Rep. Skaggs, David E. [D-CO-2]

An amendment to express the sense of Congress that NASA should pursue the possibility of establishing international spacecraft docking standards in cooperation with other nations to facilitate joint space missions.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment prohibiting the use of $65 million in the bill for the Plutonium Recovery Modification Project at the Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado until 30 days after the Secretary of Energy has provided to Congress a review of the Department of Energy's report on facilities modernization.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds appropriated in the bill to be spent to prepare reports or estimates of potential benefits to congressional districts from defense projects which have not yet been approved by Congress,.

United States · United States Congress

Amendment establishes a program for the identification and continuing medical evaluation of current and former employees of the Department of Energy who are or have been subjected to significant health risks as a result of exposure to toxic or radioactive substances during their employment.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to direct the Director of the CIA to report to Congress on the costs of classifying documents and the efforts made to reduce those costs.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to reduce by $4 million both the bill's $359 million appropriation for fossil energy programs and its $187 million appropriation for the Minerals Management Service. Under the amendment, the $8 million would be transferred to increase energy conservation program funding from $500 million to $508 million.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment numbered 68 in the Congressional Record of June, 4, 1996 to strike the bill's provision that limits population planning activity expenses to no more than 65% of the FY 1995 level.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment, printed as amendment No. 64 in the Congressional Record of July 31, to delete the provisions of the bill that prohibit any group that is a recipient of a federal grant from spending any grant money, or more than 5% of their total funds for political advocacy.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment preprinted in the Congressional Record of July 24, as amendment No. 40, to prohibit the use of funds for TV Marti broadcasting to Cuba.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment not preprinted in the Congressional Record, to reduce the Defense-Wide Operations and Maintenance Account by $5 million and add the same amount to the Intelligence Community Management Account.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment printed in the Congressional Record of July 13, as amendment No. 71, that prohibits the use of funds in the bill to make payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) with respect to certain Federal lands when it is made known to the official responsible for making these payments that a State, county, or local government has asserted a formal claim of ownership to these lands.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment printed in the Congressional Record as of July 12, as amendment No. 64, that increases the appropriation for energy conservation programs by $3.5 million.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to increase by $142 million the appropriation for the Department of Energy environmental restoration and waste management account.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to delete the provisions of the bill which exempts legislation reauthorizing existing law. Under the terms of the amendment, all existing law would always be subject the point of order provisions, during the reauthorization process.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment (comprised of amendments numbered 112 and 115 as printed in the Congressional Record) to provide that the bill would not apply to any laws or regulations pertaining to air pollution abatement or control.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to eliminate the $9.4 million funding for TV Marti.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to increase funding for energy conservation funding by $40 million with $16 million for weatherization assistance grants, $4 million for State energy conservation grants, $10 million for building technology programs, $5 million for industry programs, and $5 million for transportation programs.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to add a new section which provides for public availability of settlement of cases.

United States · United States Congress

Amendments increase funding for energy efficiency and conservation programs by $8 million and reduce funding for the wildland fire management and the clean coal programs.

United States · United States Congress

HAMDT 277

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to end funds authorized for continued TV Marti broadcasts to Cuba at the end of the current fiscal year.

United States · United States Congress

Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1998

Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Act of 1998 - Designates certain lands in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, which shall be known as the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness. Provides that activities on, under, or affecting the lands designated as wilderness by this Act relating to the monitoring, operating, maintenance, repair, replacement, or use of the Colorado- Big Thompson Project (Project) and its facilities which were allowed as of June 1, 1998, shall be allowed to continue, and shall not be affected by the designation of such lands as wilderness. Allows any other activities necessary to respond to catastrophic events or emergencies and affecting continued use of such Project and its facilities, subject to reasonable restrictions established by the Secretary of the Interior to protect the wilderness values of such lands that will not permanently reduce the water supply capability of the Project or the Windy Gap Project.

Save Social Security and Taxpayer Relief Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Provisions Primarily Affecting Individuals and Families Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Education Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Social Security Title II: Provisions Primarily Affecting Farming and Other Businesses Subtitle A: Increase in Expense Treatment for Small Businesses Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Farmers Subtitle C: Increase in Volume Cap on Private Activity Bonds Title III: Extension and Modification of Certain Expiring Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Provisions Subtitle B: Generalized System of Preferences Title IV: Revenue Offset Title V: Technical Corrections Title VI: American Community Renewal Act of 1998 Subtitle A: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title VII: Tax Reductions Contingent On Saving Social Security Taxpayer Relief Act of 1998 - Title I: Provisions Affecting Individuals and Families - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to: (1) make the basic standard deduction on a joint return equal to twice the deduction of a single return; (2) make the aged or blind additional deduction amounts the same for married and unmarried individuals; (3) as a general rule, exclude from gross income up to $200 ($400 in the case of a joint return) of dividends and interest received by an individual; (4) revise provisions concerning the aggregate amount of nonrefundable personal credits allowed to provide that the aggregate amount of such credits shall not exceed the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability and the alternative minimum tax; (5) allow for the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals; (6) set forth a special rule for members of the uniformed services and foreign service in determining the exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence; and (7) accelerate the $1 million exemption from the estate and gift taxes. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Education - Permits private educational institutions to maintain qualified tuition programs which are comparable to qualified State tuition programs. Modifies arbitrage rebate rules applicable to public school construction bonds. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Social Security - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the limit on earnings before there is a reduction in benefits for individuals who have attained retirement age but who are under age 70; and (2) provide for the recomputation of benefits resulting from earnings after reaching retirement age. Title II: Provisions Primarily Affecting Farming and Other Businesses - Subtitle A: Increase in Expense Treatment for Small Businesses - Amends the IRC to accelerate the increase in the dollar limitation on the cost of property which may be expensed by businesses as depreciable assets. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Farmers - Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to permanently extend income averaging for farmers. Amends the IRC to provide a five-year carryback period for farming losses. Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to disregard the payment option provided by the Emergency Farm Financial Relief Act. Subtitle C: Increase in Volume Cap on Private Activity Bonds - Amends IRC provisions concerning State private activity bond volume limits to repeal the adjustment for years after 1987. Title III: Extension and Modification of Certain Expiring Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Provisions - Extends, for a limited period, the: (1) credit for increasing research activities; (2) work opportunity credit; and (3) welfare-to-work credit. Extends permanently the special rule for contributions of stock for which market quotations are readily available. Establishes rules for the public inspection of the returns of private foundations. Revises provisions concerning the special rule for income derived in the active conduct of banking, financing, or similar businesses to provide, as general rule, that foreign personal holding company income shall not include qualified banking or financing income of an eligible controlled foreign corporation. Revises the definition of insurance income and provides that, as a general rule, foreign personal holding company income shall not include qualified insurance income of a qualifying insurance company. Subtitle B: Generalized System of Preferences - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the Generalized System of Preferences through February 29, 2000. Provides for the retroactive application of certain liquidations and reliquidations. Title IV: Revenue Offset - Amends IRC provisions concerning the complete liquidations of subsidiaries to provide that if a corporation receives a distribution form a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust which is considered as being in complete liquidation of such company or trust, then such corporation shall treat as a dividend from such trust or company an amount equal to the deduction for dividends paid allowable to such company or trust by reason of such distribution. Title V: Technical Corrections - Revises provisions of the IRC, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Tax Reform Act of 1984, and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Title VI: American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - Subtitle A: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the IRC to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 20 renewal communities, of which at least 20 percent shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Treats renewal communities as labor surplus areas for all Federal law purposes. Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to 25 percent of qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. Permits a deduction for contributions to a family development account whether or not a taxpayer itemizes. Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. Title VII: Tax Reductions Contingent On Saving Social Security - Prohibits any provision of this Act from taking effect before the first January 1 after the date of enactment of this Act that follows a calendar year for which there is a social security solvency certification, except for specified provisions. States that there is a social security solvency certification for a calendar year if there is a certification that the social security trust funds are in actuarial balance for the 75-year period utilized in the most recent annual report of the Board of Trustees of the Social Security Trust Funds. Provides for the reservation of any social security surpluses for the sole use of the social security system.

Recognizing that prevention of youth suicide is a compelling national priority.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1998

Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes that the need to increase awareness about and prevent youth suicide is a compelling national priority; and (2) encourages Americans, communities, and the Nation to work to increase awareness about and prevent youth suicide.

To redesignate a Federal building located in Washington, D.C., as the "Sidney R. Yates Federal Building".

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1998

Designates the Federal building located at 201 14th Street, SW., in Washington, D.C., as the Sidney R. Yates Federal Building.

Small Business and Financial Institutions Tax Relief Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1998

Small Business and Financial Institutions Tax Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit S corporation eligible shareholders to include individual retirement accounts. (Sec. 3) Excludes investment securities income held by a bank from passive income limits for purposes of S status termination. (Sec. 4) Increases the number of eligible S corporation shareholders. (Sec. 5) States that stock held by a bank director as required by banking regulations (director qualifying stock) shall not be considered a disqualifying second class of S corporation stock. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify a certain Regulation to permit an S corporation bank to charge certain bad debt deductions over a related bad debt reserve recapture period. (Sec. 7) Includes all banks within the three-year deduction preference rule.

Military Retiree Health Care Task Force Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998

Military Retiree Health Care Task Force Act of 1998 - Establishes the Medicare Eligible Military Retiree Health Care Consensus Task Force to study and report to the Congress on matters relating to health care coverage of retired military personnel and their families, Federal sharing agreements relating to such care, and proposals to provide a full continuum of such coverage to Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents.

Northern Colorado Headwaters Wilderness Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998

Northern Colorado Headwaters Wilderness Act of 1998 - Amends the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to designate specified lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as wilderness. Directs the Forest Supervisor of the Arapaho National Forest to: (1) consult with the Commissioners of Clear Creek County, Colorado, and with residents in the immediate vicinity, to identify appropriate measures to regulate activities on national forest lands adjacent to Alice Township and St. Mary's Glacier that interfere with access to such areas by emergency or law-enforcement vehicles, that may adversely affect public health, or that impede access by local residents; (2) take steps to implement such measures; and (3) inform specified House and Senate Committees regarding the amount of any additional funding required to implement such measures.

To designate the national cemetary in Saratoga, New York, as the "Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetary".

United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1998

Designates the national cemetery in Saratoga, New York, as the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Study Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1998

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Study Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit a resource study of the Sand Creek Massacre site in Colorado to specified congressional committees. Requires the Secretary to act through the Director of the National Park Service and consult with the State of Colorado and the tribes of the Cheyenne and Arapaho of Oklahoma, the Northern Cheyenne, and the Northern Arapaho (the Tribes). Requires the study to: (1) identify the location and extent of the massacre area and the suitability and feasibility of designating the site as a unit of the National Park System; and (2) include cost estimates for any necessary acquisition, development, operation and maintenance, and identification of alternatives for the management and protection of the area. Directs the Secretary to record and incorporate into the resource study oral histories of the Sand Creek Massacre that have been passed down to descendants of its survivors within the Tribes, to the extent practical. Authorizes appropriations.

Drugs and Informed Consent Armed Forces Protection Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998

Drugs and Informed Consent Armed Forces Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that if the Secretary of Defense submits to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) a request to waive the requirement of prior informed consent with respect to the administration of a drug to members of the armed forces for investigational use, then any determination by the Secretary of Defense that obtaining such consent is not feasible or is contrary to the best interests of the members involved shall not be effective unless the President provides to the HHS Secretary a written statement concurring in that determination.

Affordable and Quality Child Care Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Funding for Child Care Title II: Dependent Care Tax Credit Reform Title III: Grants to Business Consortia Subtitle A: Grant Program Subtitle B: General Provisions Title IV: After School Program Subtitle A: 21st Century Community Learning Centers Subtitle B: After School Snacks Subtitle C: After-School Prevention Programs Title V: Model States Early Learning Program Title VI: Standards Enforcement Program Title VII: Child Care Provider Scholarship Program Title VIII: Research and Demonstration Program Title IX: Miscellaneous Subtitle A: Child and Adult Food Program Subtitle B: Mortgage Insurance for Child Care and Development Facilities Subtitle C: Sense of the Congress Affordable and Quality Child Care Act of 1998 - Title I: Funding for Child Care - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to make appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for child care subsidy funding under the title IV part A program of Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). (Sec. 101) Reserves specified portions of such funds for payments to Indian tribes and for quality assurance and quality improvement activities relating to programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA). Provides for allotment of funds among the States and territories according to a specified formula, or for matching payments based on certain portions of their expenditures for specified purposes authorized under CCDBGA. Requires targeting of such subsidy for child care assistance funds as follows: (1) at least 70 percent to working non-welfare families, who are not TANF recipients under a State or territory program; and (2) at least 40 percent for children who have not attained four years of age. Title II: Dependent Care Tax Credit Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the dependent care tax credit and to provide an equivalent benefit where one parent stays at home to provide child care for child under age four. (Sec. 202) Allows a business-related tax credit for employer expenses for employer-provided child care assistance. (Sec. 203) Allows the dependent care credit against the alternative minimum tax. Title III: Grants to Business Consortia - Subtitle A: Grant Program - Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to provide grants to eligible entities to improve access to affordable, local, quality child care services. (Sec. 301) Makes eligible for such a grant a consortium that: (1) has not received a grant under this title; and (2) consists of representatives from at least five businesses (or a nonprofit organization that represents at least five businesses), each of which, to the maximum extent practicable, is located in the same geographic region. Requires States to give priority, in providing such grants, to eligible entities that consist of a majority of representatives from small businesses. Sets a maximum limit on the amount of any such grant provided to an eligible entity for any fiscal year. (Sec. 302) Sets forth requirements for grant applications, use of funds, and matching funds. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for such child care services grants to business consortia. Title IV: After School Program - Subtitle A: 21st Century Community Learning Centers - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 401) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 402) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 403) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 405) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. Subtitle B: After School Snacks - Amends the National School Lunch Act to provide for participation by certain additional institutions under the child and adult care food program. Allows such institutions to claim reimbursements for meal supplements which they serve without charge to children in afterschool care. (Sec. 411) Revises eligibility requirements for meal supplements for children in afterschool care. Subtitle C: After-School Prevention Programs - Declares that certain provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as set forth in specified legislation passed by the House of Representatives on May 8, 1997, and in effect for purposes of title I of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-119) (under the heading Violent Crime Reduction Programs, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance) shall apply as though amended by this subtitle. Requires that 50 percent of specified amounts paid to a State, local government, or eligible unit be used to improve crime prevention programs in the juvenile justice system. (Sec. 421) Requires such programs to: (1) operate after-school, with high priority given to programs designed and operated by law enforcement personnel, such as police athletic leagues; (2) target high crime neighborhoods or at-risk juveniles; (3) operate educational or recreational activities designed to encourage law-abiding conduct, reduce the incidence of criminal activity, and teach juveniles alternatives to crime; and (4) coordinate with State or local juvenile crime control and juvenile offender accountability programs. Title V: Model States Early Learning Program - Amends SSA title IV part A (TANF) to make appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for model States early learning programs. Provides for allotment of funds among the States, territories, and Indian tribes according to a specified formula, or for matching payments based on portions of their expenditures for an early learning program under CCDBGA. (Sec. 501) Amends CCDBGA to establish the Model States Early Learning Program. Sets forth program requirements for State participation and plans, allowable activities, and annual reports. Title VI: Standards Enforcement Program - Amends CCDBGA to establish a program of annual payments to States for child care standards enforcement. (Sec. 601) Requires States, to be eligible for such payments for a fiscal year, to: (1) include a child care standards enforcement plan in their State plans; and (2) report specified data on enforcement of child care quality and safety plans. Authorizes appropriations. Subjects such program to specified requirements for basic grant payments and annual reports. Title VII: Child Care Provider Scholarship Program - Amends CCDBGA to establish a national child care provider scholarship program. (Sec. 701) Sets forth eligibility criteria for scholarship applicants, including: (1) demonstrated commitment to a child care career; (2) cost sharing by the applicant and employer; and (3) the employer's agreement to provide increased financial incentives to the employee upon completion of the education or training. Includes such program under requirements for State plans, allotments, payments, and annual reports. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Research and Demonstration Program - Amends CCDBGA to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, directly or through grants, contracts, or other arrangements, to carry out research, demonstration projects, and other activities relating to child care, including activities designed to improve the quality and increase the availability of child care. (Sec. 801) Includes among allowable activities under such research and demonstrations program: (1) research on child care needs of low-income families, on good policies and practices, and on retention of child care provider staff; (2) demonstrations of technology-based education and training; (3) demonstration projects for new methods; (4) a National Center on Child Care Statistics; and (5) a hotline to locate local child care resources, and child care consumer education activities. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Child and Adult Food Program - Amends the National School Lunch Act to increase reimbursement rates for family or group day care homes under the child and adult care food program. Subtitle B: Mortgage Insurance for Child Care and Development Facilities - Children's Development Commission Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages for: (1) new or rehabilitated child care and development facilities, including mortgage insurance for fire safety equipment loans; and (2) purchase or refinance of existing child care and development facilities. (Sec. 955) Establishes the Children's Development Commission which shall: (1) issue facility standards and compliance certifications; and (2) make loans not in excess of $50,000 for facility rehabilitation or renovation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 956) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study the availability of child care facility secondary mortgage markets. Subtitle C: Sense of the Congress - Expresses the sense of the Congress that funds should be appropriated under the amendments made by this Act to the maximum extent authorized and consistently with achieving a balanced Federal budget.

Expressing the sense of the Congress concerning the December 1997 report on Tibet of the International Commission of Jurists and on United States policy on Tibet.

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998

Expresses grave concern regarding the findings of the report of the International Commission of Jurists on Tibet issued in December 1997 concerning religious and cultural repression in Tibet. Supports report recommendations that call on: (1) the People's Republic of China to enter into discussions with the Dalai Lama on a solution to the question of Tibet, to ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people, to end practices which threaten to erode the distinct cultural, religious, and national identity of the Tibetan people, and to cease policies which result in the movement of Chinese people to Tibetan territory; (2) the United Nations General Assembly to resume its debate on the question of Tibet; and (3) the Dalai Lama to enter into discussions with the Chinese Government on a solution to the question of Tibet. Commends the appointment by the Secretary of State of a U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Calls on: (1) the People's Republic of China to release from detention the nine-year old Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, to his home in Tibet from which he was taken on May 17,1995, and to allow him to pursue his religious studies; and (2) the President, as a central objective of the 1998 presidential summit meeting with Jiang Zemin in Beijing, to work toward securing an agreement to begin substantive negotiations between the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama.

To provide for the development and implementation of a comprehensive energy conservation plan for the United States Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998

Requires the Architect of the Capitol to: (1) develop and implement a cost-effective energy conservation strategy for all facilities administered by Congress to achieve 20 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to FY 1991 within seven years after adoption of this resolution; (2) submit to the Congress a comprehensive energy conservation and management plan, including life cycle costs methods to determine the cost-effectiveness of proposed energy efficiency projects; (3) submit a request for necessary appropriations; (4) report annually to the Congress on congressional energy management and conservation programs; (5) perform energy surveys of all congressional buildings and attendant updates; (6) use such surveys to determine the cost and payback period of energy and water conservation measures likely to achieve requisite energy consumption levels; and (7) install energy and water conservation measures that will achieve the requirements through previously determined life cycle cost methods and procedures. Authorizes the Architect to: (1) contract with nongovernmental entities and employ private sector capital to finance energy conservation projects and achieve energy consumption targets; (2) develop innovative contracting methods to attract private sector funding for the installation of energy-efficient and renewable energy technology; and (3) participate in the Department of Energy's Financing Renewable Energy and Efficiency (FREE Savings) contracts program for Federal Government facilities. Directs the Architect to produce information packages and guides for each Member and employing authority of the Congress that detail simple, cost-effective methods to save energy.

Bipartisan NO Tobacco for Kids Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Price Increase to Discourage Child Tobacco Use Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products Title III: Performance Objectives to Reduce Child Tobacco Use Title IV: Smoke-Free Environments Title V: Tobacco Prevention Initiatives Title VI: International Tobacco Control Title VII: Tobacco Accountability Board Title VIII: Payments to States Subtitle A: Resolution of State Actions Subtitle B: State Grants Title IX: Definitions Bipartisan NO Tobacco for Kids Act of 1998 - Title I: Price Increase to Discourage Child Tobacco Use - Requires that the funds raised by this title be used to reduce the public debt, except as provided in titles V and VIII. (Sec. 102) Requires each tobacco manufacturer (defining manufacturer, for this Act, to include importers) to make initial ($10 billion allocated by the manufacturer's share of units manufactured or imported) and annual (50 cents per unit manufactured or imported) payments. Excludes exports. (Sec. 103) Provides for injunctions and civil monetary penalties for failure to comply with regulations under this title. Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to add nicotine in tobacco products to the definition of "drug" and add tobacco products to the definition of "device." (Sec. 203) Declares a tobacco product misbranded if it does not comply with section 205 requirements. Amends restricted device provisions to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if the Secretary determines that there cannot otherwise be reasonable assurances of safety and effectiveness, to require tobacco advertising and promotion restrictions. Prohibits State and local requirements of warnings on labels and in advertising if this Act requires a warning. (Sec. 204) Requires that all provisions of specified existing tobacco regulations be considered lawful and lawfully promulgated under the FDCA. (Sec. 205) Deems, for tobacco products, an action providing appropriate protection of public health to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. Mandates regulations, conforming to specified provisions of the Proposed Resolution between manufacturers and State attorneys general on June 20, 1997: (1) restricting tobacco marketing, advertising, and access (but prohibits restrictions on marketing or advertising that would violate the First Amendment to the Constitution); (2) requiring warnings on cigarette and smokeless tobacco labeling and advertisements; and (3) regarding tobacco product ingredients. Makes it unlawful to advertise tobacco on any electronic medium subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission. Prohibits considering the Secretary of Health and Human Services' failure to approve or disapprove an ingredient's safety within the review period to be approval. Prohibits a manufacturer from stating or implying in labeling or advertising that a product has a reduced health risk unless the Secretary has so determined. Prohibits a State from receiving a grant under subtitle B of title VIII of this Act unless the State has put into law a tobacco control program conforming to the model State program established by the Secretary. Mandates establishment of that model program, including in its requirements State retail licensure, a prohibition of tobacco purchase for resale or distribution to individuals under 18, compliance inspection conduct and frequency, State performance objectives, and violations penalties. Requires, if a State fails to implement a conforming program or fails to achieve the performance objectives, that the Secretary withhold up to 20 percent of the grant to the State under subtitle B of title VIII of this Act. Mandates a Federal retail licensing program for retailers on Federal property, retailers in a State without an effective program conforming to the model program, and others as specified by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to order a State-licensed retailer in violation of this Act to suspend or cease tobacco sales. Treats Indian tribes and tribal organizations as a State regarding retailers operating on Indian reservations. (Sec. 206) Adds violation of any FDCA tobacco requirement to the list of FDCA prohibited acts. Authorizes the Secretary to disclose tobacco information to the public if the Secretary determines it appropriate to protect public health. (Sec. 207) Repeals the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986. Title III: Performance Objectives to Reduce Child Tobacco Use - Mandates an annual survey regarding the percentage of children using each manufacturer's tobacco product. (Sec. 302) Requires each manufacturer to have a performance objective of reducing its child tobacco use by specified percentages. Requires, if the reductions are not met, price increases and, for subsequent consecutive year failures, sales by carton minimum and packaging in black on a white background. (Sec. 306) Makes failure to comply with this title's requirements an FDCA prohibited act. (Sec. 307) Requires that the annual survey determine the use level for children of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Mandates, if use is increasing (or not decreasing at a proportionate rate) among children of a racial or ethnic background, recommendations to the Congress regarding reducing the level for those children. Title IV: Smoke-Free Environments - Requires the responsible entity for each public facility (any building in which activities substantially affecting interstate commerce occur, subject to exceptions for locations such as residential buildings, on-sale alcoholic beverage establishments, and prisons) to implement a smoke-free environment policy meeting specified requirements. Allows smoking areas meeting certain requirements. (Sec. 402) Authorizes an action to enforce this title (by injunction or civil monetary penalty) by any aggrieved person, State or local governmental agency, or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, allowing the award of litigation costs (including attorney's and expert fees) to any prevailing party. Authorizes the court to order that the civil penalties be used for projects furthering this title. Prohibits compensatory and punitive damages. (Sec 403) Authorizes the Administrator to extend the smoke-free policy requirement to certain otherwise-exempt facilities if the Administrator determines that the extension is appropriate to protect the public health. (Sec. 405) Declares that this title does not preempt or affect any other Federal, State, or local law providing protection from environmental tobacco health hazards. Title V: Tobacco Prevention Initiatives - Requires that funds be made available (from annual manufacturer payments under section 102) to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, without fiscal year limitation, for: (1) a national public awareness campaign to discourage tobacco use; (2) the implementation of FDCA tobacco provisions, title III of this Act, and Tobacco Accountability Board provisions of this Act; (3) tobacco use cessation programs (mandating grants); (4) research on nicotine addiction, cessation, and prevention; and (5) tobacco surveillance and epidemiology research. Requires that certain programs under this title: (1) take into account the needs of minority populations; and (2) be age, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for those populations. Title VI: International Tobacco Control - Mandates regulations to prohibit domestic concerns from directly or indirectly: (1) selling or distributing tobacco in a foreign country without warning labels appropriate to protect public health; or (2) selling or distributing tobacco in a foreign country to children or advertising or promoting it in a way that appeals to children. Adds violations to the list of FDCA prohibited acts. (Sec. 602) Prohibits any U.S. officer, employee, department, or agency from: (1) promoting tobacco export or foreign sale, manufacture, promotion, distribution, or use; or (2) subject to exception, seeking the removal or reduction of foreign restrictions on tobacco importation, exportation, sale, manufacture, promotion, distribution, tariffs, or taxes. (Sec. 603) Establishes in the Treasury the International Tobacco Control Trust Fund, to be funded by payments under section 605. Provides for the use of Fund amounts for: (1) the American Center on Global Health and Tobacco; (2) grants and other assistance to foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations for foreign tobacco control; and (3) enforcement of any requirement regarding foreign tobacco sale, distribution, or promotion. (Sec. 604) Establishes the American Center on Global Health and Tobacco (ACT) as a private, nonprofit corporation, requiring it to assist foreign organizations to reduce and prevent tobacco use, including through public awareness campaigns and youth-oriented and community-based programs. (Sec. 605) Requires each domestic concern that manufactures tobacco in a foreign country (or controls a person who does so) to annually pay to the Fund a specified amount per unit manufactured. (Sec. 606) Mandates regulations to reduce tobacco smuggling in interstate and foreign commerce. (Sec. 607) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Government should support implementation of the International Framework Convention on Tobacco Control through all available resources. Title VII: Tobacco Accountability Board - Establishes the Tobacco Accountability Board as an independent board. Requires each tobacco manufacturer to submit to the Board all documents in the manufacturer's possession: (1) relating to tobacco health effects (including addiction), the manipulation of nicotine, or tobacco sale or marketing to children; or (2) produced or ordered to be produced in a named civil action. Requires the Board to make the documents available to the public. Exempts trade secrets from public disclosure unless the Board determines that disclosure is appropriate to protect the public health. (Sec. 703) Requires the Board to investigate all matters relating to tobacco and public health and report to the Congress annually. (Sec. 705) Empowers the Board to bring an action to enjoin a failure to comply with this title or to impose a civil monetary penalty. (Sec 707) Prohibits discrimination against an individual as a reprisal for disclosing information regarding a violation of tobacco-related law. Applies to whistleblowers existing provisions of Federal law allowing whistleblowers to receive a portion of any false claims amounts recovered. Title VIII: Payments to States - Subtitle A: Resolution of State Actions - Allows a State to elect to receive payments under section 802 instead of seeking recovery from manufacturers for health care costs attributable to tobacco use. Prohibits a State that so elects from seeking recovery from manufacturers, except for actions after enactment of this Act or for criminal prosecutions. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to any State so electing the amount the State would have received under the Proposed Resolution between manufacturers and State attorneys general. Requires a State to pass payments through to local governments in proportion to the local government's tobacco use health care costs. Makes a State that fails to pass through payments ineligible for this section's future payments. (Sec. 803) Exempts a manufacturer from the portion of the section 102 payments that will be provided to States under this title if the manufacturer: (1) resolved tobacco-related civil actions with more than 25 States before 1998; (2) provided to all other States the opportunity to enter into substantially similar settlements; and (3) manufactures less than three percent of all cigarettes manufactured or imported in the United States. Subtitle B: State Grants - Requires that funds be made available annually from amounts paid under section 102, without fiscal year limitation, for grants to States with approved child-oriented or community-based programs to discourage tobacco use. (Sec. 812) Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment to States for a specified percentage of the State's Medicaid expenditures for tobacco use cessation programs. Title IX: Definitions - Sets forth definitions for this Act.

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.

To designate the Headquarters Compound of the Central Intelligence Agency located in Langely, Virginia, as the George H.W. Bush Center for Central Intelligence.

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998

Designates the headquarters compound of the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia, as the George H.W. Bush Center for Central Intelligence.

To repeal a limitation on use of appropriations to issue rules with respect to the valuation of crude oil for royalty purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998

Amends the 1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act to repeal a certain limitation on the use of appropriations to issue a notice of final rulemaking with respect to crude oil valuation for royalty purposes.

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.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to permit children covered under private health insurance under a State children's health insurance plan to continue to be eligible for benefits under the vaccine for children program.

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1998

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make eligible for the pediatric vaccine distribution program any children receiving health insurance coverage from a private contractor with the State under the new SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) program.

School Construction Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

School Construction Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a limited tax credit to holders of qualified public school construction bonds as an incentive for public school construction; (2) include in gross income the amount of such credit, which shall be treated as interest income; and (3) establish a national qualified school construction bond limitation for each calendar year, to be allocated among the States with projected enrollment increases.

Medicare Social Work Equity Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998

Medicare Social Work Equity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.

Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1998

Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1998 - Establishes the Independent Commission on Campaign Finance Reform to study the laws relating to the financing of political activity and to report and recommend legislation to reform those laws. (Sec. 6) Requires the Commission, not later than the expiration of the 180-day period that begins on the date on which the second session of the 105th Congress adjourns, to submit to the President, the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, a report of the activities of the Commission. Requires the report to include any recommendations for changes in the laws (including regulations) governing the financing of political activity, including any changes in House and Senate rules, to which nine or more Commission members may agree, together with drafts of: (1) any legislation recommended by the Commission to implement such recommendations; and (2) any proposed amendment to the Constitution recommended by the Commission as necessary to implement such recommendations, except that if the Commission includes such a proposed amendment in its report, it shall also include recommendations and drafts for legislation that may be implemented prior to the adoption of such proposed amendment. Requires the Commission, in making recommendations and preparing drafts of legislation, to consider the following to be its primary goals: (1) encouraging fair and open Federal elections that provide voters with meaningful information about candidates and issues; (2) eliminating the disproportionate influence of special interest financing of Federal elections; and (3) creating a more equitable electoral system for challengers and incumbents. (Sec. 7) Provides for expedited congressional consideration of any legislation introduced the substance of which implements a recommendation of the Commission submitted, including a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should not take military action against the Republic of Iraq unless that action is specifically authorized by law.

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should not take military action against Iraq unless that action is specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of the adoption of this resolution.

To amend the Act commonly called the "Flag Code" to add the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to the list of days on which the flag should especially be displayed.

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

Amends Federal law to add Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday (the third Monday in January) to the list of days on which the U.S. flag should especially be displayed.

Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must promote an end to the exclusion of Israel from any of the United Nations regional blocs, including rotating membership on the UN Security Council; and (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the UN should take all steps necessary to ensure Israel's acceptance in the Western Europe and Others Group regional bloc (membership which includes the non-European countries of Canada, Australia, and the United States). Directs the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees on efforts taken to achieve such goals.

To present a congressional gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998

Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in recognition of his life-long dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal and sell duplicates in bronze at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes a maximum charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals. Mandates that proceeds from sales of duplicate bronze medals be deposited in such Fund.

Digital Era Copyright Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997

Digital Era Copyright Enhancement Act - Expands the fair use of a copyrighted work to include uses by analog or digital transmission in connection with teaching, research, and other specified activities. Expands certain rights of libraries and archives to reproduce and distribute copies or phonorecords to authorize three copies or phonorecords (currently, one) to be reproduced or distributed for preservation, security, or replacement purposes. Revises certain limitations on exclusive rights to provide that the following are not infringements: (1) performances, displays, or distributions of copyrighted works by or in the course of analog or digital transmissions in connection with certain distance education activities; and (2) copying works in digital format if such copying is incidental to the operation of a device in the course of the otherwise lawful use of a work, does not conflict with the normal exploitation of the work, and does not unreasonably prejudice the author's interests. Provides that when a work is distributed to the public subject to non-negotiable license terms, such terms shall not be enforceable under the common law or statutes of any State to the extent that they: (1) limit the reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance, or display of uncopyrightable material; or (2) abrogate or restrict specified limitations on exclusive rights. Prohibits, for purposes of infringement, the knowing removal, deactivation, or circumvention of technological measures used by a copyright owner to preclude or limit reproduction of a work. Bars the provision or distribution of false copyright management information with the intent to induce or conceal infringement. Defines "copyright management information" as certain information, including title, name of author and copyright owner, and terms for use of the work, in electronic form as carried in or as data accompanying a copy or a phonorecord of a work. Prohibits the removal or alteration of such information or the distribution of copies or phonorecords so altered with the intent to induce infringement. Establishes civil remedies with respect to violations of technological measure or copyright management information provisions.

Construction Subcontractors Payment Protection Enhancement Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997

Construction Subcontractors Payment Protection Enhancement Act of 1998 - Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to provide for the establishment of policies assuring the timely payment of contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Amends the Miller Act to revise provisions concerning payment bonds.

To provide for the collection of fees for the making of motion pictures, television productions, and sound tracks in National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System units, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to collect a fee from each person making any motion picture, television production, or soundtrack for commercial purposes on any area administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Park Service, with an exception for any bonafide newsreel or news television production. Sets forth provisions regarding the fee amount, existing regulations, distribution of the proceeds, and a penalty for noncompliance with regulations.