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Bill· HRH.R. 1153 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2003
America's Wilderness Protection Act - Releases all areas with wilderness study area status on this Act's enactment date from such status on the earlier of: (1) the date the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture determines that the area is not suitable for wilderness designation; (2) ten years after this Act's enactment; or (3) the date the area is designated as wilderness by Congress. Releases any area that is given wilderness study area status after this Act's enactment from such status on the earlier of: (1) the date such Secretary determines that the area is not suitable for wilderness designation; (2) ten years after the date the area was given such status; or (3) the date that the area is designated as wilderness by Congress. Provides for the reversion of any area that is released from wilderness study area status to the land use status such area had immediately before and prohibits it from being studied again regarding wilderness designation.
Law· SS. 524 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Fort Donelson National Battlefield Expansion Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire for inclusion in the Fort Donelson National Battlefield land, interests, and improvements: (1) within the boundaries of the Battlefield; and (2) outside such boundaries if the land has been identified by the American Battlefield Protection Program as part of the battlefield associated with Fort Donelson or if the Secretary otherwise determines that acquisition will protect critical resources associated with the Battle of Fort Donelson in1862 and the Union campaign that resulted in the capture of the Fort. Limits the total area encompassed by the Battlefield to 2,000 acres. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to facilitate cooperatively protecting and interpreting the remaining vestige of Fort Henry and other existing Civil War resources affiliated with the Fort Donelson campaign and located in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
Bill· HRH.R. 1092 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Nevada National Forest Land Disposal Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell any right, title, or interest of the United States in and to certain parcels of National Forest System lands in Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada. Declares that the Secretary and the relevant unit of local government shall jointly decide whether land is to be offered for sale under this Act. Sets forth percentages of the gross proceeds from sales under this Act that shall be earmarked for: (1) the State of Nevada general education program; (2) the Carson Water Subconservancy in Nevada; (3) the fund established in the Sisk Act, to be used for land sales costs and for the development and maintenance of parks, trails, and natural areas in specified Nevada counties; and (4) wildland fire management in Nevada. Directs the Secretary to manage any land acquired under this Act in accordance with the Weeks Law. Declares that the lands authorized to be sold under this Act shall not be subject to specified Federal law pertaining to property management.
Bill· HRH.R. 1091 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Amends the Agricultural Reconciliation Act of 1993 to make leaf tobacco eligible for market access program assistance.
Bill· HRH.R. 1105 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2003
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystem; (5) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (6) Blackfeet Wilderness. Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas. Establishes the Hells Canyon/Chief Joseph National Park and Preserve as a National Park System unit. Repeals Federal law provisions that establish the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) implement a program of ecosystem restoration in the Preserve; and (2) study the feasibility of creating a Flathead National Park and Preserve in the area generally known as the Glacier View Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System and the National Wildland Recovery Corps. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to assure nonexclusive access to the specified areas and corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
Bill· SS. 506 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 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· HRH.R. 1061 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Wildfire Response Enhancement Act - Authorizes the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to place an order with any Federal agency for goods or services directly related to fighting wildfires if the goods or services are necessary to properly respond to a wildfire without regard to a provision requiring a prior determination that the goods or services cannot be provided by contract as conveniently or cheaply by a commercial enterprise.
Bill· HRH.R. 1060 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Los Padres National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003 - Authorizes an exchange of approximately 340 acres held by the United Water Conservation District of California and approximately 420 acres of National Forest System lands. Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to reserve easements in the conveyance of National Forest System lands for access roads and trails, including perpetual unrestricted rights of pedestrian access to the Potholes trailhead of Los Padres National Forest. Requires the Secretary to provide reasonable access to privately owned inholdings in the District lands acquired under this Act. Stipulates that the District must construct a gravel parking area for the Potholes trailhead. Exempts water rights from this land exchange. Permits the District and the Secretary to equalize this exchange through a cash payment. Adds the District lands acquired under this Act to the Los Padres National Forest.
Bill· HRH.R. 1075 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2003
Ephedra Public Protection Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to classify a food as adulterated if it is a dietary supplement that contains any ephedrine group and is unsafe within the meaning of this Act. Classifies a new ephedrine supplement (a dietary supplement containing ephedrine alkaloids not generally recognized as safe) as unsafe if it has not received premarket approval from the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary to approve supplements that do not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury under the recommended or ordinary conditions of use. Requires manufacturers of ephedrine supplements (dietary supplements containing any ephedrine group alkaloids), and packers and distributors of such supplements whose names appear on the label, to investigate each claim of a serious adverse experience and report to the Secretary as to whether the ephedrine supplement involved was a causal factor. Makes failure to comply with such reporting requirements a prohibited act. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a proposed rule for good manufacturing practice regulations under the Act. States various elements the proposed rule shall contain, including that it shall require the testing of each production lot or batch of an ephedrine supplement to ensure the label's accuracy in stating the amount of ephedrine group alkaloids in such supplement. Classifies an ephedrine supplement as misbranded unless its label bears an expiration date.
Bill· SS. 490 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain land in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Nevada, to the Secretary of the Interior, in trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Reserves for the United States a nonexclusive easement for public and administrative access to National Forest System land. Requires the Secretary to provide a reciprocal easement to the Tribe for vehicular access to such land to accommodate: (1) individuals with disabilities or who would otherwise have access difficulties; and (2) administrative or safety needs. Requires the Tribe to: (1) limit the use of the conveyed land to traditional and customary uses and stewardship conservation; (2) not permit any permanent or recreational development on, or commercial use of, such land (including commercial development, tourist accommodations, gaming, sale of timber, or mineral extraction); and (3) comply with environmental requirements that are no less protective than those that apply under the Regional Plan of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
Bill· SS. 468 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Senior Nutrition Act of 2003 - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to make a person who is at least 60 years old eligible for the commodity supplemental food program if such person: (1) is eligible for the food stamp program; or (2) has a household income that is not more than185 percent of Federal poverty income guidelines.
Bill· SS. 475 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Electric Transmission and Reliability Enhancement Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to 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 FERC rules requiring public utilities to offer open access transmission services that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential. Designates the Department of Energy as the lead agency for conducting environmental review of electric power transmission corridors across Federal lands. Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to give priority for electric power transmission corridor rights-of-way across Federal lands. Grants FERC jurisdiction over: (1) Electric Reliability Organizations; (2) regional entities; and (3) all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system. Exempts Alaska and Hawaii from such provisions. Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. States that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase electric energy or capacity from a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility (qualifying facility). Requires 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. Prohibits the filing of false information regarding the wholesale price of electricity, and round trip trading. Increases civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 988 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Escaped Prescribed Fire Emergency Assistance Act - Allows the head of any Federal land management agency, in the case of an escaped prescribed fire where there is partial or total loss of a primary residence, to authorize payment of reasonable emergency assistance for up to 30 days, with an additional 30 day extension in extenuating circumstances. States that such assistance shall not be construed as a waiver of rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). Authorizes such payments to be made from the Department of Agriculture's and the Department of the Interior's Wildfire Management Accounts. States that any action or decision taken respecting a prescribed fire shall not be considered to be the exercise of a discretionary function. Allows an individual with a claim before a Federal agency to amend it before final action is taken on it by the agency, or before the individual brings a civil action under FTCA against the United States, whichever may be later. Requires an agency to: (1) notify an individual whose claim fails to state a claim upon which the agency may take action under FTCA; and (2) attach to any claim form it distributes notice that the claim may be amended.
Bill· HRH.R. 1042 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Forest Restoration and Fire Risk Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, in their respective areas, to establish a cooperative community protection and forest restoration program under the National Fire Plan to make cost-share grants for hazardous fuels reduction projects. Sets forth a project selection process. States that such projects may be carried out entirely on, or involve any combination of, Federal lands, tribal lands, State or local government lands, or private forest lands. Prohibits such projects on the following Federal lands: (1) National Wilderness Preservation System components; (2) lands where the removal of vegetation is prohibited or restricted; (3) Wilderness Study Areas; and (4) Inventoried Roadless Areas. Provides for a special Department of Agriculture administrative appeals process for such projects. Directs the Secretaries to jointly establish a program of forest-related projects for: (1) erosion control and watershed restoration; (2) road and trail assessment; (3) wildlife and fish management; (4) restoration job training and small business development; (5) noxious and invasive species control; and (6) wildfire-threatened homeowner assistance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Regional Foresters, to establish Forest Restoration and Value-Added Centers to improve implementation of collaborative, community-based projects in National Forest System and other lands. Requires that: (1) at least one Center be located in each Forest Service Region; and (2) each Center be located in a small rural community in proximity to National Forest System lands. Authorizes the Secretaries to give competitive service hiring preference to graduates of certified youth service or conservation corps. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program of applied research (through the Forest Products Laboratory) in order to: (1) identify minimal impact restoration methods; and (2) test and develop value-added products created from restoration by-products.
Bill· HRH.R. 1003 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Meat and Poultry Inspection Accountability Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess specified civil money penalties for violations of the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize civil money penalties for violations of provisions under such Act as they relate to meat and poultry.
Bill· HRH.R. 1021 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Senior Nutrition Act of 2003 - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to make a person who is at least 60 years old eligible for the commodity supplemental food program if such person: (1) is eligible for the food stamp program; or (2) has a household income that is not more than185 percent of Federal poverty income guidelines.
Bill· HRH.R. 986 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Tobacco Market Transition Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Tobacco Community Revitalization Trust Fund, which shall be administered by the Tobacco Production Control Corporation (Corporation). States that amounts shall be used for program expenses and to compensate tobacco producers and quota holders for costs related to the changeover from the current tobacco program to the program provided for by this Act. Directs the Corporation to provide: (1) compensation (based upon pounds and base quota level) to eligible tobacco quota holders for loss of tobacco quota asset value; and (2) transition payments (based upon pounds and production base) to eligible active tobacco producers. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to forgive specified loans made to tobacco producer-owned cooperative marketing associations, and transfer related inventories to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Transfers related funds held in a No Net Cost Tobacco Fund or No Net Cost Tobacco Account to the Fund. Directs the Corporation to consider transition payments for other persons involved in tobacco production and marketing. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat: (1) tobacco quota holder compensation as long-term capital gain; and (2) transition payments as ordinary income. Establishes the Tobacco Production Control Corporation which shall: (1) be responsible for promulgating rules governing the production, marketing, importation, exportation, and consumer quality assurances for each kind of tobacco; (2) establish a system of tobacco production and marketing licensing (sets forth license provisions); (3) determine tobacco base price levels; and (4) conduct a program referendum if requested by a certain number of licensees. Repeals the Tobacco Control Act and specified other agricultural provisions to terminate tobacco marketing quota and related programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 955 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2003
Amends the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003, to repeal the provision permitting a farm to be certified as organic with respect to livestock produced on such farm if it uses non-organically produced feed under certain cost-based circumstances.
Bill· SS. 457 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Organic Restoration Act of 2003 - Amends the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003, to repeal the provision permitting a farm to be certified as organic with respect to livestock produced on such farm if it uses non-organically produced feed under certain cost-based circumstances.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 66 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003, October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004 , and October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; (12) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. Provides that within the funds in the account "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" appropriated by the legislative branch appropriations Acts for FY 2003, 2004, and 2005, there is authorized to be established a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.
Bill· HRH.R. 927 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual engaged in an eligible farming or commercial fishing business a deduction for any taxable year of up to 20 percent of taxable income attributable to the eligible farming or commercial fishing business which was paid in cash by the taxpayer to a Farm and Ranch Risk Management Account (FARRM Account). Includes distributions from a FARRM account in the taxpayer's gross income, and subjects to a special ten percent surtax any distributions not made within five years of contribution. Establishes a tax on excess contributions, but exempts the taxpayer from the tax on certain prohibited transactions.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 104 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2003
Elects specified Members to the following standing committees of the House of Representatives: (1) Agriculture; (2) Budget; (3) Government Reform; and (4) Small Business.
Law· SS. 434 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Idaho Panhandle National Forest Improvement Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System parcels in Idaho, and use the proceeds for acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of: (1) a new ranger station in the Silver Valley portion of the Panhandle National Forest; or (2) other facilities in such Forest.
Bill· SS. 433 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Clearwater Basin Project Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and maintain the Clearwater Advisory Panel (CAP), which shall provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service regarding the Clearwater Basin pilot project (the Project) within the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests, Idaho. States that the CAP shall: (1) make recommendations regarding activities for high priority implementation; (2) provide early and continuous coordination with Federal officials; and (3) provide for public input into its proceedings. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct the Project. Directs the CAP, in consultation with and receiving technical assistance from the applicable Forest Supervisor, to develop and submit for approval from the Forest Supervisor five-year schedules of high priority activities for the Project (with separate schedules for each Forest). Requires that the activities included in such schedules be consistent with the applicable forest land and resource management plan. Directs the Forest Service to complete any applicable National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures for the approval of the activities at the site-specific, project level. Directs the CAP to consult with the Nez Perce Tribe in developing and recommending each schedule. Directs the Forest Supervisor to issue a project or activity decision document regarding approval of the recommended schedule in accordance with NEPA and other applicable procedures. Provides for the schedules and activities authorized under this section to supplement certain other schedules, plans, and projects or other activities authorized and implemented under other law.
Bill· SS. 435 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Sandpoint Land and Facilities Conveyance Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture jurisdiction over certain land in Sandpoint, Idaho (the property), with the Secretary assuming the obligation of the Administrator to repay to the Federal Finance Bank the debt incurred with respect to the property. Permits the Secretary to exchange all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property in an exchange of equal value, in which the recipient of the property may agree to construct administrative facilities for the National Forest System in Bonner County, Idaho. Requires a recipient to honor any outstanding indebtedness on the property to the Federal Finance Bank. Directs the Secretary to use proceeds from the sale of the property for: (1) the acquisition, construction, or improvement of administrative facilities and associated land; and (2) the acquisition of land and interests in land for addition to National Forest System land in the Northern Region of the Forest Service in Idaho. Forbids any proceeds from being distributed to States or counties or from being considered moneys received from units of the National Forest System under specified laws. Requires the Secretary to manage any land acquired under this Act in accordance with the Weeks Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 902 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Idaho Panhandle National Forest Improvement Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain National Forest System parcels in Idaho, and use the proceeds for acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of: (1) a new ranger station in the Silver Valley portion of the Panhandle National Forest; or (2) other facilities in such Forest.
Bill· HRH.R. 903 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Sandpoint Land and Facilities Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture jurisdiction over certain land in Sandpoint, Idaho (the property), with the Secretary assuming the obligation of the Administrator to repay to the Federal Finance Bank the debt incurred with respect to the property. Permits the Secretary to exchange all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property in an exchange of equal value, in which the recipient of the property may agree to construct administrative facilities for the National Forest System in Bonner County, Idaho. Requires a recipient to honor any outstanding indebtedness on the property to the Federal Finance Bank. Directs the Secretary to use proceeds from the sale of the property for: (1) the acquisition, construction, or improvement of administrative facilities and associated land in the Northern Region of the Forest Service in Idaho; and (2) the acquisition of land and interests in land for addition to National Forest System land in such region. Forbids any proceeds from being distributed to States or counties or from being considered moneys received from units of the National Forest System under specified laws. Requires the Secretary to manage any land acquired under this Act in accordance with the Weeks Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 905 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Family Farm Tax Simplification Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from treatment as a partnership a qualified farming joint venture conducted by a jointly-filing husband and wife. Provides that income, gain, loss, deductions, and credits shall be equally divided, and treated as if attributable to a trade or business conducted by each spouse as a sole proprietor. Defines "qualified farming joint venture." Amends the Code and the Social Security Act to treat such income as net earnings from self-employment, respectively.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 93 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2003
Provides amounts for expenses of the Committee on Agriculture for the 108th Congress.
Bill· SS. 430 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Agriculture Security Preparedness Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish an agricultural disease management position in the Federal Emergency Management Agency to act as liaison between the Department and governmental and other entities in the emergency management community; (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a similar animal health liaison position in the Department of Health and Human Services; (3) the Secretary of Transportation to develop guidelines for restrictions on interstate transportation of commodities or products in response to an agricultural disease; (4) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consider potential environmental impacts of response activities in planning agricultural disease responses; (5) the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and implement agricultural risk information-sharing procedures among Federal, regional, State, and local entities; (6) the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a task force, consisting of agricultural producers and State and local emergency response officials, to identify best practices for regional and State agricultural disease programs; (7) the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct studies on the feasibility of establishing a national plant disease laboratory, and on international agricultural disease surveillance; (8) the Secretary of Homeland Security to improve the Department of Agriculture's ability to identify agricultural commodities, products, and livestock imported from locations that have experienced agricultural terrorist activities or unusual agricultural diseases; (9) the Secretary of State to enter into mutual assistance agreements with other countries for assistance in the event of an agricultural disease, including training of U.S. veterinarians and agriculture specialists in the identification, diagnosis, and control of foreign agricultural diseases, and to provide resources and personnel to foreign governments with limited response resources; (10) the Attorney General to study the feasibility of establishing a national agroterrorism and ecoterrorism incident clearinghouse; and (11) the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a system to share information during all stages of an agroterrorism act. Amends Federal criminal law to include attacks against private property, including agriculture- and livestock-related property, among terrorist acts involving weapons of mass destruction.
Bill· SS. 427 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Agriculture Security Assistance Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) assist States to develop agricultural disease response plans, including regional and national plans; (2) conduct a related modeling and statistical analysis study; (3) provide State grants for epidemiological assessment use of geographic information and statistical analysis models in the event of agricultural disease emergencies; (4) implement a biosecurity awareness program for farmers and ranchers, including on-farm biosecurity guidelines and discretionary education programs; and (5) establish a farm and ranch biosecurity grant and loan pilot program. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide grants for State and local animal health care officials to participate in community emergency planning.
Bill· SS. 432 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2003
Public Lands Production Research Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to develop a program of research into alternative treatments for timber products produced from National Forest System lands, including for those produced with the use of silver-based biocides using silver from Federal lands. Allows the program to be implemented through contracts with public or private laboratories or research institutes with relevant experience.
Bill· SS. 424 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Tribal Energy Self-Sufficiency Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require the Director of the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs of the Department of Energy to establish programs within the Office to assist Indian tribes in meeting energy education, research and development, planning, and management needs. Authorizes the Director to provide grants and loan guarantees to Indian tribes for such programs. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish an Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs within the Department of Energy. Authorizes Indian tribes to: (1) grant leases of tribal lands for electrical generation, transmission, or distribution facilities and facilities to refine or otherwise process energy resources developed on tribal lands; and (2) grant rights-of-way over tribal lands, without separate approval by the Secretary of the Interior, for pipelines and electrical transmission or distribution lines. Requires Indian tribes to establish environmental review processes that identify and evaluate the significant environmental impacts of proposed Indian Energy Policy and Programs. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to review the activities that have been carried out by the government of Indian tribes under the Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982 and to recommend to specified committees ways to ensure that Indian tribes have the opportunity to develop nonrenewable energy resources and the barriers they face to do so. Requires the Administrators of the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, and other pertinent power administrations to take specified actions to encourage Indian tribal energy developments. Requires the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on the cost and feasibility of developing a demonstration project that would use wind energy generated by Indian tribes and hydropower generated by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River to supply firming power to the Western Area Power Administration. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to revise and extend renewable energy production incentives. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to units of local government, private, nonprofit community development organizations, and tribal economic development entities for use in improving energy efficiency, identifying and developing alternative renewable and distributed energy supplies, and increasing energy conservation in low-income rural and urban communities. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide rural and remote communities electrification grants to State, local, or tribal governments, or tribal colleges or universities to increase energy efficiency, siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines, or for providing or modernizing electric facilities.
Bill· SS. 5 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2003
Compassion and Personal Responsibility Act - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF)) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend through FY 2008 family assistance grants to eligible States; (2) replace the current bonuses to reward States for a decrease in illegitimacy ratio with competitive Healthy Marriage Promotion grants; (3) replace bonuses to reward high performance States with bonuses to States to reward employment achievement; (4) repeal authority for Federal loans to State welfare programs; and (5) revise work participation requirements for State grants. Promotion and Support of Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2003 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to authorize Federal grants to public and nonprofit community entities (including religious organizations and Indian tribal organizations) for projects and activities designed to test the effectiveness of various approaches to promoting responsible parenting through a fatherhood program. Caring for Children Act of 2003 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 2008 and to revise requirements for State programs for child care services. Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to revise child support collection requirements to: (1) prescribe guidelines for Federal matching funds for limited pass through of child support payments to families receiving TANF; (2) decrease the amount of child support arrearage that will trigger passport denial; (3) provide for use of the tax refund intercept program to collect past-due child support on behalf of children who are not minors; and (4) limit garnishment of compensation paid to veterans for Service-connected disabilities in order to enforce child support obligations. Eliminates the limitation placed upon the number of: (1) States that may be granted waivers to conduct demonstration projects on the same topic; and (2) waivers that may be granted to a single State for demonstration projects. Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to require the Commissioner of Social Security to review State agency blindness and disability determinations before any action is taken to implement them in order to identify those most likely to be incorrect. Grants the States authority to require participation in an individual rehabilitation plan or risk being deemed ineligible for supplemental security income. Prescribes requirements for State demonstration projects to coordinate multiple public assistance and workforce development programs for working individuals and families. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a State food assistance block grant demonstration project. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) and title XIX (Medicaid) to extend: (1) the duration of appropriations for an abstinence education program; and (2) the Medicaid transitional medical assistance program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to declare that nothing prevents a State from operating separate eligibility verification systems or imposing work requirements as conditions of participation in the Food Stamp Program.
Bill· SS. 391 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2003 - Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint Forest Service-Snohomish County communication repeater site to provide improved communication for safety, health, and emergency purposes. Allows the continued use of floatplanes on Lake Isabel in the Wild Sky Wilderness, subject to reasonable restrictions. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands in the Wild Sky Wilderness by purchase, donation, or exchange, with priority to be given to specified Priority Acquisition Lands. Requires the boundaries of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wild Sky Wilderness to be adjusted to encompass any lands so acquired. Directs the Secretary to assure adequate access to private in-holdings within the Wild Sky Wilderness. States that valuation of private lands shall be determined without reference to any restrictions on access or use which arise out of designation as a wilderness area. Requires the Secretary to accept specified lands within the Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington from the Chelan County Public Utility District if the District offers such lands to the Secretary (in title acceptable to the Secretary and provided there is no hazardous material on the site) in exchange for a permanent easement, including helicopter access, to maintain an existing snowtel site on land within the Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. Provides for extinguishment of the easement and reversion of all conveyed rights to the United States if the District no longer needs to maintain a snowtel site.
Bill· HRH.R. 822 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2003 - Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a hiking trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint Forest Service-Snohomish County communication repeater site to provide improved communication for safety, health, and emergency purposes. Allows the continued use of floatplanes on Lake Isabel in the Wild Sky Wilderness, subject to reasonable restrictions. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands in the Wild Sky Wilderness by purchase, donation, or exchange, with priority to be given to specified priority acquisition lands. Requires the boundaries of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests and the Wild Sky Wilderness to be adjusted to encompass any lands so acquired. Directs the Secretary to assure adequate access to private in-holdings within the Wild Sky Wilderness. States that valuation of private lands shall be determined without reference to any restrictions on access or use which arise out of designation as a wilderness area. Requires the Secretary to accept specified lands within the Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington from the Chelan County Public Utility District if the District offers such lands to the Secretary in exchange for a permanent easement, including helicopter access, to maintain an existing snowtel site on land within the Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. Provides for extinguishment of the easement and reversion of all conveyed rights to the United States if the District no longer needs to maintain a snowtel site.
Bill· HRH.R. 762 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Reasonable Right-of-Way Fees Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to amend the Code of Federal Regulations to revise the per acre rental fee zone value schedule by State, county, and type of linear right-of-way use to reflect current land values. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make such revisions for linear rights-of-way granted, issued, or renewed on National Forest System lands. Directs the Secretaries to annually update the schedules of linear rights-of-way under their respective jurisdictions by a specified method using the Gross National Product Implicit Price Deflator Index. Requires the Secretaries to review the zones and rental per acre figures whenever the cumulative change in the index exceeds 30 percent, or whenever the change in the 3-year average of the 1-year Treasury interest rate used to determine per acre rental fee zone values exceeds plus or minus 50 percent. Authorizes the Secretaries to revise the base zones and rental fees if the value of Federal land differs sufficiently from the index to warrant such action. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior or appropriate agency heads to use the same valuation method as in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (as revised by this Act) to calculate the value of rights-of-way for pipeline passage.
Bill· HRH.R. 834 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish, Neutralize, and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to carry out environmental cleanup and remediation programs involving specified lands that are contaminated with hazardous substances associated with illegal methamphetamine manufacture. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate as hazardous certain byproducts of the methamphetamine production process and expand penalties against laboratory operators; (2) the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration to list byproducts likely to cause long-term environmental harm; (3) the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to provide grants to State and local law enforcement for specified training and equipment acquisition; (4) the EPA Administrator to study the impact of methamphetamine laboratory operation on the environment; and (5) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study contamination issues. Amends: (1) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants for educational programs; (2) the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to provide treatment; (3) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include among permissible grant projects under the "cops on the beat" program hiring personnel and purchasing equipment; and (4) the Controlled Substances Act to set penalties for promoting, for commercial purposes, an entertainment event where the promoter knows that a controlled substance will be used or distributed in violation of specified law. Urges the President to seek commitments from the Canadian Government regarding the availability of pseudoephedrine.
Bill· HRH.R. 857 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - Prohibits a person from: (1) slaughtering a horse for human consumption; (2) importing to, or exporting from, the United States horseflesh or horses for human consumption; (3) selling, bartering, transferring, receiving, or distributing horseflesh or horses for human consumption; or (4) soliciting or knowingly causing any such actions. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) criminal and civil penalties; (2) enforcement authority of the Secretary of Agriculture; (3) placement of confiscated horses; (4) euthanasia of unplaceable or severely injured or diseased horses; (4) funding of animal rescue facilities; and (5) exemptions.
Bill· HRH.R. 835 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Clearwater Basin Project Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and maintain the Clearwater Advisory Panel (CAP), which shall provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service regarding the Clearwater Basin pilot project (the Project) within the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests, Idaho. States that the CAP shall: (1) make recommendations regarding activities for high priority implementation; (2) provide early and continuous coordination with Federal officials; and (3) provide for public input into its proceedings. Directs the CAP, in consultation with and receiving technical assistance from the applicable Forest Supervisor, to develop and submit for approval from the Forest Supervisor five-year schedules of high priority activities for the Project (with separate schedules for each Forest). Requires that the activities included in such schedules have funding authorized and appropriated under this Act or other law and that they be consistent with the applicable forest land and resource management plan. Directs the Forest Service to complete any applicable National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures for the approval of the activities at the site-specific, project level. Directs the CAP to consult with the Nez Perce Tribe in developing and recommending each schedule. Directs the Forest Supervisor to issue a project or activity decision document regarding approval of the recommended schedule in accordance with NEPA and other applicable procedures. Provides for the schedules and activities authorized under this section to supplement certain other schedules, plans, and projects or other activities authorized and implemented under other law.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 79 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2003
Elects Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner to the following House standing Committees: (1) Agriculture; (2) Education and the Workforce; (3) Government Reform; (4) Science; (5) Small Business; and (6) Veterans' Affairs.
Bill· HRH.R. 724 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Dietary Supplement Information Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require a person owning or operating an establishment engaged in the business of manufacturing, packing, or distributing a dietary supplement to register with the Secretary of Health and Human the name of the person, places of business, and all such establishments. Requires immediate registration upon establishment of such a business and upon any additional establishments. Requires registration of dietary supplement importers. Sets forth labeling requirements and permits the Secretary to set registration fees. Requires any dietary supplement manufacturer, packer, or distributor to initially report to the Secretary any serious adverse reactions to a supplement, to investigate the reaction, and to report any additional information obtained to the Secretary. Sets forth additional requirements for manufacturers. Grants the Secretary authority to enter and inspect any factory, warehouse, or establishment in which dietary supplements are manufactured, processed, packed, or held, for introduction into interstate commerce, or to enter and inspect any vehicle being used to transport or hold such supplements in interstate commerce. Deems a food (includes dietary supplements) misbranded if its label does not contain the toll-free telephone number, and the address of the Internet site, maintained by the Secretary for purposes of the medical product reporting program (MedWatch or any successor program).
Bill· HRH.R. 719 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit livestock packers from owning, controlling, or feeding livestock to such an extent that the producer no longer materially participates in the management of the operation, with exceptions for: (1) animals held for not more than seven days before slaughter; (2) certain cooperatives that own, control or feed livestock and provide such livestock for slaughter; or (3) certain small producer-owned or-controlled packers.
Bill· HRH.R. 725 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Ephedrine Alkaloid Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that if a dietary supplement contains ephedrine alkaloids, it will be misbranded if: (1) its labeling and advertising fail to contain a specified warning; or (2) the sale of the supplement is made to an individual under the age of 18, or in the case of a sale at retail, the purchaser has direct access to the supplement at the retail establishment involved, rather than the supplement being held at a portion of the establishment not intended to be accessible to customers of the establishment.
Bill· HRH.R. 750 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2003
Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to review the lands within the study area (certain lands in or adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in southern Boulder, northern Jefferson, and northern Gilpin Counties, Colorado) and report to Congress on: (1) the present ownership of such lands; (2) which undeveloped land may be at risk of development; and (3) appropriate actions that could be taken by the United States, Colorado, or any other parties to preserve the open and undeveloped character of such lands.
Bill· SS. 347 (108th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a joint special resource study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Rim of the Valley Corridor in southern California as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Law· HRH.R. 708 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Mendocino National Forest System lands in Lake County, California, to the owner of Faraway Ranch property, Lake County, California. States that the proceeds of such conveyance shall be available for: (1) acquisition of land in California for the National Forest System; and (2) reimbursement for conveyance costs under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 704 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a joint special resource study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Rim of the Valley Corridor in southern California as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Bill· HRH.R. 688 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Wood Preservation Safety Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, to conduct a FY 2003 and 2004 study of silver-based biocides' effectiveness as a wood preservation treatment.
Bill· HRH.R. 695 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2003
Tamarisk Research and Control Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, to make a grant to Mesa State College of Grand Junction, Colorado, for research and extension efforts to promote long-term control of the invasive tamarisk plant species, and revegetation of reclaimed areas, in the Colorado River watershed in Colorado and Utah.