Education

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to limit the deduction for charitable contributions of patents and similar property.

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer seeking an income tax deduction for the charitable contribution of a patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, trade secret, know-how, software or similar technology property to: (1) contribute the entire right, title, and interest in such property to certain tax-exempt universities, teaching hospitals or reseach institutions; and (2) require that any cash or cash equivalents donated with such property be used for patent prosecution or maintenance and for the scientific and commercial development of such patents or other technology property. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the appraisal of such patents or other technology property and for the prevention of taxpayer abuse of charitable deductions for such property.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to limit the deduction for charitable contributions of patents and similar property.

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer seeking an income tax deduction for the charitable contribution of a patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, trade secret, know-how, software or similar technology property to: (1) contribute the entire right, title, and interest in such property to certain tax-exempt universities, teaching hospitals, or reseach institutions; and (2) require that any cash or cash equivalents donated with such property be used for patent prosecution or maintenance and for the scientific and commercial development of such patents or other technology property. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations for the appraisal of such patents or other technology property and for the prevention of taxpayer abuse of charitable deductions for such property.

Menu Education and Labeling Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004

Menu Education and Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require restaurants that are a part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same trade name to disclose: (1) in a statement adjacent to each menu item or food listing, the number of calories, grams of saturated fat plus trans fat, and milligrams of sodium in a food serving; and (2) other information designed to enable the public to understand the significance of the nutrition information provided in the context of a total daily diet. Exempts condiments, items placed on a table or salad bar for general use, daily specials, temporary menu items, and irregular menu items from these requirements. Requires restaurants that sell self-serve food, such as through salad bars or buffet lines, to place a sign that lists the number of calories per standard serving adjacent to the name of the food offered. Requires restaurants or vending machine operators to provide a conspicuous sign identifying, and disclosing the number of calories of, each item of food offered in vending machines. Permits retail food establishments to voluntarily provide, and States to require, additional nutritional information.

Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Creation of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004

States that the House of Representatives: (1) commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and its work to improve the education, health care, and overall welfare of Hispanic Americans; and (2) acknowledges the many achievements that this organization has accomplished and wishes LULAC continued success in its endeavors.

Guard and Reserve Enhanced Benefits Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004

Guard and Reserve Enhanced Benefits Act of 2004 - Provides for benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who serve extended periods on active duty, including special assistance to them and their families through: (1) family leave, under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; (2) child care, under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (3) educational assistance, under Federal law relating to Montgomery GI Bill benefits; (4) student loan deferments, under the Higher Education Act of 1965; (5) preservation of educational status and tuition, under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; (6) non-reduction in pay in the case of those who are Federal employees, under Federal civil service law; (7) a tax credit to their employers for the income differential between their wages and their military pay, or a self-employment credit, under the Internal Revenue Code; (8) reduced minimum age for non-regular service retired pay, under Federal law relating to the Armed Services; and (9) health benefits, through expanded eligibility for the TRICARE program and continuation of non-TRICARE plan coverage for dependents, under Federal law relating to the Armed Services.

Fairness and Individual Rights Necessary to Ensure a Stronger Society: Civil Rights Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004

Fairness and Individual Rights Necessary to Ensure a Stronger Society: Civil Rights Act of 2004 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact) and harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a State's receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for a State program or activity shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity to a suit under such Acts by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to authorize civil actions in Federal court for discrimination based on disability. Settlement Encouragement and Fairness Act - Modifies the definition of "prevailing party" for purposes of provisions governing the recovery of attorney's fees to include a party whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought. Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2004 - Makes arbitration clauses in employment contracts unenforceable, with exceptions. Authorizes recovery of expert fees by prevailing parties in civil rights actions. Equal Remedies Act of 2004 - Repeals provisions limiting the amount of compensatory and punitive damages that may be awarded in cases of intentional discrimination in employment. Paycheck Fairness in Employment - Amends FLSA to revise provisions governing discrimination in the payment of wages, including equal pay requirements. Establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit denying back-pay or other monetary relief for unlawful employment practices against undocumented immigrant workers.

Energy Policy Act of 2003

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004

Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Sets forth a program to spur diverse energy research and development including the following: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Indian energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; and (10) energy tax incentives. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings. Institutes grant programs for low-income community energy efficiency and energy efficient public buildings. Revises energy conservation standards for: (1) additional consumer products; (2) affordable housing and assisted housing; and (3) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revamp guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing proposals for alternative conditions and requirements governing project works within a Federal reservation. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to promote hydroelectric production. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities governing the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Sets forth a program of production incentives that includes: (1) oil and gas royalties in kind; (2) marginal property production; (3) natural gas production in the gulf of Mexico; and (4) oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Project Coordination in the same manner and with the same mission as the White House Energy Projects Task Force established by specified Executive Order. Prescribes implementation guidelines for access to Federal land for: (1) oil and gas leasing; (2) expedited permits; (3) energy rights-of-way and corridors on public and Federal lands; (4) renewable energy on Federal land; and (5) electricity transmission line rights of way on public land. Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - Requires the President and the Secretaries of the Interior and of Energy to expedite the Federal decision-making process for access to Federal lands for energy projects. Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project and pipeline expansion following an expedited approval process. Instructs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to train adult and dislocated workers in Alaska in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to offer Federal loan guarantees to specified certificated entities for infrastructure projects. Sets forth a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Authorizes Federal loan guarantees for designated coal gasification projects, including: (1) a loan to the owner of a specified experimental plant on such terms and conditions as the Secretary of Energy determines, including interest rates and upfront payments; (2) a coal gasification project that produces power in deregulated energy generation markets; and (3) a petroleum coke gasification polygeneration project. Modifies statutory constraints governing Federal coal leases, including acreage limitations, mining plans, and advance royalty payments. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to facilitate production and generation of coal-based power and the installation of pollution control equipment. Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2003 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote Indian tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees and Department of Energy (DOE) contractors. Prohibits assumption by the United States Government of liability for certain foreign incidents. Addresses general nuclear matters, including: (1) establishment of an NRC training and fellowship program for individuals with critical nuclear safety regulatory skills; (2) elimination of pension offset; (3) a DOE decommissioning pilot program; (4) uranium sales; (5) special demonstration projects for the uranium mining industry; (6) whistleblower protection prescriptions; (7) medical isotope production; (8) uranium enrichment facilities; and (9) the national uranium stockpile. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project. Prescribes implementation guidelines for a training program to respond to threats against designated nuclear facilities, including use of firearms by licensee security personnel and NRC certificate holders. Sets forth a transportation fuels program that uses: (1) alternative fuels for dual-fueled vehicles; (2) fuel credits for medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; and (3) lease condensates. Sets forth implementation guidelines for pilot programs that target: (1) alternative fueled vehicles; (2) fuel cell vehicles; (3) advanced vehicles; and (4) hybrid vehicles. Instructs the Secretary of Energy, in partnership with the private sector, to conduct programs that address production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources. Directs the President to establish an interagency task force on hydrogen fuel infrastructure for hydrogen-carrier fuels, including fleet transportation. Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement Initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application in the following areas: (1) energy efficiency; (2) distributed energy and electric energy systems; (3) renewable energy; (4) nuclear energy; (5) fossil energy; (6) ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas, and other petroleum resource exploration and production; (7) science; and (8) energy and the environment (including international cooperation). Electric Reliability Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC regulatory jurisdiction over an Electric Reliability Organization. Prescribes guidelines for electric reliability standards, including electric transmission infrastructure, operation and transmission rates. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) require electric utilities to make net metering and smart metering available upon consumer request; and (2) terminate mandatory purchase and sale requirements pertaining to cogeneration and small power production utilities. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2003 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) direct FERC to promulgate market transparency rules governing sales of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce, or transmission services in interstate commerce; and (2) prohibit round trip trading. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules that prohibit in the absence of consumer consent: (1) the change of selection of an electric utility ("slamming"); and (2) the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer ("cramming"). Mandates review of Federal agency review authorities over mergers to determine if duplicative authorities exist. Revises Federal Power Act prescriptions governing electric utility mergers. Energy Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish energy tax credits in the following areas: (1) renewable electricity production; (2) alternative motor vehicles and fuels; (3) energy efficiency; (4) clean coal technologies; (5) oil and gas, including Alaska natural gas; and (6) electric utility restructuring. Prescribes tax treatment of tax shelters and corporate expatriation. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize Federal grants to rural and remote communities with specified electricity costs for improved electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Provides royalty payment relief for offshore oil and gas production leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to change the composition, operation, and duties of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Retains the effect of a specified Department of Energy Order regarding transmission security. Extends the attainment date for certain downwind ozone nonattainment areas. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) to establish criteria for safe and environmentally protective use of specified granular mine tailings. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator to promulgate regulations ensuring that domestic motor vehicle fuel consumption includes renewable fuel containing ethanol and other biomass components. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to provide assistance to merchant producers of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in making the transition from producing MTBE to producing other fuel additives. Authorizes the President to make a determination by 2014 that the prohibitions against the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel under this Act shall not take place and that the legal authority to prohibit its use in motor vehicle fuel shall become null and void. Conditions the Administrator's approval of State fuel restrictions upon a finding that such restrictions will neither cause fuel supply or distribution interruptions nor have a significant adverse impact on fuel producibility. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make loan guarantees for private sector construction of facilities for the processing and conversion of municipal solid waste and cellulosic biomass into fuel ethanol and other commercial byproducts; and (2) provide grants for construction of ethanol production facilities. Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator to distribute specified fund percentages from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to States to pay costs incurred for regulation of underground storage tanks (USTs). Allows undistributed funds to be used for enforcing UST regulations.

Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004

Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004 - Requires specified agencies to: (1) standardize health care quality measures across all Federal government programs; (2) standardize public reporting requirements; and (3) support data collection and reporting efforts in Federal and State agencies. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to improve access to health care for health care disparity populations and to support efforts to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Changes the name of the Office of Minority Health to the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and changes the duties of the Office and its associated advisory committee to include health disparities as a problem to study and address. Provides grants to support: (1) health professions education for racial or ethnic minorities or health disparity populations; and (2) curricula development for cultural competency training. Requires the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to: (1) develop and maintain an Internet clearinghouse to improve health care quality for individuals with specific cultural needs, limited English proficiency, or low functional health literacy; and (2) reduce or eliminate the duplication of efforts to translate materials. Authorizes grants or assistance for and establishes programs and projects to address: (1) the analysis of the causes and sources of health care disparities and strategies to reduce disparities; (2) disease management; (3) the effective measurement of disparities; (4) the analysis and collection of health disparity data; and (5) the recruitment of minority scientists or research professionals to the health disparity field.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credits.

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase: (1 ) the amount of the Hope Scholarship income tax credit to 100 percent of tuition and related expenses up to $2,500, and (2) the number of years for which the credit can be claimed from two to four years. Makes such credit and the Lifetime Learning credit refundable. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for making advance payments of Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning income tax credit amounts to schools for the benefit of the taxpayer. Requires a taxpayer for whom an advance payment is made to file specified informational returns.

2004 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004

2004 District of Columbia Omnibus Authorization Act - Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to require the Board of Education, by March 1 of each year or the date on which the Mayor of the District of Columbia makes the proposed annual budget for a year available (whichever occurs later), to submit to the District Council a plan for the allocation of the Mayor's proposed budget among various object classes and responsibility centers. Specifies the content of such plan. Amends the District of Columbia Code to authorize the District's Executive Officer, under certain conditions, to enter into: (1) a contract for procurement of severable services in the same manner and to the same extent as the head of an executive agency may enter into such a contract under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949; (2) a lease agreement for the accommodation of the District of Columbia courts in a building which is in existence or being erected by the lessor to accommodate them; and (3) a multiyear contract for the acquisition of property or services in the same manner and to the same extent as an executive agency may enter into such a contract under the Act. Provides for cancellation or termination of a multiyear contract for services in the event that funds are not made available for its continuation into a subsequent fiscal year. Requires: (1) the fiscal year for the Armory Board to begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each calendar year; and (2) the fiscal year for the DC Public Schools (including public charter schools) and the University of the District of Columbia, starting FY 2007, to begin on July 1 and to end on June 30 of each calendar year. Extends from 50 to 56 calendar days the deadline by which the Council, after receipt of the budget proposal from the Mayor, and after public hearing, shall by act adopt the annual budget for the District government. Makes overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act inapplicable to the hours of a District government employee which constitute a compressed schedule. Amends the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 to subject a Legal Service Attorney, other than a Senior Executive Attorney, to additional disciplinary action such as placing of the attorney on enforced annual leave or enforced leave without pay for unacceptable performance or for any reason that is not arbitrary or capricious. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, National Housing Act, Bank Holding Company Act, Bank Protection Act of 1968, Depository Institution Management Interlocks Act, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Federal Reserve Act, and the National Bank Receivership Act to provide for regulation of District of Columbia-chartered banks by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in lieu of the Office of the Comptroller.

Osteoporosis Education and Prevention Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004

Osteoporosis Education and Prevention Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge with respect to osteoporosis. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary for Aging to make demonstration program grants to public and private nonprofit agencies, organizations, and institutions to provide information and outreach for the prevention of osteoporosis.

Fairness and Individual Rights Necessary to Ensure a Stronger Society: Civil Rights Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004

Fairness and Individual Rights Necessary to Ensure a Stronger Society: Civil Rights Act of 2004 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact) and harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a State's receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for a State program or activity shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity to a suit under such Acts by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to authorize civil actions in Federal court for discrimination based on disability. Settlement Encouragement and Fairness Act - Modifies the definition of "prevailing party" for purposes of provisions governing the recovery of attorney's fees to include a party whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought. Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2004 - Makes arbitration clauses in employment contracts unenforceable, with exceptions. Authorizes recovery of expert fees by prevailing parties in civil rights actions. Equal Remedies Act of 2004 - Repeals provisions limiting the amount of compensatory and punitive damages that may be awarded in cases of intentional discrimination in employment. Paycheck Fairness in Employment - Amends FLSA to revise provisions governing discrimination in the payment of wages, including equal pay requirements. Establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit denying back-pay or other monetary relief for unlawful employment practices against undocumented immigrant workers.

Mandatory IDEA Full Funding Compromise Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004

Mandatory IDEA Full-Funding Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to revise and reauthorize part B programs of education of all children with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for part B for FY 2005 through 2011 and thereafter. (Provides phased-in increases of funding designed to reach a promised 40 percent Federal share of funding by FY 2011.) Makes appropriations in specified amounts for part B for FY 2005 through 2011 and thereafter. Provides an exception to local educational agency (LEA) maintenance of effort requirements under part B. Repeals certain provisions relating to LEA treatment of Federal funds as local funds under part B.

To amend the Impact Aid program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve the distribution of school construction payments to better meet the needs of military and Indian land school districts.

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise impact aid program provisions for distribution of school construction payments, and of school facility emergency and modernization grants, to local educational agencies impacted by military dependent children or by children residing on Indian lands.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that France should modify or abandon its ban on religious articles and symbols in state schools and respect the freedom of all to practice their religious faith without state interference.

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004

Calls upon the Government of France to respect the right of individuals to practice their religion freely and to display insignia of their faith. Joins the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in recommending that the U.S. Government urge the Government of France to reassess its initiative banning conspicuous religious articles and symbols in state schools.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there is a critical need to increase awareness and education about heart disease and the risk factors of heart disease among women.

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2004

Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that there is a critical need to increase awareness and education about heart disease and the risk factors for heart disease among women. Commends First Lady Laura Bush and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in their vital campaign to raise public awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Recognizes that the more women become cognizant of the scourge of heart disease and how to prevent it, the more likely they can make sound lifestyle changes to help reduce their chances of getting heart disease.

Assisting America's Rural Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2004

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to permit rural local educational agencies to defer the application of certain requirements relating to the employment of highly qualified teachers. Allows such deferral for a one-year period beginning with: (1) their employment as middle or secondary school teachers, for teachers new to the profession; or (2) their teaching an academic subject they have not previously taught, for middle or secondary school not new to the profession.

Mark Falcoff, of California, to be a Member of the National Security Education Board for a term of four years, vice Cornelius P. O'Leary, term expired.

United States · United States Senate · 5 February 2004

Balancing Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2004

Family and Workplace Balancing Act of 2004 - Balancing Act of 2004 - Provides assistance for working families through: (1) family and medical care leave; (2) expanded child care for young children and incentives for child care providers; (3) preschool, in-school, and afterschool nutrition and education; (4) temporary and part-time workers pension and health plan benefits; and (5) encouragement of business use of employee telecommuting. Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make five-year 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 Enhancement Act of 2003 - Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to allow employees covered by FMLA to take up to four hours during any 30-day period, and up to 24 hours during any 12-month period, of parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's or grandchildren's educational and extracurricular activities. Amends Federal civil service law to apply the same parental involvement leave allowance to Federal employees. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize additional funds for expanding child care activities for young children less than three years of age. Establishes: (1) the Child Care Provider Development and Retention Grant Program; and (2) the Child Care Provider Scholarship Program. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to allot funds to eligible States (and Indian tribes and tribal organizations) for distribution directly, or at State option through local governments, to pay the Federal share of the cost of making grants to eligible child care providers under both such programs. Healthy Early Education Workforce Grant Program Act - Authorizes the Secretary of HHS to allot funds to eligible States (and Indian tribes and tribal organizations) to pay for the Federal share of the cost of providing access to affordable health benefits coverage for: (1) eligible child care providers; and (2) at State option, the spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of such providers. Directs the Secretary to conduct an evaluation of several such funded State programs representing various approaches to increasing the rate of coverage for child care providers. Child Care Construction and Renovation Incentive Grants Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to provide for use of community development block grants to establish child care facilities. Amends the National Housing Act to provide for insurance for mortgages: (1) on new and rehabilitated child care facilities; and (2) for acquisition of or the refinancing of debt on existing child care facilities. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make technical and financial assistance grants to acquire or improve child care facilities or equipment. Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a business child care incentive grant program. Universal Prekindergarten Act - Directs the Secretary of HHS to make grants to State agencies to develop full-day, full-year universal prekindergarten programs for all children three, four, and five years old. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a universal free school breakfast program without regard to family incomes. Provides that appropriations and expenditures for CNA shall be considered HHS, not Department of Agriculture, functions for budget purposes. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program of healthy school nutrition environment incentive grants. Revises CNA and NSLA requirements for regulation of competitive foods. Revises NSLA child and adult care food program provisions relating to reimbursements for afterschool dinners and eligibility of private child care centers. Afterschool Education Enhancement Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require State educational agencies to give priority to 21st century community learning centers program applications submitted jointly by eligible entities consisting of at least one local educational agency receiving funds under ESEA provisions for disadvantaged students and at least one community-based organization or other public or private entity. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for treatment of employees working at less than full-time under participation, vesting, and accrual rules governing pension plans and under group health plans. Expands the definition of employee to include certain individuals whose services are leased or contracted for. United States Business Telework Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to conduct, in not more than five States, a pilot program to raise awareness about telework among employers and to encourage them to offer telework options to employees.

Pathways Advancing Career Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2004

Pathways Advancing Career Training Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make formula matching grants to States with approved plans for programs of vocational education, training, employment counseling, and related services, including tuition assistance, for: (1) single parents and displaced homemakers; and (2) secondary and postsecondary students pursuing nontraditional training and employment. Provides that State boards designated or created as State agencies responsible for vocational and technical education vocational education agency shall administer such programs and make competitive subgrants to eligible entities.

A bill to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the affordable education provisions of such Act, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2004

Amends the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to render its expiration date inapplicable to subtitles A through C of title IV (Affordable Education Provisions) of that Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the income tax deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers.

Flu Protection Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2004

Flu Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Act to require: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct annual public influenza awareness campaign and education and outreach (including Medicare outreach) efforts preceding the flu season; (2) the Director to contract with influenza vaccine manufacturers to ensure the availability of additional doses of flu vaccine; (3) the Director to encourage States to develop a contingency immunization plan for high-risk populations in the event of a vaccine delay or shortage; and (4) the Secretary, through the Director, to establish a protocol to attempt to prevent, prepare for, and respond to an influenza epidemic or pandemic. Requires a manufacturer of a vaccine that receives Federal authority to distribute such vaccine to provide the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with advance notice of such manufacturer's intent to stop marketplace distribution of the vaccine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a vaccine manufacturing facilities investment tax credit (20 percent of qualifying property per year) for property placed in service by December 31, 2008; and (2) define "vaccine manufacturing facilities property."

To provide for the restoration of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2004

Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to rehabilitate and make improvements to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, including the Memorial Hall and the Franklin statue, located in The Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Franklin Institute to: (1) repair and restore the dome of the Memorial Hall; (2) construct ramps and handrails in the Institute to improve access to the Memorial; (3) clean and refurbish the entrance stairs, marble walls, and floors of the Hall, and the statue; (4) create an updated visitor education experience for the Memorial that includes sound, video, and holographic technologies, and a 10,000 square foot exhibit adjacent to the Hall dedicated to Benjamin Franklin; and (5) update lighting and signage, inscribe inspirational quotations, and make audiovisual additions for the Memorial.

A bill for the relief of Rocco A. Trecosta of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2004

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to Rocco A. Trecosta a specified sum for compensation for back pay not received for service as a Department of Defense Overseas Dependent Schools employee between April 14, 1966, and June 30, 1975.

Eugene Hickok, of Pennsylvania, to be Deputy Secretary of Education, vice William D. Hansen, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 28 January 2004

Flu Protection Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2004

Flu Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Act to require: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct annual public influenza awareness campaign and education and outreach (including Medicare outreach) efforts preceding the flu season; (2) the Director to contract with influenza vaccine manufacturers to ensure the availability of additional doses of flu vaccine; (3) the Director to encourage States to develop a contingency immunization plan for high-risk populations in the event of a vaccine delay or shortage; and (4) the Secretary, through the Director, to establish a protocol to attempt to prevent, prepare for, and respond to an influenza epidemic or pandemic. Requires a manufacturer of a vaccine that receives Federal authority to distribute such vaccine to provide the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with advance notice of such manufacturer's intent to stop marketplace distribution of the vaccine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a vaccine manufacturing facilities investment tax credit (20 percent of qualifying property per year) for property placed in service by December 31, 2008; and (2) define "vaccine manufacturing facilities property."

Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2004

Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (in which the Court determined that segregated schools are not equal, a decision that led to the desegregation of public schools).

Afghan Women Security and Freedom Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2004

Afghan Women Security and Freedom Act of 2004 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the international community should commit substantial resources, including peacekeeping forces, for protecting the rights of women, reestablishing democracy, and eliminating terrorism in Afghanistan; (2) the United States should strongly support the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission; (3) international peacekeeping forces and reconstruction teams should be authorized to stop violations of human rights and women's rights; (4) U.S. foreign policy should ensure restoration of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, assist in their recovery from the repression of the Taliban and prolonged warfare, and strengthen Afghan institutions led by women; and (5) assistance to Afghanistan should be conditioned on the Afghan Government's adherence to international standards for women's rights and human rights. Authorizes the President to provide assistance for women and children in Afghanistan for the purpose of promoting women's rights and human rights and providing health care, education, training, security, and shelter.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Transparency Day, which promotes the financial transparency of charitable organizations.

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2004

Declares that Congress: (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Transparency Day, which promotes the financial transparency of charitable organizations; (2) recognizes that the issue of transparency is relevant to myriad entities in the United States, including ministries, non-profit and other organizations, corporations, and schools; (3) pledges to make bipartisan efforts to enact laws to protect donors from charitable organizations that are not financially transparent; and (4) acknowledges that the people of the United States are an exceedingly generous people and that National Transparency Day will encourage even greater generosity.

Driver Education and Licensing Improvement Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2004

Driver Education and Licensing Improvement Act of 2004 - Modifies eligibility requirements for grants for support of alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures to require a multiple-stage graduated licensing system for young drivers that: (1) authorizes the issuance of an initial license or learner's permit no earlier than the driver's 16th birthday; (2) prohibits a person under age 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent or greater from operating a motor vehicle; (3) provides for a learning stage and an intermediate stage of at least six months each; (4) limits the numbers of passengers; (5) limits nighttime driving, and (6) applies special penalties for violations of system restrictions and of other State motor vehicle laws. Establishes a National Office of Driver Training in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Includes among the Office's functions to develop and make available to the States a recommended curriculum that incorporates best practices in driver education and licensing. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out grant programs to provide financial assistance to: (1) States to support the improvement of motor vehicle driver education programs and the establishment and improved administration of graduated licensing systems; and (2) eligible recipients to carry out campaigns to increase public awareness of, and training on, State law authority and procedures to provide for organ donation through a declaration recorded on a driver license. Directs the Secretary to carry out a study to determine whether the establishment and imposition of nationwide minimum standards of driver education would improve national highway traffic safety.

Robert Lerner, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Education Statistics for a term expiring June 21, 2009, vice Pascal D. Forgione, Jr., term expired, to which position he was appointed during the last recess of the Senate.

United States · United States Senate · 21 January 2004

Raymond Simon, of Arkansas, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, vice Susan B. Neuman, resigned, to which position he was appointed during the last recess of the Senate.

United States · United States Senate · 21 January 2004

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow State government employers to contribute to section 403(b) pension plans.

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow State government employers to contribute to the tax-exempt annuity plans of all state employees (currently, contributions are limited to plans of tax-exempt charitable organizations, schools, and certain clergy).

Empowering Parents and Teachers for a Drug-Free Education Act of 2004

United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004

Empowering Parents and Teachers for a Drug-Free Education Act of 2004 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (under provisions which are also known as the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act) to authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies and private schools to establish drug-free school demonstration programs that include random drug testing of students and meet other specified requirements.

Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2004

Supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and established to recognize the vital contributions of America's thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools. 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.