United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Bipartisan Federal Election Reform Act of 2001 - Establishes the Blue Ribbon Study Panel to study, with respect to Federal elections, methods of: (1) voting and counting votes, of ballot design, of voter registration, of maintaining secure and accurate lists of registered voters, and of ensuring that all registered voters appear on the polling list at the appropriate polling site; (2) provisional voting; (3) ensuring accessibility of voting, registration, polling places, and voting equipment to all voters; (4) registering members of the armed forces and overseas citizens to vote, and ensuring that they timely receive ballots that will be properly and expeditiously handled and counted; (5) recruiting and improving the performance of poll workers; and (6) educating voters. Requires the Panel also to study: (1) Federal and State voting eligibility laws; (2) matters relevant to voting and administering elections in rural and urban areas; and (3) how the Federal Government can assist State and local authorities to improve election administration and what levels of funding would be necessary for such assistance. Requires the Panel to make related recommendations. Establishes the Election Administration Commission to: (1) adopt or modify and periodically update Panel recommendations; (2) issue or adopt updated voting system standards; and (3) perform a variety of other specified duties. Establishes the Federal Election Reform Grant Program under which the Commission may award grants to applicant States and localities to pay the Federal share of costs associated with implementing any recommendation adopted or modified by the Commission. Establishes the Election Administration Advisory Board. Amends the Voting Act concerning maximum access to polls by absent uniformed services and overseas voters to replace the current recommendation imposed upon the States to achieve such maximum access with a requirement that each State, in each Federal election, perform certain tasks.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Designates May 28, 2001, as a special day for recognizing the sacrifice of the members of the armed forces killed in hostile action since the end of the Vietnam War and the sacrifices of their families, in light of the traditional Memorial Day recognition of the U.S. veterans who have given their lives in defense of our Nation. Recognizes that we live in a time of international unrest and that military service in such a time is inherently dangerous and requires the willingness to face the most extreme hazards at unexpected times and places. Acknowledges that the people of the United States owe a debt of gratitude to all members of the armed services who placed themselves in harm's way each day, and to their families.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2001
TANF Supplemental Grants Act of 2001 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to reauthorize and extend the supplemental grant for population increases in certain States under TANF for FY 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2001
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make an otherwise qualifying child eligible for automatic U.S. citizenship if such child is residing abroad in the legal and physical custody of a citizen parent serving in a military or other Government position abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2001
Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2001 - Increases the authorized allowance for burial and funeral expenses for deceased veterans who: (1) at the time of death were in receipt of veterans' disability compensation or veterans' pension benefits; or (2) were veterans of any war or were discharged or released from active military service for a service-connected disability and for whom there is no next of kin or sufficient resources to cover funeral and burial costs. Increases the burial plot allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were receiving hospital or nursing home care in or through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Authorizes the annual adjustment of such allowances based on increases in the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2001
Designates the week of May 20, 2001, designated as National Emergency as Medical Services Week. States that the President should issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate programs and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2001
Southwest Border Port-of-Entry Infrastructure Improvement Act - Directs the Commissioner of Customs to update the Ports of Entry Infrastructure Assessment Study and develop priorities for port-of-entry infrastructure improvement projects in the United States (which may include port-to-Federal-highway connections) along the Southwest border. Establishes in the Department of Transportation the Southwest Border Infrastructure Fund. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants from the Fund to an eligible applicant through the North American Development Bank to pay the U.S. contribution of costs for projects to develop the physical port-of-entry infrastructure along the Southwest border in order to reduce the negative environmental impact, particularly with respect to air, soil, and water quality, associated with cross-border transportation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a site to carry out a port-of-entry technology demonstration program to test and evaluate new port-of-entry technologies, refine them as well as operational concepts, and train personnel under realistic conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2001
National Media Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop, implement, and conduct a national media campaign for the purpose of reducing and preventing underage drinking in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2001
Multimodal Transportation Financing Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for the treatment of qualified highway infrastructure project bonds as exempt facility bonds; (2) exclude mass commuting facilities from the definition of "private activity bond"; (3) modify the definition of high-speed intercity rail facilities; and (4) provide for the treatment of intermodal transfer facilities bonds as exempt facility bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2001
Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to access and choice for small business employers with respect to medical care for their employees. Establishes rules governing association health plans (group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations), including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation, coverage, plan documents, contribution rates, benefit options, applications for certification, notice for voluntary termination, corrective actions, and mandatory termination. Requires association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage to maintain certain reserves and comply with other solvency requirements. Directs the Secretary of Labor to apply for appointment, and carry out specified duties, as trustee of any such insolvent association health plans which provide health benefits in addition to health insurance coverage. Allows a State to impose a contribution tax on any association health plan commencing operations in such State after the enactment of this Act. Requires association health plans to include in their summary plan descriptions, in connection with each benefit option, a description of the form of any solvency or guarantee fund protection secured under ERISA or applicable State law. Revises requirements relating to treatment of: (1) single employer arrangements; and (2) certain collectively bargained arrangements. Sets forth requirements for association health plans with respect to: (1) enforcement; (2) cooperation between Federal and State authorities; and (3) treatment of certain existing health benefit programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2001
American Hospital Preservation Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act, to: (1) increase (restore the full) market basket update for inpatient prospective payment services hospitals; and (2) maintain the indirect medical education adjustment percentage at 6.5 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2001
Expresses relief at the release from detention in the People's Republic of China and safe return of the Whidbey 24 (the crew members of an EP-3 aircraft stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington (State)) and shares in their families' joy. Applauds them for risking their lives to defend our Nation and praises them for their professionalism and bravery. Acknowledges the sacrifices made every day by the members of the Nation's armed forces as they defend and preserve our Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal specified occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine, and beer. Revises recordkeeping requirements for wholesale and retail liquor dealers. Makes it unlawful for any liquor dealer (except one selling beer exclusively) to purchase distilled spirits from any person other than a specified wholesale liquor dealer.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add to the list of 501(c) organizations (tax-exempt organizations) any nonprofit association created before January 1, 1999, by State law and organized and operated exclusively to provide property and casualty insurance coverage for losses occurring due to the effect of natural catastrophic events for property located within the State for which the State has determined that coverage in the authorized insurance market is not reasonably available to a substantial number of insurable real properties.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt State and local candidate committees from specified notification requirements; (2) exempt State and local political committees from specified reporting and annual gross receipts-based return requirements; and (3) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to waive certain related penalties. Directs the Secretary to publicize the effects of the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2001
Retirement Security and Savings Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) with respect to pensions. (All the following are amendments to the Code, except where the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, is mentioned.) Increases: (1) annual dollar Individual Retirement Account (IRA) contribution limits; and (2) benefit and contribution limits, with indexes for inflation. Amends the Code and ERISA to deem certain voluntary employee contributions to accounts and annuities as IRAs rather than pension plans. Provides for tax-free distributions from IRAs for charitable purposes. Modifies adjusted gross income limits for Roth IRAs. Revises requirements relating to: (1) plan loans for subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors; and (2) specified top-heavy rules. Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. Repeals specified coordination requirements for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Revises certain deduction limits for stock bonus and profit sharing trusts and for defined contribution plans. Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as after-tax contributions. Establishes nonrefundable tax credits for elective deferrals and IRA contributions. Establishes refundable tax credits for: (1) qualified pension plan contributions of small employers; and (2) the pension plan startup costs of small employers. Allows individuals age 50 or older to make additional contributions to an applicable employer plan (section 401(k) or similar plan). Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under the Code and ERISA. Revises: (1) minimum distribution rules; and (2) requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. Sets forth provisions: (1) relating to hardship distributions; and (2) for waiver of a tax on nondeductible contributions for domestic or similar workers. Permits, under certain conditions, rollovers: (1) from and to various types of plans; (2) of IRAs into workplace retirement plans; and (3) of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust. Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. Sets forth requirements for treatment of forms of distribution available under transferor and transferee plans under the Code and ERISA. Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. Allows trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. Allows employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out amounts, under retirement plan provisions of the Code. Revises minimum distribution and inclusion requirements for section 457 plans. Repeals, for plan years beginning in 2004 and following years, the current liability full funding limit under the Code and ERISA. Revises maximum contribution deduction rules, and applies them to all defined benefit plans. Allows an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent they exceed the full-funding limitation. Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect the investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Establishes an excise tax for certain prohibited allocations of stock in an S corporation ESOP. Provides for automatic rollovers of certain mandatory distributions. Establishes an excise tax for the failure of a defined benefit plan or an individual account plan (except governmental, church, and other specified plans), subject to minimum funding standards to meet specified notice requirements, under the Code and ERISA, for plan amendments which significantly reduce benefit accruals. Revises Code and ERISA requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. Allows applicable dividends of ESOPs to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify specified regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities. Treats the provision of certain retirement planning services by an employer for an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit to the extent it is not treated as a working condition fringe. Directs the Secretary to provide simplified annual filing requirements for retirement plans with assets below a specified amount, if they cover: (1) one participant (an owner and spouse); or (2) fewer than 25 employees. Directs the Secretary to continue to update and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System, or any successor program. Repeals a multiple use test. Allows certain alternative ways of satisfying nondiscrimination, coverage, and line of business rules. Exempts plans maintained by any governmental entity from certain nondiscrimination rules. Directs the Secretary to modify specified regulations relating to the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Directs the Secretary to study and report on pension coverage and preretirement use of benefits. Revises ERISA provisions relating to: (1) annual report dissemination; (2) the National Summit on Retirement Savings; (3) missing participants; (4) Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) reduction of premiums for new plans of small employers and of additional premiums for new and small plans; (5) PBGC authority to pay interest on premium overpayment refunds; (6) substantial owner benefits in terminated plans; (7) civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility; and (8) benefit suspension notices. Prescribes time requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2001
Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require coverage of colorectal cancer screening according to certain guidelines by a group health plan, a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, and a health insurance issuer in the individual market. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and of Health and Human Services to ensure coordination in the implementation and enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2001
Nurse Reinvestment Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for nurse education training payments to qualified entities. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to temporarily increase the matching rate for Medicaid nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the exclusion from gross income of amounts received under the National Nursing Service Corps Scholarship Program. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop and issue public service announcements that advertise and promote the nursing profession, highlight the advantages and rewards of nursing, and encourage individuals from diverse communities and backgrounds to enter the nursing profession; and (2) award grants to designated eligible educational entities in order to increase the number of nurses. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes a National Nurse Service Corps Scholarship program that provides scholarships to individuals seeking nursing education in exchange for service by such individuals in areas with nursing shortages. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2001
Expresses the Senate's regret at the damage and loss of life occasioned by the accidental collision of a U.S. military EP-3E Aries II reconnaissance aircraft and an F-8 jet fighter from the Air Force of the People's Republic of China. Calls for the Chinese Government to release the crew members of the EP-3E and return the aircraft and its equipment to the United States. Supports the President's continuing efforts to ensure the safe return of the crew and aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2001
Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modify the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) define the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit projects.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2001 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prescribe parameters for block grants to States and territories to implement at their option media campaigns promoting responsible fatherhood. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with a nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization to: (1) develop and distribute a media campaign that addresses the issue of responsible fatherhood to States, local governments, public agencies, and private entities; and (2) develop a national clearinghouse to assist States and community efforts to promote and support responsible fatherhood by disseminating information regarding media campaigns and programs instituted by States using grant funds under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001
Medicare Geographic Adjustment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, with respect to decisions of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board to reclassify a disproportionate share hospital (DSH) for purposes of the adjustment factor used to adjust the diagnostic related statistical group (DRG) prospective payment rate for area differences in hospital wage levels that applies to such hospital for FY 2001 or any subsequent fiscal year. Makes any such Board decision apply for purposes of adjusting payments made on a prospective basis for variations in costs attributable to wages and wage-related costs for prospective payment system-reimbursed items and services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Aviation Delay Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review and report to specified congressional committees on air carrier overscheduling at large hub airports. Amends Federal aviation law to authorize an air carrier to file with the Secretary a request for authority for a group of two or more air carriers to discuss cooperative scheduling arrangements, provided its sole purpose is to reach an agreement between such carriers to reduce overscheduling and flight delays during peak hours of operation and periods of inclement weather at any large hub airport. Authorizes the Secretary to approve such an agreement if it will reduce congestion at the affected airport, will not reduce service to small communities, and is not adverse to the public interest. Requires the Secretary to exempt such arrangements from U.S. antitrust laws if it is found to be in the public interest. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement an expedited coordinated environmental review process for airport capacity-enhancement projects that provides for: (1) coordination among Federal, regional, State, and local agencies concerned with the preparation of environmental impact statements or environmental assessments under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (2) an expedited and coordinated process in the conduct of environmental and judicial reviews that ensures that they are done concurrently and not consecutively; and (3) a date certain for completing all environmental reviews.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Workplace Flexibility Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide workplace flexibility options for: (1) time-and-a-half compensatory time off; and (2) biweekly work programs (allowing up to ten hours more than 40 hours of work in one week and correspondingly less in the other). Requires, with respect to such compensatory time and biweekly work programs, that employee participation be voluntary, and that collective bargaining agreements be honored. Sets forth: (1) procedures for employer discontinuance of, or employee withdrawal from, certain of such programs; and (2) prohibitions against coercion. Amends the Federal bankruptcy code to grant third priority (allowed unsecured claims for wages, salaries, or commissions) in bankruptcy proceedings to claims relating to compensatory time off. Amends the Congressional Accountability Act to provide congressional employees with such options for compensatory time and biweekly work programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction (based on years of continuous coverage) for eligible long-term care insurance premiums for a taxpayer, spouse, and dependents, including accelerated deduction percentages for persons who are 55 years old; and (2) long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Allows an income-adjusted (limited) credit for eligible individuals with long-term care needs. Sets forth specified requirements for qualifying long-term care insurance contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2001
Community Savings and Investment Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a separate tax rate for a qualified community lender; and (2) permit the exclusion from gross income of distressed community banking income.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001
Recognizes May 15, 2001, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2001
Sustaining Access to Vital Emergency Medical Services Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, as amended by the Children's Health Act of 2000, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide for improved emergency medical services in rural areas. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) (including part C (Medicare+Choice) of the Medicare program) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish a prudent layperson standard for emergency ambulance services under Medicare and Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
Medicaid Safety Net Hospital Preservation Act of 2001 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to repeal specified reductions after FY 2000 and thereby extend certain modifications to disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments provided under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000. Increases the Medicaid DSH allotment for the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001
Violence Against Women Office Act - Establishes in the Department of Justice a Violence Against Women Office. Provides that the Office shall: (1) have jurisdiction over all matters related to administration, enforcement, coordination, and implementation of all responsibilities of the Attorney General or the Department of Justice related to violence against women, including formula and discretionary grant programs authorized under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994; and (2) be solely responsible for coordination with other offices or agencies of administration, enforcement, and implementation of the programs, grants, and activities under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001
Reserve Component Tax Assistance Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a business or trade deduction the expenses of a member of the reserve component of the U.S. armed forces in connection with such service. Makes such deduction available to itemizers and non-itemizers. Establishes related reserve component business-related employment and self-employment credits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt certain State and local political committees from specified notification and reporting requirements applicable to political organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2001
Internet Tax Moratorium and Equity Act - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend, until December 31, 2005, provisions which prohibit a State or political subdivision from imposing: (1) taxes on Internet access, unless such tax was generally imposed and actually enforced prior to October 1, 1998; and (2) multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) States and localities should work together to develop a uniform streamlined sales and use tax system that addresses remote sales; and (2) a joint comprehensive study should be undertaken to determine the cost of collecting and remitting State and local sales and use taxes under such system. Authorizes States to enter into an Interstate Sales and Use Tax Compact which shall describe a uniform, streamlined sales and use tax system consistent with such system.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001
Education Opportunity Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer an annual tax credit for tutoring and computer technology or equipment expenses paid on behalf of a dependent elementary or secondary school student (up to $1,000 per student, $2,000 maximum).
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2001
Nuclear Energy Electricity Supply Assurance Act of 2001 - Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2001 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to extend the indemnification authority of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with respect to licensees and nonprofit educational institutions. Makes such authority permanent with respect to Department of Energy (DOE) contractors. Revises guidelines pertaining to: (1) licensee insurance premiums; and (2) liability and indemnification limits. Limits any civil penalty for a tax-exempt nonprofit contractor, subcontractor, or supplier to the amount of the performance fee paid by the Secretary. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to add two Assistant Secretaries of Energy to serve, respectively, as Director of: (1) the Office of Science; and (2) the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish or continue programs administered by the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology, including: (1) specified nuclear energy research and technology programs; (2) investments to increase electricity capacity at commercial nuclear plants; (3) continued domestic capability for uranium mining, conversion, and enrichment industries; and (4) university nuclear engineering education research and infrastructure. Amends the USEC Privatization Act to prohibit the Secretary from selling surplus natural uranium and conversion services through 2006. Requires the sale of uranium hexaflouride. Authorizes the Secretary to proceed to place the Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plant into cold standby condition for a five-year period. Mandates a program to: (1) demonstrate the NRC Early Site Permit process; (2) evaluate opportunities for completion of partially constructed nuclear plants; (3) assess opportunities for Generation IV reactors; and (4) research potential licensing issues associated with new reactor technologies and designs. Declares electricity generated by a nuclear plant to be an environmentally preferable product. Conditions Federal funding for a domestic or international organization that supports electricity production facilities upon inclusion of emission-free electricity production facility projects that use nuclear fuel. Establishes the Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel Research to implement a research and development program pertaining to treatment, recycling, and disposal of high-level nuclear radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct an advanced fuel recycling technology research and development program to further the availability of electrometallurgical technology as a proliferation-resistant alternative to aqueous reprocessing in support of evaluation of alternative national strategies for spent nuclear fuel and Generation IV advanced reactor concepts; and (2) establish the Advanced Accelerator Applications Program. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to: (1) revise certain commercial license requirements; (2) repeal restrictions pertaining to foreign ownership of commercial licensees; and (3) grant firearms and arrest authority to employees of NRC licensees.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2001
Considers hepatitis C becoming manifest in a veteran to a degree of ten percent or more to be service-connected, and therefore compensable under veterans' disability provisions, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such illness during the period of such service, as long as it is shown that during such service the veteran experienced: (1) a blood transfusion before December 31, 1992; (2) blood exposure on or through skin or a mucous membrane; (3) hemodialysis; (4) a needle-stick accident or medical event involving a needle, not due to willful misconduct; (5) unexplained liver disease; (6) an unexplained liver dysfunction value or test; or (7) working in a health-care position or specialty.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001
NTIA Digital Network Technology Program Act - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Organization Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish within NTIA's Technology Opportunities Program a digital network technologies program to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements (assistance) to eligible institutions to provide educational instruction in digital network technologies. Makes the following institutions eligible for such assistance: (1) a historically Black college or university; (2) a Hispanic-, Alaska Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institution; (3) a tribally controlled college or university; or (4) an institution determined to have enrolled a substantial number of minority, low-income students who received assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Provides a matching funds requirement. Prohibits an institution that receives assistance exceeding $2.5 million from receiving further assistance until every other eligible institution has received assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001
Persian Gulf War Illness Compensation Act of 2001 - Amends a veterans' benefits program of compensation for disabilities occurring in veterans of the Persian Gulf War to: (1) require such disabilities, to be compensable, to occur before December 31, 2011, or such later date as prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (2) define an "undiagnosed illness" in such veterans as one manifested by specified symptoms or signs the cause, etiology, or origin of which cannot be specifically and definitely identified; and (3) include an undiagnosed illness having such a symptom or sign within the presumption of being service-connected and therefore treatable as a service-connected disability.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2001
Paul Coverdell Medical Research Investment Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a special limitation for charitable contributions for medical research. Permits the carryover (for ten succeeding years) of any excess of such contribution. Provides for the special treatment of medical research incentive stock options.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2001
National Energy Security Act of 2001 - Mandates Federal studies and reports to Congress regarding specified national energy needs and resources. Prescribes research and development programs pertaining to designated energy technologies. Outer Continental Shelf Deep Water and Frontier Royalty Relief Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to reduce or eliminate the royalty or net profit share set forth in leases in the Western, Eastern and Central Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Mandates that: (1) Federal oil or gas royalties accruing to the United States under any lease or permit be paid in kind in oil or gas; and (2) such royalty-in-kind oil be transferred to the Secretary of Energy to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management Improvement Act of 2000 (sic) - Mandates transfer to a State, upon its request, of Federal authority over oil and gas lease operations on Federal land within the State. Directs the Secretary, when the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil or natural gas reach certain levels, to grant a specified credit against the payment of royalties on oil and gas exploration and development on Federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf in order to encourage those activities. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2001 - Establishes Federal grant programs for incentive payments for nuclear energy technology and research. Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2001 - Prescribes leasing guidelines for the Arctic Coastal Plain (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) for private sector oil and gas exploration, development, and production, including rights-of-way and easements for oil and gas transportation. Establishes Federal grant programs for: (1) local governmental use of alternative fuel vehicles; and (2) residential renewable energy. Hydroelectric Licensing Process Improvement Act of 2001 - Delineates mandatory factors for consideration by Federal agencies in connection with hydroelectric power licensing procedures. National Electric Reliability Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve an Electric Reliability Organization, which shall adopt standards for the reliable operation of a bulk power system. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Practices Act of 1978 to repeal the requirement that an electric utility enter into a new contract to purchase or sell electric energy or capacity pursuant to requirements governing cogeneration and small power production. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2001 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Deems State actions to support emission-free electricity sources to be control measures meeting Clean Air Act requirements and included in a State Implementation Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2001
National Energy Security Act of 2001 - Mandates Federal studies and reports to Congress regarding specified national energy needs and resources. Prescribes research and development programs pertaining to designated energy technologies. Outer Continental Shelf Deep Water and Frontier Royalty Relief Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to reduce or eliminate the royalty or net profit share set forth in leases in the Western, Eastern and Central Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Mandates that: (1) Federal oil or gas royalties accruing to the United States under any lease or permit be paid in kind in oil or gas; and (2) such royalty-in-kind oil be transferred to the Secretary of Energy to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management Improvement Act of 2000 (sic) - Mandates transfer to a State, upon its request, of Federal authority over oil and gas lease operations on Federal land within the State. Directs the Secretary, when the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil or natural gas reach certain levels, to grant a specified credit against the payment of royalties on oil and gas exploration and development on Federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf in order to encourage those activities. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2001 - Establishes Federal grant programs for incentive payments for nuclear energy technology and research. Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2001 - Prescribes leasing guidelines for the Arctic Coastal Plain (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) for private sector oil and gas exploration, development, and production, including rights-of-way and easements for oil and gas transportation. Establishes Federal grant programs for: (1) local governmental use of alternative fuel vehicles; and (2) residential renewable energy. Hydroelectric Licensing Process Improvement Act of 2001 - Delineates mandatory factors for consideration by Federal agencies in connection with hydroelectric power licensing procedures. National Electric Reliability Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve an Electric Reliability Organization, which shall adopt standards for the reliable operation of a bulk power system. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Practices Act of 1978 to repeal the requirement that an electric utility enter into a new contract to purchase or sell electric energy or capacity pursuant to requirements governing cogeneration and small power production. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2001 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Deems State actions to support emission-free electricity sources to be control measures meeting Clean Air Act requirements and included in a State Implementation Plan. Energy Security Tax Policy Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish tax incentives, including tax credits, with respect to: (1) oil and gas production; (2) offshore oil and gas vessels and structures; (3) emission reductions and efficiency improvements in coal-based electricity generation facilities; (4) early commercial applications of advanced clean coal technologies; (5) prepayments for natural gas; (6) electric power; (7) spent nuclear fuel storage; (8) energy efficiency; (9) alternative fuels; and (10) renewable energy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2001
Military Voting Support Act of 2001 - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to prohibit: (1) a State from refusing to count a ballot submitted in an election for Federal office by an absent uniformed services voter because it was improperly or fraudulently cast, unless the State finds clear and convincing evidence of fraud in ballot preparation or casting; and (2) lack of identifying information from being considered clear and convincing evidence of fraud. Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, for purposes of voting for any State or Federal office, to prohibit a person in military service absent from a State because of compliance with military or naval orders, from being deemed, solely by reason of that absence, to have: (1) lost a residence or domicile in any State; (2) acquired a residence or domicile in any other State; or (3) become a resident in or a resident of any other State. Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act to require each State to: (1) permit absent uniformed services voters to use absentee registration procedures and vote by absentee ballot in general, special, primary, and runoff elections for State and local office; and (2) accept and process, with respect to any such election, any otherwise valid voter registration application from an absent uniformed services voter, if the application is received by the appropriate State election official before the election. Amends Federal armed forces law to authorize: (1) the Secretary of a military department to make a building located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary available for use as a polling place in any Federal, State, or local election for public office; and (2) the Secretary of Defense to make reserve component facilities available for the same purpose. Requires each State, with respect to any recently separated uniformed services voter requesting to vote in a Federal election, to: (1) deem the voter to be a resident of the State; (2) waive any residency or domicile requirement; (3) accept and process any otherwise valid voter registration application from the voter on the day of the election; and (4) permit the voter to vote. Directs the Secretary, during Federal elections in 2002, to establish a demonstration project to determine the feasibility and advisability of using an electronic voting system by uniformed services voters during such elections in 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2001
Mercury Reduction and Disposal Act of 2001 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to: (1) prohibit the sale or supply of mercury fever thermometers to consumers, except by prescription; and (2) require manufacturers to provide clear instructions on handling of thermometers to avoid breakage and on proper cleanup in the event of breakage. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants for a household mercury thermometer collection and exchange program. Establishes an Interagency Task Force on Mercury to make recommendations on: (1) the long-term management and retirement of mercury collected from thermometers and from medical, commercial, and government sources; (2) collection of mercury from sources in cases in which the mercury is no longer needed; (3) programs to test technologies for sequestration of retired mercury; (4) storage of mercury in a manner that ensures no release into the environment; and (5) reduction of mercury produced, used, and released.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2001
Designates the headquarters offices of the Peace Corps, wherever situated, as the Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters. Amends the Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools Act of 2000 to require the Director of the Peace Corps to ensure that references in Peace Corps documents to the World Wise Schools Program be references to the Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools Program. Provides funding to the University of Georgia to support the construction of the Paul D. Coverdell Building at the Institute of the Biomedical and Health Sciences at the University.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2001
Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to assess the effectiveness of measures to require television broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors to rate and encode programming that could be blocked by parents by use of a V-chip. Authorizes the FCC, if it finds such measures ineffective, to prohibit the distribution of violent video programming during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person to distribute to the public any violent video programming not blockable by electronic means specifically on the basis of its violent content. Provides for exemptions for: (1) programming (including news programs and sporting events) the distribution of which does not conflict with the objective of protecting children from the negative influences of violent video programming; and (2) premium and pay-per-view direct-to-home satellite programming. Directs the FCC to impose a forfeiture penalty for violations and to revoke a broadcasting or distribution license of a repeat violator. Requires the FCC to study and report to specified committees on the marketing to children of violent content by the motion picture, music recording, and computer and video game industries.
![Official portrait of Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h001016_200.jpg)