United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
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, 2004; 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, 2004. 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). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Declares that it is the policy of the United States that: (1) sole purpose of the decennial enumeration of the population is to allow for the reapportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States; (2) the only information needed to carry out that purpose are the names, ages, and the number of individuals residing in a household and the address or location of such household; and (3) the penalty for refusing or neglecting to answer questions on a decennial census questionnaire shall be imposed only in the case of individuals failing to provide such information.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Constitutional Amendment - Requires any legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws to require the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of each House voting and present, unless the legislative measure is determined not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for the purposes of determining any increase in the internal revenue, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Permits Congress to waive such requirements when: (1) a declaration of war is in effect; or (2) the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by an adopted joint resolution. Prohibits any increase in the internal revenue enacted under such a waiver from being effective for longer than two years.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2000
Common Sense Census Act of 2000 - Provides that the penalty for refusing or neglecting to answer any 2000 decennial census schedule question shall not apply except to the extent necessary to allow the Government to obtain the information needed for its enumeration of the population. Provides that only questions on the 2000 decennial census short form (apart from those relating to race or ethnicity) shall be considered necessary to permit such an enumeration.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2000
Congratulates the Republic of Hungary and Hungarians everywhere on the 1000th anniversary of the foundation of the Kingdom of Hungary. Commends Hungary for its recent transition to a democratic state dedicated to upholding universal rights and liberties, a free market economy, and integration into European and transatlantic institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to phase-in an increase in the unified credit against estate and gift taxes to an exclusion amount of $10 million for calendar year 2003 and following years. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive fraud audit of the Department of Education and report its results to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Provides that in connection with any decennial census of population, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to request no information aside from the number of individuals residing or staying at a particular address or location and their names.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Deposit Insurance Fairness and Economic Opportunity Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to set forth a schedule under which the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall transfer annually to the Financing Corporation (FICO), for payment of FICO interest obligations, such amounts as exceed 1.40 percent of the total estimated deposits insured by the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, respectively, when amounts in both Funds exceed that percentage.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
United States-Southeastern Europe Democratization and Burdensharing Act of 2000 - Title I: United States Assistance for the Countries of Southeastern Europe - Authorizes the President to provide specified U.S. foreign assistance for political and economic reforms in the countries of southeastern Europe (Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Bulgaria, and Romania) and the Kosovo region of the Republic of Serbia. Prohibits such assistance (except humanitarian assistance) to the Republic of Serbia, except if the President determines that such government has undertaken steps to become democratic and ensure equal rights for all of its citizens. Title II: Assistance for Democracy Building in the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro - Declares that the United States supports the development of democracy in Serbia and Montenegro and those who are committed to the building of democratic institutions, defending human rights, promoting rule of law, and fostering tolerance in society. (Sec. 204) Earmarks certain U.S. foreign assistance funds for democracy building in all regions of the Republic of Serbia (with a separate availability for Kosovo) and in the Republic of Montenegro. (Sec. 205) Prohibits U.S. foreign assistance to: (1) rebuild the civilian infrastructure in the Republic of Serbia; and (2) the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (other than Montenegro), or individuals connected with these governments particularly if the governments are under the direction of Slobodan Milosevic, the Socialist Party of Serbia, or any other non-democratic party. (Sec. 206) Expresses the sense of Congress that political contacts between the U.S. officials and those who represent a genuine desire for democratic governance in the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro should be developed through regular and well publicized meetings. Authorizes appropriations for a voluntary U.S. contribution to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Title III: Assistance to the Republic of Montenegro - Declares that the United States supports the development in Montenegro of a market-based economy and a democratic government based on equal rights for all of its citizens, regardless of ethnic background. Earmarks a specified amount of U.S. foreign assistance funds for political and economic reforms in the republic of Montenegro. Title IV: Assistance to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - Earmarks a specified amount of U.S. foreign assistance funds for economic and political reforms in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. (Sec. 403) Earmarks specified amounts for: (1) the establishment and support of the faculty and programs of an American University for Southeastern Europe at Skopje, Macedonia, or at another suitable site there; (2) microenterprise credits and loans through existing programs funded by the United States in Macedonia; (3) the Trade and Development Agency for additional activities under the South Balkans Development Initiative and activities in support of related infrastructure projects in Macedonia, including those projects that, in cooperation with the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Albania, would expedite completion of an East-West trade corridor across those countries; (4) foreign military assistance for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and (5) international military education and training (IMET) for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Title V: Equitable Burdensharing Requirement for Assistance for Southeastern Europe Region - Limits the total amount of U.S. foreign assistance to the countries of southeastern Europe, the Republic of Montenegro, and the Kosovo region of the Republic of Serbia to no more than 15 percent of the total amount of certain multilateral assistance provided to such countries and region. (Sec. 502) Urges the European Union member states to make a far greater effort to provide adequate numbers of personnel for the International Police in Kosovo so that the goal of an effective 4,700-officer International Police in Kosovo force is attained as soon as possible. Title VI: Policy Regarding Individuals Indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia - Declares that it is U.S. policy to assist the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia as fully as possible in its apprehension and prosecution of individuals indicted for war crimes (including Slobodan Milosevic), and to encourage other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries and other interested countries to do the same.
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
Russian Anti-Ship Missile Nonproliferation Act of 2000 - Prohibits the President from rescheduling or forgiving any outstanding bilateral debt owed by the Russian Federation to the United States, until the President certifies to Congress that the Russian Federation has permanently terminated all transfers of Moskit anti-ship missiles that endanger U.S. national security, particularly transfers to China. Requires the President, after making such certification, to report periodically to specified congressional committees, identifying the status of any contract and the date of the transfer of any version of the Moskit missile (particularly transfers to China) occurring on or after February 1, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2000
Upper Mississippi River Basin Conservation Act of 2000 - Title I: Sediment and Nutrient Monitoring Network - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the United States Geological Service, to establish a nutrient and sediment monitoring network for the Upper Mississippi River Basin, to be headquartered at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (Sec.102) Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other involved parties, to establish guidelines for related data collection and storage activities. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to: (1) collaborate with other public and private monitoring efforts in establishing the nutrient and sediment monitoring program; and (2) target resources of the State Water Resources Research Institute Program to promote nutrient and sediment studies in the Basin. Title II: Initiative, Grant, Demonstration, and Outreach Programs - Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey, in collaboration with the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to establish a computer modeling program of nutrient and sediment sources in the Basin, which shall include models of: (1) processes affecting field sediment and nutrient loss; (2) watersheds; (3) river channels; and (4) connections between sediment and nutrient yields and sources, land uses, and management practices. States that such information shall be headquartered at the Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) work with public and private entities to evaluate best management practices designed to reduce nutrient and sediment loss; and (2) assess such practices' economic risks. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to administer a grant program to supplement non-Federal funds being used by public and private entities to demonstrate new best management practices to reduce nutrient and sediment loss in the Basin. (Sec. 204) Requires the Director to: (1) establish an Internet-based system to distribute information about nutrient and sediment loss reduction projects, including Basin projects, and nutrient and sediment levels in the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries; and (2) report with respect to monitoring and modeling activities. Title III: Financial and Technical Assistance under Department of Agriculture Conservation Programs - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to increase assistance for nutrient and sediment reduction in the Basin, including new assistance to Basin subwatersheds that are nutrient and sediment sources. (Sec. 302) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to designate the Basin as a conservation priority area. (Sec. 303) Increases enrollment authority under the conservation reserve and the wetland reserve programs. (Sec. 304) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act to increase funding for the wildlife habitat incentives program. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to increase funding for the environmental quality incentives program. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with public and private agencies, including agreements for goods and services (and personal services). Title IV: Protection of Personal Data - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide for privacy of personal data received by the Department of Agriculture and data collection locations with respect to natural resources conservation programs. Sets forth limited disclosure exceptions. Subjects disclosure violations to specified penalty provisions of such Act. Title V: Advisory Council on the Upper Mississippi River Stewardship Initiative - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Advisory Council on the Upper Mississippi River Stewardship Initiative. Authorizes the Advisory Council to establish specified task groups. Title VI: Interagency Working Group on Upper Mississippi River Basin Initiative - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to establish an Interagency Working Group to coordinate Federal nutrient and sediment reduction efforts in the Basin. Title VII: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2000
Clean Air and Water Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a fuel additive. Makes such prohibition effective three years after this Act's enactment date. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to require, during the period beginning on this Act's enactment and ending three years after such date, persons selling gasoline that contains MTBE at retail to label the fuel dispensing system with a notice that the gasoline contains MTBE. (Sec. 4) Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator to amend certain guidelines to require State source water assessment programs to be revised to prioritize groundwater areas and aquifers that have been contaminated, or are most vulnerable to contamination, by MTBE. Directs the Administrator to develop a clear set of technical guidelines to assist States in the investigation and cleanup of MTBE in groundwater. (Sec. 5) Revises the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline under the Clean Air Act to require the oxygen content to equal or exceed an average of two percent by weight (currently, equal or exceed two percent by weight). Invalidates Federal regulations that establish a per-gallon minimum oxygen content (percent, by weight). (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator to revise regulations regarding reformulated gasoline to ensure that the ozone forming potential, taking into account all ozone precursors, of the aggregate emissions during the high ozone season from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline does not exceed such potential of the emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with regulations that were in effect on January 1, 2000, and applicable to such gasoline sold in 2000 and thereafter. Limits the hydrocarbon content of reformulated gasoline to the average content of such gasoline sold in covered nonattainment areas during the year 2000. (Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator to report to the President and Congress on the potential for development of oxygenate alternatives to MTBE not identified in this Act and to evaluate what steps would be appropriate to foster development of such alternatives should they be found to be acceptable substitutes for MTBE. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should promote renewable ethanol to replace MTBE and encourage oil refiners to make the transition from MTBE-blended fuel to ethanol-blended fuel as soon as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2000
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 4601 South Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the Henry W. McGee Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
State Bank Examination Fee Repeal Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Reserve Act to repeal the authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, respectively, to assess against a State depository institution fees representing expenses incurred in conducting an examination of such institution by Federal examiners.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a deduction for eligible long-term care insurance premiums for a taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse and dependents; and (2) a credit for eligible caregivers caring for certain individuals with long-term care needs.
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
Prohibits Federal funds from being used for any governmental program that restricts the use of any privately owned water source, unless such source is specifically found to impose a risk to human health.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2000
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) upon approval of the accession of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United States representative to the WTO should request that the WTO General Council consider Taiwan's accession to the WTO as its next order of business; and (2) the United States should be prepared to counter any effort by any WTO member country, upon China's accession, to block Taiwan's.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2000
Expresses the sense of Congress, with respect to a proposed regulation on ergonomics by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), that: (1) Congress should support Federal regulations based solely on sound science and fact; (2) public comments should play a vital role in shaping OSHA's proposed regulation on ergonomics; and (3) adequate time must be provided for the public to review thoroughly a regulation of the magnitude and length of such proposed regulation on ergonomics.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to revise the article description for monochrome glass envelopes. Eliminates the article description (including tariff treatment) for other type monochrome glass envelopes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
Housing Finance Regulatory Improvement Act - Title I: Housing Finance Oversight Board - Subtitle A: Improvement of Supervision - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to establish the Housing Finance Oversight Board in lieu of the existing Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Housing Finance Board, and specified government sponsored enterprise (enterprises) authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Directs the Board to ensure that the enterprises and the Federal home loan banks (banks) operate in a financially safe manner and remain adequately capitalized. (Sec. 103) Provides for public disclosure of information that would increase the efficiency of the secondary mortgage market or the housing finance system. (Sec. 105) Subjects the banks to Board assessment authority. (Sec. 109) Eliminates specified enterprise regulatory authority of HUD. (Sec. 110) Grants the Board prior approval authority over new activities of the banks and enterprises. (Sec. 111) Authorizes the Board to limit enterprise and bank nonmission-related assets. (Sec. 112) Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to establish specified conforming loan limits. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to direct the Board to establish a housing price index. (Sec. 114) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to subject the banks to Board regulatory authority. Subtitle B: Reduction of Systematic Risk -Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to subject enterprises to annual credit determinations. (Sec. 136) Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act (Fannie Mae), the Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (Freddie Mac), and the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (banks) to eliminate Treasury credit line authority. (Sec. 139) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to establish the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation. (Sec. 141) Directs the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to study the effects of enterprise failure on depository institutions. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Makes conforming amendments to specified Acts. Title II: Transfer of Functions, Personnel, and Property - Abolishes the (HUD) Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, and the Federal Housing Finance Board. Sets forth related transfer of personnel and facility and property provisions.
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
Medicaid Safety Net Hospital Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, with respect to adjustments in payments for inpatient hospital services furnished by disproportionate share (DSH) hospitals, to require DSH allotments for FY 2002 to be equal to the State allotment for FY 2000. Sets the DSH allotment for FY 2001 and for FY 2002 at the FY 2000 level.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Federal government should: (1) promote the continued use of renewable ethanol in the Chicago reformulated gasoline market and in other reformulated gasoline areas as a means of enhancing energy security and supporting farm income; (2) allow State and local governments the option of limiting the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as an oxygenate until those governments are certain that MTBE will not harm their environments; and (3) require the Environmental Protection Agency to revise the Phase II reformulated gasoline regulations under the Clean Air Act to allow ethanol to remain a viable oxygenate within the Act's reformulated gasoline program.
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
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Act of 2000 - Designates the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument in southern California, to be managed jointly by the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture. Provides that nothing in the establishment of the Monument shall be construed as: (1) affecting Indian Reservations, individually held trust lands, Indian allotments, lands or interests in lands held by the State of California or its political subdivision, a special district, or the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, or private property rights within the Monuments boundaries; nor (2) granting the Secretaries authority on or over non-Federal lands not already provided by law. Requires the Secretaries to prepare a management plan for the conservation and protection of the Monument. Provides for the continued use by the University of California of certain Federal lands within the Monument (including other specified existing and historical uses). Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, without further authorization by law, to exchange lands with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretaries to jointly establish an advisory committee for the Monument to advise them with respect to the preparation and implementation of the management plan. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to allow a new composite theoretical performance level established by the President for high-performance computers subject to certain export controls to take effect 30 (currently 180) days after the President reports to specified congressional committees setting forth the new level and its justification.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Medicaid DSH Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, with respect to provisions regarding adjustments in payments for inpatient hospital services furnished by disproportionate share hospitals (DSH), to require allotments for FY 2001 (currently, FY 2003) and succeeding fiscal years to DSH to be equal to the allotment for the State for the preceding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Congressional Oversight and Audit of Agency Rulemaking Actions Act - Establishes a pilot project under which the Comptroller General may review a published economically significant proposed or interim rule at the request of a committee of either House of Congress with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the rule. Defines "economically significant rule" to mean any proposed, final, or interim rule: (1) that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments, small businesses, or communities; or (2) for which an agency has prepared an initial or final regulatory flexibility analysis. Requires that an independent audit and assessment of such a rule by the Comptroller General shall consist of: (1) an analysis of the agency's and the public's assessment of the potential benefits and costs of the rule and of alternative approaches that could achieve the agency's objectives in a more cost effective manner; (2) an analysis and assessment of any impact statement or report prepared by the agency as part of the rulemaking, including any assessment of impacts on State and local governments; and (3) a list of all analyses, groups, entities, and sources consulted in developing the analyses and assessments described above. Grants the Comptroller General discretion to develop procedures for determining the priority and number of requests for review. Requires each agency, upon request of the Comptroller General, to provide any available or existing records, information, or data upon which the agency relied in developing such a rule. Requires the Comptroller General to transmit an independent audit containing the prescribed assessments and analyses on a final rule, together with a summary of the differences between the proposed and final rule, within 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the pilot project established under this Act to continue for a five-year period if specified appropriations are provided. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on such project's effectiveness and on whether it should be authorized permanently.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Save Our Surplus for Debt Reduction Act of 2000 - Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report if the enactment of the bill or resolution as reported, the adoption and enactment of the amendment, or the enactment of the bill or resolution in the form recommended in the conference report would cause a decrease in the on-budget surplus for FY 2000. Makes such point of order inapplicable to any such legislation or motion if it reduces revenues or implements structural social security or Medicare reform. Waives or suspends the point of order under this Act in the Senate only by an affirmative three-fifths majority vote. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on such point of order. Terminates this Act on October 1, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2000
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 should terminate on a specified date, with no extension or further quota agreement; and (2) the President should consult with appropriate stakeholders and continue discussions with the Government of Canada to promote open trade of softwood lumber between Canada and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2000
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, unless it is necessary to save the mother's life that is endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury. Prescribes penalties. Defines a "partial birth abortion" as an abortion in which the person performing the abortion deliberately and intentionally: (1) vaginally delivers some portion of an intact living fetus until the fetus is partially outside the body of the mother, for the purpose of performing an overt act that the person knows will kill the fetus while the fetus is partially outside the mother's body; and (2) performs the overt act that kills the fetus while the intact living fetus is partially outside the mother's body. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
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
Timber and Agriculture Environmental Fairness Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit for discharges composed entirely of agricultural stormwater discharges or for discharges from silviculture operations. Excludes discharges of stormwater runoff from silvicultural operations from the definition of "point source."
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2000
Installment Tax Correction Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (as amended by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) to repeal revisions to the Code (made by the Act) which repealed the use of the installment method of accounting for accrual method taxpayers and modified the pledge rules of installment obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2000
Authorizes presentation of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan. Authorizes specified sums to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for medal costs. Mandates that sale proceeds from duplicate bronze medals be deposited into such Fund.
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 · 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 · 1 February 2000
Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, and expresses the gratitude of the American people for the service of members of the armed forces during such War.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2000
Designates the Army missile testing range at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands as the Ronald Reagan Strategic Defense Initiative Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2000
Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act - Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from establishing, expanding, or otherwise modifying requirements relating to the service obligations of noncommercial educational television stations except by means of Federal agency rulemaking procedures. Terminates the additional guidance contained in the FCC's memorandum opinion and order in WQED Pittsburgh (FCC 99-393), except as such guidance is prescribed in accordance with the above rulemaking procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 1999 - Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from prescribing any rules authorizing the operation of new, low power FM radio stations, or establishing a low power radio service, as currently proposed. Terminates previously prescribed rules which would violate such prohibition and voids licenses issued pursuant to such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Urges the Government of Germany to: (1) uphold its commitments to take effective measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination against individuals or communities on the grounds of religion or belief' and to foster a climate of mutual tolerance and respect between believers of different communities as required by the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe's Vienna Concluding Document of 1989; and (2) enter into a constructive dialogue with minority groups subject to government discrimination based on religion or belief. Declares that the House of Representatives continues to hold the Government of Germany responsible for protecting the right of freedom of religion or belief of U.S. citizens who are living, performing, doing business, or traveling in Germany. Calls upon the President to assert the concern of the U.S. Government to the Government of Germany regarding government discrimination in Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 2000 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must promote an end to the exclusion of Israel from any of the United Nations (UN) regional blocs, including rotating membership on the UN Security Council; and (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the UN should take all steps necessary to ensure Israel's acceptance in the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG) regional bloc (membership which includes the non-European countries of Canada, Australia, and the United States). Directs the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees on efforts taken to achieve such goals.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Export Enhancement Act of 1999 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend through FY 2003 the Overseas Private Investment Corporation's (OPIC) authority to issue investment insurance and guarantees. (Sec. 3) Revises certain OPIC requirements to prohibit the OPIC Board of Directors from voting in favor of any proposed action likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented, unless: (1) an environmental impact assessment or initial environmental audit has been completed by the project applicant and made available to the Board of Directors; and (2) such assessment or audit has been made available to the U.S. public, locally affected groups in the host country, and host country nongovernmental organizations. Requires OPIC in conjunction with each Board of Directors' meeting to hold a public hearing in order to afford an opportunity for any person to present views regarding OPIC activities. (Sec. 4) Revises the composition of the OPIC Board of Directors. (Sec. 5) Revises the purposes of the Trade and Development Agency to include, with respect to the promotion of U.S. private sector participation in development projects in developing and middle-income countries, special emphasis on economic sectors with significant U.S. export potential, such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and environment. Directs the Agency to require corporations and other entities to: (1) share the costs of feasibility studies and other project planning services; and (2) reimburse the Agency those funds it has provided, if the corporation or entity concerned succeeds in project implementation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Requires the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to: (1) report on actions taken to eliminate the areas of overlap and duplication identified among Federal export promotion activities; (2) coordinate efforts to sponsor or promote any trade show or trade fair; (3) work with all relevant State and national organizations, including the National Governors' Association, that have established trade promotion offices; and (4) report to Congress on actions taken to promote better coordination among State, Federal, and private sector export promotion activities. (Sec. 7) Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to change the deadline for TPCC annual reports from September 30 to March 30.
![Official portrait of Rep. Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001138_200.jpg)