United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Refugee Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to refugee provisions to limit summary inspection procedures to emergency migration situations in which numbers of arriving aliens substantially exceed inspection capacities. Grants the Attorney General sole authority to make such determination, which shall last 90 days unless extended after consultation with the appropriate congressional committees. Revises provisions respecting inspection of aliens seeking U.S. admission, including requiring: (1) an alien to be informed of certain rights prior to removal or withdrawal of his or her admission application, and (2) review of a removal order by an immigration judge, with the right of the alien to personally appear and be represented (at his or her expense). Exempts from expedited removal procedures certain Western Hemisphere nationals or unaccompanied children. Revises the procedure used to determine whether an applicant for asylum has a credible fear of persecution. Eliminates certain: (1) limitations on judicial review of exclusion orders or asylum claims; (2) time limits on asylum applications; (3) numerical limitations on asylee adjustments; and (4) numerical limitations on population control-related refugee admissions. Makes certain mandatory asylee detention provisions discretionary. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) develop alternatives to detention of asylum seekers, including supervised shelters and noninstitutional settings for minors; (2) enter into contracts with nongovernmental agencies for alternative detention programs; and (3) establish a National Legal Orientation Support and Training Center. Requires asylum seekers not eligible for parole or alternative detention to be detained only in Immigration and Naturalization Service or approved facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Conservation Tax Incentives Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income 50 percent of any gains from the sale to eligible entities for conservation purposes of specified land or an interest in land or water.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Water Supply Security Act of 2001 - Amends the Water Desalination Act of 1996 to direct Sandia National Laboratories to develop a desalination technology progress plan that includes recommendations for the location, siting, and configuration of a desalination test and evaluation facility at the Tularosa Basin located in Otero County in New Mexico. Provides for the construction of such facility by the Secretary of Energy after the completion of such plan. Requires that the facility: (1) be used to research, test, and evaluate, new desalination technologies, to fully evaluate their performance in energy consumption, byproduct disposal, and operational maintenance costs, and to determine the most technologically- and cost-efficient means by which potable water may be produced from salinated water or other water that is unsuitable for use; and (2) should be capable of processing at least 100,000 gallons of water per day. Requires all desalinated water produced by the facility to be provided, at no cost, to one or more communities in the county. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) and the Secretary of Energy to establish a technology advisory committee to provide program guidance and technical assistance. Authorizes appropriations for such Act for FY 2002 through 2008 for research and studies, for the desalination technology progress plan, and for the desalination demonstration and development program. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such research or such program at a location outside the United States upon determining it is in the nation interest and after consulting the Secretary of State. Revises Federal cost share provisions for projects and activities under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2001
Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act or DREAM Act - - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to repeal the provision prohibiting an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on State residence unless a U.S. national is similarly eligible without regard to such State residence. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General to cancel the removal of, and adjust to conditional permanent resident status, certain (inadmissible or deportable) alien higher education students under the age of 21 with qualifying years of U.S. residency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2001
Child Care Affordability for Federal Employees Act - Permits executive agencies to use appropriated funds (available for salaries and expenses) to provide child care in Federal or leased facilities, or through contracts, for civilian employees. Requires amounts used to be applied to improve the affordability of child care for lower income employees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2001
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage of Childhood Immunization Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require comprehensive health insurance coverage for childhood immunization to be provided by health plans and insurance issuers in both group and individual markets.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2001 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities (including employment agencies, labor organizations, and training programs). Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares this Act inapplicable to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's domestic partner. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from: (1) collecting statistics on sexual orientation from covered entities; and (2) compelling covered entities to collect such statistics. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) an order or consent decree for a violation of this Act that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Prohibits the imposition of affirmative action for a violation of this Act. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for remedies to the same extent as under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
United States Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a tax credit for 25 percent of up to the first $25,000 of qualified wages paid or incurred by an employer with respect to employees in any qualified U.S. independent film and television production during a taxable year. Increases the credit to 35 percent if the production is located in an area eligible for designation as a low-income community or eligible for designation by the Delta Regional Authority as a distressed county or isolated area of distress.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the week of November 11 through 17, 2001, should be designated as National Veterans Awareness Week for the purpose of emphasizing education efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
States that Congress: (1) supports the purposes and objectives of Youth For Life: Remembering Walter Payton; and (2) encourages all young people to learn about the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donations and to discuss these donations with their families and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2001
Children's Adjustment, Relief, and Education Act or the CARE Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to repeal the provision prohibiting an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on State residence unless a U.S. national is similarly eligible without regard to such State residence. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General to cancel the removal of, and adjust to permanent resident status, certain (inadmissible or deportable) alien secondary or higher education students under the age of 21 with qualifying years of U.S. residency. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to make such alien higher education students eligible for education assistance during the pendency of their application for cancellation of removal.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2001
YMCA Teen Action Agenda Enhancement of 2001 - Directs the Attorney General to award a grant to the YMCA of the USA to make subgrants to local YMCAs for programs for at-risk teens which include specified types of activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001 - Amends Federal postal law to provide that any limitation in the Semipostal Authorization Act relating to whether more than one semipostal (a postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service, at a premium, in order to help provide funding for a national public interest) may be offered for sale at the same time, shall not apply to the breast cancer research special stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Extends the Service's authority to issue such stamps through July 29, 2008. Revises the differential amount of the special rate of postage for the breast cancer research stamp to not less than 15 percent of the regular first-class rate (currently, not to exceed 25 percent of first-class). Requires the special rate to be evenly divisible by five.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2001 - Establishes the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury to promote the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable and safe low-income housing.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2001
Product Packaging Protection Act of 2001 - Amends Federal criminal law to impose criminal penalties for tampering with a consumer product sold in interstate or foreign commerce by knowingly placing, before sale, any writing in the product or in its container without the consent of the manufacturer, retailer, or distributor. Defines "writing" as any form of representation or communication, including handbills, notices, or advertising, that contain letters, words, or pictorial representation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2001
Railroad Track Modernization Act of 2001 - Amends Federal rail transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program of capital grants to class II and class III railroads (or with the concurrence of such railroads, to a State or local government) to rehabilitate, preserve, or improve railroad track (including roadbed, bridges, and related track structures) used primarily for freight transportation to a standard ensuring that it can be operated safely and efficiently and accommodate 286,000 pound rail cars. Authorizes the Secretary to also make grants to supplement direct loans or loan guarantees (including for paying credit risk premiums, lowering rates of interest, or providing for a holiday on principal payments) for projects primarily benefitting non-class I freight railroad carriers. Sets forth certain employee protection and prevailing wage requirements with respect to projects financed by such grants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on such projects to determine the public interest benefits associated with the light density railroad networks in the States and their contribution to a multimodal transportation system.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2001
Designates the month of September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that the Federal Government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about the importance of screening methods and treatment of prostate cancer; (2) increase research funding that is commensurate with the burden of the disease so that the causes of, and improved screening, treatments, and a cure for, prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) continue to consider ways for improving access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2001
Port and Maritime Security Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Port Security Task Force to help coordinate programs to enhance the security and safety of U.S. seaports against crime and terrorism. Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to develop standards and procedures for conducting seaport vulnerability assessments. Directs the Commandant and the Administrator of the Maritime Administration to jointly initiate a rulemaking proceeding to prescribe regulations to protect the public from threats of crime or terrorism originating from vessels in maritime transportation originating or terminating in a U.S. seaport. Requires each port authority and marine terminal authority for which a port security vulnerability assessment has been done to establish, subject to approval of the Captain-of-the-Port, a maritime transportation security program. Directs the U.S. Coast Guard to establish seaport security committees to: (1) review seaport security vulnerability assessments; and (2) conduct an exercise periodically to verify the effectiveness of each seaport authority and marine terminal security plan. Sets forth requirements calling for: (1) the development of voluntary security guidance to serve as a benchmark for the review of security plans; (2) the adoption of such guidance and development of seaport security standards by other countries; and (3) the development of standards for the training and certification of maritime security professionals. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to authorize the Secretary to make loan guarantees and provide grants for seaport security infrastructure improvements for eligible U.S. seaports. Reauthorizes specified tonnage duties.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Communities, and Firms Act of 2001 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements with respect to: (1) agreements between the United States and States for the provision of certain services for workers adversely affected by import competition; (2) certification of eligibility of a group of adversely affected workers for trade adjustment assistance; (3) payment of, and certain limitations on, trade adjustment allowances to such workers; (4) training programs for such workers; and (5) the maximum amount of job search and relocation allowances payable to an adversely affected worker. Provides for the eligibility certification of adversely affected secondary workers for trade adjustment assistance. Defines "adversely affected secondary worker" as a worker who is employed at a downstream producer (a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes to articles produced by another firm) or a supplier (a firm that produces component parts for the production process for articles). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a 50 percent refundable tax credit for COBRA continuation coverage premiums. Reauthorizes the trade adjustment assistance program for firms adversely affected by import competition. Revises program eligibility requirements. Reestablishes trade adjustment assistance for communities adversely affected by import competition. Authorizes: (1) such communities, because of import competition, to develop strategic plans for economic adjustment and diversification; and (2) the award of grants to carry out economic development projects under such plans. Authorizes a group of agricultural commodity producers to petition the Secretary of Agriculture for a certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance. Sets forth certain eligibility requirements for the payment of such assistance to agricultural commodity producers adversely affected by import competition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Transplant Patients Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to remove time limitations on the coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for individuals who have received organ transplants. (Current law provides coverage for such drugs only for certain time periods after the transplant procedure.) Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to: (1) continue entitlement to prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy furnished to an individual who receives a kidney or other organ transplant for which payment is made under Medicare; and (2) extend Medicare secondary payer requirements for end stage renal disease beneficiaries. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for group health plans to provide coverage of immunosuppressive drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Ecstasy Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to give priority in the award of certain grants to States on a pass-through basis to communities that have taken measures to combat club drug use, including passing ordinances restricting rave clubs, increasing law enforcement on Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine or MDMA), and seizing lands under nuisance abatement laws to make new restrictions on an establishment's use. Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to: (1) use amounts available under this Act to combat the trafficking of Ecstasy in designated high intensity drug trafficking areas; and (2) ensure that the national media campaign under the Drug-Free Media Campaign Act of 1998 addresses the reduction and prevention of abuse of Ecstasy and club and emerging drugs among young people in the United States. Provides for: (1) funding for an Ecstasy drug test which would meet Federal workplace standards; and (2) a mandatory research study by the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse that evaluates the effects that Ecstasy use can have on an individual's health. Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish an interagency Task Force on Ecstasy/MDMA and Emerging Club Drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Jewish War Veterans Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of each military department to review the service records of each Jewish American veteran (World War II or later) who was awarded the Distinguished Service, Navy, or Air Force Cross, or whose name is submitted for such purpose by the Jewish American War Veterans of the United States of America, in order to determine whether such veteran should be awarded the Medal of Honor. Authorizes such Medal to be awarded upon recommendation of the Secretary concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2001
Community Workforce Development and Modernization Partnership Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make competitive matching grants to eligible consortia (partnerships) to: (1) help workers improve those job skills necessary for employment by businesses in the industry with respect to which the entity was established; (2) help dislocated workers find employment; and (3) upgrade the operating and competitive capacities of businesses that are members of the partnership. Requires such partnerships to include: (1) two or more businesses (or nonprofit organizations representing businesses) that are facing similar workforce development or business modernization challenges; (2) labor organizations, if such businesses employ workers covered by collective bargaining agreements; and (3) one or more businesses (or nonprofit organizations representing businesses) with resources or expertise that bear on such workforce development and business modernization challenges. Allows inclusion of: (1) State and local governments; (2) educational institutions; (3) labor organizations; or (4) nonprofit organizations. Requires priority consideration for partnerships that: (1) serve dislocated workers or workers threatened with becoming totally or partially separated from employment; (2) include businesses with fewer than 250 employees; or (3) are from a geographic region that has been adversely impacted by the movement of manufacturing operations or businesses to other regions or countries, due to corporate restructuring, technological advances, Federal law, international trade, or other factors. Sets forth partnership program requirements and authorized activities for workforce development and business modernization. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance and seed grants to help establish such partnerships; (2) undertake outreach and promotional activities for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2001
Credit Watch Act of 2001 - Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to review, at least annually, the indicators of portfolio risk for insured single family mortgages originated or underwritten by each mortgagee, and compare such risk with comparable mortgages in the same area. Authorizes the Secretary, based upon such comparison, to terminate the approval of a mortgage as an unacceptable insurance risk. Sets forth termination procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2001
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for the legislative branch for FY 2002. Title I: Congressional Operations - Congressional Operations Appropriations Act, 2002 - Makes appropriations for the Senate for: (1) expense allowances; (2) representation allowances for the Majority and Minority Leaders; (3) salaries of specified officers, employees, and committees (including the Committee on Appropriations); (4) agency contributions for employee benefits; (5) inquiries and investigations; (6) the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control; (7) the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate; (8) miscellaneous items; (9) the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account; and (10) official mail costs. (Sec. 1) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1977 to change the number of consultants: (1) from four to six that the Majority and Minority Leaders may appoint; and (2) from one to not more than two in the case of the President pro tempore. (Sec. 2) Allows the head of an employing office of the Senate to establish a program under which the office may agree to repay (by direct payments on behalf of a Senate employee) any student loan previously taken out by such employee. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996 to change the fiscal year designation of the appropriation to which payment must be charged for local and long distance telecommunications services provided to a Senator, an Officer of the Senate, and any Senate entity the funds of which are disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate. (Sec. 5) Increases from $75,000 to $100,000 the payment from the Senate contingent fund for the Conference of Majority and the Conference of Minority expenses. (Sec. 6) Increases by $50,000 the allowance for administrative and clerical assistance. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Joint Economic and Taxation Committees; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Capitol Police Board; (4) the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office; (5) the Office of Compliance; (6) the Congressional Budget Office; (7) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) for salaries and expenses, Capitol buildings and grounds, Senate and House office buildings, and the Capitol power plant; (8) the Library of Congress for Congressional Research Service salaries and expenses; and (9) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding (including transfer of funds). (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), by regulation, to apply Federal civil service training law as necessary to provide for training of CBO employees. (Sec. 103) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996 to allow the CBO to dispose of surplus or obsolete property by sale and trade-in (currently, only by inter-agency transfer, donation, or discarding). (Sec. 104) Authorizes the CBO to establish and maintain a program under which the Office may agree to repay (by direct payments on behalf of the employees) all or a portion of any student loan previously taken out by such employee in an amount not to exceed: (1) $6,000 for any employee in any calendar year; or (2) a total of $40,000 for any employee altogether. Prohibits CBO from reimbursing an employee for repayments made by such employee before CBO enters into an agreement with the employee under this Act. Requires any amount repaid by, or recovered from, an individual under this Act and its implementing regulations to be credited to the appropriation account available for CBO salaries and expenses at the time of repayment or recovery. Title II: Other Agencies - Appropriates funds for: (1) the Botanic Garden for salaries and expenses; (2) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and furniture and furnishings; (3) the AOC for a Capitol Visitor Center, the Congressional Cemetery, and for Library buildings and grounds; (4) salaries and expenses of the GPO's Office of Superintendent of Documents (including transfer of funds); (5) the General Accounting Office; and (6) a payment to the Russian Leadership Development Center Trust Fund. Specifies administrative provisions for the Library of Congress identical or similar to corresponding provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001. (Sec. 202) Prohibits the Library from using funds appropriated in this Act to administer any flexible or compressed work schedule which: (1) applies to any manager or supervisor in a position the grade or level of which is equal to or higher than GS-15; and (2) grants such manager or supervisor the right to not be at work for all or a portion of a workday because of time worked by such individual on another workday. (Sec. 206) Reduces the obligational authority of the Library from FY 2001 levels for reimbursable and revolving fund activities funded from sources other than appropriations to the Library in appropriation Acts for the legislative branch. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, under specified conditions, to temporarily transfer funds appropriated in this Act under the heading "Library of Congress Salaries and Expenses" to the revolving fund for the FEDLINK Program and the Federal Research Program established under the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000 (the Act). (Sec. 209) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1999 to extend until October 1, 2004, the early retirement and voluntary separation incentive payments authorities for Government Printing Office employees. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized or prohibited uses of funds appropriated by this Act identical or similar to corresponding provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001. (Sec. 305) Sets forth Buy American requirements. (Sec. 311) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to authorize the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to fix the rate of basic pay for not more than 12 positions under AOC jurisdiction (excluding the Architect and Assistant Architect), at a rate not less than the minimum rate nor more than the maximum rate for the Senior Executive Service, for the locality involved.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there should be established a National Community Health Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health centers; and (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States and interested organizations to observe such a week with appropriate programs and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for the Federal emergency management food and shelter programs; (2) require the participation of homeless individuals on local boards; and (3) revise the name of The Council of Jewish Federations, Inc. (nominating organization) as the United Jewish Communities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to authorize increased appropriations for reimbursement of thorium licensees. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to mandate increased deposits for the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Truthfulness, Responsibility, and Accountability in Contracting Act of 2001 - Requires the head of each Federal agency to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget specified certifications, including that the agency has established a centralized reporting system, is not managing Federal employees by any arbitrary limitations, and is reviewing work performed by contractors, re-competing or contracting in work when appropriate, and subjecting to public-private competition an approximate number of Federal employee and contractor positions. Sets forth provisions regarding public availability of certifications and the suspension of contracting for services pending satisfaction of the certification requirement. Allows the Director to waive the applicability of this Act to a contract for services where necessary in the interest of national security, extraordinary economic harm, or patient care. Requires any agency: (1) decision to privatize, outsource, or contract in or out for the performance of a function, after expiration of the prohibition enacted by this Act, to be based on the results of a public-private competition process meeting specified requirements; and (2) either to conduct a new public-private competition or to convert a function to performance by Federal employees if contracting out costs exceed costs of performance by Federal employees or contracting out fails to meet quality control standards. Directs the Secretary of Labor to survey and report on the wages and quantifiable benefits provided by contractors to non-Federal personnel working under contract.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2001 - Provides that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if both parties consent in writing after such controversy arises. Requires the arbitrator to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Bear Protection Act of 2001 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue discussions concerning trade in bear viscera with the appropriate representatives of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and with other representatives of countries that are not party to CITES which are determined to be the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products, in order to establish coordinated efforts with such countries to protect bears. Declares that nothing in this Act shall affect State regulation of bear population or the lawful hunting of bears under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for student loan forgiveness for public defenders under the Federal Perkins Loan program. Prohibits construing this Act to authorize refunding of any loan repayment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2001
Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that a major objective of the U.S. foreign assistance program is to control tuberculosis (TB). States that consequently Congress expects the agency primarily responsible for the administration of TB control health programs to: (1) coordinate with the World Health Organization and other designated health organizations toward the development and implementation of a comprehensive TB control program, by expanding the use of the strategy of directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) and strategies to address multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) where appropriate at the local level, particularly in countries with the highest TB rate; and (2) set as a goal the cure of at least 95 percent of TB cases detected by focusing efforts on the use of DOTS strategy or other internationally accepted primary TB control strategies in those countries in which the agency has established development programs by December 31, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Clean Diamonds Act - Prohibits the importation of rough diamonds into the United States unless the exporting country is implementing: (1) a system of controls on the export or import of rough diamonds that meets specified requirements, consistent with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 adopted on December 1, 2000, or consistent with an international agreement which requires such controls and to which the United States is a party; or (2) a system of controls that is functionally equivalent. Prohibits the importation of polished diamonds (including jewelry containing diamonds) into the United States unless the exporting country: (1) is implementing a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds, except such system shall not be required for countries that do not import rough diamonds; and (2) requires that its own imports of diamonds originate from countries that have implemented a system of controls on the export and import of rough diamonds. Prohibits the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank of the United States from engaging in certain transactions in connection with a project involving the mining, polishing or other processing, or sale of diamonds in a country that fails to meet the requirements of this Act. Provides a waiver for the requirements of this Act. Urges the President to negotiate an international agreement to eliminate trade in diamonds used to support conflict in the country or regions in which such diamonds are mined.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2001
Hunger to Harvest: Decade of Support for Sub-Saharan Africa Resolution - Calls for: (1) the years 2002 through 2012 to be declared "A Decade of Support for Sub-Saharan Africa"; (2) the President to submit to Congress a five-year strategy and a ten-year strategy to achieve a reversal of current levels of hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, including a commitment to contribute an appropriate U.S. share of increased bilateral and multilateral poverty-focused resources for that region; (3) the President to work with the heads of other donor countries and sub-Saharan African countries, and with U.S. and sub-Saharan African private and voluntary organizations and other civic organizations, to implement such strategies; (4) Congress to undertake a multi-year commitment to provide the resources to implement those strategies; and (5) the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit to Congress a report on the implementation of those strategies.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2001
Inspector General for the Federal Bureau of Investigation Act of 2001 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish in the Department of Justice (DOJ) an Office of Inspector General for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Requires the Attorney General to establish procedures under which the Inspectors General for DOJ and the FBI provide for the allocation of audits and investigations in cases of overlapping jurisdiction. Outlines required duties of the Inspector General, including FBI audits and investigations. Transfers appropriate functions to such Inspector General.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
The Donor Outreach, Network, and Timely Exchange Act, or the DONATE Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a National Organ and Tissue Donor Registry Resource Center which shall: (1) advance the development of, and information access and exchange between, State donor registries; (2) develop registry guidelines; and (3) maintain a registry clearinghouse. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide grants for State organ and tissue donor registries; (2) establish a State registry advisory task force; (3) establish an organ donation public awareness program; and (4) contract with the Institute of Medicine to evaluate successful organ procurement agency practices. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants for living organ donation expenses. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a congressional medal to commemorate organ donors and their families. Amends the Act to authorize the Secretary to award grants for coordination of hospital organ donation activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2001
Biodiesel Renewable Fuels Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit of between 3 and 20 cents per gallon for soy or specified vegetable based biodiesel fuel mixtures; and (2) make corresponding reductions to motor fuel excise taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Filipino Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 2001 - Redesignates provisions of Federal law which authorize: (1) payment of compensation for the service-connected disability of members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army who served with U.S. armed forces during World War II and who now are U.S. citizens or lawfully reside in the United States; and (2) hospital and nursing home care and medical services for such veterans and new Philippine Scouts in the same manner as U.S. veterans. Limits the disability pension to $100 per month for such veterans who reside in the Philippines. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish care and services to veterans of World War II, Commonwealth Army veterans, and new Philippine Scouts for the treatment of service-connected disabilities and non-service connected disabilities of such veterans and scouts residing in the Philippines on an outpatient basis at the Manila VA Outpatient Clinic. Limits to $500,000 the amount to be expended during a fiscal year for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to posthumously grant disability retirement for individuals who die in the line of duty while on active duty. Authorizes the payment of disability retirement compensation to the dependent survivors of such individuals under the Survivor Benefit Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Great Lakes Ecology Protection Act - Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate and review regulations to prevent, to the maximum extent practicable, the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes. Calls upon such regulations to require, among other things, that: (1) requirements on new vessel construction be included to ensure that vessels entering service after January 1, 2005, minimize the transfer of organisms; and (2) technologies and practices implemented under this Act are environmentally sound treatment methods for ballast water and ballast sediments that prevent and control infestations of aquatic nuisance species. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to award Invasive Species and Ballast Water Technologies Research Grants to U.S. post-secondary educational institutions to study the impact of invasive species on the environment of the Great Lakes region, and to develop technologies and treatment methods, including ballast water tank technology, designed to destroy or remove such species.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
International Infectious Diseases Control Act of 2001 - Directs the President to work with foreign governments, the United Nations (UN), the World bank, and the private sector to agree to the establishment of a global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis through the provision of grants to governments and nongovernmental organizations for implementation of effective and affordable HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis programs (with initial priority to programs to combat HIV/AIDS), urging emphasis be given to ensuring strong political leadership in recipient countries. Amends the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 to repeal the establishment of the World Bank AIDS Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Great Lakes Water Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to allow a Great Lakes State to receive an incentive grant under this Act to carry out conservation activities or a grant under the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish a State revolving loan fund only if the State does not issue any oil or gas permit or lease for drilling to extract oil or gas from land beneath the water in any of the Great Lakes. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to study the environmental effects of such drilling activity and submit the results of the study to the National Academy of Sciences for review. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to action upon receipt of the study.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Act of 2001 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to establish an international food for education and child nutrition program under which agricultural commodities shall be provided to eligible organizations to assist pre-school and school-age children in connection with related education programs in recipient countries.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Bridges to the Cuban People Act of 2001 - Exempts from the embargo on trade with Cuba (including prohibitions under the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 against the unloading at a U.S. port of vessels that previously entered a Cuban port to engage in trade) the export of any agricultural commodity, farm machinery or equipment, medicine, or medical device, or any travel incident to the delivery of such items. Prohibits the President from prohibiting or regulating travel to or from or within Cuba by U.S. nationals or lawful resident aliens, including specified transactions ordinarily incident to such travel, financial or otherwise. Authorizes the President to provide scholarships for Cuban nationals who seek to undertake graduate study in public health, public policy, economics, law, or other field of social science. Authorizes the President to waive certain sanctions against, and restrictions on assistance to, Cuba, including the exclusion from the United States of certain aliens who have confiscated property in Cuba of U.S. nationals or who traffics in such property, if he determines that it will promote the peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba or will further U.S. national economic interests. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from limiting the amount of remittances to Cuba that any U.S. person may make. Exempts from prohibitions or restrictions on trade with Cuba the import of certain drugs, biological products, and medical devices into the United States. Prohibits the use of funds to enforce unilateral sanctions on the export of goods and services intended for the exclusive use of children in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) Federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis; and (2) a deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums and enrollment fees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Aircraft Clean Air Act of 2001 - Authorizes crew members or passengers that experience an aircraft air quality incident which results in their reporting a symptom consistent with exposure to neurotoxins or asphyxiants to file a request with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for: (1) the aircraft's mechanical and maintenance records; (2) the filtration media used in the aircraft's air supply system; and (3) the chemical constituents of products used in the maintenance, operation, or treatment of such aircraft to which a crew member or passenger may have been directly exposed. Sets forth a civil penalty for the failure of an air carrier to produce such records, media, or information. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to award a grant for an aeromedical research study to determine what cabin altitude must be maintained to provide sufficient oxygen to ensure that the short- and long-term health of 95 percent of a representative sample of cabin crew and passengers is not adversely affected.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Railroad Crossing Delay Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to address safety concerns and to minimize delays encountered by motorists that are caused by trains that block traffic at railroad grade crossings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Designates the second Sunday in the month of December as National Children's Memorial Day and the last Friday in the month of April as Children's Memorial Flag Day.
![Official portrait of Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000563_200.jpg)