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United States · Official source
4,936 records where Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend, through December 31, 2005, the suspension of duty on cobalt boron.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend, through December 31, 2005, the suspension of duty on ferroboron.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
National Defense Rail Act - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak security assistance. Requires studies or assessments of: (1) foreign rail transport security programs; (2) the feasibility of passenger, baggage, and cargo screening; (3) existing rail safety regulations; (4) security priorities; and (5) rail crossing delay security issues. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a national high-speed ground transportation policy; and (2) provide 100 percent financial assistance to develop and implement high-speed rail corridors according to designated priorities, including the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings. Requires such projects to comply with specified labor standards, including the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act. Defines the national rail passenger transportation system. Authorizes Amtrak to operate an intercity rail service or route not included in such system, as specified. Authorizes additional appropriations for Amtrak for principal and interest, and environmental and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance. Repeals the requirement that Amtrak be self-sufficient. Authorizes appropriations for the Northeast Corridor, long and short distance trains, and State-supported routes. Directs the Secretary to re-establish the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee. Revises requirements concerning the Amtrak board of directors. Requires an independent audit of Amtrak operations. Revises requirements of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 concerning loans and loan guarantees. Directs the Secretary to establish a rail passenger cooperative research program, including an advisory board.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2002
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United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2002
Designates March 25, 2002, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue a certificate of documentation for employment in the coastwise trade for the vessel THE ISLANDER.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Safe and Fair Deposit Insurance Act of 2002 - Mandates that the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund be merged into the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) established by this Act. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to establish the DIF. Mandates that all assessments against insured depository institutions by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) be deposited into the DIF. Authorizes the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to borrow from the Federal home loan banks funds necessary for DIF use. Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2002 - Amends the FDIA to: (1) prohibit an undercapitalized insured depository institution from accepting employee benefit plan deposits; (2) increase the amount of Federal insurance coverage (including an inflation adjustment); and (3) include retirement accounts and municipal deposits within such coverage. Requires the FDIC Board of Directors, before the beginning of each calendar year, to designate the reserve ratio applicable to the DIF. Prohibits the Board from modifying its information collection requirements if such modification is done solely to change assessment risk classifications and results in placing greater regulatory or reporting burdens upon an insured depository institution. Allows credits based upon past contributions to the DIF.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2002
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2002 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether such screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
National Fuel Savings and Security Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal law to revise provisions concerning fuel economy to require that the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall prescribe annual fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks starting in model year 2005. Dictates that by 2013, there shall be an average combined fuel economy standard for such cars and trucks of at least 35 miles per gallon. Sets minimum annual fuel economy standards that manufacturers of cars and trucks must meet and levels they must reach by 2010. Allows States to permit vehicles occupied by one person to use HOV lanes if a vehicle is a hybrid or runs totally on alternative fuel. Directs the Secretary, with technical assistance from the Administrator, to devise a system in which manufacturers can sell credits earned for cars and trucks exceeding fuel economy standards. Requires that trucks, as well as cars, display a label with environmental information such as fuel economy and annual fuel cost. Requires manufacturers to add a logo to the existing label or to add a separate green label detailing a vehicle's performance in meeting criteria developed by the Administrator on fuel economy and greenhouse gas and other emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2003, the duty on certain extruders, castings, TDO tenters, transport/winders, and slitters (certain manufacturing equipment).
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2002
Recognizes that America has lost one of its most dedicated and hardest working advocates for adoption, and honors Rex David "Dave" Thomas in his devotion to family, life, and business. Expresses the Senate's deep and heartfelt condolences to the family of Dave Thomas on their loss.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Establishes a National Commission on Terrorist Acts Upon the United States. Directs the Commission to: (1) investigate facts and circumstances relating to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; and (2) evaluate lessons learned from the such attacks regarding the Federal Government's abilities to detect, prevent and respond to such attacks. Empowers the Commission to hold hearings, collect relevant materials and subpoena witnesses.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Establishes that an individual held hostage by Iran during the time period between November 4, 1979, and January 20, 1981, or an immediate relative of such a person may sue the Government of Iran for having been taken hostage or for the following results of the hostage taking: (1) death; (2) disability; and (3) other injury, including pain and suffering and financial loss. Directs that no United States court shall decline to hear or to determine on its merits a case brought against Iran seeking claims for the above reasons.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Expedited Remedy for Persistent Dumping Act of 2001 - Revises federal tariff law provisions concerning monitoring cases of suspected persistent dumping to: (1) provide for an expedited antidumping investigation of merchandise from an additional supplier country if the Commerce Department discerns imports of merchandise from the additional supplier country have increased by 15 percent or more during a period of 90 days or longer; and (2) establish Department Commerce and International Trade Commission procedures and deadlines for making determinations as to whether or not dumping and injury have occurred. Adds specific conditions for reducing the price used to establish export price or "constructed export price," meaning the amount at which the merchandise is first sold or agreed to be sold in the United States by or for the producer or exporter.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2001
Airport Security Personnel Protection Act - Amends the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to establish a special rule granting transitional employment eligibility, upon a specified certification by the Attorney General, to qualified lawful permanent resident alien airport security screeners until their naturalization process is completed. Directs the Attorney General to expedite the naturalization process for such screeners.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2001
White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should establish the White House Commission on National Military Appreciation Month to make recommendations to the President on the proclamation of National Military Appreciation Month to be celebrated in May of each year; and (2) any such Commission should be composed of specified members. Expresses the sense of Congress that if such Commission is established, the President should also establish the Spirit of America Alliance to assist the Commission: (1) in the planning, organization, and conduct of an annual White House Conference on National Military Appreciation and other similar events; (2) in the promotion of the observance of such Month and other military commemorative events through appropriate means, subject to any guidelines developed by the Commission; (3) in the establishment of necessary incentives for Federal, State, and local governments and private sector entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or the Alliance; (4) in the evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts by the Commission and the Alliance in carrying out this Act; and (5) by the performance of any other related duties that are assigned by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Energy Policy Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Power Act to set forth an energy delivery and production scheme that includes: (1) electric reliability standards; (2) electric utility mergers; (3) market-based rates; (4) transmission interconnections; and (5) open access transmission. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2002 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) adopt real-time pricing standards; (2) terminate mandatory cogeneration and small power production purchase and sale requirements; and (3) mandate net metering service. Provides for renewable energy and rural construction grants. Sets forth alternative mandatory conditions for hydroelectric relicensing on Federal reservation lands. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish within the Department of Energy (DOE) an Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2002 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to provide permanent DOE contractor indemnification authority and to revise liability limits. Prescribes guidelines for domestic oil production and transportation, including Federal onshore oil and gas leasing programs, and full capacity for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2002 - Prescribes guidelines for expedited approval, construction, and Federal loan guarantees for Alaska natural gas transportation and delivery systems into the contiguous United States. Amends Federal transportation law to mandate increased Federal fleet vehicle fuel efficiency. Establishes the National Motor Vehicle Efficiency Improvement Program to provide assistance for State programs to retire fuel-inefficient motor vehicles. Prescribes guidelines for increased use of alternative and renewable fuels. Federal Reformulated Fuels Act of 2002 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to permit the use of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MBTE) remediation purposes. Amends the Clean Air Act to revise guidelines pertaining to: (1) water quality protection from fuels; (2) oxygen content requirements for reformulated gasoline; and (3) public health and environmental impacts of fuels and fuel additives. Provides increased funding for: (1) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance; (2) weatherization assistance; and (3) State energy conservation plans. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to: (1) revise energy performance and management requirements for Federal buildings; and (2) mandate procurement of energy efficient products. Establishes the Federal Energy Bank to make loans to assist Federal agency implementation of energy conservation measures in Federal buildings. Amends Federal housing laws to provide further support for energy efficient, affordable housing, including: (1) FHA mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing; and (2) grants for energy-conserving improvements for assisted housing. Climate Change Strategy and Technology Innovation Act of 2002 - Establishes the National Office of Climate Change Response within the Executive Office of the President. Establishes related bodies, including: (1) the Office of Climate Change Technology in DOE to manage an energy technology research and development program that directly supports the Strategy; and (2) the United States Climate Change Response Strategy Review Board. Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to establish the National Greenhouse Gas Database. Establishes the Interagency Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Database as an advisory body. Energy Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2002 - Sets forth a national energy research, development, demonstration, and technology deployment program that operates as an integral part of the national climate change strategy in partnership with industry, the national laboratories, and institutions of higher learning. Includes within such program: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) fossil energy; (4) nuclear energy; (5) fundamental energy science; and (6) critical energy infrastructure protection research and development. Establishes: (1) a Clean Energy Technology Exports Program to focus upon transferring clean energy technology to countries expected to experience the most significant growth in energy production and associated greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years; (2) an International Energy Technology Deployment Program to construct an energy production facility outside the United States to implement specified greenhouse gas reduction; and (3) in the Office of Science and Technology Policy an integrated program for the global change research program. Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) submit to Congress a plan of action for a National Climate Service under the National Climate Program; and (2) initiate a program to develop innovative standards and measurement technologies to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Mandates establishment of: (1) an integrated ocean and coastal observing system; (2) a global climate change standards and processes research program within the National Institute of Standards and Technology; (3) a National Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Program for regional impacts related to increased greenhouse gas concentrations; (4) a NASA pilot project exploration of remote sensing and other geospatial information in order to forecast a plan for adaptation to coastal zone and land use changes. Instructs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish national energy research and development advisory boards to exercise external technical review of DOE research and development programs. Creates a coordination and management framework within DOE for civilian science and technology programs, including: (1) an Under Secretary for Energy and Science to serve as the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary and monitor the DOE research and development programs; (2) an Assistant Secretary of Science for fundamental DOE science and engineering research functions, including policy and management; (3) a Technology Transfer Coordinator; (4) a Technology Partnership Working Group; (5) a Technology Transfer Infrastructure Program; and (6) appointment of a small business advocate in connection with each National Laboratory. Authorizes the Secretary to establish security enhancement programs for critical energy infrastructure. Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Energy Infrastructure Security Program to: (1) provide financial assistance for State security plans against threats to critical OCS energy infrastructure facilities; and (2) support public service or transportation activities needed to maintain the safety and operation of critical energy infrastructure activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2001
Hazmat Endorsement Requirements Act - Amends the Federal transportation code, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act, with respect to hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation. Requires States to: (1) implement a program of background records checks for operators of commercial motor vehicles transporting a hazardous material; and (2) deny a hazmat endorsement for the license of any commercial driver unless the Secretary of Transportation has determined that the individual does not pose a security risk warranting such denial. Prohibits individuals from operating a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials without a proper hazmat endorsement or license. Prescribes criminal penalties for the fraudulent issuance, renewal, upgrade, or transfer of a commercial driver's license or endorsement. Directs the Secretary to assess the security risks associated with motor carrier transportation and develop prioritized recommendations for improving the security of hazmat shipments by motor carriers, among other things. Requires the Secretary to research and test the feasibility, costs, and benefits of requiring motor carriers transporting certain hazardous materials to install ignition or engine locking devices, silent alarms, satellite technology, or other mechanisms to increase security.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2001
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 - Directs the Attorney General to waive Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel limits. Authorizes appropriations for INS, Border Patrol, United States Customs Service, and consular personnel, training, facilities, and security-related technology. Provides for machine-readable visa fees. Directs U.S. law enforcement and intelligence entities to share alien admissibility- and deportation-related information with INS and the Department of State. Directs the President to develop and implement an interoperable law enforcement and intelligence data system (with name-matching and linguistic capacity) for visa, admissibility, or deportation determination purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) to require a consular officer issuing a visa to provide INS with an electronic version of the alien's visa file prior to the alien's U.S. entry. Sets forth technology standard and interoperability requirements respecting development and implementation of the integrated entry and exit data system and related tamper-resistant, machine-readable documents containing biometric identifiers. Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to: (1) establish a Terrorist Lookout Committee at each U.S. mission in which there is a consular post; and (2) provide consular staff with visa screening training. Prohibits the admission of an alien from a country designated to be a state sponsor of terrorism until a determination has been made that such individual does not pose a risk to the United States. Conditions participation in the visa waiver program upon a country's timely reporting to the United States of its stolen blank passports. Requires the Attorney General to enter stolen passport identification numbers into the interoperable data system.. Directs the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Commissioner of INS to study the feasibility of establishing a North American Perimeter National Security Program (United States, Canada, Mexico), including consideration of alien preclearance and preinspection. Amends the Act to require commercial aircraft or vessels arriving at, or departing from, the United States to provide immigration officers with specified passenger and crew manifest information. Authorizes such provisions' extension to land carriers. Requires electronic manifest transmission by a specified date. Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act to revise and specify vessel prearrival message requirements. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to direct the Attorney General to develop an electronic means of verifying and monitoring the foreign student information program, including aspects of documentation and visas issuance, and registration and enrollment. Increases student data requirements. Specifies information required for foreign student visa applications. Sets forth transitional monitoring requirements, including a requirement that an educational institution report student failure to enroll information to INS. Provides for INS and Department of State review of institutions authorized to enroll foreign students and exchange visitors. Amends Federal law to treat INS immigration inspectors as law enforcement officers for Federal retirement purposes. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to extend the deadline for presentation of biometric border crossing identification cards. Directs: (1) the Comptroller General to determine the feasibility of requiring each nonimmigrant alien to report annually to INS respecting his or her address and employer's address; and (2) the Secretary and INS to study alternative approaches to international electronic data cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
National Terrorism Reinsurance Fund Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish: (1) a reinsurance program for participating insurers for losses due to acts of terrorism; (2) a National Terrorism Reinsurance Fund (including minimum underwriting standards for participating insurers); and (3) a special committee to monitor terrorism insurance rates. Prescribes guidelines under which the Fund shall provide reinsurance for losses resulting from acts of terrorism covered by reinsurance contracts between the Fund and participating insurers. Requires the Secretary to determine if a loss is attributable to terrorism. Mandates: (1) coverage by property and casualty insurers for acts of terrorism; and (2) State credit for reinsurance obtained by an insurer from the Fund. Exempts the Fund from State, Federal and local taxes; and State laws pertaining to the insurance industry (other than State unfair trade practice laws).
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Delays until at least January 1, 2003, any changes in Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) regulations that modify the Medicaid upper payment limit for services of non-State government-owned or operated hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Medicare Appeals, Regulatory, and Contracting Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) timelines for publication of final regulations and compliance with substantive changes after notice; (2) timeframes for the completion of the record in the appeals process; (3) contracts with Medicare administrative contractors for determining payment amounts, making payments, and providing certain provider services; (4) coordination of funding for education of service providers; and (5) standardization of random prepayment review and recovery of overpayments from Medicare administrative contractors. Grants a one-year delay in the lock-in procedures for Medicare+Choice plans under SSA title XVIII part C. Provides a temporary moratorium on the requirement that home health agencies collect Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data from non-Medicare patients.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments with a factor that more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Global Climate Change Act of 2001 - Provides for establishment of a number of new Government entities, including: (1) a National Office of Climate Change Action and an integrated program office for the global change research program within the Office of Science and Technology Policy; (2) an interagency climate change action task force to develop a national strategy for, among other things, substantially reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and promoting energy efficiency research and development; and (3) a Science and Technology Assessment Service in the legislative branch. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a comprehensive measurement and verification system for greenhouse gas emissions. Requires the task force to initiate a mandatory emissions reporting system for the industrial, energy-producing, and transportation sectors. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) establish an atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring and verification program; (2) conduct research on climate variability in the Asia-Pacific sector; (3) initiate a program for development of innovative greenhouse gas standards and measurement technologies; (4) establish a technology transfer program for emissions reduction and energy efficiency technologies; and (5) conduct regional coastal vulnerability assessments, develop a national coastal adaptation plan, and provide financial assistance. Amends the National Climate Program Act to, among other things: (1) include in the program methods to guide decision making on land use, water hazards, and related issues; (2) extend funding; and (3) require submission to Congress of a plan of action. Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize the Secretary to perform research to develop standards and technology enabling reduced production in the United States of greenhouse gases associated with global warming. Requires the Director to establish a program of research on global climate change standards and processes. Authorizes the Director to: (1) hold a portion of competitions in areas designed to develop and commercialize technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) develop a program to support "green" manufacturing technologies, emphasizing energy efficiency of electric motors. Directs the President to: (1) establish within the Department of Commerce a National Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation Program to address regional impacts; and (2) establish and maintain an integrated ocean and coastal observing system. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish a program to explore the use of geospatial information to address governmental needs to forecast a coastal zone adaptation plan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2001
See summary of: S. 1588
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) make full use of diplomatic and other appropriate mechanisms to ensure member compliance with International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) conservation measures and quotas; (2) press for improved monitoring, recording, and reporting of harvesting and compliance information by contracting and non-contracting nations to ICCAT; (3) identify nations that engage in actions, including illegal fishing, that diminish the fishery conservation program; and (4) encourage adoption of recommendations authorizing the use of enforceable measures to prevent such nations from taking actions that would undermine the effectiveness of conservation and management recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Foreign Government Ownership Act of 2001 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any broadcast license, permit, or operating authority from being granted to or held by a corporation, joint venture, partnership, other business organization, trust, or other entity controlled by a foreign government or its representatives. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from waiving the application of such prohibition. Sets forth: (1) tests for determining foreign control; and (2) enforcement mechanisms, including revocation and reassignment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Hazardous Material Transportation Safety Reauthorization Act of 2001 - Amends Federal transportation law to subject the transportation of infectious substances to the Secretary of Transportation's general regulatory authority. Exempts owner-authorized action from the prohibition against tampering with the labeling of hazardous materials. Repeals current law regarding: (1) inspections of motor vehicles transporting highly radioactive material; (2) the Secretary's authority to prescribe criteria for handling hazardous material; (3) the requirement for Federal motor carrier safety permits; (4) the requirement that certain rail tank cars comply with specified air brake equipment support attachment standards; and (5) the mandate for 30 hazardous material safety inspectors more than the total authorized for FY 1990. Revises current law with respect to: (1) hazardous material (hazmat) employee training requirements and grants; (2) hazmat transporter registration; (3) three-year retention of shipping papers; (4) unsatisfactory safety ratings; (5) the public sector training curriculum; (6) exclusive monitoring by the Secretary of public-sector hazmat emergency response planning and training; (7) establishment of an Emergency Preparedness Fund account in the Treasury for planning and training grants; (8) special permits and exclusions; (9) exclusive authority of the Secretary to establish uniform forms and procedures for a State to register and issue permits; (10) general requirements for inspections, investigations, and emergency orders; and (11) increased civil penalties and criminal penalties for aggravated and willful offenses. Authorizes appropriations. Amends Federal postal service law to make hazardous material nonmailable and subject to specified civil penalties if mailed.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2001
Historically Women's Public Colleges or Universities Historic Building Restoration and Preservation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to award grants to historically women's public colleges or universities for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and structures on their campuses. Specifies eight institutions to receive such grants in FY 2002 through 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Water Infrastructure Security and Research Development Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program of grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, research institutions to improve the protection and security of public water supply systems by: (1) carrying out eligible projects concerning technologies and processes that address physical and cyber threats to water supply systems (including projects for security assessment; protection from potential threats; development of technologies and processes for addressing biological, chemical, and radiological contamination; implementation of a specified Presidential Decision Directive regarding information sharing; and technology evaluation); (2) improving information sharing and analysis efforts among research institutions; and (3) providing technical assistance and training to such institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Port Threat and Security Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to report to specified congressional committees: (1) a list of all nations whose flag vessels have entered U.S. ports in the previous year, and of those nations, a separate list of nations whose registered flag vessels appear as Priority III or higher on the Boarding Priority Matrix, that have presented certain false vessel-related information to the United States, or whose laws or regulations are not sufficient to allow tracking of ownership and registration histories of registered flag vessels; (2) on actions taken by the United States to improve transparency and security of vessel registration procedures in nations that have been listed; and (3) on recommendations for legislative or other actions needed to improve security of U.S. ports against potential threats posed by flag vessels of such nations. Establishes a program to place sea marshals on vessels entering U.S. ports that have been identified as posing a potential target of attack or because of their location may pose a risk to residential or other densely populated areas. Directs the Secretary to assess the effectiveness of security measures maintained at foreign seaports that serve U.S. vessels, from which foreign vessels serve the United States, or that pose a high risk of introducing danger to international sea travel. Sets forth certain actions the Secretary must take against seaports that do not maintain effective security measures. Imposes a user fee on cruise vessels that arrive at a U.S. port from a foreign port.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2001
Provides a one year extension for providers, State health programs, health plans, and others to implement the administrative simplification standards for electronic transactions and code sets required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Differentiates these electronic transaction and code set requirements from the medical privacy regulations under HIPAA which remain unaffected.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2001
General Aviation Small Business Assistance Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration to make grants to general aviation small business concerns in amounts equal to direct and incremental losses (not compensated for by insurance or otherwise) sustained between September 11 and December 31, 2001, as a result of any Federal ground stop order(s) related to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2001
Rail Security Act of 2001 - Authorizes emergency appropriations to Amtrak for: (1) systemwide security upgrades, including reimbursement of extraordinary security-related costs incurred by it since September 11, 2001, such as the hiring and training of additional police officers, canine-assisted security units, and surveillance equipment; (2) completion of New York tunnel life safety projects and rehabilitation of tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland; and (3) increased accessibility of Penn Station, New York City, for safety and emergency response situations, renovations to the Thames and Niantic Bridges in Connecticut, and improved safety operations through an advanced civil speed enforcement system radio system in high-speed territory. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from making such amounts available to Amtrak until a plan has been submitted to the Secretary for approval. Directs the Secretary, as necessary, to prescribe regulations and issue orders for every area of railroad safety, including the security of railroad operations. Directs the Secretary to review existing Department of Transportation rail regulations to identify areas in which they need to be revised to improve rail safety and security. Directs the Secretary to assess the security risks associated with rail transportation and develop prioritized recommendations for: (1) improving the security of rail tunnels, rail bridges, rail switching areas, and other areas identified as posing significant rail-related risks to public safety and the movement of interstate commerce; and (2) dealing with the immediate and long-term economic impact of measures that may be required to address such risks.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Railroad Advancement and Infrastructure Law for the 21st Century - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for FY 2003 to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak capital expenditures, operating expenses, and certain mandatory payments. Repeals certain Amtrak self-sufficiency requirements terminating Federal operating grant funds (Government subsidies) to Amtrak. Authorizes emergency appropriations for specified Amtrak activities. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to change from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary to provide direct loans and loan guarantees for railroad rehabilitation and improvement projects to State and local governments, certain interstate compacts, government sponsored authorities, and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad. Includes the acquisition, improvement, or rehabilitation of rail safety and security equipment and facilities as an eligible project for such financing. Increases the aggregate amount: (1) of direct loans and loan guarantees made at any one time for such projects; and (2) for projects primarily benefitting non-class I freight railroad carriers. Sets forth additional requirements with respect to cohorts of such direct loans and loan guarantees (involving commitment from non-Federal sources), and applications for them. Establishes a program of capital grants to class II and III railroads to rehabilitate, preserve, or improve railroad track used primarily for freight transportation to a standard to ensure that it can be operated safely and efficiently and accommodate 286,000 pound rail cars. Sets forth certain grant and project requirements. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2009 for certain designated High-Speed Rail Corridor projects.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2001
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of Honorable Mike Mansfield, formerly a Senator from Montana.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
American Small Business Emergency Relief and Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to a small business concern that has been directly affected and suffered or is likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including injury due to closure or suspension of its business for national security purposes by the Federal Government. Authorizes the SBA, during the year after enactment of this Act, to make loans to small business concerns that have suffered or are likely to suffer economic harm to or disruption of operations as a result such attacks. Waives guarantee fees and increases the guarantee percentage on such loans for one year after the enactment of this Act. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to: (1) waive development company debenture guarantee loan fees for financings made after enactment of this Act for one year; and (2) authorize small business investment companies to issue leverage to assist small business concerns adversely impacted by the terrorist attacks. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize special, individualized assistance to small business concerns adversely impacted by the terrorist attacks through the following programs; (1) small business development centers; (2) Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); (3) microloan program (women, low-income, veterans, minority); and (4) women's business center program. Directs the Office of Advocacy of the SBA to conduct annual studies on the impact of the events of September 11, 2001, on small business concerns, and the effects of assistance provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2001
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. (posthumously) and his widow Coretta Scott King in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2001
Designates October 19, 2001, as National Mammography Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Aviation Security Act - Amends Federal transportation law to establish within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a Deputy Administrator for Aviation Security who shall be responsible for aviation-related security at all U.S. airports and air navigation facilities involved in interstate or intrastate air transportation by civil aircraft. Establishes the Aviation Security Coordination Council, which shall, among other things, coordinate intelligence, security, and criminal enforcement activities affecting the safety and security of aviation at all U.S. airports and air navigation facilities involved in interstate or intrastate air transportation by public aircraft. Sets forth requirements to: (1) prohibit access to the flight deck (cockpit) of commercial aircraft by any person other than a flight deck crew member; (2) require the strengthening of the cockpit door and locks to prevent entry into such area by non-flight deck crew members (including requiring commuter aircraft that do not have doors to get doors to prevent public access to the cockpit area); (3) provide for random deployment of Federal marshals on domestic commercial air passenger flights and all international flights on U.S. carriers into or out of the United States (including requirements for background and fitness checks and training); (4) federalize airport security operations by deploying law enforcement personnel at each airport (including armed personnel at airport security screening locations of the 100 largest airports); (5) train flight crews in anti-hijacking procedures; (6) make the FAA responsible for screening of air passengers and property boarding each aircraft; (7) establish a program to hire and train airport security screening personnel; (8) require criminal background checks of heavy plane flight training applicants; and (9) collect a $1 per-one-way revenue passenger user (security) fee from commercial air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Displaced Workers Assistance Act - Authorizes certain groups of workers who have become totally or partially separated (or threatened with total or partial separation) from employment with the airline industry as a result of reductions in service by an air carrier or closure of an airport due to a terrorist action or security measures to petition the Secretary of Labor for a certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance (similar to trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974). Provides certain benefits (employment services, job training, and readjustment allowances) to eligible workers meeting certain eligibility requirements. Provides eligible workers who do not meet certain requirements for State unemployment compensation with a limited readjustment allowance under this Act. Provides for payment of premiums for COBRA health care continuation coverage of eligible workers. Authorizes a State to elect to provide medical assistance under its Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for eligible workers who are not eligible for COBRA health care continuation coverage, and who are uninsured.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2001
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 · 19 September 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) because of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the limit on the number of Public Safety Officer Medals of Valor should be waived and a medal should be awarded under the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001 to any officer who was killed in the line of duty; and (2) the Medal of Valor Review Board should give strong consideration to the acts of bravery by other officers in responding to these events.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001
Condemns the terrorists who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, as well as their sponsors. Extends condolences to the victims and their families and commends the heroic actions of the rescue workers, volunteers, and State and local officials who responded. Declares that the United States is entitled under international law to respond to these attacks. Expresses: (1) thanks to those foreign leaders and individuals who have expressed solidarity with the United States in the aftermath of the attacks and asks them to continue to stand with the United States in the war against international terrorism; (2) a commitment to support increased resources in the war to eradicate terrorism; and (3) support for the determination of the President to bring to justice and punish the perpetrators of these attacks and their sponsors. Declares September 12, 2001, to be a National Day of Unity and Mourning.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001
Designates the month of October 2001 as Family History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001
Designates the week beginning September 16, 2001, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2001
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the annual Medicare outpatient caps on certain physical therapy services and on certain occupational therapy services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2001
Telecommunications Fair Competition Enforcement Act of 2001 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to provide shared jurisdiction by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or a State over: (1) a complaint alleging a violation of the Act by a bell operating company (BOC); or (2) an action to enforce compliance by a BOC or its affiliate with an interconnection agreement. Provides for the expedited consideration (within 90 days) of BOC interconnection, interLATA (local access and transport area), and separate affiliate complaints and enforcement actions. Authorizes a party to an interconnection agreement between a telecommunications carrier and a local exchange carrier to submit a dispute to alternative dispute resolution at the FCC or State level. Directs the FCC to issue final rules to ensure the prompt and verifiable implementation of such interconnection agreements. Provides additional forfeitures and damages for violations by telecommunications carriers, local exchange carriers, and BOCs, allowing such forfeitures to be increased threefold for repeat violations. Increases from one to three years the statute of limitations with respect to violations and forfeitures. Authorizes a State commission to apply to the FCC to impose forfeitures for violations. Provides for the separation of retail and wholesale functions of BOCs. Provides a Code of Conduct for the provision of retail service by a BOC. Requires the separation of retail affiliates within two years and the structural separation of business functions of retail affiliates. Requires a BOC to obtain a joint Federal/State audit to determine compliance with the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2001
Rare Diseases Act of 2001 - Amends the Pubic Health Service Act to: (1) establish an Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institutes of Health; and (2) provide for rare disease regional centers of excellence. Sets forth the duties of such Office and regional centers, including research and educational duties. Defines rare disease as any disease or condition affecting less than 200,000 persons in the United States. Amends the Orphan Drug Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2002 for grants and contracts for the development of drugs for rare diseases and conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2001
North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to institute a North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Program; and (2) develop cooperative agreements to support State agency involvement in such whale recovery programs. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) identify and institute demonstration projects to reduce mortality of such whales caused by ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear; and (2) develop a program by January 2003 to prevent such ship strikes through use of a vessel early warning system and a coordinated vessel management system; and (3) ensure Federal agency cooperation to meet the needs of the updated North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan. Requires the Secretary to: (1) create a technology program to detect and track such whales in critical habitat and along their migration routes during FY 2002 and 2003; and (2) incorporate specified data into a geographic information system for analysis of interactions between whales and ships. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to identify any gaps in legislative authority preventing implementation of regulations affecting vessels in U.S. waters necessary to promote recovery of such whales. Authorizes such Secretary to propose regulations for adoption at the International Maritime Organization to further implement recommendations contained within the Recovery Plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) design a right whale research grant program; (2) continue discussions with Canada to coordinate whale programs; and (3) begin discussions with relevant organizations and nations for creating or amending agreements on management measures to reduce fishery interactions and for facilitating collection of information relevant to development of the priority action or recovery plan. Requires a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report on actions and expenditures under the Recovery Plan, incidents of collisions and entanglements, preventive actions, recovery activity litigation, and demonstration project costs.