United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Powder-Crack Cocaine Penalty Equalization Act of 2002 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate the disparity in sentencing between crack and powder cocaine, with regard to trafficking, possession, importation, and exportation of such substances, by changing the applicable amounts for powder cocaine to those currently applicable to crack cocaine.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Ten Commandments Defense Act of 2002 - Declares reserved to the States the power to display the Ten Commandments on State or local government property. Declares that expressions of religious faith by individual persons upon State property are: (1) protected against Federal laws or regulations respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion; and (2) among those liberties of which no State may deprive any person without due process of law made in pursuance of powers reserved to the States. Requires the courts established by the Congress to exercise judicial power in accordance with such declarations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2002
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 · 14 February 2002
Securities and Exchange Commission Authorization Act of 2002 - Authorizes appropriations for the Securities and Exchange Commission for FY 2003. Earmarks specified amounts for the Division of Corporate Finance and the Division of Enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Corporate and Auditing Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency Act of 2002 - States that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shall not accept a financial statement certified by an accountant unless such accountant is subject to oversight by a public regulatory organization (PRO), and is in good standing with it. Directs the SEC to: (1) prescribe the criteria that would permit recognition of a PRO for purposes of this Act; and (2) revise auditor independence regulations so as to exclude certain non-audit services from activities permissible for an independent auditor. Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) prompt notification of PRO sanctions to the SEC; and (2) SEC review of such sanctions. Prohibits an officer, director, or affiliated persons of an issuer of a registered security from exerting improper influence upon the conduct of audits. Mandates, upon SEC request, rapid disclosure of an issuer's financial condition or operations, including electronic disclosure of insider and affiliate transactions. Prohibits a ten percent beneficial owner from engaging in insider trades during pension fund blackout periods. Exempts certain such owners from this proscription. Bars a lawsuit for violation of such insider trades two years after the date the insider trade profit was realized. Permits the SEC to design exemptions. Directs the SEC to: (1) modify regulations governing corporate disclosures; (2) set minimum periodic review requirements for certain securities; and (3) study and report to specified congressional committees on rules relating to analyst conflicts of interest, corporate governance practices, enforcement actions, and credit rating agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Corporate Charitable Disclosure Act of 2002 - Amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to mandate disclosure of: (1) corporate charitable contributions whose value exceeds that made by the issuer during the previous year to any nonprofit organization of which a director, officer, or controlling person of the issuer (or a spouse) was a director or trustee (insider affiliated charities); (2) the name of such nonprofit organization and the value of the contribution; (3) the total value of contributions made by the issuer to nonprofit organizations during its previous fiscal year; and (4) the organization name and the value of contributions if the value to any one organization exceeds the amount designated by SEC rule.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Peace With Security Act - Prohibits U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority (or any instrumentality of the Palestinian Authority). Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if it is in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant to or contract with nonprofit organizations for: (1) the development and dissemination of curriculum and materials for responding to a terrorist event involving a nuclear, biological, or chemical element, addressed to the informational, educational, and/or planning needs of health care professionals, the general public, and local governments and businesses; and (2) establish and maintain an emergency medicine alert network for use at the Federal and State levels for information sharing concerning a terrorist event and response methods.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) a regular timeline for the publication of final regulations; and (2) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors. Outlines requirements for provider education and technical assistance under Medicare. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council to direct the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Provider Ombudsman to: (1) assist confidentially service providers and suppliers with respect to grievances and requests for information; and (2) submit recommendations to the Secretary for improvement in Medicare administration. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to appoint a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to assist Medicare beneficiaries with respect to grievances and requests for information. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program making certain technical assistance available, upon request on a voluntary basis, to small providers of services or suppliers to evaluate their billing and related systems for compliance with the applicable Medicare requirements. Outlines requirements with respect to provider appeals and recovery. Directs the Secretary to establish a process for expedited access to judicial review. Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to: (1) the Medicare Integrity Program to provide for the recovery of overpayments; and (2) agreements with service providers to direct the Secretary to establish a process for enrollment of Medicare service providers and suppliers. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing any documentation guidelines for evaluation and management physician services under Medicare unless the Secretary has, among other things, established a plan with specific goals and a schedule for improving the use of such guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include a marine internal combustion engine within the term "consumer product." Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to set safety standards for such engines according to prescribed guidelines. Transfers from the Coast Guard to the Commission the regulation of marine internal combustion engines.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Houseboat Safety Improvement Act of 2001 - Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to prescribe rules regarding houseboat generator exhaust safety that: (1) set a standard that ensures that carbon monoxide from such exhaust is not expelled in a manner that would impair the safety of houseboat occupants or swimmers near the houseboat; (2) require a houseboat manufactured after a date specified by the Commandant to meet such safety standard; (3) require houseboat manufacturers that do not comply with such standard to issue a recall for such a houseboat in order to retrofit it to comply with the standard; and (4) require a person who commercially rents a houseboat, or commercially sells a used houseboat, to another person to inform them of the potential hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning from houseboat generator exhaust (particularly for houseboat occupants or nearby swimmers), if the houseboat was manufactured before the date set for compliance with the safety standard, and has not been retrofitted to comply with it.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Fair Credit Reporting Act Amendment of 2001 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide that an action to enforce a liability may be brought within two years from the earlier of the date on which the consumer discovers, or the date by which the consumer reasonably should have discovered, the violation giving rise to the liability.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Extends by one year the deadlines for compliance by health care providers, health plans other than small health plans, and health care clearinghouses with the standards for electronic health care transactions and code sets adopted under part C (Administrative Simplification) of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) by the Secretary of Health and Human Services only if, before the current deadline, such entity submits to the Secretary a plan for compliance with such standards. Amends part C of SSA title XI to include the Medicare+Choice program as a health plan (thus applying administrative simplification requirements to Medicare+Choice organizations). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a specified administrative fee for the submission of a claim in a paper or non-electronic form for items or services for which payment is sought under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Student Freedom of Religious Expression Act - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to disallow recovery of attorneys' fees by the prevailing party in any action claiming that a public school or its agent violates the constitutional prohibition against the establishment of religion by permitting, facilitating, or accommodating a student's religious expression.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Recognizes and commends the efforts of State and local governments and community, religious, and charitable organizations to support military and civilian personnel engaged in the war on terrorism. Encourages the people of the United States: (1) to support such personnel through a united effort to be known as Operation Enduring Support; and (2) as part of such Operation, to support military families, stage patriotic send-off and welcome-home rallies and parades; and volunteer and contribute financial assistance to the Red Cross, United Way, and similar organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Terrorism Risk Protection Act - Sets a deadline for the President to designate an Administrator (or Administrators) to implement this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that, in determining the Administrator responsible for making determinations as to whether a loss was caused by an act of terrorism, the President should consider the appropriate role of the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Prescribes procedural guidelines under which such Administrator shall provide financial assistance (up to $100 billion) to commercial insurers to cover insured losses resulting from an act of terrorism. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a terrorism reserve for commercial lines of insurance business. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) should develop appropriate definitions for acts of terrorism and appropriate standards for making determinations regarding such acts; (2) each State should adopt those definitions and standards for purposes of regulating insurance coverage in that State; (3) the appropriate Administrator should advocate and promote the development of definitions and standards appropriate for purposes of this Act; and (4) after such consultation, the appropriate Administrator should adopt definitions for acts of terrorism and standards for determinations appropriate for this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the NAIC should develop appropriate guidelines for commercial insurers and pools regarding maintenance of reserves against the risks of acts of terrorism; and (2) each State should adopt such guidelines for commercial insurers doing business in that State. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the States should require that the price of terrorism insurance coverage, including the costs of any terrorism related assessments or surcharges, be separately disclosed. Instructs the President to establish a commission to study and report to Congress on the potential effects of an act of terrorism on the life insurance industry in the United States and the markets served by such industry.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Combatting Illegal Gambling Reform and Modernization Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to revise provisions regarding interstate gambling. Increases the term of imprisonment for violations. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly using a communication facility for the transmission: (1) of bets or wagers, or betting information, in interstate or foreign commerce, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or to or from any place outside the jurisdiction of any nation regarding any transmission to or from the United States,; or (2) of a communication in such interstate or foreign commerce which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or for information assisting in the placing of bets. Prohibits (with exceptions) any person engaged in a gambling business from knowingly accepting credit, an electronic fund transfer, a check, or the proceeds of certain other forms of financial transaction as the Secretary may prescribe in connection with the transmission of such a communication of information assisting the placing of bets. Lists exceptions, including certain: (1) transmissions of information assisting in the placing of bets (such as for use in news reporting); and (2) uses of communication facilities for the transmission of bets (e.g., where a State or Tribe has explicitly authorized such bets). Sets forth remedies for violations. Bars imposition of damages, penalties, or forfeiture against any person or entity for an act done in compliance with notice received from a law enforcement agency.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2001
Sales Tax Holiday Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse States and New York City for lost sales tax on tangible personal property during a moratorium between November 23, 2001, and December 2, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Amends rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from having access to classified information (including access through attendance at any briefing or other event at which classified information is presented) unless such individual meets the same security clearance and confidentiality requirements as Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence employees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
Travel America Now Act of 2001-Amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily: (1) allow a credit for qualified personal travel expenses; (2) restore full deductibility for business entertainment expenses; and (3) extend the carry-back period for travel or tourism industry losses.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a two year recovery period for depreciation of computers and other technological equipment. Reduces the recovery period from five to two years under the alternative depreciation system for certain property ( tax-exempt use property, etc.). Reduces the useful life for depreciation of computer software from 36 to 24 months. Establishes a seven year useful life for depreciation of certain auction-acquired telecommunications licences.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2001
Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused their plane to crash prematurely on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that a National Day of Remembrance should be established to remember those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and to honor the people of the United States who displayed heroism and courage during and after such attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2001
Victims of Terrorism Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from income taxes and the additional estate tax any individual who died as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, unless the individual was a perpetrator of the attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2001 - 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 data obtained by observation of the species in the field. Requires the Secretary to accept, acknowledge receipt of, and include in the rulemaking record of such a determination data collected by landowners through observation of the species on the land. Requires the Secretary to publish with the notice of a proposed regulation a description of additional scientific and commercial data that would assist in the preparation of a recovery plan, invite any person to submit such data, and describe the steps for acquiring additional data. Directs the Secretary: (1) to solicit recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences and develop a list of qualified reviewers to participate in independent scientific review actions; (2) before any proposed action becomes final, to appoint from such list three individuals who shall report on the scientific information and analyses on which such action is based; and (3) to include such report in the official record of the proposed action. Requires the Secretary, in consulting with each Federal agency and the affected States to insure that any agency action is not likely to jeopardize any endangered or threatened species or destroy the species' habitat, to: (1) consider information provided by such States; and (2) provide any person who has sought authorization or funding from a Federal agency for an action the opportunity to submit, discuss, and receive information relevant to the draft biological opinion.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2005. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2005, and, if not, Congress should be required to vote to reauthorize the Code.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2001
Medicare Improvements for Special Needs Beneficiaries Act of 2001 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for specialized Medicare+Choice plans for special needs beneficiaries and the treatment of such plans as coordinated care plans under Medicare part C. Permits: (1) restriction on the enrollment of individuals in a specialized Medicare+Choice plan to special needs beneficiaries; and (2) continuous open enrollment for such beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
Health Care Account Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the exclusion from income of an employee of both the amounts contributed by the employee's employer to any health care expenditure account of such employee and amounts contributed by the employee to such an account. Limits contributions and requires employers to make comparable contributions. Provides for the creation of such accounts and permits expenditures from such accounts for qualified medical expenses which are not compensated for by insurance. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to ERISA coverage of such accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
National Uniformity for Food Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect as to any food in interstate commerce any requirement for food that is not identical to specified FDCA provisions. Prohibits any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect any notification requirement for a food that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FDCA provisions. Allows current State notification or food safety requirements to continue for 180 days after the enactment of this Act, during which such State may petition for an exemption or a new national standard. Allows a State to petition for an exemption and for a national standard regarding any requirement under the FDCA, as amended by this Act, or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows a State to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this paragraph if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
Consumer Product Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the placement of a writing (defined as any form of representation or communication, including handbills, notices, or advertising, that contains letters, words, graphic, or pictorial representations) in or on a consumer product prior to its sale to any consumer without the consent of the product manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2001
Declares that Congress: (1) supports the initiatives proposed for direct dialogue without precondition between leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait; and (2) endorses the proposal for full participation in the October 2001 Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum by President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2001
High Productivity Investment Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish two new depreciation provisions: (1) the rapid cost recovery system under which the cost of specified property may be depreciated more quickly than under current depreciation methods; and (2) the high productivity investment deduction under which the cost of specified property may be expensed. Modifies the alternative minimum tax. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a table showing classes of property and the modified class life of each class of property. Provides a schedule on which the Secretary's initial table shall be based.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a church to participate or intervene in a political campaign and maintain its tax-exempt status as long as such participation is not a substantial part of its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2001 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Patient Access, Choice, and Equity Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to, among other things: (1) establish a credit for the health insurance costs of an individual and his or her family; (2) provide for qualified health insurance credit amount payments by the Secretary of the Treasury to an employer or health insurance issuer for an employee or individual covered by qualified health insurance; (3) establish, in the case of an employer, a former health insurance exclusion credit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Calls for U.S. corporations to make greater contributions to faith-based organizations battling societal challenges. Expresses the sense of Congress that such corporations: (1) are important partners with government in efforts to overcome social problems; and (2) should not adopt policies that prohibit contributions to faith-based organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Permanent Death Tax Repeal Act of 2001 - Amends title IX (Compliance with Congressional Budget Act) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-16) to repeal the sunset provisions applicable to title V (Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes) of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the total amount of contributions accepted from in-State individual residents with respect to an election by a candidate for the office of Senator or of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, Congress to be at least 50 percent of the total amount of contributions from all sources. Exempts from this requirement any opponent of such a candidate who makes expenditures of more than $250,000 from personal funds. Specifies a fine for any candidate violating contribution requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
National Monument Fairness Act of 2001 - Revises Federal law with respect to a presidential proclamation that, during one calendar year, either creates a national monument that is more than 50,000 acres or that adds more than 50,000 acres to an existing national monument. Prohibits the issuance of such a proclamation until 30 days after the President has transmitted the proposed proclamation to the Governor of the State or States in which such acreage is located, soliciting written comment. Makes any such proclamation ineffective two years after its issuance unless Congress has approved it by law. Requires the President: (1) to solicit public participation and comment in the development of a monument proclamation; (2) to consult with the Governor and entire congressional delegation of the State or territory in which such lands are located at least 60 days before any national monument proclamation; and (3) before issuing it, to consider any information, including public comments, made available in the development of existing plans and programs for the management of the lands under consideration. Requires any management plan for a national monument developed subsequent to a proclamation made under this Act to comply with the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Responsible Stem Cell Research Act of 2001- Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish by contract a National Stem Cell Donor Bank to preserve qualifying human stem cells and make such cells available for biomedical research and therapeutic purposes. Authorizes the Secretary, through the National Institutes of Health, to conduct and support human stem cell research.
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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Shadegg, John B. [R-AZ-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000275_200.jpg)