hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-245
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2003-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cloning
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Fines (Penalties)
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Genetic research
Genetics
Human embryology
Import restrictions
Law
Medical ethics
Medical research
Medical technology
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-29
text: Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such an embryo; or (4) importing such an embryo.
Sets forth criminal and civil penalties.
Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited above, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans.
Directs the General Accounting Office to assess the need for amendment of such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion of new developments, the need for somatic cell transfer to produce medical advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views concerning its use, and potential legal implications of somatic cell transfer research; and (2) a review of any technological developments that may require technical changes to such prohibition.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2003-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act

Bill: 108-s-248
Sponsor: Sen. Voinovich, George V. [R-OH]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animals
Aquatic ecology
Arts, Culture, Religion
Boundaries
Canada
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Conservation easements
Dredging
Ecosystem management
Environmental Protection
Environmental education
Environmental research
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Fishery management
Fishing
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Great Lakes
Habitat conservation
Hunting
International Affairs
International environmental cooperation
Land transfers
Michigan
Migratory bird conservation
Nature conservation
Ohio
Outdoor recreation
Photography
Restoration ecology
Riparian ecology
Sports and Recreation
Trails
Waste disposal sites
Water Resources Development
Wildlife conservation
Wildlife refuges

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act - Expands the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex to include specified land and water in Ohio. Permits the Secretary to acquire by donation, purchase, or exchange the land and water and interests in land and water within the boundaries of the Complex.
Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to study and report to Congress on fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities in and around two specified dredge spoil disposal sites in Toledo Harbor.
Expands the southern boundary of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge to include additional land and water located in the State of Michigan east of Interstate Route 75.
Prescribes requirements for administration of the Complex.
Directs the Secretary to ensure that hunting, trapping, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation shall be the priority public uses of the Complex.
Requires the Secretary to encourage the State of Ohio to use authority under the Federal recreational trails program to provide funding for the acquisition and development of trails within the boundaries of the Complex.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that remarriage of the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran after age 55 shall not result in termination of dependency and indemnity compensation otherwise payable to that surviving spouse.

Bill: 108-s-249
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Families
Labor and Employment
Marriage
Social Welfare
Survivors' benefits
Veterans' pensions
Widowers
Widows
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Provides that the remarriage of the surviving spouse of a veteran after age 55 shall not bar the payment of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation to which such spouse was previously entitled.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-07-10
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR  S1814)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1814)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act

Bill: 108-s-251
Sponsor: Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Barges
Commerce
Diesel motor
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Environmental Protection
Excise tax
Gasoline
Government trust funds
Inland water transportation
Law
Liability for environmental damages
Oil pollution
Petroleum storage
Pollution taxes
Railroads
Ships
Tax rates
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the special fuel excise tax on railroads and inland waterway transportation.
Subjects diesel fuel used in trains to the additional tax for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules relating to the replacement of livestock sold on account of weather-related conditions.

Bill: 108-s-252
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas, Craig [R-WY]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting
Agriculture and Food
Animals
Capital gains tax
Disaster relief
Droughts
Emergency Management
Finance and Financial Sector
Floods
Income tax
Livestock
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Tax exemption
Water Resources Development
Weather

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to involuntary conversion rules, to extend the replacement period for livestock sold on account of weather related conditions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-253
Sponsor: Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Federal preemption
Firearms
Firearms control
Government Operations and Politics
Identification devices
Law enforcement officers
Local laws
Photography
Police
State laws

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including certain qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by their governmental agency, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm. Provides that such authorization shall not supersede State laws that: (1) permit private entities to prohibit the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit the possession of firearms on State or local government property. Excludes from the definition of "firearm" any machine gun, firearm silencer, or destructive device.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced in the Senate on January 30, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize qualified law enforcement officers (including certain qualified retired officers) carrying the photographic identification issued by their governmental agency, notwithstanding State or local laws, to carry a concealed firearm. Provides that such authorization shall not supersede State laws that: (1) permit private entities to prohibit the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or (2) prohibit the possession of firearms on State or local government property. Excludes from the definition of "firearm" any machine gun, firearm silencer, or destructive device.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-26
text: By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-29. Additional and Minority views filed.
action_date: 2003-03-26
text: By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-29. Additional and Minority views filed.
action_date: 2003-03-11
text: Star Print ordered on on the reported bill.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1817-1818)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1816-1817)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-255
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Automobiles
Energy
Energy efficiency
Fuel consumption
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Government vehicles
Standards
Trucks

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2003 - Sets forth certain increased average fuel economy standards for certain light trucks, automobiles (up to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight), and certain classes of vehicles in the Federal fleet that are manufactured or purchased after specified dates.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1819-1820)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Benefits and Pensions Protection Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-257
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Commerce
Contracts
Crime and Law Enforcement
Disabled
Families
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Labor and Employment
Law
Survivors' benefits
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' disability compensation
Veterans' pensions

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Veterans Benefits and Pensions Protection Act of 2003 - Includes as a prohibited assignment of veterans' benefits any agreement entered into by a beneficiary under which another person acquires for consideration the right to receive any compensation, pension, or dependency and indemnity compensation of such beneficiary. Provides criminal penalties for violations.
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an outreach program to inform veterans and other potential recipients of such compensation or pension of the prohibition against the assignment of such benefits, including information on various schemes to evade the prohibition and means of avoiding such schemes.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-07-10
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the definition of low-income families for purposes of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

Bill: 108-s-258
Sponsor: Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: County politics and government
Economics and Public Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Income
Low-income housing
Metropolitan areas
New Mexico
Rent
Social Welfare
Urban affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exclude Los Alamos County, New Mexico from the Santa Fe metropolitan area for purposes of low-income housing assistance.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1821)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1821)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to expand the eligibility for membership in veterans organizations.

Bill: 108-s-259
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Families
Tax-exempt organizations
Veterans' organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that ancestors and lineal descendants of past or present members of the armed forces shall be taken into account in determining whether a veterans' organization is exempt from tax.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prevent the continued use of renouncing United States citizenship as a device for avoiding United States taxes.

Bill: 108-s-260
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Citizenship
Expatriation
Finance and Financial Sector
Gifts
Government Operations and Politics
Immigration
Income tax
Interest
Law
Tax administration
Tax deferral
Tax evasion
Tax exclusion
Trusts and trustees
Valuation

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish that all property of "covered expatriates" shall be treated as sold on the day before the "expatriation date" for its fair market value, and that gain and loss shall be taken into account for the taxable year of the sale (with proper subsequent adjustment). Defines "expatriate" and "expatriation date."
Permits an individual to make an irrevocable decision to defer the additional tax attributable to such property provided that adequate security is furnished and that the individual waives any rights under treaties of the United States that would preclude assessment or collection of relevant tax.
Excludes certain "United States real property interests" and interest in certain retirement plans from counting as sold under this Act. Establishes special rules applicable to "covered expatriates'" interests in trusts and qualified trusts, including a tax in instances of the latter. Sets forth that such tax shall be replaced by another tax under certain delineated conditions, including if a trust ceases to be a qualified trust.
Imposes a tax on "covered gifts and bequests" of more than $10,000 from expatriates to American citizens and residents, with certain specified exceptions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1821-1822)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Children First Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-261
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aid to dependent children
Cash welfare block grants
Child care workers
Child safety
Custody of children
Day care
Economics and Public Finance
Employee training
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Labor and Employment
State laws
Welfare work participation

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Children First Act of 2003 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) exclude child care assistance from the determination of the five-year limit on assistance under TANF; and (2) increase funding for child care.
Subjects to the individual and case data reporting requirements of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 any TANF funds expended for child care, whether or not transferred to that Act, and exempts such funds from SSA reporting requirements.
Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase the set-aside for child care quality.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1823-1824)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1822-1823)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Education Works Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-262
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Adult education
Aid to dependent children
Cash welfare block grants
Day care
Economics and Public Finance
Education
English language
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Labor and Employment
State laws
Transportation and Public Works
Travel costs
Welfare eligibility
Welfare work participation

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Education Works Act of 2003 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to: (1) expand the vocational educational training work activity category, removing the time limitation on such training, and adding participation in postsecondary education, an English-as-a-second-language program, or an adult basic education program; (2) eliminate the limit on the number of TANF recipients enrolled in vocational education or high school who may be counted towards the State work participation requirement; and (3) provide for nonapplication of the five-year limit on TANF assistance to individuals who receive child care or transportation benefits under the State TANF program and participate in a full-time educational program or are employed.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1824)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1822-1823)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Self Sufficiency and Accountability Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-263
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Aid to dependent children
Cash welfare block grants
Child support
Community organization
Crime and Law Enforcement
Disabled
Drug abuse
Earned income tax credit
Earnings
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Electronic government information
Employee training
Evaluation research (Social action programs)
Families
Family violence
Food stamps
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Health
Health insurance
Higher education
Housing and Community Development
Income
Income tax
Internet
Job hunting
Labor and Employment
Labor supply
Learning disabilities
Low-income housing
Medicaid
Medically uninsured
Mentally disabled
Performance measurement
Poverty
Regional economic development
Skilled labor
State laws
State-local relations
Strategic planning
Taxation
Unemployment insurance
Urban affairs
Wages
Web sites
Welfare eligibility

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Self Sufficiency and Accountability Act of 2003 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise State TANF Plan requirements. Adds requirements with respect to: (1) a Plan description of how the State will ensure fair and equitable treatment among program applicants and recipients; (2) information about programs designed or implemented at sub-State levels; and (3) assessment of regional economies, notice to localities of sectoral labor shortages, and identification of self-sufficiency standards for families no longer receiving State assistance.
Amends State data collection and reporting requirements to include: (1) a description of self-sufficiency standards for such families; and (2) data on civil rights or employment law violation complaints filed by State program applicants and recipients.
Amends State data collection and reporting requirements to include: (1) assessment of regional economies to identify higher entry level wage opportunities in industries experiencing labor shortages; and (2) programs and services leading to self-sufficiency. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for technical assistance in assessing regional economies.
Increases by five percent the applicable percentage in the formula for calculating monetary penalties for State failure to comply with fair treatment requirements.
Authorizes States to elect to continue to operate through FY 2007 under pre-welfare reform waivers.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1824-1827)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1822-1823)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Children's Health Protection and Eligibility Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-264
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Families
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Health insurance
Medically uninsured
Poverty

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Children's Health Protection and Eligibility Act of 2003 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for the retention and redistribution through FY 2004 of SCHIP allotments for FY 1998 through 2000; and (2) authorize qualifying States to use SCHIP funds for Medicaid expenditures.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate
SUV Business Tax Loophole Closure Act

Bill: 108-s-265
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2003-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Automobiles
Depreciation and amortization
Income tax
Tax deductions
Trucks

Summary:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: SUV Business Tax Loophole Closure Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in the limitation on depreciation of certain luxury automobiles.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1828-1829)
action_date: 2003-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate