United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2003
Recognizes September 11 as both a day to remember those killed and a day for recommitment to our national purpose. Extends sympathies to the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and their families and friends. Honors the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, and others who aided the victims. Extends gratitude to the members of the armed forces who are defending the United States from future attack. Praises the people of the United States for donating time and money to support the victims and their families and friends. Expresses gratitude to the leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism. Reaffirms that the Senate will honor the memory of those who lost their lives as a result of those attacks and will act to defend U.S. citizens in all future challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2003
Religious Liberties Restoration Act - States that the following powers are reserved to the States or their political subdivisions on property owned or administered by them: (1) to display the Ten Commandments; (2) to recite the Pledge of Allegiance as: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all "; and (3) to recite the national motto as "In God we trust". States that such powers are excepted from the jurisdiction of Federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2003
Fair Care for the Uninsured Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid for qualified health insurance, subject to stated limitations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to the provider of an individual's qualified health insurance equal to such individual's qualified health insurance credit advance amount with respect to such provider. Amends the Public Health Service Act, as inserted by the Trade Act of 2002, to extend funding for State high risk health insurance pools. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow health benefits coverage through individual membership associations. Sets forth association requirements. Requires associations to include a minimum of two health insurance coverage options.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, for a limited period of time: (1) a biodiesel fuels credit business credit; and (2) as a credit against the gasoline and diesel fuel excise tax, a credit equal to the sum of the alcohol fuel mixture credit plus the biodiesel mixture credit.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2003
Calls for the President to designate the week of November 9-15, 2003, as National Veterans Awareness Week to emphasize educational programs for elementary and secondary school students regarding the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2003
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the millions of innocent victims of the Soviet-engineered Ukraine Famine of 1932-33 should be solemnly remembered and honored on the 70th anniversary of the famine; (2) it condemns the callous disregard for human life, human rights, and manifestations of national identity that characterized the Stalinist policies that caused the Ukraine Famine; (3) it supports the efforts of the Government of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament) to publicly acknowledge and call greater international attention to the Ukraine Famine; and (4) an independent, democratic Ukraine, in which respect for the dignity of human beings is the cornerstone, offers the best guarantee that atrocities such as the Ukraine Famine never beset the Ukrainian people again.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2003
Designates the month of September 2003 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that the Federal Government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about the importance of screening methods and treatment of prostate cancer; (2) increase research funding that is commensurate with the burden of the disease so that the causes of, and improved screening, treatments, and a cure for, prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) continue to consider ways for improving access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer. Requests the President to call upon Americans, interested groups, and affected persons to promote awareness of prostate cancer, to take an active role in ending the devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, their families, and the economy, and to observe the month of September 2003 with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2003
Expresses: (1) condolences to the people of Algeria and particularly to the families of the victims and the survivors for the tragic losses suffered as a result of the earthquake that struck Algeria on May 21, 2003; (2) support for the people and to the Government of Algeria as they continue their efforts to rebuild their cities and their lives; and (3) support for humanitarian assistance provided by the United States Agency for International Development and other American and international relief organizations. Recognizes the important role that is being performed by the United States and the international community in providing assistance to alleviate the suffering of the people of Algeria. Encourages a continued commitment by the United States and other countries and international organizations to the rebuilding of the earthquake-affected areas in Algeria.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2003
Commonsense Consumption Act of 2003 - Declares that a qualified civil liability action may not be brought in any Federal or State court, and that any pending qualified civil liability action shall be dismissed immediately by the relevant court. Defines a qualified civil liability action as a civil action brought by any person against a manufacturer or seller of a food, or a trade association, for damages or injunctive relief based on a claim of injury resulting from weight gain or obesity. Specifies actions which shall not count as qualified civil liability actions, including an action regarding the sale of a food which is adulterated.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
District of Columbia Personal Protection Act - Amends the District of Columbia Code to provide that the D.C. Council's regulatory authority regarding firearms, explosives, and weapons in the District shall not be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise permitted to possess firearms under Federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by Federal law nor regulated by the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Repeals the definition of machine gun as any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted or restored to shoot semiautomatically, more than 12 shots without manual reloading. (Thus repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.) Repeals the District's: (1) registration requirement for possession of firearms; (2) prohibition on registration of pistols (handguns); (3) prohibition on possession of handgun ammunition; (4) requirement that, under certain conditions, firearms in the possession of certain individuals must be kept unloaded, disassembled, or with the trigger locked; (5) related firearm registration requirements such as applicant qualifications and filing deadline. Eliminates criminal penalties for: (1) possessing an unregistered firearm; or (2) carrying a pistol whether loaded or unloaded in one's dwelling house, place of business, or on land possessed by such person.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Federal Government, and any State or local government that receives Federal financial assistance, from discriminating against any health care entity because (in addition to current prohibited reasons) the entity refuses to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions. Expands the definition of "health care entity" to include (in addition to physicians) other health professionals, a hospital, a provider sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Rural Universal Service Equity Act of 2003 - Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the need to reform the high cost support mechanism (with respect to universal telephone service) for rural, insular, and high cost areas. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in calculating Federal universal service support for eligible telecommunications carriers that serve such areas, to revise its support mechanism for high cost areas to provide support to each wire center in which the incumbent local exchange carrier's average cost per line exceeds the national average by such amount as the FCC determines appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the equitable distribution of universal service support throughout the United States. Requires: (1) the FCC to ensure that no State receives less Federal support than it would have received, up to ten percent of the total support distributed, under the FCC's previous support mechanism; and (2) the total amount of support for all States to be equal to the total support calculated under the support mechanism in existence before enactment of this Act. States that nothing in this Act shall affect the support provided to rural telephone companies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 500,000 one dollar silver coins in commemoration of disabled American veterans, which shall be emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Requires: (1) all sales of the coins to include a ten dollar per coin surcharge; and (2) the surcharges received to be paid to the Foundation to establish an endowment to support the construction of an American Veterans' Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2003
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond, former Senator and President Pro Tempore Emeritus from South Carolina.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Patients First Act of 2003 - Makes changes to the health care liability system, including compensation for injured patients and other issues arising out of health care law suits. Requires a suit to be brought within three years of the date of injury or one year after the claimant discovers or should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first. Specifies exceptions when a suit may be brought later than three years after the date of injury. Sets forth requirements and permissible recovery amounts for compensating patient injury, including: (1) the full amount of economic loss without limitation; (2) noneconomic damages as specified; and (3) a fair share rule. Requires the court to supervise payment-of-damage arrangements, limiting contingency fees. Sets forth rules for expert witnesses in cases concerning issues of negligence. States that such rules do not pertain to witnesses testifying to the degree or permanency of medical or physical impairment. Permits the introduction of evidence of collateral source benefits, except that this section shall not apply to provisions of the Social Security Act pertaining to State plans for medical assistance and Medicare as secondary payer. Limits the availability of punitive damages, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malicious intent to injure or a deliberate failure to avoid substantially certain, unnecessary injury. Prohibits their award for products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, except if the manufacturer or distributor of a particular medical product or the supplier of a component or raw material of such a product causes harm by failing to comply with a specific requirement of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Authorizes periodic payment of future damages to claimants. Excludes suits for vaccine-related death or injury from the requirements of this Act if otherwise covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Preempts State law unless such law imposes greater protections for health care providers and organizations from liability, loss, or damages. Expresses the sense of Congress that a health insurer should be liable for damages for harm caused when it makes a decision as to what care is medically necessary and appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Commends General Eric Shinseki (the U.S. Army's 34th Chief of Staff who retired from active military duty in June 2003 after 37 years of service) for his dedication to service and for his lifetime of commitment to excellence.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2003
Protect the Pledge Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal judicial code to deny jurisdiction to any court established by Act of Congress to hear or determine any claim that the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2003
Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes and which make collegiate housing and infrastructure improvement grants to continue to be treated as tax-exempt organizations so long as all of the active members of the recipient organization are full-time students at the college or university with which the recipient organization is associated.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2003
Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to use amounts in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund to finance projects for the conservation of marine turtles. Authorizes the Secretary to approve a project that will help recover and sustain viable populations of marine turtles in the wild by assisting foreign conservation efforts. Gives preference to projects which: (1) are designed for long-term conservation of the turtles and their nesting habitats; and (2) have matching funds. Establishes the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund as a separate account in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund. Permits the acceptance and use of donations. Authorizes the Secretary to convene an advisory group of individuals representing public and private organizations actively involved in the conservation of marine turtles.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2003
Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Reauthorizes programs under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA). Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide technical assistance to nonprofit organizations in establishing economic development partnerships; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with any two or more States in support of effective economic development. Amends PWEDA provisions concerning grants for planning and administrative expenses to: (1) require State plans developed with such assistance to consider regional economic development strategies; (2) repeal requirements for certification by the Secretary of State plans; and (3) provide for a State's comprehensive planning process to consider the provision of public works to assist in carrying out the State's workforce investment strategy. Amends provisions concerning cost sharing provisions to: (1) require the Secretary to establish grant rates for projects based on the relative needs of the project areas; and (2) allow the Secretary to increase the Federal share to up to 100 percent of the cost of projects for Indian tribes and certain States, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations and to assist certain eligible recipients through supplementary grants through designated Federal grant programs. Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) allocations of assistance promote job creation through increased innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship; and (2) financial assistance extended pursuant to such allocations will have a high probability of meeting performance requirements. Permits grants for training, research, and technical assistance to be used for studies that evaluate the effectiveness of collaborations between projects funded under PWEDA with projects funded under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to ensure proper operation and financial integrity of revolving loan funds established by eligible recipients. Revises requirements for the use of grant funds for projects constructed under projected costs. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants, enter into contracts, and provide technical assistance for projects and programs in special impact areas; and (2) award transferable performance credits that do not exceed ten percent of the grant amount awarded for certain projects. Requires comprehensive economic development strategies to maximize effective development and use of the workforce consistent with any applicable State and local workforce investment strategy. Requires: (1) the Secretary alone to approve comprehensive economic development strategies of proposed economic development districts; and (2) copies of such strategies to be provided to districts in regions covered by the Delta Regional Authority, Denali Commission, or Northern Great Plains Regional Authority. Requires the Secretary to maintain the central information clearinghouse on the Internet, with links to State economic development organizations and economic development resources. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for: (1) economic development assistance programs; and (2) salaries and administrative expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2003
National War Permanent Tribute Historical Database Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish and maintain the National War Permanent Tribute Historical Database for identifying and cataloging the many thousands of permanent tributes that commemorate U.S. military conflicts and the service and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces. Requires the Database to be publicly accessible through the Internet or other means in a format that permits the public to submit information for the purpose of updating and expanding the Database. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress assessing the efficacy and desirability of establishing a permanent fund within the Treasury for the repair, restoration, and maintenance of the memorials identified and cataloged.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2003
Iran Democracy Act - Declares that it is the policy of the United States to support full democracy in Iran. Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to: (1) require the head of Radio Farda to develop programming for Radio Farda after consulting with certain groups; and (2) ensure that a significant percentage of that programming is devoted to discussing democratic change in Iran, including a certain internationally-monitored democratic referendum in Iran. Requires the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) at the Department of State and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the Department of State to provide grants to appropriate entities to create and maintain websites, translate and distribute books, videos, documents, and other materials on democracy, rule of law, and free market economics. Authorizes the MEPI and the ECA to award grants to certain eligible entities to fund programs and activities to promote a democratic referendum in Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2003
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 - Reauthorizes the Federal-aid surface transportation program through FY 2009. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) to establish: (1) an Infrastructure Performance and Maintenance Program; (2) a freight transportation gateways program; (3) a National Blue Ribbon Commission on Highway Safety; (4) a highway safety improvement program; and (5) a multi-modal energy and climate change program. Modifies provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century regarding ozone and particulate matter standards and the regional haze program. Directs: (1) the Secretary to design and implement a discretionary grant program to reduce impaired driving; and (2) the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services. Federal Public Transportation Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary to establish a Planning Capacity Building Program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants for new transportation services; and (2) make grants to sub-recipients of State and local governmental authorities in financing specified capital projects. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) major capital investment program grants; and (2) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration administrative expenses. Directs: (1) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator to establish a Medical Review Board; and (2) the Secretary to carry out a motor carrier research, development, and technology (RD&T) program. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) a surface transportation RD&T deployment program; (2) training and education; (3) the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; (4) university transportation research; (5) intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research; and (6) high speed rail. Establishes an Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics. Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing ITS program to advance nationwide deployment. Requires: (1) designated metropolitan planning organizations to develop transportation plans for metropolitan planning areas of the State; and (2) each State to develop a statewide transportation improvement program. Directs: (1) the U.S. Postal Service to prescribe regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous material in the mail; (2) the Secretary to monitor public-sector emergency response planning and training for hazardous material incidents; and (3) the Secretary of the Treasury to establish an Emergency Preparedness Fund account. Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish sanitary transportation practices to avoid the adulteration of food. Surface Transportation Revenue Act of 2004 - Extends certain highway-related taxes and tax benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2003
Nuclear Infrastructure Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, to study and report to Congress on threats and vulnerabilities targeting nuclear facilities. Directs the NRC to: (1) revise design basis threats; (2) establish a system for the determination of threat levels; (3) require each licensee or certificate holder of a designated nuclear facility to revise its security plan and make necessary upgrades; (4) review the emergency response plan for each facility; (5) assign a Federal security coordinator to each NRC region; and (6) require fingerprinting of nuclear facility personnel for criminal history record checks. Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to establish in the NRC the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. Directs the NRC to establish a security response evaluation program to assess the ability of each designated nuclear facility to defend against threats in accordance with the facility's security plan. Amends Federal criminal law to authorize NRC licensees and certificate holders guarding nuclear facilities, equipment, or material to: (1) transport short-barreled shotguns or rifles; (2) accept imported firearms or ammunition; (3) transport and possess firearms; and (4) possess semiautomatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to: (1) redefine byproduct material to include accelerator-produced radioactive material; and (2) direct the NRC to promulgate requirements and standards for its acquisition, possession, transfer, use, or disposal. Amends the Energy Reorganization Act to extend whistleblower protection to a contractor or subcontractor of the NRC.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2003
Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to a State, municipality, or intermunicipal or interstate agency to conduct a vulnerability assessment of a publicly owned treatment works and implement security enhancements for such facilities upon completion of the assessment. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide technical guidance and assistance to small publicly owned treatment works (those serving a population of fewer than 20,000 persons) on conducting vulnerability assessments and implementing security enhancements; and (2) make grants to a nonprofit organization to improve vulnerability self-assessment methodologies and tools for publicly owned treatment works, including those that are part of a combined wastewater treatment and water supply system.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 - Provides that: (1) any person who engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes), and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense (but prohibits imposition of the death penalty for such offense); and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Directs that if the person engaging in the conduct thereby intentionally kills or attempts to kill the unborn child, that person shall be punished as provided under the Federal criminal code for intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law in a medical emergency; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2003
Chemical Facilities Storage Act of 2003 - Requires owners or operators of selected chemical storage facilities to develop and implement a site security plan that addresses the facility's vulnerability to a terrorist release. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate regulations specifying: (1) which facilities should be selected based on the likelihood of terrorist attack, the nature of the substances stored, the potential harm if released, cost, and technical feasibility; (2) a timetable for the completion of a vulnerability assessment and site security plan; (3) the contents of the plan; (4) plan certification and availability requirements; and (5) limits on the disclosure of sensitive information. Requires the Secretary to provide owners or operators with relevant threat information to the extent practicable. Grants the Secretary access to the premises, security plans, and other records, as necessary, for any selected facility.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Syria Accountability Act of 2003 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) Syria should halt support for terrorism, withdraw armed forces from Lebanon, stop develpment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons, and halt imports and transshipments of Iraqi oil; (2) Lebanon and Syria should enter into bilateral negotiations for peace with Israel; and (3) the United States should continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon only through private and international organizations until the Government of Lebanon asserts sovereignty over its borders. Declares U.S. policy that Syria: (1) will be listed as a state sponsor of terrorism until it stops supporting terrorism; (2) is in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 520 through its continued occupation of Lebanese territory; and (3) has violated Resolution 661 by purchasing oil from Iraq. Declares that restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty is in the U.S. national interest. Requires the President, unless the President certifies that Syria does not support international terrorist groups or allow them to maintain facilities in Syria, has withdrawn all security personnel from Lebanon, has ceased the development of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons, and is no longer violating Resolution 661, to: (1) prohibit the export to Syria of specified defense articles or services and items on the Commerce Control List; and (2) impose two or more of specified sanctions (including prohibiting U.S. exports to, or U.S. businesses investments or operations in, Syria). Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to Syria and Lebanon if the President: (1) makes that certification; (2) determines that progress has been made toward negotiating peace agreements between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon; and (3) determines that Syria is strictly respecting Lebanon's sovereignty.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 silver coins, which shall be emblematic of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia (the first permanent English settlement in America). Provides for a $35 per coin surcharge for the $5 dollar coins and $10 per coin for the $1 dollar coins. Directs the Secretary to distribute: (1) 50 percent of the surcharges to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of Virginia to support programs to promote the understanding of the legacies of Jamestown; and (2) 50 percent to sustain the ongoing mission of preserving Jamestown, to enhance national and international educational programs, to improve infrastructure and archeological research activities, and to conduct other programs to support the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown. States that entities specified for such purposes are the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, the President of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, solely by reason of a person's age if 65 years old or younger, from: (1) refusing to issue to, or renew for, such person an airman certificate for the operation of a commercial aircraft; or (2) requiring an air carrier to terminate the employment of, or refuse to employ, such person as a pilot on such aircraft. Applies this prohibition only with respect to persons who have not reached age 64 as of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act - Amends the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 to exempt from liability a nonprofit volunteer pilot organization that flies for public benefit, its staff members, and its volunteers for harm caused by a volunteer while flying, in furtherance of the purpose of the organization, an aircraft for which the volunteer was properly licensed and individually insured.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2003
Emergency Preparedness and Response Act of 2003 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a program to provide assistance to States to enhance the ability of State and local first responders to respond to all hazards. Provide for use of such assistance to: (1) purchase interoperable equipment to respond to hazards; (2) train first responders; (3) develop, construct or upgrade preparedness training facilities and emergency operating centers; (4) develop preparedness and response plans consistent with Federal, State, and local strategies; (5) provide systems and equipment for communication needs, such as emergency notification systems and secure communication equipment; and (6) conduct exercises. Prescribes the allocation of such assistance to State and local governments. Allows the provision of assistance to a State only if the State agrees to maintain, and to ensure that local governments receiving funds maintain, aggregate expenditures for the uses described above at or above the average annual level of those expenditures for the two preceding fiscal years. Requires each State to conduct an exercise or participate in a regional exercise to measure its progress in enhancing the ability of State and local first responders to respond to all hazards. Requires the Director to provide grants to the 28 existing urban search and rescue task forces to pay operations costs. Allows the Director to provide grants to task forces to pay costs of operations in excess of such funding, equipment, training, transportation, expansion, and incident support teams. Instructs the Director to distribute funding to ensure that each task force has the capacity to deploy simultaneously at least two teams. Authorizes the Director to establish additional task forces. Prohibits, with exceptions, any additional task forces from being designated or funded until the existing task forces are able to deploy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 500,000 one dollar coins which shall be emblematic of the warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps. Requires all surcharges from the sale of the coins to be paid to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act respecting naturalization through service in the armed forces to: (1) reduce the required service from three years to two years; (2) prohibit the imposition of a naturalization fee; and (3) qualify the Selective Reserve of the Ready Reserve for such benefits. Provides for overseas naturalization proceedings for members of the armed forces. Retains immediate relative status for the alien spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen who died from injury or disease incurred while serving honorably on active military service. (Requires petition filing within two years of such death.) States that an application for status adjustment by the alien spouse, child, or parent of an alien member of the armed forces who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship may be adjudicated as if the death had not occurred. (Requires application filing prior to such death.) Treats the spouse, child, or parent of a lawful permanent resident who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship as a valid petitioner for immediate family status. (Requires parent filing within two years of such death.) Permits such aliens to apply for permanent resident status adjustment. Waives specified grounds of inadmissibility.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Child Custody Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit transporting a minor across a State line to obtain an abortion and thereby abridging the right of a parent under a law in force in the State where the minor resides requiring parental involvement in a minor's abortion decision. Makes an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the life of the minor. Specifies that neither the minor transported nor her parent may be prosecuted or sued for a violation of this Act. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution for, or to a civil action based on, such a violation that the defendant reasonably believed that before the minor obtained the abortion, the parental consent or notification or judicial authorization that would have been required had the abortion been performed in the State where the minor resides, took place. Authorizes any parent who suffers harm from a violation to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action. Defines "parent" to include a guardian, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis who has care and control of the minor, and with whom the minor regularly resides, who is designated by such law as a person to whom notification, or from whom consent, is required.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs; and (2) submit to Congress a plan recommending agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated and proposing implementing legislation. Directs the President to: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs; and (2) submit to the Commission assessments of not less than half of the programs that use such method. Prohibits the implementation of such method until it has been reviewed and accepted by the Commission, which shall consider such assessments submitted. Requires the President to identify common performance measures for programs having similar functions and provide the Commission with data on such measures.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Health Care Access and Rural Equity Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make a variety of changes with regard to rural health care and such matters as: (1) urban and rural standardized payment amounts under the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS); (2) disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (3) payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals; (4) adjustment to the Medicare inpatient hospital PPS wage index to revise the labor-related share of such index; (5) treatment of certain sole community hospitals to limit the decline in payment under the PPS for hospital outpatient department services; (6) the critical access hospital program; and (7) permanent treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish and use alternative guidelines for geographic reclassification of certain hospitals located in sparsely populated States. Amends the Public Health Service Act to give the Secretary the authority to make and guarantee loans from the loan fund to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for a five-year extension of the authorization for appropriations for certain Medicare rural grants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Medicare Rx Drug Discount and Security Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program). Establishes, within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a Center for Medicare Prescription Drugs, headed by a Director of Medicare Prescription Drugs, to administer the Voluntary Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program. Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish this Program, under which an eligible beneficiary may voluntarily enroll in a prescription drug card plan offered by an eligible entity and endorsed by the Secretary and receive specified benefits, including a catastrophic benefit. Outlines enrollee protections. Makes the costs of providing program benefits payable from the Medicare Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Establishes a Medicare Competition and Prescription Drug Advisory Board. Amends SSA title XVIII part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to provide for the exclusion of new part D costs from the determination of the Medicare part B monthly premium. Revises Medicare supplemental health insurance (Medigap) requirements with respect to revision of the 1991 National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Regulation to accord with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Reliable Fuels Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to require that gasoline contain a specified volume of renewable fuel. Provides for annual increases in the applicable volume through 2012. Establishes a ratio for determining the volume required from 2013 onward. Defines renewable fuel to include motor vehicle fuel produced from biomass (e.g., grain) or natural gas produced from a biogas (e.g., landfill) source. Establishes a system of credits for gasoline containing more renewable fuel than required. Requires studies concerning these renewable fuel requirements, in particular on: (1) seasonal variations in renewable fuel availability; (2) the impact on consumers; and (3) the impact on small refineries. Establishes a system of waivers for States claiming and proving economic or environmental hardship. Establishes a Federal agency ethanol-blended gasoline and biodiesel purchasing requirement. Requires data collection concerning the monthly consumption of renewable fuels. Federal Reformulated Fuels Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to permit the use of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) 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; (3) public health and environmental impacts of fuels and fuel additives; (4) analyses of motor vehicle fuel changes; (5) additional opt-in areas under the reformulated gasoline program; and (6) Federal enforcement of State fuels requirements. Requires a joint study of Federal, State, and local requirements concerning motor vehicle fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Chief Martin Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Chief Phillip Martin in recognition of his leadership of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians for over 45 years and for his contributions to the American Indian community, particularly to the native and non-native communities of Mississippi.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to entitle certain local educational agencies (LEAs) to receive specified Federal payment amounts under Impact Aid programs: (1) relating to Federal acquisition of real property; and (2) for basic support for eligible federally-connected children. (Current law makes such LEAs eligible for such payments up to specified maximum amounts.) Extends the authorization of appropriations for: (1) construction and school modernization payments for certain LEAs, including ones with high percentages of children living on Indian lands or children of military parents; and (2) facilities maintenance payments for certain schools located on military bases and serving military dependent children. Makes appropriations for payments in each fiscal year to LEAs under Impact Aid programs: (1) relating to Federal acquisition of real property; and (2) for basic support for eligible federally-connected children. Declares that provisions relating to payments for such programs constitute budget authority in advance of appropriations and represent the Federal obligation to pay such amounts to LEAs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Declares the sense of Congress about historic locations specifically set apart for religious purposes (holy sites). Declares that: (1) holy sites around the world, particularly in the Israeli and Palestinian region, should be protected from desecration and any other violation; (2) the freedom of access of members of the various religions to the holy sites sacred to them should not be hindered; (3) to assure the safety of American citizens, the holy sites currently under the sovereignty of the State of Israel should remain under Israeli protection, and that all holy sites in the region remain open to visitors of all faiths; (4) the Department of State should continue to warn and protect Americans overseas at holy sites and regions of historical and religious significance; and (5) we should condemn all violence directed against holy sites.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include distributions from publicly traded partnerships as qualifying income of regulated investment companies. Excludes such distributions from the source-based inclusion limitation applicable to other partnerships. Applies specified passive activity provisions for publicly traded partnerships to regulated investment companies.
![Official portrait of Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/i000024_200.jpg)