United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1999
Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the establishment and operation of a national sanctuary system for all surplus federally owned chimpanzees that are no longer needed in research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, or other Federal agencies. Mandates that any surplus chimpanzee that is not owned by the Federal Government be accepted into the system if the owner transfers title to the chimpanzee to the sanctuary system. Provides for standards for permanent retirement of chimpanzees into the system. Requires such standards to empower the Secretary to authorize imposition of a fee (except in certain circumstances) for accepting a non-Federal chimpanzee into the system. Directs the Secretary to contract with a nonprofit private entity to establish and operate the system. Provides for funding. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts for the operation of facilities that provide for the retirement of chimpanzees in accordance with the same standards that apply to the sanctuary system.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
State and Local Automated Teller Machine Regulation Protection Act of 1999 - States that no provision of Federal law shall be construed as preempting any State or local law (or authorizing any Federal banking agency to preempt any such law) which prohibits or limits the imposition of electronic fund transfer fees upon a consumer by certain electronic terminal operators utilizing a communication network to effect a transaction with the financial institution holding such consumer's account.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
United States Training on and Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution - Calls upon the President: (1) to provide for appropriate training and materials to all Foreign Service officers, officials of the Department of State, and any other executive branch employee involved in responding to issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide by familiarizing them with the U.S. record relating to the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of the failure to enforce the judgments of the Turkish courts against the responsible officials; and (2) in his annual message commemorating the Armenian Genocide issued on or about April 24, to characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide and to recall the proud history of U.S. intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Commends the past and present personnel of the submarine force of the U.S. Navy for their technical excellence, accomplishments, professionalism, and sacrifices. Congratulates them for the 100 years of exemplary service that they have provided the United States. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that, in the next millennium, the submarine force should continue to constitute an integral part of the Navy, and to carry out missions that are key to maintaining the Nation's freedom and security as the superior submarine force in the world.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should: (1) take effective measures to ensure that U.S. assistance and exports of equipment to Mexican security forces are used primarily for counter-narcotics purposes and are not provided to units that have been implicated in human rights violations, unless the Government of Mexico (the Government) is taking effective measures to bring the individuals responsible to justice; (2) encourage the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) and the Government to take steps to create conditions for good faith negotiations that address the social, economic, and political causes of the conflict in Chiapas, to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution of the conflict, and to vigorously pursue such negotiations; (3) commend the Government for its renewed commitment to negotiations and for establishing a date for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Mexico to discuss human rights concerns; (4) give a higher priority in discussions with the Government to criminal justice reforms that protect human rights; and (5) urge the Government to implement the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of not more than eight centers for the conduct of multidisciplinary research on environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer. Requires each center to: (1) conduct basic and clinical research; (2) develop protocols for training health professionals; (3) conduct training programs for such individuals; (4) develop model continuing education programs for such professionals; and (5) disseminate information to such professionals and the public. Authorizes a center to provide stipends for professionals enrolled in the program. Allows grant support for a center for up to five years, with authorized extensions. Requires an equitable geographic distribution of such centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Admiral James W. Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 - Division A: Department of State Provisions - Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Department of State - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 2000 and 2001 for: (1) administration of foreign affairs; (2) international commissions; (3) migration and refugee assistance (including for humanitarian assistance to Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal, refugees resettling in Israel, displaced Burmese and Sierra Leoneans, and for an international rape counseling program to counsel female victims of rape during times of war); (4) U.S. informational, educational, and cultural programs; (5) the Asia Foundation; (6) contributions to international organizations (including the U.S. assessment for the civil budget of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and international peacekeeping activities; and (7) certain voluntary contributions to international organizations. Withholds twenty percent of the U.S. assessed contribution to the United Nations (UN) until the Secretary of State certifies that the UN has met specified conditions. Bars the use of funds for U.S. contributions to: (1) pay for expenses related to the holding of any UN global conference (except one scheduled before October 1, 1998); and (2) the UN regular budget for the U.S. share of framework treaty-based organization, including the Framework Convention on Global Climate Change, the International Seabed Authority, the Desertification Convention, and the International Criminal Court. Withholds a certain amount of funds from the UN Development Program that will be spent in Burma during each fiscal year unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Program's activities in Burma: (1) are focused on eliminating human suffering and addressing the needs of the poor; (2) are undertaken only through international or private voluntary organizations that are independent of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) (formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)); (3) provide no financial, political, or military benefit to the SPDC; and (4) are carried out only after consultation with the leadership of the National League for Democracy and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Limits the U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). Makes such funds available only if: (1) UNFPA maintains funds available to it in a separate account; (2) it does not commingle such funds; and (3) it does not fund abortions. Prohibits the use of funds for UNFPA for a country program in China. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the amount of funds that the UNFPA is budgeting for the year in which the report is submitted for a country program in China. Withholds the U.S. voluntary contribution to the UNFPA, if a report indicates plans to spend funds for a country program in China, in an amount equal to that which would be spent on a country program in China after March 1 for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the report is submitted. Subtitle B: United States International Broadcasting Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 to carry out certain international broadcasting activities. Title II: Department of State Basic Authorities and Activities - Subtitle A: Basic Authorities and Activities - Directs the Secretary of State to fill the position of Director of the Office of Children's Issues of the Department of State with an individual of senior rank who: (1) can ensure long-term continuity in the management and policy matters of the Office; and (2) has a strong background in consular affairs. Designates in each U.S. diplomatic mission an employee who shall serve as the point of contact for matters relating to international abductions of children by parents. Directs the Secretary, with a specified exception, to report semi-annually to each parent who has requested assistance regarding an abducted child. (Sec. 202) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to extend through September 30, 2001, the requirement that the Secretary report to the appropriate congressional committees on compliance by member countries with the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (done at The Hague on October 25, 1980). Requires such report to include (among other things): (1) specific actions taken by the U.S. chief of mission in the country to which a child is alleged to have been abducted; (2) a list of countries party to the Convention in which parents who have been left-behind in the United States have not been able to secure prompt enforcement of a final return or access order under a Hague proceeding, of a U.S. custody, access, or visitation order, or of an access or visitation order in the country concerned, due to the absence of an effective method for enforcement of civil court orders, the absence of comity, or other factors; and (3) a description of the Secretary's efforts to encourage the parties to the Convention to facilitate the work of nongovernmental organizations within their countries that assist parents seeking the return of children under the Convention. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the investigation into the March 30, 1997, grenade attack in Cambodia. (Sec. 204) Prohibits the State Department from obligating more funds than expressly authorized and appropriated (or obligating such funds unless the appropriate congressional committees are notified) for a U.S. pavilion or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world's fair registered by the Bureau of International Expositions. (Sec. 205) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to declare that the Inspector General of the Agency of International Development (AID) shall serve as the Inspector General of the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the extent of international drug trafficking through Cuba since 1990. (Sec. 207) Amends the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution to require the President to report to Congress at least once every 90 days (currently, 60 days) on the status of efforts to obtain Iraq's compliance with resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council in response to Iraq's aggression. (Sec. 208) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require the Director General of the Foreign Service to report to specified congressional committees summarizing the number of Foreign Service positions in each overseas mission requiring foreign language competence that became vacant during the previous year and were filled by individuals having the required foreign language competence. (Sec. 209) Extends certain reporting requirements. (Sec. 210) Authorizes interest accrued on certain joint funds under agreements for cooperation in environmental, scientific, cultural and related areas to be used by the State Department without return to the Treasury and without further appropriation by Congress. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review extradition treaties and other agreements containing extradition obligations to which the United States is a party; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding U.S. extradition policy. Subtitle B: Consular Authorities - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 with respect to fees charged for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas and machine readable combined border crossing identification cards and nonimmigrant visas. Makes any fee collections that exceed a certain amount for FY 2000, 2001, and 2002 available for deposit as an offsetting collection to any State Department appropriation to recover the costs of providing consular services only if Congress is notified in accordance with specified reprogramming notification procedures. Repeals: (1) provisions making inapplicable certain requirements concerning accounting for consular fees to fees collected under this section; and (2) the prohibition against the charging of fees to citizens of countries signatory to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 232) Authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee for State Department services provided to ensure that an affidavit of support provided by a sponsor is properly completed before it is forwarded to a consular post for adjudication of an immigrant visa. (Sec. 233) Amends the Passport Act to provide that a nonrefundable fee of $10 shall be collected for the filing of each passport application (including the cost of passport issuance and use). (Sec. 234) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to revise requirements concerning the State Department and the death of U.S. citizens abroad. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) notification of next of kin by consular officers; (2) the appointment of such officers as conservators of a decedent's estate; and (3) losses in connection with the conservation of the estate. (Sec. 236) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that provide that before a child under age 14 is issued a passport: (1) both parents, or the child's legal guardian, have executed the application and provided documentary evidence demonstrating that they are who they say they are; and (2) the person executing the application has provided documentary evidence that he or she has sole custody of the child, has the consent of the other parent to the issuance of the passport, or is in loco parentis and has the consent of both parents, of a parent with sole custody over the child, or of the child's legal guardian. (Sec. 237) Declares it shall be State Department policy to process immigrant visa applications of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and nonimmigrant K-1 visa applications of fiances of U.S. citizens within 30 days (60 days for other than immediate relative) of the receipt of all necessary documents from the applicant and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Directs the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the extent to which the State Department is meeting such policy standards. (Sec. 238) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees (including those specified) on the feasibility of decreasing the amount of an individual's arrearages of child support that would require the Secretary to refuse to issue such individual a passport. Subtitle C: Refugees - Bars the use of funds (including migration and refugee assistance, unless the appropriate congressional committees are first notified) for the involuntary return of a person to a country in which the person has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. (Sec. 252) Requires a certain human rights report in connection with the provision of security assistance to a foreign country to include the extent to which such country has extended protection to refugees (including the provision of first asylum and resettlement). (Sec. 253) Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include State Department employees together with INS personnel within guidelines that address potential biases by such personnel who are hired abroad and involved with duties which could constitute a barrier to a refugee claim if they carry a bias against the claimant on the grounds of religion, race, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines to ensure that persons with potential biases against a refugee applicant (including persons employed by, or otherwise subject to influence by, governments known to be involved in such persecution) shall not be used in processing determinations of refugee status, including interpretation of conversations or examination of documents presented by such applicants. (Sec. 254) Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to determine and report to Congress on eligibility guidelines for women seeking refugee status overseas due to gender-related persecution. (Sec. 255) Makes certain Vietnamese nationals eligible for in-country refugee processing and admittance into the United States for resettlement. Title III: Organization and Personnel of the Department of State - Subtitle A: Organization Matters - Directs the Secretary to assess and report to specified congressional committees on the administrative and personnel requirements for the establishment of legislative liaison offices for the State Department within the House of Representatives and Senate office buildings. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to designate an existing senior- level State Department official with responsibility for promoting regional cooperation in and coordinating U.S. policy toward Northeastern Europe. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to designate a senior-level State Department official as the Science and Technology Adviser who shall advise the Secretary on international science and technology matters affecting U.S. foreign policy. (Sec. 305) Earmarks certain additional amounts authorized to the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office (DTS-PO) for enhancement of Diplomatic Telecommunications Service capabilities. Sets forth specified actions the DTS-PO must take in order for it to better manage a fully integrated telecommunications network to service all agencies at diplomatic missions and consular posts. Subtitle B: Personnel of the Department of State - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for the award of the Foreign Service Star to an individual whose death or injury occurs overseas while performing official duties as a member of the Foreign Service or a civilian employee of the U.S. Government. (Sec. 323) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to limit to no more than 33 percent (currently, 50 percent) the percentage of Senior Foreign Service members that may receive performance pay in any fiscal year. (Sec. 324) Requires the Director of the Foreign Service to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the placement of Senior Foreign Service personnel. (Sec. 325) Directs the State Department to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility of modifying current training programs so that the Department can provide significant and comprehensive management training at all career grades for Foreign Service personnel. (Sec. 326) Requires the Secretary to report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a specified Senate committee on: (1) the steps taken and planned in furtherance of maximum compatibility among agencies utilizing the Foreign Service personnel system, and the development of uniform policies and procedures and consolidated personnel functions; and (2) a five-year workforce plan, including projected personnel needs, by grade and by skill. (Sec. 327) Requires any record of disciplinary action that includes a suspension of more than five days taken against a member of the Foreign Service (including any correction of such record) to remain a part of the personnel records until such person is tenured as a career member of the Service or next promoted. (Sec. 328) Requires an employee, at any time the Secretary recommends such employee be separated from the Service, to be placed on leave without pay pending final resolution of the case, subject to reinstatement with back pay if cause for separation is not established in a hearing before the Foreign Service Grievance Board. (Sec. 329) Declares that nothing shall prevent a Foreign Service grievant from placing a rebuttal to accompany a record of disciplinary action in such grievant's personnel records, nor prevent the State Department from inserting a response to such rebuttal, including documenting those cases in which the Board has reviewed and upheld the discipline. (Sec. 330) Reduces from three years to two years after the occurrence giving rise to such grievance the deadline for the filing of a grievance by a Foreign Service employee with the State Department; or, in the case of a grievance with respect to the grievant's rater or reviewer, one year after the date on which the grievant ceased to be subject to rating or review by the reviewer, but in no case less than two years after the occurrence giving rise to the grievance. Requires the Chairman of the Board to report to specified congressional committees on its activities during the previous year. (Sec. 332) Authorizes the Secretary, whenever it is in the best interest of the United States, to allow the head of any Federal agency or other Government establishment to hire individuals abroad as members of the Foreign Service. (Sec. 333) Requires a Foreign Service employee who regularly commutes from his or her place of residence in the United States to an official duty station in Canada or Mexico to receive a border equalization adjustment (locality pay adjustment). (Sec. 334) Amends Federal law to set forth provisions regarding contributions made to the Thrift Savings Fund by Foreign Service employees who are reemployed by the Service after a temporary transfer to an international organization. (Sec. 335) Authorizes the spouse and dependents of Foreign Service employees who have died at post in a foreign area to receive a transfer allowance (extraordinary, necessary, and reasonable subsistence and other relocation expenses) for their return to the United States. (Sec. 336) Provides for an education allowance to an employee at a post in a foreign area not to exceed the cost of obtaining kindergarten, elementary and secondary educational services, plus room and board, where adequate schools are not available at the employee's post, and periodic transportation between that post and the school chosen by the employee, not to exceed the total cost to the Government of the dependent attending an adequate school in the nearest locality where an adequate school is available. (Currently, an employee can receive an allowance only for a school at the nearest locality). (Sec. 337) Authorizes up to three months advance pay to: (1) an employee (other than an employee appointed by the Secretary and employed as a family member of a Government employee) who is a U.S. citizen, stationed outside the United States, and requires (or has a family member who requires) medical treatment outside the United States; and (2) a foreign national employee who is appointed by the Secretary, or a non-family member U.S. citizen, who is stationed outside the country of employment, and must undergo medical treatment outside the country of employment. (Sec. 338) Declares that Congress finds that administrative and technical personnel posted to U.S. missions abroad who do not have diplomatic status suffer financial disadvantages from their lack of such status. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on such disadvantages, including proposals to alleviate them. (Sec. 339) Sets forth certain standards which must be followed with regard to Inspector General investigations of potential violations of Federal criminal law or Federal regulations (including certain reports on such investigations). Requires the Inspector General, in a certain annual report to the Secretary, to include: (1) a notification of any instance in which the Inspector General decided not to afford an individual the opportunity to refute any allegation with respect to an adverse personnel action; and (2) the rationale for denying the individual such opportunity. Declares that a failure to comply with such requirements shall not give rise to any private right of action in court or to any administrative grievance procedure. (Sec. 340) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the benefits and compensation paid to the survivors of U.S. Government employees (including those in the uniformed services and Foreign Service National employees) killed in the performance of their duties abroad as a result of terrorist acts. (Sec. 341) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (as enacted by division G of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277)) to direct the Secretary to ensure that the advances made in increasing the number of women and minorities within the foreign affairs agencies of the Federal Government are not undermined by discrimination within the newly reorganized State Department. Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Subtitle A: Authorities and Activities - Amends the Human Rights, Refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions Act of 1996 to designate educational and cultural exchange programs between the United States and Tibet as the Ngawang Choephel Exchange Programs. (Sec. 401) Extends through FY 2000 scholarships for Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who live outside Tibet and Burma, respectively. Requires the scholarship program for Tibetan students, whenever practical, to give consideration to individuals who are active in the preservation of Tibet's culture, language, and religion. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary (currently, the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA)), in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy, to provide, where appropriate, opportunities for significant participation in such programs to nationals of such countries who are, among other things, committed to advancing human rights and democratic values in such countries. (Sec. 403) Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to direct the Secretary, in coordination with other appropriate executive branch officials, to take all appropriate steps to: (1) prevent an agent of a foreign power from participating in educational and cultural exchange programs; and (2) ensure that no person who is involved in the research, development, design, testing, evaluation, or production of missiles or weapons of mass destruction or of chemical or biological weapons for offensive purposes is a participant in such programs. (Sec. 404) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (as enacted in division G of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277)) to repeal the abolition of the of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, and extend authority for it until October 1, 2001. Provides for the reduction of the Commission's staff and budget. (Sec. 405) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to support any training or exchange program conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (or any other Federal law enforcement agency) for the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) or RUC members until the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees on past training programs between the FBI and the RUC, and makes a certain certification with respect to such future training activities. Subtitle B: Russian and Ukrainian Business Management Education - Establishes a training program in Russia and the Ukraine for nationals of such countries to obtain skills in business administration, accounting, and marketing, with special emphasis on instruction in business ethics and in the basic terminology, techniques, and practices of those disciplines, to achieve international standards of quality, transparency, and competitiveness. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: United States International Broadcasting Activities - Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to: (1) authorize appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for Radio Free Asia; and (2) extend its authority through FY 2009. (Sec. 502) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to require the President to appoint (currently, designate) one member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors as Chairman of the Board, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. (Sec. 503) Expresses the sense of Congress that Radio Free Europe (RFE) and Radio Liberty (RL) Incorporated should continue to broadcast to the peoples of Central Europe, Eurasia, and the Persian Gulf until such time as a particular nation has established democratic rule, including a free and balanced media. (Sec. 504) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to grant immunity from civil liability to Broadcasting Board of Governors members while also acting as members of the board of directors of RFE/RL, Incorporated and Radio Free Asia. Title VI: Embassy Security and Counterterrorism Measures - Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 - Authorizes appropriations for the purpose of acquiring, or providing major security enhancements to, U.S. diplomatic facilities in order to meet specified security requirements. Specifies among such requirements that: (1) threat assessments such as the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and the Security Environment Threat List address threats to U.S. missions from large vehicular bombs and transnational terrorism; (2) in the selection of sites for new U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad, all U.S. Government agency personnel (except those under U.S. military command) be located on the site; (3) each newly acquired U.S. diplomatic facility be sited not less than 100 feet from the perimeter of the property on which the facility is situated; (4) appropriate State Department and U.S. diplomatic personnel undertake crisis management training for mass casualty and mass destruction incidents relating to diplomatic facilities; (5) the Secretary develop annual physical fitness standards for all diplomatic security agents; (6) there is adequate State Department support for the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST); (7) the Secretary enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Secretary of Defense setting out rapid response procedures for mobilization of personnel and equipment of their respective departments to provide more effective assistance in times of emergency with respect to U.S. diplomatic facilities; and (8) all U.S. diplomatic missions have emergency equipment and records stored at a secure off-site facility. (Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to report annually for five years to the appropriate congressional committees an identification of U.S. diplomatic facilities that are priority for replacement or for major security enhancement because of vulnerability to terrorist attack, setting them out, in groups of 20, from the most vulnerable to the least vulnerable. Dedicates the use of account funds to facilities in the first four groups. (Sec. 607) Directs the Secretary to review, and report to the appropriate congressional committees on, the findings of the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel with respect to the closure of vulnerable U.S. diplomatic missions overseas. (Sec. 608) Amends the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 to provide that the Secretary is not required to convene an Accountability Review Board after the occurrence of serious injury, loss of life, or significant destruction of property, or breach of security at a Department of Defense (DOD) facility in cases where the Secretary has delegated operational control of overseas security to the Secretary of Defense. Requires the Secretary, subject to a specified exception, to convene a Board not later than 60 days after the occurrence of serious injury, loss of life, or significant destruction of property, or breach of security at a U.S. diplomatic mission (except that such 60-day period may be extended for one additional 60-day period if it is necessary for the convening of the Board). Requires the Secretary whenever he or she convenes a Board to inform the chairman of a specified congressional committee and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on a proposed operational plan and site selection to establish an International Law Enforcement Academy on the African continent in anti-terrorism and transnational crime fighting. Title VII: International Organizations and Commissions - Subtitle A: International Organizations Other than the United Nations - Amends the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 to redesignate: (1) the United States-European Community Interparliamentary Group as the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (United States-European Union Interparliamentary Group); and (2) the North Atlantic Assembly as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to provide technical tests, evaluations, information, surveys, or other similar services to State or local governments upon request on a reimbursable basis. (Sec. 703) Amends the American-Mexican Chamizal Convention Act of 1964 to authorize the Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission to receive payments of money from public or private sources in the United States or Mexico for the purpose of sharing in the cost of operations and maintenance of the Bridge of the Americas which crosses the Rio Grande between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. (Sec. 704) Directs the Secretary of State to report semiannually to Congress on the status of efforts by the U.S. Government to support membership and participation of Taiwan in international organizations. (Sec. 705) Prohibits the United States from becoming a party to the International Criminal Court except pursuant to a treaty made according to the U.S. Constitution after enactment of this Act. Prohibits the use of funds made available by any Act to: (1) support the International Criminal Court unless the United States becomes a party to the Court; (2) extradite a U.S. citizen to a foreign nation that is under obligation to surrender persons to the Court unless such nation confirms that applicable prohibitions on reextradition apply to such surrender or gives other assurances that it will not extradite or transfer that citizen to the Court; or (3) provide consent to the extradition or transfer of a U.S. citizen to a third country by a foreign country that is under obligation to surrender persons to the Court, unless the third country makes such confirmation. (Sec. 707) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to extend through FY 2000 and 2001 certain requirements prohibiting, without a prior estimated expense report to the Department's Director of the Office of International Conferences, the use of funds under such Act to pay: (1) foreign travel expenses of an employee of the U.S. Executive agencies (with certain exceptions) in attending any international conference; or (2) the routine services that a U.S. diplomatic mission provides in support of travel by such employee. Makes permanent the requirement that the Director report to Congress with respect to each international conference. (Sec. 708) Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 and the International Atomic Energy Agency Participation Act of 1957 to require the U.S. representative to the Vienna office of the UN to serve also as U.S. representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Subtitle B: United Nations Activities - Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) promote an end to Israel's inequity in the UN due to its denied acceptance into any of the UN's regional blocs; and (2) seek abolition of certain UN Palestinian groups. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) actions taken by U.S. representatives to encourage nations of the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG) to accept Israel into their regional bloc; (2) other measures taken to ensure and promote Israel's full participation in the UN; and (3) steps taken by the United States to secure the abolition of the UN Palestinian groups. (Sec. 722) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President to provide the Secretary General of the UN with data regarding all costs incurred by DOD, as well as all costs incurred by all UN members, during the preceding year in support of all UN Security Council resolutions. (Sec. 723) Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to direct the President to obtain reimbursement from the UN for expenses incurred by it in UN peacekeeping operations, with specified exceptions. Provides a waiver for such requirement if it is in the national interest of the United States. (Sec. 724) Revises certain congressional reporting requirements with respect to UN peacekeeping operations (including U.S. participation in such operations) to require the President to consult with Congress monthly on the status of such operations (currently, the President must report at least annually). Directs the President to notify designated congressional committees at least 15 days before the United States provides assistance to the UN for peacekeeping operations, with specified exceptions. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing any visa to, and the Attorney General from admitting to the United States, any foreign national that has been directly involved in the enforcement of population control policies forcing a woman to undergo an abortion against her free choice, or forcing a man or woman to undergo sterilization against his or her free choice, unless such national has discontinued his or her involvement with, and support for, such policies. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if: (1) it is in the national interest of the United States; and (2) Congress is notified in writing. (Sec. 803) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to steps being taken by the Government of Morocco and by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO) to ensure a free, fair, and transparent referendum in July 2000 in which the Western Saharan people will choose between independence and integration with Morocco. (Sec. 804) Amends the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 to require a certain report of the President to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of a specified congressional committee to include statements on: (1) the effectiveness of end-use monitoring of international or U.S. aid being provided to the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Liberation Organization, or the Palestinian Legislative Council to comply with international accounting standards and on enforcement of anti-corruption measures; and (2) compliance by the Palestinian Authority with democratic reforms. (Sec. 805) Directs the Secretary of State to report semiannually to the appropriate congressional committees regarding terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens in Israel or in territories administered by Israel or by the Palestinian Authority (including a list of suspects implicated in such attacks). (Sec. 806) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 with respect to the Secretary of State's annual reports to Congress concerning the human rights situation in countries proposed to receive security or development assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to include in such reports information regarding the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and evidence of acts that may constitute genocide. Subtitle B: North Korea Threat Reduction - North Korea Threat Reduction Act of 1999 - Prohibits any agreement for cooperation between the United States and North Korea, or issuance of a license for the export, or approval for the transfer or retransfer, to North Korea of any nuclear material, facilities, goods, services, or technology that would be subject to such agreement, until the President determines and reports to specified congressional committees that North Korea has come into full compliance with the Agreed Framework and other specified nuclear nonproliferation agreements, has permitted the International Atomic Energy Agency full access to certain nuclear sites and material, does not have uranium enrichment or nuclear reprocessing facilities, and does not have nuclear weapons and is making no effort to acquire them. Subtitle C: People's Republic of China - Earmarks specified funds for FY 2001 for the support of additional personnel in U.S. Embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu, as well as the American consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Chengdu, and Hong Kong, China, in order to monitor political and economic conditions there, including the respect for internationally recognized human rights. (Sec. 873) Establishes the Prisoner Information Registry for the People's Republic of China which shall provide information on all political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, and prisoners of faith in China. Makes funds available to nongovernmental organizations for such monitoring activities. Title IX: Arrears Payments and Reform - Subtitle A: General Provisions - United Nations Reform Act of 1999 - Defines terms. Subtitle B: Arrearages to the United Nations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 only for the payment of arrearages in assessed contributions to the UN for: (1) the U.S. share of assessments for the regular UN budget; (2) the U.S. share of UN peacekeeping operations; (3) the U.S. share of UN specialized agencies; and (4) the U.S. share of other international organizations. (Sec. 913) Authorizes the President to forgive or reduce any amount (up to a total of $107 million) owed by the UN to the United States as reimbursement, including any payable under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the United Nations Participation Act of 1945. (Sec. 921) Authorizes the disbursement of funds under this subtitle only upon submission to Congress of certain certifications concerning: (1) continuing U.S. sovereignty vis-a-vis the UN; and (2) the reform of UN fiscal, budget, and personnel practices, assessments, and peacekeeping operations. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds to pay any arrearage for: (1) the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), including any costs to merge it into the UN; (2) the costs associated with any UN organization from which the United States has withdrawn; or (3) the World Tourism Organization, or any other organization with respect to which Congress has rescinded funding. Division B: Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Security Assistance Provisions - Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Security Assistance Act of 1999 - Title XI (sic): Arms Control and Nonproliferation - Arms Control and Nonproliferation Act of 1999 - Subtitle A: Arms Control - Authorizes the Secretary of State to transfer available State Department funds to the DOD, Department of Energy (DOE), or any other agency of the intelligence community, as needed, for retraining, researching, developing, or acquiring technologies or programs relating to the verification of arms control, nonproliferation and disarmament agreements or commitments. Earmarks amounts (Key Verification Assets Fund) for this purpose. (Sec. 1112) Directs the Secretary to designate one of the Assistant Secretaries of State as the Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance. (Sec. 1113) Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to require a certain annual ("Pell") report by the President to Congress to include: (1) a detailed assessment of adherence of the United States to obligations undertaken in arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament commitments (including the Missile Technology Control Regime); and (2) a specific identification, to the maximum extent practicable in unclassified form, of each and every question that exists with respect to compliance by other countries with arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements with the United States. (Sec. 1114) Requires the Director of Central Intelligence to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) a comprehensive identification of all monitoring activities associated with the START and START II treaties; (2) the specific intelligence community assets and capabilities of which the Senate was informed, before giving advice and consent to ratification of the treaties, would be necessary to accomplish those activities; (3) an identification of the extent to which those assets and capabilities have, or have not, been attained or retained, and the corresponding effect this has had upon U.S. monitoring confidence levels; and (4) an assessment of any Russian activities relating to the START Treaty which have had an impact upon the U.S. ability to monitor Russian adherence to the Treaty. (Sec. 1115) Requires the Secretary, upon the request of the chairman or ranking member of specified congressional committees, to report to such committee on the degree to which elements of an arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament proposal are capable of being verified. (Sec. 1116) Requires, to the maximum extent practicable, the Government to make certain raw seismological data available to the public. (Sec. 1117) Directs the U.S. National Authority, upon the request of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to reimburse the FBI for all costs (up to $2 million) incurred by it in connection with the protection of U.S. companies. (Sec. 1118) Requires the Secretary of State to report to specified congressional committees on the status of any U.S. delegation engaged in negotiations on arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament. National Security and Corporate Fairness under the Biological Weapons Convention Act - Directs the President to: (1) conduct a series of national security trial investigations and trial visits to develop a compliance protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention that ensures that the compliance procedures of such protocol adequately protect U.S. national security; and (2) report to specified congressional committees with respect to such investigations and trials. Subtitle B: Nuclear Nonproliferation, Safety, and Related Matters - Amends the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 to require certain Federal agencies to notify specified congressional committees with respect to their activities for preventing proliferation, including the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, or their means of delivery. Requires the Director of Central Intelligence to notify such committees about the current activities of foreign nations which are of significance from the proliferation standpoint. (Sec. 1132) Prohibits the provision of U.S. assistance to any person involved in the research, development, design, testing, or evaluation of chemical or biological weapons for offensive purposes (unless the activity is conducted under certain provisions of the National Security Act of 1947). (Sec. 1133) Directs the Secretary of Energy to report to specified congressional committees with respect to the agreement between the United States and Russia for the disposition of excess weapons plutonium. Expresses the sense of Congress that, whenever the President submits the agreement to establish a mixed oxide fuel fabrication or production facility in Russia, the Secretary should certify specified nonproliferation guaranties to specified congressional committees with respect to such facility. (Sec. 1134) Requires specified Federal agencies to provide Congress with information on their activities to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. (Sec. 1138) Authorizes appropriations from certain nonproliferation foreign operations accounts for science and technology centers in the independent states of the former Soviet Union. (Sec. 1139) Authorizes the use of such funds for certain research and international exchange activities to support the redirection of former Soviet weapons scientists. Title XII: Security Assistance - Security Assistance Act of 1999 - Subtitle A: Transfers of Excess Defense Articles - Amends Federal law to extend through FY 2001 DOD authority to transfer excess defense articles to countries eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace program and eligible for assistance under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. (Sec. 1211) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend through FY 2004 the President's authority to transfer excess defense articles to Greece and Turkey. (Sec. 1212) Authorizes for FY 2000 and 2001 the use of funds made available to DOD for crating, packing, handling, and transportation of excess defense articles to Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. (Sec. 1213) Increases the aggregate value of excess defense articles that can be transferred to eligible countries in a given year. Subtitle B: Foreign Military Sales Authorities - Provides that expenses for termination of foreign military training programs under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) may include the expenditure of funds to complete the training or studies outside the countries of origin of students whose course of study or training program began before assistance was terminated, as long as the origin country's termination was not a result of activities beyond default of financial responsibilities. (Sec. 1222) Amends AECA to authorize the sale of excess Coast Guard defense articles and defense services to eligible foreign countries and international organizations. (Sec. 1223) Declares that: (1) direct costs associated with meeting additional or unique requirements of the purchaser shall be an allowable cost under DOD procurement contracts; and (2) loadings applicable to such direct costs shall be permitted at the same rates applicable to procurement of like items purchased by the DOD for its own use. (Sec. 1224) Applies certain numbered congressional certification requirements with respect to the upgrade of major defense articles, equipment, or services to their direct commercial sale as well. (Sec. 1225) Requires any agreement for the sale or lease of any article on the United States Munitions List entered into by the U.S. Government to state that the U.S. Government retains the right to verify credible reports that such article has not been used as authorized. Subtitle C: Stockpiling of Defense Articles for Foreign Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the maximum value of additions to stockpiles in foreign countries in FY 2000. Makes amounts available for such stockpiles in South Korea and Thailand. (Sec. 1232) Authorizes the President, during a three-year period, to transfer to South Korea and Thailand certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in return for concessions to be negotiated by the Secretary of Defense. Requires the value of such concessions to be at least equal to the fair market value of the transferred items. Requires the President to notify Congress of a proposed transfer, including the identity of the items to be transferred and the concessions to be received. Subtitle D: Defense Offsets Disclosure - Defense Offsets Disclosure Act of 1999 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to monitor the use of offsets in the defense industry (the entire range of industrial and commercial benefits provided to foreign governments as an inducement or condition to purchase military goods or services), to promote fairness in international trade, and to ensure an appropriate level of foreign participation in production of U.S. weapons systems. (Sec. 1244) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the executive branch should pursue efforts to address trade fairness by establishing reasonable, business-friendly standards for the use of offsets in international business transactions among U.S. trading partners and competitors; (2) the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representatives should raise the need for transparency and reasonable standards with other industrialized nations at every venue; and (3) the U.S. Government should enter into discussions for the establishment of multilateral standards for the control of the use of offsets in international defense trade through the appropriate multilateral fora (like the Transatlantic Economic Partnership, the Wassenaar Arrangement, the G-8, and the World trade Organization), taking into account the distortions produced by the provision of other benefits and subsidies by various countries to support defense trade. (Sec. 1245) Amends AECA to require certain numbered certifications to Congress with respect to any letter of offer to sell (Government-to-Government sale), or license for export (commercial sale), major defense equipment in the amount of $14 million or more, or defense articles or services in the amount of $50 million or more. Requires each numbered certification to include a description of any offset agreement. Treats such information as confidential. (Sec. 1246) Extends to exports of defense articles or services the current prohibition against incentive payments by U.S. suppliers to satisfy any offset agreement with a foreign country to which such articles or services are sold. (Sec. 1247) Establishes a National Commission on the Use of Offsets in Defense Trade to address all aspects of the use of offsets in international defense trade. Requires the Commission to report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to such offset agreements. (Sec. 1248) Directs the President to initiate, and report to the appropriate congressional committees on, a review to determine the feasibility of establishing, and the most effective means of negotiating, a multilateral treaty on standards for the use of offsets in international defense trade, with a goal of limiting all offset transactions injurious to the U.S. economy. Subtitle E: Automated Export System Relating to Export Information - Proliferation Prevention Enhancement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to direct the Secretary of Commerce to publish regulations requiring exporters of items on the U.S. Munitions List or the Commerce Control List to file their Shippers' Export Declarations through an Automated Export System (electronic filing). (Sec. 1253) Expresses the sense of Congress urging exporters (or their agents) who are required to file Shippers' Export Declarations, but are not required under this Act to file them using the Automated Export System, to do so anyway. (Sec. 1254) Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to the appropriate committees of Congress on: (1) the advisability and feasibility of mandating electronic filing through the Automated Export System for all Shippers' Export Declarations; (2) the manner in which data gathered through the System can most effectively be used by other automated licensing systems administered by Federal agencies; and (3) a proposed timetable for any expansion of information required to be filed through the System. (Sec. 1255) Authorizes the Secretary of State to use funds to employ: (1) up to 40 percent of the individuals who are performing services within the Office of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State in positions classified at GS-14 and GS-15; and (2) other individuals within the Office at a rate of basic pay that may exceed the maximum rate payable for positions classified at GS-15. Subtitle F: International Arms Sales Code of Conduct Act of 1999 - International Arms Sales Code of Conduct Act of 1999 - Directs the President to attempt through negotiations with other countries (including countries in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms) to achieve the foreign policy goal of an international arms sales code of conduct that limits, restricts, or prohibits arms transfers to countries that do not observe certain fundamental values of human liberty, peace, and international stability. Subtitle G: Transfer of Naval Vessels to Certain Foreign Countries - Declares that the value of certain naval vessels transferred on a grant basis to another country pursuant to specified authority of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 shall not be counted under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the limitation on the aggregate value of excess defense articles that can transferred to such country in any fiscal year. Title XIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the AECA to require a U.S. person to whom a license has been granted to export significant military equipment listed on the U.S. Munitions List to report to the Department of State on all shipment information, including a description of the equipment and the quantity, value, port of exit, end-user, and its destination. Requires the President to include, among other things, a report on all such exports in a certain quarterly unclassified report to Congress. (Sec. 1303) Authorizes the Secretary of State to commence a civil action to recover civil penalties with respect to violations regarding the export of defense articles and services to foreign countries and terrorist supporting countries, instead of imposing certain administrative sanctions. (Sec. 1305) Authorizes the President to consent to the retransfer by the Government of Greece of HS Rodos (ex-U.S.S. Bowman County (LST 391)) to the USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc. Sets forth specified conditions for the granting of the consent. (Sec. 1306) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require a specified annual report to Congress regarding the export of defense articles (including excess defense articles) and services to foreign countries to specify, among other things, whether such defense articles were furnished with U.S. aid, including through loans and guarantees. (Sec. 1307) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to the appropriate congressional committees on all military training provided to foreign military personnel by DOD and the State Department during the previous and current fiscal years. (Sec. 1308) Urges the President to transfer on a grant basis certain excess defense articles to the Government of the Philippines. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1309) Directs the Secretary of State to establish a regulatory regime for the licensing (including expedited approval) for export by U.S. companies of commercial satellites, satellite technologies, and satellite systems to NATO allies and major non-NATO allies. Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Defense Trade Controls of the State Department. (Sec. 1310) Directs the Secretary of State to report to specified congressional committees on the performance of the licensing process under AECA, including recommendations on how to improve it. (Sec. 1311) Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the proliferation of small arms.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 2000 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must promote an end to the exclusion of Israel from any of the United Nations (UN) regional blocs, including rotating membership on the UN Security Council; and (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the UN should take all steps necessary to ensure Israel's acceptance in the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG) regional bloc (membership which includes the non-European countries of Canada, Australia, and the United States). Directs the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees on efforts taken to achieve such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Export Enhancement Act of 1999 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend through FY 2003 the Overseas Private Investment Corporation's (OPIC) authority to issue investment insurance and guarantees. (Sec. 3) Revises certain OPIC requirements to prohibit the OPIC Board of Directors from voting in favor of any proposed action likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented, unless: (1) an environmental impact assessment or initial environmental audit has been completed by the project applicant and made available to the Board of Directors; and (2) such assessment or audit has been made available to the U.S. public, locally affected groups in the host country, and host country nongovernmental organizations. Requires OPIC in conjunction with each Board of Directors' meeting to hold a public hearing in order to afford an opportunity for any person to present views regarding OPIC activities. (Sec. 4) Revises the composition of the OPIC Board of Directors. (Sec. 5) Revises the purposes of the Trade and Development Agency to include, with respect to the promotion of U.S. private sector participation in development projects in developing and middle-income countries, special emphasis on economic sectors with significant U.S. export potential, such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and environment. Directs the Agency to require corporations and other entities to: (1) share the costs of feasibility studies and other project planning services; and (2) reimburse the Agency those funds it has provided, if the corporation or entity concerned succeeds in project implementation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Requires the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to: (1) report on actions taken to eliminate the areas of overlap and duplication identified among Federal export promotion activities; (2) coordinate efforts to sponsor or promote any trade show or trade fair; (3) work with all relevant State and national organizations, including the National Governors' Association, that have established trade promotion offices; and (4) report to Congress on actions taken to promote better coordination among State, Federal, and private sector export promotion activities. (Sec. 7) Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to change the deadline for TPCC annual reports from September 30 to March 30.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) to deem a food misbranded if it contains or was produced with a genetically engineered material unless its labeling contains statements meeting specified requirements. Excludes, in all three Acts, food: (1) served in restaurants; or (2) prepared primarily in a retail establishment, ready for human consumption, but not offered for sale for immediate consumption in the establishment. Excludes, for the FDCA, a medical food as defined in the Orphan Drug Act. Subjects violators to civil monetary penalties. Exempts from the penalties: (1) any person (recipient) who establishes a guaranty or undertaking signed by the person (residing in the United States) from whom the recipient in good faith received the food to the effect that the food does not contain or was not produced with a genetically engineered material; and (2) for the FDCA, an agricultural producer of a food that does not contain and was not produced with a genetically engineered material if the food becomes contaminated with a genetically engineered material (including by mingling the two), so long as the contamination was neither intentional nor negligent.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Condemns: (1) the current Belarusian regime; and (2) the arrests of Anatoly Lebedko, Nikolay Statkevich, and Valery Shchukin. Declares that Congress is gravely concerned about the disappearances of Viktor Gonchar, Yuri Krasovsky, Yuri Zakharenka, Tamara Vinnikova, and other members of the opposition. Calls for: (1) immediate dialogue between President Lukashenka and the Consultative Council of Belarusian opposition and the restoration of a civilian, democratically elected government in Belarus; and (2) a duly constituted national legislature, the rule of law, and an independent judiciary. Urges President Lukashenka to: (1) respect the human rights of all Belarusian citizens, including those members of the opposition who are currently being illegally detained in violation of their constitutional rights; and (2) make good on his promise to hold free parliamentary elections in 2000. Expresses support for the appeal by the Consultative Council of Belarusian opposition parties to the Government of Russia, the State Duma, and the Federation Council for a cessation of support for Lukashenka's regime. Calls on: (1) the international community to support the opposition by continuing to meet with the legitimately elected parliament; and (2) the President of the United States to continue to fund travel to the United States by the Belarusian opposition figures, to provide funding for the nongovernmental organizations in Belarus, and to support information flows into Belarus.
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
Long Island Sound Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the office established to assist the Management Conference of the Long Island Sound Study (Management Conference) to assist in efforts to establish a system for trading nitrogen credits within the process for granting watershed general permits. Authorizes States, in making assistance available for the upgrading of wastewater treatment facilities under provisions regarding the Long Island Sound, to give priority to a distressed community. Provides for negative interest rates on loans made to such communities for implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Long Island Sound (Plan). Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) carrying out the Management Conference; and (2) making grants for projects and studies to implement the Plan. Increases the maximum amount available for such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Consumer's Right to Financial Privacy Act - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to revamp financial institution obligations regarding disclosures of personal information sharing. Prohibits such institutions from either disclosing, or making unrelated use, of nonpublic personal information collected in a consumer transaction unless the institution has notified the consumer in accordance with prescribed regulations. (Currently such disclosure or unrelated use is permitted with institutional affiliates without prior notice to consumers.) Requires the consumer's affirmative consent (opt-in) to any such information sharing between a financial institution, its affiliates, or any other person that is neither an employee or agent of such institution. (Current law permits nonpublic personal consumer information sharing by a financial institution with nonaffiliated third parties for marketing and other purposes, unless the consumer opts out in writing.) Mandates that designated regulatory agencies promulgate regulations that: (1) require affirmative consumer consent as a prerequisite to any information sharing by a financial institution; (2) prohibit a financial institution from denying a product or service to a consumer who has denied consent to such information transfer; and (3) require consumer access and opportunity to dispute nonpublic personal information made available by the institution to persons other than its own personnel. Prohibits a financial institution from disclosing a consumer's access number or code to both an affiliated or nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing, or other marketing through electronic mail to the consumer. (Current law permits such disclosure to affiliates). Restricts nonpublic personal information received from a financial institution by an affiliate or nonaffiliated third party from being further disclosed to another affiliate or nonaffiliated third party of both the financial institution and such recipient. Requires designated regulatory agencies to promulgate proscriptions against unfair and deceptive practices in connection with either the disclosure of nonpublic personal information, or with making unrelated uses of that information. Prescribes regulation contents, including a requirement that a financial institution disclose to the consumer: (1) the categories of nonpublic personal information the institution collects; and (2) its practices and policies with respect to disclosing or making unrelated uses of it. Authorizes the States to enjoin violations of this Act. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe implementing regulations with respect to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate procedural guidelines governing State election to participate in the enforcement of this Act. Provides that protection under State law that is greater than the protection accorded under this Act (as determined by either the FTC or a Federal functional regulator) shall not be deemed inconsistent with this Act. Repeals the exemption granting permission to State-licensed private investigators acting under court authorization to obtain customer information of a financial institution for purposes of collecting child support from a person adjudged delinquent. Confers enforcement authority upon the States with respect to violations pertaining to fraudulent access to financial information under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering coverage in connection with such plans to provide coverage for scalp hair prostheses for participants or beneficiaries who have scalp hair loss as a result of alopecia areata if the attending physician certifies the medical necessity of that proposed course of rehabilitative treatment. Provides that such coverage is not subject to dollar limits, deductibles, and coinsurance provisions that are less favorable than those for other prosthesis coverage under the plan, but authorizes the plan or issuer to pay for only 80 percent of the customary and usual costs of the prosthesis exclusive of any deductible. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply this Act's requirement to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the individual market in the same manner as it applies to coverage offered in the small or large group market.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States has a responsibility toward its veterans; (2) future congressional budget resolutions and laws making appropriations to the Veterans Health Administration should reflect the ongoing need for quality health care; and (3) the congressional committees of jurisdiction should act accordingly.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1999
School Environment Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National School Integrated Pest Management Advisory System to develop and update uniform standards and criteria for implementing integrated pest management systems in schools. Directs local educational agencies (LEAs) of school districts to develop and implement systems in schools in compliance with this Act. Permits LEAs to continue to implement existing State systems that meet this Act's standards and criteria. Applies this Act's requirements to pesticide application in school buildings and on school grounds. Requires schools to prohibit: (1) the application of a pesticide when a school or school ground is occupied or in use; or (2) the use of an area or room treated by a pesticide, other than a least toxic pesticide, during the 24-hour period beginning at the end of the treatment. Requires the Administrator to establish a National School Integrated Pest Management Advisory Board. Directs the Board, among other duties, to: (1) review pesticides used in schools for their acute toxicity and chronic effects; and (2) recommend a list of least toxic pesticides. Authorizes the Board to recommend restrictions on pesticide use in schools. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish a list of least toxic pesticides that may be used in schools; (2) publish pesticide restrictions in the Federal Register; and (3) issue findings on whether use of registered pesticides in schools may endanger children's health. Directs the Administrator to appoint an official for school pest management within the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs to coordinate integrated pest management systems in schools. Requires LEAs to: (1) designate contact persons for carrying out such systems; (2) maintain all pesticide use data for each school in the district and make such data publicly available; and (3) include notice of such systems in forms of universal notification at the beginning of each school year. Permits the use of a pesticide only if the pesticide has been disclosed in such notice. Prescribes procedures to be followed if a pest cannot be controlled after having used an integrated pest management system and least toxic pesticides, including prior notification of parents, guardians, and staff members of the use of a pesticide and posting of signs. Prescribes alternative procedures in emergency situations. Provides for public comments, through school board meetings, on integrated pest management systems. Establishes a complaint procedure to remedy violations of this Act. Prescribes civil penalties for violations. Establishes the Integrated Pest Management Trust Fund to carry out education, training, propagation, and development activities under integrated pest management systems of schools to remedy the harmful effect of actions taken by persons who paid civil penalties. Describes remedies for employees alleging violations of this Act. Directs the Administrator to provide grants to LEAs to develop systems under this Act. Prohibits, no later than six years after this Act's enactment, the use of any pesticide other than a least toxic pesticide in schools unless the Administrator has met the requirements of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1999
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of State (the Secretary), as part of the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, to include information to address the status of trafficking in persons, including: (1) a list of foreign countries that are countries of origin, transit, or destination for a significant number of victims of "severe forms of trafficking" (defined as sex trafficking in which either a commercial sex act or any act or event contributing to such act is effected or induced by force, coercion, fraud, or deception, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained age 18, and the purchase, sale, recruitment, harboring, transportation, transfer, or receipt of a person for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, or slavery, or slavery-like practices which is effected by force, coercion, fraud, or deception); (2) a description of the nature and extent of severe forms of trafficking in persons in each country (descriptive information); (3) an assessment of the efforts by such governments to combat severe forms of trafficking (assessment information); and (4) descriptive information and, where appropriate, assessment information, on a country-by-country basis. (Sec 5) Requires the President to establish an Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, chaired by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, which shall assist the Task Force and be administered by a Director. Directs the Task Force to: (1) coordinate the implementation of this Act; (2) measure and evaluate progress of the United States and other countries in trafficking prevention, protection of and provision of assistance to trafficking victims, and prosecution and enforcement against traffickers; (3) expand interagency procedures to collect and organize data (and respect the confidentiality of trafficking victims); (4) engage in efforts to facilitate cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination; (5) examine the role of the international "sex tourism" industry in the trafficking of women and children and in the sexual exploitation of women and children around the world; and (6) make recommendations on appropriate measures to combat this industry. (Sec. 6) Directs the President: (1) acting through the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) and the heads of other appropriate agencies, to establish and carry out initiatives to enhance economic opportunity for potential victims of trafficking as a method to deter trafficking; (2) acting through the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and State, and through the Attorney General, to establish and carry out programs to increase public awareness, particularly among potential victims, of the dangers of trafficking and the protections that are available for victims; and (3) to consult with appropriate nongovernmental organizations with respect to the establishment and conduct of initiatives under this section. (Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary and the Administrator to establish and carry out programs and initiatives in foreign countries to assist in the safe integration, reintegration, or resettlement of victims of trafficking and their children and to take appropriate steps to enhance cooperative efforts among foreign countries, including countries of origin of victims, to assist in such integration, reintegration, or resettlement. Directs the Attorney General, the Secretaries of HHS and Labor, and the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation, subject to the availability of appropriations, to expand existing services to provide assistance to victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons within the United States, without regard to such victims' immigration status. Makes such victims eligible, without regard to their immigration status, for any benefits that are otherwise available under the Crime Victims Fund. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, U.S. territories and possessions, Indian tribes, units of local government, and nongovernmental victims' service organizations to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for trafficking victims, subject to specified conditions. Provides trafficking victims a civil right of action for violations of Federal criminal code (the code) provisions (established by section 12 of this Act) regarding trafficking into slavery-like conditions or sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary to promulgate regulations for law enforcement personnel, immigration officials, and State Department officials to provide that: (1) victims of severe forms of trafficking, while in Federal custody, shall be housed in appropriate shelter, receive prompt medical care, food, and other assistance, and be provided protection if a victim's safety is at risk; (2) such victims shall not be jailed, fined, or otherwise penalized due to having been trafficked, and shall have access to legal assistance, information about their rights, and translation services; (3) Federal law enforcement officials shall act to ensure an alien's continued presence in the United States if, after an assessment, it is determined that such alien is a victim of trafficking or a material witness; and (4) appropriate personnel of the Departments of State and Justice shall be trained in identifying such victims and providing for their protection. Amends the code to make funds derived from the sale of assets seized from and forfeited by trafficking available for victims assistance programs under this Act. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow the Attorney General to: (1) grant non-immigrant visas to certain victims of severe forms of trafficking who are in the United States and who would face a significant possibility of retribution or other harm if they were removed from the United States; and (2) adjust to lawful permanent resident status the status of victims who have been in the United States continuously for three years since admission, who have remained of good moral character, who have not unreasonably refused to assist in trafficking investigations or prosecutions, and who would face a significant possibility of retribution or other harm if removed from the United States. (Sec. 8) Establishes minimum standards applicable to countries that have a significant trafficking problem. Urges such countries to prohibit severe forms of trafficking in persons, to punish such acts, and to make serious and sustained efforts to eliminate such trafficking. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary and the Director of AID to provide assistance to foreign countries for programs and activities designed to meet the minimum international standards for the elimination of trafficking. (Sec. 10) Declares that it is U.S. policy to withhold non-humanitarian foreign assistance to countries which do not meet the minimum standards. Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees regarding the status of severe forms of trafficking in persons, including a list of any countries that do not meet applicable minimum standards. Permits interim reports. Requires the President, for FY 2002 and subsequent fiscal years, for each country that fails to meet the standards, to make one of the following determinations: (1) to withhold U.S. non-humanitarian assistance; (2) to not provide funding for participation of employees of such country's governments in educational and cultural exchange programs; (3) to instruct the U.S. executive director of each multilateral development bank and the International Monetary Fund to vote against non-humanitarian assistance to such country; (4) that such country has come into compliance with the minimum standards; or (5) that the provision of non-humanitarian assistance to a country not meeting minimum standards is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 11) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to compile and publish a list of foreign persons who play a significant role in a severe form of trafficking in persons, directly or indirectly in the United States, who materially support such persons, or who are owned or controlled by such persons; and (2) the President to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, including the freezing of assets located in the United States. Directs the President, upon exercising such authority, to report to specified congressional committees: (1) identifying publicly the foreign persons that the President determines are appropriate for sanctions; and (2) detailing publicly the sanctions imposed. Permits non-disclosure of persons on the list for intelligence and law enforcement reasons, and requires that Congress be notified of such exclusions on an annual basis. Excludes significant traffickers, and those who knowingly assist them, from entry into the United States. (Sec. 12) Amends the code to: (1) double the current maximum penalties for peonage, enticement into slavery, and sale into involuntary servitude to 20 years imprisonment; and (2) add the possibility of life imprisonment for such violations resulting in death or involving kidnaping, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill. Prohibits, and sets penalties for: (1) trafficking into involuntary servitude, peonage, or slavery-like conditions; (2) sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion; and (3) unlawfully possessing or destroying the identification or immigration documents of another in the course of a trafficking violation or in an attempt to impair a trafficking investigation or restrict a victim's movement. Requires that convicted traffickers provide full restitution to their victims. Directs courts to order the forfeiture to the United States of any of the trafficker's property that was used for or derived from violations of these laws. Makes victims of these crimes eligible for the Federal witness protection program. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review, and if appropriate amend, the sentencing guidelines to ensure that they are sufficiently stringent with respect to such trafficking offenses. Amends the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to add the new trafficking offenses to the list of covered activities. (Sec. 13) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for: (1) the Interagency Task Force; (2) the Secretary of HHS; (3) the Secretary; (4) the Attorney General; (5) the President (for foreign victim assistance and assistance to foreign countries to meet the minimum standards); and (6) the Secretary of Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Duty to Assist Veterans Act of 1999 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to any veterans' benefits claim filed on or after July 14, 1999, to assist such claimant in developing information pertinent to a decision on the claim, including by informing the claimant of any medical or lay evidence needed and by providing a medical examination to determine the current disability of the veteran concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Education for Democracy Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise provisions for Civic Education, under part F of title X (Programs of National Significance). (Sec. 2) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to or contracts with: (1) the Center for Civic Education (CCE) to carry out civic education activities under the We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution program and The Project Citizen program, and under Cooperative Educational Exchange programs; and (2) the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) to carry out economic education activities under Cooperative Educational Exchange programs. Revises requirements for CCE implementation of the We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution program and The Project Citizen program. Sets forth requirements for the Cooperative Educational Exchange programs of civic education by CCE and economic education by NCEE. Makes eligible for such programs Central European countries, an Eastern European country, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and the independent states of the former Soviet Union. Allows such program eligibility also for the Republic of Ireland, the province of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, and any developing country as defined under the Education for the Deaf Act. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004 for: (1) the We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution program and The Project Citizen program; and (2) the Cooperative Educational Exchange programs. (Sec. 3) Repeals title VI (International Education Program) of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special rules concerning the contribution for charitable purposes of drugs to be administered outside the United States and drugs with short lives.
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 · 1 November 1999
Hunger Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to remove specified restrictions on qualified aliens' eligibility for food stamp and supplemental security income benefits. Exempts food stamp provisions respecting aliens from: (1) the five-year waiting period for Federal means-tested public benefits eligibility; (2) inclusion of sponsor income and resources to an alien for State benefits eligibility; and (3) sponsor reimbursement requirements in cases of hardship. Sets forth effective dates for: (1) aliens; and (2) refugees and asylees. (Sec. 3) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to authorize a State to use an alternative State auto valuation rather than the Federal one in order to provide a lower household resource attribution for food stamp program purposes. (Sec. 4) Increases, and indexes for inflation, the food stamp excess shelter deduction. (Sec. 5) Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to authorize additional appropriations for commodity purchases under the emergency food assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Telemarketing Victims Protection Act - Amends the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to include in rules respecting abusive telemarketing acts or practices requirements that telemarketers: (1) notify consumers who are called that they have the right to be placed on either the Direct Marketing Association's or the appropriate State's do-not-call list; (2) notify the Association or State if a consumer elects to be placed on such a list; (3) obtain and reconcile such lists on a regular basis; (4) not make any calls during the hours of 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; and (5) not block the identity of the telephone from which they are making a telemarketing call. Directs the Commission to study and report to Congress on the violations of the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, especially of repeated violations by a single telemarketer and of the provisions for penalizing telemarketers for such violations, including new provisions which would allow appropriate Federal action against telemarketers.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Expresses support for the goals and ideas of Italian-American Heritage Month and recognizes the significant contributions that Italian Americans have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Comprehensive Antitrafficking in Persons Act of 1999 - Directs the President to establish an Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, chaired by the Secretary of State (the Secretary). Authorizes the Secretary to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, which shall provide assistance to the Task Force and be administered by a Director. Directs the Task Force to carry out the following activities: (1) coordinate implementation of this Act; (2) measure and evaluate the progress of the United States and countries around the world in the areas of trafficking prevention, protection and assistance to trafficking victims, and prosecution and enforcement against traffickers; (3) expand interagency procedures to collect and organize data; and (4) engage in efforts to facilitate cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination. (Sec. 5) Requires the President, acting through: (1) the United States Agency for International Development (AID) and the heads of other appropriate agencies, to establish and carry out initiatives to enhance economic opportunity for potential victims of trafficking as a method to deter trafficking; and (2) the Attorney General and the Secretaries of State, Labor, and Health and Human Services (HHS), to establish and carry out programs to increase public awareness, particularly among potential victims, of the dangers of trafficking and the protections that are available for its victims. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of AID to: (1) establish and carry out programs and initiatives in foreign countries to assist in the safe reintegration of victims of trafficking and their children; and (2) take all appropriate steps to enhance cooperative efforts among foreign countries to assist in the appropriate reintegration of stateless victims of trafficking with respect to the establishment and conduct of programs and initiatives. Requires the Attorney General, the Secretaries of HHS and Labor, and the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation to expand existing services to provide assistance to victims of trafficking within the United States, without regard to their immigration status. Makes victims of trafficking in the United States eligible, without regard to their immigration status, for any benefits that are otherwise available under the Crime Victims Fund. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, U.S. territories and possessions, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victims' service organizations to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for trafficking victims. Requires an eligible governmental unit or organization, to receive a grant, to certify that its laws, policies, and practices do not punish or deny services to trafficking victims on account of the nature of their employment or services performed in connection with such trafficking. Sets forth provisions regarding fund allocation and the Federal share. Authorizes individuals who are victims of Federal criminal code (the code) violations regarding trafficking and criminal exploitation of workers to bring a civil action in U.S. district court. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary to promulgate regulations for law enforcement personnel, immigration officials, and Department of State officials to implement the following: (1) trafficking victims, while in Federal custody, shall be housed in appropriate shelter as quickly as possible; receive prompt medical care, food, and other assistance; and be provided protection if a victim's safety is at risk or if there is danger of additional harm by recapture of the victim by a trafficker; (2) Federal law enforcement officials should act, to ensure an alien individual's continued presence in the United States, if after an assessment it is determined that such individual is a trafficking victim or a material witness, in order to effectuate prosecution of those responsible and to further U.S. humanitarian interests; and (3) appropriate Department of State and Department of Justice personnel shall be trained in identifying victims of trafficking and in providing for their protection. Makes funding available. (Sec. 7) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to establish a new non-immigrant classification for an alien (and the alien's spouse, children, and parents if accompanying or following to join the alien) who the Attorney General determines: (1) possesses material information concerning criminal or other unlawful activity; (2) is willing to supply or has supplied such information to Federal or State law enforcement officials; (3) would be helpful, were the alien to remain in the United States, to a properly authorized Federal or State investigation or prosecution of the criminal or other unlawful activity; and (4) has suffered significant physical or mental abuse as a result of the criminal or other unlawful activity. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to provide that: (1) the number of aliens admitted in a fiscal year under such classification may not exceed 1,000; (2) no alien may be admitted into the United States as such a non-immigrant more than five years after the date of the enactment of such provision; (3) the period of authorized admission of an alien as such a non-immigrant may not exceed three years (which can not be extended by the Attorney General); and (4) as a condition for admission and continued stay in lawful status the non-immigrant may not be convicted of a criminal offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of one year or more after the date of admission, the non-immigrant must have executed a form that waives the right to contest (other than on the basis of an application for withholding removal) any action for removal of the alien instituted before the alien obtains lawful permanent resident status, and the non-immigrant shall abide by any other condition or restriction imposed by the Attorney General. Prohibits a change of non-immigrant classification for such aliens. Amends the INA to authorize the Attorney General to adjust the status of such an alien to one lawfully admitted for permanent residence if, in the Attorney General's opinion, the alien's continued presence in the United States is justified on humanitarian grounds or is otherwise in the national interest, and the alien meets other specified conditions. (Sec. 8) Allows the President to impose specified measures against any foreign country that has made little or no progress on reducing trafficking, implementing any necessary anti-trafficking laws, enforcing anti-trafficking laws, or protecting and assisting trafficking victims. Authorizes the President to: (1) deny U.S. Government assistance, with exceptions; (2) instruct the U.S. Executive Director to specified international financial institutions to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any loan or financial or technical assistance to the country by such institution; (3) prohibit the transfer of defense articles, services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act to the country or any national; (4) prohibit or substantially restrict exports to the country of goods, technology and services, and suspend existing licenses for the transfer to that person of items the export of which is controlled under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the Export Administration Regulations; and (5) exercise certain authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make a determination of those persons who are trafficking in the United States or its territories and possessions and, if such a determination is made, publish the list in the Federal Register. Directs the President to report to Congress on measures applied under this section and the reasons for their application. (Sec. 9) Amends the code to double the term of imprisonment for specified slavery-related offenses. Provides for enhanced penalties where death results if the violation includes kidnaping (or an attempt to kidnap), aggravated sexual abuse (or an attempt to commit such abuse), or an attempt to kill. Prohibits, and sets penalties for: (1) specified actions with respect to the trafficking and criminal exploitation of workers, including knowingly benefitting from the labor or services of a person held to a condition of involuntary servitude or peonage; and (2) destruction, concealment, and unlawful possession of documents in furtherance of trafficking, criminal worker exploitation, involuntary servitude, or peonage. Directs the court to order restitution for offenses under this section. Sets forth provisions regarding proof of a condition of involuntary servitude or peonage, punishment of attempts to violate specified provisions of this Act, and forfeiture to the United States. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of offenses involving the trafficking of persons. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary, as part of the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, to include specified information to address the status of international trafficking in persons. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations for the Interagency Task Force, and to the Secretary of HHS, the Secretary, the Attorney General, the President, and the Secretary of Labor, for FY 2001-2002 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Congratulates: (1) the people of the Republic of India on the successful conclusion of their recent national elections; and (2) Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his re-election. Calls on the President to travel to India as part of any trip to South Asia. Urges the President to broaden our special relationship with India into a strategic partnership.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training In Our Neighborhoods Act of 1999 or PROTECTION Act - Modifies provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (the Act) regarding public safety and community policing ("cops on the beat" program, COPS) to authorize the Attorney General to use funding under COPS grants to: (1) increase prosecutor presence and to enhance law enforcement access to new technologies; (2) pay overtime to existing career law enforcement officers to the extent that such overtime is devoted to community policing efforts; and (3) promote higher education among in-service State and local law enforcement officers by reimbursing them for the costs associated with seeking a college or graduate school education. Includes among permitted additional grant projects: (1) specialized integrity and ethics training; (2) innovative proactive crime control and prevention programs involving school officials and religiously-affiliated organizations; (3) school-based partnerships between local law enforcement agencies and local school systems by using school resource officers who operate in and around elementary and secondary schools (current law) to serve as a law enforcement liaison with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies and to combat gang membership and criminal activity, firearms and explosives-related incidents, illegal use and possession of alcohol, and the illegal possession, use, and distribution of drugs; and (4) innovative programs that bring together a community's sheriff, police chief, and elderly residents to address the public safety concerns of older citizens. Authorizes the Attorney General to use up to five percent of appropriated funds for technical assistance and training to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, and other public and private entities. Requires the technical assistance provided by the Attorney General to include the establishment and operation of regional community policing institutes training centers or facilities. Permits the functions of the centers or facilities to include instruction and seminars for specified individuals, including representatives of police labor and management organizations and community residents. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding: (1) termination of grants for hiring officers; and (2) preferential consideration of applications for certain grants. Allows grants to be used to assist: (1) police departments in employing specified professional, scientific, and technological advancements; and (2) State, local, or tribal prosecutors' offices in implementation of community-based prosecution programs that build on local community policing efforts. Reserves specified funds for units of local government with a population of less than 50,000. Authorizes the Attorney General to use no more than 50 percent of grant renewal funds to award grants targeted specifically for retention of police officers to grantees in good standing, with preference to those that demonstrate financial hardship or severe budget constraint that impacts the entire local budget and may result in the termination of employment for officers. Redefines: (1) "career law enforcement officer" to include sheriffs' deputies charged with supervising offenders who are released into the community but also engaged in local community policing efforts; and (2) "school resource officer" to mean a career law enforcement officer deployed in community-oriented policing and assigned to work in collaboration with schools and community-based organizations (as under current law) to engage in specified activities, including serving as a law enforcement liaison with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies to address and document crime and disorder problems, training students in conflict resolution and crime awareness, and assisting school administrators with the preparation of an annual report on the number of students expelled per year for bringing a weapon, firearm, or explosive to school. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1999
Young Witness Assistance Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in support of juvenile (17 years of age or younger) and young adult (between 18 and 21 years of age) witness assistance programs. Authorizes grant funds to be used, among other things, for: (1) counseling services to young witnesses of a violent crime; and (2) protective services for young witnesses and their families when a serious threat of harm is made from perpetrators or their associates. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1999
Unsolicited Electronic Mail Act of 1999 - Authorizes any person, on his or her own behalf or on behalf of his or her children, to file with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a statement that he or she desires to receive no unsolicited commercial electronic mail (e-mail), unsolicited pandering (erotically arousing or sexually provocative) e-mail, or both. Directs the FCC to: (1) maintain and keep a current list of such filers; and (2) make such list available to any person, upon reasonable terms and conditions, including a service charge for such list. Prohibits any person from initiating the transmission of any unsolicited commercial or pandering e-mail to an individual whose name and e-mail address has been on such list for more than 30 days. Prohibits any other use of such list. Prohibits any person from sending an unsolicited commercial or pandering e-mail message unless the message contains a conspicuous reply e-mail address to which a recipient may send notice of a desire not to receive further messages. Subjects to an FCC order to discontinue any person who transmits such a message after such an objection. Directs the FCC, upon request, to include in such an order the names and e-mail addresses of any children of an objecting recipient. Provides a private right of action, or an action by the FCC, against an e-mail initiator who violates the above requirements. Authorizes an interactive computer service provider to establish and enforce policies that are nondiscriminatory on the basis of content regarding unsolicited commercial e-mail. Authorizes such provider to decline to transmit such messages to subscribers without compensation from the sender. Requires a provider to notify the violator of such policy in writing and request compliance. Makes subject to the same FCC order as above a violator who sends such messages after provider notification. Provides a private right of action by a provider, or an action by the FCC, upon an e-mail initiator who violates such requirements. Requires the FCC to report to Congress on the effectiveness and enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Know Your Caller Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person making a telephone solicitation to interfere with or circumvent a caller identification service from accessing or providing the call recipient with identifying information about the call. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations implementing such prohibition. Provides a cause of action for a person or entity, or a State attorney general on behalf of its residents, for violations of such prohibition or regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Condemns: (1) the overthrow of the democratically-elected Government of Pakistan by the armed forces of Pakistan on October 12, 1999, in violation of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and (2) the subsequent declaration by General Musharraf of a state of emergency, the suspension of Pakistan's Constitution, the dismissal of the national government and the legislature, and the declaration of himself as Pakistan's supreme leader. Expresses grave concern about the implications for security and stability in the South Asia region in light of the history of tensions between India and Pakistan and the fact that both nations have recently tested nuclear devices. Urges both countries to exercise restraint. Calls for the immediate restoration of a civilian, democratically-elected government in Pakistan and the restoration of democracy and the rule of law. Urges the armed forces of Pakistan to respect the human rights of all Pakistani citizens, including those members of the national government who are currently being illegally detained in violation of their constitutional and human rights. Calls on the President not to consider exercising the waiver authority which would be granted to him by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 (presented by Congress on October 14, 1999, for the President's approval), to allow the sale of any military equipment or services to Pakistan, or reinstatement of Pakistan's eligibility for international military education and training, until a civilian, democratically-elected government is returned to power.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1999
Amends Federal rail transportation law to prohibit a railroad carrier (including its officers and agents) from requiring a train employee who has been on duty or available for it for any portion of each of seven consecutive days to go on duty or be available for it until at least 72 consecutive hours have passed after the employee is released from duty or availability.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1999
Pension Reduction Disclosure Act of 1999 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth notice requirements for pension plans which significantly reduce future benefit accruals. Requires additional information to be provided in such notice by large pension plans with 100 or more active participants. Imposes an excise tax upon failure of pension plans to provide such notice.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Federal Government has a responsibility to continue to increase diabetes research funding, endeavor to raise awareness of the importance of the early detection and proper treatment, and consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for diagnosing and treating diabetes; (2) all Americans should take an active role in fighting diabetes by using all the means available; and (3) national and community organizations and health care providers should endeavor to promote awareness of diabetes and its complications, and encourage early detection.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1999
National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include amusement rides that are permanently fixed to a site in the definition of "consumer product" (thereby giving the Consumer Product Safety Commission jurisdiction over such amusement rides). Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act as amended by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1999
Restraint Safety Act of 1999 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) and of title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to specify Medicare and Medicaid program beneficiaries' rights to freedom from restraint and other abuse while in a psychiatric hospital or other care facility or treatment center. Requires a service provider to report sentinel events (when a program beneficiary under psychiatric care dies unexpectedly or suffers serious injury unrelated to his or her illness or underlying condition) to the appropriate agencies or entities with oversight authority. Allows the imposition of restraints only for the following: (1) to ensure the physical safety of the individual or others in the provider's care or custody; and (2) upon the written order of a physician specifying the duration and circumstances of restraint use (except in emergency circumstances specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services until such an order could reasonably be obtained). Requires the service provider to investigate the sentinel event reported and the appropriate agencies or entities to review and approve the provider's root cause analysis before reporting on the matter to the Secretary for use in the Sentinel Events Database. Directs the Secretary to establish such Database for use on the Internet, with appropriate privacy safeguards for individuals whose treatment is the subject of a report under this Act. Requires additional reporting in certain cases, including to the following: (1) the Secretary about a provider identified as having a pattern of poor performance; and (2) the State Attorney General or the appropriate State law enforcement agency in sentinel events involving death. Mandates sanctions for failure to report. Bars disclosure or discovery of a root cause analysis in a civil action.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1999
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the treatment of certified diabetes educators recognized by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators as certified providers for purposes of outpatient diabetes education services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1999
Elementary and Secondary School Library Media Resources, Training, and Advanced Technology Assistance Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish a program to provide for elementary and secondary school library media resources, including mandatory State allotments for library media resources and discretionary grants for school library access during non-school hours. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such allotments to applicant State educational agencies (SEAs) according to a specified formula. Allows the SEA and the Secretary to reserve specified amounts for certain statewide and national activities, including information dissemination. Requires SEAs to make allocations to applicant local educational agencies (LEAs) that have: (1) the greatest need for school library media improvement; and (2) the highest percentages of poverty. Sets forth authorized uses of such funds by LEAs, including: (1) acquisition of resources, including books; (2) acquisition of advanced technology; (3) resource-sharing among schools and their library media centers and public and academic libraries; (4) professional development for school library media specialists; and (5) collaboration between such specialists and teachers and administrators. Sets forth accountability requirements for continuation of funding. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to applicant LEAs to provide students with access to libraries in elementary schools and secondary schools during non-school hours, including the hours before and after school, weekends, and summer vacation periods. Requires that priority be given to LEAs that: (1) seek to provide activities that will increase reading skills and student achievement; (2) have effectively coordinated services and funding with entities involved in other Federal, State, and local efforts to provide programs and activities for students during non-school hours; and (3) have a high level of community support. 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 · 24 September 1999
Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of marriage and family therapist services generally, and particularly such services provided in rural health clinics and in hospice programs. Authorizes marriage and family therapists to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous) to provide for the exclusion of such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
National Youth Technology Corps Act - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to establish a National Youth Technology Corps (NYTC) as part of the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, using VISTA volunteers who are highly proficient in computer technologies. Includes under NYTC functions: (1) recruiting and organizing youth to implement and maintain computer systems for public schools, community centers, public senior centers, and libraries, and to teach students, teachers, senior citizens, and others how to use computer and other information technologies and systems; (2) promoting such youth's involvement in community services involving the use of technology; (3) promoting entrepreneurship among, and employment opportunities for, such youth in technology-related fields; and (4) providing recognition to affiliated youth and organizations for outstanding efforts and achievements. Requires assignment of such volunteers to projects and programs that meet the antipoverty criteria and provide assistance to persons who are unserved or underserved by computer education programs, according to specified priorities. Allows such programs and projects to be administered by various specified types of entities. Requires equitable distribution of such volunteers. Requires NYTC to consist of all VISTA volunteers who are working on the described projects and programs. Provides for proportionate reduction of NYTC funds for any fiscal year for which VISTA funding is reduced.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend provisions: (1) permitting personal tax credits to be fully allowed against regular tax liability; and (2) subjecting the child tax credit for three or more children to reduction by the alternative minimum tax.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Intercountry Adoption Act of 1999 - Title I: United States Central Authority - Requires the Department of State through the Secretary of State to serve as the central authority of the United States with respect to implementation of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption done at the Hague on May 29, 1993. Outlines responsibilities of the Secretary of State, including liaison, information exchange, and other coordination activities relating to the Convention. (Sec. 103) Requires the Attorney General to be responsible for the filing of applications by prospective adoptive parents to the central authority of their country of residence. (Sec. 104) Requires annual reports from the Secretary of State to Congress describing activities of the U.S. central authority during the previous year. Title II: Provisions Relating to Accreditation and Approval -Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to carry out functions prescribed by the Convention with respect to the accreditation of agencies and the approval of persons to provide adoption services in the United States. (Sec. 202) Prohibits a person, with specified exceptions, from offering or providing an adoption service in connection with a Convention adoption in the United States unless that person is accredited under this title, or is providing such service through or under the supervision and responsibility of an accredited person. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with one or more qualified entities that will provide for the accreditation of agencies, and approval of persons, to provide adoption services in the United States in cases subject to the Convention. Requires such entities to undertake related oversight, enforcement, and information collection activities. Sets forth procedures for an agency or person to reapply for accreditation as a result of an adverse action by an accrediting entity. Provides for the judicial review of such actions. Allows fees to be charged against agencies or persons seeking accreditation for Convention intercountry adoptions. Outlines accreditation standards and procedures. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to: (1) monitor each entity's performance of accrediting duties and compliance with the Convention and other applicable laws and regulations; and (2) suspend or cancel the accreditation of an agency or person found to be substantially out of compliance with applicable requirements, and the accrediting entity has failed or refused to take appropriate corrective action. Authorizes the Secretary to debar an agency or person from accreditation, under certain conditions. Provides judicial review of the Secretary's decisions under this section. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations, limited to the amount of fees collected by accrediting entities. Title III: Recognition of Convention Adoptions in the United States - Directs the Secretary, with respect to each Convention adoption, to issue a certificate to the adoptive citizen parent domiciled in the United States recognizing the legal effect, for purposes of emigration and adoption, of a Convention adoption, as long as the Secretary has received appropriate documentation from the central authority of the child's country of origin, and has verified that other requirements of this Act have been met with respect to adoption. Provides for U.S. recognition of adoptions finalized in other Convention countries. (Sec. 302) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include: (1) under its definition of "child" a child adopted through the Convention; and (2) under its immigration approval procedures a child for whom the Secretary has certified that a U.S. citizen has effected final adoption under the Convention. (Sec. 303) Outlines procedures for the adoption in any other Convention country of a child residing in the United States, requiring certain duties to be performed by an accredited agency or approved person or the prospective parents acting on their own behalf (if so permitted in such country). Prohibits a State court from entering an order declaring such adoption to be final or granting custody for adoption, unless such court: (1) has received and verified that such duties have been performed, as well as evidence that other Convention requirements have been met; and (2) has determined that the adoptive placement is in the child's best interests. (Sec. 304) Prohibits a State court from vacating a final adoption decree entered pursuant to the Convention unless: (1) the decree was granted by a State court; (2) the court finds clear and convincing evidence that adoptive consent was obtained through fraud, duress, or improper inducement by compensation; (3) voiding such adoption is in the best interests of the child; and (4) the adoptive parents are afforded an opportunity to be heard in such proceedings. Recognizes another country's proceedings vacating such adoptions. States that the voiding of such an adoption does not void or prohibit the naturalization of such child as a U.S. citizen. Title IV: Administration and Enforcement - Provides for: (1) the preservation of Convention adoption records; (2) the nondisclosure of identifying information contained in such records (except to the extent necessary to administer the Convention or this Act); and (3) recognition of Convention documents of other countries. (Sec. 403) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Provides civil penalties and other enforcement procedures for violations of this Act. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions with respect to the recognition of Convention adoptions. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish by regulation alternative procedures for the adoption of children by individuals related to them by blood or marriage in cases subject to the Convention. (Sec. 503) States that the Convention and this Act shall have no effect on: (1) State law; or (2) provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Commends Greece and Turkey for their mutual and swift response to the recent earthquakes in both countries by providing to each other humanitarian assistance and rescue relief. Encourages: (1) the United States to continue its efforts in aiding both countries as they seek to rebuild; and (2) the countries themselves to persevere in resolving outstanding issues between themselves. Recognizes the renewed spirit of cooperation and the importance of the talks between such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) if European Council Regulation No. 925-1999 (banning certain aircraft from flying in Europe) is not rescinded by the European Council at the earliest possible date, the Secretary of Transportation should take all appropriate actions to ensure that a petition regarding the regulation is filed with the International Civil Aviation Organization under Article 84 of the Chicago Convention; and (2) the Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Transportation and other appropriate parties should use all reasonable means available to ensure that such regulation is rescinded.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Clean Smokestacks Act of 1999 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to achieve specified reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and mercury from powerplants (electric generation facilities with a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts or greater that use a combustion device to generate electricity for sale) by January 1, 2005. Requires outdated powerplants, on the later of the date 30 years after the powerplant commenced operation or five years after this Act's enactment, to comply with the most recent new source performance standards under CAA provisions regarding air quality and emissions limitations and with specified requirements for modified sources. Defines an "outdated powerplant" as a powerplant that has been in operation for 30 years or more.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) expresses its sympathies to the citizens of Nantou and Taichung and all of Taiwan for the tragic losses suffered as a result of the September 21, 1999, earthquake; (2) expresses its support for the people of Taiwan and for disaster assistance being provided by the United States Agency for International Development and other relief agencies; and (3) recognizes and encourages the important assistance that could be provided by other nations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Gejdenson, Sam [D-CT-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000120_200.jpg)