United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Honors John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, who lost their lives in the course of duty as firefighters, and recognizes them for their bravery and sacrifice. Expresses condolences to their families. Pledges the support of the House of Representatives to continue to work on behalf of all of the Nation's firefighters who risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of all Americans.
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
Private Economy Protection Act of 2001 - Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from using Federal surplus funds to invest in securities other than government and municipal securities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide crop year 2000 market loss assistance to apple producers. Establishes a quantity limit, but stipulates that there shall be no other conditions for producer eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2001
Recognizes and affirms: (1) the efforts of the Governors of the Great Lakes States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and the Premiers of the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec in developing a common standard for decisions relating to the withdrawal of water from the Great Lakes; and (2) that the management authority over such waters should remain vested with such Governors and Premiers.
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
Fair Debt Collection Practices Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to permit continuation of collection activities and communications during the 30-day period following notice of debt, unless the consumer requests cessation of such activities. Broadens prescriptions governing debtor's civil liability to include a series of class actions arising out of the same violations by the same debt collector. Disallows recovery of legal fees that accrue after the date of a consumer's refusal of a debt collector's settlement offer which is greater than or equal to the final judgment award (including participants in a class action or series of class actions). Requires the court to consider the amount of actual damages awarded when it determines the amount of liability. Declares that a debt collector shall not be liable if the preponderance of the evidence shows that the violation resulted from good faith compliance with either Federal or State rules of civil procedure, or with a non-judicial foreclosure proceeding.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) specify restrictions on the sale and public display of social security account numbers (SSNs) (or any derivatives) by Federal, State, and local governments and bankruptcy case trustees; (2) prohibit the display of SSNs on checks issued for payment by such governments, or on driver's licenses or motor vehicle registrations issued by a State or local government; (3) prohibit the Federal, State, or local government display of SSNs (or any derivatives) on employee identification cards or tags (IDs); (4) prohibit access to the SSNs of other individuals by prisoners employed by Federal, State, or local governments; (5) require States to require independent verification of birth records provided in support of applications for SSNs; and (6) prohibit the selling, purchasing, or displaying of SSNs and the obtaining or using of any individual's SSN to locate or identify such individual with the intent to physically injure or harm such individual or to use the ID of such individual for any illegal purpose by any person, with specified exceptions. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act, including judicial orders of restitution. Provides that any person who refuses to do business with an individual because the individual will not consent to that person's receipt of his or her SSN shall be considered to have committed an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act, except in certain cases required under Federal law. Subjects to the Fair Credit Reporting Act information regarding a consumer's SSN (and any derivative) (credit header information).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Working Families Flexibility Act of 2001 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for compensatory time for all employees. Allows an employee to receive, in lieu of monetary overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Uniform and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to revise voter registration and absentee ballot application procedures for absent uniform services and overseas voters. Establishes a mandatory minimum period for acceptance of absentee ballots after date of election, as well as other specified requirements and prohibitions for the stated purpose of promoting participation of overseas and absent uniformed services voters. Makes it an additional duty of the Presidential designee under such Act to prescribe a standard oath for use with any document affirming that a material misstatement of fact in the completion of such a document may constitute grounds for a conviction for perjury. Provides for coverage of recently separated uniformed services voters. Requires the Presidential designee to make a payment to each eligible State for carrying out activities to comply with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Domestic Spirits Tax Equity Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a distilled spirits wholesaler a distilled spirits wholesalers credit equal to the product of: (1) the number of cases of bottled distilled spirits which were bottled in the United States and which are purchased by such wholesaler during the taxable year directly from the distiller or importer of such spirits; and (2) the average tax-financing cost per case for the most recent calendar year ending before the beginning of such taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Waives the requirement under rule XIII of the House of Representatives of a two-thirds vote to consider a Committee on Rules report on the same day it is presented to the House, with respect to any resolution reported by such Committee on May 26, 2001, providing for consideration or disposition of any measure to provide for reconciliation pursuant to H. Con. Res. 83 (FY 2002 congressional budget), including any amendment thereto, conference report thereon, or any amendment reported in disagreement from a conference thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Waives the requirement under rule XIII of the House of Representatives of a two-thirds vote to consider a Committee on Rules report on the same day it is presented to the House, with respect to any resolution reported by such Committee on May 25, 2001, providing for consideration or disposition of any measure to provide for reconciliation pursuant to H. Con. Res. 83 (FY 2002 congressional budget), including any amendment thereto, conference report thereon, or any amendment reported in disagreement from a conference thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2001
Waives the requirement under rule XIII of the House of Representatives of a two-thirds vote to consider a Committee on Rules report on the same day it is presented to the House, with respect to any resolution reported by such Committee on May 24, 2001, providing for consideration or disposition of any measure to provide for reconciliation pursuant to H. Con. Res. 83 (FY 2002 congressional budget), including any amendment thereto, conference report thereon, or any amendment reported in disagreement from a conference thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Printed Circuit Investment Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify as three-year depreciable property any printed wiring board or printed wiring assembly equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2001
Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2001 - Provides that neither a person (including any other entity) who donates re-certified fire control or fire rescue equipment, nor a State or local agency that administers the distribution of such equipment, shall be liable for personal injuries, property damage, or death proximately caused after the donation by a defect in such equipment. Waives such liability protection if: (1) the person's or agency's act or omission causing the injury, damage, or loss constitutes malice, gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct; or (2) the person or agency is the manufacturer of such equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2001
Small Business Liability Protection Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide (with exceptions) that persons shall be liable for response costs at a National Priorities List (NPL) facility as non-owners or operators only if the total of material containing a hazardous substance that the business arranged for disposal, transport, or treatment of, or accepted for transport, was greater than 110 gallons of liquid material or 200 pounds of solid material. Applies this exemption only to activities taking place before April 1, 2001. Exempts a person from liability for response costs (with exceptions) at a NPL facility for municipal solid waste (MSW) as a non-owner or operator if the person is an owner, operator, or lessee of residential property from which all of the person's MSW was generated, or a certain small business or small charitable tax-exempt organization that generated all its MSW, with respect to the facility concerned. Makes nongovernmental entities that commence a contribution action liable to the defendant for all reasonable costs of defending the action if the defendant is not liable based on the above-described exemptions. Adds to the list of parties eligible for de minimis final settlements certain persons and businesses that demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs. Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2001
Dairy Consumers and Producers Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to include Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania within the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. Eliminates: (1) the Compact's termination date; and (2) certain restrictive authority respecting non-Compact milk. States that only Ohio may join such Compact. Eliminates and revises specified provisions regarding Compact implementation, duration, restricting authority, and Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. States that Congress consents to the Southern Dairy Compact entered into by Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. States that only Florida, Nebraska, and Texas may join such Compact. Limits price regulatory authority to Class I fluid milk unless otherwise consented to by the Congress. Provides for Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. Sets forth the Southern Dairy Compact. States that Congress consents to: (1) the Pacific Northwest Dairy Compact proposed for California, Oregon, and Washington; and (2) the Intermountain Dairy Compact proposed for Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Limits price regulatory authority to Class I fluid milk. Provides for Corporation compensation. States that such Compacts shall be the same as the Southern Dairy Compact with specified differences.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2001
Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2001 - Imposes specified sanctions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) or the Palestinian Authority if the President determines that such entities have not complied with certain commitments made with Israel. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions in the U.S. national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2001
Veterans Housing Fairness Act of 2001 - Authorizes the use of veterans' housing loan benefits to purchase stock or membership in a development, project, or structure (structure) of a cooperative housing corporation as long as such structure: (1) complies with criteria prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (2) is a one-family residential unit.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2001
Volunteer Firefighter's Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow, for a volunteer firefighter, an annual deduction (of up to $500) for contributions to a volunteer firefighter savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2001
Public Safety Act - Provides that to be eligible to receive a grant under the violent offender incarceration and truth-in-sentencing incentive grant program, an applicant shall provide assurances to the Attorney General that if selected to receive funds the applicant shall not contract with a private contractor or vendor to provide core services related to the incarceration of an inmate. Makes this provision inapplicable to an existing contract to provide such core services, but applicable to renewals or extensions of an existing contract. Amends the Federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons to provide that: (1) any penal or correctional facility or institution, except for nonprofit community correctional confinement (such as halfway houses), confining any person convicted of offenses against the United States shall be under the direction of the Director of the Bureau and shall be managed and maintained by Federal, State, or local government employees; and (2) the housing, safeguarding, protection, and disciplining of any person charged with or convicted of any offense against the United States (with that exception) shall be conducted and carried out by Federal, State, or local government employees.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that ancestors and lineal descendants of past or present members of the armed forces shall be taken into account in determining whether a veterans' organization is exempt from tax.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Access to Cancer Therapies Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to extend Medicare coverage to all oral drugs prescribed for use as an anticancer agent for a medically accepted indication.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Seniors' Health Care Freedom Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with regard to the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries to eliminate the requirement that non-Medicare physicians and practitioners file affidavits pledging they will not file any Medicare claims for two years with respect to the Medicare beneficiaries with whom they contract.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) mandate a single national average standardized payment amount for inpatient hospital services furnished, regardless of whether in an urban or non-urban area, under the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for discharges occurring in FY 2002 and thereafter; and (2) establish a minimum factor of .925 as a floor for area wage adjustment factors used under the PPS for inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act of 2001 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define "high speed data service" as a service capable of transmitting electronic information at a rate generally not less than 384 kilobits per second in at least one direction. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and each State from regulating the rates, charges, terms or conditions for, or entry into the provision of, any high speed data service or Internet access service, or to regulate the facilities used in the provision of such service. Prohibits the FCC from requiring an incumbent (established) local exchange carrier to: (1) provide unbundled access to any network elements used in the provision of any high speed data service, other than those elements described in FCC regulations; or (2) offer for resale at wholesale rates any high speed data service. Requires each incumbent local exchange carrier to provide: (1) Internet users with the ability to subscribe to and have access to any Internet service provider that interconnects with such carrier's high speed data service; (2) any Internet service provider with the right to acquire necessary facilities and services to facilitate such interconnection; and (3) any Internet service provider with the ability to collocate equipment in order to achieve such interconnection. Includes high speed data service or Internet access service within the definition of "incidental interLATA services" permitted for a Bell operating company.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
Amends subtitle B of title XII of division A of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to repeal the use of millions of theoretical operations per second (MTOPS) as a measurement of computer speed with respect to the application of certain export controls on high performance computers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
American Hospital Preservation Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by Federal law commonly referred to as the (Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP) Benefits Improvement and Protection Act, to: (1) increase (restore the full) market basket update for inpatient prospective payment services hospitals; and (2) maintain the indirect medical education adjustment percentage at 6.5 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
Urges all cemeteries to: (1) maintain the American flags placed on the graves of veterans on Memorial Day until at least May 31, the day after the original Memorial Day (except in inclement weather); and (2) create partnerships with local veterans' organizations to allow veterans to assist in the removal of such flags.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require coverage of colorectal cancer screening according to certain guidelines by a group health plan, a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, and a health insurance issuer in the individual market. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and of Health and Human Services to ensure coordination in the implementation and enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Medical Savings Account Availability Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to medical savings accounts to: (1) repeal restrictions on the number of accounts which may be established; and (2) expand the availability of such accounts to individuals other than the self-employed and employees of small employers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the wetlands reserve program. Replaces the total program acreage limitation with an annual acreage enrollment limitation through FY 2005. Authorizes program related cooperative agreements for goods and services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Helping Children Succeed by Fully Funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize and make appropriations for FY 2002 through 2007 for IDEA part B programs of assistance for education of all children with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Sustaining Access to Vital Emergency Medical Services Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, as amended by the Children's Health Act of 2000, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide for improved emergency medical services in rural areas. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) (including part C (Medicare+Choice) of the Medicare program) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish a prudent layperson standard for emergency ambulance services under Medicare and Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Governors Island Preservation Act of 2001 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) transfer the administration and management of Governors Island National Monument to the Secretary of the Interior; and (2) convey Governors Island (with the exclusion of the Monument) to New York State. Requires: (1) the Secretary to submit a management plan for the Monument within three years; and (2) the Administrator to reserve access to the Monument for the Secretary for preservation, maintenance, and public enjoyment of such Monument and for the Secretary of Transportation for the operation and maintenance of aids to navigation located on Governors Island. Requires any use of the conveyed land of Governors Island to be consistent with specified public access, preservation, and operational objectives and to be in compliance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the Governors Island Preservation and Design Manual.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2001 - Provides that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if both parties consent in writing after such controversy arises. Requires the arbitrator to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow businesses a limited reclamation credit of 20 percent of the basis of each qualified reclamation property placed in service during the taxable year. Defines qualified reclamation property as, among other things, qualified recycling property or qualified remanufacturing property.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2001
Cuban Internal Opposition Assistance Act of 2001 - Instructs the President to: (1) use specified funds to implement assistance for victims of the most extreme political repression and to assist independent nongovernmental opposition organizations inside Cuba; (2) ensure that such funds reach their destination; and (3) authorize issuance of licenses to independent nongovernmental organizations to send monetary remittances to independent nongovernmental opposition organizations to implement specified activities under the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Lyme Disease Initiative of 2001 - Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, of Agriculture, of the Interior, and of Defense to: (1) establish specified detection test, improved surveillance and reporting system, and prevention goals to provide for a reduction in the incidence and prevalence of Lyme disease and related tick borne infectious diseases; and (2) establish a five-year plan of activities toward achieving those goals, and carry them out. Establishes the Lyme Disease Taskforce to advise the Secretaries with respect to achieving such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2001
Investor and Capital Markets Fee Relief Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to reduce mandatory transaction fees pertaining to: (1) exchange-traded securities; (2) off-exchange trades of exchange-registered and last-sale-reported securities; (3) stock repurchase statements; and (4) proxy solicitations and statements in corporate control transactions. Replaces the fee structure for off-exchange trades of last-sale-reported securities with a fee structure for off-exchange trades of exchange-registered and last-sale-reported securities. Provides that the fees so collected shall: (1) be deposited and credited as offsetting collections to the account providing appropriations to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and (2) not be deposited and credited as general revenue of the Treasury. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to: (1) reduce registration fees; and (2) reflect the provisions of this Act. Amends the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to terminate the mandatory application filing fee. Sets forth requirements for pay parity for SEC employees.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Marriage Tax Elimination Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide that the basic standard deduction on a joint return shall be equal to 200 percent of the dollar amount of an individual who is not married. Provides a schedule for making, by 2005, the maximum taxable income in the lowest married bracket equal to double the maximum taxable income in the lowest single filer bracket. Increases the earned income credit phaseout amount on a joint return by $2,000. Revises IRC provisions relating to limitation based on tax liability and the definition of such liability to provide that the aggregate amount of credits allowed as nonrefundable personal credits shall not exceed the sum of: (1) the taxpayer's regular tax liability for the taxable year reduced by the foreign tax credit; and (2) the tax imposed by the alternative minimum tax.
![Official portrait of Rep. Reynolds, Thomas M. [R-NY-26]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000569_200.jpg)