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United States · Official source
1,477 records where Sen. Voinovich, George V. [R-OH] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2000
Social Security Earnings Test Elimination Act of 2000 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2000
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal to John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, in recognition of his accomplishments as a priest, a soldier, and a humanitarian. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2000
Presidential Sites Improvement Act of 2000 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to award grants to owners or operators of Presidential sites for major maintenance and improvement projects. Prohibits Federal funding for a project from exceeding 50 percent of total costs. Establishes the Presidential Site Grant Commission to review grant applications and make award recommendations to the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Amends Federal law to require the Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first class mail that is up to 25 percent higher than the regular rate as a voluntary alternative that the public may use to contribute to funding for organ and tissue donation awareness. Requires collected amounts to be paid to the Department of Health and Human Services. Expresses the sense of the Congress that nothing in this Act should: (1) cause a net decrease in total funds received by the Department of Health and Human Services or any other Federal agency below the level that would have otherwise been received but for this Act's enactment; or (2) affect first-class or other regular postage rates. Requires special postage stamps to be made available to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of Congress, a congressional gold medal to Charles M. Schulz in recognition of his lasting artistic contributions to the Nation and the world. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Proclaims the week of March 12 through March 18, 2000, as National Safe Place Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2000
Designates the week of February 14-18, 2000, as National Heart Failure Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2000
American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 - Increases available nonimmigrant H-1B specialty occupation visas for FY 2000 through 2002. (Sec. 3) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from certain annual visa limitations an alien who is: (1) employed at an institution of higher education, or nonprofit or governmental research facility; or (2) a graduate degree recipient. (Sec. 4) Makes employment-based immigrant visas available on a quarterly basis without regard to per-country limitations if unused visas are available. (Sec. 5) Authorizes qualifying specialty occupation aliens to accept new employment upon filing of the employer petition. (Sec. 6) Provides one-year extensions of authorized H-1B stay for specialty occupation aliens in cases of permanent residence adjudications lasting 365 days or longer. (Sec. 7) Extends certain fee and labor application attestation and investigative authorities. (Sec. 8) Provides, with respect to nonimmigrant visa petitions subject to numerical limitations, for the restoration of fraudulently obtained visas, effective in the fiscal year of petition revocation. (Sec. 9) Directs the National Science Foundation to conduct a study of the divergence to high technology access (digital divide).
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2000
See summary of: S.J.Res. 5
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2000
High School and College Sports Gambling Prohibition Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to include as unlawful sports gambling a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based, directly or indirectly, on one or more: (1) competitive games in which high school or college athletes participate; (2) performances of high school or college athletes in competitive games; or (3) competitive games at the Summer or Winter Olympics.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2000
American Hospital Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 with regard to provisions on the one year sole community hospital payment increase, to reset the applicable percentage increase for FY 2001 and each subsequent fiscal year to the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas for purposes of updating payments to prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals for inpatient hospital services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2000
Recognizes May 15, 2000, as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2000
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable Floyd M. Riddick, Parliamentarian Emeritus of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2000
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of the Honorable Carl Curtis, formerly a Senator from Nebraska.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Government Information Security Act of 1999 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to establish government-wide policies for the management of programs that support the cost-effective security of Federal information systems by promoting security as an integral part of each agency's business operations. Requires such policies to: (1) be founded on a continuous risk management cycle; (2) implement controls that adequately address the risk; (3) promote continuing awareness of information security risks; (4) continually monitor and evaluate information security policy; and (5) control effectiveness of information security practices. Outlines information security responsibilities of each agency, including the development and implementation of an agency-wide program to provide information security for the operations and assets of such agency. Makes each program subject to Director approval and annual review by agency program officials. Requires each agency to annually undergo an independent evaluation of its information security program and practices. Requires related reports. Requires the: (1) Department of Commerce to develop, issue, review, and update standards and guidance for the security of information in Federal computer systems; (2) Department of Justice to review and update guidance to agencies on legal remedies regarding security incidents and coordination with law enforcement agencies concerning such incidents; (3) General Services Administration to review and update guidance on addressing security considerations relating to the acquisition of information technology; and (4) Office of Personnel Management to review and update regulations concerning computer security training for Federal civilian employees.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
New Markets for State-Inspected Meat Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review each State's meat and poultry inspection program, which shall include: (1) determination of plan effectiveness; and (2) identification of changes necessary for future transition to a State program as provided for by this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title I: Meat Inspection - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to authorize the Secretary to approve a qualifying State meat inspection program and allow the shipment in commerce of carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products so inspected. Requires the Secretary to review such approved plans to: (1) determine effectiveness; and (2) identify changes necessary to ensure enforcement of Federal requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with a State to establish the relationship between the State program and the Secretary. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) product marking; (2) labeling requirements; (3) authority of the Secretary; (4) State reimbursement; (5) sampling, including salmonella testing; (6) noncompliance; (7) establishment inspections, including exemptions for restaurants and retail stores; (8) acceptance of interstate shipments of meat and meat food products; and (9) advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to temporarily suspend or take over a noncomplying State program (or an establishment). Provides for program reinstatement. Title II: Poultry Inspection - Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act to make similar amendments to those in title I. Title III: General Provisions - Terminates the Secretary's authority to establish interstate meat and poultry inspection programs under this Act if approval and cooperative agreements have not been concluded by a specified date.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Milton Friedman Congressional Gold Medal Act - Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Milton Friedman in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to individual freedom and opportunity in American society through his exhaustive research and teaching of economics and his extensive writings on economics and public policy. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates of such national medal. Requires proceeds to be deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Social Security and Medicare Safe Deposit Box Act of 1999 - Provides that the net surplus of any trust fund for part A of Medicare shall not be counted as a net surplus for purposes of the Federal or congressional budgets or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide a point of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate against consideration of any concurrent budget resolution or conference report or amendment pertaining thereto that would set forth an on-budget deficit for any fiscal year. Makes it out of order in the House or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report if the enactment of the reported bill or resolution, the adoption and enactment of an amendment, or the enactment of a bill or resolution in the form recommended in the conference report would cause or increase an on-budget deficit for any fiscal year. Includes the receipts, outlays, and surplus or deficit in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds within the content of the concurrent budget resolution. Authorizes a waiver or suspension in the Senate of points of order under this Act only with a three-fifths majority. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal on a ruling on such points of order. Prohibits the Federal Government budget submitted by the President from recommending an on-budget deficit for any covered fiscal year. Applies the amendments made by this Act to FY 2001 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Energy Employees' Compensation Act - Title I: Energy Employees' Beryllium Compensation Act - Energy Employees' Beryllium Compensation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to include in subsequent regulations: (1) additional definitions to those set forth in this Act with respect to vendors, processors, or producers of beryllium or related products; and (2) criteria by which a claimant may establish the existence of a covered illness. (Sec. 105) Prescribes guidelines for: (1) the Secretary to administer this Act; (2) determinative criteria for exposure to beryllium in the performance of duty; (3) compensation for disability or death, medical services, and vocational rehabilitation; (4) computation of pay; (5) limitations on receiving compensation; (6) coordination of benefits; and (7) retroactive compensation. (Sec. 112) Declares: (1) this Act to be the exclusive remedy against the United States, its instrumentalities, and specified contractors and subcontractors; and (2) acceptance of payment under this Act shall be in full settlement of all claims. Declares void any assignment of a claim for compensation under this Act. (Sec. 120) Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Employees' Beryllium Compensation Fund for the payment of compensation and other benefits and expenses under this Act. (Sec. 121) Provides for forfeiture of benefits by persons convicted of fraud with respect to Federal or State workers' compensation benefits. (Sec. 122) Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Act. Mandates that such regulations provide for a Beryllium Compensation Appeals Panel to make final decisions on appeals. (Sec. 125) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Energy Employees Pilot Project Act - Energy Employees Pilot Project Act - Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program to examine the relationship between workplace exposures to radiation, hazardous materials, and occupational illness or other adverse health conditions. (Sec. 203) Mandates that a physicians' panel of specialists in health conditions related to occupational exposure to radiation and hazardous materials selected by the contractor that managed DOE's East Tennessee Technology Park (facility) prepare a report on medical examinations of a specified number of current and former facility employees. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary to make specified compensation awards to facility employees found to have sustained an adverse health condition resulting from exposure to radiation or hazardous materials. Grants employees the option to elect such award in lieu of compensation under the Energy Employees' Beryllium Compensation Act. Deems such award to be payment in full settlement of claims against the United States, contractors, and subcontractors. (Sec. 211) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Paducah Employees Exposure Compensation Act - Paducah Employees' Exposure Compensation Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Paducah Employees' Exposure Compensation Fund to be disbursed exclusively by the Attorney General for the payment of compensation claims to eligible Paducah employees. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund. (Sec. 305) Deems such award to be payment in full settlement of claims against the United States, contractors, and subcontractors. (Sec. 308) Limits the amount of claimants' attorney's fees.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Small Investors Tax Simplification Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a partner's distributive share of all items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a qualified investment club shall be determined under the simplified method. Defines such method, in general, as a method pursuant to which a partnership allocates each of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit for its taxable year to its partners based on their proportionate interests on the last day of such taxable year in partnership profits.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Vietnam Veterans Recognition Act of 1999 - Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to place within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial a plaque to honor Vietnam veterans who died after service in the Vietnam War, but as a direct result of such service, and whose names are not otherwise eligible for placement on the Memorial wall.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Wartime Violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act - Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Justice to conduct a comprehensive review of the treatment by the Federal Government of Italian Americans during World War II (between September 1, 1939, and December 31, 1945) and to report to Congress on the findings of such review. Requires the findings to include information regarding: (1) Italian Americans who were taken into custody, interned, ordered to move out of designated areas, or arrested for curfew, contraband, or other violations; (2) Federal Bureau of Investigations raids on Italian Americans' homes; (3) restrictions on Italian American fishermen and railroad workers; and (4) civil liberties infringements suffered by Italian Americans during World War II as a result of Executive Order 9066. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the story of the treatment of Italian Americans during World War II needs to be told; (2) Federal agencies, including the Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Humanities, should support projects such as conferences, seminars, and lectures to heighten awareness of this unfortunate chapter in our nation's history, the refurbishment and payment of all expenses associated with the traveling exhibit "Una Storia Segreta," and documentaries allowing this issue to be presented to the American public; (3) an advisory committee should be established to assist in the compilation, research, and dissemination of information on the treatment of Italian Americans; and (4) financial support should be provided for educating the American public through the production of a documentary film suited for public broadcast. States that the U.S. Government formally acknowledges that these events during World War II represented a fundamental injustice against Italian Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1999
Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize a State Governor, upon notification of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to waive oxygen content requirements for reformulated gasoline sold or dispensed in the State. Considers gasoline that complies with all other requirements for reformulated gasoline other than those regarding oxygen content to be reformulated gasoline. Directs the Administrator to study and report to Congress on whether voluntary standards to prevent and control releases of methyl tertiary butyl ether from underground storage tanks are necessary. Authorizes the Administrator to work with members of affected industries to develop such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1999
Bonus Incentive Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide that an employee's regular pay rate, for purposes of calculating overtime compensation, will not be affected by additional payments to reward an employee or group of employees for meeting or exceeding productivity, quality, efficiency, or sales goals under a gain sharing, incentive bonus, commission, or performance contingent bonus plan. Requires such a plan to: (1) be in writing and made available to employees; (2) provide that the amount of the payments to be made under the plan be based upon a formula that is stated in the plan; and (3) be established and maintained in good faith for the purpose of distributing to employees additional remuneration over and above the wages and salaries that are not dependent upon the existence of such plan or payments made pursuant to it.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1999
John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Act - Redesignates the Coastal Barrier Resources System as the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 1999
Child Support Miscellaneous Amendments of 1999 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from disapproving a noncompliant State plan for child and spousal support, because of failure to operate an approved State Disbursement Unit (SDU) by October 1, 1999, if the State makes a good faith effort to comply and has submitted an approved corrective compliance plan by April 1, 2000. Directs the Secretary to reduce the amount otherwise payable to the State for the fiscal year by an alternative penalty amount determined according to a specified scale, which increases for each fiscal year of noncompliance. Requires waiver of all penalties for any State subject to a penalty which achieves compliance by April 1, 2000. Reduces the penalty amount for any State achieving compliance after April 1 but before September 30, 2000. Prohibits a penalty against a State for a fiscal year for which the State has already been penalized for noncompliance with respect to the automated data processing system requirement. Exempts failure to comply substantially with SDU or automated systems requirements from the current penalty of loss of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds under part A of SSA title IV.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Veterans Claims and Appeals Procedures Clarification and Improvement Act - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to: (1) emphasize that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must assist a veteran in developing all facts pertinent to a veterans' claim for compensation or benefits; (2) make the current veterans' claims adjudication and hearing procedures exclusive with respect to hearings, investigations, and other proceedings in connection with the consideration of a claim; (3) preclude the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims from entertaining any allegation of error by the Secretary in a decision which was not raised by the appellant or the Court; and (4) require such Court to set aside a previous finding of material fact not reasonably supported by a preponderance of the evidence (currently, when clearly erroneous).
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Agricultural Job Opportunity Benefits and Security Act of 1999 - Title I: Adjustment to Legal Status - Directs the Attorney General to adjust the status of a qualifying alien agricultural worker to that of a lawfully admitted nonimmigrant. Provides, with respect to such status, for: (1) a maximum seven-year period of validity; and (2) termination and removal for failure to meet specified agricultural work requirements. Sets forth employer record-keeping requirements. Provides for adjustment to permanent resident status upon completion of required agricultural work for five years. Provides for: (1) status termination and removal for fraud or misrepresentation, or certain criminal activities; and (2) deportation for failure to apply for status adjustment within the specified application period. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) adjustment of status applications, including penalties for false statements; (2) waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for inadmissibility; (3) temporary stay of removal and work authorization; (4) administrative and judicial review; and (5) dissemination of program information. Title II: Agricultural Worker Registries - Directs the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to establish a database system of U.S. worker and nonimmigrant agricultural worker registries to provide temporary and seasonal agricultural job opportunity and referral information. States that such registries may be established as part of the "America's Job Bank" and "America's Talent Bank" databases. Bases registry coverage on job opportunities in a single State, except for the New England States which may be represented by a single registry. Requires prospective employers of H-2A visa agricultural workers to first apply for registry workers before a petition to import H-2A workers may be approved. Sets forth individual registrant requirements. States that an agricultural worker may apply for registry inclusion in the State of his or her residency. Grants referral preference to U.S. workers. Provides that adjusted nonimmigrants: (1) may only be employed in the State of their registration, or in contiguous States; and (2) shall be temporarily or permanently removed from the registry for failure to report for a committed job or jobs. Title III: H-2A Reform - Sets forth registry application requirements for H-2A employers and employer associations, including assurances: (1) that the job opportunity is not the result of a labor dispute, and is temporary or seasonal; (2) respecting required wages and benefits, and compliance with labor laws; (3) respecting advertising in the registry and other labor market sources; and (4) respecting provision of workers compensation. Provides that: (1) the Secretary, upon application approval, shall complete a registry search and notify an employer of available registered workers within seven days of the beginning work date; (2) if insufficient workers are available, the Secretary shall so notify an employer, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State; (3) an employer shall pay a user fee for each admitted alien worker; (4) an employer may apply directly to the Secretary of State for alien worker admissions if such worker referral has not been received within the seven-day period; and (5) an employer may file a request for redetermination of need. (Sec. 304) Sets forth employment requirements with respect to: (1) wages; (2) housing; (3) transportation reimbursement; and (4) obligation to employ U.S. workers. (Sec. 305) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise provisions respecting the admission and extension of stay of temporary H-2A workers. Directs the Attorney General to conduct a study regarding H-2A workers overstays, and whether a partial wage withholding is a necessary inducement to assure timely departure. States that nothing in this Act shall preclude the Secretary and the Attorney General from continuing to apply special procedures to the employment, admissions, and extension of aliens in the range production of livestock. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to establish a process to receive and enforce complaints against employers by aggrieved persons or third party organizations (including bargaining representatives). Sets forth related provisions respecting: (1) expedited investigation of housing, wage, and child labor violations; (2) written notice of findings and opportunity for appeal; (3) ability of alien workers to change employers; and (4) remedies. Establishes the Commission on Housing Migrant Agricultural Workers which shall study the problem of in-season housing for migrant agricultural workers. Directs the Secretaries of Labor, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the relationship between child care of migrant agricultural workers and child labor violations in agriculture. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and Agriculture to conduct a study of agricultural field sanitation conditions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of persistent and serious agricultural labor standards violations. (Sec. 402) Authorizes and requests the Attorney General to establish bilateral commissions between the United States and each country having specified numbers of H-2A workers in the United States. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to establish registry user and alien employment user fee schedules and related collection processes. (Sec. 405) States that additional funds for agricultural worker registry startup costs may be taken from amounts available to Federal or State entities under the Wagner-Peyser Act. (Sec. 406) Sets forth reporting requirements to the congressional Judiciary committees describing the results of a review of the implementation of this Act. Establishes an advisory board to advise the Comptroller General in the preparation of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Expresses the condolences of the Senate on the death of Senator John H. Chafee.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1999
Food and Medicine for the World Act - Prohibits the President from imposing a unilateral agricultural sanction or unilateral medical sanction against a foreign country, except in specified circumstances, unless: (1) not less than 60 days before the sanction is proposed to be imposed, the President makes a specified report to Congress; and (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the report.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act - Amends the Crime Identification Technology Act of 1998 to authorize the use of funds under the State grant program for criminal justice identification, information, and communication for programs to develop, update, or upgrade the capability of the criminal justice system to deliver timely, accurate, and complete criminal history record information to child welfare agencies, organizations, and programs that are engaged in the assessment of activities related to the protection of children, including protection against child sexual abuse and placement of children in foster care. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to allow the use of drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grants to be used to enforce child abuse and neglect laws, including laws protecting against child sexual abuse, and to promote programs designed to prevent child abuse and neglect. Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to provide for a conditional adjustment in the set aside for child abuse victims. Directs that such adjustment be implemented so that any increase in funding provided shall operate notwithstanding any dollar limitation on the availability of the Crime Victims Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1999
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to remove the limit on the amount of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments for certain hospitals in Ohio, other than institutions for mental diseases or other mental health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1999
Leif Ericson Millennium Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar silver coins, in conjunction with the simultaneous minting and issuance of commemorative coins by the Republic of Iceland, in commemoration of the millennium of the discovery of the New World by Leif Ericson. Mandates that all coin surcharges be paid to the Leifur Eirikson Foundation for the purpose of funding student exchanges between the United States and Iceland.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1999
Designates February 14-20 of the year 2000 as National Biotechnology Week.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1999
Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide that capitalization grants to States for the establishment of water pollution control revolving funds (revolving funds) shall be for providing assistance to accomplish the purposes of such Act. (Currently, such grants are provided for assistance for specific purposes.) Removes certain requirements for States with respect to construction of treatment works under capitalization grant agreements. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assist States in establishing simplified procedures for small water systems to obtain assistance under the Act. Requires revolving funds to be used only for providing assistance for activities that have as a principal benefit the improvement or protection of water quality of navigable waters. Adds activities to the list of those which may be assisted. Provides for a repayment period of the lesser of 40 years or the expected life of the project to be financed with loan proceeds with respect to loans made to disadvantaged communities from revolving funds. Requires loans made from such funds to be fully amortized upon the expiration of the loan term (currently, no later than 20 years after project completion). Requires such funds to provide: (1) loan guarantees for developing and implementing innovative technologies; and (2) technical, planning, and other specified assistance to small systems. Treats a treatment works as a publicly owned treatment works, for purposes of eligibility for construction assistance from a revolving fund, if the treatment works, without regard to ownership, would be considered a publicly owned treatment works and is principally treating municipal waste water or domestic sewage. Provides for negative interest rates of up to two percent to reduce the unpaid principal on loans from revolving funds made to disadvantaged communities. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005 for the revolving fund program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1999
Disaster Mitigation Act of 1999 - Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to authorize the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program of technical and financial assistance to States and local governments that implement predisaster mitigation activities to reduce injuries and loss of life and property damage and destruction, including damage to critical infrastructures and facilities. Authorizes the Director to provide financial assistance from the National Predisaster Mitigation Fund (established under this Act) to each State and local government that has identified all natural disaster hazards in its jurisdiction and has demonstrated its ability to form effective public-private disaster mitigation partnerships, to be used: (1) principally to implement the predisaster hazard mitigation measures contained in proposals approved by the Director; (2) to support effective public-private partnerships; (3) to ensure that new community development and construction is disaster resistant; and (4) to improve the assessment of a community's natural hazards vulnerabilities or establish a community's mitigation priorities. (Sec. 103) Increases from 15 to 20 percent the maximum contribution for hazard mitigation costs with respect to a major disaster declared under the Act after the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 104) Directs the President to designate as a natural disaster mitigation zone each area in which commonly recurring natural hazards (floods, hurricanes and severe winds, seismic events) create a substantial likelihood of disasters that may require assistance under the Act. Requires flood and wind zones identified under the national flood insurance program to be so designated as such zones. Requires the President to direct all appropriate Federal agencies to integrate, or develop and maintain, comprehensive all-hazard maps using global information systems technology. Authorizes the President to identify appropriate disaster mitigation policies, requiring such policies to include certain wind impact standards. Requires Federal buildings to be designed and constructed in accordance with voluntary minimum building codes, test methods, specifications, and the mitigation policies identified by the President. Authorizes the President to provide certain incentives to encourage builders to implement such codes, specifications, and policies. (Sec. 105) Directs the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate the implementation of predisaster mitigation programs administered by the Federal Government. Title II: Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Assistance - Amends the Act to direct the President to promulgate regulations under which States, communities, and other disaster assistance applicants are required to protect property through adequate levels of insurance or self-insurance. (Sec. 202) Directs the President to: (1) establish management cost rates for disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance grantees and subgrantees; (2) review such rates at least every three years; and (3) promulgate regulations to define costs to be included in such management costs. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to make contributions to: (1) a State or local government for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster and for associated expenses; and (2) to the owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility for such purposes (with specified conditions). Limits the Federal share of assistance provided to 75 percent of such costs, with an authorized Federal share reduction for a facility: (1) that has previously been damaged on more than one occasion by the same type of event; and (2) has not implemented mitigation measures. Authorizes a State or local government or owner of a public nonprofit facility, in lieu of restoring a facility, to receive a Federal contribution (limited to a 75 percent Federal share) and to repair or restore other facilities, construct new facilities, or fund hazard mitigation measures. Provides funding limits. Provides for the determination of eligible costs and the modification of such costs. Requires the President, acting through the FEMA Director, to establish an expert panel for the determination of such costs. (Sec. 204) Rewrites temporary housing assistance provisions of the Act. Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to households that, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses and needs through other means, including insurance proceeds or loans or other financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) or another Federal agency. Authorizes the President to provide financial or other appropriate assistance (for up to 18 months) to households that are displaced or whose primary residences are rendered uninhabitable as a result of a major disaster. Authorizes the President to provide the following types of housing assistance: (1) financial assistance to households to rent alternate housing, existing rental units, manufactured housing, recreational vehicles, or other readily fabricated dwellings; (2) housing units directly to households who would be unable to use the financial assistance; (3) up to $5,000 each to households for emergency repairs necessary to return residences, utilities, and related infrastructure to a habitable or functioning condition; and (4) financial or direct assistance to construct permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United States and other remote locations if no alternative housing resources are available, temporary housing assistance is unavailable or infeasible, and the household has applied and been determined ineligible for an SBA disaster loan. Sets forth terms and conditions governing the location and disposal of fabricated dwellings provided under this section. Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance: (1) on a temporary basis in the form of mortgage or rental payments to individuals or families who, because of financial hardship, are at risk of dispossession or eviction after a major disaster; (2) to meet disaster-related medical, dental, or funeral expenses; and (3) to address disaster-related personal property, transportation, and other expenses or needs. Requires the substantial involvement of affected States in administering assistance under this section. Limits to $25,000 the maximum amount of financial assistance that a household may receive for a single major disaster. (Sec. 205) Authorizes a State to apply to the President for delegation of the authority to administer the hazard mitigation grant program under the Act. (Sec. 206) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on an estimate of the reduction in Federal assistance that has resulted and is likely to result from the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to local governments (currently, only States) for the management and control of any fire on public or private forest land or grassland which threatens destruction that would constitute a major disaster. (Sec. 208) Requires the President to provide an opportunity for public comment before adopting any new or modified policy governing implementation of the FEMA-administered major disaster public assistance program. Requires consultation with program grantees. (Sec. 209) Prohibits major disaster community loans from exceeding $5 million. Prohibits further assistance to a community that is in arrears on payments under a previous loan. Title III: Miscellaneous - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to add, for purposes of eligibility for public safety officers' death benefits, individuals serving in a public agency, with FEMA, or with a State or local emergency management agency and performing official duties relating to a major disaster that are determined to be hazardous duties. (Sec. 304) Prohibits the initiation of an administrative action to recover any payment made to a State or local government for emergency or disaster assistance under the Act after three years from date of transmission of the final expenditure report for such emergency or disaster. Provides a rebuttable assumption that adequate records were maintained identifying the source and application of such funds. (Sec. 305) Designates Texas Task Force One in College Station, Texas, as a federally recognized member of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 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.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1999
Social Security Surplus Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to provide for a sequestration to eliminate any on-budget deficit (excluding any surplus in the social security trust funds). Provides that such deficit shall not be subject to adjustment for any purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1999
Disapproves the action of the District of Columbia Council on November 3, 1998, The Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998, approved by the electors of the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1999
Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 1999 - Provides that: (1) any person who engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes), and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense (but prohibits imposition of the death penalty for such offense); and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Specifies that a violation of such provisions does not require proof that: (1) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or (2) the defendant intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child. Directs that if the person engaging in the conduct thereby intentionally kills or attempts to kill the unborn child, that person shall be punished as provided under the Federal criminal code for intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law in a medical emergency; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1999
Prohibits the export from the United States of bulk fresh water from the Great Lakes Basin. Sets forth conditions for lifting of such moratorium.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Designates the Old Executive Office Building located at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C., as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act - Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, founded in 1995, to pay the Federal share (20 percent) of the costs of authorized Center activities. Authorizes the Secretary to assist in the construction of the Center facility and the development of programs and exhibits related to the history of the Underground Railroad on property owned by the city of Cincinnati and the State of Ohio. Authorizes appropriations. Requires annual reports from the Center to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to provide that if the United States initiates a retaliation list (list of products of a foreign country that has failed to comply with the report of the panel or Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO)), or the United States Trade Representative (USTR) takes specified trade action against the goods of a foreign country because of its failure to implement the recommendation made pursuant to a dispute settlement proceeding under the WTO, the USTR shall periodically revise the list or action to affect the other goods of the country. Declares that the USTR is not required to revise the retaliation list or the action with respect to a country, if: (1) the USTR determines that implementation of the recommendation by the country is imminent; or (2) the USTR together with the petitioner involved in the initial unfair trade investigation (or if no petition was filed, the affected U.S. industry) agree that it is unnecessary to revise the retaliation list.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1999
Recognizes and honors the efforts of the Forum on Family Friendly Programming and other entities supporting family friendly programming. Expresses support for: (1) efforts of the television network and production community to produce more quality family friendly programming; and (2) the Family Friendly Programming Awards, development fund and scholarships. Encourages the media and American advertisers to further a family friendly television environment with appropriate advertisements accompanying the programming.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999
Designates October 15, 1999, as National Mammography Day.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Older Americans Act Amendments of 1999 - Title I: Amendment to Title I of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to add certain definitions. Title II: Amendments to Title II of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Revises the duties of the Administration on Aging. Provides for a set of performance outcome measures to be used for planning, managing, and evaluating activities performed and services provided under the Act. Reauthorizes appropriations for the Administration on Aging. Title III: Amendments to Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Authorizes appropriations indefinitely for making grants relating to: (1) supportive services, (2) senior centers; (3) congregate nutrition services, (4) home delivered nutrition services; (5) in-home services; and (6) special needs. Authorizes appropriations for a nutrition services incentive program. Authorizes a State to require or permit cost sharing by recipients for all direct services, with specified exceptions, provided for in the Act. Expands the list of supportive services for which grants to States are provided. Establishes grant programs for support services for family caregivers, education and training related to programs for older individuals, and pension counseling projects. Title IV: Amendments to Title IV of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Repeals provisions regarding training, research, and discretionary projects Title V: Amendments to Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish projects to place community service employment program participants in unsubsidized employment in both the public and private sectors. Reauthorizes the community service employment for older Americans program. Title VI: Amendments to Title VI of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Makes the authorization of appropriations for title VI of the Act indefinite, with exceptions. Establishes programs for grants to carry out vulnerable elder rights protection activities and for a Native American caregiver support program. Title VII: Amendments to Title VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Revises provisions regarding the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Title VIII: Technical and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999
Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for the Federal emergency management food and shelter program; and (2) require the participation of homeless individuals on local boards.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1999
Teacher Empowerment Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and rename title II as Teacher Quality (replacing the current title II Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program). (Sec. 2) Sets forth a new title II part A Teacher Empowerment program of grants to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Directs the Secretary of Education to make such grants to States, according to certain hold-harmless provisions and allotment formulas. Requires States to distribute such grant funds as follows: (1) 90 percent for subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) according to specified formulas, with 20 percent of that LEA subgrant total amount reserved for competitive subgrants and at least three percent of the competitive subgrant total amount going to eligible partnerships; and (2) ten percent for authorized State activities. Sets forth requirements for coordination, public accountability, and applications, including provisions to ensure program development participation of teachers and parents. Includes among authorized State activities: (1) reform of teacher certification, recertification, or licensure requirements; (2) support, such as mentoring, during the initial teaching experience; (3) alternative routes to State certification of teachers, especially in mathematics and science, for highly qualified individuals; (4) mechanisms to assist LEAs and schools in teacher and principal recruitment and retention; (5) reform of tenure systems and use of teacher testing to remove incompetent and ineffective teachers from classrooms; (6) measurement of performance of professional development programs and strategies; (7) technical assistance to LEAs; (8) promotion of reciprocity of teacher certification or licensure between or among States, without weakening any State requirements; (9) development of cost-effective and easily accessible professional development delivery strategies, including use of technology and distance learning; and (10) assistance to LEAs and eligible partnerships in developing professional development programs to train teachers in the use of technology to improve teaching and learning. Requires eligible partnerships to use such subgrants for: (1) professional development activities in core academic subjects to ensure that teachers have content knowledge in the subjects they teach; and (2) assistance to LEAs and their teachers, principals, and administrators for professional development activities. Requires LEAs to use portions of such subgrants for: (1) professional development activities in mathematics and science, in an amount at least equal to that under the current Eisenhower Program (unless given a State waiver); and (2) professional development activities that give teachers, principals, and administrators the knowledge and skills to provide students with the opportunity to meet challenging State or local content standards and student performance standards. Authorizes LEAs to use such subgrants for highly qualified teacher recruitment programs, including: (1) recruiting, hiring, and training certified teachers, including teachers certified through State and local alternative routes, in order to reduce class size (unless given a State waiver), or for hiring special education teachers; (2) signing bonuses or other financial incentives for teaching in academic subject areas where there is a shortage; (3) recruiting and providing alternative routes to teacher certification for professionals from other fields; (4) providing increased opportunities for minorities, individuals with disabilities, and other individuals underrepresented in teaching; (5) hiring policies that identify teachers certified through alternative routes and intensively screen for the most qualified applicants; (6) highly qualified teacher retention programs (including master mentoring of newly hired teachers and principals); (7) teacher quality improvement and professional development programs, including technology training through partnerships with institutions of higher education, delivery of professional development activities through technology and distance learning, instruction in how to teach children with different learning styles, particularly those with disabilities or special learning needs (including gifted and talented), and instruction in classroom discipline and identifying early and appropriate interventions; (8) programs related to tenure reform, merit pay, and testing of teachers in the subject areas they teach; and (9) teacher opportunity payments. Prohibits the provision of professional development funds from LEA subgrants for a teacher and an activity if the activity is not: (1) directly related to the curriculum and content areas in which the teacher provides instruction; or (2) designed to enhance the teaching of such areas. Permits the use of such funds for instruction in methods of disciplining children. Sets forth various requirements for such professional development activities, including appropriate provision of teacher training in the use of technology to improve teaching and learning in the curriculum and academic content areas they teach. Authorizes LEAs to use subgrants for teacher opportunity payments to certain teachers or groups of teachers for professional development activities of their own choosing. Requires certain LEAs, if they fail to meet State teaching standards, to make such teacher opportunity payments. Requires providing notice to teachers regarding the availability of such funds. Sets forth a process for selecting teachers in the event of inadequate funds. Requires LEAs receiving subgrants to: (1) collaborate with teachers, principals, administrators, and parents in preparing subgrant applications; and (2) provide parents information regarding the professional qualifications of students' classroom teachers. Sets forth certain national activities under part A of title II of ESEA. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible consortia for Teacher Excellence Academies, in elementary or secondary school facilities, to carry out specified activities promoting alternative routes to State teacher certification or specified model professional development activities. Authorizes continuation of the Troops-to-Teachers Program under specified conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant or contract to continue the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004 for part A (Teacher Empowerment) of title II (Teacher Quality) of ESEA. (Sec. 3) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for the Reading Excellence Act (REA) program. Redesignates REA as part B of title II of ESEA. Provides that such part B may be cited as the Reading Excellence Act. (Sec. 4) Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) using Federal funds to plan, develop, implement, or administer any national teacher test or certification or licensing; or (2) withholding funds from any State or LEA that fails to adopt a specific method of teacher certification or licensing. Provides that: (1) nothing in ESEA title II shall be construed to permit, allow, encourage, or authorize any Federal control over any aspect of any private, religious, or home school, whether or not a home school is treated as a private school or home school under State law; and (2) private, religious, or home schools are not barred, by the previous provision, from participation in programs or services under ESEA title II.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1999
Recognizes and honors the efforts of the Forum on Family Friendly Programming and other entities supporting family friendly programming. Expresses support for: (1) efforts of the television network and production community to produce more quality family friendly programming; and (2) the Family Friendly Programming Awards. Encourages the media and American advertisers to further a family friendly television environment with appropriate advertisements accompanying the programming.