United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Stalking Prevention and Victim Protection of 1998 - Rewrites stalking provisions of the Federal criminal code. Prohibits and sets penalties for stalking an individual, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or within Indian country. Provides that a person stalks an individual if the person, on two or more occasions: (1) engages in any conduct that results in the individual's reasonable fear of death or bodily injury to that individual or to a member of that individual's immediate family; and (2) knows or has reasonable cause to believe that such conduct results in that fear. Directs the court, at the time of sentencing for such offense, to issue an appropriate protection order designed to protect the victim from further stalking by the convicted person, which shall continue in effect until the victim communicates to the court that the order is no longer needed. Requires the judicial officer, where a stalking violation is charged and the person has a prior conviction for a crime of violence under Federal or State law, to order the detention of the person before trial, if that conviction was for an offense against the same victim as in the current charge or a member of that victim's family, or if that conviction became final less than five years before the conduct constituting the alleged stalking violation took place. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate sentence enhancement for a defendant convicted of stalking where the defendant has a prior conviction under Federal or State law of a crime of violence against the same victim as in the current offense or against a member of that victim's family.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a telecommunications carrier or a reseller of telecommunications services from submitting or executing a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telephone exchange service or toll service, except in accordance with this Act and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) verification procedures. Requires a carrier or reseller, in verifying a subscriber's selection of a telephone exchange or toll service provider, to require the subscriber to: (1) acknowledge the type of service to be changed by the selection; (2) affirm the intent to select the service provider; (3) affirm that the consumer is the subscriber or is authorized to make such selection for that telephone number; (4) acknowledge that such selection will result in a change of service provider; and (5) provide any other such information the FCC considers appropriate for the subscriber's protection. Requires FCC selection verification procedures to: (1) preclude the use of negative option marketing; (2) provide for verification of a change of provider in oral, written, or electronic form; and (3) require the retention of such verification in a manner and form and for such time as the FCC considers appropriate. Makes the above provisions inapplicable to providers of commercial mobile service. Requires a carrier or reseller selected by a subscriber to notify the subscriber in writing not more than 15 days after the change is processed by the carrier or reseller: (1) of the subscriber's new carrier; and (2) that the subscriber may request information regarding the date of the change and the individual authorizing the change. Requires the FCC to: (1) prescribe a period not to exceed 120 days after receipt of notice of a complaint of an unauthorized change for the carrier or reseller to resolve such complaint; and (2) provide a simplified process for resolving such complaints. Authorizes the FCC, in resolving a complaint, to award damages of: (1) the greater amount of $500 or actual damages; or (2) three times such amount. Provides penalties for violations of this Act and authorizes the FCC to collect fines and damages. Treats an initiation of service as a change in a subscriber's selection for purposes of this Act. Authorizes a State, when it has reason to believe that a carrier or reseller has or is engaged in a practice of changing service providers without subscriber authority, to bring an action on behalf of its residents to enjoin such changes and to recover damages. Gives Federal courts exclusive jurisdiction over such actions. Requires FCC notification of, and authorizes FCC intervention in, any such action. Requires the FCC to report to the Congress on unauthorized changes in subscribers' providers. (Sec. 2) Directs the FCC to issue a report on the telemarketing practices used by carriers or resellers to solicit changes by subscribers in their service providers. Authorizes the FCC to initiate a rulemaking to prohibit particular practices it determines are being used with the intention to mislead, deceive, or confuse subscribers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1998
Applied Engineering and Technology Center Investment Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to make grants to organizations that provide postsecondary education in applied engineering and technology for equipment and capital improvements needed to ensure that such education is provided using state-of-the-art instructional equipment and facilities. Permits amounts made available through such grants to be used in support of applied engineering and technology programs for specified purposes, including: (1) the purchase, rental, or lease of scientific laboratory equipment, including computer hardware and software, for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes; (2) construction, maintenance, and renovation in classroom, library, laboratory, and other instructional facilities; (3) acquisition of library books, periodicals, microfilm, databases, software, and other educational materials; (4) funds and administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management; (5) joint use of facilities, such as laboratories and libraries; and (6) establishing community outreach programs which will encourage elementary and secondary students to develop the academic skills and the interest to pursue postsecondary applied engineering and technology education. Prohibits an organization from receiving any grant unless that organization submits an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the Director may require. States that each grant application shall: (1) provide that the payments will be used for the purposes set forth under this Act; and (2) provide for making an annual report to the Director and for conducting (subject to a stated exception), at least once every two years, a financial and compliance audit of the organization regarding any funds obtained by it under this Act which covers the period since the most recent audit. Requires the Director to: (1) approve any application which meets the above requirements; and (2) not disapprove any application submitted under this Act, or any modification thereof, without first affording the applicant reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing. Requires any grant application to describe measurable goals for the organization's financial management and applied engineering and technology academic programs and include a plan of how the applicant intends to achieve those goals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998
Quality Child Care Loan Forgiveness Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a demonstration program of student loan forgiveness for individuals who earn a degree in early childhood education and obtain full-time employment in the early child care profession. Requires cancellation of 15 percent of a student loan for each complete year of full-time employment in a child care facility by such a child care provider or educator.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998
Stop Trafficking of Pornography in Prisons Act of 1998 - Prohibits any U.S. agency, officer, or employee from implementing, or providing any financial assistance to, any Federal program or activity in which a Federal prisoner is allowed access to an interactive computer service without the supervision of a Government official. Urges State Governors, State legislators, and State prison administrators to prohibit unsupervised access to the Internet by State prisoners. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a survey to determine to what extent each State allows prisoners access to an interactive computer service and whether such access is supervised by a prison official; and (2) report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1998
Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS Relief Act - Exonerates the late rear admiral Charles Butler McVay III, United States Navy (retired), from responsibility for the sinking of the U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS on July 30, 1945, while under his command. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the subsequent court-martial conviction of McVay was a grave injustice. Urges the President to grant McVay a posthumous pardon. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should award a Presidential Unit Citation to the final crew of the INDIANAPOLIS in recognition of their courage and fortitude displayed in the face of tremendous adversity after their ship was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese navy.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1998
Amends pay-as-you-go provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide that if legislation is enacted that reduces receipts and decreases discretionary spending limits for budget authority and outlays for the FY 1997 through 2002 period for which there is such reduction in receipts, then an amount equal to the decrease in such spending limit for outlays shall be treated as direct spending legislation decreasing the deficit for the fiscal year concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1998
Unemployment Compensation Amendment of 1998 - Amends the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 to: (1) repeal certain State law requirements under the extended unemployment compensation benefit program; (2) establish certain mandatory triggers based on total unemployment; (3) revise requirements for supplemental benefits during high unemployment periods; and (4) modify provisions for alternative triggers that States may establish. Amends title IX (Employment Security Administrative Financing) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to modify the ceiling on the Federal Unemployment Account. Provides for special distributions of funds to the States under SSA title IX. Directs the Secretary of Labor to reserve specified amounts for grants to States to assist in implementing alternative base periods for determining the eligibility of claimants for unemployment compensation. Requires States to achieve or make substantial progress toward achieving certain solvency targets for their unemployment compensation accounts. Directs the Secretary to transfer to other States' accounts the amount that would otherwise be transferred to the account of a State that violates such requirement under SSA title IX. Revises SSA title IX requirements for distribution to States of certain excess amounts in the Employment Security Administration Account as of the close of FY 2002. Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to extend the self-employment assistance program. Amends the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) under the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for treatment of short-time compensation programs.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to limitations on benefits and contributions under qualified plans to apply to multiemployer plans the same treatment in the adjustment to the $90,000 limit on benefits, where the benefit begins before the Social Security retirement age, as is accorded to plans maintained by governments and tax-exempt organizations. Exempts multiemployer plans from the alternative benefit limit of 100 percent of the participant's average compensation for his or her high three years.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Small Business Common Sense and Fairness Act of 1998 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to review the size standards of industries with the Standard Industrial Classification Codes of 15, 16, and 17 which were excluded in the 1994 SBA inflationary adjustment and to adjust such standards for inflation for the purpose of deeming an enterprise in any such industry as a small business. Requires the Administrator, at least once every five years, to: (1) review and adjust for inflation such size standard for an enterprise deemed a small business for purposes of competing for Federal contracting opportunities based solely on annual revenues; and (2) report to the Congress and the President on findings and conclusions reached upon such review.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals engaged in eligible farming businesses to deduct from gross income for any taxable year the amount (limited to 20 percent of the individual's taxable income for the year) paid into an interest-bearing Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Account, created for the taxpayer's exclusive benefit. Requires withdrawal of contributions within five years, upon which they are taxable as ordinary income in the year of withdrawal. Deems a distribution, subject to income tax, of any deposits not actually distributed within five years, and prescribes an additional penalty tax of ten percent of any such deemed distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for capital gain treatment on the transfer of a franchise in connection with the transfer of an existing business operation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998
Calls for the United States to: (1) support an internationally supervised referendum to determine the political status of East Timor; (2) recognize the need for direct Timorese participation in United Nations (UN)-sponsored tripartite talks; and (3) work actively to realize the directives of existing UN resolutions on East Timor.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998
National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 1998 - Authorizes the oilheat industry to conduct a referendum through a qualified industry organization among retailers and wholesalers for the creation of a National Oilheat Research Alliance to develop programs concerning oilheat research and development, safety issues, consumer education, and training. Defines industry to include those persons involved in the production, transportation, and sale of oilheat, and in the manufacture and distribution of oilheat utilization equipment, in the United States (but not the ultimate consumers of oilheat). Permits State participation in such Alliance. Prescribes guidelines for Alliance membership and representation. Requires the Alliance to: (1) establish a program coordinating its operation with that of any similar State, local, or regional program; and (2) levy and collect annual assessments on the wholesale sale of No. 1 distillate and No. 2 dyed distillate sufficient to cover Alliance plans and program costs. Empowers the Alliance to bring suit in Federal court to compel compliance with any assessments it levies.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998
Military Health Care Fairness Act - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to allow certain eligible covered beneficiaries to enroll in any health benefits plan under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) offering medical care comparable to that offered under CHAMPUS. Includes as an eligible beneficiary a military retiree (with an exception) or dependent who: (1) is not guaranteed access under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed care program) to health care comparable to health care provided under the FEHB; (2) is eligible to enroll in the TRICARE Program but is not so enrolled because of location, total enrollment limitations, or any other reason; or (3) is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Limits eligible beneficiaries during the first two years of enrollment to military retirees who are: (1) 65 years of age or older; or (2) retired or separated due to physical disability. States that any eligible beneficiary shall not be required to satisfy any FEHB eligibility criteria as a condition for enrollment. Provides for: (1) an enrollment period and a three-year minimum enrollment term; (2) authorized treatment in a military medical treatment facility; (3) enrollment contributions; (4) participation management by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (5) annual reports from the Secretary of Defense and the OPM Director concerning the provision of such care. Directs the Secretary, within four years after the date of enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, to report to the Congress on whether such health care option should be made permanent and on the estimated costs of such option. Directs the Secretary to: (1) begin to offer such option no later than six months after enactment of this Act; and (2) continue to offer such option through 2003, and to provide care to eligible beneficiaries through 2005. Provides program funding for FY 1999 through 2005 from amounts authorized for appropriation to DOD for military personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to allow certain entries of television receivers, monitors, and picture tubes, and combination TV-VCRs with a diagonal measurement of up to 34.29cm (currently, 33.02 cm), or 13.5 inches, to be classified as 13 inches for purposes of tariff treatment under the Schedule. Directs the Customs Service, upon proper request, to liquidate or reliquidate certain entries made on or after January 1, 1995, and before 15 days after enactment of this Act, as if such amendment applied to such entries.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1998
Prohibits a U.S. officer, employee, or agent from providing Federal funds, directly or indirectly, to, or for the benefit of, the International Monetary Fund (IMF): (1) until the IMF requires Iraq to withdraw from it; and (2) after such withdrawal, if Iraq becomes a member of the IMF.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Medicare Home Health Equity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) restoration of the per visit cost limit to 112 percent of the mean of costs with regard to payments to home health agencies under Medicare; and (2) revision of the interim payment system for home health services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998
Urges the Congress and the President to give programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) the highest priority among Federal education programs by working to fund the maximum State grant allocation for educating children with disabilities under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) annual carryover of up to $500 of unused nontaxable cafeteria plan and flexible spending arrangement benefits; or (2) such carryover to be distributed as taxable income, or rolled over tax free to certain retirement plans, an education individual retirement plan, or a medical savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Mandates Information Act of 1998 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require a congressional committee report on any bill or joint resolution that includes any Federal private sector mandate to contain information concerning the impact of such mandate on consumers, workers, and small businesses, including any disproportionate impact in particular regions or industries. Revises provisions concerning legislation subject to a point of order to: (1) define the point of order for a determination by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office that it is not feasible to determine the economic impact of a Federal mandate; and (2) replace certain references to Federal intergovernmental mandates with references to Federal mandates with respect to legislation reported by the Appropriations Committees. Provides a point of order against consideration of legislation that would increase the direct costs of Federal private sector mandates by an amount that causes the stated threshold of $100 million per fiscal year to be exceeded. Requires the Director, at the request of a Senator, to prepare an estimate of the direct costs of a Federal mandate (currently, Federal intergovernmental mandate) contained in such Senator's amendment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to determine, and report to the Congress, the levels of exports of U.S. manufactured goods to North American Free Trade (NAFTA) parties and imports into the United States of manufactured goods from NAFTA parties, and the number of jobs that have resulted from increased exports of such goods to NAFTA parties and the loss of jobs that have resulted from increased imports into the United States of such goods from NAFTA parties since January 1, 1994. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate, and report to the Congress on, whether pollution and health hazards in the United States have worsened since January 1, 1994, to the extent that may be attributable to NAFTA, and specifically in and around the U.S.-Mexico and the U.S.-Canada borders. Directs the President to certify annually to the Congress whether or not each NAFTA country is meeting certain commitments made with respect to: (1) environmental protection in the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation; and (2) worker's rights in the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that substantial amounts of the proceeds received by the United States under any congressionally approved tobacco settlement should be allocated to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to revise the definition of remuneration to: (1) repeal the current exclusion from its meaning of certain differentials in coinsurance and deductible amounts as part of a basic plan design as long as they are disclosed in writing to all beneficiaries, third party payers, and providers to whom claims are presented; and (2) replace it with the exclusion of any permissible payment practice. Revises the advisory opinion authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to prohibited remuneration to reflect this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Gerald and Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze. Declares such medals to be national medals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Retirement Account Portability Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit rollovers to and from State and tax- exempt instrumentality and public school retirement plans. (Sec. 3) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers only if the entire amount is deposited into another defined contribution retirement plan and certain other conditions are met. (Sec. 4) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust if such amount is reported by the trustee and the recipient retirement plan agrees to report such amount in a subsequent distribution. (Sec. 5) Provides for faster vesting of employer matching contributions. (Sec. 6) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to extend single employer missing participant provisions to multiemployer plans. Authorizes transfer of a missing participant's benefits to a corporation upon termination of certain pension plans. (Sec. 7) Amends the Code to extend the IRA and employee exempt trust 60-day rollover period in the case of combat zone service. (Sec. 9) States that a transferee defined contribution plan shall not be treated as having failed to meet certain requirements because it does not provide for some or all of the distribution forms available under a transferor defined contribution plan. (Sec. 10) Authorizes employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of employee cash-out amounts under the Code and ERISA. (Sec. 11) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to Federal or public school and State and tax-exempt instrumentality pension plans.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Fair and Open Elections Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to prohibit candidates from accepting contributions from persons other than residents of the State involved in excess of the total contributions accepted from such residents. Increases individual contribution limits with respect to contributions to candidates and their authorized committees and to political committees of national political parties (political party committees). Raises the overall annual limit on individual contributions to $50,000. Provides for indexing of limits on individual contributions. Prohibits contributions through an intermediary or conduit (bundling), but allows a person to facilitate a contribution by providing: (1) advice to another as to how to make a contribution; and (2) addressed mailing material or similar items to another person for use in making a contribution. (Current law requires contributions made through intermediaries to be treated as contributions from the original source.) Bars individuals who are not eligible to vote in Federal elections from making contributions to candidates or political committees. (Sec. 3) Prohibits political party committees from soliciting, expending, or transferring funds which are not subject to FECA requirements. Repeals certain limitations on expenditures by: (1) political party committees in presidential election campaigns; and (2) national or State political party committees in Federal office election campaigns. Requires political party committees to report to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) any transfer of funds made to State political committees or local political parties. (Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual to take a tax credit for up to $100 ($200 for a joint return) of Federal campaign contributions, subject to verification procedures. (Sec. 5) Requires persons who make payments for public communications which mention a political party or clearly identified candidate for Federal office during the 60-day period ending on the date of a general election to report such payments and the source of funds to the FEC. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require broadcasting stations that broadcast such communications for which any valuable consideration is accepted to make certain sponsorship information regarding such communications available to the public. (Sec. 6) Entitles eligible House of Representatives candidates to reduced postage rates. Limits such candidates to election expenditures of $700,000. Increases such amount to $1.4 million for candidates against whom independent expenditures are made. Provides for indexing of such limits. (Sec. 7) Requires reports filed with the FEC to be in electronic format. Prohibits a reduction in annual appropriations for the FEC. Lengthens the term of FEC members from six to ten years. (Sec. 8) Increases the contribution amount which triggers a requirement for reporting contributor information to the treasurer of a political committee. (Sec. 9) Requires persons conducting telephone polls relating to Federal elections (other than presidential elections) in which the number of households exceeds a specified threshold to disclose the identity of the poll sponsor to respondents.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Health Care Claims Guidance Act - Amends Federal law relating to claims against the U. S. Government to prohibit any action under such provisions based on a claim submitted: (1) under a federally funded health care program unless the amount of damages alleged is a material amount; (2) in reliance on erroneous information supplied by a Federal agency or in reliance on written statements of Federal policy which affects such claim provided by a Federal agency; or (3) by a person that is in substantial compliance with a model compliance plan issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense). Requires that the Government prove an allegation of a false health care claim by clear and convincing evidence. Defines, for the amendments made by this Act, "federally funded health care program" to mean a program that provides health benefits, directly or otherwise, established under Social Security Act titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (Children's Health Insurance) or provisions of Federal law relating to the armed forces.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Stamp Out Diabetes Act of 1998 - Amends Federal law to require the Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first class mail that is up to 25 percent higher than the regular rate as a voluntary alternative that the public may use to contribute to funding for diabetes research. Requires collected amounts to be paid to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Expresses the sense of the Congress that nothing in this Act should: (1) cause a net decrease in total funds received by NIH below the level that would have otherwise been received but for this Act's enactment; or (2) affect first-class or other regular postage rates. Requires special postage stamps to be made available to the public. Terminates this Act two years after such stamps are first made available.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998
Declares that the Congress recognizes the importance of the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to the civil society and freedoms of the United States. Calls on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate Dr. King's life and ideals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators and Computer Pornography Title II: Punishing Sexual Predators Title III: Federal Investigations of Sex Crimes Against Children and Serial Killers Child Protection and Sexual Predator Punishment Act of 1998 - Title I: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators and Computer Pornography - Amends the Federal criminal code to subject to a fine and five years' imprisonment anyone who, using the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce: (1) or who within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, knowingly contacts (or attempts to contact) an individual who has not attained age 18, or who has been represented to the person making the contact as not having attained age 18, for purposes of engaging in criminal sexual activity; or (2) knowingly transfers obscene matter to such an individual. (Sec. 103) Increases penalties for: (1) enticing or coercing any person under age 18, in any U.S. territory or possession, to engage in prostitution or in criminal sexual activity or to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in such activity; (2) using any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the mail, to entice or coerce such an individual to engage in such activity; and (3) engaging in certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors or child pornography. (Sec. 105) Provides for: (1) criminal forfeiture for solicitation of minors and interstate prostitution; and (2) pretrial detention of persons who commit specified sex offenses involving child pornography or against a minor. (Sec. 107) Sets: (1) a three-year minimum term of imprisonment for enticing or coercing within U.S. jurisdiction, or for using a computer or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce to entice or coerce, any individual under age 18 to engage in prostitution or a criminal sexual act; and (2) the maximum term of imprisonment for a violation of provisions regarding transportation for illegal sexual activity after a prior sex offense conviction at twice the term otherwise provided. Title II: Punishing Sexual Predators - Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide a sentencing enhancement, and increases penalties, for transportation of a minor or assumed minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and for travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor or assumed minor. (Sec. 203) Doubles penalties for abusive sexual contact where the victim is under age 12. (Sec. 204) Requires persons who violate aggravated sexual abuse provisions or engage in specified conduct that would violate such provisions if the conduct had occurred in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States after having been convicted twice previously of a serious State or Federal sex crime, to be imprisoned for life. (Sec. 205) Replaces repeat offender provisions with a provision doubling the maximum term of imprisonment after a prior sex offense conviction. (Sec. 206) Provides a civil remedy for personal injuries resulting from certain sex crimes against children. Title III: Federal Investigations of Sex Crimes Against Children and Serial Killers - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General, in investigations of alleged violations of provisions regarding sexual abuse of children, to subpoena witnesses and compel the production of records deemed relevant or material to the investigation. (Sec. 302) Provides that the fact that a presumption that a person has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce if the victim is not released within 24 hours after being unlawfully kidnapped has not yet taken effect does not preclude a Federal investigation of a possible kidnapping before the 24-hour period has ended. Includes the following among the jurisdictional elements for kidnapping: (1) the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce is used in furtherance of the offense; and (2) the offense affects interstate or foreign commerce, or would do so if the offense were consummated. Specifies that the kidnapping offense applies regardless of whether such person was alive when transported across a State boundary, provided the person was alive when the transportation began. (Sec. 303) Subjects any person who travels across a State line or enters or leaves Indian country with intent to engage in conduct that constitutes murder in the first degree to life imprisonment or, if death results, imposition of the death penalty. Prohibits such prosecution from being undertaken by the United States except on written certification of the Attorney General (or the Attorney General's highest ranking subordinate with responsibility for criminal prosecutions) that the conduct intended to be engaged in was a serial killing. Makes such certification unreviewable in any court. (Sec. 304) Directs the Attorney General to establish the Morgan P. Hardiman Child Abduction and Serial Murder Investigative Resources Center to provide investigative support to assist Federal, State, and local authorities in matters involving child abductions, mysterious disappearance of children, child homicide, and serial murder across the country. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals missing and exploited children provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify qualified leasehold improvement property (defined as certain improvements made to an interior portion of nonresidential real property) as ten-year property for depreciation purposes under the Accelerated Cost Recovery System.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1998 - Establishes the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform to study the laws relating to the financing of political activity and to report and recommend legislation to reform those laws. (Sec. 6) Requires the Commission, not later than the expiration of the 180-day period that begins on the date on which the second session of the 105th Congress adjourns, to submit to the President, the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, a report of the activities of the Commission. Requires the report to include any recommendations for changes in the laws (including regulations) governing the financing of political activity, including any changes in House and Senate rules, to which nine or more Commission members may agree, together with drafts of: (1) any legislation recommended by the Commission to implement such recommendations; and (2) any proposed amendment to the Constitution recommended by the Commission as necessary to implement such recommendations, except that if the Commission includes such a proposed amendment in its report, it shall also include recommendations and drafts for legislation that may be implemented prior to the adoption of such proposed amendment. Requires the Commission, in making recommendations and preparing drafts of legislation, to consider the following to be its primary goals: (1) encouraging fair and open Federal elections that provide voters with meaningful information about candidates and issues; (2) eliminating the disproportionate influence of special interest financing of Federal elections; and (3) creating a more equitable electoral system for challengers and incumbents. (Sec. 7) Provides for expedited congressional consideration of any legislation introduced the substance of which implements a recommendation of the Commission submitted, including a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
Individual Investment Account Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for amounts contributed to individual investment accounts. Allows tax-free distributions, limited to $20,000 for all taxable years, from such accounts for use in the purchase of a principal residence by a first-time homebuyer. Makes such accounts tax-exempt unless the individual engages in prohibited transactions. Adjusts dollar limitations under this Act for inflation. Allows such deduction in determining adjusted gross income. Exempts such accounts from estate tax. Provides for adjusting the basis of a residence acquired through the use of an individual investment account.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Restrictions on Levy and Other Collection Activities Title II: Application of Certain Fair Debt Collection Procedures Title III: Provisions Relating to Installment Agreements Title IV: Expansion of Judicial Remedies Title V: Miscellaneous Changes Taxpayer Protection Act of 1998 - Title I: Restrictions on Levy and Other Collection Activities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit Government tax levy of property or property rights: (1) during Tax Court proceedings by a spouse involving liability on a joint return; (2) during court proceedings for refund of divisible tax under specified circumstances; (3) while certain offers in compromise are pending, or while an installment agreement offer is pending or in effect; or (4) while a determination of assessment validity is being made. (Sec. 104) Requires Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief Counsel approval for: (1) filing a notice of lien or authorizing a levy on property held by a third party; and (2) specified jeopardy and termination assessments and jeopardy levies. (Sec. 105) Requires IRS district director or assistant district director approval, or a finding of tax collection jeopardy in order to authorize a levy against: (1) a qualified employer plan pension or annuity; or (2) a life insurance, endowment, or annuity contract. (Sec. 107) Requires IRS district director or assistant district director approval (or owner waiver) prior to the immediate sale of seized perishable goods. (Sec. 108) Increases the amount of certain personal and residential property on which liens are not valid. Title II: Application of Certain Fair Debt Collection Procedures - Applies certain fair debt collection procedures to IRS-taxpayer communications. Subjects IRS violations of such procedures to existing civil damage provisions. Title III: Provisions Relating to Installment Agreements - Requires the IRS to make installment payment agreements available in certain instances where the aggregate tax liability does not exceed $10,000. Title IV: Expansion of Judicial Remedies - Revises provisions with respect to a taxpayer's motion to quash third-party summonses. (Sec. 402) Authorizes a taxpayer whose property is subject to an IRS lien to: (1) get a certificate of discharge by depositing with the IRS an amount of money or a bond equal in value to such lien; and (2) after such substitution, bring a civil action to determine if such valuation is correct, and a obtain a refund of any excess that may have been required by the IRS. (Sec. 403) Authorizes a civil action for IRS violations of certain bankruptcy procedures. Title V: Miscellaneous Changes - Permits: (1) personal delivery of penalty notice relating to failure to collect and pay over tax or attempt to evade tax; and (2) service of summons by mail to third-party recordkeepers. (Sec. 503) Increases the monetary limit on cases permitted to use Tax Court small case procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998
Tax Fairness for Health Consumers Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for the health insurance costs of an individual who is not eligible to participate in an employer-subsidized health plan.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act of 1998 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to establish a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (TWSSP) under which an SSA title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or an SSA title II Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program disabled beneficiary may use a ticket to work and self-sufficiency issued by the Commissioner to obtain employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, or other support services from an employment network of the beneficiary's choice which is willing to provide such services pursuant to an appropriate individual employment plan. (Sec. 2) Authorizes State agencies to elect to participate in the program as employment networks coordinating and delivering services to individuals with tickets to work and self-sufficiency. Permits private entities to be employment networks. Requires the Commissioner to enter into agreements with private or public organizations to serve as program managers which shall: (1) recruit and recommend employment networks for the Commissioner's selection; as well as (2) ensure that employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, and other support services are provided to beneficiaries throughout the geographic area covered under the program manager's agreement, including rural areas. Requires an employment network to develop and implement an individual employment plan for each beneficiary in a manner affording the beneficiary an opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment goal and specific services needed to achieve it. Outlines an outcome payment system and an outcome-milestone payment system, either of which an employment network may elect to receive TWSSP funds. Provides for funding of TWSSP out of amounts transferred from the OASDI trust funds and appropriations authorized for the Social Security Administration under SSA title XVI. Establishes in the Social Security Administration the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Advisory Panel for use in connection with TWSSP. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Commissioner to establish a corps of trained, accessible, and responsive work incentive specialists to specialize in OASDI and SSI disability work incentives for the purpose of disseminating accurate information to disabled beneficiaries with respect to inquiries and issues relating to work incentives. Directs the Commissioner to conduct demonstration projects to evaluate a program for OASDI disability beneficiaries providing for reductions in disability insurance benefits based on earnings. (Sec. 3) Amends title II of the Social Security Act to provide for extended Medicare coverage for OASDI disability benefit recipients who are using tickets to work and self-sufficiency. (Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax credit for 50 percent of the impairment-related work expenses of handicapped individuals (up to $5,000).
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties to be imposed against anyone who uses force or threatens to use force against any Federal officer or agency and who seizes or detains a child in order to: (1) evade arrest or obstruct justice; or (2) compel any Federal agency to take or abstain from any act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998
Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998 - Provides for a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-sponsored biennial conference on (regulatory) barriers to affordable housing. Requires proposed and final agency rules to analyze their impact upon affordable housing availability. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop model housing impact analyses. (Sec. 5) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize direct appropriations for State and local grants for regulatory barrier removal. (Sec. 6) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make affordable housing barrier removal eligible for community development block grant assistance. (Sec. 7) 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. (Sec. 8) Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) repeal the single family mortgage insurance owner-occupancy requirement; (2) repeal mortgage limits on dwellings begun prior to insurance approval; (3) revise the definition of "area"; and (4) revise downpayment provisions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to: (1) include 1- to 4-family residential construction loans within the percent of residential assets required of a qualifying Federal Home Loan Bank; and (2) eliminate the 30 percent cap on certain real estate-related capital that may be held as collateral by a member institution.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1998
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2000, the duty on benzoic acid, 3,5- dimethyl-,1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-ethylbenzoylhydrazide (tebufenozide).
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors Title II: Punishable Conduct Citizens Protection Act of 1998 - Title I: Ethical Standards for Federal Prosecutors - Subjects a Government attorney to State laws and rules, and local Federal court rules, governing attorneys in each State where such attorney engages in duties to the same extent and in the same manner as other attorneys in that State. Directs the Attorney General to make and amend rules of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assure compliance with this title. Title II: Punishable Conduct - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish by rule that it shall be punishable conduct for any DOJ employee to seek an indictment in the absence of probable cause, to fail promptly to release information that would exonerate a person under indictment, to intentionally or knowingly misstate or alter evidence, to attempt to influence or color a witness's testimony, to act to frustrate or impede a defendant's right to discovery, to offer or provide sexual activities to any government witness or potential witness, to leak or otherwise improperly disseminate information to any person during an investigation, or to engage in conduct that discredits DOJ; and (2) establish penalties for engaging in such conduct, including probation, demotion, dismissal, referral of ethical charges to the bar, loss of pension or other retirement benefits, suspension from employment, and referral of the allegations (if appropriate) to a grand jury for possible criminal prosecution. (Sec. 202) Sets forth procedures regarding written complaints of such conduct by a DOJ employee, investigation of such complaints by the Attorney General, and imposition of appropriate penalties. (Sec. 203) Establishes an independent Misconduct Review Board to review all determinations by the Attorney General with respect to such complaints and to investigate allegations made in statements that may be submitted to it with respect to complaints for which the Attorney General has made no determination or imposed no penalty. Authorizes the Board to impose penalties established above.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Campaign Finance Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to require the Federal Election Commission to: (1) establish a specified public Internet site by January 1, 1999; (2) permit persons required to file reports under FECA to file such reports by directly posting them on the Internet site or by filing them electronically to enable the Commission to post reports on such site immediately upon receipt; (3) provide for one or more methods (other than requiring a signature on the reports being filed) for verification of reports filed in accordance with the methods described in the preceding; and (4) obtain and provide for computer software required to carry out this Act through competitive bidding. (Sec. 3) Requires each political committee which receives a contribution of $200 or more to report the contribution not later than ten days after receipt and include the contributor's identification, the date of receipt and the contribution amount, and (in the case of a candidate's authorized committee) the candidate's name and the office sought by the candidate. Expands the types of contributions required to be reported by principal campaign committees and changes the deadline for reporting such contributions by any authorized committee of a candidate. (Sec. 4) Prohibits House of Representatives candidates from accepting contributions in an election from persons other than in-State residents totaling in excess of the aggregate amount of contributions accepted in the election from such residents, with the exception of contributions from national, State, and local political parties. (Sec. 5) Waives the "best efforts" exception with respect to information on the identification of any person who makes a contribution or contributions aggregating more than $200 in a year. (Sec. 6) Lowers the threshold for U.S. and foreign cash contributions from $100 to $20. (Sec. 7) Sets forth requirements for the treatment of contributions made by dependent minors. (Sec. 8) Redefines foreign national to include any individual who is not a U.S. citizen, whether in the U.S. lawfully or unlawfully. (Sec. 9) Requires the submission of monthly reports by national political party committees and any other political committees (other than candidates' authorized committees) not filing quarterly reports. Requires national political party committees to file the reports due in November and December of any year in which a regularly scheduled general election is held, together with the pre-general election report, post-general election report, and year end report. (Sec. 10) Requires the disclosure of all fund transfers by national political parties to State and local political parties, without regard to whether or not the funds are otherwise treated as contributions or expenditures. Requires disclosure by State political parties of disbursements required to be reported under State or local law. (Sec. 11) Amends the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to: (1) require the inclusion of specified expenditures in the annual financial reports of labor organizations; and (2) make information contained in labor organization reports and annual financial reports available via a public Internet site or another publicly accessible computer network. (Sec. 12) Amends FECA to make it unlawful, except with the separate, prior, written, voluntary authorization of each individual, for: (1) national banks or corporations to collect from or assess its stockholders or employees any dues, initiation fee, or other payment as a condition of employment if any part of such dues, fee, or payment will be used for political activities in which the national bank or corporation is engaged; and (2) labor organizations to collect from or assess its members or nonmembers any dues, fee, or other payment if any part of such dues, fee, or payment will be used for political activities in which the labor organization is engaged. States that an authorization shall remain in effect until revoked and may be revoked at any time. Requires each entity collecting from or assessing amounts from an individual with an authorization in effect to provide the individual with a statement that the individual may at any time revoke the authorization. (Sec. 13) Removes the conditions on the solicitation of contributions by trade associations from shareholders and personnel (and their families) of member corporations of such associations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish in the Treasury the Protect Social Security Account to save budget surpluses until a reform measure is enacted to ensure the long-term solvency of the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) pay into the Account at the end of each fiscal year an amount equal to any such surplus; and (2) invest all such amounts in public debt obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Urges the President to renegotiate the Extradition Treaty Between the United States and Mexico so that the possibility of capital punishment will not interfere with the timely extradition of criminal suspects from Mexico to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998
Provides that any Executive order issued by the President that infringes on the powers and duties of the Congress under the Constitution, or that would require the expenditure of Federal funds not specifically appropriated for the purpose of the Executive order, shall be advisory only unless enacted as law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998
IMF Transparency and Efficiency Act of 1998 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to prohibit any U.S. officer, employee, or agent from providing, directly or indirectly, Federal funds to, or for the benefit of, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) unless: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury certifies to specified congressional committees that the IMF has met certain informational and loan rate requirements, and has established an independent advisory board to review its research, operations, and loan programs; and (2) the Congress has enacted a joint resolution approving the certification.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998
Comprehensive One-Call Notification Act of 1998 - Provides for the establishment of a State one-call notification program to protect underground facilities from excavation damage. Outlines required elements of the program, including minimum standards and provisions for implementation and enforcement. Authorizes a State to maintain an alternate one-call notification program if it provides protection for public safety, the environment, or excavators that is equivalent to, or greater than, protection under a program that meets the minimum standards of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study damage prevention practices associated with existing one-call notification systems in order to determine which systems practices appear to be the most effective in preventing damage to underground facilities and in protecting the public, the environment, excavators, and public service disruption. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist qualifying States in improving their one-call notification programs. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000187_200.jpg)