datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
SEC. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
The Secretary of the Treasury shall provide or other-
wise arrange for the provision of technical assistance upon 
request to heavily indebted poor countries (within the 
meaning of the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Coun-
tries (HIPC) Initiative) regarding compliance with all con-
ditions for debt relief pursuant to the Enhanced HIPC 
Initiative, including the development and implementation 
of their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PSRPs). The 
Secretary of the Treasury shall inform all such countries 
of the availability of the technical assistance within 30 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 5. REPORT TO THE CONGRESS. 
Not later than December 31 of each year, the Presi-
dent shall submit to the Committees on Financial Serv-
ices, on Appropriations, and on International Relations of 
the House of Representatives and the Committees on For-
eign Relations, on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, 
and on Appropriations of the Senate a report, which shall 
be made available to the public, on the activities under-
taken under this Act, and on the progress made in accom-
plishing the modifications to the Enhanced HIPC Initia-
tive called for in this Act, for the preceding fiscal year.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 645
To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the square dance as 
the national folk dance. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 5, 2003
Mr. WHITFIELD (for himself and Mr. SAXTON) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the 
square dance as the national folk dance.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Promenade Act’’. 
(b) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds as follows: 
(1) The square dance has been a popular tradi-
tion in America since early colonial days. 
(2) The square dance has attained a revered 
status as part of the folklore of this Nation.
(3) The square dance is a joyful expression of 
the vibrant spirit of the people of the United States. 
(4) The square dance promotes the practice of 
good manners and proper etiquette. 
(5) The square dance is a traditional form of 
family recreation that fosters family unity, a basic 
strength of this Nation. 
(6) The square dance embodies democratic 
principles by dissolving arbitrary social distinctions 
among its participants. 
(7) The square dance includes the round dance, 
the contra dance, the line dance, the heritage dance, 
and clogging. 
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF THE SQUARE DANCE AS THE NA-
TIONAL FOLK DANCE. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—Chapter 3 of title 36, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 304 the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 305. National folk dance 
‘‘The square dance is the national folk dance.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 
36, United States Code, is amended to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘CHAPTER 3—NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, 
FLORAL EMBLEM, MARCH, AND FOLK DANCE
‘‘Sec. 
‘‘301. National anthem. 
‘‘302. National motto. 
‘‘303. National floral emblem. 
‘‘304. National march. 
‘‘305. National folk dance.’’.
(2) The table of chapters for subtitle I of title 
36, United States Code, is amended by striking the 
item relating to chapter 3 and inserting the fol-
lowing new item:
‘‘3. National Anthem, Motto, Floral Emblem, March, and 
Folk Dance ...............................................................
301’’.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 652
To assure that the American people have large areas of land in healthy 
natural condition throughout the country to maximize wildland rec-
reational opportunities for people, maximize habitat protection for native 
wildlife and natural plant communities, and to contribute to a preserva-
tion of water for use by downstream metropolitan communities and 
other users, through the establishment of a National Forest Ecosystem 
Protection Program composed of lands within existing wilderness areas 
and adjacent primitive areas, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 7, 2003
Mr. ANDREWS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To assure that the American people have large areas of 
land in healthy natural condition throughout the country 
to maximize wildland recreational opportunities for peo-
ple, maximize habitat protection for native wildlife and 
natural plant communities, and to contribute to a preser-
vation of water for use by downstream metropolitan com-
munities and other users, through the establishment of 
a National Forest Ecosystem Protection Program com-
posed of lands within existing wilderness areas and adja-
cent primitive areas, and for other purposes.
ment of the sum shall be in full satisfaction of any claim 
of Web’s Construction Company, Incorporated, against 
the United States in connection with the construction 
work. 
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON ATTORNEY FEES. 
It shall be unlawful for an amount exceeding 10 per-
cent of the amount paid pursuant to section 1 to be paid 
to, or received by, any agent or attorney for any service 
rendered in connection with the claim described in section 
1. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of 
an infraction, and shall be subject to a fine in the amount 
provided in title 18, United States Code.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 64
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow penalty-free distribu-
tions from qualified retirement plans on account of the death or disability 
of the participant’s spouse. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 7, 2003
Mrs. EMERSON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow pen-
alty-free distributions from qualified retirement plans on 
account of the death or disability of the participant’s 
spouse.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DISTRIBUTIONS FROM QUALIFIED RETIRE-
MENT PLANS ON ACCOUNT OF DEATH OR DIS-
ABILITY OF PARTICIPANT’S SPOUSE. 
(a) DISTRIBUTIONS PERMITTED.—
(1) 401(K) PLANS.—Subclause (I) of section 
401(k)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of
HR 64 IH 
1986 (defining qualified cash or deferred arrange-
ment) is amended by striking ‘‘, death or disability’’ 
and inserting ‘‘or the death or disability of the par-
ticipant or the participant’s spouse’’. 
(2) 403(B) ANNUITIES.—
(A) Clause (ii) of section 403(b)(7)(A) of 
such Code is amended by inserting ‘‘(or, if ear-
lier, the employee’s spouse dies or becomes dis-
abled 
(as 
do 
defined)’’ 
after 
‘‘section 
72(m)(7))’’. 
(B) 
Subparagraph 
(A) 
of 
section 
403(b)(11) of such Code is amended by insert-
ing before the comma at the end ‘‘or when the 
spouse of the employee dies or becomes disabled 
(as so defined)’’. 
(3) ROTH IRAS.—Subparagraph (A) of section 
408A(d)(2) of such Code is amended—
(A) by inserting before the comma at the 
end of clause (ii) ‘‘or made to the individual on 
or after the death of the individual’s spouse’’, 
and 
(B) by striking clause (iii) and inserting 
the following new clause: 
‘‘(iii) attributable to the disability 
(within the meaning of section 72(m)(7))
HR 64 IH 
of the individual or the individual’s spouse, 
or’’. 
(b) PENALTY-FREE WITHDRAWALS.—Subparagraph 
(A) of section 72(t)(2) of such Code is amended—
(1) by inserting before the comma at the end of 
clause (ii) ‘‘or made to the employee on or after the 
death of the employee’s spouse’’, and 
(2) by striking clause (iii) and inserting the fol-
lowing new clause: 
‘‘(iii) attributable to the disability 
(within the meaning of subsection (m)(7)) 
of the employee or the employee’s spouse,’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to distributions after December 31, 
2001.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 653
To establish a Fund for Environmental Priorities to be funded by a portion 
of the consumer savings resulting from retail electricity choice, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 7, 2003
Mr. ANDREWS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish a Fund for Environmental Priorities to be fund-
ed by a portion of the consumer savings resulting from 
retail electricity choice, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Environmental Prior-
ities Act of 2003’’.
PART H6
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 651
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow married individuals 
who are legally separated and living apart to exclude from gross income 
the income from United States savings bonds used to pay higher edu-
cation tuition and fees. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 7, 2003
Mr. ANDREWS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow mar-
ried individuals who are legally separated and living 
apart to exclude from gross income the income from 
United States savings bonds used to pay higher edu-
cation tuition and fees.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SEC. 2. RECAPTURE OF SAVINGS FROM RETAIL ELEC-
TRICITY COMPETITION. 
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This Act shall take effect for 
a consumer sector in any State on January 1 of the first 
year after all State regulated electric utilities and all non-
regulated electric utilities in that State have been deter-
mined by the Secretary of Energy to have established re-
tail electric service choice for customers in that sector, but 
not earlier than January 1, 2004. The Secretary shall an-
nually review the laws and regulations of each State relat-
ing to retail electric service regulation and make such de-
terminations on January 1, 2004, and January 1 of each 
year thereafter. 
(b) 10 PERCENT OF CONSUMER SAVINGS.—For each 
State, on December 31 of the first full calendar year fol-
lowing the effective date of this Act for any consumer sec-
tor in the State, and on December 31 of each subsequent 
calendar year, each provider of retail electric services in 
the State shall contribute to the fiscal agent for the Envi-
ronmental Priorities Board established under section 2 an 
amount equal to 10 percent of the total consumer savings 
for that sector for that calendar year. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 
(1) CONSUMER SAVINGS.—For any provider of 
retail electric services in a State, for any consumer 
sector in the State, the term ‘‘consumer savings’’
‘‘(I) utilize the services of any licensed in-
surance agent or broker for soliciting or enroll-
ing employers or individuals as participating 
employers or covered individuals under the plan 
or other arrangement; or 
‘‘(II) pay any type of compensation to a 
person, other than a full time employee of the 
employee organization (or a member of the or-
ganization to the extent provided in regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary through negotiated 
rulemaking), that is related either to the volume 
or number of employers or individuals solicited 
or enrolled as participating employers or cov-
ered individuals under the plan or other ar-
rangement, or to the dollar amount or size of 
the contributions made by participating employ-
ers or covered individuals to the plan or other 
arrangement; 
except to the extent that the services used by the 
plan, arrangement, organization, or other entity con-
sist solely of preparation of documents necessary for 
compliance with the reporting and disclosure re-
quirements of part 1 or administrative, investment, 
or consulting services unrelated to solicitation or en-
rollment of covered individuals.
such State shall be reduced pro rata so that the per-
centage of State funds matched by funds provided 
under this section is the same for all States request-
ing funds. 
(4) USE OF FUNDS.—The fiscal agent shall dis-
tribute matching funds to the States (or to an entity 
or entities designated by the State to receive pay-
ments) to be used for eligible environmental prior-
ities programs designated under subsection (c). All 
funds received shall be used only for the eligible en-
vironmental priorities programs designated by the 
State.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 654
To require the head of each Federal agency in the Department of the 
Interior to consider whether actions of the agency have any disparate 
impact on any member of a racial, ethnic, or religious minority. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 7, 2003
Mr. ANDREWS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require the head of each Federal agency in the Depart-
ment of the Interior to consider whether actions of the 
agency have any disparate impact on any member of 
a racial, ethnic, or religious minority.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Environmental Justice 
Act’’.
SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT TO CONSIDER DISPARATE IMPACTS 
OF FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS. 
The head of each Federal agency in the Department 
of the Interior shall—
(1) before authorizing, funding, or carrying out 
any action under any Federal law, consider whether 
the action will have any disparate impact on any 
member of a racial, ethnic, or religious minority; and 
(2) in authorizing, funding, or carrying out any 
action under any Federal law, seek to limit such dis-
parate impacts to the extent possible consistent with 
such law. 
SEC. 3. ENFORCEMENT. 
A violation of section 2 with respect to any individual 
who is a member of a racial, ethnic, or religious minority 
shall be treated as a deprivation of a right of the indi-
vidual for purposes of section 1979 of the Revised Statutes 
(42 U.S.C. 1983). 
SEC. 4. AGENCY DEFINED. 
In this Act the term ‘‘agency’’ has the meaning given 
that term by section 551 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 5. APPLICATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), this Act applies to any agency action taken on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) LIMITATION.—This Act does not apply to an 
agency action to the extent that there is involved a matter 
relating to agency management or personnel.
Æ
IIB 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 657
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs 
AN ACT 
To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to augment 
the emergency authority of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
or a market therein (or significant portion or segment of
that market).’’.
Passed the House of Representatives February 26,
2003.
Attest:
Clerk.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by streamlining the hiring 
process for certain employment positions in the Securities 
and Exchange Commission.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Accountant, Compli-
ance, and Enforcement Staffing Act of 2003’’. 
SEC. 2. EXCEPTED SERVICE OF ACCOUNTANTS, ECONO-
MISTS, AND EXAMINERS. 
Section 4(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(15 U.S.C. 78d(b)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para-
graph (4); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) ACCOUNTANTS, ECONOMISTS, AND COMPLI-
ANCE
EXAMINERS
EXCEPTED
FROM
COMPETITIVE 
SERVICE.—All accountant, economist, and securities 
compliance examiner positions in the Securities and 
Exchange Commission shall be excepted from the 
competitive service, as defined in section 2102 of 
title 5, United States Code. An employee who is in 
the competitive service at the time his or her posi-
tion becomes excepted from the competitive service 
under this paragraph shall be considered as con-
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Accountant, Compli-
ance, and Enforcement Staffing Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. APPOINTMENT OF ACCOUNTANTS, ECONOMISTS,
AND EXAMINERS BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 31 of title
5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
‘‘§ 3114. Appointment of accountants, economists, and
examiners by the Securities and Ex-
change Commission
‘‘(a) APPLICABILITY.—This section applies with re-
spect to any position of accountant, economist, and securi-
ties compliance examiner at the Commission that is in the
competitive service.
‘‘(b) APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may ap-
point candidates to any position described in sub-
section (a)—
‘‘(A) in accordance with the statutes, rules,
and regulations governing appointments in the
excepted service; and
‘‘(B) notwithstanding any statutes, rules,
and regulations governing appointments in the
competitive service.
‘‘(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The appoint-
ment of a candidate to a position under authority of
this subsection shall not be considered to cause such
position to be converted from the competitive service
to the excepted service.
‘‘(c) REPORTS.—No later than 90 days after the end
of fiscal year 2003 (for fiscal year 2003) and 90 days after
the end of fiscal year 2005 (for fiscal years 2004 and
2005), the Commission shall submit a report with respect
to its exercise of the authority granted by subsection (b)
during such fiscal years to the Committee on Government
Reform and the Committee on Financial Services of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Govern-
mental Affairs and the Committee on Banking, Housing,
and Urban Affairs of the Senate. Such reports shall de-
scribe the changes in the hiring process authorized by such
subsection, including relevant information related to—
‘‘(1) the quality of candidates;
‘‘(2) the procedures used by the Commission to
select candidates through the streamlined hiring
process;
‘‘(3) the numbers, types, and grades of employ-
ees hired under the authority;
‘‘(4) any benefits or shortcomings associated
with the use of the authority;
‘‘(5) the effect of the exercise of the authority
on the hiring of veterans and other demographic
groups; and
‘‘(6) the way in which managers were trained in
the administration of the streamlined hiring system.
‘‘(d) COMMISSION DEFINED.—For purposes of this
section, the term ‘Commission’ means the Securities and
Exchange Commission.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
for chapter 31 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 3113 the
following:
‘‘3114. Appointment of accountants, economists, and examiners by the Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission.’’.
Passed the House of Representatives June 17, 2003.
Attest:
Clerk.
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 658
To provide for the protection of investors, increase confidence in the capital 
markets system, and fully implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
by streamlining the hiring process for certain employment positions in 
the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 11, 2003
Mr. BAKER (for himself and Mr. OXLEY) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to 
the Committee on Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for the protection of investors, increase confidence 
in the capital markets system, and fully implement the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by streamlining the hiring 
process for certain employment positions in the Securities 
and Exchange Commission.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Accountant, Compli-
ance, and Enforcement Staffing Act of 2003’’.
plan year and, notwithstanding section 104(a)(1)(A), shall
be filed with the applicable authority not later than 90
days after the close of the plan year (or on such later date
as may be prescribed by the applicable authority). The ap-
plicable authority may require by regulation such interim
reports as it considers appropriate.
‘‘(f) ENGAGEMENT OF QUALIFIED ACTUARY.—The
board of trustees of each association health plan which
provides benefits options in addition to health insurance
coverage and which is applying for certification under this
part or is certified under this part shall engage, on behalf
of all participants and beneficiaries, a qualified actuary
who shall be responsible for the preparation of the mate-
rials comprising information necessary to be submitted by
a qualified actuary under this part. The qualified actuary
shall utilize such assumptions and techniques as are nec-
essary to enable such actuary to form an opinion as to
whether the contents of the matters reported under this
part—
‘‘(1) are in the aggregate reasonably related to
the experience of the plan and to reasonable expecta-
tions; and
‘‘(2) represent such actuary’s best estimate of
anticipated experience under the plan.
SEC. 2. EXCEPTED SERVICE OF ACCOUNTANTS, ECONO-
MISTS, AND EXAMINERS. 
Section 4(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(15 U.S.C. 78d(b)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para-
graph (4); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) ACCOUNTANTS, ECONOMISTS, AND COMPLI-
ANCE
EXAMINERS
EXCEPTED
FROM
COMPETITIVE 
SERVICE.—All accountant, economist, and securities 
compliance examiner positions in the Securities and 
Exchange Commission shall be excepted from the 
competitive service, as defined in section 2102 of 
title 5, United States Code. An employee who is in 
the competitive service at the time his or her posi-
tion becomes excepted from the competitive service 
under this paragraph shall be considered as con-
tinuing in the competitive service as long as he or 
she continues to occupy such position.’’.
Æ