United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999
Commends President Glafcos Clerides of Cyprus for his decision to cancel the deployment of the S-300 antiaircraft missiles in Cyprus. Urges the President of the United States to use the influence of the U.S. Government to persuade Turkey to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1217 and 1218 and to cooperate for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1999
National Medal of Honor Memorial Act - Designates the memorial being constructed at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, to honor Medal of Honor recipients as the National Medal of Honor Memorial.
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
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Administration Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Energy Abolishment Act - Title I: Abolishment of Department of Energy - Redesignates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the Energy Programs Resolution Agency (the Agency), headed by an Administrator to perform the previous functions of the Department of Energy. Provides for the continuation of service of the Secretary of Energy as the interim Administrator. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the Administrator to establish, consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Energy Programs Resolution Agency any organizational entities that were entities of DOE. Sunsets the Agency three years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the most efficient way to accomplish the complete abolishment of DOE and the transfer or termination of its functions. Title II: Energy Laboratory Facilities - Establishes an independent Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to privatize and reduce energy laboratories and programs. Prescribes procedural guidelines. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Energy Laboratory Facility Closure Account to fund implementation of such guidelines. Title III: Privatization of Federal Power Marketing Administrations - Federal Power Asset Privatization Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell, at the highest possible price, all Federal electric power generation and transmission facilities supervised by, or coordinated with, the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (except the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)). Restricts such sales to domestic entities or U.S. citizens. Requires the Secretary to terminate Federal Power Marketing Administration operations (except BPA operations) upon completion of the sales. Directs the Secretary to retain a private sector firm through a competitive bidding process to serve as financial advisor with respect to such sales. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the purchaser of any such facilities should offer to employ former Federal Power Marketing Administration personnel. Mandates that sale proceeds be deposited into the Treasury. Sets forth a sales completion deadline for each Power Marketing Administration concerned. (Sec. 305) Mandates that the pertinent sales agreements require each purchaser providing electric power to customers within any region to insure that the price of electric power does not increase above the baseline price at a rate greater than ten percent annually. (Sec. 306) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue to the purchaser of a hydroelectric generation facility a ten-year original license under the Federal Power Act to insure that the project will continue operations under the same conditions as were applicable prior to the sale. Grants FERC Federal Power Act jurisdiction over any such facility sold. (Sec. 307) Amends the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1993 to repeal the prohibition against the use of appropriated funds for studies regarding a changeover from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or other noncost-based methodology for pricing hydroelectric power. (Sec. 308) Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all DOE functions affecting the BPA. Instructs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the most cost-effective option of disposing of the BPA. Title IV: Transfer and Disposal of Reserves - Transfers to the Secretary of the Interior all former DOE functions affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) sell the reserves held at Weeks Island, Louisiana; and (2) appoint an advisory board to monitor the sale of such reserves and report to the Congress on whether the United States should maintain or dispose of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Sec. 402) Transfers to the Administrator of the Energy Programs Resolution Agency all functions performed with respect to the naval petroleum reserves, except Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 (Elk Hills). Instructs the Administrator to: (1) obtain the highest possible price for the naval petroleum reserves; and (2) develop a joint plan with the Secretary of the Interior for disposal of the naval petroleum reserves within a specified timeframe. Title V: National Security and Environmental Management Programs - Subtitle A: Defense Nuclear Programs Agency - Establishes the Defense Nuclear Programs Administration (the Administration) in the Department of Defense (DOD), headed by the Under Secretary for Defense Nuclear Programs, who shall be responsible for the exercise of all Administration powers and duties. (Sec. 503) Transfers to the Under Secretary all: (1) DOD national security functions (except the DOE naval nuclear propulsion program); (2) supervisory functions previously performed by DOE over Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories; (3) functions of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency of DOD relating to nuclear weapons systems; and (4) functions of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer other nuclear weapons-related functions to the Under Secretary. (Sec. 504) Restricts the transfer of funds by the Administration. (Sec. 508) Requires the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to transmit recommendations to the Congress for a civilian entity to perform the functions previously performed by DOE relating to the naval nuclear propulsion program. Precludes Commission consideration of the Defense Nuclear Programs Administration or any other entity within DOD. Subtitle B: Environmental Restoration Activities at Defense Nuclear Facilities - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to require the Under Secretary to review ongoing and planned remediation activities consistent with this Act. (Sec. 521) Sets forth guidelines for site-specific risk assessment, including a cost-benefit analysis of risk reduction, before the selection of a remedial action at a defense nuclear facility. (Sec. 523) Instructs the Under Secretary to renegotiate the terms of any compliance agreement entered into with the Secretary of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the relevant State in order to have it reflect this Act. Title VI: Disposition of Miscellaneous Particular Programs, Functions, and Agencies of Department - Limits authorizations for enumerated energy research and development programs through FY 2002. (Sec. 601) Directs the Energy Laboratory Facilities Commission to identify for the Congress all DOE research and development activities carried out at energy laboratories or institutions of higher education that perform a critical research function important to the long-term economic well-being of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Energy to terminate all DOE clean coal technology research and development activities. Authorizes appropriations for DOE fossil energy and energy conservation research and development activities. Terminates such activities at the end of FY 2002. Transfers from DOE to DOD specified weapons and defense activities. (Sec. 602) Transfers to the Department of the Treasury all functions performed by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Authorizes appropriations for the EIA. Transfers to the Attorney General all functions performed by the Energy Regulatory Administration. Title VII: Civilian Radioactive Waste Management - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to terminate the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management and to transfer its authority and assets regarding a repository for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel to the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps). Requires: (1) the Corps to assume all obligations of the Office affecting the Yucca Mountain site; and (2) reissuance of Nevada State permits for the Corps. Prescribes procedural guidelines for Corps preparation and implementation of a Yucca Mountain site characterization plan. (Sec. 702) Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to reaffirm that the obligation of the Secretary of Energy to accept high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel beginning by January 31, 1998, is absolute and is not dependent on commencement of operation of a repository or a monitored retrievable storage facility. States that such obligation shall be neither voided nor delayed for any reason. Repeals: (1) the site selection limitation placed upon the siting of a monitored retrievable storage facility; and (2) the licensing conditions placed upon such facility. (Sec. 703) Prescribes procedural guidelines for the licensing and expansion of an initial uranium storage facility. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Office of Management and Budget to make any determination regarding functions transferred under this Act and incidental transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1999
Interstate Commerce Freedom Act - Provides that, in any civil action brought in State or Federal court alleging liability of a manufacturer for harm resulting from: (1) a product of the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall not be liable for such harm if a proximate cause of the harm was a criminal or intentionally tortuous act of a person other than the manufacturer; and (2) any sale or marketing of a product of the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall not be liable for such harm unless the manufacturer failed to substantially comply with a State or Federal statute applicable to the sale or marketing of such product and such failure was a proximate cause of the harm. Preempts inconsistent State law, except for State law that provides greater protections from liability for manufacturers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Safeguard Amendments Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 Title III: Steel Import Notification Fair Trade Law Enhancement Act of 1999 - Title I: Safeguard Amendments - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to repeal the requirement that the cause of serious injury (or threat of it) be substantial to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an article that is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities with respect to the President taking action to facilitate efforts by such industry to make a positive adjustment to the import competition. (Sec. 101) Declares that imports shall be considered to be a "cause of serious injury, or threat thereof," when a causal link is established between imports and injury to the domestic industry. Revises certain factors the International Trade Commission (ITC) must consider when investigating whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury (or threat of it) to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Repeals, similarly, the requirement that such injury be substantial. (Sec. 102) Requires the ITC, for purposes of an investigation, to focus on the merchant market when determining the domestic industry's market share in producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article in cases in which domestic producers transfer internally (including related parties) significant production of the like or directly competitive article for the production of a downstream article and sell significant production of such article in the merchant market (captive production). (Sec. 103) Directs the ITC to find that a rebuttable presumption that a domestic industry is threatened with serious injury, or a rebuttable presumption of critical circumstances, exists due to such imports if it finds there has been a rapid decline in domestic prices for the like or directly competitive article and a rapid increase in the imported articles. Requires the ITC in any case in which such presumptions do not apply, or in which they apply but are rebutted, to conduct a threat of serious injury or of critical circumstances analysis as if no such presumption applied. Title II: Amendments to Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make similar changes with respect to its countervailing duty and antidumping duty provisions. (Sec. 207) Prohibits the administering authority (Secretary of Commerce), for purposes of suspending an antidumping duty or countervailing duty investigation, from accepting an agreement with another country to eliminate or offset a countervailable subsidy placed by such country on an export to the United States or an agreement to cease such exports to, or eliminate their injurious effect on, the United States unless, among other things, such agreement is supported by domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product. (Sec. 209) Revises the method for calculating the constructed export price of subject merchandise by reducing such price, among other things, by an amount equal to the dumping margin or the net countervailable subsidy unless the producer or exporter is able to demonstrate that the importer of such merchandise was in no way reimbursed for any antidumping duties paid on such merchandise. (Sec. 211) Requires the ITC, for purposes of an antidumping duty or countervailing duty investigation, to treat the producers of an agricultural product that has a short shelf life (perishable product) in a defined period or season as the domestic industry. Sets forth certain factors that the ITC can, cannot, or shall consider when making material injury determinations with respect to such products for the seasonal period. (Sec. 212) Requires the ITC, when making a determination of whether a countervailable subsidy exists in a country where transactions do not reflect market conditions due to government action associated with provision of the subject good or service or purchase of such goods, to make such determination through comparison with the most comparable market price elsewhere in the world. Title III: Steel Import Notification - Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a steel import notification and monitoring program. Requires: (1) a person to have a steel import notification certificate before he or she can import certain steel products into the United States; and (2) the Secretary to issue such certificate to any person who files an application that meets specified requirements. Requires the Secretary to compile and publish certain information with respect to such imported steel.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999
Kosova Self-Defense Act of 1999 - Declares it is U.S. policy to provide the interim government of Kosova with the capability to defend and protect the Kosovar population against armed aggression. Authorizes appropriations for grants to such government to be used for training and support for the established self-defense forces to carry out such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1999
Serbia Democratization Act of 1999 - Title I: Support For the Democratic Opposition - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance and other support for individuals and independent nongovernmental organizations to promote and strengthen institutions of democratic government and the growth of an independent civil society in Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), including ethnic tolerance and respect for internationally recognized human rights. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that such assistance shall not be provided to the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the Government of Montenegro if the President determines, and reports to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a specified congressional committee, that such government is committed to, and is taking steps to promote, democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for internationally recognized human rights. (Sec. 103) Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to further the open communication of information and ideas through the increased use of radio and television broadcasting (Voice of America and Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty, Incorporated) to Yugoslavia in both the Serbo-Croatian and Albanian languages. Title II: Assistance to the Victims of Serbian Oppression - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) humanitarian assistance to the victims of the conflict in Kosovo (including refugees and internally displaced persons), and all assistance to rebuild damaged property there, should be the responsibility of the Government of Yugoslavia and the Government of Serbia; (2) under President Milosevic's direction neither government has provided the resources to assist innocent, civilian victims of oppression in Kosovo; and (3) because neither government has fulfilled the responsibilities of a sovereign government toward the Kosovar people, the international community offers the only recourse for humanitarian assistance to victims of oppression in Kosovo. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to use authorities of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to: (1) provide humanitarian assistance to individuals living in Kosovo, and refugees and individuals displaced by the conflict there currently residing in Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; (2) provide direct and other assistance to individuals and their families from Kosovo who have been victims of atrocities there; and (3) support Kosovar community organizations in their effort to build civil society in Kosovo. Prohibits assistance to any group that maintains within its ranks any individual whom the President has determined to have committed terrorist acts or any other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. Title III: Measures Against Yugoslavia - Imposes certain economic and non-economic ("outer wall") sanctions against Yugoslavia until the President certifies to the Speaker of the House and a specified congressional committee that the Government of Yugoslavia has met specified conditions, including to: (1) agree to resolve peacefully the conflict in Kosovo; (2) comply with the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina; (3) implement internal democratic reform; (4) settle all succession issues with the other republics that emerged from the break-up of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and (5) cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, including the transfer of all indicted war criminals in Yugoslavia to the Hague. Sets forth such sanctions, including instructing: (1) the U.S. executive directors of the international financial institutions to oppose, and vote against, any credit extension by such institutions of any financial assistance of any kind to the Government of Yugoslavia; (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to oppose and block any consensus to allow the participation of Yugoslavia in the OSCE; (3) the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) to oppose any resolution in the UN Security Council to admit Yugoslavia to the UN, including to oppose any proposal to allow it to assume the membership of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the UN General Assembly; (4) the U.S. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council to oppose the extension to Yugoslavia of membership in the Partnership for Peace program or any other affiliated NATO organization; and (5) the U.S. Representatives to the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) to actively oppose the extension of SECI membership to Yugoslavia. (Sec. 301) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should not restore full diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia until the President has determined, and reported to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a specified congressional committee, that Yugoslavia has met the aforementioned conditions; and (2) should encourage all other European countries to diminish their level of diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia. (Sec. 302) Expresses the sense of Congress that if any international financial institution approves a loan or other financial assistance to the Government of Yugoslavia over the opposition of the United States, then the Secretary of the Treasury should withhold from payment the U.S. share of any increase in the paid-in capital of such institution in an amount equal to the amount of such loan or other assistance. (Sec. 303) Blocks all property of the Government of Serbia and the Government of Yugoslavia (including commercial, industrial, or public utility or entities) that is in the United States. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary of State to deny a visa to, and the Attorney General not to admit to the United States, any alien who: (1) holds a position in the senior leadership of the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia; or (2) is a spouse, minor child, or agent of such person. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the President to restore nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations) to the products of Serbia and Montenegro after the President certifies to Congress that such republics have, among other things, a freely elected government that is based on democratic principles and the rule of law, and that respects internationally recognized human rights. (Sec. 306) Prohibits the export of computers, computer software, or goods or technology intended to manufacture or service computers to or for use by the Government of Yugoslavia or by the Government of Serbia (including the military, the police, the prison system, and the national security agencies of such republics). (Sec. 307) Prohibits: (1) any Government agency (including the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation) from extending any loan, credit guarantee, insurance, financing, or other financial support to Yugoslavia; and (2) the availability of any funds for activities of the Trade and Development Agency in or for Yugoslavia. Urges all other countries, particularly European countries, to suspend any of their programs that provide financial support to Yugoslavia, including rescheduling Yugoslavia debt under more favorable conditions. Prohibits any U.S. national from making or approving any loan or other extension of credit (except if it is for housing, education, or humanitarian benefit to assist the victims of repression in Kosovo), directly or indirectly, to the Government of Yugoslavia or to the Government of Serbia. Exempts Montenegro from such prohibitions, provided certain conditions are met. (Sec. 308) Prohibits any U.S. agency from cooperating, directly or indirectly, with the armed forces of the Government of Yugoslavia or of the Government of Serbia. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if he determines, and reports to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a specified congressional committee, that it is necessary to further the development in Yugoslavia of a government based on democratic principles and the rule of law, and that respects internationally recognized human rights. (Sec. 309) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should encourage all other countries, particularly European countries, to take measures similar to those contained in this title. (Sec. 310) Provides for the termination or modification of measures against Yugoslavia. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares it is U.S. policy to support the indictment of President Slobodan Milosevic as a war criminal under the relevant statutes of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia if it decides to indict him. (Sec. 402) Declares it is U.S. policy to insist that the Government of Yugoslavia engage in good faith negotiations with the governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Slovenia on the ownership and use of, or on the arrangement for prompt, adequate compensation for, specified properties located in the United States. Expresses the sense of Congress that, if the Government of Yugoslavia refuses to negotiate in good faith, the President should take steps to return such properties to such governments. (Sec. 403) Expresses the sense of Congress that once the regime of President Slobodan Milosevic has been replaced by a government committed to democratic principles and the rule of law, and that respects internationally recognized human rights, the President of the United States should support the transition to democracy in Yugoslavia by providing assistance, including facilitating Yugoslavia's integration into international organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1999
Directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from their positions in connection with the present operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia within 30 days or within such longer period as necessary to effectuate their safe withdrawal.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999
Right-To-Know National Payroll Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that each employer show on the W-2 form of each employee the employer's share of taxes for old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) and for hospital insurance (Medicare) for the employee, as well as the total amount of such taxes for such employee. Requires a W-2 also to show any tier 1 railroad retirement tax with respect to OASDI and Medicare the employer has paid.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999
Federal Employee Right to Know Payroll Act - Requires each Federal agency, after December 31, 2000, to include on each paycheck to an employee, information on: (1) the total amount of excise tax imposed with respect to the employee, during the period covered by the paycheck, on the agency for Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (FICA tax) and for Hospital Insurance (Medicare tax); and (2) the agency's estimated total payroll allocation for the employee for the period.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation; or (2) an amount equal to two-thirds of the amount of any such monthly pension plan payment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999
Medicare Full Access to Cancer Treatment Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude cancer treatment services from the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Requires that any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of that House voting and present, unless the bill is determined at the time of adoption, in a reasonable manner prescribed by law, not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for purposes of determining any increase, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Requires journal entry of any vote. Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1999
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2002; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2002. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be: (1) a simple and fair system; and (2) approved by the Congress in its final form no later than July 4, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Reduction Title II: Supermajority Required for Tax Changes Freedom and Fairness Restoration Act of 1999 - Title I: Tax Reduction and Simplification - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 19 percent tax (17 percent after December 31, 2000) on the taxable income of every individual. Redefines "taxable income" to mean the amount by which wages, retirement distributions, and unemployment compensation exceed the standard deduction. Increases the basic standard deduction and includes an additional standard deduction for dependents. Includes in taxable income the taxable income of each dependent child under the age of 14. Provides for inflation adjustments. (Sec. 102) Replaces the current tax on corporations with a tax on every person engaged in a business activity equal to 19 percent (17 percent after December 31, 2000) of the business taxable income of such person. Makes the person engaged in the business activity liable for the tax. Imposes a tax of 19 percent (17 percent after December 31, 2000) on the value of excludable compensation provided during the year by an employer for the benefit of employees. Makes the employer liable for the tax. (Sec. 103) Repeals: (1) numerous provisions relating to pension plans; and (2) provisions imposing a tax on any employer reversion from a qualified plan. Revises requirements regarding transfers of excess pension assets. (Sec. 104) Repeals from the Internal Revenue Code: (1) the part relating to alternative minimum tax; (2) the part relating to credits against tax; (3) the subtitle relating to estate and gift taxes; and (4) subject to exception, the chapter relating to normal taxes and surtaxes. Title II: Supermajority Required for Tax Changes - Makes it not in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate, unless waived or suspended in the House or the Senate by a three-fifths vote of the Members, to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment thereto, or conference report thereon that includes any provision that increases an income tax rate, creates an additional tax rate, reduces the standard deduction, or provides any exclusion, deduction, credit, or other benefit that results in a reduction in Federal revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either House of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Security and Freedom through Encryption (SAFE) Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to permit any person within any State and any U.S. person in a foreign country to use, and any person within any State to sell in interstate commerce, any encryption, regardless of the encryption algorithm selected, encryption key length chosen, or implementation technique or median use. Provides that neither the Federal Government nor a State may require that, or condition any approval on a requirement that, a key, access to a key, key recovery information, or any other plaintext access capability be: (1) built into computer hardware or software for any purpose; (2) given to any other person, including a Federal Government agency or an entity in the private sector that may be certified or approved by the Federal Government or any State to receive it; or (3) retained by the owner or user of an encryption key or any other person, other than for encryption products for use by the Federal Government or a State. Makes exceptions with respect to investigative or law enforcement officers and members of the intelligence community. Provides that neither the Federal Government nor a State may require the use of encryption products, standards, or services (products) for: (1) confidentiality purposes, as a condition of the use of such products for authenticity or integrity purposes; or (2) authenticity or integrity purposes, as a condition of the use of such products for confidentiality purposes. Sets penalties for the unlawful use of encryption in furtherance of a criminal act. Specifies that the use of encryption shall not be the sole basis for establishing probable cause with respect to a criminal offense or a search warrant. (Sec. 3) Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to grant the Secretary of Commerce exclusive authority to control exports of all computer hardware, software, computing devices, customer premises equipment, communications network equipment, and technology for information security (including encryption), except that which is specifically designed or modified for military use. Provides that after a one time, 50-day technical review by the Secretary, no export license may be required (with exceptions) for or in the export of specified computer hardware, software, computing devices, telecommunication devices, technical assistance and data, and encryption hardware, software, or computing devices. Authorizes the Secretary, after a one time, 15-day technical review, to authorize the export or reexport of computer hardware, software, or computing devices with encryption capabilities for nonmilitary and end uses in any country: (1) to which exports of computer hardware, software, or computing devices of comparable strength are permitted for use by financial institutions not controlled in fact by United States persons, unless there is substantial evidence that such computer equipment will be diverted to a military end-use or an end-use supporting international terrorism, modified for military or terrorist end-use, or reexported without authorization by the United States; or (2) if the Secretary determines that a computer hardware, software, or computing device offering comparable security is commercially available outside the United States from a foreign supplier, without effective restrictions. Directs that any encryption product not requiring an export license as of this Act's enactment date, as a result of administrative decision or rulemaking, shall not require an export license on or after such date. (Sec. 4) Directs: (1) the Attorney General to compile, and maintain in classified form, data on the instances in which encryption has interfered with, impeded, or obstructed the ability of the Department of Justice to enforce U.S. criminal laws; and (2) that such information be made available, upon request, to any Member of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Individual Social Security Retirement Accounts Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to reduce social security taxes for eligible individuals, whether employed by others or self-employed, who elect to participate in the Individual Retirement Program (IRP) created under a new part B of title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) (part B eligible individual). Reduces the employers' tax for employers of such individuals. Leaves the respective tax rates at their current levels with respect to individuals who remain covered under the current OASDI program (redesignated as part A of SSA title II). (Sec. 3) Amends SSA title II to require, under new part B, that employers have in effect a social security payroll deduction plan for eligible employees who elect to enroll under it. Requires the plan to provide for employers to deduct five percent of the employee's wages, together with an employer contribution also equal to five percent of the employee's wages, for transfer to the employee's individual social security retirement (ISSR) account. Requires self-employed individuals to contribute ten percent of their income to such accounts. Makes employees between ages 18 and 61 who are not entitled to OASDI disability benefits eligible to elect to enroll under new part B. Entitles eligible individuals who attain age 62 to a supplemental minimum benefit payment to their ISSR accounts. Requires a trustee of an ISSR account to purchase, from amounts available in the account, disability insurance and preretirement survivor benefits for each account holder. Sets forth penalties for failure to establish and maintain a social security payroll deduction plan. Amends the IRC to require amounts deducted from employee wages to be shown on their wage receipts. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to exempt social security payroll deduction plans from certain requirements for employee benefit plans. (Sec. 4) Amends the IRC to exclude from an individual's gross income: (1) any amount paid to an ISSR account as the employer's contribution; or (2) half of the amount paid to such an account of a self-employed individual. Exempts such accounts from taxation (except the excise tax on certain prohibited transactions). Provides for taxation of account distributions, to the extent they are includible in gross income, in the same manner as social security benefits. Imposes an excise tax on excess contributions to an account. (Sec. 5) Amends SSA title II to declares that eligible individuals who have elected to establish ISSR accounts shall be deemed not entitled to OASDI benefits. (Sec. 6) Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to certify to the Secretary of the Treasury whether an eligible individual was credited with wages and self-employment income under SSA title II part A immediately before the first calendar year for which the individual may distribute amounts from an ISSR account. Provides that, immediately upon receipt of such certification, the Secretary shall issue a contribution recognition bond to the trustee of the ISSR account held by such individual. Defines a contribution recognition bond as consisting of an obligation of the United States to make monthly payments into an ISSR account in an amount equal to the individual's primary insurance amount. (Sec. 7) Provides for a phased-in increase in the social security retirement age, eventually to age 70 with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age after December 31, 2028. (Sec. 8) Amends SSA title II to provide for the application of adjusted percentages to average indexed monthly earnings in determining primary insurance amounts. (Sec. 9) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for off-budget treatment for specified social security reforms. (Sec. 10) Directs the Office of Personnel Management to study and report to the President and Congress on the most appropriate and feasible means of providing for the application of this Act with respect to Federal civilian and military personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999
National Right-to-Work Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement (union security agreement), to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999
Anesthesia Services Preservation Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise any regulations establishing Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) conditions of participation for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers relating to anesthesia services under Medicare to prohibit such regulations from imposing supervisory or related requirements on the performance of such services by certified registered nurse anesthetists.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Bond Fairness and Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax-exempt bond financing of certain electric facilities, to exclude a permitted open access transaction (as defined by this Act) from the definition of private business use. Permits, as specified, termination of tax-exempt bond financing for certain electric output facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
E-Rate Termination Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal provisions requiring: (1) telecommunications carriers to provide universal telecommunications and information services to elementary and secondary schools and libraries at rates less than those charged for similar services to other parties; and (2) the Federal Communications Commission to enhance the access of such schools and libraries to advanced telecommunications and information services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Directs the President, acting through the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management, to take necessary actions (including reduction-in-force actions) to ensure that the number of executive branch political appointments does not exceed 2,000 during any fiscal year after FY 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense from being obligated or expended for the deployment of U.S. armed forces in Kosovo, with an exception when specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
American Financial Institutions' Privacy Act of 1999 - Precludes the Secretary of the Treasury and any Federal banking agency from prescribing any "Know Your Customer" regulation (a regulation requiring any depository institution to determine a customer's identity, sources of funds, and normal transactions and to monitor account activity for inconsistent transactions) unless specifically authorized to do so by a subsequent Act of Congress. Requires the Secretary and the Federal banking agencies to jointly conduct a comprehensive study and report to the Congress on the impact of such regulations upon certain civil liberties and financial relationships, the economic burden of such regulations on small depository institutions, and the practical alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Bank Secrecy Sunset Act - Amends Federal law to repeal after one year provisions governing: (1) mandatory records and reports on monetary instruments transactions; and (2) mandatory financial recordkeeping by financial institutions other than insured banks. Terminates the effectiveness of any regulation prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or any provision of Federal law that has the effect of requiring a depository institution or any other private entity to: (1) monitor customer accounts; or (2) obtain information concerning any person in connection with a financial transaction (including the source of funds involved in the transaction).
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
'Know Your Customer' Sunset Act - Ends the effectiveness of, and prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury or any Federal banking agency from prescribing, any regulation that has the effect of requiring a depository institution or any other private entity to: (1) monitor customer accounts; or (2) obtain information concerning any person in connection with a financial transaction (including the source of any funds involved in the transaction).
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide for the award of the Navy Combat Ribbon with respect to participation in ground or surface combat during any period after July 4, 1943, and before March 1, 1961.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Social Security Surplus Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require, after any sequestration of budget-year budgetary resources under discretionary spending limit or pay-as-you-go enforcement provisions, a sequestration equivalent to the estimated net surplus in the social security trust funds (Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds) for the budget year as estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury in order to reduce the public debt. Includes information on sequestration to reduce the public debt in reports issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office. Applies this Act's amendments, beginning in FY 1999, and ceases its effectiveness after the earlier of: (1) the first fiscal year during which there is no public debt; or (2) the fiscal year during which there is enacted legislation which is determined, under Government budgeting and scoring principles, to keep social security solvent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reduction of Special Interest Influence Title II: Independent and Coordinated Expenditures Title III: Disclosure Title IV: Personal Wealth Option Title V: Miscellaneous Title VI: Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Title VII: Prohibiting Use of White House Meals and Accommodations for Political Fundraising Title VIII: Sense of the Congress Regarding Fundraising on Federal Government Property Title IX: Prohibiting Solicitation to Obtain Access to Certain Federal Government Property Title X: Reimbursement for Use of Air Force One for Political Fundraising Title XI: Prohibiting Use of Walking Around Money Title XII: Enhancing Enforcement of Campaign Law Title XIII: Ban on Coordinated Soft Money Activities By Presidential Candidates Title XIV: Posting Names of Certain Air Force One Passengers on Internet Title XV: Expulsion Proceedings for House Members Receiving Foreign Contributions Title XVI: Severability; Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1999 - Title I: Reduction of Special Interest Influence - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to soft money to prohibit a national committee of a political party (including a national congressional campaign committee of a political party, and any officers or agents of such party committees, and specified related entities) from soliciting, receiving, or directing to another person a contribution, donation, or transfer of funds, or from spending any funds not subject to the FECA limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements (FECA requirements). (Sec. 101) Requires State, district, or local committees of political parties (including specified related entities) to make expenditures and disbursements for Federal election activities (with exceptions) from funds subject to FECA requirements which are applied to any amounts spent for fund raising costs of such activities by national, State, district, or local committees and specified related entities. Prohibits national, State, district, or local committees (including national congressional campaign committees and specified related entities) from soliciting funds for, or making or directing donations to, tax-exempt organizations or organization applicants for tax-exemption status. Disallows candidates, incumbents, or their agents, or specified related entities, from soliciting, receiving, directing, transferring, or spending funds in connection with an election for Federal office as well as in connection with any election other than for Federal office or disbursing funds in connection with such an election for Federal election activities on their behalf (with exceptions), unless, in the case of an election for Federal office, the funds are subject to FECA requirements, or, unless with regard to any election other than for Federal office, the funds meet specified guidelines, including that they are not from prohibited sources. (Sec. 102) Prohibits any person from making contributions to a State committee in any year that exceed, in the aggregate, $10,000. Increases the aggregate individual contribution limit from $25,000 to $30,000. (Sec. 103) Requires the following: (1) national committees, national congressional campaign committees, and any subordinate committees, to report all receipts and disbursements during the reporting period; (2) State, district, and local committees to report all receipts and disbursements made for specified Federal election activities; and (3) political committees having receipts or disbursements from persons in excess of $200 for any year to separately itemize their reporting. Title II: Independent and Coordinated Expenditures - Amends FECA to redefine the term "independent expenditure" to mean an expenditure by a person for a communication that is express advocacy and is not coordinated activity or is not provided in coordination with a candidate or a candidate's agent, or a person who is coordinating with a candidate or a candidate's agent. Defines the term "express advocacy." (Sec. 201) Redefines the term "expenditure" to include a payment made by a political committee for a communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate and is for the purpose of influencing a Federal election (regardless of whether the communication is express advocacy). (Sec. 202) Provides that in determining whether any broadcast communication constitutes express advocacy for purposes of this Act, there shall not be taken into account any background music not including lyrics. (Sec. 203) Prohibits the Federal Election (Commission) from entering into a conciliation agreement if it determines that there is probable cause to believe that a person has made a knowing and willful violation involving the reporting of an independent expenditure. Permits the Commission, when it makes such a determination, to institute a civil action for relief. (Sec. 204) Sets forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures made by persons (including political committees) aggregating: (1) $1,000 or more after the 20th day before an election; and (2) $10,000 or more up to or on the 20th day before an election. Requires additional reports to be filed each time such independent expenditures are made. Requires such reports to: (1) be filed with the Commission; and (2) contain the information required for a person who receives any disbursement in excess of $200 in connection with an independent expenditure, including the name of each candidate to whom an expenditure is intended to support or oppose. (Sec. 205) Prohibits a committee of a political party, on or after the date on which the political party nominates a candidate, from making both coordinated and independent expenditures to the candidate during the election cycle. Requires a political party committee, before making a coordinated expenditure to a candidate, to certify to the Commission that it has not and shall not make any independent expenditure to the candidate during the same election cycle. Prohibits a political party committee that submits a certification with respect to a candidate from transferring any funds to, assigning authority to make coordinated expenditures to, or receiving a transfer of funds from, a political committee of the party that has made or intends, during the same election cycle, to make an independent expenditure to the candidate. (Sec. 206) Redefines the term "contribution" to include coordinated activity which is defined as anything of value provided by a person in coordination with a candidate or other specified parties, for the purpose of influencing a Federal election, regardless of whether the value being provided is a communication that is express advocacy, in which such candidate seeks nomination or election to Federal office. Considers a coordinated activity as a contribution to the candidate, and in the case of a limitation on expenditures, treats it as an expenditure by the candidate. Redefines the term "contribution or expenditure" with respect to contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations, and labor organizations, to include a contribution or expenditure as defined under FECA. Title III: Disclosure - Amends FECA to replace provisions permitting the filing of reports electronically with provisions requiring the Commission to: (1) promulgate a regulation for the filing of reports using computers and faxes; (2) make electronically filed reports publicly accessible on the Internet within 24 hours after their receipt by it; and (3) provide methods (other than requiring a signature on the filing) for verifying covered reports. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the deposit (except in escrow accounts) or negotiation of contributions from a person making aggregate contributions in excess of $200 during a year by a candidate's authorized committee unless the required contributor information is complete. (Sec. 303) Permits the Commission to conduct random audits and investigations to ensure voluntary FECA compliance. Extends from six to 12 months the period during which campaign audits may be begun. (Sec. 304) Revises reporting requirements for identification of other than political committee contributors to: (1) lower the $200 threshold for the reporting of contributor identification to $50; and (2) require only the names and addresses of persons who make contributions of between $50 and $200 per year. (Sec. 305) Revises requirements for use of candidates' names. (Sec. 306) Prohibits a person from soliciting contributions by falsely representing himself or herself to be a candidate or a representative of a candidate, a political committee, or a political party. (Sec. 307) Requires filing of a certain statement with the Commission by persons, other than political committees of political parties and religious and apostolic organizations, that make aggregate disbursements in excess of $50,000 per year for specified Federal election activities: (1) on a monthly basis; or (2) within 24 hours, in the case of disbursements made within 20 days of an election. Exempts from such filing requirements: (1) a candidate or a candidate's authorized committees; and (2) independent expenditures. (Sec. 308) Revises requirements for publication and distribution of any print, broadcast, or general public political advertising. Title IV: Personal Wealth Option - Amends FECA to direct the Commission to issue a certification that a Senate or House of Representatives candidate is an eligible primary or general election congressional candidate if the candidate files with it a declaration that the candidate and the candidate's authorized committees (relevant parties) will not (in the case of a primary candidate) or did not (in the case of a general election candidate) exceed a personal funds expenditure limit of $50,000. Directs the Commission, if the limit is exceeded, to: (1) revoke the certification; and (2) require the relevant parties to pay a penalty to the Commission. Prohibits coordinated expenditures if a candidate is not an eligible congressional candidate. Title V: Miscellaneous - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require any labor organization receiving payments from a employee pursuant to an agreement requiring non-member employees to make such payments in lieu of organization dues or fees to establish a specified objection procedure, or be liable for an unfair labor practice (thus codifying the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Communications Workers of America et al. v. Beck et al.). (Sec. 501) Requires a labor organization, with respect to a non-member employee who files an objection under such a procedure, to reduce the employee's payments in lieu of organization dues or fees by an amount which reasonably reflects the ratio that the organization's expenditures supporting political activities unrelated to collective bargaining bear to such organization's total expenditures. Requires a reasonable explanation to the employee of such ratio and reduction. (Sec. 502) Amends FECA to revise provisions on permitted and prohibited uses of contributed amounts by candidates and incumbents for certain purposes. Specifies prohibited kinds of conversion of such funds to personal use. (Sec. 503) Revises Federal postal law concerning permitted time frames for mailing franked mail to prohibit any mass mailing as franked mail during the 180-day period before a general election for the office held by the Member of Congress or during the 90-day period before any primary election for that office, unless the Member has made a public announcement that the Member will not be a candidate for reelection during that year or for election to any other Federal office. (Sec. 504) Amends the Federal criminal code to revise the prohibition against fund raising on Federal property. Prohibits an officer or employee of the Federal Government, including the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress, from soliciting a donation of money or other thing of value in connection with a Federal, State, or local election from any person while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by a Federal officer or employee. Imposes on violators a monetary penalty, imprisonment, or both. Excepts from the prohibition contributions received by the staff of the Executive Office of the President. (Sec. 505) Amends FECA to double the penalties for knowing and willful violations of FECA, the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act (PECFA), and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act (such Acts). Permits conciliation agreements to correct or prevent such violations to include equitable remedies or penalties, disgorgement of funds to the Treasury, or community service requirements (including requirements to participate in public education programs). Sets forth requirements for late filing of FECA reports, including requiring establishment of mandatory monetary penalties. (Sec. 506) Revises the ban on contributions by foreign nationals, prohibiting use of "willful blindness" as a defense against a charge of violating the foreign contributions ban under FECA, by prohibiting as a defense to a violation of such ban that the defendant did not know that the contribution originated from a foreign national if the defendant should have known that the contribution originated from a foreign national, except that the trier of fact may not find that the defendant should have known that the contribution originated from a foreign national solely because of the contributor's name. (Sec. 507) Prohibits minors (age 17 or younger) from making contributions to candidates or contributions or donations to committees of political parties. (Sec. 508) Permits the Commission to: (1) order expedited proceedings for certain complaints; and (2) refer, at any time, to the Attorney General a possible violation of such Acts. (Sec. 509) Revises the basis for mandatory Commission initiation of enforcement proceedings upon receipt of a complaint alleging a violation of such Acts. Replaces "has reason to believe" a violation has been or is about to be committed with "has reason to investigate whether" such a violation has been or is about to be committed. (Sec. 510) Sets forth disclaimers to affirm equal participation of eligible voters in campaigns and elections for Federal office. (Sec. 511) Establishes criminal penalties for violation of the prohibition against contributions by foreign nationals. (Sec. 512) Provides for expedited court review of certain alleged FECA violations. (Sec. 513) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to prohibit and set penalties for conspiracy to violate presidential and vice presidential campaign spending limits under PECFA or FECA. (Sec. 514) Amends FECA to set forth guidelines for political committees to return certain illegal contributions and donations to their sources via the Commission which is required to establish a single interest-bearing escrow account for such purpose, with any contributions or donations deposited in such account allowed to cover any applicable fines or penalties imposed against the contributor or donor. (Sec. 515) Establishes within the Commission a clearinghouse of specified public information on political activities of foreign principals and their agents. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 516) Amends IRC to prohibit presidential and vice presidential candidates from receiving amounts from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund (PECF) unless the candidate certifies that the candidate will not solicit any funds (soft money) for the purposes of influencing such election, including any funds used for an independent expenditure under FECA, unless the funds are subject to FECA requirements. Title VI: Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform - Establishes the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform to study and report to the President, the Speaker of the House, and congressional leadership on the laws relating to the financing of political activity, and recommend any legislation to reform them. (Sec. 606) Provides for expedited congressional consideration of any legislation implementing a recommendation of the Independent Commission, including a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 608) Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Prohibiting Use of White House Meals and Accommodations for Political Fundraising - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for the use of White House meals and accommodations for political fund raising. Title VIII: Sense of the Congress Regarding Fundraising on Federal Government Property - Expresses the sense of the Congress that Federal law clearly demonstrates that "controlling legal authority" under the Federal criminal code prohibits the use of Federal property to raise campaign funds. Title IX: Prohibiting Solicitation to Obtain Access to Certain Federal Government Property - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who solicits or receives anything of value in consideration of providing a person with access to Air Force One, Marine One, Air Force Two, Marine Two, the White House, or Vice President's residence. Title X: Reimbursement for Use of Air Force One For Political Fundraising - Amends FECA to require any political committee of a national political party for whom the President, Vice President, or any executive department head uses Air Force One for transportation for any travel which includes a fund raising event for committee benefit to reimburse the Federal Government for the fair market value of the transportation of the individual involved, based on the cost of an equivalent commercial chartered flight. Title XI: Prohibiting Use of Walking Around Money - Amends FECA to make it unlawful for any political committee to provide currency to any individual (directly or through an agent of the committee) for purposes of encouraging the individual to appear at the polling place for the election. Title XII: Enhancing Enforcement of Campaign Law - Amends FECA to: (1) mandate between one and ten years imprisonment for any person who knowingly and willfully violates any FECA provisions involving making, receiving, or reporting any contribution or expenditure aggregating $2,000 or more per calendar year; and (2) authorize the Attorney General to bring criminal actions for a FECA or PECFA violation. Title XIII: Ban on Coordinated Soft Money Activities By Presidential Candidates - Amends IRC to prohibit coordination of soft money for issue advocacy by presidential and vice presidential candidates receiving public financing from PECF, unless such funds are subject to FECA requirements. Title XIV: Posting Names of Certain Air Force One Passengers on Internet - Directs the President to make available through the Internet the names of non-governmental passengers on Air Force One and Two, with certain exceptions for national security reasons. Title XV: Expulsion Proceedings for House Members Receiving Foreign Contributions - Mandates that Members of the House of Representatives convicted of violating foreign national contribution prohibitions under FECA have such conduct reported to the House by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, along with any recommendation for expulsion. Title XVI: Severability; Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations - Sets forth provisions concerning severability, review of constitutional issues, effective date, and regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to ensure that any person who first becomes a member of the armed forces on or after the date of enactment of this Act is provided a written statement of all the benefits that will be provided to such person upon retirement from the armed forces. Prohibits any such statement from including a reservation of the right to change any such benefit. Requires any such person who subsequently retires from the armed forces to receive the benefits as described in the original statement.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Cruises-to-Nowhere Act of 1999 - Amends the Johnson Act to provide that the Federal prohibition on the use of gambling devices on U.S. documented or foreign-flagged vessels shall not preempt States from enacting laws governing cruises-to-nowhere.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Personal Retirement Account Act of 1999 - Title I: Contributions to Personal Retirement Accounts - Requires employers to: (1) have personal retirement account payroll deduction programs in effect for their eligible employees; and (2) deduct and pay into such accounts the prescribed employee contribution, together with a prescribed employer contribution. Authorizes eligible individuals to elect to establish a personal retirement account. Requires self-employed individuals to establish and pay into such accounts. Establishes penalties for employers and self-employed individuals who fail to establish and make required deductions and contributions to such accounts. Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to impose such penalties in a civil action. Title II: Personal Retirement Accounts - Prescribes general requirements for personal retirement accounts, as well as investment, distribution, and insurance requirements. Provides for tax deductible contributions by an eligible individual to a nonworking spousal retirement account. (Sec. 205) Exempts personal retirement accounts from income tax, except the tax on unrelated business income of charitable, etc. organizations. Requires inclusion in the gross income of the account holder for the taxable year of any amount paid or distributed out of such an account, except: (1) amounts used to acquire minimum or more generous immediate annuities; and (2) transfers incident to a divorce. (Sec. 207) Subjects trustees of personal retirement accounts to penalties (for prohibited transactions) for failure to meet investment or distribution requirements. (Sec. 208) Requires the relevant Federal agency to notify the SEC of: (1) the identity of each insured depository institution or credit union; and (2) any termination of such status. Directs the trustee of a personal retirement account to make certain reports regarding such account to the SEC and to the account holder with respect to contributions (and the years to which they relate), distributions, and other matters the SEC may require. (Sec. 210) Directs the SEC to study and report to the President and the Congress on the best means of providing for options under which distributions from a personal retirement account established under this Act may commence in advance of the date on which the account holder attains retirement age. Title III: Certification of Financial Institutions Other Than Insured Depository Institutions - Allows any financial institution to apply to the SEC for certification. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the SEC to require any certified financial institution to file certain reports, including information on the total amount of all liability of the institution for balances maintained in personal retirement accounts for which such institution serves as trustee. (Sec. 303) Provides for voluntary and involuntary revocation of certification status, including judicial review of involuntary revocations. Title IV: Personal Retirement Account Insurance - Requires the SEC, in any case in which it declares an insurable event with respect to a qualified financial institution serving as trustee of a personal retirement account, to guarantee the timely distribution of the balance in such account (but not in excess of the minimum annuity amount) to the account holder in accordance with the terms governing such account and the provisions of this Act. (Sec. 401) Defines as an insurable event with respect to a qualified financial institution serving as trustee of a personal retirement account: (1) termination of the institution's qualified status; (2) the inability of the institution to make full distributions of the balance in the account when due; and (3) termination of the account. Requires the SEC to guarantee a minimum distribution from the account as of the normal retirement date in the amount of the minimum annuity amount, notwithstanding that the balance in the account as of such date is less than the minimum annuity amount, if certain conditions apply. Requires the SEC also to provide for a range of alternative guarantee arrangements providing for timely distribution of all, or a larger portion, of the balance in the personal retirement account to the account holder, which may be elected by the account holder upon payment to the SEC of supplemental premiums. Allows for the substitution of private insurance providing for a guarantee of timely distributions at the election of the account holder which is at least equivalent to the guarantee provided for by this title. Entitles an account holder, in certain cases, to a supplemental minimum benefit payment to their account upon application to the SEC on or after the normal retirement date. (Sec. 402) Directs the SEC to: (1) establish a risk-based assessment system for any qualified financial institution serving as trustee of a personal retirement account; (2) set semiannual assessments for such institutions to achieve and maintain the designated reserve ratio; and (3) notify each qualified financial institution of that institution's semiannual assessment. Sets forth a special rule until the Social Security Savings Insurance Trust Fund established by this title achieves the designated reserve ratio, as well as a special rule for recapitalizing the Trust Fund if it becomes undercapitalized. Provides that, in addition to the other assessments on qualified financial institutions, the SEC may impose one or more special assessments on qualified financial institutions if the amount of any such assessment is necessary: (1) to provide sufficient assessment income to repay amounts borrowed from the Secretary of the Treasury which become due; or (2) for any other purpose the Commission may deem necessary. Requires each qualified financial institution to: (1) file with the SEC a certified statement containing such information as the Commission may require for determining the institution's semiannual assessment; and (2) pay to the Commission the semiannual assessment imposed. Establishes penalties for inaccurate certified statements and for late payments. (Sec. 403) Establishes in the Treasury the Social Security Savings Insurance Trust Fund, made up of various specified funds, assessments, penalties, earnings, attorney's fees, and receipts. Makes the Trust Fund available for: (1) making guaranteed payments; (2) purchasing the assets of a financial institution which ceases to be qualified; (3) repaying borrowed sums to the Secretary of the Treasury; (4) paying the SEC's operational and administrative expenses; and (5) paying account holders the amounts guaranteed with respect to any personal retirement account. Provides for the investment of trust fund assets. Authorizes the SEC to borrow from the Secretary of the Treasury. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the SEC to institute proceedings to terminate a personal retirement account whenever it determines that: (1) the SEC's possible long-run loss with respect to the account may reasonably be expected to increase unreasonably if the account is not terminated; or (2) an insurable event has occurred. Provides for appointment of an alternative trustee pending issuance of a termination decree. (Sec. 405) Makes each person who is the financial institution serving as trustee of the account on the termination date or a member of the financial institution's controlled group jointly and severally liable to the SEC in any case in which a personal retirement account is terminated in a SEC-instituted proceeding. Sets such liability as the total amount of account assets guaranteed by the SEC which are not available for payment. Provides for payment of the liability. (Sec. 406) Requires each qualified financial institution, while serving as trustee for a personal retirement account subject to SEC guarantee, to display at each place of business maintained by such institution a sign with specified declarations relating to such accounts. Title V: Enforcement Authority - Provides for a personal retirement account holder adversely affected by an act or practice of any party other than the SEC in violation of this Act to bring an action in U.S. district court to enjoin such act or practice, or obtain other appropriate equitable relief. Grants the relevant Federal agency and the SEC the right to intervene in any such action. Title VI: Transition from Coverage for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Benefits Under Title II of the Social Security Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for primary insurance amounts for transitional eligible individuals under this Act who elect to participate in the personal retirement account payroll deduction programs of their employer. (Sec. 602) Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to provide a written certification to each individual with a social security account number who has been credited with wages or net earnings from self-employment indicating whether such recipient is or is not an eligible individual, together with a description of OASDI benefits available. (Sec. 603) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a reduction in Federal Insurance Contributions Act and Self-Employment Contributions Act of 1954 taxes for wages and self-employment income imposed on an individual who has elected to forego OASDI benefits in favor of a personal retirement account. (Sec. 604) Amends SSA title II to: (1) add a supplemental retirement benefit program for certain individuals with personal retirement accounts; (2) provide for a phased-in increase in the social security retirement age; and (3) place a limitation on cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), with a reduction in COLA increases applied to higher primary insurance amounts. (Sec. 607) Provides for modification of the Consumer Price Index calculation of such COLAs. (Sec. 608) Amends SSA title II to provide for: (1) a phased-in reduction in spousal benefits other than survivors' benefits to 33 percent of the primary insurance amount; (2) coverage of newly hired State and local employees; and (3) adjustments in the formula for determining primary insurance amounts. (Sec. 611) Amends Federal law to require submission to Congress along with the Federal budget of a statement of the current accrued liability of the Federal Government for future benefit payments under the OASDI program. Title VII: Provisions Relating to Federal Civilian and Military Personnel - Directs the Office of Personnel Management to: (1) study and report to the President and Congress on how to provide for the application of this Act with respect to Federal civilian and military personnel; and (2) draft legislation which, if enacted, would carry out any recommendations in the report. (Sec. 702) Requires such report and draft legislation to address specified aspects of the existing Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems for such Federal personnel. (Sec. 703) Specifies matters in the new system for the report and draft legislation to address with respect to the implementation of any other title of this Act. Title VIII: Social Security Transition Commission - Establishes the Social Security Transition Commission to make findings and recommendations about the most appropriate actions which should be taken to minimize, and adequately fund, any increases in budget outlays resulting from implementation of this Act. Requires all recommended reductions in obligational authority to be done in a manner that makes them permanent. (Sec. 805) Sets forth procedures (including expedited procedures) for congressional consideration of such recommendations. (Sec. 807) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Strengthening Social Security Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require covered employers to have a plan for withholding certain contributions from the wages of their eligible employees for investment according to the individual employee's personal investment plan. Defines personal investment plan as: (1) any personal investment retirement plan restricted to certain contribution deposits in the Personal Investment Fund, established in the Treasury by this Act; or (2) any individual retirement plan restricted to certain contribution deposits and administered or issued by a bank. Requires the Personal Investment Fund to be governed by a Personal Investment Fund Board under a system similar to the Thrift Savings Program for Federal employees. Covers self-employed individuals. Applies this Act only to employees who have not attained age 55. Specifies reduced social security tax rates for plan participants. Sets forth civil penalties for employers who fail to establish such a withholding plan or to observe certain requirements with respect to it. Provides for the adjustment of the primary insurance amount for plan participants and for specified graduated increases in normal and early retirement ages. Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to reduce by .5 percentage point the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Indexes used with respect to the OASDI cost-of-living adjustment calculations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Strengthening Social Security Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require covered employers to have a plan for withholding certain contributions from the wages of their eligible employees for investment according to the individual employee's personal investment plan. Defines personal investment plan as: (1) any personal investment retirement plan restricted to certain contribution deposits in the Personal Investment Fund, established in the Treasury by this Act; or (2) any individual retirement plan restricted to certain contribution deposits and administered or issued by a bank. Requires the Personal Investment Fund to be governed by a Personal Investment Fund Board under a system similar to the Thrift Savings Program for Federal employees. Covers self-employed individuals. Applies this Act only to employees who have not attained age 55. Specifies reduced social security tax rates for plan participants. Sets forth civil penalties for employers who fail to establish such a withholding plan or to observe certain requirements with respect to it. Provides for the adjustment of the primary insurance amount for plan participants and for specified graduated increases in normal and early retirement ages. Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to reduce by .5 percentage point the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Indexes used with respect to the OASDI cost-of-living adjustment calculations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Social Security Information Act of 1999 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the social security account statements distributed annually by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires such statements to include: (1) a separate estimate of the interest earned on employee and self-employment contributions for hospital insurance and Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI); (2) specified information on the projected value of the aggregate amount of employer and employee contributions for old-age and survivors insurance, as well as annual and total amounts of benefits, in dollars adjusted for inflation; (3) the average annual rates of return on Treasury ten-year savings bonds and the Standard and Poor's 500; and (4) monthly and projected annual trust fund balances.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require the Commissioner of Social Security, in the annual report of the OASDI trust funds' Board of Trustees to the Congress, to include specific legislative recommendations to place the OASDI trust funds in close actuarial balance if the Board has found that one or both of them are not in close actuarial balance for the succeeding 75 years.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English. Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
United States Cruise Tourism Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to approve the transportation of passengers on foreign-flag cruise vessels not otherwise qualified to engage in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States, directly or by way of a foreign port, except with respect to coastwise trade served by a U.S.-flag cruise vessel. Requires termination of any such foreign-flag cruise vessel passenger service within three years after a U.S.-flag cruise vessel commences such service between the same ports. Requires the owner or charterer of a qualified foreign-flag cruise vessel to have any vessel repairs performed in the United States, unless the vessel requires repairs or service while at a distant foreign port. Directs the Secretary to terminate the coastwise trade privileges of the owner or charterer of a foreign-flag cruise vessel if such repairs have not been made in the United States. Provides for a waiver of such requirements in emergencies. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize an immigration officer to extend for a period or periods of up to six months each a conditional permit to land temporarily in the United States granted to an alien crewman employed on a vessel, if the vessel owner or charterer requests the extension and the immigration officer determines that it is necessary to maintain the vessel in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States, directly or by way of a foreign port.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the disclosure, on employee pay statements, of employer contributions under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Amends Federal budget law to require the President, in the annual budget submission to the Congress, to include a statement of the current accrued liabilities of the Federal Government for future benefits under the Old Age and Survivors Insurance Program (title II of the Social Security Act).
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Authorizes the President to disapprove any item of appropriation in any bill. Requires any item of appropriation contained in a bill approved by the President which is not disapproved to become law. Permits the Congress to reconsider any item so disapproved.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 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) 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 balanced budget 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 the Congress to waive these provisions 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 beginning with FY 2002 or with the second fiscal year beginning after its ratification, whichever is later.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Authorizes each State or the people thereof to prescribe the maximum number of terms to which a person may be elected or appointed to the Senate or elected to the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Recognizes and commends those Gabonese who have demonstrated their love for free and fair elections. Calls on the Gabonese Government to: (1) take measures to help ensure a credible election and to ensure that the election commission remains independent and impartial; (2) invite appropriate international nongovernmental organizations to organize and supervise the December 1998 Presidential election in Gabon; and (3) take all necessary and lawful steps toward conducting free and fair elections. Calls on the international community to join the United States in offering assistance toward free and fair elections. Urges the United States: (1) to provide support directly and through appropriate nongovernmental organizations for the organization of free and fair elections in Gabon; (2) to work with the international community in urging the Government of Gabon to create the conditions necessary to guarantee free and fair elections; and (3) with the international community, to continue to encourage the Government of Gabon to ensure a lasting and committed transition to democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1998
Year 2000 Information Disclosure Act - Provides that, in any covered civil action based on an allegedly false, inaccurate, or misleading statement concerning Year 2000 computer compliance information (Y2K problem), the maker of such statement shall not be liable unless the claimant establishes that the statement: (1) was material; (2) where not a republication, was made with knowledge that it was false, inaccurate, or misleading, with an intent to mislead or deceive, or with a grossly negligent failure to determine or verify its accuracy; and (3) where it was a republication of a statement regarding a third party, was made with knowledge that it was false, inaccurate, or misleading and without disclosure that it was based on information supplied by another and that the maker has not verified the statement. Provides that, in any covered action in which the adequacy of notice about Year 2000 processing is at issue and no clearly more effective method of notice is practicable, the posting of notice by the entity purporting to have provided such notice on that entity's Year 2000 Internet website shall be presumed to be an adequate mechanism for providing such notice. Provides that, in any covered action arising under any Federal or State defamation law or law relating to trade disparagement or a similar claim, to the extent such action is based on an allegedly false Year 2000 statement, the maker shall not be liable unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the statement was made with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of its truth. Prohibits in any covered action a Year 2000 statement from being interpreted or construed as an amendment to or alteration of a written contract or warranty, whether entered into by a public or private party (with exceptions). Authorizes a Federal entity, agency, or authority to expressly designate requests for the voluntary provision of information relating to Year 2000 processing as "Special Year 2000 Data Gathering Requests," thereby protecting information received from such requests from: (1) disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act; and (2) use by any Federal entity, agency, or authority in any civil action arising under any Federal or State law (with an exception). Provides exclusions from this Act. Makes this Act applicable to any Year 2000 statement made on or after July 14, 1998, through July 14, 2001.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sanford, Mark [R-SC-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000051_200.jpg)