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Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]

Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]

United States · Official source

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5,925 records where Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SS. 859 (106th)referred

National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1999

National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1999 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, wine coolers, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of ten cents. Provides for the adjustment for inflation of the refund amount at ten-year intervals. Requires: (1) distributors to collect from retailers the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers; and (2) retailers to collect from consumers the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires retailers and distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands (in the same kind and size of container) sold. Directs distributors to pay annually to a State unclaimed refund amounts (the amount by which the total refund value of all containers sold by distributors exceeds the amount paid by distributors to persons in that State). Makes unclaimed refunds available to a State for carrying out pollution prevention and recycling programs. Prohibits distributors and retailers from: (1) selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings; and (2) disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. Makes this Act inapplicable to States that have adopted requirements similar to those under this Act or that have demonstrated achievement of a recycling or reuse rate for beverage containers of at least 70 percent. Prohibits States or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Bill· SS. 824 (106th)open

Comprehensive School Improvement and Accountability Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Voluntary State Reform Incentive Grants Title II: Ensuring that Children Begin School Ready to Learn Title III: Excellent Principals Challenge Grant Title IV: Second Chance Programs for Disruptive or Violent Students Title V: Teacher Quality and Training Title VI: Investment in Community-Based Schools and Community Service Title VII: Encouraging Public School Choice Comprehensive School Improvement and Accountability Act of 1999 - Sets forth eligibility requirements for States and local educational agencies (LEAs) to receive assistance under specified titles of this Act and under specified parts, added by this Act, of title XIII (Support and Assistance Programs to Improve Education) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). (Sec. 3) Requires a State educational agency (SEA), consortium of SEAs, or State to: (1) specify to the Secretary of Education how receipt of Federal funds will lead to school improvements, such as increasing student academic achievement, reducing out-of-field teacher placements, increasing teacher retention, and reducing the number of emergency teaching certificates; (2) conduct an annual evaluation to determine whether or not such improvements have occurred; (3) if the improvements have not occurred, specify to the Secretary what steps will be taken in the future to ensure the improvements; and (4) cover administrative expenses of the assisted activities. Requires LEAs, in order to be eligible for such funds, to: (1) serve low-achieving students as measured by low graduation rates or low scores on assessment exams; (2) have a low teacher retention rate in their schools; (3) have a high rate of out-of-field placement of teachers in their schools; and (4) have a shortage of teachers of mathematics or physical science in their schools. Title I: Voluntary State Reform Incentive Grants - Directs the Secretary to award grants to SEAs to enable the States to provide for comprehensive school reforms. (Sec. 101) Requires SEAs to use such funds to award competitive grants to LEAs to provide funds to schools to carry out activities relating to comprehensive school reform, including: (1) professional development and training of teachers, administrators, staff and parents; (2) use of expert technical assistance; (3) instructional materials development and acquisition; and (4) parent and community outreach programs. Sets forth requirements for: (1) components of a comprehensive school reform program; (2) State and local grant applications; (3) non-Federal matching funds. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 to carry out this title. Directs the Secretary to reserve one percent of such funds for each fiscal year for schools that receive funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (Sec. 102) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for ESEA title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards). Increases the amount of such funding for each fiscal year from FY 2000 through 2004. Title II: Ensuring that Children Begin School Ready to Learn - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to eligible States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of enabling the States to make grants to local collaboratives for young child assistance activities. (Sec. 202) Bases such allotment amounts on the relative total numbers of young children in poverty in the eligible States. Requires a State Governor, in order for a State to be eligible for such an allotment, to establish or designate a State Early Learning Coordinating Board to receive the allotment and make such grants. (Sec. 203) Requires such State boards to use the Federal allotment and the State contribution to make competitive grants to local collaboratives to carry out young child assistance activities. Requires local collaboratives to use such grant funds to provide, in their communities, education and supportive services, such as: (1) home visits for parents of young children; (2) services provided through community-based family resource centers for such parents; and (3) collaborative pre-school efforts that link parenting education for such parents to early childhood learning services for young children. Allows local collaboratives to use such funds also for: (1) activities designed to strengthen the quality of child care for young children and expand the supply of high quality child care services for young children; (2) health care services for young children, including immunization, preventive health care screening and education, and expanding health care services in schools, child care facilities, clinics in public housing projects, and mobile dental and vision clinics; (3) services for young children with disabilities; (4) assistance to schools in providing educational and other support services to young children and their parents of young children to be carried out in the community during extended hours when appropriate; and (5) payment for the administrator's salary and expenses. Allows multiyear grants to successful local collaboratives. Sets forth eligibility demonstration, grant application, and local share requirements for local collaboratives. Requires State boards to: (1) ensure that at least 60 percent of the funds made available through each grant is used to provide the specified assistance activities to young children and their parents who reside in school districts in which half or more of the students receive free or reduced price lunches under the National School Lunch Act; and (2) monitor local collaborative activities to ensure compliance with grant requirements. (Sec. 204) Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004. Title III: Excellent Principals Challenge Grant - Directs the Secretary to award grants to eligible SEAs or SEA consortia to enable them to award subgrants to LEAs for professional development services for public elementary school and secondary school principals to enhance their leadership skills. Requires criteria for such grant awards to include: (1) the quality of the proposed use of the grant funds; and (2) the educational need of the State or States. (Sec. 301) Sets forth requirements for SEA or consortium eligibility, applications, and matching funds. Requires grant funds to be used for training and other activities to increase the leadership and other skills of principals. Allows such activities to include ones to: (1) enhance and develop school management and business skills; (2) provide principals with knowledge of effective instructional skills and practices and comprehensive whole-school approaches and programs; (3) improve understanding of the effective uses of educational technology; (4) provide training in effective, fair evaluation of school staff; and (5) improve knowledge of State content and performance standards. Authorizes the Secretary to develop model national programs to provide such activities to principals. Requires the Secretary to appoint a commission to examine existing professional development programs and to report on the best practices to help principals in multiple education environments across the United States. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004. Title IV: Second Chance Programs for Disruptive or Violent Students - Amends ESEA title XIII (Support and Assistance Programs to Improve Education) to establish a new part E, Second Chance Programs for Disruptive or Violent Students. (Sec. 401) Directs the Secretary to make grants to SEAs to enable them to provide financial assistance to LEAs for programs or projects designed to meet the educational needs of violent or disruptive students, including the training of school personnel in the education of such students. Sets forth requirements for: (1) State and local applications; (2) use of funds; (3) local eligibility based on enactment and implementation of a specified type of discipline code; and (3) relative amount of each State grant. Provides that nothing in such part E shall be construed to: (1) prohibit a funds recipient from serving disruptive or violent students simultaneously with students with similar educational needs, in the same educational settings where appropriate; or (2) restrict or eliminate any protection provided for in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act with respect to students with disabilities. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004. Title V: Teacher Quality and Training - Amends ESEA title XIII to establish a new part F, Increasing Salaries for Teachers. (Sec. 501) Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible SEAs to enable them to increase the salaries of teachers in elementary schools and secondary schools. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible States to provide incentives, such as signing bonuses, to encourage individuals to accept employment as teachers in elementary schools and secondary schools that are served by LEAs that meet specified eligibility requirements under this Act. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 to carry out such teacher salary increase and signing bonus grant programs. (Sec. 502) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to add a new subpart 9, Scholarships for Future Teachers, to title IV (Student Assistance) part A (Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to award scholarships to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and make a commitment to become State certified teachers for a five-year period in elementary schools or secondary schools served by LEAs that meet specified eligibility requirements. Requires such scholarships to be awarded for between one and four years during the first four years of study at any institution of higher education eligible to participate in any program assisted under ESEA title IV. Gives the administering SEA discretion to determine the period of the award within such specified limits. Allows a student awarded such a scholarship to attend any institution of higher education. Sets forth requirements for allocation of grant amounts among States, agreements between the Secretary and participating States, eligibility and selection of scholars, scholarship conditions, recruitment, and information. Authorizes and makes appropriations to carry out such grants program for scholarships for future teachers. (Sec. 503) Amends HEA title II (Academic Libraries and Information Services) to revise and extend the authorization of appropriations for such title. (Sec. 504) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for, and revises, HEA title IV provisions for loan forgiveness and cancellation for teachers under the Federal Stafford loans and the direct loan programs. (Sec. 505) Includes teacher mentoring programs among authorized uses of teacher quality enhancement grants to States and partnerships. (Sec. 506) Adds teacher technology training as a focal point or authorized activity under various ESEA title I and II programs, including school improvement, professional development, national teacher training project, local plans for improving teaching and learning, and certain higher education activities. Title VI: Investment in Community-Based Schools and Community Service - Amends ESEA title X (Programs of National Significance) part I (21st Century Community Learning Centers) (also known as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act) to add to the list of activities from which grant uses must be chosen: (1) mentoring programs; (2) academic assistance; and (3) drug, alcohol, and gang prevention activities. Extends through FY 2004, and increases the amount of, the authorization of appropriations for such Centers programs. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to award grants to SEAs for programs to help students meet State secondary education graduation requirements relating to community service. Sets forth requirements for use of funds and for matching funds. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for such grants program. Title VII: Expanding National Board Certification Program for Teachers - Directs the Secretary to award grants to States to provide subsidies to elementary and secondary school teachers who enroll in the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 200 through 2004 for such program. Title VIII: Encouraging Public School Choice - Directs the Secretary to award grants to States to implement statewide public school choice programs, under which elementary and secondary school students who attend a school that meets specified eligibility requirements may enroll in any public school of their choice. Allows such grants to be used also: (1) to improve low-performing school districts that lose students as a result of such program; and (2) for other activities the State determines appropriate. Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for such program.

Bill· SS. 805 (106th)referred

Children's Asthma Relief Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999

Children's Asthma Relief Act of 1999 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish an asthma treatment grants program providing comprehensive asthma services for children and other individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage States to implement plans to carry out activities to assist children with respect to asthma in accordance with the guidelines of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Institute). Provides that if a State CHIP plan under SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) provides for such activities to the Secretary's satisfaction, the Secretary shall make a grant to assist the State in carrying them out. Sets forth certain matching funds requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to include, within the preventive health and health services block grant, any systems for reducing asthma and asthma-related illnesses, especially with regard to children, through urban cockroach pest management in public facilities that minimizes or avoids chemical pesticides through a combination of appropriate practices involving the maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring of such sites. Directs the Institute Director to: (1) identify all Federal programs carrying out asthma-related activities; (2) develop a Federal plan for responding to asthma; and (3) submit recommendations to Congress on ways to strengthen and to improve the coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to: (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (2) compile and publish annually data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State, and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally and in each State.

Law· SS. 791 (106th)enacted

Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999 - Amends the Small Business Act, with respect to the women's business center program, to allow a private organization that has received financial assistance under the program and that is either in the final year of a five-year project or has completed the project to apply for assistance for an additional five-year period. Requires such organizations to agree to obtain matching cash contributions from non-Federal sources. Extends through FY 2001 the authorization for the program, allowing no more than 40 percent of such amounts to be used for providing such additional assistance.

Bill· SS. 794 (106th)open

Hospital Length of Stay Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Hospital Length of Stay Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require that group and individual health insurance coverage, as well as Medicare supplemental insurance policies and managed care plans under Medicare and Medicaid, provide coverage for hospital lengths of stay as determined by the attending health care provider in consultation with the patient. Applies these requirements also to care provided under: (1) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; (2) programs of medical care for members and certain former members of the uniformed services and their dependents; (3) veterans' hospital care provisions; (4) the State Children's Health Insurance Program under title XXI of the Social Security Act; (5) Indian Health Service and tribal organization programs; and (6) provisions for health care of Peace Corps volunteers.

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. 786 (106th)referred

Social Security Family Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1999

Social Security Family Protection Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that, if an OASDI recipient dies during the first 15 days of a month, the OASDI benefit for that month shall be reduced by 50 percent.

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. 725 (106th)open

Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to provide grants for the conservation of coral reefs. Limits the Federal share to 50 percent of the total cost of any coral conservation project. Authorizes waivers. Allows any relevant natural resource management authority of a State or U.S. territory or other government authority with jurisdiction over coral reefs or whose activities affect coral reefs, or educational or non-governmental institutions with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of coral reefs, to submit to the Administrator a coral conservation proposal. Requires the Administrator to ensure that funding for grants awarded is distributed in following manner: (1) no less than 40 percent of available funds shall be awarded for coral conservation projects in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Carribean Sea; and (2) remaining funds shall be awarded for projects that address emerging priorities or threats identified in consultation with the Coral Reef Task Force. Sets forth proposal review guidelines, project approval criteria, and grantee reporting requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to consult with the Task Force to obtain guidance in establishing coral conservation project priorities. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into an agreement authorizing an organization to receive, hold, and administer funds received pursuant to this Act to support partnerships between the public and private sectors that further the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to any State, local, or territorial government agency with jurisdiction over coral reefs for emergencies to address unforseen or disaster related circumstance pertaining to coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 759 (106th)referred

Inbox Privacy Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Inbox Privacy Act of 1999 - Prohibits a person from initiating the transmission of unsolicited commercial electronic mail (mail) to an individual who submits to such person a request that such mail not occur. Presumes constructive authorization of mail when the recipient secures a good or service from, or otherwise responds electronically to, an offer. Prohibits the initiation of mail to any electronic mail address served by a domain if the domain owner has elected not to receive such mail at such domain, with exceptions. Provides requirements for domain owners electing not to receive such mail, including notification to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the domain's customers (if such domain owner is an Internet service provider or interactive computer service provider). Requires the service provider to notify its customers of their individual authority to receive such mail, and provides for customer election to continue to receive such mail. Requires the service provider to maintain and make public a list of customers electing to receive such mail. Requires persons initiating transmission of mail to: (1) include certain identifying information; (2) agree to cease such transmission upon request; and (3) ensure the accuracy of all Internet routing information included in such transmission. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the FTC to prescribe rules for defining and prohibiting deceptive acts or practices in connection the promotion, advertisement, offer for sale, or sale of goods or services on or by means of the Internet, with special provisions addressing such acts or practices in connection with such mail. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the FTC to investigate and enforce regulations for violations of this Act. Requires the FCC to maintain an Internet web page concerning domain owners and customers who have made elections described above. (Sec. 5) Authorizes a State to bring a civil action on behalf of its residents against persons transmitting such mail. Requires such State to notify the FTC of such action. (Sec. 6) Authorizes Internet or interactive computer service providers to bring a civil action in U.S. district court for violations of this Act, with injunctive relief and damages. (Sec. 7) Preempts State and local laws regarding the transmission or receipt of such mail.

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. 717 (106th)referred

Government Pension Offset Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Government Pension Offset Reform Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to modify the formula for determining the amount of reduced monthly OASDI benefits payable to a spouse, surviving spouse, or parent receiving monthly payments from a Federal or State pension plan. Declares that such benefit reductions shall be equal to the amount by which two-thirds of the total amount of the combined monthly benefit (before reduction) and monthly pension exceeds $1,200, adjusted for inflation.

Bill· SS. 693 (106th)open

Taiwan Security Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Taiwan Security Enhancement Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments should make every effort to reserve additional positions for Taiwan military officers at the National Defense University, the senior war colleges, and the military academies. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should, when considering foreign military sales to Taiwan, take into account Taiwan's special status and make every effort to ensure it has full and timely access to price and availability data for defense articles and defense services. Directs the President, upon the request of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, to use Department of Defense funds for the assignment of additional technical staff to the American Institute in Taiwan. Directs the President to report annually to Congress with respect to Taiwan's defense needs. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan for the enhancement of programs for operational training and exchanges of personnel between U.S. armed forces and Taiwanese armed forces for work in threat analysis, doctrine, force planning, operational methods, and other areas. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish secure direct communications between the U.S. Pacific military command and the Taiwan military command. Authorizes the President, subject to the Arms Export Control Act, to make available for sale to Taiwan, at reasonable cost, theater missile defense equipment and related items, satellite early warning data, modern air-defense equipment, and naval defense systems.

Bill· SS. 697 (106th)referred

Women's Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Women's Access to Care Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan or a health insurance issuer to permit a woman participant to designate a physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology as her primary care provider (with authority to order further gynecological care) in addition to, or in lieu of, a non-obstetrics and gynecology primary care provider. Prohibits a plan or issuer from requiring, in the case of a woman not making such designation, primary care provider referral for routine gynecological care and pregnancy-related services. Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Internal Revenue Code to apply those requirements to health insurance in the individual market.

Bill· SS. 706 (106th)referred

A bill to create a National Museum of Women's History Advisory Committee.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Establishes the National Museum of Women's History Advisory Committee. Directs the Advisory Committee to study matters relating to: (1) a site for the Museum in Washington, D.C.; (2) a business plan for the Museum's creation and maintenance, to be funded solely through private contributions; and (3) assisting the Museum's collection and programs. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide administrative services, facilities, support, and funds for the performance of the Advisory Committee's duties.

Bill· SS. 673 (106th)referred

Omnibus Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1999

Omnibus Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 1999 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to establish standards for mercury and mercury compound emissions applicable to: (1) electric utility steam generating units; (2) coal- and oil-fired commercial and industrial boiler units that have a maximum design heat input capacity of ten mmBtu (millions of British thermal units) per hour or greater; (3) chlor-alkali plants that use the mercury cell production process; and (4) dust from Portland cement plants. Requires such units and plants to have permits no later than two years after this Act's enactment. Prescribes a minimum required emission reduction, such that a unit or plant reduce annual poundage of mercury emitted below its mercury emission baseline by at least 95 percent. Authorizes emission trading among electric utility or coal- and oil-fired units contained at a single site if the aggregate annual reduction from all units is at least 95 percent. Requires the Administrator to authorize methods of control of mercury emissions. Sets forth permit requirements, including requirements for monitoring and analysis, inspection, entry, compliance certification, and reporting. Establishes specific mercury emission baselines for classes of electric utility and coal- and oil-fired boiler units, including those in operation before January 1, 11996, and those beginning operation after this Act's enactment. Requires the regulations to ensure that mercury that is captured or recovered is disposed of in a manner that ensures that: (1) the mercury hazards are not transferred from one environmental medium to another; and (2) there is no release of mercury into the environment. Directs the Administrator to establish a program of long-term research to develop and disseminate information on methods such as separating, solidifying, recycling, and encapsulating mercury-bearing waste so that the mercury does not volatize, migrate to groundwater or surface water, or contaminate the soil. Requires the Administrator to make emission data for each unit and plant available annually to the public. (Sec. 5) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator to publish a list of mercury-containing items to be separated and removed from the waste steams that feed solid waste management facilities. Requires manufacturers of listed items to label items (or, in the case of button cell batteries, packages) to indicate that a product contains mercury. Requires persons that transfer solid waste that may contain a mercury-containing item listed by the Administrator under this Act to submit plans for: (1) separating and removing listed mercury-containing items from waste streams that feed such facilities; (2) transferring separated waste to a recycling facility or treatment, storage, or disposal facility permitted under hazardous waste management provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; (3) monitoring and reporting on plan compliance; and (4) achieving full compliance with the plan within 18 months of plan approval. Directs the Administrator or a State to develop and enforce plans for facilities without approved plans. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator to promulgate regulations prescribing procedures for monitoring and analysis for mercury emissions from solid waste combustion flue gases and determining compliance with such requirements. Requires permits for solid waste incineration units to specify inspection, entry, monitoring, compliance certification, and reporting requirements. Directs the Administrator to require incineration units that exceed the maximum mercury emission rate to install control equipment and techniques that will result, within three years, in an emission rate below the specified maximum. Directs the Administrator to make mercury emission data for each unit available annually to the public. Prohibits, three years after this Act's enactment, the sale of mercury-containing products by manufacturers unless the manufacturer has been granted an exemption by the Administrator. Permits an exemption if the Administrator determines that: (1) the product has an essential use; (2) there is no comparable product that does not contain mercury and that is available in the marketplace at a reasonable cost; and (3) through submitted documentation, the manufacturer has established a program to take back, after consumer use, all products subject to the exemption that are manufactured after the date of approval of the exemption application. Provides for maximum three-year exemptions and for renewals. (Sec. 8) Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on the extent to which the annual poundage of mercury and mercury compound emissions from medical waste incinerators and hazardous waste combustors in the United States has been reduced below specific baselines. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the use of mercury and mercury compounds by the Department of Defense. (Sec. 11) Requires the Administrator to report to Congress on the sources and extent of mercury emissions in North America. (Sec. 12) Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) a program to characterize and quantify the potential mercury-related health effects on high-risk populations; and (2) a mercury public awareness and prevention program targeted at populations most at risk from exposure to mercury. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator to establish an advisory committee to report on the progress made by the Federal Government, State and local governments, industry, and other regulated entities in complying with the mercury-related amendments to the Clean Air Act made by this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a report that characterizes mercury and mercury-compound sedimentation trends in Lake Champlain, the Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes, the finger lakes region of upstate New York, Tampa Bay, and other water bodies of concern. Requires the Administrator to evaluate: (1) data collected by EPA and each State concerning mercury contamination of fish; and (2) advisories to warn the public about the consumption of mercury-contaminated fish. Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement any changes necessary to improve the quality and ensure consistency from State to State of Federal and State data collection, reporting, characterization of mercury contamination, and thresholds above which advisories will be issued; and (2) make biennial reports available to the public concerning mercury levels in fish and any consumption advisories that have been issued.

Bill· SS. 662 (106th)open

Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of making medical assistance for breast and cervical cancer-related treatment services available during a presumptive eligibility period to certain low-income women without creditable coverage who have already been screened for such cancers under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breast and cervical cancer early detection program and need treatment. Provides for an enhanced match with regard to such Medicaid treatment services.

Bill· SS. 665 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to prohibit the consideration of retroactive tax increases.

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report, that includes a retroactive Federal income tax rate increase.

Bill· SS. 664 (106th)referred

Historic Homeownership Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Historic Homeownership Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to a qualified historic home which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and used as his or her principal residence. Allows the credit for such expenditures to be taken by a purchaser of the rehabilitated home. Permits, in lieu of the credit, a historic rehabilitation mortgage credit certificate, which may be transferred to a lender in exchange for a reduction in the rate of interest on the loan secured by the building.

Bill· SS. 660 (106th)referred

Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services of registered dietitians and nutrition professionals.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 69 (106th)referred

A resolution to prohibit the consideration of retroactive tax increases in the Senate.

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Provides that it shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that includes a retroactive Federal income tax rate increase. Waives such point of order only by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on such point of order. Makes this resolution effective January 1, 1999.

Bill· SS. 645 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to waive the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline that results in no greater emissions of air pollutants than reformulated gasoline meeting the oxygen content requirement.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Amends the Clean Air Act to allow the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to waive application of the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline that: (1) contains less than two percent by weight oxygen; (2) meets the other requirements for reformulated gasoline; and (3) will result in total emissions of ozone forming volatile organic compounds and toxic air pollutants no greater than the total emissions of those compounds and pollutants resulting from reformulated gasoline meeting the oxygen content requirement.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 68 (106th)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the treatment of women and girls by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the President should instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations (UN) to use all appropriate means to prevent the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan from obtaining the seat in the UN General Assembly reserved for Afghanistan as long as gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against women and girls persist; and (2) the United States should refuse to recognize any such government which is not taking actions to achieve specified goals in Afghanistan, including the effective participation of women in all civil, economic, and social life, the right of women and girls to an education without discrimination, and equal access of women and girls to health facilities.

Bill· SS. 622 (106th)referred

Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999

Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of, and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for, adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations, including programs to train local law enforcement officers in investigating, prosecuting, and preventing hate crimes. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.

Bill· SS. 599 (106th)referred

Caring for Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax Relief to Increase Child Care Affordability Title II: Encouraging Quality Child Care Subtitle A: Dissemination of Information about Quality Child Care Subtitle B: Increased Enforcement of State Health and Safety Standards Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Increasing the Supply of Quality Child Care Subtitle D: Quality Child Care Through Federal Facilities and Programs Caring for Children Act - Title I: Tax Relief to Increase Child Care Affordability - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the percentage of dependent care expenses (if the expenses are incurred to enable the taxpayer to be employed (employment-related expenses)) allowed as a credit. Deems a taxpayer who has one or more children under the age of four to have employment-related expenses of specified amounts, notwithstanding provisions limiting expenses to the amount of earned income. (Sec. 102) Mandates a program to promote employer use of dependent care assistance programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 103) Allows a credit to employers for employer-provided child care expenses, including acquisition, construction, and other property expenses and operating costs. Terminates the credit after a specified date. Title II: Encouraging Quality Child Care - Subtitle A: Dissemination of Information About Quality Child Care - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, directly or through a competitive contract, to collect and disseminate information on health and safety in various child care settings and findings in the field of early childhood learning and development. (Sec. 202) Mandates grants to develop distance learning child care training technology infrastructures and model technology-based training courses for child care providers and child care workers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Increased Enforcement of State Health and Safety Standards - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to require that the State plan for the use of funds under the Act provide the percentage of child care provider inspections required under State law. Mandates changes in State allotments based on State health and safety standards and inspections. Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Increasing the Supply of Quality Child Care - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. (Sec. 222) Establishes a grant program, based on State populations, to assist States in providing funds to encourage the establishment and operation of employer operated child care programs. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the program on a specified date. (Sec. 223) Mandates a report by the Comptroller General to the Congress on whether, and if so the extent to which, concerns regarding legal liability inhibit the availability and affordability of child care. Subtitle D: Quality Child Care Through Federal Facilities and Programs - Mandates regulations requiring child care centers in executive, legislative, or judicial facilities to comply with State and local licensing requirements. Provides for enforcement.

Bill· SS. 600 (106th)referred

International Trafficking of Women and Children Victim Protection Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

International Trafficking of Women and Children Victim Protection Act of 1999 - Establishes within the Department of State in the Office of the Secretary of State an Inter-Agency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. (Defines "trafficking" as the use of deception, coercion, debt bondage, the threat of force, or the abuse of authority to recruit, transport within or across borders, purchase, sell, transfer, receive, or harbor a person for the purpose of placing or holding such person, whether for pay or not, in involuntary servitude, slavery, or slavery-like conditions or in forced, bonded, or coerced labor.) Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) report annually, with the assistance of the Task Force, to Congress describing the status of international trafficking; and (2) ensure that U.S. missions abroad maintain a consistent reporting standard and thoroughly investigate reports of trafficking. Requires U.S. mission personnel to seek out and maintain contacts with human rights and other nongovernmental organizations, including receiving reports and updates from such organizations and, when appropriate, investigating such reports. Makes any government of a foreign country identified in the latest report as one that has failed to take effective action towards ending the participation of its officials in trafficking and that has failed to investigate and meaningfully prosecute those officials found to be involved, ineligible for police assistance, subject to a presidential waiver if in the U.S. national interest. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for a nonimmigrant classification for trafficking victims. Provides for a waiver of grounds for ineligibility for admission with respect to such an individual if the Attorney General considers it to be in the national interest to do so. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to jointly promulgate trafficking regulations for law enforcement personnel, immigration officials, and Foreign Service officers concerning response training and victim treatment and protection. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide, through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, assistance to trafficking victims and their children in the United States; and (2) the President to provide programs and activities to assist trafficking victims and their children abroad. Authorizes appropriations for the Task Force, the Secretary of HHS, and the President. Bars the use of funds made available to carry out this Act for the procurement of weapons or ammunition.

Bill· SS. 602 (106th)referred

Stealth Tax Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

Stealth Tax Prevention Act - Amends Federal law relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking to include in the definition of "major rule" any rule that is promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service and whose implementation and enforcement the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget finds has resulted in (or is likely to result in) any net increase in Federal revenues.

Bill· SS. 555 (106th)open

Veterans Education Benefits Equity Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1999

Veterans Education Benefits Equity Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay monthly veterans' educational assistance to eligible veterans during periods between school terms if: (1) the interval between such periods does not exceed eight weeks (currently, one month); and (2) both the terms preceding and following the period are not shorter in duration than such period.

Bill· SS. 543 (106th)referred

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act of 1999 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) (as amended by the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999), and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a health care plan or health insurance issuer from restricting enrollment or adjusting premium or contribution amounts for a group on the basis of predictive genetic information concerning an individual in the group or a family member of the individual (including information about a request for or receipt of genetic services). Prohibits a plan or issuer from requesting or requiring predictive genetic information concerning an individual or a family member of the individual (including information about a request for or receipt of genetic services). Permits a plan or issuer to request, but not require, such information for diagnosis, treatment, or payment purposes only. Sets forth confidentiality provisions.

Bill· SS. 541 (106th)referred

Graduate Medical Education Technical Amendments of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

Graduate Medical Education Technical Amendments of 1999 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97), with respect to the ceiling on the total number of full-time equivalent interns and residences in allopathic and osteopathic medicine in either a hospital or nonhospital setting for purposes of indirect and direct graduate medical education (GME) payments. Repeals the current limitation on program residents in a hospital with respect to the hospital's most recent cost reporting period ending on or before December 31, 1996. Replaces such limitation with one based on the number of residents who were appointed by a hospital's approved medical residency training program for such reporting period. Provides that beginning on or after January 1, 1997, in the case of a hospital that sponsors only one allopathic or osteopathic residency program, the new limit determined above for such hospital may, at the hospital's discretion, be increased by one for each calendar year but shall not exceed a total of three more than such limit. Limits to programs established between January 1, 1995, and September 30, 1999, (currently, programs established on or after January 1, 1995) the mandate for special rules applying limitations on interns and residents in any kind of medical residence training program. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in promulgating such rules, to include in the special consideration for facilities meeting the needs of underserved rural areas any facility not located in an underserved rural area which has established a separately accredited rural training track. Makes this Act's amendments effective as if included in the enactment of BBA '97.

Bill· SS. 540 (106th)referred

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that housing assistance provided under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 be treated for purposes of the low-income housing credit in the same manner as comparable assistance.

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disregard certain Native American housing assistance in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for low-income housing credit purposes.

Bill· SS. 514 (106th)referred

A bill to improve the National Writing Project.

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize and revise provisions for the National Writing Project (NWP). Increases the maximum amount for any one contractor under limits on the Federal share of NWP teacher training programs. Repeals the classroom teacher grants program under NWP. Increases and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for NWP.

Bill· SS. 505 (106th)open

Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999

Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to States for use by public schools to develop or expand gifted and talented education programs through one or more of the following activities: (1) professional development programs; (2) technical assistance; (3) direct services and materials for gifted and talented students, through revised curricula, acceleration, independent study, dual enrollment or other strategies; (4) innovative approaches and curricula; and (4) emerging technologies, including distance learning. Allows States to use a limited portion of such grant funds for information, education, and support to parents and caregivers for their participation in deciding on educational programs for their gifted and talented children. Sets forth requirements for grant applications, allotment to States, and reporting. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 512 (106th)referred

Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999

Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of NIH with respect to autism. Requires the Director, among other things, to make awards of grants and contracts to public or nonprofit entities for centers of excellence regarding research on autism. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) make awards of grants and cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities to public or nonprofit private entities; (2) establish up to five regional centers of excellence in autism and pervasive developmental disabilities epidemiology, through grants or cooperative agreements, for purposes of collecting and analyzing information on autism and developmental disabilities; (3) establish a clearinghouse within the Center for the collection and storage of data generated from the monitoring programs created by this Act; and (4) coordinate the Federal response to requests for assistance from State health department officials regarding potential or alleged autism or developmental disability clusters. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the general public. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish an Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate HHS efforts concerning autism.

Law· SS. 484 (106th)enacted

Bring Them Home Alive Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999

Bring Them Home Alive Act of 1999 - Directs the Attorney General to grant refugee status in the United States to any alien (and the parent, spouse, and child of such) who: (1) is a national of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, or any of the independent states of the former Soviet Union; and (2) personally delivers into U.S. custody a living American Vietnam War POW or MIA. Requires the granting of the same status to any alien (and parent, spouse, and child) who is a national of North Korea, China, or any of the independent states of the former Soviet Union and who personally delivers a living American Korean War POW or MIA. Directs the International Broadcasting Bureau to broadcast to such foreign countries information that promotes such refugee programs. Requires: (1) a minimum level of such broadcasting; and (2) the Bureau to ensure that such information is made available on the Internet. Expresses the sense of the Congress that RFE-RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, and any other recipient of Federal grants that broadcasts to such countries should also broadcast such information.

Bill· SS. 483 (106th)referred

Surplus Protection Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999

Surplus Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a point of order against the consideration of emergency measures containing non-emergency appropriations or matters not relevant to the emergency. Authorizes points of order for extraneous matter against any provision violating such requirement. Subjects emergency measures to a point of order requiring a supermajority vote for passage.