This issue brief discusses the Airport Improvement Program and its complement, the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC). After a brief history of federal support for airport construction and improvement, the report describes AIP funding, its source of revenues, funding distribution, the types of projects the program funds, AIP and PFC policy issues, and the allowable use of AIP funds for airport security purposes.

The Senate’s “pay-as-you-go,” or PAYGO, rule generally prohibits the consideration of direct spending and revenue legislation that is projected to increase (or cause) an on-budget deficit in any one of three time periods: the first year, the first 5 years, and the second 5 years, covered by the most recently adopted budget resolution. Any increase in direct spending or reduction in revenues resulting from such legislation must be offset by an equivalent amount of direct spending cuts, tax increases, or a combination of the two.

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On April 30, 2003, the Department of the Navy (DoN) closed down its controversial live-fire training range on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. The Navy also intends to reduce its presence at the supporting activity at Roosevelt Roads on mainland Puerto Rico by about 65%. The Senate Armed Services Committee’s report (S.Rept. 108-46 of May 13, 2003) on the FY2004 defense authorization bill (S. 1050) directs the Navy to report to Congress on the status of cleanup-related actions for Vieques. This CRS report will be updated as events warrant.

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President Bush has issued a comprehensive energy policy initiative, which includes limited energy tax measures; the Administration has criticized such measures as being inconsistent with its free market philosophy. Several of the issues that drove energy policy and energy tax policy during the 106th Congress are extant: 1) tax incentives to increase the supply of oil and gas; 2) energy tax issues relating to energy conservation and energy efficiency; 3) energy tax issues relating to alternative fuels; 4) energy taxes/subsidies and residential energy costs; and 5) issues relating to electricity restructuring. In addition, there are certain energy tax provisions that are either expiring or are time-sensitive that the 107th Congress may choose to take action on.

Clean air issues were discussed at length in the 107th Congress, but legislation was not enacted, leaving the same issues for possible consideration in the 108th. The most prominent air quality issues discussed in this report are; the controversy over EPA’s proposed changes to the New Source Review (NSR) requirements, Clear Skies / Multi-Pollutant Legislation, gasoline additive MTBE, Conformity of Transportation Plans and SIPs Deadlines for Achieving the Ozone Air Quality Standard.

Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This Report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittees.

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Appropriations are one part of a complex federal budget process that includes budget resolutions, appropriations (regular, supplemental, and continuing) bills, rescissions, and budget reconciliation bills. This Report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittees.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to agriculture and the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the finality of a grade issued by a public school teacher.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the regulation of stormwater management by certain counties.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the release on bond of certain applicants for a writ of habeas corpus.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to honoring the musical legacy of Robert "Wolfman Jack" Smith.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to in memory of Cordelia Maxine Knight of Paris.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to urging the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services to authorize any section 1115 demonstration waivers.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to urging congress to enact the Children First SCHIP Improvement Act of 2003 and enact legislation further extending the availability of 2000 and 2001 SCHIP allotments until 2005.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to honoring the life of P. A. Thomas, Jr., of Titus County.

Joint resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit an increase in the total amount of school district ad valorem taxes that may be imposed on the residence homestead of a disabled person.

Joint resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to proposing a constitutional amendment to permit a six-person jury in a district court misdemeanor trial.

Joint resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a two-year period for the redemption of a mineral interest sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes at a tax sale.

Joint resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation property owned by a religious organization that is leased for use as a school or that is owned with the intent of expanding or constructing a religious facility.