Education

Community Protection Against Wildfire Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2002

Community Protection Against Wildfire Act of 2002 - Requires that at least 85 percent of the funds made available to implement the National Fire Plan go to hazardous fuels reduction projects and other wildfire control efforts on Federal lands in the wildland-urban interface (certain geographic areas conducive to wildfire that contain homes). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to States and Indian tribes for various purposes, including: (1) the promotion of optimal firefighting efficiency; and (2) the expansion of outreach and education programs. Requires the Secretaries concerned (the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior or appropriate Federal land managers) to promulgate regulations limiting the diameter of trees that may be removed as part of any wildfire control effort using Federal funds. Permits the Secretary concerned to grant an exception to such limitation for extraordinary circumstances. Allows the Secretary concerned to provide cost-share grants and cooperative agreements to establish Restoration and Value-Added Centers to augment community-based restoration projects on Federal lands. Prescribes that the Centers shall provide technical assistance to small enterprises or micro-enterprises in specified areas. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to enter into partnerships and cooperative agreements with specified groups in creating and maintaining the Centers. Requires the Secretary concerned to provide cost-share grants and/or cooperative agreements equaling 75 percent of each Center's operating costs, not to exceed $1,000,000 annually per Center.

Tuition Assistance for Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002

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 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 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 (Public Law 107-116) 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 secondary school's graduating class.

A bill to provide for cancellation of student loan indebtedness for spouses, surviving joint debtors, and parents of individuals who died or became permanently and totally disabled due to injuries suffered in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to discharge or cancel the Federal student loan indebtedness of spouses, surviving joint debtors, and parents of public servants and other individuals who died (or die) or who became (or become) permanently and totally disabled from injuries suffered in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Reducing Special Education Through Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002

Reducing Special Education Through Prevention Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to establish a program of grants to improve school-based early intervention services for children with emotional disturbances. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make program grants to State or local educational agencies to develop and implement strategies to reduce the number of children who have, or who are at risk of developing, emotional disturbances that require special education and related services under IDEA. Includes among authorized activities: (1) universal, primary prevention strategies at the school level; (2) early intervention services and individual support for such children who are not currently served under IDEA; (3) coordination among schools, families, and other service provider systems; and (4) staff training and professional development.

Student Bill of Rights

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002

Student Bill of Rights - Directs the Secretary of Education to make annual determinations as to whether each State's public school system (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.

Prescription Affordability and Medicine Safety Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002

Prescription Affordability and Medicine Safety Act of 2002 - Authorizes appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for generic drug application review and the continuation of the education program on the use and therapeutic equivalency of drugs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States in support of State pharmacy benefit assistance programs. Requires a percentage of profits from the sale of certain drugs and biological products to be placed in a revolving fund and used to support the grants program. Limits the tax deductions for advertizing for prescription drug manufacturers. Limits the extension of the 30 month stay of FDA approval for any new (generic) drug, as specified, thereby limiting the brand name drug's patent owner's period of exclusive sales. Makes a patent owner's failure to timely file a civil action for infringement a bar to later action. Sets forth requirements for filing drug patent information with the FDA. Makes a patent owner's failure to timely file with the FDA a bar to civil actions for patent infringement. Requires the first generic drug applicant with a specified certification to forfeit the 180 day marketing exclusivity period to a subsequent generic drug applicant if the first generic drug applicant engages in certain behaviors which delay or prevent the marketing of the generic drug.

Recognizing National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week and the importance and accomplishments of historically Black colleges and universities.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2002

Supports the goals and ideals of National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. Salutes and acknowledges historically Black colleges and universities and the presidents, faculties, staff, and trustees of the 118 such institutions for their vigorous and persistent efforts in support of equal opportunity in higher education. Commends the students who benefit from such institutions for their pursuit of academic excellence.

Student Bill of Rights

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2002

Student Bill of Rights - Directs the Secretary of Education to make annual determinations as to whether each State's public school system (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.

A bill to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the modifications to education individual retirement accounts.

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2002

Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to repeal the applicability of sunset provisions to section 401 (Modifications to Education Individual Retirement Accounts).

Mathematics and Science Education Excellence Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002

Mathematics and Science Education Excellence Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF Director) to make grants for a mathematics and science partnership program in accordance with certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Includes: (1) competitive grants to eligible partnerships; and (2) formula grants to State educational agencies. Requires the NSF Director and the Secretary of Education to prepare a plan for joint administration of such program. Establishes a program of research on mathematics and science learning and improvement. Requires the NSF Director to award competitive grants for such program to institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or consortia. Requires coordination of such program by the NSF Director with the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP Director). Requires the NSF Director to remedy any duplication of programs authorized under this Act by current or subsequent NSF education programs. Requires the OSTP Director to review NSF education programs to ensure such compliance.

A resolution commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC).

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002

Recognizes the essential role tribal colleges and universities play in American Indian communities. Honors the vision and commitment of the founders of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. Celebrates 30 successful years of implementing that vision for the benefit of American Indian peoples across the United States.

To amend the General Education Provisions Act to clarify the definition of a student regarding family educational and privacy rights.

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002

Amends the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) to revise the definition of student for purposes of coverage regarding certain family educational and privacy rights (under GEPA provisions which are also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974). Includes under such coverage any person educated at a home school (whether or not State law treats a home school as a home school or a private school), if an educational agency or institution maintains education records or personally identifiable information on such person (whether or not the home-schooled person is in attendance at the agency or institution). (Current law excludes all those who are not in attendance at the agency or institution.)

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

United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2002

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 - 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 other trust funds; (6) administration of employment and training programs, including welfare-to-work grants; (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 Program; (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; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP); (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH); (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, 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, low income home energy assistance, refugee and entrant assistance, payments to States for child care and development block grants, social services block grants, children and families services programs, promoting safe and stable families, and payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (10) the Administration on Aging; (11) the Office of the Secretary, for general departmental management; (12) the Office of Inspector General; (13) the Office for Civil Rights; (14) policy research; (15) medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care for dependents and retired personnel; (16) health facilities construction and management funds for CDCP and NIH; and (17) 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; (6) special education; (7) rehabilitation services and disability research; (8) certain special institutions for persons with disabilities; (9) vocational and adult education; (10) certain student financial assistance programs; (11) specified higher education programs; (12) Howard University; (13) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (14) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (15) education research, statistics, and assessment; (16) departmental management; (17) the Office for Civil Rights; (18) the Office of the Inspector General; and (19) student aid administration. Makes appropriations for FY 2003 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (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 Council on Disability; (9) National Labor Relations Board; (10) National Mediation Board; (11) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (12) Railroad Retirement Board; (13) Social Security Administration; and (14) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act.

Choice IDEA Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

Choice IDEA Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to allow States to opt to use part B special education program funds to carry out a parental choice program, as an alternative to opting for the current part B program. Requires such a choice program to include vouchers for parents of children with disabilities. Permits parents to use vouchers to: (1) obtain special education and related services, selected from a menu by the parent, for the child at a public school; or (2) pay the child's attendance cost at a public or private school. Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to States that do not participate in the choice program, for subgrants to local educational agencies in which 15 percent or more of the students served are children with disabilities, to help defray the salaries of individuals who help with paperwork associated with receiving part B funds. Extends through FY 2010 the authorization of appropriations, in specified increasing amounts, for IDEA part B programs of assistance for education of all children with disabilities.

Rural School and Community Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

Rural School and Community Enhancement Act - Allows an eligible State to make a one-time election to receive each full payment for FY 2002 through 2006 under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 in an adjusted amount calculated in accordance with: (1) a document prepared by the Forest Service; or (2) a revised document prepared under the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107-76). Allows an eligible State to distribute such full payment amount among eligible counties that have elected to receive a share, considering the historic percentage distribution of each eligible county, as described in the document, and other factors the State determines appropriate.

District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2002 - Authorizes the establishment of the District of Columbia Scholarship Corporation as a private, nonprofit corporation to administer, publicize, and evaluate a District scholarship program and determine elementary and secondary student and school eligibility. Establishes a District of Columbia Scholarship Fund, to be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. Provides for a seven-member Corporation Board of Directors, with six members appointed by the President from House and Senate nominees, and one member appointed by the District Mayor. Authorizes the Corporation to award tuition scholarships and enhanced achievement scholarships to District students in kindergarten through grade 12 with family incomes not exceeding 185 percent of the national poverty line. Allows scholarships to be used for tuition, fees, and appropriate transportation to public, private, or independent schools (or beyond-school-hours enhancement programs) in the District and specified neighboring counties and cities in Maryland and Virginia. Requires the following order of scholarship award priorities to students who: (1) have received such a scholarship in a previous year (in the program's second and subsequent years); (2) District school or kindergarten enrollees; (3) victims of school violence; and (4) other eligible students. Requires use of a lottery whenever amounts are insufficient to provide a scholarship for each student in one of these categories. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the District scholarship program. Provides for expedited judicial review of challenges to such program.

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Associate Administrator of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants for newborn screening education and training, including followup.

Incentives to Educate American Children (I Teach) Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

Incentives to Educate American Children (I Teach) Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax credit of $1,000 for: (1) teachers in public elementary or secondary schools or public kindergartens in rural areas or areas with high poverty; and (2) teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Grants a credit of $2,000 for a teacher meeting both criteria.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the deduction for qualified higher education expenses to $10,000, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the permitted deduction for qualified higher education tuition and related expenses to: (1) $10,000 in the case of a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less ($130,000 in the case of a joint return); and (2) $5,000 in the case of a taxpayer earning above $65,000 up through $80,000 ($160,000 in the case of a joint return). Applies this Act to payments made after December 31, 2001 (present law allows deductions of between $2,000 to $4,000 through 2005).

Building Secure and Healthy Families Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

Building Secure and Healthy Families Act of 2002 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise the TANF program, with changes: (1) replacing grants for States to reward a decrease in illegitimacy with grants to States to promote and support secure families; (2) adding nondiscrimination requirements pertaining to marital status and family structure and participation in activities or services funded under the new grant; (3) authorizing a State to assist a teenage parent who does not attend high school or another equivalent training program to come into compliance with TANF work and education requirements, and deeming teenage heads of household who maintain satisfactory school attendance to meet work participation requirements; (5) requiring certain certifications regarding domestic or sexual violence in State TANF plans, and prohibiting a State from penalizing an individual for TANF requirement noncompliance where domestic or sexual violence is a significant contributing factor in the noncompliance; (6) deeming a TANF recipient who provides appropriate care to a child or other relative who has a serious health condition or a disability as engaged in work for work participation rate purposes; and (7) eliminating the termination of TANF assistance for an entire family where an individual in the family has refused to engage in required work.

California Five Mile Regional Learning Center Transfer Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

California Five Mile Regional Learning Center Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) convey to the Clovis Unified School District of California a specified parcel of National Forest System (NFS) land which has been utilized as the Five Mile Regional Learning Center by such school district since 1989 pursuant to a special use permit to provide natural resource conservation education to California youth; and (2) negotiate with the school district to enter into a new permit for the approximately 100 acres of NFS land that the school district is using pursuant to the present permit but that is not included in such conveyance. States that the conveyance shall be for a nominal cost, and that it shall not include the transfer of mineral rights.

Children's Electronic Access Safety Enhancement (CEASE) Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2002

Children's Electronic Access Safety Enhancement (CEASE) Act - Requires providers of Internet content management services (providers) to notify local educational agencies or other authorities responsible for schools (LEAs), or libraries, of the providers' policies regarding collection, use, and disclosure of information from or about children under age 19 whose Internet use will be covered by such services, before entering into a contract or other agreement to provide such services to or for an elementary or secondary school or a library, and before implementing any later material modifications of such policies. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to treat noncompliance with these requirements as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows LEAs or libraries to terminate such contracts or agreements with providers who fail to comply with these requirements. Requires a school or library to provide reasonable notice of its provider's policy to students' parents or library patrons. Prohibits providers from collecting personal information from or about a child who is a school student or library patron. Requires providers, if they do collect such information, to: (1) promptly notify the LEA and appropriate State officials, or the library, and the FTC; and (2) treat the information in accordance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) if the child is under 12, and in accordance with FTC regulations if the child is over 12. Requires the LEA or library to notify a parent or guardian of the child of receipt of such notice. Amends COPPA to treat providers as operators.

IMPACT Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2002

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. Targets partnerships with businesses, schools, senior centers, day care facilities and other institutions. Includes tax and other incentives among covered activities. 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. Requires a report on research into the causes and health implications of obesity and being overweight. Makes grants available for a national campaign to change children's health behaviors. Establishes the private, nonprofit National Nutrition Foundation for the Department of Agriculture to carry out research and dissemination pertaining to the nutrition and food assistance programs in the Department.

National Science Foundation Doubling Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2002

National Science Foundation Doubling Act - Authorizes appropriations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for FY 2003 through 2007, with specific allocations for: (1) research and related activities; (2) education and human resources; (3) major research equipment and facilities construction; (4) salaries and expenses; and (5) the Office of Inspector General. Requires the NSF Director (Director), using such authorized amounts, to continue specified initiatives concerning: (1) information technology research involving cybersecurity, terascale computing systems, software, networking, scalability, communications, and data management; (2) nanoscale science and engineering; (3) plant genome research; (4) science and technology innovation partnerships; (5) mathematics and science education partnerships; (6) the Robert C. Noyce scholarship program; (7) the science, mathematics, engineering, and technology talent expansion program; (8) the secondary school systemic initiative; (9) the experimental program to stimulate competitive research; and (10) the program to advance the goals of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act. Requires the: (1) Director to assess and report to specified congressional committees on the major research instrumentation program; and (2) Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to assess and report to such committees on a program to establish university-based centers for interdisciplinary research and advanced instrumentation development. Requires the Director to: (1) develop and submit to the National Science Board a priority list of proposed major research equipment and facilities construction projects; (2) update the list; and (3) prepare a plan for the proposed construction of, and repair and upgrades to, national research facilities. Provides for the confidentiality of information supplied to the NSF or its contractor by an individual or academic institution.

Military Families Tax Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Military Families Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude education loan repayments made by the Federal government for a member of the Armed Forces from gross income; (2) allow as a business or trade deduction the expenses of a member of the reserve component of the U.S. armed forces in connection with such service (available to itemizers and non-itemizers); (3) allow a reserve component employment credit equal to 50 percent of the amount of qualified compensation, including those who are self-employed; (4) permit a suspension of residency rules governing the exclusion of gain from sale of a principal residence for members of the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, or civilian employee of the Department of Defense serving on qualified official extended duty; and (5) exclude qualified military base realignment and closure fringe benefits from gross income.

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2003

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2003 - Makes appropriations to the District of Columbia for FY 2003, including amounts for the Federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) for emergency planning and security costs in the District; (3) to the Chief Financial Officer of the District; (4) to District of Columbia Courts; (5) for Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (6) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (including transfer of funds); (7) to the Children's National Medical Center; (8) to the St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc. expansion project; (9) to the Department of Transportation in the District; (10) for implementation of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative; (11) for capital infrastructure development; (12) for the Family Literacy Program; and (13) for development of Charter School facilities. Appropriates specified sums out of the District's general fund and/or other funds for the current fiscal year for: (1) operating expenses (with limitations); (2) governmental direction and support; (3) economic development and regulation; (4) public safety and justice; (5) the public education system (including transfer of funds); (6) human support services (including transfer of funds); (7) public works; (8) workforce investments; (9) the Reserve; (10) the Emergency and Contingency Reserve Fund; (11) repayment of certain loans and interest; (12) repayment of General Fund Recovery Debt; (13) payment of interest on short-term borrowing; (14) the John A. Wilson Building; (15) for certain non-departmental agency costs; (16) for principal and interest payments on the District's Certificates of Participation, issued to finance the ground lease underlying the building located at One Judiciary Square; (17) refunds and for the payment of legal settlements or judgments that have been entered against the District government; (18) for the District's costs of public safety expenses related to security events and for the costs of providing support to respond to immediate and specific terrorist threats or attacks in the District or surrounding jurisdictions; (19) pay-as-you-go capital in lieu of capital financing; (20) capital infrastructure development; (21) the Water and Sewer Authority; (22) the Washington Aqueduct; (23) the Stormwater Permit Compliance Enterprise Fund; (24) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (25) the Sports and Entertainment Commission; (26) the District of Columbia Retirement Board; (27) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund; (28) the National Capital Revitalization Corporation; and (29) capital outlay (including rescissions). Transfers limited funds to the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund.

Defense of Freedom Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Defense of Freedom Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to eligible institutions of higher education, foundations, and other nonprofit institutions for various activities supporting academic programs focused on the American founding, defense of freedom, Western civilization, and free institutions (focused programs). Allows use of grants for: (1) research, planning, and coordination; (2) design and implementation of courses, and development and support of centers; (3) research and publication costs of course materials; (4) associated general expenses; (5) salaries and expenses of faculty teaching in undergraduate and graduate focused programs; (6) support of graduate and postgraduate fellowships for scholars in fields related to focused programs; and (7) development of teacher education programs that stress content mastery in history or government and civic education preparation, including the history and philosophy of free institutions and the study of Western civilization.

Linking Educators and Developing Entrepreneurs for Reaching Success (LEADERS) Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Linking Educators and Developing Entrepreneurs for Reaching Success (LEADERS) Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to support business incubation at institutions of higher education that award associate or baccalaureate degrees. Directs the Secretary to make competitive, matching awards to: (1) a non-profit entity that manages or provides technical assistance to a degree-granting institution's affiliated incubator (or to the institution that manages in the absence of such an entity), for helping acquire or renovate space for incubators, and for developing curricula, providing services, or providing programming for entrepreneurs housed in an incubator; and (2) a degree-granting institution or a nonprofit local government or community development organization, for feasibility studies to determine the need for or siting of incubators. Requires the Secretary to reserve certain amounts for research regarding best practices for incubator programs, including the development of a benchmarking system based on uniform measures, and for dissemination of information regarding such practices. Authorizes contracts for such purposes with organizations with expertise in business incubation practices.

Keeping All Children Safe in Schools Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Keeping All Children Safe in Schools Act of 2002 - Requires that private elementary and secondary schools have the same access and responsibilities as public schools in obtaining criminal background checks of employees, volunteers, and applicants for such positions, if the private schools pay all applicable costs.

New Homestead Economic Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

New Homestead Economic Opportunity Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to assume the obligation to repay specified portions of certain federally guaranteed education loans of borrowers who complete a degree and reside and are employed in a qualifying rural county. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a specified tax credit to an individual who purchases a qualified residence in a qualifying rural county. Allows a capital loss deduction with respect to the sale or exchange of a principal residence in certain rural areas. Provides for establishment of tax-exempt individual homestead accounts to which a qualified individual residing in a qualifying rural county may make cash contributions, matched annually to a specified extent by the Secretary of the Treasury, for use exclusively to pay qualified individual homestead expenses. Allows a rural investment tax credit for an applicable percentage of the eligible basis of a qualified rural investment building. Provides for accelerated depreciation for specified rural investment property. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to add a New Homestead Venture Capital Fund Act allowing private investors to establish a non-Federal New Homestead Venture Capital Fund to make needed investments in qualifying rural counties to reverse the impact of chronic outmigration and help such counties rebuild and grow.

Teacher Victims' Family Assistance Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Teacher Victims' Family Assistance Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Education to provide assistance to the immediate families of teachers or other school employees who are killed by an another person's violent act during their performance of duties for a public or private elementary or secondary school (teacher-victims). Includes among such assistance: (1) funeral assistance; (2) a death benefit payment to the surviving spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin; (3) monthly living assistance for the surviving spouse until death or remarriage and for each dependent child until age18; and (4) undergraduate education assistance for each dependent child for five years or until age 25. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from income: (1) a teacher-victim's wages in the year of death; and (2) teacher victim family assistance under this Act in any taxable year. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allow a teacher-victim's surviving spouse until remarriage, and each dependent child up to age 25, to elect to be deemed to be entitled to hospital insurance benefits and enrolled for supplementary medical insurance benefits under Medicare, and to enroll for a Medigap supplemental policy, under the Social Security Act.

Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

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) parent petitions; (3) jurisdiction to dismiss improperly brought claims; (4) vaccine-unrelated injury; (5) the basis for calculating projected lost earnings; (6) compensation for family counseling and establishing guardianship expenses; (7) payment of interim costs; (8) procedures for paying attorney's fees; (9) extending the statute of limitations; (10) the composition and meeting schedule of the Advisory Committee on Childhood Vaccines; and (11) standards of responsibility and the definitions of manufacturer, vaccine-related injury or death, and vaccine. Requires 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.

Rural Safety and Law Enforcement Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Rural Safety and Law Enforcement Improvement Act- Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to make grants to rural local and tribal governments for the retention for one additional year of police officers funded through the cops on the beat (or COPS) program; (2) authorize the use of COPS grants on a matching funds basis to assist the police departments of such units in improving police communications, and in developing and improving access to crime-solving technologies; and (3) hire personnel and purchase equipment for rural areas to assist in the enforcement and prosecution of methamphetamine offenses and the environmental cleanup of methamphetamine-affected areas. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice to make grants to such units to establish or improve 911 service in those communities. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, to make grants to establish in rural areas substance abuse (particularly methamphetamine) prevention and treatment pilot programs and methamphetamine prevention education programs. Directs the Attorney General to provide for the cleanup of methamphetamine laboratories and related hazardous waste, and for the improvement of contract-related response time for cleanup of methamphetamine laboratories and related hazardous waste by providing additional contract personnel, equipment, and facilities, in rural areas. Establishes a Rural Policing Institute as part of the Small Town and Rural Training Program..

Good Medicine Cultural Competence Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2002

Good Medicine Cultural Competence Act of 2002 - Establishes the Cultural Competence Commission to study and report on establishing standards in cultural competence education for medical and health professionals. Addresses issues of training, clinical guidelines and protocols, access, vulnerable populations, policy forums and think tanks, incentives, collaboration, and enforcement mechanisms.

A joint resolution commending Sail Boston for its continuing advancement of the maritime heritage of nations, its commemoration of the nautical history of the United States, and its promotion, encouragement, and support of young cadets through training.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002

Commends Sail Boston for its excellence in the promotion of tall ship and maritime events in Boston and in ports throughout the United States, and its work with the American Sail Training Association for the promotion and encouragement of young cadets through training programs, seamanship, and education at sea. Urges all Americans and citizens of nations throughout the world to join in the international friendship and support Sail Boston and the American Sail Training Association during Sail Boston 2004.

A resolution designating the week beginning September 15, 2002, as "National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week".

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002

Designates the week beginning September 15, 2002, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.

Captive Wildlife Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002

Captive Wildlife Safety Act - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to define "prohibited wildlife species" as any live lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, cougar, or bear. Declares it a prohibited act for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any prohibited wildlife species. Exempts from this prohibition licensed zoos, circuses, accredited sanctuaries, federally-licensed breeders, State entities (universities, wildlife rehabilitators or veterinarians), animal shelters, persons transporting prohibited wildlife species to any such facility, and specified related organizations.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Federal and State financial assistance for in-home care should be increased to an elderly patient once it is determined that the patient is in need of in-home nursing care; and (2) better treatment and guidelines are required for students and schools who train certified nurse assistants and home health aides.

Recognizing the importance of teaching United States history and civics in elementary and secondary schools, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2002

Recognizes the importance of teaching U.S. history in elementary and secondary schools. Expresses concern regarding the lack of basic understanding of U.S. history among U.S. students at all levels. Supports efforts to promote education in U.S. history and to ensure U.S. students graduate from high school with a significant understanding of U.S. history.

Peggy Goldwater-Clay, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation for a term expiring June 5, 2006. (Reappointment)

United States · United States Senate · 24 July 2002

Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2002

Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002 - Designates specified Federal lands in Nevada as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Releases, and retains from release, certain Nevada lands as wilderness study areas. Transfers from the Secretary to the: (1) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specified land for inclusion in the Desert National Wildlife Range; and (2) National Park Service specified land for inclusion in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Directs the Secretary to manage the land located along the Interstate Route 15 corridor south of the Las Vegas Valley to the border between California and Nevada in accordance with the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act and provisions of this Act for multiple use purposes. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act - Establishes in Nevada the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area to conserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, archaeological, natural, wilderness, scientific, geological, historical, biological, wildlife, education, and science resources of such Area. Authorizes the Clark County Department of Aviation to convey to the University of Nevada at Las Vegas certain land for the development of a technology research center. Directs the Secretary to convey specified Nevada land to: (1) the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for use as a shooting range; (2) Henderson, Nevada, for use as a campus for Nevada State College; (3) Las Vegas, Nevada, for affordable housing; (4) Henderson for an economic development zone; (5) Clark County, Nevada, for any purpose; and (6) Henderson for conservation, public recreation, regional trails, and flood control facility purposes. Directs the Secretary to relocate a specified right-of-way corridor in Clark and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.

To authorize additional funding for the National Security Education Program, to establish the National Flagship Language Initiative under such Program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2002

Amends the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to extend through FY 2007 the authorization of appropriations to carry out the national security education program (NSEP). Establishes a National Flagship Language Initiative (NFLI) as part of NSEP. Provides that funds under current NSEP grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) may also be used for grants for NFLI programs in which IHEs train students in a range of disciplines with advanced levels of proficiency in those foreign languages that the Secretary of Defense identifies as being the most critical to U.S. national security interests. Requires IHEs receiving a grant for NFLI to give special consideration to applicants who are Federal employees. Allows NSEP scholarship and fellowship recipients to fulfill their service requirements in any Federal agency or department.

Education Savings and School Excellence Permanence Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2002

Education Savings and School Excellence Performance Act of 2002 - Makes the sunset provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 inapplicable to provisions of such Act relating to education savings incentives, thus making those provisions permanent. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for tax-free expenditures from education savings accounts for elementary and secondary education expenses at home schools (currently the Code provides for tax-free treatment of expenses at public, private, and religious schools only).

Condemning attempts to boycott Israeli scientific institutions and scholars.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2002

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) attempts to boycott Israeli scholars will neither advance truth nor achieve peace; (2) attempts to treat Israeli scholars as pariahs cannot fail to recall horrifying precedents such as the Nazi effort to "purify" German universities (make them "Judenrein") by expelling Jewish students and faculty and the Stalinist slaughter of Yiddish intellectuals; and (3) scholars in the United States and abroad are to be commended for their prompt and resolute defense of their Israeli colleagues and for their commitment to the free exchange of ideas.

To commend Sail Boston for its continuing advancement of the maritime heritage of nations, its commemoration of the nautical history of the United States, and its promotion, encouragement, and support of young cadets through training.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2002

Commends Sail Boston for its excellence in the promotion of tall ship and maritime events in Boston and in ports throughout the United States, and its work with the American Sail Training Association for the promotion and encouragement of young cadets through training programs, seamanship, and education at sea. Urges all Americans and citizens of nations throughout the world to join in the international friendship and support Sail Boston and the American Sail Training Association during Sail Boston 2004.

Education Freedom Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2002

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.

Back to School Tax Relief Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2002

Back to School Tax Relief Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income is $20,000 or less ($40,000 in the case of a joint return) to deduct up to $3,000 in qualified elementary and secondary education expenses. Defines qualified elementary and secondary education expenses and adjusted gross income.

Education Affordability Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2002

Education Affordability Act of 2002 - Makes the sunset provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 inapplicable to provisions of such Act relating to educational assistance, thus making those provisions permanent.

Agriculture Security Preparedness Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2002

Agriculture Security Preparedness Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations Security Council should include agroterrorism in the definition of a terrorist act involving a weapon of mass destruction. Amends Federal criminal law to include under the rubric of terrorism the use of a weapon of mass destruction against private property, including property used for agricultural or livestock operations. Directs the Attorney General to report on the feasibility of establishing a national agroterrorism and ecoterrorism incident clearinghouse. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) report on international agricultural disease surveillance; (2) develop farm and ranch biosecurity guidelines and related education outreach; (3) develop a pilot program of biosecurity grants and loans to assist agricultural producers comply with such guidelines; (4) provide grants to universities for plant and animal disease research and vaccine development; (5) provide grants to States for geographic information systems for disease emergency epidemiological assessments; (6) develop a national public awareness campaign; (7) conduct a feasibility study respecting establishment of a national plant disease laboratory; (8) conduct a study of expanding laboratory sample screening capacities; (9) improve terrorist-related agricultural inspection abilities; and (10) establish a grant program to facilitate establishment of regional agricultural emergency response networks which shall serve as the basis for Federal, State, and local response plans. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to: (1) establish a senior level position for agricultural disease emergency management liaison; (2) revise the Emergency Support Functions of the Federal Response Plan to include the economic, environmental, and medical impacts of naturally-occurring agricultural disease outbreaks and agroterrorist acts; (3) provide grants to small communities to facilitate participation of State and local animal health care officials in emergency planning; and (4) establish a task force to identify and distribute best practices for State regional agricultural disaster exercise programs. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Transportation to establish guidelines for transportation restrictions in response to an agricultural emergency; and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services a senior level position for animal health liaison.

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

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2002

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003 - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2003 - 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 other trust funds; (6) administration of employment and training programs, including welfare-to-work grants; (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 Program; (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. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2003 - Makes appropriations for FY 2003 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (5) the National Institutes of Health; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, 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, low income home energy assistance, refugee and entrant assistance, payments to States for child care and development block grants, social services block grants, children and families services programs, promoting safe and stable families, and payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (10) the Administration on Aging; (11) the Office of the Secretary, for general departmental management; (12) the Office of Inspector General; (13) the Office for Civil Rights; (14) policy research; (15) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; and (16) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2003 - 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; (6) special education; (7) rehabilitation services and disability research; (8) certain special institutions for persons with disabilities; (9) vocational and adult education; (10) certain student financial assistance programs; (11) specified higher education programs; (12) Howard University; (13) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (14) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (15) education research, statistics, and improvement; (16) departmental management; (17) the Office for Civil Rights; (18) the Office of the Inspector General; and (19) student aid administration. Makes appropriations for FY 2003 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (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 Labor Relations Board; (11) National Mediation Board; (12) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) Railroad Retirement Board; (14) Social Security Administration; and (15) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act.