United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited credit for "qualified medical innovation expenses." Defines such expenses as amounts paid by a taxpayer to any qualified academic institution for clinical testing research activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1999
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2002; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2002. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be: (1) a simple and fair system; and (2) approved by the Congress in its final form no later than July 4, 2002.
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 · 4 March 1999
Helpers Job Opportunity Act - Provides for the creation of an additional category of laborers or mechanics known as helpers under the Davis-Bacon Act. Requires a helper of a laborer or mechanic to be paid the prevailing wage of helpers of laborers or mechanics employed on similar projects in the same subdivision of the State.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the special fuel excise tax on railroads and inland waterway transportation. Subjects diesel fuel used in trains to the additional tax for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Self-employed Health Insurance Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for 100 percent of a self-employed individual's health insurance costs for himself or herself, spouse, and dependents, unless such individual participates in an employer-maintained health plan. (Current law provides for a phased-in 100 percent deduction and disallowance upon participation eligibility.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives urging Congress and the President to work together to enact permanent tax relief for American families.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999
Urges the President to: (1) oppose any expansion of the Oil-for-Food Program in Iraq under current conditions; and (2) take steps, through the United Nations (UN), to improve enforcement of the embargo on the sale of oil from Iraq. Condemns the continued threat to international peace and stability posed by the regime of Saddam Hussein and its refusal to abide by the conditions of UN Security Council Resolutions 686 and 687. Supports the U.S. armed forces who are carrying out their missions in the Persian Gulf. Reaffirms that U.S. policy should support efforts to remove Hussein from power and promote emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime. Encourages the Department of State to find alternative mechanisms to provide humanitarian relief to the Iraqi people.
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 · 1 March 1999
Education Savings and School Excellence Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to educational individual retirement accounts (IRAs) to: (1) permit distributions for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses, including home schooling expenses; (2) increase the annual contribution limit; (3) waive the beneficiary age limitation for contributions on behalf of special needs beneficiaries; and (4) permit corporate contributions. (Sec. 3) Excludes from a beneficiary's gross income distributions from qualified State tuition programs (or from certain prepaid tuition programs established by educational institutions), except to the extent that they exceed qualified higher education expenses. Expands the definition of such expenses. Denies allowance of any other deduction or credit for any qualified education expenses taken into account in determining exclusion from gross income of education IRA distributions. Defines "excess contributions" with respect to private qualified tuition programs. (Sec. 4) Makes permanent the exclusion from employee gross income of employer-provided educational assistance. (Sec. 5) Increases the amount by which certain governmental bonds used to finance public school capital expenditures may be exempted from specified arbitrage bond provisions. (Sec. 6) Excludes from gross income certain amounts received under the National Health Corps Scholarship Program and the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program.
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 · 25 February 1999
Americorps Program Elimination Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to repeal the National Service Trust Program (Americorps) under which certain persons who perform national or community service receive stipends and educational awards for such service.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Highway Innovation and Cost Savings Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of a qualified highway infrastructure project bond as an exempt private activity bond.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence, to suspend the five-year ownership and use requirement during the time that a member (or spouse) of the uniformed services or Foreign Service is on qualified official extended duty (as defined by this Act).
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the determination of the 50,000 barrel-per-day refinery limitation concerning the oil depletion deduction to a 50,000 annual average daily basis limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify qualified leasehold improvement property (defined as certain improvements made to an interior portion of nonresidential real property) as ten-year property for depreciation purposes under the Accelerated Cost Recovery System.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Uniform Prelitigation Procedures for Year 2000 Actions Title II: Year 2000 Actions Involving Contracts Title III: Year 2000 Actions Involving Tort and Other Noncontractual Claims Title IV: Year 2000 Class Actions Title V: Client Protection in Connection with Year 2000 Actions Title VI: Assistance to Small Businesses for Preventing Year 2000 computer Failures Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act - Makes this Act inapplicable to any claim based on personal injury. Title I: Uniform Prelitigation Procedures for Year 2000 Actions - Requires a prospective plaintiff, before filing a year 2000 action, except in an action that seeks only injunctive relief, to provide to each prospective defendant a written notice that identifies with particularity: (1) any symptoms of a material defect alleged to have caused injury; (2) the injury allegedly suffered; (3) the facts that led the prospective plaintiff to hold such person responsible for both the defect and the injury; and (4) the relief or action sought. Bars a prospective plaintiff from commencing an action in Federal or State court until the expiration of 90 days after the date on which such notice is provided. Excludes such 90-day period in the computation of any applicable statute of limitations. Sets forth provisions regarding response to notice, failure to respond, failure to provide notice, the effect of contractual waiting periods, sanctions for frivolous invocation of the stay provision, and time computations. (Sec. 102) Allows either party, at any time during the 90-day period, to request the other to use alternative dispute resolution. (Sec. 103) Requires the complaint, in any year 2000 action: (1) that seeks the award of money damages, to state with particularity the nature and amount of each element of damages and the factual basis for the damages calculation; and (2) in which the plaintiff alleges that a product or service was defective, to identify with particularity the symptoms of the material defects and to state with particularity the facts supporting the conclusion that the defects were material. Sets forth provisions regarding state of mind, motion to dismiss, stay of discovery, and preservation of evidence. (Sec. 104) Prohibits recovery in any year 2000 action on account of injury that the plaintiff could reasonably have avoided in light of any disclosure or other information of which the plaintiff was, or reasonably could have been, aware. Excludes from damages awarded in any such action any that the plaintiff reasonably could have avoided. Title II: Year 2000 Actions Involving Contracts - Makes fully enforceable in any year 2000 action all written contractual terms, including limitations or exclusions of liability or disclaimers of warranty, with exceptions. (Sec. 202) Allows the party against whom a claim of breach of contract is asserted to offer evidence that its implementation of, or its efforts to implement, the contract were reasonable in light of the circumstances for the purpose of limiting or eliminating the defendant's liability. Sets forth provisions regarding impossibility and commercial impracticability. (Sec. 203) Prohibits the court, in any year 2000 action involving a breach of contract or a claim related to the contract, from awarding any damages unless such damages are provided for by the express terms of the contract (or, if the contract is silent on such damages, by operation of the applicable Federal or State law that governed interpretation of the contract at the time the contract was entered into). Title III: Year 2000 Actions involving Tort and Other Noncontractual Claims - Makes a person against whom a final judgment is entered in a year 2000 action, except with respect to claims involving personal injury, liable solely for the portion of the judgment that corresponds to the percentage of liability of the person, as determined under this title. Directs the court to instruct the jury to answer special interrogatories or, if there's no jury, make findings, with respect to each defendant and plaintiff, and each of the other persons claimed by any of the parties to have caused or contributed to the loss incurred by the plaintiff, concerning the percentage of responsibility of the defendant, the plaintiff, and each such person, measured as a percentage of the total fault of all persons who caused or contributed to the total loss incurred by the plaintiff. (Sec. 302) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the defendant's state of mind as to year 2000 failure, injury to plaintiff, and foreseeability; (2) a reasonable efforts defense; (3) limits on damages; and (4) liability of officers and directors. Title IV: Year 2000 Class Actions - Provides that in any year 2000 action involving a claim that a product or service is defective, the action may be maintained as a class-action in Federal or State law as to that claim only if it satisfies all other prerequisites established by applicable Federal or State law and if the court also finds that the alleged defect in the product or service was a material defect as to a majority of the members of the class. (Sec. 402) Sets forth provisions regarding notification, dismissal prior to certification, Federal jurisdiction in year 2000 class actions, and removal of class actions. Title V: Client Protection In Connection with Year 2000 Actions - Makes this title applicable to any year 2000 claim or action asserted or brought in Federal or State court. (Sec. 503) Allows a plaintiff who retains an attorney with respect to a year 2000 claim or action to elect whether to compensate the attorney's services on an hourly or contingent fee basis, with exceptions. (Sec. 504) Sets forth provisions regarding the consumer's right to up-front disclosure of information regarding fees and settlement proposals, information after the initial meeting, the consumer's right to timely updated information about settlement proposals and a detailed statement of hours and fees, class actions, and enforcement of consumer protection rules in year 2000 claims and actions. Title VI: Assistance to Small Businesses for Preventing Year 2000 Computer Failures - Small Business Year 2000 Readiness Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a pilot program under which it shall guarantee loans made by eligible lenders to small business concerns to allow them to address year 2000 computer failures and to notify eligible lenders of the establishment of such program. Sets forth provisions regarding the use of funds, maximum loan amounts, guarantee limits, and reporting requirements. (Sec. 604) Amends such Act to direct the SBA to notify specified committees not later than 30 days before initiating any new pilot program of any change in the pilot program that may affect the subsidy rate estimates for the loan program. Sets forth reporting requirements. (Sec. 605) Directs the Administrator of the SBA to establish one point of contact to act as a liaison between the SBA and small business concerns regarding problems arising out of year 2000 failures and compliance with Federal requirements regarding the collection of information. Prohibits any Federal agency from imposing a civil penalty on a business concern for a first-time violation, with exceptions. Allows a Federal agency to waive a civil penalty imposed if the violation is corrected within 30 days after the agency provides written notice of the violation. Sets forth standards for waiver and a congressional notification requirement. Prohibits a State from imposing on a small business concern any civil penalty inconsistent with this section.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999
Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to allow all States to participate in the Education Flexibility Partnership (Ed-Flex Partnership) program. (Sec. 4) Requires Ed-Flex Partnership States to: (1) have approved challenging content standards, challenging performance measures, and aligned assessments in place or have developed and implemented content standards and interim assessments and made substantial progress toward developing and implementing performance standards and final aligned assessments, and toward having local educational agencies (LEAs) in the State produce profiles; (2) hold 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. Requires State applications to describe specific educational objectives and the process for measuring LEA progress in meeting specific goals. Requires States to submit performance data and the Secretary to review such performance. 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 Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, and of the following programs under the Elementary 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, including the selection of schools to participate in ESEA title I part A programs for disadvantaged children. Allows an SEA to grant waivers to allow schools to participate in such programs if the percentage of children from low-income families in the attendance area of such school or who actually attend such school is within five percentage points of the lowest percentage of such children for any school in the LEA that meets specified ESEA requirements. Provides that this Act shall not affect the authority of any 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 objectives and desired results described in its application.
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 · 23 February 1999
Defense Jobs and Trade Promotion Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on the amount of receipts attributable to military property which may be treated as exempt foreign trade income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Distilled Spirits Tax Payment Simplification Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify or impose requirements regarding: (1) the transfer of distilled spirits (including imported distilled spirits) between bonded premises; (2) operations as a bonded dealer conducted on the bonded premises of a distilled spirits plant; (3) establishment and operation of such a plant by a bonded dealer; (4) election to be treated as a bonded dealer; (5) the time at which the tax on distilled spirits is determined; (6) distilled spirits lost or destroyed in bond or returned to bonded premises; (7) the time for tax payment and payment by electronic transfer; and (8) application to a plant used by a bonded dealer of provisions relating to sales by proprietors of controlled premises. Directs the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to assess and collect registration fees to defray costs resulting from the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to the Congress concerning cooperative agreements regarding the collection of distilled spirits excise taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify any natural gas gathering line as seven-year property for purposes of depreciation. Defines natural gas gathering line.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Amends subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) of the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the provision which excludes from foreign personal holding company income qualified banking or financing income of an eligible controlled foreign corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury under provisions of subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) of part III (Income from Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N (Tax Based On Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of the Internal Revenue Code from, among other things, issuing either temporary or final regulations relating to the treatment of hybrid transactions. Requires a study and report concerning such transactions.
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 · 10 February 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that any Executive order issued by the President before, on, or after the date of the approval of this resolution that infringes on the powers and duties of the Congress under article I, section 8 of the Constitution (Powers of Congress), or that would require the expenditure of Federal funds not specifically appropriated for the purpose of the Executive order, is advisory only and has no force or effect unless enacted as law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense from being obligated or expended for the deployment of U.S. armed forces in Kosovo, with an exception when specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
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 · 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
Strategic Reserve Replenishment Act of 1999 - Requires the Director of the Minerals Management Service to accept royalty-in-kind oil from the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of not less than 100,000 barrels per day to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and to continue acceptance of such oil until the Secretary of Energy certifies to the Congress that such Reserve is at its holding capacities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
Sets a deadline by which the Secretary of Energy is directed to purchase a specified sum of petroleum products for storage in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to allow a duty drawback (refund of duty) for methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a finished petroleum derivative, provided certain requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any Medicaid-related funds recovered or paid to a State as part of a settlement or judgment reached in litigation the State initiated or pursued against one or more tobacco companies from being treated as an overpayment.
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
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999 - Revises the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to instruct the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate a repository for the permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by no later than January 31, 2003 (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes; and (4) pursue expeditiously the development of each component of the integrated management system. Requires intermodal transfer (rail-to-heavy-haul-truck) of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste pending direct rail access to the interim storage facility site. Authorizes the Secretary use rail transportation to meet the requirements of this Act if direct rail access becomes available to the interim storage facility site. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada. Provides for heavy-haul transportation route and truck transportation. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to provide advice to the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Provides that reasonable expenses of such representation shall be paid by the Secretary. Prescribes requirements in the following areas in order to ensure that the Secretary is able to accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by January 31, 2003: (1) transportation planning and readiness; (2) package certification; (3) technical assistance and funds to jurisdictional entities for training public safety officials, nonprofit employee organizations, voluntary emergency response organizations, and joint labor-management organizations experienced in worker health and safety training; (4) employee protection and training standards applicable to workers directly involved in the removal and transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; and (5) interim storage facility, permanent disposal, and land withdrawal. Requires the Secretary, after analyzing each specific reactor facility in the order of priority established in the acceptance schedule, to develop a logistical plan to assure the Secretary's ability to transport spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste using routes that minimize transportation through populated areas to the maximum practical extent and consistent with Federal requirements for transportation of hazardous materials. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish preferred rail route selection procedures for such transportation to the interim storage site and the repository site. Mandates that training standards ensure the ability of emergency response personnel to protect nearby persons, property or the environment from the effects of accidents involving spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) offer Nye County, Nevada, an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative; and (2) offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with Lincoln and Nye Counties concerning the integrated management system. Requires the Secretary to make certain initial land conveyances to Nye County. Authorizes the Secretary to grant payments in lieu of taxes to any affected Indian or local jurisdiction until the termination of the integrated management system activities. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with any person generating or holding title to spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste of domestic origin for the acceptance of title, and possession, transportation, interim storage, and disposal. Sets forth a statutory fee payment schedule for: (1) electricity generated and sold by civilian nuclear power reactors; (2) an adjustable cap placed upon nuclear waste offsetting collection fees, and upon a nuclear waste mandatory fee; and (3) a one-time fee for spent nuclear fuel or solidified high-level radioactive waste derived from spent nuclear fuel which had been used to generate electricity in specified civilian nuclear power reactors. Requires the NRC to suspend the license of any licensee who fails or refuses to pay such one-time fee. Provides that payment of the one-time fee relieves the responsible party from further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal. Authorizes the NRC to require prior agreement with the Secretary for spent fuel and waste disposal as a precondition to the issuance or renewal of a license. Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Directs the Secretary to: (1) issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities, and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors; and (2) advise the Congress annually of the amount of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from atomic energy defense activities requiring management in the integrated spent nuclear fuel management system. Grants the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and this Act preeminence in the event of a conflict or duplication of laws. Precludes this Act from being construed as: (1) constituting either an express or implied Federal reservation of water rights for any purpose arising under it; (2) authorizing the Federal use of eminent domain to acquire water rights; or (3) limiting the exercise of water rights as provided under Nevada State laws. Grants the U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial assurances for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Delineates an acceptance schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Prohibits: (1) subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and (2) any obligation of funds for any such related activity. Expresses the sense of the Congress that to the greatest extent practicable all equipment and products purchased with funds made available under this Act should be American-made. Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity to which it provides financial assistance or contracts. Prohibits contracts with persons falsely labeling products as "Made in America." Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure that it is operated to the maximum extent like a private business. Directs the Secretary to employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization.
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
Citizenship Reform Act of 1999 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny citizenship at birth to children born in the United States to parents who are not U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.
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
Senior Tax Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to repeal the tax increase on social security benefits enacted by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which a beneficiary may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits. Amends the IRC to repeal the estate tax, gift tax, and the tax on generation-skipping transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Self-Employed Health Affordability Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to 100 percent.
![Official portrait of Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000174_200.jpg)