United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Hospital Outpatient Preservation Act of 1999 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) to limit temporarily the reductions in Federal payments under the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Provides for the retroactive effectiveness of this Act as if included in BBA '97.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Small Business Superfund Fairness Act - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve a small business concern of liability for response costs at a National Priority List facility under provisions governing arrangement for treatment, disposal, or transport, or acceptance for transport, of hazardous substances to the extent that the materials concerned consist of municipal solid waste or other materials that do not or would not contribute significantly to the cost of the response action. Defines a "small business concern" as an entity that on average over the previous three years has no more than 100 full-time employees. Makes this Act retroactively applicable to actions brought before its enactment in which there was no final judgment. Requires the President, as promptly as possible, to offer to reach a final administrative or judicial settlement with potentially responsible parties who are small businesses demonstrating an inability to pay response costs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Medicare Home Health Care Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to provide that the Secretary of Health and Human Services may only require the submission of additional home health agency information that the Secretary considers necessary for the development of a reliable case mix system for the slated prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on data collected from home health agency patients that includes, among other things, a determination of whether the integrity of data collected pursuant to the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) is affected by the personal nature of the questions posed by reason of such set.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide in the case of any person who is certified to be a member of the plaintiff class in the settlement of the consolidated actions entitled "Pigford, et al. v. Glickman," No. 97-1978 (D.D.C.) (PLF), and "Brewington, et al. v. Glickman" No. 98-1693 (D.D.C.) (PLF) (concerning relief from Federal tax liability arising from the settlement of claims brought by African American farmers against the Department of Agriculture for discrimination in farm credit and benefit programs) amounts received from the settlement of claims shall: (1) be excluded from taxation; and (2) not considered as income or resources when determining eligibility for any federally funded program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999
Hillory J. Farias Date-Rape Prevention Drug Act of 1999 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to add gamma hydroxybutyric acid to schedule I, ketamine to schedule III, and gamma butyrolactone as an additional list I chemical. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress annual reports providing an estimate of the number of incidents of the abuse of date-rape drugs that occurred during the most recent one-year period for which data are available. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan for carrying out a national campaign to educate young adults, youths, law enforcement personnel, educators, school nurses, counselors of rape victims, and hospital emergency room personnel on: (1) the dangers of the date-rape drugs; (2) the applicability of the CSA to such drugs, including penalties; (3) recognizing symptoms indicating that an individual may be a victim of such drugs, including symptoms of sexual assault; and (4) appropriately responding when an individual has such symptoms. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the plan. Sets forth provisions regarding plan implementation and evaluation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999
Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 1999 - Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each agency; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency; and (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline to be extended for an additional two years if enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Sets forth criteria for such review. Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs within each agency for the purpose of advising and assisting Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999
Requires any amounts appropriated for a representational allowance for a Member of the House of Representatives which remain after all payments are made under such allowance to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction or, in fiscal years for which there is no Federal budget deficit, to reduce the Federal debt.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1999
Open Competition and Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to prohibit discrimination against any bidder on a prime contract for a federally funded project on the basis of a requirement that such person enter into or adhere to a collective bargaining agreement or any similar agreement as a condition of performing work on such contract.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Fair Access to Indemnity and Reimbursement Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act to allow the recovery of attorney's fees and costs by certain employers and labor organizations which are prevailing parties in administrative or court proceedings brought by or against the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), or by or against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Requires that such employers or labor organizations have not more than 100 employees and a net worth of not more than $7 million at the time of such proceedings. Provides for such recovery without regard to whether the position of the NLRB, the Secretary of Labor (for OSHA), or the United States was substantially justified or special circumstances make an award unjust.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1999
Citizen Legislature and Political Freedom Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to terminate limitations on Federal election campaign contributions after 2000. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate after December 31, 1999, the designation of income tax payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Terminates the Fund itself and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account after December 31, 2000, and transfers any amounts remaining in the Fund to the general fund of the Treasury. Amends FECA, in the case of a political committee of a national political party, to require reports of all funds transferred to any political committee of a State or local political party, without regard to whether or not the funds are otherwise treated as contributions or expenditures under such Act (soft money). Requires any political committee of a State or local political party to file with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) a copy of any report on disbursements it is required under a State or local law, rule, or regulation to submit to the State or local government. Directs the FEC to make electronic filing of reports mandatory. Revises current deadlines for notification of contributions by a campaign committee. Applies such deadlines to each campaign committee of a candidate, not (as currently) just the principal campaign committee. Requires each political committee to notify, in writing, the appropriate office of any contribution (currently, of $1,000 or more) received by the committee during the period which begins on the 90th day before an election (currently, after the 20th day after, but more than 48 hours before, an election) and ends at the time the polls close for such election. Requires such notification to be made within 24 hours (or, if earlier, by midnight of the day on which the contribution is deposited) (currently, within 48 hours) after receipt of the contribution. Requires the FEC to make report information available on the Internet and at FEC offices as soon as practicable after its receipt. Declares that the "best efforts" exception to noncompliance with FECA shall not apply with respect to information regarding the identification of any contributor of more than $200 in the aggregate during a calendar year (thus requiring strict observance of reporting deadlines for all such contributions).
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1999
Calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend and the Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honor of the S.S. LANE VICTORY.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the patronage dividends of cooperatives shall not be reduced by stock dividends to the extent the stock dividends are in addition to amounts otherwise payable.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1999
Iran Nonproliferation Act of 1999 - Directs the President to report periodically to specified congressional committees on foreign persons who, on or after January 22, 1998, have transferred to Iran: (1) controlled goods, services, or technology; or (2) non-controlled goods, services, or technology that would nevertheless would be, if they were U.S. goods, services, or technology, prohibited for export to Iran because of their potential contribution to the development of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or ballistic missile systems. Excludes from identification in such reports any such persons who were previously identified, or who have acted on behalf of, or in concert with, the U.S. Government. Authorizes the President, with specified exceptions, to apply to such foreign person certain measures: (1) set forth in Executive Order 12938 prohibitions; (2) prohibiting the sale to such persons of defense items on the United States Munitions List and defense articles and defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act; and (3) prohibiting the export to such persons of controlled goods and technology under the Export Administration Act of 1979. Prohibits any U.S. agency from making extraordinary payments to the Russian Space Agency in connection with the International Space Station, or any other organization or entity of the Government of the Russian Federation, unless the President has determined, and reported to specified congressional committees, that: (1) it is the policy of the Government of the Russian Federation to oppose the proliferation to Iran of weapons of mass destruction and missile systems capable of delivering such weapons; (2) such government is taking the necessary steps to prevent the transfer from Russia to Iran of goods, services, and technology useful in the development of such weapons and systems; and (3) neither the Russian Space Agency, nor any organization under its control, has, during the one-year period prior to the determination, made transfers to Iran of controlled goods, services, or technology or non-controlled goods, services, or technology that has potential to contribute to Iran's development of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or of ballistic missile systems.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1999
MSPA Clarification Act of 1999 - Amends the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act to enlarge the scope of the family business exemption. (Sec. 3) Excludes from the definition of "farm labor contracting activity" a migrant or seasonal agricultural worker in a carpool arrangement. (Sec. 4) Prohibits an investigatory entry into a place of agricultural employment without prior and subsequent conferences with the person being investigated. (Sec. 5) States that an agricultural employer, association, or farm labor contractor that corrects a violation for which there is no prior adjudication of guilt shall not be subject to a civil money penalty or a private right of action. (Sec. 6) Exempts: (1) Federal or State approved farm worker housing from regulation under such Act; and (2) owners or operators of migrant agricultural housing from liability for housing conditions caused by or the responsibility of such workers. (Sec. 7) Sets forth joint employment criteria. (Sec. 8) Exempts an agricultural employer or association from confirming the registration of a farm labor contractor who supplies only worker transportation services unless the employer or association had actual knowledge that the transportation was not a worker carpooling arrangement. (Sec. 9) Excludes from the definitions of "migrant agricultural worker" and "seasonal agricultural worker" an individual employed on a year-round basis by a specific employer or association. (Sec. 10) Subjects motor vehicle safety insurance provisions to State, rather than specified Federal, requirements. (Sec. 11) Establishes a two-year statute of limitations for violations under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that the 30th Anniversary of the first lunar landing should be a day of celebration and reflection on the Apollo-11 mission to the moon and the accomplishments of the Apollo program throughout the 1960's and 1970's.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase (from $20,000 to $50,000) the maximum amount of wages that a farmer can pay for agricultural labor without being subject to the Federal unemployment tax on that labor; and (2) provide for an annual inflation adjustment to such maximum amount of wages.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1999
Clinical Research Enhancement Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to: (1) support and expand the NIH's involvement in clinical research; (2) support and expand the resources available for the clinical research community; and (3) establish peer review mechanisms. (Sec. 4) Mandates grants to: (1) establish general clinical research centers to provide the infrastructure for clinical research, including clinical research training and career enhancement; (2) support individual careers in clinical research at general clinical research centers or other institutions (to be known as Mentor Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Awards); (3) support individual clinical research projects at general clinical research centers or other institutions (to be known as Mid-Career Investigator Awards in Patient-Oriented Research); and (4) support individuals pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in clinical investigation (to be known as graduate training in clinical investigation awards). Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Increases the limit on the aggregate number of scholarship (regarding professions needed by the NIH) and loan repayment (regarding clinical researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds) contracts under specified provisions. Modifies the loan repayment program to: (1) remove current references to disadvantaged backgrounds; and (2) require a period of service in a general clinical research center, in clinical NIH research, or as a physician receiving a clinical research career enhancement award or a graduate training in clinical investigation award (currently, a period of service as an NIH employee). Requires that at least 50 percent of the loan repayment contracts involve individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the loan repayment provisions. (Sec. 7) Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the extent to which the NIH has complied with requirements of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1999
Provides that, among Indian tribes competing for Federal grants, priority shall be given to Indian tribes that certify, through a process established by the Secretary of the Interior, that retail establishments operating on trust lands within a tribes's jurisdiction are collecting and paying all qualified State retail taxes. Sets forth procedures and penalties (including removal of tribal lands from trust status) regarding failure of Indians or Indian tribes to pay qualified State retail taxes on goods sold to nontribal members on tribal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts (except those derived from borrowing or from any surplus within the Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds) for that fiscal year unless the Congress, by a three- fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a budget which conforms to this article's requirements to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Authorizes Congress to waive these provisions, solely to the extent necessary for additional military funding, when: (1) a declaration of war is in effect; or (2) the United States is engaged in a military conflict which poses a threat to national security as declared by a joint resolution adopted by a majority of each House. Makes this article effective the first fiscal year beginning after its ratification.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1999
Hanford Reach National Salmon Preserve and Recreational Area Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to convey to the State of Washington a specified portion of the Hanford Site, an area of property along the Columbia River in Washington. Allows such conveyance only after the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has made specified certifications to the Secretary with respect to the appropriate environmental cleanup of such area. Designates such lands and the Columbia River corridor adjacent to such lands as the Hanford Reach National Salmon Preserve and Recreational Area. Directs the Department of Energy and the State of Washington to enter into a joint agreement with Benton, Franklin, and Grant Counties to establish the Hanford Reach Protection and Management Commission, which shall develop and implement a plan to manage the lands conveyed by the Secretary in order to protect and enhance plant, fish and wildlife, and cultural resources, as well as recreational access to, and other uses of, Hanford Reach (a specified stretch of the Columbia River).
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1999
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish general rules relating to civil forfeiture proceedings. Requires that, in any nonjudicial civil forfeiture proceeding under a civil forfeiture statute with respect to which the agency conducting a seizure of property must give written notice to interested parties, such notice be given within 60 days after the later of the date of the seizure or the date the identity of the interested party is first known or discovered by the agency, with an exception. Authorizes a person entitled to written notice to whom such notice is not given to void the forfeiture as to that person's interest in the property on motion unless the agency shows good cause for the failure to give notice or that the person had actual notice of the seizure. Directs the Government, if it does not provide notice, to return the property and not take any further action to effect the property's forfeiture. Authorizes any person claiming property seized in a nonjudicial forfeiture proceeding to file a claim with the appropriate official after the seizure within 30 days after the date of final publication of notice of seizure or, in the case of a person entitled to written notice, the date that notice is received. Requires that the claim state the claimant's interest in the property. Directs the Attorney General, within 90 days, to file a complaint for forfeiture in the appropriate court or return the property, except that a court in the district in which the complaint will be filed may extend the period for filing a complaint for good cause shown or upon agreement of the parties. Provides that if the Government does not file such a complaint it shall return the property and may not take further action to effect the forfeiture of such property. Allows any person to bring such a claim without posting bond. Provides that in any case where the Government files in the appropriate U.S. district court a complaint for forfeiture of property, any person claiming an interest in the seized property may file a claim asserting such person's interest in the property within 30 days of service of the Government's complaint or, where applicable, within 30 days of alternative publication notice. Requires a person asserting an interest in seized property to file an answer to the Government's complaint for forfeiture within 20 days of the filing of the claim. Authorizes the court to appoint counsel to represent that person with respect to the claim when the person filing a claim is financially unable to obtain representation by counsel. Directs the court: (1) in determining whether to appoint counsel to represent the person filing the claim, to take into account such factors as the claimant's standing to contest the forfeiture and whether the claim appears to be made in good faith or to be frivolous; and (2) to set the compensation for that representation, which shall be equal to that provided for court- appointed representation under the code. Authorizes appropriations. Places the burden of proof upon the Government, in all suits or actions brought under any civil forfeiture statute for the civil forfeiture of any property, to establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that the property is subject to forfeiture. Prohibits an innocent owner's interest in property from being forfeited under any civil forfeiture statute. Provides that, with respect to a property interest: (1) in existence at the time the illegal conduct giving rise to forfeiture took place, "innocent owner" means an owner who did not know of the conduct giving rise to forfeiture or who, upon learning of such conduct, did all that reasonably could be expected under the circumstances to terminate such use of the property; and (2) acquired after the conduct giving rise to the forfeiture has taken place, "innocent owner" means a person who, at the time that person acquired the interest in property, was a bona fide purchaser or seller for value or was a person who received an interest in property through probate and was, at the time of the purchase or receipt, reasonably without cause to believe that the property was subject to forfeiture. Provides that, where the property subject to forfeiture is real property, and the claimant uses the property as the claimant's primary residence and is the spouse or minor child of the person who committed the offense giving rise to the forfeiture, an otherwise valid innocent owner claim shall not be denied on the ground that the claimant acquired the interest in the property through dissolution of marriage or by operation of law, or as an inheritance upon the death of a parent and not through a purchase. Entitles a claimant to immediate release of seized property if: (1) the claimant has a possessory interest in the property; (2) the continued possession by the United States Government pending the final disposition of forfeiture proceedings will cause substantial hardship to the claimant; and (3) the claimant's likely hardship from such continued possession outweighs the risk that the property will be destroyed, damaged, lost, concealed, or transferred if it is returned to the claimant during the pendency of the preceding. Requires a claimant seeking release of property to request possession of the property from the appropriate official, setting forth the basis on which requirements of this Act are met. Authorizes the claimant, if within ten days after the date of the request the property has not been released, to file a motion or complaint in any district court that would have jurisdiction of forfeiture proceedings relating to the property setting forth the basis on which this Act's requirements are met and the steps the claimant has taken to secure release of the property. Directs the district court, if a motion or complaint is filed, to order that the property be returned to the claimant pending completion of proceedings by the Government to obtain forfeiture of the property, if the claimant shows that such requirements have been met. Authorizes the court to place such conditions on release of the property as appropriate to preserve the availability of the property or its equivalent for forfeiture. Requires the court to render a decision within 30 days after the date of the filing unless such period is extended by consent of the parties or by the court for good cause shown. (Sec. 3) Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the use of funds in the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund for payment of: (1) court-awarded compensation for representation of claimants; and (2) compensation for property damages under the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act. Repeals provisions of the Controlled Substances Act regarding expedited procedures for seized conveyances. (Sec. 4) Makes the Federal Tort Claims Act applicable to claims based on the negligent destruction, injury, or loss of goods, merchandise, or other property while in the possession of any officer of customs or excise or any other law enforcement officer, if the property was seized for the purpose of forfeiture but the interest of the claimant is not forfeited. Authorizes the Attorney General, with respect to a claim that cannot be settled under tort claims procedures, to settle for not more than $50,000 in any case a claim for damage to, or loss of, privately owned property caused by an investigative or law enforcement officer who is employed by the Department of Justice acting within the scope of his or her employment, subject to specified limitations. (Sec. 5) Makes the United States liable for post-judgment interest upon entry of judgment for the claimant in any proceeding to condemn or forfeit property seized or arrested under any Act of Congress, but not for prejudgment interest, with exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1999
Recognizes the unique opportunity that the dawn of a millennium presents to the people of this Nation to humble and reconcile themselves with God and with one another. Urges all Americans to unite in seeking God through humble prayer and fasting. Recommends that the leaders in national, State, and local governments, in business, and in the clergy appoint, and call the people they serve to observe, a day of solemn prayer, fasting, and humiliation before God.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle A: Authorizations Subtitle B: Limitations and Special Authority Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) the International Space Station (with restrictions); (2) launch vehicle and payload operations; (3) science, aeronautics, and technology; (4) mission support; (5) the Inspector General. (Sec. 106) Limits the total authorization of appropriations for NASA for each of FY 2000, 2001, and 2002. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration for aviation systems capacity. Subtitle B: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth limitations on, and special authorities (with prior notice to the Congress) for, the use of funds for the construction of new facilities and the repair, rehabilitation, or modification of existing facilities. (Sec. 124) Specifies limitations on: (1) the obligation of unauthorized appropriations in FY 2000 through 2002; and (2) the amount of funds that may be used for scientific consultations or extraordinary expenses. (Sec. 126) Earmarks a specified amount of the appropriations authorized for Earth Science for FY 2001 and 2002 for the Commercial Remote Sensing Program at Stennis Space Center for commercial data purchases, unless NASA has integrated data purchases into the procurement process for Earth science research. (Sec. 127) Directs the Administrator to solicit comment on the potential impact of the participation of a foreign entity as a supplier of the spacecraft, spacecraft system, or launch system for a space mission and to consider U.S. national interests before entering into an obligation for such mission. (Sec. 128) Prohibits the obligation of any funds authorized by this Act: (1) for the definition, design, or development of an inflatable space structure to replace any International Space Station components scheduled for launch in the Assembly Sequence released by NASA on February 22, 1999; and (2) for FY 2000 for the definition, design, or development of such a space structure capable of accommodating humans in space. (Sec. 129) Prohibits any funds authorized by this Act from being used to create a Government-owned corporation to perform the functions that are the subject of the Consolidated Space Operations Contract. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the Chief Financial Officer for NASA, before any funds may be obligated for Phase B of a project that is projected to cost over $100 million, to conduct an independent cost analysis of such project and report the results to Congress. (Sec. 202) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to require: (1) the President to submit to the Congress the annual aeronautics and space report in May (currently, January); and (2) such report to address activities on a fiscal (currently, calendar) year basis. (Sec. 203) Directs NASA: (1) to purchase commercially available space goods and services to the fullest extent feasible; and(2) not to conduct activities that preclude or deter commercial space activities, except for national security or public safety reasons. (Sec. 205) Bars NASA from entering into any agreement or contract with a foreign government that grants such government the right to recover profit in the event that the agreement or contract is terminated. (Sec. 207) Directs the Administrator to arrange for an independent study to reassess and establish priorities of all Phase III and Phase IV Space Shuttle upgrades that: (1) are safety related; (2) may have functional or technological applicability to reusable launch vehicles; and (3) have a payback period within the next 12 years. (Sec. 208) Directs the Administrator to develop a plan for the integration of research, development, and experimental demonstration activities in the aeronautics transportation technology and space transportation technology areas, without losing unique capabilities which support NASA's defined missions. (Sec. 209) Requires the Administrator to ensure consistent NASA usage of specified definitions of: (1) commercialization; (2) commercial purchase; (3) commercial use of Federal assets; (4) contract consolidation; and (5) privatization. (Sec. 210) Directs the Administrator to: (1) arrange for an independent study to identify and evaluate the potential benefits and costs of the broadest possible range of commercial and scientific applications which are enabled by the launch of Space Shuttle external tanks into Earth orbit and retention in space; and (2) conduct an internal agency study of what improvements to the current Space Shuttle external tank and other in-space transportation or infrastructure capability requirements would be required for the safe and economical use of such external tank for any or all of the applications identified. (Sec. 211) Requires the Administrator to exclude from consideration for grant agreements made by NASA after FY 1999 any person who received funds (other than due to membership in a class specified by law for which assistance is awarded to class members according to a formula) appropriated for a fiscal year after FY 1999 under a grant agreement from any Federal funding source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process, except as specifically authorized by this Act. Makes such an exclusion effective for a period of five years after receipt of such Federal funds. (Sec. 212) Requires the Administrator to provide notice to the House and Senate Science Committees and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on reprogramming and reorganization matters. (Sec. 213) Amends the Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act of 1949 to include hypersonic wind tunnel construction within the scope of covered research and development facilities. (Sec. 214) Directs the Administrator to establish a Human Space Flight Commercialization-Technology program of ground-based and space- based research and development in innovative technologies and to include a plan for the implementation of the program as part of NASA's budget request to the Congress for FY 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Cuban Food and Medicine Security Act of 1999 - Exempts from the embargo on trade with Cuba the export of food and other agricultural products (including fertilizer), medicines, medical supplies, instruments, or equipment, or any travel incident to the delivery of such items. Declares that such exemption shall not apply to certain restrictions imposed under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to specified congressional committees on existing U.S. agricultural export promotion and credit programs to determine how such programs can be carried out to promote the consumption of U.S. agricultural commodities in Cuba. Directs the President to report to Congress on: (1) the extent (expressed in volume and dollar amounts) of sales to Cuba of food and other agricultural products (including fertilizer), medicines, medical supplies, instruments, and equipment; (2) the types and end users of such items; and (3) whether there has been any indication that any medicines, medical supplies, instruments, or equipment exported to Cuba since enactment of this Act have been used for torture or other human rights abuses, were reexported, or were used in the production of any bio-technological product.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide for inflation adjustments to the mandatory jurisdiction thresholds of the National Labor Relations Board.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Consumer Disclosure and Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to create a new title on rental purchase agreements. Declares that the title does not apply to rental-purchase agreements primarily for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes or made with Government instrumentalities. Regulates: (1) the content and manner of disclosures by merchants in rental-purchase agreements; and (2) the contents of rental-purchase agreements. Prohibits a rental-purchase agreement from containing specified inclusions. Sets forth provisions for: (1) quarterly reports from merchants to consumers; (2) renegotiations and extensions of rental-purchase agreements; and (3) the content of rental-purchase advertising. Imposes individual and class action civil liability for violations. Establishes merchant defenses and provides for the liability of merchant assignees. Mandates model disclosure forms and clauses. Sets forth conditions under which this Act shall preempt State laws relating to rental-purchase agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1999 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to the automated entry-exit control system to exempt from required recordkeeping: (1) land border crossings and seaports; and (2) permanent resident and certain other aliens. (Sec. 3) Requires the Attorney General to report: (1) on the feasibility of implementing an automated entry-exit control system that would include land border and seaport arrivals and departures; and (2) annually on the development status of the automated entry-exit control system, and on visa overstays identified through such system. Requires integration of overstay information into Department of State and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) databases. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for INS and United States Customs Service border control and enforcement activities. Sets forth specified set-asides. Authorizes: (1) use of equipment funds for new technologies; and (2) transfer up to ten percent of specified set-asides for other equipment uses. Sets aside specified funds for peak hours and investigative resource enhancement. Provides for increased numbers of full-time INS and Customs inspectors at U.S. land borders.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1999
Regulatory Fairness and Openness Act of 1999 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a transition analysis report with respect to pesticide tolerances before releasing any product safety information to the public, or making final tolerance decisions. Includes within such report's requirements a description of the extent to which specified assumptions have been used to support findings or regulatory recommendations. (Sec. 5) Sets forth interim review or reassessment procedures. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator to issue within one year of enactment of this Act final implementing rules for tolerances and exemptions for pesticide chemical residues. (Sec. 7) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Administrator to issue guidelines specifying required data in support of tolerances and exemptions. Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide for related notice and opportunity for hearing. (Sec. 8) Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide for an expedited replacement product registration process. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize an expedited tolerance for an emergency exemption if no significant (food) consumer risk exists. (Sec. 9) Requires the Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture to report with respect to related pesticide, residue, and food use priorities and resources. (Sec. 10) Requires the Secretary to develop a program to monitor the competitive international market strength of major U.S. agricultural commodity sectors. (Sec. 11) Establishes the Pesticide Advisory Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1999
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to restore the link ended by the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 1995 between the rules relating to substantial gainful activity for blind individuals and the rules relating to excess earnings under the social security earnings test for individuals who have attained retirement age (thus allowing blind individuals, once again, to earn up to the social security excess earnings threshold without being regarded as having demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity and without losing entitlement to OASDI benefits). Makes this Act effective with respect to taxable years ending after 1995.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
Public Forests Emergency Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to request authority to remove dead, downed, or severely root-sprung trees in a similar manner to arrangements approved for national forests and grasslands in Texas in 1998 for specified public and forest lands in: (1) Alaska; (2) Idaho; (3) Oregon; (4) South Dakota; (5) California; (6) Pennsylvania; (7) Mississippi; (8) Virginia; (9) Arkansas; (10) Louisiana; (11) North Carolina; (12) Kentucky; (13) Alabama (14) Tennessee; and (15) Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Community Protection and Hazardous Fuels Reduction Title II: Other Matters Community Protection and Hazardous Fuels Reduction Act of 1999 - Title I: Community Protection and Hazardous Fuels Reduction - Requires the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to identify wildlife-urban interface areas (areas of Federal land in close proximity to communities and human habitations) with hazardous fuels buildups and other forest management needs. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture or of the Interior to (temporarily) enter into forest product sales contracts in order to reduce hazardous fuels buildups in such areas, which may require the purchaser to undertake forest management projects under specified conditions in return for forest management credits. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish: (1) at least two forest fire research centers at institutions of higher education with expertise in natural resource development; and (2) an advisory committee of fire and land managers and fire researchers. Requires at least one center to be located in: (1) Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, or Nevada; and (2) Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, or New Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
Forest Roads-Community Right-To-Know Act - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, prior to making permanent road closings on National Forest System or Bureau of Land Management lands, respectively, to: (1) provide affected State and local officials with advance notice; and (2) provide for public notice and comment.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Individual Retirement Plans Title II: Pension Plans Title III: Small Business Incentives Title IV: Catchup Contributions Title V: Plan Amendments Retirement Savings Opportunity Act of 1999 - Title I: Individual Retirement Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) to increase from $2,000 to $5,000 (with cost-of-living adjustments) the maximum retirement savings deduction allowable. (Sec. 102) Repeals income limits for Roth IRA contributions. Increases the income cap for conversions to $1 million. (Sec. 103) Amends the Code and ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) to permit employees to make IRA contributions under a qualified employer plan. (Sec. 104) Allows electronic signatures for establishing any individual retirement plan. Title II: Pension Plans - Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as plus contributions. Defines such contributions. (Sec. 202) Increases the elective deferral limit from $7,000 to $15,000. (Sec. 203) Increases the limit on the deferred amount for State and local government plans to $12,000. (Sec. 204) Eliminates the 25 percent compensation limit on contributions to a defined contribution plan, thereby making the maximum contribution limit $30,000 for any individual. (Sec. 205) Amends the Code and ERISA to revise the percentage of the current liability funding limit. Revises maximum contribution deduction rules and applies them to all defined benefit plans under the Code. Title III: Small Business Incentives - Establishes a small employer pension plan credit equal to, subject to limitations: (1) 50 percent of qualified employer contributions; and (2) qualified start-up costs. (Sec. 302) Permits employers to establish SAFE annuities (a defined individual retirement annuity). (Sec. 303) Increases the $6,000 contribution amount for simple retirement accounts to $10,000. Title IV: Catchup Contributions - Permits "catchup contributions" for certain individuals over age 50. Title V: Plan Amendments - Prescribes requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments under the Code and ERISA.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Truth in Employment Act of 1999 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that nothing in specified prohibitions against unfair labor practices by employers shall be construed as requiring an employer to employ any person who is not a bona fide employee applicant, in that such person seeks or has sought employment with the employer with the primary purpose of furthering another employment or agency status.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Stamp Out Diabetes Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to require the Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first class mail that is up to 25 percent higher than the regular rate as a voluntary alternative that the public may use to contribute to funding for diabetes research. Requires collected amounts to be paid to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Expresses the sense of the Congress that nothing in this Act should: (1) cause a net decrease in total funds received by NIH below the level that would have otherwise been received but for this Act's enactment; or (2) affect first-class or other regular postage rates. Requires special postage stamps to be made available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Models of Safety and Health Excellence Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish and carry out voluntary protection programs to promote and recognize the achievement of worksites that demonstrate excellence in workplace health and safety. Authorizes the Secretary, in limited situations, to alter program application requirements to include nonstandard worksites such as short-term construction sites and mobile worksites. Directs the Secretary to encourage: (1) program participants to share occupational safety and health expertise with other employers; (2) the participation of small business in the programs, through outreach and assistance initiatives and program requirements that address the needs of small businesses. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for development of equivalent programs in State-plan States (under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA)). Sets forth program requirements for applications, on-site evaluations, information, and reevaluations. Exempts worksites participating in the program from inspections or investigations under OSHA, except inspections or investigations arising from employee complaints, fatalities, catastrophes, or significant toxic releases. Requires decisions regarding acceptance into, and continued participation in, the program to be based on the applicant's superior safety and health performance, as determined by, and in the sole discretion of, the Secretary or the Secretary's authorized representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Working Americans Wage Restoration Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income for the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) taxes paid by the individual as an employee during the taxable year. Includes in such deduction: (1) the portion of the tier 1 railroad retirement tax paid equivalent to OASDI taxes; as well as (2) amounts equivalent to such taxes imposed with respect to remuneration covered by a voluntary agreement under the Social Security Act for coverage of State and local government employees, or a specified kind of agreement entered into by American employers with respect to foreign affiliates. Allows a self-employed individual to deduct, in arriving at adjusted gross income, all OASDI taxes paid and half the hospital insurance taxes paid.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to elect, when itemizing, to deduct State and local general sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes. Limits such deduction to a tax imposed at one rate in respect of the sale at retail of a broad range of classes of items (including food, clothing, medical supplies, and motor vehicles).
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement the Class I milk price structure known as Option A as part of the final rule to consolidate Federal milk marketing orders.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999
Increases the number of authorized sites for the Medicare subvention demonstration project for certain Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents (a project established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act). Provides for the future repeal of the limitation on the number of such sites (thus allowing the project to be conducted at any site designed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Defense acting jointly). Makes the project permanent, with its cap on the aggregate amount of calendar year reimbursement that may be made under the project to end after calendar year 2000. Makes further changes regarding the project, permitting payment under it to be made on a fee-for-service basis for certain project enrollees, and eliminating certain restrictive project participation policy. Applies to certain Medigap (Medicare supplemental health insurance policy) enrollees the same protections (prohibitions against issuer discrimination) as apply to enrollment (and termination of enrollment) with a Medicare+Choice organization in a Medicare+Choice plan under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice).
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999
Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project which provides for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who are enrolled in an approved clinical trial program, while still applying the beneficiary cost sharing provisions of such program to project participants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact on Medicare of covering such costs as well as the cost of extending routine patient care coverage to Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis other than cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999
Family Farm Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any gain on the sale of a qualified family farm interest to a family member of the taxpayer. Requires the taxpayer (or a member of the taxpayer's family) to have participated materially in the farming business operation during the five years preceding the sale, and requires the family member purchasing the interest to participate materially during the five years following the sale. Provides for recapture of tax foregone because of the exclusion if during the five years following the sale: (1) the interest ceases to be used in a farming business; or (2) the purchasing family member fails to participate materially in the farming business.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999
Higher Education Reporting Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement that educational institutions and certain other trades and businesses file returns reporting information about recipients of Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credits. Requires taxpayers taking such credits to include on their returns the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the eligible educational institution concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999
Urges the Congress and the President, working within the constraints of the balanced budget agreement, to give programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) the highest priority among Federal elementary and secondary education programs by meeting the commitment to fund the maximum State grant allocation for educating children with disabilities under such Act, prior to authorizing or appropriating funds for any new education initiative, while retaining the commitment to fund existing Federal education programs that increase student achievement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
Transportation Employee Fair Taxation Act of 1999 - Amends Federal shipping law to subject an individual to income tax liability in the State where such individual resides with respect to income derived by the individual while: (1) engaged as a pilot on a vessel performing duties in more than one State; or (2) performing regularly-assigned duties as a master, officer, or crewman on a vessel operating on the navigable waters of more than one State.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
Federal Prisoner Health Care Copayment Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to assess and collect a fee for health care services provided in connection with each health care visit requested by a prisoner, except for preventative health care services. Requires that each fee assessed be collected by the Director: (1) from the account of the prisoner receiving health care services; or (2) where such services are provided because of an injury inflicted by another prisoner, from the account of the prisoner who inflicted the injury. Sets a minimum fee of two dollars. Specifies that the prisoner's consent shall not be required for the collection of the fee. Specifies that nothing herein may be construed to permit refusal of treatment to a prisoner on the basis that: (1) the prisoner's account is insolvent; or (2) the prisoner is otherwise unable to pay. Requires that sums collected under this Act: (1) be used for restitution of the victims where the prisoner is subject to a restitution order; and (2) be deposited in the Crime Victims Fund (75 percent) and be available to the Attorney General for administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this Act (25 percent) where the prisoner is not subject to such an order. Sets forth reporting requirements by the Director. (Sec. 3) Amends the code to authorize a State or local government to assess and collect a reasonable fee from a Federal prisoner's trust fund account (or institutional equivalent) for health care services if the prisoner is confined in a non-Federal institution under specified circumstances.
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