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United States · Official source
2,484 records where Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2002
Expresses condolences for the deaths of Senator Paul Wellstone, members of his family, and others aboard the plane that crashed in Minnesota.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2002
Extends for an additional 30 days the court-ordered cooling off period in the labor dispute between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILGU).
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2002
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include crambe and sesame seeds within the definition of "other oilseeds." Itemizes such oilseeds and applies the same marketing assistance loan rate and the same loan deficiency payment rate to each of them.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2002
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) should enter into mediation to resolve their dispute, adopt 24-hour extensions of the expired collective bargaining agreement, and end the current lockout; and (2) if the PMA and the ILWU do not reach a settlement or reopen the ports through that mediation during a reasonable period, as determined by the President, the President should appoint a board of inquiry, to begin the emergency dispute-settling procedure under the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2002
Encourages the Governments of Russia and the United States to: (1) engage in a dialogue on energy development; and (2) consult widely with the governments of other independent states of the former Soviet Union and with other interested parties to promote exchanges on energy development and to seek support from the broadest cross-section of business and civil societies. Declares that Congress is committed to terminating the application of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, and authorizing the extension of normal trade relations, to Russia. Expresses support for: (1) the actions of the Russian Duma designed to strengthen international investment in the Russian energy sector; (2) the accession of Russia to the World Trade Organization; and (3) continued high level and sustained exchanges on energy development between the Governments of Russia and the United States and between businesses in the two countries.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2002
States that the Congress supports the goals and ideas of National Take Your Kids To Vote Day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2002
Designates the month of October 2002 as Family History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the 4-H Youth Development Program, and commends such program for service to the youth of the world. Designates October 6, 2002, through October 12, 2002, as National 4-H Youth Development Program Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2002
Elder Justice Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Elder Justice) to establish: (1) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Office of Elder Justice, headed by a Director who shall develop objectives, priorities, policy, and a long-term plan for elder justice programs; (2) within HHS an Intra-Agency Elder Justice Steering Committee to coordinate HHS elder justice programs and policy; (3) the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations for the coordination of activities, relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and other crimes against elders, to HHS, the Department of Justice, and other relevant Federal, State, local, and private agencies and entities; and (4) the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Outlines provisions with respect to uniform collection, maintenance, and dissemination of national data relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to award various grants, including grants for: (1) prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (2) five Centers of Excellence nationwide that shall specialize in research, clinical practice, and training relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (3) six diverse communities to examine various types of elder shelters and to test various models for establishing safe havens; (4) nonprofit organizations to encourage such organizations to establish or continue volunteer programs that focus on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, or that provide related services; and (5) various multidisciplinary elder justice activities. Provides for: (1) reporting to law enforcement of crimes occurring in Federally-funded long-term care facilities; (2) revising the quality of long-term care; and (3) increasing consumer information about long-term care. Amends: (1) SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to establish programs to prevent abuse of skilled nursing facility and nursing facility residents; (2) the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of health care professionals with geriatric training; (3) the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to the long-term care ombudsman program; (4) part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to establish in HHS the Office of Adult Protective Services; and (5) SSA titles XVIII and XIX to assure safety of residents when nursing facilities close. Establishes in the Department of Justice an Office of Elder Justice. Amends the: (1) Federal criminal code to provide for a cause of action for elder abuse and neglect; and (2) Internal Revenue Code to provide for a long-term care facility worker employment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2002
Designates the month of September 2002 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that the Federal Government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about the importance of screening methods and treatment of prostate cancer; (2) increase research funding that is commensurate with the burden of the disease so that the causes of, and improved methods for screening, treating, and curing prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) continue to consider ways for improving access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2002
Honoring the Passengers and Crew of United Flight 93 Act - Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2002
Emergency Communications and Competition Act of 2002 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to assign licenses in the 12.2 -12.7 gigahertz band for the provision of fixed terrestrial communications services. Prohibits: (1) granting such a license if operations would interfere with direct broadcast satellite service; or (2) such licenses from being used for the provision of personal communications or terrestrial telephony service. Requires licensees to begin providing services within five years after the license is granted. Requires each licensee to: (1) disseminate Federal, State, and local Emergency Alert System warnings to all subscribers; (2) provide immediate access of its services for national security and emergency preparedness personnel; and (3) adhere to all FCC-established access requirements, including the carriage of local television station signals, access for political candidates, and public interest programming and services. Directs the FCC to: (1) establish boundaries for license recipients that conform to existing television markets; and (2) redesignate the Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service as the Terrestrial Direct Broadcast Service.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002
Congratulates the National Farmers Union for a century of dedicated service to the farmers, ranchers, and rural communities of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, should conduct or support research on the effectiveness of medical screening techniques for ovarian cancer, including the use of proteomic patterns in blood serum in combination with other techniques. Requires a report to Congress and the inclusion of such technique in Federal health care programs and group and individual health plans if it proves effective.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), within 15 days after the enactment of this Act, to return to the winning bidders of spectrum auction 35 the full amount of all deposits and down payments made for licenses that the FCC has not delivered by such date. Frees each winning bidder that elects within such period to relinquish a license not yet delivered of all license obligations such bidder would otherwise have had, including the obligation to pay the full amount of its winning bid upon license delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should issue a proclamation designating the fourth Sunday of each September as National Good Neighbor Day.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Recognizes the significance of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Acknowledges the outstanding contributions of its member agencies to fish and wildlife conservation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Amends the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 to require the initial public offering for INTELSAT to begin on or about December 31, 2003 (currently, October 1, 2001), with an authorized extension until June 30, 2004 (currently, December 31, 2002).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002
Homeland Security Act of 2002 - Establishes a Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as an executive department of the United States, headed by a Secretary of Homeland Security who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the primary mission of DHS is to: (1) prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; (2) reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; and (3) minimize the damage, and assist in the recovery, from terrorist attacks that occur within the United States. Includes as DHS's primary responsibilities: (1) information analysis and infrastructure protection; (2) chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and related countermeasures; (3) border and transportation security; (4) emergency preparedness and response; and (5) coordination (including the provision of training and equipment) with other executive agencies, with State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, with the private sector, and with other entities. Creates: (1) a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, who shall be the Secretary's first assistant for purposes of details; (2) an Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection; (3) an Under Secretary for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures; (4) an Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security; (5) an Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response; (6) an Under Secretary for Management; and (7) not more than six Assistant Secretaries. Establishes an Inspector General (to be appointed under the Inspector General Act of 1978), and requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Director of the Secret Service as well, to assist the Secretary in the performance of his functions. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of specified entities, including: (1) the National Communications System of the Department of Defense; (2) the select agent registration enforcement programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (3) the Plum Island Animal Disease Center of the Department of Agriculture (DOA); (4) certain programs and activities of the Department of Energy, such as those specified for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; (5) the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury (DOT); (6) the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice (DOJ); (7) DOA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (8) the Coast Guard; (9) DOT's Transportation Security Administration; (10) the Federal Protective Service of the General Services Administration; (11) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (12) the National Domestic Preparedness Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (13) HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness; (14) HHS' Strategic National Stockpile; and (15) the United States Secret Service. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a human resources management system for DHS. Establishes in the Department of Defense a National Bio-Weapons Defense Analysis Center.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide: (1) emergency financial assistance to agricultural producers who have incurred qualifying 2001 or 2002 crop losses due to weather or related conditions; and (2) payments to livestock producers who have incurred 2001 and 2002 losses in an emergency-designated county, with set-asides for the American Indian livestock program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2002
Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to extend to franchised refiners or distributors of lubricating oil the protections granted to independent wholesale and retail petroleum franchisees from arbitrary and unfair termination or non-renewal of their franchise relationships with petroleum companies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers to delay the inclusion in income of the amount earned from the sale of excess livestock due to Federal land management policy or action or to severe weather conditions until the year following two years in which the condition does not exist (present law allows for inclusion of such income in the year following a year of severe weather). Sets forth new rules for drought designations. Modifies rules for replacement of involuntarily converted livestock, including to prescribe that an heir to an estate may replace such property within the required time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2002
Stock Option Fairness and Accountability Act - Instructs the Securities and Exchange Commission to analyze, and report recommendations to certain congressional committees on, the accounting treatment of stock options including: (1) the adequacy of current disclosure requirements to investors and shareholders on stock options; (2) the adequacy of corporate governance requirements, including shareholder approval of stock option plans; and (3) the accuracy of available stock option pricing models.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2002
Redesignates the position of the Secretary of the Navy as the Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2002
Reaffirms: (1) the language of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, including the phrase "one Nation under God"; and (2) the national motto "In God we trust."
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Declares that the Senate strongly disapproves of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress. Authorizes and instructs the Senate Legal Counsel to seek to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2002
Rural Health Training Incentive Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a three-year grant to the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho joint medical school (WWAMI) to recruit and train family physicians in rural areas. Authorizes expansion of such program to other geographic areas for regional schools with a rural area training track of at least two months.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2002
Honors the U.S. Marines killed in action or beheaded in captivity on Makin and Kwajalein Atolls during World War II and calls for provision of a site for a monument to the Marine Raiders in Arlington National Cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002 - Amends federal law to direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program to: (1) deputize volunteer qualified pilots of commercial cargo or passenger aircraft as Federal flight deck officers; and (2) provide training, supervision, and equipment for such officers. Authorizes flight deck officers to carry firearms and to use force, including lethal force, when they judge the security of an aircraft is at risk. Shields air carriers from liability for damages in Federal or State court arising out of the actions or omissions of a flight deck officer defending a plane from criminal violence or air piracy. Shields flight deck officers from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Directs the Under Secretary to prescribe requirements for an air carrier cabin crew training program and its instructors. Shields an air carrier liability for actions or omissions of training instructors or cabin crew in defending an aircraft. Shields training instructors and cabin crew from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Directs the Under Secretary to form an Aviation Crew Self-Defense Division within the Transportation Security Administration to develop and implement the program for training cabin crew members. Directs the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to study and report to Congress on whether possession of a nonlethal weapon by a member of an air carrier's cabin crew would aid the flight deck crew in combating air piracy and criminal violence on commercial airlines.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Chronic Wasting Disease State Support Act of 2002 - Defines "chronic wasting disease" as a transmissible disease of the nervous system afflicting deer and elk. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a modeling program to predict the spread of the disease. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (through the U.S. Geological Survey) to conduct a surveillance and monitoring program on Federal lands to identify: (1) the rate of infection in wild herds of deer and elk; (2) the cause and extent of the spread of the disease; and (3) areas promoting the disease. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and maintain a web site that displays surveillance and monitoring program data and modeling information. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop: (1) guidelines for the collection of animal tissue samples; (2) a protocol to be used in the assessment of samples in the laboratory; and (3) a program for the inspection of laboratories conducting chronic wasting disease tests. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to develop a program to identify: (1) the rate of infection in captive herds of deer and elk; (2) the cause and extent of the spread of the disease; and (3) areas promoting the disease. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) to provide for the upgrading of Federal laboratories approved to process samples from the surveillance and monitoring programs.; and (2) expand and accelerate research on the disease through the Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research grant program. Requires the Secretaries to enter a cooperative agreement and develop a grant program to allocate funds to State agencies responsible for wildlife management to develop and implement long term strategies to address the disease.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Calls for Americans to observe a national moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, 2002, for members of the armed forces and civilian national security agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2002
National Drought Preparedness Act of 2002 - Establishes the National Drought Council which shall: (1) develop a national drought policy action plan; (2) evaluate Federal drought-related programs; (3) coordinate and prioritize enhancement of the national drought monitoring network; and (4) provide for the development of a drought information delivery system, drought planning models, and drought preparedness plans. Terminates the Council eight years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Director of the National Drought Council to establish the National Office of Drought Preparedness. Establishes within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the Drought Assistance Fund, which shall be used to: (1) assist State, local, tribal, and critical service entities with drought-related activities; and (2) expand the technology transfer of drought and water conservation strategies. Requires: (1) the Director to publish guidelines for administering a national technical and financial drought assistance program; and (2) the Director, the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, and the Army, and other appropriate Federal agency heads to implement integrated drought preparedness plans. Authorizes States, Indian tribes, local governments, and regional, water providers to develop and implement drought preparedness plans. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the Director of FEMA to reimburse States for qualifying costs incurred in prepositioning wildfire suppression resources.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Mineral Hill Historic Mining District Preservation Act of 2002 - States that all terms and other provisions in the Donation Agreement between TVX Mineral Hill, Inc., and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, are incorporated in this Act, ratified, and confirmed. Authorizes the Secretary, if certain conditions have been satisfied (including that the company has obtained pollution liability insurance), to accept non-Federal land and associated mineral rights on Federal land located in Gallatin National Forest in the Mineral Hill-Crevice Mountain Mining District in Park County, Montana (the donated land). Requires the Secretary to accept and meet the requirements of permits issued to the company that relate to the Mineral Hill Mine. Prohibits subjecting the donated land to location and entry under the mining laws. Allows access to the cemetery located on the donated land for visitation and maintenance. Prohibits any burials at such site after this Act's enactment. Allows the Secretary to convey such site to a local government or cemetery association for perpetual operation and maintenance. Establishes the Mineral Hill Historic Mining District Fund in the Treasury. Transfers to the Fund specified fees and receipts collected from oil, gas, timber, coal, and other natural resources on all Federal land for FY 2003 and 2004 to pay costs of: (1) acquiring the donated land; (2) restoration, maintenance, management, interpretation, or removal of buildings, structures, and other features; (3) response and restoration actions, (4) public education and interpretation; (5) grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for interpretive, administrative, environmental response, and environmental restoration activities; and (6) the insurance deductible.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2002
Transparent and Enhanced Criteria Act of 2002 - Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to add the following to the selection criteria for the 2005 round of defense base closures and realignments: (1) force structure and mission requirements through 2020; (2) the availability and condition of facilities, land, and associated airspace; (3) considerations regarding ranges and airspace; (4) force protection; (5) costs and effects of relocating critical infrastructure; (6) homeland security requirements; (7) State or local support for a continued presence by the Department of Defense; (8) applicable lessons from previous rounds of closures and realignments; and (9) anticipated savings and other benefits. Requires the Secretary, at the time of publishing such criteria, to publish the formula proposed to be used in assigning weight to each criterion in making recommendations for closures or realignments in 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Designates the U.S. courthouse located at 100 Federal Plaza in Central Islip, New York, as the Alfonse M. D'Amato United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2002 - 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 · 8 May 2002
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) small business participation is vital to U.S. defense and should play an active role in assisting the military, Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and State and local police to combat terrorism through the design and development of innovative products; and (2) Federal, State, and local governments should aggressively seek out and purchase innovative technologies and services from, and promote research opportunities for, American small businesses to help in homeland defense and the fight against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2002
Designates May 4-12, 2002, as National Tourism Week.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2002
Broadband Telecommunications Deployment Act of 2002 - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to establish the Broadband Deployment and Demand Trust Fund to fund programs established in this Act. Directs the Rural Utilities Service to make loans to fund the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural areas and under served communities. Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to: (1) make grants for planning and feasibility studies on the deployment of broadband services in different geographic areas; and (2) support up to seven pilot programs for conducting innovative applications of wireless, satellite, and other non-wireline technologies capable of delivering broadband service to an eligible rural or under served community. Requires a current Federal-State Joint Board and the National Exchange Carriers Association to report to the Federal Communications Commission and specified congressional committees on universal service and competition. Directs the: (1) Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program for the deployment of broadband technologies and services, particularly in rural and under served communities; (2) Comptroller General to study the facilitation of broadband deployment in other countries; and (3) NTIA to assess the role of broadband in rural and under served areas in addressing homeland security and public safety needs. Provides for: (1) research by the National Science Board and the Director of the Institute of Telecommunications Sciences of NTIA on faster broadband services; (2) grants to colleges and universities for such research; (3) grants to libraries and museums to digitalize collections; and (4) grants for digital television conversion and programming. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a digital network technologies program to strengthen the capacity of eligible institutions to provide instruction in digital network technologies; and (2) a community networking program to enable under served communities to deploy broadband capable networks, as well as broadband access for economic development, public safety, health care, and educational needs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Mineral Hill Historic Mining District Preservation Act of 2002 - States that all terms and other provisions in the Donation Agreement between TVX Mineral Hill, Inc., and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, are incorporated in this Act, ratified, and confirmed. Authorizes the Secretary, if certain conditions have been satisfied (including that the company has obtained pollution liability insurance), to accept non-Federal land and associated mineral rights on Federal land located in Gallatin National Forest in the Mineral Hill-Crevice Mountain Mining District in Park County, Montana (the donated land). Requires the Secretary to accept and meet the requirements of permits issued to the company that relate to the Mineral Hill Mine. Prohibits subjecting the donated land to location and entry under the mining laws. Allows access to the cemetery located on the donated land for visitation and maintenance. Prohibits any burials at such site after this Act's enactment. Allows the Secretary to convey such site to a local government or cemetery association for perpetual operation and maintenance. Establishes the Mineral Hill Historic Mining District Fund in the Treasury. Transfers to the Fund specified fees and receipts collected from oil, gas, timber, coal, and other natural resources on all Federal land for FY 2003 and 2004 to pay costs of: (1) acquiring the donated land; (2) restoration, maintenance, management, interpretation, or removal of buildings, structures, and other features; (3) response and restoration actions, (4) public education and interpretation; (5) grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for interpretive, administrative, environmental response, and environmental restoration activities; and (6) the insurance deductible.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Amends the Organic Act establishing the Department of Commerce 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 (including antique firearm) or ammunition product; or (2) is a trade association representing such manufacturers or sellers. Declares that any lawful conduct carried out by a manufacturer or seller in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product, or lawful conduct carried out by a trade association in the course of representing such manufacturers or sellers, shall not be the basis for imposing a restriction on such commerce (the award of civil damages, equitable relief, or any other specified limitation) as a result of harm caused by the criminal or other unlawful misuse of such firearm or ammunition product by any other person.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Railroad Competition, Arbitration, and Service Act of 2002 - Amends Federal transportation law to declare the primary objectives of U.S. rail transportation policy with respect to rail carrier competition, reasonable rates, and consistent and efficient rail transportation service for shippers. Requires arbitration of certain rail rate, service, and other disputes according to specified procedures. Prohibits the Surface Transportation Board from issuing a railroad construction and operation certificate authorizing a specified activity, or exempting from certificate requirements an activity involving a railroad line interest transfer by a Class I rail carrier to a Class II or III rail carrier, if the activity directly or indirectly would result in a restriction of: (1) the ability of the Class II or Class III rail carrier to interchange traffic with other carriers; or (2) competition between or among rail carriers in the region affected by the activity in a manner or to an extent that would violate Federal antitrust laws. Prescribes a process for review of any alleged restriction. Authorizes any person who uses or seeks to use rail service for major train load shipments to or from a facility that has physical access solely to one rail carrier to request, according to a specified procedure, that rail service for such shipments be provided by an existing Class I, Class II, or Class III rail carrier, or a new rail service meeting certain requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Online Personal Privacy Act - Prohibits an Internet service provider, online service provider, or operator of a commercial website (provider) from collecting or disclosing personally identifiable information (name, address, and phone number) of a user unless the provider provides clear and conspicuous user notice. Requires a provider to: (1) obtain consent to the collection and disclosure of sensitive personally identifiable information (health, race, political party, religious belief, sexual orientation, social security number, or financial information); (2) provide robust notice, in addition to clear and conspicuous notice, of the opportunity to opt-out of the collection or disclosure of personally identifiable information; and (3) notify all users of a change in provider policy for the collection, use, or disclosure of sensitive or nonsensitive personally identifiable user information. Provides exceptions. Requires a provider to: (1) provide reasonable user access to personally identifiable information collected; and (2) establish and maintain procedures to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of such information. Provides for enforcement of this Act through the Federal Trade Commission, citing violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Authorizes enforcement actions by both private users and States on behalf of its residents. Provides whistleblower protections for provider employees. Requires the Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate to develop regulations applying the requirements of this Act to Senate officers and employees. Applies this Act to each Federal agency that is or operates an Internet or online service or website.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Arafat Accountability Act - Expresses the support of Congress for the President's efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in the State of Israel. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should urge an immediate and unconditional cessation of all terrorist activities and the commencement of a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians; (2) the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) should immediately surrender to Israel for detention and prosecution those Palestinian extremists wanted by Israel for the assassination of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Zeevi; and (3) Yasser Arafat and the PLO must take immediate and concrete action to publicly condemn all acts of terrorism, confiscate and destroy the infrastructures of terrorism, and end (and urge all Arab nations to end) financial support for terrorism. Prohibits the Secretary of State (Secretary) and the Attorney General, respectively, from issuing a visa or admitting to the United States any member of the PLO or official of the PA. Permits the President to waive this prohibition in the national security interest of the United States. Directs the Secretary to prohibit the operation of a PLO or PA office in the United States from carrying out any function other than those carried out prior to the Oslo Accords. Requires the Secretary to impose travel restrictions on the senior official of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine. Requires the Secretary and the Attorney General to identify and freeze United States assets of the PLO, the PA, and Yasser Arafat. Requires the President to report to specified congressional committees on PLO terrorist activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Syria Accountability Act of 2002 - Prohibits the President from exporting any item on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations, providing any U.S. assistance to U.S. businesses with respect to investment or other activities, or conducting Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Trade Development Agency programs in or with respect to Syria. Directs the President to impose two or more specified sanctions against Syria. Requires maintenance of such prohibition and sanctions until the President certifies that Syria meets specified requirements, including that it: (1) does not support international terrorist groups; (2) has withdrawn all of its military personnel from Lebanon: (3) has ceased the development and deployment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons; and (4) is no longer in violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2002
Children's Safe Sleepwear and Burn Prevention Act of 2002 - Prohibits the Consumer Product Safety Commission from enforcing or enacting a flammability standard for infants' and children's sleepwear that: (1) exempts certain garments (including diapers); or (2) includes as part of any definition of children's sleepwear a standard based on the intent of the manufacturer or retailer. Instructs the Commission to provide a functional definition of children's sleepwear for ages 0 through seven years, including certain children's clothing used with some regularity as sleepwear.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
Terrorism Victim's Access to Compensation Act of 2002 - Expresses the sense of Congress that it should be the policy of the United States: (1) to use the blocked assets of state sponsors of acts of terrorism (including their agencies and instrumentalities) under the control of the Secretary of the Treasury to pay court-ordered judgments and awards made to U.S. nationals harmed by such acts; and (2) to provide equal access to all U.S. victims of state-sponsored terrorism who have secured judgments and awards in Federal courts against state sponsors of terrorism, and assure that those judgments and awards be paid from such blocked assets. Makes such assets available for the satisfaction of judgments against terrorist parties. Prescribes guidelines for a Presidential waiver upon determination on an asset-by-asset basis that a waiver is necessary in the national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
Rural Hospital Access and Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend the authorization for appropriations through FY 2007 for rural hospital flexibility grants with respect to rural health care plans, rural health networks, critical access hospitals, rural emergency medical services, and assistance to eligible small rural hospitals in meeting the costs of implementing Medicare-required data systems.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Emergency Agricultural Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide market loss assistance payments, at the applicable FY 2000 payment rate, to owners and producers on a farm that are eligible for a final FY 2002 production flexibility contract payment. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance for: (1) soybeans and oilseeds; (2) quota or additional peanuts; (3) honey; (4) wool and mohair; (5) cottonseed; (6) commodity purchases, including school nutrition program commodities; (7) pulse crops (chickpeas, lentils, dry peas); and (8) tobacco. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to extend loan deficiency payment eligibility through crop year 2002 for contract commodity producers who are not eligible for marketing assistance loans. States that for the 2001 crop a producer who is eligible for loan deficiency payments but loses beneficial interest in the covered crop shall be eligible for such payments as of the date of loss. Directs the Secretary to make payments in lieu of loan deficiency payments for crop year 2002 to producers who: (1) elect to use wheat, grain sorghum, barley, or oats acreage for livestock grazing; and (2) agree to forgo any other harvesting of such crops on such acreage. States that such acreage shall be ineligible for Federal crop insurance. Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to extend milk price supports. Directs the Secretary to provide livestock feed assistance to producers affected by 2001 or 2002 disasters. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance for: (1) the conservation reserve program; (2) the wetlands reserve program; (3) the environmental quality incentives program; and (4) the farmland protection program. States that funds shall be obligated and expended only during FY 2002 to carry out this Act and its amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act of 2002 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to implement the redesign and reconstruction of Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Cook and Dupage Counties, Illinois, in accordance with a specified runway design plan, and the development of a south suburban airport in the Chicago metropolitan region, by facilitating their approval, funding, construction, and implementation. Requires an implementation plan to be prepared by the State of Illinois under the Clean Air Act for regulating emissions associated with activity at commercial service airports. Makes the Administrator's approval of an airport layout plan submitted by Chicago that includes the runway redesign plan conditional on the meeting of specified requirements. Requires the withholding of all airport grant funds for O'Hare (other than grants involving national security and safety) until January 1, 2026, unless specified conditions with respect to operations at Merrill C. Meigs Field have been met.