United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2001
Repeals specified sections of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 prohibiting: (1) U.S. Government assistance, including foreign and export assistance, U.S. credit or guarantees for exports to Cuba or for commercial exports to Iran, Libya, North Korea, or Sudan; and (2) the export of agricultural commodities (including the financing of their sale), medicine, or medical devices, and travel, to Cuba (effectively allowing the export of such commodities and travel to such country).
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the U.S. Postal Service in honor of the U.S.S. Wisconsin and all those who served aboard her; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a postage stamp be issued.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2001
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the 60-month limit on student loan interest deductions; and (2) increase the student loan interest deduction income limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2001
SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends Federal provisions concerning the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to adjust the basic 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, for months beginning on or before the enactment of this Act (current law); (2) 40 percent of such pay, for months beginning after such date and before October 2004; (3) 45 percent, for months beginning after September 2004; and (4) 55 percent, for months beginning after September 2011. Adjusts similarly the authorized percentage amounts of SBP supplemental annuity authorized for such spouses. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate adjustments in the computation of retired pay deductions for such supplemental annuities made necessary by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2001
Export Administration Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Commerce Control List. Specifies the kinds of export licenses the Secretary may require with respect to the export of an item on the Control List or otherwise subject to control under this Act. Provides, under specified circumstances, that a license shall not be required for the export of after-market service or replacement parts. Authorizes the President to prohibit, curtail, or require a license, or other authorization for the export of an item subject to the national security export control regimes under this Act. Sets forth the purposes of such controls, including restriction on the export of items (including weapons of mass destruction) that would contribute to the military potential of countries so as to be detrimental to the national security of the United States. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Security Control List as part of the Control List. Requires the Secretary (on a continuing basis, upon a request from the Office of Technology Evaluation, or upon receipt of a petition filed by an interested party) to review and determine the foreign availability and the mass-market status of any item for export control under this Act. Authorizes the President, subject to specified exceptions, to prohibit, curtail, or require a license, other authorization, recordkeeping, or reporting for the export of an item subject to the foreign policy export control regimes under this Act. Requires a license for the export to a terrorist-supporting country of any item that could make a significant contribution to the country's military potential, or could enhance its ability to support acts of international terrorism. Exempts agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical supplies from the foreign policy export controls imposed under this Act, except for any such items that are subject to the national security export controls of this Act or are listed on the U.S. Munitions List, or would otherwise be exported to a country against which an embargo is in effect under the Trading With the Enemy Act. Sets forth procedures for the processing of export license applications, including their screening, referral, approval or denial, and review. Declares it is U.S. policy to seek multilateral arrangements, and to continue to participate in existing and additional multilateral export control regimes, that: (1) support U.S. national security interests; and (2) establish fairer and more predictable competitive opportunities for U.S. exporters. Directs the President to issue regulations that prohibit, with specified exceptions, U.S. persons from supporting any boycott imposed by a foreign country against a country friendly to the United States that is not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides, with specified exceptions, for the imposition of certain sanctions against U.S. and foreign persons who violate a multilateral export control regime or missile proliferation control regime, or contribute to the efforts of a country to develop or acquire chemical and biological weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2001
Entitles to an annuity under either the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System a military reserve technician who is separated from service as a technician after either: (1) becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 (currently, 25) years of such service; or (2) completing 25 years of such service.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2001 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to change the amount of monthly veterans' educational assistance allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill from a fixed amount adjusted for inflation to an amount equal to the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for commuter students at public institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees (75 percent of such amount for veterans whose initial obligated period of active duty is two years). Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine such average monthly costs each year and to publish such amounts in the Federal Register.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for a packer to own, feed, or control livestock intended for slaughter, with exceptions for: (1) a cooperative whose majority membership owns, feeds, or controls the livestock that the cooperative slaughters; or (2) a packer, owned or controlled by producers of a type of livestock, that slaughters less than two percent of such livestock slaughtered annually in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Low Income Housing Tax Credit for Native Americans Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disregard certain Native American housing assistance in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for low-income housing credit purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Children's Protection Act of 2001 - Exempts from Federal antitrust laws any collaborative efforts by or among persons in the entertainment industry to develop and disseminate voluntary guidelines designed to: (1) alleviate the negative impact of television, movies, video games, Internet content, and music lyrics containing violence, sexual content, criminal behavior, or other subjects that are inappropriate for children; or (2) promote telecast material that is educational, informational, or otherwise beneficial to the development of children. States that such exemption shall not apply to any efforts which: (1) result in a boycott of any person; or (2) concern the purchase or sale of advertising.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2001 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act of 2001 - Requires each participating manufacturer of a covered outpatient drug to make it available for purchase by each pharmacy: (1) in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the drug sold or distributed by the pharmacy to Medicare beneficiaries; and (2) at a price equal to the lower of either the lowest price paid for the drug by the Federal Government or the manufacturer's best price for the drug. Sets forth special provisions with respect to hospice programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to soft money to prohibit: (1) a national committee of a political party from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to FECA; (2) a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization; and (3) a candidate or an incumbent for Federal office from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to FECA, and from soliciting, receiving, directing, transferring, or spending funds in connection with any election other than an election for Federal office, or disbursing funds in connection with such an election unless the funds meet specified requirements. Establishes an individual annual limit of $10,000 for State committee contributions. Increases the aggregate individual contribution limit to $30,000. Requires national and State committees to report all receipts and disbursements. Repeals the building fund exception to the definition of contribution. Requires the filing of additional statements on electioneering communications with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). Sets out provisions with regard to electioneering communications, including rules prohibiting corporate and labor disbursements for such communications. Adds requirements for reporting certain independent expenditures to the FEC. Prohibits a committee of a political party from making both independent and coordinated expenditures for a nominee. Requires coordinated activities to be considered as contributions to and expenditures by a candidate. Lists the permitted and prohibited uses of amounts contributed by a candidate or an incumbent. Amends the Federal criminal code to revise the prohibition against campaign fundraising on Federal property. Amends FECA concerning contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with Federal, State, or local elections. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to codify the U. S. Supreme Court decision in Communications Workers of America et al. v. Beck et al.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Public Safety Medal of Valor Act- Authorizes the President to award, and present in the name of the Congress, a Medal of Valor to a public safety officer cited by the Attorney General, upon the recommendation of the Medal of Valor Review Board, for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. States that the Public Safety Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. Establishes a Medal of Valor Review Board to select candidates to receive the Medal from among applications received by the National Medal Office. Establishes within the Department of Justice a National Medal Office to support the Board and establish criteria and procedures for the submission of nominee recommendations for the Medal. Repeals provisions of the Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 establishing the President's Award for Outstanding Public Safety Service and the Secretary of Commerce's Award for Distinguished Public Safety Service.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a special rule allowing a charitable deduction for contributions of food inventory.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Social Security and Medicare Off-Budget Lockbox Act of 2001 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide that the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund shall not be counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of the Federal or congressional budgets or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) (thus, making it off-budget). Provides for related points of order in the House of Representatives and the Senate to enforce such requirement. Amends the Social Security Act to provide the same budgetary treatment for the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund as is provided to the Federal Disability and Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Funds. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide a point of order in the House or the Senate against consideration of any budget resolution or legislation that would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for any fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Meeting America's Investment Needs in Small Towns Act of 2001- Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prescribe a formula for periodic adjustments to the maximum amount of deposit insurance coverage ($100,000), including an inflation adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Food Security and Land Stewardship Act of 2001 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to establish a flexible fallow program for the 2001 and 2002 crop years under which a producer may idle a portion of the total loan commodity acreage in exchange for higher marketing assistance loan rates on the remaining acreage.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages (such FLSA provisions are also known as the Equal Pay Act) to: (1) add nonretaliation requirements; (2) increase penalties; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Directs the Secretary to provide for certain studies, information, national summit, and guidelines, awards, and assistance for employer evaluations of job categories based on objective criteria. Establishes the Alexis Herman National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to collect certain pay information.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Broadband Internet Access Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the broadband credit which shall be the sum of: (1) the current generation broadband credit; plus (2) the next generation broadband credit. Defines terms.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
National Electricity and Environmental Technology Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) identify technology costs and associated performance goals that would permit continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, chemical feedstocks, and transportation fuel; (2) implement research and development programs that include demonstration and commercial application of coal-based technologies; and (3) implement a power plant improvement initiative program demonstrating commercial applications of advanced coal-based technologies applicable to new or existing power plants including co-production plants, which must advance the effectiveness, environmental performance, and cost competitiveness well beyond that which is in operation or has been demonstrated on the date of enactment of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for investment in: (1) a qualifying clean coal technology unit in an existing coal-based electricity generation facility; and (2) early commercial applications of qualifying advanced clean coal technologies. Sets forth formulae for determining tax credits for unit production of both kinds of technologies. Exempts the installation of a qualifying system of continuous emission control from new source review requirements under the Clean Air Act. Grants a ten-year exemption from any new or increased emission control requirements for the specific pollutant controlled by such a system to any existing coal-based electricity generating unit on which it has been installed, if the system meets or exceeds the specified standard of performance for new stationary sources. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a financial risk pool for a limited time to offset the modification costs resulting from the failure of qualifying advanced clean coal technology to achieve its design performance. Cites conditions under which credits for emission reductions and efficiency improvements in existing coal-based generating facilities of electric cooperatives or publicly owned electric utilities may be treated as offset credits. Entitles the Tennessee Valley Authority to aggregate certain clean coal technology credits and apply them as a credit against obligations for annual returns on the appropriations investment and annual repayment sums.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Federal Elections Reform Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to soft money to prohibit: (1) a national committee of a political party from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to FECA; (2) a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party from soliciting or donating funds to a tax-exempt organization; and (3) a candidate or an incumbent for Federal office from soliciting or receiving funds not subject to FECA, and from soliciting, receiving, directing, transferring, or spending funds in connection with any election other than an election for Federal office, or disbursing funds in connection with such an election unless the funds meet specified requirements. Establishes an individual annual limit of $10,000 for State committee contributions. Increases the aggregate individual contribution limit to $30,000. Requires national and State committees to report all receipts and disbursements. Repeals the building fund exception to the definition of contribution. Adds requirements for reporting certain independent expenditures to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Prohibits a committee of a political party from making both independent and coordinated expenditures for a nominee. Requires coordinated activities to be considered as contributions to and expenditures by the candidate. Authorizes the FEC to conduct random audits to ensure voluntary FECA compliance. Prohibits false representation to solicit contributions. Amends the National Labor Relations Act to codify the U. S. Supreme Court decision in Communications Workers of America et al. v. Beck et al. Lists the permitted and prohibited uses of contributions received by a candidate or an incumbent. Amends Federal postal law to limit congressional use of the franking privilege. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit campaign fundraising on Federal property. Amends FECA to: (1) increase penalties for certain violations; (2) revise restrictions on contributions and donations by foreign nationals in Federal, State, or local elections; and (3) protect equal participation of eligible voters in campaigns and elections. Establishes within FEC a clearinghouse of public information regarding the political activities of foreign principals and their agents. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to condition the receipt of amounts from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund in a presidential election upon the candidate's certification not to solicit any funds for influencing such election unless the funds are subject to FECA. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit use of White House meals and accommodations for political fundraising. Amends FECA to require reimbursement for certain political fundraising involving use of Federal property. Amends IRC to ban coordination of soft money for issue advocacy by presidential candidates receiving public financing. Establishes the Commission on Voting Rights and Procedures to study and make recommendations on matters such as election technology and systems, designs and uniformity of ballots, and voter education. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States to implement the Commission's recommendations. Military Voting Rights Act of 2001 - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, with respect to voting, to require that a person absent from a State in compliance with military or naval orders shall not, solely by reason of that absence, be deemed to have: (1) lost a residence or domicile in that State; (2) acquired a residence or domicile in any other State; or (3) become resident in or a resident of any other State. Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require States, with respect to elections for State and local offices, to permit absentee voting by uniformed services members.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Child Care Infrastructure Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer-provided child care credit for qualified expenses to: (1) build, rehabilitate, or expand a qualified child care facility; (2) operate a qualified child care facility; (3) contract with a qualified child care facility to provide child care services to employees; or (4) reimburse an employee for expenses for child care which enables the employee to be gainfully employed.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Educational Excellence for All Learners Act of 2001 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and reauthorize certain ESEA programs. School Improvement Accountability Act - Revises ESEA title I programs for helping disadvantaged schoolchildren, with respect to: (1) reservations of funds for schools identified for corrective action or improvement; (2) accountability for yearly progress under State plans, assessments, and improvement aid; and (3) financial incentives for comprehensive school reform. Revises teacher professional development programs to require: (1) State plans to include goals for increasing numbers of fully qualified teachers; and (2) local educational agencies (LEA) to notify parents of their right to information about teacher qualifications. Revises innovative education programs to add requirements for State plans, sanctions, reports, standards, and assessment enhancements. Requires performance objectives for States and LEAs receiving funds for programs to assist limited English proficiency students. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) grants to States for annual State, LEA, and school report cards on elementary and secondary educational quality; and (2) awards to States for high performance in education. Extends the authorization of appropriations for ESEA title I programs for helping disadvantaged schoolchildren. Directs the Secretary annually to review how such funds are allocated to ensure that LEAs with the highest need are receiving funds in proportion to that need as compared to other LEAs. Establishes the Opportunities to Improve Our Nation's Schools (OPTIONS) program, under which the Secretary may make grants to States and LEAs to support programs that promote innovative approaches to high-quality public school choice. Sets forth parental involvement requirements for State plans for improving basic programs operated by LEAs. Establishes a program for Parental Assistance and Child Opportunity (which replaces current provisions relating to programs for children and youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at-risk of dropping out). Authorizes the Secretary, under such program, to make: (1) grants to nonprofit organizations, and such organizations in consortia with LEAs, to establish school-linked or school-based parental information and resource centers; and (2) grants to and contracts with local nonprofit parent organizations to support local family information centers to help ensure that parents of students in schools assisted under State plans for improving basic programs have training, information, and support they need to participate effectively in helping their children to meet challenging State standards. Revises, and reauthorizes appropriations for, ESEA title II teacher quality under professional development programs. Renames and revises such programs to emphasize provision of a qualified teacher in every classroom. Authorizes the Secretary to make: (1) grant allotments to States for State- and local-level teacher professional development, mentoring, and recruitment activities, including subgrants to LEAs, recruiting partnerships using teacher corps programs, and partnerships of higher education institutions and LEAs; and (2) grants to and contracts with various entities for national activities for the improvement of teaching and school leadership, including the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education, Transition-to-Teaching programs, Hometown Teacher programs, and Early Childhood Educator Professional Development. Establishes a program of grants for school renovation. Directs SEAs to reserve certain amounts for grants to LEAs for repair and renovation and for technology and activities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Amends the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2001 to revise the authorization of appropriations for a charter school credit enhancement initiative program. America's Better Classrooms Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish a limited tax credit for: (1) qualified public school modernization bonds (construction and zone academy bonds); and (2) qualified tribal school modernization bonds. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to establish provisions concerning employment and training activities related to the construction or reconstruction of public school facilities. Reauthorizes appropriations for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program under ESEA. Establishes an ESEA program of grants for class size reduction. Reading Excellence Act - Revises, renames, and reauthorizes appropriations for certain reading excellence programs under ESEA. Repeals ESEA provisions for tutorial assistance grants. Training for Technology Act of 2001 - Revises ESEA title III technology for education provisions. Requires local applications for school technology resource grants to demonstrate how LEAs will use portions of such funds for in-service teacher training. Establishes a program authorizing the Secretary, through the Office of Educational Technology, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible consortia for developing or redesigning teacher preparation programs to enable prospective teachers to use technology effectively in their classrooms. Allows technology-specific professional development grant funds to be used to provide incentives, including bonus payments, to teachers who achieve certain technology standards or information-technology certification. Makes appropriations for FY 2002 for assistance for education of all children with disabilities (part B of IDEA). Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding full funding of IDEA. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the maximum Pell grant should be increased under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Establishes an IRC tax deduction for higher education expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Securing a Future for Independent Agriculture Act of 2001 - Sets forth prohibitions against unfair practices involving agricultural commodity transactions. Establishes a related Family Farmer and Rancher Claims Commission. Requires an agricultural contract to carry an obligation of good faith. Sets forth specified agricultural contract-related provisions. Revises the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize private investors to establish the National Rural Cooperative and Business Equity Fund to raise and provide capital to rural businesses. Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require retailers of covered commodities to inform consumers at the final point of sale of the commodity's country of origin. Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to set forth marketing loan rates for feed grains, upland and extra long staple cotton, rice, and oilseeds. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to revise the farmland protection program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should take necessary actions to ensure the participation of socially disadvantaged farmers in Department of Agriculture programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Right Start Act of 2001 - Extends authorizations of appropriations for: (1) the Head Start Act; (2) the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (3) funding for child care under the Social Security Act; and (4) the Early Learning Opportunities Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the formula to increase the dependent care income tax credit for certain taxpayers, indexed for inflation, with an even greater credit for employment-related dependent care expenses; (2) allow a minimum dependent care income tax credit for stay-at-home parents; (3) provide for advance payment by the employer of an employee's dependent care income tax credit; and (4) allow a business-related tax credit for employer-provided child care expenditures. Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Insurance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to a State or local government to pay for the Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects that assist families by providing wage replacement for eligible individuals responding to caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a son or daughter or other family caregiving needs. Family and Medical Leave Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to extend coverage to employees at worksites where the employer employs at least 25 (currently 50) employees at the worksite and within 75 miles of that worksite. Time for Schools Act of 2001 - Amends FMLA to allow employees covered by such Act to take up to 24 hours, during any 12-month period, of school involvement leave to participate in: (1) an academic activity of their child's school, such as a parent-teacher conference or an interview for a school; or (2) literacy training under a family literacy program. Amends Federal civil service law to provide the same school involvement leave allowance for Federal employees. Amends FMLA and Federal civil service law to entitle to leave those employees who must address the effects of domestic violence.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
21st Century Law Enforcement, Crime Prevention, and Victims Assistance Act - Extends: (1) the community policing (COPS) program by providing for hiring more police and prosecutors; (2) Project Exile; and (3) the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative. Imposes a gun ban for juveniles convicted or adjudicated delinquent for violent crimes. Requires revocation of a firearms dealer's license for failing to have secure gun safety devices available for sale with firearms. Requires criminal background checks for all gun sales at gun shows. Establishes new crimes and increases penalties for killing Federal officers. Enhances the penalty for assaults and threats against Federal officials engaged in official duties. Provides a limited protective function privilege for Secret Service agents. Prohibits the interstate franchising of street gangs. Increases penalties for crimes involving the use of body armor or laser-sighting devices. Doubles the maximum criminal penalties for: (1) using or threatening physical violence against witnesses; and (2) voluntary manslaughter. Provides for jurisdiction over foreign banks engaged in money laundering that have U.S. accounts and for criminal forfeiture for money laundering conspiracies. Provides: (1) a model Bill of Rights for crime victims in the Federal system; and (2) assistance for shelters and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence. Makes available to States grants for victim-related training and notification systems. Authorizes grants for pilot programs to operate Victim Ombudsman Information Centers. Establishes new offenses and increases penalties for crimes against senior citizens. Reauthorizes the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and creates a new juvenile justice block grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefit Program) (OPDBP) to provide Medicare coverage of certain outpatient prescription drugs and biological products for individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for an outpatient prescription drug benefit program for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Outlines premiums and cost-sharing provisions, including those for a $250 deductible waivable for generic drugs, as well as coinsurance provisions. Sets out patient protections. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and implement an Employer Incentive Program that encourages sponsors of employment-based health care coverage to provide adequate prescription drug benefits to retired individuals. Establishes a Medicare Pharmacy and Therapeutics Advisory Committee. Amends SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) to require each Medicare+Choice plan, with specified exceptions, to provide enrolled members items and services for which benefits are available under new part D. Amends SSA title XVIII part D to exclude Medicare part D costs from determination of the part B monthly premium. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) include in Medicare cost-sharing for qualified Medicare beneficiaries premiums under OPDBP; and (2) provide for expanding medical assistance with regard to OPDBP coinsurance and deductible. Sets at 100 percent the Federal Medicaid percentage with respect to such medical assistance. Amends SSA title XI to increase Medicaid payments to territories. Amends SSA title XVIII to revise requirements for benefit packages for Medicare supplemental policies, and with regard to comprehensive immunosuppressive drug coverage for transplant patients. Directs the Secretary to study whether to: (1) establish a uniform format for pharmacy benefit cards provided to beneficiaries by eligible entities under OPDBP; and (2) develop systems to transfer prescriptions electronically under OPDBP from the prescriber to the pharmacist. Outlines provisions for General Accounting Office and Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) studies involving OPDBP.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Enhancing Economic Security for America's Working Families Act - Amends various Federal laws relating to the economic security of workers and their families. Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2001 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to increase the Federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.75 an hour beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.25 an hour during the year beginning on January 1, 2002; and (3) $6.65 an hour beginning on January 1, 2003. Makes Federal minimum requirements applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends FLSA to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages (such FLSA provisions are also known as the Equal Pay Act) to: (1) add nonretaliation requirements; (2) increase penalties; and (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages. Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. Directs the Secretary to provide for certain studies, information, national summit, and guidelines, awards, and assistance for employer evaluations of job categories based on objective criteria. Establishes the Alexis Herman National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to collect certain pay information. Directs the Secretary to carry out demonstration programs or projects to provide technical skills training for workers, including both employed and unemployed workers, through grants to local or regional public-private partnerships. FamilyCare Act of 2001 - Renames the State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA) as the FamilyCare program to provide for: (1) FamilyCare coverage of parents under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) as well as new SSA title XXI; (2) optional FamilyCare coverage of parents of targeted low-income children; (3) automatic eligibility for FamilyCare coverage of children born to a parent on FamilyCare assistance; (4) optional coverage of legal immigrants and of children through age 20 under both Medicaid and FamilyCare; (5) application of simplified FamilyCare procedures under Medicaid; (6) increased welfare-to-work transition under FamilyCare; (7) elimination of the 100 hour rule (eligibility requirement that a dependent child be deprived of parental support or care by reason of the parent's death, incapacity, unemployment, or continued absence from home) and other SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) related eligibility restrictions under FamilyCare; (8) limitations on specified conflicts of interests under SSA titles XIX and XXI; (9) increased FamilyCare allotment for FY 2002 through 2004; (10) authority to pay Medicaid expansion costs from the FamilyCare appropriation; and (11) appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award demonstration grants to a limited number of States to conduct innovative programs designed to improve outreach to homeless individuals and families under specified programs. Makes appropriations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the earned income credit to: (1) increase it for an eligible individual with two or more children; (2) revise definitions of earned income and child dependent credit; and (3) modify joint return requirements and rules where there are two or more eligible individuals. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to restore eligibility for food stamp benefits for legal immigrants and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Patients' Bill of Rights Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to protect consumers in managed care plans and other health coverage. Sets forth standards relating to: (1) grievance and appeals procedures; (2) access to care; (3) access to information; and (4) protection of the doctor-patient relationship. Applies such quality care and patient protection standards to group health plans, group health coverage, and individual health coverage under specified provisions of PHSA, ERISA, and IRC. Directs the Secretaries of Labor, of Health and Human Services (HHS), and of the Treasury to ensure coordination in the implementation of this Act. Establishes the Health Care Panel to Devise a Uniform Explanation of Benefits. Requires the Panel to devise a single form for use by third-party health care payers for remittance of claims to providers. Directs the Secretary of HHS to determine the composition of the Panel, including equal numbers of representatives from specified types of groups. Prohibits this Act from having any effect upon the Social Security Act or its trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Self-Employed Health Insurance Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for 100 percent of a self-employed individual's health insurance costs for himself or herself, spouse, and dependents, unless such individual participates in an employer-maintained health plan. (Current law provides for a phased-in 100 percent deduction and disallowance upon participation eligibility.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
States that Congress should: (1) enact a new farm bill during the first session of the 107th Congress; (2) include in the budget resolution for FY 2002 sufficient funds to provide an adequate farm income safety net and eliminate the need for off-budget, emergency spending; (3) ensure that all farm-related payments are allocated fairly and reasonably and in relation to need; and (4) provide such additional sums as are necessary to fund other farm bill priorities, such as priorities involving rural development and telecommunication, conservation, research, nutrition, and food safety.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2000
Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 - Title I: Commodity Futures Modernization - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize appropriations for authorities and activities under such Act. Revises specified provisions, including: (1) over-the-counter derivatives; (2) futures exchange regulation; (3) contracts; (4) prohibited transactions; and (5) boards of trade. Title II: Coordinated Regulation of Security Futures Products - Subtitle A: Securities Law Amendments - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 respecting: (1) regulatory relief for markets and intermediaries trading security futures products; and (2) interagency cooperation. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Commodity Exchange Act - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act respecting Securities and Exchange Commission jurisdiction. Title III: Legal Certainty for Swap Agreements - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 respecting swap agreements. Title IV: Regulatory Responsibility for Bank Products - Legal Certainty for Bank Products Act of 2000 - Excludes specified banking products and swap agreements from Commodity Futures Exchange Commission coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2000
Voting Study and Improvement Act of 2000 - Directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to: (1) study the feasibility and advisability of alternative means and instruments of voting in Federal elections and to make appropriate recommendations; and (2) develop and make public a plan to award and disburse Voting Improvement Grants to States to facilitate their adoption of FEC recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2000
Conservation Security Act of 2000 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a conservation security program to assist agricultural owners and operators promote conservation of soil, water, and related resources such as wildlife and wetlands. Requires a participant to submit a resource security plan. Sets forth three tiers of resource security plan conservation practices, and bases a participant's annual payments upon implemented tiers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2000
Peace Through Negotiations Act of 2000 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to oppose the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, to withhold diplomatic recognition of any Palestinian state that is unilaterally declared, and to encourage other countries and international organizations to withhold diplomatic recognition of any Palestinian state that is unilaterally declared. Sets forth certain measures that shall be applied in the event that a Palestinian state is unilaterally declared, including: (1) to make it unlawful for the government of any unilaterally declared Palestinian state, the Palestinian Authority, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), or any successor entities to establish an office in the United States; (2) to bar of U.S. assistance to the government of any unilaterally declared Palestinian state, the Palestinian Authority (or to any successor entity), and any programs or projects in the West Bank or Gaza (except humanitarian assistance); (3) to withhold a specified percentage of the U.S. contribution to any international organization that recognizes a unilaterally declared Palestinian state; and (4) to oppose such state's membership in any international financial institution or the extension by such institution of any loan or other financial assistance to it. Authorizes the President to suspend, for one year, the application of a specified number of such measures provided he determines and certifies to specified congressional committees that such suspensions are in the national security interests of the United States or the application of such measures would significantly hinder the prospects for a negotiated peace agreement in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit a group of authorized private investors to establish and manage a National Rural Cooperative and Business Equity Fund to raise and provide equity capital for rural businesses. Assists the Fund through direct Federal payments and Federal guarantees of private sector assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2000
Harmful Nonnative Weed Control Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide financial assistance through States to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds on public and private land. Prohibits such assistance from being used to carry out projects to control or eradicate aquatic noxious weeds or animal pests.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2000
Recognizes the efforts of the late Korczak Ziolkowski in designing and creating the Crazy Horse Memorial. Expresses the sense of the Senate that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski for his upcoming 100th birthday.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the men and women who fought the Jasper Fire in the Black Hills of South Dakota should be commended for their heroic efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2000
National Rural Development Partnership Act of 2000 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the National Rural Development Partnership composed of the National Rural Development Council (established by this Act) and State and rural development councils (authorized by this Act). Includes among Partnership purposes: (1) enhancement of State and local rural development capacities; and (2) engagement of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private and nonprofit sectors in such efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for State rural development council matching requirements. Terminates the Partnership five years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2000
Minor Animal Species Health and Welfare Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define: "minor species" as animals other than cattle, horses, swine, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats; and (2) "minor use" as use on minor species or on other species for a disease or condition that occurs infrequently or in limited geographic areas. Provides for the designation of new animal drugs as being for minor use and mandates approval exclusivity for seven or ten years. Allows marketing of unapproved drugs for minor species with no human food safety concern. Authorizes grants for minor use drug clinical testing and manufacturing. Modifies new animal drug approval requirements. Establishes the Office of Minor Use Animal Drug Development in the Center of Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business research tax credit (not applicable to grant funds) for minor use clinical research spending.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
Wheat Protein Mismeasurement Compensation Act - Directs: the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) compensate eligible wheat producers and elevator operators for lost revenues resulting from certain erroneous Federal Grain Inspection Service protein measurement standards; and (2) negotiate a class settlement agreement. Sets forth settlement provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2000
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, with respect to sugars, syrups, and molasses (excluding cane or beet sugar) that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during any fiscal year under certain quantitative import restrictions (tariff-rate quotas), to establish a duty on such articles and other articles if they are subsequently used for the commercial extraction or production of sugar, or such articles are used in any manner that circumvent any quota imposed under the Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2000
National Domestic Violence Hotline Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to a nonprofit organization to establish and operate an Internet website to: (1) link the National Domestic Violence Hotline and every domestic violence shelter; (2) maintain continuously updated information regarding such available shelter space and services throughout the United States; and (3) be made available to such Hotline and shelters in order to connect victims with services while the caller remains on the line. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c5d339296979dfed1ac5405574a1d7a5_200.jpg)