United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act of 2001 - Designates: (1) specified public lands in the Chugach National Forest, Alaska, as National Wilderness Preservation System components; and (2) specified public lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, as wilderness areas or System components. Provides with respect to specified public lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, for: (1) a wilderness designation study; (2) designation as Land Use Designation II lands; (3) designation as restoration lands; and (4) designation as special management areas. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate, or study for designation, as wild, scenic, and recreational rivers specified waters in the Chugach and Tongass National Forests, Alaska.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2001
Aviation Security Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends Federal aviation law to require the screening of passengers and property that will be carried in a cabin of an aircraft to be carried out by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees. (Currently, screening is carried out by employees or agents of an air carrier, interstate air carrier, or foreign air carrier). Directs the Administrator of the FAA to expand its Federal Air Marshal program to increase the number of air marshals on domestic and international flights of U.S. air carriers. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to modify certain Federal aviation regulations to require each Air Carrier Certificate holder to include in its carry-on baggage program a requirement that, with specified exceptions related to children or disabled persons, each air passenger be limited to one piece of carry-on baggage that meets specified size dimensions. Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to impose a fee of not more than $3.00 per domestic flight segment to carry out the requirements contained in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2001
Tax Equity for Domestic Partners Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an employee's gross income any coverage under an accident or health plan provided by the employee's employer for a domestic partner (other than a spouse) of the employee. Requires that coverage of such partner be treated in the same manner as such coverage for a spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Accidental Shooting Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit any person from manufacturing or importing, or any Federal firearms licensee from transferring possession of or title to, a pistol manufactured on or after January 1, 2004, unless the pistol includes: (1) a plainly visible device in a contrasting color that clearly indicates whether the pistol is loaded; and (2) a mechanism that prevents any semiautomatic pistol that has a detachable ammunition magazine from being fired when the magazine is not attached. Specifies that compliance with such provision shall not relieve any person from liability at common law or under State statutory law to any other person.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Arsenic-Lumber Child Protection Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate lumber treated with inorganic arsenicals or chromated copper arsenicals (CCA lumber) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), notwithstanding exemptions from FIFRA regulation of pesticides used in the treatment of wood products. Requires that such regulation deem CCA lumber as misbranded unless its labeling discloses that: (1) it has been treated with arsenic; and (2) manufacture or commercial distribution of a product constructed with such lumber is a violation of Federal law if the product is playground equipment or any item intended for use primarily by children. Requires a study concerning the health effects of using consumer products whose usual use involves direct contact with CCA lumber.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of State to initiate a U.S. plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual week-long summit of the World Health Assembly in May 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland, and to instruct the U.S. delegation there to implement such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Clean Diamond Trade Act - Prohibits the importation of rough diamonds into the United States unless the exporting country is implementing a system of controls on the export or import of rough diamonds that: (1) meets specified requirements, consistent with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 adopted on December 1, 2000, or is functionally equivalent; or (2) meets the requirements of an international agreement which requires such controls and to which the United States is a party. Prohibits the importation of polished diamonds (including jewelry containing diamonds) into the United States unless the exporting country: (1) is implementing a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds, except such system shall not be required for countries that do not import rough diamonds; and (2) requires that its own imports of diamonds originate from countries that have implemented a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds. Provides a waiver of the requirements of this Act. Urges the President to negotiate an international agreement to eliminate trade in diamonds used to support conflict in the country or regions in which such diamonds are mined.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. (posthumously) and his widow Coretta Scott King in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Airport Noise Curfew Act of 2001 - Establishes the Airport Noise Curfew Commission, which shall study and make recommendations to Congress regarding the establishment of curfews on nonmilitary aircraft operations over populated areas of the United States during normal sleeping hours.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Declares that Congress encourages the Government of China to honor its obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, as modified by the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees of 1967, by: (1) making genuine efforts to identify and protect the refugees among the North Korean migrants encountered by Chinese authorities; (2) providing North Korean refugees residing in China with a safe asylum; (3) halting the forced repatriations of North Korean refugees seeking asylum in China; (4) allowing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to have access to all North Korean refugees residing in China; and (5) cooperating with the UNHCR in efforts to resettle the North Korean refugees residing in China in other countries. Encourages the UNHCR to facilitate the resettlement of North Korean refugees residing in China in other countries.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Commends and congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the tenth anniversary of her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Recognizes her contributions and work toward bringing peace and democracy to Burma. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President and Secretary of State should continue to encourage the Government of Burma to restore basic human rights to the Burmese people, to eliminate the practice of human trafficking, to address the manufacture of heroin and methamphetamine, to continue releasing political prisoners, to recognize the results of the 1990 democratic elections, and to allow Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy to enjoy unfettered freedom of speech and freedom of movement; and (2) Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be invited to address a joint meeting of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2001 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities (including employment agencies, labor organizations, and training programs). Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares this Act inapplicable to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's domestic partner. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from: (1) collecting statistics on sexual orientation from covered entities; and (2) compelling covered entities to collect such statistics. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) an order or consent decree for a violation of this Act that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares that this Act is inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Prohibits the imposition of affirmative action for a violation of this Act. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for remedies to the same extent as under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Bring Our Children Home Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that a contestant may bring an action in district court to determine which of conflicting State court child custody determinations shall prevail. Directs the Attorney General (AG) to establish a registry for all custody orders entered by State courts. Authorizes law enforcement officers of a State or local government to hold, for no more than 24 hours, any child listed as missing for proper disposition under the latest valid custody determination. Requires the Secretary of State to prepare a report on progress made by the United States in negotiating and entering into bilateral treaties relating to international child abduction with countries that are not contracting parties under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require information on each country's efforts to prohibit international child abduction. Requires the AG to prepare a report describing the status of each case involving a request for extradition in cases involving international kidnaping by parents.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2001
Nursing Home Quality Protection Act of 2001 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) reinstitution of the Boren Amendment payment methodology repealed in 1997; (2) increased nurse staffing; (3) increased sanctions (including refunds and withholding of Federal funds) for substandard care furnished in nursing facilities; (4) a Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Account in the Treasury for deposit of all substandard care refunds and withheld amounts; (5) grants to States for improvement of the quality of care furnished in nursing facilities in the State; (6) increased public disclosure of information on the Internet regarding nursing facilities; (7) background checks on covered nursing facility employees; (8) the applicability of protections afforded under survey and certification process provisions to all nursing facility residents, not just those entitled to Medicaid payments or in an institution meeting certain requirements; and (9) financial accountability of nursing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2001
Encourages all participants in the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (WCAR) to seize this opportunity to tackle the scourges of racism, xenophobia, sexism, religious intolerance, slavery, and other forms of discrimination. Recognizes that efforts to address these prejudices should occur within a global framework and without reference to specific regions, countries, or present-day conflicts. Urges: (1) the participants to utilize WCAR to mitigate, rather than aggravate, racial, ethnic, and regional tensions; and (2) WCAR to focus on concrete steps that may be taken to address gross human rights violations that were motivated by racially and ethnically based animus and on devising strategies to help eradicate such intolerance. Commends the efforts of the Government of South Africa in hosting WCAR.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2001
Commends and congratulates the people of Ukraine on the tenth anniversary of Ukrainian independence. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Ukrainian President and Parliament should continue efforts to maintain the balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government and ensure that their cooperation is aimed at furthering democratic reforms and strengthening civil society based on the rule of law; and (2) the United States should continue to assist in building an independent Ukraine through encouraging and supporting democratic and market-economy transformations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect as to any food in interstate commerce any requirement for food that is not identical to specified FDCA provisions. Prohibits any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect any notification requirement for a food that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FDCA provisions. Allows current State notification or food safety requirements to continue for 180 days after the enactment of this Act, during which such State may petition for an exemption or a new national standard. Allows a State to petition for an exemption and for a national standard regarding any requirement under the FDCA, as amended by this Act, or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows a State to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this paragraph if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
Social Security Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) pension offset provisions applicable to husband's and wife's insurance benefits, widow's and widower's insurance benefits, and mother's and father's insurance benefits with respect to Old-Age and Survivors insurance benefit payments; and (2) windfall elimination provisions with respect to computation of the primary insurance amount of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of: (1) the National Institutes of Health to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to blood cancer, particularly with respect to leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma; (2) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a related public information program, to be carried out in collaboration with private health organizations that have national education and patient assistance programs on blood-related cancers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2001
Declares that Congress: (1) supports the initiatives proposed for direct dialogue without precondition between leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait; and (2) endorses the proposal for full participation in the October 2001 Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Salmon Planning Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) providing for peer review of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) biological opinion regarding the Operation of the Federal Columbia River power system, issued December 21, 2000, and any subsequent modification of it (opinion) and submission of a report on the results. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce to publish a determination of whether implementation of the salmon recovery measures in the opinion are sufficient to achieve recovery, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, of the salmon and steelhead populations; and if not, whether partially removing the four lower Snake River dams (the dams) are necessary to restore Snake River salmon and steelhead populations; (2) the Secretary of the Interior to publish a determination of whether partially removing the dams are necessary to meet treaty obligations; and (3) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a determination of whether partially removing the dams are necessary to meet Federal Water Pollution Control Act requirements. Directs the Comptroller General to study the potential effects of partially removing the dams. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, to partially remove the dams if the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, or the EPA Administrator finds that such action is necessary to meet the aforementioned requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Army to undertake such preliminary engineering, design, construction, and other activities as necessary to remove the dams.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Smaller Schools, Stronger Communities Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies to develop and implement plans to create smaller learning communities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Bipartisan Patient Protection Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to health care coverage. Requires group health plans and health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage to have approved utilization review programs, claims procedures, and appeal procedures concerning claims denials. Sets forth provisions concerning group health plans and health insurers and the provision of certain advice and care, including: (1) emergency care; (2) obstetric and gynecological care; (3) specialists care; (4) prescription drugs; (5) participation in approved clinical trials; and (6) health plan information. Restricts interference by health plans and insurers with the doctor-patient relationship. Prohibits health plans and insurers from discriminating against a licensed health care professional with respect to participation or indemnification. Extends and expands provisions of the medical savings account program. Provides for: (1) the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of the self-employed; and (2) a credit for the health insurance expenses of small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Fisheries Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act regarding avoiding and minimizing bycatch and bycatch mortality. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report on progress made in implementing requirements regarding standardized reporting methodology and bycatch reduction. Requires a fishery management plan to close an area to a gear or practice that has been shown to adversely affect essential fish habitat unless the Regional Fishery Management Council (council) determines that closure is not necessary and the Secretary finds that the gear or practice will have a minimal adverse impact on habitat and minimal bycatch. Requires observers on commercial fishing vessels to collect data necessary for the conservation and management of the fishery, subject to specified requirements Modifies: (1) the definition of "overfishing" and "overfished" to include jeopardizing the ecological integrity and sustainability of marine ecosystems; (2) conservation and management measure requirements; and (3) fishery management plan requirements to add ecosystem considerations. Requires each fishery management plan to have a fishery impact statement. Directs the Secretary to develop at least one pilot fisheries ecosystem plan. Requires each council to prepare and submit to the Secretary a Fisheries Ecosystem Plan for each major marine ecosystem within its jurisdiction. Reauthorizes appropriations to carry out the Act. Amends the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act to earmark specified funds for direct industry assistance grants and for activities of the National Marine Fisheries Service that are directly related to implementation of the Magnuson Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Government of the People's Republic of China should cease its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Calls for the U.S. Government to urge the Chinese Government to: (1) release from detention all Falun Gong practitioners and end the torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of such practitioners and other prisoners of conscience; and (2) abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by allowing Falun Gong practitioners to pursue their personal beliefs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should make a complete accounting of all costs associated with the downing of the EP-3 aircraft that was forced to land on Hainan Island, China, on April 1, 2001, and make a formal request to the Chinese Government for reimbursement of such costs. Bars the use of funds made available to any department or agency of the U.S. Government to pay any claim by the Government of the People's Republic of China for reimbursement of the costs associated with the detention of the U.S. Navy EP-3 aircraft crewmembers, or for reimbursement of any costs associated with the return of such aircraft, until the Chinese Government first provides reimbursement to the U.S. Government for the costs associated with the return of the crewmembers and the aircraft to the United States and for the cost of either repairing or replacing the aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2001
Expresses support for the goals and ideas of "National Night Out" (an event during the evening of August 7, 2001, to demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of community participation in crime prevention). Requests that the President focus appropriate attention on the issues of neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing his Administration to make reducing crime an important priority.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2001
Medicare Vision Rehabilitation Services Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide for coverage of outpatient vision rehabilitation services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2001
Tropical Cyclone Inland Forecasting Improvement and Warning System Development Act of 2001 - Requires the National Weather Service (NWS) to: (1) improve the capability to forecast accurately inland flooding associated with tropical cyclones; (2) develop, test, and deploy an inland flood warning index or system for use by the public and emergency management officials which clearly defines inland flood risks and dangers; (3) train such officials, NWS personnel, meteorologists, and others as appropriate regarding improved forecasting techniques for inland flooding, risk management techniques, and use of such flood warning index or system; and (4) conduct outreach and education activities for local meteorologists and the public regarding the dangers and risks associated with tropical cyclone-induced inland flooding and the use and understanding of such index or system.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2001
Comprehensive Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Act of 2001 - Sets forth a statutory framework to implement U.S. policy for research, development, demonstration and commercial applications programs designed to enable 20 percent of domestic energy from stationary sources to be generated from nonhydropower renewable energy sources by 2020. Prescribes requirements for: (1) such programs in renewable energy, energy efficiency, biomass energy, and aeronautical system energy efficiency; and (2) a National Building Performance Initiative. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) provide private sector commercialization assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies; (2) establish a fuel cell technologies demonstration program; and (3) establish a National Electric System Public Benefits Board to administer a National Electric System Public Benefits Fund. Establishes the High Performance Schools grant program. Amends Federal transportation law to mandate: (1) increased vehicle fuel economy standards; and (2) a national tire fuel efficiency program. Establishes the Energy Star program to promote cost-effective energy-efficient products and buildings. Prescribes requirements for: (1) Federal electric power purchases; (2) Federal buildings energy efficiency; (3) guaranteed energy savings; and (4) Federal use of Energy Star standards. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) certain energy efficient business property; (2) the manufacture of energy efficient appliances; (3) construction of a new energy-efficient home; (4) energy efficiency improvements to existing homes; (5) residential solar, wind, and fuel cell energy property; and (6) purchase of Energy Star products. Allows a deduction for energy-efficient commercial building property expenditures. Prescribes depreciation requirements for: (1) distributed power property; and (2) property used in electricity transmission. Increases the credit rate for electricity produced from renewable and waste products. Treats facilities using bagasse to produce energy as solid waste disposal facilities eligible for tax-exempt financing. Grants an investment tax credit for additional plant capacity for existing renewable resources facilities producing electricity. Allows tax credits for: (1) alternative motor vehicles placed in service; (2) retail sales of alternative fuels for motor vehicles; and (3) installation of alternative fueling stations. Extends the deduction for certain refueling property.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission Act - Establishes the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission to: (1) study and recommend Government activities to honor Benjamin Franklin on the tercentenary of his birth, including the minting of a Benjamin Franklin tercentenary coin and the issuance of a Benjamin Franklin tercentenary postage stamp; (2) serve as the contact point for State, local, international, and private sector initiatives regarding tercentenary activities; and (3) seek to enter into an arrangement for the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to serve as the secretariat of the Commission and house the Commission's administrative offices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Gun Show Loophole Closing and Gun Law Enforcement Act of 2001 - Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2001 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to provide for regulation of firearms transfers at special firearms events (events at which 75 or more firearms are offered or exhibited for sale or exchange if one or more of the firearms has been shipped or transported in, or otherwise affects, interstate or foreign commerce, with an exception). Prohibits a special firearms events frequent operator from organizing, planning, promoting, or operating a special firearms event without meeting specified requirements. Sets forth: (1) responsibilities of special firearms events infrequent operators, transferors other than licensees, and licensees; (2) special firearms event license application requirements; and (3) penalties for violation of this Act. Provides an option for 24-hour background checks at special firearms events for States with computerized disqualifying records and programs to improve State databases. Increases penalties for: (1) serious record keeping violations by licensees; and (2) violations of criminal background check requirements. Gun Law Enforcement Act of 2001 - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) grants to States and local governments to support prosecutions in high gun crime areas; (2) the Attorney General to hire 114 additional Federal firearms prosecutors; (3) additional Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents; (4) gun tracing and youth crime gun interdiction; and (5) grants to research entities developing technologies that limit the use of a gun to the owner.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Microbicide Development Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute with respect to research on the development of microbicides to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of such Centers with respect to research on microbicides to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2001 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Working Lands Stewardship Act of 2001 - Amends specified agricultural Acts to: (1) revise and increase funding for the farmland protection program; (2) provide market development grants and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who forgo development of certain lands; (3) expand State marketing programs, including set-asides for development of local and regional markets and research; (4) increase funding for farmer-to-consumer marketing assistance; (5) provide for a program to promote the purchase of locally grown produce; (6) increase funding for programs for socially disadvantaged farmers; (7) extend and increase funding for the environmental quality incentives program, including set-asides for livestock, pesticide reduction, and water conservation; (8) provide watershed quality incentive contracts; (9) provide loans for manure reuse activities and facilities; (10) extend and increase funding for the wildlife habitat incentives program, including set-asides for imperiled native species, and acquisition of easements and water rights; (11) extend and increase acreage for the wetlands reserve program; (12) establish a wetlands reserve enhancement program; (13) extend and increase funding for the conservation reserve program, including an acreage set-aside for environmentally-sensitive lands and buffer strips, and enrollment of grasslands and rangelands; (14) authorize incentive payments for private grazing land conservation; (15) establish a grassland reserve program; (16) expand the National Organic Program to include organic farming transition assistance; (17) establish an organic certification reimbursement program; (18) extend and increase funding for the forest stewardship program, including set-asides for new land management practices, and watershed forestry initiative activities; (19) authorize appropriations for urban and community forestry activities; (20) provide funding for specified conservation technical assistance and administration and outreach, including establishment of training centers in specified cities; and (21) establish a demonstration program to promote ecosystem- and watershed-based conservation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Medicaid Intensive Community Mental Health Treatment Act of 2001 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide States with the option of covering intensive community mental health treatment under the Medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Mental Illness Consumer-Run Services Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public and private nonprofit entities to establish ten regional centers to assist State and local governments, and health maintenance and other organizations develop complimentary peer-support and other nonprofessional services for persons with persistent mental illnesses. Gives preference to consumer-run organizations with appropriate background and experience.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that there should be established a National Community Health Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Urges the Government of Vietnam to: (1) allow freedom of religious belief and practice to all Montagnards; (2) return all traditional Montagnard lands that have been confiscated or encroached upon; (3) allow nongovernmental and international humanitarian organizations to deliver humanitarian assistance directly to Montagnards in their villages; (4) open up all parts of the Central Highlands to journalists and other observers; and (5) withdraw its security forces from Cambodia and stop hunting refugees. Commends: (1) the Royal Cambodian Government for its official policy of guaranteeing temporary asylum for Montagnards fleeing Vietnam and urges that Government to take specified measures, including providing security at sites where refugees are sheltered; (2) the officials and employees in Cambodia of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Human Rights Center for their assistance to and advocacy on behalf of Montagnard asylum seekers and refugees; and (3) the Department of State for the assistance to and advocacy of Montagnard asylum seekers that have been provided by officials and employees of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. Urges the State Department to make clear to the Vietnamese Government that continued mistreatment of Montagnards and efforts to seek forcible repatriation of refugees and asylum seekers from Cambodia represent a grave threat to the normalization process between the Governments of the United States and Vietnam and a serious obstacle to any prospects for the future provision of U.S. assistance to that Government.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2001 - Establishes the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury to promote the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable and safe low-income housing.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit to holders of qualified Amtrak bonds. Sets forth definitions, State contribution requirements, and other rules. Requires approval, by the Secretary of Transportation, of qualified Amtrak projects funded by such bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer an income-based credit ($2,000 maximum) for qualifying child disability education and training expenses paid on behalf of a dependent under the age of 18.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2001
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Act of 2001 - Declares that it shall be policy of the United States that its research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications programs be designed to enable 20 percent of domestic energy generated from stationary sources to be generated from nonhydropower renewable energy sources by the year 2020. Prescribes research and development program goals to implement such policy in connection with enhanced: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; and (3) biomass energy and related chemical research. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) submit to Congress an assessment of renewable energy resources available for commercial application; (2) commission an independent assessment of innovative financing techniques to facilitate construction of new renewable energy and energy efficiency facilities that might not otherwise be built in a competitive market; (3) provide assistance to private sector entities for the commercial application of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies; and (4) establish an education and outreach program on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to seek to develop: (1) technologies that will enable a 50 percent increase in aircraft engine energy efficiencies by 2010; and (2) air transportation management operational concepts and procedures that will enable a 25 percent increase in the energy efficiency of the overall air transport system on a per flight basis by 2010. Requires the Director of the Office and Science and Technology Policy to oversee a review of each Federal agency's regulations and policies for emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and processes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Minority Populations Diabetes Prevention and Control Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to increase activities regarding diabetes in minorities, including State-based initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Medicare Dialysis Benefit Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) payment under the Medicare Program for four hemodialysis treatments per week for specified patients; and (2) an increased update in the composite payment rate for renal dialysis treatments for FY 2002. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to restore a specified exception to renal dialysis composite rate under rate update provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code respecting the Hope Scholarship Credit to: (1) extend coverage to fees, books, supplies, and equipment, and exempt such expenses from information reporting requirements; and (2) not reduce such Credit by Federal Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should not subsidize any oil or gas pipeline in the South Caucasus the commercial viability of which is in doubt or which hinders the U.S. goal of integrating Armenia into a secure and prosperous regional economic framework; (2) all proposals for South Caucasus oil and gas pipeline routes should be carefully evaluated to ensure that all Caucasus nations are included in consideration of energy and trade routes; (3) any engineering and feasibility study, and any project implementation, that utilizes U.S. Government funds, regarding the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline or similar energy transportation projects, must include trans-Armenian routes; and (4) the Trade Development Agency should fund and support a feasibility study to determine the cost savings of a trans-Armenia Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Renames the Technology Assessment Act of 1972 as the Office of Technology Assessment Reestablishment Act of 2001. Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Technology Assessment for FY 2002 through 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Russian Democracy Act of 2001 - Declares it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) engage the Government of the Russian Federation to strengthen democratic reform and institutions, and to promote good governance principles based on the internationally recognized norms of transparency in business practices, the rule of law, religious freedom, and human rights; (2) incorporate democratic reforms, independent media, and economic reforms in the broad U.S. agenda with such Government; and (3) encourage such Government to address cross-border issues, including the environment, crime, trafficking, and corruption in a cooperative and transparent manner consistent with internationally recognized principles of the rule of law. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Government of the Russian Federation, as obliged under existing bilateral agreements, should resolve outstanding taxation issues that hinder the deliverance of U.S. assistance programs. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include among activities eligible for U.S. assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union activities for the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights, economic reforms, administration of justice, and the development of a free and independent media in Russia. Authorizes the President to carry out specified related activities in providing such assistance to Russia.