United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2002
Tobacco Free Internet for Kids Act of 2002 - Regulates the transit sale of tobacco. Defines transit sale to mean any sale where the product is not delivered directly to the consumer at the time and place of purchase. Includes purchase by electronics, such as through the Internet, and by mail. Prohibits the transit sale of tobacco products to minors. Requires transit sellers of tobacco products to: (1) be authorized as a tobacco distributor by any State in which they make sales; (2) verify consumer age, identity, and address before a sale; (3) provide notice to addressee of intended tobacco delivery (and halting shipment if a notice is received in return that the sale is improper); (4) provide carriers with information concerning the product being shipped (transit tobacco sale) and the sellers' documentation of State authorization; and (5) accept payment only by debit, charge or credit card issued to the consumer where both the billing and residential address match. Requires a signature and proof of identity for delivery. Limits the frequency, content, and amount of transit tobacco sales. Establishes requirements for Internet websites offering tobacco products for sale, including proof of age, identity, and address before access. Excludes Indian tribe tobacco sales within the tribe from certain State authorization requirements. Sets forth duties of carriers and tobacco suppliers concerning their commercial dealings with transit tobacco sellers. Sets forth recordkeeping and database use requirements Establishes civil penalties for violations. Grants enforcement authority to both Federal and State agencies. States that more stringent State laws are not superceded by these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2002
Life, Liberty, and Property Protection Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to exempt from required consultation with the appropriate Secretary any agency action affecting an endangered species that: (1) is authorized, funded, or carried out by the Department of Defense on land under its jurisdiction; or (2) occurs on privately owned land. Exempts from the prohibition against any act or omission considered a taking of any endangered species of fish or wildlife any act or omission that occurs on land that is either under Department of Defense jurisdiction or privately owned. Limits the application of the consultation requirement for actions involving plant species.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2002
Theodore Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 coins and 500,000 $1 coins emblematic of the life and legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. Requires the coins to be issued in 2006 to mark the 100th anniversary of Roosevelt receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Requires surcharges from the sale of the coins to be paid to the Theodore Roosevelt Association to be used exclusively for educational programs at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, including for construction and maintenance of a visitor's center.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2002
Comprehensive Natural Resources Protection Act of 2002 - Provides, with respect to national parks, lands, forests, resources, wildlife and fisheries, and Native American lands and affairs, for: (1) studies, including studies concerning trail sites, theme sites, heritage sites, park, and other sites; (2) boundary adjustments for recreation, historic, and other sites; (3) memorials, including a memorial to terrorism victims; (4) site designations; (5) land acquisitions, exchanges, and conveyances, including those affecting forest lands and wilderness areas; (6) provisions affecting water resources, oil reserves, and mineral rights; (6) wildlife and fishery management, including provisions affecting the National Sea Grant College Program and the National Oceanic and the Atmospheric Administration commissioned officer corps; (7) provisions affecting U.S. territories; (8) provisions affecting specified Native American tribes' compensation, claims, and lands; and (9) various other provisions concerning, among other things, payments in lieu of taxes (PILT), weed control, and gateway communities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2002
Center for International Human Rights Act of 2002 - Declares that Congress finds that a private, nonprofit corporation known as the Center for International Human Rights has been established in the District of Columbia to: (1) establish programs to promote, monitor, and analyze the status of human rights throughout the world; (2) investigate allegations of human rights violations in conjunction with private and governmental organizations; (3) sponsor fellows to study international human rights issues at the Center; (4) carry out a conference series to bring together international human rights experts to discuss and disseminate information; and (5) make grants to and cooperative agreements with non-governmental organizations to promote human rights, giving priority to indigenous human rights organizations in countries the governments of which violate such rights. Authorizes the Secretary of State to make an annual grant to the Center.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2002
Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq - Expresses support for the President's efforts to: (1) strictly enforce through the United Nations Security Council all relevant Security Council resolutions applicable to Iraq; and (2) obtain prompt and decisive action by the Security Council to ensure that Iraq abandons its strategy of delay, evasion, and noncompliance and promptly and strictly complies with all relevant Security Council resolutions. Authorizes the President to use the U.S. armed forces to: (1) defend U.S. national security against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Directs the President, prior to or as soon as possible (but no later than 48 hours) after exercising such authority, to make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that: (1) reliance on further diplomatic or peaceful means alone will not achieve the above purposes; and (2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization for use of the armed forces, consistent with requirements of the War Powers Resolution. Requires the President to report to Congress at least every 60 days on matters relevant to this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2002
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the loss of nationality by a native-born or naturalized citizen who voluntarily: (1) joins or acts at the behest of a foreign terrorist organization in terrorist activities against the United States; or (2) engages in terrorist activity.
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 · 12 September 2002
Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to conduct projects consistent with the Implementation Plan for the 10-year Comprehensive Strategy for a Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment, May 2002, developed to reduce hazardous fuels within any areas of Federal land under the jurisdiction of either Secretary that: (1) are outside of Congressionally designated Wilderness Areas; and (2) the appropriate Secretary determines qualify as a fire risk condition class three area. Permits the Secretaries to enter into stewardship contracts with private persons or other public or private entities to perform services to achieve land management goals for the national forests and other Federal lands. Allows the Secretaries to collect monies from a contract so long as collection is secondary to the land management goals the contract is supposed to accomplish. Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to repeal the Appeals Reform Act (regarding Forest Service decisionmaking and appeals reform). Provides that in any action under any law for writs of prohibitory or mandatory injunction against agency action in which the agency has found that such action is necessary to restore fire-adapted forest or rangeland ecosystems, the reviewing court shall: (1) consider the public interest in avoiding long-term harm to such ecosystems; and (2) give deference to any agency finding, based upon information in its administrative record, that the public interest in avoiding the short-term effects of such action is outweighed by the public interest in avoiding long-term harm to such ecosystems.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2002
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualified hearing aid for an individual who is either: (1) over age 65; or (2) is claimed as a dependent.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002
Healthy Forests Reform Act of 2002 - Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to: (1) treat the threat of catastrophic wildfire on Federal lands as an emergency circumstance; and (2) establish an expedited environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for fire reduction and forest health measures on certain Federal lands. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior (Secretaries) to jointly establish an independent panel to assess agency actions concerning wildfire reduction, forest health and biodiversity promotion, and watershed protection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a predecisional review process for the Forest Service. Repeals, 90 days after enactment of this Act, Forest Service decisionmaking and appeal provisions under the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993. Directs that emergency response activities proceed immediately due to extraordinary circumstances affecting Federal lands, including actions to reduce bark beetle infestation and attendant catastrophic wildfire threat in the Routt National Forest, Colorado. Exempts all such activities from judicial review and certain notice, comment, and appeal requirements. Authorizes the Secretaries to enter into stewardship contracts for land management activities on Federal lands. Authorizes appropriations for fuel reduction activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Wildfire Prevention and Forest Health Protection Act of 2002 - Authorizes Regional Foresters to exempt certain wildfire prevention tree-thinning projects on National Forest System lands from any laws that give rise to legal causes of action seeking to delay or prevent such actions. Exempts such projects from: (1) judicial review; or (2) notice, comment, and appeals under the Appeals Reform Act. Sets forth the Constitutional authority for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Tobacco Smuggling Eradication Act of 2002 - Amends chapter 52 (Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes) of the Internal Revenue Code to require all packages of tobacco products to carry a unique legibly printed serial number by which the Secretary of the Treasury can identify the manufacturer or importer and the location and date of manufacture or importation. Requires tobacco products sold on Indian reservations to be labeled as such. Requires a tobacco wholesaler to have a permit and to maintain certain records. Requires export warehouse proprietors to file certain reports with the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into certain tobacco related information agreements with foreign countries. Establishes new offenses relating to the distribution of tobacco. Raises the $1,000 civil penalty under chapter 52 to $10,000. Amends the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act to: (1) expand the applicability of such Act from cigarettes only to "tobacco product" (cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and pipe tobacco); (2) define "contraband tobacco product" as a quantity of tobacco product that is equivalent to or more than 30,000 cigarettes (currently, 60,000) which bear no evidence of the payment of applicable State tobacco taxes; (3) establish new unlawful acts; and (4) require additional recordkeeping. Repeals Federal law provisions concerning reports required to State tobacco tax administrators by individuals engaged in interstate cigarette commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Emergency Farmer and Rancher 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 or 2002 losses in an emergency-designated county, with permitted set-asides for the American Indian livestock program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002
National Forest Fire Prevention Act - Authorizes the Secretary to treat additional timber within or outside existing cutting units for National Forest System timber sales and within related analysis areas to reduce insect infestation or fire hazard by: (1) modifying contracts; or (2) offering additional timber sales within such areas. Sets forth treatment priority criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2002
Directs: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in Utah to Kirk R. Harrison; and (2) that such proceeds shall be used to acquire lands and land interests for the Dixie National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2002
Urges the recognition of General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. (who died on July 4, 2002) for his achievement as one of America's most accomplished military officers, whose strength, determination, and character in the face of racial injustice and bigotry could not prevent him from serving with the highest honor and distinction for the country he so proudly loved.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2002
Amends Federal law to extend the periods of authorization for the Secretary of the Interior to implement capital construction projects associated with the endangered fish recovery implementation programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2002
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the loss of U.S. nationality for a native-born or naturalized citizen who: (1) joins or acts on behalf of a foreign terrorist organization so designated by the Secretary of State that is engaged in anti-U.S. terrorist activities; or (2) provides material support for such an organization. States that such actions: (1) shall be presumed to have been performed with the intent of relinquishing U.S. nationality; and (2) may be rebutted by a showing of involuntary performance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Amends the Temporary Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act, as amended by the Wildfire Suppression Assistance Act, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, as part of any reciprocal agreement with a foreign country for sharing personnel to fight wildfires, to include a provision that personnel furnished under the agreement to provide wildfire presuppression or suppression services will be considered, for tort liability purposes, employees of the country receiving such services when the personnel provide them under the agreement. Prohibits the Secretaries from entering into any such agreement unless the foreign country (either directly or through the fire organization that is a party to the agreement) agrees to assume any and all liability for the acts or omissions of American firefighters engaged in providing such services under the agreement in the foreign country. Makes remedies provided under the laws of the host country the exclusive remedies for acts or omissions committed while providing services under the agreement. Declares that neither the firefighter, the sending country, nor any organization associated with the firefighter shall be subject to any action whatsoever pertaining to or arising out of providing wildfire presuppression or suppression services under such a reciprocal agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (the Act) to make a provision requiring the minimization of adverse effects of fishing on essential fish habitat a permissible (that is, it will be required to the extent practicable) element for fishery management plans prepared by Regional Fishery Management Councils or by the Secretary of Commerce instead of a mandatory one. Specifies new conditions under which fishery management plans, amendments, or proposed regulations for overfished fisheries may exceed ten years. Declares that any fishery management plan, amendment to such a plan, or regulation implementing such a plan that is prepared in accordance with certain specified provisions of the Act meets the requirements of certain specified provisions regarding reports and recommendations in the Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
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 · 19 June 2002
Federal-Utah State Trust Lands Consolidation Act - Establishes that the State of Utah, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Agriculture have agreed to exchange certain Federal lands in the State of Utah for certain Utah State lands. Ratifies, confirms, and incorporates all provisions set forth in the "Agreement for Exchange of Lands 2002 Federal-Utah State Trust Lands Consolidation." Directs the Federal Government to share payments pursuant to the Agreement with the State of Utah as bonus bids, rental, and royalties are shared under the Mineral Leasing Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2002
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2002 - 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. 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 · 19 June 2002
Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include demonstration, education, and other programs concerning cancer survivorship among the activities of the National Cancer Institute (Institute) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Requires the Director of NIH to: (1) expand and coordinate NIH activities related to cancer survivorship; and (2) establish an Office on Survivorship within the Institute. Creates the position of Associate Director for Survivorship. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, to: (1) study the health challenges associated with cancer survivorship and carry out projects and interventions; and (2) make grants for the monitoring and evaluation of cancer care and survivorship.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2002
Mount Wilson Observatory Preservation and Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the Mount Wilson Institute a 110-acre parcel of real property in the Angeles National Forest in California containing the Mount Wilson Observatory and related roadways, parking lots, and public facilities administered by the Forest Service. Recognizes the Institute's unique qualifications as the best possible steward to operate, maintain, preserve, and enhance the observatory for scientific, educational, historical, and other public purposes. Provides that: (1) the conveyance shall be subject to the terms of the existing lease between the Forest Service and the Carnegie Institution of Washington regarding the land to be conveyed; and (2) the Institute shall assume the obligations of the Forest Service under the lease.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2002
Great Basin National Heritage Route Act of 2002 - Establishes the Great Basin National Heritage Route (Nevada and Utah). Designates the Great Basin Heritage Route Partnership as its management entity. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Partnership regarding the objectives and management of the Heritage Route. Requires the Partnership to submit a management plan that encompasses conservation, funding, management, and development for the Secretary's approval and implementation. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2002
Expresses support for the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty effective June 13, 2002, and to provide for the establishment of a robust layered missile defense system to protect the United States and its allies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2002
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2002 - Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to design, install, maintain and operate real-time hyodrographic monitoring systems to enhance navigation safety and efficiency. Requires the Administrator, subject to availability of appropriations, to develop and implement a quality assurance program under which hydrographic products may be certified. Establishes that the Administrator shall attempt to assure that international organizations and agreements to which the United States is a party that affect hydrographic products and nautical charts accept or recognize hydrographic products certified by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to establish a Hydrographic Services Review Panel and to submit to Congress a plan for increasing contracting with the private sector for various geospatial reference services related to hydrographic data acquisition or hydrographic services activities performed by the National Ocean Service. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2002 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the use of the best scientific and commercial data available as a basis of determinations on a petition to add or remove a species from the endangered species list. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to give greater weight to any scientific or commercial study or other information that is empirical or has been field-tested or peer-reviewed. Requires that a petition regarding a species contain clear and convincing evidence of the current and historic ranges of the species concerned, of the most recent population estimates and trends for the species, that any alleged change in the population is beyond normal fluctuations, and of the reason that the petitioned action is warranted. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations that establish criteria that must be met for scientific and commercial information to be used as the basis of a determination to support listing a species; and (2) identify and publish in the Federal Register with notice of a proposed regulation a description of additional scientific and commercial data that would assist in the preparation of a recovery plan. Prohibits the Secretary from determining that a species is endangered or threatened unless field data collected supports the determination. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint an independent review board to review and report on the scientific information and analyses on which a covered action is based before such covered action becomes final; and (2) provide specified participation opportunities to any person who has sought authorization or funding from a Federal agency for an action that is subject to consultation regarding its effects on endangered or threatened species or habitats.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Recognizes General Bernard A. Schriever, United States Air Force (retired), for his service to the Air Force and in the development of the U.S. ballistic missile program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Chronic Wasting Disease Support for States Act of 2002 - Defines "chronic wasting disease" as a transmissible disease of the nervous system afflicting deer and elk. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and maintain the official national database for surveillance and monitoring data regarding chronic wasting disease. Makes the database available to Federal and State agencies, Indian tribes, foreign governments, institutions of higher education, and international wildlife authorities. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (through the U.S. Geological Survey) and the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to develop surveillance and monitoring programs to identify: (1) the rate of infection; (2) the cause and extent of the spread of the disease; and (3) areas promoting spread of the disease. Requires the Secretaries to cooperate with State and tribal agencies in developing the monitoring programs. Authorizes the Secretaries to establish standards for the collection and assessment of data. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to allocate funds to State and tribal agencies for developing and implementing disease management strategies based upon: (1) the relative scope of incidence of the disease; (2) expenditures on disease management; (3) comprehensive and integrated programs for disease management between wildlife and agricultural agencies; and (4) rapid response to outbreaks. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (through the U.S. Geological Survey) to expand and accelerate research on the disease. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) to provide for the upgrading of Federal laboratories approved to process samples from the surveillance and monitoring programs; and (2) expand and accelerate research on the disease through the Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research grant programs.
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 · 1 May 2002
Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act - Amends Federal law to direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program to: (1) deputize qualified volunteer pilots of passenger aircraft as Federal flight deck officers; and (2) provide training, supervision, and equipment for such officers. Directs the Under Secretary to authorize flight deck officers to carry firearms and to use force, including lethal force, when they judge the security of an aircraft is at risk. Shields air carriers from liability for damages in Federal or State court arising out of the actions or omissions of a flight deck officer defending a plane from criminal violence or air piracy. Shields flight deck officers from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
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 · 30 April 2002
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 · 25 April 2002
Joseph Moakley Memorial Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 2002 - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prescribe fire safety standards for cigarettes to reduce the risk of ignition presented by cigarettes (including a proscription against the stockpiling of cigarettes to which the fire safety standards will apply). Sets forth general test requirements. Denies the Commission any jurisdiction over tobacco or tobacco products except as provided in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Congratulates Cael Sanderson for finishing his career as the first ever undefeated collegiate wrestler and recognizes the contributions of his family, the support staff of Iowa State University, and Cyclone fans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2002 - Directs Secretary of Education to: (1) develop and publish instructional materials accessibility standards for the national electronic file format to be used by publishers of instructional materials in the preparation of electronic files suitable for efficient conversion into specialized formats; (2) establish a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise and guidance in creating such national electronic file format; (3) periodically review and amend such standards to reflect technological advances or changes; and (4) establish a National Instructional Materials Access Center. Requires State educational agencies, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to develop and implement statewide plans and make contracts with publishers to ensure that instructional materials for classroom use in elementary and secondary schools are made available in specialized formats to individuals who are blind or have other print disabilities at the same time such materials are provided to individuals without such disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to provide or improve their capacity to prepare or obtain instructional materials in specialized formats, including the national electronic format. Provides for enforcement of rights of children and parents under this Act.
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
Amends the Central Utah Project Completion Act to: (1) require all amounts previously expended in planning and developing specified projects and features, including amounts previously expended for investigation of power features in the Bonneville Unit, to be considered non-reimbursable and non-returnable; (2) require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out responsibilities identified in the Colorado River Storage Project Act relating to the Central Utah Project, including oversight for all phases of the Bonneville Unit, administration of prior and future contracts, and operation and maintenance of previously constructed facilities; (3) authorize a pilot management program under which the Secretary and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District create an organization within the Bureau of Reclamation to assist the Secretary in long-term management responsibilities of the Bonneville Unit; (4) authorize the Secretary to use Bureau technical services for engineering and construction work on any project features; (5) authorize the Secretary to utilize any unexpended budget authority provided with respect to Project unit construction, and to include under authorized fund uses reverse osmosis membrane technologies, water recycling, and conjunctive use, to stabilize high mountain lakes and appurtenant facilities, and to develop power; (6) direct the Secretary to allow for prepayment of any additional or supplemental contracts providing for repayment of Project municipal and industrial water delivery facilities; and (7) repeal an existing requirement concerning the District's exercise of its right to prepayment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Martin's Cove Land Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to offer to convey to the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop specified public lands for the purposes of public education, historic preservation, and enhanced recreational enjoyment of the public. Requires the Corporation to pay the United States the historic fair market value of the property conveyed, including any improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Amends the Central Utah Project Completion Act to: (1) require amounts previously expended for investigation of power features in the Bonneville Unit to be considered non-reimbursable and non-returnable; (2) require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out responsibilities identified in the Colorado River Storage Project Act relating to the Central Utah Project, including oversight for Project phases, administration of prior and future contracts, and operation and maintenance of previously constructed facilities; (3) authorize a pilot management program under which the Secretary and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District create an organization within the Bureau of Reclamation to assist the Secretary in long-term management responsibilities of the Bonneville Unit; (4) authorize the Secretary to use Bureau technical services for engineering and construction work on any project features; (5) authorize the Secretary to utilize any unexpended budget authority provided with respect to Project unit construction, and to include under authorized fund uses reverse osmosis membrane technologies, water recycling, and conjunctive use, to stabilize high mountain lakes and appurtenant facilities, and to develop power; (6) direct the Secretary to allow for prepayment of any additional or supplemental contracts providing for repayment of Project municipal and industrial water delivery facilities; and (7) repeal an existing requirement concerning the District's exercise of its right to prepayment.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hansen, James V. [R-UT-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000172_200.jpg)