United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2001
Voids certain amendments to national primary drinking water regulations made by a final rule promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency entitled "Arsenic and Clarifications to Compliance and New Source Contaminants Monitoring."
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2001
Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2001 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. Repeals a special compensation program for certain severely disabled military retirees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2001
Academic Achievement for All Act (Straight A's Act) - Allows States a certain type of flexibility in combining and using specified Federal elementary and secondary education formula program funds for State education priorities and programs, in exchange for being held accountable for meeting, in a five-year period, certain performance goals which they propose. Allows States to opt to enter into such a performance agreement with the Secretary of Education, under which provisions of law relating to specified eligible programs shall not apply to the State, with certain exceptions. Requires such States to provide parents, teachers, and local schools notice and opportunity to comment on any such proposed performance agreement before submission to the Secretary. Includes under the terms of such agreements requirements relating to: (1) use of such funds to improve student achievement; (2) an accountability system; (3) performance goals and measures, and student academic achievement data; (4) fiscal responsibilities; (5) civil rights; (6) private school student and staff participation; (7) State financial participation; and (8) annual reports. Lists such eligible programs, under various provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Department of Education Appropriations Act of 1999, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, and the Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2001. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) within-State distribution of funds; (2) local participation; (3) limitations on State and local educational agency administrative expenditures; (4) performance review and penalties; (5) renewal of performance agreements; (6) achievement gap reduction rewards; and (7) availability of annual State reports to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2001
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program II and Local Medical Emergency Reimbursement Act - State Criminal Alien Assistance Program II Act of 2001 - Amends the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to provide for the reimbursement of States for indirect costs of incarcerating illegal aliens. Defines such costs as: (1) court costs, county attorney costs, and non-trial criminal proceedings; (2) indigent defense; and (3) unsupervised probation costs. Provides for the reimbursement of States for costs of incarcerating juvenile aliens. Provides that reimbursement of States for incarcerating illegal aliens and certain Cuban nationals shall be allocated to give special consideration for any State that: (1) shares a border with Mexico or Canada; or (2) has a large number of undocumented aliens. Authorizes appropriations for allotments to States to be paid to local governments, hospitals, and other providers for emergency health services provided to undocumented aliens. Provides special consideration for providers: (1) in a border county with Mexico or Canada; or (2) in an area with a large number of undocumented aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2001
Southwest Border Judgeship Act of 2001 - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, specified: (1) permanent judgeships (five additional district judges for the southern district of California, one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico, one additional district judge for the southern district of Texas, and two additional district judges for the western district of Texas); and (2) temporary judgeships (four additional district judges for the district of Arizona, three additional district judges for the southern district of California, one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico, and one additional district judge for the Western district of Texas).
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2001
SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 2001 - 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 such date and before October 2004; (3) 45 percent, for months beginning after September 2004; and (4) 55 percent, for months beginning after September 2011. Adjusts similarly the authorized percentage amounts of SBP supplemental annuity authorized for such spouses. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate adjustments in the computation of retired pay deductions for such supplemental annuities made necessary by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement the oil and gas pipeline safety improvement recommendations in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General's Report (RT-2000-069). Requires each operator of a natural gas transmission pipeline and of a hazardous liquid pipeline, or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State regulatory agency, to submit to the Secretary a plan designed to enhance the qualifications of pipeline personnel and reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries. Amends Federal pipeline safety law to require the Secretary to issue regulations requiring operators of such pipelines to: (1) evaluate the risks to their pipeline facilities in environmentally sensitive areas and high-density population areas; and (2) adopt and implement a program for integrity management that reduces the risk of incident in those areas. Revises the public education program requirements for gas pipeline facility owners or operators, including specified items. Applies such requirements to owners or operators of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility. Requires an operator of a gas transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to initiate and maintain liaison with the State emergency response commissions, and local emergency planning committees in the areas of pipeline right-of-way, established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (or, in the absence of a committee, local fire, police, and other emergency response agencies) in each State in which it operates. Increases from $25,000 to $500,000 the civil penalty for each facility operator failure to: (1) mark accurately the location of pipeline facilities in the vicinity of a demolition, excavation, tunneling, or construction; or (2) comply with safety standards, prepare and carry out an inspection and maintenance plan, allow access to records, or allow required entries or inspections. Increases the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations from $500,000 to $1 million. Authorizes the Secretary, if a State pipeline safety program certification is accepted, to make an agreement authorizing a State authority to: (1) participate in the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation, including a plan for the State authority to participate in special investigations involving incidents or new construction, as well as (subject to specified requirements) other activities involving interstate pipeline transportation; or (2) assume additional inspection or investigatory duties. Requires any owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility to report to the Secretary each release to the environment greater than five gallons of the hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide. Requires the Secretary, as part of the DOT research and development program, to direct research attention to the development of alternative technologies: (1) to expand the defect detection capabilities of internal inspection devices; (2) to inspect pipelines that cannot accommodate internal inspection devices available on the date of enactment; and (3) to develop innovative techniques measuring the structural integrity of pipelines. Sets forth whistle blower protections prohibiting discrimination by pipeline operators or contractors or subcontractors against employees who: (1) provide information, directly or indirectly, to the employer or the Federal Government about any alleged violation of Federal law or regulations relating to pipeline safety; (2) file a related Federal proceeding; or (3) testify or otherwise assist or participate in such a proceeding. Directs the DOT Inspector General to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on whether DOT assessment of pipeline fines and penalties are an effective deterrent for reducing safety risks. Authorizes the Secretary to study how best to preserve environmental resources in conjunction with maintaining pipeline rights-of-way.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Drug Free Borders Act of 2001 - Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for the United States Customs Service for: (1) noncommercial and commercial operations; (2) the air and marine interdiction program; (3) Customs Service automation modernization; and (4) the construction, improvement, and expansion of Customs Service facilities. Earmarks amounts for: (1) the acquisition and deployment of narcotics detection equipment (including maintenance and support of such equipment, training of personnel, new technologies, and certain internal management improvements) along the United States-Mexico border, the United States-Canada border, and the Florida and the Gulf Coast seaports; (2) additional new agents, inspectors, and canine enforcement officers (including, as deemed necessary, import specialists, entry specialists, intelligence analysts, and other administrative and support personnel) along such borders; and (3) Phase One and Phase Two of the Air and Marine Modernization Plan (air and marine drug interdiction operations). Directs the President to submit a plan for funding the acquisition and operation by the Customs Service of tethered aerostat radar systems currently operated by the Department of the Air Force and scheduled for replacement in FY 2002. Revises Federal customs provisions to provide for the appointment of the Commissioner of the Customs Service to a term of five years (with successive five year appointments thereafter). Directs the Commissioner to establish, within the Office of Internal Affairs of the Customs Service, an internal compliance program designed to enhance the performance of the Customs Service mission to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, and in particular, implementation of the Customs Modernization Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise certain country of origin marking requirements with respect to imported articles to subject any person who destroys, removes, alters, or obliterates such mark to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Marriage Tax Penalty Elimination Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise standard deduction amounts and individual income tax rate bracket amounts, including providing that amounts for married filing jointly categories shall be twice that of amounts for single filers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
National Electricity and Environmental Technology Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) identify technology costs and associated performance goals that would permit continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, chemical feedstocks, and transportation fuel; (2) implement research and development programs that include demonstration and commercial application of coal-based technologies; and (3) implement a power plant improvement initiative program demonstrating commercial applications of advanced coal-based technologies applicable to new or existing power plants including co-production plants, which must advance the effectiveness, environmental performance, and cost competitiveness well beyond that which is in operation or has been demonstrated on the date of enactment of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for investment in: (1) a qualifying clean coal technology unit in an existing coal-based electricity generation facility; and (2) early commercial applications of qualifying advanced clean coal technologies. Sets forth formulae for determining tax credits for unit production of both kinds of technologies. Exempts the installation of a qualifying system of continuous emission control from new source review requirements under the Clean Air Act. Grants a ten-year exemption from any new or increased emission control requirements for the specific pollutant controlled by such a system to any existing coal-based electricity generating unit on which it has been installed, if the system meets or exceeds the specified standard of performance for new stationary sources. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a financial risk pool for a limited time to offset the modification costs resulting from the failure of qualifying advanced clean coal technology to achieve its design performance. Cites conditions under which credits for emission reductions and efficiency improvements in existing coal-based generating facilities of electric cooperatives or publicly owned electric utilities may be treated as offset credits. Entitles the Tennessee Valley Authority to aggregate certain clean coal technology credits and apply them as a credit against obligations for annual returns on the appropriations investment and annual repayment sums.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Self-Employed Health Insurance Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for 100 percent of a self-employed individual's health insurance costs for himself or herself, spouse, and dependents, unless such individual participates in an employer-maintained health plan. (Current law provides for a phased-in 100 percent deduction and disallowance upon participation eligibility.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2000
Russian Fissile Materials Disposition Loan Guarantee Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, with the President's approval, to guarantee loans (principal and up to three percent interest) made to the Government of the Russian Federation (GRF) for purposes of nuclear nonproliferation programs and activities. Limits to $1 billion the aggregate amount of loan principal covered by guarantees at any one time. Limits the loan principal to increments of $20 million at a term of at least 15 years. Makes eligible for such guarantees any loan by a private lender to the GRF the proceeds of which are to be used for one or both of the following purposes: (1) support of GRF nuclear nonproliferation programs and activities; and (2) development of the energy infrastructure of the Russian Federation, including peaceful uses of nuclear energy in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Denies guarantee eligibility for any loan whose proceeds are to be used for any purpose or activity under the Plutonium Disposition Agreement, including to cover the costs of the manufacture and use of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel in Russia under the Plutonium Disposition Agreement. Requires the GRF, as security for each $20 million principal increment of a guaranteed loan, to place one metric ton of weapons-usable plutonium and one metric ton of weapons-usable highly enriched uranium under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards at a facility in Russia. Earmarks certain authorized appropriations to cover IAEA expenses in implementing and maintaining such safeguards. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in preparing the final sequestration report required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) for FY 2001, to change any balance of direct spending and receipts legislation for FY 2001 under pay-as-you-go provisions to zero. Treats as direct spending or receipts legislation under pay-as-you-go provisions certain legislation enacted in the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 and the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 (including provisions regarding the repeal of the excise tax on telephone and other communications services) that would have been estimated as changing direct spending or receipts under such provisions were it included in an Act other than an appropriation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2000
Rural States Physician Recruitment and Retention Demonstration Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Rural States Physician Recruitment and Retention demonstration program for ameliorating physician shortage, recruitment, and retention problems in rural States. Directs the Secretary to: (1) increase by up to 15 percent the number of residency and fellowship positions at each medical residency training program in each of two demonstration States selected by the Secretary; (2) negotiate with representatives of each approved medical residency training program in a demonstration State for such additional positions; and (3) establish a loan repayment and forgiveness program under which the Secretary assumes the obligation to repay the educational loan of a participating residency or fellowship graduate (with limitations). Authorizes the Secretary to waive any requirements under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act if necessary to carry out the ten-year demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to establish a State-specific health professions database to track health professionals in each demonstration State with respect to specialty certifications and related practice, license, and training information. Requires a joint demonstration program evaluation by the Council on Graduate Medical Education and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2000
Physician Recruitment and Retention Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project for the purpose of improving: (1) access to health care for beneficiaries under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) the ability of States to recruit and to retain physicians. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on such demonstration project to determine whether the access of Medicare beneficiaries to health care and the ability of States to recruit and to retain physicians is adversely impacted by certain factors (over 20 percent uninsured population, an unemployment rate over 4.8 percent, among others) and improved by increased payments to physicians. Makes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2000
Welcomes the constitutional transition of power in Mexico on December 1, 2000. Congratulates the Mexican people and their elected representatives for this historic change. Expresses the intent of the Senate to continue to work cooperatively with Mexican authorities to promote the health and welfare of U.S. and Mexican citizens endangered by international drug trafficking, use, and production. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the incoming new governments in both Mexico and the United States must develop and implement a counter-drug program that more effectively addresses the official corruption, increase in drug traffic, and lawlessness that has resulted from illegal drug trafficking, and that a one-year waiver of the requirement that the President certify Mexico is warranted to permit both new governments time to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales, New Mexico, certain Air Force excess personal property determined appropriate for use in the operation of the Hospital.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Commends the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, for its successful conduct of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and congratulates the U.S. Olympic Team for its outstanding accomplishments there.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
James Madison Commemoration Commission Act - Establishes a James Madison Commemoration Commission and an advisory committee to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of James Madison. Prescribes the duties of the Commission, including, in cooperation with the advisory committee and the Library of Congress, to: (1) direct the Government Printing Office to compile and publish a book containing a selection of James Madison's most important writings and tributes to him; and (2) plan and coordinate symposia that will be devoted to providing a better understanding of James Madison's contribution to American culture. Requires the Commission to report to the President and Congress by February 15, 2002, on its recommendations, including regarding disposition of historically significant items donated to it.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2000
Reclamation Recycling and Water Conservation Act of 2000 - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of a Santa Fe, New Mexico, regional water management and river restoration project to: (1) divert and fully reuse imported water to meet future demands; (2) convert irrigation uses from potable water to reclaimed water; and (3) use reclaimed water to restore Santa Fe River flows, recharge groundwater resources, and enhance regional surface water supplies. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) participate in the feasibility study, design, planning, and construction of a water resources and infrastructure development plan for the San Ildefonso Pueblo; and (2) conduct a feasibility for a regional backbone pipeline to convey potable water to the pueblos of San Ildefonso, Pojoaque, Nambe, and Tesuque.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2000
Federal Judgeship Act of 2000 - Directs the President to make appointments to specified additional permanent and temporary judgeships in various U.S. circuit courts of appeal and district courts. Establishes a judicial district for: (1) the Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) the Virgin Islands comprising two divisions (the Saint Croix Division and the Saint Thomas and Saint John Division). Includes the Northern Mariana Islands within the ninth judicial circuit. Authorizes the Chief Judge of the ninth circuit to assign judges of courts of record of the Northern Mariana Islands or Guam to serve temporarily as a judge in the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands when necessary. Grants such designated judges the powers of a magistrate judge. Authorizes the judges of the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands to be summoned biennially to judicial conferences. Repeals provisions: (1) directing that such a judge who retires from office after meeting specified age and service requirements receive an annuity equal to the salary received at the time of retirement during the remainder of the judge's lifetime; and (2) granting the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit exclusive jurisdiction of an appeal from an interlocutory order of the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands. Permits any U.S. attorney appointed for the Northern Mariana Islands to serve at the same time as U.S. attorney in another judicial district. Allows individuals from the Northern Mariana Islands to serve as magistrates.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000
Skilled Nursing Facility Care Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with regard to the prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to the SNF market basket update for FY 2001 and 2002 from minus one percentage point to plus four percentage points. Sets forth a special rule for payment for covered SNF services for FY 2001. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) reexamine the SNF market basket percentage that was used in making the update to the first fiscal year under the PPS for SNF services; (2) make adjustments to payments under such PPS for covered SNF services furnished in FY 2002 to reflect any necessary adjustments to such payments appropriate as a result of such reexamination; and (3) publish for public comment a description of whether the Secretary will make any adjustments pursuant to this Act and, if so, their form.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000
Provides that the certification of cooperation of Mexico with U.S. counterdrug efforts shall not be required in FY 2001 in order that certain limitations on bilateral and multilateral development assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall not apply to Mexico in FY 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000
Medicare Temporary Drug Assistance Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Outpatient Prescription Drug Assistance Program) to provide funds to enable States to establish a program of assistance (separate from Medicaid under SSA title XIX) to low-income Medicare (SSA title XVIII) beneficiaries and, at State option, Medicare beneficiaries with high drug costs to obtain coverage for outpatient prescription drugs. Makes appropriations. Allows low-income Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare beneficiaries with high drug costs to elect to suspend Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2000
Pipeline Integrity, Safety, and Reliability Research and Development Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to develop and implement an accelerated cooperative research and development program to ensure the integrity of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Requires the Secretary to: (1) arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for the establishment of a Pipeline Integrity Technical Advisory Committee; and (2) prepare, along with the Committee, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, and submit to Congress a five-year research and development program plan. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Medicare Geographic Fair Payment Act of 2000 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase the annual minimum Medicare+Choice capitation rates for 2001: (1) to $525 for any area in any Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population over 250,000; and (2) to $475 for any area outside such an area. Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services to require (except in the case of hospitals in Puerto Rico) that the actual proportion of a hospital's costs attributable to wages and wage-related costs be wage-adjusted based on the most recent available data.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Santo Domingo Pueblo Claims Settlement Act of 2000 - Approves the May 2000 Settlement Agreement between the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Justice and the Pueblo of Santo Domingo (New Mexico) to Resolve All of the Pueblo's Land Title and Trespass Claims. Extinguishes certain Pueblo land and trespass claims. Sets forth provisions relating to the treatment of land or natural resources transferred by the Pueblo prior to this Act's enactment date and ratifies such transfers. Makes this paragraph effective upon the entry of a compromise final judgment in the case of Pueblo of Santo Domingo v. United States. Establishes the Pueblo of Santo Domingo Land Claims Settlement Fund to be expended by the Pueblo to acquire lands within the exterior boundaries of the exclusive aboriginal occupancy area of the Pueblo and for use for other tribal purposes. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits disbursal of amounts in the Fund until: (1) the case of Pueblo of Santo Domingo v. Rael has been dismissed with prejudice; and (2) the compromise final judgment described above has been entered in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Declares the boundaries of the Santo Domingo Pueblo Grant, as determined by the 1907 Hall-Joy Survey, to be the current boundaries of the Grant and that any lands currently owned or hereafter acquired by the Pueblo within such boundaries or the Grant shall be considered to be Indian country.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2000
Indian Arts and Crafts Enforcement Act of 2000 - Amends the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 to provide that in a civil action brought against a person who offers or displays for sale or sells a good in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization resident within the United States, damages shall include any and all gross profits accrued by the defendant as a result of such activities. Allows such an action to be commenced by an Indian arts and crafts organization on behalf of itself, or by an Indian on behalf of himself or herself. Authorizes the Attorney General, in the case of such a civil action commenced by the Attorney General upon the request of the Secretary of the Interior on behalf of an Indian who is a member of an Indian tribe or on behalf of an Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, to deduct from the amount recovered the amount for the costs of investigation awarded and to reimburse the Indian Arts and Crafts Board the amount of such costs incurred as a direct result of Board activities in the suit. Requires the Board to promulgate regulations to include specific examples in the definition of the term "Indian product."
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Early Learning Opportunities Act - Provides funds for increasing: (1) availability of early learning programs; and (2) compensation for child care providers. Declares that no person, including a parent, shall be required to participate in any program of early childhood education, early learning, parent education, or developmental screening under this Act. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the rights of parents otherwise established in Federal, State, or local law. Declares that no entity receiving funds under this Act shall be required to provide services under this Act through a particular instructional method or in a particular instructional setting. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Directs the Secretary of HHS (the Secretary) and the Secretary of Education to develop mechanisms to resolve administrative and programmatic conflicts between Federal programs that would be a barrier to parents, caregivers, service providers, or children related to the coordination of services and funding for early learning programs. Requires nonrestrictive use of equipment and supplies for collaborative activities funded under this Act and other law providing for Federal child care or early learning programs. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States to award subgrants to Local Councils to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out early learning programs in the locality served by the Local Council. Sets forth requirements for: (1) non-Federal share; (2) uses of funds; (3) duties of Lead State Agencies and of Local Councils; (4) reservations of funds for Indian tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; (5) State allotments based on numbers of children age four and younger and of such children in families below the poverty line; (6) Federal and State grant administration; (7) State eligibility and preferences for Local Councils, and Local Council preferences for projects; (8) performance goals; and (9) local allocations, applications, and administration.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Congratulates: (1) the Mexican people for their struggle for representative democracy and the rule of law: (2) Vincente Fox Quesada for his electoral triumph; and (3) Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, current President of the United Mexican States, for his commitment to ensure the peaceful and stable transition of power. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) expand and intensify its cooperation with the newly elected Government of Mexico to promote economic development and to reduce poverty to achieve an improved quality of life for citizens of both countries; (2) confront common threats such as the trafficking in illicit narcotics; and (3) act in solidarity to promote representative democracy and the rule of law throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present a gold medal to General Wesley K. Clark, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and service as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during the military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Violence Against Women Act of 2000 - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General (AG) to make grants to provide technical assistance and equipment to police departments, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions to facilitate the widespread enforcement of protection orders. Revises provisions of the Federal criminal code governing the full faith and credit of protection orders. Designates State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees under the program to combat violent crimes against women. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 various programs which address violence against women, including domestic violence and stalking offenses. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Authorizes the AG to award grants to increase the availability of legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 various grants and programs under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the AG to make grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments for the provision of supervised visitation and safe visitation exchange of children by and between parents in situations involving domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 runaway and homeless youth grants and programs for victims of child abuse. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for model programs of education and training in appropriate responses to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Title V: Battered Immigrant Women - Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide certain protections to battered immigrant women. Title VI: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Extends through FY 2005 the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2000
National and Community Service Amendments Act of 2000 - Title I: Amendments to National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) to reauthorize and revise various programs. (Sec. 103) Revises provisions for school-based and community-based service-learning programs to: (1) include Indian tribes as qualified organizations for program participation; and (2) eliminate a requirement that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) give priority to grant applications containing specified proposals. (Sec. 104) Revises provisions for the national service trust program to: (1) eliminate provisions authorizing CNCS to transfer funds to another Federal agency to support a national service program; (2) limit the CNCS's share of the aggregate cost of national service positions, through a formula based on a specified amount per participant; (3) eliminate Federal agency positions from eligibility for approval for national service positions or educational awards; (4) establish a State minimum for national service grant awards; (5) provide for grants to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities, and for demonstration programs of outreach to such individuals; (6) reserve certain funds to support programs reducing CNCS costs; and (7) modify provisions relating to participant performance, selection, terms of service, and living allowances. (Sec. 105) Revises provisions for the national service trust to include, as an allowable use of trust funds, national service scholarships (under the program established by this Act). Makes expenditures from the trust available for interest payments during forbearance on loan repayment and for national service scholarship awards. Provides that a prohibition against using the educational award to pay off loans made to parents also applies to loans made to parents under the direct student loan program. Allows educational awards to be used to pay off private or State loans. Permits the trust to be used to support a national service scholarship program to recognize secondary school juniors and seniors engaged in community service activities. (Sec. 106)Authorizes the Director of the Civilian Community Corps (CCC) to select individuals with prior supervisory or service experience to be team leaders. Requires team leaders to be selected without regard to a specified age limitation. Revises authorized benefits for CCC members. (Sec. 107) Repeals the authority of State commissions and any division of CNCS to enter into agreements for coordinating functions. (Sec. 108) Eliminates a provision relating to staggered terms for CNS board members. Allows appointed board members whose terms have expired to continue to serve for a specified limited period. Authorizes the chief executive officer (CEO) of CNCS to enter into agreements with other agencies to carry out activities to implement national service laws. (Sec. 109) Authorizes the CEO of CNCS to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the board of directors of the Points of Light Foundation. (Sec. 110) Extends through FY 2005 the authorization of appropriations for programs under NCSA. Title II: Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to reauthorize and revise: (1) title I National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs, part A Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) including VISTA Literacy Corps, part B University Year for VISTA, part C Special Volunteer Programs including literacy challenge grants; and (2) title II National Senior Service Corps (currently National Senior Volunteer Corps), part A Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), part B Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), and part C Senior Companion Program (SCP). (Sec. 203) Includes as a VISTA objective the encouragement of supportive efforts by local agencies and organizations to achieve long-term sustainability of programs in the absence of Federal assistance. Encourages the VISTA Director to enter into agreements under which public agencies and private organizations pay all or part of the direct cost of supporting volunteers. Authorizes the VISTA Director to provide a stipend of a maximum of $200 per month to individuals designated as volunteer leaders. (Sec. 204) Renames the National Senior Volunteer Corps as the National Senior Service Corps (NSSC). Eliminates the priority for enrolling individuals age 60 and older (but continues to allow individuals age 55 and older to enroll). Allows individuals age 55 (currently 60) or older to enroll in FGP, but gives priority to enrolling individuals age 60 or older. Requires any stipend under FGP to be at least $2.55 per hour and be adjusted for inflation once prior September 30, 2005. Allows individuals age 55 (currently 60) or older to enroll in SCP, but gives priority to enrolling individuals age 60 or older. Requires the SCP Director spend certain amounts each year to promote SCP. Prohibits awarding national significance grants for RSVP, FGP, or SCP unless the appropriated allocation for each program exceeds the appropriated allocations for each of the two preceding years. (Sec. 206) Extends through 2005 the authorization of appropriations for programs under DVSA. Title III: Technical Amendments to Other Laws - Revises references and makes other technical and conforming amendments to various other Federal laws.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
Transfers administrative jurisdiction over the surface estate of specified public lands at Melrose Air Force Range, New Mexico, from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Air Force. Withdraws the mineral estate of such lands from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws and the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, but not the Materials Act of 1947. Allows the Secretary of the Air Force to use, without application to the Secretary, the sand, gravel, or similar mineral material resources on such lands, of the type subject to disposition under such Act, when the use of such resources is required for construction needs on the Range. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over the surface estate of specified public lands at Yakima Training Center, Washington, from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Army. Sets forth similar withdrawal and use requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2000
Southern High Plains Groundwater Resource Conservation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the United States Geological Survey, to develop a hydrogeologic mapping, modeling, and monitoring program for the Southern Ogallala Aquifer (as defined by this Act). Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to establish a groundwater conservation assistance program for such Aquifer. Directs the Secretary to create a groundwater conservation plan certification process. States that farms in jurisdictions with a certified plan shall be eligible for specified implementation assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Cerro Grande Fire Assistance Act - Entitles persons suffering injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death, as a result of the Cerro Grande, New Mexico, fire (the fire resulting from the National Park Service's prescribed burn at Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, on May 4, 2000) to receive from the United States compensation for injury suffered as a result of such fire. Establishes an Office of Cerro Grande Fire Claims within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to receive, process, and pay claims in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the FEMA Director to appoint an Independent Claims Manager to head the Office and assume the Director's duties under this title. Provides for submission of claims no later than two years after the date regulations are first promulgated under this Act. Requires the Director, on behalf of the United States, to investigate, determine, grant, deny, or settle any claim for money damages asserted by an injured person. Applies the laws of the State of New Mexico to the calculation of damages. Limits payments under thisAct to actual compensatory damages measured by injuries suffered and excludes interest before settlement or payment of a claim or punitive damages. Requires the Director, no later than 180 days after a claim is submitted, to determine and fix the amount to be paid for the claim. Provides for the payment of subrogation claims only after paying claims submitted by injured parties that are not insurance companies seeking payment as subrogees. Requires the Director, to prevent recovery by a claimant in excess of actual compensatory damages, to reduce the amount to be paid for the claim by an amount equal to the total of insurance benefits or other payments or settlements to be paid with respect to the claim. Authorizes a claimant, if a partial payment is received, but further payment on a claim is denied, to seek judicial review and keep any received payment unless the claimant was ineligible for, or fraudulently procured, the compensation. Describes allowable damages, including uncompensated property, business, and financial losses. Requires the acceptance by a claimant of any payment under thisAct (except a partial or advance payment) to: (1) be final and conclusive on the claimant with respect to claims relating to the same subject matter; and (2) constitute a complete release of claims against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act or any other Federal or State law. Provides for promulgation and publication of regulations and dissemination of information on the rights conferred under this Act and regulatory requirements through newspapers and other media. Authorizes injured persons to elect to seek compensation from the United States for injuries resulting from the Cerro Grande fire by: (1) submitting a claim under this Act; (2) filing a claim or bringing a civil action under the Federal Tort Claims Act; or (3) bringing a civil action under any other law. Makes such election final and conclusive on the claimant with respect to all such injuries suffered. Requires the Director to establish procedures under which a dispute regarding a claim may be settled by arbitration. Provides that arbitration shall be binding and preclude any exercise of the right to judicial review of a claim. Authorizes civil actions to be brought in the district court for New Mexico by claimants aggrieved by the Director's final decision under this Act. Limits attorney's or agent fees to ten percent of the amount of any payment on a claim for services rendered in connection with a claim. Provides for fines for violations of such limitation. Provides that State or local projects carried out in response to the Cerro Grande fire under any Federal program that applies to an area affected by the fire shall not be subject to matching fund requirements. Makes the Federal cost share of such projects 100 percent. Describes requirements for compensation to Indians and Indian tribes under this title, including that Indians shall be entitled to proceed in the same manner as any other injured person and that the Bureau of Indian Affairs shall have no responsibility to restore land damaged by the fire except land that is the subject of the claim. Requires the Director to report annually to Congress on claims submitted under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2000
Southwest Border Judgeship Act of 2000 - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, specified: (1) permanent judgeships (three additional district judges for the southern district of California, one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico, and two additional district judges each for the southern and western districts of Texas); and (2) temporary judgeships (three additional district judges for the district of Arizona, one additional district judge for the southern district of California, and one additional district judge for the district of New Mexico). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2000
Declares that the Senate: (1) recognizes the need to encourage active involvement of fathers in the rearing and development of their children and that while there are millions of fathers who serve as a wonderful caring parent for their children, there are children on Father's Day who will have no one to celebrate with; (2) urges fathers to participate in their children's lives both financially and emotionally and to understand the level of responsibility required when fathering a child and to fulfill that responsibility; (3) encourages fathers to devote time, energy, and resources to their children; (4) is committed to assist absent fathers become more responsible and engaged in their children's lives; (5) designates June 18, 2000, as National Responsible Father's Day; and (6) calls on fathers around the country to use the day to reconnect and rededicate themselves to their children's lives, to spend such day with them, and to express their love and support for their children.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Navajo Nation Trust Land Leasing Act of 2000 - Provides that leases by the Navajo Nation for purposes authorized under existing law, except a lease for the exploration, development, or extraction of any mineral resources, shall not require the Secretary of the Interior's approval, if the term of the lease does not exceed 75 years (including options to renew) and it is executed under tribal regulations that are approved by Secretary. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to individually owned Navajo Indian allotted land located within the Navajo Nation. Gives the Secretary the authority to approve or disapprove such tribal regulations. Denies the Secretary approval authority over individual leases of Navajo trust lands, except for the exploration, development, or extraction of any mineral resources.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that a major objective of the foreign assistance program of the United States is to control tuberculosis, and that consequently Congress expects the agency primarily responsible for the administration of tuberculosis control health programs to focus upon implementation of Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) or other internationally accepted primary tuberculosis control strategies developed in consultation with the World Health Organization and other designated organizations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Mental Health Early Intervention, Treatment, and Prevention Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish programs for the treatment of mental illness. Directs the creation of a national anti-stigma and suicide prevention campaign to reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness. Provides for award grants to States, their political subdivisions, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to train teachers and school personnel to recognize and respond to symptoms of adolescent mental disorders. Authorizes grants to support the designation of emergency mental health centers. Provides for a program of up to 125 grants to develop programs to divert individuals with mental illness from the criminal justice system to community-based services. Establishes grant programs for: (1) reduction of suicide deaths; (2) outreach screening to identify and refer persons with mental illnesses and co- occurring substance abuse disorders; (3) expansion of community-based mental health services; and (4) establishment of centers of excellence on psychological trauma response. Requires establishment, through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, of a research program to determine factors contributing to noncompliance with outpatient treatment plans and design innovative methods to enhance compliance. Directs the creation of Centers for Excellence in Translational Research, and programs to increase the supply of basic and clinical researchers in the mental health field. Creates a grant program to provide integrated child welfare and mental health services for children and adolescents under age 19 in the child welfare system or at risk of becoming part of the system, and parents or caregivers with mental illness or mental illness and a co-occurring substance abuse disorder. Provides for grants for accredited primary care residency training programs and continuing education programs to identify and refer persons with a mental illness. Establishes a commission to study mental health issues research and develop model State legislation based on such research results. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct the Attorney General to make grants for mental health court programs: (1) to provide training of law enforcement and judicial personnel in addressing the unique needs of individuals with a mental illness who come in contact with the criminal justice system; and (2) to coordinate criminal adjudication, supervision, and delivery of mental health treatment for preliminarily qualified individuals. Establishes a mental health screening and treatment grant program for persons in jails and prisons. Directs that grants be made to train State and local law enforcement officers in identification of and resources available to individuals with a mental illness.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2000
Directed Energy Coordination and Consolidation Act of 2000 - Establishes within the Department of Defense (DOD) the Joint Technology Office, to be part of the National Directed Energy Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Places the Office under the authority of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology. Requires the Office to: (1) develop and oversee the management of a DOD-wide program of science and technology relating to directed energy (such as high-energy laser) technologies, systems, and weapons; (2) coordinate initiatives for such science and technology; (3) develop and manage the National Directed Energy Technology Alliance, a program to foster the exchange of directed energy information between DOD, other Federal agencies, institutions of higher education, and the private sector; and (4) carry out related activities as considered appropriate by the Under Secretary. Establishes the Technology Council to review and recommend priorities among proposed directed energy programs, projects, and activities. Establishes the Technology Board of Directors, to whom the Council shall make recommendations regarding funding for directed energy programs, projects, and activities. Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) implement the portion of the High Energy Laser Master Plan relating to technology area working groups; and (2) require the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide technology area working groups for various laser research and technology development. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and undertake initiatives for enhancing the defense industrial base for directed energy technologies and systems; (2) evaluate and implement proposals for modernizing the High Energy Laser Test Facility at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; (3) evaluate the feasibility and advisability of entering into cooperative programs or activities with other Federal agencies, institutions of higher education, and the private sector for enhancing programs, projects, and activities relating to directed energy technologies, systems, and weapons; and (4) carry out all such activities through the Council. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001, to be allocated by the Office Director among appropriate activities.