Bill· HRH.R. 4761 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Uruguay Round Agreements Compliance Act of 1998 - Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to take action to implement certain trade sanctions under the Trade Act of 1974 as if a determination had been made that the practices of the European Union (EU) regarding the importation of bananas, or EU's ban on the use of hormones in beef, violate, or are inconsistent with, or otherwise deny benefits to the United States under the Uruguay Round Agreements. Requires that any sanction to eliminate such practices be devised so as to affect EU goods or services in an amount equivalent in value to the burden or restriction being imposed by the EU on U.S. commerce. Requires the USTR to implement trade sanctions unless it is certified to the Congress that: (1) the Dispute Settlement Body has adopted a report that U.S. rights under the Uruguay Round Agreements are not being denied by EU practices (or such practices are not a violation of, or inconsistent with, such rights) regarding the importation of bananas or the EU's ban on the use of hormones in beef; (2) the EU has agreed to eliminate or phase out such practices; or (3) the taking of action under this Act would cause serious harm to the national security of the United States. Requires the USTR to continue to make efforts to preserve U.S. rights under the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes concerning EU measures on the importation of bananas and EU's ban on the use of hormones in beef.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 562 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Welcomes the efforts of many former totalitarian countries to address the question of the status of wrongfully expropriated properties. Urges countries which have not already done so to return such properties to their rightful owners or, when actual return is not possible, to pay prompt, just and effective compensation. Calls for the return of such properties to religious communities. Calls on Croatia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and any other nation whose laws or regulations limit restitution or compensation for such properties to persons who reside in, or are citizens of, the country from which restitution or compensation is sought, to remove such restrictions. Urges former totalitarian countries to implement laws that provide for restitution of, or compensation for, wrongfully expropriated property.
Bill· HRH.R. 4594 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1998
Measures to Encourage Results in Teaching Act of 1998 - Amends title II (Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a new part D (State Incentives for Teacher Testing and Merit Pay). Directs the Secretary of Education to make an award to each State that: (1) administers a test to each elementary school and secondary school teacher in the State, with respect to the subjects taught by the teacher, every three to five years; and (2) has an elementary school and secondary school teacher compensation system based on merit. Allows States to use Federal education funds for teacher testing and merit pay programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 4579 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Provisions Primarily Affecting Individuals and Families Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Education Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Social Security Title II: Provisions Primarily Affecting Farming and Other Businesses Subtitle A: Increase in Expense Treatment for Small Businesses Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Farmers Subtitle C: Increase in Volume Cap on Private Activity Bonds Title III: Extension and Modification of Certain Expiring Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Provisions Subtitle B: Generalized System of Preference Title IV: Revenue Offset Title V: Technical Corrections Title VI: American Community Renewal Act of 1998 Subtitle A: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Taxpayer Relief Act of 1998 - Title I: Provisions Affecting Individuals and Families - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) make the basic standard deduction on a joint return equal to twice the deduction of a single return; (2) make the aged or blind additional deduction amounts the same for married and unmarried individuals; (3) as a general rule, exclude from gross income up to $200 ($400 in the case of a joint return) of dividends and interest received by an individual; (4) revise provisions concerning the aggregate amount of nonrefundable personal credits allowed to provide that the aggregate amount of such credits shall not exceed the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability and the alternative minimum tax; (5) allow for the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals; (6) set forth a special rule for members of the uniformed services and foreign service in determining the exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence; and (7) accelerate the $1 million exemption from the estate and gift taxes. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Education - Permits private educational institutions to maintain qualified tuition programs which are comparable to qualified State tuition programs. Modifies arbitrage rebate rules applicable to public school construction bonds. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Social Security - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the limit on earnings before there is a reduction in benefits for individuals who have attained retirement age but who are under age 70; and (2) provide for the recomputation of benefits resulting from earnings after reaching retirement age. Title II: Provisions Primarily Affecting Farming and Other Businesses - Subtitle A: Increase in Expense Treatment for Small Businesses - Amends the IRC to accelerate the increase in the dollar limitation on the cost of property which may be expensed by businesses as depreciable assets. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Farmers - Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to permanently extend income averaging for farmers. Amends the IRC to provide a five-year carryback period for farming losses. Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to disregard the payment option provided by the Emergency Farm Financial Relief Act. Subtitle C: Increase in Volume Cap on Private Activity Bonds - Amends IRC provisions concerning State private activity bond volume limits to repeal the adjustment for years after 1987. Title III: Extension and Modification of Certain Expiring Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Provisions - Extends, for a limited period, the: (1) credit for increasing research activities; (2) work opportunity credit; and (3) welfare-to-work credit. Extends permanently the special rule for contributions of stock for which market quotations are readily available. Establishes rules for the public inspection of the returns of private foundations. Revises provisions concerning the special rule for income derived in the active conduct of banking, financing, or similar businesses to provide, as general rule, that foreign personal holding company income shall not include qualified banking or financing income of an eligible controlled foreign corporation. Revises the definition of insurance income and provides that, as a general rule, foreign personal holding company income shall not include qualified insurance income of a qualifying insurance company. Subtitle B: Generalized System of Preferences - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the Generalized System of Preferences through February 29, 2000. Provides for the retroactive application of certain liquidations and reliquidations. Title IV: Revenue Offset - Amends IRC provisions concerning the complete liquidations of subsidiaries to provide that if a corporation receives a distribution form a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust which is considered as being in complete liquidation of such company or trust, then such corporation shall treat as a dividend from such trust or company an amount equal to the deduction for dividends paid allowable to such company or trust by reason of such distribution. Title V: Technical Corrections - Revises provisions of the IRC, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Tax Reform Act of 1984, and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Title VI: American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - Subtitle A: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the IRC to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 20 renewal communities, of which at least 20 percent shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Treats renewal communities as labor surplus areas for all Federal law purposes. Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to 25 percent of qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. Permits a deduction for contributions to a family development account whether or not a taxpayer itemizes. Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit.
Bill· HRH.R. 4587 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1998
Family Farm Preservation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the $675,000 limitation on the estate tax deduction shall not apply to interests in qualified family-owned farming business interests.
Bill· HRH.R. 4574 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1998
Merchant Marine-Railroad Retirement Correction Act of 1998 - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to provide that merchant marine service during World War II which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs deems to be active military duty as so determined by the Secretary of Defense is to be considered military service for purposes of computation of retirement benefits under such Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4567 (105th)open
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.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 519 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the international agencies charged with inspections in Iraq (the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Special Commission) must continue to maintain complete inspections, including surprise inspections, within Iraq; and (2) the U.S. Representative to the United Nations should vehemently oppose any efforts to weaken the inspections regimes on Iraq as long as there is evidence that the Government of Iraq is seeking to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.
Bill· HRH.R. 4464 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Military Retiree Health Care Task Force Act of 1998 - Establishes the Medicare Eligible Military Retiree Health Care Consensus Task Force to study and report to the Congress on matters relating to health care coverage of retired military personnel and their families, Federal sharing agreements relating to such care, and proposals to provide a full continuum of such coverage to Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 317 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1998
Declares that Members of Congress should: (1) follow the example of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police by living lives of love, respect, and integrity every day at all times, including on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives; and (2) deserve the title "Honorable" by setting an example so that such individuals did not die in vain.
Bill· HRH.R. 4399 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permanently extend income averaging for farmers.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 512 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1998
Urges the President to focus appropriate attention on the issue of neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing his Administration to make reducing crime an important priority.
Bill· HRH.R. 4332 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1998
Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the special fuel excise tax on railroads and inland waterway transportation. Subjects diesel fuel used in trains to the additional tax for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 4324 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1998
Schools and Libraries Internet Access Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal provisions authorizing the Federal Communications Commission to take certain actions to provide access to advanced telecommunications services for schools, health care providers, and libraries. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax paid for telephone and other communications services to one percent (currently, three percent) of the total paid for such services beginning with bills rendered on or after January 1, 1999, and before October 1, 2003. Repeals such communications taxation provisions with respect to bills rendered on or after October 1, 2003. Establishes in the Treasury the Telecommunications Technology Trust Fund and appropriates into such Fund all amounts received pursuant to the above taxation authority after December 31, 1998. Makes such funds available to carry out provisions of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (NTIAO) as added under this Act. Terminates this section on October 1, 2003. Amends the NTIAO to direct the Secretary of Commerce to award a fiscal year grant to each State having an approved plan for the acquisition of telecommunications and related services for: (1) the provision of health care services by any public or nonprofit health care provider that serves persons residing in a rural area; or (2) elementary and secondary schools and libraries, for educational purposes. Provides for an allocation of State funding based on relative populations. Requires the State plan to take into consideration the relative economic need of the eligible entities, including the number of students living in low-income or sparsely populated areas. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund for FY 1999 through 2003 for such grants and administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and thereafter for such purposes from general Treasury funds.
Bill· HRH.R. 4285 (105th)referred
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.
Bill· HRH.R. 4242 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
Combined Sewer Overflow Control and Partnership Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require each permit, order, or decree issued pursuant to such Act for a discharge from a combined storm and sanitary sewer to conform to the Combined Sewer Overflow Control Policy signed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on April 11, 1994. Authorizes the Administrator, notwithstanding specified compliance schedules and permit limitations, to issue or execute a permit, order, or decree for discharges from such sewers that includes a schedule for compliance with a long-term control plan for a term of up to 15 years. Provides for extensions of such term, as appropriate. Modifies any administrative or judicial decree or order issued before this Act's enactment date that establishes any deadline or schedule for the construction of treatment works for control of any discharge from a municipal combined sewer system to extend such deadlines or schedules to conform with this Act, at the request of the municipal owner or operator. Prohibits any permit, order, or decree issued pursuant to the Act from requiring compliance with water quality based requirements contained in a long-term control plan under the Control Policy unless the Administrator has completed the water quality standards-designated use review process called for in the Control Policy. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to municipalities for planning, design, and construction of facilities to intercept, transport, control, or treat combined storm and sanitary sewer flows. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001. Directs the Administrator to report biennially to the Congress on recommended funding levels for the two fiscal years following the date of a report on activities relating to combined storm and sanitary sewer flows.
Bill· HRH.R. 4258 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
No Second Chances for Murderers, Rapists, or Child Molesters Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that any individual convicted of: (1) murder should receive the death penalty or be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole; and (2) rape or a dangerous sexual offense involving a child under age 14 should be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole. Requires the Attorney General to transfer the following amounts from Federal law enforcement assistance funds for a State that convicted a person of a first offense of murder, rape, or a dangerous sexual offense to a State that convicts that person for a subsequent such offense: (1) up to $100,000 for transfer to each victim of the subsequent offense; and (2) the cost of incarceration, prosecution, and apprehension of such person. Sets forth provisions regarding situations where a person has a prior conviction in more than one State. Requires the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide that whoever is guilty of: (1) murder shall be punished by death or by life imprisonment; and (2) rape or a dangerous sexual offense shall be punished by life imprisonment. Directs the Attorney General to collect and distribute data to the President, Members of Congress, State governments, and officials of localities and penal and other institutions participating in the Uniform Crime Reports program which includes: (1) the number of murders, rapes, and dangerous sexual offenses committed by persons previously convicted of one of these offenses; and (2) the percentage of cases in which a person convicted of murder, rape, or a dangerous sexual offense in one State commits a second offense in another State.
Bill· HRH.R. 4232 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1998
Provides that Executive Order 13083, relating to the constitutional division of governmental responsibilities between the Federal Government and the States and the application of federalism principles to Federal agency actions, shall have no force or effect.
Bill· HRH.R. 4228 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1998
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a Medicare+Choice organization to elect to exclude abortion services from the services it is otherwise required to provide as basic benefits.
Bill· HRH.R. 4167 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Military Retiree Health Care Relief Act - Amends: (1) the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable credit for premiums paid by military retirees for Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) coverage; and (2) part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate, as specified, the ten percent part B premium penalty.
Bill· HRH.R. 4154 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Ten Commandments Defense Act - Declares reserved to the States the power to display the Ten Commandments on State or local government property. Declares that expressions of religious faith by individual persons upon State property are: (1) protected against Federal laws or regulations respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion; and (2) among those liberties of which no State may deprive any person without due process of law made in pursuance of powers reserved to the States. Requires the courts established by the Congress to exercise judicial power in accordance with such declarations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4065 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
E-Rate Tax Moratorium Act of 1998 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to suspend specified requirements under the Communications Act of 1934 (CA) for telecommunications carriers to contribute to support mechanisms to provide Internet services to schools, libraries, and certain health care providers. Prohibits any telecommunications carrier from including any charges for such contributions in any telephone service bill transmitted after 60 days after this Act's enactment. Prohibits requiring any telecommunications carrier to provide discounted rates for telecommunications services pursuant to such CA requirements, except to the extent such carrier is reimbursed from collections permitted to be distributed under this Act. Authorizes the FCC, or an FCC-designated administering entity, to distribute amounts collected before this Act's enactment (or collected as charges for contributions during the authorized period), to provide such Internet services to schools, libraries, and health care providers under CA and FCC regulations in effect before this Act's enactment.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 290 (105th)referred
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.
Bill· HRH.R. 4036 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) an illness that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a veteran who was exposed to such agent or hazard by reason of such service. Presumes such exposure unless there is conclusive evidence otherwise. Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent scientific body to establish a panel for reviewing medical and scientific literature to identify those diseases and illnesses associated with exposure of humans or animals to specified pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants. Requires each disease or illness identified that becomes manifest in a Gulf veteran to be presumed to be service-connected. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the updating of presumed exposures. Enumerates the pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants to which Gulf veterans shall be presumed to have been exposed. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a plan for establishing a panel to review the statistical occurrence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed illnesses and symptoms among Gulf War veterans and their families. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan for the establishment of a permanent expert advisory group to advise the President and the congressional defense and intelligence committees on the adequacy of current U.S. chemical, biological, and radiological defense technologies, procurement practices, and doctrine for defending U.S. forces against both the immediate and chronic consequences of acute and subacute exposures to chemical, biological, radiological, or other genotoxic battlefield materials.
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