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51 records in US in 1999
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the town of Dolores, Colorado, for open space, park, and recreational purposes a parcel of approximately 25 acres of land comprising the site of the Joe Rowell Park.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Agricultural Market Access and Development Act of 1999 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to increase FY 2000 through 2002 funding caps for the market access program. Authorizes and sets forth the conditions under which unexpended Commodity Credit Corporation export enhancement program funds may be used for market access or development programs. Establishes FY 2000 through 2002 minimum funding amounts for the foreign market development cooperator program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
New Markets for State-Inspected Meat Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to review each State's meat and poultry inspection program, which shall include: (1) determination of plan effectiveness; and (2) identification of changes necessary for future transition to a State program as provided for by this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title I: Meat Inspection - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to authorize the Secretary to approve a qualifying State meat inspection program and allow the shipment in commerce of carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products so inspected. Requires the Secretary to review such approved plans to: (1) determine effectiveness; and (2) identify changes necessary to ensure enforcement of Federal requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with a State to establish the relationship between the State program and the Secretary. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) product marking; (2) labeling requirements; (3) authority of the Secretary; (4) State reimbursement; (5) sampling, including salmonella testing; (6) noncompliance; (7) establishment inspections, including exemptions for restaurants and retail stores; (8) acceptance of interstate shipments of meat and meat food products; and (9) advisory committees. Directs the Secretary to temporarily suspend or take over a noncomplying State program (or an establishment). Provides for program reinstatement. Title II: Poultry Inspection - Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act to make similar amendments to those in title I. Title III: General Provisions - Terminates the Secretary's authority to establish interstate meat and poultry inspection programs under this Act if approval and cooperative agreements have not been concluded by a specified date.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
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 for which they receive compensation from grants to States under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act. Repeals the current requirement that such an organization receive such compensation for at least 25 percent of its enrolled children or 25 percent of its licensed capacity, whichever is less. Replaces it with a revised requirement that such an organization have at least 25 percent of the children served by it meet the income eligibility criteria for free or reduced price meals.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1999
Value-Added Development Act for American Agriculture - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants and provide assistance to eligible applicants to establish Agricultural Innovation Centers to create and enhance value-added agricultural enterprises, markets, and products. Authorizes up to ten initial grants during the demonstration project's first three years, including operation of a Center in: (1) Missouri; (2) Mississippi; (3) Ohio; (4) New Mexico; (5) South Dakota; (6) Texas; and (7) Wisconsin. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Outfitter Policy Act of 1999 - Prohibits unauthorized outfitters from conducting commercial outfitted activities on Federal land. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (with respect to Federal land administered by the Forest Service), and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Commissioner of Reclamation (with respect to Federal land administered by the BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service, or Bureau of Reclamation, respectively), to establish criteria for awarding outfitter permits, including the identification of skilled, experienced, and financially capable persons to offer commercial outfitted activities. Sets forth procedures for awarding permits and describes permit requirements. Provides for a noncompetitive selection process and limited outfitter authorizations under certain conditions. (Sec. 7) Requires fees for outfitter authorizations. (Sec. 8) Requires authorized outfitters to defend and indemnify the United States for costs or expenses associated with injury, death, or damage to any person or property caused by negligence or wanton disregard for persons or property arising out of an outfitter's activities. Absolves outfitters of any liability to the United States or third parties absent a finding of negligence or disregard for persons or property or for injury, death, or damage resulting from the inherent risks of a commercial outfitted activity. (Sec. 9) Requires the appropriate Secretary to provide principal use allocations to authorized outfitters under permits. Authorizes the Secretary to adjust an allocation of use assigned to an authorized outfitter to reflect material change arising from approval of a change in the resource management plan for the area of operation or requirements arising under other law. Permits temporary allocations of use for a period of up to two years and the renewal, transfer, or extension of such allocations at the Secretary's discretion. (Sec. 10) Requires the Secretary to develop a process for annual evaluation of the performance of authorized outfitters. (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to renew an authorization at the outfitter's request if the outfitter has received no more than one unsatisfactory annual performance rating during the permit term. Authorizes termination of a permit only if the outfitter: (1) fails to correct conditions that are considered significant with respect to the health and welfare of outfitted visitors or conservation of resources; (2) is repeatedly in arrears in the payment of fees; or (3) demonstrates disregard for the health and welfare of visitors or conservation of resources on which the outfitted activities are conducted. (Sec. 12) Makes outfitter permits transferable to qualified transferees under specified conditions. Deems a transfer approved if the Secretary fails to confer approval or disapproval within a prescribed time frame. (Sec. 13) Sets forth recordkeeping requirements for authorized outfitters. (Sec. 14) Requires the Secretary to: (1) grant authorized outfitters full access to administrative remedies under the Secretary's authority at the time of an appeal; and (2) establish an expedited procedure for consideration of appeals of Federal agency decisions to deny, suspend, fail to renew, or terminate a permit. Allows authorized outfitters adversely affected by a decision of the Secretary under this Act to commence civil actions. (Sec. 15) Directs the Secretary to manage the occupancy and use of Federal land by institutional recreation programs that conduct outfitted activities under this Act. (Sec. 19) Entitles outfitters that hold existing permits, contracts, or other authorizations to issuance of permits under this Act if their recent performance was determined good, satisfactory, or acceptable, or the equivalent.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to increase the conservation reserve program's maximum acreage.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to State educational agencies to assist eligible schools in initiating school breakfast programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Expresses the sense of the Senate that, not later than March 1, 2000, the Secretary of Agriculture should resolve, or take other action to resolve, all pending cases of alleged civil rights discrimination by the Department of Agriculture against agricultural producers located in Montana.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Stewardship Education, Recreation, and Volunteers for the Environment Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to Forest Service lands, or the Secretary of the Interior with respect to lands managed by the Department of the Interior (Secretary concerned) to recruit, train, and accept the services of individuals and partnership organizations, without compensation, as volunteers to supplement the work of employees of each Federal land management agency (Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Forest Service) in the stewardship of the resources, values, and facilities of Federal lands. Provides for the Federal employment status of such individuals. Directs such Secretaries to jointly establish the Volunteer Passports Program to recognize the contributions of volunteers who complete specified hours of such volunteer service. Exempts volunteers receiving a passport under the Program from certain land or facility access or use fees charged by Federal land management agencies. Requires an implementation report from the Secretaries. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to enter into cooperative agreements with any partnership organization, academic institution, or State or local government agency to carry out cooperative projects or programs with a Federal land management agency for the stewardship of resources of Federal lands. Provides for the promotion of participation of students and other young people in the volunteer programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Emergency Food Assistance Enhancement Act of 1999 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to use certain unexpended employment and training funds to purchase additional commodities for distribution under the emergency food and assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 - Title I: Improved Independent Living Program - Subtitle A: Improved Independent Living Program - Amends title IV part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the program of grants to States for independent living programs providing education, training, employment services, and financial support for individuals between ages 16 and 18 leaving foster care for independent living. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop outcome measures to assess State performance in operating such programs; (2) identify data elements needed to track such performance, services, and the individuals served; and (3) develop and implement a plan to collect such data. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of Congress that States should provide medical assistance under the State plan approved under (SSA) title XIX (Medicaid) to 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds who have been emancipated from foster care. Subtitle B: Related Foster Care Provision - Increases the amount of assets allowable for children in foster care. (Sec. 112) Mandates that State plans for foster care and adoption assistance include a certification that before foster care placement the prospective parents will be adequately prepared to provide for the needs of the child, and that such preparation will continue, as necessary, after placement of the child. Subtitle C: Medicaid Amendments - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to authorize a State to limit the eligibility of independent foster care adolescents to individuals for whom foster care maintenance payments or independent living services were furnished under the Improved Independent Living Program. (Sec. 121) Sets forth contingency provisions for coordination of this Act with the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. Subtitle D: Adoption Incentive Payments - Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make supplemental grants to adoption incentive-eligible States. Increases the appropriations authorized for FY 1999 through 2003. Title II: SSI Fraud Prevention - Subtitle A: Fraud Prevention and Related Provisions - Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to subject a representative payee to liability for overpayments made after the death of the individual on whose behalf the payments were made. Instructs the Commissioner of Social Security (the Commissioner) to establish an overpayment control record under the social security account number of the representative payee. (Sec. 202) Provides for recovery of overpayments of SSI benefits from lump sum SSI benefit payments. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Commissioner to employ certain statutory debt collection practices to collect delinquent accounts. (Sec. 204) Requires (currently, merely authorizes) States to provide State prisoner information to Federal and federally assisted benefit programs. (Sec. 205) Sets forth a statutory mechanism for the treatment of assets held in trust for an individual in connection with eligibility for SSI benefits. (Sec. 206) Revamps guidelines governing eligibility criteria in connection with disposal of resources for less than fair market value under the SSI program. (Sec. 207) Prescribes administrative procedures for: (1) imposing penalties for false or misleading statements; and (2) excluding representatives and health care providers convicted of violations from participation in social security programs. (Sec. 210) Directs the Commissioner to: (1) study and report to certain congressional committees on possible measures to improve fraud prevention and administrative processing; (2) include in the annual budget an itemization of the amount of funds required to support efforts to combat fraud committed by applicants and beneficiaries; and (3) conduct periodic computer matches with Medicare and Medicaid institutionalization data. (Sec. 213) Authorizes the Commissioner to require applicants or beneficiaries to authorize access to information held by their financial institutions in order to ascertain benefits eligibility. Subtitle B: Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title VIII (Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans) to provide monthly benefits for each month certain qualified World War II veterans reside outside the United States. Delineates procedural guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Study - Directs the Commissioner to: (1) study and report to certain congressional committees on the reasons why family farmers with resources of less than $100,000 are denied SSI benefits, including whether the deeming process unduly burdens and discriminates against family farmers who do not institutionalize a disabled dependent; and (2) determine the number of such farmers who have been denied such benefits during each of the preceding ten years. Title III: Child Support - Cites circumstances under which the State share of distribution of collected child support shall be increased by statutory formula. Repeals the current statutory formula. Title IV: Technical Corrections - Sets forth technical corrections relating to amendments made by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to jointly establish a pilot program to award competitive grants to assist local governments in reducing air pollution by covering the costs associated with converting their entire municipal vehicle fleet to an ethanol-blended fuel. Limits the number of grants to five, with preference given to governments that have a recognized air pollution problem in their communities. Declares that a local government must agree to cooperate in a study to assess the economic and environmental benefits to be gained from exclusive use of ethanol-blended fuel to power municipal vehicles. Requires the Secretaries and the Administrator to report study results to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1999
Designates a named Member to the minority membership on the House Committees on Agriculture and Science.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to ensure that the basis and procedure for calculating cabin user fees on National Forest System lands shall reflect the probable value of the use and occupancy of a lot to the cabin owner. States that such value shall: (1) not be equivalent to the lot's rental fee; and (2) reflect regional economic influences, as determined by appraisal. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) appraisal requirements and right of second appraisals; (2) cabin user fees and annual adjustments; and (3) right of arbitration and judicial review. (Authorizes appropriations for the arbitration program.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement, with specified modifications, the Class I fluid milk price structure known as Option 1A "Location-Specific Differentials Analysis" as part of the final rule to consolidate Federal milk marketing orders. States that if the Secretary announces minimum milk prices under a marketing order prior to implementation of the rule under this Act, such prices shall be the applicable minimum prices for the months so covered. States that the Option 1A requirement shall not be subject to specified requirements regarding: (1) notice and hearing; (2) referendum; (3) rulemaking notice and public participation; (4) paperwork reduction; and (5) judicial decision or order. (Sec. 2) Expresses the congressional finding that certain Class III and IV milk pricing formulas require further emergency rulemaking because they do not adequately reflect public comment and are sufficiently different from the proposed rule. States that the Secretary shall: (1) conduct formal rulemaking, and implement such final formulas on January 1, 2001 (with an extension if necessitated by judicial restraining order); and (2) collect no marketing order assessments (without reducing service levels) during any period of noncompliance with such time frame. (Sec. 3) Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to direct the Secretary to implement a dairy forward pricing pilot program through December 31, 2004. Applies such program to federally regulated milk that: (1) is not Class I milk or otherwise intended for fluid use; and (2) is in or directly affects interstate or foreign milk commerce. Directs the Secretary to study the impact of forward contracting on milk prices paid to U.S. producers. (Sec. 4) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to extend congressional consent for the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact through September 30, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for FY 2000. Title I: Department of the Interior - Makes appropriations for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for: (1) land and resource management; (2) wildland fire management; (3) remedial action of hazardous waste substances; (4) construction; (5) payments in lieu of taxes to local governments; (6) land acquisition; (7) Oregon and California grant lands; (8) range improvements; (9) service charges, deposits, and forfeitures with respect to public lands; and (10) miscellaneous trust funds. Appropriates funds for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for: (1) resource management; (2) construction; (3) land acquisition; (4) expenses related to carrying out the Endangered Species Act of 1973; (5) the National Wildlife Refuge Fund; (6) expenses related to carrying out the North American Wetlands Conservation Act; (7) the Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation Fund; (8) expenses related to carrying out the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994; and (9) commercial salmon fishery capacity reduction with respect to Washington State Fraser River sockeye. Makes appropriations for the National Park Service (NPS) for: (1) the National Park System; (2) national recreation and preservation activities; (3) expenses related to carrying out the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996; (4) construction; and (5) land acquisition and State assistance from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Rescinds specified contract authority to obligate funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for FY 2000. Makes appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Geological Survey for surveys, investigations, and research; (2) the Minerals Management Service for royalty and offshore minerals management and oil spill research; (3) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for regulation and technology and the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund; (4) the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for operation of Indian programs, construction, miscellaneous payments to Indians, and Indian guaranteed loans; (5) assistance to U.S. territories and for carrying out the Compacts of Free Association with respect to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau; (6) departmental management and the Offices of the Solicitor and the Inspector General; (7) trust programs for Indians; (8) a pilot program for consolidation of fractional interests in Indian lands by direct expenditure or cooperative agreement; and (9) natural resource damage assessment. Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of specified funds. (Sec. 107) Prohibits the use of funds provided in this title for specified offshore leasing and related activities. (Sec. 114) Bars the NPS from developing a reduced entrance fee program to accommodate non-local travel through a unit. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide for and regulate local non-recreational passage through National Park System units, allowing each unit to develop guidelines and permits for activity appropriate to such unit. (Sec. 116) Renames the Steel Industry American Heritage Area the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. (Sec. 120) Exempts all properties administered by the NPS at Fort Baker, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and other agreements associated with such properties, from all taxes and special assessments, except sales tax by the State of California and its political subdivisions. (Sec. 123) Requires the renewal of grazing permits and leases which expire or are transferred until the Secretary completes processing, at which time a permit or lease may be canceled, suspended, or modified to meet requirements of applicable laws and regulations. (Sec. 124) Provides that for purposes of reducing the backlog of Indian probate cases in the Department of the Interior, certain hearing requirements under provisions regarding descent and distribution of Indian lands are deemed satisfied by a proceeding conducted by an Indian probate judge appointed by the Secretary without regard to provisions governing competitive service appointments. Permits such appointments to be made only if the Secretary is unable, by January 1, 2000, to secure the services of at least ten qualified administrative law judges. (Sec. 125) Requires the Secretary to make a specified amount available as a loan to the Government of American Samoa. Provides for repayment of the loan with funds payable to American Samoa from the Escrow Account established under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement entered into under American Samoa Government v. Philip Morris Tobacco Co., et. al. Sets forth conditions on availability of loan proceeds, including a requirement that American Samoa provide the Secretary with a fiscal and managerial reform plan designed to bring annual government operating expenses into balance with projected revenues for the years 2003 and beyond. Establishes priorities for debt repayments by American Samoa. (Sec. 126) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, to designate Midway Atoll as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway. (Sec. 127) Allows the Secretary to redistribute any Tribal Priority Allocation funds to alleviate tribal funding inequities by transferring funds to address identified, unmet needs, dual enrollment, overlapping service areas, or inaccurate distribution methodologies. Bars any tribe from receiving a reduction in such funds of more than ten percent in FY 2000. Makes such percentage limitation inapplicable under circumstances of dual enrollment, overlapping service areas, or inaccurate distribution methodologies. (Sec. 128) Makes funds provided in this Act unavailable for transferring land into trust status for the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in Clark County, Washington, until the tribe and county reach a legally enforceable agreement that addresses the financial impact of new development on the county, school and fire districts, and other local governments and the impact on zoning and development. (Sec. 129) Bars the use of funds provided in this Act to implement specified provisions of the secretarial order entitled "American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act." (Sec. 130) Requires the Secretary to provide a grant, from funds appropriated in the Fiscal Year 1998 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, to the Fairbanks North Star Borough for acquisition of undeveloped parcels along the banks of the Chena River for purposes of establishing an urban greenbelt within the Borough. Provides for a grant to the municipality of Anchorage for the acquisition of wetlands adjacent to a municipal park (the Jewel Lake Wetlands). (Sec. 132) Directs the Secretary, acting through the BLM Director, to convey specified parcels of public land to Nye County, Nevada, for the construction and operation of the Nevada Science and Technology Center as a nonprofit museum and exposition center. Grants the County the exclusive right to purchase other specified parcels of public land for their fair market value for five years, with the proceeds to be deposited into and made available to the Secretary from a special account established under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998. (Sec. 133) Amends Federal law to grant the city of Mesquite, Nevada, subject to all environmental reviews (including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act), the exclusive right to purchase specified parcels of public land for a limited time period. Conveys such lands to the city upon notification of which lands it intends to purchase. Provides for conveyance of additional lands to the city and provides if such lands are not utilized as an airport, they shall revert to the United States. (Sec. 134) Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to planning for historical exhibits about Saint Croix Island at Red Beach and the town of Calais, Maine. (Sec. 135) Bars the use of funds appropriated for the Department of the Interior by any Act to study or implement any plan to drain Lake Powell or to reduce the water level of the Lake below the range of water levels required for the operation of the Glen Canyon Dam. (Sec. 136) Prohibits the use of funds made available in any Act by a Federal employee or agency to impose or require payment of an inspection fee in connection with the export of shipments of fur-bearing wildlife containing 1,000 or fewer raw, crusted, salted, or tanned hides or fur skins, or separate parts thereof, including species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Makes this provision inapplicable, for the duration of the calendar year in which the shipment occurs, to any person who ships more than 2,500 of such hides, fur skins, or parts during the course of such year. (Sec. 137) Directs the Secretary, during FY 2000, to reorganize and consolidate BIA management and administrative functions based on the recommendations of the National Academy of Public Administration. Provides for voluntary separation incentive payments to BIA employees in Central Office West divisions that are moved due to such recommendations and who voluntarily resign or retire before December 31, 1999. Sets forth additional provisions regarding severance pay and continued health benefits for such employees. (Sec. 141) Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act to issue a notice of final rulemaking with respect to the valuation of crude oil for royalty purposes until March 15, 2000. (Sec. 142) Amends Federal law to require the authority for the Thomas Paine National Historical Association to establish a memorial to Thomas Paine in the District of Columbia to expire on December 31, 2003. (Sec. 145) Amends the National Park Omnibus Management Act of 1998 to increase to 15 percent the maximum amount of revenues from the sale of national park passports that may be used to administer and promote the passport program and the National Park System. Incorporates provisions similar to those contained in the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-83) concerning: (1) employees of BLM's Helium Operations; and (2) Huron Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Title II: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service for: (1) forest and rangeland research; (2) State and private forestry; (3) the National Forest System; (4) wildland fire management; (5) construction and reconstruction; (6) land acquisition; (7) range rehabilitation and improvement; and (8) forest and rangeland research. Defers a certain amount of funds made available for obligation in prior years for Department of Energy (DOE) clean coal technology projects until FY 2001. Makes appropriations for DOE for: (1) fossil energy research and development activities; (2) naval petroleum and oil shale reserve activities; (3) payment to the State of California for the State Teachers' Retirement Fund from the Elk Hills School Lands Fund; (4) energy conservation; (5) economic regulation activities of the Office of Hearings and Appeals; (6) the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (7) the Energy Information Administration. Makes appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service and Indian health facilities. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; (2) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (3) the Smithsonian Institution, including amounts for repair and rehabilitation of buildings owned or occupied by the Smithsonian and construction; (4) the National Gallery of Art, including an amount for repair and restoration of facilities owned or occupied by the National Gallery; (5) operations, maintenance, and construction expenses of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (6) carrying out the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968; (7) the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA); (8) the National Endowment for the Humanities; (9) the Institute of Museum and Library Services; (10) the Commission of Fine Arts; (11) national capital arts and cultural affairs; (12) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (13) the National Capital Planning Commission; (14) the Holocaust Memorial Council; and (15) the Presidio trust. Sets forth provisions regarding uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth limitations on the use of funds under this Act, including Buy American requirements. Incorporates provisions similar to those contained in the Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-83) concerning: (1) the sale of timber from giant sequoias; (2) the underground lunchroom at Carlsbad Caverns National Park; (3) funding for the Americorps program; (4) the bridge between Jersey City, New Jersey, and Ellis Island; (5) patents for mining or mill site claims; (6) competition for watershed restoration project contracts in the Pacific Northwest; and (7) restrictions on NEA grants. (Sec. 317) Bars the use of funds made available in any Act to designate any portion of Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County, Florida, as a clothing-optional area or area in which public nudity is permitted if such designation would be contrary to county ordinance. (Sec. 326) National Park Service Studies Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct studies of specified geographical areas and historic and cultural themes to determine the appropriateness of including such areas or themes in the National Park System. Provides for a report to specified congressional committees of study findings and recommendations. (Sec. 331) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement a pilot program for FY 2000 through 2004 enhancing Forest Service administration of rights-of-way and other land uses; and (2) report to specified congressional committees on whether the use of funds for such program resulted in more expeditious approval of rights-of-way and special use authorizations. Directs the Secretary to deposit fees collected to recover the costs of processing applications for, and monitoring compliance with, authorizations to use and occupy National Forest System lands pursuant to specified Acts. Makes such amounts available to cover costs incurred by the Forest Service for the processing of applications for special use authorizations and monitoring activities in connection with such authorizations. (Sec. 332) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct technology transfer and development, training, dissemination of information, and applied research in the management, processing, and utilization of the hardwood forest resource. Permits the Secretary to operate and utilize assets of the Wood Education and Resource Center in West Virginia as part of a newly formed Institute of Hardwood Technology Transfer and Applied Research. Requires Institute revenues to be deposited in a special Treasury fund known as the Hardwood Technology Transfer and Applied Research Fund. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 333) Sets forth requirements for the sale of timber in Region 10 of the Forest Service, including those regarding the volume of western red cedar timber available for processors. (Sec. 336) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. (Sec. 337) Prohibits the Departments of the Interior or Agriculture from expending funds to limit the number or acreage of millsites based on the ratio between the number or acreage of millsites and the number or acreage of associated lode or placer claims with respect to specified grandfathered patent applications and operations for which a plan of operations has been approved or submitted to the BLM or Forest Service. (Sec. 338) Requires the Forest Service to review Forest Service campground concessions policy to determine if modifications can be made to Forest Service contracts for campgrounds so that such concessions are exempted from the Service Contract Act. Requires the Forest Service to offer such exemptions in FY 2000. (Sec. 339) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a pilot program to charge and collect at least the fair market value for forest botanical products (vegetation, excluding trees, that grows on National Forest System lands) harvested on such lands. Requires the Secretary to conduct analyses to determine whether and how the harvest of such products on such lands can be conducted on a sustainable basis. Prohibits harvesting of such products at levels exceeding sustainable harvest levels as defined in the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960. (Sec. 342) Authorizes increases in recreation residence fees, with a specified ceiling. (Sec. 343) Redesignates the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and Commission as the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and Commission, respectively. (Sec. 345) Amends the National Forest-Dependent Rural Communities Economic Diversification Act of 1990 to change references to "rural forestry and economic diversification action teams" to "rural natural resources and economic diversification action teams." Requires action plans under such Act to identify opportunities to enhance local economies dependent on National Forest System land resources (currently, national forest resources). Changes references in such Act to "forest resources" and "national forest resources" to "natural resources" and "National Forest System land resources," respectively, in provisions regarding action plan implementation, training and education, and loans to economically disadvantaged rural communities. (Sec. 346) Amends the Interstate 90 Land Exchange Act of 1998 to require title to certain lands offered to the United States by the Plum Creek Timber Company to be placed in escrow by Plum Creek for a three-year period. Bars Plum Creek from undertaking any activities on such lands, except for fire suppression and road maintenance, during the escrow period without the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture. Conditions conveyance of selected lands by the United States to Plum Creek upon placement in escrow of the title of such lands. Removes certain lands from the list of selected lands and provides measures for equalizing values of offered and selected lands. (Sec. 347) Adjusts the boundary of the Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington. Considers such boundary to be the boundary of the Forest as of January 1, 1965, for purposes of allocation of Land and Water Conservation Fund monies for Federal purposes under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. (Sec. 348) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to make certain provisions regarding confidentiality of information applicable to a forest inventory and analysis under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978. (Sec. 350) Provides that, upon the joint motion of the United States and the State of Alaska and the issuance of an appropriate order by the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, any portion of the joint trust funds (including interest) received or to be received by the United States and Alaska pursuant to the Agreement and Consent Decree issued in United States v. Exxon Corporation, et al. and State of Alaska v. Exxon Corporation, et al. may be deposited in the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund, accounts outside the U.S. Treasury, or both. Sets forth requirements regarding outside accounts. Makes remaining settlement funds available for habitat protection programs, marine research, monitoring, and restoration other than habitat acquisition. Terminates the authority provided by this section on September 30, 2002, unless the Federal and State natural resource trustees for the Exxon Valdez oil spill have reported to Congress a structure that would be most effective for the administration and expenditure of remaining funds and interest. Provides for the return of monies in the Fund or outside accounts to the Court Registry upon expiration of such authority. (Sec. 351) Makes BLM funds available for high priority projects carried out by the Youth Conservation Corps or related partnerships in order to increase the number of summer jobs available for youth on Federal lands. (Sec. 352) Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to remove a sunset provision regarding the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund. (Sec. 353) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act by the Secretary of the Interior to issue a prospecting permit for hardrock mineral exploration on Mark Twain National Forest land in the Current River-Jack's Fork River Eleven Point Watershed. (Sec. 357) Bars the use of funds in any Act by the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate final rules to revise regulations regarding surface management, except final rules to amend such regulations which are not inconsistent with the recommendations contained in the National Research Council report entitled "Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands" so long as these regulations are also not inconsistent with statutory authorities. Title IV: Mississippi National Forest Improvement Act of 1999 - Mississippi National Forest Improvement Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell or exchange U.S. right, title, and interest in and to specified lands in Mississippi. Makes proceeds from such sales or exchanges available for: (1) the construction of a research laboratory and office at the Forest Service administrative site at Mississippi State University at Starkville, Mississippi; (2) the acquisition, construction, or improvement of administrative facilities in connection with National Forest System units in the State; and (3) the acquisition of lands and interests in land for such units in the State. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire all right, title, and interest in land owned by the University of Mississippi within or near the boundaries of the De Soto National Forest in Stone, George, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi. (Sec. 405) Ratifies a 1999 agreement entered into between the Secretary, the State of Mississippi, and the Franklin County School Board that provides for the Federal acquisition of State-owned land for the construction of the Franklin Lake Dam. (Sec. 408) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Title V: United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund - Transfers a specified amount of interest credited to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund to the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund to pay the amount of any shortfall in any premium account for any plan year under the Combined Fund. Title VI: Priority Land Acquisitions and Land Exchanges - Makes available a specified amount from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for priority land acquisitions, land exchange agreements, and other activities consistent with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1999
Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Farm Service Agency for the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund program account and the Emergency Conservation Program; (2) the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund for crop loss, specialty crop, and livestock assistance; (3) the Natural Resources Conservation Service for Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations; and (4) the Rural Housing Service for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund program account and for rural housing assistance grants. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide up to $20 million in assistance under the noninsured crop assistance program under the Agricultural Market Transition Act, without any requirement for an area loss, to producers located in a county with respect to which a natural disaster was declared by the Secretary or a major disaster or emergency was declared by the President. (Sec. 103) Makes a specified amount of funds made available for market loss assistance under the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 available to carry out livestock mandatory reporting provisions of such Act. Makes a specified amount of funds for market loss assistance under such Act and the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 available for producers or first-handlers for the 1999 crop of cottonseed and for the program under this Act to expand the domestic use of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton. Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture, from October 1, 1999, to July 31, 2003, to carry out a program to maintain and expand the domestic use of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton to increase exports of such cotton and to ensure that it remains competitive in world markets. Directs the Secretary to make payments available to domestic users of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton and exporters of such cotton who enter into an agreement with the Commodity Credit Corporation to participate in the program whenever: (1) for a consecutive four-week period, the world market price for the lowest priced competing growth of extra long staple cotton (adjusted to U.S. quality and location and for other factors affecting its competitiveness) is below the prevailing U.S. price for a competing growth of such cotton; and (2) the lowest priced competing growth of such cotton (adjusted to the factors described above) is less than 134 percent of the loan rate for such cotton. Chapter 2: Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief - Makes a limited amount of funds available from unobligated balances for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)disaster relief under the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 for the buyout of homeowners (or relocation of structures) for principal residences that have been made uninhabitable by flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd and surrounding events and are located in a 100-year floodplain. Sets forth conditions regarding such buyouts. Requires the FEMA Director to report to Congress on the feasibility and justification of reducing buyout assistance to those who fail to purchase and maintain flood insurance. Title II: Other Appropriations Matters - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to extend a revenue insurance pilot program through crop year 2001. Authorizes any pilot program under such Act that was approved by the Board of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation before September 30, 1999, to be offered on a regional, whole State, or national basis for the 2000 and 2001 crop years. (Sec. 208) Appropriates an additional amount of funds for rural development programs to repair damage to the Tillamook Railroad caused by flooding and high winds. (Sec. 211) Repeals provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 regarding the release of tobacco production and marketing information. (Sec. 212) Amends the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997 to add the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State to the list of agencies initially involved in a program to provide Federal contracting assistance to HUBZone small business concerns. (Sec. 213) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal a requirement that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not commence bidding for commercial licenses for certain reallocated frequency spectrum until after January 1, 2001. Directs the FCC to initiate such bidding on this Act's enactment date and to ensure that all proceeds of such bidding are deposited no later than September 30, 2000. Provides for the expedited assignment of such frequencies. Requires at least seven days' public notice prior to the granting of an application for an instrument of authorization for any such frequency. Requires reports from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director and the FCC with respect to such bidding process. Repeals similar provisions of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000. (Sec. 214) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 to make a certain provision regarding progress payments applicable only with respect to billings received during the last month of the fiscal year. (Sec. 215) Amends such Act to revise provisions regarding adjustments in payment procedures to ensure that payments are made no earlier than one day before the date on which the payments would otherwise be due under any other provision of law (currently, no less than 29 days after receipt of a proper invoice). Makes this provision effective only with respect to invoices received during the last month of the fiscal year. (Sec. 216) Directs the Office of Net Assessment of the Department of Defense and the United States Pacific Command, through the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), to report to Congress addressing certain issues relating to the military balance between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. (Sec. 217) Requires the Secretary of Defense, jointly with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to report to Congress on the adequacy of medical research activities currently underway or planned to commence in FY 2000 to investigate the health effects of low-level chemical exposures of Persian Gulf military forces while serving in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. (Sec. 218) Appropriates a specified amount to the Department of the Army to meet readiness needs. (Sec. 220) Prohibits the imposition of a financial responsibility requirement on the Federal Government or its contractors as to the operation of any federally-owned or -operated waste management facility designed to manage transuranic waste material that is subject to regulation by the Solid Waste Disposal act or by a State program authorized under such Act. (Sec. 222) Appropriates a specified amount of funds to the Department of the Interior from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for acquisition of lands in the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. (Sec. 223) Provides a payment to Virginia C. Chafee, widow of the late Senator John H. Chafee. (Sec. 225) Makes a specified amount available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for buses and bus facilities in Minnesota, California, Nebraska, and Alaska. (Sec. 226) Prohibits the use of funds available in any Act to decommission or reduce operations of U.S. Coast Guard WYTL harbor tug boats. (Sec. 231) Amends Federal transportation provisions regarding the operation of certain aircraft not in compliance with stage 3 noise levels to authorize an air carrier operating Stage 2 aircraft with respect to certain Hawaiian operations to transport such aircraft to or from the 48 contiguous States on a non-revenue basis in order to perform certain maintenance or other operations. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to permit a person to operate, after December 31, 1999, a Stage 2 aircraft in nonrevenue service through U.S. airspace or to or from an airport in the contiguous 48 States in order to: (1) sell, lease, or use the aircraft outside the 48 contiguous States; (2) scrap the aircraft; (3) obtain modifications to the aircraft to meet Stage 3 noise levels; (4) perform scheduled heavy maintenance or significant modifications on the aircraft at a maintenance facility located in the 48 contiguous States; (5) deliver the aircraft to an operator leasing the aircraft from the owner or return the aircraft to the lessor; (6) prepare or park or store the aircraft in anticipation of the activities listed above; or (7) divert the aircraft to an alternative airport in such States on account of safety reasons while conducting a flight in order to perform any of the activities listed above. Bars the use of funds in any Act to implement or enforce Stage 3 noise limitations for aircraft operating under an experimental airworthiness certification issued by the Department of Transportation. (Sec. 232) Makes additional amounts available for FY 2001 through 2003 for the Federal Railroad Administration for expenses for engineering, design, and construction to enable the James A. Farley Post Office in New York City to be used as a train station and commercial center. (Sec. 233) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to extend until July 31, 2000, certain authority to transfer surplus Government property required for correctional facility use as needed by States, localities, and territories for law enforcement or emergency management response purposes. (Sec. 236) Amends the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 to make May 15, 2000, the termination date for certain Federal reporting requirements. (Currently, such requirements expire four years after such Act's enactment.) (Sec. 237) Appropriates additional funds to the Office of National Drug Control Policy for a grant to the U.S. Olympic Committee for its anti-doping program. (Sec. 238) Amends Federal law to change the Executive Schedule classification of the Commissioner of Customs from Level IV to Level III. (Sec. 240) Appropriates an additional amount for salaries and expenses of the Secret Service. (Sec. 241) Amends the Government Management Reform Act of 1994 to extend OMB's authority to adjust the frequency and due dates of, or consolidate, certain Federal reports. (Sec. 242) Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 to decrease the amount available for individual grants for targeted economic investments. Title III: Fiscal Year 2000 Offsets and Rescissions - Rescinds .38 percent of the discretionary budget authority provided (or obligation limit imposed) for FY 2000 in any Act for each Federal agency. Prohibits: (1) any Federal program from being reduced by more than 15 percent; or (2) any reduction from being taken from any military personnel account. Applies the reduction for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy defense activities proportionately to all defense accounts. (Sec. 302) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the transfer of a specified amount in FY 2000 from the surplus funds of the Federal reserve banks to the general fund of the Treasury. Prohibits any such bank from replenishing its surplus by the amount of the transfer. (Sec. 303) Amends provisions of the Social Security Act regarding the Federal Parent Locator Service to provide for disclosure to the Secretary of Education of certain information in the National Directory of New Hires on individuals who are in default on certain loans or owe obligations to refund overpayments of grants made under the Higher Education Act. Establishes conditions on such disclosure, including that priority be given to support collection over collection of such loans or grants and that such information be used only for collecting debt owed by individuals whose annualized wage level exceeds $16,000. Permits such information to be used only for collection purposes. Title IV: Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Montana - Amends the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (the Act) to revise provisions regarding the conveyance of Bureau of Reclamation properties near the Canyon Ferry Reservoir in Montana. Removes a provision that requires disputes over fair market values to be resolved in accordance with specified Federal regulations. Requires the appraisal of properties under such provisions to be based on the Canyon Ferry Cabin Site appraisal with a completion date of March 29, 1999, and amended June 11, 1999, with an effective date of valuation of October 15, 1998, for the Bureau. Directs the contract appraisers that conducted the original appraisal having such effective date of valuation to make modifications to permit recalculation of the lot values established in the original appraisal into an updated appraisal, the function of which shall be to provide market values for the sale of each of the 265 Canyon Ferry Cabin site lots. Provides for adjustments to the updated appraisal based on changes in property characteristics. Authorizes periodic updates of the fair market values through appropriate market analyses, subject to the approval of the Canyon Ferry Recreation Association (CFRA) and the Secretary of the Interior. Grants the Bureau and the 265 Canyon Ferry cabin owners the right to seek reconsideration, before commencement of the updated appraisal, of the assumptions used by the appraisers in arriving at the fair market values derived in the original appraisal. Requires the original appraisal to remain valid for use by the Bureau in the sale process for a period of at least three years from the date of completion of the updated appraisal. Grants nonpurchasing lessees the right to continue leasing through August 31, 2014. Permits such lessees to close under the terms of the sale at any time before such date. Removes all personal property and improvements, on termination of the lease either by expiration or by violation of lease terms, and requires the cabin site to remain in Federal ownership. Requires the Secretary to close on the property and prepare all other properties for closing within 45 days if no one (including CFRA) bids for a property. Directs CFRA and the lessees to purchase at least 75 percent of the properties not later than August 1 of the year that begins at least 36 months (currently, 12 months) after title to the first property is conveyed by the Secretary to a lessee. Requires the Secretary to allocate all funding necessary to conduct the sales process for the sale of property under the Act. Directs the Secretary to begin: (1) preparing for the sales process on enactment of the Act; and (2) conveying the property not later than one year after the Act's enactment. (Sec. 403) Requires the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, acting through the trust manager, to enter into a legally enforceable Recreation Trust Agreement with CFRA. Requires the Agreement to provide that: (1) the Trust shall loan up to $3 million of a property's sale proceeds to CFRA; (2) CFRA shall deposit such borrowed funds in the Canyon Ferry-Broadwater County Trust; (3) CFRA and the individual purchasers shall repay loan principal to the Trust as soon as practicable in accordance with a loan agreement repayment schedule; and (4) CFRA and the purchasers shall make an annual interest payment (at a rate between six and eight percent) on the outstanding loan principal. Prohibits the trust manager, except as otherwise provided, from disbursing any Trust funds until August 1, 2001, unless Broadwater County, at an earlier date, certifies that the Canyon Ferry-Broadwater County Trust has been fully funded. Bars any closing of property until the Recreation Trust Agreement is entered into. (Sec. 404) Prohibits any closing of property until CFRA and Broadwater County enter into a legally enforceable agreement concerning contributions to the Trust. Provides that such agreement shall require that CFRA ensure that $3 million is deposited in the Canyon Ferry-Broadwater County Trust by August 1, 2001. (Current law prohibits any sale of property before such amount is deposited as the initial corpus of such trust.) Title V: International Debt Relief - Directs the President, subject to the availability of amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, to cancel amounts owed (as a result of loans made or credits extended before June 20, 1999) to the United States (or any Federal agency) by any country eligible for debt reduction (a country that is performing satisfactorily under a social and economic reform program, and meeting other specified conditions). Urges the President to seek to leverage scarce foreign assistance and give priority to heavily indebted poor countries with demonstrated need and the capacity to use such relief effectively. Makes ineligible for debt cancellation any country that: (1) has an excessive level of military expenditures; (2) has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; (3) is failing to cooperate on international narcotics control matters; or (4) engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 501) Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees with regard to debt cancellation under this title. (Sec. 502) Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to urge the President, in order to accelerate multilateral debt relief and promote human and economic development and poverty alleviation in heavily indebted poor countries, to commence efforts to make specified modifications to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, including to require: (1) a country that is otherwise eligible to receive debt cancellation under the Initiative to implement certain social and economic reforms, support the reduction of poverty, and promote citizen participation in economic policy decisions; and (2) the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) to complete a debt sustainability analysis by December 31, 2000, and determine eligibility for debt relief for as many of the countries under the modified Initiative as possible. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors at the World Bank and the IMF to use the U.S. vote to promote the establishment of poverty reduction strategies that similarly support programs of countries to reduce poverty. (Sec. 503) Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act to authorize the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to vote to: (1) approve an arrangement whereby the IMF sells to a member, and immediately accepts payment in such gold to satisfy the member's existing repurchase obligations (thus retaining IMF ownership of), a quantity of its gold at prevailing market prices, and uses the earnings on the investment of the profits of such sales for the purpose of providing debt relief to eligible countries under the modified HIPC Initiative; and (2) support termination of the Special Contingency Account 2 (SCA-2) of the IMF so that SCA-2 funds will become available to the poorest countries. (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to use the U.S. vote to urge the IMF to publish its operational budgets quarterly. Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to specified congressional committees on costs and benefits of the United States for participation in the IMF. Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to use the U.S. vote to urge the IMF to continue to forgo reimbursements of its expenses incurred in administering the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility until the HIPC Initiative is terminated. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreements Act with respect to certain IMF actions needing congressional approval to prohibit the President from approving the disposition of IMF gold (currently, disposition of more than 25 million ounces of IMF gold) unless the Secretary certifies to Congress that it is necessary for the IMF to restitute gold to its members, or for the IMF to provide liquidity that will enable it to meet member country claims or to meet threats to the stability of the international financial system. Repeals the requirement of prior congressional authorization for presidential approval of the establishment of any additional trust fund whereby IMF resources would be used for the special benefit of a single IMF member, or of a particular segment of IMF membership. Directs the U.S. Comptroller General to report annually to Congress on the extent to which IMF practices are consistent with U.S. policies. Title VI: Survivor Benefits - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified amount to the survivors of 14 military personnel and one civilian Federal employee who were killed on April 14, 1994, when U.S. F-15 fighter aircraft mistakenly shot down two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Iraq. Limits attorney's fees in connection with such survivor claims. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Naturalizes Petra Lovetinska as a U.S. citizen. (Sec. 702) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations: (1) to the Departments of Labor and of Commerce through FY 2001 for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for workers and firms, respectively, that have been adversely affected by import competition; and (2) for TAA for training of such workers under the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) transitional program. Postpones termination of the TAA programs until the end of FY 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Bend Pine Nursery Land Conveyance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell or exchange specified National Forest System land and improvements in Oregon. Grants right of first refusal to purchase the Bend Pine Nursery to the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District or other local governmental units in Deschutes County, Oregon. Makes the proceeds from any such sale available to the Secretary without further appropriations Act for: (1) acquisition, construction, or improvement of administrative facilities and land in connection with the Deschutes National Forest; and (2) acquisition of land in Oregon. Authorizes the Secretary to use such proceeds or other funds subsequently made available to acquire, construct, or improve such facilities. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act - States that the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, in accordance with this Act and the laws applicable to the National Forest System. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to consult with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and other specified entities. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to develop an environmental restoration priority list for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Sets forth project areas, including: (1) erosion and sediment control; (2) acquisition of environmentally sensitive land; (3) fire risk reduction; (4) cleaning up methyl tertiary butyl ether contamination; and (5) parking and traffic management. Directs the Secretary to make a specified payment to the Agency and the South Tahoe Public Utility District to develop a hydrocarbon contamination cleanup plan. Authorizes appropriations for priority projects. (Sec. 7) Amends Federal law with respect to certain environmental improvement payments to localities in the Basin area to: (1) make public utilities eligible recipients; (2) revise funding provisions, including limiting fund use to projects that are part of the environmental improvement program adopted by the Agency; and (3) authorize appropriations. Prohibits land acquisitions within the Unit from an unwilling private party. (Sec. 9) States that funding under this Act shall be in addition to other funding and shall not be drawn from other National Forest System units. Sets forth matching requirements for Nevada and California. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, as reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to terminate milk marketing order authority.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act - States that the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, in accordance with this Act and the laws applicable to the National Forest System. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to consult with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and other specified entities. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to develop an environmental restoration priority list for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Sets forth project areas, including: (1) erosion and sediment control; (2) acquisition of environmentally sensitive land; (3) fire risk reduction; (4) cleaning up methyl tertiary butyl ether contamination; and (5) parking and traffic management. Directs the Secretary to make a specified payment to the Agency and the South Tahoe Public Utility District to develop a hydrocarbon contamination cleanup plan. Authorizes appropriations for priority projects. (Sec. 7) Amends Federal law with respect to certain environmental improvement payments to localities in the Basin area to: (1) make public utilities eligible recipients; (2) revise funding provisions, including limiting fund use to projects that are part of the environmental improvement program adopted by the Agency; and (3) authorize appropriations. Prohibits land acquisitions within the Unit from an unwilling private party. (Sec. 9) States that funding under this Act shall be in addition to other funding and shall not be drawn from other National Forest System units. Sets forth matching requirements for Nevada and California. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1999
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) to deem a food misbranded if it contains or was produced with a genetically engineered material unless its labeling contains statements meeting specified requirements. Excludes, in all three Acts, food: (1) served in restaurants; or (2) prepared primarily in a retail establishment, ready for human consumption, but not offered for sale for immediate consumption in the establishment. Excludes, for the FDCA, a medical food as defined in the Orphan Drug Act. Subjects violators to civil monetary penalties. Exempts from the penalties: (1) any person (recipient) who establishes a guaranty or undertaking signed by the person (residing in the United States) from whom the recipient in good faith received the food to the effect that the food does not contain or was not produced with a genetically engineered material; and (2) for the FDCA, an agricultural producer of a food that does not contain and was not produced with a genetically engineered material if the food becomes contaminated with a genetically engineered material (including by mingling the two), so long as the contamination was neither intentional nor negligent.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Lyme Disease Initiative of 1999 - Directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, of Agriculture, of the Interior, and of Defense to: (1) establish specified detection test, improved surveillance and reporting system, and prevention goals to provide for a reduction in the incidence and prevalence of Lyme disease and related tick borne infectious diseases; and (2) establish a five-year plan of activities toward achieving those goals, and carry them out. Establishes the Lyme Disease Taskforce to advise the Secretaries with respect to achieving such goals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to ensure that the basis and procedure for calculating cabin user fees on National Forest System lands shall reflect the probable value of the use and occupancy of a lot to the cabin owner. States that such value shall: (1) not be equivalent to the lot's rental fee; and (2) reflect regional economic influences, as determined by appraisal. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) appraisal requirements and right of second appraisals; (2) cabin user fees and annual adjustments; and (3) right of arbitration and judicial review. Authorizes appropriations for the arbitration program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 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.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Food Stamp Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit food stamp program purchases of vitamin or mineral nutritional supplements.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1999
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for packers, with specified exceptions, to own, feed, or control swine intended for slaughter.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1999
Title I: Valles Caldera National Preserve and Trust - Valles Caldera Preservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire all or part of the Baca ranch in New Mexico. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon acquisition of the Baca ranch, to assume administrative jurisdiction over those lands within the boundaries of the Bandelier National Monument. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to: (1) prepare a report of management alternatives which may provide more coordinated land management within the Lower Alamo watershed, allow for improved management of elk and other wildlife populations ranging between the Santa Fe National Forest and the Bandelier National Monument, and include proposed boundary adjustments between such Forest and Monument to facilitate those objectives; and (2) submit the report to specified congressional committees. Makes the acquisition of the ranch subject to all outstanding valid existing mineral interests. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to negotiate the acquisition of any fractional interest in the subsurface estate on a willing seller basis for up to the appraised fair market value. Authorizes the Secretary to assign to the Pueblo of Santa Clara rights to acquire for fair market value portions of the Baca ranch. (Sec. 105) Establishes: (1) upon the date of acquisition of the Baca ranch, the Valles Caldera National Preserve as a unit of the National Forest System; and (2) the Valles Caldera Trust, as a wholly owned Government corporation, to provide management and administrative services for the Preserve and for other specified purposes. (Sec. 107) Requires the Trust: (1) to be governed by a nine member Board of Trustees; and (2) to manage the land and resources of the Preserve, subject to specified requirements, including development of a comprehensive program for the management of lands, resources, and facilities within the Preserve. Authorizes the Trust to construct and upgrade roads and bridges and provide other facilities for recreational activities. Directs that the public be given reasonable access to the Preserve for recreation purposes. (Sec. 109) Sets forth provisions regarding authorities of the Secretary, termination of the Trust, and funding limitations. (Sec. 111) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct an interim study, and a subsequent study, of the activities of the Trust. Provides for a report to Congress of study results. Title II: Federal Land Transaction Facilitation - Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to: (1) establish a procedure to identify, by State, inholdings within federally designated areas in Alaska and the 11 contiguous western States for which the landowner has indicated a desire to sell the land or an interest in land to the Federal Government and to establish the date upon which the land or interest in land identified became an inholding; and (2) provide in the Federal Register and through other means as deemed appropriate periodic notice to the public of such policy, including any information to consider an inholding for acquisition. Provides that an inholding shall be considered for identification only if the appropriate Secretary receives notification of a desire to sell from the owner in response to such a notice and shall be deemed to have been established as of the later of the earlier of the date on which the land was withdrawn from the public domain or established or designated for special management, or the date on which the inholding was acquired by the current owner. Directs the Secretary to establish a program, using funds from a Federal Land Disposal Account of the Treasury established by this Act, to complete appraisals and satisfy other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal under approved land use plans. Sets forth reporting and program termination requirements. Requires that gross proceeds generated by the sale or exchange of public land under this Act be deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account. Sets forth provisions regarding use of the Account, contaminated sites and sites difficult and uneconomic to manage, and program termination.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1999
Title I: Valles Caldera National Preserve and Trust - Valles Caldera Preservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire all or part of the Baca ranch in New Mexico. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon acquisition of the Baca ranch, to assume administrative jurisdiction over those lands within the boundaries of the Bandelier National Monument. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to: (1) prepare a report of management alternatives which may provide more coordinated land management within the Lower Alamo watershed, allow for improved management of elk and other wildlife populations ranging between the Santa Fe National Forest and the Bandelier National Monument, and include proposed boundary adjustments between such Forest and Monument to facilitate those objectives; and (2) submit the report to specified congressional committees. Makes the acquisition of the ranch subject to all outstanding valid existing mineral interests. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to negotiate the acquisition of any fractional interest in the subsurface estate on a willing seller basis for up to the appraised fair market value. Authorizes the Secretary to assign to the Pueblo of Santa Clara rights to acquire for fair market value portions of the Baca ranch. (Sec. 105) Establishes: (1) upon the date of acquisition of the Baca ranch, the Valles Caldera National Preserve as a unit of the National Forest System; and (2) the Valles Caldera Trust, as a wholly owned Government corporation, to provide management and administrative services for the Preserve and for other specified purposes. (Sec. 107) Requires the Trust: (1) to be governed by a nine member Board of Trustees; and (2) to manage the land and resources of the Preserve, subject to specified requirements, including development of a comprehensive program for the management of lands, resources, and facilities within the Preserve. Authorizes the Trust to construct and upgrade roads and bridges and provide other facilities for recreational activities. Directs that the public be given reasonable access to the Preserve for recreation purposes. (Sec. 109) Sets forth provisions regarding authorities of the Secretary, termination of the Trust, and funding limitations. (Sec. 112) Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct an interim study, and a subsequent study, of the activities of the Trust. Title II: Federal Land Transaction Facilitation - Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to: (1) establish a procedure to identify, by State, inholdings within federally designated areas in Alaska and the 11 contiguous western States for which the landowner has indicated a desire to sell the land or an interest in land to the Federal Government and to establish the date upon which the land or interest in land identified became an inholding; and (2) provide in the Federal Register and through other means as deemed appropriate periodic notice to the public of such policy, including any information to consider an inholding for acquisition. Provides that an inholding shall be considered for identification only if the appropriate Secretary receives notification of a desire to sell from the owner in response to such a notice and shall be deemed to have been established as of the later of the earlier of the date on which the land was withdrawn from the public domain or established or designated for special management, or the date on which the inholding was acquired by the current owner. Directs the Secretary to establish a program, using funds from a Federal Land Disposal Account of the Treasury established by this Act, to complete appraisals and satisfy other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal under approved land use plans. Sets forth reporting and program termination requirements. Requires that gross proceeds generated by the sale or exchange of public land under this Act be deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account. Sets forth provisions regarding use of the Account, contaminated sites and sites difficult and uneconomic to manage, and program termination.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 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.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1999
Fair Cabin User Fee Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to: (1) develop a process, according to specified requirements, for appraising the value of the fee simple estate of a typical lot under the recreation residence program in the National Forest System on which a cabin owner is authorized to build, use, occupy, maintain, and improve a cabin; and (2) establish a cabin user fee equal to five percent of the lot's appraised value, reflecting certain adjustments, including an annual adjustment based on land value changes as reported in the Index of Agricultural Land Prices. Prescribes requirements for: (1) payment of such fees; (2) a right of second appraisal; and (3) arbitration, appeal, and judicial review rights.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1999
Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 - Requires: (1) Governors of each State receiving monies from the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (established under this Act) to report on June 15 of each year to the Secretaries of the Interior or of Agriculture, as appropriate, accounting for the money received for the previous fiscal year, including the funded projects and activities; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to Congress on monies the Departments of the Interior and of Agriculture have spent out of the Fund, including a summary of such Governors' reports. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (CRAF). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into CRAF certain Outer Continental Shelf revenues, undisbursed amounts under title I of this Act, and certain interest earned on CRAF investments. Transfers all amounts deposited into the CRAF as follows: (1) to the Secretary of the Interior for payment of $1 billion to States for impact assistance and coastal conservation, $125 million for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, $100 million for the National Historic Preservation Act, and $50 million to develop and implement Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements; (2) to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture for payment of $200 million for Federal and Indian land restoration; (3) to the Secretary of Agriculture $100 million to carry out the conservation easement program under this Act; (4) to the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the amount of $900 million; and (5) to the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund (FAWRF) established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in the amount of $350 million. Provides that any shortfalls less than $2.825 billion in a fiscal year, after FY 2000, proportionally reduce such sums for that fiscal year. (Sec. 6) Limits the amount available for administrative expenses to two percent. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect the prohibition contained in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (as amended by this Act) that bars the use of funds transferred to the FAWRF by this Act for administrative or execution of program expenses. (Sec. 7) Declares that receipts and disbursements of funds shall be off-budget. (Sec. 9) Prohibits a State or local government from receiving funds under this Act during any fiscal year: (1) when its expenditures of non-Federal funds for recurrent expenditures for programs for which such funding is provided will be less than its expenditures were for such programs during the preceding fiscal year; or (2) for a program unless the Secretary of the Interior is satisfied that such a grant will be used to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of State, local, or other non-Federal funds available for such program. Exempts a State or local government from such prohibition if the Secretary determines that a reduction in expenditures is attributable to a non-selective reduction in the expenditures in the programs of all executive branch agencies of such entity. Treats all funds received by a State or local government under this Act as Federal funds for purposes of compliance with provisions in effect under other law requiring that non-Federal funds be used to provide a portion of the funding for any program or project. (Sec. 10) Prohibits: (1) the taking of private property in whole or in part, without just compensation; and (2) Federal agencies, using funds appropriated by this Act, from applying any regulation on any lands until the lands or water or an interest therein is acquired, unless authorized to do so by another Act of Congress. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to design a standardized sign and, where appropriate, require its installation at sites receiving funds under this Act. Title I: Impact Assistance and Coastal Conservation - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to allocate such transferred CRAF payments to coastal States for impact assistance and coastal conservation only if such States have: (1) a Secretary-approved Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan; (2) agreed to provide specified reports; and (3) certain necessary fiscal control and fund accounting procedures. (Sec. 101) Sets forth the formula for allocating such funds to coastal States and coastal political subdivisions. (Sec. 102) Requires the development and submission of a Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan by each coastal State seeking to receive grants under this title (and in the case of a producing State, the Governor) to incorporate the plans of the coastal political subdivisions into the Statewide plan for transmittal to the Secretary of the Interior for approval or disapproval before the disbursement of CRAF funds. Specifies authorized uses of the CRAF funds. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to provide that all CRAF funds transferred to the Land and Water Conservation Fund shall be covered into the Fund. (Sec. 203) Makes $900 million available each fiscal year after FY 2001 for expenditure without further appropriation, to be allocated as follows: (1) 50 percent for Federal purposes; and (2) 50 percent for State grants. (Sec. 205) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of the Federal portion of such funds for any land or water interest acquisition except those specified and approved by Congress in the appropriate appropriations Act. Prescribes: (1) a procedure for preparing and transmitting to Congress of a list of proposed Federal acquisitions; and (2) notification to specified officials of affected areas with respect to such proposed acquisitions. (Sec. 206) Revises the formula used to allocate amounts made available for State purposes from the Fund each fiscal year. Makes all federally recognized Indian tribes, or in the case of Alaska, Native Corporations eligible to receive shares of such apportionment in accordance with a competitive grant program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires each State, with an exception, to make available as grants to local governments at least 50 percent of its annual apportionment or an equivalent amount made available from other sources. (Sec. 207) Revises the requirement that a State have a comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan as a prerequisite to consideration by the Secretary of the Interior of financial assistance for acquisition or development projects. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor conservation and recreation acquisition and development projects eligible for grants under this Act if the priorities and criteria defined are consistent with the purposes of this Act, the State provides for public involvement in this process, and publishes an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community Conservation and Recreation, within five years after enactment of this Act, indicating the needs it has identified and the priorities and criteria it has established. Allows an existing Comprehensive State Plan to remain in effect until the appropriate State adopts a State Action Agenda. (Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to approve, subject to certain conditions, the conversion of property (other than for public outdoor recreation use) acquired or developed with assistance under the Act only if the State demonstrates no prudent or feasible alternative exists. Exempts from such requirement those properties that no longer meet the criteria within the State Plan or Agenda as an outdoor conservation and recreation facility due to changes in demographics, or that must be abandoned because of environmental contamination which endangers public health and safety. (Sec. 210) Provides that nothing in this title shall affect any State or Federal water law or an interstate compact governing water, alter any allocations of water rights, or create any new water rights. Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require CRAF funds transferred for FAWRA purposes to be deposited in a new subaccount in the FAWRF, to be made available without further appropriation, for apportionment in each fiscal year for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. (Sec. 304) Sets forth requirements for: (1) apportionment of such subaccount funds; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. Prohibits such funds from being used for expenses incurred in the administration and execution of programs. Limits to ten percent the use of such funds for wildlife-associated recreation. (Sec. 305) Allows the subaccount funds to be used for a wildlife conservation education program. Exempts education efforts, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife. (Sec. 306) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes. Title IV: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Amendments - Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to make transferred CRAF funds available to the Secretary of the Interior, without further appropriation, to assist local governments in improving their park and recreation systems. Sets forth limits on the use of such funds. (Sec. 404) Provides for the development of new recreation areas and facilities (including the acquisition of lands for such development) under the urban park and recreation recovery program. (Sec. 406) Revises requirements for: (1) Federal assistance grant eligibility; (2) matching grants to local governments for rehabilitation, development, acquisition, and innovation purposes; (3) local park and recreation recovery action programs; (4) State action incentives; and (5) conversion of recreation property for any other purposes other than public recreation purposes. (Sec. 411) Repeals sunset provisions and congressional reporting requirements with respect to: (1) the impact of the urban park and recreation recovery program; and (2) the annual achievements of the innovation grant program. Title V: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to provide that amounts transferred from the CRAF each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Historic Preservation Fund to be available without further appropriation to carry out the Act. (Sec. 501) Requires at least one half of the funds obligated or expended each fiscal year under this Act to be used for preservation projects on historic properties (giving priority to the preservation of endangered historic properties). (Sec. 502) Authorizes a State to provide financial assistance to the management entity for any national heritage area or national heritage corridor to support cooperative historic preservation planning and development. Title VI: Federal and Indian Lands Restoration - Makes CRAF funds transferred to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture available to be used as a dedicated source of funding for a coordinated program on Federal and Indian lands to restore degraded lands, protect resources that are threatened with degradation, and protect public health and safety. Allocates: (1) 60 percent to the Secretary of the Interior for lands within the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management; (2) 30 percent to the Secretary of Agriculture for lands within the National Forest System; and (3) ten percent to the Secretary of the Interior for competitive grants to qualified Indian tribes (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health). (Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) each establish priority lists for the use of funds (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health or safety); and (2) jointly establish a coordinated program for tracking the progress of activities carried out with amounts made available by this title and determining the extent to which demonstrable results are being achieved. Title VII: Conservation Easements and Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Subtitle A: Conservation Easements - Provides that CRAF funds transferred to the Secretary under title V of this Act in a fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary, without further appropriations, to carry out this subtitle. (Sec. 704) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and carry out a Conservation Easement Program for making grants to State or local governments, Indian tribes, and certain private organizations to provide the Federal share of up to 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing permanent conservation easements in lands with prime, unique, or other productive uses. Subtitle B: Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Makes CRAF funds transferred from the CRAF for this title in a fiscal year available to the Secretary of the Interior without further appropriations, in that fiscal year, to provide financial assistance to persons for development and implementation of Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into under this title. Requires the Secretary to give priority to the development and implementation of Agreements that: (1) implement actions identified under recovery plans approved by the Secretary; (2) have the greatest potential for contributing to the recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and (3) require use of the assistance on land owned by a small landowner or on a family farm by its owner or operator. (Sec. 713) Prohibits the Secretary from providing financial assistance for any action that is required by a permit or an incidental take statement issued under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or that is otherwise required under Federal law. (Sec. 714) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into such Agreements and sets forth Agreement requirements, including: (1) requiring activities not otherwise mandated by law that contribute to species recovery; and (2) specifying species recovery goals. Requires the Secretary to review Agreements in compliance, periodically monitor the implementation of each Agreement, and disburse financial assistance to implement the Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1999
Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to permit the use of agricultural marketing funds for newspaper or periodical advertising space or radio time.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1999
Egg Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Egg Products Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate egg inspection regulations applicable to specified poultry producers. Requires such regulations to provide for: (1) effective monitoring of performance standards; (2) hazard analysis and critical control point-based egg safety programs; (3) carton labeling that warns of illnesses associated with raw or undercooked eggs; (4) uniform expiration dating, and new expiration dating for pasteurized shell eggs; (5) prohibition of returned (retail) eggs as repackaged shell eggs for human consumption; and (6) Salmonella enteritidis testing and affected egg pasteurization. Authorizes the Food Safety and Inspection Service to determine the production origin of Salmonella-contaminated eggs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1999
Farmer Tax Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual engaged in an eligible farming business a limited deduction for amounts paid into a Farm and Ranch Risk Management Account which is defined as a trust, meeting specified requirements, created for the exclusive benefit of such individual . Sets forth various tax incentives for farmers and small businesses, including: (1) an increased deduction for health insurance of the self-employed; (2) an increased estate and gift tax credit; and (3) the exemption of certain unincorporated farm income from the alternative minimum tax. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, and the Rural Development Act of 1972 to, respectively: (1) give priority to projects that encourage the creation of farmer-owned facilities that process value-added agricultural products; (2) permit the use of funds from the Fund for Rural America to provide technical assistance for any authorized rural development activity; and (3) permit extension programs to provide specified education and technical assistance to small- and medium-sized farmers.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1999
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the averaging of farming income for individuals engaged in the qualified business of servicing or selling agricultural products, including fertilizers, seeds, and equipment. Defines a qualified business as one which: (1) receives at least 75 percent of its gross receipts from a farming business; and (2) employed no more than 100 full- time employees during the preceding taxable year. Terminates such allowance after December 31, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1999
Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to state that agricultural extension programs should emphasize market development education and technical assistance for small- and medium-sized farms, such as local value-added processing, in addition to production assistance. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to give rural industrialization loan priority to farmer-owned value-added processing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1999
Hunger Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to remove specified restrictions on qualified aliens' eligibility for food stamp and supplemental security income benefits. Exempts food stamp provisions respecting aliens from: (1) the five-year waiting period for Federal means-tested public benefits eligibility; (2) inclusion of sponsor income and resources to an alien for State benefits eligibility; and (3) sponsor reimbursement requirements in cases of hardship. Sets forth effective dates for: (1) aliens; and (2) refugees and asylees. (Sec. 3) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to authorize a State to use an alternative State auto valuation rather than the Federal one in order to provide a lower household resource attribution for food stamp program purposes. (Sec. 4) Increases, and indexes for inflation, the food stamp excess shelter deduction. (Sec. 5) Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to authorize additional appropriations for commodity purchases under the emergency food assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1999
Craig Municipal Equity Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, subject to valid existing rights, to convey specified lands to the city of Craig, Alaska. Requires that all amounts received by the United States after enactment of this Act as proceeds of contracts, leases, permits, rights-of-way, or easements be deposited into a separate Treasury account and invested. Requires such amounts in such account to be paid by the Secretary to the city at the time of conveyance of land from which the amounts are derived. Prohibits timber harvested from land conveyed to the city from being transported as unprocessed logs from Alaska or conveyed for purposes of such transport. Provides that the land conveyed under this Act shall be considered in lieu of land not conveyed under the Alaska Statehood Act for the purpose of furthering development and expansion of the city. .
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Agricultural Job Opportunity Benefits and Security Act of 1999 - Title I: Adjustment to Legal Status - Directs the Attorney General to adjust the status of a qualifying alien agricultural worker to that of a lawfully admitted nonimmigrant. Provides, with respect to such status, for: (1) a maximum seven-year period of validity; and (2) termination and removal for failure to meet specified agricultural work requirements. Sets forth employer record-keeping requirements. Provides for adjustment to permanent resident status upon completion of required agricultural work for five years. Provides for: (1) status termination and removal for fraud or misrepresentation, or certain criminal activities; and (2) deportation for failure to apply for status adjustment within the specified application period. Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) adjustment of status applications, including penalties for false statements; (2) waiver of numerical limitations and certain grounds for inadmissibility; (3) temporary stay of removal and work authorization; (4) administrative and judicial review; and (5) dissemination of program information. Title II: Agricultural Worker Registries - Directs the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to establish a database system of U.S. worker and nonimmigrant agricultural worker registries to provide temporary and seasonal agricultural job opportunity and referral information. States that such registries may be established as part of the "America's Job Bank" and "America's Talent Bank" databases. Bases registry coverage on job opportunities in a single State, except for the New England States which may be represented by a single registry. Requires prospective employers of H-2A visa agricultural workers to first apply for registry workers before a petition to import H-2A workers may be approved. Sets forth individual registrant requirements. States that an agricultural worker may apply for registry inclusion in the State of his or her residency. Grants referral preference to U.S. workers. Provides that adjusted nonimmigrants: (1) may only be employed in the State of their registration, or in contiguous States; and (2) shall be temporarily or permanently removed from the registry for failure to report for a committed job or jobs. Title III: H-2A Reform - Sets forth registry application requirements for H-2A employers and employer associations, including assurances: (1) that the job opportunity is not the result of a labor dispute, and is temporary or seasonal; (2) respecting required wages and benefits, and compliance with labor laws; (3) respecting advertising in the registry and other labor market sources; and (4) respecting provision of workers compensation. Provides that: (1) the Secretary, upon application approval, shall complete a registry search and notify an employer of available registered workers within seven days of the beginning work date; (2) if insufficient workers are available, the Secretary shall so notify an employer, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State; (3) an employer shall pay a user fee for each admitted alien worker; (4) an employer may apply directly to the Secretary of State for alien worker admissions if such worker referral has not been received within the seven-day period; and (5) an employer may file a request for redetermination of need. (Sec. 304) Sets forth employment requirements with respect to: (1) wages; (2) housing; (3) transportation reimbursement; and (4) obligation to employ U.S. workers. (Sec. 305) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise provisions respecting the admission and extension of stay of temporary H-2A workers. Directs the Attorney General to conduct a study regarding H-2A workers overstays, and whether a partial wage withholding is a necessary inducement to assure timely departure. States that nothing in this Act shall preclude the Secretary and the Attorney General from continuing to apply special procedures to the employment, admissions, and extension of aliens in the range production of livestock. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to establish a process to receive and enforce complaints against employers by aggrieved persons or third party organizations (including bargaining representatives). Sets forth related provisions respecting: (1) expedited investigation of housing, wage, and child labor violations; (2) written notice of findings and opportunity for appeal; (3) ability of alien workers to change employers; and (4) remedies. Establishes the Commission on Housing Migrant Agricultural Workers which shall study the problem of in-season housing for migrant agricultural workers. Directs the Secretaries of Labor, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the relationship between child care of migrant agricultural workers and child labor violations in agriculture. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and Agriculture to conduct a study of agricultural field sanitation conditions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of persistent and serious agricultural labor standards violations. (Sec. 402) Authorizes and requests the Attorney General to establish bilateral commissions between the United States and each country having specified numbers of H-2A workers in the United States. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to establish registry user and alien employment user fee schedules and related collection processes. (Sec. 405) States that additional funds for agricultural worker registry startup costs may be taken from amounts available to Federal or State entities under the Wagner-Peyser Act. (Sec. 406) Sets forth reporting requirements to the congressional Judiciary committees describing the results of a review of the implementation of this Act. Establishes an advisory board to advise the Comptroller General in the preparation of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Hunger Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to remove specified restrictions on qualified aliens' eligibility for food stamp and supplemental security income benefits. Exempts food stamp provisions respecting aliens from: (1) the five-year waiting period for Federal means-tested public benefits eligibility; (2) inclusion of sponsor income and resources to an alien for State benefits eligibility; and (3) sponsor reimbursement requirements in cases of hardship. Sets forth effective dates for: (1) aliens; and (2) refugees and asylees. (Sec. 3) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to authorize a State to use an alternative State auto valuation rather than the Federal one in order to provide a lower household resource attribution for food stamp program purposes. (Sec. 4) Increases, and indexes for inflation, the food stamp excess shelter deduction. (Sec. 5) Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to authorize additional appropriations for commodity purchases under the emergency food assistance program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Food Stamp Outreach and Research for Kids Act of 1999 - Title I: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to (temporarily) carry out mandatory annual onsite inspections of State food stamp program agencies. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to carry out a caseworker training demonstration program. (Sec. 104) Provides for Food and Nutrition Service studies to measure food stamp program impacts on nutrition policy formulation. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to establish a program of grants to qualifying organizations for community partnerships and innovative outreach programs. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to conduct online and telephone program participation demonstration programs. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to facilitate partnerships with State, local, private, and public entities to provide information on nutrition programs, and maintain a toll-free information number. Makes an entity maintaining a toll-free number eligible for a specified Internal Revenue Code business tax credit. (Sec. 108) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of State outreach programs. Title II: Medicaid and Food Stamp Information Through TANF Program and Tax Credit - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a model application for receiving benefits under a State TANF program (Social Security Act block grants to States for temporary assistance to needy families). Requires the application to provide Medicaid and food stamp program eligibility information, for which the Secretary shall develop a model notice. Declares that State use of the application and notice shall be voluntary unless the Secretary determines that a State is not adequately providing food stamp information. (Sec. 202) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a business credit for establishment of the toll-free number under title I of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
Common Sense Protections for Endangered Species Act - Title I: Improving Scientific Integrity of Listing Decisions and Procedures - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to require the Secretary of Commerce or the Interior, as appropriate: (1) to accord greater weight and preference to empirical data rather than extrapolations developed through modeling, when making determinations as to whether a species is endangered or threatened; and (2) consider the future conservation benefits to be provided to the species under species conservation plans or management or conservation agreements in making such determinations. Directs the Secretary to promulgate scientifically valid standards for rendering taxonomic determinations of species and subspecies. Requires such standards to provide that to be eligible for determination as a subspecies under the Act, a subspecies must be reproductively isolated from other subspecific population units and constitute an important component in the evolutionary legacy of the species. Expands provisions which allow petitions for proposed additions to, or removals from, endangered or threatened lists to authorize petitions for changing a species status from a previous determination with respect to such lists. Sets forth minimum requirements for information to be provided by petitions, including: (1) descriptions of available data on the historical and current range, population, and distribution of the species; (2) scientific evidence that the species population is declining or has declined from historic population levels; (3) appraisals of available data on the threats to the species or the causes of its decline; (4) an identification of information contained in the petition that has been peer-reviewed or field-tested; and (5) the reason that the petitioned action is warranted. Sets forth requirements for notification of State Governors and affected tribes to solicit advice as to whether the petitioned action is warranted. Provides for peer review of any determination that an action is warranted if it is in direct conflict with information submitted by a Governor or tribe. Permits any person to intervene as a matter of right in suits under judicial review upon demonstrating that a determination to list a species will have a direct economic effect on the person. Prohibits the Secretary from making a determination that a species is threatened or endangered in a State if a Governor or a tribe provides scientific evidence that a determination is not warranted, unless the Secretary shows by a preponderance of scientific evidence that the information submitted by the State or tribe is incorrect. Requires a public meeting to be held in each State that would be affected by a proposed regulation regarding endangered or threatened species, at the request of any person. Limits the total number of meetings to five. Requires proposed regulations to implement endangered or threatened species determinations to be based on peer-reviewed scientific information that has been, to the maximum extent feasible, verified by field testing. Directs the Secretary, concurrently with a determination that a species warrants listing, to publish an analysis of the economic, social, and other public health, safety, and welfare effects the listing may have. (Sec. 102) Replaces provisions regarding recovery plans with those setting forth requirements for scientific peer review of proposed actions to list a species, remove a species from the list, designate, or revise the designation of, critical habitat, propose alternatives, or establish mitigation obligations. (Sec. 103) Makes data or information considered by the Secretary in making the determination to list subject to the Freedom of Information Act unless the Secretary determines that the information must be kept confidential. Bars the Secretary from publicly disclosing the location of particular private property as habitat for an endangered or threatened species unless the property owner is notified first and consents or the information is otherwise public. Title II: Complying With All Federal Laws and Missions - Authorizes Federal agencies implementing land use or land and resource management plans to authorize, fund, or carry out a site-specific ongoing or previously scheduled action prior to completing consultation with the Secretary if no consultation is required or the Secretary issues a biological opinion and the action satisfies relevant requirements. Requires Federal agencies, upon determining that duties under other Federal laws conflict with those under the ESA, to request the President to resolve the conflict. Authorizes Federal agencies to proceed with proposed actions if consultation is not concluded and the Secretary fails to provide a required statement by the applicable deadline. Provides for the participation of persons who have sought authorization or funding subject to consultation in consultation proceedings. Bars permit or license applicants subject to consultation requirements regarding endangered or threatened species from being subject to new or additional requirements for the specific protection of any species beyond those identified in the Secretary's original statement. (Sec. 202) Permits consultation to be waived by a Federal agency, in response to a natural event or other emergency, for the repair or maintenance of a natural gas pipeline, hazardous liquid pipeline, flood control facility, or electrical distribution transmission or substation facility if the repair or maintenance is necessary to address an imminent threat to human lives or a significant threat to the environment. (Sec. 203) Replaces provisions regarding the Endangered Species Committee (established for the purpose of granting exemptions to consultation requirements) with those authorizing the Secretary to grant exemptions for reasons of national security and the President to grant exemptions for major disaster areas, subject to certain conditions. Eliminates specified requirements for exemptions and judicial review under consultation provisions. Title III: Permitting and Enforcement - Describes conditions under which an activity of a non-Federal person is not a taking of a species, including if it: (1) addresses a critical threat to public health or safety or a natural event; or (2) is incidental to carrying out an otherwise lawful activity such as maintenance, use, or repair of pipelines, flood control facilities, fire breaks, transmission and distribution lines, specified water facilities, and roads and rights-of-way or certain emergency repair. (Sec. 302) Revises provisions regarding citizen suits to permit civil suits by injured parties to enjoin the United States if the violation poses immediate and irreparable harm to a threatened or endangered species. (Current law authorizes suits to enjoin any person alleged to be in violation of the Act.) (Sec. 303) Revises provisions regarding incidental take permits, adding deadlines and administrative requirements for the Secretary on permit actions. Provides that no additional measures to minimize and mitigate impacts on a species that is the subject of such a permit shall be required of a permittee that is in compliance with the permit. Bars any additional restrictions on land or water under the permit without the permittee's consent. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring, as a condition of an incidental take permit, that a permittee for a public project take any measures to minimize or mitigate impacts of a taking: (1) if the costs of implementing such measures will exceed ten percent of the total project costs; or (2) for any activity that occurred prior to the date of permit issuance. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into "safe harbor" agreements with non-Federal persons to benefit the conservation of endangered or threatened species by creating, restoring, or improving habitat or by maintaining currently unoccupied habitat; and (2) provide a grant of up to $10,000 to any individual private landowner to assist the landowner in carrying out such an agreement. Title IV: Recovery Planning - Requires the Secretary, on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available, to develop and implement plans for the conservation and recovery of endangered and threatened species unless a plan will not promote the conservation of the species or an existing plan or strategy for conservation already serves as the functional equivalent of such plan. Gives priority to plans that: (1) address significant and immediate threats to the survival of a species, have the greatest likelihood of achieving species recovery, and will benefit species that are more taxonomically distinct; (2) address multiple species that are dependent on the same habitat as the endangered or threatened species; (3) reduce conflicts with construction, development projects, jobs, agriculture, private property, or other economic activities; and (4) reduce conflicts with military training and operations. Establishes deadlines for the publication of draft and final recovery plans. Sets forth requirements for: (1) recovery teams appointed to develop recovery plans; and (2) recovery plans, including objective, measurable benchmarks to determine whether progress is being made toward the biological recovery goal recommended by the team. Establishes deadlines for the Secretary's review of existing and future plans. Provides for revision of plans if new information indicates that recovery goals will not achieve conservation and recovery. Revises provisions regarding designations of critical habitat. Authorizes the Secretary to designate critical habitat concurrently with the determination that a species is endangered or threatened if such designation is essential to avoid imminent extinction. Sets forth conditions under which States may develop recovery plans. Requires the Secretary to establish the Office of Species Recovery in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to: (1) provide support services to recovery teams to develop recovery plans; (2) seek the recovery of all endangered or threatened species; (3) make all determinations to remove a species from a list; and (4) assist in the designation of critical habitat. Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture to carry out the ESA.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Moratorium on Large Agribusiness Mergers Title II: Agriculture Concentration and Market Power Review Commission 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.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1999
Craig Municipal Equity Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) convey all Federal interests in specified lands to the City of Craig, Alaska; and (2) establish an escrow account to hold proceeds derived after enactment of this Act from contracts, leases, permits, rights-of-way, or easements pertaining to the land to be conveyed and provide for disbursement of those funds, plus interest, to the City when the land is conveyed. Prohibits: (1) timber harvested from land conveyed to the City from being exported as unprocessed logs from Alaska; and (2) the City from selling, trading, substituting, or otherwise conveying that timber to any person for export from Alaska. Provides that the land conveyed under this Act shall be considered in lieu of land not conveyed at statehood for the purpose of furthering development and expansion of the City.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 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.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Revises Federal land exchange provisions with respect to the Cascade Reservoir reclamation project to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain lands that are excess to the needs of the project for non-Federal land of approximately equal value as determined by an appraisal in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1999
Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area Act - Establishes the Saint Helena Island National Scenic Area, upon conveyance of such Island to the United States, to preserve and protect its outstanding resources and values and to provide for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of primitive recreation opportunities, fish and wildlife habitat, vegetation, and historical and cultural resources of such Island. Requires the boundaries of the Hiawatha National Forest to be extended to include such Area. Requires lands acquired by the United States under this Act to be treated as entitlement lands solely for purposes of payments in lieu of taxes to local governments. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to seek to develop a management plan for the Area as an amendment to the Land and Resources Management Plan for the Hiawatha National Forest. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of Michigan with respect to fish in the Area. Withdraws the lands within the Area from disposition under U.S. mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Prohibits the Secretary from allowing any mineral development on federally-owned land within the Area, except for construction and maintenance of roads and facilities within the Area. Allows the Secretary to acquire: (1) land and structures within the Area to further the purposes of this Act; and (2) not more than ten acres of land (and improvements) on the mainland to provide access to, and administrative facilities for, the Area. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 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.