United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2001
Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2001 - 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 conduct utilization review activities in connection with the provision of benefits under such plan or coverage only in accordance with an approved utilization review program. Requires health plans and insurers to offer consumers: (1) more care options; and (2) greater access to patient 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. Requires health plans and insurers to comply with patient protection requirements of this Act. 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 · 8 February 2001
Congratulates Ariel Sharon on his election as Israeli Prime Minister. Urges: (1) Palestinian Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat to use his influence and resources to see that violence in the Middle East is brought to an end; and (2) countries that neighbor Israel and the international community to respect the freely expressed will of the Israeli people and to be prepared to engage in constructive relations with the new Israeli Government. Restates the U.S. commitment to a secure peace for Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2001
Repeals Federal law that prohibits National Guard technicians from receiving compensation for irregular or overtime work. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) grant an equal amount of compensatory time off for such work; or (2) pay the technician for such work at a rate of one and one-half times their basic rate of pay.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2001
Fairness for National Guard Technicians Act - Requires National Guard military technicians (dual status) who are eligible, at the time dual status is lost, to an unreduced retirement annuity and are age 60 or older to be separated no later than 30 days after such status is lost. Requires such technicians who are not eligible to an unreduced annuity or who are not under age 60 at such time to be offered the opportunity to either reapply for a dual status position or apply for a civil service position that is not a technician position. States that a technician shall be considered to lose dual status upon: (1) being separated from the Selected Reserve; or (2) ceasing to hold the military grade specified for the technician position held.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2001
Blind Empowerment Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase, by specified increments over five years, the level of earnings demonstrating the ability of a blind person to engage in substantial gainful activity for purposes of determining disability insurance benefit payments.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2001
Commends the people of Israel for reaffirming, through their participation in the February 6, 2001, election, their dedication to democratic ideals and congratulates Ariel Sharon on his election as Prime Minister. Expresses the pledge of the House of Representatives to work to strengthen bonds with the new Israeli Government and reaffirms its commitment to secure peace and security for Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft, on a space-available basis, for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 50 percent or more, and for their dependents, on the same basis that such transportation is provided to former military personnel entitled to retired or retainer pay.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2001 - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystem; (5) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (6) Blackfeet Wilderness. Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas. Establishes the Hells Canyon/Chief Joseph National Park and Preserve as a National Park System unit. Repeals Federal law provisions that establish the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) implement a program of ecosystem restoration in the Preserve; and (2) study the feasibility of creating a Flathead National Park and Preserve in the area generally known as the Glacier View Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System and the National Wildland Recovery Corps. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to assure nonexclusive access to the specified areas and corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Bear Protection Act of 2001 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue discussions concerning trade in bear viscera with the appropriate representatives of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and with other representatives of countries that are not party to the Convention which are determined to be the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products, in order to establish coordinated efforts with such countries to protect bears. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect State regulation of bear population or to affect the lawful hunting of bears under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Gun Ballistics Safety Act of 2001 - Requires the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to: (1) establish a National Firearms Ballistics Database; (2) prescribe the type of ballistics information required by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to be provided to the Database; (3) ensure that the information in the Database is made available upon request to any law enforcement agency or officer; and (4) notify each licensed manufacturer and the chief law enforcement officer of each State upon establishment of the Database. Amends the Brady Act to require that firearms manufacturers provide ballistics information to the Database within 30 days after manufacturing a firearm. Sets penalties for violations, including license revocation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2001
Public Education Reinvestment, Reinvention, and Responsibility Act (Three R's) - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise, and reauthorize appropriations for, certain ESEA programs. Sets forth national educational priorities, including: (1) performance-based funding; (2) State and local flexibility in using funds to achieve high student performance objectives; and (3) concentration of funding on impoverished areas, and on a small number of goals, including compensatory education for disadvantaged children and youth, teacher quality and professional development, programs for limited English proficient students, public school choice programs, innovative educational programs, student safety, and the incorporation of educational technology. Revises and renames ESEA title I as Student Performance programs, including: (1) the basic program for assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) to help disadvantaged schoolchildren to achieve high standards; (2) Even Start family literacy programs; (3) education of migratory children; and (3) programs for neglected or delinquent youth, including those at-risk of dropping out. Reauthorizes appropriations for a rural education achievement program (currently under title X). Revises and renames ESEA title II as Teacher and Principal Quality, Professional Development, and Class Size, and sets forth related programs. Revises and renames ESEA title III as Language Minority Students and Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education, and sets forth related programs, as well as the emergency immigrant education program. Eliminates: (1) the current title III, Technology for Education, including programs for technology for education of all students, Star Schools, Ready-to-Learn Television, and elementary mathematics and science equipment; and (2) current title VII Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs, including programs for bilingual education and foreign language assistance (but continues certain provisions for language minority students and emergency immigrant education). Revises and transfers to the new title III provisions from the current title VIII Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education. Repeals the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (current ESEA title IV), including provisions for State grants for drug and violence prevention programs. Revises and renames ESEA title IV as Public School Choice. Declares it U.S. policy to: (1) support and stimulate improved public school performance through increased public elementary school and secondary school competition and increased Federal financial assistance; and (2) provide parents with more choices among public school options. Reauthorizes and revises as title IV parts: (1) A, Magnet School Assistance (current title V, part A); and (2) B, Public Charter Schools (current title X, part C), and doubles the amount for charter school assistance. Establishes title IV parts: (1) D, competitive grants for development of public school choice programs; and (2) E, requirements for State and local educational agency (LEA) and school report cards. Revises, reauthorizes, and transfers from ESEA title VIII to title V, Impact Aid programs. Revises provisions for payments relating to Federal acquisition of real property. Repeals a special rule relating to computation of payments for eligible federally connected children. Revises and renames ESEA title VI as High Performance and Quality Education Initiatives. Requires LEAs to use certain portions of grants under such title for: (1) school improvement; (2) 21st Century extra learning opportunities; (3) safe learning environments; and (4) New Economy Technology Schools. Sets forth, as ESEA title VII, accountability requirements, including performance reviews, sanctions, and awards. Reauthorizes and revises provisions for the America's Education Goals Panel in the executive branch. Sets forth ESEA title VIII (current title XIV) general provisions, including a requirement that ESEA funds supplement and not supplant State and local funds. Repeals the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and the following ESEA titles: (1) V, Promoting Equity, including part B Women's Educational Equity and part C Assistance to Address School Dropout Problems; (2) X, Programs of National Significance, including the Fund for the Improvement of Education and programs for gifted and talented children, arts in education, inexpensive book distribution, civic education, Ellender fellowships, 21st century community learning centers, urban education assistance, and national writing project; (3) XI, Coordinated Services; (4) XII, School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement; and (5) Support and Assistance Programs to Improve Education, including comprehensive regional assistance centers, the national diffusion network, Eisenhower regional mathematics and science education consortia, and technology-based technical assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2001
Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to prohibit the solicitation of soft money (not subject to FECA) by political parties, increasing the contribution limit for State committees of political parties and the aggregate individual contribution limit. Prohibits a committee of a political party, after party nomination of a candidate, from making both coordinated and independent expenditures to the candidate during the election cycle. Requires a coordinated activity to be considered a contribution to the candidate and an expenditure by the candidate. Prohibits the deposit (except in escrow accounts) or negotiation of contributions from a person making aggregate contributions exceeding $200 annually by a candidate's authorized committee, unless the information required of and disclosed by the contributor is complete. Establishes: (1) time frames (with certain exceptions) for filing of statements with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by certain persons who make aggregate disbursements exceeding $50,000 annually (of soft money) for specified Federal election activities expressing support for or opposition to a Federal office candidate or a political party; and (2) a voluntary personal funds expenditure limit of $50,000 for eligible congressional candidates. Sets forth disclaimers to affirm equal participation of eligible voters in campaigns and elections for Federal office. Establishes: (1) a clearinghouse of specified public information on political activities of foreign principals and their agents; and (2) the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit White House political fundraising. Expresses the sense of Congress on "controlling legal authority" concerning use of Federal property to raise campaign funds. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for anyone who solicits or receives anything of value for providing a person with access to specified Federal property. Amends FECA to require political committees of national political parties (for use of Air Force One by the President, Vice President, or an executive department head) and candidates for Federal office (who don't already hold Federal office) to reimburse the Federal government for use of Government property for fundraising and campaign-related travel. Amends FECA to prohibit campaigns from providing cash to individuals to encourage turnout on election day (walking around money) Mandates imprisonment for certain FECA violations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit presidential and vice presidential candidates certified to receive public financing from coordinating expenditures for issue advocacy unless the funds used are subject to FECA. Provides for expulsion of Members of the House of Representatives convicted of violating FECA's foreign national contribution prohibitions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2001
Commuter Benefit Equity Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to raise the $65 transportation fringe benefit limitation (applicable to commuter highway vehicles and transit passes) to an amount ($175) that equals the amount permitted for qualified parking (thus providing for a uniform dollar limitation for all types of transportation fringe benefits).
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights of 2001 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase by five percent per year the payment for Medicare+Choice coordinated care plan contracts entered into for three-year periods.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Taxpayers' Cancer Research Funding Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain individuals to designate that five dollars (ten dollars in the case of joint returns) be paid over to the Breast and Prostate Cancer Research Fund established by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Broadband Internet Access Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the broadband credit which shall be the sum of: (1) the current generation broadband credit; plus (2) the next generation broadband credit. Defines terms.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Postmasters Fairness and Rights Act of 2001 - Amends Federal law to prescribe guidelines within which the Postal Service shall propose changes in pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefit programs affecting postmasters which are to be in effect during the period covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Postal Service and certain recognized bargaining representatives. Grants certain qualified postmasters' organizations the right to participate in program planning and development pertaining to pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Expresses sympathy to the citizens of India for the losses suffered as a result of the January 26, 2001, earthquake. Expresses support for the people of India, for continuing and substantially increasing the amount of disaster assistance being provided by the United States Agency for International Development and other relief agencies, for providing future economic assistance, and for the economic assistance efforts of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the international community. Urges the President to use U.S. influence to expedite such efforts. Encourages assistance from other nations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2001
Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add the collection of data on benign brain-related tumors to provisions authorizing grants to States for the operation of statewide registries (currently, statewide cancer registries).
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2001
Telemarketing Victims Protection Act - Amends the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to include in rules respecting abusive telemarketing acts or practices requirements that telemarketers: (1) notify consumers who are called that they have the right to be placed on either the Direct Marketing Association's or the appropriate State's do-not-call list; (2) notify the Association or State if a consumer elects to be placed on such a list; (3) obtain and reconcile such lists on a regular basis; (4) not make any calls during the hours of 5 to 7 p.m.; and (5) not block the identity of the telephone from which they are making a telemarketing call. Directs the Commission to study and report on violations of such Act, especially repeated violations by a single telemarketer, and of provisions for penalizing violators.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act - Amends Federal employee provisions to include the following as an employee, for purposes of authorized enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: (1) a member of the armed forces who began service before June 7, 1956, and retired after a minimum of 20 years of such service or by reason of a service-connected disability; and (2) the surviving widow or widower of such member. Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to provide FEHB coverage to the following eligible beneficiaries: (1) a member or former member entitled to military retired or retainer pay; (2) an unremarried former spouse who was married to a member for at least 20 years, during which such member performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; (3) a dependent of a deceased qualifying member or former member; (4) a dependent of a living member or former member; and (5) a family member.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Amendments of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group and individual health plans from imposing treatment limitations or financial requirements on the coverage of mental health benefits, or substance abuse and chemical dependency benefits, if similar limitations or requirements are not imposed on medical and surgical benefits. Amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1986 to provide for coordination in implementation of such amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Community Protection Act of 2001- Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is, or was, employed as a law enforcement officer, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that: (1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Handgun Registration Act of 2001 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for an increase by 15 percent of drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grant funds available to a State that has in effect a law which requires: (1) each individual to whom a handgun is transferred to complete a handgun registration form that includes specified information identifying the transferee, the handgun, and the transferor and proof of insurance coverage for the transferee's liability to any person who, while engaged in lawful activity, suffers bodily injury or death through the misuse of that handgun resulting from the transferee's negligence; (2) each individual who possesses a handgun to complete a handgun registration form that includes information identifying the individual and the handgun; and (3) the chief law enforcement officer of the State to furnish information from handgun registration forms to Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Handgun Licensing Act of 2001 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (the Act) to prohibit the transfer of a handgun or handgun ammunition to an individual not licensed to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms or ammunition, unless: (1) the transferor (or a licensed dealer under State law) has examined a valid handgun license issued to the individual by the State in which the transaction takes place and an additional valid photograph identification document and has contacted and has been informed by the chief law enforcement officer of the State that the handgun license has not been revoked; and (2) three business days have elapsed from the date on which the transferor received such information, or the individual has presented to the transferor a written document, issued not less than ten days earlier by the appropriate officer, stating that the transferee requires access to a handgun because of a threat to the life of the transferee or any member of the transferee's household. Prohibits an unlicenced individual from receiving a handgun or handgun ammunition without possessing a valid handgun license issued to the individual by the State in which the transaction takes place. Sets forth State law requirements, definitions of "handgun license" and "handgun ammunition," and penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Attorney General to make a grant to each State to cover the initial startup costs associated with establishing a licensing system. Requires an applicant for a license to certify that the business is covered by an insurance policy which provides personal injury protection, to a limit of $100,000, to any person who, while engaged in lawful activity, suffers bodily injury or death through the use of a handgun obtained as a result of the applicant's negligence.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Notch Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to revise the formula for the computation of minimum Old Age Insurance benefits for individuals who reached age 65 in or after 1979 and to whom applies the 15-year transition period for the changes in benefit computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Sets forth a schedule of additional benefit increases for such beneficiaries (and related beneficiaries), with percentages declining from 55 percent to five percent and keyed to the year an individual became eligible for such benefits between 1979 and 1988. Allows such beneficiaries, in the alternative, to receive lump sum payments over four years totaling $5,000. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, when estimating any additional spending under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) resulting from this Act, to decrease the adjusted discretionary spending limits for budget authority and outlays for FY 2002 set forth in such Act by the increase in direct spending estimated to result from enactment of this Act for that fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Women's Health Environmental Research Centers Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of not more than six centers to conduct multidisciplinary research on environmental factors that may be related to the development of women's health conditions. Requires each center to conduct basic and clinical research, develop training protocols, conduct training, develop model continuing education programs, and disseminate information to professionals and the public, with priority to prevention activities. Allows a center to use grant funds for stipends for health and allied health professionals in that training. Requires each center to: (1) collaborate with community organizations; and (2) use the facilities of a single institution or be formed from a consortium of institutions. Limits support to five years but allows extensions if recommended by a technical and scientific peer review group appointed by the Institute's director. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the wholesale distributor of certain drugs who is not the manufacturer or an authorized distributor of record for a calendar year (currently, the language "for a calendar year" is not in the Act) of a drug to provide to the recipient of the drug a statement identifying each prior sale, purchase, or trade of such drug.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Acid Rain Control Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Nitrogen Oxide Allowance Program under which the contiguous States and the District of Columbia will be allocated allowances, beginning in 2004, to emit limited monthly amounts of nitrogen oxides. Makes it unlawful, after January 1, 2002, for: (1) the owner or operator of an affected facility to emit nitrogen oxides exceeding the amount of allowances held; or (2) any person to hold, use, or transfer such allowances, except as provided under this Act. Repeals the nitrogen oxides emission reduction program under the Clean Air Act. Imposes penalties for emissions in excess of allowances. Requires offsets of allowances in the calendar year following the one in which excess emissions occurred. Decreases the amount of sulfur dioxide authorized to be emitted under an existing allowance program for 2007 and subsequent years. Provides for regulations to: (1) protect specified regional ecosystems, including those modifying nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide allowance allocations; and (2) control electric utility and industrial source mercury emissions. Directs the Administrator to establish a competitive grant program to fund research related to the effects of nitrogen deposition on sensitive watersheds and coastal estuaries in the eastern United States.
![Official portrait of Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/i000057_200.jpg)