United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2000
Authorizes presentation of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan. Authorizes specified sums to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for medal costs. Mandates that sale proceeds from duplicate bronze medals be deposited into such Fund.
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 · 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
Home Health Payment Fairness Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate a specified 15 percent reduction in cost and per beneficiary limits with respect to payment rates for home health services under the Medicare prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2000
Child and Adult Care Food Program Management Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to revise provisions for management of the child and adult care food program (CACFP). (Sec. 2) Excludes from CACFP eligibility institutions that State agencies responsible for CACFP administration determine to have been seriously deficient in the administration or operation of any Federal, State, or local program during the previous five-year period, or another period determined appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions for CACFP institutional approval and applications. Requires the State agency to: (1) determine that the institution is administratively capable of operating the program described in its application, and that its participation is necessary to ensure adequate availability of benefits to eligible participants; (2) establish criteria for selecting among institutions if the number of eligible institutions exceeds that necessary to ensure the adequate availability of program benefits to eligible participants; and (3) in the case of private institutions, with the exception of family or group day care homes, conduct a satisfactory prior inspection of institutions which must have tax-exempt status, operate a federal program requiring nonprofit status, or receive compensation under the Social Security Act for providing nonresidential child care or day care outside school hours for at least 25 percent of its enrolled children or licensed capacity. (Sec. 4) Prohibits the Secretary from requiring public organizations acting as sponsoring organizations for one or more family or group day care homes to compare costs to receive administrative reimbursement under CACFP. Directs the Secretary to permit such public organizations to submit biennial budgets for administrative costs. (Sec. 5) Allows State agencies to withhold reimbursements temporarily without a hearing for up to 90 days under specified conditions. (Sec. 6) Requires State agencies to limit the ability of family or group day care homes to transfer from a sponsoring organization to another sponsoring organization more frequently than once a year or to a sponsoring organization that ceases to participate in CACFP. Authorizes State agencies to permit or require such homes to transfer from a sponsoring organization to another sponsoring organization more frequently than once a year in the case of extenuating circumstances. (Sec. 7) Limits payments for administrative expenses for sponsoring organizations to costs incurred in administrating CACFP. Requires State agencies to limit such administrative expense payments to no more than 15 percent of the CACFP payment to the sponsoring organization. Directs the Secretary to evaluate and adjust such maximum limitation on the basis of the results of a study of administrative costs required under this Act. (Sec. 8) Requires a State to return, and the Secretary to reallocate to other States on the basis of need, any audit funds allocated under CACFP that are not obligated by the State for that fiscal year. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to reserve a specified portion of funds to provide training and technical assistance to State agencies to improve their CACFP management and oversight. (Sec. 10) Establishes a program of grants to not more than five State agencies to improve CACFP programs. Directs the Secretary to reserve a specified amount of funds for such grants. Requires State agencies to meet specified eligibility requirements and use such grants to collaborate with State and local licensing agencies and lead agencies that administer grants under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to establish State or local licensing requirements for all categories of family or group day care homes and child care centers located within the State. (Sec. 11) Allows State agencies to: (1) retain up to 50 percent of any funds collected as a result of their audits or reviews of institutions participating in CACFP; and (2) use such funds for program costs they incur to improve management and operation of CACFP. (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service, to study and report to specified congressional committees on the administrative rate structure and administrative costs of institutions acting as sponsoring organizations of family or group day care homes and sponsoring organizations of other specified organizations. Reserves specified funds for such study.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2000
Conservation Reserve Program Tax Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat conservation reserve program payments as real estate rentals for self-employment earnings purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the expensing of environmental remediation costs: (1) for an additional six years; and (2) to include metropolitan statistical areas.
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
Worker Economic Opportunity Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exempt employee stock option, stock appreciation right, stock purchase, and similar employer-provided grants or rights programs from being included in overtime pay calculations, under specified conditions. Provides that employers have no overtime pay liability because of any employee stock options or similar programs prior to enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Declares Elian Gonzalez and specified family members to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act. States that neither he nor any such family member shall be regarded as seeking an admission into the United States under the immigration laws if any such alien is absent from the United States for any period by reason of having traveled to Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Health Care Infrastructure Investment Act of 2000 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the requirement for specified delayed Medicare benefit payments under contracts with administrative carriers that provide for the disbursement of funds. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services a Health Care Infrastructure Commission to: (1) coordinate the expertise and programs within and among Federal agencies for the purposes of designing and implementing an advanced informational infrastructure for the administration of Federal health benefits programs; and (2) conduct a study on the design and construction of an immediate claim, administration, payment resolution, and data collection system meeting certain requirements. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to: (1) adapt such system for use under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP); and (2) require that carriers participating in FEHBP use the system to satisfy certain minimum requirements for claim submission, processing, and payment in accordance with the specified timetable. Makes appropriations to the Health Care Infrastructure Commission.
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
Authorizes the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of China, provided, prior to such determination, the President certifies to Congress that the terms and conditions for China's accession to the World Trade Organization are at least equivalent to those agreed between the United States and China on November 15, 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
2002 Winter Olympic Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins emblematic of the participation of American athletes in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Mandates that coin design be selected by the Secretary after consultation with: (1) the Commission of Fine Arts; (2) the United States Olympic Committee; and (3) Olympic Properties of the United States-Salt Lake 2002 (created and owned by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee). States that all surcharges from the coin sales ($35 for a $5 coin and $10 for a $1 coin) shall be distributed by the Secretary to: (1) Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002; and (2) the United States Olympic Committee.
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 · 20 March 2000
Risk Management for the 21st Century Act - Title I: Crop Insurance Coverage - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Commodity Credit Corporation to offer optional quality adjustment crop insurance policies (with reduced premiums for non-electing producers). (Sec. 102) Provides that the Corporation, with respect to prevented planting crop insurance, shall: (1) provide equal coverage levels for all covered commodities; (2) require area-wide conditions for payment; (3) permit (noninsurable) substitute plantings; and (4) make such coverage voluntary (with reduced premiums for non-electing producers). (Sec. 103) Revises payment price levels (expected market price) for each insured commodity. Provides for mandatory and discretionary partial premium payments by the Corporation. Prohibits revenue coverage for potatoes except as part of a whole farm coverage. (Sec. 104) Directs the Corporation to assign a yield to a producer without an actual production history for a commodity. (Sec. 105) Provides for a multiyear disaster (at least a 25 percent production drop resulting from disasters suffered in three of the preceding five crop years) actual production history adjustment. (Sec. 106) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act, with respect to the noninsured crop disaster assistance program to: (1) authorize combining of crop types or varieties into a single eligible crop; (2) require producers to report annually; (3) eliminate area loss requirements; (4) set forth new eligible crop provisions; (5) establish a service fee for each eligible crop, which may be waived for a limited resource farmer; and (6) revise loss requirements. Title II: Research and Pilot Programs -Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to authorize the Corporation to conduct crop insurance-related research and pilot programs. Caps funding levels for each of FY 2001 through 2004. Authorizes pilot programs to: (1) operate on a regional, State, or national basis; (2) offer premium discounts for whole farm or single crop units permitting cross-State or cross-county insurable units; and (3) offer livestock insurance. (Sec. 202) Sets forth Corporation research and development contracting and reimbursement authority. Directs the Corporation to develop alternative rates and methodologies for rating insurance plans, which shall take into account nonparticipating producers and producers participating only in catastrophic risk protection. Grants priority to commodities with the largest acreage and the lowest percentage of participating producers. Authorizes FY 2001 through 2004 appropriations. States that a forage, pasture, and range program shall be a high priority research project. Directs the Corporation to contract with a qualified person to conduct a study of whether multiyear insurance plans would reduce Federal crop insurance fraud. (Sec. 203) Directs the Corporation to offer either risk management payments or crop insurance premiums for each of the 2002 through 2004 crop years. Sets forth program provisions, including qualifying risk management practices. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2004 appropriations. Title III: Administration - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to revise the membership of the Corporation's Board of Directors. Revises new product approval provisions. (Sec. 302) States that good farming practices shall include scientifically sound sustainable and organic farming practices. (Sec. 303) Increases monetary and disbarment sanctions for program noncompliance and fraud. (Sec. 304) Directs the Corporation to develop procedures for annual review of agents and loss adjusters, including insurance provider consultation. (Sec. 305) Directs the Board to review the adequacy of State agricultural commodity coverages. (Sec. 306) Sets forth recordkeeping and reporting requirements. (Sec. 307) Establishes a system of fees that an approved insurance provider must pay to a company that developed the policy if the provider wants to sell such policy through the Federal crop insurance program. (Sec. 308) Prohibits purchasing insurance for more than one crop per year on the same acreage unless the producer or the acreage has a previous history of double-cropping. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the Specialty Crops Coordinator to make grants and enter into contracts for research and development activities for new or revised insurance policies for specialty crops. Authorizes the Coordinator to enter into partnerships with qualified public and private entities to increase the availability of specialty crop risk management tools. Obligates specified funds for FY 2001 through 2004 for such activities. Directs the Corporation and the Coordinator to conduct studies of new insurance policies for specialty crops. (Sec. 308) Directs the Board to review insurance plans for adequacy of coverage, and recommend that the Office of Risk Management develop plans for inadequately covered commodities. (Sec. 310) Replaces the current Advisory Committee for Federal Crop Insurance with a Federal Crop Insurance Improvement Commission, which shall review specified crop insurance-related issues, including: (1) improvement of the Federal crop insurance program; and (2) new private sector insurance products. Obligate FY 2001 through 2004 funds for the Commission. (Sec. 311) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to require highly erodible land and wetland conservation compliance in order to receive crop or revenue insurance, or risk management payments under the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Title IV: Effective Dates; Termination of Authority - Sets forth effective dates and termination of authority provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to install on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the District of Columbia a suitable plaque to commemorate the speech of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as the "I Have A Dream" speech.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Medicare Wellness Act of 2000 - Title I: Healthy Seniors Promotion Program - Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a Healthy Seniors Working Group to establish policies and criteria for the HHS Secretary to make grants to approved applicants to study specified approaches to further health promotion and disease prevention among the elderly. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) should encourage inclusion of preventive health measures in all Medicare treatments; (2) HCFA should expand the study of the most promising behavioral modification of risk factors associated with health promotion and disease prevention for all Medicare beneficiaries; and (3) the National Library of Medicine should establish a Medicare health promotion and disease prevention intervention clearinghouse. Title II: Medicare Coverage of Preventive Services - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to outline Medicare coverage of various specified preventive services, including: (1) counseling for cessation of tobacco use; (2) screening for hypertension; (3) counseling for hormone replacement therapy; (4) screening for glaucoma and for diminished visual acuity; and (5) screening and counseling for osteoporosis. (Sec. 209) Extends Medicare coverage to medical nutrition therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, a cardiovascular disease, or a renal disease. (Sec. 210) Waives coinsurance and deductibles for certain preventive services, such as: (1) diabetes outpatient self-management training services; (2) colorectal and prostate cancer screening tests; and (3) bone mass measurement. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to conduct a national falls prevention and awareness campaign to reduce fall-related injuries among Medicare beneficiaries and to integrate specified preventive benefits added by this Act with existing program integrity measures. Title III: Medicare Health Education and Risk Appraisal Program - Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the HHS Secretary to: (1) establish a health education and risk appraisal program to inform certain target individuals, including Medicare beneficiaries, of specified major behavioral risk factors through self-assessment; and (2) conduct periodic followups. Title IV: Disease Self-Management Demonstration Projects - Establishes in HHS a Disease Self-Management Working Group. Directs the HHS Secretary to conduct demonstration projects to promote disease self-management for conditions identified by the Group for described target individuals. Provides funding. Title V: Studies and Reports Advancing Original Research in the Field of Disease Prevention and the Elderly - Amends SSA title XVIII to revise reporting requirements for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. (Sec. 502) Directs the Director of the National Institute on Aging to conduct one or more studies, for associated reports to the HHS Secretary and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, that focus on ways to: (1) improve quality of life for the elderly; (2) develop better ways to prevent or delay the onset of age-related functional decline and disease and disability among the elderly; and (3) develop means of assessing the long-term development of cost-effective benefits and cost-saving benefits for health promotion and disease prevention among the elderly. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 503) Directs the HHS Secretary to contract with the Institute to study and report to the President and Congress on health promotion and disease prevention among Medicare beneficiaries. (Sec. 504) Provides for fast-track consideration of prevention benefit legislation in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States cannot have normal relations with Belgrade as long as the Slobodan Milosevic regime is in power. Declares that the Senate considers international sanctions an essential tool to isolate the Milosevic regime and promote democracy and urges the Administration to intensify, focus, and expand those sanctions that most effectively target the regime and its key supporters. Expresses the Senate's: (1) support for the efforts of the Serbian people to establish a democratic government and endorses their call for early, free, and fair elections; and (2) readiness, once there is such a government in Serbia, to review conditions for Serbia's full reintegration into the international community and to assist such a future government to build a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous society. Calls upon the United States and other Western democracies to publicly announce and demonstrate to the Serbian people the magnitude of assistance they could expect after democratization. Recognizes the progress in democratic and market reform made by Montenegro and urges a peaceful resolution of political differences over the abrogation of Montenegro's rights under the federal constitution.
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
Smoker's Right to Know and Truth in Tobacco Labeling Act - Requires that: (1) cigarette labeling and advertising include one of specified warnings and a statement listing cancer-causing agents inhaled in the cigarette's smoke; (2) cigarette packages include an insert on carcinogens, toxins, and other substances posing a risk to human health contained in the cigarettes; and (3) smokeless, cigar, pipe, or any similar tobacco product labeling and advertising include one of specified warnings. Requires tobacco manufacturers, packagers, and importers into the United States to annually report the identity of any added ingredient or constituent other than tobacco or water and the nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide intake from the product for average consumers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2000
Launching Our Communities' Access to Local Television Act of 2000 - Establishes the Local Television Loan Guarantee Board to approve or disapprove loan guarantees under this Act. Allows loan guarantees to be approved only to the extent provided for in advance in appropriations Acts. Requires such loans to be used to finance the means by which local television broadcast signals will be delivered to an unserved or underserved area, with a loan priority for unserved areas. Prohibits the Board from approving a loan which will serve one of the 40 most populated designated market areas. Limits: (1) each loan guarantee to 70 percent of the total cost of a project; and (2) the aggregate value of all loan guarantees to$1.25 billion. Requires the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service to administer all loan guarantees approved under this Act. Requires loan applicants to enter into stipulated performance schedules with respect to the local television signals to be provided through the project. Outlines procedures governing loan application and credit requirements, default procedures, and recovery of payments for breach of conditions. Authorizes the Board to charge and collect a loan guarantee fee and use such fee to cover administrative costs. Requires an annual audit and report concerning the loan guarantee program. Prohibits any loan guarantee from being approved after December 31, 2006. Subjects all loan applicants to Federal copyright provisions relating to the required retransmission of local television stations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2000
Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health Centers (REACH) Initiative - Expresses the sense of the Senate that appropriations for consolidated health centers under the Public Health Service Act should be increased by 100 percent over the next five fiscal years in order to double the number of individuals who receive health care services at community, migrant, homeless, and public housing health centers.
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
Retired Americans Right of Employment Act I (RARE Act I) - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained early retirement age may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits. Provides for the use of all years of earnings in benefit computation, actuarial adjustment for early retirement, and acceleration of increase in delayed retirement credit. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce by ten percent the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax rate on the income of every individual who has attained early retirement age.
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 · 22 February 2000
Retired Americans Right of Employment Act II (RARE Act II) - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained early retirement age may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits. Provides for the use of all years of earnings in benefit computation, actuarial adjustment for early retirement; and acceleration of increase in delayed retirement credit. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable credit against income tax for qualified individuals who have attained early retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2000
Know Your Caller Act of 2000 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person or entity making a telephone solicitation to interfere with or circumvent a caller identification service from accessing or providing the call recipient with identifying information about the call. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations implementing such prohibition. Provides a cause of action for a person or entity, or a State attorney general on behalf of its residents, for violations of such prohibition or regulations.
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 · 1 February 2000
High School and College Sports Gambling Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to include as unlawful sports gambling a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based, directly or indirectly, on one or more: (1) competitive games in which high school or college athletes participate; (2) performances of high school or college athletes in competitive games; or (3) competitive games at the Summer or Winter Olympics.
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
Amends the Internal Revenue Code (as amended by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) to repeal revisions to the Code (made by the Act) which repealed the use of the installment method of accounting for accrual method taxpayers and modified the pledge rules of installment obligations.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Milton Friedman Congressional Gold Medal Act - Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Milton Friedman in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to individual freedom and opportunity in American society through his exhaustive research and teaching of economics and his extensive writings on economics and public policy. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such national medal. Requires proceeds to be deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Directs the Attorney General to appoint a person to a position to be established within the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, the primary responsibility of which shall be to provide assistance and advice to the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division to further the effective enforcement of the antitrust laws with respect to the food and agricultural sectors. Lists position functions, including: (1) assisting and advising with respect to the investigation of possible restraints of trade and the investigation of mergers and acquisitions; and (2) ensuring that any such investigation takes into account the effects on consumers, agricultural producers and rural communities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Declares that the Senate: (1) recognizes the contribution of older persons to their communities; and (2) commends the work of organizations that participate in programs assisting older persons and that promote the goals of the International Year of Older Persons.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
High-Speed Rail Investment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit to holders of a qualified Amtrak bond. Sets forth definitions, State matching requirements, and other rules.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1999
Condemns the use of indiscriminate force by the Russian armed forces against civilians in Chechnya. Urges the Russian Federation to: (1) assist those persons who have been displaced from Chechnya as a result of the conflict; and (2) allow representatives of the international community access to the internally displaced persons for humanitarian relief. Calls upon Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to devote every effort, including the use of third-party mediation, to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Chechnya.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Declares that the Senate: (1) believes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should remain the primary institution through which European and North American allies address security issues of transatlantic concern; (2) endorses NATO's decision to launch the Defense Capabilities Initiative, intended to improve the defense capabilities of the European Allies; (3) acknowledges European Union (EU) resolve to have autonomy so it can approve military action where the Alliance as a whole is not engaged; and (4) calls upon NATO and the EU to promulgate together during their respective meetings in 1999 principles that will strengthen the transatlantic partnership, reinforce unity within NATO, and harmonize their roles in transatlantic affairs. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the EU should make it clear that it would take an autonomous mission through its European Security and Defense Identity only after NATO had been offered the opportunity to undertake that mission but had referred it to EU for action; (2) failure of the European allies of the United States to achieve the goals established through the Defense Capabilities Initiative would weaken support for the Alliance in the United States; (3) the President, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense should encourage NATO allies to commit the resources necessary to upgrade their capabilities to rapidly deploy forces over long distances, sustain operations for extended periods of time, and operate jointly with the United States in high-density conflicts, thus making them effective partners of the United States; (4) the EU must implement its Cologne Summit decisions concerning its Common Foreign and Security Policy in a manner that will ensure that non-Western European Union NATO allies, including Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Turkey, and the United States, will not be discriminated against, but will be fully involved when the EU addresses issues affecting their security interests; and (5) the EU's implementation of its Cologne Summit decisions should not promote a decline in the military resources that European allies contribute to NATO, but should instead promote the complete fulfillment of their respective force commitments to the Alliance.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1999
Small Watershed Rehabilitation Act of 1999 - Amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to an eligible local organization to cover a portion of the total costs incurred for the rehabilitation of structural measures originally constructed as part of a covered water resource project (except that the local organization shall be responsible for securing all land, easements, or rights-of-ways necessary for the project). Limits the amount of Federal funds that may be made available to such an organization for construction of a particular rehabilitation project to 65 percent of the total rehabilitation costs, but not exceed 100 percent of actual construction costs incurred, and makes the local organization responsible for resource rights costs and all Federal, State, and local permits. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to provide technical assistance to a requesting organization in planning, designing, and implementing rehabilitation projects. Prohibits any assistance authorized under this Act from being used to perform operation and maintenance activities. Outlines assistance application requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish a system of approving rehabilitation assistance requests from eligible organizations equitably. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2009 to provide financial and technical assistance. Earmarks funds authorized for the first two fiscal years for an assessment by the Secretary of the rehabilitation needs of covered projects. Requires: (1) the Secretary to maintain a database to track the benefits derived from rehabilitation projects and expenditures and report annually to the Congress on the status of activities conducted; and (2) eligible local organizations that received assistance to report to the Secretary on the status of rehabilitation efforts undertaken using financial assistance after the completion of the specific projects for which assistance was provided.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1999
Social Security Surplus Preservation and Debt Reduction Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the Senate to consider a concurrent budget resolution (or amendment thereto or conference report thereon) that violates a provision of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 that provides that the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds (social security trust funds) shall not be counted for purposes of the presidential or congressional budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider a concurrent budget resolution (or amendment thereto or conference report thereon) that sets forth a deficit for any fiscal year. Makes such point of order inapplicable if the deficit for a fiscal year results solely from the enactment of social security reform legislation or provisions designated as emergency requirements. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the congressional budget resolution for FY 2000 provides a sound framework for allocating resources to Medicare to modernize Medicare benefits, improve the solvency of the program, and improve coverage of prescription drugs.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000504_200.jpg)