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351 records in US in 2003
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to revise the optional method of computing net earnings from self-employment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Baseball Fan Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions concerning the basis limitation for player contracts transferred in connection with the sale of a sports franchise to provide that when a sports franchise is sold, unless local television stations are given reasonable opportunity to purchase the right to broadcast the team's games before others are allowed to make bids, there shall be a presumption that the 50 percent allocation of value to player contracts shall be zero. Applies this Act to franchise sales or exchanges after December 31, 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2691 (FY 2004 Department of the Interior and related agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act - Establishes a Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Grant Program in the Great Lakes National Program Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Allocates funds among the Great Lakes States, requiring the funding of at least one project or activity per Great Lakes State per fiscal year. Stipulates that these projects result in tangible improvements in the Great Lakes watershed and address at least one of the priority issues identified by the Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Advisory Board. Prohibits the use of restoration grant funds for: (1) roads not connected with a sewer upgrade; (2) research, monitoring or beautification projects unrelated to tangible improvements to the watershed; or (3) litigation and lobbying expenses. Establishes the Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Advisory Board which includes Federal, State, and local members as well as Canadian and environmental organization observers. Establishes the Great Lakes Federal Coordinating Council. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of EPA to: (1) develop and implement science-based indicators of water quality and related environmental factors in the Great Lakes, including measures of accumulated toxic pollutants; (2) establish a Federal network to regularly monitor and collect this data; and (3) make a report available to Congress and the public describing the water quality and related environmental factors of the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Child Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide a uniform definition of the term "child"; (2) repeal the head of household filing status and establish an exemption of $3,700 for single taxpayers with either a qualifying child, relative, or parent in the household; and (3) exempt means-tested government benefits when determining whether or not over half the cost of a dependent's care is provided by a taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2003
Provides for consideration of H.R. 1950 (Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005).
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State to jointly establish a seasonal and nonseasonal guest worker program with an eligible foreign country. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) alien worker and program eligibility; and (2) employer applications and petitions. Gives permanent resident status adjustment priority to guest workers who have participated in the program for at least three years. (Requires such application to be filed after the worker has returned to his or her home country.) Prohibits status adjustment before such three-year period. Establishes W-1 (seasonal) and W-2 (nonseasonal) nonimmigrant visas for such workers. Amends the Social Security Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer at least quarterly from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund 100 percent of the guest worker taxes to the Guest Worker Investment Fund for deposit in a guest worker investment account for each guest worker; (2) direct the Secretary of the Guest Worker Investment Fund to create a guest worker investment account for each covered guest worker; (3) establish in the Treasury the Guest Worker Investment Fund; and (4) provide for account distribution after the worker leaves the program and returns to his or her home country. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) adjust the status of certain unlawfully present aliens to nonimmigrant guest worker status (requires adjustment applications to be filed within 12 months of enactment of this Act); and (2) impose additional civil penalties upon employers who knowingly employ unauthorized aliens after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Caring Family Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional exemption for dependents, residing with the taxpayer, with long-term care needs who are over the age of 60.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that if a taxpayer is a member of an affiliated group of corporations which files a consolidated return, the tax attributes concerning reduction of tax attributes and exclusion from gross income by reason of discharge of indebtedness shall be the aggregate tax attributes of such group.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes FY 2004 appropriations for the Senate for: (1) expense allowances; (2) representation allowances for the Majority and Minority Leaders; (3) salaries of specified officers, employees, and committees (including the Committee on Appropriations); (4) agency contributions for employee benefits; (5) inquiries and investigations; (6) the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control; (7) the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate; (8) miscellaneous items; (9) the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account; and (10) official mail costs. Makes FY 2004 appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies of 2005, and the Joint Economic and Taxation Committees; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office; (4) the preparation of statements of appropriations; (5) the Capitol Police; (6) the Office of Compliance; (7) the Congressional Budget Office; (8) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of Capitol buildings and grounds, the Senate office building, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, the Capitol Police buildings and grounds, the Botanic Garden; and (9) the Capitol Visitor Center. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, Congressional Research Service, and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding (including transfer of funds); (3) GPO for the Office of Superintendent of Documents (including transfer of funds); (4) the General Accounting Office for salaries and expenses; (5) a payment to the Government Printing Office Revolving Fund; and (6) a payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund. Makes emergency supplemental appropriations, under specified conditions, for FY 2003 for: (1) the Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Disaster Relief Fund; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Human Space Flight; (3) the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Wildland Fire Management; (4) the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Wildland Fire Management; and (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service, National and Community Service Programs Operating Expenses (relating to activities including the AmeriCorps program) and for educational awards.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Reforestation Tax Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to a taxpayer who has a qualified timber gain in an amount equal to the qualified percentage of such gain. Allows a deduction, for qualified timber property, for reforestation expenditures and terminates current provisions allowing for the amortization of such expenditures. Provides for the application of passive activity loss limitations to timber activity of an individual who is a member of a closely held entity if management of such activity is less than 100 hours annually.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Estate Tax Reduction Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce estate taxes and increase the unified credit to $3 million, with an inflation adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2003
Tribal Government Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by establishing that Indian tribal governments shall be treated as States for purposes of chapter 35 (Taxes on Wagering).
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Insurance Consumer Protection Act of 2003 - Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Insurance Regulatory Commission to: (1) gather information on and investigate the insurance business; and (2) designate those classes of insurance that are generally unavailable or unaffordable in certain regions, or to certain groups or businesses, or for which there have been unusually great premium increases, or in the case of any class of liability insurance, for which reinsurance is generally unavailable or unaffordable, or for which there have been unusually great reinsurance premium increases. Requires the Commission to: (1) examine annually interstate insurers; and (2) collect and make available to the public periodic reports of interstate insurance licensees; and compile them in a data base. Prescribes guidelines for Federal licensing and standards governing interstate insurers. Grants the Commission oversight of: (1) State insurance rates; (2) interstate insurance rates; (3) sales and marketing practices of interstate insurers; and (4) accounting and auditing of the industry. Requires the Commission to establish: (1) an Office of Consumer Protection; (2) licensure standards for reinsurers; and (3) accounting standards for insurers and reinsurers. Requires the Commission to license reinsurance intermediary brokers or managers. Prescribes guidelines for the Commission to act as receiver and to supervise the liquidation for insurers or reinsurers. Establishes the National Insurance Guaranty Corporation as a non-profit Federal agency to provide: (1) a payment program for covered claims under certain life, health, and property and casualty insurance policies, and (2) a uniform national system of administration for the liquidation of insolvent member insurers. Establishes the National Insurance Guaranty Fund. Amends Federal criminal law to set forth criminal and civil penalties governing crimes by or affecting persons engaged in the business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce. Specifies the preemption of State law regarding activities authorized under this Act, except for laws requiring participation in a residual market insurance program, tax laws, and certain other kinds of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Better HEALTH Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants or contracts for geographic areas that have a shortage of health care professionals due to the costs of medical malpractice insurance. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a business tax credit for medical professional malpractice insurance according to a specified schedule. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to make grants to eligible nonprofit hospitals and clinics to pay 15 percent of qualified medical malpractice insurance costs. Prohibits any individual from bringing a medical malpractice liability action unless it is accompanied by the affidavit of a qualified specialist attesting to the reasonableness of the filing. Requires the attorney of a person filing such an action, or the individual if there is no attorney, to sign a certificate of merit attesting to the justified nature of the action. Directs courts to impose sanctions for violations of the provisions pertaining to the certificate of merit, including to issue fines for multiple offenders. Medical Malpractice Insurance Antitrust Act of 2003 - Declares that nothing in the McCarran-Ferguson Act shall be construed to permit commercial insurers to engage in any form of price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations in connection with the conduct of the business of providing medical malpractice insurance. Establishes an Independent Advisory Commission on Medical Malpractice Insurance. Patient Safety Improvement and Medical Injury Reduction Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth that, with certain exceptions, patient safety information shall be privileged and confidential and not subject to specified disclosures. Allows health care professionals to waive such privileges. Declares that it is unlawful for any person to disclose patient safety information in violation of this Act (with specified exceptions). Grants protection against adverse employment actions to individuals who report certain types of information to providers or patient safety organizations. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to establish: (1) a Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety; (2) a National Patient Safety Database; and (3) a National Patient Safety Research Demonstration System. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to promote community partnerships for health care improvement among health care professionals, with the aim of improving the quality of medical care in communities. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Medical Information Technology Advisory Board. Allows the Secretary to make grants for: (1) computerized physician order entry systems; (2) informatics systems; and (3) patient safety research. Amends provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to classify drugs and biological devices as misbranded unless they include a unique product identifier. Directs the Secretary to issue and periodically revise regulations to require the manufacturer of such a product, or its packager or labeler, to include such information on the packaging.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a special amortization tax deduction for up to $5 million of the intangible property acquired from an eligible small business (i.e., a business with gross receipts not exceeding $5 million for the three preceding taxable years) after December 31, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt limousines over 6,000 pounds from the gas guzzler tax.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Earmarks specified funds authorized for defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 for a prototype, multi-role, long-range sniper system capable of firing a 30-millimeter projectile to a range of approximately 4,500 yards.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2660 (FY 2004 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2657 (FY 2004 legislative branch appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2003
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2004 - Makes appropriations for the House of Representatives for FY 2004 for: (1) salaries and/or expenses of the House leadership offices, committees (including the Committee on Appropriations), officers and employees, and the Child Care Center; (2) Members' representational allowances; and (3) the preparation of statements of appropriations. Makes appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Economic and Taxation Committees; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office; (4) the Capitol Police; (5) the Office of Compliance; (6) the Congressional Budget Office; and (7) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of Capitol buildings and grounds, House office buildings, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, the Capitol Police buildings and grounds, and the Botanic Garden. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, Congressional Research Service, and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding (including transfer of funds); (3) GPO for the Office of Superintendent of Documents (including transfer of funds); (4) the General Accounting Office for salaries and expenses; (5) a payment to the Government Printing Office Revolving Fund; and (6) a payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the additional requirements for qualified veterans mortgage bonds to: (1) revise the definition of a qualified veteran to mean any veteran who served on active duty (removes the limitation of service before January 1, 1977) and who applied for financing before 30 years after leaving service (removes the additional proviso of, or before January 31, 1985); (2) revise the State veterans limit; and (3) permit a State to elect to carry forward any of such unused limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
RAFT (Restore Access to Foreign Trade) Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to redefine the term "foreign base company shipping income" to include income derived from, or in connection with, the use of "any aircraft or petroleum vessel in foreign commerce....". (Currently, the term is defined to include income derived from, or in connection with, the use of "any aircraft or vessel in foreign commerce....".) Defines the term "petroleum vessel."
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Rigs to Reefs Act of 2003 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to instruct the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations authorizing the use for culture of marine organisms, an artificial reef, or scientific research of any offshore oil and gas platform decommissioned from service for oil and gas purposes. Denies liability under Federal law of any former owner of an offshore oil and gas platform for costs or damages arising from use of it for culture of marine organisms, an artificial reef, or scientific research, unless such costs or damages arise from: (1) use of the platform by the person for development or production of oil or gas; or (2) another act or omission. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business-related credits) to establish an income tax credit for costs relating to converting offshore oil and gas platforms for culturing marine organisms.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Small Business Expensing Permanency Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the $100,000 expensing allowance permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the use of proceeds of tax exempt private activity bonds for community and water facility loans guaranteed under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Prescription Affordability and Medicine Safety Act of 2003 - Authorizes appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for generic drug application review and the continuation of the education program on the use and therapeutic equivalency of drugs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to States in support of State pharmacy benefit assistance programs. Requires a percentage of profits from the sale of certain drugs and biological products to be placed in a revolving fund and used to support the grants program. Limits the tax deductions for advertising for prescription drug manufacturers. Limits the extension of the 30-month stay of FDA approval for any new (generic) drug, as specified, thereby limiting the brand name drug's patent owner's period of exclusive sales. Makes a patent owner's failure to timely file a civil action for infringement a bar to later action. Sets forth requirements for filing drug patent information with the FDA. Makes a patent owner's failure to timely file with the FDA a bar to civil actions for patent infringement. Requires the first generic drug applicant with a specified certification to forfeit the 180-day marketing exclusivity period to a subsequent generic drug applicant if the first generic drug applicant engages in certain behaviors which delay or prevent the marketing of the generic drug.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Commuter Benefit Equity Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase (to $190) and equalize the transportation and parking fringe benefits exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Dietary Supplement Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat amounts paid for foods for special dietary use, dietary supplements, and medical foods as medical expenses for purposes of the medical expense deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Repeals subtitles A (Repeal of Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes) and E (Carryover Basis at Death; Other Changes Taking Effect With Repeal) of title V (Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Provisions) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. Makes the sunset provisions of such Act inapplicable to the remainder of title V. Reduces estate and gift tax rates to the lesser of 15 percent or the applicable capital gains rate. Sets a unified estate and gift tax credit of $5 million.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Rebuild America Act of 2003 - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and Federal transportation law to increase, for FY 2003, the: (1) Federal-aid highway program obligation ceiling; (2) authorization of appropriations for formula grants from the Highway Trust Fund and General Fund; (3) Federal Transit Program obligation ceiling; and (4) authorization of appropriations for airport planning and development. Authorizes grants for airport baggage and other security improvement projects. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit to holders of qualified AMTRAK bonds. Outlines requirements prior to the written approval by the Secretary of Transportation of qualified high-speed rail projects (which in turn qualify for the AMTRAK tax credit). Directs the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to submit to the President and Congress a multiyear capital spending plan. Expresses the sense of Congress that the proceeds of qualified AMTRAK bonds are intended to finance the construction of qualified high-speed projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 for AMTRAK capital expenditures. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of capital grants for the rehabilitation, preservation, or improvement of class II and III railroad track used primarily for freight transportation. Amends the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 to: (1) increase the aggregate unpaid principal ceiling on railroad rehabilitation and improvement loans; (2) authorize the Secretary to make grants to supplement such loans and loan guarantees; (3) prohibit the Secretary from requiring such a loan applicant to provide collateral; (4) require loan approval or disapproval within 30 days; and (5) prohibit the Secretary from assessing fees for such loans. Authorizes appropriations for port security grants. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to: (1) require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assist States in establishing simplified procedures for small water treatment works to obtain assistance under such Act; (2) add to authorized purposes of State water pollution control revolving funds; (3) extend, from 20 to 30 years, the authorized term for loans made from such funds; (4) allow such funds to be used to provide owners and operators of small treatment works with certain technical and planning assistance; (5) allow an additional subsidization to benefit individual water rate payers; and (6) authorize FY 2003 appropriations for such funds, for sewer water overflow grants, and for safe drinking water revolving funds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 for: (1) Army Corps of Engineers construction, operation, and maintenance activities; (2) public works and economic development; (3) Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Great Plains regional development; and (4) security enhancements for properties of the General Services Administration. Provides with respect to projects under this Act: (1) priority consideration for security enhancement projects; and (2) Buy American requirements. Amends provisions of the Internal Revenue Code concerning tax shelters to provide penalties for failure to include reportable transaction information with respect to a return or statement for a transaction which the Secretary of the Treasury determines has the potential for tax avoidance or evasion. Imposes an accuracy-related penalty of: (1) 20 percent for understatements with respect to reportable transactions (with an exception for reasonable cause shown); and (2) 40 percent for understatements attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. Makes confidentiality of tax-related communications provisions inapplicable to communications between a tax practitioner and a person in connection with tax shelter participation. Requires each material advisor (currently, each tax shelter organizer) to disclose specified information with respect to such tax shelter (adding specified tax shelter threshold amounts). Increases penalties for failure to register tax shelters. Provides penalties for failure to report interests in foreign financial accounts and for frivolous tax submissions. Places limits on the transfer or importation of built-in losses. Provides for the prevention of corporate expatriation in order to avoid U.S. income tax.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2003
Amends the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 to make permanent the taxation of dividends received by individuals at capital gains rates.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rural mail carriers to treat qualified vehicle expenses in excess of reimbursements as miscellaneous itemized deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that if a taxpayer is a member of an affiliated group of corporations which files a consolidated return, the tax attributes concerning reduction of tax attributes and exclusion from gross income by reason of discharge of indebtedness shall be the aggregate tax attributes of such group.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction (based on years of continuous coverage) for eligible long-term care insurance premiums for a taxpayer, spouse, and dependents, including accelerated deduction percentages for persons who are 55 years old; and (2) long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Allows an income-adjusted (limited) credit for eligible individuals with long-term care needs. Sets forth specified requirements for qualifying long-term care insurance contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as an involuntary conversion, and to not recognize gain of up to $75 million, qualified communications sales. Limits such sales to, among other limitations, businesses owning a qualified interest in 20 or fewer broadcast stations and with specified asset limitations. Authorizes Small Business Administration loan guarantees for such sales.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in carrying out the pilot program to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans, to do so during FY 2003 at the FY 2002 level, without regard to a certain proviso in title I of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2003. Treats such proviso as being of no force or effect. Ratifies any action taken by the Secretary before the enactment of this Act that is inconsistent with such proviso.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Health Savings and Affordability Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited deduction (to both itemizers and nonitemizers) for contributions to health savings security accounts (accounts for medical expenses for anyone, except those with an individual deductible under $500 or $1,000 for a family) and health savings accounts (accounts for medical expenses for those in a high deductible plan, a plan with an individual deductible of $1,000 to $2,250 or $2,000 and $4,500 for a family and with individual out-of-pocket expenses not exceeding $3,000 or $5,500 for a family). Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such amounts. Exempts such accounts, and distributions from such accounts, from taxation. Allows up to $500 of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements to be carried forward to the next year, contributed to a health savings security or health savings account, or contributed to a qualified retirement plan. Exempts flexible spending arrangements and health reimbursement arrangements treated as employer-provided coverage from information reporting requirements related to certain health arrangements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2559 (FY 2004 military construction appropriations).
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Conservation Reserve Program Tax Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat conservation reserve program payments as real estate rentals and thus excluded from consideration in self-employment net earnings. Amends the Social Security Act to treat such payments similarly for purposes of old, age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century - Amends Federal rail transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to designate high-speed rail infrastructure bonds if: (1) the bonds are issued by a State, or one or more of the States that have entered into an interstate compact under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997, or by such compact; (2) such bonds are for financing projects that make a substantial contribution to providing the infrastructure required to complete a railroad passenger transportation corridor for high-speed intercity rail passenger service, or for projects for the Alaska Railroad; (3) for a railroad passenger transportation corridor design that includes the use of freight railroad rights-of-way, a written agreement exists between the applicant and the freight railroad regarding such use and other conditions are met; (4) the corridor design eliminates all existing railroad grade crossings that would impede high-speed rail operations; (5) the applicant agrees to comply with certain labor standards with respect to such project; and (6) the applicant agrees not to pay the principal or interest on the bonds using funds derived directly or indirectly from the Highway Trust Fund, except as permitted by existing law. Excludes the interest on such bonds from an individual's gross income. Requires any entity providing high-speed intercity passenger railroad transportation to negotiate over hiring and working conditions with the collective bargaining agent or agents of the employees of any exisitng rail passenger service it might be replacing. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain tax credits to holders of qualified high-speed rail infrastructure bonds. Makes corridor development activities (including the acquisition of locomotives, rolling stock, track, and signal equipment) eligible for Federal assistance. Amends specified Federal law to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to provide direct loans and loan guarantees for rail rehabilitation and improvement projects to State and local governments, interstate compacts, government sponsored authorities and corporations, railroads, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Amtrak Reauthorization Act of 2003 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize appropriations for Amtrak for FY 2004 through 2006 for: (1) capital expenditures; (2) certain mandatory payments; and (3) Amtrak's contractual obligations for commuter and State-supported passenger rail service. Includes among mandatory Amtrak payments to the Treasury: (1) an amount equal to the tax Amtrak must pay as an employer under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act that is more than the amount needed for anticipated benefits for retirees and their beneficiaries; (2) amounts necessary to pay the contribution for employee unemployment benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act that are more than its obligations calculated on an experience-related basis; and (3) amounts necessary to pay railroad unemployment repayment taxes. Requires Amtrak to transmit to the Secretary of Transportation annually a comprehensive business plan, including targets for ridership and for each intercity train route (including Autotrain), revenues, and capital and operating expenses, and supplemental reports describing the work completed to date, any changes to the business plan, and the reasons for such changes. Prohibits the use of amounts appropriated under this Act to subsidize operating losses of commuter rail passenger or rail freight transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Salute to Veterans and the Armed Forces Act of 2003 - Allows the full payment of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, without deduction from either (current law), without the enactment of qualifying offsetting legislation. Repeals: (1) special compensation programs for certain severely disabled and combat-disabled military retirees; and (2) provisions requiring a dependency and indemnity compensation offset from surviving spouse annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Defense, for fiscal years after 2005, to provide a percentage increase in the higher learning cost index for determining basic educational assistance amounts. Directs the Secretary to pay a bonus to members who, at any time during service under Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, satisfied eligibility requirements for the receipt of special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. Directs the Secretary of Homeland to provide such bonus to qualifying Coast Guard members. Authorizes additional appropriations for veterans' improved access to medical care. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make interim payments under claims for veterans' benefits when the final decision regarding the payment of such benefits is delayed following remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the Board for Veterans' Appeals to the Secretary for expedited consideration. Prohibits with respect to veterans: (1) increases in medication copayments; and (2) the imposition of health care enrollment fees. Requires the: (1) Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Labor to provide appropriate information concerning veterans' benefits and employment opportunities; and (2) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prepare an annual plan for the conduct of veterans' outreach activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to place the maximum individual income tax rate at 38.6 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Small Business Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction, of up to 50 percent of net profit, for contributions to a Small Business Protection Account.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Constitutional Amendment - Repeals the 16th amendment (granting Congress the power to tax income). Prohibits Congress from having the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, except in time of war declared by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2417 (FY 2004 intelligence authorization).
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the harbor maintenance tax to certain ports used to import commercial cargo worth more than $100,000,000. Negates the tax on a port for any year after a period of three consecutive years in which $100,000,000 or less cargo was imported through the port and no Federal funds were used for construction, maintenance, or operation, as well as for subsequent years so long as the preceding year's cargo was $100,000,000 or less.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Public Interest Lawyer Assistance and Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a student loan forgiveness program for any borrower who agrees to complete three years of service as a public interest lawyer. Directs the Secretary, under such program, to: (1) repay up to $20,000 of such borrower's obligation on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B (Federal Family Education Loan Program) or D (Federal Perkins Loans) of title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA); and (2) provide for deferment of repayment of such loans by such borrower while employed as a public interest lawyer. Excludes from such program Federal PLUS loans (to parents) and Federal consolidation loans under part B or comparable loans made under part D. Allows certain amounts under consolidation loans to qualify for such program. Treats an individual as serving as a public interest lawyer eligible to apply for such program after completion of a year of service as a practicing attorney in: (1) local, State, or Federal government; (2) a tax-exempt organization; or (3) a judicial clerkship. Provides such loan repayment on a first-come, first-serve basis, and subject to the availability of appropriations and to any limitations imposed by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to create or designate an administering entity for such program within the Department of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the harbor maintenance tax to certain ports used to import commercial cargo worth more than $100,000,000. Negates the tax on a port for any year after a period of three consecutive years in which $100,000,000 or less cargo was imported through the port and no Federal funds were used for construction, maintenance, or operation, as well as for subsequent years so long as the preceding year's cargo was $100,000,000 or less.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2003
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 2555 (FY 2004 Department of Homeland Security appropriations).