United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2002 - Directs Secretary of Education to: (1) develop and publish instructional materials accessibility standards for the national electronic file format to be used by publishers of instructional materials in the preparation of electronic files suitable for efficient conversion into specialized formats; (2) establish a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise and guidance in creating such national electronic file format; (3) periodically review and amend such standards to reflect technological advances or changes; and (4) establish a National Instructional Materials Access Center. Requires State educational agencies, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to develop and implement statewide plans and make contracts with publishers to ensure that instructional materials for classroom use in elementary and secondary schools are made available in specialized formats to individuals who are blind or have other print disabilities at the same time such materials are provided to individuals without such disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to provide or improve their capacity to prepare or obtain instructional materials in specialized formats, including the national electronic format. Provides for enforcement of rights of children and parents under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide duty-free treatment for certain log forwarders with cranes, designed for off-highway use and certain parts of log forwarders. Applies certain staged rate reductions to such items.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Clergy Housing Allowance Clarification Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that the parsonage allowance exclusion from gross income cannot exceed the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Declares that Congress expresses its deepest gratitude for the service of the District of Columbia Army National Guard in protecting Congress and increasing security around the Capitol complex. Congratulates the National Guard and Capitol Police on the fine work they have done to increase security around the Capitol grounds since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Housing Affordability for America Act of 2002 - Amends specified housing-related Acts with respect to: (1) home investment partnerships; (2) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance for single and multifamily housing, and health care facilities; (3) supportive housing for elderly and disabled families; (4) section 8 rental housing assistance; (5) public housing; (6) Hope VI revitalization assistance; (7) homeless housing programs; (8) Native American housing; (9) housing impact analysis; (10) community development block grants; (11) housing counseling programs; (13) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; and (14) Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) guarantee fees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2002
Sets forth the congressional budget for the Government for FY 2003, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2004 through 2007. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 2003 through 2007, with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) on-budget deficits; (5) public debt; and (6) debt held by the public. Sets forth the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for homeland security for FY 2003. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY 2003 through 2007. Provides for certain reserve funds, including those for the war on terrorism, Medicare modernization and prescription drug coverage, special education, and highways and highway safety. Provides for certain contingency funds, including those for additional surpluses, accrual accounting, and reclassification of student accounts. Sets forth committee reconciliation instructions. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning combat of infectious diseases, asset building for the working poor, and Pacific Northwest salmon recovery. Expresses the sense of the House on federal employee pay, Medicare+Choice, and border security and anti-terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to direct the U.S. Governor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to accept, on behalf of the United States, the fourth amendment to the Articles of Agreement of the IMF approved in resolution numbered 52- 4 of the IMF's Board of Governors. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to seek an agreement to include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), in its capacity as administrator of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as a prescribed holder of Special Drawing Rights; (2) upon achieving an agreement, provide for the contribution of one-third of the Special Drawing Rights received by the United States to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and (3) seek to enter into negotiations to induce IMF member countries to contribute their allocated Special Drawing Rights to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide duty-free treatment for certain tractor parts suitable for agricultural use. Applies certain staged rate reductions to such items.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide duty-free treatment for certain tractors (log forwarders) suitable for agricultural use.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2002
Livestock Ownership Fairness Act of 2002 - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit livestock packers directly or through a subsidiary, from conspiring to, or owning or feeding livestock to such an extent that the producer no longer materially participates in the management of the operation, with respect to livestock held for more than 14 days prior to slaughter. Exempts from such prohibition certain: (1) forward contracting arrangements under which the producer retains pre-delivery operational control of the livestock; (2) cooperatives that own, or feed livestock and provide such livestock for slaughter; or (3) certain small producer-owned or-controlled packers. Directs the Attorney General to establish in the Department of Justice an Office of Special Counsel for Agriculture to handle agricultural antitrust and related matters. Requires: (1) a person in the business of purchasing livestock, poultry, or a basic agricultural commodity for wholesale resale who files a premerger notice under the Clayton Act to file simultaneously a premerger notice with the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) the Secretary to review the proposed merger and report to the Office of Special Counsel for Agriculture. .
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2002
Employee Retirement Savings Bill of Rights - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an excise tax on a pension plan failing to provide notice of generally accepted investment principles, including principles of risk management and diversification; (2) impose an excise tax on a pension plan failing to provide notice of any transaction restriction period to each applicable individual to whom the transaction restriction period applies (and to each employee organization representing such applicable individuals); and (3) set forth diversification requirements for plans, including requiring the provision of at least three investment options, other than employer securities, in amounts equivalent to the amounts invested in employer securities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish a minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services furnished under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2001
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2004, the duty on saccharose used for nonfood, nonnutritional purposes, as a seed kernel and in additional layers in an industrial granulation process for biocatalyst production. Provides for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of duty on such item that is entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during a specified period of time.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the United States Geological Survey, to establish a nutrient and sediment monitoring network for the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish guidelines for related data collection and storage activities; (2) inventory the sediment and monitoring efforts of governmental and nongovernmental entities for the purpose of creating a baseline understanding of overlap, data gaps, and redundancies; and (3) collaborate with other public and private monitoring efforts in establishing the monitoring program. Directs the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a water resources assessment of the Basin. Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish: (1) a computer modeling program of nutrient and sediment sources in the Basin; and (2) an Internet-based system to distribute information about nutrient and sediment loss reduction projects and nutrient and sediment levels in the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to increase the authorization of appropriations for health centers for FY 1997 through FY 2002 and authorize such appropriations as may be necessary for such centers for FY 2003 through FY 2006. Includes within: (1) "required primary health services" appropriate cancer screening (currently, screening for breast and cervical cancer), specialty referral when medically indicated, and specified housing-related services; and (2) "additional health services" behavioral and mental health substance abuse services. Permits grants to health centers for the planning and development of management networks. Rewrites PHSA provisions regarding rural health. Provide grants for expanded delivery of health care services in rural areas, for the planning and implementation of integrated health care networks in rural areas, and for the planning and implementation of small health care provider quality improvement activities. Telehealth Grant Consolidation Act of 2001 - Provides for the establishment: (1) of telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs; and (2) an Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Provides for grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide for improved emergency medical services in rural areas. Reauthorizes and rewrites PHSA provisions regarding the National Health Service Corps program. Prohibits an entity to which a Corps member is assigned from denying requested health services and discriminating in the provision of services because an individual is unable to pay. Provides for a community access demonstration program to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Expands the availability of dental health services.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) a regular timeline for the publication of final regulations; and (2) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors. Outlines requirements for provider education and technical assistance under Medicare. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council to direct the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Provider Ombudsman to: (1) assist confidentially service providers and suppliers with respect to grievances and requests for information; and (2) submit recommendations to the Secretary for improvement in Medicare administration. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to assist Medicare beneficiaries with respect to grievances and requests for information. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program making certain technical assistance available, upon request on a voluntary basis, to small providers of services or suppliers to evaluate their billing and related systems for compliance with the applicable Medicare requirements. Outlines requirements with respect to provider appeals and recovery. Directs the Secretary to establish a process for expedited access to judicial review. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to: (1) the Medicare Integrity Program to provide for the recovery of overpayments; and (2) agreements with service providers to direct the Secretary to establish a process for enrollment of Medicare service providers and suppliers. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing any documentation guidelines for evaluation and management physician services under Medicare unless the Secretary has, among other things, established a plan with specific goals and a schedule for improving the use of such guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize qualified physical therapists to provide services for Medicare beneficiaries without the requirement of a physician referral. Provides for treatment of outpatient speech-language pathology services separately from outpatient physical therapy services.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Terrorism Risk Protection Act - Confers responsibility upon the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to implement a financial assistance program for commercial property and casualty insurers when industry-wide insured losses from acts of terrorism exceed $1 billion. Expresses the sense of Congress that acts of terrorism resulting in insured losses greater than $100 billion would necessitate further action by the Congress to address such additional losses. Sets forth repayment mechanisms under the financial assistance plan which provide for: (1) an assessments schedule; and (2) a terrorism loss repayment surcharge plan based upon imposing a policyholder premium surcharge on commercial property and casualty insurance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) should develop appropriate definitions for acts of terrorism and appropriate standards for making determinations regarding such acts; (2) each State should adopt those definitions and standards for purposes of regulating insurance coverage in that State; (3) the Secretary should advocate and promote the development of definitions and standards appropriate for purposes of this Act; and (4) after such consultation, the Secretary should adopt definitions for acts of terrorism and standards for determinations appropriate for this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the NAIC should develop appropriate guidelines for commercial insurers and pools regarding maintenance of reserves against the risks of acts of terrorism; and (B) each State should adopt such guidelines for purposes of regulating commercial insurers doing business in that State. Expresses the sense of Congress that the States should require that the price of terrorism insurance coverage, including the costs of any terrorism related assessments or surcharges under this Act, be separately disclosed. Declares that a Federal cause of action shall be the exclusive remedy if assessments or surcharges are required due to insured losses resulting from acts of terrorism. Limits damages in actions regarding insurance claims and attorneys' fees. Prohibits the award of punitive damages, or of non-economic damages in excess of the defendant's direct proportion of responsibility for the plaintiff's physical harm. Instructs the President to establish a commission to study and report to Congress on the potential effects of an act of terrorism on the life insurance industry in the United States and the markets served by such industry.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to tax lifetime annuity payouts and similar payments of life insurance proceeds at dates later than death at capital gains rates. Excludes amounts received under an eligible deferred compensation plan or under a qualified retirement plan. Includes such gains in the calculation of the maximum rate of tax on net capital gains of noncorporate taxpayers when computing the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Combatting Illegal Gambling Reform and Modernization Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions regarding interstate gambling. Increases the term of imprisonment for violations. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly using a communication facility for the transmission: (1) of bets or wagers, or betting information, in interstate or foreign commerce, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or to or from any place outside the jurisdiction of any nation regarding any transmission to or from the United States,; or (2) of a communication in such interstate or foreign commerce which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or for information assisting in the placing of bets. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly accepting credit, an electronic fund transfer, a check, or the proceeds of certain other forms of financial transaction as the Secretary may prescribe in connection with the transmission of such a communication of information assisting the placing of bets. Lists exceptions, including certain: (1) transmissions of information assisting in the placing of bets (such as for use in news reporting); and (2) uses of communication facilities for the transmission of bets (e.g., where a State or Tribe has explicitly authorized such bets). Sets forth remedies for violations. Bars imposition of damages, penalties, or forfeiture against any person or entity for an act done in compliance with notice received from a law enforcement agency.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2001
Fair Tax Treatment for Insurance Agents' Termination Payments Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to consider a qualified termination payment received from an insurance company by a former insurance salesman for such company as a sale or exchange of a capital asset held for more than 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Calls for a joint session of Congress in New York City, New York, during the 107th Congress at such date, time, and location as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may jointly select, for the purpose of conducting such business as the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore may consider appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Interim Budget Control and Enforcement Act of 2001-Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to increase discretionary spending limits for FY 2002. Requires the President's FY 2003 budget submission to identify emergency-designated funding that was enacted in response to the events of September 11, 2001, and that is ongoing and recurring in nature. Adjusts figures within the concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 2002 with regard to: (1) total new budget authority; (2) total budget outlays; (3) the surplus; (4) the public debt; (5) net interest; (6) and allowances. Requires the chairmen of the budget committees of each House to: (1) make the necessary conforming changes for FY 2003-2011 in each of such areas; and (2) make appropriate adjustments in the allocations to their respective Committees on Appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused their plane to crash prematurely on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2001
Victims of Terrorism Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from income taxes and the additional estate tax any individual who died as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, unless the individual was a perpetrator of the attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Professional Employer Organization Workers Benefits Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish provisions concerning certified professional employer organizations, including: (1) defining such organizations; (2) employment taxes and such organizations; and (3) employee benefits of such organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
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 · 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 · 24 July 2001
Medicare Managed Care Cost Contract Continuation Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to permit the indefinite extension of current Medicare managed care cost contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2001
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a Summer Emergency Blood Donor Month should be established to encourage eligible donors in the United States to donate blood.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2001
Health Care Access Improvement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit to qualified primary health services providers who establish practices in health professional shortage areas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Renewable Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2001 - Mandates that motor vehicle fuel introduced into commerce in calendar year 2002 and beyond be composed of specified percentages of renewable fuel. Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) adjustments to such percentages if the Secretary of Energy determines that an inadequate domestic supply or distribution capacity exists; and (2) a renewable fuel credit program. Empowers the Secretary to impose civil penalties and bring a civil action in Federal district court for non-compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Postal Service should: (1) provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to all communities, including rural areas and small towns where post offices may not be self-sustaining; and (2) take all necessary steps to ensure that post offices are not closed or consolidated.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Tax Empowerment and Relief for Farmers and Fishermen (TERFF) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an eligible commercial farmer or commercial fisherman a deduction (up to 20 percent of taxable income attributable to such business) for the amount paid in cash into a Farm, Fishing, and Ranch Risk Management Account. Amends the Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exclude net earnings from a lease agreement (currently, an arrangement) from income with respect to farmland. Treats conservation reserve program payments as real estate rentals for self-employment earnings purposes. Exempt certain small issue agriculture bonds from the State volume cap. Sets forth a rule for determining the allowable deduction for a charitable contribution of food inventory. Extends income averaging to income from the trade or business of catching, taking, or harvesting fish intended to enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade. Disregards income averaging for farmers and commercial fishermen in computing the regular alternative minimum tax. Declares, with respect to the treatment of S corporations and to the tax exemption for farmers' cooperatives, that cooperative marketing includes the value-added processing of the products of cooperative members and other producers through animals that is by: (1) feeding such products to cattle, hogs, fish, chickens, or other animals; and then (2) selling the resulting animals or animal products. Authorizes a U.S. district court to issue a declaratory judgment relating to the initial or continuing qualification of a farmers' cooperative as tax-exempt. Provides, with respect to the small ethanol producer credit, for: (1) authorizing credit allocation among a cooperative's patrons; (2) increasing the gallon capacity for eligible producers; (3) making the credit a non-passive income credit; and (4) removing the credit from the alcohol fuel credit gross income inclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rural mail carriers to treat qualified vehicle expenses in excess of reimbursements as miscellaneous itemized deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Retirement Security Advice Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to allow prohibited transaction exemptions under specified conditions to: (1) a fiduciary adviser's providing certain investment advice to an employee benefit plan or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan; (2) sale, acquisition, or holding of securities or other property (including any lending of money or other extension of credit associated with these) pursuant to such advice; and (3) direct or indirect receipt of fees or other compensation by the fiduciary adviser or an affiliate in connection with providing such advice.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Health and Higher Education Facilities Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a small tax-exempt bond issuer, the proceeds of the obligations of which are to be used to make or finance eligible loans for health care or educational purposes, to elect to apply specified current limitations on the amount of obligations by treating each borrower as the issuer of a separate issue.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) revision in the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment adjustment for rural hospitals equalizing DSH payment amounts; (2) a single, standardized amount under the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS); (3) treatment of certain physician pathology services; (4) elimination of the 15 percent reduction in payment rates under the Medicare PPS for home health services; (5) a permanent increase in the Medicare payment amount for home health services furnished in a rural area; and (6) exclusion of certain rural health clinic services and federally qualified health center services from the PPS for covered skilled nursing facility services. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to establish: (1) a capital infrastructure revolving loan program under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make described loans to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements from the loan and loan guarantee fund under PHSA; (2) a high technology acquisition grant and loan program under which the Secretary may award grants and make loans to any eligible entity for any costs incurred by the eligible entity in acquiring eligible equipment and services for improving the quality of health care in rural areas; and (3) a program of grants to eligible entities under which the Secretary shall award such grants to public or nonprofit private entities to establish telehealth resource centers for the health care needs of individuals in rural areas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income for income tax purposes any payments received under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001 - Sets forth the overall trade negotiating objectives of the United States for trade agreements (generally similar to the objectives of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (OTCA)), including to: (1) further strengthen the system of international trading disciplines and procedures, including dispute settlement; and (2) foster economic growth, raise living standards, and promote full employment in the United States and to enhance the global economy. Sets forth the principal U.S. negotiating objectives (generally similar to the principal OTCA negotiating objectives) regarding trade barriers and other trade distortions, trade in services, foreign investment, intellectual property, transparency, improvement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, foreign regulatory practices, electronic commerce, reciprocal trade in agriculture, and WTO extended negotiations. Requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consult closely with Congress during trade negotiations. Sets forth the authority of the President (generally similar to the authority under OTCA) to enter into trade agreements with foreign countries regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. States that a trade agreement may be entered into (before June 1, 2005; or June 1, 2007, if trade authorities procedures (or fast-track procedures) are extended under this Act) only if it makes progress in meeting the overall and principal trade negotiating objectives, and the President satisfies certain notification and consultation requirements set forth in this Act, including submission of the agreement for assessment by the International Trade Commission. Applies trade authorities procedures to bills implementing trade agreements if they consist of: (1) a provision approving a trade agreement entered into under this Act, and approving any statement of administrative action; and (2) if changes in existing laws or new statutory authority are required to implement such agreements, provisions necessary to implement them, either repealing or amending existing laws or providing new statutory law. Authorizes both Houses of Congress to adopt, within 60 days of each other, a procedural disapproval resolution denying trade authorities procedures to any trade agreement if the President has failed or refused to notify or consult with Congress about it. Exempts from the notice and consultation requirements of this Act any tariff or nontariff agreement which results from negotiations commenced before enactment of this Act, and which: (1) is entered into under the auspices of the WTO regarding the rules of origin work program; (2) is entered into with Chile or Singapore; or (3) establishes a Free Trade Area for the Americas. Requires the appointment of a Congressional Oversight Group to serve as advisor to the U.S. delegation after the President notifies Congress of his intention to enter into the negotiation of any tariff or nontariff trade agreement. Requires the President to submit an implementation and enforcement plan at the same time a final text of any tariff or nontariff trade agreement is submitted to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2001
Biofuels Air Quality Act - Amends Federal highway provisions (with respect to the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program) to direct the Secretary of Transportation to consider the extent to which a proposed project or program reduces sulfur or atmospheric carbon emissions. Allows States receiving minimum apportionments to use funds under the program for renewable fuel projects (specified below). Modifies provisions regarding renewable fuel projects to expand coverage to include: (1) publicly and nonprofit (currently, limited to privately) owned vehicles or vehicle fleets; and (2) costs of renewable fuel, consisting of any fuel produced from grain, oilseeds, or other biomass (including biodiesel), that is used to replace or reduce the quantity of fossil fuel present in a fuel mixture used to operate motor vehicles, and installation of capital equipment necessary for the conversion of storage and distribution facilities to carry renewable fuels or renewable fuel blends.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Amends the Organic Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain a list of each person that notifies the Secretary that it is a manufacturer or seller that is: (1) licensed to engage in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product; or (2) is a trade association representing such manufacturers or sellers. Declares that any lawful conduct carried out by a manufacturer or seller in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product, or lawful conduct carried out by a trade association in the course of representing such manufacturers or sellers, shall not be the basis for imposing a restriction on such commerce (the award of civil damages, equitable relief, or any other specified limitation) as a result of harm caused by the criminal or other unlawful misuse of such firearm or ammunition product by any other person.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Renewable Energy from Agricultural Products (REAP) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code respecting the credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources to: (1) extend the credit; (2) expand the scope of qualifying closed-loop facilities; (3) make qualifying biomass (other than closed-loop biomass) and biomass facilities eligible for the credit; and (4) include electricity produced from agricultural and animal waste within the credit. Establishes a reduced excise tax rate for qualified biodiesel mixtures. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to permit harvesting of switch grass on conservation reserve acreage for energy production purposes. Requires Federal diesel vehicles to use biodiesel fuel unless cost-prohibitive.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Ethanol Energy Promotion Act of 2001 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether as a fuel additive. Removes authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to waive the reformulated gasoline oxygen content requirement for an ozone nonattainment area. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations permitting a person who refines, blends, or imports and certifies gasoline with an oxygen content exceeding the minimum to take a volatility credit, based on the gasoline's ozone forming potential, to offset applicable Reid Vapor Pressure levels requirements. Requires Federal agency fleet vehicles to be certified as capable of using ethanol and to use ethanol wherever economically feasible. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the small ethanol producer credit to: (1) authorize credit allocation among a cooperative's patrons; (2) increase the gallon capacity for eligible producers; (3) make the credit a non-passive income credit; and (4) remove the credit from the alcohol fuel credit gross income inclusion.
![Official portrait of Rep. Nussle, Jim [R-IA-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/n000172_200.jpg)