United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Honoring the Navajo Code Talkers Act - Authorizes the President to: (1) present to each of the original twenty-nine Navajo Code Talkers or a surviving family member, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal honoring the Navajo Code Talkers; and (2) award to each man who qualified as a Navajo Code Talker (MOS 642) or a surviving family member a silver medal. Provides that such medals are to express recognition by the United States and its citizens in honoring the Navajo Code Talkers who distinguished themselves in performing a unique, highly successful communications operation that greatly assisted in saving countless lives and in hastening the end of World War II in the Pacific. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should hold hearings on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and (2) it should act on CEDAW by July 19, 2000, the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Convention by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2000 - Amends the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act to extend for an additional two years the authority under which postal patrons may contribute to funding for breast cancer research through the voluntary purchase of certain specially issued U.S. postage stamps.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Teaching Hospital Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise a certain formula pertaining to additional payments to hospitals with indirect costs of medical education to maintain the value of a certain variable used in the indirect teaching adjustment factor at the FY 1999 level on or after October 1, 2000. (Current law requires a lesser value for such variable in FY 2001 and thereafter.)
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
Armed Forces Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment Act of 2000 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid military retired pay concurrently with veterans' disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
Air Quality Standard Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in carrying out such Act (including establishing a new or revised air quality standard), to base any scientific or technical conclusions on: (1) the best available, peer-reviewed science and supporting studies conducted in accordance with sound and objective scientific practices; (2) data collected by accepted methods or the best available methods; and (3) data that have been made publicly available. Requires the Administrator to ensure that the presentation of information on public health effects concerning any new or revised air quality standard is comprehensive, informative, understandable, and available for public comment prior to the promulgation of any regulation under the Act. Directs the Administrator, in a document made available to the public in support of a regulation proposed or promulgated under the Act concerning an air quality standard to specify: (1) each population addressed by any estimate of public health effects; (2) the expected risk or central estimate of risk for the specific populations or resources and each upper-bound or lower- bound of risk; (3) each significant uncertainty identified in the process of the assessment of public health effects and studies that would assist in resolving such uncertainties; and (4) peer-reviewed studies that support, are relevant to, or fail to support any estimate of public health effects and the methodologies used to reconcile inconsistencies in the scientific data. Requires the Administrator, as part of the process of proposing a new or revised air quality standard, to publish in the Federal Register and seek public comment on an analysis of specified factors, including: (1) quantifiable and nonquantifiable benefits that are likely to occur as the result of actions taken to comply with the standard; (2) quantifiable and nonquantifiable health benefits that are likely to occur from reductions in related pollutants that may be attributed to compliance with the standard; (3) quantifiable and nonquantifiable costs that are likely to occur as the result of actions taken to comply with or attain the standard; (4) incremental costs and benefits associated with each alternative standard considered; (5) effects of the affected air pollutant on the general population; and (6) risks that may occur as the result of compliance with or attainment of the standard. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator, for each new or revised air quality standard proposed, to conduct and publish for public comment a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the benefits of the standard justify or do not justify the costs. Authorizes the Administrator to analyze the potential distributional effects of each such standard. Permits the Administrator, upon determining based on such analysis that the benefits do not justify the costs, to promulgate an alternative standard at a cost that is justified by the benefits. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
National Institutes of Health EPSCoR Program Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the program for enhancing the competitiveness of entities conducting biomedical and behavioral research in obtaining funds from the National Research Institutes. Establishes a new experimental program to stimulate competitive research (EPSCoR) to enhance the research competitiveness of a non-Federal entity located in an EPSCoR State (as defined in this Act). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2000
Commends the bravery and honor of the citizens of Remy, France, for their actions with respect to the American fighter pilot Lieutenant Houston Braly during and after August 1944. Recognizes the efforts of the surviving members of the U.S. 364th Fighter Group to raise funds to restore the stained glass windows of Remy's 13th century church.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal Subchapter B (Communications) of Chapter 33 (Facilities and Services) of Subtitle D (Miscellaneous Excise Taxes).
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should hold hearings on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and (2) the Senate should act on CEDAW by July 19, 2000, the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Convention by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000 - Title I: Amendments to HIV Health Care Program - Subtitle A: Purpose; Amendments to Part A (Emergency Relief Grants ) - Amends Public Health Service Act provisions relating to emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services relating to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease to revise the duties of HIV health services planning councils. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop epidemiologic measures for establishing the number of individuals living with HIV disease (defined as infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), including any condition arising from AIDS) who are not receiving HIV-related health services; and (2) provide advice and technical assistance to planning councils regarding the process for establishing fund allocation priorities. (Sec. 102) Requires the chief elected official of an area that receives an emergency relief grant to establish a quality management program to assess the extent to which medical services provided to patients under the grant are consistent with the most recent Public Health Service guidelines for the treatment of HIV disease and related opportunistic infection and to develop strategies for improvements in the access to and quality of medical services. Allows use of emergency relief grant funds for the program. (Sec. 103) Requires, in order to receive an emergency relief grant, that: (1) the State or private service provider have a participation agreement under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act; and (2) funded entities maintain relationships with area entities that constitute key points of access to the health care system (such as emergency rooms, substance abuse treatment programs, and sexually transmitted disease clinics) for individuals with HIV disease to facilitate early intervention. (Sec. 104) Requires that emergency relief grants be used: (1) for outpatient and ambulatory health services (currently, for outpatient and ambulatory health and support services, including case management) and other specified services; and (2) if the service provider meets specified requirements, for early intervention services. Requires that State and political subdivision grant recipients use the grants to increase funding for HIV-related services specified in provisions relating to outpatient and inpatient services (currently, HIV-related services to individuals with HIV disease). (Sec. 106) Makes permanent the provisions of current law requiring disbursal of 50 percent of the amounts appropriated 60 days after an appropriation for emergency relief grants and grants under provisions relating to grants to improve the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services for individuals and families with HIV disease becomes available. (Sec. 107) Requires that the amount of a grant to an eligible area be not less than 98 percent of the amount the area received in the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 108) Requires emergency relief grants to be used for infants, children, and women with HIV disease in the same ratio as each of those populations bears to the general population in that area of individuals with HIV disease. Subtitle B: Amendments to Part B (Care Grant Program ) - Modifies requirements regarding the contents of applications for grants to improve the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services for individuals and families with HIV disease (care grants), including regarding peer review and quality management. Limits the amount a State may spend on its quality management program. Changes requirements regarding the amount a State that is receiving a small allotment may use for planning, evaluation, and administration. (Sec. 123) Requires, in order to receive a care grant, that funded entities maintain relationships with area entities that constitute key points of access to the health care system (such as emergency rooms, substance abuse treatment programs, and sexually transmitted disease clinics) for individuals with HIV disease to facilitate early intervention. (Sec. 124) Applies to care grants the use conditions and limitations that apply to emergency relief grant use provisions. (Sec. 125) Allows care grants to be used for early intervention services if the service provider meets specified requirements. (Sec. 126) Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for specified services for pregnant women and newborns. (Sec. 128) Directs the Secretary to make supplemental grants to States for comprehensive services of the type described in care grant provisions to supplement services in areas that are not eligible to receive emergency relief grants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) reserve an amount for States with a metropolitan area that is not eligible for an emergency relief grant and that has 1,000 - 2,000 cases of AIDS; and (2) use 50 percent of any increase in the amount appropriated for emergency relief and care grants to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. (Sec. 129) Requires, in addition to other requirements, that States use therapeutics funds provided from care grants to encourage, support, and enhance adherence to and compliance with treatment regimens, but only if the State is able to provide to all eligible individuals appropriate HIV/AIDS therapeutic regimens as recommended in the most recent Federal treatment guidelines. Mandates supplemental grants to States with a severe need for providing access to AIDS/HIV-related medications for individuals at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line. (Sec. 130) Doubles the minimum care grant allotments to States. Adds the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau to the definition of "territory of the United States" for determination of care grant allotments. (Sec. 131) Requires care grants to be used for infants, children, and women with HIV disease in the same ratio as each of those populations bears to the general population of that State of individuals with HIV disease. Subtitle C: Amendments to Part C (Early Intervention Services ) - Repeals provisions mandating formula grants for HIV disease early intervention services. (Sec. 142) Allows currently-authorized planning and development grants to be used to expand the capacity, preparedness, and expertise to deliver primary care services to individuals with HIV disease in underserved low-income communities. Increases the limit on the amount of a care grant. (Sec. 143) Extends the authorization of appropriations for early intervention grants. (Sec. 144) Increases the limit on spending for administration (currently, for administration including planning and evaluation) of grants under early intervention provisions. Requires grantees to establish a quality management program to assess: (1) the extent to which medical services funded under title XXVI (HIV Health Care Services Program) of the Public Health Service Act are consistent with the most recent Public Health Service guidelines for the treatment of HIV disease and related opportunistic infections; and (2) whether improvements in access to and quality of medical services are addressed. (Sec. 145) Requires that preference in making early intervention grants be given to serving areas that are not otherwise eligible to receive emergency relief grants. Subtitle D: Amendments to Part D (General Provisions ) - Eliminates requirements that a significant number of women, infants, children, and youth who are patients of the grantee (under provisions mandating grants to provide opportunities for women, infants, children, and youth to be voluntary participants in research of potential benefit to individuals with HIV disease) participate in research projects. Requires grantees to: (1) inform and educate individuals regarding opportunities to participate in HIV/AIDS-related clinical research; and (2) implement a quality management program. Directs the Secretary to examine the distribution and availability of ongoing and appropriate HIV/AIDS- related research to existing sites under provisions amended by this paragraph to enhance and expand voluntary access to HIV-related research, especially in communities that are not reasonably served by the research. Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out the provisions amended by this paragraph. (Sec. 152) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review the administrative, program support, and direct service-related activities carried out under title XXVI general provisions to ensure that eligible individuals have access to quality, HIV-related health and support services and research opportunities; and (2) determine the relationship between the costs of those activities and the access of eligible individuals to those services and opportunities. (Sec. 153) Authorizes appropriations to carry out: (1) program evaluations; (2) emergency relief grant provisions; and (3) care grant provisions. Subtitle E: Amendments to Part F (Demonstration and Training ) - Extends the authorizations of appropriations to carry out provisions relating to AIDS Education and Training Centers (including schools, centers, and dental schools). Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a study on appropriate epidemiological measures and their relationship to the financing and delivery of primary care and health-related support services for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured individuals with HIV disease; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding how the Institute of Medicine's conclusions and recommendations can be addressed and implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Oceans Act of 2000 - Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy and requires it to report to Congress and the President. Directs the President to submit to Congress: (1) after considering the Commission's report, proposals for a coordinated, comprehensive, and long range national policy for the responsible use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the United States; and (2) a biennial report on all existing Federal programs related to ocean and coastal activities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Expresses support for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. eastern standard time on each Memorial Day in honor of the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2000
Medicaid Safety Net Hospital Act of 2000 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, with respect to provisions regarding adjustments in payments for inpatient hospital services furnished by disproportionate share hospitals (DSH), to require DSH allotments for FY 2002 (currently, FY 2003) and succeeding fiscal years to be equal to the allotment for the State for the preceding fiscal year. Sets the DSH allotment for FY 2001 at the FY 2000 level.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2000
Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to authorize appropriations through FY 2005 for: (1) carrying out certain provisions relating to water resources research and technology institutes; and (2) for reimbursement of the direct cost expenses of additional research or synthesis of research by the institutes which focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a single State and which relate to specific program priorities identified jointly by the Secretary of the Interior and the institutes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2000
Medicaid DSH Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, with respect to provisions regarding adjustments in payments for inpatient hospital services furnished by disproportionate share hospitals (DSH), to require DSH allotments for FY 2002 (currently, FY 2003) and succeeding fiscal years to be equal to the allotment for the State for the preceding fiscal year. Sets the DSH allotment for FY 2001 at the FY 2000 level.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Urges all contracting parties to the Hague Convention: (1) particularly European civil law countries that consistently violate the Convention such as Austria, Germany and Sweden, to comply fully with their international obligations under the Convention; (2) to ensure their compliance with the Convention by enacting effective implementing legislation and educating their judicial and law enforcement authorities; (3) to honor their commitments and return abducted or wrongfully retained children to their place of habitual residence without reaching the merits of any underlying custody dispute and to ensure parental access rights by removing obstacles to the exercise of such rights; and (4) to further educate their central authority and local law enforcement authorities regarding the Convention, the severity of the problem of international child abduction, and the need for immediate action when a parent of an abducted child seeks assistance. Urges the Secretary of State to disseminate to all Federal and State courts the Department of State's annual report to Congress on Hague Convention compliance and related matters.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
Strengthening Abuse and Neglect Courts Act of 2000 - Directs the Attorney General to award grants to State and local courts to: (1) enable such courts to develop and implement automated data collection and case-tracking systems for proceedings conducted by, or under the supervision of, an abuse and neglect court; (2) encourage the replication of such systems in abuse and neglect courts in other jurisdictions; and (3) require the use of such systems to evaluate a court's performance in complying with requirements of part B (child and family services) and part E (Federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act. Sets forth provisions regarding limits on the number and use of grants, application and matching requirements, notification to the State or appropriate child welfare agency, considerations in evaluating grant applications, diversity and length of awards, fund availability, and reporting requirements for grantees and the Attorney General. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to award grants to State and local courts for the purposes of: (1) promoting the permanency goals established in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997; and (2) enabling such courts to reduce existing backlogs of cases pending in abuse and neglect courts, especially regarding cases to terminate parental rights and cases in which parental rights to a child have been terminated but an adoption of the child has not yet been finalized. Sets forth provisions regarding applications, use of funds, number of grants, availability of funds, and reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make a grant to the National Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association for purposes of: (1) expanding the recruitment, and building the capacity, of court-appointed special advocate programs located in the 15 largest urban areas; (2) developing regional, multi- jurisdictional court-appointed special advocate programs serving rural areas; and (3) providing training and supervision of volunteers in court-appointed special advocate programs. Sets forth provisions regarding limits on administrative expenditures and determination of urban and rural areas. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
Family Opportunity Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) give States the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for such children; and (2) provide for treatment of inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21 under waivers allowing for payment for part or all of the cost of home or community-based services. Authorizes a State to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for approval of a demonstration project to provide Medicaid coverage to up to a specified maximum number of children with a potentially severe disability. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to make appropriations to the Secretary for special projects of regional and national significance for development and support of family-to-family health information centers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
Training and Knowledge Ensure Children a Risk-Free Environment (TAKE CARE) Act - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act with regard to: (1) payment for training of judges, attorneys, and other concerned persons in child abuse and neglect court proceedings; and (2) State standards for attorneys who represent the State or local agency administering the programs under SSA title IV parts B (Child and Family Services) and E. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance, training, and evaluations under this Act through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with other entities, including universities, and national, State, and local organizations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2000
Marginal Well Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions relating to domestic oil and gas production which: (1) establish a credit for producing oil and gas from marginal wells; and (2) permit a taxpayer to expense geological and geophysical expenditures and to delay rental payments in connection with oil and gas development.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2000
Public Education Reinvestment, Reinvention, and Responsibility Act (Three R's) - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to reauthorize through FY 2005 and revise various ESEA programs. (Sec. 3) Declares U.S. national educational priorities addressed by this Act. Title I: Student Performance - Revises and renames ESEA title I as Student Performance (currently Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards). (Sec. 102) Declares it to be U.S. policy to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education by: (1) holding States, local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools accountable for increased student academic performance results; and (2) facilitating improved classroom instruction. (Sec. 103) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the following title I programs under: (1) part A, LEA grants; (2) part B, Even Start; (3) part C, education of migratory children; (4) part D, prevention and intervention programs for youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at-risk of dropping out; (5) provisions for capital expenses; and (6) part E, Federal evaluations, demonstrations, and transition projects. (Sec. 104) Requires State educational agencies (SEAs) to reserve a specified portion of their title I part A (I-A) funds to: (1) make at least 80 percent of such reserved funds available directly to LEAs; and (2) carry out SEA responsibilities for school improvement, including SEA statewide system of technical assistance and support for LEAs. Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies - Revises ESEA title I part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) (I-A) with respect to formulas for distributing funds to schools with the highest concentrations of poverty. (Sec. 105) Revises State plan requirements with respect to implementing challenging content and student performance standards (standards), yearly student assessments (assessments), and accountability. Requires State standards to: (1) be applied to all schools and children within the State; and (2) include at least the subjects of mathematics, science, and English language arts. Requires a State, if it allows LEAs to adopt more rigorous standards than the State, to allow LEAs to implement such standards. Requires each State plan to demonstrate what constitutes adequate yearly progress (AYP) of the State itself (as well as its schools and LEAs, as under current law) in enabling all children in all schools receiving I-A assistance to meet the State's challenging performance standards. Revises requirements for State definition of AYP. Adds requirements relating to: (1) accountability for AYP; (2) annual improvement by States, LEAs, and schools; and (3) public notice and comment. Requires assessments to be used, starting no later than the 2000-2001 school year, as the primary means of determining the yearly performance of each LEA and school in enabling all children to meet State standards (but does not require States to meet requirements for science standards or assessments until the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year). Requires State plans to provide that students who have attended school in the United States for at least three consecutive years are to be assessed in the English language, with certain exceptions. Requires State plans to describe what reasonable steps the State is taking to assist and encourage LEAs to: (1) measure literacy skills of first graders in schools receiving I-A funds by providing assessments that are developmentally appropriate, aligned with State standards, and scientifically research-based; and (2) identify and take developmentally appropriate and effective interventions in any school served under I-A in which a substantial number of first graders have not demonstrated grade-level literacy proficiency by the end of the school year. Requires State plans to describe how SEAs will: (1) assist each affected LEA and school to develop the capacity to comply with requirements for schoolwide programs, targeted assistance, and assessment and improvement; (2) hold each affected LEA accountable for improved student performance, including procedures for identifying and assisting LEAs and schools in need of improvement, and for corrective action if assistance is not effective; (3) provide low-performing students additional academic instruction, such as before- and after-school programs and summer academic programs; (4) ensure that all teachers in both schoolwide programs and targeted assistance programs are fully qualified not later than December 31, 2005, and low-income students and minority students are not taught at higher rates than other students by inexperienced, uncertified, or out-of-field teachers; and (5) evaluate and publicly report the State's progress in improving the quality of instruction in the schools served by the SEA and LEAs receiving ESEA funding. Requires State plans to assure that SEAs will: (1) use the disaggregated results of required student assessments, and other available measures or indicators, to review annually the progress of each LEA and school served under I-A to determine whether each one is making the annual progress necessary to ensure that all students will meet the proficient level of performance on such assessments within ten years of the enactment of this Act; (2) modify or eliminate State fiscal and accounting barriers so that elementary and secondary schools can easily consolidate funds from other Federal, State, and local sources for schoolwide programs under specified provisions; and (3) inform LEAs of LEA authority to obtain waivers under title VIII of ESEA and, if the State is an Ed-Flex Partnership State, under the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999. Penalizes States for failing to meet statutory deadlines for demonstrating that they have in place standards, assessments, a system for measuring and monitoring AYP, and a statewide system for holding schools and LEAs accountable for making AYP with specified groups of students. Makes such States ineligible to receive any administrative funds under title I that exceed the amount received for such purposes in the previous year. Directs the Secretary of Education to withhold additional administrative funds in an amount determined appropriate based on the extent of the State's failure. Requires the Secretary, for each additional year that the State fails to comply with such requirements, to withhold at least one-fifth of the amount the State receives for such administrative expenses. Allows a State to request a one-time, one-year waiver to meet such requirements. (Sec. 106) Requires LEA plans to include descriptions of how they will: (1) assist low-performing schools, including those identified as in need of improvement; and (2) promote the use of alternative instructional methods, and extended learning time, such as an extended school year, before- and after-school programs, and summer programs. Requires various LEA assurances with respect to school accountability, improvement, and assessment. Requires LEAs to ensure that all teachers in both schoolwide programs and targeted assistance programs are fully qualified not later than December 31, 2005, and low-income students and minority students are not taught at higher rates than other students by inexperienced, uncertified, or out-of-field teachers. Requires LEAs to reserve at least ten percent of the I-A funds they receive for high quality professional development for professional instructional staff. Sets forth requirements for parental notification and consent for English language instruction. (Sec. 107) Revises school eligibility criteria for school-wide programs. Allows an LEA to use I-A funds for a school-wide programs at schools that serve eligible school attendance areas in which: (1) not less than 40 percent of the children are from low-income families; or (2) not less than 40 percent of the children enrolled in the school are from such families. (Sec. 108) Revises requirements for public school choice plans to allow limited amounts of I-A funds to be used for transportation services. (Sec. 109) Revises requirements for assessment and LEA and school improvement. Requires the provision of public school choice for families of students attending I-A schools deemed to be in need of corrective action. (Sec. 110) Revises requirements for State assistance for school support and improvement. Requires SEAs to provide such assistance according to the following order of priorities: (1) LEAs and schools in need of improvement; (2) LEAs subject to corrective action, and to individual schools for which an LEA has failed to carry out certain responsibilities; and (3) LEAs and schools at risk of being identified as being in need of improvement within the next academic year. Directs SEAs to use for such State assistance certain funds available for technical assistance and support. Authorizes SEAs also to use for such State assistance certain State administrative funds. (Sec. 111) Revises requirements for parental involvement. (Sec. 112) Sets forth required qualifications and duties for teachers and paraprofessionals in I-A schools. (Sec. 113) Revises requirements for professional development activities. Includes among required activities any strategies for identifying and eliminating gender and racial bias in instructional materials, methods, and practices. Includes among optional activities instruction in ways teachers, principals, and guidance counselors can work with parents and students from groups, such as females and minorities, that are underrepresented in careers in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology, to encourage and maintain student interest in such careers. (Sec. 115) Includes among coordination requirements for LEAs the linking of LEA educational services with those provided in local Head Start agencies. (Sec. 116) Revises requirements for reservation and allocation of funds for grants for the outlying areas and the Secretary of the Interior. (Sec. 117) Sets forth revised formulas for allocating amounts for basic grants, concentration grants, and targeted grants. (Sec. 118) Revises requirements for basic, concentration, and targeted grants to LEAs. (Sec. 121) Revises special allocation procedures. Part B: Even Start Family Literacy Programs - Revises ESEA title I part B (Even Start Family Literacy Programs) (Even Start). Directs the Secretary (currently the National Institute for Literacy) to disseminate, or designate another entity to disseminate, the results of certain research to States and recipients of Even Start subgrants. Part C: Education of Migratory Children - Revises ESEA title I part C (Education of Migratory Children) to refer to language instruction programs under the new ESEA title III provided by this Act (current law refers to bilingual education). Part D: Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk of Dropping Out - Revises ESEA title I part D (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk of Dropping Out). Part E: Federal Evaluations, Demonstrations, and Transition Projects - Revises title I part E (Federal Evaluations, Demonstrations, and Transition Projects) to set new deadlines for certain interim and final reports on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). (Sec. 152) Establishes a Comprehensive School Reform program. (Replaces part E provisions for demonstrations of innovative practices.) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to SEAs to provide subgrants to LEAs to provide financial incentives for schools to develop comprehensive school reforms, based upon scientifically-based research and effective practices that include an emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement so that all children can meet challenging State content and performance standards. Allows reservation of specified amounts for schools supported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), schools in U.S. territories, and national evaluation activities. Sets forth requirements for State awards, local awards, evaluation, and reporting. Authorizes appropriations. Part F: Rural Education Development Initiative - Establishes a Rural Education Development Initiative as a new title I part F. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for elementary and secondary education development by LEAs that are eligible because they serve: (1) a school-age population of whom 15 percent or more are from families with incomes below the poverty line; and (2) a school district in a rural locality, or a school-age population of 800 or fewer. Reserves a specified portion of grant funds for schools operated by the BIA. Sets forth an allotment formula for grants to SEAs to make grants to eligible LEAs. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct competitive grants to specially qualified eligible rural LEAs in nonparticipating States. Requires LEAs or their schools to use grant funds for: (1) educational technology, including software and hardware; (2) professional development; (3) technical assistance; (4) teacher, and principal, recruitment and retention; (5) parental involvement activities; or (6) academic enrichment programs or other education programs. Requires SEAs to award grants on a formula basis. Requires that at least 99 percent of such funds be awarded to eligible LEAs in the first year, and 99.5 in the second and in each succeeding year that an SEA receives such a grant. Directs the Secretary, at the end of the third year an SEA participates in the program, to permit continued participation only if the SEA has met its performance goals and objectives for two consecutive years. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on this part F program's impact on student achievement. Authorizes appropriations. Part G: General Provisions - Transfers title I general provisions to a new part G (currently part F). Revises a deadline for the Secretary's issuance of final regulations for title I. Eliminates a provision for State reservation of certain amounts for administrative costs. Title II: Teacher and Principal Quality, Professional Development, and Class Size - Revises and renames ESEA title II as Teacher and Principal Quality, Professional Development, and Class Size (currently Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program). (Sec. 201) Sets forth a part A, Teacher and Principal Quality, Professional Development (II-A). Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to raise the quality of, and provide professional development for, public school teachers, principals, and administrators. Provides for: (1) reservations, State allotments, and within-State allocations; (2) State and local plans; (3) performance objectives; (4) optional activities; (5) State administrative expenses; (6) local activities; (7) professional development for teachers; (8) parents' right to know; (9) State reports and a study by the Comptroller General, and (10) educator partnership grants. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth a part B, Class Size Reduction. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to help them and LEAs recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional teachers to: (1) reduce nationally class size in grades one through three to an average of 18 students per regular classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early elementary school grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Language Minority Students and Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education - Establishes a new ESEA title III, Language Minority Students and Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education, which combines and revises provisions of the current title VII (Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs) and of the current title IX (Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education). (Eliminates the current title III, Technology for Education, but provides for some technology literacy programs under title VI.) (Sec. 301) Repeals the current ESEA title III part A, Technology for Education of All Students. Sets forth a new title III subtitle A, Language Minority Students (which also replaces the current title VII) Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs). Declares it to be U.S. policy that, in order to ensure equal educational opportunity for all children and youth, and to promote educational excellence, the Federal Government should: (1) assist SEAs, LEAs, and community-based organizations to build their capacity to establish, implement, and sustain programs of instruction and English language development for children and youth of limited English proficiency (LEP); (2) hold SEAs and LEAs accountable for increases in English proficiency and core content knowledge among LEP students; and (3) promote parental and community participation in LEP programs. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to help LEP students become proficient in English. Prohibits the Secretary from mandating or precluding a particular curricular or pedagogical approach to educating LEP students. Requires LEAs to certify to SEAs that all teachers in any language instruction program for LEP students funded under this subtitle are fluent in English. Requires LEAs to notify parents of students participating in language instruction educational program of: (1) the student's level of English proficiency and academic achievement, and certain implications of the student's strengths and needs; (2) various available programs; (3) instructional goals of such program; and (4) the parental option to decline the student's enrollment in such program. (Sec. 302) Repeals the current ESEA title III parts: (1) B, Star Schools Program; (2) C, Ready-to-Learn Television; (3) D, Telecommunications Demonstration Project for Mathematics; and (4) E, Elementary Mathematics and Science Equipment Program. Eliminates current title VII part B provisions for the Foreign Language Assistance Program. Transfers to a new title III subtitle B the Emergency Immigration Education Program (currently part C of title VII). Extends through FY 2005 the authorization of appropriations for such program. (Sec. 303) Transfers to a new title III subtitle C provisions for Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education (currently title XIX). Extends the authorization of appropriations for various programs of Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education. Title IV: Public School Choice - Establishes a new ESEA title IV, Public School Choice, and authorizes a new public school choice program. Redesignates certain parts of the current title IV, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities, under such new title IV (and provides for some school safety improvement programs under title VI). Transfers certain parts and provisions of the current titles V and X to such new title IV. (Sec. 401) Extends the authorization of appropriations for: (1) Magnet Schools Assistance; and (2) Public Charter Schools. Requires SEAs that receive grants for charter schools assistance to hold assisted charter schools accountable for AYP for improving student performance under title I and as established in the school's charter, including the use of the same standards and assessments as established under title I. Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) support and stimulate improved public school performance through increased public school competition and increased Federal financial assistance; and (2) provide parents with more choices among public school options. (Sec. 402) Establishes a new title IV part C, Development of Public School Choice Programs (PSC programs). Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make competitive grants to LEAs to develop such PSC programs; (2) reserve specified program funds for technical assistance, information dissemination, and evaluations; and (3) a priority to partnership projects. Requires the Secretary to give a priority to applications that would serve high-poverty LEAs. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth a new title IV part D, Report Cards. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States, if they have State report cards on education which meet specified requirements, to publish such report cards for each elementary and secondary school receiving ESEA funding. Authorizes appropriations. Requires States, if they receive assistance under ESEA, to prepare and disseminate (or publicly report through other public means) annual report cards, in easily understandable language, on all elementary and secondary schools receiving funds under ESEA I-A or II-A. Requires such State report cards on LEAs and schools to contain specified information regarding indicators of school performance and quality. Title V: Impact Aid - Transfers ESEA Impact Aid provisions to a new title V (currently title VIII). Eliminates the current title V, Promoting Equity, including part B, Women's Educational Equity, and part C, Assistance to Address School Dropout Problems (but transfers the current part A of title V to part A of title IV). (Sec. 501) Extends the authorization of appropriations for various impact aid programs. Title VI: High Performance and Quality Education Initiatives - Establishes a new title VI, High Performance and Quality Education Initiatives. Eliminates the current title VI, Innovative Education Program Strategies. (Sec. 601) Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) facilitate significant innovation in elementary and secondary school education programs; (2) enrich the learning environment of students; (3) provide a safe learning environment for all students; (4) ensure that all students are technologically literate; and (5) assist SEAs and LEAs in building their capacity to establish, implement, and sustain innovative programs for public school students. Directs the Secretary to make grants to SEAs with approved plans to award grants to LEAs. Requires States to allocate grant funds among LEAs according to both their I-A population and their entire school-age population. Requires LEAs to use grant funds for programs designed to achieve each of the goals described in the following category areas: (1) school improvement; (2) 21st Century Opportunities programs; (3) safe learning environments; and (4) New Economy Technology Schools. Allows LEAs that meet or exceed AYP requirements to reallocate, at their own discretion, specified portions of grant funds among the four categories. Allows LEAs identified as in need of improvement to reallocate for school improvement activities a certain portion of funds from the other three categories. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Accountability - Establishes a new ESEA title VII, Accountability, with sanctions and rewards based on meeting performance objectives. Eliminates the current title VII, Bilingual Education, Language Enhancement, and Language Acquisition Programs (but sets forth some provisions for language minority students under the new title III). (Sec. 701) Requires certain sanctions if performance objectives established under a covered provision have not been met by a State receiving grant funds under such provision. Directs the Secretary to reduce the amount the State is entitled to receive by specified percentages if such objectives have not been met by the end of the third fiscal year or the end of the fourth fiscal year. Requires such reductions to continue for each subsequent fiscal year until the State demonstrates that it has met such objectives. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance, if sought, to a State subjected to such sanctions. Requires each State receiving assistance under ESEA titles I, II, III, or VI to develop a system, including sanctions, to hold LEAs accountable for meeting performance objectives and AYP requirements. Directs the Secretary to make awards to States that either ensure that all teachers teaching in their public schools are fully qualified by FY 2003, or for three consecutive years have: (1) exceeded their performance objectives; (2) exceeded their AYP levels; (3) significantly narrowed the gaps between minority and non-minority students, and between economically disadvantaged and non-economically disadvantaged students; (4) raised all students to the proficient standard level within ten years; or (5) significantly increased the percentage of core classes being taught by fully qualified teachers teaching in schools receiving funds under part A of title I. Requires States to: (1) distribute 80 percent of such award funds to LEAs that have been consistently high-performing and achieving in specified ways; and (2) use the remainder to establish demonstration sites with respect to high-performing schools in order to help low-performing schools, and to improve the level of performance of all elementary and secondary school students in the State. Requires LEAs to use such award funds to: (1) reward individual schools that demonstrate high performance with respect to specified criteria; (2) reward collaborative teams of teachers, or teams of teachers and principals, who significantly increase the annual performance of low-performing students or significantly improve in a fiscal year the English proficiency of LEP students; (3) reward principals who successfully raise the performance of a substantial number of low-performing students to high academic levels; (4) develop or implement school district-wide programs or policies to increase the level of student performance on State assessments aligned with State content standards; and (5) reward schools for consistently high achievement in another area that the LEA deems appropriate to reward. Authorizes appropriations for such awards. Authorizes the Secretary to use certain amounts not reserved for other specified activities to: (1) support activities of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; (2) study and disseminate information regarding model programs assisted under ESEA; (3) provide training and technical assistance to recipients of ESEA funds in administering and implementing ESEA-assisted activities; (4) support activities to promote systemic education reform at State and local levels; (5) award grants or contracts to public or private nonprofit entities to develop and disseminate exemplary reading, mathematics, science, and technology educational practices, and instructional materials to States, LEAs, and schools; (6) disseminate information on models of value-added assessments; (7) award a grant or contract to a public or private nonprofit entity or consortium to develop and disseminate exemplary programs and curricula for accelerated and advanced learning for all students, including gifted and talented students; (8) award a grant or contract with Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., and other public or private nonprofit entities to support and promote programs which include distribution of inexpensive books to students and literacy activities that motivate children to read; and (9) develop English language development standards and assessments, and native language tests for LEP students that States may use to assess student achievement in reading, science, and mathematics. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: General Provisions and Repeals - Requires SEAs and LEAs to use ESEA funds to supplement, and not supplant, State or local funds. (Sec. 802) Repeals the Goals 2000: Educate America Act and the following ESEA titles: (1) V, Promoting Equity; (2) X, Programs of National Significance; (3) XI, Coordinated Services; (4) XII, School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement; and (5) XIII, Support and Assistive Programs to Improve Education.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Federal Employees Adoption Assistance Act - Directs the head of each executive agency and the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to carry out a program under which an agency employee may be reimbursed for up to $2,000 of qualifying expenses incurred with the adoption of any one child (even if both adopting parents are employees). Makes such adoption expenses reimbursement provisions applicable to the U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Rate Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
National Women's Business Council Reauthorization Act of 2000 - Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to add specified duties of the National Women's Business Council, including working with Federal agencies to assist them in meeting the five percent women's procurement goal (obtaining five percent of all Federal procurement contracts and subcontracts) established under the Small Business Act. Repeals deadline dates for the appointment of a Council chairperson, executive director, and members. Repeals a required Council study on the award of Federal prime contracts and subcontracts to women-owned businesses. Directs the Council to work with State and local officials and business leaders to develop the infrastructure for women's business enterprise so as to increase women's effectiveness in shaping the economic agendas of their States and communities. Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for Council activities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2000
American Transportation Recovery and Highway Trust Fund Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a one year moratorium on the 24.3 per gallon excise tax on diesel fuel. Sets the rate of such tax on such fuel at 4.3 cents per gallon after September 30, 2005. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer from the general fund, out of amounts not otherwise appropriated, to the Highway Trust Fund amounts equal to the amounts which the Secretary determines are not appropriated to such Fund as a result of the preceding amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2000
Commends the Holy See for its unique contributions to a thoughtful and robust dialogue in issues of international concern during its 36 years as a Permanent Observer at the United Nations (UN). Declares that Congress: (1) strongly objects to any effort to expel the Holy See from the UN as a state participant by removing its status as a nonmember state Permanent Observer; (2) believes that any degradation of the status accorded to the Holy See at the UN would seriously damage the credibility of the UN; and (3) contends that any such degradation will damage relations between the United States and the UN.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2000
Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 - Requires: (1) Governors of each State receiving monies from the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (established under this Act) to report on June 15 of each year to the Secretaries of the Interior or of Agriculture, as appropriate, accounting for the money received for the previous fiscal year, including the funded projects and activities; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to Congress on monies the Departments of the Interior and of Agriculture have spent out of the Fund, including a summary of such Governors' reports. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (CRAF). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into CRAF certain Outer Continental Shelf revenues, undisbursed amounts under title I of this Act, and certain interest earned on CRAF investments. Transfers all amounts deposited into the CRAF as follows: (1) to the Secretary of the Interior for payment of $1 billion to States for impact assistance and coastal conservation, $125 million for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, $100 million for the National Historic Preservation Act, and $150 million ($100 million for permanent conservation easement and $50 million for endangered and threatened species recovery); (2) to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture for payment of $200 million for Federal and Indian land restoration; (3) to the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the amount of $900 million; and (4) to the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund (FAWRF) established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in the amount of $350 million. Provides that any shortfalls less than $2.825 billion in a fiscal year, after FY 2000, proportionally reduce such sums for that fiscal year. (Sec. 6) Limits the amount available for administrative expenses to two percent. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect the prohibition contained in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (as amended by this Act) that bars the use of funds transferred to the FAWRF by this Act for administrative or execution of program expenses. (Sec. 7) Requires off-budget treatment of the receipts and disbursements of funds under this Act. (Sec. 9) Prohibits a State or local government from receiving funds under this Act during any fiscal year: (1) when its expenditures of non-Federal funds for recurrent expenditures for programs for which such funding is provided will be less than its expenditures were for such programs during the preceding fiscal year; or (2) for a program unless the Secretary of the Interior is satisfied that such a grant will be used to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of State, local, or other non-Federal funds available for such program. Exempts a State or local government from such prohibition if the Secretary determines that a reduction in expenditures is attributable to a non-selective reduction in the expenditures in the programs of all executive branch agencies of such entity. Treats all funds received by a State or local government under this Act as Federal funds for purposes of compliance with provisions in effect under other law requiring that non-Federal funds be used to provide a portion of the funding for any program or project. (Sec. 11) Prohibits: (1) the taking of private property in whole or in part, without just compensation; and (2) Federal agencies, using funds appropriated by this Act, from applying any regulation on any lands until the lands or water or an interest therein is acquired, unless authorized to do so by another Act of Congress. (Sec. 12) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to design a standardized sign and, where appropriate, require its installation at sites receiving funds under this Act. Title I: Impact Assistance and Coastal Conservation - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to allocate such transferred CRAF payments to coastal States for impact assistance and coastal conservation only if such States have: (1) a Secretary-approved Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan; (2) agreed to provide specified reports; and (3) certain necessary fiscal control and fund accounting procedures. (Sec. 101) Sets forth the formula for allocating such funds to coastal States and coastal political subdivisions. (Sec. 102) Requires the development and submission of a Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan by each coastal State seeking to receive grants under this title (and in the case of a producing State, the Governor) to incorporate the plans of the coastal political subdivisions into the Statewide plan for transmittal to the Secretary of the Interior for approval or disapproval before the disbursement of CRAF funds. Specifies authorized uses of the CRAF funds. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to provide that all CRAF funds transferred to the Land and Water Conservation Fund shall be covered into the Fund. (Sec. 203) Makes $900 million available each fiscal year after FY 2001 for expenditure without further appropriation, to be allocated as follows: (1) 50 percent for Federal purposes; and (2) 50 percent for State grants. (Sec. 205) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of the Federal portion of such funds for any land or water interest acquisition except those specified and approved by Congress in the appropriate appropriations Act. Prescribes: (1) a procedure for preparing and transmitting to Congress of a list of proposed Federal acquisitions; and (2) notification to specified officials of affected areas with respect to such proposed acquisitions. (Sec. 206) Revises the formula used to allocate amounts made available for State purposes from the Fund each fiscal year. Makes all federally recognized Indian tribes and Native Corporations eligible to receive shares of such apportionment in accordance with a competitive grant program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires each State, with an exception, to make available as grants to local governments at least 50 percent of its annual apportionment or an equivalent amount made available from other sources. (Sec. 207) Revises the requirement that a State have a comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan as a prerequisite to consideration by the Secretary of the Interior of financial assistance for acquisition or development projects. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor conservation and recreation acquisition and development projects eligible for grants under this Act if it provides for public involvement in this process and publishes an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community Conservation and Recreation, within five years after enactment of this Act, indicating the needs it has identified and the priorities and criteria it has established. Allows an existing Comprehensive State Plan to remain in effect until the appropriate State adopts a State Action Agenda. (Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to approve, subject to certain conditions, the conversion of property (other than for public outdoor recreation use) acquired or developed with assistance under the Act only if the State demonstrates no prudent or feasible alternative exists. Exempts from such requirement those properties that no longer meet the criteria within the State Plan or Agenda as an outdoor conservation and recreation facility due to changes in demographics, or that must be abandoned because of environmental contamination which endangers public health and safety. (Sec. 210) Provides that nothing in this title shall affect any State or Federal water law or an interstate compact governing water, alter any allocations of water rights, or create any new water rights. Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require CRAF funds transferred for FAWRA purposes to be deposited in a new subaccount in the FAWRF, to be made available without further appropriation, for apportionment in each fiscal year for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. (Sec. 304) Sets forth requirements for: (1) apportionment of such subaccount funds; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. Prohibits such funds from being used for expenses incurred in the administration and execution of programs. Limits to ten percent the use of such funds for wildlife-associated recreation. (Sec. 305) Allows the subaccount funds to be used for a wildlife conservation education program. Exempts education efforts, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife. (Sec. 306) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes. Title IV: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Amendments - Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to make transferred CRAF funds available to the Secretary of the Interior, without further appropriation, to assist local governments in improving their park and recreation systems. Sets forth limits on the use of such funds. (Sec. 404) Provides for the development of new recreation areas and facilities (including the acquisition of lands for such development) under the urban park and recreation recovery program. (Sec. 406) Revises requirements for: (1) Federal assistance grant eligibility; (2) matching grants to local governments for rehabilitation, development, and innovation purposes; (3) local park and recreation recovery action programs; (4) State action incentives; and (5) conversion of recreation property for any other purposes other than public recreation purposes. (Sec. 411) Repeals sunset provisions and congressional reporting requirements with respect to: (1) the impact of the urban park and recreation recovery program; and (2) the annual achievements of the innovation grant program. Title V: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to provide that amounts transferred from the CRAF each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Historic Preservation Fund to be available without further appropriation, in that fiscal year, to carry out the Act. (Sec. 501) Requires at least one half of the funds obligated or expended each fiscal year under this Act to be used for preservation projects on historic properties (giving priority to the preservation of endangered historic properties). (Sec. 502) Authorizes a State to provide financial assistance to the management entity for any national heritage area or national heritage corridor to support cooperative historic preservation planning and development. Title VI: Federal and Indian Lands Restoration - Makes CRAF funds transferred to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture available to be used as a dedicated source of funding for a coordinated program on Federal and Indian lands to restore degraded lands, protect resources that are threatened with degradation, and protect public health and safety. Allocates: (1) 60 percent to the Secretary of the Interior for lands within the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management; (2) 30 percent to the Secretary of Agriculture for lands within the National Forest System; and (3) ten percent to the Secretary of the Interior for competitive grants to qualified Indian tribes (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health). (Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) each establish priority lists for the use of funds (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health or safety); and (2) jointly establish a coordinated program for tracking the progress of activities carried out with amounts made available by this title and determining the extent to which demonstrable results are being achieved. Title VII: Conservation Easements and Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Subtitle A: Conservation Easements - Provides that CRAF funds transferred to the Secretary of the Interior shall be used by the Secretary to establish the Conservation Easement Program to provide grants, under specified conditions, to an eligible entity (State or local government, an Indian Tribe, or certain private organizations) to provide the Federal share of up to 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing permanent conservation easements in land with prime, unique, or other productive uses. Subtitle B: Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Makes CRAF funds transferred from the CRAF for this title in a fiscal year available to the Secretary of the Interior without further appropriations, in that fiscal year, to provide financial assistance to persons for development and implementation of Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into under this title. Requires the Secretary to give priority to the development and implementation of Agreements that: (1) implement actions identified under recovery plans approved by the Secretary; (2) have the greatest potential for contributing to the recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and (3) require use of the assistance on land owned by a small landowner or on a family farm by the owner or operator. (Sec. 713) Prohibits the Secretary from providing financial assistance for any action that is required by a permit or an incidental take statement issued under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or that is otherwise required under Federal law. (Sec. 714) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into such Agreements and sets forth Agreement requirements, including: (1) requiring activities not otherwise mandated by law that contribute to species recovery; and (2) specifying species recovery goals. Requires the Secretary to review Agreements in compliance, periodically monitor the implementation of each Agreement, and disburse financial assistance to implement the Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2000
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims' Housing Act - Increases specified authorization of appropriations under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to be used to provide housing assistance for individuals or families victimized by domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2000
Electric Power Market Competition and Reliability Act - Title I: Amendments to the Federal Power Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to: (1) place within the ambit of Federal regulation unbundled interstate transmission of electric energy sold at retail; and (2) place within the jurisdiction of the State within which the energy is consumed the bundled retail sale of electric energy, unbundled local distribution service, and unbundled retail sale of electric energy and attendant facilities. (Sec. 101) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to determine which electric energy delivery and transmission facilities fall within either Federal or State jurisdictions. (Sec. 102) Repeals the prohibition against mandatory retail wheeling and sham wholesale transactions. Precludes FERC authority to issue promulgations that require or are conditioned upon the transmission of electric energy directly to an ultimate consumer, or to or for the benefit of an electric or other utility if such electric energy would be sold directly to an ultimate consumer, unless applicable State law requires or permits the relevant seller to sell it to such consumer. (Sec. 103) Identifies areas within the ambit of State jurisdiction to impose public interest requirements, including: (1) distribution system reliability; (2) universal service; (3) assured service to low-income, rural, and remote consumers; (4) recovery of industry transition costs; and (5) transition costs of electricity workers adversely affected by restructuring. (Sec. 104) Prescribes procedural guidelines for FERC approval of: (1) regional transmission organizations; (2) transmission construction and expansion planning proposals; and (3) pricing policies for regional transmission organizations. (Sec. 105) Recognizes State authority to impose reciprocity requirements on an electric utility selling electric energy to an ultimate consumer in such State if the utility or any of its affiliates owns or controls transmission or local distribution facilities and is not itself providing unbundled local distribution service in a State in which it owns or operates a facility used for electric energy generation. (Sec. 107) Expresses the sense of Congress that public utilities are entitled to fully recover all prudently incurred wholesale and retail costs that become stranded as a result of changes in public policy with respect to competition and industry structure. Title II: Repeal of PURPA Mandatory Purchase Requirement - States that, with respect to new contracts, no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase or sell electricity or capacity under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). Preserves existing contract rights and remedies under such Act. (Sec. 202) Requires FERC to promulgate and enforce regulations to ensure that an electric utility shall not be required to absorb costs associated with PURPA-mandated purchases of electricity or capacity from a qualifying cogeneration or small power production facility prior to the date of enactment of this Act. Title III: Electric Reliability - Amends the FPA to provide for the establishment and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards to ensure the reliable operation of the bulk-power system. Grants FERC jurisdiction over: (1) the Electric Reliability Organization; (2) all Affiliated Regional Reliability Entities (entities to which authority has been delegated to enforce compliance with reliability standards); (3) all System Operators, and all Users of the Bulk-Power System for purposes of approving and enforcing compliance with standards in the United States. Provides that, before establishment of the Electric Reliability Organization (Organization), any person (including the North American Electric Reliability Council and its member Regional Reliability Councils) shall file a proposed reliability standard, guidance, or practice which, subject to FERC approval, shall be mandatory and enforceable. (Sec. 301) Prescribes procedural guidelines for FERC approval of: (1) applications competing for status as the Electric Reliability Council; and (2) Organization Standards. Requires all Users of the Bulk-Power System to comply with such standards. Mandates that: (1) the Organization take all appropriate steps to gain recognition in Canada and Mexico; and (2) the United States use its best efforts to enter into international agreements with the governments of Canada and Mexico to effectuate compliance with Organization standards, and to provide for the effectiveness of the Organization's mission. Requires every System Operator to be a member of the Electric Reliability Organization, and of any Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity operating under an agreement applicable to the region in which the System Operator operates or is responsible for the operation of a Bulk-Power System facility. Empowers the Organization to take disciplinary and enforcement action. Directs the Organization to assess periodically the reliability and adequacy of the inter-connected Bulk-Power System in North America, and to report its findings and recommendations annually to FERC and to the Secretary. Provides for the assessment and recovery of implementation and enforcement costs incurred by the Organization and each Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity, respectively. (Sec. 302) Establishes a rebuttable presumption that activities undertaken pursuant to this Act by either the Electric Reliability Organization, its members, or members of an Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity to be in compliance with the antitrust laws. (Sec. 304) Instructs the Secretary of Energy, upon the petition of the Governors of at least two-thirds of the States within a region that have more than one-half of their electrical loads serviced within the region, to establish a regional advisory body to provide advice to an Affiliated Regional Reliability Entity, the Electric Reliability Organization, or FERC. Declares this title inapplicable to Alaska or Hawaii. Title IV: Repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and Enactment of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1999 - Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1999 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 effective one year after enactment of this title. (Sec. 405) Prescribes procedural guidelines for: (1) FERC access to records of a public utility or natural gas holding company (including subsidiaries, associates and affiliates); and (2) and State access to records of a public utility in a holding company system. (Sec. 407) Instructs FERC to promulgate a final rule to exempt from such Federal access requirements any holding company with respect to one or more: (1) qualifying facilities under PURPA; (2) exempt wholesale generators; or (3) foreign utility companies. Requires FERC to exempt any person or transaction from such access requirements if it finds that their regulation is irrelevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas company. (Sec. 408) Retains the jurisdiction of FERC and State commissions to determine whether a public utility company or natural gas company may recover in rates any costs of affiliate transactions. (Sec. 409) Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the United States; (2) a State or its political subdivision; and (3) a foreign governmental authority not operating in the United States. (Sec. 411) Grants FERC certain FPA enforcement powers. (Sec. 414) Transfers from the Securities and Exchange Commission to FERC all books and records that relate primarily to the functions vested in FERC by this Act. (Sec. 415) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 416) Amends the FPA to repeal its conflict of jurisdiction guidelines. Title V: Nuclear Decommissioning - Nuclear Decommissioning Assurance Act - Permits a nuclear power facility licensee to petition the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a determination of whether: (1) adequate amounts are deposited in its nuclear decommissioning trust fund; and (2) future funding for any nuclear power plant is assured for any nuclear power plant owned in whole or in part by such licensee. (Sec. 503) Sets a timeframe by which the NRC must issue a determination whether the nuclear decommissioning trust fund and the currently approved decommissioning recovery cost rates are adequate to ensure full and safe facility decommissioning. Details mandatory NRC considerations. (Sec. 504) Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize any entity, including a public power entity, responsible for decommissioning a nuclear power facility in whole or in part, which has obtained an NRC finding under this title, to petition FERC for an order approving rates and charges in connection with the transmission or wholesale sale of electric energy to collect all or part of the revenues necessary to ensure adequate funding to satisfy its decommissioning obligations. Instructs FERC to: (1) find certain decommissioning costs and revenue requirements, determined necessary by the NRC, to be just and reasonable, prudently incurred, and recoverable in transaction or wholesale rates; (2) find the remainder of such costs which are not recovered to be just and reasonable, prudently incurred, and recoverable through a nonbypassable charge or rate; and (3) enforce any rule or order designed to ensure collection of adequate decommissioning revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2000
America's Transportation Recovery Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a one year moratorium on the 24.3 cents per gallon excise tax on diesel fuel. Sets the rate of such tax on such fuel at 4.3 cents per gallon after September 30, 2005. States that the previous provisions of this Act shall cease to be effective if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that the average refiner acquisition costs for crude oil are equal to or less than such costs were on December 31, 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2000
Military Health Care Improvements Act of 2000 - Title I: Demonstration Programs - Subtitle A: TRICARE Demonstration Programs for Seniors - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through December 31, 2005, the TRICARE Senior Supplement Program (a demonstration program under which certain Medicare-eligible senior citizens are given medical care and services under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) for which DOD is reimbursed through the Medicare program). Amends the Social Security Act to extend through the same date a similar demonstration program known as TRICARE Senior Prime. Authorizes the latter program to be offered at major medical centers of DOD (currently limited to six military treatment facilities). Subtitle B: Other Demonstration Programs - Amends a demonstration program offering health care coverage to certain military personnel, spouses, and dependents through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to allow eligible beneficiaries who will be at least 65 years of age on December 31, 2002, to enroll, or extend a previous enrollment, during a two-year period of open enrollment for the year 2003. Extends such demonstration program through December 31, 2005. Repeals the ten-site limit for the program. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to charge an enrollment fee for participation in the TRICARE pharmacy system (a program for providing reduced-cost pharmaceuticals to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries). Authorizes the Secretary to impose one or more cost-sharing requirements upon such participants. Allows participants to pay required premiums on a monthly or annual basis. Title II: TRICARE Prime Permanent Authorities - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) relating to medical and dental care provided to certain members and former members of the armed forces to: (1) make eligible for such services members and former members of the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service; (2) require coverage for immediate family members of eligible individuals to be comparable to coverage for medical care and standards for timely access to such care under TRICARE Prime; and (3) entitle dependents of members performing duty in remote locations who reside with such member to the same care and waiver of such care under CHAMPUS as the members themselves. (Sec. 202) Prohibits a member from being charged a copayment for care provided under TRICARE Prime to an immediate family member. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to improve certain business practices used when administering the access of eligible persons to health care services through the TRICARE program. Title III: Other Defense Health Program Matters - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program that permits the following eligible persons to obtain prescription pharmaceuticals from DOD by mail: (1) individuals 65 years old or older who would be eligible for medical care under CHAMPUS except for also being entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare; and (2) individuals 65 years old or older who are enrolled in the supplemental medical insurance program under part B of Medicare. Authorizes the Secretary to impose an annual program deductible of up to $150. (Sec. 302) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to extend the provision of domiciliary and custodial care for certain CHAMPUS beneficiaries to include a person who formerly was an eligible beneficiary and is enrolled in the TRICARE Senior Prime plan under the Medicare subvention demonstration project for military retirees. Provides a program cost limitation for FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to carry out two studies to assess the feasibility and desirability of financing the military health care program for military retirees on an accrual basis. Title IV: Joint Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Initiatives - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) prescribe a centralized process for the reporting, compiling, and analysis of errors in the provision of health care under their respective departments that endanger patients beyond the normal risks associated with such care and treatment; and (2) develop a system for the use of bar codes for the identification of pharmaceuticals. Requires the Secretary of Defense to experiment with the use of such bar codes in the current DOD mail order pharmaceuticals demonstration project.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2000
Social Security Earnings Test Elimination Act of 2000 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2000
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, in recognition of his accomplishments as a priest, a soldier, and a humanitarian. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2000
Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a rule for determining the amount of the deduction allowable for a charitable contribution of food inventory.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Child Passenger Protection Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to update and improve crash test standards and conditions for child restraints in motor vehicles. Sets forth certain child restraint testing requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a safety rating program for child restraints to provide practicable, understandable, and timely information to parents and caretakers for use in making informed purchases of child restraints.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a congressional gold medal to Charles M. Schulz in recognition of his lasting artistic contributions to the Nation and the world. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2000
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit for discharges of stormwater runoff from silvicultural activities conducted in connection with: (1) site preparation; (2) reforestation; (3) thinning; (4) prescribed burning; (5) pest and fire control; (6) harvesting operations; (7) surface drainage; (8) road construction and maintenance; and (9) nursery operations. Excludes discharges of stormwater runoff from silvicultural activities from the definition of "point source."
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2000
Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, and expresses the gratitude of the American people for the service of members of the armed forces during such War.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2000
Savings for Working Families Act of 2000 - Title I: Individual Development Accounts For Low-Income Workers - Sets forth requirements for qualified individual development accounts (IDAs) for low-income workers, including: (1) the basic structure and administration of qualified IDA programs established by qualified financial institutions (QFIs) or qualified nonprofit organizations (QNOs); (2) procedures for opening an IDA with a QFI or a QNO and contributing money (of up to a certain amount, except in the case of qualified rollovers) in accordance with specified guidelines to qualify for matching funds from QFIs, QNOs, State, local, or private sources to be held in a parallel account; (3) QFI or QNO deposits of all matching funds (matched dollar-for-dollar for the first 500 contributed by an eligible individual to an IDA for any taxable year) for each IDA in a parallel, interest-bearing account at a QFI or QNO; (4) procedures for withdrawals from an IDA for qualified higher education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, business capitalization costs, or rollovers to other IDAs of the individual or the individual's spouse or dependents; (5) certification to the Secretary of the Treasury or designated organization that qualified IDAs and other described accounts are operating pursuant to this Act, and termination of qualified IDA programs if the Secretary, or designated organization, determines that a QFI, or QNO, is not operating a qualified IDA program in accordance with this Act; and (6) reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 105) Allows for withdrawal from an IDA for non-qualified expenses, but with forfeiture of all corresponding matching funds and interest earned on them, unless the withdrawn funds are recontributed within one year. (Sec. 108) Disregards funds in parallel accounts of program participants for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs. Title II: Qualified Individual Development Account Program Investment Credits - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for a qualified IDA program investment by an eligible taxpayer (a QFI or a non-QFI meeting specified criteria) during the taxable year. (Sec. 202) Declares that QFIs which establish qualified IDA programs shall not receive credit for funding, administration, and education expenses under any test contained in regulations for the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 for those activities and expenses related to such programs and accounted for in the tax credit above. (Sec. 203) Authorizes an individual to designate that a specified portion of any overpayment of tax for a taxable year attributable to the earned income credit shall be deposited by the Secretary into the individual's IDA.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2000
American Hospital Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 with regard to provisions on the one year sole community hospital payment increase, to reset the applicable percentage increase for FY 2001 and each subsequent fiscal year to the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas for purposes of updating payments to prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals for inpatient hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2000
Rural Education Development Initiative for the 21st Century Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to States for elementary and secondary education development by local educational agencies (LEAs) that are eligible because they serve: (1) a school-age population of whom 15 percent or more are from families with incomes below the poverty line; and (2) a school district in a rural locality, or a school-age population of 800 or fewer. Reserves a specified portion of grant funds for schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Sets forth an allotment formula for grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to make grants to eligible LEAs. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct competitive grants to specially qualified eligible rural LEAs in nonparticipating States. Requires LEAs or their schools to use grant funds for: (1) educational technology, including software and hardware; (2) professional development; (3) technical assistance; (4) teacher recruitment and retention; (5) parental involvement activities; or (6) academic enrichment programs or other education programs. Requires SEAs to award grants on a formula basis. Requires that at least 99 percent of such funds be awarded to eligible LEAs in the first year, and 99.5 in the second and in each succeeding year that an SEA receives such a grant. Allows the remainder to be used for State activities and administrative costs related to the grant program. Requires reports by SEAs, LEAs, and the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, at the end of the third year an SEA participates in the program, to permit continued participation only if the SEA has met its performance goals and objectives for two consecutive years. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on this Act's impact on student achievement. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2000
Recognizes May 15, 2000, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
![Official portrait of Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000550_200.jpg)