United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that it is U.S. policy that Taiwan's future should be: (1) resolved peacefully, through a democratic mechanism such as a plebiscite and with the express consent of the people of Taiwan; and (2) decided by the people of Taiwan without outside threats, intimidation, or interference.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Minimum Wage Restoration Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the minimum wage (currently $5.15 per hour): (1) to $6.65, for 2002; (2) to $8.15, for 2003; and (3) by indexing to the cost of living, in the same manner as benefits are indexed under the Social Security Act, for 2004 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Designates the Department of Justice Building located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C., as the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001 - Amends Federal postal law to provide that any limitation in the Semipostal Authorization Act relating to whether more than one semipostal (a postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service, at a premium, in order to help provide funding for a national public interest) may be offered for sale at the same time, shall not apply to the breast cancer research special stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Extends the Service's authority to issue such stamps through July 29, 2008. Revises the differential amount of the special rate of postage for the breast cancer research stamp to not less than 15 percent of the regular first-class rate (currently, not to exceed 25 percent of first-class). Requires the special rate to be evenly divisible by five.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Day Laborer Fairness and Protection Act - Requires day labor service agencies to provide notice of the wage rate expected to be paid by each third party employer using their services. Requires the wage rate for such third party employers to equal the rate paid to their permanent employees who perform substantially equivalent work, with due consideration given to seniority, experience, skills and qualifications. Prohibits employers from reducing the wage rate of any employee in order to comply with requirements of this Act. Sets forth requirements for: (1) agency payments to day laborers for excessive processing time; (2) civil damages and criminal penalties for certain employer violations; (3) itemized wage statements, annual earnings summaries, and optional payment schedules; (4) nondiscrimination; (5) adequate seating, restrooms, and water in waiting areas; (6) health care liability for injuries on the job or in transit; (7) agency notices; (8) equitable expenses for day laborer meals, transportation, and equipment; and (9) agency registration with the Secretary of Labor. Prohibits: (1) charges for cashing wage payment checks or for overpayments; and (2) restrictions on worker acceptance of permanent positions (but allows placement fees to agencies by employers). Amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice for employers to offer and grant: (1) permanent replacement employee status or other employment preferences to individuals for performing bargaining unit work for the employer during a labor dispute; or (2) any employment preference based on an individual's being employed, or having indicated a willingness to be employed, during a labor dispute, over any employee who was there at dispute commencement, has exercised rights through the labor organization involved in the dispute, and is working for the employer, or has unconditionally offered to return to such work.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Clean Diamond Trade Act - Prohibits the importation of rough diamonds into the United States unless the exporting country is implementing a system of controls on the export or import of rough diamonds that: (1) meets specified requirements, consistent with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 adopted on December 1, 2000, or is functionally equivalent; or (2) meets the requirements of an international agreement which requires such controls and to which the United States is a party. Prohibits the importation of polished diamonds (including jewelry containing diamonds) into the United States unless the exporting country: (1) is implementing a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds, except such system shall not be required for countries that do not import rough diamonds; and (2) requires that its own imports of diamonds originate from countries that have implemented a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds. Provides a waiver of the requirements of this Act. Urges the President to negotiate an international agreement to eliminate trade in diamonds used to support conflict in the country or regions in which such diamonds are mined.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. (posthumously) and his widow Coretta Scott King in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Bring Our Children Home Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that a contestant may bring an action in district court to determine which of conflicting State court child custody determinations shall prevail. Directs the Attorney General (AG) to establish a registry for all custody orders entered by State courts. Authorizes law enforcement officers of a State or local government to hold, for no more than 24 hours, any child listed as missing for proper disposition under the latest valid custody determination. Requires the Secretary of State to prepare a report on progress made by the United States in negotiating and entering into bilateral treaties relating to international child abduction with countries that are not contracting parties under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require information on each country's efforts to prohibit international child abduction. Requires the AG to prepare a report describing the status of each case involving a request for extradition in cases involving international kidnaping by parents.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2001
Medicare Equity Act for the Blind of 2001- Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide Medicare coverage of State vocational rehabilitation services for older individuals who are blind.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
Round II EZ/EC Flexibility Act of 2001 - Authorizes appropriations to: (1) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for specified urban empowerment zones; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture for specified rural empowerment zones and rural enterprise communities. Permits: (1) use of such funds for zone or community strategic plan implementation; and (2) use of Federal funds to pay matching fund requirements. States that an empowerment zone or enterprise community shall not loses Federal funding because of reclassification as a renewal community.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
Social Security Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) pension offset provisions applicable to husband's and wife's insurance benefits, widow's and widower's insurance benefits, and mother's and father's insurance benefits with respect to Old-Age and Survivors insurance benefit payments; and (2) windfall elimination provisions with respect to computation of the primary insurance amount of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of: (1) the National Institutes of Health to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to blood cancer, particularly with respect to leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma; (2) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a related public information program, to be carried out in collaboration with private health organizations that have national education and patient assistance programs on blood-related cancers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2001
Mothers and Newborns Health Insurance Act of 2001 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give States, subject to specified guidelines, the authority to provide for: (1) optional coverage of pregnancy-related assistance for targeted low-income, uninsured pregnant women under the State's SCHIP plan; and (2) automatic eligibility and enrollment for child health assistance under such plan for children born to targeted low-income pregnant women receiving such assistance when the child is born until it attains one year of age, so long as the child is a member of the woman's household. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to the transitional increased Federal matching rate for increased administrative costs related to Medicaid-eligibility determinations of individuals receiving aid or assistance under SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF).
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Salmon Planning Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) providing for peer review of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) biological opinion regarding the Operation of the Federal Columbia River power system, issued December 21, 2000, and any subsequent modification of it (opinion) and submission of a report on the results. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce to publish a determination of whether implementation of the salmon recovery measures in the opinion are sufficient to achieve recovery, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, of the salmon and steelhead populations; and if not, whether partially removing the four lower Snake River dams (the dams) are necessary to restore Snake River salmon and steelhead populations; (2) the Secretary of the Interior to publish a determination of whether partially removing the dams are necessary to meet treaty obligations; and (3) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a determination of whether partially removing the dams are necessary to meet Federal Water Pollution Control Act requirements. Directs the Comptroller General to study the potential effects of partially removing the dams. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to partially remove the dams if the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, or the EPA Administrator finds that such action is necessary to meet the aforementioned requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Army to undertake such preliminary engineering, design, construction, and other activities as necessary to remove the dams.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Fisheries Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act regarding avoiding and minimizing bycatch and bycatch mortality. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report on progress made in implementing requirements regarding standardized reporting methodology and bycatch reduction. Requires a fishery management plan to close an area to a gear or practice that has been shown to adversely affect essential fish habitat unless the Regional Fishery Management Council (council) determines that closure is not necessary and the Secretary finds that the gear or practice will have a minimal adverse impact on habitat and minimal bycatch. Requires observers on commercial fishing vessels to collect data necessary for the conservation and management of the fishery, subject to specified requirements Modifies: (1) the definition of "overfishing" and "overfished" to include jeopardizing the ecological integrity and sustainability of marine ecosystems; (2) conservation and management measure requirements; and (3) fishery management plan requirements to add ecosystem considerations. Requires each fishery management plan to have a fishery impact statement. Directs the Secretary to develop at least one pilot fisheries ecosystem plan. Requires each council to prepare and submit to the Secretary a Fisheries Ecosystem Plan for each major marine ecosystem within its jurisdiction. Reauthorizes appropriations to carry out the Act. Amends the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act to earmark specified funds for direct industry assistance grants and for activities of the National Marine Fisheries Service that are directly related to implementation of the Magnuson Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2001
Automatic Defibrillation in Adam's Memory Act - ADAM Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to a health care organization to establish a national information clearinghouse to increase public access to defibrillation (PAD) in schools by providing: (1) timely information on PAD program implementation and development; (2) comprehensive program materials to establish a PAD program in schools; (3) support to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) training programs; (4) encouragement for community partnerships with and among public and private organizations to promote PAD in schools; (5) a database to gather information in a central location regarding sudden cardiac arrest in the pediatric population and identifying or conducting further research into the problem; and (6) assistance to communities that wish to develop screening programs for at-risk youth.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2001
Training for Closed Captioners Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide grants to no more than 20 eligible entities (approved and accredited court reporting programs) to promote the training of students to become realtime closed captioners. Limits to $1 million the amount of a grant provided to an entity in a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2001
Appalachian Regional Development Reauthorization Act of 2001 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (the Act) to direct the President to establish the Interagency Coordinating Council on Appalachia. Authorizes the Appalachian Regional Commission to provide technical assistance and make grants, enter into contracts, and otherwise provide funds to: (1) increase affordable access to advanced telecommunications in the region; (2) provide education and training for people, businesses, and governments in the region in the use of telecommunications technology; (3) develop relevant technology readiness programs for industry groups and businesses in the region; and (4) support entrepreneurial opportunities in information technology in the region. Eliminates the growth center criteria with respect to factors in considering programs and projects to be given assistance under the Act. Directs that, for each fiscal year, at least half of the amount of grant expenditures approved by the Commission support activities or projects that benefit counties for which distressed county designations are in effect. Modifies Act provisions to direct that not more than 75 percent, for a development district that includes one or more counties for which a distressed county designation is in effect, of the costs of any activity eligible for financial assistance be provided from funds appropriated to carry out the Act. Adds Edmonson, Hart, and Metcalfe ( Kentucky), and Grenada, Montgomery, and Panola (in Mississippi), to the counties included in the Appalachian region. Reauthorizes appropriations and extends the Act until October 1, 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2001
Expresses support for the goals and ideas of "National Night Out" (an event during the evening of August 7, 2001, to demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of community participation in crime prevention). Requests that the President focus appropriate attention on the issues of neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing his Administration to make reducing crime an important priority.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2001
Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Services Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide for coverage of outpatient vision rehabilitation services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2001
Comprehensive Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Act of 2001 - Sets forth a statutory framework to implement U.S. policy for research, development, demonstration and commercial applications programs designed to enable 20 percent of domestic energy from stationary sources to be generated from nonhydropower renewable energy sources by 2020. Prescribes requirements for: (1) such programs in renewable energy, energy efficiency, biomass energy, and aeronautical system energy efficiency; and (2) a National Building Performance Initiative. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) provide private sector commercialization assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies; (2) establish a fuel cell technologies demonstration program; and (3) establish a National Electric System Public Benefits Board to administer a National Electric System Public Benefits Fund. Establishes the High Performance Schools grant program. Amends Federal transportation law to mandate: (1) increased vehicle fuel economy standards; and (2) a national tire fuel efficiency program. Establishes the Energy Star program to promote cost-effective energy-efficient products and buildings. Prescribes requirements for: (1) Federal electric power purchases; (2) Federal buildings energy efficiency; (3) guaranteed energy savings; and (4) Federal use of Energy Star standards. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) certain energy efficient business property; (2) the manufacture of energy efficient appliances; (3) construction of a new energy-efficient home; (4) energy efficiency improvements to existing homes; (5) residential solar, wind, and fuel cell energy property; and (6) purchase of Energy Star products. Allows a deduction for energy-efficient commercial building property expenditures. Prescribes depreciation requirements for: (1) distributed power property; and (2) property used in electricity transmission. Increases the credit rate for electricity produced from renewable and waste products. Treats facilities using bagasse to produce energy as solid waste disposal facilities eligible for tax-exempt financing. Grants an investment tax credit for additional plant capacity for existing renewable resources facilities producing electricity. Allows tax credits for: (1) alternative motor vehicles placed in service; (2) retail sales of alternative fuels for motor vehicles; and (3) installation of alternative fueling stations. Extends the deduction for certain refueling property.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2001
Comprehensive Energy Research and Technology Act of 2001 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the balance of funding priorities among programs authorized by this Act should remain as provided in this Act, regardless of the total amount of funding made available for this Act. Establishes an authorization of appropriations statutory scheme to fund the Department of Energy technology research and development programs designated below. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acceleration Act of 2001 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) establish an alternative fuel vehicle energy demonstration and commercial application of energy technology competitive grant pilot program for State and local governments and metropolitan transportation authorities; (2) develop an implementation program for research, demonstration and commercial application to ensure reliability efficiency, and environmental responsibility of distributed energy resources, including advanced energy technologies and advanced grid reliability technologies. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation Authorization Act of 2001 - Cites limitations placed upon appropriations authorized by this Act for the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation. Robert S. Walker and George E. Brown, Jr. Hydrogen Energy Act of 2001- Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to revise its purposes to include: (1) research and demonstration leading to the use of hydrogen for commercial applications; and (2) the development of a hydrogen production methodology that minimizes adverse environmental impacts, including efficient and cost-effective production from renewable and nonrenewable resources. Instructs the Secretary to conduct a hydrogen technology transfer program to: (1) accelerate wider application in foreign countries; (2) increase the global market for hydrogen technologies; and (3) foster global economic development without harmful environmental effects. Amends the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 to repeal the program relating to the integration of fuel cells with hydrogen production systems. Bioenergy Act of 2001 - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) bioenergy research and development programs; (2) biofuels energy systems; and (3) integrated bioenergy research and development. Department of Energy (DOE) University Nuclear Science and Engineering Act - Instructs the Secretary to: (1) support a program to maintain the nation's human resource investment and infrastructure in nuclear sciences and engineering; and (2) provide for designated university research and training reactor infrastructure maintenance and research activities. Authorizes appropriations that target: (1) graduate and undergraduate fellowships; (2) junior faculty research initiation grant programs; (3) nuclear engineering and education research programs; (4) communication and outreach related to nuclear science and engineering; (5) refueling research reactors and instrumentation upgrades; (6) re-licensing assistance; (7) a university reactor research and training award program; and (8) university-DOE laboratory interactions. Establishes the Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel Research within the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (DOE) to coordinate the participation of national laboratories, DOE facilities, universities and the commercial nuclear industry in research and development of technologies for the treatment, recycling, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Instructs the Secretary to conduct: (1) an advanced fuel recycling technology research and development program to promote the availability of proliferation-resistant fuel recycling technologies; (2) a Nuclear Energy Research Initiative for nuclear energy research grants; (3) jointly with industry, a Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization research and development program; and (4) a study of Generation IV nuclear energy systems. National Electricity and Environmental Technology Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary to implement research and development programs pertaining to the commercial application of : (1) clean coal technologies; (2) petroleum-oil technology; (3) natural gas technologies; (4) unconventional and ultra-deepwater natural gas and petroleum exploration and production technologies; and (5) fuel cells. Fusion Energy Sciences Act of 2001 - Instructs the Secretary to develop a plan for: (1) U.S. construction of a magnetic fusion burning plasma experiment (and authorizes development of a plan for U.S. participation in an international burning plasma experiment); and (2) the Fusion Energy Sciences Program and to enable such experiments. Authorizes appropriations for the Spallation Neutron Source (at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee). Sets forth parameters within which the Secretary is instructed to develop and implement a least cost nonmilitary energy laboratory facility and an infrastructure strategy for such facilities. Mandates establishment of an Advisory Panel on the Office of Science.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Dot Kids Domain Name Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce: (1) jointly with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), to develop a plan for ICANN to establish a kids-friendly top-level Internet domain; (2) to make such plan publicly available; and (3) to enter into appropriate agreement with ICANN to carry out the plan. Requires the domain to be available for voluntary use as a location only of material suitable for minors and the plan to establish a process for soliciting and selecting an operator of the new domain. Requires: (1) full operation of the new domain within six months after contract award; and (2) new domain approval by ICANN. Provides liability protections for any person or entity that operates or maintains the new domain with respect to information provided by a domain registrant. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to publicize the availability of the new domain and to educate parents of minors regarding the process for utilizing the domain in combination with hardware and software technologies that filter or block unsuitable materials.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of NIH and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to expand and intensify research and related activities of the Institute with respect to postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to provide for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis and their families. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
National Electricity and Environmental Technology Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) perform an assessment that establishes cost and performance goals with respect to technologies that would permit the continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, as chemical feedstocks, and as transportation fuel in 2007, 2015, and 2020; (2) biennially transmit to Congress the results of a study to identify technologies capable of achieving specified cost and performance goals; and (3) carry out under specified Federal law a program of research on and development, demonstration, and commercial application of coal-based technologies. Directs the Secretary to establish a clean coal power commercial applications initiative to demonstrate commercial applications of advanced coal-based technologies for new or existing power plants, including coproduction plants. Provides for financial assistance to initiative projects.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Postal Service should: (1) provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to all communities, including rural areas and small towns where post offices may not be self-sustaining; and (2) take all necessary steps to ensure that post offices are not closed or consolidated.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2001 - Establishes the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury to promote the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable and safe low-income housing.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit to holders of qualified Amtrak bonds. Sets forth definitions, State contribution requirements, and other rules. Requires approval, by the Secretary of Transportation, of qualified Amtrak projects funded by such bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rural mail carriers to treat qualified vehicle expenses in excess of reimbursements as miscellaneous itemized deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Expresses the sense of the Congress that all workers deserve fair treatment and safe working conditions. Honors Dolores Huerta for her commitment to the improvement of working conditions for children, women, and farm worker families.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2001
National Electricity and Environmental Technology Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) perform an assessment that establishes cost and performance goals with respect to technologies that would permit the continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, chemical feedstocks, and transportation fuel in 2007, 2015, and 2020; (2) biennially transmit to Congress the results of a study to identify technologies capable of achieving specified cost and performance goals; and (3) implement under specified Federal law a research and development program, including commercial application of coal-based technologies. Directs the Secretary to establish a clean coal power commercial applications initiative that will demonstrate commercial applications of advanced coal-based technologies applicable to new or existing power plants, including coproduction plants. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax credits for: (1) investment in qualifying clean coal technology; (2) production from a qualifying clean coal technology unit; (3) investment in qualifying advanced clean coal technology facilities; and (4) production from qualifying advanced clean coal technology. Mandates creation of a Federal risk pool for qualifying advanced clean coal technology. Treats such tax credits as refundable overpayments (excessive credits) with respect to specified organizations and governmental units.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Digital Divide Elimination Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified computer technology or equipment equal to 50 percent of the amount paid for it (up to $500) by any taxpayer allowed an earned income credit. Extends from December 31, 2003, through June 30, 2004, the current enhanced deduction from gross income for charitable contributions of computers for elementary or secondary school purposes. Prescribes a special rule for contributions of computer technology and equipment to a qualified organization made within three years after the taxpayer acquired or constructed the property, if: (1) the property's original use is by the donor or the donee; (2) substantially all of the property's use by the donee is within the United States and, in the case of a qualified educational organization, for educational purposes related to the organization's purpose or function; (3) the property is not transferred by the donee in exchange for money, other property, or services, except for shipping, installation, and transfer costs; and (4) other specified requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Unemployment Tax Repeal Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement to include unemployment compensation in gross income and the provision concerning the voluntary withholding on unemployment benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Gasoline Access and Stabilization Act of 2001 - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations for reformulated and oxygenated gasoline sold for use in all States that: (1) require such gasoline to comply with a national formula; and (2) prohibit the sale in any State of any such gasoline that does not comply with the formula. Allows reformulated gasoline approved by the Administrator for a State for which a waiver is in effect (allowing application of State emissions control standards) to satisfy this Act's requirements. Allows a State Governor to elect to have an area within the State, or the entire State, treated as a covered area for purposes of reformulated gasoline requirements, without regard to existing opt-in requirements. Prohibits States and localities, after December 31, 2004 (other than the State of California pursuant to a waiver or another State opting-in to California's reformulated gasoline standards pursuant to this Act), from prescribing or enforcing a control of any characteristic of a gasoline or additive that is not identical to EPA regulations. Prohibits, after September 1, 2006, the manufacture or introduction into commerce of motor vehicle diesel fuel that contains a concentration of sulfur exceeding 15 parts per million or fails to meet a cetane minimum index of 40 and a maximum aromatic content of 35 volume percent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Medicare Dialysis Benefit Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) payment under the Medicare Program for four hemodialysis treatments per week for specified patients; and (2) an increased update in the composite payment rate for renal dialysis treatments for FY 2002. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to restore a specified exception to renal dialysis composite rate under rate update provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code respecting the Hope Scholarship Credit to: (1) extend coverage to fees, books, supplies, and equipment, and exempt such expenses from information reporting requirements; and (2) not reduce such Credit by Federal Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the status quo on Cyprus must end and the island and its people must be reunited in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal Cyprus, on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions; (2) the accession of Cyprus to the European Union (EU) would act as a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem without such solution being a precondition for accession; (3) membership of Cyprus to the EU should be strongly supported; (4) all Cypriots should be urged to support and encourage efforts to bring Cyprus into the EU; and (5) U.S. agencies should pursue initiatives that will help promote and achieve reunification, reconciliation, stability, and prosperity on Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should not subsidize any oil or gas pipeline in the South Caucasus the commercial viability of which is in doubt or which hinders the U.S. goal of integrating Armenia into a secure and prosperous regional economic framework; (2) all proposals for South Caucasus oil and gas pipeline routes should be carefully evaluated to ensure that all Caucasus nations are included in consideration of energy and trade routes; (3) any engineering and feasibility study, and any project implementation, that utilizes U.S. Government funds, regarding the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline or similar energy transportation projects, must include trans-Armenian routes; and (4) the Trade Development Agency should fund and support a feasibility study to determine the cost savings of a trans-Armenia Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Renames the Technology Assessment Act of 1972 as the Office of Technology Assessment Reestablishment Act of 2001. Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Technology Assessment for FY 2002 through 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Amends plan termination insurance requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to increase a phase-in limitation applicable to a guarantee of benefit improvements made prior to plan termination, with respect to plans terminated on or after January 1, 1997. Directs the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to pay the remainder, with interest, of such amended correct amounts owed to individuals, if the PBGC made lesser payments to such individuals before enactment of this Act, and if such individuals file written applications for such additional payments.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Bridges to the Cuban People Act of 2001 - Exempts from the embargo on trade with Cuba (including prohibitions under the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 against the unloading at a U.S. port of vessels that previously entered a Cuban port to engage in trade) the export of any agricultural commodity, farm machinery or equipment, medicine, or medical device, or any travel incident to the delivery of such items. Prohibits the President from prohibiting or regulating travel to or from or within Cuba by U.S. nationals or lawful resident aliens, including specified transactions ordinarily incident to such travel, financial or otherwise. Authorizes the President to provide scholarships for Cuban nationals who seek to undertake graduate study in public health, public policy, economics, law, or other field of social science. Authorizes the President to waive certain sanctions against, and restrictions on assistance to, Cuba, including the exclusion from the United States of certain aliens who have confiscated property in Cuba of U.S. nationals or who traffic in such property, if he determines that it will promote the peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba or will further U.S. national economic interests. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from limiting the amount of remittances to Cuba that any U.S. person may make. Authorizes the import into the United States of a Cuban originated medical article if the Secretary of Health and Human Services makes a determination that there is a medical need in the United States for such article that is not being met by any medicine or medical device in commercial distribution in the United States. Prohibits the use of funds to enforce unilateral sanctions on the export of goods and services intended for the exclusive use of children in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Department of Energy University Nuclear Science and Engineering Act - Instructs the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, to support a program to maintain the nation's human resource investment and infrastructure in nuclear sciences and engineering. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promote interactions between university and Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories; and (2) provide student fellowships at DOE nuclear science laboratories. Authorizes appropriations through FY2006 that target: (1) graduate and undergraduate fellowships; (2) junior faculty research initiation grant programs; (3) nuclear engineering and education research programs; (4) communication and outreach related to nuclear science and engineering; (5) refueling research reactors and instrumentation upgrades; (6) re-licensing assistance; (7) reactor research and training award program; and (8) university-DOE laboratory interactions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
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.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Rural Teachers Recruitment Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to eligible rural local educational agencies to recruit and retain qualified teachers for elementary and secondary schools. Includes among authorized uses of such teacher incentive program funds: (1) salary increases; (2) reimbursement for teacher certification and relocation expenses; and (3) assistance to pay college and graduate school tuition and training expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Child Care Quality Incentive Act of 2001 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to establish a program of incentive grants to States to improve the quality of, and access to, child care by increasing child care payment rates. Sets the maximum Federal share of activity costs at 75 percent. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make an annual payment to an eligible State only if: (1) the Secretary determines that the State has made progress, through the assisted activities, in maintaining increased payment rates; and (2) the State updates an initial child care services market rate survey at least once every two years. Requires an eligible State that receives such a grant to make priority use of its funds to increase significantly (up to the 100th percentile of the market rate survey) the rate of reimbursement to providers for subsidized child care.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
End Gridlock at Our Nation's Critical Airports Act of 2001 - Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit a State, local government, or political authority of at least two States from enacting or enforcing a law that: (1) requires a certificate of approval before the construction or operation of an airport development project at a covered airport (an airport that each year has at least .25 percent of the total annual boardings in the United States) if the project meets certain standards established by the Secretary of Transportation, whether or not such project is the subject of an approved airport improvement grant; or (2) prohibits, conditions, or otherwise regulates the direct application for, or receipt or expenditure of, an airport improvement grant or other funds by the sponsor of a covered airport for an airport development project at such airport if the project meets such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Amendment Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for certain Medicare beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases.
![Official portrait of Rep. Costello, Jerry F. [D-IL-12]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000794_200.jpg)