United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Condemns the attacks on U.S. citizens by Palestinian terrorists and demands that the Palestinian Authority work with Israel to protect all innocent individuals, regardless of citizenship, from terrorist atrocities. Offers condolences to the families and loved ones of U.S. citizens who were killed by such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Broad-Based Stock Option Plan Transparency Act of 2003 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require companies to include within certain mandatory reports details regarding stock option plans, stock purchase plans, and other arrangements involving employee acquisition of an equity interest in the company, including: (1) a discussion of the dilutive effect of stock option plans (written in accordance with the Plain English Handbook published by the Office of Investor Education and Assistance of the Commission); (2) expanded disclosure of the dilutive effect of employee stock options on the company's earnings per share number; (3) prominent placement and increased comparability of all stock option related information; and (4) a summary of stock options granted to the five most highly compensated executive officers, including outstanding stock options of those officers. Directs the SEC to examine and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the enhanced disclosures required by this Act in increasing transparency to current and potential investors. Prohibits the Commission, between enactment of this Act and submission of such report, from recognizing as generally accepted accounting principles any new accounting standards regarding the treatment of stock options. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on broad-based employee stock option plans, particularly in the high technology and any other high growth industries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Prohibits cargo transported by commercial motor vehicle (including cargo transported by vessel) from entering the United States from Canada or Mexico unless an appropriate officer or employee of the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security or other appropriate U.S. officer or employee has inspected such cargo to ensure that it complies with U.S. laws.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Honors, and calls on all Americans to honor, the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families. Encourages those families to proudly display the Blue Star Banner (symbolizing military service of a family member) or, if a family member has died during such service, the Gold Star. Calls upon the media to recognize the importance and symbolism of the Banner.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) each member of the U.S. and allied armed forces should be commended for serving with distinction and professionalism; (2) the families of members of the U.S. armed forces should be commended for their support; and (3) all U.S. citizens should pay homage to such members and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Directs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments during a specified incentive period to the owner or operator of: (1) a turbine or other generating device owned or solely operated by a non-Federal entity which generates hydroelectric energy for sale and which is added to an existing dam or conduit (a qualified hydroelectric facility); and (2) hydroelectric facilities at existing dams for capital improvements that are directly related to improving their efficiency by at least three percent. Describes payment limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the credit for nonconventional-source fuel production, to: (1) ensure the credit applies to qualifying new wells; and (2) extend the credit for certain existing oil and gas wells and facilities producing qualified fuel from landfill gas.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Reforestation Tax Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to a taxpayer who has a qualified timber gain in an amount equal to the qualified percentage of such gain. Allows a deduction, for qualified timber property, for reforestation expenditures and terminates current provisions allowing for the amortization of such expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Pulmonary Hypertension Research Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute with respect to research on pulmonary hypertension and to coordinate the Director's activities with related activities of other national research institutes and National Institutes of Health agencies. Requires the Director to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of centers to conduct research and programs on pulmonary hypertension, including: (1) basic and clinical research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control, and treatment of the disease; (2) training programs for scientists and health professionals; (3) programs to provide information and continuing education to health professionals; and (4) programs for the dissemination of information to the public. Requires the Director to establish: (1) a data system for the collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and dissemination of data derived from patient populations with pulmonary hypertension; and (2) an information clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding of pulmonary hypertension by health professionals, patients, industry, and the public.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction of premiums for mortgage insurance. Provides for the phaseout of such deduction based on income.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Public Safety and Protection Investment Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow businesses to expense the costs of purchasing and installing qualifying security devices.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Animal Drug User Fee Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assess and collect fees for an animal drug or a supplemental animal drug application (if it requires safety or effectiveness data). Requires payment upon submission or the application will be considered incomplete and not accepted. Excepts from payment applications which were previously filed but withdrawn or not approved without a waiver or refund. Assesses annual fees on animal drug products, establishments, and sponsors. Establishes a fee schedule for FY 2004 through 2008, including total fee revenues for animal drug products, establishments, and sponsors. Adjusts fees to reflect inflation, review workload, and operating reserves of carryover user fees (in the final year). Directs the Secretary to establish before each fiscal year, based on the fee schedule revenue amounts and the adjustments, the following: (1) animal drug application fees; (2) supplemental animal drug sponsor fees; (3) animal drug establishment fees; and (4) animal drug product fees. Reduces or waives fees: (1) in excess of administrative costs; (2) that present a significant barrier to innovation; (3) if an animal drug application or supplemental animal drug application is intended solely for use of an animal drug in specified types of feed; (4) if an animal drug application or supplemental animal drug application is intended solely to provide for minor uses or use in minor species; or (5) for first applications by a small business. Makes fees available for obligation only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Offsets any excess fees against subsequent appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2003 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) Federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis; and (2) a deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums and enrollment fees. Sets an implementation deadline of the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days following enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Securing Access, Value, and Equality in Health Care Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid for qualified health insurance, subject to stated limitations. Requires persons who receive payments for health insurance coverage of an individual to make certain information returns. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments to the provider of an individual's qualified health insurance equal to the Secretary's estimate of the amount of credit allowable for the eligible individual.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Commercial Driver's License Devolution Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle solely within the borders of a State (intrastate) if such individual: (1) meets State-prescribed minimum standards for fitness for operating a commercial motor vehicle; and (2) has passed written and driving tests meeting those same standards. Requires States to test the fitness of commercial motor vehicle operators, including with written and driving tests, who operate intrastate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth that a plan or other arrangement shall not cease to count as a cafeteria plan solely because qualified benefits under such plan include a health flexible spending arrangement under which, with respect to any plan year, not more than $500 of unused health benefits may be carried forward to the next year of such arrangement or paid to or on behalf of an employee as compensation from employment. Sets forth rules for determining whether or not such benefits shall be included or excluded from income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Prohibition on United Nations Taxation Act of 2003 - Prohibits the obligation of U.S. funds to the United Nations (UN) or any of its agencies, or to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) or any of its agencies, if the UN or OECD attempt to: (1) impose a tax or fee on any U.S. person; (2) impose a policy that would enable foreign governments to tax income earned inside the borders of the United States; or (3) borrow funds from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), the International Monetary Fund, or any other similar or regional international financial institution. Prohibits the obligation of U.S. funds to the UN or any of its agencies (including the UN Development Program), or to OECD or any of its agencies, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN or OECD and their agencies are not engaged in any efforts to develop or promote any taxation or fee proposals in order to raise revenue or any proposals allowing foreign taxation on U.S.-source income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 should be modified to allow for mourning dove hunting during the last week in August in areas north of 37 degrees north latitude; (2) the United States should begin discussions with the appropriate parties to ensure that all Americans have an opportunity to harvest migratory mourning doves in an equitable manner; and (3) hunters and wildlife management agencies in States north of 37 degrees north latitude should support an earlier opening date for the mourning dove hunting season.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
American Servicemember and Citizen Protection Act of 2003 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the establishment or operation of the International Criminal Court. Declares that any action taken by or on behalf of the Court: (1) against any member of the U.S. armed forces shall be considered an act of aggression against the United States; or (2) against any U.S. citizen or national shall be considered an offense against the law of nations. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties against any person who knowingly violates the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Freedom to Read Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (the Act) to provide that no application by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to a U.S. court for an order requiring the production of tangible things for an investigation to obtain foreign intelligence information from a U.S. person or to protect against international terrorism may be made for the sole purpose of searching for, or seizing from, a bookseller or library documentary materials that contain personally identifiable information concerning a patron. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude a physical search for documentary materials (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) under other provisions of law. Revises congressional reporting requirements under the Act to require the Attorney General, in informing Congress with respect to applications for orders approving requests for the production of tangible things, to: (1) describe the specific purpose of each order application; (2) analyze the effectiveness of each application that was granted or modified in protecting U.S. citizens against terrorism; and (3) make public such information provided in a manner consistent with the national security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Family Time Flexibility Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for compensatory time for all employees. Allows an employee to receive, in lieu of monetary overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
America's Wilderness Protection Act - Releases all areas with wilderness study area status on this Act's enactment date from such status on the earlier of: (1) the date the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture determines that the area is not suitable for wilderness designation; (2) ten years after this Act's enactment; or (3) the date the area is designated as wilderness by Congress. Releases any area that is given wilderness study area status after this Act's enactment from such status on the earlier of: (1) the date such Secretary determines that the area is not suitable for wilderness designation; (2) ten years after the date the area was given such status; or (3) the date that the area is designated as wilderness by Congress. Provides for the reversion of any area that is released from wilderness study area status to the land use status such area had immediately before and prohibits it from being studied again regarding wilderness designation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Exempts certain small trailer manufacturers from additional early warning reporting provisions under the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act requiring such manufacturers to report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on: (1) defects in their motor vehicles or original or replacement equipment that are related to motor vehicle safety; and (2) any noncompliance with motor vehicle safety standards with respect to such items. Limits such exemption to manufacturers who produce, import, offer for sale, or sell trailers rated 26,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to direct the chairman of the Budget Committee to maintain a Discretionary Spending Ledger, divided into entries corresponding to Appropriations Committee subcommittees. States that each entry will consist of the Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance which may be credited with any reductions in new budget authority offered in an amendment to an appropriation bill. Requires such chairman to maintain a Mandatory Spending Ledger, divided into entries corresponding to the House Committees receiving budget allocations, excluding Appropriations. States that each entry will consist of the First Year Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance and the Five Year Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance which may be credited with applicable reductions in new budget authority offered in an amendment to a bill. Permits such reductions to be used to offset an increase in other new budget authority or remain within the applicable allocation. Prohibits the entry of a negative amount. Requires the chairman to maintain and make available to Members running tallies of the amendments adopted, reflecting increases and decreases of budget authority in bills as reported.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the phrase "one Nation, under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag reflects that religious faith was central to the Founding Fathers and to the founding of the Nation; (2) reciting the Pledge, including that phrase, is a patriotic act, not an act or statement of religious faith or belief; (3) that phrase should remain in the Pledge and the practice of voluntarily reciting the pledge in public school classrooms should be encouraged by the policies of Congress, the various States, municipalities, and public school officials; and (4) the Elk Grove Unified School District in Elk Grove, California, should be commended for its continued support of the Pledge. Declares that: (1) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Newdow v. United States Congress (which held that the inclusion of that phrase in the Pledge unconstitutionally endorses religion) is inconsistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment; (2) the Attorney General should appeal, and the Supreme Court should review, that ruling; and (3) the President should nominate, and the Senate should confirm, Federal circuit court judges who interpret the Constitution consistent with the Constitution's text.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Fremont-Madison Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) convey to the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District in Idaho, pursuant to a specified Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the District and the Secretary, the canals, lateral, drains, and other components of the water distribution and drainage system operated or maintained by the District; and (2) condition such conveyance on the District paying the administrative costs of the conveyance and related activities and the lesser of the net present value of the remaining obligations owed to the United States for the facilities conveyed or $280,000. Requires the Secretary, in conveying the Teton Exchange Wells, to also convey to the District Idaho Department of Water Resources permit number 22-7022, including drilled wells under such permit and all appurtenant equipment. Extends a specified water service contract between the Secretary and the District until all conditions described in this Act are fulfilled. Requires the Secretary, prior to conveyance, to complete all environmental reviews and analyses as set forth in the MOA. Increases the acreage within the District eligible to receive water from the Minidoka and Teton Basin Projects to reflect the number of acres within the District. Requires the Secretary: (1) in collaboration with stakeholders in the Henry's Fork watershed, to initiate a drought management planning process to address all water uses in the watershed; and (2) report a final plan to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act - Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to make the sunset provisions inapplicable to provisions that expanded and increased the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Arming Cargo Pilots Against Terrorism Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that a flight deck crew member of a cargo aircraft should be armed with a firearm to defend such aircraft against attacks by terrorists that could use the aircraft as a weapon of mass destruction or for other terrorist purposes. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the training and arming of flight deck crew members (pilots) of all-cargo air transportation flights to prevent acts of criminal violence or air piracy.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Gateway Communities Cooperation Act - Requires the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to: (1) provide for public involvement by government officials of local gateway communities (communities, including recognized Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages, adjacent to or near public lands) in the development of land use plans, programs, regulations, and decisions, transportation plans, general management plans, and any other public land plans, decisions, projects, or policies that will have a significant impact; (2) provide such communities with early public notice of such proposed decisions; (3) offer training sessions for officials for understanding and participating in agency planning processes; (4) assign an employee or contractor to work with such a community to develop data and analysis relevant in the preparation of agency plans, decisions, and policies; and (5) assist in conducting a review of plans likely to affect such community. Allows a Federal land manager to enter into a cooperative agreement with gateway communities to provide for coordination between Federal, State, local, and tribal governments in land use inventory, planning, and management activities. Requires the consolidation and coordination of the plans and planning processes of two or more Federal agencies to facilitate an affected gateway community's participation. Directs Federal land agencies to solicit the participation of gateway communities as cooperating agencies under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 when a proposed action is determined to require the preparation of an environmental impact statement. Allows a Federal land manager to make grants to enable an eligible gateway community (population under 10,000) to: (1) participate in Federal land planning or management processes; (2) obtain professional land use or transportation planning assistance necessary as a result of Federal action; (3) address and resolve public infrastructure impacts that are a likely result of the Federal land management decisions and for which sufficient funds are not otherwise available; and (4) provide information and interpretive services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 2003 - Divides the current U.S. Court of Appeals for the ninth circuit into: (1) the ninth circuit, composed of California and Nevada, consisting of 20 judges (25 as of February 1, 2005), and holding regular sessions in San Francisco and Los Angeles; (2) the tenth circuit, composed of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming, consisting of 14 judges (as of February 1, 2005), and holding regular sessions in Denver, Wichita, and Oklahoma City; and (3) the twelfth circuit, composed of Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, and Washington, consisting of eight judges (ten as of February 1, 2005), and holding regular sessions in Portland and Seattle. Authorizes a circuit judge of the former ninth circuit who is in regular active service or who is a senior judge to elect to be assigned to: (1) either the new ninth or twelfth circuit; or (2) the new ninth or tenth circuit if such judge's official station is in Arizona.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing applicants to propose alternative conditions or alternative fishways for project works within a Federal reservation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
PILT and Refuge Revenue Sharing Permanent Funding Act - Provides permanent funding for the following programs: (1) Bureau of Land Management Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT); and (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's refuge revenue sharing program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms in different States by persons who are not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and who are: (1) carrying a valid State license or permit for carrying a concealed firearm; or (2) otherwise entitled to carry a concealed firearm in their State of residence.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits any qualified civil liability action from being brought in any State or Federal court and requires pending actions to be dismissed. Defines such an action to: (1) include an action brought against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm; and (2) exclude an action brought against persons who transfer a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; an action brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; an action in which a manufacturer or seller of a firearm willfully violated a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the firearm and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; an action for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the firearm; or an action for physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the firearm when used as intended.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law governing: (1) conversion of bankruptcy petitions; (2) abusive creditor practices; (3) domestic support obligations; (4) consumer protections, including protection of personally identifiable information; (5) measures to discourage bankruptcy abuse, including reduction of the homestead exemption for fraud; (6) guidelines for general and small business bankruptcies, including appointment of a committee of retired employees; (7) bankruptcy data dissemination and bankruptcy tax provisions; (8) ancillary and other cross-border cases to incorporate the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency; and (9) financial contracts and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution before its conservatorship or receivership. Reenacts Chapter 12, Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income. Brings family fishermen within the purview of Federal bankruptcy protection. Prescribes guidelines for insolvent health care businesses and related patients' rights. Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Judicial Code to mandate appointments for additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships in designated States. Prescribes additional consumer credit disclosures, including open end credit plans and introductory rates.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Consolidation Student Loan Flexibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow student loan borrowers to choose a lender for loan consolidation. (Eliminates the requirement that: (1) the consolidation loan lender must already hold an outstanding student loan of the borrower; or (2) the borrower must certify to having sought and been unable to obtain a consolidation loan with income-sensitive repayment terms from any holders of the outstanding loans selected for consolidation.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Rural Community Hospital Assistance Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) provide for establishment of the rural community hospital (RCH) program; (2) remove certain barriers to establishment of distinct part units by RCH and Medicare critical access hospital (CAH) facilities; (3) revise the CAH program; and (4) provide for coverage of costs for emergency room on-call physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual engaged in an eligible farming or commercial fishing business a deduction for any taxable year of up to 20 percent of taxable income attributable to the eligible farming or commercial fishing business which was paid in cash by the taxpayer to a Farm and Ranch Risk Management Account (FARRM Account). Includes distributions from a FARRM account in the taxpayer's gross income, and subjects to a special ten percent surtax any distributions not made within five years of contribution. Establishes a tax on excess contributions, but exempts the taxpayer from the tax on certain prohibited transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Idaho Panhandle National Forest Improvement Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System parcels in Idaho, and use the proceeds for acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of: (1) a new ranger station in the Silver Valley portion of the Panhandle National Forest; or (2) other facilities in such Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Sandpoint Land and Facilities Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture jurisdiction over certain land in Sandpoint, Idaho (the property), with the Secretary assuming the obligation of the Administrator to repay to the Federal Finance Bank the debt incurred with respect to the property. Permits the Secretary to exchange all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property in an exchange of equal value, in which the recipient of the property may agree to construct administrative facilities for the National Forest System in Bonner County, Idaho. Requires a recipient to honor any outstanding indebtedness on the property to the Federal Finance Bank. Directs the Secretary to use proceeds from the sale of the property for: (1) the acquisition, construction, or improvement of administrative facilities and associated land in the Northern Region of the Forest Service in Idaho; and (2) the acquisition of land and interests in land for addition to National Forest System land in such region. Forbids any proceeds from being distributed to States or counties or from being considered moneys received from units of the National Forest System under specified laws. Requires the Secretary to manage any land acquired under this Act in accordance with the Weeks Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to remove from the Secretary of Transportation's authority to determine by rule whether an exemption is not in the public interest the current exemption of certain commercial motor vehicles transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies from maximum hours of service requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Local Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2003- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a railroad track maintenance credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures with respect to which the expenditures were paid or incurred by the taxpayer for the taxable year for Class II or Class III railroads.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Full Funding for IDEA Now Act of 2003 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to specify a mandatory minimum level of Federal grant payments to States for assistance for education of all children with disabilities. Sets such level at 40 percent of the average current per-pupil expenditure in public and secondary schools in the United States multiplied by the number of children with disabilities in the State who are receiving special education and related services: (1) aged three through five if the State is eligible for an IDEA preschool grant; and (2) aged six through 21.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Renewing the Dream Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a community homeownership tax credit based upon an applicable percentage of each qualified residence's eligible basis. Makes such credit available to residences located: (1) in a census tract with a median gross income not exceeding 80 percent of the greater area or statewide median gross income; (2) in a rural area; (3) on an Indian reservation; or (4) in an area of chronic economic distress. Prohibits a buyer's income from exceeding 80 percent (70 percent for families of less than three) of the area gross median income and requires owner occupancy. Specifies that the aggregate homeownership credit dollar amount which a homeownership credit agency (an "agency") may disburse is the portion of the "State homeownership credit ceiling" (the "ceiling") allocated to such agency. Allows "unused homeownership credit carryovers" to be allocated among qualified States. Sets aside at up to 90 percent least ten percent of a State's ceiling for certain housing projects in which a qualified nonprofit organization owns an interest and materially participates in the given project's development and operation throughout the credit period. Requires allocation of credit to residences to be in accordance with a "qualified allocation plan" of the agency issuing credit. Lists certain specified criteria such a plan must include and specifies that the plan must be approved by the governmental unit of which such agency is a part.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Former Prisoners of War Special Compensation Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay special monthly compensation to each veteran who is a former prisoner of war and was detained or interned for at least 30 days. Provides various rates of payment, ranging from $150 for those detained for between 30 and 120 days to a maximum of $450 for those detained more than 540 days. States that such special compensation shall: (1) be in addition to any other authorized payments; and (2) shall not be considered income for purposes of eligibility under any Federal or federally assisted program. Prohibits the payment of veterans' disability compensation for any alcohol- or drug-related disability even if the abuse is secondary to a service-connected disability. Removes the requirement that former prisoners of war must have been detained or interned for at least 90 days in order to be eligible for veterans' outpatient dental care.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish, Neutralize, and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to carry out environmental cleanup and remediation programs involving specified lands that are contaminated with hazardous substances associated with illegal methamphetamine manufacture. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate as hazardous certain byproducts of the methamphetamine production process and expand penalties against laboratory operators; (2) the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration to list byproducts likely to cause long-term environmental harm; (3) the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to provide grants to State and local law enforcement for specified training and equipment acquisition; (4) the EPA Administrator to study the impact of methamphetamine laboratory operation on the environment; and (5) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study contamination issues. Amends: (1) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants for educational programs; (2) the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to provide treatment; (3) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include among permissible grant projects under the "cops on the beat" program hiring personnel and purchasing equipment; and (4) the Controlled Substances Act to set penalties for promoting, for commercial purposes, an entertainment event where the promoter knows that a controlled substance will be used or distributed in violation of specified law. Urges the President to seek commitments from the Canadian Government regarding the availability of pseudoephedrine.
![Official portrait of Rep. Otter, C. L. (Butch) [R-ID-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000166_200.jpg)