United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Pledge of Allegiance, including the phrase "One Nation, under God," reflects the historical fact that a belief in God permeated the founding and development of our Nation; (2) the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals's ruling is inconsistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's First Amendment jurisprudence that the Pledge and similar expressions are not unconstitutional expressions of religious belief; (3) such phrase should remain in the Pledge; and (4) the Ninth Circuit should agree to rehear this ruling en banc in order to reverse this constitutionally infirm and historically incorrect ruling.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that it opposes the ruling of a Federal appeals court that the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion and cannot be recited in schools, because the Pledge is a deeply embedded symbol of our Nation and the freedoms we hold so dear.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2002
Commends the roofing professionals who replaced, at no cost to the Federal Government, the section of the Pentagon's slate roof destroyed by the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2002
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician or other individual from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion, except when necessary to save the life of a mother that is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2002
Authorizes appropriations to: (1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the development and deployment of a multifrequency Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite in support of a national energy policy; and (2) the U.S. Geological Survey for Command, Control, Data Processing, Archiving, and Distribution of data from the satellite through the EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and through the Alaska Synthetic Aperture Radar Facility of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska/Fairbanks.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act of 2002 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the use of the best scientific and commercial data available as a basis of determinations on a petition to add or remove a species from the endangered species list. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to give greater weight to any scientific or commercial study or other information that is empirical or has been field-tested or peer-reviewed. Requires that a petition regarding a species contain clear and convincing evidence of the current and historic ranges of the species concerned, of the most recent population estimates and trends for the species, that any alleged change in the population is beyond normal fluctuations, and of the reason that the petitioned action is warranted. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate regulations that establish criteria that must be met for scientific and commercial information to be used as the basis of a determination to support listing a species; and (2) identify and publish in the Federal Register with notice of a proposed regulation a description of additional scientific and commercial data that would assist in the preparation of a recovery plan. Prohibits the Secretary from determining that a species is endangered or threatened unless field data collected supports the determination. Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint an independent review board to review and report on the scientific information and analyses on which a covered action is based before such covered action becomes final; and (2) provide specified participation opportunities to any person who has sought authorization or funding from a Federal agency for an action that is subject to consultation regarding its effects on endangered or threatened species or habitats.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a credit to promote the production and usage of biodiesel fuel. Requires a taxpayer to obtain a certification from the producer of the biodiesel which identifies the product produced in order to utilize the credit. Imposes a tax for biodiesel not used as fuel, but for which a credit was granted. Reduces motor fuel excise taxes on biodiesel mixtures. Provides for transfers of funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to the Highway Trust Fund in amounts equivalent to the reductions that would occur but for this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2002
Urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General that a commemorative postage stamp be issued by the U.S. Postal Service each year in honor of Veterans Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2002
Black Hills National Forest Preservation and Public Safety Act of 2002 - Declares that the fire hazard associated with deteriorating forest health conditions in the Beaver Park Roadless Area and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve of the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, constitutes an emergency circumstance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to request authority from the appropriate executive branch officials to use alternative expedited arrangements to address such problems.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2002
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2005; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2005. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2005, and, if not, Congress should be required to vote to reauthorize the Code.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act - Prohibits an agent from: (1) directly or indirectly recruiting or soliciting a student athlete to enter into an agency contract by giving false or misleading information or making a false promise or representation or by providing anything of value to the athlete before entering into such a contract; (2) entering into an agency contract with a student athlete without providing the required disclosure document; or (3) predating or postdating an agency contract. Requires an agent, in conjunction with the signing of an agency contract, to provide to the athlete a separate disclosure document that includes notice that if the athlete signs the contract he or she may lose eligibility to compete as a student athlete in that sport. Requires the student athlete to sign such document before signing the agency contract. Treats a violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Authorizes civil actions by State attorneys general under specified circumstances. Requires the agent and the athlete, within 72 hours after entering into an agency contract or before the next athletic event in which the athlete may participate, whichever occurs first, to provide notice to the educational institution that the athlete has entered into an agency contract. Grants an educational institution a right of action against an agent for damages caused by such agent's failure to provide such notice. Expresses the sense of Congress that States should enact the Uniform Athlete Agents Act of 2000 drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws to protect student athletes and the integrity of amateur sports from unscrupulous sports agents.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2002
Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Federal Government, and any State or local government that receives Federal financial assistance, from discriminating against any health care entity because (in addition to current prohibited reasons) the entity refuses to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions. Expands the definition of "health care entity" to include (in addition to physicians) other health professionals, a hospital, a provider sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2002
Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act - Amends Federal law to direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program to: (1) deputize qualified volunteer pilots of passenger aircraft as Federal flight deck officers; and (2) provide training, supervision, and equipment for such officers. Directs the Under Secretary to authorize flight deck officers to carry firearms and to use force, including lethal force, when they judge the security of an aircraft is at risk. Shields air carriers from liability for damages in Federal or State court arising out of the actions or omissions of a flight deck officer defending a plane from criminal violence or air piracy. Shields flight deck officers from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act of 2002 - Makes changes to the health care liability system, including compensation for injured patients and other issues arising out of health care law suits. Requires a suit to be brought within three years of the date of injury or one year after the claimant discovers or should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first. Sets forth requirements and permissible recovery amounts for compensating patient injury, including: (1) the full amount of economic loss without limitation; (2) noneconomic damages as specified; and (3) a fair share rule. Requires the court to supervise payment-of-damage arrangements, limiting contingency fees. Permits the introduction of evidence of collateral source benefits. Limits the availability of punitive damages, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malicious intent to injure or a deliberate failure to avoid substantially certain, unnecessary injury. Prohibits their award for products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, absent material and knowing misrepresentation by those submitting required approval or clearance information to the FDA. Authorizes periodic payment of future damages to claimants. Excludes suits for vaccine-related death or injury from the requirements of this Act if otherwise covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Preempts State law unless such law imposes greater protections for health care providers and organizations from liability, loss, or damages. .
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Rural Community Hospital Assistance Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) provide for establishment of the rural community hospital (RCH) program; (2) remove certain barriers to establishment of distinct part units by RCH and Medicare critical access hospital (CAH) facilities; and (3) revise the CAH program, making various specified payment-related changes.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Declares that Congress expresses its deepest gratitude for the service of the District of Columbia Army National Guard in protecting Congress and increasing security around the Capitol complex. Congratulates the National Guard and Capitol Police on the fine work they have done to increase security around the Capitol grounds since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Small Business Investment in Growth Act of 2002 - Increases to $40,000 the maximum amount a taxpayer may expense certain property (Section 179 business property) as a tax deduction for a taxable year. Increases from $200,000 to $325,000 the amount of property triggering the phaseout of such maximum.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Makes title IX (relating to sunset provisions) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 inapplicable to title III (relating to marriage penalty relief) of such Act, thus making title III permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Community Economic Development Expertise Enhancement Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to increase the capacity and expertise of qualifying community-based economic development organizations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct an assessment of such organizations' capability needs; and (2) establish the Advisory Council on Community Economic Development. Directs the President to include with each annual budget request a report regarding Federal financial support for community economic development.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Social Security Protection Act of 2002 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any legislation that would reduce Social Security benefits to Social Security beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Rancher Preservation Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that, in any case in which the Secretary of the Interior is required to use the best scientific and commercial data available with respect to determining whether the black-tailed prairie dog is an endangered or threatened species, the Secretary: (1) in evaluating comparable data, shall give greater weight to scientific or commercial data that are empirical or have been field-tested or peer-reviewed; and (2) shall include data regarding population numbers of the species. Prohibits the Secretary from determining that the black-tailed prairie dog is an endangered or threatened species unless the determination is supported by data obtained by observation of the species in the field. Directs the Secretary to: (1) accept and acknowledge receipt of data regarding the status of that species that is collected by an owner of land through observation of the species on the land, and include the data in the rule-making record compiled for any determination that the species is an endangered or threatened species; (2) solicit recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences and develop and maintain a list of qualified reviewers to participate in independent scientific review of actions; and (3) appoint randomly from among the list, before any action becomes final, three qualified individuals who shall review and report to the Secretary on the scientific information and analyses on which the proposed action is based.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Health Care Antitrust Improvements Act of 2002 - Delineates the relationship between the antitrust laws and negotiations between groups of health care professionals and health plans and health care insurance issuers. Applies the rule of reason standard to negotiations between a health plan and two or more physicians. Awards attorneys' fees to a substantially prevailing plaintiff in certain actions only when the defendant's conduct was unreasonable or in bad faith. Authorizes health care cooperative ventures negotiating with a health plan to file notification with the Attorney General, thereby limiting any potential recovery from conduct within the scope of such notification to actual damages (not punitive or treble). Prohibits tying arrangements (linking the participation in one product line to participation in another) between a health plan and health care professional, except as specified. Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) at least six demonstration projects where health care professionals in project site States may act together to jointly negotiate contracts and agreements with health plans to provide health care items and services for which benefits are provided under such health plans; and (2) an Advisory Committee on Health Plan Negotiations. Excludes from this Act any negotiations or agreements between health care professionals and health plans pertaining to the provision of benefits under Federal programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State children's health insurance program), uniformed services' or veterans' medical care, Federal employees' health benefits, and Indian health care.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
Authorizes appropriations to: (1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the development and deployment of a multifrequency Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite in support of a national energy policy; and (2) the U.S. Geological Survey for Command, Control, Data Processing, Archiving, and Distribution of data from the satellite through the EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2002
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the Medicare caps on certain outpatient physical therapy services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2002
Livestock Ownership Fairness Act of 2002 - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit livestock packers directly or through a subsidiary, from conspiring to, or owning or feeding livestock to such an extent that the producer no longer materially participates in the management of the operation, with respect to livestock held for more than 14 days prior to slaughter. Exempts from such prohibition certain: (1) forward contracting arrangements under which the producer retains pre-delivery operational control of the livestock; (2) cooperatives that own, or feed livestock and provide such livestock for slaughter; or (3) certain small producer-owned or-controlled packers. Directs the Attorney General to establish in the Department of Justice an Office of Special Counsel for Agriculture to handle agricultural antitrust and related matters. Requires: (1) a person in the business of purchasing livestock, poultry, or a basic agricultural commodity for wholesale resale who files a premerger notice under the Clayton Act to file simultaneously a premerger notice with the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) the Secretary to review the proposed merger and report to the Office of Special Counsel for Agriculture. .
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2002
Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2002 - Mandates the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund into the Deposit Insurance Fund. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and the Federal Credit Union Act to: (1) increase the amount of deposit insurance coverage; (2) couple such increase with an inflation adjustment; and (3) double the amount of deposit insurance for certain retirement accounts. Amends the FDIA to increase the amount of deposit insurance coverage for municipal deposits. Expands the range of authorized investments for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to include Federal agency obligations or comparable obligations authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury. Repeals: (1) independent treatment of each deposit insurance fund with respect to assessments and designated reserve ratio; (2) minimum risk-based assessments for certain at-risk deposit insurance funds; (3) limitations on assessments on deposit insurance funds that fail to meet the designated reserve ratio; and (4) the special rule for recapitalizing undercapitalized funds. Instructs the FDIC Board of Directors to establish annually a designated reserve ratio that falls within a prescribed range. Replaces refund guidelines with rebates to insured depository institutions that are predicated upon DIF balances in excess of specified percentages. Instructs the FDIC to establish a Deposit Insurance Fund Restoration Plan to ensure adequate reserves whenever the actual ratio in the DIF falls below certain criteria. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on FDIC administrative structure, expenses, and certain activities, and further possible changes to the deposit insurance system.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Bioenergy Investment and Opportunity Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to continue the program to promote industrial consumption of eligible agricultural commodities (including animal fats, oils, and by-products) for bioenergy production through FY 2011.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Job Creation and Economic Security Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for a supplemental rebate; and (2) accelerate the 25 percent individual income tax rate. Provides for a special depreciation allowance for certain property acquired after September 10, 2001, and before September 11, 2004. Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 - Provides a program of temporary extended unemployment compensation. Establishes a displaced worker health insurance credit. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, with respect to national emergency grants, to authorize grants for employment and training assistance and temporary health care coverage assistance to workers affected by major economic dislocations. Establishes a small ethanol producer credit by allowing a tax-exempt farmers' cooperative to allocate such a credit to its patrons on the basis of the quantity or value of business done with or for them for the taxable year. Declares that cooperative marketing includes the value-added processing of the products of cooperative members and other producers through animals by: (1) feeding such products to cattle, hogs, fish, chickens, or other animals; and then (2) selling the animals (or animal products) which were fed such feed products. Authorizes a U.S. district court to issue a declaratory judgment relating to the initial or continuing qualification of a farmers' cooperative as tax-exempt.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2001
World War II Comanche Code Talkers Congressional Gold Medal Act - Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress (where appropriate, posthumously) a congressional gold medal to named Comanche Code Talkers of World War II in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act - 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 redesign plan, and the development of a south suburban airport in the Chicago metropolitan region, by facilitating approval, funding, construction, and implementation of such plan and suburban airport. Requires all environmental reviews, analyses, and opinions related to issuance of permits, licenses, or approvals relating to such plan or airport to be conducted on an expedited basis. States that approval by the Administrator of an airport layout plan submitted by Chicago that includes the runway redesign plan shall: (1) provide that any runway located more than 2500 feet south of existing runway 9R-27L shall not begin construction before January 2011; and (2) be subject to the condition that noise impact of aircraft operations at O'Hare after the year in which the first new runway is first used will be less than that in 2000. Prohibits the consideration of such a plan unless it includes public roadway access through the western boundary of O'Hare to passenger terminal and parking facilities. Directs the Administrator to give priority consideration to a letter of intent application submitted by the State of Illinois (or a political subdivision thereof) for construction of the suburban airport. Sets forth requirements regarding the construction of the runway redesign plan as a Federal project on or after July 1, 2004. 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 · 12 December 2001
Community Access to Emergency Defibrillation Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop and implement public access defibrillation programs by: (1) training and equipping local emergency medical services personnel to administer immediate care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED), to cardiac arrest victims; (2) purchasing AEDs, placing the defibrillators in public places where cardiac arrests are likely to occur, and training personnel in such places to administer CPR and AED to such victims; (3) setting procedures for proper maintenance and testing of such devices; (4) providing training to members of the public in CPR and AED; (5) integrating the emergency medical services system with the public access defibrillation programs; and (6) encouraging private companies to purchase AEDs and provide training for their employees to administer CPR and AED to cardiac arrest victims in their community. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop and implement innovative, comprehensive, community-based public access defibrillation demonstration projects that: (1) provide CPR and AED to cardiac arrest victims in unique settings; (2) provide training to community members in CPR and AED; and (3) maximize community access to AEDs. Directs the Secretary to award a grant to a health care organization to establish a national information clearinghouse that provides information to increase public access to defibrillation in schools.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to increase the authorization of appropriations for health centers for FY 1997 through FY 2002 and authorize such appropriations as may be necessary for such centers for FY 2003 through FY 2006. Includes within: (1) "required primary health services" appropriate cancer screening (currently, screening for breast and cervical cancer), specialty referral when medically indicated, and specified housing-related services; and (2) "additional health services" behavioral and mental health substance abuse services. Permits grants to health centers for the planning and development of management networks. Rewrites PHSA provisions regarding rural health. Provide grants for expanded delivery of health care services in rural areas, for the planning and implementation of integrated health care networks in rural areas, and for the planning and implementation of small health care provider quality improvement activities. Telehealth Grant Consolidation Act of 2001 - Provides for the establishment: (1) of telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs; and (2) an Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Provides for grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide for improved emergency medical services in rural areas. Reauthorizes and rewrites PHSA provisions regarding the National Health Service Corps program. Prohibits an entity to which a Corps member is assigned from denying requested health services and discriminating in the provision of services because an individual is unable to pay. Provides for a community access demonstration program to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Expands the availability of dental health services.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national education and information campaign promoting stroke prevention and immediate treatment. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and Clearinghouse, including conducting and/or making available research concerning best practices for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation; (2) make grants to States to establish statewide stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation systems; and (3) develop a model curriculum for training emergency medical services personnel. Sets forth requirements for the State grant program, including matching funds, standards for care and facilities, central data reporting and analysis, special consideration for geographic areas with high rates of disability from stroke or significant need, and technical assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to develop and implement education programs for appropriate medical personnel with regard to newly developed diagnostics, technologies, and therapies for stroke prevention and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Choctaw Code Talkers Recognition Act - Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress (where appropriate, posthumously) congressional gold medals honoring the Choctaw Code Talkers who distinguished themselves in performing a unique, highly successful communications operation that greatly assisted in saving countless lives and in hastening the end of World War I.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Medicare Physician Protection Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to specify the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Homestake Mine Conveyance Act of 2001 - Prescribes procedural guidelines for the conveyance of certain portions of the Homestake Mine to the State of South Dakota, including assumption of liability by the United States for specified damages, reclamation, and hazardous substance response. Requires the State of South Dakota to establish an Environment and Project Trust Fund to pay for designated expenses including environmental cleanup, remediation, and hazardous substance removal. States that this Act shall be effective contingent upon the selection of the Mine by the National Science Foundation as a national underground scientific laboratory site.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2001
Sales Tax Holiday Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse each State for the amount of State and local sales tax payable and not collected during the sales tax holiday period, as specified.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2001
Fairness in Antitrust in National Sports (FANS) Act of 2001 - Amends the Clayton Act to provide that the conduct, acts, practices, or agreements (conduct) of persons in the business of organized professional major league baseball directly relating to or affecting the elimination or relocation of a major league baseball franchise are subject to the antitrust laws to the same extent that such conduct would be subject to such laws if engaged in by persons in any other professional sports business affecting interstate commerce. Declares that: (1) no court shall rely on the enactment of this Act as a basis for changing the application of the antitrust laws to any other conduct; and (2) this Act does not create, permit, or imply a cause of action by which to challenge under the antitrust laws, or otherwise apply the antitrust laws to, any conduct that does not directly relate to or affect the elimination or relocation of a major league baseball franchise. Grants standing to bring action under this Act based on such violation to any person (including any major league or minor league baseball player; any Federal, State, or local government, and any stadium authority) injured by a violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2001
Agricultural Bioterrorism Countermeasures Act of 2001 - Authorizes appropriations for biosecurity upgrades at specified Department of Agriculture and related facilities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to bioterrorism countermeasures, to: (1) expand Agricultural Research Service programs to protect the domestic food supply; (2) establish a Consortium for Countermeasures Against Agricultural Bioterrorism comprised of institutions of higher education in partnership with Federal agencies to develop long-term biosecurity programs; (3) enhance the National Research Initiative of the Competitive Grants Program of the Award Grants Program of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service by awarding grants for bioterrorism protective measures; and (4) expand the capacities of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Food Safety Inspection Service. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Sioux Code Talkers Recognition Act - Authorizes the President to present on behalf of Congress (where appropriate, posthumously) a congressional gold medal to named Sioux Indians who served as Sioux Code Talkers during World War II in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2001
Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish at least one Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team in each State as well as an additional team under the direction of the National Guard Bureau.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2001
Secure Transportation for America Act of 2001 - Amends Federal transportation law to establish in the Department of Transportation (DOT) the Transportation Security Administration, to be headed by an Under Secretary of Transportation for Security responsible for security in all modes of transportation, including: (1) civil aviation security; and (2) security responsibilities over nonaviation modes of transportation that are exercised by Administrations of DOT (other than the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)). Requires the Under Secretary to assume responsibility for the screening of passengers and property on passenger aircraft in air transportation that originates in the United States or intrastate air transportation. Sets forth provisions requiring: (1) airport operators to establish air transportation security programs that also provide for a military presence at each airport, including at locations where passengers are screened; (2) the application of certain employment standards and training requirements to airport security personnel, including screeners of passengers and property; (3) the deployment of Federal air marshals on selected passenger flights; (4) specified enhanced aviation-related security measures, including allowing pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit of an aircraft; and (5) submission of passenger manifests from air carriers and foreign air carriers in foreign transportation. Establishes the Transportation Security Oversight Board to review and approve regulations issued by the Under Secretary with respect to transportation security matters. Authorizes airport operators to conduct threat assessments with regard to passenger vehicles parked within 300 feet of an airport terminal.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2001
Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for payment for ambulance services concerning: (1) the establishment of a fee schedule; and (2) the coding system specifying the medical condition of the individual transported by an ambulance and the appropriate level of transportation service. Amends SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) (including part C (Medicare+Choice) of the Medicare program) and XIX (Medicaid) to establish a prudent layperson standard for justification of emergency ambulance services under Medicare and Medicaid.
![Official portrait of Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000250_200.jpg)