United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2001
Gas Affordability Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend for six months (the period beginning on July 1, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2001) the 4.3 cent increase in motor fuel taxes enacted in 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2001
National Mathematics and Science Partnerships Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the following programs of grants to institutions of higher education (or, in some cases, eligible nonprofit institutions), in support of activities relating to elementary and secondary school mathematics and science teaching and education: (1) Mathematics and Science Education Partnerships with local educational agencies; (2) Teacher Research Scholarships in mathematics, science, and engineering; (3) establishment of four multidisciplinary Centers for Research on Learning and Education Improvement; and (4) Robert Noyce Scholarships for teacher recruitment and training, with recipient service commitments. Requires the Director of NSF to establish a program to expand the National Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education Digital Library program to enable timely and continuous dissemination of elementary and secondary science, math, engineering, and technology educational resources, materials, practices, and policies through the Internet and other digital technologies. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to convene a conference on improving kindergarten-through-12th grade science, mathematics, and technology education. Requires the Director of NSF to ensure that any NSF program that awards grants for the establishment of research centers at institutions of higher education after the date of the enactment of this Act: (1) requires every center to offer programs for elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and students to increase their understanding of the field in which the center specializes; and (2) uses the quality of a center's proposed precollege education programs as a criterion in determining grant awards.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2001
Instructs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on areas where Federal regulations may be modified to help alleviate ongoing gasoline price pressures, including the potential for: (1) improvements related to increased costs resulting from the high number of "boutique" fuel formulations produced in the United States; (2) decrease of refining costs through changes in fuel Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements; (3) cost savings through regulatory changes related to the transition from winter to summer fuel mixes; and (4) any other areas that the Secretary believes that regulations could be streamlined or improved to alleviate high fuel prices.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2001
Gas Tax Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend, for six months, motor fuels taxes. States that amounts transferred to the Highway Trust Fund shall be determined as if this Act had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2001
Welcomes President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan upon his visit to the United States. Requests that he communicate to the Taiwanese people the support of Congress and the people of the United States. Recognizes his visit as a significant step toward broadening and deepening the friendship and cooperation between the United States and Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2001
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to impose tariff-rate quotas (quantitative import limits) and provide various duty rates on certain casein, caseinates, milk protein concentrate, and other casein derivatives and glues imported into the United States (except imports from Mexico). Authorizes the President to: (1) enter into a trade agreement with a foreign country to grant new concessions as compensation in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions; and (2) proclaim any necessary modification or continuance of any existing duty, or continuance of existing duty-free or excise treatment. Sets forth certain limits on the reduction of duties on such products.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2001
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance (replanting assistance and/or seedlings) to eligible commercial orchardists and tree farmers who have suffered qualifying tree losses caused by a natural disaster. Makes such provision applicable to losses incurred after January 1, 2000.
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 · 2 May 2001
Great Lakes Ecology Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species within the Great Lakes. Calls upon such regulations to require, among other things, the use of environmentally sound treatment methods for ballast water and ballast sediments in preventing and controlling infestations of aquatic nuisance species. Sets forth provisions requiring maximum public participation in, and advance notice of, proposed rulemaking with respect to such regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2001
Conveys the sympathies of the House of Representatives to Jim and Cory Bowers and to their extended families, friends, co-workers, and fellow missionaries at the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism for the loss of Veronica "Roni" Bowers and Charity Bowers in an attack by a Peruvian Air Force fighter jet on the plane in which they were traveling. Commends Kevin Donaldson for his heroic actions in safely landing the plane and wishes Mr. Donaldson a speedy and complete recovery from his injuries. Encourages the Governments of the United States and Peru to work together to determine all the circumstances that led to this incident and to ensure that an incident of this kind never occurs again.
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 · 26 April 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to be commended for their progress toward political and economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for prospective members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); (2) such countries would make an outstanding contribution toward furthering NATO goals should they become members; (3) extension of full NATO membership to the Baltic states would contribute to stability, freedom, and peace in the Baltic region and Europe as a whole; and (4) with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines and criteria for membership, such countries should be invited to become full NATO members.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2001
Recognizes and acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its achievement and service to the United States. Reaffirms commitment for the next 50 years to support research, education, and technological advancement and discovery through the NSF, the premier scientific agency in the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
Civil Rights and Employee Investigation Clarification Act - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to exclude from its disclosure requirements certain communications made in connection with an employer's investigation of employee workplace misconduct, and not made for the purpose of investigating a consumer's credit worthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
Freedom from Unfair Energy Levy Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) suspend, for six months, motor fuels taxes; and (2) repeal the 1993 4.3 cents per gallon increase in motor fuel taxes. Sets forth floor stock provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide for a sequestration equal to the amount by which total outlays exceed 18 percent of the gross domestic product for any of FY 2002 through 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Minimum Wage State Flexibility Act of 2001 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow a State to preempt the Federal minimum wage if the State: (1) sets a minimum wage rate or rates that are not less than $5.15 per hour; and (2) applies that rate or those rates to as many workers in the State as would otherwise be covered by the Federal minimum wage rate.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Fuel Tax Equalization Credit for Substantial Power Takeoff Vehicles Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a $250 credit for each qualified commercial power takeoff vehicle (certain highway vehicles designed to deliver ready mixed concrete or collect refuse or recyclables) owned by a taxpayer at the end of the year. Stipulates that such credit shall not be available for a vehicle used during the year by a governmental entity or a tax-exempt organization.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Military Personnel Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of members of the Armed Forces any "qualified bonus." Defines the term "qualified bonus" to mean an enlistment, accession, reenlistment, retention, or other bonus paid to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States in exchange for the agreement of the member to accept a commission as an officer, extend an active service commitment as an officer, enlist, reenlist, or extend an enlistment as an enlisted member in an active or reserve component, or enter into a reserve affiliation agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Vaccine Injured Children's Compensation Act of 2001 - Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to: (1) designate the Program as a remedial program under which sovereign immunity does not apply; (2) change the burden of proof requirement for the award of compensation from a preponderance of the evidence to evidence sufficient to justify a belief that the petitioner's claims are well grounded (while giving the benefit of doubt to the petitioner); (3) require any defense raised that an illness, injury, or death was due to unrelated factors to be proved by clear and convincing evidence; (4) authorize as Program compensation expenses necessary for the establishment of a trust to receive Program funds, as well as expenses incurred for family counseling or training necessitated by the vaccine-related injury; (5) allow the award of petitioner's attorneys' fees; (6) increase to up to 72 months the statute of limitations under the Program; (7) allow such period to be extended for an additional 36 months after a petitioner first knew or should have known about his or her eligibility for compensation; (8) toll the statute of limitations until a petitioner reaches age 18 and, if a petitioner is incompetent, until 24 months after a guardian is appointed; and (9) authorize the refiling of a previously failed petition if the petitioner would have met the extended statute of limitations provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Requires the American flags on all Federal office buildings to be lowered to half-staff each year in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emittsburg, Maryland.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2001
Secret Evidence Repeal Act of 2001 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Attorney General to provide advance notice to an alien and the presiding officer in any immigration proceeding in which classified information is intended to be used. Limits such information's use to: (1) terrorist activity deportation; or (2) opposition to an alien's admission or relief from removal upon certification that such information could not be developed from open sources and that an agency declassification request has been made. Provides: (1) for Federal district court review of classified material upon Attorney General or alien request; and (2) that the court will issue an order indicating any unclassified summary of such material that may be used in the immigration proceeding. Applies the provisions of the Classified Information Procedures Act to an immigration proceeding under district court review in the same manner as a criminal proceeding subject to such Act. Amends the Act to entitle an alien, subject to the classified information provisions of this Act, who is subject to arrest and detention for removal or deportation to: (1) non-federally provided counsel; (2) examine all evidence, present evidence, and question witnesses; (3) have a complete record of the proceeding kept; and (4) judicial review. Exempts an alien who is a lawful permanent resident, parolee, or asylee from the security and related removal provisions. (Such provisions provide for limited hearings and use of nondisclosed information.) Provides for transitional application of information access provisions to alien detainees and aliens seeking immigration benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Solid Waste Interstate Transportation Act of 2001 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit a landfill or incinerator (facility) from receiving out-of-State municipal solid waste (MSW) for disposal or incineration unless the waste is received pursuant to a new or existing host community agreement or an exemption from this prohibition (which may be limited by the State). Establishes conditions for exemptions. Authorizes States to establish limits on the amount of out-of-State waste received annually for disposal at each facility. Allows a State to limit the amount of out-of-State MSW received annually at each facility to the amount received during 1995 if the State has enacted a comprehensive, statewide recycling program. Prohibits State limits from conflicting with permits or host community agreements that set higher (or no) limits. Sets the limitation amount for any facility that began receiving documented out-of-State waste before enactment of this Act at the amount received during 1993. Prohibits discrimination against shipments of such waste on the basis of State of origin. Allows States to require that a permit issued for a new facility or an expansion include an annual limitation of not less than 20 percent on the total quantity of out-of-State MSW relative to the total waste received by the facility. Requires percentage limitations to be uniform for all facilities and not discriminate against out-of-State waste according to the State of origin.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
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, in a reasonable manner prescribed by law, 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 · 22 March 2001
Congratulates the city of Detroit on the occasion of the tricentennial of its founding, and its residents for their important contributions to the economic, social, and cultural development of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2001
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide that no permit shall be required with respect to animal feeding operations in a State if the State is implementing a nutrient management program for such operations that meets specified requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting through the Great Lakes National Program Office, to make grants for projects that: (1) monitor or evaluate contaminated sediment; (2) remediate contaminated sediment; or (3) prevent further or renewed contamination of sediment. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct research on innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern in the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Freedom and Fairness Restoration Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 19 percent tax (17 percent after December 31, 2002) on the taxable income of every individual. Redefines "taxable income" to mean the amount by which wages, retirement distributions, and unemployment compensation exceed the standard deduction. Increases the basic standard deduction and includes an additional standard deduction for dependents. Includes in taxable income the taxable income of each dependent child under the age of 14. Replaces the current tax on corporations with a tax on every person engaged in a business activity equal to 19 percent (17 percent after December 31, 2002) of the business taxable income of such person. Makes the person engaged in the business activity liable for the tax. Imposes a tax of 19 percent (17 percent after December 31, 2002) on the value of excludable compensation provided during the year by an employer for the benefit of employees. Makes the employer liable for the tax. Repeals specified provisions: (1) relating to pension plans; and (2) imposing a tax on any employer reversion from a qualified plan. Revises requirements regarding transfers of excess pension assets. Repeals provisions respecting: (1) alternative minimum tax; (2) tax credits; (3) estate and gift taxes; and (4) subject to exception, normal taxes and surtaxes. Makes it not in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate, unless waived or suspended in the House or the Senate by a three-fifths vote of the Members, to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment thereto, or conference report thereon that includes any provision that increases an income tax rate, creates an additional tax rate, reduces the standard deduction, or provides any exclusion, deduction, credit, or other benefit that results in a reduction in Federal revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify qualified leasehold improvement property (defined as certain improvements made to an interior portion of nonresidential real property) as ten-year property for depreciation purposes under the Accelerated Cost Recovery System.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2001
Tax Fairness for County Fairs Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that long-term vehicle storage by tax-exempt organizations which conduct county and similar fairs shall not be treated as an unrelated trade or business.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001
Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modify the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) define the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit projects.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from self-employment net income certain conservation reserve program payments. Amends the Social Security Act to exclude such payments from the definition of "net earnings from self-employment."
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Hope for Children Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the expenses allowable towards the adoption credit. Renames such credit as the "Tom Bliley adoption credit."
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001
Urges: (1) the President to formulate a reorganization plan to minimize or eliminate coordination and communication problems among the executive agencies that deal with issues related to domestic terrorism; (2) Congress to establish a panel to examine the adequacy of its committee structure to deal with issues related to domestic terrorism and to consider the creation of more effective structures; and (3) the President and Congress to work together to reach a mutual conclusion regarding the most effective reorganizations to address the threat of domestic terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2001
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan, as the Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) purchase the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Complex in Dixon, Illinois, and related personal property; (2) designate the Complex as the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home National Historic Site; (3) enter into a cooperative agreement with the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Foundation for the management, operation, and use of the Site; and (4) complete a general management plan for the Site.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2001
Securing Affordable Vocational and Collegiate Education (SAVE) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a limited deduction for amounts paid to any qualified State tuition program; and (2) provide that distributions from such programs used to pay qualified higher education expenses shall not be included in gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2001
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2001 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law governing: (1) conversion of bankruptcy petitions; (2) abusive creditor practices; (3) debt reaffirmation and credit counseling; (4) domestic support obligations; (5) personal injury claims resulting from drug- or alcohol-impaired operation of a motor vehicle or vessel; (6) Federal criminal law enforcement with regard to abusive reaffirmations of debt; (7) fraudulent bankruptcy schedules; (8) education and retirement benefits; and (9) nondischarge from a debt for restitution or damages awarded in a civil action against the debtor for willful or malicious injury that caused personal injury or death of an individual. Prescribes guidelines regarding: (1) discouragement of bankruptcy abuse; (2) general and small business bankruptcy; (3) bankruptcy data dissemination and bankruptcy tax provisions; (4) ancillary and other cross-border cases to incorporate the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency; and (5) financial contracts and transfers entered into with an insolvent insured depository institution before its conservatorship or receivership. Reenacts Chapter 12, Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income. Prescribes guidelines for insolvent health care businesses and related patients' rights. Mandates appointments and extensions for certain additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships. Prescribes additional consumer credit disclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Farmland Capital Gains Equity Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of qualified farm property similar to the exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence. Excludes from gross income up to $500,000 ($250,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return), reduced by the aggregate amount of gain excluded for all preceding taxable years.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Education Empowerment Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable annual credit of up to $1,000 per qualifying child for specified public or private (including homeschooling) elementary and secondary school expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2001
Amends the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, as amended, to extend until June 1, 2001, the reenactment of chapter 12 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code (Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer with Regular Annual Income) (thereby extending family farmer bankruptcy relief). Makes this Act effective as of July 1, 2000 (the previous expiration date).
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2001- Declares that it is the policy of the United States to permit exploration, development, production, and transportation of oil and gas resources in a designated area of the Coastal Plain Study Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and any leasing or development leading to such production. States that Congress determines that the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program and activities authorized by this Act are compatible with the purposes for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established, and that no further findings or decisions are required to implement this determination. States that this Act is the sole authority for Coastal Plain leasing. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate a maximum total of Coastal Plain acreage as "Special Areas" and close them to leasing if the Secretary determines that they require special management and regulatory protection; and (2) permit leasing in those Special Areas by setting lease terms that restrict surface use and occupancy but permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from lease sites located outside the Special Areas. Declares that this Act constitutes the Secretary's sole authority to close Coastal Plain lands to oil and gas leasing and to exploration, development, and production. Directs the Secretary to grant rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain for oil and gas transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Community Protection Act of 2001- Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is, or was, employed as a law enforcement officer, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that: (1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Reenacts chapter 12 (Adjustments of Debts of a Family Farmer) of the Federal bankruptcy code, as reenacted by division C of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2001
Requires any amounts appropriated for a representational allowance for a Member of the House of Representatives which remain after all payments are made under such allowance to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction or, in fiscal years for which there is no Federal budget deficit, to reduce the Federal debt.