hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1322
Sponsor: Rep. Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Bank loans
Coinsurance
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Health insurance
Health insurance continuation
Insurance premiums
Law
Medical economics
Patients' rights
Retiree health benefits

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide emergency protections for retiree health benefits.
Prohibits group health plans from making post-retirement reductions of retiree health benefits.
Requires group health plans to adopt provisions barring post-retirement reductions in retiree health benefits.
Requires group health plans to restore benefits reduced after retirement. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive or vary such requirements, if a plan sponsor applies for such exemption, upon finding that compliance would: (1) be adverse to the interests of plan participants in the aggregate; (2) not be administratively feasible; and (3) cause substantial business hardship to the sponsor.
Establishes the Emergency Retiree Health Loan Guarantee Program and its Board. Authorizes the Program, through its Board, to guarantee loans provided by private banking and investment institutions to eligible plan sponsors to assist them in meeting obligations under this Act to restore benefits reduced after retirement.
Authorizes the Secretary to assess civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2104)
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Reservist and National Guard Opportunities and Protection of Education Act

Bill: 108-hr-1323
Sponsor: Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces reserves
College administration
College costs
Economics and Public Finance
Federal aid to education
Higher education
Leave of absence
National Guard
Retired military personnel
Scholarships
Student aid
Students
Students' rights
Veterans' education

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Reservist and National Guard Opportunities and Protection of Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to declare that: (1) whenever a student who is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a member of such Armed Forces in a retired status, is called or ordered to active duty, the institution of higher education in which the student is enrolled shall grant the student a military leave of absence from the institution while the student is serving on active duty, and for one year after the conclusion of such service; (2) as a consequence of military leave, upon return, such student is entitled to restoration to his or her previous educational status with regard to academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition and other fees paid; and (3) the institution is obligated to refund tuition or fees paid prior to the commencement of active duty.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 37, United States Code, to provide the Secretary of Defense with the authority to make temporary, emergency adjustments in the rates of the basic allowance for housing for members of the uniformed services in response to a sudden increase in housing costs in a military housing area in the United States.

Bill: 108-hr-1324
Sponsor: Rep. Granger, Kay [R-TX-12]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Energy
Housing and Community Development
Military housing
Military pay
Public utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide an emergency adjustment for up to six months in the rates of the basic allowance for housing for a particular military housing area in response to a sudden increase in housing costs as a result of higher utilities charges or other causes.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Total Force.
action_date: 2003-03-27
text: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act

Bill: 108-hr-1325
Sponsor: Rep. Granger, Kay [R-TX-12]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aircraft pilots
Armed forces reserves
Commerce
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Divers
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Flight crews
Government Operations and Politics
Government lending
Government paperwork
Income tax
Interest rates
Labor and Employment
Military aviation
Military education
Military pay
Military pensions
Military training
National Guard
Officer personnel
Scholarships
Secondary education
Small business
Students
Tax credits
Tax incentives
Taxation
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act - Includes hazardous duty pay and diving duty special pay received for at least 60 months as qualifying pay in the computation of military retired pay.
Directs the Comptroller General to study the possibility of tax credits or small business loan incentives for businesses that employ National Guard and reserve personnel.
Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on an assessment of the feasibility and desirability of expanding the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program of each of the military departments, the Civil Air Patrol, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-14
text: Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Total Force.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To ensure that tax-exempt status and other benefits afforded under Operation Enduring Freedom are also provided to United States Armed Forces personnel in Israel.

Bill: 108-hr-1326
Sponsor: Rep. Janklow, William J. [R-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Afghanistan
Armed forces abroad
Crime and Law Enforcement
Income tax
International Affairs
International military forces
Israel
Middle East and North Africa
Military intervention
Military operations
Military pay
Military personnel
South Asia
Tax exemption
Taxation
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Includes Israel in the geographic area encompassed by the applicability of benefits afforded as a result of the January, 2003 Operational Deployment Order issued by the President with respect to U.S. personnel participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt certain activities at the State level from the denial of the deduction for lobbying expenditures.

Bill: 108-hr-1327
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Government Operations and Politics
Income tax
Lobbying
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to denying the deduction of lobbying expenses in connection with activities influencing legislation, to exempt from the denial service (where such service would otherwise constitute the influencing of legislation) on any board, commission, or similar body appointed by any State governmental body.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Recreational Marine Employment Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1329
Sponsor: Rep. Keller, Ric [R-FL-8]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Boats and boating
Building construction
Civil actions and liability
Construction workers
Employers' liability
Government Operations and Politics
Infrastructure
Law
Longshoremen
Maintenance and repair
Marine safety
Marine terminals
Merchant seamen
Negligence
Shipbuilding
Sports and Recreation
State laws
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation workers
Workers' compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Recreational Marine Employment Act of 2003 - Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act with respect to employer liability for death and disability compensation payable to longshore, harbor workers, and other specified marine employees not otherwise covered by State workers compensation laws. Excludes from the definition of employee any individuals employed by or at, or engaged in the construction or maintenance of, a recreational marine facility or structure. Expands the range of individuals whose work is concerned with recreational vessels who do not qualify as employees, including people who principally buy and sell, or test, such vessels.
Makes such exclusions contingent on the employer's being in compliance with a State workers' compensation law. (Currently they are contingent on workers' being covered under such a law).
Modifies requirements for third part actions against vessels for negligence to apply them only to injuries to maritime workers who do not qualify as seamen under specified Federal law. (Currently they apply to injuries to all persons covered under the Act).

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-07-15
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2003-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Telemarketing Victims Protection Act

Bill: 108-hr-1330
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Consumer protection
Federal Trade Commission
Government Operations and Politics
Independent regulatory commissions
Law
Restrictive trade practices
Science, Technology, Communications
Telemarketing

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Telemarketing Victims Protection Act - Amends the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to include in rules respecting abusive telemarketing acts or practices a requirement that telemarketers not make any calls during the hours of 5 to 7 p.m.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source.

Bill: 108-hr-1331
Sponsor: Rep. Moore, Dennis [D-KS-3]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative energy sources
Coal
Commerce
Energy
Environmental Protection
Income tax
Landfills
Methane
Natural gas
Oil shales
Oil well drilling
Petroleum
Synthetic fuel
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the credit for nonconventional-source fuel production, to: (1) ensure the credit applies to qualifying new wells; and (2) extend the credit for certain existing oil and gas wells and facilities producing qualified fuel from landfill gas.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow for an energy efficient appliance credit.

Bill: 108-hr-1332
Sponsor: Rep. Nussle, Jim [R-IA-1]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Electric appliances
Energy
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Income tax
Manufacturing industries
Refrigeration
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited energy efficient appliance credit for the eligible production of qualified energy efficient appliances produced by a taxpayer.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To clarify the citizenship eligibility for certain members of the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-hr-1333
Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Arizona
Boundaries
Citizenship
Federal-Indian relations
Latin America
Mexico
Minorities
Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Allows any member of the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona residing on the Nation's lands in Arizona or Mexico to apply for U.S. citizenship during a three-year period.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-05-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
National Parks Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Act

Bill: 108-hr-1335
Sponsor: Rep. Radanovich, George [R-CA-19]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Electric vehicles
Environmental Protection
Fuel cells
Government vehicles
Hydrogen
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
Motor vehicle pollution control
National parks
Natural gas vehicles
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Service stations
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: 
The National Parks Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service, to establish a program to provide funds to assist in the deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen infrastructure at one or more prominent National Parks.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2003-03-28
text: Executive Comment Requested from DOE, Interior.
action_date: 2003-03-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2003-03-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for premiums on mortgage insurance, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-hr-1336
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Paul [R-WI-1]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government insurance
Government paperwork
Housing and Community Development
Income tax
Insurance premiums
Interest
Mortgage guaranty insurance
Tax deductions
Tax returns

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction of premiums for mortgage insurance. Provides for the phaseout of such deduction based on income.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To encourage the development of hydroelectric projects, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-hr-1337
Sponsor: Rep. Shadegg, John B. [R-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost effectiveness
Cost of living adjustments
Dams
Economic impact statements
Economics and Public Finance
Electric power production
Energy development
Energy efficiency
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Federal aid to water resources development
Federal installations
Governmental investigations
Hydroelectric power
Infrastructure
Public utilities
Subsidies
Sunset legislation
Water Resources Development
Water storage
Water supply
Water use

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments during a specified incentive period to the owner or operator of: (1) a turbine or other generating device owned or solely operated by a non-Federal entity which generates hydroelectric energy for sale and which is added to an existing dam or conduit (a qualified hydroelectric facility); and (2) hydroelectric facilities at existing dams for capital improvements that are directly related to improving their efficiency by at least three percent.
 
Describes payment limitations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Federal Power Act to provide for Federal and State coordination of permitting for electric transmission facilities, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-hr-1338
Sponsor: Rep. Shadegg, John B. [R-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Department of Energy
Electric power distribution
Electric power transmission
Electric utilities
Energy facilities
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Federal-Indian relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Licenses
Minorities
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Right-of-way
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: 
Designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all applicable Federal authorization and related environmental review of a proposed electricity transmission or distribution facility upon request of a current or prospective applicant for Federal authorization related to such a facility.
 
Instructs DOE to establish prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the review of and Federal authorization decisions relating to the proposed facility.
 
Sets a one-year deadline for completion of all permit decisions and related environmental reviews regarding an application.
 
Requires the Secretary of Energy to consult regularly with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and FERC-approved Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators on changes to the national grid that will improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the capability of the grid to deliver electricity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Neutral Cost Recovery Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1339
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Nick [R-MI-7]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commerce
Depreciation and amortization
Income tax
Minimum tax
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Neutral Cost Recovery Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that the depreciation deduction for tangible property placed in service after 2003 be computed using neutral cost recovery ratios.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House