United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the 10 percent additional tax on early distributions of pension plans inapplicable in the case of a "qualified public safety employee" receiving a specified type of benefit (DROP benefit) from a governmental pension plan. Defines "qualified public safety employee."
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that certain prohibitions on the importation, manufacture, distribution, and storage of explosive materials shall not apply to commercially manufactured black powder in quantities not to exceed two pounds, safety and pyrotechnic fuses, quick and slow matches, electric matches, igniters, or non-detonable rocket propellant intended to be used in rockets that do not carry any: (1) explosive, incendiary, or poison gas; (2) bomb; (3) grenade; (4) explosive or incendiary charge of more than three-quarter ounce; (5) mine; or (6) similar device.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
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 Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) strike such gold medal and to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals; and (2) deposit sums received from the sale of the bronze medals into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Urges the President to designate the week of October 12 through 18, 2003, as National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week. Declares that the Senate commits to increasing the quality of life for individuals with cystic fibrosis by promoting public knowledge and understanding in a manner that will result in earlier diagnoses, more fund-raising efforts for research, and increased levels of support for those with cystic fibrosis and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on March 26, 2003, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Moynihan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production during any taxable year in the amount of $3 per barrel of qualified crude oil production and 50 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of qualified natural gas production, reduced, but not below zero, as oil and gas prices increase. States that the limitation to the general business credit, based on the amount of tax, shall not be reduced by the amount of the marginal oil and gas well credit. Allows both geological and geophysical expenditures on domestic oil and gas exploration and development and delay rental payments, at the taxpayer's election, to be deducted from gross income at the time incurred.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2003
Koby Mandell Act of 2003 - Establishes within the Department of Justice an Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism. Requires the Office to: (1) assume responsibility for administration of the Rewards for Justice program and its website; (2) ensure that rewards are offered to capture all terrorists involved in harming American citizens overseas; (3) establish and administer a program comparable to the VINE system for notification of crime victims to notify or update American victims of overseas terrorism or their families on the status of efforts to capture the terrorists; (4) send an official U.S. Government representative to attend the funeral of every American victim of terrorism overseas; (5) work to expand restrictions on the ability of murderers to reap profits from books or movies concerning their crimes; (6) determine if terrorists who have harmed Americans overseas are serving in their local police or security forces and alert U.S. agencies that provide assistance to those forces; (7) undertake a comprehensive assessment to determine the reasons for the absence of indictments of terrorists residing in some regions; (8) monitor public actions pertaining to terrorists by governments and regimes overseas, such as naming streets or public institutions after terrorists; (9) initiate negotiations to secure financial compensation for American citizens who were harmed by an organization that claims responsibility for terrorist acts against Americans overseas and that subsequently become part of a governing regime with which the U.S. Government maintains diplomatic or official contacts; (10) monitor the incarceration abroad of terrorists who harmed Americans overseas; and (11) ensure that all terrorists who have harmed Americans overseas are treated by the Government as persona non grata.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the President, as Commander in Chief, in the conflict against Iraq. Commends, and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to all members of the United States Armed Forces (whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserves) and the civilian employees who support their efforts, as well as the men and women of civilian national security agencies who are participating in the military operations in the Persian Gulf region, for their professional excellence, dedicated patriotism and exemplary bravery. Commends and expresses the gratitude of the Nation to the family members of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians serving in operations against Iraq who have borne the burden of sacrifice and separation from their loved ones. Expresses the deep condolences of the Senate to the families of brave Americans who have lost their lives in this undertaking, over many years, against Iraq. Joins all Americans in remembering those who lost their lives during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, those still missing from that conflict, including Captain Scott Speicher, USN, and the thousands of Americans who have lost their lives in terrorist attacks over the years, and in the Global War on Terrorism. Expresses sincere gratitude to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government for their courageous and steadfast support, as well as gratitude to other allied nations for their military support, logistical support, and other assistance in the campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Recognizes: (1) the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish community; and (2) the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History (formed by the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the American Jewish Historical Society, and the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives) and its efforts to plan, coordinate, and execute commemorative events. Supports designation of American Jewish History Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Prohibits any qualified civil liability action from being brought in any State or Federal court and requires pending actions to be dismissed. Defines such an action to: (1) include an action brought against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers, for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm; and (2) exclude an action brought against persons who transfer a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; an action brought against a seller for negligent entrustment or negligence per se; an action in which a manufacturer or seller of a firearm willfully violated a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of the firearm and the violation was a proximate cause of the harm for which relief is sought; an action for breach of contract or warranty in connection with the purchase of the firearm; or an action for physical injuries or property damage resulting directly from a defect in design or manufacture of the firearm when used as intended.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Congratulates the National Wildlife Refuge System on its Centennial Anniversary and expresses strong support for its continued success. Encourages continued efforts to broaden understanding and appreciation for the System, to increase partnerships on behalf of the System to better manage and monitor wildlife, and to continue its support of outdoor recreational activities. Reaffirms the Senate's commitment to continued support for the System and the conservation of our Nation's natural heritage.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative should work to support a fair and expeditious review and assure that no delays occur in resolving current disputes before the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and World Trade Organization (WTO) trade dispute panels involving the imposition of special duties on imported softwood lumber from Canada; (2) U.S. antidumping and countervailing law is a rules-based system that should proceed to conclusion in WTO and NAFTA trade dispute panels; (3) the President should continue discussions with Canada to promote open trade between the two countries on softwood lumber free of trade restraints that harm consumers; and (4) the President should consult with all stakeholders, including consumers, in future discussions regarding such trade.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) 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 the manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers or should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first. Specifies exceptions, and rules for actions brought by minors. 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. Provides for a reduction in damage awards by the amount of collateral source benefits to which a claimant is entitled, less any insurance premiums or payments made to obtain such benefits. 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 any demand for punitive damages from being included in a health care lawsuit as initially filed. Prohibits the award of punitive damages for products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, absent material and knowing misrepresentation by those submitting required approval or clearance information to the FDA. 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 any Federal or State law unless such law imposes greater protections from liability, loss, or damages for a health care provider, a health care organization, or for the manufacturer, distributor, supplier, marketer, promoter, or seller of a medical product.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Biodefense Improvement and Treatment for America Act - Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to entitle eligible individuals to payment by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for medical items and services to treat covered injuries caused by covered countermeasures against smallpox. Subjects cases of death and total disability to a separate payment structure. Project Bioshield Act of 2003 - Permits the Secretary to conduct and support research and development with respect to biomedical countermeasures. Directs the Secretary, on an ongoing basis, to assess threats of use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents and procure biomedical countermeasures to such threats. Allows the Secretary to declare a national emergency under specified conditions and authorize the release of a drug or device intended solely for use in an emergency. Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) develop and disseminate information concerning certain diseases and their vaccines, including bacterial meningitis and hepatitis A and B; and (2) maintain a six months supply of prioritized vaccines. Revises provisions governing the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, including provisions regarding: (1) equitable relief; (2) derivative petitions; and (3) an extension of the statute of limitations. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund, including to expand compensated loss for injury or death to include related loss. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science to conduct an ongoing, comprehensive review of new scientific data on childhood vaccines.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 2003 - Divides the current U.S. Court of Appeals for the ninth circuit into: (1) the ninth circuit, composed of California and Nevada, consisting of 25 judges, and holding regular sessions in San Francisco and Los Angeles; and (2) the twelfth circuit, composed of Alaska, Arizona, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, and Washington, consisting of 13 judges, and holding regular sessions in Portland and Seattle. Authorizes a circuit judge of the former ninth circuit who is in regular active service or who is a senior judge to elect to be assigned to either of the two new circuits.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include pancreases procured by an organ procurement organization and used for islet cell transplantation or research to be counted toward organ procurement organization certification. Establishes the Interagency Committee on Islet Cell Transplantation within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires the Committee to study related issues, including Federal research funding, the effect of specified policies on transplantation, and data collection. Instructs the Secretary of HHS to request the Institute of Medicine to provide a study of the impact of islet cell transplantation on juvenile diabetes patients, including their health and the treatment's cost-effectiveness. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to establish a demonstration project to assess the efficacy of pancreatic cell islet transplantation for individuals who: (1) have Type I diabetes; and (2) have end-stage renal disease; and (3) are Medicare beneficiaries. Limits to six the number of eligible facilities that can participate in the project. Directs the Secretary to conduct an evaluation of the outcomes under the project and report to Congress. Allows the Secretary to waive such requirements of titles XI (General Provisions) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act as are necessary to carry out the project. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Arming Cargo Pilots Against Terrorism Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that a flight deck crew member of a cargo aircraft should be armed with a firearm to defend such aircraft against attacks by terrorists that could use the aircraft as a weapon of mass destruction or for other terrorist purposes. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the training and arming of flight deck crew members (pilots) of all-cargo air transportation flights to prevent acts of criminal violence or air piracy.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Code Talkers Recognition Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal: (1) to persons, including specified individuals, who served as Sioux or Comanche Code Talkers during World War II; (2) honoring the Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I; and (3) to any other Native American member of the armed forces, identified by the Secretary of Defense, who served as a Code Talker in any foreign conflict in which the United States was involved during the 20th Century. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under this Act and to deposit the proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals awarded under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Recognizes May 15, 2003, 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 · 4 March 2003
American History and Civics Education Act of 2003 - Directs the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to award competitive grants to nonprofit educational institutions to establish: (1) Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and Civics to offer workshops for teachers of American history and civics; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics to offer workshops for outstanding students of American history and civics. Directs the NEH Chairperson to award a grant to an organization for the creation of a national alliance of elementary school and secondary school teachers of American history and civics.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Declares that the Senate strongly disapproves of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Newdow v. U.S. Congress and the decision of the full court not to reconsider the case en banc. Authorizes and instructs the Senate Legal Counsel either to seek to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, or if unable to intervene, to file an amicus curiae brief in support of such constitutionality.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Clear Skies Act of 2003 - Amends the acid deposition control provisions of the Clean Air Act with respect to emissions limitations and allowances programs for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury by: (1) revising the allowance system and associated transfer, tracking, permit, compliance plan, and penalty requirements, including those for auctions; and (2) establishing new emissions limitations and trading programs (including implementation of a separate sulfur dioxide scheme for States in the Western Regional Air Partnership). Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate performance standards (limiting emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mercury) for new boilers, integrated gasification combined cycle plants, and combustion turbines; and (2) conduct a comprehensive research and environmental assessment program to enhance understanding of health and environmental effects of particulate matter and mercury and to demonstrate the efficacy of emission reductions under this Act. Excludes the following units from consideration as major emitting facilities or major stationary sources (or parts thereof) for purposes of compliance with provisions concerning prevention of significant deterioration of air quality and plan requirements for nonattainment areas: (1) those that are subject to the performance standards of this Act; or (2) those with properly operated and maintained equipment to limit particulate matter emissions or subject to a permit under an applicable implementation plan that provides a specified particulate matter emissions limitation and that use good combustion practices to minimize carbon monoxide emissions. Requires States to ensure in implementation plans that: (1) in an attainment or unclassifiable area, any emissions increase from the construction or modification of an affected unit will not result in exceeding a national ambient air quality standard; and (2) in a nonattainment area, the emissions increase will not interfere with a program to assure the achievement of such a standard. Provides for designation of transitional areas under implementation plans and states requirements for emissions inventories, the attainment of standards by the end of 2015, and penalties for not meeting the eight-hour ozone or fine particles standard.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 - Adjusts the basic Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity amount for surviving spouses, age 62 and older, of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent (current law), for months before October 2004; (2) 40 percent for months during FY 2005; (3) 45 percent for months during FY 2006; (4) 50 percent for months during FY 2007; and (5) 55 percent for months after FY 2007. Adjusts similarly percentage amounts with respect to survivors of reserve personnel and survivors of persons who die while on active duty. Provides a corresponding phased elimination of the SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided to such surviving spouses. Requires periodic recomputation of: (1) annuity amounts beginning in October 2004; and (2) retired pay reductions for supplemental survivor annuities. Provides a one-year open enrollment period for SBP participation, commencing October 1, 2004, for those currently not participating, those electing to increase current coverage, and those wishing to participate in the supplemental SBP. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to require appropriate premiums for SBP participation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician or other individual from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion, except when necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Defines a "partial-birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the abortion: (1) deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the mother's body, or, in the case of a breech presentation, any part of the fetal trunk past the navel is outside the mother's body; and (2) performs the overt act, other than completion of delivery, that kills the partially delivered living fetus. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Death Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to permanently repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective January 1, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Compassion and Personal Responsibility Act - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF)) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend through FY 2008 family assistance grants to eligible States; (2) replace the current bonuses to reward States for a decrease in illegitimacy ratio with competitive Healthy Marriage Promotion grants; (3) replace bonuses to reward high performance States with bonuses to States to reward employment achievement; (4) repeal authority for Federal loans to State welfare programs; and (5) revise work participation requirements for State grants. Promotion and Support of Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2003 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to authorize Federal grants to public and nonprofit community entities (including religious organizations and Indian tribal organizations) for projects and activities designed to test the effectiveness of various approaches to promoting responsible parenting through a fatherhood program. Caring for Children Act of 2003 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 2008 and to revise requirements for State programs for child care services. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to revise child support collection requirements to: (1) prescribe guidelines for Federal matching funds for limited pass through of child support payments to families receiving TANF; (2) decrease the amount of child support arrearage that will trigger passport denial; (3) provide for use of the tax refund intercept program to collect past-due child support on behalf of children who are not minors; and (4) limit garnishment of compensation paid to veterans for Service-connected disabilities in order to enforce child support obligations. Eliminates the limitation placed upon the number of: (1) States that may be granted waivers to conduct demonstration projects on the same topic; and (2) waivers that may be granted to a single State for demonstration projects. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to require the Commissioner of Social Security to review State agency blindness and disability determinations before any action is taken to implement them in order to identify those most likely to be incorrect. Grants the States authority to require participation in an individual rehabilitation plan or risk being deemed ineligible for supplemental security income. Prescribes requirements for State demonstration projects to coordinate multiple public assistance and workforce development programs for working individuals and families. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a State food assistance block grant demonstration project. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) and title XIX (Medicaid) to extend: (1) the duration of appropriations for an abstinence education program; and (2) the Medicaid transitional medical assistance program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to declare that nothing prevents a State from operating separate eligibility verification systems or imposing work requirements as conditions of participation in the Food Stamp Program.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Asbestos Claims Criteria and Compensation Act of 2003 - Requires as an essential element of an asbestos claim that there be physical impairment to which asbestos exposure was a substantial contributing factor. Sets forth prima facie evidence of that impairment, including as a minimum that the exposed person have: (1) at least a Class 2 permanent respiratory impairment rating; (2) asbestosis or diffuse pleural thickening; and (3) a determination of exposure at or above specified levels concerning ratios of FEV1 to FVS or a chest x-ray showing opacities graded at or above specified levels on the ILO scale. Requires the use of AMA guidelines or other authoritative standards. Sets forth requirements concerning claim consolidation (with consent only if not members of the same household), venue, preliminary proceedings, and removal. Delineates the statute of limitations for claims for nonmalignant conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals provisions providing for special compensation for certain severely disabled military retirees and certain combat-related disabled uniformed services retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
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 · 11 February 2003
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) all Americans should keep the victims of child abuse and neglect in their thoughts and prayers; (2) all Americans should seek to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect and to give these victimized children hope for the future; and (3) the faith community, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers across America should recommit themselves and mobilize their resources to assist these abused and neglected children; (4) the Senate supports the goals and ideas of the "Day of Hope," which was initiated by Childhelp USA and will be observed on April 2, 2003, as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month; and (5) the Senate commends Childhelp USA for all of its efforts on behalf of abused and neglected children throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Includes coverage of: (1) certain mental health services provided in rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers; and (2) certain marriage and family therapist services provided in hospices.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Declares that the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy shall not dissuade or discourage this Nation from venturing ever farther into space. Restates the commitment to exploring the planets and celestial bodies of our solar system and beyond. Expresses condolences to the families of the seven astronauts and to friends and allies in Israel over the loss of Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli in space.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to identify as a high priority corridor on the National Highway System the Southwest Passage Initiative for Regional and Interstate Transportation Corridor (or SPIRIT Corridor), which extends along U.S. Route 54 from its starting point in Texas on the border between the United States and Mexico, through New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas, and ending in Wichita, Kansas.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Captive Wildlife Safety Act - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to define "prohibited wildlife species" as any live lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar. Declares it a prohibited act for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any prohibited wildlife species. Exempts from this prohibition licensed zoos, circuses, accredited sanctuaries, federally-licensed breeders, State entities (universities, wildlife rehabilitators or veterinarians), any incorporated humane society, animal shelter, or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, persons transporting prohibited wildlife species to any such facility, and specified related organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including certain qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by their governmental agency, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm. Provides that such authorization shall not supersede State laws that: (1) permit private entities to prohibit the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit the possession of firearms on State or local government property. Excludes from the definition of "firearm" any machine gun, firearm silencer, or destructive device.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such an embryo; or (4) importing such an embryo. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties. Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited above, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans. Directs the General Accounting Office to assess the need for amendment of such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion of new developments, the need for somatic cell transfer to produce medical advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views concerning its use, and potential legal implications of somatic cell transfer research; and (2) a review of any technological developments that may require technical changes to such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2003
Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to distribute to States at least 80 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated under this Act from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to pay the reasonable costs incurred under cooperative agreements of: (1) certain corrective actions and compensation programs; (2) directly related administrative expenses; or (3) enforcement of State or local requirements regulating underground storage tanks (USTs). Allows undistributed funds to be used for enforcing UST regulations. Requires the Administrator or a State with an approved program to require compliance inspections of USTs at least once every two years. Directs the Administrator to publish operator training guidelines and States to develop and implement a training strategy consistent with stated requirements. Authorizes the use of funds made available for the petroleum response program to carry out corrective actions with respect to methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) releases. Permits the consideration of an owner or operator's violation history when a State or the Administrator enforces compliance. Authorizes a State or the Administrator to prohibit the delivery of regulated substances (motor fuels) to non-compliant tanks. Provides temporary relief for certain tanks in remote locations. Requires implementation reports by any Federal or State agency responsible for USTs. Requires the Administrator and Indian Tribes to correct UST releases on Indian lands. Permits States to establish requirements more stringent than the Federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2003
Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Price-Anderson Act provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to reauthorize: (1) until August 1, 2012, mandatory indemnification of certain licensees with respect to nuclear incidents; and (2) until August 1, 2008, the mandate for certain reports to Congress by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Secretary of Energy with respect to the need to continue or modify the Price-Anderson Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 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 · 7 January 2003
National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement the redesign and reconstruction of Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Cook and Dupage Counties, Illinois, in accordance with a specified runway design plan, and the development of a south suburban airport in the Chicago metropolitan region, by facilitating their funding, construction, and implementation and all agency reviews. Requires the State of Illinois to prepare an implementation plan under the Clean Air Act for regulating emissions associated with activity at commercial service airports. Makes the Administrator's approval of an airport layout plan submitted by Chicago that includes the runway redesign plan conditional on the meeting of specified requirements. Directs the Administrator to give priority consideration to letter of intent applications for the construction of the south suburban airport and for the extension of the main runway at the Gary/Chicago Airport. Requires the withholding of all airport grant funds for O'Hare (other than grants involving national security and safety) until January 1, 2026, unless specified conditions with respect to operations at Merrill C. Meigs Field have been met. Directs the Administrator, in providing funds to implement the runway redesign plans, to receive adequate specified assurances from the City of Chicago regarding competitive access to O'Hare by all air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Grants victims of violent crime the rights: (1) to reasonable and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime and of any release or escape of the accused; (2) to not be excluded from such public proceeding and reasonably to be heard at public release, plea, sentencing, reprieve, and pardon proceedings; and (3) to adjudicative decisions that consider the victim's safety, interest in avoiding unreasonable delay, and just and timely claims to restitution from the offender. Prohibits any restriction of such rights except as dictated by a substantial interest in public safety or the administration of criminal justice, or by compelling necessity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2002
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to entitle certain local educational agencies (LEAs) to certain 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.) Revises the formula for calculating weighted student units for Impact Aid payments to LEAs for federally-connected children. 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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/i000024_200.jpg)