United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Competitive Market Supervision Act of 2001 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to: (1) eliminate the general revenue fees on securities for the cost of the securities registration process; (2) set a uniform and higher rate for the offsetting collection fee schedule for FY 2002 through 2006; and (3) set a permanent rate for FY 2007 and thereafter (currently such rates phase out after FY 2006). Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to revise the filing fees related to the purchase of securities by issuers and to preliminary proxy solicitations to reflect such modified offsetting collection fee schedule. Mandates that fees collected during any fiscal year be deposited and credited as offsetting collections. Replaces the statutory transaction fee formula governing a national securities exchange or national securities association with a transaction offsetting collection rate which is the uniform rate required to reach a specified transaction fee cap for the fiscal year. Prescribes guidelines for fee rate adjustments, including: (1) estimates of collections; (2) a floor for total fee collections; and (3) a cap on total fee collections. Instructs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to explain to certain congressional committees the methodology used to make its collections estimates. Shields SEC determinations and actions from judicial review. Requires the SEC to notify each national securities exchange or national securities association prior to taking action with respect to either a total fee collection floor or a total fee collection cap. Revises guidelines governing SEC employee appointment and compensation to conform with guidelines covering Federal agency employees under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Estate and Gift Tax Repeal Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the estate tax, gift tax, and tax on generation-skipping transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Estate and Gift Tax Phase-Out Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to phase-out and repeal, effective January 1, 2005, the estate tax, gift tax, and the tax on generation-skipping transfers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a special rule allowing a charitable deduction for contributions of food inventory.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2001
Self-Employed Health Insurance Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for 100 percent of a self-employed individual's health insurance costs for himself or herself, spouse, and dependents, unless such individual participates in an employer-maintained health plan. (Current law provides for a phased-in 100 percent deduction and disallowance upon participation eligibility.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2000
Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 - Title I: Commodity Futures Modernization - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize appropriations for authorities and activities under such Act. Revises specified provisions, including: (1) over-the-counter derivatives; (2) futures exchange regulation; (3) contracts; (4) prohibited transactions; and (5) boards of trade. Title II: Coordinated Regulation of Security Futures Products - Subtitle A: Securities Law Amendments - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 respecting: (1) regulatory relief for markets and intermediaries trading security futures products; and (2) interagency cooperation. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Commodity Exchange Act - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act respecting Securities and Exchange Commission jurisdiction. Title III: Legal Certainty for Swap Agreements - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 respecting swap agreements. Title IV: Regulatory Responsibility for Bank Products - Legal Certainty for Bank Products Act of 2000 - Excludes specified banking products and swap agreements from Commodity Futures Exchange Commission coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2000
Russian Fissile Materials Disposition Loan Guarantee Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy, with the President's approval, to guarantee loans (principal and up to three percent interest) made to the Government of the Russian Federation (GRF) for purposes of nuclear nonproliferation programs and activities. Limits to $1 billion the aggregate amount of loan principal covered by guarantees at any one time. Limits the loan principal to increments of $20 million at a term of at least 15 years. Makes eligible for such guarantees any loan by a private lender to the GRF the proceeds of which are to be used for one or both of the following purposes: (1) support of GRF nuclear nonproliferation programs and activities; and (2) development of the energy infrastructure of the Russian Federation, including peaceful uses of nuclear energy in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Denies guarantee eligibility for any loan whose proceeds are to be used for any purpose or activity under the Plutonium Disposition Agreement, including to cover the costs of the manufacture and use of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel in Russia under the Plutonium Disposition Agreement. Requires the GRF, as security for each $20 million principal increment of a guaranteed loan, to place one metric ton of weapons-usable plutonium and one metric ton of weapons-usable highly enriched uranium under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards at a facility in Russia. Earmarks certain authorized appropriations to cover IAEA expenses in implementing and maintaining such safeguards. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2000
Hoosier Automobile and Truck National Heritage Trail Area Act of 2000 - Establishes in Indiana the Hoosier Automobile and Truck National Heritage Trail Area, to be managed by the Hoosier Automobile & Truck National Heritage Trail Area, Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2000
Peace Through Negotiations Act of 2000 - Declares it to be U.S. policy to oppose the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, to withhold diplomatic recognition of any Palestinian state that is unilaterally declared, and to encourage other countries and international organizations to withhold diplomatic recognition of any Palestinian state that is unilaterally declared. Sets forth certain measures that shall be applied in the event that a Palestinian state is unilaterally declared, including: (1) to make it unlawful for the government of any unilaterally declared Palestinian state, the Palestinian Authority, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), or any successor entities to establish an office in the United States; (2) to bar of U.S. assistance to the government of any unilaterally declared Palestinian state, the Palestinian Authority (or to any successor entity), and any programs or projects in the West Bank or Gaza (except humanitarian assistance); (3) to withhold a specified percentage of the U.S. contribution to any international organization that recognizes a unilaterally declared Palestinian state; and (4) to oppose such state's membership in any international financial institution or the extension by such institution of any loan or other financial assistance to it. Authorizes the President to suspend, for one year, the application of a specified number of such measures provided he determines and certifies to specified congressional committees that such suspensions are in the national security interests of the United States or the application of such measures would significantly hinder the prospects for a negotiated peace agreement in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2000
Amends the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 to extend authority through October 1, 2003, for reimbursement of State and local costs associated with the removal of potentially hazardous commodities. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1996 respecting the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to: (1) authorize the exclusion of cost-of-living allowances for members of the uniformed services on duty outside the contiguous States (currently continental) of the United States; and (2) limit to 20 the number of demonstration projects relating to the use of the WIC program for identification and enrollment of children in certain health programs. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to authorize, and set forth the conditions under which, a State agency may suspend without prior hearing a participating institution for false or fraudulent claims under the child and adult care food program.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2000
Calls upon the Government of Bolivia to continue its successful program of coca eradication toward the total eradication of illegal coca in Bolivia by the end of 2002. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States should fully support the democratically elected Government of Bolivia; (2) the release of emergency supplemental assistance already approved by the United States for sustainable development activities in Bolivia should be accelerated; (3) the President, on a priority basis, should look for additional ways to provide increased tangible support to the people and Government of Bolivia; (4) such Government should continue to respect the human rights of all of its citizens and continue to discuss legitimate concerns of Bolivia's rural population; and (5) indigenous leaders should enter into discussions with the Government on issues of concern and cease provocative acts that could lead to escalating violence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2000
National Rural Development Partnership Act of 2000 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the National Rural Development Partnership composed of the National Rural Development Council (established by this Act) and State and rural development councils (authorized by this Act). Includes among Partnership purposes: (1) enhancement of State and local rural development capacities; and (2) engagement of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private and nonprofit sectors in such efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for State rural development council matching requirements. Terminates the Partnership five years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Community Renewal and New Markets Act of 2000 - Title I: Incentives for Distressed Communities - Subtitle A: Designation and Treatment of Renewal Zone s- Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide for the designation of up to 30 renewal zones. Treats a renewal zone as an empowerment zone. Subtitle B: Modification of Incentives for Empowerment Zones - Revises provisions concerning empowerment zones, including: (1) extending empowerment zone treatment through 2009; (2) a 15 percent employment credit for all empowerment zones; (3) increased expensing under section 179 (election to expenses certain depreciable assets); (4) exclusion from gross income of limited amounts capital gain from the sale or exchange of a qualified empowerment zone asset; and (5) funding. Subtitle C: Modification of Tax Incentives for DC Zone - Extends and expands IRC District of Columbia Enterprise Zone provisions. Subtitle D: New Markets Tax Credi t- Establishes a new markets tax credit. Subtitle E: Modification of Tax Incentives for Puerto Rico - Revises the of Puerto Rico economic activity tax credit. Subtitle F: Individual Development Accounts - Permits any qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to establish one or more qualified individual development account programs. Defines such an account as an account established for an eligible individual as part of a qualified individual development account program. Sets forth provisions concerning such accounts, including: (1) the structure and administration of account programs; (2) procedures for opening an account and qualifying for matching funds; (3) account contributions and withdrawals; and (4) disregarding account funds of program participants for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs. Subtitle G: Additional Incentives - Provides for, among other things: (1) the exclusion of certain amounts received under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program; (2) the extension of enhanced deduction for corporate donations of computer technology; (3) the extension of the adoption tax credit; and (4) the treatment of Alaska Native Settlement Trusts and Indian tribal governments under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. Title II: Tax Incentives for Affordable Housing - Subtitle A: Low-Income Housing Credit - Modifies the low-income housing credit. Subtitle B: Historic Homes - Establishes a credit equal to 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to a qualified historic home. Subtitle C: Forgiven Mortgage Obligations - Excludes from gross income certain forgiven residential mortgage obligations. Subtitle D: Mortgage Revenue Bonds - Provides: (1) for an increase in the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; (2) revised rules for residences located in presidentially declared disaster areas. Subtitle E: Property and Casualty Insurance - Exempts from income tax State-created organizations providing property and casualty insurance for property for which such coverage is otherwise unavailable. Title III: Tax Incentives for Urban and Rural Infrastructure - Increases the State ceiling on private activity bonds. Modifies the expensing of environmental remediation costs. Provides credits for: (1) broadband internet access; and (2) holders of qualified Amtrak bonds. Includes customer connection fees (including fees to connect a customer's line to or extend a main water or sewer line) as an excludable corporate income item within the definition of "contribution in aid of construction." Includes qualified leasehold improvement property as 15 year property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery depreciation rules. Title IV: Tax Relief for Farmers - Set forth provisions concerning farmers, including: (1) providing specified deductions and credits (including a deduction for cash paid to a Farm, Fishing, and Ranch Risk Management Accounts; (2) exempting agricultural bonds from the State volume cap; and (3) income averaging. Title V: Tax Incentives for the Production of Energy - Sets forth provisions concerning the production of energy, including: (1) expensing geological and geophysical expenditures; (2) a credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production; and (3) the definition of "foreign base company oil related income." Title VI: Tax Incentives for Conservation - Sets forth provisions concerning conservation, including: (1) the exclusion of 50 percent of gain on certain sales of land or interests in land or water to qualified entities for conservation purposes; (2) a deduction for the certain energy efficient commercial property expenditures; (3) modification of the credit for electricity produced from biomass; and (4) a credit for certain hybrid automobiles. Title VII: Additional Tax Provisions - Revises provisions concerning: (1) the nonaccrual experience method of accounting; (2) the exemption from personal holding company tax for lending or finance companies; (3) a deduction for certain expenses incurred in support of Native Alaskan subsistence whaling; and (4) an excise tax on persons who acquire structured settlement payments in factoring transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Commends the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for their courage in participating in the September 24, 2000, elections and for their decision to embrace democracy, the rule of law, and integration into the international community by rejecting dictatorship and isolationism. Reasserts the strong desire to reestablish the historic friendship between the American and Serbian people. Expresses support for a comprehensive assistance program and full economic integration for Yugoslavia once a democratic government that respects the rule of law, human rights, and a market economy is established.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Commends the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, for its successful conduct of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and congratulates the U.S. Olympic Team for its outstanding accomplishments there.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2000
Packers and Stockyards Enforcement Improvement Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement by a specified date the recommendations of a certain General Accounting Office report regarding anti-competitive practices in the livestock industry; (2) consult with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission respecting anti- competitive complaint investigations; (3) develop and implement related Department of Agriculture staff training; and (4) report to Congress. Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to require the Secretary to annually report regarding the economic state of the cattle and hog industries, including possible violations of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2000
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Act - Authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., to construct a temporary education center for educating people about the Memorial. Requires the center to remain for ten years, after which Congress may reevaluate the continuing need for the center. Requires the Fund, in designing the center, to consult with the Commission on Fine Arts.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2000
International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of State, subject to the availability of appropriations, to establish a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships program of grants of up to $5,000 each to American college students of limited financial means for study abroad. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) carry out pilot projects in eligible States to increase the number of children participating in the summer food service program for children; (2) evaluate such projects, acting through the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service; and (3) submit interim and final reports to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2000
Unilateral Palestinian Statehood Disapproval Act of 2000 - Declares it to be U.S. policy not to recognize: (1) a unilaterally declared Palestinian state; or (2) any document or other instrument of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state, including any passport or postage. Urges other specified action (including diplomatic and economic sanctions) by the United States with respect to its nonrecognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state. Urges the President to expedite and upgrade his ongoing review of strategic relations between the United States and Israel. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act if it is in the national security interest of the United States or advances the peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2000
Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000 - Title I: Grain Standards - Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to eliminate the requirement that grain export inspection and weighing samples be taken from certain physical locations (spout or final carrier). (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to allow inspection and weighing agencies to perform services in other than their designated geographic area under specified conditions. (Sec. 103) Extends the Secretary's grain inspection and weighing fee authorities through September 30, 2005. (Sec. 104) Eliminates the annual equipment testing requirement. (Sec. 105) Extends administrative and supervisory cost limitations through FY 2005 at reduced (30 percent) rates. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary to contract for inspection and weighing services. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary to prohibit the use of grain additives to disguise grain quality. (Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2005 for grain inspection activities. (Sec. 109) Extends advisory committee authority through September 30, 2005. Title II: Warehouses - Amends the United States Warehouse Act to revise the Secretary's authority respecting the storage of warehoused agricultural products. Provides for the issuance of electronic warehouse receipts. Title III: Miscellaneous - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary to make grants and loans for energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities in areas with specified high home energy costs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Applies specified carry forward adjustment provisions of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 beginning with undermarketings of the 2001 burley tobacco crop and marketings of the 2002 burley tobacco crop. (Sec. 303) Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to authorize the Secretary to assess and collect mediation or arbitration fees and penalties for disputes involving agricultural products in foreign commerce. (Sec. 304) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants for the Federal share of community facilities in rural communities with specified levels of high unemployment or population loss. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 306) Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to authorize appropriations through FY 2005 for State agricultural loan mediation programs. (Sec. 307) Amends the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 to extend authority through October 1, 2003, for reimbursement of State and local costs associated with the removal of potentially hazardous commodities. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1996 respecting the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to: (1) authorize the exclusion of cost-of-living allowances for members of the uniformed services on duty outside the contiguous States (currently continental) of the United States; and (2) limit to 20 the number of demonstration projects relating to the use of the WIC program for identification and enrollment of children in certain health programs. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to authorize, and set forth the conditions under which, a State agency may suspend without prior hearing a participating institution for false or fraudulent claims under the child and adult care food program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
International Carbon Sequestration Incentive Act - Title I: Investment Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited tax carbon sequestration investment credit in the case of an eligible taxpayer who is subject to the terms and conditions of a carbon sequestration project contract with respect to a sponsored carbon sequestration project outside the United States. Title II: Loan Guarantees and Equity Investment Insurance - Permits an owner or operator of property that is located outside of the United States to enter into a carbon sequestration project contract under specified terms and conditions to be eligible for: (1) an extension of credit from the Export-Import Bank of the United States of up to 75 percent of the cost of carrying out the carbon sequestration practices specified in the contract to the extent that the Export-Import Bank determines that the cost sharing is appropriate, in the public interest, and otherwise meets requirements of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945; and (2) investment insurance issued by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation pursuant to provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 if the Corporation determines that issuance of the insurance is consistent with such provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Declares that: (1) the International Committee of the Red Cross should immediately recognize the Magen David Adom Society and the Society should be granted full membership in the International Red Cross (IRC) and Red Crescent Movement; (2) the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies should grant full membership to the Society immediately following recognition by the IRC; (3) the Society should not be required to give up or diminish its use of its emblem as a condition for membership; and (4) the Red Shield of David should be accorded the same recognition under international law as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2000
Rural America Prosperity Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make revisions concerning both farmers and non-farmers. Provides for, with respect to all taxpayers, among other things: (1) the repeal of the estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes; and (2) the deduction of 100 percent of health insurance costs for the self-employed. Provides for, with respect to farmers, among other things: (1) the limited exclusion of the gain from the sale of qualified farmland; and (2) a limited deduction for contributions to a Farm and Ranch Risk Management Account. Provides for a study of the costs of regulations on farmers, ranchers, and foresters. Reciprocal Trade Agreement Authorities Act of 2000 - Authorizes the President, whenever the President determines that one or more existing duties or other import restrictions of any foreign country or the United States are unduly burdening and restricting the foreign trade of the United States to enter into trade agreements with foreign countries (during a limited time period) which, among other things: (1) create more open, equitable, and reciprocal market access; (2) reduce or eliminate trade barriers that decrease market opportunities for U.S. exports; (3) expand market opportunities for U.S. exports; (4) obtain reciprocal tariff and non-tariff barrier elimination; and (5) free the transfer of funds relating to investments. Agricultural Trade Freedom Act - Amends the Agricultural trade Act of 1978 to exempt, subject to specified exceptions, agricultural commodities made available as a result of commercial sales from a unilateral trade sanction imposed by the United States on another country.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Children's Public Health Act of 2000 - Title I: Injury Prevention - Subtitle A: Traumatic Brain Injury - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a national education and awareness campaign regarding prevention of traumatic brain injury. Modifies requirements and authorizes appropriations regarding a currently-mandated study of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes an existing trauma research program to include research on cognitive disorders and neurobehavioral consequences of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations for that program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes grants for projects (currently, for demonstration projects) to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury. Allows required matching funds to be in cash or in kind (currently, in cash). Regulates the use of grant funds. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Child Care Safety and Health Grants - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to States to establish programs to improve the health and safety of children receiving child care outside the home. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Maternal and Infant Health - Subtitle A: Safe Motherhood and Infant Health Promotion - Pregnant Women and Infants Health Protection Act - Directs the Secretary to carry out programs relating to prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug use. Authorizes grants and contracts. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish and implement a national surveillance program regarding investigation of deaths and severe complications during pregnancy; (2) expand the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System; and (3) expand the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Healthy Start Initiative - Healthy Start Initiative Continuation Act - Directs the Secretary to continue the Healthy Start Initiative (to reduce infant mortality and improve perinatal outcomes) and authorizes carrying it out on a national basis. Authorizes, if funding increases, additional grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to provide other health services (including ultrasound, prenatal care, genetic counseling, and fetal and other surgery) for pregnant women or infants that are medically appropriate to prevent or mitigate congenital defects or other serious obstetric complications. Allows using grant funds for paying transportation and subsistence expenses to assist the woman in obtaining health services from the grantee involved. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Establishes the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available date on birth defects and developmental disabilities; and (2) conduct applied epidemiological research, and provide information and education to the pubic, on prevention of such defects and disabilities. Transfers to such Center all activities, budgets, and personnel of the National Center for Environmental Health that relate to birth defects, folic acid, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, child development, newborn screening, autism, Fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, pediatric genetics, disability prevention, and other activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Folic Acid Education Program - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of professional and public education and training, research, and epidemiological activities regarding folic acid and birth defects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Pediatric Public Health Promotion - Subtitle A: Asthma - Directs the Secretary to make grants to provide comprehensive asthma-related services for children and other individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Allows preventive health and health services block grant funds to be used for projects to reduce the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related illnesses among urban populations, especially children, by reducing exposure to cockroach allergen or other known asthma triggers through pest management that minimizes or avoids pesticide chemicals through a combination of site maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify all Federal programs carrying out asthma-related activities; (2) develop a Federal plan for responding to asthma; and (3) submit recommendations to Congress on ways to strengthen and improve Federal coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) to: (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (2) compile and annually publish data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally and in each State. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Childhood Obesity Prevention - Directs the Secretary to award grants for the development and implementation of State and community-based intervention programs promoting good nutrition and physical activity in children and adolescents. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct research on physical activity, diet, health, health-related behaviors, and childhood obesity and its effects in adulthood; (2) develop and evaluate strategies to prevent and treat obesity and eating disorders; (3) identify obesity behaviors and risk factors; (4) evaluate materials and programs providing nutrition education to parents, teachers, and food service staff of child care and pre-school entities; and (5) evaluate materials and programs designed to educate and encourage physical activity in child care and pre-school facilities. Directs the Secretary to develop a national public campaign to promote and educate children and parents regarding health risks associated with obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition, ways to incorporate physical activity into daily living, the benefits of good nutrition, and strategies to improve eating habits. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a program to educate and train health professionals in effective strategies to identify and assess patients with, or at risk for, obesity or an eating disorder, counsel, refer, or treat patients with obesity or an eating disorder, and educate patients and their families about strategies to improve dietary habits and establish appropriate levels of physical activity. Subtitle C: Early Detection and Treatment Regarding Childhood Lead Poisoning - Modifies application and reporting requirements for existing grants regarding lead poisoning. Directs the Secretary to develop national guidelines for the uniform and complete reporting of all blood lead test results to State and local health departments. Requires the CDCP Director to assist with the improvement of data links between local and State health departments and the CDCP, help States with the development of data management systems for the surveillance of children with lead poisoning, and take other actions regarding lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 322) Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants where data suggests that at least five percent of preschool-age children have an elevated blood level; and (2) conduct education and training programs for health care providers regarding childhood lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Oral Health - Directs the Secretary to support: (1) community-based research on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pediatric oral, dental, craniofacial diseases and conditions and their sequelae in high risk populations; (2) demonstrations of preventive interventions in those populations; and (3) the development of clinical approaches to assess individual patients for the risk of pediatric dental disease. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 332) Directs the Secretary to establish a program of repayment of oral health professionals' educational loans in return for the professionals agreeing to conduct pediatric oral, dental, and craniofacial disease and condition research or training. (Sec. 333) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to increase the resources available for community water fluoridation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 334) Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project to assist rural water systems in implementing the CDCP's water fluoridation guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 335) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the development of programs to improve children's school-based access to sealants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 336) Directs the Secretary to: (1) fund innovative oral health activities that improve the oral health of children under six years who are eligible for services under a Federal health program; and (2) make grants or contracts to increase training of oral health services providers or to increase children's use of dental services. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Pediatric Research - Subtitle A: Pediatric Research Initiative - Mandates the establishment of a Pediatric Research Initiative to conduct and support research and coordination directly related to illnesses and conditions of children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to make available enhanced support for extramural activities relating to the training and career development of pediatric researchers. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to repay the educational loans of pediatricians in return for conducting pediatric research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Autism - Requires the NIH Director to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH activities regarding autism. Requires the Director, among other things, to make grants and contracts for centers of excellence regarding autism research. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish, through grants or cooperative agreements, at least three regional centers of excellence in autism and pervasive developmental disabilities epidemiology to collect and analyze information on autism and developmental disabilities; (2) establish a clearinghouse for the collection and storage of data generated from the monitoring programs created by this title; (3) coordinate the Federal response to requests for assistance from State health department officials regarding potential or alleged autism or developmental disability clusters. Authorizes appropriations; and (4) establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the public. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to establish an Autism Coordinating Committee. Subtitle C: Long-Term Child Development - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to establish a consortium of Federal agency representatives to: (1) plan and implement a prospective cohort study of the effects of chronic and intermittent exposures on human development; and (2) investigate basic mechanisms of developmental disorders and environmental factors that influence growth and developmental processes. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Research on Rare Diseases in Children - Requires the NIH Director to report to Congress on NIH activities regarding children's rare diseases. Subtitle E: GME Programs in Children's Hospitals - Extends the mandate to make annual payments to each children's hospital for the direct and indirect expenses of operating graduate medical residency training programs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Congratulates: (1) the Mexican people for their struggle for representative democracy and the rule of law: (2) Vincente Fox Quesada for his electoral triumph; and (3) Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, current President of the United Mexican States, for his commitment to ensure the peaceful and stable transition of power. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) expand and intensify its cooperation with the newly elected Government of Mexico to promote economic development and to reduce poverty to achieve an improved quality of life for citizens of both countries; (2) confront common threats such as the trafficking in illicit narcotics; and (3) act in solidarity to promote representative democracy and the rule of law throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2000
Medicare Rx Drug Discount and Security Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program) to create the Commissioner of Medicare Prescription Drugs who shall establish a Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program under which an eligible beneficiary may voluntarily enroll with an eligible private entity and receive described benefits, including a catastrophic benefit. Makes the costs of providing program benefits payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes as an independent executive agency a Medicare Prescription Drug Agency to administer the new part D program through the Commissioner. Authorizes appropriations. Amends SSA title XVIII part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to provide for the exclusion of new part D costs from the determination of the Medicare part B monthly premium. Revises Medicare supplemental health insurance (Medigap) requirements with respect to revision of the 1991 National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Regulation to accord with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Violence Against Women Act of 2000 - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General (AG) to make grants to provide technical assistance and equipment to police departments, prosecutors, courts, and tribal jurisdictions to facilitate the widespread enforcement of protection orders. Revises provisions of the Federal criminal code governing the full faith and credit of protection orders. Designates State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees under the program to combat violent crimes against women. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 various programs which address violence against women, including domestic violence and stalking offenses. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Authorizes the AG to award grants to increase the availability of legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 various grants and programs under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the AG to make grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments for the provision of supervised visitation and safe visitation exchange of children by and between parents in situations involving domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault. Reauthorizes through FY 2005 runaway and homeless youth grants and programs for victims of child abuse. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for model programs of education and training in appropriate responses to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Title V: Battered Immigrant Women - Battered Immigrant Women Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide certain protections to battered immigrant women. Title VI: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Extends through FY 2005 the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Affordable Housing for Seniors and Families Act - Title I: Refinancing for Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, respecting projects assisted under section 202 (supportive housing for the elderly) of the Housing Act of 1959, to: (1) approve prepayment of indebtedness, including refinancing under specified conditions, provided the project sponsor continues to operate the project on terms at least as advantageous to tenants as required under the original agreement; and (2) upon refinancing, use at least 50 percent of the resultant savings in a manner that is advantageous to the tenants. Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Supportive Housing for the Elderly and Persons With Disabilities - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize appropriations for supportive housing for the elderly. (Sec. 202) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for supportive housing for persons with disabilities. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) grants for service coordinators for elderly and disabled residents of certain federally assisted multifamily housing; and (2) contracts for congregate services for certain federally assisted housing. Title III: Expanding Public Housing Opportunities for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities - Subtitle A: Housing for the Elderly - Amends the Housing Act of 1959, with respect to supportive services for the elderly, to establish a matching capital grant program. Provides for certain numbers of tenants who are elderly but not very low-income persons. (Sec. 302) Makes for-profit limited partnerships eligible program participants. (Sec. 303) Permits owners to use mixed funding sources for amenities and other design features. (Sec. 304) Expands acquisition authority. (Sec. 305) Authorizes low-income eligibility in supportive housing projects with high vacancy rates. (Sec. 306) Authorizes project reserves to be used to reduce the number of dwelling units by retrofitting unmarketable units. (Sec. 307) States that no provision of law shall be construed to prohibit commercial operations in a project location that benefits project residents. (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program for up to five projects to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of providing section 202 assistance for housing projects that are both for supportive services for the elderly and for other types of housing, including market rate housing. (Sec. 309) Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize the Secretary to make grants for capital repairs of elderly housing projects or their conversion to assisted living facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 310) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary to make grants to public housing agencies for conversion of public housing for the elderly to assisted living facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 311) Directs the Secretary to make an annual inventory of HUD and federally-assisted housing designated for elderly and disabled families. (Sec. 312) Directs the Secretary, in the case of denial of section 202 assistance for failure to provide timely information, to notify and provide opportunity for the applicant to show third party fault. Subtitle B: Housing for Persons with Disabilities - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act with respect to supportive housing for persons with disabilities to include among assistance forms a capital advance matching grants program. Provides for certain numbers of tenants who are disabled but not very low-income persons. (Sec. 322) Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to make certain for-profit limited partnerships eligible recipients under the supportive housing for persons with disabilities program. (Sec. 323) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act with respect to the supportive housing for persons with disabilities program to permit owners to use mixed funding sources for amenities and other design features. (Sec. 324) Provides that limited tenant-based assistance may be provided through a qualifying public housing agency or a private nonprofit organization. (Sec. 325) Authorizes project reserves to be used to reduce the number of dwelling units by retrofitting unmarketable units. (Sec. 326) States that no provision of law shall be construed to prohibit commercial operations in a project location that benefits project residents. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to permit service coordinator services to be provided to low-income or elderly persons living in the vicinity of specified federally assisted housing. Includes telemarketing fraud protection among the services provided to elderly residents of federally assisted housing and under the supportive housing program. Title IV: Preservation of Affordable Housing Stock - Directs the Secretary to make grants to States and localities for low-income housing preservation and promotion. Title V: Mortgage Insurance for Health Care Facilities and Home Equity Conversion Mortgages - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize mortgage insurance for debt refinancing of existing health care facilities. Permits hospital, home, or facility refinancing to prepay a loan that is within five years of maturity. Permits use of refinancing proceeds for related maintenance and equipment. (Sec. 502) Includes within the definition of "assisted living facility" certain unlicenced facilities. Defines "integrated service facility." (Sec. 503) Revises hospital mortgage insurance provisions. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the Secretary to insure refinancing of home equity conversion mortgages.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Grain Standards Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to extend: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture's grain inspection and weighing fee authorities; (2) advisory committee authority; (3) administrative and supervisory cost limitations; and (4) authorization of appropriations. Reduces permitted administrative and supervisory costs. Eliminates the requirement that: (1) grain export inspection and weighing samples be taken from certain physical locations (spout or final carrier); and (2) equipment be tested annually. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) allow official multi-site inspection and weighing services within a single geographic area (eliminates pilot program designation); and (2) prohibit the use of grain additives to disguise grain quality.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize appropriations for authorities and activities under such Act. Revises specified provisions, including: (1) over-the-counter derivatives; (2) futures exchange regulation; (3) contracts; (4) prohibited transactions; and (5) boards of trade.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2000 - Title I: Brownfields Revitalization Funding - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish programs to provide grants to eligible entities (including local government units, redevelopment agencies, States, and Indian tribes) for: (1) inventorying, characterizing, assessing, and conducting planning related to brownfield sites; and (2) remediating brownfield sites through loans. Defines a "brownfield site," with exceptions, as real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance or pollutant. Includes within such definition a site contaminated by a controlled substance or mine-scarred land. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Brownfields Liability Clarifications - Exempts from liability under CERCLA certain owners of real property contiguous to property on which there has been a hazardous substance release or threatened release that is not owned by such persons. (Sec. 202) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any casefor which the owner is not liable by reason of this section and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed before the action was taken. (Sec. 203) Deems a person, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to have undertaken appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person demonstrates that inquiries were undertaken in accordance with specified requirements (for property purchased after May 31, 1997, compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard until standards are issued by the Administrator). Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a facility inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity. Title III: State Response Programs - Adds CERCLA provisions authorizing the Administrator to provide grants to States or Indian tribes to establish or enhance response programs comprised of elements including survey and inventory of brownfield sites, public participation opportunities, oversight and enforcement authorities, and certification mechanisms. Authorizes appropriations. Restricts authority to take enforcement actions under CERCLA in cases of hazardous substance releases addressed by a State response plan. Authorizes the President to bring enforcement actions in certain instances, including cases where a State requests assistance, there is migration of contamination across State lines or onto Federal property, or there is an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment and additional response actions are likely to be necessary. Makes restrictions on the President's authority to take such actions applicable only at sites in States that maintain, update at least annually, and make publicly available a record of sites at which response actions have been completed in the previous year and are planned to be addressed under the State response program in the upcoming year. Applies enforcement action requirements only to response actions conducted after June 8, 2000. (Sec. 302) Requires the President to defer final listing of an eligible response site on the National Priorities List if the State is conducting a response action in compliance with a State response program that will provide long-term health and environmental protection or is actively pursuing an agreement to perform such an action with a capable person. Requires reasonable progress toward completion of actions for deferral of listing. Permits the President to decline to defer, or discontinue a deferral if: (1) deferral would be inappropriate because the State, as an owner, operator, or significant contributor is a potentially responsible party; (2) the criteria under the National Contingency Plan for issuance of a health advisory have been met; or (3) the other conditions under this section for deferral are no longer being met.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Calls upon the President to: (1) issue a proclamation recognizing the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, reasserting the U.S. commitment to full implementation of the Act, and urging all signatory states to abide by their obligations under the Act; and (2) convey to all signatory states that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic principles, economic liberty, and the implementation of related commitments continue to be vital elements in promoting a new era of democracy, peace, and unity in the region.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Authorizes the President to present a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter in recognition of their service to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2000
Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. policy should: (1) support the restoration of democracy in Burma, including implementation of the results of the 1990 elections; (2) continue to call upon the military regime in Burma known as the State Peace and Development Council to guarantee freedoms of assembly, movement, speech, and the press for all Burmese citizens, to accept a political dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy, and ethnic leaders to advance peace, to release all detained Members elected to the 1990 parliament and other political prisoners, and to uphold the terms and conditions of all human rights and related resolutions passed by the United Nations General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights, the International Labor Organization, and the European Union; and (3) sustain current economic and political sanctions against Burma as the appropriate means of securing the restoration of democracy, human rights, and civil liberties and of supporting U.S. national security counternarcotics interests.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2000
Clean Air and Water Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act (the Act) to prohibit the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) or any other ether compound as a fuel additive. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to waive such prohibition with respect to an ether compound other than MTBE if the use of such compound as a fuel additive will not pose a significant human health or environmental risk. Makes such prohibition effective three years after this Act's enactment date. Requires the Administrator to require, during the period beginning on this Act's enactment and ending three years after such date, persons selling gasoline that contains MTBE at retail to label the fuel dispensing system with a notice that the gasoline contains MTBE. (Sec. 4) Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator to develop technical guidelines to assist States in the investigation and cleanup of MTBE in groundwater. (Sec. 5) Revises the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline under the Act to require the oxygen content to equal or exceed two percent oxygen by weight averaged on an annual basis. (Current law requires such percentage without averaging.) Prohibits the regulations for the use of reformulated gasoline from specifying a minimum oxygen content. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards regarding reformulated gasoline to ensure that the ozone-forming potential, taking into account all ozone precursors, of the aggregate emissions during the high ozone season from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline does not exceed such potential of the emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with regulations that were in effect on September 1, 1999, and applicable to such gasoline sold in 2000 and subsequent calendar years. Provides for adjustments to the performance standard for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to account for emissions of carbon monoxide that are greater or less than a specified baseline for emissions achieved by reformulated gasoline containing two percent oxygen by weight and meeting other performance standards. Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards by redefining "baseline vehicles" to mean vehicles representative of vehicles (including off-road vehicles) in use as of January 1, 2000. Directs the Administrator to revise performance standards to ensure that the aggregate emissions of precursors of toxic air pollutants, particulate matter (PM)-10, and fine particulate matter from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline do not exceed such emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with regulations that were in effect on January 1, 2000, and applicable to such gasoline sold in 2000 and subsequent calendar years. Prohibits the average aromatic hydrocarbon content of such gasoline from exceeding the average aromatic hydrocarbon content of such gasoline sold in covered areas (specified ozone nonattainment areas where the use of such gasoline is required) for use in baseline vehicles when using such gasoline sold during 2000. Sets the maximum aromatic hydrocarbon content of such gasoline at 30 percent. Bars the average olefin content of reformulated gasoline from exceeding the average olefin content of such gasoline sold in covered areas for use in baseline vehicles when using such gasoline during 2000. Limits the olefin content of such gasoline to ten percent. (Sec. 7) Removes a provision which allows the Administrator to waive the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline for any ozone nonattainment area if the requirement would interfere with the attainment of any national primary ambient air quality standard. Permits the Administrator, if the Secretary of Energy finds that there is an insufficient domestic supply of oxygenates to meet the oxygen content requirement, to promulgate regulations temporarily reducing such requirement to ensure an adequate supply of oxygenates. Requires such regulations to ensure that the environmental benefits of reformulated gasoline are maintained during the period of the temporary reduction in the oxygen content requirement. (Sec. 8) Requires the Administrator, upon the application of a State Governor, to apply prohibitions on the sale of conventional gasoline in covered areas (areas requiring the use of reformulated gasoline), to any nonclassified areas (opt-in areas). (Sec. 9) Directs the Administrator to revise anti-dumping regulations with respect to the sale of gasoline to ensure that this Act and its amendments do not result in any increased emissions in areas that are not covered areas. (Sec. 10) Amends provisions regarding State reasonable progress demonstrations with respect to VOC emissions to authorize States, in making such demonstrations, to claim as a credit toward the requirement for VOC emission reductions an amount equivalent to the ozone-forming potential of carbon monoxide emission reductions attributable to any amount by which the average oxygen content of reformulated gasoline sold in the State exceeds two percent. (Sec. 11) Amends Federal highway provisions to provide that for purposes of determining the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users paid into the Highway Trust Fund, the amount paid into the Fund with respect to the sale or gasohol or other fuels containing alcohol by reason of taxes imposed on special fuels or gasoline shall be treated as equal to the amount that would have been imposed without regard to the reduction in revenues resulting from regulations prohibiting the use of MTBE or other ether compounds as fuel additives under the Clean Air Act and specified Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning alcohol fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Secretary of Education should work with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Day National Committee, and veterans service organizations to encourage, prepare, and disseminate educational materials and activities for elementary and secondary school students aimed at increasing awareness of the contributions of veterans; and (2) the week that includes Veterans Day should be designated as National Veterans Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 should terminate with no extension; (2) the President should continue talks with Canada to promote open trade of softwood lumber between the two countries; and (3) the President should consult with all stakeholders, including consumers, in future discussions regarding such trade.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Renewable Fuels Act of 2000 - Amends provisions of the Clean Air Act regarding motor vehicle emission and fuel standards to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control or prohibit the introduction into commerce, manufacture, or sale of fuels or fuel additives if such a fuel or additive or its emission product causes or contributes to air, water, or soil pollution that may be anticipated to endanger the public health or welfare or the environment (currently, if any emission product causes or contributes to air pollution that may be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare). Prohibits States or political subdivisions, except as otherwise provided, from prescribing or enforcing any control or prohibition on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a fuel additive in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine for purposes of motor vehicle emission control or water or soil quality protection. Adds water or soil quality protection to the list of purposes for which States may prescribe or enforce controls or prohibitions on fuel or fuel additives in certain circumstances. Requires States seeking to prescribe or enforce such controls or prohibitions for water or soil quality protection (in cases where the State implementation plan for attainment of national ambient air quality standards so provides) to petition the Administrator for authority to take such action. Sets forth criteria for granting such petitions, including that the authority is necessary to protect the environment or public health or welfare or is not likely to have an adverse effect on fuel availability or price that outweighs any benefits associated with the control or prohibition. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations applicable to gasoline refiners, blenders, or importers to ensure that gasoline sold or introduced into commerce in an area after January 1, 2004, has an MTBE content at a level that: (1) may not be reasonably anticipated to endanger natural resources and the public health; and (2) does not exceed the annual average volume of MTBE per gallon of gasoline used in the area before 1995. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Administrator to adjust the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) performance standard with respect to the use of reformulated gasoline in specified nonattainment areas in the case of a fuel formulation that achieves reductions in the quantity of mass emissions of carbon monoxide that are greater than or less than the reductions associated with such a gasoline that contains 2.0 percent oxygen by weight and meets other applicable requirements. Bases the adjustment amount on the effect on ozone concentrations of the combined reductions in VOC and carbon monoxide emissions. Permits the Administrator to waive the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline for any ozone nonattainment area if a State Governor submits an application that: (1) demonstrates that the State is in full compliance with Federal regulations concerning the control and prevention of leaking underground storage tanks (USTs); or (2) provides a plan that outlines the measures the State will take to fully comply with the UST regulations by no later than two years after such application is received. Limits the aromatic hydrocarbon content of reformulated gasoline to 22 (currently, 25) percent by volume. Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards regarding reformulated gasoline to ensure that: (1) the ozone-forming potential, taking into account all ozone precursors, of the aggregate emissions during the high ozone season from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline does not exceed such potential of the emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with regulations that were in effect on January 1, 2000, and applicable to such gasoline sold in 2000 and subsequent calendar years; and (2) the aggregate emissions of specified pollutants, including toxics, from such vehicles when using such gasoline do not exceed such emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with the regulations described in (1). (Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator, upon the application of a State Governor, to apply prohibitions on the sale of conventional gasoline in covered areas (areas requiring the use of reformulated gasoline), to any nonclassified areas (opt- in areas). (Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for gasoline renewable source (including biomass ethanol) content requirements applicable to refiners, blenders, or importers. Increases such requirement annually to require a content of 1.3 percent in 2000 and 3.3 percent by 2010 and thereafter. Provides for credits for persons who refine, blend, or import gasoline that contains a quantity of fuel derived from such sources or a quantity of biomass ethanol that exceeds applicable requirements. Authorizes the use or transfer of such credits for compliance purposes. Permits the Administrator to waive renewable source content requirements on petition by a State and upon determining that: (1) implementation of the requirements would severely harm the U.S. or a State or regional economy or environment; or (2) there is an inadequate domestic supply or distribution capacity to meet such requirements. Terminates waivers after one year but authorizes renewals. Permits renewable source content regulations to provide exemptions for small refiners. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on reductions in emissions of criteria air pollutants listed under the Act and greenhouse gases that result from implementation of renewable source content requirements. Requires the Administrator to promulgate renewable source content regulations applicable to diesel fuel. Amends Federal highway provisions to provide that for purposes of determining the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users paid into the Highway Trust Fund, the amount paid into the Fund with respect to the sale or gasohol or other fuels containing alcohol by reason of taxes imposed on special fuels or gasoline shall be treated as equal to the amount that would have been imposed without regard to the reduction in revenues resulting from renewable source content regulations under the Clean Air Act and specified Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning alcohol fuels. (Sec. 6) Changes references to calendar year 1990 to 1999 in reformulated gasoline provisions concerning anti-dumping. Updates the baseline from 1990 to 1999 for purposes of such provisions. (Sec. 7) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the EPA Administrator to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for paying reasonable costs incurred under cooperative agreements with States of: (1) certain corrective actions and compensation programs; (2) administrative expenses directly related to such programs; or (3) enforcement of State or local requirements regulating USTs. Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement a strategy to take corrective action in response to releases from leaking USTs located within the exterior boundaries of an Indian reservation or another area within tribal jurisdiction; and (2) enforce requirements regulating such USTs. Requires the Administrator to conduct studies to: (1) determine the corrosive effects of MTBE and other widely used fuels and fuel additives on USTs; and (2) assess the potential public health and environmental risks associated with the use of aboveground storage tanks and the effectiveness of State and Federal regulations or voluntary standards to provide adequate public health and environmental protection. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Agriculture, States, local governments, private landowners, and other interested parties to establish voluntary pilot projects to protect the water quality of private wells and provide technical assistance to users of water from such wells.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2000
Nuclear Weapons Complex Conversion Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to expand and enhance the activities under the Nuclear Cities Initiative (Initiative) so as to: (1) assist the Russian Federation in the downsizing of its nuclear complex; and (2) coordinate such downsizing with other U.S. nuclear nonproliferation programs. Requires the Secretary, in carrying out such actions, to: (1) facilitate the enhanced use of the technology, research and development services of the Russia Ministry of Atomic Energy; and (2) accelerate the Initiative by implementing programs at specified Russian cities in which nuclear weapons facilities exist in order to convert significant portions of activities from military to civilian activities. Urges the President to enter into negotiations with the Russian Federation for the Federation's development of a plan to restructure its nuclear complex in order to meet changes in Russian nuclear security requirements by 2010. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to encourage students in the United States and the Russian Federation to pursue careers in nonproliferation. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of Congress that availability of Initiative funds after FY 2001 should be contingent upon: (1) demonstrable progress in enhancing and accelerating Initiative activities; and (2) the development and implementation of Russia's nuclear restructuring plan. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there should be a National Coordinator for Nonproliferation Matters to coordinate various Federal nonproliferation programs, including the Initiative; and (2) such Coordinator position should be similar to the Coordinator position filled by the President under the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000504_200.jpg)