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United States · Official source
2,484 records where Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Designates November 1999 as National American Indian Heritage Month.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Veterans Claims and Appeals Procedures Clarification and Improvement Act - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to: (1) emphasize that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must assist a veteran in developing all facts pertinent to a veterans' claim for compensation or benefits; (2) make the current veterans' claims adjudication and hearing procedures exclusive with respect to hearings, investigations, and other proceedings in connection with the consideration of a claim; (3) preclude the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims from entertaining any allegation of error by the Secretary in a decision which was not raised by the appellant or the Court; and (4) require such Court to set aside a previous finding of material fact not reasonably supported by a preponderance of the evidence (currently, when clearly erroneous).
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Climate Change Energy Policy Response Act - Title I: Energy Policy Coordination - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe procedural guidelines for the Secretary of Energy to coordinate all energy-related activities involving climate change. Title II: Advancement of Climate Change Science - Directs the Secretary to coordinate, prioritize, and evaluate federally funded research conducted under the aegis of Federal agencies that involves climate change science. Title III: Comprehensive Policy Review and Analysis - Instructs the Secretary to transmit to Congress and the President a critical analysis and assessment of energy-related policies for responding to potential global climate change. Title IV: Public Right to Know - Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish a detailed report on Federal spending for climate change; and (2) maintain a National Resource Center on Climate Change. Title V: Accelerated Development and Deployment of Response Technology - Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue an annual review and report on federally funded research and development activities regarding energy technology; and (2) establish an information clearinghouse to facilitate the transfer and dissemination of the results of such federally funded research. Directs the Comptroller General to identify and evaluate regulatory barriers to rapid deployment of technology domestically and internationally for greenhouse gas emission reductions, and recommend to Congress changes that would facilitate expedited technology deployment. Title VI: International Deployment of Energy Technology to Mitigate Climate Change - Sets guidelines under which the Secretary is directed to provide for a pilot program for financial assistance for qualifying international energy deployment projects. Title VII: Optimal Operating Efficiency of Transportation Systems - Amends Federal law governing surface transportation research to direct the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report on the efficacy of various regional approaches to reducing traffic congestion; and (2) fund an analytical report regarding highway design concepts to relieve urban area congestion without acquisition of additional rights-of-way. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Voluntary Initiatives - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary to: (1) revise guidelines governing the voluntary collection and reporting of information on sources of greenhouse gases to reflect the amendments made by this Act; and (2) create and implement a public awareness program regarding the benefits of certification of voluntary emission reductions. Affirms continuance of State action designed to mitigate the financial risks to persons who engage in voluntary steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Climate Change Tax Amendments of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to state that the June 30, 1999, date for termination of the business tax credit for qualified research activities shall not apply if such research: (1) has as one of its purposes the reducing or sequestering of greenhouse gases; and (2) has been reported to the Department of Energy pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Includes as part of the investment tax credit the reduced greenhouse gas emissions facilities credit and makes such credit the applicable percentage of qualified investment in a reduced greenhouse gas emissions facility for a taxable year. Allows such credit to be increased by the aggregate of each qualified progress (emissions facility expansion or construction) expenditure for a taxable year. Provides special rules for the recapture of such credit. Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Energy to jointly study and report to Congress on possible additional incentives for, and removal of barriers to, voluntary, non- recoupable expenditures for the reduction of such emissions. Expresses the sense of Congress that such incentives should be available for individuals, organizations, and entities, including both for- profit and nonprofit institutions. Directs the Secretaries to jointly study and report to Congress on possible additional measures that would provide nonprofit entities with economic incentives for such emission reductions comparable to those provided by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of Senator John H. Chafee.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1999
Food and Medicine for the World Act - Prohibits the President from imposing a unilateral agricultural sanction or unilateral medical sanction against a foreign country, except in specified circumstances, unless: (1) not less than 60 days before the sanction is proposed to be imposed, the President makes a specified report to Congress; and (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the report.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1999
Telecommunications Ownership Diversification Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide, at the election of a taxpayer, for the nonrecognition of gain on the sale of a telecommunications business if: (1) the business is sold to an eligible purchaser and the taxpayer purchases one or more telecommunications businesses within the "replacement period"; or (2) the taxpayer purchases, within such replacement period, one or more equity interests in an entity that is an eligible purchaser that either derives, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of its gross income from a telecommunications business or invests substantially all of the gross proceeds received from the taxpayer in the acquisition of a telecommunications business and the acquisition occurs within 180 days after the expiration of the taxpayer's replacement period. Sets forth related limitations, rules, and definitions, including the time for the assessment of a deficiency for taxpayers who made the election. Allows a limited credit for a taxpayer that at all times during that taxable year: (1) is a local exchange carrier; (2) is not a Bell operating company; and (3) is headquartered in an area designated as an empowerment zone. Sets forth additional telecommunications-related provisions concerning: (1) depreciation; (2) losses on stock in telecommunications corporations; (3) the 50-percent exclusion for gain from certain small business stock; and (4) deferral of certain capital gains. Requires biennial audits and reports by the Comptroller General relating to the IRC amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1999
Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to add provisions relating to State and local taxation on mobile telecommunications services (mobile services) and set forth exceptions. States that all charges for mobile services provided by the customer's home service provider (provider) are authorized to be subject to tax, charge, or fee by the taxing jurisdictions whose territorial limits encompass such customer's place of primary use, regardless of where the mobile services originate, pass through, or terminate. Prohibits any other taxing jurisdiction from imposing a tax, charge, or fee for such mobile services. Provides tax limitations. Authorizes a State to provide an electronic database to a provider, or allows a designated database provider to provide such database to a provider. Requires such database to designate the appropriate taxing jurisdiction identified by one nationwide standard numerical code. Outlines additional database requirements. Requires a State or database provider to provide notice of the availability of such database in that taxing jurisdiction. Holds a provider harmless if neither a State nor designated database provider provides such a database, as long as the provider employs an enhanced zip code to assign each street address to a specific taxing jurisdiction for each appropriate level of taxation and exercises due diligence to ensure that such information is correct. Outlines procedures to be undertaken by a provider when the enhanced zip code overlaps boundaries of taxing jurisdictions. Terminates the exclusion from liability of a provider acting in such manner on the later of: (1) 18 months after the nationwide standard numeric code has been approved; or (2) six months after that State or designated database provider provides the database for such use. Authorizes a taxing jurisdiction, or a State acting on behalf of any taxing jurisdiction within such State, to take appropriate action to correct erroneous data concerning a customer's place of primary use. Makes a provider responsible for obtaining and maintaining each customer's place of primary use for tax purposes. Allows the provider, for two years after the enactment of this Act with respect to existing service contracts, to treat the customer billing address as that customer's place of primary use. Excludes the Federal Communications Commission from jurisdiction over the interpretation, implementation, or enforcement of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Internet Freedom Protection Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to exclude certain Internet communications disseminated solely to communicate the political opinions of individuals from the definition of expenditure (and thus from coverage by such Act).
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1999
Designates the week beginning on November 21, 1999, and the week beginning on November 19, 2000, as National Family Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1999
Congratulates Henry "Hank" Aaron on his great achievements in baseball and recognizes him as one of the greatest professional baseball players of all times. Commends him for his commitment to young people, earning him a permanent place in both sports history and American society.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1999
Telecommunications Ownership Diversification Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide, at the election of a taxpayer, for the nonrecognition of gain on the sale of a telecommunications business if: (1) the business is sold to an eligible purchaser and the taxpayer purchases one or more telecommunications businesses within the "replacement period"; or (2) the taxpayer purchases, within such replacement period, one or more equity interests in an entity that is an eligible purchaser that either derives, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of its gross income from a telecommunications business or invests substantially all of the gross proceeds received from the taxpayer in the acquisition of a telecommunications business and the acquisition occurs within 180 days after the expiration of the taxpayer's replacement period. Sets forth related limitations, rules, and definitions, including the time for the assessment of a deficiency for taxpayers who made the election. Allows a limited credit for a taxpayer that at all times during that taxable year: (1) is a local exchange carrier; (2) is not a Bell operating company; and (3) is headquartered in an area designated as an empowerment zone. Sets forth additional telecommunications-related provisions concerning: (1) depreciation; (2) losses on stock in telecommunications corporations; (3) the 50-percent exclusion for gain from certain small business stock; and (4) deferral of certain capital gains. Requires biennial audits and reports by the Comptroller General relating to the IRC amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1999
Leif Ericson Millennium Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar silver coins, in conjunction with the simultaneous minting and issuance of commemorative coins by the Republic of Iceland, in commemoration of the millennium of the discovery of the New World by Leif Ericson. Mandates that all coin surcharges be paid to the Leifur Eirikson Foundation for the purpose of funding student exchanges between the United States and Iceland.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1999
Designates February 14-20 of the year 2000 as National Biotechnology Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1999
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother. Prescribes penalties. Defines a "partial birth abortion" as an abortion in which a person, deliberately and intentionally, partially vaginally delivers a living fetus before killing the fetus and completing the delivery. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1999
Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project Facilities Conveyance Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, upon acceptance by the appropriate parties of required Federal obligations, to convey the respective portions of the Yellowstone Irrigation Project, the Intake Irrigation Project, and the Savage Unit (irrigation project) of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program to the Intake Irrigation District (Montana), the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Districts No. 1 (Montana) and 2 (North Dakota), and the Savage Irrigation District (Montana). Directs the Secretary and the Western Area Power Administration to continue to provide Pick-Sloan power to each such District as long as the Districts and the Yellowstone Project continue to operate under Pick-Sloan. Requires each such conveyance within 180 days after enactment of this Act, with a two-year deadline if changes in operations are intended. Provides related requirements regarding environmental matters and recreation management.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to provide that if the United States initiates a retaliation list (list of products of a foreign country that has failed to comply with the report of the panel or Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO)), or the United States Trade Representative (USTR) takes specified trade action against the goods of a foreign country because of its failure to implement the recommendation made pursuant to a dispute settlement proceeding under the WTO, the USTR shall periodically revise the list or action to affect the other goods of the country. Declares that the USTR is not required to revise the retaliation list or the action with respect to a country, if: (1) the USTR determines that implementation of the recommendation by the country is imminent; or (2) the USTR together with the petitioner involved in the initial unfair trade investigation (or if no petition was filed, the affected U.S. industry) agree that it is unnecessary to revise the retaliation list.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments (timber related funds plus other Treasury funds as necessary to meet specified payment levels) to: (1) States from Forest Service lands for affected counties to use for public education and transportation; and (2) counties from Bureau of Land Management lands for public safety, law enforcement, education, and other public purposes. Obligates funds from such payments for eligible States and counties for resource management and Federal land restoration. Sets forth eligibility provisions. Requires the establishment of an Investment Project Advisory Committee for each National Forest and Bureau of Land Management district managing Federal lands. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
American Hospital Preservation Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reduce for FY 2000 through 2002 the market basket percentage based update factor used for purposes of determining payment for prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals for inpatient hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1999
Risk Management for the 21st Century Act - Title I: Crop Insurance Coverage - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to provide that the Commodity Credit Corporation, with respect to prevented planting crop insurance, shall: (1) provide equal coverage levels for all covered commodities; (2) require area-wide conditions for payment; and (3) permit (noninsurable) substitute plantings. (Sec. 102) Directs the Corporation to develop alternative rates and methodologies for rating insurance plans, which shall take into account nonparticipating producers and producers participating only in catastrophic risk protection. Grants priority to commodities with the largest acreage and the lowest percentage of participating producers. (Sec. 103) Directs the Corporation to offer optional quality adjustment policies. (Sec. 104) Directs the Office of Risk Management to rewrite catastrophic risk protection rates. (Sec. 105) Revises payment price levels (expected market price) for each insured commodity. Provides for mandatory and discretionary partial premium payments by the Corporation. (Sec. 106) Directs the Corporation to provide premium discounts for qualifying risk-reducing production practices. (Sec. 107) Directs the Corporation to assign yields with respect to: (1) farmers who have not farmed the insured crop for more than two years; (2) new land; and (3) new crops. (Sec. 108) Defines "producer that has suffered a multiyear disaster." Permits such a producer to eliminate certain years from actual production history calculation. Requires the Corporation in such circumstances to pay specified premium portions. Terminates such exclusion authority when insurance is available to cover multiple crop year disaster losses. (Sec. 109) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act with respect to the noninsured crop disaster assistance program to: (1) authorize combining of crop types or varieties into a single eligible crop; (2) require producers to report annually; (3) eliminate area loss requirements; (4) set forth new eligible crop provisions; and (5) establish a service fee for each eligible crop, to be used for program administrative and operating costs. Title II: Pilot Programs - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to provide that: (1) the Specialty Crops Coordinator shall administer the gross revenue pilot programs for specialty crops; and (2) such programs shall be expanded to additional counties in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and other States as the Coordinator determines. (Sec. 202) Directs the Corporation to carry out a low-risk producer pilot program. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a revenue insurance pilot program for hog and cattle producers in specified Iowa counties. Obligates funds for such program. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program for coverage of specialty crops and uninsured commodities and livestock through whole farm revenue insurance. (Sec. 205) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to include hog and cattle producers in the options pilot program. (Sec. 206) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to obligate funds for pilot programs (other than the revenue insurance pilot program for hog and cattle producers ). Title III: Administration - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to revise the membership of the Corporation's Board of Directors. (Sec. 302) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to place the Office of Risk Management under the Board. Authorizes the Office of Risk Management to enter into private and public entity partnerships to increase availability of risk management tools for specialty crop producers. Obligates funds for such activities. (Sec. 303) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Secretary to establish an Office of Private Sector Partnership to provide specified Board-private sector liaison functions. Obligates funding for such activities. (Sec. 304) Increases monetary penalties for intentionally providing false insurance information. Authorizes disbarment from Department of Agriculture programs for such violations. (Sec. 306) Directs the Corporation to establish a crop insurance compliance monitoring program. (Sec. 307) Authorizes the Coordinator to make grants and enter into contracts for research and development activities for new or revised insurance policies for specialty crops. Directs the Corporation and the Coordinator to conduct a study of new insurance policies for specialty crops. (Sec. 308) Directs the Board to review insurance plans for adequacy of coverage, and recommend that the Office of Risk Management develop plans for inadequately covered commodities. (Sec. 309) Prohibits purchasing insurance for more than one crop per year on the same acreage unless the producer or the acreage has a previous history of double-cropping. (Sec. 310) Provides for State consultation concerning such policies of insurance offered in the State. (Sec. 311) Authorizes specified insurance plan fees. (Sec. 312) Requires reinsurance agreements to provide for risk sharing between the Corporation and the reinsured company. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to define "program crop" and "specialty crop."
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1999 - Title I: Amendment to Title I of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to add certain definitions. Title II: Amendments to Title II of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Revises the duties of the Administration on Aging. Provides for a set of performance outcome measures to be used for planning, managing, and evaluating activities performed and services provided under the Act. Reauthorizes appropriations for the Administration on Aging. Title III: Amendments to Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Authorizes appropriations indefinitely for making grants relating to: (1) supportive services, (2) senior centers; (3) congregate nutrition services, (4) home delivered nutrition services; (5) in-home services; and (6) special needs. Authorizes appropriations for a nutrition services incentive program. Authorizes a State to require or permit cost sharing by recipients for all direct services, with specified exceptions, provided for in the Act. Expands the list of supportive services for which grants to States are provided. Establishes grant programs for support services for family caregivers, education and training related to programs for older individuals, and pension counseling projects. Title IV: Amendments to Title IV of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Repeals provisions regarding training, research, and discretionary projects Title V: Amendments to Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish projects to place community service employment program participants in unsubsidized employment in both the public and private sectors. Reauthorizes the community service employment for older Americans program. Title VI: Amendments to Title VI of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Makes the authorization of appropriations for title VI of the Act indefinite, with exceptions. Establishes programs for grants to carry out vulnerable elder rights protection activities and for a Native American caregiver support program. Title VII: Amendments to Title VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Revises provisions regarding the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Title VIII: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
United States Cruise Ship Tourism Development Act of 1999 - Title I: Operations Under Permit - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue a permit for an eligible cruise vessel to operate in the transportation of passengers in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States. Terminates permit-issuance authority after three years. Sets forth itinerary operating requirements. Prohibits permitted cruise vessels operating in domestic itineraries from operating as ferries, carrying for hire both passengers and cargo, and operating between or among the islands of Hawaii. Provides for approving limited employment of foreign flag vessels. Requires the establishment of a priority system for cruise vessels, first priority being given to U.S.-built or rebuilt vessels. Prohibits eligible cruise vessels from operating in a domestic itinerary unless a proposed itinerary has been submitted. Title II: Post-Permit Operations of Eligible Cruise Vessels - Sets forth the requirements to be met following the expiration of a permit issued under this Act for an eligible cruise vessel not documented under the laws of the United States. Title III: Other Provisions - Amends provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 relating to risk factors. Makes special provision for vessels carrying passengers for hire into Glacier Bay or other National Park Service areas.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Medicare Beneficiary Access to Quality Nursing Home Care Act of 1999 - Modifies the case-mix categories for the formula for determination of the payment to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), under the prospective payment system (PPS), for routine service costs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase the adjusted Federal per diem rate otherwise determined for services provided to any individual during the period in which such individual is in a Nursing Home Case-Mix and Quality Demonstration resource utilization group (RUGS III) category of care, by the applicable payment add-on (updated for FY 2001 by the applicable SNF market basket percentage change), according to a specified table of such categories (especially for high-acuity and medically complex patients). Limits the application of this Act to services provided on or after October 1, 1999, and before the earlier of October 1, 2001, or the date on which the Secretary implements a case-mix methodology that takes into account adjustments for the provision of non-therapy ancillary services and supplies such as drugs and respiratory therapy. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the formula for facility specific per diem rates with respect to the market basket update (inflation adjuster) to repeal the mandatory annualized one percent reduction in basket amount.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations to establish a class A license for qualifying low-power television (LPT) stations. Requires notification of LPT licensees of the requirements for class A designation. Requires requesting licensees to submit to the FCC a certification of eligibility based on the requirements of this Act. Requires the FCC to: (1) grant such certification absent a material deficiency; and (2) act to preserve the contours of LPT stations pending final resolution of such applications. Allows an LPT station to submit an application for class A designation only within 30 days after final regulations are adopted. Defines as a qualifying LPT station one which, during the 90 days preceding the date of enactment of this Act: (1) broadcast for at least 18 hours per day; (2) broadcast an average of at least three hours per week of programming that was produced within the market area served by such station or the market area served by a group of commonly controlled stations that carry common local or specialized programming not otherwise available to their communities; and (3) complied with other requirements applicable to LPT stations and, after the date of its license application, complies with the FCC's operating rules for full power television stations. Allows the FCC to treat non-qualifying stations as LPT stations under this Act if public interest, convenience, and necessity would be so served. Provides that: (1) the FCC is not required to issue any additional licenses for advanced television services to the licensees of class A television stations; and (2) the FCC shall approve such license applications proposing facilities that will not cause interference to any other broadcast facility authorized on the date of the filing of the class A advanced television application. States that nothing in this Act shall preempt Federal provisions concerning the allocation and assignment of new public safety services licenses and commercial licenses. Prohibits the FCC from granting a class A license to an LPT station operating between 698 and 806 megahertz, but requires the FCC to provide to LPT stations assigned to and temporarily operating within such bandwidth the opportunity to meet the licensing requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Designates the week beginning September 19, 1999, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1999
Wildland Firefighters Pay Equity Act of 1999 - Amends Federal Civil Service provisions regarding the computation of overtime pay to provide that: (1) the overtime hourly rate of pay for U.S. Forest Service employees in the Departments of Agriculture and Interior engaged in emergency wildland fire suppression is an amount equal to one and one-half times the hourly rate of such employees' basic pay, whether such pay falls below, equals, or exceeds the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10; and (2) all that amount is premium pay.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1999
Electronic Commerce Extension Establishment Act of 1999 - Amends the National Bureau of Standards Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to provide assistance for the creation and support of Regional Centers for the Transfer of Electronic Commerce Technology (Centers). Requires the Centers to be affiliated with any U.S.-based nonprofit institution or organization that applies for and is awarded financial assistance under this Act. Outlines objectives of the Centers, including aiding small businesses, especially those located in rural areas, in identifying and adopting electronic commerce technologies and business practices. Defines "electronic commerce" as the ability to buy, sell, and deliver goods and services through computer networks. Requires such Centers to: (1) establish electronic commerce demonstration systems for technology transfer; and (2) transfer and disseminate research findings and Center expertise to companies and enterprises, particularly small businesses. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial support to a Center for such activities and objectives. Outlines application requirements for such assistance. Requires Centers receiving assistance to be evaluated during the third year of operation by a panel of private experts. Requires a positive finding from such panel before a Center may receive such assistance for its fourth through sixth years. Requires independent review of a Center every two years after the sixth year, to be conducted under procedures established by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology. Provides Center funding limitations. Requires the Secretary to publish a proposal for the assistance program provided under this Act, as well as a final program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1999
United States Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative Coin Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue ten-dollar bimetallic coins, one-dollar silver coins, half-dollar clad coins, and if the Secretary determines that the minting and issuance of bimetallic coins is not feasible, five-dollar gold coins emblematic of the first meeting of the United States Congress in the U.S. Capitol Building. Mandates that all surcharges received from the coin sales be deposited in the Capitol Preservation Fund and made available to the U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission to aid in the construction, maintenance, and preservation of a Capitol Visitor Center.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1999
Regulatory Openness and Fairness Act of 1999 - Title I: Issuance and Continuation of Tolerances - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to apply the requirements of this paragraph to any proposed or final rule, order, notice, report, guidance document, or risk assessment (document) based on any review or reassessment by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of a tolerance or of the uses of a pesticide chemical for which a tolerance is in effect (except when the Administrator finds or recommends that no adverse action regarding a tolerance is required) issued after 1998 and before the completion of the review of tolerances mandated by current law. Requires the Administrator to conduct a transition analysis before any such document is issued and to include with the document a report (with specified contents) on the analysis. Defines "tolerance," for this paragraph and the next paragraph, to mean a tolerance for a pesticide chemical residue, or an exemption from the requirement of such a tolerance, established under specified FDCA provisions. (Sec. 102) Applies this paragraph to any review or reassessment by the Administrator of a tolerance (initiated by the Administrator or by petition) or of any registration of a pesticide chemical under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) associated with that tolerance review issued after 1998 and before the completion of the review of tolerances mandated by current law. Prohibits the Administrator, notwithstanding any other provision of law, from basing an adverse action regarding a tolerance or registration on any information, calculation, or assumption described under specified provisions of this Act. (Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator, in implementing provisions regarding pesticide chemical residue tolerances (as amended by this Act), to issue rules and guidance, including guidance regarding aggregate pesticide chemical exposure and cumulative effects of exposure to two or more chemicals having a common toxicity mechanism. (Sec. 104) Directs the Administrator to issue guidelines specifying the kinds of information that will be required to support the issuance or continuation of a tolerance or a tolerance exemption. Requires the guidelines to specify the conditions under which data requirements will apply to particular types of pesticide chemical residues. Amends the FDCA and FIFRA to mandate notice and an opportunity to comment. (Sec. 105) Amends FIFRA to require the Administrator to expedite the review of a pesticide registration or amended registration, an experimental use permit, or an emergency exemption in specified circumstances. Amends the FDCA to require the Administrator to give priority to petitions to establish or modify a tolerance or exemption that is needed in connection with an application under specified FIFRA provisions for approval of an effective and economic alternative. Authorizes establishment of a tolerance associated with an emergency exemption without regard to other tolerances and before reviewing those other tolerances if the Administrator finds that any incremental exposure that may result will not pose any significant risk to food consumers. Title II: Studies and Reports - Defines "tolerance," for this title, to mean a tolerance for a pesticide chemical residue, or an exemption from the requirement of such a tolerance, established under specified FDCA provisions. (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator to prepare a proposal for revising the priorities of and resources available to the Administrator that will allow the Administrator to: (1) process promptly all FIFRA pesticide registration applications, FDCA tolerance petitions, experimental use permits requests, new inert ingredient approval requests, emergency exemption requests, and requests for decisions on the merits of those applications, petitions, and requests; and (2) perform tolerance reviews and other duties regarding pesticide chemicals under the FDCA and FIFRA. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare a proposal for revising the priorities of and resources available to the Secretary that will allow the Secretary to: (1) obtain and provide to the Administrator adequate and timely information on food consumption, pesticide residues in or on food and drinking water, and pesticide use; (2) review actions proposed by the Administrator under the FDCA and FIFRA; and (3) perform other duties regarding pesticide regulation. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary to report to Congress on those proposals. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to establish and administer a program to continuously assess the strength of major U.S. agricultural commodities and products in the international marketplace, including regarding the sustainability and competitive strength of each commodity and product in that marketplace and the relationship of those factors to regulatory actions under the FDCA and FIFRA. Mandates periodic reports to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 204) Establishes the Pesticide Advisory Committee to: (1) provide advice to the Administrator and the Secretary regarding implementation of specified FDCA and FIFRA provisions; (2) foster communication between the Administrator, the Secretary, and interested organizations; and (3) carry out the functions performed by the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee. Makes inapplicable to the Pesticide Advisory Committee provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act mandating the termination of any advisory committee two years after the committee is established.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1999
Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council. Revises related fee provisions to: (1) apply such fees to manufactured home manufacturers (currently fees apply to manufacturers, distributors, and dealers); and (2) establish in the Treasury the Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the 60-month limit on student loan interest deductions; and (2) increase the student loan interest deduction income limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1999
Amends Federal law to require the President to issue each year a proclamation designating May as National Military Appreciation Month.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that the 30th Anniversary of the first lunar landing should be a day of celebration and reflection on the Apollo-11 mission to the moon and the accomplishments of the Apollo program throughout the 1960's and 1970's.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that the 30th Anniversary of the first lunar landing should be a day of celebration and reflection on the Apollo-11 mission to the moon and the accomplishments of the Apollo program throughout the 1960's and 1970's.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1999
Calls upon the Senate, when it adjourns on July 19, 1999, to do so as a further mark of respect for the grieving families of John F. Kennedy, Jr., Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and Lauren Bessette.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1999
Improved Consumer Access to Travel Information Act - Establishes the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry. Sets forth the Commission's duties, including to: (1) study consumer access to airline industry information on products and services, the effect on consumers of the declining financial condition of travel agents in the United States, and the impediments imposed by the airline industry on distributors of the industry's products and services, including travel agents and Internet-based distributors; and (2) recommend, based on the study results, to the President and Congress policies necessary to ensure full consumer access to complete information concerning airline fares, routes, and other services, that the means of distributing the products and services of the airline industry (including information on such items) is adequate to ensure that competitive information is available in the marketplace, and that distributors of such products and services have adequate relief from illegal, anticompetitive practices that occur in the marketplace. Requires the Commission to report to the President and Congress on the Commission's activities, including any recommendations made by it.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Main Street Business Incentive Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to accelerate, from taxable years beginning in 2003 to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998, the $25,000 maximum dollar limitation applicable to the expensing of certain depreciable assets under section 179 of the IRC. Expands the definition of section 179 property (while maintaining the exclusion for air conditioning and heating units) to include any tangible property used in a trade or business.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Father Theodore M. Hesburgh Congressional Gold Medal Act - Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Father Theodore M. Hesburgh in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to civil rights, higher education, the Catholic Church, the Nation, and the global community. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1999
Single Point Tax Filing Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise a provision providing for the disclosure of tax return information for purposes of a demonstration project. Permits, under the revised provision, the disclosure of taxpayer identity information and signatures to any agency, body, or commission of any State for the purpose of carrying out a combined Federal and State employment tax reporting program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1999
Safety Net Preservation Act of 1999 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish a new prospective payment system for federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1999
Health Care Access and Equity Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow for the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of individuals not covered by an employer-subsidized plan; (2) expand the availability of medical savings accounts; (3) permit the carryover of unused benefits from cafeteria plans, flexible spending arrangements, and health flexible spending accounts; and (4) permit contributions towards a Medical Savings Account through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1999
Pain Relief Promotion Act of 1999 - Title I: Use of Controlled Substances Consistent With the Controlled Substances Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide that for purposes of such Act, alleviating pain or discomfort in the usual course of professional practice is a legitimate medical purpose for the dispensing, distributing, or administering of a controlled substance consistent with public health and safety even if the use of such a substance may increase the risk of death. Declares that nothing in this Act authorizes intentionally dispensing or administering a controlled substance for purposes of causing death or assisting another person in causing death. Prohibits the Attorney General, in determining whether a controlled substance manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser registration is consistent with the public interest under the Act, from giving force and effect to State law permitting assisted suicide or euthanasia. Authorizes certain educational and research programs carried out by the Attorney General under the Act to include educational and training programs for local, State, and Federal personnel on the necessary and legitimate use of controlled substances in pain management and palliative care and means by which investigation and enforcement actions by law enforcement personnel may accommodate such use. Title II: Promoting Palliative Care - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to carry out a program to: (1) develop and advance scientific understanding of palliative care; and (2) collect and disseminate protocols and evidence-based practices regarding such care, with priority given to pain management for terminally ill patients, and make such information publicly available. Defines "palliative care" as the active total care of patients whose prognosis is limited due to progressive, far-advanced disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to health professions schools, hospices, and other entities for programs to provide education and training to health care professionals in palliative care. Sets forth requirements for grant applicants. Provides for the evaluation of such programs to determine their effect on knowledge and practice regarding palliative care. Makes funds available for such grants and contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1999
Hospital Outpatient Preservation Act of 1999 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) to limit temporarily the reductions in Federal payments under the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Provides for the retroactive effectiveness of this Act as if included in B.B.A. '97.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1999
S. 01265 (rd) DGST MRL H.R. 01402 DGST MRL Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement the Class I milk price structure known as Option A as part of the final rule to consolidate Federal milk marketing orders.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1999
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make the visa waiver pilot program permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1999
Spaceport Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide the same treatment for spaceports as is provided for airports under the exempt facility bond rules.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1999
Family Friendly Workplace Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for: (1) time-and-a-half compensatory time off; and (2) biweekly work programs (allowing more than 40 hours of work in one week and correspondingly less in the other). (Thus provides private sector employees opportunities under such programs similar to those enjoyed by Federal employees). Requires, with respect to such compensatory time and biweekly work programs, that employee participation be voluntary, and that collective bargaining agreements be honored. Sets forth: (1) procedures for employer discontinuance of, or employee withdrawal from, certain of such programs; and (2) prohibitions against coercion. Amends the exemption from minimum wage and maximum hour requirements for certain executive, administrative, and professional employees and outside salesmen. Prohibits from consideration in determining whether an employee is exempt: (1) the fact that the employee is subject to deductions in compensation for absences from employment of less than a full workday or less than a full workweek; or (2) the payment of overtime compensation or other additions to the compensation of an employee employed on a salary based on hours worked. Allows consideration, in such a determination, of an actual reduction in compensation, with a specified exception. Amends the Federal bankruptcy code to grant third priority (allowed unsecured claims for wages, salaries, or commissions) in bankruptcy proceedings to claims relating to compensatory time off.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to allow a State, on the request of an agricultural producer or on the State's initiative, to register a foreign pesticide for distribution and use in the State if registration is consistent with such Act and is approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Considers such registrations, on approval by the Administrator, as registrations under the Act. Bars the transport of such pesticides to, or use by, a person in another State unless the distribution and use is consistent with the registration by the original State. Sets forth requirements for foreign pesticide registration by a State and approval by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator, in carrying out this Act, to take into account the priority of harmonizing the registrations of foreign and comparable domestic pesticides in accordance with applicable agreements and treaties. Sets forth labeling requirements for foreign registered pesticides. Requires persons seeking to distribute such pesticides to provide to the State a report that: (1) identifies the person that will receive and use the pesticide in the State; and (2) states the quantity of the pesticide that will be transported into the State. Directs States registering foreign pesticides to prepare annual reports that identify such pesticides and the users of such pesticides and state the quantity of such pesticides used. Requires States, if the Administrator determines it necessary to terminate the distribution or use of a foreign pesticide, to recall the pesticide on the Administrator's request. Authorizes the Administrator to suspend the authority of a State to register foreign pesticides if a State is found incapable of exercising adequate controls to ensure that registration is consistent with the Act. Provides States with an opportunity to respond before suspension. Makes Federal patent law inapplicable to a foreign pesticide registered by a State that is transported into the United States or to any person that takes an action with respect to such pesticide in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1999
Rural Education Initiative Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish Rural Education Initiative (REI) programs under subpart 2 of part J (Urban and Rural Education Assistance) of title X (Programs of National Significance). (Replaces current subpart 2 provisions for demonstration grants for rural education, but retains provisions for higher education grants partnerships for rural education.) (Sec. 1) Makes a local educational agency (LEA) eligible for REI alternative use formula grants and competitive grants if: (1) the total number of students in average daily attendance at all of the schools served by the LEA is less than 600; and (2) all of the schools served by the LEA are located in a community with a Rural-Urban Continuum Code of 6, 7, 8, or 9, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Provides, under the alternative use formula grant program, that an eligible LEA may use applicable funding that it is eligible to receive from the State educational agency (SEA) for a fiscal year to support local or statewide education reform efforts intended to improve the achievement of elementary school and secondary school students and the quality of instruction provided for the students. Defines applicable funding as that received under: (1) specified provisions of the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 1999; (2) ESEA title II (Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program); (3) ESEA title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities); and (4) ESEA title VI (Innovative Education Program Strategies). Requires each SEA receiving applicable funding to disburse it to LEAs for alternative uses at the same times it disburses it to LEAs that do not intend to use it for alternative uses for that fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible LEAs to support local or statewide education reform efforts intended to improve the achievement of elementary school and secondary school students and the quality of instruction provided for the students. Sets forth formulas for determining the amounts of such grants, based on numbers of children in average daily attendance at schools served by the LEAs, minus amounts received under applicable funding. Makes LEAs that receive such competitive grants ineligible for funds under specified ESEA programs. Sets forth accountability provisions. Requires LEAs that receive REI alternative use formula grants or competitive grants to administer tests to assess the academic achievement of students in their schools. Requires each SEA that receives applicable funding to: (1) determine, after the fifth year of an LEA's participation in either REI grant program, whether the LEA's students are performing better on such tests than after the first year of participation; (2) only permit LEAs that perform better to continue to participate for an additional five years; and (3) prohibit LEAs that do not perform better from participating for five years from the date of determination. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004 for the following ESEA title X part J programs: (1) the REI program established by this Act; (2) higher education grants partnerships for rural education; and (3) Urban Education Demonstration Grants.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue to the Landusky School District, without consideration, a patent for the surface and mineral estates of certain lots in Montana. Provides that the Secretary, in carrying out this Act, shall not be required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Historic Preservation Act of the State of Montana, and any executive order pertaining to flood plains or wetlands.