Bill· SS. 2623 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1998
Government for the 21st Century Act of 1998 - Establishes the Commission on Government Restructuring and Reform (Commission) to examine and make recommendations to reform and restructure the organization and operations of the executive branch of the Federal Government to improve economy, efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, and accountability in Government programs and services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001. Terminates the Commission by the end of FY 2001. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the President to submit to the Commission a report consistent with specified criteria, containing a single legislative proposal (including legislation proposed to be enacted), to implement those recommendations for which legislation is necessary or appropriate. Directs the Commission to submit a single preliminary report to the President and the Congress which includes: (1) a description of the Commission's findings and recommendations, taking into account any recommendations submitted by the President to the Commission; and (2) reasons for such recommendations. (Sec. 5) Requires any preliminary report submitted to the President and the Congress to be made immediately available to the public. Directs the Commission to announce and hold public hearings for the purpose of receiving comments on the reports. Requires the Commission, after the conclusion of the period for public hearings, to submit to the President a final report that includes: (1) a description of the Commission's findings and recommendations, including a description of changes made to the report as a result of public comment on the preliminary report; (2) reasons for such recommendations; and (3) a single legislative proposal (including legislation proposed to be enacted) to implement those recommendations for which legislation is necessary or appropriate. Requires such report to be made available to the public on the date of submission to the President. Requires the President to approve or disapprove the report. Directs the President: (1) if the report is approved, to submit the report to the Congress for legislative action; and (2) if the report is disapproved, to report the specific issues and objections, including the reasons for any changes recommended in the report, to the Commission and the Congress. Requires the Commission to consider any issues or objections raised by the President and permits modification of the report based on such issues and objections. Mandates submission of the final report (as modified, if modified) to the President and the Congress no later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the President's disapproval. (Sec. 6) Provides for congressional consideration of the reform proposals. (Sec. 7) Gives the Director of the Office of Management and Budget primary responsibility for implementation of the Commission's report and the Act enacted to implement reform proposals. Directs each affected Federal department and agency, as a part of its annual budget request, to transmit to the appropriate congressional committees its schedule for implementation of the provisions of the Act for each fiscal year. Requires, in addition, that the report contain an estimate of the total expenditures required and the cost savings to be achieved by each action, along with the Secretary's assessment of the effect of the action. Requires that the report also include a report of any activities that have been eliminated, consolidated, or transferred to other departments or agencies. Requires the Comptroller General to periodically report to the Congress and the President regarding the accomplishment, costs, timetable, and effectiveness of the implementation of any Act enacted to implement the reform proposals. (Sec. 8) Provides for any proceeds from the sale of assets of any department or agency resulting from the enactment of an Act to implement the reform proposals to be: (1) applied to reduce the Federal deficit; and (2) deposited in the Treasury and treated as general receipts.
Bill· SS. 2541 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1998
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic located at 543 Taylor Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, as the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 122 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Condemns the repressive policies of the Government of the former Soviet Union during the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933. Expresses the sense of the Congress: (1) in remembrance of the victims of the Famine; and (2) that any supplemental material that will assist in disseminating information about the Famine should be compiled and made available worldwide.
Law· SJRESS.J.Res. 58 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Recognizes the many accomplishments of the Offices of Inspector General in preventing and detecting waste, fraud, and abuse in the Government. Commends such Offices and their employees for the dedication and professionalism displayed in the performance of their duties. Reaffirms the role of Inspectors General in promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of Government programs and operations.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 121 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1998
Calls upon the President to: (1) pursue enhanced enforcement of U.S. trade laws with respect to the increase in steel imports into the United States, including imposition of offsetting duties, quantitative restrictions, and other appropriate remedial measures; (2) pursue with all methods at the President's disposal to achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden of accepting imports of finished steel products from Asia and the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (3) establish a task force that has responsibility for closely monitoring U.S. imports of steel; and (4) report to the Congress by January 5, 1999, with a comprehensive plan for responding to the increase in steel imports, including ways of limiting the deleterious effects on employment, prices, and investment in the U.S. steel industry.
Bill· SS. 2499 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1998
Power Marketing Administration Reform Act of 1998 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop and implement procedures to ensure that the Federal Power Marketing Administrations (FPMAs) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) utilize the same accounting principles and requirements as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) applies to the electric operations of public utilities. (Sec. 3) Requires each FPMA and the TVA to submit periodically for FERC review rates proposed for the sale or disposition of Federal energy that will ensure recovery of all costs in generating and marketing such energy. Prescribes rate mechanism and pricing guidelines. Establishes within the Treasury the Fund for Environmental Mitigation and Restoration to: (1) mitigate damage to fish, wildlife, and other environmental resources attributable to power generation and sales facilities; and (2) restore the health of such fish, wildlife, and resources. Mandates project-specific mitigation plans for each power generation project. Establishes within the Treasury a Fund for Renewable Resources, to be administered by the Secretary of Energy. Prescribes expenditure guidelines. Mandates that public bodies and cooperatives be given a preference for future power allocations or reallocations of Federal power through a right of first refusal at market prices. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to require each FPMA to: (1) assign personnel and incur expenses solely for authorized power marketing, reclamation, and flood control activities, and not for ancillary activities; and (2) make annual public disclosures of its activities, including the full costs of power projects and marketing. Precludes an FPMA from entering into or renewing any power marketing contract for a term exceeding five years. (Sec. 4) Requires provision of FPMA transmission services on an open access basis, and at FERC-approved rates in the same manner as provided by any public utility under FERC jurisdiction. (Sec. 5) Grants FERC rate-making approval authority until a full transition is made to market-based rates, for: (1) rate schedules recommended by the Secretary of Energy; and (2) rate schedules for FPMA power sales. (Sec. 6) Amends: (1) the Department of Energy Organization Act to reflect the changes made by this Act; and (2) specified Federal law to repeal the prohibition against the use of appropriated funds for purposes relating to the possibility of changing from an "at cost" to a "market rate" or any other noncost-based method for pricing Federal hydroelectric power.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 271 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1998
Designates October 16, 1998, as National Mammography Day.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 264 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1998
Designates October 8, 1998, as the Day of National Concern About Young People and Gun Violence.
Law· SS. 2364 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1998
Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (the Act) to replace titles I through VI of such Act with the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to cooperate with States and other entities to ensure that Federal economic development programs are compatible with and further the objectives of State, regional, and local economic development plans and comprehensive economic development strategies. Authorizes the Secretary to provide appropriate technical assistance to such entities in order to alleviate economic distress, encourage partnerships for economic development strategies, and promote investment in infrastructure and technological capacity to keep pace with the changing global economy. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations for intergovernmental review of proposed economic development projects. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into economic development cooperation agreements with two or more adjoining States. Defines an "eligible recipient," for purposes of this Act, as: (1) an area with a per capita income of 80 percent or less of the national average or an unemployment rate at least one percent greater than the national average or one which has experienced or is about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems; (2) an economic development district; (3) an Indian tribe; (4) a State; (5) a political subdivision; (6) an institution of higher education; or (7) a nonprofit organization acting in cooperation with local officials. Sets forth provisions similar to existing provisions of law authorizing grants to eligible recipients for acquisition or development of public works and development facilities. Retains a limitation that prohibits more than 15 percent of the amounts made available for such assistance from being expended in any one State. Authorizes assistance for public works and economic development to be available for a project to be carried out on a military or Department of Energy installation that is closed or scheduled for closure or realignment without requiring an eligible recipient to have title to the property or a leasehold interest for any specified term. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law authorizing grants for economic planning. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for related administrative expenses as well. Provides a Federal cost-share limit of 50 percent of project costs. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplementary grants for a project for which the recipient is eligible but for which the recipient cannot provide the required non-Federal share. Provides supplementary grant conditions and requirements, authorizing the Secretary to reduce or waive the required non-Federal share in certain cases. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law that authorize technical assistance useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment. Authorizes grants for training and research for such purposes as well. Permits the Secretary to reduce or waive the non-Federal share of a project so assisted if the project is not feasible without, and merits, such a reduction or waiver. Retains an existing provision of law regarding the prevention of unfair competition. Sets forth provisions similar to those under existing law which authorize grants for economic adjustment to alleviate long-term economic deterioration and sudden economic dislocation. Revises criteria for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) approve the use of grant funds for projects the scope or purpose for which has been modified after the grant has been made; and (2) use funds for projects constructed for less than the projected costs to improve such projects. Bars assistance for public works and economic development from being used for attorney's or consultants' fees incurred in connection with obtaining grants and contracts. Requires areas to have per capita incomes of 80 percent or less of the national average or unemployment rates at least one percent greater than the national average or to have experienced or be about to experience actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems in order to be eligible for grants for public works and economic development or economic adjustment. Requires from such applicants: (1) documentation of meeting such criteria; and (2) evidence of a comprehensive economic development strategy which identifies the economic problems to be addressed through such assistance, as well as related information. Revises conditions under which areas may be designated as economic development districts by the Secretary. Retains: (1) existing incentives for increasing grant assistance in districts where participants are actively participating in economic development activities and the project is consistent with the district's comprehensive economic development strategy; and (2) provisions authorizing assistance to parts of districts not in eligible areas. Directs the Secretary to carry out this Act through an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development who shall serve as the Administrator of the Economic Development Administration. Directs the Secretary to maintain an information clearinghouse on all matters relating to economic development and adjustment, disaster recovery, defense conversion, and trade adjustment programs and activities of Federal and State governments and to assist applicants for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish procurement divisions of the Federal Government with a list of business firms located in distressed areas that desire Federal contracts. Requires the Secretary to conduct reviews of university centers that receive grant assistance under this Act to assess their performance and contribution toward retention and creation of employment. Provides for penalty, administrative, and recordkeeping provisions similar to those under existing law. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. Authorizes additional appropriations for defense conversion activities and disaster economic recovery activities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding economic recovery for disaster areas, special economic development and adjustment assistance, and the job opportunities program.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 110 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
Declares that the Congress honors the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the U.S. Capitol Police for the selfless acts of heroism they displayed on July 24, 1998, in sacrificing their lives in the line of duty so that others might live. Provides that, when the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourn on this date, they shall do so out of respect for the memory of Officers Gibson and Chestnut.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 111 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1998
Authorizes the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a memorial service for Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the U.S. Capitol Police. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to place a plaque in honor of the memory of Officers Gibson and Chestnut at an appropriate site in the U.S. Capitol, with the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Directs the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives to make arrangements for funeral services for Officers Gibson and Chestnut, including payments for travel expenses of immediate family members, and for expenses incurred by Members of the House of Representatives in attending such services. Directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to pay survivor's gratuities to the widows of Officers Gibson and Chestnut. Expresses the sense of the Congress that there should be established under law a U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund for the surviving spouses and children of members of the U.S. Capitol Police who are slain in the line of duty.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 108 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1998
Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the National Heart Act and the creation of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Law· SS. 2316 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1998
Instructs the Secretary of Energy to prepare for mandatory inclusion in the President's budget request for FY 2000 a plan and proposed legislation to ensure that all amounts accrued on the books of the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) for the disposition of depleted uranium hexafluoride will be used to commence construction, by January 31, 2004, and operate an onsite facility at each of the gaseous diffusion plants at Paducah, Kentucky, and Portsmouth, Ohio, to treat and recycle depleted uranium hexafluoride. Prohibits the withdrawal of such amounts from either the USEC Fund or the Working Capital Account until one year after the date on which the President submits the FY 2000 budget request to the Congress.
Bill· SS. 2295 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1998
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to extend through FY 2001 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the Federal Council on the Aging; (2) administration; (3) grants for State and community programs on aging; (4) the availability of surplus commodities; (5) training, research, and discretionary projects and programs; (6) community service employment for older Americans; (7) grants for Native Americans; (8) allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection activities; and (9) the Native American program.
Bill· SS. 2258 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1998
Sanctions Implementation Procedures Act of 1998 - Authorizes the President to delay the initial imposition of sanctions against a foreign country mandated by statute if it is determined that such delay is necessary: (1) to assist in negotiating a cessation by the country of the sanctionable activity; or (2) for a review of the potential effectiveness of such sanction. Terminates such a delay and imposes such a sanction: (1) 45 days after the delay commenced; or (2), if earlier, when a report submitted under this Act does not recommend that the sanction should not apply. Allows an extended delay of 15 days if such a report does recommend that the sanction should not apply; but requires imposition of the sanction after such 15-day period if the Congress has not enacted a joint resolution approving the recommendation. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a report setting forth: (1) the objectives of the country sanction delayed; (2) the extent of multilateral support, if any, for such sanction; (3) the estimated impact on the country to be sanctioned; (4) the costs and benefits to the United States of imposing the country sanction; and (5) if the President so determines, based upon such information, a recommendation that the country sanction should not apply with respect to a sanctionable activity. Declares that a country sanction with respect to which the President has made such a recommendation shall not apply with respect to the sanctionable activity if the Congress enacts a joint resolution approving such recommendation. Directs the President, two years after the initial imposition of any country sanction, and annually thereafter, to submit a similar report to the Congress. Sets forth congressional procedures for the approval of joint resolutions.
Bill· SS. 2228 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Advisory Committee Termination and Streamlining Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to terminate, three years after the enactment of this Act, each advisory committee established, authorized, or reauthorized by statute, with the exception of any advisory committee the purpose of which is to: (1) provide for peer review of Federal grant or research applications or similar activities; (2) provide advice and recommendations relating to academic certification of Federal institutions; or (3) address critical needs relating to health, safety, national security, or other concerns as the President may certify. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to prescribe regulations (currently, administrative guidelines) applicable to advisory committees. Changes to March 15 the deadline for the submission of the annual report by the President to the Congress on the activities, status, and changes in the composition of advisory committees in existence during the preceding fiscal year. Revises the requirement for public notice of advisory committee meetings to be published in the Federal Register to require the Administrator to prescribe regulations to provide for other types of public notice in addition to, or in lieu of, notices in the Federal Register.
Bill· SS. 2222 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Reinstatement of the Medicare Rehabilitation Benefit Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program. Provides that for outpatient physical therapy services, outpatient occupational therapy services, and outpatient speech-language pathology services covered under Medicare and furnished on or after January 1, 2000, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall implement a new payment methodology based on the classification of individuals by diagnostic category, functional status, and prior use of services in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Requires that such payment methodology be designed so that, taking into account the increased expenditures resulting from this Act, it does not result in any increase or decrease in the expenditures under Medicare on a fiscal year basis.
Bill· SS. 2233 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Biomass and Coal Facilities Extension Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the placed-in-service date for biomass and coal facilities.
Bill· SS. 2209 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Class-Size Reduction and Teacher Quality Act of 1998 - Establishes a grants program to help States and local educational agencies recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional teachers over a seven-year period in order to: (1) reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. Makes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2008 for such program. Sets forth program requirements for: (1) allotments to States; (2) grant applications; (3) within-State allocations; (4) State-level activities; (5) local uses of funds; (6) cost-sharing; (7) carryover of funds; (8) accountability; (9) participation of private school teachers; (10) evaluation; and (11) waivers.
Bill· SS. 2213 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Education Flexibility Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Goals 2000: Educate America Act to authorize the Secretary of Education to allow all States to participate in the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Act program. Directs the Secretary to make available funds to carry out such program for FY 1999 through 2003.
Bill· SS. 2180 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1998 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard or if such material is an item of scrap paper containing, at the time of recycling, a concentration of a hazardous substance determined to present a significant human health or environmental risk.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 235 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Congratulates the Philippines on the commemoration of its independence from Spain. Recognizes and supports the relationship between the Philippines and the United States. Supports Philippine efforts to strengthen democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and expansion of free market economics.
Law· SS. 2071 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Extends for seven years the quarterly financial report program administered by the Secretary of Commerce.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 227 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1998
Condemns the decision of the Government of India to conduct three nuclear tests on May 11, 1998. Calls upon: (1) the President to carry out the provisions of the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1994 with respect to India and invoke all sanctions therein; (2) the Government of India to take immediate steps to reduce tensions that this step has caused; (3) the Governments of Pakistan and the People's Republic of China and all governments to exercise restraint in response to the Indian nuclear tests, in order to avoid further exacerbating the nuclear arms race in South Asia; (4) all governments in the region to take steps to prevent further proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles; and (5) the Government of India to enter into a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency which would cover all Indian nuclear research facilities at the earliest possible time.
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