United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Designates: (1) April 25, 2003, as DNA Day in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of the description of the double-helix structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) by James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick; and (2) April 2003 as Human Genome Month to celebrate that anniversary, the essential completion of the sequence of the human genome, and the development of a plan for the future of genomics.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act of 2003 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide that a public safety officer who dies as the direct and proximate result of a heart attack or stroke suffered while on duty or not later than 24 hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation shall be presumed to have died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty, for purposes of survivor benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Organic Restoration Act of 2003 - Amends the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003, to repeal the provision permitting a farm to be certified as organic with respect to livestock produced on such farm if it uses non-organically produced feed under certain cost-based circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 - Adjusts the basic Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity amount for surviving spouses, age 62 and older, of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent (current law), for months before October 2004; (2) 40 percent for months during FY 2005; (3) 45 percent for months during FY 2006; (4) 50 percent for months during FY 2007; and (5) 55 percent for months after FY 2007. Adjusts similarly percentage amounts with respect to survivors of reserve personnel and survivors of persons who die while on active duty. Provides a corresponding phased elimination of the SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided to such surviving spouses. Requires periodic recomputation of: (1) annuity amounts beginning in October 2004; and (2) retired pay reductions for supplemental survivor annuities. Provides a one-year open enrollment period for SBP participation, commencing October 1, 2004, for those currently not participating, those electing to increase current coverage, and those wishing to participate in the supplemental SBP. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to require appropriate premiums for SBP participation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan or health insurance issuer from denying benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of an injury solely because such injury resulted from the participation of the participant or beneficiary in a legal transportation and recreational activity such as motorcycling or skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Lumbee Acknowledgment Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law designating a certain group of Indians as the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina to acknowledge the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Declares the Tribe and its members eligible for all programs, services, and benefits (including privileges and immunities) provided by the Federal Government to Indian tribes and their members. Permits any Indian group located in or adjoining Robeson County, North Carolina, to submit to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) a petition for acknowledgment. Deems Robeson County, North Carolina, to be the Tribe's reservation for the purposes of Federal law. Requires the Secretary to verify the population of the Tribe and determine those eligible to receive Federal programs, services, and benefits. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine the needs of the Tribe and recommend a budget required to serve it.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Osteoporosis Federal Employee Health Benefits Standardization Act of 2003 - Prohibits contracts from being made or plans approved under the health insurance program for Federal employees which do not include coverage of bone mass measurements of qualified individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Pregnancy Discrimination Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include breast-feeding (including expression of milk by a lactating woman) within the definitions of "because of sex" or "on the basis of sex" for purposes of the discrimination prohibitions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Medicare Osteoporosis Measurement Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include coverage of bone mass measurements under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for all individuals, including estrogen-deficient women, at clinical risk for osteoporosis.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Providing Annual Pap Tests to Save Women's Lives Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage of screening pap smears and screening pelvic exams to annual examinations regardless of whether a woman is of childbearing age or at high-risk.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Consumer Involvement in Breast Cancer Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Cancer Institute, to the extent practicable, to increase the involvement of people who are accountable to, represent, and report back to organizations that represent those affected by breast cancer in decision making at the Institute regarding breast cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals provisions providing for special compensation for certain severely disabled military retirees and certain combat-related disabled uniformed services retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Geriatric Care Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payments to hospitals, rural health clinics, or Federally qualified health centers for direct graduate medical education (GME) costs and the limitation on the number of full-time-equivalent residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Provides for the disregard of up to three geriatric residents in applying such limitation. Extends the eligibility period for GME payment for geriatric fellowship training. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for Medicare coverage of care coordination and assessment services to an individual with a serious and disabling chronic condition.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Bipartisan Renewable, Efficient Energy with Zero Effluent (BREEZE) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend, for three years, the credit for producing energy from wind.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003 - Amends Federal civil service law to revise the formula for funding benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System for U.S. Postal Service employees, including Postal supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Mandates that savings accruing to the Postal Service as a result of this Act be used to reduce the postal debt as the Secretary of the Treasury shall specify. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the savings accruing to the Postal Service as a result of this Act will be sufficient to allow the Postal Service to fulfill its commitment to hold postage rates unchanged until at least 2006; (2) because the Postal Service still faces substantial obligations related to postretirement health benefits for its current and former employees, some portion of those savings should be used to address the unfunded obligations; and (3) none of the savings should be used to pay bonuses to Postal Service executives.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Clean Power Act of 2003 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to achieve specified reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and mercury from certain electric generation facilities by January 1, 2009 (January 1, 2008, for mercury emissions). Directs the Administrator to establish an emission allowance tracking and transfer system. Makes a special rule for mercury emissions. Directs the Administrator to study the impact of emission allowance trading. Limits the trading of allowances with facilities other than electricity generating facilities to certain carbon dioxide emission control programs. Provides an allocation to: (1) dislocated workers; (2) disproportionately adversely impacted communities; (3) electricity generating facilities; (4) renewable electricity generating units; (5) efficiency projects; (6) cleaner energy sources; and (7) biological carbon sequestration activities. Directs the Administrator to establish and annually review emission limitations for mercury. Requires that captured or recovered emissions not be re-released into the environment. Requires the Administrator to request information from owners/operators about hazardous air pollutants other than mercury. Directs the Administrator to then propose and promulgate emission standards. Requires facilities to achieve specified emission standards should the regulations not be promulgated. Requires an assessment and identification of sensitive ecosystems and the objectives necessary for their protection, including the Adirondack, the mid-Appalachian, Rocky, and southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Includes as well the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound, and the Chesapeake Bay.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Make College Affordable Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the deduction for higher education expenses by increasing the applicable dollar limit; and (2) allow a limited credit for interest paid on higher education loans.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Social Security Family Protection Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that, if an OASDI recipient dies during the first 15 days of a month, the last payment of the monthly benefit for that month shall be half the ususal benefit amount.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Government Pension Offset Reform Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the amount by which two-thirds of the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Social Security Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal: (1) pension offset provisions applicable to husband's and wife's insurance benefits, widow's and widower's insurance benefits, and mother's and father's insurance benefits with respect to Old-Age and Survivors insurance benefit payments; and (2) windfall elimination provisions with respect to computation of the primary insurance amount of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2003
Elder Justice Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Elder Justice) to establish: (1) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Office of Elder Justice; (2) within HHS an Intra-Agency Elder Justice Steering Committee to coordinate HHS elder justice programs and policy; (3) the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations for the coordination of activities to HHS, the Department of Justice, and other relevant Federal, State, local, and private agencies and entities; and (4) the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Outlines provisions with respect to uniform collection, maintenance, and dissemination of national data relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to award various grants, including grants for: (1) prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (2) five Centers of Excellence nationwide that shall specialize in research, clinical practice, and training relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (3) six diverse communities to examine various types of elder shelters and to test various models for establishing safe havens; (4) nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations to encourage such organizations to establish or continue volunteer programs that focus on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, or that provide related services; and (5) various multidisciplinary elder justice activities. Provides for: (1) reporting to law enforcement of crimes occurring in Federally-funded long-term care facilities; (2) revising the quality of long-term care; and (3) increasing consumer information about long-term care. Amends: (1) SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to establish programs to prevent abuse of skilled nursing facility and nursing facility residents; (2) the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of health care professionals with geriatric training; (3) the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to the long-term care ombudsman program; (4) part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to establish in HHS the Office of Adult Protective Services; and (5) SSA titles XVIII and XIX to assure safety of residents when nursing facilities close. Establishes in the Department of Justice an Office of Elder Justice. Amends the: (1) Federal criminal code to provide for a cause of action for elder abuse and neglect; and (2) Internal Revenue Code to provide for a long-term care facility worker employment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the special rule for the redistribution and availability of unexpended FY1998 and 1999 SCHIP allotments, including to: (1) extend the availability of FY 1998 and 1999 reallocated funds through FY 2004; and (2) permit 50 percent of the total amount of unexpended FY 2000 and 2001 SCHIP allotments that remain available to a State through the end of FY 2002 and 2003 to remain available for expenditure by the State through the end of FY 2004 and 2005, respectively. Makes this amendment effective as though it had been enacted on September 30, 2002. Grants authority to qualifying States, with respect to FY 1998 through 2001 SCHIP allotments, for fiscal years in which such allotments are available, to elect to use not more than 20 percent of them (instead of for expenditures under SCHIP) for Medicaid medical assistance payments with respect to certain children under SSA title XIX.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Small Business Drought Relief Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Act to include within the definition of "disaster," for purposes of disaster loans provided to small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA), droughts and below average water levels in the Great Lakes or any other U.S. body of water that supports commerce by small businesses. Authorizes such loan assistance for farm- and nonfarm-related small businesses affected by droughts. Limits the amount that may be used during fiscal year 2003 to provide drought disaster loans to non-farm related concerns. Requires the SBA to respond in writing to a State Governor regarding its determination concerning the provision of disaster loan assistance within 30 days after receiving such Governor's certification that small businesses in that State have suffered economic injury as a result of a disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Firefighting Research and Coordination Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration (Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)) to: (1) develop new, and utilize existing, measurement techniques and testing methodologies for evaluating new firefighting technologies; (2) evaluate the compatibility of new equipment and technology with existing technology; and (3) support the development of new standards through national voluntary consensus standards organizations for new firefighting technologies based on specified techniques and methodologies. Directs the Administrator to: (1) provide technical assistance and training to State and local fire service officials to establish nationwide and State mutual aid systems for dealing with national emergencies; and (2) develop and make model mutual aid plans for both intrastate and interstate assistance available to State and local fire service officials. Requires the Director of FEMA to revise FEMA's Federal Response Plan to incorporate plans for responding to terrorist attacks, particularly in urban areas. Authorizes the Superintendent of the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control to train fire service personnel in: (1) strategies for building collapse rescue; (2) the use of technology in response to fires; (3) response, tactics, and strategies for dealing with terrorist-caused national catastrophes; (4) use of and familiarity with the national plan; (5) leadership and strategic skills, including integrated management systems operations and integrated response; (6) strategies and tactics for fighting forest fires; (7) integration of terrorism response agencies into the national terrorism incident response system; and (8) response tactics and strategies for fighting fires at U.S. ports, including fires on the water and aboard vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2003
Declares that the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy shall not dissuade or discourage this Nation from venturing ever farther into space. Restates the commitment to exploring the planets and celestial bodies of our solar system and beyond. Expresses condolences to the families of the seven astronauts and to friends and allies in Israel over the loss of Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli in space.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
Public Good IRA Rollover Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit tax-free distributions from an individual retirement account made directly to a qualified charity.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2003
High School Sports Information Collection Act of 2003 - Amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (PL107-279) to direct the Statistics Commissioner (of the National Center for Education Statistics in the Institute of Education Sciences in the Department of Education) to collect information from coeducational secondary schools with respect to equality in their athletic programs. Requires such information to include total budget and expenditures for each team, season and postseason schedules and successes, as well as identification of: (1) each participant's gender, race, and ethnicity; and (2) each coach's gender and qualifications.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Municipal Debt Refinancing Act- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a second or third advance refunding of bonds if the original bond was issued to finance governmental facilities used for essential government functions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the special fuel excise tax on railroads and inland waterway transportation. Subjects diesel fuel used in trains to the additional tax for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2003
Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2003 - Sets forth certain increased average fuel economy standards for certain light trucks, automobiles (up to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight), and certain classes of vehicles in the Federal fleet that are manufactured or purchased after specified dates.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to repeal the President's authority to disestablish the Interagency Task Force. Requires the President, in conjunction with the chief executive officers of the States, to develop and submit to Congress a Prediction and Response Plan to protect environmental and public health from impacts of harmful algal blooms. Specifies plan, publication and Federal assistance requirements. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Task Force, to provide for local and regional assessments of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, as requested by coastal States, Indian tribes, and local governments. Provides guidelines for local and regional assessments.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Coastal Zone Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to any coastal State without an approved coastal zone management program if such State demonstrates that its grant will be used to develop a management program consistent with the Act's requirements. Allows grants to States for administering a State's coastal zone management program to be used for developing and implementing coastal nonpoint pollution control program components. Revises provisions respecting: (1) resource management improvement grants; (2) loan repayments; and (3) coastal zone enhancement grants. Authorizes grants to coastal States to assist in specified community and local activities. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a cooperative program to develop and apply innovative coastal and estuarine environmental technology and methodology. Changes from mandatory to discretionary the authority to conduct the "Walter B. Jones Awards" program to promote excellence in coastal zone management by identifying and acknowledging outstanding accomplishments in the field. Revises National Estuarine Research Reserve System requirements. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere should reevaluate shoreline mileage calculations used in the distribution of funding under the coastal zone management program to ensure equitable treatment of all regions, including Southeastern and Great Lakes States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2003
Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA, which is subchapter B of MLSA) to extend authorizations of appropriations and revise programs under such Acts. Amends MLSA to establish the National Museum and Library Services Board within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Eliminates a National Museum Services Board.) Requires the IMLS Director to: (1) ensure coordination with certain activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), and other Federal activities; and (2) conduct and publish analyses of museum and library services impact. Revises requirements for annual national awards to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities. Includes specified entities under the term museum, for MLSA purposes. Revises museum services activities. Entitles subchapter C of MLSA as the Museum Services Act. Amends LSTA to provide for: (1) an increased portion for administrative costs; (2) an increased alternative minimum allotment to States under certain conditions; (3) State plans once every five years, as determined by the IMLS Director; (4) additional uses of grants to States for library programs; and (5) recruitment of library and information science personnel under the program of national leadership grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Amends the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act with respect to contributions and membership. Repeals requirements relating to Commission responsibilities to: (1) advise the IMLS Director; and (2) meet with the National Museum Services Board, which is eliminated by this Act. Amends the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act to increase maximum limits on liability amounts. Designates the Capital Children's Museum in Washington, D.C., as the National Children's Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2003
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to adjustments to the base price used to establish "export price" (at which the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) before the date of its importation by the merchandise producer or exporter outside the United States to an unaffiliated purchaser in the United States (or an unaffiliated purchaser for exportation to the United States)) and "constructed export price" (at which the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) in the United States before or after the date of its importation by or for the account of the merchandise producer or exporter or by a seller affiliated with the producer or exporter, to a purchaser not affiliated with the producer or exporter). Revises the adjustment formula to reduce the base price by an amount attributable to any countervailing duties imposed under such Act which are incident to bringing the merchandise from the original place of shipment in the exporting country to the place of delivery in the United States. Applies this Act to goods from Canada and Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2003
Coastal Zone Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to any coastal State without an approved coastal zone management program if such State demonstrates that its grant will be used to develop a management program consistent with the Act's requirements. Allows grants to States for administering a State's coastal zone management program to be used for developing and implementing coastal nonpoint pollution control program components. Revises provisions respecting: (1) resource management improvement grants; (2) loan repayments; and (3) coastal zone enhancement grants. Authorizes grants to coastal States to assist in specified community and local activities. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a cooperative program to develop and apply innovative coastal and estuarine environmental technology and methodology. Changes from mandatory to discretionary the authority to conduct the "Walter B. Jones Awards" program to promote excellence in coastal zone management by identifying and acknowledging outstanding accomplishments in the field. Revises National Estuarine Research Reserve System requirements. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere should reevaluate shoreline mileage calculations used in the distribution of funding under the coastal zone management program to ensure equitable treatment of all regions, including Southeastern and Great Lakes States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2003
Directs the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security for the Department of Homeland Security to develop, and report to specified congressional committees on, a cargo security plan to ensure the adequacy of security measures for the transportation of cargo into and in the United States, and implement specified security measures with respect to cargo at airports and other transportation facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2003
Guaranteeing a United and Resolute Defense Act of 2003 or GUARD Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide funds to the governor of a State who submits, and receives approval of, a plan for the use of personnel and equipment of the State's National Guard in homeland security activities. Provides authorizes uses of such funding, including: (1) pay, allowances, and clothing; (2) equipment and facilities operation and maintenance; and (3) procurement of related services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2003
State and Local Aid and Economic Stimulus Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law to authorize and make appropriations for FY 2003 for a one-time revenue grant to States and local governments. Specifies amounts to be allotted to each of the States based upon population and changes in unemployment rates. Declares the sense of Congress that priority for using funds allotted under this Act should be given to homeland security, medicaid, public health, highway construction, childcare, elementary, secondary, and higher education, and the prevention of additional property tax increases.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2003
Intelligence Community Leadership Act of 2003 - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to establish the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to be composed of: (1) a Director and Deputy Director of National Intelligence; (2) a Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Community Management; (3) a National Intelligence Council; (4) three Assistant Directors for National Intelligence for Collection, Analysis and Production, and Administration; (5) a General Counsel to the Director; (6) an Inspector General of the Intelligence Community; and (7) the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive. Includes among the Director's responsibilities: (1) providing national intelligence to the President, the heads of Federal departments and agencies, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior military commanders, and, where appropriate, Congress; (2) developing an annual budget for intelligence and intelligence-related activities; and (3) establishing requirements and priorities to govern the collection of national intelligence by elements of the intelligence community. Recodifies provisions establishing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), designating as its lead official the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (currently, the Director of Central Intelligence) and removing provisions which established specified CIA deputy and assistant director positions. Prohibits an individual from serving simultaneously as Director of National Intelligence and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director should be a cabinet-level official. Provides Executive Schedule pay levels for the newly-established Director, Deputy Director, and Assistant Director positions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2003
Small Business Expensing Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the expensing of depreciable business assets (section 179) to increase the maximum amount which may be expensed to $75,000 and the phase-out threshold to $325,000.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit any qualified broadband expenditure which is paid or incurred by the taxpayer to be treated as an expense which is not chargeable to capital account; and (2) any expenditure so treated to be allowed as a deduction. Defines terms and sets forth rules.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2003
Authorizes the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in calculating the Federal cost for guaranteeing small business loans under the Small Business Act during FY 2003, to use the most recently approved subsidy cost model and methodology in conjunction with the program and economic assumptions, and historical data included in the FY 2003 budget. Requires the Small Business Administration, after written notification to Congress, to implement the validated, OMB-approved subsidy rate for FY 2003, using this model and methodology.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003
Climate Stewardship Act of 2003 - Establishes Federal climate change research and related activities, including: (1) post-secondary scholarships; (2) a study of technology transfer barriers; (3) a report on the impact of the Kyoto Protocol on the United States; (4) research grants on priority areas; (5) research on potential abrupt climate change; and (6) enhancing measurements, standards, and technologies that enable the reduction of greenhouse gasses. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain the National Greenhouse Gas Database, including the development of measurement and verification methods and standards. Requires covered entities to submit to the Administrator one tradeable allowance for every metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalence, specifically: (1) the electric generation, industrial, and commercial sectors for greenhouse gases produced; (2) producers or importers for hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, or sulfur hexafluoride produced or imported; and (3) petroleum refiners or importers for greenhouse gasses (when used for transportation). Permits: (1) the use of tradeable allowances to achieve compliance; (2) the conversion of fuel economy standard credits to tradeable allowances, as specified; (3) borrowing against future reductions; and (4) tradeable allowances to be sold, exchanged, purchased, retired, banked, or used. Permits the exemption of certain source categories if it is not feasible to measure or estimate emissions. Directs the Administrator to establish tradeable allowances in units of carbon dioxide equivalence. Provides for the allocation of such allowances according to economic impact factors. Establishes the Climate Change Credit Corporation to manage tradeable allowances.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003
Child Support Enforcement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (relating to the deduction for bad debts) to allow a custodial parent to claim unpaid child support payments as a deduction. Bars a delinquent debtor from filing an amended return in any subsequent year to reflect the subsequent payment of unpaid child support. Includes unpaid child support in the gross income of the delinquent debtor. Prohibits any discrepancy between the tax returns of a custodial parent and a delinquent debtor concerning whether a child support payment has been made from serving as a basis for selecting an individual's tax return for general audit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003
Community Choice in Real Estate Act of 2003 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, and the Revised Statutes of the United States, to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)