Rep. Schaefer, Dan [R-CO-6]

An amendment to prohibit any funds to be used to provide economic assistance or payments under section 15 of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act until the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant commences disposal operations.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to transfer approximately $12 million of the funds appropriated in the bill for nonrewable basic energy research programs to renewable energy research programs.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment in the nature of a substitute which is similar to the text of H.J. Res. 1 except that it does not include the provision to require a supermajority vote in the House and Senate to raise taxes.

United States · United States Congress

Amendment, as modified, clarifies the applicability of provisions to other Federal laws; directs the Department of Energy to minimize the transportation of hazardous materials and nuclear waste through populated areas; directs the Department of Transportation to establish procedures for the selection of preferred rail routes for the transportation of spent nuclear fuel or radioactive waste; and specifies emergency responder training standards for persons responsible for responding to emergency situations occurring during the removal and transportation of spent nuclear and high level radioactive waste.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment printed in the Congressional Record of July 11, as amendment No. 41, that strikes a provision which provides for the sale of up to seven million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

United States · United States Congress

Calling on the President to take all necessary measures to respond to the surge of steel imports resulting from the financial crises in Asia, Russia, and other regions, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1998

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that its integrity has been impugned by the failure of the executive branch to expeditiously enforce title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 in response to the surge of steel imports resulting from the financial crises in Asia, Russia, and other regions. Calls upon the President to: (1) immediately review the entry into the U.S. customs territory of all steel products from Australia, China, South Africa, Ukraine, Indonesia, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, or Brazil; (2) impose a one-year ban on all steel products from any country not abiding by the international trade agreements with respect to imports of all steel products into the United States; (3) establish a task force to closely monitor U.S. imports of steel from other countries to determine whether or not such agreements are being violated; and (4) report to the Congress by January 5, 1999, on any other actions the President has taken, or intends to take, to ensure that all U.S. trading partners abide such agreements with respect to U.S. imports of steel.

To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the mandatory retirement age for members of the Capitol Police be increased from 57 to 60.

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1998

Amends provisions relating to the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System to increase: (1) the mandatory retirement age for members of the Capitol Police from 57 to 60; and (2) the age to which an exemption may be extended from 60 to 65.

Expressing the sense of Congress that Members of Congress should follow the examples of self-sacrifice and devotion to character displayed by Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the United States Capitol Police.

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1998

Declares that Members of Congress should: (1) follow the example of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police by living lives of love, respect, and integrity every day at all times, including on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives; and (2) deserve the title "Honorable" by setting an example so that such individuals did not die in vain.

Expressing the sense of Congress that executive departments and agencies must maintain the division of governmental responsibilities between the national government and the States that was intended by the framers of the Constitution, and must ensure that the principles of federalism established by the framers guide the executive departments and agencies in the formulation and implementation of policies.

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998

Calls for executive agencies, when formulating and implementing policies that have federalism implications, to: (1) strictly adhere to constitutional principles and closely examine the constitutional and statutory authority supporting any Federal action that would limit the policy making direction of the States; (2) take Federal action limiting the policy making discretion of the States only where constitutional authority for the action is clear and certain and the national activity is necessitated by the presence of a problem of national scope; (3) recognize the distinction between problems of national scope and problems that are merely common to the States; (4) recognize that constitutional authority for Federal action is clear and certain only when authority for the action may be found in a specific provision of the Constitution, when there is no provision in the Constitution prohibiting Federal action, and when the action does not encroach upon authority reserved to the States; (5) encourage States to develop their own policies to achieve program objectives and to work with officials in other States; (6) refrain from establishing uniform, national standards for programs and, when possible, defer to the States to establish standards; and (7) consult with officials and organizations representing the States in developing national standards when required. States that: (1) the national Government should grant the States the maximum administration discretion possible with respect to national policies administered by the States; and (2) intrusive Federal oversight of State administration is neither necessary nor desirable. Calls for observation of the following special requirements for preemption of State law: (1) agencies should construe a Federal statute to preempt only when it contains an express preemption provision, when there is some other firm and palpable evidence compelling the conclusion that the Congress intended preemption, or when the exercise of State authority directly conflicts with the exercise of Federal authority under the statute; (2) if a Federal statute does not preempt, such agencies should construe any authorization in the statute for the issuance of regulations as authorizing preemption by rule making only when the statute expressly authorizes issuance of preemptive regulations or when there is some other such evidence compelling the conclusion that the Congress intended to delegate preemption authority; (3) any regulatory preemption should be restricted to the minimum level necessary to achieve the objectives of the statute; (4) an agency that foresees the possibility of a conflict between State law and federally protected interests should consult with State officials and organizations to avoid such a conflict; and (5) an agency that proposes to act through adjudication or rule making should provide all affected States notice and an opportunity for participation in the proceedings.

Skilled Nursing Facility Flexibility Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1998

Skilled Nursing Facility Flexibility Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to change from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to respond to requests of skilled nursing facilities for private accreditation under the Medicare program (thus requiring such response in the same manner as for other providers of services).

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should support the efforts of Federal law enforcement agents engaged in investigation and prosecution of money laundering associated with Mexican financial institutions.

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) undercover law enforcement investigations, including sting operations, are necessary to counter increasingly sophisticated money laundering schemes that involve financial institutions in this country and other countries, including Mexico; and (2) the United States should not agree to extradite to Mexico U.S. law enforcement agents involved in Operation Casablanca for actions taken within the scope of such Operation.

Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998

Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for: (1) interagency working subgroups on renewable energy exports and energy efficiency products and services; (2) State energy conservation programs; and (3) the energy conservation program for schools and hospitals. Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 to implement the weatherization program.

No Gun Tax Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998

No Gun Tax Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit a Federal officer, employee, or agent, including a State or local employee or officer acting on behalf of the United States (officer), from charging or collecting any fee in connection with a background check required in connection with the transfer of a firearm. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for the unlawful retention, or transfer to another person, of firearms background check information by such officer or by a Federal contractor or consultant after: (1) the 24-hour period beginning with the receipt of such information on an individual who is determined not to be prohibited from receiving a firearm; and (2) the five-year period beginning with the receipt of such information on an individual who is prohibited from receiving a firearm.

Stating the sense of Congress that any national missile defense program to provide protection for the United States against the threat of ballistic missile attack should provide for the protection of Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories and commonwealths of the United States on the same basis as the contiguous States.

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) any missile defense program to protect the United States against a ballistic missile attack should be designed to protect Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories and commonwealths on an equal basis with the contiguous States; and (2) any National Intelligence Estimate prepared with respect to intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities of foreign countries should include assessment of the threat to Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories and commonwealths.

Telecommunications Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Slamming Title II: Switchless Resellers Title III: Spamming Anti-slamming Amendments Act - Title I: Slamming - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to prohibit a telecommunications carrier or a reseller of telecommunications services from submitting or executing a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telephone exchange service or toll service, except in accordance with this Act and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) verification procedures. Requires a carrier or reseller, in order to verify a subscriber's selection of a telephone exchange or toll service provider, to require the subscriber to: (1) affirm that the subscriber is authorized to select the service provider for that telephone number; (2) acknowledge the type of service to be changed by the selection; (3) affirm the intent to select the service provider; and (4) acknowledge that such selection will result in a change of service provider. Requires FCC selection verification procedures to: (1) preclude the use of negative option marketing; (2) provide for a complete copy of verification of a change of provider in oral, written, or electronic form; (3) require the retention of such verification in a manner and form and for such time as the FCC considers appropriate; (4) mandate that verification occur in the same language as that in which the change was solicited; and (5) provide for verification to be made available to a subscriber on request. Bars: (1) a carrier from being found in violation of this Act solely on the basis of a violation by an unaffiliated reseller of the carrier's service or facilities; and (2) the FCC from limiting or inhibiting a subscriber's ability to require that any change in the subscriber's choice of a provider not be affected unless the change is expressly and directly communicated by the subscriber to the existing provider. Makes all of the above provisions inapplicable to providers of commercial mobile service. Allows a subscriber whose provider is changed in violation of this Act to pay the former carrier or reseller for all services provided by the unauthorized carrier or reseller. Requires a carrier or reseller selected by a subscriber to notify the subscriber in a specific and unambiguous writing, not more than 15 days after the change is processed by the carrier or reseller: (1) of the subscriber's new carrier or reseller; and (2) that the subscriber may request information regarding the date of the change and the individual authorizing the change. Requires the FCC to: (1) prescribe a period not to exceed 120 days after receipt of notice of a complaint of an unauthorized change for the carrier or reseller to resolve such complaint; and (2) provide a simplified process for resolving such complaints. Authorizes the FCC, if a violation of this Act is found, to award damages of: (1) the greater amount of $500 or actual damages for each violation; or (2) three times such amount. Provides penalties for violations of this Act and authorizes the FCC to collect forfeitures and damages. Treats an initiation of service as a change in a subscriber's selection for purposes of this Act. Authorizes a State, when it has reason to believe that a carrier or reseller has or is engaged in a practice of changing service providers without subscriber authority, to bring: (1) an action on behalf of its residents to recover damages; and (2) an action for the assessment of civil penalties. Gives Federal courts exclusive jurisdiction over such actions. Requires FCC notification of, and authorizes FCC intervention in, any such action. Requires: (1) each carrier or reseller to report quarterly to the FCC on the number of complaints of unauthorized changes in provider services submitted to them by their subscribers; and (2) the FCC to use such information to identify carriers or resellers that engage in patterns and practices of unauthorized changes in provider services. Requires the FCC to report to the Congress on unauthorized changes in subscribers' providers. (Sec. 102) Allows a person's failure to pay a forfeiture imposed for violation of this Act to be used as a basis for revoking, denying, or limiting that person's operating authority. (Sec. 103) Sets forth obligations of telephone billing agents (including carriers or resellers) regarding bills issued to a subscriber of provider services and prohibits such issuance if the agent knows, or should know, that such charges are unauthorized or are otherwise improper. (Sec. 104) Grants the FCC jurisdiction to assess and recover penalties against a billing service provider (other than a carrier or reseller) only if such provider knowingly or willfully violates the provisions of this Act or any FCC rule or order. (Sec. 105) Directs the FCC to issue a report on the telemarketing and other solicitation practices used by carriers or resellers to solicit changes by subscribers in their service providers. Authorizes the FCC to initiate a rulemaking to prohibit such particular practices it determines are being used with the intention to mislead, deceive, or confuse subscribers. Title II: Switchless Resellers - Requires a telecommunications carrier operating or seeking to operate as a switchless reseller to furnish to the FCC a surety bond in a form and an amount determined by the FCC to be satisfactory for purposes of paying any: (1) fine or penalty imposed against the carrier for unauthorized changes in subscriber selections; (2) penalty imposed against the carrier regarding such operation; and (3) other fine, penalty, or forfeiture penalty imposed against the carrier under the Act. Requires such reseller to designate a resident agent in the United States for receipt of service of judicial and administrative process if the reseller is not domiciled in the United States. Allows the FCC to suspend the right of the carrier to operate as a switchless reseller for violation of this Act and subjects the carrier to any forfeiture provided for under the Act. Prohibits a common carrier or billing agent from providing billing services for unbonded switchless resellers or for a reseller not domiciled in the United States who has not designated a resident agent. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $50,000 on knowing and willful violators. Sets forth provisions regarding FCC review of surety bonds and their return to the carrier as a result of such review. Precludes this Act from prohibiting the FCC from adopting rules providing for the permissive detariffing of long-distance telephone companies, if the FCC determines that such action would otherwise serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Title III: Spamming - Requires a person who transmits an unsolicited commercial electronic mail message to include at the beginning: (1) the name, physical address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the person who initiates transmission of the message or who created the content of it; and (2) a statement that further transmissions of such mail to the recipient by the person may be stopped at no cost to the recipient by sending a reply to the originating electronic mail address with the word "remove" in the subject line. (Sec. 302) Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with regulatory authority over such unsolicited electronic mail, including authority to conduct investigations, commence civil actions against individuals, and impose fines, penalties, and injunctions. Requires the FTC to take appropriate action within two years after the transmission of such electronic mail. (Sec. 303) Authorizes a State to bring a civil action on behalf of its residents against individuals or entities transmitting electronic mail in violation of this Act. Requires such State to notify the FTC of such action. (Sec. 304) States that this Act shall not apply to an electronic mail transmission by an interactive computer service provider unless the provider initiates the transmission or the transmission is not made to its own customers. Authorizes actions by such providers to enforce the sanctions under this Act. Requires such action within one year after receipt of the transmission. (Sec. 305) Requires a person who receives from any other person an electronic mail message requesting the termination of further transmission of commercial electronic mail to cease such transmissions to the individual. States that a person who secures a good or service from, or otherwise responds electronically to, an offer of unsolicited commercial electronic mail shall be deemed to have authorized such transmission.

Children's Hospitals Education and Research Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998

Children's Hospitals Education and Research Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payment as specified to each children's hospital for each hospital cost reporting period beginning during FY 1999 or 2000 for the direct and indirect expenses associated with operating approved medical residency training programs. States that such payments are in lieu of certain Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services, but shall not affect the amounts otherwise payable to such hospitals under a State Medicaid plan. Makes appropriations for such payments for such fiscal years.

Liberty Dollar Bill Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1998

Liberty Dollar Bill Act - Amends Federal law to mandate that the design of the reverse side of $1 Federal reserve notes incorporate: (1) the preamble to the Constitution; (2) a list describing the Articles of the Constitution; and (3) a list describing the Articles of Amendment. Prescribes the design format. States that such requirements do not limit the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) include other inscriptions or material on the reverse side of $1 dollar bills; or (2) adopt other design features to deter counterfeiting of currency.

Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1998

Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the Library of Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to mint and issue $10 bimetallic coins of gold and platinum in lieu of the gold coins. Requires payment of coin sale surcharges to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board to support Library activities.

Child Online Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1998

Child Online Protection Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require anyone who, in interstate or foreign commerce, is engaged in the business of selling or transferring, by means of the World Wide Web, material that is harmful to minors to restrict access to such materials by persons under 17 years of age. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations of such requirement, as well as an affirmative defense. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to post on its Internet website a definition of material that is harmful to minors.

To designate the auditorium located within the Sandia Technology Transfer Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the "Steve Schiff Auditorium".

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998

Designates the auditorium in the Sandia Technology Transfer Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the Steve Schiff Auditorium.

Child Custody Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

Child Custody Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for transporting an individual under age 18 across a State line to obtain an abortion if the requirements of a law in the State where the individual resides, requiring parental involvement in a minor's abortion decision, are not met before obtaining the abortion. Makes an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the life of the minor. Authorizes any parent or guardian who suffers legal harm from a violation to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization Title II: Other Provisions Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - Title I: Authorization - Authorizes appropriations from the Nuclear Waste Fund for FY 1999 for: (1) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); and (2) the NRC Office of Inspector General. (Sec. 102) Allocates such appropriations among: (1) Nuclear Reactor Safety; (2) Nuclear Materials Safety; (3) Nuclear Waste Safety; (4) Common Defense and Security and International Involvement; (5) Protecting the Environment; and (6) Management and Support. Restricts the NRC from using more than one percent of such allocations to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with organizations such as universities, State and local governments, and not-for-profit institutions. Mandates NRC notification to the Congress as a prerequisite to specified reallocations. Restricts the use of Nuclear Waste Fund appropriations solely to NRC high-level nuclear waste activities. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the NRC to transfer specified funds from non-Nuclear Waste Fund appropriations to its Office of Inspector General. (Sec. 106) Requires that appropriations for NRC regulatory assistance to Federal agencies for activities that do not derive their funding from the Nuclear Waste Fund be excluded from the calculation of the aggregate amount of specified charges. (Sec. 107) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend through FY 2003 NRC authority to assess and collect user fees and annual charges. Title II: Other Provisions - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to repeal the requirement that the NRC maintain an office for the service of process and papers within the District of Columbia. (Sec. 202) Provides that the initial duration of a combined construction and operating license for a production or utilization facility may not exceed 40 years from the date on which the NRC finds, prior to facility operation, that specified statutory acceptance criteria have been met. (Sec. 203) Establishes a fund in the Treasury to receive gifts, bequests, and donations of real and personal property to the NRC. Prescribes NRC duties regarding such acquisitions. (Sec. 204) Prescribes guidelines for the carrying of firearms and the authority to make arrests by employees or contractors of NRC licensees or certificate holders for the protection of property of significance to the common defense and security located at facilities owned or operated by an NRC licensee or certificate holder or being transported to or from such facilities. (Sec. 205) Revises the crime of sabotage of Federal nuclear facilities to cover any production, utilization, waste storage, treatment, disposal, uranium enrichment, or nuclear fuel fabrication facility subject to licensing or certification under this Act during its construction where the destruction or damage caused or attempted could affect public health and safety during facility operation. (Sec. 206) Authorizes the NRC to issue trespass regulations relating to property subject to its licensing or certification authority. (Sec. 207) Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to prescribe guidelines for temporary continuation of service by an NRC commissioner whose term has expired.

To award a congressional gold medal to Gerald R. and Betty Ford.

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998

Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Gerald and Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze. Declares such medals to be national medals.

Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998

Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 to require the Secretary of the Interior to provide: (1) for construction of a reservoir with a storage capacity of 260,000 acres-feet, a pumping plant, and a reservoir inlet conduit as components of the Animas-La Plata Project (Project), Colorado and New Mexico; and (2) through the use of such components, specified municipal and industrial water allocations to the San Juan Water Commission, Animas-La Plata Conservancy District (Conservancy District), Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, and Navajo Nation. Provides that construction costs allocable to the Navajo Nation and to each tribe's water allocation from the Project shall be nonreimbursable. Requires nontribal water capital repayment obligations for the Project to be satisfied upon the payment of specified amounts by the Commission, Conservancy District, and the State of Colorado. Provides that costs of Project components attributed to and required for recreation, environmental compliance, protection of cultural resources, or fish and wildlife mitigation and enhancement shall be nonreimbursable. Sets forth provisions regarding the repayment of Project costs. Requires the Secretary, at the request of the Conservancy District or the La Plata Conservancy District of New Mexico, to provide specified water allocations to such parties. Requires the Secretary, upon request of the State Engineer of New Mexico, to transfer to the New Mexico Project beneficiaries or the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission any portion of Department of the Interior interests in water rights under a specified permit in order to fulfill the New Mexico purposes of the Project. Considers a specified supplement to an environmental impact statement and a biological opinion for the Project to be adequate for purposes of requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to: (1) amendments made by this Act; (2) initiation and completion of construction of facilities; and (3) an aggregate depletion of 57,100 acre-feet of water as approved in the opinion. Requires the provision of water to the Ute tribes to constitute final settlement of the tribal claims to water rights on the Animas and La Plata Rivers.