United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2002
Recognizes that a strong domestic steel industry and strong domestic manufacturing base are vital to national defense and economic security. Urges the President to request the International Trade Commission to: (1) expedite its review of the temporary safeguards imposed on March 5, 2002, on certain steel imports, and to report its findings to the President and Congress; and (2) monitor and report, in addition to developments with respect to a domestic industry (including the progress and specific efforts made by workers and firms in the industry to make a positive adjustment to import competition), on the impact of the temporary safeguards on domestic steel consumers and relations with U.S. trading partners.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2002
Honors and commends Ernie Harwell for the completion of his 55th year in baseball broadcasting. Wishes him good health and happiness in his future endeavors.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that each State should examine its existing statutes, practices, and procedures governing special elections so that, in the event of a catastrophe, vacancies in the House of Representatives may be filled in a timely fashion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2002
Recognizes the significance of Hispanic-serving institutions, and that they are indispensable in meeting the educational needs of one of the Nation's youngest and fastest-growing populations. Commends the Nation's Hispanic-serving institutions for their commitment to academic excellence for all students, including low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. Urges the presidents, faculty, and staff of the Nation's Hispanic-serving institutions to continue their efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate students who might otherwise not pursue a postsecondary education. Recognizes the importance of title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which aids in strengthening the academic quality, institutional management, and financial stability of Hispanic-serving institutions. Requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States and interested groups to demonstrate support for Hispanic-serving institutions in the United States during Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Secretary of Transportation should issue regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes; (2) the Great Lakes States should develop and implement a mechanism that provides a common conservation standard for making decisions concerning the withdrawal and use of water from the Great Lakes Basin; and (3) the Secretary of State should work with the Canadian Government to encourage and support the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec in the development and implementation of a consistent mechanism and standard. Calls for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) make grants to States, Indian tribes, regional agencies, and local governments to carry out projects in areas of concern to monitor or evaluate contaminated sediment, to remediate such sediment, and to prevent further or renewed contamination; and (2) conduct research on innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques to remediate sediment. Calls for the extension of appropriations for sewer overflow control grants through FY 2004 in accordance with the Water Quality Investment Act of 2002. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that appropriations for the national sea grant college program in FY 2003 be funded at the level authorized in the National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Dividend Incentive and Tax Simplification Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow, for a corporation, a deduction for dividends paid; and (2) tax dividends received by individuals as capital gain.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002
Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act - Requires the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop and conduct a marine and fresh-water research program to support efforts to detect, prevent, and eradicate invasive species in the Aquatic Ecosystem. Requires the program to: (1) develop standardized protocols for conducting ecological and pathway surveys of nonnative aquatic species; (2) create baseline ecological information of the aquatic ecosystem and pathways; (3) designate the number and location of survey sites required; (4) conduct laboratory and field-based marine and fresh-water research experiments on a range of taxonomic groups to identify the relationship between the introduction and establishment of nonnative aquatic species; and (5) analyze the data collected. Directs the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to convene a workshop with appropriate researchers. Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to: (1) require that ecological and ballast water discharge surveys examine other potential modes of introducing nonnative aquatic species by ship into the Aquatic Ecosystem, including hull fouling; (2) rename the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse as the National Pathway and Ecological Surveys Database; (3) expand the purview of the database to include ballast water management, delivery practices of ships entering United States ports and their compliance with existing regulations; and (3) make the database widely available to the public. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establish marine and fresh-water research, development, and demonstration programs with respect to environmental soundness screening and dispersal barrier research. Reauthorizes the ship pathway technology demonstration program. Requires the Coast Guard and the EPA to develop a research program to support implementation of standards to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by ships into the Aquatic Ecosystem. Requires the National Science Foundation to establish a grant program for institutions of higher education to carry our research programs in systematics and taxonomy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002
National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2002 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to require the Invasive Species Council (Council) to coordinate with the Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force (Task Force) to combat aquatic invasive species. Requires the Task Force to recommend to appropriate Federal agencies additions to the list of aquatic invasive species. Requires the Task Force, the Council, and the Secretary of State to coordinate activities to ensure that international efforts to prevent and manage aquatic invasive species are coordinated with U.S. policies. Establishes minimum invasive species prevention requirements for all vessels entering U.S. ports. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promulgate regulations for ballast water management standards and certification procedures. Directs the Task Force to publish a priority pathway management program. Prohibits the importation of live aquatic organisms not in trade without specified screening and approval. Requires the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, with the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to construct and maintain a national dispersal barrier program to contain and control aquatic nuisances. Declares that a State with a rapid response contingency strategy shall be eligible to receive emergency funding to implement rapid response measures for aquatic invasive species under specified circumstances. Requires the Task Force, with concurrence of the Council, to encourage the development of regional rapid response contingency strategies and develop a State model for such. Requires the Council, in coordination with the Task Force and the heads of the appropriate Federal agencies, to establish a Federal rapid response team for the ten regions of the Standard Federal Regional Boundary System. Requires the Task Force to establish a national subcommittee on nutria. Provides for expansion of the Brown Tree Snake Control Program and Aquatic Nuisance Species Program information, education and outreach activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2002
Recognizes the significance of historically Black colleges and universities, which have been educating students for more than 100 years, and of title III of the Higher Education Act, which helps strengthen their academic quality, institutional management, and financial stability. Commends them for their commitment to academic excellence for all students, including low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. Urges their presidents, faculty, and staff to continue their efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate students who might otherwise not pursue a postsecondary education. Requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the Nation and interested groups to demonstrate support for historically Black colleges and universities during a week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2002
Recognizes September 11 as both a day to remember those taken from their families and a day for Americans to recommit to the Nation, to their freedom, and to each other. Extends deepest sympathies to the countless innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, their families, friends, and loved ones. Honors the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, and others who aided the innocent victims. Expresses thanks and gratitude to the foreign leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism. Remains resolved to pursue all those responsible for the terrorist attacks and their sponsors until they are discovered and punished.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002
Amends the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) to revise the definition of student for purposes of coverage regarding certain family educational and privacy rights (under GEPA provisions which are also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974). Includes under such coverage any person educated at a home school (whether or not State law treats a home school as a home school or a private school), if an educational agency or institution maintains education records or personally identifiable information on such person (whether or not the home-schooled person is in attendance at the agency or institution). (Current law excludes all those who are not in attendance at the agency or institution.)
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
Prescription Drug Affordability Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise provisions concerning the timing of generic drug availability. Requires applicants (pharmaceutical companies) to register their patents with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within 30 days of approval (or issuance for subsequently issued patents). Makes failure to timely register a bar to civil actions for patent infringement. Requires applications for new drugs (NDA) or abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA) which rely upon investigations not conducted by or for the applicant and which concern a patent that claims both the drug and a method of use or more than one method of use to include a certification on a claim-by-claim basis that the patent is invalid or will not be infringed (known as a Paragraph IV filing/certification) by the new drug's (generic) manufacture and a statement regarding the method(s) of use claim. Prohibits (for subsequently issued patents) an extension of the 30 month stay of FDA approval for any new drug where an ANDA or NDA contains a Paragraph IV filing/certification and the patent holder indicates an intention to bring a patent infringement suit against the new (generic) drug's manufacturer. Makes failure to timely file a civil action for infringement a bar to later action. Requires the first generic applicant with a Paragraph IV filing to forfeit the 180 day marketing exclusivity period to a subsequent generic applicant if the first generic applicant engages in certain behaviors (forfeiture events) which delay or prevent the marketing of the generic drug. Revises notice requirements for Paragraph IV filings to include and protect certain proposed formulation, composition, or method of use information. Excludes an applicants's ability to pay damages from a court's consideration of whether or not to provide injunctive relief before the expiration of the 30 month stay of approval period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2002
Education Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax credit for 50 percent of certain cash contributions by a taxpayer to an education investment organization or to an elementary or secondary school. Sets a maximum credit of $50,000 for corporations and $250 for other taxpayers ($500 for a joint return). Provides other limitations on the amount of the credit in certain specified instances. Excludes from gross income any amount received as a grant for qualified elementary and secondary expenses from an education investment organization. Defines "qualified elementary and secondary expenses" and "education investment organization." Revises definition of "school" for purposes of defining qualified elementary and secondary education expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2002
Back to School Tax Relief Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income is $20,000 or less ($40,000 in the case of a joint return) to deduct up to $3,000 in qualified elementary and secondary education expenses. Defines qualified elementary and secondary education expenses and adjusted gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2002
Drug Importation Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit an individual who is not in the business of importing prescription drugs to import prescription drugs which appear to be approved, non-narcotic, and produced by a registered producer. Provides for a program where a pharmacist who is not otherwise permitted to import a prescription drug may do so when a drug meets the above standard. Excludes controlled substances and biological products. States that alternative labeling may be required.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2002
Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $250 to $500 the maximum above-the-line deduction allowed for classroom supply expenses incurred by elementary and secondary school teachers, effective after December 31, 2001. Expands such deduction to include qualified professional development expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2002
Pledge Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any court established by Act of Congress to hear or determine any claim that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance violates the first amendment of the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2002
Corporate Governance and Market Integrity Commission Act - Establishes the Market Integrity Commission to study and report to Congress and the President on: (1) issues related to corporate governance; (2) the impact of corporate governance practices on the development, growth, and regulation of interstate and foreign commerce, including the effect of such practices on the market economy and on consumers; and (3) recommendations for legislation to improve the problems identified.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2002
District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2002 - Authorizes the establishment of the District of Columbia Scholarship Corporation as a private, nonprofit corporation to administer, publicize, and evaluate a District scholarship program and determine elementary and secondary student and school eligibility. Establishes a District of Columbia Scholarship Fund, to be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. Provides for a seven-member Corporation Board of Directors, with six members appointed by the President from House and Senate nominees, and one member appointed by the District Mayor. Authorizes the Corporation to award tuition scholarships and enhanced achievement scholarships to District students in kindergarten through grade 12 with family incomes not exceeding 185 percent of the national poverty line. Allows scholarships to be used for tuition, fees, and appropriate transportation to public, private, or independent schools (or beyond-school-hours enhancement programs) in the District and specified neighboring counties and cities in Maryland and Virginia. Requires the following order of scholarship award priorities to students who: (1) have received such a scholarship in a previous year (in the program's second and subsequent years); (2) District school or kindergarten enrollees; (3) victims of school violence; and (4) other eligible students. Requires use of a lottery whenever amounts are insufficient to provide a scholarship for each student in one of these categories. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the District scholarship program. Provides for expedited judicial review of challenges to such program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Pledge of Allegiance, including the phrase "One Nation, under God," reflects the historical fact that a belief in God permeated the founding and development of our Nation; (2) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals's ruling is inconsistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's First Amendment jurisprudence that the Pledge and similar expressions are not unconstitutional expressions of religious belief; (3) such phrase should remain in the Pledge; and (4) the Ninth Circuit should agree to rehear this ruling en banc in order to reverse this constitutionally infirm and historically incorrect ruling.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 21 June 2002
Expresses support for the goals and ideas of National KidsDay as established by the National KidsDay Alliance. Recognizes the importance of children to the future of our country and believes the adults who spend meaningful time with children are making an investment in the future of our great Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2002
Congratulates the Detroit Red Wings for winning the 2002 Stanley Cup Championship and for their outstanding performance during the entire 2001-2002 National Hockey League season. Commends the Carolina Hurricanes for a valiant performance during the playoff finals and for showing their strength and skill as a team.
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 · 17 June 2002
Equity in Education Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that church employees and persons treated as church employees under the Code are eligible for the exclusion for qualified tuition reduction programs of charitable educational organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2002
Citizen Service Act of 2002 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to reauthorize appropriations and revise requirements for national volunteer service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Includes among NCSA programs: (1) Learn and Serve America (Service-Learning); (2) AmeriCorps (AC) Grants; (3) AC-National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); and (2). Includes among DVSA programs: (1) AC-Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA); and (2) Senior Corps, including Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Authorizes grants to: (1) America's Promise: The Alliance for Youth; and (2) the Points of Light Foundation. Revises provisions for CNCS administration of national volunteer service programs and for accountability of recipients of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Supports the goals and ideals of National Community Role Models Week. Commends the Recognizing Achievement-Rewarding Excellence Foundation based in Troy, Michigan, for establishing a program to recognize exceptional people who work in the community and further educate children in the community about such people. Encourages the establishment of similar programs throughout U.S. communities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Recreational Marine Employment Act of 2002 - Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act with respect to employer liability for death and disability compensation payable to longshore, harbor workers, and other specified marine employees not otherwise covered by State workers compensation laws. Excludes from the definition of employee any individuals employed by or at, or engaged in the construction or maintenance of, a recreational marine facility or structure. Expands the range of individuals whose work is concerned with recreational vessels who do not qualify as employees, including people who principally buy and sell such vessels. Makes such exclusions contingent on the employer's being in compliance with a State workers' compensation law. (Presently they are contingent on workers' being covered under such a law). Modifies requirements for third part actions against vessels for negligence to apply them only to injuries to maritime workers who do not qualify as seamen under specified Federal law. (Presently they apply to injuries to all persons covered under the Act).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth that a plan or other arrangement shall not cease to count as a cafeteria plan solely because qualified benefits under such plan include a health flexible spending arrangement under which not more than $500 of unused health benefits may be carried forward to the next year or paid as compensation. Sets forth rules for determining whether or not such benefits shall be included or excluded from income.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2005. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2005, and, if not, Congress should be required to vote to reauthorize the Code.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Federal Government, and any State or local government that receives Federal financial assistance, from discriminating against any health care entity because (in addition to current prohibited reasons) the entity refuses to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions. Expands the definition of "health care entity" to include (in addition to physicians) other health professionals, a hospital, a provider sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
Accountability of Tax Dollars Act of 2002 - Requires executive agencies that are not otherwise required to submit annual audited financial statements (excluding Government corporations) to submit such statements to Congress and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Allows the Director to waive such requirement for the first two fiscal years after enactment of this Act.) Exempts agencies from preparing such a statement for any fiscal year for which the total amount of budget authority available to the agency is less than $25 million.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2002
Child Modeling Exploitation Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit an employer from employing a minor under 17 years old to work in exploitive child modeling. Sets penalties for violations. Includes employment of a minor in violation of such provision within the definition of "oppressive child labor." Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit displaying the image of a child who has not attained the age of 17 years, or offering to provide an image of such a child, with the intent to make a financial gain and without a purpose of marketing a product or service other than the child's image, if such conduct occurs in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. Sets penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2002
Truth in Domain Names Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly using a misleading domain name with the intent to attract a minor into viewing a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct on the Internet.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Homeland Security Information Sharing Act - Directs the President to: (1) prescribe procedures for Federal agencies for sharing homeland security information with State and local personnel and for declassifying such information; and (2) ensure that such procedures apply to each element of the intelligence community and that the requisite technology is available. Requires each intelligence community element, under procedures prescribed by the Director of Central Intelligence and the Attorney General, to share homeland security information, with credibility assessments, with State and local personnel. Directs that: (1) such procedures include existing information sharing systems; and (2) each element of the Federal intelligence and law enforcement communities, as well as specified congressional committees, have access to each information sharing system and the information within it. Directs the President to prescribe procedures under which Federal agencies may share classified homeland security information with appropriate State and local personnel, including through security clearance investigations, non-disclosure agreements, and increased use of information-sharing partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Honors the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Nation's first charter school. Commends the charter school movement and charter schools, teachers, parents, and students across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening the Nation's public school system. Supports the goals of National Charter Schools Week.
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 · 9 April 2002
Working Toward Independence Act of 2002 - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to amend State work participation requirements. Revises work or alternative self-sufficiency requirements for a parent or caretaker receiving TANF assistance. Directs States to establish for each recipient family a family sufficiency plan (in lieu of the currently required State Individual Responsibility Plans). Authorizes States to design activities and develop methods for monitoring and reviewing such plans. Revises State plan requirements and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to establish TANF performance measures. Requires the Secretary to make bonus grants to each State that has achieved formulated employment goals. Caring for Children Act of 2002 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to specify consumer education information States are required to collect and disseminate. Requires States to certify to child care service quality and demonstrate: (1) child care services coordination; (2) encouragement of partnerships with private and other public entities; and (3) how the State is addressing child care for children with special needs. Specifies State required activities to improve the quality of child care services and authorizes States to determine family income level eligibility requirements for such services. Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education to authorize innovative State demonstration projects involving individual programs, or integrating multiple public assistance, workforce development, and other programs to support working families.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Uniform Securities Disclosure Act - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act, respectively, to extend Federal securities registration and reporting requirements to specified mortgage-backed and other housing-related securities, and subordinate obligations under such Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Ten Commandments Defense Act of 2002 - Declares reserved to the States the power to display the Ten Commandments on State or local government property. Declares that expressions of religious faith by individual persons upon State property are: (1) protected against Federal laws or regulations respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion; and (2) among those liberties of which no State may deprive any person without due process of law made in pursuance of powers reserved to the States. Requires the courts established by the Congress to exercise judicial power in accordance with such declarations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Secretary of Transportation should issue regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes; (2) the Great Lakes States should develop and implement a mechanism that provides a common conservation standard for making decisions concerning the withdrawal and use of water from the Great Lakes Basin; and (3) the Secretary of State should work with the Canadian Government to encourage and support the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec in the development and implementation of a consistent mechanism and standard. Encourages: (1) Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to continue to prohibit off-shore drilling in the Great Lakes for oil and gas; (2) Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio and Ontario to enact a prohibition of such drilling; and (3) Ontario to require the cessation of any such drilling and any production resulting from such drilling. Calls for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) make grants to States, Indian tribes, regional agencies, and local governments to carry out projects in areas of concern to monitor or evaluate contaminated sediment, to remediate such sediment, and to prevent further or renewed contamination; and (2) conduct research on innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques to remediate sediment. Calls for a specified increase in appropriations for sewer overflow control grants for FY 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2002 - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to revise requirements for child abuse prevention and treatment grants, with special emphasis on: (1) community-based organizations; (2) linkages between child protective services agencies and health care, mental health care, and developmental services; and (3) children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are victims of abuse or neglect. Amends the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988 with respect to infant abandonment prevention grants and family support programs for child abuse and neglect prevention. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary to research and report to the appropriate congressional committees about adoption outcomes and the factors affecting them. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to: (1) revise requirements for State demonstration grants; (2) authorize an extended duration of a national domestic violence hotline grant; and (3) extend the authorization of appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives and for transitional housing assistance grants.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hoekstra, Peter [R-MI-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000676_200.jpg)