United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2000
America's Better Classroom Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited credit for qualified public school modernization bonds (qualified school construction bonds and qualified zone academy bonds). Amends the General Education Provisions Act to provide for the application of certain labor standards to projects financed under this Act. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to establish provisions concerning employment and training activities related to the construction or reconstruction of public school facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Stamp Out Breast Cancer Reauthorization Act - Amends the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act to extend until July 29, 2002, or the end of the two-year period beginning on this Act's enactment, whichever is later, the authority under which postal patrons may contribute to funding for breast cancer research through the voluntary purchase of certain specially issued U.S. postage stamps. Requires the Comptroller General to make a report to Congress on the operation of this Act, in addition to a previous mandated report.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend from 26 additional weeks to 52 additional weeks the permissible additional period for payment of trade readjustment allowances to adversely affected workers enrolled in training programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Urges all contracting parties to the Hague Convention: (1) particularly Austria, Germany and Sweden, to comply fully with their international obligations; (2) to ensure their compliance by enacting effective implementing legislation and educating their judicial and law enforcement authorities; (3) to honor their commitments and return abducted or wrongfully retained children to their place of habitual residence without reaching the merits of any underlying custody dispute and to remove obstacles to the exercise of parental access rights; and (4) to further educate their central authority and local law enforcement authorities regarding the Convention, the severity of the problem of international child abduction, and the need for immediate action when a parent of an abducted child seeks their assistance. Urges the Secretary of State to disseminate to all Federal and State courts the Department of State's annual report to Congress on Convention compliance and related matters.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
Rosie the Riveter-World War II Home Front National Historical Park Establishment Act of 2000 - Establishes the Rosie the Riveter-World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, including certain sites, structures, and areas associated with the industrial, governmental, and citizen efforts that led to victory in World War II. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in administering the Park, to enter into cooperative agreements with interested persons to assist in the interpretation of the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, Vincent Park, the Shimada Peace Memorial Park, Westshore Park, the Ford Assembly Building, Sheridan Observation Point Park, the Bay Trail-Esplanade, the intact dry docks-basin docks and five historic structures at Richmond Shipyard #3, the vessel S.S. RED OAK VICTORY (and Whirley Cranes associated with ship building in Richmond), the Kaiser Permanente Field Hospital, World War II Child Development Centers, Atchison Housing, and Fire Station 67. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a World War II Home Front Education Center in the Ford Assembly Building, including a program that allows for distance learning. Requires 50 percent matching non-Federal funds under the cooperative agreements. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a general management plan, which shall include a determination of whether there are additional representative sites in the United States relating to industrial, governmental, and citizen efforts during World War II that should be linked to and interpreted at the park. Authorizes appropriations (but not for the operation or maintenance of the vessel S.S. RED OAK VICTORY).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that a major objective of the foreign assistance program of the United States is to control tuberculosis and that consequently Congress expects the agency primarily responsible for the administration of tuberculosis control health programs to focus upon implementation of Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS), or other internationally accepted primary tuberculosis control strategies developed in consultation with the World Health Organization and other designated organizations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2000
Fisheries Recovery Act of 2000 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act) regarding avoiding and minimizing bycatch and bycatch mortality. Modifies the definition of "essential fish habitat" to include nonmanaged fish. Requires a fishery management plan to close an area to a gear or practice that may affect such habitat unless the Regional Fishery Management Council determines that closure is not necessary and the Secretary of Commerce finds that the gear or practice will have a minimal adverse impact on habitat and minimal bycatch. Requires a Federal agency to which the Secretary has recommended habitat conservation measures to ensure that its action is not likely to adversely modify or impair habitat. Requires that conservation organization representatives be included on Councils. Removes references to international agreements from provisions relating to rebuilding overfished fisheries. Directs the Secretary, during preparation of a highly migratory species plan or amendment, to take into account (currently, to minimize, to the extent practicable) any disadvantage to U.S. fishermen in relation to foreign competitors. Amends the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 to modify the composition of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. (Sec. 7) Amends the Magnuson Act to mandate observers on commercial fishing vessels to collect data necessary for the conservation and management of the fishery. Requires a permit and fees regarding: (1) a vessel fishing in the exclusive economic zone or special areas or for anadromous species of Continental Shelf fishery resources; (2) the operator of such a vessel; or (3) the first U.S. processor to receive the fish. (Sec. 8) Modifies: (1) the definition of "overfishing" and "overfished" to include jeopardizing the ecological integrity and sustainability of marine ecosystems; (2) conservation and management measure requirements; and (3) fishery management plan requirements to add ecosystem considerations. Requires each: (1) fishery management plan to have a fishery impact statement; and (2) Council established under the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas to prepare a Fisheries Ecosystem Plan for each major marine ecosystem in its jurisdiction. (Sec. 9) Modifies requirements regarding the contents of fishery management plans and rebuilding overfished fisheries. (Sec. 10) Defines "precautionary approach" as exercising additional caution in favor of conservation when information is absent, uncertain, unreliable, or inadequate. Applies that approach to conservation and management measures. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Magnuson Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2000
Fuel Energy Affordability and Conservation Act - Title I: Drawdown of Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to cite additional circumstances for a presidential determination of when a severe energy supply interruption shall be deemed to exist. Mandates that proceeds from sales of petroleum drawn down pursuant to such determinations be: (1) deposited in the SPR Petroleum Account; and (2) used only for specified purposes. Directs the President to report to certain congressional committees on causes and potential consequences if the price of a barrel of crude oil exceeds $25 for a period greater than 14 days. Title II: Credits for Energy Efficiency Improvements by Homeowners and Small Businesses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a tax credit of 20 percent of the expenses (up to $2000) of qualified energy efficiency improvements by: (1) the taxpayer to an existing home; and (2) eligible small businesses to improvements placed in service during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2000
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2000 - Amends the matching grant program for law enforcement armor vests under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct that the matching portion equal 50 percent if: (1) such grant is to a unit of local government with fewer than 100,000 residents; (2) the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance determines that the quantity of vests to be purchased with such grant is reasonable; and (3) such portion does not cause such grant to violate certain maximum amount requirements. Directs that: (1) funds available be awarded, without regard to specified "preferential consideration" provisions, to each qualifying unit of local government with fewer than 100,000 residents; and (2) any remaining funds available be awarded to other qualifying applicants. Provides that if an application is submitted in conjunction with a transaction for the purchase of armor vests, grant amounts may not be used to fund any portion of that purchase unless, before the application is submitted, the applicant: (1) receives clear and conspicuous notice that receipt of the grant amounts requested in the application is uncertain; and (2) expressly assumes the obligation to carry out the transaction regardless of whether such amounts are received. Redefines "armor vest" to include body armor which has been tested through a specified voluntary compliance testing program, and found to meet or exceed the requirements of NIJ Standard 0115.00, or any subsequent revision of such standard. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2000
Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an educational program to improve agricultural producers' risk management skills. Directs the Secretary to establish a Risk Management Education Coordinating Center in each of five designated regions, to be located at an existing risk management education coordinating office or a land-grant college. Directs each Center to: (1) establish a coordinating council; (2) coordinate instructional programs, information dissemination, and resources; and (3) reserve funds for special and competitive grants to land-grant colleges and private entities to conduct such activities States that the National Agriculture Risk Education Library shall serve as a means for the electronic delivery of risk management information and materials. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, to evaluate activities of the Centers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2000
Civil Rights for International Travelers Act - Prohibits U.S. Customs Service inspectors or other officials from subjecting travelers to detentions and searches based on race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation of the traveler, except when acting upon specific information that a particular traveler suspected of engaging in specific illegal activity is described by one or more of such characteristics. Requires all Customs Service inspectors and other similar officials to undergo periodic training on the procedures for detention and searches of travelers, with particular emphasis on the prohibition against profiling of travelers based on such characteristics. Directs the Commissioner of the Customs Service to study and report annually to Congress on detentions and searches of travelers by the Service during the previous year, including the number of searches of travelers, their race, gender, and national origin, the type of searches conducted (including but not limited to pat down searches and intrusive nonroutine searches), and their results. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2000
Construction Quality Assurance Act of 2000 - Provides implementation dates for proposed revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and final regulations necessitated by this Act. Requires each solicitation by an executive agency for the procurement of construction in excess of $1 million to require each bidder to submit as part of such bid the name, business location, and nature of work of each subcontractor with whom such bidder, if awarded the contract, will subcontract for work in excess of $100,000. Considers as non-responsive any bidder that fails to list such subcontractors. Outlines required procedures for the substitution of a listed subcontractor, including consent by the contracting officer for good cause shown. Outlines examples of good cause and requirements for substitution requests. Prohibits, without good cause shown, the assignment or transfer of a subcontract. Imposes damages upon a contractor for violation of substitution requirements. States that the imposition of such damages shall be grounds for the disbarment or suspension of a contractor from Federal contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2000
Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2000 - Title I: Law Enforcement Accreditation - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) perform an initial analysis of existing accreditation standards and methodology developed by law enforcement accreditation organizations nationwide; (2) recommend additional areas for the development of national standards for the accreditation of law enforcement agencies; (3) recommend, after completion of the initial review and analysis, the adoption of additional standards, including standards relating to early warning programs, civilian review procedures, traffic stop documentation and procedures, administrative due process requirements, and training; and (4) adopt policies and procedures to partner with law enforcement accreditation organizations, professional law enforcement associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, and professional civilian oversight organizations to continue the development of further accreditation standards and to encourage the pursuit of accreditation of Federal, State, local, and Indian tribal law enforcement agencies by certified law enforcement accreditation organizations. Authorizes the Attorney General to make funds available to State, local, and Indian tribal law enforcement agencies to assist in gaining or maintaining accreditation from certified law enforcement accreditation organizations. Title II: Law Enforcement Development Programs - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, or other public and not-for-profit private entities, or to any multi-jurisdictional or regional consortia of such entities, to study and implement effective management, training, recruiting, hiring, and oversight policies and programs for law enforcement agencies. Directs that such grants be used for the study of management and operations standards for law enforcement agencies, including standards relating to administrative due process, residency requirements, compensation and benefits, use of force, racial profiling, early warning programs, civil review boards or analogous procedures, or research into the effectiveness of existing programs, projects, or other activities designed to address misconduct by law enforcement officers (officers). Directs that such grants be used to develop pilot programs and implement effective programs in the areas of training, hiring, and recruitment, and oversight that are designed to improve management and address misconduct by officers. Lists program characteristics with respect to: (1) training; (2) recruitment, hiring, retention, and promotion; (3) oversight; and (4) victim services. Specifies proportions of funds to be allocated. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) provide technical assistance to States, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, and to other public and private entities in furtherance of this Act's purposes; and (2) use any components of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in carrying out this title. Sets forth provisions regarding matching funds, applications, performance evaluation, and revocation or suspension of funding. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to support enhancements to the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics program of the Bureau of Justice States for the collection of information from grant recipients, and to support the national evaluation. Title III: Administrative Due Process Procedures - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) conduct a nationwide study of the prevalence and effect of any law, rule, or procedure that allows an officer to delay for an unreasonable or arbitrary period of time the answer to questions posed by a local internal affairs officer, prosecutor, or review board on the investigative integrity and prosecution of law enforcement misconduct; (2) perform an initial analysis of New York City's 48-hour rule to determine whether, at a threshold level, the effect of this type of rule or procedure raises material investigatory issues that could impair or hinder a prompt and thorough investigation of possible misconduct, including criminal conduct, that would justify a wider inquiry; (3) gather additional data nationwide on rules similar to the New York rule from a representative and statistically significant sample of jurisdictions, after completion of the initial analysis and considering material investigatory issues, to determine where such rules and procedures raise such material investigatory issues. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Enhanced Funding to Combat Police Misconduct - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) additional expenses related to the enforcement of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) (unlawful conduct, regarding a "pattern or practice by police"), criminal enforcement under the Federal criminal code (the code) (deprivation of rights under color of law, and federally protected activities), and administrative enforcement by DOJ's Office of Civil Rights, and related to conflict resolution by DOJ's Community Relations Service; and (2) such sums as may be necessary to collect data on the use of excessive force by law enforcement in accordance with the VCCLEA. Title V: Enhanced Authority in Pattern and Practice Investigations - Amends the VCCLEA to: (1) expand the scope of "pattern or practice" provisions to cover conduct related to adults and the criminal justice system (currently, limited to "juvenile justice" administration or incarceration issues); and (2) provide for a private cause of action for violation of such provisions. Title VI: Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law - Amends code provisions regarding deprivation of rights under color of law to prohibit, and set penalties for, conduct relating to the use of excessive force or engaging in unwanted sexual contact. Prohibits prosecution of such a case except upon certification in writing by the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights that, in that official's judgment, a prosecution by the United States is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice. (Sec. 602) Provides for payment of expert witness fees in civil actions for deprivation of rights. Title VII: Study of Deaths in Custody - Amends the VCCLEA to require a State, to be eligible for truth-in-sentencing incentive grants, to submit an application to the Attorney General that demonstrates that such State has provided an assurance that it shall follow guidelines that may be established by the Attorney General in reporting, on a quarterly basis, information regarding: (1) the death of any person who is in the process of arrest, has been arrested, has been incarcerated, or is en route to be incarcerated at any municipal or county jail, State prison, or other State or local correctional facility (including any juvenile facility) that at a minimum includes the name, gender, race, ethnicity, immigration status, national origin, and age of the deceased; the date, time, and location of death; and a brief description of the circumstances surrounding the death; and (2) the medical treatment given to or withheld from any person who was injured while in the process of arrest, incarceration, or en route to be incarcerated at any municipal or county jail, State prison, or other State or local correctional facility (including any juvenile facility). Title VIII: National Task Force on Law Enforcement Oversight - Establishes within DOJ the Task Force on Law Enforcement Oversight. Sets forth provisions regarding composition, and powers and duties, of the Task Force. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Immigration Enforcement Review Commission - Establishes the Immigration Enforcement Review Commission (the Commission), comprised of a Board of Commissioners (the Board), an Investigations Office, and a Community Outreach Office. Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Customs Service (the Services) to cooperate fully with the Commission in carrying out its duties, and to provide appropriate records. (Sec. 902) Makes the Commission responsible for investigating civil rights abuse complaints against any of the Services, their employees or divisions, or any facilities where detainees are held in custody of any of the Services. Directs the Commission to make: (1) recommendations to the Services regarding discipline of Services' employees responsible for committing abuses; and (2) policy recommendations. (Sec. 903) Sets forth: (1) administrative provisions regarding the Board, Investigations and Community Outreach Offices, and Commission facilities; and (2) provisions regarding Commission operations, including complaint filing procedures, public outreach, Services employees' duty to inform the Commission, complaint investigation and disposition, hearings, disciplinary recommendations, an early warning program (periodic review of all complaints), and records of complaints and statistical summaries. (Sec. 906) Prohibits "retaliation" (i.e., any action or threat of action because of a complaint, testimony, assistance, or participation in an investigation or hearing related to the complaint procedures), which shall constitute the basis for a complaint to the Commission. (Sec. 907) Prohibits the use of any testimony or other information gathered as part of a complaint, investigation, or hearing under this title in any proceeding under the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Sec. 908) Makes funds authorized to be appropriated for the Offices of the Inspector General of DOJ and the Department of the Treasury available to carry out this title. Title X: Federal Data Collection on Racial Profiling - Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of the Interior to collect data that is sufficiently detailed to permit an analysis of investigatory actions carried out by Federal law enforcement agencies by race, ethnicity, and gender. Sets forth reporting requirements. Provides for the protection of individual identities. Title XI: Whistleblower Protection - Prohibits retaliation or discrimination (including attempts) against any local, State, Indian tribal, or Federal law enforcement officer because the officer acting in good faith: (1) engaged in any disclosure of information relating to the unlawful behavior of any fellow officer in the line of duty; (2) advocated on behalf of a civilian with respect to the treatment received from an officer; or (3) initiated, cooperated, or otherwise participated in any investigation or proceeding of any law enforcement agency relating to a pattern and practice of officer misconduct. Prohibits any person by contract, policy, or procedure from prohibiting or restricting any officer from engaging in any action for which a protection against discrimination or retaliation is provided under this title, subject to a specified limitation. (Sec. 1102) Sets forth provisions regarding confidentiality of complaints to Government agencies, enforcement (private cause of action, and civil and criminal penalties), the burden of proof, notice, and non-preemption of State authority. Title XII: Sexual Abuse in Correctional Facilities - Amends the code to increase penalties and expand jurisdiction for sexual abuse offenses in correctional facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2000
Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2000 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise title VI (Innovative Education Program Strategies) part C (Local Innovative Education Programs) to include, among authorized uses of innovative assistance funds, programs to: (1) improve identification of students with eating disorders; (2) increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and (3) train educators with respect to effective eating disorder prevention and assistance methods. Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to broadcast public service announcements to improve public awareness, and to promote the identification and prevention, of eating disorders. Requires consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health. Requires the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Center for Health Statistics to: (1) study the impact eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement; (2) report on current State and local programs to educate youth on the dangers of eating disorders; and (3) recommend Federal, State, and local measures that could be undertaken.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2000
Calls upon the President: (1) to immediately review the entry into the U.S. customs territory of all steel products from Australia, China, South Africa, Ukraine, Indonesia, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, or Brazil; and (2) if it is found that the Governments of such countries are not abiding by the terms of international trade agreements with respect to imports of steel products into the United States, to immediately impose a one-year ban on the imports of all steel products from the offending countries. Urges the President to: (1) establish a task force within the executive branch to monitor imports of steel products into the United States from other countries to determine whether or not international trade agreements are being violated; and (2) report to Congress by July 1, 2000, on any other actions the President has taken, or intends to take, to ensure that all U.S. trading partners abide by the terms of such trade agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2000
Resolves that Congress: (1) joins the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) in recognizing AHEPA members who served as members of the U.S. armed forces; and (2) acknowledges the honor with which that service is being commemorated by the presentation of the special commemorative AHEPA Medal for Military Service to those members on March 20, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2000
Urges the President to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against oil- producing nations for violating their obligations under WTO rules.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Microbicides Development Act of 2000 - Title I: Microbicide Research at the National Institutes of Health - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH activities with respect to research on the development of microbicides to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. Requires NIH to establish a program to support research to develop microbicides that can substantially reduce transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Microbicide Research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Amends the PHSA to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to expand, intensify, and coordinate activities of the Centers with respect to research on microbicides to prevent the transmission of STDs, including HIV. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include genetically engineered food and related materials in the definition of "food additive." Requires that a petition to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a regulation prescribing the conditions of safe use of a genetically engineered food additive include all data collected or developed pursuant to safety investigations, including data that does not support the claim of safety. Mandates a fee from petitioners to cover related costs and to provide for a program of basic and applied research on genetic food additive safety.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and other Acts with respect to, among other things: (1) extending permanently the work opportunity and welfare-to-work credit; (2) a 100 percent deduction of health insurance costs for the self-employed; (3) compensation and retirements limits for certain multiemployer, governmental, and other plans; (4) increased business deductions and credits; (5) school construction and modernization bonds; (6) increased estate tax benefits; (7) tax rules for expatriates; (8) the disallowance of noneconomic tax attributes; (9) built-in losses; and (10) offsets.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Commends the people of Taiwan for having established a democracy over the past decades, for repeatedly reaffirming their dedication to democratic ideals, and for carrying out the second free, fair and democratic direct presidential election in Taiwan's history in March 2000. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it is the right of the people of Taiwan to freely elect their President without any interference from the People's Republic of China; (2) the ultimate status of Taiwan must have the express consent of the people of Taiwan and must be decided by peaceful means; and (3) the United States looks forward to working with the next democratically elected President of Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2000
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use specified Commodity Credit Corporation funds to provide assistance to dairy farmers for economic losses incurred in 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2000
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to extend and increase support rates for the milk price support program. Delays the effective date of the commercial dairy processor recourse loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2000
Postmasters Fairness and Rights Act - Amends Federal law to prescribe guidelines within which the Postal Service shall propose changes in pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefit programs affecting postmasters which are to be in effect during the period covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Postal Service and certain recognized bargaining representatives. Grants certain qualified postmasters' organizations the right to participate in program planning and development pertaining to pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2000
Commends: (1) the Government of the Republic of South Africa for its quick response and assistance to the Mozambican people; (2) the Government of the United Kingdom for announcing debt cancellation for Mozambique so that financial resources may be dedicated to the national relief and recovery effort; and (3) the Administration for its growing involvement and leadership in coordinating America's disaster assistance package to Mozambique. Urges the U.S. Government to take the lead in coordinating international efforts to help Mozambique salvage what remains of this year's food crops and to provide seeds for rural agricultural growers. Calls for the international community to: (1) continue to provide emergency relief, airlift capacity, and other disaster assistance to Mozambique for the next 90 days;(2) take all necessary steps to locate and demarcate areas that may now harbor semi-boyant plastic land mines transported to new locations by the flooding in Mozambique; (3) develop a coordinated response to the Government of Mozambique's request for recovery and reconstruction assistance for buildings and transportation infrastructure; and (4) assist the nations of southern Africa to increase their capacity to respond to national emergencies and natural disasters.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2000
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) music education enhances intellectual development and enriches the academic environment for children of all ages; and (2) music educators greatly contribute to the artistic, intellectual, and social development of children, and play a key role in helping children to succeed in school.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2000
Global Health Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to mandate that activities supported in connection with health programs include activities to improve the capacity of developing nations to conduct disease surveillance and prevention programs, and to respond promptly and effectively to disease outbreaks. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2001 for specified allocations, including the health and nutrition of children and pregnant women and mothers, voluntary family planning, and the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS and other infectious diseases. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, should coordinate with specified Federal departments and agencies to ensure that such appropriations are used effectively.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2000
Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restate as the goal for the protection of children from immunizable diseases the universal protection of all children from such diseases by December 31, 2009. (Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 and 2002 for U.S. contributions to: (1) the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations; and (2) the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Requires the President to include in a required report for such fiscal years information on the effectiveness of the above Global Alliance in meeting its immunization and research and development goals. (Sec. 5) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a business tax credit of 30 percent of qualified vaccine research expenses for a taxable year. Includes as appropriate vaccine research research with respect to malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, or any infectious disease which causes over one million deaths annually. Prohibits such credit from being taken into account when determining the current credit allowed for increasing research expenditures. Prohibits the credit for any research conducted outside the United States. Expresses the sense of Congress that if such credit is allowed, then the corporation receiving such credit should certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that, within one year after that vaccine is licensed, such corporation will develop a good faith plan to maximize international access to high quality and affordable vaccines. Directs the Institute of Medicine to conduct a study of the effectiveness of such credit in stimulating vaccine research, and to report study results to Congress. (Sec. 6) Provides a lifesaving vaccine sale credit equal to the amount of qualified vaccine sales for a taxable year. Defines a lifesaving vaccine as one which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and used for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, or any infectious disease which causes over one million deaths annually. Provides total credit limits for 2002 through 2010 (zero credit after 2011). Provides credit limit allocation and authorized carryover. (Sec. 7) Establishes in the Treasury the Lifesaving Vaccine Purchase Fund for purchases of eligible vaccines defined earlier under this Act for distribution to developing countries. Limits to $100 million Fund expenditures in a fiscal year. Appropriates funds for the Fund. (Sec. 8) States that the President should enter into negotiations with officials of foreign governments and other interested parties for the establishment of an international vaccine purchase fund that would: (1) accept contributions from governments of developed countries; (2) use such contributions to purchase and distribute eligible vaccines in developing countries; and (3) be a significant market incentive for private sector vaccine research. Requires an annual report from the President to Congress. (Sec. 9) Establishes the Lifesaving Vaccine Advisory Commission to: (1) review the progress of national and international efforts to develop eligible vaccines; (2) examine the merits of innovative vaccine research financing that combines public subsidies with private sector research and development efforts; and (3) develop consensus among industry and public health advocates on policy recommendations for ways in which the Federal Government can further advance public-private partnerships in vaccine research and development. Requires a final report from the Commission to the President and Congress. (Sec. 10) Expresses the sense of Congress that flexible or differential pricing for vaccines which provide lower prices for the poorest countries is one of several valid strategies to accelerate the introduction of vaccines in developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2000
States that Congress condemns all violations of internationally recognized human rights norms based on the real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual, and commends nongovernmental human rights organizations for documenting the ongoing abuse of human rights on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
Truthfulness, Responsibility, and Accountability in Contracting Act - Prohibits any Federal agency from making a decision to privatize, outsource, contract out, or contract for the performance of a function currently performed by such agency or to conduct a study to convert a function from Federal to contractor performance. Authorizes any agency to apply to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for a waiver of such prohibition with respect to a particular function. Authorizes the Director to grant such waiver when: (1) necessary for the preservation of national security; (2) critical for the provision of patient care; or (3) necessary to prevent extraordinary economic harm. Requires waiver requests to be published in the Federal Register. Provides additional exceptions for functions with respect to which a labor organization is accorded exclusive recognition. (Sec. 5) Requires each agency to: (1) establish a centralized reporting system that allows it to generate periodic reports on its contracting efforts during the preceding and current fiscal years; and (2) generate and annually submit to the Director such reports. Requires each agency to report to specified congressional committees on the number of Federal employee positions and positions held by non-Federal employees under a contract between such agency and an individual or entity that has been subject to public-private competition. Requires such reports to be made available through the Internet. (Sec. 6) Requires, after the termination of the contracting prohibition, any decision by an agency to privatize, outsource, or contract out for the performance of a function to be based on the results of a public-private competition process that: (1) formally compares the costs of Federal employee performance of such function with the costs of performance by a contractor; (2) employs the most efficient organizational process; and (3) is conducted in consultation or through bargaining with the exclusive representative of the Federal employees performing the function, if applicable. (Sec. 7) Requires an agency to either conduct a new public-private competition or convert a function to performance by Federal employees if a report indicates that: (1) contracting out costs exceed costs of performance by Federal employees; or (2) contracting out fails to meet quality control standards. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary of Labor to conduct a survey of the wages and quantifiable benefits provided by contractors to non-Federal personnel working under contract and to report survey results to specified congressional committees. Requires the Director to review the survey and report findings. (Sec. 9) Requires the Comptroller General to report on compliance by Federal agencies with requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
Amends the Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1997 to provide for direct foreign student payment to the Attorney General of the required information fee under the foreign student and exchange program participant information collection program. (Currently such fee is collected and remitted by the institution of higher education or the exchange program.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit to holders of qualified intercity passenger rail carrier bonds. Sets forth definitions, State matching requirements, and other rules.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
Condemns the repressive anti-Baha'i policies and actions of the Government of Iran. Continues to hold such Government responsible for upholding the rights of all its nationals in a manner consistent with Iran's obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other international agreements guaranteeing the civil and political rights of its citizens. Expresses concern that individual Baha'is continue to suffer from severely repressive and discriminatory government actions, including executions and death sentences, solely on account of their religion. Urges the Government of Iran to: (1) permit Baha'i students to attend and Baha'i faculty to teach at Iranian universities, return property confiscated from the Baha'i Open University (OU), free imprisoned faculty members of OU, and permit OU to continue to function; (2) implement fully the conclusions and recommendations on the emancipation of the Iranian Baha'i community made by the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance, Professor Abdelfattah Amor, in his March 1996 report to the UN Commission of Human Rights; and (3) extend to the Baha'i community the rights guaranteed by UDHR and the international covenants of human rights. Calls upon the President to continue to: (1) assert the U.S. Government's concern regarding Iran's violations of the rights of its citizens, including members of the Baha'i community, along with expressions of its concern regarding the Iranian Government's support for international terrorism and its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the Iranian Government's human rights practices, particularly its treatment of such community and other religious minorities, as a significant factor in the development of the U.S. Government's relations with the Government of Iran; (3) emphasize the need for the UN Special Representative for Human Rights to be granted permission to enter Iran; (4) urge the Iranian Government to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting rights guaranteed by UDHR and the international covenants on human rights; and (5) encourage other governments to continue to appeal to the Iranian Government, and to cooperate with other governments and international organizations, including the UN, in efforts to protect the religious rights of the Baha'is and other minorities through joint appeals and other appropriate actions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Thomas Navarro FDA Patient Rights Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from placing a clinical hold on an investigation of a drug on the basis that the Secretary has determined that: (1) there is another drug (including another investigational drug) that is or may be a safe and effective therapy for the disease or condition involved; or (2) there is a comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy available for a patient who is receiving or will receive the drug as a clinical subject in the investigation, subject to exception.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
2002 Winter Olympic Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins emblematic of the participation of American athletes in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Mandates that coin design be selected by the Secretary after consultation with: (1) the Commission of Fine Arts; (2) the United States Olympic Committee; and (3) Olympic Properties of the United States-Salt Lake 2002 (created and owned by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee). States that all surcharges from the coin sales ($35 for a $5 coin and $10 for a $1 coin) shall be distributed by the Secretary to: (1) Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002; and (2) the United States Olympic Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Character Counts for the 21st Century Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for character education programs and research under title X (Programs of National Significance) part A (Fund for the Improvement of Education). (Replaces current provisions for an elementary school counseling demonstration program and a partnerships in education pilot project.) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), or consortia of such educational agencies for the design and implementation of character education programs. Limits the duration of such a grant to not more than five years, with not more than one year for planning and program design. Directs the Secretary to make such grant awards to support programs that serve different geographic areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, SEAs, LEAs, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, and other public or private agencies or organizations to carry out research, development, dissemination, technical assistance, and evaluation activities that support or inform character education programs assisted under this Act, including a national clearinghouse for information that may be useful to character education program participants and other educators and administrators nationwide.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2000
Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2000 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include permanent partners (as defined by this Act) within the scope of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present a gold medal to Charles M. Schulz, in recognition of his lasting artistic contributions to the Nation and the world. Authorizes a specified amount to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of such medals. Mandates that sales proceeds from duplicate bronze medals be deposited into such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Designates the Federal building located at 2201 C Street, Northwest, in the District of Columbia, currently headquarters for the Department of State, as the Harry S Truman Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service to make loan guarantees (through a specified date) to providers of multichannel video services, including direct broadcast satellite licensees, to improve access to local television broadcasting to all households desiring such service in unserved and underserved rural areas. Requires loan guarantee approval by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Sets forth satellite carrier loan guarantee qualifications. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth conditions under which a borrower shall be obliged to carry local broadcast signals without charge.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Saving Women's Lives through International Family Planning Act of 2000 - Authorizes appropriations for U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations and programs, including the United Nations Environmental Fund for support of international measures to protect and improve the environment. Earmarks amounts for the United Nations Population Fund. Authorizes appropriations for certain population planning activities. Prohibits the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, in determining eligibility of nongovernmental and multilateral organizations for population planning assistance or other population assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, from applying requirements to such organizations more restrictive than requirements applicable to foreign governments for such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five-dollar gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the inspirational life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mandates prompt payment of all surcharges received from the coin sales to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Legacy Fund of the Library of Congress for the purpose of securing the personal papers of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for the Library of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Emergency Commodity Distribution Act of 2000 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to revise provisions relating to the level of commodity purchases under the school lunch program. Requires a specified portion of such program assistance to be in the form of commodity assistance. Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from using commodities provided under the authority of any other Act to meet such program requirement for the school year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2000
Home Heating Oil Price Stability Act - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to immediately create a fuel oil reserve containing two million barrels of heating oil in leased storage facilities in the New York Harbor area and 4.7 million barrels in one of the four Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) caverns in the Gulf Coast. Permits the Secretary to fill such heating oil reserve by trading SPR crude oil for heating oil. Authorizes the President to immediately draw down the Fuel Oil Product Reserve only when domestic fuel oil prices rise sharply because of anticompetitive activity, during a fuel oil shortage, or during periods of extreme winter weather. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2000
Declares that Congress supports the goals and ideas of National Donor Day. Encourages all Americans to learn about the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation and to discuss such donation with their families and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2000
Hospital Preservation and Equity Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 with regard to the one year sole community hospital payment increase, to reset the applicable percentage increase for FY 2001 and each subsequent fiscal year to the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas for purposes of updating payments to prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals for inpatient hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2000
Student Athlete Protection Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to include as unlawful sports gambling a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based, directly or indirectly, on one or more: (1) competitive games in which high school or college athletes participate; (2) performances of high school or college athletes in competitive games; or (3) competitive games at the Summer or Winter Olympics.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2000
Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act - Includes as an employee, for purposes of Federal provisions authorizing enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: (1) a member of the armed forces who began service before June 7, 1956, and retired after a minimum of 20 years of such service or by reason of a service-connected disability; and (2) the surviving widow or widower of such member. Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to provide FEHB coverage to the following eligible beneficiaries: (1) a member or former member entitled to military retired or retainer pay; (2) an unremarried former spouse who was married to a member for at least 20 years, during which such member performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; (3) a dependent of a deceased qualifying member or former member; (4) a dependent of a living member or former member; and (5) a family member of such member. Repeals a provision prohibiting coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services for persons entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2000
Expresses support for Federal funding directed toward human pluripotent stem cell research to further research into Parkinson's disease and other medical conditions.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000627_200.jpg)