United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of that House voting and present, unless the bill is determined at the time of adoption not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for purposes of determining any increase, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Requires journal entry of any vote. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security, and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2003 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) give greater weight to scientific and commercial data that is empirical or that has been field-tested or peer-reviewed in determining that a species is an endangered or threatened species; and (2) promulgate regulations that establish criteria for data to be used as the basis of such a determination. Prohibits the Secretary from determining that a species is endangered or threatened unless the determination is supported by field data. Requires the Secretary to include in the rule-making record of such a determination data collected by landowners. Requires the Secretary to publish a description of additional scientific and commercial data that would assist in the preparation of a recovery plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) solicit recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences and develop a list of qualified reviewers to participate in independent scientific review actions; and (2) appoint from such list three individuals who shall report on the scientific information and analyses on which final action is based. Requires the Secretary, when consulting with a Federal agency to determine whether agency action will jeopardize an endangered or threatened species or destroy the critical habitat of such species, to: (1) consider information provided by affected States; and (2) allow any person who has sought agency authorization or funding for an action to participate in related consultations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Consumer Privacy Protection Act of 2003 - Requires data collection organizations, under specified conditions, to notify consumers: (1) at the time of collection that their personally identifiable information may be used for an unrelated transaction purpose; and (2) of any material change in the organization's privacy policy statement immediately after each change. Requires such organizations to establish a privacy policy with respect to the collection, sale, disclosure for consideration, or use of the consumer's information. Requires an organization to provide consumers, without charge, the opportunity to preclude the sale or disclosure of their information to any organization that is not an information-sharing partner. Prescribes requirements for opportunities an organization may give consumers to limit other information practices of the organization. Directs an organization to prepare and implement an information security policy that prevents the unauthorized disclosure or release of a consumer's information. Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to presume that an organization is in compliance with this Act if it participates in an approved five-year self-regulatory program. Prescribes requirements for a self-regulatory consumer dispute resolution process. Directs the FTC to: (1) facilitate electronic and promote the use of common identity theft affidavits; (2) require the timely resolution of identity theft disputes; (3) utilize the Identity Theft Clearinghouse to transmit information to appropriate entities for protective action and to mitigate losses; and (4) provide change of address protection for consumers. Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to analyze the impact on U.S. interstate and foreign commerce of information privacy laws, regulations, or agreements enacted, promulgated, or adopted by other nations, and whether the enforcement mechanisms or procedures of them result in discriminatory treatment of U.S. entities; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce, based on such results, to take steps to mitigate against such discriminatory impact. Directs the Secretary to seek harmonization of this Act with other international privacy laws, regulations, and agreements for the advancement of transnational and electronic commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Universal Service Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in calculating Federal universal service support for eligible telecommunications carriers that serve rural, insular, and high cost areas, to revise its support mechanism for high cost areas to provide support to each wire center in which the incumbent local exchange carrier's average cost per line for such center exceeds 3.75 times the national average cost per line. Requires the FCC to provide support for each State equal to the greater of the amount calculated under the FCC's current support mechanism for high cost areas or the amount calculated above. Limits per State support and total support for all States. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the need to reform the high cost support mechanism for rural, insular, and high cost areas. States that nothing in this Act shall affect the support provided to rural telephone companies.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Designates the visitors' center in Organ Pipe National Monument as the Kris Eggle Memorial Visitors' Center. Dedicates such center to Eggle (a park ranger who was murdered in the line of duty along the U.S-Mexico border) and to promote awareness of the risks taken each day by all public land management law enforcement officers. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to post interpretive signs at the center and at the trail-head of the Baker Mine-Milton Mine Loop that describe the important role of public law enforcement officers in protecting park visitors, refer to the tragic loss of Eggle and to the dedication of the trail and visitors' center by Congress, and include a copy of this Act and Eggle's image.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Citizenship Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit automatic citizenship at birth to a child born in the United States who: (1) was born in wedlock to a parent either of whom is a U.S. citizen or national, or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence; or (2) was born out of wedlock to a mother who is a U.S. citizen or national, or is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who maintains such residence.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
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 Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike such gold medal (and authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals); and (2) deposit sums received from the sale of the bronze medals into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Constitutional Amendment - States that no person born in the United States shall be a citizen of the United States, or of any State, on account of birth in the United States unless the mother or father of the person is a citizen of the United States, or is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, at the time of the birth.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Parental Notification and Intervention Act of 2003 - Prohibits any person or organization from performing, permitting facilities to be used to perform, or assisting in the performance of an abortion on an unemancipated minor under age 18, without: (1) clear and convincing evidence of physical abuse of the minor by the parent and the provision of written notification to the parents; (2) compliance with a 96-hour waiting period after notice has been received by the parents; and (3) compliance with judicial intervention procedures. Prescribes penalties of up to ten years' imprisonment and/or a $1 million fine for violating such prohibition. Provides for an exception where a physician without principal responsibility for making the decision to perform the abortion determines that: (1) a medical emergency exists due to a grave, physical disorder or disease that would cause the minor's death if an abortion is not performed; (2) parental notification is not possible as a result of the emergency; and (3) certifications and determinations to that effect have been entered in the minor's medical records. Requires parental notification through certified mail or personal delivery. Authorizes a notified parent to bring an action in Federal district court which shall enjoin the abortion: (1) until the court's judgment is final; or (2) permanently unless the court determines that granting such relief would be unlawful.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Condemns the attacks on U.S. citizens by Palestinian terrorists and demands that the Palestinian Authority work with Israel to protect all innocent individuals, regardless of citizenship, from terrorist atrocities. Offers condolences to the families and loved ones of U.S. citizens who were killed by such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
EMTALA Regulatory Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a procedure to notify hospitals and physicians when an investigation under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) is closed. Directs the Secretary to establish a Technical Advisory Group to review issues related to EMTALA and its implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Broad-Based Stock Option Plan Transparency Act of 2003 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require companies to include within certain mandatory reports details regarding stock option plans, stock purchase plans, and other arrangements involving employee acquisition of an equity interest in the company, including: (1) a discussion of the dilutive effect of stock option plans (written in accordance with the Plain English Handbook published by the Office of Investor Education and Assistance of the Commission); (2) expanded disclosure of the dilutive effect of employee stock options on the company's earnings per share number; (3) prominent placement and increased comparability of all stock option related information; and (4) a summary of stock options granted to the five most highly compensated executive officers, including outstanding stock options of those officers. Directs the SEC to examine and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the enhanced disclosures required by this Act in increasing transparency to current and potential investors. Prohibits the Commission, between enactment of this Act and submission of such report, from recognizing as generally accepted accounting principles any new accounting standards regarding the treatment of stock options. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on broad-based employee stock option plans, particularly in the high technology and any other high growth industries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Honors and recognizes: (1) the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish community; and (2) the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History (formed by the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the American Jewish Historical Society, and the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives) and its efforts to plan, coordinate, and execute commemorative events. Expresses support for designation of American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Honors, and calls on all Americans to honor, the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and their families. Encourages those families to proudly display the Blue Star Banner (symbolizing military service of a family member) or, if a family member has died during such service, the Gold Star. Calls upon the media to recognize the importance and symbolism of the Banner.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all applicable Federal authorization and related environmental review of a proposed electricity transmission or distribution facility upon request of a current or prospective applicant for Federal authorization related to such a facility. Instructs DOE to establish prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the review of and Federal authorization decisions relating to the proposed facility. Sets a one-year deadline for completion of all permit decisions and related environmental reviews regarding an application. Requires the Secretary of Energy to consult regularly with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and FERC-approved Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators on changes to the national grid that will improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the capability of the grid to deliver electricity.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Directs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments during a specified incentive period to the owner or operator of: (1) a turbine or other generating device owned or solely operated by a non-Federal entity which generates hydroelectric energy for sale and which is added to an existing dam or conduit (a qualified hydroelectric facility); and (2) hydroelectric facilities at existing dams for capital improvements that are directly related to improving their efficiency by at least three percent. Describes payment limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
American Dream Downpayment Act - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to participating jurisdictions for downpayment assistance to low-income, first-time home buyers; and (2) make the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 inapplicable to such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2003 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Former Insurance Agents Tax Equity Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act with respect to the exemption from the self-employment tax for certain termination payments received by former insurance agents. Repeals the requirement that the amount of such a payment not depend to any extent on length of service or overall earnings from services performed for the former insurance company.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Family Time Flexibility Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for compensatory time for all employees. Allows an employee to receive, in lieu of monetary overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less than one and one-half hours for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
American History and Civics Education Act of 2003 - Directs the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to award competitive grants to nonprofit educational institutions to establish: (1) Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and Civics to offer workshops for teachers of American history and civics; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics to offer workshops for outstanding students of American history and civics. Directs the NEA Chairperson to award a grant to an organization for the creation of a national alliance of elementary school and secondary school teachers of American history and civics.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits any qualified civil liability action from being brought in any State or Federal court and requires pending actions to be dismissed. Defines such an action to: (1) include an action brought against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm; and (2) exclude an action brought against persons who transfer a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; an action brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; an action in which a manufacturer or seller of a firearm willfully violated a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the firearm and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; an action for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the firearm; or an action for physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the firearm when used as intended.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Broker Accountability Through Enhanced Transparency Act of 2003 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to revise the requirements a registered securities association must meet for receiving and responding to inquiries regarding disciplinary actions involving its members and their associated persons. Requires such an association to establish and maintain: (1) a system for collecting and retaining registration information, including disciplinary actions, on its members and their associated persons; and (2) a readily accessible electronic or other process (in addition to the currently required toll-free telephone listing) to receive and promptly respond to inquiries pertaining to such information, including registration information that has been reported to the association by any registered national securities exchange involving its members and their associated persons. Shields such association from liability for actions taken or omitted to implement this Act. Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to shield from liability for actions taken or omitted by any entity designated by the Securities Exchange Commission as the entity through which an investment adviser may be required to file any required fee, application, report, or notice.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize appropriations for the State criminal alien assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Schoolchildren's Health Protection Act - Amends the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit Federal education funding (from programs for which the Secretary or Department of Education has administrative responsibility) to any State or local educational agency that provides to an unemancipated minor, at an elementary or secondary school, postcoital emergency contraception (e.g. the "morning-after pill") or a prescription for such contraception.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Arizona Water Settlements Act - Central Arizona Project Settlement Act of 2003 - Sets forth general permissible uses of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) (a water reclamation project), including for domestic, municipal, fish and wildlife, and industrial purposes. Sets forth requirements for the reallocation of CAP non-Indian agricultural and uncontracted municipal and industrial priority water. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the State of Arizona to develop a firming program to ensure the availability of a specified amount of agricultural priority water to Arizona Indian tribes during water shortages. Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Arizona Water Settlement Agreement. Allows excess funds from the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund and any annual payments by the Central Arizona Water Conservation District to effect repayment of reimbursable CAP construction costs to be used against annual payments for CAP owed by the District. Authorizes appropriations for compliance with specified biological opinions relating to impacts of CAP water delivery and storage. Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2003 - Approves the Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Agreement. Describes reallocated Community water rights and revises Community water delivery requirements. Provides for waiver and release of Community water rights claims against Arizona. Establishes the Gila River Indian Community Water OM&R Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to repair and remediate Community subsidence and related damage. Requires the Secretary to assist in reducing the total water demand for irrigation use in the upper valley of the Gila River by acquiring and extinguishing or transferring water rights and entering fallowing agreements. Rewrites the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act of 1982 as the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2003. Sets forth water delivery requirements and construction obligations with respect to the San Xavier Indian Reservation and the Schuk Toak District as well as permissible water uses. Reauthorizes a cooperative fund for operation, maintenance, and repair costs associated with water delivery to the Reservation and District. Provides for waiver and release of water rights claims of the Tohono O'odham Nation (formerly the Papago Tribe). Sets forth requirements regarding after-acquired trust lands on behalf of the Nation. Reauthorizes a trust fund established for such Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Local Emergency Health Services Reimbursement Act of 2003 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to appropriate $1,450,000,000 for each of FY's 2004 through 2008 for allotments to States for reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (presently such appropriations end after FY 2001). Sets forth formulas for the disbursement of funds by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Declares that $957,000,000 shall be allotted based on a percentage of undocumented aliens and $493,000,000 shall be allotted based on numbers of undocumented alien apprehensions (in the six States with the highest number of such apprehensions). Permits a State to receive funds on both accounts. Allows funds to go to States, local governments, hospitals, or other providers in a State, including providers of services received through an Indian Health Service facility (presently funds go only to States). Permits reimbursement to providers for the uncompensated provision of emergency health services to aliens who have been allowed to enter the United States for the sole purpose of receiving such services. Directs the Secretary to ensure that fraudulent payments are not made from allotments under this Act. Allows for the reallotment of unused funds. Declares that this Act constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Rodeo-Chediski Economic and Forest Health Recovery Act - Authorizes the Regional Forester for Region 3 to exempt certain wildfire prevention tree-thinning projects in the area of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire on the Apache-Stigreaves or Tonto National Forests lands from any provision of law, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Forest Management Act. Exempts such projects from: (1) judicial review; or (2) notice, comment, and appeals under the Appeals Reform Act. Sets forth the Constitutional authority for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Security and Fairness Enhancement for America Act of 2003 or the Safe for America Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the diversity immigrant program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician or other individual from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion, except when necessary to save the life of a mother that is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Defines a "partial-birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the abortion: (1) deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the mother's body, or, in the case of a breech presentation, any part of the fetal trunk past the navel is outside the mother's body; and (2) performs the overt act, other than completion of delivery, that kills the partially delivered living fetus. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Full Expensing for Economic Growth Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the special first-year allowance for certain property acquired after September 10, 2001 and before September 11, 2004, to increase such allowance to 100 percent for 18 months from the date of enactment of this Act, if there was no written binding contract in effect before such date, for: (1) the acquisition of such property; or (2) in the case of property manufactured, constructed, or produced for the taxpayer's own use, for the manufacture, construction, or production of such property.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Straight Talk on Social Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Social Security Act to require Social Security account statements to contain additional information, such as a statement of the current Social Security tax rates applicable to wages and self-employment income, including an indication of the combined total of such rates of employee and employer taxes with respect to wages.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2003 - Authorizes the establishment of the District of Columbia Scholarship Corporation as a private, nonprofit corporation to administer, publicize, and evaluate a District scholarship program and determine elementary and secondary student and school eligibility. Establishes a District of Columbia Scholarship Fund, to be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. Authorizes the Corporation to award tuition scholarships and enhanced achievement scholarships to District resident students preparing to enter kindergarten through grade 12 with family incomes not exceeding 185 percent of the national poverty line. Allows scholarships to be used for tuition, fees, and appropriate transportation to public, private, or independent schools (or beyond-school-hours enhancement programs) in the District and specified neighboring counties and cities in Maryland and Virginia. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the District scholarship program. Provides for expedited judicial review of challenges to such program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to access and choice for small business employers with respect to medical care for their employees. Establishes rules governing association health plans (group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations), including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation, coverage, plan documents, contribution rates, benefit options, applications for certification, notice for voluntary termination, corrective actions, and mandatory termination. Requires association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage to maintain certain reserves and comply with other solvency provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply for appointment, and carry out specified duties, as trustee of any such insolvent association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage. Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on any association health plan commencing operations in such State after the enactment of this Act. Requires association health plans to include in their summary plan descriptions, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of any solvency or guarantee fund protection secured under ERISA or applicable State law. Revises provisions relating to treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements. Provides for association health plans with respect to: (1) enforcement; (2) cooperation between Federal and State authorities; and (3) treatment of certain existing health benefit programs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Identification Integrity Act of 2003 - Prohibits a Federal employee from accepting from individuals for purposes of establishing their identity a form of identification issued by a foreign government, except for a passport that is accepted for such purpose on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Expresses gratitude for and encourages States and localities to honor the courage and sacrifice of members of the U.S. armed forces, particularly Sam Johnson of Texas, who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict. Calls for a full accounting of the 1,902 members of the armed forces who remain unaccounted for from that conflict. Honors all members of the armed forces who have fought and died in the defense of freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2003
Prohibits Federal agencies (as defined by this Act) from accepting for any identification-related purpose any State-issued driver's license or other comparable identification document unless the State requires such licenses or documents issued to nonimmigrant aliens to expire on a date that is not later than: (1) the expiration of the alien's authorized U.S. stay; or (2) five years after such document's expiration in any case in which the alien's lawful stay is modified after U.S. admission, or does not expire on a fixed date. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to assist States in issuing appropriate licenses and identification documents.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such embryo; or (4) importing such an embryo or derived product. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties. Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited above, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Fair Care for the Uninsured Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid for qualified health insurance, subject to stated limitations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to the provider of an individual's qualified health insurance equal to such individual's qualified health insurance credit advance amount (the Secretary's estimate of the amount of credit allowable) with respect to such provider. Requires each health insurer, health maintenance organization, and health service organization to participate in a health insurance safety net which shall assure the availability of health insurance to uninsurable individuals. Funds such safety nets through assessments against such insurers and organizations. Permits such insurers and organizations to add the costs of such assessments to the costs of its insurance or coverage. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow health benefits coverage through individual membership associations (IMAs). Sets forth IMA requirements, including that the IMA be an organization operated under the direction of an association and that IMA health benefits coverage only be provided through contracts with health insurance issuers. Requires IMAs to include a minimum of two health insurance coverage options.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the special rule for the redistribution and availability of unexpended FY 1998 and 1999 SCHIP allotments, including to: (1) extend the availability of FY 1998 and 1999 reallocated funds through FY 2004; and (2) permit 50 percent of the total amount of unexpended FY 2000 and 2001 SCHIP allotments that remain available to a State through the end of FY 2002 and 2003 to remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of FY 2004 and 2005, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Prohibits any Federal entity, in providing a Federal public benefit or service, from accepting, recognizing, or relying on any identification document that was not issued by a Federal or State authority and that is not subject to verification by a Federal law enforcement, intelligence, or homeland security agency. Deems any Federal official, employee, contractor, or agent who takes action inconsistent with such prohibition to be acting beyond the scope of his or her authority and to be liable for such action, unless conferred immunity under the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2003 - Ratifies the Settlement Agreement concerning Zuni Indian Tribe water rights claims in the Little Colorado River basin, Arizona. Includes the provision of assistance for acquiring surface water rights and wetland restoration. Names the Tribe, the State of Arizona and specified state agencies, specified neighboring non-Indian communities, and specified water and power companies as parties to the agreement. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to execute the Settlement Agreement and subsequent, mutually agreed upon amendments. Establishes and authorizes appropriations to the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Development Fund to be allocated among specified activities, including the acquisition of water rights and restoration at the Zuni Heaven Reservation. Includes funds paid to the Tribe as required by the Settlement Agreement. Conditions Zuni expenditures from such Fund upon the approval of a tribal management plan and an expenditure plan. Directs the Secretary to take title to specified lands in trust for the benefit of the Tribe, including lands to become part of the Reservation. Sets forth the status of such lands with regard to Federal and State water rights and ad valorem taxes. Extinguishes all claims for water rights in Zuni lands.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003
Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003
National Right-to-Work Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003
Wildfire Prevention and Forest Health Protection Act - Authorizes Regional Foresters to exempt certain wildfire prevention tree-thinning projects on National Forest System lands from any laws that give rise to legal causes of action seeking to delay or prevent such actions. Exempts such projects from: (1) judicial review; or (2) notice, comment, and appeals under the Appeals Reform Act. Sets forth the Constitutional authority for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003
Indian Reservation Jobs and Investment Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an Indian reservation investment credit based on specified amounts. Includes qualified personal property and qualified real property used or located outside an Indian reservation which is connected to existing tribal infrastructure in the reservation, including roads, power lines, water systems, railroad spurs, and communication facilities as a reservation infrastructure investment. Limits the credit based on the Indian unemployment rate. Provides for recapture of the credit in certain cases.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003
Tribal Government Tax-Exempt Bond Authority Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by an Indian tribal government if at least 95 percent of the net proceeds are used to finance tribal facilities. Provides for the tax-exempt treatment of any private activity bond issued by an Indian tribal government or subdivision as a qualified bond. Prescribes specific ownership restrictions and an employment test. Exempts from the exclusion any bond issued by such tribal government or subdivision unless it is federally guaranteed. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to exempt obligations issued by an Indian tribal government or subdivision from registration requirements.
![Official portrait of Rep. Shadegg, John B. [R-AZ-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000275_200.jpg)