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Official portrait of Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL]

Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL]

United States · Official source

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2,265 records where Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 36 (106th)referred

A concurrent resolution condemning Palestinian efforts to revive the original Palestine partition plan of November 29, 1947, and condemning the United Nations Commission on Human Rights for its April 27, 1999, resolution endorsing Palestinian self-determination on the basis of the original Palestine partition plan.

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1999

Condemns: (1) Palestinian efforts to circumvent United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, as well as violate the Oslo peace process, by attempting to revive UN General Assembly Resolution 181 and thereby placing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process at risk; and (2) the UN Commission on Human Rights for voting to formally endorse such Resolution as the basis for the future of Palestinian self-determination. Reiterates: (1) that any just and final peace agreement regarding the final status of the territory controlled by the Palestinians can only be determined through direct negotiations and agreement between the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization; and (2) Congress' continued unequivocal support for the security and well-being of the State of Israel and of the Oslo peace process based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. Calls for the President to declare that: (1) it is U.S. policy that UN General Assembly Resolution 181 is null and void; (2) all negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians must be based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338; and (3) the United States regards any attempt by the Palestinians, the UN, or any entity to resurrect UN General Assembly Resolution 181 as a basis for negotiations, or for any international decision, as an attempt to sabotage the prospects for a successful peace agreement in the Middle East.

Bill· SS. 1128 (106th)open

Estate Tax Elimination Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999

Estate Tax Elimination Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate Federal estate, gift, and transfer taxes. Eliminates the step-up in basis with respect to property acquired from a decedent. Establishes the basis for qualifying property acquired from a decedent (carryover basis property) as the property's initial basis increased by its allowable share of the decedent's allowance, as provided for in this Act. Describes noncarryover basis property. Authorizes a limited tangible personal property exclusion. Provides an additional exclusion for family-owned businesses and farms. Makes a nonresident who is not a U.S. citizen ineligible for basis adjustment based upon a decedent's exclusion allowance. Establishes a binding procedure for determining the initial basis of carryover basis property. Requires an executor to provide the Secretary of the Treasury and each beneficiary with specified carryover basis property information. Sets forth related noncompliance penalties.

Bill· SS. 1130 (106th)open

Motor Vehicle Rental Fairness Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999

Motor Vehicle Rental Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit a State from holding motor vehicle rental or leasing companies liable for harm caused by a person to himself or herself, to another person, or to property resulting from that person's negligent operation of such motor vehicle. Declares that such prohibition does not apply to liability imposed under a State's statutory or common law based on negligence of a motor vehicle owner. Declares that nothing in this Act supersedes any State law: (1) imposing financial responsibility or insurance standards on the owner of a motor vehicle for the privilege of registering and operating a motor vehicle; or (2) imposing liability on such companies for failure to meet financial responsibility or liability insurance requirements under State law.

Bill· SS. 1136 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that an organization shall be exempt from income tax if it is created by a State to provide property and casualty insurance coverage for property for which such coverage is otherwise unavailable.

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt an organization from income tax if it is created by a State to provide property and casualty insurance coverage for property for which such coverage is otherwise unavailable.

Bill· SS. 1109 (106th)open

Bear Protection Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1999

Bear Protection Act of 1999 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State to discuss issues involving such trade with the appropriate representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.

Bill· SS. 1070 (106th)referred

SENSE Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1999

Sensible Ergonomics Needs Scientific Evidence Act - SENSE Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Labor from promulgating, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, any standard, regulation, or guideline on ergonomics until 30 days after the National Academy of Sciences reports to Congress on a completed, peer-reviewed scientific study of the available evidence examining a cause and effect relationship between repetitive tasks in the workplace and musculoskeletal disorders or repetitive stress injuries.

Bill· SS. 1058 (106th)referred

A bill to provide for the collection of fees for sertain customs services, to authorize the continuation of certain preclearance services, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1999

Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to continue, indefinitely, the use of customs user fees (to the extent funds remain available after making certain reimbursements) for salaries for up to 50 full-time equivalent inspectional positions to provide preclearance customs services. Decreases from $6.50 to $5 the customs user fee charged to each passenger that arrives aboard a commercial vessel or commercial aircraft from a place outside the U.S. customs (except $1.75 shall be charged to each passenger aboard a commercial vessel that arrives from Canada, Mexico, a U.S. territory or possession, or an adjacent island). Earmarks a specified amount of certain customs user fees to the Customs Service for automated commercial systems. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to establish an advisory committee, consisting of representatives from the airline, cruise ship, and other transportation industries, to advise the Commissioner on issues related to the performance of the inspectional services of the Customs Service. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the Secretary, for a specified period, to prescribe an alternative mid-point interest accounting methodology, which may be employed by the importer, based upon aggregate data in lieu of accounting for such interest from each deposit data provided.

Bill· SS. 1057 (106th)referred

Real Estate Investment Trust Modernization Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1999

Real Estate Investment Trust Modernization Act of 1999 - Title I: Treatment of Income and Services Provided by Taxable REIT Subsidiaries - Excludes taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRSs) from the five and ten percent asset tests. Allows TRSs to provide non-customary tenant services. Allows a REIT to establish a TRS (as defined). Includes in the definition of "disqualified interest" (Sec. 163 of the IRC) any interest paid or accrued by a TRS to the REIT. Imposes a 100 percent tax on any interest payments by a TRS to the REIT in excess of the commercially reasonable interest rate. Title II: Health Care REITs - Includes within the definition of the term "foreclosure property" any qualified health care property acquired by a REIT as the result of the termination of a lease of such property. Title III: Conformity With Regulated Investment Company Rules - Changes the distribution requirement from 95 percent to 90 percent. Title IV : Clarification of Definition of Independent Contractor - Provides, with respect to the definition of an independent contractor, that in the event that any class of stock of is regularly traded on an established securities market, only owners who own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent of such class of stock shall be taken into account as owning any of the stock of such class for purposes of applying the 35 percent limitation. Title V: Modification of Earnings and Profits Rules - Provides rules for determining whether a Regulated Investment Company (RIC) has earnings and profits form a non-RIC year.

Bill· SS. 1020 (106th)open

Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999

Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 1999 - Provides that each party to a motor vehicle franchise contract providing for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract shall have the option, after the controversy arises and before both parties commence an arbitration proceeding, to reject arbitration as the means of settling the controversy. Requires that any such rejection be in writing. Requires the arbitrator, whenever a party elects arbitration, to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.

Bill· SS. 1017 (106th)referred

Affordable Housing Opportunity Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999

Affordable Housing Opportunity Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase, and link to the cost-of-living adjustment, the State low-income housing credit ceiling.

Bill· SS. 1024 (106th)referred

Managed Care Fair Payment Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999

Managed Care Fair Payment Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) remove from payments to Medicare+Choice organizations those amounts attributable to disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments; and (2) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make direct payments to a DSH for any individual who is enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice).

Bill· SS. 1010 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a medical innovation tax credit for clinical testing research expenses attributable to academic medical centers and other qualified hospital research organizations.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited credit for qualified medical innovation expenses for clinical testing research expenses attributable to academic medical centers and other qualified hospital research organizations.

Bill· SS. 1002 (106th)referred

Medicare Psychiatric Hospital Prospective Payment System Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1999

Medicare Psychiatric Hospital Prospective Payment System Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for a prospective payment system for inpatient psychiatric facility hospital services; and (2) exempt such services from certain reductions under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA'97), and, instead, limit payment to not less than a certain applicable percentage of the amount that would have been paid if such reductions did not apply. Provides that the amendments made by this Act shall apply as if included in the enactment of BBA '97.

Bill· SS. 968 (106th)open

Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1999

Alternative Water Sources Act of 1999 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to develop alternative water source projects to State, interstate, and intrastate water resource development agencies, local government agencies, private utilities, and nonprofit entities that have authority under State law to provide water or develop water resources for municipal, industrial, or agricultural uses in areas experiencing critical water supply needs. Permits grants to be used only to carry out projects designed to meet critical water supply needs. Prohibits grants for projects located in States or areas that are referred to in specified Federal reclamation law and are within the geographic scope of the reclamation and reuse program established under the Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act. Makes projects funded under this Act ineligible for funds under any other Federal program. Limits the Federal cost share of projects funded under this Act to 50 percent. Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on progress made toward meeting the critical water supply needs of grant recipients. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 941 (106th)open

Conquering Pain Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Response to the Public Health Crisis of Pain Title II: Developing Community Resources Title III: Reimbursement Barriers Title IV: Improving Federal Coordination of Policy, Research, and Information Title V: Demonstration Projects Conquering Pain Act of 1999 - Title I: Emergency Response to the Public Health Crisis of Pain - Requires development and maintenance of an Internet website on evidence-based practice guidelines for pain treatment. (Sec. 102) Requires the Medicare and Medicaid programs (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act), programs through the Public Health Service Act, programs through the Indian Health Service, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), and other programs administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, where relevant, to inform individuals that they should expect to have their pain managed under such programs. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to provide funds for implementation of special education projects carried out by peer review organizations to improve the quality of pain and symptom management. (Sec. 105) Amends Medicare provisions relating to the Medicare+Choice program to provide for dissemination to Medicare beneficiaries and prospective beneficiaries of information about an organization's coverage, and an evaluation of plan performance and quality, regarding pain and symptom management. Directs the Secretary to determine how to include measurements of pain and symptom management in Medicare, Medicaid, and other appropriate Federal programs. (Sec. 106) Mandates a report by the Surgeon General to appropriate congressional committees and the public on the state of pain and symptom management in the United States. Title II: Developing Community Resources - Mandates grants to health care provider training entities for the establishment of six National Family Support Networks in Pain and Symptom Management. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Reimbursement Barriers - Requires the existing Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) to study and report to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the way Medicare policies may limit pain and symptom management and palliative care services; (2) Medicare and Medicaid financial barriers to continuity of care and interdisciplinary or supportive care for chronic pain patients and those who are terminally ill; (3) reimbursement barriers in providing pain and symptom management through hospice care; (4) whether the Medicare reimbursement system provides providers incentives to delay informing terminally ill patients of hospice and palliative care availability; and (5) the impact of providing payments for drug therapy management services in pain and symptom management and palliative care. (Sec. 302) Requires the General Accounting Office to survey public and private health insurance providers and report to appropriate congressional committees on whether the insurers' reimbursement policies inhibit patient access to pain and symptom management. Title IV: Improving Federal Coordination of Policy, Research, and Information - Establishes the Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary, through a contract with the Institute of Medicine, to review research findings and report to appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the effects of controlled substance regulation on patient access to effective care; (2) factors that may contribute to the underuse of pain medications, including opioids; and (3) State legal and regulatory barriers that may impact patient access to medications for pain and symptom management. (Sec. 403) Mandates the convening of a national conference to discuss the translation of pain research into the delivery of health services, using unobligated amounts appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services. Title V: Demonstration Projects - Mandates grants to establish at least five demonstration projects on effective methods to measure improvement in the skills and knowledge of health care personnel in pain and symptom management. Authorizes appropriations.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 92 (106th)passed

Prostate Cancer Research Commitment Resolution of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1999

Prostate Cancer Research Commitment Resolution of 1999 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) finding treatment breakthroughs and a cure for prostate cancer should be made a national health priority; (2) significant increases in prostate cancer research funding, commensurate with the impact of the disease, should be made available at the National Institutes of Health and to the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program; and (3) these agencies should prioritize prostate cancer research that is directed toward innovative clinical and translational research projects in order that treatment breakthroughs can be more rapidly offered to patients.

Bill· SS. 915 (106th)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand and make permanent the medicare subvention demonstration project for military retirees and dependents

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999

Increases the number of authorized sites for the Medicare subvention demonstration project for certain Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents (a project established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act). Provides for the future repeal of the limitation on the number of such sites (thus allowing the project to be conducted at any site designed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Defense acting jointly). Makes the project permanent. Makes further changes regarding the project, permitting payment under it to be made on a fee-for-service basis for certain Medicare-eligible eligible military retirees and their dependents not enrolled in the project, and eliminating certain restrictive project participation policy. Applies to certain Medigap (Medicare supplemental health insurance policy) enrollees the same protections (prohibitions against issuer discrimination) as apply to enrollment (and termination of enrollment) with a Medicare+Choice organization in a Medicare+Choice plan under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice).

Bill· SS. 928 (106th)referred

Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999

Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit any physician from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother. Prescribes penalties. Defines a "partial birth abortion" as an abortion in which a person, deliberately and intentionally, partially vaginally delivers a living fetus before killing the fetus and completing the delivery. Authorizes the father, if married to the mother at the time of the abortion, and the maternal grandparents of the fetus, if the mother is under 18 years of age, to obtain specified relief in a civil action, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion. Authorizes a defendant accused of an offense under this Act to seek a hearing before the State Medical Board on whether the physician's conduct was necessary to save the life of the mother. Prohibits the prosecution of a woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed for conspiracy to violate this Act or under provisions regarding punishment as a principal or an accessory or for concealment of a felony.

Bill· SS. 881 (106th)open

Medical Information Protection Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Individual's Rights Subtitle A: Review of Protected Health Information by Subjects of the Information Subtitle B: Establishment of Safeguards Title II: Restrictions on Use and Disclosure Title III: Sanctions Subtitle A: Criminal Provisions Subtitle B: Civil Sanctions Title IV: Miscellaneous Medical Information Protection Act of 1999 - Title I: Individual's Rights - Subtitle A: Review of Protected Health Information by Subjects of the Information - Requires specified health entities in possession of protected health information to arrange (except in certain circumstances) for its inspection or copying upon the request of the individual subject of such information (subject individual). Prescribes procedures for: (1) notification upon request denial, including the reasons for such denial, and the concomitant review procedures; (2) requests by such individual to amend such information; and (3) conspicuous disclosure of such entities' confidentiality practices. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to develop model notices of confidentiality. Subtitle B: Establishment of Safeguards - Mandates: (1) administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for protected health information; (2) a record of any protected health information disclosures; and (3) identification of disclosed information as protected health information. Title II: Restrictions on Use and Disclosure - Prescribes guidelines for disclosure of protected health information with respect to: (1) authorizations for treatment, payment, and health care operations; (3) the individual's next of kin and directory information; (4) emergency circumstances; (5) certain oversight agencies; (6) public health authorities; (7) health researchers; (8) civil, judicial, and administrative procedures; (9) certain law enforcement procedures; (10) payment for health care through card or electronic means; (11) certain duly authorized representatives acting on behalf of a subject individual (including a deceased subject individual, and a minor); and (12) certain business sales, transfers, or mergers. (Sec. 213) Precludes permissible disclosures from liability. Title III: Sanctions - Subtitle A: Criminal Provisions - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties for knowingly and intentionally obtaining or disclosing protected health information in violation of title II of this Act. Subtitle B: Civil Sanctions - Establishes civil monetary penalties for substantial and material failure to comply with this Act. (Sec. 312) Prescribes a procedure for imposition and judicial review of such penalties. (Sec. 313) Grants exclusive enforcement authority to the insurance commissioner of the life insurer's domicile State. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Preempts, subject to exceptions, any State law relating to matters covered by this Act. (Sec. 401) Authorizes the Secretaries of Defense and of Transportation to establish exceptions to the disclosure requirements of this Act with respect to Department of Defense and Coast Guard personnel, respectively, pursuant to the Secretaries' determination that exceptions are necessary for national defense purposes. (Sec. 403) Directs the National Research Council, in conjunction with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, to study and report to the Congress on research issues relating to protected health information.

Bill· SS. 892 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the subpart F exemption for active financing income.

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to taxation of U.S. shareholders of controlled foreign corporations, to permanently extend the subpart F exemption (which excludes such income from the shareholder's foreign personal holding company income) for active financing (banking, financing, or similar business) income earned on business operations overseas. (Thus permits American financial services firms doing business abroad to defer U.S. tax on their earnings from their foreign financial services operations until such earnings are returned to the U.S. parent company.)

Bill· SS. 878 (106th)open

A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to permit grants for the national estuary program to be used for the development and implementation of a comprehensive conservation and management plan, to reauthorize appropriations to carry out the program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999

Amends the Clean Water Act to require grants made under the National Estuary Program to be used for assisting activities necessary for the development and implementation of conservation and management plans (currently, for research and other technical work necessary for the development of such plans). Reauthorizes appropriations for the Program for FY 2000 through 2004.

Bill· SS. 879 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a shorter recovery period for the depreciation of certain lease hold improvements

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce from 39 years (life of the building) to ten years the recovery period for the depreciation (by straight line method) of any qualified leasehold improvement to an interior portion of a building which is nonresidential real property if: (1) such improvement is made under or pursuant to a lease (including a commitment to lease) by the lessee (or any sublessee) or the lessor of such portion; (2) such portion is to be occupied exclusively by the lessee (or any sublessee); and (3) such improvement is placed in service more than three years after the date the building was first placed in service. Excludes from the meaning of qualified leasehold improvement any improvement for which the expenditure is attributable to: (1) enlargement of the building; (2) any elevator or escalator; (3) any structural component benefitting a common area; and (4) the internal structural framework of the building.

Bill· SS. 875 (106th)referred

Small Business and Financial Institutions Tax Relief Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999

Small Business and Financial Institutions Tax Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to subchapter S corporations (small businesses which do not pay corporate income taxes, and whose earnings are passed through to the shareholders where income taxes are paid) and subchapter C corporations (which do pay corporate income taxes on earnings, and whose shareholders pay income taxes again on those same earnings when they pass through as dividends). (Sec. 2) Permits S corporation eligible shareholders to include individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Exempts from prohibited transaction rules any sale of stock in an IRA pursuant to a small business corporation's election to be an S corporation. (Sec. 3) Excludes from the definition of passive income for purposes of S status termination any interest income earned by or dividends on assets required to be held by a bank, a bank holding company, or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary bank. (Sec. 4) Increases from 75 to 150 the maximum number of shareholders a small business organization may have to be eligible to elect S corporation treatment. (Sec. 5) States that stock held by a bank director as required by banking regulations (director qualifying stock) shall not be considered a disqualifying second class of S corporation stock. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify a certain regulation to permit an S corporation bank to treat certain bad debt deductions as built-in losses during the entire period during which the bank recognized built-in gains from changing its accounting method for recognizing bad debts from the reserve method to the charge-off method. (Sec. 7) Includes all banks within the three-year deduction preference rule. (Sec. 8) Repeals the current requirement that partnership rules apply to S corporations (and two- percent shareholders in such corporations) for fringe benefit purposes. Applies current special corporation) rules for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to two-percent shareholders in S corporations, except that a two-percent shareholder's wages shall be treated as self-employed earned income. (Thus provides that non-health care related fringe benefits such as group-term life insurance will be excludible from such wages, and not taxed.) (Sec. 9) Makes family limited partnerships eligible to be S corporation shareholders. (Sec. 10) Permits the issuance of qualified preferred stock, which shall not be treated as second class stock. Makes any distribution (not in payment in exchange for stock) made by an S corporation with respect to qualified preferred stock includible as ordinary income of the holder and deductible to the corporation as an expense. (Sec. 11) Reduces from 100 percent to 90 percent the percentage of shares held by shareholders necessary for consent to election by a small business organization to be an S corporation. Prescribes rules for such consent. (Sec. 12) Revises exceptions to the criteria for the treatment of certain wholly owned subchapter S subsidiaries with reference to required information returns.

Bill· SS. 868 (106th)open

Forestry Initiative to Restore the Environment Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999

Forestry Initiative to Restore the Environment Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to conduct a forestry insurance pilot program (in at least four States) with an emphasis on small, nonindustrial owners and operators of private forest land. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 with respect to the forestry incentives program to: (1) include seedling production as a program purpose; (2) provide grants for fire prevention burning on private land; and (3) authorize specified permanent appropriations.

Bill· SS. 860 (106th)referred

Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999

Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1999 - Requires country of origin labeling of perishable agricultural commodities imported into the United States. Authorizes fines for violations of such provision.

Law· SS. 835 (106th)enacted

Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1999

Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999 - Establishes the Estuary Habitat Restoration Collaborative Council, to be composed of specified Federal officials. Directs the Council to develop an estuary habitat restoration strategy to ensure a comprehensive approach to the selection and prioritization of estuary habitat restoration projects and the coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities related to such restoration. Sets forth factors to be considered by the Council in determining project assistance eligibility. Grants a restoration project a higher priority for funding if it meets selection criteria and: (1) it is part of an approved Federal estuary management or habitat restoration plan; (2) the non-Federal share of the project exceeds 50 percent; or (3) there is a program within the project watershed that addresses sources of water pollution that would otherwise re-impair the restored habitat. Permits the Council to pay up to 25 percent of the cost of interim actions of restoration activity, pending completion of the strategy. Prohibits selection of a project until non-Federal interests have entered into specified written cooperation agreements. Requires such agreements to provide for project maintenance and monitoring. Authorizes appropriations for the Council. Requires non-Federal applicants for assistance to demonstrate that a project meets this title's requirements and criteria established by the Council. Limits the Federal share of assistance to 65 percent of a project's cost. Directs the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce to maintain a database of information on projects funded under this title. Makes certain funds provided under the Water Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1996 available to States and non-Federal persons in carrying out interim actions or projects under this title. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to permit certain grants for the development of estuary conservation and management plans to be used for the implementation of plans as well. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Estuary Program through FY 2001. Requires the Secretary of the Army to give estuary habitat restoration projects the same consideration as irrigation, navigation, or flood control projects and to establish such restoration as a primary mission of the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such projects. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress and the Secretary on the extent to which the Council needs additional personnel and administrative resources to carry out this title, including recommendations for necessary additional funding.

Bill· SS. 834 (106th)referred

Iran Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1999

Iran Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to withhold U.S. voluntary contributions from programs and projects of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Iran unless the Secretary of State makes a determination in writing to certain congressional committees that such programs and projects are consistent with U.S. nuclear nonproliferation and safety goals, will not provide Iran with training or expertise relevant to nuclear programs' development, and are not being used as a cover for the acquisition of sensitive nuclear technology. Instructs the Secretary to review and report to Congress annually for five years on all Agency programs and projects in specified countries to determine if they are consistent with U.S. nuclear nonproliferation and safety goals. Requires the Secretary to direct the U.S. representative to the Agency to oppose Agency programs determined inconsistent with U.S. nuclear nonproliferation and safety goals. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress for five years on specified aspects of annual Agency assistance to Iran, including nuclear materials technology transfer, and inconsistencies between Agency technical assistance programs and U.S. nuclear nonproliferation and safety goals. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should pursue internal Agency reforms that will ensure that all programs funded under the Technical Cooperation and Assistance Fund are compatible with U.S. nuclear nonproliferation policy and international nuclear nonproliferation norms.

Bill· SS. 819 (106th)open

National Park Preservation Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999

National Park Preservation Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to deposit in a separate account of the Treasury of $500 million in Outer Continental Shelf revenues from oil and natural gas production during each fiscal year, which shall, without further Act of appropriation, be available to the Secretary in subsequent fiscal years until expended. Makes such funds available for expenditure in units of the National Park System (NPS) that have ecosystems, critical habitat, cultural resources, or other core park resources that are threatened or impaired. Allocates 30 percent of funds to NPS units threatened or impaired by activities occurring inside the unit, and 70 percent to units threatened or impaired by activities occurring outside the unit. Specifies an annual amount for FY 2000 through 2015 for the Federal share (50 percent) of the Everglades and South Florida ecosystem restoration project under the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. Prohibits from deposit in the separate account any revenues from any new oil and gas leases, or from development of any existing leases in a moratorium area.

Bill· SS. 820 (106th)referred

Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999

Transportation Tax Equity and Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 4.3-cent motor fuel excise taxes on railroads and inland waterway transportation which remain in the general fund of the Treasury.

Law· SS. 800 (106th)enacted

Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and any agency or entity to which the FCC delegates such authority to designate 911 as the universal emergency telephone number within the United States for reporting an emergency to appropriate authorities and requesting assistance. Applies such designation to both wireline and wireless telephone service. Directs the FCC to provide appropriate transition periods for areas in which 911 is not currently an emergency number. Requires the FCC to encourage and support efforts by States to deploy comprehensive end-to-end emergency communications infrastructure and programs based on coordinated statewide plans. Requires appropriate consultation with regard to such deployment. Provides immunity from liability, to the same extent as provided to local telephone exchange companies, for providers of wireless 911 service. Provides immunity for users of wireless 911 service to the same extent as provided to users of 911 service that is not wireless. Provides immunity for public safety answering points (emergency dispatchers). Authorizes telecommunications carriers to provide call location information concerning a user of a commercial mobile service to: (1) emergency dispatchers and emergency service personnel in order to respond to the user's call; (2) the user's legal guardian or family member in an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm; or (3) providers of information or data base management services solely for assisting in the delivery of emergency services. Requires a customer's express prior authorization for disclosure to any other person. Requires telephone exchange service providers to provide both listed and unlisted subscriber information to providers of emergency and emergency support services.

Bill· SS. 789 (106th)referred

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize payment of special compensation to certain severely disabled uniformed services retirees.

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999

Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay monthly special compensation to severely disabled military retirees as follows: (1) $300 for those with disabilities rated as total; (2) $200 for those with disabilities rated at 90 percent; and (3) $100 for those with disabilities rated at 70 or 80 percent. Requires such retirees to have completed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service and to have a service-connected disability.

Bill· SS. 784 (106th)referred

Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999

Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project which provides for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who are enrolled in an approved clinical trial program, while still applying the beneficiary cost sharing provisions of such program to project participants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact on Medicare of covering such costs as well as the cost of extending routine patient care coverage to Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis other than cancer.

Bill· SS. 763 (106th)referred

SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1999

SBP Benefits Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal provisions concerning the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to adjust the basic SBP annuity amount for surviving spouses age 62 or over of former military personnel to: (1) 35 percent of the retired pay of the decedent, for months beginning on or before the enactment of this Act (current law); (2) 40 percent of such pay, for months beginning after the date of enactment of this Act until October 2004; and (3) 45 percent of such pay, for months beginning on or after October 2004. Adjusts similarly the authorized percentage amounts of SBP supplemental annuity authorized to be provided for such surviving spouses. Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate adjustments in the computation of retired pay reductions for such supplemental annuities made necessary by this Act.

Bill· SS. 758 (106th)open

Fairness in Asbestos Compensation Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Asbestos Resolution Corporation Title II: Medical Eligibility Determinations Title III: Alternative Dispute Resolution Title IV: Civil Actions Title V: Rules Applicable to Arbitrations and Civil Actions Title VI: Funding Title VII: Applicability; Pending Civil Actions Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Fairness in Asbestos Compensation Act of 1999 - Title I: Asbestos Resolution Corporation - Establishes the Asbestos Resolution Corporation which shall: (1) have exclusive authority to adopt rules for cost recovery, physician qualifications, alternative dispute resolution, exceptional medical cases, and disease eligibility; and (2) appoint a Medical Advisory Board. Title II: Medical Eligibility Determinations - Sets forth claimant medical eligibility determination criteria for: (1) nonmalignant conditions; (2) mesothelioma; (3) lung cancer; and (4) other cancer. (Sec. 205) Sets forth procedures for Corporation determination of a claimant's certificate of medical eligibility. (Sec. 206) Directs the Corporation to establish one or more exceptional medical claims panels. Sets forth application and acceptance provisions. (Sec. 207) Provides for: (1) confidentiality; and (2) U.S. district court review of Corporation determinations of eligibility. Title III: Alternative Dispute Resolution - Directs the Board to establish procedural rules for an alternative dispute resolution process. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) motions officers; (2) respondent notification; (3) additional respondents; (4) grace period; (5) mediation and arbitration; and (6) subpoena powers. Title IV: Civil Actions - Prohibits: (1) a civil asbestos action unless the plaintiff has obtained a certificate of medical eligibility and release from mediation; and (2) a class action or other collective action without the consent of each defendant. (Sec. 404) Requires a penalty for a final offer made by a respondent in mediation if such offer is below a certain amount assigned by the jury or fact-finder. Title V: Rules Applicable to Arbitrations and Civil Actions - Sets forth arbitration and civil action rules with respect to: (1) issues to be decided; (2) relief; (3) timeliness defenses; (4) attorney's fees; and (5) nonpreclusion of nonmalignant claims upon subsequent malignancy claims. Title VI : Funding - Directs the Corporation to estimate its annual medical review and administrative and overhead costs and allocate proportionate cost shares among the previous year's respondents. Provides monetary penalties for noncooperation with the Corporation. (Sec. 602) Provides for mediation and arbitration costs to be charged on a per capita basis to participating respondents. (Sec. 603) Directs the Corporation to establish procedures for informal resolution of cost assessment disputes. Provides for U.S. district court review of cost assessment disputes. (Sec. 606) Establishes the Asbestos Resolution Corporation Trust Fund and transfers to it amounts received under this title and other amounts. Authorizes obligation of Fund amounts consistent with this Act, to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Title VII: Applicability; Pending Civil Actions - Makes this Act applicable to any civil asbestos action that has not resulted in a final, nonappealable judgment, with specified conditions applicable to pending civil actions. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines specified terms. (Sec. 803) Makes this Act inapplicable to existing asbestos trusts, with an elective trust exception. (Sec. 804) States that nothing in this Act shall prohibit a claimant from entering into a settlement agreement concerning a claim covered under this Act.

Bill· SS. 741 (106th)open

Pension Coverage and Portability Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Expanding Coverage for Small Business Title II: Increasing Pension Access and Fairness for Women Title III: Increasing Portability of Pension Plans Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement Title V: Encouraging Retirement Education Title VI: Reducing Red Tape Title VII: Plan Amendments Pension Coverage and Portability Act - Title I: Expanding Coverage for Small Business - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise requirements relating to pension plan loans for Subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors. (Sec. 102) Allows an employer to establish payroll deductions for contributions to employee individual retirement plans without incurring ERISA liability. (Sec. 103) Amends the IRC to allow an eligible employer to establish and maintain a SAFE annuity (an individual retirement annuity) or a SAFE trust (a trust forming part of a defined benefit plan), both to be funded by the employer. Makes the employer contributions deductible without limitation and otherwise provides for the treatment of contributions and distributions. Mandates a penalty for early withdrawals. Requires simplified employer reports for SAFE annuities and simplified actuarial reports for SAFE trusts. Amends the ERISA to exempt SAFE trusts from coverage requirements and SAFE annuities from certain employer reporting requirements. (Sec. 104) Amends the IRC to modify definitions applicable to special rules for top-heavy plans. Requires consideration of employer matching contributions in determining whether a defined contribution plan meets minimum contribution requirements. Exempts frozen plans from a minimum benefit requirement. Provides an alternative test for top-heavy plans. (Sec. 105) Allows employers to elect salary reduction only arrangements under IRC requirements for simple plans. (Sec. 106) Establishes a small employer pension plan credit. (Sec. 107) Increases (from $6,000 to $8,000) limits for deferrals to simple plans. (Sec. 108) Amends ERISA to provide for a phase-in of an additional premium for new plans to pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). (Sec. 109) Provides for a reduced PBGC premium for new plans of small employers. (Sec. 110) Eliminates user fee requirements for requests to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the status of pension plans. (Sec. 111) Declares the $150,000 compensation limit inapplicable to simple 401(k) arrangements. (Sec. 112) Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. (Sec. 113) Repeals specified coordination requirements under the IRC for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. Title II: Increasing Pension Access and Fairness for Women - Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Requires that certain contributions by church plans are not to be treated as exceeding a specified limit. Sets forth special rules for annuity contracts and simplified pensions. (Sec. 202) Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under IRC and ERISA. (Sec. 203) Amends Federal civil service law to revise requirements for deferred annuities for surviving spouses of Federal employees under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). (Sec. 204) Revises IRC requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. (Sec. 205) Amends the IRC and ERISA to provide for the spouse's right to know specified distribution information relating to survivor annuities. (Sec. 206) Revises minimum distribution rules under IRC. Revises requirements for actuarial adjustment of benefit under a defined benefit plan. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) simplify and finalize the regulations relating to minimum distribution requirements; and (2) modify such regulations to reflect increases in life expectancy, and revise required distribution methods so that, under reasonable assumptions, the amount of the required minimum distribution does not decrease over a participant's life expectancy. Provides that, during the first year that such revised regulations are in effect, required distributions for future years may be redetermined, with the opportunity to choose a new designated beneficiary and to elect a new method of calculating life expectancy. Excludes specified amounts from minimum distribution requirements. Repeals a rule relating to distributions begun before death occurs. (Sec. 207) Directs the Secretary to revise regulations relating to safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from cash or deferred arrangements. Title III: Increasing Portability of Pension Plans - Permits rollovers from and to various types of plans under the IRC. (Sec. 302) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers into workplace retirement plans only if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 303) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust under specified conditions. Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. (Sec. 304) Revises restrictions on distributions from defined contribution plans, including the same desk exception. Repeals business sale requirements. (Sec. 305) Provides that a transferee defined contribution plan shall not be treated as having failed to meet certain requirements because it does not provide for some or all of the distribution forms previously available under a transferor defined contribution plan. (Sec. 306) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. (Sec. 307) Authorizes employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of employee cash-out amounts under the IRC and ERISA. Title IV: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Amends the IRC and ERISA to revise the percentage of current liability funding limit. Revises maximum contribution deduction rules and applies them to all defined benefit plan under the IRC. (Sec. 402) Increases dollar limits for employer-sponsored retirement plans. (Sec. 403) Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. (Sec. 404) Amends ERISA to direct the PBGC to prescribe rules relating to missing participants for multiemployer plans covered by the PBGC that terminate. (Sec. 405) Amends ERISA to make discretionary the imposition and amount of civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibility. Revises requirements for the applicable recovery amount and related rules. (Sec. 406) Amends the IRC to allow an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent that they exceed the full-funding limitation. (Sec. 407) Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 408) Bars the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury from litigating any claim against a person under specified ERISA provisions if: (1) an action against that person with respect to the same plan is resolved by a court-approved settlement; (2) such proposed settlement is served upon the Secretaries at least 90 days before entry of final judgment approving the settlement; and (3) such claim was or could have been brought in such action. Title V: Encouraging Retirement Education - Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Allows written or electronic statements. Requires multiemployer plans to furnish a statement (written or electronic) on request. (Sec. 502) Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to prepare a plan to: (1) increase awareness of retirement benefits;(2) update small business owners concerning such benefits; and (3) post information on the Internet on types of retirement benefit plans and other options. (Sec. 503) Treats the provision of certain retirement planning services by an employer to an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit to the extent it is not treated as a working condition fringe. Prohibits including an amount in an employee's gross income solely because the employee may choose between any retirement planning fringe and compensation otherwise includible in gross income, providing such choices are available in a way that does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees. Title VI: Reducing Red Tape - Amends the IRC and ERISA to revise requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. (Sec. 602) Amends ERISA rules for substantial owners relating to plan terminations to revise: (1) the phase-in of the guarantee; and (2) the allocation of assets. (Sec. 603) Amends IRC requirements for applicable dividends to allow dividends of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. (Sec. 604) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify the regulations regarding the exclusion allowance to render void the requirement that contributions to a defined benefit pension plan be treated as previously excluded amounts. (Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to provide by regulation that a plan shall be deemed to satisfy specified requirements of the IRC if it satisfies a certain facts and circumstances test, under specified conditions. (Sec. 606) Grants the Secretary discretion in applying a specified coverage test to a plan. (Sec. 607) Makes inapplicable to certain mirror plans specified IRC requirements relating to deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 608) Revises the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations under the IRC to provide that the description of a participant's right, if any, to defer receipt of a distribution shall also describe the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 609) Sets forth conforming amendments relating to election to receive taxable cash compensation in lieu of nontaxable transportation fringe benefits. (Sec. 610) Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. (Sec. 611) Extends to international organizations the moratorium on application of certain nondiscrimination rules applicable to State and local plans. (Sec. 612) Revises ERISA requirements for annual report dissemination. (Sec. 613) Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities under the IRC. (Sec. 614) Repeals a multiple use test. Directs the Secretary prescribe regulations permitting appropriate aggregation of plans and contributions. Title VII: Plan Amendments - Prescribes requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments under the IRC and ERISA.

Bill· SS. 745 (106th)referred

Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Border Improvement and Immigration Act of 1999 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to the automated entry-exit control system to exempt from required recordkeeping: (1) land border crossings and seaports; and (2) permanent resident and certain other aliens. (Sec. 3) Requires the Attorney General to report: (1) on the feasibility of implementing an automated entry-exit control system that would include land border and seaport arrivals and departures; and (2) annually on the development status of the automated entry-exit control system, and on visa overstays identified through such system. Requires integration of overstay information into Department of State and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) databases. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for INS and United States Customs Service border control and enforcement activities. Sets forth specified set-asides. Authorizes: (1) use of equipment funds for new technologies; and (2) transfer up to ten percent of specified set-asides for other equipment uses. Sets aside specified funds for peak hours and investigative resource enhancement. Provides for increased numbers of full-time INS and Customs inspectors at U.S. land borders.

Bill· SS. 692 (106th)referred

Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person engaged in a gambling business to use the Internet or any other interactive computer service (service) to: (1) place, receive, or otherwise make a bet or wager; or (2) send, receive, or invite information assisting in the placing of a bet or wager. Prescribes penalties. Lists exceptions to such prohibition, including certain State and multi-State lotteries and authorized horse racing. Grants the district courts original and exclusive jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the United States or a State attorney general to institute such proceedings. Exempts from liability under this Act any service provider who, after being properly notified by a Federal or State law enforcement agency that a particular online site of such provider is being used to violate this Act, removes or disables access to such site. Authorizes alternative injunctive relief against such a provider, under certain limitations and considerations. Preempts applicable State law. Directs the Attorney General to submit to Congress: (1) an analysis of the problems associated with enforcing this Act; (2) recommendations for the best use of Department of Justice resources for enforcement; and (3) an estimate of the amount of activity and money being used to gamble on the Internet.

Bill· SS. 676 (106th)referred

A bill to locate and secure the return of Zachary Baumel, a citizen of the United States, and other Israeli soldiers missing in action.

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1999

Requires the Secretary of State to raise the matter of Zachary Baumel (a U.S. citizen), Yehuda Katz, and Zvi Feldman with the appropriate government officials of Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and with other governments in the region and elsewhere which in the Department's view may be helpful in locating and securing the return of these soldiers. Urges decisions with regard to U.S. economic and other forms of assistance to such countries and U.S. policy towards these governments and authorities to take into consideration their willingness to assist in locating and securing the return of such soldiers. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on her consultations with the appropriate governments and any changes in U.S. policies.