United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Medicare Beneficiary Skilled Nursing Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to extend for three years the temporary increase in the nursing component of the Federal prospective payment rate. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 to extend for three years the increase in the skilled nursing facility adjusted Federal per diem rate under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Identity Theft Victims Assistance Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to require a business entity that possesses information relating to an alleged identity theft or that has done business with a person that has made unauthorized use of identification of a victim to provide, upon written request, a copy of all application and business transaction information related to such alleged theft to the victim, any law enforcement agency or officer specified by the victim, and any law enforcement agency investigating the identity theft and authorized by the victim to receive such information. Requires verification of the identity of the victim and proof of claim prior to release of the information. Protects businesses from liability for good-faith releases of information for identification and prosecution of identity theft or to assist a victim. Authorizes civil enforcement actions by State attorneys general regarding identity theft and allows intervention by the U.S. Attorney General. Amends the: (1) Fair Credit Reporting Act to direct a consumer reporting agency to block the reporting of any information identified by the consumer in such consumer's file resulting from identity theft, subject to specified requirements; and (2) Internet False Identification Prevention Act of 2000 to include within report contents specified descriptions regarding identity theft.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should complete action in the 107th Congress on the Pension Security Act of 2002 and present it to the President for his signature before adjournment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should complete action in the 107th Congress on the Community Solutions Act of 2001 and present it to the President for his signature before adjournment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Supports the goals and ideas of a day of tribute to all firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Recognizes the important mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in assisting family members to overcome the loss of their fallen heroes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002
Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2002 - Adjusts the basic Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity amount for surviving spouses, age 62 or over, of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent (current law), for months beginning on or before the enactment of this Act; (2) 40 percent of such pay, for months beginning after enactment of this Act until October 2005; (3) 45 percent of such pay for months beginning after September 2005 and before October 2012; and (4) 55 percent of such pay for months after September 2012. Adjusts similarly the percentage amounts of SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided for such surviving spouses. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate adjustments in the computation of retired pay reductions for such supplemental annuities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should complete action on the Permanent Death Tax Repeal Act of 2002, and present it to the President before adjournment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that the 107th Congress should complete action on and present to the President, before September 30, 2002, legislation extending and strengthening the 1996 welfare reforms.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2002
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide: (1) emergency financial assistance to agricultural producers who have incurred qualifying 2001 or 2002 crop losses due to weather or related conditions; and (2) payments to livestock producers who have incurred 2001 and 2002 losses in an emergency-designated county, with set-asides for the American Indian livestock program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2002
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Horsham, Pennsylvania, as the Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2002
Recognizes September 11 as both a day to remember those taken from their families and a day for Americans to recommit to the Nation, to their freedom, and to each other. Extends deepest sympathies to the countless innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, their families, friends, and loved ones. Honors the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, and others who aided the innocent victims. Expresses thanks and gratitude to the foreign leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism. Remains resolved to pursue all those responsible for the terrorist attacks and their sponsors until they are discovered and punished.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2002
Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act of 2002 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide that a public safety officer who dies as the direct and proximate result of a heart attack or stroke suffered while on duty or within 24 hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation shall be presumed to have died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty, for purposes of survivor benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002
Urges recognition of certain named trapped coal miners for their stamina and courage and the rescue crews for their outstanding effort and cooperation resulting in their safe rescue on July 27, 2002, in Pennsylvania.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Veterans Health Care Funding Guarantee Act of 2002 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY 2004 120 percent of the amount obligated during FY 2002; and (2) adjust the amount provided after FY 2004 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of others eligible for and provided care and the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Repeals, as of October 1, 2003, requirements for the prior congressional approval of funding for Department major medical facilities projects or leases.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002
Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for continuing appropriations for a fiscal year in the absence of regular appropriations, at a level not exceeding 75 percent of the lowest of possible rates of operations found in: (1) the previous fiscal year's appropriations or continuing appropriations acts; (2) the House or Senate passed appropriation bill for the fiscal year in question (except for a project or activity not funded in one such version); (3) the presidential budget submission; or (4) the annualized rate of operations provided for in the most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding levels established under this Act. Charges expenditures made under this Act to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization when it becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association should implement a mandatory steroid testing program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2002
Amends Federal transportation law with respect to urbanized area formula grants for capital projects and the planning and improvement costs of equipment, facilities, and associated capital maintenance items for use in mass transportation. Makes a special rule for FY 2003 authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to make such grants from FY 2003 funds to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in mass transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000 as determined under the 2000 Federal decennial census of population, if: (1) the urbanized area had a population under 200,000 in the 1990 census; (2) a portion of the area was a separate urbanized area with a population under 200,000 in the 1990 census; or (3) the area was not designated as a urbanized area in the 1990 census. Limits such amounts: (1) for the first two described areas to the amount apportioned in FY 2002 to such areas; and (2) for urbanized areas that, for the first time, exceeded 200,000 in population according to the 2000 census, to the amount apportioned for FY 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2002
Corporate Fraud Accountability Act of 2002 - Amends Federal criminal law to establish a monetary penalty and imprisonment for: (1) knowing perpetration of securities fraud; and (2) tampering with a record or otherwise impeding an official proceeding. Requests the United States Sentencing Commission to: (1) promptly review sentencing guidelines applicable to securities and accounting fraud; and (2) expeditiously consider promulgation of new sentencing guidelines to provide an enhancement for officers of directors of publicly traded corporations who commit fraud and related offenses. Sets a deadline for such guidelines. Amends Federal bankruptcy law to declare nondischargeable in bankruptcy debts that have been incurred in violation of Federal or State securities fraud laws. Amends Federal criminal law to require senior corporate officers to certify in writing that financial statements fairly and accurately represent the operations and financial condition of the issuer. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this requirement. Subjects to criminal penalties any attempt or conspiracy to commit any offense against the United States. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to: (1) increase criminal penalties for violations; and (2) authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to seek a temporary injunction to freeze extraordinary payments earmarked for designated persons or corporate staff under investigation for possible violations of Federal securities laws. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933 to authorize the SEC to prohibit violators of certain prohibitions against manipulative or deceptive devices or certain reporting requirements from serving as officers or directors of a publicly traded corporation. Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties for intentional retaliation against any person who has provided information to a law enforcement officer regarding the commission of a Federal offense.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2002
Honors the outstanding accomplishments of Ted Williams and expresses the deepest sympathies and condolences of the House of Representatives to the family of Ted Williams on his passing.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2002
Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend, for members of the uniformed services serving on "qualified official extended duty" (any extended duty while serving at a duty station which is at least 250 miles from the principal residence or while residing under Government orders in Government quarters), the five-year period utilized in determining exclusion of gain from the sale of such residence. Limits the extension of such period to not more than five years. Restores in full the tax exempt status of death gratuity payments to members of the armed services.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2002
Pledge Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any court established by Act of Congress to hear or determine any claim that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance violates the first amendment of the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Pledge of Allegiance, including the phrase "One Nation, under God," reflects the historical fact that a belief in God permeated the founding and development of our Nation; (2) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals's ruling is inconsistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's First Amendment jurisprudence that the Pledge and similar expressions are not unconstitutional expressions of religious belief; (3) such phrase should remain in the Pledge; and (4) the Ninth Circuit should agree to rehear this ruling en banc in order to reverse this constitutionally infirm and historically incorrect ruling.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2002
Securing America's Freedom through Enforcement Reform Act of 2002 (SAFER Act) - Sets forth provisions, and amends specified Acts, with respect to: (1) prevention and punishment of alien smuggling, and transporting and harboring of aliens; (2) border patrol increases; (3) use of the military along the border; (4) visas, including the visa waiver program, and consular interviews of applicants; (5) alien terrorist removal, deportability, and asylum requests; (6) alien criminal removal; (7) alien human rights violator removal, deportability, and bar to status adjustment, including criminal penalties for reentry and aiding human rights violators to enter the United States; (8) document security (birth certificates, drivers licenses, social security cards); (9) employment eligibility verification; (10) increased Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) investigative personnel, (11) expedited exclusion; (12) criminal and civil penalties for improper entry of aliens; (13) voluntary departure; (14) detention facilities; (15) removal proceedings; (16) establishment of a Federal election-related Citizenship Verification Program; (17) establishment of an Office of Citizenship; (18) treatment of nationals of state sponsors of terrorism; (19) refugee admissions, and extended family and employment preferences; (20) elimination of diversity immigrant program; (21) temporary protected status; (22) designation of foreign terrorist organizations; (23) foreign students; (24) INS attorneys; (25) alien proof of identity; and (26) information on foreign crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2002
States that the Federal budget for FY 2004 should keep faith with the goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 by providing to eligible States and Indian tribes their lawful share of the unappropriated balance in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund so that they may further protect and enhance the environments of their States and tribal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2002
Homeland Security Act of 2002 - Establishes a Department of Homeland Security (HLS), as an executive department of the United States, headed by a Secretary of Homeland Security who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the primary mission of HLS is to: (1) prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; (2) reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; and (3) minimize the damage, and assist in the recovery, from terrorist attacks that occur within the United States. Includes as HLS's primary responsibilities: (1) information analysis and infrastructure protection; (2) chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and related countermeasures; (3) border and transportation security; (4) emergency preparedness and response; and (5) coordination (including the provision of training and equipment) with other executive agencies, with State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, with the private sector, and with other entities. Places responsibility with HLS for carrying out other functions of entities transferred to it as provided by law. Creates: (1) a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, who shall be the Secretary's first assistant for purposes of details; (2) an Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection; (3) an Under Secretary for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures; (4) an Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security; (5) an Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response; (6) an Under Secretary for Management; and (7) not more than six Assistant Secretaries. Establishes an Inspector General (to be appointed under the Inspector General Act of 1978), and enlists the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Director of the Secret Service as well, to assist the Secretary in the performance of his functions. Includes as the primary responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection: (1) receiving and analyzing law enforcement information, intelligence, and other information in order to understand the nature and scope of the terrorist threat to the American homeland and to detect and identify potential threats of terrorism within the United States; (2) comprehensively assessing the vulnerabilities of the key resources and critical infrastructures in the United States; (3) integrating relevant information, intelligence analyses, and vulnerability assessments (whether provided or produced by the Department or others) to identify protective priorities and support protective measures by the Department, other executive agencies, State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, the private sector, and other entities; (4) developing a comprehensive national plan for securing the key resources and critical infrastructures in the United States; (5) taking or seeking to effect necessary measures to protect the key resources and critical infrastructures in the United States; (6) administering the Homeland Security Advisory System, exercising primary responsibility for public threat advisories, and providing specific warning information to State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, the private sector, other entities, and the public, as well as advice about appropriate protective actions and countermeasures; and (7) reviewing, analyzing, and making recommendations for improvements in the policies and procedures governing the sharing of law enforcement, intelligence, and other information relating to homeland security within the Federal government and between it and State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the following entities: (1) the National Infrastructure Protection Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (other than the Computer Investigations and Operations Section); (2) the National Communications System of the Department of Defense; (3) the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office of the Department of Commerce; (4) the Computer Security Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; (5) the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center of the Department of Energy; and (6) the Federal Computer Incident Response Center of the General Services Administration. Gives the Secretary access to all reports, assessments, and analytical information relating to threats of terrorism in the United States and to other areas of HLS responsibility, and to all information concerning infrastructure or other vulnerabilities of the United States to terrorism, whether or not it has been analyzed, that may be collected, possessed, or prepared by any executive agency, except as otherwise directed by the President. Requires all executive agencies promptly to provide to the Secretary: (1) all reports, assessments, and analytical information relating to threats of terrorism in the United States and to other areas of HLS responsibility; (2) all information concerning infrastructure or other vulnerabilities of the United States to terrorism, whether or not it has been analyzed; (3) all information relating to significant and credible threats of terrorism in the United States, whether or not it has been analyzed, if the President has granted the Secretary such access; and (4) such other material as the President may further provide. Requires the Secretary to ensure: (1) that any such material is protected from unauthorized disclosure and handled and used only for the performance of official duties; and (2) that any shared intelligence information shall be transmitted, retained, and disseminated consistent with the authority of the Director of Central Intelligence to protect intelligence sources and methods, or appropriate similar authorities of the Attorney General concerning sensitive law enforcement information. Exempts from the Privacy Act any information in the Department's possession provided voluntarily by non-Federal entities or individuals with respect to infrastructure vulnerabilities or other vulnerabilities to terrorism. Includes as the primary responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures: (1) securing the people, infrastructures, property, resources, and systems in the United States from acts of terrorism involving chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons or other emerging threats; (2) conducting a national scientific research and development (R&D) program to support the mission of HLS; (3) establishing priorities for, directing, funding, and conducting national research, development, and procurement of technology and systems for preventing the importation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and related weapons and material, and for detecting, preventing, protecting against, and responding to terrorist attacks that involve such weapons or material; and (4) establishing guidelines for State and local government efforts to develop and implement countermeasures to threats of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorism, and other emerging terrorist threats. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the following entities: (1) the select agent registration enforcement programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (2) the National Bio-Weapons Defense Analysis Center of the Department of Defense; and (4) the Plum Island Animal Disease Center of the Department of Agriculture. Transfers to the Secretary the following programs and activities of the Department of Energy: (1) the chemical and biological national security and supporting programs and activities of the non-proliferation and verification R&D program; (2) the nuclear smuggling programs and activities, and other programs and activities directly related to homeland security, within the proliferation detection program of the non-proliferation and verification R&D program; (3) the nuclear assessment program and activities of the assessment, detection, and cooperation program of the international materials protection and cooperation program; (4) the energy security and assurance program and activities; (5) certain life sciences activities of the biological and environmental research program related to microbial pathogens; (6) the Environmental Measurements Laboratory; and (7) the advanced scientific computing research program and activities, and the intelligence program and activities, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Directs the Secretary to carry out his civilian human health-related biological, biomedical, and infectious disease defense R&D (including vaccine R&D) responsibilities, with authority to set priorities, through HHS (including the Public Health Service), under agreements with the Secretary of HHS. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds to the Secretary of HHS in connection with such agreements. Provides that nothing in this Act, except as specifically provided, shall confer upon the Secretary any authority to engage in warfighting, the military defense of the United States, or other traditional military activities. Includes as the primary responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security: (1) preventing the entry of terrorists and the instruments of terrorism into the United States;(2) securing the borders, territorial waters, ports, terminals, waterways, and air, land, and sea transportation systems of the United States, including managing and coordinating governmental activities at ports of entry; (3) administering the immigration and naturalization laws of the United States, including establishing rules for the granting of visas, parole, or other forms of permission to enter the United States to individuals who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents; (4) administering Federal customs laws; and (5) in carrying out the foregoing responsibilities, ensuring the speedy, orderly, and efficient flow of lawful traffic and commerce. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the following entities: (1) the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury; (2) the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice; (3) the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture; (4) the Coast Guard of the Department of Transportation, which shall be maintained as a distinct entity within HLS; (5) the Transportation Security Administration of the Department of Transportation, including related functions of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security; and (6) the Federal Protective Service of the General Services Administration. Grants the Secretary: (1) exclusive authority, through the Secretary of State, to issue regulations with respect to, administer, and enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act and all other immigration and nationality laws relating to the functions of diplomatic and consular officers of the United States in connection with the granting or refusal of visas; and (2) authority to confer or impose upon any officer or employee of the United States, with the consent of the executive agency under whose jurisdiction such officer or employee is serving, any of these specified functions. Authorizes the Secretary of State to refuse a visa to an alien if the Secretary of State deems such refusal necessary or advisable in the interests of the United States. Includes as the primary responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response: (1) helping to ensure the preparedness of emergency response providers for terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies; (2) establishing standards for the Nuclear Incident Response Team, conducting joint and other exercises and training; (3) providing the Federal government's response to terrorist attacks and major disasters; (4) aiding recovery from terrorist attacks and major disasters; (5) building a comprehensive national incident management system with Federal, State, and local governments to respond to such attacks and disasters; (6) consolidating existing Federal government emergency response plans into a single, coordinated national response plan; and (7) developing comprehensive programs for interoperative communications technology, and their acquisition by emergency response providers. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the following entities: (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (2) the Office for Domestic Preparedness of the Office of Justice Programs; (3) the National Domestic Preparedness Office of the FBI; (4) the Domestic Emergency Support Teams of the Department of Justice; (5) the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (including the Office of Emergency Preparedness, the National Disaster Medical System, and the Metropolitan Medical Response System) of HHS; and (6) the Strategic National Stockpile of HHS. Provides that at the direction of the Secretary (in connection with an actual or threatened terrorist attack, major disaster, or other emergency), the Nuclear Incident Response Team (including certain entities of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy) shall operate as an organizational unit of HLS under the Secretary's authority and control. Directs the Secretary to carry out through HHS (including the Public Health Service), under agreements with the Secretary of HHS, all biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear preparedness-related construction, renovation, and enhancement of security for research and development or other facilities owned or occupied by HHS. Directs the Secretary to carry out specified HHS public health-related activities assisting State and local government, non-Federal public and private health care facilities and providers, and public and non-profit health and educational facilities to prepare for, prevent, and respond to biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear events and public health emergencies, by means including direct services, technical assistance, communications and surveillance, education and training activities, and grants. Places the HLS Inspector General under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary with respect to audits or investigations, or the issuance of subpoenas, that require access to information concerning various specified matters including intelligence, counterintelligence, or counterterrorism matters. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Secret Service, which shall be maintained as a distinct entity within the Department. Authorizes the Secretary, in regulations prescribed jointly with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, to establish a human resources management system for the organizational units of HLS which shall be flexible, contemporary, and grounded in the public employment principles of merit and fitness. Grants the Secretary limited authority to: (1) reorganize HLS by allocating or reallocating functions within HLS and by establishing, consolidating, altering, or discontinuing organizational units within HLS; and (2) transfer funding between appropriations accounts upon 15 days notice to congressional appropriations committees. Establishes in the Department of Defense a National Bio-Weapons Defense Analysis Center whose mission is to develop countermeasures to potential attacks by terrorists using weapons of mass destruction.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2002
Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) under which each individual who is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) is entitled to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage by electing to enroll: (1) in a plan that provides qualified prescription drug coverage under the Medicare+Choice program under SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) (M+C); or (2) in a prescription drug plan (PDP) under part D if the individual is not enrolled in a M+C plan providing qualified prescription drug coverage. Outlines standard coverage benefit packages for FY 2005. Includes for the standard package an annual deductible of $250, and requires insurers under such package to cover 80 percent of enrollees drug costs from $251 to $1,000, then 50 percent of such costs between $1,001 and the initial coverage limit of $2,000. Requires enrollees to cover all costs between $2,001 and $4,500, and Medicare to cover the entire cost once the beneficiary has reached the $4,500 catastrophic limit. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of the deductible and thresholds for years after 2005. Establishes a competitive bidding process for negotiating the terms and conditions of PDP sponsors. Provides for full premium subsidy and reduction of cost-sharing for individuals with incomes below 150 percent of the Federal poverty level. Contains subsidy payments for qualifying entities to promote the participation of PDP sponsors. Amends SSA title XVIII part C to: (1) provide for the offering of qualified prescription drug coverage under M+C; and (2) create a competitive bidding program for M+C organizations. Sets out a new Medicare prescription drug discount card endorsement program under Medicare. Makes a number of other changes with regard to Medicare: (1) part A concerning rural health care, inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facility services, and hospices; (2) part B concerning physicians services and other services; and (3) part A and B concerning home health services, direct graduate medical education, and other provisions. Amends SSA title XVIII part E (Miscellaneous) (previously part D) to include a number of regulatory, contracting, and administrative changes. Establishes the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicaid. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add requirements for interstate Internet sellers of prescription drugs. Establishes within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health the Office of Rare Diseases. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make specified health-care related tax changes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2002
Administrative Law Process Enhancement Act of 2002 - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to establish an Office of Administrative Law Judges in the Social Security Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2002
Commends the soldiers and airmen of the Pennsylvania National Guard for their exemplary service to the United States in the war against terrorism and other recent deployments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to an employer of up to $1000 per employee for allowing workers who are volunteer firefighters to participate in "qualified firefighting training." Prohibits employers from earning credit if they charge employees with any kind of leave or compensatory time off or if they demote or dismiss employees due to participation in the training. Defines "qualified firefighter training."
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General that a commemorative postage stamp be issued by the U.S. Postal Service each year in honor of Veterans Day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2002
Honors and commends the Lao Veterans of America, Laotian and Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War who served with or assisted the United States Armed Forces, and their families for their historic contributions to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2005. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2005, and, if not, Congress should be required to vote to reauthorize the Code.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Fairness in Sentencing Act of 2002 - Disapproves Amendment number 4 of the "Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary," submitted by the United States Sentencing Commission to Congress on May 1, 2002, and provides that it shall not take effect to the extent it: (1) amends provisions setting forth the base offense level for unlawfully manufacturing, importing, exporting, or trafficking of drugs to provide that the base offense level shall not be more than level 30 if the defendant receives a mitigating role adjustment; and (2) instructs the court to apply the appropriate mitigating role adjustment to reduce the defendant's base offense level.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
Lifetime Consequences for Sex Offenders Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make the authorized term of supervised release for specified sex offenses any term of years or life. Includes among the covered offenses sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children, transportation for illegal sexual activity (generally), use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor, transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity or in a sexual act with a juvenile, coercion and enticement to engage in criminal sexual activity, and sex trafficking of children.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
Establishes the Fort Presque Isle National Historic Site in Erie, Pennsylvania, as a unit of the National Park System. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands or interests and to prepare a general management plan for the site.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2002
Steel Industry Legacy Relief Act of 2002 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish a steel industry retiree benefits protection program administered by the Secretary of Commerce and the Board of Trustees of the Steel Industry Legacy Relief Trust Fund (created by this Act) to provide specified medical benefits to eligible steel retirees and beneficiaries. Prescribes qualifying events (acquisition, closing, election, or bankruptcy transfer) as a result of which the United States shall assume liability for the provision of steel retiree benefits for each eligible retiree and eligible beneficiary certified for participation in the retiree benefits program. Requires transfer to the Trust Fund by a qualified steel company and any applicable acquiring company of all assets which, under the terms of an applicable collective bargaining agreement, were required to be set aside under an employee benefit plan or otherwise for the provision of the steel retiree benefits. Requires contributions to the Trust Fund by such companies.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of violent crime the rights: (1) to reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime and of any release or escape of the accused; (2) to not be excluded from such public proceeding and reasonably to be heard at public release, plea, sentencing, reprieve, and pardon proceedings; and (3) to adjudicative decisions that consider the victim's safety, interest in avoiding unreasonable delay, and just and timely claims to restitution from the offender. Prohibits any restriction of such rights except as dictated by a substantial interest in public safety or the administration of criminal justice, or by compelling necessity.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
Child Obscenity and Pornography Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) making a visual depiction that is a computer image or computer-generated image of, or that appears virtually indistinguishable from an image of, a minor engaging in specified sexually explicit conduct; (2) offering, agreeing, attempting, or conspiring to provide, sell, receive, or purchase a visual depiction of a minor engaging in such conduct; (3) producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing with intent to distribute, or possessing a visual depiction that is, or is virtually indistinguishable from, that of a pre-pubescent child engaging in such conduct; (4) showing a minor obscene material or child pornography; (5) providing obscene material, child pornography, or other material assistance to facilitate offenses against minors; or (6) employing or coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct outside of the United States for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Includes the prohibition on the use of materials to facilitate offenses against minors within the scope of enhanced penalties provisions. Authorizes a provider of electronic communication or remote computing services that reasonably believes it has obtained knowledge of facts and circumstances indicating a violation of provisions regarding child pornography to report to the Cyber Tip Line at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which shall forward that report to designated law enforcement agencies. Directs the Attorney General to establish and supervise the development and operation of a comprehensive computerized database to facilitate the identification of child pornography produced with actual children and to facilitate the identification of perpetrators.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act of 2002 - Makes changes to the health care liability system, including compensation for injured patients and other issues arising out of health care law suits. Requires a suit to be brought within three years of the date of injury or one year after the claimant discovers or should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first. Sets forth requirements and permissible recovery amounts for compensating patient injury, including: (1) the full amount of economic loss without limitation; (2) noneconomic damages as specified; and (3) a fair share rule. Requires the court to supervise payment-of-damage arrangements, limiting contingency fees. Permits the introduction of evidence of collateral source benefits. Limits the availability of punitive damages, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malicious intent to injure or a deliberate failure to avoid substantially certain, unnecessary injury. Prohibits their award for products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, absent material and knowing misrepresentation by those submitting required approval or clearance information to the FDA. Authorizes periodic payment of future damages to claimants. Excludes suits for vaccine-related death or injury from the requirements of this Act if otherwise covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Preempts State law unless such law imposes greater protections for health care providers and organizations from liability, loss, or damages. .
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Federal Agency Protection of Privacy Act - Requires Federal agencies: (1) when publishing a general notice of proposed rulemaking for any proposed rule or for an interpretative rule involving the internal revenue laws, to prepare, make available for public comment, and publish an initial analysis describing the rule's impact on the privacy of individuals; and (2) when promulgating the final rule, to prepare, make publicly available, and publish a final privacy impact analysis that includes a summary of the significant issues raised by and changes made pursuant to public comments on the initial analysis. Requires the head of an agency promulgating a rule that may have a significant privacy impact on individuals or on a substantial number of individuals to use specified techniques to assure that individuals have been given an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking. Requires each agency to: (1) carry out a periodic review of promulgated rules that have such impact to determine whether each such rule can be amended or rescinded in a manner that minimizes such impact while remaining in accordance with applicable statutes; (2) carry out such review in accordance with a plan that provides for the review of each rule every ten years after the rule was published as a final rule; and (3) publish annually a list of the rules to be reviewed. Sets forth provisions governing judicial review of agency compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Steel Industry Legacy Relief and Transition Act of 2002 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish in the Department of Labor a Steel Industry Legacy Relief Program administered by the Secretary of Labor to provide certain post-employment retiree health benefits previously provided by qualified steel companies purchased or otherwise acquired by another qualified steel company (eligible buyer). Prescribes procedures by which an eligible buyer may petition for transfer to the Steel Industry Legacy Relief Trust Fund (established by this Act) of all assets of the acquired company which were required to be set aside for provision of the steel retiree benefits, liability for which is relieved by operation of this Act. Requires eligible buyers to make specified contributions to the Trust for ten years following acquisition of another steel company. Requires the Secretary to provide for the purchase of coverage of steel retiree health benefits for eligible retirees, surviving spouses, and dependents. Requires deposit in the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to certain duties on imports of basic steel mill products. Establishes the Steel Transition Board to review and approve or disapprove applications for expedited antitrust review of steel company acquisitions by eligible buyers petitioning for assistance under this Act. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to treat as terminated any qualified defined benefit plan maintained by the acquired company in any qualified acquisition under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2002
Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 with respect to competitive grants to fire departments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) U.S. Fire Administration. Adds protection of property to the list of grant purposes. Requires the grant administration office to require peer review of the grant recipient selection process. Adds funding for training as a volunteer recruitment and retention incentive among the proper uses of grant funds.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Syria Accountability Act of 2002 - Prohibits the President from exporting any item on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations, providing any U.S. assistance to U.S. businesses with respect to investment or other activities, or conducting Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Trade Development Agency programs in or with respect to Syria. Directs the President to impose two or more specified sanctions against Syria. Requires maintenance of such prohibition and sanctions until the President certifies that Syria meets specified requirements, including that it: (1) does not support international terrorist groups; (2) has withdrawn all of its military personnel from Lebanon; (3) has ceased the development and deployment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons; (4) is no longer in violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions; (5) has made substantial progress in negotiations aimed at a peace agreement with Israel and a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon; and (6) is respecting the sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon as required under UN Security Council Resolution 520. Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to Syria and Lebanon if these six requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Combat Pay for Combat Risk Act of 2002 - Dictates that a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is entitled to special pay for being subject to hostile fire or imminent danger as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (or any successor operation) shall be treated in the same manner as if the individual were in a combat zone for the following provisions of the Internal Revenue Code: (1) those relating to the special rule where a deceased spouse was missing in action; (2) those pertaining to exclusion of certain combat pay for soldiers; (3) those relating to income taxes of members of the Armed Forces upon death; (4) those pertaining to members of the Armed Forces dying in combat zone or by reason of wounds suffered in the combat zone; (5) those defining wages relating to combat pay (to apply to remuneration paid after the passage of the Act); (6) those dealing with taxation of phone service for soldiers from a combat zone; (7) those pertaining to a joint tax return where an individual is missing in action; and (8) those relating to time for performing certain acts postponed due to service in a combat zone.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gekas, George W. [R-PA-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000121_200.jpg)