United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits any qualified civil liability action from being brought in any State or Federal court and requires pending actions to be dismissed. Defines such an action to: (1) include an action brought against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm; and (2) exclude an action brought against persons who transfer a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; an action brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; an action in which a manufacturer or seller of a firearm willfully violated a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the firearm and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; an action for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the firearm; or an action for physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the firearm when used as intended.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law governing: (1) conversion of bankruptcy petitions; (2) abusive creditor practices; (3) domestic support obligations; (4) consumer protections, including protection of personally identifiable information; (5) measures to discourage bankruptcy abuse, including reduction of the homestead exemption for fraud; (6) guidelines for general and small business bankruptcies, including appointment of a committee of retired employees; (7) bankruptcy data dissemination and bankruptcy tax provisions; (8) ancillary and other cross-border cases to incorporate the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency; and (9) financial contracts and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution before its conservatorship or receivership. Reenacts Chapter 12, Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income. Brings family fishermen within the purview of Federal bankruptcy protection. Prescribes guidelines for insolvent health care businesses and related patients' rights. Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Judicial Code to mandate appointments for additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships in designated States. Prescribes additional consumer credit disclosures, including open end credit plans and introductory rates.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prescribe consumer protection guidelines for rental-purchase transactions, including: (1) the determination of rental-purchase cost; (2) disclosure requirements; (3) prohibitions against confessions of judgment, wage assignments, and waiver of consumer claims or defenses; (4) furnishing of statements of account; (5) point-of-rental disclosures; and (6) rental-purchase advertising disclosures. Establishes civil and criminal liability for violations of this Act. Grants enforcement powers to the Federal Trade Commission and to State attorneys general.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Access to Innovation for Medicare Patients Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of self-injected biologicals approved by the Food and Drug Administration that are prescribed as a complete replacement for a drug or a biological that otherwise cannot be self-administered.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Honors Fred Rogers for his legendary service to the improvement of the lives of children, his steadfast commitment to demonstrating the power of compassion, and his dedication to spreading kindness through example. Expresses condolences and sympathies to his wife Joanne, his two sons, and his two grandsons.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Medicare Innovation Responsiveness Act of 2003 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous Provisions) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) prescribe criteria for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to use in making national coverage determinations; (2) direct the Secretary to establish a Council for Technology and Innovation within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to coordinate coverage, coding, and payment processes with respect to new technologies and procedures under Medicare in order to expedite patient access to new technologies and therapies; and (3) revise the Medicare coverage determination appeals process. Directs the Secretary to establish a process that provides for the assignment of inpatient hospital codes for new medical services and related technologies as of April 1 of each year. Requires the Secretary to establish a process for the assignment of Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II codes each calendar quarter for new medical services and technologies. Amends SSA title XI to provide that, if the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics has not made a recommendation to the Secretary before April 1, 2003, with respect to the adoption of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) as a standard for the reporting of inpatient hospital services, the Secretary may adopt ICD-10-PCS as such a standard without receiving such a recommendation. Revises requirements for the use of internal and external data for annual adjustments to the inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS) and outpatient hospital PPS. Provides for limitation on use of foreign payer data in determining Medicare payment amounts. Revises requirements for the recognition of the costs of new medical services and technologies under the inpatient hospital PPS. Establishes requirements for any agreement or contract to perform the function of making local coverage determinations. Modifies requirements for the use of carriers for administration of benefits with respect to national inherent reasonableness determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual engaged in an eligible farming or commercial fishing business a deduction for any taxable year of up to 20 percent of taxable income attributable to the eligible farming or commercial fishing business which was paid in cash by the taxpayer to a Farm and Ranch Risk Management Account (FARRM Account). Includes distributions from a FARRM account in the taxpayer's gross income, and subjects to a special ten percent surtax any distributions not made within five years of contribution. Establishes a tax on excess contributions, but exempts the taxpayer from the tax on certain prohibited transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Patient Safety Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to add a new part D (Patient Safety Improvements) to provide for voluntary reporting to the Secretary of Health and Human Services of patient safety data. Prescribes confidentiality and peer review protections for such data. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on State laws that relate to patient safety data peer review systems. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety supports public and private sector initiatives to improve patient safety for items and services furnished through health care providers. Charges the Center with: (1) providing for the certification and recertification of patient safety organizations; and (2) establishing a Patient Safety Database to collect, support, and coordinate the analysis of non-identifiable information concerning patient safety that is reported. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop voluntary, national standards that promote the interoperability of health care information technology systems across all health care settings; and (2) encourage health care providers to adopt appropriate evidence-based methods to improve patient safety. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Medical Information Technology Advisory Board to advise and make recommendations on medical information technology.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Medicare Laboratory Services Access Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to specify as $5.42 for 2004, adjusted for inflation in each subsequent year, the nominal fee for collecting specimens for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a member of the uniformed services or the Foreign Service serving on "qualified official extended duty" (any duty in excess of 180 days while serving at a duty station which is at least 150 miles from the principal residence or while residing under Government orders in Government quarters), to extend for five years the five-year period utilized in determining full exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence. Includes among the uniformed services: (1) the armed forces; (2) the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (3) the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service. Makes the above provisions effective as if included in section 312 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. States that if a refund or credit resulting from such provisions is prevented before the close of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act by the operation of any law or rule of law (including res judicata), such refund or credit may be allowed if claimed before the close of such period. Excludes from gross income as a qualified military benefit the amount of the death gratuity payable under chapter 75 of title 10 of the United States Code, effective with respect to deaths occurring after September 10, 2001. Exempts amounts received under the Homeowners Assistance Program from inclusion as gross income. Extends combat zone filing rules to contingency operations. Includes ancestors or lineal descendants of past or present members of the armed forces or of cadets as qualifying members of veterans' organizations for purposes of such organizations' tax-exempt status determination. Includes dependent care assistance provided under a dependent care assistance program for a member of the uniformed services by reason of such member's status or service as an income-excludable qualified military benefit. Exempts distributions from an education individual retirement account from the ten percent additional tax for non-educational use: (1) if made for an account holder at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and (2) to the extent that the distribution does not exceed the costs of advanced education. Suspends the tax-exempt status of a designated terrorist organization (as defined by this Act). Denies: (1) deductions for contributions made to such an organization; and (2) administrative or judicial challenge to such suspension or denial. Provides for refund or credit in a case of erroneous designation. Provides a deduction, not to exceed $500, for itemizers and non-itemizers for unreimbursed overnight travel, meals, and lodging expenses of National Guard and Reserve members who must travel more than 100 miles away from home and stay overnight as part of their official duties. States that the amounts transferred to any trust fund under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act shall be determined as if this Act had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Bond Financing Renewal Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code regarding qualified small issue bonds to: (1) increase the cap and capital expenditure amounts from $10 million to $20 million, with an inflation adjustment beginning in 2004; and (2) expand the definition of "manufacturing facility" to include certain biotech and software production.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Equity in Education Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that church employees and persons treated as church employees under the Code are eligible for the exclusion for qualified tuition reduction programs of charitable educational organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of motor vehicle dealer transitional assistance with respect to a motor vehicle dealer who was a party to a motor vehicle sales and service agreement with a motor vehicle manufacturer who announced in December 2000 that it would phase-out the motor vehicle brand to which such agreement relates.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Local Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2003- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a railroad track maintenance credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures with respect to which the expenditures were paid or incurred by the taxpayer for the taxable year for Class II or Class III railroads.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Water Quality Investment Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations through FY 2005 for grants for planning, design, and construction of treatment works to control or treat municipal combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows. Extends the requirements for a report on funding levels.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Renewing the Dream Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a community homeownership tax credit based upon an applicable percentage of each qualified residence's eligible basis. Makes such credit available to residences located: (1) in a census tract with a median gross income not exceeding 80 percent of the greater area or statewide median gross income; (2) in a rural area; (3) on an Indian reservation; or (4) in an area of chronic economic distress. Prohibits a buyer's income from exceeding 80 percent (70 percent for families of less than three) of the area gross median income and requires owner occupancy. Specifies that the aggregate homeownership credit dollar amount which a homeownership credit agency (an "agency") may disburse is the portion of the "State homeownership credit ceiling" (the "ceiling") allocated to such agency. Allows "unused homeownership credit carryovers" to be allocated among qualified States. Sets aside at up to 90 percent least ten percent of a State's ceiling for certain housing projects in which a qualified nonprofit organization owns an interest and materially participates in the given project's development and operation throughout the credit period. Requires allocation of credit to residences to be in accordance with a "qualified allocation plan" of the agency issuing credit. Lists certain specified criteria such a plan must include and specifies that the plan must be approved by the governmental unit of which such agency is a part.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2003 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) a regular timeline for the publication of final regulations; and (2) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors. Outlines requirements for provider education and technical assistance under Medicare. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council to direct the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Provider Ombudsman to assist confidentially service providers and suppliers with respect to grievances and requests for information. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to assist Medicare beneficiaries with respect to grievances and requests for information. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program making certain technical assistance available, upon request on a voluntary basis, to small providers of services or suppliers to evaluate their billing and related systems for compliance with the applicable Medicare requirements. Outlines requirements with respect to provider appeals and recovery. Directs the Secretary to establish a process for expedited access to judicial review. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to: (1) the Medicare Integrity Program to provide for the recovery of overpayments; and (2) agreements with service providers to direct the Secretary to establish a process for enrollment of Medicare service providers and suppliers. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing any documentation guidelines for evaluation and management physician services under Medicare unless the Secretary has, among other things, established a plan with specific goals and a schedule for improving the use of such guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish, Neutralize, and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to carry out environmental cleanup and remediation programs involving specified lands that are contaminated with hazardous substances associated with illegal methamphetamine manufacture. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate as hazardous certain byproducts of the methamphetamine production process and expand penalties against laboratory operators; (2) the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration to list byproducts likely to cause long-term environmental harm; (3) the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to provide grants to State and local law enforcement for specified training and equipment acquisition; (4) the EPA Administrator to study the impact of methamphetamine laboratory operation on the environment; and (5) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study contamination issues. Amends: (1) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants for educational programs; (2) the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to provide treatment; (3) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include among permissible grant projects under the "cops on the beat" program hiring personnel and purchasing equipment; and (4) the Controlled Substances Act to set penalties for promoting, for commercial purposes, an entertainment event where the promoter knows that a controlled substance will be used or distributed in violation of specified law. Urges the President to seek commitments from the Canadian Government regarding the availability of pseudoephedrine.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2003 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments. Directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to determine whether State law provides specified rights and responsibilities for public safety officers, including: (1) granting public safety employees the right to form and join a labor organization which excludes management and supervisory employees, and which is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for such employees; and (2) requiring public safety employers to recognize and agree to bargain with the employees' labor organization. Requires the FLRA to issue regulations establishing collective bargaining procedures for public safety employers and employees in States that do not substantially provide for such public safety employee rights and responsibilities. Directs the FLRA, in such cases, to: (1) determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation; (2) supervise or conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a majority of the employees in an appropriate unit; (3) resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith; (4) conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices; and (5) resolve exceptions to arbitrator's awards. Grants a public safety employer, employee, or labor organization the right to seek enforcement of such FLRA regulations and authority through appropriate State courts. Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts or strikes. Provides that existing collective bargaining units and agreements shall not be invalidated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - Prohibits a person from: (1) slaughtering a horse for human consumption; (2) importing to, or exporting from, the United States horseflesh or horses for human consumption; (3) selling, bartering, transferring, receiving, or distributing horseflesh or horses for human consumption; or (4) soliciting or knowingly causing any such actions. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) criminal and civil penalties; (2) enforcement authority of the Secretary of Agriculture; (3) placement of confiscated horses; (4) euthanasia of unplaceable or severely injured or diseased horses; (4) funding of animal rescue facilities; and (5) exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize qualified physical therapists to provide services for Medicare beneficiaries without the requirement of a physician referral. Provides for treatment of outpatient speech-language pathology services separately from outpatient physical therapy services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Assure Access to Mammography Act of 2003 - Provides that, with respect to payment for a screening or diagnostic mammography furnished to a Medicare beneficiary, the amount of payment made to a hospital-based facility in which such screening or diagnostic mammography is performed during the applicable period is equal to 200 percent of the amount of payment that would otherwise apply under the Medicare fee schedule established under title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to the technical component of such screening or diagnostic mammography. Provides for not counting certain radiological residents against graduate medical education limitations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an arrangement with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Secretary on Medicare reimbursement for gender-specific services. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to study and report to Congress on Medicare reimbursement for screening services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Medicare Rural Health Care Preservation Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) a five-year continuation of Medicare managed care cost contracts; (2) temporary payment increases for sole community hospitals under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services; (3) the reinstatement of periodic interim payment (PIP) with respect to the critical access hospital program, among other changes with respect to such program; (4) an extension of the temporary increase for home health services furnished in a rural area; (5) an increase in payments for hospice care furnished in frontier areas; and (6) deemed eligibility based on death in fact with respect to treatment of eligibility for hospice care.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Life Insurance Tax Simplification Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions: (1) providing for the reduction in certain deductions of mutual life insurance companies; and (2) relating to distributions to shareholders from pre-1984 policyholders surplus accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a broadband credit equal to the sum of: (1) the current generation broadband credit; plus (2) the next generation broadband credit. Defines: (1) the current generation broadband credit for any taxable year as ten percent of the qualified expenditures incurred with respect to qualified equipment providing current generation broadband services to qualified subscribers and taken into account with respect to such taxable year; and (2) the next generation broadband credit for any year as twenty percent of the qualified expenditures incurred with respect to qualified equipment providing next generation broadband services to qualified subscribers and taken into account with respect to such taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit any qualified broadband expenditure which is paid or incurred by the taxpayer to be treated as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account; and (2) any expenditure so treated to be allowed as a deduction. Defines terms and sets forth rules.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Good Samaritan Tax Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a rule for determining the amount of the deduction allowable for a charitable contribution of food inventory.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Candidate Anti-Corruption Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, to prohibit the use of any contribution made to a candidate for election for Federal office, or any donation made to an individual as support for the individual's activities as the holder of a Federal office, for the payment of a salary to the candidate or individual or to any member of the immediate family of the candidate or individual.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Homeland Investment Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a U.S. corporation doing business abroad to elect to have its foreign earnings taxed in the United States for one year at a rate equal to 5.25 percent of the excess qualified foreign distribution and the amount attributable to such corporation as controlled foreign-earned dividends in lieu of being taxed under individual or corporate rates. Limits foreign tax credits with respect to dividends taxed at such 5.25 percent rate.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Withholds certain U.S. funds for: (1) U.S. contributions to any United Nations (UN) commission, organization, or affiliated agency that is chaired or presided over by a country that has been determined by the Secretary of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism until such time the President determines that the entity is no longer chaired or presided over by such country and such entity has established appropriate electoral reforms, including minimum standards for leadership positions and the elimination of automatic rotation of such positions; and (2) expenses for any U.S. delegation to any UN commission, organization, or affiliated agency until such time the President makes such determination.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician or other individual from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion, except when necessary to save the life of a mother that is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Defines a "partial-birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the abortion: (1) deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the mother's body, or, in the case of a breech presentation, any part of the fetal trunk past the navel is outside the mother's body; and (2) performs the overt act, other than completion of delivery, that kills the partially delivered living fetus. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Artists' Contribution to American Heritage Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a fair market value (determined at time of contribution) deduction for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, scholarly compositions, or the copyright created by a qualifying donor. Exempts certain non-personal letters and memoranda from such treatment. Limits such increased deduction to the donor's artistic adjusted income (as defined by this Act).
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal specified occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine, and beer. Revises recordkeeping requirements for wholesale and retail liquor dealers. Makes it unlawful for any liquor dealer (except one selling beer exclusively) to purchase distilled spirits from any person other than a specified wholesale liquor dealer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $250 to $400 the maximum above-the-line deduction allowed for classroom supply expenses incurred by elementary and secondary school teachers, effective after December 31, 2002. Expands such deduction to include qualified professional development expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that the people and companies of the United States and the U.S. Armed Forces should not participate in the 45th Paris Air Show in France should the Government of France continue its opposition to the potential use of force to insure that Saddam Hussein complies with United Nations resolutions concerning weapons of mass destruction.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Rural Communities Hospice Care Access Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to create an exception to the Medicare 20 percent inpatient care limitation for certain rural hospice programs with 20 beds or fewer.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Small Business and Financial Institutions Tax Relief Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make a trust-individual retirement account (IRA) an eligible bank S corporation shareholder. Exempts from prohibited transaction rules any sale of stock in an IRA pursuant to a small business corporation's election to be an S corporation. Excludes from the definition of passive income for purposes of S status termination any interest income earned by or dividends on assets required to be held by a bank, a bank holding company, or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary bank. Increases to 150 the maximum number of shareholders a small business organization may have to be eligible to elect S corporation treatment. States that stock held by a bank director as required by banking regulations (director qualifying stock) shall not be considered a disqualifying second class of S corporation stock. Permits a bank which makes an S corporation election to recapture certain bad debt reserves in the year of election or the preceding year. Limits any special rules regarding corporate income preference items to the three years following S corporation election. Treats a husband and wife as one shareholder. Permits, and sets forth criteria for, an election to treat all members of a family as one shareholder. Permits the issuance of qualified preferred stock, which shall not be treated as second class stock. Makes any distribution (not in payment in exchange for stock) made by an S corporation with respect to qualified preferred stock includible as ordinary income of the holder and deductible to the corporation as an expense. Revises exceptions to the criteria for the treatment of certain wholly owned subchapter S subsidiaries with reference to required information returns. Provides for a charitable contribution basis adjustment of S corporation stock based upon the shareholder's pro rata share of adjusted basis.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law to revise the statutory formula for funding benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System for U.S. Postal Service employees. Mandates that savings accruing to the Postal Service and attributable to specified years: (1) be used to reduce the postal debt as the Secretary of the Treasury shall specify; and (2) be held in escrow until Congress acts following receipt of certain reports. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the savings accruing to the Postal Service as a result of the enactment of this Act will be sufficient to allow the Postal Service to fulfill its commitment to hold postage rates unchanged until at least 2006; (2) because the Postal Service still faces substantial obligations related to postretirement health benefits for its current and former employees, some portion of those savings should be used to address the unfunded obligations; and (3) none of the savings should be used to pay bonuses to Postal Service executives. Sets a deadline for submission of a mandatory Postal Service report detailing how future savings accruing to the Postal Service as a result of the enactment of this Act should be expended.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Tohono O'odham Citizenship Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to recognize persons listed on the official membership roll of the Tohono O'odham Nation, a federally recognized American Indian nation located in Arizona, as U.S. citizens as of the date such listing occurs. Provides that the valid membership credential issued to such listed persons shall be considered, for all purposes subject to Federal law, equivalent to: (1) a certificate of citizenship; and (2) a State-issued birth certificate.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Condemns the terrorist attacks in Mombasa, Kenya, which occurred on November 28, 2002, in which innocent Kenyan and Israeli civilians were targeted. Urges the President to seek the cooperation of all countries in the war on terrorism, including through the prohibition of financial support for Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in the Middle East and Africa and through opposing the glorification of suicide bombers and other terrorists. Urges the United States, Kenya, and Israel to stand united in the global war on terrorism and to work together to bring to justice the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in Mombasa, Kenya.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Law Enforcement Partnership to Combat Terrorism Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to earmark not less than 25 percent of amounts made available under the "cops on the beat" program for programs, projects, and other activities to: (1) increase the number of, and enhance coordination among, law enforcement officers involved in intelligence activities for combating terrorism; and (2) provide specialized training to one intelligence officer and one analyst officer per grant recipient to enhance such officers' observation, intelligence gathering, foreign language, and analytic skills needed to focus on intelligence for combating terrorism. Directs the Attorney General to ensure that each such intelligence or analyst officer has a security clearance of not less than the "top secret" level.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Amends the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 (TEUCA, which is title II of the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002) to provide: (1) an additional six weeks of benefits for those who exhausted theirs before December 29, 2002; (2) a revised adjusted insured unemployment rate State trigger for second tier benefits in high-unemployment States; and (3) an extension of the TEUC program through weeks of unemployment ending before December 28, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning the special allowance for certain property acquired after September 10, 2001, and before September 11, 2004 to increase the 30 percent allowance to 100 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a specified sum to Florence Narusewicz, which represents the amount of an award for a disability incurred by her husband during active military service in World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to access and choice for small business employers with respect to medical care for their employees. Establishes rules governing association health plans (group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations), including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation, coverage, plan documents, contribution rates, benefit options, applications for certification, notice for voluntary termination, corrective actions, and mandatory termination. Requires association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage to maintain certain reserves and comply with other solvency provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply for appointment, and carry out specified duties, as trustee of any such insolvent association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage. Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on any association health plan commencing operations in such State after the enactment of this Act. Requires association health plans to include in their summary plan descriptions, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of any solvency or guarantee fund protection secured under ERISA or applicable State law. Revises provisions relating to treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements. Provides for association health plans with respect to: (1) enforcement; (2) cooperation between Federal and State authorities; and (3) treatment of certain existing health benefit programs.
![Official portrait of Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000187_200.jpg)