United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether such screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to provide for employee leave to care for a domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent if such person has a serious health condition. Amends Federal civil service law to apply the same leave allowance to Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Clean Diamond Trade Act - Directs the President to prohibit the importation into, or exportation from, the United States of any rough diamond, from whatever source, that has not been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Prescribes criteria for waiver of such prohibition. Directs the President to require the appropriate Government agency to conduct annual reviews of the standards, practices, and procedures of any entity in the United States that issues Kimberley Process Certificates for the exportation from the United States of rough diamonds to determine whether they accord with the KPCS. Makes the importing authority under this Act the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) and the exporting authority the Bureau of the Census. Declares that the Congress supports the trade policy that the President take appropriate steps to promote and facilitate the adoption of the KPCS by the international community. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes the President to direct the appropriate Federal agencies to make available technical assistance, relating to compliance with U.S. trade laws, to countries seeking to implement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Urges the President to work with Participants to strengthen the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme through the adoption of measures for: (1) sharing statistics on rough diamonds production and trade; and (2) monitoring the effectiveness of the KPCS in stemming trade in diamonds whose importation or exportation is not controlled through the KPCS. Urges the executive branch continue to: (1) keep and publish statistics on imports and exports of rough diamonds; (2) make them available for analysis by interested parties and by Participants; and (3) take a leadership role in negotiating a standardized methodology among Participants for reporting such statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Tribal Government Tax-Exempt Bond Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by an Indian tribal government if: (1) at least 95 percent of the net proceeds are used to finance facilities on an Indian reservation; or (2) the obligation is part of an issue substantially all of whose proceeds are to be used in the exercise of an essential government function. Excludes an obligation used to finance a gaming facility. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to exempt obligations issued by an Indian tribal government or subdivision from registration requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Expresses the sympathy of Congress to Craig and Cynthia Corrie and to their extended families, friends, and co-workers for the loss of Rachel Corrie in the Palestinian village of Rafah in the Gaza strip on March 16, 2003. Calls on the U.S. Government to undertake a full investigation into her death. Urges the U.S. Government and the Government of Israel to work together to determine the circumstances that led to her death and to ensure that an incident of this kind does not happen again.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Calls on civic groups, women's groups, clergy, and legislators throughout the world to hold workshops, forums, and other events to speak up for world peace. Encourages the on-going efforts of grassroots organizations engaged in peace-building in their communities which reach across race, class, and economic circumstances. Urges the inclusion of more women in peace negotiations, peace building, and reconstruction efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Reaffirms the U.S. Government's commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8) as the cornerstone of U.S. relations with Taiwan. Urges the President to direct all appropriate U.S. officials to raise concerns regarding China's military threats to Taiwan with China's officials and to seek from China's leaders an immediate and unequivocal public renunciation of any use of force, or threat to use force, against Taiwan. Urges the President to encourage further dialogue between democratic Taiwan and China. Urges U.S. policy, in conformity with the Taiwan Relations Act, to publicly support a United States-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Declares that it shall be unlawful to sell gasoline at wholesale or retail for a price in excess of the price that grade of gasoline sold for in the same market on March 10, 2003. Imposes a civil penalty of $10,000 for each day on which a violation occurs. States that this prohibition shall expire 60 days after the Secretary of Energy reports to Congress an analysis of gasoline price fluctuations, giving particular attention to the occurrence of price gouging as cause of such fluctuations. Requires such report to include the Secretary's recommendations for legislative or administrative actions that could improve gasoline price stability and eliminate price gouging.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Broad-Based Stock Option Plan Transparency Act of 2003 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require companies to include within certain mandatory reports details regarding stock option plans, stock purchase plans, and other arrangements involving employee acquisition of an equity interest in the company, including: (1) a discussion of the dilutive effect of stock option plans (written in accordance with the Plain English Handbook published by the Office of Investor Education and Assistance of the Commission); (2) expanded disclosure of the dilutive effect of employee stock options on the company's earnings per share number; (3) prominent placement and increased comparability of all stock option related information; and (4) a summary of stock options granted to the five most highly compensated executive officers, including outstanding stock options of those officers. Directs the SEC to examine and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the enhanced disclosures required by this Act in increasing transparency to current and potential investors. Prohibits the Commission, between enactment of this Act and submission of such report, from recognizing as generally accepted accounting principles any new accounting standards regarding the treatment of stock options. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on broad-based employee stock option plans, particularly in the high technology and any other high growth industries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Amends Federal postal law to extend the U.S. Postal Service's authority to issue special postage stamps to help provide funding for breast cancer research through December 31, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Calls for the Government of the People's Republic of China to release immediately all prisoners of conscience, including Phuntsog Nyidron, as a gesture of good will and to promote human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) each member of the U.S. and allied armed forces should be commended for serving with distinction and professionalism; (2) the families of members of the U.S. armed forces should be commended for their support; and (3) all U.S. citizens should pay homage to such members and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a mortgage emergency assistance program for qualifying homeowners with National Housing Act-insured mortgages who are temporarily unable to meet their obligations due to financial hardship beyond their control. Requires homeowner repayment of such assistance and interest.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Equity for Reservists Pay Act of 2003 - Entitles a Federal employee who is also a member of the reserves and who is absent from his or her civilian employment position under a call or order for active duty service of more than 30 days, to receive an amount equal to the difference in pay between the military compensation received and the civilian compensation that otherwise would have been received during such period. Makes such amounts also payable during: (1) any period of hospitalization or convalescence required as a result of such service; and (2) the 14-day period following such service. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse a State or local government for 50 percent of the civilian compensation paid by such government for pay periods when a State or local government employee is performing active duty service of more than 30 days. Increases such rate to 100 percent if the employee's active duty service period extends beyond nine months. Requires such reimbursement during periods of hospitalization or convalescence and for 14 days after service. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of the general business credit, the Active-Duty Reserve Component employee credit is 50 percent of the compensation paid by the employer to the employee during the period of active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
College Affordability and Lifetime Savings Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) convert the current deduction for interest on education loans to a credit equal to 50 percent of the interest paid during the taxable year on any qualified education loan; and (2) exclude from gross income amounts which would be included under specified loan forgiveness programs for teachers and other public servants.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
College Opportunity for a Better America Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide student loan forgiveness for borrowers who are employed full-time in qualified public service positions. Requires the Secretary of Education, depending on the duration of such public service employment, to assume certain portions of such borrowers' obligations to repay specified types of Federal student loans. Makes eligible for such program: (1) highly qualified teachers in low-income communities and of mathematics, science, and bilingual and special education; (2) early childhood educators; (3) nurses; (4) child welfare workers; (5) nutrition professionals; (6) infant and toddler specialists; and (6) other highly-qualified workers who serve low-income or needy communities and who are in public service professions that suffer from a critical lack of qualified personnel. Revises provisions for income-related repayment. Changes those for guaranteed student loan from income-sensitive to income-contingent, thus making them consistent with those for direct student loan provisions. Releases qualified public service employees from income-contingent repayment obligations after a maximum of 15 years. (Other borrowers must repay over a maximum 25-year period.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Directs Congress to enact legislation by October 2005 to guarantee that every person in the United States, regardless of income, age, or employment or health status, has access to health care that: (1) is affordable and that removes financial barriers to needed care; (2) is as cost efficient as possible; (3) provides comprehensive benefits; (4) promotes prevention and early intervention; (5) includes parity for mental health and other services; (6) eliminates disparities in access to quality health care; (7) addresses the needs of people with special health care needs and underserved populations in rural and urban areas; (8) promotes quality and better health outcomes; (9) addresses the need to have adequate numbers of qualified health care practitioners; (10) provides adequate and timely payments; (11) fosters a strong network of health care facilities; (12) ensures continuity of coverage and continuity of care; (13) maximizes consumer choice of health care providers and practitioners; and (14) is easy for patients, providers, and practitioners to use and reduces paperwork.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should increase trade opportunities with Taiwan by launching negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2003
Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to payment for ambulance services to revise requirements for the establishment of a fee schedule. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for the coding of claims for ambulance services, including a code set specifying the medical condition of the individual transported by an ambulance and the appropriate level of transportation service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Army to close the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (Institute). Repeals statutory authority for the Institute. Prohibits any training or education facility from being established in the Department of Defense (DOD) for Latin American military personnel for ten months. Establishes a joint congressional task force to assess appropriate education and training for DOD to provide to military personnel of Latin American nations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Domestic Violence Screening, Treatment, and Prevention Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish, under specified conditions, family violence research and education centers to conduct research and disseminate information concerning family violence; and (2) establish an advisory board to recommend the research agenda for such centers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and enter into contracts with public and nonprofit private entities capable of conducting such research. Requires the Secretary to award grants to entities that currently work in the field of family violence and health care to enable them to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate family violence education and training curricula, programs, and strategies. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, to award grants for up to four years to State and local governmental and nonprofit entities that currently work in the field of family violence and health care to be used to develop strategies to improve the response of State and local health care systems to domestic violence and to promote education and awareness. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to declare that State health benefits provided may cover domestic violence identification and treatment services. Amends Federal civil service law to require the Office of Personnel Management to require all contracted carriers of health coverage for Federal employees to include coverage for domestic violence identification and treatment services. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to require: (1) the Secretary, with respect to maternal and child health services block grant funds, to provide preference to State applicants who include training of providers in how to identify and treat the effects of family violence; and (2) States to set aside a reasonable portion of such funds to provide for domestic violence identification and treatment. Requires the Secretary to allot funds to States to provide for a separate program for domestic violence identification and treatment. Amends the PHSA to authorize the Secretary to award grants to federally-qualified health centers to improve the identification and treatment of domestic violence.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2003 - Provides for full voting representation in Congress for the residents of the District of Columbia, including two Senators and as many Representatives as a similarly populous State would be entitled to under the law. Treats the District of Columbia as a State. Prescribes a procedure for the first elections under this Act. Entitles the District to one Representative until the taking effect of the next reapportionment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act respecting naturalization through service in the armed forces to: (1) reduce the required service from three years to two years; and (2) prohibit the imposition of a naturalization fee. Provides for overseas naturalization proceedings for members of the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Indigent Veteran Remembrance Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program for the placement of a unique memorial each year in four cemeteries in the United States to honor the service in the armed forces of veterans who at their time of death were homeless or indigent. Requires the Secretary to carry out such program in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Diabetic Foot Amputation Prevention Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of qualified diabetic foot sore apparatus as items of durable medical equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health Centers Initiative - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that appropriations for consolidated health centers under the Public Health Service Act should be increased by 100 percent during FY's 2001 through 2006 in order to double the number of individuals who receive health care services at community, migrant, homeless, and public housing health centers.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Prescription Drug Benefit Equity Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (regarding group health plans, health insurance issuers offering group insurance, and health insurance offered in the individual market), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (regarding group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group insurance), the Internal Revenue Code (regarding group health plans), title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) (regarding Medicare+Choice plans, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), competitive medical plans, Medicare supplemental health insurance policies (Medigap), and Medicare select policies), SSA title XIX (Medicaid) (regarding State plans), and provisions of the U.S. Code relating to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (regarding contracting with carriers offering health benefits plans) to require that, if mail-order prescription drug coverage is provided, non-mail-order prescription drug coverage must also be provided.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) Federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis; and (2) a deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums and enrollment fees. Sets an implementation deadline of the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days following enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Securing Access, Value, and Equality in Health Care Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid for qualified health insurance, subject to stated limitations. Requires persons who receive payments for health insurance coverage of an individual to make certain information returns. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments to the provider of an individual's qualified health insurance equal to the Secretary's estimate of the amount of credit allowable for the eligible individual.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Constitutional Amendment - States that: (1) equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex; (2) Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article; and (3) this amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to terminate the authority for the establishment of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of Columbia, on November 12, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Tiger Woods in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship and in breaking barriers with grace and dignity by showing that golf is a sport for all people.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
American Health Security Act of 2003 - Establishes the American Health Security Program to be administered by the States. Requires a State to establish a State health security program (program) to receive Federal health care funding. Entitles every individual who is a U.S. resident and is a U.S. citizen or national or a lawful resident alien to benefits under a program. Makes benefits portable. Supersedes titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Prohibits: (1) deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for acute care and preventive benefits, subject to exception; (2) providers from charging a patient for covered services; and (3) duplicative private insurance. Considers a health care provider to be qualified if the provider is licensed or certified and meets State law requirements, Federal requirements, and additional standards specified by the Board. Establishes the American Health Security Standards Board (the Board) to develop policies and procedures for enrollment, benefits, provider participation, national and State funding levels, assisting programs with planning for capital expenditures and service delivery, and other functions. Mandates uniform reporting standards. Establishes the American Health Security Quality Council to review and evaluate: (1) practice guidelines; (2) standards of quality, performance measures, and medical review criteria; and (3) develop minimum competence criteria. Directs the Board to establish a national health security budget specifying the total expenditures to be made by the Federal Government and the States for covered health care services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create the American Health Security Trust Fund and appropriates to the Fund specified tax liabilities and current health program receipts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Funding Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and 2005 for U.S. voluntary contributions to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Withholds from the U.S. voluntary contribution to the UNFPA amounts allocated by UNFPA for the country program in China, if the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the UNFPA country program in China does not: (1) focus on improving the delivery of voluntary family planning information and services; (2) conform with the human rights principles affirmed at the International Conference on Population and Development with the support of 180 nations including the United States; (3) operate only in counties of China where all quotas and targets for the recruitment of program participants have been abolished and the use of coercive measures has been eliminated; (4) operate in consultation with and under the oversight and approval of the UNFPA executive board, including the U.S. representative; (5) subject itself to regular, independent monitoring to ensure compliance with the principles of informed consent and voluntary participation; and (6) suspend operations in project counties found to be in violation of program guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) proposed changes to Title IX athletics policies contradict the spirit of athletic equality and gender equity; (2) current Title IX athletics policies, the Department of Education's 1979 Policy Interpretation as clarified in the 1996 Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Guidance, should remain unchanged and be enforced vigorously to eliminate the continuing discrimination against women and girls in athletics; and (3) if the Department of Education changes Title IX athletics policies, Congress should restore the intent of Title IX through policies that preserve the right to equal opportunities in athletics.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Freedom to Read Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (the Act) to provide that no application by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to a U.S. court for an order requiring the production of tangible things for an investigation to obtain foreign intelligence information from a U.S. person or to protect against international terrorism may be made for the sole purpose of searching for, or seizing from, a bookseller or library documentary materials that contain personally identifiable information concerning a patron. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude a physical search for documentary materials (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) under other provisions of law. Revises congressional reporting requirements under the Act to require the Attorney General, in informing Congress with respect to applications for orders approving requests for the production of tangible things, to: (1) describe the specific purpose of each order application; (2) analyze the effectiveness of each application that was granted or modified in protecting U.S. citizens against terrorism; and (3) make public such information provided in a manner consistent with the national security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to modify provisions relating to Federal matching grants for the operation of State high risk health insurance pools. Provides matching grants to States that have established pools that provide premium rates and covered benefits consistent with standards included in the NAIC Model Health Plan for Uninsured Individuals. (Currently, the law specifies other characteristics pools must have for States to receive matching funds, including that premiums charged under a pool are restricted to no more than 150 percent of the premium for applicable standard risk rates.) Amends the formula for appropriating funds such that funds will be allotted to States based on the number of enrollees in qualified high risk pools. (Currently, funds are allotted based upon the number of uninsured individuals in States.) Authorizes appropriations for the matching grants program through FY 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
National Computer Recycling Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, after submitting to Congress a study of waste materials in used computers that may be hazardous to human health or the environment, to require assessment of a fee on the sale to an end-user of any computer, monitor, or other designated electronic devices. Requires fees collected to be used for administration of this Act and grants for: (1) collecting or processing used computers, monitors, or other devices for recycling; (2) reusing or reselling such articles; and (3) extracting and using, or selling for reuse, raw materials from such articles. Requires reports to Congress on the status of computer recycling, which shall include descriptions of fee collection and use.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a temporary exclusion from gross income for members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and Department of Defense civilian employees serving in a combat zone and extends the exclusion for serving in a combat zone to Department of Defense civilian employees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Home at Last Tax Credit of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a credit to promote homeownership among low-income individuals purchasing homes in a census tract targeted for reinvestment and redevelopment by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Provides that the dollar amount of home at last tax credits received by each qualified State shall be equal to the population of the State multiplied by 40 cents, multiplied by 10, plus the unused home at last tax credit dollar amount of the state for the preceding calendar year or years. Provides for a cost-of-living adjustment. Defines a "qualified home at last loan" as a first mortgage single-family residential loan funded by a qualified lender to finance the purchase or construction or purchase and construction of a residence by a qualified borrower (meeting residence and income requirements) which has a lower-than-market interest rate as a result of a lender rate "buydown", but only if the loan, among other things: (1) does not exceed 105 percent of the purchase price of the residence; and (2) results in a monthly housing expense-to-income ratio with respect to such residence of not more than 33 percent at the time of closing. Requires annual reports from each State housing finance agency which allocates any home at last tax credit amount to any qualified lender. Prohibits carryback of home at last tax credits before the effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2003 - Establishes the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury to promote the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable and safe low-income housing through grants to States and local jurisdictions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Designates the Federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 46 East Ohio Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize funding to reach the Federal Government's goal of providing 40 percent of the national average per pupil expenditure to assist States and local educational agencies with the excess costs of educating children with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for IDEA part B programs of assistance for education of all children with disabilities, in specified amounts for FY 2004 through 2007, and as necessary thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Access to Capital for Haiti's Development Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to direct the U.S. Executive Director at the Inter-American Development Bank to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to urge the Bank to: (1) immediately resume lending to Haiti, and disburse all loans to Haiti that the Bank has approved; and (2) assist Haiti with the payment of its arrears, and consider providing debt relief to Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants or cooperative agreements to develop State-wide lifespan respite care programs. Defines "lifespan respite care" to mean a coordinated system of accessible community-based respite care services for family caregivers regardless of the individual's age, race, ethnicity, or special need. Requires the Secretary to establish a review panel to make recommendations on applicants. Permits the use of funds for respite care services and training programs. Limits grants to five years. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to maintain a national database and provide training, technical assistance, and information.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Salmon Planning Act - Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences providing for scientific analysis of Federal salmon and steelhead recovery efforts. Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study the potential effects of partially removing the four lower Snake River dams, including those on: (1) the economy of surrounding communities; (2) water transportation; (3) irrigation; (4) energy production; and (5) the extinction of salmon and steelhead populations in Snake River. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to partially remove the dams if found necessary by: (1) the Secretary to restore Snake River salmon and steelhead populations to meet obligations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; (2) the Secretary of the Interior to meet treaty obligations to Indian tribes or other sovereign nations; or (3) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to meet requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystem; (5) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (6) Blackfeet Wilderness. Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas. Establishes the Hells Canyon/Chief Joseph National Park and Preserve as a National Park System unit. Repeals Federal law provisions that establish the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) implement a program of ecosystem restoration in the Preserve; and (2) study the feasibility of creating a Flathead National Park and Preserve in the area generally known as the Glacier View Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System and the National Wildland Recovery Corps. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to assure nonexclusive access to the specified areas and corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Carson, Julia [D-IN-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000191_200.jpg)