United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999
OSHA Reform Act of 1999 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to repeal provisions for: (1) inspections, investigations, and recordkeeping; (2) citations; (3) enforcement procedures; (4) judicial review; and (5) civil and criminal penalties. (Sec. 3) Requires a continuing comprehensive economic analysis of the costs and benefits of each OSHA standard. Directs the Secretary of Labor to consider the number of workers exposed to the toxic material or harmful physical agent, the nature and severity of the potential impairment, and the likelihood of such impairment, in determining the priority for establishing standards dealing with such materials or agents. (Sec. 4) Declares that employee safety and health participation committees are not prohibited under the National Labor Relations Act or the Railway Labor Act. Establishes a small business assistance and training program, including: (1) technical assistance and consultative services for employers and employees, targeted at small businesses and the most hazardous industries; and (2) certain consultative services to employers provided under cooperative agreements between the States and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Requires that at least one-fourth of the annual appropriation to carry out OSHA be expended for such assistance and training program. Directs the Secretary of Labor periodically to make an award to companies and other organizations which have implemented particularly effective approaches to occupational safety and health, including those providing for effective employee involvement.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999
Landowners Equal Treatment Act of 1999 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the head of an agency to make every possible effort to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts on non-Federal property that result from Federal use of the property (including constructive use) as a direct result of an agency action under such Act (including actions to provide or retain habitat for endangered or threatened species or to designate non-Federal property as critical habitat). Prohibits an agency from taking action under such Act that results in a Federal use of non-Federal property unless it: (1) obtains the landowner's permission; (2) negotiates a voluntary agreement authorizing such use; or (3) compensates the landowner for the fair market value of the Federal use. Sets forth provisions governing landowner requests for compensation, compensation negotiations, arbitration or civil actions to resolve compensation disagreements, and payment of compensation from an agency's annual appropriations. Prohibits an agency from taking any action that is a Federal use of non-Federal property unless it has given 30 days notice to each property owner directly affected explaining their rights and either obtaining their permission or providing procedures for obtaining compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Extension Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the time limitation on Medicare benefits for immunosuppressive drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of that House voting and present, unless the bill is determined at the time of adoption, in a reasonable manner prescribed by law, not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for purposes of determining any increase, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Requires journal entry of any vote. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Workplace Preservation Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from promulgating, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, any standard or guideline on ergonomics until the National Academy of Sciences completes a study and submits a report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual engaged in an eligible farming business to deduct a limited amount from gross income for amounts paid into an interest-bearing Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Account, created for the taxpayer's exclusive benefit. Requires withdrawal of contributions within five years, upon which they are taxable as ordinary income in the year of withdrawal. Prescribes penalties on amounts not distributed within five years.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999
Liberty Dollar Bill Act - Amends Federal law to mandate that the design of the reverse side of $1 Federal reserve notes incorporate: (1) the preamble to the Constitution; (2) a list describing the Articles of the Constitution; and (3) a list describing the Articles of Amendment. Prescribes the design format. States that such requirements do not limit the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) include other inscriptions or material on the reverse side of $1 bills; or (2) adopt other design features to deter counterfeiting of currency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1999
American Land Sovereignty Protection Act - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from nominating any Federal lands for inclusion on the World Heritage List pursuant to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage unless: (1) the Secretary publishes a finding that commercially viable uses of nominated lands and lands within ten miles of them will not be adversely affected by such inclusion; (2) the Secretary has reported to the Congress on the lands' natural resources and the impact that the inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such lands; and (3) such nomination is specifically authorized by a law. Authorizes the President to submit proposals for legislation authorizing such a nomination after publication of the Secretary's finding. Requires the Secretary to object to the inclusion of any property in the United States on the list of World Heritage in Danger (established under the Convention) unless the Secretary: (1) has reported to the Congress on the necessity for such inclusion, the natural resources associated with the property, and the impact such inclusion would have on existing and future uses of such property; and (2) is specifically authorized to assent to the inclusion by a joint resolution of the Congress enacted after the report is submitted. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the management of each World Heritage Site within the United States. (Sec. 4) Prohibits any Federal official from nominating any lands in the United States for designation as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Provides that any such designation before enactment of this Act shall not have any force or effect, unless the Biosphere Reserve: (1) is specifically authorized by a law enacted before December 31, 2000; (2) consists solely of federally owned lands; and (3) is subject to a management plan that specifically ensures that the use of intermixed or adjacent non-Federal property is not limited or restricted as a result of that designation. Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to specified congressional committees information on the management of each Biosphere Reserve within the United States. (Sec. 5) Prohibits any Federal official from nominating, classifying, or designating any Federal land located within the United States for a special or restricted use under any international agreement for conserving, preserving, or protecting the terrestrial or marine environment, flora, or fauna (with specified exceptions) unless specifically authorized by law, but authorizes the Secretary to submit proposals for authorizing legislation. Provides that any such nomination, classification, or designation of private or State or local lands shall have no force or effect without the owner's consent or specific authorization by State or local law, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1999
Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 1999 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Security and Freedom through Encryption (SAFE) Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit any person within any State and any U.S. person in a foreign country to use, and any person within any State to sell in interstate commerce, any encryption, regardless of the encryption algorithm selected, encryption key length chosen, or implementation technique or median use. Provides that neither the Federal Government nor a State may require that, or condition any approval on a requirement that, a key, access to a key, key recovery information, or any other plaintext access capability be: (1) built into computer hardware or software for any purpose; (2) given to any other person, including a Federal Government agency or an entity in the private sector that may be certified or approved by the Federal Government or any State to receive it; or (3) retained by the owner or user of an encryption key or any other person, other than for encryption products for use by the Federal Government or a State. Makes exceptions with respect to investigative or law enforcement officers and members of the intelligence community. Provides that neither the Federal Government nor a State may require the use of encryption products, standards, or services (products) for: (1) confidentiality purposes, as a condition of the use of such products for authenticity or integrity purposes; or (2) authenticity or integrity purposes, as a condition of the use of such products for confidentiality purposes. Sets penalties for the unlawful use of encryption in furtherance of a criminal act. Specifies that the use of encryption shall not be the sole basis for establishing probable cause with respect to a criminal offense or a search warrant. (Sec. 3) Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to grant the Secretary of Commerce exclusive authority to control exports of all computer hardware, software, computing devices, customer premises equipment, communications network equipment, and technology for information security (including encryption), except that which is specifically designed or modified for military use. Provides that after a one time, 50-day technical review by the Secretary, no export license may be required (with exceptions) for or in the export of specified computer hardware, software, computing devices, telecommunication devices, technical assistance and data, and encryption hardware, software, or computing devices. Authorizes the Secretary, after a one time, 15-day technical review, to authorize the export or reexport of computer hardware, software, or computing devices with encryption capabilities for nonmilitary and end uses in any country: (1) to which exports of computer hardware, software, or computing devices of comparable strength are permitted for use by financial institutions not controlled in fact by United States persons, unless there is substantial evidence that such computer equipment will be diverted to a military end-use or an end-use supporting international terrorism, modified for military or terrorist end-use, or reexported without authorization by the United States; or (2) if the Secretary determines that a computer hardware, software, or computing device offering comparable security is commercially available outside the United States from a foreign supplier, without effective restrictions. Directs that any encryption product not requiring an export license as of this Act's enactment date, as a result of administrative decision or rulemaking, shall not require an export license on or after such date. (Sec. 4) Directs: (1) the Attorney General to compile, and maintain in classified form, data on the instances in which encryption has interfered with, impeded, or obstructed the ability of the Department of Justice to enforce U.S. criminal laws; and (2) that such information be made available, upon request, to any Member of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999
National Right-to-Work Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement (union security agreement), to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Funds to the Classroom Title II: Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Title III: Modification of Arbitrage Rebate Rules Applicable to Bonds Used to Finance Public Schools Dollars to the Classroom Act - Title I: Funds to the Classroom - Expresses the sense of the Congress that it urges the Department of Education, States, and local educational agencies (LEAs) to work together to ensure that not less than 95 percent of all funds appropriated for the purpose of carrying out elementary and secondary education programs administered by the Department of Education is spent for our children in their classrooms. Title II: Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 - Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to allow qualified States to participate in an Education Flexibility Partnership (Ed-Flex Partnership) program. (Sec. 204) Requires Ed-Flex Partnership States to: (1) have approved challenging content standards, challenging performance measures, and aligned assessments in place or have made substantial progress towards having an approved plan under ESEA title I; (2) hold local educational agencies (LEAs) accountable for meeting the educational goals submitted in their local applications for waivers, and for taking corrective actions if they have not met such goals; and (3) waive State educational requirements while holding LEAs or schools affected by such waivers accountable for student performance. Sets forth requirements for: (1) State educational agency (SEA) applications and approval by the Secretary; and (2) local applications and approval and monitoring by SEAs. Limits Federal waivers to five years, unless the Secretary extends such period upon determining that such waiver authority has been effective in enabling such SEAs or affected LEAs or schools to carry out local reform plans. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the Ed-Flex Partnership program for FY 2000 through 2004. Includes as statutory or regulatory requirements that may be waived under this Act those of programs under the Carl D. Perkins Education Act of 1998, and of the following programs under the the Educational and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA): (1) title I Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards; (2) part B State and Local Activities under the title II Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program; (3) subpart 2 State and Local Programs for School Technology Resources (with specified exceptions), under part A Technology Education for All Students, of title III Technology for Education; (4) title IV Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities; (5) title VI Innovative Education Program Strategies; and (6) the part C Emergency Immigrant Education Program under title VII Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs. Prohibits waivers for specified types of requirements. Provides that this Act shall not affect the authority of any State educational agency (SEA) under the Ed-Flex Demonstration program of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. Sets forth accountability requirements. Requires the Secretary, in deciding whether to extend the authority of an SEA to issue waivers, to review the progress of the SEA, LEA, or school affected by the waiver or authority toward the desired results described in its application. Title III: Modification of Arbitrage Rebate Rules Applicable to Bonds Used to Finance Public Schools - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the arbitrage rebate exception for governmental bonds used to finance public schools. (Sec. 302) Modifies arbitrage rebate rules applicable to public school construction bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Title II: State, Local, and Urban Conservation and Recreation Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 - Title I: Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance - Establishes the Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund (OCSIAF) to provide impact assistance to coastal States from a portion (27 percent) of allocable new OCS revenues (payments received by the United States as royalties, net profit share payments, and related late-payment interest from natural gas and oil leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act). Prohibits placement in the Fund of OCS revenues from a leased tract (or portion) located in a geographic area subject to a leasing moratorium on January 1, 1999, unless the lease was issued before the moratorium and was in production on such date. (Sec. 103) Sets forth a formula for use by the Secretary of the Interior to determine the portion of the allocable share of new revenues attributable to each coastal State and county eligible to receive impact assistance payments. Mandates that such OCS funds be expended by the eligible coastal States and counties for certain environmental projects and activities. Requires: (1) the Governor of every OCSIAF recipient State to develop (and certify to the Secretary) a State plan for the use of such funds; (2) an eligible county to submit for the Governor's approval a plan setting forth the projects and activities for which it proposes to expend OCSIA funds; and (3) the Governor of each recipient State to account to the Congress for all OCSIAF monies received for the previous fiscal year. Title II: State, Local, and Urban Conservation and Recreation - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (LWCFA) to require an amount equal to 23 percent of specified Outer Continental Shelf revenues to be credited to a separate account in the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in the Treasury in each fiscal year through September 30, 2015. (Sec. 202) Makes such funds available, without further appropriation, to carry out LWCFA in the next succeeding fiscal year. Provides that, if such revenues in a fiscal year exceed $900 million, such excess shall be available, without further appropriation, in the next succeeding fiscal year for obligation or expenditure as payments in lieu of taxes. Authorizes appropriations to maintain a certain minimum total annual income of the LWCF. Makes certain amounts covered into the LWCF available for expenditure without appropriation. Sets forth formulae for allocation of such funds for: (1) Federal acquisition of certain lands, waters, or interests; (2) financial assistance to the States for land acquisition, urban conservation, and recreation projects; and (3) local governments through the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program of the Department of the Interior. Provides for an LWCFA allocation of funds to Indian tribes and Alaska Native Village Corporations. Requires States to make at least 50 percent of the annual State apportionment under LWCFA available as grants to local governments. Replaces, within a five-year period, LWCFA requirements for comprehensive State plans with requirements for State action agendas. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor recreation and conservation acquisition and development projects eligible for LWCFA grants so long as it provides for public involvement in this process and publishes an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community Recreation and Conservation. Requires such Agendas to: (1) be strategic, originating in broad-based and long-term needs, but focused on actions that can be funded over the next four years, and be updated every four years; (2) consider all providers of recreation and conservation lands, and correlate with other State, regional and local plans for parks, recreation, open space, and wetlands conservation; (3) address wetlands as important outdoor recreation and conservation resources, and incorporate a State wetlands priority conservation plan consistent with the national plan developed under the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act; and (4) be guided in part by recovery action programs developed by urban localities under the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act. Revises LWCFA conditions for approval of conversions. (Sec. 203) Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act (UPRRA) to provide (in addition to the current types of at-risk recreation grants and recovery action program grants) for matching capital grants to local governments in the form of: (1) development grants for development and construction on existing or new neighborhood recreation sites, including indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, support facilities, and landscaping, but excluding routine maintenance and upkeep activities; and (2) acquisition grants for purchasing new parkland to be permanently dedicated and made accessible for public recreation use. Revises UPRRA requirements for: (1) eligibility; (2) matching grants; (3) coordination; and (4) conversion approval. Repeals the limitation on the use of UPRRA funds for acquisition of land or interests in land. (Sec. 205) Establishes a Habitat Reserve Program (HRP) within the Department of the Interior to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in association with the applicable State fish and wildlife department in the State where the affected land is located. Requires lands eligible for enrollment in the HRP to be privately owned and designated by the State agency as necessary to preserve the existence of one or more species listed under the Endangered Species Act, and their owners and operators to have voluntarily entered into partnership agreements with the Secretary and the State agency. Prescribes: (1) limitations on lands eligible for enrollment in the HRP; (2) HRP contract requirements; (3) HRP management plans; (4) HRP contract duration; and (5) payments to owners or operators of lands included in the HRP. Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require an amount equal to ten percent of specified Outer Continental Shelf revenues to be deposited in a new subaccount in the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund (FAWRF), to be invested and to be made available without further appropriation, for apportionment in the next succeeding fiscal year for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. Provides that all interest on such amounts shall be available without further appropriations, for obligation or expenditure for purposes of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989. (Sec. 305) Sets forth requirements for: (1) allocation of such subaccount receipts; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. (Sec. 306) Allows certain subaccount funds for such a State wildlife conservation and restoration program to be used for law enforcement and education. (Sec. 307) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Marriage Tax Elimination Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise standard deduction amounts and individual income tax rate bracket amounts, including providing that amounts for married filing jointly categories shall be twice that of amounts for single filers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Right to Life Act of 1999 - States that Congress declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at fertilization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1999
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to repeal restrictions on certain plumbing products and appliances, including showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Declares that: (1) the final political status of the territory controlled by the Palestinian Authority can only be determined through negotiations and agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority; (2) any attempt to establish Palestinian statehood outside the negotiating process will invoke the strongest congressional opposition; and (3) the President should unequivocally assert U.S. opposition to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Fairness and Voluntary Arbitration Act - Requires each party to a sales and service contract that provides for the use of arbitration in resolving controversies to have the option to reject arbitration as the means of settling a controversy. Requires the arbitrator, whenever arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under such a contract, to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
Provides coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) for an unremarried former spouse of a member or former member of the armed forces who performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable service and who was married to the former spouse for at least 17 years during the period of such creditable service. Provides eligibility for the use of commissary stores for such former spouses.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
Makes veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart eligible for veterans' hospital care and medical services. Provides such veterans with a priority in the veterans' system of annual patient enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to require an employer to give an employee who is a member of a military reserve component an authorized leave of absence to allow participation in a military honor guard at the funeral of a veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Permits certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are retired members of the uniformed services to receive compensation concurrently with retired pay, without deduction from either.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends Federal postal law concerning nonmailable matter to prohibit delivery of any mail constituting a solicitation or offer in connection with a sales promotion for a product or service that uses any game of chance offering anything of value (including any sweepstakes), unless specified notices in a specified font are printed on the envelope and enclosed material. Subjects violations of such prohibition to current cease and desist and other postal law sanctions involving false representations and lotteries.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Social Security Information Act of 1999 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the social security account statements distributed annually by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires such statements to include: (1) a separate estimate of the interest earned on employee and self-employment contributions for hospital insurance and Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI); (2) specified information on the projected value of the aggregate amount of employer and employee contributions for old-age and survivors insurance, as well as annual and total amounts of benefits, in dollars adjusted for inflation; (3) the average annual rates of return on Treasury ten-year savings bonds and the Standard and Poor's 500; and (4) monthly and projected annual trust fund balances.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Technical Corrections to Division I Title II: Technical Corrections to Division II Omnibus Parks Technical Corrections Act of 1998 - Title I: Technical Corrections to Division I - Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (the Act) to make technical corrections to provisions concerning the: (1) Presidio of San Francisco; (2) Colonial National Historical Park; (3) Merced Irrigation District; (4) Big Thicket National Preserve; (5) Kenai Natives Association land exchange; (6) Lamprey Wild and Scenic River; (7) Vancouver National Historic Reserve; (8) Memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr.; (9) Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (10) Great Falls Historic District, New Jersey; (11) New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park; (12) Nicodemus National Historic Site; (13) Aleutian World War II National Historic Area; (14) Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study; (15) Shenandoah Valley Battlefields; (16) Washita Battlefield; (17) ski area permit rental charge; (18) Glacier Bay National Park; (19) Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center; (20) National Park Service administrative reform; (21) Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor; (22) Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve; (23) recreation lakes; (24) Fossil Forest protection; (25) Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area; (26) Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area; (27) Natchez National Historical Park; and (28) regulation of fishing in certain waters of Alaska. Title II: Technical Corrections to Division II - Amends the Act to make technical corrections to provisions concerning the: (1) National Coal Heritage Area; (2) Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area; (3) Augusta Canal National Heritage Area; (4) Essex National Heritage Area; (5) Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor; and (6) Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Health Care Commitment Act - Amends Federal provisions concerning the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to direct the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under which a covered CHAMPUS beneficiary who is also entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act will be permitted to enroll in a health benefits plan offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program in addition to receiving care through a military treatment facility, CHAMPUS, or the TRICARE program. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) required contributions for such coverage; and (2) the management of participants in the plan. Requires the Secretary to begin to offer the health benefits option described under this Act no later than January 1, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Uniformed Services Former Spouses Equity Act of 1999 - Requires payment from the monthly disposable retired pay of a member to his or her former spouse in compliance with court orders (division of property) to terminate upon the remarriage of that spouse, effective as of the last day of the month in which the remarriage occurs. Provides that, in the case of a member to whom a final decree of divorce, dissolution, annulment, or legal separation is issued before the member begins to receive retired pay, the disposable retired pay of such member, for purposes of such monthly payments, shall be computed based on the pay grade and length of service of the member while married. Increases such amount concurrently with retired pay increases. Requires a member's spouse or former spouse to obtain a court order for reapportionment of a member's monthly disposable retired pay by the later of the following dates: (1) two years of the date of the final decree of divorce, dissolution, annulment, or legal separation; or (2) six months after the enactment of this Act. Prohibits the court from treating as part of a member's disposable retired pay amounts which have been waived from such pay in order to receive veterans' disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English. Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Mass Immigration Reduction Act - Restricts U.S. immigration levels to specified numbers of family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, and refugees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Military Retirement Equity Act of 1999 - Permits retired members of the armed forces to be paid retirement pay concurrently with compensation for any service-connected disability if the person's entitlement to retired pay is based solely on age, length of service (at least 20 years), or both. Reduces the retirement pay of individuals receiving both types of pay by a specified percentage of the disability compensation which decreases as the disability rating increases. Prohibits any reduction in the retirement pay of a disabled person when the disability rating is total.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends Federal armed forces provisions to remove certain numerical and geographic restrictions on the participation by Medicare-eligible Department of Defense beneficiaries in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Provides open enrollment periods through the year 2002 (currently 2000) and revises enrollment terms.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Authorizes the Congress to waive these provisions when: (1) a declaration of war is in effect; or (2) the United States is engaged in a military conflict which poses a threat to national security as declared by a joint resolution adopted by a majority of each House. Makes this article effective beginning with FY 2002 or with the second fiscal year beginning after its ratification, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Establishes a four-year term of office for Representatives, to coincide with the term of the President. Makes any person who has been elected for a full term: (1) two times to the Senate ineligible for election or appointment to the Senate; or (2) three times to the House ineligible for election or appointment to the House. Bars any person who has served as a: (1) Senator for more than three years of a term from being subsequently eligible for election to the Senate more than once; and (2) Representative for more than two years from being subsequently eligible for election to the House more than twice. Excludes election or service occurring before this article becomes operative when determining eligibility. Prohibits any Member of one House of the Congress (except in the final year of the Member's current term) from qualifying under State law as a candidate for the other House unless the Member has resigned from the House in which he or she currently serves. Applies this article to terms of office after the first day of the year immediately following the first presidential election after ratification of this article.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Makes any person who has been elected for a full term: (1) two times to the Senate ineligible for election or appointment to the Senate; or (2) six times to the House ineligible for election to the House. Bars any person who has served as a: (1) Senator for more than three years of a term to which some other person was elected from being subsequently eligible for election to the Senate more than once; and (2) Representative for more than one year from being subsequently eligible for election to the House more than five times. Excludes election or service occurring before this article becomes operative when determining eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends rule XXVI (limitations on outside earned income and acceptance of gifts) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House to accept a gift (other than cash or cash equivalent) that the individual reasonably and in good faith believes to have a value of less than $50 and a cumulative value from one source during a calendar year of less than $100. Prohibits a gift having a value of less than $10 from being counted towards the $100 annual limit. Directs that individuals shall make a good faith effort to comply with these requirements even though formal recordkeeping is not required.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Technical Corrections to Division I Title II: Technical Corrections to Division II Omnibus Parks Technical Corrections Act of 1998 - Title I: Technical Corrections to Division I - Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (the Act) to make technical corrections to provisions concerning the: (1) Presidio of San Francisco; (2) Colonial National Historical Park; (3) Merced Irrigation District; (4) Big Thicket National Preserve; (5) Kenai Natives Association land exchange; (6) Lamprey Wild and Scenic River; (7) Vancouver National Historic Reserve; (8) Memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr.; (9) Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (10) Great Falls Historic District, New Jersey; (11) New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park; (12) Nicodemus National Historic Site; (13) Aleutian World War II National Historic Area; (14) Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study; (15) Shenandoah Valley Battlefields; (16) Washita Battlefield; (17) ski area permit rental charge; (18) Glacier Bay National Park; (19) Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center; (20) National Park Service administrative reform; (21) Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor; (22) Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve; (23) recreation lakes; (24) Fossil Forest protection; (25) Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area; (26) Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area; (27) Natchez National Historical Park; and (28) regulation of fishing in certain waters of Alaska. Title II: Technical Corrections to Division II - Amends the Act to make technical corrections to provisions concerning the: (1) National Coal Heritage Area; (2) Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area; (3) Augusta Canal National Heritage Area; (4) Essex National Heritage Area; (5) Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor; and (6) Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Shivwits Paiute Indian Band Settlement Act - Directs that: (1) the St. George Water Reuse Project (as described in the Memorandum of Understanding executed by the Shivwits Paiute Indian Band on March 26, 1998, to implement construction, operation, and maintenance of that Project and the Santa Clara Project (MOU)) consist of water treatment facilities, a pipeline, and associated pumping and delivery facilities which will divert and transport water from the Wastewater Treatment Plant located near St. George, Utah, for delivery and use in the Santa Clara River Basin by St. George and the Shivwits; (2) the Project be sized to deliver 2,000 acre-feet annually for use by the Shivwits, in addition to the water delivered to St. George for its use; and (3) the Shivwits water be delivered by St. George through Project facilities to the eastern boundary of the Shivwits reservation. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make a grant of $15 million to St. George to cover the Shivwits' portion of such costs if specified conditions are met. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the parties, including the Secretary, to implement the MOU and the construction of the Project by the execution of an Agreement. (Sec. 6) Directs that the Santa Clara Project consist of a pressurized irrigation pipeline from the existing Gunlock Reservoir to the lower part of the Santa Clara River, along with main lateral pipelines. Specifies that: (1) the Project will result in the pooling of the water rights of the parties to the MOU, including the Shivwits; (2) the water users shall receive their irrigation water from the Project based on a set delivery schedule; and (3) the water supply from the River for irrigation purposes shall be supplemented by groundwater provided by St. George and other water users and from the modified operation of the Reservoir. Projects that in an average or above average year the Shivwits will receive 1,900 acre-feet of water from the Project. Directs that, in a below average year, all users, including the Shivwits, have a proportionate reduction in the quantity of water delivered. Sets forth provisions regarding Project funding, construction, operation, and maintenance. Directs the parties, including the Secretary, to implement the MOU and the construction of the Project by the execution of an Agreement. (Sec. 7) Settles the Shivwits' claim to water, subject to the provisions of this Act and the implementation of the MOU through the two Agreements and the construction of the two projects, as specified. Directs that the Shivwits: (1) receive a total of 1,900 acre-feet annually from the Santa Clara River in an average and above average year, with a proportionate reduction with other Santa Clara Project water users in a below average year; (2) receive 2,000 acre-feet of water annually from the St. George Project, with St. George and Shivwits having equal priority to the water provided from the Project; and (3) have the right to the groundwater produced from existing wells located on the reservation for 100 acre-feet of water annually. (Sec. 8) Directs the parties, including the Secretary, following construction of the Projects, to cooperate in obtaining an interlocutory decree in a pending statutory adjudication, confirming the Shivwits' water right as provided in section 7. (Sec. 9) Grants the Shivwits the right to: (1) participate with the Washington County Water Conservancy District in the development and construction of the Beaver Dam Wash Project; and (2) receive up to 1,000 acre-feet of water annually from that Project subject to the payment of their proportionate share of construction, operation, maintenance, and repair costs. (Sec. 10) Establishes in the Treasury the Shivwits Band Resources Development Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11) Sets forth environmental compliance requirements. Authorizes appropriations to carry out all necessary environmental compliance associated with this settlement. Designates the Bureau of Land Management as the lead agency for such environmental compliance.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Protection Act of 1998 - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from implementing any agreement that would allow for an expansion of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding whether the activities associated with the expansion of such airport or additional overflights of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge by air traffic using that airport may constitute a taking of an endangered species or threatened species prohibited by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Boundary Adjustments and Related Conveyances Title II: Other Land Conveyances and Management Subtitle A: Southern Nevada Public Land Management Subtitle B: Gallatin Land Consolidation Subtitle C: Conveyance of Canyon Ferry Reservoir Properties Subtitle D: Conveyance of National Forest Lands for Public School Purposes Subtitle E: Other Conveyances Title III: Heritage Areas Subtitle A: Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor of Pennsylvania Subtitle B: Automobile National Heritage Area of Michigan Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Historic Areas Title V: San Rafael Swell Subtitle A: San Rafael Swell National Heritage Area Subtitle B: San Rafael Swell National Conservation Area Subtitle C: Wilderness Areas within Conservation Area Subtitle D: Other Special Management Areas within Conservation Area Subtitle E: General Management Provisions Title VI: National Parks Title VII: Reauthorizations Title VIII: Rivers and Trails Title IX: Hazardous Fuels Reduction Subtitle A: Management of Wildland-Urban Interface Areas Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions Title XI: Amendments and Technical Corrections to 1996 Omnibus Parks Act Subtitle A: Technical Corrections to the Omnibus Parks Act Subtitle B: Other Amendments to Omnibus Parks Act Title XII: Dutch John Federal Property Disposition and Assistance Title XIII: Reclamation Project Conveyances and Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle A: Sly Park Dam and Reservoir, California Subtitle B: Minidoka Project, Idaho Subtitle C: Carlsbad Irrigation Project, New Mexico Subtitle D: Palmetto Bend Project, Texas Subtitle E: Wellton-Mohawk Division, Gila Project, Arizona Subtitle F: Canadian River Project, Texas Subtitle G: Clear Creek Distribution System, California Subtitle H: Pine River Project, Colorado Subtitle I: Technical Corrections and Miscellaneous Provisions Title XIV: Provisions Specific to Alaska Subtitle A: Land Exchange Near Gustavus and Related Provisions Subtitle B: Amendments to Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and Related Provisions Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions Omnibus National Parks and Public Lands Act of 1998 - Title I: Boundary Adjustments and Related Conveyances - Increases the number of acres the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is authorized to acquire for the Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, Texas, by 16. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire, by donation only, certain land known as Knob Creek Farm in Larue County, Kentucky. Modifies the boundary of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site to include such land. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the Farm in order to: (1) identify significant resources associated with the Farm and the early boyhood of Abraham Lincoln; (2) evaluate the threats to the long-term protection of the Farm's cultural, recreational, and natural resources; and (3) examine the incorporation of the Farm into the operations of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site and establish a strategic management plan for implementing such incorporation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 103) Modifies the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in the State of Utah to exclude specified Federal lands and to include the East Clark Bench. Requires the Secretary to convey specified Federal lands to: (1) Garfield County School District, Utah, for use as the location for a school and for other education purposes; and (2) the State of Utah for inclusion of the lands in Kodachrome Basin State Park. Designates specified Federal lands as a utility corridor with regard to U.S. Route 89, in Kane County, Utah. (Sec. 104) Modifies the boundaries of the George Washington Birthplace National Monument to include the property known as George Washington's Boyhood Home, Ferry Farm in Stafford County, Virginia. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire no more than a less than fee interest in the property to ensure the preservation of the important cultural and natural resources associated with Ferry Farm. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a resource study of the property and upon completion of such study allows the Secretary to enter into agreements with the property owner or other entities for the purpose of providing programs, services, facilities, or technical assistance that further the property's preservation and public use. (Sec.105) Adjusts the boundaries of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and the Mount Naomi Wilderness, in Utah, to exclude the parcel of lands known as the D. Hyde property to correct a faulty land survey. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) convey such parcel to Darrell Edward Hyde of Cache County, Utah; and (2) release any claims against him for trespass or unauthorized use of the parcel before its conveyance. (Sec. 106) Amends the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Establishment Act of 1990 to modify the boundaries of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to Provincetown, Massachusetts, specified Federal land within the Cape Cod National Seashore in exchange for specified land outside of the Seashore to allow for the establishment of a municipal facility to serve the town that is restricted to solid waste transfer and recycling facilities and for other municipal activities that are compatible with National Park Service laws and regulations. Directs the Secretary to modify the boundary of the Seashore to include the land that has been added. Extends the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission until September 26, 2008. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make a boundary adjustment of the Hells Canyon Wilderness to exclude a specified Forest Service road (which shall continue to be part of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area) so that it may continue to be used by motorized vehicles to its historical terminus at Squirrel Prairie. Title II: Other Land Conveyances and Management - Subtitle A: Southern Nevada Public Land Management - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to dispose of certain Federal lands within the area under the jurisdiction of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management in Clark County, Nevada. (Sec. 203) Allows the State of Nevada or the unit of local government in whose jurisdiction the lands are located (Clark County, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, or Henderson, Nevada) to elect to obtain the lands for local public purposes pursuant to the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (RPPA). Requires the Secretary, upon application by a unit of local government or regional governmental entity (the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the Regional Flood Control District, and the Clark County Sanitation District), to issue right-of-way grants (valid in perpetuity) on Federal lands in Clark County for all facilities and systems needed for: (1) the impoundment, storage, treatment, transportation, or distribution of water (other than water from the Virgin River) or wastewater; or (2) flood control management. Waives rental or cost recovery fees with respect to such grants. Directs the Secretary to make such lands available to Clark County in accordance with the RPPA for the construction of youth activity facilities. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) withdrawal of such lands from mining laws and from operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws; and (2) joint selection of such lands for sale or exchange by the Secretary and the respective unit of local government. Provides for allocation of proceeds from the land sales and exchanges to: (1) the general education program of Nevada; (2) the Southern Nevada Water Authority; and (3) a special account in the Treasury for the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land in Nevada, capital improvements in Federal areas in Clark County and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, development of a multispecies habitat conservation plan, parks, trails, and natural areas in Clark County, and reimbursement of costs incurred by BLM local offices in arranging sales or exchanges. Requires the Secretary to transfer the airport environs overlay district lands identified in the Interim Cooperative Management Agreement between the United States Department of the Interior-Bureau of Land Management and Clark County, dated November 4, 1992, to Clark County upon request, without consideration, and subject to specified conditions, including conditions governing proceeds from the sale or lease of such property by Clark County. (Sec. 204) Allows the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to acquire environmentally sensitive land with the owner's consent. Provides that such acquired land that is within the boundaries of a unit of the National Forest System, the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the National Trails System, the National Wilderness Preservation System, or any other system or national conservation or recreation area established by Act of Congress shall: (1) become part of the unit or area without further action by the respective Secretary; and (2) be managed in accordance with all laws and regulations and land use plans applicable to the unit or area. Includes lands acquired by the Secretaries under this Act within the definition of entitlement lands with respect to Federal payments to a local unit of government in which such land is located (payments in lieu of taxes). (Sec. 206) Authorizes the Secretary, upon request by a grantee of lands within Clark County, Nevada, that are subject to a lease or patent issued under the RPPA, to transfer the reversionary interest in such lands to other non-Federal lands on an equal value basis. (Sec. 207) Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to make available land in Nevada, in accordance with the RPPA, for purposes of affordable housing (housing that is assisted under the United States Housing Act of 1937) only to State and local governmental entities (including local public housing authorities). (Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary to convey, under specified conditions, to the Clark County, Nevada, Department of Aviation certain real property in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, for the development of an airport facility and related infrastructure. Requires conveyance of small parcels over 20 years as may be required for phased construction and development. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) the determination of the fair market value of each conveyed parcel of land; and (2) a reversionary interest in such land if the Secretary determines that the Aviation Department is not developing or progressing toward the development of the conveyed lands as an airport facility. Withdraws the conveyed lands from mineral entry under the Mining Law of 1872 and the Mineral Leasing Act. Subtitle B: Gallatin Land Consolidation - Provides for the exchange of land and other assets including certain timber harvest rights by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior with the Big Sky Lumber Co. (BSL) for inclusion in the Gallatin National Forest and Deerlodge National Forest, Montana. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement a timber sale program to fund the purchase of specified (Taylor Fork) BSL land; (2) enter into specified land exchanges (Wapiti and Eightmile-West Pine); and (3) implement a restoration program for lands acquired under this Act. Encourages the Secretary to pursue a specified land exchange (section 1 of the Taylor Fork land). (Sec. 216) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Conveyance of Canyon Ferry Reservoir Properties - Establishes the terms and conditions under which the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) shall convey 265 cabin sites and certain small contiguous parcels of the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) around Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Montana, to the lessees of the properties, based upon the highest bidder. Grants the Canyon Ferry Recreation Association, Incorporated, the right to match the highest bid and purchase the property. Sets forth provisions regarding terms of conveyance if the highest bidder is other than CFRA and CFRA does not match the highest bid, rights and options of existing lessees, and applicable requirements if CFRA is the highest bidder or matches the highest bid. (Sec. 225) Sets forth provisions regarding management of the Silos Recreation Area, income generated by concessions at the Area, and use of the proceeds of conveyances under this Act. (Sec. 227) Establishes the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust to acquire publicly accessible land and interests in land, easements, and conservation easements in Montana for specified purposes. (Sec. 228) Prohibits the sale of the 265 cabin sites and related BOR parcels unless and until the Board of Commissioners for Broadwater County, Montana, establishes the Canyon Ferry-Broadwater County Trust as a perpetual public trust and the Board deposits at least $3 million as the initial corpus of the Trust. Requires the Commissioners to appoint an advisory committee to establish priorities and prepare requests for the dispersement of funds from the County Trust with the Commissioners' approval. Subtitle D: Conveyance of National Forest Lands for Public School Purposes - Provides for the transfer of up to 40 acres of certain National Forest System lands to a local governmental entity for local public school purposes only. Subtitle E: Other Conveyances - Provides for an exchange of specified Federal lands administered by the El Portal Administrative Site in California in exchange for specified non-Federal lands known as the Yosemite View parcel located adjacent to the Site. (Sec. 242) Authorizes the use of specified lands in Merced County, California, for an elementary school. (Sec. 243) Issues quitclaim deeds to specified individuals to certain family property in Big Horn County, Wyoming. (Sec. 245) Ratifies the "Agreement to Exchange Utah School Trust Lands Between the State of Utah and the United States of America" and sets forth the obligations and commitments of the United States, Utah, and Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration as a matter of Federal law. Repeals Federal law providing for the exchange of Federal lands in Utah in exchange for State lands and providing additional lands within Utah for the Goshute Indian Reservation, with the exception of provisions regarding: (1) payment to Utah of a portion of a royalty payment received by the United States for certain mining and mineral interests in Utah; (2) the limit on such payment; and (3) payment in lieu of taxes for certain entitlement lands in Utah. Requires a $50 million payment to Utah upon completion of all conveyances described in the Agreement. (Sec. 246) Provides for the exchange of specified Federal lands within the Routt National Forest, Colorado, for specified non-Federal lands known as the Miles parcel located adjacent to such Forest. Adjusts the boundary of the Forest to reflect the exchange. (Sec. 247) Provides for the sale or exchange of the Rogue River National Forest administrative site. (Sec. 248) Transfers administrative jurisdiction over certain lands in Lake County, Oregon, located adjacent to or within the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Includes transferred lands within the Refuge. Withdraws such lands from the public land, mineral leasing, and mining laws. Requires BLM to retain jurisdiction over certain lands located south of the Refuge identified for cooperative management. Requires such lands that are within the Guano Creek Wilderness Study Area to be managed to maintain the values for which the Area was designated. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over other specified lands adjacent to or within the Refuge from the Fish and Wildlife Service to BLM. Removes such lands from the Refuge and designates them as public lands. (Sec. 249) Amends the Idaho Admission Act regarding school land lease or sale to provide for: (1) establishment of an earnings reserve fund; (2) authorization of a land bank fund for additional land purchases; and (3) elimination of land lease-time restrictions. (Sec. 250) Transfers certain property located in the San Joaquin Valley, California, from the administrative jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice to the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior. (Sec. 251) Conveys specified parcels of land under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service in Kern County, California to Kern County. (Sec. 252) Absolves the United States from any liability that did not already exist with respect to the transfer of specified land from the city of St. George, Utah, to the United States located within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve in Washington County, Utah. Title III: Heritage Areas - Subtitle A: Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor of Pennsylvania - Amends the Delaware and Lehigh Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1988 (the Act) to change the name of the Delaware and Lehigh Navigation Canal National Heritage Corridor to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. (Sec. 302) Includes among the Act's purposes enhancing economic development within the context of preservation. (Sec. 303) Modifies provisions regarding: (1) membership of, terms of office for, and confirmation of appointment to the Delaware and Lehigh National Corridor Commission; and (2) powers of the Commission to authorize the conveyance of real property acquired by the Commission to an appropriate nonprofit organization, to authorize the Commission to enter into cooperative agreements with a nonprofit organization, and to require any cooperative agreement to establish procedures for providing notice to the Commission of any action proposed by a nonprofit organization which may affect implementation of the Cultural Heritage and Corridor Management Plan. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Commission to administer any grant or loan from amounts appropriated, donated, or otherwise made available to the Commission for the purpose of providing a grant or loan. (Sec. 305) Directs the Commission to implement the Plan by taking appropriate steps to preserve and interpret the cultural, natural, recreational, and scenic (currently, limited to historic) resources of the Canal and its surrounding area. (Sec. 306) Terminates the Commission ten years after the date of this Act's enactment. (Sec. 307) Requires specified actions by any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities directly affecting the historic, cultural, natural, recreational, or scenic resources of the Corridor (currently, the flow of the Canal or the natural resources of the Corridor). (Sec. 308) Reauthorizes and increases appropriations under the Act. (Sec. 309) Prohibits the Commission from interfering with private property rights or any local zoning ordinance or land use plan of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any political subdivision. (Sec. 310) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, upon request of the Commission, to provide grants and technical assistance to the Commission or units of government, nonprofit organizations, and other persons, for development and implementation of the plan. Subtitle B: Automobile National Heritage Area of Michigan - Establishes the Automobile National Heritage Area in the State of Michigan. Authorizes the Secretary to add or remove lands from the Area in response to a request from the Automobile National Heritage Area Partnership, Inc. (a nonprofit corporation established under Michigan laws). (Sec. 314) Designates the Partnership as the management entity for the Area and authorizes it to receive amounts appropriated to carry out this Act. Provides that if a management plan for the Area is not submitted to the Secretary within the time specified in this Act, the Partnership shall cease to be authorized to receive Federal funding until such a plan is submitted. Sets forth authorized uses of, and a limitation on, such funds by the Partnership. (Sec. 315) Requires the Board of Directors of the Partnership to develop and submit to the Secretary a management plan for the Area for review and approval. (Sec. 316) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and, subject to the availability of appropriations, grants to government units, nonprofit organizations, and other persons upon request of the Partnership, and to the Partnership, regarding the management plan and its implementation. Prohibits the Secretary, as a condition of the award of technical assistance or grants, from requiring any recipient of such technical assistance or a grant to enact or modify land use restrictions. (Sec. 317) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) modify, enlarge, or diminish any authority of Federal, State, or local governments to regulate any use of land under any other law or regulation; (2) grant powers of zoning or land use control to the Partnership; or (3) affect or to authorize the Partnership to interfere with the rights of any person with respect to private property or any local zoning ordinance or land use plan of the State of Michigan or a political subdivision thereof. (Sec. 318) Prohibits the Secretary from making any grant or providing any assistance under this Act after September 30, 2014. (Sec. 319) Authorizes appropriations. Limits Federal funding to 50 percent of the total cost of any activity carried out with any financial assistance or grant provided under this Act. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Extends, through FY 2000, the authorization of appropriations for preservation of structures on or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (Sec. 322) Amends the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1984 to extend the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission to August 24, 2004. Repeals provisions granting the Commission extension authority. Title IV: Historic Areas - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service and in consultation with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the International Midway Memorial Foundation, Inc., the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Battle of Coral Sea Association, the American Legion, or other appropriate veterans groups, respectively, and Midway Phoenix Corporation, to study and report to specified congressional committees on the suitability and feasibility of establishing Midway Atoll as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway. Requires that the report include an inventory of all known facilities and structures of historical significance on Midway Atoll and its environs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to direct the Secretary, in order to provide a national historic light station program, to: (1) collect and disseminate information concerning such stations; (2) foster educational programs relating to the history, practice, and contribution to society of such stations; (3) sponsor or conduct research and study into the history of such stations; (4) maintain a listing of such stations; and (5) assess the effectiveness of the program regarding the conveyance of such stations. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of General Services to establish a process for identifying and selecting an eligible entity to which a station could be conveyed for education, park, recreation, cultural, and historic preservation purposes. Requires: (1) the Secretary to review all applicants for the conveyance of a station identified as excess to an agency's needs and forward to the Administrator a single approved application for such station; and (2) the Administrator to convey such station, subject to specified conditions that include a requirement that active aids to navigation continue to be operated and maintained by the United States if considered necessary by the Administrator. Prohibits stations located within the exterior boundary of a National Park System unit or a refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System from being conveyed or sold without the Secretary's approval. Requires: (1) a station to be offered for sale in accordance with terms developed by the Administrator if no applicants are approved for conveyance; and (2) net sale proceeds to be transferred to the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program. Requires any Federal department or agency to which a station is conveyed to maintain the station in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Secretary's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Establishes the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in New York State as an affiliated area of the National Park System. Provides that the Greene County Historical Society of Greene County, New York, shall continue to own, manage, and operate the Site. Requires the Society to administer the Site in a manner consistent with this Act and all laws generally applicable to National Park System units. Authorizes the Secretary enter into cooperative agreements with the: (1) Society to preserve the Thomas Cole House and other structures in the Site and to assist with education programs and research and interpretation of the Thomas Cole House and associated landscapes; (2) State of New York, the Society, the Thomas Cole Foundation, and other public and private entities to facilitate public understanding and enjoyment of the lives and works of the Hudson River artists through activities related to the preservation, interpretation, and use of the Site; and (3) acquire personal property and works of art associated with, and appropriate for, the interpretation of the Site and for display at the Site. Directs the Secretary, with the cooperation of the Society, to develop and submit to specified congressional committees a general management plan for the Site, including recommendations for regional wayside exhibits. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Amends Federal law to include within the Valley Forge National Historical Park the Paoli Battlefield in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Authorizes appropriations to acquire Battlefield property, if a specified amount of non-Federal funds are available for the acquisition (and subsequent donation to the National Park Service) of such property. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with Malvern Borough for the Borough management of the Battlefield Addition. (Sec. 405) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements to provide to Arizona and the town of Springerville, Arizona, technical assistance to interpret, operate, and maintain the Casa Malpais National Historical Landmark and financial assistance for planning, staff training, and development of the Landmark, but not other routine operations. Provides that such agreements may also: (1) grant the Secretary, acting through the National Park Service, access to public portions of the property covered by the agreements for the purpose of interpreting the Landmark; and (2) prohibit changes or alterations to the Landmark except by mutual agreement between the Secretary and the other parties to all such agreements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 406) Designates the Lower East Side Tenement at 97 Orchard Street, New York, New York, as a national historic site and an affiliated site of the National Park System. Requires the Secretary to coordinate the operation and interpretation of the Site with that of the Lower East Side Tenement Historic Site, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Castle Clinton National Monument. Provides that the Lower East Side Tenement Museum shall continue to own, operate, and manage the Site. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Museum to ensure the marking, interpretation, and preservation of the Site. Requires the Secretary, working with the Museum, to develop a general management plan for the Site to: (1) define the National Park Service's roles and responsibilities with regard to the interpretation and the preservation of the Site; and (2) outline how interpretation and programming for the Lower East Side Tenement Historic Site, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Castle Clinton National Monuments will be integrated and coordinated so as to enhance the stories at each of the four Sites. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 407) Gateway Visitor Center Authorization Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Visitor Center Corporation to facilitate the construction and operation of the Gateway Visitor Center on Independence Mall, in Philadelphia. Authorizes: (1) the Corporation to operate the Center in cooperation with the Secretary and to provide at the Center information, interpretation, facilities, and services to visitors of Independence National Historical Park, its surrounding historic sites, the city of Philadelphia, and the region and, acting as a private nonprofit organization, to engage in activities appropriate for operation of a regional visitor center; and (2) the Secretary to undertake, at the Center, activities relating to the management of the Park. Requires revenues from activities engaged in by the Corporation to be used for the Center's operation and administration. Declares that nothing in this Act authorizes the Secretary or the Corporation to take any action in derogation of the preservation and protection of the values and resources of the Park. (Sec. 408) Establishes the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama as a unit of the National Park System. Requires the Secretary, with the full participation of Tuskegee University, to develop and submit to specified congressional committees a general management plan for the Site. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 409) Establishes the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Arkansas, as a unit of the National Park System. Requires the Secretary, within two years after funds are made available, to: (1) prepare a general management plan for the Site; and (2) prepare and transmit to specified congressional committees a National Historic Landmark Theme Study on the history of desegregation in public education. Requires the Secretary, on the basis of the study, to identify possible new national historic landmarks appropriate to this theme and prepare a list in order of importance or merit of the most appropriate sites for national historic landmark designation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 410) Directs the Secretary to submit a resource study of the Sand Creek Massacre site in Colorado to specified congressional committees. Requires the Secretary to act through the Director of the National Park Service and consult with the State of Colorado and the tribes of the Cheyenne and Arapaho of Oklahoma, the Northern Cheyenne, and the Northern Arapaho (the Tribes). Requires the study to: (1) identify the location and extent of the massacre area and the suitability and feasibility of designating the site as a unit of the National Park System; and (2) include cost estimates for any necessary acquisition, development, operation and maintenance, and identification of alternatives for the management and protection of the area. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 411) Sets forth provisions providing for the protection and enhancement of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, including private acquisition or use of secondary and surplus land controlled by the Secretary and administered as part of the Park and which was first included in the Park in the period beginning January 1, 1972, and ending December 31, 1983. Title V: San Rafael Swell - San Rafael Swell National Heritage and Conservation Act - Subtitle: San Rafael Swell National Heritage Area - Designates the San Rafael Swell National Heritage Area in Utah. (Sec. 514) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants for specified uses, but not for acquisition of real property or any interest in real property. (Sec. 515) Prescribes necessary elements of: (1) any compact with respect to the Area entered into by the Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Governor of Utah, in coordination with the Heritage Council established by this subtitle; and (2) the heritage plan setting forth the strategy to implement the goals and objectives of the Area. (Sec. 516) Establishes the Heritage Council to manage the Area and develop a heritage plan in accordance with the compact. (Sec. 517) Sets forth disclaimers with respect to land use regulation. (Sec. 518) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle: San Rafael Swell National Conservation Area -- Establishes the San Rafael Swell National Conservation Area, which the Secretary shall manage to conserve, protect, and enhance its resources. Sec. 523) Directs the Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan for the long-range management and protection of the Conservation Area. (Sec. 525) Establishes a San Rafael Swell National Conservation Area Advisory Council. Subtitle C: Wilderness Areas within the Conservation Area - Designates the following areas within the Conservation Area as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Crack Canyon Wilderness Area; (2) Mexican Mountain Wilderness Area; (3) Muddy Creek Wilderness Area; and (4) San Rafael Reef Wilderness Area. (Sec. 533) Declares that grazing of livestock within designated wilderness areas: (1) shall be administered according to specified law and guidelines; and (2) shall not be reduced, increased, or withdrawn, except based solely on scientific analyses of range conditions. (Sec. 534) Declares that any public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management within the Conservation Area in Emery County, Utah, that is not designated as wilderness by this subtitle: (1) shall not be subject to management for preservation as wilderness; but (2) shall be managed for multiple uses and in accordance with certain land management plans. Subtitle D: Other Special Management Areas Within Conservation Area - Establishes within the Conservation Area a San Rafael Swell Desert Bighorn Sheep Management Area to provide for the prudent management of Desert Bighorn Sheep and their habitat in the Sid's Mountain area of the Conservation Area. Prescribes requirements for management and use of the Management Area. Directs the Secretary to include a management plan for the Area in the Conservation Area management plan. (Sec. 542) Directs the Secretary to designate within the Conservation Area certain semi-primitive nonmotorized use areas, which shall provide opportunities for: (1) isolation from the sights and sounds of humans (including their motorized vehicles); (2) a high degree of interaction with the natural environment; and (3) the practice of outdoor skills in settings that present moderate challenge and risk. (Sec. 543) Directs the Secretary to designate within the Conservation Area a specified scenic visual area of critical environmental concern to preserve the scenic value of the Interstate Route 70 corridor. Subtitle E: General Management Provisions - Requires the Secretary to permit domestic livestock grazing within areas of the Conservation Area where grazing was established before enactment of this Act, except in wilderness areas. (Sec. 552) Directs the Secretary to authorize the discovery of, protect, and (at the Secretary's discretion) interpret cultural or paleontological resources within the Conservation Area. (Sec. 553) Provides for the exchange of Federal lands or interests in lands with the State of Utah for any school and institutional trust lands of the State whose value or economic potential may be diminished by establishment of the Conservation Area. (Sec. 554) Declares that there is no express or implied Federal reservation of water or water rights arising from the designation of any area as part of the Conservation Area or as a wilderness or semi-primitive area under this Act. Authorizes the United States to acquire and exercise, in accordance with State law, such water rights as necessary to carry out its responsibilities on any land designated as part of the Conservation Area. (Sec. 555) Declares that nothing in this Act affects the State jurisdiction or responsibilities with respect to fish and wildlife management activities. Declares that the Congress does not intend that the designation of the Conservation Area or any wilderness or semi-primitive area lead to the creation of protective perimeters or buffer zones around the area, but only within it. Provides for: (1) the set back of boundaries from roads and rights-of- way; and (2) acquisition of land from non-governmental entities by exchange or purchase only. Title VI: National Parks - Amends Federal law to include in the land and water use management plan for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, provisions for appropriate improvements to Alger County Road H-58. Prohibits construction of a scenic shoreline drive in the Lakeshore. (Sec. 602) Modifies the boundary of the Arches National Park, Utah, to include the Lost Spring Canyon Addition (Area). Requires the Secretary of the Interior to transfer jurisdiction over the Federal lands contained in the Area from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service to be administered in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to the Park. Continues existing grazing leases, permits, or licenses for the Area for the lifetime of the existing permittee and of any direct descendants of the permittee born before enactment of this Act. Allows the sale of such grazing lease, permit, or license, except that the term of a sold lease, permit, or license shall not exceed ten years or its retirement date, whichever occurs first. Withdraws Federal lands within the Area from the public land and mineral leasing laws. Provides that the inclusion of the Area in the Park shall not affect the operation or maintenance by the Northwest Pipeline Corporation of the natural gas pipeline that passes through the Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer specified Federal lands to the State of Utah in exchange for specified State school trust lands, if the State offers such exchange within one year after enactment of this Act. Subjects such exchanged lands to valid existing rights. Specifies requirements to be satisfied by the State before undertaking or permitting any surface disturbing activities. Requires the State to preserve existing grazing, recreational, and wildlife uses of such lands. Permits Utah to authorize or undertake surface or mineral activities authorized by existing or future land management plans for the acquired lands. (Sec. 603) Terminates a Special Use Permit, issued by the Secretary to the Miccosukee Indian Tribe on February 1, 1973, authorizing such Tribe's use of a specified area of the northern portion of Everglades National Park, Florida. Expands the area covered by the former Permit, to be known as the Miccosukee Reserved Area (MRA). Directs the Tribe to govern its own affairs within the MRA as though it were a Federal Indian reservation. Gives the Tribe exclusive use and occupancy over the MRA in perpetuity. Confers Indian Country status on the MRA, with exclusive Federal jurisdiction. Directs the Tribe to prevent and abate any significant: (1) water quality, quantity, or distribution degradation; (2) propagation of exotic plants or animals outside the MRA; (3) hindrance to public access to Park areas outside the MRA; and (4) cumulative adverse environmental impact on the Park outside the MRA resulting from development or other activities within the MRA. Requires the Tribe to: (1) develop, publish, and implement procedures assuring adequate public notice and opportunity to comment on major tribal actions within the MRA that may have a significant cumulative adverse impact on the Everglades ecosystem; and (2) adopt and comply with water quality standards within the MRA that are at least as protective as those for the Park areas approved under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Restricts buildings within the MRA to 45 feet or two stories in height, with exceptions for: (1) a structure within the Miccosukee Government Center; and (2) certain public service structures. Authorizes the waiver of such restriction by the Secretary when appropriate. Provides other limitations, including gaming and aviation, within the MRA. Directs the Secretary and the tribal chairman to reach required agreements under this Act, authorizing the use of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Provides general authorities, including easements and access rights to Federal agents to monitor tribal compliance with this Act. States that nothing in this Act shall enhance or diminish current water rights. Authorizes the Attorney General or the Tribe to bring suit to enforce this Act. (Sec. 604) Adjusts the boundaries of the Cumberland Island Wilderness, Georgia to exclude and to include certain lands if the proposed land exchange being negotiated between the Secretary and the Nature Conservancy and High Point, Inc. is agreed to with regard to Cumberland Island National Seashore and Cumberland Island Wilderness. Excludes the main road on Cumberland Island (as described on the register of national historic places), the spur road that provides access to Plum Orchard mansion, and such limited area on each side of these roads as necessary, from the boundaries of the Cumberland Island Wilderness and the potential wilderness area. Requires the Secretary to: (1) restore Plum Orchard mansion at Cumberland Island National Seashore so that the condition of the restored mansion is at least equal to the condition of the mansion when it was donated to the United States; and (2) submit a comprehensive plan for the repair, stabilization, and restoration of the mansion to such condition. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify, document, and protect archaeological sites located on Federal land within the Seashore; and (2) prepare and implement a plan to preserve designated national historic sites within the Seashore. Designates, subject to valid existing rights and pre-existing uses, a specified parcel of Federal land within Cumberland Island National Seashore as wilderness and a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Adjusts the boundaries of the Cumberland Island Wilderness to include the parcel. (Sec. 605) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to undertake feasibility studies and report to the Congress on the establishment of National Park System units in specified areas of the islands of Maui, Lanai, Kauai, and Molokai of Hawaii (including the feasibility of extending the present National Historic Park boundaries at Kalaupapa Settlement eastward to Halawa Valley along the island's north shore). (Sec. 606) Amends the Antiquities Act to prohibit the President from issuing a proclamation designating more than 50,000 acres in a single State in a single calendar year as a national monument until 30 days after the President has transmitted the proposed proclamation to the Governor of the affected State. Provides that the proclamation shall cease to be effective two years after it is issued unless the Congress has approved it by joint resolution. (Sec. 607) Amends Federal law regarding Channel Islands National Park, California, to direct the Secretaryto grant to specified individuals rights of use and occupancy of the Gherini Ranch on Santa Cruz Island for a term of 25 years. (Sec. 608) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire up to 15 acres of land known as the Warren Property or Mount Kimble, to be included in and administered as part of Morristown National Historical Park. (Sec. 609) Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to allow the Secretary in any fiscal year to withhold from the special Treasury account established for a Federal agency 100 percent of the fees and charges (such as recreational use fees) collected by such agency in connection with any National Park System (NPS) unit at which entrance or admission fees cannot be collected by reason of deed restrictions. Requires such amounts to be retained for expenditure by the Secretary, without further appropriation, for such NPS unit. (Sec. 610) Provides for an additional map to depict lands added to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia, pursuant to this Act. Allows, after July 1, 1999, the Secretary to modify the boundaries of the Area to include other lands within 2,000 feet of each bank of the River by submitting a revised map or other boundary description to the Congress. Prohibits such revised boundaries from taking place if the Congress adopts a Joint Resolution disapproving the revision. Permits, before such date, a landowner whose land or portion thereof is within 2,000 feet of each bank of the River, to notify the Secretary that such land is not to be included within the revised boundaries of the Area. Requires the Secretary to modify the boundaries to exclude such land upon receipt of its legal description. Increases the total acreage limitation for the Area to 10,000 (currently, approximately 6,800). Repeals Federal provisions providing for exchange of Federal lands within the Area for non-Federal lands within its boundaries. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with other entities (currently, Georgia and its political subdivisions) to assure standardized acquisition, planning, design, construction, and operation of the Area. Decreases from $79.4 million to $25 million the cap on the authorization of appropriations for acquisition of land and interests in land for the Area. Authorizes the Secretary to accept the donation of funds and lands or interests in lands to carry out this Act. Requires the Secretary, within three years after enactment of this Act, to submit to specified congressional committees a revision of the general management plan for the Area. Prohibits the acquisition of lands and interests in lands under this Act without the owner's consent. Title VII: Reauthorization -Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to authorize (current law requires) the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a review of the nomination of a property for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places as a national historic landmark when an objection to such inclusion has been made. Authorizes the Secretary to administer grants (current law requires the Secretary to administer a program of matching grants-in-aid) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States. Requires a State or Indian tribe to be solely responsible for determining which professional employees are necessary to carry out its duties relating to the administration of an historic preservation program. Limits Federal properties under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol that are exempt from requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act to those properties depicted on a specified map to be kept on file in the office of the Secretary. Extends through FY 2004 funding for the Historic Preservation Fund. Requires Federal agencies: (1) prior to procuring buildings for carrying out agency responsibilities, to use historic properties available to the agency to the maximum extent feasible, especially in central business areas; and (2) when locating Federal facilities, to give first consideration to historic properties in historic districts, then to developed or undeveloped sites within such districts, and finally to historic properties outside of such districts. Requires any rehabilitation or construction undertaken pursuant to such Act to be architecturally compatible with the character of the surrounding historic district or properties. Extends through FY 2004 the budget authority for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. (Sec. 702) Reauthorizes the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Citizen Advisory Commission until October 31, 2008. (Sec. 703) Increases from $1 million to $4 million the authorization of additional appropriations for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. Extends the Secretary's authority with respect to such Route until May 4, 2004. Includes the township of Woodbridge, New Jersey, as a cultural site along the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. (Sec. 704) Amends the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 to extend, for an additional ten years, the authorization for the Upper Delaware Citizens Advisory Council. Title VIII: Rivers and Trails - Amends the National Trails System Act to provide for the establishment, as components of the National Trails System, of national discovery trails which shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Permits such trails to be designated on nonfederal lands, with an owner's consent. Prohibits a trail from being considered feasible and desirable for designation as a national discovery trail unless : (1) the trail links one or more areas within the boundaries of a metropolitan area and joins with other trails, tying the National Trails System to significant recreation and resources areas; (2) the trail is supported by at least one competent trailwide volunteer-based organization and has extensive local and trailwide support by the public, user groups, and affected State and local governments; (3) the trail extends and passes through more than one State and, at a minimum, is a continuous, walkable route; and (4) the appropriate Secretary obtains written consent from affected landowners before entering nonpublic lands to conduct surveys or studies of nonpublic lands. Exempts national discovery trails from Federal provisions authorizing the Secretary to use condemnation proceedings to acquire private lands without the owner's consent. Designates as a national discovery trail the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail which shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado. Requires: (1) the Trail to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in cooperation with at least one competent trailwide volunteer-based organization, affected land managing agencies, and State and local governments as appropriate; and (2) the responsible Secretary, within three complete fiscal years after designation of a national discovery trail, to submit a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the Federal portions of the trail and provide technical assistance to States, local units of government, and private landowners, as requested, for nonfederal portions of the trail. (Sec. 802) Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the Lincoln National Historic Trail (a trail of approximately 350 miles extending from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River with an extension of the water route down the River to connect with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail near Wood River, Illinois as a component of the National Trails System. Designates an extension of such water route down the Sangamon River from Beardstown to Springfield for study as an addition to such System. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers in Massachusetts as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Requires the segments to be: (1) administered by the Secretary through cooperative agreements between the Secretary and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its relevant political subdivisions; and (2) managed in accordance with the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River Study, River Conservation Plan which shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement for a comprehensive management plan pursuant to the Act. Requires the Director of the National Park Service to represent the Secretary in the implementation of the Conservation Plan and the provisions of the Act with respect to the segments. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 803) Requires the Secretary: (1) acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, to establish the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, for the interpretation of the historic trails in the vicinity of Casper, including the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, the Pony Express Trail, the Bridger Trail, the Bozeman Trail, and various Indian routes; and (2) to construct, operate, and maintain facilities for the Center. Allows the Secretary to: (1) accept, retain, and expend donations of funds, property, or services from individuals, foundations, corporations, or public entities for development and operation of the Center; (2) collect an entrance fee from visitors to the Center; and (3) use such fees for the Center's operating expenses. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Hazardous Fuels Reduction - Community Protection and Hazardous Fuels Reduction Act of 1998 - Subtitle A: Management of Wildland-Urban Interface Areas - Requires the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to identify wildlife-urban interface areas (the line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuel) with hazardous fuels buildups and other forest management needs. (Sec. 912) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture or of the Interior to (temporarily) enter into forest product sales contracts in order to reduce hazardous fuels buildups in such areas, which may require the purchaser to undertake forest management projects under specified conditions in return for forest management credits. Limits such credits to $75 million per fiscal year. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the Secretary concerned to issue implementing regulations within a specified time. Authorizes program appropriations. Title X: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Government of India to establish a memorial to honor Mahatma Gandhi on specified Federal land in the District of Columbia. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial. (Sec. 1002) National Cave and Karst Research Institute Act of 1997 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to establish the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in the vicinity and outside the boundaries of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Limits Federal funding to matching funds. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1003) Establishes the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty Land Claims Commission to determine the validity of land claims arising out of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo of 1848. Authorizes to petition the Commission, on behalf of themselves and all other descendants, ten or more eligible Mexican descendants in the State of New Mexico who are also descendants of the same community land grant. Directs the Commission to establish a Community Land Grant Study Center. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1004) Designates specified public lands in the California Desert District of the Bureau of Land Management as the Otay Mountain Wilderness. Declares that such designation: (1) shall not preclude Federal, State, or local government drug interdiction and border operations or wildland fire management operations within the Wilderness; and (2) is not intended to lead to the creation of protective buffer zones around the Wilderness. (Sec. 1005) Directs the Secretary to: (1) purchase the Wilcox Ranch in Eastern Utah; and (2) transfer the surface estate to such lands to the State of Utah for management by the State Division of Wildlife Resources for wildlife habitat and public access. Authorizes the Secretary to use not more than $5 million from the land and water conservation fund for the purchase. (Sec. 1006) Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Completion Act - Requires the Secretary to acquire, by exchange, the mineral and geothermal interests of each company (Burlington Northern, Incorporated or the Weyerhaeuser Company) in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in the State of Washington. Sets forth requirements and administrative procedures for such exchange, including requiring the Secretary, in exchange for all mineral and geothermal interests acquired from each company, to issue to each such company monetary credits with a value of $2.1 million that may be used for the payment of: (1) not more than 50 percent of the bonus or other payments made by successful bidders in any sales of mineral, oil, gas, or geothermal leases under the Mineral Leasing Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, or the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 in the contiguous 48 States; (2) not more than ten percent of the bonus or other payments made by successful bidders in any sales of such leases under such Acts; (3) not more than 50 percent of any royalty, rental, or advance royalty payment made to the United States to maintain any mineral, oil, or gas, or geothermal lease in the 48 contiguous States issued under such Acts; or (4) not more than ten percent of any royalty, rental, or advance royalty payment made to the United States to maintain any mineral, oil, or gas, or geothermal lease in Alaska issued under such Acts. Requires the Secretary to accept credits in the same manner as cash for the payments. Requires that all amounts in the form of credits accepted by the Secretary for the payments be considered to be money received for the purpose of the Mineral Leasing Act and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Directs the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the completion of the required exchange with a company, to establish an exchange account for that company for the monetary credits issued to it. Permits: (1) a company to transfer or sell any credits in the company's account to another person; and (2) such credits transferred or sold to be used only by a person that is qualified to bid on, or that holds, a mineral, oil, or gas lease under the Mineral Leasing Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, or the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Terminates an account created for a company five years after creation. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) all remaining privately held mineral interests within the boundaries of the Monument; and (2) a plan and a timetable by which the Secretary would propose to complete the acquisition of such interests. (Sec. 1007) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), with respect to the Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest, California, to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal entity to retain, maintain, and operate at private expense 18 concrete dams and weirs at levels that applied to them before enactment of a specified Act (January 3, 1975). (Sec. 1008) Granite Watershed Enhancement and Protection Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a five-year contract with a single private contractor to perform multiple resource management activities (reduction of forest fuel loads, monitoring of wildlife and water quality in the Granite watershed) on Federal lands within the Stanislaus National Forest, California, to demonstrate enhanced water quality at reduced Government cost. (Sec. 1009) Authorizes the Secretary to remove dead, downed, or severely root-sprung trees in accordance with certain alternative arrangements approved by the Council on Environmental Quality for forests and grasslands in Texas in specified National Forest areas in Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Idaho, Kentucky, and Florida. Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, respectively, to request Council approval of alternative tree removal arrangements in cases of catastrophic forest conditions. (Sec. 1010) Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands, or the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to national forest system lands, from imposing liability without fault for fire suppression costs incurred by the United States with respect to a right-of-way if the right-of-way holder is a not-for-profit entity, including one that uses such right-of-way for electricity delivery to parties having an equity interest in the not-for-profit entity. (Sec. 1011) Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to conduct a study regarding improved outdoor recreational access for persons with disabilities. (Sec. 1012) Designates the site located directly below Inspirational Point within the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest, California, on which communications facilities are located on August 1, 1998, to be used for communication purposes by the persons who operate such facilities until such time as such persons no longer require the use of such site and provide written notice to that effect to the Forest Service. (Sec. 1013) Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit fees from being assessed against a Federal, State, or local government agency (currently, Federal) regarding negotiations between the Secretary and persons concerning an agreement for the use of Outer Continental Shelf sand, gravel, and shell resources based on an assessment of the value of the resources and the public interest served by promoting development of them. (Sec. 1014) Subjects to the Mineral Leasing Act certain Federal reserved mineral interests conveyed by specified United States land patents. Authorizes any person who acquires a lease under the Act for such mineral interests to exercise the Federal right of entry reserved in such patents by occupying the surface required for purposes reasonably incident to exploration, extraction, and removal of the leased minerals. Prescribes permissible means of occupancy. (Sec. 1015) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into noncompetitive oil and gas production and reclamation contracts with well operators in the Wayne National Forest (Ohio) who meet specified statutory criteria pursuant to private land mineral leases, subject to the same laws and regulations that applied to such leases. Proscribes contractual arrangements authorizing deeper completions or additional drilling. Requires contracts to require contractors to provide a Federal oil and gas bond to ensure complete and timely reclamation of the former lease tract in accordance with regulations of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service, unless the Secretary accepts in lieu thereof assurances from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas, that: (1) the contractor is in compliance with specified Ohio bonding requirements; (2) the United States is entitled to receive funding under Ohio law to properly plug and restore oil and gas sites and lease tracts; and (3) at least 20 percent of Ohio State severance tax revenues have been allocated to the State of Ohio Orphan Well Fund. Declares that, in entering into any contract under this Act, the Secretary shall reserve the right to require contractor compliance with BLM and Forest Service oil and gas lease bonding requirements whenever the Secretary finds that less than 20 percent of State severance tax revenues has been allocated to such Fund. (Sec. 1016) Authorizes the Washington Interdependence Council of the District of Columbia to establish a memorial in the District to honor and commemorate the accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker. Prohibits the use of Federal funds to pay any expense for establishment of such memorial. Title XI: Amendments and Technical Corrections to 1996 Omnibus Parks Act - Subtitle A: Technical Corrections to the Omnibus Parks Act - Amends the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (the Act) to make technical corrections to provisions concerning the: (1) Presidio of San Francisco; (2) Colonial National Historical Park; (3) Merced Irrigation District; (4) Big Thicket National Preserve; (5) Kenai Natives Association land exchange; (6) Lamprey Wild and Scenic River; (7) Vancouver National Historic Reserve; (8) Memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr.; (9) Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (10) Great Falls Historic District, New Jersey; (11) New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park; (12) Nicodemus National Historic Site; (13) Aleutian World War II National Historic Area; (14) Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study; (15) Shenandoah Valley Battlefields; (16) Washita Battlefield; (17) ski area permit rental charge; (18) Glacier Bay National Park; (19) Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center; (20) National Park Service administrative reform; (21) Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor; (22) Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve; (23) recreation lakes; (24) Fossil Forest protection; (25) Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area; (26) Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area; (27) Natchez National Historical Park; (28) regulation of fishing in certain waters of Alaska;(29) National Coal Heritage Area; (30) Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area; (31) Augusta Canal National Heritage Area; (32) Essex National Heritage Area; and (33) Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor. Subtitle B: Other Amendments to Omnibus Parks Act - Amends the Act to extend, until October 27, 2003, the authority of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs. Title XII: Dutch John Federal Property Disposition and Assistance - Dutch John Federal Property Disposition and Assistance Act of 1998 - Provides for the transfer or disposal of certain Federal properties at Dutch John, Utah. (Sec. 1206) Transfers lands designated for disposal from the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation (BLM), and, if appropriate, the Postal Service. Removes such lands from inclusion in the Ashley National Forest and the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain lands acquired for the Central Utah Project and developed for wildlife mitigation to the Secretary. Incorporates such lands into the Ashley or Uinta National Forests. Directs the Secretary to transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain lands to the Postal Service. (Sec. 1209) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct appraisals to determine the fair market value of properties designated for disposal. (Sec. 1210) Conveys specified infrastructure facilities, land, and public schools to Daggett County, and certain facilities of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to the Division, without consideration. Sets forth requirements for the purchase of disposed residential properties. Bases priority in purchasing on seniority of reclamation lease or residency in Dutch John. Limits households to one residential lot. Sets forth requirements for the purchase of unoccupied lots, special use lands, and church land. Transfers all water rights to the Dutch John municipal water system to the County, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Secretary to consider issuance of a special use permit affording Flaming Gorge Reservoir public shoreline access and use within the vicinity of Dutch John in conjunction with commercial visitor facilities provided under such a permit. (Sec. 1212) Directs the Secretary, before transfer or disposal of any land that contains cultural resources and may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, to prepare a memorandum of agreement, for review and approval by the Utah Office of Historical Preservation and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, that contains a strategy for protecting or mitigating adverse effects on cultural resources. Conveys such land to the County upon completion of actions required under the agreement. (Sec. 1213) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide training and transitional operating assistance to County personnel designated as successors to operators of conveyed infrastructure facilities. Provides for annual payments to the County, for up to 15 years, for purposes of defraying administrative transition costs. Makes available a limited amount of electric power and energy from the Colorado River Storage Project for the Dutch John community. (Sec. 1214) Authorizes appropriations. Title XIII: Reclamation Project Conveyances and Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Sly Park Dam and Reservoir, California - Sly Park Unit Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Sly Park Dam and Reservoir, Camp Creek Diversion Dam and Tunnel, and conduits and canals held by the United States (the project) to the El Dorado Irrigation District, California, in consideration of the District accepting the Government's obligations for the Project and subject to District payment of the net present value of the remaining repayment obligation. Requires the transfer to be completed within 180 days if no changes in project operations are expected, and within two years if the District intends to change project operations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) bear all administrative costs if transfer does not occur within the authorized period; and (2) pay one-half of such costs otherwise. (Sec. 1316) Exempts the project from application of the Reclamation Act of 1902 upon such conveyance, except that the District is required to make payments into the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund for 31 years after the enactment of the Act. Calculates the District's obligation in the same manner as Central Valley Project water contractors. Subtitle B: Minidoka Project, Idaho - Burley Irrigation District Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary to convey to the Burley Irrigation District, Idaho, the Southside Pumping Division of the Minidoka Project, Idaho, and related water rights in consideration of the District accepting the Government's obligations for the Project. Provides transfer completion and administrative costs requirements identical to those provided under subtitle A. (Sec. 1325) Continues the right of the Minidoka Irrigation District to the joint use of the gravity portion of the Southside Canal under a current contract. Directs the Secretary to: (1) allocate to the District storage space in three area reservoirs; and (2) provide the District with reserved power. Subtitle C: Carlsbad Irrigation Project, New Mexico - Carlsbad Irrigation Project Acquired Land Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary to convey to the Carlsbad Irrigation District, New Mexico, specified real property within the Carlsbad Project in New Mexico and all U.S. interests in Project irrigation and drainage system and related ditch rider houses, the maintenance shop and buildings, and Pecos River Flume. Provides transfer completion and administrative costs requirements identical to those provided under subtitle A. (Sec. 1336) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide a written identification of all mineral and grazing leases in effect on Project lands; and (2) notify all leaseholders of the conveyance authorized by this title. Requires the District to assume all U.S. rights and obligations under existing mineral and grazing leases, licenses, and permits and entitles the District to any associated receipts. Requires receipts paid into the reclamation fund as Project credits to be made available for the payment of administrative costs. Subtitle D: Palmetto Bend Project, Texas - Palmetto Bend Conveyance Act - Requires the Secretary to convey the Palmetto Bend reclamation project, Texas, to the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority and the Texas Water Development Board, jointly, in consideration of their accepting the Government's obligations for the project and subject to their payment of the net present value of the remaining repayment obligation. Provides transfer completion and administrative costs requirements identical to those provided under subtitle A. (Sec. 1344) Prohibits Lake Texana from being used to wheel water originating from the Texas, Colorado River. Subtitle E : Wellton-Mohawk Division, Gila Project, Arizona - Wellton-Mohawk Division Title Transfer Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary to convey to the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, Arizona, the Wellton-Mohawk Division, Gila Project in Arizona, in consideration of the District accepting the Government's obligations for the Project and subject to the payment of fair market value for District lands that have been withdrawn from public use for reclamation purposes. Provides transfer completion and administrative costs requirements identical to those provided under subtitle A. (Sec. 1357) Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy to deliver Colorado River water and Parker-Davis Project Priority Use power to the District under the terms of existing contracts. Subtitle F : Canadian River Project, Texas - Canadian River Project Prepayment Act - Authorizes prepayment of amounts due under a Bureau of Reclamation water reclamation project contract for the Canadian River Project, Texas. Directs the Secretary, upon such payment, to convey to the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority all U.S. rights and interests to the Project pipeline and related facilities authorized under such contract. Subtitle G : Clear Creek Distribution System, California - Clear Creek Distribution System Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary to convey title to the Clear Creek Distribution System, California, to the Clear Creek Community Services District in consideration of the District accepting the Government's obligations for the System. Provides transfer completion and administrative costs requirements identical to those provided under subtitle A. Subtitle H : Pine River Project, Colorado - Vallecito Dam and Reservoir Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary to convey to the Pine River Irrigation District, Colorado, an undivided five-sixths interest in the Pine River Project (the Vallecito Dam and Reservoir and associated interests) in consideration of the District accepting the Government's obligations under the Project. Requires the District, prior to such conveyance, to submit to the Secretary a plan to manage the Project similarly to the manner in which it was previously managed. Provides transfer completion and administrative costs requirements identical to those provided under subtitle A. Directs the Secretary, at the option of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Colorado, to convey to the Tribe an undivided one-sixth interest in the Project, all interests in lands in such area over which the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) holds administrative jurisdiction, and associated water rights. (Sec. 1384) Directs the: (1) Secretary to submit to the District, the BIA, and the State of Colorado a description of the current condition of Vallecito Dam; and (2) District to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a flood control plan for the operation of such Dam. Provides for: (1) the transfer of certain inundated lands along the Reservoir; and (2) appropriate administrative jurisdiction over such lands after such transfer. Subtitle I: Technical Corrections and Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 to reduce (from 60 to 30 days after the Secretary of the Interior has transmitted a report on an existing dam to the Congress) the required waiting period before the obligation of reclamation funds provided under such Act. Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary to participate in the planning, design, and construction of the: (1) Albuquerque Metropolitan Area Water Reclamation and Reuse Project; and (2) Phoenix Metropolitan Water Reclamation and Reuse Project. Adds as a purpose of the Albuquerque project to reclaim and use nonpotable surface water in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Directs the Secretary to refund all amounts received by the United States as collections under the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 for charges that were assessed for failure to file certain certification or reporting forms. Allows certain administrative fees to be retained. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1996 to extend the period of contract repayment for: (1) the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, and the Nueces River Authority under the Nueces River reclamation project, Texas; and (2) the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority under the Canadian River reclamation project, Texas. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with the Solano County Water Agency, or any of its member unit contractors for water from the Solano Project, California, pursuant to the Act of February 21, 1911 (subject to a limitation on the portion of the Project that may be used) for: (1) the impounding, storage, and carriage of nonproject water for domestic, municipal, industrial, and other beneficial purposes, using any facilities associated with the Project; and (2) the exchange of water among Project contractors for such purposes, using facilities associated with the Project. Authorizes the Secretary to use otherwise available amounts to provide up to $2 million in financial assistance to the Medford Irrigation District and the Rogue River Valley Irrigation District for the design and construction of fish passage and protective facilities at North Fork Little Butte Creek Diversion Dam and South Fork Little Butte Creek Diversion Dam in the Rogue River basin, Oregon, if the Secretary determines in writing that these facilities will enhance the fish recovery efforts currently underway at the Rogue River Basin Project, Oregon. (Sec. 1392) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct: (1) a temperature control device and associated monitoring facilities on Folsom Dam to be operated as part of the Central Valley Project for the benefit and propagation of fall-run chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the American River, California; and (2) such a device and facilities on existing non-Federal facilities delivering Central Valley Project water from Folsom Reservoir. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1393) Colusa Basin Watershed Integrated Resources Management Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for use by the Colusa Basin Drainage District, California, or by local agencies for planning, design, environmental compliance, and construction required to carry out eligible projects in the Colusa Basin Watershed to: (1) reduce the risk of damage to urban and agricultural areas from flooding or the discharge of drainage water or tailwater; (2) assist in groundwater recharge efforts to alleviate overdraft and land subsidence; (3) construct, restore or preserve wetland and riparian habitat; and (4) capture surface or stormwater for conservation, conjunctive use, and increased water supplies. Requires the Secretary to ensure that funded projects are not inconsistent with watershed protection and environmental restoration efforts being carried out under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act or the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. Directs the Secretary to require that the District and cooperating non-Federal agencies or organizations pay: (1) 25 percent of project costs; and (2) 100 percent of project operation, maintenance, and replacement and rehabilitation costs. Permits funds appropriated pursuant to this Act to be made available: (1) to fund all costs incurred for planning, design, and environmental compliance activities by the District or by local agencies in accordance with agreements with the Secretary; and (2) only to a District or a local agency that has entered into a binding agreement with the Secretary under which the District or local agency is required to pay the non-Federal share of construction costs and which governs the funding of planning, design, and compliance activities costs. Authorizes appropriations. Title XIV: Provisions Specific to Alaska - Subtitle A: Land Exchange Near Gustavus and Related Provisions - Glacier Bay National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 1998 - Provides for: (1) an exchange of specified State lands in Alaska for specified Federal lands to be completed within six months after the issuance of a license to Gustavus Electric Company (GEC) by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the construction and operation of a hydroelectric project on such Federal lands; or (2) the exchange of other specified Alaska lands having a sufficiently equal value to satisfy State and Federal law within one year after such license is issued if the Secretary of the Interior and Alaska have not agreed on which lands Alaska will convey within such six-month period. Designates specified State lands and waters in Alaska as wilderness upon consummation of such exchange to ensure that this transaction maintains approximately the same amount of area of designated wilderness. Conditions such land exchange on: (1) FERC's having conducted economic and environmental analyses pursuant to the Federal Power Act (FPA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act that conclude that the construction and operation of a hydroelectric power project on such lands will not adversely impact the purposes and values of the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, will comply with the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act, and can be accomplished in an economically feasible manner; (2) FERC holding at least one public meeting in Gustavus, Alaska, allowing its citizens to express their views on the proposed project; (3) FERC having determined with the concurrence of the Secretary and Alaska, the minimum amount of land necessary to construct and operate the project; (4) GEC having been granted a FERC license that requires it to submit an acceptable financing plan to FERC before project construction commences; and (5) FERC approving such plan. (Sec. 1403) Makes the FERC licensing process applicable to any application submitted by GEC to FERC for the right to construct and operate a hydropower project on specified Alaska lands. Authorizes FERC to accept and consider an application filed by GEC for construction and operation of such a project, notwithstanding FPA provisions, if submitted within three years after this Act's enactment. Provides for retention of FERC jurisdiction over any hydropower project constructed on such site. Sets forth additional provisions regarding issuance of a license for construction or operation of such a project. (Sec. 1404) Directs the Secretary to issue a special use permit to GEC to allow completion of the required analyses. Requires the Secretary to impose conditions in the permit as needed to protect the purposes and values of the Preserve. Requires the lands acquired from Alaska to be added to and administered as part of the National Park System, subject to valid existing rights. Exempts GEC from making Federal land use payments under the FPA with respect to the lands exchanged under this Act. Subtitle B: Amendments to Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and Related Provisions - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) to include lands conveyed to a Native Corporation pursuant to an exchange authorized under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) or other applicable law among lands that are exempt, as long as such lands are not developed, leased, or sold to third parties, from adverse possession claims, real property taxes, specified judgments, and involuntary distributions or conveyances related to the involuntary dissolution of a Native Corporation or Settlement Trust. Specifies that lands shall not be considered developed, leased, or sold to a third party as a result of an exchange or conveyance between or among Native Corporations and trusts, partnerships, corporations, or joint ventures (trusts) whose beneficiaries, partners, shareholders, or joint venturers (beneficiaries) are Native Corporations. Makes certain prohibitions regarding actions by a trustee inapplicable to actions by any trustee whose right, title, or interest in land arises pursuant to an agreement between or among Native Corporations and trusts whose beneficiaries are Native Corporations. (Sec. 1412) Amends ANILCA to revise the definition of "developed" to: (1) require any purposeful modification of land to be performed by a Native individual or Native Corporation; and (2) prohibit any lands previously developed by third-party trespassers from being considered to have been developed. (Sec. 1413) Amends ANCSA to authorize a Native Regional Corporation, upon request, to obtain the retained mineral estate of the Native Allotments that are totally surrounded by ANCSA land selections. Limits a Regional Corporation to a total of not more than 12,000 acres. (Sec. 1414) Amends the Alaska Land Status Technical Corrections Act of 1992 to treat the establishment of the Gold Creek account and conveyance of land, if any, as though 3,520 acres of land had been conveyed to Gold Creek Susitna Association, Incorporated, under ANCSA for which rights to subsurface estate are provided to CIRI (Cook Inlet Region Incorporated). Requires, within one year from enactment, that CIRI select 3,520 acres of subsurface estate in land from the area designated for selection by a specified document. Limits total land selections to five, each of which shall be compact and in whole sections, except when separated by unavailable land or when the remaining entitlement is less than a whole section. (Sec. 1415) Amends ANCSA to exempt certain bonds received by a household, an individual Native, or a descendant of a Native from a Native Corporation from being taken into account as an asset or resource in determining eligibility for need based Federal programs. (Sec. 1416) Amends ANCSA to include the Haida Corporation and the Haida Traditional Use Sites with respect to transferring the administration of mining claims on Regional Corporation lands and not subjecting any revenues remitted to Haida Corporation to distribution under such Act. (Sec. 1417) Amends ANCSA to exempt revenues received by a Regional Corporation from the sale of sand, gravel, stone, pumice, peat, clay, or cinder resources from the revenue sharing requirements otherwise applicable to revenues received for timber resource and subsurface estate sales. (Sec. 1418) Amends ANILCA to: (1) provide for the approval of certain protested Alaska Native allotment applications; and (2) require the Secretary, in selecting individuals to provide certain visitor services, to give preference to the Native Corporations (currently, the Native Corporation) most directly affected by the establishment or expansion of any conservation system unit by or under the provisions of such Act. Requires any allotment application which is open and pending and which is legislatively approved by this section, to be made subject to any easement, trail, or right-of-way in existence on the date of the applicant's commencement of use and occupancy. (Sec. 1420) Requires a report to the Congress concerning local hires under ANILCA and their inability to obtain competitive service positions. (Sec. 1421) Amends ANCSA to authorize and confirm the authority of a Native Corporation to provide benefits to its shareholders who are Natives or descendants of Natives or to its shareholders' immediate family members who are Natives or descendants of Natives to promote the health, education, or welfare of such shareholders or family members. Provides that eligibility for such benefits need not be based on share ownership in the Native Corporation and that such benefits may be provided on a basis other than pro rata based on share ownership. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits temporarily the Secretaries of Agriculture or the Interior from issuing or implementing any rules or regulations asserting jurisdiction or management (of fish or game resources) pursuant to title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act over the navigable waters transferred to Alaska pursuant to the Submerged Lands Act of 1953 or the Alaska Statehood Act of 1959. (Sec. 1432) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, not later than December 11, 1998, to grant Chugach Alaska Corporation a road and related easement for access to the Carbon Mountain and Katalla vicinity pursuant to conveyances under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to conduct a study regarding improved outdoor recreational access for persons with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1998
Homebound Elderly Relief Opportunity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97), with respect to the computation formula of the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies. Declares that such interim system shall apply only if aggregate expenditures for home health services in a fiscal year exceed specified applicable amounts for FY 1998 and 1999 (with adjustments through FY 2002). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of such an excess, to implement such system beginning January 1 of the year following the fiscal year in which such aggregate expenditures exceed the applicable amount. Includes in the computation formula the separate determination of costs for agencies in rural and nonrural areas. Provides for adjustment of payments (up to five percent of the aggregate projected or estimated payments) for outliers where the reasonable cost for home health services to an individual exceeds the per beneficiary limit by a fixed number of standard deviations. Eliminates the special rule for new agencies with respect to determination of the reasonable cost of home health services. Provides for a five percent increase in per-visit cost limits for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to modify calculation of the payment amount for home health services under the prospective payment system (PPS) for them created under BBA '97. Provides for an adjustment in the current 15 percent reduction in cost and per beneficiary limits for cost reporting periods beginning before October 1, 2002, if the PPS is not established for the pertinent cost reporting periods, with a return of the current reduction for cost reporting periods beginning on or after such date. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for temporary restoration of periodic interim payment for home health services until the PPS for such services is implemented under Medicare.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hansen, James V. [R-UT-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000172_200.jpg)