United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages (such FLSA prohibitions are also known as the Equal Pay Act). (Sec. 3) Amends FLSA to provide for enhanced enforcement of equal pay requirements, adding a nonretaliation requirement. Increases penalties for such violations. Provides for the Secretary of Labor to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in such cases. (Sec. 4) Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, including convening a national summit and carrying out other specified activities. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop guidelines for employer evaluations of job categories based on objective criteria, to be used voluntarily by employers to compare wages for different jobs to determine if pay scales adequately and fairly reflect each job's educational and skill requirements, independence, working conditions, and responsibility, in order to eliminate unfair pay disparities between occupations traditionally dominated by men or women; and (2) establish a program to recognize employers who use such guidelines to ensure that women are paid fairly in comparison to men without lowering men's wages. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance for employers to carry out such evaluations. (Sec. 7) Establishes the Robert Reich National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace, which shall be evidenced by a medal. Sets forth criteria for specified types of entities to receive such an award. (Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) take appropriate steps to increase the amount of information available with respect to wage disparities; and (2) consider ways to collect such information that maximize its utility, protect individual privacy, and minimize reporting burdens. (Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Establishes in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) the position of Chief Agricultural Negotiator, who shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the Chief to conduct trade negotiations and enforce trade agreements relating to U.S. agricultural products and services, as well as perform other functions as the USTR may direct.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 1999 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to declare that any duties assessed pursuant to a countervailing duty order, an antidumping duty order, or a finding under the Antidumping Act of 1921 shall be distributed on an annual basis as continued dumping or subsidy offsets to the affected domestic producers for qualifying expenditures. Limits qualifying expenditures to expenditures incurred since the issuance of the antidumping duty finding or order or countervailing duty order in any or all of the categories of plant, equipment, research and development (R&D), personnel training, acquisition of technology, employer-paid employee health care and pension benefits, environmental equipment, training or technology, acquisition of raw materials and other inputs, and borrowed working capital or other funds needed to maintain production. Directs the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service to prescribe offset disbursement procedures. Sets forth general procedures for notification of eligible parties. Requires the Commissioner to establish a special account in the Treasury to receive all antidumping or countervailing duties, including interest, for distribution according to this Act, within 14 days after an antidumping or countervailing duty order takes effect.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Helping Communities Modernize School Facilities Title II: Class Size Reduction Title III: Teacher Excellence Title IV: Strengthening After-School Programs Public Schools Excellence Act - Title I: Helping Communities Modernize School Facilities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise current incentives for education zones into incentives for qualified public school modernization bonds, including (currently existing) qualified zone academy bonds and (newly established) qualified school construction bonds. (Sec. 102) Allows a limited tax credit, computed according to a specified formula, to taxpayers holding such public school modernization bonds. Raises the national zone academy bond limitation from $400 million to $1.4 billion for each of calendar years 2000 and 2001, and eliminates the limitation after 2001. Prescribes requirements for national qualified school construction bonds, with a national limitation of $9.7 billion each for calendar years 2000 and 2001, and no limit after 2001. (Sec. 103) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) sufficient funds should be provided in FY 2000 to begin construction of four new Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) school facilities and to increase funds available for the improvement and repair of existing facilities; and (2) Congress should consider enacting legislation to establish other funding mechanisms that would leverage Federal investments on behalf of BIA schools to address the serious construction backlog which exists at tribal schools. Title II: Class Size Reduction - Class Size Reduction Act of 1999 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish a program to help States and local educational agencies (LEAs) recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional qualified teachers, over a seven-year period, to: (1) reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations. Entitles States with approved applications to allotments according to a specified formula. Reserves certain funds for State-level administrative expenses, outlying areas, and BIA schools. Sets forth requirements for: (1) within-State allocations; (2) local uses of funds; (3) matching funds; (4) carryover; (5) participation of private school teachers; and(6) reports. Title III: Teacher Excellence - Teacher Excellence and Classroom Help Act - Part A: Challenging States to Ensure that Every Child Is Taught by a Qualified Teacher - Establishes challenge grant programs to ensure that every elementary and secondary school student is taught by a qualified teacher. (Sec. 312) Authorizes appropriations. Reserves a specified portion for grants to BIA schools. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) in each State, from specified allotments, to implement statewide initiatives and programs to: (1) recruit, train, and retain beginning teachers; and (2) provide ongoing professional development to veteran teachers and principals. Allows each SEA to reserve up to ten percent of such grant funds for statewide activities to improve the quality of the teaching force, including: (1) assisting LEAs to reduce out-of-field placements; (2) reducing the use of emergency credentials; (3) improving alternative certification programs; (4) administrative costs and evaluation of assisted activities; (5) linking assisted programs with State standards; (6) supporting National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification of teachers who are or will teach in high-need schools; and (7) assisting LEA teacher recruitment, induction, and professional development programs. Sets forth State allotment formula and State application requirements. (Sec. 314) Requires each SEA to use 20 percent of such grant funds to: (1) award scholarships to qualified individuals who enter the elementary or secondary school teaching field; and (2) establish partnerships with LEAs that serve school districts with the greatest teacher shortages and colleges of education to assist in carrying out such scholarship program, including recruitment of prospective teachers and support services for the teachers. Allows SEAs to also include community-based and other organizations in such partnerships. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements for such scholarships. Allows SEAs to determine the amount of the scholarship, but requires that individual need be considered in determining such amount. Requires scholarship recipients to agree to teach for at least three years, after degree completion, in high-need school districts or high-need content areas. Requires that incentives under such scholarship program be coordinated with those under the Federal student loan forgiveness program under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). (Sec. 315) Requires each SEA to use at least 70 percent of such grant funds to award competitive grants to eligible LEAs for specified authorized activities. Sets forth requirements for LEA eligibility, applications, and evaluations of assisted programs. Part B: Improving Teacher Preparation - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Congress should fully fund Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships, under HEA title II, at $300 million; and (2) the 106th Congress should make a strong investment in accomplishing the goal of holding institutions of higher education accountable for improving the initial preparation of teachers, a goal to which the 105th Congress made a strong commitment. Part C: Improving Teacher Technology Training - Amends ESEA to provide for teacher technology training. Requires schools to give attention to professional development that incorporates technology used to improve teaching and learning. Requires professional development activities to include instruction in the use of technology. Adds technology to the list of core subject areas for the National Teacher Training Project grants program (Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program). Requires local plans for improving teaching and learning to include descriptions of how their core subject area programs will incorporate technologies which meet the educational needs of individuals who are from historically underrepresented groups, or are economically disadvantaged, or have limited English language abilities, or have disabilities. Requires authorized professional development activities to incorporate effective technology for meeting the educational needs of diverse groups of students. Includes technological innovation as a higher education activity to improve teacher education programs. Title IV: Strengthening After-School Programs - Part A: School-Aged Child Care - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize and to make appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for new and expanded programs for child care and development services, including direct services provided outside of normal school hours, to promote the health and academic achievement of school age children and assist the children in avoiding high risk behaviors. (Sec. 414) Requires each State that receives a block grant under such Act to make grants to elementary or secondary schools or community-based organizations to expand the availability and affordability of quality child care and development services, especially direct services provided outside of normal school hours (including before- and after-school care and weekend, holiday, and summer care) for school age children. Requires grant preference to entities that: (1) serve communities with a high rate of poverty and a high incidence of at-risk children; and (2) propose programs that make certain transportation services available to the children served. Requires the use of grant funds for direct services outside of normal school hours, related quality services, and indirect services. Part B: Strengthening the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act - 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. 421) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 422) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project-assisted activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 423) 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. 424) Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1999 grants. (Sec. 425) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Health Insurance Tax Equity for Self-Employed Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the deduction allowed for health insurance costs for self-employed individuals to 100 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Challenging States to Ensure that Every Child Is Taught By a Qualified Teacher Title II: Improving Teacher Preparation Title III: Improving Teacher Technology Training Teacher Excellence and Classroom Help Act - Title I: Challenging States to Ensure that Every Child Is Taught by a Qualified Teacher - Establishes challenge grant programs to ensure that every elementary and secondary school student is taught by a qualified teacher. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations. Reserves a specified portion for grants to BIA schools. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) in each State, from specified allotments, to implement statewide initiatives and programs to: (1) recruit, train, and retain beginning teachers; and (2) provide ongoing professional development to veteran teachers and principals. Allows each SEA to reserve up to ten percent of such grant funds for statewide activities to improve the quality of the teaching force, including: (1) assisting local educational agencies (LEAs) to reduce out-of-field placements; (2) reducing the use of emergency credentials; (3) improving alternative certification programs; (4) administrative costs and evaluation of assisted activities; (5) linking assisted programs with State standards; (6) supporting National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification of teachers who are or will teach in high-need schools; and (7) assisting LEA teacher recruitment, induction, and professional development programs. Sets forth State allotment formula and State application requirements. (Sec. 104) Requires each SEA to use 20 percent of such grant funds to: (1) award scholarships to qualified individuals who enter the elementary or secondary school teaching field; and (2) establish partnerships with LEAs that serve school districts with the greatest teacher shortages and colleges of education to assist in carrying out such scholarship program, including recruitment of prospective teachers and support services for the teachers. Allows SEAs to also include community-based and other organizations in such partnerships. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements for such scholarships. Allows SEAs to determine the amount of the scholarship, but requires that individual need be considered in determining such amount. Requires scholarship recipients to agree to teach for at least three years, after degree completion, in high-need school districts or high-need content areas. Requires that incentives under such scholarship program be coordinated with those under the Federal student loan forgiveness program under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). (Sec. 105) Requires each SEA to use at least 70 percent of such grant funds to award competitive grants to eligible LEAs for specified authorized activities. Sets forth requirements for LEA eligibility, applications, and evaluations of assisted programs. Title II: Improving Teacher Preparation - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Congress should fully fund Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships, under HEA title II, at $300 million; and (2) the 106th Congress should make a strong investment in accomplishing the goal of holding institutions of higher education accountable for improving the initial preparation of teachers, a goal to which the 105th Congress made a strong commitment. Title III: Improving Teacher Technology Training - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for teacher technology training. Requires schools to give attention to professional development that incorporates technology used to improve teaching and learning. Requires professional development activities to include instruction in the use of technology. Adds technology to the list of core subject areas for the National Teacher Training Project grants program (Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program). Requires local plans for improving teaching and learning to include descriptions of how their core subject area programs will incorporate technologies which meet the educational needs of individuals who are from historically underrepresented groups, or are economically disadvantaged, or have limited English language abilities, or have disabilities. Requires authorized professional development activities to incorporate effective technology for meeting the educational needs of diverse groups of students. Includes technological innovation as a higher education activity to improve teacher education programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children Title IV : Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Violence Against Women Act II - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States, Indian tribal governments, or local governmental units to provide technical assistance and computer and other equipment to police departments, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions to facilitate the widespread, including interstate, enforcement of protection orders. Instructs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applicants that: (1) have established cooperative agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the enforcement of protection orders from other jurisdictions; and (2) will give priority to using the grant to develop and install data collection and communication systems linking police, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions in order to identify and track protection orders and violations of such orders. Directs the Attorney General to compile and disseminate information about successful data collection and communication systems. Amends Federal criminal code provisions governing full faith and credit given to protection orders to provide that: (1) a State or Indian tribe shall not notify the party against whom a protection order has been made that the protection order has been registered or filed in the State or tribal jurisdiction unless requested to do so by the party protected under that order; and (2) nothing in this title may be construed to require prior filing or registration of such orders in the enforcing State as a prerequisite to enforcement by such State. Directs that a protection order that is otherwise consistent with this title shall be accorded full faith and credit and enforced notwithstanding the failure to provide notice to the party against whom the order is made of its registration or filing in the enforcing State or Indian tribe. (Sec. 102) Amends such Act to designate State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees in the program to combat violent crimes against women. Revises allocation percentages for police and prosecutors, victim services, and State and local courts (not less than 25 percent, 30 percent, and ten percent, respectively). Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act to expand training that may be provided under domestic violence training grants to include training with respect to issues concerning individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. Includes State, local, and tribal courts among the grantees eligible for Federal grants to encourage arrest policies. Earmarks a minimum of five percent of the total amount available for grants each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments. (Sec. 103) Reauthorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for grants to combat violent crimes against women. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for coordinating State victim services activities and for coordinating with Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence against women activities. (Sec. 104) Instructs the Attorney General to transfer flunitrazepam (the "date-rape" drug) from schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule I (the strictest level of Federal drug penalty and control). (Sec. 105) Reauthorizes appropriations through FY 2002 for grants to encourage arrest policies. (Sec. 106) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person who, while employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States, engages in conduct that would constitute a domestic violence or sexual assault offense if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be subject to prosecution in a U.S. district court. Sets forth provisions regarding concurrent jurisdiction and priority of exercise of jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to designate and authorize any individual serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense to arrest such a person outside of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that such person committed such an offense. Provides for the release of such arrested persons to civilian law enforcement authorities in specified circumstances. Provides for delivery of such persons to the appropriate authorities of a foreign country if: (1) delivery is requested for trial for such conduct as an offense under the laws of that country; and (2) delivery is authorized by a treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to transmit to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation a copy of records of any penal actions taken, including certain nonjudicial punishments imposed, against a member of the armed forces who is discharged, dismissed, or released from active duty. (Sec. 107) Prohibits and sets penalties for willfully causing bodily injury to any person or attempting, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, to cause bodily injury to any person, whether or not acting under color of law, because of: (1) the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) the actual or perceived religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person if, in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or the offense is in or affects such commerce. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and of Justice through FY 2002 to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such alleged violations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 108) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to reauthorize through FY 2002: (1) rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants (and allots not less than five percent of the total made available for each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments); and (2) national stalker and domestic violence reduction grants. (Sec. 110) Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding interstate domestic violence, interstate stalking, and interstate violation of a protective order to cover situations where persons travel in interstate or foreign commerce or to or from Indian country. Deems a tribal court, for purposes of full faith and credit provisions, to have jurisdiction over any activity occurring in Indian country. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to private and nonprofit entities, publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity, and Indian tribal governments and affiliated organizations, to: (1) implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence and sexual assault victim advocacy organizations and civil legal assistance providers to strengthen a broad range of civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault; (2) implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to strengthen a broad range of civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of these victims; and (3) provide training, technical assistance, and data collection to improve the capacity of grantees and other entities to offer civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) make a grant to establish, operate, and maintain a national computer database of programs that provide civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault; and (2) evaluate the grants funded under this title through contracts or other arrangements with entities expert on domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault and on evaluation research. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund to carry out this title through FY 2002, with at least five percent of available amounts in each fiscal year used for grants for programs that assist victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault on lands within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. (Sec. 202) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act with respect to State demonstration grants for programs and projects to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Requires grant applicants to provide documentation, including memoranda of understanding, of the specific involvement of the State domestic violence coalition and other knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations, in the development of the application. Earmarks funds to provide emergency assistance directly to victims of family violence, or their dependents, who are in the process of fleeing an abusive situation. Changes from a formula amount to $500,000 the minimum allotment to each State for such grants. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to Indian tribes and organizations from any sums not distributed to them. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to private nonprofit organizations for information, training, and technical assistance initiatives in specified subject areas. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through FY 2002. Revises the formula for the allocation of appropriations for grants for State coalitions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a nationwide needs assessment relating to family violence prevention and services programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to up to ten State domestic violence coalitions, and up to ten local entities that carry out domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, to develop and implement model community intervention strategies to address family violence in underserved populations. Prescribes formulae for the redistribution of funds available due to certain limitations. (Sec. 203) Prohibits any insurer from, directly or indirectly, taking any adverse action against: (1) an innocent insured; or (2) an applicant or insured on the basis that the applicant or insured, or any person employed by the applicant or insured or with whom the applicant or insured is known to have a relationship or association is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse. Defines an innocent insured as a subject of abuse insured under the same policy as the abuser, but who is not (in light of all the facts and circumstances) the cause of any claim incurred or that may incur. Requires any insurer taking an adverse action against a known subject of abuse to advise the applicant or insured in writing of the specific reasons for the action. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce such prohibitions and policy. Provides for a private action against an insurer by an applicant or insured affected by a violation of this Act. (Sec. 204) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline. (Sec. 205) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend through FY 2002 and increase the authorization of appropriations for Federal victims' counselors. (Sec. 206) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle employees to leave to: (1) address domestic violence and its effects; or (2) care for a child or parent of the employee who is addressing domestic violence and its effects. Authorizes an employer to require an employee to provide documentation or other corroborating evidence. Amends Federal civil service law to entitle Federal employees to take such leave, subject to the same requirements. (Sec. 207) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize unemployment compensation where an individual is separated from employment due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require State laws to provide for methods of administration that will ensure that claims reviewers and hearing personnel are adequately trained in the nature and dynamics of claims for unemployment compensation based on domestic violence, including methods of ascertaining and keeping information confidential. (Sec. 208) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty to provide for waiver of certain immigration requirements. (Sec. 209) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to add a new Subtitle H (Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Including Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Older Individuals). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs for the purposes of funding the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and offer, or provide for the offering of, training programs to assist law enforcement officers and prosecutors in recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to programs addressing such issues, including related training for health professionals. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for programs and activities for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Requires the Secretary to make grants to: (1) support projects in local communities to coordinate activities concerning intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop and implement outreach programs directed toward assisting older individuals who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including those in senior housing complexes and senior centers. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act (as amended by the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998) to require the Secretary to give preference in the award of certain grants and contracts to any health professions educational entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that each student have had significant training in the identification and referral of victims of elder abuse and neglect. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States and Indian tribal governments to enable them to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to assist public or private nonprofit entities in establishing and operating supervised visitation centers for purposes of facilitating supervised visitation and visitation exchange of children by and between parents. Requires that priority be given to States that consider domestic violence in making a custody decision and require findings on the record. (Sec. 302) Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on Federal and State laws relating to child custody, including the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980, and their effect on child custody cases in which domestic violence is a factor. Requires such study to examine the sufficiency of defenses to parental abduction charges available in cases involving domestic violence, and the burdens and risks encountered by victims of domestic violence arising from compliance with the full faith and credit (and judicial jurisdiction) requirements of that Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for grants through FY 2002. Directs the Secretary to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. (Sec. 304) Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners; and (3) grants for televised testimony. Directs the Attorney General to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in awarding grants or contracts for health professions and nurse education, to give preference to a relevant health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that a student has had significant training in the identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence. (Sec. 401) Defines relevant health professions entity as a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic medicine, a graduate program in mental health practice, a school of nursing, a program for the training of physician assistants, or a program for the training of allied health professionals. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for the development and dissemination of model programs to provide education and training in appropriate and effective responses to victims of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault (including, as appropriate, the effects of domestic violence on children) to individuals (other than law enforcement officers and prosecutors) who are likely to come into contact with such victims during the course of their employment. Limits such grants to public and private nonprofit entities that have: (1) nationally recognized expertise in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) a record of commitment and quality responses to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires States to use certain transferred funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers, State sexual assault coalitions, and other public and private nonprofit entities for: (1) educational seminars; (2) hotlines; (3) training programs for professionals; (4) the preparation of informational material; (5) education and training programs for students and campus personnel designed to reduce the incidence of sexual assault at colleges and universities; and (6) other efforts to increase awareness of, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts to increase awareness in underserved communities and awareness among individuals with disabilities. Requires at least 25 percent of grant funds are used for educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school students. Directs the Secretary, through the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault (with a central resource library) to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, as well as to State sexual assault coalitions and local sexual assault programs and to other professionals and interested parties on issues relating to sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to individuals or organizations to carry out educational programs for elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education with respect to information regarding, and prevention of, domestic violence and violence among intimate partners. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 405) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and information on violence, abuse, and sexual assault against women who are individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 2002. (Sec. 406) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make grants to groups that provide services to or advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities eligible for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY 2002. (Sec. 407) Directs the Attorney General to establish a multidisciplinary, multiagency national commission to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend minimum sexual assault forensic examination training for all health care students; (3) review national, State, and local protocols on sexual assault for forensic examinations, and develop a recommended national protocol and a mechanism for nationwide dissemination; and (4) study and evaluate State procedures for payment of forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault, and establish a recommended Federal protocol for such payment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 408) Authorizes the Attorney General to make a grant to a private, nonprofit entity meeting certain requirements to establish a national clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employers and labor organizations on appropriate workplace responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 409) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to make grants to entities, including domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, to: (1) support specified research and evaluation of education, prevention, and intervention programs on violent behavior against women; and (2) address gaps in research and knowledge about violence against women, including violence against women in underserved communities. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to report to Congress on: (1) Federal and State sentences for homicides or assaults in which the victim was a spouse, former spouse, or intimate partner of the offender; (2) the effect of illicit drugs and alcohol on domestic violence and the sentences imposed for offenses involving them in which domestic violence occurred; (3) the extent to which acts of domestic violence committed against the offender, including coercion, may have contributed to the commission of an offense; (4) an analysis delineated by race, gender, type of offense, and any other categories that would be useful for understanding the problem of domestic violence; and (5) recommendations with respect to all such offenses, including any basis for a downward adjustment in any applicable Federal sentencing guidelines determination. Directs the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities, including sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the experiences of minors and adults who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Requires the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on the status of the law with respect to rape and sexual assault offenses and the effectiveness of the implementation of laws in addressing such crimes and protecting their victims. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations to the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 2001 and 2002 in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) by specified offsetting amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Agricultural Safety Net and Market Competitiveness Act of 1999 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that strategies should be considered to offset extreme income loss by agricultural producers from economic and weather related events. (Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal crop insurance program should be modified to: (1) increase covered commodities; (2) increase access to and affordability of crop insurance products; and (3) protect against multiyear disasters. (Sec. 5) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to include livestock within the crop insurance and revenue insurance pilot programs. (Sec. 6) Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a livestock market mandatory reporting pilot program. (Sec. 7) Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require country of origin labeling for: (1) imported or U.S. beef, lamb, or pork offered for sale as muscle cuts; and (2) imported ground or processed beef, lamb, or pork. (Sec. 8) Directs the President to establish an interagency task force to investigate: (1) potential anticompetitive practices in the meat packing industry; and (2) effects of concentration in the agricultural industry. (Sec. 9) Directs the President to study the link between credit and concentration among agricultural producers, handlers, and processors, including credit eligibility requirements for beginning and alternative management farmers and ranchers. (Sec. 10) Directs the Comptroller General to study potential packer and stockyard anticompetitive practices. (Sec. 11) Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to require dealers and live poultry dealers, packers, stockyard owners, and market agencies to submit copies of business contracts to the Secretary. (Sec. 12) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should provide opportunities and incentives for agricultural producers to expand value-added enterprise and new market participation. (Sec. 13) United States Agricultural Products Market Access Act of 1998 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the United States Trade Representative to identify countries that deny market access to U.S. agricultural products. (Sec. 14) Sets forth U.S. agricultural trade negotiation goals. (Sec. 15) Directs The United States Trade Representative to consult with the House and Senate agriculture committees prior to initiating agricultural tariff reduction negotiations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Telephone Services Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to require a telecommunications carrier or reseller, in order to verify a subscriber's selection of a telephone exchange (local) or toll (long-distance) service provider, to require such subscriber to: (1) affirm that the subscriber is authorized to effect such selection; (2) acknowledge the type of service to be changed; (3) affirm the subscriber's intent to select such provider; (4) acknowledge that such selection will result in a change of service provider; and (5) provide other information as considered appropriate by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the subscriber's protection. Requires the appropriate carrier or reseller to notify the subscriber, in writing, not more than 15 days after such a change has been processed. Provides carrier or reseller penalties for unauthorized subscriber changes, including disqualification from the provision of such services (with reinstatement under certain conditions). Requires local exchange carriers to submit to the FCC quarterly reports on the number of complaints of unauthorized changes submitted by its subscribers. Directs the FCC to use such information to identify carriers or resellers that engage in a pattern and practice of unauthorized changes. Provides criminal penalties against such carriers or resellers. (Sec. 3) Prohibits any person from causing a charge to be included on a subscriber's bill for exchange or toll service unless such charge has been specifically and knowingly authorized by the subscriber or is otherwise authorized or required by law. Requires billing agents to include on such bills certain information identifying and explaining such charges. Prohibits the disruption of telephone service based on a charge dispute. Requires a toll-free number for the resolution of disputed charges. Provides civil penalties for violations of such requirements. Requires local exchange carriers to submit to the FCC quarterly reports on the number of complaints of unauthorized bill charges. Directs the FCC to use such information to identify providers that engage in a pattern and practice of unauthorized charges. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the FCC to assess and recover any required penalty, fine, or forfeiture and to impose any other sanction required against an entity that is not a telecommunications carrier for a violation of any provisions of the Act to the extent that such entity provides billing services or other services for charges which appear on subscriber bills. (Sec. 5) Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent telecommunications carriers from using unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce. (Sec. 6) Directs the FCC to provide monthly to the FTC information collected by the FCC as a result of complaints regarding telephone services fraud, to be incorporated into such Commission's Consumer Sentinel online database. (Sec. 7) Directs the FCC to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of requiring telephone service billing agents to establish and provide consumer billing controls which permit subscribers to prevent the inclusion of unauthorized charges on telephone bills.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
Agricultural Market Failure Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to revise marketing assistance loan rates for wheat, corn (feed grains), upland cotton, and rice. Authorizes six-month loan extensions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily increase from two to ten the number of years permitted for the carryback of net operating losses for certain farmers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup Title II: Prospective Purchasers Title III: Innocent Landowners Title IV: Contiguous Properties Brownfields and Environmental Cleanup Act of 1999 - Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to provide grants to States or local governments to inventory and conduct site assessments of brownfield sites. Defines a "brownfield site" as a facility that has or is suspected of having environmental contamination that: (1) could prevent the timely use, development, reuse, or redevelopment of the facility; and (2) is relatively limited in scope or severity and can be comprehensively characterized and readily analyzed. (Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide grants to State and local governments for capitalization of loan programs for brownfield site cleanup by either the State or locality or by an owner or prospective purchaser. (Sec. 104) Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to authorize the Administrator to award grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts or provide technical assistance to States, Indian tribes, political subdivisions, and other entities for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 105) Requires the Administrator to carry out a program to provide financial assistance for brownfield training programs. (Sec. 106) Makes amounts in the Hazardous Substance Superfund available to carry out the grant and assistance programs of this Act. (Sec. 107) Requires reports to specified congressional committees regarding the programs established under this title. (Sec. 108) Imposes funding limitations, including a restriction on use of funds to meet Federal cost-sharing requirements and a prohibition on the use of grants to pay fines or penalties. (Sec. 111) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the programs established under this title. Title II: Prospective Purchasers - Amends CERCLA to absolve from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of this Act and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. Title III: Innocent Landowners - Amends CERCLA, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the President) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, cooperation with those conducting response actions, and compliance with land use or activity restrictions. Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a site inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity. Title IV: Contiguous Properties - Exempts from liability under CERCLA certain owners or operators of real property contiguous to property on which there has been a release or threatened release. Authorizes the President to issue an assurance that no enforcement action will be initiated against such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Extension of Expiring Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Provisions Subtitle B: Trade Provisions Title II: Other Tax Provisions Title III: Revenue Offset Title IV: Technical Corrections Tax Extension Act of 1998 - Title I: Extension of Expiring Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to temporarily extend provisions concerning the: (1) research credit; (2) work opportunity credit; (3) welfare-to-work credit; (4) contribution of stock to private foundations; (5) subpart F exemption for active financing income; (6) credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source; and (7) disclosure of return information on income contingent student loans. Subtitle B: Trade Provisions - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the Generalized System of Preferences through December 31, 1999. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for workers, firms, and the training of workers adversely affected by import competition under the North American Free Trade Agreement transitional adjustment assistance program. Terminates the TAA programs July 1, 1999. Title II: Other Tax Provisions - Provides, starting January 1, 2002, for the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to disregard specified payment options provided by the Emergency Farm Financial Relief Act. Permanently extends income averaging for farmers. Allows, for taxable year 1998, nonrefundable personal credits to fully offset regular tax liability. Title III: Revenue Offset - Amends provisions concerning liquidation of corporate subsidiaries to provide that if a corporation receives a distribution from a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust which is considered as being in complete liquidation of such company or trust, then, notwithstanding other specified IRC provisions, such corporation shall recognize and treat as a dividend from such company or trust an amount equal to the deduction for dividends paid allowable to such company or trust by reason of such distribution. Title IV: 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, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, and title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Medicare Home Health Fair Payment Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the computation formula of the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, in order to: (1) create a new formula for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998 with the agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation calculated on a different basis which still makes use of the agency's census division; (2) revise the rules for new providers for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1998; (3) provide for a five percent increase in per visit cost limits for such cost reporting periods; (4) provide for a one year delay in establishment of a prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services and in implementation of the mandatory 15 percent reduction in cost and per beneficiary limits under such interim system; and (5) adjust the home health market basket update for home health services under PPS and such interim system, reducing it by a specified percentage for any cost reporting period beginning in FY 2000 or 2001, and increasing it by another specified percentage for any cost reporting period beginning in FY 2004. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat: (1) a taxpayer as having omitted a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) for purposes of mathematical error assessment if information provided by the taxpayer on the return with respect to the individual whose TIN was provided differs from the information the Secretary of the Treasury obtains from the person issuing the TIN; and (2) as a mathematical error the inclusion on a return of a TIN if it is of an individual whose age affects the amount of the tax credit involved and the computation of such credit reflects the treatment of such individual as being of an age different from the individual's age based on such TIN. Adds the vaccine against rotavirus gastroenteritis to the list of taxable vaccines for Federal sales tax purposes. Limits specified liability losses for purposes of the net operating loss deduction to those attributable to a liability under a Federal or State law requiring the reclamation of land, decommissioning of a nuclear power plant (or any unit thereof), dismantlement of an offshore drilling platform, remediation of environmental contamination, or payment of workmen's compensation. Limits the rule waiving the accrual method requirement for any portion of payment amounts which will not be collected to persons performing services in the fields of health, law, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, or consulting. Applies to any organization a significant trade or business of which is the lending of money the requirement of filing a return relating to the cancellation of indebtedness.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Promoting Access to Health Care Services in Rural Areas Under the Medicare Program Title II: Additional Provisions to Address Shortages of Health Professionals in Rural Areas Title III: Development of Telehealth Networks Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions Promoting Health in Rural Areas Act of 1998 - Title I: Promoting Access to Health Care Services in Rural Areas Under the Medicare Program - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make certain adjustments to the calculation of annual capitation rates used in determining payments to Medicare+Choice organizations. (Sec. 102) Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to convert into a permanently authorized program the current demonstration program for direct billing of Medicare, Medicaid (SSA title XIX), and other third party payors by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Alaska Native health organizations. (Sec. 103) Amends Medicare to: (1) revise payment requirements for sole community hospitals with regard to the substitution of certain allowable operating costs for base cost reporting periods beginning with discharges occurring in FY 2000; (2) provide for conversion of certain recently closed hospitals to critical access hospitals; (3) make certain technical amendments with regard to adjustments for graduate medical education, both indirect and direct; (4) modify the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program to provide for a reduction in the discharge percentage required for any hospital to be eligible to participate in the program; (5) provide for rural representation on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (6) provide for Medicare coverage of qualified mental health professional services; and (7) provide for an all-inclusive payment rate option (in addition to the current reasonable cost method) for outpatient critical access hospital services. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a waiver process in which entities and individuals under Medicare that are located in an urban or large urban area for purposes of Medicare reimbursement may apply to the Secretary to be considered to be located in a rural area for such purposes if such entity or individual is located in a rural area or outside of an urbanized area. Title II: Additional Provisions to Address Shortages of Health Professionals in Rural Areas - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to include among health professional shortage areas frontier areas with six or fewer residents per square mile. Requires the Secretary to consider any pending retirements or resignations of available physicians when determining whether to designate an area as a health professional shortage area. (Sec. 202) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to exclude from an individual's gross income certain amounts received under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program under PHSA. (Sec. 203) Amends Federal civil service law to provide for the designation of underserved areas under health care contracts administered by the Office of Personnel Management. (Sec. 204) Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) to extend Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services to all Medicare items and services in all rural areas, including services by physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Requires the entire payment for telehealth services to go to the consulting physician instead of being split with the referring physician. Adds additional congressional reporting requirements pertaining to such program. (Sec. 205) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should establish a system that facilitates the provision of telehealth services across State lines. (Sec. 206) Redesignates the Joint Working Group on Telemedicine as the Joint Working Group on Telehealth, with the chairperson being designated by the Office for the Advancement on Telehealth. Directs the Joint Working Group to ensure that individuals representing the interests of rural areas are members of the Group. Establishes the mission of the Joint Working Group, among other things, as identifying, monitoring, and coordinating Federal telehealth projects and programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Development of Telehealth Networks - Directs the Secretary to provide specified financial assistance for the purpose of expanding access to health care services for individuals in rural and frontier areas through the use of telehealth. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends IRC with regard to the non-deductible interest expense of financial institutions allocable to tax-exempt income, and the limited exception from such non-deductibility for interest expense on certain tax-exempt small issuer obligations. Allows a small issuer, the proceeds of whose obligations are to be used to make or finance eligible loans for health care or educational purposes, to elect to apply specified current limitations on the amount of obligations by treating each borrower as the issuer of a separate issue. (Sec. 402) Requires the heads of the National Health Service Corps, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, and the Bureau of the Census to negotiate and enter into interagency agreements with HHS agencies and offices under which they will be provided access to data sets for the intramural and extramural research they conduct or support.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to permit State registration of a Canadian pesticide for distribution and use within such State.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 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 · 30 September 1998
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2001, the duty on 2, (4-chlorophenol)-3-ethyl-2, 5-dihydro-5-oxo-4-pyridazine carboxylic acid, potassium salt.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1998
Calls upon the President to: (1) pursue enhanced enforcement of U.S. trade laws with respect to the increase in steel imports into the United States, including imposition of offsetting duties, quantitative restrictions, and other appropriate remedial measures; (2) pursue with all methods at the President's disposal to achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden of accepting imports of finished steel products from Asia and the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (3) establish a task force that has 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 increase in steel imports, including ways of limiting the deleterious effects on employment, prices, and investment in the U.S. steel industry.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Enhanced Source and Transit Country Coverage Title II: Enhanced Eradication and Interdiction Strategy in Source Countries Title III: Enhanced Alternative Crop Development Support in Source Zone Title IV: Enhanced International Law Enforcement Training Title V: Enhanced Drug Transit and Source Zone Law Enforcement Operations and Equipment Title VI: Relationship to Other Laws Title VII: Criminal Background Checks on Port Employees Title VIII: Drug Currency Forfeitures Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) reduce the supply of drugs and drug use through an enhanced drug interdiction effort in the major drug transit countries and support a comprehensive supply country eradication and crop substitution program, because a commitment of increased resources in international drug interdiction efforts will create a balanced national drug control strategy among demand reduction, law enforcement, and international drug interdiction efforts; and (2) develop and establish comprehensive drug interdiction and drug eradication strategies, and dedicate the resources necessary to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States by 80 percent by December 31, 2001. Title I: Enhanced Source and Transit Country Coverage - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of the Treasury for the enhancement of radar coverage in drug source and transit countries. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Defense to examine and report to specified congressional committees on the options available to the United States for improving Relocatable Over the Horizon (ROTHR) capability to provide enhanced radar coverage of narcotics source zone countries in South America and transit zones in the Eastern Pacific. (Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 to the Secretary of Transportation for operating expenses of the Coast Guard (including acquisition, construction, and improvement of facilities and equipment) associated with expansion of drug interdiction activities around Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other transit zone areas of operation. Directs the Secretary to accept seven patrol craft for use by the Coast Guard for expanded drug interdiction activities. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of the Treasury for the enhancement of air coverage and operation for drug source and transit countries. Directs the Secretary of Defense to examine and report to specified congressional committees on the available options in the source and transit zones to replace Howard Air Force Base in Panama, specifying U.S. requirements to establish an airbase or airbases for use in support of counternarcotics operations to optimize operational effectiveness in the source and transit zones. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to the U.S. Customs Service 20 currently retired and previously identified heavyweight P- 3B aircraft for modification, half into P-3 AEW&C aircraft and half into P-3 Slick aircraft. q04q Title II: Enhanced Eradication and Interdiction Strategy in Source Countries - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for the enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts in Colombia. (Sec. 201) Prohibits U.S. counternarcotics assistance to the Government of Colombia if it negotiates or permits the establishment of any demilitarized zone in which the eradication of drug production by Colombian security forces (including the Colombian National Police antinarcotics unit) is prohibited. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for the establishment of a third drug interdiction site in Peru to support air bridge and riverine missions for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to the Congress on Peruvian counternarcotics air interdiction requirements. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for enhancement of drug-related eradication efforts in Bolivia. (Sec. 204) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for enhanced precursor chemical control projects. (Sec. 205) Expresses the sense of the Congress that any individual serving as an assistant secretary of any Federal agency or department who has primary responsibility for international narcotics control and law enforcement (including the principal deputy of any such assistant) shall have substantial professional qualifications in the fields of management and Federal law enforcement or intelligence. Declares that the Department of Defense (DOD) shall be the principle agency responsible for implementation and processing of counternarcotics foreign military sales requests (with the Department of State having a consultative role in such requests). Expresses the sense of the Congress that the responsiveness and effectiveness of Department of State international narcotics assistance activities have been hampered due, in part, to the lack of law enforcement expertise by responsible Department of State personnel. Title III: Enhanced Alternative Crop Development Support in Source Zone - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) for certain alternative crop development programs in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 to the Secretary of Agriculture to support the counternarcotics research efforts of the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. (Sec. 303) Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop, and report to the Congress on, a ten-year master plan for the use of mycoherbicides to control narcotic crops (including coca, poppy, and cannabis) in the United States and internationally. Title IV: Enhanced International Law Enforcement Training - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Justice for the establishment and operation of international law enforcement academies to carry out law enforcement training activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, Thailand, and South Africa. (Sec. 401) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of the Treasury for the joint establishment, operation, and maintenance in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of a center for training law enforcement personnel of countries located in Latin America and the Caribbean in matters relating to maritime law enforcement (including customs-related ports management matters). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of maritime training vessels. (Sec. 402) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Justice for: (1) substantial exchanges for Mexican judges, prosecutors, and police; and (2) enhanced support for the Brazilian Federal Police Training Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT for operation and maintenance for locating and operating Coast Guard assets so as to strengthen the capability of the Coast Guard of Panama to patrol the Atlantic and Pacific coasts for drug enforcement and interdiction activities. Makes members of the national police of Panama eligible to receive training through the International Military Education Training (IMET) program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of Justice for support for the Venezuelan Judicial Technical Police Counterdrug Intelligence Center. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DOT and the Department of the Treasury for the buildup of local coast guard and port control in: (1) Guayaquil and Esmeraldas, Ecuador; (2) Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and (3) Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (Central America). (Sec. 403) Authorizes the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to transfer or lease a specified amount of nonlethal equipment each year to foreign law enforcement organizations for the purpose of establishing and carrying out cooperative illicit narcotics control activities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all U.S. law enforcement personnel serving in Mexico should be accorded the same status as diplomatic and consular personnel serving at U.S. posts in Mexico; and (2) all Mexican narcotics law enforcement personnel serving in the United States should be accorded the same diplomatic and consular status as DEA personnel serving in Mexico. Title V: Enhanced Drug Transit and Source Zone Law Enforcement Operations and Equipment - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the DEA and the U.S. Customs Service of Department of the Treasury for enhancement of counternarcotics operations in drug transit and source countries. (Sec. 501) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 for the Department of State for the deployment of commercial unclassified intelligence and imaging data and a Passive Coherent Location System for counternarcotics and interdiction purposes in the Western Hemisphere. Directs the Secretary of Defense to examine and propose to specified congressional committees recommendations regarding any organizational changes to optimize counterdrug activities, including certain alternative cost-sharing arrangements. (Sec. 502) Authorizes appropriations for the development and purchase of computer software and hardware to facilitate direct communication between agencies that perform drug interdiction activities at U.S. borders, including the Customs Service, the Border Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the DEA, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). (Sec. 503) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Defense should revise DOD's Global Military Force Policy in order to: (1) treat DOD international drug interdiction and counter-drug activities as a military operation other than war (thus elevating its priority to just below that for war); and (2) allocate DOD assets to drug interdiction and counter-drug activities in accordance with such priority. Title VI: Relationship to Other Laws - Declares that funds authorized to be appropriated for any Federal department or agency for FY 1999 through 2001 are in addition to funds authorized to be appropriated for that department or agency for those fiscal years by any other provision of law. Title VII: Criminal Background Checks on Port Employees - Directs the Attorney General, upon request, to grant access to identification records to any State, county, port authority, or other local jurisdiction to allow it to conduct criminal background checks on employees, or applicants for employment, at any port under its jurisdiction. Title VIII: Drug Currency Forfeitures - Drug Currency Forfeitures Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to cite four alternative circumstances that create a rebuttable presumption that property is subject to forfeiture if the Government offers a reasonable basis to believe that there is a substantial connection between the property and a drug trafficking offense. Requires the property at issue to be currency in excess of $10,000 that, at the time of the seizure, was being transported through an airport, on a highway, or at a port-of-entry, and meeting one of several other criteria. Subjects to such presumption, also, any property: (1) acquired during a time period when the person who acquired it was engaged in a drug trafficking offense or within a reasonable time afterwards, and there is no other likely source for such property; (2) that was, or was intended to be, transported, transmitted, or transferred to or from a major drug-transit country, illicit drug producing country, or money laundering country; or (3) involved in a transaction including any person who has been convicted in any Federal, State, or foreign jurisdiction of a drug trafficking offense or a felony involving money laundering, or is a fugitive from prosecution for such an offense. Amends the Federal criminal code to create a rebuttable presumption that property involved in drug money laundering subject to civil forfeiture is the proceeds of an offense involving the felonious manufacture, importation, or other dealing in a controlled substance, thus constituting the proceeds of specified unlawful activity if any of the circumstances set forth in this title apply.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1998
Excludes from gross income for Federal income and gift tax purposes any portions of amounts paid to David R. Kaczynski of Schenectady, New York, and his wife, Linda E. Patrik, for information leading to the arrest of Theodore J. Kaczynski in the "Unabomber" case which are used to: (1) pay attorney's fees in connection with the "Unabomber case;" or (2) benefit "Unabomber" victims and their families or any irrevocable trust established for them.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1998
Public Buildings Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to direct the Administrator of General Services to consider the impact of the selection of a particular site on the cost and space efficiency of a project to construct, alter, or acquire a public building or to lease space. (Sec. 3) Requires the Administrator, not later than 15 days after the President submits the Federal budget to the Congress, to submit a triennial public buildings plan (Plan) that includes: (1) a five-year strategic management plan for capital assets under the control of the Administrator that provides for accommodating the office space and other public building needs of the Federal Government and that is based on procurement mechanisms that allow the Administrator to take advantage of fluctuations in market forces affecting building construction and availability; (2) prioritized lists of each construction or acquisition project, of each lease or lease renewal, and of each planned repair or alteration project requested for the first year of the Plan or expected to be requested for the second or third year; (3) an explanation of the basis for each order of priority specified; (4) the estimated annual and total cost of each project requested in the Plan; (5) a list of each public building planned to be wholly vacated, to be exchanged for other property, or to be disposed of during the period covered by the Plan; and (6) requests for authorizations of appropriations necessary to carry out the projects listed in the Plan for the first year. Requires the information regarding a project to be presented in the form of a prospectus with respect to a project for which the Administrator has requested an authorization of appropriations for the first year and in the form of a project description with respect to a project for which the Administrator expects to request an authorization of appropriations for the second or third year. Considers each reference to cost, price, or any other dollar amount contained in a project description to be a good faith estimate by the Administrator. Permits the Administrator to include a project that was not approved in a Plan in a subsequent plan. Prohibits the Administrator from obligating funds that are made available for any project for which approval is required unless the project was included in the Plan for the fiscal year and the prospectus for the project was submitted to the Congress. Specifies prospectus contents. Allows the Administrator to: (1) submit a written request for emergency authority to lease space or to construct, alter, purchase, or acquire a public building to specified congressional committees for approval if the authority cannot be obtained in a timely manner through the planning process; and (2) enter into an emergency lease of no more than five years if there is a presidentially declared disaster pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Requires the Administrator to: (1) notify specified congressional committees whenever the Administrator increases the estimated cost of a project by more than ten percent of its estimated maximum cost; and (2) develop standard cost benchmarks for projects for the construction of courthouses and other public buildings consisting solely of general office space. Provides that a report to specified congressional committees on a building project survey shall specify whether the project is included in a five-year strategic capital asset management plan or a prioritized list. Authorizes the Administrator to include a prospectus for the funding of a public building for which such a report is submitted in a triennial public buildings plan. (Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator to use the results of the continuing investigation and survey of the Government's public building needs under the Act to establish a central repository for the asset management information of the Federal Government. Calls on each Federal agency to identify real property that is or will become unneeded, obsolete, or underutilized during the five-year period beginning on the date of identification and annually report to the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to analyze and make recommendations to the Federal agency concerned regarding more cost-effective uses for the real property identified. (Sec. 5) Requires: (1) the head of each Federal agency to periodically review and report to the Administrator on the long-term housing needs of the agency; (2) the Administrator to consolidate the agency reports and submit a consolidated report to the Congress, assist each agency in carrying out such review, and prepare uniform standards for housing needs for executive agencies and establishments in the judicial branch; (3) Federal agencies, by the end of the third fiscal year that begins after the date of this Act's enactment, to collectively reduce by not less than ten percent the aggregate office and storage space used by the agencies; and (4) the Administrator to develop design guides and standards for Federal court accommodations. (Sec. 7) Makes it the duty of the Commission of Fine Arts, within 60 days after a conceptual design for a Federal courthouse is submitted, to provide advice on the design.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1998
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to prohibit the Secretary concerned from imposing liability without fault against any holder of a right-of-way on public lands granted, issued, or renewed for an electric energy generation, transmission, or distribution system, to recover fire suppression costs incurred by the United States in connection with such a right-of-way.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1998
Lisa De Land Financial Protection Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option to exempt certain disabled, mentally ill, or physically handicapped beneficiaries of trusts established under State law for the purpose of providing or supplementing the cost of the beneficiary's care and treatment, including the cost of medical assistance provided under the State Medicaid plan. Allows such an exemption, however, only if State law: (1) limits to 90 percent the value of the trust which may be conveyed to heirs after the beneficiary's death; and (2) requires donation of the remainder to a State-approved charitable trust.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Promoting Responsible Managed Care Subtitle A: Grievance and Appeals Subtitle B: Consumer Information Subtitle C: Patient Protection Standards Subtitle D: Enhanced Enforcement Authority Title II: Patient Protection Standards Under the Public Health Service Act Title III: Patient Protection Standards Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Title IV: Patient Protection Standards Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation Promoting Responsible Managed Care Act of 1998 - Title I: Promoting Responsible Managed Care - Subtitle A: Grievance and Appeals - Declares that a participant or beneficiary in a group health plan or an enrollee in health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer (covered individual) has rights relating to grievances, timely coverage determinations, expedited coverage determinations, and determination appeals. Requires that a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer in connection with health coverage, maintain procedures in accordance with those sections. (Sec. 102) Requires a plan or issuer to: (1) conduct utilization review; (2) provide procedures for timely hearings and resolution of grievances by covered individuals; (3) make timely coverage determinations and redeterminations, including expedited determinations and redeterminations in certain circumstances. Regulates review programs. (Sec. 106) Allows a party to a reconsideration that receives an unfavorable determination to request external review by an entity under contract with the plan. Subtitle B: Consumer Information - Requires plans and issuers to disclose specified information at certain times. Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for contracts with organizations that are independent of plans and issuers for Health Insurance Ombudsmen to provide consumer assistance. Authorizes Federal provision of such a contract where States do not do so. (Sec. 112) Requires: (1) plans and issuers to collect and submit to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research certain aggregate quality data; and (2) the Agency to publicly disseminate the information (thereby allowing quality comparisons) and to conduct and support research demonstration projects, evaluations, and the dissemination of information regarding quality information. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 113) Requires plans and issuers to have: (1) procedures to safeguard the privacy of individually identifiable health information; and (2) quality assurance and quality improvement programs meeting specified requirements. Subtitle C: Patient Protection Standards - Imposes plan or issuer requirements regarding emergency services and related maintenance or post-stabilization care. (Sec. 122) Provides for: (1) choice of primary (and, unless prior notice is given to the contrary, specialist) providers; (2) routine gynecological and pregnancy-related services from appropriate professionals without authorization; (3) referrals to specialists; (4) designation of a specialist as a primary provider in certain circumstances; (5) standing referrals; and (6) continuity of care on termination of a contract between a plan or issuer and a provider or between a plan and an issuer. Prohibits involuntary disenrollment because an individual's behavior is disruptive, abusive, or uncooperative if the behavior is directly related to diminished mental capacity, severe and persistent mental illness, or a serious childhood mental and emotional disorder, unless the behavior directly threatens bodily injury. Requires that plans and issuers have a sufficient number, distribution, and variety of providers. (Sec. 123) Prohibits plans and issuers, in certain circumstances, from denying participation in a relevant clinical trial or otherwise discriminating against the individual on the basis of the enrollee's trial participation. Imposes requirements on plans and issuers regarding drug formularies. (Sec. 124) Prohibits plans and issuers from discriminating on the basis of race and other specified factors. (Sec. 125) Prohibits an organization on behalf of a plan or issuer from penalizing a health professional for advocating on behalf of the professional's patient or for providing information or referral for medical care. Prohibits a plan or issuer: (1) from restricting a health professional from assisting enrollees who are appealing certain matters under subtitle A; (2) through its contract with its provider, from transferring to the provider any plan or issuer liability; or (3) from operating any physician incentive plan not meeting certain requirements. (Sec. 127) Requires plans and issuers to have a written process for the selection of participating professionals. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of a high-risk patient base or the professional's race or other specified factors. (Sec. 128) Sets forth plan and issuer requirements regarding breast cancer and related procedures, coverages, and practices. Subtitle D: Enhanced Enforcement Authority - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) enforce this Act; (2) require States that elect to assume enforcement authority to report on their efforts; (3) require issuers to report regarding compliance with this Act; and (4) bring a civil action for equitable relief regarding violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to: (1) enforce this Act; and (2) bring such an action. Sets dollar limits on monetary penalties. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 142) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to authorize the Secretary of Labor to assess a civil penalty against a person acting as a fiduciary of a plan so as to cause a violation of certain amendments made by title III of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Patient Protection Standards Under Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require plans (and, with regard to group and individual insurance, issuers) to comply with patient protection requirements under title I of this Act. Title III: Patient Protection Standards Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends ERISA to require plans and issuers to comply with the requirements of title I of this Act. Provides for situations in which a plan is not liable for the failure of an issuer's or external appeal entity's failure to meet those requirements. (Sec. 302) Makes any person or persons responsible for making a coverage determination that is not made timely or in accordance with plan terms liable to the participant or beneficiary for economic loss. Title IV: Patient Protection Standards Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a plan to comply with the requirements of this Act. Title V: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to provide for coordination between the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury regarding regulations, rulings, interpretations, and policies relating to specified provisions of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1998
Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (the Act) to replace titles I through VI of such Act with the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to cooperate with States and other entities to ensure that Federal economic development programs are compatible with and further the objectives of State, regional, and local economic development plans and comprehensive economic development strategies. Authorizes the Secretary to provide appropriate technical assistance to such entities in order to alleviate economic distress, encourage partnerships for economic development strategies, and promote investment in infrastructure and technological capacity to keep pace with the changing global economy. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for intergovernmental review of proposed economic development projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into economic development cooperation agreements with two or more adjoining States. Defines an "eligible recipient," for purposes of this Act, as: (1) an area with a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average or an unemployment rate at least one percent greater than the national average or one which has experienced or is about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems; (2) an economic development district; (3) an Indian tribe; (4) a State; (5) a political subdivision; (6) an institution of higher education; or (7) a nonprofit organization acting in cooperation with local officials. Sets forth provisions similar to existing provisions of law authorizing grants to eligible recipients for acquisition or development of public works and development facilities. Retains a limitation that prohibits more than 15 percent of the amounts made available for such assistance from being expended in any one State. Authorizes assistance for public works and economic development to be available for a project to be carried out on a military or Department of Energy installation that is closed or scheduled for closure or realignment without requiring an eligible recipient to have title to the property or a leasehold interest for any specified term. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law authorizing grants for economic planning. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for related administrative expenses as well. Provides a Federal cost-share limit of 50 percent of project costs. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary grants for a project for which the recipient is eligible but for which the recipient cannot provide the required non-Federal share. Provides supplementary grant conditions and requirements, authorizing the Secretary to reduce or waive the required non-Federal share in certain cases. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law that authorize technical assistance useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment. Authorizes grants for training and research for such purposes as well. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project so assisted if the project is not feasible without, and merits, such a reduction or waiver. Retains an existing provision of law regarding the prevention of unfair competition. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law which authorize grants for economic adjustment to alleviate long-term economic deterioration and sudden economic dislocation. Revises criteria for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) approve the use of grant funds for projects the scope or purpose for which has been modified after the grant has been made; and (2) use funds for projects constructed for less than the projected costs to improve such projects. Bars assistance for public works and economic development from being used for attorney's or consultants' fees incurred in connection with obtaining grants and contracts. Requires areas to have per capita incomes of 80 percent or less of the national average or unemployment rates at least one percent greater than the national average or to have experienced or be about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems in order to be eligible for grants for public works and economic development or economic adjustment. Requires from such applicants: (1) documentation of meeting such criteria; and (2) evidence of a comprehensive economic development strategy which identifies the economic problems to be addressed through such assistance, as well as related information. Revises conditions under which areas may be designated as economic development districts by the Secretary. Retains: (1) existing incentives for increasing grant assistance in districts where participants are actively participating in economic development activities and the project is consistent with the district's comprehensive economic development strategy; and (2) provisions authorizing assistance to parts of districts not in eligible areas. Directs the Secretary to carry out this Act through an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development who shall serve as the Administrator of the Economic Development Administration. Directs the Secretary to maintain an information clearinghouse on all matters relating to economic development and adjustment, disaster recovery, defense conversion, and trade adjustment programs and activities of Federal and State governments and to assist applicants for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish procurement divisions of the Federal Government with a list of business firms located in distressed areas that desire Federal contracts. Requires the Secretary to conduct reviews of university centers that receive grant assistance under this Act to assess their performance and contribution toward retention and creation of employment. Provides for penalty, administrative, and recordkeeping provisions similar to those under existing law. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense conversion activities and disaster economic recovery activities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding economic recovery for disaster areas, special economic development and adjustment assistance, and the job opportunities program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disregard certain Native American housing assistance in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for low-income housing credit purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
National Environmental Education Amendments Act of 1998 - Amends the National Environmental Education Act to require that curricula, materials, and training programs developed with support from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Environmental Education be balanced and scientifically sound. (Sec. 2) Requires that implementation of the Act be through EPA. Eliminates requirements for a Director of the Office and a minimum number of staff. Allows activities to be carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. (Sec. 3) Reduces from 25 percent to 15 percent the percentage of funds to be obligated for environmental education grants of not more than $5,000. Prohibits the use of grants for certain lobbying activities. Requires the EPA Science Advisory Board to review and approve any guidance by the EPA Administrator before it is issued to applicants for such grants. (Sec. 4) Repeals the authority for environmental internships and fellowships. (Sec. 5) Eliminates all environmental education awards provided for under such Act, except the President's Environmental Youth Awards. (Sec. 6) Revises requirements for membership on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council. Requires that membership on the Federal Task Force on Environmental Education be open to representatives of any Federal agency actively engaged in environmental education. (Under current law, membership must include specified agency representatives.) Repeals specific requirements for contents of Advisory Council reports. (Sec. 7) Changes the name of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation to the National Environmental Learning Foundation. Increases the size of the Foundation's Board of the Directors. Repeals the prohibition on the transmission of logos or other means of identification on materials donated to the Foundation for environmental education and training use. Allows acknowledgement of donors, but prohibits such acknowledgement from: (1) appearing in educational material to be presented to students; and (2) identifying a donor by means of a logo, letterhead, or other corporate commercial symbol, slogan, or product. (Sec. 8) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations to the EPA for such Act. Revises funding limitations. Limits to 25 percent the amount available for administrative costs. Directs the EPA Administrator to report on expenses annually to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
Declares that the Congress honors the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the U.S. Capitol Police for the selfless acts of heroism they displayed on July 24, 1998, in sacrificing their lives in the line of duty so that others might live. Provides that, when the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourn on this date, they shall do so out of respect for the memory of Officers Gibson and Chestnut.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
Authorizes the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a memorial service for Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the U.S. Capitol Police. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to place a plaque in honor of the memory of Officers Gibson and Chestnut at an appropriate site in the U.S. Capitol, with the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Directs the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives to make arrangements for funeral services for Officers Gibson and Chestnut, including payments for travel expenses of immediate family members, and for expenses incurred by Members of the House of Representatives in attending such services. Directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to pay survivor's gratuities to the widows of Officers Gibson and Chestnut. Expresses the sense of the Congress that there should be established under law a U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund for the surviving spouses and children of members of the U.S. Capitol Police who are slain in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that October 15, 1998, should be designated as National Inhalant Abuse Awareness Day, to be observed with appropriate activities. Requests the President to issue a proclamation designating such Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Expanding Coverage for Small Business Title II: Increasing Pension Access and Fairness for Women and Children Title III: Increasing Portability of Pension Plans Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement Title V: Encouraging Retirement Education Title VI: Reducing Red Tape Title VII: Plan Amendments Pension Coverage and Portability Act - Title I: Expanding Coverage for Small Business - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise requirements relating to pension plan loans for Subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors. (Sec. 102) Allows an employer to establish payroll deductions for contributions to employee individual retirement plans without incurring ERISA liability. (Sec. 103) Amends the IRC to allow an eligible employer to establish and maintain a SAFE annuity (an individual retirement annuity) or a SAFE trust (a trust forming part of a defined benefit plan), both to be funded by the employer. Makes the employer contributions deductible without limitation and otherwise provides for the treatment of contributions and distributions. Mandates a penalty for early withdrawals. Requires simplified employer reports for SAFE annuities and simplified actuarial reports for SAFE trusts. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to exempt SAFE trusts from coverage requirements and SAFE annuities from certain employer reporting requirements. (Sec. 104) Amends the IRC to modify definitions applicable to special rules for top-heavy plans. Requires consideration of employer matching contributions in determining whether a defined contribution plan meets minimum contribution requirements. (Sec. 105) Allows employers to elect salary reduction only arrangements under Code requirements for simple plans. (Sec. 106) Establishes a small employer pension plan credit. (Sec. 107) Increases (from $6,000 to $8,000) limits for deferrals to simple plans. (Sec. 108) Provides that qualified staffing firms are to be considered employers for purposes of: (1) specified employment taxes; and (2) providing employee benefits. Provides for coverage of leased employees in employment benefit plans by: (1) applying to leased employees certain requirements concerning cash or deferred arrangements, matching contributions, and employee contributions; and (2) setting forth special rules for the leasing organization's plan. Revises safe harbor plan requirements. (Sec. 109) Amends ERISA to provide for a phase-in of an additional premium for new plans to pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). (Sec. 110) Eliminates user fee requirements for requests to the IRS concerning the status of new pension plans. (Sec. 111) Declares the $150,000 compensation limit inapplicable to simple 401(k) arrangements. (Sec. 112) Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. (Sec. 113) Repeals specified coordination requirements under the Code for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Title II: Increasing Pension Awareness for Women and Children - Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Requires that certain contributions by church plans are not to be treated as exceeding a specified limit. (Sec. 202) Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under the Code and ERISA. (Sec. 203) Amends Federal civil service law to revise requirements for deferred annuities for surviving spouses of Federal employees under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CARS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). (Sec. 204) Revises requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. (Sec. 205) Amends the IRC and ERISA to provide for the spouse's right to know specified distribution information relating to survivor annuities. (Sec. 206) Revises minimum distribution rules under the Code. Revises provisions requirements for actuarial adjustment of benefit under a defined benefit plan. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) simplify and finalize the regulations relating to minimum distribution requirements; and (2) modify such regulations to reflect increases in life expectancy, and revise required distribution methods so that, under reasonable assumptions, the amount of the required minimum distribution does not decrease over a participant's life expectancy. Provides that, during the first year that such revised regulations are in effect, required distributions for future years may be redetermined, with the opportunity to choose a new designated beneficiary and to elect a new method of calculating life expectancy. Excludes specified amounts from minimum distribution requirements. Repeals a rule relating to distributions begun before death occurs. Title III: Increasing Portability of Pension Plans - Permits rollovers from and to various types of plans under the Code. (Sec. 302) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers only if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 303) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust under specified conditions. Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. (Sec. 304) Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. Repeals business sale requirements. (Sec. 305) States that a transferee defined contribution plan shall not be treated as having failed to meet certain requirements because it does not provide for some or all of the distribution forms available under a transferor defined contribution plan. (Sec. 306) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. (Sec. 307) Authorizes employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of employee cash-out amounts under the Code and ERISA. Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Amends the IRC and ERISA to revise the percentage of current liability funding limit. Revises maximum contribution deduction rules and applies them to all defined benefit plan under the Code. (Sec. 402) Amends ERISA to direct the PBGC to prescribe rules relating to missing participants for multiemployer plans covered by the PBGC that terminate. (Sec. 403) Amends ERISA to make discretionary the imposition and amount of civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility. Revises requirements for the applicable recovery amount and related rules. (Sec. 404) Prohibits plans from making loans to beneficiaries through any revolving credit arrangement. (Sec. 405) Amends the IRC to allow an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent that they exceed the full-funding limitation. Title V: Encouraging Retirement Education - Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Allows written or electronic statements. Requires multiemployer plans to furnish a statement (written or electronic) on request. (Sec. 502) Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to prepare a plan to: (1) increase awareness of retirement benefits; and (2) update small business owners concerning such benefits. (Sec. 503) Treats the provision of certain retirement and financial planning services by an employer to an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit. (Sec. 504) Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to develop a program under which Federal Government retirement education program strategies are made available to nongovernmental retirement plan sponsors. Title VI: Reducing Red Tape - Amends the IRC to provide intermediate sanctions for inadvertent failures. Provides for protection from disqualification upon timely correction or payment of fine under requirements for: (1) qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans; (2) qualified cash or deferred arrangements (section 401(k) plans); and (3) annuity contracts. Provides that, under requirements relating to taxability of the beneficiary of a nonexempt trust, income inclusion for disqualification is not applicable to nonhighly compensated employees. (Sec. 602) Amends the IRC and ERISA to revise requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. (Sec. 603) Amends ERISA rules for substantial owners relating to plan terminations to revise: (1) the phase-in of the guarantee; and (2) the allocation of assets. (Sec. 604) Amends IRC requirements for applicable dividends to allow dividends of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. (Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the regulations regarding the exclusion allowance to render void the requirement that contributions to a defined benefit pension plan be treated as previously excluded amounts. (Sec. 606) Directs the Secretary to provide by regulation that a plan shall be deemed to satisfy specified requirements of the Code if it satisfies a certain facts and circumstances test, under specified conditions. (Sec. 607) Grants the Secretary discretion in applying a specified coverage test to a plan. (Sec. 608) Directs the Secretary to delete a specified rule under regulations relating to the cash-out rule. under the Code. (Sec. 609) Makes inapplicable to certain mirror plans specified Code requirements relating to deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 610) Revises the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations under the Code to provide that the description of a participant's right, if any, to defer receipt of a distribution shall also describe the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 611) Sets forth conforming amendments relating to election to receive taxable cash compensation in lieu of nontaxable parking benefits. (Sec. 612) Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. (Sec. 613) Extends to international organizations the moratorium on application of certain nondiscrimination rules applicable to State and local plans. (Sec. 615) Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities under the Code. (Sec. 616) Repeals a multiple use test. Directs the Secretary prescribe regulations permitting appropriate aggregation of plans and contributions. Title VII: Plan Amendments - Prescribes requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments under the Code and ERISA.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
Home Health Access Preservation Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to the computation formula of the interim system of limited payments for services provided by home health agencies, in order to mandate a new interim system, as of October 1, 1998, with a revised formula and specific amounts for the agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation, according to the census division in which an agency is located. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) estimate the amount of savings (if any) to Medicare resulting from this Act for each fiscal year beginning after FY 1998 and before the first fiscal year in which the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health agencies applies; (2) prescribe rules for increased payments to such an agency, if there will be estimated savings; and (3) establish procedures to provide heightened scrutiny of claims for reimbursement under Medicare for items and services provided to certain agency beneficiaries. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for a three percent increase in per visit cost limits for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997. Directs the Secretary to meet every 90 days with appropriate congressional committee staff to provide informal updates of progress in implementing the PPS above.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1998
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Promotion Act of 1998 - Amends the Act commonly referred to as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act to: (1) make such title the legislated short title; and (2) allow the Secretary of the Interior, subject to approval of an annual marketing plan by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, to use from receipts from the sale of migratory bird hunting and conservation stamps an amount not to exceed $1 million for each FY from 1999 through 2003 for the promotion of additional stamp sales. Requires the Secretary to: (1) include in each report under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act a statement of all expenditures; and (2) provide a copy to the Commission and specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1998
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to extend through FY 2001 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Federal Council on the Aging; (2) administration; (3) grants for State and community programs on aging; (4) the availability of surplus commodities; (5) training, research, and discretionary projects and programs; (6) community service employment for older Americans; (7) grants for Native Americans; (8) allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection activities; and (9) the Native American program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1998
Agriculture Export Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to exempt Department of Agriculture assistance for the purchase or other provision of food or other agricultural commodities (including fertilizer, medicines, and medical equipment) from the prohibition against extensions of U.S. Government credit, credit guarantees, or other financial assistance to countries involved in the transfer or use of nuclear explosive devices. Declares that such assistance shall be available only to the extent that an official budget request that includes designation of such assistance as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) is transmitted by the President to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1998
National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to provide that any gift or bequest made for the benefit of a particular national wildlife refuge or complex of refuges shall be disbursed only for such refuge's or refuges' benefit. Authorizes Federal matching funds. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to conduct a volunteer coordinator pilot project in at least two refuges (but not more than 20 nationwide) in each United States Fish and Wildlife Service region. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce to provide volunteers in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with awards and recognition, including nominal cash awards. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Senior Volunteer Corps. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with community partnership organizations (private, corporate, academic, or State or local) to implement refuge related programs. Authorizes Federal matching funds. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to develop guidance for, and programs of, refuge education. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1998
Graduate Medical Education Technical Amendments of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to the ceiling on the total number of full-time equivalent interns and residences in allopathic and osteopathic medicine in either a hospital or nonhospital setting for purposes of indirect and direct graduate medical education (GME) payments. Repeals the current limitation on program residents to those in a hospital with respect to the hospital's most recent cost reporting period ending on or before December 31, 1996. Replaces such limitation with one based on the number of residents who were appointed by a hospital's approved medical residency training program for such reporting period. Waives the limitation for hospitals that sponsor only one allopathic or osteopathic residency program. Limits to programs established between January 1, 1995, and September 30, 1999, (currently, programs established on or after January 1, 1995) the mandate for special rules applying limitations on interns and residents in any kind of medical residence training program. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in promulgating such rules, to include in the special consideration for facilities meeting the needs of underserved rural areas any facility not located in an underserved rural area which has established a separately accredited rural training track.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit Title III: Other Provisions International Tax Simplification for American Competitiveness Act of 1998 - Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations which will eliminate multiple inclusion of any item in income if there is a redemption through the use of related corporations and either the acquiring or issuing corporation is a foreign corporation. (Sec. 102) Excludes from the definition of "foreign personal holding company income" income which is derived in the active conduct by a controlled foreign corporation of a banking, financing, or similar business, subject to stated conditions. (Sec. 103) Requires a study and a report on the feasibility of treating all countries in the European Union as one country under subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) of part III (Income From Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N (Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of chapter 1 (Normal Taxes and Surtaxes) of the IRC. Provides, with respect to subpart F, for: (1) expansion of the de minimis rule; (2) the determination of earnings and profits under generally accepted accounting rules; (3) the treatment of pipeline transportation income and income from the transmission of high voltage electricity; and (4) look-through treatment for certain sales of partnership interests. Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit - Extends the period to which excess foreign taxes may be carried. (Sec. 202) Defines overall domestic loss and sets forth provisions for determining taxable income for any taxpayer sustaining such a loss. (Sec. 203) Sets forth special rules relating to financial services income. (Sec. 204) Sets forth provisions, concerning the foreign tax credit and: (1) the treatment of dividends from certain corporations; (2) the look-through rules; (3) ordering rules for foreign tax credit carryovers; and (4) the repeal of the limitation of such credit under the alternative minimum tax. Title III: Other Provisions - Applies constructive ownership rules for purposes of determining certain post-1986 undistributed U.S. earnings. (Sec. 302) Applies capitalization rules to nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. (Sec. 303) Repeals the special rule for military property with respect to exempt foreign trade income. (Sec. 304) Revises the definition of U.S. property to exclude certain assets acquired by dealers in the ordinary course of business. (Sec. 305) Exempts from the taxes on nonresident aliens and foreign corporations certain regulated investment company dividends. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit, to exclude from the definition of the term "intangible property" any preliminary agreement which is not legally enforceable. (Sec. 307) Sets forth provisions concerning airline mileage awards to certain foreign persons. (Sec. 308) Repeals subpart G (Export Trade Corporations) of part III of subchapter N of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar and half-dollar coins emblematic of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Allocates surcharges from coin sales between the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service for activities associated with the bicentennial commemoration of the expedition.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1998 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard or if such material is an item of scrap paper containing, at the time of recycling, a concentration of a hazardous substance determined to present a significant human health or environmental risk.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Amends the Arms Export Control Act to exempt Department of Agriculture assistance for the purchase or other provision of food or other agricultural commodities from the prohibition against extensions of U.S. Government credit, credit guarantees, or other financial assistance to countries involved in the transfer or use of nuclear explosive devices.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Health Care Financing Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, on June 1, 1998, relating to surety bond requirements for home health agencies under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
Water Resources Development Act of 1998 - Authorizes projects for flood damage reduction, or flood damage reduction and recreation, in California, Louisiana, Minnesota and North Dakota, and Puerto Rico. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to undertake a program to perform studies and carry out projects to reduce flood hazards and restore natural functions and values of riverine ecosystems throughout the United States. Outlines cost-sharing requirements. Requires the Secretary to notify the appropriate congressional committees before carrying out a project. Requires independent program review. Provides a per-project limit of $75 million. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2004. (Sec. 5) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to provide the non-Federal share of the costs of periodic beach nourishment or shore protection projects. (Sec. 6) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1948 to increase to $7 million the maximum amount for small flood control projects. (Sec. 7) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1960 to state that a limitation on funding for the compilation and dissemination of information on floods and flood damage shall not apply to funds voluntarily contributed in order to expand the scope of such services. (Sec. 8) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to: (1) extend through FY 2000 the Everglades and South Florida ecosystem restoration program; and (2) allow non-profit entities to enter into agreements to pay non-Federal shares of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. (Sec. 10) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to allow non-profit entities to enter into agreements to pay non-Federal shares of the costs of projects for beneficial uses of dredged material. (Sec. 11) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with non-Federal and non-profit entities to facilitate collaborative efforts for environmental protection and restoration, natural resources, conservation, and recreation in connection with the development, operation, and management of water resources projects. (Sec. 12) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1936 to allow contributions by States and political subdivisions to be used for environmental restoration activities. (Sec. 13) Authorizes the Secretary during FY 1999 through 2002 to withhold a specified amount of recreation user fees for backlogged repair and maintenance projects, interpretation, signage, habitat or facility enhancement, resource preservation, annual operation, maintenance, and law enforcement related to public use at recreation sites. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary, within a year after enactment of this Act and every five years thereafter, to review the Shoreline Management Program administered by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) at Army projects to determine Program costs. (Sec. 15) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to permit studies undertaken by the Secretary concerning the Pacific region to include flood damage reduction and environmental restoration. (Sec. 16) Establishes the Water Resources Foundation, a nonprofit District of Columbia corporation, to: (1) encourage, accept, and administer gifts of money and property for Corps activities and services in managing natural resources at Army water resources development projects; and (2) undertake and conduct other activities to further the conservation and management of natural, scenic, historic, and recreational resources at such projects. Provides, with respect to the Foundation, for: (1) conflict of interest prohibitions; (2) tax-exempt status; (3) a Board of Directors; (4) corporate powers and obligations; and (5) an authorization of appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001. (Sec. 17) Directs the Secretary to establish and collect fees from applicants for the evaluation of commercial permit applications, the preparation of environmental impact statements in connection with such applications, and the delineation of wetlands for major developments affecting wetlands. Establishes in the Treasury the Army Civil Works Regulatory Program Account for the deposit and expenditure of such fees. (Sec. 18) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire from willing sellers land and property in the vicinity of Pierre, South Dakota, or to floodproof or relocate other property, in order to provide full operational capability for the Missouri River Main Stem dams that are part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program. Requires non- Federal interests to pay 35 percent of such costs. (Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary to finalize a report, together with recommendations, identifying a general implementation strategy and overall plan for environmental restoration and protection along the Lower Missouri River between Gavins Point Dam and the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. (Sec. 20) Authorizes the Secretary to permit the non-Federal sponsor for the project for flood control, Moorefield, West Virginia, to pay without interest the remaining non-Federal project cost over a period to be determined by the Secretary, but not to exceed 30 years.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Space Launch Cost Reduction Act of 1998 - Establishes a Commercial Space Launch Industry Loan Guarantee program to provide loan guarantees to support the private development of qualified commercial space launch vehicle initiatives. Requires such program to be carried out by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Prohibits the program from: (1) providing for loan guarantees pertaining to the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of space launch sites; or (2) removing, restricting, or replacing funding provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) to companies participating in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program. Makes companies receiving DOD funding for the development of such vehicles ineligible for loan guarantees for the same vehicles. (Sec. 103) Creates a Space Launch Vehicle Loan Guarantee Fund (Fund) to be used by the Administrator as a revolving fund to carry out this Act. Allocates a specified amount to the Fund. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee eligible obligations under this Act. Describes security interests required for the guarantee of obligations. Permits the Administrator to require an obligor to obtain private bond insurance with respect to the Government's risk of default by the obligor. Provides for: (1) a system of risk categories for obligations that categorizes the relative risk of guarantees with respect to specified risk factors; and (2) a subsidy rate for each of the categories equivalent to the cost of obligations in the category. Deems the estimated cost to the Government of a guarantee to be the amount of the guarantee multiplied by the subsidy rate. Authorizes the Administrator to accept on behalf of an applicant a commitment from a non-Federal source to fund credit risk premiums with respect to the loan that is the subject of an application. (Sec. 105) Permits the Administrator to guarantee payment of principal and interest on an obligation for the purpose of financing: (1) for construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of a space launch vehicle which is designed for commercial use; or (2) the purchase, reconstruction, or reconditioning of space launch vehicles for which obligations were guaranteed under this Act that, under default provisions, are vehicles for which obligations were accelerated and paid, acquired by the Fund, or sold at foreclosure instituted by the Administrator. Sets forth conditions on such obligations and restrictions on guarantees. Prescribes fees for guarantees and for investigation of guarantee applications. (Sec. 106) Sets forth procedures to be followed in cases of default. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Administrator, if the proceeds of an obligation guaranteed under this Act are to be used to finance the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of a space launch vehicle which will serve as security for the Administrator's guarantee, to hold a portion of such proceeds in escrow. Sets forth requirements for disbursements from, and investments of, the escrow fund.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act Amendments of 1998 - Amends the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (Act) to expand the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's authority to accept and administer private gifts within the Departments of Commerce and the Interior. (Sec. 3) Increases the Foundation's Board of Directors from 15 to 25 members, including the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Foundation to have its principal offices in Washington, D.C. (as currently provided), or in the bordering counties of Maryland and Virginia. Sets forth conditions for the Foundation to: (1) acquire and convey property, including agency approval; and (2) invest and deposit Federal funds. Amends the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 to repeal specified grant and audit provisions with respect to the Foundation. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and the Interior to carry out activities under the Act. Authorizes the Foundation to accept funds from a Federal agency under any other Federal law to further its conservation activities. Sets forth matching fund requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the European Union should take immediate steps to waive the penalty for failure to use restitution subsidies for barley exported to the United States and establish procedures to ensure that restitution and other subsidies are not used for sales of agricultural commodities to the United States or other North American countries; (2) the President, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and the Secretary of Agriculture should immediately consult with the European Union regarding the sale of European feed barley to the United States in order to avoid any future sale of such barley to the United States that is based on restitution or other subsidies; and (3) the USTR and the Secretary should report to the Congress on the terms and conditions of such sale, the results of the consultations, and the steps that are being taken or will be taken to address such situations in the future.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Farm and Ranch Risk Management Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals engaged in eligible farming businesses to deduct from gross income for any taxable year the amount (limited to 20 percent of the individual's taxable income for the year) paid into an interest-bearing Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Account, created for the taxpayer's exclusive benefit. Requires withdrawal of contributions within five years, upon which they are taxable as ordinary income in the year of withdrawal. Deems a distribution, subject to income tax, of any deposits not actually distributed within five years, and prescribes an additional penalty tax of ten percent of any such deemed distribution.
![Official portrait of Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000243_200.jpg)