United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2003 - Authorizes appointment of additional bankruptcy judgeships for designated States, including additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships for Puerto Rico, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Mississippi, and Georgia. Extends certain existing temporary bankruptcy judgeships in Alabama and. Tennessee. Converts to a bankruptcy judgeship for the middle district of Georgia the bankruptcy judgeship presently shared by the southern district of Georgia and the middle district of Georgia. Converts to a permanent bankruptcy judgeship existing temporary bankruptcy judgeships for the districts of Delaware and Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Honors, and calls on all Americans to honor, the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families. Encourages those families to proudly display the Blue Star Banner (symbolizing military service of a family member) or, if a family member has died during such service, the Gold Star. Calls upon the media to recognize the importance and symbolism of the Banner.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2003
Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to payment for ambulance services to revise requirements for the establishment of a fee schedule. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for the coding of claims for ambulance services, including a code set specifying the medical condition of the individual transported by an ambulance and the appropriate level of transportation service.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Public Safety and Protection Investment Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow businesses to expense the costs of purchasing and installing qualifying security devices.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Direct Support Professional Recognition Resolution - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Federal Government and the States should make it a priority to ensure a stable, quality direct support workforce for individuals with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities that advances national commitment to community integration for such individuals and personal security for them and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) Federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis; and (2) a deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums and enrollment fees. Sets an implementation deadline of the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days following enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Encroachment on Military Bases Prevention Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) from designating as critical habitat any lands or areas owned and controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management plan under the Sikes Act if the Secretary determines that such plan addresses special management considerations or protection. Requires the Secretary to consider impact on national security when making critical habitat determinations. Amends the Act commonly known as the National Park System General Authorities Act to require: (1) the Secretary to notify the Secretary of Defense of the exact military lands included in any study of an area for potential inclusion in the National Park System (NPS); and (2) the Secretary of Defense to evaluate the existing environmental protections for such lands and the importance of such lands to military readiness and preparation. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to require the Secretary to exclude such lands if it is determined that current environmental protections are adequate and that their inclusion in the NPS would adversely affect military readiness and preparation. Amends the National Marine Sanctuary Act to prohibit the Secretary from including as a national marine sanctuary any area that the Secretary of Defense has designated for use for military readiness activities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Amendment Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Family Time Flexibility Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for compensatory time for all employees. Allows an employee to receive, in lieu of monetary overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal judicial code to: (1) authorize the appointment of additional permanent and temporary bankruptcy judges in various States and Puerto Rico; and (2) extend certain temporary office of bankruptcy judges previously authorized for Alabama and Tennessee.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
America's Wilderness Protection Act - Releases all areas with wilderness study area status on this Act's enactment date from such status on the earlier of: (1) the date the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture determines that the area is not suitable for wilderness designation; (2) ten years after this Act's enactment; or (3) the date the area is designated as wilderness by Congress. Releases any area that is given wilderness study area status after this Act's enactment from such status on the earlier of: (1) the date such Secretary determines that the area is not suitable for wilderness designation; (2) ten years after the date the area was given such status; or (3) the date that the area is designated as wilderness by Congress. Provides for the reversion of any area that is released from wilderness study area status to the land use status such area had immediately before and prohibits it from being studied again regarding wilderness designation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to direct the chairman of the Budget Committee to maintain a Discretionary Spending Ledger, divided into entries corresponding to Appropriations Committee subcommittees. States that each entry will consist of the Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance which may be credited with any reductions in new budget authority offered in an amendment to an appropriation bill. Requires such chairman to maintain a Mandatory Spending Ledger, divided into entries corresponding to the House Committees receiving budget allocations, excluding Appropriations. States that each entry will consist of the First Year Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance and the Five Year Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance which may be credited with applicable reductions in new budget authority offered in an amendment to a bill. Permits such reductions to be used to offset an increase in other new budget authority or remain within the applicable allocation. Prohibits the entry of a negative amount. Requires the chairman to maintain and make available to Members running tallies of the amendments adopted, reflecting increases and decreases of budget authority in bills as reported.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Nevada National Forest Land Disposal Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell any right, title, or interest of the United States in and to certain parcels of National Forest System lands in Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada. Declares that the Secretary and the relevant unit of local government shall jointly decide whether land is to be offered for sale under this Act. Sets forth percentages of the gross proceeds from sales under this Act that shall be earmarked for: (1) the State of Nevada general education program; (2) the Carson Water Subconservancy in Nevada; (3) the fund established in the Sisk Act, to be used for land sales costs and for the development and maintenance of parks, trails, and natural areas in specified Nevada counties; and (4) wildland fire management in Nevada. Directs the Secretary to manage any land acquired under this Act in accordance with the Weeks Law. Declares that the lands authorized to be sold under this Act shall not be subject to specified Federal law pertaining to property management.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Provides that: (1) all service as a Member of Congress of an individual who is expelled from Congress shall be noncreditable for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any annuity which might otherwise be payable out of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund based on such service; (2) all Government contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan for that individual while that individual was performing Member service (and attributed earnings) shall be forfeited; and (3) the portion of such an individual's lump-sum credit which is attributable to such Member service (less any amount previously refunded or paid as annuity benefits) shall be payable to such individual or, if deceased, to the appropriate beneficiary or beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reimburse all private and public entities in Nevada for all monetary damages incurred as a result of bonding regulations promulgated on February 28, 1997, that were determined by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on May 13, 1998, to have been adopted in violation of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Allows any private or public entity in Nevada to submit a claim for such damages. Directs the Secretary to reimburse a claimant within 90 days unless the Secretary finds that the damages were not caused by such regulations. Grants any such entity that submits such a claim that is rejected by the Secretary: (1) a right to an appeal to State court; and (2) the right to a civil trial by jury if the amount in dispute, including litigation costs, is $20,000 or greater.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include pancreases procured by an organ procurement organization and used for islet cell transplantation or research to be counted toward organ procurement organization certification. Establishes the Interagency Committee on Islet Cell Transplantation within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires the Committee to study related issues, including Federal research funding, the effect of specified policies on transplantation, and data collection. Instructs the Secretary of HHS to request the Institute of Medicine to provide a study of the impact of islet cell transplantation on juvenile diabetes patients, including their health and the treatment's cost-effectiveness. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to establish a demonstration project to assess the efficacy of pancreatic cell islet transplantation for individuals who: (1) have Type I (juvenile) diabetes; and (2) have end-stage renal disease; and (3) are Medicare beneficiaries. Establishes reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Wildfire Response Enhancement Act - Authorizes the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to place an order with any Federal agency for goods or services directly related to fighting wildfires if the goods or services are necessary to properly respond to a wildfire without regard to a provision requiring a prior determination that the goods or services cannot be provided by contract as conveniently or cheaply by a commercial enterprise.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, solely by reason of a person's age if 65 years old or younger, from: (1) refusing to issue to, or renew for, such person an airman certificate for the operation of a commercial aircraft; or (2) requiring an air carrier to terminate the employment of, or refuse to employ, such person as a pilot on such aircraft. Applies this prohibition only with respect to persons who have not reached age 60 as of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Commends and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to: (1) all members of the U.S. Armed Forces (whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves) who are fighting the Global War on Terrorism; (2) the employers who in the spirit of patriotism maintain the job security of their mobilized National Guard and Reserve employees; and (3) the families of those service members who have borne the burden of separation from their loved ones and who have staunchly supported them during the conduct of the Global War on Terrorism. Expresses the condolences of Congress to the families of the brave American service members who have lost their lives defending the Nation in the Global War on Terrorism. Reaffirms that the Congress stands united with the President in the ongoing effort to defeat global terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Aerial Firefighter Relief Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide for death and disability benefits for aerial firefighters who serve the Forest Service or any agency of the Department of the Interior and suffer death or disability in the line of duty. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for similar eligibility of aerial firefighters for public safety officer death benefits, applicable to a public agency.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Seniors Health and Independence Preservation Act of 2003 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) consolidate and restate the Federal laws relating to the social health maintenance organization (SHMO) demonstration projects; and (2) make them permanent. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate a regulation that permits each SHMO demonstration project to expand its service area to include areas within the State served by the organization that are not contiguous to any other service area of the organization. Permits the participation in the SHMO demonstration project program of: (1) the five organizations authorized under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to demonstrate the concept of SHMOs that were approved by the Secretary in 1995; and (2) each entity that received a planning grant in 1998 under the 1997 Grants Program for Reforming Service Delivery for Dual Eligible Beneficiaries to develop a Second Generation Social HMO Demonstration Program. Requires the Secretary to notify the appropriate congressional committees before making any change to the benefits available under a SHMO demonstration project. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to study and report to Congress on the cost-effectiveness of SHMO demonstration projects and their potential expansion. Requires the Secretary to conduct, and report to Congress on, a comparative qualitative survey of the satisfaction of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in: (1) the original Medicare fee-for-service program under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (2) a Medicare+Choice plan under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice); and (3) an SHMO.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
PILT and Refuge Revenue Sharing Permanent Funding Act - Provides permanent funding for the following programs: (1) Bureau of Land Management Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT); and (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's refuge revenue sharing program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Pension Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require individual account plans (IAPs), including those with cash or deferred arrangements under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 401(k), to furnish quarterly pension benefit statements to plan participants and beneficiaries with rights to direct investments. Provides that employers are not exempt from liability for failing in fiduciary duty with respect to IAP investments during blackout periods if such a period's imposition suspends, limits, or restricts participants' and beneficiaries' ability to direct or diversify their assets. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a program to provide informational and educational support for pension plan fiduciaries. Amends ERISA and IRC to set forth diversification requirements for IAPs that hold employer securities readily tradable on an established market. Allows ERISA and IRC prohibited transaction exemptions under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to study, and report to specified congressional committees on, the costs and benefits to participants and beneficiaries of requiring independent fiduciary consultants to advise plan fiduciaries in connection with IAPs. Amends the IRC to provide that no amount shall be included in the gross income of any employee solely because the employee may choose between any qualified retirement planning services provided by a qualified investment advisor, and compensation which would otherwise be includible in the gross income of such employee. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit certain insider trading during pension plan transaction suspension periods. Amends the Retirement Protection Act of 1994 to make permanent an exemption from certain funding rules under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) for retirement plans sponsored by companies in the interstate bus transportation industry (thereby having ERISA funding rules apply instead). Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and of Labor to allow: (1) one-participant retirement plans which meet certain requirements and have assets of $250,000 or less as of the close of the plan year to not file an annual return for that year; and (2) the filing of a simplified annual return for any retirement plan which covers fewer than 25 employees on the first day of a plan year and meets certain other requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to continue to update and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (or any successor program) giving special attention to specified factors. Amends IRC and the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to extend to all governmental plans a moratorium on the application of certain nondiscrimination rules applicable to State and local plans. Amends ERISA to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to modify specified regulations. Directs the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to issue missing participant rules for multiemployer plans. Reduces PBGC premiums for new plans of small employers. Reduces PBGC additional premiums for new and small plans. Authorizes the PBGC to pay interest on premium overpayment refunds. Revises rules for substantial owner benefits in terminated plans. Directs the Secretary of Labor to study and report on model small employer group plans.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms in different States by persons who are not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and who are: (1) carrying a valid State license or permit for carrying a concealed firearm; or (2) otherwise entitled to carry a concealed firearm in their State of residence.
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 · 26 February 2003
National Language Act of 2003 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. Government. Requires the Government to: (1) conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials; and (2) preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States of America. Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the Government act, communicate, perform, or provide services or materials in any other language, unless specifically stated in applicable law. Provides that this Act shall not apply to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, in school programs designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages, or by persons over age 62. Repeals the Bilingual Education Act. Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education. Repeals provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding bilingual election requirements and regarding congressional findings of voting discrimination against language minorities, prohibition of English-only elections, and other remedial measures. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that all public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to such Act be conducted solely in English. Specifies that this Act shall not preempt the law of any State.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act - Provides for the distribution of specified funds appropriated in satisfaction of a judgment award granted to the Western Shoshone Indians in Docket Number 326-K before the Indian Claims Commission to U.S. citizens who have at least 1/4 Western Shoshone blood and who are enrolled on a Western Shoshone Judgment Roll to be established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires that such funds and specified funds appropriated in satisfaction of the judgment awards granted to such Indians in Docket Numbers 326-A-1 and 326-A-3 before the U.S. Court of Claims be credited to and distributed from a Western Shoshone Educational Trust Fund to be established by the Secretary: (1) for educational grants and other forms of educational assistance to individual Western Shoshone members; and (2) to pay reasonable and necessary expenses of an Administrative Committee established by this Act to oversee the distribution of such educational grants and assistance.
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
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
Reasonable Right-of-Way Fees Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to amend the Code of Federal Regulations to revise the per acre rental fee zone value schedule by State, county, and type of linear right-of-way use to reflect current land values. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make such revisions for linear rights-of-way granted, issued, or renewed on National Forest System lands. Directs the Secretaries to annually update the schedules of linear rights-of-way under their respective jurisdictions by a specified method using the Gross National Product Implicit Price Deflator Index. Requires the Secretaries to review the zones and rental per acre figures whenever the cumulative change in the index exceeds 30 percent, or whenever the change in the 3-year average of the 1-year Treasury interest rate used to determine per acre rental fee zone values exceeds plus or minus 50 percent. Authorizes the Secretaries to revise the base zones and rental fees if the value of Federal land differs sufficiently from the index to warrant such action. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior or appropriate agency heads to use the same valuation method as in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (as revised by this Act) to calculate the value of rights-of-way for pipeline passage.
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
Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal the 160-acre limitation placed upon coal leases. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a mining plan period of more than 40 years upon a determination that the longer period: (1) will ensure the maximum economic recovery of a coal deposit; or (2) the longer period is in the interest of the orderly, efficient, or economic development of a coal resource. Revises the statutory formula for the payment of advance royalties. Extends from ten years to twenty years the lease term for which advance royalties may be accepted in lieu of the condition of continued operation. Eliminates the deadline for submission of a coal lease operation and reclamation plan. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a surety bond or any other financial assurance to guarantee payment of deferred bonus bid installments with respect to any coal lease issued based upon a cash bonus bid. Requires the Secretary to review and identify for Congress coal assessments on public lands and the restrictions or impediments to development of those resources.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Making Marriage Tax Relief Permanent Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accelerate elimination of the marriage tax penalty in the standard deduction and the 15 percent tax bracket.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
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 rollcall vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House by rollcall vote. 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 · 12 February 2003
Straight Talk on Social Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Social Security Act to require Social Security account statements to contain additional information, such as a statement of the current Social Security tax rates applicable to wages and self-employment income, including an indication of the combined total of such rates of employee and employer taxes with respect to wages.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Sales Tax Equity Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the deduction of State and local sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
United States Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an annual tax credit for 25 percent of up to the first $25,000 of qualified wages paid or incurred per qualified U.S. independent film and television production. Increases the credit to 35 percent if the production is located in an area eligible for designation as a low-income community or eligible for designation by the Delta Regional Authority as a distressed county or isolated area of distress.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) commemorative postage stamps should be issued by the United States Postal Service honoring Americans who distinguished themselves by their service in the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, respectively; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such stamps be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Military Death Gratuity Improvement Act of 2003 - Revises provisions concerning the exclusion from gross income of any qualified military benefit to redefine the term "qualified military benefit" to mean any allowance or in-kind benefit (other than personal use of a vehicle) which: (1) is received by any member or former member of the uniformed services or any dependent of such member by reason of such member's status or service as a member of such uniformed services; and (2) was excludable from gross income on December 31, 1991, (currently, September 9, 1986) under any provision of law, regulation, or administrative practice which was in effect on such date. Makes such revision applicable in the case of a death gratuity payable under chapter 75 of title 10 of the United States Code, with respect to a death occurring after September 10, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Wood Preservation Safety Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, to conduct a FY 2003 and 2004 study of silver-based biocides' effectiveness as a wood preservation treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Veterans Prescription Access Improvement Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish to a veteran such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician in the treatment of any illness or injury of such veteran. (Currently, other requirements must be met before such veterans will be furnished drugs and medicines on private practitioner prescriptions.)
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.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Designates the Guam South Elementary/Middle School of the Department of Defense Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools System in Apra Heights, Guam, as the "Commander William `Willie' McCool Elementary/Middle School," in honor of William C. McCool, who was a commander in the U.S. Navy and pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia when it was tragically lost on February 1, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Identification Integrity Act of 2003 - Prohibits a Federal employee from accepting from individuals for purposes of establishing their identity a form of identification issued by a foreign government, except for a passport that is accepted for such purpose on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Expresses gratitude for and encourages States and localities to honor the courage and sacrifice of members of the U.S. armed forces, particularly Sam Johnson of Texas, who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict. Calls for a full accounting of the 1,902 members of the armed forces who remain unaccounted for from that conflict. Honors all members of the armed forces who have fought and died in the defense of freedom.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gibbons, Jim [R-NV-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000152_200.jpg)