United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2002
Recognizes that a strong domestic steel industry and strong domestic manufacturing base are vital to national defense and economic security. Urges the President to request the International Trade Commission to: (1) expedite its review of the temporary safeguards imposed on March 5, 2002, on certain steel imports, and to report its findings to the President and Congress; and (2) monitor and report, in addition to developments with respect to a domestic industry (including the progress and specific efforts made by workers and firms in the industry to make a positive adjustment to import competition), on the impact of the temporary safeguards on domestic steel consumers and relations with U.S. trading partners.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2002
Center for International Human Rights Act of 2002 - Declares that Congress finds that a private, nonprofit corporation known as the Center for International Human Rights has been established in the District of Columbia to: (1) establish programs to promote, monitor, and analyze the status of human rights throughout the world; (2) investigate allegations of human rights violations in conjunction with private and governmental organizations; (3) sponsor fellows to study international human rights issues at the Center; (4) carry out a conference series to bring together international human rights experts to discuss and disseminate information; and (5) make grants to and cooperative agreements with non-governmental organizations to promote human rights, giving priority to indigenous human rights organizations in countries the governments of which violate such rights. Authorizes the Secretary of State to make an annual grant to the Center.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2002
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 · 1 October 2002
Recognizes the trucking, railroad, and passenger transit industries, and the workers in industries which operate, design, build, and maintain the rights of way along which trucks, freight trains, buses, and commuter trains travel for their: (1) contribution to the economy by facilitating international and interstate commerce; (2) contribution to the freedom of the traveling public which uses roads, highways, and railways for business and leisure; and (3) conscientious effort to improve safety, increase efficiency, and better the environment in communities throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and communities should work together to prevent the victimization of children; and (2) communities, schools, and parents should learn more about the steps that may be taken to safeguard children and teach them the skills they need to be safe. Recognizes the booklet, "Personal Safety for Children," as one of the tools available to help parents and teachers talk with children about personal safety.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2002
Medicare Beneficiary Skilled Nursing Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to extend for three years the temporary increase in the nursing component of the Federal prospective payment rate. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 to extend for three years the increase in the skilled nursing facility adjusted Federal per diem rate under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2002
Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2002 - Adjusts the basic Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity amount for surviving spouses, age 62 or over, of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent (current law), for months beginning on or before the enactment of this Act; (2) 40 percent of such pay, for months beginning after enactment of this Act until October 2005; (3) 45 percent of such pay for months beginning after September 2005 and before October 2012; and (4) 55 percent of such pay for months after September 2012. Adjusts similarly the percentage amounts of SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided for such surviving spouses. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate adjustments in the computation of retired pay reductions for such supplemental annuities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002
National AMBER Alert Act of 2002 - Directs the Attorney General to establish an AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert Coordinator position to: (1) establish guidelines for implementing a statewide AMBER Alert plan; (2) provide technical assistance to the States, broadcasters, and law enforcement agencies in implementing such plans; (3) certify to the Secretary of Transportation any State that has established or agrees to establish such a plan and a reciprocal arrangement with other States; and (4) monitor compliance and revoke certification of any State that fails to establish such a plan. Directs the Secretary to make grants to certified States to develop, acquire, install, and construct facilities and equipment along highways to notify the public about missing children and their abductors.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the first article of amendment to the U.S. Constitution shall not be construed to prohibit the: (1) recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, which shall be, "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;" nor (2) recitation or use of the national motto, which shall be, "In God we trust."
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that neither the U.S. Constitution nor any State constitution shall be construed to protect child pornography (defined as visual depictions by any technological means of minor persons, whether actual or virtual, engaged in explicit sexual activity).
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service should immediately: (1) offer its services to the Major League Baseball Players Association and the team owners who are members of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues to resolve labor contract disputes over entering into a collective bargaining agreement; and (2) use its best efforts to bring the parties to agree to such contract without engaging in a strike, a lockout, or any other coercion that interferes with the playing of scheduled professional baseball games.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2002
Acknowledges the American Road and Transportation Builders Association for its 100th Anniversary. Commends the many achievements of the transportation construction industry and encourages the Association to continue its tradition of excellence in service to the transportation construction industry and to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2002
Aviation Security Enhancement Act of 2002 - Amends Federal aviation law to direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security of the Transportation Security Administration to notify the owner or operator of each U.S. airport of the number and type of explosive detection systems that will be required to be deployed at the airport in order to screen all checked baggage without imposing unreasonable delays on the passengers. Requires each owner or operator to: (1) notify the Under Secretary by a specified date if they are not able to make modifications to the airport's terminal buildings that are necessary to accommodate the explosive detection systems; and (2) develop a plan, if notice is given, by a specified date for making necessary modifications to the terminal buildings so as to deploy and fully utilize explosive detection systems to screen all checked baggage. Requires the Under Secretary to carry out demonstration projects for the installation and testing of alternative explosive detection systems at not less than five U.S. airports. Sets forth certain plan and demonstration requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2002
Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act of 2002 - Amends the American Battlefield Protection Act of 1996 to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the American Battlefield Protection Program, to establish a battlefield acquisition grant program under which the Secretary may provide grants to a State or local government (eligible entity) to pay the Federal share of the cost of acquiring interests in eligible sites for the preservation and protection of those sites. Permits an eligible entity to acquire an interest in an eligible site using a grant in partnership with a nonprofit organization. Subjects acquired property to the prohibition against conversion to other than public outdoor recreation uses, without the Secretary's approval. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report that updates the Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields to reflect preservation activities and changes in the condition of the 384 battlefields. Extends the American Battlefield Protection Program through FY 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Epilepsy Awareness Month should be established and observed with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2002
Canceling Loans to Allow School Systems to Attract Classroom Teachers Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional amounts of student loan forgiveness for certain teachers. Directs the Secretary of Education, in making such additional repayments, to give priority to teachers of special education in elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income all compensation received for active service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, not including pensions and retirement pay. (Terminates the current limited exclusion from gross income of combat pay.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2002
Recognizes The First Tee, a youth character-building organization, for its support of programs that provide young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honor, integrity, and sportsmanship.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2002
Equity in Education Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that church employees and persons treated as church employees under the Code are eligible for the exclusion for qualified tuition reduction programs of charitable educational organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2002
Health Disparities Tax Refund Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit taxpayers to designate a portion (not less than $1) or all of any overpayment of tax to the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department's Office of Women's Health. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to each Office at least once annually 50 percent of the amounts so designated, for use in improving the health of minorities and women respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2002
Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the definition of speech-language pathology services to add a definition for the term "outpatient speech-language pathology services."
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2002
Congratulates the Navy League of the United States and its members, on the occasion of the centennial of its founding, for their role as the foremost civilian organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. sea services.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2002
Fed Up Higher Education Technical Amendments of 2002 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), and the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, to make various technical revisions that incorporate the results of the Fed Up Initiative to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to access to student aid programs. Revises the definition of institution of higher education (IHE) to include one that admits as regular students those who have been home-schooled (as well as high school graduates or those with equivalency certificates), thus providing that such home-schooled students are eligible for HEA student aid. Makes students attending nonprofit foreign veterinary schools eligible for the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) student loan program if the school does not meet certain requirements, but only if: (1) it was certified as eligible by the Secretary of Education; and (2) students complete their clinical training at an approved veterinary school in the United States. Allows IHEs to make mandatory reports on teacher preparation program quality by electronic means. Eliminates a requirement that new forbearance agreements between lenders and borrowers be in writing; but requires lenders to notify borrowers of their terms. Allows financial aid professionals to use professional judgment in reevaluating the student financial need of a ward of the court. Requires students withdrawing from an IHE to return only HEA title IV grant aid amounts exceeding 50 percent of the total (if more than $50). Permits Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to apply for Federal HSI grants without waiting two years between applications. Authorizes the use of HEA title VII funds for: (1) Federal scholarship aid to low-income and minority students for summer institutes to prepare for law school; and (2) Thurgood Marshall Fellowships to attend law school. Provides that an IHE is in compliance with requirements to provide students with certain information, including voter registration material, if it does so through an e-mail message or an Internet address. Extends through September 30, 2003, HEA exemptions, for IHEs having low student loan default rates, from requirements that the disbursement of loan proceeds be: (1) in multiple installments; and (2) delayed for 30 days after classes start for first-time undergraudate borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2002
Citizen Service Act of 2002 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to reauthorize appropriations and revise requirements for national volunteer service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Includes among NCSA programs: (1) Learn and Serve America (Service-Learning); (2) AmeriCorps (AC) Grants; (3) AC-National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); and (2). Includes among DVSA programs: (1) AC-Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA); and (2) Senior Corps, including Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Authorizes grants to: (1) America's Promise: The Alliance for Youth; and (2) the Points of Light Foundation. Revises provisions for CNCS administration of national volunteer service programs and for accountability of recipients of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth that a plan or other arrangement shall not cease to count as a cafeteria plan solely because qualified benefits under such plan include a health flexible spending arrangement under which not more than $500 of unused health benefits may be carried forward to the next year or paid as compensation. Sets forth rules for determining whether or not such benefits shall be included or excluded from income.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General that a commemorative postage stamp be issued by the U.S. Postal Service each year in honor of Veterans Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Recognizes and honors the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and its member institutions of zoological parks and aquariums for their dedicated service in animal welfare, conservation education, conservation research, and wildlife conservation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2005. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2005, and, if not, Congress should be required to vote to reauthorize the Code.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Expresses profound gratitude to airline flight attendants for their daily service to make air travel safe and honors their courage and dedication. Expresses support for the flight attendants who displayed heroism on September 11, 2001, and to all flight attendants who continue to display heroism each day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2002
Child Modeling Exploitation Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit an employer from employing a minor under 17 years old to work in exploitive child modeling. Sets penalties for violations. Includes employment of a minor in violation of such provision within the definition of "oppressive child labor." Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit displaying the image of a child who has not attained the age of 17 years, or offering to provide an image of such a child, with the intent to make a financial gain and without a purpose of marketing a product or service other than the child's image, if such conduct occurs in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. Sets penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2002
Workers' Bill of Rights - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to add provisions relating to: (1) an employer's recognition of a labor organization as representative of workers for collective bargaining and other purposes; (2) limitation on dues collection; (3) membership right to vote on a contract before a strike is called; (4) penalties for causing recognition of an unelected labor organization; (5) secret ballot election; (6) the lifting of a bar against an election once an existing contract has been in effect for one year or more; (7) majority deauthorization of union security agreements; and (8) enforcement of limits on dues agreements. Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to include coverage of employers, or groups or associations of employers, that receive Federal funds. Gives employees who are not union members, but who are core dues payers, the same right as any union member to participate in any vote that concerns a strike or wages, benefits, or working conditions. Revises provisions relating to availability of information. Allows a trusteeship (for authorization control of a union) to be authorized only after a fair hearing either before the executive board or another body provided by the constitution and bylaws of the labor organization. Requires a labor organization to show by clear and convincing proof that the continuation of the trusteeship is necessary for an allowable purpose. Amends the Clayton Act to provide that nothing shall make it lawful for any two or more labor organizations to enter into an agreement that restrains an employee's ability to select a collecting bargaining representative.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act of 2002 - 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. 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. Permits the introduction of evidence of collateral source 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 their award 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 State law unless such law imposes greater protections for health care providers and organizations from liability, loss, or damages. .
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Recognizes the devastating impact of fragile X on thousands of people in the United States and their families. Calls for increased research. Supports National Fragile X Research Day and associated activities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Honors the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Nation's first charter school. Commends the charter school movement and charter schools, teachers, parents, and students across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening the Nation's public school system. Supports the goals of National Charter Schools Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Airport Streamlining Approval Process Act of 2002 - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take action to encourage the construction of airport capacity enhancement projects at congested airports. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and implement a coordinated review process for such projects, which shall provide that all environmental reviews, analyses, opinions, permits, licenses, and approvals that must be issued or made by a Federal agency or airport sponsor for such a project will be conducted concurrently in cooperation with specified Federal and State environmental agencies. Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of an airport sponsor for a congested airport, to approve a restriction on use of a runway to be constructed at the airport to minimize potentially significant adverse noise impacts from the runway, if certain criteria are met. Authorizes the Secretary, in specified circumstances, to allow an airport sponsor carrying out such a project to make payments, out of airport revenues (including local taxes on aviation fuel), for measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of the project, including aircraft noise. Permits the FAA Administrator to accept funds from an airport sponsor to hire additional staff or obtain the services of consultants in order to facilitate the timely processing, review, and completion of environmental activities associated with an airport development project. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary approve a project grant application only if the chief executive officer of the State in which the project will be located certifies that there is reasonable assurance that the project will be located, designed, constructed, and operated in compliance with applicable air and water quality standards. Revises the approval criteria without the requirement of an environmental impact statement for an airport development project that does not involve the location of an airport or runway, or a major runway extension, at an existing airport. Allows such a project without an environmental impact statement if completing the project would allow airport operations involving aircraft complying with the noise standards prescribed for "stage 3" aircraft (currently "stage 2" aircraft).
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Calls for the governments of Europe to: (1) protect the safety and well-being of their Jewish communities; and (2) cultivate an atmosphere of cooperation and reconciliation among Jewish and non-Jewish residents.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
American Dream Downpayment Act - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to participating jurisdictions for downpayment assistance to low-income, first-time home buyers; and (2) make the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 inapplicable to such assistance. Amends the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 to authorize appropriations for the self-help housing provider program. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize appropriations for the public housing agency grant program for project demolition, revitalization, and replacement, and tenant-based assistance. Extends the program sunset date to September 30, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
Frequent Flyer Tax-Free Liability Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that if an individual receives frequent flyer mileage for purchase of property or services: (1) no part of such a benefit shall count as part of gross income; (2) no deduction otherwise allowable for the purchase of such property or services shall be reduced by reason of the resulting benefit; and (3) no deduction shall be permitted for any portion of travel-related service purchases for which such a benefit is utilized. Defines "frequent flyer benefit."
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
State Cooperative Health Care Access Plan Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth requirements for the cooperative governing of health insurance policies across States, including the establishment of high risk pools. Requires a health insurance issuer to follow the laws of the State of its primary business location (primary State) for a policy: (1) when filed and approved by such State; and (2) even when it is offered in a secondary State (all other States). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fund: (1) mechanisms for enforcement, including consumer fraud, and information exchange; and (2) matching grants to States according to a specified formula for the creation of qualified high risk pools. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to exclude small employer reimbursements to employees for the purchase of health insurance coverage in the individual market from the definition of "group health plan." Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide a refundable credit for specified qualified health coverage costs; (2) establish a program for making advance payments for health care coverage on behalf of eligible individuals; (3) allow full deductibility of health care coverage costs, subject to specified limitations; (4) allow carryover of unused benefits from cafeteria plans or flexible spending arrangements; and (5) treat amounts paid under a flexible spending plan for qualified health coverage as employer-provided coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an increased low-income housing credit for property which is contiguous to a qualified census tract and which meets qualified allocation plan criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Clergy Housing Allowance Clarification Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that the parsonage allowance exclusion from gross income cannot exceed the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Continues the current classification of certain costumes and related accessories under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States until Rubie's Costume Company v. United States is finally determined on appeal.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Declares that Congress expresses its deepest gratitude for the service of the District of Columbia Army National Guard in protecting Congress and increasing security around the Capitol complex. Congratulates the National Guard and Capitol Police on the fine work they have done to increase security around the Capitol grounds since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Working Toward Independence Act of 2002 - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to amend State work participation requirements. Revises work or alternative self-sufficiency requirements for a parent or caretaker receiving TANF assistance. Directs States to establish for each recipient family a family sufficiency plan (in lieu of the currently required State Individual Responsibility Plans). Authorizes States to design activities and develop methods for monitoring and reviewing such plans. Revises State plan requirements and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to establish TANF performance measures. Requires the Secretary to make bonus grants to each State that has achieved formulated employment goals. Caring for Children Act of 2002 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to specify consumer education information States are required to collect and disseminate. Requires States to certify to child care service quality and demonstrate: (1) child care services coordination; (2) encouragement of partnerships with private and other public entities; and (3) how the State is addressing child care for children with special needs. Specifies State required activities to improve the quality of child care services and authorizes States to determine family income level eligibility requirements for such services. Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education to authorize innovative State demonstration projects involving individual programs, or integrating multiple public assistance, workforce development, and other programs to support working families.