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Resolution· HRESH.Res. 177 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2003
Commends the people of the Republic of Kenya for conducting free and fair elections, and the Government of Kenya for its successful completion of a peaceful and orderly transition of power. Urges other African countries to look to Kenya as an example of a working democracy in action and to follow the example set by the people of Kenya during this recent election process. Commends President Mwai Kibaki and his government for their commitment and concrete steps taken, since taking office, to: (1) strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law; (2) combat corruption; (3) provide free and universal primary education; (4) fight against HIV/AIDS; and (5) support the United States in the war on terrorism.
Bill· HRH.R. 1564 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Local Property Tax Relief Act of 2003 - Makes additional appropriations for FY 2003 to provide for the full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA, which amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965). Expresses the sense of Congress that the reduction scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2004, in the highest income tax rate should be postponed in order to raise revenues sufficient to offset the appropriations made under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1576 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Realizing the Spirit of IDEA Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to establish a method to provide outcome-based funding increases to States. Modifies and increases IDEA funding for: (1) assistance for education of children with disabilities; (2) preschool grants; (3) infants and toddlers with disabilities; (4) State program improvement grants for children with disabilities; (5) research and innovation to improve services and results for children with disabilities; (6) personnel preparation to improve services and results for children with disabilities; (7) improved early intervention, educational, and transitional services; (8) technology development, demonstration, and utilization; and (9) media services. Directs the Secretary of Education to provide, in addition to such funding assistance for education of children with disabilities, outcome-based bonus payments to States for their use for special education and other educational services for children with disabilities, including subgrants to local educational agencies. Includes among outcome-indicators for such children: (1) academic achievement, as measured on adequate yearly progress assessments; and (2) rates of attendance, not-dropping-out, graduation, and postsecondary employment and education.
Bill· HRH.R. 1565 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Servicemembers Health Protection Act of 2003 - Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the National Center for Military Deployment Health Research, headed by a Director, to: (1) conduct research on deployment-related health issues of members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families; and (2) serve as the national center for coordination of private and public research on those issues. Requires the Center to have an Advisory Committee on Military Deployment Health Research to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Center Director on all aspects of Center activities. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and operate centers for research, education, and clinical activities related to post-deployment illnesses, designating such centers as National Centers for Military Post-Deployment Illness Research. Allows the designation of no more than 25 centers and requires geographical diversity of such centers. Requires the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals submitted for center designation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1575 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Help and Opportunities for Parents of Exceptional Children Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an annual tax credit of up to $3,000 (with adjustments for inflation) per year for the qualified elementary or secondary education expenses of a dependent child with a disability. Includes private, parochial, religious, or home schools among qualified educational institutions.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 135 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2003
Expresses the sense of the Congress that secondary schools should begin classes no earlier than 8: 30 in the morning.
Bill· SS. 762 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Supplemental Appropriations Act to Support Department of Defense Operations in Iraq for Fiscal Year 2003 - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY 2003 for: (1) the Agricultural Research Service; (2) the Department of Justice; (3) the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors; (4) the Department of Defense (DOD), including the Defense Emergency Response Fund; (5) the Department of the Interior; (6) the Department of Energy; (7) bilateral economic assistance, including the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund; (8) the Department of State; (9) military assistance; (10) the Department of Homeland Security; (11) the Department of Health and Human Services; (12) the Legislative Branch; (13) the Department of Transportation; (14) the Department of Commerce and related agencies; (15) the District of Columbia; (16) the Department of Labor; (17) the Department of Education and related agencies; (18) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and (19) liquidation of obligations of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Makes specified transfers of DOD funds for drawdown support in the war against Iraq. Repeals the Iraq Sanctions Act of 1990. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the reconstruction of Iraq should be funded to the maximum extent possible from revenues produced by Iraqi oil. Makes specified funds from this Act available to DOD to carry out military construction projects necessary to respond to or protect against acts or threatened acts of terrorism or to prosecute operations in Iraq. Columbia Orbiter Memorial Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army to construct in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, a memorial marker honoring the seven members of the crew of the Columbia Orbiter who died on February 1, 2003, during the landing of space shuttle mission STS-107. Makes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for FY 2003 to: (1) reimburse the airline industry for certain increased aviation security costs; and (2) compensate air carriers for costs of strengthening flight deck doors and locks. Places specified limits on executive officer compensation for the provision by the Secretary of Transportation of war risk insurance or reinsurance for air carriers. Provides additional temporary extended unemployment compensation for displaced airline related workers.
Bill· SS. 754 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2003
Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize additional appropriations for grants to States to increase influenza immunization rates in high risk populations, including medically underserved adults and adolescents, and extend vaccine availability. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a program of research, demonstration projects, and education to ensure that immunizations are routinely offered to adults and adolescents by public and private health care providers. Requires such program to collect data on adverse impacts associated with immunizations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and disseminate information concerning certain diseases and their vaccines, including bacterial meningitis and hepatitis A and B; and (2) maintain a 6 months supply of prioritized vaccines. Revises provisions governing the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, including provisions regarding: (1) equitable relief; (2) derivative petitions; and (3) an extension of the statute of limitations. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund, including to expand compensated loss for injury or death to include related loss. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science to conduct an ongoing, comprehensive review of new scientific data on childhood vaccines.
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. 747 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) and military construction for FY 2004. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, the defense health program, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; (2) research, development, test and evaluation; (3) operation and maintenance, including defense working capital funds and the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (4) active and reserve military personnel, including authorized end strengths. Sets forth provisions governing continuing military readiness activities on military lands and range preservation. Increases as of January 1, 2004, the rates of military basic pay. Extends certain bonus and special and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes an incentive bonus for conversion to undermanned military occupational specialties. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) active and reserve military personnel policy; (2) military education and training; (3) military health care; (4) acquisition policy and management, including Buy American requirements, the temporary assignment to DOD of certain non-Government personnel, and the extension of the Defense Production Act of 1950; (5) DOD organization and management, including protection of the operational files of the National Security Agency; (6) space activities, including the provision of space surveillance network services to non-U.S. Governmental entities and launch and reentry services to commercial entities; (7) DOD civilian personnel policy; (8) matters relating to other nations, including the recognition of superior noncombat achievements by friendly foreign forces or foreign nationals and the expanded use of cooperative threat reduction funds; (9) homeland security, including the sale of chemical and biological defense articles and services to State and local governments; and (10) military construction and military family housing. Establishes a National Defense Heritage Foundation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1510 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Voter Outreach and Turnout Expansion Act of 2003 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) permit an individual to register to vote on the date of the election at each polling place in a State at which ballots are cast in an election for Federal office; and (2) require each jurisdiction in a State which administers an election for Federal office to designate early voting sites to serve as polling places for the election prior to the election date, and to permit any registered voter to cast a ballot at the site. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) many Americans do not vote on Election Day because of conflicting work schedules; (2) Federal, State, and local governments should share the responsibility for increasing voter turnout; (3) States should establish Election Day as a legal public holiday and provide full paid leave for State government employees; and (4) the treatment of Election Day in the same manner as Veterans Day for purposes of law relating to Federal employment will lead to increased voter turnout and will increase the availability of poll workers and suitable polling places. Sets out requirements for employee voting leave. Expresses the sense of Congress encouraging State and other jurisdictions to distribute sample ballots, information on voting, and other voter education materials as an aid to preventing errors by voters at the polls and reducing the rates of spoiled ballots.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 167 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes and honors the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States; (2) urges Congress to amend the United States Code, or the President to issue an Executive order, to establish a paid legal public holiday in honor of Native Americans; (3) urges the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and territories and possessions of the United States to observe the date established as Native American Day as a paid legal public holiday; (4) encourages public elementary and secondary schools in the United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by providing classroom instruction focusing on their achievements and contributions to the United States; and (5) encourages Americans of all backgrounds to observe the date established as Native American Day through appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 131 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2003
Expresses the sense of Congress that student travel: (1) is a vital component of the educational process; and (2) should be encouraged so that Americans, young and old, can participate in travel, the perfect freedom.
Bill· SS. 740 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether such screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests.
Bill· SS. 727 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
National Coal Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) perform an assessment that identifies cost and performance goals of technologies permitting continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, as chemical feedstocks, and as transportation fuel in 2007, 2015, and the years after 2020; and (2) implement a technology research, development, and demonstration program to facilitate production and generation of coal-based power through methods and equipment under specified Federal law. Prescribes conditions and criteria for the authorization of appropriations for a clean coal power initiative program. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) fund coal energy generation projects that advance efficiency, environmental performance, and cost competitiveness well beyond the level of technologies in operation as of the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) award competitive, merit-based grants to universities for the establishment of Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prescribe credits against tax for: (1) production from a qualifying clean coal technology unit; and (2) production from and for investment in a qualifying advanced clean coal technology unit. Prescribes guidelines for the treatment of persons not able to use the entire credit relating to clean coal technology.
Bill· SS. 725 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Tribal Transportation Program Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to authorize appropriations for Indian reservation roads under the Federal Lands Highways Program through FY 2009. Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from distributing, for years after FY 2003, any amount of obligation authority made available for Indian reservation road bridges and roads. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the planning, design, engineering, construction, and inspection of certain projects concerning deficient Indian reservation road bridges. Raises from two percent to four percent the ceiling for the amount of funds made available for Indian reservation roads for each fiscal year that may be allocated to Indian tribal governments applying for transportation planning pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Requires the Secretary to establish a Federal lands highway program demonstration project for Indian reservation roads and highway bridges located on Indian reservations. Requires the Secretary to carry out a program to provide to eligible Indian tribes competitive grants for use in establishing tribal transportation safety programs. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue grants to Indian tribes to establish rural transit programs on reservations or other land under tribal jurisdiction. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the maintenance of roads on Indian reservations is a responsibility of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and (2) Congress should provide annually to the Bureau funding necessary to carry out all maintenance of roads on Indian reservations.
Law· HRH.R. 1474 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act of 2003 - Sets forth a statutory framework under which a substitute check is the legal equivalent of an original check for all purposes, if the substitute check: (1) accurately represents all of the information on the front and back of the original check as of the time the original check was truncated; and (2) bears the legend: "This is a legal copy of your check. You can use it the same way you would use the original check." Prescribes implementation guidelines, including: (1) substitute check warranties; (2) indemnity procedures; (3) expedited recredit claims for consumers and for banks; (4) procedures for claims; (5) measure of damages; (6) statute of limitations; and (7) consumer education materials.
Bill· HRH.R. 1482 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Access for Afghan Women Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a fund to assist women and girls in Afghanistan in the areas of political and human rights, health care, education, training, security, and shelter. Requires the funds to support specified activities, including: (1) direct financial and programmatic assistance to the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Afghanistan to promote its strengthening and enable it to fulfill its mandate; (2) direct financial assistance to the National Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan; and (3) construction of women's educational facilities in Afghanistan. Earmarks a minimum percentage of the economic and humanitarian assistance authorized for Afghanistan for each of FY 2003 though 2005 to be made available for assistance directly to Afghan-led local nongovernmental organizations, including Afghan women-led organizations, with demonstrated experience in delivering services to Afghan women and children to support their programmatic activities and organizational development. Requires an appropriate percentage of such assistance for FY 2006 and each subsequent fiscal year to be made available to such organizations. Prescribes general requirements with respect to Afghanistan for: (1) its governance; (2) post-conflict stability; (3) training for military and police forces; and (4) relief, resettlement, and repatriation of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Bill· HRH.R. 1503 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Reservist Opportunities and Protection of Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to declare that: (1) whenever a student who is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a member of such Armed Forces in a retired status, is called or ordered to active duty, the institution of higher education in which the student is enrolled shall grant the student a military leave of absence from the institution while the student is serving on active duty, and for one year after the conclusion of such service; (2) as a consequence of military leave, upon return, such student is entitled to restoration to his or her previous educational status with regard to academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition and other fees paid; and (3) the student has the option of having tuition fees refunded, subject to a certain condition, or credited to the next period of enrollment.
Bill· HRH.R. 1502 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to require local educational agencies, if they choose to treat certain IDEA funds as local funds, to use them to provide additional funding for programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Bill· HRH.R. 1460 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2003 - Authorizes a State agency to approve entrepreneurship (business education) courses for attendance by veterans using veterans' basic educational assistance provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from treating a business owner as already qualified for such purposes. Includes entrepreneurship courses within authorized programs of veterans' education assistance. Authorizes any person entitled to a veterans' rehabilitation program to establish self-employment as a vocational goal. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize a Federal contracting officer to award a sole source contract to any small business owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans if: (1) the business is determined to be responsible with respect to the performance of the contract opportunity and the contracting officer does not expect two or more such businesses to submit offers for such contract; (2) the anticipated award price of the contract will not exceed a specified amount; and (3) the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price. Allows a contracting officer to restrict contract competition to such businesses if the officer can reasonably expect two or more such businesses to submit offers. Allows for the appeal by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration of a contracting officer's decision not to award a contract opportunity to such a business.
Bill· HRH.R. 1486 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
Directs the Secretary of Education to study and report to Congress on the rate at which Native Americans (including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians) and students who reside in American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam drop out of secondary schools in the United States. Requires recommendations for increasing the numbers of such students who graduate from secondary school. Directs the Secretary of Labor to report to Congress three years after enactment of this Act on the Federal programs funded during such period which were designed to decrease or otherwise address the rate at which students cease attending secondary schools in the United States before they have graduated.
Bill· HRH.R. 1470 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2003
WISEWOMAN Expansion Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through a competitive review process, to award grants to States to provide additional specified preventive health services, screenings, education, and referrals under PHSA provisions concerning preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers. Authorizes appropriations.
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. 1422 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether such screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests.
Law· HRH.R. 1412 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify any requirement or regulation applicable to the student financial assistance programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as deemed necessary with respect to an affected individual who: (1) is serving on active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency; (2) is performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war, operation, or emergency; (3) resides or is employed in an area that is declared a disaster area by any Federal, State, or local official in connection with a national emergency; or (4) suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of a war or other military operation or national emergency. Authorizes the Secretary to grant such a waiver to ensure that: (1) affected individuals who have received student financial assistance (affected recipients) are not placed in a worse position financially in relation to that financial assistance because of their status; (2) administrative requirements placed on affected recipients are minimized to ease the burden on them and avoid inadvertent, technical violations or defaults; (3) calculations of income or overpayment amounts required to be returned may be modified in light of the special circumstances; and (4) institutions of higher education, eligible lenders, guaranty agencies, and other participating entities that are located in declared disaster areas in connection with a national emergency, or whose operations are significantly affected by such a disaster, may be granted temporary relief from requirements that are rendered infeasible or unreasonable by the emergency, including due diligence requirements and reporting deadlines. Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) all institutions offering postsecondary education should provide a full refund (or credit) of tuition and related fees to students who are affected individuals for that portion of a period of instruction such student was unable to complete, or for which such individual did not receive academic credit, because he or she was called up for active duty or active service; and (2) if affected individuals withdraw from a course of study as a result of such active duty or active service, such institutions should make every effort to minimize deferral of enrollment or reapplication requirements and should provide the greatest flexibility possible with administrative deadlines related to those applications.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 158 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2003
Urges the Secretary of Education to continue the longstanding commitment of the United States to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, serving on active duty (including Reserves), by providing assistance and flexibility with their transition into and out of postsecondary education. Urges all institutions offering postsecondary education to provide a full refund of tuition and fees and other charges to students who are members of the Armed Forces, serving on active duty (including Reserves), for that portion of a period of instruction the student was unable to complete, or for which that individual did not receive academic credit, because he or she was called up for such service. Urges all postsecondary institutions to make every effort, if an individual withdraws from a course of study as a result of such service, to minimize deferral of enrollment or reapplication requirements and to provide the greatest flexibility possible with administrative deadlines related to those applications. Urges lending institutions holding or servicing Federal student loans for a borrower called to such service to provide all available benefits, forbearance, deferrals, and flexibility with respect to such loans as necessary to ensure that such borrowers who are called to active duty are not placed in a worse position financially in relation to those loans because of such service.
Bill· SS. 673 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Building Better Health Centers Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide loan guarantees or make grants to eligible health centers for expansion, new construction, or equipment purchase or lease. Makes certain unexpended funds appropriated for FY's 1997 and 1998 under the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts of 1997 and 1998, which were made available for loan guarantees for loans made by non-Federal lenders for building costs associated with medical facilities owned and operated by health centers, available for loan guarantees under this Act.
Bill· SS. 679 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training In Our Neighborhoods Act of 2003 or PROTECTION Act - Modifies provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 regarding public safety and community policing ("cops on the beat" program, COPS) to authorize the Attorney General to use COPS grants to: (1) increase prosecutor presence and to enhance law enforcement access to new technologies; (2) pay overtime to existing career law enforcement officers to the extent that such overtime is devoted to community policing; and (3) promote higher education among in-service State and local law enforcement officers by reimbursing them for certain educational costs. Includes among permitted additional grant projects: (1) specialized integrity and ethics training; and (2) innovative proactive crime control and prevention programs involving school officials and religiously-affiliated organizations. Authorizes the Attorney General to use up to five percent of appropriated funds for technical assistance and training to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, and other entities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding termination of grants for hiring officers. Allows grants to be used to assist: (1) police departments in employing specified professional, scientific, and technological advancements; and (2) State, local, or tribal prosecutors' offices in implementation of community-based prosecution programs that build on local community policing efforts. Reserves specified funds for local governmental units with a population of less than 50,000. Authorizes the Attorney General to use no more than 50 percent of grant renewal funds to award grants targeted for police officer retention.
Bill· HRH.R. 1398 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Achieving Our IDEA Act of 2003 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize and make appropriations for: (1) each of FY 2004 through 2009 in specified amounts; and (2) each subsequent fiscal year, in amounts necessary to fully fund 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for IDEA part B programs of assistance for education of all children with disabilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1390 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
National Board-Certified Teachers in Low-Performing Schools Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program of stipends for teachers in low-income, low-performing schools who: (1) are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; and (2) serve as resident facilitators at their schools and as liaisons with the Board to help encourage other teachers to become Board-certified. Authorizes base stipends and potential bonuses for up to 100 teachers annually under such five-year program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1386 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Building Better Health Centers Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide loan guarantees or make grants to eligible health centers for expansion, new construction, or equipment purchase or lease. Makes certain unexpended funds appropriated for FY's 1997 and 1998 under the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts of 1997 and 1998, which were made available for loan guarantees for loans made by non-Federal lenders for building costs associated with medical facilities owned and operated by health centers, available for loan guarantees under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1373 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
IDEA Parental Choice Act of 2003 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize use of funds for parental school choice programs which may involve vouchers for private or public education for students with disabilities. Allows the use of certain research and innovation grant and contract funds to support planning, design, and implementation of State programs that allow parents of children with disabilities a choice of an appropriate public or private school (parental option program). Allows any State with a statewide or local area parental option program that allows use of public funds to pay some or all costs of attendance at a public or private school to supplement those public funds from its IDEA allocation, if the Federal funds are distributed to parents who make a genuine independent choice as to the appropriate school for their child. Provides that a State's allowing a parent to exercise this option fulfills the State's obligation to provide a free appropriate public education with respect to the child with disabilities during the period in which the child is enrolled in the selected school. Authorizes use of IDEA funds for local educational agencies to support reasonable additional expenses for the accommodation of students with disabilities who are eligible to receive supplemental education services, including services from private or faith-based providers, because they attend underachieving schools designated for improvement. Allows, at a State's discretion, students with disabilities up to age six, who meet certain criteria, to be included in IDEA early intervention services programs (thus giving parents the choice to have their child continue with the same service provider).
Bill· HRH.R. 1401 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2003 - Amends title IV part B (Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States to support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using networks of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children in foster care. Prescribes program implementation guidelines, including: (1) application requirements; (2) training; (3) screening; (4) educational requirements; (5) Federal and non-Federal share of funds for the Program; (6) considerations in awarding grants; and (7) use of funds. Sets forth a maximum grant amount to be awarded to a State. Authorizes the Secretary to award a competitive grant to an eligible entity to establish a National Hotline Service or Website to provide information to individuals interested in becoming mentors to youth in foster care. Instructs the Secretary of Education to implement a program to provide for the discharge or cancellation of the Federal student loan indebtedness of an eligible mentor.
Bill· HRH.R. 1372 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Broad-Based Stock Option Plan Transparency Act of 2003 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require companies to include within certain mandatory reports details regarding stock option plans, stock purchase plans, and other arrangements involving employee acquisition of an equity interest in the company, including: (1) a discussion of the dilutive effect of stock option plans (written in accordance with the Plain English Handbook published by the Office of Investor Education and Assistance of the Commission); (2) expanded disclosure of the dilutive effect of employee stock options on the company's earnings per share number; (3) prominent placement and increased comparability of all stock option related information; and (4) a summary of stock options granted to the five most highly compensated executive officers, including outstanding stock options of those officers. Directs the SEC to examine and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the enhanced disclosures required by this Act in increasing transparency to current and potential investors. Prohibits the Commission, between enactment of this Act and submission of such report, from recognizing as generally accepted accounting principles any new accounting standards regarding the treatment of stock options. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on broad-based employee stock option plans, particularly in the high technology and any other high growth industries.
Bill· HRH.R. 1376 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the U.S. payment to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Trust Fund administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). Authorizes additional appropriations for payment to such Fund to meet the additional financing needs of the Enhanced HIPC Initiative, provided the Secretary of the Treasury determines that an agreement by certain multilateral financial institutions regarding modification of the Initiative has been reached. Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary to commence immediately efforts within the Paris Club of Official Creditors, as well as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other appropriate multilateral development institutions, to accomplish certain modifications in the Initiative, including requiring that: (1) the amount of debt stock reduction for a country eligible for debt relief under the Initiative be sufficient to reduce, for a specified period, the net value of outstanding public guaranteed debt of the country and its annual payments due on such debt to not more than specified formulated percentages; and (2) the debt cancellation under such Initiative not be conditioned on any agreement by an impoverished country to implement or comply with policies that deepen poverty or degrade the environment, or that implement user fees on primary education or primary health care, increase the cost to consumers with incomes of less than $2.00 per day for access to clean drinking water, or that undermine internationally recognized worker rights. Makes ineligible for debt relief any country that: (1) supports international terrorism; (2) engages in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights; or (3) has been designated as a "Tier 3" nation pursuant to the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 for its failure to cooperate on international trafficking in persons prevention efforts. Conditions debt cancellation upon the country's agreeing to ensure that the financial benefits of such debt relief are applied to programs to combat poverty and to redress environmental degradation. Amends certain Federal laws to prohibit the provision of foreign assistance or the transfer of certain weapons and technology to countries (or persons) that fail to cooperate with the United States on efforts to combat international terrorism. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on options to expand debt relief to non-HIPC countries.
Bill· HRH.R. 1407 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Federal Facilities Locksmith Services Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of General Services to ensure that locksmiths who provide locksmith services in executive facilities are credentialed. Requires a locksmith, to be a credentialed, to: (1) be accredited by a nationally recognized agency or association; (2) satisfactorily undergo a background check conducted using the national criminal history background check system and criminal repositories of all States in which the locksmith has resided; and (3) satisfy established industry standards of professional education or training. Requires the Administrator to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies or associations that are determined to be reliable credentialing authorities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1387 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2003
Vocational and Technical Entrepreneurship Development Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a program under which the Administrator shall make grants to, or may enter into cooperative agreements with, State small business development centers to provide, on a statewide basis, technical assistance to secondary schools, or to post-secondary vocational or technical schools, for the development and implementation of curricula designed to promote vocational and technical entrepreneurship. Provides for the minimum amount of a grant to not be less than $200,000. Directs the association of small business development centers to act as an information clearinghouse regarding vocational and technical entrepreneurship education programs.
Law· HRH.R. 1350 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Improving Education Results for Children With Disabilities Act of 2003 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to reauthorize appropriations through FY 2009. Revises requirements for: (1) assistance for education of all children with disabilities, including infants and toddlers, particularly the identification of such children; (2) national activities to improve the education of such children; (3) scientifically based research into educational practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and progress for all students with disabilities; (4) technical assistance, model demonstration projects, dissemination of information, and personnel programs; and (5) supports to improve results for children with disabilities, especially parent and community training and information centers. Replaces State program improvement grants for children with disabilities with grants to State education agencies for professional development of both special education and regular education teachers of children with disabilities. Revises reporting requirements to reduce paperwork for special education teachers.
Bill· HRH.R. 1362 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Violence Against Children Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prescribe penalties to be imposed for injuring or attempting to injure a person under 18 years of age (including life imprisonment if death results or if the offense includes kidnaping, aggravated sexual abuse, or attempting to kill) under circumstances in which: (1) the conduct occurs during the course of, or as a result of, the travel of the defendant or victim across a State line or national border; or (2) in connection with such conduct, the defendant employs a weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce. Directs the: (1) United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend its guidelines to provide enhanced penalties when the victim of a Federal crime is under 18; and (2) the Comptroller General to review State penalties and sentencing guidelines for crimes against children. Requires the Attorney General: (1) at the request of a State, Indian tribal government, or local government, to provide assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any felony crime of violence against a child; and (2) to award grants to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution of crimes against children and to provide education, prevention, intervention, and victims' assistance services regarding crimes against children. Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to reauthorize regional Children's Advocacy Centers. Requires each State receiving: (1) law enforcement grants under this Act to have in place a statewide AMBER Alert communications network for child abduction cases and to use the National Incident-Based Reporting System; (2) education, prevention, and victims' assistance grants to have in effect a statute allowing a parent to leave a newborn baby at a hospital anonymously; and (3) certain allotments for child welfare allotments to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report on the State's funded program, including the process for maintaining records and verifying the well-being of the children under the State's care.
Bill· HRH.R. 1363 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Student Athlete Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to prohibit institutions of higher education, that participate in any HEA title IV (Student Assistance) program and that have intercollegiate athletic programs, from: (1) imposing sanctions on student athletes who do not violate an intercollegiate athletic association's (ICAA's) rules or codes of conduct; (2) submitting to an ICAA's imposing sanctions on such student athletes; or (3) being a member of an ICAA that imposes sanctions on such student athletes. Includes the canceling or forfeiting of games among the sanctions which may not be imposed upon student athletes who did not commit the violations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1359 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
Child Healthcare Crisis Relief Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish programs of educational loan forgiveness and scholarships to encourage qualified individuals to provide mental health services to children and adolescents. Sets forth qualifications, including education and licensing requirements. Limits the program to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Grants priority according to financial need, methodology, and willingness to work with high priority populations in the public sector. Treats such grants as equivalent to those of the National Health Service Corps Programs. Authorizes additional grants for clinical and graduate and paraprofessional training to accredited schools and State-licensed mental health organizations, respectively. Gives priority to applicants with the demonstrated ability to collect data on the numbers trained, certain methodology, and programs to increase the numbers of professionals and paraprofessionals serving high priority populations. Requires training to prioritize cultural competency. Amends the Social Security Act to increase the number of child and adolescent psychiatry residents permitted to be paid under the Medicare Graduate Medical Education Program. Extends the Medicare Board eligibility period for residents and fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry. Directs the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the distribution and need of child mental health service professionals.
Bill· HRH.R. 1358 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2003
International School Curriculum Monitoring Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to the Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices regarding foreign countries that receive development assistance and security assistance information. Requires the Secretary of State to describe in such reports the nature and extent of the promotion of violence and hatred in the curriculum (including textbooks and any other related materials) of schools in such foreign countries, including the promotion of anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism, and racism.
Bill· SS. 648 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Pharmacy Education Aid Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit payments of up to $35,000 on behalf of an individual (recipient) for the repayment of pharmacy education loans for each year the recipient serves in a health care facility with a critical shortage of pharmacists. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments to recipients to offset tax liability. Requires repayment to the Federal Government by recipients who fail to maintain acceptable levels of academic standing, are dismissed for disciplinary reasons, voluntarily terminate their programs, or fail to provide health services in accordance with their commitments after their academic program is completed. Permits a waiver of liability under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish student loan programs to increase the number of faculty at schools of pharmacy. Directs each school in which such a program is established to pay at least one-ninth of the Federal capital contributions. Caps loans from such programs to individual students at $35,000 annually. Requires, upon completion of specified employment requirements as a faculty member, that an amount up to 85 percent of loans (plus interest thereon) from such a program be canceled, with the Federal Government reimbursing the school for its proportionate share of the canceled amount. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants or contracts to qualifying pharmacy schools for computer-based pharmaceutical education systems.
Bill· HRH.R. 1323 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Reservist and National Guard Opportunities and Protection of Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to declare that: (1) whenever a student who is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a member of such Armed Forces in a retired status, is called or ordered to active duty, the institution of higher education in which the student is enrolled shall grant the student a military leave of absence from the institution while the student is serving on active duty, and for one year after the conclusion of such service; (2) as a consequence of military leave, upon return, such student is entitled to restoration to his or her previous educational status with regard to academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition and other fees paid; and (3) the institution is obligated to refund tuition or fees paid prior to the commencement of active duty.
Bill· HRH.R. 1307 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a member of the uniformed services on "qualified official extended duty" (any duty in excess of 180 days while serving at a duty station which is at least 150 miles from the principal residence or while residing under Government orders in Government quarters), to extend for five years the five-year period utilized in determining full exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence. Includes among the uniformed services: (1) the armed forces; (2) the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (3) the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service. Makes such provisions effective as if included in section 312 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. States that if a refund or credit resulting from such exclusion is prevented before the close of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act by the operation of any law or rule of law (including res judicata), such refund or credit may be allowed if claimed before the close of such period. Excludes from gross income as a qualified military benefit the amount of the death gratuity payable under chapter 75 of title 10 of the United States Code, effective with respect to deaths occurring after September 10, 2001. Exempts amounts received under the Homeowners Assistance Program from inclusion as gross income. Extends combat zone filing rules to contingency operations. Includes ancestors or lineal descendants of past or present members of the armed forces or of cadets as qualifying members of veterans' organizations for purposes of such organizations' tax-exempt status determination. Includes dependent care assistance provided under a dependent care assistance program for a member of the uniformed services by reason of such member's status or service as an income-excludable qualified military benefit. Exempts distributions from an education individual retirement account from the ten percent additional tax for non-educational use: (1) if made for an account holder at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and (2) to the extent that the distribution does not exceed the costs of advanced education. Provides a deduction (limited to $1,500) for itemizers and non-itemizers for unreimbursed overnight travel, meals, and lodging expenses of National Guard and Reserve members who must travel more than 100 miles away from home and stay overnight as part of their official duties. Provides that amounts transferred to any trust fund under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act shall be determined as if this Act had not enacted.
Bill· HRH.R. 1343 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Act of 2003 - Declares it shall be policy of the United States that its research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications programs be designed to enable 20 percent of domestic energy generated from stationary sources to be generated from nonhydropower renewable energy sources by the year 2020. Prescribes research and development program goals to implement such policy in connection with enhanced: (1) renewable energy; (2) energy efficiency; and (3) aeronautical system energy. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) submit to Congress an assessment of renewable energy resources available for commercial application; and (2) implement a Next Generation Lighting Initiative for advanced solid-state lighting technologies based on white light emitting diodes. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish: (1) an interagency group to develop a National Building Performance Initiative; and (2) an advisory committee to analyze and provide recommendations on potential private sector roles and participation in the Initiative. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) commission an independent assessment of innovative financing techniques to facilitate construction of new renewable energy and energy efficiency facilities; (2) establish a demonstration program for innovative technologies for renewable energy sources in buildings owned or operated by a State or local government; (3) provide assistance to small businesses and startup companies for the commercial application of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies developed by or with support from the Department of Energy; (4) establish an education and outreach program on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies; and (5) establish a competitive matching grant pilot program for voluntary local government programs that seek to promote innovative energy efficiency technologies and processes to reduce the industrial use of water and the discharge of wastewater from commercial and industrial entities.
Bill· HRH.R. 1304 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
College Affordability and Lifetime Savings Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) convert the current deduction for interest on education loans to a credit equal to 50 percent of the interest paid during the taxable year on any qualified education loan; and (2) exclude from gross income amounts which would be included under specified loan forgiveness programs for teachers and other public servants.
Bill· HRH.R. 1306 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
College Opportunity for a Better America Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide student loan forgiveness for borrowers who are employed full-time in qualified public service positions. Requires the Secretary of Education, depending on the duration of such public service employment, to assume certain portions of such borrowers' obligations to repay specified types of Federal student loans. Makes eligible for such program: (1) highly qualified teachers in low-income communities and of mathematics, science, and bilingual and special education; (2) early childhood educators; (3) nurses; (4) child welfare workers; (5) nutrition professionals; (6) infant and toddler specialists; and (6) other highly-qualified workers who serve low-income or needy communities and who are in public service professions that suffer from a critical lack of qualified personnel. Revises provisions for income-related repayment. Changes those for guaranteed student loan from income-sensitive to income-contingent, thus making them consistent with those for direct student loan provisions. Releases qualified public service employees from income-contingent repayment obligations after a maximum of 15 years. (Other borrowers must repay over a maximum 25-year period.)
Bill· HRH.R. 1316 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2003
Pulmonary Hypertension Research Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute with respect to research on pulmonary hypertension and to coordinate the Director's activities with related activities of other national research institutes and National Institutes of Health agencies. Requires the Director to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of centers to conduct research and programs on pulmonary hypertension, including: (1) basic and clinical research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control, and treatment of the disease; (2) training programs for scientists and health professionals; (3) programs to provide information and continuing education to health professionals; and (4) programs for the dissemination of information to the public. Requires the Director to establish: (1) a data system for the collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and dissemination of data derived from patient populations with pulmonary hypertension; and (2) an information clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding of pulmonary hypertension by health professionals, patients, industry, and the public.
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