Education

Tribal College or University Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003

Tribal College or University Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the cancellation of a specified percentage of the total amount of any Federal Perkins loan, Federal Family Education loan, or direct student loan for each year of employment (up to five) as a full-time teacher at a tribal college or university if the borrower is not in default on such loan. Prohibits a borrower from receiving, for the same service, such a benefit and a national service educational award. Provides that the amount of any loan forgiven under this Act shall not be treated as gross income for Federal tax purposes.

Women's Autoimmune Diseases Research and Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003

Women's Autoimmune Diseases Research and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to instruct the Autoimmune Disease Coordinating Committee for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to include in the plan for NIH activities: (1) research concerning the etiology and causes of autoimmune diseases in all women, with priority given to environmental factors; (2) the development of information and education programs on risk factors for women, such as genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors; and (3) outreach programs at community health centers to historically underserved populations of women.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the ongoing need to provide every qualified American with equal access to opportunity in education, business, and employment and the indispensability of Affirmative action programs in securing such equal access.

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2003

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Attorney General of the United States should undertake to protect and expand equality of opportunity for qualified minorities, disabled persons, and women at every opportunity; (2) Affirmative action is a powerful, effective, and necessary tool for achieving such equal opportunity without quotas and should be utilized in the public and private sectors to increase diversity and correct patterns of past and current discrimination; and (3) the President should incorporate Affirmative action into the employment, contracting, granting, educational, and program activities of the United States and all its subcontractors and grantees.

State and Local Aid and Economic Stimulus Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2003

State and Local Aid and Economic Stimulus Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law to authorize and make appropriations for FY 2003 for a one-time revenue grant to States and local governments. Specifies amounts to be allotted to each of the States based upon population and changes in unemployment rates. Declares the sense of Congress that priority for using funds allotted under this Act should be given to homeland security, medicaid, public health, highway construction, childcare, elementary, secondary, and higher education, and the prevention of additional property tax increases.

Karen Johnson, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Department of Education, vice Rebecca O. Campoverde.

United States · United States Senate · 21 January 2003

Radiation Detection for Dirty Bomb Material in Containers and Bulk Cargo Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2003

Radiation Detection for Dirty Bomb Material in Containers and Bulk Cargo Act of 2003 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to: (1) maintain and expand ongoing seaport and land radiation detection system projects; (2) use existing laboratory relationships and expertise in large-scale radiation monitoring systems; (3) evaluate radiation detection systems for use at seaports and places of entry by land in the United States; and (4) select at least one system for demonstration at a seaport and at a place of land entry. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct an evaluation of existing state-of-the-art systems that provide the highest degree of detection capability for radioactive sources hidden in sea freight containers or cargo crossing land borders; (2) emphasize the rapid development of existing technology and systems on completion of the evaluation; (3) develop standard procedures and protocols for detection and reporting of data collected from radiation collection systems; and (4) develop a national technical assistance program to share and propagate the experiences gained in conducting the program. Requires the Secretary to solicit the views of stakeholders, including the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee, local port authorities, the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc., and the Health Physics Society; and (2) provide student internships to universities in States with significant seaports that focus on academic programs pertaining to radiation detection and radiation health physics.

Early Education Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2003

Early Education Act of 2003 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish an early education program of grants to States to provide programs for at least half-day schooling each week day during the academic year preceding kindergarten. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award such matching grants to not less than ten State educational agencies (SEAs) to expand the education system with programs that provide such early education. Requires each such assisted program to: (1) be carried out by one or more local educational agencies (LEAs), as selected by the SEA; (2) be carried out in a public school building, or in another facility by, or through a contract or agreement with, an LEA; (3) be available to all children served by the LEA carrying out the program; and (4) only involve licensed or certified instructors.

Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2003

Digital and Wireless Network Technology Program Act of 2003 - Establishes within the National Science Foundation (NSF) an Office of Digital and Wireless Network Technology to: (1) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements (assistance) to eligible institutions to provide educational instruction in digital and wireless network technologies; and (2) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions. Requires the NSF Director to establish an advisory council on the best approaches for involving eligible institutions in supported activities. Makes the following institutions eligible for such assistance: (1) a historically Black college or university; (2) a Hispanic-, Alaska Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institution; (3) a tribally controlled college or university; or (4) an institution determined to have enrolled a substantial number of minority, low-income students who received assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Provides a matching funds requirement. Prohibits an institution that receives assistance exceeding $2.5 million from receiving further assistance until every other eligible institution has received assistance under this Act.

21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2003

21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act - Directs the President to establish a National Nanotechnology Research Program. Requires such Program, through appropriate Federal agencies, councils, and the National Coordination Office, to: (1) establish goals, priorities, grand challenges (fundamental problems in science and engineering that will require the application of nanotechnology), and metrics for evaluating Federal nanotechnology research, development, and other activities; (2) invest in Federal research and development (R&D) programs in nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve those goals; and (3) provide for coordination of Federal nanotechnology activities. Requires the Program, through its participating agencies, to develop, fund, and manage Federal research programs concerning: (1) long-term basic nanoscience and engineering research; (2) essential grand challenges and interdisciplinary research and education teams; (3) interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers; (4) research infrastructure and equipment; (5) the Center for Ethical, Societal, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues Related to Nanotechnology to be established by the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF); (6) technology transition; and (7) research areas identified by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) which are not being adequately addressed by the agencies' current research programs. Directs NSTC to: (1) oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program; (2) establish an Information Services and Applications Council; and (3) submit an annual report to Congress on the Program.. Directs the President to establish a National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel and a National Nanotechnology Coordination Office. Provides for the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial evaluation of the Program. Requires the NSF Director to: (1) collect and disseminate studies on the societal, ethical, educational, and workforce implications of nanotechnology; and (2) collect data on the size of the anticipated nanotechnology workforce needed and assess the adequacy of the trained talent pool to fill such needs.

A bill to amend section 401 (b)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 regarding the Federal Pell Grant maximum amount.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2003

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to maximum individual amounts of Federal Pell Grant for academic years 2004-05 through 2009-10. (Current law provides $5,800 for 2003-04.) Increases such amount to $6,700 for 2004-05, and by increments in each of specified subsequent academic years, up to $11,600 for 2009-10. Requires a further increase in any such maximum Federal Pell Grant amount, by an amount sufficient to achieve a five percent increase in students' purchasing power relative to the cost of attendance at an institution of higher education, if the Secretary of Education determines that the amount authorized does not increase such purchasing power by at least five percent from one academic year to the next.

Montgomery GI Bill Revitalization Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2003

Montgomery GI Bill Revitalization Act of 2003 - Amends Federal basic educational assistance provisions (the Montgomery GI Bill) to authorize enhanced educational assistance to a member of the armed forces who, after September 30, 2003: (1) first enters on active duty; (2) reenlists or continues to serve on active duty; (3) serves a continuous period of active duty of four years; or (4) serves and is discharged or released for a service-connected disability, at the convenience of the Government (after serving at least 42 months of such duty), or due to a reduction in force. Limits to 36 months the period for such enhanced assistance. Requires the payment of educational expenses under such program. Provides: (1) a monthly stipend for approved programs of education; and (2) tutorial assistance. Repeals, with respect to such assistance: (1) a required monthly reduction in pay for individuals who do not elect to participate in such assistance program; (2) a provision authorizing individuals to elect not to receive such assistance; (3) the requirement that participants complete the requirements of a high school diploma or equivalency certificate prior to the end of their initial obligated period of service in order to be eligible to receive such assistance; and (4) provisions limiting an individual's opportunity to withdraw an election not to enroll in such assistance program.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2003

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Secretary of Education should provide the maximum flexibility possible in assisting predominantly rural States and school districts in meeting the unique challenges presented to them by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA); (2) the President's FY 2004 budget should request the full levels of funding authorized under NCLBA for all programs, including the Rural Education Achievement Program; and (3) if the President does not request and Congress does not provide full funding for NCLBA in FY 2004, Congress should suspend the enforcement of the implementation of NCLBA requirements until full funding is provided.

Rural Health Care Equity Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2003

Rural Health Care Equity Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) permit hospitals to allocate swing beds and acute care inpatient beds subject to a total limit of 25 beds; (2) eliminate the isolation test for cost-based Medical critical access hospital (CAH) facility ambulance services; (3) provide for a specified alternative adjustment to the wage index; (4) establish a single standardized amount under the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS); (5) restore the full market basket update for inpatient PPS hospitals; (6) freeze at 6.5 percent the indirect medical education adjustment percentage; (7) provide for establishment of a rural community hospital (RCH) program; (8) remove certain barriers to establishment of distinct part units by RCH and Medicare CAH facilities; (9) revise the CAH program, making various specified payment-related changes; and (10) extend the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program for five years. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on wage indexing and placement of hospitals in metropolitan statistical areas.

Tuition Assistance for Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2003

Tuition Assistance for Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax deduction for qualified higher education tuition and related expenses. Sets such deduction at: (1) $12,000 for those with incomes up to $65,000 single or $130,000 joint; and (2) $2,000 for those whose incomes are above that level, but not more than $80,000 single or $160,000 joint. Provides for inflation adjustment. Makes such tuition deduction permanent. Increases the amount of the Lifetime Learning tax credit percentage from 20 to 25 percent. Increases the amount of education expenses subject to such credit from $10,000 to $12,000 (thus making the maximum allowable credit $3,000, rather than the current $2,000). Provides for inflation adjustment. Raises annual income limits for the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits to $55,000 single and $110,000 joint. Amends the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2002 to increase the maximum Pell Grant award from $4,000 to $4,500. Establishes an academic achievement scholarship program. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a $1,000 college scholarship to each student in a State who graduates in the top five percent of his or her accredited secondary school's graduating class.

A bill to direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out a Next Generation Lighting Initiative.

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2003

Next Generation Lighting Initiative Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement: (1) the Next Generation Lighting Initiative to support research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities related to advanced solid-state lighting technologies based on white light emitting diodes; (2) fundamental research activities of the Initiative through a private consortium (which may include private firms, trade associations and institutions of higher education), selected through a competitive process; and (3) development, demonstration, and commercial application activities of the Initiative through awards to private firms, trade associations, and institutions of higher education.

A resolution making minority appointments to certain Senate committees for the 108th Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2003

Makes minority party appointments to the Joint Economic Committee and the following Senate Committees for the 108th Congress: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (12) Judiciary; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Budget; (18) Ethics; (19) Indian Affairs; and (20) Intelligence.

A resolution making majority party appointments to certain Senate committees for the 108th Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2003

Makes majority party appointments to the Joint Economic Committee and the following Senate Committees for the 108th Congress: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; (2) Appropriations; (3) Armed Services; (4) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (12) Judiciary; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Budget; (18) Ethics; (19) Indian Affairs; and (20) Intelligence.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should increase the maximum individual Federal Pell Grant award to $9,000 by 2010.

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2003

Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should increase the maximum individual Federal Pell Grant award to $9,000 by FY 2010.

Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2003

Noxious Weed Control Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with appropriate consultation, to establish a program to provide to eligible weed management entities financial assistance for use in controlling or eradicating noxious weeds through States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (States). Lists factors the Secretary shall consider in decisions to allocate funding to States, including the severity or potential severity of the noxious weed problem to be addressed by a State. Requires the Secretary to provide special consideration for States that have approved weed management entities established by Indian tribes. Sets forth eligible activities funds disbursed under this Act can be used for, including: (1) applied research to solve locally significant weed management problems; and (2) projects and activities relating to the control or eradication of noxious weeds, including education. Lists selection criteria by which States shall choose projects to which to award funds under this Act. Sets the maximum Federal share of the cost of any project approved by a State or Indian tribe under this Act at 50 percent, with certain exceptions. Sets limitations on the use of funds disbursed under this Act, including that none be used for projects to control or eradicate animals, pests, or submerged or floating noxious aquatic weeds.

Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2003

Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend to certain Head Start teachers student loan forgiveness under both the Federal Family Education Loan program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program.

A resolution recognizing The First Tee for its support of programs that provide young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honor, integrity, and sportsmanship.

United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2003

Recognizes The First Tee, a youth character-building organization, for its support of programs that provide young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honor, integrity, and sportsmanship.

A bill to amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to fully fund 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for programs under part B of such Act.

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003

Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize and make appropriations in amounts necessary for FY 2004 and each subsequent fiscal year 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.

Canceling Loans to Allow School Systems to Attract Classroom Teachers Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2003

Canceling Loans to Allow School Systems to Attract Classroom Teachers Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional amounts of student loan forgiveness and cancellation for certain elementary and secondary school teachers. Directs the Secretary of Education, in making such additional repayments and cancellations, to give priority to teachers of: (1) special education; (2) children with disabilities; or (3) mathematics or science in local educational agencies that have failed to make progress toward meeting annual measurable objectives.

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act - Expands the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex to include specified land and water in the State of Ohio. Permits the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation, purchase, or exchange the land and water and interests in land and water within the boundaries of the Complex. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to study and report to Congress on fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities in and around two specified dredge spoil disposal sites in Toledo Harbor. Expands the southern boundary of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (the Refuge) to include additional land and water located in the State of Michigan east of Interstate Route 75. Prescribes requirements for administration of the Complex. Directs the Secretary to ensure that hunting, trapping, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation shall be the priority public uses of the Complex. Requires the Secretary to encourage the State of Ohio to use authority under the recreational trails program under Federal law to provide funding for the acquisition and development of trails within the boundaries of the Complex.

Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the State of Maryland for a program to implement measures to: (1) eradicate nutria in Maryland; (2) eradicate or control nutria in other States; and (3) restore marshland damaged by nutria. Directs the Secretary to require that the program consist of management, research, and public education activities carried out in accordance with a the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service document entitled "Eradication Strategies for Nutria in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay Watersheds."

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants for institutions of higher education serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 title III part A (Strengthening Institutions) to direct the Secretary of Education to provide grants and related assistance to certain institutions of higher education for activities to improve their capacity to serve students who are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Gives priority to eligible institutions with a significant percentage of enrollment made up of such students who are low-income individuals.

To improve mathematics and science instruction in elementary and secondary schools by authorizing the Secretary of Education to make grants for regional workshops designed to permit educators to share successful strategies for such instruction.

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make one-year grants for regional workshops and follow-up training designed to permit sharing of successful strategies for improving mathematics and science instruction in elementary and secondary schools. Makes eligible for such grants partnerships described under the Mathematics and Science Partnerships program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Includes strategies for carrying out activities under such program among those to be shared under this Act. Provides for such sharing by educators, administrators responsible for professional or curriculum development, and faculty of teacher training departments of institutions of higher education.

United States Weather Research Program Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

United States Weather Research Program Act of 2003 - States that the United States Weather Research Program's priorities shall be in the areas of: (1) hurricanes, to improve landfall location and hurricane strength forecasts; (2) heavy precipitation, to improve winter and rain storm forecasts; (3) floods, to improve flood forecasting and forecasting and warning systems for inland flooding related to tropical cyclones; (4) two-to-fourteen day forecasting, to improve weather predictions and warnings of high-impact weather events, to conduct the Hemispheric Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORpex) to fill observational gaps in the Northern Hemisphere, and to test and evaluate advanced data assimilation techniques in global models; (5) societal and economic impacts, to identify methods of delivering weather information effectively, to recommend ways to improve weather communications, to assess impacts of adverse weather, to evaluate what weather information is most useful, and to perform research on such impacts; and (6) testing research concepts at Program-sponsored test bed centers, to enable technology transfer to operational meteorologists. Directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop and annually update, and NOAA's Administrator to report to Congress on, a five-year plan: (1) describing how Federal agencies can best team with universities and other research institutions; (2) identifying social, economic, and military needs and requirements for weather information; (3) outlining methods for disseminating information to user communities; and (4) describing best practices for transferring Program research results to forecasting operations.

Education Freedom Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Education Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax credit for 50 percent of certain cash contributions by a taxpayer to an education investment organization or to an elementary or secondary school. Sets a maximum credit of $50,000 for corporations and $250 for other taxpayers ($500 for a joint return). Provides other limitations on the amount of the credit in certain specified instances. Excludes from gross income any amount received as a grant for qualified elementary and secondary expenses from an education investment organization. Defines "qualified elementary and secondary expenses" and "education investment organization." Revises definition of "school" for purposes of defining qualified elementary and secondary education expenses.

Simplified USA Tax Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Simplified USA Tax Act of 2003 - Renames the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) the "USA Tax Code." Establishes a new chapter 1, "Simplified USA Tax for Individuals." Establishes tax rates at 15, 25, and 30 percent. Sets forth provisions defining gross income, exclusions from gross income, alimony and child support deductions, personal and dependency deductions, the family living allowance, the homeowner deduction, the education deduction (equal, as a general rule, to the sum of all qualified education expenses), the philanthropic transfer deduction, the kiddie tax (concerning taxable income of children), and tax credits (including allowing a payroll tax credit). Sets forth provisions concerning a Roth IRA, a deductible IRA, annuities, endowment contracts, and life insurance contracts. Permits contributions to a Roth IRA of up to the amount of an individual's adjusted gross income. Provides, as a general rule, for the exclusion from gross income of Roth IRA distributions. Sets forth provisions concerning basis, business transactions, and nonrecognition transactions. Establishes rules for exclusion from gross income, rules relating to deductions, and rules for the rental of real estate. Requires a trust or estate to prepay the Simplified USA Tax for individuals. Sets the tax rate at 30 percent on the taxable income of a trust or estate when the taxable income exceeds $3,800. Sets forth rules concerning trusts and estates, including rules for credits, deductions, trust income, distributions, beneficiaries, charitable remainder trusts, reversionary interests, and funeral trusts. Renumbers the current chapter 2 (Tax on Self-Employment Income) of the IRC as chapter 3. Establishes a new chapter 2, "Simplified USA Tax for Businesses." States that the tax equals the amount by which the business tax exceeds the payroll tax credit. Defines the "business tax" as the sum of: (1) 8 percent of the portion of the gross profits of the business entity for the taxable year that does not exceed $150,000; and (2) 12 percent of such portion of the gross profits of the business entity for the taxable year that exceeds $150,000. Directs the Secretary to prescribe rules under which the gross profits of business entities under common control are aggregated for purposes of applying the benefit of the lower rate. States that such rules shall be similar to rules applicable under IRC sections 1551 (Disallowance of the benefits of the graduated corporate rates and accumulated credit) and 1561 (Limitations on certain multiple tax benefits in the case of controlled corporations). Defines the "payroll tax credit" as a credit for the social security, railroad retirement, and hospital insurance taxes paid by an employer. Sets forth subchapters governing: (1) the basic rules for the business tax; (2) capital contributions, mergers, acquisitions, and distributions; (3) accounting method rules; (4) land and rental property; (5) insurance and financial products; (6) financial intermediation and financial institutions; (7) tax-exempt organizations; (8) cooperatives; (9) sourcing rules; (10) business conducted in a possession; (11) the payroll tax credit; (12) the import tax (as a general rule, eleven percent of the customs value of property or services); and (12) transition, administration, and consolidated returns (permitted, if it would have been permitted under the IRC provisions governing consolidated returns and such provisions were applied by treating each business entity as a corporation and its owners or partners as shareholders). Provides, in general, that subchapter D (Deferred Compensation) of chapter 1 of the IRC is saved. Repeals Subtitle B (Estate and Gift Taxes) of the IRC.

Student Bill of Rights

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Student Bill of Rights - Directs the Secretary of Education to make annual determinations as to whether each State's public school system provides all its students with educational resources to succeed academically and in life. Requires such education to enable students to: (1) acquire knowledge and skills necessary for responsible citizenship; (2) meet challenging academic achievement standards; and (3) compete and succeed in a global economy. Requires each system to do so through: (1) providing specified fundamentals of educational opportunity to students at each public elementary and secondary school; (2) providing educational services in school districts that receive funds for disadvantaged students that are, taken as a whole, at least comparable to educational services provided in school districts not receiving such funds; and (3) complying with any final Federal or State court order in any matter concerning the adequacy or equitableness of the system. Requires withholding of specified portions of its Federal funding for administrative expenses if a system: (1) fails to meet a yearly interim goal; (2) does not remedy, after two school years, a failure to provide comparable educational services to schools that receive funds for disadvantaged children; or (3) does not comply with a court order. Allows students or parents aggrieved by violations of this Act to bring civil actions for enforcement in Federal district courts. Directs the Commissioner of Education Statistics to study the effects of educational disparities on economic growth and on national defense.

Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act - Amends the Peace Corps Act to require all recruiting of volunteers to be carried out under the direction of the Director of the Peace Corps. Conditions the President's authority to detail or assign Peace Corps volunteers to certain Federal and State agencies and other entities upon a determination that such a detail or assignment does not contradict the standing of such volunteers as being independent from foreign policy-making and intelligence collection. Requires the Director of the Peace Corps to report to Congress on: (1) efforts undertaken to improve coordination of Peace Corps activities with activities of international voluntary service organizations, such as the United Nations (UN) volunteer program, and of host country voluntary service organizations; (2) any major new Peace Corps initiatives under review for the upcoming fiscal year or undertaken in the previous fiscal year; (3) the Peace Corp's plans for doubling the number of volunteers from 2002; (4) any standard or special security procedures for any country in which the Peace Corps operates programs or is considering doing so, including an assessment whether security conditions would be enhanced by colocating volunteers with international or local nongovernmental organizations or placing multiple volunteers in one location; (5) student loan forgiveness programs currently available to Peace Corps volunteers; and (6) initiatives the Peace Corps intends to pursue with eligible countries where the presence of volunteers would facilitate a greater understanding that there exists a universe of commonly shared human values and aspirations. Requires the Director to develop a training program for all Peace Corps volunteers in the education, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases. Increases Peace Corps volunteer readjustment allowances from $125 to $275 a month. Establishes a program to award grants to private nonprofit corporations to enable returned Peace Corps volunteers to use their knowledge and expertise to develop and carry out programs and projects that promote the goals of the Peace Corps.

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 - Makes appropriations for FY 2003 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Makes appropriations for FY 2003 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (12) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (14) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (16) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (17) departmental management; (18) veterans employment and training; and (19) the Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2003 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration, for specified health resources and services activities; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), for disease control, research, and training; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of the Director; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for substance abuse and mental health services; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (9) the Administration for Children and Families for payments to States for child support enforcement and family support programs; (10) low income home energy assistance; (11) refugee and entrant assistance; (12) payments to States for the child care and development block grant; (13) the social services block grant; (14) children and families services programs; (15) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (16) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (17) the Administration on Aging; (18) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (19) the Office of Inspector General; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; (21) policy research; (22) medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (23) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. Makes appropriations for FY 2003 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (6) special education; (7) rehabilitation services and disability research; (8) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (9) vocational and adult education; (10) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as Federal administrative expenses for such programs (and sets a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (11) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (12) specified higher education programs; (13) Howard University; (14) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (15) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (16) education research, statistics, and improvement; (17) departmental management; (18) the Office for Civil Rights; and (19) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2003 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Educational Goals Panel; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace.

Electing chairmen of certain standing committees of the House.

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Designates majority membership on the House Committees on Agriculture, on Appropriations, on Armed Services, on the Budget, on Education and the Workforce, on Energy and Commerce, on Financial Services, on Government Reform, on House Administration, on International Relations, on the Judiciary, on Resources, on Science, on Small Business, on Standards of Official Conduct, on Transportation and Infrastructure, on Veterans' Affairs, and on Ways and Means.

Electing certain ranking minority members to standing committees.

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Designates minority membership on the House Committees on Agriculture, on Appropriations, on Armed Services, on the Budget, on Education and the Workforce, on Energy and Commerce, on Financial Services, on Government Reform, on International Relations, on the Judiciary, on Resources, on Science, on Small Business, on Transportation and Infrastructure, on Veterans' Affairs, and on Ways and Means.

Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2003

Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week; and (2) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education, and for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this Nation.

Strengthen the Public Health Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Strengthen the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to make certain graduate programs in professional psychology eligible to participate in various health professions loan programs. Revises provisions concerning the collection of health professions data, sex discrimination in medical education programs, and definitions to make these applicable to "professional" (rather than "clinical") psychologists.

Right Start Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Right Start Act of 2003 - Extends and increases authorizations of appropriations for: (1) the Head Start Act; (2) State entitlements to funding for child care, under Social Security Act (SSA) provisions for block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF); and (3) services to low-income families through the social services block grant under SSA. Increases set-aside portion of funds for child care quality under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act - IMPACT Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to address issues of overweight and obesity. Expands certain existing grant programs for health professional training to include the treatment of overweight and obesity. Creates grant programs at the local level to promote increased physical activity and improved nutrition. Expands an existing coordinated school health program to include grants for the development of programs which focus on healthy lifestyle, including balanced diet and physical activity. Authorizes the collection and analysis of data concerning the fitness levels of children and youth. Requires a study of the food and nutrition assistance programs run by the Department of Agriculture to determine how they can be improved or altered to help prevent obesity and overweight. Requires an evidence report study on the effectiveness of weight reduction programs. Permits the use of preventive health and health services block grants for community education programs which promote healthy eating and exercise habits. Creates a Medicare demonstration project to reduce obesity and other chronic disease risks in older Americans. Makes grants available to local healthcare delivery systems for overweight and obesity treatment and prevention demonstration programs. Provides grants and contracts for a national youth media campaign to change children's health behaviors. Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act - Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Insurance Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to a State or local government to pay for the Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects that assist families by providing wage replacement for eligible individuals responding to caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a son or daughter or other family caregiving needs. Family and Medical Leave Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to extend coverage to employees at worksites where the employer employs at least 25 (currently 50) employees at the worksite and within 75 miles of that worksite. Amends FMLA and Federal civil service law to entitle to leave those employees who must address the effects of domestic violence. Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2003 - Permits the Office of Personnel Management to contract with one or more employing agencies to conduct a demonstration project that provides paid leave for eligible individuals who are responding to caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a son or daughter or other family caregiving needs. Requires the leave to last for at least six weeks during a 12-month period. Time for Schools Act of 2003 - Amends FMLA to allow employees covered by such Act to take up to 24 hours, during any 12-month period, of school involvement leave to participate in: (1) an academic activity of their child's school, such as a parent-teacher conference or an interview for a school; or (2) literacy training under a family literacy program. Amends Federal civil service law to provide the same school involvement leave allowance for Federal employees.

Educational Excellence for All Learners Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Educational Excellence for All Learners Act of 2003 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 should be fully funded. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to extend the authorization of appropriations for: (1) title I (improving academic achievement of the disadvantaged) part A (grants for basic programs of local educational agencies, LEAs); (2) education of migratory children; and (3) advanced placement incentive program grants. Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to extend the authorization of appropriations for assistance for education of all children with disabilities. Directs the Secretary of Education to make annual determinations as to whether each State's public school system provides all its students with educational resources to succeed academically and in life. Requires such education to enable students to: (1) acquire knowledge and skills necessary for responsible citizenship; (2) meet challenging academic achievement standards; and (3) compete and succeed in a global economy. Specifies what each system must provide. America's Better Classrooms Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited tax credit for qualified public school modernization bonds (construction and zone academy bonds) and tribal school modernization bonds. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for employment and training activities related to the construction or reconstruction of public school facilities. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to extend the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Gear Up programs, Federal TRIO programs, and programs for students whose families are engaged in migrant or seasonal farmwork; and (2) Indian tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, challenge grants to eligible institutions, the minority science and engineering improvement program, and Hispanic-serving institutions. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Organization Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish within NTIA's Technology Opportunities Program a digital network technologies program to award educational instruction grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to: (1) historically Black colleges or universities; (2) Hispanic-, Alaska Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institutions; (3) tribally controlled colleges or universities; or (4) institutions with a substantial number of minority, low-income students who received assistance under HEA. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Responsibility Act of 1996 to eliminate the prohibition against provision of postsecondary education benefits based on State residency to an illegal alien unless a U.S. citizen or national is eligible for similar benefits without regard to such residency. Expresses the sense of the Senate that an individual Pell Grant's maximum amount should be: (1) increased to $4,500; and (2) the amount eligible students receive. Makes appropriations for an emergency additional amount for FY 2003, available through FY 2004, for the Pell Grant program. Amends HEA title IV to provide for a phase-out of student loan origination fees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits refundable.

Access to Affordable Health Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Access to Affordable Health Care Act - Addresses health care access issues for small businesses, individuals and families, and rural and underserved areas. Addresses issues of the health care safety net, long-term care, the promotion of healthier lifestyles, and Medicare. Targets small businesses through tax credits for employee health insurance expenses and grants for health insurance purchasing groups, information dissemination, and access innovation. Targets individuals and families through health insurance cost credits and full premium deductibility for the self-employed. Renames the State Children's Health Insurance program as the FamilyCare program and revises the program, providing coverage for certain parents and optional coverage of legal immigrants and children through age 20 under the program and Medicaid. Revises restrictions, procedures, and allotments. Amends the Public Health Service Act to award State grants for the creation of high risk pools. Expresses the sense of the Senate that appropriations for consolidated health centers and the National Health Service Corps under the Public Health Service Act should be doubled over the next five fiscal years. Targets rural and underserved areas through revisions to the loan repayment and scholarship programs of the National Health Service Corps. Targets long-term care through Internal Revenue Code amendments concerning specified credits, deductions, and model provisions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make grants to States for community partnership healthy lifestyle activities and small business worksite wellness programs; (2) expand comprehensive school health education programs; and (3) establish Medicare demonstration projects providing bonus payments for high-quality, low-cost inpatient hospital or physician's services and clinical practitioners to hospitals serving beneficiaries in underserved areas.

Justice Enhancement and Domestic Security Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Justice Enhancement and Domestic Security Act of 2003 - Incorporates provisions entitled as follows: (1) the First Responders Partnership Grant Act of 2003 (authorizes grants to support public safety officers in efforts to protect homeland security and prevent and respond to acts of terrorism); (2) the Safe Borders Act of 2003 (authorizes appropriations for hiring additional Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel and for border security protection technology); (3) the Military Tribunal Authorization Act of 2003 (authorizes the President to establish tribunals for the trial of suspected terrorists and individuals who aid or abet terrorists); (4) the Anti-Terrorist Hoax and False Report Act of 2003; (5) the National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 (requires the Attorney General to assign an AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to act as a national coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network); (6) the Prosecutorial Remedies and Tools Against the Exploitation of Children Today Act of 2003; (7) the Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2003 (reauthorizes and increases funding for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children); (8) the National Child Protection and Volunteers for Children Improvement Act of 2003; (9) the Seniors Safety Act of 2003 (includes provisions regarding crimes against seniors, health care and pension fraud, telemarketing fraud, violations of nursing home rules and regulations, and restitution of elderly crime victims); (10) the Identity Theft Victims Assistance Act of 2003; (11) the Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2003; (12) the Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act of 2003; (13) the Crime Victims Assistance Act of 2003 (requires a responsible official to arrange reasonable protection of a victim from a suspected offender and sets forth consultation and participatory rights of a victim at detention hearings, trials, and sentencing proceedings); (14) the Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training in Our Neighborhoods Act of 2003 (PROTECTION Act); (15) the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act of 2003; (16) the Federal Prosecutors Retirement Benefit Equity Act of 2003; (17) the Federal Bureau of Investigation Reform Act of 2003 (revises whistle blower protections); (18) the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2003 (provides for a recommended national protocol on collecting and processing DNA evidence at crime scenes); (19) the Say No to Drugs Community Centers Act of 2003; (20) the Our Lady of Peace Act of 2003 (revises requirements and provides grants for firearms eligibility determination information and technology); (21) the Ballistics, Law Assistance, and Safety Technology Act of 2003 (BLAST Act) (sets forth firearms ballistics testing and record keeping requirements); (22) the Innocence Protection Act of 2003 (sets forth procedures governing DNA testing of a person convicted of a Federal crime and provides grants for legal representation provided to indigent defendants in State capital cases); and (23) the Anti-Atrocity Alien Deportation Act of 2003 (provides for the inadmissibility and deportability of aliens who have committed acts of torture or extrajudicial killings abroad). Provides for establishment of: (1) a Rural Policing Institute; (2) a protective function privilege with respect to testimony by Secret Service personnel; (3) the Office of Special Investigations within DOJ to investigate and take legal action to denaturalize certain aliens; and (4) the Advisory Committee on Cargo Theft.. Provides for grants for: (1) treatment facilities in rural States and economically depressed communities, residential treatment centers for drug-addicted women with minor children, and residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs for juveniles; (2) drug treatment alternative to prison programs; and (3) community-based justice programs for the prosecution of firearm-related crimes (Project Exile).

Pension Protection and Expansion Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Pension Protection and Expansion Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to set forth requirements under defined contribution plans that are individual account plans (IAPs) (401(k) and similar plans) for: (1) diversification of plan assets, including employee freedom to invest plan assets and to divest employer securities or real property; (2) protection of plan participants and beneficiaries, through notice of blackout period, prohibition of relief from fiduciary liability during such periods of suspension of participants' and beneficiaries' ability to direct investments, liability for breach of fiduciary duty, increased maximum bond amount and insurance, and inclusion of participants in trusteeship of IAPs; and (3) information to assist and protect participants, including requirements for periodic pension benefit statements, investment education, provisions relating to whistleblower actions involving pension plans, and increased penalties for coercive interference. Retirement Security for All Americans Act - Amends IRC to permit a tax credit for an applicable percentage of up to $2,000 in retirement savings contributions of an individual. Repeals the nonrefundable credit for elective deferrals and individual retirement account contributions. Imposes a tax on any failure by an employer (except for certain small employers) that does not have a qualified plan or arrangement for a calendar year to permit its employees access to salary reduction contributions to individual retirement plans. Permits a tax credit for small employers that maintain salary reduction arrangements. Allows a tax credit for a duration of three years for pension plan contributions of small employers. Women's Pension Protection Act of 2003 - Amends ERISA and IRC to require the spouse's consent for distributions from defined contribution plans (DCPs, which include individual account plans such as 401(k) plans). (Current law only requires such consent in the case of defined benefit plans). Applies joint and survivor annuity rules to DCPs. Provides for division of pension benefits upon divorce, including rules for treating: (1) subsequent qualified domestic relations orders; and (2) former spouses as surviving spouses in certain cases. Revises requirements for joint and survivor annuities. Requires pension plans to offer participants the option of a qualified joint and 3/4 survivor annuity. Amends Federal law relating to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to provide for a survivor annuity to widows, widowers, and certain former spouses of Federal employees who die after having separated from the service with title to a deferred annuity under CSRS, but before attaining the age for such annuity under it. Revises CSRS and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) requirements for court orders relating to Federal employee retirement benefits for former spouses. Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to: (1) entitle divorced spouses to railroad retirement annuities independent of the actual entitlement of the employees; and (2) extend the payment of any portion of Tier II railroad retirement benefits to surviving former spouses pursuant to divorce agreements. Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) an employee plans compliance resolution system; (2) extension to all governmental plans of a moratorium on application of certain nondiscrimination rules applicable to State and local plans; (3) missing participants; (4) a reduced Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premium for new plans of small employers; (5) substantial owner benefits in terminated plans; (6) voluntary early retirement incentive and employment retention plans maintained by local educational agencies and other entities; (7) automatic rollovers of certain mandatory distributions; (8) no reduction in unemployment compensation as a result of pension rollovers; (9) tax withholding on distributions from certain governmental plans; (10) transfer of pension plan liabilities upon dissolution of joint venture; and (11) plan amendments. Amends IRC to provide revenue offsets through: (1) reversal of the expatriation of certain profits offshore, including setting rules for tax treatment of inverted corporate entities, imposing an excise tax on stock compensation of insiders in inverted corporations, and reinsuring U.S. risks in foreign jurisdictions; (2) revisions and penalties relating to tax shelters; and (3) executive compensation. Includes in gross income funded deferred compensation of corporate insiders.

Strengthen Social Work Training Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Strengthen Social Work Training Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to make disadvantaged students enrolled in social work programs eligible for scholarships. Makes schools offering social work programs eligible for assistance for certain disadvantaged faculty programs, programs to support excellence in health profession education for minorities, and programs to support geriatric training projects. Authorizes grants to, or contracts with, hospitals, schools offering programs in social work, or other entities for the development of social work training programs and financial assistance to participants and teachers of such programs. Authorizes grants to, or contracts with, schools offering programs in social work to meet the costs of projects to establish or maintain administrative units to provide clinical instruction in social work. Authorizes and allocates appropriations. Adds "clinical social worker" to specified profession definitions under health maintenance organization provisions.

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Education Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Education Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to physical and occupational therapy programs for planning and implementing projects to recruit and retrain physical and occupational therapy faculty and students, develop curricula, support distribution of practitioners in underserved areas, or support professional development.

Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2003 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to change the amount of monthly veterans' educational assistance allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill from a fixed amount adjusted for inflation to an amount equal to the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for commuter students at public institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees (75 percent of such amount for veterans whose initial obligated period of active duty is two years). Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine such average monthly costs each year and to publish such amounts in the Federal Register.

Comprehensive Homeland Security Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Comprehensive Homeland Security Act of 2003 - First Responders Partnership Grant Act of 2003 - Sets forth a grants program to support homeland security activities of States, local governments, and Indian tribes public safety officers, including terrorism prevention and response. Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Act of 2003, or the "SAFER Act of 2003" - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible entities to pay for the Federal share of hiring career firefighters. Nuclear Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to establish a Task Force on Nuclear Infrastructure Security (Task Force) to examine the protection of sensitive nuclear facilities from potential terrorist threats. Instructs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to promulgate regulations based upon task force recommendations. Directs the President to establish the Nuclear Infrastructure Antiterrorism Team to protect the perimeter of sensitive nuclear facilities against threats . Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to established in the (NRC) the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. Establishes within such Office the Security Response Unit. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize employees of NRC licensees to carry weapons. Instructs the Task Force to: (1) evaluate the security of sensitive radioactive material against security threats; and (2) recommend actions for the maximum practicable security against security threats. Rail Security Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for Amtrak, conditioned upon Secretary of Transportation approval of an Amtrak plan that targets security, rehabilitation and upgrades, and engineering and financial considerations. Sets forth criteria governing a mandatory assessment of rail transportation security risks. Wastewater Treatment Works Security and Safety Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to mandate that vulnerability assessments and attendant emergency response plans be submitted to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to address immediate and urgent security needs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to instruct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to implement the National Smallpox Vaccination Program. Establishes in the Treasury an Information Technology Fund to provide expenditures for information technology and related services for Federal agencies. Prescribes guidelines under which a record pertaining to the vulnerability of and threats to critical infrastructure that is furnished voluntarily to the Department of Homeland Security shall not be made available either to the public or to other Federal agencies under the Freedom of Information Act. Prescribes responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for the interoperability of information systems. Instructs the Secretary of State to implement a program to secure, consolidate, or eliminate, radiological and nuclear materials and waste located outside the United States that are determined to present a potential threat. Instructs the President to implement a program to improve border security and strengthen export controls in Russia and other designated areas in order to decrease the potential for the spread of weapons of mass destruction and related materiel. Intelligence Community Leadership Act of 2003 - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to establish an Office of the Director of National Intelligence to assist the Director of National Intelligence. Confers responsibility upon the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (Department of Homeland Security) for consolidating law enforcement information with assessments and warnings relating to foreign intelligence from the Director of Central Intelligence's Counterterrorist Center. Chemical Security Act of 2003 - Instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations designating certain combinations of chemical sources and substances of concern as high priority categories based on the severity of the threat posed by an unauthorized release from the chemical sources. Subjects violations of such regulations to civil and criminal penalties. Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training in Our Neighborhoods Act of 2003, or "PROTECTION Act" - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize financial and technical assistance to designated law enforcement programs, including religiously-affiliated organizations and rural law enforcement programs.

To eliminate the termination date on authority for schools with low default rates to make single disbursements of student loans.

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to eliminate a termination date for certain provisions, and thus continue to authorize schools with low default rates to make single disbursements of student loans.

To permit members of the House of Representatives to donate used computer equipment to public elementary and secondary schools designated by the members.

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1987 to allow the Clerk of the House of Representatives, at the request of a Member of the House, to donate computers and related peripheral tools previously used by the Member to a public elementary or secondary school designated by such Member without regard to whether the donation: (1) is a cost to the Government; or (2) has a recoverable value.

Museum and Library Services Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA, which is subchapter B of MLSA) to extend authorizations of appropriations and revise programs under such Acts. Prohibits projects which are determined to be obscene from receiving funds under MLSA. Amends MLSA to establish the National Museum and Library Services Board, within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Eliminates a National Museum Services Board.) Requires the IMLS Director to: (1) ensure coordination with certain activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), and other Federal activities; and (2) conduct and publish analyses of museum and library services impact. Revises requirements for annual national awards to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities. Includes specified entities under the term museum, for MLSA purposes. Revises museum services activities. Entitles subchapter C of MLSA as the Museum Services Act. Amends LSTA to provide for: (1) an increased portion for administrative costs; (2) an increased alternative minimum allotment to States under certain conditions; (3) State plans once every five years, as determined by the IMLS Director; (4) additional uses of grants to States for library programs; and (5) recruitment of library and information science personnel under the program of national leadership grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Repeals requirements under the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act relating to Commission responsibilities to: (1) advise the IMLS Director; and (2) meet with the National Museum Services Board, which is eliminated by this Act.

SouthEast Crescent Authority Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2003

SouthEast Crescent Authority Act of 2003 - Establishes a SouthEast Crescent Authority for all parts of the following southeastern states not eligible for assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission or the Delta Regional Authority: District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Directs the Authority to perform various functions, including: (1) formulating plans and programs to spur economic development, and approving grants to States and public and nonprofit entities toward that end; (2) establishing priorities in a development plan for the region; (3) supporting local development districts, and creating them where they do not exist; and (4) encouraging private investment in the region. Permits the Authority to request and receive Federal, State and local government personnel as employees. Stipulates that Authority grants for infrastructure development may be made only to State or local governments. Permits other Authority grants for job training, employment-related education, business development, assisting severely distressed and poor areas, or for other purposes in accordance with the Act. Allows the Authority to annually designate: (1) distressed counties; and (2) isolated areas of distress in nondistressed counties. Directs the Authority to garner public participation in the development, revision, and implementation of its plans and programs.