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Bill· HRH.R. 4044 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2004
Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to add the California State Route 99 from south of Bakersfield to Sacramento, California, (California Farm-to-Market Corridor) to the high priority corridors of the national highway system.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 393 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2004
Sets forth the congressional budget for the Federal Government for FY 2005, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2004 and 2006 through 2009. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 2004 through 2009, with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for specified major functional categories for FY 2004 through 2009. Sets forth reconciliation instructions for the House Committees on Agriculture, on Education and the Workforce, on Energy and Commerce, on Government Reform, and on Ways and Means. Requires the House Committee on: (1) Ways and Means to report a reconciliation bill providing for specified reductions in revenues; and (2) Armed Services to report to the House Budget Committee on its findings that identify specified savings from activities determined to be a low priority to the successful execution of current military operations, or to be wasteful or unnecessary to national defense. Provides for deficit-neutral reserve funds for: (1) health insurance for the uninsured; (2) medicaid coverage for children with special needs (the Family Opportunity Act); (3) increasing the survivor's benefits under the Military Survivors' Benefit Plan; and (4) pending legislation that provides for the safe importation of FDA-approved prescription drugs or places limits on medical malpractice litigation. Provides for contingency procedures to adjust budget aggregates and new budget authority allocation for surface transportation and infrastructure. Specifies adjustments for highway and transit outlays. Prohibits House legislation that would require advanced appropriations, with a specified exception. States that if legislation is reported that makes supplemental appropriations for FY 2005 for contingency operations related to the global war on terrorism, or for any emergency requirements, then the resulting new budget authority, new entitlement authority, outlays, and receipts shall not count for certain purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for the provisions of such measure that are designated as making appropriations for such contingency operations. Declares the sense of the House on: (1) spending accountability; and (2) entitlement reform.
Bill· HRH.R. 4008 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2004
Anti-Terrorism Protection of Mass Transportation and Railroad Carriers Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit specified attacks and acts of violence against mass transportation systems and against railroad carriers, including derailing a train, placing a biological agent or toxin in or near a mass transportation vehicle, setting fire to a terminal, committing an act with intent to cause serious bodily injury to a railroad employee, and conveying false information concerning an attempt to commit such a crime. Lists circumstances resulting in aggravated offenses. Sets penalties for violations. Authorizes: (1) the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications in cases involving domestic or international terrorism and involving other specified offenses (such as violence at international airports, an attack on a Federal facility with a firearm, and conspiracy to harm persons or property overseas); and (2) the use of an emergency pen register or trap and trace device in cases involving domestic or international terrorism or conspiratorial activities threatening the national security interest. Modifies the definition of: (1) "Federal crime of terrorism" to include an offense that appears by its nature or context to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnaping; and (2) "international terrorism" to include listed actions that appear "by their nature or context" to be intended to intimidate, influence, or affect governmental conduct.
Bill· HRH.R. 3994 (108th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2004
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users - Reauthorizes the Federal-aid surface transportation program through FY 2009. Reauthorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for: (1) specified highway (including highway safety) programs; (2) research and technology; (3) motor carrier safety; and (4) transportation research. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a National Commission on Future Revenue Sources to Support the HTF. Establishes: (1) a National Commission on the Future of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate Defense Highways; and (2) a Commission on Intelligent Transportation Systems Procurement Policy. Requires States with an urbanized area population of over 200,000 to obligate specified funds for congestion relief. Federal Public Transportation Act of 2004 - Sets forth revised provisions governing public transportation funding and the Secretary's authority to make specified grants, including grants for capital projects, planning, and transit and for commercial driver's license program improvements. Directs the Secretary to establish programs involving: (1) long-term bridge performance; (2) innovative highway safety technologies; (3) freight planning capacity building; (4) freight transportation research; (5) future strategic highway research; (6) surface transportation congestion solutions research; and (7) commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies. Intelligent Transportation Systems Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing intelligent system transportation program to research, develop, and operationally test and advance nationwide deployment of intelligent transportation systems as a component of the U.S. surface transportation systems. Incorporates Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration planning provisions. Reauthorizes the hazardous materials transportation program. Makes the guaranteed funding levels provided under this Act dependent on identifying additional budgetary resources.
Bill· SS. 2216 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Rail Transportation Security Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess the security risks associated with freight and intercity passenger rail transportation and develop prioritized recommendations for: (1) improving the security of rail infrastructure and other areas identified as posing significant rail-related risks to public safety and the movement of interstate commerce; (2) deploying chemical and biological weapon detection equipment; (3) training employees in terrorism response activities; and (4) identifying immediate and long-term economic impact of measures that may be required to address those risks. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to review existing Department of Transportation (DOT) rail regulations to identify areas in which those regulations need to be revised to improve rail safety and security. Directs the Comptroller General to carry out a study of the rail passenger transportation security programs in Japan, member nations of the European Union, and other foreign countries in order to identify effective rail transportation security measures in use in those foreign rail transportation systems, including innovative measures and screening procedures determined effective. Directs the Secretary to: (1) study the cost and feasibility of requiring security screening for all passengers, baggage, mail, express, and other cargo on Amtrak trains; and (2) conduct a pilot program of random security screening of passengers and baggage at a specified number of the busiest passenger rail stations served by Amtrak. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 for Amtrak for certain life safety and infrastructure upgrades at specified tunnels.
Bill· HRH.R. 3959 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, to provide air marshal training to foreign law enforcement personnel. Directs the Under Secretary to establish related fees.
Bill· SS. 2188 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Corps of Engineers Modernization and Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 to require: (1) the Secretary of the Army to revise the planning guidelines, regulations, and circulars of the Corps of Engineers to comply with specified requirements, including encouraging ecosystem restoration; and (2) the Corps to develop and annually update an integrated national plan to manage, rehabilitate, and modernize inland waterway and port infrastructure to meet specified needs. Directs the Secretary to ensure that each feasibility report, general reevaluation report, and environmental impact statement of a water resource project is subject to review by an independent panel of experts if: (1) the project has an estimated total cost of more than $25 million; (2) the Governor of an affected State requests such review; (3) the head of a Federal agency charged with reviewing the project determines that it is likely to have a significant adverse impact; or (4) the Secretary determines that the project is controversial. Directs the Inspector General of the Army to appoint a Director of Independent Review. Permits the Secretary to recommend a project for congressional authorization only if it has projected national benefits that are at least 1.5 times as great as the estimated total project costs. Establishes full mitigation requirements for losses of aquatic and terrestrial resources, fish, and wildlife. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a record-keeping system to track each project constructed, operated, or maintained by the Secretary; and (2) a mechanism for decommissioning waterways that are no longer economically justified or that are no longer in the national interest.
Bill· HRH.R. 3931 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Rail Tunnel Safety Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for Amtrak' use, after the Secretary has received and approved a project engineering and financial plan, to complete New York tunnel life safety projects and to rehabilitate tunnels in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland.
Bill· HRH.R. 3922 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2004
Drug Impaired Driving Enforcement Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and provide to the States a model statute relating to drug impaired driving which incorporates certain mandatory and discretionary provisions, including, at a minimum, a provision that the crime of drug impaired driving is committed when a person operates a motor vehicle: (1) while any detectable amount of a controlled substance is present in the person's body; or (2) due to the presence of a controlled substance or a controlled substance in combination with alcohol or an inhalant, or both, the person's mental or physical faculties are affected to a noticeable degree. Specifies discretionary provisions, including: (1) sanctions for refusing to submit to a drug test which are equivalent to sanctions for a positive test result; (2) a system of evaluation, counseling, treatment, and supervision for persons convicted of drug impaired driving; (3) a graduated system of penalties for repeat offenses; and (4) authorization for States to suspend or revoke the license of a driver convicted of driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. Amends Federal highway law to make grants available to States that adopt and implement effective programs to reduce traffic safety problems resulting from individuals driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. Makes basic grants available to States that provide for at least one of five enumerated programs aimed at enforcing laws against drug impaired driving. Authorizes the Secretary to use certain funds for research and development in drug detection and testing technology. Specifies certain training goals to enhance the State's ability to detect, enforce, and prosecute drug impaired driving laws.
Bill· HRH.R. 3907 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Sets forth the duties of the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including to: (1) advise and coordinate with other Federal agencies on how to address the problem of driving under the influence of an illegal drug; (2) conduct research on the prevention, detection, and prosecution of driving under such influence; and (3) report annually to Congress on the extent of the problem in each State, including a description of the progress each State has made in addressing such problem. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to transfer to the Administrator increasing percentages of funds otherwise apportioned to a State out of the Highway Trust Fund from any State that does not enact laws to prohibit driving under the influence of an illegal drug. Requires transferred funds to be used to carry out NHTSA duties. Requires the Secretary, if any funds are transferred to the Administrator, to transfer to the Administrator also a calculated amount of obligation authority distributed for the fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3910 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to replace a specified high priority engineering project in Michigan with another project that is designed to conduct a transportation needs study and make improvements to 1-75 interchanges in the Grayling area.
Bill· HRH.R. 3879 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Coast Guard (CG), under the categories of: (1) operation and maintenance; (2) acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement of aids to navigation, shore and offshore facilities, vessels, aircraft, and related equipment; (3) research, development, test, and evaluation of technologies, materials, and human factors directly related to improving CG mission performance; (4) retired pay and payments for medical care of retired personnel and their dependents; (5) alteration or removal of bridges constituting obstructions to navigation, and Bridge Alteration Program costs; (6) environmental compliance and restoration at CG facilities; and (7) maintenance and operation of CG Reserve facilities, supplies, equipment, and services. Authorizes a CG end-of-year strength of 45,000 active-duty military personnel for FY 2005. Authorizes average military training student loads for FY 2005.
Bill· HRH.R. 3885 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
Directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to convey to the city of Ludington, Michigan, the Coast Guard 44-foot Motor Life Boat Vessel #44345 formally assigned to the Group Grand Haven Command. Requires, among other transfer conditions, that the vessel: (1) be used for educational and historical display; and (2) not be used for commercial transportation.
Law· HRH.R. 3850 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004 - Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2003 to extend through April 30, 2004, authorizations for Federal highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, and Federal transit programs. Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to extend through April 30, 2004, funding for national outreach and communications programs related to sport fishing and boating safety. Amends the Federal Transit Act of 1998 and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) to authorize increased appropriations for programs through April 30, 2004, from the Highway Trust Fund Mass Transit Account. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to authorize until May 1, 2004, expenditures for obligations under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) from the following Accounts: (1) the Highway Trust Fund; (2) the Mass Transit Account; and (3) the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 3828 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Department of Energy University Nuclear Science, Engineering, and Health Physics Act - Instructs the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, to support a program to invest in human resources and infrastructure in the nuclear sciences, engineering, and health physics fields. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promote interactions between university and Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories; and (2) provide student fellowships at DOE nuclear science laboratories. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2008 that target: (1) graduate and undergraduate fellowships; (2) junior faculty research initiation grant programs; (3) nuclear engineering and education research programs; (4) communication and outreach related to nuclear science, engineering, and health physics; (5) refueling research reactors and instrumentation upgrades; (6) relicensing assistance; (7) reactor improvements through the innovations in the Nuclear Infrastructure and Education Program; and (8) university-DOE laboratory interactions.
Bill· HRH.R. 3833 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Clean Airport Bus Act of 2003 (sic) - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot program for: (1) awarding grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities for facilitating the use of natural gas buses at public airports through airport bus replacement and fleet expansion programs; and (2) entering into cooperative agreements with private sector developers for the development of fuel cell-powered airport buses, and subsequently with public agencies using natural gas-powered airport buses and such private sector fuel cell bus developers to demonstrate the use of fuel cell-powered airport buses. Prescribes implementation guidelines.
Bill· SS. 2105 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Coastal Restoration Act of 2004 - Rewrites provisions regarding the Federal shore protection program to: (1) provide for the protection and restoration of beaches and other coastal infrastructure, as well as shore protection; and (2) include the purpose of promoting recreation. Includes among areas to be given preference areas: (1) where regional sediment management plans have been adopted; and (2) that promote human health and safety and the quality of life. Directs the Secretary of the Army to pay the Federal cost share of carrying out shore and beach protection projects and research that encourages the protection, restoration, and enhancement of shores, sandy beaches, and other coastal infrastructure. Sets forth revised provisions regarding the Federal cost share, which shall be equal for beach erosion control projects for purposes of recreation or for storm damage protection or environmental restoration. Directs the Secretary, at the request of a non-Federal interest and with congressional approval, to extend the period of Federal participation in certain beach nourishment projects.
Bill· HRH.R. 3824 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Directs the Secretary of the Army to enter into an agreement with the State of Arizona to amend a specified license relating to the use of Camp Navajo, Arizona, by the Arizona Army National Guard (Arizona Guard) as a year-round training and support installation in order to authorize the Arizona Guard to use excess Camp capacity to provide services and facilities for a fee to private sector entities. Requires the agreement to include: (1) a termination provision if Camp facilities are needed for national defense purposes; and (2) provisions holding the United States harmless for any liability arising from private sector use. Requires revenue generated to be used only to support Arizona Guard infrastructure and troop programs.
Bill· SS. 2095 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Sets forth a program to spur diverse energy research and development including the following: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Indian energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; and (10) energy tax incentives. Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise energy reduction goals and performance requirements for Federal buildings. Institutes grant programs for low-income community energy efficiency and energy efficient public buildings. Revises energy conservation standards for: (1) additional consumer products; (2) affordable housing and assisted housing; and (3) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe incentive payments for renewable energy production facilities. John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2003 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to revamp guidelines governing leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public and National Forest System lands, including those withdrawn for military purposes. Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for hydroelectric licensing proposals for alternative conditions and requirements governing project works within a Federal reservation. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to promote hydroelectric production. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent: (1) the authority of the Secretary of Energy to operate the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) standby energy authorities governing the International Energy Program, including summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. Sets forth a program of production incentives that includes: (1) oil and gas royalties in kind; (2) marginal property production; (3) natural gas production in the gulf of Mexico; and (4) oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Project Coordination in the same manner and with the same mission as the White House Energy Projects Task Force established by specified Executive Order. Prescribes implementation guidelines for access to Federal land for: (1) oil and gas leasing; (2) expedited permits; (3) energy rights-of-way and corridors on public and Federal lands; (4) renewable energy on Federal land; and (5) electricity transmission line rights of way on public land. Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act - Requires the President and the Secretaries of the Interior and of Energy to expedite the Federal decision-making process for access to Federal lands for energy projects. Prescribes parameters for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorization of an Alaska natural gas transportation project and pipeline expansion following an expedited approval process. Instructs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to train adult and dislocated workers in Alaska in the skills required to construct and operate an Alaska gas pipeline system. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to offer Federal loan guarantees to specified certificated entities for infrastructure projects. Sets forth a Clean Coal Power Initiative campaign that includes grants to universities to establish Centers of Excellence for Energy Systems of the Future. Authorizes Federal loan guarantees for designated coal gasification projects, including: (1) a loan to the owner of a specified experimental plant on such terms and conditions as the Secretary of Energy determines, including interest rates and upfront payments; (2) a coal gasification project that produces power in deregulated energy generation markets; and (3) a petroleum coke gasification polygeneration project. Modifies statutory constraints governing Federal coal leases, including acreage limitations, mining plans, and advance royalty payments. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to facilitate production and generation of coal-based power and the installation of pollution control equipment. Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2003 - Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to promote Indian tribal energy resource development through a program of grants and loans. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify and extend indemnification authority and liability limits for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees and Department of Energy (DOE) contractors. Prohibits assumption by the United States Government of liability for certain foreign incidents. Addresses general nuclear matters, including: (1) establishment of an NRC training and fellowship program for individuals with critical nuclear safety regulatory skills; (2) elimination of pension offset; (3) a DOE decommissioning pilot program; (4) uranium sales; (5) special demonstration projects for the uranium mining industry; (6) whistleblower protection prescriptions; (7) medical isotope production; (8) uranium enrichment facilities; and (9) the national uranium stockpile. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation Project. Prescribes implementation guidelines for a training program to respond to threats against designated nuclear facilities, including use of firearms by licensee security personnel and NRC certificate holders. Sets forth a transportation fuels program that uses: (1) alternative fuels for dual-fueled vehicles; (2) fuel credits for medium and heavy duty dedicated vehicles; and (3) lease condensates. Sets forth implementation guidelines for pilot programs that target: (1) alternative fueled vehicles; (2) fuel cell vehicles; (3) advanced vehicles; and (4) hybrid vehicles. Instructs the Secretary of Energy, in partnership with the private sector, to conduct programs that address production of hydrogen from diverse energy sources. Directs the President to establish an interagency task force on hydrogen fuel infrastructure for hydrogen-carrier fuels, including fleet transportation. Directs the Secretary of Energy to implement Initiatives that target research, development, and commercial application in the following areas: (1) energy efficiency; (2) distributed energy and electric energy systems; (3) renewable energy; (4) nuclear energy; (5) fossil energy; (6) ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas, and other petroleum resource exploration and production; (7) science; and (8) energy and the environment (including international cooperation). Electric Reliability Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant FERC regulatory jurisdiction over an Electric Reliability Organization. Prescribes guidelines for electric reliability standards, including electric transmission infrastructure, operation and transmission rates. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to: (1) require electric utilities to make net metering and smart metering available upon consumer request; and (2) terminate mandatory purchase and sale requirements pertaining to cogeneration and small power production utilities. Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2003 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) direct FERC to promulgate market transparency rules governing sales of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce, or transmission services in interstate commerce; and (2) prohibit round trip trading. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules that prohibit in the absence of consumer consent: (1) the change of selection of an electric utility ("slamming"); and (2) the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer ("cramming"). Mandates review of Federal agency review authorities over mergers to determine if duplicative authorities exist. Revises Federal Power Act prescriptions governing electric utility mergers. Energy Tax Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish energy tax credits in the following areas: (1) renewable electricity production; (2) alternative motor vehicles and fuels; (3) energy efficiency; (4) clean coal technologies; (5) oil and gas, including Alaska natural gas; and (6) electric utility restructuring. Prescribes tax treatment of tax shelters and corporate expatriation. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize Federal grants to rural and remote communities with specified electricity costs for improved electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Provides royalty payment relief for offshore oil and gas production leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to change the composition, operation, and duties of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Retains the effect of a specified Department of Energy Order regarding transmission security. Extends the attainment date for certain downwind ozone nonattainment areas. Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) to establish criteria for safe and environmentally protective use of specified granular mine tailings. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator to promulgate regulations ensuring that domestic motor vehicle fuel consumption includes renewable fuel containing ethanol and other biomass components. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to provide assistance to merchant producers of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in making the transition from producing MTBE to producing other fuel additives. Authorizes the President to make a determination by 2014 that the prohibitions against the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel under this Act shall not take place and that the legal authority to prohibit its use in motor vehicle fuel shall become null and void. Conditions the Administrator's approval of State fuel restrictions upon a finding that such restrictions will neither cause fuel supply or distribution interruptions nor have a significant adverse impact on fuel producibility. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to: (1) make loan guarantees for private sector construction of facilities for the processing and conversion of municipal solid waste and cellulosic biomass into fuel ethanol and other commercial byproducts; and (2) provide grants for construction of ethanol production facilities. Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator to distribute specified fund percentages from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to States to pay costs incurred for regulation of underground storage tanks (USTs). Allows undistributed funds to be used for enforcing UST regulations.
Bill· SS. 2069 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
International Weapons of Mass Destruction Informant Act - Expands the S nonimmigrant visa classification of the Immigration and Nationality Act to include aliens who possess and are willing to share with the U.S. Government critical reliable information concerning the activities of governments or organizations with respect to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related delivery systems, where those weapons or systems are at risk of being developed, sold, or transferred. Provides for S nonimmigrant status for specified family members of such aliens in appropriate circumstances. Increases the numerical limitation on S nonimmigrant visas to 3,500 per fiscal year. Establishes a Weapons of Mass Destruction Informant Center within the Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, which shall : (1) receive and report to specified Federal agencies all information provided by aliens granted S nonimmigrant status under this Act; (2) ensure that aliens who have provided WMD-related information are given the highest consideration for S nonimmigrant visas; (3) educate consular officers and immigration inspectors and examiners regarding the expanded visa classification; (4) facilitate, receive, and evaluate visa requests submitted pursuant to this Act and facilitate the issuance of visas when requests are approved; (5) facilitate the cooperation with the U.S. Government of aliens receiving WMD-related S nonimmigrant visas; (6) ensure that aliens who receive such visas comply with visa terms; and (7) ensure that such visas are not used to gain entry into the U.S. for purposes other than those outlined in this Act.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 300 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2004 should not include project earmarks; (2) if earmarked projects are included, the projects should be included within the funding that a State would otherwise receive so as not to penalize other States; and (3) any earmarked projects should be included in the funding equity provisions of the next surface transportation Act so that the projects do not adversely affect the rate of return that a State receives from its contributions to the Highway Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 3798 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004
Secure Existing Aviation Loopholes Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) establish a system and plan to screen or inspect all cargo to be transported in passenger aircraft operated by an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation; (2) monitor and evaluate research and development (R&D) of effective cargo screening; and (3) impose a cargo security fee to be collected by the air carrier or foreign air carrier that provides the air transportation. Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to provide for the deployment of Federal air marshals on: (1) any passenger flight of an air carrier in charter air transportation for which the Under Secretary determines such deployment is in the interest of aviation security; (2) every passenger flight of foreign air carriers in air transportation; and (3) flights of all-cargo air transportation. (Currently, the deployment of Federal air marshals may be provided on every passenger flight of air carriers in air transportation or intrastate air transportation). Prohibits the flight of a foreign air carrier from landing in or taking off from a U.S. airport unless it has on board a Federal marshal or an equivalent officer of the government of the foreign country if the Secretary of Homeland Security requests the presence of a Federal marshal or officer on such flight. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) require all flight crews of air carriers to have improved communication systems for providing flight attendants with a wireless method of communicating with pilots that meet certain standards; (2) develop a plan to improve coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and counterpart agencies and departments of foreign governments in the area of aviation security; (3) issue regulations to improve preflight screening of passenger aircraft for dangerous objects and training of screeners of passenger aircraft and to reduce the time between preflight screening and the departure time for a flight; (4) issue a rule setting forth certain training requirements for flight attendants; (5) issue regulations to improve control over access to the secured area of U.S. airports; (6) issue regulations requiring air carriers to provide pilots with certain training, including aircraft maneuvers to respond to attacks on the aircraft; (7) issue an order requiring cargo aircraft engaged in cargo transportation or intrastate air transportation to have a door between the cargo and pilot compartments that can be locked and cannot be forced open from the cargo compartment, prohibiting access to the flight deck of the cargo aircraft, except by authorized persons, and requiring flight deck doors to remain locked while in flight, except to permit access by authorized persons; (8) issue an order to modify certain aviation security requirements to ensure that the wall surrounding the flight deck door on any passenger aircraft engaged in air transportation or intrastate air transportation is sufficient to secure the cockpit; (9) establish during a high threat level no fly zones around sensitive nuclear facilities, certain chemical facilities, and any other facilities designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (10) require airport operators that serve general aviation aircraft and landing facilities for such aircraft to complete vulnerability assessments for evaluation of the security at such airports and facilities, including a plan for addressing any vulnerabilities. Subjects airport workers: (1) employed in, or applying for, positions as aircraft maintenance and catering personnel, aircraft cargo handlers, and aircraft support facilities personnel whether having escorted or unescorted access to aircraft or secured areas of airports to a social security check and a check against all terrorist watch lists in addition to other required background checks; and (2) to physical screening for metallic objects and having their personal bags inspected for prohibited items such as chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials.
Bill· SS. 2060 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2004
Directs the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to prescribe regulations that permit qualified local law enforcement officers to carry accessible weapons while onboard an aircraft to the same extent and subject to the same limits as Federal law enforcement officers are permitted to do so.
Bill· HRH.R. 3783 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2004
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004 - Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2003 to extend through June 30, 2004, authorizations for Federal highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, and Federal transit programs. Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to extend through June 30, 2004, funding for national outreach and communications programs related to sport fishing and boating safety. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to authorize until July 1, 2004, expenditures for obligations under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) from the following Accounts: (1) the Highway Trust Fund; (2) the Mass Transit Account; and (3) the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 3788 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2004
Guarding American Trade Enterprises Act or GATE Act - Amends Federal maritime law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to include within the National Maritime Transportation Security Plan a plan for ensuring that the flow of cargo through U.S. ports is reestablished as efficiently and quickly as possible after a transportation security incident or instance of attempted transport of any implement of terrorism through the port. Requires (currently authorizes) the Secretary to develop and implement a long-range automated vessel tracking system for all vessels in U.S. waters equipped with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System or equivalent satellite technology. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees a plan to develop and implement such system no later than December 31, 2004. Authorizes the Secretary to use the nonprofit Maritime Information Services of North America Automated Secure Vessel Tracking System as a pilot program for purposes of long-range vessel tracking.
Bill· HRH.R. 3757 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2004
Authorizes a State to undertake a surface transportation program project on any State-maintained public road, including a road functionally classified as a local or rural minor collector, if the State determines that the project is necessary to address high fatality rates or other safety concerns.
Bill· HRH.R. 3760 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2004
Port of Lewiston Development Act of 2004 - Extinguishes for specified deeds located in Nez Perce County, Idaho: (1) the reversionary interests and use restrictions relating to industrial use purposes; (2) the restrictions that no activity be allowed to compete with services and facilities offered by public marinas; and (3) the human habitation or other building structure use restriction in each area in which the elevation is above the standard project flood elevation. Authorizes the use of fill material to raise low areas above the standard project flood elevation for such deeds, except in any low area constituting wetland which requires a permit under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3743 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2004
Rural Transportation Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and implement a rural road safety program under which funds shall be apportioned to each State to: (1) improve horizontal and vertical alignment, signage and pavement markings, and sight distances; (2) eliminate wheel lane rutting, increase skid resistance, and smooth roadways; (3) widen lanes and shoulders; (4) install dedicated turn lanes and traffic and safety lights; and (5) install and upgrade guardrails, traffic barriers, crash cushions, protective devices, and rumblestrips. Requires States to: (1) conduct and maintain an engineering survey of all two-lane rural roads classified as minor and major collectors and minor arterials to identify dangerous locations and to assign priorities and establish a schedule for improvements; and (2) establish a process to analyze and assess results achieved. Increases certain apportionments for: (1) Federal highway aid to rural areas for roads functionally classified as minor arterials and major and minor collectors; (2) highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation; and (3) State planning and research programs. Authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund for the Appalachian development highway system program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3745 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2004
Tribal and Local Communities Relationship Improvement Act - Amends the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to make invalid any tribal-State compact entered into after the enactment of this Act unless it is approved by the Governor and legislature of the State with which the compact was negotiated (with an exception for compact renewals that do not expand covered gambling operations). Requires approval by a State legislature (as well as by the State Governor, as under current law) of Indian gaming as regulated under such Act on lands acquired in trust by the Secretary of the Interior after October 17, 1988. Prohibits the conduct of class III gaming on more than one parcel of land of an Indian tribe (unless under valid existing Tribal-State compacts, but on no more parcels than those on which gaming is conducted on the date of enactment of this Act). Directs the President to establish the Advisory Committee on Minimum Regulatory Requirements and Licensing Standards for Indian Gaming. Requires Committee recommendations to be submitted to specified congressional committees, the National Indian Gaming Commission, and each federally recognized Indian tribe. Establishes the Commission on Native American Policy to study and report to Congress on living standards in Indian country, including health, infrastructure, economic development, educational opportunities, housing, crime control on Indian reservations, the influence of organized crime on Indian gaming, and other specified matters.
Bill· HRH.R. 3729 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2004
Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly benefit of $1,000 to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 (or to their survivors). Includes service in the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Exempts benefits paid under this Act from taxation.
Bill· SS. 2028 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2004
Tire Safety Awareness Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate tire safety regulations that require written disclosure to consumers of the date on which a tire was manufactured, at the point of sale. Creates an exception to disclosure for tires that are sold with new vehicles, exempt from testing under Federal standards, or sold for use on vehicles with a gross weight of 10,001 pounds or more. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences, to prepare a report to Congress on the effects of age on light vehicle tires.
Bill· SS. 2024 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2004
Safe Kids, Safe Cars Act of 2004 - Requires the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to: (1) conduct a rulemaking to increase utilization of child dummies in motor vehicle safety tests; and (2) develop a child crash test dummy capable of measuring injury forces in a simulated rollover crash. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) launch a consumer information program relating to child safety in rollover crashes; (2) submit a report to Congress that evaluates technologies designed to reduce motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths to children and improve the performance of safety belts for four- to eight-year-olds; (3) complete a pending rulemaking to require technologies to prevent the accidental closing of motor vehicle windows by children; and (4) establish a publicly available database that collects information on injuries and deaths in nontraffic, noncrash events involving motor vehicles.
Bill· SS. 2027 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2004
Driver Education and Licensing Improvement Act of 2004 - Modifies eligibility requirements for grants for support of alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures to require a multiple-stage graduated licensing system for young drivers that: (1) authorizes the issuance of an initial license or learner's permit no earlier than the driver's 16th birthday; (2) prohibits a person under age 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent or greater from operating a motor vehicle; (3) provides for a learning stage and an intermediate stage of at least six months each; (4) limits the numbers of passengers; (5) limits nighttime driving, and (6) applies special penalties for violations of system restrictions and of other State motor vehicle laws. Establishes a National Office of Driver Training in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Includes among the Office's functions to develop and make available to the States a recommended curriculum that incorporates best practices in driver education and licensing. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out grant programs to provide financial assistance to: (1) States to support the improvement of motor vehicle driver education programs and the establishment and improved administration of graduated licensing systems; and (2) eligible recipients to carry out campaigns to increase public awareness of, and training on, State law authority and procedures to provide for organ donation through a declaration recorded on a driver license. Directs the Secretary to carry out a study to determine whether the establishment and imposition of nationwide minimum standards of driver education would improve national highway traffic safety.
Bill· SS. 2026 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2004
Consumer Vehicle Safety Awareness Act of 2004 - Amends the Automobile Information Disclosure Act to require manufacturers to include Government safety rating information on new automobile labels or to note the absence of such a rating. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations implementing the new labeling requirements.
Bill· SS. 2025 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2004
Safe Streets and Highways Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a highway safety improvement program for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads. Requires a State, to receive funding, to have in effect a program under which the State: (1) develops and implements a strategic highway safety plan that identifies and analyzes highway safety problems and opportunities; (2) produces a program of projects or strategies to reduce identified safety problems; and (3) evaluates the plan regularly to ensure the accuracy of the data and priority of proposed improvements. Includes among eligible projects any highway safety improvement project on a public road or publicly owned bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail. Authorizes a State to use up to 25 percent of funding under this Act to carry out safety projects under other Federal highway provisions as provided in the State strategic highway safety plan. Sets the Federal cost share of a highway safety improvement project at 90 percent. Specifies the apportionment formula for the program. Makes at least $200 million available for each fiscal year for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study to examine the effects of increased speed limits enacted by States after 1995.
Bill· HRH.R. 3728 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2004
Transit System Flexibility Protection Act of 2004 - Permits the Secretary of Transportation to make mass transportation formula grants for an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 if the transit system operates fewer than 100 buses on fixed route service during peak hours.
Bill· SS. 2021 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2004
Domestic Defense Fund Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to award grants to States, units of local government, and Indian tribes for homeland security development. Requires grant awardees, among other requirements, to develop a homeland security plan identifying both short- and long-term homeland security needs. Provides authorized uses of grant assistance, including: (1) funding additional law enforcement, fire, and other emergency response resources and equipment; and (2) improving cyber and infrastructure security. Requires one percent of grant funds to be reserved for Indian tribes. Requires 70 percent of grant funds to be allocated among metropolitan cities and urban counties based on the Secretary's calculations of various infrastructure vulnerabilities and threats such as proximity to international borders, nuclear or other energy facilities, air, rail or water transportation, and national icons and Federal buildings. Requires the remaining percentage to be allocated among the States for use in non-qualifying communities (not a metropolitan city, urban county, or Indian tribe). Requires certifications and annual reports with respect to grant uses. Provides for grant reallocations for failure to comply with use requirements. Allocates funds to States, regional cooperations, and units of local government for: (1) homeland defense planning; (2) increased security through additional first responder personnel; (3) purchasing and refurbishing protective equipment for such personnel; (4) the development and maintenance of Statewide training facilities and homeland security best practices clearinghouses; and (5) the development and maintenance of communications systems that can be used between and among first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel. Allocates funds for discretionary grants to high-threat, high-density urban areas, and for the protection of critical infrastructure. Earmarks funds for a flexible emergency assistance fund for States and local governmental units that incur extraordinary homeland security costs. Directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop national homeland security preparedness, first responder training, and equipment standards, and best practices for the use of funds authorized and allocated under this Act. Mandates a ten percent matching funds requirement from grant recipients.
Bill· HRH.R. 3712 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004
United States Seaport Multiyear Security Enhancement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to seaports to enhance security if the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, determines that the grant will improve security at a seaport or improve the efficiency of the seaport without lessening security.
Bill· HRH.R. 3726 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004
Targeting Homeland Security Resources Effectively Against Terrorism Act of 2004 (THREAT Act) - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a program under which the Secretary awards grants, from amounts made available for discretionary grants for use in high-threat, high-density urban areas, to not more than 15 areas after considering the population, presence of critical infrastructure, and credibility of the threat for an area. Requires amounts awarded to be disbursed directly to local governments.
Bill· HRH.R. 3715 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004
National Infrastructure Development Act of 2004 - Establishes the National Infrastructure Development Corporation and the National Infrastructure Insurance Corporation as wholly owned Government corporations that shall conduct their respective businesses as self-supporting entities. Empowers the National Infrastructure Development Corporation to make senior and subordinated loans and purchase senior and subordinated debt securities and equity securities, and to enter into commitments to make any such loan or security purchases, on such terms as the Corporation may determine, in its discretion, to be appropriate, the proceeds of which are to be used to finance or refinance development of infrastructure facilities, and to provide preconstruction phase assistance. Empowers the National Infrastructure Insurance Corporation to insure and reinsure bonds, debentures, notes, debt instruments, loans, and any interest thereon, the proceeds of which are to be used to finance or refinance development of infrastructure facilities. Declares that: (1) obligations of either Corporation, and obligations insured by any such corporation shall not be obligations of, or guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States or any Federal agency; and (2) assistance from the NIC shall not be treated as a direct or indirect guarantee of any payment by the United States of principal or interest on any security. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe guidelines for the tax treatment of distributions from qualified retirement plans investing in public benefit bonds (defined as any obligation issued after the date of the enactment of this Act if: (1) 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of such obligation are used in connection with the financing or refinancing of infrastructure facilities; (2) such obligation has received a published rating, and (3) development of such infrastructure facilities is undertaken by a governmental entity or public-private partnership).
Bill· HRH.R. 3721 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004
Essential Air Service Preservation Act of 2004 - Repeals provisions establishing the Essential Air Service local participation program (a pilot program under which designated essential air service communities are required to assume ten percent of their essential air service subsidy costs).