports with respect to such sanctions. Defines "unilateral economic sanction" to include export and import restrictions, financial transaction suspensions, investment suspensions, increased tariffs, restrictions on the authority of the Export-Import Bank, restrictions on defense articles, and voting requirements for U.S. representatives to international financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2001
Anti-Gang Violence Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) make it unlawful for any person to recruit another to participate as a member in certain criminal street gang activities; and (2) provide criminal penalties for violations. Authorizes a court, when sentencing a person for such a violation, to hold such person liable for the costs of housing, maintaining, and treating a minor until the minor attains 18 years of age. Increases penalties for the use of minors to: (1) distribute drugs; or (2) commit Federal offenses that are crimes of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2001
Biomass Energy Equity Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code respecting the credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources to: (1) extend the credit; (2) expand the scope of qualifying closed-loop facilities; and (3) make qualifying biomass (other than closed-loop biomass) and biomass facilities eligible for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Access to Cancer Therapies Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to extend Medicare coverage to all oral drugs prescribed for use as an anticancer agent for a medically accepted indication.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2001
Reforestation Tax Act of 2001 - 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. Decreases the amortization period for reforestation expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2001 - 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 FPI to comply with Federal occupational, health, and safety standards regarding its industrial operations. Requires that an analysis of the probable impact of a proposed expansion of inmate-work activities 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. Provides for inmate wages and deductions. Amends the Federal judicial code regarding the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund to authorize payments to the Bureau of Prisons exclusively for the purpose of providing additional vocational and remedial educational training for inmates. Amends the Federal criminal code to require that not less than 20 percent of the gross profits of the corporation at the end of each fiscal year be allocated to fund vocational training for inmates. Requires 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. Authorizes FPI to: (1) locate more than one workshop at a Federal correctional facility; and (2) operate a workshop outside of a correctional facility if all of participating inmates are minimum security inmates.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
American Wetland Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Secretary of the Army to issue mitigation bank (specified wetland resource restoration, creation, or enhancement projects or projects consisting solely of preservation of wetlands chartered by the Secretary for purposes of providing mitigation credits to offset wetland losses authorized by permits allowing activities in U.S. waters) charters. Authorizes a mitigation bank, upon receipt of its charter, to offer mitigation credits for sale and to provide compensatory mitigation for activities requiring authorization under the Act or provide required injunctive relief in an enforcement action by the Secretary or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to establish standards and criteria applicable to the use of on-site mitigation, in lieu fees, and other off-site mitigation as compensatory mitigation that are similar to those applicable to a mitigation bank. Allows a State that operates an approved program regulating the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters to administer a wetland mitigation banking program in accordance with State procedures if such banking program is approved by the Administrator as part of the State's dredged or fill material program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Structured Settlement Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on persons acquiring structured settlement payments in factoring transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Medical Savings Account Availability Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to medical savings accounts to: (1) repeal restrictions on the number of accounts which may be established; and (2) expand the availability of such accounts to individuals other than the self-employed and employees of small employers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the use of appropriated funds for: (1) any system to implement the Act that does not require and result in the immediate destruction of all information submitted by or on behalf of any person who has been determined not to be prohibited from owning a firearm; and (2) the implementation or collection of any tax or fee by any Federal officer, agent, or employee, or by any State or local officer or agent acting on behalf of the United States, in connection with such implementation. Authorizes any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act to bring an action in Federal district court and, if successful, to receive damages, punitive damages, and such other remedies as the court may determine to be appropriate, including a reasonable attorney's fee.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Clean Air Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add air or water pollution control facility bonds to the definition of exempt facility bond.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Electric Power Industry Tax Modernization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a governmental unit to make an irrevocable election to terminate certain tax-exempt bond financing for electric output facilities. Sets forth provisions concerning independent transmission companies. Provides for the exclusion from gross income as contributions to capital of certain amounts received by electric utilities. Revises the special rules concerning the tax treatment of nuclear decommissioning costs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Calls for the establishment of Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Military Overseas Voter Empowerment Act of 2001 - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to provide that, for purposes of voting for a Federal or State office, a person who is absent from a State in compliance with military or naval orders shall not, solely by reason of that absence be deemed to have: (1) lost a residence or domicile in that State, without regard to whether or not the person intends to return to that State; (2) acquired a residence or domicile in any other State; or (3) become a resident in or a resident of any other State. Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to provide for: (1) extension of registration and balloting rights for absent uniformed services voters to State and local elections; (2) treatment of applications and absentee ballots submitted by absent uniformed services voters; and (3) coverage of recently separated uniformed services voters as absent uniformed services voters. Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a demonstration project under which absent uniformed services voters are permitted to cast ballots in the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office for November 2002 through an electronic voting system.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Capital Gains Tax Rate Reduction Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) reduce the 10 and 20 percent individual capital gains tax rates to 5 and 10 percent respectively; (2) repeal provisions providing for reduced capital gain rates for qualified five year gains; and (3) with respect to the alternative minimum tax, reducing the 10 and 20 percent maximum tax rate on net capital gain for individuals to 5 and 10 percent respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to taxation of U.S. shareholders of controlled foreign corporations, to permanently extend the subpart F exemption (which excludes such income from the shareholder's foreign personal holding company income) for active financing (banking, financing, or similar business) income earned on business operations overseas. (Thus permits American financial services firms doing business abroad to defer U.S. tax on their earnings from their foreign financial services operations until such earnings are returned to the U.S. parent company.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Requires the metal content of the Medal of Honor, awarded by the President to members of the armed forces and Coast Guard, to be 90 percent gold and ten percent alloy.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
21st Century Montgomery GI Bill Enhancement Act - Increases, for FY 2002 through 2004, the rates of veterans' basic educational assistance. Prohibits any rate increase during such period based on adjustments to the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Education Savings and School Excellence Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to education individual retirement accounts (education IRAs) to: (1) increase maximum annual contribution limits to $2,000 per beneficiary; (2) permit tax-free expenditures for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses at a public, private, or religious school; (3) waive age limitations for contributions on behalf of a special needs beneficiary; (4) limit contribution reductions based on adjusted gross income to individual contributors (permits entity contributions regardless of income); (5) permit annual contributions to be made up to such year's tax filing date (not including extensions); (6) exempt excess contributions from the additional ten percent tax provided such contribution and interest earned are returned within six months after the end of the tax year for which the contribution was made; and (7) coordinate education IRA distributions with the HOPE and Lifetime Earning Credit qualified tuition programs. Collegiate Learning and Student Savings (CLASS) Act - Permits private higher educational institutions, in addition to currently permitted State institutions, to establish qualified tuition programs. Excludes from gross income such program distributions used for qualified higher education expenses. Provides that one rollover per year of amounts from one qualified tuition program to another for the benefit of the same beneficiary shall not be considered a distribution. Includes first cousins as family members for purposes of qualified tuition programs. Revises the definition of "qualified higher education expenses," including the exclusion of sport- or hobby-related courses unless taken as part of a degree program or to improve job skills. Makes the exclusion from gross income of employer provided educational assistance permanent. Repeals the current dollar limitation on the deduction for interest on educational loans provision and replace it with a limitation on such deduction based on modified adjusted gross income. Repeals the 60-month limitation period on the allowance of the interest deduction on such loans. Eliminates the two percent floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions for the qualified professional development expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers. Excludes from gross income certain amounts received under the National Health Corps Scholarship Program, the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program, the National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program, or similar State program.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2001 - Provides that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if both parties consent in writing after such controversy arises. Requires the arbitrator to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Pulmonary Hypertension Research Act of 2001 - 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. Requires a report.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Orphan Drug Tax Credit Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to move up the date for which a taxpayer may claim the credit for the clinical testing of drugs for rare diseases or conditions (orphan drugs) from the date a drug is designated an orphan drug to the date the application for such designation is filed.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include wireless telecommunications equipment in the definition of qualified technological equipment for purposes of determining the depreciation treatment of such equipment under the accelerated cost recovery system.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Law Enforcement Officers Due Process Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to law enforcement agencies (agencies) that: (1) have in effect an administrative process or an existing procedure that complies with officer rights requirements; or (2) certify that they will establish, within two years, an administrative process that complies with such requirements. Requires the administrative process to require that an agency that investigates an officer for matters which could reasonably lead to disciplinary action provide recourse for the officer that includes: (1) access to any existing administrative process established by the employing agency prior to disciplinary action; and (2) the right to a hearing before a fair and impartial board or hearing officer, to be represented by an attorney or other officer at such officer's expense, to confront any witness testifying against such officer, and to record all meetings. Permits the immediate suspension with pay of an officer: (1) whose continued presence on the job is considered to be a substantial and immediate threat; (2) who refuses to obey a direct order issued in conformance with the agency's written and disseminated rules and regulations; or (3) who is accused of committing an illegal act. Makes this Act inapplicable to an agency if the Attorney General determines that such agency has in effect an established civil service system, agency review board, grievance procedure, or personnel board which meets or exceeds the minimum standards set forth in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of that House voting and present, unless the bill is determined at the time of adoption, in a reasonable manner prescribed by law, not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for purposes of determining any increase, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Requires journal entry of any vote. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2001
Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to increase benefits to railroad employees and their beneficiaries and to revise financing of the pension part (tier II) of the railroad retirement system. Establishes a Railroad Retirement Trust Fund and a Railroad Retirement Investment Trust to manage and invest Fund assets. Abolishes the Railroad Retirement Supplemental Annuity Account and provides for transfer of its funds to the Fund. Provides for transfer to the Fund of certain portions of the Railroad Retirement Account and of Social Security Equivalent Benefit account funds. Transfers to the disbursing agent from the Dual Benefits Payments Account the amount necessary to make dual benefit payments. Requires the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to calculate the ratio of assets to benefits to determine annual tier II tax rates for employers, employee representatives, and employees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt the Fund from taxation. Repeals a supplemental annuity tax that railroad employers pay to finance a benefit for long-time rail employees. Provides for adjustments to railroad employers, employee representatives, and employee tier II tax rates.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2001
Campaign Integrity Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to prohibit any national committee of a political party, including the national congressional campaign committees of a political party, or any party committee officers or agents, from soliciting, receiving, or directing any contributions, donations, or transfers of funds, or spending any funds (soft money) which are not subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of such Act. Declares that no candidate for Federal office, individual holding Federal office, or any agent of such candidate or officeholder may solicit, receive, or direct: (1) any funds in connection with any Federal election unless they are subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of such Act; (2) any funds that are to be expended in connection with any non-Federal election unless they are not in excess of the amounts permitted contributions to Federal candidates and political committees, and are not from prohibited sources; or (3) any funds on behalf of any person which are not subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of such Act if such funds are for the purpose of financing any activity on behalf of a candidate for election to Federal office or any communication which refers to a clearly identified candidate for election to Federal office. Specifies certain exemptions from such prohibitions. Prohibits a State committee of a political party from transferring any funds to a State committee of a political party of another State, except according to FECA. Repeals limitations on the amount of coordinated expenditures by the national and State committees of political parties. Revises contribution limits, and mandates indexing of them. Provides for expanding disclosure of campaign finance information, including prescribing reporting requirements for expenditures for radio or television broadcast communications regarding a candidate for the Senate or the House of Representatives. Applies such requirements to any person who expends an aggregate amount of more than $25,000 during a calendar year for such communications relating to a single candidate for election to Federal office (or an aggregate amount of more than $100,000 during a calendar year for all such communications relating to all such candidates). Outlines requirements for Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforcement of FECA and administration, including revised standards for initiation of FEC actions. Bans the acceptance of any contributions of U.S. or foreign currency which, in the aggregate, exceed $100. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the solicitation of political party soft money in Federal buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
Teacher Liability Protection Act - Teacher Liability Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a new title XV, Teacher Liability Protection. Preempts State law except where it provides additional protection of teachers from liability. Makes this Act inapplicable to any civil action in State court against a teacher in which all parties are citizens of the State, if it enacts a statute electing that this Act not apply. Provides that no teacher in a school shall be liable, with specified exceptions, for harm caused by an act or omission on behalf of the school if the teacher was acting within the scope of employment or responsibilities relating to providing educational services. Limits punitive damages and liability for specified non-economic loss.