United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004 - Amends Federal aviation law to revise requirements for the program for deputizing eligible pilots as Federal law enforcement officers (Federal flight deck officers) to defend against acts of criminal violence or air piracy. Shifts responsibility for the program from the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Revises eligibility requirements for pilots to be a Federal flight deck officer, adding mental standards and firearms training. Makes a special exception from ordinary requirements for certain active or reserve members of the armed forces or a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency. Revises certain Federal flight deck officer training requirements and adds requalification training requirements. Revises requirements for the carrying of firearms by Federal flight deck officers outside of the United States, including designation as Federal air marshals, and the authority to use force to defend an aircraft against terrorism by a Federal flight deck officer. Extends to entities and individuals the prohibition (currently limited to air carriers) against prohibiting a pilot employed by an air carrier from becoming or threatening retaliatory action against such a pilot for becoming a Federal flight deck officer. Specifies further prohibited disciplinary actions. Authorizes a Federal flight deck officer or pilot who is adversely affected by a failure by the Secretary to comply with any requirements under this Act to file a petition for judicial review with the appropriate U.S. district court. Sets forth requirements to: (1) prohibit the disclosure of information related to a pilot's participation in the Federal flight deck officer program; (2) provide certain adjudication procedures for pilots who have been determined ineligible to be a Federal flight deck officer or has had other adverse action taken against them; (3) provide certain authorities with respect to Federal flight deck officers, including issuance of credentials, use of force to prevent terrorism or defend life, exposure to security inspections, and access to sensitive security information; (4) require certain reports to Congress on the Federal flight deck officer program; and (5) require the Secretary to promote and publicize the Federal flight deck officer program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2004
Women's Sustainability Recovery Act of 2004 - Amends the Small Business Act with respect to the women's business centers program to provide Small Business Administration funding priorities for FY 2004 for nonprofit organizations conducting projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women. Increases from 30 to 48 the percentage of appropriated women's business center funds to be used during FY 2004 for pilot project sustainability grants. Terminates the provisions of this Act on October 1, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2004
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to increase the nonrecourse marketing loan rate for safflower. (Separates safflower from "other oilseeds.")
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2004
Montana Mineral Exchange Act - Sets forth a mineral rights exchange under which the Secretary of the Interior is directed to convey to Great Northern Properties all mineral interests in certain Federal tracts concurrent with conveyance from Great Northern Properties to the United States all of its mineral interests underlying the Cheyenne tract. Requires the Secretary, following such conveyance, to take [sic] such mineral interests into trust for the benefit of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe (Tribe). Conditions the exchange upon: (1) waiver by the Tribe of all claims relating to the failure of the United States to previously acquire in trust for the Tribe as part of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation the private mineral interests underlying the Cheyenne tracts; and (2) joint written notification to the Secretary by the Tribe and Great Northern Properties that they have agreed upon a formula for sharing revenue from coal produced from any portion of the Federal tracts. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Northern Cheyenne Permanent Fund; and (2) the Northern Cheyenne Ancillary Fund. Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) transfers from the Ancillary Fund to the Permanent Fund; and (2) expenditures from the Permanent Fund. Requires the Tribe to develop a Permanent Fund plan, in consultation with the Secretary, for the investment, management, administration, and expenditure of the amounts in the Permanent Fund. Prescribes guidelines for Federal disbursements to the Tribe.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3150 Great Northern Avenue in Missoula, Montana, as the "Mike Mansfield Post Office".
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses the outrage and shock of the people of the United States over the terrorist attacks that occurred in and around Madrid, Spain on March 11, 2004; (2) joins with President Bush in expressing its deepest condolences and pledges to remain shoulder to shoulder with the people of Spain in the war on terrorism; (3) expresses its strong solidarity with the people of Spain during their difficult hour, and its deep condolences to the families of the victims of these despicable terrorist attacks; (4) calls on all nations to join with the United States in condemning the monstrous attacks on the innocent people of Spain and in attempting to identify the perpetrators of the attacks and bring them to account; (5) expresses its readiness to consult with representatives of King Juan Carlos, President Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish government, the Spanish Cortes, and other public authorities about joint efforts to combat terrorism more effectively; (6) commends the United States Embassy in Madrid for its prompt offers of assistance to the Government of Spain, and for its efforts to determine the welfare and whereabouts of United States citizens who may have been affected by the terrorist attacks; and (7) urges the executive branch to continue to provide all possible assistance to Spain in order to identify and bring to account the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks that occurred on March 11, 2004, in Madrid and of other terrorist attacks against the people of Spain.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Small Business Loan Revitalization Act - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to provide requirements for the making of a Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed loan to a small business within 120 days after a commercial loan is obtained by that small business. Makes such small business ineligible for the SBA loan unless the commercial loan does not exceed $2 million. Allows the commercial loan to be: (1) made by the lender providing the guaranteed financing or by a different lender; (2) secured by a senior lien; and (3) made by a lender in the Preferred Lenders Program. Requires a fee to be paid by the lender to the SBA if the commercial loan has a senior credit position to that of the guaranteed loan. Prohibits a small business from receiving combination financing (an SBA-guaranteed loan and a commercial loan) in an amount greater than $4 million. Makes current SBA-guaranteed loan fees inapplicable to loans approved from the day after enactment of this Act until September 30, 2004. Applies a loan fee with respect to loans approved during the period beginning on: (1) October 1, 2002, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act of 0.25 percent of the outstanding balance of the deferred participation share of the loan; and (2) the first day after the enactment of this Act and ending on September 30, 2004, of 0.35 percent of such outstanding balance. Directs the SBA to reconsider, before considering any other application, any application submitted on or after December 23, 2003, and before January 8, 2004, for an SBA loan guarantee that was rejected based on the loan amount requested if the applicant is otherwise eligible for financial assistance under the Act. Requires any small business that received SBA export working capital financing before January 1, 2004, and requests a financing renewal to have their request approved regardless of the size of such financing, if the small business is otherwise eligible for such financing. Directs the SBA, ten days after the enactment of this Act, to allow general small business start-up loans up to the maximum amount permitted under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2004
Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge Act or SPY BLOCK Act - Makes it unlawful for any person who is not the user of a protected computer (any computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication) to install, or allow the installation of, software on that computer, unless: (1) the user of the computer has received notice and granted consent that satisfies the requirements of this Act; and (2) the computer software's uninstall procedures satisfies the requirements of this Act. Requires the notice to include: (1) a clear notification, displayed on the screen until the user either grants or denies consent to installation, of the name and nature of the software to be installed; and (2) a separate disclosure with respect to each information collection, advertising, distributed computing, and settings modification feature contained in the software. Requires the consent to include: (1) consent to the software installation; and (2) separate consent to each of the above features of such software. Prohibits any person who is not the user of a protected computer from using any such feature of software installed on a computer if: (1) the software was installed in violation of this Act; (2) the use falls outside of the scope described in the notice; or (3) the person using a software feature fails to protect the security and integrity of personal information so collected. Provides exceptions, including for software installed before the sale of such computer. Provides administration and enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes actions by States on behalf of its residents.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2004
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Coin Act of 2004 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins emblematic of the human rights legacy and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Requires that: (1) all sales of such coins include a surcharge of $10 per coin; and (2) all surcharges from coin sales be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Library of Congress for purchasing and maintaining materials associated with the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Controlling Invasive and Unauthorized Software Act - Makes it unlawful for any person who is not the user of a protected computer (any computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication) to install, or allow the installation of, software on that computer, unless: (1) the user of the computer has received notice and granted consent that satisfies the requirements of this Act; and (2) the computer software's uninstall procedures satisfies the requirements of this Act. Requires the notice to include: (1) a clear notification, displayed on the screen until the user either grants or denies consent to installation, of the name and nature of the software to be installed; and (2) a separate disclosure with respect to each information collection, advertising, distributed computing, and settings modification feature contained in the software. Requires the consent to include: (1) consent to the software installation; and (2) separate consent to each of the above features of such software. Prohibits any person who is not the user of a protected computer from using any such feature of software installed on a computer if: (1) the software was installed in violation of this Act; (2) the use falls outside of the scope described in the notice; or (3) the person using a software feature fails to protect the security and integrity of personal information so collected. Provides exceptions, including for software installed before the sale of such computer. Provides administration and enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes actions by States on behalf of its residents.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Senior Elder Care Relief and Empowerment (SECURE) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit for 50 percent of expenses exceeding $1,000 that are incurred for the care of chronically ill individuals who have attained normal retirement age (as determined under the Social Security Act). Allows the credit for certain long-term care services, respite care, or adult day care, but disqualifies expenses that are compensated by insurance or paid to a nursing facility.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Reform Act of 2004 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to repeal the authorization that certain moneys in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund may be used: (1) by the Secretary of Agriculture for reclamation of rural lands; and (2) by the Department of the Interior for studies by contract with organizations for advice and research and development projects technical assistance. Reduces the reclamation fee required to be paid by operators of coal mining operations. Revises Fund allocation requirements with respect to reclamation fees. Repeals Fund objectives concerning: (1) protection , construction, or enhancement of public facilities such as utilities, roads, recreation and conservation facilities adversely affected by coal mining practices; and (2) the development of publicly owned land adversely affected by coal mining practices including land acquired as provided in this subchapter for recreation and historic purposes, conservation, and reclamation purposes and open space benefits. States that no lien shall be filed against any person who neither consented to, nor participated in nor exercised control over, the mining operation which necessitated reclamation. Repeals the limitation of such prohibition to persons who owned the surface before May 2, 1977. Expands certification guidelines to prescribe payments to: (1) qualified States and Indian tribes; and (2) non-qualified States and Indian tribes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Commends the Carroll College Fighting Saints football team for winning the 2003 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national football championship game and recognizes the achievements of all of the players, coaches, support staff, and fans who were instrumental in helping Carroll College during the 2003 season.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2004
Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that, if the violator of the terms and conditions of any Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license, permit, or certificate is either a broadcast station licensee or permittee or an applicant for a broadcast license, permit, or certificate, and such violator is determined by the FCC to have broadcast obscene, indecent, or profane language, the amount of forfeiture penalty shall not exceed $275,000 for each violation or day of such violation, to a maximum of $3 million for any single act or failure to act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 2003
Congratulates the people and Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 12th anniversary of the independence of Kazakhstan and the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States. Welcomes and supports political and economic transformations achieved by Kazakhstan. Expresses gratitude for the leadership of Kazakhstan in establishing inter-religious dialogue. Commends Kazakhstan on toughening measures to stop human trafficking. Recognizes the need to provide permanent normal trade relations status to Kazakhstan. Expresses gratitude for the support and assistance of the people of Kazakhstan in the antiterrorist campaign of the United States and the reconstruction of Iraq. Applauds the decision of Kazakhstan's leadership to renounce deployment of its inherited nuclear weapons and calls upon the President to actively popularize Kazakhstan's example in negotiations with other countries that are trying to acquire, develop, or deploy nuclear weapons. Urges further strengthening of strategically important relations between Kazakhstan and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2003
Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a grant program for State stroke care systems; (2) foster the development of stroke care systems through information sharing among agencies and individuals involved in such care; (3) develop a model curriculum for training emergency medical services personnel, including dispatchers, first responders, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics, in stroke prehospital treatment; (4) issue best practices guidelines; and (5) provide public information on recognition of stroke symptoms and appropriate post-stroke actions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for such purposes. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry; and (2) make State grants for the development of stroke care systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make related State planning grants. Provides special grant consideration for States in a geographic area with an elevated incidence of stroke or stoke-caused disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2003
Stock Option Accounting Reform Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require an issuer of registered securities to show as an expense in its mandatory annual report the fair value of all stock purchase options granted to certain of its senior executive officers after December 31, 2004. Exempts small business issuers from such requirement. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to require reporting of: (1) stock option expenses as a reduction of the total expense in the fiscal year in which they expire or are forfeited; and (2) as income any excess by which such reduction exceeds total option expenses for any fiscal year. Requires any accounting principle recognized as "generally accepted" by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the expensing of stock purchase options to comply with this Act. Denies recognition to any such accounting principle until the Secretaries of Commerce and of Labor complete a joint study on the economic impact of mandatory expensing of all employee stock options.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2003
Mourns with the people of Italy on their National Day of Mourning for the 19 Italian citizens killed in Iraq. Recognizes the sacrifices of the Italian people and the significant contributions that Italy continues to make towards stability and democracy around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2003
Rural Health Training Incentive Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) award a three-year grant to the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho joint medical school to strengthen and expand programs to encourage health professionals to practice in rural areas; and (2) award grants (beginning in FY 2007) in other geographic areas to regional university and associated medical school partnerships that have at least a two-month old rural training program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2003
Permits (under specified conditions) the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation to lease to the Northern Border Pipeline Company tribally-owned land on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for one or more interstate gas pipelines.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2003
Art and Collectibles Capital Gains Tax Treatment Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide art and collectibles with the same capital gain rates as other assets held long-term. Establishes a (limited) fair market value deduction for qualifying literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly charitable contributions created and donated by the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2003
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to prohibit the use of certain conservation funding to provide technical assistance under the conservation reserve program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2003
Local Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2003- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a railroad track maintenance credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures with respect to which the expenditures were paid or incurred by the taxpayer for the taxable year for Class II or Class III railroads.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2003
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs; and (2) submit to Congress a plan recommending agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated and proposing implementing legislation. Directs the President to: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs; and (2) submit to the Commission assessments of not less than half of the programs that use such method. Prohibits the implementation of such method until it has been reviewed and accepted by the Commission. Requires the Commission to consider submitted assessments in evaluating programs. Requires the President to identify common performance measures for programs having similar functions and provide the Commission with data on such measures.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2003
Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to revise registration and maintenance fee requirements for pesticides. (Fees collected are used to help defray the administrative costs of pesticide regulation.) Modifies certain timing requirements as they concern the submission of product-specific data and other regulatory action. Increases and then decreases the maximum amount of maintenance fees payable by registrants, including small businesses, through FY 2008, with the highest levels of fees occurring during FY 2005 and 2006. Extends the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) authority to collect maintenance, but not tolerance, fees through FY 2008. (Maintenance fees are assessed on already registered or reregistered pesticides; tolerance fees are assessed on pesticides used on food or animal feed which are subject to more stringent regulatory requirements.) Directs the Administrator of the EPA to assess and collect covered pesticide registration service fees for applications submitted from FY 2004 onward. (Registration fees would apply to new pesticide applications only.) Provides transitional requirements for pending applications. Sets forth the Administrator's responsibilities concerning the publication and revision of the schedule of registration service fees, including a mandatory increase by FY 2006. Permits the waiver or reduction of these fees for minor uses or small businesses. Provides for partial fee refunds when an application is withdrawn or at the Administrator's discretion. Establishes the Pesticide Registration Fund in the Treasury to collect registration fees. Limits the use of these funds to associated regulatory costs, except for limited earmarks for worker protection and the review of new inert ingredients. Makes these funds available only to the extent provided in advance through appropriations acts. Prohibits the assessment of registration fees in any year where the amount appropriated for the Office of Pesticide Programs of the EPA is less than the amount appropriated for that Office for FY 2002. Addresses several issues concerning decision time review periods, including the goal of reducing existing periods, schedule publication requirements, determining their start, and how they are impacted by waiver or reduction requests. Provides for judicial review if the Administrator fails to make a determination on an application before the expiration of the applicable decision time review period. Terminates the registration service fee after FY 2010, with a phase out occuring during the final two years.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2003
Declares that the Federal Trade Commission is authorized under the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to compile and implement a national do-not-call registry. Ratifies the do-not-call registry provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission, effective March 31, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2003
Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, upon completion of specified agricultural work and residency requirements, to adjust the status of a qualifying alien agricultural worker (and spouse and minor children) to that of a: (1) lawfully admitted temporary nonimmigrant; and (2) permanent resident nonimmigrant. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) adjustment of status applications, including penalties for false statements; (2) waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for inadmissibility; (3) temporary stay of removal and work authorization; (4) administrative and judicial review; and (5) dissemination of program information. Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the correction of such aliens' social security records. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth registry application requirements for H-2A employers and employer associations, including assurances: (1) that the job opportunity is temporary or seasonal, and is not the result of a labor dispute, (2) that attempts have been made to hire U.S. workers; and (3) respecting required wages and benefits, and compliance with labor laws. Sets forth employment requirements with respect to: (1) wages; (2) housing; and (3) transportation reimbursement. Establishes the Commission on Agricultural Wage Standards under the H-2A program. Revises provisions respecting the admission and extension of stay of temporary H-2A workers. Provides special rules for alien sheepherders. Sets forth worker protection and labor standards enforcement provisions for such aliens
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2003
Extends condolences to the family of General Raymond G. Davis (United States Marine Corps, retired) upon his death on September 3, 2003. Expresses appreciation and admiration for his unwavering commitment to his family, the Marine Corps, and the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2003
Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to extend to contracts between refiners (franchisors) and franchised distributors of trademarked lubricating oil the protections of the Act. Permits termination or non-renewal of such franchise relationships by the franchisor in good faith and in the normal course of business if the franchisor decides to withdraw from the marketing of the lubricating oil in the relevant geographic market in which the oil is distributed, and: (1) the decision is made after the date on which the franchise is entered into or renewed, and on the basis of a change in relevant facts or circumstances relating to the franchise that occurs after such date; and (2) the termination or nonrenewal is not for the purpose of converting any accounts subject to the franchise to the franchisor's account.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2003
Expresses support for efforts to establish National Funeral Service Education Week (designated by national funeral service organizations as September 21 through 27, 2003, to provide consumers with information about their choices in planning a funeral and selecting funeral goods and services).
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2003
Recognizes September 11 as both a day to remember those killed and a day for recommitment to our national purpose. Extends sympathies to the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and their families and friends. Honors the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, and others who aided the victims. Extends gratitude to the members of the armed forces who are defending the United States from future attack. Praises the people of the United States for donating time and money to support the victims and their families and friends. Expresses gratitude to the leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism. Reaffirms that the Senate will honor the memory of those who lost their lives as a result of those attacks and will act to defend U.S. citizens in all future challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2003
Religious Liberties Restoration Act - States that the following powers are reserved to the States or their political subdivisions on property owned or administered by them: (1) to display the Ten Commandments; (2) to recite the Pledge of Allegiance as: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all "; and (3) to recite the national motto as "In God we trust". States that such powers are excepted from the jurisdiction of Federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, for a limited period of time: (1) a biodiesel fuels credit business credit; and (2) as a credit against the gasoline and diesel fuel excise tax, a credit equal to the sum of the alcohol fuel mixture credit plus the biodiesel mixture credit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Salt Cedar Control Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a salt cedar and Russian olive assessment and demonstration program to assess the extent of infestation in the western United States and develop solutions for long-term management. Lists program requirements and control methods. Establishes a cost ceiling for each demonstration project and provides for Federal cost-sharing. Requires the Secretary to work cooperatively with other Federal, State, and local entities and Indian tribes in carrying out the program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Chief Justice John Marshall Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 400,000 silver one dollar coins emblematic of Chief Justice John Marshall and his contributions to the United States in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of his birth. Directs that all sales of coins minted under this Act include a ten dollar per coin surcharge, to be paid by the Secretary to the Supreme Court Historical Society for purposes of: (1) historical research about the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and related topics; (2) supporting fellowship programs, internships, and docents at the Supreme Court; and (3) collecting and preserving related antiques, artifacts, and other historical items.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Recognizes Hiram Powers (a native of Woodstock, Vermont, who was commissioned by Congress to execute the statues of John Marshall, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson that stand today in the United States Capitol) for his enduring contributions to American sculpture.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2003
American Rail Equity Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a National Passenger Rail Office in the Federal Transit Administration of the Department of Transportation to carry out specified responsibilities for the national passenger railroad system. Includes within such system: (1) the segment of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.; (2) designated high-speed rail corridors; (3) long-distance routes of more than 750 miles between endpoints currently operated by the National Passenger Rail Corporation (Amtrak); and (4) short-distance corridors or routes operated by Amtrak. Declares that Amtrak shall not be required to be operated or managed as a for-profit corporation. Limits the responsibility of Amtrak to operations relating to the provision of intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation, the transportation of mail and express, auto-ferry transportation, related marketing, and facilities for the maintenance of necessary rolling stock. Requires the Office to determine whether each Amtrak route met its 80 percent on-time performance goal during the most recent performance period. Prohibits the Office from discontinuing an Amtrak route unless Amtrak failed to meet its on-time performance goal for such route in three out of the immediately preceeding five years.Declares that Amtrak shall forfeit to the Office the right to provide passenger rail transportation on any route on which Amtrak failed to meet its goal during the most recent performance period. Requires the Office to lease such forfeited right to an appropriate person or entity. Requires the Office on a quarterly basis to identify advisable rail infrastructure improvement projects, and make grants for such projects. Provides for high-speed corridor planning and grants to assist States or compacts of States to establish corridors for high-speed rail service. Establishes a non-profit non-governmental Rail Infrastructure Finance Corporation to provide financial support, through issuance of qualified rail infrastructure bonds, for rail transportation capital projects. Authorizes the Board of the Finance Corporation to make grants to States, compacts of States, or Amtrak for intercity passenger rail capital projects. Limits the total amount of such grants for the NEC to 25 percent of the total amount available. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to holders of qualified rail infrastructure bonds. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize each State to prepare a rail plan that: (1) sets forth State policy for all freight and passenger rail transportation, including commuter rail operations; and (2) establishes or designates a State rail transportation authority to prepare and administer the plan, as well as a State rail plan approval authority to approve it, subject to the Secretary's approval. Authorizes the Secretary to designate high priority freight and passenger rail capital projects included in a State rail plan that focus on key rail congestion points selected on the basis of national benefits to the rail transportation system, and coordinated with the national rail plan.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2003
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend, and the Postal Service to issue, a commemorative postage stamp on the subject of autism awareness.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2003
National Drought Preparedness Act of 2003 - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture the National Drought Council which shall develop a comprehensive National Drought Policy Action Plan. (Terminates the Council eight years after enactment of this Act.) Directs the Secretary to establish the National Office of Drought Preparedness to assist the Council. Establishes in the Treasury the Drought Assistance Fund, which shall provide financial assistance for drought preparedness plans and drought mitigation. Directs the Secretary to issue related implementing guidelines, including: special requirements applicable to interstate watersheds. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse States for costs of prepositioning wildfire suppression resources.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
District of Columbia Personal Protection Act - Amends the District of Columbia Code to provide that the D.C. Council's regulatory authority regarding firearms, explosives, and weapons in the District shall not be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise permitted to possess firearms under Federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by Federal law nor regulated by the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Repeals the definition of machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; (2) prohibition on registration of pistols (handguns); (3) prohibition on possession of handgun ammunition; (4) requirement that, under certain conditions, firearms in the possession of certain individuals must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked; (5) related firearm registration requirements such as applicant qualifications and filing deadline. Eliminates criminal penalties for: (1) possessing an unregistered firearm; or (2) carrying a pistol whether loaded or unloaded in one's dwelling house, place of business, or on land possessed by such person.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to permit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to register a Canadian pesticide that: (1) has not been previously disapproved; (2) is identical or substantially similar in composition to a comparable domestic pesticide already registered; and (3) is registered in Canada by the registrant (or affiliate) of the comparable domestic pesticide. Requires the Administrator to obtain the confidential statement of formula for the pesticide to determine if it is in fact identical or substantially similar to a comparable domestic pesticide. Stipulates that any Canadian pesticide the Administrator registers must bear an approved label which completely covers the original Canadian label. Prohibits actions in Federal court against: (1) the Administrator acting as a registering agency for damages resulting from the use of a product registered under this Act; or (2) registrants for damages resulting from adulteration or compositional alterations of such a product if the registrant could not reasonably have knowledge of such adulteration or alterations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management; (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; (3) the National Park Service; (4) the U.S. Geological Survey; (5) the Minerals Management Service; (6) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; (7) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (8) departmental offices for insular affairs; (9) departmental management; (10) the Office of the Solicitor; (11) the Office of Inspector General; (12) the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians; and (13) natural resource damage assessment and restoration. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service; (2) the Department of Energy for specified activities, including fossil energy research and development activities and energy conservation activities; and (3) the Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service. Makes appropriations for FY 2004 for specified related agencies, including: (1) the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; (2) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (3) the Smithsonian Institution; (4) the National Gallery of Art; (5) the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (6) the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; (7) the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; (8) the National Endowment for the Arts; (9) the National Endowment for the Humanities; (10) the Commission of Fine Arts; (11) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (12) the National Capital Planning Commission; (13) the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; and (14) the Presidio Trust.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 500,000 one dollar silver coins in commemoration of disabled American veterans, which shall be emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Requires: (1) all sales of the coins to include a ten dollar per coin surcharge; and (2) the surcharges received to be paid to the Foundation to establish an endowment to support the construction of an American Veterans' Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2003
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond, former Senator and President Pro Tempore Emeritus from South Carolina.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Reaffirms the policies and principles of the McCarran Amendment (which waived the sovereign immunity of the United States so that it could be joined in comprehensive State general adjudications of the rights to use water) that have been recognized by Supreme Court decisions. Recognizes that, as a matter of practice, the United States should adhere and defer to State water law. Commends Western States that maintain comprehensive systems for the quantification of rights to use water for all beneficial purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Conservation Reserve Program Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat conservation reserve program payments as real estate rentals and thus excluded from consideration in self-employment net earnings. Amends the Social Security Act to treat such payments similarly for purposes of old, age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) benefits.
![Official portrait of Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001126_200.jpg)