United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2000
Amends the Federal criminal code to subject to civil forfeiture any: (1) conveyance, including any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft, which has been used or is being used for bringing in or harboring aliens (alien smuggling); and (2) any property that constitutes, is derived from, or is traceable to the proceeds obtained from, or is used to facilitate (or intended to be used to facilitate), alien smuggling.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2000
Greater Access to Distance Education Act of 2000 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require distance education demonstration programs to provide greater access to high quality distance education programs and orientation to distance education for adults, students, and underserved persons who traditionally have had little or no computer knowledge or training.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1999
Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the establishment and operation of a national sanctuary system for all surplus federally owned chimpanzees that are no longer needed in research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, or other Federal agencies. Mandates that any surplus chimpanzee that is not owned by the Federal Government be accepted into the system if the owner transfers title to the chimpanzee to the sanctuary system. Provides for standards for permanent retirement of chimpanzees into the system. Requires such standards to empower the Secretary to authorize imposition of a fee (except in certain circumstances) for accepting a non-Federal chimpanzee into the system. Directs the Secretary to contract with a nonprofit private entity to establish and operate the system. Provides for funding. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts for the operation of facilities that provide for the retirement of chimpanzees in accordance with the same standards that apply to the sanctuary system.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Give a Kid a Chance Omnibus Mental Health Services Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support, either directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with public entities, programs to promote mental health among all children and their families and to provide early intervention services to ameliorate identified mental health problems in children and adolescents. Requires an equitable distribution of grant funds, including Native American communities. Outlines program priorities. Requires non-Federal matching funds of $2 for every $3 of Federal funding. Limits grant duration to five years. Requires the Secretary to ensure that entities receiving funds carry out a project evaluation which includes the effectiveness of program strategies in strengthening families with young children. Requires local educational agencies receiving such grants to ensure that schools receiving such funds maintain a certain ratio of students per counselor, nurse, psychologist, and social worker. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
CRA Restoration Act of 1999 - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, to permit a bank holding company to expand its financial activities if all its subsidiary depository institutions have achieved a rating of "satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs," or better, at the most recent examination of each such institution. Permits the exclusion from community needs requirements for 12 months of certain newly acquired depository institutions, if the bank holding company submits to the appropriate Federal banking agency, and the agency has approved, an affirmative plan for achieving a satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs, or better, at the institution's next examination. Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to declare that a national bank may control, or hold an interest in a financial subsidiary only if such bank and each of its insured depository institution affiliates has achieved a rating of "satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs," or better, at its most recent examination. Permits the exclusion from community needs requirements for 12 months of certain newly affiliated depository institutions, if the national bank or depository institution submits to the appropriate Federal banking agency, and the agency has approved, an affirmative plan for achieving a satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs, or better, at the institution's next examination. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to repeal the mandate for full public disclosure and an annual status report of any agreement entered into between an insured depository institution, its affiliate, and any non-governmental party, pursuant to or in connection with the Community Reinvestment Act of 19977 (CRA), involving funds or other depository institution resources (including full text disclosure to the appropriate Federal banking regulatory agency). Amends CRA to repeal the graduated schedule of decreasing CRA examinations of certain small-sized banks commensurate with their record of meeting CRA "community credit needs". Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to repeal: (1) the directive to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to conduct a comprehensive study of the CRA and report to Congress and the public on CRA default, delinquency, and profitability data; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary of the Treasury study and report to Congress on the extent to which adequate services are being provided as intended by the CRA.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
United States Training on and Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution - Calls upon the President: (1) to provide for appropriate training and materials to all Foreign Service officers, officials of the Department of State, and any other executive branch employee involved in responding to issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide by familiarizing them with the U.S. record relating to the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of the failure to enforce the judgments of the Turkish courts against the responsible officials; and (2) in his annual message commemorating the Armenian Genocide issued on or about April 24, to characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide and to recall the proud history of U.S. intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Booker T. Washington Leadership Institute Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Hampton University at Hampton, Virginia, for the establishment of the Booker T. Washington Leadership Institute. Directs the Institute to: (1) generate resources, improve teaching, enhance curriculum development, and further the knowledge and understanding of students about national and international social, political, and economic issues that impact the quality of life; (2) increase the awareness of the importance of leadership and cross-cultural communications, enhance the cognitive and developmental skills of young people to support their ability to define and rethink the major problems of our times, and further analyze, synthesize, and evaluate solutions and resolutions; (3) develop leaders for the 21st century in politics, education, and business; (4) create library and research facilities for the collection and compilation of research materials for use in carrying out Institute programs; (5) sponsor classes, programs, community service activities, and research projects for middle school, high school, and college students who have demonstrated the desire and willingness to lead others, to assist such students to learn and discuss strategies to make change, enhance and develop their leadership skills, and gain new perspectives on cross-cultural communication; (6) conduct scholarly research on national and international issues and share the results of such research with decisionmakers and legislators; and (7) develop an international educational exchange that assists students of all backgrounds and ages in learning about cross-cultural communication and leadership skills. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of not more than eight centers for the conduct of multidisciplinary research on environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer. Requires each center to: (1) conduct basic and clinical research; (2) develop protocols for training health professionals; (3) conduct training programs for such individuals; (4) develop model continuing education programs for such professionals; and (5) disseminate information to such professionals and the public. Authorizes a center to provide stipends for professionals enrolled in the program. Allows grant support for a center for up to five years, with authorized extensions. Requires an equitable geographic distribution of such centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Youth Drinking Elimination Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to enable public and nonprofit private entities, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop plans for and to carry out school (including college) and community based programs for the prevention of alcoholic beverage consumption by persons who have not attained the legal drinking age. Requires a prospective grantee to provide assurances that it will: (1) use science based and age appropriate approaches; and (2) involve local public health officials and community prevention program staff in the planning and implementation of the program. Authorizes appropriations.
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
Expresses the sense of Congress applauding the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic Society for its choral society and orchestra, and for its promotion of: (1) cultural communication and understanding in performances throughout the District of Columbia, the United States, and the world; and (2) musical excellence at all levels of the educational system.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to place within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial a plaque to honor those Vietnam veterans who died after service in the Vietnam War, but as a direct result of such service, and whose names are not otherwise eligible for placement on the Memorial wall.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Consumer's Right to Financial Privacy Act - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to revamp financial institution obligations regarding disclosures of personal information sharing. Prohibits such institutions from either disclosing, or making unrelated use, of nonpublic personal information collected in a consumer transaction unless the institution has notified the consumer in accordance with prescribed regulations. (Currently such disclosure or unrelated use is permitted with institutional affiliates without prior notice to consumers.) Requires the consumer's affirmative consent (opt-in) to any such information sharing between a financial institution, its affiliates, or any other person that is neither an employee or agent of such institution. (Current law permits nonpublic personal consumer information sharing by a financial institution with nonaffiliated third parties for marketing and other purposes, unless the consumer opts out in writing.) Mandates that designated regulatory agencies promulgate regulations that: (1) require affirmative consumer consent as a prerequisite to any information sharing by a financial institution; (2) prohibit a financial institution from denying a product or service to a consumer who has denied consent to such information transfer; and (3) require consumer access and opportunity to dispute nonpublic personal information made available by the institution to persons other than its own personnel. Prohibits a financial institution from disclosing a consumer's access number or code to both an affiliated or nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing, or other marketing through electronic mail to the consumer. (Current law permits such disclosure to affiliates). Restricts nonpublic personal information received from a financial institution by an affiliate or nonaffiliated third party from being further disclosed to another affiliate or nonaffiliated third party of both the financial institution and such recipient. Requires designated regulatory agencies to promulgate proscriptions against unfair and deceptive practices in connection with either the disclosure of nonpublic personal information, or with making unrelated uses of that information. Prescribes regulation contents, including a requirement that a financial institution disclose to the consumer: (1) the categories of nonpublic personal information the institution collects; and (2) its practices and policies with respect to disclosing or making unrelated uses of it. Authorizes the States to enjoin violations of this Act. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe implementing regulations with respect to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate procedural guidelines governing State election to participate in the enforcement of this Act. Provides that protection under State law that is greater than the protection accorded under this Act (as determined by either the FTC or a Federal functional regulator) shall not be deemed inconsistent with this Act. Repeals the exemption granting permission to State-licensed private investigators acting under court authorization to obtain customer information of a financial institution for purposes of collecting child support from a person adjudged delinquent. Confers enforcement authority upon the States with respect to violations pertaining to fraudulent access to financial information under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
CT-43A Federal Employee Settlement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to pay $2 million to the specified beneficiary of each of the 14 Federal civilian officers and employees killed in the crash of a United States Air Force CT-43A aircraft on April 3, 1996, near Dubrovnik, Croatia. Provides that acceptance of such payment constitutes full settlement of all claims by that person against the United States arising from the death. Prohibits any representative of a beneficiary from receiving more than ten percent of a payment for services rendered in connection with the beneficiary's claim.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1999
Peanut Labeling Act of 1999 - Requires retailers of peanuts or peanut products produced or imported into the United States to inform final point of sale consumers of such products' country of origin, unless: (1) waived by the Secretary of Agriculture because of the difficulty of determining product origin; or (2) the products are already labeled by the packer, importer, or other person. Authorizes civil penalties for violations of such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate additional qualifying United States insular areas as empowerment zones. Limits to $1 million the amount of tax-exempt enterprise zone facility bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1999
Health Care Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Center for Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities to conduct and support basic and clinical research, training, and disseminate information regarding minority health. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to conduct and support research on minority health disparities. Directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study of the Department of Health and Human Services' data collection and reporting systems and practices required under any of the programs or activities of the Department relating to the collection of data on race or ethnicity. Authorizes awards of grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of carrying out research and demonstration projects to develop curricula to reduce disparity in health care outcomes, including curricula for cultural competency in graduate medical education. Requires a national media campaign to inform the public of the programs and activities of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health and Human Services. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) other minority health initiatives and programs; (2) reporting requirements; and (3) authorizations of appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Duty to Assist Veterans Act of 1999 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to any veterans' benefits claim filed on or after July 14, 1999, to assist such claimant in developing information pertinent to a decision on the claim, including by informing the claimant of any medical or lay evidence needed and by providing a medical examination to determine the current disability of the veteran concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special rules concerning the contribution for charitable purposes of drugs to be administered outside the United States and drugs with short lives.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1999
Hunger Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to remove specified restrictions on qualified aliens' eligibility for food stamp and supplemental security income benefits. Exempts food stamp provisions respecting aliens from: (1) the five-year waiting period for Federal means-tested public benefits eligibility; (2) inclusion of sponsor income and resources to an alien for State benefits eligibility; and (3) sponsor reimbursement requirements in cases of hardship. Sets forth effective dates for: (1) aliens; and (2) refugees and asylees. (Sec. 3) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to authorize a State to use an alternative State auto valuation rather than the Federal one in order to provide a lower household resource attribution for food stamp program purposes. (Sec. 4) Increases, and indexes for inflation, the food stamp excess shelter deduction. (Sec. 5) Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to authorize additional appropriations for commodity purchases under the emergency food assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should direct the U.S. representative to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations to use all available means to secure Miami, Florida, as the permanent site of the FTAA Secretariat after February 28, 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Expresses support for the goals and ideas of Italian-American Heritage Month and recognizes the significant contributions that Italian Americans have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1999
Legal Amnesty Restoration Act of 1999 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to repeal the judicial review limitation on denial of status adjustment to permanent resident with respect to certain aliens (effective as if enacted in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986). Extends the admission registry date for permanent residence, including a further extension in a case involving an unlawful act by an Immigration and Naturalization Service employee or officer, for certain aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1999
Young Witness Assistance Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in support of juvenile (17 years of age or younger) and young adult (between 18 and 21 years of age) witness assistance programs. Authorizes grant funds to be used, among other things, for: (1) counseling services to young witnesses of a violent crime; and (2) protective services for young witnesses and their families when a serious threat of harm is made from perpetrators or their associates. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1999
Amends Federal rail transportation law to prohibit a railroad carrier (including its officers and agents) from requiring a train employee who has been on duty or available for it for any portion of each of seven consecutive days to go on duty or be available for it until at least 72 consecutive hours have passed after the employee is released from duty or availability.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1999
Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify procedures and provide special rules for battered spouses and children with respect to: (1) adjustment of status; (2) removal and deportation; (3) implementation of immigration provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); (4) waivers and exceptions to inadmissibility for otherwise qualified battered immigrants; (5) calculation of physical presence in VAWA cancellation of removal proceedings and suspension of deportation proceedings; (6) VAWA immigration protections; (7) VAWA cancellation of removal and adjustment of status for certain nonpermanent residents; and (8) good moral character determinations for self- petitioning immediate relatives. (Sec. 10) Prescribes guidelines for inapplicability of public charge determinations for designated aliens. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to redefine "qualified alien" to include certain battered aliens for purposes of welfare and public benefits eligibility. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 to declare restrictions on the use of assisted housing inapplicable to certain battered aliens. (Sec. 11) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to provide that requirements and restrictions placed upon Legal Services Corporation funding shall not be construed to prohibit a recipient from providing related legal assistance to certain aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. Directs the Violence Against Women Grants Office in the Department of Justice to report on services for underserved populations. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Act) to include legal advocacy for domestic violence in immigration cases under the program of grants to encourage arrest policies. Includes alienage status within the definition of "underserved populations." Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to include immigration-related matters under the program of rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to include alienage status within the scope of underserved populations. Amends the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 1999 to obligate funds for grants to combat violence against women, which shall include immigration-related matters. Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to include immigration-related matters under the program of campus domestic violence grants. (Sec. 12) Amends the Act to require each branch of the U.S. military to train its supervisory military officers in domestic violence dynamics in military families, and the protections available for battered immigrant women and children. Expands the purposes of training grants to combat violent crimes against women to include: (1) training immigration and asylum officers and judges; and (2) training justice system personnel on the judicial ramifications of the Violence Against Women Act, and the potential immigration consequences for perpetrators of domestic violence. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to express the intent of the Congress that statutory constraints upon the powers of immigration personnel not be construed as discouraging crime and domestic violence victims from reporting crimes to the police, from cooperating in criminal prosecutions, or from obtaining the legal relief needed for protection from ongoing violence. (Sec. 13) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a humanitarian-material witness nonimmigrant classification. (Sec. 14) Extends access for battered spouses and children under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act, the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998, and Federal law relating to Cuban adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1999
Anti-Atrocity Alien Deportation Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the inadmissibility and removability of aliens who have committed acts of torture abroad. Directs the Attorney General to establish within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice an Office of Special Investigations to investigate and remove, denaturalize, or prosecute alien participants of Nazi persecutions, genocide, or torture abroad. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, upon transfer by the State of Florida of all rights and interest to specified Florida lands, to immediately transfer to Florida all U.S. rights and interest to specified lands in the area of Biscayne Bay, Florida. Makes the property transferred to the United States part of Biscayne National Park, requiring appropriate Park boundary adjustments.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1999
National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include amusement rides that are permanently fixed to a site in the definition of "consumer product" (thereby giving the Consumer Product Safety Commission jurisdiction over such amusement rides). Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act as amended by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1999
Redesignates the Federal building located at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC, commonly known as the J. Edgar Hoover Federal Building, as the Frank M. Johnson Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1999
Declares that Congress: (1) recognizes the importance of achieving a successful decennial census; (2) encourages State and local governments, community leaders, and all other parties involved to work to ensure a successful census; (3) reaffirms the spirit of cooperation that exists between Congress and the Bureau of the Census; and (4) asserts this public partnership between Congress and the Bureau to promote the decennial census.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1999
Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to permit children covered under a State CHIP plan to continue to be eligible for benefits under State pediatric vaccine distribution programs (Vaccine for Children program) under Medicaid (SSA title XIX).
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act - Amends Federal employee provisions to include the following as an employee, for purposes of authorized enrollment under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: (1) a member of the armed forces who began service before June 7, 1956, and retired after a minimum of 20 years of such service or by reason of a service-connected disability; and (2) the surviving widow or widower of such member. Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to provide FEHB coverage to the following eligible beneficiaries: (1) a member or former member entitled to military retired or retainer pay who is also entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (2) an unremarried former spouse who was married to a member for at least 20 years, during which such member performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; (3) a dependent of a deceased qualifying member or former member; (4) a dependent of a living member or former member who is entitled to Medicare hospital insurance benefits; and (5) a family member of such member. Repeals a provision prohibiting coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services for persons entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Calls upon the President: (1) not to participate in any international negotiation in which antidumping or antisubsidy rules are part of the negotiating agenda; (2) to refrain from submitting for congressional approval agreements that require changes to the current antidumping and countervailing duty laws and enforcement policies of the United States; and (3) to enforce the antidumping and countervailing duty laws vigorously in all pending and future cases.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Pension Benefits Protection and Preservation Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require the plan administrator of any large (100 or more participants) defined employee benefit plan (applicable plan) to notify each applicable individual of any adoption of plan amendments that may reduce future benefit accruals of one or more participants to a specified significant extent (plan amendments), with details on the change's possible effect on the individual's pension, at least 45 days before such a plan change becomes effective. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce specified age discrimination provisions relating to pensions under the Code, without regard to the portion of the preamble to a specified Treasury Decision which relates to allocation of interest adjustments through normal retirement age under a cash balance plan. Declares that such preamble is, and has been since its adoption, without the force of law. Requires applicable plans to offer, in addition to the notice and written statement of benefit change, opportunity for applicable individual participants to elect to continue benefit accruals, without regard to such plan amendments, under the former defined benefit plan instead of under a cash benefit plan. Imposes an excise tax for the failure of any applicable pension plan to offer an opportunity to applicable participants to continue benefit accruals under the former defined benefit plan in the event of significant reductions in future plan accruals. Sets the amount of such tax at 50 percent of the excess pension assets in the plan. Makes the plan liable for such tax in the case of a multiemployer plan, and the employer liable in any other case. Prohibits pension plan amendments that reduce future accrued benefits for years of service for any participants in applicable plans (large defined benefit plans with 100 or more members). Sets forth criteria, under both the Code and ERISA, for determining when a pension plan amendment by an applicable plan shall be treated as reducing the accrued benefit of a participant.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit Medicaid payments to States with approved State Medicaid plans for amounts expended for medical transportation services (other than emergency services) where the contractor has failed to assure the Secretary of Health and Human Services that it has satisfactory arrangements to assure that: (1) any driver providing such services has undergone a criminal background check; and (2) any individual convicted of a felony involving violence or the use, distribution, or manufacture of alcohol or drugs is not an eligible provider.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
Sexual Harassment Awareness Reporting and Posting Act of 1999 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require institutions of higher education participating in any program under HEA title IV (Student Assistance) to distribute and post information for prospective and enrolled students describing their procedures for receiving and responding to complaints regarding sexual harassment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present congressional gold medals to astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, in recognition of their monumental and unprecedented feat of space exploration, as well as their achievements in the advancement of science and promotion of the space program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Requires receipts from such sales to be deposited in the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999
Community Development Venture Capital Assistance Act of 1999 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to: (1) enter into contracts with one or more development organizations specializing in community development in low-income communities to carry out training and research activities to enhance the professional skills of individuals within community development venture capital organizations operating in such communities; and (2) make grants to development organizations for such activities and to intermediary organizations to provide training and assistance to community development venture capital organizations operating in such communities. Requires matching non-Federal funds. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
AIDS Marshall Plan Fund for Africa Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish the AIDS Marshall Plan Fund for Africa Corporation (AMPFA Corporation) which shall carry out a program to provide assistance for HIV-AIDS research, prevention, and treatment activities in Africa. Establishes the AIDS Marshall Plan Fund for Africa which shall consist of contributions from private sources and from foreign governments, including the governments of other G-8 countries (France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Italy, and Russia). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Andean Adjustment Act of 1999 - Provides for the adjustment to permanent resident status of certain U.S.-resident Colombian and Peruvian nationals (and spouses, children, and certain unmarried sons or daughters)..
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the creation of disaster protection funds by property and casualty insurance companies for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from certain catastrophic events.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Veterans' Emergency Telephone Service Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award a grant to a private, nonprofit entity for the operation of a national, toll-free telephone hotline providing information and assistance to veterans and their families, including crisis intervention counseling, general veterans' benefits information, emergency shelter and food, substance abuse rehabilitation, employment training and related opportunities, and small business assistance programs. Limits such grant to a two-year period, subject to annual approval by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Central American and Haitian Adjustment Act of 1999 - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (Act) to: (1) extend permanent resident status adjustment provisions to qualifying Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran, and Haitian nationals; and (2) extend the application filing deadline. Permits certain pending applications filed by Salvadoran or Guatemalan nationals under the Act or Haitian nationals under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to be converted to an application for status adjustment under the Act. Amends such Acts to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility; and (2) provide for issuance of immigrant visas to certain spouses and children. Provides for the limited reopening of certain orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal by certain Haitian, Cuban, or Nicaraguan nationals.
![Official portrait of Rep. Meek, Carrie P. [D-FL-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000628_200.jpg)