|
H.R.3300 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15500 Pearl Road in Strongsville, Ohio, as the "Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Post Office Building"
Posted by on November 18, 2003
H.R.3300
Title:To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15500 Pearl Road in Strongsville, Ohio, as the "Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Post Office Building".
Sponsor: Rep LaTourette, Steve C. [OH-14] (introduced 10/15/2003) Cosponsors: 17
Committees: House Government Reform; Senate Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Burgess voted YES
SUMMARY AS OF:
10/15/2003--Introduced.
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 15500 Pearl Road in Strongsville, Ohio, as the Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Post Office Building.
H.R. 6 - Energy Policy Act of 2003
Posted by on November 18, 2003
H.R.6
Title:To enhance energy conservation and research and development, to provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for the American people, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [LA-3] (introduced 4/7/2003) Cosponsors: 4
Committees: House Energy and Commerce; House Science; House Ways and Means; House Resources; House Education and the Workforce; House Transportation and Infrastructure; House Financial Services; House Agriculture; House Judiciary
Conference Reports: 108-375
Related Bills: H.RES.189, H.RES.443, H.R.39, H.R.238, H.R.330, H.R.576, H.R.794, H.R.795, H.R.1020,
H.R.1337, H.R.1338, H.R.1458, H.R.1491, H.R.1531, H.R.1570, H.R.1627, H.R.1644, S.14, S.1005
Latest Major Action: 11/18/2003 Conference report agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 246 - 180 (Roll No. 630).
Note: The House Rules Committee has posted the text of the conference report.
Burgess voted YES
SUMMARY AS OF:
7/31/2003--Passed Senate, amended. (There are 2 other summaries)
Energy Policy Act of 2003 - Division A: Reliable and Diverse Power Generation and Transmission - Title I: Regional Coordination - States that it is Federal policy to encourage States to coordinate their energy policies on a regional basis in order to provide reliable, affordable energy services to the public while minimizing the impact of providing energy services on communities and the environment. Instructs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) provide technical assistance to such State regional organizations; and (2) convene an annual conference to promote regional coordination on energy policy and infrastructure issues.
Title II: Electricity - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Federal Power Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) mandate that a holding company in a holding company system that includes a transmitting utility or an electric utility company acquire authorization of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) prior to purchasing, acquiring, merging or consolidating, with certain utilities; (2) empower FERC to approve or revoke market-based rates; and (3) authorize FERC to require unregulated transmitting utilities to provide open access transmission.
(Sec. 206) Grants FERC jurisdiction over an electric reliability organization, any regional entities, and all users, owners, and operators of the bulk-power system, for purposes of approving and enforcing compliance with reliability standards. Prescribes implementation guidelines.
(Sec. 207) Instructs FERC to: (1) issue rules establishing an electronic information system that timely disseminates the availability and price of wholesale electric energy and transmission services; and (2) ensure that transmitting utilities provide transmission service to intermittent generators so as not to unduly prejudice or disadvantage such generators.
Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Utility Holding Company Act - Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2003 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Prescribes implementation guidelines for Federal and State access to books and records of holding companies.
(Sec. 234) Establishes the Electric Energy Market Competition Task Force as an inter-agency task force to review competition in the wholesale and retail electric energy markets.
(Sec. 235) Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the success of the Federal and State governments to: (1) prevent anticompetitive practices and other abuses by public utility holding companies, including cross-subsidization and other market power abuses; and (2) promote competition and efficient energy markets for the benefit of consumers.
Subtitle C: Amendments to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), to adopt standards governing: (1) real-time pricing and time-of-use metering; (2) distributed generation; (3) distribution interconnections; (4) minimum fuel and technology diversity; and (5) fossil fuel efficiency.
(Sec. 244) Repeals mandatory purchase and sale requirements governing cogeneration and small power production facilities. Mandates net metering service upon electric consumer request.
Subtitle D: Consumer Protections - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to: (1) prescribe certain consumer information disclosure requirements incumbent upon electric utility vendors; (2) prohibit such vendors from disclosing or permitting access to electric consumer information obtained from their customers without such customers' approval; and (3) issue proscriptions against unfair trade practices known as "slamming" and "cramming."
(Sec. 253) Establishes within the Department of Justice the Office of Consumer Advocacy.
Subtitle E: Renewable Energy and Rural Construction Grants - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to revise guidelines governing renewable energy production incentive payments and to include incremental hydropower.
(Sec. 262) Directs the Secretary to review and report annually regarding assessments of renewable energy resources. Directs the President to ensure that Federal electric energy consumption falls within prescribed minimum levels.
(Sec. 264) Amends PURPA to prescribe guidelines for a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard under which retail electric suppliers submit renewable energy credits to the Secretary.
(Sec. 265) Directs the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Energy to develop guidelines for a cost-share demonstration program for wind and solar energy facilities on Federal land.
Subtitle F: General Provisions - Amends the Federal Columbia River Transmission System Act to grant the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration additional borrowing authority to: (1) provide funds for financing the construction, acquisition, and replacement of the transmission system of the Bonneville Power Administration; and (2) implement the authorities of the Administrator under the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act.
Title III: Hydroelectric Relicensing - Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe guidelines for alternative mandatory conditions for project works, including fishways within any Federal reservation.
Title IV: Indian Energy - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to instruct the Director of the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to establish programs within such Office to: (1) assist Indian tribes in meeting energy education, research and development, planning, and management needs; and (2) set forth a loan guarantee program for Indian tribes for energy development, including electrical generation plants, and transmission and delivery mechanisms for electricity produced on Indian land.
(Sec. 402) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish within the Department of Energy (DOE) an Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs.
(Sec. 404) Sets forth a statutory framework within which an Indian tribe may grant leases for siting energy facilities on tribal lands.
(Sec. 406) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to instruct the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on: (1) energy consumption and renewable energy development potential on Indian land; (2) Federal power allocations and Federal power sales by the Federal Power Marketing Administrations to Indian tribes within their service areas; and (3) the feasibility of a demonstration project that would use wind energy generated by Indian tribes and hydropower generated by the Army Corps of Engineers to supply firming power to the Western Area Power Administration.
Title V: Nuclear Power - Subtitle A: Price-Anderson Act Reauthorization - Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to: (1) extend to August 1, 2012, the authority of DOE to indemnify Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees, including nonprofit educational institutions licensees; (2) make permanent DOE authority to indemnify contractors; and (3) revise liability limits.
(Sec. 507) Repeals the authority of the Secretary to determine whether nonprofit educational institutions should receive automatic remission of civil monetary penalties for violations of DOE safety regulations.
Replaces the exemption granted specified research contractors and suppliers regarding civil monetary penalties for violations of DOE safety regulations with a limitation placed upon the total amount of fees paid within any one-year period under the pertinent contract.
Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the USEC Privatization Act to revise guidelines governing: (1) sales of uranium from the DOE stockpile; and (2) Federal transfers.
(Sec. 512) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to reauthorize reimbursement of thorium licensees.
(Sec. 513) Prohibits reactivation of the Fast Flux Test Facility if the Secretary has determined, in a record of decision, that the program can be implemented at existing operating facilities.
(Sec. 514) Establishes: (1) the Nuclear Power 2010 Program; (2) the Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel Research; and (3) a decommissioning pilot program for the sodium-cooled fast breeder experimental test-site reactor (Arkansas).
Subtitle C: Growth of Nuclear Energy - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to provide that in the case of a combined construction and operating license, the duration of the operating phase of the license period shall not be less than the duration of the operating license if application had been made for separate construction and operating licenses.
Subtitle D : NRC Regulatory Reform - Sets forth antitrust review guidelines for licenses proposed by the NRC.
(Sec. 532) Amends Federal bankruptcy law to preclude assets held by an NRC licensee from being used to satisfy creditor claims until decontamination and decommissioning of the nuclear power reactor is completed to NRC satisfaction.
Subtitle E: NRC Personnel Crisis - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to exempt NRC annuitants with critical skills from certain Federal pension offset requirements.
(Sec. 542) Instructs the NRC to implement a training and fellowship program to address shortages of individuals with critical safety skills.
Division B: Domestic Oil And Gas Production And Transportation - Title VI: Oil And Gas Production - Amends the the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to make permanent the authorities relating to: (1) domestic supply availability (including operation of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve); and (2) standby energy (including operation of the summer fill and fuel budgeting programs).
(Sec. 602) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to take specified actions to ensure timely action on Federal onshore leasing programs for oil and gas.
(Sec. 604) Instructs such Secretary to establish a remediation, reclamation, and closure program for orphaned oil and gas wells on Federal lands.
(Sec. 605) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a technical assistance program to help oil and gas producing States remedy environmental problems caused by orphaned and abandoned exploration or production well sites; and (2) evaluate the impact of Federal and State tax and royalty policies on oil and gas resources development, and upon revenues to Federal, State, local and tribal governments.
(Sec. 609) Directs the President to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to full capacity as soon as practicable and to ensure that the fill rate minimizes impacts on petroleum markets.
(Sec. 610) Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas production (creating a fracture in a reservoir rock, and injecting fluids and propping agents, for the purposes of reservoir stimulation related to oil and gas production activities).
Title VII: Natural Gas Pipelines - Subtitle A: Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline - Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2003 - Prescribes guidelines under which FERC is authorized to act on an application for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction and operation of an Alaska natural gas transportation project (other than the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System).
(Sec. 707) Establishes the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects to coordinate the expeditious discharge of all activities by Federal agencies in connection with an Alaska natural gas transportation project.
(Sec. 709) States that a facility receiving natural gas from the Alaska natural gas transportation project for delivery to consumers within the State of Alaska shall be deemed to be a local distribution facility and, therefore, shall not be subject to FERC jurisdiction.
(Sec. 710) Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to provide Federal loan guarantees for construction of a Alaska natural gas transportation project.
Instructs the Secretary to conduct a study of alternative approaches to the construction and operation of such project if no application has been filed within 18 months after the date of enactment of this title.
(Sec. 714) Expresses the sense of the Senate that an Alaska natural gas transportation project will provide significant economic benefits to the United States and Canada. Urges pipeline project sponsors to use steel that is manufactured or produced in North America and to negotiate a project labor agreement to expedite construction of the pipeline.
(Sec. 715) Instructs the Secretary of Labor to establish within the State of Alaska a pipeline construction training program for Alaskan residents.
Subtitle B: Operating Pipelines - Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to establish an interagency task force to develop an interagency memorandum of understanding to expedite the environmental review and permitting of natural gas pipeline projects.
Subtitle C: Pipeline Safety - Part I: Short Title: Amendment Of Title 49 - Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2003 - States that references in this subtitle shall be considered to be made to a provision of title 49, United States Code.
Part II: Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2003 - Sets forth a statutory framework for pipeline safety, including: (1) implementation of the safety improvement recommendations contained in the Department of Transportation Inspector General's Report; (2) Federal agency response to National Transportation Safety Board pipeline safety recommendations; (3) a pipeline integrity inspection program; and (4) a public education program that includes emergency preparedness and community right-to-know.
(Sec. 771) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to establish the Pipeline Integrity Technical Advisory Committee to advise the Secretaries of Transportation and of Energy on the development and implementation of a mandatory 5-year research, development, and demonstration program regarding pipeline safety.
(Sec. 774) Prohibits discrimination against pipeline employees providing pipeline safety information (whistleblower protection).
(Sec. 779) Instructs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct a study on the natural gas pipeline transmission network in New England and natural gas storage facilities associated with that network.
Part III : Pipeline Security Sensitive Information - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold certain pipeline security sensitive information. Sets forth guidelines for conditional release of such information.
Division C: Diversifying Energy Demand and Improving Efficiency - Title VIII: Fuels and Vehicles - Subtitle A: CAFE Standards, Alternative Fuels, and Advanced Technology - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue, according to specified deadlines, increased average fuel economy standards for automobiles determined on the basis of the maximum feasible average fuel economy levels.
(Sec. 802) Sets forth: (1) expedited procedures for a congressionally mandated increase in fuel economy standards if the Secretary of Transportation fails to issue final regulations within designated deadlines; and (2) revised considerations for decisions on maximum feasible average fuel economy.
(Sec. 805) Prescribes guidelines for: (1) Federal agency procurement of alternative fueled and hybrid light duty trucks; and (2) the exclusive use of alternative fuels in the Federal fleet of dual fueled vehicles.
Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) expand DOE research on hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles and on diesel fueled vehicles; and (2) implement a fuel cell demonstration program.
(Sec. 812) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to instruct the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration to conduct a survey of renewable fuels consumption in the domestic motor vehicle fuels market, and to publish such survey results monthly.
(Sec. 814) Directs the Secretaries of Energy and Transportation to jointly establish a pilot program for awarding grants for the demonstration and commercial application of alternative fuel school buses and ultra-low sulfur diesel school buses.
(Sec. 815) Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a fuel cell bus development and demonstration program.
(Sec. 817) Prescribes guidelines for: (1) a temporary biodiesel credit expansion; and (2) credits for new hybrid motor vehicles, dedicated alternative fuel vehicles, and infrastructure.
(Sec. 820) Amends the Clean Air Act to set forth a renewable fuel program.
(Sec. 820A) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to set forth Federal agency purchasing requirements for ethanol-blended gasoline and biodiesel.
(Sec. 820B) Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide loan guarantees to private institutions to construct facilities for the processing and conversion of municipal solid waste into fuel ethanol and other commercial byproducts.
Subtitle B: Additional Fuel Efficiency Measures - Amends Federal transportation law to prescribe baseline average fuel economy standards for the Federal fleet of new automobiles.
(Sec. 824) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to instruct the Secretary to: (1) initiate an analytical study of the potential fuel savings resulting from long duration idling of main drive engines in heavy-duty vehicles; and (2) develop a program with timetables for domestic sales of hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles by 2010.
Subtitle C: Federal Reformulated Fuels - Federal Reformulated Fuels Act of 2003 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to: (1) permit the use of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund (LUST) for remediation of contamination of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and other ether fuel additives; (2) instruct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a resource center for bedrock bioremediation; and (3) authorize such Administrator to establish a soil remediation program regarding MTBE contamination.
(Sec. 833) Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) proscribe the use of MTBE in motor vehicle fuel in certain States; (2) provide Federal grants for MTBE merchant producer conversion assistance and eligible production facilities; (3) eliminate the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline; (4) require the Administrator to promulgate regulations governing emissions of toxic air pollutants; and (5) instruct the Administrator to publish for public comment a draft analysis of the changes in emissions of air pollutants and air quality due to the use of motor vehicle fuel and fuel additives resulting from implementation of this Act.
Title IX: Energy Efficiency and Assistance to Low Income Consumers - Subtitle A: Low Income Assistance and State Energy Programs - Authorizes increased funding for: (1) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs; (2) weatherization assistance; and (3) State energy conservation programs.
(Sec. 903) Establishes the High Performance Schools Program in the Department of Energy.
(Sec. 904) Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to units of local government, private, non-profit community development organizations, and Indian tribe economic development entities to improve energy efficiency, identify and develop alternative renewable and distributed energy supplies, and increase energy conservation in low-income rural and urban communities.
(Sec. 905) Authorizes such Secretary to allocate funds to States that establish a State energy efficient appliance rebate program.
Subtitle B: Federal Energy Efficiency - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to: (1) revise the energy reduction goals mandated for Federal buildings; (2) mandate metering of energy use in Federal buildings; (3) prescribe guidelines for Federal procurement of energy efficient products; (4) make permanent the energy savings performance contract program; (5) establish the Federal Energy Bank to make loans to Federal agencies for designated energy efficiency projects; and (6) prescribe guidelines for energy and water savings measures in congressional buildings.
(Sec. 913) Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to revise Federal building energy efficiency performance standards.
Subtitle C: Industrial Efficiency and Consumer Products - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to enter into voluntary agreements with persons in industrial sectors to reduce the energy intensity of production activities that consume significant amounts of primary energy per unit of physical output.
(Sec. 922) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to: (1) include within its purview the authority to set standards for commercial products as well as consumer products; (2) establish at the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency a program to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings; (3) direct the Secretary to initiate rulemaking procedures for standby mode electric energy consumption; and (4) mandate a consumer education program on energy efficiency benefits of air conditioning, heating, and ventilation maintenance.
Subtitle D: Housing Efficiency - Amends the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 to authorize Federal assistance for energy efficient, affordable housing and residential energy conservation measures that benefit low-income families.
(Sec. 933) Amends the National Housing Act to increase the FHA mortgage insurance incentives for energy efficient housing.
(Sec. 935) Amends NECPA to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants to finance energy conserving improvements to certain assisted multifamily housing projects that are subject to mortgage restructuring and rental assistance sufficiency plans.
(Sec. 936) Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to authorize Board members representing the United States to use their voice and vote to encourage the North American Development Bank to finance projects related to clean and efficient energy.
(Sec. 938) Requires public housing agencies to purchase specified energy-efficient appliances when such purchase is cost-effective.
(Sec. 939) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to: (1) direct the Secretaries of HUD and of Agriculture to promulgate energy efficiency standards for rehabilitation and new construction of public and assisted housing funded by HOPE VI revitalization grants; and (2) replace the CABO energy efficiency standard with the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code.
(Sec. 940) Instructs the Secretary of HUD to create an energy management office to implement an integrated strategy to reduce utility expenses through cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency measures in public and assisted housing.
Subtitle E: Rural and Remote Communities - Rural and Remote Community Fairness Act - Sets forth a Federal grant program to assist rural and remote communities meet their needs for efficient housing, and for reasonably priced and environmentally sound energy, water, wastewater, bulk fuel, telecommunications, and utility services.
(Sec. 948) Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to local government units and Indian entities for: (1) increasing energy efficiency; (2) siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines; or (3) providing or modernizing electric facilities (gives preference to renewable energy facilities).
(Sec. 949) Authorizes appropriations to the Denali Commission to fund the power cost equalization program.
(Sec. 950) Prescribes implementation guidelines for block grants to local government units, eligible Indian tribes, and Native American groups for rural recovery community development.
Division D: Integration of Energy Policy and Climate Change Policy - Title X: National Climate Change Policy - Subtitle A: Sense of Congress - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should demonstrate international leadership and responsibility in reducing the health, environmental, and economic risks posed by climate change by: (1) taking responsible action to ensure significant and meaningful reductions in greenhouse gases emissions; (2) creating flexible international and domestic mechanisms, including joint implementation, technology deployment, tradable credits for emissions reductions and carbon sequestration projects that reduce, avoid, and sequester greenhouse gas emissions; and (3) participating in international negotiations, including putting forth a proposal to the Conference of the Parties, in order to secure United States participation in a future binding climate change treaty that protects the economic interests of the United States, and recognizes the shared international responsibility for addressing climate change, including developing country participation.
Subtitle B: Climate Change Strategy - Climate Change Strategy and Technology Innovation Act of 2003 - Directs the President to develop and report to Congress on a National Climate Change Strategy that incorporates prescribed criteria.
(Sec. 1014) Establishes the Office of National Climate Change Policy within the Executive Office of the President to achieve long-term Strategy goals while minimizing adverse economic and social impacts.
Requires the Director of such Office to establish the Interagency Task Force whose members jointly assist in Strategy development.
(Sec. 1015) Establishes the Office of Climate Change Technology within DOE to manage an energy technology research and development program that directly supports the Strategy, including: (1) implementation and integrated assessment of alternative climate change response scenarios; and (2) an international carbon dioxide sequestration monitoring and data program to make available technical and economic data.
Subtitle C: Science and Technology Policy - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to instruct the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to advise the Director of the Office of National Climate Change Policy on science and technology matters relating to global climate change.
Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires each Federal agency that submits a Statement of Energy Effects (relating to actions that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, or use), to also submit an estimate of the change in net annual greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the proposed action and any reasonable alternatives to such action.
(Sec. 1032) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to publish estimated annual net greenhouse gas emissions from all federally owned, leased, or operated facilities and emission sources.
Title XI: National Greenhouse Gas Database - Mandates establishment of a Memorandum of Agreement entered into by designated Cabinet Secretaries to maintain statutory and regulatory authorities, functions, and programs that provide for: (1) data collection concerning greenhouse gas emissions and effects; and (2) operation of such database. Shields such Memorandum from judicial review.
(Sec. 1104) Prescribes guidelines for designated agencies to jointly establish the National Greenhouse Gas Database on greenhouse gas emissions.
Division E: Enhancing Research, Development, and Training - Title XII: Energy Research and Development Programs - Energy Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2003 - Subtitle A : Energy Efficiency - Authorizes appropriations for: (1) energy research, demonstration, and technology deployment programs to enhance energy efficient housing, industrial energy efficiency, transportation energy efficiency, and energy efficient distributed generation; and (2) research grants relating to: (a) Energy Efficiency Science Initiative; (b) Next Generation Lighting Initiative for advanced solid-state lighting technologies based on white light emitting diodes; (c) a public-private research partnership for locomotive technologies that increase fuel economy, reduce emissions, improve safety, and lower costs; (d) high power density facilities, including data centers, server farms, and telecommunications facilities; and (e) precious metal catalysis.
Subtitle B: Renewable Energy - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Energy to conduct energy research, development, demonstration, and technology deployment programs to enhance the use of renewable energy and bioenergy programs.
(Sec. 1223) Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a major energy source in: (1) isolated areas in which other energy sources are either not available or are very expensive; (2) foreign economic development in order to avoid environmental damage from increased fossil fuel use; (3) hydrogen production methods that minimize greenhouse gas production; and (4) foreign countries to increase the global market for hydrogen technologies and to foster global economic development without harmful environmental effects.
Instructs the Secretary to establish an interagency task force to develop a demonstration plan for integrated systems and components for: (1) hydrogen production, storage, and use in Federal, State, and local government buildings and vehicles; (2) hydrogen-based infrastructure for fleet transportation systems that include zero-emission vehicles; and (3) hydrogen-based distributed power generation, including the generation of combined heat, power, and hydrogen.
Subtitle C: Fossil Energy - Authorizes appropriations for enhanced fossil energy research and development including: (1) core fossil research and development; (2) commercial applications of advanced lignite and coal-based technologies applicable to new or existing power plants; (3) advanced safe and efficient coal mining technologies; (4) ultra-deepwater and unconventional resource exploration and production technologies; (5) new natural gas transportation technologies; (6) Office of Arctic Energy; and (7) a loan to the owner of a certain clean coal technology experimental plant constructed under a specified DOE cooperative agreement on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines, including interest rates and upfront payments.
Subtitle D: Nuclear Energy - Authorizes appropriations for the following programs: (1) enhanced nuclear energy research and development; (2) nuclear sciences and engineering support; (3) sabbatical fellowship and visiting scientist programs to foster University-National Laboratory interactions; (4) Nuclear Energy Research Initiative; (5) Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization Program; and (6) Nuclear Energy Technology Development Program.
Subtitle E: Fundamental Energy Science - Authorizes appropriations for the following programs: (1) enhanced programs in fundamental energy science; (2) nanoscale science and engineering; (3) advanced scientific computing for energy missions; advanced scientific computing and genome research; and (4) fusion energy sciences program and planning.
Subtitle F: Energy, Safety, and Environmental Protection - Authorizes appropriations for a research, demonstration, and technology deployment program pertaining to: (1) critical energy infrastructure protection; and (2) restoration of groundwater contaminated by energy activities, including oil and gas production, surface and underground mining of coal, and in-situ extraction of energy resources.
Title XIII: Climate Change Science and Technology - Subtitle A: Department of Energy Programs - Authorizes appropriations for a comprehensive research program to understand and address the effects of energy production and use on the global climate system, including climate modeling, carbon cycling, and ecological processes.
(Sec. 1302) Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to include within statutory research and demonstration goals: (1) solutions to the effective management of greenhouse gas emissions by the development of technologies and practices designed to reduce and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) a long-term climate technology strategy designed to demonstrate a variety of technologies to achieve greenhouse gas stabilization.
Subtitle B: Department of Agriculture Programs - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement carbon sequestration research programs and designate research consortia to implement such programs; (2) develop benchmark standards for measuring carbon content of soils and plants; (3) develop certain programs to monitor the carbon sequestering benefits of conservation practices and net changes in greenhouse gas emissions; (4) conduct carbon storage and sequestration accounting research in collaboration with other Federal agencies; and (5) make competitive grants for pilot program demonstration and assessment of carbon storage and sequestration accounting.
Subtitle C: International Energy Technology Transfer - Authorizes appropriations for the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to establish an Interagency Working Group on Clean Energy Technology Exports whose focus centers upon expanding energy markets and transferring clean energy technology to partner countries that are expected to experience the most significant growth in energy production and associated greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years.
(Sec. 1322) Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to authorize appropriations for a pilot financial assistance program for energy production facilities outside the United States whose output is consumed outside the United States, and whose deployment will result in specified greenhouse gas reductions (international energy deployment projects).
Subtitle D: Climate Change Science and Information - Part I: Amendments to the Global Change Research Act of 1990 - Amends the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to: (1) redesignate the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences as the Committee on Global Change Research; (2) revise Committee membership; (3) establish a Subcommittee on Global Change Research; and (4) establish as a priority of Federal global research the provision of information that is relevant for effective decisions and strategies for measuring and adapting to global change.
(Sec. 1334) Instructs the Chairman of the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology to submit to Congress a strategic plan for the United States Global Climate Change Research Program.
(Sec. 1335) Amends Federal law relating to the United States Global Change Research Program to establish in the Office of Science and Technology Policy an integrated program office for the global change research program.
(Sec. 1336) Requires the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences to list priority areas for research and development on climate change that are not being addressed by Federal agencies. Instructs the National Science Foundation to include such list as part of its annual request for appropriations.
Part II: National Climate Services and Monitoring - Amends the National Climate Program Act to authorize increased appropriations.
(Sec. 1345) Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) submit to certain congressional committees a plan of action for a National Climate Service under the National Climate Program; (2) conduct international research in the Pacific region that will increase understanding of climate variability in the Asia-Pacific sector, including regional aspects of global environmental change; and (3) establish an atmospheric monitoring and verification program for greenhouse gases.
(Sec. 1348) Amends the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 to provide funding for Arctic research grants.
(Sec. 1349) Authorizes appropriations for a research program on potential abrupt climate change.
Part III: Ocean and Coastal Observing System - Instructs the President to establish an integrated ocean and coastal observing system that provides for long-term, continuous, and real-time observations of the oceans and coasts. Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle E: Climate Change Technology - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Commerce to perform research to develop enhanced measurements, calibrations, standards, and technologies to promote reduced production of greenhouse gases associated with global warming; (2) instruct the Director of such Institute to establish a research program on global climate change standards and processes, with the goal of providing scientific and technical knowledge applicable to greenhouse gas reduction; and (3) authorize such Director to support new "green" manufacturing technologies and techniques by small manufacturers.
Subtitle F: Climate Adaptation and Hazards Prevention - Part I: Assessment and Adaptation - Instructs the President to establish within the Department of Commerce a National Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Program for regional impacts regarding increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and climate variability.
(Sec. 1372) Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct regional assessments of coastal area vulnerability to hazards associated with climate change, climate variability, sea level rise, and fluctuation of Great Lakes water levels, including impacts on Arctic regions and the Central, Western, and South Pacific regions; (2) submit to Congress a national coastal adaptation plan, comprised of individual regional adaptation plans that address coastal impacts associated with climate change, sea level rise, or climate variability; (3) provide coastal adaptation grants; (4) establish a 4-year pilot program to provide financial assistance to coastal communities most adversely affected by the impact of climate change or climate variability that are located in States with federally approved coastal zone management programs; and (5) establish the Barrow Arctic Research Center as a joint research facility to support climate change and other scientific research activities in the Arctic.
Part II: Forecasting and Planning Pilot Programs - Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish pilot project grants to explore the integrated use of remote sensing sources and other geospatial information to address needs to forecast a plan for adaptation to coastal zone and land use changes that may result as a consequence of global climate change or climate variability.
(Sec. 1383) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct air quality studies within specific regions, including the effects of in situ emissions of air pollutants and their precursors; and (2) establish a program to provide operational air quality forecasts and warnings for specific regions.
Title XIV: Management of DOE Science and Technology Programs - Instructs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) require specified commitments from non-Federal sources for certain research, development, demonstration and deployment projects; and (2) establish an advisory board to oversee Department research and development programs in specified energy areas.
(Sec. 1406) Amends the Department of Organization Act to establish in DOE: (1) an Under Secretary for Energy and Science, to serve as the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of Energy; and (2) an Office of Science, headed by an Assistant Secretary of Science, to implement fundamental science and engineering research functions.
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the leadership for departmental missions in nuclear energy should be at the Assistant Secretary level.
(Sec. 1407) Instructs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to: (1) appoint a Technology Transfer Coordinator to perform oversight and policy development for DOE technology transfer activities; (2) establish a Technology Partnership Working Group; and (3) establish a Technology Infrastructure Program.
(Sec. 1409) Directs the Secretary to require the Director of each National Laboratory to: (1) appoint a small business advocate; and (2) establish a small business assistance program.
(Sec. 1413) Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit a biennial status report to Congress and the President on technology readiness and barriers to technology transfer; and (2) establish a collaborative research, development, and deployment program to promote energy efficient, environmentally sound economic development along the United States-Mexico border that: (A) mitigates hazardous waste; (B) promotes energy efficient materials processing technologies that minimize environmental damage; and (C) protects air quality and the public health.
Title XV: Personnel and Training - Directs the Secretary to: (1) monitor workforce trends and establish traineeship grants when skilled technical personnel shortfalls occur in energy technology industries; (2) establish postdoctoral and senior research fellowships in energy research; (3) develop model employee training guidelines to support electric supply system reliability and safety; and (4) establish a National Center on Energy Management and Building Technologies to facilitate improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality in industrial, commercial and residential buildings.
(Sec. 1505) Amends the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) prioritize activities designed to encourage women and minority students to pursue scientific and technical careers; and (2) promote increased participation of historically Black colleges or universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or tribal colleges in activities that increase their capacity to train science or engineering personnel.
(Sec. 1506) Instructs the Secretary to establish a National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center to address the need for training and educating certified operators for electric power generation plants.
(Sec. 1507) Instructs the Secretary of Labor to hire additional experienced mine inspectors to maintain the number of Federal mine inspectors at or above authorized levels.
Division F: Technology Assessment and Studies - Title XVI: Technology Assessment - Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to create a Science and Technology Assessment Service as an information clearinghouse for Congress regarding national science and technology policy issues.
Title XVII: Studies - Mandates reports to Congress concerning: (1) Federal agency reviews regarding regulatory barriers to both market entry for emerging energy technologies, and to market development for existing energy technologies; (2) an assessment by the Secretary of Energy regarding the economic implications of Hawaii's dependence upon oil as its principal source of energy; (3) the feasibility of a new electric transmission system on the Amtrak right-of-way in the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., and New Rochelle, New York, including the Amtrak right-of-way between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and (4) updated plans concerning renewable energy and energy efficiency plans for insular areas.
(Sec. 1705) Establishes the Consumer Energy Commission to study significant nationwide price spikes in major consumer energy products, including electricity, gasoline, home heating oil, natural gas, and propane since 1990.
(Sec. 1706) Mandates studies and reports to Congress regarding: (1) environmental impact of natural gas or other energy transmission infrastructure proposed for construction across the Great Lakes; (2) DOE route selection procedures for shipment of spent nuclear fuel among research nuclear reactor facilities; (3) reduction of energy use through cost-effective improvements in municipal water and wastewater treatment; and (4) research projects at DOE nuclear facilities relating to hydrogen production, fuel cell development, or other energy production technology enhancements.
Division G: Energy Infrastructure Security - Title XVIII: Critical Energy Infrastructure - Subtitle A: Department of Energy Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to establish critical energy infrastructure programs.
Subtitle B: Department of the Interior Programs - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Outer Continental Shelf Energy Infrastructure Security Program to: (1) provide funds to OCS Production States for security against threats to critical OCS energy infrastructure facilities; and (2) support necessary public services or transportation for the safety and operation of critical energy infrastructure activities.
Division H: Energy Tax Incentives - Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2003 - Title XIX : Extension and Modification of Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend and modify the renewable electricity production tax credit to include: (1) credits for electricity produced from biomass, swine, and bovine waste nutrients; (2) geothermal and solar energy; and (3) small irrigation power, municipal biosolids, and recycled sludge.
Title XX: Alternative Motor Vehicles and Fuels Incentives - Provides an incentives program for alternative vehicle and alternative fuels, including credits for: (1) installation of alternative fueling stations and for retail sales of alternative fuels as motor vehicle fuel; (2) small ethanol producers; (3) allowing the alcohol fuels credit to be transferred and offset motor fuels tax liability; and (4) biodiesel used as fuel.
(Sec. 2009) Grants general business credits for commercial power takeoff vehicles.
(Sec. 2010) Modifies the incentives for alternative vehicles and fuels.
Title XXI: Conservation and Energy Efficiency Provisions - Sets forth certain conservation and energy efficiency credits for: (1) the construction of new energy efficient homes; (2) the installation of energy efficient appliances; (3) residential energy efficient property; (4) business installation of qualified fuel cells and stationary microturbine power plants; (5) combined heat and power system properties; and (6) energy efficiency improvements to existing homes.
(Sec. 2110) Allows a deduction against tax for qualified new or retrofitted water submetering devices.
Establishes a three-year recovery period for: (1) depreciation of qualified energy management devices; and (2) qualified water submetering devices.
Title XXII: Clean Coal Incentives - Subtitle A: Credit for Emission Reductions and Efficiency Improvements in Existing Coal-Based Electricity Generation Facilities - Establishes clean coal incentives, including credits for emission reductions and efficiency improvements in existing coal-based generation facilities.
Subtitle B: Incentives for Early Commercial Applications of Advanced Clean Coal Technologies - Allows as a credit against tax: (1) investment in qualifying advanced clean coal technology; and (2) production from a qualifying advanced clean coal technology unit.
Subtitle C: Treatment of Persons Not Able To Use Entire Credit - Prescribes guidelines for the treatment of persons not able to use the entire tax credit for a qualifying advanced clean coal technology unit.
Title XXIII: Oil and Gas Provisions - Revises oil and gas guidelines, including: (1) establishing a credit for oil and gas production from marginal wells; (2) permitting the expensing of capital costs incurred in complying with EPA sulfur regulations; (3) establishing an environmental tax credit; (4) extending the marginal production income limit; and (5) treating natural gas distribution lines as 15-year property.
Title XXIV: Electric Utility Restructuring Provisions - Sets forth a special rule for sales or dispositions to implement the electric restructuring policy of either FERC or a State government.
Title XXV: Additional Provisions - Extends accelerated depreciation and wage credit benefits on Indian reservations.
(Sec. 2502) Requires the Comptroller General to submit to Congress an ongoing analysis of this Act relating to: (1) the efficacy of incentives for alternative motor vehicles and fuels, and for conservation and energy efficiency; and (2) tax benefits conferred upon recipients.
(Sec. 2503) Sets forth business related credits for production of Alaska natural gas.
(Sec. 2504) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that any gasoline or diesel fuel sold at a duty-free sales enterprise shall be considered as entered for consumption into the customs territory of the United States.
(Sec. 2505) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat as an involuntary conversion a qualified disposition to implement a bovine tuberculosis eradication program; (2) permit expensing of dairy property reclamation costs; (3) grant an excise tax exemption to agricultural aerial applicators; and (4) exempt from ticket taxes transportation provided by seaplanes.
Division I: Iraq Oil Import Restriction - Title XXVI: Iraq Oil Import Restriction - Iraq Petroleum Import Restriction Act of 2003 - Prohibits direct or indirect import from Iraq of Iraqi-origin petroleum and petroleum products.
(Sec. 2604) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should make all appropriate efforts to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people are not negatively affected by this Act and should encourage through public, private, domestic and international means the direct or indirect sale, donation or other transfer to appropriate nongovernmental health and humanitarian organizations and individuals within Iraq of food, medicine and other humanitarian products.
Division J: Miscellaneous - Title XXVII: Miscellaneous Provision - Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Senate Judiciary Committee should continue to hold regular hearings on judicial nominees and should schedule hearings expeditiously on the nominees submitted by the President on May 9, 2001, and resubmitted on September 5, 2001.
H.R.2754 - Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2004
Posted by on November 18, 2003
H.R.2754
Title:Making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hobson, David L. [OH-7] (introduced 7/16/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Committees: House Appropriations
House Reports: 108-212; Conference Reports: 108-357
Related Bills: H.RES.444, S.1424
Latest Major Action: 11/20/2003 Presented to President.
Note: The House Appropriations Committee has posted highlights of the conference report.
Burgess voted YES
SUMMARY AS OF:
9/16/2003--Passed Senate, amended. (There are 3 other summaries)
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2004 - Title I: Department of Defense-Civil - Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for: (1) civil functions relating to rivers and harbors, flood control, and shore protection; (2) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee; (3) flood control and coastal emergencies; (4) the navigable waters and wetlands regulatory program; (5) formerly utilized sites remedial action program; and (6) general expenses of the Office of Chief of Engineers.
(Sec. 101) Limits Agreements proposed for execution by either the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works or the United States Army Corps of Engineers after the date of the enactment of this Act to credits and reimbursements per project not to exceed $10 million in each fiscal year, and total credits and reimbursements for all applicable projects not to exceed $50 million in each fiscal year.
(Sec. 102) Bars funds from being used to demonstrate or implement any plans divesting or transferring of any Civil Works missions, functions, or responsibilities for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to other government agencies without specific direction in a subsequent Act of Congress.
(Sec. 103) Directs Secretary of the Army to construct a flood detention basin to protect the north side of the City of Alamogordo, New Mexico, from flooding. Requires such basin to provide protection from a 100-year flood event.
(Sec. 105) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to design, remove, and dispose of oil bollards and associated debris in Burlington Harbor, Vermont, at full Federal expense.
(Sec. 106) Amends specified law to increase Federal funds earmarked for Kake Dam Replacement, Kake, Alaska.
(Sec. 108) Deauthorizes designated projects, including portions of a navigation project, Pawtuxet Cove, Rhode Island.
(Sec. 109) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to provide technical, planning, design and construction assistance to non-Federal interests to remedy adverse environmental and human health impacts in Ottawa County, Oklahoma.
(Sec. 110) Requires that certain funds previously provided under specified law be used to provide technical assistance at full Federal expense to Alaskan communities to address the serious impacts of coastal erosion.
(Sec. 111) Modifies a project for flood control for the American and Sacramento Rivers, California, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct the project at a total cost of $205 million with an estimated Federal share of $153.84 million and an estimated non-Federal share of $51.16 million.
(Sec. 112) Prohibits funds from being made available in this Act to implement activities regarding closure or removal of the St. Georges Bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway, Delaware River to Chesapeake Bay, Delaware and Maryland, including any related environmental impact statement.
(Sec. 113) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to extend through FY 2005 the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the evaluation of hydroelectric project permits under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army.
(Sec. 114) Requires the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to direct construction of Alternative 1 (Northeast Corner) authorized in Sec. 353 of Public Law 105-227 (sic).
(Sec. 115) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake at full Federal expense the planning, design, and construction measures for wildfire prevention and restoration in the Middle Rio Grande bosque in and around the City of Albuquerque.
(Sec. 116) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to extend to New Mexico and Rural Utah the current program for providing environmental assistance to non-Federal interests in rural areas of such States (as well as Nevada, Montana, and Idaho).
(Sec. 117) Directs the Secretary of Energy to make certain funds available to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for specified projects.
(Sec. 118) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to increase the authorization of appropriations for technical, planning, and design assistance to Federal and non-Federal interests for carrying out projects to address water quality problems caused by drainage and related activities from abandoned and inactive noncoal mines.
(Sec. 119) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to authorize appropriations for wastewater infrastructure, Coronado, California.
(Sec. 120) Authorizes the availability of specified appropriations for Great Lakes remedial action plans and sediment remediation programs.
(Sec. 121) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to increase the authorization of appropriations for a specified pilot program in Mississippi.
(Sec. 122) Authorizes the availability of specified appropriations for the Recreation Management Support Program to work with the International Mountain Bicycling Association to design, build, and maintain trails at Corps of Engineers projects.
(Sec. 123) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to increase the authorization of appropriations for flood control in Park River, Grafton, North Dakota.
(Sec. 124) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to: (1) provide technical, planning, design, and construction assistance for Schuylkill River Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at a Federal share of 50 percent; (2) implement the project for ecosystem restoration, Gwynns Falls, Maryland; and (3) (acting through the Chief of Engineers) implement a project to plan, design, construct, furnish, and landscape a federally owned and operated Collocated Civil Works Administrative Building and Snake River Confluence Interpretative Center, Clarkston, Washington.
(Sec. 127) Instructs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to complete the general reevaluation report for the project for flood damage reduction, Mill Creek, Cincinnati, Ohio.
(Sec. 128) Makes certain funds available for technical, planning, and design assistance under the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to Federal and non-Federal interests for carrying out projects to address water quality problems caused by drainage and related activities from abandoned and inactive noncoal mines.
Title II: Department of the Interior - Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project Completion Account; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation for water and related resources; (3) Bureau of Reclamation Loan Program Account; and (4) the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund.
Rescinds specified unobligated balances from the Working Capital Fund.
(Sec. 202) Prohibits the use of funds to determine the final point of discharge for the interceptor drain for the San Luis Unit until the Secretary of the Interior and the State of California develop a plan, conforming to California water quality standards approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to minimize any detrimental effect of the San Luis drainage waters.
States that: (1) the costs of both the Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup Program and the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program shall be collected until fully repaid pursuant to specified plans; and (2) future Federal funding for drainage service or drainage studies for the San Luis Unit shall be fully reimbursable by San Luis Unit service or study beneficiaries.
(Sec. 203) Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to purchase or lease water in the Middle Rio Grande or the Carlsbad Projects in New Mexico unless such purchase or lease is in compliance with specified statutory purchase requirements.
(Sec. 204) States that Drought Emergency Assistance funds under this title shall be made available primarily for leasing water from willing lessors for specified drought-related purposes to be administered under State water priority allocation.
(Sec. 205) Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from obligating funds or using discretion to reduce or reallocate water to be delivered pursuant to San Juan-Chama Project contracts, including execution of said contracts facilitated by the Middle Rio Grande Project, to meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, unless such water is acquired or otherwise made available from a willing seller or lessor and the use is in compliance with the laws of the State of New Mexico, including, but not limited to, permitting requirements.
(Sec. 206) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation and the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, to establish an executive committee in order to improve the efficiency and expedite the efforts of the Endangered Species Act Collaborative Program Workgroup.
(Sec. 207) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) arrange for the design, construction, testing and operation of the Tularosa Basin National Desalination Research Facility, with a Federal share of up to 100 percent; (2) undertake feasibility studies for Sites Reservoir, Los Vaqueros Reservoir Enlargement, and Upper San Joaquin Storage projects in carrying out CALFED-related activities; and (3) (acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation) enter into agreements with irrigation or water districts to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of water improvements at existing water supply projects within specified States.
(Sec. 210) (Sec. 210) Amends the Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2000 to increase the authorization of appropriations for the Hawaii Water Resources Study, and repeal the deadline for the report on it.
(Sec. 211) States that contributions of the Western Area Power Administration to the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Account shall: (1) expire ten fiscal years from the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) shall be from an account established by the Western Area Power Administration for such purpose.
(Sec. 212) Provides additional funding for: (1) the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico project; and (2) the Lake Tahoe Regional Wetlands Development project.
(Sec. 213) Prohibits payment of funds from the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund to the general fund of the Treasury until each provision of a specified Stipulation filed in Central Arizona Water Conservation District v. United States is met.
(Sec. 214) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) conduct a specified Tualatin River Basin water supply feasibility study; and (2) extend on an annual basis a certain debt repayment schedule incurred to facilitate Indian water rights settlements in the State of Arizona.
(Sec. 216) Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to: (1) provide specified funds to the State of Nevada to purchase water rights from willing sellers and make necessary improvements for Carson Lake and Pasture; and (2) provide specified funds to Families in Search of Truth, Fallon, Nevada, for the purchase of bottled water for schoolchildren in Fallon-area schools.
Title III: Department of Energy - Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for: (1) energy supply programs; (2) non-defense site acceleration completion; (3) uranium enrichment decontamination and decommissioning; (4) non-defense environmental services; (5) general DOE science activities; (6) nuclear waste disposal; (7) DOE administration and its Office of the Inspector General; (8) atomic energy defense weapons activities; (9) defense nuclear nonproliferation activities; (10) naval reactors activities; (11) Office of the Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration; (12) defense site acceleration completion; (13) defense environmental services; (14) defense nuclear waste disposal; (15) geographical power marketing administrations of DOE (including hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams); and (16) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Rescinds specified unexpended balances previously appropriated. Requires specified amounts of such rescission to be derived from the Paducah Disposal Facility Privatization and from the Portsmouth Disposal Facility Privatization.
(Sec. 302) Prohibits the use of appropriations under this Act to: (1) either develop or implement a workforce restructuring plan for DOE employees, or to provide them with enhanced severance payments or other benefits; (2) augment specified amounts made available by this Act for severance payments and other benefits and community assistance grants under specified law unless DOE submits a reprogramming request subject to approval by the appropriate congressional committees; and (3) prepare or initiate Requests for Proposals for a program that has not been funded by Congress.
(Sec. 306) Bars funds earmarked for the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration from being used to enter into any agreement to perform energy efficiency services outside the legally defined Bonneville service territory (except those provided internationally) without advance certification that such services are not available from private sector businesses.
(Sec. 307) Permits the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration to authorize the plant manager of a covered nuclear weapons production plant to engage in research, development, and demonstration activities in order to maintain and enhance plant engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Limits to two percent of the total allocation to such a plant the percentage of funds that may be expended for such activities.
(Sec. 308) Declares that funds appropriated by this or any other Act, or made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence activities are deemed to be specifically authorized by the Congress under the National Security Act of 1947 during FY 2004 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2004.
(Sec. 309) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to dispose of transuranic waste containing concentrations of plutonium exceeding 20 percent by weight in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
(Sec. 310) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to file a permit modification to the Waste Analysis Plan and associated provisions contained in the Hazardous Waste Facility Permit for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
(Sec. 311) States that material in concrete silos at the Fernald uranium processing facility currently managed by DOE shall be considered "byproduct material" and regulated accordingly.
(Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) collect certain fees, as offsetting collections, pursuant to specified acts which authorize the Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western Power Administrations to collect revenues for power provided; and (2) make the collection available to the Secretary of the Army for use for Construction, General.
(Sec. 313) Prohibits the availability to DOE of funds under this Act for activities at engineering development phases 3, 6.3, or beyond in support of advanced nuclear weapons concepts, including the robust nuclear earth penetrator.
(Sec. 314) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds earmarked by this Act for Atomic Energy Defense Activities for any additional and exploratory studies under the Advanced Concepts Initiative until 30 days after the Administrator for Nuclear Security submits to Congress a detailed report on the planned activities for additional and exploratory studies under the initiative for FY 2004.
(Sec. 315) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, to lease, for a term of 25 years, approximately 940 acres of Federal lands in Natrona County, Wyoming ("Martin's Cove"). Prescribes lease terms limiting use of the site to public education, ecologic, scenic, and historical or archaeological preservation purposes.
(Sec. 316) Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Labor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement under which the Secretary of Labor shall assume management and operational responsibility for development and preparation of claims filed with DOE under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, including the development of information necessary for the informed consideration of such claims by a physicians panel (which shall include work histories, medical records, and exposure assessments with respect to toxic substances).
(Sec. 317) Instructs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to (1) reinstate the license for Project No. 2696; and (2) transfer it to the town of Stuyvesant, New York, the holder of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Preliminary Permit No. 11787.
Entitles such Project to the full benefit of any Federal law that promotes hydroelectric development enacted within two years before or after enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 318) Instructs the Secretary of Energy to report to certain congressional committees on administrative expenditures for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000.
Title IV: Independent Agencies - Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the: (1) Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) Delta Regional Authority; (4) Denali Commission; (5) Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its Office of the Inspector General; and (6) Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board.
Title V: General Provisions - (Sec. 502) Expresses the sense of Congress that all equipment and products bought with funds under this Act should be American-made.
Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity to which it provides financial assistance or contracts.
Bars contracts funded under this Act from being awarded to any person determined by a court or Federal agency to have falsely labeled products as made in America.
(Sec. 503) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 with respect to indemnification of any person or entity acquiring ownership or control for economic development purposes of real property at DOE defense nuclear facilities against any claim for injury resulting from the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant as a result of DOE activities at the facility. Extends such indemnification rights to any successor, assignee, transferee, lender, or lessee of such a person or entity.
H.R.1274 - To direct the Administrator of General Services to convey to Fresno County, California, the existing Federal courthouse in that county
Posted by on November 18, 2003
H.R.1274
Title:To direct the Administrator of General Services to convey to Fresno County, California, the existing Federal courthouse in that county.
Sponsor: Rep Dooley, Calvin M. [CA-20] (introduced 3/13/2003) Cosponsors: 3
Committees: House Transportation and Infrastructure
House Reports: 108-341
Latest Major Action: 11/20/2003 Senate preparation for floor. Status: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Burgess voted YES
SUMMARY AS OF:
3/13/2003--Introduced.
Directs the Administrator of General Services to convey to Fresno County, California, the existing Federal courthouse in that county upon completion a new Federal courthouse in Fresno.
S.J.RES.22 - A joint resolution recognizing the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture for 50 years of outstanding service to the Nation through agricultural research
Posted by on November 17, 2003
.J.RES.22
Title:A joint resolution recognizing the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture for 50 years of outstanding service to the Nation through agricultural research.
Sponsor: Sen Cochran, Thad [MS] (introduced 11/3/2003) Cosponsors: 10
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2003 Presented to President.
Burgess voted TES
SUMMARY AS OF:
11/3/2003--Passed Senate, without amendment.
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced.)
Recognizes the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture for 50 years of outstanding service to the Nation through agricultural research.
S.J.RES.18 - A joint resolution commending the Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government during the past 25 years
Posted by on November 17, 2003
S.J.RES.18
Title:A joint resolution commending the Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government during the past 25 years.
Sponsor: Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] (introduced 9/29/2003) Cosponsors: 8
Committees: Senate Governmental Affairs
Related Bills: H.J.RES.70
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2003 Presented to President.
Burgess voted YES
SUMMARY AS OF:
10/14/2003--Passed Senate, without amendment.
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced.)
Recognizes Inspectors General for, and commends their role in, preventing and detecting waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement and promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in Federal programs and operations.
H.CON.RES.299 - Honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, and for other purposes
Posted by on November 17, 2003
H.CON.RES.299
Title:Honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep McKeon, Howard P. (Buck) [CA-25] (introduced 10/8/2003) Cosponsors: 55
Committees: House Government Reform; Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/18/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Burgess voted YES
SUMMARY AS OF:
10/8/2003--Introduced.
Honors Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States, his service in the Navy, and his lifetime of work acting as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States.
Johnson and Burgess Congratulate Raytheon on Army Contract
Posted by Rep. Johnson - McCall Cameron (202) 225-4201 on November 14, 2003
Washington, DC — Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-3) and Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) are pleased to inform their constituents that the Raytheon Company, located in McKinney, Texas, is receiving a $6 million contract from the United States Army.
“This U.S. Army contract provides growth opportunities and job security for thousands in the 26th District. I am honored that Raytheon has been recognized for their quality products and commitment to our Armed Services,” stated Congressman Burgess.
The grant awarded is for $6,078,923, but has an estimated cumulative contract of over $23 million. Funds are earmarked for miscellaneous spares on the Bradley A3 Fighting Vehicle.
"This is great news for Raytheon, great news for McKinney, and great news for the Army. Our military men and women are lucky to have such amazing technology and weaponry, thanks in part to Raytheon," said Johnson, a 29-year Air Force veteran.
The mission of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle [BFV] is to provide mobile protected transport of an infantry squad to critical points on the battlefield and to perform cavalry scout missions. The BFVS will also provide overwatching fires to support dismounted infantry and to suppress or defeat enemy tanks and other fighting vehicles. The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is a fully armored, fully tracked vehicle designed to carry Mechanized Infantry into close contact with the enemy. During World War II, the vehicle's namesake, General Omar Bradley, was known as the “GI General.”
Congressman Burgess Dedicates Veterans Memorial
Posted by on November 8, 2003
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. speaks at the dedication ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial in The Colony on Saturday, November 8, 2003.
H.R. 1588 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004
Posted by on November 7, 2003
H.R.1588
Title:To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2004 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52] (by request) (introduced 4/3/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Committees: House Armed Services; House Judiciary
House Reports: 108-106, 108-106 Part 2; Conference Reports: 108-354
Related Bills: H.RES.245, H.RES.247, H.RES.437, S.1047, S.1050
Latest Major Action: 11/12/2003 Conference report agreed to in Senate. Status: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 95 - 3. Record Vote Number: 447.
Burgess voted YES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
6/4/2003--Passed Senate, amended. (There are 2 other summaries)
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement.
(Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the chemical demilitarization program; and (4) defense health programs.
(Sec. 108) Reduces by $3.3 million the funds authorized to be appropriated for defense-wide procurement, reallocating such funds to Special Operations Forces rotary upgrades and operational enhancements.
Subtitle B: Army Programs - (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary of the Army to study, and report to Congress on, the participation of a second source in the production of gears for transmissions incorporated into CH-47 helicopters being procured by the Army with funds authorized under this Act.
(Sec. 112) Earmarks specified Army procurement funds for the procurement of rapid infusion (IV) pumps.
Subtitle C: Navy Programs - (Sec. 121) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, beginning with the FY 2004 program year, to enter into multi-year procurement contracts for the: (1) F/A-18 aircraft; (2) E-2C aircraft; (3) tactical Tomahawk cruise missile; (4) Virginia class submarine; and (5) Phalanx Close In Weapon System program, Block 1B. Requires: (1) successful testing prior to entering into such a contract for the Tomahawk cruise missile; and (2) the contract for the Virginia class submarine to follow contract requirements for the New Attack Submarine under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998.
(Sec. 122) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to carry out a pilot program of flexible funding of conversions and overhauls of Navy cruisers using transferred Navy procurement and operation and maintenance funds for FY 2004 through 2012. Provides limitations. Requires a program report from such Secretary to the congressional defense and appropriations committees. Terminates the pilot program on September 30, 2012.
Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - (Sec. 131) Amends the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Stump Act) to eliminate quantity limitations on the multi-year procurement authority for C-130J aircraft.
(Sec. 132) Earmarks specified Air Force procurement funds for B1-B bomber aircraft modifications. Requires a report from the Secretary of the Air Force to the defense and appropriations committees concerning amounts necessary to reconstitute the B1-B fleet.
Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). Earmarks specified amounts for science and technology projects.
(Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for RDT&E for: (1) the Defense Inspector General; and (2) defense health programs.
Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 211) Prohibits the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) from designating any official outside the Office of the Secretary to exercise programming or budgeting authority for explosive demilitarization technology, specified high energy laser research and development, and the university research initiative.
(Sec. 212) Requires the Secretary to ensure that the Objective Force Indirect Fires Program is being planned, programmed, and budgeted as a distinct program element and that funds for such Program are being administered consistent with its budgetary status. Prohibits the Program from being administered in combination with the Armored Systems Modernization program. Requires a certification from the Secretary to the defense committees of the separate treatment of the Indirect Fires Program.
(Sec. 213) Earmarks specified RDT&E funds for: (1) the Joint Engineering Data Management Information and Control System; (2) human tissue engineering; (3) research and development (R&D) of non-thermal imaging systems; (4) R&D on magnetic levitation technologies at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; (5) development and fabrication of composite sail test articles for incorporation into future submarines; (6) the development of portable mobile emergency broadcast systems; (7) RDT&E on boron energy cell technology; and (8) the support of network centric operations of the Department of Defense (DOD).
(Sec. 220) Authorizes modification of a program element of the Army short range air defense radar program.
Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense - (Sec. 221) Earmarks specified RDT&E funds for the development and fielding of an initial set of ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities.
(Sec. 222) Repeals the requirement for specified program elements for Missile Defense Agency activities.
(Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary, in budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the DOD budget, to include specified information for each BMD element for which the Missile Defense Agency is engaged in planning for production and initial fielding. Requires the Director of the Missile Defense Agency to prescribe measurable criteria for all planned development phases of the BMD system and each element). Requires the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation to: (1) establish and approve for each BMD system element appropriate plans and schedules for operational testing; and (2) include BMD annual testing progress information within an annual report required under prior law. Requires the future-years defense program submitted to Congress each year to include an estimate of the amount necessary for procurement for each BMD system element and justification therefor.
(Sec. 224) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 to extend through FY 2006 the authority to assist local communities impacted by the BMD system test bed. Requires budget justification materials submitted for FY 2004 through 2006 to include a description of community assistance projects to be supported and a cost estimate.
(Sec. 225) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any defense-wide RDT&E funds available for BMD system interceptors for the design, development, or deployment of hit-to-kill interceptors or other weapons for placement in space unless specifically authorized by Congress. Earmarks specified BMD funds for research and concept definition for the space based test bed.
(Sec. 226) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any DOD funds authorized under this Act for RDT&E, or procurement or development, of nuclear armed interceptors in a missile defense system.
Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 231) Requires the Director of Defense Research and Engineering to carry out a Global Research Watch program to, among other things, monitor and analyze the basic and applied research activities and capabilities of foreign nations in areas of military interest.
(Sec. 232) Requires the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, every other year, to prepare a strategic plan for Agency activities and to submit such plan to Congress. Requires the Secretary to establish a panel to advise the Director on each plan.
(Sec. 233) Authorizes the Secretary, in furtherance of the support of educational programs in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology, to: (1) enter into contracts and cooperative agreements; (2) make financial assistance grants; (3) provide cash awards and other incentives; and (4) accept voluntary services.
(Sec. 234) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of research and development (R&D) to promote greater bandwidth capability with high-speed network-centric communications. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, to report to the defense and appropriations committees on program activities undertaken.
(Sec. 235) Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a DOD strategy for management of the electromagnetic spectrum to improve access and connectivity to military assets; and (2) communicate with Federal civilian departments and agencies in such strategy development. Requires a board of senior DOD acquisition officials to develop a DOD spectrum management strategy to facilitate the availability of adequate spectrum for network-centric warfare and to communicate with Federal civilian departments and agencies in such strategy development.
(Sec. 236) Earmarks specified RDT&E funds for: (1) the Collaborative Information Warfare Network; and (2) coproduction of the Arrow BMD system.
Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD.
(Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for: (1) working capital funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 311) Earmarks specified O&M funds for the American Red Cross to fund the Armed Forces Emergency Services.
Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out a program to provide prepaid phone cards or an equivalent telecommunications benefit to military personnel stationed outside the United States who are directly supporting military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan to allow such personnel to call family and friends in the United States. Limits such benefit to $40 per month per person. Terminates the program at the end of FY 2004. Requires the Secretary, under such program, to: (1) maximize the use of existing DOD telecommunications programs and capabilities, private entities' free or reduced-cost services, and programs to enhance morale and welfare; and (2) work with telecommunications providers to facilitate the deployment of additional telephones for such use.
(Sec. 312) Requires not less than 90 percent of the funds authorized for the acquisition, processing, and licensing of commercial imagery under this Act to be used to: (1) acquire space-based imagery from commercial sources; and (2) support the development of next-generation commercial imagery satellites. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on actions taken to implement the President's commercial remote sensing policy.
(Sec. 313) Earmarks specified O&M funds for information operations sustainment for Army Reserve land forces readiness.
(Sec. 314) Directs the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a survey on perchlorate contamination at all active and closed DOD sites.
Subtitle C: Environmental Provisions - (Sec. 321) Adds definitions applicable to DOD facilities and operations requirements.
(Sec. 322) Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from designating as critical habitat any lands or other areas owned or controlled by DOD, or designated for its use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management plan prepared under the Sikes Act, if such Secretary determines that: (1) the management activities identified in the plan will effectively conserve the threatened and endangered species; and (2) the plan provides assurances that adequate funding will be provided for such management activities.
(Sec. 323) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct on a cooperative basis with countries located in the Arctic and Western Pacific regions the Arctic and Western Pacific Environmental Technology Cooperation Program which shall include cooperation and assistance among DOD elements and military departments or other relevant agencies of other countries on activities that contribute to the demonstration of environmental technology. Requires such activities to be consistent with the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Prohibits more than ten percent of funds made available for the Program from being used for projects other than projects on radiological matters. Requires an annual Program report from the Secretary to Congress.
(Sec. 324) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned, if a military construction project results in the destruction of or impacts to wetlands, to make one or more payments to a wetland mitigation banking program or consolidated user site in lieu of creating a wetland on Federal property as mitigation for the project. Requires a banking program or user site to be approved before such payments may be made. Provides funding.
(Sec. 325) Extends through FY 2006 the authority to use environmental restoration account funds for the relocation of a contaminated facility.
(Sec. 326) Requires restoration advisory boards established by the Secretary to publish timely notice of their meetings.
(Sec. 327) Directs the Secretary of the Navy, before using a former naval vessel for experimental purposes, to carry out required environmental remediation. Authorizes the sale of material and equipment stripped from such vessel.
(Sec. 328) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer any vessel stricken from the Naval Vessel Register to any State, U.S. possession, or municipal corporation or political subdivision thereof. Makes such authority inapplicable to vessels transferred to the Maritime Administration for disposal. Requires vessels so transferred to be used as artificial reefs. Directs such Secretary to ensure that transferred vessels comply with environmental best management practices and any applicable environmental laws. Authorizes such Secretary to share vessel transfer costs with recipients. Allows recipients to receive more than one vessel.
(Sec. 329) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to include environmental protection equipment within salvage facilities provided for public and private vessels. Allows claims for salvage services to include claims for environmental protection services.
(Sec. 330) Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to determine and assess various means of enabling full use of the live ordnance delivery areas at Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona, while also protecting endangered species at such Range. Requires an activities report from the task force to Congress.
(Sec. 331) Requires the Secretary to provide for an independent epidemiological study of exposure to perchlorate in drinking water. Requires the Federal entity conducting the study to report to the Secretary on study results. Directs the Secretary to provide for an independent review of the effects of perchlorate on the human endocrine system.
Subtitle D: Reimbursement Authorities - (Sec. 341) Earmarks specified O&M funds for transfer to reserve military personnel accounts for the reimbursement of pay and allowances to reserve personnel in connection with training and other activities relating to the clearing of land mines for humanitarian purposes. Limits such transfer to $5 million.
(Sec. 342) Directs the Secretary or the Secretary concerned to transfer to the appropriate reserve personnel or O&M account amounts necessary for reimbursement for costs charged for intelligence support provided by reserve personnel.
(Sec. 343) Allows the Secretary to use the DOD reimbursement rate for military airlift services provided to the State Department for the transportation of armored motor vehicles to a foreign country.
Subtitle E: Defense Dependents Education - (Sec. 351) Earmarks specified O&M funds for assistance to local educational agencies that benefit dependents of members of the armed forces and DOD civilian employees. Requires the Secretary to notify each local educational agency eligible for such assistance in FY 2004. Allows up to $500,000 of such funds to be used for making basic support payments to a local educational agency that received a basic support payment for FY 2003, but whose payment for FY 2004 would be reduced because of the conversion of Federal property to non-Federal ownership under a DOD infrastructure demonstration project at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas.
(Sec. 352) Earmarks specified O&M funds for DOD impact aid for children with severe disabilities, as authorized under the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Spence Act).
Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 361) Authorizes the Secretary to sell working-capital funded services of the Defense Information Systems Agency to a person outside DOD for use in the performance of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet contract. Requires reimbursement for the costs of such services.
(Sec. 362) Allows funds from the Defense Modernization Account to be used to pay the costs of commencing any project undertaken by DOD or a defense agency to reduce the life cycle cost of a new or existing system. Requires the Account to be reimbursed from savings realized from reducing such life cycle costs. Requires regulations to include a system for proposals for the use of Account funds in such manner. Extends through FY 2006 the authority to transfer funds into the Account.
(Sec. 363) Exempts from the prohibition on contracts for the performance of DOD firefighting or security guard functions a contract for the performance of firefighting functions if such: (1) contract is for a period of one year or less; and (2) functions would otherwise have been performed by military firefighters who are otherwise deployed.
(Sec. 364) Repeals a provision excepting the Sacramento Army Depot, California, from limitations on the DOD contracting-out of depot-level maintenance of materiel.
(Sec. 365) Excepts from certain competition requirements a depot-level maintenance and repair workload that is performed by a public-private partnership.
(Sec. 366) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide to designated entities assistance in support of a transfer of a decommissioned naval vessel or related shipboard equipment.
(Sec. 367) Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to ensure that the number of KC135E aircraft retired in FY 2004 does not exceed 12. Requires such Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees an analysis of alternatives for meeting Air Force aerial refueling requirements.
(Sec. 368) Makes the Act known as the Randolph-Sheppard Act inapplicable to any existing DOD dining facility contract entered into with a nonprofit agency for the blind or other severely handicapped in compliance with the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. Makes the Randolph-Sheppard Act the official short title of such Act.
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out two demonstration projects during fiscal years 2004 and 2005 providing opportunities for participation by severely disabled individuals in the industries of manufacturing and information technology.
(Sec. 369) Repeals the 24 days per calendar year limit on the use of commissary stores by members of the Ready Reserves who have earned 50 or more retirement-creditable points.
Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - (Sec. 401) Sets forth authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2004.
(Sec. 402) Increases from 50 to 55 the maximum percentage of general and flag officers on active duty authorized to be serving in grades above general and rear admiral (lower half).
(Sec. 403) Extends through 2005 certain authorities relating to the management of general and flag officers in certain grades.
Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - (Sec. 411) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2004 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves.
(Sec. 413) Sets forth the minimum end strength for FY 2004 for Army and Air Force dual status military technicians.
(Sec. 414) Places specified FY 2004 limits on the number of non-dual status technicians authorized to be employed by the Army and Air National Guard.
Subtitle C: Other Matters Relating to Personnel Strengths - (Sec. 421) Requires Congress (currently, the Secretary) to prescribe end strengths for: (1) active-duty personnel who are to be paid from funds appropriated for active-duty personnel; (2) active-duty personnel and full-time National Guard personnel who are to be paid from funds appropriated for reserve personnel; and (3) members of the Selected Reserve.
(Sec. 422) Excludes recalled retired military personnel from strength (formerly end strength) limitations on military personnel ordered to active duty during a war or national emergency.
Subtitle D: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 431) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for military personnel.
Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - (Sec. 501) Allows health professions officers who have failed of selection for promotion to be retained on active duty until completion of the active duty service for which the officer is obligated, unless the Secretary concerned determines that the completion of such service obligation is not in the best interests of that military department.
(Sec. 502) Requires the Chief of the Army Veterinary Corps to be appointed from among officers of such Corps.
Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Policy - (Sec. 511) Allows for the use of members of the Ready Reserve to respond to terrorist or threatened terrorist attacks that could result in the loss (currently catastrophic loss) of life or property.
(Sec. 512) Removes the requirement of: (1) selection board participation in the determination of whether to continue officers on the reserve active-status list; (2) approval of such continuation by the Secretary concerned; and (3) a continuation board to meet for such purpose.
(Sec. 513) Prohibits an officer who is on active duty in the Army or Air National Guard in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia and who is in command of a National Guard unit from being relieved from active duty in such State, territory, or District if: (1) the President authorizes such service in both duty statuses; and (2) the Governor of the State or territory or Commanding General of the District consents to service in both statuses.
Subtitle C: Revision of Retirement Authorities - (Sec. 521) Makes permanent (currently, terminates at the end of 2003) the authority to reduce the three-year time-in-grade requirement for retirement in that grade for officers above major and lieutenant commander.
Subtitle D: Education and Training - (Sec. 531) Repeals the requirement that: (1) each officer with a joint specialty who graduates from a joint professional military education school be assigned to a joint duty assignment for that officer's next duty assignment after such graduation; and (2) the duration of the principal course of instruction offered at the Joint Forces Staff College be at least three months.
(Sec. 532) Provides additional expenses to be covered within the educational assistance authorized for cadets and midshipmen receiving Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships. Makes similar additions with respect to the financial assistance program for specially selected members of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard enrolled in advanced courses under ROTC programs.
(Sec. 533) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to permit an enlisted member to receive instruction in an executive level seminar at the Naval Postgraduate School. Provides that the requirement for the payment of costs in connection with such education shall be subject to such exceptions as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe for members receiving instruction in connection with pursuit of a degree or certification as participants in the Information Security Scholarship program.
(Sec. 534) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to direct the Superintendent of the military academy of that department to prescribe a policy on sexual misconduct applicable to academy personnel. Outlines policy requirements, including promotion of the awareness of the incidence of rape, acquaintance rape, and other sexual offenses that involve academy personnel, and procedures to follow in case of the occurrence of sexual misconduct. Requires the Secretary of Defense to direct each Superintendent to undertake an annual assessment of that academy's policies, training, and procedures to prevent criminal sexual misconduct involving academy personnel. Requires annual reports from each Secretary on sexual misconduct involving academy personnel for each of the 2004 through 2008 academy program years.
(Sec. 535) Requires funding of educational assistance entitlement incentives under the National Call to Service program to be derived from the Department of Defense Education Benefits Fund.
Subtitle E: Military Justice - (Sec. 551) Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to allow a person charged with having committed a child abuse offense to be tried by court-martial at any time before the child reaches the age of 25.
(Sec. 552) Makes the requisite blood alcohol content under the UCMJ equal to or in excess of (currently, in excess of) the requisite blood alcohol content adopted by the State in which the offense occurs. Provides for the adoption of the lower requisite blood alcohol content in incidents occurring on military installations located in more than one State.
Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 561) Prohibits a member from being deployed, or continued in a deployment, on any day on which the total number of days in which the member has been deployed out of the preceding 365 days would exceed the maximum number of deployment days prescribed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Provides exceptions. Requires the Secretary concerned to pay a high-tempo allowance for members deployed in excess of the authorized number due to an exception. Prohibits such monthly allowance from exceeding $1,000. Makes a member ineligible for such allowance while serving in a duty position designated by the Secretary concerned, with the approval of the Under Secretary, as exempt. Requires: (1) such allowance to be paid from O&M funds; and (2) allowance payment information to be included in a currently required annual report.
(Sec. 562) Directs the Secretary to carry out a direct entry program, beginning on October 1, 2003, and ending on September 30, 2005, for persons with critical military skills who enter the armed forces for an initial period of not less than three years. Requires an initial and final program report from the Secretary to the defense committees.
(Sec. 563) Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe the DOD policy on concurrent deployment to a combat zone of both spouses of a dual-military family with one or more minor children; and (2) transmit such policy to the defense committees.
(Sec. 564) Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to provide standards for State invalidation of ballots submitted in an election for Federal office by an absent military voter. Requires a State to: (1) accept and process any otherwise valid voter registration application submitted by a military voter in an election for Federal office; and (2) permit each recently separated member to vote in any election for which a valid voter registration application has been accepted and processed if that voter has registered and is eligible to vote under State law.
(Sec. 565) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to provide certain travel and transportation allowances for dependents of military personnel who have committed a dependent-abuse offense when the safety of the spouse or dependent is at risk and their relocation is advisable.
Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - (Sec. 601) Waives any FY 2004 pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases, effective January 1, 2004, the rates of basic pay for military personnel.
(Sec. 602) Requires: (1) the annual adjustment to military basic pay rates on January 1 of each year; and (2) that such adjustment be an equal percentage increase for all military personnel based on the percentage increase in the Economic Cost Index. Directs that if the President considers any adjustment inappropriate because of national emergency or serious economic conditions, the President shall transmit to Congress a plan for an alternative pay adjustment for that year, including an assessment of its impact on the Government's ability to recruit and retain well-qualified persons for the armed forces.
(Sec. 603) Provides for the computation of the basic pay rate for commissioned officers with prior enlisted or warrant officer service.
(Sec. 604) Entitles non-scholarship Senior ROTC members to a monthly subsistence allowance in return for continuing ROTC education into their sophomore year, graduating, and accepting an appointment as a commissioned officer for a prescribed minimum period.
(Sec. 605) Entitles each member married to another member without dependents when both members are on sea duty to a basic allowance for housing. (Currently, such members are jointly entitled to one such allowance.)
(Sec. 606) Increases from $100 to $250 the monthly rate of the family separation allowance.
Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - (Sec. 611) Extends through 2004 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2003 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces.
(Sec. 615) Limits the number of officers in the Selected Reserve who may be paid special pay for reserve officers holding positions of unusual responsibility and of a critical nature.
(Sec. 616) Directs the Secretary concerned to pay monthly incentive pay of $100 to a member for the period the member serves in Korea while entitled to basic pay. Terminates such authority on December 31, 2005.
(Sec. 617) Increases from $60,000 to $70,000 the bonus for members who have completed at least 17 months of continuous active duty and agree to reenlist or extend their current enlistment for at least three years.
(Sec. 618) Ensures the payment of the Selected Reserve reenlistment bonus during any period that such members are called or ordered to active duty.
(Sec. 619) Increases from $150 to $225 the monthly rate of hostile fire and imminent danger special pay. Makes reserve personnel on inactive duty eligible for such pay for periods during which such a member: (1) was subject to hostile fire or explosion of hostile mines; (2) was on duty in an area of imminent danger; (3) was killed, injured, or wounded by hostile action; or (4) was on duty in a foreign area in which the member was subject to the threat of harm or imminent danger due to civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions. Continues such eligibility for the first three months of any required hospitalization.
(Sec. 621) Makes officers (currently, only enlisted personnel) eligible for: (1) special pay or a bonus for extending overseas tours of duty; and (2) a rest and recuperative absence in lieu of such pay or bonus.
(Sec. 622) Makes appointed warrant officers eligible for an accession bonus for new officers serving in critical skills positions.
(Sec. 623) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay an incentive bonus to certain members who agree to convert to, and serve for at least four years in, a military occupational specialty for which there is a shortage of trained and qualified personnel. Limits such bonus to $4,000. Requires pro rata repayment for any required period not served. Terminates the bonus authority after December 31, 2006.
Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - (Sec. 631) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to allow a member making a permanent change of station to arrange for the private shipment of a motor vehicle in lieu of motor vehicle transportation at the expense of the United States.
(Sec. 632) Authorizes the payment or reimbursement of student baggage storage costs for dependent children accompanying members assigned to a permanent change of station overseas at any time in the same fiscal year of such change in station, as selected by the member.
(Sec. 633) Authorizes the Secretary to include in a contract for the transportation of baggage and household effects for members a clause that requires the carrier to pay the full replacement value for loss or damage to such baggage or effects.
(Sec. 634) Authorizes round-trip transportation for up to two family members of a member who is retired due to an illness or injury incurred in active duty if the attending physician or surgeon and the commander or head of the military medical facility concerned determine that the presence of the family members would be in their best interests of the family member.
Subtitle D: Retired Pay and Survivor Benefits - (Sec. 641) Makes commanders of unified or specified combatant commands equal to chiefs of service for purposes of computation of the retired pay base.
(Sec. 642) Authorizes the payment of a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity for the surviving spouses of reserve personnel not eligible for retirement who die from a cause incurred or aggravated during inactive-duty training.
(Sec. 643) Increases from $6,000 to $12,000 the death gratuity payable to survivors of deceased military personnel. Expresses the sense of Congress recognizing the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces, the significant disparity between death benefits for survivors of deceased military personnel and those for survivors of civilian victims of terrorism, and the inadequacy of the current military death benefits system. Directs the: (1) Secretary to conduct a study to determine the adequacy of all current and projected death benefits for survivors of military personnel; and (2) Comptroller General (CG) to study death benefits payable under Federal, State, and local laws. Requires both studies' results to be submitted to the defense committees.
(Sec. 644) Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, without deduction from either. (Currently, such members may only be paid both subject to qualifying offsetting legislation.) Repeals provisions providing for special compensation for certain severely disabled military retirees and certain combat-related disabled military retirees.
Subtitle E: Other Matters - (Sec. 651) Authorizes the Secretary to allow up to 120 days' annual leave accumulation (currently, only 60) for a member who, during a fiscal year: (1) serves on active duty for a continuous period of 120 days in an area in which the member is entitled to special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger; or (2) is assigned to a deployable ship or mobile unit in support of a contingency operation when such member would otherwise lose any accumulated leave in excess of 60 days at the end of the fiscal year. Allows such excess leave to be used any time within the next three fiscal years.
(Sec. 652) Requires the CG to submit a report regarding the adequacy of special pays and allowances for service members who experience frequent deployments of less than 30 days away from their permanent duty stations.
Subtitle F: Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members - Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act of 2003 - (Sec. 662) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to naturalization through service in the armed forces to: (1) reduce the required qualifying service from three years to two; (2) prohibit the imposition of a naturalization fee; and (3) qualify for such benefits members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve.
Provides for overseas naturalization proceedings for members of the armed forces.
Directs the Secretary to prescribe a policy that facilitates the opportunity for a member to finalize naturalization for which the member has applied.
(Sec. 664) Retains the immediate relative status for the alien spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen who dies from injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by combat. (Requires petition filing within two years of such death.)
States that an application for status adjustment by the alien spouse, child, or parent of an alien member who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship may be adjudicated as if the death had not occurred. (Requires application filing prior to such death.)
Treats the spouse, child, or parent of a lawful permanent resident who was granted service-related posthumous citizenship as a valid petitioner for immediate family status. (Requires petition filing within two years of such death.)
Permits such aliens to apply for permanent resident status adjustment.
Makes inapplicable specified grounds of inadmissibility with respect to such spouses, children, or parents. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive on an individual basis, with respect to such aliens, inadmissibility provisions concerning aliens present without admission or parole, lacking documentation, or unlawfully present, if the alien establishes exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to the alien or the alien's spouse, parent, or child who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien.
(Sec. 665) Makes this Subtitle effective as of September 11, 2001.
Title VII: Health Care - (Sec. 701) Authorizes the provision of medical and dental screening for members of the Ready Reserve called or ordered to active duty. Makes eligible for enrollment under TRICARE members of the Selected Reserve and members of the Individual Ready Reserve subject to being ordered to active duty involuntarily, as well as the dependents of each. Directs the Secretary to provide at least one open enrollment period for such individuals each year. Provides annual premium amounts required for self or self and family coverage for enlisted and officer personnel. Prohibits a person from so enrolling while entitled to transitional health care authorized for a temporary period after active-duty service. Outlines additional coverage requirements and conditions.
(Sec. 702) Requires the designation for each of the TRICARE regions of at least one person to serve full-time as a beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator solely for reserve members and their dependents who are beneficiaries under the TRICARE program.
(Sec. 703) Extends through December 31, 2008, DOD authority to enter into personal services contracts for health care services to be performed at locations outside military medical treatment facilities.
(Sec. 704) Authorizes the Secretary to determine separate Medicare-eligible retiree health care fund valuations and contributions for each of the participating military departments.
(Sec. 705) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct surveys in at least 20 TRICARE Standard market areas to determine the number of health care providers in each area that are accepting new patients; and (2) designate a senior DOD official to take necessary actions to achieve and maintain participation of health care providers in TRICARE Standard in each market area in a number adequate to ensure its viability for beneficiaries in that area. Requires the CG to: (1) review the above actions and report, semiannually, to the defense committees.
(Sec. 706) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to remove certain limitations on the ability of covered beneficiaries to receive health care services from former Public Health Service treatment facilities.
(Sec. 707) Establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to recommend direction for the joint coordination and sharing of health care efforts. Directs the Committee to report annually to the Secretaries and Congress.
(Sec. 708) Makes eligible for medical and dental care in any military medical facility a member of the reserves who has been commissioned as an officer if: (1) the member has requested orders for active duty for the initial period of duty following commissioning; (2) the request has been approved; (3) the orders are to be issued but have not been issued; and (4) the member does not have other health insurance or coverage.
(Sec. 709) Includes a dental specialist as a specialty care provider for purposes of authorized reimbursement of certain travel expenses of a covered military health care beneficiary who is referred by a primary care physician to a specialty care provider who is more than 100 miles from the location of the primary care physician.
Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Acquisition Policy and Management - (Sec. 801) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 to extend through FY 2005 (currently FY 2003) the authority to undertake emergency procurements to facilitate the defense against or recovery from terrorism or biological, chemical (current law), nuclear, or radiological attack.
(Sec. 802) Authorizes the Secretary, through FY 2006, to settle any financial account for a contract entered into by the Secretary or the Secretary of a military department before October 1, 1996, that is administratively complete if the account has an unreconciled balance, either positive or negative, of less than $100,000.
(Sec. 803) Requires the Secretary to revise and reissue DOD Directive 4650.1, relating to management and use of the radio frequency spectrum, to update the procedures applicable to DOD management and use of such spectrum. Outlines requirements for DOD system acquisition that involves the use of spectrum.
(Sec. 804) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, to: (1) direct and manage the acquisitions under the National Security Agency Modernization Program; and (2) designate projects under such Program as major defense acquisition programs. Lists included projects. Requires the Under Secretary to exercise milestone decision authority with respect to such projects. Prohibits the delegation of such authority before October 1, 2006, and sets forth conditions for such delegation.
(Sec. 805) Directs the Secretary to prescribe a quality control policy for the procurement of aviation critical safety items and of modifications, repair, and overhaul of such items.
Subtitle B: Procurement of Services - (Sec. 811) Amends the Spence Act to: (1) increase from $5 million to $10 million the value of a DOD performance-based service contract or task order that may be treated as a contract for the procurement of commercial items; and (2) extend such treatment authority through October 30, 2006.
(Sec. 812) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program during FY 2004 through 2008 for use of a best value criterion in the selection of sources for performance of information technology services for DOD. Requires the analysis to include an examination as to whether change of the performance of an information technology service function from DOD employees to the private sector will result in the best value to the Government over the life of the contract. Requires the CG to review the pilot program and report results to the defense and appropriations committees.
(Sec. 813) Authorizes the head of any DOD element within the intelligence community, or the United States Special Operations Command, to enter into a contract for the procurement of personal services necessary to carry out required missions without regard to current limitations on such contracts if the services to be procured are unique and not practically obtained by other means.
Subtitle C: Major Defense Acquisition Programs - (Sec. 821) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to extend through FY 2007 DOD authority to engage in certain weapons-related prototype projects. Includes under such authority the improvement of weapons or weapon systems currently in use by the armed forces. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program for follow-on contracting for the production of items or processes that are developed by nontraditional defense contractors under such prototype projects. Terminates pilot program authority on September 30, 2007.
(Sec. 822) Directs the Secretary to establish a board of senior acquisition officials to administer the implementation of policies and requirements applicable for procurements of information technology equipment determined to be an integral part of a weapon or weapon system.
Subtitle D: Domestic Source Requirements - (Sec. 831) Exempts from Buy American requirements procurements: (1) outside the United States in support of contingency operations; (2) for which other than competitive procedures have been approved which relate to unusual and compelling urgency of need; and (3) of waste and byproducts of cotton and wood fiber for use in the production of propellants and explosives.
(Sec. 833) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the application of any domestic source or content requirement for the procurement of items grown, processed, or manufactured in a foreign country that has a Declaration of Principles (cooperative relationship) with the United States when the Secretary determines that: (1) such application would impede the reciprocal procurement of defense items under such a Declaration; and (2) such country does not discriminate against defense items produced in the United States to a greater degree than the United States discriminates against defense items produced in that country.
(Sec. 834) Provides a Buy American requirement exception with respect to ball and roller bearings prepared for use in foreign products.
Subtitle E: Defense Acquisition and Support Workforce - (Sec. 841) Repeals provisions establishing certain acquisition workforce directors. Authorizes the Secretary (currently the acquisition career program board concerned) to waive acquisition workforce management requirements when the Secretary determines that the employee possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority. Eliminates the requirement that the Office of Personnel Management approve of DOD civilian workforce management requirements. Provides for a single Acquisition Corps for all of the armed forces (currently, there is one for each department). Directs the Secretary (currently, each department) to conduct internship, cooperative education, and scholarship programs for aiming promising students toward DOD acquisition careers.
Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe a different minimum number of years of experience, different minimum education qualifications, and different tenure of service qualifications for eligibility for appointment or advancement to the following acquisition positions: contracting officer, program executive officer, senior contracting official, program manager, and positions in the contract contingency force that are filled by military personnel.
(Sec. 842) Prohibits reduction of the defense acquisition and support workforce below its level as of September 30, 2002, except as necessary to strengthen such workforce in higher priority positions as authorized under this section.
(Sec. 843) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to require at least two-thirds of the individuals participating in a demonstration project relating to certain acquisition personnel management policies and procedures to be acquisition workforce and support personnel. Increases the authorized number of project participants from 95,000 to 120,000.
Subtitle F: Federal Support for Procurement of Anti-Terrorism Technologies and Services by State and Local Governments - (Sec. 851) Authorizes the President to exercise discretionary indemnification authority to indemnify contractors and subcontractors in procurements by States or units of local government of a technology or service for preventing, detecting, identifying, deterring, or recovering from acts of terrorism. Provides indemnification limits.
(Sec. 852) Directs the President to designate an officer or Federal employee to: (1) establish a program under which States and local governments may procure anti-terrorism technologies or services; and (2) carry out the SAFER grant program (grants for increasing the number of permanent firefighting positions). Sets forth responsibilities of the contracting official and required procurement application procedures under each program. Provides firefighter compensation limits under the SAFER program. Terminates at the end of FY 2010 the authority to award a SAFER grant. Requires a SAFER grant program report from the designated officer or employee to Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2006.
Subtitle G: General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations, and Other Matters - (Sec. 861) Directs the Secretary to delegate to the commander of the unified combatant command responsible for joint warfighting experimentation the authority to develop and acquire battlefield command, control, communications, and intelligence equipment and other equipment appropriate for joint warfighting experimentation purposes. Provides cost limits.
(Sec. 862) Allows the Director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center to be chosen from among senior civilian officers and employees of DOD (currently, only from active-duty commissioned officers).
Amends the Stump Act to require the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, if items are deployed under rapid acquisition and deployment procedures before completion of operational testing and evaluation, to have access to relevant operational records and data in order to complete such testing and evaluation.
(Sec. 863) Repeals the five-year limit for task and delivery order contracts in connection with multi-year contracts for the acquisition of services. Allows the head of an agency entering into such a contract to provide that the contract cover a five-year period and an extended period, but prohibits the total period from exceeding eight years.
(Sec. 864) Repeals the requirement that a procurement contractor provide written assurances regarding the completeness, accuracy, and contractual sufficiency of technical data provided by the contractor.
(Sec. 865) Allows entering into a contract which covers parts of two different fiscal years, as long as the total contract period does not exceed one year, in connection with the DOD lease of real or personal property.
(Sec. 866) Directs the Secretary to require the Secretary of each military department, the head of each defense agency, and the head of each DOD field activity to ensure that decisions made regarding consolidation of contract requirements (consolidation) are made with a view to providing small businesses with appropriate opportunities to participate in DOD procurements as prime contractors and/or subcontractors. Prohibits any such official from executing an acquisition strategy that includes a consolidation with a total value in excess of $5 million unless the senior procurement executive concerned first: (1) conducts market research; (2) identifies any alternative contract approaches that would involve a lesser degree of consolidation; and (3) determines that the consolidation is necessary and justified.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) review DOD data collection systems to ensure that such systems are capable of identifying each procurement that involves a consolidation with a total value in excess of $5 million; and (2) ensure that appropriate DOD officials periodically review the information collected to determine the extent of such consolidation and its impact on the ability of small businesses to participate in DOD procurements.
Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department Officers and Agencies - (Sec. 902) Redesignates the National Imagery and Mapping Agency as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Requires the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to report to specified congressional committees and subcommittees on the status of Agency efforts to incorporate within the Commercial Joint Mapping Tool Kit applications for the rapid extraction and exploitation of three-dimensional geospatial data from reconnaissance imagery.
(Sec. 903) Directs the Secretary to promulgate standards of conduct for members of the Defense Policy Board and the Defense Science Board. Requires an implementation report from the Secretary to the defense committees.
Subtitle B: Space Activities - (Sec. 911) Directs the Under Secretary of the Air Force to develop a space science and technology strategy, review and revise the strategy as appropriate, and report to the defense committees. Requires the CG to review and assess such strategy and report assessment results to such committees.
(Sec. 912) Requires the Secretary to develop and report to the defense committees on a human capital resources strategy for space personnel of DOD. Requires the CG to review the strategy and report results to the defense committees.
(Sec. 913) Declares it to be the policy of the United States for the President to undertake appropriate actions to ensure that the United States has the necessary capabilities to launch and insert U.S. national security payloads into space whenever needed.
(Sec. 914) Directs the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to provide entities outside the Federal Government with satellite tracking services using assets owned or controlled by DOD. Requires a recipient of such services to enter into an agreement not to transfer any data or technical information to any other entity without the Secretary's express approval. Prohibits services and information concerning or derived from U.S. intelligence assets or data from being provided under the pilot program.
(Sec. 915) Requires additional information in a required report from the Secretary to the defense committees concerning the Global Positioning System.
Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 921) Redesignates the CINC Initiative Fund as the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund. Includes joint warfighting capabilities among authorized Fund activities. Increases the maximum amounts authorized for various Fund activities.
(Sec. 922) Authorizes the President of the Marine Corps University to confer the degree of master of operational studies upon graduates of the School of Advanced Warfighting of the Command and Staff College.
(Sec. 923) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the changing roles of the U.S. Special Operations Command.
(Sec. 924) Declares it to be a DOD goal to fully coordinate and integrate the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities and developmental activities of the military departments, intelligence agencies, and relevant combatant commands. Requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence to: (1) establish an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Integration Council to provide a permanent forum for the discussion and arbitration of issues relating to the integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities; (2) develop a comprehensive Defense Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Roadmap to guide the development and integration of DOD intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for 15 years; and (3) report results to the defense, appropriations, and intelligence committees.
(Sec. 925) Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands to establish the National Guard for the Northern Mariana Islands and to integrate its members into the U.S. Army and Air National Guards.
Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer up to $3 billion of the amounts made available to DOD in this Act between any authorizations for that fiscal year. Requires congressional notification of each transfer.
(Sec. 1002) Provides a new limitation on the total amount authorized to be contributed by the Secretary for the common-funded budgets of NATO (rather than the maximum amount otherwise applicable under the 1998 baseline limitation). Allocates for such purpose amounts authorized under titles II and III of this Act.
(Sec. 1003) Adjusts amounts authorized to be appropriated in the Stump Act by the amount by which appropriations pursuant to such authorizations were increased or decreased by any supplemental appropriations for FY 2003. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on FY 2003 fund transfers through transfer accounts, including the Iraqi Freedom Fund.
Subtitle B: Improvement of Travel Card Management - (Sec. 1011) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the requirement of direct payment to a travel card issuer (for payment of Government travel) when such payment would be against equity or good conscience or contrary to the best interests of the United States.
(Sec. 1012) Directs the Secretary to require that the creditworthiness of an individual be evaluated before a Defense travel card is issued.
(Sec. 1013) Requires the Secretary to prescribe and report to the defense committees on guidelines and procedures for making determinations regarding the taking of disciplinary action, including assessment of penalties, against DOD personnel for improper, fraudulent, or abusive use of Defense travel cards.
Subtitle C: Reports - (Sec. 1021) Eliminates or revises various reporting requirements applicable to DOD. Terminates after FY 2006 a required report from the Secretary to the defense committees concerning DOD cooperative agreements and transactions to carry out research projects. Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on the conveyance of utility systems. Raises from $500,000 to $1 million the threshold required for DOD architectural and engineering services and construction design activities prior to congressional notification of the scope and cost of such services.
Amends the Department of Defense and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States Act, 2002 to remove an annual reporting requirement concerning DOD obligations for humanitarian and civic assistance incidental to authorized operations.
(Sec. 1022) Directs the Secretary to prescribe an integrated plan for developing, deploying, and sustaining a prompt global strike capability in the armed forces. Requires plan reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees during 2004 through 2006.
(Sec. 1023) Requires the Secretary to report to the above committees on the conduct of military operations under Operation Iraqi Freedom. Requires that if a contract for the maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, or repair of infrastructure in Iraq is entered into under the oversight and direction of the Secretary or the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance within the Office of the Secretary without full and open competition, then the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register or Commerce Business Daily and otherwise make public specified information on such contract, including justification and approval to use procedures other than full and open competition. Makes such requirement inapplicable to contracts entered into more than one year after enactment of this Act. Authorizes the head of an agency to withhold any information under such contract considered classified, but requires the full disclosure of such contract to specified congressional committees.
(Sec. 1024) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the mobilization of reserve forces during fiscal years 2002 and 2003.
(Sec. 1025) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the adequacy of the U.S. industrial base to meet defense requirements for beryllium.
Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 1031) Requires the Secretary, through the Commander of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, to carry out a joint experiment in FY 2004 to demonstrate and evaluate available blue (friendly) forces tracking technologies. Requires experiment results to be reported by the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees.
(Sec. 1032) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, during FY 2004 and 2005, to exchange for an historical artifact any obsolete or surplus property held by such department.
(Sec. 1033) Authorizes the Secretary to accept any gifts (currently only foreign gifts or donations) on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to utilize the authority to accept a qualified guarantee for the completion of a major project in connection with development of the Marine Corps Heritage Center at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. Terminates such authority on December 31, 2006.
(Sec. 1034) Authorizes the Director of the National Security Agency to provide living quarters to a student in the Student Educational Employment Program or a similar program while the student is employed at the Agency laboratory.
(Sec. 1035) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to allow the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) to exempt NSA's operational files from public disclosure requirements. Outlines exceptions. Provides for judicial review whenever any person requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act alleges that the NSA has improperly withheld records. Requires the Directors of NSA and Central Intelligence, at least every ten years, to review the exemptions to determine whether any should be removed, with consideration of the historical value of or other public interest in the subject matter of an exempted file and the potential for declassifying a significant part of the information.
(Sec. 1036) Amends the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to transfer from the Secretary to the Director of Central Intelligence administration of the national security education program.
(Sec. 1037) Directs the President to report to Congress on potential uses of unmanned aerial vehicles for support of the performance of homeland security missions.
(Sec. 1038) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to the Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation, Inc., all rights and interest to one surplus T-37 "Tweet" aircraft, after ensuring that such aircraft no longer has any combat capability.
(Sec. 1039) Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) that the Secretary should use available authority to disburse funds awarding individuals who provide information leading to the conclusive resolution of the status of any missing member of the armed forces; and (2) to encourage the Secretary to authorize and publicize a reward of $1 million for information resolving the fate of those military personnel, such as Michael Scott Speicher, who the Secretary has reason to believe may yet be alive in captivity.
(Sec. 1040) Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) in support of the innovative Advanced Shipbuilding Enterprise of the National Shipbuilding Research Program; (2) of concern that the future-years defense program for FY 2004 does not reflect any Enterprise funding after FY 2004; and (3) that the Secretaries of Defense and the Navy should continue Enterprise funding at a sustained level through the future-years defense program in order to support subsequent rounds of research that reduce the cost of designing, building, and repairing ships.
(Sec. 1041) Expresses the sense of the Senate that each U.S. air carrier should: (1) make every effort to allow active-duty personnel to purchase tickets on a space-available basis for the lowest fares offered, without regard to advance purchase requirements and other restrictions; and (2) offer flexible terms that allow such personnel to purchase, modify, or cancel tickets without time restrictions, fees, or penalties.
(Sec. 1042) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Army should develop and deploy a program to upgrade the airborne chemical agent monitoring systems at all U.S. chemical stockpile disposal sites in order to achieve the broadest possible protection of the general public, personnel involved in the chemical demilitarization program, and the environment.
(Sec. 1043) Amends Federal provisions concerning the National Guard Challenge Program of opportunities for civilian youth to: (1) eliminate prior-year matching funds requirements; (2) increase the amount of Program funds authorized for FY 2004; (3) direct the Secretary to conduct a study of the matching funds requirement and the value of the Program to DOD; (4) require the Secretary to include study findings in the next Program report to Congress; (5) increase by $3 million the amount authorized to be appropriated under this Act for O&M for the Army National Guard; and (6) earmark such increased amount for the Program.
(Sec. 1044) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should reconsider the decision of DOD to terminate the border and seaport inspection duties of the National Guard as part of the National Guard drug interdiction and counter-drug mission.
Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Policy - (Sec. 1101) Authorizes the Secretary to employ civilian faculty members at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.
(Sec. 1102) Provides that when the Secretary seeks a grant of authority for critical pay for one or more positions within DOD, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may fix such rate of pay. Prohibits the total of such pay from exceeding that authorized for the Vice President under current Federal pay provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish, fix the compensation of, and appoint persons to positions designated as critical administrative, technical, or professional positions of DOD. Terminates such authority ten years after enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 1103) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Thurmond Act) to: (1) extend through FY 2008 the experimental authority for DOD recruitment of science or engineering experts for R&D projects administered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; (2) increase from 40 to 50 the number of authorized appointments; and (3) extend a required annual report.
(Sec. 1104) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer to the Office of Personnel Management the personnel security investigation functions currently performed by DOD's Defense Security Service. Requires the transfer of appropriate personnel to perform such functions. Requires the Secretary to review all other functions currently performed by the Defense Security Service and determine whether the function is inherently governmental or otherwise inappropriate for performance by contractor personnel.
Title XII: Matters Relating to Other Nations - (Sec. 1201) Authorizes the use of DOD funds to pay costs associated with the attendance of foreign military officers, ministry or defense officials, or security officials at U.S. military educational institutions or training programs conducted under the Regional Defense Counterterrorism Fellowship Program. Limits such funding to $20 million per fiscal year. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress.
(Sec. 1202) Authorizes the Secretary to expend DOD O&M funds for recognizing superior noncombat achievements or performance of members of friendly foreign forces or foreign nationals that significantly enhance or support the U.S. national security strategy.
(Sec. 1203) Authorizes a Federal disbursing official to offer check cashing and other monetary exchange transactions for a member of the armed forces of a foreign country who is participating in a combined operation or mission with U.S. forces pursuant to an alliance or coalition, under certain conditions.
(Sec. 1204) Limits to $15 million the total authorized assistance for FY 2004 for international nonproliferation activities under the Weapons of Mass Destruction Control Act of 1992. Extends such authority through such fiscal year.
(Sec. 1205) Directs the CG to study and report to the defense committees on DOD costs of monitoring launches of satellites in a foreign country.
(Sec. 1206) Requires an annual report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees on implementation of the Prague Capabilities Commitment and development of the NATO Response Force by NATO-member nations.
(Sec. 1207) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to: (1) revise the years of coverage for certain countries with respect to DOD financial assistance in support of counter-drug activities; and (2) add as countries authorized to receive such support Afghanistan, Bolivia, Ecuador, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Increases the amount of such assistance for FY 2004 through 2006.
(Sec. 1208) Authorizes the Secretary, in FY 2004 and 2005, to use funds available for assistance to the Government of Colombia to support a unified campaign against narcotics trafficking and against activities of certain organizations designated as terrorist organizations. Prohibits as part of such support the participation of any U.S. military or civilian contractor personnel in any combat operation.
(Sec. 1209) Requires DOD to fully comply with requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act for any contract awarded for reconstruction activities in Iraq and to conduct a full and open competition for performing work needed for reconstruction of the Iraqi oil industry. Mandates that if DOD does not have a fully competitive contract to replace the March 8, 2003, contract for the reconstruction of the Iraqi oil industry in place by August 31, 2003, then the Secretary shall report to Congress by September 30, 2003, detailing the reasons for allowing the original sole source contract to continue. Requires a follow-up report each 60 days thereafter until a competitive contract is in place.
Title XIII: Cooperative Threat Reduction With States of the Former Soviet Union - (Sec. 1301) Specifies the cooperative threat reduction (CTR) programs to be funded through O&M funds provided under this Act. Makes funds appropriated for such purpose available for three fiscal years. Allocates such funds among specified CTR programs. Prohibits such funds from being used for purposes other than those specified until 30 days after the Secretary reports to Congress on such purposes. Provides limited authority to vary allocated amounts in the national interest, after congressional notification.
(Sec. 1303) Requires the Secretary to make an annual certification to the defense and appropriations committees on the use of each facility for a CTR project or activity for which construction occurred during the preceding fiscal year.
(Sec. 1304) Authorizes the President to obligate and expend current and prior year CTR funds for a proliferation threat reduction project or activity outside the states of the former Soviet Union if such project or activity will: (1) assist the United States in the resolution of a critical emerging proliferation threat; or (2) permit the United States to take advantage of opportunities to achieve long-standing nonproliferation goals. Limits fiscal year obligations for such purpose to $50 million. Subjects such authority to certain current CTR limitations and requirements, including prior congressional notification.
(Sec. 1305) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2003 to extend through FY 2004 the inapplicability of certain conditions on the use of funds for the planning, design, or construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility in Russia ( provided the President makes a specified certification to Congress).
Division B: Military Construction Authorizations - (Sec. 2001) Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 - Title XXI(sic): Army - (Sec. 2101) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes such Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, carry out architectural planning and design activities, and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 2003 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title.
(Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year: (1) 2003 to terminate the authority to carry out certain projects in Germany and Korea and reduce related funding; (2) 2003 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Fort Riley, Kansas; (3) 2002 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Fort Richardson, Alaska; and (4) 2001 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Pohakoula Training Facility, Hawaii.
Title XXII: Navy - (Sec. 2201) Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title.
(Sec. 2205) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to terminate the authority to carry out a project at the Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland.
Title XXIII: Air Force - (Sec. 2301) Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under title XXI.
(Sec. 2205) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to reduce the amount authorized for Air Force military family housing units.
Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - (Sec. 2401) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after 2003 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title.
(Sec. 2406) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to: (1) identify the particular installation of a construction project in Seoul, Korea; and (2) reduce the amount authorized for such project.
Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - (Sec. 2501) Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2003 for such Program.
Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - (Sec. 2601) Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2003 for National Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities.
Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - (Sec. 2701) Terminates all authorizations contained in Titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2006, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2006, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects.
Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - (Sec. 2802) Increases from 2,000 to 2,800 the number of family housing units in Italy authorized to be leased by the Navy.
Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - (Sec. 2811) Increases from $500,000 to $750,000 the threshold for real property acquisitions or leases that may be undertaken by the Secretary concerned before notification of the defense committees.
(Sec. 2812) Provides for the acceptance of in-kind consideration for easements for rights-of-way granted by the Secretary concerned, including easements for utility lines.
(Sec. 2813) Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to allow the Secretary concerned to receive unaccompanied military housing (currently, only family housing) in exchange for the transfer of property at military installations scheduled for closure or realignment.
(Sec. 2814) Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to exclude DOD property used in emergency support of homeland security from requirements to screen DOD surplus property for possible use to assist the homeless.
Subtitle C: Land Conveyances - (Sec. 2821) Authorizes the Secretary of: (1) the Army to convey to the State of Tennessee a parcel of real property at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Tennessee, in order to realign a highway in that area; (2) the Army to convey to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs a parcel of real property at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for the operation of a veterans' cemetery; (3) the Navy to convey the Preferred Development Group Corporation, Georgia, a parcel of property at Boyett Village/Turner Field in Albany, Georgia, for economic development use; (4) Defense to authorize the Army and Air Force Exchange Service to convey through negotiated sale a parcel of real property on Roundtable Drive in Dallas, Texas; and (5) the Navy to convey to United Parcel Service (UPS) the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Portland, Oregon, to facilitate expansion of the UPS main distribution complex in Portland.
(Sec. 2826) Directs the Secretary of the Army to convey to the PenMar Development Corporation a parcel of real property at former Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to enable the Corporation to sell the property to the International Masonry Institute (the current lessee) for economic development purposes.
(Sec. 2827) Requires the Secretary of the Army to study, and report to the defense committee on, the feasibility, costs, and benefits for the conveyance of the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant in Doyline, Louisiana, as a model for a public-private partnership for the utilization and development of such Plant and similar parcels of real property.
Subtitle D: Review of Overseas Military Facility Structure - (Sec. 2841) Overseas Military Facility and Range Structure Review Act of 2003 - Establishes the Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility and Range Structure of the United States to: (1) study matters relating to the military facility and range structure of the United States overseas; and (2) report review results to the President and Congress, including a proposal for an overseas basing strategy to meet current and future DOD mission requirements. Terminates the Commission 45 days after its report. Provides Commission funding through DOD O&M funds.
Division C: Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations - Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs - Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations - (Sec. 3101) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2004 for: (1) activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration in carrying out programs necessary for national security, with specified allocations for weapons activities, defense nuclear nonproliferation activities, naval reactors, and the Office of the Administrator for Nuclear Security; and (2) environmental restoration and waste management activities in carrying out national security programs, with specified allocations for defense environmental management, other defense activities, defense nuclear waste disposal, and defense energy supply.
Subtitle B: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 3131) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to repeal the prohibition on R&D of low-yield nuclear weapons. Prohibits the Secretary of Energy (Secretary, for purposes of this Division) from commencing the engineering development or any subsequent phase of a low-yield nuclear weapon unless specifically authorized by Congress. Requires a joint report from the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Energy to Congress assessing whether the repeal of such prohibition will affect the ability of the United States to achieve its nonproliferation objectives and whether changes in programs and activities would be required to achieve those objectives.
(Sec. 3132) Directs the Secretary to achieve and maintain a readiness posture of 18 months for resumption of U.S. underground nuclear tests. Requires the Secretary to determine and report to the defense and appropriations committees on whether a readiness posture of other than 18 months is advisable.
(Sec. 3133) Directs the Administrator for Nuclear Security (Administrator) to complete the selection of projects for inclusion in the Facilities and Infrastructure Recapitalization Program of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) no later than September 30, 2004. Requires the Administrator, by the same date, to report to the defense and appropriations committees the guidelines for conducting the Readiness in Technical Base and Facilities program. Requires the latter program to be operated independently of the Operations of Facilities Program.
(Sec. 3134) Amends the Spence Act to remove the F-canyon facility from DOE's authority to continue the processing, treatment, and disposition of legacy nuclear materials (leaving only the H-canyon facility). Revises a report requirement on the use of DOE funds for decommissioning the F-canyon facility.
(Sec. 3135) Prohibits the Secretary from commencing the engineering and development or any subsequent phase of a Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator unless specifically authorized by Congress.
Subtitle C: Proliferation Matters - (Sec. 3141) Authorizes the Secretary to expand the International Materials, Protection, Control, and Accounting Program to carry out nuclear threat reduction activities and projects outside the states of the former Soviet Union. Requires 15 days' prior notification of the defense and appropriations committees before the obligation of funds for a project or activity under such expansion.
(Sec. 3142) Directs the Administrator to report semiannually to the defense committees on the financial status of all DOE defense nuclear nonproliferation programs for which funds were authorized to be appropriated.
(Sec. 3143) Requires a spending plan report from the Administrator to the defense committees if, on September 30, 2004, the aggregate amount obligated but not expended for defense nuclear nonproliferation activities exceeds 20 percent of the amount already obligated for such activities.
Subtitle D: Other Matters - (Sec. 3151) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize investigations of individuals to be employed on programs designated as sensitive to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(Sec. 3152) Directs the Secretary to include in the FY 2005 materials submitted to Congress in support of the DOE budget a report delineating responsibilities between and among the Environmental Management Program and the NNSA for: (1) environmental cleanup; (2) decontamination and decommissioning; and (3) waste management. Requires a report to Congress on such delineation.
(Sec. 3153) Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees updating a report on stockpile stewardship criteria required under the Atomic Energy Defense Act.
(Sec. 3154) Requires a report from the: (1) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to Congress on the Institute's ability to obtain information necessary to carry out radiation dose reconstructions under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000; and (2) Secretary of Labor to Congress on the denial of claims under such Act.
(Sec. 3155) Directs the Secretaries of Energy and Defense to develop, submit to Congress three months after the date of enactment of this Act, and implement a plan to coordinate the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator feasibility study of DOE with the ongoing conventional hard and deeply buried weapons development programs of DOD.
Subtitle E: Consolidation of General Provisions on Department of Energy National Security Programs - (Sec. 3161) Amends the Stump Act to add to it, for consolidation purposes, certain recurring and general provisions of law on DOE national security programs, including provisions under various defense authorization Acts relating to: (1) atomic energy defense; (2) the naval nuclear propulsion program; (3) nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship and production; (4) tritium production; (5) nuclear proliferation; (6) defense environmental restoration and waste management; (7) the closure of defense nuclear facilities; (8) laboratories safeguards and security, including background investigations and polygraph programs; (9) classified information; (10) defense emergency response; (11) personnel matters; (12) employee education and training; (13) worker safety at nuclear weapons facilities; (14) budget and financial management matters, including penalties under environmental laws; (15) administrative and other matters; (16) R&D; (17) facilities management; (18) matters relating to particular facilities, including the Hanford Reservation, Washington, and the Savannah River Site, South Carolina; (19) the processing, treatment, and disposal of legacy nuclear materials; (20) decommissioning of the F-canyon facility; and (21) the payment of O&M costs at the Nevada Test Site.
Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - (Sec. 3201) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
|
Latest from twitter
Get the most up to date news from me on Twitter.
Five things you need to know about the #COVID19 from @DrNancyM_CDC https://t.co/SOUwnXj9AB
Katherine Johnson was a pioneer and inspiration to young women around the world. Her legacy will live on for genera… https://t.co/FwAKIYXlPk
"Entrepreneurship is the backbone of the American economy and minority-owned businesses are no exception to that fa… https://t.co/g2ReRiewHm
. @CDCgov announced an initiative to help labs in rural communities improve diagnostic excellence through… https://t.co/rMDvYlPdkt
With the announcement of another confirmed #COVID19 case, I want to thank the over 300 U.S. Public Health Commissio… https://t.co/qf9ddh9nLN