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Bill· SS. 1762 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1999
Small Watershed Rehabilitation Act of 1999 - Amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to an eligible local organization to cover a portion of the total costs incurred for the rehabilitation of structural measures originally constructed as part of a covered water resource project (except that the local organization shall be responsible for securing all land, easements, or rights-of-ways necessary for the project). Limits the amount of Federal funds that may be made available to such an organization for construction of a particular rehabilitation project to 65 percent of the total rehabilitation costs, but not exceed 100 percent of actual construction costs incurred, and makes the local organization responsible for resource rights costs and all Federal, State, and local permits. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to provide technical assistance to a requesting organization in planning, designing, and implementing rehabilitation projects. Prohibits any assistance authorized under this Act from being used to perform operation and maintenance activities. Outlines assistance application requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish a system of approving rehabilitation assistance requests from eligible organizations equitably. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2009 to provide financial and technical assistance. Earmarks funds authorized for the first two fiscal years for an assessment by the Secretary of the rehabilitation needs of covered projects. Requires: (1) the Secretary to maintain a database to track the benefits derived from rehabilitation projects and expenditures and report annually to the Congress on the status of activities conducted; and (2) eligible local organizations that received assistance to report to the Secretary on the status of rehabilitation efforts undertaken using financial assistance after the completion of the specific projects for which assistance was provided.
Bill· SS. 1749 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Dietary Supplement Fairness in Labeling and Advertising Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that a proposed rule concerning regulations on statements made for dietary supplements about their effect on the body would improperly restrict the use of appropriate labeling claims about such effect, and, therefore, such proposed rule should not take effect. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit a truthful and accurate summary of one or more findings of a study or article appearing in a scientific or medical publication or textbook from being subject to regulation as labeling under such Act when used in connection with the sale of a dietary supplement. States that, insofar as such a publication is exempt from regulation as labeling under such Act, such publication is also exempt from regulation as advertising under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA). Requires the Federal Trade Commission, before it files a complaint alleging that an advertisement or advertiser is not in compliance with FTCA advertising regulations for a dietary supplement or ingredient or for medical services or health treatments, to ensure that such advertiser has been provided: (1) access to individuals whom the Commission has relied upon as experts; and (2) an opportunity to communicate with the Commission on the merits of the experts' views. States that it is not inherently deceptive or unfair for advertising about a dietary supplement or ingredient, or medical services or health treatments, to describe, mention, or rely upon scientific data other than conclusive human clinical studies if such advertising is truthful, not misleading, and reveals the nature of the study or other information. Limits consent agreement application to the particular supplement, ingredient, service, or treatment that is the subject of such agreement.
Bill· HRH.R. 3101 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Authorizes farmers and ranchers in designated drought disaster areas (as defined in this Act) to use certain conservation reserve land for 1999 haying and grazing.
Bill· HRH.R. 3104 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1999
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to increase: (1) funding limits for foreign agricultural commodity assistance under the food for progress, food for development, and specified emergency and nonemergency programs; (2) commodity tonnage limits; and (3) funding limits for related administrative and technical assistance. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize the Commodity Credit Corporation to pay program development and administration and monitoring costs incurred by private entities involved in foreign agricultural assistance programs to developing and friendly countries.
Bill· HRH.R. 3098 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1999
Mahoning Valley Infrastructure Improvement Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, from amounts made available for grants under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act for FY 2001, to make specified grants for: (1) a project for the construction of a water treatment facility and extension of waterlines in Milton Township and Craig Beach Village, Ohio; (2) the replacement of waterlines in McDonald, Ohio; and (3) sewer line projects in rural communities in Trumbull County, Ohio.
Bill· SS. 1739 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1999
Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 1999 - Title I: Moratorium on Large Agribusiness Mergers - Prohibits (with waiver authority by the Attorney General) certain large dealers, processors, commission merchants, agricultural input suppliers, brokers, or operators of a warehouse from directly or indirectly acquiring voting securities or assets of other large agribusiness entities until the earlier of: (1) the effective date of comprehensive legislation addressing the problem of market concentration in the agriculture sector; or (2) 18 months after enactment of this Act. Title II: Agriculture Concentration and Market Power Review Commission - Establishes the Agriculture Concentration and Market Power Review Commission to: (1) study U.S. agricultural economy concentration; and (2) make recommendations on changes to antitrust and other laws to maintain a competitive marketplace for smaller producers and their communities. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1738 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1999
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for a packer to own, feed, or control livestock intended for slaughter, with exceptions for: (1) a cooperative whose majority membership owns, feeds, or controls the livestock that the cooperative slaughters; or (2) a packer, owned or controlled by producers of a type of livestock, that slaughters less than two percent of such livestock slaughtered annually in the United States.
Law· SS. 1733 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1999
Electronic Benefit Transfer Interoperability and Portability Act of 1999 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for a national standard of interoperability and portability applicable to electronic food stamp benefit transactions. Requires systems that provide for the electronic issuance, use, and redemption of coupons in the form of electronic benefit transfer cards to be interoperable, and food stamp benefits to be made portable, among all States not later than October 1, 2002. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study of alternatives for handling food stamp benefit electronic transactions, including use of a single switching hub.
Bill· HRH.R. 3085 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1999
Discretionary Spending Offsets Act for Fiscal Year 2000 - Title I: Offsets for Discretionary Spending - Subtitle A: Agriculture - Part I: Food Safety Inspection and Enforcement Fees - Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to charge, with specified exceptions, user fees for poultry and poultry products inspection and related activities. (Currently inspection costs are federally paid, except for overtime and holiday work performed at poultry establishments.) (Sec. 111) Revises authorization of appropriation provisions to cover only the Safe Meat and Poultry Inspection Panel and Federal-State cooperative activities. Includes fee setting activities within annual reporting requirements. (Sec. 112) Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary to charge, with specified exceptions, user fees for meat, meat products, and livestock inspection and related activities. Revises authorization of appropriations provisions to cover only the Safe Meat and Poultry Inspection Panel and Federal-State cooperative activities. Amends the Wholesome Meat Act to include fee setting activities within annual reporting requirements. (Sec. 113) Amends the Egg Products Inspection Act to direct the Secretary to charge, with specified exceptions, user fees for egg products inspection and related activities. (Currently inspection costs are federally paid, except for overtime and holiday work performed at official plants.) Removes such activities from covered authorizations of appropriations. Amends the Egg Products Inspection Act to include fee setting activities within annual reporting requirements. (Sec. 114) Makes conforming payment-related amendments to specified Acts. Part II: Assessments Under Tobacco Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to require (if price supports are in effect) producer, purchaser, and importer tobacco marketing assessments beginning with the 1999 crop year. Sets forth assessment provisions with respect to: (1) allocations between domestic producers and purchasers of domestically produced tobacco; and (2) required annual collections. Part III: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Cost-Share Fees - Amends the Federal Plant Pest Act to direct the Secretary to charge, with specified exceptions, user fees for biotechnology-related services. (Sec. 132) Amends the Plant Quarantine Act to direct the Secretary to charge, with specified exceptions, user fees for biotechnology-related services. (Sec. 133) Amends the Animal Welfare Act to direct the Secretary to charge, with specified exceptions for registration and licensing, user fees for registration services. Eliminates quarterly authorization of appropriation caps, and excludes user fee-covered activities from such authorization of appropriations. Part IV: Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyard Administration Licensing Fee - Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to state that grain standardization fees shall be collected from persons benefitting from such services, including first purchasers, processors, and grain warehousemen. (Sec. 142) Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to establish license and fee requirements for packers, live poultry dealers, stockyard owners, dealers, and market agencies. Part V: Forest Service Fees - Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary to implement a timber sale preparation user fee pilot program. (Sec. 152) Requires rental fees for commercial filming on National Forestry System lands to be deposited into a special Treasury fund. Authorizes such fund's use for administration and management of special uses on System lands. (Sec. 153) Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary to charge fair market value user fees for special products (vegetation or other life forms growing on System lands) collected on System lands. (Sec. 154) Amends the Granger-Thye Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) implement a public-private venture demonstration program to evaluate the feasibility of using non-Federal funds to construct, rehabilitate, and operate federally owned visitor facilities on System lands, and to conduct related environmental analyses; and (2) charge concession fees. Authorizes the Secretary to sell existing System facilities to authorized concessionaires. Provides for the allocation of concession fees and facility sales proceeds on a unit and agency-wide basis. (Sec. 155) Directs the Secretary to charge fair market value user fees for non-ski recreation concessions on System lands and waters. Subtitle B: Commerce - Part I: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Navigation Services Fees - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish and adjust user fees for any navigation services provided to commercial marine operators. (Sec. 211) Authorizes a limited amount of offsetting collections from such fees to be appropriated for expenses associated with providing such services. Part II: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Management Fees - Directs the Secretary to establish and adjust user fees associated with the U.S. fishing industry. (Sec. 221) Authorizes a limited amount of offsetting collections from such fees to be appropriated for management and enforcement costs associated with domestic fisheries. Part III: Analog Television Service Signal Lease Fee - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission to assess and collect lease fees for each fiscal year for the use of an analog television service license by commercial television broadcasters. Requires such fees to be used for upgrading Federal, State, and local public safety wireless communications equipment and facilities. Apportions such fees based upon the population covered by a broadcaster's signal. (Sec. 231) Requires collected fees to be deposited as offsetting receipts in the Treasury and authorizes them to be appropriated. Waives, reduces, or defers fees in any specific instance where such action would promote the public interest. Provides for a penalty of 25 percent of the fee amount for late payment. Subtitle C: Education and Labor - Part I: National Directory of New Hires - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to provide for data matching with respect to individual cases of defaulted loans and obligations to refund overpayments of grants under title IV (Student Assistance). (Sec. 311) Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary for this subtitle) to match such data, through the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), with that in the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) established under the Social Security Act. Allows the Secretary to seek such information only as necessary to improve such debt collection. Authorizes the Secretary to use such information to: (1) collect such debt owed by individuals whose annualized wage level exceeds $16,000; and (2) conduct analyses of student loan defaults, after removal of personal identifiers. Allows data disclosure only to a guaranty agency holding the loan obligation, a contractor or agent of such agency or of the Secretary, and the Attorney General. Directs the Secretary to reimburse HHS for additional costs involved in such data matching. Authorizes the Secretary to impose fees on guaranty agencies for reasonable costs of obtaining such information. Amends the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of HHS to exercise such NDNH data matching and disclosure authority in cooperation with that of the Secretary under HEA. Revises the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 to make certain penalties for misuse of information applicable to all persons. Part II: Recall of Federal Reserves Held by Guaranty Agencies - Amends HEA title IV to direct the Secretary to recall from the Federal Student Loan Reserve Funds held by guaranty agencies specified minimum amounts in each of FY 2000 through 2004, for deposit in the Treasury. (Sec. 321) Eliminates provisions for guaranty agreements for reimbursing losses. Replaces such provisions with ones for guaranty agreements for paying lenders for default claims. Exempts nonprofit guaranty agencies from the requirements of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to the extent that they are carrying out due diligence activities required by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into voluntary, flexible agreements with any guaranty agency that had one or more prior agreements with the Secretary. Part III: Employer Tax Credit User Fees - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish Work Opportunity Credit (WOC) and Welfare-to-Work Credit (WWC) user fees. (Sec. 331) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to impose such fees on employers submitting applications for certification of individuals as members of target groups (for WOC) and categories of long-term family assistance recipients (for WWC). Prohibits such fees from being paid, directly or indirectly, by the individual who is the subject of the certification. Bases the amount of such fees on an estimate of what is needed to fully fund administrative costs relating to such certification. Requires a fee for employers with fewer than 100 employees lower than that for employers with 100 or more. Requires such fees to be: (1) collected by designated local agencies; (2) deposited as offsetting receipts in the State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations account of the Treasury; and (3) available to pay administrative costs relating to such certification. Directs the Secretary of Labor to allocate such funds among the States based on their relative workload in processing the certifications. Makes such fees available for obligation only to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations acts. Authorizes the fees to be appropriated to remain available until expended. Subtitle D: Natural Resource, Energy, and Environment - Part I: Nuclear Regulatory Commission User Fees and Annual Charges - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend the last assessment of certain Nuclear Regulatory Commission annual charges through FY 2004. Part II: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Fees - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assess fees from applicants for pesticide registrations, amendments to registrations, and experimental use permits effective October 1, 1999. (Sec. 421) Permits fee reductions or waivers: (1) in connection with applications for an active ingredient that is contained only in pesticides for which registration is sought solely for agricultural or nonagricultural minor uses; or (2) in other instances determined to be in the public interest. Provides for deposit of such fees in a special fund for environmental services in the Treasury. Authorizes such fees to be appropriated to carry out activities for which the fees were collected. Part III: Toxic Substances Control Act Fees - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to revise provisions regarding fees from persons required to submit data under such Act to remove an upper limit on the amount that may be collected. (Sec. 431) Provides for deposit of such fees in a special fund for environmental services in the Treasury. Authorizes such fees to be appropriated to carry out activities for which the fees were collected. Subtitle E: Revenue - Part I: Reinstate Superfund Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the environmental tax to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998, and before January 1, 2010. (Sec. 511) Applies the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate after the date of this Act's enactment and before October 1, 2009. Part II: Tobacco Excise Taxes - Increases the excise taxes on tobacco products. (Sec. 522) Exempts, during 1999, from the requirement to deposit taxes persons required to make deposits with respect to alcohol and tobacco products. Part III: Customs Access Fee - Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, with respect to customs fees, to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to charge and collect for the provision of customs services (in addition to the current fees) a fee for the use of any automated system of the Customs Service for processing commercial operations based on the volume of usage of the system. Requires publication of the fee. Exempts Federal agencies from such fee. Requires the issuance of bills on a monthly basis for such fee. Part IV: Customs Air and Sea Passenger Processing Fee Amendments - Increases the $5.00 passenger arrival fee to $6.40 and declares certain exemptions (which include Mexico, Canada, and U.S. territories and possessions) from such fees inapplicable. Part V: Harbor Services User Fee - Directs the Secretary of the Army to impose specified fees on the owners or operators of commercial vessels for services provided for the use of ports. Sets forth exemptions. (Sec. 552) Establishes a United States Harbor Services Fund into which the section 551 fees shall be deposited. Authorizes Fund expenditures for harbor development, operations, and maintenance costs. Subtitle F: Human Services - Part I: Social Security Administration Claimant Representative Fees - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to impose on attorneys owed a fee from a claimant's past-due benefits an assessment, determined according to a specified formula, for crediting to the OASDI trust funds. Authorizes appropriations. Part II: Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Amendments -Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to limit the amount of the FY 2000 State TANF supplemental grant for population increases in certain States to the amount of such grant for FY 1999. Part III: Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Contingency Fund - Amends SSA title IV part A with respect to the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs to provide for: (1) removal of the limit on the amount of deposits into the Contingency Fund; (2) State flexibility for Contingency Fund grants; and (3) revision of annual reconciliation requirements, in particular repealing the adjustment of State remittances for FY 2000 and 2001 that was enacted in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. Subtitle G: Health Care - Part I: Medicare Savers - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) a reduction in the clinical diagnostic laboratory test cap from 74 to 72 percent; (2) establishment of a national limit on payment for prosthetics and for orthotics; (3) a reduction in Medicare payment for hospital bad debts and extension of such bad debt payment limitation to other relevant facilities and services providers; (4) a freeze, for FY 2000, in the applicable percentage increase used in determining Medicare payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services; (5) a payment amount under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for a covered drug or biological not payable on a cost or prospective payment basis that is set at 83 percent of the average wholesale price for 2000 and each subsequent year; (6) reduced payment for erythropoietin provided during 2000 under Medicare coverage of certain items and services for end stage renal disease patients; (7) a prohibition on the furnishing of partial hospitalization services in residential services; (8) additional specified requirements for community mental health centers; (9) information requirements pertaining to group health plans under Medicare secondary payer provisions; and (10) Centers of Excellence for furnishing services related to surgical procedures and for furnishing other unrelated services as appropriate to hospital inpatients. (Sec. 714) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to repeal the moratorium on bad debt policy with respect to Medicare hospital services. (Sec. 719A) Provides that not more than $1.1 million of the savings for FY 2000 resulting from enactment of this part may be treated as negative discretionary budget authority and outlays for such fiscal year. Part II: Food and Drug Administration User Fees - Subpart A: Medical Device Fees - Medical Device Fee Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assess and collect various specified medical device application and supplement, establishment registration, and periodic premarket application report fees (except from small businesses) to be used for the review of device applications; (2) authorize appropriations; and (3) treat certain unpaid fees as a Federal claim for collection purposes. Subpart B: Fees to Support Costs of Review of Food and Color Additive Petitions - Food and Color Additive Petition Fee Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) set forth provisions analogous to those under Subpart A with respect to food and color additive petition and producer registration fees; (2) require registration of food ingredient and color additive producers; and (3) make miscellaneous amendments relating to the food and color additive petition review process, including allowing access to outside experts during the review process. Subpart C: Food Contact Substance Notification Fees - Food Contact Substance Notification Fee Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) set forth provisions analogous to those under Subpart A with respect to food contact substance notification fees; and (2) make a miscellaneous amendment relating to the food contact substance notification process. Part III: Health Care Financing Administration User Fees - Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) revise the limitation on the amount of fees the Secretary may collect from a Medicare+Choice organization with a contract under SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) for enrollment-related costs; (2) direct the Secretary to impose fees for initial Medicare+Choice contract issuance and for renewal of such contracts and ongoing monitoring of Medicare+Choice organization operations; (3) exempt from such mandate entities subject to the requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988; (4) modify provisions on the use of State agencies to determine compliance by service providers with conditions of participation with regard to State agreements; (5) add registration procedures and fees provisions under provisions on agreements with providers of services under Medicare; and (6) subject certain claims under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and B to a specified processing fee for transfer to the Health Care Financing Administration Program Management Account. (Sec. 737) Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to repeal provisions on selection of regional laboratory carriers. Subtitle H: Transportation - Part 1: Federal Aviation Administration Cost-Based User Fees - Amends Federal aviation law to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to establish a schedule of new fees (until a permanent schedule is adopted) for the provision of air traffic control services to an air carrier, a commercial air carrier (for compensation or hire), or a foreign air carrier. Provides for the reduction of aviation excise taxes to be credited to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund if such taxes and receipts from fees exceed for FY 2000 the FAA budgetary requirements for FY 2001. (Sec. 811) Provides for the adjustment of certain aviation excise taxes credited to the Trust Fund. Part II: Coast Guard Vessel Navigation Assistance Fee - Amends Federal shipping law to authorize the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish annual fees to recover a portion of the costs of navigation services provided by the Coast Guard to commercial vessels. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary out of the collection of such fees. Part III: Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Fees - Amends Federal transportation law to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary of Transportation's authority to impose a fee on persons who are required to file a registration statement for the transport of hazardous material in order to pay for the costs of processing such statements. Makes the annual fee to be paid by each person required to file a registration statement a flat $500 (currently, at least $250 but no more than $5,000). Requires the Secretary of Transportation to publish a fee schedule at the beginning of each fiscal year. Declares that registration requirements shall not apply to Indian tribes. Part IV: Commercial Accident Investigation Fees - Authorizes the U.S. Government to collect a fee for service to offset, on an annual basis, the costs of investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of commercial transportation accidents involving air, ocean, and rail carriers. Part V: Surface Transportation Board User Fees - Authorizes appropriations for the Surface Transportation Board, to be derived from fees collected during the fiscal year. Authorizes the Board to assess and collect user fees and annual charges in each fiscal year equal to its costs for such year. Part VI: Rail Safety User Fees - Changes from mandatory to discretionary the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to impose fees on railroad carriers to cover the costs to promote rail safety and Federal Railroad Administration activities related to hazardous material transportation safety. Title II: Budget Provisions - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, upon enactment of this Act, to: (1) reduce any balances of direct spending and receipts legislation for FY 2000 to zero under pay-as-you-go enforcement provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act); and (2) treat the amount of any balances so reduced as negative discretionary budget authority and outlays for FY 2000 under discretionary spending limit enforcement provisions of such Act.
Bill· SS. 1724 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1999
Agriculture Import Surge Relief Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to action the President much take to facilitate an industry's efforts to make a positive adjustment to certain import competition, to repeal the requirement that the cause (or threat) of serious injury be substantial to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an article being imported into the United States in increased quantities. Defines "cause" to mean a cause that contributes significantly to serious injury (or threat) to the domestic industry but need not be equal to or greater than any other cause. (Sec. 2) Revises certain factors the International Trade Commission (ITC) must consider when investigating to determine whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury (or threat) to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Repeals, similarly, the requirement that such injury be substantial. Directs the ITC, when a petition filed by an industry (or a request by the President, United States Trade Representative (USTR), a resolution of specified congressional committees, or on the ITC's own motion) requesting a positive adjustment to import competition alleges that critical circumstances exist, to make a serious injury (or threat) determination with respect to such competition not later than 45 days (currently 60 days) after such petition or request is filed. Requires the ITC with respect to petitions involving agriculture to make such determinations within 60 days (90 days if the petition alleges that critical circumstances exist) after the date the petition is filed, the request or resolution is received, or the motion is adopted. Requires the President within 20 days (currently, 30 days) after receiving an affirmative determination to provide provisional relief to prevent or remedy such injury. Requires with respect to the implementation of such provisional relief that it will not have an adverse impact on the United States substantially out of proportion to the benefits of such action. Requires provisional relief recommended by the ITC to take effect upon the enactment of a joint resolution of Congress within the 45 day (currently, 90 day) period beginning on the date that the President reports to Congress on what action, if any, is to be taken. (Sec. 3) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize an entity (including a trade association, firm, certified or recognized union, or group of workers which is representative of a domestic industry that produces an agricultural product that is like or directly competitive with an imported agricultural product) to file a request to monitor such imports, based on a petition that alleges that an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to cause serious injury (or threat) to the domestic industry. Requires the President to determine whether to monitor within 45 days after receiving a request. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in order to facilitate the early identification of potentially disruptive import surges, to grant an exception to the publication dates established for the release of data on U.S. international trade in goods and services in order to permit public access to preliminary international trade import data, if the Director notifies Congress of the early release of such data. (Sec. 5) Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to establish an Agricultural Import Monitoring and Enforcement Program. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the ITC to establish a suffix to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for merchandise that is subject to countervailing duty orders or antidumping duty orders. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to monitor, and report to Congress on, imports (including agricultural products and other import-sensitive products) on a quarterly basis for import surges and potential unfair trade through 2005. (Sec. 8) Directs the ITC to investigate, collect information, and report to specified congressional committees on anticompetitive practices in international trade of agricultural products. Requires the ITC's findings to be included in the National Trade Estimate report.
Bill· HRH.R. 3040 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1999
Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to require the appointment of the Chief of the Forest Service by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from persons who have substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest land management and natural resources conservation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3037 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1999
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Labor for: (1) training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other trust funds; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (8) the Employment Standards Administration; (9) certain special benefits; (10) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (11) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (12) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (13) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (14) departmental management; (15) the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training; and (16) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) the Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund for Federal interest subsidies for medical facilities; (3) health education assistance loans; (4) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (5) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (6) the National Institutes of Health, including amounts for the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, the Office of the Director, and buildings and facilities; (7) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (8) the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; (9) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (10) the Administration for Children and Families for family support payments to States; (11) low income home energy assistance; (12) refugee and entrant assistance; (13) the social services block grant; (14) children and families services programs; (15) family preservation and support pursuant to a specified provision of the Social Security Act; (16) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (17) the Administration on Aging; (18) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (19) the Office of Inspector General; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; (21) policy research; (22) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; and (23) activities related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations. Rescinds FY 2000 funds for a sample study of child welfare. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 208) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being made available under title X (population research and voluntary family planning) of the Public Health Service Act unless the award applicant certifies to the Secretary of HHS that it encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and provides counseling to minors on resisting attempts to coerce them into engaging in sexual activities. (Sec. 210) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the Medicare+Choice program if the Secretary of HHS denies participation in such program to an otherwise eligible entity (including a Provider Sponsored Organization) because the entity informs the Secretary that it will not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or provide referrals for abortions. (Sec. 211) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require State allotments under block grants for: (1) community health services for FY 2000 to be at least the amount the State received for FY 1998; and (2) substance abuse prevention and treatment for FY 2000 to be equal to allotments for FY 1999. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Department of Education for: (1) education reform; (2) education for the disadvantaged; (3) impact aid; (4) school improvement activities; (5) reading excellence; (6) Indian education; (7) bilingual and immigrant education; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) student financial assistance; (13) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (14) higher education; (15) Howard University; (16) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (17) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (18) education research, statistics, and improvement; (19) departmental management; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; and (21) the Office of the Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 301) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being used to: (1) transport teachers or students in order to overcome racial imbalance in any school or to carry out a racial desegregation plan; or (2) prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in public schools. (Sec. 306) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reduce to 35 percent the Federal share available for Even Start family literacy programs in any year after the eighth year of receiving assistance. Removes a provision which limits the receipt of such assistance to a period of eight years. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Education Goals Panel; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the social security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for programs to distribute sterile needles or syringes for the injection of illegal drugs. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American requirements. (Sec. 508) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being expended for abortions or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion, except in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or where a woman suffers from a physical condition that would, as certified by a physician, place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Sec. 510) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo is destroyed or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under Federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 511) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for activities to promote the legalization of a controlled substance unless there is significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage to the use of such substance or that federally-sponsored trials are being conducted to determine such advantage. (Sec. 514) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to promulgate a final standard under the Social Security Act providing for a unique health identifier for an individual (except in an individual's capacity as an employer or health care provider) until legislation is enacted specifically approving the standard. Title VI: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Interventions For Newborns and Infants With Hearing Loss - Mandates grants or cooperative agreements to: (1) develop statewide newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems; and (2) provide technical assistance to State agencies to complement an intramural program and to conduct applied research related to newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems. Requires the National Institutes of Health to continue a program of research and development on the efficacy of new screening techniques and technology. Mandates Federal coordination and collaboration with State and local agencies, consumer groups, national medical, health, and education specialty organizations, deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and their families, qualified professional personnel, and related commercial industries. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Child Protection Act of 1999 - Child Protection Act of 1999 - Requires any elementary or secondary school or public library that has received Federal funds for the acquisition or operation of any computer that is accessible to minors and that has access to the Internet to: (1) install software on that computer adequately designed to prevent minors from obtaining access to any obscene information or child pornography; and (2) ensure that such software is operational whenever that computer is used by minors. Allows temporary interruption of software operation to permit a minor, under the direct supervision of an adult designated by the school or library, to have access to information that is not obscene, is not child pornography, or is otherwise unprotected by the Constitution. Requires determinations of adequate design to be made by an agency or official designated by the chief executive officer of the State. Authorizes Federal agency heads to respond to violations of this Act by seeking remedies, in the same manner as under the General Education Provisions Act, including withholding of further payments, issuing a complaint to compel compliance through a cease and desist order, or entering into a compliance agreement with the recipient of funds. Prohibits seeking recovery of funds from the recipient. Title VIII: Inflation Adjustments to Mandatory Jurisdiction Thresholds of National Labor Relations Board - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide for inflation adjustments to the mandatory jurisdiction thresholds of the National Labor Relations Board. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require earned income credit refunds to be paid in 12 substantially equal installments. Makes such requirement inapplicable to refunds under $600. Terminates provisions regarding advanced payment of earned income credit after September 30, 1999. Makes such termination inapplicable to earned income eligibility certificates in effect on such date and to renewals of such certificates which are so in effect. Applies the preceding amendments to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 902) Directs the General Accounting Office to conduct a study of the impact on earned income tax credit recipients with respect to a disbursement over 12 months versus the current one-time, lump-sum payment. Title X: Disaster Relief for Farmers - Makes a specified amount of Commodity Credit Corporation funds available to the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to producers for crop and livestock losses incurred as a result of the hurricanes and flooding that struck the eastern United States in August and September 1999.
Bill· SS. 1686 (106th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1999
Chugach Alaska Natives Settlement Implementation Act of 1999 - Title I: Easement for Access - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to grant to the Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach) a perpetual easement for access to and utilization and development of land interests in the vicinity of Carbon Mountain, Alaska, that were conveyed to Chugach pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). States that, if within six months the Secretary and Chugach fail to agree on easement terms and conditions, then such easement is hereby granted to Chugach as a conveyance under ANCSA. Title II: Cemetery Sites and Historic Places - Directs the Secretary to withdraw from all forms of appropriations: (1) all public lands for which Chugach filed an application for conveyance pursuant to ANCSA as a cemetery site or historical place which application was denied because the land was selected by and conveyed to a Village Corporation; and (2) all lands that the Federal Government acquired from Village Corporations or other private parties in the Chugach Region in connection with the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Program. Outlines Chugach application requirements for the withdrawn lands and requires lands previously selected by Chugach for such purposes to be evaluated for their eligibility as cemetery sites and historical places. Provides a reinstatement period for Chugach to refile an application for lands previously requested. Title III: Forest System Land Management - Directs the Secretary to coordinate the development, maintenance, and revision of land and resource management plans for units of the National Forest System in Alaska with the plans of the Alaska Native Corporations for the utilization of lands which are intermingled with, adjacent to, or dependent for access upon National Forest System lands.
Bill· SS. 1683 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1999
Rural Alaska Access Rights Act of 1999 - Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to: (1) require all Federal public land managers in Alaska, or a region that includes Alaska, to participate in an Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) training class, and for future Alaska public land managers to complete ANILCA training; (2) require any alternative route across Alaska public lands chosen by the head of a Federal agency to be no less economically feasible and prudent than the route being sought by an applicant; (3) provide that nothing in such Act shall be construed to adversely affect rights-of-way established under Revised Statute 2477; (4) provide that reasonable regulations governing transportation across Alaska public lands shall not include any requirements for the demonstration of pre-existing use (requiring the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to limit any access prohibitions to the smallest area practicable and the shortest period of time); (5) allow the Secretary to grant easements and rights-of-way to private landholders across Alaska public lands for economic and other purposes; (6) prohibit the Secretary from imposing unreasonable fees or charges for those seeking to exercise such access rights; (7) require (currently permits) the Secretary to enable specified officials to participate in the development of an Alaska National Park System (System) conservation and management plan; (8) state that a current occupier of a cabin or other structure on System lands may not be required to waive, forfeit, or relinquish any possessory or personal interest therein; (9) authorize necessary repairs or minor alterations to such cabins or structures; (10) require fees for permits and leases to be reasonable and consistent with authorized uses; (11) include fish and wildlife dependent recreation as a purpose of Alaska national preserve units; (12) authorize the Secretary to designate zones where and periods when hunting, fishing, and trapping will be prohibited on Alaska public lands; (13) direct the Secretary of Agriculture to permit or regulate helicopter use and landings within Alaska National Forest Wilderness areas and Alaska National Forest Monument areas; and (14) prohibit the Secretary, on Alaska wilderness areas, from establishing management directives for administering any study area to preserve wilderness values prior to action by Congress on recommendations, if any, for wilderness designation of a study area.
Bill· HRH.R. 3001 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1999
Nutraceutical Research and Education Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define "nutraceutical" as a dietary supplement, food, or medical food, as defined in specified provisions of the Orphan Drug Act, that: (1) has a benefit which prevents or reduces the risk of a disease or health condition, including the management of a disease or health condition or the improvement of health; and (2) is safe for human consumption in the quantity and with the frequency required to realize such properties. (Sec. 4) Allows any person to petition the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a regulation regarding a nutraceutical claim. Requires that the petition contain specified information, including a report of at least one clinical trial and evidence that the nutraceutical is safe. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary, if the Secretary issues a regulation in response to a petition, from issuing another regulation for an essentially identical nutraceutical claim for ten years, unless: (1) the new petition involves a use that provides greater effectiveness, greater safety, or otherwise a major contribution to patient care; or (2) the first petition is subsequently revoked. Deems a food adulterated if it is a nutraceutical and it: (1) has not had a petition approved; or (2) has been prepared, packed, or held under conditions that do not meet good manufacturing practice regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such regulations. (Sec. 7) Establishes in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the Advisory Council on Nutraceuticals to evaluate whether a petition is worthy of review by the FDA and whether the petition conflicts with any other petition. Exempts the Council from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to maintain and periodically publish an index, with specified contents, listing: (1) each nutraceutical having an approved petition; and (2) each pending petition. (Sec. 10 (sic)) Makes it not unlawful under the antitrust laws for two or more small businesses to agree to combine their resources to meet FDCA requirements for claims of nutraceutical health benefits. Defines: (1) "antitrust laws" as it is defined in specified provisions of the Clayton Act plus specified provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act as those provisions apply to unfair methods of competition; and (2) "small businesses" as entities that have fewer than 500 employees, including employees of affiliates.
Bill· SS. 1669 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1999
Peanut Labeling Act of 1999 - Requires retailers of peanuts or peanut products produced or imported into the United States to inform final point of sale consumers of such products' country of origin, unless: (1) waived by the Secretary of Agriculture because of the difficulty of determining product origin; or (2) the products are already labeled by the packer, importer, or other person. Authorizes civil penalties for violations of such requirement.
Bill· SS. 1672 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Livestock Mandatory Reporting Title II: Related Beef Reporting Provisions Title III: Related Swine Reporting Provisions Title IV: Implementation Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 - Title I: Livestock Mandatory Reporting - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to define specified terms relating to livestock reporting, including cattle and swine reporting. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish mandatory price reporting programs for live cattle and swine that: (1) provide timely and accurate market information; (2) facilitate informed marketing decisions; and (3) promote competition in the slaughtering industry. Sets forth reporting provisions for the Secretary and packers. Requires mandatory packer reporting of boxed beef sales. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a reporting price information program for lamb. Prohibits the Secretary from charging user or service fees. Requires the Secretary to encourage voluntary reporting by packers not subject to the mandatory requirements of this title. Requires the Secretary to publish at least monthly information on retail prices for food products made from beef, pork, chicken, turkey, veal, or lamb. Title II: Related Beef Reporting Provisions - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to include beef within the agricultural export commodities subject to weekly reporting by the Secretary. (Sec. 202) Requires the Secretary to implement an electronic online system to issue and report on meat and meat product export certificates. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary publish information on imports of beef, beef variety meats, and cattle. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Related Swine Reporting Provisions - Requires the Secretary to publish on a monthly basis the Hogs and Pigs Inventory Report, including a separate category for gestating sows. (Sec. 302) Requires the Secretary to make available to swine producers, packers, and other market participants information on swine slaughter that reflects differences in numbers between barrows and gilts. (Sec. 303) Requires the Secretary to contract for a correlation study and report (and prepare subsequent reports) establishing a baseline and standards for determining and improving average trim loss measurements and processing techniques for swine slaughter. (Sec. 304) Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921to require the Secretary to establish and maintain a library of each contract type offered by packers to swine producers for the purchase and slaughter of swine, including non-carcass premiums. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Comptroller General to report on the Secretary's authority and jurisdiction over packers and others involved in procuring, slaughtering, or processing swine, pork, or pork products under specified Acts. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations to carry out activities under this title. Title IV: Implementation - Sets forth implementing provisions. Terminates the provisions of this Act five years after enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2988 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1999
Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation and in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to undertake a program for improving the supply of water for the Texas counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, Jim Hogg, Zapata, Webb, Maverick, Val Verde, Kinney, Terrell, Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, and El Paso through specified water transportation, conservation, and education activities. Makes a project ineligible for implementation unless: (1) the project plan shows an estimate of the amount of water that will be conserved; and (2) the design for the project includes a cost-of-project-to- water-developed ratio statement. Limits: (1) the non-Federal share of the costs of any such activity to 40 percent; and (2) payments by the State of Texas to 30 percent of such costs. Permits provision of the remainder of the non-Federal share to include in-kind contributions of goods and services. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner and in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the counties, and other non-Federal entities, to: (1) assess alternative water supply options for the counties of Maverick, Kinney, Edwards, Val Verde, Terrell, Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, and El Paso for alleviating water supply shortages and project water demands; and (2) submit recommendations to Congress regarding such alternatives which shall emphasize water management actions that encourage the incorporation of prudent, responsible, and economically feasible water conservation measures. Requires the Secretary to assess the feasibility of wastewater reuse for irrigation and groundwater recharge and other nonpotable purposes. Limits the Federal share of the cost of any such activity to 50 percent. Prohibits the Secretary from carrying out any activity except under an agreement with a non- Federal entity that has legal authority under the laws of the State to obligate funds or provide in- kind services for such activity, under which the non-Federal entity is obligated to provide the non-Federal share of the cost of the activity. Authorizes appropriations.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 317 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1999
Waives points of order against the consideration of the conference report on H.R. 1906 (Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations).
Bill· SS. 1666 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1999
Farmers' Risk Management Act of 1999 - Title I: Risk Management Payments - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to offer to enter into risk management contracts with crop insurance-eligible producers for crop years 2001 through 2004 who agree to use at least two risk management practices, including: (1) obtaining crop insurance; (2) entering into a future or option commodity contract; (3) crop diversification; (4) obtaining an agricultural trade option; and (5) farm debt reduction. Bases payments on historical or assigned yields, commodity prices, and a payment rate determined by the Secretary. Sets forth administrative and operating provisions. Terminates the program as of September 30, 2004. Title II: Crop Insurance - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to revise crop insurance program compliance and penalty provisions. Subjects: (1) insurance agents, adjusters, and providers to specified civil money penalties and program suspensions for intentionally providing false information or failing to comply with specified standards; and (2) producers to such sanctions for intentionally providing false information. (Sec. 202) Directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to develop loss adjustment oversight procedures. (Sec. 203) Extends the revenue insurance pilot program. (Sec. 204) Provides for the reduction of underwriting gains and losses from catastrophic risk protection. (Sec. 205) Directs the Corporation to conduct a whole farm revenue insurance pilot program under which commodity or livestock producers may obtain insurance for a guaranteed revenue level. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 206) Directs the Corporation to establish a pilot program to encourage approved insurance providers to develop innovative risk management products with competitive rate premiums. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 207) Prohibits insurance purchases for more than one crop for the same acreage during a crop year unless there is an established area history of double-cropping. Title III: Regulations - Sets forth implementing provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 2972 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1999
Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to rename the Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center as the Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center.
Bill· SS. 1651 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Agricultural Trade Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to take specified measures to protect the interests of producers of U.S. agricultural commodities and ensure the international competitiveness of U.S. agriculture if the European Union (EU) does not: (1) by January 1, 2002, reduce agricultural export subsidies by at least 50 percent of the level of such subsidies provided as of October 1, 1999; or (2) by January 1, 2003, enter into an agricultural trade agreement under which it agrees to eliminate such subsidies.
Bill· SS. 1648 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Agricultural Trade Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to take specified measures to protect the interests of producers of U.S. agricultural commodities and ensure the international competitiveness of U.S. agriculture if the European Union (EU) does not: (1) by January 1, 2002, reduce agricultural export subsidies by at least 50 percent; or (2) by January 1, 2003, enter into an agricultural trade agreement under which it agrees to eliminate such subsidies.
Bill· HRH.R. 2962 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a marketing order, subject to producer and importer referendum approval, providing for research and promotion of Hass avocados. Sets forth marketing order terms and related provisions, including establishment of a Hass Avocado Board. Authorizes appropriations.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 309 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) major commercial food processors and producers should resolve to produce products containing key life-threatening allergens on separate, dedicated manufacturing lines; (2) labeled ingredient listings should specify their allergenic ingredients clearly by name if those ingredients are key allergens; (3) allergens should be identified in terms understandable to average citizens; (4) foods which are common, life-threatening allergens should not be added gratuitously to products where their contribution to taste is negligible and where their presence would not reasonably be expected; (5) industry, consumer, and scientific groups should voluntarily work together for the purpose of better educating food industry workers and the public on the issues of food allergy safety; and (6) an assessment of the impact and success of these initiatives should be made not later than one year after the date of adoption of this resolution and reported to the resolution's sponsors.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 189 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1999
Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000, and October 1, 2000, through February 28, 2001: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; (12) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. Provides that within the funds in the account "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" appropriated by the legislative branch appropriations Acts for FY 2000 and 2001 there is authorized to be established a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.
Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 68 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1999
Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for continuing projects or activities, including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees, which were conducted in FY 1999 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority would be available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (2) the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (3) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000; (4) the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000; (5) the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2000; (6) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000; (7) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (8) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (9) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000; (10) the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (11) the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000; and (12) the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000. Continues funding of projects or activities at the current rate of operations and sets forth limitations on such funding. (Sec. 106) Provides funding under this resolution until enactment into law of any covered appropriation or the applicable appropriations Act (without any provision for the covered appropriation) or October 21, 1999, whichever occurs first. (Sec. 115) Continues certain activities authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 through the date for which funding is provided under this resolution. (Sec. 116) Sets the rate of operations for reimbursement of past losses for the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund at $11.5 billion. (Sec. 117) Continues specified authorities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation through the period of this joint resolution. (Sec. 118) Authorizes the use of funds to initiate or resume projects or activities at a rate exceeding the current rate to achieve Year 2000 (Y2K) computer compliance and for implementation of business continuity and contingency plans. (Sec. 119) Makes a specified amount available for decennial census programs for the period covered by this joint resolution. (Sec. 122) Extends, until November 1, 1999, a certain provision of law that allows fewer than three members of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to constitute a quorum.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 67 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1999
Makes appropriations for FY 2000 for continuing projects or activities, including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees, which were conducted in FY 1999 and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority would be available in: (1) the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (2) the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (3) the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000; (4) the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000; (5) the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2000; (6) the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000; (7) the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (8) the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (9) the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000; (10) the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000; (11) the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000; and (12) the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000. Continues funding of projects or activities at the current rate of operations and sets forth limitations on such funding. (Sec. 106) Provides funding under this resolution until enactment into law of any covered appropriation or the applicable appropriations Act (without any provision for the covered appropriation) or October 21, 1999, whichever occurs first. (Sec. 115) Continues certain activities authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 through the date for which funding is provided under this resolution. (Sec. 116) Sets the rate of operations for reimbursement of past losses for the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund at $11.5 billion. (Sec. 117) Continues specified authorities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation through the period of this joint resolution. (Sec. 118) Authorizes the use of funds to initiate or resume projects or activities at a rate exceeding the current rate to achieve Year 2000 (Y2K) computer compliance and for implementation of business continuity and contingency plans. (Sec. 119) Makes a specified amount available for decennial census programs for the period covered by this joint resolution. (Sec. 121) Applies the date specified in Section 106 of this resolution, in lieu of October 1, 1999, as the date of termination of a prohibition on the issuance of a notice of final rulemaking with respect to the valuation of crude oil for royalty purposes. (Sec. 123) Extends, until November 1, 1999, a certain provision of law that allows fewer than three members of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to constitute a quorum.
Bill· SS. 1636 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999
HOPE for Africa Act of 1999 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) for the majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to benefit from new trade, investment, and other economic opportunities provided by this Act, the pre-existing burden of external debt of sub-Saharan African countries must be eliminated; and (2) only significant debt relief will allow operation of local credit markets and eliminate distortions currently hindering development in sub-Saharan Africa. Title I: Cancellation of Debt Owed by Sub-Saharan African Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, with specified exceptions, to cancel all concessional and nonconcessional loans made, guarantees issued, or credits extended by the United States to sub-Saharan African countries. Directs the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the cancellation of debt. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of State to notify foreign governments that have outstanding loans, guarantees, or credits to the government of a sub-Saharan African country that it is U.S. policy to forgive all such debts and that such foreign governments should do the same. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to Congress a plan to advocate the cancellation of debt owed by sub-Saharan African countries to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), including proposed instructions to the U.S. Executive Directors of such financial institutions to use the U.S. vote to advocate that such institutions: (1) unconditionally cancel all debts owed by a sub-Saharan African country to such institution; and (2) provide that until all debts owed have been unconditionally canceled, require that any future loans not be used to finance in whole or part the implementation of any agreement which requires the country to pay more than five percent of its annual export earnings toward the servicing of foreign loans. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on the amount of debt owed to any U.S. person by any country in sub-Saharan Africa and include a plan to acquire each debt obligation owed to each U.S. person. (Sec. 105) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1999 to require the International Financial Institution Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary of the Treasury and report to Congress on the viability and desirability of having each indebted sub-Saharan African country repay foreign loans in their currency. (Sec. 106) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of each sub-Saharan African country should allocate 20 percent of its national budget, including the savings from cancellation of debt owed by it to the United States, to other foreign countries, to the IMF and the World Bank, and to U.S. persons for the provision of basic services to individuals in their respective country, as provided for in the United Nations 20/20 Initiative; and (2) prior to the unconditional cancellation of debt owed by sub-Saharan African countries, each such country should not pay in any calendar year an aggregate amount greater than five percent of the export earnings of the country for the prior calendar year. Title II: Trade Provisions Relating to Sub-Saharan Africa - Directs the United States, pursuant to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, to eliminate existing quotas on textile and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius within 30 days after each country demonstrates that it: (1) is not ineligible for benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences of the Trade Act of 1974; (2) does not engage in significant violations of internationally recognized human rights; (3) provides for the enforcement of certain internationally recognized worker rights; and (4) takes adequate measures to prevent illegal transshipment of goods. Directs the President to continue the no quota policy for each of the other sub-Saharan African countries that are in compliance with such requirements. (Sec. 201) Provides that, when the quota for textile and apparel products imported from Kenya or Mauritius is eliminated, the quota for textile and apparel products from China for each calendar year shall be reduced by an amount equal to the volume of imports of all textile and apparel product from all sub-Saharan African countries into the United States in the preceding calendar year, plus five percent of that amount. Requires the Secretary of Labor to determine, and report annually to Congress on, whether or not each sub-Saharan African country is providing for effective enforcement of internationally recognized worker rights. Directs the President to report annually to Congress on the growth in textiles and apparel imported into the United States from countries in sub-Saharan Africa in order to inform U.S. consumers, workers, and textile manufacturers about the effects of the no quota policy. Directs the President to provide an additional benefit of 50 percent tariff reduction for any textile and apparel product of a sub-Saharan African country: (1) that meets the requirements relating to human rights, workers rights, and illegal transshipments; and (2) that is imported directly into the United States from such country if the business enterprise, or a subcontractor of the enterprise, producing the product is in compliance with specified conditions. Sets forth specified conditions for the import of textile and apparel goods into the United States, including goods from a sub-Saharan African country. Sets forth penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act. Directs the U.S. Customs Service to monitor and the Commissioner of Customs to report annually on measures taken by sub-Saharan African countries that import textiles or apparel goods into the United States to prevent unlawful transshipment of such goods and circumvention of this Act or any agreement regulating trade in such goods between such country and the United States. (Sec. 202) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to provide duty-free treatment for articles set forth in the product list of the Lome Treaty that are the product of a beneficiary developing sub-Saharan African country, and in compliance with certain human rights requirements, if the President determines that such articles are not import-sensitive in the context of imports from such countries. Extends duty-free treatment to products from beneficiary developing sub-Saharan African countries through September 30, 2006. (Sec. 203) Grants a U.S. citizen a cause of action in the U.S. district court to seek compliance of sub-Saharan African countries with the requirements of this Act. Title III: Development Assistance for Sub-Saharan African Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that the HIV- AIDS epidemic and other conditions have caused countless deaths and untold suffering among the people of sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 302) Directs the Agency for International Development (AID) to provide capacity building assistance through participatory planning to private and voluntary organizations involved in providing assistance for sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 303) Prohibits military assistance to sub-Saharan African countries. (Sec. 304) Revises critical sectoral priorities provisions to give priority to: (1) increasing food security by promoting agriculture policies in sub-Saharan African countries; (2) improving health conditions in such countries by emphasizing HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment programs; (3) providing increased access to voluntary family planning services, including access to prenatal healthcare; (4) improving education and vocational education, with particular emphasis on primary education and vocational education for women; and (5) developing income-generating opportunities, including development of manufacturing and processing industries and microcredit projects. (Sec. 305) Directs the Administrator of AID to report semiannually to Congress on: (1) how, and to what extent, AID has consulted with nongovernmental organizations in sub-Saharan Africa regarding the use of long-term development assistance to sub-Saharan African countries; (2) the extent to which such assistance has been successful in capacity building among local nongovernmental organizations and in increasing food security and access to health and education services among the people of sub-Saharan Africa; and (3) how, and to what extent, such assistance has furthered the goals of sustainable economic and agricultural development, gender equity, environmental protection, and respect for workers' rights there. (Sec. 306) Declares that amounts appropriated to the Development Fund for Africa shall be appropriated to a separate account for such Fund. Title IV: Sub-Saharan Africa Equity and Infrastructure Funds - Directs the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to initiate one or more equity funds in support of infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa, including basic health services (including AIDS prevention and treatment), hospitals, potable water, sanitation, schools, electrification of rural areas, and publicly-accessible transportation. Title V: Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Export-Import Bank Initiatives - Directs the President to establish an advisory committee to assist the Board of Directors of OPIC in developing and implementing policies, programs, and financial instruments with respect to sub-Saharan Africa, including with respect to equity and infrastructure funds established under this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to revise provisions establishing an advisory committee to require such committee to assist the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States in developing, among other things, financial instruments with respect to sub-Saharan African countries. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should encourage the accession of sub-Saharan African countries to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. (Sec. 602) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it is in the interest of the United States to take all necessary steps to prevent further spread of infectious disease, particularly HIV-AIDS; and (2) individual countries should have the ability to determine the availability of pharmaceuticals and health care for their citizens, particularly with respect to the HIV-AIDS epidemic. Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated to any Federal agency to seek the revocation or revisions of any sub-Saharan African intellectual property or competition law or policy designed to promote access to pharmaceuticals or other medical technologies. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations, to take steps to ensure that: (1) at least 20 full-time Commercial Service employees are stationed in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) full-time Service employees are stationed in at least ten different sub-Saharan African countries. Title VII: Offset - Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from carrying out research and development (R&D) activities relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives full payment for such activities from the private sector.
Bill· SS. 1635 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999
Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to extend the term of marketing assistance loans to three years, with a discretionary one time nine-month extension.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 188 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the victims of Hurricane Floyd deserve the sympathies of people of the United States; and (2) additional assistance needs to be provided to such victims. Commends the President, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Secretaries of Agriculture, Transportation, and Commerce, the Director of the Small Business Administration, the Governors of Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia, the National Guard, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, and the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other private relief organizations for their disaster assistance and relief efforts. Urges the President to: (1) work with Congress to provide necessary funds for disaster relief; and (2) prepare and submit to Congress a report that analyzes the feasibility and cost of implementing a program to provide disaster assistance to such victims.
Bill· HRH.R. 2950 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Bureau of Land Management Title II: Forest Service Title III: Equitable Exchange Oregon Land Exchange Act of 1999 - Title I: Bureau of Land Management - Northeast Oregon Assembled Land Exchange Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey to certain identified private landowners all U.S. rights and interests in specified lands within the Central Oregon and Baker Resource areas in Oregon in exchange for the conveyance by such landowners of certain other parcels of land within such resource areas. Title II: Forest Service - Triangle Land Exchange Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to certain identified private landowners all U.S. rights and interests in specified lands within the Malheur National Forest, Oregon, in exchange for the conveyance by such landowners of certain other parcels of land within or adjacent to the Malheur, Wallowa-Whitman, and Umatilla National Forests in Oregon. Title III: Equitable Exchange - Provides for exchange valuation, appraisals, and equalization of value received with respect to such land exchanges. Provides for administration and management, by the BLM or Forest Service, as appropriate, of lands received by the United States.
Law· SS. 1629 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Bureau of Land Management Title II: Forest Service Title III: Equitable Exchange Oregon Land Exchange Act of 1999 - Title I: Bureau of Land Management - Northeast Oregon Assembled Land Exchange Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey to certain identified private landowners all U.S. rights and interests in specified lands within the Central Oregon and Baker Resource areas in Oregon in exchange for the conveyance by such landowners of certain other parcels of land within such resource areas. Title II: Forest Service - Triangle Land Exchange Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to certain identified private landowners all U.S. rights and interests in specified lands within the Malheur National Forest, Oregon, in exchange for the conveyance by such landowners of certain other parcels of land within or adjacent to the Malheur, Wallowa-Whitman, and Umatilla National Forests in Oregon. Title III: Equitable Exchange - Provides for exchange valuation, appraisals, and equalization of value received with respect to such land exchanges. Provides for administration and management, by the BLM or Forest Service, as appropriate, of lands received by the United States.
Bill· SS. 1620 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specified parcels of land (including roads) necessary for development of the small hydroelectric power project sites located within Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, to persons holding preliminary permits issued by, or having filed license applications with, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission covering such parcels during the period beginning on January 1, 1990, and ending on December 31, 1996. Requires a licensee to pay the net proceeds from the sale of timber removed for project development to the Secretary. Requires such proceeds to be deposited in the Treasury and to remain available to the Secretary for use in watershed and species management activities to ensure proper implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Bill· HRH.R. 2920 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999
Reenacts chapter 12 of the Federal bankruptcy code, extending bankruptcy protection to family farmers (Adjustments of Debts of a Family Farmer).
Law· SS. 1606 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Reenacts chapter 12 of Federal bankruptcy law (providing bankruptcy protection to family farmers).
Bill· SS. 1610 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for FY 2000 for expenses relating to the provision of disaster relief for agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Floyd and for other Hurricane Floyd-related relief under: (1) the flooded land reserve program; (2) the Wetlands Reserve Program; (3) the Environmental Quality Incentives Program; (4) the Emergency Conservation Program; (5) the rural housing insurance fund; (6) the program to provide low income housing repair grants under the Housing Act of 1949; and (7) any other program that provides appropriate disaster relief, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Department of Commerce for FY 2000 for expenses of providing emergency disaster assistance to persons or entities that have incurred losses from a commercial fishery failure due to Hurricane Floyd; and (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency for FY 2000 for emergency expenses resulting from Hurricane Floyd. Provides that the appropriation of any amount authorized under this Act shall be: (1) designated as emergency spending in accordance with the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act); and (2) made available on an emergency basis.
Bill· HRH.R. 2907 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Amends the National School Lunch Act, with respect to the child and adult care food program, to revise eligibility requirements for private organizations providing nonresidential day care services. Requires only that at least 25 percent of the children served by it meet the income eligibility criteria for free or reduced price meals. (Current law limits institutional eligibility to an organization receiving compensation under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act for at least 25 percent of its enrolled children or 25 percent of its licensed capacity, whichever is less.)
Bill· HRH.R. 2897 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999
Freshness Disclosure Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that a food shall be deemed to be misbranded unless it is labeled for freshness. Requires the label to state a date upon which the food will no longer be fresh (i.e., contain the quantity of nutrients specified on the label and otherwise be not adulterated and of acceptable quality). Requires such date to be preceded by "best if used by," and requires such label to be conspicuously located, easy to read, and in a type size no smaller than eight point.
Bill· SS. 1599 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1999
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to sell or exchange certain land and administrative sites in the Black Hills National Forest and to use funds from such sale or exchange for: (1) the acquisition of land and interests in South Dakota; and (2) the acquisition or construction of administrative improvements within the Forest. Authorizes appropriations.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 294 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1999
Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the consideration of H.R. 1402 (Federal milk marketing orders).
Bill· SS. 1580 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1999
Risk Management for the 21st Century Act - Title I: Crop Insurance Coverage - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to provide that the Commodity Credit Corporation, with respect to prevented planting crop insurance, shall: (1) provide equal coverage levels for all covered commodities; (2) require area-wide conditions for payment; and (3) permit (noninsurable) substitute plantings. (Sec. 102) Directs the Corporation to develop alternative rates and methodologies for rating insurance plans, which shall take into account nonparticipating producers and producers participating only in catastrophic risk protection. Grants priority to commodities with the largest acreage and the lowest percentage of participating producers. (Sec. 103) Directs the Corporation to offer optional quality adjustment policies. (Sec. 104) Directs the Office of Risk Management to rewrite catastrophic risk protection rates. (Sec. 105) Revises payment price levels (expected market price) for each insured commodity. Provides for mandatory and discretionary partial premium payments by the Corporation. (Sec. 106) Directs the Corporation to provide premium discounts for qualifying risk-reducing production practices. (Sec. 107) Directs the Corporation to assign yields with respect to: (1) farmers who have not farmed the insured crop for more than two years; (2) new land; and (3) new crops. (Sec. 108) Defines "producer that has suffered a multiyear disaster." Permits such a producer to eliminate certain years from actual production history calculation. Requires the Corporation in such circumstances to pay specified premium portions. Terminates such exclusion authority when insurance is available to cover multiple crop year disaster losses. (Sec. 109) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act with respect to the noninsured crop disaster assistance program to: (1) authorize combining of crop types or varieties into a single eligible crop; (2) require producers to report annually; (3) eliminate area loss requirements; (4) set forth new eligible crop provisions; and (5) establish a service fee for each eligible crop, to be used for program administrative and operating costs. Title II: Pilot Programs - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to provide that: (1) the Specialty Crops Coordinator shall administer the gross revenue pilot programs for specialty crops; and (2) such programs shall be expanded to additional counties in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and other States as the Coordinator determines. (Sec. 202) Directs the Corporation to carry out a low-risk producer pilot program. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a revenue insurance pilot program for hog and cattle producers in specified Iowa counties. Obligates funds for such program. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program for coverage of specialty crops and uninsured commodities and livestock through whole farm revenue insurance. (Sec. 205) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to include hog and cattle producers in the options pilot program. (Sec. 206) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to obligate funds for pilot programs (other than the revenue insurance pilot program for hog and cattle producers ). Title III: Administration - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to revise the membership of the Corporation's Board of Directors. (Sec. 302) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to place the Office of Risk Management under the Board. Authorizes the Office of Risk Management to enter into private and public entity partnerships to increase availability of risk management tools for specialty crop producers. Obligates funds for such activities. (Sec. 303) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Secretary to establish an Office of Private Sector Partnership to provide specified Board-private sector liaison functions. Obligates funding for such activities. (Sec. 304) Increases monetary penalties for intentionally providing false insurance information. Authorizes disbarment from Department of Agriculture programs for such violations. (Sec. 306) Directs the Corporation to establish a crop insurance compliance monitoring program. (Sec. 307) Authorizes the Coordinator to make grants and enter into contracts for research and development activities for new or revised insurance policies for specialty crops. Directs the Corporation and the Coordinator to conduct a study of new insurance policies for specialty crops. (Sec. 308) Directs the Board to review insurance plans for adequacy of coverage, and recommend that the Office of Risk Management develop plans for inadequately covered commodities. (Sec. 309) Prohibits purchasing insurance for more than one crop per year on the same acreage unless the producer or the acreage has a previous history of double-cropping. (Sec. 310) Provides for State consultation concerning such policies of insurance offered in the State. (Sec. 311) Authorizes specified insurance plan fees. (Sec. 312) Requires reinsurance agreements to provide for risk sharing between the Corporation and the reinsured company. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to define "program crop" and "specialty crop."
Bill· HRH.R. 2843 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1999
Emergency Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 1999 - Title I: Crop Loss Assistance - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency assistance to producers who have disaster-caused 1999 crop losses (including trees from which a crop is harvested). States with respect to crop insurance and such assistance that: (1) producers with insurance shall not be penalized; and (2) producers without insurance shall be required to purchase insurance for crop years 2000 and 2001 in order to receive such assistance. Title II: Market Loss Assistance - Directs the Secretary to provide production loss assistance to producers who are eligible for final FY 1999 production flexibility contract payments. Makes such assistance available in proportion to amounts received under a producer's flexibility contract. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to 1999 producers of soybeans and other oilseeds who are eligible for marketing assistance loans. Considers such assistance as payments for purposes of production flexibility contract limits. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to fruit and vegetable producers. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to 1999 producers of quota and additional peanuts. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to tobacco growers in accordance with the National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust. Title III: Temporary Removal of Limit on Loan Deficiency Payments and Marketing Loan Gains - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to remove limits on marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments for crop years 1999 and 2000. Title IV: Upland Cotton Price Competitiveness - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to: (1) reduce specified eligibility criteria with respect to upland cotton special marketing assistance; (2) make agricultural commodities pledged to the Commodity Credit Corporation as loan collateral eligible for marketing certificate redemption; (3) eliminate related expenditure caps; (4) revise special import quota provisions; and (5) remove the suspension on in-kind payments and permit such payments to be made as marketing certificates. Title V: Assistance for Livestock and Dairy Producers - Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to livestock and dairy producers for disaster-caused pasture and hay losses. Title VI: Crop Insurance - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to revise provisions regarding: (1) insurance amounts; (2) payment schedules and disclosure; and (3) production history adjustments. Title VII: Freedom to Market - Directs the Comptroller General to examine and report on specified aspects of trade sanctions. (Sec. 702) Prohibits the President from imposing unilateral agricultural or medical sanctions against a foreign government, with an exception for national security reasons. (Sec. 703) Directs the Secretary to make annual reports with respect to foreign sanctions and their effect on U.S. agricultural commodities. (Sec. 704) Directs the Secretary to expand agricultural assistance to offset sanction-affected market losses. Title VIII: Emergency Conservation Program - Directs the Secretary to use specified funds for the emergency conservation program.
Bill· SS. 1573 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
Natural Resources Reinvestment Act of 1999 - Establishes the Land and Water Resources Stewardship Council to oversee grants for State land and water conservation programs. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to appropriate funds for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, to be used for outdoor conservation, recreation, and open space resource activities. Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to provide grants for the acquisition or development of new park land or neighborhood recreation sites. Extends permanently the Historic Preservation Fund. Establishes in the Land and Water Conservation Fund a special account for grants for the conservation of State land or water of national or regional significance. State Conservation Assistance Grants Act of 1999 - Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fund, to be apportioned to: (1) historically oil and gas productive coastal States for Continental Shelf environmental remediation and administrative expenses; and (2) other States for clean air, water, habitat and wildlife, parks and recreation, and other conservation activities. Amends the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 to require States receiving apportionments from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund (established herein) to develop and implement programs for the conservation of fish and wildlife species that are not hunted, trapped, or fished. Provides funds for the acquisition or restoration of watershed wetland, adjacent land, or buffer strips. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and carry out a grant program for protecting farmland topsoil by limiting nonagricultural uses.
Bill· HRH.R. 2827 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
National Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Act of 1999 - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy to cooperate in promoting research and development of biobased industrial products. Establishes: (1) the Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Board to coordinate Federal programs promoting the use of biobased industrial products; (2) the Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Technical Advisory Committee; and (3) a Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals Research Initiative to provide for related grants and contracts (authorizes appropriations). Authorizes appropriations to construct a Department of Agriculture corn-based ethanol research pilot plant.
Bill· HRH.R. 2831 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
Emergency Medical Services Efficiency Act of 1999 - Title I: Medicare Coverage of Certain Ambulance Services - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicare reimbursement for ambulance services rendered because of the sudden onset of a medical condition manifested by symptoms believed to be serious but whose ultimate diagnosis results in the conclusion that the ambulance services were not necessary. Title II: State Emergency Medical Services Agency Participation in Certain Federal Programs - Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include State emergency medical services agencies among the entities eligible for financial assistance with regard to telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to allow a State emergency medical services agency to participate in the Informatics, Telemedicine, and Education Demonstration Project as part of an eligible health care provider telemedicine network (consortium). Title III: Federal Commission for Emergency Ambulance Services - Establishes the Federal Commission for Emergency Ambulance Services to study and report to the President and Congress on all matters relating to emergency ambulance services, including any existing or proposed Federal department or agency rules that impact such services, together with recommendations for improving such matters. Provides for Commission funding. Title IV: Study and Report Regarding Consolidation of Federal Authority Over Emergency Medical Services - Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the President and Congress on the consolidation of Federal authority over emergency medical services in a single Federal agency, together with appropriate recommendations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2830 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
Family Farmer Cooperative Marketing Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to include in the definition of "producer": (1) poultrymen; and (2) persons furnishing labor, production management, facilities, or other agricultural product production services. Defines "accredited association," "designated handler," and "bargain and bargaining." (Sec. 4) Makes it a prohibited handler practice to: (1) refuse to bargain in good faith with an accredited association; and (2) interfere with the formation or administration of a producer association, or contribute financial or other support to such an association. (Sec. 5) Requires a handler to bargain in good faith with an accredited association. (Sec. 6) Sets forth association accreditation and handler designation provisions. (Sec. 7) Authorizes producer assignment of association fees, dues, or retained amounts. (Sec. 8) Grants the Secretary of Agriculture specified investigative powers. Sets forth related administrative proceeding provisions. (Sec.9) Establishes an administrative enforcement proceeding. Sets forth additional enforcement provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 2829 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to redefine "poultry grower" as any person engaged in the business of raising or caring for live poultry under a poultry growing arrangement, whether the poultry is owned by such person or by another person. (Eliminates the poultry slaughter provision from such definition.) Extends: (1) administrative enforcement authority to live poultry dealers; (2) injunctive or restraining order authority to instances of poultry care; and (3) the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to issue a complaint against a live poultry dealer to any violation of such Act.
Bill· SS. 1570 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999
SCHIP Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to promote identification of children eligible for benefits under, and enrollment of children in, the Medicaid program and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under titles XIX and XXI, respectively, of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 2) Amends NSLA to provide a limited waiver of a confidentiality requirement, for persons directly connected with the administration of a State plan for Medicaid or SCHIP, for the purpose of identifying children eligible for benefits under, and enrolling children in, any such plan. Makes such waiver applicable with respect to the agency from which the information would be obtained only if the State and the agency so elect. (Sec. 3) Amends CNA provisions for the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC program) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to establish a demonstration project, in not more than 40 local agencies in not fewer than two States, under which costs of nutrition services and administration (under the WIC program) shall include the costs of identification of children eligible for benefits under, and enrollment of children in, State plans for Medicaid and SCHIP. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate for Congress the costs associated with implementing such project, including Federal and State costs per child enrolled in such State plans. (Sec. 3(sic)) Amends NSLA to direct the Secretary to make grants to States to carry out State plans to involve eligible entities in the identification of children eligible for benefits under, and enrollment of children in, State plans for Medicaid and SCHIP. Provides that the following are eligible entities: (1) a school or school food authority participating in the school lunch program under NSLA; (2) an institution participating in the child and adult care food program under NSLA; (3) a local agency participating in the WIC program under CNA; or (4) any other nongovernmental social service provider. Includes the WIC demonstration project established under this Act among authorized uses of such grant funds. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide a specified amount of funds to the Secretary for each of FY 2000 through 2003. Entitles and directs the Secretary to accept such funds, without further Act of appropriation.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 55 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999
Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Government should pursue certain objectives regarding agriculture, services, industrial market access, and certain other trade-related issues (including World Trade Organization (WTO) institutional issues) in any negotiations undertaken with respect to the next round of multilateral trade negotiations at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Seattle, Washington. Directs the United States Trade Representative to ensure that negotiations do not weaken existing agreements or create opportunities for imposition of new barriers in the areas of dumping and antidumping, competition policy, investment, and textiles and apparel.