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United States · Official source
4,010 records where Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Expresses Congress' opposition to any deployment of U.S. ground forces into the Serbian province of Kosovo for peacemaking or peacekeeping purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
International Financial Institution Reexamination and Review Commission Act of 1998 - Establishes the International Financial Institution Reexamination and Review Commission to advise and report to the Congress on specified aspects of the future role and responsibilities of the international financial institutions of the World Trade Organization and the Bank for International Settlements. Directs the President to report to certain congressional committees on: (1) the desirability and feasibility of implementing the Commission's recommendations; and (2) the steps taken through international institutions and fora to implement such recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Taiwan should have appropriate and meaningful participation in the World Health Organization; and (2) it should be U.S. policy to pursue some initiative in the World Health Organization which will give Taiwan meaningful participation in a manner that is consistent with such organization's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1998
Selective Agricultural Embargoes Act of 1998 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the President, if he or she takes action to embargo the export under an export sales contract of an agricultural commodity to a country that is not part of an embargo on all exports to the country, to report to the Congress, not later than five days after imposing the embargo, on the reasons for such embargo and its proposed duration. Sets forth congressional procedures for termination of the embargo. Specifies plant nutrient materials among the agricultural commodities whose export the President may not prohibit or curtail if: (1) the export sales contract for such materials is entered into before he or she announces an action that would otherwise prohibit or curtail their export; and (2) the contract terms require delivery of the materials within 270 days after the date of the suspension of trade is imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1998
Agricultural Trade Emergency Response Act of 1998 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to temporarily make supplemental payments to farm owners and producers with production flexibility contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1998
Medicare Home Health Care Interim Payment System Refinement Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA'97), to: (1) increase per beneficiary and per visit payment limits under the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies; and (2) provide for the exclusion of certain additional Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) costs from determination of the Medicare part B monthly premium. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on research paid for by the Secretary on the development of a prospective payment system (PPS) for Medicare home health services, including one or more alternative means to provide for savings equivalent to the savings estimated to be made by the mandatory 15 percent reduction in payment limits for such services for FY 2000. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to: (1) report to the Congress its analysis of the Secretary's report, including any recommendations with respect to the matters contained in it; and (2) include in its annual report to the Congress for June 1999 an analysis of whether changes in law made by BBA'97 and this Act with respect to payments for Medicare home health services impede access to them by Medicare beneficiaries. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to audit the sums obligated or expended by the Health Care Financing Administration for PPS research and the information provided by it.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1998
Small Business and Financial Institutions Tax Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit S corporation eligible shareholders to include individual retirement accounts. (Sec. 3) Excludes investment securities income held by a bank from passive income limits for purposes of S status termination. (Sec. 4) Increases the number of eligible S corporation shareholders. (Sec. 5) States that stock held by a bank director as required by banking regulations (director qualifying stock) shall not be considered a disqualifying second class of S corporation stock. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify a certain Regulation to permit an S corporation bank to charge certain bad debt deductions over a related bad debt reserve recapture period. (Sec. 7) Includes all banks within the three-year deduction preference rule.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) publicly declare that there is reason to believe that Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, has committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide; (2) establish a collection of information that can be supplied to the International Criminal Court for use as evidence to support an indictment and trial of Hun Sen; (3) provide the Court any such information already collected; (4) work with members of interested countries and nongovernmental organizations relating to information any country or organization may hold concerning allegations against Hun Sen and any person under his authority in Cambodia and give all such information to the Court; (5) work with other interested countries relating to measures to be taken to apprehend indicted war criminals and persons indicted for crimes against humanity in Cambodia with the objective of concluding a plan of action that will result in the prompt delivery of these indictees into the custody of the Court; and (6) urge the Court to promptly review all information relating to Hun Sen's possible criminal culpability for conceiving, directing, and sustaining a variety of actions in Cambodia that have had the effect of genocide, of war crimes, and other crimes against humanity with a view toward prompt issuance of a public indictment of Hun Sen.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1998
Expresses: (1) condolences to the families of all persons killed or injured in the terrorist bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; (2) gratitude to the people and the Governments of Kenya, Tanzania, Israel, and France, as well as to private organizations, for their assistance in the aftermath of the bombings and to the U.S. embassy guards whose heroic actions prevented even more deaths and injuries; (3) condemnation of all persons and parties involved in the bombings; (4) the determination of the House of Representatives to assist in the arrest of all persons responsible; and (5) the intention of the House to examine whether security needs of U.S. facilities overseas are being met and what kinds of tools can be employed to discourage nations from harboring terrorists.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Medicare Health Plan Fair Payment Act - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the budget neutrality adjustment factor used in calculating the blended capitation rate for payment of Medicare+Choice organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Crime Does Not Pay Act of 1998 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for a reduction by five percent (and redistribution to States in compliance) of funds available for a State under the drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grant program unless, on the first day of each fiscal year after FY 2000, the State has in effect throughout the State a law which prohibits any individual who has been convicted of a felony from recovering, in any civil action under the law of such State, any compensatory, actual, or general damages for any physical or mental injury, harm, or suffering caused in the commission of the felony.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1998
Declares that it is U.S. policy to deploy a national missile defense.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1998
Declares that, in observance of the 59th anniversary of the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression, the Congress: (1) reaffirms the U.S. policy of the non-recognition of the occupation by the Soviet Union of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia subsequent to the Pact, which for the 50 years after the signing of the Pact, was a commendable bipartisan policy that refused to legally recognize the Soviet occupation of such countries; (2) urges Russia to renounce the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression and its secret supplemental protocols as illegal; (3) welcomes and supports the signing of the United States-Baltic Charter by the United States, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia that reiterates the strong historical kinship between the peoples of these countries; and (4) calls on the President and the Secretary of State to work to ensure that Russia understands that the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression should be considered illegal and null and void.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend income averaging for farmers.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1998
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE) prevention, intervention, and services delivery program. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance to eligible State, tribal, and local governments, scientific or academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations to carry out such activities. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect to: (1) foster coordination among governmental agencies, academic bodies, and community groups that support FAS and FAE research, programs, and surveillance and otherwise meet the needs of populations actually or potentially impacted by FAS and FAE; and (2) advise Federal, State, and local programs and research concerning FAS and FAE. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. Terminates application of this Act seven years after the date on which all Task Force members have been appointed.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to establish an initiative for food and other assistance for individuals in Indonesia and Southeast Asia affected by the Asian financial crisis. Directs the Administrator of AID, in carrying out the food security elements of the initiative, to: (1) establish, where appropriate, agricultural commodity distribution technical assistance, agricultural research, extension, farmer-to-farmer, and food assistance programs; and (2) provide assistance to nongovernmental organizations, including private voluntary organizations and cooperatives, for programs (of up to four years in duration) to provide food assistance under this Act. Earmarks certain developmental and agricultural assistance and economic support fund assistance for the food security initiative, including assistance for: (1) food, medical, fuel, and other shortages in Indonesia and Southeast Asia; (2) developing political institutions and parties in Indonesia and Southeast Asia; (3) improvement of transparency and regulation of banking, financial, insurance, and securities institutions; and (4) support of legal and judicial reforms. Requires that at least 80 percent of the assistance to Indonesia be administered or distributed through indigenous nongovernmental or private voluntary organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1998
Provides that with respect to a specified conservation reserve program signup (under the Food Security Act of 1985), certain highly erodible land meeting related wind and water erosion criteria shall: (1) be deemed to meet wildlife criteria; and (2) receive maximum points for wildlife benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs Subtitle A: Nonemergency Food Assistance Programs Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Africa: Seeds of Hope Act of 1998 - Declares it to be U.S. policy, consistent with title XII of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act, to support governments of sub-Saharan African countries, U.S. and African nongovernmental organizations, universities, businesses, and international agencies to help ensure the availability of basic nutrition and economic opportunities for sub-Saharan individuals, through sustainable agricultural and rural development. Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), in providing development assistance under the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, to: (1) emphasize programs and projects that improve the food security of children, women, and food-insecure households, or that improve the agricultural productivity, incomes, and marketing of the rural poor in Africa; (2) solicit and take into consideration the views and needs of intended beneficiaries and program participants during the selection, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of projects; and (3) ensure that programs are designed and conducted in cooperation with African and U.S. organizations and institutions (such as private and voluntary organizations, cooperatives, land-grant and other appropriate universities, and local producer-owned cooperative marketing and buying associations) that have expertise in addressing the needs of the poor, small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, and rural workers, including women. (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of the Congress that, if there is an increase in funding for sub-Saharan programs, the Administrator of AID should proportionately increase resources to the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, for FY 2000 and subsequent fiscal years in order to meet the needs of the countries participating in such Initiative. (Sec. 102) Directs the Administrator of AID to use, through bilateral and multilateral assistance, microenterprise assistance (including credit) to improve the capacity and efficiency of agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa of small-scale farmers and small rural entrepreneurs (specifically taking into consideration the needs of women, and using the applied research and technical assistance capabilities of U.S. land-grant universities). (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Administrator of AID to utilize foreign assistance programs and initiatives for sub-Saharan Africa to support private producer-owned cooperative marketing associations there, including rural business associations owned by farmer shareholders. (Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should issue loans, guaranties, and insurance, and utilize existing equity funds and loan and insurance funds, to support private agricultural and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa (particularly intermediary organizations that directly serve the needs of small-scale farmers, small rural entrepreneurs, and rural producer-owned cooperative purchasing and marketing associations). (Sec. 105) Directs the Administrator of AID to develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate and build on the research and extension activities of U.S. land-grant universities, international agricultural research centers, and national agricultural research and extension centers in sub-Saharan Africa. Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs - Subtitle A: Non-Emergency Food Assistance Programs - Sets forth general requirements for the administration of non-emergency assistance programs under title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian International Food Security Trust Act of 1998 - Bill Emerson Humanitarian International Food Security Trust Act of 1998 - Amends the Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 1996 and the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 to rename specified provisions of the Food for Development Program as the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act. (Sec. 212) Includes, as part of the established trust stock of wheat, rice, corn, or sorghum used to meet emergency humanitarian food needs in developing countries, certain funds for Commodity Credit Corporation programs under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 that are available, with respect to FY 2000 and subsequent fiscal years, to acquire such eligible commodities through purchases from producers or in the market to replenish the trust. Authorizes the release of eligible commodities from the trust for emergency food assistance to developing countries, provided such release is at levels consistent with maintaining the long-term value of the trust. Makes permanent the authority for the trust. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Administrator of AID to report to the Congress on AID's plans for implementing the Africa Food Security Initiative and an estimate of all amounts expended or to be expended on related activities during the current and previous four years.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Subchapter S Expansion Subtitle A: Eligible Shareholders of an S Corporation Subtitle B: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements of S Corporations Subtitle C: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders Subtitle D: Effective Date Title II: Sense of the House of Representatives Resolution Subchapter S Revision Act of 1998 - Title I: Subchapter S Expansion - Subtitle A: Eligible Shareholders of an S Corporation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain members of a family to be treated as one shareholder of an S corporation (electing small business corporation). Permits nonresident aliens to be S corporation shareholders if the corporation is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. Subjects such aliens' effectively-connected U.S. income to withholding tax. Subtitle B: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements of S Corporations - Prohibits, with respect to S corporations, treating: (1) qualified preferred stock as a second class of stock; and (2) a person as a shareholder by reason of holding such stock. (Sec. 112) Permits financial institutions to hold convertible (safe harbor) debt. (Sec. 113) Repeals: (1) the characterization of excessive passive investment income as a termination event; and (2) the passive income capital gain category. (Sec. 115) Permits: (1) an S corporation to make charitable contributions of inventory and scientific property used to care for the ill, the needy, or infants; and (2) S corporation shareholders to increase the basis of their stock by the excess of the charitable contribution over the property's basis. (Sec. 116) Makes other-than health insurance fringe benefits nontaxable for S corporation two-percent shareholders. Subtitle C: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders - States that a loss recognized by a shareholder in a complete liquidation of an S corporation shall be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent the shareholder's stock basis is attributable to ordinary income from such liquidation. Subtitle D: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for provisions of this Act. Title II: Sense of the House of Representatives Resolution - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives against treating the conversion of certain large C corporations to S corporations as taxable liquidations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1998
Declares that: (1) it is in the national interest of the United States to remain actively engaged in the South Pacific region as a means of supporting important U.S. commercial and strategic interests, and to encourage the consolidation of democratic values; (2) a Pacific island summit, hosted by the President with the Pacific island heads of government, would be an excellent opportunity for the United States to foster and improve diplomatic relations with the Pacific island nations; and (3) the United States should fulfill its longstanding commitment to the democratization and economic prosperity of the Pacific island nations by promoting their earliest integration in the mainstream of bilateral, regional, and global commerce and trade.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1998
Emergency Farm Financial Relief Act - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to provide that FY 1999 production flexibility contract payments shall be paid at such time or times as the owner or producer so requests as long as payment is completed by such fiscal year's end.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1998
Establishes the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama as a unit of the National Park System. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, with the full participation of Tuskegee University, to develop and submit to specified congressional committees a general management plan for the Site. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1998
Agriculture Export Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to exempt, through September 30, 1999, Department of Agriculture assistance for the purchase or other provision of food or other agricultural commodities (including fertilizer, medicines, and medical equipment) from the prohibition against extensions of U.S. Government credit, credit guarantees, or other financial assistance to countries involved in the transfer or use of nuclear explosive devices.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Criminal Welfare Prevention Act, Part III - Amends the Social Security Act to require (current law authorizes) the Commissioner of Social Security to provide prisoner information obtained from the State and local penal institutions or correctional facilities to Federal or federally-assisted cash, food, or medical assistance programs for eligibility purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to replace provisions regarding the rescission of budget authority with those authorizing the President to propose the rescission of any budget authority provided in an appropriation Act or repeal of any targeted tax benefit provided in any revenue Act. Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to the Congress with such a proposal that clearly identifies the budget authority proposed to be rescinded or the targeted tax benefit to be repealed. Includes within such bill a Deficit Reduction Account. Permits the President to place in the Account an amount not to exceed total rescissions in the bill. Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of such bill. Makes any amount of budget authority proposed to be rescinded available for obligation on the day after the date either House rejects such bill. Deems any targeted tax benefit proposed for repeal to be repealed unless either House rejects such bill during a prescribed time frame.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998
International Arms Sales Code of Conduct Act of 1998 - Directs the President to attempt, through negotiations with all Wassenaar Arrangement countries, to achieve the foreign policy goal of an international arms sales code of conduct that restricts or prohibits arms transfers to countries that: (1) do not respect democratic processes and the rule of law; (2) do not adhere to internationally recognized norms on human rights; or (3) are engaged in acts of armed aggression. Directs the President to report on such negotiations to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Drugs and Informed Consent Armed Forces Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that if the Secretary of Defense submits to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) a request to waive the requirement of prior informed consent with respect to the administration of a drug to members of the armed forces for investigational use, then any determination by the Secretary of Defense that obtaining such consent is not feasible or is contrary to the best interests of the members involved shall not be effective unless the President provides to the HHS Secretary a written statement concurring in that determination.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 and the related responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to exempt Department of Agriculture assistance for the purchase or other provision of food or other agricultural commodities from the prohibition against extensions of U.S. Government credit, credit guarantees, or other financial assistance to countries involved in the transfer or use of nuclear explosive devices.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) undercover law enforcement investigations, including sting operations, are necessary to counter increasingly sophisticated money laundering schemes that involve financial institutions in this country and other countries, including Mexico; and (2) the United States should not agree to extradite to Mexico U.S. law enforcement agents involved in Operation Casablanca for actions taken within the scope of such Operation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
Money Laundering Deterrence Act of 1998 - Revises Federal law to expand the scope of immunity from civil liability (under any contract or other legally enforceable agreement, including an arbitration agreement, as well as under Federal or State law) for disclosures of suspicious monetary transactions made by: (1) a financial institution and any of its directors, officers, employees, or agents to an appropriate governmental agency; or (2) an independent accountant who audits a financial institution. Extends such immunity to any failure to notify either the subject of such disclosure, or any other person identified in it. (Sec. 3) Prohibits notification of such disclosures or their contents: (1) to any person involved in the suspect transaction; or (2) by any government staff to other government agencies. Exempts from such prohibition any use of related information by government officers in the conduct of either official duties or law enforcement, regulatory, or investigative proceedings. States that written employment references submitted by a financial institution to another upon request may disclose information concerning possible involvement in suspicious transactions relevant to possible illegalities. Shields from civil liability any financial institution and its directors, officers, employees, and agents for any such disclosures. Authorizes the Secretary to disseminate information contained in such reports to certain self-regulatory organizations subject to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if the Securities and Exchange Commission determines it is necessary or appropriate for such organizations' statutory functions. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to summon financial institution records in connection with examinations to determine compliance with designated statutory requirements. (Sec. 5) Provides for civil and criminal penalties for violations of orders the Secretary of the Treasury may issue to a financial institution or group of financial institutions in a geographic area (geographic targeting orders). Increases civil and criminal penalties for violations of specified recordkeeping requirements. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and specified monetary law to increase civil and criminal penalties for violation of recordkeeping requirements. (Sec. 6) Amends the Money Laundering Suppression Act of 1994 to repeal the requirement for a periodic status report by the Secretary to the Congress on progress by the States in enacting a model statute to implement uniform State licensing and regulation of check cashing, currency exchange, and money transmitting businesses. (Sec. 8) Transfers from the Internal Revenue Code to Federal law governing monetary transactions specified reporting requirements relating to coins and currency received in nonfinancial trade or business. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary, in conjunction with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, should expedite promulgation of "know your customer" regulations for financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act - Establishes the Nazi War Criminal Records Interagency Working Group to locate, identify, inventory, recommend for declassification, and make available to the public at the National Archives and Records Administration, all classified Nazi war criminal records of the United States. Requires that: (1) Group members include the Director of the Holocaust Museum, the Historian of the Department of State, and the Archivist of the United States; and (2) the Group submit a report to the Congress describing all such records, their disposition, and the Interagency Group's activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires such records to be released in their entirety, except that an agency head may exempt from release specific information that would compromise privacy, national security, or U.S. foreign policy, as specified. States that in applying the exemptions there shall be a presumption that the public interest in the release of Nazi war criminal records will be served by disclosure and release of the records. Permits assertion of such exemption only when the agency head determines that disclosure and release would be harmful to a specific interest identified. Requires such a determination to be promptly reported to the appropriate congressional committees, including the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Subjects such exemptions to the same standard of review that applies to records withheld under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for matters that are specifically authorized by an executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy. Provides an additional exception from disclosure for records: (1) related to or supporting any investigation, inquiry, or prosecution by the Office of Special Investigations of the Department of Justice; or (2) solely in the possession or control of that office. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that the exemption from public disclosure authorized under such Act for operational files of the Central Intelligence Agency shall not apply to information regarding any operational file, or portion of any operational file that constitutes a Nazi war criminal record. Provides for expedited processing of FOIA requests for Nazi war criminal records.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
Congratulates the Republic of Korea on the 50th anniversary of its founding and commends the Korean people on the peaceful democratic transition that has taken place during the most recent presidential elections.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income foster care payments paid by certain nongovernmental placement agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1998
Modifies the boundaries of the George Washington Birthplace National Monument to include the property known as George Washington's Boyhood Home, Ferry Farm in Stafford County, Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the first Government-wide financial audit demonstrated gross mismanagement by Federal agencies; (2) current reform and reinvention efforts with respect to agency financial management have failed; and (3) Congress must impose consequences on agencies that fail their annual financial audits and conduct more vigorous oversight to ensure that agencies do not waste tax dollars.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Removal of Barriers to Affordable Housing Title II: Homeownership Through Mortgage Insurance and Loan Guarantees Title III: Assistance for Self-Help Housing Providers Title IV: Section 8 Homeownership Option Title V: Home Investment Partnerships Program Title VI: Local Homeownership Initiatives Title VII: Manufactured Housing Improvement Title VIII: Indian Housing Homeownership American Homeownership Act of 1998 - Title I: Removal of Barriers to Affordable Housing - Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998 - Requires proposed and final agency rules to analyze their impact upon affordable housing availability. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop model housing impact analyses. (Sec. 103) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize direct appropriations for State and local grants for regulatory barrier removal. (Sec. 104) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make affordable housing barrier removal eligible for community development block grant (CDBG) assistance. (Sec. 105) States that the regulatory barriers clearinghouse shall be established within the Office of Policy Development of HUD under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. Title II: Homeownership Through Mortgage Insurance and Loan Guarantees - Amends the National Housing Act to increase the number of adjustable single family mortgages and loans that may be insured each year. Directs the Secretary to increase premiums as necessary. (Sec. 202) Makes permanent the demonstration program of home equity conversion mortgages for elderly homeowners. Replaces the program limitation based upon number of mortgages with an aggregate outstanding balance limitation. Obligates specified funds for conversion mortgage counseling and related expenses. Requires that mortgagors be given full disclosure of mortgage related costs such as estate planning and financial advice, and that any such costs not be excessive. (Sec. 203) Requires an inspection under the single family housing mortgage insurance program. Directs the Secretary to establish inspection guidelines and maximum costs. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to treat a county or statistical area and contiguous or proximate counties as a single area for certain loan insurance limitation purposes. (Sec. 205) Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to eliminate certain rural housing guaranteed loan limitations. Title III: Assistance for Self-Help Housing Providers - Amends the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 to authorize specified appropriations for Habitat for Humanity and other self-help housing programs. Title IV: Section 8 Homeownership Option - Amends the United States Housing Act to provide a home ownership option under the section 8 housing assistance program, including downpayment assistance. Title V: Home Investment Partnerships Program - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for affordable housing programs. Revises the definition of "low-income families." (Sec. 503) Makes limited equity cooperatives and mutual housing associations eligible for home investment partnerships. (Sec. 504) Permits loan pool investment of partnership funds. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to make home investment partnerships loan guarantees. Sets forth an aggregate loan guarantee limitation. Title VI: local Homeownership Initiatives - Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, including a pilot home ownership initiative set-aside. (Sec. 602) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary to modify CDBG home ownership income requirements in high-cost areas. (Sec. 603) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to revise the home ownership zone grant program, including providing: (1) grant eligibility for units of general local government (currently nonprofit organizations); and (2) set-asides for specified low-income homebuyers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 604) Expresses the sense of the Congress in favor of lease-to-own tenancies as home ownership tools. (Sec. 605) Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to extend authorization of appropriations and authority for home ownership counseling. Title VII: Manufactured Housing Improvement - Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council. Title VIII: Indian Housing Homeownership - Establishes the Indian Lands Status Commission which shall analyze and evaluate the Bureau of Indian Affairs' land recording and documentation system. Terminates the Commission one year after appointment of its members.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1998
Veterans Medicare Access Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program under which the former Secretary shall reimburse the latter Secretary out of the Medicare trust funds for Medicare health care services furnished to certain Medicare-eligible veterans whose closest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center is geographically remote or inaccessible. Authorizes the Secretaries to establish a demonstration project similar to such program for Medicare-eligible veterans whose closest VA medical center is not geographically remote or inaccessible. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to repeal the requirement for an implementation plan for veterans subvention. Prohibits payments from the Medicare trust funds for items or services furnished under the program or demonstration project established under this Act before the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines that: (1) certain legislation restricting entitlement to service-connected compensation for a tobacco-related disability has been enacted; and (2) the net amount of the reductions in expenditures achieved by reason of such legislation during the five fiscal year period beginning with FY 1999, that is available to offset the net aggregate increase in outlays (if any) under the Medicare program, is not less than the estimated net aggregate increase during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1998
Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to require an employee or contractor of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who wishes to report to the Congress a complaint or information with respect to an urgent concern to report to the Inspector General (IG). Prohibits the IG from disclosing the identity of any employee requesting confidentiality. Requires the IG to act on such complaint or information within 60 days and to notify the CIA Director and the employee of the IG's actions. Requires the Director to forward such information to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate within seven days after its receipt. Allows an employee to contact the intelligence committees directly concerning such complaint or information in limited circumstances. Requires the Director, when, in the exceptional case and in order to protect vital law enforcement, foreign affairs, or national security interests, he does not transmit to the intelligence committees the information received from the IG or allow the employee to contact such committees, to provide such committees with the reasons therefor within seven days. Defines a matter of "urgent concern" for purposes of this Act as: (1) a serious or flagrant problem, abuse, violation of law or executive order, or deficiency relating to the administration or operation of an intelligence activity involving classified information; (2) a false statement to the Congress on an issue of material fact relating to the administration or operation of an intelligence activity; or (3) an action constituting reprisal in response to an employee's reporting of an urgent concern. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require employees and contractors of the following agencies who wish to report to the Congress a complaint or information with respect to an urgent concern to report such to the IG of the Department of Defense: the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the National Security Agency. Requires employees and contractors of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who wish to take such action to report to the IG of the Justice Department. Requires other Federal employees dealing with foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities who wish to take such action to report to their appropriate IG. Outlines procedures to follow the reporting of such complaint or information, and a definition of "urgent concern," similar to those provided with respect to CIA employees, above.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998
Designates the headquarters compound of the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia, as the George H.W. Bush Center for Central Intelligence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1998
Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the Library of Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to mint and issue $10 bimetallic coins of gold and platinum in lieu of the gold coins. Requires payment of coin sale surcharges to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board to support Library activities.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1998
Rescue and Emergency Services Prepared for Our Nation's Defense Act - Establishes the Commission to Assess Weapons of Mass Destruction Domestic Response Capabilities to: (1) assess Federal agency efforts to enhance domestic preparedness for incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and Federal training programs for local emergency responses to such incidents; (2) recommend strategies for the coordination of response efforts; (3) assess the appropriate role of State and local governments in funding local response capabilities; and (4) report to the Congress within six months after its first meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998
Designates the auditorium in the Sandia Technology Transfer Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the Steve Schiff Auditorium.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998
Independent Contractor Tax Simplification Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth standards for determining whether individual service providers are not employees.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Selective Agricultural Embargoes Act of 1998 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the President, if he or she takes action to embargo the export under an export sales contract of an agricultural commodity to a country that is not part of an embargo on all exports to the country, to report to the Congress, not later than five days after imposing the embargo, on the reasons for such embargo and its proposed duration. Sets forth congressional procedures for termination of the embargo. Directs exporters of certain agricultural commodities (including plant nutrient materials) to report on a weekly basis to the Secretary of Agriculture certain information regarding their export under an export sales contract.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
U.S. Holocaust Assets Commission Act of 1998 - Establishes the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States to: (1) study and develop an historical record of the collection and disposition of specified assets of Holocaust victims if they came into the possession or control of the Federal government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any Federal reserve bank, at any time after January 30, 1933; (2) coordinate its activities with those of private and governmental entities; (3) review comprehensively research conducted by other entities regarding such assets in the United States; and (4) report its recommendations to the President. Instructs the President to report recommendations for action to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs Subtitle A: Non-Emergency Food Assistance Programs Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Africa: Seeds of Hope Act of 1998 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to support governments of sub-Saharan African countries, U.S. and African nongovernmental organizations, U.S. and African businesses, and international agencies to ensure secure livelihoods and adequate nutrition for all sub-Saharan individuals, through sustainable agricultural and rural development. Title I: Assistance for Sub-Saharan Africa - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), in providing development assistance under the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, to: (1) use resources for programs and projects that improve the food security of children, women, or food-insecure households, or that improve the agricultural productivity, incomes, and marketing of the rural poor in Africa; (2) to solicit and take into consideration the views and needs of intended beneficiaries and program participants during the selection, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of projects; and (3) ensure that program objectives and interventions are primarily developed and conducted by African and U.S. private and voluntary organizations and other such organizations, including cooperatives and local producer-owned cooperative marketing associations, that have a demonstrated expertise in addressing the needs of the poor, small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs, and rural workers, including women. (Sec. 101) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of AID should increase resources to the Africa Food Security Initiative, or any comparable or successor program, for FY 2000 and subsequent fiscal years in order to meet the needs of the countries participating in such Initiative. (Sec. 102) Directs the Administrator of AID to provide, through bilateral and multilateral assistance, microenterprise assistance (including credit) to improve the efficiency of agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa (specifically targeting the needs of women, small-scale farmers, and small rural entrepreneurs). (Sec. 103) Directs the President, acting through the Administrator of AID, to utilize foreign assistance programs and initiatives for sub-Saharan Africa to support producer-owned cooperative marketing associations there, including rural business associations that are owned by farmer shareholders. (Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should: (1) issue loans, guaranties, and insurance, and utilize existing equity funds and loan and insurance funds, to support agricultural and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa (particularly intermediary organizations that directly serve the needs of women, small-scale farmers, small rural entrepreneurs, and rural producer-owned cooperative marketing associations); and (2) jointly cooperate with AID to ensure that adequate administrative funds are available to carry out such activities. (Sec. 105) Directs the Administrator of AID to develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate the activities of AID-funded international agricultural research centers, U.S. land grant universities, and national agricultural research and extension centers in order that research and extension activities will respond to the needs of small-scale farmers while developing the potential and skills of researchers, extension agents, farmers, and agribusiness persons, and increasing the agricultural productivity, in sub-Saharan Africa. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of AID: (1) has disproportionately reduced funding for international agriculture and rural development activities and the number of agricultural specialists who carry out such activities; and (2) should devote more resources and staff to such activities. Title II: Worldwide Food Assistance and Agricultural Programs - Subtitle A: Non-Emergency Food Assistance Programs - Sets forth general requirements for the administration of non-emergency assistance programs under title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. Subtitle B: Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 - Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998 - Amends the Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 1996 to rename specified provisions of the Food for Development Program as the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act. (Sec. 212) Includes, as part of the established trust stock of wheat, rice, corn, or sorghum used to meet emergency humanitarian food needs in developing countries, certain funds for Commodity Credit Corporation programs under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 that are available to acquire such eligible commodities through purchases from producers or in the market to replenish the trust. Authorizes the release of eligible commodities from the trust for emergency food assistance to developing countries, provided such release is at levels consistent with maintaining the long-term value of the trust. Makes permanent the authority for the trust. Subtitle C: International Fund for Agricultural Development - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should maintain its leadership in support for the activities of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). (Sec. 221) Directs the Administrator of AID and the Secretary of State to review the effectiveness of the current six-year agreement between AID and the Department of State as it relates to U.S. contributions to IFAD. Directs the Administrator of AID and the Secretary to determine the extent to which the Fund has made progress toward management reforms, self-sufficiency, and poverty reduction in determining the amount of future U.S. contributions to it. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Administrator of AID to report to the Congress on AID's plans for meeting the goals and objectives of the Africa Food Security Initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal Subchapter B (Communications) of Chapter 33 (Facilities and Services) of Subtitle D (Miscellaneous Excise Taxes).
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Senior Citizens' Housing Financial Restructuring Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with the consent of the owner, to convert certain housing projects for the elderly from direct loan financing to rental assistance contract financing. Authorizes related debt forgiveness and section 8 contract cancellation.