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Question· oralPQ 127asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
127 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the concerns of the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament regarding water quality here; and the steps he intends taking to address their concerns.
[13039/03]
Question· oralPQ 126asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
126 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made with regard to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government that discharges of untreated sewage from big cities and towns into the sea will cease by the end of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12971/03]
Question· oralPQ 125asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
125 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reports he has received from the British authorities regarding their efforts to decommission and make safe Pile 1 of the original Sellafield plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12975/03]
Question· oralPQ 124asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
124 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to resolve the housing situation within the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12983/03]
Question· oralPQ 123asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
123 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action he intends to take to encourage and facilitate greater voter turnout at elections, having regard to the findings of the CSO quarterly national household survey on voter participation and abstention, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13059/03]
Question· oralPQ 122asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
122 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will make a statement on the Government's progress to date on its commitment to force the UK Government to close the Sellafield nuclear plant.
[13021/03]
Question· oralPQ 121asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
121 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the fact that the Government's recycling policy has to date been largely confined to the provision of bring-banks comprising four receptacles; his further views on whether this type of facility alone is inadequate; the type of facilities which exist for the physical recycling of waste, in particular glass and plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13132/03]
Question· oralPQ 120asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
120 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made to date with regard to the details of the agreement reached with the trade unions and employer organisations regarding the building of 10,000 affordable houses; when the scheme will start; the way in which it will operate; the manner in which it differs from the affordable housing scheme announced in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13058/03]
Question· oralPQ 119asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
119 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his most up to date plans for the implementation of the promises given in the new national agreement, Sustaining Progress, to establish a new building target of 10,000 affordable houses in addition to existing targets as well as to implement the integrated strategy for homelessness, and the local authority homeless action plan.
[13057/03]
Question· oralPQ 66asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
127 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the concerns of the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament regarding water quality here; and the steps he intends taking to address their concerns.
[13039/03]
Question· oralPQ 65asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
126 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made with regard to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government that discharges of untreated sewage from big cities and towns into the sea will cease by the end of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12971/03]
Question· oralPQ 64asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
125 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reports he has received from the British authorities regarding their efforts to decommission and make safe Pile 1 of the original Sellafield plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12975/03]
Question· oralPQ 63asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
124 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to resolve the housing situation within the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12983/03]
Question· oralPQ 62asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
123 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action he intends to take to encourage and facilitate greater voter turnout at elections, having regard to the findings of the CSO quarterly national household survey on voter participation and abstention, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13059/03]
Question· oralPQ 61asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
122 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will make a statement on the Government's progress to date on its commitment to force the UK Government to close the Sellafield nuclear plant.
[13021/03]
Question· oralPQ 60asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
121 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the fact that the Government's recycling policy has to date been largely confined to the provision of bring-banks comprising four receptacles; his further views on whether this type of facility alone is inadequate; the type of facilities which exist for the physical recycling of waste, in particular glass and plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13132/03]
Question· oralPQ 59asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
120 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made to date with regard to the details of the agreement reached with the trade unions and employer organisations regarding the building of 10,000 affordable houses; when the scheme will start; the way in which it will operate; the manner in which it differs from the affordable housing scheme announced in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13058/03]
Question· oralPQ 58asked
Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 14 May 2003
119 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his most up to date plans for the implementation of the promises given in the new national agreement, Sustaining Progress, to establish a new building target of 10,000 affordable houses in addition to existing targets as well as to implement the integrated strategy for homelessness, and the local authority homeless action plan.
[13057/03]
Bill· SS. 1045 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Act of 2003 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to designate an entity within the Department of Energy to have the responsibility of completing activities needed to develop a facility for safely disposing of all greater-than-Class C low-level radioactive waste. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) an update of a specified report on radioactive waste; (2) a report containing an estimate of the cost and schedule to complete an environmental impact statement and record of decision for a permanent disposal facility for greater-than-Class C radioactive waste; and (3) a plan to ensure continued recovery and storage of greater-than-Class C low-level radioactive waste until a permanent disposal facility is available.
Bill· SS. 1049 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Department of Energy National Security Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2004 for: (1) activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration in carrying out programs necessary for national security, with specified allocations for weapons activities, defense nuclear nonproliferation, naval reactors, and the Office of the Administrator for Nuclear Security; and (2) environmental restoration and waste management activities in carrying out national security programs, with specified allocations for defense environmental management, other defense activities, defense nuclear waste disposal, and defense energy supply. Repeals the prohibition on the research and development of low-yield nuclear weapons. Directs the Secretary of Energy to achieve and maintain a readiness posture of 18 months for resumption of U.S. underground nuclear tests. Removes the F-canyon facility from DOE's authority to continue the processing, treatment, and disposition of legacy nuclear materials (leaving only the H-canyon facility). Authorizes the Secretary to expand the International Materials, Protection, Control, and Accounting Program to carry out nuclear threat reduction activities and projects outside the states of the former Soviet Union. Authorizes investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of individuals to be employed on programs designated as sensitive. Amends the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to add to it, for consolidation purposes, certain recurring and general provisions of law on DOE national security programs, including provisions under various defense authorization Acts. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
Bill· SS. 1047 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 2004. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and chemical agents and munitions destruction; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation; (3) operation and maintenance, including for defense working capital funds and the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths. Increases, as of January 1, 2004, the rates of military basic pay. Extends certain bonus and special and incentive pay authorities. Authorizes: (1) certain travel and transportation allowances; and (2) certain military retired pay and survivor benefits. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) environmental provisions, including an Arctic and Western Pacific Environmental Technology Cooperation Program; (2) active and reserve military personnel policy; (3) military health care; (4) acquisition policy and management, including major defense acquisition programs and management of the defense acquisition and support workforce; (5) Federal support for the procurement of anti-terrorism technologies and services by State and local governments; (6) general contracting procedures and limitations; (7) DOD organization and management, including space activities; (8) budget and financial matters, including travel card management; (9) DOD civilian personnel policy; and (10) matters relating to other nations, including cooperative threat reduction programs.
Bill· SS. 1050 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2003
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the chemical demilitarization program; and (4) defense health programs. Subtitle B: Army Programs - (Reserved) Subtitle C: Navy Programs - (Sec. 121) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, beginning with the FY 2004 program year, to enter into multi-year procurement contracts for the: (1) F/A-18 aircraft; (2) E-2C aircraft; (3) tactical Tomahawk cruise missile; and (4) Virginia class submarine. Requires: (1) successful testing prior to entering into such a contract for the Tomahawk cruise missile; and (2) the contract for the Virginia class submarine to follow contract requirements for the New Attack Submarine under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998. (Sec. 122) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to carry out a pilot program of flexible funding of conversions and overhauls of Navy cruisers using transferred Navy procurement and operation and maintenance funds for FY 2004 through 2012. Provides limitations. Requires a program report from such Secretary to the congressional defense and appropriations committees. Terminates the pilot program on September 30, 2012. Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - (Sec. 131) Amends the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Stump Act) to eliminate quantity limitations on the multi-year procurement authority for C-130J aircraft. Subtitle E: Other Matters - (Reserved) Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). Earmarks specified amounts for science and technology projects. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for RDT&E for: (1) the Defense Inspector General; and (2) defense health programs. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 211) Prohibits the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) from designating any official outside the Office of the Secretary to exercise programming or budgeting authority for explosive demilitarization technology, specified high energy laser research and development, and the university research initiative. (Sec. 212) Requires the Secretary to ensure that the Objective Force Indirect Fires Program is being planned, programmed, and budgeted as a distinct program element and that funds for such Program are being administered consistent with its budgetary status. Prohibits the Program from being administered in combination with the Armored Systems Modernization program. Requires a certification from the Secretary to the defense committees of the separate treatment of the Indirect Fires Program. Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense - (Sec. 221) Earmarks specified RDT&E funds for the development and fielding of an initial set of ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities. (Sec. 222) Repeals the requirement for specified program elements for Missile Defense Agency activities. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary, in budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Defense (DOD) budget, to include specified information for each BMD element for which the Missile Defense Agency is engaged in planning for production and initial fielding. Requires the future-years defense program submitted to Congress each year to include an estimate of the amount necessary for procurement for each BMD system element and justification therefor. (Sec. 224) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 to extend through FY 2006 the authority to assist local communities impacted by the BMD system test bed. Requires budget justification materials submitted for FY 2004 through 2006 to include a description of community assistance projects to be supported and a cost estimate. Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 231) Requires the Director of Defense Research and Engineering to carry out a Global Research Watch program to, among other things, monitor and analyze the basic and applied research activities and capabilities of foreign nations in areas of military interest. (Sec. 232) Requires the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, every other year, to prepare a strategic plan for Agency activities and to submit such plan to Congress. Requires the Secretary to establish a panel to advise the Director on each plan. (Sec. 233) Authorizes the Secretary, in furtherance of the support of educational programs in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, to: (1) enter into contracts and cooperative agreements; (2) make financial assistance grants; (3) provide cash awards and other incentives; and (4) accept voluntary services. (Sec. 234) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of research and development (R&D) to promote greater bandwidth capability with high-speed network-centric communications. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, to report to the defense and appropriations committees on program activities undertaken. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) working capital funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 311) Earmarks specified O&M funds for the American Red Cross to fund the Armed Forces Emergency Services. (Sec. 312) Requires not less than 90 percent of the funds authorized for the acquisition, processing, and licensing of commercial imagery under this Act to be used to: (1) acquire space-based imagery from commercial sources; and (2) support the development of next-generation commercial imagery satellites. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on actions taken to implement the President's commercial remote sensing policy. Subtitle C: Environmental Provisions - (Sec. 321) Adds definitions applicable to DOD facilities and operations requirements. (Sec. 322) Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from designating as critical habitat any lands or other areas owned or controlled by DOD, or designated for its use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management plan prepared under the Sikes Act, if such Secretary determines that the plan addresses special management considerations or protection requirements of the Endangered Species Act. (Sec. 323) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct on a cooperative basis with countries located in the Arctic and Western Pacific regions the Arctic and Western Pacific Environmental Technology Cooperation Program which shall include cooperation and assistance among DOD elements and military departments or other relevant agencies of other countries on activities that contribute to the demonstration of environmental technology. Requires such activities to be consistent with the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Prohibits more than ten percent of funds made available for the Program from being used for projects other than projects on radiological matters. Requires an annual Program report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 324) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned, if a military construction project results in the destruction of or impacts to wetlands, to make one or more payments to a wetland mitigation banking program or consolidated user site in lieu of creating a wetland on Federal property as mitigation for the project. Requires a banking program or user site to be approved before such payments may be made. Provides funding. (Sec. 325) Extends through FY 2006 the authority to use environmental restoration account funds for the relocation of a contaminated facility. (Sec. 326) Requires restoration advisory boards established by the Secretary to publish timely notice of their meetings. (Sec. 327) Directs the Secretary of the Navy, before using a former naval vessel for experimental purposes, to carry out required environmental remediation. Authorizes the sale of material and equipment stripped from such vessel. (Sec. 328) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer any vessel stricken from the Naval Vessel Register to any State, U.S. possession, or municipal corporation or political subdivision thereof. Makes such authority inapplicable to vessels transferred to the Maritime Administration for disposal. Requires vessels so transferred to be used as artificial reefs. Directs such Secretary to ensure that transferred vessels comply with environmental best management practices and any applicable environmental laws. Authorizes such Secretary to share vessel transfer costs with recipients. Allows recipients to receive more than one vessel. (Sec. 329) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to include environmental protection equipment within salvage facilities provided for public and private vessels. Allows claims for salvage services to include claims for environmental protection services. (Sec. 330) Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to determine and assess various means of enabling full use of the live ordnance delivery areas at Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona, while also protecting endangered species at such Range. Requires an activities report from the task force to Congress. (Sec. 331) Requires the Secretary to provide for an independent epidemiological study of exposure to perchlorate in drinking water. Requires the Federal entity conducting the study to report to the Secretary on study results. Directs the Secretary to provide for an independent review of the effects of perchlorate on the human endocrine system. Subtitle D: Reimbursement Authorities - (Sec. 341) Earmarks specified O&M funds for transfer to reserve military personnel accounts for the reimbursement of pay and allowances to reserve personnel in connection with training and other activities relating to the clearing of land mines for humanitarian purposes. Limits such transfer to $5 million. (Sec. 342) Directs the Secretary or the Secretary concerned to transfer to the appropriate reserve personnel or O&M account amounts necessary for reimbursement for costs charged for intelligence support provided by reserve personnel. (Sec. 343) Allows the Secretary to use the DOD reimbursement rate for military airlift services provided to the State Department for the transportation of armored motor vehicles to a foreign country. Subtitle E: Defense Dependents Education - (Sec. 351) Earmarks specified O&M funds for assistance to local educational agencies that benefit dependents of members of the armed forces and DOD civilian employees. Requires the Secretary to notify each local educational agency eligible for such assistance in FY 2004. (Sec. 352) Earmarks specified O&M funds for DOD impact aid for children with severe disabilities, as authorized under the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Spence Act). Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 361) Authorizes the Secretary to sell working-capital funded services of the Defense Information Systems Agency to a person outside DOD for use in the performance of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet contract. Requires reimbursement for the costs of such services. (Sec. 362) Allows funds from the Defense Modernization Account to be used to pay the costs of commencing any project undertaken by DOD or a defense agency to reduce the life cycle cost of a new or existing system. Requires the Account to be reimbursed from savings realized from reducing such life cycle costs. Requires regulations to include a system for proposals for the use of Account funds in such manner. Extends through FY 2006 the authority to transfer funds into the Account. (Sec. 363) Exempts from the prohibition on contracts for the performance of DOD firefighting or security guard functions a contract for the performance of firefighting functions if such: (1) contract is for a period of one year or less; and (2) functions would otherwise have been performed by military firefighters who are otherwise deployed. (Sec. 364) Repeals a provision excepting the Sacramento Army Depot, California, from limitations on the DOD contracting-out of depot-level maintenance of materiel. (Sec. 365) Excepts from certain competition requirements a depot-level maintenance and repair workload that is performed by a public-private partnership. (Sec. 366) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide to designated entities assistance in support of a transfer of a decommissioned naval vessel or related shipboard equipment. (Sec. 367) Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure that the number of KC135E aircraft retired in FY 2004 does not exceed 12. Requires such Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees an analysis of alternatives for meeting Air Force aerial refueling requirements. (Sec. 368) Makes the Act known as the Randolph-Sheppard Act inapplicable to any existing DOD dining facility contract entered into with a nonprofit agency for the blind or other severely handicapped in compliance with the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. Makes the Randolph-Sheppard Act the official short title of such Act. (Sec. 369) Repeals the 24 days per calendar year limit on the use of commissary stores by members of the Ready Reserves who have earned 50 or more retirement-creditable points. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - (Sec. 401) Sets forth authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2004. (Sec. 402) Increases from 50 to 55 the maximum percentage of general and flag officers on active duty authorized to be serving in grades above general and rear admiral (lower half). (Sec. 403) Extends through 2005 certain authorities relating to the management of general and flag officers in certain grades. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - (Sec. 411) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2004 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth the minimum end strength for FY 2004 for Army and Air Force dual status military technicians. (Sec. 414) Places specified FY 2004 limits on the number of non-dual status technicians authorized to be employed by the Army and Air National Guard. Subtitle C: Other Matters Relating to Personnel Strengths - (Sec. 421) Requires Congress (currently, the Secretary) to prescribe end strengths for: (1) active-duty personnel who are to be paid from funds appropriated for active-duty personnel; (2) active-duty personnel and full-time National Guard personnel who are to be paid from funds appropriated for reserve personnel; and (3) members of the Selected Reserve. (Sec. 422) Excludes recalled retired military personnel from strength (formerly end strength) limitations on military personnel ordered to active duty during a war or national emergency. Subtitle D: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 431) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for military personnel. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - (Sec. 501) Allows health professions officers who have failed of selection for promotion to be retained on active duty until completion of the active duty service for which the officer is obligated, unless the Secretary concerned determines that the completion of such service obligation is not in the best interests of that military department. (Sec. 502) Requires the Chief of the Army Veterinary Corps to be appointed from among officers of such Corps. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Policy - (Sec. 511) Allows for the use of members of the Ready Reserve to respond to terrorist or threatened terrorist attacks that could result in the loss (currently catastrophic loss) of life or property. (Sec. 512) Removes the requirement of: (1) selection board participation in the determination of whether to continue officers on the reserve active-status list; (2) approval of such continuation by the Secretary concerned; and (3) a continuation board to meet for such purpose. (Sec. 513) Prohibits an officer who is on active duty in the Army or Air National Guard in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia and who is in command of a National Guard unit from being relieved from active duty in such State, territory, or District if: (1) the President authorizes such service in both duty statuses; and (2) the Governor of the State or territory or Commanding General of the District consents to service in both statuses. Subtitle C: Revision of Retirement Authorities - (Sec. 521) Makes permanent (currently, terminates at the end of 2003) the authority to reduce the three-year time-in-grade requirement for retirement in that grade for officers above major and lieutenant commander. Subtitle D: Education and Training - (Sec. 531) Repeals the requirement that: (1) each officer with a joint specialty who graduates from a joint professional military education school be assigned to a joint duty assignment for that officer's next duty assignment after such graduation; and (2) the duration of the principal course of instruction offered at the Joint Forces Staff College be at least three months. (Sec. 532) Provides additional expenses to be covered within the educational assistance authorized for cadets and midshipmen receiving Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships. Makes similar additions with respect to the financial assistance program for specially selected members of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard enrolled in advanced courses under ROTC programs. (Sec. 533) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to permit an enlisted member to receive instruction in an executive level seminar at the Naval Postgraduate School. Provides that the requirement for the payment of costs in connection with such education shall be subject to such exceptions as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe for members receiving instruction in connection with pursuit of a degree or certification as participants in the Information Security Scholarship program. (Sec. 534) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to direct the Superintendent of the military academy of that department to prescribe a policy on sexual misconduct applicable to academy personnel. Outlines policy requirements, including promotion of the awareness of the incidence of rape, acquaintance rape, and other sexual offenses that involve academy personnel, and procedures to follow in case of the occurrence of sexual misconduct. Requires the Secretary of Defense to direct each Superintendent to undertake an annual assessment of that academy's policies, training, and procedures to prevent criminal sexual misconduct involving academy personnel. Requires annual reports from each Secretary on sexual misconduct involving academy personnel for each of the 2004 through 2008 academy program years. Subtitle E: Decorations, Awards, and Commendations - (Reserved) Subtitle F: Military Justice - (Sec. 551) Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to allow a person charged with having committed a child abuse offense to be tried by court-martial at any time before the child reaches the age of 25. (Sec. 552) Makes the requisite blood alcohol content under the UCMJ equal to or in excess of (currently, in excess of) the requisite blood alcohol content adopted by the State in which the offense occurs. Provides for the adoption of the lower requisite blood alcohol content in incidents occurring on military installations located in more than one State. Subtitle G: Other Matters - (Sec. 561) Prohibits a member from being deployed, or continued in a deployment, on any day on which the total number of days in which the member has been deployed out of the preceding 365 days would exceed the maximum number of deployment days prescribed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Provides exceptions. Requires the Secretary concerned to pay a high-tempo allowance for members deployed in excess of the authorized number due to an exception. Prohibits such monthly allowance from exceeding $1,000. Makes a member ineligible for such allowance while serving in a duty position designated by the Secretary concerned, with the approval of the Under Secretary, as exempt. Requires: (1) such allowance to be paid from O&M funds; and (2) allowance payment information to be included in a currently required annual report. (Sec. 562) Directs the Secretary to carry out a direct entry program, beginning on October 1, 2003, and ending on September 30, 2005, for persons with critical military skills who enter the armed forces for an initial period of not less than three years. Requires an initial and final program report from the Secretary to the defense committees. (Sec. 563) Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe the DOD policy on concurrent deployment to a combat zone of both spouses of a dual-military family with one or more minor children; and (2) transmit such policy to the defense committees. (Sec. 564) Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to provide standards for State invalidation of ballots submitted in an election for Federal office by an absent military voter. Requires a State to: (1) accept and process any otherwise valid voter registration application submitted by a military voter in an election for Federal office; and (2) permit each recently separated member to vote in any election for which a valid voter registration application has been accepted and processed if that voter has registered and is eligible to vote under State law . Title V: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - (Sec. 601) Waives any FY 2004 pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases, effective January 1, 2004, the rates of basic pay for military personnel. (Sec. 602) Requires: (1) the annual adjustment to military basic pay rates on January 1 of each year; and (2) that such adjustment be an equal percentage increase for all military personnel based on the percentage increase in the Economic Cost Index. Directs that if the President considers any adjustment inappropriate because of national emergency or serious economic conditions, the President shall transmit to Congress a plan for an alternative pay adjustment for that year, including an assessment of its impact on the Government's ability to recruit and retain well-qualified persons for the armed forces. (Sec. 603) Provides for the computation of the basic pay rate for commissioned officers with prior enlisted or warrant officer service. (Sec. 604) Entitles non-scholarship Senior ROTC members to a monthly subsistence allowance in return for continuing ROTC education into their sophomore year, graduating, and accepting an appointment as a commissioned officer for a prescribed minimum period. (Sec. 605) Entitles each member married to another member without dependents when both members are on sea duty to a basic allowance for housing. (Currently, such members are jointly entitled to one such allowance.) (Sec. 606) Increases from $100 to $250 the monthly rate of the family separation allowance. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - (Sec. 611) Extends through 2004 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2003 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 615) Limits the number of officers in the Selected Reserve who may be paid special pay for reserve officers holding positions of unusual responsibility and of a critical nature. (Sec. 616) Directs the Secretary concerned to pay monthly incentive pay of $100 to a member for the period the member serves in Korea while entitled to basic pay. Terminates such authority on December 31, 2005. (Sec. 617) Increases from $60,000 to $70,000 the bonus for members who have completed at least 17 months of continuous active duty and agree to reenlist or extend their current enlistment for at least three years. (Sec. 618) Ensures the payment of the Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus during any period that such members are called or ordered to active duty. (Sec. 619) Increases from $150 to $225 the monthly rate of hostile fire and imminent danger special pay. Makes reserve personnel on inactive duty eligible for such pay for periods during which such a member: (1) was subject to hostile fire or explosion of hostile mines; (2) was on duty in an area of imminent danger; (3) was killed, injured, or wounded by hostile action; or (4) was on duty in a foreign area in which the member was subject to the threat of harm or imminent danger due to civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions. Continues such eligibility for the first three months of any required hospitalization. (Sec. 621) Makes officers (currently, only enlisted personnel) eligible for: (1) special pay or a bonus for extending overseas tours of duty; and (2) a rest and recuperative absence in lieu of such pay or bonus. (Sec. 622) Makes appointed warrant officers eligible for an accession bonus for new officers serving in critical skills positions. (Sec. 623) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay an incentive bonus to certain members who agree to convert to, and serve for at least four years in, a military occupational specialty for which there is a shortage of trained and qualified personnel. Limits such bonus to $4,000. Requires pro rata repayment for any required period not served. Terminates the bonus authority after December 31, 2006. Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - (Sec. 631) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to allow a member making a permanent change of station to arrange for the private shipment of a motor vehicle in lieu of motor vehicle transportation at the expense of the United States. (Sec. 632) Authorizes the payment or reimbursement of student baggage storage costs for dependent children accompanying members assigned to a permanent change of station overseas at any time in the same fiscal year of such change in station, as selected by the member. (Sec. 633) Authorizes the Secretary to include in a contract for the transportation of baggage and household effects for members a clause that requires the carrier to pay the full replacement value for loss or damage to such baggage or effects. Subtitle D: Retired Pay and Survivor Benefits - (Sec. 641) Makes commanders of unified or specified combatant commands equal to chiefs of service for purposes of computation of the retired pay base. (Sec. 642) Authorizes the payment of a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity for the surviving spouses of reserve personnel not eligible for retirement who die from a cause incurred or aggravated during inactive-duty training. (Sec. 643) Increases from $6,000 to $12,000 the death gratuity payable to survivors of deceased military personnel. Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 651) Authorizes the Secretary to allow up to 120 days' annual leave accumulation (currently, only 60) for a member who, during a fiscal year: (1) serves on active duty for a continuous period of 120 days in an area in which the member is entitled to special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger; or (2) is assigned to a deployable ship or mobile unit in support of a contingency operation when such member would otherwise lose any accumulated leave in excess of 60 days at the end of the fiscal year. Allows such excess leave to be used any time within the next three fiscal years. Title VII: Health Care - (Sec. 701) Authorizes the provision of medical and dental screening for Selected Reserve personnel called or ordered to active duty in support of an operational mission or contingency operation during a national emergency or in time of war. (Sec. 702) Requires the designation for each of the TRICARE regions of at least one person to serve full-time as a beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator solely for reserve members and their dependents who are beneficiaries under the TRICARE program. (Sec. 703) Extends through December 31, 2008, DOD authority to enter into personal services contracts for health care services to be performed at locations outside military medical treatment facilities. (Sec. 704) Authorizes the Secretary to determine separate Medicare-eligible retiree health care fund valuations and contributions for each of the participating military departments. ***(Sec. 705) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct surveys in at least 20 TRICARE Standard market areas to determine the number of health care providers in each area that are accepting new patients; and (2) designate a senior DOD official to take necessary actions to achieve and maintain participation of health care providers in TRICARE Standard in each market area in a number adequate to ensure its viability for beneficiaries in that area. Requires the Comptroller General (CG) to: (1) review the above actions and report, semiannually, to the defense committees. (Sec. 706) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to remove certain limitations on the ability of covered beneficiaries to receive health care services from former Public Health Service treatment facilities. (Sec. 707) Establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to recommend direction for the joint coordination and sharing of health care efforts. Directs the Committee to report annually to the Secretaries and Congress. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Acquisition Policy and Management - (Sec. 801) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 to extend through FY 2005 (currently FY 2003) the authority to undertake emergency procurements to facilitate the defense against or recovery from terrorism or biological, chemical (current law), nuclear, or radiological attack. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the Secretary, through FY 2006, to settle any financial account for a contract entered into by the Secretary or the Secretary of a military department before October 1, 1996, that is administratively complete if the account has an unreconciled balance, either positive or negative, of less than $100,000. (Sec. 803) Requires the Secretary to revise and reissue DOD Directive 4650.1, relating to management and use of the radio frequency spectrum, to update the procedures applicable to DOD management and use of such spectrum. Outlines requirements for DOD system acquisition that involves the use of spectrum. (Sec. 804) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, to: (1) direct and manage the acquisitions under the National Security Agency Modernization Program; and (2) designate projects under such Program as major defense acquisition programs. Lists included projects. Requires the Under Secretary to exercise milestone decision authority with respect to such projects. Prohibits the delegation of such authority before October 1, 2006, and sets forth conditions for such delegation. (Sec. 805) Directs the Secretary to prescribe a quality control policy for the procurement of aviation critical safety items and of modifications, repair, and overhaul of such items. Subtitle B: Procurement of Services - (Sec. 811) Amends the Spence Act to: (1) increase from $5 million to $10 million the value of a DOD performance-based service contract or task order that may be treated as a contract for the procurement of commercial items; and (2) extend such treatment authority through October 30, 2006. (Sec. 812) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program during FY 2004 through 2008 for use of a best value criterion in the selection of sources for performance of information technology services for DOD. Requires the analysis to include an examination as to whether change of the performance of an information technology service function from DOD employees to the private sector will result in the best value to the Government over the life of the contract. Requires the CG to review the pilot program and report results to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 813) Authorizes the head of any DOD element within the intelligence community, or the United States Special Operations Command, to enter into a contract for the procurement of personal services necessary to carry out required missions without regard to current limitations on such contracts if the services to be procured are unique and not practically obtained by other means. Subtitle C: Major Defense Acquisition Programs - (Sec. 821) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to extend through FY 2007 DOD authority to engage in certain weapons-related prototype projects. Includes under such authority the improvement of weapons or weapon systems currently in use by the armed forces. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program for follow-on contracting for the production of items or processes that are developed by nontraditional defense contractors under such prototype projects. Terminates pilot program authority on September 30, 2007. (Sec. 822) Directs the Secretary to establish a board of senior acquisition officials to administer the implementation of policies and requirements applicable for procurements of information technology equipment determined to be an integral part of a weapon or weapon system. Subtitle D: Domestic Source Requirements - (Sec. 831) Exempts from Buy American requirements procurements: (1) outside the United States in support of contingency operations; (2) for which other than competitive procedures have been approved which relate to unusual and compelling urgency of need; and (3) of waste and byproducts of cotton and wood fiber for use in the production of propellants and explosives. (Sec. 833) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the application of any domestic source or content requirement for the procurement of items grown, processed, or manufactured in a foreign country that has a reciprocal defense procurement memorandum of understanding or agreement with the United States when the Secretary determines that: (1) their application would impede such a reciprocal agreement; and (2) such country does not discriminate against defense items produced in the United States to a greater degree than the United States discriminates against defense items produced in that country. (Sec. 834) Provides a Buy American requirement exception with respect to ball and roller bearings prepared for use in foreign products. Subtitle E: Defense Acquisition and Support Workforce - (Sec. 841) Repeals provisions establishing certain acquisition workforce directors. Authorizes the Secretary (currently the acquisition career program board concerned) to waive acquisition workforce management requirements when the Secretary determines that the employee possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority. Eliminates the requirement that the Office of Personnel Management approve of DOD civilian workforce management requirements. Provides for a single Acquisition Corps for all of the armed forces (currently, there is one for each department). Directs the Secretary (currently, each department) to conduct internship, cooperative education, and scholarship programs for aiming promising students toward DOD acquisition careers. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe a different minimum number of years of experience, different minimum education qualifications, and different tenure of service qualifications for eligibility for appointment or advancement to the following acquisition positions: contracting officer, program executive officer, senior contracting official, program manager, and positions in the contract contingency force that are filled by military personnel. (Sec. 842) Prohibits reduction of the defense acquisition and support workforce below its level as of September 30, 2002, except as necessary to strengthen such workforce in higher priority positions as authorized under this section. (Sec. 843) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to require at least two-thirds of the individuals participating in a demonstration project relating to certain acquisition personnel management policies and procedures to be acquisition workforce and support personnel. Increases the authorized number of project participants from 95,000 to 120,000. Subtitle F: Federal Support for Procurement of Anti-Terrorism Technologies and Services by State and Local Governments - (Sec. 851) Authorizes the President to exercise discretionary indemnification authority to indemnify contractors and subcontractors in procurements by States or units of local government of a technology or service for preventing, detecting, identifying, deterring, or recovering from acts of terrorism. Provides indemnification limits. (Sec. 852) Directs the President to designate an officer or Federal employee to establish a program under which States and local governments may procure anti-terrorism technologies or services. Sets forth responsibilities of the contracting official and required procurement application procedures. Subtitle G: General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations, and Other Matters - (Sec. 861) Directs the Secretary to delegate to the commander of the unified combatant command responsible for joint warfighting experimentation the authority to develop and acquire battlefield command, control, communications, and intelligence equipment and other equipment appropriate for joint warfighting experimentation purposes. Provides cost limits. (Sec. 862) Allows the Director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center to be chosen from among senior civilian officers and employees of DOD (currently, only from active-duty commissioned officers). Amends the Stump Act to require the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, if items are deployed under rapid acquisition and deployment procedures before completion of operational testing and evaluation, to have access to relevant operational records and data in order to complete such testing and evaluation. (Sec. 863) Repeals the five-year limit for task and delivery order contracts in connection with multi-year contracts for the acquisition of services. Allows the head of an agency entering into such a contract to provide that the contract cover a five-year period and an extended period, but prohibits the total period from exceeding eight years. (Sec. 864) Repeals the requirement that a procurement contractor provide written assurances regarding the completeness, accuracy, and contractual sufficiency of technical data provided by the contractor. (Sec. 865) Allows entering into a contract which covers parts of two different fiscal years, as long as the total contract period does not exceed one year, in connection with the DOD lease of real or personal property. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department Officers and Agencies - (Sec. 902) Redesignates the National Imagery and Mapping Agency as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. (Sec. 903) Directs the Secretary to promulgate standards of conduct for members of the Defense Policy Board and the Defense Science Board. Requires an implementation report from the Secretary to the defense committees. Subtitle B: Space Activities - (Sec. 911) Directs the Under Secretary of the Air Force to develop a space science and technology strategy, review and revise the strategy as appropriate, and report to the defense committees. Requires the CG to review and assess such strategy and report assessment results to such committees. (Sec. 912) Requires the Secretary to develop and report to the defense committees on a human capital resources strategy for space personnel of DOD. Requires the CG to review the strategy and report results to the defense committees. (Sec. 913) Declares it to be the policy of the United States for the President to undertake appropriate actions to ensure that the United States has the necessary capabilities to launch and insert U.S. national security payloads into space whenever needed. (Sec. 914) Directs the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to provide entities outside the Federal Government with satellite tracking services using assets owned or controlled by DOD. Requires a recipient of such services to enter into an agreement not to transfer any data or technical information to any other entity without the Secretary's express approval. Prohibits services and information concerning or derived from U.S. intelligence assets or data from being provided under the pilot program. (Sec. 915) Requires additional information in a required report from the Secretary to the defense committees concerning the Global Positioning System. Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 921) Redesignates the CINC Initiative Fund as the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund. Includes joint warfighting capabilities among authorized Fund activities. Increases the maximum amounts authorized for various Fund activities. (Sec. 922) Authorizes the President of the Marine Corps University to confer the degree of master of operational studies upon graduates of the School of Advanced Warfighting of the Command and Staff College. (Sec. 923) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the changing roles of the U.S. Special Operations Command. (Sec. 924) Declares it to be a DOD goal to fully coordinate and integrate the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities and developmental activities of the military departments, intelligence agencies, and relevant combatant commands. Requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence to: (1) establish an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Integration Council to provide a permanent forum for the discussion and arbitration of issues relating to the integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities; (2) develop a comprehensive Defense Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Roadmap to guide the development and integration of DOD intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for 15 years; and (3) report results to the defense, appropriations, and intelligence committees. (Sec. 925) Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands to establish the National Guard for the Northern Mariana Islands and to integrate its members into the U.S. Army and Air National Guards. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer up to $3 billion of the amounts made available to DOD in this Act between any authorizations for that fiscal year. Requires congressional notification of each transfer. (Sec. 1002) Provides a new limitation on the total amount authorized to be contributed by the Secretary for the common-funded budgets of NATO (rather than the maximum amount otherwise applicable under the 1998 baseline limitation). Allocates for such purpose amounts authorized under titles II and III of this Act. (Sec. 1003) Adjusts amounts authorized to be appropriated in the Stump Act by the amount by which appropriations pursuant to such authorizations were increased or decreased by any supplemental appropriations for FY 2003. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on FY 2003 fund transfers through transfer accounts, including the Iraqi Freedom Fund. Subtitle B: Improvement of Travel Card Management - (Sec. 1011) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the requirement of direct payment to a travel card issuer (for payment of Government travel) when such payment would be against equity or good conscience or contrary to the best interests of the United States. (Sec. 1012) Directs the Secretary to require that the creditworthiness of an individual be evaluated before a Defense travel card is issued. (Sec. 1013) Requires the Secretary to prescribe and report to the defense committees on guidelines and procedures for making determinations regarding the taking of disciplinary action, including assessment of penalties, against DOD personnel for improper, fraudulent, or abusive use of Defense travel cards. Subtitle C: Reports - (Sec. 1021) Eliminates or revises various reporting requirements applicable to DOD. Terminates after FY 2006 a required report from the Secretary to the defense committees concerning DOD cooperative agreements and transactions to carry out research projects. Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the conveyance of utility systems. Raises from $500,000 to $1 million the threshold required for DOD architectural and engineering services and construction design activities prior to congressional notification of the scope and cost of such services. Amends the Department of Defense and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States Act, 2002 to remove an annual reporting requirement concerning DOD obligations for humanitarian and civic assistance incidental to authorized operations. (Sec. 1022) Directs the Secretary to prescribe an integrated plan for developing, deploying, and sustaining a prompt global strike capability in the armed forces. Requires plan reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees during 2004 through 2006. (Sec. 1023) Requires the Secretary to report to the above committees on the conduct of military operations under Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Sec. 1024) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the mobilization of reserve forces during fiscal years 2002 and 2003. Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 1031) Requires the Secretary, through the Commander of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, to carry out a joint experiment in FY 2004 to demonstrate and evaluate available blue (friendly) forces tracking technologies. Requires experiment results to be reported by the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 1032) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, during FY 2004 and 2005, to exchange for an historical artifact any obsolete or surplus property held by such department. (Sec. 1033) Authorizes the Secretary to accept any gifts (currently only foreign gifts or donations) on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. (Sec. 1034) Authorizes the Director of the National Security Agency to provide living quarters to a student in the Student Educational Employment Program or a similar program while the student is employed at the Agency laboratory. (Sec. 1035) Authorizes the Secretary to withhold from public disclosure operational files of the National Security Agency (files that document the means by which foreign intelligence or counterintelligence is collected through technical systems). (Sec. 1036) Amends the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to transfer from the Secretary to the Director of Central Intelligence administration of the national security education program. (Sec. 1037) Directs the President to report to Congress on potential uses of unmanned aerial vehicles for support of the performance of homeland security missions. (Sec. 1038) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to the Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation, Inc., all rights and interest to one surplus T-37 "Tweet" aircraft, after ensuring that such aircraft no longer has any combat capability. Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Policy - (Sec. 1101) Authorizes the Secretary to employ civilian faculty members at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. (Sec. 1102) Provides that when the Secretary seeks a grant of authority for critical pay for one or more positions within DOD, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may fix such rate of pay. Prohibits the total of such pay from exceeding that authorized for the Vice President under current Federal pay provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish, fix the compensation of, and appoint persons to positions designated as critical administrative, technical, or professional positions of DOD. Terminates such authority ten years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 1103) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Thurmond Act) to: (1) extend through FY 2008 the experimental authority for DOD recruitment of science or engineering experts for R&D projects administered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; (2) increase from 40 to 50 the number of authorized appointments; and (3) extend a required annual report. (Sec. 1104) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer to the Office of Personnel Management the personnel security investigation functions currently performed by DOD's Defense Security Service. Requires the transfer of appropriate personnel to perform such functions. Requires the Secretary to review all other functions currently performed by the Defense Security Service and determine whether the function is inherently governmental or otherwise inappropriate for performance by contractor personnel. Title XII: Matters Relating to Other Nations - (Sec. 1201) Authorizes the use of DOD funds to pay costs associated with the attendance of foreign military officers, ministry or defense officials, or security officials at U.S. military educational institutions or training programs conducted under the Regional Defense Counterterrorism Fellowship Program. Limits such funding to $20 million per fiscal year. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 1202) Authorizes the Secretary to expend DOD O&M funds for recognizing superior noncombat achievements or performance of members of friendly foreign forces or foreign nationals that significantly enhance or support the U.S. national security strategy. (Sec. 1203) Authorizes a Federal disbursing official to offer check cashing and other monetary exchange transactions for a member of the armed forces of a foreign country who is participating in a combined operation or mission with U.S. forces pursuant to an alliance or coalition, under certain conditions. (Sec. 1204) Limits to $15 million the total authorized assistance for FY 2004 for international nonproliferation activities under the Weapons of Mass Destruction Control Act of 1992. Extends such authority through such fiscal year. (Sec. 1205) Directs the CG to study and report to the defense committees on DOD costs of monitoring launches of satellites in a foreign country. (Sec. 1206) Requires an annual report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees on implementation of the Prague Capabilities Commitment and development of the NATO Response Force by NATO-member nations. (Sec. 1207) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to: (1) revise the years of coverage for certain countries with respect to DOD financial assistance in support of counter-drug activities; and (2) add as countries authorized to receive such support Afghanistan, Bolivia, Ecuador, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Increases the amount of such assistance for FY 2004 through 2006. (Sec. 1208) Authorizes the Secretary, in FY 2004 and 2005, to use funds available for assistance to the Government of Colombia to support a unified campaign against narcotics trafficking and against activities of certain organizations designated as terrorist organizations. Prohibits as part of such support the participation of any U.S. military or civilian contractor personnel in any combat operation. Title XIII: Cooperative Threat Reduction With States of the Former Soviet Union - (Sec. 1301) Specifies the cooperative threat reduction (CTR) programs to be funded through O&M funds provided under this Act. Makes funds appropriated for such purpose available for three fiscal years. Allocates such funds among specified CTR programs. Prohibits such funds from being used for purposes other than those specified until 30 days after the Secretary reports to Congress on such purposes. Provides limited authority to vary allocated amounts in the national interest, after congressional notification. (Sec. 1303) Requires the Secretary to make an annual certification to the defense and appropriations committees on the use of each facility for a CTR project or activity for which construction occurred during the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 1304) Authorizes the President to obligate and expend current and prior year CTR funds for a proliferation threat reduction project or activity outside the states of the former Soviet Union if such project or activity will: (1) assist the United States in the resolution of a critical emerging proliferation threat; or (2) permit the United States to take advantage of opportunities to achieve long-standing nonproliferation goals. Limits fiscal year obligations for such purpose to $50 million. Subjects such authority to certain current CTR limitations and requirements, including prior congressional notification. (Sec. 1305) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2003 to extend through FY 2004 the inapplicability of certain conditions on the use of funds for the planning, design, or construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility in Russia ( provided the President makes a specified certification to Congress). Division B: Military Construction Authorizations - (Sec. 2001) Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Title XXI(sic): Army - (Sec. 2101) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes such Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, carry out architectural planning and design activities, and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 2003 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year: (1) 2003 to terminate the authority to carry out certain projects in Germany and Korea and reduce related funding; (2) 2003 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Fort Riley, Kansas; (3) 2002 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Fort Richardson, Alaska; and (4) 2001 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Pohakoula Training Facility, Hawaii. Title XXII: Navy - (Sec. 2201) Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. (Sec. 2205) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to terminate the authority to carry out a project at the Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland. Title XXIII: Air Force - (Sec. 2301) Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under title XXI. (Sec. 2205) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to reduce the amount authorized for Air Force military family housing units. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - (Sec. 2401) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after 2003 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2406) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to: (1) identify the particular installation of a construction project in Seoul, Korea; and (2) reduce the amount authorized for such project. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - (Sec. 2501) Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2003 for such Program. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - (Sec. 2601) Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2003 for National Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - (Sec. 2701) Terminates all authorizations contained in Titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2006, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2006, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - (Sec. 2802) Increases from 2,000 to 2,800 the number of family housing units in Italy authorized to be leased by the Navy. Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - (Sec. 2811) Increases from $500,000 to $750,000 the threshold for real property acquisitions or leases that may be undertaken by the Secretary concerned before notification of the defense committees. (Sec. 2812) Provides for the acceptance of in-kind consideration for easements for rights-of-way granted by the Secretary concerned, including easements for utility lines. (Sec. 2813) Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to allow the Secretary concerned to receive unaccompanied military housing (currently, only family housing) in exchange for the transfer of property at military installations scheduled for closure or realignment. (Sec. 2814) Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to exclude DOD property used in emergency support of homeland security from requirements to screen DOD surplus property for possible use to assist the homeless. Subtitle C: Land Conveyances - (Sec. 2821) Authorizes the Secretary of: (1) the Army to convey to the State of Tennessee a parcel of real property at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Tennessee, in order to realign a highway in that area; (2) the Army to convey to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs a parcel of real property at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for the operation of a veterans' cemetery; (3) the Navy to convey the Preferred Development Group Corporation, Georgia, a parcel of property at Boyett Village/Turner Field in Albany, Georgia, for economic development use; and (4) Defense to authorize the Army and Air Force Exchange Service to convey through negotiated sale a parcel of real property on Roundtable Drive in Dallas, Texas. Subtitle D: Review of Overseas Military Facility Structure - (Sec. 2841) Overseas Military Facility and Range Structure Review Act of 2003 - Establishes the Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility and Range Structure of the United States to: (1) study matters relating to the military facility and range structure of the United States overseas; and (2) report review results to the President and Congress, including a proposal for an overseas basing strategy to meet current and future DOD mission requirements. Terminates the Commission 45 days after its report. Provides Commission funding through DOD O&M funds. Division C: Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations - Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs - Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations - (Sec. 3101) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2004 for: (1) activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration in carrying out programs necessary for national security, with specified allocations for weapons activities, defense nuclear nonproliferation activities, naval reactors, and the Office of the Administrator for Nuclear Security; and (2) environmental restoration and waste management activities in carrying out national security programs, with specified allocations for defense environmental management, other defense activities, defense nuclear waste disposal, and defense energy supply. Subtitle B: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 3131) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to repeal the prohibition on R&D of low-yield nuclear weapons. (Sec. 3132) Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary, for purposes of this Division) to achieve and maintain a readiness posture of 18 months for resumption of U.S. underground nuclear tests. Requires the Secretary to determine and report to the defense and appropriations committees on whether a readiness posture of other than 18 months is advisable. (Sec. 3133) Directs the Administrator for Nuclear Security (Administrator) to complete the selection of projects for inclusion in the Facilities and Infrastructure Recapitalization Program of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) no later than September 30, 2004. Requires the Administrator, by the same date, to report to the defense and appropriations committees the guidelines for conducting the Readiness in Technical Base and Facilities program. Requires the latter program to be operated independently of the Operations of Facilities Program. (Sec. 3134) Amends the Spence Act to remove the F-canyon facility from DOE's authority to continue the processing, treatment, and disposition of legacy nuclear materials (leaving only the H-canyon facility). Revises a report requirement on the use of DOE funds for decommissioning the F-canyon facility. Subtitle C: Proliferation Matters - (Sec. 3141) Authorizes the Secretary to expand the International Materials, Protection, Control, and Accounting Program to carry out nuclear threat reduction activities and projects outside the states of the former Soviet Union. Requires 15 days' prior notification of the defense and appropriations committees before the obligation of funds for a project or activity under such expansion. (Sec. 3142) Directs the Administrator to report semiannually to the defense committees on the financial status of all DOE defense nuclear nonproliferation programs for which funds were authorized to be appropriated. (Sec. 3143) Requires a spending plan report from the Administrator to the defense committees if, on September 30, 2004, the aggregate amount obligated but not expended for defense nuclear nonproliferation activities exceeds 20 percent of the amount already obligated for such activities. Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 3151) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize investigations of individuals to be employed on programs designated as sensitive to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Sec. 3152) Directs the Secretary to include in the FY 2005 materials submitted to Congress in support of the DOE budget a report delineating responsibilities between and among the Environmental Management Program and the NNSA for: (1) environmental cleanup; (2) decontamination and decommissioning; and (3) waste management. Requires a report to Congress on such delineation. (Sec. 3153) Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees updating a report on stockpile stewardship criteria required under the Atomic Energy Defense Act. (Sec. 3154) Requires a report from the: (1) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to Congress on the Institute's ability to obtain information necessary to carry out radiation dose reconstructions under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000; and (2) Secretary of Labor to Congress on the denial of claims under such Act. Subtitle E: Consolidation of General Provisions on Department of Energy National Security Programs - (Sec. 3161) Amends the Stump Act to add to it, for consolidation purposes, certain recurring and general provisions of law on DOE national security programs, including provisions under various defense authorization Acts relating to: (1) atomic energy defense; (2) the naval nuclear propulsion program; (3) nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship and production; (4) tritium production; (5) nuclear proliferation; (6) defense environmental restoration and waste management; (7) the closure of defense nuclear facilities; (8) laboratories safeguards and security, including background investigations and polygraph programs; (9) classified information; (10) defense emergency response; (11) personnel matters; (12) employee education and training; (13) worker safety at nuclear weapons facilities; (14) budget and financial management matters, including penalties under environmental laws; (15) administrative and other matters; (16) R&D; (17) facilities management; (18) matters relating to particular facilities, including the Hanford Reservation, Washington, and the Savannah River Site, South Carolina; (19) the processing, treatment, and disposal of legacy nuclear materials; (20) decommissioning of the F-canyon facility; and (21) the payment of O&M costs at the Nevada Test Site. Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - (Sec. 3201) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
Report· XGCELEX 52003XG0626(03)open
European Union · Council of the European Union · 13 May 2003
Bill· COD2003/0084(COD)adopted
European Union · European Parliament · 12 May 2003
Bill· SS. 1039 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2003
Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to a State, municipality, or intermunicipal or interstate agency to conduct a vulnerability assessment of a publicly owned treatment works and implement security enhancements for such facilities upon completion of the assessment. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide technical guidance and assistance to small publicly owned treatment works (those serving a population of fewer than 20,000 persons) on conducting vulnerability assessments and implementing security enhancements; and (2) make grants to a nonprofit organization to improve vulnerability self-assessment methodologies and tools for publicly owned treatment works, including those that are part of a combined wastewater treatment and water supply system.
Resolution· Selbständiger Entschließungsantrag127/A(E)selbständiger entschließungsantrag
Austria · National Council · 8 May 2003
Antrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Ulrike Sima, Mag. Brigid Weinzinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend rasche Vorlage eines Bundestierschutzgesetzes im Sinne des Volksbegehrens für ein Bundestierschutzgesetz
Bill· HRH.R. 2042 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2003
Clean Smokestacks Act of 2003 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to achieve specified reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and mercury from powerplants (electric generation facilities with a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts or more that use a combustion device to generate electricity for sale) by January 1, 2009. Requires powerplants, on the later of the date 30 years after the powerplant commenced operation or five years after this Act's enactment, to comply with the most recent new source performance standards under CAA provisions regarding air quality and emissions limitations and with specified requirements for modified sources.
Proposal· PCCELEX 52003PC0255(01)open
European Union · European Commission · 8 May 2003
Proposal· PCCELEX 52003PC0255(02)open
European Union · European Commission · 8 May 2003
Question· Schriftliche Anfrage374/Jschriftliche anfrage
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Gerhard Steier, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend EURO 2008 <i>(Fußball-Europameisterschaft 2008)</i>
Resolution· Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag28/UEAunselbständiger entschließungsantrag
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Ulrike Baumgartner-Gabitzer, Klaus Wittauer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Einbringung einer Regierungsvorlage zur Schaffung eines Bundestierschutzgesetzes mit Schwerpunkt Tierhaltung
Question· Schriftliche Anfrage381/Jschriftliche anfrage
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Brigid Weinzinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für soziale Sicherheit, Generationen und Konsumentenschutz betreffend Amtsaufwandsevaluierung von Amtstierärzten/innen und Behebung der Vollzugsdifizite im Tierschutz
Question· Schriftliche Anfrage376/Jschriftliche anfrage
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Georg Oberhaidinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit betreffend die Optimierung der Netzkosten in Österreich
Question· Schriftliche Anfrage380/Jschriftliche anfrage
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Brigid Weinzinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend Behebung der Vollzugsdifizite im Tierschutz
Question· Schriftliche Anfrage383/Jschriftliche anfrage
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend österreichische Strategie beim Einsatz von Pestiziden
Question· Schriftliche Anfrage379/Jschriftliche anfrage
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Brigid Weinzinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Behebung der Vollzugsdifizite im Tierschutz
Question· Schriftliche Anfrage375/Jschriftliche anfrage
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Georg Oberhaidinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit betreffend Fertigstellung eines neuen Energieberichts der österreichischen Bundesregierung
Resolution· Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag27/UEAunselbständiger entschließungsantrag
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend budgetäre Sicherstellung der Finanzierung von Klimaschutzmaßnahmen und Erhöhung der Mittel für die Umweltförderung
Resolution· Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag29/UEAunselbständiger entschließungsantrag
Austria · National Council · 7 May 2003
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Ulrike Sima, Mag. Brigid Weinzinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Vorlage eines Entwurfes zur Schaffung eines Bundestierschutzgesetzes mit Bedachtnahme auf die Forderungen des Tierschutzvolksbegehrens
Law· SS. 1015 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make grants to States for: (1) coordinating mosquito control programs to prevent and control mosquito-borne diseases; and (2) assisting States in making grants to political subdivisions (localities) to help them develop control programs. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to make grants to localities or consortia of localities for the operation of control programs. Requires each locality or consortium receiving such a grant to: (1) develop an assessment on the need for a control program and a plan for carrying out such a program; and (2) make available matching funds in an amount not less than 1/3 of the cost of the program, unless the Secretary waives the requirement due to extraordinary economic conditions in the locality or consortium. Allows the Secretary to provide training and technical assistance to: (1) States for the planning, development, and operation of assessments and plans regarding control programs; and (2) localities or consortia of localities for the planning, development, and operation of control programs. States that such assistance may be provided directly or through awards of grants or contracts to public or private entities. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct or support research into methods to control the population of insects and vermin that transmit dangerous diseases to humans.
Bill· HRH.R. 2020 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2003
Hurricane, Tornado, and Related Hazards Research Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an Interagency Group to be responsible for the development and implementation of a coordinated Federal windstorm and related hazards reduction research, development, and technology transfer program (the Windstorm and Related Hazard Impact Reduction Program) based on identified public needs to achieve major measurable reductions in losses within ten years. Requires that such program feature: (1) pertinent basic and applied research that takes into account locality-specific weather, susceptibility to natural hazards, design and construction practices, and performance of the built environment during windstorms and related hazards; (2) systematic collection of data for buildings and other structures for use in developing and deploying mitigation measures; (3) an ongoing program of information dissemination on cost-effective and affordable hazard reduction research results and hazard-resistant building construction techniques to industry, State and local governments, and the general public; and (4) improved technology for loss estimation, risk assessment, hazard identification, prediction, warnings, advanced planning, and disaster response. Requires the Interagency Group to develop and submit to Congress a ten-year implementation plan. Requires the Director to prepare, with other program agencies, an annual program budget. Establishes a National Advisory Committee to review progress made under the Program, advise on any improvements, and report to Congress on actions that have been taken to advance the Nation's capability to reduce windstorm and related hazard impacts.
Bill· SS. 997 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Directs the Secretary of the Army to: (1) carry out critical restoration projects along the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico, from Cochiti Dam to the headwaters of the Elephant Butte Dam; and (2) consult with certain local environmental groups in carrying out such projects. Requires non-federal interests to pay 25 percent of project costs. Prohibits recreational features of a project from comprising more than 30 percent of the total project cost.
Bill· SS. 1005 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2003
Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Sets forth a program to spur diverse energy research and 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 regarding the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Sets forth a program for the payment of oil and gas royalties in kind. Mandates Federal remediation and closure for orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells on Federal lands. Extends suspension of royalties (royalty relief) to: (1) oil and gas production from marginal properties; (2) deep water production of oil and gas; (3) Alaska offshore oil and gas production; (4) deep well production of natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico; and (5) ultra deep gas wells. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize easements on Federal lands on which easements are otherwise prohibited in order to support energy production, including oil and natural gas exploration and development. National Energy Data Preservation Program Act of 2003 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a National Energy Data Preservation Program. 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. Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 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 the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train adult and dislocated workers in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to offer Federal loan guarantees for specified 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. Modifies statutory constraints governing Federal coal leases, including acreage limitations, mining plans, and advance royalty payments. 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 comprehensive Indian energy activities and tribal energy resource development. 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 licensees and contractors. Nuclear Energy Finance Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to supplement private-sector financing projects needed for energy security, fuel, technology diversity, or clean air attainment goals. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project. Amends the USEC Privatization Act to revise prescriptions governing uranium sales and transfers. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing applicants to propose alternative conditions and requirements for project works within a Federal reservation. 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. Establishes a grant program for biomass commercial utilization. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings. Institutes grant programs for: (1) low-income community energy efficiency; and (2) 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. Sets forth a transportation fuels program using alternative fuels for dual-fueled vehicles and fuel credits for: (1) medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; (2) alternative fuel infrastructure investments; and (3) hybrid motor vehicles. Amends Federal transportation law to revise automobile fuel economy standards, including Federal fleet fuel economy. George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to revamp guidelines governing hydrogen research and development, including fuel cells and related infrastructure for transportation (hydrogen vehicle demonstration program) and for commercial, industrial, residential, and electric power generation applications. Requires certain-size Federal agencies to submit a comprehensive hydrogen transition strategic plan to Congress. Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct programs of energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application that target: (1) energy efficiency; (2) diversity of energy supply; (3) decreasing dependence on foreign energy; (4) energy security; and (5) decreasing environmental impact of energy-related activities. 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) science; (7) energy and environment; (8) coal technology loans; (9) electricity reliability standards and transmission access; (10) regional markets; and (11) market transparency and manipulation. Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
Bill· SS. 994 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2003
Chemical Facilities Storage Act of 2003 - Requires owners or operators of selected chemical storage facilities to develop and implement a site security plan that addresses the facility's vulnerability to a terrorist release. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate regulations specifying: (1) which facilities should be selected based on the likelihood of terrorist attack, the nature of the substances stored, the potential harm if released, cost, and technical feasibility; (2) a timetable for the completion of a vulnerability assessment and site security plan; (3) the contents of the plan; (4) plan certification and availability requirements; and (5) limits on the disclosure of sensitive information. Requires the Secretary to provide owners or operators with relevant threat information to the extent practicable. Grants the Secretary access to the premises, security plans, and other records, as necessary, for any selected facility.
Bill· SS. 983 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of not more than eight consortium centers (each such center shall be known as a Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Center of Excellence). States that the centers shall conduct multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research on environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer.
Law· HRH.R. 1904 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects (fuels projects) on specified types of Federal lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to give priority to fuels projects that provide for the protection of communities and watersheds. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to make grants: (1) to improve the commercial value of forest biomass to produce electric energy, sensible heat, transportation fuels, or substitutes for petroleum-based products; and (2) to offset the cost of projects to add value to biomass. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to permit the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to provide assistance to State foresters and officials for the purpose of expanding State forest capacities and activities to address watershed issues on non-Federal forested lands and potentially forested lands. Directs the Secretary concerned to establish an accelerated program to plan, conduct, and promote comprehensive and systematic information gathering on bark beetles. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the healthy forests reserve program within the Forest Service for the purpose of protecting, restoring, and enhancing degraded forest ecosystems to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species as well as improve biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a comprehensive plan to inventory, monitor, characterize, assess, and identify forest stands and potential forest stands in specified locations. States that issues to be addressed shall include: (1) the early detection, identification, and assessment of environmental threats; and (2) the loss or degradation of forests.
Bill· HRH.R. 1907 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to declare that certain funds reserved for technical assistance for the Farmland Protection Program, the Grassland Reserve Program, and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program shall be available only for the conservation program from which the funds were reserved and not for other specified programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 1903 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2003
Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to: (1) require (currently, authorizes) the transfer to a local redevelopment authority (LRA) by the Secretary of Defense of real and personal property at a closed or realigned military installation, including existing housing units and real property designated for future housing units, to be without consideration (if the LRA takes certain steps); (2) remove the requirement that the Secretary seek to obtain consideration for such transfers with respect to military installations for which the date of approval of closure or realignment is after January 1, 2005; (3) remove the Secretary's authority to recommend that an installation be placed in an inactive status for national security or other U.S. interests; and (4) make the LRA the single community based organization responsible for monitoring Federal environmental remediation activities with respect to the installation.
Bill· SS. 960 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2003 - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of: (1) a project in Kalaeloa, Hawaii, to desalinate and distribute seawater for direct potable use within the service area of the Board of Water Supply, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii; (2) facilities in Kealakehe, Hawaii, for the treatment and distribution of recycled water and for environmental purposes within the County of Hawaii; and (3) and acquire land for, facilities in Lahaina, Hawaii, for the distribution of recycled water from the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility for nonpotable uses within the County of Maui. Limits the Federal share to 25 percent of the total cost of any such project. Prohibits the use of funds provided by the Secretary for project operation and maintenance. Amends the Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2000 to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for the Federal share of activities authorized under the Act for the Hawaii Water Resources Study; and (2) eliminate the prohibition against the total Federal cost share for the study and reports from exceeding the amount authorized by the Act.
Bill· SS. 14 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2003
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Title I: Oil And Gas - Subtitle A: Production Incentives - (Sec. 101) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary throughout this Act, unless otherwise indicated) to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities regarding the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on petroleum and natural gas storage capacity and operational inventory levels, nationwide and by major geographical regions. (Sec. 103) Sets forth a program for the payment of oil and gas royalties in kind upon demand of the Secretary. Restricts such payments to a determination by the Secretary that the royalties provide benefits to the United States greater than, or equal to those likely to have been received had royalties been taken in value. Authorizes the Secretary, in disposing of gas or oil royalty taken in kind, to grant a preference to any person, including any State or Federal agency, for the purpose of providing additional resources to any Federal low-income energy assistance program. (Sec. 104) Prescribes conditions for: (1) royalty rate reductions on marginal property and the termination of such rates; and (2) royalty relief for deep water production in certain parts of the Gulf of Mexico. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to inventory, analyze, and report to Congress on oil and natural gas resources beneath all of the waters of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. (Sec. 107) Extends royalty relief to certain Planning Areas offshore Alaska. (Sec. 108) Prescribes procedures for Federal remediation and closure for orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells on lands administered by Federal land management agencies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to promulgate final royalty incentive regulations for natural gas produced from deep wells and ultra deep wells in certain shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. (Sec. 110) Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize easements on Federal lands on which easements are otherwise prohibited in order to support energy production, including oil and natural gas exploration and development. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to grant impact assistance payments, according to specified guidelines, to Producing Coastal States with an approved Coastal Impact Assistance Plan, and to coastal political subdivisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2009. (Sec. 112) National Energy Data Preservation Program Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Energy Data Preservation Program, including an Energy Data Archive System. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2007. (Sec. 113) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to exempt from its oil and gas lease acreage limitation any lease committed to a federally approved unit or cooperative plan, or communitization agreement, or for which royalty, including compensatory royalty or royalty-in-kind, was paid in the preceding calendar year (thus removing acreage limitations from oil and gas leases granted royalty relief under this Act). (Sec. 114) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to assess and report to Congress on the economic implication of the dependence of the State of Hawaii on oil as its principal source of energy. Subtitle B: Access to Federal Lands - (Sec. 121) Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Permit Coordination to report annually to Congress on activities to coordinate and expedite Federal decisions on energy projects. (Sec. 122) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish a Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project; and (2) inventory for Congress oil and gas resources on all onshore Federal lands and restrictions or impediments to resource exploration, production, and transportation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 123) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in order to ensure timely action on oil and gas leases and applications for permits to drill on lands otherwise available for leasing, to: (1) ensure expeditious compliance with certain requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; (2) improve consultation and coordination with the States; (3) improve the collection, storage, and retrieval of information related to such leasing activities; and (4) improve inspection and enforcement of oil and gas activities, including enforcement of terms and conditions in permits to drill. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2007. (Sec. 125) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to review and report to Congress on the current policies and practices with respect to management of Federal subsurface oil and gas development activities and their effects on the privately owned surface. (Sec. 126) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands, and the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, to designate and incorporate utility corridors in the eleven contiguous Western States into the relevant Federal land use and resource management plans. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to do the same with affected Federal agencies in the other States. Subtitle C: Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline - Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - (Sec. 133) Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project other than the system authorized under the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1976, following an expedited approval process. Declares that no license, permit, lease, right-of-way, authorization, or other approval required under Federal law for the construction of any pipeline to transport natural gas from lands within the Prudhoe Bay oil and gas lease area may be granted for any pipeline that follows a route that: (1) traverses the submerged lands beneath, or the adjacent shoreline of, the Beaufort Sea; and (2) enters Canada at any point north of 68 degrees North latitude. (Sec. 135) Authorizes FERC, upon request, to order the expansion of such project if it determines that such expansion is required by the present and future public convenience and necessity. Specifies requirements FERC must meet before ordering such an expansion. (Sec. 136) Establishes the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects to: (1) coordinate the expeditious discharge of all activities by Federal agencies with respect to an Alaska natural gas transportation project; and (2) ensure Federal agency compliance. Denies any Federal officer or agency authority to include terms and conditions that are permitted, but not required by law on any authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project, if the Federal Coordinator determines that such terms and conditions would prevent or impair the expeditious construction, operation, or expansion of the project. Prohibits any Federal officer or agency from modifying or abrogating any authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project if the Federal Coordinator determines that such action would prevent or impair expeditious project construction, operation, or expansion. (Sec. 137) Grants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia original and exclusive jurisdiction for judicial review of final orders by any Federal agency or officer relating to the project. (Sec. 138) Deems any facility receiving natural gas from the Alaska natural gas transportation project for delivery to consumers within Alaska to be a local distribution facility under the Natural Gas Act, and so not subject to FERC jurisdiction. (Sec. 139) Directs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on alternative approaches to the construction and operation of the project. (Sec. 141) Expresses the sense of Congress that an Alaska natural gas transportation project will provide significant economic benefits to the United States and Canada. Urges the sponsors of the pipeline project to make every effort to: (1) use steel manufactured or produced in North America; (2) negotiate a project labor agreement to expedite pipeline construction; and (3) maximize the participation of small business concerns in contracts and subcontracts awarded in carrying out the project. (Sec. 142) Declares the sense of Congress that an Alaska natural gas transportation project will provide significant economic benefits to the United States and Canada. Directs the Comptroller General study and report to Congress on the extent to which small business concerns participate in the construction of oil and gas pipelines in the United States. (Sec. 143) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train adult and dislocated workers in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. (Sec. 144) Cites conditions under which the Secretary of Energy may offer Federal loan guarantee instruments for qualified infrastructure projects(defined as pipelines and related transportation and production systems used to transport natural gas from the Alaska North Slope to the continental United States). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 145) Expresses the sense of Congress that natural gas delivered from Alaska's North Slope will neither displace nor reduce the commercial viability of Canadian natural gas produced from the McKenzie Delta, nor production from the Lower 48. Title II: Coal - Subtitle A: Clean Coal Power Initiative - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2011 for a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Subtitle B: Federal Coal Leases - (Sec. 211) Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to: (1) repeal the 160-acre limitation for coal leases; and (2) modify mining plans and advance royalty payments. Subtitle C: Powder River Basin Shared Mineral Estates - (Sec. 221) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) undertake a review of existing authorities to resolve conflicts between the development of Federal coal and the development of Federal and non-Federal coalbed methane in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana; and (2) report to Congress on alternatives to resolve these conflicts, and to identify any preferred alternative, including specific legislative language required to implement such alternative. Title III: Indian Energy - Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2003 - (Sec. 302) 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 comprehensive Indian energy activities and tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. (Sec. 303) Prescribes implementation guidelines governing leases, business agreements, and rights-of-way involving Indian energy development or transmission. Directs the Administrators of the Bonneville Power Administration and of the Western Area Power Administration to encourage Indian tribal energy development through programs within their respective Administrations, including power allocations and purchases. (Sec. 304) Declares the Dine Power Authority (an enterprise of the Navajo Nation) eligible to receive grants and other assistance for development of a transmission line from the Four Corners Area (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona) to southern Nevada, including related power generation opportunities. (Sec. 305) Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote energy conservation in housing located on Indian land and assisted with Federal resources. Title IV: Nuclear Matters - Subtitle A: Price-Anderson Act Amendments - Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - (Sec. 402) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees, Department of Energy (DOE) contractors, and for nonprofit educational institutions. Subtitle B: Deployment of New Nuclear Plants - Nuclear Energy Finance Act of 2003 - (Sec. 421) Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to supplement private-sector financing projects needed for energy security, fuel, technology diversity, or clean air attainment goals. Subtitle C: Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project - (Sec. 431) Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project managed by the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology. (Sec. 433) Designates the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory as the lead laboratory for the Program, providing the site for the reactor construction. (Sec. 435) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 through 2008 and beyond. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Matters - (Sec. 441) Amends the USEC Privatization Act to revise requirements governing aggregate annual uranium sales and transfers by the Federal government for commercial nuclear power end uses. Sets increasing ceilings on aggregate annual deliveries of uranium in any form, from 3 million pounds U3O8 equivalent per year through calendar 2009 to 10 million pounds in calendar 2013 and thereafter. Makes the recovery and extraction of the uranium component from contaminated uranium bearing materials from U.S. Government sites by commercial entities the preferred method of making uranium available under this subtitle. Exempts from the uranium sale or transfer limits of this subtitle certain sales or transfers: (1) provided for under existing law for use by the Tennessee Valley Authority in relation to DOE high-enriched uranium or tritium programs; (2) to the DOE research reactor sales program; (3) of up to 3,293 metric tons of uranium to the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) to replace uranium that the Secretary transferred to it (before its privatization in July 1998) on or about June 30, 1993, April 20, 1998, and May 18, 1998, and that does not meet commercial specifications; (4) of any uranium for emergency purposes in the event of a disruption in supply to end users in the United States; (5) of any uranium in fulfillment of the U.S. Government's obligations to provide security of supply with respect to implementation of the Russian HEU Agreement; and (6) of any enriched uranium for use in an advanced commercial nuclear power plant in the United States with nonstandard fuel requirements. (Sec. 442) Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to decommission and decontaminate the sodium-cooled fast breeder experimental test-site reactor in northwest Arkansas in accordance with an August 31,1998, DOE report. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Renewable Energy - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 501) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) publish annual reports based upon assessments of renewable domestic energy resources, including solar, wind, biomass, ocean (tidal and thermal), geothermal, and hydroelectric energy; and (2) undertake new assessments as necessary, taking into account changes in market conditions, available technologies, and other relevant factors. (Sec. 502) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. Instructs the Secretary to assign 60 percent of appropriated funds for any given year to facilities that use solar, wind, geothermal, or closed-loop ( defined as dedicated energy crops) biomass technologies to generate electricity if there are insufficient appropriations to make full payments for electric production from all qualified renewable energy facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to alter such percentage requirements after transmitting to Congress the reasons to do so. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 through 2023. (Sec. 503) Instructs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to recommend to Congress any opportunities to develop renewable energy on public lands within their respective jurisdictions. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to: (1) study the potential for the development of wind, solar, and ocean (tidal and thermal) energy on the Outer Continental Shelf; (2) assess existing Federal authorities for the development of such resources; and (3) recommend statutory and regulatory mechanisms for such development. (Sec. 504) Requires Federal purchases of renewable energy to escalate in accordance with certain percentage guidelines. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) update energy surveys, estimates, and assessments for certain insular areas; and (2) revise the comprehensive energy plan for such insular areas in order to reduce reliance on energy imports and to increase use of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency opportunities. Subtitle B: Hydroelectric Licensing - (Sec. 511) Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing applicants to propose alternative conditions and requirements for project works, including fishways, within a Federal reservation. Prescribes procedures for acceptance or rejection of such alternative proposals. Subtitle C: Geothermal Energy - (Sec. 521) Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revise guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Repeals the current limitation of competitive bidding to leases of lands within known geothermal resources areas, and of noncompetitive bidding to leases of lands outside such areas. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary for this subtitle) to accept nominations at any time from companies and individuals of lands to be leased under such Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) hold a competitive lease sale at least once every two years for lands in a State in which there are nominations pending where such lands are otherwise available for leasing; and (2) make available for a two-year period for noncompetitive leasing any tract for which a competitive lease sale is held, but for which the Secretary does not receive any bids in the competitive lease sale. (Sec. 522) Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to submit to Congress a joint memorandum of understanding regarding leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands under their respective jurisdictions. Prescribes memorandum details. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to report jointly Congress on leasing and permitting activities for geothermal energy on Federal lands withdrawn for military purposes. (Sec. 524) Authorizes the Secretary to reinstate a lease terminated for failure to pay rent timely if the failure was inadvertent. (Sec. 525) Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate a final regulation providing a simplified methodology for determining the amount or value of the steam for purposes of calculating the royalty due on geothermal production; and (2) establish a schedule of fees and collect fees in lieu of royalties with respect to the direct use of low temperature geothermal resources for purposes other than the generation of electricity. Subtitle D: Biomass Energy - (Sec. 532) Prescribes implementation guidelines for a biomass commercial utilization grant program to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior with respect to public and Indian lands and by the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to the National Forest System. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. Title VI: Energy Efficiency - Subtitle A: Federal Programs - (Sec. 601) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings, including: (1) a timetable for reduced energy consumption; (2) metering of energy use; (3) revised Federal building energy efficiency performance standards; (4) permanent authority to enter into energy savings performance contracts; and (5) Federal procurement guidelines for energy efficient products. (Sec. 606) Directs the Architect of the Capitol to develop and implement a cost-effective energy conservation and management plan for all facilities administered by Congress. (Sec. 607) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to set forth implementation guidelines for increased use of recovered mineral component in federally funded projects involving procurement of cement or concrete. (Sec. 608) Authorizes Federal agencies to participate in programs, including utility energy services contracts, conducted by gas, water and electric utilities and generally available to their customers, to increase energy efficiency, water conservation, or the management of electricity demand. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to examine and report to Congress on whether the goals of energy efficiency standards are best served by measurement of energy consumed, and efficiency improvements, at the actual site of energy consumption, or through the full fuel cycle, beginning at the source of energy production. Subtitle B: State and Local Programs - (Sec. 611) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local governments, private non-profit community development organizations, and Indian economic development organizations for: (1) a low-income community energy efficiency pilot program; and (2) State energy offices to improve energy efficient public buildings and facilities. (Sec. 612) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to the appropriate State agency to assist local government units to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings and facilities through construction and renovation projects. (Sec. 613) Creates a Federal fund allocation program to implement a State energy efficient appliance rebate program. Subtitle C: Consumer Products - (Sec. 621) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise energy conservation standards for specified additional consumer and commercial electrical products. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate a rulemaking to consider the effectiveness of the current consumer products labeling program. Authorizes the Secretary or the FTC, as appropriate, to prescribe labeling requirements for certain additional products. (Sec. 623) Establishes a voluntary program at the DOE and at the Environmental Protection Agency to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings (Energy Star Program). (Sec. 624) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a consumer education program that also targets small businesses owners regarding energy savings resulting from properly conducted maintenance of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Subtitle D: Public Housing - (Sec. 631) Amends the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, respectively, to: (1) authorize within Federal assistance for low-income public housing programs: (1) energy efficient, affordable housing and residential energy conservation measures; and (2) increase the amount of financial assistance for public services for energy conservation and efficiency. (Sec. 633) Amends the National Housing Act to revise Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. (Sec. 635) Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to include within the scope of grants for energy-conserving improvements in assisted housing the installation of energy and water conserving fixtures and fittings that conform to specified standards. (Sec. 637) Requires a public housing agency to purchase energy-efficient appliances that are Energy Star products or FEMP-designated products. (Sec. 638) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to substitute the "2000 International Energy Conservation Code" for the current statutory energy efficiency standard known as the "CABO Model Energy Code, 1992." (Sec. 639) Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop and implement an integrated strategy to reduce utility expenses through cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency measures and energy efficient design and construction of public and assisted housing. Title VII: Transportation Fuels - Subtitle A: Alternative Fuel Programs - (Sec. 701) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to cite circumstances that permit an agency to qualify for a waiver of the alternative fuel use requirement applicable to Federal light duty vehicles. (Sec. 702) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to drop the 20 percent biodiesel fuel volume requirement applicable to the allocation of biodiesel fuel use credits. (Sec. 703) Redefines alternative fueled vehicle to include a neighborhood electric vehicle. (Sec. 704) Prescribes guidelines for the allocation of Federal credits for: (1) the purchase of medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; (2) alternative fuel infrastructure investments. (Sec. 707) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the effect that titles III, IV and V of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 have had on the development of alternative fueled vehicle technology, its market availability, and the cost of alternative fueled light duty motor vehicles. (Sec. 708) Authorizes the States to permit a vehicle with fewer than two occupants to operate in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes if it is a dedicated vehicle. (Sec. 709) Prescribes alternative compliance guidelines for waivers of statutory requirements governing petroleum fuel reduction and clean air requirements for alternative fueled vehicles and for the fleets of new light duty motor vehicles. Prescribes requirements for issuance of credits for the acquisition and use of dedicated vehicles (new qualified hybrid motor vehicles, light, medium, or heavy duty vehicles, and neighborhood electric vehicles). Subtitle B: Automobile Fuel Economy - (Sec. 711) Amends Federal transportation law to expand the considerations affecting decisions by the Secretary of Transportation concerning maximum feasible average fuel economy, and to direct such Secretary to issue an environmental assessment of the effects of the increased standards upon the environment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 713) Raises the mandatory standard for average fuel economy of new executive agency (Federal fleet) automobiles. (Sec. 714) Directs the Secretary of Energy, in cooperation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish a cost-shared, public-private research partnership to develop and demonstrate railroad locomotive technologies that increase fuel economy, reduce emissions, and lower costs of operation. (Sec. 715) Directs the Secretary to analyze the potential fuel savings and emissions reductions resulting from use of idling reduction technologies as they are applied to heavy-duty vehicles. Declares that, in order to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions due to engine idling, the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and the axle weight limit for any motor vehicle equipped with an idling reduction technology certified by DOE will be increased by an amount (up to 400 pounds) necessary to compensate for the additional weight of the idling reduction system. Title VIII: Hydrogen - Subtitle A: Basic Research Programs - George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - (Sec. 802) Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to revamp guidelines governing hydrogen research, development, and demonstration. Renames the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 803) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) implement a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program on advanced hydrogen-powered vehicle technologies (authorizing appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008); (2) establish an interagency task force to coordinate Federal hydrogen and fuel cell energy activities; and (3) contract with the National Academies to review and report to Congress on the status of Federal hydrogen and fuel cell energy activities. Subtitle B: Demonstration Programs - Directs the Secretary to establish a program for demonstration and commercial application of: (1) hydrogen-powered vehicles and associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure in a variety of transportation-related applications (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (2) hydrogen fuel cells in stationary applications (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (3) fuel cells and associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure in countries where an energy infrastructure is not already well developed (authorizing appropriations for FY 2006 through 2010); (4) hybrid distributed power systems on certain Indian lands (authorizing appropriations for FY 2005 through 2008); and (5) distributed generation systems to significantly reduce the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable energy for use in fuel cells (authorizing appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008). (Sec. 814) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to study and report jointly to Congress on energy needs and uses at National Parks, and the potential for fuel cell and other hydrogen-based technologies to meet them. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to fund at least three pilot projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and 2005. Subtitle C: Federal Programs - (Sec. 821) Directs the Secretary to conduct a public education program designed to increase public interest and acceptance of hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 822) Requires Federal agencies with annual outlays of over $20 million to submit a comprehensive hydrogen transition strategic plan to Congress. (Sec. 823) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish minimum Federal fleet purchase requirements for hydrogen vehicles. (Sec. 824) Directs the President to seek to ensure that the total amount of electric energy consumed by the Federal Government during any fiscal year shall be generated by stationary fuel cells in accordance with prescribed percentages and timetable. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and following years. (Sec. 825) Directs the Secretary to publish and transmit to Congress a plan identifying critical technologies, enabling strategies and applications, technical targets, and associated timeframes for the commercialization of hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles. Title IX: Research and Development - Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2003 - (Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary to conduct energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs that target: (1) energy efficiency; (2) diversity of energy supply; (3) decreasing dependence on foreign energy; (4) energy security; and (5) decreasing environmental impact of energy-related activities. Subtitle A: Energy Efficiency - (Sec. 911) Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application (R&D) in the following areas: (1) energy efficiency; (2) Next Generation Lighting Initiative; (3) a National Building Performance Initiative; (4) secondary electric vehicle battery use; and (5) energy efficiency science initiative. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. Subtitle B: Distributed Energy and Electric Energy Systems - (Sec. 921) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for distributed energy and electric energy systems, including micro-cogeneration energy technology. (Sec. 922) Directs the Secretary to: (1) transmit to Congress a strategy for a comprehensive R&D program for certain hybrid distributed power systems; (2) establish a comprehensive research, demonstration, and commercial application program to improve energy efficiency of high power density facilities; and (3) make competitive, merit-based grants to consortia for the development of micro-cogeneration energy technology. (Sec. 935) Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to coordinating consortia of interdisciplinary participants for demonstrations designed to accelerate the utilization of distributed energy technologies, such as fuel cells, microturbines, reciprocating engines, thermally activated technologies, and combined heat and power systems, in highly energy intensive commercial applications. (Sec. 926) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution to implement a comprehensive R&D program to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and environmental integrity of electrical transmission and distribution systems. Subtitle C: Renewable Energy - (Sec. 931) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for renewable energy R&D activities. (Sec. 932) Instructs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a bioenergy R&D program; (2) initiate a partnership encompassing diesel engine, diesel fuel injection system, and diesel vehicle manufacturers, including diesel and biodiesel fuel providers, in order to include biodiesel testing in advanced diesel engine and fuel system technology; and (3) conduct a R&D program for concentrating solar power for hydrogen production, including co-generation approaches for hydrogen and electricity. (Sec. 935) Directs the Secretary to conduct R&D programs for: (1) ocean energy, including wave energy; (2) the combined use of renewable energy technologies with one another and with other energy technologies, including the combined use of wind power and coal gasification technologies; and (3) renewable energy technologies for cogeneration of hydrogen and electricity. Subtitle D: Nuclear Energy - (Sec. 941) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for core nuclear energy R&D programs. (Sec. 942) Instructs the Secretary to conduct a nuclear energy research initiative that encompasses: (1) a Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization Program; (2) Nuclear Power 2010 Program; (3) Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative; (4) reactor production of hydrogen; (5) nuclear infrastructure support; and (6) advanced fuel recycling technology R&D. (Sec. 944) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish fellowship and faculty assistance programs, including support for fundamental research and for collaborative research among industry, national laboratories, and universities through the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative; (2) conduct a R&D program on cost-effective technologies for increasing the safety of nuclear facilities; and (3) furnish Congress with results of a survey regarding industrial applications of large radioactive sources. Subtitle E: Fossil Energy - (Sec. 951) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for fossil energy R&D activities. (Sec. 952) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct R&D programs pertaining to specified oil and gas applications, including fuel cells; (2) establish a national center or consortium of excellence in clean energy and power generation; (3) conduct an R&D program on coal mining technologies; (4) conduct a coal and related technologies research program; and (4) establish a Complex Well Technology Testing Facility at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center to increase the range of extended drilling technologies. Subtitle F: Science - (Sec. 961) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for R&D activities of the Office of Science. (Sec. 962) Prescribes guidelines for United States participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project (ITER). (Sec. 963) Directs the Secretary to report on the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) as part of the DOE annual budget submission, including a description of the achievement of milestones, a comparison of actual costs to estimated costs, and any changes in estimated project costs or schedule. Specifies maximum DOE obligations for the SNS. (Sec. 964) Instructs the Secretary to develop and implement a strategy for science and energy facilities and infrastructure at all national laboratories and single-purpose research facilities. (Sec. 965) Directs the Secretary to support research programs that target the following areas: (1) catalysis research; (2) nanoscale science and engineering; (3) advanced scientific computing for energy missions; (4) the Genomes to Life Program; (5) fission and fusion energy materials; and (6) energy-related issues regarding water resources and municipal waterworks, including water supply issues related to energy production. Subtitle G: Energy and Environment - (Sec. 971) Directs the Secretary to establish a United States-Mexico Energy Technology Cooperation Program to promote energy efficient, environmentally sound economic development along the United States-Mexico border which minimizes public health risks from industrial activities in the border region. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 972) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to provide a $125 million loan to the owner of the experimental plant constructed under DOE cooperative agreement number DE-FC-22-91PC90544 on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines, including interest rates and upfront payments. Subtitle H: Management - (Sec. 982) Directs the Secretary to require a non-Federal source commitment of at least: (1) 20 percent of R&D project costs; and (2) 50 percent of direct costs of any demonstration or commercial application project. (Sec. 984) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish National Energy R&D Advisory Boards to review DOE programs in energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and fossil energy; (2) designate a Technology Transfer Coordinator to perform oversight of and policy development for technology transfer activities at the Department; (3) establish a Technology Transfer Working Group and a Technology Infrastructure Program; and (4) require the Director of each National Laboratory to establish a small business advocacy and assistance program. (Sec. 988) Requires the Secretary to report to Congress identifying any policies or procedures of a contractor operating a National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility that create disincentives to the temporary transfer of scientific and technical personnel among the contractor-operated National Laboratories or contractor-operated single-purpose research facilities and provide suggestions for improving inter-laboratory exchange of scientific and technical personnel. (Sec. 989) Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to Congress on: (1) the obstacles to accelerating the R&D cycle for energy technology; and (2) the adequacy of DOE policies and procedures pertaining to technology transfer-related disputes between DOE contractors and the private sector. (Sec. 994) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to: (1) rename the Under Secretary of Energy the Under Secretary for Energy and Science, who shall serve as the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary; and (2) replace the Director of the Office of Science with an Assistant Secretary for Science. Declares the sense of Congress that the leadership for departmental missions in nuclear energy should be at the Assistant Secretary level. Increases from six to seven the number of Assistant Secretaries in the DOE. (Sec. 995) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 996) Grants the Secretary additional authority to enter into transactions on such terms as the Secretary may deem appropriate in furtherance of R&D functions. Exempts such transactions from certain provisions of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974. (Sec. 997) Directs the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences to investigate and report (ultimately to Congress) on the scientific and technical merits of any evaluation methodology currently in use or proposed for use in relation to DOE scientific and technical programs by the Secretary or other Federal official. Title X: Personnel and Training - (Sec. 1001) Directs the Secretary to monitor trends in the workforce of skilled technical personnel supporting energy technology industries, including renewable energy industries, companies developing and commercializing devices to increase energy efficiency, the oil and gas industry, the nuclear power industry, and the coal industry. Authorizes traineeship grants for skilled technical personnel for whom a national shortfall of skilled technical personnel is determined. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 1002) Directs the Secretary to establish postdoctoral and distinguished senior energy research fellowships. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 1003) Instructs the Secretary of Labor, jointly with the electric industry and with recognized employee representatives, to develop training guidelines for electric energy industry personnel. (Sec. 1004) Directs the Secretary to support the establishment of a National Center on Energy Management and Building Technologies to facilitate improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality in industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. (Sec. 1005) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) give priority to activities designed to encourage students from under-represented groups to pursue scientific and technical careers; and (2) instruct the Director of each National Laboratory to enter into partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Indian tribal colleges to train personnel in science or engineering. (Sec. 1006) Directs the Secretary to support establishment of a National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center to train certified operators for electric power generation plants. (Sec. 1007) Instructs the Secretary of Labor to hire, train, and deploy additional skilled Federal mine inspectors to ensure the availability of skilled and experienced individuals and to maintain the number of Federal mine inspectors at or above authorized levels. Title XI: Electricity - Subtitle A: Reliability - (Sec. 1111) Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC, for purposes of approving reliability standards and enforcing compliance, jurisdiction over the Electric Reliability Organization, over regional entities, and over all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system. Prescribes implementation guidelines. Exempts Alaska and Hawaii from such provisions. Subtitle B: Regional Markets - (Sec. 1121) Remands for reconsideration by FERC a certain proposed rulemaking on standard market design. Prohibits issuance of any final rule thereon before July 1, 2005. (Sec. 1122) Expresses the sense of Congress that all transmitting utilities in interstate commerce should voluntarily become members of independently administered Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO's) that have operational or functional control of facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce and do not own or control generation facilities used to supply electric energy for sale at wholesale. (Sec. 1123) Prescribes guidelines under which the appropriate Federal regulatory authority may arrange to transfer control and use of all or part of the Federal utility's transmission system to an RTO. (Sec. 1124) Directs FERC to: (1) convene regional discussions with State regulatory commissions to address whether wholesale electric markets in each region are working effectively to provide reliable service to electric consumers at the lowest reasonable cost; and (2) give priority to discussions in regions that do not have an RTO. Subtitle C: Improving Transmission Access and Protecting Service Obligations - (Sec. 1131) Requires FERC to: (1) ensure that certain load-serving entities (defined as a distribution utility or an electric utility that has a service obligation to end-users or a distribution utility) are entitled to use firm transmission rights in order to deliver energy to meet service obligations; and (2) facilitate the planning and expansion of transmission facilities to meet the needs of load-serving entities to satisfy their service obligations. (Sec. 1132) Prescribes implementation guidelines under which FERC may require an unregulated transmitting utility to provide transmission services: (1) at rates comparable to those that it charges itself; and (2) on terms and conditions comparable to those under which it provides transmission services to itself and that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential. (Sec. 1133) Instructs FERC to issue a final rule establishing transmission pricing policies that promote investment in transmission infrastructure. Subtitle D: Amendments to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 - (Sec. 1141) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each electric utility to: (1) make available upon request net metering and time-based metering service; and (2) provide competitive pricing and access to the local distribution grid to distributed generation, combined heat and power, and district heating and cooling systems. (Sec. 1145) Declares that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase electric energy from a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility (qualifying facility) if FERC finds that the qualifying facility has access to an independently administered, auction-based day ahead and real time wholesale market for the sale of electric energy. Declares that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to sell electric energy to a qualifying facility if competing retail electric suppliers are able to provide electric energy to the facility. Grandfathers existing contracts. Eliminates ownership limitations for such facilities. (Sec. 1146) Instructs FERC to promulgate regulations to ensure recovery by any electric utility of all costs associated with the purchases of electricity or capacity from a qualifying facility before the date of enactment of this Act. Subtitle E: Provisions Regarding the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 - (Sec. 1152) Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. (Sec. 1153) Mandates Federal and State access to books and records of each holding company and its affiliates. Subtitle F: Market Transparency, Anti-Manipulation and Enforcement - (Sec. 1171) Amends the Federal Power Act to require FERC to issue rules establishing an electronic information system for public access to information that facilitates price transparency and participation in markets subject to FERC jurisdiction, including information about the availability and market price of wholesale electric energy and transmission services. Prohibits the filing of false information regarding the wholesale price of electricity, and round trip trading. (Sec. 1173) Increases civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Act. Subtitle G: Consumer Protections - (Sec. 1181) Instructs the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules: (1) protecting the privacy of electric consumers from the disclosure of consumer information in connection with the sale or delivery of electric energy to a retail electric consumer; (2) prohibiting the change of selection of an electric utility without the electric consumer's informed consent (slamming); and (3) prohibiting the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer without express authorization by law or the electric consumer (cramming). Subtitle H: Technical Amendments - (Sec. 1191) Amends the Federal Power Act to make technical amendments to reflect the changes made by this Act.
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