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Official portrait of Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]

Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]

United States · Official source

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2,484 records where Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SS. 1205 (106th)open

Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2000

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999

Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2000 - Appropriates funds for FY 2000 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (2) military construction, DOD (including a transfer of funds); (3) military construction for the Army and Air National Guards; (4) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (6) family housing for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force; (7) family housing, DOD; (8) the Family Housing Revitalization Transfer Fund (including a transfer of funds); (9) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; and (10) the Base Realignment and Closure Account, Part IV. (Sec. 101) Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. (Sec. 118) Authorizes the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. (Sec. 123) Authorizes the transfer of DOD funds for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966. (Sec. 125) Reduces, with specified exceptions, each amount of budget authority provided in this Act for FY 2000 by five percent. (Sec. 126) Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional defense committees examining the adequacy of special education facilities and services available to the dependent children of military personnel stationed in the United States. (Sec. 127) Earmarks funds appropriated under the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program.

Bill· SS. 1207 (106th)referred

Farmer Tax Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999

Farmer Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that income averaging for farmers shall not increase alternative minimum tax liability.

Bill· SS. 1199 (106th)referred

A bill to require the Secretary of State to report on United States citizens injured or killed by certain terrorist groups.

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999

Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) formal commitments the Palestinian Authority has made to combat terrorism; (2) terrorist attacks that have occurred, between October 1, 1992, and the date of the report, against Israeli or U.S. citizens in Israel, in territory administered by Israel, or in territory administered by the Palestinian Authority; and (3) certain information on the suspects who have been implicated in such attacks and detained by Palestinian or Israeli authorities.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 115 (106th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding United States citizens killed in terrorist attacks in Israel.

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1999

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it is the duty of the United States and every Administration to bring to justice those suspected of murdering U.S. citizens in acts of terrorism; (2) the Palestinian Authority has not taken adequate steps to undermine and eradicate terrorism and has not cooperated fully in detaining and prosecuting suspects implicated in the murder of U.S. citizens; (3) Yasser Arafat and senior Palestinian leadership continue to create an environment conducive to terrorism by releasing terrorist suspects and inciting violence against Israel and the United States; and (4) U.S. assistance to the Authority should be conditioned on full cooperation in combating terrorist violence and in investigating and prosecuting terrorist suspects involved in the murder of U.S. citizens.

Bill· SS. 1187 (106th)referred

Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1999

Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-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.

Bill· SS. 1155 (106th)open

National Uniformity for Food Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999

National Uniformity for Food Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to prohibit any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect as to any food in interstate commerce any requirement for food labeling or food that is not identical to specified FDCA provisions. Prohibits any State or political subdivision from establishing or continuing in effect any notification requirement for a food that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FDCA provisions. Allows a State to petition for an exemption and for a national standard regarding any requirement under the FDCA, as amended by this Act, or the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act relating to food regulation. Allows a State to establish a requirement that would otherwise violate FDCA provisions relating to national uniform nutrition labeling or this paragraph if the requirement is needed to address an imminent hazard to health that is likely to result in serious adverse health consequences and if other requirements are met.

Bill· SS. 1172 (106th)open

Drug Patent Term Restoration Review Procedure Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999

Drug Patent Term Restoration Review Procedure Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to require, if the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks determines that certain standards are met, restoration of the term of any patent already extended (subject to a two-year limitation), as well as in force on September 24, 1984, and on the filing date of a patent term restoration application under this Act, that claims: (1) a drug product; (2) a method of using a drug product; or (3) a method of manufacturing a drug product. (Sec. 1) Defines such standards as: (1) a regulatory review period from application submission to application approval exceeding 60 months; (2) clear and convincing evidence by the owner of record of the patent (or its agent) that the patent owner acted with due diligence; and (3) absence of any detriment by the granting of patent restoration to the public interest and the interest of fairness. Requires subtraction from the total amount of the restoration term of any time during the regulatory review period during which the Commissioner finds that the applicant for patent term restoration did not act with due diligence. Limits a restoration period, together with any extension period, and subject to other specified restrictions and adjustments, to five years. Requires restoration term applications to be filed within 90 days after enactment of this Act. Specifies factors of public interest and fairness the Commissioner shall consider when making a term restoration determination, including whether: (1) grant of the application would disserve society's interest in the availability of innovative drugs at competitive prices; or (2) denial of the application would disserve society's interest in encouraging and rewarding pharmaceutical research and innovation. Provides for: (1) claim determination procedure; (2) a one-year extension of the patent term pending final disposition; and (3) appeal of the Commissioner's determinations to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit only. Entitles to compensation by the patent owner of any person who has submitted an new drug application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for a drug product covered by a patent for which a patent term was restored under this Act, if such application has been found by the Food and Drug Administration on or before enactment of this Act to be sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. Sets the amount of compensation at: (1) $2 million; or (2) $1 million for any holder of a Type II Drug Master File that has permitted a reference to its File to be made in such application. Limits a patent owner's overall liability to: (1) $10 million to persons submitting new drug applications; or (2) $5 million to holders of Type II Drug Master Files. Requires the Commissioner to report to Congress: (1) an evaluation of the patent term restoration review procedure established by this Act; and (2) a recommendation whether Congress should consider establishing such a patent term review procedure for patents not covered by this Act. (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to limit a certain required certification in an application (including an abbreviated application) for an approved product claimed in a patent whose term has been restored, to any patent that claims an active ingredient, including any salt or ester of the active ingredient, of the approved product, alone or in combination with another active ingredient (thus limiting the use of patents to prevent new drug approval).

Bill· SS. 1159 (106th)referred

Physical Education for Progress Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999

Physical Education for Progress Act - Amends title X (Programs of National Significance) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to, and enter into contracts with, local educational agencies (LEAs) to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs for all kindergarten through 12th grade students. Requires such grants and contracts to be used for: (1) providing equipment and support to enable students to actively participate in physical education activities; (2) developing or enhancing physical education curricula to meet national goals for physical education developed by the Secretary in consultation with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education; and (3) providing funds for staff and teacher training and education. Requires LEA applications for such assistance to contain plans for school physical education programs that meet specified requirements, including: (1) curricula providing students with at least 150 minutes per week of instructional physical education per week, along with certain types of instructional contents; (2) physical education teachers with baccalaureate degrees qualifying them as physical education specialists; and (3) professional development opportunities for physical education teachers. Prohibits extracurricular activities such as team sports and Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program activities from being considered as part of the curriculum of a physical education program assisted under this Act. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) proportionality of awards; (2) private school students and home-schooled students; (3) LEA reports for continued funding; (4) the Secretary's report to the Congress; (5) administrative costs; and (6) Federal share. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 1185 (106th)referred

Small Business Liability Reform Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Small Business Lawsuit Abuse Protection Title II: Product Seller Fair Treatment Small Business Liability Reform Act of 1999 - Title I: Small Business Lawsuit Abuse Protection - Allows punitive damages to be awarded against a small business only if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that conduct carried out by the defendant through willful misconduct or with a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others was the proximate cause of the harm that is the subject of the action. Limits such punitive damages to the lesser of two times the amount awarded for economic and noneconomic losses, or $250,000. (Sec. 104) States that, in any civil action against a small business: (1) each defendant shall be liable only for the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to that defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility of that defendant for the harm caused to the plaintiff; and (2) the court shall render a separate judgment against each defendant describing such percentage of responsibility. (Sec. 105) Excepts from such liability limitations any misconduct of a defendant: (1) that constitutes a crime of violence, international terrorism, or a hate crime; (2) that results in liability for damages under specified provisions of the Oil Pollution Control Act of 1990 or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980; (3) that involves a sexual offense or violation of a Federal or State civil rights law; or (4) caused by being under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or a drug. (Sec. 106) Preempts inconsistent State law. Title II: Product Seller Fair Treatment - States that this title governs any product liability action brought in any Federal or State court. Excludes from this title actions for commercial loss, negligent entrustment, negligence per se concerning firearms and ammunition, and actions brought under a dram-shop or third-party liability arising out of the sale or provision of alcohol to an intoxicated person or a minor. (Sec. 204) Mandates that, in any product liability action covered by this Act, a product seller other than a manufacturer shall be liable to a claimant only if such claimant establishes that: (1) the product that caused the harm was sold, rented, or leased by the seller, the seller failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the product, and such failure was the proximate cause of harm to the plaintiff; (2) the seller made an express warranty applicable to such product, the product failed to conform to the warranty, and such failure caused the harm to the plaintiff; or (3) the product seller engaged in intentional wrongdoing (as determined under applicable State law), and such wrongdoing caused the harm to the plaintiff. States that a seller shall not be considered to have failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to a product based upon a failure to inspect if: (1) there was no reasonable opportunity to inspect; or (2) such inspection would not have revealed the aspect of the product that allegedly caused the claimant's harm. Allows a seller to be liable as a manufacturer if: (1) the manufacturer is not subject to appropriate service of process; or (2) the court determines that the claimant is or would be unable to enforce a judgment against the manufacturer. Provides limited liability for persons engaged in the business of renting or leasing a product.

Bill· SS. 1169 (106th)referred

Fair Competition in Foreign Commerce Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999

Fair Competition in Foreign Commerce Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the President and to appropriate congressional committees a strategic plan for requiring the use of independent third-party procurement monitoring and other international procurement reforms with respect to U.S. participation in multilateral development banks and other lending institutions. Requires such plan to include an instruction by the Secretary to the U.S. Executive Director of each multilateral development bank and lending institution to use the vote of the United States to oppose the use of funds appropriated or made available by the United States for any non-humanitarian assistance, until: (1) the recipient international financial institution has adopted an anticorruption plan that requires the use of independent third-party procurement monitoring services and ensures openness and transparency in government procurement; and (2) the recipient country institutes specific strategies for minimizing corruption and maximizing transparency in each stage of the procurement process. Prohibits the use of funds for nonhumanitarian foreign assistance programs (including Agency for International Development (AID) activities) unless the recipient country, multilateral development bank or lending institution has demonstrated that: (1) procurement practices are open, transparent, and free of corruption, fraud, inefficiency, and other misuse; and (2) the recipient has adopted and is using independent third-party procurement monitoring. Specifies exceptions to the requirements of this Act.

Bill· SS. 1165 (106th)referred

Defense Jobs and Trade Promotion Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999

Defense Jobs and Trade Promotion Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on the amount of receipts attributable to military property which may be treated as exempt foreign trade income.

Bill· SS. 1128 (106th)open

Estate Tax Elimination Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999

Estate Tax Elimination Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate Federal estate, gift, and transfer taxes. Eliminates the step-up in basis with respect to property acquired from a decedent. Establishes the basis for qualifying property acquired from a decedent (carryover basis property) as the property's initial basis increased by its allowable share of the decedent's allowance, as provided for in this Act. Describes noncarryover basis property. Authorizes a limited tangible personal property exclusion. Provides an additional exclusion for family-owned businesses and farms. Makes a nonresident who is not a U.S. citizen ineligible for basis adjustment based upon a decedent's exclusion allowance. Establishes a binding procedure for determining the initial basis of carryover basis property. Requires an executor to provide the Secretary of the Treasury and each beneficiary with specified carryover basis property information. Sets forth related noncompliance penalties.

Bill· SS. 1130 (106th)open

Motor Vehicle Rental Fairness Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999

Motor Vehicle Rental Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit a State from holding motor vehicle rental or leasing companies liable for harm caused by a person to himself or herself, to another person, or to property resulting from that person's negligent operation of such motor vehicle. Declares that such prohibition does not apply to liability imposed under a State's statutory or common law based on negligence of a motor vehicle owner. Declares that nothing in this Act supersedes any State law: (1) imposing financial responsibility or insurance standards on the owner of a motor vehicle for the privilege of registering and operating a motor vehicle; or (2) imposing liability on such companies for failure to meet financial responsibility or liability insurance requirements under State law.

Bill· SS. 1138 (106th)open

Y2K Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999

Y2K Act - Makes this Act: (1) applicable to any Y2K action brought in a Federal or State court after January 1, 1999, for a Y2K failure occurring before January 1, 2003; and (2) inapplicable to a claim for personal injury or wrongful death. Preempts inconsistent State law. (Sec. 5) Mandates that, in any Y2K action in which punitive damages are permitted, the defendant shall not be liable unless the plaintiff proves that the applicable standard for awarding damages has been met. Limits punitive damages in such an action to the lesser of three times the amount awarded for compensatory damages or $250,000. Makes such limitation applicable to: (1) individuals whose net worth does not exceed $500,000; or (2) an entity employing fewer than 50 full-time employees. Waives such limitation when specific intent to injure is established. Prohibits punitive damages from being awarded against a government entity. (Sec. 6) Requires the application of proportionate liability upon each person against whom a final judgment is entered in a Y2K action. Makes the liability of a defendant in such an action joint and several if the trier of fact determines that such defendant: (1) acted with specific intent to injure the plaintiff; or (2) knowingly committed fraud. Makes any other defendant proportionately liable for the uncollectible share of a judgment against a defendant for compensatory damages, with a limitation. States that a defendant who settles a Y2K action at any time before final verdict or judgment shall be discharged from all claims for contribution brought by other persons. Entitles a defendant who is jointly and severally liable in a Y2K action to recover contribution from any other person who, if joined in the original action, would have been liable for the same damages. Applies a six-month statute of limitations for such contribution. (Sec. 7) Requires a prospective plaintiff, before commencing a Y2K action (except in an action seeking only injunctive relief), to serve on each prospective defendant a written notice that identifies with particularity the manifestations of any material defect causing harm or loss, the harm or loss suffered, the remedy sought, and certain information identifying any individual authorized to negotiate on behalf of the plaintiff. Requires a response to such notice within 30 days proposing remedial actions. Allows a plaintiff to immediately commence a legal action if the defendant fails to respond to such notice or does not propose remedial actions. Allows a defendant 60 days after an appropriate response to complete any proposed remedial action. (Sec. 8) Outlines pleading requirements, including specification of the nature, amount, and factual basis for calculating damages. Requires damages awarded to exclude compensation for damages the plaintiff would reasonably have avoided in light of disclosures. (Sec. 10) Requires the application of the doctrines of impossibility and commercial impracticability, as such doctrines were in existence as of January 1, 1999, in any Y2K action involving breach or repudiation of contract. Prohibits the award of damages by contract unless such damages are allowed by the express terms of the contract or by operation of State or Federal law. (Sec. 12) Prohibits a party to a Y2K action making a tort claim from recovering damages for economic loss unless such damages are permitted under applicable Federal or State law and: (1) such recovery is provided for under a contract entered into by the party; or (2) such losses result directly from damage to tangible property caused by the Y2K failure. Excludes from such limitation patent, copyright, trade-secret, or trademark action, or any claim for defamation or invasion of privacy under Federal or State law. (Sec. 13) Requires the plaintiff, in a Y2K action other than a claim for breach or repudiation of contract, to prove a defendant's state of mind when the defendant's actual or constructive awareness of the Y2K failure is an element of the claim. Provides specific limitations on bystander liability for Y2K failures. Applies to this Act the protections for the exchange of information afforded under the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act. (Sec. 14) Authorizes the appointment in any U.S. district court of special masters or magistrate judges for hearing Y2K actions. (Sec. 15) Provides that, in any Y2K action involving a claim that a product or service is defective, a class action may be maintained only if: (1) it satisfies all other Federal or State class action procedural laws or rules; and (2) the court finds that the alleged defect would be material to the majority of such class. Requires specified notice to class members. Provides jurisdiction in U.S. district court for class action Y2K suits involving more than $1 million, with an exception when the parties concerned or the claims asserted primarily involve only one State.

Bill· SS. 1073 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Trade Act of 1974 to ensure that United States industry is consulted with respect to all aspects of the WTO dispute settlement process.

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1999

Amends the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to any dispute settlement panel or Appellate Body report that is adopted in favor of the United States pursuant to the Understanding of Rules and Procedures Covering the Settlement of Disputes of the World Trade Organization (WTO) with regard to the enforcement of U.S. rights under a trade agreement with a foreign country. Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR), within 90 days of the adoption of the panel report, or if appealed, within 90 days of the adoption of the Appellate Body report, to: (1) make public information contained in such report; and (2) seek advice from the appropriate WTO committee and from specified congressional committees. Requires the USTR, if it is agreed pursuant to the dispute settlement proceedings of the WTO that a foreign country shall have more than 220 days to implement the report's recommendations to: (1) provide notice (90 days before expiration of such time period) and give interested parties a 30-day period to comment on the report; (2) report to Congress regarding progress made by the foreign country in implementing the recommendations, and any action the USTR is considering if such recommendations are not implemented or if the implementation plan is inconsistent with the report; and (3) seek advice from the appropriate WTO committee. Sets forth comment procedures after time period expires. Directs the USTR in any multilateral review of the dispute settlement procedures of the WTO, to seek adoption of procedures that would require a WTO member against whom a panel or Appellate Body has issued a report to: (1) submit to all interested parties the member's plans for implementing report recommendations not later than six months before the end of the reasonable period allowed for their implementation; and (2) consult with such parties regarding member's plans for implementing such recommendations so that any request for their modification can be considered before implementation and before the end of the reasonable period.

Bill· SS. 1070 (106th)referred

SENSE Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1999

Sensible Ergonomics Needs Scientific Evidence Act - SENSE Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from promulgating, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, any standard, regulation, or guideline on ergonomics until 30 days after the National Academy of Sciences reports to Congress on a completed, peer-reviewed scientific study of the available evidence examining a cause and effect relationship between repetitive tasks in the workplace and musculoskeletal disorders or repetitive stress injuries.

Bill· SS. 1032 (106th)referred

Freedom to Transport Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1999

Freedom To Transport Act of 1999 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1929 and Federal shipping law to exempt from the prohibition against transportation of merchandise in the coastwise trade in any vessel other than one built and documented under U.S. law certain foreign built vessels issued a certificate of documentation for the coastwise trade that are used to transport forest products, bulk cargo (including agricultural products carried in bulk), or livestock.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 101 (106th)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on agricultural trade negotiations.

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1999

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should adopt certain trade negotiating objectives, including: (1) the initiation of a round of multilateral trade negotiations that continues to reform agricultural and food trade policy and increases trade liberalization in agriculture and food; (2) the elimination of all export subsidies and nontariff barriers to trade, including tightening of rules for their circumvention; (3) the elimination of state trading enterprises; (4) the accelerated resolution of trade disputes and prompt enforcement of dispute panels of the World Trade Organization (WTO); (5) the provision of food security for importing nations by ensuring access to supplies through a commitment by WTO member countries not to restrict or prohibit the export of agricultural products; and (6) the establishment of WTO rules that will allow developing countries to graduate to full participation in, and obligations under, the WTO.

Bill· SS. 1020 (106th)open

Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999

Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 1999 - Provides that each party to a motor vehicle franchise contract providing for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract shall have the option, after the controversy arises and before both parties commence an arbitration proceeding, to reject arbitration as the means of settling the controversy. Requires that any such rejection be in writing. Requires the arbitrator, whenever a party elects arbitration, to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.

Bill· SS. 1017 (106th)referred

Affordable Housing Opportunity Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999

Affordable Housing Opportunity Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase, and link to the cost-of-living adjustment, the State low-income housing credit ceiling.

Bill· SS. 1004 (106th)referred

Schools and Libraries Internet Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1999

Schools and Libraries Internet Access Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal provisions authorizing the Federal Communications Commission to take certain actions to provide access to advanced telecommunications services for schools, health care providers, and libraries. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax paid for telephone and other communications services to one percent (currently, three percent) of the total paid for such services beginning with bills rendered on or after January 1, 2000, and before October 1, 2003. Repeals such communications taxation provisions with respect to bills rendered on or after October 1, 2004. Establishes in the Treasury the Telecommunications Technology Trust Fund and appropriates into such Fund all amounts received pursuant to the above taxation authority after December 31, 1998. Makes such funds available to carry out provisions of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (NTIAO) as added under this Act. Terminates this section on October 1, 2004. Amends the NTIAO to direct the Secretary of Commerce to award a fiscal year grant to each State having an approved plan for the acquisition of telecommunications and related services for: (1) the provision of health care services by any public or nonprofit health care provider that serves persons residing in a rural area; or (2) elementary and secondary schools and libraries, for educational purposes. Provides for an allocation of State funding based on relative populations. Requires the State plan to take into consideration the relative economic need of the eligible entities, including the number of students living in low-income or sparsely populated areas. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund for FY 2000 through 2004 for such grants and administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 and thereafter for such purposes from general Treasury funds.

Bill· SS. 980 (106th)referred

Promoting Health in Rural Areas Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999

Promoting Health in Rural Areas Act of 1999 - Title I: Promoting Access to Health Care Services in Rural Areas Under the Medicare Program - Subtitle A: Hospital-Related Provisions - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with regard to hospital-related provisions to: (1) revise payment and geographic reclassification requirements for sole community hospitals; (2) modify the criteria for designation of a critical access hospital; (3) make certain technical amendments with regard to adjustments for graduate medical education, both indirect and direct; (4) make permanent the payment provision for the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program, and provide an option to base program eligibility on discharges during any of the three most recent audited cost reporting periods; and (5) provide for an all-inclusive payment rate option for outpatient critical access hospital services. (Sec. 106) Provides for: (1) exclusion of swing beds in critical access hospitals from the prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facilities; (2) exclusion of small rural providers from the PPS for hospital outpatient department services; (3) modification of disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment adjustment requirements; (4) application of hospital geographic reclassification for inpatient services (labor costs) to all PPS-reimbursed items and services; and (5) mandatory standardization of wage levels for hospitals with respect to occupational mix before adjusting payment rates. Directs the Secretary of Labor to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and costs of having the Bureau of Labor Statistics collect data on wages that would assist the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) in determining average wage levels, at the metropolitan statistical area, statewide, and rural level by sector and the proportion of the workforce in each occupational category within each sector. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Amends Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice) to make certain adjustments to the calculation of annual capitation rates used in determining payments to Medicare+Choice organizations. (Sec. 122) 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. 123) Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to: (1) provide for rural representation on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) as well as additional specified duties for MEDPAC; (2) require MEDPAC to review the impact of PPS's for skilled nursing facility services, home health services, and hospital outpatient department services on access to services in rural areas, as well as review the operating margins for hospitals in rural or frontier areas; and (3) provide for Medicare coverage of qualified mental health professional services. (Sec. 125) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the barriers that Medicare beneficiaries residing in rural areas face in obtaining quality mental health services, and on ways to reduce or eliminate such barriers. (Sec. 126) Directs the Secretary 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 be considered as located in a rural area for such purposes if the entity or individual is located in a rural area: (1) within a metropolitan county; or (2) as determined by using a census tract definition adopted by the Office of Rural Health Policy in awarding grants. (Sec. 127) Revises per-visit payment limits for rural health clinic services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). (Sec. 128) Amends Medicare part B to: (1) extend to physician assistant or nurse practitioner services additional payments for services furnished in health professional shortage areas; (2) provide authority for the Secretary to establish a PPS for rural health clinic (RHC) services in a rural hospital with 50 beds or more; (3) establish separate wage indexes for making adjustments to payments under the PPS's for skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies; and (4) require consideration of rural issues in establishing an ambulance service fee schedule. Title II: Additional Provisions to Address Shortages of Health Professionals in Rural Areas - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct the Secretary to define "frontier area" for inclusion among health professional shortage areas. 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. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing any regulation establishing a new methodology for designating a health professional shortage area unless such methodology: (1) is not detrimental to underserved rural or frontier communities, including that the methodology does not result in the provision of fewer services in such communities; and (2) includes consideration of the percentage of the population over age 65 residing in an 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 SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to mandate a new PPS for federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics under the Medicaid program. (Sec. 205) Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to revise requirements for Medicare reimbursement of telehealth services, including store-and-forward technologies among the telecommunications systems used in providing telehealth services. (Sec. 206) Directs the Secretary to conduct a specified study on telehealth licensure for a report to the Congress. (Sec. 207) Redesignates the Joint Working Group on Telemedicine as the Joint Working Group on Telehealth, with the chairperson being designated by the Director of the Office for the Advancement on Telehealth. 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 - Subtitle A: Development of Telehealth Networks - Directs the Secretary to provide specified financial assistance to eligible telehealth networks for the purpose of expanding access to health care services for individuals in rural and frontier areas through the use of such networks. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Rural Health Outreach and Network Development Grant Program - Amends PHSA to rename the Rural Health Outreach, Network Development, and Telemedicine Grant Program as the Rural Health Outreach and Network Development Grant Program, and to modify the renamed program. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the 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 Center for Health Statistics, 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.

Bill· SS. 935 (106th)referred

A bill to authorize research to promote the conversion of biomass into biobased industrial products, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1999

National Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Act of 1999 - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy to cooperate in promoting research and development of biobased industrial products. Establishes: (1) the Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Board to coordinate Federal programs promoting the use of biobased industrial products; (2) the Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Technical Advisory Committee; and (3) a Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Research Initiative to provide for related grants and contracts (authorizes appropriations).

Bill· SS. 918 (106th)referred

Military Reservists Small Business Relief Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999

Military Reservists Small Business Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration (SBA), upon written request, to defer repayment of principal and interest due on a direct general business or disaster loan made to a member of the reserves ordered to active duty during a period of military conflict, as long as such reservist: (1) received the loan before being ordered to such duty; and (2) is the owner, manager, or key employee of a small business for which the loan was made. Extends such deferral period until 180 days after such reservist is discharged or released from active duty. Directs the SBA to encourage lenders and loan intermediaries participating in other SBA loan programs to defer repayment of similar loans as well as loans made under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Authorizes the SBA to make disaster loans to assist a small business that has or is likely to suffer economic injury as the result of the owner, manager, or key employee of such business being ordered to active duty during a period of military conflict. Extends such assistance until 180 days after such reservist is discharged or released from such duty. Provides a loan limitation. Applies such assistance to periods of military conflict occurring on or after March 24, 1999. Directs the SBA to utilize its entrepreneurial development and management assistance programs to provide business counseling and training to any small business adversely affected by the deployment of units of U.S. armed forces in support of a period of military conflict. Requires the SBA, for the duration of Operation Allied Force and 120 days thereafter, to enhance its publicity of the availability of such assistance.

Bill· SS. 928 (106th)referred

Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 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.

Bill· SS. 897 (106th)referred

Federally Impacted School Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1999

Federally Impacted School Improvement Act - Provides matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for construction, renovation and repair of school facilities in areas affected by Federal activities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Education to distribute such funds as follows: (1) 45 percent for basic matching grants to LEAs eligible for impact aid assistance as serving children from Indian lands, if the number of such children is at least 25 percent of the total number in attendance; (2) 45 percent to the Secretary of Defense for basic matching grants to LEAs serving children from military bases, if the number of such children is at least 25 percent of the total number in attendance; and (3) ten percent for emergency non-matching grants in cases of health or safety hazards at facilities of LEAs which have a number of impact aid eligible children equal to at least 50 percent of their total attendance. Sets forth requirements for: (1) LEA eligibility; (2) basic grant awards and amount limits; (3) applications; and (4) emergency grant certifications, amounts, and priorities.

Bill· SS. 882 (106th)open

Energy and Climate Policy Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1999

Energy and Climate Policy Act of 1999 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to replace provisions establishing a Director of Climate Protection with those establishing an Office of Global Climate Change in the Department of Energy. Requires the Office to serve as a focal point for coordinating for the Secretary of Energy and Congress all departmental issues and policies regarding climate change and related matters and to be headed by a Director, appointed by the Secretary. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish a program of giving annual public recognition to all persons and entities voluntarily reporting information on sources of greenhouse gases who demonstrate voluntarily achieved greenhouse gas reductions, including information reported prior to this Act's enactment. Requires the Secretary, through the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, to conduct and submit to specified congressional committees a review of what changes should be made to guidelines for accuracy and reliability of voluntarily reported information on greenhouse gas reductions. Provides for incorporation into such guidelines of changes found to be beneficial and cost effective in improving the accuracy and reliability of reported information. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to establish a long-term Climate Technology Research, Development, and Demonstration Program to foster development of: (1) new technologies and the enhancement of existing technologies that reduce or avoid anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency; (2) new technologies that are able to remove and sequester greenhouse gases from emissions streams; and (3) new technologies and practices to remove and sequester such gases from the atmosphere. Requires submission of a ten-year plan to guide such activities to Congress. Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals for conducting such activities. Describes applicant qualifications, proposal requirements, and criteria for proposal selection. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to report annually to Congress: (1) a certification that the program objectives are adequately focused, peer- and merit-reviewed, and not unnecessarily duplicative with other Federal science and technology research; and (2) whether the program addresses an adequate breadth and range of technologies and solutions to address anthropogenic climate change. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to require a specified energy research, development, and demonstration plan to include solutions to the effective management of greenhouse gas emissions in the long term by the development of technologies and practices designed to reduce or avoid anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and remove and sequester greenhouse gases from emissions streams and the atmosphere. Includes within program elements and activities research, development, and demonstration designed to pursue a long-term climate technology strategy to demonstrate a variety of technologies by which stabilization of greenhouse gases might be best achieved.

Law· SS. 880 (106th)enacted

Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999

Fuels Regulatory Relief Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, for purposes of regulating and listing substances anticipated to cause death or serious health or environmental effects in the case of an accidental release, from regulating non-acute toxic flammable fuels when used or stored for fuel purposes or retail sale unless the fuels are hazardous waste.

Bill· SS. 877 (106th)referred

Broadband Internet Regulatory Relief Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999

Broadband Internet Regulatory Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to mandate that an incumbent local exchange carrier shall not be subject to Federal requirements concerning: (1) facilities and equipment used exclusively to provide advanced communications service; and (2) the provision of such service in any State in which 70 percent of such carrier's loops in its service territory are DSL-capable (capable of transporting an advanced service). Provides that the prices, terms, and conditions of any advanced service by such a carrier shall not be subject to Federal regulation if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determines that advanced service is being offered by an unaffiliated provider in competition with such carrier within a geographic area served by a central office. States that prices, terms, and conditions offered by a carrier or an affiliate shall not be subject to FCC regulation in an area in which such carrier was not the carrier on February 8, 1996. Requires carriers not subject to regulation to file with the FCC a schedule of charges and practices. Provides that the duty not to prohibit or impose unreasonable or discriminatory conditions on the resale of telecommunications services shall not apply to such a carrier with respect to its provision of advanced service.

Bill· SS. 809 (106th)open

Online Privacy Protection Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999

Online Privacy Protection Act of 1999 - Makes it unlawful for an operator of a Web site or online service to collect, use, or disclose personal information concerning an individual (age 13 and above) in a manner that violates regulations to be prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requiring such operators to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personal information it collects from such individuals, including providing a process for them to consent to or limit the disclosure of such information. Directs the FTC to provide incentives for efforts of self-regulation by operators to implement appropriate protections for such information. Authorizes the States to enforce such regulations by bringing actions on behalf of residents, requiring the State attorney general to first notify the FTC of such action. Authorizes the FTC to intervene in any such action. Provides for enforcement of this Act through the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Bill· SS. 820 (106th)referred

Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999

Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 4.3-cent motor fuel excise taxes on railroads and inland waterway transportation which remain in the general fund of the Treasury.

Law· SS. 791 (106th)enacted

Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999 - Amends the Small Business Act, with respect to the women's business center program, to allow a private organization that has received financial assistance under the program and that is either in the final year of a five-year project or has completed the project to apply for assistance for an additional five-year period. Requires such organizations to agree to obtain matching cash contributions from non-Federal sources. Extends through FY 2001 the authorization for the program, allowing no more than 40 percent of such amounts to be used for providing such additional assistance.

Bill· SS. 795 (106th)open

Fastener Quality Act Amendments Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Fastener Quality Act Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends the Fastener Quality Act to define "accredited laboratory" to mean a fastener testing facility used to perform end-of-line testing required by a consensus standard to verify that a lot of fasteners conforms to the grade identification marking called for in the consensus standard to which they have been manufactured, and which meet certain requirements. Defines "consensus standard" to mean the provisions of a document that describes fastener characteristics published by a consensus standards organization or a Federal agency, and does not include a proprietary standard. (Sec. 3) Revises the definition of "fastener" to apply to fasteners only, not to components or products which can contain fasteners. Excludes from the definition (and coverage of the Act) any items: (1) sold in packages containing no more than 100 of any one screw, nut, bolt, stud, or washer; (2) produced to proprietary standards developed by private companies that use fasteners in the manufacture, assembly, or service of their products, and develop fastener standards under the company's name; (3) specifically manufactured for use on an aircraft if the quality and suitability of those fasteners for that use has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration or by a foreign airworthiness authority; or (4) manufactured in accordance with a fastener quality assurance system meeting International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9000 and other specified criteria. (Sec. 4) Makes it unlawful for a manufacturer or distributor, in conjunction with a sale or offer for sale of a fastener, to knowingly misrepresent or falsify: (1) the record of conformance for the lot of fasteners; (2) the identification, characteristics, properties, mechanical or performance marks, chemistry, or strength of the lot of such fasteners; or (3) the manufacturer's insignia. Requires that mandatory end-of-line testing, in the case of fasteners manufactured solely to a consensus standard, be conducted by an accredited laboratory. (Sec. 5) Revises requirements for manufacturers' insignia on certain fasteners to require manufacturers to comply with insignia recordation requirements, unless the specifications provide otherwise. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to arbitrate civil penalties before a case is referred to the Attorney General. Directs the Secretary to establish a hotline system to facilitate the reporting of alleged violations of this Act and to investigate credible allegations reported through such system and report them to the Attorney General. (Sec. 7) Requires fastener manufacturers to: (1) retain the record of conformance for fasteners for five years, on paper or in photographic or electronic format; and (2) make available upon the request of a distributor who has purchased a fastener (or a person who has purchased a fastener for use in the production of a commercial product) information in the record of conformance. Repeals the requirement that importers, private label distributors, and persons who make significant alterations to fasteners, as well as manufacturers, also retain all inspection, testing, and certification records for five years. (Sec. 10) Authorizes any person publishing a document setting forth guidance or requirements for the certification of manufacturing systems (including fastener manufacturing systems) by an accredited third party (or for the approval of accreditation bodies to accredit such third parties), or for the accreditation of laboratories (or for the approval of accreditation bodies to accredit such laboratories), to petition the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to approve the document, if it provides equal or greater rigor and reliability as compared to ISO-IEC Guide 62, 61, 25, or 58, as appropriate.

Law· SS. 800 (106th)enacted

Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and any agency or entity to which the FCC delegates such authority to designate 911 as the universal emergency telephone number within the United States for reporting an emergency to appropriate authorities and requesting assistance. Applies such designation to both wireline and wireless telephone service. Directs the FCC to provide appropriate transition periods for areas in which 911 is not currently an emergency number. Requires the FCC to encourage and support efforts by States to deploy comprehensive end-to-end emergency communications infrastructure and programs based on coordinated statewide plans. Requires appropriate consultation with regard to such deployment. Provides immunity from liability, to the same extent as provided to local telephone exchange companies, for providers of wireless 911 service. Provides immunity for users of wireless 911 service to the same extent as provided to users of 911 service that is not wireless. Provides immunity for public safety answering points (emergency dispatchers). Authorizes telecommunications carriers to provide call location information concerning a user of a commercial mobile service to: (1) emergency dispatchers and emergency service personnel in order to respond to the user's call; (2) the user's legal guardian or family member in an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm; or (3) providers of information or data base management services solely for assisting in the delivery of emergency services. Requires a customer's express prior authorization for disclosure to any other person. Requires telephone exchange service providers to provide both listed and unlisted subscriber information to providers of emergency and emergency support services.

Bill· SS. 798 (106th)open

Promote Reliable On-Line Transactions to Encourage Commerce and Trade (PROTECT) Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Domestic Encryption Provisions Title II: Government Procurement Title III: Advanced Encryption Standard Title IV: Improvement of Governmental Technological Capability Title V: Export of Encryption Products Promote Reliable On-Line Transactions to Encourage Commerce and Trade (PROTECT) Act of 1999 - Title I: Domestic Encryption Provisions - Prohibits the Federal Government or any State from establishing any conditions, ties, or links between those encryption products, standards, and services used for confidentiality and those used for authenticity or integrity purposes. Defines encryption as the scrambling of electronic communications or information to preserve its confidentiality, integrity, or authenticity, and to prevent unauthorized recipients from accessing or altering such communications or information. (Sec. 102) Makes the development, sale, and use of encryption lawful in the United States unless otherwise provided in this Act. (Sec. 103) Prohibits a Federal or State government from requiring an encryption key (solution) or other access to plaintext communications or information in the building of computer hardware or software. Title II: Government Procurement - Authorizes any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality (entity) to purchase encryption products for use by Federal officers and employees. Requires the interoperability of such product with other commercially-available encryption products. Prohibits any Federal entity from requiring any person in the private sector to use a particular encryption product or methodology. Title III: Advanced Encryption Standard - Directs the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) to complete the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) process initiated on January 2, 1997, and to make a final selection of one or more new private sector-developed encryption algorithms by January 1, 2002. (Sec. 302) Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from promulgating or enforcing any regulation, adopting any standard, or carrying out any policy that: (1) establishes an encryption standard for use by businesses and entities other than for computer systems operated by a Federal entity; or (2) imposes government-designed encryption standards on the private sector by restricting the export of encryption products. Title IV: Improvement of Governmental Technological Capability - Amends the National Institutes of Standards and Technology Act to direct NIST to: (1) obtain information regarding the most current information security hardware, software, telecommunications and other electronic capabilities; (2) research and develop new technologies to facilitate lawful access to such information and prevent unwanted intrusions; (3) provide assistance in responding to information security threats and vulnerabilities; and (4) facilitate the development and adoption of best information security practices by Federal entities and the private sector. (Sec. 402) Requires the Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board to provide a forum between industry and the Federal Government on information security issues, and to foster the aggregation and dissemination of developments in information security technologies. (Sec. 403) Authorizes appropriations to ensure that U.S. law enforcement agencies and agencies responsible for national security are able to complete any authorized missions or goals regardless of technological advancements in encryption and digital technology. Title V: Export of Encryption Products - Gives the Secretary exclusive authority to control the exportation of encryption products. (Sec. 502) Protects presidential authority to control the export of products, including encryption products, under the Trading With the Enemy Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Authorizes the Secretary to prohibit the export of an encryption product for reasons such as possible terrorist use or threats to the national security. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the export, without an export license or export license exception, of any encryption product that utilizes a key length of 64 bits or less. (Sec. 504) Identifies encryption products which shall be exportable under export license exceptions. Makes encryption products and related computer services eligible for such exception after a one-time technical review. Provides time limits for consideration of exporters' requests for such exceptions. (Sec. 505) Provides conditions under which encryption products shall be exportable under license exceptions, including such product's general, public, or foreign availability. Establishes an Encryption Export Advisory Board to evaluate and make recommendations with respect to exception applications based on such availability. Allows: (1) judicial review of the Secretary's decision disapproving a Board's finding concerning such availability; and (2) the President to override any Board determination when such export or re-export would harm U.S. national security, including capabilities in fighting drug trafficking, terrorism, or espionage. Requires exporters' requests for license exceptions, including the one-time technical review, to be processed within 15 days. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the Secretary, upon adoption of the AES, from imposing U.S. encryption export controls on encryption products if the encryption algorithm and key length employed were incorporated in the AES or have an equivalent strength. Makes such product exportable without a license or license exception, and without other restrictions other than those prescribed under this Act. (Sec. 507) Prohibits the Secretary from imposing any reporting requirement on any encryption product not subject to U.S. export controls or exported under a license exception.

Law· SS. 777 (106th)enacted

Freedom to E-File Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999

Freedom to E-File Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish in the Department of Agriculture a public use electronic filing and information retrieval system.

Bill· SS. 788 (106th)referred

USDA Grade Rescission Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999

USDA Grade Recission (sic) Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to deem as misbranded imported meat or meat food products (including any carcass or part, meat, or meat food product from cattle, sheep, or goats that have not been U.S.-fed for at least 90 days) bearing a Department of Agriculture quality grade.

Bill· SS. 763 (106th)referred

SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1999

SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal provisions concerning the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to adjust the basic SBP annuity amount for surviving spouses age 62 or over of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent, for months beginning on or before the enactment of this Act (current law); (2) 40 percent of such pay, for months beginning after the date of enactment of this Act until October 2004; and (3) 45 percent of such pay, for months beginning on or after October 2004. Adjusts similarly the authorized percentage amounts of SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided for such surviving spouses. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate adjustments in the computation of retired pay reductions for such supplemental annuities made necessary by this Act.