The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000725_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
4,936 records where Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Federal Maritime Commission Authorization Act of 1999 - Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Maritime Commission for FY 2000 and 2001.
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 · 29 April 1999
Made in USA Label Defense Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to prohibit the affixation of the "Made in the USA" label to a product of the Northern Mariana Islands. Prohibits such products from being imported into the United States free of duty or quotas.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999
Border Patrol Recruitment and Retention Act of 1999 - Increases certain GS-9 Border Patrol agents with one year's successful service to a GS-11 classification and pay scale. Directs the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to establish within the Immigration and Naturalization Service an Office of Border Patrol Recruitment and Retention. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact Title II: Southern Dairy Compact Title I: Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to include Maryland, New Jersey, and New York within the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. Includes Ohio among the additional States that may join such Compact, and eliminates Virginia from such group. Eliminates and revises specified provisions regarding Compact implementation, duration, restricting authority, and Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. Title II: Southern Dairy Compact - States that the Congress consents to the Southern Dairy Compact entered into by Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Includes Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas as additional States that may join such Compact. Limits price regulatory authority to Class I fluid milk unless otherwise consented to by the Congress. Provides for Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. Sets forth the Southern Dairy Compact.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999
Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person to distribute to the public any violent video programming during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Authorizes the FCC, as part of its rulemaking proceeding, to exempt programming (including news programs and sporting events) whose distribution does not conflict with the objective of protecting children from the negative influences of violent video programming. Exempts premium and pay-per-view cable programming. Requires the FCC to immediately revoke the license of any person who repeatedly violates this Act and to consider, in its review of an application for a renewal of a license, whether the licensee has complied with this Act.
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 · 21 April 1999
Medicare Social Work Equity Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1999
Designates 1999 as The Year of Safe Drinking Water. Commemorates the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999
Requests the President to advance: (1) the late Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel to the grade of admiral on the retired list of the Navy; and (2) the late Major General Walter C. Short to the grade of lieutenant general on the retired list of the Army. Prohibits any change in compensation or benefits based on the military service of such officers as a result of such advancements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such officers performed their duties competently and professionally and that losses incurred by the United States in attacks on military targets on Oahu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, were not a result of their dereliction of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999
Fastener Quality Act Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends the Fastener Quality Act to define "accredited laboratory" to mean a fastener testing facility used to perform end-of-line testing required by a consensus standard to verify that a lot of fasteners conforms to the grade identification marking called for in the consensus standard to which they have been manufactured, and which meet certain requirements. Defines "consensus standard" to mean the provisions of a document that describes fastener characteristics published by a consensus standards organization or a Federal agency, and does not include a proprietary standard. (Sec. 3) Revises the definition of "fastener" to apply to fasteners only, not to components or products which can contain fasteners. Excludes from the definition (and coverage of the Act) any items: (1) sold in packages containing no more than 100 of any one screw, nut, bolt, stud, or washer; (2) produced to proprietary standards developed by private companies that use fasteners in the manufacture, assembly, or service of their products, and develop fastener standards under the company's name; (3) specifically manufactured for use on an aircraft if the quality and suitability of those fasteners for that use has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration or by a foreign airworthiness authority; or (4) manufactured in accordance with a fastener quality assurance system meeting International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9000 and other specified criteria. (Sec. 4) Makes it unlawful for a manufacturer or distributor, in conjunction with a sale or offer for sale of a fastener, to knowingly misrepresent or falsify: (1) the record of conformance for the lot of fasteners; (2) the identification, characteristics, properties, mechanical or performance marks, chemistry, or strength of the lot of such fasteners; or (3) the manufacturer's insignia. Requires that mandatory end-of-line testing, in the case of fasteners manufactured solely to a consensus standard, be conducted by an accredited laboratory. (Sec. 5) Revises requirements for manufacturers' insignia on certain fasteners to require manufacturers to comply with insignia recordation requirements, unless the specifications provide otherwise. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to arbitrate civil penalties before a case is referred to the Attorney General. Directs the Secretary to establish a hotline system to facilitate the reporting of alleged violations of this Act and to investigate credible allegations reported through such system and report them to the Attorney General. (Sec. 7) Requires fastener manufacturers to: (1) retain the record of conformance for fasteners for five years, on paper or in photographic or electronic format; and (2) make available upon the request of a distributor who has purchased a fastener (or a person who has purchased a fastener for use in the production of a commercial product) information in the record of conformance. Repeals the requirement that importers, private label distributors, and persons who make significant alterations to fasteners, as well as manufacturers, also retain all inspection, testing, and certification records for five years. (Sec. 10) Authorizes any person publishing a document setting forth guidance or requirements for the certification of manufacturing systems (including fastener manufacturing systems) by an accredited third party (or for the approval of accreditation bodies to accredit such third parties), or for the accreditation of laboratories (or for the approval of accreditation bodies to accredit such laboratories), to petition the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to approve the document, if it provides equal or greater rigor and reliability as compared to ISO-IEC Guide 62, 61, 25, or 58, as appropriate.
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
Hydroelectric Licensing Process Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe factors which Federal agency participants in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydroelectric license renewal process (consulting agencies) must consider and document when setting forth conditions for such renewals, including the economic impact of such conditions as well as air quality, flood control, irrigation, navigation, and recreation and drinking water supply, and the means to ensure that the condition addresses only direct project environmental impacts and does so at the lowest project cost. Requires that each condition be subjected to appropriately substantiated scientific peer review based on current empirical data or field-tested data. Requires such consulting agency to provide a license applicant, at least 90 days before the required filing of the application, an opportunity to obtain expedited administrative review of its proposed conditions before filing a FERC application. Empowers the reviewing body to remand the matter to such agency if the reviewer finds the agency's proposed conditions do not comply with this Act. Sets a one-year deadline by which a consulting agency must file its proposed licensing conditions with FERC. Directs FERC to: (1) conduct an economic analysis of each condition submitted by a consulting agency to determine whether it would render the project uneconomic; (2) conduct a single consolidated environmental review for each licensed project pursuant to its status as lead agency for environmental reviews; and (3) set a deadline for the submission of comments by Federal, State, and local government agencies regarding any environmental impact or assessment required for a project. Instructs FERC to consider the need of license applicants for a prompt decision when setting such deadlines. Directs FERC to study and report to certain congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing a separate licensing procedure for small hydroelectric projects with a generating capacity of five megawatts or less.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
Prohibits the United States from supporting the admission of China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) unless the Congress passes a joint resolution, according to specified procedures, allowing the United States to support such admission. Directs the President to: (1) notify the Congress if China becomes a member of the WTO without the support of the United States; and (2) submit notice of the withdrawal of the United States from the WTO Agreement. Makes a conforming amendment to the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act of 1999 - Requires each participating manufacturer of a covered outpatient drug to make available for purchase by each pharmacy such covered outpatient drug in the described amount (an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the covered outpatient drug sold or distributed by the pharmacy to Medicare beneficiaries) and at the described price (the price equal to the lower of either the lowest price paid for the drug by the Federal Government or the manufacturer's best price for the drug). Sets forth special provisions with respect to hospice programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999
Government Pension Offset Reform Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the amount by which two-thirds of the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation.
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
Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage, with regard to hospital stays in connection with breast cancer treatment, from: (1) covering less than 48 hours after mastectomies or less than 24 hours after lymph node dissections; or (2) requiring plan or issuer authorization for prescribing any length of stay. Prohibits: (1) denying eligibility, enrollment, or renewal to avoid these requirements; (2) providing payments or rebates to women; or (3) penalizing or providing incentives to providers. Applies the same requirements to issuers in the individual market.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999
Designates the month of May in 1999 and 2000 as National ALS Awareness Month.
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
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services of registered dietitians and nutrition professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999
Safe School Security Act of 1999 - Directs the Attorney General, the Secretary of Education (Secretary), and the Secretary of Energy to enter into an agreement for the establishment of a School Security Technology Center, at the Sandia National Laboratories in partnership with the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center--Southeast. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary to award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to enable such agencies to acquire security technology, or carry out activities related to improving security at the middle and high schools served by the agencies, including obtaining school security assessments, and technical assistance for the development of a comprehensive school security plan from the School Security Technology Center. Directs the Secretary to give priority to agencies showing the highest security needs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Directs the Attorney General to develop and submit to Congress a proposal to further improve school security.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999
Immunosuppressive Drugs Coverage Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the time limitation on Medicare benefits for immunosuppressive drugs under the Medicare program; (2) continue the entitlement of certain individuals to payments for such drugs after Medicare benefits end; and (3) extend without time limitation certain Medicare secondary payer requirements with regard to such drugs for individuals with end stage renal disease.
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 · 16 March 1999
Proclaims the month of January 1999 as National Cervical Health Month.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1999
Social Security Fiscal Protection Act of 1999 - Requires: (1) off-budget treatment of the receipts and disbursements (R&D) of the social security trust funds supporting title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act; and (2) exclusion of R&D and related-revenues from required surplus and deficit totals under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and under other specified Federal budget law as well as from official Office of Management and Budget and Congressional Budget Office statements, publications, and materials relating to presidential or congressional budget surplus or deficit totals. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain throughout each month, in a secure repository or repositories, cash in a total amount equal to the total redemption value of all obligations appropriately issued to the social security trust funds that are outstanding on the first day of such month.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
New Millennium Classrooms Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from two to three years the age of computer equipment that corporations may donate to tax-exempt schools and for which they may receive a tax deduction; and (2) allow a business tax credit of 30 percent of the value of computer equipment donated to tax-exempt schools. Increases the amount of such credit to 50 percent for contributions to schools in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, and Indian reservations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to award a gold medal to Rosa Parks, in recognition of her contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations Title II: Amendments to Aviation Law Title III: Airport Improvement Program Amendments Title IV: Commercial Space Transportation Amendments Title V: Performance Based Organization for Air Traffic Services Title VI: Family Assistance Title VII: Passenger Service Availability; Mail Rates Title VIII: Transfer of Aeronautical Charting Activity Title IX: Whistleblower Protection Title X: National Parks Air Tour Management Title XI: Title 49 Technical Corrections Title XII: Prevention of Fraud Involving Aircraft or Space Vehicle Parts Title XIII: Internal Revenue Code Amendments Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Authorizations - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations. Earmarks amounts for a university consortium established to provide an air safety and security management certificate program. (Sec. 103) Amends Federal aviation law to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for: (1) the FAA Facilities and Equipment Program; and (2) FAA research, engineering, and development. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning programs. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Office of Inspector General for the conduct of annual audits of FAA financial statements. Title II: Amendments to Aviation Law - Amends Federal aviation law to authorize the FAA Administrator to contract for procurement of severable services for a period that begins in one fiscal year and ends in the next fiscal year if (without regard to any option to extend it) the contract period does not exceed one year. Declares that funds available for a fiscal year may be obligated for the total amount of the contract. (Sec. 202) Amends the Airport Noise and Capacity Act to make foreign air carriers eligible for a waiver from Stage three noise level requirements for certain aircraft. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide a procedure under which a person may operate a Stage one or Stage two airplane in nonrevenue service to or from a U.S. airport in order to: (1) sell the aircraft outside the United States; (2) sell such aircraft for scrapping; or (3) obtain modifications to the aircraft to meet Stage three noise levels. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to establish consortia of government and aviation industry representatives at airports to provide advice on matters related to aviation security and safety. (Sec. 204) Provides for an eligible agency to impose a passenger facility fee of more than $3 (currently, $1, $2, or $3) on each airline passenger of a domestic or foreign air carrier boarding an aircraft at an airport the agency controls to finance an eligible airport-related project. Requires an eligible agency when submitting an application for a passenger facility fee of more than $4 to submit separately a competition plan to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to approve an application of an eligible agency for a surface transportation project to improve access to an airport having at least .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports only if such agency has made adequate provision for financing safety, security, and capacity needs of the airport. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to encourage the development of transportation systems that use various modes of transportation to serve effectively the State and local communities, to approve an application by an eligible agency to participate in a cost-sharing agreement with one or more eligible surface transportation agencies for a surface transportation project, provided certain conditions are met. Revises the methodology for reducing, through the imposition of passenger facility fees, the apportionment of airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning funds to sponsors of airports. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to enter into bilateral agreements with the aeronautical authorities of another country to exchange with that country all or part of their respective safety oversight functions and duties with respect to certain domestic and foreign aircraft. (Sec. 206) Authorizes the appropriation of the balance of funds available in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for, among other things, any cost incurred by the FAA after September 30, 1999, that is authorized by law. (Sec. 207) Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a schedule of new fees for services (other than air traffic control services) provided to any entity obtaining services outside the United States. (Sec. 208) Amends the Pilot Records Improvement Act to eliminate the need for criminal history checks in the employment investigation of individuals applying for certain airport security positions in cases where there are unaccounted gaps in the employment of such individuals of more than 12 months, or inconsistent or unsupported information provided on their applications. Declares that an air carrier does not need to obtain the employment records of an applicant pilot who has been employed by a branch of the U.S. armed forces, the National Guard (or reserve), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) before allowing such individual to begin service as a pilot. Provides for electronic access to the employment records of FAA air pilots. (Sec. 209) Extends Federal aviation insurance and reinsurance programs through December 31, 2004. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the judicial review of FAA Administrator orders imposing a civil penalty. (Sec. 211) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to improve real property leased for air navigation facilities when such improvements primarily benefit the government, are essential for mission accomplishment, and the government's interest in the improvements is protected. (Sec. 212) Provides for the enforcement of whistleblower laws and the Hatch Act (prohibiting State or local employees from influencing elections or taking part in political campaigns) for FAA employees. (Sec. 213) Provides that a proposed change to the FAA personnel management system that has not led to an agreement between the FAA employee bargaining unit and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall not become effective until 60-days after the FAA Administrator has submitted the change to Congress. Provides that such period shall not include any period during which Congress has adjourned sine die. Authorizes FAA employees who have been the subject of a major adverse personnel action to contest such action either through any contractual grievance procedure through the employee's collective bargaining unit or through the FAA's internal process relating to review of FAA major adverse personnel actions (under the Guaranteed Fair Treatment or a specified section of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996). Requires such employees who can contest such personnel action through more than one forum to elect the appropriate forum (no more than one). Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to authorize FAA employees under the new FAA personnel management system to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board and seek judicial review of Board decisions. (Sec. 214) Requires the FAA Administrator to establish a schedule of new fees (until they are replaced by another schedule of fees adopted under specified law) for the provision of air traffic control services to an air carrier, a commercial air carrier (for compensation or hire), or a foreign air carrier. Provides for the reduction of aviation excise taxes to be credited to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund if such taxes and receipts from fees exceed for FY 2000 the FAA budgetary requirements for FY 2001. (Sec. 215) Amends the statute prohibiting the bringing of hazardous material aboard an aircraft to provide that knowledge of the existence of a regulation or requirement related to the transportation of hazardous material prescribed by the Secretary is not an element of the offense. (Sec. 216) Directs the Secretary, in order to improve security at public U.S. airports, to carry out one or more projects to test and evaluate innovative aviation security systems and related technology. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 218) Subjects to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 any individual who interferes with the duties or responsibilities of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft, or who poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft. (Sec. 219) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to delegate authority for cargo inspection to a qualified private person. (Sec. 220) Amends the statute prohibiting piloting of an aircraft not used to provide air transportation without a valid airman's certificate. Excepts from the limitation of such prohibition only to aircraft not used to provide air transportation any person who knowingly and willfully serves or attempts to serve in any capacity as an airman without such certificate authorizing such individual to serve in that capacity. (Thus subjects such a person to the general criminal penalty for such a violation even if the aircraft is in fact used to provide air transportation.) Title III: Airport Improvement Program Amendments - Removes the maximum cap on airport improvement funds credited to the discretionary fund. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program of not more than five new projects for grants to implement innovative financing techniques for airport development projects at airports that have less than .25 percent of the boardings at all commercial service airports. (Sec. 303) Sets forth the maximum Federal share of costs for: (1) airport improvement projects funded under the State block grant program; and (2) projects for the operation of turbine powered aircraft at nonprimary airports. (Sec. 304) Increases from 31 to 35 percent the minimum apportionment from the discretionary fund for airport improvement grant funds for airport noise compatibility programs and approved noise mitigation projects. (Sec. 305) Increases the State apportionment of airport development funds. (Sec. 306) Authorizes the Secretary to use certain unobligated funds to make discretionary grants for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning programs. (Sec. 307) Repeals the pavement maintenance pilot program. Makes routine work to preserve and extend the useful life of runways, taxiways, and aprons at airports eligible for airport development project funds. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary to apportion airport improvement funds to an airport sponsor in a fiscal year in an amount equal to the amount apportioned to such sponsor in the previous fiscal year if the Secretary finds that: (1) passenger boardings at the airport fell below 10,000 in the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment; (2) the airport had at least 10,000 passenger boardings in the year prior to the year used to calculate apportionments to airport sponsors in a fiscal year; and (3) the cause of the shortfall in passenger boardings was a temporary but significant interruption in service by an air carrier to the airport due to an employment action, natural disaster, or other event unrelated to the demand for air transportation at the affected airport. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the Secretary to approve an airport development project at an airport having at least .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports only for: (1) a development project to meet certain safety or security requirements or specified other Federal requirements; (2) airport noise compatibility planning projects; (3) a development project that will create new airfield capacity at an airport; and (4) airport planning. (Sec. 310) Prohibits the Secretary from waiving certain required assurances that property be used for aeronautical purposes with respect to the grant of airport development funds, unless the Secretary provides public notice at least 30 days before issuing such waiver. (Sec. 311) Makes it policy to encourage the development of transportation systems, including airport systems, in a manner that will serve the Nation, the States, and local communities efficiently and effectively. Includes within the integrated airport system planning process the developing of a plan for an airport system that includes a primary airport that enplanes at least 0.25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports, so that such planning includes fair consideration of surface transportation and land use plans relevant to airport access and development in the airport system under study. Revises requirements for the approval of an airport development project grant application, with respect to a project for the location of an airport or a project for a runway or a major runway extension at such primary airport, to require the sponsor to provide the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) authorized to conduct metropolitan planning in the area in which the airport is located with not less than 60 days to review the airport master plan and submit comments on such plans to the sponsor. (Sec. 312) Makes it policy that priority consideration should be given to encourage development identified by the Secretary to support operations of turbine powered aircraft at nonprimary airports to the extent possible with available funds, considering other airport needs. (Sec. 313) Increases from 12 to 15 the number of current or former military airports at any time that may receive airport improvement funds. (Sec. 314) Revises criteria for the issuance by the Secretary of letters of intent to sponsors to obligate funds for airport development projects. Limits to projects at an airport having at least 0.25 percent of the boardings each year of all commercial service airports the requirement that the Secretary decide the project will enhance system-wide airport capacity significantly. (Sec. 315) Authorizes the use of airport improvement funds apportioned to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico for any of their public airports. Authorizes the use of the supplemental apportionment of airport improvement funds for Alaska for any of its public airports. Repeals a certain limitation on the apportionment of airport improvement funds for commercial airports in Alaska. Revises the amount of certain funds apportioned to the discretionary and small airport funds. Authorizes the Secretary to distribute a certain percentage of funds from the small airport fund for grants for projects at small hub airports. Authorizes the use of State-apportioned airport improvement funds for: (1) integrated airport system planning that encompasses one or more primary airports; and (2) a project to survey or to upgrade a non-primary airport to obtain greater benefits from implementation of satellite-based air navigation systems. Declares that an airport development project shall remain eligible for funding from the discretionary fund (subject to the availability of funds) even though the status of the airport project changes from a primary airport to a non-primary airport. Revises the definition of "public-use airport," for purposes of grant eligibility for airport development funds, to include a privately-owned airport that, as a reliever airport, received Federal aid for airport development before October 9, 1996. Permits certain regulations promulgated by the Secretary to authorize a public agency to request waiver of a passenger facility fee for: (1) any class of domestic or foreign air carriers that enplane not more than a specified percent of the total number of passengers enplaned annually at a airport; or (2) passengers enplaned on a flight to an airport with scheduled passenger service but fewer than 2,500 passenger boardings each year, or in a community with a population of less than 10,000 and not connected by land to the National Highway System. Title IV: Commercial Space Transportation Amendments - Increases FY 2000 authorization of appropriations for activities of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. Authorizes appropriations for such activities for FY 2001 through 2004. (Sec. 402) Repeals the requirement for uniform guidelines for acquisition of surplus property and services. (Sec. 403) Extends, through December 31, 2005, the Secretary's authority to pay excess claims against the United States for death, bodily injury, or property damage occurring during a commercial space launch and reentry. Title V: Performance Based Organization for Air Traffic Services - Requires the FAA Administrator to establish within the FAA a performance-based organization (Air Traffic Services (ATS)) to manage and operate the air traffic control system on an efficient basis without Federal funding after May 15, 2001. Establishes an ATS subcommittee to be headed by the Chairman of the Management Advisory Council to offer advice and recommendations to the FAA Administrator with respect to ATS performance. Requires the ATS to establish a performance management system for all ATS employees. Authorizes the ATS to establish an awards program to provide incentives for such employees. (Sec. 504) Directs the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the ATS to prescribe a schedule of fees for air traffic and related services that are provided by the ATS to the air carrier, foreign air carrier, and other non-public-non-military aircraft. Authorizes the imposition of ATS fees on international commercial operations involving air traffic control services provided by the United States (and not subject to tax) as long as they are consistent with international agreements. Declares that payment of such fees shall be in lieu of any fees charged for such services for overflight operations. Provides for congressional review of ATS fees. (Sec. 505) Requires the deposit of ATS fees into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations (without fiscal-year limitation) from the Trust Fund equal to amounts collected for specified user fees to the ATS for the provision of air traffic services. (Sec. 506) Provides for the adjustment of certain aviation excise taxes credited to the Trust Fund. Title VI: Family Assistance - Amends Federal transportation law to revise the prohibition against unsolicited communications before a certain time concerning potential action for personal injury or wrongful death by an attorney to an individual injured in an accident involving a domestic air carrier. Extends the moratorium from 30 days following the accident to 45 days. Includes within the prohibition any accidents involving a foreign carrier in the United States. Authorizes the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to bring a civil action in a district court for violations. (Sec. 601) Prohibits a State or political subdivision from preventing nonprofit organization employees with experience in disasters and post-trauma communication with families from providing mental health and counseling services within the 30 day period after an accident. Includes within the definition of "passenger" with regard to assistance to families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents: (1) foreign air carrier employees aboard the aircraft; and (2) any other person aboard the aircraft without regard to whether the person paid for the transportation, occupied a seat, or held a reservation for the flight. (Sec. 602) Revises requirements for air carrier plans that provide assistance to the families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents to require them to include, at a minimum, an assurance that: (1) upon request of the family of a passenger, the air carrier will inform the family of the status of the review of the verification of the passenger manifest, including whether the passenger's name appeared on a preliminary passenger manifest for the flight involved in the accident; and (2) the air carrier will provide adequate training to air carrier employees and agents to meet the needs of survivors and family members following an accident. Prohibits the Secretary from approving an application for a permit to provide foreign air transportation unless the applicant has included, among other things, as part of the application or request for exemption an agreement that, in the event that such foreign air carrier volunteers assistance to U.S. citizens within the United States in the case of an aircraft accident outside the United States involving major loss of life, the foreign air carrier will consult with the NTSB and the Department of State on the provision of such assistance. Declares that an air carrier shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of its performance in providing information concerning a flight reservation. (Sec. 603) Makes similar changes to foreign air carrier plan requirements. Title VII: Passenger Service Availability; Mail Rates - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit: (1) a domestic or foreign air carrier in providing foreign air transportation (or a domestic air carrier in providing interstate air transportation) from subjecting an airline passenger to unreasonable discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex; and (2) a foreign air carrier from discriminating against a passenger that has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. (Sec. 701) Authorizes the Attorney General, or an interested person, to institute a civil action for damages, for past activity, and for preventive relief for persons injured as a result of such discrimination (including discrimination against the handicapped). Authorizes the court, in its discretion, to allow the prevailing party (other than the United States) reasonable attorney's fees. (Sec. 702) Directs the Secretary to establish a five-year pilot airline service restoration program to provide funds to up to 40 communities and States with inadequate access to the national transportation system to improve their access to such system. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 703) Waives the State or local contribution requirement with respect to the compensation of an air carrier providing air service to certain noneligible places. (Sec. 704) Authorizes the Secretary, if it is necessary to facilitate service to a small community, to require an air carrier that serves an essential airport facility to enter into a joint-fare or interline agreement with a qualifying air carrier that serves an underserved market to facilitate air transportation in the market. (Sec. 705) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out aviation policy, to consider as being in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity ensuring that: (1) consumers in all regions of the United States, including those in small communities and rural and remote areas, have access to affordable, regularly scheduled air service; and (2) slots provided to air carriers to provide small community air service are withdrawn if the carrier fails to provide the service. (Sec. 706) Revises air carrier obligations, with respect to two air carriers who make an agreement to operate under or use a single carrier designator code to provide air transportation, to require the carrier whose code is being used to share responsibility with the other carriers for the level and quality of transportation provided the public under the code by the other carriers, including providing full service at Essential Air Service communities. (Sec. 707) Repeals mail rate-setting authority of the U.S. Postal with respect to the transportation of mail by aircraft in foreign air transportation. Authorizes the Postal Service to provide for the transportation of mail by aircraft in air transportation (currently, in interstate air transportation). (Sec. 708) Repeals requirements under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibiting the increase or decrease by the FAA Administrator in the number of takeoffs and landings (the High Density Rule) at airports (except Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). Exempts certain aircraft with specified noise levels from the High Density Rule at airports (except Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). Title VIII: Transfer of Aeronautical Charting Activity - Transfers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration all functions, personnel, and funds of the Office of Aeronautical Charting and Cartography to the Department of Transportation. Title IX: Whistleblower Protection - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information. (Sec. 901) Prohibits a person from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee with respect to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) notified his or her employer of an alleged violation of this title; (2) refused to operate aircraft or work when it would be in violation of a FAA regulation, or because of a reasonable apprehension of death or serious physical harm; (3) provided or is about to provide information relating to air safety; or (4) has filed or is about to file a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to air carrier safety. Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act. Title X: National Parks Air Tour Management - National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 1999 - Prohibits a commercial air tour operator from conducting commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, except in accordance with this Act, conditions prescribed for that operator by the FAA Administrator, and any commercial air tour management plan for the park or tribal lands. (Sec. 1003) Sets forth specified requirements with respect to: (1) the granting of authority to commercial air tour operators to conduct air tour operations over national parks or tribal lands, with specified exceptions; and (2) establishment of commercial air tour management plans. Exempts from the requirements of this Act: (1) the Grand Canyon National Park, or any Indian country within or abutting such park; and (2) any land or waters located in Alaska.. (Sec. 1004) Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director of the National Park Service (Director) to establish, jointly, an advisory group to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to the operation of commercial air tours over and near national parks. (Sec. 1005) Directs the FAA Administrator to report to Congress on the effects proposed overflight fees are likely to have on the commercial air tour industry. Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director to report jointly to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in providing incentives for the development and use of quiet aircraft technology. Title XI: Title 49 Technical Corrections - Sets forth certain technical corrections to specified sections of title 49 of the United States Code. Title XII: Prevention of Fraud Involving Aircraft or Spacecraft Parts - Aircraft Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for fraud involving aircraft or space vehicle parts in interstate or foreign commerce. Provides for civil remedies and criminal forfeiture. Title XIII: Internal Revenue Code Amendments - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through October 1, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999
Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Morris King Udall, a former Representative from the State of Arizona.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999
Unfair Foreign Competition Act of 1999 - Amends the Clayton Act to revise provisions regarding the import or sale of articles from foreign countries at less than market value or wholesale price to prohibit a person from importing into, or selling within, the United States an article from a foreign country if: (1) the article is imported or sold within the United States at a U.S. price that is less (removes substantially requirement) than the foreign market value or constructed value of such article; and (2) the importation or sale causes or threatens to cause (no intent requirement) material injury to industry (including labor), or prevents, in whole or in part, the modernization of any U.S. industry. Sets forth similar provisions with respect to the importation or sale in the United States of subsidized articles from a foreign country. Authorizes a person whose business or property is injured by reason of the importation or sale of an article in violation of this Act to bring a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or in the Court of International Trade against any person who: (1) manufactures or exports the article; or (2) imports such article into the United States if such person is related to the manufacturer or exporter of the article. Requires the court, upon an affirmative determination with respect to the civil action, to issue a certain order and direct the Customs Service to assess an antidumping duty on the article, and require the deposit of estimated antidumping duties pending liquidation of entries of the article. Sets forth a four-year statute of limitation within which an action must be filed. Amends Federal law to authorize an interested party whose business or property is injured by fraud, gross negligence, or negligence with respect to the importation of foreign merchandise to bring a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or in the Court of International Trade, without respect to the amount in controversy. Grants an interested party equitable and injunctive relief, plus court costs and attorney's fees upon proof that such party's business or property has been injured by such fraud or negligence. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to direct duties assessed pursuant to a countervailing duty order, an antidumping duty order, or a finding under the Antidumping Act of 1921 to be distributed (continued dumping and subsidy offset) annually to workers for damages sustained for loss of wages resulting from the lost of jobs, and to the affected domestic producers for qualifying expenditures. Directs the Commissioner of the Customs Service to prescribe procedures for the distribution of the continued dumping or subsidies offset. Directs the International Trade Commission (ITC) to forward to the Commissioner with respect to an antidumping or countervailing duty order or finding a list of petitioners and persons with respect to each order and finding (including a list of persons that indicate support of the petition by affected workers for worker trade adjustment assistance). Directs the Commissioner to distribute on a pro rata basis all funds (including all interest earned on the funds) from assessed duties received in the preceding fiscal year to workers and to the affected domestic producers. Establishes in the Treasury a special account consisting of funds from assessed antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders and findings.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999
Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 1999 - Provides that if a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer provides any benefits with respect to emergency services, the plan or issuer shall cover such services: (1) without the need for any prior authorization determination; (2) whether or not the health care provider furnishing such services is a participating provider with respect to such services; (3) in a manner so that if such services are provided by a nonparticipating provider, the participant, beneficiary, or enrollee is not liable for amounts that exceed the liability that would be incurred if the services were provided by a participating provider; and (4) without regard to any other term or condition of such plan or coverage (other than exclusion or coordination of benefits, a specified affiliation or waiting period, and applicable cost sharing). Requires such plans or issuers, in the case of maintenance or post-stabilization care services other than emergency services, to provide for reimbursement for services provided by nonparticipating providers in a manner consistent with specified guidelines relating to promoting efficient and timely coordination of maintenance and post- stabilization care of an enrollee under the Social Security Act or such guidelines as the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish. Requires information regarding coverage of emergency services to be made available annually by plans and issuers. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to deem requirements of the Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 1999 to be incorporated into such Acts and the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999
Public School Construction Partnership Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of qualified public educational facility bonds as exempt facility bonds. Defines a "qualified public educational facility" as any school facility which is: (1) part of a public elementary school or a public secondary school; and (2) owned by a private, for-profit corporation pursuant to a public-private partnership agreement with a State or local educational agency. Provides for an exception from the State volume cap. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) time-related spending requirements for public school construction bonds and doubling the arbitrage rebate exception for governmental bonds used to finance education facilities; and (2) the treatment of public school construction bonds as qualified tax-exempt obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999
Nursing Home Residential Security Act of 1999 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish certain restrictions on transfers or discharges of nursing facility residents in the case of voluntary withdrawal from Medicaid participation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Medicare Rehabilitation Benefit Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide certain Medicare beneficiaries with an exemption to the financial limitations imposed on physical, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the specified effects of this Act for a report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999
Designates March 25, 1999, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999
State and Local Investment Opportunities Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the State ceiling on private activity bonds. Provides for inflation adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999
Veterans' Equal Access to Medicare Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Veterans Affairs (VA) (the administering Secretaries) to establish a demonstration project under which the HHS Secretary reimburses the VA Secretary for Medicare health care services furnished to certain veterans at a VA medical facility. Makes eligible for such services a veteran who has attained age 65, is entitled to Medicare benefits, and was enrolled for Medicare benefits on the date of enactment of this Act. Requires voluntary participation of eligible veterans under the demonstration program. Directs the administering Secretaries to establish a data matching program under which there is an exchange of information between HHS and VA to identify those entitled to such benefits. Allows the administering Secretaries to select up to ten demonstration sites in geographically dispersed sites for program participation. Requires at least one site to: (1) be near a base which was closed under a defense base closure law; and (2) serve a predominately rural population area. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted during the three-year period beginning on January 1, 2000. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to waive certain Medicare requirements in connection with the program. Requires the administering Secretaries to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a copy of the demonstration program agreement. Authorizes the VA Secretary to establish and operate up to four managed health care plans at demonstration sites. Requires such Secretary to submit to Congress a plan for the use of appropriate sites and entities. Requires certain certifications from the VA Inspector General before a plan may be implemented. Directs the HHS Secretary to reimburse the VA Secretary for demonstration project services at specified rates. Provides for such payments from Medicare trust funds, with an annual limit of $50 million. Authorizes the reduction of such reimbursement payments for VA failure to maintain its effort level for targeted veterans. Directs the administering Secretaries to closely monitor the expenditures made under the Medicare program for targeted veterans during the period of the demonstration project compared to expenditures that would have been made for such veterans if the demonstration project had not been conducted. Requires: (1) an annual report by the Comptroller General during each year of the demonstration project; (2) the administering Secretaries to take certain steps in the case of increased costs under the demonstration project and arrange for an independent evaluation of the project; (3) annual reports from such independent entity during the demonstration project period; and (4) a report from the administering Secretaries on the possibility of extending the demonstration project, making it permanent, or expanding it to cover additional demonstration sites.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1999
Designates the week of March 21 through March 27, 1999, as National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week. Encourages parents to learn about the dangers of inhalant abuse and to discuss those dangers with their children.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1999
Expresses the sense of the Congress that there should continue to be parity between the adjustments in the compensation of members of the armed forces and Federal civilian employees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Urges the President to undertake efforts to end restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the enclaved people of Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit the commercial operation of civil supersonic transport aircraft that do not comply with stage 3 noise levels to or from a U.S. airport if the European Union adopts Common Position (EC) No. 66-98 (relating to certain aircraft noise regulations) as a final regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Stop Illegal Steel Trade Act of 1999 - Directs the President to impose quotas, tariff surcharges, or negotiate enforceable voluntary export restraint agreements in order to ensure that the volume of imported steel products (semifinished, plates, sheets and strips, wire rods, wire and wire products, rail type products, bars, structural shapes and units, pipes and tubes, iron ore, and coke products) during any month does not exceed the average volume of imported steel for the 36-month period preceding July 1997. Directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and of Commerce to implement a program for administering and enforcing the restraints on such imports. Authorizes the Customs Service to refuse entry into the U.S. customs territory for a three year period of any steel products that exceed the allowable levels of such products.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Designates May 1999 as National Military Appreciation Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1999
Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, during FY 2000 through 2004, to establish a pre-disaster mitigation program for making loans to enable small businesses to use mitigation techniques in support of a formal program established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, except that no such loan may be extended to a small business unless it is otherwise unable to obtain credit for such purposes. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to report to the congressional small business committees evaluating such program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1999
Expresses: (1) condolences to the family of King Hussein and to all the people of Jordan; (2) admiration for King Hussein's enlightened leadership and gratitude for his support for peace throughout the Middle East; and (3) support and best wishes for the new government of Jordan under King Abdullah. Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to strengthening the vital relationship between our two governments and peoples.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1999
Bond Fairness and Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax-exempt bond financing of certain electric facilities, to exclude a permitted open access transaction (as defined by this Act) from the definition of private business use. Permits, as specified, termination of tax-exempt bond financing for certain electric output facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Declares that: (1) the final political status of the territory controlled by the Palestinian Authority can only be determined through negotiations and agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority; (2) any attempt to establish Palestinian statehood outside the negotiating process will invoke the strongest congressional opposition; and (3) the President should unequivocally assert U.S. opposition to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1999
Amends Federal law to add Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday (the third Monday in January) to the list of days on which the U.S. flag should especially be displayed.