United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
District of Columbia Personal Protection Act - Amends the District of Columbia Code to provide that the D.C. Council's regulatory authority regarding firearms, explosives, and weapons in the District shall not be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise permitted to possess firearms under Federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by Federal law nor regulated by the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Repeals the definition of machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; (2) prohibition on registration of pistols (handguns); (3) prohibition on possession of handgun ammunition; (4) requirement that, under certain conditions, firearms in the possession of certain individuals must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked; (5) related firearm registration requirements such as applicant qualifications and filing deadline. Eliminates criminal penalties for: (1) possessing an unregistered firearm; or (2) carrying a pistol whether loaded or unloaded in one's dwelling house, place of business, or on land possessed by such person.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 - Grants congressional approval to the "Compact of Free Association, as amended between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia" (U.S.-FSMCompact) and the "Compact of Free Association, as amended between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands" (U.S.-RMI Compact), as well as specified subsidiary agreements and amended subsidiary agreements. Directs the President, upon the request of the RMI Government, to continue to provide special medical care and logistical support for the remaining members of the population of Rongelap and Utrik who were exposed to radiation resulting from the 1954 United States thermo-nuclear "Bravo" test. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) internationally recognized human rights in foreign countries; (2) the rights of bona fide naturalized citizens of FSM and RMI to enter the United States; (3) the machine-readability and security of FSM and RMI passports; (4) information sharing with the United States in enforcing criminal and security-related grounds of inadmissibility and deportability under the Immigration and Naturalization Act; (5) grants to specified territories and Hawaii to aid in defraying costs of services to qualified nonimmigrants from RMI, FSM, or the Republic of Palau; (6) appointment of an Interagency Group on Freely Associated States' Affairs; (7) the land-grant status of the College of Micronesia; (8) nonliability of the FSM and RMI Governments for debts owed the United States by the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; (9) use of Department of Defense medical facilities by medical authorities of the FSM and RMI Governments; (10) Federal agency technical assistance to FSM and RMI; (11) funds for FSM Government programs for the control and prevention of communicable diseases; (12) local employment and job training requirements of construction contracts in FSM and RMI; and (13) further compensation for the adverse economic impact of certain trade and tariff requirements of the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985. Declares that no judgment of the courts of FSM, RMI, or the Republic of Palau against the United States shall be honored or recognized by the United States unless it is consistent with U.S. interpretation of international agreements relevant to the judgment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Rural Universal Service Equity Act of 2003 - Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the need to reform the high cost support mechanism (with respect to universal telephone service) for rural, insular, and high cost areas. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in calculating Federal universal service support for eligible telecommunications carriers that serve such areas, to revise its support mechanism for high cost areas to provide support to each wire center in which the incumbent local exchange carrier's average cost per line exceeds the national average by such amount as the FCC determines appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the equitable distribution of universal service support throughout the United States. Requires: (1) the FCC to ensure that no State receives less Federal support than it would have received, up to ten percent of the total support distributed, under the FCC's previous support mechanism; and (2) the total amount of support for all States to be equal to the total support calculated under the support mechanism in existence before enactment of this Act. States that nothing in this Act shall affect the support provided to rural telephone companies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Southwest Native American Language Revitalization Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants or enter into contracts to establish a demonstration program at the Native American Studies Department of the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, in consortium with the Linguistic Institute for Native Americans and other entities that will provide assistance to Native American language survival schools and community-based Native American language nests. Authorizes such program to: (1) establish endowments to further the activities of the program relating to the study and preservation of Native American languages; and (2) use funds to provide for the rental, lease, purchase, construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2003
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond, former Senator and President Pro Tempore Emeritus from South Carolina.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Chronic Wasting Disease Financial Assistance Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to chronic wasting disease in wild cervids (deer and elk), to make grants to State and tribal wildlife management agencies to develop and implement long term management strategies to address and respond to outbreaks of such disease.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2003
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the definition of a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) under title V (Developing Institutions). Eliminates the requirement that an HSI provide assurances that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income students in order to be eligible for certain grants.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Women's Business Centers Preservation Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase from 30.2 to 36 the percentage of funds authorized for FY 2003 for the Women's Business Centers program that must be used for a sustainability pilot program under which the Small Business Administration awards grants to private nonprofit organizations for providing counseling, training, and other business assistance to women entrepreneurs.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act of 2003 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an Interagency Committee to Coordinate and Streamline Homeland Security Grant Programs. Provides that the Office for State and Local Government Coordination (OSLGC) within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall be headed by a Director appointed by the President. Transfers administration of the firefighter assistance grant program and the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) to OSLGC. Establishes a Homeland Security Information Clearinghouse within OSLGC. Authorizes the Secretary to award homeland security grants to States. Specifies the permissible and impermissible uses for grant funds. Requires State grant applications to include certification that the State has prepared a three-year homeland security plan. Requires the Secretary to use ten percent of the funds appropriated for the Homeland Security Grant Program for discretionary grants to high threat areas. Establishes a formula for awarding the remaining funds. Requires grant recipients to use 80 percent of grant funds for local entities and first responders and to provide non-Federal matching funds. Instructs the Secretary to assist States in establishing interim performance measures and subsequently to set, and ensure State compliance with, national performance standards. Provides penalties for a grant recipient's noncompliance with any grant program provision of this Act. Requires the Director of ODP to allow any State to request approval to reallocate previously received homeland security funds among the categories of equipment, training, exercises, and planning.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in furtherance of the purposes of the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act, to construct and maintain a test and evaluation facility capable of processing at least 100,000 gallons of water per day at the Tularosa Basin in Otero County, New Mexico. Requires the facility to be used to research new desalination technologies to determine the most-technologically-efficient and cost-effective means for producing potable water from saline or other unsuitable water. Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with Sandia National Laboratory to develop a desalination technology plan; and (2) construct the facility according to recommendations of such plan. Instructs Secretary and the Secretary of Energy to: (1) enter into an agreement for operation of the facility and the conduct of research under this Act; (2) establish a technical advisory panel; and (3) undertake research and development of desalination technologies in addition to the program carried out at the facility. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to dispose of all water produced by the facility under contract with at least one community in Otero County, but only after Sandia notifies the Secretary that the water is of a consistent, reliable quality.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 - Prohibits the importation into the United States of any article that is a product of Burma (Myanmar) until the President determines and certifies to Congress that Burma has taken certain democratic and counternarcotics actions. Authorizes the President to waive such requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to direct any U.S. financial institution holding funds of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) of Burma or the assets of individuals who hold senior positions in the SPDC or its political arm, the Union Solidarity Development Association, to report those assets to the Office of Foreign Assets Control and take such action as may be necessary to secure them. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive director to each appropriate international financial institution to oppose any extension of a loan or financial or technical assistance to Burma until the requirements of this Act are met. Authorizes the President to deny visas and entry into the United States to the former and present leadership of the SPDC or the Union Solidarity Development Association. Urges the Secretary of State to use all appropriate fora, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum and Asian Nations Regional Forum, to encourage other states to restrict financial resources to the SPDC and Burmese companies while offering support to Burma's democratic movement, including the National League for Democracy and Burma's ethnic groups. Authorizes the President to assist Burmese democracy activists dedicated to nonviolent opposition to the regime in their efforts to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2003
Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2003 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to award non-renewable grants to eligible applicants to prepare a comprehensive plan for and implement an adult or juvenile collaboration program, which targets adults or juveniles with mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders in order to promote public safety and public health. Directs that grants be used to create or expand: (1) mental health courts or other court-based programs for preliminarily qualified offenders; (2) programs that offer specialized training to the officers and employees of a criminal or juvenile justice agency and mental health personnel in procedures for identifying the symptoms of mental illness; (3) programs that support cooperative efforts by criminal, juvenile justice, and mental health agencies to promote public safety by offering mental health and substance abuse treatment services; and (4) programs that support intergovernmental cooperation between State and local governments with respect to the mentally ill offender.. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop a procedure under which applicants may apply simultaneously for a planning grant and an implementation grant; and (2) establish an interagency task force to identify policies which hinder or facilitate local collaborative initiatives. Directs the Attorney General to develop a list of best practices for appropriate diversion from incarceration of adult and juvenile offenders.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2003
Rural Provider Equity Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), the Public Health Service Act, and other Federal law with respect to rural health care, especially: (1) physician reimbursement; (2) rural health clinics and community health centers; (3) home health services; (4) air and ground ambulance services; (5) mental health care accessibility; and (6) rural health services research. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any loan payments under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Provides for virtual pharmacist consultation service demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2003
American Indian Reservation Transportation Improvement Program Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to authorize appropriations for Indian reservation roads under the Federal Lands Highways Program through FY 2009. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the planning, design, engineering, preconstruction, construction, and inspection of certain projects concerning deficient Indian reservation road bridges through FY 2009. Directs the Secretary to issue grants to Indian tribes to establish rural transit programs on reservations or other land under the jurisdiction of the tribes. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain: (1) intra-agency cooperation between the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in administering tribal transit programs funded by the FHA, and exploring options for the transfer of funds from the FHA to the FTA for the direct funding of tribal transit programs; and (2) working relationships with representatives of regional tribal technical assistance programs to ensure proper administration of ongoing and future tribal transit programs carried out using Federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
National War Permanent Tribute Historical Database Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish and maintain the National War Permanent Tribute Historical Database for identifying and cataloging the many thousands of permanent tributes that commemorate U.S. military conflicts and the service and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces. Requires the Database to be publicly accessible through the Internet or other means in a format that permits the public to submit information for the purpose of updating and expanding the Database. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress assessing the efficacy and desirability of establishing a permanent fund within the Treasury for the repair, restoration, and maintenance of the memorials identified and cataloged.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require the Secretary of Transportation, in implementing the national corridor planning and development program (which allocates Federal highway funds to States and metropolitan planning organizations for construction of corridors of national significance, economic growth, and international or interregional trade), to provide consideration to corridors where traffic has increased since enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act and is projected to increase in the future. Revises corridor eligibility requirements to authorize the Secretary to make allocations with respect to certain identified high priority corridors that connect to the border between the United States and Mexico or the United States and Canada. Authorizes necessary funding for the national corridor planning and development and coordinated border infrastructure programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2003
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate a two-year wait-out period between grants under a program for Hispanic-serving institutions (thus permitting an eligible institution to apply for a subsequent five-year grant award immediately after the expiration of its most recent five-year award).
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Salt Cedar Council Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) assess the extent of Salt Cedar and Russian Olive invasion in the western United States, the research on tested and innovative methods to control these phreatophytes, the feasibility of reducing water consumption, methods and challenges in land restoration, and the estimated costs of destruction, biomass removal, and restoration and maintenance; (2) identify long-term management and funding strategies that could be implemented by Federal, State, and private land managers; and (3) initiate a program of at least three projects to demonstrate and evaluate the most effective control methods, including at least one primarily using air-born application of herbicides, one using mechanical removal, and one using biocontrol, such as goats or insects. Requires each project to: (1) monitor and document the water saved due to control of Salt Cedar and Russian Olive infestation and what portions return to surface water supplies and at what rates; (2) assess the optimum application approach and tools for an array of control methods; (3) assess all costs and benefits associated with the control methods, land restoration, and maintenance; (4) determine what conditions indicate the need to remove biomass and the optimal methods for its disposal or use; (5) define appropriate final vegetative states, optimal re-vegetation methods, and methods to prevent regrowth and reintroduction.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2003
Chronic Wasting Disease support Act of 2003 - Defines "chronic wasting disease" as a transmissible disease of the nervous system afflicting deer and elk. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a grant program to allocate funds to the State agency responsible for wildlife management to develop and implement long-term management strategies to address such disease. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a computer modeling program to predict the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer and elk. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (through the U.S. Geological Survey) and the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) to conduct surveillance and monitoring programs 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 Interior to develop and maintain a web site that displays surveillance and monitoring program data and modeling information. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) develop guidelines for the collection of animal tissue samples, and a protocol for assessing samples in the laboratory; (2) develop a program for the inspection of laboratories conducting chronic wasting disease tests; (3) provide for the upgrading of Federal laboratories approved to process such samples; and (4) expand and accelerate research on the disease through the Agricultural Research Service and Cooperative State Research grant program. Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to enter a cooperative agreement for the purpose of coordinating actions and disbursing funds authorized under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 - Provides that: (1) any person who engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes), and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense (but prohibits imposition of the death penalty for such offense); and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Directs that if the person engaging in the conduct thereby intentionally kills or attempts to kill the unborn child, that person shall be punished as provided under the Federal criminal code for intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law in a medical emergency; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Entitles to medical and dental care in military treatment facilities a member of the reserves who has been commissioned as an officer if: (1) the member has requested orders to active duty for the member's initial period of active duty following commissioning; (2) such request has been approved; (3) the orders have not been issued; and (4) the member does not have health care insurance and is not covered by any other health benefits plan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Directs the Secretary of the Army to: (1) carry out critical restoration projects along the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico, from Cochiti Dam to the headwaters of the Elephant Butte Dam; and (2) consult with certain local environmental groups in carrying out such projects. Requires non-federal interests to pay 25 percent of project costs. Prohibits recreational features of a project from comprising more than 30 percent of the total project cost.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Sets forth a program to spur diverse energy research and production. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities regarding the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Sets forth a program for the payment of oil and gas royalties in kind. Mandates Federal remediation and closure for orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells on Federal lands. Extends suspension of royalties (royalty relief) to: (1) oil and gas production from marginal properties; (2) deep water production of oil and gas; (3) Alaska offshore oil and gas production; (4) deep well production of natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico; and (5) ultra deep gas wells. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize easements on Federal lands on which easements are otherwise prohibited in order to support energy production, including oil and natural gas exploration and development. National Energy Data Preservation Program Act of 2003 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a National Energy Data Preservation Program. Requires the President and the Secretaries of the Interior and of Energy to expedite the Federal decision-making process for access to Federal lands for energy projects. Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project and pipeline expansion following an expedited approval process. Instructs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train adult and dislocated workers in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to offer Federal loan guarantees for specified infrastructure projects. Sets forth a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Modifies statutory constraints governing Federal coal leases, including acreage limitations, mining plans, and advance royalty payments. Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2003 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote comprehensive Indian energy activities and tribal energy resource development. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees and contractors. Nuclear Energy Finance Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to supplement private-sector financing projects needed for energy security, fuel, technology diversity, or clean air attainment goals. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project. Amends the USEC Privatization Act to revise prescriptions governing uranium sales and transfers. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing applicants to propose alternative conditions and requirements for project works within a Federal reservation. Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revamp guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Establishes a grant program for biomass commercial utilization. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings. Institutes grant programs for: (1) low-income community energy efficiency; and (2) energy efficient public buildings. Revises energy conservation standards for: (1) additional consumer products; (2) affordable housing and assisted housing; and (3) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. Sets forth a transportation fuels program using alternative fuels for dual-fueled vehicles and fuel credits for: (1) medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; (2) alternative fuel infrastructure investments; and (3) hybrid motor vehicles. Amends Federal transportation law to revise automobile fuel economy standards, including Federal fleet fuel economy. George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to revamp guidelines governing hydrogen research and development, including fuel cells and related infrastructure for transportation (hydrogen vehicle demonstration program) and for commercial, industrial, residential, and electric power generation applications. Requires certain-size Federal agencies to submit a comprehensive hydrogen transition strategic plan to Congress. Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct programs of energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application that target: (1) energy efficiency; (2) diversity of energy supply; (3) decreasing dependence on foreign energy; (4) energy security; and (5) decreasing environmental impact of energy-related activities. Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement Initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application in the following areas: (1) energy efficiency; (2) distributed energy and electric energy systems; (3) renewable energy; (4) nuclear energy; (5) fossil energy; (6) science; (7) energy and environment; (8) coal technology loans; (9) electricity reliability standards and transmission access; (10) regional markets; and (11) market transparency and manipulation. Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Syria Accountability Act of 2003 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) Syria should halt support for terrorism, withdraw armed forces from Lebanon, stop develpment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons, and halt imports and transshipments of Iraqi oil; (2) Lebanon and Syria should enter into bilateral negotiations for peace with Israel; and (3) the United States should continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon only through private and international organizations until the Government of Lebanon asserts sovereignty over its borders. Declares U.S. policy that Syria: (1) will be listed as a state sponsor of terrorism until it stops supporting terrorism; (2) is in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 520 through its continued occupation of Lebanese territory; and (3) has violated Resolution 661 by purchasing oil from Iraq. Declares that restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty is in the U.S. national interest. Requires the President, unless the President certifies that Syria does not support international terrorist groups or allow them to maintain facilities in Syria, has withdrawn all security personnel from Lebanon, has ceased the development of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons, and is no longer violating Resolution 661, to: (1) prohibit the export to Syria of specified defense articles or services and items on the Commerce Control List; and (2) impose two or more of specified sanctions (including prohibiting U.S. exports to, or U.S. businesses investments or operations in, Syria). Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to Syria and Lebanon if the President: (1) makes that certification; (2) determines that progress has been made toward negotiating peace agreements between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon; and (3) determines that Syria is strictly respecting Lebanon's sovereignty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Broad-Based Stock Option Plan Transparency Act of 2003 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require that certain mandatory periodic reports include detailed information regarding stock option plans, stock purchase plans, and other arrangements involving an employee acquisition of an equity interest in the publicly traded company, particularly with respect to the dilutive effect of such plans. Requires such reports to include: (1) a discussion, written in "plain English" of the dilutive effect of stock option plans, including tables or graphic illustrations; (2) expanded disclosure of the dilutive effect of employee stock options upon the earnings per share number of the company; (3) prominent placement and increased comparability of all stock options related information; and (4) a summary of the stock options granted to the five most highly compensated executive officers of the company, including any outstanding stock options of those officers. Directs the SEC to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of the enhanced disclosures in increasing transparency to investors. Prohibits the SEC from recognizing as generally accepted accounting principles for purposes of enforcing the securities laws any accounting standards related to the treatment of stock options that it did not recognize for that purpose before April 1, 2003. Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to report to Congress on a study and analysis of broad-based employee stock option plans, particularly in the high technology and any other high growth industries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins, which shall be emblematic of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia (the first permanent English settlement in America). Provides for a $35 per coin surcharge for the $5 dollar coins and $10 per coin for the $1 dollar coins. Directs the Secretary to distribute: (1) 50 percent of the surcharges to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of Virginia to support programs to promote the understanding of the legacies of Jamestown; and (2) 50 percent to sustain the ongoing mission of preserving Jamestown, to enhance national and international educational programs, to improve infrastructure and archeological research activities, and to conduct other programs to support the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown. States that entities specified for such purposes are the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, the President of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) Federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas. Includes Capitol Police as law enforcement officers under such Act. Directs the Office of Personnel Management: (1) to study and report to Congress on the need for, and the potential benefits to be derived from, the establishment of a separate pay, evaluation, and promotion system for Federal law enforcement officers; (2) if it considers it to be appropriate, to implement a demonstration project to determine whether a separate system for such officers would result in improved Federal personnel management; and (3) to submit to Congress its evaluation of the system tested under the demonstration project and recommendations as to whether that system should be continued or extended to other Federal law enforcement officers. Eliminates the limitation on the aggregate of basic pay and premium pay with respect to availability pay for Federal criminal investigators.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Title I: Oil And Gas - Subtitle A: Production Incentives - (Sec. 101) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary throughout this Act, unless otherwise indicated) to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities regarding the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on petroleum and natural gas storage capacity and operational inventory levels, nationwide and by major geographical regions. (Sec. 103) Sets forth a program for the payment of oil and gas royalties in kind upon demand of the Secretary. Restricts such payments to a determination by the Secretary that the royalties provide benefits to the United States greater than, or equal to those likely to have been received had royalties been taken in value. Authorizes the Secretary, in disposing of gas or oil royalty taken in kind, to grant a preference to any person, including any State or Federal agency, for the purpose of providing additional resources to any Federal low-income energy assistance program. (Sec. 104) Prescribes conditions for: (1) royalty rate reductions on marginal property and the termination of such rates; and (2) royalty relief for deep water production in certain parts of the Gulf of Mexico. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to inventory, analyze, and report to Congress on oil and natural gas resources beneath all of the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. (Sec. 107) Extends royalty relief to certain Planning Areas offshore Alaska. (Sec. 108) Prescribes procedures for Federal remediation and closure for orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells on lands administered by Federal land management agencies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to promulgate final royalty incentive regulations for natural gas produced from deep wells and ultra deep wells in certain shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. (Sec. 110) Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize easements on Federal lands on which easements are otherwise prohibited in order to support energy production, including oil and natural gas exploration and development. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to grant impact assistance payments, according to specified guidelines, to Producing Coastal States with an approved Coastal Impact Assistance Plan, and to coastal political subdivisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2009. (Sec. 112) National Energy Data Preservation Program Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Energy Data Preservation Program, including an Energy Data Archive System. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2007. (Sec. 113) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to exempt from its oil and gas lease acreage limitation any lease committed to a federally approved unit or cooperative plan, or communitization agreement, or for which royalty, including compensatory royalty or royalty-in-kind, was paid in the preceding calendar year (thus removing acreage limitations from oil and gas leases granted royalty relief under this Act). (Sec. 114) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to assess and report to Congress on the economic implication of the dependence of the State of Hawaii on oil as its principal source of energy. Subtitle B: Access to Federal Lands - (Sec. 121) Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Permit Coordination to report annually to Congress on activities to coordinate and expedite Federal decisions on energy projects. (Sec. 122) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish a Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project; and (2) inventory for Congress oil and gas resources on all onshore Federal lands and restrictions or impediments to resource exploration, production, and transportation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 123) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in order to ensure timely action on oil and gas leases and applications for permits to drill on lands otherwise available for leasing, to: (1) ensure expeditious compliance with certain requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (2) improve consultation and coordination with the States; (3) improve the collection, storage, and retrieval of information related to such leasing activities; and (4) improve inspection and enforcement of oil and gas activities, including enforcement of terms and conditions in permits to drill. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2007. (Sec. 125) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to review and report to Congress on the current policies and practices with respect to management of Federal subsurface oil and gas development activities and their effects on the privately owned surface. (Sec. 126) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands, and the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, to designate and incorporate utility corridors in the eleven contiguous Western States into the relevant Federal land use and resource management plans. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to do the same with affected Federal agencies in the other States. Subtitle C: Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline - Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - (Sec. 133) Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project other than the system authorized under the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1976, following an expedited approval process. Declares that no license, permit, lease, right-of-way, authorization, or other approval required under Federal law for the construction of any pipeline to transport natural gas from lands within the Prudhoe Bay oil and gas lease area may be granted for any pipeline that follows a route that: (1) traverses the submerged lands beneath, or the adjacent shoreline of, the Beaufort Sea; and (2) enters Canada at any point north of 68 degrees North latitude. (Sec. 135) Authorizes FERC, upon request, to order the expansion of such project if it determines that such expansion is required by the present and future public convenience and necessity. Specifies requirements FERC must meet before ordering such an expansion. (Sec. 136) Establishes the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects to: (1) coordinate the expeditious discharge of all activities by Federal agencies with respect to an Alaska natural gas transportation project; and (2) ensure Federal agency compliance. Denies any Federal officer or agency authority to include terms and conditions that are permitted, but not required by law on any authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project, if the Federal Coordinator determines that such terms and conditions would prevent or impair the expeditious construction, operation, or expansion of the project. Prohibits any Federal officer or agency from modifying or abrogating any authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project if the Federal Coordinator determines that such action would prevent or impair expeditious project construction, operation, or expansion. (Sec. 137) Grants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia original and exclusive jurisdiction for judicial review of final orders by any Federal agency or officer relating to the project. (Sec. 138) Deems any facility receiving natural gas from the Alaska natural gas transportation project for delivery to consumers within Alaska to be a local distribution facility under the Natural Gas Act, and so not subject to FERC jurisdiction. (Sec. 139) Directs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on alternative approaches to the construction and operation of the project. (Sec. 141) Expresses the sense of Congress that an Alaska natural gas transportation project will provide significant economic benefits to the United States and Canada. Urges the sponsors of the pipeline project to make every effort to: (1) use steel manufactured or produced in North America; (2) negotiate a project labor agreement to expedite pipeline construction; and (3) maximize the participation of small business concerns in contracts and subcontracts awarded in carrying out the project. (Sec. 142) Declares the sense of Congress that an Alaska natural gas transportation project will provide significant economic benefits to the United States and Canada. Directs the Comptroller General study and report to Congress on the extent to which small business concerns participate in the construction of oil and gas pipelines in the United States. (Sec. 143) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train adult and dislocated workers in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. (Sec. 144) Cites conditions under which the Secretary of Energy may offer Federal loan guarantee instruments for qualified infrastructure projects(defined as pipelines and related transportation and production systems used to transport natural gas from the Alaska North Slope to the continental United States). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 145) Expresses the sense of Congress that natural gas delivered from Alaska's North Slope will neither displace nor reduce the commercial viability of Canadian natural gas produced from the McKenzie Delta, nor production from the Lower 48. Title II: Coal - Subtitle A: Clean Coal Power Initiative - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2011 for a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Subtitle B: Federal Coal Leases - (Sec. 211) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to: (1) repeal the 160-acre limitation for coal leases; and (2) modify mining plans and advance royalty payments. Subtitle C: Powder River Basin Shared Mineral Estates - (Sec. 221) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) undertake a review of existing authorities to resolve conflicts between the development of Federal coal and the development of Federal and non-Federal coalbed methane in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana; and (2) report to Congress on alternatives to resolve these conflicts, and to identify any preferred alternative, including specific legislative language required to implement such alternative. Title III: Indian Energy - Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2003 - (Sec. 302) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote comprehensive Indian energy activities and tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. (Sec. 303) Prescribes implementation guidelines governing leases, business agreements, and rights-of-way involving Indian energy development or transmission. Directs the Administrators of the Bonneville Power Administration and of the Western Area Power Administration to encourage Indian tribal energy development through programs within their respective Administrations, including power allocations and purchases. (Sec. 304) Declares the Dine Power Authority (an enterprise of the Navajo Nation) eligible to receive grants and other assistance for development of a transmission line from the Four Corners Area (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona) to southern Nevada, including related power generation opportunities. (Sec. 305) Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote energy conservation in housing located on Indian land and assisted with Federal resources. Title IV: Nuclear Matters - Subtitle A: Price-Anderson Act Amendments - Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - (Sec. 402) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees, Department of Energy (DOE) contractors, and for nonprofit educational institutions. Subtitle B: Deployment of New Nuclear Plants - Nuclear Energy Finance Act of 2003 - (Sec. 421) Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to supplement private-sector financing projects needed for energy security, fuel, technology diversity, or clean air attainment goals. Subtitle C: Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project - (Sec. 431) Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project managed by the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology. (Sec. 433) Designates the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory as the lead laboratory for the Program, providing the site for the reactor construction. (Sec. 435) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2008 and beyond. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Matters - (Sec. 441) Amends the USEC Privatization Act to revise requirements governing aggregate annual uranium sales and transfers by the Federal government for commercial nuclear power end uses. Sets increasing ceilings on aggregate annual deliveries of uranium in any form, from 3 million pounds U3O8 equivalent per year through calendar 2009 to 10 million pounds in calendar 2013 and thereafter. Makes the recovery and extraction of the uranium component from contaminated uranium bearing materials from U.S. Government sites by commercial entities the preferred method of making uranium available under this subtitle. Exempts from the uranium sale or transfer limits of this subtitle certain sales or transfers: (1) provided for under existing law for use by the Tennessee Valley Authority in relation to DOE high-enriched uranium or tritium programs; (2) to the DOE research reactor sales program; (3) of up to 3,293 metric tons of uranium to the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) to replace uranium that the Secretary transferred to it (before its privatization in July 1998) on or about June 30, 1993, April 20, 1998, and May 18, 1998, and that does not meet commercial specifications; (4) of any uranium for emergency purposes in the event of a disruption in supply to end users in the United States; (5) of any uranium in fulfillment of the U.S. Government's obligations to provide security of supply with respect to implementation of the Russian HEU Agreement; and (6) of any enriched uranium for use in an advanced commercial nuclear power plant in the United States with nonstandard fuel requirements. (Sec. 442) Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to decommission and decontaminate the sodium-cooled fast breeder experimental test-site reactor in northwest Arkansas in accordance with an August 31,1998, DOE report. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) publish annual reports based upon assessments of renewable domestic energy resources, including solar, wind, biomass, ocean (tidal and thermal), geothermal, and hydroelectric energy; and (2) undertake new assessments as necessary, taking into account changes in market conditions, available technologies, and other relevant factors. (Sec. 502) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. Instructs the Secretary to assign 60 percent of appropriated funds for any given year to facilities that use solar, wind, geothermal, or closed-loop ( defined as dedicated energy crops) biomass technologies to generate electricity if there are insufficient appropriations to make full payments for electric production from all qualified renewable energy facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to alter such percentage requirements after transmitting to Congress the reasons to do so. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2023. (Sec. 503) Instructs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to recommend to Congress any opportunities to develop renewable energy on public lands within their respective jurisdictions. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) study the potential for the development of wind, solar, and ocean (tidal and thermal) energy on the Outer Continental Shelf; (2) assess existing Federal authorities for the development of such resources; and (3) recommend statutory and regulatory mechanisms for such development. (Sec. 504) Requires Federal purchases of renewable energy to escalate in accordance with certain percentage guidelines. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) update energy surveys, estimates, and assessments for certain insular areas; and (2) revise the comprehensive energy plan for such insular areas in order to reduce reliance on energy imports and to increase use of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency opportunities. Subtitle B: Hydroelectric Licensing - (Sec. 511) Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing applicants to propose alternative conditions and requirements for project works, including fishways, within a Federal reservation. Prescribes procedures for acceptance or rejection of such alternative proposals. Subtitle C: Geothermal Energy - (Sec. 521) Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revise guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Repeals the current limitation of competitive bidding to leases of lands within known geothermal resources areas, and of noncompetitive bidding to leases of lands outside such areas. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary for this subtitle) to accept nominations at any time from companies and individuals of lands to be leased under such Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) hold a competitive lease sale at least once every two years for lands in a State in which there are nominations pending where such lands are otherwise available for leasing; and (2) make available for a two-year period for noncompetitive leasing any tract for which a competitive lease sale is held, but for which the Secretary does not receive any bids in the competitive lease sale. (Sec. 522) Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to submit to Congress a joint memorandum of understanding regarding leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands under their respective jurisdictions. Prescribes memorandum details. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to report jointly Congress on leasing and permitting activities for geothermal energy on Federal lands withdrawn for military purposes. (Sec. 524) Authorizes the Secretary to reinstate a lease terminated for failure to pay rent timely if the failure was inadvertent. (Sec. 525) Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate a final regulation providing a simplified methodology for determining the amount or value of the steam for purposes of calculating the royalty due on geothermal production; and (2) establish a schedule of fees and collect fees in lieu of royalties with respect to the direct use of low temperature geothermal resources for purposes other than the generation of electricity. Subtitle D: Biomass Energy - (Sec. 532) Prescribes implementation guidelines for a biomass commercial utilization grant program to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior with respect to public and Indian lands and by the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to the National Forest System. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. Title VI: Energy Efficiency - Subtitle A: Federal Programs - (Sec. 601) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings, including: (1) a timetable for reduced energy consumption; (2) metering of energy use; (3) revised Federal building energy efficiency performance standards; (4) permanent authority to enter into energy savings performance contracts; and (5) Federal procurement guidelines for energy efficient products. (Sec. 606) Directs the Architect of the Capitol to develop and implement a cost-effective energy conservation and management plan for all facilities administered by Congress. (Sec. 607) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to set forth implementation guidelines for increased use of recovered mineral component in federally funded projects involving procurement of cement or concrete. (Sec. 608) Authorizes Federal agencies to participate in programs, including utility energy services contracts, conducted by gas, water and electric utilities and generally available to their customers, to increase energy efficiency, water conservation, or the management of electricity demand. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to examine and report to Congress on whether the goals of energy efficiency standards are best served by measurement of energy consumed, and efficiency improvements, at the actual site of energy consumption, or through the full fuel cycle, beginning at the source of energy production. Subtitle B: State and Local Programs - (Sec. 611) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local governments, private non-profit community development organizations, and Indian economic development organizations for: (1) a low-income community energy efficiency pilot program; and (2) State energy offices to improve energy efficient public buildings and facilities. (Sec. 612) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to the appropriate State agency to assist local government units to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings and facilities through construction and renovation projects. (Sec. 613) Creates a Federal fund allocation program to implement a State energy efficient appliance rebate program. Subtitle C: Consumer Products - (Sec. 621) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise energy conservation standards for specified additional consumer and commercial electrical products. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate a rulemaking to consider the effectiveness of the current consumer products labeling program. Authorizes the Secretary or the FTC, as appropriate, to prescribe labeling requirements for certain additional products. (Sec. 623) Establishes a voluntary program at the DOE and at the Environmental Protection Agency to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings (Energy Star Program). (Sec. 624) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a consumer education program that also targets small businesses owners regarding energy savings resulting from properly conducted maintenance of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Subtitle D: Public Housing - (Sec. 631) Amends the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, respectively, to: (1) authorize within Federal assistance for low-income public housing programs: (1) energy efficient, affordable housing and residential energy conservation measures; and (2) increase the amount of financial assistance for public services for energy conservation and efficiency. (Sec. 633) Amends the National Housing Act to revise Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. (Sec. 635) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to include within the scope of grants for energy-conserving improvements in assisted housing the installation of energy and water conserving fixtures and fittings that conform to specified standards. (Sec. 637) Requires a public housing agency to purchase energy-efficient appliances that are Energy Star products or FEMP-designated products. (Sec. 638) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to substitute the "2000 International Energy Conservation Code" for the current statutory energy efficiency standard known as the "CABO Model Energy Code, 1992." (Sec. 639) Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop and implement an integrated strategy to reduce utility expenses through cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency measures and energy efficient design and construction of public and assisted housing. Title VII: Transportation Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Fuel Programs - (Sec. 701) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to cite circumstances that permit an agency to qualify for a waiver of the alternative fuel use requirement applicable to Federal light duty vehicles. (Sec. 702) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to drop the 20 percent biodiesel fuel volume requirement applicable to the allocation of biodiesel fuel use credits. (Sec. 703) Redefines alternative fueled vehicle to include a neighborhood electric vehicle. (Sec. 704) Prescribes guidelines for the allocation of Federal credits for: (1) the purchase of medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; (2) alternative fuel infrastructure investments. (Sec. 707) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the effect that titles III, IV and V of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 have had on the development of alternative fueled vehicle technology, its market availability, and the cost of alternative fueled light duty motor vehicles. (Sec. 708) Authorizes the States to permit a vehicle with fewer than two occupants to operate in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes if it is a dedicated vehicle. (Sec. 709) Prescribes alternative compliance guidelines for waivers of statutory requirements governing petroleum fuel reduction and clean air requirements for alternative fueled vehicles and for the fleets of new light duty motor vehicles. Prescribes requirements for issuance of credits for the acquisition and use of dedicated vehicles (new qualified hybrid motor vehicles, light, medium, or heavy duty vehicles, and neighborhood electric vehicles). Subtitle B: Automobile Fuel Economy - (Sec. 711) Amends Federal transportation law to expand the considerations affecting decisions by the Secretary of Transportation concerning maximum feasible average fuel economy, and to direct such Secretary to issue an environmental assessment of the effects of the increased standards upon the environment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 713) Raises the mandatory standard for average fuel economy of new executive agency (Federal fleet) automobiles. (Sec. 714) Directs the Secretary of Energy, in cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish a cost-shared, public-private research partnership to develop and demonstrate railroad locomotive technologies that increase fuel economy, reduce emissions, and lower costs of operation. (Sec. 715) Directs the Secretary to analyze the potential fuel savings and emissions reductions resulting from use of idling reduction technologies as they are applied to heavy-duty vehicles. Declares that, in order to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions due to engine idling, the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and the axle weight limit for any motor vehicle equipped with an idling reduction technology certified by DOE will be increased by an amount (up to 400 pounds) necessary to compensate for the additional weight of the idling reduction system. Title VIII: Hydrogen - Subtitle A: Basic Research Programs - George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - (Sec. 802) Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to revamp guidelines governing hydrogen research, development, and demonstration. Renames the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 803) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) implement a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program on advanced hydrogen-powered vehicle technologies (authorizing appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008); (2) establish an interagency task force to coordinate Federal hydrogen and fuel cell energy activities; and (3) contract with the National Academies to review and report to Congress on the status of Federal hydrogen and fuel cell energy activities. Subtitle B: Demonstration Programs - Directs the Secretary to establish a program for demonstration and commercial application of: (1) hydrogen-powered vehicles and associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure in a variety of transportation-related applications (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (2) hydrogen fuel cells in stationary applications (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (3) fuel cells and associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure in countries where an energy infrastructure is not already well developed (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (4) hybrid distributed power systems on certain Indian lands (authorizing appropriations for FY 2005 through 2008); and (5) distributed generation systems to significantly reduce the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable energy for use in fuel cells (authorizing appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008). (Sec. 814) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to study and report jointly to Congress on energy needs and uses at National Parks, and the potential for fuel cell and other hydrogen-based technologies to meet them. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to fund at least three pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and 2005. Subtitle C: Federal Programs - (Sec. 821) Directs the Secretary to conduct a public education program designed to increase public interest and acceptance of hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 822) Requires Federal agencies with annual outlays of over $20 million to submit a comprehensive hydrogen transition strategic plan to Congress. (Sec. 823) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish minimum Federal fleet purchase requirements for hydrogen vehicles. (Sec. 824) Directs the President to seek to ensure that the total amount of electric energy consumed by the Federal Government during any fiscal year shall be generated by stationary fuel cells in accordance with prescribed percentages and timetable. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and following years. (Sec. 825) Directs the Secretary to publish and transmit to Congress a plan identifying critical technologies, enabling strategies and applications, technical targets, and associated timeframes for the commercialization of hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles. Title IX: Research and Development - Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2003 - (Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary to conduct energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs that target: (1) energy efficiency; (2) diversity of energy supply; (3) decreasing dependence on foreign energy; (4) energy security; and (5) decreasing environmental impact of energy-related activities. Subtitle A: Energy Efficiency - (Sec. 911) Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application (R&D) in the following areas: (1) energy efficiency; (2) Next Generation Lighting Initiative; (3) a National Building Performance Initiative; (4) secondary electric vehicle battery use; and (5) energy efficiency science initiative. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. Subtitle B: Distributed Energy and Electric Energy Systems - (Sec. 921) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for distributed energy and electric energy systems, including micro-cogeneration energy technology. (Sec. 922) Directs the Secretary to: (1) transmit to Congress a strategy for a comprehensive R&D program for certain hybrid distributed power systems; (2) establish a comprehensive research, demonstration, and commercial application program to improve energy efficiency of high power density facilities; and (3) make competitive, merit-based grants to consortia for the development of micro-cogeneration energy technology. (Sec. 935) Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to coordinating consortia of interdisciplinary participants for demonstrations designed to accelerate the utilization of distributed energy technologies, such as fuel cells, microturbines, reciprocating engines, thermally activated technologies, and combined heat and power systems, in highly energy intensive commercial applications. (Sec. 926) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution to implement a comprehensive R&D program to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and environmental integrity of electrical transmission and distribution systems. Subtitle C: Renewable Energy - (Sec. 931) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for renewable energy R&D activities. (Sec. 932) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a bioenergy R&D program; (2) initiate a partnership encompassing diesel engine, diesel fuel injection system, and diesel vehicle manufacturers, including diesel and biodiesel fuel providers, in order to include biodiesel testing in advanced diesel engine and fuel system technology; and (3) conduct a R&D program for concentrating solar power for hydrogen production, including co-generation approaches for hydrogen and electricity. (Sec. 935) Directs the Secretary to conduct R&D programs for: (1) ocean energy, including wave energy; (2) the combined use of renewable energy technologies with one another and with other energy technologies, including the combined use of wind power and coal gasification technologies; and (3) renewable energy technologies for cogeneration of hydrogen and electricity. Subtitle D: Nuclear Energy - (Sec. 941) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for core nuclear energy R&D programs. (Sec. 942) Instructs the Secretary to conduct a nuclear energy research initiative that encompasses: (1) a Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization Program; (2) Nuclear Power 2010 Program; (3) Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative; (4) reactor production of hydrogen; (5) nuclear infrastructure support; and (6) advanced fuel recycling technology R&D. (Sec. 944) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish fellowship and faculty assistance programs, including support for fundamental research and for collaborative research among industry, national laboratories, and universities through the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative; (2) conduct a R&D program on cost-effective technologies for increasing the safety of nuclear facilities; and (3) furnish Congress with results of a survey regarding industrial applications of large radioactive sources. Subtitle E: Fossil Energy - (Sec. 951) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for fossil energy R&D activities. (Sec. 952) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct R&D programs pertaining to specified oil and gas applications, including fuel cells; (2) establish a national center or consortium of excellence in clean energy and power generation; (3) conduct an R&D program on coal mining technologies; (4) conduct a coal and related technologies research program; and (4) establish a Complex Well Technology Testing Facility at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center to increase the range of extended drilling technologies. Subtitle F: Science - (Sec. 961) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for R&D activities of the Office of Science. (Sec. 962) Prescribes guidelines for United States participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project (ITER). (Sec. 963) Directs the Secretary to report on the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) as part of the DOE annual budget submission, including a description of the achievement of milestones, a comparison of actual costs to estimated costs, and any changes in estimated project costs or schedule. Specifies maximum DOE obligations for the SNS. (Sec. 964) Instructs the Secretary to develop and implement a strategy for science and energy facilities and infrastructure at all national laboratories and single-purpose research facilities. (Sec. 965) Directs the Secretary to support research programs that target the following areas: (1) catalysis research; (2) nanoscale science and engineering; (3) advanced scientific computing for energy missions; (4) the Genomes to Life Program; (5) fission and fusion energy materials; and (6) energy-related issues regarding water resources and municipal waterworks, including water supply issues related to energy production. Subtitle G: Energy and Environment - (Sec. 971) Directs the Secretary to establish a United States-Mexico Energy Technology Cooperation Program to promote energy efficient, environmentally sound economic development along the United States-Mexico border which minimizes public health risks from industrial activities in the border region. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 972) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to provide a $125 million loan to the owner of the experimental plant constructed under DOE cooperative agreement number DE-FC-22-91PC90544 on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines, including interest rates and upfront payments. Subtitle H: Management - (Sec. 982) Directs the Secretary to require a non-Federal source commitment of at least: (1) 20 percent of R&D project costs; and (2) 50 percent of direct costs of any demonstration or commercial application project. (Sec. 984) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish National Energy R&D Advisory Boards to review DOE programs in energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and fossil energy; (2) designate a Technology Transfer Coordinator to perform oversight of and policy development for technology transfer activities at the Department; (3) establish a Technology Transfer Working Group and a Technology Infrastructure Program; and (4) require the Director of each National Laboratory to establish a small business advocacy and assistance program. (Sec. 988) Requires the Secretary to report to Congress identifying any policies or procedures of a contractor operating a National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility that create disincentives to the temporary transfer of scientific and technical personnel among the contractor-operated National Laboratories or contractor-operated single-purpose research facilities and provide suggestions for improving inter-laboratory exchange of scientific and technical personnel. (Sec. 989) Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to Congress on: (1) the obstacles to accelerating the R&D cycle for energy technology; and (2) the adequacy of DOE policies and procedures pertaining to technology transfer-related disputes between DOE contractors and the private sector. (Sec. 994) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to: (1) rename the Under Secretary of Energy the Under Secretary for Energy and Science, who shall serve as the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary; and (2) replace the Director of the Office of Science with an Assistant Secretary for Science. Declares the sense of Congress that the leadership for departmental missions in nuclear energy should be at the Assistant Secretary level. Increases from six to seven the number of Assistant Secretaries in the DOE. (Sec. 995) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 996) Grants the Secretary additional authority to enter into transactions on such terms as the Secretary may deem appropriate in furtherance of R&D functions. Exempts such transactions from certain provisions of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974. (Sec. 997) Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to investigate and report (ultimately to Congress) on the scientific and technical merits of any evaluation methodology currently in use or proposed for use in relation to DOE scientific and technical programs by the Secretary or other Federal official. Title X: Personnel and Training - (Sec. 1001) Directs the Secretary to monitor trends in the workforce of skilled technical personnel supporting energy technology industries, including renewable energy industries, companies developing and commercializing devices to increase energy efficiency, the oil and gas industry, the nuclear power industry, and the coal industry. Authorizes traineeship grants for skilled technical personnel for whom a national shortfall of skilled technical personnel is determined. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 1002) Directs the Secretary to establish postdoctoral and distinguished senior energy research fellowships. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 1003) Instructs the Secretary of Labor, jointly with the electric industry and with recognized employee representatives, to develop training guidelines for electric energy industry personnel. (Sec. 1004) Directs the Secretary to support the establishment of a National Center on Energy Management and Building Technologies to facilitate improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality in industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. (Sec. 1005) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) give priority to activities designed to encourage students from under-represented groups to pursue scientific and technical careers; and (2) instruct the Director of each National Laboratory to enter into partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Indian tribal colleges to train personnel in science or engineering. (Sec. 1006) Directs the Secretary to support establishment of a National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center to train certified operators for electric power generation plants. (Sec. 1007) Instructs the Secretary of Labor to hire, train, and deploy additional skilled Federal mine inspectors to ensure the availability of skilled and experienced individuals and to maintain the number of Federal mine inspectors at or above authorized levels. Title XI: Electricity - Subtitle A: Reliability - (Sec. 1111) Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC, for purposes of approving reliability standards and enforcing compliance, jurisdiction over the Electric Reliability Organization, over regional entities, and over all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system. Prescribes implementation guidelines. Exempts Alaska and Hawaii from such provisions. Subtitle B: Regional Markets - (Sec. 1121) Remands for reconsideration by FERC a certain proposed rulemaking on standard market design. Prohibits issuance of any final rule thereon before July 1, 2005. (Sec. 1122) Expresses the sense of Congress that all transmitting utilities in interstate commerce should voluntarily become members of independently administered Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO's) that have operational or functional control of facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce and do not own or control generation facilities used to supply electric energy for sale at wholesale. (Sec. 1123) Prescribes guidelines under which the appropriate Federal regulatory authority may arrange to transfer control and use of all or part of the Federal utility's transmission system to an RTO. (Sec. 1124) Directs FERC to: (1) convene regional discussions with State regulatory commissions to address whether wholesale electric markets in each region are working effectively to provide reliable service to electric consumers at the lowest reasonable cost; and (2) give priority to discussions in regions that do not have an RTO. Subtitle C: Improving Transmission Access and Protecting Service Obligations - (Sec. 1131) Requires FERC to: (1) ensure that certain load-serving entities (defined as a distribution utility or an electric utility that has a service obligation to end-users or a distribution utility) are entitled to use firm transmission rights in order to deliver energy to meet service obligations; and (2) facilitate the planning and expansion of transmission facilities to meet the needs of load-serving entities to satisfy their service obligations. (Sec. 1132) Prescribes implementation guidelines under which FERC may require an unregulated transmitting utility to provide transmission services: (1) at rates comparable to those that it charges itself; and (2) on terms and conditions comparable to those under which it provides transmission services to itself and that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential. (Sec. 1133) Instructs FERC to issue a final rule establishing transmission pricing policies that promote investment in transmission infrastructure. Subtitle D: Amendments to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 - (Sec. 1141) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility to: (1) make available upon request net metering and time-based metering service; and (2) provide competitive pricing and access to the local distribution grid to distributed generation, combined heat and power, and district heating and cooling systems. (Sec. 1145) Declares that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase electric energy from a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility (qualifying facility) if FERC finds that the qualifying facility has access to an independently administered, auction-based day ahead and real time wholesale market for the sale of electric energy. Declares that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to sell electric energy to a qualifying facility if competing retail electric suppliers are able to provide electric energy to the facility. Grandfathers existing contracts. Eliminates ownership limitations for such facilities. (Sec. 1146) Instructs FERC to promulgate regulations to ensure recovery by any electric utility of all costs associated with the purchases of electricity or capacity from a qualifying facility before the date of enactment of this Act. Subtitle E: Provisions Regarding the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 - (Sec. 1152) Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. (Sec. 1153) Mandates Federal and State access to books and records of each holding company and its affiliates. Subtitle F: Market Transparency, Anti-Manipulation and Enforcement - (Sec. 1171) Amends the Federal Power Act to require FERC to issue rules establishing an electronic information system for public access to information that facilitates price transparency and participation in markets subject to FERC jurisdiction, including information about the availability and market price of wholesale electric energy and transmission services. Prohibits the filing of false information regarding the wholesale price of electricity, and round trip trading. (Sec. 1173) Increases civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Act. Subtitle G: Consumer Protections - (Sec. 1181) Instructs the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules: (1) protecting the privacy of electric consumers from the disclosure of consumer information in connection with the sale or delivery of electric energy to a retail electric consumer; (2) prohibiting the change of selection of an electric utility without the electric consumer's informed consent (slamming); and (3) prohibiting the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer without express authorization by law or the electric consumer (cramming). Subtitle H: Technical Amendments - (Sec. 1191) Amends the Federal Power Act to make technical amendments to reflect the changes made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2003
Federal Land Recreational Visitor Protection Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an avalanche protection program to: (1) provide early identification of the potential for avalanches that could endanger the safety of visitors to units of the National Park System (NPS) and recreational users of public land; and (2) reduce the risks and mitigate the effects of avalanches on visitors, recreational users, neighboring communities, and transportation corridors. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) use the resources of the National Avalanche Center of the Forest Service to carry out this Act; and (2) establish an advisory committee to assist in the development and implementation of the program. Directs such Secretaries and the Secretary of the Army to establish a central depository for weapons, ammunition, and parts for avalanche control purposes, including an inventory that can be made available to Federal and non-Federal entities. Authorizes the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to make grants to carry out projects and activities under the program to: (1) assist in the prevention, forecasting, detection, and mitigation of avalanches; (2) maintain essential transportation and communications; (3) assist avalanche artillery users to ensure the availability of adequate supplies of artillery and other explosives required for avalanche control in or affecting NPS units, other Federal land used for recreation, and adjacent communities, and essential transportation corridors; and (4) assist research and development activities for alternatives to minimize reliance on military weapons for avalanche control.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 500,000 one dollar coins which shall be emblematic of the warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps. Requires all surcharges from the sale of the coins to be paid to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Sickle Cell Treatment Act of 2003 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to include primary and secondary preventative medical strategies, treatment, and services, including genetic counseling and testing, for individuals who have Sickle Cell Disease as medical assistance under the Medicaid program. Directs the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration to conduct a demonstration program for the development and establishment of systemic mechanisms, including a National Coordinating Center, to improve the prevention and treatment of Sickle Cell Disease.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Global Pathogen Surveillance Act of 2003 - Requires that priority for U.S. assistance under this Act be given to eligible developing countries that permit personnel from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) to: (1) investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases on their territories; (2) provide early notification of disease outbreaks; and (3) provide pathogen surveillance data to appropriate U.S. agencies in addition to international health organizations. Prohibits any foreign national participating in programs under this Act from having access, during the course of such participation, to select agents that may be used as, or in, a biological weapon, except in a supervised and controlled setting. Establishes a program under which the Secretary of State may award fellowships to eligible nationals to pursue: (1) graduate courses of study leading to a master of public health degree with a concentration in epidemiology from an institution of higher education in the United States with a Center for Public Health Preparedness; or (2) advanced public health training in epidemiology to be carried out at the CDCP (or equivalent State facility), or other Federal facility (excluding the Department of Defense or United States National Laboratories), for a period of between six and 12 months. Allows each fellowship recipient also to study at the CDCP (or an equivalent facility) the diagnosis and containment of likely bioterrorism agents. Requires fellowship recipients to agree to return, upon completion of education or training, to their countries of nationality or last habitual residence (so long as it is an eligible developing country) and complete at least four years of employment in a public health position in the government or a nongovernmental, not-for-profit entity in that country or, with the Secretary's approval in an international health organization. Allows the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis, and if in the U.S. national interest, to provide for participation in the program of U.S. citizens who agree, upon completion of education or training, to work at least five years in a public health position in an eligible developing country or the WHO. Directs the Secretary to support short training courses in-country (not in the United States) to laboratory technicians and other public health personnel from eligible developing countries in: (1) laboratory techniques relating to the identification, diagnosis, and tracking of pathogens responsible for possible infectious disease outbreaks; and (2) techniques of syndrome surveillance reporting and rapid analysis of syndrome information using Geographic Information System (GIS) and other Internet-based tools. Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to eligible developing countries to purchase and maintain: (1) public health laboratory equipment necessary to collect, analyze, and identify expeditiously a broad array of pathogens, including mutant strains, which may cause disease outbreaks or may be used as a biological weapon; and (2) related communications equipment and information technology. Authorizes a Federal agency head, upon the request of a U.S. chief of diplomatic mission or an international health organization, and with the Secretary's concurrence, to assign to the respective U.S. mission or organization any public health officer or employee of the agency for the purpose of enhancing disease and pathogen surveillance efforts in developing countries. Directs the CDCP and the Department of Defense each to: (1) increase the number of personnel assigned to their respective laboratories located in eligible developing countries that conduct research and other activities with respect to infectious diseases; and (2) expand the operations of those laboratories, especially in the implementation of on-site training of foreign nationals and regional outreach efforts involving neighboring countries. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to: (1) enhance the surveillance and reporting capabilities for the WHO and existing regional health networks; and (2) develop new regional health networks. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish new country or regional Foreign Epidemiology Training Programs in eligible developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Declares the sense of the Senate that the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of the Treasury should continue discussions with officials of the Governments of Canada and Mexico to achieve parity by harmonizing the duty-free personal exemption allowance structure of the three North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries at or above U.S. exemption levels.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Requests the President to designate April 11, 2003, as National Youth Service Day. Commends the contributions of American youth and encourages the cultivation of a common civic bond among young people dedicated to serving their neighbors, their communities, and the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Health Care Access and Rural Equity Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make a variety of changes with regard to rural health care and such matters as: (1) urban and rural standardized payment amounts under the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS); (2) disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (3) payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals; (4) adjustment to the Medicare inpatient hospital PPS wage index to revise the labor-related share of such index; (5) treatment of certain sole community hospitals to limit the decline in payment under the PPS for hospital outpatient department services; (6) the critical access hospital program; and (7) permanent treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish and use alternative guidelines for geographic reclassification of certain hospitals located in sparsely populated States. Amends the Public Health Service Act to give the Secretary the authority to make and guarantee loans from the loan fund to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for a five-year extension of the authorization for appropriations for certain Medicare rural grants.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Designates the Federal building and U.S. courthouse located at 46 East Ohio Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define: "minor species" as animals other than cattle, horses, swine, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats; and (2) "minor use" as use on minor species or on other species for a disease or condition that occurs infrequently or in limited geographic areas. Provides for: (1) designation of new animal drugs for minor use; and (2) three-year approval exclusivity. Provides for establishment of an index of unapproved new animal drugs for minor species, and allows marketing of such drugs that evidence no human food safety concern. Authorizes: (1) designation of new animal drugs for minor use or minor species; and (2) grants or contracts for development (and exclusivity) of designated new animal drugs. Modifies new animal drug approval requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that certain prohibitions on the importation, manufacture, distribution, and storage of explosive materials shall not apply to commercially manufactured black powder in quantities not to exceed two pounds, safety and pyrotechnic fuses, quick and slow matches, electric matches, igniters, or non-detonable rocket propellant intended to be used in rockets that do not carry any: (1) explosive, incendiary, or poison gas; (2) bomb; (3) grenade; (4) explosive or incendiary charge of more than three-quarter ounce; (5) mine; or (6) similar device.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to reauthorize and revise requirements for the Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration programs, and to instruct the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive coordination plan for activities under this Act and under title II of the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996. Renames the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel as the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on such programs. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to review progress under this Act every four years. Amends the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 to revise requirements for the program for integration of fuel cells with hydrogen production systems. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) solicit proposals for projects demonstrating hydrogen technologies needed to use fuel cells in Federal, State, and local government stationary and transportation applications; and (2) establish an interagency task force to develop an implementation plan for a fuel cell demonstration program that includes hydrogen-based infrastructure for fleet transportation systems and for distributed power generation. Requires the Secretary to enter into cooperative and cost-sharing agreements with Federal, State, and local agencies for participation in related demonstrations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Expresses the outrage of Congress at the flagrant violations by the Government of Iraq of the customary international law of war and the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, dated at Geneva August 12 1949, and entered into force October 21, 1950. Supports in the strongest terms the President's warning to Iraq that the United States will hold the Government of Iraq, its officials, and military personnel involved accountable for any and all such violations. Expects Iraq to comply with the requirements of the international law of war and the explicit provisions of the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which afford prisoners of war the proper and humane treatment to which they are entitled. Expects that Iraq will afford prisoners of war access to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, as required by the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike such gold medal and to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals; and (2) deposit sums received from the sale of the bronze medals into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on March 26, 2003, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Moynihan.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Designates the regional headquarters building for the National Park Service under construction in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Carl T. Curtis National Park Service Midwest Regional Headquarters Building.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production during any taxable year in the amount of $3 per barrel of qualified crude oil production and 50 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of qualified natural gas production, reduced, but not below zero, as oil and gas prices increase. States that the limitation to the general business credit, based on the amount of tax, shall not be reduced by the amount of the marginal oil and gas well credit. Allows both geological and geophysical expenditures on domestic oil and gas exploration and development and delay rental payments, at the taxpayer's election, to be deducted from gross income at the time incurred.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2003
The Genomes to Life Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application, to be known as the Genomes to Life Program, in systems biology and proteomics (the determination of the structure, function, and expression of proteins encoded in any genome, including new protein sequences encoded in a genome for which the structural or functional correlates are not currently known). Directs the Secretary to prepare a program plan describing how knowledge and capabilities would be developed and applied to Department of Energy missions relating to energy, environmental cleanup, and mitigation of global climate change.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the President, as Commander in Chief, in the conflict against Iraq. Commends, and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to all members of the United States Armed Forces (whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves) and the civilian employees who support their efforts, as well as the men and women of civilian national security agencies who are participating in the military operations in the Persian Gulf region, for their professional excellence, dedicated patriotism and exemplary bravery. Commends and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to the family members of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians serving in operations against Iraq who have borne the burden of sacrifice and separation from their loved ones. Expresses the deep condolences of the Senate to the families of brave Americans who have lost their lives in this undertaking, over many years, against Iraq. Joins all Americans in remembering those who lost their lives during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, those still missing from that conflict, including Captain Scott Speicher, USN, and the thousands of Americans who have lost their lives in terrorist attacks over the years, and in the Global War on Terrorism. Expresses sincere gratitude to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government for their courageous and steadfast support, as well as gratitude to other allied nations for their military support, logistical support, and other assistance in the campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime.
![Official portrait of Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000407_200.jpg)