United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Training for Realtime Writers Act of 2002 - Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to make grants to up to 20 eligible entities to promote training and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program, as realtime writers providing closed captioning in video programming. Limits grants to a two-year period and a maximum amount of $1 million.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2002
Expresses profound gratitude for the faithful service provided by flight attendants to make air travel safe and honors their courage and dedication. Supports all flight attendants who continue to display heroism on a daily basis, as they had been doing before, during, and after September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Tax Shelter Transparency Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe a civil penalty for failure to include on any return or statement certain information required about "reportable transactions" having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion. Increases civil penalty for making reportable transaction income tax understatements, and limits reasonable cause exceptions to such penalty. Extends provision nullifying right of an individual to confidentiality privileges pertaining to written communication with a federally authorized tax practitioner for promoting a tax shelter to include additional persons. Modifies the monetary penalty and revises provisions for failing to register a tax shelter with the Secretary of the Treasury. Increases the civil penalty for understatement of a taxpayer's liability by an income tax preparer. Establishes a monetary penalty for filing a frivolous tax return, which shall be in addition to any other penalty provided by law, to be rescinded if the taxpayer withdraws the return promptly after being made aware of the violation. Amends the provisions of law regulating the practice of representatives of persons before the Department of the Treasury to permit the Secretary to impose a monetary penalty on taxpayer representatives who are disreputable or incompetent, who violate certain regulations or who mislead with intent to defraud. Permits the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on firms of such representatives that knew or reasonably should have known of such conduct. Modifies monetary penalty for making fraudulent statements on certain topics involving promotion of abusive tax shelters.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Medicare Skilled Nursing Beneficiary Protection Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility services for determining updates for FY 2003 and for FY 2004 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is, or was, employed as a law enforcement officer, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Specifies that this Act shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that: (1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a pilot program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small businesses through participating Small Business Development Centers (Centers). Requires the Administrator to enter into arrangements with participating Centers to provide: (1) access to regulatory information and resources; (2) training and education activities; (3) confidential counseling to owners and operators of small businesses regarding compliance with Federal regulations; (4) technical assistance; and (5) partnerships with Federal compliance programs. Requires the Administrator, giving substantial weight to the recommendations of the majority of the Centers, to select the Center programs of two States from each of ten groups of States for participation in the pilot program. Provides grant limits. Terminates the pilot program four years after disbursement of the first grant. Provides privacy requirements applicable to Centers, a consortium of Centers, or any Center contractor or agent with respect to regulatory compliance assistance provided to small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
American Indian Welfare Reform Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) reauthorize and extend tribal family assistance grants; and (2) replace grants for Indian tribes under the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Training Program with tribal human services program infrastructure improvement and other tribal TANF improvement grants; (3) reauthorize and extend the bonus to reward high performance States; (4) reauthorize and extend the contingency fund for State Welfare Programs; and (5) provide for payments to Indian tribes with approved tribal family assistance plans that are operating in situations of increased economic hardship. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit Indian tribes to issue tax-exempt qualified Indian private activity bonds. Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to establish a set-aside for job access and reverse commute grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Amends SSA title IV part A to provide for grants for tribal employment services program. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 with respect to benefits of Indian children. Amends SSA title IV part A to ensure equitable State plan benefits and services access for each member of an Indian tribe or tribal organization domiciled in the State who is not eligible for tribal family assistance. Amends SSA title IV part A to provide for parity in treatment of Alaska natives with Indian tribes under the TANF program. Gives Indian tribes authority to receive funds under SSA title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance), and to make eligibility determinations under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, SSA titles XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance). Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to make an Indian tribe or tribal organization that administers a social services program eligible for block grant payments. Amends SSA title IV part A to direct the Secretary to conduct research on tribal family assistance programs and on efforts to reduce poverty among Indians. Directs the Secretary to convene an advisory committee of Indians experts in social services and the spiritual aspects of traditional Indian culture.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2002
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) small business participation is vital to U.S. defense and should play an active role in assisting the military, Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and State and local police to combat terrorism through the design and development of innovative products; and (2) Federal, State, and local governments should aggressively seek out and purchase innovative technologies and services from, and promote research opportunities for, American small businesses to help in homeland defense and the fight against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2002
Increases, for months occurring during FY 2003 and thereafter, the rates of basic educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve. Prohibits any rate increase during FY 2003 and 2004 based on adjustments to the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Forest Service and other Federal land management agencies should, among other specified actions, fully implement the Western Governors Association's Collaborative Ten-year Strategy for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment, as signed August 2001, to reduce the overabundance of forest fuels that place these resources at high risk of catastrophic wildfire; (2) the Departments of Agriculture and of the Interior should immediately prepare for public review a national prescribed fire strategy for public lands; and (3) such strategy should be incorporated into any regulatory land use planning programs that propose the use of prescribed fire as a management practice.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
International Cooperative Antiterrorism Act of 2002 - Prohibits the provision of U.S. economic assistance (except humanitarian assistance), or the issuance of a license for the export of an item on the U.S. Munitions List, to any country or entity that the President has determined is not making a maximum effort to be fully cooperative in the global war against international terrorism. Declares that the United States shall oppose and vote against any lending from any international financial institution, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, or other related institutions to such a country or entity. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2002
Supports the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month. Commends the 41 States that have implemented routine hearing screenings for every newborn before they leave the hospital. Supports the efforts of speech and hearing professionals in their efforts to improve the speech and hearing development of children. Encourages the U.S. people to have their hearing checked regularly and to avoid environmental noise that can lead to hearing loss.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Safe Motherhood Act for Research and Treatment or SMART Mom Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through either the Office of Woman's Health, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, or the Centers for Disease Control, to address the health issues of pregnant women. Establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Safe Motherhood to evaluate and coordinate Federal research and information efforts and establish and implement the national Safe Motherhood Campaign. Requires the development and maintenance of a single Internet website. Requires expanded and intensified research activities concerning pregnancy-related illness, injury, and death and the impact of chronic conditions, physical impairments, and mental health problems on the health of women during pregnancy. Requires the establishment of a Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit Network. Awards research and demonstration project grants to address racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy outcomes. Requires: (1) studies of the quality of maternal health care (from a patient's perspective) and the effects of pregnancy on women's health; and (2) surveillance of pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity data. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary to address issues concerning certain drugs and medical devices and their appropriate use by or effects on pregnant or lactating women and/or fetuses, through: (1) identification and study; (2) pharmacoepidemiological data bases; (3) biennial review and prioritization (drugs); (4) labeling; and (5) the Women's Health: Take Time to Care (or a new) program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Native American Small Business Development Act - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Native American Affairs, headed by an Assistant Administrator, to implement SBA programs for the development of business enterprises by Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). Requires the Office to assist Native American entrepreneurs to: (1) start, operate, and grow small businesses; (2) develop management and technical skills; (3) seek Federal procurement opportunities; (4) increase Native American employment opportunities; and (5) increase Native American access to capital markets. Requires the SBA to provide financial assistance to tribal governments, tribal colleges, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Alaska Native corporations to create Native American business centers. Requires each business center to conduct five-year projects for business education aid to such entities. Requires each assistance applicant to submit a five-year plan on proposed assistance and training activities. Establishes a four-year pilot program under which the SBA is authorized to award Native American development grants to provide culturally-tailored business development training and related services to Native Americans and Native American small businesses. Establishes a four-year pilot program under which the SBA shall award at least three American Indian Tribal Assistance Center grants to establish joint projects to provide culturally-tailored business development assistance to prospective and current owners of small businesses on or near tribal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - Amends the Organic Act establishing the Department of Commerce to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and maintain a list of each person that notifies the Secretary that it is a manufacturer or seller that is: (1) licensed to engage in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm (including antique firearm) or ammunition product; or (2) is a trade association representing such manufacturers or sellers. Declares that any lawful conduct carried out by a manufacturer or seller in interstate or foreign commerce of a firearm or ammunition product, or lawful conduct carried out by a trade association in the course of representing such manufacturers or sellers, shall not be the basis for imposing a restriction on such commerce (the award of civil damages, equitable relief, or any other specified limitation) as a result of harm caused by the criminal or other unlawful misuse of such firearm or ammunition product by any other person.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2002 - Directs Secretary of Education to: (1) develop and publish instructional materials accessibility standards for the national electronic file format to be used by publishers of instructional materials in the preparation of electronic files suitable for efficient conversion into specialized formats; (2) establish a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise and guidance in creating such national electronic file format; (3) periodically review and amend such standards to reflect technological advances or changes; and (4) establish a National Instructional Materials Access Center. Requires State educational agencies, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to develop and implement statewide plans and make contracts with publishers to ensure that instructional materials for classroom use in elementary and secondary schools are made available in specialized formats to individuals who are blind or have other print disabilities at the same time such materials are provided to individuals without such disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to provide or improve their capacity to prepare or obtain instructional materials in specialized formats, including the national electronic format. Provides for enforcement of rights of children and parents under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Prescription Drug Price Parity for Americans Act - Amends provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act set forth in the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000 to: (1) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations permitting pharmacists and wholesalers to import Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription drugs from Canada (currently, from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, the countries in the European Union and the European Free Trade Association, or other countries designated by the Secretary); and (2) exclude an infused or intravenously injected drug or a drug that is inhaled during surgery. Prohibits discrimination in the sale of prescription drugs by manufacturers to pharmacists or wholesalers, requiring: (1) terms as favorable as those provided to foreign purchasers; and (2) full access to drugs permitted to be imported. Continues the requirement that exported donated prescription drugs may only be reimported by the manufacturer. Permits the Secretary to waive the prohibition against importing a prescription drug or device on a case-by-case basis, particularly those from Canada that are FDA-approved and for limited personal use. Requires a study and report by the: (1) Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences on the regulatory compliance of importers of drugs; and (2) Comptroller General on how drug prices were affected.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Seniors Safety Act of 2002 - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend Federal sentencing guidelines: (1) to include the age of a crime victim as an enhancement factor; and (2) with respect to health care benefit program fraud. Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) provide increased penalties for fraud which results in serious injury or death; and (2) set penalties for fraud in relation to retirement arrangements. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish procedures regarding telemarketing fraud, including referrals of complaints for potential law enforcement action. Provides for the blocking or termination of telephone service associated with telemarketing fraud. Includes within Federal injunctive authority against fraudulent actions certain offenses under the Social Security Act relating to false claims and illegal kickback schemes involving Federal health care programs. Amends the Social Security Act to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to bring an action to enforce such authority; and (2) extend certain anti-fraud safeguards to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Nursing Home Resident Protection Act of 2002 - Provides civil penalties for violations that affect the health, safety, or care of individuals in a residential health care facility and result in significant harm. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to state that a defendant may not use property subject to criminal forfeiture to satisfy a restitution order, with an exception. Prohibits: (1) the use of bankruptcy proceedings to shield illegal gains from false claims brought against the Government; and (2) the debt arising from such illegal gains from being discharged in bankruptcy proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Railroad Competition, Arbitration, and Service Act of 2002 - Amends Federal transportation law to declare the primary objectives of U.S. rail transportation policy with respect to rail carrier competition, reasonable rates, and consistent and efficient rail transportation service for shippers. Requires arbitration of certain rail rate, service, and other disputes according to specified procedures. Prohibits the Surface Transportation Board from issuing a railroad construction and operation certificate authorizing a specified activity, or exempting from certificate requirements an activity involving a railroad line interest transfer by a Class I rail carrier to a Class II or III rail carrier, if the activity directly or indirectly would result in a restriction of: (1) the ability of the Class II or Class III rail carrier to interchange traffic with other carriers; or (2) competition between or among rail carriers in the region affected by the activity in a manner or to an extent that would violate Federal antitrust laws. Prescribes a process for review of any alleged restriction. Authorizes any person who uses or seeks to use rail service for major train load shipments to or from a facility that has physical access solely to one rail carrier to request, according to a specified procedure, that rail service for such shipments be provided by an existing Class I, Class II, or Class III rail carrier, or a new rail service meeting certain requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 2002
Medicare Equity for Veterans Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and of Veterans Affairs (VA), under a new Medicare Subvention Project for Veterans, to establish a demonstration project under which the HHS Secretary shall reimburse the VA Secretary from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for Medicare health care services furnished to targeted Medicare-eligible veterans who volunteer for such project. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted at up to ten sites jointly designated by the Secretaries. Directs the VA Secretary to establish and operate coordinated care health plans to provide benefits to the enrolled veterans consistent with the program under SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice).
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2002
Declares that, if the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for a State for FY 2002 is less than the FMAP for FY 2001, the FY 2001 FMAP shall be substituted for the State's FMAP for the last three calendar quarters of FY 2002. Declares similarly that: (1) if a State's FY 2003 FMAP is less than the FY 2002 FMAP, the FY 2002 FMAP shall be substituted for each calendar quarter of FY 2003; and (2) if a State's FY 2004 FMAP is less than the FY 2003 FMAP, the FY 2003 FMAP shall be substituted for each calendar quarter of FY 2004. Requires each eligible State for each calendar quarter for the last three calendar quarters of FY 2002 and each calendar quarter for FY 2003 through FY 2004 to be increased by 1.5 percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2002
Declares that the Senate: (1) stands in solidarity with Israel as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas; (2) remains committed to Israel's right to self-defense; and (3) will continue to assist Israel in strengthening its homeland defenses. Condemns Palestinian suicide bombings. Demands that the Palestinian Authority fulfill its commitment to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas. Urges: (1) all Arab states, particularly Egypt and Saudi Arabia, to declare their unqualified opposition to all forms of terrorism, particularly suicide bombing, and to act in concert with the United States to stop the violence; and (2) all parties in the region to pursue vigorous efforts to establish comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Indian Trust Asset and Trust Fund Management and Reform Act of 2002 - Amends the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 to create the position of Deputy Secretary for Trust Management and Reform within the Department of the Interior to oversee all Indian trust fund and trust asset matters and to consult with Indian tribes and individual trust asset and trust fund account holders. Directs the Deputy Secretary to establish an advisory board on matters within the jurisdiction of the Office of Trust Reform. Establishes within the office of the Secretary the Office of Trust Reform Implementation and Oversight, headed by such Deputy Secretary, to supervise and direct day-to-day activities concerning such assets or funds, including providing accurate inventories, revenue postings, monthly statements, and annual audits. Requires the development and implementation of a ten-year Indian Trust Fund and Trust Asset Management and Monitoring Plan by either an Indian tribe or the Secretary (in close consultation with the tribe). Requires the Plan to: (1) determine the amount and source of trust funds; (2) inventory trust assets; and (3) identify tribal and management objectives along with the actions necessary to achieve them. States that the trust relationship and an approved Plan can coexist. Requires the Secretary to manage funds and assets in accordance with such plan and tribal laws, unless compliance would be contrary to the trust responsibility or otherwise prohibited by Federal law. Requires the active participation of Indian tribes in the promulgation of regulations concerning such funds and assets.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Arafat Accountability Act - Expresses the support of Congress for the President's efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in the State of Israel. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should urge an immediate and unconditional cessation of all terrorist activities and the commencement of a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians; (2) the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) should immediately surrender to Israel for detention and prosecution those Palestinian extremists wanted by Israel for the assassination of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Zeevi; and (3) Yasser Arafat and the PLO must take immediate and concrete action to publicly condemn all acts of terrorism, confiscate and destroy the infrastructures of terrorism, and end (and urge all Arab nations to end) financial support for terrorism. Prohibits the Secretary of State (Secretary) and the Attorney General, respectively, from issuing a visa or admitting to the United States any member of the PLO or official of the PA. Permits the President to waive this prohibition in the national security interest of the United States. Directs the Secretary to prohibit the operation of a PLO or PA office in the United States from carrying out any function other than those carried out prior to the Oslo Accords. Requires the Secretary to impose travel restrictions on the senior official of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine. Requires the Secretary and the Attorney General to identify and freeze United States assets of the PLO, the PA, and Yasser Arafat. Requires the President to report to specified congressional committees on PLO terrorist activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 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. Sets forth effective date provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Syria Accountability Act of 2002 - Prohibits the President from exporting any item on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations, providing any U.S. assistance to U.S. businesses with respect to investment or other activities, or conducting Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Trade Development Agency programs in or with respect to Syria. Directs the President to impose two or more specified sanctions against Syria. Requires maintenance of such prohibition and sanctions until the President certifies that Syria meets specified requirements, including that it: (1) does not support international terrorist groups; (2) has withdrawn all of its military personnel from Lebanon: (3) has ceased the development and deployment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons; and (4) is no longer in violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2002
Directs the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with specified provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, to issue a final rule relating to ergonomics.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
Terrorism Victim's Access to Compensation Act of 2002 - Expresses the sense of Congress that it should be the policy of the United States: (1) to use the blocked assets of state sponsors of acts of terrorism (including their agencies and instrumentalities) under the control of the Secretary of the Treasury to pay court-ordered judgments and awards made to U.S. nationals harmed by such acts; and (2) to provide equal access to all U.S. victims of state-sponsored terrorism who have secured judgments and awards in Federal courts against state sponsors of terrorism, and assure that those judgments and awards be paid from such blocked assets. Makes such assets available for the satisfaction of judgments against terrorist parties. Prescribes guidelines for a Presidential waiver upon determination on an asset-by-asset basis that a waiver is necessary in the national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2002
Rural Hospital Access and Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend the authorization for appropriations through FY 2007 for rural hospital flexibility grants with respect to rural health care plans, rural health networks, critical access hospitals, rural emergency medical services, and assistance to eligible small rural hospitals in meeting the costs of implementing Medicare-required data systems.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Access to High Quality Child Care Act - 2002 ACCESS Act - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to extend the authorization of appropriations, and to revise or set forth provisions relating to: (1) lead agency; (2) State plan requirements; (3) activities to improve the quality of child care; (4) parent access to quality child care; (5) child care research and data; (6) child care provider development; (7) activities for infants and toddlers; (8) technical and financial assistance grants; and (9) quality child care, development, and education incentive grants. Federal Employees Child Care Act - Establishes requirements for enhancing security at child care centers in Federal facilities. Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) establish health, safety, and facility standards and compliance requirements for child care in executive branch facilities; (2) issue regulations requiring any child care facility sponsor to comply with standards of a child care accreditation entity; (3) establish an interagency council to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices; and (4) confirm that at least 50 percent of aggregate enrollment in Federal child care centers Government-wide are children of Federal employees or on-site Federal contractors, or dependent children who live with such employees or contractors. Authorizes a Federal agency without a child care program, or the Administrator upon identifying a need for child care at a Federal agency, to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal, licensed, and accredited child care facility, or a planned facility that will become licensed and accredited. Permits a Federal agency to conduct a pilot project to test innovative approaches to providing more cost-effective alternative forms of child care assistance for Federal employees. Amends the Social Security Act's title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) with respect to child care assistance for TANF recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Reversing the Expatriation of Profits Offshore Act - Sets forth the following conditions in which a foreign incorporated entity shall be treated as an inverted domestic corporation for purposes of taxation: (1) if such an entity acquires substantially all properties held by a domestic corporation or substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership; (2)at least 80 percent of the stock (by vote or value) is held by former shareholders (or partners, in the case of a partnership) of the domestic corporation or partnership (with certain exceptions); and (3) if the "expanded affiliated group" lacks substantial business activities in its country of origin compared to its total activities. Sets specific rules covering "inversion gains" of certain "acquired entities" and party transactions of such entities not covered by the above provisions, including: (1) that taxable income of "inversion gains" of such entities cannot be offset; (2) that tax credits shall not be permitted to be used against tax on "inversion gains" of such entities; and (3) that such entities submit to the Secretary of the Treasury an annual prefiling, advance pricing, or other agreement specified by the Secretary. Establishes penalties for failure to make such agreements. Modifies limitation on interest deduction for such entities. Invalidates certain transfers of liabilities deemed to be aimed at avoiding the Act. Increases scope under which the Secretary may act to modify reinsurance agreements to take account of the amount of taxable income of each party. Defines "acquired entities, "inversion gain," and "expanded affiliated group."
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Senior Nutrition Act of 2002 - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to make a person who is at least 60 years old eligible for the commodity supplemental food program (program) if such person: (1) is eligible for the food stamp program; or (2) has a household income that is not more than 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. Authorizes permanent program appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning tax-exempt insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) to increase from $350,000 to $551,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) the maximum amount of premiums that may be written annually by such a company in order to remain tax-exempt. Raises the maximum amount of premiums that may be written annually by an insurance company (other than a life insurance company) to qualify for an alternative tax for small companies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) religious freedom and the protection of minority rights must remain as priority issues on the bilateral agenda of both the United States and the Russian Federation; (2) any U.S. actions to "graduate" or terminate the application of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment (free emigration as a condition for granting normal trade relations to non-market economies) to any individual country must take into account the progress already achieved through the application of such amendment as well as appropriate assurances regarding the continued commitment of such country to enforcing the fundamental human rights envisioned by the amendment; and (3) the U.S. Government must demonstrate how, in "graduating" individual countries, the "continued dedication of the United States" to these fundamental rights will be assured.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Human Cloning Prohibition Act - Prohibits any person from conducting or attempting to conduct human cloning (defined as implanting the product of somatic cell nuclear transfer or any other cloning technique into a uterus or the functional equivalent of a uterus).
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Allows only the Federal Circuit for the U.S. Court of Appeals to review and set aside changes made by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the schedule for veterans' disability ratings found to be arbitrary and capricious or in violation of a Federal statute. Requires the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) to apply a preponderance of the evidence standard when reviewing findings of fact made by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Permits the Federal Circuit to review CAVC decisions on questions of law. Allows the CAVC, when awarding attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act, to award compensation to qualified non-attorney representatives appearing before the CAVC.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Rural Electromagnetic Spectrum Access Act of 2002 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in order to facilitate the deployment of wireless based services in rural areas, when more than one license is available within a single block of electromagnetic spectrum, to award at least one such license for a rural service area or similarly sized geographic area. Requires the FCC, for each class of licenses or permits granted through the use of a competitive bidding process, to establish a competitive bidding methodology which avoids excessive concentration of licenses and includes as licensees small businesses, rural telephone companies, and businesses owned by members of minority groups and women. Directs the FCC to: (1) conduct biennial studies on the availability of wireless services in rural areas; (2) design systems of competitive bidding by rural areas; and (3) facilitate the deployment of wireless services in rural areas by license recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2002
Medicare Safety Net Access Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the payment for certain Federally qualified health center (FQHC) services furnished to an individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice), allowing for supplemental reimbursement, among other changes. Amends Medicare+Choice to add additional Medicare+Choice contract requirements. Amends SSA title XI with respect to criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs, particularly illegal remunerations (kickbacks). Exempts from the prohibition against such remunerations any remuneration: (1) between a FQHC (or an entity controlled by such a health center) and a Medicare+Choice organization pursuant to a specified written agreement; and (2) between a certain kind of public or nonprofit private health center entity and any individual or entity providing goods, items, services, donations, loans, or a combination, to such health center entity pursuant to an agreement, if such agreement produces a community benefit that will be used by the health center entity to maintain or increase the availability or accessibility, or enhance the quality, of services provided to a medically underserved population served by the health center entity. Amends Medicare to provide for coverage of additional FQHC services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards relating to the exception for health center entity arrangements to specified anti-kickback penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2002
Children First Act of 2002 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) exclude child care assistance from the determination of the five year limit on assistance under TANF; (2) increase funding for child care; and (3) require State TANF plans to include a certification of procedures to ensure that child care providers comply with applicable State or local health and safety standards. Raises from six years to 13 years the age of a child whose single custodial parent may refuse to engage in required work without incurring a reduction or termination of TANF under the State program. Subjects to the individual and case data reporting requirements of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 any TANF funds expended for child care, whether or not transferred to that Act, and exempts such funds from SSA reporting requirements. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase the set-aside for child care quality.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Removes, for months beginning on or after October 1, 2002, the requirement that qualifying offsetting legislation be enacted before a member or former member of the armed forces may be paid military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation concurrently without deduction. Repeals, as of such date, a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Debbie Smith Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to carry out sexual assault nurse examiner programs and to train law enforcement personnel and first responders in the handling of sexual assault cases and the collection and use of DNA samples for forensic evidence. Provides that for a State to be eligible to receive a grant, the chief executive officer of the State shall submit to the Attorney General an application which shall include a certification that the State shall comply with specified quality assurance and proficiency testing standards. Sets forth provisions regarding restrictions on the use of funds and expenditure records. Amends the DNA Identification Act of 1994 to require the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to issue (and revise periodically) standards for collecting and processing, for use as forensic evidence, samples on which DNA analysis may be carried out. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States to carry out DNA analyses of samples from crime scenes for inclusion in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System. Sets forth provisions regarding State eligibility, restrictions on uses of funds, and expenditure records.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act of 2002 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 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 approval, funding, construction, and implementation. Requires an implementation plan to be prepared by the State of Illinois 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. 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.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Honors the memory of the U.S.S. South Dakota and its World War II crew and commends them on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the ship's commissioning.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2002
Clean Diamond Trade Act - Directs the President to prohibit the import of rough diamonds from countries that do not take measures meeting the requirements of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on trade in conflict diamonds. Excludes imports for personal use and previously exported and reimported diamonds. Authorizes the President to prohibit the import of polished diamonds on the same basis. Directs the President to prohibit the entry of polished diamonds and jewelry containing them if there is credible evidence such diamonds are conflict diamonds. Subjects diamonds imported in violation of these requirements to the seizure and forfeiture laws as well as all criminal and civil laws. Earmarks proceeds for the Leahy War Victims Fund and other specified purposes. Requires periodic reports on the effectiveness of the U.N. requirements and the requirements of this Act in preventing the importation of conflict diamonds. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should negotiate an international arrangement to eliminate the conflict diamond trade and seek U.N. resolutions concerning the diamond trade in additional countries; (2) this Act should not impede the legitimate diamond trade; and (3) companies in diamond extraction and trade should contribute financially to countries seeking to implement effective measures to stop trade in conflict diamonds.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Indian Financing Act Amendments of 2002 - Amends the Indian Financing Act of 1974 to permit the development of a secondary market in guaranteed loans made under such Act through loan transfer. Authorizes loan transfer (currently limited to sale or assignment), in whole or in part, both guaranteed and unguaranteed portions. Requires that the Secretary of the Interior be notified of such transfers. Allocates responsibility on the guarantee agreement, for servicing, and as the secured creditor of record after such transfers according to whether such portion/loan is guaranteed or unguaranteed. Requires the Secretary to provide for the central registration of transferred loans/loan portions through a fiscal transfer agent. Permits pooling of such transferred loans/loan portions.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for: (1) destroying, altering, or falsifying records in Federal investigations or in bankruptcy; and (2) failure of an accountant who conducts an audit of an issuer of securities to maintain all documents sent, received, or created in connection with the audit for a five year period. Amends: (1) the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to authorize State attorneys general and the Securities and Exchange Commission (current law limits such authority to the Attorney General) to institute proceedings under the Act; (2) Federal bankruptcy law to make certain debts incurred in violation of Federal or State securities laws, or common law fraud in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, non-dischargeable in bankruptcy; and (3) the Federal judicial code to authorize a private right of action that involves a securities fraud-related claim to be brought by the earlier of five years after the date of the alleged violation or three years after its discovery. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review the Federal sentencing guidelines for obstruction of justice, and for fraud when the number of victims adversely involved is significantly greater than 50 or when it endangers the solvency or financial security of multiple victims. Authorizes a civil action to protect whistle-blowing employees against retaliation in fraud cases involving publicly traded companies. Sets forth criminal penalties for defrauding shareholders of such companies.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include associated development costs in the basis of any building which is part of a low-income housing project when calculating the low-income housing credit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2002
Investor Confidence in Public Accounting Act of 2002 Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to designate an Independent Public Accounting Board (IPAB), subject to SEC oversight, which shall exercise regulatory jurisdiction over public accounting firms. Directs IPAB to: (1) establish and enforce auditor quality control and auditing standards to be used by registered independent public accounting firms (RIPA firm); (2) assess periodically RIPA firm compliance; and (3) establish record retention criteria. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prohibit RIPA firms from conducting specified non-audit services for a securities issuer contemporaneously with either: (1) auditing the issuer; or (2) receiving general revenues from it. Prohibits a RIPA firm from performing auditing services for an issuer if any management-level personnel of that issuer had been an employee of the RIPA during the 2-year period preceding such audit (thereby preventing revolving-door conflicts-of-interest). Sets forth procedures for: (1) mandatory registration of RIPA firms with IPAB; and (2) IPAB investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Directs the SEC to recognize generally accepted accounting principles established by a U.S. standard setting body that meets prescribed criteria. Makes it unlawful for any officer, director, or affiliated person of an issuer registered with the SEC to make material misrepresentations to a RIPA. Increases the number of SEC professional accountant positions to provide enhanced oversight of auditors and auditing services. Instructs the SEC to require issuers to submit periodic financial disclosures pertaining to transactions and relationships: (1) likely to expose the issuer to liability or impaired financial status; and (2) necessary for an understanding of their business purpose and economic substance. Mandates prompt electronic disclosure of affiliate transactions. Directs the SEC to submit recommendations to IPAB regarding: (1) the treatment of stock options; and (2) the consolidation and disclosure of special purpose entities and similar types of affiliates or related parties under IPAB accounting standards.
![Official portrait of Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c5d339296979dfed1ac5405574a1d7a5_200.jpg)