Housing

Alphonso R. Jackson, of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Saul N. Ramirez, Jr., resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 30 April 2001

Romolo A. Bernardi, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Cardell Cooper, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 30 April 2001

Richard A. Hauser, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, vice Gail W. Laster, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 30 April 2001

A bill to amend section 3702 of title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority for housing loans for members of the Selected Reserve.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001

Extends through September 30, 2015 (currently September 30, 2007) the eligibility of certain former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans.

FHA Multifamily Housing Mortgage Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2001

FHA Multifamily Housing Mortgage Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2001 - Amends the National Housing Act to increase multifamily project mortgage loan limits for: (1) rental housing; (2) cooperative housing; (3) rehabilitation and neighborhood conservation housing; (4) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (5) housing for the elderly; and (6) condominiums.

To provide that Commodity Futures Trading Commission employees may be paid on a par with employees of other government financial institutions.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2001

Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to allow the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers, attorneys, economists, examiners, and other employees as may be necessary for carrying out its functions, and to set and adjust the rates of basic pay for all Commission employees. Authorizes the Commission to provide additional compensation and benefits to Commission employees if the same type of compensation or benefits are being provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency, the National Credit Union Administration Board, the Federal Housing Finance Board, the Farm Credit Administration, and the Office of Thrift Supervision, or if not being provided, could be provided by such an agency. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to require the Commission, in establishing and adjusting compensation and benefits for Commission employees, to inform Congress and such agencies of such compensation and benefits, and to seek to maintain comparability with such agencies regarding compensation and benefits.

Environmental Justice in Federally Assisted Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2001

Environmental Justice in Federally Assisted Housing Act - Establishes the Advisory Commission on the Proximity of Hazardous Waste Sites to Federally Assisted Housing which shall conduct a study and report regarding: (1) the extent and proximity of federally assisted housing to hazardous waste sites; and (2) related health risks and illness histories.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for the conversion of cooperative housing corporations into condominiums.

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2001

Revises Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning distributions by cooperative housing corporations to provide that: (1) no gain or loss shall be recognized to a cooperative housing corporation on the distribution by such corporation of a dwelling unit to a stockholder in exchange for the stockholder's stock (in such corporation); and (2) no gain or loss shall be recognized to the stockholder as a result of such exchange.

FHA Shutdown Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001

FHA Shutdown Prevention Act - Amends the National Housing Act to permit the use of negative credit subsidy from the General Insurance Fund or the Special Risk Insurance Fund for specific housing insurance mortgage or loan commitments. Considers such negative credit subsidies as new budget authority provided in advance of an appropriations Act for the fiscal year concerned.

Community Character Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001

Community Character Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a program to provide grants to States (including tribal governments and Native Hawaiian organizations) to assist in the development or revision of land use planning legislation and the creation or revision of State and multi-State comprehensive land use plans or plan elements. Requires grant funds to be used to obtain technical assistance in: (1) drafting such legislation; (2) research and development for land use planning programs and requirements relating to the development of State guide plans; (3) conducting workshops, educating and consulting policy makers, and involving citizens in the planning process; and (4) integrating State and regional concerns and land use plans with such Federal plans. Authorizes increased Federal cost sharing for projects with tribal governments or Native Hawaiian organizations.

Secondary Mortgage Market Enterprises Regulatory Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2001

Secondary Mortgage Market Enterprises Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to transfer supervisory and regulatory authority over specified government sponsored enterprises (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and from the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Directs the Board to ensure that the enterprises operate in a financially safe manner and remain adequately capitalized. Sets forth Board operating, administrative, and regulatory provisions, including: (1) public disclosure of information; (2) assessment authority; (3) elimination of specified enterprise regulatory authority of HUD; (4) prior approval authority over new activities; (5) authority to limit nonmission-related assets and set specified conforming loan limits; (6) establishment of a housing price index; (7) minimum and critical capital levels; (8) risk-based capital test; (9) capital classifications and undercapitalized enterprises; (10) receivership; (11) enforcement actions and penalties; and (12) reporting. Abolishes the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. Sets forth related transfer of personnel and facility and property provisions.

Tornado Shelters Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001

Tornado Shelters Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to permit the use of community development block grants for construction of tornado-safe shelters in manufactured home parks.

Mahoning Valley Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2001

Mahoning Valley Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act for FY 2002 for: (1) a project for the extension of waterlines in Milton Township and Craig Beach Village, Ohio; and (2) sewer line projects in rural communities in Trumbull County, Ohio.

Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2001

Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modify the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) define the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit projects.

Rural Rental Housing Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001

Rural Rental Housing Act of 2001 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, directly or through specified intermediaries, to provide rural rental housing assistance. Gives priority to very low-income families, low-income communities, communities lacking affordable rental housing, or certain other applicants.

CARE Act of 2002

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2001

Community Solutions Act of 2001 - Title I: Charitable Giving Incentives Package - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a non-itemizer a deduction for charitable contributions. (Sec. 102) Permits tax-free distributions from an individual retirement account made directly to a qualified charity. (Sec. 103) Sets forth a rule for determining the amount of the deduction allowable for a charitable contribution of food inventory. (Sec. 104) Exempts a business entity from civil liability relating to any injury or death that results from the use of equipment, facilities (including tours of such facilities), or vehicles donated by such entity to a nonprofit organization, subject to stated exceptions. Title II: Expansion of Charitable Choice - Charitable Choice Act of 2001 - Includes religious organizations as nongovernmental providers, provided that no Federal, State, or local government funds or other assistance that is received by a religious organization aids the religion, for purposes of programs concerning the: (1) prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and the improvement of the juvenile justice system; (2) prevention of crime; (3) Federal housing laws; (4) the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (title I only); (5) Older Americans Act of 1965; (6) Child Care Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (7) Community Development Block Grant Program established under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; (8) intervention in and prevention of domestic violence; (9) hunger relief activities of such organizations; (10) Job Access and Reverse Commute grant program; or (11) activities necessary to assist students in obtaining the recognized equivalents of secondary school diplomas and activities relating to non-school-hours programs. States that the receipt by a religious organization of Federal, State, or local government funds is not and should not be perceived as an endorsement by the government of religion or the organization's religious beliefs or practices. Permits a religious organization, in order to aid in the preservation of its religious character and notwithstanding any other provision of law, to require that its employees adhere to the religious practices of the organization. Requires the appropriate Federal, State, or local governmental entity funding any of the above described programs, if a program beneficiary objects to the religious character of the organization from which the beneficiary receives, or would receive, assistance to provide to such beneficiary assistance that: (1) is an alternative, including a nonreligious alternative, that is accessible to the individual; and (2) has a value that is not less than the value of the assistance that the beneficiary would have received from such religious organization. Prohibits discrimination by a religious organization receiving such program assistance against a beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious belief, or a refusal to hold a religious belief. Title III: Individual Development Accounts - Provides for the establishment of individual development accounts (IDAs) for taxpayers with incomes of up to $20,000 ($25,000 for heads of households and for $40,000 on a joint return) from which expenses may be made for: (1) qualified higher education expenses; (2) qualified first-time homebuyer costs; (3) qualified business capitalization or expansion costs; (4) qualified rollovers; or (5) a qualified final distribution. Provides that an IDA programs shall consist of two components: (1) an IDA to which an eligible individual may contribute cash; and (2) a parallel account to which all matching funds shall be deposited. Defines a "parallel account"as a separate, parallel individual or pooled account for all matching funds and earnings dedicated to an IDA owner as part of a qualified IDA program, the sole owner of which is a qualified financial institution, a qualified nonprofit organization, or an Indian tribe. Requires the qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to deposit all matching funds for each IDA into a parallel account at a qualified financial institution, a qualified nonprofit organization, or an Indian tribe. Establishes an IDA tax credit for a qualified financial institution equal to the IDA investment provided. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) structure and administration of IDA programs; (2) procedures for opening and maintaining an IDA and qualifying for matching funds; (3) deposits by qualified IDA programs; (4) withdrawal procedures; (5) certification and termination of qualified IDA programs; (6) reporting, monitoring, and evaluation (and authorization of appropriations for such activities and implementing the IDA program); and (7) the disregarding of account funds for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs.

Enterprise Communities Enhancement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001

Enterprise Communities Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) additional State entitlements to grants for designated qualified enterprise communities; (2) funding for such grants; and (3) use of grant funds for revolving loan fund loans to residents, institutions, organizations, or businesses that hire disadvantaged adults and youths.

Community Partners Neighborhood Preservation Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001

Community Partners Neighborhood Preservation Act of 2001 - Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to provide a 50 percent discount for teachers and public safety officers purchasing certain eligible asset properties for use as their primary residences. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development should consult with other heads of Federal agencies that own or hold properties appropriate for use as housing to determine whether to include such properties in the Community Partners Next Door program under NHA and other programs that make housing available for law enforcement officers, teachers, or fire fighters.

To require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a study of developing residential mortgage programs that provide low-cost health insurance in connection with low-cost mortgages.

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2001

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a study of developing residential mortgage programs that provide low-cost health insurance in connection with low-cost mortgages.

Homeowners Rebate Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2001

Homeowners Rebate Act of 2001 - Amends the National Housing Act to provide for a partial rebate to a mortgagor of Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance premiums from the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund Participating Reserve Account whenever a surplus remains after the insurance obligation of the Fund terminates because a mortgagor has paid off the insured mortgage.

Community Development Block Grant Renewal Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001

Community Development Block Grant Renewal Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1972 to increase the amount of community development assistance targeted to low- and moderate-income families, including job creation and area and economic development activities.

Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001

Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense for FY 2001 for: (1) active and reserve military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance; (3) procurement; (4) shipbuilding and conversion; (5) the Defense Health Program; and (6) military family housing. Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Transportation for operating expenses of the Coast Guard. Designates each amount appropriated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).

Regarding the human rights situation in the Republic of the Sudan, including the practice of chattel slavery and all other forms of booty and related practices.

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2001

Calls upon the Government of Sudan to: (1) honor international obligations to prosecute slave owners and educate individuals being held as slaves concerning their rights; (2) release all slaves and return them to their homes; and (3) investigate abuses relating to slavery. Urges the United Nations (UN) Security Council to condemn these acts of slavery. Deplores the fighting of the National Islam Front. Advocates the strengthening of the border between northern and southern Sudan. Encourages: (1) human rights organizations to facilitate safe passage for slavery victims in Sudan; and (2) the President to expand the comprehensive sanctions applied to Sudan since 1997 to include sanctions regarding slavery. Urges: (1) cooperation among the western powers to address slavery and other human rights abuses in Sudan and in support of the proposal of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for international action to facilitate the decommissioning of weapons used by Sudanese militias that take slaves; and (2) the Commissioner, the UN Children's Fund, and the European Union to end the use of euphemisms regarding the practice of slavery in Sudan.

Armed Forces Housing Improvement Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001

Armed Forces Housing Improvement Act of 2001 - Makes a member of the armed forces who has a spouse and at least one dependent under 19 residing with such member eligible for military installation housing containing at least three bedrooms, regardless of such member's grade, rank, or rating. Considers housing containing less than three bedrooms inadequate housing for such member. Directs the Secretaries of the military departments to require the military base housing office of each installation to review and revise its housing market analysis and military family housing requirements to accommodate such policy. Prohibits military housing construction funds appropriated before this Act from being obligated until such Secretaries certify to Congress that: (1) such analyses and requirements have been revised; and (2) the unobligated funds will be used to accommodate such policy and implement such analyses and requirements.

Veterans' Equity Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001

Veterans' Equity Act of 2001 - Excludes certain amounts received under veterans' compensation programs from adjusted income for purposes of determining the amount of rent a family will pay for public housing.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 247) to amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize communities to use community development block grant funds for construction of tornado-safe shelters in manufactured home parks.

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2001

Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 247 (tornado shelters).

Truth in Lending Modernization Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001

Truth in Lending Modernization Act of 2001 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to: (1) apply consumer credit information and disclosure requirements to all credit and lease transactions involving real and personal property in which the total amount financed exceeds $75,000 (currently $25,000); and (2) increase the civil penalties for creditor violations of such requirements. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) deem ineffective any consumer waiver of the right to rescission of a transaction required (as a condition of the transaction), urged, or discussed by a creditor; and (2) deem unenforceable any contract provision which requires binding arbitration or any other nonjudicial procedure to resolve a dispute if it would deny the consumer any right to bring an action for any liability of the creditor. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to eliminate the Rule of 78s accounting method for calculating refunds of unearned interest on credit transactions consummated after September 30, 1999 (currently, September 30, 1993).

Equal Credit Enhancement and Neighborhood Protection Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2001

Equal Credit Enhancement and Neighborhood Protection Act of 2001- Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to make it unlawful for a creditor to: (1) not provide an applicant with the most favorable credit terms it or an affiliate has available; and (2) adversely target an applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin sex, age, or marital status, with respect to a high cost mortgage. Provides punitive damages for reverse redlining. Applies the provisions of such Act to preapproval requests. Amends the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 to set forth additional disclosure requirements, including the requirement of a depository institution to identify any parent or affiliate company that makes or finances mortgage loans. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enforce compliance, including imposition of civil money penalties, with respect to mortgage lenders not affiliated with depository institutions. Sets forth related agency procedures, including judicial review of agency-imposed penalties. Provides for an alternative State enforcement action.

Revitalizing Cities Through Parks Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2001

Revitalizing Cities Through Parks Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to qualified community organizations to develop as open space municipally owned vacant lots in urban areas.

To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a 3 year pilot program to assist law enforcement officers purchasing homes in locally-designated at-risk areas.

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2001

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a three-year pilot program of mortgage assistance (downpayment, closing costs, insurance premium) for qualifying law enforcement officers buying homes in locally-designated high-crime areas.

Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health Centers (REACH) Initiative

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2001

Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health Centers (REACH) Initiative - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that appropriations for consolidated health centers under the Public Health Service Act should be increased by 100 percent over the next five fiscal years in order to double the number of individuals who receive health care services at community, migrant, homeless, and public housing health centers.

Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health Centers (REACH) Initiative

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2001

Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health Centers (REACH) Initiative - Expresses the sense of the Senate that appropriations for consolidated health centers under the Public Health Service Act should be increased by 100 percent over the next five fiscal years in order to double the number of individuals who receive health care services at community, migrant, homeless, and public housing health centers.

A resolution authorizing expenditures by the committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2001, through September 30, 2001, October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002, and October 1, 2002, through February 28, 2003.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001

Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from March 1, 2001, through September 30, 2001, October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002 , and October 1, 2002 , through February 28, 2003: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; (12) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. Provides that within the funds in the account "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" appropriated by the legislative branch appropriations Acts for FY 2001, 2002, and 2003 there is authorized to be established a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.

A resolution authorizing expenditures by the committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2001, through September 30, 2001, October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002, and October 1, 2002, through February 28, 2003.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001

Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from March 1, 2001, through September 30, 2001, October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002, and October 1, 2002, through February 28, 2003: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (12) Rules and Administration; (13) Small Business; (14) Veterans' Affairs; (15) Aging; (16) Intelligence; and (17) Indian Affairs. Provides that within the funds in the account "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" appropriated by the legislative branch appropriations Acts for FY 2001, 2002, and 2003 there is authorized to be established a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.

Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2001

Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modify the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) define the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit projects.

A bill to amend the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to add Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Perry, and Wayne Counties, Tennessee, to the Appalachian region.

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2001

Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1985 to add Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Perry, and Wayne Counties, Tennessee, to the Appalachian region.

Community Reinvestment Modernization Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2001

Community Reinvestment Modernization Act of 2001 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to subject to the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA) all nonbank affiliates of bank holding companies that engage in lending or offer banking products or services. Mandates reduction of the CRA rating of a regulated financial institution to reflect predatory or negative credit practices. Places an affirmative obligation upon each securities company, mortgage bank, and insurance company to meet the need for its respective services in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods . Requires bank holding company affiliates of securities, mortgage, and insurance companies to maintain satisfactory CRA ratings. Insurance Disclosure Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish noncommercial insurance data reporting requirements incumbent upon insurers in order to ascertain the availability and affordability of insurance in connection with: (1) census tract; (2) low- and moderate-income neighborhoods; (3) race and gender of policyholders; and (4) location of principal place of agents and their termination by race. Directs the Secretary of HUD to require each insurer that makes an investment in a property or business to submit annually data detailing direct loans and loan purchases in connection with: (1) commercial real estate loans; (2) single-family mortgages; (3) commercial and industrial loans; and (4) other investments. Requires regulated financial institutions to collect data regarding farm and small business loan applications that details: (1) applicant race and gender; (2) minority-owned and women-owned enterprises; (3) the revenue of such applicants; and (4) the actual census tract of the applicants' locale. Sets forth antiredlining requirements for financial holding companies. Revises the requirement that Federal banking agencies prohibit a financial holding company or insured depository institution from commencing certain new financial activities or acquiring control of a company engaged in any financial activity if any subsidiary or affiliate has received a CRA rating of less than "satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs" in its most recent examination. Extends such prohibition to continuing such activities or maintaining control of a company engaged in such activities if any subsidiary or affiliate has received such a less than satisfactory CRA rating.

Homeless Prevention Permanent Housing Renewal Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2001

Homeless Prevention Permanent Housing Renewal Act of 2001 - Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to authorize appropriations for grants for permanent housing for homeless persons with disabilities and for shelter plus care, to be funded through section 8 rental assistance under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Certificate Fund.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States respecting the right to decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2001

Constitutional Amendment - States that all U.S. citizens shall have a right to decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.

FHA First-Time Homebuyer Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2001

FHA First-Time Homebuyer Act - Amends the National Housing Act to reduce insured mortgage downpayment requirements for a first-time homebuyer who has completed a related counseling program.

FHA Downpayment Simplification Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2001

FHA Downpayment Simplification Act - Amends the National Housing Act to revise downpayment requirements for mortgage insurance eligibility.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001

Authorizes expenditures by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for the 107th Congress.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the ability of States and local governments to participate in projects conducted under the alternative authority of the Department of Defense to acquire and improve military housing.

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2001

Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned, whenever electing to carry out a project using alternative authority for the acquisition or construction of military family or unaccompanied housing for a military installation, to give the affected State and local governments a right of first refusal to participate in such project. Provides such right for 30 days, after which the Secretary concerned may extend the solicitation to other eligible entities. Requires interested governmental entities to be given a 120-day period to submit project proposals to the Secretary concerned, which shall be used as the basis for selecting project participants.

Homeownership Opportunities for Uniformed Services and Educators Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001

Homeownership Opportunities for Uniformed Services and Educators Act - Amends the National Housing Act to provide for one percent downpayments for Federal Housing Administration mortgage loans for qualified elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators and non-Federal public safety officers to purchase homes within the jurisdictions of their employing agencies.

Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001

Veterans' Opportunities Act of 2001 - Increases the maximum annual Reserve Officers' Training Corps award while continuing eligibility for benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill program. Includes certain outreach services within veterans' work-study opportunities. Includes as an "educational institution," for purposes of veterans' educational assistance, private entities teaching a profession or education in a technology occupation. Revises the incremental GI bill contributions required from active-duty personnel. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) provide increased transition assistance to members of the armed forces; and (2) maintain overseas veterans assistance offices. Requires veterans' pre-separation counseling to occur as soon as possible within 18 months preceding an anticipated retirement. Increases certain education and training outreach services available for separating military personnel and veterans. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the outreach needs of veterans' dependents are fully addressed, including through the use of the Internet and announcements in veterans publications and through the media. Increases the maximum available benefits for veterans' burial expenses, family coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, automobile and adaptive assistance benefits for certain disabled veterans, and veterans' specially adapted housing. Allows real property used for farming, ranching, or similar agricultural purposes to be excluded from the value of a veteran's estate for purposes of pension eligibility for veterans who are permanently and totally disabled from a non-service-connected disability.

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding housing affordability and ensuring a competitive North American market for softwood lumber.

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2001

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 should terminate on a specified date, with no extension or further quota agreement; and (2) the President should consult with appropriate stakeholders, including consumers, and continue discussions with the Government of Canada to promote open trade of softwood lumber between Canada and the United States.

College Fire Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2001

College Fire Prevention Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to States, private or public colleges or universities, fraternities, or sororities for up to half the cost of providing fire sprinkler systems in student housing and dormitories. Directs the Comptroller General to gather, and report to Congress, data on the number of college and university housing facilities and dormitories that have and do not have fire sprinkler systems and other forms of built-in fire protection mechanisms. Provides that any application for assistance under this Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity.

To amend the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to designate Edmonson, Hart, and Metcalfe Counties, Kentucky, as part of the Appalachian region.

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2001

Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1985 to add Edmonson, Hart, and Metcalfe Counties, Kentucky, to the Appalachian region.

Cost of Living Measurement and Index Act of 2001

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001

Cost of Living Measurement and Index Act of 2001 - Direct the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to conduct a study to develop a methodology for determining the cost of living in each State, that accounts for the costs of housing, goods, and services, to improve Government management and the economy and management of Government operations and activities that rely on accurate economic information. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study in which the methodology is applied to determine how Federal benefits provided to beneficiaries in each State would be increased if: (1) such benefits were determined based on each State's cost of living under such methodology; and (2) the methodology were applied subject to a hold harmless provision under which benefits would only be increased for high cost of living States.

Homeownership Opportunities for Uniformed Services and Educators Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2001

Homeownership Opportunities for Uniformed Services and Educators Act - Amends the National Housing Act to provide for one percent downpayments for Federal Housing Administration mortgage loans for qualified elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators and non-Federal public safety officers to purchase homes within the jurisdictions of their employing agencies.