United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Chief Martin Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Chief Phillip Martin in recognition of his leadership of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians for over 45 years and for his contributions to the American Indian community, particularly to the native and non-native communities of Mississippi.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
American LIFE Fund for the Medical Treatment of the Uninsured in Honor of the Victims of September 11th, 2001, Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual to designate a portion of any tax overpayment for the Health Coverage for the Uninsured Trust Fund, which shall use such funds to provide injury and catastrophic illness protection to individuals without health coverage. Establishes in the Treasury the Health Coverage for the Uninsured Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify qualified leasehold improvement property (defined as certain improvements made to an interior portion of nonresidential real property) as ten-year property for depreciation purposes under the Accelerated Cost Recovery System.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
September 11th Assistance Tax Clarification Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income specified funds under Public Laws 107-206, 107-73, 107-38, and 107-117, paid to any person as assistance on account of any property or business damaged by, and for economic revitalization directly related to, the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
United States Forces Korea Quality of Life Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income so much of combat zone compensation as does not exceed the maximum enlisted amount received for active service as a member of the armed forces serving in South Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Medicare Outpatient Copayment Reduction Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), with respect to the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, to provide for an extended period through 2010 of increased graduated reduction of the Medicare beneficiary copayment for a covered OPD service furnished under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Requires engine coolant or antifreeze sold after January 1, 2004, that is manufactured after July 1, 2003, and that contains more than ten percent ethylene glycol, to include denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million (or other equally effective aversive agent) as a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable. Requires a manufacturer or packager of such product to maintain records of compliance with this Act. Declares that any manufacturer, distributor, recycler, or seller of an automotive product required by this Act to contain an aversive agent shall not be liable (except for willful or wanton misconduct) for personal injury, death, or property damage that results from compliance with this Act. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the sale of a motor vehicle that contains engine coolant or antifreeze; or (2) wholesale containers of engine coolant or antifreeze containing 55 gallons or more of engine coolant or antifreeze.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
IRS Refund Accessibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the Secretary of the Treasury to use any means of mass communication to disclose taxpayer identity information in order to notify individuals entitled to tax refunds.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Hospital Investment Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to limit the hospital ownership exception to physician self-referral restrictions to interests purchased on terms generally available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Child Protective Services Improvement Act - Amends title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to entitle each qualified State (one that has in effect during a fiscal year a corrective action plan, and has documented for the Secretary of Health and Human Services the efforts made to develop community involvement in establishing such plan) to receive a grant from the Secretary for such fiscal year to carry out such plan. Entitles each qualified State to receive a bonus in the same specified amount from the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that, in the preceding fiscal year, the State made significant progress in achieving the goals of the corrective action plan. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administration of Children and Families, to make grants to States to improve the quality of child welfare services by increasing the quality and capacity of their child welfare workforce or by increasing the coordination of their child welfare services. Provides for payment to States for expenditures for short-term training of staff of abuse and neglect courts and related persons, as well as persons employed by nonprofit child-serving agencies working with State or local agencies administering the State plan to keep children safe and provide permanent families for them. Requires the Secretary to award grants to eligible States and directly to Indian tribes to promote joint activities (designed to meet specified criteria) among Federal, State, and local public child welfare and drug abuse prevention and treatment agencies (and similar agencies providing services to children in Indian tribes) that focus on families with alcohol or drug abuse problems who come to the attention of the child welfare system. Amends SSA, with respect to qualifying children, to permit a State to opt to align eligibility requirements for foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance with eligibility requirements of SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF). Amends title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of SSA to allow each State with an approved plan, at State option, to enter into kinship guardianship assistance agreements to provide payments on behalf of children under age 18 to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of the children for whom they have cared as foster parents and for whom they have committed to care for on a permanent basis. Modifies requirements for child welfare demonstration projects to: (1) require the Secretary, under specified conditions, to consider authorizing projects designed to promote community partnerships for protecting children; (2) extend the Secretary's authority to approve demonstration projects through 2008; (3) remove the current cap (a maximum of ten per fiscal year) on the authorization of such projects; (4) prohibit a limit on the number of States that may be granted waivers to conduct same or similar projects or a limit on the number of waivers that may be granted to a single State for projects; (5) require the development of a streamlined process for consideration of amendments to and extensions of projects proposed by States; and (6) require the Secretary to make certain reports available to States or other interested parties concerning such projects. Makes appropriations for abuse prevention and adoption activities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to increase the imprisonment penalty for animal fighting violations from one year to two years. Makes it unlawful to sell, buy, transport, or deliver in interstate or foreign commerce a knife, gaff, or other sharp instrument used in a bird-fighting venture. Revises enforcement provisions. Permits euthanasia for an animal in extreme pain. Includes the Internet or any technology as interstate instrumentality.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore, increase, and make permanent the exclusion from gross income for amounts received under qualified group legal services plans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Democracy Day Act of 2003 - Requires the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2004 and in each even-number year thereafter (Election Day) to be treated in the same manner as November 11 (Veterans Day) for purposes of any laws relating to Federal employment. Urges private employers to give their employees that day off to enable them to vote. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the impact of such requirement on voter participation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes and honors the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States; (2) urges Congress to amend the United States Code, or the President to issue an Executive order, to establish a paid legal public holiday in honor of Native Americans; (3) urges the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and territories and possessions of the United States to observe the date established as Native American Day as a paid legal public holiday; (4) encourages public elementary and secondary schools in the United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by providing classroom instruction focusing on their achievements and contributions to the United States; and (5) encourages Americans of all backgrounds to observe the date established as Native American Day through appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Fair Play-Equal Access in Membership Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Congress that neither the President, the Vice-President, nor any Member of Congress, justice or judge of the United States, or political appointee in the executive branch should belong to a club that discriminates on the basis of sex or race.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Don't Feed the Bears Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to enforce the National Parks System regulatory prohibitions against the feeding and baiting of wildlife on National Park System lands and in wildlife refuge areas, in particular the intentional feeding of bears for the purpose of enticing them to a particular area to be hunted (bear baiting). Requires the Secretary of the Interior with respect to lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to National Forest System lands, to adopt and enforce a regulation to prohibit individuals from intentionally feeding bears, including feeding for the purpose of bear baiting.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Depleted Uranium Munitions Study Act of 2003 - Requires the Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct jointly and report to Congress on: (1) a comprehensive study of the health effects of exposure to depleted uranium munitions upon uranium-exposed veterans and upon their children born after such exposure; and (2) a public health assessment of persons who are thought to have an epidemiological link to any U.S. military installation or production facility at which depleted uranium munitions have either been, or currently are being used or produced. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct and report to certain congressional committees on a comprehensive environmental evaluation of possible contamination of the soil, air, water, and vegetation by depleted uranium at sites listed by the Secretary of Defense where depleted uranium munitions have been used or produced. Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) develop and implement a plan for the mitigation and cleanup of depleted uranium at the pertinent sites; and (2) submit annual progress reports to the Administrator and such congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Mobilized Reserve Family Health Care Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to cover the cost of insurance coverage under TRICARE for a member (and family) of the National Guard or a reserve component of a U.S. Armed Force who has been called or ordered to active duty for a period in excess of 30 days, or for an indefinite period, during such period of duty. Permits a deduction (for both itemizers and nonitemizers), applicable to such period of duty, for insurance costs in addition to the TRICARE costs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act - Designates specified National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management district lands in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa Counties in California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Requires that such lands be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, whoever has current administrative jurisdiction. Provides for the adjustment of the boundaries of certain of the lands to allow and encourage mechanical fire-suppression activities near wildfire risk areas. Designates specified Bureau of Land Management district lands in California as potential wilderness areas. Requires that the Secretary of the Interior manage such lands as wilderness and carry out ecological restoration activities. Designates specified segments of the Black Butte River in Mendocino County, California as a wild and scenic river. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a fire management plan and a report on the cultural and historic resources of Black Butte River. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture for: (1) the establishment of a program to provide grants for creating wilderness-related jobs and for developing visitors centers, brochures, and kiosks; (2) the development of trails and other facilities to promote wilderness recreation; (3) the support of law enforcement activities; and (4) the support of firefighting activities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Mother-to-Child Transmission Plus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2003 - Appropriates additional funds for FY 2003 to Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health for its (Mother-to-Child Transmission) MTCT-Plus Initiative for the first major multi-country, family-centered AIDS treatment program for developing countries in Africa and Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Act - Authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. to design and construct a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Directs the Commission on Fine Arts to approve a final design for the center within one year. Requires the center to be operated and maintained by the Secretary of the Interior subject to the Secretary entering into an operation and maintenance agreement with the Memorial Fund. Prohibits the use of any Federal funds for the planning, design, construction, operation, or maintenance of such center.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to allow an individual to file a petition for expungement of a record of conviction for a nonviolent criminal offense if such individual has: (1) never been convicted of another violent offense; (2) fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court in which conviction was obtained; (3) remained free from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for a minimum of one year and has been rehabilitated, to the court's satisfaction, if so required by the terms of supervised release; (4) obtained a high school diploma or completed a high school equivalency program; and (5) completed at least one year of community service. Authorizes an individual convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor to file an expungement petition. Directs the court, in ruling on such petition, after determining petitioner eligibility, to weigh the petitioner's interests against the best interests of justice and public safety. Authorizes the Department of Justice to maintain a nonpublic manual or computerized index of expunged records, to be made available only to Federal and State law enforcement personnel who have custody of such records for limited disclosure purposes. Requires the restoration of expunged records of individuals subsequently convicted of any Federal or State offense.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act of 2003 - Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual: (1) is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility; or (2) is on parole or probation for a felony offense. Provides for enforcement and remedies for violations of this Act. Specifies that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a State from enacting any State law that affords the right to vote in any election for Federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act; and (2) the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voters Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether such screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Declares Kadiatou Diallo, Laouratou Diallo, Ibrahima Diallo, Abdoul Diallo, and Mamadou Bobo Diallo to each be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of State (or the Secretary's designee) to enter into negotiations with representatives of the Government of Cuba to establish cooperation between appropriate governmental agencies of the United States and Cuba on illicit narcotics control efforts, including efforts to provide increased cooperation, coordination, and assistance between the two countries to interdict illicit narcotics transported through the territory of Cuba (including Cuban airspace and waters).
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Crack-Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act of 2003 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate specified mandatory minimum penalties relating to the trafficking in, and possession, importation, or distribution of, crack cocaine.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to provide for employee leave to care for a domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent if such person has a serious health condition. Amends Federal civil service law to apply the same leave allowance to Federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Clean Diamond Trade Act - Directs the President to prohibit the importation into, or exportation from, the United States of any rough diamond, from whatever source, that has not been controlled through the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Prescribes criteria for waiver of such prohibition. Directs the President to require the appropriate Government agency to conduct annual reviews of the standards, practices, and procedures of any entity in the United States that issues Kimberley Process Certificates for the exportation from the United States of rough diamonds to determine whether they accord with the KPCS. Makes the importing authority under this Act the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) and the exporting authority the Bureau of the Census. Declares that the Congress supports the trade policy that the President take appropriate steps to promote and facilitate the adoption of the KPCS by the international community. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes the President to direct the appropriate Federal agencies to make available technical assistance, relating to compliance with U.S. trade laws, to countries seeking to implement the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Urges the President to work with Participants to strengthen the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme through the adoption of measures for: (1) sharing statistics on rough diamonds production and trade; and (2) monitoring the effectiveness of the KPCS in stemming trade in diamonds whose importation or exportation is not controlled through the KPCS. Urges the executive branch continue to: (1) keep and publish statistics on imports and exports of rough diamonds; (2) make them available for analysis by interested parties and by Participants; and (3) take a leadership role in negotiating a standardized methodology among Participants for reporting such statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Public Housing Tenants Respect Act of 2003 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to repeal the public housing community service and family self-sufficiency requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Tribal Government Tax-Exempt Bond Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by an Indian tribal government if: (1) at least 95 percent of the net proceeds are used to finance facilities on an Indian reservation; or (2) the obligation is part of an issue substantially all of whose proceeds are to be used in the exercise of an essential government function. Excludes an obligation used to finance a gaming facility. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to exempt obligations issued by an Indian tribal government or subdivision from registration requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Calls for establishment of a National Week of Reflection and Tolerance encouraging communities and institutions around the nation to engage in events and activities that are reflective, educational, celebratory, and healing as they relate to diversity among the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Expresses the sympathy of Congress to Craig and Cynthia Corrie and to their extended families, friends, and co-workers for the loss of Rachel Corrie in the Palestinian village of Rafah in the Gaza strip on March 16, 2003. Calls on the U.S. Government to undertake a full investigation into her death. Urges the U.S. Government and the Government of Israel to work together to determine the circumstances that led to her death and to ensure that an incident of this kind does not happen again.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Homeland Emergency Response Act of 2003 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to revise the responsibilities of the Office for Domestic Preparedness with respect to the preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism, including to: (1) establish and coordinate an integrated capability for Federal, State, and local governments and emergency responders to plan for and address potential consequences of terrorism; (2) establish standards for a national, interoperable emergency communications and warning system which allows for communications capability between local and other first responders on all levels of government; and (3) evaluate equipment to be used by first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a program of assistance to States and certain local governments to enhance the ability of State and local first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. Sets forth certain use and distribution requirements for such assistance. Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide grants for counterterrorism activities of the fire departments in the five localities of greatest vulnerability. Amends the USA Patriot Act to set forth a formula for the allocation of appropriations that exceed stated minimum amounts for grants to States to enhance State and local capability to prepare for and respond to terrorist acts. Authorizes the use of such grants also to enhance security facilities and to support counterterrorism, intelligence, and security activities (including personnel costs). Requires each State to distribute not less than 75 percent of grant amounts to local jurisdictions. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President in instances where one or more harmful substances are being, or have been, released in an area that has been declared a major disaster area to carry out a program for the protection, assessment, monitoring, and study of the health and safety of first responders in such area (including authorizing the monitoring and treatment of first responders at Ground Zero from the attacks on New York City of September 11, 2001).
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to extend from three to 12 months the period following release from active duty during which a member of the armed forces shall be protected from mortgage foreclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Living Organ Donor Job Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow leave for living organ donation. Includes among authorized leave time spent for: (1) tests for medical suitability of the eligible employee; (2) physical, psychological, and social evaluations of the donor; (3) pre-transplant outpatient services; (4) post-operative inpatient and outpatient transplantation services; (5) travel in connection with such tests, evaluations, and services; and (6) recuperation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Medicare Safety Net Access Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) provide for coverage of Medicare-covered ambulatory services by Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs); and (2) ensure FQHC reimbursement under hospital and skilled nursing facility prospective payment systems. Amends SSA title XI with respect to criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs, particularly illegal remunerations (kickbacks). Exempts from the prohibition against such remunerations any remuneration: (1) between a certain kind of public or nonprofit private health center entity and any individual or entity providing goods, items, services, donations, loans, or a combination, to such health center entity pursuant to an agreement, if such agreement contributes to the ability of the health center entity to maintain or increase the availability, or enhance the quality, of services provided to a medically underserved population served by the health center entity; and (2) between a FQHC (or an entity controlled by such a health center) and a Medicare+Choice organization pursuant to a specified written agreement. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards relating to the exception for health center entity arrangements to specified anti-kickback penalties. Amends SSA title XVIII to revise the payment for certain FQHC services furnished to an individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice), allowing for supplemental reimbursement, among other changes. Amends Medicare+Choice to add additional Medicare+Choice contract requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2003 - Amends title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using networks of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care. Prescribes program implementation guidelines, including: (1) application requirements; (2) training; (3) screening; (4) educational requirements; (5) Federal and non-Federal share of funds for the Program; (6) considerations in awarding grants; and (7) use of funds. Sets forth a maximum grant amount to be awarded to a State. Authorizes the Secretary to award a competitive grant to an eligible entity to establish a National Hotline Service or Website to provide information to individuals interested in becoming mentors to youth in foster care. Instructs the Secretary of Education to implement a program to provide for the discharge or cancellation of the Federal student loan indebtedness of an eligible mentor.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Declares that Federal funding for diabetes research should be increased in accordance with the recommendations of the Diabetes Research Working Group so that a cure for juvenile diabetes can be found.
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 · 19 March 2003
Aviation Industry Stabilization Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to change from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to provide insurance and reinsurance against loss or damage arising out of any risk from the operation of an American aircraft or foreign-flag aircraft. Grants the Secretary authority to extend through calendar year 2007 the termination date of any insurance policy issued to an air carrier. Makes permanent the Secretary's authority to declare an air carrier a victim of terrorism not liable for third party claims arising out of acts of terrorism. Extends the period for an air carrier to apply for a loan guarantee or line of credit to pay for its aviation fuel costs or increases in aviation fuel costs under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act. Requires the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, after all cockpit doors are strengthened, to consider and report to Congress on whether it is necessary to require Federal air marshals to be seated in the first class cabin of an aircraft with strengthened cockpit doors. Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) undertake action necessary to improve the screening of mail so that it can be carried on passenger flights; and (2) reimburse air carriers for certain screening and related activities as well as the cost of fortifying cockpit doors, and for any financial losses attributed to the loss of air traffic resulting from the use of force against Iraq in calendar year 2003. Requires that an airlift services contract entered into by the Secretary of Defense and an air carrier provide for the air carrier to be compensated for the positioning, repositioning, and other ferry portions of missions performed under the contract. Requires the Secretary of Energy, if the use of force against Iraq is authorized in calendar year 2003, to drawdown and distribute petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the extent necessary to remedy a dislocation in the jet fuel market or an extraordinary increase in the price of jet fuel. Establishes an air cargo security working group composed of various groups to develop recommendations on the enhancement of the current known shipper program. Directs the Comptroller General to analyze factors contributing to the financial difficulties of air carriers to determine possible approaches to alleviate such difficulties.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Medicare Puerto Rico Hospital Payment Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise: (1) the payment formula to increase payment amounts to Puerto Rico hospitals that are based on the applicable Federal percentage of the discharge-weighted average of the national adjusted DRG (diagnostically-related group) prospective payment rate for hospitals located in urban and rural areas for discharges beginning in FY 2004; and (2) the calculation of Medicare disproportionate share payments for prospective payment system hospitals in Puerto Rico.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
International School Curriculum Monitoring Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to the Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices regarding foreign countries that receive development assistance and security assistance information. Requires the Secretary of State to describe in such reports the nature and extent of the promotion of violence and hatred in the curriculum (including textbooks and any other related materials) of schools in such foreign countries, including the promotion of anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism, and racism.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Equity for Reservists Pay Act of 2003 - Entitles a Federal employee who is also a member of the reserves and who is absent from his or her civilian employment position under a call or order for active duty service of more than 30 days, to receive an amount equal to the difference in pay between the military compensation received and the civilian compensation that otherwise would have been received during such period. Makes such amounts also payable during: (1) any period of hospitalization or convalescence required as a result of such service; and (2) the 14-day period following such service. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse a State or local government for 50 percent of the civilian compensation paid by such government for pay periods when a State or local government employee is performing active duty service of more than 30 days. Increases such rate to 100 percent if the employee's active duty service period extends beyond nine months. Requires such reimbursement during periods of hospitalization or convalescence and for 14 days after service. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that, for purposes of the general business credit, the Active-Duty Reserve Component employee credit is 50 percent of the compensation paid by the employer to the employee during the period of active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Sunnyside, Queens, New York, as the Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) elimination of the lifetime limit on inpatient mental health services; (2) parity in treatment for outpatient mental health services; (3) coverage of intensive residential services under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and of intensive outpatient services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (4) exclusion of clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system; and (5) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
College Affordability and Lifetime Savings Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) convert the current deduction for interest on education loans to a credit equal to 50 percent of the interest paid during the taxable year on any qualified education loan; and (2) exclude from gross income amounts which would be included under specified loan forgiveness programs for teachers and other public servants.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
College Opportunity for a Better America Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide student loan forgiveness for borrowers who are employed full-time in qualified public service positions. Requires the Secretary of Education, depending on the duration of such public service employment, to assume certain portions of such borrowers' obligations to repay specified types of Federal student loans. Makes eligible for such program: (1) highly qualified teachers in low-income communities and of mathematics, science, and bilingual and special education; (2) early childhood educators; (3) nurses; (4) child welfare workers; (5) nutrition professionals; (6) infant and toddler specialists; and (6) other highly-qualified workers who serve low-income or needy communities and who are in public service professions that suffer from a critical lack of qualified personnel. Revises provisions for income-related repayment. Changes those for guaranteed student loan from income-sensitive to income-contingent, thus making them consistent with those for direct student loan provisions. Releases qualified public service employees from income-contingent repayment obligations after a maximum of 15 years. (Other borrowers must repay over a maximum 25-year period.)
![Official portrait of Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000053_200.jpg)