United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Rachel Granger Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to authorize waivers by the Commissioner of Social Security of the five-month waiting period for entitlement to benefits based on disability in cases in which the Commissioner determines that such waiting period would cause undue hardship to terminally ill beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century - Amends Federal rail transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to designate high-speed rail infrastructure bonds if: (1) the bonds are issued by a State, or one or more of the States that have entered into an interstate compact under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, or by such compact; (2) such bonds are for financing projects that make a substantial contribution to providing the infrastructure required to complete a railroad passenger transportation corridor for high-speed intercity rail passenger service, or for projects for the Alaska Railroad; (3) for a railroad passenger transportation corridor design that includes the use of freight railroad rights-of-way, a written agreement exists between the applicant and the freight railroad regarding such use and other conditions are met; (4) the corridor design eliminates all existing railroad grade crossings that would impede high-speed rail operations; (5) the applicant agrees to comply with certain labor standards with respect to such project; and (6) the applicant agrees not to pay the principal or interest on the bonds using funds derived directly or indirectly from the Highway Trust Fund, except as permitted by existing law. Excludes the interest on such bonds from an individual's gross income. Requires any entity providing high-speed intercity passenger railroad transportation to negotiate over hiring and working conditions with the collective bargaining agent or agents of the employees of any exisitng rail passenger service it might be replacing. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain tax credits to holders of qualified high-speed rail infrastructure bonds. Makes corridor development activities (including the acquisition of locomotives, rolling stock, track, and signal equipment) eligible for Federal assistance. Amends specified Federal law to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to provide direct loans and loan guarantees for rail rehabilitation and improvement projects to State and local governments, interstate compacts, government sponsored authorities and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Amtrak Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for Amtrak for FY 2004 through 2006 for: (1) capital expenditures; (2) certain mandatory payments; and (3) Amtrak's contractual obligations for commuter and State-supported passenger rail service. Includes among mandatory Amtrak payments to the Treasury: (1) an amount equal to the tax Amtrak must pay as an employer under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act that is more than the amount needed for anticipated benefits for retirees and their beneficiaries; (2) amounts necessary to pay the contribution for employee unemployment benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act that are more than its obligations calculated on an experience-related basis; and (3) amounts necessary to pay railroad unemployment repayment taxes. Requires Amtrak to transmit to the Secretary of Transportation annually a comprehensive business plan, including targets for ridership and for each intercity train route (including Autotrain), revenues, and capital and operating expenses, and supplemental reports describing the work completed to date, any changes to the business plan, and the reasons for such changes. Prohibits the use of amounts appropriated under this Act to subsidize operating losses of commuter rail passenger or rail freight transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2003 - Repeals death penalty provisions for a wide range of specified offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Federal criminal code (the code), the Controlled Substances Act, and other statutes, including for murder relating to the smuggling of aliens, murder during a hostage-taking, and certain non-homicide-related offenses (espionage and treason). Repeals code procedures relating to imposition of the death sentence. Prohibits sentencing to death or putting to death any person for any violation of Federal law. Directs that any person sentenced to death before the date of this Act's enactment for any such violation serve a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Salute to Veterans and the Armed Forces Act of 2003 - Allows the full payment of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, without deduction from either (current law), without the enactment of qualifying offsetting legislation. Repeals: (1) special compensation programs for certain severely disabled and combat-disabled military retirees; and (2) provisions requiring a dependency and indemnity compensation offset from surviving spouse annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Defense, for fiscal years after 2005, to provide a percentage increase in the higher learning cost index for determining basic educational assistance amounts. Directs the Secretary to pay a bonus to members who, at any time during service under Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, satisfied eligibility requirements for the receipt of special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. Directs the Secretary of Homeland to provide such bonus to qualifying Coast Guard members. Authorizes additional appropriations for veterans' improved access to medical care. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make interim payments under claims for veterans' benefits when the final decision regarding the payment of such benefits is delayed following remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the Board for Veterans' Appeals to the Secretary for expedited consideration. Prohibits with respect to veterans: (1) increases in medication copayments; and (2) the imposition of health care enrollment fees. Requires the: (1) Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Labor to provide appropriate information concerning veterans' benefits and employment opportunities; and (2) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prepare an annual plan for the conduct of veterans' outreach activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to place the maximum individual income tax rate at 38.6 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Public Private Partnership Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to enter into agreements with non-Federal entities for: (1) the acquisition, lease, construction, rehabilitation, operation, maintenance, or use of real property under the jurisdiction of the General Services Administration (GSA) or another landholding agency; or (2) other activities relating to the property deemed appropriate by the Administrator. Allows the Administrator to enter into such agreements with regard to real property under the jurisdiction of non-GSA landholding agencies only upon the request of the head of the agency and a determination by that agency head that the property is not excess property. Sets forth terms and conditions for agreements. Requires fair consideration and authorizes in-kind consideration. Authorizes the Administrator to convey interests in real property to nonfederal entities. Exempts agreements pursuant to this Act from the congressional approval requirement of existing law. Allows the Administrator to waive other specified legal requirements as necessary. Requires the Administrator to transmit a report on the proposed agreement to Congress as a prerequisite to entering into an agreement. Requires proceeds from agreements to be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund. Provides for the recovery of expenses incurred with respect to agreements. States that the Administrator's authority to enter into agreements pursuant to this Act shall expire six years from enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Water Resources Development Act of 2003 - Authorizes and provides for specified water resources development and conservation projects. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out: specified projects for flood damage reduction and environmental restoration in California and Colorado; a project for hurricane and storm damage reduction in Louisiana; a project for environmental restoration and protection in Maryland; projects for navigation and environmental restoration in Texas; and a bridge replacement project in Virginia. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies of specified flood damage reduction, streambank and shoreline protection, navigation, environmental improvement, and aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, and authorizes the Secretary to carry out those projects determined to be feasible, in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington. Authorizes the Secretary to establish centers to provide specialized planning expertise for water resources projects to enhance and supplement the capabilities of districts of the Army Corps of Engineers. Sets forth provisions for: (1) coordination and scheduling by the Secretary for consolidating Federal, State, and local agency environmental assessments, project reviews, and issuance of permits for construction or modification of nonfederal water supply, wastewater infrastructure, flood damage reduction, environmental restoration, or navigation projects that require the Secretary's approval; and (2) expediting environmental reviews of water resources projects subject to studies for development of feasibility or general reevaluation reports. Modifies provisions authorizing specified water projects in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Deauthorizes specified projects or portions of projects in California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. Sets forth provisions modifying, requiring, or setting forth additional requirements for specified project studies. Provides for: (1) maintenance of navigation channels; (2) watershed management; (3) dam safety; (4) flood mitigation; and (5) additional assistance for authorized projects. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake certain additional measures with respect to specified projects in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arkansas and Missouri, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon and Washington, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania and New York, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Pedestrian and Cyclist Equity Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish and carry out a transportation and active living program to create, enhance, and promote, through changes in transportation, community design, and architectural policies and programs, community environments that improve opportunities for people to be physically active in their daily lives. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State, local, and regional agencies, including nonprofit organizations, for eligible activities. Authorizes the Secretary to consider initiatives that: (1) adopt community design, land use, and transportation policies to promote active living or remove barriers to physical activity; and (2) implement communications and marketing strategies to promote physical activity. Requires the Secretary to establish and carry out a safe routes to school program for the benefit of children in primary and middle schools. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants to a national nonprofit organization to operate a national safe routes to school clearinghouse; and (2) establish a national safe routes to school task force. Allows amounts apportioned to a State to be used for the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure-related projects (including sidewalk improvements) and for non-infrastructure-related activities (including public awareness campaigns) to encourage walking and bicycling to school. Requires the Secretary to establish and carry out a non-motorized transportation pilot program, including developing specified statistical information and assessing how changes promote livable community concepts, decreased traffic and energy usage, a cleaner environment, and healthier lifestyles.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Paul Wellstone Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Amends the American Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2002 to exempt a country that has concluded a protocol for its accession to NATO from the prohibition against the provision of U.S. military assistance to a country that is a party to the International Criminal Court.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Fairness to All Vietnam Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to Congress: (1) to identify veterans who died after October 31, 1955, as a result of military operations in southeast Asia whose names are not eligible for inscription on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and (2) on the feasibility and equitability of revising the eligibility requirements to be more inclusive of such veterans or of creating an alternative means for recognizing them, including alternatives involving an education center at the Memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration and authorize appropriations for economic development assistance programs for FY 2004 though 2008. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide technical assistance for economic development activities and partnerships to non-profit entities; (2) convene meetings with Federal agencies, State and local governments, economic development districts, Indian tribes, and other appropriate planning and development organizations to improve coordination between Federal agencies; (3) increase the Federal share of project grants; (4) make training, research, and technical assistance grants for studies to evaluate the effectiveness of coordinating funded projects with projects funded under other acts; (5) issue regulations to maintain the proper operation and financial integrity of revolving loan funds established by assistance recipients; (6) approve the use of excess funds to increase the Federal share of a project's cost; (7) determine that a grant recipient is unable to comply with comprehensive economic development strategy requirements and designate the area represented by the recipient as a special impact area; (8) make performance incentive grants and establish performance measures in connection with project grants; and (9) make grants for projects to expand, redevelop, or reuse brownfield sites and for a project for the development of brightfield sites. Requires the Secretary to ensure that grants under such Act will promote job creation and will have a high probability of meeting performance requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Expresses appreciation to the people and Government of Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and Government of the United States. Congratulates Canada as it celebrates its annual Canada Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Requests the President to inform Congress and the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) regarding U.S. efforts and measures taken with respect to implementation and observance of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and certain UN resolutions calling for U.S. and world nuclear disarmament. Calls on the President to implement and observe all NPT obligations and commitments and to revise national policies on nuclear weapons accordingly. Urges the President, in the interests of protecting and advancing human, national, and global security, to: (1) declare unconditionally that the United States will not use nuclear weapons first, and that pending their elimination, such weapons serve only to deter a nuclear attack by a hostile state or other entity; (2) initiate and conclude multilateral negotiations on verifiable steps nuclear states, including the United States, shall take to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons; (3) cooperate with the Russian Federation to remove from deployment nuclear weapons that are operational; (4) reaffirm the moratorium on nuclear testing and work for ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; and (5) terminate all efforts to enhance U.S. military capabilities of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and to develop ballistic missile defenses.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2003
Prescription Drug Parity for Americans Act - Amends provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act set forth in the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000 to: (1) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations permitting pharmacists and wholesalers to import Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription drugs from Canada (currently, from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, the countries in the European Union and the European Free Trade Association, or other countries designated by the Secretary); and (2) exclude an infused or intravenously injected drug or a drug that is inhaled during surgery. Prohibits discrimination in the sale of prescription drugs by manufacturers to pharmacists or wholesalers, requiring: (1) terms as favorable as those provided to foreign purchasers; and (2) full access to drugs permitted to be imported. Continues the requirement that exported donated prescription drugs may only be reimported by the manufacturer. Permits the Secretary to waive the prohibition against importing a prescription drug or device on a case-by-case basis, particularly those from Canada that are FDA-approved and for limited personal use. Requires a study and report by the: (1) Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences on the regulatory compliance of importers of drugs; and (2) Comptroller General on how drug prices were affected.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Coast Guard (CG). Sets forth authorized FY 2004 levels of CG active duty military personnel and average military training student loads. Revises specified requirements relating to CG management. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) to authorize the Secretary of the Department in which the CG is operating (the CG Secretary) to prohibit the use on the bridge of vessels of certain electric and electronic devices that interfere with communications or navigation equipment, if the CG determines they pose a threat to the safety of vessels. Allows removal of the Inland Navigation Rules from Federal statutory law if the CG Secretary promulgates Inland Navigation Rules through a regulatory proceeding and such regulations become effective. Allows suspension as an alternative to the currently required revocation of a merchant mariner's credentials (MMC) in cases of dangerous drug convictions. Requires foreign flag vessels departing and returning to the same U.S. port, or returning to another port under U.S. jurisdiction, to comply with the International Safety Management Code when any part of the voyage occurs on the high seas. Increases maximum civil penalties for failure to comply with recreational vessel and associated equipment safety standards. Extends such penalties to wrongful labeling and failure to notify of a recall. Authorizes suspension or revocation of MMC if the mariner commits an act of incompetence whether or not the mariner is acting under the authority of the MMC at the time the act occurs. Adds security threat as a basis for which the Secretary may suspend or revoke an MMC. Authorizes the CG Secretary to prescribe maximum hours of service for individuals engaged on a towing vessel that is required to have a licensed operator under specified Federal law. Requires shipboard automatic identification systems to include electronic charts and related displays. Authorizes the CG to conduct examinations to ensure that a passenger vessel calling on a U.S. port complies with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, if a U.S. citizen passenger is aboard, and to prevent such vessel's departure in cases of noncompliance. Increases civil penalties for violations of certain Federal laws and regulations relating to bridges.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act - Redefines the term "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: (1) Federal employees not otherwise covered by such term whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; and (2) such employees of the Internal Revenue Service whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns. Requires that such service which is performed by an incumbent law enforcement officer be treated: (1) on or after the enactment date of this Act, for all purposes, as service performed as a law enforcement officer, irrespective of how such service is treated under the following; and (2) before, on, or after such date, for purposes of CSRS and FERS, as service performed as such an officer, but only if an appropriate written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management five years after such date or before separation from Government service, whichever is earlier. Provides that nothing under current law respecting mandatory separation from Government service under CSRS or FERS shall cause the involuntary separation of an officer before the end of the three-year period beginning on such date.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Protect Diversity in Media Act - Invalidates the final rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pursuant to its broadcast media ownership proceeding and announced on June 2, 2003. Reinstates (retroactively, as in effect prior to such announcement) any rule that the FCC modified pursuant to that proceeding. Prohibits the FCC from using current biennial rule review authority to review broadcast media ownership rules.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Reauthorizes programs under the Public Works and Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 1965 (PWEDA). Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide technical assistance to nonprofit organizations in establishing economic development partnerships; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with any two or more States in support of effective economic development. Amends PWEDA provisions concerning grants for planning and administrative expenses to: (1) require State plans developed with such assistance to consider regional economic development strategies; (2) repeal requirements for certification by the Secretary of State plans; and (3) provide for a State's comprehensive planning process to consider the provision of public works to assist in carrying out the State's workforce investment strategy. Amends provisions concerning cost sharing provisions to: (1) require the Secretary to establish grant rates for projects based on the relative needs of the project areas; and (2) allow the Secretary to increase the Federal share to up to 100 percent of the cost of projects for Indian tribes and certain States, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations and to assist certain eligible recipients through supplementary grants through designated Federal grant programs. Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) allocations of assistance promote job creation through increased innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship; and (2) financial assistance extended pursuant to such allocations will have a high probability of meeting performance requirements. Permits grants for training, research, and technical assistance to be used for studies that evaluate the effectiveness of collaborations between projects funded under PWEDA with projects funded under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure proper operation and financial integrity of revolving loan funds established by eligible recipients. Revises requirements for the use of grant funds for projects constructed under projected costs. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants, enter into contracts, and provide technical assistance for projects and programs in special impact areas; and (2) award transferable performance credits that do not exceed ten percent of the grant amount awarded for certain projects. Requires comprehensive economic development strategies to maximize effective development and use of the workforce consistent with any applicable State and local workforce investment strategy. Requires: (1) the Secretary alone to approve comprehensive economic development strategies of proposed economic development districts; and (2) copies of such strategies to be provided to districts in regions covered by the Delta Regional Authority, Denali Commission, or Northern Great Plains Regional Authority. Requires the Secretary to maintain the central information clearinghouse on the Internet, with links to State economic development organizations and economic development resources. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for: (1) economic development assistance programs; and (2) salaries and administrative expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise requirements for health care programs and services for Indians, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Provides for enrollment of qualified Indians in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as Medicare under SSA title XVIII and Medicaid under SSA title XIX (as under current law). Replaces the Urban Health Programs Branch with an Office for Urban Indian Health. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to consolidate certain existing programs into a new program of comprehensive behavioral health, prevention, treatment, and aftercare for Indian tribes. Establishes the National Bi-Partisan Indian Health Care Entitlement Commission to: (1) establish a Study Committee to study the extent of Indian health services needs; (2) review and analyze the Study Committee's report; and (3) make recommendations to Congress for providing health services for Indians as an entitlement. Reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act through FY 2015. Amends SSA titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (SCHIP) to conform with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2003
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to compensate States for incarcerating undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2003
Supports payment rates for rural physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers that are adequate, and equitable to their urban counterparts. Encourages Federal efforts to address the current inequities in Medicare reimbursement rates and to ensure access to quality, affordable health care.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Keeping Our Promises to America's Children Act of 2003 - Provides a moratorium on compliance with certain requirements for adequate yearly progress under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA), for any fiscal year in which amounts appropriated are less than those authorized for the applicable program, project, or activity under ESEA title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) (I-A). Authorizes State or local educational agencies that are recipients of I-A funds to defer commencing, suspend, or modify their administering functions under such requirements with respect to such program, project or activity. Directs the Secretary of Education to ensure that otherwise applicable negative consequences shall not apply to such recipients because of such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Resolution of 2003 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Federal tax collection services should not be paid for on the basis of a commission or as a percentage of taxes collected.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Railroad Safety Reform Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to revise: (1) the hours of duty limitations with respect to train employees, signal employees, dispatching service employees, and power directors; and (2) certain sleeping quarters limitations with respect to train employees (including signal employees), and individuals employed to maintain the right of way of a railroad carrier. Requires the carrier to provide, among other things, a separate bedroom for each employee or individual. Requires each Class I and Class II railroad carrier to submit to the Secretary of Transportation a fatigue management plan designed to reduce fatigue experienced by railroad employees and the likelihood of accidents and injuries caused by such fatigue. Sets forth certain limitations on duty hours of transport vehicle drivers. Revises certain employee protection requirements prohibiting a railroad carrier from discharging or discriminating against an employee. Prohibits the carrier from threatening, intimidating, or disciplining for, or preventing an employee from notifying such carrier of certain railroad accident/injury-related or hazardous condition information. Makes it unlawful for any person to interfere with a railroad safety investigation, or to influence the testimony of any person or prevent a person from attending such investigation. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Revises grade crossing safety requirements to require each railroad carrier to: (1) establish a toll-free telephone service to report grade crossing problems; (2) notify trains operating near a grade crossing of any problems there; and (3) ensure placement of signs at each grade crossing displaying toll-free telephone information. Prescribes requirements for: (1) all passenger railroad cars to have emergency windows; (2) installation of passenger railroad signals; and (3) internal and compartmentalized fuel tanks on passenger locomotives. Sets forth certain railroad safety rulemaking and enforcement provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
States that the House of Representatives supports the efforts of organizations such as Second Harvest to provide emergency food assistance to hungry people in the United States, and encourages all Americans to provide volunteer services and other support for local antihunger advocacy efforts and hunger relief charities, including food banks, food rescue organizations, food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 2001 East Willard Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Robert A. Borski Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY 2005 130 percent of the amount obligated during FY 2003. Adjusts the amount provided for fiscal years after FY 2005 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of other persons eligible but not enrolled who are provided care, multiplied by the per capital baseline amount for FY 2003, as increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits the availability of such funds for: (1) construction, acquisition, or alteration of veterans' medical facilities (other than for repairs provided for before the date of enactment of this Act); or (2) grants for the construction of State home facilities for the furnishing of veterans' domiciliary, nursing home, and hospital care.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Rural Provider Equity Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), the Public Health Service Act, and other Federal law with respect to rural health care, especially: (1) physician reimbursement; (2) rural health clinics and community health centers; (3) home health services and hospice care; (4) air and ground ambulance services; (5) mental health care accessibility; and (6) rural health services research. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any loan payments under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Working Taxpayer Fairness Restoration Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the refundability of the child tax credit, to accelerate the increase to the 15 percent rate. Limits, to fair market value immediately following a transaction, the importation of net built-in loss by a corporation. Prohibits an allocation of any decrease in the adjusted basis of partnership property to stock in a corporation which is a partner in the partnership. Repeals part V (Financial Asset Securitization Investment Trusts) of subchapter M (Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts). Expands the definition of a disqualified debt instrument with respect to deduction disallowance on certain debt instruments of corporations. Expands the authority to disallow deductions, credits, or other allowances under provisions disallowing such benefits due to acquisitions made to evade or avoid income tax. Amends provisions affecting passive foreign investment companies to state that the term "qualified portion" (of a shareholder's holding period) does not include any period if there is only a remote likelihood of an inclusion in gross income under subpart F (Controlled Foreign Income). Adds to the definition of the term "real estate investment trust" by stating that such term includes a corporation, trust, or association which is not a controlled entity. Directs the Secretary to establish a program requiring the payment of user fees, until September 30, 2013, for: (1) requests to the Internal Revenue Service for ruling letters, opinion letters, and determination letters; and (2) other similar requests.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2003
Working Families Tax Credit Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) accelerate and increase the refundability of the child tax credit to the 15 percent rate; and (2) include combat pay (otherwise excludable from gross income) as earned income for purposes of determining such refundability. Increases the earned income credit phaseout amount on a joint return by $3,000. Revises tax shelter provisions to, among other things: (1) define economic substance; (2) impose a penalty for the failure to include in a return information concerning a reportable transaction, a reportable transaction understatement (including imposing the penalty for certain understatements which were based on unreasonable legal or factual assumptions), a noneconomic substance transaction understatement, and interests in foreign financial accounts; (3) modify rules concerning the failure to furnish information regarding reportable transactions and the penalty for such failure, the failure to maintain lists of investors in potentially abusive tax shelters and the penalty for such failure, the authority to seek an injunction to enjoin promoters of abusive tax shelters; and (4) deny a deduction of interest on underpayments attributable to nondisclosed reportable transactions and noneconomic substance transactions. Amends other provisions to, among other things: (1) place a limit on the transfer or importation by a corporation of built-in losses; (2) provide for the partnership treatment of certain contributed property with a built-in loss; (3) repeal part V (Financial Asset Securitization Investment Trusts) of subchapter M (Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts); and (4) modify rules concerning the disallowance of a deduction on certain debt instruments of corporations, passive foreign investment companies, and the reduction in a corporate shareholder's basis in stock by the nontaxed portion of extraordinary dividends. Revises corporate expatriation provisions to treat acquiring corporations in "corporate expatriation transactions" as domestic corporations. Defines a "corporate expatriation transaction" as, with certain exceptions, one in which a "nominally foreign corporation" acquires substantially all of the properties held by a domestic corporation and in which, immediately after the transaction, more than 80 percent of the stock of the acquiring corporation is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation. Lowers the 80 percent threshold to 50 percent when the acquiring "nominally foreign corporation" lacks substantial business activities in the foreign country in which it was created and organized compared to the total activities of the "expanded affiliated group" and the stock is publicly traded, with the principal market of trading being the United States. Defines the terms "nominally foreign corporation" and "expanded affiliated group." Applies similar rules to partnership transactions. Establishes that a series of related transactions relevant to the Act shall be handled as a single transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act - Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor to prepare and publish a monthly Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI) that indicates changes over time in expenditures for consumption which are typical for individuals aged 62 years or older. Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the use of such new CPI in the computation of cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits under such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Help Expand Access to Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for parity in the application of treatment limitations and financial requirements to substance abuse treatment benefits under group health plans and individual health insurance coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that a minute of silence should be observed annually at 11: 00 a.m. on Veterans Day, November 11, in honor of the veterans of all U.S. wars and to memorialize those members of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in the defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Surface Transportation Board Reform Act of 2003 - Declares as primary objectives for U.S. rail transportation policy: (1) ensuring effective competition among rail carriers at origin and destination; (2) maintaining reasonable rates in the absence of such competition; (3) maintaining consistent and efficient rail transportation service to shippers, including the timely provision of railcars requested by them; and (4) ensuring that smaller carload and intermodal shippers are not precluded from assessing rail systems due to volume requirements. Requires a rail carrier, upon a shipper's request, to establish a rail transportation rate. Requires the Surface Transportation Board, if a shipper challenges the reasonableness of such a rate, to then determine its reasonableness without regard to specified factors. Sets forth certain requirements with respect to: (1) acceptance of requests for grain service by rail carriers; and (2) the Board's mandate to require terminal facilities owned by a rail carrier providing rail transportation to be used by another rail carrier. Requires the Board in a proceeding involving the approval of the merger or control of at least two Class I railroads to consider, among other things, at least the: (1) safety and environmental effects of the proposed transaction; and (2) the effect of such transaction on rail passenger transportation. Sets forth certain requirements with respect to: (1) the Board ensuring that commuter authorities are able to provide commuter rail passenger transportation that meets the commuter rail passenger transportation needs of the United States; and (2) water carriers making their tariffs containing the rates established for their transportation or service available electronically to any person.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit a State from prescribing or enforcing any regulation that allows a restricted property-carrying unit (any trailer, semi-trailer, container, or other property-carrying unit longer than 53 feet, except for a fire-fighting unit) to operate on the National Highway System (including the Interstate System), unless the operation of such unit is authorized by the State on June 1, 2003, and in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including seasonal operations) on or before that date. Prohibits a State from allowing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle combination on the National Highway System (except a vehicle or load that cannot be dismantled or divided easily, and that has been issued a special permit under State law) with more than one property-carrying unit (excluding the truck tractor) whose property-carrying units are more than: (1) the maximum combination trailer, semi-trailer, or other type of length limitation allowed by State law on June 1, 2003; or (2) the length of the property-carrying units of those commercial motor vehicle combinations, by specific configuration, in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including continual seasonal operation) in such State on or before June 1, 2003. Permits a commercial motor vehicle combination authorized in a State to continue to operate on System highways provided it is in compliance with State law, including routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions in force in the State on June 1, 2003. Amends Federal highway law to prohibit a State from allowing the operation of a vehicle or combination (other than a longer combination vehicle) exceeding Interstate weight limits on the Interstate System unless its operation was lawful: (1) on July 1, 1956; (2) in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974; or (3) under a special permit pursuant to State (grandfather) law. Subjects such vehicles and combinations to all routing-specific, commodity-specific, and weight-specific designations in force in such State on June 1, 2003. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the operation of vehicles and loads which cannot be easily dismantled or divided (nondivisible loads) on the Federal-aid highway system as they relate to Interstate weight limitations; and (2) waiver of weight limitations for vehicles that operate on the Federal-aid highway system during periods of national emergency. Declares that Interstate weight limitations on vehicles and combinations (other than longer combination vehicles) that operate on the Interstate System shall also apply to such vehicles and combinations that operate on non-Interstate segments of the National Highway System, unless: (1) such segments are subject to lower State weight limits; or (2) a State allows the operation of any vehicle or combination on an existing non-Interstate segment of the National Highway System that could be so operated lawfully on June 1, 2003. Requires establishment of a model schedule of fines for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2003
Aviation Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2003 - Restates and recodifies provisions of Federal transportation law relating to the administrative and aviation security functions of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that were transferred from the Department of Transportation to the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Creates an Office of Small Business Ombudsman within the TSA. Directs the Under Secretary of Border and Transportation Security in DHS to give priority to developing, testing, improving, and deploying technology at passenger screening checkpoints that will detect non-metallic weapons and explosives on passengers or in their carry-on luggage. Prohibits aircraft from flying within a certain distance of sport stadiums unless specified conditions are met. Authorizes the Under Secretary to establish a program to certify explosives detection canine and handler teams. Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) make grants to airport sponsors for airport security improvement projects; and (2) complete a security review and audit of foreign aircraft repair stations. Directs the Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration to issue an order amending, modifying, suspending, or revoking an air carrier certificate if notified by the Under Secretary that the certificate holder poses, or is suspected of posing, a risk of air piracy or terrorism or a threat to airline or passenger safety. Increases certain civil penalties for violations of aviation security laws. Exempts certain charter airline operations that provide transportation for the armed forces from provisions of this Act and the Aviation and Transportation Security Act . Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) allow non-scheduled air carriers to operate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport under an approved security plan; (2) conduct a pilot program for cargo security; (3) implement a trusted traveler program; (4) report to Congress on security threats faced by U.S. airports and on blast-resistant cargo container technology; and (5) reimburse air carriers and airports for the cost of certain screening activities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Flight 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2007 for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including: (1) air navigation facilities and equipment; and (2) airport and noise compatibility planning and development. Extends the current authority of the Secretary of Transportation to provide air carrier insurance and reinsurance through calendar 2007, after which limits are imposed. Airport Streamlining Approval Process Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a coordinated review process for airport capacity enhancement projects at congested airports. Directs the FAA Administrator to convert the Air Traffic Services Subcommittee of the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council into an independent Air Traffic Services Board. Establishes in the FAA a Small Business Ombudsman. Revises requirements with respect to airline service improvements, involving among other things: (1) data on incidents and complaints involving passenger and baggage security screening; (2) conversion of ground support equipment or airport-owned vehicles to low-emission technology; (3) the passenger facility fee program; (4) overflights of national parks; (5) a collaborative decision-making pilot program; (6) availability of aircraft accident site information; (7) slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; (8) small community air service and the essential air service program, including a community and regional choice alternate essential air service pilot program; (9) action for de novo review in U.S. district court of a discrimination complaint by an employee providing air safety information; (10) agreements to permit use of type certificates by other persons; (11) design organization certificates; (12) runway safety standards; (13) availability of maintenance information; (14) flight attendant certification; (15) a civil penalty for closure of an airport without providing sufficient notice; (16) improvement of curriculum standards for aviation maintenance technicians; (17) a task force on future of air transportation system; (18) air quality in aircraft cabins; (19) a task force on enhanced transfer of applications of technology for military aircraft to civilian aircraft; (20) reimbursement for losses incurred by general aviation entities; (21) impasse procedures for national association of air traffic specialists; (22) FAA inspector training; (23) a prohibition on air traffic control privatization; and (24) reduced airfares for members of the Armed Forces on commercial U.S. flights. Revises requirements relating to airport development and involving among other things: (1) security costs at small airports; (2) runway safety areas; (3) proceeds from disposition of land acquired for noise compatibility purposes; (4) hangar construction grant assurances; (5) costs of construction or modification of public parking facilities for security purposes; (6) formulae for apportionments to primary airports and cargo airports; (7) considerations in making discretionary grants; (8) flexible funding for nonprimary airport apportionments; (9) use of apportioned amounts for noise mitigation projects; (10) increased funding for the military airport program and air traffic control contract towers; (11) 100 percent Federal share of the cost of airport safety data collection by a private contractor; (12) the use of revenues in the airport privatization pilot program; (13) further limitations on innovative financing techniques for airport development projects; (14) emission credits for air quality projects and an airport ground support equipment emissions retrofit pilot program; (15) compatible land use planning and projects by State and local governments; and (16) funding for Midway Island Airport.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2003
Emergency DNA Backlog Elimination and Self Defense from Serial Killers Act of 2003 - Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations and increase grant amounts for analysis and processing of DNA evidence kit backlogs and of DNA samples from convicted offenders and crime scenes. Directs that priority be provided to those municipalities documented by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to possess a serial killer. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for grants to States that are documented by the FBI to possess a serial killer, to eliminate the backlog in carrying out DNA analyses of specified samples. Directs that grant applications include each offense under State law for which a sentence of death or imprisonment at hard labor may be imposed. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States documented to possess a serial killer to be used by the State to promote and develop self-defense classes, with not less than 15 percent of the grant amount used for firearms training. Requires the Director of the FBI to establish a Serial Killer Program within its General Criminal Investigative Division.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2003
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 - Reauthorizes the Federal-aid surface transportation program through FY 2009. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to establish: (1) an Infrastructure Performance and Maintenance Program; (2) a freight transportation gateways program; (3) a National Blue Ribbon Commission on Highway Safety; (4) a highway safety improvement program; and (5) a multi-modal energy and climate change program. Modifies provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century regarding ozone and particulate matter standards, and the regional haze program. Directs: (1) the Secretary to design and implement a discretionary grant program to reduce impaired driving; and (2) the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services. Federal Public Transportation Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary to establish a Planning Capacity Building Program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants for new transportation services; and (2) make grants to sub-recipients of State and local governmental authorities in financing specified capital projects. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) major capital investment program grants; and (2) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration administrative expenses. Directs: (1) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator to establish a Medical Review Board; and (2) the Secretary to carry out a motor carrier research, development, and technology (RD&T) program. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) a surface transportation RD&T deployment program; (2) training and education; (3) the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; (4) university transportation research; (5) intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research; and (6) high speed rail. Establishes an Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics. Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing ITS program to advance nationwide deployment. Requires: (1) designated metropolitan planning organizations to develop transportation plans for metropolitan planning areas of the State; and (2) each State to develop a statewide transportation improvement program. Directs: (1) the U.S. Postal Service to prescribe regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous material in the mail; (2) the Secretary to monitor public-sector emergency response planning and training for hazardous material incidents; and (3) the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an Emergency Preparedness Fund account. Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish sanitary transportation practices to avoid the adulteration of food. Surface Transportation Revenue Act of 2004 - Extends certain highway-related taxes and tax benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Export Freedom to Cuba Act of 2003 - Prohibits the President from regulating or prohibiting travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or legal residents, or any of specified transactions incident to such travel. Declares that: (1) this prohibition does not authorize the importation into the United States of any goods for personal consumption acquired in Cuba; and (2) the restrictions on authority contained in this Act do not apply in a case in which the United States is at war with Cuba, armed hostilities between the two countries are in progress, or there is imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of U.S. travelers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2003
Preservation of Localism, Program Diversity, and Competition in Television Broadcast Service Act of 2003 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from permitting any license for a commercial television broadcast station to be granted, transferred, or assigned to any party if such action would result in that party owning, operating, controlling, or having a cognizable interest in stations which have an aggregate national audience reach exceeding 35 percent. Requires any party currently having licenses in excess of such limit to divest as necessary to comply with such limit within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2003
Jobs and Growth Reconciliation Tax Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accelerate: (1) the increase in the child care credit and the increase in the refundable portion of the credit; (2) the increase in the standard deduction for joint filers to twice that of single filers; and (3) the expansion of the ten percent bracket for married taxpayers filing jointly. Increases the earned income credit phase-out amount on a joint return by $3,000. Extends the work opportunity credit to long-term unemployed individuals. Unemployment Benefits Extension Act - Amends the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 (TEUCA) to: (1) extend the TEUC program; (2) provide for additional weeks of TEUC benefits; (3) revise unemployment rate triggers for TEUC benefit periods; and (4) provide for regular unemployment compensation for certain individuals based on part-time work or an alternative base period. Establishes a program of payments to States to provide: (1) regular unemployment compensation benefits for individuals who otherwise would be ineligible because the base period does not count wages earned in the most recently completed calendar quarter or the individuals seek or are available for less than full-time work; and (2) enhanced unemployment benefits. Establishes in the Treasury the Pressing Domestic Needs Trust Fund. Increases: (1) and extends certain bonus depreciation provisions; and (2) small business expensing limits. Allows a ten percent deduction for income attributable to a corporation's domestic production, with a 2006 through 2009 phase-in period. Eliminates: (1) top individual income tax rate reductions scheduled to began as of 2004 (provides for restoration under specified circumstances); and (2) scheduled elimination of income-based phase-outs for deductions and personal exemptions. Repeals the extraterritorial income exclusion, with a 2004 through 2008 phase-in period. Revises tax shelter provisions to, among other things: (1) define economic substance; (2) impose a penalty for the failure to include in a return information concerning a reportable transaction, a reportable transaction understatement (including imposing the penalty for certain understatements which were based on unreasonable legal or factual assumptions), a noneconomic substance transaction understatement, and interests in foreign financial accounts; (3) modify rules concerning the failure to furnish information regarding reportable transactions and the penalty for such failure, the failure to maintain lists of investors in potentially abusive tax shelters and the penalty for such failure, the authority to seek an injunction to enjoin promoters of abusive tax shelters; and (4) deny a deduction of interest on underpayments attributable to nondisclosed reportable transactions and noneconomic substance transactions. Amends other provisions to, among other things: (1) place a limit on the transfer or importation by a corporation of built-in losses; (2) provide for the partnership treatment of certain contributed property with a built-in loss; (3) repeal part V (Financial Asset Securitization Investment Trusts) of subchapter M (Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts); and (4) modify rules concerning the disallowance of a deduction on certain debt instruments of corporations, passive foreign investment companies, and the reduction in a corporate shareholder's basis in stock by the nontaxed portion of extraordinary dividends. Revises corporate expatriation provisions to treat acquiring corporations in "corporate expatriation transactions" as domestic corporations. Defines a "corporate expatriation transaction" as, with certain exceptions, one in which a "nominally foreign corporation" acquires substantially all of the properties held by a domestic corporation and in which, immediately after the transaction, more than 80 percent of the stock of the acquiring corporation is held by former shareholders of the domestic corporation. Lowers the 80 percent threshold to 50 percent when the acquiring "nominally foreign corporation" lacks substantial business activities in the foreign country in which it was created and organized compared to the total activities of the "expanded affiliated group" and the stock is publicly traded, with the principal market of trading being the United States. Defines the terms "nominally foreign corporation" an "expanded affiliated group." Applies similar rules to partnership transactions. Establishes that a series of related transactions relevant to the Act shall be handled as a single transaction. Includes funded deferred compensation in the gross income of certain disqualified employees (corporate insiders).
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2003
Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund for the deposit of income, gift, and estate taxes paid by or on behalf of taxpayers: (1) who are designated conscientious objectors opposed to participation in war in any form based upon the taxpayer's deeply held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs or training (within the meaning of the Military Selective Service Act); and (2) who have certified these beliefs in writing. Requires that funds in the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund be allocated annually to any appropriation not for a military purpose. Declares the sense of Congress that any Treasury increase resulting from the creation of the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the purposes of the Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 or Laci and Conner's Law - Provides that: (1) whoever engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes) and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense; and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Specifies that a violation of such provisions does not require proof that: (1) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or (2) the defendant (or accused) intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child. Prohibits imposition of the death penalty for an offense under this Act. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) of any person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Health Care Tax Credit Enhancement for Workers and Steel Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the trade adjustment assistance-related health care tax credit to: (1) decrease age eligibility for Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation pension recipients; (2) eliminate the three-month coverage requirement concerning State-based coverage; and (3) revise covered month eligibility for the spouse of an individual entitled to Medicare. States that the steel import licensing and monitoring program established by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce shall remain in effect until not later than March 6, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) restrict the application of the windfall elimination provision to individuals whose combined monthly income from the individual's primary insurance amount under such title and the portion of the monthly periodic payment attributable to noncovered service performed after 1956 exceeds $2,000; and (2) provide for a graduated implementation of such provision by specified percentages with respect to incremental amounts above such threshold, up to 100 percent for combined amounts over $3,000.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Calls for the establishment of a National Truck Safety Month to raise public awareness about the contributions, responsibilities, and needs of truck drivers to make the Nation's highways safer.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Communications Commission should: (1) not weaken any current media ownership rules that protect people's access to diverse sources of information; (2) examine, and better inform the public regarding, the consequences of weakening such rules; and (3) allow for extensive public review and comment on proposed changes to such rules before issuing a final rule.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects (fuels projects) on specified types of Federal lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to give priority to fuels projects that provide for the protection of communities and watersheds. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to make grants: (1) to improve the commercial value of forest biomass to produce electric energy, sensible heat, transportation fuels, or substitutes for petroleum-based products; and (2) to offset the cost of projects to add value to biomass. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to permit the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to provide assistance to State foresters and officials for the purpose of expanding State forest capacities and activities to address watershed issues on non-Federal forested lands and potentially forested lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to establish an accelerated program to plan, conduct, and promote comprehensive and systematic information gathering on bark beetles. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the healthy forests reserve program within the Forest Service for the purpose of protecting, restoring, and enhancing degraded forest ecosystems to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species as well as improve biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a comprehensive plan to inventory, monitor, characterize, assess, and identify forest stands and potential forest stands in specified locations. States that issues to be addressed shall include: (1) the early detection, identification, and assessment of environmental threats; and (2) the loss or degradation of forests.
![Official portrait of Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000006_200.jpg)