United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Attorney Fee Payment System Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) increase from $4,000 to $5,200 the maximum allowable attorney fee; and (2) cap the amount of attorney assessments at $100. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) to prescribe a fee payment system for attorneys representing individuals filing claims for past-due benefits in the SSI program. Caps attorney fees at 25 percent of such past-due benefits. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to assess such an attorney up to $100.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Spirit of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of September 11th Fund which shall consist of amounts from surcharges received from the sale of such coins transferred to the Office for Victims of Crime for individuals who were injured, and to the families of individuals who were killed or injured, in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Financial Contracts Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to redefine specified contracts, agreements, and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution prior to the appointment of a conservator or receiver. Retains the right to cause the acceleration of a qualified financial contract with an insured depository institution in receivership status. Retains the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) right or power to transfer, disaffirm, or repudiate a qualified financial contract of a failed institution. Prohibits enforcement of a walkaway clause in a qualified financial contract of a failed insured depository institution. Revises guidelines pertaining to an insolvent insured depository institution and: (1) transfers of qualified financial contracts; and (2) the termination rights of counterparties to a qualified financial contract. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the disaffirmance or repudiation of qualified financial contracts by the conservator or receiver for a failed depository institution; and (2) the treatment of a master agreement as a single agreement and a single qualified financial contract. Amends the Federal Bankruptcy Code to: (1) deny an automatic stay to set-offs under certain swap and netting agreements; and (2) restrict bankruptcy trustee avoidance power regarding certain master netting agreement transfers to those that are fraudulent in nature. Sets forth statutory guidelines governing: (1) the termination or acceleration of designated contracts and agreements; and (2) commodity broker and stockbroker liquidation with respect to the priority of unsecured claims, or customer property or distributions. Amends the FDIA to authorize the FDIC to prescribe more detailed recordkeeping requirements for qualified financial contracts (only if the pertinent institution is in a troubled condition). Exempts specified collateralization agreements from the contemporaneous execution requirement that renders invalid certain agreements against FDIC interests in certain asset acquisitions. Amends the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1971 to prohibit a judicial protective decree, or one issued by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, from operating as a stay of creditor's contract rights to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate designated contracts and agreements. Allows such a protective order, however, to operate as a stay of foreclosure on securities collateral pledged by the debtor.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Terrorism Risk Protection Act - Sets a deadline for the President to designate an Administrator (or Administrators) to implement this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that, in determining the Administrator responsible for making determinations as to whether a loss was caused by an act of terrorism, the President should consider the appropriate role of the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Prescribes procedural guidelines under which such Administrator shall provide financial assistance (up to $100 billion) to commercial insurers to cover insured losses resulting from an act of terrorism. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a terrorism reserve for commercial lines of insurance business. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) should develop appropriate definitions for acts of terrorism and appropriate standards for making determinations regarding such acts; (2) each State should adopt those definitions and standards for purposes of regulating insurance coverage in that State; (3) the appropriate Administrator should advocate and promote the development of definitions and standards appropriate for purposes of this Act; and (4) after such consultation, the appropriate Administrator should adopt definitions for acts of terrorism and standards for determinations appropriate for this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the NAIC should develop appropriate guidelines for commercial insurers and pools regarding maintenance of reserves against the risks of acts of terrorism; and (2) each State should adopt such guidelines for commercial insurers doing business in that State. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the States should require that the price of terrorism insurance coverage, including the costs of any terrorism related assessments or surcharges, be separately disclosed. Instructs the President to establish a commission to study and report to Congress on the potential effects of an act of terrorism on the life insurance industry in the United States and the markets served by such industry.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Combatting Illegal Gambling Reform and Modernization Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions regarding interstate gambling. Increases the term of imprisonment for violations. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly using a communication facility for the transmission: (1) of bets or wagers, or betting information, in interstate or foreign commerce, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or to or from any place outside the jurisdiction of any nation regarding any transmission to or from the United States,; or (2) of a communication in such interstate or foreign commerce which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or for information assisting in the placing of bets. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly accepting credit, an electronic fund transfer, a check, or the proceeds of certain other forms of financial transaction as the Secretary may prescribe in connection with the transmission of such a communication of information assisting the placing of bets. Lists exceptions, including certain: (1) transmissions of information assisting in the placing of bets (such as for use in news reporting); and (2) uses of communication facilities for the transmission of bets (e.g., where a State or Tribe has explicitly authorized such bets). Sets forth remedies for violations. Bars imposition of damages, penalties, or forfeiture against any person or entity for an act done in compliance with notice received from a law enforcement agency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Anti-Hoax Terrorism Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for knowingly engaging in conduct that: (1) is likely to impart the false impression that activity that violates prohibitions regarding biological weapons, chemical weapons, nuclear materials, or weapons of mass destruction is occurring or will occur; and (2) causes an emergency response by governmental agencies. Makes any persons who engage in such conduct jointly and severally liable to any party incurring expenses incident to the investigation of such conduct, including the cost of any military or civilian agency response to protect public health or safety. Directs the court to order a defendant who has been convicted of such an offense to reimburse any party incurring such expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Disaster Relief Charities Accountability Act - Establishes the Charity Accountability Board which shall: (1) request information from and make recommendations to qualifying charitable organizations regarding the amount of disaster relief funds collected and dispersed by such organizations, administrative costs incurred, and the criteria used in dispersing disaster relief funds; (2) provide information about disaster relief funds to disaster victims and those wishing to contribute to such funds; and (3) report to the President and Congress on the status of such funds.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2001
Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001 - Establishes a counterterrorism fund. Condemns discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans. Increases funding for the technical support center at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Authorizes the Attorney General to request military assistance to enforce laws related to any weapon of mass destruction. Requires the Director of the U.S. Secret Service to develop a national electronic crime task force. Grants the President authority to confiscate any property of any foreign person, country, or organization involved with an attack on or armed hostilities with the United States. Amends Federal criminal law to provide for authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to computer fraud and abuse offenses. Permits disclosure to specified Federal personnel of Federal grand jury matters pertaining to intelligence or counterintelligence. Allows sharing of electronic, wire, and oral interception information by Federal law enforcement and other specified Federal officials. Permits the similar sharing of foreign intelligence information. Requires the FBI Director to expedite the hiring of translators to support counterterrorism investigations and operations. Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 with respect to roving surveillance authority and duration of surveillance of non-U.S. persons who are agents of a foreign power. Permits the seizure of voice mail messages pursuant to search warrants. Allows subpoenas for records of electronic communications to include temporarily assigned network addresses. Permits electronic communication and remote computing service providers to make emergency disclosures to a governmental entity of customer electronic communications to protect life and limb. Authorizes Federal district courts to allow a delay of required notices of the execution of a warrant if immediate notice may have an adverse result. Prohibits use of a pen register or trap and trace devices in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities that is conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (or designee) to apply for an court order requiring production of certain business records for foreign intelligence and international terrorism investigations. Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) require a trap and trace device to restrict recording or decoding so as not to include the contents of a wire or electronic communication; (2) apply a court order for a pen register or trap and trace devices to any person or entity providing wire or electronic communication service in the United States whose assistance may facilitate execution of the order; (3) allow a trap and trace device to identify the source (but not the contents) of a wire or electronic communication; and (4) provide for nationwide service of search warrants for electronic evidence. Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to extend trade sanctions to the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for administrative discipline of Federal officers or employees who violate prohibitions against unauthorized disclosures of information gathered under this Act. Provides for civil actions against the United States for damages by any person aggrieved by such violations. Terminates specified provisions of this Act on December 31, 2005. International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 - Sunsets this Act after the first day of FY2005 if Congress enacts specified legislation to that effect. Prescribes special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern, including a proscription against United States correspondent accounts with foreign shell banks. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over foreign money launderers, money that is laundered through a foreign bank, and foreign and domestic bank records related to anti-money laundering programs. Provides for forfeiture of money laundering funds in U.S. interbank accounts. Authorizes Federal application for restraining orders to preserve the availability of property subject to a foreign forfeiture or confiscation judgment. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations to ensure that concentration accounts of financial institutions are not used to prevent association of the identity of an individual customer with the movement of funds of which the customer is the direct or beneficial owner. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations prescribing minimum standards for financial institutions regarding customer identity in connection with the opening of accounts. Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require consideration of the effectiveness of a company or companies in combating money laundering during reviews of proposed bank shares acquisitions or mergers. Urges U.S. negotiations for international cooperation in investigations of money laundering, financial crimes, and the finances of terrorist groups. Establishes civil liability immunity for disclosures by a financial institution that reports suspicious activities. Mandates that financial institutions institute anti-money laundering programs. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize the inclusion of suspicions of illegal activity in written employment references . Mandates that securities brokers and dealers report suspicious financial transactions. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to share monetary instruments transactions records with any U.S. intelligence agency upon request. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a consumer reporting agency to furnish all information in a consumer's file to a government agency authorized to conduct investigations of or intelligence activities related to international terrorism. Places within the ambit of mandatory records and reports on monetary instruments transactions any person who engages as a business in the transmission of funds, including through an informal value transfer banking system or network (e.g., hawala) of people facilitating the transfer of value domestically or internationally outside of the conventional financial institutions system. Makes the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network a bureau in the Department of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary to establish a highly secure network in the Network that allows financial institutions to file certain reports and receive alerts and other information regarding suspicious activities warranting immediate and enhanced scrutiny. Increases the civil and criminal penalties for money laundering. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to provide for uniform protection authority for Federal Reserve facilities, including law enforcement officers authorized to carry firearms and make warrantless arrests. Amends Federal law to require reports relating to coins and currency of more than $10,000 received in a nonfinancial trade or business. Establishes as a bulk cash smuggling offense the knowing concealment and attempted transport (or transfer) across U.S. borders of currency and monetary instruments in excess of $10,000, with intent to evade specified currency reporting requirements. Requires courts to order, as part of a criminal sentence, forfeiture of all property involved in certain currency reporting offenses. Amends the Federal criminal code to revise the prohibition of unlicensed (currently, illegal) money transmitting businesses. Increases the criminal penalties for counterfeiting domestic and foreign currency and obligations. Authorizes: (1) the Attorney General to waive certain Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel caps with respect to ensuring security needs on the Northern U.S. border; and (2) appropriations for increased Border Patrol, Customs Service, and INS personnel along such border. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Attorney General and the FBI to provide the Department of State and the INS with access to specified criminal history extracts in order to determine whether or not a visa or admissions applicant has a criminal history. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to develop a technology standard to identify visa and admissions applicants. Broadens the scope of aliens ineligible for admission and deportable for terrorist activities. Defines "terrorist organization" as: (1) a designated foreign or other terrorist organization; or (2) a group of two or more individuals which engage in specified terrorist-related activities. Provides for mandatory detention until removal from the United States (regardless of any relief from removal) of an alien certified by the Attorney General as a suspected terrorist or threat to national security. Requires release of such alien after seven days if removal proceedings have not commenced, or the alien has not been charged with a criminal offense. Authorizes detention for additional periods of up to six months of an alien not likely to be deported in the reasonably foreseeable future only if release will threaten U.S. national security or the safety of the community or any person. Limits judicial review to habeas corpus proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, in developing the integrated entry and exit data system, to focus on the use of biometric technology and the development of tamper-resistant documents readable at ports of entry. Directs the Attorney General to implement fully and expand the foreign student monitoring program. Requires audits and reports on implementation of the mandate for machine readable passports. Provides for: (1) special immigrant status for certain alien victims of terrorist activities; and (2) humanitarian relief for certain surviving alien spouses and children of U.S. citizens killed by such activities. (Excludes terrorists or family members from such benefits.) Authorizes the Attorney General and revises the Secretary of State's authority to pay rewards to combat terrorism. Qualifies a Federal terrorism offense for collection of DNA for identification Authorizes consultation among Federal law enforcement officers regarding information acquired from an electronic surveillance or physical search in terrorism and related investigations or protective measures. Allows the FBI to request telephone toll and transactional records, financial records, and consumer reports in any investigation to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities only if the investigation is not conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Revises U.S. Secret Service jurisdiction with respect to fraud and related activity in connection with computers. Amends the General Education Provisions Act and the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 to provide for disclosure of educational records to the Attorney General in a terrorism investigation or prosecution. Provides for expedited payments for: (1) public safety officers involved in the prevention, investigation, rescue, or recovery efforts related to a terrorist attack; and (2) heroic public safety officers. Increases Public Safety Officers Benefit Program payments. Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to establish an antiterrorism emergency reserve in the Victims of Crime Fund. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Victims of Crime to make supplemental grants for victims of terrorism to States, victim service organizations, public agencies, and nongovernmental organizations the provide assistance to crime victims. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend Bureau of Justice Assistance regional information sharing system grants to systems that enhance the investigation and prosecution abilities of participating Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in addressing multi-jurisdictional terrorist conspiracies and activities. Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against mass transportation systems. Prescribes penalties for harboring any person known to have committed or to be about to commit a terrorism offense. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over crimes committed at U.S. facilities abroad. Subjects to civil forfeiture all assets, foreign or domestic, of terrorist organizations. Extends the statute of limitations for certain terrorism offenses without limit. Provides for alternative maximum penalties for terrorism crimes. Makes the penalties for attempts and conspiracies the same as the penalties for terrorism offenses. Makes any term of years or life the supervised release terms for offenses with terrorism predicates. Makes specified terrorism crimes Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute predicates. Revises prohibitions and penalties with regard to fraud and related activity in connection with computers to include specified cyberterrorism offenses. Directs the Attorney General to establish regional computer forensic laboratories, and support existing laboratories, to develop specified cybersecurity capabilities. Prescribes penalties for knowing possession in certain circumstances of biological agents, toxins, or delivery systems, especially by certain restricted persons. Requires the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to establish requirements and priorities for foreign intelligence collected under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and to provide assistance to the Attorney General to ensure that information derived from electronic surveillance or physical searches is disseminated for efficient and effective foreign intelligence purposes. Requires the inclusion of international terrorist activities within the scope of foreign intelligence under such Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that officers and employees of the intelligence community should establish and maintain intelligence relationships to acquire information on terrorists and terrorist organizations. Provides temporary authority to defer the submission to Congress of certain reports on intelligence and intelligence-related matters. Requires the Attorney General or head of any other Federal department or agency to disclose expeditiously to the DCI any foreign intelligence acquired in the course of a criminal investigation. Requires the Attorney General, DCI, and Secretary of the Treasury to report jointly to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of reconfiguring the Foreign Asset Tracking Center and the Office of Foreign Assets Control to provide for the analysis and dissemination of foreign intelligence relating to the financial capabilities and resources of international terrorist organizations. Requires the DCI to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the establishment and maintenance of the National Virtual Translation Center for timely and accurate translations of foreign intelligence for elements of the intelligence community. Requires the Attorney General to provide a program of training to Government officials regarding the identification and use of foreign intelligence. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Justice to designate one official to review allegations of abuse of civil rights, civil liberties, and racial and ethnic profiling by government employees and officials. Expresses the sense of Congress condemning acts of violence or discrimination against any American, including Sikh-Americans. Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to venue in money laundering cases. First Responders Assistance Act - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State and local governments to improve the ability of State and local law enforcement, fire department, and first responders to respond to and prevent acts of terrorism. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make inadmissible to the United States any alien engaged in money laundering. Authorizes funds for Drug Enforcement Administration police training in South and Central Asia. Directs the Attorney General to conduct a feasibility study on the use of a biometric identifier scanning system with access to the FBI integrated automated fingerprint identification system at overseas consular posts and points of entry to the United States. Authorizes the use of Department of Defense funds to contract with local and State governments, during the period of Operation Enduring Freedom, for the performance of security functions at U.S. military installations. Crimes Against Charitable Americans Act of 2001 - Amends the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to cover fraudulent charitable solicitations. Amends the Federal transportation code to prohibit States from licensing any individual to operate a motor vehicle transporting hazardous material unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that such individual does not pose a security risk warranting denial of the license. Requires background checks of such license applicants by the Attorney General upon State request. Expresses the sense of the Senate on substantial new U.S. investment in bioterrorism preparedness and response. Directs the Office for State and Local Domestic Preparedness Support of the Office of Justice Programs to make grants to enhance State and local capability to prepare for and respond to terrorist acts. Amends the Crime Identification Technology Act of 1998 to extend it through FY 2007 and provide for antiterrorism grants to States and localities. Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 - Establishes the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center to serve as a source of national competence to address critical infrastructure protection and continuity through support for activities related to counterterrorism, threat assessment, and risk mitigation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001
Emergency Securities Response Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to extend the emergency order authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as it determines necessary to reduce, eliminate, or prevent the substantial disruption of: (1) securities markets, investment companies, or any other significant portion or segment of such markets; or (2) the transmission or processing of securities transactions. Extends the duration of such order from the current ten-day maximum to 30 business days unless the SEC finds that the emergency still exists and that further extension is in the public interest and necessary for investor protection. Establishes 90 calendar days as the maximum duration of an SEC emergency order.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2001
Puppy Protection Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to: (1) include among humane standards for animal treatment provisions respecting socialization of dogs to facilitate contact with other dogs and people, and breeding initiation and frequency of female dogs; (2) revise temporary license suspension provisions; and (3) establish mandatory suspension provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should award and present a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to those public safety officers who were killed and to those select public safety officers who have earned special recognition for outstanding valor above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Congratulates Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on a half century of effort in promoting democratic values, particularly freedom of the press and freedom of expression in certain areas of the world. Recognizes such organization's major contribution to the growth of democracy throughout the world and its continuing efforts to advance vital U.S. interests in building a more peaceful, democratic, free, and stable world community.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 - Amends Federal law governing monetary transactions and Federal criminal law to establish as a bulk cash smuggling offense the knowing concealment and attempted transport (or transfer) across U.S. borders of currency and monetary instruments in excess of $10,000, with intent to evade specified currency reporting requirements. Subjects to Federal criminal penalties currency couriers who conceal more than $10,000 in currency and transport, or conspire to transport, such currency in interstate commerce knowing that it was either derived from, or intended to promote, unlawful activity. Establishes Federal jurisdiction over foreign money launderers, and over money that is laundered through a foreign bank. Establishes reporting requirements for coin and currency receipts of more than $10,000 received by a nonfinancial trade or business, or criminal court clerks. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to declare inadmissible: (1) aliens who have engaged in proscribed money laundering activities; and (2) their immediate family members who have benefitted from such illicit activities. Authorizes Federal enforcement agencies to initiate forfeiture actions regarding funds deposited into a foreign bank that has a correspondent account in the United States. Places the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as a bureau in the Department of the Treasury. Includes among its duties the maintenance of a financial crimes communications center to coordinate money laundering detection by law enforcement authorities and financial institutions. Extends U.S. Customs Service border searches to international shipments of mail. Establishes criminal penalties for false statements concerning the identity of customers of financial institutions. Requires financial institutions to maintain account holder identification and verification . Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) establish a highly secure website in the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network that allows financial institutions to file suspicious activities reports through the Internet, and that alerts financial institutions regarding activities that warrant immediate and enhanced scrutiny; (2) provide for a public-private task force on terrorist financing issues; and (3) require registered brokers and dealers to submit suspicious activity reports. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize the inclusion of suspicions of illegal activity in written employment references. Sets forth special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern, including a proscription against United States correspondent accounts with foreign shell banks. Empowers the Secretary to enter into international negotiations regarding money laundering investigations, financial crimes, and the finances of terrorist groups. Prohibits the acceptance of any bank instrument in connection with unlawful Internet gambling. Amends the Federal criminal code to increase penalties for counterfeiting domestic and foreign currency and obligations. Includes counterfeiting by analog, digital, or electronic image.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to eligible public entities to assist in the environmental cleanup and economic development of brownfield sites. Provides that community development block grant (CDBG) loan guarantee limits shall not include amounts for certain brownfield projects. Includes brownfield redevelopment as an eligible CDBG activity. Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement the community empowerment fund pilot program, including brownfield redevelopment activities; and (2) conduct a study of Federal brownfield redevelopment activities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
I Love New York Tax Deduction Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 50 to 80 percent the business meal and entertain expenses deduction for such expenses in New York City; and (2) permit a 50 percent (up to $500 or $1,000, on a joint return) personal deduction for meal, entertainment, and lodging expenses in New York City.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused their plane to crash prematurely on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Expresses the sorrow of Congress for the death and injuries suffered by first responders as they tried to save innocent people in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Honors and commends the first responders who participated in evacuating and rescuing the innocent people in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks. Encourages all levels of government to continue to work together to coordinate emergency preparedness effectively by providing the infrastructure, funding, and interagency communication and cooperation necessary to ensure that when another terrorist attack occurs, first responders will be as prepared as possible to respond to the attack effectively.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that a National Day of Remembrance should be established to remember those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and to honor the people of the United States who displayed heroism and courage during and after such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Federal Home Loan Bank Membership Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize certain privately insured credit unions to become members of a Federal Home Loan Bank if they meet all eligibility requirements for Federal deposit insurance under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2005. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2005, and, if not, Congress should be required to vote to reauthorize the Code.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2001
Securing America's Future Energy Act of 2001, or the SAFE Act of 2001 - Energy Advancement and Conservation Act of 2001 - Reauthorizes federal energy conservation programs with respect to Federal energy savings performance contracts, automobile fuel economy, nuclear energy, high ozone season reformulated gasoline and gasoline blendstock requirements, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) contamination from underground storage tanks, oil and gas pipeline routes, the burning of post-consumer carpet in cement kilns as an alternative energy source, and other specified matters. Comprehensive Energy Research and Technology Act of 2001 - Sets goals for energy research, development, and commercial application programs. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acceleration Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish a competitive grant pilot program for State and local governments and metropolitan transportation authorities to implement an alternative fuel vehicle acquisition program. Clean Green School Bus Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary to establish grant and cooperative agreement programs for alternative fuel, ultra-low sulfur diesel, and fuel cell-powered school buses. Next Generation Lighting Initiative Act - Authorizes the Secretary to establish the Next Generation Lighting Initiative. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation Authorization Act of 2001 - Earmarks funds for the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation. Robert S. Walker and George E. Brown, Jr. Hydrogen Energy Act of 2001 - Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary to conduct a hydrogen technology transfer program to increase the global market for hydrogen technologies. Bioenergy Act of 2001 - Authorizes appropriations for bioenergy research and development programs and biofuels energy systems. Department of Energy (DOE) University Nuclear Science and Engineering Act - Directs the Secretary to support or conduct: (1) a program to maintain the nation's human resource investment and infrastructure in nuclear sciences and engineering; (2) an advanced fuel recycling technology research and development program to promote the availability of proliferation-resistant fuel recycling technologies; (3) a Nuclear Energy Research Initiative; and (4) a Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization research and development program. Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2001- Directs the Secretary to implement research and development programs pertaining to unconventional and ultra-deepwater natural gas and petroleum exploration and production technologies in areas currently available for Outer Continental Shelf leasing. Fusion Energy Sciences Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary to develop a plan for: (1) U.S. construction of a magnetic fusion burning plasma experiment; and (2) the Fusion Energy Sciences Program. Authorizes appropriations for the "Spallation Neutron Source" (at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee). Energy Tax Policy Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to specified energy conservation credits and deductions. Clean Coal Power Initiative Act of 2001- Directs the Secretary to implement a prescribed program of cost and performance goals for specified five-year periods entailing research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of clean coal technologies. Energy Security Act - Mandates: (1) Federal agency reports on whether rights-of-way for transportation across Federal lands of energy supplies or transmission of electricity can be authorized for new or additional capacity; and (2) an inventory review of the wind, solar, coal, and geothermal power production potential of Federal lands. Royalty Relief Extension Act of 2001 - Mandates use of a specified bidding system for certain oil and gas lease sales located in the Western and Central Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico. Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management Improvement Demonstration Program Act of 2001 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prescribe guidelines for: (1) the payment in kind of oil and gas royalties to the United States; and (2) royalty rate reductions for certain oil and gas wells production declines in order to spur marginal well production. Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to: (1) prescribe royalty reductions; and (2) waive royalty requirements for certain geothermal energy leases. Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for the exploration and production of oil and gas resources of the Arctic Coastal Plain.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect as to any food in interstate commerce any requirement for food that is not identical to specified FDCA provisions. Prohibits any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect any notification requirement for a food that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FDCA provisions. Allows current State notification or food safety requirements to continue for 180 days after the enactment of this Act, during which such State may petition for an exemption or a new national standard. Allows a State to petition for an exemption and for a national standard regarding any requirement under the FDCA, as amended by this Act, or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows a State to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this paragraph if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2001
Training for Closed Captioners Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to provide grants to no more than 20 eligible entities (approved and accredited court reporting programs) to promote the training of students to become realtime closed captioners. Limits to $1 million the amount of a grant provided to an entity in a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2001
Expresses support for the goals and ideas of "National Night Out" (an event during the evening of August 7, 2001, to demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of community participation in crime prevention). Requests that the President focus appropriate attention on the issues of neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing his Administration to make reducing crime an important priority.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2001
Redesignates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 5472 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, as the Congressman Julian C. Dixon Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2001
Cyber Security Information Act - Prohibits the disclosure of "cyber security information" (defined to include information related to the ability of any protected system, or critical infrastructure, to resist intentional interference or incapacitation through the misuse of or unauthorized access to or use of the Internet, telecommunications systems, or similar conduct that violates Federal, State, or international law, harms U.S. interstate commerce, or threatens public health or safety) that is voluntarily provided to a Federal entity. Provides that (with exceptions) any such information voluntarily provided directly to the Government about its own cyber security, a third party's cyber security, or to an Information Sharing Organization which is subsequently provided to the Government in identifiable form shall: (1) be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act; (2) not be disclosed to any third party; and (3) not be used by any Federal or State entity or by any third party in any civil action. Makes the antitrust laws inapplicable (with an exception) to conduct engaged in solely for the purpose of and limited to: (1) facilitating the correction or avoidance of a cyber security-related problem; or (2) communication of or disclosing information to help correct or avoid the effects of a cyber security-related program. Authorizes the President to establish and terminate working groups composed of Federal employees who will engage outside organizations in discussions to address or share information related to cyber security, and otherwise to serve the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a church to participate or intervene in a political campaign and maintain its tax-exempt status as long as such participation is not a substantial part of its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2001 - 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 · 28 June 2001
Federal Employee Health Benefits Glaucoma Screening Act - Requires that a contract made or a health benefits plan approved under the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program provide coverage for screening for glaucoma for individuals determined to be at high risk for glaucoma, individuals with a family history of glaucoma, and individuals with diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Class Action Fairness Act of 2001 - Establishes a consumer class action bill of rights, including provision for: (1) judicial review and approval of noncash settlements; (2) protection against loss by class members because of payments to class counsel; (3) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for greater payments to class members because they are located in closer geographic proximity to the court; (4) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for payment of a greater share of the award to a class representative serving on behalf of a class; (5) standardized settlement notification information; and (6) pleading requirements. Grants the district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $2 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is a class action in which any member of a class of plaintiffs is: (1) a citizen of a State different from any defendant; (2) a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state and any defendant is a citizen of a State; or (3) a citizen of a State and any defendant is a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state. Lists exceptions, such as where a class action brought by shareholders solely involves a claim concerning a covered security or relating to the internal governance of a corporation. Sets forth procedures for removal of interstate class actions to U.S. district court and for review of orders remanding class actions to State courts. Grants the courts of appeals jurisdiction of appeals from orders of the U.S. district courts granting or denying class certification under rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, if notice of appeal is filed within ten days after entry of the order.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Drug-free Communities Support Program and the Advisory Commission on Drug-free Communities through FY 2007. Authorizes additional grants and renewal grants to eligible coalitions and grant recipients. Authorizes supplemental grants for coalition mentoring activities. Authorizes the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to make a grant to an eligible organization to provide for establishment of a National Community Antidrug Coalition Institute to: (1) provide education, training, and technical assistance for coalition leaders and community teams; (2) develop and disseminate evaluation tools, mechanisms, and measures to better assess and document coalition performance measures and outcomes; and (3) bridge the gap between research and practice by translating knowledge from research into practical information.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Retirement Security Advice Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to allow prohibited transaction exemptions under specified conditions to: (1) a fiduciary adviser's providing certain investment advice to an employee benefit plan or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan; (2) sale, acquisition, or holding of securities or other property (including any lending of money or other extension of credit associated with these) pursuant to such advice; and (3) direct or indirect receipt of fees or other compensation by the fiduciary adviser or an affiliate in connection with providing such advice.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that biotechnology has been responsible for breakthroughs and achievements that have benefitted people for centuries and has contributed to increasing the quality of life for the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2001
World Bank AIDS Trust Fund Amendments Act of 2001 - Amends the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 to increase to $200 million the authorization of appropriations for FY 2002 for the U.S. payment to the World Bank AIDS Trust Fund. States that the Trust Fund should address, and provide assistance (including grants for measures to ensure affordable access to treatments) for, diseases related to HIV/AIDS, such as tuberculosis, as well as malaria.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2001 - Directs that in determining the meaning of any Act of Congress or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various U.S. administrative bureaus and agencies, the words "person," "human being," "child," and "individual" shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive (as defined in this Act) at any stage of development.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Two Strikes and You're Out Child Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for mandatory life imprisonment (unless a death sentence is imposed) of a person convicted of a Federal sex offense in which a minor is the victim if the person has a prior sex conviction in which a minor was the victim.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue Cold War service medals to military personnel who served honorably during the Cold War era (September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991).
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
College Fire Prevention Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to States, private or public colleges or universities, fraternities, or sororities for up to half the cost of providing fire sprinkler systems in student housing and dormitories. Directs the Comptroller General to gather, and report to Congress, data on the number of college and university housing facilities and dormitories that have and do not have fire sprinkler systems and other forms of built-in fire protection mechanisms. Provides that any application for assistance under this Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001 - Sets forth the overall trade negotiating objectives of the United States for trade agreements (generally similar to the objectives of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (OTCA)), including to: (1) further strengthen the system of international trading disciplines and procedures, including dispute settlement; and (2) foster economic growth, raise living standards, and promote full employment in the United States and to enhance the global economy. Sets forth the principal U.S. negotiating objectives (generally similar to the principal OTCA negotiating objectives) regarding trade barriers and other trade distortions, trade in services, foreign investment, intellectual property, transparency, improvement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, foreign regulatory practices, electronic commerce, reciprocal trade in agriculture, and WTO extended negotiations. Requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consult closely with Congress during trade negotiations. Sets forth the authority of the President (generally similar to the authority under OTCA) to enter into trade agreements with foreign countries regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers. States that a trade agreement may be entered into (before June 1, 2005; or June 1, 2007, if trade authorities procedures (or fast-track procedures) are extended under this Act) only if it makes progress in meeting the overall and principal trade negotiating objectives, and the President satisfies certain notification and consultation requirements set forth in this Act, including submission of the agreement for assessment by the International Trade Commission. Applies trade authorities procedures to bills implementing trade agreements if they consist of: (1) a provision approving a trade agreement entered into under this Act, and approving any statement of administrative action; and (2) if changes in existing laws or new statutory authority are required to implement such agreements, provisions necessary to implement them, either repealing or amending existing laws or providing new statutory law. Authorizes both Houses of Congress to adopt, within 60 days of each other, a procedural disapproval resolution denying trade authorities procedures to any trade agreement if the President has failed or refused to notify or consult with Congress about it. Exempts from the notice and consultation requirements of this Act any tariff or nontariff agreement which results from negotiations commenced before enactment of this Act, and which: (1) is entered into under the auspices of the WTO regarding the rules of origin work program; (2) is entered into with Chile or Singapore; or (3) establishes a Free Trade Area for the Americas. Requires the appointment of a Congressional Oversight Group to serve as advisor to the U.S. delegation after the President notifies Congress of his intention to enter into the negotiation of any tariff or nontariff trade agreement. Requires the President to submit an implementation and enforcement plan at the same time a final text of any tariff or nontariff trade agreement is submitted to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Permanent Death Tax Repeal Act of 2001 - Amends title IX (Compliance with Congressional Budget Act) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-16) to repeal the sunset provisions applicable to title V (Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes) of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Amends the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations through FY 2004 for the cost for the reduction of debt owed by a developing country with a tropical forest to the United States as a result of concessional loans made or credits extended to such country under specified laws.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Amendment Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for certain Medicare beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2001
Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress: (1) a gold medal to the family of Andrew Jackson Higgins in recognition of his contributions to the Nation and to the Allied victory in World War II; (2) an identical medal to the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, for public display; and (3) a gold medal to the Museum in honor of the World War II employees of Higgins Industries and in recognition of their contributions to the Nation and to the Allied victory in World War II. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Amends the Organic Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain a list of each person that notifies the Secretary that it is a manufacturer or seller that is: (1) licensed to engage in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product; or (2) is a trade association representing such manufacturers or sellers. Declares that any lawful conduct carried out by a manufacturer or seller in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product, or lawful conduct carried out by a trade association in the course of representing such manufacturers or sellers, shall not be the basis for imposing a restriction on such commerce (the award of civil damages, equitable relief, or any other specified limitation) as a result of harm caused by the criminal or other unlawful misuse of such firearm or ammunition product by any other person.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Community Rail Line Relocation Assistance Act of 2001 - Amends Federal highway law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a grant program to provide financial assistance to States for up to 90 percent of the cost of local rail line relocation projects.
![Official portrait of Rep. Oxley, Michael G. [R-OH-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/o000163_200.jpg)