TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
PROBLEM: SECTION 1. CLASS SIZE DEMONSTRATION GRANTS.

    Subpart 3 of part D of title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1109 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:

              ``Subpart 3--Class Size Demonstration Grants

``SEC. 561. PURPOSE.

    ``It is the purpose of this subpart to provide grants to State 
educational agencies to enable such agencies to determine the benefits, 
in various school settings, of reducing class size on the educational 
performance of students and on classroom management and organization.

``SEC. 562. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants, on a 
        competitive basis, to State educational agencies to pay the 
        Federal share of the costs of conducting demonstration projects 
        that demonstrate methods of reducing class size that may 
        provide information meaningful to other State educational 
        agencies and local educational agencies.
            ``(2) Federal share.--The Federal share shall be 50 
        percent.
    ``(b) Reservation.--The Secretary may reserve not more than 5 
percent of the amount appropriated under section 565A for each fiscal 
year to carry out the activities described in section 565.
    ``(c) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary shall make grants to State 
educational agencies on the basis of--
            ``(1) the need and the ability of a State educational 
        agency to reduce the class size of an elementary school or 
        secondary school served by such agency;
            ``(2) the ability of a State educational agency to furnish 
        the non-Federal share of the costs of the demonstration project 
        for which assistance is sought;
            ``(3) the ability of a State educational agency to continue 
        the project for which assistance is sought after the 
        termination of Federal financial assistance under this subpart; 
        and
            ``(4) the degree to which a State educational agency 
        demonstrates in the application submitted pursuant to section 
        564 consultation in program implementation and design with 
        parents, teachers, school administrators, and local teacher 
        organizations, where applicable.
    ``(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subpart, the 
Secretary shall give priority to demonstration projects that involve 
at-risk students in the earliest grades, including educationally or 
economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and 
limited English proficient students.
    ``(e) Grants Must Supplement Other Funds.--A State educational 
agency shall use the Federal funds received under this subpart to 
supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local funds 
available to the State educational agency to carry out the purpose of 
this subpart.

``SEC. 563. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Annual Competition.--In each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
announce the factors to be examined in a demonstration project assisted 
under this subpart. Such factors may include--
            ``(1) the magnitude of the reduction in class size to be 
        achieved;
            ``(2) the level of education in which the demonstration 
        projects shall occur;
            ``(3) the form of the instructional strategy to be 
        demonstrated; and
            ``(4) the duration of the project.
    ``(b) Random Techniques and Appropriate Comparison Groups.--
Demonstration projects assisted under this subpart shall be designed to 
utilize randomized techniques or appropriate comparison groups.

``SEC. 564. APPLICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--In order to receive a grant under this subpart, 
a State educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary 
that is responsive to the announcement described in section 563(a), at 
such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such 
information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(b) Duration.--The Secretary shall encourage State educational 
agencies to submit applications under this subpart for a period of 5 
years.
    ``(c) Contents.--Each application submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include--
            ``(1) a description of the objectives to be attained with 
        the grant funds and the manner in which the grant funds will be 
        used to reduce class size;
            ``(2) a description of the steps to be taken to achieve 
        target class sizes, including, where applicable, the 
        acquisition of additional teaching personnel and classroom 
        space;
            ``(3) a statement of the methods for the collection of data 
        necessary for the evaluation of the impact of class size 
        reduction programs on student achievement;
            ``(4) an assurance that the State educational agency will 
        pay, from non-Federal sources, the non-Federal share of the 
        costs of the demonstration project for which assistance is 
        sought; and
            ``(5) such additional assurances as the Secretary may 
        reasonably require.
    ``(d) Sufficient Size and Scope Required.--The Secretary shall 
award grants under this subpart only to State educational agencies 
submitting applications which described projects of sufficient size and 
scope to contribute to carrying out the purpose of this subpart.

``SEC. 565. EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION.

    ``(a) National Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a national 
evaluation of the demonstration projects assisted under this subpart to 
determine the costs incurred in achieving the reduction in class size 
and the effects of the reductions on results, such as student 
performance in the affected subjects or grades, attendance, discipline, 
classroom organization, management, and teacher satisfaction and 
retention.
    ``(b) Cooperation.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant 
under this subpart shall cooperate in the national evaluation described 
in subsection (a) and shall provide such information to the Secretary 
as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(c) Reports.--The Secretary shall report to Congress on the 
results of the evaluation conducted under subsection (a).
    ``(d) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall widely disseminate 
information about the results of the class size demonstration projects 
assisted under this subpart.

``SEC. 565A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart 
$15,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
years.''.

SEC. 2. PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BY NASA 
              RELATING TO AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE.

    The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration may not carry out research and development activities 
relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft 
and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives payment in 
full for such activities from the private sector.

SOLUTION: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a competitive Class Size Demonstration Grants program. 
Directs the Secretary of Education to award such grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to pay half of the costs of conducting projects that demonstrate methods of reducing class size that may provide information meaningful to other SEAs and local educational agencies (LEAs).  Authorizes the Secretary to reserve up to five percent of funds for this Act for each fiscal year to carry out national evaluation and dissemination activities. 
Sets forth program requirements for:  (1) grant selection criteria; (2) priority for projects that involve at-risk students in the earliest grades, including educationally or economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and limited English proficient students; (3) annual competitions; (4) random techniques and appropriate comparison groups; (5) applications; and (6) sufficient size and scope of projects. 
Directs the Secretary to:  (1) conduct, and report to the Congress on, a national evaluation of such projects to determine the costs incurred in achieving the reduction in class size and the effects of the reductions on results; and (2) widely disseminate information about the results of such projects. 
Authorizes appropriations. 
(Sec. 2) Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from carrying out research and development activities relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives payment in full for such activities from the private sector.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Scientifically Identifying the Need 
for Critical Habitat Act''.

SEC. 2. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE CRITICAL HABITAT.

    Section 4(a)(3) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1533(a)(3)(A)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(A) may designate any habitat of a species that is 
        determined under paragraph (1) to be an endangered species or 
        threatened species as critical habitat of such species; and ''.

SEC. 3. SOUND SCIENCE.

    (a) Best Scientific and Commercial Data Available.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 
        1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532) is amended--
                    (A) by amending the section heading to read as 
                follows:

``SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS. '';

                    (B) by striking ``For the purposes of this Act--'' 
                and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this Act:''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Use of Certain Data.--In any case in which the Secretary is 
required by this Act to use the best scientific and commercial data 
available, the Secretary, in evaluating comparable data, shall give 
greater weight to scientific or commercial data that is empirical or 
has been field-tested or peer-reviewed.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents in the 
        first section of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
        prec. 1531) is amended by striking the item relating to section 
        3 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 3. Definitions and general provisions.''.
    (b) Use of Sound Science in Listing.--Section 4(b) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
            ``(9) Establishment of criteria for scientific studies to 
        support listing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall promulgate 
        regulations that establish criteria that must be met for 
        scientific and commercial data to be used as the basis of a 
        determination under this section that a species is an 
        endangered species or a threatened species.
            ``(10) Field data.--
                    ``(A) Requirement.--The Secretary may not determine 
                that a species is an endangered species or a threatened 
                species unless the determination is supported by data 
                obtained by observation of the species in the field.
                    ``(B) Data from landowners.--The Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) accept and acknowledge receipt of 
                        data regarding the status of a species that is 
                        collected by an owner of land through 
                        observation of the species on the land; and
                            ``(ii) include the data in the rulemaking 
                        record compiled for any determination that the 
                        species is an endangered species or a 
                        threatened species.''.
    (c) Use of Sound Science in Recovery Planning.--Section 4(f) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(6)(A) The Secretary shall identify and publish in the Federal 
Register with the notice of a proposed regulation pursuant to paragraph 
(5)(A)(i) a description of additional scientific and commercial data 
that would assist in the preparation of a recovery plan and--
            ``(i) invite any person to submit the data to the 
        Secretary; and
            ``(ii) describe the steps that the Secretary plans to take 
        for acquiring additional data.
    ``(B) Data identified and obtained under subparagraph (A)(i) shall 
be considered by the recovery team and the Secretary in the preparation 
of the recovery plan in accordance with section 5.''.

SEC. 4. PEER REVIEW.

    Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Independent Scientific Review Requirements.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Action.--The term `action' means--
                            ``(i) the determination that a species is 
                        an endangered species or a threatened species 
                        under subsection (a);
                            ``(ii) the determination under subsection 
                        (a) that an endangered species or a threatened 
                        species be removed from any list published 
                        under subsection (c)(1);
                            ``(iii) the development of a recovery plan 
                        for a threatened species or endangered species 
                        under subsection (f); and
                            ``(iv) the determination that a proposed 
                        action is likely to jeopardize the continued 
                        existence of a listed species and the proposal 
                        of any reasonable and prudent alternatives by 
                        the Secretary under section 7(b)(3).
                    ``(B) Qualified individual.--The term `qualified 
                individual' means an individual with expertise in the 
                biological sciences--
                            ``(i) who through publication of peer-
                        reviewed scientific literature or other means, 
                        has demonstrated scientific expertise on the 
                        species or a similar species or other 
                        scientific expertise relevant to the decision 
                        of the Secretary under subsection (a) or (f);
                            ``(ii) who does not have, or represent any 
                        person with, a conflict of interest with 
                        respect to the determination that is the 
                        subject of the review;
                            ``(iii) who is not a participant in any 
                        petition or proposed or final determination 
                        before the Secretary; and
                            ``(iv) who has no direct financial 
                        interest, and is not employed by any person 
                        with a direct financial interest, in opposing 
                        the action under consideration.
            ``(2) List of independent scientific reviewers.--The 
        Secretary shall solicit recommendations from the National 
        Academy of Sciences and develop and maintain a list of 
        qualified reviewers to participate in independent scientific 
        review actions.
            ``(3) Appointment of independent scientific reviewers.--(A) 
        Before any action shall become final, the Secretary shall 
        appoint randomly, from among the list prepared in accordance 
        with this section, 3 qualified individuals who shall review and 
        report to the Secretary on the scientific information and 
        analyses on which the proposed action is based.
            ``(B) The selection and activities of the referees selected 
        pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the Federal 
        Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
            ``(C) Reviewers shall be compensated for conducting the 
        independent review.
            ``(4) Opinion of peer reviewers.--Independent reviewers 
        shall provide the Secretary, within 3 months, their opinion 
        regarding all relevant scientific information and assumptions 
        relating to the taxonomy, population models, and supportive 
        biological and ecological information for the species in 
        question.
            ``(5) Final determination.--If the referees have made a 
        recommendation on a proposed action, the Secretary shall 
        evaluate and consider the information that results from the 
        independent scientific review and include in the final 
        determination--
                    ``(A) a summary of the results of the independent 
                scientific review; and
                    ``(B) in a case in which the recommendation of a 
                majority of the referees who conducted the independent 
                scientific review is not followed, an explanation as to 
                why the recommendation was not followed.
            ``(6) Public notice.--The report of the peer reviewers 
        shall be included in the official record of the proposed action 
        and shall be available for public review prior to the close of 
        the comment period on the proposed action.''.

SEC. 5. IMPROVED RECOVERY PLANNING.

    (a) Use of Information Provided by States.--Section 7(b)(1) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(b)(1)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Use of state information.--In conducting a 
                consultation under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary 
                shall actively solicit and consider information from 
                the State agency in each affected State.''.
    (b) Opportunity to Participate in Consultations.--Section 7(b)(1) 
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(b)(1)) (as 
amended by subsection (a)) is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:
                    ``(D) Opportunity to participate in 
                consultations.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In conducting a 
                        consultation under subsection (a)(2), the 
                        Secretary shall provide any person who has 
                        sought authorization or funding from a Federal 
                        agency for an action that is the subject of the 
                        consultation, the opportunity to--
                                    ``(I) before the development of a 
                                draft biological opinion, submit and 
                                discuss with the Secretary and the 
                                Federal agency information relevant to 
                                the effect of the proposed action on 
                                the species and the availability of 
                                reasonable and prudent alternatives (if 
                                a jeopardy opinion is to be issued) 
                                that the Federal agency and the person 
                                can take to avoid violation of 
                                subsection (a)(2);
                                    ``(II) receive information, on 
                                request, subject to the exemptions 
                                specified in section 552(b) of title 5, 
                                United States Code, on the status of 
                                the species, threats to the species, 
                                and conservation measures, used by the 
                                Secretary to develop the draft 
                                biological opinion and the final 
                                biological opinion, including the 
                                associated incidental taking 
                                statements; and
                                    ``(III) receive a copy of the draft 
                                biological opinion from the Federal 
                                agency and, before issuance of the 
                                final biological opinion, submit 
                                comments on the draft biological 
                                opinion and discuss with the Secretary 
                                and the Federal agency the basis for 
                                any finding in the draft biological 
                                opinion.
                            ``(ii) Explanation.--If reasonable and 
                        prudent alternatives are proposed by a person 
                        under clause (i) and the Secretary does not 
                        include the alternatives in the final 
                        biological opinion, the Secretary shall explain 
                        to the person why those alternatives were not 
                        included in the opinion.
                            ``(iii) Public access to information.--
                        Comments and other information submitted to, or 
                        received from, any person (pursuant to clause 
                        (i)) who seeks authorization or funding for an 
                        action shall be maintained in a file for that 
                        action by the Secretary and shall be made 
                        available to the public (subject to the 
                        exemptions specified in section 552(b) of title 
                        5, United States Code).''.

SOLUTION: Scientifically Identifying the Need for Critical Habitat Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to change from mandatory to discretionary the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to designate critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species.

Directs the Secretary, when required by the Act to use the best scientific and commercial data available, in evaluating comparable data to give greater weight to such data that is empirical or has been field-tested or peer-reviewed.

Specifies requirements for the use of sound science in the listing of endangered or threatened species such as: (1) the establishment of criteria for scientific studies to support the listing; (2) use of data obtained by observation of the species in the field; and (3) use of data from landowners who have observed such species on their land. Requires the use of sound science in the preparation of a recovery plan for an endangered or threatened species.

Sets forth requirements for: (1) peer review before certain action can become final with respect to endangered or threatened species; and (2) use of information provided by States affected by such species or their habitat for recovery plans.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Maximum Economic Growth for America 
through Investment in Rural, Elderly, and Disabled Transit Act'' or the 
``MEGA RED TRANS Act''.

SEC. 2. MINIMUM LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED PROGRAM.

    Section 5310 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking 
        the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, provided 
        that, for fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, each State shall 
        receive annually, of the amounts apportioned under this 
        section, a minimum of double the amount apportioned to the 
        State in fiscal year 2003 or $1,000,000, whichever is greater, 
        and that for fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009, each State 
        shall receive annually, of the amounts apportioned under this 
        section, a minimum equal to the minimum required to be 
        apportioned to the State for fiscal year 2006 plus $500,000.''; 
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Amounts for Operating Assistance.--Amounts made available 
under this section may be used for operating assistance.
    ``(l) Available Funds.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
of the aggregate amounts made available by and appropriated under this 
chapter, the amount made available to provide transportation services 
to elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities under this 
section in each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2009, shall be not 
less than the amount necessary to match the minimum apportionment 
levels required by subsection (b).''.

SEC. 3. MINIMUM LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR RURAL PROGRAM.

    Section 5311 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by striking 
        the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, provided 
        that none of the 50 States shall receive, from the amounts 
        annually apportioned under this section, an apportionment of 
        less than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 
        2006, and $5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 
        2009.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Amounts.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the 
aggregate amounts made available by and appropriated under this 
chapter, the amount made available for the program established by this 
section in each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009 shall be not less 
than the sum of--
            ``(1) the amount made available for all States for such 
        purpose for fiscal year 2003; and
            ``(2)(A) for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, the 
        amount equal to the difference between $5,000,000 and the 
        apportionment for fiscal year 2003, for each of those 
        individual States that were apportioned less than $5,000,000 
        under this section for fiscal year 2003; or
            ``(B) for each of fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009, the 
        amount equal to the difference between $5,500,000 and the 
        apportionment for fiscal year 2003, for each of those 
        individual States that were apportioned less than $5,500,000 
        under this section for fiscal year 2003.''.

SEC. 4. ESSENTIAL BUS SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5339. Essential bus service
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program under 
which States shall provide essential bus service between rural areas 
and primary airports, as defined in section 47102, and between rural 
areas and stations for intercity passenger rail service, and 
appropriate intermediate or nearby points.
    ``(b) Eligible Activities.--Eligible activities under the program 
established by this section shall include--
            ``(1) planning and marketing for intercity bus 
        transportation;
            ``(2) capital grants for intercity bus shelters, park and 
        ride facilities, and joint use facilities;
            ``(3) operating grants, including direct assistance, 
        purchase of service agreements, user-side subsidies, 
        demonstration projects, and other means; and
            ``(4) enhancement of connections between bus service and 
        commercial air passenger service and intercity passenger rail 
        service.
    ``(c) Availability of Funds.--Amounts made available pursuant to 
this section shall remain available until expended.
    ``(d) Relationship to Section 5311.--Amounts for the program 
established by this section shall be apportioned to the States in the 
same proportion as amounts apportioned to the States under section 
5311. Section 5311(j) applies to this section.
    ``(e) Funds.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the 
aggregate amounts made available by and appropriated under this 
chapter--
            ``(1) for fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, $30,000,000 of 
        the total for each fiscal year shall be for the implementation 
        of this section; and
            ``(2) for fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009, $35,000,000 of 
        the total for each fiscal year shall be for the implementation 
        of this section.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for 
chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``5339. Essential bus service.''.

SEC. 5. MINIMUM LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR URBANIZED AREAS WITH A POPULATION 
              OF LESS THAN 200,000.

    (a) Minimum Apportionment.--Section 5336(a)(1) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ``mile; and'' and inserting the 
following: ``mile,
        provided that the apportionments under this paragraph shall be 
        modified to the extent required so that urbanized areas that 
        are eligible under this paragraph and are located in a State in 
        which all urbanized areas in the State eligible under this 
        paragraph collectively receive apportionments totaling less 
        than $5,000,000 in any of fiscal years 2004, 2005, or 2006, or 
        less than $5,500,000 in any of fiscal years 2007, 2008, or 
        2009, shall each have their apportionments increased, 
        proportionately, to the extent that, collectively, all of the 
        urbanized areas in the State that are eligible under this 
        paragraph receive, of the amounts apportioned annually under 
        this paragraph, $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, 
        and 2006, and $5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2007, 2008, 
        and 2009; and''.
    (b) Funds.--Section 5307 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(o) Funds.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the 
aggregate amounts made available by and appropriated under this 
chapter, in each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2009, the amount made 
available for the program established by this section shall be not less 
than the sum of--
            ``(1) the amount made available for such purpose for fiscal 
        year 2003; and
            ``(2) the amount equal to the sum of the increase in 
        apportionments for that fiscal year over fiscal year 2003, to 
        urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000, in 
        affected States, attributable to the operation of section 
        5336(a)(1).''.

SEC. 6. LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR GOVERNMENT SHARE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, as 
amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 5340. Government share
    ``With respect to amounts apportioned or otherwise distributed for 
fiscal year 2004 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Government share 
of eligible transit project costs or eligible operating costs, shall be 
the greater of--
            ``(1) the share applicable under other provisions of this 
        chapter; or
            ``(2) the share that would apply, in the State in which the 
        transit project or operation is located, to a highway project 
        under section 133 of title 23.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for 
chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``5340. Government share.''.

SEC. 7. INTEREST CREDITED TO MASS TRANSIT ACCOUNT.

    Section 9503(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating 
to the Highway Trust Fund) is amended by striking the period at the end 
and inserting the following: ``, provided that after September 30, 
2003, interest accruing on the balance in the Mass Transit Account 
shall be credited to such account.''.

SOLUTION:
Maximum Economic Growth for America through Investment in Rural, Elderly, and Disabled Transit Act (or the MEGA RED TRANS Act) - Amends Federal transportation law to set forth certain minimum funding levels of amounts made available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for: (1) formula grants and loans to States to provide mass transportation services to elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities and in non-urbanized areas; and (2) block grants to States for mass transportation service projects in urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000.Establishes an essential bus service program under which States provide essential bus service between rural areas and primary airports, and between rural areas and stations for intercity passenger rail service, and appropriate intermediate or nearby points.Sets forth certain requirements regarding the Federal share of eligible project costs or eligible operating costs with respect to funds distributed for transit projects after FY 2004.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require interest that is accrued on balances in the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund to be credited to such account.