datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
V 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1834
To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a certificate of docu-
mentation with appropriate endorsement for employment in the coastwise 
trade and fisheries for the vessel TRUE BLUE. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 12, 2003
Mr. YOUNG of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a 
certificate of documentation with appropriate endorse-
ment for employment in the coastwise trade and fisheries 
for the vessel TRUE BLUE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
That notwithstanding section 27 of the Merchant Marine 
Act, 1920 (46 App. U.S.C. 883), section 8 of the Act of 
June 19, 1886 (46 App. U.S.C. 289), and sections 12106 
and 12108 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary 
of Transportation may issue a certificate of documentation 
with appropriate endorsement for employment in the
‘‘(C) not be subject to further negotiations for 
any purpose, including bargaining at the level of rec-
ognition, except as provided for by the Secretary; 
and 
‘‘(D) except as otherwise specified in this chap-
ter, not be subject to review or to statutory third-
party dispute resolution procedures outside the De-
partment of Defense. 
‘‘(3) The National Guard Bureau and the Army and 
Air Force National Guard are excluded from coverage 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(4) Any bargaining completed pursuant to this sub-
section with a labor organization not otherwise having na-
tional consultation rights with the Department of Defense 
or its subcomponents shall not create any obligation on 
the Department of Defense or its subcomponents to confer 
national consultation rights on such a labor organization. 
‘‘(g) PROVISIONS RELATING TO APPELLATE PROCE-
DURES.—(1) It is the sense of Congress that—
‘‘(A) employees of the Department of Defense 
are entitled to fair treatment in any appeals that 
they bring in decisions relating to their employment; 
and 
‘‘(B) in prescribing regulations for any such ap-
peals procedures, the Secretary—
coastwise trade and fisheries for the vessel TRUE BLUE 
(United States official number 947297).
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‘‘(i) should ensure that employees of the 
Department of Defense are afforded the protec-
tions of due process; and 
‘‘(ii) toward that end, should be required 
to consult with the Merit Systems Protection 
Board before issuing any such regulations. 
‘‘(2) Any regulations under this section that relate 
to any matters within the purview of chapter 77 of this 
title shall—
‘‘(A) be issued only after consultation with the 
Merit Systems Protection Board; 
‘‘(B) ensure the availability of procedures 
that—
‘‘(i) are consistent with requirements of 
due process; and 
‘‘(ii) provide, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, for the expeditious handling of any mat-
ters involving the Department of Defense; and 
‘‘(C) modify procedures under chapter 77 only 
insofar as such modifications are designed to further 
the fair, efficient, and expeditious resolution of mat-
ters involving the employees of the Department of 
Defense. 
‘‘(h) PROVISIONS RELATED TO SEPARATION AND RE-
TIREMENT INCENTIVES.—(1) The Secretary may establish
of the Interior, or both, as appropriate, may exempt any 
action or category of actions undertaken by the Depart-
ment of Defense or its components from compliance with 
any requirement of this Act, if the Secretary determines 
that it is necessary for national defense. 
‘‘(2) An exemption granted under this subsection—
‘‘(A) subject to subparagraph (B), shall be ef-
fective for a period specified by the Secretary of De-
fense; and 
‘‘(B) shall not be effective for more than 2 
years. 
‘‘(3)(A) The Secretary of Defense may issue addi-
tional exemptions under this subsection for the same ac-
tion or category of actions, after—
‘‘(i) conferring with the Secretary of Commerce, 
the Secretary of the Interior, or both as appropriate; 
and 
‘‘(ii) making a new determination that the addi-
tional exemption is necessary for national defense. 
‘‘(B) Each additional exemption under this para-
graph shall be effective for a period specified by the Sec-
retary of Defense, of not more than 2 years.’’.
SEC. 5. INCIDENTAL TAKINGS OF MARINE MAMMALS IN 
MILITARY READINESS ACTIVITY. 
Section 101(a)(5) of the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A)—
(A) by striking ‘‘within a specified geo-
graphical region’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘within that region of 
small numbers’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Secretary is 
not required to publish notice under this subparagraph 
with respect to incidental takings while engaged in mili-
tary readiness activities authorized by the Secretary of De-
fense, except in the Federal Register.’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)—
(A) by striking ‘‘within a specified geo-
graphical region’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘within one or more re-
gions’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (D)—
(A) in clause (i)—
(i) by striking ‘‘within a specific geo-
graphic region’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘of small numbers’’; 
and
(iii) by striking ‘‘within that region’’; 
and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) Notwithstanding clause (iii), the Secretary is 
not required to publish notice under this subparagraph 
with respect to an authorization under clause (i) of inci-
dental takings while engaged in military readiness activi-
ties authorized by the Secretary of Defense, except in the 
Federal Register.’’.
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a program within the Department of Defense under which 
employees may be eligible for early retirement, offered sep-
aration incentive pay to separate from service voluntarily, 
or both. This authority may be used to reduce the number 
of personnel employed by the Department of Defense or 
to restructure the workforce to meet mission objectives 
without reducing the overall number of personnel. This au-
thority is in addition to, and notwithstanding, any other 
authorities established by law or regulation for such pro-
grams. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of this section, the term ‘employee’ 
means an employee of the Department of Defense, serving 
under an appointment without time limitation, except that 
such term does not include—
‘‘(A) a reemployed annuitant under subchapter 
III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of this title, or an-
other retirement system for employees of the Fed-
eral Government; 
‘‘(B) an employee having a disability on the 
basis of which such employee is or would be eligible 
for disability retirement under any of the retirement 
systems referred to in paragraph (1); or 
‘‘(C) for purposes of eligibility for separation 
incentives under this section, an employee who is in
(1) The term ‘‘military installation’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 2687(e) of title 
10, United States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘water consumption’’ means the 
use of water, from any source, for human purposes of 
any kind, including household or industrial use, irri-
gation, or landscaping. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section applies only to 
Department of Defense actions regarding which consulta-
tion or reconsultation under section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) is first required on 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Union Calendar No. 77
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1835
[Report No. 108–99, Part I] 
A BILL 
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to 
limit designation as critical habitat of areas 
owned or controlled by the Department of De-
fense, and for other purposes. 
JUNE 13, 2003
The Committee on Armed Services discharged; committed 
to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
the Union and ordered to be printed
‘‘(iii) solicitation and selection of 
sources; 
‘‘(iv) award of contracts; 
‘‘(v) contract performance; 
‘‘(vi) contract financing: 
‘‘(vii) management and measurement 
of contract performance through final de-
livery and payment; and 
‘‘(viii) 
technical 
and 
management 
functions directly related to the process of 
fulfilling agency requirements by con-
tract.’’. 
SEC. 102. ACQUISITION WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND. 
(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section are to 
ensure that the Federal acquisition workforce—
(1) adapts to fundamental changes in the na-
ture of Federal Government acquisition of property 
and services associated with the changing roles of 
the Federal Government; and 
(2) acquires new skills and a new perspective to 
enable it to contribute effectively in the changing en-
vironment of the 21st century. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF FUND.—Section 37 of the 
Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 433)
107
‘‘§ 5407. Nature of payment 
‘‘Any payment to an employee under this section shall 
be part of the employee’s basic pay for the purposes of sub-
chapter III of chapter 83, and chapters 84 and 87, and 
for such other purposes (other than chapter 75) as the Office 
shall determine by regulation. 
‘‘§ 5408. Appropriations 
‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000,000 
for fiscal year 2004, and, for each subsequent fiscal year, 
such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this chapter. In the first year of implementation, up to 
10 percent of the amount appropriated to the Fund shall 
be available to participating agencies to train supervisors, 
managers, and other individuals involved in the appraisal 
process on using performance management systems to make 
meaningful distinctions in employee performance and on 
the use of the Fund.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters for 
part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to chapter 53 the following:
‘‘54. Human Capital Performance Fund ...............................................
5401’’.
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 501. PROHIBITION ON USE OF QUOTAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—After the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Office of Management and Budget may not estab-
lish, apply, or enforce any numerical goal, target, or quota
108
for subjecting the employees of a department or agency of 
the Government to public-private competitions or con-
verting such employees or the work performed by such em-
ployees to contractor performance under Office of Manage-
ment and Budget Circular A-76 or any other administra-
tive regulation, directive, or policy, unless the goal, target, 
or quota is based on considered research and sound analysis 
of past activities and is consistent with the stated mission 
of the department or agency. 
(b) LIMITATIONS.—Subsection (a) shall not—
(1) otherwise affect the implementation or en-
forcement of the Government Performance and Results 
Act of 1993 (107 Stat. 285); or 
(2) prevent any agency of the Executive branch 
from subjecting work performed by Federal employees 
or private contractors to public-private competition 
or conversions.
Union Calendar No. 131
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1836
[Report No. 108–116, Part I] 
A BILL 
To make changes to certain areas of the Federal 
civil service in order to improve the flexibility and 
competitiveness of Federal human resources 
management. 
JULY 25, 2003
Committees on Armed Services, Science, and Ways and 
Means discharged; committed to the Committee of the 
Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered 
to be printed
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1838
To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the presumptions of service-
connection relating to diseases and disabilities of former prisoners of war. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 29, 2003
Mr. EVANS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the pre-
sumptions of service-connection relating to diseases and 
disabilities of former prisoners of war.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PRESUMPTIONS OF SERVICE-CONNECTION RE-
LATING TO DISEASES AND DISABILITIES OF 
FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR. 
Subsection (b) of section 1112 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b)(1) For the purposes of section 1110 of this title 
and subject to the provisions of section 1113 of this title, 
in the case of a veteran who is a former prisoner of war—
‘‘(A) a disease specified in paragraph (2) shall 
be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated 
by such service, notwithstanding that there is no 
record of such disease during the period of service; 
and 
‘‘(B) if the veteran was detained or interned as 
a prisoner of war for not less than thirty days, a dis-
ease specified in paragraph (3) which became mani-
fest to a degree of 10 percent or more after active 
military, naval, or air service shall be considered to 
have been incurred in or aggravated by such service, 
notwithstanding that there is no record of such dis-
ease during the period of service. 
‘‘(2) The diseases specified in this paragraph are the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Psychosis. 
‘‘(B) Any of the anxiety states. 
‘‘(C) Dysthymic disorder (or depressive neu-
rosis). 
‘‘(D) Organic residuals of frostbite, if the Sec-
retary determines that the veteran was interned in 
climatic conditions consistent with the occurrence of 
frostbite. 
‘‘(E) Post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purpose of this Act is to provide 
for housing assistance through a State-administered block 
grant, and thereby to—
(1) provide for the necessary program flexibility 
and oversight so that funds are used promptly and 
effectively to assist needy families; 
(2) facilitate greater program responsiveness to 
local markets and needs; 
(3) provide for administrative decision-making 
closer to the communities and families affected, by 
their elected officials; 
(4) provide for additional program flexibility to 
address local needs; 
(5) give States the authority to reallocate funds 
or take other actions necessary to ensure that pro-
gram funds are expended promptly and effectively; 
(6) improve government support of self-suffi-
ciency efforts by assisted families, by facilitating 
greater coordination with the Temporary Assistance 
for Needy Families program, programs under the 
Workforce Investment Act, and other Federal and 
State programs that promote self-sufficiency; 
(7) provide greater flexibility for addressing 
special needs of elderly and disabled families; and
‘‘(3) The diseases specified in this paragraph are the 
following: 
‘‘(A) Avitaminosis. 
‘‘(B) Beriberi (including beriberi heart disease). 
‘‘(C) Chronic dysentery. 
‘‘(D) Helminthiasis. 
‘‘(E) Malnutrition (including optic atrophy as-
sociated with malnutrition). 
‘‘(F) Pellagra. 
‘‘(G) Any other nutritional deficiency. 
‘‘(H) Cirrhosis of the liver. 
‘‘(I) Peripheral neuropathy except where di-
rectly related to infectious causes. 
‘‘(J) Irritable bowel syndrome. 
‘‘(K) Peptic ulcer disease.’’.
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I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 183
To permit members of the House of Representatives to donate used computer 
equipment to public elementary and secondary schools designated by 
the members. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 7, 2003
Mr. SERRANO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on House Administration 
A BILL 
To permit members of the House of Representatives to do-
nate used computer equipment to public elementary and 
secondary schools designated by the members.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. PERMITTING MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REP-
RESENTATIVES TO DONATE USED COMPUTER 
EQUIPMENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 104(a)(3) of the Legisla-
tive Branch Appropriations Act, 1987 (as incorporated by 
reference in section 101(j) of Public Law 99–500 and
Public Law 99–591) (2 U.S.C. 117e(3)) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(3)(A) At the request of a member of the House 
of Representatives, in the case of equipment consisting of 
computers and related peripheral tools previously used by 
the member, the Clerk may donate the equipment to a 
public elementary or secondary school (as defined in sec-
tion 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965) without regard to whether the donation 
meets the requirements of the second sentence of para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(B) At the request of the member who previously 
used the equipment, if the Clerk donates equipment under 
this paragraph, the Clerk shall donate the equipment to 
a school designated by the member.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect October 1, 2003.
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local political subdivisions or local educational agen-
cies for building or repairing elementary or sec-
ondary schools which provide free public education. 
(2) INTERSTATE COMPACTS.—2 or more States 
may enter into a cooperative agreement under para-
graph (1) with the Secretary for the establishment 
of a multistate revolving fund, to enter into an inter-
state compact establishing such fund in accordance 
with this section. 
(b) FUNDING.—The Secretary shall make grants to 
State revolving funds and multistate revolving funds in a 
State in a cooperative agreement under subsection (a)(1) 
to provide initial capital for loans provided under this sec-
tion to local political subdivisions or local educational 
agencies. Each fund shall apply repayments of principal 
and interest on loans to the making of additional loans. 
The Secretary shall take final action on an application for 
a grant under this subsection within 90 days of the date 
of the submittal of such application. 
(c) REVOLVING FUND REQUIREMENTS.—In order to 
establish a revolving fund under this section, each State 
establishing the fund shall—
(1) meet the matching requirement described in 
subsection (d);
including local child care resource and re-
ferral agencies; 
‘‘(iii) how grant funds will be used to 
supplement and not supplant existing Fed-
eral, State, local and private funds used 
for prekindergarten programs; 
‘‘(iv) how the State will ensure that 
grant funds are provided to a range of 
types of eligible prekindergarten providers; 
‘‘(v) how the State will help eligible 
prekindergarten providers attract and re-
tain qualified prekindergarten teachers; 
‘‘(vi) how the State will identify the 
eligible children and eligible prekinder-
garten providers; and 
‘‘(vii) how the State will give priority 
to full-time prekindergarten programs, in-
cluding the expansion of existing part-time 
programs into full-time programs. 
‘‘SEC. 5704. LOCAL APPLICATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A local educational agency or eli-
gible prekindergarten provider, as the case may be, that 
desires to receive a grant under this part shall submit an 
application to the State agency designated under section
guidelines for establishing, operating, and providing as-
sistance from a revolving fund. 
(k) UNITED STATES NOT OBLIGATED.—The con-
tribution of Federal funds into a revolving fund estab-
lished under this section shall not be construed as a com-
mitment, guarantee, or obligation on the part of the 
United States to any third party, nor shall any third party 
have any right against the United States for payment sole-
ly by virtue of the contribution. Any security or debt fi-
nancing instrument issued by the revolving fund shall ex-
pressly state that the security or instrument does not con-
stitute a commitment, guarantee, or obligation of the 
United States. 
(l) MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDS.—Sections 
3335 and 6503 of title 31, United States Code, shall not 
apply to funds contributed under this section. 
(m) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.—For each of fiscal 
years 2004 through 2008, a State may expend an amount 
not to exceed 2 percent of the Federal funds contributed 
to a revolving fund established by the State under this 
section to pay the reasonable costs of administering the 
fund. 
(n) SECRETARIAL REVIEW.—The Secretary shall re-
view the financial condition of each revolving fund estab-
lished under this section biennially and transmit to Con-
gress a report on the results of such review not later than 
90 days after the completion of the review. 
(o) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—For 
grants to States for the initial capitalization of revolving 
funds 
there 
are 
authorized 
to 
be 
appropriated 
$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and for each of the 
4 succeeding fiscal years. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
The terms used in this Act shall have the meaning 
given such terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
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I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1846
To amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 
1991 to provide for the collection of data on the availability of credit 
for women-owned business. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 29, 2003
Mr. ANDREWS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Financial Services 
A BILL 
To amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Im-
provement Act of 1991 to provide for the collection of 
data on the availability of credit for women-owned busi-
ness.
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 ‘‘Credit Availability for 
Women-Owned Businesses Act of 2003’’. 
SEC. 2. COLLECTION OF DATA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsections (a) and (b) of section 
122 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Im-
award under paragraph (1) to not more than 3 
times the amount available under subparagraph (B) 
of such paragraph .’’. 
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erjones on PROD1PC71 with BILLS
provement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1817 nt.) are each 
amended by inserting ‘‘, women-owned businesses,’’ after 
‘‘small businesses’’. 
(b) WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES DEFINED.—Sec-
tion 122 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 1817 nt.) is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) WOMEN-OWNED
BUSINESS
DEFINED.—The 
term ‘women-owned business’ means any business—
‘‘(1) more than 50 percent of the outstanding 
shares of which are held by 1 or more women; and 
‘‘(2) a majority of the directors on the board of 
directors of which are women.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 122(c) of the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 
(12 U.S.C. 1817 nt.) are each amended by inserting ‘‘and 
women-owned businesses’’ before the period at the end of 
each such paragraph.
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I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1847
Concerning denial of passports to noncustodial parents subject to State arrest 
warrants in cases of nonpayment of child support. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 29, 2003
Mr. ANDREWS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on International Relations 
A BILL 
Concerning denial of passports to noncustodial parents sub-
ject to State arrest warrants in cases of nonpayment 
of child support.
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 ‘‘Denial of Passports 
to Noncustodial Parents in Cases of Nonpayment of Child 
Support’’.
SEC. 2. DENIAL OF PASSPORTS TO NONCUSTODIAL PAR-
ENTS SUBJECT TO STATE ARREST WARRANTS 
IN CASES OF NONPAYMENT OF CHILD SUP-
PORT. 
The Secretary of State is authorized to refuse a pass-
port or revoke, restrict, or limit a passport in any case 
in which the Secretary of State determines or is informed 
by competent authority that the applicant or passport 
holder is a noncustodial parent who is the subject of an 
outstanding State warrant of arrest for nonpayment of 
child support, where the amount in controversy is not less 
than $5,000.
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