United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit livestock packers from owning, controlling, or feeding livestock to such an extent that the producer no longer materially participates in the management of the operation, with exceptions for: (1) animals held for not more than seven days before slaughter; (2) certain cooperatives that own, control or feed livestock and provide such livestock for slaughter; (3) packers that are not required to report price and quantity information on each reporting day; or (4) packers that own one livestock processing plant.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2002
Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award a grant to Neighborhood House of St. Paul, Minnesota, to finance the construction of a new community center in St. Paul, to be known as the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2002
Sets forth requirements a charitable corporation, fund, foundation, or trust must meet to designate itself as a Johnny Micheal Spann Patriot Trust (a charitable trust for the spouses, dependents, and relatives of military and Federal personnel who lose their lives in the battle against terrorism that is named after the first American to die in such service following the September 11th terrorist attacks). Requires at least 85 percent of each Trust corpus to be distributed to such survivors and prohibits more than 15 percent from being used for administrative purposes. Prohibits any such Trust from participating in any political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office. Requires: (1) audits of each Trust that annually receives contributions of more than $1 million; and (2) Trust distributions to be made at least once a year. Provides for the notification of Trust beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2002
Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect, compile, and disseminate information regarding trauma care and emergency medical services, and, in so doing, to give special consideration to the needs of rural areas. Removes provisions dealing with a National Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services. Modifies provision pertaining to grants to improve trauma care in rural areas to allow the Secretary to make grants to entities to improve care by increasing communication and coordination with State trauma systems. Amends provisions concerning matching funds for modifications of the trauma care part of State emergency services plans, including to modify the matching requirements to not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds in the third year of payments and not less then $2 for each $1 of Federal funds in the fourth and fifth years (currently the amount is set at not less than $3 for each $1 of Federal funding in the third year and subsequent years). Amends requirements with respect to carrying out the purpose of allotments, including to require a State plan for emergency medical services to coordinate planning for trauma systems with State disaster emergency planning and bioterrorism hospital preparedness planning. Requires States to submit to the Secretary the trauma care part of their emergency services plans in FY 2003 and in following years in order to receive Federal allotments to support the modification of such part. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, or another appropriate entity, to conduct a study on the state of trauma care and trauma research.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2002
Maximum Economic Growth for America Through Environmental Streamlining Act (MEGA Stream Act) - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program under which States carry out Federal responsibilities with respect to one or more highway or transit projects (or classes of projects) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), provisions of this Act, or such other environmental review or decision-making authority of the Secretary as the Secretary deems appropriate. Sets conditions regarding State assumption of responsibility for projects located within the State for which environmental impact statements are required. Grants the U.S. district courts exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action against a State for failure to carry out any State responsibility under this Act. Requires the Secretary to conduct audits to ensure State compliance. Designates the Department of Transportation as the lead agency for purposes of compliance with NEPA. Sets forth provisions regarding statements of purpose and need for a highway or transit project, determination of alternatives, and public comment. Makes the Secretary responsible for: (1) developing a schedule for the NEPA process; (2) coordinating efforts to identify and resolve issues that could cause any other Federal agency to oppose or deny project approval or cause delay in completion of the process; (3) developing an agency coordination plan; (4) requesting each relevant Federal agency to participate in the process; and (5) preparing or ensuring that any required environmental impact statement is completed in accordance with the NEPA process.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2002
Fair Contracts for Growers Act of 2002 - Allows the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy as provided for under a livestock or poultry contract only if, after the controversy arises, both parties consent. Directs an arbitrator to provide to the parties to a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for an award.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2002
Higher Education Technical Amendments of 2002 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), and the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, to make various technical revisions relating to student aid (title IV) program requirements. Includes as an institution of higher education (IHE) one that admits as regular students those who have been home-schooled (as well as high school graduates or those with equivalency certificates), thus providing that such home-schooled students are eligible for HEA student aid. Exempts Canadian graduate medical schools from title IV requirements relating to student or graduate scores on specified examinations. Exempts foreign veterinary schools from certain title IV requirements if they are public or other nonprofit institutions. Requires students withdrawing from an IHE to return only HEA title IV grant aid amounts exceeding 50 percent of the total (if more than $50). Permits Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to apply for Federal HSI grants without waiting two years between applications. Authorizes the use of HEA title VII funds for: (1) Federal scholarship aid to low-income and minority students for summer institutes to prepare for law school; and (2) Thurgood Marshall Fellowships to attend law school. Deems an IHE in compliance with certain information requirements if it provides students with such information, including voter registration material, through an e-mail message or an Internet address. Extends through FY 2003, for institutions of higher education (IHEs) having low student loan default rates, HEA exemptions from requirements that the disbursement of loan proceeds be: (1) in multiple installments; and (2) delayed for 30 days after classes start for first-time undergraduate borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2002
Honoring the Passengers and Crew of United Flight 93 Act - Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Maximum Economic Growth for America through Investment in Rural, Elderly, and Disabled Transit Act (or the MEGA RED TRANS Act) - Amends Federal transportation law to set forth certain minimum funding levels of amounts made available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for: (1) formula grants and loans to States to provide mass transportation services to elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities and in non-urbanized areas; and (2) block grants to States for mass transportation service projects in urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000. Establishes an essential bus service program under which States provide essential bus service between rural areas and primary airports, and between rural areas and stations for intercity passenger rail service, and appropriate intermediate or nearby points. Sets forth certain requirements regarding the Federal share of eligible project costs or eligible operating costs with respect to funds distributed for transit projects after FY 2004. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require interest that is accrued on balances in the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund to be credited to such account.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), within 15 days after the enactment of this Act, to return to the winning bidders of spectrum auction 35 the full amount of all deposits and down payments made for licenses that the FCC has not delivered by such date. Frees each winning bidder that elects within such period to relinquish a license not yet delivered of all license obligations such bidder would otherwise have had, including the obligation to pay the full amount of its winning bid upon license delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Medicare Safety Net Hospital Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for the annual collection of data on inpatient and outpatient charges and modification of disproportionate share Medicare payments with respect to each hospital serving vulnerable populations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002
Emergency Livestock Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to livestock producers in emergency-designated counties who have suffered losses in 2001 or 2002; and (2) producers to elect payments for one but not both of such years. Obligates specified amounts for the American Indian livestock program. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to reduce direct and counter-cyclical payments that a producer may receive during any crop year for: (1) peanuts, and (2) covered commodities (wheat, corn grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, rice, soybeans, and other oilseeds). Increases the total gain that a producer may receive from marketing loans, loan deficiency payments, and commodity certificate coupons in any crop year from: (1) loan commodities; and (2) other commodities. Revises gain determination provisions, including the addition of commodity certificate coupons. Sets forth a specified limitation for single farming operations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002
Emergency Forest Rescue Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) designate Federal forest land that is at wildfire risk because of severe drought and dead and dying trees as an emergency mitigation area; and (2) request authority from the Council on Environmental Quality to use alternative arrangements (including timber harvesting) to protect trees in such an area from disease, insect infestation, invasive plant species, or other natural disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002
Homeland Security Act of 2002 - Establishes a Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as an executive department of the United States, headed by a Secretary of Homeland Security who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the primary mission of DHS is to: (1) prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; (2) reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; and (3) minimize the damage, and assist in the recovery, from terrorist attacks that occur within the United States. Includes as DHS's primary responsibilities: (1) information analysis and infrastructure protection; (2) chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and related countermeasures; (3) border and transportation security; (4) emergency preparedness and response; and (5) coordination (including the provision of training and equipment) with other executive agencies, with State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, with the private sector, and with other entities. Creates: (1) a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, who shall be the Secretary's first assistant for purposes of details; (2) an Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection; (3) an Under Secretary for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures; (4) an Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security; (5) an Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response; (6) an Under Secretary for Management; and (7) not more than six Assistant Secretaries. Establishes an Inspector General (to be appointed under the Inspector General Act of 1978), and requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Director of the Secret Service as well, to assist the Secretary in the performance of his functions. Transfers to the Secretary the functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of specified entities, including: (1) the National Communications System of the Department of Defense; (2) the select agent registration enforcement programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (3) the Plum Island Animal Disease Center of the Department of Agriculture (DOA); (4) certain programs and activities of the Department of Energy, such as those specified for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; (5) the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury (DOT); (6) the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice (DOJ); (7) DOA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (8) the Coast Guard; (9) DOT's Transportation Security Administration; (10) the Federal Protective Service of the General Services Administration; (11) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (12) the National Domestic Preparedness Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (13) HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness; (14) HHS' Strategic National Stockpile; and (15) the United States Secret Service. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a human resources management system for DHS. Establishes in the Department of Defense a National Bio-Weapons Defense Analysis Center.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2002
Emergency Livestock Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to livestock producers in emergency-designated counties who have suffered losses in 2001 or 2002; and (2) producers to elect payments for one but not both of such years. Directs the Secretary to use specified Commodity Credit Corporation funds for FY 2002 and 2003 grasshopper and Mormon cricket control activities on Federal, State, and private land. Amends the Plant Protection Act to increase the FY 2002 and 2003 Federal cost-share for control activities on State and private land. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, regarding nonrecource marketing assistance loan rates, to make: (1) 2002 and 2003 crop year rates applicable to crop year 2002 only; and (2) 2004 through 2007 crop year rates applicable to crop years 2003 through 2007. (Reduces the loan rate for certain crop year 2003 commodities.) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to reduce FY 2003 funding for the environmental quality incentives program. Allocates 100 percent (currently 60 percent) of FY 2003 cost-sharing and incentive amounts to livestock production practices. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the transfer of funds for provision of water to desert terminal lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers to delay the inclusion in income of the amount earned from the sale of excess livestock due to Federal land management policy or action or to severe weather conditions until the year following two years in which the condition does not exist (present law allows for inclusion of such income in the year following a year of severe weather). Sets forth new rules for drought designations. Modifies rules for replacement of involuntarily converted livestock, including to prescribe that an heir to an estate may replace such property within the required time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2002
Stock Option Fairness and Accountability Act - Instructs the Securities and Exchange Commission to analyze, and report recommendations to certain congressional committees on, the accounting treatment of stock options including: (1) the adequacy of current disclosure requirements to investors and shareholders on stock options; (2) the adequacy of corporate governance requirements, including shareholder approval of stock option plans; and (3) the accuracy of available stock option pricing models.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2002
Death Penalty Integrity Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize an individual who, after trial, was convicted of a Federal crime and is serving a term of imprisonment as a result, to file a motion for the performance of forensic DNA testing on evidence that was secured in relation to the investigation or prosecution but not subject to DNA testing because the technology was not available at the time of trial. Prohibits the Government from destroying certain biological evidence over a 60 month period. Declares that no statute of limitations shall extend to any person identified by means of a DNA database prior to identification. Directs the Attorney General to establish a system for reporting and tracking motions for DNA testing. Authorizes appropriations to defray State costs associated with post-conviction DNA testing. Amends: (1) the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 regarding the definition of "qualifying Federal offense"; (2) the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to include juveniles in CODIS (the Combined DNA Indexing System); (3) the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to authorize grant awards to States for training of counsel representing defendants charged with capital offenses in State and local courts; and (4) the code and the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit an attorney who has been disciplined relating to a criminal case, or where that attorney has been found to have rendered ineffective assistance of counsel in another criminal case, from being eligible to represent an accused.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2002
Small Business Drought Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to include drought within its definition of disaster (thus qualifying small businesses suffering economic harm from droughts for assistance under such Act).
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2002
Reaffirms: (1) the language of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, including the phrase "one Nation under God"; and (2) the national motto "In God we trust."
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Declares that the Senate strongly disapproves of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress. Authorizes and instructs the Senate Legal Counsel to seek to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2002
Maximum Economic Growth for America Through the Highway Trust Fund Act (or MEGA Trust Act) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to transfer all excise taxes imposed on alcohol fuels to the Highway Trust Fund (the "Fund"). Authorizes the transfer to the Fund from the general fund of the Treasury of the amount of money equal to the untaxed portion of gasohol containing ethanol, effective with respect to the removal or entry of any mixture after September 30, 2003. Eliminates provision of Code stating that obligations of the Fund shall not be interest bearing, thus allowing the Fund to earn interest, effective with respect to obligations held by the Fund after September 30, 2003. Extends various highway-related taxes, floor stock refunds, certain tax-free sales, exemption from tax for use of highway vehicles by States and local governments and for use of certain transit-type buses, deposits into and certain specified transfers from the Fund, transfers from the Fund for motorboat fuel taxes and small-engine fuel taxes, and refunds of certain specified funds from the land and water conservation fund into the general fund. Establishes a National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission (the "Commission"). Permits any department or agency to detail personnel to the Commission, and requires such bodies to furnish nonconfidential materials to the Commission upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2002
Working Toward Independence Act of 2002 - Amends title IV (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reauthorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to award state family assistance grants. Authorizes States to use grants for healthy marriage promotion activities and requires the Secretary to make bonus grants to each State that has achieved formulated employment goals. Revises requirements for the consideration of certain child care expenditures in determining State compliance with contingency fund requirements. Revises State work participation requirements, incorporating a 40-hour work week standard. Revises requirements for the use of TANF grants. Repeals the Secretary's authority to make loans to State welfare programs and revises State work participation requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to develop TANF performance measures. Makes appropriations for research, demonstrations, and technical assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit community entities for demonstration projects to test the effectiveness of various approaches to create a Fatherhood Program. Permits States the option to make TANF programs mandatory partners with one-stop employment training centers. Reauthorizes funding for State child care entitlement programs and revises State requirements for child support payments. Amends SSA title XI (General Provisions) to eliminate specified limitations on the Secretary's authority to approve demonstration projects and grant waivers. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to require the Commissioner of Social Security to review State agency blindness and disability determinations. Authorizes the administering Secretary to authorize innovative State demonstration projects involving individual programs, or integrating multiple public assistance, employment security, and other programs to support working families. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require the Secretary to establish a program to make grants to States to provide food assistance and funds to operate employment and training programs for needy individuals. Extends abstinence education funding and reauthorizes transitional medical assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2002
Amends Federal aviation law to require a background check of alien flight school applicants without regard to the maximum certificated weight of the aircraft for which they seek training. (Currently, a background check is required for aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more.) Requires the Secretary of Transportation and the Attorney General to report jointly to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the background check requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2002
Endangered Species Funding Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, to deposit into the Cooperative Endangered Species Fund of the Treasury all amounts necessary to implement and comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002 - Amends federal law to direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program to: (1) deputize volunteer qualified pilots of commercial cargo or passenger aircraft as Federal flight deck officers; and (2) provide training, supervision, and equipment for such officers. Authorizes flight deck officers to carry firearms and to use force, including lethal force, when they judge the security of an aircraft is at risk. Shields air carriers from liability for damages in Federal or State court arising out of the actions or omissions of a flight deck officer defending a plane from criminal violence or air piracy. Shields flight deck officers from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Directs the Under Secretary to prescribe requirements for an air carrier cabin crew training program and its instructors. Shields an air carrier liability for actions or omissions of training instructors or cabin crew in defending an aircraft. Shields training instructors and cabin crew from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Directs the Under Secretary to form an Aviation Crew Self-Defense Division within the Transportation Security Administration to develop and implement the program for training cabin crew members. Directs the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to study and report to Congress on whether possession of a nonlethal weapon by a member of an air carrier's cabin crew would aid the flight deck crew in combating air piracy and criminal violence on commercial airlines.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Calls for Americans to observe a national moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, 2002, for members of the armed forces and civilian national security agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit minors from being employed in door-to-door sales or related support work requiring them to remain away from their permanent residences for more than 24 hours.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2002
National Drought Preparedness Act of 2002 - Establishes the National Drought Council which shall: (1) develop a national drought policy action plan; (2) evaluate Federal drought-related programs; (3) coordinate and prioritize enhancement of the national drought monitoring network; and (4) provide for the development of a drought information delivery system, drought planning models, and drought preparedness plans. Terminates the Council eight years after enactment of this Act. Requires the Director of the National Drought Council to establish the National Office of Drought Preparedness. Establishes within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the Drought Assistance Fund, which shall be used to: (1) assist State, local, tribal, and critical service entities with drought-related activities; and (2) expand the technology transfer of drought and water conservation strategies. Requires: (1) the Director to publish guidelines for administering a national technical and financial drought assistance program; and (2) the Director, the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, and the Army, and other appropriate Federal agency heads to implement integrated drought preparedness plans. Authorizes States, Indian tribes, local governments, and regional, water providers to develop and implement drought preparedness plans. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the Director of FEMA to reimburse States for qualifying costs incurred in prepositioning wildfire suppression resources.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs; and (2) submit to Congress and the President a plan with recommendations of the agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated and proposed implementing legislation. Sets forth provisions governing congressional consideration of such legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2002
Directs the Secretary of State to establish certain journalism, library, English language teaching, sister city partnership, youth ambassador, J. William Fulbright Education Exchange Program, and Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship initiatives with countries with predominantly Muslim populations as part of the Department of State's educational and cultural exchange programs. Directs the Secretary of State to establish and maintain a database listing all American and foreign alumni of such program initiatives in order to encourage networking, interaction, and communication with alumni. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on implementation of certain provisions of the Human Rights, Refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions Act of 1996 directing the Director of the U.S. Information Agency to take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation of human rights and democracy leaders in educational and cultural exchange programs in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy (including but not limited to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tibet, and Burma).
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2002
National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2002 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a pilot program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small businesses through participating Small Business Development Centers (Centers), the Association for Small Business Development Centers (Association), and Federal compliance partnership programs. Requires the Administrator to enter into arrangements with participating Centers to provide: (1) access to regulatory information and resources; (2) training and education activities; (3) confidential counseling to owners and operators of small businesses regarding compliance with Federal regulations; and (4) technical assistance. Directs the Administrator to act as the repository of and clearinghouse for data and information submitted by Centers. Requires the Administrator, giving substantial weight to the Association's recommendations, to select the Center programs of two States from each of ten groups of States for participation in the pilot program. Provides privacy requirements applicable to Centers, a consortium of Centers, or any Center contractor or agent with respect to regulatory compliance assistance provided to small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
Broadband Regulatory Parity Act of 2002 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations to ensure that: (1) all broadband services and broadband access services are subject to the same regulatory requirements (or no such requirements); (2) all providers of such services are subject to the same regulatory requirements with respect to such services and the facilities and equipment used to provide such services; and (3) the above requirements are met without increasing current regulatory requirements with respect to such services, facilities, or equipment. Prohibits such services and related facilities and equipment from being subject to the jurisdiction of any State. Requires each incumbent local exchange carrier to provide all Internet service providers with the telecommunications necessary for the provision of broadband access service to subscribers at just and reasonable rates.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a deduction from adjusted gross income of up to $500, whether a taxpayer itemizes or not, for certain expenses in connection with the determination, collection, or refund of any tax.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Amends the Organic Act establishing the Department of Commerce to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain a list of each person that notifies the Secretary that it is a manufacturer or seller that is: (1) licensed to engage in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm (including antique firearm) or ammunition product; or (2) is a trade association representing such manufacturers or sellers. Declares that any lawful conduct carried out by a manufacturer or seller in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product, or lawful conduct carried out by a trade association in the course of representing such manufacturers or sellers, shall not be the basis for imposing a restriction on such commerce (the award of civil damages, equitable relief, or any other specified limitation) as a result of harm caused by the criminal or other unlawful misuse of such firearm or ammunition product by any other person.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2002
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 respecting livestock producer-packer forward contracts to: (1) require the inclusion of fixed dollar amount base pricing and public bidding; (2) prohibit formula pricing; (3) limit individual contract size; and (4) exclude from the definition of "formula price" futures-based prices and base adjustments resulting from factors outside packer control.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) limit the plaintiff's attorney fees in connection with the settlement or adjudication of a civil action brought to curtail the sale or availability of firearms for legal purposes to the lesser of $150 per hour plus actual expenses or ten percent of the amount that the plaintiff receives; and (2) require the plaintiff to reimburse the defendant for reasonable attorney's fees and court costs if the court finds that the defendant is not wholly or primarily liable, unless special circumstances make such reimbursement unjust. Defines such action as one brought against a firearms manufacturer, importer, or dealer seeking damages in excess of $1 million or 50 percent of the defendant's net assets and seeking to hold such defendant liable for damages caused by the unlawful or tortious use of a firearm by a person not employed by or affiliated with the defendant. Makes any court decision that the Constitution does not confer on Congress the power to enact this Act directly appealable to the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit health discrimination on the basis of genetic information or services. Defines genetic information as genetic tests of an individual or family member or occurrence of a disease or disorder in family members used to predict risk of disease in asymptomatic or undiagnosed individuals. Defines genetic services as health services provided for genetic education and counseling. Prohibits group health plans or health insurers offering group coverage from using genetic information to impose enrollment restrictions or adjust group premiums. Prohibits requests for genetic testing or results except as necessary for treatment, payment, or health care operations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit such discrimination in coverage offered in the individual market. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue final regulations, coordinating with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor through an interagency memorandum of understanding. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate against an individual or deprive such individual of employment opportunities because of genetic information. Prohibits the collection of genetic information except where necessary to monitor the effects of toxic substances in the workplace when authorized by the employee, or as required by law. Requires genetic information to be treated as part of an individual's confidential medical record, limiting disclosure to the individual, the family, health researchers, or as required by law or court order. Grants enforcement powers to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Pension Security Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require individual account plans, including those with cash or deferred arrangements under IRC section 401(k), to furnish quarterly pension benefit statements to plan participants and beneficiaries with rights to direct investments. Requires individual account plan administrators to give 30 days notice (except in specified circumstances) to plan participants and beneficiaries before a period (lockdown, blackout) in which their ability to divest or diversify assets control over their account assets will be limited. Provides that, during such lockdown periods, employers are not exempt from liability for failing in fiduciary duty with respect to individual account plan investments; but states that this loss of exemption from liability is not triggered by any limitations or restrictions on employee ability to divest or diversify assets, if such limitations or restrictions are disclosed to participants and beneficiaries through summary plan description or materials describing specific investment alternatives under the plan. Amends ERISA and IRC to prohibit individual account plans from acquiring or holding employer securities with respect to which there is any restriction on divestment by a participant or beneficiary after the participant has completed three years of plan participation. Exempts employee stock ownership plans (ESOPS) from this prohibition. Allows ERISA prohibited transaction exemptions under specified conditions to: (1) a fiduciary adviser's providing certain investment advice to an employee benefit plan or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan; (2) sale, acquisition, or holding of securities or other property (including any lending of money or other extension of credit associated with these) pursuant to such advice; and (3) direct or indirect receipt of fees or other compensation by the fiduciary adviser or an affiliate in connection with providing such advice. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit certain insider trading during pension plan transaction suspension periods.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2002
Designates March 2, 2002, as Read Across America Day. Honors Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) for his success in encouraging children to discover the joy of reading. Encourages parents to read with their children for at least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss and in celebration of reading.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish an interagency task force on organ donation and research; (2) award grants to carry out studies and demonstration projects to increase organ donation and recovery rates; (3) establish a public education program; and (4) support model curricula to train health care and other professionals in issues surrounding organ donation. Requires the President's Council on Bioethics to evaluate and report to the Secretary on the ethical implications of reducing economic barriers to organ donation. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants: (1) to qualified organ procurement organizations to establish programs to coordinate their efforts with hospitals; and (2) for reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses incurred by individuals toward making living organ donations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to: (1) develop scientific evidence supporting increased donation and improved recovery, preservation, and transportation of donated organs and tissues; and (2) support efforts to develop a uniform clinical vocabulary and technology and to enhance the skills of the organ procurement workforce. Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to evaluate: (1) existing organ donation practices; and (2) living donation practices and procedures. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) an advisory committee to study and report to Congress on existing organ donor registries; and (2) and maintain a registry of living organ donors.
![Official portrait of Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000285_200.jpg)