United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2003
FamilyCare Act of 2003 - Renames the State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA) as the FamilyCare program to provide for: (1) FamilyCare coverage of parents and pregnant women under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) as well as under new SSA title XXI; (2) optional FamilyCare coverage of parents of targeted low-income children or targeted low-income pregnant women; (3) automatic eligibility for FamilyCare coverage of children born to a parent or pregnant women on FamilyCare assistance; (4) optional coverage of legal immigrants and of children through age 20 under Medicaid and FamilyCare; (5) application of simplified FamilyCare procedures under Medicaid; (6) elimination of the 100 hour rule and other SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) related eligibility restrictions under Medicaid; (7) limitations on specified conflicts of interests under Medicaid and FamilyCare; (8) an increased FamilyCare allotment for FY 2004 through 2011; and (9) a limitation on cost-sharing to 2.5 percent for families with income below 150 percent of the poverty level. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award grants to States to allow them to demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative ways to increase access to health insurance through market reforms and other innovative means. Authorizes the Secretary to award demonstration grants to up to seven States (or other qualified entities) to conduct innovative programs designed to improve outreach to enroll homeless individuals and families and provide them services under specified programs for the homeless (including Medicaid and FamilyCare).
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2003
Voluntary Public Access and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Act of 2003 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which States may apply for grants to encourage owners and operators of privately-held farm and ranch land to voluntarily make such land available for public access and habitat-related activities under State-administered plans. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to exclude from excess base acreage computation for direct and counter-cyclical payment purposes certain conservation enrolled farm land not planted in an agricultural commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2003
Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain employee group health plans or related insurances providing both medical-surgical and mental health benefits from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. States that the foregoing shall not be construed as requiring a group health plan (or related insurance) to: (1) provide any mental health benefits; (2) prevent the medical management of mental health benefits; or (3) require the provision of specific mental health services, except to the extent that failure to provide such services would result in a disparity between the coverage of mental health and medical-surgical benefits. Exempts specified small employers from such requirements. Requires that, in the case of a group health plan that offers a participant or beneficiary two or more benefit package options, the coverage requirements shall be applied separately with respect to each such option. Provides that, in the case of a plan or insurance providing in-network mental health benefits, out-of-network mental health benefits need not be provided at parity to medical-surgical benefits, as long as in-network mental health benefits are provided at parity with medical-surgical benefits and the plan or insurance provides reasonable access to in-network providers and facilities. Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality and a cost estimation of extending such requirements to the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2003
Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to improve minority health and healthcare and to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health and healthcare. FamilyCare Act of 2003 - Amends the Social Security Act respecting: (1) family care; (2) Medicaid coverage for all residents with poverty level incomes; and (3) funding for the territories. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to provide for optional coverage of legal immigrants under Medicaid and SCHIP (State children's health insurance program). Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise provisions respecting program operations and funding. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration project to strengthen Medicaid and SCHIP coverage for migrant workers and farmworkers. Establishes the National Commission for Expanded Access to Health Care. Amends the Public Service Health Act to improve limited English speakers' access to health care. Directs the Secretary to establish a Center for Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Healthcare. Provides for health workforce diversity, including provisions respecting: (1) career training and support; (2) data collection; (3) cultural training; (4) Hispanic-serving health professions schools; (5) student assistance, including online degree programs; (6) the Louis Stokes public health scholars program; (7) the Patsy Mink health and gender research fellowship program; (8) the Paul David Wellstone international health fellowship program; and (9) the Edward R. Roybal Healthcare scholar program. Environmental Justice Act of 2003 - Establishes: (1) the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice which shall provide guidance to Federal agencies for identifying disproportionately high and adverse health and environmental effects on minority, low-income, and Native American populations; and (2) the Federal Environmental Justice Advisory Committee which shall advise the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Working Group on areas environmental justice. Border Health Security Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary, through the United States members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, to award grants to eligible entities to improve the health of border area residents that are established by: (1) the United States members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission; (2) the State border health offices; and (3) the Secretary. Amends the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act to make permanent authorizations of appropriations for activities under such Act. Patient Navigator, Outreach, and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private health centers (including Indian Health Service Centers, tribal governments, urban Indian organizations, tribal organizations, clinics serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Alaska Natives, and rural health clinics) for model programs that provide health disparity populations with: (1) cancer and chronic disease prevention and treatment; (2) patient navigators to manage the care of individuals within such groups; and (3) outreach services. Authorizes similar grant programs through: (1) the National Cancer Institute; and (2) the Indian Health Service. Community Health Workers Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States or local or tribal units to promote positive health behaviors for women in target populations, especially racial and ethnic minority women in medically underserved communities. Extends funding for breast and cervical cancer preventive health measures. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to qualifying health centers, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions for cancer treatment and prevention programs for underserved minority and other populations, with consideration given to such population's language and cultural context. Provides for grants and activities respecting: (1) health empowerment zone programs in health disparity communities; (2) the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative; (3) infant mortality and sudden infant death syndrome rates in minority communities; (4) fetal alcohol syndrome treatment and diagnosis; (5) diabetes prevention and treatment activities with Indian tribes, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians; (6) diabetes programs, including youth and children's programs; (7) heart disease; (8) a national stroke education campaign; and (9) obesity treatment and prevention in underserved minority populations; (10) tuberculosis control and prevention; (11) asthma; (12) sickle cell disease; (13) autoimmune disease in minority populations; (14) sexually transmitted diseases; (15) children's dental disease coverage under Medicaid or SCHIP, and dental health services in underserved areas; (16) demonstration projects to reduce violence; (17) uterine fibroid research and education; (18) disease screening; (19) community outreach; (20) immunizations; (21) chronic disease management; and (22) racial and ethnic approaches to community health. Requires HHS funded or operated programs to collect race, ethnicity, and language data to detect ethnic and racial health care disparities. Authorizes demonstration program grants for health plan, health center, and hospital data collection. Amends the Social Security Act to require the Social Security Administration to collect similar data. Directs the Secretary to fund epidemiology centers in Indian health areas lacking such centers. Extends funding for the National Center for Health Statistics. Minority Health and Genomics Act of 2003 - Establishes the Minority Health and Genomics Commission, which shall conduct a study of, and develop recommendations on, issues relating to genomic research as applied to minority groups. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) civil rights compliance offices within each HHS agency that administers a health program; and (2) an Office of Minority Health within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Establishes the Indian Health Service as an agency of the Public Health Service. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish an Office of Minority Affairs within the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to make grants for demonstration programs to improve minority healthcare access and quality. Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate centers of excellence at hospitals and other health systems serving large numbers of minority patients; (2) provide financial assistance to designated healthcare providers and community health centers for facility and service improvements in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii; and (3) provide grants and loan guarantees from the Health Safety Net Infrastructure Trust Fund (established by this Act) for capital financing assistance to eligible healthcare facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2003
Authorizes the: (1) employees of Senator Wayne Allard's office from whom testimony or the production of documents may be required to testify and produce documents in the cases of State of Colorado v. Daniel Raphael Egger, Sarah Jane Geraldi, Jennifer Melissa Greenberg, Lisa Gale Kunkel, Bonnie Catherine McCormick, except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted; and (2) Senate Legal Counsel to represent Senator Allard and his staff in the cases.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2003
Authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Terri Giles in the subpoenas issued for their disposition testimony and document production in the case of Bell Aviation, Inc., et al v. Sino Swearingen Aircraft Co., L.P. et al., Cause No. 03-02532, pending in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2003
War Profiteering Prevention Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit profiteering and fraud involving a contract or the provision of goods or services in connection with the war, military action, or relief or reconstruction efforts in Iraq (including making materially false statements or representations or materially overvaluing any good or service with the specific intent to make excessive profit). Sets penalties for violations, including up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of the greater of $1 million or twice the gross profits or other proceeds. Subjects: (1) any property which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to a violation to civil and criminal forfeiture; and (2) transactions involving such property or proceeds to money laundering provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2003
Poverty Reduction and Prevention Act - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to: (1) extend the community services block grant (CSBG) program; (2) stipulate that 125 percent of the official poverty line is the minimum level a State can set as its maximum eligibility requirement and 60 percent of State median income is the maximum level a State can set as its maximum eligibility requirement; (3) revise fund use, application and plan, and corrective action provisions; (4) require States to implement a financial and organizational assessment protocol; (5) require States to submit a separate CSBG audit; (6) include "religion" among the prohibited categories of exclusion; (7) revise the Secretary of Health and Human Services' discretionary authority; (8) extend community food and nutrition programs; and (9) extend national or regional programs to provide instructional activities to low-income youth. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to: (1) extend the low-income home energy assistance program; and (2) establish extreme weather- and energy cost-based triggers for the release of emergency funds. Assets for Independence Reauthorization Act - Amends the Assets for Independence Act extend the programs under such Act. Revises provisions respecting: (1) qualified expenses; (2) the reserve fund; (3) eligibility for participation; and (4) deposits by qualified entities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2003
Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations allowing qualifying individuals to import covered products (in addition to pharmacists and wholesalers, whom current law authorizes to import such products). Amends provisions pertaining to record keeping regarding imported covered products. States that the Secretary shall not have to store records in cases in which qualifying individuals have imported a covered product. Amends provisions regarding the testing of imported covered products. Declares that specified tests, including ones involving authenticity and degradation of products, shall not be required unless the importer is a wholesaler. Requires such tests to be conducted by the importer unless a product is a prescription drug subject to the provisions of this Act pertaining to counterfeit-resistant packaging. (Currently either the importer or the manufacturer may conduct such tests). Eliminates the sunset date current law establishes for the provisions pertaining to the importation of covered products. Classifies prescription drugs as misbranded if they do not incorporate specified counterfeit-resistant technologies in packaging.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2003
Medicare Indian Health Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) authorize reimbursement for all Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) services furnished by certain Indian health facilities; (2) require Medicare providers to charge no more than Medicare rates for inpatient hospital services provided to Indians who are eligible for contract health services from the Indian Health Service, tribally operated health programs, or urban Indian organizations; and (3) authorize outpatient or ambulatory care clinics (whether free-standing or provider-based) operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or an urban Indian organization to elect to be reimbursed on the same basis as if such clinic were a hospital outpatient department of the Indian Health Service.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2003
Designates October 27, 2003, as International Religious Freedom Day. Requests the President to issue a proclamation calling for a renewed commitment to eliminating violations of the internationally recognized right to freedom of religion and protecting fundamental human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2003
Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for: (1) maintenance, repair, and security; and (2) capital projects.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2003
Repudiates the damaging rhetoric of the outgoing prime minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Calls upon President George W. Bush to condemn these sentiments when the President and the prime minister meet to attend the meeting in Bangkok of the leaders of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2003
Anthrax Victims Fund Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 to provide compensation for victims of a terrorist-related laboratory-confirmed anthrax infection in the United States during the period beginning on September 13, 2001, through November 30, 2001, on the same basis as compensation is provided to victims of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes on September 11, 2001. States that a claimant under this Act waives the right to file a civil action in any Federal or State court for damages sustained in the incident, except against a knowing participant in any conspiracy to commit any terrorist act. Exempts from such waiver any civil action to recover a collateral source obligation based on contract.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2003
American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Indian Land Consolidation Act to revise the requirements for testamentary and nontestamentary disposition of interests in trust, restricted lands, and personal property of an Indian. Repeals the limitation of any devise of an interest in trust, restricted land, or personal property to a decedent's Indian spouse. Retains permission to devise such an interest to the Indian tribe with jurisdiction over the land. Adds permission to devise such an interest to any lineal descendant of the testator or any person who owns a preexisting undivided trust or restricted interest in the same parcel of land in trust or restricted status. Considers such a devise as the devise of the interest in trust or restricted status, unless: (1) language in the will clearly evidences the testator's intent that the interest is to vest in the devisee as a fee interest without restrictions; or (2) the interest devised is a life estate. Limits the order of the devise of an interest in trust or restricted land as a life estate or in fee for an interest not devised according to the general rule. Permits the owner of an interest in trust or restricted personal property to devise such an interest to any person or entity. States that if a testator devises interests in the same parcel of trust or restricted (currently, restricted) lands to more than one person, in the absence of express language (currently, language) in the devise to the contrary, the devise shall be presumed to create joint tenancy with the right of survivorship in the interests (currently, land) involved. Provides for the partition and purchase of highly fractionated Indian land by eligible Indian tribes. Prescribes means by which co-owners of trust or restricted interests in a parcel of land may enter into surface leases of such parcel without the Secretary of the Interior's approval. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect the application of any Federal law requiring the Secretary to approve mineral leases or other agreements for the development of the mineral interest in trust or restricted land. Allows interests in a parcel of trust or restricted land in the decedent's estate, under specified conditions, to be purchased at probate in accordance with this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a tribal probate code that prevents the devise of an interest in trust or restricted land by an Indian lineal descendant of the original allottee, or an Indian who is not a member of the tribe with jurisdiction over the interest, unless it provides for the renouncing of interests, the reservation of life estates, and payment of fair market value. Provides that the authority available to an Indian tribe to acquire an interest in trust or restricted land devised by the owner to a non-Indian shall not apply if the interest is part of a family farm that is devised to a member of the decedent's family, and the devisee agrees that the Indian tribe will have the opportunity to acquire the interest for fair market value if it is offered for sale to an entity that is not a member of the family of the owner of the land. Makes the fractional interest acquisition program permanent. Sets forth procedures with respect to the sale of interests to Indian landowners. Requires the Secretary to place a lien on any revenue accruing to an acquired fractional interest until the Secretary provides for the removal of the lien under specified conditions, and upon payment into the Acquisition Fund of an amount equal to the purchase price of that interest. Provides that the rules of intestate succession under the Indian Land Consolidation Act or a tribal probate code approved under such Act or regulations promulgated under it shall apply to that land for which patents have been executed and delivered. Requires the Secretary to award grants to nonprofit entities to provide legal assistance services for Indian tribes, individual owners of interests in trust or restricted lands, or Indian organizations pursuant to Federal poverty guidelines. Requires the Secretary to notify each Indian landowner of specified information concerning each tract of trust or restricted land in which the Indian landowner has an interest. Prohibits such individual from being denied access to the information. Directs the Secretary to develop a pilot project for the creation and management of private and family trusts for interests in trust or restricted lands. Presumes an undivided trust, restricted interest in a parcel of land owned by a person, or such related property to be abandoned after a specified six-year period, and subject to this Act. Requires the Secretary to give: (1) written notifications to all heirs before holding a hearing to determine the heirs to trust or restricted property, or making a decision determining such heirs; and (2) an annual notice, response form, and a change of name and address form to owners of interests in trust or restricted land.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2003
Terrorism Victim Compensation Equity Act - Amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 to provide compensation for the U.S. citizens who were victims of the bombings of United States embassies in East Africa on August 7, 1998, the attack on the U.S.S. Cole on October 12, 2000, or the attack on the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993, on the same basis as compensation is provided to victims of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes on September 11, 2001. States that a claimant under this Act waives the right to file a civil action in any Federal or State court for damages sustained in the incident, except against a knowing participant in any conspiracy to commit any terrorist act. Exempts from such waiver any civil action to recover a collateral source obligation based on contract.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2003
Recognizes the members of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps for their patriotism and civic activism during World War II on the Corps' 60th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2003
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act - Amends the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 (TEUCA) to: (1) extend the TEUC program; (2) provide for additional weeks of TEUC benefits; (3) revise unemployment rate triggers for TEUC benefit periods; and (4) provide for regular unemployment compensation for certain individuals based on part-time work or an alternative base period. Extends the TEUC program through weeks of unemployment ending before July 1, 2004. Provides a phase-out period for individual payments up to weeks beginning after December 31, 2004. Increases to 26 weeks an eligible individual's TEUC payments. Provides for an additional seven weeks of payments, for a total of 33 weeks, for individuals in high-unemployment States (TEUC-X). (Current law provides 13 weeks of regular TEUC payments, with an additional 13 and total 26 in TEUC-X States.) Revises requirements for determining TEUC-X States, using certain triggers based on insured unemployment rates and on total unemployment rates. Establishes a program of payments to States to provide regular unemployment compensation benefits for individuals who otherwise would be ineligible because: (1) the base period does not count wages earned in the most recently completed calendar quarter; or (2) the individuals seek or are available for less than full-time work. Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to provide a temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits.
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 · 2 October 2003
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2003 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities (including employment agencies, labor organizations, and training programs). Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares this Act inapplicable to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's domestic partner. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from: (1) collecting statistics on sexual orientation from covered entities; and (2) compelling covered entities to collect such statistics. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) an order or consent decree for a violation of this Act that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Prohibits the imposition of affirmative action for a violation of this Act. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for remedies to the same extent as under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2003
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage, with regard to hospital stays in connection with breast cancer treatment, from: (1) covering less than 48 hours after mastectomies or less than 24 hours after lymph node dissections; or (2) requiring plan or issuer authorization for prescribing any length of stay. Prohibits: (1) denying eligibility, enrollment, or renewal to avoid these requirements; (2) providing payments or rebates to women; or (3) penalizing or providing incentives to providers. Applies the same requirements to issuers in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2003
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the leadership of the Palestinian people by Yasser Arafat is a hindrance to the Middle East peace process and that such peace depends on the construction of independent, transparent, and accountable institutions free from the taint of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2003
Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to award grants to support comprehensive State diabetes control and prevention programs. Requires the Secretary to promote and coordinate diabetes research, including data collection and the development of best practices, early detection and prevention programs, and a national diabetes laboratory. Gives priority to programs which reduce disparities in diabetes prevention and care for high-risk or underserved populations. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award competitive grants to apply the best practices identified by the Secretary for diabetes prevention and control. Gives priority to programs to reduce disparities in prevention and control for high-risk or underserved populations. Requires the Director to: (1) develop and update scientifically validated quality measures for assessing and improving clinical services related to diabetes; (2) establish a Diabetes Quality Improvement Program; and (3) incorporate diabetes in the annual quality and disparities reports. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee, to: (1) coordinate a national diabetes education program; and (2) develop and update a strategic research plan for diabetes. Requires the expansion of research programs concerning diabetes in underserved populations and minority groups and in children and youths. Requires the development or enhancement of data collection on the prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children, including the support of long-term epidemiological studies in children. Authorizes a report on diabetes by the Surgeon General.
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 · 24 September 2003
Hearing Health Accessibility Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for direct access to qualified audiologists for Medicare beneficiaries and the coverage of audiology services as a Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) medical service.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2003
Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993, with respect to the immigrant investor regional center pilot program, to: (1) extend such program; (2) replace existing references to the Attorney General with the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (3) authorize employment creation immigrant visa priority to be given to aliens seeking entry under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2003
Expresses the Senate's desire to see the new democracy in Kenya thrive. Commends the people and Government of the Republic of Kenya for: (1) conducting free and fair elections; (2) completing a peaceful and orderly transition of power; (3) assisting and cooperating in the global fight against terrorism; (4) sharing friendship and values of democracy with the people of the United States; (5) regional peacemaking efforts and contributions to international peacekeeping; (6) strengthening democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; (7) fighting corruption; (8) improving access to education; and (9) working to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Commits to working with the people of Kenya to continue making progress in fighting corruption, encouraging development, fighting HIV/AIDS, and fostering respect for the rule of law and a climate of transparency. Welcomes the October 2003 visit of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2003
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include teacher quality enhancement programs relating to the needs of gifted and talented students among authorized uses of title II grants for States and partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2003
Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal section 114 (Extraterritorial Income) which excludes from gross income extraterritorial income. Permits a corporation a limited deduction for qualified production activities (expenses attributable to domestic production activities). Allows a 20 year foreign tax credit carryforward. Revises provisions concerning the application of look-thru rules to dividends from noncontrolled section 902 corporations. Adds provisions providing for the recharacterization of overall domestic loss. Permits a worldwide affiliated group to have the taxable income of each domestic corporation which is a member of such group to be determined by allocating and apportioning interest expense of each member as if all members of such group were a single corporation. Revises provisions concerning foreign personal holding income with respect to commodity transactions. Repeals provisions relating to: (1) foreign personal holding companies; (2) gain on foreign investment company stock; (3) the election by foreign investment companies to distribute income currently; (4) the withholding tax on dividends from certain foreign corporations; and (5) the capital gains tax on aliens present in the United States for 183 days or more. Exempts a foreign corporation from the definition of a personal holding company.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Calling for 2-1-1 Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to award a grant to each State to carry out a program for making available throughout that State the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. Requires a participating State to ensure that at least 50 percent of the resources of the program funded by the grant will be derived from other sources. Requires a State seeking a grant to carry out its activities through a lead entity to be known as a 2-1-1 Collaborative. Requires grant amounts to be used solely to make available to a State 2-1-1 telephone service for community information and referral on human services, including telephone connections between families and individuals seeking services and the service providers. Requires grant recipients to: (1) abide by the Key Standards for 2-1-1 Centers; and (2) collaborate with human service organizations to provide an exhaustive database of services with which to provide information or referral to individuals utilizing the 2-1-1 service.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2003
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use Commodity Credit Corporation funds for emergency financial assistance to producers who have suffered qualifying weather-caused crop losses in 2001, 2002, or 2003, for: (1) crops; or (2) livestock under the American Indian livestock program in a disaster-designated county. Reduces (other than crop insurance) other agricultural assistance by amounts received under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2003
Temporary Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for October 1, 2003, through March 31, 2004, for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including: (1) air navigation facilities and equipment; (2) airport and noise compatibility planning and development; (3) aviation programs; and (4) aviation research. Extends authority for the apportionment of funds for the same period for: (1) the Contract Air Traffic Control Tower Program; and (2) airport improvement projects (AIP) at primary airports. Increases to 95 percent the Federal share of allowable AIP costs for a grant made during such period. Authorizes the Secretary to decide that the costs of revenue producing aeronautical support facilities, including fuel farms and hangars, are allowable for an AIP at a nonprimary airport if: (1) the Federal share of such costs is paid only with funds apportioned to the airport sponsor; and (2) the sponsor has made adequate provision for financing airside needs of the airport. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a reimbursable agreement with the Secretary of the Interior to fund airport development at Midway Island Airport between for October 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004. Makes the sponsors of airports in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau eligible for grants during the same period. Authorizes during the same period essential air service and small community air service. Prohibits the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security of the Department of Homeland Security from implementing, except on a test basis, the proposed computer assisted passenger prescreening system (CAPPS2) before providing to Congress a specified certification. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to specified congressional committees on the potential impact of CAPPS2 on the privacy and civil liberties of U.S. citizens. Revises requirements for flight training operators with respect to aliens or others specified by the Secretary of Homeland Security (currently, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security), including mandatory training applicant information (including fingerprints), notifications, expedited processing of information and background checks, assessment of investigation fees, and exemption from all such procedures and processes of certain foreign military pilots. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from authorizing the privatization of the air traffic separation and control functions or any functions related to certification of national airspace systems and services (except certain contract traffic control towers) currently operated by the FAA. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the FAA plan to revamp the flight service station program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditure authority until October 1, 2004. Prescribes a special rule for air transportation tax paid for domestic segments beginning after 2002. Declares that, if an amount is paid during a calendar year for a domestic segment beginning in a later calendar year, then the rate of tax shall be the rate in effect for the calendar year in which such amount is paid.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2003
Authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent all Members of the Senate, the Vice President, the President Pro Tem, the Secretary of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms, and Congress, in the case of Josue Orta Rivera v. Congress of the United States of America, et al.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2003
Makes permanent the $150 to $225 increase in imminent danger special pay and the $100 to $250 increase in the family separation allowance for members of the uniformed services (currently, both terminate at the end of FY 2003).
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2003
United States Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an annual tax credit for 25 percent of up to the first $25,000 of qualified wages paid or incurred per qualified U.S. independent film and television production.
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 · 9 September 2003
Requires a report from the President setting forth: (1) the economic, political and military situation in Iraq; (2) measures taken to protect the U.S. troops serving in Iraq; (3) a detailed plan for establishing civil, economic, and political security in Iraq; (4) the monetary costs currently incurred and projected to be incurred by the United States, United Nations, Iraq, and the international community; (5) the actions taken and to be taken by the President to secure increased international participation in peacekeeping efforts and in the economic and political reconstruction of Iraq; (6) a detailed schedule for restoring self-government to the Iraqi people; and (7) U.S. and international military and civilian personnel requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Reauthorizes the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (the Act). Amends the Act to define "child abuse" as any case in which a child is subjected to family violence. Requires the local law enforcement agency to report immediately the occurrence to the State law enforcement agency if: (1) a report of abuse or family violence involves an alleged abuser who is a non-Indian; and (2) a preliminary inquiry indicates a criminal violation has occurred. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to identify and report to Congress on impediments to the reduction of child abuse on Indian reservations. Repeals the mandate for a study on the feasibility of, and need for, establishment of a Central Register for reports or information on the abuse of children in Indian country. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and of Health and Human Services (Secretaries) to include contracted and volunteers in background checks, based on fingerprints, with respect to personnel who have regular contact with, or control over, Indian children. Requires similar but no less stringent character investigations by certain Indian tribes or tribal organizations regarding a volunteer or contractor who is employed, or is being considered for employment, with the same duties and responsibilities. Extends the scope of the Indian Child Abuse Treatment Grant Program to treatment programs for Indians who have been victims of child abuse (currently, only child sexual abuse). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish demonstration projects to facilitate the development of a culturally-sensitive traditional healing treatment program for child abuse and family violence to be operated by an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or inter-tribal consortium. Requires the Secretary to establish within each Regional (currently, area) office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs an Indian Child Resource and Family Services Center. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretaries (currently, only the Secretaries) to enter into a memorandum of agreement to provide staffing for such Centers. Modifies the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Program to include in the duties of designated agencies and officials regarding investigation, treatment, and prevention of child abuse and family violence: (1) coordination and reporting as well as investigation of reported cases of child abuse and child neglect; and (2) treatment and prevention of incidents of child abuse. Modifies the: (1) uses of funds under the Program; and (2) specify matters to be examined in the Secretary's evaluation of a program for which an award is made.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Small Business Military Reservist Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, with respect to individuals participating in qualified military reserve component duty, a tax credit equal to the sum of: (1) in the case of a small business employer, the employment credit with respect to all qualified employees and qualified replacement employees of the taxpayer; and (2) the self-employment credit of a qualified self-employed taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Commends the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for its major contributions to the strengthening of democracy around the world, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of NED's establishment. Declares that Congress endeavors to continue to support NED's vital work.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2003
Commends members of the armed forces for their role and service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Calls upon the people of the United States to honor those who fell in the line of duty during such Operation. Commends the families of personnel deployed to the Middle East for such Operation for their role and sacrifices in supporting such servicemembers. Expresses deep condolences to the families of the men and women who lost their lives during the conflict in Iraq.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2003
Pathways for All Students to Succeed Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish a program that will provide grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish reading and writing programs to improve overall reading and writing performance among students in middle school and secondary school. Requires LEAs receiving a subgrant to hire literacy coaches (at least one for every 20 teachers) to work with classroom teachers to: (1) incorporate reading and writing instruction in all subject areas; (2) identify and refer to remediation services any students with reading and writing problems; (3) provide reading and writing professional development for all middle school and secondary school teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals; and (4) procure and implement programs and instructional materials based on reading and writing research. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program of grants to SEAs and, through them, subgrants to LEAs that: (1) enables a secondary school receiving assistance under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 to hire a sufficient number of academic counselors (at least one for 150 students) to develop personal six-year plans defining career and education goals for each student at the school, including students with limited English proficiency; (2) involves parents in the development and implementation of such plans; and (3) provides academic counselors and staff at the schools receiving grants under this Act the opportunity to coordinate with other programs and services, including those supported by Federal funds, to ensure that students have access to the resources and services necessary to fulfill their personal plans. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to SEAs and, through them, subgrants to LEAs to promote school improvement and student achievement in low performing secondary schools through specified programs and activities.
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
Tribal Parity Act - Amends the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act to increase from $39.3 million to $176,398,012 the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury to provide compensation to the Lower Brule Tribe of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River. Amends the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act of 1996 to increase from $27.5 million to $100,244,040 the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary to provide compensation to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota for such damage.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to phase out reduced price lunches and breakfasts by phasing in increases in income eligibility for free lunches and breakfasts by specified increments from 130 percent of the Office of Management and Budget nonfarm income poverty guidelines for July 1, 2003, to 185 percent of such guidelines for July 1, 2008, and every subsequent school year.
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
Indian Trust Payment Equity Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior for each of FY 2004 through 2008 to use $2 billion of the amounts in the Indian Trust Payment Equity Fund established by this Act to provide payments to Indian tribes for amounts owed by the United States to individual Indian money account holders as a result of mismanagement of the individual Indian money fund. Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to enter into a contract with an Indian tribe under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, or amend such a contract, to provide funds to the Indian tribe from the Fund to assist it in performing audits of individual Indian money accounts in accordance with generally accepted Federal accounting standards; and (2) if the account holder accepts the results of an audit, to use amounts in the Fund as partial payment until a full accounting is satisfied. Provides that nothing in this Act: (1) negates or otherwise affects the requirement of the Department of the Interior to complete the accounting; or (2) constitutes a settlement regarding any individual Indian money account or any civil action to compel an accounting and payment of amounts owed to such account holders. Establishes the Indian Trust Payment Equity Fund in the Treasury to be used to carry out this Act, consisting of amounts appropriated under this Act.
![Official portrait of Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [D-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000064_200.jpg)