United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Law Enforcement Officers Privacy Protection Act - Amends rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to authorize: (1) a party to obtain discovery of law enforcement personnel records otherwise discoverable only upon a showing that there exists a reasonable basis, supported by facts, for contending that the records sought are necessary and material to an issue involved in the pending action; and (2) the court, in its discretion and after in camera review of such records, to order discovery of such records when the required showing has been made, subject to a protection order. Prohibits a party from obtaining discovery of any matter by reason of its relevance with respect to, or its use in leading to the discovery of admissible evidence as to, the existence of the reasonable basis. Defines: (1) "law enforcement personnel records" to include documents that evaluate an officer's performance or a candidate's qualifications or that contain information of a personal nature about the office or the officer's family; and (2) "law enforcement officer" to include police, corrections, probation, parole, and judicial officers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2000
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, unless it is necessary to save the mother's life that is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Prescribes penalties. Defines a "partial birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the abortion deliberately and intentionally: (1) vaginally delivers some portion of an intact living fetus until the fetus is partially outside the body of the mother, for the purpose of performing an overt act that the person knows will kill the fetus while the fetus is partially outside the mother's body; and (2) performs the overt act that kills the fetus while the intact living fetus is partially outside the mother's body. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2000
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the people of the Republic of Croatia are to be congratulated on successful parliamentary and presidential elections and the outgoing Government of Croatia is to be commended for the democratic standards with which it managed the elections; (2) the United States should support the efforts of the new Government of Croatia to increase its work on refugee return, privatization reform, media reform, and further cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ITCY); (3) Congress strongly supports Croatia's commitment to western democratic standards and will give its full support to the new Government to fully implement democratic reforms; (4) the United States continues to promote Croatian-American economic, political, and military relations and recognizes Croatia as a loyal partner in south central Europe; and (5) Congress recommends establishing a strategic partnership with the Republic of Croatia and supports its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Partnership for Peace program and its accession into the World Trade Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service to make loan guarantees (through a specified date) to providers of multichannel video services, including direct broadcast satellite licensees, to improve access to local television broadcasting to all households desiring such service in unserved and underserved rural areas. Requires loan guarantee approval by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Sets forth satellite carrier loan guarantee qualifications. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth conditions under which a borrower shall be obliged to carry local broadcast signals without charge.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Timber and Agriculture Environmental Fairness Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit for discharges composed entirely of agricultural stormwater discharges or for discharges from silviculture operations. Excludes discharges of stormwater runoff from silvicultural operations from the definition of "point source."
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2000
Installment Tax Correction Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (as amended by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) to repeal revisions to the Code (made by the Act) which repealed the use of the installment method of accounting for accrual method taxpayers and modified the pledge rules of installment obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2000
Authorizes presentation of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan. Authorizes specified sums to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for medal costs. Mandates that sale proceeds from duplicate bronze medals be deposited into such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2000
ADA Notification Act - Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to deny a court jurisdiction over a civil action with respect to a place of public accommodation or a commercial facility unless: (1) before filing the complaint, the plaintiff provided to the defendant notice of the alleged violation (by registered mail or in person); (2) the notice identified the specific facts that constitute the alleged violation, including identification of the location at which, and the date on which, the violation occurred; (3) at least 90 days have elapsed after the date on which the notice was so provided; (4) the notice informed the defendant that the civil action could not be commenced until the expiration of such 90-day period; and (5) the complaint states that, as of the date on which the complaint is filed, the defendant has not corrected the alleged violation. Directs that, with respect to a civil action that does not meet the criteria: (1) the court shall impose an appropriate sanction upon the attorneys involved; and (2) if the criteria are subsequently met and the civil action proceeds, the court may not allow the plaintiff attorneys' fees or costs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2000
Social Security Right To Know Act - Amends the Social Security Act to require a certain annual report by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds on the operation and status of such Funds to include information on: (1) the unfunded long-term projected liability of the social security system and any change in such amount from the preceding year as well as the deficit or surplus that the system will run in the last year of the long-term projection period, with any aggregate assets or liabilities held by the Trust Funds in that final projected year; and (2) the economic model and relevant data used to make such projections. Requires social security account statements to contain: (1) a comparison of the annual social security tax inflows to the amount paid in benefits annually and a statement whether the ratio will result in a cash flow deficit and what year such deficit will commence as well as the first year in which funds in the Trust Funds will cease to be sufficient to cover the deficit and the percentage of benefits due at that time that could be paid from annual tax inflows; and (2) an explanation of the average rate of return that a taxpayer can expect to receive on old- age insurance benefits as compared to the total amount of social security taxes a taxpayer expects to pay. Makes Social Security Administration Continuous Work History Sample data publicly available for statistical research purposes subject to certain limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2000
Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act - Includes as an employee, for purposes of Federal provisions authorizing enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: (1) a member of the armed forces who began service before June 7, 1956, and retired after a minimum of 20 years of such service or by reason of a service-connected disability; and (2) the surviving widow or widower of such member. Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to provide FEHB coverage to the following eligible beneficiaries: (1) a member or former member entitled to military retired or retainer pay; (2) an unremarried former spouse who was married to a member for at least 20 years, during which such member performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; (3) a dependent of a deceased qualifying member or former member; (4) a dependent of a living member or former member; and (5) a family member of such member. Repeals a provision prohibiting coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services for persons entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2000
Food Equality Detection Act of 2000 - Prohibits the importation of foreign agricultural products that do not meet U.S. domestic: (1) sanitary and phytosanitary standards; and (2) control or inspection procedures. Defines specified terms.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2000
Designates the Army missile testing range at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands as the Ronald Reagan Strategic Defense Initiative Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2000
Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act - Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from establishing, expanding, or otherwise modifying requirements relating to the service obligations of noncommercial educational television stations except by means of Federal agency rulemaking procedures. Terminates the additional guidance contained in the FCC's memorandum opinion and order in WQED Pittsburgh (FCC 99-393), except as such guidance is prescribed in accordance with the above rulemaking procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
States' Rights and Second and Tenth Amendment Restoration Act of 1999 - Amends the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997 to repeal a specified provision (commonly referred to as the Lautenberg amendment) establishing a gun ban for individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress: (1) commends States and localities, and in particular the Decatur School Board, in their efforts to combat school-based violence, including qualified zero-tolerance policies for violent actions; and (2) urges continued diligence in efforts to create a safe learning environment for our Nation's youth.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act - States that the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, in accordance with this Act and the laws applicable to the National Forest System. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to consult with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and other specified entities. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to develop an environmental restoration priority list for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Sets forth project areas, including: (1) erosion and sediment control; (2) acquisition of environmentally sensitive land; (3) fire risk reduction; (4) cleaning up methyl tertiary butyl ether contamination; and (5) parking and traffic management. Directs the Secretary to make a specified payment to the Agency and the South Tahoe Public Utility District to develop a hydrocarbon contamination cleanup plan. Authorizes appropriations for priority projects. (Sec. 7) Amends Federal law with respect to certain environmental improvement payments to localities in the Basin area to: (1) make public utilities eligible recipients; (2) revise funding provisions, including limiting fund use to projects that are part of the environmental improvement program adopted by the Agency; and (3) authorize appropriations. Prohibits land acquisitions within the Unit from an unwilling private party. (Sec. 9) States that funding under this Act shall be in addition to other funding and shall not be drawn from other National Forest System units. Sets forth matching requirements for Nevada and California. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the results of a study of production alternatives for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft program and the effects on the tactical fighter aircraft industrial base of each alternative considered.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Panama Canal is and should remain U.S. property and should be considered to be the sovereign territory of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to place within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial a plaque to honor those Vietnam veterans who died after service in the Vietnam War, but as a direct result of such service, and whose names are not otherwise eligible for placement on the Memorial wall.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to ensure that the basis and procedure for calculating cabin user fees on National Forest System lands shall reflect the probable value of the use and occupancy of a lot to the cabin owner. States that such value shall: (1) not be equivalent to the lot's rental fee; and (2) reflect regional economic influences, as determined by appraisal. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) appraisal requirements and right of second appraisals; (2) cabin user fees and annual adjustments; and (3) right of arbitration and judicial review. Authorizes appropriations for the arbitration program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
State's and Parental Rights Improvement Act of 2000 - Prohibits, notwithstanding any other provision of law, considering a State to have violated any term or condition of any Federal health care grant-in-aid program by requiring the consent or notification of a parent or guardian regarding dispensing a prescription drug or device (or any class of drugs or devices specified by the State) to a minor.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Defense of Privacy Act - Requires each final regulatory flexibility analysis (an impact analysis required of a Federal agency after promulgation of a final rule or a final interpretative rule involving the internal revenue laws) to include a description of the steps that agency has taken to minimize the privacy impacts of such rule on individuals and nongovernmental organizations. Makes such requirement inapplicable if the head of the agency certifies that the rule will not have an impact on such privacy interests.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1999
Declares that: (1) notice is given to the Government of Panama of the decree of nullity of the 1977 Carter-Torrijos treaties; and (2) the United States recognizes the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903 has never been voided and remains legally binding.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1999
Drug Import Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with regard to a drug being imported or offered for import, from sending a notice to a person suggesting that importing the drug is, or appears to be, in violation of the FDCA unless: (1) the Secretary determines the drug is adulterated, misbranded, in violation of FDCA provisions relating to new drugs, the drug is forbidden or restricted in sale in the producing or exporting country, importation by any person other than the manufacturer violates reimportation provisions, or the importation otherwise violates Federal law; (2) the notice does not specify any provision described in the provisions of this act relating to those determinations that is not applicable to the drug's importation; and (3) the notice states the underlying reasons for the determination.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1999
Social Security Number Confidentiality Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law, with respect to general authority to issue checks and other drafts, to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to take necessary action to ensure that Social Security account numbers (including derivatives of such numbers) are not visible on or through unopened mailings of Government checks or other drafts.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should exercise oversight responsibilities and conduct hearings, and take appropriate steps if necessary, concerning private companies that are involved in the trafficking of baby body parts for profit.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government of the People's Republic of China should stop persecuting FalunGong practitioners and other religious believers. Calls for the U.S. Government to use every appropriate forum, including the United Nations Human Rights Commission, to urge the Government of the People's Republic of China to: (1) release from detention all Falun Gong practitioners and put an immediate end to the practices of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment against them and other prisoners of conscience; (2) allow Falun Gong practitioners to pursue their religious beliefs in accordance with article 36 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China; and (3) abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Common Sense Protections for Endangered Species Act - Title I: Improving Scientific Integrity of Listing Decisions and Procedures - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to require the Secretary of Commerce or the Interior, as appropriate: (1) to accord greater weight and preference to empirical data rather than extrapolations developed through modeling, when making determinations as to whether a species is endangered or threatened; and (2) consider the future conservation benefits to be provided to the species under species conservation plans or management or conservation agreements in making such determinations. Directs the Secretary to promulgate scientifically valid standards for rendering taxonomic determinations of species and subspecies. Requires such standards to provide that to be eligible for determination as a subspecies under the Act, a subspecies must be reproductively isolated from other subspecific population units and constitute an important component in the evolutionary legacy of the species. Expands provisions which allow petitions for proposed additions to, or removals from, endangered or threatened lists to authorize petitions for changing a species status from a previous determination with respect to such lists. Sets forth minimum requirements for information to be provided by petitions, including: (1) descriptions of available data on the historical and current range, population, and distribution of the species; (2) scientific evidence that the species population is declining or has declined from historic population levels; (3) appraisals of available data on the threats to the species or the causes of its decline; (4) an identification of information contained in the petition that has been peer-reviewed or field-tested; and (5) the reason that the petitioned action is warranted. Sets forth requirements for notification of State Governors and affected tribes to solicit advice as to whether the petitioned action is warranted. Provides for peer review of any determination that an action is warranted if it is in direct conflict with information submitted by a Governor or tribe. Permits any person to intervene as a matter of right in suits under judicial review upon demonstrating that a determination to list a species will have a direct economic effect on the person. Prohibits the Secretary from making a determination that a species is threatened or endangered in a State if a Governor or a tribe provides scientific evidence that a determination is not warranted, unless the Secretary shows by a preponderance of scientific evidence that the information submitted by the State or tribe is incorrect. Requires a public meeting to be held in each State that would be affected by a proposed regulation regarding endangered or threatened species, at the request of any person. Limits the total number of meetings to five. Requires proposed regulations to implement endangered or threatened species determinations to be based on peer-reviewed scientific information that has been, to the maximum extent feasible, verified by field testing. Directs the Secretary, concurrently with a determination that a species warrants listing, to publish an analysis of the economic, social, and other public health, safety, and welfare effects the listing may have. (Sec. 102) Replaces provisions regarding recovery plans with those setting forth requirements for scientific peer review of proposed actions to list a species, remove a species from the list, designate, or revise the designation of, critical habitat, propose alternatives, or establish mitigation obligations. (Sec. 103) Makes data or information considered by the Secretary in making the determination to list subject to the Freedom of Information Act unless the Secretary determines that the information must be kept confidential. Bars the Secretary from publicly disclosing the location of particular private property as habitat for an endangered or threatened species unless the property owner is notified first and consents or the information is otherwise public. Title II: Complying With All Federal Laws and Missions - Authorizes Federal agencies implementing land use or land and resource management plans to authorize, fund, or carry out a site-specific ongoing or previously scheduled action prior to completing consultation with the Secretary if no consultation is required or the Secretary issues a biological opinion and the action satisfies relevant requirements. Requires Federal agencies, upon determining that duties under other Federal laws conflict with those under the ESA, to request the President to resolve the conflict. Authorizes Federal agencies to proceed with proposed actions if consultation is not concluded and the Secretary fails to provide a required statement by the applicable deadline. Provides for the participation of persons who have sought authorization or funding subject to consultation in consultation proceedings. Bars permit or license applicants subject to consultation requirements regarding endangered or threatened species from being subject to new or additional requirements for the specific protection of any species beyond those identified in the Secretary's original statement. (Sec. 202) Permits consultation to be waived by a Federal agency, in response to a natural event or other emergency, for the repair or maintenance of a natural gas pipeline, hazardous liquid pipeline, flood control facility, or electrical distribution transmission or substation facility if the repair or maintenance is necessary to address an imminent threat to human lives or a significant threat to the environment. (Sec. 203) Replaces provisions regarding the Endangered Species Committee (established for the purpose of granting exemptions to consultation requirements) with those authorizing the Secretary to grant exemptions for reasons of national security and the President to grant exemptions for major disaster areas, subject to certain conditions. Eliminates specified requirements for exemptions and judicial review under consultation provisions. Title III: Permitting and Enforcement - Describes conditions under which an activity of a non-Federal person is not a taking of a species, including if it: (1) addresses a critical threat to public health or safety or a natural event; or (2) is incidental to carrying out an otherwise lawful activity such as maintenance, use, or repair of pipelines, flood control facilities, fire breaks, transmission and distribution lines, specified water facilities, and roads and rights-of-way or certain emergency repair. (Sec. 302) Revises provisions regarding citizen suits to permit civil suits by injured parties to enjoin the United States if the violation poses immediate and irreparable harm to a threatened or endangered species. (Current law authorizes suits to enjoin any person alleged to be in violation of the Act.) (Sec. 303) Revises provisions regarding incidental take permits, adding deadlines and administrative requirements for the Secretary on permit actions. Provides that no additional measures to minimize and mitigate impacts on a species that is the subject of such a permit shall be required of a permittee that is in compliance with the permit. Bars any additional restrictions on land or water under the permit without the permittee's consent. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring, as a condition of an incidental take permit, that a permittee for a public project take any measures to minimize or mitigate impacts of a taking: (1) if the costs of implementing such measures will exceed ten percent of the total project costs; or (2) for any activity that occurred prior to the date of permit issuance. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into "safe harbor" agreements with non-Federal persons to benefit the conservation of endangered or threatened species by creating, restoring, or improving habitat or by maintaining currently unoccupied habitat; and (2) provide a grant of up to $10,000 to any individual private landowner to assist the landowner in carrying out such an agreement. Title IV: Recovery Planning - Requires the Secretary, on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available, to develop and implement plans for the conservation and recovery of endangered and threatened species unless a plan will not promote the conservation of the species or an existing plan or strategy for conservation already serves as the functional equivalent of such plan. Gives priority to plans that: (1) address significant and immediate threats to the survival of a species, have the greatest likelihood of achieving species recovery, and will benefit species that are more taxonomically distinct; (2) address multiple species that are dependent on the same habitat as the endangered or threatened species; (3) reduce conflicts with construction, development projects, jobs, agriculture, private property, or other economic activities; and (4) reduce conflicts with military training and operations. Establishes deadlines for the publication of draft and final recovery plans. Sets forth requirements for: (1) recovery teams appointed to develop recovery plans; and (2) recovery plans, including objective, measurable benchmarks to determine whether progress is being made toward the biological recovery goal recommended by the team. Establishes deadlines for the Secretary's review of existing and future plans. Provides for revision of plans if new information indicates that recovery goals will not achieve conservation and recovery. Revises provisions regarding designations of critical habitat. Authorizes the Secretary to designate critical habitat concurrently with the determination that a species is endangered or threatened if such designation is essential to avoid imminent extinction. Sets forth conditions under which States may develop recovery plans. Requires the Secretary to establish the Office of Species Recovery in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to: (1) provide support services to recovery teams to develop recovery plans; (2) seek the recovery of all endangered or threatened species; (3) make all determinations to remove a species from a list; and (4) assist in the designation of critical habitat. Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture to carry out the ESA.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Amends rule XXI (restrictions on certain bills) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the consideration of a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that provides for the designation or redesignation of any building, highway, or other structure in honor of an individual who is serving as a Member of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Calls upon the Secretary of the Navy and the Attorney General to ensure that the Federal property located at the Vieques training range, Puerto Rico, is safe and secure and for the Secretary to resume critical live fire training there. Calls on the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to ensure that U.S. forces deploy with 100 percent of the combat qualifications needed to meet national security requirements. Urges the Department of Defense and Government of Puerto Rico to reestablish a mutually supportive relationship, resolve issues, and implement a program that addresses the economic and social needs and safety concerns of residents of Vieques and citizens of Puerto Rico. Recognizes the significant contribution to U.S. defense by such residents and citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to contract with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive review of the available scientific and commercial data regarding the northern spotted owl and its current conservation status. Provides funding.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1999
Condemns the abduction of Houa Ly and Michael Vang and the current regime in Laos for its role in their disappearance. Expresses to the Department of State: (1) congressional dissatisfaction with the flawed investigation of this case undertaken by Ambassador Wendy Chamberlain and the U.S. Embassy in Laos; and (2) the urgent need to initiate a new independent investigation free from coordination with the Government of Laos. Calls upon the regime in Laos and the Department of State to expeditiously release any and all information regarding the whereabouts or current circumstances of Ly and Vang to their families and to Congress. Urges the Lao Government to return Ly and Vang, or their remains, to U.S. authorities and their families in America at once. Warns the Lao Government of the serious consequences, including sanctions, of any unjustified arrest, abduction, imprisonment, disappearance, or other act of aggression against U.S. citizens. Urges the Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, as well as its counterpart in the Senate, to suspend any further review, consideration, or action regarding normal trade relations status for Laos until Ly and Vang are fully accounted for and this case is satisfactorily resolved.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1999
Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to require the appointment of the Chief of the Forest Service by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from persons who have substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest land management and natural resources conservation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1999
Russian Economic Restoration and Justice Act of 1999 - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to use the U.S. vote to urge the IMF to: (1) not provide any assistance to the Russian Federation government until there is in effect a Russian federal law that implements specified economic reforms; and (2) provide assistance to the Russian Federation only to aid in implementation of such reforms. Establishes a Russian-American financial oversight commission to monitor the use of Western resources in Russia. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there should be established joint United States-Russian business, economics, and agricultural education programs in which Russian Federation students on completion of their studies in the United States be required to return to the Russian Federation and work for the federal or regional government in Russia; and (2) the United States and the government of the Russian Federation should create a program which would link successful U.S. business leaders with their Russian Federation counterparts so that Russian Federation companies will be better able to access a pool of resources and knowledge to assist them in their transition to successfully competing in a market-based economy. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to use the U.S. vote to urge the IMF to create a commission, composed of prominent international financial experts, to draw up recommendations for reforming the IMF, with a view to achieving more transparency in the structures of the IMF and increasing the effectiveness of its programs while decreasing financial risk. Establishes a pilot housing loan program (to be administered through a nonprofit corporation) in which the average Russian citizen may attain affordable home ownership.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1999
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to provide that if the United States initiates a retaliation list (list of products of a foreign country that has failed to comply with the report of the panel or Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO)), or the United States Trade Representative (USTR) takes specified trade action against the goods of a foreign country because of its failure to implement the recommendation made pursuant to a dispute settlement proceeding under the WTO, the USTR shall periodically revise the list or action to affect the other goods of the country. Declares that the USTR is not required to revise the retaliation list or the action with respect to a country, if: (1) the USTR determines that implementation of the recommendation by the country is imminent; or (2) the USTR together with the petitioner involved in the initial unfair trade investigation (or if no petition was filed, the affected U.S. industry) agree that it is unnecessary to revise the retaliation list.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1999
Sugar Pine Dam and Reservoir Conveyance Act of 1999 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the Sugar Pine Project to the Foresthill Public Utility District of California. Authorizes the Secretary to receive a specified amount from the District to relieve repayment obligations and extinguish Project debt and requires continued Project payments from the District through 2023. Revokes the reclamation withdrawal dated April 27, 1980, covering the reservoir area in Tahoe National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1999
State Initiative Fairness Act - Prohibits a U.S. district court or judge thereof from granting any application for an interlocutory or permanent injunction restraining the enforcement, operation, or execution of a State law adopted by referendum upon the ground of unconstitutionality unless such application is heard and determined by a three-judge court. Requires, in any such case, the additional judges to be designated as soon as practicable and the court to expedite the consideration of the application for an injunction. Requires any appeal of a determination on such application to be to the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a marketing order, subject to producer and importer referendum approval, providing for research and promotion of Hass avocados. Sets forth marketing order terms and related provisions, including establishment of a Hass Avocado Board. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act - Amends Federal employee provisions to include the following as an employee, for purposes of authorized enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: (1) a member of the armed forces who began service before June 7, 1956, and retired after a minimum of 20 years of such service or by reason of a service-connected disability; and (2) the surviving widow or widower of such member. Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to provide FEHB coverage to the following eligible beneficiaries: (1) a member or former member entitled to military retired or retainer pay who is also entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (2) an unremarried former spouse who was married to a member for at least 20 years, during which such member performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; (3) a dependent of a deceased qualifying member or former member; (4) a dependent of a living member or former member who is entitled to Medicare hospital insurance benefits; and (5) a family member of such member. Repeals a provision prohibiting coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services for persons entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
Minimum Wage State Flexibility Act of 1999 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow a State to preempt the Federal minimum wage if the State: (1) sets a minimum wage rate of at least $5.15 per hour (the current Federal minimum wage); and (2) applies that rate to as many workers in the State as would otherwise be covered by the Federal minimum wage rate. Authorizes the State Governor to suspend for up to one year State minimum wage rates which exceed $5.15 per hour for all or part of the State if: (1) the State cannot achieve work participation rates or other responsibilities under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996; (2) all or part of the State has experienced an increased rate of unemployment; or (3) the State experienced an economic slowdown as measured by the gross State product.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
Declares it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the House should: (1) not consider legislation that would spend any of the social security surplus; (2) resist any effort to spend the on-budget surplus should Congress and the administration not reach an agreement on the issue of taxes; and (3) continue to pursue efforts to continue to reduce the $3.618 trillion in debt held by the public.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1999
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should: (1) request that the new Government of Panama, under the leadership of President Mireya Moscoso, nullify the lease agreements for the Balboa and the Cristobal port facilities on each end of the Panama Canal and initiate a new bidding process that is both transparent and fair; (2) request that the new Government of Panama investigate charges of corruption related to the granting of the Panama Canal port leases by the previous Balladares administration; and (3) negotiate security arrangements with the Government of Panama that will protect the canal and ensure the territorial integrity of the Republic of Panama.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that, to secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: (1) neither the United States nor any State shall establish any official religion; (2) the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed; and (3) neither the United States nor any State shall require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1999
Seniors' Health Care Freedom Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with regard to the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries to eliminate the requirement that non-Medicare physicians and practitioners file affidavits pledging they will not file any Medicare claims for two years with respect to the Medicare beneficiaries with whom they contract.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1999
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Amendment Act of 1999 - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to revise the process of including rivers designated as wild, scenic, or recreational by States in the national wild and scenic rivers system to require authorization for their inclusion by Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
Federal Lands Improvement Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to dispose of all public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that, as of the enactment date of this Act, have been identified for disposal under the Federal land use planning process under the Federal Land Policy and Management of 1976. Requires the disposal of at least one- third of such lands before the end of the next three years, two-thirds before the end of the next five years, and all such lands within seven years. Prohibits the disposal of: (1) lands located in wilderness areas or wilderness study areas; and (2) parcels of land if the cost of disposal exceeds the amount that would be received for such parcels. Requires the disposal of such public lands in parcels of 160 acres or less. Requires one-third of the proceeds to be deposited in a separate account established by this Act, one-third to be paid to the county in which the lands are located, and one-third to be deposited in the Treasury's general fund and utilized for reducing the public debt. Requires the separate account to be available to the Secretary for paying, subject to specified limitations: (1) costs incurred by the BLM in arranging the disposals; (2) the cost of acquisition from a willing seller of environmentally sensitive land in States in which such public lands are located ; (3) the cost of carrying out any necessary revision or amendment of a current BLM land use plan that relates to such public lands; (4) the cost of projects or programs to restore or protect wetlands, riparian areas, or cultural, historic, prehistoric, or paleontological resources on public lands, including petroglyphs; and (5) the cost of projects, programs, or land acquisition to stabilize or restore water quality for water located or used on public lands. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress each fiscal year on the use of such proceeds.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present congressional gold medals to astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, in recognition of their monumental and unprecedented feat of space exploration, as well as their achievements in the advancement of science and promotion of the space program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Requires receipts from such sales to be deposited in the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
![Official portrait of Rep. Doolittle, John T. [R-CA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000429_200.jpg)