United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Directs: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury, by January 1 of each year, to transmit to the Director of National Drug Control Policy a list of those individuals who play a significant role in international narcotics trafficking; and (2) the Director, by February 1 of each year, to transmit to the President the list, together with recommendations for individuals to be included or excluded. Prohibits the inclusion of the name of any individual if the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) determines that the disclosure of that person's role in international narcotics trafficking could compromise U.S. intelligence sources or methods. Requires: (1) the DCI to advise the President when a determination is made to withhold an individual's identity; and (2) the President to submit a report in classified form to the House and Senate intelligence committees in each such case setting forth the reasons for the determination. Prohibits the President from determining later than March 1 of each year whether to designate persons on the list as persons constituting an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. Directs the President to: (1) notify the Secretary of any person so designated; and (2) report to Congress the reasons for any determination not to designate any person on such list as such a threat. Sets forth provisions regarding changes in designations of individuals as threats. (Sec. 4) Finds that a national emergency exists with respect to any individual who is a specially designated narcotics trafficker. Blocks all property of the following persons which is, or which comes within, the possession or control of a U.S. person, with exceptions: (1) a specially designated narcotics trafficker; (2) a person who materially assists in, provides financial or technological support for, or provides goods or services in support of, the narcotics trafficking activities of a specially designated narcotics trafficker; and (3) a person determined by the Secretary to be owned or controlled by, or to act for or on behalf of, a specially designated narcotics trafficker. Prohibits (with exceptions) any transaction or dealing by a U.S. person, or within the United States: (1) in property or interests therein of any specially designated narcotics trafficker; and (2) that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate provisions regarding the blocking of assets under this section. Authorizes the Secretary to take such actions and to employ all powers granted to the President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as may be necessary to carry out this section. Subjects violations of licenses, orders, or regulations under this Act to the same penalties as provided by the IEEPA. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary of State (with exceptions) to deny a visa to, and the Attorney General to not admit to the United States, any: (1) specially designated narcotics trafficker; or (2) alien who the consular officer or the Attorney General knows or has reason to believe is a spouse or minor child of such trafficker, who materially assists such trafficker, or who is owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, such trafficker.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Research on Lupus Title II: Delivery of Services Regarding Lupus Lupus Research and Care Amendments of 1999 - Title I: Research on Lupus - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to expand and intensify research and related activities of the Institute regarding lupus. Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate such activities with similar activities conducted by other national research institutes and agencies of the National Institutes of Health; and (2) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, lupus, including research to determine the reasons underlying the elevated prevalence of the disease among African-American and other women. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Delivery of Services Regarding Lupus - Mandates grants for the establishment, operation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with lupus and their families. Regulates charges (whether they are characterized as enrollment fees, premiums, deductibles, cost sharing, copayments, coinsurance, or other charges) imposed by grantees on service recipients. Authorizes technical assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Surface Transportation Act of 1999 - Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to remove restrictions on the State Infrastructure Bank Pilot Program, including the limitation on the Secretary of Transportation's entering into cooperative agreements with no more than ten States for the establishment of State and multi-state infrastructure banks. (Sec. 3) Amends Federal transportation provisions to authorize a State to use for a project under the High Priority Projects Program any funds apportioned under such provisions for which the project is eligible. Allows a State, if a project is not eligible for such funds, to use for the project certain funds apportioned to the State under the Surface Transportation Program (STP). Directs that such apportioned funds be reimbursed from amounts allocated for the project in an amount equal to that used under this section, but not to exceed the total of the amounts allocated for the project. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the obligation of National Highway System funds for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of, and preventative maintenance for, intercity rail passenger facilities and rolling stock. Authorizes the use of STP funds for capital costs for transit projects eligible for assistance, including rail, or a combination of bus and rail. Makes eligible under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program certain projects or programs that will have air quality benefits through acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of, and preventative maintenance for, intercity rail passenger facilities and rolling stock. Transfers to Amtrak and publicly-owned intercity or intracity passenger rail lines specified highway and transit funds. (Sec. 5) Revises provisions regarding the Historic Bridges Program to eliminate a restriction that caps the amount of Federal-aid highway funds that can be spent on a historic bridge to a sum equal to the cost of demolition. (Sec. 6) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to make a change with respect to the distribution of the Federal-aid obligation limitation to make all obligation authority for the program available as multi-year funding.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Worksite Child Care Development Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a limited tax credit for employers who provide child care assistance for dependents of their employees. Terminates such credit for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Prenatal, Infant, and Child Development Act of 1999 - Title I: Funds Provided Under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for the transfer of TANF funds for early childhood collaborative efforts, and for enhanced child care quality, under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBG), among other purposes. Provides for a bonus grant under the TANF program to reward "high performance" States for improvement of child and adult literacy rates, improvement of child immunization rates, and other specified measures selected by the State that are related to the status of families and children. Title II: Expansion of the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant - Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to expand the Maternal and Child Health Services program to enable each State to design programs to address the physical, cognitive, and social developmental needs of infants and children under age five. Title III: Satellite Training - Digital Education Act of 1999 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to: (1) change the Ready-To-Learn Television grant program into a Ready-To-Learn Digital Television grant program; (2) provide for a satellite television network to provide training for child care providers (including Head Start personnel) who serve children under age five; and (3) authorize appropriations. Title IV: Healthy Early Childhood Development Systems of Care - Amends CCDBG to provide for block grants to States for health early childhood development systems of care. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Credentialing and Accreditation - Amends CCDBG to fund State child care credentialing and accreditation incentive programs which each eligible State receiving a funding allotment from the Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to establish and carry out for assisting child care providers who serve children under age five, and for other purposes. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999
Seniors' Access to Continuing Care Act of 1999 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to prohibit health insurance provided through a managed care organization under a group health plan (and, for the PHSA, health insurance in the individual market) from denying coverage with regard to a continuing care retirement community or other qualified facility concerning: (1) post-hospitalization services in the same community or facility as in pre-hospitalization; (2) skilled nursing services without a preceding hospitalization; and (3) the same facility the participant's or beneficiary's spouse already resides in. Makes the prohibition: (1) depend on whether such services are otherwise covered; and (2) regardless of whether the organization is under contract with the community or facility. Prohibits related denial of enrollment or renewal, incentives to enrollees, and penalties or incentives to physicians. Declares that this Act does not preempt State laws meeting certain requirements, including requirements more protective of participants or beneficiaries than requirements under this Act. Provides for enforcement.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt an organization from income tax if it is created by a State to provide property and casualty insurance coverage for property for which such coverage is otherwise unavailable.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1999
Bear Protection Act of 1999 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State to discuss issues involving such trade with the appropriate representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1999
Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to continue, indefinitely, the use of customs user fees (to the extent funds remain available after making certain reimbursements) for salaries for up to 50 full-time equivalent inspectional positions to provide preclearance customs services. Decreases from $6.50 to $5 the customs user fee charged to each passenger that arrives aboard a commercial vessel or commercial aircraft from a place outside the U.S. customs (except $1.75 shall be charged to each passenger aboard a commercial vessel that arrives from Canada, Mexico, a U.S. territory or possession, or an adjacent island). Earmarks a specified amount of certain customs user fees to the Customs Service for automated commercial systems. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to establish an advisory committee, consisting of representatives from the airline, cruise ship, and other transportation industries, to advise the Commissioner on issues related to the performance of the inspectional services of the Customs Service. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the Secretary, for a specified period, to prescribe an alternative mid-point interest accounting methodology, which may be employed by the importer, based upon aggregate data in lieu of accounting for such interest from each deposit data provided.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1999
Real Estate Investment Trust Modernization Act of 1999 - Title I: Treatment of Income and Services Provided by Taxable REIT Subsidiaries - Excludes taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRSs) from the five and ten percent asset tests. Allows TRSs to provide non-customary tenant services. Allows a REIT to establish a TRS (as defined). Includes in the definition of "disqualified interest" (Sec. 163 of the IRC) any interest paid or accrued by a TRS to the REIT. Imposes a 100 percent tax on any interest payments by a TRS to the REIT in excess of the commercially reasonable interest rate. Title II: Health Care REITs - Includes within the definition of the term "foreclosure property" any qualified health care property acquired by a REIT as the result of the termination of a lease of such property. Title III: Conformity With Regulated Investment Company Rules - Changes the distribution requirement from 95 percent to 90 percent. Title IV : Clarification of Definition of Independent Contractor - Provides, with respect to the definition of an independent contractor, that in the event that any class of stock of is regularly traded on an established securities market, only owners who own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent of such class of stock shall be taken into account as owning any of the stock of such class for purposes of applying the 35 percent limitation. Title V: Modification of Earnings and Profits Rules - Provides rules for determining whether a Regulated Investment Company (RIC) has earnings and profits form a non-RIC year.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1999
Children First Child Support Reform Act of 1999 - Amends title IV, part D of the Social Security Act (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to prescribe guidelines for the States to exercise the option of: (1) distributing State-collected child support payments directly to a family receiving assistance under the temporary assistance to needy families program; and (2) disregarding any such payments when determining the family's eligibility for assistance under such program.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1999
Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to develop alternative water source projects to State, interstate, and intrastate water resource development agencies, local government agencies, private utilities, and nonprofit entities that have authority under State law to provide water or develop water resources for municipal, industrial, or agricultural uses in areas experiencing critical water supply needs. Permits grants to be used only to carry out projects designed to meet critical water supply needs. Prohibits grants for projects located in States or areas that are referred to in specified Federal reclamation law and are within the geographic scope of the reclamation and reuse program established under the Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act. Makes projects funded under this Act ineligible for funds under any other Federal program. Limits the Federal cost share of projects funded under this Act to 50 percent. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on progress made toward meeting the critical water supply needs of grant recipients. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1999
Prostate Cancer Research Commitment Resolution of 1999 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) finding treatment breakthroughs and a cure for prostate cancer should be made a national health priority; (2) significant increases in prostate cancer research funding, commensurate with the impact of the disease, should be made available at the National Institutes of Health and to the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program; and (3) these agencies should prioritize prostate cancer research that is directed toward innovative clinical and translational research projects in order that treatment breakthroughs can be more rapidly offered to patients.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999
Amends the Clean Water Act to require grants made under the National Estuary Program to be used for assisting activities necessary for the development and implementation of conservation and management plans (currently, for research and other technical work necessary for the development of such plans). Reauthorizes appropriations for the Program for FY 2000 through 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
Forestry Initiative to Restore the Environment Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to conduct a forestry insurance pilot program (in at least four States) with an emphasis on small, nonindustrial owners and operators of private forest land. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 with respect to the forestry incentives program to: (1) include seedling production as a program purpose; (2) provide grants for fire prevention burning on private land; and (3) authorize specified permanent appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999
Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1999 - Requires country of origin labeling of perishable agricultural commodities imported into the United States. Authorizes fines for violations of such provision.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1999
Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999 - Establishes the Estuary Habitat Restoration Collaborative Council, to be composed of specified Federal officials. Directs the Council to develop an estuary habitat restoration strategy to ensure a comprehensive approach to the selection and prioritization of estuary habitat restoration projects and the coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities related to such restoration. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Council in determining project assistance eligibility. Grants a restoration project a higher priority for funding if it meets selection criteria and: (1) it is part of an approved Federal estuary management or habitat restoration plan; (2) the non-Federal share of the project exceeds 50 percent; or (3) there is a program within the project watershed that addresses sources of water pollution that would otherwise re-impair the restored habitat. Permits the Council to pay up to 25 percent of the cost of interim actions of restoration activity, pending completion of the strategy. Prohibits selection of a project until non-Federal interests have entered into specified written cooperation agreements. Requires such agreements to provide for project maintenance and monitoring. Authorizes appropriations for the Council. Requires non-Federal applicants for assistance to demonstrate that a project meets this title's requirements and criteria established by the Council. Limits the Federal share of assistance to 65 percent of a project's cost. Directs the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce to maintain a database of information on projects funded under this title. Makes certain funds provided under the Water Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1996 available to States and non-Federal persons in carrying out interim actions or projects under this title. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to permit certain grants for the development of estuary conservation and management plans to be used for the implementation of plans as well. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Estuary Program through FY 2001. Requires the Secretary of the Army to give estuary habitat restoration projects the same consideration as irrigation, navigation, or flood control projects and to establish such restoration as a primary mission of the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such projects. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress and the Secretary on the extent to which the Council needs additional personnel and administrative resources to carry out this title, including recommendations for necessary additional funding.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1999
Access to Women's Health Care Act of 1999 - States that a group health plan or a health insurance issuer, in the case of a woman who has not chosen a primary care provider who is an obstetrics-gynecology specialist: (1) may not require primary care provider referral for gynecological care and pregnancy-related services; and (2) may treat the ordering by such specialist of additional obstetrical and gynecological care as authorization by the primary care provider. Prohibits a plan or issuer from taking specified actions to limit membership or reduce access to or use of obstetrics and gynecological services. Amends the Public Service Act, as amended by the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (including the individual market), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require compliance with such obstetrics and gynecological access provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
National Park Preservation Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to deposit in a separate account of the Treasury of $500 million in Outer Continental Shelf revenues from oil and natural gas production during each fiscal year, which shall, without further Act of appropriation, be available to the Secretary in subsequent fiscal years until expended. Makes such funds available for expenditure in units of the National Park System (NPS) that have ecosystems, critical habitat, cultural resources, or other core park resources that are threatened or impaired. Allocates 30 percent of funds to NPS units threatened or impaired by activities occurring inside the unit, and 70 percent to units threatened or impaired by activities occurring outside the unit. Specifies an annual amount for FY 2000 through 2015 for the Federal share (50 percent) of the Everglades and South Florida ecosystem restoration project under the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. Prohibits from deposit in the separate account any revenues from any new oil and gas leases, or from development of any existing leases in a moratorium area.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Conservation Tax Incentives Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income 50 percent of any gain from the sale of land or an interest in land or water (determined without regard to any improvements) to an eligible entity if: (1) such land or interest in land or water was owned by the taxpayer or a member of the taxpayer's family at all times during the three-year period ending on the date of the sale; and (2) it is being acquired by an eligible entity which provides the taxpayer, at the time of acquisition, a written letter of intent which states that the purchaser's intent is that the acquisition will serve one or more of specified conservation purposes. Includes as "land or an interest in land or water" stock in any corporation, if the fair market value of the corporation's land or interests in land or water equals or exceeds 90 percent of the fair market value of all of its assets at all times during the three-year period ending on the date of the sale. Deems a purchaser an eligible entity if it is: (1) any Federal, State, or local governmental agency; or (2) any tax-exempt charitable organization that is organized and at all times operated principally for one or more specified conservation purposes, and meets certain other requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999
Fairness for Legal Immigrants Act of 1999 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 with respect to lawful resident aliens and their eligibility for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (titles XIX and XVI of the Social Security Act (SSA)) and other Federal assistance. Provides States with the option of extending Medicaid-eligibility to certain lawful resident alien pregnant women and children, as well as the option of extending CHIP-eligibility (SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance (CHIP)) to such children. Provides States with the option of extending Medicaid-eligibility to certain blind or disabled or other specified medically needy aliens, such as those who are residents of a nursing facility. Mandates SSI eligibility for certain lawful resident aliens who are aged, blind, or disabled. Exempts certain blind or disabled aliens from the five-year general limitation on the eligibility for qualified aliens for Federal means-tested public benefits that was imposed by such Act. Mandates food stamp program eligibility under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 for certain aliens lawfully residing in the United State on August 22, 1996, who would otherwise be subject to the same five-year general limitation. Exempts certain battered aliens (which under such Act are treated as lawful resident aliens) from disqualification (thereby making them SSI- and food stamp program-eligible). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for waiver of affidavit of support requirements for benefits provided through such State elections to extend such optional Medicaid and other described optional public program eligibility to certain lawful resident aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from Federal income tax any amounts received by Holocaust victims or their heirs: (1) from the Swiss Humanitarian Fund established by the Government of Switzerland or from any similar fund established by any foreign country; or (2) as a result of the settlement of the action entitled "In re Holocaust Victims' Asset Litigation", (E.D. NY), C.A. No. 96-4849, or as a result of any similar action.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999
Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project which provides for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who are enrolled in an approved clinical trial program, while still applying the beneficiary cost sharing provisions of such program to project participants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact on Medicare of covering such costs as well as the cost of extending routine patient care coverage to Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis other than cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of including the Miami Circle (an ancient Tequesta Indian ceremonial site) in Biscayne National Park in Florida. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Expanding Coverage for Small Business Title II: Increasing Pension Access and Fairness for Women Title III: Increasing Portability of Pension Plans Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement Title V: Encouraging Retirement Education Title VI: Reducing Red Tape Title VII: Plan Amendments Pension Coverage and Portability Act - Title I: Expanding Coverage for Small Business - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise requirements relating to pension plan loans for Subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors. (Sec. 102) Allows an employer to establish payroll deductions for contributions to employee individual retirement plans without incurring ERISA liability. (Sec. 103) Amends the IRC to allow an eligible employer to establish and maintain a SAFE annuity (an individual retirement annuity) or a SAFE trust (a trust forming part of a defined benefit plan), both to be funded by the employer. Makes the employer contributions deductible without limitation and otherwise provides for the treatment of contributions and distributions. Mandates a penalty for early withdrawals. Requires simplified employer reports for SAFE annuities and simplified actuarial reports for SAFE trusts. Amends the ERISA to exempt SAFE trusts from coverage requirements and SAFE annuities from certain employer reporting requirements. (Sec. 104) Amends the IRC to modify definitions applicable to special rules for top-heavy plans. Requires consideration of employer matching contributions in determining whether a defined contribution plan meets minimum contribution requirements. Exempts frozen plans from a minimum benefit requirement. Provides an alternative test for top-heavy plans. (Sec. 105) Allows employers to elect salary reduction only arrangements under IRC requirements for simple plans. (Sec. 106) Establishes a small employer pension plan credit. (Sec. 107) Increases (from $6,000 to $8,000) limits for deferrals to simple plans. (Sec. 108) Amends ERISA to provide for a phase-in of an additional premium for new plans to pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). (Sec. 109) Provides for a reduced PBGC premium for new plans of small employers. (Sec. 110) Eliminates user fee requirements for requests to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the status of pension plans. (Sec. 111) Declares the $150,000 compensation limit inapplicable to simple 401(k) arrangements. (Sec. 112) Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. (Sec. 113) Repeals specified coordination requirements under the IRC for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Title II: Increasing Pension Access and Fairness for Women - Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Requires that certain contributions by church plans are not to be treated as exceeding a specified limit. Sets forth special rules for annuity contracts and simplified pensions. (Sec. 202) Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under IRC and ERISA. (Sec. 203) Amends Federal civil service law to revise requirements for deferred annuities for surviving spouses of Federal employees under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). (Sec. 204) Revises IRC requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. (Sec. 205) Amends the IRC and ERISA to provide for the spouse's right to know specified distribution information relating to survivor annuities. (Sec. 206) Revises minimum distribution rules under IRC. Revises requirements for actuarial adjustment of benefit under a defined benefit plan. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) simplify and finalize the regulations relating to minimum distribution requirements; and (2) modify such regulations to reflect increases in life expectancy, and revise required distribution methods so that, under reasonable assumptions, the amount of the required minimum distribution does not decrease over a participant's life expectancy. Provides that, during the first year that such revised regulations are in effect, required distributions for future years may be redetermined, with the opportunity to choose a new designated beneficiary and to elect a new method of calculating life expectancy. Excludes specified amounts from minimum distribution requirements. Repeals a rule relating to distributions begun before death occurs. (Sec. 207) Directs the Secretary to revise regulations relating to safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from cash or deferred arrangements. Title III: Increasing Portability of Pension Plans - Permits rollovers from and to various types of plans under the IRC. (Sec. 302) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers into workplace retirement plans only if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 303) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust under specified conditions. Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. (Sec. 304) Revises restrictions on distributions from defined contribution plans, including the same desk exception. Repeals business sale requirements. (Sec. 305) Provides that a transferee defined contribution plan shall not be treated as having failed to meet certain requirements because it does not provide for some or all of the distribution forms previously available under a transferor defined contribution plan. (Sec. 306) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. (Sec. 307) Authorizes employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of employee cash-out amounts under the IRC and ERISA. Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Amends the IRC and ERISA to revise the percentage of current liability funding limit. Revises maximum contribution deduction rules and applies them to all defined benefit plan under the IRC. (Sec. 402) Increases dollar limits for employer-sponsored retirement plans. (Sec. 403) Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. (Sec. 404) Amends ERISA to direct the PBGC to prescribe rules relating to missing participants for multiemployer plans covered by the PBGC that terminate. (Sec. 405) Amends ERISA to make discretionary the imposition and amount of civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility. Revises requirements for the applicable recovery amount and related rules. (Sec. 406) Amends the IRC to allow an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent that they exceed the full-funding limitation. (Sec. 407) Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 408) Bars the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury from litigating any claim against a person under specified ERISA provisions if: (1) an action against that person with respect to the same plan is resolved by a court-approved settlement; (2) such proposed settlement is served upon the Secretaries at least 90 days before entry of final judgment approving the settlement; and (3) such claim was or could have been brought in such action. Title V: Encouraging Retirement Education - Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Allows written or electronic statements. Requires multiemployer plans to furnish a statement (written or electronic) on request. (Sec. 502) Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to prepare a plan to: (1) increase awareness of retirement benefits;(2) update small business owners concerning such benefits; and (3) post information on the Internet on types of retirement benefit plans and other options. (Sec. 503) Treats the provision of certain retirement planning services by an employer to an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit to the extent it is not treated as a working condition fringe. Prohibits including an amount in an employee's gross income solely because the employee may choose between any retirement planning fringe and compensation otherwise includible in gross income, providing such choices are available in a way that does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees. Title VI: Reducing Red Tape - Amends the IRC and ERISA to revise requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. (Sec. 602) Amends ERISA rules for substantial owners relating to plan terminations to revise: (1) the phase-in of the guarantee; and (2) the allocation of assets. (Sec. 603) Amends IRC requirements for applicable dividends to allow dividends of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. (Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the regulations regarding the exclusion allowance to render void the requirement that contributions to a defined benefit pension plan be treated as previously excluded amounts. (Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to provide by regulation that a plan shall be deemed to satisfy specified requirements of the IRC if it satisfies a certain facts and circumstances test, under specified conditions. (Sec. 606) Grants the Secretary discretion in applying a specified coverage test to a plan. (Sec. 607) Makes inapplicable to certain mirror plans specified IRC requirements relating to deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 608) Revises the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations under the IRC to provide that the description of a participant's right, if any, to defer receipt of a distribution shall also describe the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 609) Sets forth conforming amendments relating to election to receive taxable cash compensation in lieu of nontaxable transportation fringe benefits. (Sec. 610) Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. (Sec. 611) Extends to international organizations the moratorium on application of certain nondiscrimination rules applicable to State and local plans. (Sec. 612) Revises ERISA requirements for annual report dissemination. (Sec. 613) Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities under the IRC. (Sec. 614) Repeals a multiple use test. Directs the Secretary prescribe regulations permitting appropriate aggregation of plans and contributions. Title VII: Plan Amendments - Prescribes requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments under the IRC and ERISA.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1999 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to the automated entry-exit control system to exempt from required recordkeeping: (1) land border crossings and seaports; and (2) permanent resident and certain other aliens. (Sec. 3) Requires the Attorney General to report: (1) on the feasibility of implementing an automated entry-exit control system that would include land border and seaport arrivals and departures; and (2) annually on the development status of the automated entry-exit control system, and on visa overstays identified through such system. Requires integration of overstay information into Department of State and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) databases. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for INS and United States Customs Service border control and enforcement activities. Sets forth specified set-asides. Authorizes: (1) use of equipment funds for new technologies; and (2) transfer up to ten percent of specified set-asides for other equipment uses. Sets aside specified funds for peak hours and investigative resource enhancement. Provides for increased numbers of full-time INS and Customs inspectors at U.S. land borders.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999
Expresses support for the U.S. military personnel who are engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and recognizes their professionalism, dedication, patriotism, and courage.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for United States Customs Service for Enhanced Inspection, Trade Facilitation, and Drug Interdiction Title II: Customs Performance Report Comprehensive Border Protection Act of 1999 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for United States Customs Service for Enhanced Inspection, Trade Facilitation, and Drug Interdiction - Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for the United States Customs Service for: (1) noncommercial and commercial operations; and (2) the air and marine interdiction program. Requires the Commissioner of Customs to submit to specified congressional committees a projected budget for the succeeding fiscal year (out-year). (Sec. 102) Earmarks amounts for: (1) the acquisition and deployment of narcotics detection equipment (including maintenance and support of such equipment, training of personnel, and new technologies) along the United States-Mexico border, the United States-Canada border, and Florida and the Gulf Coast seaports; (2) additional inspectors, canine enforcement officers, special agents, and enhanced investigative resources during peak hours along such borders (including the Bahamas); (3) air and marine drug interdiction operation and maintenance; and (4) agent rotation and elimination of background investigation backlog. (Sec. 106) Requires the Commissioner of Customs, as part of the annual program activity performance plan set forth in the Customs Service budget, to establish performance goals and performance indicators, and comply with certain other requirements with respect to such border activities. (Sec. 107) Changes the basic pay rate of the Commissioner from level IV to level III of the Executive schedule. (Sec. 108) Directs the Customs Service, without regard to whether a passenger processing fee is collected from a person departing for the United States from Canada and without regard to whether funds are appropriated, to provide the same level of enhanced preclearance customs services for passengers arriving in the United States aboard commercial aircraft originating in Canada as the Customs Service provided for such passengers during FY 1997. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Customs Performance Report - Directs the Commissioner of Customs to report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to: (1) identification of enforcement priorities and trade facilitation objectives, including the reasons for selecting the objectives contained in its most recent performance plan covering each of its programs; (2) a review of the Customs Service's implementation of the Customs Modernization Act and a summary of the results of the reviews of industry-wide compliance assessments conducted by it as part of its compliance initiative; (3) proposals for improvement of the commercial operations of the Customs Service; (4) a review of Customs Service enforcement responsibilities; (5) a comprehensive strategy for the Customs Service role in the U.S. drug interdiction efforts; (6) the identification of ways to expand cooperation with U.S. importers and customs brokers, U.S. and foreign carriers, and other members of the international trade and transportation communities to improve the detection of contraband before it leaves a foreign port destined for the United States; (7) an outline of the basis for the current allocation of Customs Service inspection and investigative personnel; (8) identification of the automation needs of the Customs Service and an explanation of the current state of the Automated Commercial System and the status of implementing a replacement for such system; and (9) an overview of the current Customs Service personnel practices and workforce needs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999
Congratulates: (1) the Government and the people of the Republic of El Salvador for the successful completion of democratic multiparty elections held on March 7, 1999, for President and Vice President; (2) President-elect Francisco Guillermo Flores Perez and Vice President-elect Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt on their recent victory and their continued commitment to democracy, national reconciliation, and reconstruction; and (3) El Salvadoran President Armando Calderon Sol for his personal commitment to democracy. Commends all Salvadoran citizens and political parties for their efforts to work together to take risks for democracy and to pursue national reconciliation. Supports Salvadoran attempts to continue their cooperation. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to democracy and peaceful development throughout Central America.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of making medical assistance for breast and cervical cancer-related treatment services available during a presumptive eligibility period to certain low-income women without creditable coverage who have already been screened for such cancers under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breast and cervical cancer early detection program and need treatment. Provides for an enhanced match with regard to such Medicaid treatment services.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999
Historic Homeownership Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to a qualified historic home which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and used as his or her principal residence. Allows the credit for such expenditures to be taken by a purchaser of the rehabilitated home. Permits, in lieu of the credit, a historic rehabilitation mortgage credit certificate, which may be transferred to a lender in exchange for a reduction in the rate of interest on the loan secured by the building.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999
Florida Federal Judgeship Act of 1999 - Directs the President to appoint five additional district judges for the middle district of Florida and two additional district judges for the southern district. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide coordination and assistance to regional poison control centers for the establishment of a nationwide toll-free phone number to be used to access such centers. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a national media campaign to educate the public about poison prevention and the availability of local poison control resources and to conduct advertising campaigns concerning the nationwide toll-free number. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates grants for certified regional poison control centers to achieve financial stability and to prevent, and provide treatment recommendations for, poisoning. Mandates other grant uses. Sets forth center certification requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of, and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for, adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations, including programs to train local law enforcement officers in investigating, prosecuting, and preventing hate crimes. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Commends U.S. Senator J. Robert Kerrey of Nebraska, on the 30th anniversary of the events giving rise to his receiving the Medal of Honor, for service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1999
Twenty-First Amendment Enforcement Act - Amends the Webb-Kenyon Act to authorize a State attorney general (State AG) who has reasonable cause to believe that a person is engaging in any act that would constitute a violation of State law regulating the importation or transportation of any intoxicating liquor to bring a civil action for injunctive relief to: (1) restrain the person from engaging in the violation; and (2) enforce compliance with State law. Grants U.S. district courts jurisdiction over any such action. Directs the court, in such action and upon a proper showing by the State AG, to issue a preliminary or permanent injunction or other order without requiring the posting of a bond. Prohibits such issuance without notice to the adverse party. Sets forth provisions regarding the form and scope of the order. Authorizes the court to order the trial of the action on the merits to be advanced and consolidated with the hearing on the application. Specifies that such an action shall be tried before the court.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Expresses the sense of the Senate that at the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, the United States should make all efforts necessary to pass a resolution criticizing Cuba for its human rights abuses, and to secure the appointment of a Special Rapporteur for Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999
Downed Animal Protection Act - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to buy, sell, give, receive, transfer, market, hold, or drag any nonambulatory livestock unless such livestock has been humanely euthanized.
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