United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2001 - Provides that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if both parties consent in writing after such controversy arises. Requires the arbitrator to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Fusion Energy Sciences Act of 2001 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) develop a plan for U.S. construction of a magnetic fusion burning plasma experiment; (2) request a plan review for Congress by the National Academy of Sciences; and (3) develop and transmit to Congress a plan for the Fusion Energy Sciences Program and for the magnetic fusion burning plasma experiment. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a plan for U.S. participation in an international burning plasma experiment: (1) whose construction is highly likely; and (2) where Federal participation is cost effective relative to the cost and scientific benefits of a domestic experiment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Dairy Promotion Fairness Act - Amends the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 to define "imported dairy product" and "importer" for purposes of the dairy promotion program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint up to two qualifying dairy importers to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Requires dairy importers to contribute to the dairy promotion program. Makes both importers and producers (currently, limited to producers) eligible to vote in referendums.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
National Rural Development Partnership Act of 2001 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the National Rural Development Partnership composed of the National Rural Development Coordinating Committee (established by this Act) and State development councils (authorized by this Act). Includes among Partnership purposes: (1) enhancement of State and local rural development capacities; and (2) engagement of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private and nonprofit sectors in such efforts. Provides for State rural development council matching requirements. Terminates the Partnership five years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2001
Amends Federal provisions concerning the Montgomery GI Bill (educational assistance for veterans) to allow eligible veterans to elect to receive accelerated payment of such assistance for education leading to employment in a high technology industry. Makes eligible those veterans who are: (1) enrolled in an approved program of education leading to such employment; and (2) charged tuition and fees which, on a monthly basis, exceed 200 percent of the monthly rate of basic educational assistance allowance otherwise payable. Makes such accelerated payment the lesser of: (1) 60 percent of the established charges for such education; or (2) the aggregate amount of basic educational assistance to which such veteran remains entitled. Revises, generally, provisions concerning determinations by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of an individual's enrollment, pursuit, and attendance under an approved program. Includes within the definition of "educational institution" for purposes of eligibility for Montgomery GI Bill assistance any private entity that offers a courses to fulfill requirements for a license or certification for employment in a high technology occupation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2001
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2001, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2001
Veterans' Benefits Programs Modification Act of 2001 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to: (1) exclude from annual income, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' pension, the proceeds of any life insurance policy or any other non-recurring income from any source; (2) repeal a provision providing an effective date for the award of death pension for which application is received within 45 days of such death; (3) provide an effective date for the reduction or discontinuance of compensation or pension by reason of a change in recurring income; (4) prohibit the payment of any benefit if information required of a claimant is not received by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs within one year; (5) prohibit veterans who are fugitive felons, or their dependents, from receiving any veterans' benefit during such fugitive period (requiring the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding with State and local law enforcement agencies to furnish latest address information on such veteran); (6) prohibit payment of compensation to veterans remaining incarcerated for felonies committed before October 7, 1980; (7) revise, generally, the delimiting period for the use of educational assistance by a veteran with a total service-connected disability or by his or her survivors or dependents; (8) repeal the 500 per fiscal year limit on the number of veterans authorized to participate in programs of independent living services and assistance; and (9) increase from $50,750 to $63,175 the veterans home loan guaranty limit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2001
Increases from seven to nine the authorized number of judges serving on the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims beginning on the date of enactment of this Act until August 15, 2005, in order to facilitate the staggered terms of such judges. Repeals: (1) the requirement for written notice of the acceptance of reappointment as a condition to retirement from such Court; and (2) provisions of the Veterans' Judicial Review Act mandating a notice of disagreement as a requirement for Court jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Medical Savings Account Availability Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to medical savings accounts to: (1) repeal restrictions on the number of accounts which may be established; and (2) expand the availability of such accounts to individuals other than the self-employed and employees of small employers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Administration Improvement Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Court of Veterans Appeals, to defray the expenses of judicial conferences, to impose a registration fee on active participation. Directs that the periodic registration fee on persons admitted to practice before the Court be used for purposes including conducting investigations and proceedings, as well as for the expenses of judicial conferences and other activities and programs designed to support and foster bench and bar communication and relationships or the study, understanding, public commemoration, or improvement of veterans law or of the work of the Court. Authorizes the Court to exercise administrative authorities applicable to other Federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to posthumously grant disability retirement for individuals who die in the line of duty while on active duty. Authorizes the payment of disability retirement compensation to the dependent survivors of such individuals under the Survivor Benefit Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 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 June 2001
Health and Higher Education Facilities Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a small tax-exempt bond issuer, the proceeds of the obligations of which are to be used to make or finance eligible loans for health care or educational purposes, to elect to apply specified current limitations on the amount of obligations by treating each borrower as the issuer of a separate issue.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Amends the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations through FY 2004 for the cost for the reduction of debt owed by a foreign country to the United States as a result of concessional loans made or credits extended to such country under specified laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) Federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis; and (2) a deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums and enrollment fees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Medicare Fairness in Reimbursement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to instruct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for making adjustments to payments for items and services provided under the original Medicare fee-for-service program, with specified formulae for States whose average per beneficiary amount is: (1) greater than 105 percent of the national average; or (2) less than 95 percent of the national average. Authorizes the Secretary to make specified related adjustments to geographic indices under the Medicare physician fee schedule in certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Designates the second Sunday in the month of December as National Children's Memorial Day and the last Friday in the month of April as Children's Memorial Flag Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Reforestation Tax Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to a taxpayer who has a qualified timber gain in an amount equal to the qualified percentage of such gain. Decreases the amortization period for reforestation expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Korea Defense Service Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue a campaign medal, to be known as the Korea Defense Service Medal, to each member who served in the Republic of Korea or its adjacent waters after July 27, 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to authorize 2001 and 2002 nonrecourse marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments for dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Outfitter Policy Act of 2001 - Prohibits unauthorized outfitters from conducting commercial outfitted activities on Federal land. Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to establish criteria for granting outfitter permits. Sets forth procedures for granting permits and describes permit requirements Requires fees for outfitter authorizations. Requires authorized outfitters to defend and indemnify the United States for costs or expenses associated with injury, death, or damage to any person or property caused by negligence or wanton disregard for persons or property arising out of an outfitter's activities. Requires outfitter permits to include a principal allocation of outfitter use and authorizes temporary permits to include such allocation. Authorizes the Secretary to adjust an allocation of use. Permits temporary allocations of use for up to two years and the renewal, transfer, or extension of such allocations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a process for annual evaluation of the performance of authorized outfitters; and (2) renew an authorization at the outfitter's request, under appropriate conditions. Makes outfitter permits transferable to qualified transferees under specified conditions. Sets forth recordkeeping requirements for authorized outfitters. Requires the Secretary to: (1) grant authorized outfitters full access to administrative remedies; and (2) establish an expedited procedure for consideration of appeals. Entitles outfitters that hold existing permits, contracts, or other authorizations to issuance of permits under this Act if their recent performance was determined good, satisfactory, or acceptable, or the equivalent.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2001
Pays tribute, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to the U.S. citizens who died in the attack, and to the members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Bipartisan Federal Election Reform Act of 2001 - Establishes the Blue Ribbon Study Panel to study, with respect to Federal elections, methods of: (1) voting and counting votes, of ballot design, of voter registration, of maintaining secure and accurate lists of registered voters, and of ensuring that all registered voters appear on the polling list at the appropriate polling site; (2) provisional voting; (3) ensuring accessibility of voting, registration, polling places, and voting equipment to all voters; (4) registering members of the armed forces and overseas citizens to vote, and ensuring that they timely receive ballots that will be properly and expeditiously handled and counted; (5) recruiting and improving the performance of poll workers; and (6) educating voters. Requires the Panel also to study: (1) Federal and State voting eligibility laws; (2) matters relevant to voting and administering elections in rural and urban areas; and (3) how the Federal Government can assist State and local authorities to improve election administration and what levels of funding would be necessary for such assistance. Requires the Panel to make related recommendations. Establishes the Election Administration Commission to: (1) adopt or modify and periodically update Panel recommendations; (2) issue or adopt updated voting system standards; and (3) perform a variety of other specified duties. Establishes the Federal Election Reform Grant Program under which the Commission may award grants to applicant States and localities to pay the Federal share of costs associated with implementing any recommendation adopted or modified by the Commission. Establishes the Election Administration Advisory Board. Amends the Voting Act concerning maximum access to polls by absent uniformed services and overseas voters to replace the current recommendation imposed upon the States to achieve such maximum access with a requirement that each State, in each Federal election, perform certain tasks.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Amendment Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for certain Medicare beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2001
Access to Cancer Therapies Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare coverage to all oral drugs prescribed for use as an anticancer agent for a medically accepted indication.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2001
Instant Check Gun Tax Repeal and Gun Owner Privacy Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit a Federal, State, or local officer or employee acting on behalf of the United States from charging or collecting any fee for a required background check in connection with the transfer of a firearm. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any such individual from: (1) performing a national instant criminal background check through the system established pursuant to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act if that system does not require and result in the immediate destruction o f all information about the person who is determined not to be prohibited by Federal or State law from receiving a firearm (with an exception); or (2) continuing to operate the system unless specified conditions are met. Establishes a private cause of action for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2001
Designates the week of May 20, 2001, designated as National Emergency as Medical Services Week. States that the President should issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate programs and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2001
Cuban Solidarity Act of 2001 (or SOLIDARIDAD Act of 2001) - Earmarks each fiscal year a specified amount of development assistance and economic support funds for individuals and independent nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to support democracy-building efforts for Cuba, including assistance to victims of political repression there. Establishes an information and resource center within the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba, for use by independent NGO representatives or other eligible persons. Authorizes the President to license on a case-by-case basis: (1) the importation of handicrafts or other hand-made goods produced by independent, self-employed Cubans; and (2) the remittance of up to $1,000 each quarter by a U.S. person or group to any Cuban to support microenterprise activities of independent, self-employed Cubans, or independent NGO activities. Urges the President to take specified measures to support the transition to democracy in Cuba. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the President to withhold for a fiscal year from assistance provided to an independent state of the former Soviet Union an amount equal to the amount of assistance and credits, if any, provided for the preceding fiscal year by such state in support of intelligence facilities in Cuba, including the intelligence facility at Lourdes, Cuba. Urges the Secretary of State to authorize the travel and contacts of Cuban diplomatic personnel in the United States on a strictly reciprocal basis, taking into account Cuban restrictions against U.S. diplomatic personnel meeting with Cuban government officials.
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 · 7 May 2001
Amends part C (Administrative Simplification) of title XI of the Social Security Act to postpone the deadline for compliance by applicable entities and programs with standards for: (1) reduction of the administrative costs of providing and paying for health care; and (2) electronic transactions of health information. Sets the new deadline at the later date of either October 16, 2004, or two years after: (1) the final adoption of relevant regulations concerning all such standards, except those for unique health identifiers for individuals; and (2) the availability of reliable national unique health identifiers for health plans and health care providers. Makes this Act effective as if included in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2001
Community Forestry and Agriculture Conservation Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat a bond issued to acquire land together with any renewable resources associated with the land on land subject to a conservation restriction as a tax-exempt (qualified 501(c)(3)) bond if the revenues from are used in a manner consistent with the charitable purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2001
Forest Resources for the Environment and the Economy Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress on forest carbon management in the National Forest System, including its impact upon timber harvests, wildlife habitat, recreation, and forest health. Prescribes guidelines on reporting, monitoring, and verification of carbon storage from tree planting and forest management actions. Directs the Secretary to establish a Carbon and Forestry Advisory Council to: (1) advise on voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas sequestration from forest management actions; (2) estimate the effect of proposed implementation on carbon sequestration and storage; and (3) assist the Secretary in assessing forest vulnerability to climate change. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the monitoring of forest carbon; and (2) forest carbon cooperative agreements and loan program on specified lands. Instructs the Secretary to establish an assistance program provided through State revolving loan funds to Indian tribes and owners of nonindustrial private forest land to undertake forestry carbon activities. Permits the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana to apply for funding from the Bonneville Power Administration for purposes of funding loans that meet both the objectives of this Act and certain fish and wildlife objectives of the Bonneville Power Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal specified occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine, and beer. Revises recordkeeping requirements for wholesale and retail liquor dealers. Makes it unlawful for any liquor dealer (except one selling beer exclusively) to purchase distilled spirits from any person other than a specified wholesale liquor dealer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001
Extends through September 30, 2015 (currently September 30, 2007) the eligibility of certain former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2001
Acknowledges and commends the charter school movement for its contribution to improving student achievement and our Nation's public school system. Designates the week of April 30 through May 4, 2001, as National Charter Schools Week.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2001
Growing Renewable Energy for Emerging Needs (GREEN) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code respecting the credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources to: (1) extend the credit; (2) expand the scope of qualifying closed-loop facilities; and (3) make qualifying biomass (other than closed-loop biomass) and biomass facilities eligible for the credit.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2001
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, with respect to sugars, syrups, and molasses (excluding cane or beet sugar) that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, during any fiscal year under certain quantitative import restrictions (tariff-rate quotas), to establish a duty on such articles and other articles if they are subsequently used for the commercial extraction or production of sugar for human consumption, or such articles are used in any manner that circumvents any quota imposed under the Schedule. Prohibits the imposition of a tariff-rate quota on molasses used for animal consumption or for the production of rum in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2001
Animal Disease Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Control Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a preliminary report to specified congressional committees concerning: (1) interagency measures to assess, prevent, and control the spread of foot and mouth disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease") in the United States; (2) related Federal information sources available to the public; and (3) the need for any additional legislative authority or product bans. Directs the Secretary to submit a final report to such committees that discusses such diseases' economic impacts, public and animal health risks, and related legislative authority or product bans.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2001
Project SEARCH Act of 2001 - Establishes the SEARCH Grant (grants for special environmental assistance for the regulation of communities and habitat) Program. Authorizes independent citizens' councils established by this Act to recommend the award of a SEARCH grant for an environmental project to small communities that: (1) demonstrate that they have pursued traditional funding sources for the project and have not obtained, or have obtained insufficient, funding; or (2) need funds for initial feasibility or environmental studies before applying to traditional funding sources.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2001
Expresses the Senate's regret at the damage and loss of life occasioned by the accidental collision of a U.S. military EP-3E Aries II reconnaissance aircraft and an F-8 jet fighter from the Air Force of the People's Republic of China. Calls for the Chinese Government to release the crew members of the EP-3E and return the aircraft and its equipment to the United States. Supports the President's continuing efforts to ensure the safe return of the crew and aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001
Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to increase benefits to railroad employees and their beneficiaries and to revise financing of the pension part (tier II) of the railroad retirement system. Establishes a Railroad Retirement Trust Fund and a Railroad Retirement Investment Trust to manage and invest Fund assets. Abolishes the Railroad Retirement Supplemental Annuity Account and provides for transfer of its funds to the Fund. Provides for transfer to the Fund of certain portions of the Railroad Retirement Account and of Social Security Equivalent Benefit account funds. Transfers to the disbursing agent from the Dual Benefits Payments Account the amount necessary to make dual benefit payments. Requires the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to calculate the ratio of assets to benefits to determine annual tier II tax rates for employers, employee representatives, and employees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt the Fund from taxation. Repeals a supplemental annuity tax that railroad employers pay to finance a benefit for long-time rail employees. Provides for adjustments to railroad employers, employee representatives, and employee tier II tax rates.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Blind Persons Earnings Equity Act of 2001 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to restore the link ended by the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 1995 between the rules relating to substantial gainful activity for blind individuals and the rules relating to excess earnings under the Social Security earnings test for individuals who have attained retirement age (thus allowing blind individuals, once again, to earn up to the Social Security excess earnings threshold without being regarded as having demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity and without losing entitlement to OASDI benefits).
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001
Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act - Prohibits either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture from taking any action which would permanently close or render or declare as unserviceable any aircraft landing strip located on Federal land under the respective jurisdiction, unless: (1) the head of the aviation department of each State in which the aircraft landing strip is located has approved such action; (2) notice of the proposed action has been published in the Federal Register; (3) a 90-day public comment period on the action has been provided; and (4) any comments received during the comment period have been taken into consideration by the Secretaries, as the case may be, and the appropriate State aviation department heads. Directs the Secretaries to: (1) adopt a nationwide policy for governing backcountry aviation issues related to the management of Federal land under their jurisdiction; and (2) require regional managers to adhere to it. Declares that a policy affecting air access to an aircraft landing strip located on Federal land (including any national policy required under this Act) shall not take effect unless certain conditions are met, including its statement that the FAA has the sole authority to control aviation and airspace over the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000858_200.jpg)