United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1998
Elderly and Disabled Protection Act of 1998 - Declares that a nursing facility (including a skilled nursing facility), home health agency, or hospice program (covered facility) under the Medicare and Medicaid programs of titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act may not: (1) employ an individual as a direct care employee unless the facility has requested from the State direct care employee registry a background check (including a criminal as well as an abusive work history background check); or (2) continue to employ such an individual if the background check report reveals a conviction of a disqualifying crime. Requires the covered facility to report to such registry documented findings of patient abuse by a direct care employee. Imposes civil penalties upon covered facilities that violate such requirements. Defines "direct care employee" as a paid, nonvolunteer nurse aide, home health care aide, personal care assistant, private duty nurse aide, day attendant, housekeeper, library attendant, laundry assistant, or similar worker who performs nursing or related tasks involving direct patient care in a covered facility. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish methods by which State direct care registries can pool and share criminal background check summaries and documented findings of patient abuse (national registry coordination system). Requires each State to expand its direct care employee registry in order to carry out such background checks and other related functions, including reporting of summary information to the national registry coordination system. Sets forth procedures for criminal and abusive work history background checks.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1998
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 7748 South Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the John H. Sengstacke Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Uruguay Round Agreements Compliance Act of 1998 - Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to take action to implement certain trade sanctions under the Trade Act of 1974 as if a determination had been made that the practices of the European Union (EU) regarding the importation of bananas, or EU's ban on the use of hormones in beef, violate, or are inconsistent with, or otherwise deny benefits to the United States under the Uruguay Round Agreements. Requires that any sanction to eliminate such practices be devised so as to affect EU goods or services in an amount equivalent in value to the burden or restriction being imposed by the EU on U.S. commerce. Requires the USTR to implement trade sanctions unless it is certified to the Congress that: (1) the Dispute Settlement Body has adopted a report that U.S. rights under the Uruguay Round Agreements are not being denied by EU practices (or such practices are not a violation of, or inconsistent with, such rights) regarding the importation of bananas or the EU's ban on the use of hormones in beef; (2) the EU has agreed to eliminate or phase out such practices; or (3) the taking of action under this Act would cause serious harm to the national security of the United States. Requires the USTR to continue to make efforts to preserve U.S. rights under the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes concerning EU measures on the importation of bananas and EU's ban on the use of hormones in beef.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Cops MORE Affordable Program Act - Limits to ten percent the local matching costs of a program, project, or activity funded by a "Cops on the Beat" grant.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit, without payment of the ten-percent additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans and under specified conditions, early distributions from employee stock ownership plans for qualified higher education expenses and qualified first-time homebuyer purchases.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit employers to make contributions to employees' 401(k) plans regardless of employer contributions to employee stock ownership plans.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1998
Selective Agricultural Embargoes Act of 1998 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the President, if he or she takes action to embargo the export under an export sales contract of an agricultural commodity to a country that is not part of an embargo on all exports to the country, to report to the Congress, not later than five days after imposing the embargo, on the reasons for such embargo and its proposed duration. Sets forth congressional procedures for termination of the embargo. Specifies plant nutrient materials among the agricultural commodities whose export the President may not prohibit or curtail if: (1) the export sales contract for such materials is entered into before he or she announces an action that would otherwise prohibit or curtail their export; and (2) the contract terms require delivery of the materials within 270 days after the date of the suspension of trade is imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1998
Calls upon the President to: (1) pursue enhanced enforcement of U.S. trade laws with respect to the surge of steel imports into the United States, including offsetting duties, quantitative restraints, and other authorized remedial measures; (2) pursue a more equitable sharing of the burden of accepting imports of finished steel products from Asia and the countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States; (3) establish a task force with responsibility for closely monitoring U.S. imports of steel; and (4) report to the Congress by January 5, 1999, with a comprehensive plan for responding to the import surge, including ways of limiting its deleterious effects on employment, prices, and investment in the U.S. steel industry.
United States · United States Congress · 16 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 Preference Title IV: Revenue Offset Title V: Technical Corrections Title VI: American Community Renewal Act of 1998 Subtitle A: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Subtitle B: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities 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.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1998
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to establish in the Treasury the Protect Social Security Account to save budget surpluses until a reform measure is enacted to ensure the long-term solvency of the OASDI trust funds. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) pay into the Account annually during each fiscal-year period from FY 1998 through 2008 amounts totalling, in the aggregate, 90 percent of the projected surplus (if any) in the total Government budget (including both on-budget and off-budget accounts) for that fiscal-year period; and (2) invest the funds held in the Account in public debt obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1998
Agricultural Trade Emergency Response Act of 1998 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to temporarily make supplemental payments to farm owners and producers with production flexibility contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1998
Medicare Home Health Care Interim Payment System Refinement Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA'97), to: (1) increase per beneficiary and per visit payment limits under the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies; and (2) provide for the exclusion of certain additional Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) costs from determination of the Medicare part B monthly premium. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress on research paid for by the Secretary on the development of a prospective payment system (PPS) for Medicare home health services, including one or more alternative means to provide for savings equivalent to the savings estimated to be made by the mandatory 15 percent reduction in payment limits for such services for FY 2000. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to: (1) report to the Congress its analysis of the Secretary's report, including any recommendations with respect to the matters contained in it; and (2) include in its annual report to the Congress for June 1999 an analysis of whether changes in law made by BBA'97 and this Act with respect to payments for Medicare home health services impede access to them by Medicare beneficiaries. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to audit the sums obligated or expended by the Health Care Financing Administration for PPS research and the information provided by it.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should personally reimburse the Federal Government for the costs incurred by the Office of Independent Counsel since January 26, 1998, because of the President's untruthfulness and delay.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1998
Family Business and Family Farm Preservation Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the $675,000 limitation on the estate tax deduction shall not apply to interests in a business owned by a single family. Establishes a reinvestment requirement on estates to which such limitation did not apply.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Satellite Access to Local Stations Act - Amends Federal copyright law to cite circumstances under which the secondary transmission by a satellite carrier of a primary transmission of a television broadcast station into the station's local market shall be subject to statutory licensing. Sets forth reporting requirements for a satellite carrier whose secondary transmissions are subject to such licensing requirements. Precludes any royalty obligation for such secondary transmissions. States that noncompliance with such reporting requirements by a satellite carrier of a television broadcast station is actionable as an act of infringement and fully subject to copyright remedies. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 regarding the retransmission of broadcasting station signals. Prohibits cable systems and other multichannel video programming distributors from retransmitting a broadcasting station's signal without the station's express consent. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to commence a rulemaking proceeding to revise regulations governing the exercise by television broadcast stations of the right to grant retransmission consent. Prescribes requirements for the carriage of local television signals by satellite carriers, including: (1) carriage obligations; (2) carriage of all local television stations on contiguous channels and in a nondiscriminatory manner on any navigational device, on-screen guide, or menu; (3) compensation for carriage; and (4) remedies for failure to meet obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a deduction for eligible long-term health care premiums for an individual who is not eligible for an employer-subsidized long-term care health plan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the international agencies charged with inspections in Iraq (the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Special Commission) must continue to maintain complete inspections, including surprise inspections, within Iraq; and (2) the U.S. Representative to the United Nations should vehemently oppose any efforts to weaken the inspections regimes on Iraq as long as there is evidence that the Government of Iraq is seeking to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1998
Urges the Government of Germany to take necessary action to protect the right of freedom of religion or belief guaranteed to everyone in Germany by international human rights covenants. Declares that the Congress continues to hold the Government of Germany responsible for protecting the right of freedom of religion or belief of U.S. citizens, and for not barring such citizens from living, performing, doing business, or traveling in Germany because of their religious beliefs. Calls upon the President to assert the concern of the U.S. Government to the Government of Germany regarding government discrimination in Germany based on religion or belief.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize, in the case of a housing cooperative eligible for the low-income housing tax credit: (1) nonresident shareholders to include such credit and the deduction for certain unpaid acquisition interest allowable to the cooperative proportionally in the calculation of their individual income taxes; and (2) resident shareholders to include the deduction for real estate taxes and interest paid by the cooperative proportionally in the calculation of their individual income taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1998
Establishes the Fort Presque Isle National Historic Site in Erie, Pennsylvania. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer such site and submit a general management plan to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1998
Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the special fuel excise tax on railroads and inland waterway transportation. Subjects diesel fuel used in trains to the additional tax for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1998
Schools and Libraries Internet Access Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal provisions authorizing the Federal Communications Commission to take certain actions to provide access to advanced telecommunications services for schools, health care providers, and libraries. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax paid for telephone and other communications services to one percent (currently, three percent) of the total paid for such services beginning with bills rendered on or after January 1, 1999, and before October 1, 2003. Repeals such communications taxation provisions with respect to bills rendered on or after October 1, 2003. Establishes in the Treasury the Telecommunications Technology Trust Fund and appropriates into such Fund all amounts received pursuant to the above taxation authority after December 31, 1998. Makes such funds available to carry out provisions of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (NTIAO) as added under this Act. Terminates this section on October 1, 2003. Amends the NTIAO to direct the Secretary of Commerce to award a fiscal year grant to each State having an approved plan for the acquisition of telecommunications and related services for: (1) the provision of health care services by any public or nonprofit health care provider that serves persons residing in a rural area; or (2) elementary and secondary schools and libraries, for educational purposes. Provides for an allocation of State funding based on relative populations. Requires the State plan to take into consideration the relative economic need of the eligible entities, including the number of students living in low-income or sparsely populated areas. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund for FY 1999 through 2003 for such grants and administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 and thereafter for such purposes from general Treasury funds.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1998
Structured Settlement Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an excise tax on persons acquiring structured settlement payments in factoring transactions; and (2) set forth related reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Subchapter S Expansion Subtitle A: Eligible Shareholders of an S Corporation Subtitle B: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements of S Corporations Subtitle C: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders Subtitle D: Effective Date Title II: Sense of the House of Representatives Resolution Subchapter S Revision Act of 1998 - Title I: Subchapter S Expansion - Subtitle A: Eligible Shareholders of an S Corporation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain members of a family to be treated as one shareholder of an S corporation (electing small business corporation). Permits nonresident aliens to be S corporation shareholders if the corporation is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. Subjects such aliens' effectively-connected U.S. income to withholding tax. Subtitle B: Qualification and Eligibility Requirements of S Corporations - Prohibits, with respect to S corporations, treating: (1) qualified preferred stock as a second class of stock; and (2) a person as a shareholder by reason of holding such stock. (Sec. 112) Permits financial institutions to hold convertible (safe harbor) debt. (Sec. 113) Repeals: (1) the characterization of excessive passive investment income as a termination event; and (2) the passive income capital gain category. (Sec. 115) Permits: (1) an S corporation to make charitable contributions of inventory and scientific property used to care for the ill, the needy, or infants; and (2) S corporation shareholders to increase the basis of their stock by the excess of the charitable contribution over the property's basis. (Sec. 116) Makes other-than health insurance fringe benefits nontaxable for S corporation two-percent shareholders. Subtitle C: Taxation of S Corporation Shareholders - States that a loss recognized by a shareholder in a complete liquidation of an S corporation shall be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent the shareholder's stock basis is attributable to ordinary income from such liquidation. Subtitle D: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for provisions of this Act. Title II: Sense of the House of Representatives Resolution - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives against treating the conversion of certain large C corporations to S corporations as taxable liquidations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
No Second Chances for Murderers, Rapists, or Child Molesters Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that any individual convicted of: (1) murder should receive the death penalty or be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole; and (2) rape or a dangerous sexual offense involving a child under age 14 should be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole. Requires the Attorney General to transfer the following amounts from Federal law enforcement assistance funds for a State that convicted a person of a first offense of murder, rape, or a dangerous sexual offense to a State that convicts that person for a subsequent such offense: (1) up to $100,000 for transfer to each victim of the subsequent offense; and (2) the cost of incarceration, prosecution, and apprehension of such person. Sets forth provisions regarding situations where a person has a prior conviction in more than one State. Requires the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide that whoever is guilty of: (1) murder shall be punished by death or by life imprisonment; and (2) rape or a dangerous sexual offense shall be punished by life imprisonment. Directs the Attorney General to collect and distribute data to the President, Members of Congress, State governments, and officials of localities and penal and other institutions participating in the Uniform Crime Reports program which includes: (1) the number of murders, rapes, and dangerous sexual offenses committed by persons previously convicted of one of these offenses; and (2) the percentage of cases in which a person convicted of murder, rape, or a dangerous sexual offense in one State commits a second offense in another State.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1998
Child Support Security Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to discharge of indebtedness income to provide that any taxable unpaid child support payments of a taxpayer for any taxable year shall be treated as amounts includible in the taxpayer's gross income by reason of the discharge of the taxpayer's indebtedness. Sets forth notice guidelines. Allows an eligible taxpayer with respect to whom child support payments remain unpaid during the taxable year a deduction of up to $5,000 equal to the amount of payments remaining unpaid. Limits such deductions to taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes under $50,000 and unpaid child support payments of $500 or more. Requires that net revenues received in the Treasury pursuant to this Act be applied solely to the retirement of outstanding Federal debt obligations and not be obligated or expended for any other purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through June 30, 1999, the duty on (3S)-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (used as an HIV antiviral drug).
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through June 30, 1999, the duty on certain drug substances used as HIV antiviral drugs: (1) (S)-N-tert-butyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- 3-isoquinoline carboxamide; (2) (S)-N-tert-butyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3- isoquinoline carboxamide hydrochloride salt; and (3) (S)-N-tert-butyl- 1,2,3,4- tetrahydro-3-isoquinoline carboxamide sulfate salt.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Accounting Fairness for Physicians and Dentists Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a physician or dentist to use the cash basis of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Retirement Savings Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit specified additional pension contributions for an individual who has attained the age of 35 (but not the age of 50), and who was not a plan participant during the previous five years, until such individual attains the age of 50; and (2) increase the dollar and repeal the 25 percent defined contribution plan limits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Asbestos Resolution Corporation Title II: Medical Eligibility Determinations Title III: Alternative Dispute Resolution Title IV: Civil Actions Title V: Rules Applicable to Arbitrations and Civil Actions Title VI: Funding Title VII: Applicability; Pending Civil Action Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Fairness in Asbestos Compensation Act of 1998 - Title I: Asbestos Resolution Corporation - Establishes the Asbestos Resolution Corporation which shall: (1) have exclusive authority to adopt rules for cost recovery, physician qualifications, alternative dispute resolution, exceptional medical cases, and disease eligibility; and (2) appoint a Medical Advisory Board. Title II: Medical Eligibility Determinations - Sets forth claimant medical eligibility determination criteria for: (1) nonmalignant conditions; (2) mesothelioma; (3) lung cancer; and (4) other cancer. (Sec. 205) Sets forth procedures for Corporation determination of a claimant's certificate of medical eligibility. (Sec. 206) Directs the Corporation to establish one or more exceptional medical claims panels. Sets forth application and acceptance provisions. (Sec. 207) Provides for: (1) confidentiality; and (2) U.S. district court review of Corporation determinations of eligibility. Title III: Alternative Dispute Resolution - Directs the Board to establish procedural rules for an alternative dispute resolution process. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) motions officers; (2) respondent notification; (3) additional respondents; (4) grace period; (5) mediation and arbitration; and (6) subpoena powers. Title IV: Civil Actions - Prohibits: (1) a civil asbestos action unless the plaintiff has obtained a certificate of medical eligibility and release from mediation; and (2) a class action or other collective action without the consent of each defendant. (Sec. 404) Requires a penalty for a final offer made by a respondent in mediation if such offer is below a certain amount assigned by the jury or fact-finder. Title V: Rules Applicable to Arbitrations and Civil Actions - Sets forth arbitration and civil action rules with respect to: (1) relief; (2) timeliness defenses; (3) attorney's fees; and (4) nonpreclusion of nonmalignant claims upon subsequent malignancy claims. Title VI: Funding - Directs the Corporation to estimate its annual medical review and administrative and overhead costs and allocate proportionate cost shares among the previous year's respondents. Provides monetary penalties for noncooperation with the Corporation. (Sec. 602) Provides for mediation and arbitration costs to be charged on a per capita basis to participating respondents. (Sec. 603) Directs the Corporation to establish procedures for informal resolution of cost assessment disputes. Provides for U.S. district court review of cost assessment disputes. Title VII: Applicability; Pending Civil Actions - Makes this Act applicable to any civil asbestos action that has not resulted in a final, nonappealable judgment, with specified conditions applicable to pending civil actions. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines specified terms. (Sec. 804) Makes this Act inapplicable to existing asbestos trusts, with an elective trust exception.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title III: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 100 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 neighborhood organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Treats renewal communities as labor surplus areas for all Federal law purposes. Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude 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. (Sec. 205) 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 III: Additional Provisions - Provides for local government transfer of unoccupied and substandard Department of Housing and Urban Development multifamily and single family housing in renewal communities, with subsequent disposition priority to be given to community development corporations. (Sec. 302) Amends the Public Health Service Act to make religious organizations eligible to administer specified substance prevention and abuse programs. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 303) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that a financial institution's investments in community development organizations located in renewal communities may be considered in evaluations under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions for: (1) a small employer (100 or fewer employees) retirement plan; (2) a credit for the expenses of establishing such a plan; and (3) a model small employer retirement plan.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Directs the Secretary of the Army to convey to the City of Kankakee, Illinois, the parcel of Federal real property that contains the vacant Stefaninch Army Reserve Center, to be developed for public benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1998
Veterans Medicare Access Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program under which the former Secretary shall reimburse the latter Secretary out of the Medicare trust funds for Medicare health care services furnished to certain Medicare-eligible veterans whose closest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center is geographically remote or inaccessible. Authorizes the Secretaries to establish a demonstration project similar to such program for Medicare-eligible veterans whose closest VA medical center is not geographically remote or inaccessible. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to repeal the requirement for an implementation plan for veterans subvention. Prohibits payments from the Medicare trust funds for items or services furnished under the program or demonstration project established under this Act before the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines that: (1) certain legislation restricting entitlement to service-connected compensation for a tobacco-related disability has been enacted; and (2) the net amount of the reductions in expenditures achieved by reason of such legislation during the five fiscal year period beginning with FY 1999, that is available to offset the net aggregate increase in outlays (if any) under the Medicare program, is not less than the estimated net aggregate increase during such period.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998
Medicare Insulin Pump Coverage Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover insulin infusion pumps as items of durable medical equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1998
Declares the commitment of the House of Representatives to create a drug-free America. Urges House Members to work personally to mobilize kids, parents, faith-based and community organizations, educators, local officials, law enforcement officers, coaches, and athletes to wage a winning war on drugs. Pledges to pass legislation that provides the weapons and tools necessary to protect children and communities from the dangers of drug addiction and violence. Declares that the United States will fight this war on three major battlefronts: deterring demand; stopping supply; and increasing accountability.
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.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1998
Medicare Psychiatric Hospital Prospective Payment System Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for a prospective payment system for inpatient psychiatric facility hospital services; and (2) exempt such services from certain reductions under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, and, instead, limit payment to not less than a certain applicable percentage of the amount that would have been paid if such reductions did not apply.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998
Stalking Prevention and Victim Protection of 1998 - Rewrites stalking provisions of the Federal criminal code. Prohibits and sets penalties for stalking an individual, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or within Indian country. Provides that a person stalks an individual if the person, on two or more occasions: (1) engages in any conduct that results in the individual's reasonable fear of death or bodily injury to that individual or to a member of that individual's immediate family; and (2) knows or has reasonable cause to believe that such conduct results in that fear. Directs the court, at the time of sentencing for such offense, to issue an appropriate protection order designed to protect the victim from further stalking by the convicted person, which shall continue in effect until the victim communicates to the court that the order is no longer needed. Requires the judicial officer, where a stalking violation is charged and the person has a prior conviction for a crime of violence under Federal or State law, to order the detention of the person before trial, if that conviction was for an offense against the same victim as in the current charge or a member of that victim's family, or if that conviction became final less than five years before the conduct constituting the alleged stalking violation took place. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate sentence enhancement for a defendant convicted of stalking where the defendant has a prior conviction under Federal or State law of a crime of violence against the same victim as in the current offense or against a member of that victim's family.
![Official portrait of Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000273_200.jpg)