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Bill· SS. 14 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Title I: Oil And Gas - Subtitle A: Production Incentives - (Sec. 101) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary throughout this Act, unless otherwise indicated) to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities regarding the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on petroleum and natural gas storage capacity and operational inventory levels, nationwide and by major geographical regions. (Sec. 103) Sets forth a program for the payment of oil and gas royalties in kind upon demand of the Secretary. Restricts such payments to a determination by the Secretary that the royalties provide benefits to the United States greater than, or equal to those likely to have been received had royalties been taken in value. Authorizes the Secretary, in disposing of gas or oil royalty taken in kind, to grant a preference to any person, including any State or Federal agency, for the purpose of providing additional resources to any Federal low-income energy assistance program. (Sec. 104) Prescribes conditions for: (1) royalty rate reductions on marginal property and the termination of such rates; and (2) royalty relief for deep water production in certain parts of the Gulf of Mexico. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to inventory, analyze, and report to Congress on oil and natural gas resources beneath all of the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. (Sec. 107) Extends royalty relief to certain Planning Areas offshore Alaska. (Sec. 108) Prescribes procedures for Federal remediation and closure for orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells on lands administered by Federal land management agencies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to promulgate final royalty incentive regulations for natural gas produced from deep wells and ultra deep wells in certain shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. (Sec. 110) Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize easements on Federal lands on which easements are otherwise prohibited in order to support energy production, including oil and natural gas exploration and development. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to grant impact assistance payments, according to specified guidelines, to Producing Coastal States with an approved Coastal Impact Assistance Plan, and to coastal political subdivisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2009. (Sec. 112) National Energy Data Preservation Program Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Energy Data Preservation Program, including an Energy Data Archive System. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2007. (Sec. 113) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to exempt from its oil and gas lease acreage limitation any lease committed to a federally approved unit or cooperative plan, or communitization agreement, or for which royalty, including compensatory royalty or royalty-in-kind, was paid in the preceding calendar year (thus removing acreage limitations from oil and gas leases granted royalty relief under this Act). (Sec. 114) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to assess and report to Congress on the economic implication of the dependence of the State of Hawaii on oil as its principal source of energy. Subtitle B: Access to Federal Lands - (Sec. 121) Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Permit Coordination to report annually to Congress on activities to coordinate and expedite Federal decisions on energy projects. (Sec. 122) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish a Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project; and (2) inventory for Congress oil and gas resources on all onshore Federal lands and restrictions or impediments to resource exploration, production, and transportation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 123) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in order to ensure timely action on oil and gas leases and applications for permits to drill on lands otherwise available for leasing, to: (1) ensure expeditious compliance with certain requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (2) improve consultation and coordination with the States; (3) improve the collection, storage, and retrieval of information related to such leasing activities; and (4) improve inspection and enforcement of oil and gas activities, including enforcement of terms and conditions in permits to drill. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2007. (Sec. 125) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to review and report to Congress on the current policies and practices with respect to management of Federal subsurface oil and gas development activities and their effects on the privately owned surface. (Sec. 126) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands, and the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, to designate and incorporate utility corridors in the eleven contiguous Western States into the relevant Federal land use and resource management plans. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to do the same with affected Federal agencies in the other States. Subtitle C: Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline - Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - (Sec. 133) Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project other than the system authorized under the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1976, following an expedited approval process. Declares that no license, permit, lease, right-of-way, authorization, or other approval required under Federal law for the construction of any pipeline to transport natural gas from lands within the Prudhoe Bay oil and gas lease area may be granted for any pipeline that follows a route that: (1) traverses the submerged lands beneath, or the adjacent shoreline of, the Beaufort Sea; and (2) enters Canada at any point north of 68 degrees North latitude. (Sec. 135) Authorizes FERC, upon request, to order the expansion of such project if it determines that such expansion is required by the present and future public convenience and necessity. Specifies requirements FERC must meet before ordering such an expansion. (Sec. 136) Establishes the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects to: (1) coordinate the expeditious discharge of all activities by Federal agencies with respect to an Alaska natural gas transportation project; and (2) ensure Federal agency compliance. Denies any Federal officer or agency authority to include terms and conditions that are permitted, but not required by law on any authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project, if the Federal Coordinator determines that such terms and conditions would prevent or impair the expeditious construction, operation, or expansion of the project. Prohibits any Federal officer or agency from modifying or abrogating any authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project if the Federal Coordinator determines that such action would prevent or impair expeditious project construction, operation, or expansion. (Sec. 137) Grants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia original and exclusive jurisdiction for judicial review of final orders by any Federal agency or officer relating to the project. (Sec. 138) Deems any facility receiving natural gas from the Alaska natural gas transportation project for delivery to consumers within Alaska to be a local distribution facility under the Natural Gas Act, and so not subject to FERC jurisdiction. (Sec. 139) Directs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on alternative approaches to the construction and operation of the project. (Sec. 141) Expresses the sense of Congress that an Alaska natural gas transportation project will provide significant economic benefits to the United States and Canada. Urges the sponsors of the pipeline project to make every effort to: (1) use steel manufactured or produced in North America; (2) negotiate a project labor agreement to expedite pipeline construction; and (3) maximize the participation of small business concerns in contracts and subcontracts awarded in carrying out the project. (Sec. 142) Declares the sense of Congress that an Alaska natural gas transportation project will provide significant economic benefits to the United States and Canada. Directs the Comptroller General study and report to Congress on the extent to which small business concerns participate in the construction of oil and gas pipelines in the United States. (Sec. 143) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train adult and dislocated workers in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. (Sec. 144) Cites conditions under which the Secretary of Energy may offer Federal loan guarantee instruments for qualified infrastructure projects(defined as pipelines and related transportation and production systems used to transport natural gas from the Alaska North Slope to the continental United States). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 145) Expresses the sense of Congress that natural gas delivered from Alaska's North Slope will neither displace nor reduce the commercial viability of Canadian natural gas produced from the McKenzie Delta, nor production from the Lower 48. Title II: Coal - Subtitle A: Clean Coal Power Initiative - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2011 for a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Subtitle B: Federal Coal Leases - (Sec. 211) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to: (1) repeal the 160-acre limitation for coal leases; and (2) modify mining plans and advance royalty payments. Subtitle C: Powder River Basin Shared Mineral Estates - (Sec. 221) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) undertake a review of existing authorities to resolve conflicts between the development of Federal coal and the development of Federal and non-Federal coalbed methane in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana; and (2) report to Congress on alternatives to resolve these conflicts, and to identify any preferred alternative, including specific legislative language required to implement such alternative. Title III: Indian Energy - Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2003 - (Sec. 302) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote comprehensive Indian energy activities and tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. (Sec. 303) Prescribes implementation guidelines governing leases, business agreements, and rights-of-way involving Indian energy development or transmission. Directs the Administrators of the Bonneville Power Administration and of the Western Area Power Administration to encourage Indian tribal energy development through programs within their respective Administrations, including power allocations and purchases. (Sec. 304) Declares the Dine Power Authority (an enterprise of the Navajo Nation) eligible to receive grants and other assistance for development of a transmission line from the Four Corners Area (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona) to southern Nevada, including related power generation opportunities. (Sec. 305) Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote energy conservation in housing located on Indian land and assisted with Federal resources. Title IV: Nuclear Matters - Subtitle A: Price-Anderson Act Amendments - Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - (Sec. 402) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees, Department of Energy (DOE) contractors, and for nonprofit educational institutions. Subtitle B: Deployment of New Nuclear Plants - Nuclear Energy Finance Act of 2003 - (Sec. 421) Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to supplement private-sector financing projects needed for energy security, fuel, technology diversity, or clean air attainment goals. Subtitle C: Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project - (Sec. 431) Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project managed by the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology. (Sec. 433) Designates the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory as the lead laboratory for the Program, providing the site for the reactor construction. (Sec. 435) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2008 and beyond. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Matters - (Sec. 441) Amends the USEC Privatization Act to revise requirements governing aggregate annual uranium sales and transfers by the Federal government for commercial nuclear power end uses. Sets increasing ceilings on aggregate annual deliveries of uranium in any form, from 3 million pounds U3O8 equivalent per year through calendar 2009 to 10 million pounds in calendar 2013 and thereafter. Makes the recovery and extraction of the uranium component from contaminated uranium bearing materials from U.S. Government sites by commercial entities the preferred method of making uranium available under this subtitle. Exempts from the uranium sale or transfer limits of this subtitle certain sales or transfers: (1) provided for under existing law for use by the Tennessee Valley Authority in relation to DOE high-enriched uranium or tritium programs; (2) to the DOE research reactor sales program; (3) of up to 3,293 metric tons of uranium to the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) to replace uranium that the Secretary transferred to it (before its privatization in July 1998) on or about June 30, 1993, April 20, 1998, and May 18, 1998, and that does not meet commercial specifications; (4) of any uranium for emergency purposes in the event of a disruption in supply to end users in the United States; (5) of any uranium in fulfillment of the U.S. Government's obligations to provide security of supply with respect to implementation of the Russian HEU Agreement; and (6) of any enriched uranium for use in an advanced commercial nuclear power plant in the United States with nonstandard fuel requirements. (Sec. 442) Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to decommission and decontaminate the sodium-cooled fast breeder experimental test-site reactor in northwest Arkansas in accordance with an August 31,1998, DOE report. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) publish annual reports based upon assessments of renewable domestic energy resources, including solar, wind, biomass, ocean (tidal and thermal), geothermal, and hydroelectric energy; and (2) undertake new assessments as necessary, taking into account changes in market conditions, available technologies, and other relevant factors. (Sec. 502) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. Instructs the Secretary to assign 60 percent of appropriated funds for any given year to facilities that use solar, wind, geothermal, or closed-loop ( defined as dedicated energy crops) biomass technologies to generate electricity if there are insufficient appropriations to make full payments for electric production from all qualified renewable energy facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to alter such percentage requirements after transmitting to Congress the reasons to do so. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2023. (Sec. 503) Instructs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to recommend to Congress any opportunities to develop renewable energy on public lands within their respective jurisdictions. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) study the potential for the development of wind, solar, and ocean (tidal and thermal) energy on the Outer Continental Shelf; (2) assess existing Federal authorities for the development of such resources; and (3) recommend statutory and regulatory mechanisms for such development. (Sec. 504) Requires Federal purchases of renewable energy to escalate in accordance with certain percentage guidelines. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) update energy surveys, estimates, and assessments for certain insular areas; and (2) revise the comprehensive energy plan for such insular areas in order to reduce reliance on energy imports and to increase use of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency opportunities. Subtitle B: Hydroelectric Licensing - (Sec. 511) Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing applicants to propose alternative conditions and requirements for project works, including fishways, within a Federal reservation. Prescribes procedures for acceptance or rejection of such alternative proposals. Subtitle C: Geothermal Energy - (Sec. 521) Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revise guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Repeals the current limitation of competitive bidding to leases of lands within known geothermal resources areas, and of noncompetitive bidding to leases of lands outside such areas. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary for this subtitle) to accept nominations at any time from companies and individuals of lands to be leased under such Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) hold a competitive lease sale at least once every two years for lands in a State in which there are nominations pending where such lands are otherwise available for leasing; and (2) make available for a two-year period for noncompetitive leasing any tract for which a competitive lease sale is held, but for which the Secretary does not receive any bids in the competitive lease sale. (Sec. 522) Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to submit to Congress a joint memorandum of understanding regarding leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands under their respective jurisdictions. Prescribes memorandum details. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to report jointly Congress on leasing and permitting activities for geothermal energy on Federal lands withdrawn for military purposes. (Sec. 524) Authorizes the Secretary to reinstate a lease terminated for failure to pay rent timely if the failure was inadvertent. (Sec. 525) Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate a final regulation providing a simplified methodology for determining the amount or value of the steam for purposes of calculating the royalty due on geothermal production; and (2) establish a schedule of fees and collect fees in lieu of royalties with respect to the direct use of low temperature geothermal resources for purposes other than the generation of electricity. Subtitle D: Biomass Energy - (Sec. 532) Prescribes implementation guidelines for a biomass commercial utilization grant program to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior with respect to public and Indian lands and by the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to the National Forest System. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. Title VI: Energy Efficiency - Subtitle A: Federal Programs - (Sec. 601) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings, including: (1) a timetable for reduced energy consumption; (2) metering of energy use; (3) revised Federal building energy efficiency performance standards; (4) permanent authority to enter into energy savings performance contracts; and (5) Federal procurement guidelines for energy efficient products. (Sec. 606) Directs the Architect of the Capitol to develop and implement a cost-effective energy conservation and management plan for all facilities administered by Congress. (Sec. 607) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to set forth implementation guidelines for increased use of recovered mineral component in federally funded projects involving procurement of cement or concrete. (Sec. 608) Authorizes Federal agencies to participate in programs, including utility energy services contracts, conducted by gas, water and electric utilities and generally available to their customers, to increase energy efficiency, water conservation, or the management of electricity demand. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to examine and report to Congress on whether the goals of energy efficiency standards are best served by measurement of energy consumed, and efficiency improvements, at the actual site of energy consumption, or through the full fuel cycle, beginning at the source of energy production. Subtitle B: State and Local Programs - (Sec. 611) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local governments, private non-profit community development organizations, and Indian economic development organizations for: (1) a low-income community energy efficiency pilot program; and (2) State energy offices to improve energy efficient public buildings and facilities. (Sec. 612) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to the appropriate State agency to assist local government units to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings and facilities through construction and renovation projects. (Sec. 613) Creates a Federal fund allocation program to implement a State energy efficient appliance rebate program. Subtitle C: Consumer Products - (Sec. 621) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise energy conservation standards for specified additional consumer and commercial electrical products. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate a rulemaking to consider the effectiveness of the current consumer products labeling program. Authorizes the Secretary or the FTC, as appropriate, to prescribe labeling requirements for certain additional products. (Sec. 623) Establishes a voluntary program at the DOE and at the Environmental Protection Agency to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings (Energy Star Program). (Sec. 624) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a consumer education program that also targets small businesses owners regarding energy savings resulting from properly conducted maintenance of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Subtitle D: Public Housing - (Sec. 631) Amends the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, respectively, to: (1) authorize within Federal assistance for low-income public housing programs: (1) energy efficient, affordable housing and residential energy conservation measures; and (2) increase the amount of financial assistance for public services for energy conservation and efficiency. (Sec. 633) Amends the National Housing Act to revise Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. (Sec. 635) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to include within the scope of grants for energy-conserving improvements in assisted housing the installation of energy and water conserving fixtures and fittings that conform to specified standards. (Sec. 637) Requires a public housing agency to purchase energy-efficient appliances that are Energy Star products or FEMP-designated products. (Sec. 638) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to substitute the "2000 International Energy Conservation Code" for the current statutory energy efficiency standard known as the "CABO Model Energy Code, 1992." (Sec. 639) Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop and implement an integrated strategy to reduce utility expenses through cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency measures and energy efficient design and construction of public and assisted housing. Title VII: Transportation Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Fuel Programs - (Sec. 701) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to cite circumstances that permit an agency to qualify for a waiver of the alternative fuel use requirement applicable to Federal light duty vehicles. (Sec. 702) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to drop the 20 percent biodiesel fuel volume requirement applicable to the allocation of biodiesel fuel use credits. (Sec. 703) Redefines alternative fueled vehicle to include a neighborhood electric vehicle. (Sec. 704) Prescribes guidelines for the allocation of Federal credits for: (1) the purchase of medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; (2) alternative fuel infrastructure investments. (Sec. 707) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the effect that titles III, IV and V of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 have had on the development of alternative fueled vehicle technology, its market availability, and the cost of alternative fueled light duty motor vehicles. (Sec. 708) Authorizes the States to permit a vehicle with fewer than two occupants to operate in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes if it is a dedicated vehicle. (Sec. 709) Prescribes alternative compliance guidelines for waivers of statutory requirements governing petroleum fuel reduction and clean air requirements for alternative fueled vehicles and for the fleets of new light duty motor vehicles. Prescribes requirements for issuance of credits for the acquisition and use of dedicated vehicles (new qualified hybrid motor vehicles, light, medium, or heavy duty vehicles, and neighborhood electric vehicles). Subtitle B: Automobile Fuel Economy - (Sec. 711) Amends Federal transportation law to expand the considerations affecting decisions by the Secretary of Transportation concerning maximum feasible average fuel economy, and to direct such Secretary to issue an environmental assessment of the effects of the increased standards upon the environment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 713) Raises the mandatory standard for average fuel economy of new executive agency (Federal fleet) automobiles. (Sec. 714) Directs the Secretary of Energy, in cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish a cost-shared, public-private research partnership to develop and demonstrate railroad locomotive technologies that increase fuel economy, reduce emissions, and lower costs of operation. (Sec. 715) Directs the Secretary to analyze the potential fuel savings and emissions reductions resulting from use of idling reduction technologies as they are applied to heavy-duty vehicles. Declares that, in order to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions due to engine idling, the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and the axle weight limit for any motor vehicle equipped with an idling reduction technology certified by DOE will be increased by an amount (up to 400 pounds) necessary to compensate for the additional weight of the idling reduction system. Title VIII: Hydrogen - Subtitle A: Basic Research Programs - George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - (Sec. 802) Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to revamp guidelines governing hydrogen research, development, and demonstration. Renames the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 803) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) implement a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program on advanced hydrogen-powered vehicle technologies (authorizing appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008); (2) establish an interagency task force to coordinate Federal hydrogen and fuel cell energy activities; and (3) contract with the National Academies to review and report to Congress on the status of Federal hydrogen and fuel cell energy activities. Subtitle B: Demonstration Programs - Directs the Secretary to establish a program for demonstration and commercial application of: (1) hydrogen-powered vehicles and associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure in a variety of transportation-related applications (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (2) hydrogen fuel cells in stationary applications (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (3) fuel cells and associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure in countries where an energy infrastructure is not already well developed (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (4) hybrid distributed power systems on certain Indian lands (authorizing appropriations for FY 2005 through 2008); and (5) distributed generation systems to significantly reduce the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable energy for use in fuel cells (authorizing appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008). (Sec. 814) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to study and report jointly to Congress on energy needs and uses at National Parks, and the potential for fuel cell and other hydrogen-based technologies to meet them. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to fund at least three pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and 2005. Subtitle C: Federal Programs - (Sec. 821) Directs the Secretary to conduct a public education program designed to increase public interest and acceptance of hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 822) Requires Federal agencies with annual outlays of over $20 million to submit a comprehensive hydrogen transition strategic plan to Congress. (Sec. 823) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish minimum Federal fleet purchase requirements for hydrogen vehicles. (Sec. 824) Directs the President to seek to ensure that the total amount of electric energy consumed by the Federal Government during any fiscal year shall be generated by stationary fuel cells in accordance with prescribed percentages and timetable. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and following years. (Sec. 825) Directs the Secretary to publish and transmit to Congress a plan identifying critical technologies, enabling strategies and applications, technical targets, and associated timeframes for the commercialization of hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles. Title IX: Research and Development - Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2003 - (Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary to conduct energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs that target: (1) energy efficiency; (2) diversity of energy supply; (3) decreasing dependence on foreign energy; (4) energy security; and (5) decreasing environmental impact of energy-related activities. Subtitle A: Energy Efficiency - (Sec. 911) Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application (R&D) in the following areas: (1) energy efficiency; (2) Next Generation Lighting Initiative; (3) a National Building Performance Initiative; (4) secondary electric vehicle battery use; and (5) energy efficiency science initiative. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. Subtitle B: Distributed Energy and Electric Energy Systems - (Sec. 921) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for distributed energy and electric energy systems, including micro-cogeneration energy technology. (Sec. 922) Directs the Secretary to: (1) transmit to Congress a strategy for a comprehensive R&D program for certain hybrid distributed power systems; (2) establish a comprehensive research, demonstration, and commercial application program to improve energy efficiency of high power density facilities; and (3) make competitive, merit-based grants to consortia for the development of micro-cogeneration energy technology. (Sec. 935) Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to coordinating consortia of interdisciplinary participants for demonstrations designed to accelerate the utilization of distributed energy technologies, such as fuel cells, microturbines, reciprocating engines, thermally activated technologies, and combined heat and power systems, in highly energy intensive commercial applications. (Sec. 926) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution to implement a comprehensive R&D program to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and environmental integrity of electrical transmission and distribution systems. Subtitle C: Renewable Energy - (Sec. 931) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for renewable energy R&D activities. (Sec. 932) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a bioenergy R&D program; (2) initiate a partnership encompassing diesel engine, diesel fuel injection system, and diesel vehicle manufacturers, including diesel and biodiesel fuel providers, in order to include biodiesel testing in advanced diesel engine and fuel system technology; and (3) conduct a R&D program for concentrating solar power for hydrogen production, including co-generation approaches for hydrogen and electricity. (Sec. 935) Directs the Secretary to conduct R&D programs for: (1) ocean energy, including wave energy; (2) the combined use of renewable energy technologies with one another and with other energy technologies, including the combined use of wind power and coal gasification technologies; and (3) renewable energy technologies for cogeneration of hydrogen and electricity. Subtitle D: Nuclear Energy - (Sec. 941) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for core nuclear energy R&D programs. (Sec. 942) Instructs the Secretary to conduct a nuclear energy research initiative that encompasses: (1) a Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization Program; (2) Nuclear Power 2010 Program; (3) Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative; (4) reactor production of hydrogen; (5) nuclear infrastructure support; and (6) advanced fuel recycling technology R&D. (Sec. 944) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish fellowship and faculty assistance programs, including support for fundamental research and for collaborative research among industry, national laboratories, and universities through the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative; (2) conduct a R&D program on cost-effective technologies for increasing the safety of nuclear facilities; and (3) furnish Congress with results of a survey regarding industrial applications of large radioactive sources. Subtitle E: Fossil Energy - (Sec. 951) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for fossil energy R&D activities. (Sec. 952) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct R&D programs pertaining to specified oil and gas applications, including fuel cells; (2) establish a national center or consortium of excellence in clean energy and power generation; (3) conduct an R&D program on coal mining technologies; (4) conduct a coal and related technologies research program; and (4) establish a Complex Well Technology Testing Facility at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center to increase the range of extended drilling technologies. Subtitle F: Science - (Sec. 961) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for R&D activities of the Office of Science. (Sec. 962) Prescribes guidelines for United States participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project (ITER). (Sec. 963) Directs the Secretary to report on the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) as part of the DOE annual budget submission, including a description of the achievement of milestones, a comparison of actual costs to estimated costs, and any changes in estimated project costs or schedule. Specifies maximum DOE obligations for the SNS. (Sec. 964) Instructs the Secretary to develop and implement a strategy for science and energy facilities and infrastructure at all national laboratories and single-purpose research facilities. (Sec. 965) Directs the Secretary to support research programs that target the following areas: (1) catalysis research; (2) nanoscale science and engineering; (3) advanced scientific computing for energy missions; (4) the Genomes to Life Program; (5) fission and fusion energy materials; and (6) energy-related issues regarding water resources and municipal waterworks, including water supply issues related to energy production. Subtitle G: Energy and Environment - (Sec. 971) Directs the Secretary to establish a United States-Mexico Energy Technology Cooperation Program to promote energy efficient, environmentally sound economic development along the United States-Mexico border which minimizes public health risks from industrial activities in the border region. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 972) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to provide a $125 million loan to the owner of the experimental plant constructed under DOE cooperative agreement number DE-FC-22-91PC90544 on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines, including interest rates and upfront payments. Subtitle H: Management - (Sec. 982) Directs the Secretary to require a non-Federal source commitment of at least: (1) 20 percent of R&D project costs; and (2) 50 percent of direct costs of any demonstration or commercial application project. (Sec. 984) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish National Energy R&D Advisory Boards to review DOE programs in energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and fossil energy; (2) designate a Technology Transfer Coordinator to perform oversight of and policy development for technology transfer activities at the Department; (3) establish a Technology Transfer Working Group and a Technology Infrastructure Program; and (4) require the Director of each National Laboratory to establish a small business advocacy and assistance program. (Sec. 988) Requires the Secretary to report to Congress identifying any policies or procedures of a contractor operating a National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility that create disincentives to the temporary transfer of scientific and technical personnel among the contractor-operated National Laboratories or contractor-operated single-purpose research facilities and provide suggestions for improving inter-laboratory exchange of scientific and technical personnel. (Sec. 989) Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to Congress on: (1) the obstacles to accelerating the R&D cycle for energy technology; and (2) the adequacy of DOE policies and procedures pertaining to technology transfer-related disputes between DOE contractors and the private sector. (Sec. 994) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to: (1) rename the Under Secretary of Energy the Under Secretary for Energy and Science, who shall serve as the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary; and (2) replace the Director of the Office of Science with an Assistant Secretary for Science. Declares the sense of Congress that the leadership for departmental missions in nuclear energy should be at the Assistant Secretary level. Increases from six to seven the number of Assistant Secretaries in the DOE. (Sec. 995) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 996) Grants the Secretary additional authority to enter into transactions on such terms as the Secretary may deem appropriate in furtherance of R&D functions. Exempts such transactions from certain provisions of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974. (Sec. 997) Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to investigate and report (ultimately to Congress) on the scientific and technical merits of any evaluation methodology currently in use or proposed for use in relation to DOE scientific and technical programs by the Secretary or other Federal official. Title X: Personnel and Training - (Sec. 1001) Directs the Secretary to monitor trends in the workforce of skilled technical personnel supporting energy technology industries, including renewable energy industries, companies developing and commercializing devices to increase energy efficiency, the oil and gas industry, the nuclear power industry, and the coal industry. Authorizes traineeship grants for skilled technical personnel for whom a national shortfall of skilled technical personnel is determined. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 1002) Directs the Secretary to establish postdoctoral and distinguished senior energy research fellowships. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 1003) Instructs the Secretary of Labor, jointly with the electric industry and with recognized employee representatives, to develop training guidelines for electric energy industry personnel. (Sec. 1004) Directs the Secretary to support the establishment of a National Center on Energy Management and Building Technologies to facilitate improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality in industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. (Sec. 1005) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) give priority to activities designed to encourage students from under-represented groups to pursue scientific and technical careers; and (2) instruct the Director of each National Laboratory to enter into partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Indian tribal colleges to train personnel in science or engineering. (Sec. 1006) Directs the Secretary to support establishment of a National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center to train certified operators for electric power generation plants. (Sec. 1007) Instructs the Secretary of Labor to hire, train, and deploy additional skilled Federal mine inspectors to ensure the availability of skilled and experienced individuals and to maintain the number of Federal mine inspectors at or above authorized levels. Title XI: Electricity - Subtitle A: Reliability - (Sec. 1111) Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC, for purposes of approving reliability standards and enforcing compliance, jurisdiction over the Electric Reliability Organization, over regional entities, and over all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system. Prescribes implementation guidelines. Exempts Alaska and Hawaii from such provisions. Subtitle B: Regional Markets - (Sec. 1121) Remands for reconsideration by FERC a certain proposed rulemaking on standard market design. Prohibits issuance of any final rule thereon before July 1, 2005. (Sec. 1122) Expresses the sense of Congress that all transmitting utilities in interstate commerce should voluntarily become members of independently administered Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO's) that have operational or functional control of facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce and do not own or control generation facilities used to supply electric energy for sale at wholesale. (Sec. 1123) Prescribes guidelines under which the appropriate Federal regulatory authority may arrange to transfer control and use of all or part of the Federal utility's transmission system to an RTO. (Sec. 1124) Directs FERC to: (1) convene regional discussions with State regulatory commissions to address whether wholesale electric markets in each region are working effectively to provide reliable service to electric consumers at the lowest reasonable cost; and (2) give priority to discussions in regions that do not have an RTO. Subtitle C: Improving Transmission Access and Protecting Service Obligations - (Sec. 1131) Requires FERC to: (1) ensure that certain load-serving entities (defined as a distribution utility or an electric utility that has a service obligation to end-users or a distribution utility) are entitled to use firm transmission rights in order to deliver energy to meet service obligations; and (2) facilitate the planning and expansion of transmission facilities to meet the needs of load-serving entities to satisfy their service obligations. (Sec. 1132) Prescribes implementation guidelines under which FERC may require an unregulated transmitting utility to provide transmission services: (1) at rates comparable to those that it charges itself; and (2) on terms and conditions comparable to those under which it provides transmission services to itself and that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential. (Sec. 1133) Instructs FERC to issue a final rule establishing transmission pricing policies that promote investment in transmission infrastructure. Subtitle D: Amendments to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 - (Sec. 1141) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility to: (1) make available upon request net metering and time-based metering service; and (2) provide competitive pricing and access to the local distribution grid to distributed generation, combined heat and power, and district heating and cooling systems. (Sec. 1145) Declares that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase electric energy from a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility (qualifying facility) if FERC finds that the qualifying facility has access to an independently administered, auction-based day ahead and real time wholesale market for the sale of electric energy. Declares that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to sell electric energy to a qualifying facility if competing retail electric suppliers are able to provide electric energy to the facility. Grandfathers existing contracts. Eliminates ownership limitations for such facilities. (Sec. 1146) Instructs FERC to promulgate regulations to ensure recovery by any electric utility of all costs associated with the purchases of electricity or capacity from a qualifying facility before the date of enactment of this Act. Subtitle E: Provisions Regarding the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 - (Sec. 1152) Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. (Sec. 1153) Mandates Federal and State access to books and records of each holding company and its affiliates. Subtitle F: Market Transparency, Anti-Manipulation and Enforcement - (Sec. 1171) Amends the Federal Power Act to require FERC to issue rules establishing an electronic information system for public access to information that facilitates price transparency and participation in markets subject to FERC jurisdiction, including information about the availability and market price of wholesale electric energy and transmission services. Prohibits the filing of false information regarding the wholesale price of electricity, and round trip trading. (Sec. 1173) Increases civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Act. Subtitle G: Consumer Protections - (Sec. 1181) Instructs the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules: (1) protecting the privacy of electric consumers from the disclosure of consumer information in connection with the sale or delivery of electric energy to a retail electric consumer; (2) prohibiting the change of selection of an electric utility without the electric consumer's informed consent (slamming); and (3) prohibiting the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer without express authorization by law or the electric consumer (cramming). Subtitle H: Technical Amendments - (Sec. 1191) Amends the Federal Power Act to make technical amendments to reflect the changes made by this Act.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 127 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Agriculture should reduce the interest rate on loans to sugar beet and sugarcane processors by 100 basis points to a rate equal to Treasury borrowing costs in order to conform to congressional intent.
Bill· HRH.R. 1899 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Cape Fox Land Entitlement Adjustment Act of 2003 - Provides that Cape Fox Corporation shall not be required under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to select or receive conveyance of 160 nonproductive acres. Permits Cape Fox to select and the Secretary of the Interior to convey 99 acres of the surface estate of Tongass National Forest lands outside Cape Fox's current exterior selection boundary. Directs the Secretary to convey the subsurface estate to those lands to Sealaska Corporation. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to offer and, if accepted by Cape Fox, to exchange specified Tongass National Forest lands for lands and interests identified by Cape Fox from specified lands previously conveyed to it. States that the Cape Fox land conveyed to the Federal Government shall include a public trail easement unless the Secretary of Agriculture agrees otherwise. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon conveyance by Cape Fox of such lands and conveyance and relinquishment by Sealaska of the subsurface estate underlying those lands and other specified Tongass National Forest lands, to convey to Sealaska Tongass National Forest lands selected by Sealaska from a specified area. Requires: (1) such exchange to be considered a modification of the Sealaska Corporation/United States Forest Service Split Estate Exchange Agreement; and (2) conveyances under this Act by the Federal Government to be considered to be conveyances pursuant to ANCSA. Subjects Federal lands conveyed to Cape Fox and Sealaska under this Act to reservations of public easements only as mutually agreed to in the relevant exchange agreements, with such easements to be for access across the lands conveyed for use of national forests or other public land.
Bill· SS. 931 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2003
Federal Land Recreational Visitor Protection Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an avalanche protection program to: (1) provide early identification of the potential for avalanches that could endanger the safety of visitors to units of the National Park System (NPS) and recreational users of public land; and (2) reduce the risks and mitigate the effects of avalanches on visitors, recreational users, neighboring communities, and transportation corridors. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) use the resources of the National Avalanche Center of the Forest Service to carry out this Act; and (2) establish an advisory committee to assist in the development and implementation of the program. Directs such Secretaries and the Secretary of the Army to establish a central depository for weapons, ammunition, and parts for avalanche control purposes, including an inventory that can be made available to Federal and non-Federal entities. Authorizes the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to make grants to carry out projects and activities under the program to: (1) assist in the prevention, forecasting, detection, and mitigation of avalanches; (2) maintain essential transportation and communications; (3) assist avalanche artillery users to ensure the availability of adequate supplies of artillery and other explosives required for avalanche control in or affecting NPS units, other Federal land used for recreation, and adjacent communities, and essential transportation corridors; and (4) assist research and development activities for alternatives to minimize reliance on military weapons for avalanche control.
Bill· SS. 919 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Railroad Competition Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to specify the primary objectives of U.S. rail transportation policy. Requires submission to arbitration of certain rail rate, service, and other disputes. Prohibits the Surface Transportation Board (STB) from issuing a certificate authorizing construction and operation of railroad lines, or exempt from such certificate requirement any related activity, that involves a transfer of interest in a line of railroad, from a Class I rail carrier to a Class II or III rail carrier, if the activity directly or indirectly would result in a restriction of: (1) the ability of the Class II or Class III rail carrier to interchange traffic with other carriers; or (2) competition between or among rail carriers in the region affected by the activity in a manner or to an extent that would violate Federal antitrust laws. Prescribes a procedure for shipper petition and STB review of any activity alleged to have resulted in a restricition of competition for at least ten years. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the STB to require: (1) a rail carrier's terminal facilities to be used by another rail carrier subject to certain conditions; and (2) rail carriers to enter into reciprocal switching agreements. Prohibits the STB, in either instance, from requiring evidence of anticompetitive conduct by a rail carrier from which such access is sought. Requires a rail carrier, upon shipper request, to establish a rate for transportation and provide requested service between any two points on the carrier's system where traffic originates, terminates, or may reasonably be interchanged. Specifies matters the carrier must disregard when establishing such rate. Specifies matters the STB must disregard when determining the reasonableness of a shipper-challenged rate established by a rail carrier with market dominance. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct comprehensive triennial studies on rail carrier competition and STB processes. Requires to STB to designate any State or part of a State as an area of inadequate rail competition after finding that: (1) it encompasses a significant number of rail shipping origins and destinations served exclusively by only one Class I railroad; or (2) a significant number of the persons that ship by rail or receive rail shipments in it usually find it necessary to pay rates exceeding a certain mark, or have experienced competitive disadvantage in the marketplace or other economic adversity because of high cost or poor rail service quality. Specifies actions the STB may take to resolve such anti-competitive conditions. Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Rail Customer Advocacy, headed by a Rail Customer Advocate who shall: (1) collect information on the cost and efficiency of rail transportation of agricultural and forestry commodities or products; (2) perform related studies; and (3) participate as a party in STB proceedings regarding regulation of such transportation, as well as to initiate any petitions for STB action.
Bill· HRH.R. 1772 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Small Business Advocacy Improvement Act of 2003 - Requires appointment to the position of Chief Counsel of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) without regard to political affiliation and on the basis of fitness to perform duties. Prohibits appointment of an individual who has served as an SBA officer or employee within the last five years. Requires the Office to: (1) recommend methods for the delivery of financial assistance to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and veterans; (2) make recommendations and submit relevant reports to the President, the chairmen and ranking members of the congressional small business committees, and the SBA Administrator; (3) maintain economic databases and make such information available to the Administrator and Congress; and (4) coordinate functions with the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman. Requires the Chief Counsel to submit annually to the Office of Management and Budget and the congressional small business and appropriations committees the Office's appropriation estimate and request. Requires each budget of the United States submitted by the President to include a separate statement of the amount of appropriations requested for the Office of Advocacy. Authorizes the Chief Counsel to appoint a Principal Deputy Chief Counsel, as well as regional advocates. Requires the Administrator (currently, the Chief Counsel) to conduct an SBA program for the development of rural small businesses engaged in tourism-related activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1780 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from individual gross income: (1) net capital gains; and (2) interest and dividends, not including dividends from farmers' cooperative associations, regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts, and employee stock ownership plans. Repeals the 85 percent (second tier) taxation of Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits. Transfers from the general fund in the Treasury to the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund amounts equal to the resultant reduction in revenues.
Law· SS. 870 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to extend the availability of funds to carry out the fruit and vegetable pilot program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1722 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Rural Rental Housing Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide rural rental assistance, with applicant priority given to very low-income families, low-income communities, rural areas, and communities with severe lack of affordable rental housing.
Bill· HRH.R. 1754 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Agriculture Education Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual any gain from the sale of any animal raised and sold by such individual as part of his or her participation in the 4-H program under the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture, the Future Farmers of America, any tax-exempt similar organization, or any program of a tax-exempt educational organization.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 49 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2003
Recognizes the Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture and its employees and partners on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
Bill· SS. 849 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Prescott, Coconino, and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona, to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership or the Northern Yavapai, L.L.C. (both referred to respectively as the "YLRP"), in exchange for land within the boundaries of the Prescott National Forest, Arizona. Grants to the YLRP perpetual, unrestricted, and nonexclusive easements that run with and benefit land transferred to the YLRP. Provides for the establishment of conservation easements on certain of the land transferred to the YLRP to conserve water in the Verde Valley, Arizona, and to minimize adverse water impacts from future development of the parcels. Reserves for the YLRP unrestricted easements and water rights for not more than three existing wells and related equipment on the land it is transferring to Federal control, with certain water rights from the wells to be reserved for the United States. Prescribes that if any part of either territory being transferred is unacceptable to the entity receiving it due to the presence of hazardous materials or any other reason, such section shall be deleted from the exchange and an adjustment shall be made. Requires the values of the land exchanged to be equal. Revokes any public orders withdrawing any of the Federal land from appropriation or disposal as necessary for the implementation of this Act. Withdraws the Federal land from all forms of entry and appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining and mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, until the date of the exchange. Prescribes that the land acquired by the United States shall become part of the Prescott National Forest and shall be managed to maintain its present character and natural values. Directs the Secretary to convey certain land in Coconino County, Arizona, to the individual or entity that represents the majority of landowners with encroachments on the lot in exchange for the payment of a designated sum plus certain other costs.
Bill· SS. 842 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Affordable Small Business Stimulus and Simplification Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the annual (section 179) business expensing limitation and the related phase-out threshold for each of 2003 through 2008. Establishes a $500 standard deduction for electing sole proprietorships. Increases the exclusion percentage when calculating the exclusion of gain on qualified small business stock. Provides 100 percent exclusion for critical technology corporation stock and specialized small business investment company stock. Makes corporations eligible for such exclusion levels. Defines "critical technology corporation." Decreases the required holding period. Increases the period in which purchased replacement stock will qualify for rollover status. Reduces the recovery period for depreciation of computers, peripheral equipment, and software. Permits a self-employed individual to deduct all health insurance costs unless he or she participates in an employer-subsidized health plan. Permits the disclosure of Federal taxpayer identity information and signatures to State entities to carry out an approved combined employment tax reporting program. Extends income averaging to fishermen. States that income averaging for farmers and fisherman will not increase their alternative minimum tax liability. Excludes from acquisition indebtedness certain indebtedness incurred by a small business investment company licensed under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Allows a married couple co-owning a business and filing jointly to elect out of partnership status and file as sole proprietors.
Bill· SS. 830 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2003
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forestry Program Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to establish a Chesapeake Bay watershed forestry program of grants and technical assistance for: (1) forest conservation in urban, suburban, and rural areas; (2) National Forest System management; (3) research, education, and planning activities; and (4) achievement of Chesapeake Bay Agreement goals. Sets forth grantee and project eligibility criteria. Authorizes a Bay State (Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia) to use funds to hire a State watershed forester to carry out watershed projects. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of watershed urban and suburban forests. Directs the Secretary to establish for the watershed a: (1) forestry research program; and (2) a forestry research strategy.
Bill· SS. 813 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
TANF Financial Education Promotion Act of 2003 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require a State to specify in its State plan how it intends to establish goals and take action to promote financial education among parents and caretakers receiving TANF assistance through collaboration with community-based organizations, financial institutions, and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture. Defines financial education as education that promotes an understanding of consumer, economic, and personal finance concepts, including the basic principles involved with earning, budgeting, spending, saving, investing, and taxation. Designates financial education a work activity for TANF purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 1679 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Forest Protection and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2003 - Repeals the Appeals Reform Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to develop an administrative appeals process for the Forest Service.
Bill· HRH.R. 1659 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Milk Regulatory Equity Act of 2003 - Subjects specified Class I milk handlers (including producer-handlers) to Federal milk marketing order minimum and uniform price requirements applicable to the county in which the plant of the handler is located, at Federal order class prices, if the handler has packaged fluid milk product route dispositions, or sales of packaged fluid milk products to other plants, in a marketing area located in a State that requires handlers to pay minimum prices for raw milk purchases. Exempts from such provision: (1) a handler operating an exempt plant; or (2) a producer-handler for any month during which packaged fluid milk route dispositions and sales to other plants are less than six million pounds of milk.
Bill· HRH.R. 1667 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2003
Minority Farmers Fairness Act of 2003 - Provides an additional opportunity for judicial or administrative relief for those farmers whose petitions or claims against the Department of Agriculture for discriminatory operation of farm benefit programs were denied. Requires that such request be submitted within one year of the later of the date of: (1) enactment of this Act; or (2) petition or claim denial.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 106 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2003
Recognizes the Foreign Agricultural Service, and its contributions, employees, and partners, on March 10, 2003, the 50th anniversary of its establishment.
Bill· HRH.R. 1651 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2003
Sierra National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, upon receiving an offer of exchange from the owner of certain land in Mt. Diablo Meridian, California (the non-Federal land), to convey by quit claim deed all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to certain other land in Mt. Diablo Meridian (the Federal land) to the owner of the non-Federal land in exchange for the non-Federal land. Assigns values to the lands to be conveyed. Permits the Secretary to accept a cash equalization payment in excess of 25 percent of the value of the Federal land. Directs the Secretary to manage the non-Federal land, once it is conveyed, in accordance with the Weeks Act. Makes the exchange contingent upon the recipient of the Federal land conveying it to the Sequoia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Directs the Secretary to deposit any cash equalization funds in the fund established by the Sisk Act, to be expended for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands for the National Forest System in the State of California.
Bill· HRH.R. 1650 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2003
Milk Regulatory Equity Act of 2003 - Subjects specified Class I milk handlers (including producer-handlers) to Federal milk marketing order minimum and uniform price requirements applicable to the county in which the plant of the handler is located, at Federal order class prices, if the handler has packaged fluid milk product route dispositions, or sales of packaged fluid milk products to other plants, in a marketing area located in a State that requires handlers to pay minimum prices for raw milk purchases. Exempts from such provision: (1) a handler operating an exempt plant; or (2) a producer-handler for any month during which packaged fluid milk route dispositions and sales to other plants are less than six million pounds of milk. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to subject a Class I milk handler in the Arizona-Las Vegas marketing area to minimum milk price requirements for any month in which the handler distributes in such area at least six million pounds of Class I products from his or her own production.
Bill· HRH.R. 1621 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Federal Lands Hazardous Fuels Reduction Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System lands, and Bureau of Land Management lands, respectively. Provides for: (1) a collaborative project selection process; and (2) an expedited planning and implementation process. Directs the Secretaries to jointly contract with the National Academy of Sciences to define old and large trees. Sunsets provisions of this Act five years after its enactment. Waives temporarily certain transfer limitations on use of the Reforestation Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 1595 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Healthy Public Lands, Healthy Communities Act - Permits the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to cooperate with and provide technical assistance to any designated gateway community where the results of such interaction are likely to benefit both the protection of resources managed by the Secretary and the gateway community. Defines a gateway community as a community meeting certain criteria, including that it is significantly affected economically, socially, or environmentally by planning and management decisions regarding Federal lands administered by the relevant Secretary. Allows the Secretaries to offer training sessions for officials of gateway communities to give such officials a better understanding of the methods by which they can most meaningfully participate in the development of agency plans, decisions, and policies. Permits the Secretaries to enter into agreements with gateway communities to provide for coordination of land use between the relevant Secretary and a gateway community. Authorizes both Secretaries to make grants to gateway communities for the purposes described in this Act.
Law· HRH.R. 1559 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 - Makes emergency war-related appropriations for FY 2003 to: (1) the Department of Agriculture; (2) the Department of Justice (including the Counterterrorism Fund); (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (5) the Judiciary; and (6) the Department of State and related agencies, including the Broadcasting Board of Governors for Middle East Television Network broadcasting to the Middle East and radio broadcasting to Iraq. Makes emergency war-related appropriations for the following Department of Defense-Military items, programs, and activities: (1) Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide; (2) Operation Iraqi Freedom Response Fund (including Transfer of Funds); (3) Military Personnel, Transfer of Funds (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Reserve Personnel-Army, and National Guard Personnel-Army); (4) Operation and Maintenance, Transfer of Funds (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Defense-Wide, Army National Guard); (5) the Defense Health Program; (6) Procurement, Army, Transfer of Funds (Aircraft, Missiles, Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Ammunition, Other, Defense-Wide); (7) Procurement, Air Force; (8) Procurement, Defense-Wide; (9) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Transfer of Funds (Army and Defense-Wide); (10) Combat, Stability Operations, and Air Force Reconstitution Cost (including Transfer of Funds); (11) Natural Resources Risk Remediation Fund (including Transfer of Funds); (12) Revolving and Management Funds (Defense Working Capital Funds); and (13) other specified Department of Defense Programs (Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, including Transfer of Funds). Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2003, the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002, and the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 to: (1) make available specified additional funds; and (2) provide for a specified transfer of funds by the Secretary of Defense. Makes specified amounts available for transfer by the Secretary of Defense to the Operation Iraqi Freedom Response Fund. Makes additional funds available for Bilateral Economic Assistance to: (1) the United States Agency For International Development; (2) the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund; (3) International Disaster Assistance; (4) Operating Expenses of the United States Agency for International Development; (5) the Economic Support Fund; (6) the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (including Transfer of Funds); and (7) Loan Guarantees to Israel. Makes additional funds available to the Department of State for: (1) the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement; (2) the Andean Counterdrug Initiative; (3) the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; and (4) the Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs. Makes additional funds available for Foreign Military Assistance Financing Program and Peacekeeping Operations. Makes additional funds available for: (1) the Department of Homeland Security; (2) Citizenship and Immigration Services; (3) United States Secret Service; (4) Border and Transportation Security; (5) Immigration and Customs Enforcement; (6) the Transportation Security Administration; (7) Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Operating Expenses; (8) the Office For Domestic Preparedness; (9) the United States Coast Guard; (10) Emergency Preparedness and Response; and (11) Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. Makes additional funds available for the Department of Health and Human Services: (1) Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (Disease Control, Research, and Training); and (2) Office of the Secretary (Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund). Makes additional Legislative Branch funds available for: (1) the House of Representatives salaries and expenses; (2) Committee Employees (Standing Committees); (3) Capitol Police; (4) the Office of Compliance; (5) the Architect of the Capitol; (6) the Library of Congress; and (7) the General Accounting Office. Makes additional Department of Defense funds available for: (1) Military Construction (Navy and Air Force); and (2) Family Housing Operation and Maintenance for the Air Force.
Bill· HRH.R. 1574 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Rice Farmer Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to require, as a condition on the receipt of direct or counter-cyclical payments for rice produced in Texas by tenants or sharecroppers, that the producers on the farm agree to retain the rice cropland in production or cropping rotation for the next year.
Bill· HRH.R. 1566 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Phase III Implementation Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, beginning with the 2004 crop, to determine and announce the national estimate for each type of flue-cured and burley tobacco that the Secretary estimates will be utilized during the marketing year. Requires each domestic manufacturer of cigarettes to submit to the Secretary a statement of the quantity of flue-cured tobacco and burley tobacco that the manufacturer intends to purchase on U.S. auction markets or from licensed tobacco producers during the next marketing year. Subjects a manufacturer to penalties for failure to submit such information, or for under purchasing. Sets forth flue-cured and burley: (1) reserve supply levels; and (2) the national tobacco marketing factor. Directs the Secretary: (1) to issue to each historic tobacco producer a tobacco production license to ensure production sufficient to satisfy the national estimate; and (2) if a license is surrendered or revoked, transfer the license and the corresponding tobacco production history to beginning tobacco producers or licensed tobacco producers in the same county, same State, or in counties in other States in which licensed producers are operating. Limits license use, sale, lease or transfer. Authorizes a producer to surrender a tobacco production license at any time. Directs the Secretary to revoke a license for production or risk-sharing failure. Directs the Secretary to provide licensed tobacco producers with tobacco type and permitted quantity notification. Sets forth production level criteria beginning with the 2005 marketing year. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to terminate the flue-cured and burley tobacco programs beginning with the 2004 crop year. Directs the Secretary to conduct producer referenda to determine continuation of the program established by this Act. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to: (1) provide that for the 2004 and subsequent flue-cured and burley tobacco crops for which tobacco production licenses are in effect or have not been disapproved by producer referenda, the support level shall be the level in cents per pound equal to the cost of production; and (2) revise the definition of "quota tobacco."
Bill· HRH.R. 1550 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to make grants: (1) to improve the commercial value of forest biomass to produce electric energy, sensible heat, transportation fuels, or substitutes for petroleum-based products; and (2) to develop or research opportunities to improve the use of, or add value to, biomass, with preference given to preferred communities (as defined by this Act).
Bill· HRH.R. 1551 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Safe School Food Act of 2003 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to revise and increase food safety requirements for the school lunch program under such Act and the school breakfast program under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (school meals programs). Revises requirements for State or local food safety inspections for school meals programs to increase their frequency to at least twice a year (currently once), and to require State audits and reports on such inspections. Requires school meals programs to include food safety requirements in their procurement contracts. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to require: (1) each vendor providing food to school meals programs to supply the Secretary with contact information on each school food supplier of that vendor; and (2) as appropriate, pathogen testing during production of foods purchased for school meals programs. Requires food safety planning by school meals programs, and provides training and technical assistance by the Department of Agriculture for such planning. Directs the Secretary to give appropriate persons an opportunity for voluntary actions to recall and collect food products served in school meals that may present a threat to the public, or, if such actions are not carried out in the required period and manner, require such persons to carry out specified actions, including immediate cessation of distribution of the food product to schools. Directs the Secretary to coordinate such actions with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in case of such actions with respect to food products regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to help implement an information-sharing database or other method to provide State food safety coordinators and other appropriate persons with up-to-date information regarding food safety concerns relating to food manufacturing, processing, and packing facilities that produce any food purchased or acquired for school meals programs, including recalls by and enforcement actions against the facilities. Provides for designation of State food safety coordinators. Requires the Secretary to carry out certain procedures and take certain actions under the commodities distribution program to ensure the safety of commodities that are to be donated to school meals programs.
Bill· SS. 738 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act - Designates specified National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management district lands in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa Counties in California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Requires that such lands be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, whoever has current administrative jurisdiction. Provides for the adjustment of the boundaries of certain of the lands to allow and encourage mechanical fire-suppression activities near Wildfire risk areas. Designates specified Bureau of Land Management district lands in California as potential wilderness areas. Requires that the Secretary of the Interior manage such lands as wilderness and carry out ecological restoration activities. Designates specified segments of the Black Butte River in Mendocino County, California as a wild and scenic river. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a fire management plan and a report on the cultural and historic resources of Black Butte River. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture for: (1) the establishment of a program to provide grants for creating wilderness-related jobs and for developing visitors centers, brochures, and kiosks; (2) the development of trails and other facilities to promote wilderness recreation; (3) the support of law enforcement activities; and (4) the support of firefighting activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1472 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Don't Feed the Bears Act of 2003 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to enforce the National Parks System regulatory prohibitions against the feeding and baiting of wildlife on National Park System lands and in wildlife refuge areas, in particular the intentional feeding of bears for the purpose of enticing them to a particular area to be hunted (bear baiting). Requires the Secretary of the Interior with respect to lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to National Forest System lands, to adopt and enforce a regulation to prohibit individuals from intentionally feeding bears, including feeding for the purpose of bear baiting.
Bill· HRH.R. 1496 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Consumer Food Safety Act of 2003 - Declares that persons who produce or process food for human consumption are responsible for preventing or minimizing food safety hazards. Mandates a national program to protect human health by ensuring that the food industry has effective safety programs for food consumed in the United States. Mandates regulations: (1) setting standards for sanitation and tolerances for biological, chemical, and physical hazards; (2) requiring process controls, recordkeeping, and sampling; (3) providing for agency records access; (4) unannounced inspections at least quarterly of processing and importing facilities; and (5) tolerances (including indicators) for contaminants. Authorizes assistance to a State in planning and implementing a food safety program. Mandates a comprehensive and efficient system to ensure imported food safety. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with any nation desiring to export food to the United States. Sets forth requirements for the agreement, including reciprocity. Mandates: (1) inclusion of food in an active surveillance system and more accurate assessment of the frequency and sources of U.S. human illness associated with food; (2) establishment of guidelines for a sampling system; and (3) ranking of food categories based on their hazard to human health and approaches to minimize hazards. Requires: (1) a national food safety public education program; (2) regional and national food safety advisories; (3) standardized written and broadcast advisory formats; and (4) incorporation of State and local advisories into the national program. Provides, if there is a reasonable probability that the food would present a public health threat, for voluntary and mandatory recalls. Authorizes the Secretary to impose traceability requirements on a type or class of food when necessary to assure the protection of public health. Authorizes civil actions and monetary penalties for violations of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1495 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
National Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem food to be misbranded unless certain labeling information is provided concerning: (1) raw or partially cooked eggs, fish and shellfish, dairy products, or unpasteurized juice in ready-to-eat form; (2) frozen fish and shellfish other than smoked, cured, cooked, or commercially sterilized; (3) raw eggs; (4) country of origin for perishable agricultural commodities or derived products ; (5) freshness dates; (6) food labeled as natural; (7) kosher and kosher-style foods; (8) unit pricing; and (9) grades (where customary) for farm products.
Bill· HRH.R. 1501 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act - Designates specified National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management district lands in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa Counties in California as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Requires that such lands be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, whoever has current administrative jurisdiction. Provides for the adjustment of the boundaries of certain of the lands to allow and encourage mechanical fire-suppression activities near wildfire risk areas. Designates specified Bureau of Land Management district lands in California as potential wilderness areas. Requires that the Secretary of the Interior manage such lands as wilderness and carry out ecological restoration activities. Designates specified segments of the Black Butte River in Mendocino County, California as a wild and scenic river. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a fire management plan and a report on the cultural and historic resources of Black Butte River. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture for: (1) the establishment of a program to provide grants for creating wilderness-related jobs and for developing visitors centers, brochures, and kiosks; (2) the development of trails and other facilities to promote wilderness recreation; (3) the support of law enforcement activities; and (4) the support of firefighting activities.
Bill· SS. 722 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require each manufacturer of a dietary supplement (supplement), and each packer or distributor of a supplement the name of which appears on the labeling, to report serious adverse experiences to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to investigate such occurrences. Defines a serious adverse experience as an adverse event associated with the use of a supplement in a human that involves death or one of other serious calamities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a clinical evaluation of each such reported experience. Requires the manufacturer of a dietary supplement to report periodically on other adverse experiences and to review such occurrences. Allows the Secretary to grant a waiver from the above reporting, reviewing, and investigating requirements with respect to a dietary supplement upon determination that compliance is not necessary to protect the public health. Authorizes the Secretary to require a manufacturer to conduct postmarket surveillance for a supplement under specified circumstances. Permits the Secretary to require a manufacturer of a supplement or of an ingredient in a supplement to demonstrate that its product is safe under specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary to approve the continued marketing of such a supplement or ingredient or to disapprove it. Prohibits any introduction into interstate commerce of a supplement containing a stimulant unless it is approved by the Secretary under this Act. Amends the Act to exclude a product that bears or contains an anabolic steroid from the definition of a dietary supplement for a specified chapter of the Act. Eliminates a provision of the Act requiring the United States to bear the burden of proof to show a supplement or an ingredient in a supplement is adulterated due to a safety violation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1447 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2003
Ethanol and Biodiesel Promotion Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit equal to 50 percent (up to $50,000) of the basis of qualified vehicle refueling and business use property placed in service during the taxable year with respect to the retail sale, or business use, of E85 ethanol (any fuel at least 85 percent of which is ethanol) and neat biodiesel (diesel fuel at least 85 percent of which is produced from a non-petroleum substance). Allows a business tax credit, determined according to a specified formula, for each gasoline gallon equivalent of E85 ethanol and neat biodiesel sold at retail by the taxpayer during such year as a fuel to propel any qualified motor vehicle. 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. Extends, through December 31, 2009, the application to qualified clean-fuel vehicle refueling property for E85 ethanol of the deduction from gross income for clean-fueled vehicles and certain refueling property. Repeals the mandatory transfer into the Highway Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to the taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene and on certain vehicles.
Bill· SS. 701 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide additional tax incentives with respect to capital gain contributions to encourage qualified conservation, with special rules for eligible farmers and ranchers in particular.
Bill· SS. 691 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with the Nebraska State Forester to carry out watershed restoration and protection activities, including treatment of insect-infested trees and reduction of hazardous fuels, on National Forest System land in Nebraska. Terminates such authority on September 30, 2006.
Bill· SS. 667 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to reduce maximum annual direct and counter-cyclical commodity payments to $20,000 and $30,000, respectively. Revises limitation provisions for marketing loan gains, loan deficiency payments, and commodity certificate transactions, and establishes an annual combined limitation of $87,500 for such payments. Doubles payment limitations for single farming operations. Limits an individual to a combined annual payment of $275,000.
Bill· SS. 665 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Tax Empowerment and Relief for Farmers and Fishermen (TERFF) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow certain commercial farming and fishing businesses a tax deduction for cash contributions (up to 20 percent of taxable income) to a Farm, Fishing, and Ranch Risk Management Account (FFARRM Account); (2) exempt agricultural bonds from private activity bond volume caps; (3) allow individuals a tax deduction for charitable contributions of food (currently restricted to C corporations); (4) extend income averaging to fishermen (currently allowed for farmers) and exclude income averaging for farmers and fishermen from the computation of the alternative minimum tax; (5) modify cooperative marketing rules to include value-added processing involving animals; (6) permit farmer cooperatives to seek declaratory judgments with respect to their tax-exempt status; and (7) allow the allocation of the small ethanol tax credit amounts to patrons of tax-exempt cooperatives. Amends the Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exclude certain rental income and conservation reserve program payments from the self-employment tax. Provides that dividends on the capital stock or other proprietary capital interests of tax-exempt cooperatives shall not reduce the net earnings of such cooperatives. Modifies involuntary conversion rules to extend from two to four years the replacement period for livestock sold due to drought, flood, or other weather-related conditions.
Law· HRH.R. 1367 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
National Veterinary Medical Services Act - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide educational loan repayment and related tax liability assistance to veterinary students who agree to practice in veterinary shortage situations.
Bill· SS. 641 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Rural Fire Department Equipment Priority Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Agriculture to enter into an agreement to utilize the Federal Excess Personal Property program of the Forest Service to transfer excess personal property of the Department of Defense to the Forest Service for reutilization by firefighting agencies in rural areas. Requires the priority given to such transfers by the Department of Defense to be at least equal to that given for transferring such property to military departments and defense agencies.
Law· HRH.R. 1308 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Tax Relief, Simplification, and Equity Act of 2003 - Revises Internal Revenue Code expatriation tax provisions. Subjects certain individuals, for a ten year period following citizenship relinquishment or residency termination, to the expatriation (alternative) tax provisions. Provides exceptions for dual citizens and minors. Suspends the tax-exempt status of a designated terrorist organization. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning corporate expatriation. Establishes a special rule for determining the exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence for members of the Foreign Service on qualified official extended duty. Provides tax relief for families of the Columbia Space Shuttle. Includes any vaccine against hepatitis A under the 75-cents-per-dose manufacturer's excise tax. Expands the 50-percent tax orphan drug tax credit for expenses related to human clinical testing of drugs for the treatment of certain rare diseases and conditions to include specified testing expenses. Treats as an exempt facility bond any qualified forest conservation bond (as defined). Revises the excise tax provisions on bows, arrows, and other archery equipment. Provides for the application of capital gain treatment to outright sales of timber whether or not the owner retains economic interest. Repeals the excise tax on fishing tackle boxes. Revises, with respect to real property, provisions concerning the treatment under the at-risk rules of publicly traded nonrecourse debt. Extends, with respect to involuntary conversion rules, the replacement period for livestock sold on account of weather related conditions. Coordinates farmers income averaging with the alternative minimum tax. Provides that the patronage dividends of cooperatives shall not be reduced by stock dividends to the extent the stock dividends are in addition to amounts otherwise payable.
Bill· HRH.R. 1311 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Rural Fire Department Equipment Priority Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize the Federal Excess Personal Property program of the Forest Service to facilitate the reutilization of Department of Defense personal property by firefighting agencies in rural areas. Requires the priority given to such transfers by the Department of Defense to be at least equal to that given for transferring such property to military departments and defense agencies.
Bill· HRH.R. 1317 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the waiver requirement by a farm owner, operator, or tenant in order for an aerial applicator of agricultural fertilizer or other substances to qualify for a gasoline-farming use (excise) tax exemption in the case of an applicator who is the ultimate purchaser of the gasoline so used. Includes within such exemption gasoline used between the airfield and farm. Exempts fixed-wing aircraft used for forestry purposes from the passenger air transportation (excise) tax.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 146 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2003
Makes amounts available for expenses, including staff salaries, of the following committees of the House of Representatives in the 108th Congress: (1) Agriculture; (2) Armed Services; (3) Budget; (4) Education and the Workforce; (5) Energy and Commerce; (6) Financial Services; (7) Government Reform; (8) Homeland Security; (9) House Administration; (10) Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; (11) International Relations; (12) Judiciary; (13) Resources; (14) Rules; (15) Science; (16) Small Business; (17) Standards of Official Conduct; (18) Transportation and Infrastructure; (19) Veterans' Affairs; and (20s) Ways and Means. Sets forth first and second session limitations on such amounts. Grants the Committee on House Administration authority to make adjustments in such amounts if necessary to comply with a presidential sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) or to conform to any reduction in appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1293 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2003
Family Farm and Ranch Innovation Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to guarantee small business loans to qualifying farming or ranching concerns in order to implement an Agricultural Innovation Plan. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to assist a qualifying small business farming or ranching concern to develop a Plan which shall seek to increase farm or ranch income and protect environmental quality.
Bill· HRH.R. 1230 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2003
Cleveland National Forest Responsible Electricity Transmission Act - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture (the "Secretaries") to issue the necessary grants, easements, permits, plan amendments, and other approvals to allow for the siting and construction of a high-voltage electricity transmission line in part of the Cleveland National Forest in California and adjacent lands (except any identified wilderness area) under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. Instructs the Secretaries to give a preference to any application or preapplication proposal for a transmission line right-of-way submitted before December 31, 2002, over all other applications and proposals for the same or similar right-of-way submitted on or after that date.
Bill· SS. 586 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2003
Round II EZ/EC Flexibility Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations to: (1) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for specified urban empowerment zones; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture for specified rural empowerment zones and rural enterprise communities. Permits: (1) use of such funds for zone or community strategic plan implementation; and (2) use of Federal funds to pay matching fund requirements.
Bill· SS. 552 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the waiver requirement by a farm owner, operator, or tenant in order for an aerial applicator of agricultural fertilizer or other substances to qualify for a gasoline-farming use (excise) tax exemption in the case of an applicator who is the ultimate purchaser of the gasoline so used. Includes within such exemption gasoline used between the airfield and farm. Exempts fixed-wing aircraft used for forestry purposes from the passenger air transportation (excise) tax.
Bill· SS. 546 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
Paleontological Resources Preservation Act - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture (the Secretaries) to: (1) manage and protect paleontological resources on Federal land using scientific principles and expertise; and (2) develop plans for inventorying, monitoring, and deriving the scientific and educational use of such resources. Directs the Secretaries to establish a program to increase public awareness about the significance of paleontological resources. Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from Federal land without a permit issued under this Act by one of the Secretaries. Authorizes the Secretaries to allow casual collecting of common invertebrate and plant paleontological resources for scientific, educational, and recreational uses, without a permit, on certain Federal lands where not inconsistent with laws governing management of such lands and this Act. Recognizes as valid permits issued before enactment of this Act. Prohibits: (1) excavating, removing, or altering a paleontological resource located on Federal lands, except in compliance with this Act; (2) exchanging or receiving such a resource, if the person knew or should have known such resource to have been illegally removed from Federal lands; (3) selling or purchasing a paleontological resource, if the person knew or should have known such resource to have been illegally removed from Federal lands; or (4) making or submitting false records, accounts, or identification of any paleontological resource excavated or removed from Federal lands. Imposes criminal penalties for violating this Act. Sets forth requirements for the assessment of civil penalties by the Secretaries for violations of any prohibitions contained in regulations or permits issued under this Act. Requires any recovered amounts to be available for use: (1) to protect or restore the paleontological resources and sites which were the subject of the action, or to acquire sites with equivalent resources and to protect, monitor, and study the resources and sites; (2) to provide educational materials to the public about paleontological resources and sites; and (3) as a reward. Requires that information on the nature and specific location of a paleontological resource that requires a permit under this Act or other Federal law be withheld from the public, including under the Freedom of Information Act, except under specified conditions.