Aviation

Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Army Programs Subtitle C: Navy Programs Subtitle D: Air Force Programs Subtitle E: Other Matters Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense Subtitle D: Research and Development for Long-Term Military Capabilities Title III: Operation and Maintenance Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Environmental Provisions Subtitle D: Other Matters Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy Subtitle B: Reserve Component Matters Subtitle C: Military Education and Training Subtitle D: Decorations, Awards, and Commendations Subtitle E: Amendments to Uniform Code of Military Justice Subtitle F: Other Matters Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters Subtitle E: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Subtitle A: TRICARE Program Subtitle B: Other Matters Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management Subtitle A: General Subtitle B: Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Naval Vessels and Shipyards Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Title XII: National Military Museum and Related Matters Subtitle A: Commission on National Military Museum Subtitle B: Related Matters Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000- Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the chemical demilitarization program; and (4) the Defense Health Program. Subtitle B: Army Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to enter into multiyear procurement contracts, beginning with the FY 2000 program year, for specified Army programs. (Sec. 112) Prohibits Army procurement funds from being used for certain procurements under the close combat tactical trainer program until the Secretary of the Army has reported to the Senate and House defense and appropriations committees concerning the correction of deficiencies under such program, and 30 days have elapsed since such report. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of the Army to report to such committees a comprehensive plan for modernization of the Army's helicopter forces. Provides a funding limitation on the procurement of Army missiles until such report is received. Subtitle C: Navy Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to procure the amphibious dock ship LHD-8. Earmarks funds authorized under this title for advance procurement and construction of components for such program. (Sec. 122) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to: (1) increase from 12 to 18 the number of Arleigh Burke class destroyers authorized to be procured under multiyear procurement contracts; (2) extend through FY 2003 the authorized period for such contracting program (authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to enter into contracts for advance procurement of such destroyers for FY 2001); and (3) repeal the requirement for annual reports from shipbuilders under certain nuclear attack submarine programs. (Sec. 124) Requires operational test and evaluation before the installation of cooperative engagement equipment under the Navy's Cooperative Engagement Capability program. (Sec. 125) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, beginning with the FY 2000 program year, to enter into a multiyear procurement contract for F-A 18E-F aircraft, with a certification requirement. Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - Requires certain certifications from the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to the defense and appropriations committees before awarding the contract for low-rate initial production under the F-22 aircraft program. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Amends the Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support Act of 1992 to extend through FY 2001 the authority of the Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support Initiative. (Sec. 142) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to extend through FY 2001 a pilot program on sales of manufactured articles and services of certain Army industrial facilities without regard to their availability from domestic sources. Extends the deadline for a report from the Defense Inspector General under such pilot program. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). (Sec. 202) Earmarks specified RDT&E funds for basic and applied research projects. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Earmarks funds authorized under this title for: (1) contributions for the common-funded civil budget of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); (2) continued implementation of the micro-satellite technology program under a prior defense authorization Act (requiring the Secretary to develop a plan and submit a report with respect to such program); (3) space control technology development; and (4) the space maneuver vehicle program. (Sec. 215) Amends the defense manufacturing technology program to: (1) strike as a program purpose the promotion of dual-use manufacturing processes; and (2) add as a program purpose the development and application of technologies that involve repair and remanufacturing in support of the operations of system commands, depots, air logistics centers, and shipyards. Requires the Secretary to have manufacturing technology projects selected principally on the basis of the extent to which the projects satisfy such new program purpose, above, as determined by a panel established to review the projects and make selections. Requires the competitive procedures used for selecting projects to include the extent to which a proposal provides for the prospective contract recipient to share in defraying project costs. Subtitle C: Ballistic Missile Defense - Directs the Secretary to establish an acquisition strategy for the upper tier missile defense system with specified requirements. (Sec. 222) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to repeal the requirement to implement technical and price competition for the Theater High Altitude Area Defense System. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary to structure the space-based laser program to include: (1) a near-term integrated flight experiment; and (2) an ongoing activity for developing an objective system design. Expresses the sense of Congress that the structure required be consistent with the joint venture contracting approach and overall objective established by the Department of Defense (DOD) for the space-based laser program. Requires a revised program baseline. Earmarks program funds. (Sec. 224) Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from making any modification under the Airborne Laser program until the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that such modification is justified on the basis of certain test and analysis. Outlines related program requirements. Subtitle D: Research and Development for Long-Term Military Capabilities - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to: (1) extend through 2002 a required report from the Secretary on emerging operational concepts; and (2) provide additional matters to be included in such reports after 1999. Amends provisions of such Act relating to an annual joint warfighting science and technology plan to require the Secretary to submit to the defense committees a summary of each technology area review and assessment conducted by DOD in support of that plan. (Sec. 233) Requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology to report to the defense and appropriations committees on necessary actions to ensure that the armed forces have the military capabilities necessary to meet national security requirements over the next two to three decades. (Sec. 234) Requires the modification of certain DOD profit guidelines to place increased emphasis on technical risk as a factor for determining appropriate profit margins and to provide an increased profit incentive for contractors to develop and produce complex and innovative new technologies rather than mature technologies with low technical risk. (Sec. 235) Authorizes the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry out a program to award prizes in recognition of outstanding achievements in basic, advanced, and applied research, technology development, and prototype development that have the potential for application to the performance of DOD military missions. Requires a competitive process to be used for the selection of participants. Limits to $10 million the amount that may be awarded in a fiscal year. Requires an annual report from the Director to the defense committees on program administration. (Sec. 236) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program to demonstrate improved cooperative relationships with universities and other private sector entities for the performance of research and development functions. Requires the Secretary to consider laboratories where innovative management techniques have been demonstrated. Allows the Secretary to carry out such program at each selected laboratory for three years beginning no later than March 1, 2000. Requires an implementation report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 237) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to exempt defense laboratory employees covered by a personnel demonstration project carried out under such Act from certain defense workforce management personnel restrictions. (Sec. 238) Provides for the use of defense working capital funds for financing RDT&E activities and programs of the military departments. Requires implementation status reports from the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) to the defense committees. (Sec. 239) Directs the Secretary to convene a panel of independent experts to conduct an analysis of the resources and capabilities of all DOD laboratories and test and evaluation facilities, including those of the military departments. Requires the panel to report its findings to the Secretary and Congress. Directs the Secretary to develop an appropriate performance review process for rating the quality and relevance of work performed by DOD laboratories. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2000. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Earmarks Army O&M funds for contributions for the common-funded NATO military budget. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the use of humanitarian and civic assistance funds for the pay and allowances of reserve personnel of the Special Operations Command furnishing education and training on the detection and clearance of landmines or related technical assistance. (Sec. 313) Authorizes the head of any Federal agency to enter into a contract for the installation and maintenance of national defense features in one or more commercial vessels owned or controlled by the offeror in accordance with the purposes of the National Defense Sealift Fund. Authorizes advance payments for such features. Requires the vessel to be operated for DOD after the installation of such features and for the contract term. Subtitle C: Environmental Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide for the management of projects for the research, development, and evaluation of environmental technologies for DOD and the military departments. Outlines related responsibilities of the Secretary in connection with such projects. Requires the appropriate DOD officials to establish, at the beginning of each fiscal year, a performance plan for the environmental technology program within that department or agency. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on the environmental technology program of DOD during the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 322) Establishes the: (1) Environmental Restoration Account, Army, Formerly Used Defense Sites; and (2) Environmental Restoration Account, Defense Base Closure and Realignment. Requires funds in the latter Account to be used only for carrying out environmental restoration required as the result of the closure or realignment of a military installation pursuant to a base closure law. Directs the Secretary to transfer funds to the latter Account from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990. Provides for the funding of administrative expenses and technical assistance in connection with such environmental restoration activities. (Sec. 323) Extends through FY 2010 a current limitation on the payment of environmental fines and penalties from the Environmental Restoration Account, Defense, or environmental restoration accounts of the military departments. (Sec. 324) Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on progress made in carrying out activities under the environmental quality programs of DOD and the military departments. (Currently, an annual report concerning environmental compliance is required.) (Sec. 325) Replaces the Director of Defense Research and Engineering with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology among the membership of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program Council. (Sec. 326) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to extend through FY 2001 a pilot program for the sale of air pollution emission reduction incentives. (Sec. 327) Authorizes the Secretary, using specified military environmental restoration account funds, to pay to the Fresno Drum Special Account within the Hazardous Substance Superfund specified amounts to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency for environmental response activities undertaken at the Fresno Industrial Supply, Inc. site in Fresno, California. (Sec. 328) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force, using Air Force environmental restoration account funds, to pay certain stipulated environmental civil penalties assessed against F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Amends the: (1) National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to extend through FY 2000 a pilot program of using commercial sources to improve the collection of DOD claims under aircraft engine warranties; (2) Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to provide additional matters to be included in a reporting requirement before prime vendor contracts for depot-level maintenance and repair are entered into; and (3) latter Act to allow certain changes in defense retail systems to be implemented if approved by all of the military department Secretaries (currently, implementation is permitted only if specifically authorized by law). (Sec. 344) Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain conditions in connection with the sale of articles and services of DOD industrial facilities to purchasers outside of DOD if the Secretary determines that such waiver is necessary for national security reasons and notifies Congress of such reasons. (Sec. 346) Directs the Secretary to designate the Department of the Navy as the lead agency for the development and implementation of a Smart Card (a credit card-size device containing certain personal identifying information and technology) program for DOD. Requires the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force to establish Smart Card project offices within their departments, and to coordinate their activities with the lead agency. Directs the Secretary to establish a senior coordinating group to develop and implement DOD-wide interoperability standards for the use of Smart Card technology and a plan to use such technology to enhance readiness and improve business processes. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to establish a business plan to implement the use of Smart Cards in one major naval region of the United States in the area of the U.S. Atlantic Command and one in the area of the U.S. Pacific Command. Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for the increased use of Smart Cards and for demonstration programs. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on progress made by the senior coordinating group in implementing this section. Repeals a provision of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 requiring the establishment of an Automated Identification Technology Office. (Sec. 347) Directs the Secretary to study, and report to the defense committees on, potential DOD benefits from the use of the Smart Card for addressing DOD needs for a public-private key infrastructure authentication device carrier. (Sec. 348) Extends to military honor guards and law enforcement agencies (currently, only veterans' organizations) the authority of the Secretary of the Army to lend M-1 rifles (currently, obsolete or condemned rifles). Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2000. Revises such minimum end strength levels. Revises generally the conditions under which such end strengths may be reduced below the level needed to support two simultaneous major regional contingencies. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2000 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2000 for military technicians (dual status) and military technicians (non-dual status). (Sec. 414) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for military personnel. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Extends through FY 2003 certain provisions concerning a required competitive selection procedure for the designation of joint four-star officers. (Sec. 502) Excludes from three-star officer grade limitations those officers serving as a superintendent of a military academy. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned (Secretary concerned) to retire a superintendent within that department upon the termination of detail to such position. Requires those accepting the position of superintendent to agree to accept retirement at the end of their detail. (Sec. 503) Increases from 35 to 55 the number of officers authorized to be frocked (to wear the insignia of a higher grade after selection for promotion to such grade but before the promotion date). (Sec. 505) Requires active-duty or retired officers serving on boards of inquiry to be serving in a grade above major or lieutenant commander, or, in the case of the president of such board, in a grade above lieutenant colonel or commander. Excludes retired officers serving on such boards from general and flag officer limitations. Requires officers serving on retention boards for reserve active status officers to hold the same grades as above and to be: (1) in the same armed force as the officer being considered; and (2) senior in rank to such officer. (Sec. 506) Authorizes a promotion selection board to recommend for promotion an officer from below the promotion zone for that position when the number of officers recommended is less than one. (Sec. 507) Prohibits civil employment for regular and reserve officers serving on active duty under a call or order for a period in excess of 270 (currently 180) days. (Sec. 508) Exempts Retiree Council members from recalled retiree limitations. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Matters - Exempts from active-duty general and flag officer limitations up to 25 reserve general and flag officers serving on active duty at any one time under calls or orders specifying periods of 180 days or more. (Sec. 512) Specifies the operations support and other duties authorized for reserve personnel serving on active duty in support of the reserves. Directs the Secretary to review the use of such reserves and to report review results to the defense committees. (Sec. 513) Repeals a limitation on the number of reserves authorized to serve on full-time active duty in support of preparedness for responses to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction. (Sec. 514) Requires a major or lieutenant commander who has twice failed for promotion to be removed from the reserve active status list on the later of the first day of the month after such member completes 20 years of service (current law) or seven months after the President approves the report of the board which considered such officer for the second time. (Sec. 515) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to: (1) delay the separation or retirement of a reserve officer until the completion of court-martial disciplinary proceedings; and (2) retain reserve officer chaplains until age 67 (currently 60). (Sec. 517) Revises generally provisions concerning the award of reserve service credit for participation in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program. (Sec. 518) Makes ineligible for promotion a reserve officer serving in an educational delay status in order to attend an approved educational institution to receive advanced training, when such training is subsidized by the military department concerned. Makes such provision retroactive with respect to promotion boards convened before the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 519) Excludes from the computation of creditable years of service for a reserve officer service as a reserve commissioned officer while in a program of advanced education to receive the first professional degree required for appointment, designation, or assignment within various military medical specialties, or a chaplain or judge advocate, provided such service occurs before the officer commences initial active or reserve service in the specialty that results from such degree. (Sec. 521) Establishes within the Coast Guard an Office of the Coast Guard Reserve, headed by a Director. Requires the Director to report annually to the Secretaries of Transportation and Defense on the state of the Coast Guard Reserve and its ability to meet mission requirements. Subtitle C: Military Education and Training - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to authorize the Secretary concerned to exceed the annual military academy class limitations by not more than five percent (requiring a justification of such increase to the defense committees). (Sec. 532) Repeals current limitations on the amount of reimbursement authorized to be waived for educational costs of foreign students at U.S. service academies. (Sec. 533) Authorizes up to 24 (currently ten) cadets or midshipmen from each service academy to participate in a service academy foreign exchange program. Increases from $50,000 to $120,000 the authorized fiscal year expenditures for each academy under such program. (Sec. 534) Makes permanent (currently terminates September 30, 1999) the authority of the Secretary concerned to allow graduate students to receive financial assistance under the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. (Sec. 535) Authorizes the Commandant of the United States Army War College to confer the degree of master of strategic studies. (Sec. 536) Authorizes the commander of the: (1) Air Education and Training Command to establish minimum educational requirements for Community College of the Air Force professors and instructors; and (2) Air University to confer the degrees of master of strategic studies and master of military operational art and science. (Sec. 538) Excludes members of the armed forces within the defense acquisition workforce from a limitation on the amount of reimbursement that may be received for tuition and training expenses. (Sec. 539) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide up to $5,200 yearly in financial assistance to certain members of the Marine Corps Reserve for completion of: (1) baccalaureate degree requirements in an educational program that takes less than five years to complete; or (2) doctor of jurisprudence or bachelor of laws degree requirements in programs that take no more than three years to complete. Outlines eligibility requirements, including selection as an officer candidate in the Marine Corps Platoon Leader's Class Program and completion of at least six weeks of military training. Requires graduates to serve at least five years of active duty upon graduation. Prohibits more than 1, 200 individuals from participating in such program at any one time. Provides for the computation of creditable service for officers serving in such positions. Subtitle D: Decorations, Awards, and Commendations - Waives certain time limitations with respect to the award to Mark H. Freeman of Seattle, Washington, of the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for heroic achievements during a rescue operation in September, 1956. Subtitle E: Amendments to Uniform Code of Military Justice - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to authorize special courts-martial to adjudicate and execute punishments which include confinement for up to one year (currently six months). (Sec. 562) Reduces from 0.10 to 0.08 the level of blood-alcohol content for determining the UCMJ offense of drunken operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel. Subtitle F: Other Matters - Includes decedents who were members of the Selected Reserve (currently, only veterans) among those eligible for honor guard details at their funerals. Revises honor guard detail requirements (renaming it as a funeral honors detail). Requires such detail, at a minimum, to perform the folding and presentation of the flag, and to play Taps (requiring a recorded version of such song when no bugler is present). Requires at least one detail member to be of the same service branch as the deceased. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to provide certain support services to such details. Authorizes the Secretary to waive any requirements of this section to meet the requirements of war, national emergency, a contingency operation, or other military requirements (requiring notification to the defense committees). Authorizes the acceptance of voluntary services of veterans support organizations with respect to such a detail. Provides the duty status for reserve personnel serving on such details. Authorizes members of the Army or Air National Guard to be ordered to perform such duty, with their consent and the consent of the governor or other appropriate official of the State involved. Requires a minimum of two hours of such duty in order to receive service credit and any authorized allowances. Authorizes members of the Ready Reserve to be ordered to such duty, with their consent, with the appropriate service crediting when performing a minimum of two hours on such detail. Authorizes medical treatment for any illness or injury incurred by a member during, or while traveling to or from, such detail. Authorizes a $50 stipend for members on such detail. (Sec. 572) Increases from 180 to 365 days the period during which a potential recruit may be extended in the delayed entry program. (Sec. 573) Directs the Secretary of the Army to establish a pilot program to assess whether the Army could increase the number and level of qualifications of Army inductees by encouraging recruits to pursue higher education or vocational or technical training before their induction. Authorizes under the program a delayed entry of up to two years in order to pursue such education or training, with a monthly allowance of $150 for persons enlisted in the Individual Ready Reserve during such time. Authorizes the pilot program from October 1, 1999, to September 30, 2004. Requires a program report from the Secretary to the defense committees. (Sec. 574) Reduces from annually to every two years a required report from the Secretary to Congress concerning operation of the Selected Reserve educational assistance program under the Montgomery GI Bill. (Sec. 575) Adds to the military welfare societies authorized to provide services to overseas U.S. military personnel certain overseas entities that promote understanding between U.S. military personnel and the people of the host nation. (Sec. 576) Authorizes the Armed Forces Medical Examiner to conduct forensic pathology investigations, including an autopsy, to determine the cause or manner of death of persons under certain circumstances, including those who die while imprisoned in a military installation or from an injury or illness incurred during active duty or military training. Subjects such authority to the primary jurisdiction of any State or local government, or foreign country in which there is an international agreement with the United States. (Sec. 577) Prohibits the disclosure of the contents of a record of a debriefing, made by an authorized U.S. official, of a missing person returned to U.S. control during the period beginning on July 8, 1959, and ending on February 10, 1996. (Sec. 578) Authorizes the use for public relations purposes of advertising materials developed for military recruitment and retention. (Sec. 579) Revises provisions providing financial assistance to separated military personnel to obtain certification as teachers or teachers' aides (the troops-to-teachers program) to place administration of the program in the hands of the Secretary of Defense, for the armed forces, and the Secretary of Transportation, for the Coast Guard, but to transfer such jurisdiction to the Secretary of Education, such transfer to be completed by October 1, 2001. Requires the administering Secretary to periodically identify local educational agencies for program participation. Makes retired military personnel eligible for such assistance. Revises generally provisions concerning outreach information provided to eligible individuals and the selection of participants. Authorizes the provision of a $10,000 bonus (in lieu of the regular stipend of $5,000) to each participant who agrees to accept full-time employment as an elementary or secondary school teacher or vocational or technical teacher for not less than four years in a high need school. Deletes provisions requiring the administering Secretary to pay specified amounts of the base salary of teachers hired under the program to the local educational agencies involved. Provides additional exceptions to required reimbursement for a participant's failure to complete the agreed-upon period of service as a teacher or aide. Authorizes the administering Secretary to make grants (with grant limits) to States or a consortia of States in order to operate offices to recruit eligible individuals for program participation. Prohibits the administering Secretary from using more than five percent of program funds to establish and maintain program management infrastructure. Provides for the transfer of program administration to the Secretary of Education. Requires such Secretary and the Comptroller General (CG), after such transfer, to report to Congress on program effectiveness. (Sec. 580) Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to an eligible civilian provider of child care or youth program services that furnishes such services for military personnel and Federal employees if the Secretary determines that providing such assistance: (1) is in DOD's best interest; (2) enables supplementation or expansion of the furnishing of such services for military installations; and (3) ensures that the provider complies with DOD standards for furnishing such care. Outlines provider requirements. Authorizes the use of any DOD funds to provide such assistance. Requires a biennial report from the Secretary to Congress. Allows the Secretary to authorize participation in such programs by children and youth under 19 years of age who are not military or Federal employee dependents. Requires a biennial report on the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 581) Directs the Secretary to establish a Military-Civilian Task Force on Domestic Violence, requiring the Task Force to submit an annual report to Congress concerning responses to domestic violence in the military, pending research on domestic violence, and recommendations for improving the military response to such violence. Requires the Secretary to establish a central database of information on cases of domestic violence involving military personnel. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 2000 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 4.8 percent, effective on January 1, 2000, the rates of basic pay for military personnel. Revises, effective July 1, 2000, the rates of such pay for commissioned and warrant officers within specified grades. Requires increases in basic pay for each of FY 2001 through 2006 by a specified percentage based on the Economic Cost Index. (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay a monthly special subsistence allowance to military personnel in pay grades E-5 or below who are eligible for food stamp assistance, with conditions and limitations, including a monthly limit of $180 and termination of such assistance if paid for 12 consecutive months. Terminates such authority on September 30, 2004. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 604) Authorizes the lump-sum payment of accrued unused annual leave upon a member's reenlistment into the armed forces. (Sec. 605) Requires the continuation of authorized pay and allowances for a member listed under a "whereabouts unknown" duty status. (Sec. 606) Provides for the identical treatment, for purposes of pay determination and years of service credit, for officers who completed instruction at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 1987 and those who graduated in 1986. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Extends through 2000 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 1999 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 614) Requires air battle managers entitled to aviation career incentive pay to receive the higher of such pay or the amount they were receiving prior to such entitlement. (Sec. 615) Extends through 2004 the bonus authority for aviation career officers agreeing to extend their period of duty for at least one year. Repeals the requirement that such officers must have completed at least six, but less than 13 years of active duty in order to be eligible for the bonus. Repeals the lower alternative amount of such bonus for officers agreeing to serve three additional years or less. Allows such an agreement to extend until the officer has completed up to 25 years of aviation service (currently, 14 years of commissioned service). (Sec. 616) Authorizes the payment of career enlisted flyer incentive pay to enlisted personnel who: (1) are entitled to basic pay or inactive duty training pay; (2) hold or are training for a career enlisted occupational or flyer specialty; and (3) are qualified for aviation service. Outlines operational flying duty requirements. Provides for the monthly amounts of such pay, such amount increasing with the years of creditable aviation service performed. Prohibits such pay for members already receiving either hazardous duty incentive pay or diving duty special pay. (Sec. 617) Authorizes special pay for certain special warfare officers who agree to remain on active duty in such service for at least one additional year. Limits such payment to $15,000 for each year under the agreement. Prohibits such agreement term from extending beyond the date on which the officer would complete 14 years of active commissioned service. Requires the pro rata repayment of such bonus for periods not served. (Sec. 618) Authorizes the payment of a retention bonus for surface warfare officers who agree to: (1) remain on active duty for at least two years and through the tenth year of active commissioned service; and (2) complete tours of duty to which the officer may be ordered during such period as a department head afloat. Limits such amount to $15,000 for each year under the agreement. Prohibits such agreement term from extending beyond the date on which the officer would complete ten years of active commissioned service. Requires the pro rata repayment of such bonus for periods not served. (Sec. 619) Authorizes additional special pay for veterinarians in the armed forces and the Public Health Service who have been awarded a diploma in a specialty recognized by the American Veterinarian Medical Association. (Sec. 620) Increases: (1) the rate of diving duty special monthly pay; (2) the reenlistment bonus for active-duty personnel; and (3) the critical skills enlistment bonus (authorizing the lump-sum payment of such bonus). (Sec. 623) Amends provisions authorizing the payment of a Selected Reserve enlistment bonus to: (1) eliminate the six-year minimum period required to receive such bonus; and (2) increase such bonus from $5,000 to $8,000. (Sec. 624) Authorizes special pay for Coast Guard reserve personnel assigned to high priority units of the Selected Reserve. (Sec. 625) Reduces from three to two years the minimum period of Army enlistment in a critical skill area before eligibility for an enlistment bonus. (Sec. 626) Authorizes payment of a prior service enlistment bonus to certain members of the Selected Reserve attaining or occupying positions designated as critically short. (Sec. 627) Increases from $100 to $300 the monthly foreign language proficiency special pay. Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the payment of temporary lodging expenses for members making their first permanent change of duty station. (Sec. 642) Authorizes the use of any airport in the United States at which travel can be arranged at a lower cost in connection with emergency leave travel for military personnel. (Currently, only travel from the closest airport is authorized.) (Sec. 643) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, under certain circumstances, to pay a per diem allowance to certain military technicians (dual status) serving on active duty without pay outside the United States. (Sec. 644) Authorizes reserve personnel to travel in a space required status on military aircraft between the member's home and place of inactive-duty training outside the United States when there is no available road or rail transportation. (Sec. 645) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to reimburse a member for travel expenses incurred in connection with approved leave which is canceled to meet an exigency in connection with U.S. participation in Operation Allied Force. Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters - Limits the application of a reduction in retired pay currently required for individuals who first became members of the armed forces after July 31, 1986, and retired with less than 30 years of creditable service to only those who have elected to receive a bonus added by this section. Makes eligible for such bonus those members who became members after the above date, have 15 years or more of active duty, and execute written agreements to complete at least five more years of continuous active duty service. Makes such bonus a lump-sum amount of $30,000. (Sec. 652) Authorizes participation in the Federal Thrift Savings Plan for Ready Reserve members of any pay status. Authorizes all active-duty military personnel to participate in such Plan and to contribute participatory amounts to the Thrift Savings Fund, limiting the maximum annual contribution to five percent of the member's basic pay, as well as any special or incentive pay received. Prohibits matching agency contributions. Adds a representative of the armed forces to the Employee Thrift Advisory Council. Authorizes such participation and contribution as of July 1, 2000, unless postponed by the Secretary under certain circumstances. (Sec. 653) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to enter into an agreement with a member to make contributions to the Fund if such member: (1) is in a critical specialty; and (2) commits to continue to serve on active duty in that specialty for six years. (Sec. 654) Includes reserve retired officers who are employed with the Federal Government on a full-time basis under provisions limiting the amount of military retired pay they may receive during such employment. (Sec. 655) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to provide a credit toward Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage for months covered by premium payments made during an SBP open enrollment period for persons not previously participating in the SBP. (Sec. 656) Prohibits the reduction in military retired pay for persons electing to participate in a military annuity program for any month after the later of: (1) 30 years for which such retired pay is reduced; or (2) the month during which the annuitant reaches 70 years of age. (Sec. 657) Makes permanent (currently terminates on September 30, 2001) the authority for the payment of annuities to the surviving spouses of certain reserve personnel. (Sec. 658) Provides for the effectuation of an intended SBP annuity to a former spouse when not accomplished by a member due to his or her death within 21 days after entering into an agreement incident to a divorce to elect such annuity. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress assessing the effect that additional pay and benefits have had on military recruitment and retention. (Sec. 672) Requires the first general or flag officer in the chain of command of a member to manage such member's deployment when the total number of days of which such member has been deployed out of 365 consecutive days is in excess of 180 days. Limits such deployment to 200 out of 365 consecutive days unless a general or admiral in such chain of command approves a continued deployment. Provides for the waiver of such limitations by the Secretary for national security purposes. Authorizes a $100 per diem allowance for members deployed in excess of 220 out of 365 consecutive days (with a national security waiver of such allowance). Makes such provisions inapplicable to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy. (Sec. 673) Makes inapplicable to members deployed in a contingency operation or similar operational mission a required limitation in the amount of tuition costs that will be paid for education or training during off-duty periods. (Sec. 674) Includes within the educational loan repayment program members of the Selected Reserve of the Coast Guard Reserve when not operating as a service in the Navy. (Sec. 675) Extends to the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the authority for the presentation of the U.S. flag upon retirement. Title VII: Health Care - Subtitle A: TRICARE Program - Amends the Civilian Heath and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to require the Secretary to ensure that health care coverage available through TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program) is substantially similar to coverage available under similar health benefits plans offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Directs the Secretary to minimize the authorization or certification requirements of covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program as a condition of access to program benefits. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse health care providers under the TRICARE program at higher rates (with limits) if such rates are necessary to ensure the availability of an adequate number of qualified health care providers. Authorizes collection by military medical treatment facilities of health care costs incurred on behalf of a covered beneficiary of another insurer. Requires an implementation report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 702) Requires the Secretary to establish voluntary enrollment dental plans for members of the Selected Reserve (current law) and Individual Ready Reserve, and authorizes such plans for other reserves, active duty dependents, and Ready Reserve dependents. (Currently, the Secretary is authorized to establish such plans for dependents of military personnel who are on active duty for more than 30 days.) Provides for: (1) plan administration; (2) types of care authorized; (3) premiums and premium sharing plans; (4) copayments; (5) dental care provided outside the United States; and (6) a waiver of plan requirements for dependents of personnel on active duty for more than 30 days. Prohibits the Secretary from reducing plan benefits until notice to the defense committees followed by a one-year waiting period. (Sec. 703) Expresses the sense of Congress calling for the automatic authorization for enrollment into the TRICARE Senior Prime demonstration program of persons already enrolled in a DOD managed care program. (Sec. 704) Provides for the designation and services of TRICARE beneficiary advocates, requiring such designation no later than January 15, 2000. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Provides for the health care at former military medical treatment facilities of active-duty personnel stationed at certain remote locations. (Sec. 712) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to extend through FY 2000 the chiropractic health care demonstration program. (Sec. 713) Directs the Secretary, in the administration of health care contracts, to implement program benefit and administrative changes at the start of each fiscal year rather than throughout the year, except when the Secretary determines that such changes would significantly improve health services to eligible beneficiaries or result in more effective provision of such care. (Sec. 714) Requires CHAMPUS contracts to be awarded to offerors that will provide the best value consistent with high-quality care in a manner that protects the fiscal and other interests of the United States. (Sec. 715) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, with the consent of the member, to order a reserve member to active duty to complete a health surveillance study. (Sec. 716) Authorizes the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis, to continue payment under CHAMPUS for domiciliary or custodial care services to covered beneficiaries who, prior to the effective date of final regulations implementing the individual case management program, were provided such care. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to extend through FY 2005 a test program for the negotiation of comprehensive small business subcontracting plans. (Sec. 802) Amends provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 relating to the Mentor-Protege program (a program to provide incentives to major DOD contractors to award subcontracts to disadvantaged small businesses) to: (1) provide a program participation term of not more than three years, while allowing up to five years in unusual circumstances; (2) authorize (currently require) the Secretary to reimburse a mentor for the total amount of progress or advance payments made to a subcontractor under the program, as well as certain support costs; (3) state that determinations made in a mentor firm's annual performance review shall be a major factor in determining appropriate reimbursement amounts; (4) limit such total reimbursement amount in a fiscal year to $1 million, with an exception; (5) extend such program through FY 2004; (6) require specified reports from the mentor firm, the protege firm, and the Secretary; (7) require an annual performance review of each mentor-protege agreement; and (8) repeal a provision that limits the provision of funding to the end of FY 1999. (Sec. 803) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress the implementation status of the Small Business Innovation Research program transition plan developed under a prior defense authorization Act. (Sec. 804) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to provide for CG review of records concerning prototype projects carried out by the Advanced Research Projects Agency. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a pilot program to treat procurements of certain commercial services as procurements of commercial items under the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act. Limits such program to a five-year period. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress on the program; and (2) collect and analyze information on price trends for all services covered by the program. (Sec. 806) Requires the Secretary, before purchasing a product listed in the latest edition of the Federal Prison Industries catalog, to conduct market research to determine whether such product is comparable in price, quality, and delivery time to products available from the private sector, and, if not comparable, to use competitive procedures for the procurement of such product. Provides exemptions, including for the procurement of national security systems. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: General - Provides that, as of October 1, 2002, the number of DOD management headquarters and headquarters support personnel may not exceed 65 (currently 75) percent of such number as of October 1, 1989. Repeals provisions requiring a phased reduction of such number. (Sec. 902) Outlines additional matters to be included within annual reports concerning joint warfighting experimentation. (Sec. 903) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to accept from a donor a qualified guarantee for the completion of a major project (cost of at least $1 million) for the benefit of the U.S. Military Academy. Allows funds for such a project to be obligated and expended without regard to whether they are sufficient to pay for project completion. Requires a qualified account control agreement to be set up between such Secretary, the donor, and a major U.S. investment management firm in order to ensure the availability of sufficient funds to pay the guaranteed amount (along with related assurances and requirements). (Sec. 904) Mandates that the Civil Air Patrol is a nonmilitary, voluntary civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, to be administered by a Chief of Staff under the direction of the Secretary of the Air Force. Requires Patrol headquarters to perform command, control, and administrative functions. Outlines Patrol organizational requirements, including an Executive Director, Safety Officer, and Inspector General. Prohibits a member of the regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard serving in such position from receiving compensation for such service other than the pay and allowances provided to military personnel in such positions. (Sec. 905) Repeals the requirement that the DOD strategic plan be updated and revised at least every three years. (Sec. 906) Directs the Secretary, in each year in which a President is inaugurated, to conduct a comprehensive examination of the defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan, and related elements of defense programs and policies with a view toward determining and expressing the U.S. defense strategy and establishing a revised defense plan for the ensuing ten years and a revised defense plan for the ensuing 20 years. Requires during such time the consideration of reports of the National Defense Panel (established herein). Directs the Secretary to report on such review to the defense committees every year such review is conducted. Directs the Secretary to establish the National Defense Panel (nonpartisan and independent) to make certain assessments and recommendations concerning appropriate changes to U.S. defense strategy and to identify the most dangerous threats to U.S. national security during such upcoming periods. Requires the Panel to submit to the Secretary and the defense committees an interim and final report containing appropriate recommendations. Terminates the Panel after submission of its final report. Subtitle B: Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization - Establishes the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization to conduct a review of such management and organization and report to Congress its findings and conclusions. Funds the Commission from defense-wide O&M funds for FY 2000. Terminates the Commission 60 days after its report. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer up to $2 billion of authorizations made available in this Division for FY 2000 between any such authorizations for that fiscal year, with limitations. Requires congressional notification of any such transfers. (Sec. 1002) Outlines matters to be included in the second biennial DOD financial management improvement plan. (Sec. 1003) Allows a contract for the procurement of subsistence items entered into under the prime vendor program of the Defense Logistics Agency to specify a single payment date applicable to an invoice for such items, but prohibits such date to be more than ten days after invoice receipt. (Sec. 1004) Authorizes the Secretary to require the use of electronic funds transfer for the pay, allowances, retired or retainer pay, and any other payments out of funds available to DOD for current and former military personnel, DOD employees or former employees, or dependents. (Sec. 1005) Authorizes the Secretary to pay, out of the proceeds of sales of maps, charts, and other publications of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), any licensing or other fees imposed by foreign countries or international organizations for the acquisition or use of data or products by NIMA. (Sec. 1006) Authorizes DOD disbursing officials to provide operating funds to automated teller machines on naval vessels and to accept transfers of funds made through such machines. (Sec. 1007) Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for DOD missions relating to combating terrorism. Requires the DOD budget for fiscal years after 2000 to set forth separately the amounts requested for such purpose. (Sec. 1008) Provides for U.S. contribution for the common-funded budgets of NATO for FY 2000. Subtitle B: Naval Vessels and Shipyards - Waives certain transfer restrictions if a sale of naval shipyard articles or services is made to a DOD contractor for a nuclear ship in order to facilitate the contractor's fulfillment of the contract. (Sec. 1012) Requires congressional notification followed by a 60- day waiting period prior to the transfer of a vessel which has been stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals - Preserves certain defense reporting requirements contained in Federal armed forces provisions, prior national defense and military construction Acts, and related Acts, as listed in the report of the Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Speaker of the House on January 5, 1993. (Sec. 1022) Requires a report from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the defense and appropriations committees on the requirements of the combatant commands. (Sec. 1023) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees on: (1) assessments of the readiness of the United States to execute the national military strategy; and (2) the inventory and control of DOD military equipment as of the end of FY 1999. (Sec. 1024) Directs the Secretary to develop, and report to the defense and appropriations committees on, a detailed guide for investment in space science and technology, demonstrations of space technology, and planning and development for space technology systems. Requires such guide to include two alternative technology paths. (Sec. 1025) Requires the CG to study the policies, procedures, and practices of the military departments for protecting the confidentiality of communications between a military dependent who is a victim or perpetrator of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or intrafamily abuse and their therapist, counselor, or other person providing professional services. Requires a report from the CG to Congress and the Secretary on the study's results, and a report from the Secretary to Congress on actions taken after such study. (Sec. 1026) Requires a report from the CG to Congress on the anticipated effect of the proposal to reduce the Federal civilian workforce involved in the operation of eight storage sites for lethal chemical agents and munitions. (Sec. 1027) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the deployment across State boundaries of rapid assessment and initial detection teams used to respond to incidents involving a weapon of mass destruction. (Sec. 1028) Directs the Secretary to include in quarterly readiness reports an assessment of the readiness, training status, and future funding requirements of all active and reserve units that are considered assets of the Consequence Management Program Integration Office of DOD. Requires the Secretary to prepare a decontamination readiness plan for such Office. (Sec. 1029) Requires the Secretary to report to the: (1) defense and appropriations committees on the relationship between the defense budget and current and emerging threats to national security; and (2) defense committees on implementation of the Defense Capabilities Initiative by NATO nations. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to extend through FY 2000 a prohibition on the retirement or dismantlement of specified strategic nuclear delivery systems. Prohibits funds from being obligated for retiring or dismantling: (1) B-52H bomber aircraft below a minimum of 76 (currently 71); and (2) Trident ballistic missile submarines below 14 (currently 18). (Sec. 1042) Prohibits any FY 2000 funds from being used to reduce the number of U.S. strategic nuclear forces below the maximum number currently permitted the United States under the START II Treaty unless the President reports to Congress an assessment that such reductions would not impede U.S. capability to respond militarily to a significant challenge posed by nuclear weapons modernization programs of the People's Republic of China or any other nation. Requires other nations' modernization programs to be taken into account when negotiating the START II Treaty with the Russian Federation. (Sec. 1043) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to extend through FY 2004 the Counterproliferation Program Review Committee. Provides for an executive secretary to such Committee, and revises certain report deadlines. (Sec. 1044) Prohibits funds authorized under this Act from being obligated or expended for assistance for a country under any Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program until the President makes certain certifications to Congress with respect to arms control compliance and related actions of such country. (Sec. 1045) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to revise the period covered by an annual report on accounting for U.S. assistance under CTR programs. (Sec. 1046) Limits to $15 million the total amount of FY 2000 U.S. assistance in support of UN-sponsored efforts to inspect and monitor Iraqi weapons activities. (Sec. 1047) Directs the Secretary to carry out an (defense electronic) information assurance program, to report annually to Congress on such program, and to prepare a DOD information assurance guide for the development of appropriate organizational structures and technologies for information assurance (protection) under the program. Requires development of an information assurance testbed. Provides funding from amounts authorized under this Act. (Sec. 1048) Directs the Secretary to establish a task force of the Defense Science Board to examine the use of radio and television broadcasting as a propaganda instrument and the adequacy of the capabilities of U.S. armed forces to deal with propaganda situations such as the conflict in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Requires a report from the task force to the Secretary, and from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 1049) Requires a non-DOD entity operating a communication system, device, or apparatus on any portion of the frequency spectrum used by DOD to ensure noninterference with DOD communications operated therein. Makes such entity liable for any required redesign or rebuilding of a DOD communication system as a result of such interference. (Sec. 1050) Prohibits the use of any funds to enter into any contract with or issue any broadcast or other license to any entity that broadcasts from outside the United States into the United States on any frequency that is reserved to or used by DOD, unless such broadcasting is authorized by law. (Sec. 1051) Repeals a provision that limits to $50 million in a fiscal year the Federal expenditure for the National Guard civilian youth opportunities program. (Sec. 1052) Authorizes the Secretary, or the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard, to exempt from Federal disclosure requirements information concerning military personnel or DOD or Coast Guard employees assigned to overseas, sensitive, or routinely deployable units. (Sec. 1053) Authorizes the Secretary to exempt from such disclosure requirements: (1) certain operational files of NIMA; and (2) NIMA information having commercial significance. (Sec. 1055) Authorizes the Secretary to continue the enrollment in the DOD domestic dependent elementary and secondary schools program of a military or Federal employee dependent who would otherwise lose their eligibility under such program. (Sec. 1056) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a single school board for all domestic dependent schools in Puerto Rico and a single school board for all such schools in Guam. (Sec. 1057) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct through the military departments a science, mathematics, and technology education improvement program known as the Department of Defense STARBASE Program in order to improve the knowledge and skills of students in kindergarten through twelfth grade in such subject areas. Requires the establishment of at least 25 academies under the program, with specified academic requirements. Requires an annual program report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 1058) Requires the Secretary's program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War to run during FY 2000 through 2004. Provides program funding during such period through Army O&M funds. (Sec. 1059) Reauthorizes and extends through FY 2000 the Defense Production Act of 1950. (Sec. 1060) Extends to naval aircraft on which one or more Coast Guard members are assigned the authority to engage in certain drug interdiction activities. Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to change to October 1, 1999 (currently October 1, 2000) the effective date of revisions made to the voluntary early retirement program. (Sec. 1102) Repeals a provision which authorized the investigation of a complaint of sexual harassment made by a civilian employee under the supervision of a commanding officer or officer in charge of a military unit, vessel, facility, or area (thereby requiring such employees to follow Federal sexual harassment investigatory procedures). (Sec. 1103) Provides for the restoration of earned but unused annual leave in the case of DOD emergency essential employees serving in a combat zone. Authorizes the Secretary or the Secretary of a military department to make such designation, following specified criteria. Makes employees of nonappropriated fund instrumentalities eligible for such designation. (Sec. 1104) Provides leave protection for dual-status military technicians participating in combat as well as noncombat operations outside the United States. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to establish work schedules and premium pay or compensatory time off provisions for civilian faculty members of the military service academies. (Sec. 1106) Provides that certain Federal pay rate and total compensation limitations shall not apply to the authority of the Secretary to prescribe salary schedules and related benefits for faculty and staff of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Title XII: National Military Museum and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Commission on National Military Museum - Establishes the Commission on the National Military Museum to conduct a study and make recommendations to Congress regarding authorization for the construction of a national military museum in the National Capital area. Requires, after one year, a report to Congress on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Terminates the Commission 60 days after such report. Subtitle B: Related Matters - Prohibits any transfer of Navy Annex property until two years after the later of: (1) the date of submission of a study on the expansion of Arlington National Cemetery (required under a prior joint explanatory statement); or (2) the date of the report of the Commission, above.

To authorize the sponsor of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport in California to impose noise restrictions on operations at the airport without the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration.

United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1999

Authorizes the sponsor of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport in California to impose noise restrictions on operations (including curfews and limits on the number of daily take-offs and landings) at the airport without Federal Aviation Administration approval.

Federal Employees' Overtime Pay Limitation Amendments Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1999

Federal Employees' Overtime Pay Limitation Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends Federal Civil Service provisions regarding the computation of overtime pay to: (1) require that, for a Federal employee whose basic pay is at a rate which exceeds the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10 (including any applicable locality-based comparability payment and any applicable special rate of pay), the overtime hourly rate of pay is an amount equal to the greater of one and one-half times the minimum hourly rate of basic pay for such grade or the hourly rate of the employee's basic pay, and all that amount is premium pay. Revises provisions regarding limitations on premium pay to: (1) allow an employee to be paid premium pay under certain circumstances only to the extent that the payment does not cause the aggregate rate of pay for any pay period for such employee to exceed the lesser of 150 percent of the minimum rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 or the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule; (2) prohibit an employee who is paid premium pay by reason of work in connection with an emergency which involves a direct threat to life or property, including a forest wildfire emergency, from being paid such pay if, or to the extent that, the aggregate of the basic pay and premium pay for such employee would, in any calendar year, exceed the lesser of 150 percent of the minimum rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 or the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule; and (3) prohibit applying such premium pay limitation provisions to certain employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Authorization of Appropriations Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: End and Grade Strength Management Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components Subtitle C: Military Education and Training Subtitle D: Uniform Code of Military Justice Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Extension of Certain Bonuses and Special Pays Subtitle D: Military Retired Pay Subtitle E: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Provisions Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management Subtitle A: Organization Subtitle B: Management of Service Academies Subtitle C: Personnel Management Subtitle D: Other Matters Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Foreign Nations Subtitle C: Department of Defense Schools Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XI: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1999 Division B: Military Construction Authorizations Title XXI: Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration Subtitle C: Defense Base Closure and Realignment National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorization - Authorizes the use of multiyear procurement contracts for specified Army and Navy aircraft, missiles, equipment, and vehicles. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for research, development, test, and evaluation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2000. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to pay inspection and monitoring expenses of international inspectors from the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2000 and 2001. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2000 and 2001 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2000 and 2001 for military technicians (dual status) and military technicians (non-dual status). (Sec. 415) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. Subtitle C: End and Grade Strength Management - Prohibits DOD funds from being used to implement a reduction of active-duty end strengths for any of the armed forces for any fiscal year below the number currently required to support two major regional contingencies simultaneously unless the Secretary notifies Congress of such proposal and a justification. (Sec. 417) Authorizes the Secretary to increase the end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel by up to two percent. (Sec. 418) Makes permanent (currently terminates at the end of FY 2000): (1) the authority to exempt certain senior joint officer positions from officer end strength limitations; and (2) the requirement for each military department Secretary to submit to the Secretary the name of an officer to serve in a vacant senior joint officer position. (Sec. 419) Exempts from Air Force officer end strength limitations an officer appointed to the position of Commander in Chief of the United States Transportation Command or United States Space Command. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Removes the requirement that active-duty or retired officers serving on boards of inquiry be serving in a grade above lieutenant colonel or commander, but requires one board member to be above such grade. Requires remaining board members to be in grades above major or lieutenant commander. (Sec. 502) Limits to no less than three or more than five the number of officers to be recommended by the Secretary of each military department for vacant positions for Judge Advocate General and Assistant or Deputy Judge Advocate General of each military department. (Sec. 503) Requires the following positions (currently designated simply as critical acquisition positions) to be assigned for no fewer than three years: program or deputy program managers for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program; program executive officers; general or flag officer or the civilian equivalent; and senior contracting official. (Sec. 504) Authorizes a promotion selection board to recommend for promotion an officer from below the promotion zone for that position when the number of officers recommended is less than one. Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to delay the separation or retirement of a reserve officer until the completion of court-martial disciplinary proceedings. (Sec. 511) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, with the consent of the member, to order a reserve member to active duty to complete a required DOD health care study. (Sec. 512) Makes ineligible for promotion a reserve officer serving in an educational delay status in order to attend an approved educational institution to receive advanced training, when such training is subsidized by the military department concerned. Makes such section retroactive in the case of officers not promoted due to such status between October 1, 1996, and the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 513) Requires a major or lieutenant commander who has twice failed to be selected for promotion to be removed from the reserve active status list on the later of the first day of the month after such member completes 20 years of service (current law) or seven months after the President approves the report of the board which considered such officer for the second time. (Sec. 514) Excludes from the computation of creditable years of service for a reserve officer service as a reserve commissioned officer while in a program of advanced education to receive the first professional degree required for appointment, designation, or assignment within various military medical specialties, or as a chaplain or judge advocate, provided such service occurs before the officer commences initial active or reserve service in the specialty that results from such degree. (Sec. 515) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to retain reserve component chaplains until age 67 (currently 60). (Sec. 516) Authorizes reserve personnel to travel in a space required status on military aircraft between home and place of inactive duty training, or place of duty in lieu of unit training assembly, when there is no road or rail transportation between such locations. (Sec. 517) Prohibits civil employment for regular and reserve officers serving on active duty under a call or order for a period in excess of 270 (currently 180) days. Subtitle C: Military Education and Training - Makes permanent (currently terminates September 30, 1999) the authority of the Secretary concerned to allow graduate students to receive financial assistance under the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. (Sec. 521) Revises generally provisions concerning the award of reserve service credit for participation in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program. (Sec. 522) Allows tuition reimbursement and training allowances provided to acquisition personnel to be for the full amount of expenses and training incurred. (Sec. 523) Provides the authorized grade for an individual serving as a dean of the United States Military Academy or United States Air Force Academy. (Sec. 524) Authorizes the Commandant of the United States Army War College to confer the degree of master of strategic studies. (Sec. 525) Authorizes the commander of the Air Education and Training Command to establish minimum educational requirements for Community College of the Air Force professors and instructors. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide up to $5,200 yearly in financial assistance to certain members of the Marine Corps Reserve for completion of: (1) baccalaureate degree requirements in an educational program that takes less than five years to complete; or (2) doctor of jurisprudence or bachelor of laws degree requirements in programs that take no more than three years to complete. Outlines eligibility requirements, including selection as an officer candidate in the Marine Corps Platoon Leader's Class Program and completion of at least six weeks of military training. Requires graduates to serve at least five years of active duty upon graduation. Prohibits more than 1,200 individuals from participating in such program at any one time. Provides for the computation of creditable service for officers serving in such positions. Subtitle D: Uniform Code of Military Justice - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to authorize special courts-martial to adjudge and execute punishments which include confinement for up to one year (currently six months). (Sec. 531) Reduces from 0.10 to 0.08 the blood-alcohol content for determining the UCMJ offense of drunken operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 2000 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 4.4 percent, effective on January 1, 2000, the rates of basic pay for military personnel. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Authorizes enlistment bonuses to be paid in a lump-sum (currently only in installments). Increases from $12,000 to $20,000 the authorized one-time bonus for enlisting for at least a four-year period. (Sec. 613) Reduces from 21 to 17 months of continuous active duty the service required for a member to be eligible (among other requirements) for a reenlistment bonus. Increases the amount of such bonus to the lesser of 15 (currently ten) times the amount that the member was entitled to at the time of original separation or discharge multiplied by the number of agreed-upon years of additional service, or $60,000 (currently $45,000). (Sec. 614) Authorizes payment of a prior service enlistment bonus to members of the Selected Reserve attaining or occupying positions designated as critically short. (Sec. 615) Requires air battle managers entitled to the payment of aviation career incentive pay to receive the higher of such pay or the amount they were receiving prior to such entitlement. (Sec. 617) Authorizes the payment of career enlisted flyer incentive pay to enlisted personnel who: (1) are entitled to basic pay or inactive duty training pay; (2) hold or are training for a career enlisted occupational or flyer specialty; (3) are qualified for aviation service; and (4) engage or remain in such service on a career basis. Outlines operational flying duty requirements. Provides for the monthly amounts of such pay, such amount increasing with the years of creditable aviation service performed. Provides for a proportionate share of such pay for reserve members performing inactive duty training involving aviation. Prohibits such pay for members already receiving either hazardous duty incentive pay or diving duty special pay. (Sec. 618) Increases the diving duty special pay and the foreign language proficiency special pay. (Sec. 620) Authorizes the payment of surface warfare officer continuation pay to officers who agree to remain on active duty to complete tours of duty to which such officers may be ordered as a department head afloat. Limits such amount to $50,000, requiring pro rata repayment for tours not completed. (Sec. 622) Authorizes special pay for certain special warfare officers who agree to remain on active duty in such service for at least one additional year. Limits such payment to $10,000 for each additional year. Terminates on September 30, 2001, the authority to enter into such agreements. Requires a pro rata repayment for additional periods not completed. (Sec. 623) Increases certain bonuses and special pay provided to nuclear-qualified officers. Subtitle C: Extension of Certain Bonuses and Special Pays - Extends through FY 2001 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 1999 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. Subtitle D: Military Retired Pay - Repeals a reduction in retired pay currently required for individuals who first became members of the armed forces after July 31, 1986, and retired with less than 30 years of retirement-creditable service. Revises the annual cost-of-living adjustment applicable to such retired pay. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the lump-sum payment of accrued unused annual leave upon a member's reenlistment into the armed forces. (Sec. 641) Authorizes the use of any airport in the United States at which travel can be arranged at the lowest cost in connection with emergency leave travel for military personnel. (Currently, only travel from the closest airport is authorized.) (Sec. 642) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds to provide contract quarters as lodging in kind for reservists performing active duty for training or inactive duty training. (Sec. 643) Provides limited authority for the Secretary concerned to delegate the authority to waive operational flying duty requirements. (Sec. 644) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to provide tuition assistance for members deployed in a contingency operation or similar operational mission. (Sec. 645) Authorizes the payment of temporary lodging expenses of members making their first permanent change of duty station. (Sec. 646) Requires the continuation of authorized pay and allowances for a member listed under a "whereabouts unknown" duty status. (Sec. 647) Changes from annually to biennially a required report concerning operation of the educational assistance program for reserve personnel. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to direct the Secretary, in the administration of health care contracts and programs, to implement program benefit and administrative changes at the start of each fiscal year rather than throughout the year, except when the Secretary determines that such changes would significantly improve health services to eligible beneficiaries. Authorizes the Secretary, under certain circumstances, to defer for up to one year the schedule implementation for a new health care program or benefit (requires congressional certification). (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis, to continue payment under CHAMPUS for domiciliary or custodial care services to covered beneficiaries who, prior to the effective date of final regulations implementing the individual case management program, were provided such care. (Sec. 704) Authorizes the Armed Forces Medical Examiner to conduct forensic pathology examinations, including autopsies. Outlines circumstances warranting such examinations, including when a person dies while imprisoned in a military installation or from an injury or illness incurred during active duty or military training. Subjects such authority to the primary jurisdiction of any State or local governmental authority involved. Requires that, when a person is found dead at a place garrisoned by the Navy or Marine Corps under circumstances requiring investigation, such commanding officer shall direct a summary court-martial to investigate the circumstances. (Sec. 705) Authorizes the Secretary to make payments for emergency medical or dental care for military, civilian, and DOD contractor employees permanently or temporarily on duty in the countries of the former Soviet Union or Warsaw Pact. (Sec. 706) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the administration of the collection from third party insurers of the costs of care provided in military health care facilities to covered beneficiaries of such insurers. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Authorizes the Secretary to withhold from public disclosure any DOD geodetic product (maps, charts, and related data) that, if disclosed, would interfere or unfairly compete with an emerging or existing commercial industry or market operation. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the application of certain survivability test requirements with respect to the MH-47E and MH-60K helicopter modification programs before their release for operational use. Requires a congressional report upon the exercise of such waiver. (Sec. 803) Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain defense contracting procedures for the acquisition of coal or coke (currently, only petroleum and natural gas). (Sec. 804) Removes a prior funding certification requirement with respect to the use of multiyear contracts for defense acquisition programs. (Sec. 805) Repeals the authority of the Secretary of the Navy to enter into shipbuilding capability preservation agreements. (Sec. 806) Excludes certain subcontract notification requirements with respect to a contractor that maintains a purchasing system that has been approved by the appropriate contracting officer. (Sec. 807) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year: (1) 1996 to repeal certain reports, plans, processes, and reviews required for nuclear attack submarines; and (2) 1997 to repeal a required annual report on design responsibility under the New Attack Submarine program. (Sec. 809) Authorizes the waiver of cost-sharing requirements under the defense manufacturing technology program when a project: (1) is not likely to have an immediate and direct commercial application; and (2) is initiated by a military service acquisition organization or by the Defense Logistics Agency. Requires documentation of the rationale for not requiring cost-sharing. Adds the extent to which project costs are being shared to information to be included in a five-year plan for such program. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Organization - Abolishes the position of Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs. (Sec. 903) Establishes within the Office of the Secretary a Director of Defense Logistics, to advise the Secretary and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology on DOD logistics. Subtitle B: Management of Service Academies - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to establish the work schedule, as well as premium pay and compensatory time off for work performed in excess of that regularly scheduled, for service academy faculty members. (Sec. 906) Makes eligible for presidential appointment to a service academy children of members who: (1) are on active duty and have at least eight total years of such duty (currently, eight continuous years is required); (2) are members of the reserves who have earned at least 2,880 retirement points; or (3) are eligible, or who died while they were eligible, for retired pay but had not yet reached age 60. (Sec. 907) Authorizes the waiver or reimbursement of up to 50 (currently 35) percent of the costs of instruction of foreign persons at U.S. service academies for students entering on or after May 1, 1999. (Sec. 908) Authorizes up to 24 (currently ten) cadets or midshipmen from each service academy to participate in a service academy foreign exchange program. Increases from $50,000 to $120,000 the authorized fiscal year expenditures for each academy under such program. Subtitle C: Personnel Management - Repeals the authority of a commanding officer or officer in charge of a unit, vessel, facility, or area of a military department to investigate a complaint of sexual harassment made by a civilian employee under such officer's supervision. (Sec. 911) Excludes from a limitation on the number of retired officers authorized to serve on active duty an officer assigned to the Army, Navy, or Air Force Retiree Council. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Exempts from the requirement for the disclosure of personnel information such information pertaining to members of the armed forces or civilian employees of DOD or the Department of Transportation assigned to or employed by overseas units, sensitive units, or routinely deployable units. Makes such exemption inapplicable with respect to the provision of information to Congress. (Sec. 916) Allows captured vessels or vessels stricken from the Naval Register to be transferred by the Secretary of the Navy after congressional notification and a 60 calendar day waiting period (currently, 60 days of continuous congressional session). (Sec. 917) Extends through FY 2002 the authority to acquire real property leases for special operations activities. (Sec. 918) Repeals the Naval Academy Museum Fund and transfers such funds into the United States Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund, established herein. Repeals the Naval Center Historical Fund and transfers such funds into the Department of the Navy General Gift Fund. (Sec. 919) Authorizes the use of common defense burdensharing funds for a military construction project in a country which contributed such funds, upon a declaration of war or national emergency, when necessary to support the use of armed forces. Requires congressional notification of such decision and its estimated cost. (Sec. 920) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to exempt operational files of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) from Federal public disclosure laws (including the Freedom of Information Act). Provides exceptions, including the use of such files for immigration and nationality purposes or Federal investigative proceedings. Provides judicial review, with limitations, when a person alleges that such records have been improperly withheld. Requires the NIMA Director and the Director of Central Intelligence, at least once every ten years, to review any exemptions in force to determine whether they should be removed from the exempt category. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Repeals the requirement for: (1) a separate budget request for the procurement of reserve equipment; and (2) a two-year DOD budget cycle pursuant to the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986. (Sec. 1003) Revises the due date for, and requires inclusion of specified additional information in, a joint report by the Directors of the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office on the scoring of defense budget outlays. (Sec. 1004) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to extend from two to four years after the enactment of such Act a pilot program for the sale of air pollution emission reduction incentives. Subtitle B: Foreign Nations - Removes a provision limiting the Secretary's authority to enter into cooperative military airlift agreements with allied countries solely to that provided under current law. (Sec. 1011) Extends through FY 2000, with a spending limit of $15 million, the authority of the Secretary to provide financial assistance in support of the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq, as authorized under the Weapons of Mass Destruction Control Act of 1992. Subtitle C: Department of Defense Schools - Allows a military dependent who has been a junior at a secondary school under the DOD domestic dependent elementary and secondary schools program to be enrolled as a senior in the next school year, notwithstanding a change in status that would otherwise terminate such eligibility. (Sec. 1016) Allows the Secretary to establish a single school board for program schools located in a U.S. territory, commonwealth, or possession. (Sec. 1017) Allows the Secretary to continue the enrollment of a military dependent or the dependent of a Federal employee under the program for as long as determined appropriate (currently, only until the end of that school year), notwithstanding a change in status that would otherwise terminate such eligibility. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to allow a member of the armed forces on active duty who buys or leases a motor vehicle under contract to remove such vehicle from such State when the member is assigned to a different State or another country if the member: (1) has not missed more than three periodic payments under such contract and is not otherwise in default at the time of reassignment; and (2) furnishes the seller, lessee, or creditor with a copy of the Government orders and the member's forwarding address. (Sec. 1021) Repeals a provision that limits to $50 million in a fiscal year the Federal expenditure for the National Guard civilian youth opportunities program. (Sec. 1022) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to use appropriated or nonappropriated funds to install telephone lines and any telecommunications equipment in the private residences of designated volunteers and to pay for usage charges for such equipment. (Sec. 1023) Defines as a DOD emergency essential employee a DOD civilian employee whose assigned duties and responsibilities would be necessary during a period that follows the evacuation of non-essential personnel during a declared emergency or the outbreak of combat operations or war. Provides to such employees: (1) an exemption from Federal estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code; and (2) the restoration of accrued but unused annual leave (in the case of such an employee who is deployed to a combat zone outside the United States). (Sec. 1024) Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to administer a program to provide off-post emergency preparedness required to protect the public around U.S. installations where lethal chemical agents and munitions are stored. Requires the Director to assist States in responding to emergencies associated with the storage and destruction of such agents and munitions. Authorizes the Director to establish an incentive program to encourage State and local governments to achieve early, efficient, and cost-effective attainment of the required level of emergency preparedness. Requires the Director to report annually to Congress. Requires funds used for such program to be set out in a separate defense-related activities program account for FEMA under the U.S. national defense budget. Title XI: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1999 - Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1999 - Establishes an independent Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2005. Directs the Secretary, as part of the DOD budget justification for each of FY 2002 and 2006, to include a force structure plan based on an assessment of probable national security threats during the six-year period for which the budget request is made and of the anticipated funding levels that will be available during such period for national defense purposes. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register and transmit to the defense committees the proposed and final criteria to be used in making recommendations for the closure or realignment of military installations inside the United States. Directs the Secretary, on May 15, 2001, and May 16, 2005, to publish and transmit to such committees a list of installations recommended for closure or realignment on the basis of such force structure and final criteria. Requires the inclusion of a summary of the selection process used in making such recommendations. Prohibits the Secretary, in making such recommendations, from taking into consideration any advance conversion planning undertaken by a community in anticipation of a closure or realignment. Directs the Secretary to make all information used in making base closure recommendations available to the Commission and the Comptroller General. Requires the following individuals, when submitting base closure or realignment information to the Secretary, to certify its accuracy and completeness: (1) the Secretaries of the military departments; (2) the heads of defense agencies; and (3) each person having duties which include personal and substantial involvement in the preparation and submission of such information. Directs the Commission, after receiving the Secretary's recommendations, to conduct public hearings and report to the President on its findings, conclusions and recommendations for base closures and realignments. Allows the Commission to change a recommendation made by the Secretary when it finds that it deviates substantially from the force structure plan and final criteria. Prohibits the Commission, when making recommendations, from taking into consideration any advance conversion planning undertaken by an affected community in anticipation of a base closure or realignment. Directs the President, each year in which the Commission makes recommendations, to transmit to the Commission and Congress a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of such recommendations, together with reasons therefor. (Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary to: (1) close or realign all military installations as recommended by the Commission; and (2) initiate all such closures and realignments within two years, and complete all such closures and realignments within six years, after the President transmits such report. Prohibits any such closure or realignment if disapproved by a congressional joint resolution. (Sec. 1105) Outlines closure or realignment implementation requirements, including economic adjustment and community planning assistance for affected communities, environmental restoration, and outplacement assistance for displaced employees. Directs the Administrator of General Services to delegate to the Secretary appropriate authorities for disposing property at targeted installations. Directs the Secretary, before disposing or transferring such property, to consult with State governors and heads of local governments to consider any plan for the use of such property by the local community concerned. Allows for a transfer of property without consideration in the case of an installation located in a rural area whose closure or realignment will have a substantial adverse impact on local communities and on their prospects for economic recovery. Authorizes a transfer of property to the local redevelopment authority (RA) involved, under certain conditions. Requires a determination as to whether another Federal department or agency can use a portion of a closed or realigned installation, or will accept transferred property, to be made within six months after the date of closure or realignment approval. Requires an RA to which property is transferred to undertake outreach efforts to provide information on the buildings and property involved to representatives of the homeless. Requires such representative to submit to the RA specified information in a notice of interest in such buildings and property, including the homeless assistance program proposed to be carried out at the installation. Directs the RA for each covered installation to prepare and submit to the Secretaries of Defense and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a redevelopment plan for the use of such installation to assist the homeless. Provides for reversion to the RA if the property is not used for such purposes. Directs the HUD Secretary to complete a review of such plan, taking into consideration and being receptive to the predominant views on such plan by the local communities, and to approve or disapprove the plan (allowing an RA to revise disapproved plans). Directs the Secretary, upon a determination by the HUD Secretary that a plan meets appropriate requirements, to dispose of the buildings and property at such installations (requiring environmental compliance). Authorizes the Secretary, if considered to be in the best interests of the affected communities, to: (1) postpone or extend any deadline required under this title; or (2) enter into agreements with local governments for fire and police services, airfield operations, and other community services for closed or realigned installations, if considered in the best interests of DOD. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement to transfer property designated for an RA to any person who agrees to perform all required environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities. Requires property recipients to pay at least 50 percent of all compliance costs. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such property to a person who agrees, in exchange, to transfer to the Secretary housing units located at or near a military installation at which there is a shortage of suitable military housing, under certain conditions. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on any proposed exchange agreement. Authorizes the Secretary, in closing or realigning an installation, to purchase housing ownership interests of military personnel at manufactured housing parks established at an installation to be closed or realigned under this Act when: (1) it is in the best interests of the Federal Government to eliminate or relocate such park; and (2) such elimination or relocation would result in an unreasonable financial hardship to current owners. (Sec. 1106) Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1999, requiring Account funds to be used for environmental restoration and property management and disposal at installations closed or realigned under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. Requires annual reports from the Secretary to the defense committees on deposits into, and expenditures from, the Account, and requires a report to such committees 60 days after termination of the Secretary's authority to close or realign an installation. (Sec. 1107) Requires annual reports from the Secretary to the defense committees, beginning with the budget request for FY 2005, which shall include: (1) a schedule of the closure and realignment actions to be carried out, estimated total expenditures and cost savings, and any adverse environmental effects; and (2) a description of installations to which functions are to be transferred as a result of such closures and realignments. (Sec. 1108) Outlines procedures for congressional consideration of a joint resolution disapproving a Commission recommendation of a base closure or realignment. (Sec. 1109) Mandates that, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2005, this title shall be the exclusive authority for selecting or carrying out the closure or realignment of a military installation inside the United States. Prohibits, with exceptions, any other DOD funds from being used for such closures or realignments. Division B (sic): Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 - Title XXI (sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, carry out architectural planning and design activities, and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after: (1) 1999 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army; and (2) 2000 for completion of the military construction and family housing projects, above, and for those authorized for FY 2001. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to increase the amount authorized for the Pueblo Chemical Activity, Colorado. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. (Sec. 2205) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, or such other department Secretary as designated, to acquire real property and carry out a military construction project for a forward deployment site for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under Title XXI. (Sec. 2305) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force, or such other department Secretary as designated, to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects for forward deployment sites for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities in Ecuador and Curacao. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts. (Sec. 2403) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for deposit into the Department of Defense Family Housing Fund. (Sec. 2404) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after: (1) 1999 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD; and (2) 2000 for completion of the military construction and family housing projects, above, and for those authorized for FY 2001. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1999 for such contributions. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for such purpose. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1999 for the Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for such purpose, and for construction projects authorized for FY 2001. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2002, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2003, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing - Authorizes the use of O&M funds for minor construction projects intended solely to correct a life-threatening, health-threatening, or safety-threatening deficiency. (Sec. 2802) Includes design costs within authorized uses for military construction project funds. Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - Authorizes the Secretary concerned, in connection with the conveyance of a utility system, to enter into a contract for utility services for a period not to exceed 50 years. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to construct or acquire family housing not otherwise authorized if: (1) Congress has previously appropriated funds for such purpose; and (2) funds for such units have been transferred from the Family Housing Improvement Fund into a Family Housing account. Requires congressional notification and a 21-day waiting period following such notification. (Sec. 2805) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to lease, sell, or exchange real or personal property in Hawaii in order to construct facilities and military housing units on Ford Island, Hawaii. Outlines lease requirements and requires 30 days' prior congressional notification before entering into such a lease, sale, or exchange. Establishes in the Treasury the Pearl Harbor Account, to be used for improvements and operating support of Ford Island, and for transfer to DOD military housing accounts to carry out the privatization of military housing there. Subtitle C: Defense Base Closure and Realignment - Establishes the Environmental Restoration Account, Base Realignment and Closure, to fund environmental restoration and mitigation activities required as the result of the closure or realignment of a military installation pursuant to a base closure law. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds to such Account from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990. Makes environmental restoration activities funds used during such closures and realignments available for administrative expenses and technical assistance related to such activities.

To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide slot exemptions for nonstop regional jet service, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1999

Amends Federal aviation law to require the Secretary of Transportation, after receiving a joint application from an air carrier and a community primarily served by a small hub airport or a nonhub airport for an exemption to provide nonstop regional jet air service that meets certain Federal noise limits between a small hub airport or nonhub airport and a high density airport, to grant the exemption, provided granting it would: (1) be in accordance with established principles of safety; or (2) not violate the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary to grant an exemption for: (1) a period of not less than 12 months; (2) a minimum of two daily roundtrip flights; and (3) a maximum of four daily roundtrip flights.

Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1999

Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to convey to Clark County, Nevada, certain Federal public lands in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, for the development of an airport facility and related infrastructure. Prohibits such conveyance from being made until: (1) the County has conducted an airspace assessment to identify any potential adverse effects on access to the Las Vegas basin under visual flight rules that would result from the construction and operation of a commercial or primary airport, or both, on the land to be conveyed; (2) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration certifies to the Secretary that such assessment is thorough, and that alternatives have been developed to address each adverse effect identified in such assessment; and (3) the County has entered into an agreement with the Secretary to retain ownership of Jean Airport, located at Jean, Nevada, and to maintain and operate such Airport for general aviation purposes. Requires conveyance of small parcels over 20 years as may be needed by the County to construct and develop the airport facility and infrastructure on the lands conveyed. Provides for the deposit of payments received from the County as consideration for the conveyance of each parcel in the special account described in the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. Withdraws the conveyed lands from mineral entry under the Act of May 10, 1872, known as the Mining Law of 1872 and the Mineral Leasing Act. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to consult with the Secretary in the development of an airspace management plan for the Ivanpah Valley Airport that shall, to the maximum extent practicable and without adversely impacting safety considerations, restrict aircraft arrivals and departures over the Mojave Desert Preserve in California.

Airline Competition and Fairness Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1999

Airline Competition and Fairness Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation, whenever a major air carrier is competing with a new entrant air carrier in providing air transportation on a route between a hub airport and another airport, to investigate whether the major air carrier has been or is engaged in an unfair method of competition if: (1) the major air carrier has added seat capacity on the route and has sold such a large number of seats on it at very low fares that the ensuing self-diversion of revenue has resulted in lower local revenue than would have resulted from a reasonable alternative response by the major air carrier to the competition; or (2) the number of passengers that the major air carrier has carried on the route at the new entrant air carrier's low fares has exceeded the new entrant air carrier's total seat capacity (or the number of low-fare passengers carried by the new entrant carrier) on such route, resulting in lower local revenue than would have resulted from a reasonable alternative response by the major air carrier to the competition.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle A: Authorizations Subtitle B: Limitations and Special Authority Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) the International Space Station (with restrictions); (2) launch vehicle and payload operations; (3) science, aeronautics, and technology; (4) mission support; (5) the Inspector General. (Sec. 106) Limits the total authorization of appropriations for NASA for each of FY 2000, 2001, and 2002. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration for aviation systems capacity. Subtitle B: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth limitations on, and special authorities (with prior notice to the Congress) for, the use of funds for the construction of new facilities and the repair, rehabilitation, or modification of existing facilities. (Sec. 124) Specifies limitations on: (1) the obligation of unauthorized appropriations in FY 2000 through 2002; and (2) the amount of funds that may be used for scientific consultations or extraordinary expenses. (Sec. 126) Earmarks a specified amount of the appropriations authorized for Earth Science for FY 2001 and 2002 for the Commercial Remote Sensing Program at Stennis Space Center for commercial data purchases, unless NASA has integrated data purchases into the procurement process for Earth science research. (Sec. 127) Directs the Administrator to solicit comment on the potential impact of the participation of a foreign entity as a supplier of the spacecraft, spacecraft system, or launch system for a space mission and to consider U.S. national interests before entering into an obligation for such mission. (Sec. 128) Prohibits the obligation of any funds authorized by this Act: (1) for the definition, design, or development of an inflatable space structure to replace any International Space Station components scheduled for launch in the Assembly Sequence released by NASA on February 22, 1999; and (2) for FY 2000 for the definition, design, or development of such a space structure capable of accommodating humans in space. (Sec. 129) Prohibits any funds authorized by this Act from being used to create a Government-owned corporation to perform the functions that are the subject of the Consolidated Space Operations Contract. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the Chief Financial Officer for NASA, before any funds may be obligated for Phase B of a project that is projected to cost over $100 million, to conduct an independent cost analysis of such project and report the results to Congress. (Sec. 202) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to require: (1) the President to submit to the Congress the annual aeronautics and space report in May (currently, January); and (2) such report to address activities on a fiscal (currently, calendar) year basis. (Sec. 203) Directs NASA: (1) to purchase commercially available space goods and services to the fullest extent feasible; and(2) not to conduct activities that preclude or deter commercial space activities, except for national security or public safety reasons. (Sec. 205) Bars NASA from entering into any agreement or contract with a foreign government that grants such government the right to recover profit in the event that the agreement or contract is terminated. (Sec. 207) Directs the Administrator to arrange for an independent study to reassess and establish priorities of all Phase III and Phase IV Space Shuttle upgrades that: (1) are safety related; (2) may have functional or technological applicability to reusable launch vehicles; and (3) have a payback period within the next 12 years. (Sec. 208) Directs the Administrator to develop a plan for the integration of research, development, and experimental demonstration activities in the aeronautics transportation technology and space transportation technology areas, without losing unique capabilities which support NASA's defined missions. (Sec. 209) Requires the Administrator to ensure consistent NASA usage of specified definitions of: (1) commercialization; (2) commercial purchase; (3) commercial use of Federal assets; (4) contract consolidation; and (5) privatization. (Sec. 210) Directs the Administrator to: (1) arrange for an independent study to identify and evaluate the potential benefits and costs of the broadest possible range of commercial and scientific applications which are enabled by the launch of Space Shuttle external tanks into Earth orbit and retention in space; and (2) conduct an internal agency study of what improvements to the current Space Shuttle external tank and other in-space transportation or infrastructure capability requirements would be required for the safe and economical use of such external tank for any or all of the applications identified. (Sec. 211) Requires the Administrator to exclude from consideration for grant agreements made by NASA after FY 1999 any person who received funds (other than due to membership in a class specified by law for which assistance is awarded to class members according to a formula) appropriated for a fiscal year after FY 1999 under a grant agreement from any Federal funding source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process, except as specifically authorized by this Act. Makes such an exclusion effective for a period of five years after receipt of such Federal funds. (Sec. 212) Requires the Administrator to provide notice to the House and Senate Science Committees and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on reprogramming and reorganization matters. (Sec. 213) Amends the Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act of 1949 to include hypersonic wind tunnel construction within the scope of covered research and development facilities. (Sec. 214) Directs the Administrator to establish a Human Space Flight Commercialization-Technology program of ground-based and space- based research and development in innovative technologies and to include a plan for the implementation of the program as part of NASA's budget request to the Congress for FY 2001.

Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Land Transfer Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1999

Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Land Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Clark County, Nevada, on behalf of the Department of Aviation of Clark County certain real property in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, for the development of an airport facility and related infrastructure if: (1) the Department conducts an airspace assessment to identify any potential adverse effect on access to the Las Vegas basin under visual flight rules that would result from the construction and operation of a commercial or primary airport, or both, on the land to be conveyed; (2) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration certifies to the Secretary that the assessment is thorough and alternatives have been developed to address each adverse effect identified in such assessment; and (3) the Department enters into an agreement with the Secretary to retain ownership of Jean Airport and to maintain and develop such Airport as a general aviation airport. Requires, at the Department's option, conveyance of land in parcels over 20 years as may be required for phased construction and development. States that the proceeds of the sale of each parcel shall be deposited in the special account established under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 and disposed of by the Secretary as provided in that Act. Withdraws the conveyed lands from mineral entry under: (1) the General Mining Law of 1872; and (2) the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to consult with the Secretary in the development of an airspace management plan for the Ivanpah Valley Airport that, to the extent practicable and without adversely affecting safety considerations, restricts aircraft arrivals and departures over the Mojave National Preserve, California.

Council Regulation (EC) No 925/1999 of 29 April 1999 on the registration and operation within the Community of certain types of civil subsonic jet aeroplanes which have been modified and recertificated as meeting the standards of volume I, Part II, Chapter 3 of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, third edition (July 1993)

European Union · EUR-Lex · 29 April 1999

Civil Aviation Research and Development Authorization Act of 1991

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1999

Civil Aviation Research and Development Authorization Act of 1999 - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize FY 2000 and 2001 appropriations for certain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) research and development (R&D) programs. Requires the Department of Transportation's (DOT) annual budget request for the FAA to identify all of the activities carried out by it within the categories of basic research, applied research, and development, as classified by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-11. Requires the FAA's national aviation research plan to include, among other things, a highlight of the R&D technology transfer activities that promote technology sharing among government, industry, and academia through the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. Directs the Administrators of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the FAA to submit jointly to Congress an integrated civil aviation safety R&D plan. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to exclude from consideration for a FAA grant any person (except certain members of a recipient class) who received grant funds from a Federal funding source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process. Sets forth congressional notice requirements with respect to reprogramming of FAA funds or reorganization of any FAA program.

Aufklärung von Gewalttaten - Brandbombenanschlag Turkish Airlines

Austria · National Council · 21 April 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Paul Kiss und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Justiz betreffend Anfrage 1624/J <i>(XIX. GP)</i> und Anfragebeantwortung 1654/AB <i>(XIX. GP)</i> betreffend Aufklärung von Gewalttaten - Brandbombenanschlag auf das Büro der Turkish Airlines am 14.04.1995

Arbeitszeiten bei fliegendem Personal

Austria · National Council · 21 April 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Brigitte Povysil und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Wissenschaft und Verkehr betreffend Arbeitszeiten bei fliegendem Personal

Commission Directive 1999/28/EC of 21 April 1999 amending the Annex to Council Directive 92/14/EEC on the limitation of the operation of aeroplanes covered by Part II, Chapter 2, Volume 1 of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, second edition (1988) (Text with EEA relevance)

European Union · EUR-Lex · 21 April 1999

Flugverkehr in Österreich

Austria · National Council · 20 April 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Wissenschaft und Verkehr betreffend Flugverkehr in Österreich

Airspace Redesign Enhancement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1999

Airspace Redesign Enhancement Act of 1999 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to redesign expeditiously the airspace over the New Jersey-New York metropolitan area by a specified time. Authorizes appropriations.

Fastener Quality Act Amendments Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Fastener Quality Act Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends the Fastener Quality Act to define "accredited laboratory" to mean a fastener testing facility used to perform end-of-line testing required by a consensus standard to verify that a lot of fasteners conforms to the grade identification marking called for in the consensus standard to which they have been manufactured, and which meet certain requirements. Defines "consensus standard" to mean the provisions of a document that describes fastener characteristics published by a consensus standards organization or a Federal agency, and does not include a proprietary standard. (Sec. 3) Revises the definition of "fastener" to apply to fasteners only, not to components or products which can contain fasteners. Excludes from the definition (and coverage of the Act) any items: (1) sold in packages containing no more than 100 of any one screw, nut, bolt, stud, or washer; (2) produced to proprietary standards developed by private companies that use fasteners in the manufacture, assembly, or service of their products, and develop fastener standards under the company's name; (3) specifically manufactured for use on an aircraft if the quality and suitability of those fasteners for that use has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration or by a foreign airworthiness authority; or (4) manufactured in accordance with a fastener quality assurance system meeting International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9000 and other specified criteria. (Sec. 4) Makes it unlawful for a manufacturer or distributor, in conjunction with a sale or offer for sale of a fastener, to knowingly misrepresent or falsify: (1) the record of conformance for the lot of fasteners; (2) the identification, characteristics, properties, mechanical or performance marks, chemistry, or strength of the lot of such fasteners; or (3) the manufacturer's insignia. Requires that mandatory end-of-line testing, in the case of fasteners manufactured solely to a consensus standard, be conducted by an accredited laboratory. (Sec. 5) Revises requirements for manufacturers' insignia on certain fasteners to require manufacturers to comply with insignia recordation requirements, unless the specifications provide otherwise. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to arbitrate civil penalties before a case is referred to the Attorney General. Directs the Secretary to establish a hotline system to facilitate the reporting of alleged violations of this Act and to investigate credible allegations reported through such system and report them to the Attorney General. (Sec. 7) Requires fastener manufacturers to: (1) retain the record of conformance for fasteners for five years, on paper or in photographic or electronic format; and (2) make available upon the request of a distributor who has purchased a fastener (or a person who has purchased a fastener for use in the production of a commercial product) information in the record of conformance. Repeals the requirement that importers, private label distributors, and persons who make significant alterations to fasteners, as well as manufacturers, also retain all inspection, testing, and certification records for five years. (Sec. 10) Authorizes any person publishing a document setting forth guidance or requirements for the certification of manufacturing systems (including fastener manufacturing systems) by an accredited third party (or for the approval of accreditation bodies to accredit such third parties), or for the accreditation of laboratories (or for the approval of accreditation bodies to accredit such laboratories), to petition the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to approve the document, if it provides equal or greater rigor and reliability as compared to ISO-IEC Guide 62, 61, 25, or 58, as appropriate.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Title III: Operation and Maintenance Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: End and Grade Strength Management Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components Subtitle C: Military Education and Training Subtitle D: Uniform Code of Military Justice Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Extension of Certain Bonuses and Special Pays Subtitle D: Military Retired Pay Subtitle E: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Provisions Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management Subtitle A: Organization Subtitle B: Service Academy Management Subtitle C: Personnel Management Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Foreign Nations Subtitle C: Department of Defense Schools Subtitle D: Other Matters Division B: Military Construction Authorizations Title XXI: Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration Subtitle C: Defense Base Closure and Realignment National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations - Authorizes the use of multiyear procurement contracts for specified Army and Navy aircraft, vehicles, ammunition, and equipment. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2000. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to pay inspection and monitoring expenses of international inspectors from the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2000 and 2001. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2000 and 2001 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2000 and 2001 for military technicians (dual status) and military technicians (non-dual status). (Sec. 415) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. Subtitle C: End and Grade Strength Management - Prohibits DOD funds from being used to implement a reduction of active-duty end strengths for any of the armed forces for any fiscal year below the number currently required to support two major regional contingencies simultaneously unless the Secretary notifies Congress of such proposal and a justification. (Sec. 417) Authorizes the Secretary to increase the end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel by up to two percent. (Sec. 418) Makes permanent (currently terminates at the end of FY 2000): (1) the authority to exempt certain senior joint officer positions from officer end strength limitations; and (2) the requirement for each military department Secretary to submit to the Secretary the name of an officer to serve in a vacant senior joint officer position. (Sec. 419) Exempts from Air Force officer end strength limitations an officer appointed to the position of Commander in Chief of the United States Transportation Command or United States Space Command. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Removes the requirement that active-duty or retired officers serving on boards of inquiry be serving on active duty in a grade above lieutenant colonel or commander, but requires one board member to be above such grade. Requires remaining board members to be in grades above major or lieutenant commander. (Sec. 502) Limits to no less than three or more than five the number of officers to be recommended by the Secretary of each military department for vacant positions for Judge Advocate General and Assistant (or Deputy) Judge Advocate General of each military department. (Sec. 503) Requires the following positions (currently designated simply as critical acquisition positions) to be assigned for no fewer than three years: program or deputy program managers for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program; program executive officers; general or flag officer or the civilian equivalent; and senior contracting official. (Sec. 504) Authorizes a promotion selection board to recommend for promotion an officer from below the promotion zone for that position when the number of officers recommended is less than one. Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Reserve Components - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to delay the separation or retirement of a reserve officer until the completion of court-martial disciplinary proceedings. (Sec. 511) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, with the consent of the member, to order a reserve member to active duty to complete a required DOD health care study. (Sec. 512) Makes ineligible for promotion a reserve officer serving in an educational delay status in order to attend an approved educational institution to receive advanced training, when such training is subsidized by the military department concerned. Makes this section retroactive in the case of officers not promoted due to such status between October 1, 1996, and the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 513) Requires a major or lieutenant commander who has twice failed to be selected for promotion to be removed from the reserve active status list on the later of the first day of the month after such member completes 20 years of service (current law) or seven months after the President approves the report of the board which considered such officer for the second time. (Sec. 514) Excludes from the computation of creditable years of service for a reserve officer service as a reserve commissioned officer while in a program of advanced education to receive the first professional degree required for appointment, designation, or assignment within various military medical specialties, or as a chaplain or judge advocate, provided such service occurs before the officer commences initial active or reserve service in the specialty that results from such degree. (Sec. 515) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to retain reserve component chaplains until age 67 (currently 60). (Sec. 516) Authorizes reserve personnel to travel in a space required status on military aircraft between home and place of inactive duty training, or place of duty in lieu of unit training assembly, when there is no road or rail transportation between such locations. (Sec. 517) Prohibits civil employment for regular and reserve officers serving on active duty under a call or order for a period in excess of 270 (currently 180) days. Subtitle C: Military Education and Training - Makes permanent (currently terminates September 30, 1999) the authority of the Secretary concerned to allow graduate students to receive financial assistance under the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. (Sec. 521) Revises generally provisions concerning the award of reserve service credit for participation in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance program. (Sec. 522) Allows tuition reimbursement and training allowances provided to acquisition personnel to be for the full amount of expenses and training incurred. (Sec. 523) Provides the authorized grade for an individual serving as a dean of the United States Military Academy or United States Air Force Academy. (Sec. 524) Authorizes the Commandant of the United States Army War College to confer the degree of master of strategic studies. (Sec. 525) Authorizes the Commander of the Air University to confer the degrees of master of strategic studies and master of military operational art and science. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide up to $5,200 yearly in financial assistance to certain members of the Marine Corps Reserve for completion of: (1) baccalaureate degree requirements in an educational program that takes less than five years to complete; or (2) doctor of jurisprudence or bachelor of laws degree requirements in programs that take no more than three years to complete. Outlines eligibility requirements, including selection as an officer candidate in the Marine Corps Platoon Leader's Class Program and completion of at least six weeks of military training. Requires graduates to serve at least five years of active duty upon graduation. Prohibits more than 1,200 individuals from participating in such program at any one time. Provides for the computation of creditable service for officers serving in such positions. Subtitle D: Uniform Code of Military Justice - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to authorize special courts-martial to adjudge and execute punishments which include confinement for up to one year (currently six months). (Sec. 531) Reduces from 0.10 to 0.08 the blood-alcohol content for determining the UCMJ offense of drunken operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 2000 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 4.4 percent, effective on January 1, 2000, the rates of basic pay for military personnel. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Authorizes enlistment bonuses to be paid in a lump-sum (currently, only installments). Increases from $12,000 to $20,000 the authorized one-time bonus for enlisting for at least a four-year period. (Sec. 613) Reduces from 21 to 17 the months of continuous active duty service required for a member to be eligible (among other requirements) for a reenlistment bonus. Increases the amount of such bonus to the lesser of 15 (currently, ten) times the amount that the member was entitled to at the time of original separation or discharge multiplied by the number of agreed-upon years of additional service, or $60,000 (currently, $45,000). (Sec. 614) Authorizes payment of a prior service enlistment bonus to members of the Selected Reserve attaining or occupying positions designated as critically short. (Sec. 615) Requires air battle managers entitled to the payment of aviation career incentive pay to receive the higher of such pay or the amount they were receiving prior to such entitlement. (Sec. 617) Authorizes the payment of career enlisted flyer incentive pay to enlisted personnel who: (1) are entitled to basic pay or inactive training duty pay; (2) hold or are in training for a career enlisted occupational or flyer specialty; (3) are qualified for aviation service; and (4) engage or remain in such service on a career basis. Outlines operational flying duty requirements. Provides the monthly amounts of such pay, which increases with the years of creditable aviation service performed. Provides for a proportionate share of such pay for reserve members performing inactive duty training involving aviation. Prohibits such pay for members already receiving either hazardous duty incentive pay or diving duty special pay. (Sec. 618) Increases the diving duty special pay and the foreign language proficiency special pay. (Sec. 620) Authorizes the payment of surface warfare officer continuation pay to such officers who agree to remain on active duty to complete tours of duty to which such officers may be ordered as a department head afloat. Limits such amount to $50,000, requiring pro rata repayment for tours not completed. (Sec. 622) Authorizes special pay for certain special warfare officers who agree to remain on active duty in such service for at least one additional year. Limits such pay to $10,000 for each additional year. Terminates on September 30, 2001, the authority to enter into such agreements. Requires a pro rata repayment for additional periods not completed. (Sec. 623) Increases certain bonuses and special pay provided to nuclear-qualified officers. Subtitle C: Extension of Certain Bonuses and Special Pays - Extends through FY 2001 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 1999 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. Subtitle D: Military Retired Pay - Repeals a reduction in retired pay currently required for individuals who first became members of the armed forces after July 31, 1986, and retired with less than 30 years of retirement-creditable service. Revises the annual cost-of-living adjustment applicable to such retired pay. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the lump-sum payment of accrued unused annual leave upon a member's reenlistment into the armed forces. (Sec. 641) Authorizes the use of any airport in the United States at which travel can be arranged at the lowest cost in connection with emergency leave travel for military personnel. (Currently, only travel from the closest airport is authorized.) (Sec. 642) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds to provide contract quarters as lodging in kind for reservists performing active duty for training or inactive-duty training. (Sec. 643) Provides limited authority for the Secretary concerned to delegate the authority to waive operational flying duty requirements. (Sec. 644) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to provide tuition assistance for members deployed in a contingency operation or similar operational mission. (Sec. 645) Authorizes the payment of temporary lodging expenses of members making their first permanent change of duty station. (Sec. 646) Requires the continuation of authorized pay and allowances for a member listed under a "whereabouts unknown" duty status. (Sec. 647) Changes from annually to biennially a required report concerning operation of the educational assistance program for reserve personnel. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to direct the Secretary, in the administration of health care contracts and programs, to implement program benefit and administrative changes at the start of each fiscal year rather than throughout the year, except when the Secretary determines that such changes would significantly improve health services to eligible beneficiaries. Authorizes the Secretary, under certain circumstances, to defer for up to one year the schedule implementation for a new health care program or benefit (requires congressional certification). (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis, to continue payment under CHAMPUS for domiciliary or custodial care services to covered beneficiaries who, prior to the effective date of final regulations implementing the individual case management program, were provided such care. (Sec. 703) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to revise a due date for an evaluation and report concerning the effectiveness of TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program). (Sec. 704) Authorizes the Armed Forces Medical Examiner to conduct forensic pathology examinations, including autopsies. Outlines circumstances warranting such examinations, including when a person dies while imprisoned in a military installation or from an injury or illness incurred during active duty or military training. Subjects such authority to the primary jurisdiction of any State or local governmental authority involved. Requires that, when a person is found dead at a place garrisoned by the Navy or Marine Corps under circumstances requiring investigation, such commanding officer shall direct a summary court-martial to investigate the circumstances. (Sec. 705) Authorizes the Secretary to make payments for emergency medical or dental care for military, civilian, and DOD contractor employees permanently or temporarily on duty in the countries of the former Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. (Sec. 706) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the administration of the collection from third party insurers of the costs of care provided in military health care facilities to covered beneficiaries of such insurers. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Authorizes the Secretary to withhold from public disclosure any DOD geodetic product (maps, charts, and related data) that, if disclosed, would interfere or unfairly compete with an emerging or existing commercial industry or market operation. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the application of certain survivability test requirements with respect to the MH-47E and MH-60K helicopter modification programs before their release for operational use. Requires a congressional report upon the exercise of such waiver. (Sec. 803) Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain defense contracting procedures for the acquisition of coal or coke (currently, only petroleum and natural gas). (Sec. 804) Removes a prior funding certification requirement with respect to the use of multiyear contracts for defense acquisition programs. (Sec. 805) Repeals the authority of the Secretary of the Navy to enter into shipbuilding capability preservation agreements. (Sec. 806) Excludes certain subcontract notification requirements with respect to a contractor that maintains a purchasing system that has been approved by the appropriate contracting officer. (Sec. 807) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year: (1) 1996 to repeal certain reports, plans, processes, and reviews required for nuclear attack submarines; and (2) 1997 to repeal a required annual report on design responsibility under the New Attack Submarine program. (Sec. 809) Authorizes the waiver of cost-sharing requirements under the defense manufacturing technology program when a project: (1) is not likely to have an immediate and direct commercial application; and (2) is initiated by a military service acquisition organization or by the Defense Logistics Agency. Requires documentation of the rationale for not requiring cost-sharing. Adds the extent to which project costs are being shared to information to be included in a five-year plan for such program. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Organization - Abolishes the position of Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs. (Sec. 903) Establishes within the Office of the Secretary a Director of Defense Logistics, to advise the Secretary and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology on DOD logistics. Subtitle B: Management of Service Academies - Makes eligible for presidential appointment to a service academy children of members who: (1) are on active duty and have at least eight total years of active duty (currently, eight continuous years is required); (2) are members of the reserves who have earned at least 2,880 retirement points; or (3) are eligible, or who died while they were eligible, for retired pay but had not yet reached age 60. (Sec. 906) Authorizes the waiver of reimbursement of up to 50 (currently 35) percent of the costs of instruction of foreign persons at U.S. service academies for students entering on or after May 1, 1999. (Sec. 907) Authorizes up to 24 (currently, ten) cadets from each service academy to participate in a service academy foreign exchange program. Increases from $50,000 to $120,000 the authorized fiscal year expenditures for each academy under such program. Subtitle C: Personnel Management - Excludes from a limitation on the number of retired officers authorized to serve on active duty an officer assigned to the Army, Navy, or Air Force Retiree Council. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Allows captured vessels or vessels stricken from the Naval Register to be transferred by the Secretary of the Navy after congressional notification and a 60 calendar day waiting period (currently, 60 days of continuous congressional session). (Sec. 916) Extends through FY 2002 the authority to acquire real property leases for special operations activities. (Sec. 917) Repeals the Naval Academy Museum Fund and transfers such funds into the United States Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund, established herein. Repeals the Naval Center Historical Fund and transfers such funds into the Department of the Navy General Gift Fund. (Sec. 918) Authorizes the use of common defense burdensharing funds for a military construction project in a country which contributed such funds, upon a declaration of war or national emergency, when necessary to support the use of armed forces. Requires congressional notification of such decision and its estimated cost. (Sec. 919) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to exempt operational files of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) from Federal public disclosure laws (including the Freedom of Information Act). Provides exceptions, including the use of such files for immigration and nationality purposes or Federal investigative proceedings. Provides judicial review, with limitations, when a person alleges that such records have been improperly withheld. Requires the NIMA Director and the Director of Central Intelligence, at least once every ten years, to review any exemptions in force to determine whether they should be removed from the exempt category. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Repeals the requirement for: (1) a separate budget request for the procurement of reserve equipment; and (2) a two-year DOD budget cycle pursuant to the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986. (Sec. 1003) Revises the due date for, and requires inclusion of specified additional information in, a joint report by the Directors of the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office on the scoring of defense budget outlays. Subtitle B: Foreign Nations - Removes a provision limiting the Secretary's authority to enter into cooperative military airlift agreements with allied countries solely to that provided under current Federal law. Subtitle C: Department of Defense Schools - Allows a military dependent who has been a junior at a secondary school under the DOD domestic dependent elementary and secondary schools program to be enrolled as a senior in the next school year, notwithstanding a change in status that would otherwise terminate such eligibility. (Sec. 1016) Allows the Secretary to establish a single school board for program schools located in a U.S. territory, commonwealth, or possession. (Sec. 1017) Allows the Secretary to continue the enrollment of a military dependent or the dependent of a Federal employee under the program for as long as determined appropriate (currently, only until the end of that school year), notwithstanding a change in status that would otherwise terminate such eligibility. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Removes a provision that limits to $50 million in a fiscal year the Federal expenditure for the National Guard civilian youth opportunities program. Division B (sic): Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, carry out architectural planning and design activities, and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after: (1) 1999 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army; and (2) 2000 for completion of the military construction and family housing projects, above, and for those authorized for FY 2001. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to increase the amount authorized for the Pueblo Chemical Activity, Colorado. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the previous title. (Sec. 2205) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, or such other department Secretary as designated, to acquire real property and carry out a military construction project for a forward deployment site for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under Title XXI. (Sec. 2305) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force, or such other department Secretary as designated, to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects for forward deployment sites for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities in Ecuador and Curacao. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to improve existing military family housing units in specified amounts. (Sec. 2403) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for deposit into the Department of Defense Family Housing Fund. (Sec. 2404) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after: (1) 1999 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD; and (2) 2000 for completion of the military construction and family housing projects, above, and for those authorized for FY 2001. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1999 for such contributions. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for such purpose. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1999 for the Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for such purpose, and for construction projects authorized for FY 2001. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2002, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2003, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing - Authorizes the use of O&M funds for minor construction projects intended solely to correct a life-threatening, health-threatening, or safety-threatening deficiency. (Sec. 2802) Includes design costs within authorized uses for military construction project funds. Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - Authorizes the Secretary concerned, in connection with the conveyance of a utility system, to enter into a contract for utility services for a period not to exceed 50 years. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to construct or acquire family housing not otherwise authorized if: (1) Congress has previously appropriated funds for such purpose; and (2) funds for such units have been transferred from the Family Housing Improvement Fund into a Family Housing account. Requires congressional notification and a 21-day waiting period following such notification. Subtitle C: Defense Base Closure and Realignment - Establishes the Environmental Restoration Account, Base Realignment and Closure, to fund environmental restoration and mitigation activities required as the result of the closure or realignment of a military installation pursuant to a base closure law. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds to such Account from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990. Makes environmental restoration activities funds used during such closures and realignments available for administrative expenses and technical assistance related to such activities.

Single Standard of Aviation Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1999

Single Standard of Aviation Safety Act - Amends Federal aviation law to subject to Federal Aviation Administration safety regulation both nonmilitary government aircraft and military aircraft transporting civilians (including persons who operate such aircraft).

Providing for the concurrence by the House with an amendment in the Senate amendments to H.R. 98.

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1999

Provides for the consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 98 (aviation war risk insurance program extension).

A bill to provide for the immediate application of certain orders relating to the amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of certificates under chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code.

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Amends Federal aviation law, with respect to the automatic stay of administrative orders pending appeal, to provide for the immediate application, upon determination of an emergency by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, of orders relating to the amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of aviation safety certificates, unless the Administrator, upon inquiry by the National Transportation Safety Board, cannot prove the existence of an emergency.

Serbia Democratization Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Serbia Democratization Act of 1999 - Title I: Support for the Democratic Opposition - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance and other support to promote and strengthen institutions of democratic government and the growth of an independent civil society in Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), including ethnic tolerance and respect for internationally recognized human rights. Authorizes appropriations. Urges the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that such assistance shall not be provided to the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the Government of Montenegro, unless the President determines, and reports to the appropriate congressional committees, that the leadership of such government is not committed to, or is not taking steps to promote, democratic principles, the rule of law, or respect for internationally recognized human rights. (Sec. 103) Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to further the open communication of information and idea through the increased use of radio and television broadcasting (Voice of America and Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty, Incorporated) to Yugoslavia in both the Serbo-Croatian and Albanian languages. Title II: Assistance to the Victims of Serbian Oppression - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) humanitarian assistance to the victims of the conflict in Kosovo (including refugees and internally displaced persons), and all assistance to rebuild damaged property there, should be the responsibility of the Government of Yugoslavia and the Government of Serbia; (2) under President Milosevic's direction neither government has provided the resources to assist innocent, civilian victims of oppression in Kosovo; and (3) because neither government has fulfilled the responsibilities of a sovereign government toward the Kosovar people, the international community offers the only course for humanitarian assistance to victims of oppression in Kosovo. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to furnish assistance (including economic support funds) under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 for: (1) relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in Kosovo; and (2) refugees and persons displaced by the conflict there. Prohibits assistance to any group that has been designated as a terrorist organization. Title III: "Outer Wall" Sanctions - Imposes certain economic and non-economic ("Outer Wall") sanctions against Yugoslavia until the President determines, and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, that the Government of Yugoslavia has made significant progress in meeting certain conditions, including: (1) agreement on a lasting settlement in Kosovo; (2) compliance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina; (3) implementation of internal democratic reform; (4) settlement of all succession issues with the other republics that emerged from the break-up of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and (5) cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, including the transfer of all indicted war criminals in Yugoslavia to the Hague. (Sec. 301) Sets forth such sanctions, including instructing: (1) the U.S. executive directors of the international financial institutions to oppose, and vote against, any extension of any financial assistance of any kind to the Government of Yugoslavia; (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to oppose and block any consensus to allow the participation of Yugoslavia in the OSCE; (3) the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) to oppose any resolution in the UN Security Council to admit Yugoslavia to the UN, including to oppose any proposal to allow it to assume the membership of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the UN General Assembly; (4) the U.S. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council to oppose the extension to Yugoslavia of membership in the Partnership for Peace program or any other affiliated NATO organization; and (5) the U.S. Representatives to the Southeast European Cooperation Initiative (SECI) to actively oppose the extension of SECI membership to Yugoslavia. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should not restore full diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia until the President has determined, and reported to the appropriate congressional committees, that Yugoslavia has met the aforementioned conditions; and (2) should encourage all other European countries to diminish their level of diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia. (Sec. 302) Expresses the sense of Congress that if any international financial institution approves a loan or other financial assistance to the Government of Yugoslavia over the opposition of the United States, then the Secretary of the Treasury should withhold from payment the U.S. share of any increase in the paid-in capital of such institution in an amount equal to the amount of such loan or other assistance. Title IV: Other Measures Against Yugoslavia - Blocks all property of the Government of Serbia or the Government of Yugoslavia (including commercial, industrial, or public utility or entities) that is in the United States. (Sec. 402) Directs the President to use the authorities under the Immigration and Nationality Act to suspend the entry into the United States of any alien who: (1) holds a position in the senior leadership of the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia; or (2) is a spouse, minor child, or agent of such person. (Sec. 403) Prohibits the export of computers, computer software, or goods or technology intended to manufacture or service computers to or for use by the Government of Yugoslavia or by the Government of Serbia (including the military, the police, the prison system, and the national security agencies of such republics). Declares that nothing in this section shall prevent the issuance of licenses to ensure the safety of civil aviation and safe operation of U.S.-origin commercial passenger aircraft and to ensure the safety of ocean- going maritime traffic in international waters. (Sec. 404) Prohibits: (1) any Government agency (including the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation) from extending any loan, credit guarantee, insurance, financing, or other similar financial assistance to the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia; and (2) any funds being made available for activities of the Trade and Development Agency in or for Serbia. Urges all other countries, particularly European countries, to suspend any of their programs that provide similar financial assistance to the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia, including rescheduling either government's debt under more favorable conditions. Prohibits any U.S. national from making or approving any loan or other extension of credit (unless it is for housing, education, or humanitarian benefit to assist the victims of repression in Kosovo), directly or indirectly, to the Government of Yugoslavia or to the Government of Serbia. (Sec. 405) Prohibits the U.S. Government (including any Federal agency or entity) from providing assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act (including the provision of Foreign Military Financing or international military education and training (IMET)) or providing any defense articles or defense services under such Acts, to the armed forces of the Government of Yugoslavia or of the Government of Serbia. (Sec. 406) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should continue to seek to coordinate with other countries, particularly European countries, a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to further the purposes of this Act, including, as appropriate, encouraging other countries to take similar measures contained in this title. (Sec. 407) Exempts from the sanctions imposed in this Act both Kosovo and Montenegro (unless the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the leadership of the Government of Montenegro is not committed to, or is not taking steps to promote, democratic principles, the rule of law, or respect for internationally recognized human rights). Provides for a waiver and termination of sanctions imposed against Yugoslavia. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares it is U.S. policy to support the investigation of President Slobodan Milosevic by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and grave breaches of the Geneva Convention. (Sec. 502) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should call on NATO allies in negotiating the future of Kosovo to establish guarantees for the rights of the ethnic Hungarian community of Vojvodina. (Sec. 503) Declares it is U.S. policy to insist that the Government of Yugoslavia has the responsibility to engage in good faith negotiations with the Governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Slovenia for resolution of outstanding property issues and disposition of specified properties located in the United States. Expresses the sense of Congress that if the Government of Yugoslavia refuses to negotiate in good faith, the President should take steps to return such properties to such governments. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to Yugoslavia if he determines, and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, that the Government of Yugoslavia is committed to democratic principles and the rule of law and respects internationally recognized human rights.

Flugunfall-Untersuchungs-Gesetz - FlUG

Austria · National Council · 24 March 1999

Antrag der Abgeordneten Rudolf Parnigoni, Mag. Helmut Kukacka und Genossen betreffend ein Bundesgesetz über die Untersuchung von Unfällen und Störungen beim Betrieb ziviler Luftfahrzeuge (Flugunfall-Untersuchungs-Gesetz - FlUG) und mit dem das Luftfahrtgesetz geändert wird

Flugverkehr über dem Bregenzerwald

Austria · Federal Council · 19 March 1999

Anfrage der Bundesräte Dr. Reinhard Eugen Bösch und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Wissenschaft und Verkehr betreffend Flugverkehr über dem Bregenzerwald

Fastener Quality Act Amendments Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Fastener Quality Act Amendments Act of 1999 - Amends the Fastener Quality Act to define "consensus standard" to mean the provisions of a document that describes fastener characteristics published by a consensus standards organization or a Federal agency, and does not include a proprietary standard. (Sec. 3) Revises the definition of "fastener" to apply to fasteners only, not to components or products which can contain fasteners. Excludes from the definition (and coverage of the Act) any items: (1) sold in packages containing no more than 100 of any one screw, nut, bolt, stud, or washer; (2) produced to proprietary standards developed by private companies that use fasteners in the manufacture, assembly, or service of their products, and develop fastener standards under the company's name; (3) specifically manufactured for use on an aircraft if the quality and suitability of those fasteners for that use has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration or by a foreign airworthiness authority; or (4) manufactured in accordance with a fastener quality assurance system meeting International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9000 and other specified criteria. (Sec. 4) Makes it unlawful for a manufacturer or distributor, in conjunction with a sale or offer for sale of a fastener, to knowingly misrepresent or falsify: (1) the record of conformance for the lot of fasteners; (2) the identification, characteristics, properties, mechanical or performance marks, chemistry, or strength of the lot of such fasteners; or (3) the manufacturer's insignia. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide a program for the voluntary accreditation of testing laboratories and make information about them available to the public. Repeals certain requirements for testing and certification of fasteners. (Sec. 5) Revises requirements for manufacturers' insignia on certain fasteners to require manufacturers to comply with insignia recordation requirements, unless the specifications provide otherwise. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to arbitrate civil penalties before a case is referred to the Attorney General. Repeals criminal penalties for negligent failure to maintain required fastener records. Directs the Secretary to establish a hotline system to facilitate the reporting of alleged violations of this Act and to investigate credible allegations reported through such system. (Sec. 7) Requires fastener manufacturers to retain the record of conformance for fasteners for five years, on paper or in photographic or electronic format. Repeals the requirement that importers, private label distributors, and persons who make significant alterations to fasteners, as well as manufacturers, also retain all inspection, testing, and certification records for five years. (Sec. 10) Authorizes any person publishing a document setting forth guidance or requirements for the certification of manufacturing systems (including fastener manufacturing systems) by an accredited third party, or for the approval of accreditation bodies to accredit such third parties, to petition the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to approve the document, if it provides equal or greater rigor and reliability as compared to ISO-IEC Guide 62 or 61, as appropriate.

Interim Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Interim Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act - Amends Federal aviation law to extend the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for two months. Provides that not more than $1.3 billion of funds available under the Grants-in-Aid for Airports Program may be obligated before the enactment of a law extending contract authorization for such program beyond May 31, 1999. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for: (1) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Facilities and Equipment Program; and (2) FAA operations. Removes the maximum cap AIP funds credited to the discretionary fund. Terminates the Military Airport Program under the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996. Makes specified changes to the formula for crediting airport improvement fund amounts to the AIP discretionary fund and the small airport fund.

Aviation Safety Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Aviation Safety Protection Act - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information. Prohibits air carriers, contractors, and subcontractors from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee as to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) is about to provide or has provided to the Federal Government information relating to any violation of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order, regulation, or standard, or any other Federal law relating to air carrier safety; or (2) is about to file or has filed a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to such violations. Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act.

To amend title 49, United States Code, to require air carrier baggage liability to be not less than $2,500 per passenger.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Amends Federal aviation law to set a minimum $2,500 per passenger liability limit on certain air carriers for damages resulting from the disappearance of, damage to, or delay in delivery of a passenger's personal property, including baggage, that was in the custody or control of the air carrier immediately prior to such disappearance, damage, or delay. Requires air carriers to include on or with any flight ticket notice of its monetary limitation on baggage liability to passengers.

Technical requirements and administrative procedures in civil aviation (amendment of Regulation 3922/91/EEC)

European Union · European Parliament · 12 March 1999

Airline Deregulation and Disclosure Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

Airline Deregulation and Disclosure Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation law to require any announcement by an air carrier of a delay or cancellation of a flight, or a diversion to an airport other than the airport at which the flight is scheduled to land, to include an explanation of each reason for such delay, cancellation, or diversion. Prohibits an air carrier from providing an explanation that it knows or has reason to know is false or misleading. Prohibits an air carrier from requiring a passenger on a flight to remain onboard an aircraft for more than two hours after: (1) the passenger enplaned, in any case in which the aircraft has not taken flight from the airport during that period; or (2) the aircraft has landed at an airport, if the aircraft remains in that airport without taking flight. Requires an air carrier to provide a refund to each passenger whenever, on the date a flight is scheduled, the air carrier cancels the flight for any reason other than safety (economic cancellation). Allows a passenger to remain onboard an aircraft more than two hours if the airline offers an opportunity to deplane with a full refund of air fare, and the passenger declines. Authorizes an air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent to sell air transportation in the United States for a flight that bears a designator code of a carrier other than the carrier that will provide the air transportation, only if the air carrier or ticket agent first informs the person purchasing the air transportation that another air carrier will provide the air transportation. Requires any air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent that requires taking flights on more than one aircraft to provide notification on a ticket, receipt, or itinerary provided to the air passenger that the passenger shall be required to change aircraft. Prohibits an air carrier from: (1) prohibiting any person (including governmental entity) that purchases air transportation from only using a portion of the air transportation purchased (including using the air transportation purchased only for one-way travel instead of round-trip travel); or (2) assessing an additional fee on or charge to such person or any ticket agent that sold the air transportation to such person. Requires an air carrier that makes seats available on a specific date at a reduced fare to make available air transportation at that reduced fare for any passenger that requests a seat at that reduced fare during a 24-hour period beginning with the initial offering of that reduced fare. Specifies a limitation to such requirement. Requires an air carrier to permit an individual to use a ticket (or equivalent electronic record) issued by such carrier on a standby basis for any flight that has the same origin and destination as are indicated on the ticket (or record). Requires, with certain limitations, an air carrier that makes a seat available on a specific date for use by a person redeeming an award under a frequent flyer program to the extent practicable during the 24-hour period beginning with the redemption of the award to: (1) redeem any other award under the frequent flyer program; and (2) make a seat available for the person who redeems the other award. Specifies the same limitation to such requirement as applies to the reduced fare requirements of this Act. Requires an air carrier to permit an individual to redeem a ticket (or equivalent electronic record) acquired through a frequent flyer award on a standby basis for any flight that has the same origin and destination as are indicated on the ticket (or record). Requires each air carrier operating in the United States to make fare information available to the public through computer-based technology and other means.

To amend title 49, United States Code, relating to civil penalties for unruly passengers of air carriers.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1999

Amends Federal aviation law to subject to a civil penalty of up to $25,000 any individual who interferes with the duties or responsibilities of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft, or who poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, in addition or as an alternative, to prohibit for not more than one year the individual from flying as a passenger on a civil aircraft. Requires the Secretary to notify all air carriers of the prohibition, including its term. Subjects to a civil penalty of up to $25,000 any air carrier which provides air transportation to an individual who has been prohibited from flying on a civil aircraft.

Regional Investments for National Growth Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1999

Regional Investments for National Growth Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a regional investments for national growth program (RING program) in order to identify and fund large multi-State and regional transportation projects that are essential to global U.S. competitiveness. Makes eligible for funding under the RING program any regional transportation infrastructure investments that include participation by two or more States or public authorities representing two or more States, or that improve access to international commerce centers such as ports, commercial aviation facilities, and major rail terminals, and meet specified requirements. Authorizes appropriations.

Amended proposal for a Council Directive on safety requirements and attestation of professional competence for cabin crew in civil aviation

European Union · European Commission · 5 March 1999

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Improvement Act - Amends Federal aviation law to remove the limitation that not more than two of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board members appointed by the President may be of the same political party.

Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations Title II: Amendments to Aviation Law Title III: Airport Improvement Program Amendments Title IV: Commercial Space Transportation Amendments Title V: Performance Based Organization for Air Traffic Services Title VI: Family Assistance Title VII: Passenger Service Availability; Mail Rates Title VIII: Transfer of Aeronautical Charting Activity Title IX: Whistleblower Protection Title X: National Parks Air Tour Management Title XI: Title 49 Technical Corrections Title XII: Prevention of Fraud Involving Aircraft or Space Vehicle Parts Title XIII: Internal Revenue Code Amendments Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Authorizations - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations. Earmarks amounts for a university consortium established to provide an air safety and security management certificate program. (Sec. 103) Amends Federal aviation law to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for: (1) the FAA Facilities and Equipment Program; and (2) FAA research, engineering, and development. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning programs. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 for the Office of Inspector General for the conduct of annual audits of FAA financial statements. Title II: Amendments to Aviation Law - Amends Federal aviation law to authorize the FAA Administrator to contract for procurement of severable services for a period that begins in one fiscal year and ends in the next fiscal year if (without regard to any option to extend it) the contract period does not exceed one year. Declares that funds available for a fiscal year may be obligated for the total amount of the contract. (Sec. 202) Amends the Airport Noise and Capacity Act to make foreign air carriers eligible for a waiver from Stage three noise level requirements for certain aircraft. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide a procedure under which a person may operate a Stage one or Stage two airplane in nonrevenue service to or from a U.S. airport in order to: (1) sell the aircraft outside the United States; (2) sell such aircraft for scrapping; or (3) obtain modifications to the aircraft to meet Stage three noise levels. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to establish consortia of government and aviation industry representatives at airports to provide advice on matters related to aviation security and safety. (Sec. 204) Provides for an eligible agency to impose a passenger facility fee of more than $3 (currently, $1, $2, or $3) on each airline passenger of a domestic or foreign air carrier boarding an aircraft at an airport the agency controls to finance an eligible airport-related project. Requires an eligible agency when submitting an application for a passenger facility fee of more than $4 to submit separately a competition plan to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to approve an application of an eligible agency for a surface transportation project to improve access to an airport having at least .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports only if such agency has made adequate provision for financing safety, security, and capacity needs of the airport. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to encourage the development of transportation systems that use various modes of transportation to serve effectively the State and local communities, to approve an application by an eligible agency to participate in a cost-sharing agreement with one or more eligible surface transportation agencies for a surface transportation project, provided certain conditions are met. Revises the methodology for reducing, through the imposition of passenger facility fees, the apportionment of airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning funds to sponsors of airports. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to enter into bilateral agreements with the aeronautical authorities of another country to exchange with that country all or part of their respective safety oversight functions and duties with respect to certain domestic and foreign aircraft. (Sec. 206) Authorizes the appropriation of the balance of funds available in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for, among other things, any cost incurred by the FAA after September 30, 1999, that is authorized by law. (Sec. 207) Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a schedule of new fees for services (other than air traffic control services) provided to any entity obtaining services outside the United States. (Sec. 208) Amends the Pilot Records Improvement Act to eliminate the need for criminal history checks in the employment investigation of individuals applying for certain airport security positions in cases where there are unaccounted gaps in the employment of such individuals of more than 12 months, or inconsistent or unsupported information provided on their applications. Declares that an air carrier does not need to obtain the employment records of an applicant pilot who has been employed by a branch of the U.S. armed forces, the National Guard (or reserve), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) before allowing such individual to begin service as a pilot. Provides for electronic access to the employment records of FAA air pilots. (Sec. 209) Extends Federal aviation insurance and reinsurance programs through December 31, 2004. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the judicial review of FAA Administrator orders imposing a civil penalty. (Sec. 211) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to improve real property leased for air navigation facilities when such improvements primarily benefit the government, are essential for mission accomplishment, and the government's interest in the improvements is protected. (Sec. 212) Provides for the enforcement of whistleblower laws and the Hatch Act (prohibiting State or local employees from influencing elections or taking part in political campaigns) for FAA employees. (Sec. 213) Provides that a proposed change to the FAA personnel management system that has not led to an agreement between the FAA employee bargaining unit and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall not become effective until 60-days after the FAA Administrator has submitted the change to Congress. Provides that such period shall not include any period during which Congress has adjourned sine die. Authorizes FAA employees who have been the subject of a major adverse personnel action to contest such action either through any contractual grievance procedure through the employee's collective bargaining unit or through the FAA's internal process relating to review of FAA major adverse personnel actions (under the Guaranteed Fair Treatment or a specified section of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996). Requires such employees who can contest such personnel action through more than one forum to elect the appropriate forum (no more than one). Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to authorize FAA employees under the new FAA personnel management system to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board and seek judicial review of Board decisions. (Sec. 214) Requires the FAA Administrator to establish a schedule of new fees (until they are replaced by another schedule of fees adopted under specified law) for the provision of air traffic control services to an air carrier, a commercial air carrier (for compensation or hire), or a foreign air carrier. Provides for the reduction of aviation excise taxes to be credited to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund if such taxes and receipts from fees exceed for FY 2000 the FAA budgetary requirements for FY 2001. (Sec. 215) Amends the statute prohibiting the bringing of hazardous material aboard an aircraft to provide that knowledge of the existence of a regulation or requirement related to the transportation of hazardous material prescribed by the Secretary is not an element of the offense. (Sec. 216) Directs the Secretary, in order to improve security at public U.S. airports, to carry out one or more projects to test and evaluate innovative aviation security systems and related technology. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 218) Subjects to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 any individual who interferes with the duties or responsibilities of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft, or who poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft. (Sec. 219) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to delegate authority for cargo inspection to a qualified private person. (Sec. 220) Amends the statute prohibiting piloting of an aircraft not used to provide air transportation without a valid airman's certificate. Excepts from the limitation of such prohibition only to aircraft not used to provide air transportation any person who knowingly and willfully serves or attempts to serve in any capacity as an airman without such certificate authorizing such individual to serve in that capacity. (Thus subjects such a person to the general criminal penalty for such a violation even if the aircraft is in fact used to provide air transportation.) Title III: Airport Improvement Program Amendments - Removes the maximum cap on airport improvement funds credited to the discretionary fund. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program of not more than five new projects for grants to implement innovative financing techniques for airport development projects at airports that have less than .25 percent of the boardings at all commercial service airports. (Sec. 303) Sets forth the maximum Federal share of costs for: (1) airport improvement projects funded under the State block grant program; and (2) projects for the operation of turbine powered aircraft at nonprimary airports. (Sec. 304) Increases from 31 to 35 percent the minimum apportionment from the discretionary fund for airport improvement grant funds for airport noise compatibility programs and approved noise mitigation projects. (Sec. 305) Increases the State apportionment of airport development funds. (Sec. 306) Authorizes the Secretary to use certain unobligated funds to make discretionary grants for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning programs. (Sec. 307) Repeals the pavement maintenance pilot program. Makes routine work to preserve and extend the useful life of runways, taxiways, and aprons at airports eligible for airport development project funds. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary to apportion airport improvement funds to an airport sponsor in a fiscal year in an amount equal to the amount apportioned to such sponsor in the previous fiscal year if the Secretary finds that: (1) passenger boardings at the airport fell below 10,000 in the calendar year used to calculate the apportionment; (2) the airport had at least 10,000 passenger boardings in the year prior to the year used to calculate apportionments to airport sponsors in a fiscal year; and (3) the cause of the shortfall in passenger boardings was a temporary but significant interruption in service by an air carrier to the airport due to an employment action, natural disaster, or other event unrelated to the demand for air transportation at the affected airport. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the Secretary to approve an airport development project at an airport having at least .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports only for: (1) a development project to meet certain safety or security requirements or specified other Federal requirements; (2) airport noise compatibility planning projects; (3) a development project that will create new airfield capacity at an airport; and (4) airport planning. (Sec. 310) Prohibits the Secretary from waiving certain required assurances that property be used for aeronautical purposes with respect to the grant of airport development funds, unless the Secretary provides public notice at least 30 days before issuing such waiver. (Sec. 311) Makes it policy to encourage the development of transportation systems, including airport systems, in a manner that will serve the Nation, the States, and local communities efficiently and effectively. Includes within the integrated airport system planning process the developing of a plan for an airport system that includes a primary airport that enplanes at least 0.25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports, so that such planning includes fair consideration of surface transportation and land use plans relevant to airport access and development in the airport system under study. Revises requirements for the approval of an airport development project grant application, with respect to a project for the location of an airport or a project for a runway or a major runway extension at such primary airport, to require the sponsor to provide the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) authorized to conduct metropolitan planning in the area in which the airport is located with not less than 60 days to review the airport master plan and submit comments on such plans to the sponsor. (Sec. 312) Makes it policy that priority consideration should be given to encourage development identified by the Secretary to support operations of turbine powered aircraft at nonprimary airports to the extent possible with available funds, considering other airport needs. (Sec. 313) Increases from 12 to 15 the number of current or former military airports at any time that may receive airport improvement funds. (Sec. 314) Revises criteria for the issuance by the Secretary of letters of intent to sponsors to obligate funds for airport development projects. Limits to projects at an airport having at least 0.25 percent of the boardings each year of all commercial service airports the requirement that the Secretary decide the project will enhance system-wide airport capacity significantly. (Sec. 315) Authorizes the use of airport improvement funds apportioned to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico for any of their public airports. Authorizes the use of the supplemental apportionment of airport improvement funds for Alaska for any of its public airports. Repeals a certain limitation on the apportionment of airport improvement funds for commercial airports in Alaska. Revises the amount of certain funds apportioned to the discretionary and small airport funds. Authorizes the Secretary to distribute a certain percentage of funds from the small airport fund for grants for projects at small hub airports. Authorizes the use of State-apportioned airport improvement funds for: (1) integrated airport system planning that encompasses one or more primary airports; and (2) a project to survey or to upgrade a non-primary airport to obtain greater benefits from implementation of satellite-based air navigation systems. Declares that an airport development project shall remain eligible for funding from the discretionary fund (subject to the availability of funds) even though the status of the airport project changes from a primary airport to a non-primary airport. Revises the definition of "public-use airport," for purposes of grant eligibility for airport development funds, to include a privately-owned airport that, as a reliever airport, received Federal aid for airport development before October 9, 1996. Permits certain regulations promulgated by the Secretary to authorize a public agency to request waiver of a passenger facility fee for: (1) any class of domestic or foreign air carriers that enplane not more than a specified percent of the total number of passengers enplaned annually at a airport; or (2) passengers enplaned on a flight to an airport with scheduled passenger service but fewer than 2,500 passenger boardings each year, or in a community with a population of less than 10,000 and not connected by land to the National Highway System. Title IV: Commercial Space Transportation Amendments - Increases FY 2000 authorization of appropriations for activities of the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. Authorizes appropriations for such activities for FY 2001 through 2004. (Sec. 402) Repeals the requirement for uniform guidelines for acquisition of surplus property and services. (Sec. 403) Extends, through December 31, 2005, the Secretary's authority to pay excess claims against the United States for death, bodily injury, or property damage occurring during a commercial space launch and reentry. Title V: Performance Based Organization for Air Traffic Services - Requires the FAA Administrator to establish within the FAA a performance-based organization (Air Traffic Services (ATS)) to manage and operate the air traffic control system on an efficient basis without Federal funding after May 15, 2001. Establishes an ATS subcommittee to be headed by the Chairman of the Management Advisory Council to offer advice and recommendations to the FAA Administrator with respect to ATS performance. Requires the ATS to establish a performance management system for all ATS employees. Authorizes the ATS to establish an awards program to provide incentives for such employees. (Sec. 504) Directs the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the ATS to prescribe a schedule of fees for air traffic and related services that are provided by the ATS to the air carrier, foreign air carrier, and other non-public-non-military aircraft. Authorizes the imposition of ATS fees on international commercial operations involving air traffic control services provided by the United States (and not subject to tax) as long as they are consistent with international agreements. Declares that payment of such fees shall be in lieu of any fees charged for such services for overflight operations. Provides for congressional review of ATS fees. (Sec. 505) Requires the deposit of ATS fees into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations (without fiscal-year limitation) from the Trust Fund equal to amounts collected for specified user fees to the ATS for the provision of air traffic services. (Sec. 506) Provides for the adjustment of certain aviation excise taxes credited to the Trust Fund. Title VI: Family Assistance - Amends Federal transportation law to revise the prohibition against unsolicited communications before a certain time concerning potential action for personal injury or wrongful death by an attorney to an individual injured in an accident involving a domestic air carrier. Extends the moratorium from 30 days following the accident to 45 days. Includes within the prohibition any accidents involving a foreign carrier in the United States. Authorizes the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to bring a civil action in a district court for violations. (Sec. 601) Prohibits a State or political subdivision from preventing nonprofit organization employees with experience in disasters and post-trauma communication with families from providing mental health and counseling services within the 30 day period after an accident. Includes within the definition of "passenger" with regard to assistance to families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents: (1) foreign air carrier employees aboard the aircraft; and (2) any other person aboard the aircraft without regard to whether the person paid for the transportation, occupied a seat, or held a reservation for the flight. (Sec. 602) Revises requirements for air carrier plans that provide assistance to the families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents to require them to include, at a minimum, an assurance that: (1) upon request of the family of a passenger, the air carrier will inform the family of the status of the review of the verification of the passenger manifest, including whether the passenger's name appeared on a preliminary passenger manifest for the flight involved in the accident; and (2) the air carrier will provide adequate training to air carrier employees and agents to meet the needs of survivors and family members following an accident. Prohibits the Secretary from approving an application for a permit to provide foreign air transportation unless the applicant has included, among other things, as part of the application or request for exemption an agreement that, in the event that such foreign air carrier volunteers assistance to U.S. citizens within the United States in the case of an aircraft accident outside the United States involving major loss of life, the foreign air carrier will consult with the NTSB and the Department of State on the provision of such assistance. Declares that an air carrier shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of its performance in providing information concerning a flight reservation. (Sec. 603) Makes similar changes to foreign air carrier plan requirements. Title VII: Passenger Service Availability; Mail Rates - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit: (1) a domestic or foreign air carrier in providing foreign air transportation (or a domestic air carrier in providing interstate air transportation) from subjecting an airline passenger to unreasonable discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex; and (2) a foreign air carrier from discriminating against a passenger that has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. (Sec. 701) Authorizes the Attorney General, or an interested person, to institute a civil action for damages, for past activity, and for preventive relief for persons injured as a result of such discrimination (including discrimination against the handicapped). Authorizes the court, in its discretion, to allow the prevailing party (other than the United States) reasonable attorney's fees. (Sec. 702) Directs the Secretary to establish a five-year pilot airline service restoration program to provide funds to up to 40 communities and States with inadequate access to the national transportation system to improve their access to such system. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 703) Waives the State or local contribution requirement with respect to the compensation of an air carrier providing air service to certain noneligible places. (Sec. 704) Authorizes the Secretary, if it is necessary to facilitate service to a small community, to require an air carrier that serves an essential airport facility to enter into a joint-fare or interline agreement with a qualifying air carrier that serves an underserved market to facilitate air transportation in the market. (Sec. 705) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out aviation policy, to consider as being in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity ensuring that: (1) consumers in all regions of the United States, including those in small communities and rural and remote areas, have access to affordable, regularly scheduled air service; and (2) slots provided to air carriers to provide small community air service are withdrawn if the carrier fails to provide the service. (Sec. 706) Revises air carrier obligations, with respect to two air carriers who make an agreement to operate under or use a single carrier designator code to provide air transportation, to require the carrier whose code is being used to share responsibility with the other carriers for the level and quality of transportation provided the public under the code by the other carriers, including providing full service at Essential Air Service communities. (Sec. 707) Repeals mail rate-setting authority of the U.S. Postal with respect to the transportation of mail by aircraft in foreign air transportation. Authorizes the Postal Service to provide for the transportation of mail by aircraft in air transportation (currently, in interstate air transportation). (Sec. 708) Repeals requirements under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibiting the increase or decrease by the FAA Administrator in the number of takeoffs and landings (the High Density Rule) at airports (except Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). Exempts certain aircraft with specified noise levels from the High Density Rule at airports (except Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). Title VIII: Transfer of Aeronautical Charting Activity - Transfers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration all functions, personnel, and funds of the Office of Aeronautical Charting and Cartography to the Department of Transportation. Title IX: Whistleblower Protection - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information. (Sec. 901) Prohibits a person from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee with respect to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) notified his or her employer of an alleged violation of this title; (2) refused to operate aircraft or work when it would be in violation of a FAA regulation, or because of a reasonable apprehension of death or serious physical harm; (3) provided or is about to provide information relating to air safety; or (4) has filed or is about to file a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to air carrier safety. Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act. Title X: National Parks Air Tour Management - National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 1999 - Prohibits a commercial air tour operator from conducting commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, except in accordance with this Act, conditions prescribed for that operator by the FAA Administrator, and any commercial air tour management plan for the park or tribal lands. (Sec. 1003) Sets forth specified requirements with respect to: (1) the granting of authority to commercial air tour operators to conduct air tour operations over national parks or tribal lands, with specified exceptions; and (2) establishment of commercial air tour management plans. Exempts from the requirements of this Act: (1) the Grand Canyon National Park, or any Indian country within or abutting such park; and (2) any land or waters located in Alaska.. (Sec. 1004) Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director of the National Park Service (Director) to establish, jointly, an advisory group to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to the operation of commercial air tours over and near national parks. (Sec. 1005) Directs the FAA Administrator to report to Congress on the effects proposed overflight fees are likely to have on the commercial air tour industry. Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director to report jointly to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in providing incentives for the development and use of quiet aircraft technology. Title XI: Title 49 Technical Corrections - Sets forth certain technical corrections to specified sections of title 49 of the United States Code. Title XII: Prevention of Fraud Involving Aircraft or Spacecraft Parts - Aircraft Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for fraud involving aircraft or space vehicle parts in interstate or foreign commerce. Provides for civil remedies and criminal forfeiture. Title XIII: Internal Revenue Code Amendments - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through October 1, 2004.

Wendell H. Ford National Air Transportation System Improvement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations Title II: Airport Improvement Program Amendments Title III: Amendments to Aviation Law Title IV : Title 49 Technical Corrections Title V: Miscellaneous Title VI: Aviation Competition Promotion Title VII: National Park Overflights Title VIII: Centennial of Flight Commemoration Title IX: Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund Expenditure Authority Wendell H. Ford National Air Transportation System Improvement Act of 1999 - Title I: Authorizations - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations. Earmarks amounts for: (1) wildlife hazard mitigation measures and management of the wildlife strike database of the FAA; and (2) a university consortium established to provide an air safety and security management certificate program. (Sec. 102) Amends Federal aviation law to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for: (1) the FAA Facilities and Equipment Program; and (2) continuation through FY 2000 of the instrument landing system inventory program. Directs the Administrator of the FAA to establish life-cycle cost estimates for any air traffic control modernization project whose costs equal or exceed $50 million. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning programs. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary), in order to improve security at U.S. public airports, to carry out at least one project to test and evaluate innovative airport security systems and related technology. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out the Federal Contract Tower Program. (Sec. 107) Prohibits the FAA Administrator from terminating human weather observers for Automated Surface Observation System stations until 60 days after the Secretary determines and reports to Congress that the System provides consistent reporting of changing meteorological conditions. Title II: Airport Improvement Program Amendments - Repeals the cap on the amounts to be credited annually to the Secretary's discretionary fund for aviation programs. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program of up to 20 projects for grants to implement innovative financing techniques for airport development projects. (Sec. 203) Limits to no more than 90 percent the Federal share of costs for a project at a non-primary airport having at least .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports. (Sec. 204) Increases from 31 percent to 35 percent the minimum apportionment from the discretionary fund for airport improvement grant funds for airport noise compatibility programs. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the use of airport improvement funds apportioned to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico for any of their public airports. Authorizes the use of the supplemental apportionment of airport improvement funds for Alaska for any of its public airports. Repeals a certain limitation on the apportionment of airport improvement funds for commercial airports in Alaska. Revises the amount of certain funds apportioned to the discretionary and small airport funds. Authorizes the Secretary to distribute a certain percentage of funds from the small airport fund for grants for projects at small hub airports. Declares that an airport development project shall remain eligible for funding from the discretionary fund (subject to the availability of funds) even though the airport's status changes from primary to non-primary. Revises the definition of "public-use airport," for purposes of grant eligibility for airport development funds, to include a privately-owned airport that, as a reliever airport, received Federal aid for airport development before October 9, 1996, but only if the FAA Administrator issues revised administrative guidance after July 1, 1998, for the designation of reliever airports. Repeals the eligibility of reliever airports for the issuance of a letter of intent to obligate airport development funds. Prohibits the collection of a passenger facility fee from a passenger in Alaska aboard an aircraft having a seating capacity of less than 20 passengers. Permits certain regulations to authorize a public agency to request waiver of a passenger facility fee for: (1) any class of domestic or foreign air carrier that enplanes not more than one percent of the total number of passengers enplaned annually at a airport; or (2) passengers enplaned on a flight to an airport with scheduled passenger service but fewer than 2,500 passenger boardings each year, or in a community with a population of less than 10,000 and not connected by land to the National Highway System. Requires any Federal agency to grant priority to a request by any non-Federal public agency for surplus property for use at a public airport. Increases the apportionment of airport improvement funds to sponsors of cargo-only airports. Declares that the Secretary may permit the use of State highway specifications for airfield pavement construction using airport development funds at non-primary airports with runways of 5,000 feet or shorter serving aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds, if the Secretary determines that: (1) safety will not be negatively affected; and (2) the life of the pavement will not be shorter than it would be if constructed using FAA standards. Prohibits an airport from seeking airport development funds for runway rehabilitation or reconstruction of any such airfield pavement constructed using State highway specifications for a period of ten years after construction is completed. (Sec. 206) Amends the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996 to repeal the termination of certain amendments regarding apportionments and their uses, the discretionary fund, and the designation of current and former military airports (thus making them permanent). (Sec. 207) Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on FAA efforts to implement capacity improvements, such as precision runway monitoring systems and the time frame for implementation of such improvements. (Sec. 208) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to discourage airport sponsors and airports from using discretionary funds for lower priority projects by giving lower priority to discretionary projects they have submitted which have used entitlement funds for projects with a lower priority than the projects for which discretionary funds are being requested. (Sec. 209) Prohibits the Secretary from waiving certain required assurances that property be used for aeronautical purposes with respect to the grant of airport development funds, unless the Secretary provides public notice at least 30 days before issuing such waiver. (Sec. 210) Amends Federal aviation safety law to revise the term "public aircraft" to include non-government-owned passenger aircraft operated for prisoner transport. (Sec. 211) Authorizes the Secretary, in order to enable additional air service by an air carrier with less than 50 percent of the scheduled passenger traffic at an airport, to consider the shell of a terminal building (including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and aircraft fueling facilities adjacent to the building to be an eligible airport-related project. (Sec. 212) Directs the FAA Administrator to evaluate specified options for improving the quality of information available to the FAA on airfield pavement conditions for national air transportation system airports. (Sec. 213) Authorizes the Secretary to use certain unobligated funds to make discretionary grants for airport noise abatement activities. Title III: Amendments to Aviation Law - Amends Federal aviation law to authorize the FAA Administrator to contract for procurement of severable services for a period that begins in one fiscal year and ends in the next fiscal year if (without regard to any option to extend it) the contract period does not exceed one year. Declares that funds available for a fiscal year may be obligated for the total amount of the contract. (Sec. 302) Amends the Airport Noise and Capacity Act to make foreign air carriers eligible for a waiver from stage three noise level requirements for certain aircraft. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to establish consortia of government and aviation industry representatives at airports to provide advice on matters related to aviation security and safety. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Administrator of the FAA to enter into bilateral agreements with the aeronautical authorities of another country to exchange with that country all or part of their respective safety oversight functions and duties with respect to certain domestic and foreign aircraft. (Sec. 305) Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a schedule of new fees for services (other than air traffic control services) provided to any entity obtaining services outside the United States. (Sec. 306) Amends the Pilot Records Improvement Act to require an employment investigation (including a criminal history check) in the case of passenger, baggage, or property screening at airports if the FAA Administrator decides it is necessary to ensure air transportation security. Permits an air carrier that has not obtained information about a pilot from a foreign government or entity that has employed the pilot to allow such pilot to begin service as a pilot of certain small aircraft if the carrier has made a documented good faith attempt to obtain it. (Sec. 307) Authorizes a person to bring a civil action in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (as well as in a U.S. district court) against the United States when: (1) the person is subrogated to the rights against the U.S. Government of a party insured under the aviation insurance program under a contract between the person and such insured party; and (2) the person has paid to the insured party an amount for a covered physical damage loss. Extends Federal aviation insurance and reinsurance programs through FY 2003. (Sec. 309) Establishes criminal penalties for any individual who: (1) knowingly and willfully serves or attempts to serve as an airman without an airman's certificate; (2) knowingly and willfully employs for service or uses as an airman an individual who does not have such certificate; or (3) without an airman's certificate provides for the air transportation of a controlled substance. (Sec. 310) Requires major air carriers providing air service to essential airport facilities that have interline agreements involving ticketing, baggage and ground handling, and terminal and gate access with other carriers, to provide on a nondiscriminatory basis the same services to any requesting air carrier that offers air service to a small community airport. Title IV: Title 49 Technical Corrections - Sets forth certain technical corrections to specified sections of Title 49 of the United States Code. Title V: Miscellaneous - Directs the FAA Administrator to report to specified congressional committees every three months on electronic data processing problems associated with the year 2000 (Y2K problem) within the FAA. (Sec. 502) Directs the FAA Administrator to require by regulation that collision avoidance equipment (TCAS II) be installed on each cargo aircraft with a payload capacity of 15,000 kilograms or more. (Sec. 503) Directs the FAA Administrator to solicit comments on the need for: (1) improvement of runway safety areas; and (2) the installation of precision approach path indicators. (Sec. 504) Makes applicable to other specified types of aircraft (currently exempted from them), including turbojet-powered aircraft and aircraft equipped to carry only one individual, certain requirements that commercial aircraft be outfitted with an emergency locator transmitter. (Continues to exempt from such requirements aircraft used in scheduled flights by scheduled air carriers holding certificates issued by the Secretary, training operations conducted entirely within a 50-mile radius of the airport from which the training operations begin, flight operations related to design and testing, the manufacture, preparation, and delivery of aircraft, showing compliance with regulations, exhibition, or air racing, or the aerial application of a substance on agricultural crops.) (Sec. 505) Prohibits the FAA Administrator, except for the facilitation of law enforcement, from issuing a certificate to any person: (1) convicted of a violation of any Federal or State law relating to the installation, production, repair, or sale of a counterfeit or falsely represented aviation part or material; or (2) subject to a controlling or ownership interest of an individual convicted of such violation. Directs the Administrator to revoke any such certificates issued to convicted persons or persons who knowingly facilitate such a violation. Prohibits the employment of an individual convicted of counterfeit parts dealing to perform a function related to the procurement, sale, production, or repair of a part or material, or the installation of a part into a civil aircraft. (Sec. 506) Subjects to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 any individual who interferes with the duties or responsibilities of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft, or who poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft. (Sec. 507) Directs the Secretary to work with appropriate international organizations and aviation authorities of other nations to bring about their establishment of higher standards for accommodating handicapped passengers in air transportation, particularly with respect to foreign air carriers that code-share with domestic air carriers. Establishes a civil penalty for any air carrier that discriminates against handicapped persons while providing air transportation, unless such carrier provides such individual a credit or voucher in a certain amount for the purchase of a ticket on that carrier or any affiliated carrier. (Sec. 508) Authorizes the Secretary to request the head of any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality to convey land or airspace owned or controlled by it to a public agency for use that will complement, facilitate, or augment airport development, including the development of additional revenue from both aviation and nonaviation sources. Authorizes the Secretary, upon making certain determinations, to grant a release from any conditions contained in such conveyances in order to facilitate the development of additional revenue from aeronautical and nonaeronautical sources. Authorizes the Administrators of the FAA or the General Services Administration (GSA) to convey all right, title, and interest in 12 acres of property at Lake Minchumina, Alaska, to the Iditarod Area School District. (Sec. 509) Directs the FAA Administrator to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to develop procedures to protect air carriers and their employees from civil enforcement action under the Flight Operations Quality Assurance program. (Sec. 510) Directs the FAA Administrator to identify or develop a plan to implement the wide area augmentation system (WAAS) to provide navigation and landing approach capabilities for civilian use and make a determination as to whether a backup system is necessary. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 511) Directs the FAA Administrator to reissue, and provide for public comment on, the notice to operators published in the Federal Register on January 2, 1998, which advised Alaska guide pilots of the applicability of part 135 of CFR title 14 to guide pilot operations. (Sec. 513) Directs the FAA Administrator to establish an advanced qualification program oversight committee to give advice on the development and execution of Advanced Qualification Programs (alternative methods for qualifying, training, certifying, and ensuring the competency of flight crews and other commercial aviation operations personnel (human factors training program)) for air carriers, and to encourage their adoption and implementation. (Sec. 514) Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to initiate an independent assessment that ensures that the method for capturing and distributing overall FAA costs is appropriate and reasonable. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 515) Provides for the enforcement of whistleblower laws for FAA employees. (Sec. 516) Directs the FAA Administrator to report to Congress on a plan to modernize the oceanic air traffic control system (including a budget for such program). (Sec. 517) Directs the FAA Administrator to report biannually to Congress on the air transportation oversight system program announced on May 13, 1998, in detail on the training of inspectors, the number of them using the system, air carriers subject to the system, and the budget for the system. (Sec. 518) Declares that the Secretary may authorize the use, in whole or in part, of a completed environmental assessment or environmental impact study for a new airport construction project that is substantially similar in nature to one previously constructed pursuant to a completed assessment or study in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of expense and effort. (Sec. 519) Prohibits air carriers, contractors, and subcontractors from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee as to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) is about to provide or has provided to the Federal Government information relating to any violation of any FAA order, regulation, or standard or any other Federal law relating to air carrier safety; or (2) is about to file or has filed a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to such violations. Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Provides for award of attorney's fees of up to $5,000 to a prevailing employer for any such complaint found frivolous or brought in bad faith. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act. (Sec. 520) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to improve real property leased for air navigation facilities without regard to the costs of such improvements in relation to the cost of the lease, if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 521) Declares that the denial to air carriers (that conduct operations as a public charter with aircraft that are designed to carry more than nine passengers per flight) of access to certain reliever airports shall not be considered to be unreasonable or unjust discrimination. (Sec. 522) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Intergovernmental Task Force for International Visitor Assistance. Requires the Task Force to: (1) examine, and report to the President and the Congress its recommendation on, signage at U.S. facilities (including airports, seaports, land border crossings, highways, and bus, train, and other public transit stations); and (2) identify and suggest solutions to existing inadequacies, such as the adoption of uniform standards on international signage for use throughout the United States in order to facilitate international visitors' travel here. Requires the Task Force also to examine and report on: (1) the availability of multilingual travel and tourism information and means of disseminating it; and (2) establishment of a toll-free, private-sector operated telephone number, staffed by multilingual operators, to provide assistance to international tourists coping with an emergency. Directs the Secretary to complete, as soon as may be practicable, a satellite system of accounting for the travel and tourism industry. Authorizes appropriations for U.S. National Tourism Organization international promotional activities. Prohibits the use of such funds for any purpose other than marketing, research, outreach, or any other activity designed to promote the United States as the premiere travel and tourism destination in the world. States that the Organization's general and administrative expenses shall be borne by the private sector. (Sec. 523) Directs the FAA Administrator to determine whether its safety regulations are equivalent to the safety standards set forth in European Union Directive 89-336EEC. Directs the Administrator, if such standards are equivalent, to work with the Secretary of Commerce to gain acceptance of such determination pursuant to the Mutual Recognition Agreement between the United States and the European Union of May 18, 1998, in order to ensure that aviation products approved by the FAA are acceptable under the Directive. (Sec. 524) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the property taxes on public-use airports should be assessed fairly, regardless of the location of the airport owner; and (2) the property tax recently assessed on the City of The Dalles, Oregon, as the owner and operator of the Columbia Gorge Regional-The Dalles Municipal Airport, State of Washington, should be repealed. (Sec. 525) Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to authorize FAA employees under the new FAA personnel management system to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board and seek judicial review of Board decisions. (Sec. 526) Establishes an Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Advisory Panel to review issues related to the use and oversight of aircraft and aviation component repair and maintenance facilities located within, or outside of, the United States. Authorizes the Administrator to seek the advice of the panel on issues related to methods to improve the safety of domestic or foreign contract aircraft and aviation component repair facilities. Directs the Administrator to request aircraft and aviation component repair stations located outside or inside the United States to submit information necessary to assess safety issues and enforcement actions with respect to the work performed at those stations on aircraft used by U.S. air carriers. Requires such information to include: (1) the existence and administration of employee drug and alcohol testing programs; and (2) the amount and type of aircraft and aviation component repair work performed on U.S. and foreign aircraft. (Sec. 527) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the desirability and implications of: (1) decreasing from 75 to 51 percent the portion of the voting interest owned or controlled by U.S. citizens necessary to qualify a corporation or association as a U.S. citizen under Federal transportation law; and (2) revising the definition of air carrier under such law to cover any company whose principal place of business is in the United States (currently, such an air carrier must be a U.S. citizen). (Sec. 528) Declares that a memorandum of agreement between the FAA Administrator and any person that directly obtains aircraft situational display data shall require that such person: (1) demonstrate the capability of selectively blocking the display of any aircraft-situation-display-to-industry derived data related to any identified aircraft registration number; and (2) agree to block selectively the aircraft registration numbers of any aircraft owner or operator upon FAA request. (Sec. 529) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should: (1) act vigorously to ensure the enforcement of U.S. rights under the Bermuda II Agreement; (2) intensify efforts to obtain assurances from the United Kingdom to allow U.S. air carriers to operate commercially viable, competitive service for the Charlotte-London (Gatwick) and Cleveland-London (Gatwick) routes; and (3) ensure that the rights of the United States and U.S. citizens and air carriers are enforced under the Agreement before seeking to renegotiate a broader bilateral agreement to establish additional rights for U.S. air carriers and foreign air carriers of the United Kingdom, including the right to commercially viable competitive slots at Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport in London, England, for U.S. air carriers. (Sec. 531) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Secretary the amount of State taxes collected during the preceding fiscal year that were transferred to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress for the preceding fiscal year: (1) the State dollar contribution to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund; and (2) the amount of airport development and noise compatibility funds made available to the State. (Sec. 532) Directs the FAA Administrator to work with the Taos Pueblo to study the feasibility of conducting a demonstration project to require all aircraft that fly over Taos Pueblo and the Blue Lake Wilderness Area of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, to maintain a mandatory minimum altitude of at least 5,000 feet above ground level. (Sec. 533) Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations to provide for improved oral and written disclosure to each consumer of air transportation concerning the corporate name of the air carrier that provides such transportation. (Sec. 534) Directs the FAA to use necessary funds to contract for the operation of air traffic control towers in Salisbury, Maryland, Bozeman, Montana, and Boca Raton, Florida. (Sec. 535) Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to authorize, in addition to any pecuniary damages, the recovery of up to $750,000 (adjusted for inflation beginning FY 2000) of nonpecuniary damages for wrongful death caused during commercial aviation. Title VI: Aviation Competition Promotion - Directs the Secretary to establish a four-year pilot aviation development program to provide funds to up to 40 small communities or consortia of communities and States with inadequate access to the national transportation system to improve their access to such system. (Sec. 603) Directs the FAA Administrator, in order to facilitate the use of, and improve the safety at, small airports, to establish a pilot program (community-carrier air service program) to contract for Level I air traffic control services at 20 facilities not eligible for participation in the Federal Contract Tower Program. Waives the State or local contribution requirement with respect to such program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 604) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002 for the community-carrier air service program. (Sec. 605) Directs the Secretary to review the marketing practices of air carriers that may inhibit the availability of quality, affordable air transportation services to small and medium-sized communities. Requires the Secretary, if such practices are found to inhibit the availability of such service, to promulgate regulations to address the problem. (Sec. 606) Requires the Secretary, after receiving an application for an exemption to provide nonstop regional jet air service between an airport with fewer than two million annual enplanements and a high density airport, to grant or deny the exemption in accordance with established principles of safety and the promotion of competition. Authorizes the Secretary to permit: (1) an air carrier or an affiliated air carrier to upgrade its service under the exemption to a larger jet aircraft; and (2) an air carrier to change the nonhub airport or small hub airport for which the exemption was granted to provide the same service to a different airport that is smaller than a large hub airport, if certain conditions are met. Provides for the termination of an exemption if the air carrier uses the slot for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was granted or in violation of the conditions under which it was granted. (Sec. 607) Directs the Secretary, subject to specified conditions, to grant exemptions from the prohibitions against the operation of aircraft nonstop between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and another airport more than 1,250 miles away (perimeter rule), and against the increase or decrease by the Administrator in the number of takeoffs and landings (the High Density Rule), to any air carrier that operates limited frequencies and aircraft on select routes between National Airport and domestic hub airports. Mandates such an exemption if the Secretary finds that it will: (1) provide air transportation service with domestic network benefits in areas beyond the perimeter; (2) increase competition in multiple markets; (3) not reduce travel options for communities served by small hub airports and medium hub airports within the perimeter; and (4) not result in meaningfully increased travel delays. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to such exemptions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) grant exemptions from the High Density Rule to commuter air carriers (not including Stage 3 aircraft) for service to airports with fewer than two million annual enplanements within the perimeter established for aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; and (2) develop criteria for distributing slot exemptions for flights within the perimeter to such airports in a manner consistent with the promotion of air transportation. Directs the Secretary to assess the impact of granting slot exemptions, including the impacts of additional slots and flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on safety, noise levels, and the environment. Declares that certain provisions prohibiting the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority from increasing or decreasing instrument flight rule takeoffs and landings under the High Density Rule shall not apply to any increase in the number of such takeoffs or landings necessary to implement slot exemptions granted by the Secretary under this Act. Directs the Secretary to give priority in making grants to applications for airport noise compatibility planning and programs at and around airports where operations increase under this Act. (Sec. 608) Directs the Secretary to grant 30 slot exemptions over a three-year period at Chicago O'Hare International Airport provided certain conditions are met. Directs the Secretary to study and submit a report three years after the first slot exemption granted is used on the impact of the additional slots on the safety, environment, noise, access to underserved markets, and competition at such airport. Requires the Secretary to study community noise levels in the areas surrounding the four high-density airports after the 100 percent Stage 3 fleet requirements are in place, and compare those levels with the levels in such areas before 1991. (Sec. 609) Declares that it shall be an unfair or deceptive practice for any carrier utilizing electronically transmitted tickets to fail to notify the purchaser of a ticket's expiration date, if any. (Sec. 610) Defines major air carrier joint venture agreements as agreements with regard to code-sharing, blocked-space arrangements, long-term wet leases of a substantial number of aircraft, or frequent flyer programs, or any other cooperative working arrangement between two or more major air carriers that affects more than 15 percent of the total number of available seat miles offered by such carriers. Requires any major air carrier that has entered into such an agreement to submit to the Secretary certain information regarding it. (Sec. 611) Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on the efficacy of a program of Federal loan guarantees for the purchase of regional jets by commuter air carriers that service underserved markets. (Sec. 612) Directs the General Accounting Office (GAO) to study the current state of the national airport network and its ability to meet the air transportation needs of the United States over the next 15 years. Title VII: National Parks Overflights - Prohibits a commercial air tour operator from conducting commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, except in accordance with this Act, conditions prescribed for that operator by the FAA Administrator, and with any commercial air tour management plan for the park or tribal lands. (Sec. 702) Sets forth specified requirements with respect to: (1) the granting of authority to commercial air tour operators to conduct air tour operations over national parks or tribal lands, with specified exceptions; and (2) establishment of commercial air tour management plans. Exempts from the requirements of this Act: (1) the Grand Canyon National Park, or any Indian country within or abutting such park; or (2) any land or waters located in Alaska. (Sec. 703) Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director of the National Park Service (Director) to establish, jointly, an advisory group to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to the operation of commercial air tours over and near national parks. Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director to report jointly to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in providing incentives for the development and use of quiet aircraft technology. (Sec. 704) Directs the FAA Administrator to report to Congress on the effects proposed overflight fees are likely to have on the commercial air tour industry. (Sec. 705) Prohibits any commercial air tour from operating in the airspace over the Rocky Mountain National Park. Title VIII: Centennial of Flight Commemoration - Centennial of Flight Commemoration Act - Establishes the Centennial of Flight Commission to: (1) represent the United States and take a leadership role with other countries in recognizing the importance of aviation history and the centennial of powered flight; (2) encourage and promote participation and sponsorships in commemoration of the centennial of powered flight by certain companies, individuals, institutions, organizations, and governments; (3) plan and develop programs and activities with the First Flight Centennial Commission, the First Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina, and the 2003 Committee of Ohio; (4) provide a central clearinghouse for information regarding aviation history and the centennial of powered flight; and (5) coordinate celebration dates during the centennial year and assist in conducting activities relating to the centennial throughout the United States. (Sec. 812) Establishes a First Flight Centennial Federal Advisory Board. (Sec. 815) Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Extension of Airport and Airway Trust Fund Expenditure Authority - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund through October 1, 2000. Sets forth certain limits on transfers to the Fund.

Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Airport and Airway Improvements Title II: Airline Service Improvements Subtitle A: Service to Airports Not Receiving Sufficient Service Subtitle B: Regional Air Service Incentive Program Title III: FAA Management Reform Title IV: Family Assistance Title V: Safety Title VI: Whistleblower Protection Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions Title VIII: National Parks Air Tour Management Title IX: Truth in Budgeting Title X: Aviation Spending Guarantee Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century - Title I: Airport and Airway Improvements - Amends Federal Aviation law to reauthorize through FY 2004: (1) the Airport Improvement Program (AIP); and (2) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Facilities and Equipment Program. Earmarks a specified amount for the voluntary purchase and installation of universal access systems. (Sec. 103) Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to authorize appropriations for FAA operations through FY 2004. Makes specified allocations, including for: (1) wildlife hazard mitigation measures and management of the wildlife strike database of the FAA; and (2) a university consortium established to provide an air safety and security management certificate program. Sets forth fiscal year limits on amounts appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for certain aviation improvement programs. (Sec. 104) Makes specified allocations out of the Trust Fund for the aviation safety accelerated program. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation through FY 2004 to make grants out of such amounts for eligible projects to: (1) reduce delays and congestion at airports and in the air traffic control system; (2) construct airport improvements or acquire air traffic equipment to enhance competition among air carriers; and (3) enhance air service to small and medium-sized communities. Directs the Secretary to establish innovative methods for processing, reviewing, and approving such projects in order to reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, the time required from an applicant's request for project approval through the completion of the project. (Sec. 105) Makes specified changes to the formula for crediting airport improvement fund amounts to the discretionary fund. Revises the apportionment of airport improvement fund amounts to sponsors of primary (including cargo only) airports and to the States for each fiscal year. Provides minimum apportionments for reliever and nonprimary commercial service airports. Authorizes the use of airport improvement funds apportioned to Alaska, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii for any of their public airports. Authorizes the use of State-apportioned airport improvement funds for integrated airport system planning that encompasses one or more primary airports. Authorizes the Secretary to permit the use of State highway specifications for airfield pavement construction using airport improvement funds at nonprimary airports serving certain aircraft provided safety will not be negatively affected and the life of the pavement will not be shorter than it would be if constructed using FAA standards. Increases the apportionment for airport improvement funds for airport noise compatibility programs. Authorizes the use of the supplemental apportionment of airport improvement funds for Alaska for any of its public airports. Repeals a certain limitation on the apportionment of airport improvement funds for commercial service airports in Alaska. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Secretary to use certain unobligated funds to make discretionary grants for airport planning and development. (Sec. 107) Increases from 12 to 20 at any time the number of current or former military airports that may receive airport improvement funds. Increases the amount of discretionary funds that are available to designated sponsors of current or former military airports to construct, improve, or repair airport terminal building facilities and airport surface parking lots, fuel farms, utilities, hangers, and air cargo terminals (50,000 square feet or less). (Sec. 108) Revises U.S. policies regarding aviation programs to encourage the funding and use of integrated in-pavement lighting systems for runways and taxiways and other runway and taxiway incursion prevention devices. (Sec. 109) Provides for an eligible agency to impose a passenger facility fee of more than three dollars (currently, one, two, or three dollars) on each airline passenger of a domestic or foreign air carrier boarding an aircraft at an airport the agency controls to finance an eligible airport-related project, provided certain conditions are met. (Sec. 110) Prohibits the approval of a passenger facility fee or airport improvement grant for a covered airport (one that has more than .25 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports, and at which one or two air carriers control more than 50 percent of the passenger boardings) unless it submits a competition plan containing certain airport gate and related facility information. (Sec. 111) Provides that the lesser of $15 million or 20 percent of small airport grant funds be set-aside for each of the next four fiscal years to assist sponsors of airports (not located in Alaska and serve aircraft designed for more than nine but less than 31 passenger seats) in meeting the safety terms in airport operating certificates. Requires the Secretary to notify the grant recipient that the source of the grant is from the small airport fund. (Sec. 112) Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to contract for air traffic control services at Level I air traffic control towers that do not qualify for the Contract Tower Program. Sets forth specified program requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 113) Authorizes the Secretary to approve not more than 20 projects in which airport improvement grant funds may be used for innovative financing techniques for airport development projects. (Sec. 114) Directs the Secretary, in order to improve security at public U.S. airports, to carry out not less than one project to test and evaluate innovative airport security systems and related technology. (Sec. 115) Declares that the Government's share of costs shall be: (1) not more than 90 percent for airport improvement projects funded under the State block grant program; (2) 100 percent for airport security projects funded with airport improvement funds; and (3) in FY 2000, 100 percent for any airport improvement funded project at a nonprimary airport, or at a primary airport having less than .05 percent of the total number of passenger boardings each year at all commercial service airports. (Sec. 116) Prohibits the Secretary from requiring an eligible agency to impose a passenger facility fee in order to obtain a letter of intent with respect to airport development projects. (Sec. 117) Treats as an eligible airport-related project with respect to which an eligible agency may impose a passenger facility fee: (1) the construction of a terminal building (including aircraft fueling facilities adjacent to it); and (2) the costs of terminal development at an airport that did not have more than .25 percent of the total U.S. annual passenger boardings and at which total passenger boardings declined by at least 16 percent between 1989 and 1997. (Sec. 119) Requires the Secretary to publish notice in the Federal Register and provide an opportunity for comment before any modification can be made with respect to airport development project grant assurances made by an airport owner or operator (before December 29, 1987) with respect to the disposal of surplus property for the airport. Declares that the Secretary may only release an option of the United States for a reversionary interest in property conveyed to a public agency sponsoring an airport development project after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment. Requires any Federal, executive branch department, agency, or instrumentality to grant priority to a request by a public agency (except another Federal executive branch department, agency, or instrumentality) for surplus property for use at a public airport. Authorizes the Secretary to waive, without charge, a term of a gift of an interest in such property after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment and other conditions are met. (Sec. 120) Authorizes the Secretary to obligate airport improvement funds and amounts from the Trust Fund for any project to construct a new runway at an international airport. (Sec. 121) Extends the instrument landing system program through FY 2004. Directs the Secretary to maintain and upgrade Loran-C navigation facilities throughout the transition period to satellite-based navigation. (Sec. 122) Includes charter air transportation at an airport that is not in Alaska and serves aircraft designed for more than nine but less than 31 passenger seats within the eligible categories for issuance of an airport operating certificate. Directs the FAA Administrator to permit such airports to preclude scheduled passenger operations (including public chartered operations) if it notifies the Administrator that it does not intend to obtain a certificate. (Sec. 123) Directs the FAA Administrator to submit to specified congressional committees a copy of the annual budget estimates of the FAA (including line item justifications) at the same time such budget estimates are submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 124) Revises the amount of certain funds apportioned to the discretionary and small airport funds. Authorizes the Secretary to distribute specified percentages of funds from the small airport fund for grants for projects at small hub airports, public-use airports, and certain commercial service airports. Requires the Secretary to give priority consideration to airport development projects to support operations by turbine powered aircraft (if the non-Federal share of project costs is at least 40 percent) when making small airport fund grants to sponsors of public-use airports. Declares that an airport development project shall remain eligible for funding from the discretionary fund (subject to the availability of funds) even though the airport's status changes from a primary to a nonprimary airport. Permits certain regulations to authorize a public agency to request waiver of a passenger facility fee for: (1) any class of domestic or foreign air carrier that enplanes not more than one percent of the total number of passengers enplaned annually at an airport; or (2) passengers enplaned on a flight to an airport with scheduled passenger service but fewer than 2,5000 passenger boardings each year, or in a community with a population of less than 10,000 and not connected by land to the National Highway System. (Sec. 125) Directs the FAA Administrator to conduct a study of the long term physical performance, safety implications, and environmental benefits of using recycled materials (including recycled pavements, waste materials, and byproducts) in aviation pavement. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 126) Repeals the pavement maintenance pilot program. Revises the definition of "airport development," for purposes of grant eligibility for airport development funds, to include routine work to preserve and extend the useful life of runways, taxiways, and aprons at nonprimary airports. Title II: Airline Service Improvements - Subtitle A: Service to Airports Not Receiving Sufficient Service - Repeals requirements under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibiting the increase or decrease by the Administrator in the number of takeoffs and landings (the High Density Rule) at airports (except Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport). (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary to grant exemptions from the High Density Rule to air carriers that provide nonstop air transportation using jet aircraft that comply with stage 3 noise levels and whose flights begin or end within 1,250 miles (perimeter rule) between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and an airport that has had less than two million enplanements or between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and a airport that does not have nonstop transportation. Requires the Secretary to treat all commuter air carriers that have cooperative agreements (including code share agreements with other air carriers) equally for determining eligibility for exemptions regardless of the form of the corporate relationship between the commuter air carrier and the other air carrier. (Sec. 202) Earmarks specified funds for: (1) the essential air service program; (2) air carriers to subsidize service to and from an underserved airport (not to exceed three years); (3) underserved airports to obtain jet aircraft service to and from the underserved airports; and (4) rural air safety at airports with less than 100,000 annual boardings. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the FAA Administrator to give priority in funding to airports in which the community will provide from local sources a portion of project costs. (Sec. 203) Waives the State or local contribution requirement with respect to the compensation of an air carrier providing air service to certain noneligible places. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary, in carrying out aviation policy, to consider, among other things, as being in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity ensuring that consumers in all regions of the United States, including those in small communities and rural and remote areas, have access to affordable, regularly scheduled air service. Subtitle B: Regional Air Service Incentive Program - Authorizes the Secretary to provide through one or more lenders guaranteed loans (including the extension of credit) to commuter air carriers (maximum seating capacity of 75 or less) for the purchase of regional jet aircraft which are to be used to provide service to underserved markets. Outline loan conditions and limitations, Including that: (1) the maximum amount guaranteed on a loan or extended on credit shall be no more than 50 percent, or $100,000; (2) such aircraft comply with certain Federal noise-level requirements; and (3) the air carrier agrees that the purchased aircraft be used to provide service to an underserved market. Authorizes the Secretary to make use of federal facilities and assistance in carrying out the incentive program. Terminates the Secretary's program authority five years after enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: FAA Management Reform - Establishes the Air Traffic Control Oversight Board within the Department of Transportation. Sets forth the Board's responsibilities, including to oversee the FAA in its administration, management, conduct, direction, and supervision of the air traffic control system. (Sec. 303) Provides for the appointment, by the FAA Administrator, and with the approval of the Board, of a Chief Operating Officer for the air traffic control system. (Sec. 304) Provides that the Secretary (currently, by the President, and with the consent of the Senate) shall make subsequent appointments of Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council members. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a coordinated environmental review process for aviation infrastructure projects that require the preparation of an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (or any other environmental review or approval by operation of law). Sets forth the elements of such review process. (Sec. 306) Prohibits the FAA Administrator from issuing a proposed or final regulation that is likely to result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, or by the private sector, of $250 million (currently, $100 million) or more in aggregate (adjusted annually for inflation), or any regulation which is significant, unless the Secretary approves the issuance of the regulation in advance. (Sec. 307) Directs the Inspector General to conduct an assessment of the overall method of calculating FAA costs and attributing such costs to the user is reasonable. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Family Assistance - Amends Federal transportation law to revise provisions prohibiting unsolicited communication concerning potential action for personal injury or wrongful death by an attorney to an individual injured in an accident involving a domestic air carrier before the 45th day (currently, 30th day) following the accident to provide that such prohibition include accidents involving a foreign air carrier in the United States. Authorizes the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to bring a civil action in a district court for violations committed under this title. (Sec. 401) Prohibits a State or political subdivision from preventing nonprofit organization employees with experience in disasters and post-trauma communication with families from providing mental health and counseling services within the 30 day period after an accident. Includes within the definition of "passenger" for purposes of the provision of assistance to families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents: (1) foreign air carrier employees aborad the aircraft; and (2) any other person aboard the aircraft without regard to whether the person paid for the transportation, occupied a seat, or held a reservation for the flight. (Sec. 402) Revises air carrier plans that provide assistance to the families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents to require them to include, at a minimum, an assurance that: (1) upon request of the family of a passenger, the air carrier will inform the family of whether the passenger's name appeared on a preliminary passenger manifest for the flight involved in the accident; and (2) the air carrier will provide adequate training to air carrier employees and agents to meet the needs of survivors and family members following an accident. Prohibits the Secretary from approving an application of an air carrier for a certificate of public convenience and necessity unless the applicant has included, among other things, an agreement that in the event that the air carrier volunteers assistance to U.S. citizens within the United States in the case of an aircraft accident outside the United States involving major loss of life, the air carrier will consult with the NTSB and the Department of State on the provision of such assistance. Declares that an air carrier shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a Federal or State court arising out of the performance of an air carrier in providing information concerning a flight reservation. (Sec. 403) Makes similar changes to foreign air carrier plans. Title V: Safety - Directs the FAA Administrator to require by regulation that collision avoidance equipment (TCAS-II) be installed on each cargo aircraft with a payload capacity of 15,000 kilograms or more. (Sec. 502) Declares that an air carrier does not need to obtain the employment records of an applicant pilot who has been employed by a branch of the U.S. armed forces, the National Guard, or reserve before allowing such individual to begin service as a pilot. Provides for electronic access to the employment records of FAA air pilots. (Sec. 503) Provides for the enforcement of whistleblower laws for FAA employees. (Sec. 504) Directs the FAA Administrator to issue guidelines and encourage the development of air safety risk management programs throughout the aviation industry, including self-audits and self- disclosure programs. (Sec. 505) Directs the FAA Administrator to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking: (1) to develop procedures to protect air carriers and their employees from civil enforcement actions under the Flight Operations Quality Assurance program; and (2) on implementing a certain section of title 49 relating to the issuance of airport operating certificates for small scheduled passenger air carrier operations. (Sec. 507) Directs the FAA Administrator to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to require the safe disposition of life-limited parts removed from an aircraft. Sets forth civil penalties. (Sec. 508) Subjects to a civil penalty of up to $25,000 any individual who interferes with the duties or responsibilities of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft, or who poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft. Title VI: Whistleblower Protection - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information. Prohibits air carriers, contractors, and subcontractors from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee as to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) is about to provide or has provided to the Federal Government information relating to air safety; or (2) is about to file or has filed a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to air safety. Sets forth a department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Provides for award of attorney's fees of up to $5,000 to a prevailing employer for any such complaint found frivolous or brought in bad faith. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act. Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends Federal transportation law to provide that a proposal under a competitive bid process that is in the possession of the FAA Administrator may not be made available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, with a specified exception. (Sec. 703) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to make a multiyear contract of not more than ten years (currently, such contracts for the procurement of goods and services are limited to no more than five years) for telecommunication services that are provided through the use of a satellite if the FAA Administrator finds that the longer contract period would be cost beneficial. (Sec. 704) Provides that a proposed change to the FAA personnel management system that has not lead to an agreement between the FAA employee bargaining unit and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall not become effective until 60-days after the FAA Administrator has submitted the change to Congress. Provides that such period shall not include any period during which Congress has adjourned sine die. Authorizes FAA employees who have been the subject of a major adverse personnel action to contest such action either through any contractual grievance procedure through the employee's collective bargaining unit or through the FAA's internal process relating to review of FAA major adverse personnel actions (under the Guaranteed Fair Treatment or a specified section of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996. Requires such employees who can contest such personnel action through more than one forum to elect the appropriate forum (no more than one). Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to authorize FAA employees under the new FAA personnel management system to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board and seek judicial review of Board decisions. (Sec. 705) Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit domestic (including interstate) air carriers and foreign air carriers from discriminating against an air passenger on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. Prohibits foreign air carriers from discriminating against handicapped individuals. Provides a civil penalty for violations committed against handicapped individuals. Directs the Secretary to work with appropriate international organizations and the aviation authorities of other nations to establish higher standards, if appropriate, to accommodate handicapped air passengers, particularly with respect to foreign air carriers that code share with domestic air carriers. (Sec. 706) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to make improvements to real property leased for an air navigation facility, regardless of whether the cost of making such improvements exceeds the cost of leasing such property, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 707) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to enter into bilateral agreements with the aeronautical authorities of another country to exchange with that country all or part of their respective safety oversight functions and duties with respect to certain domestic and foreign aircraft. (Sec. 708) Provides for the availability of airman certificate records to the public. (Sec. 709) Authorizes a person to file with the NTSB a petition for a ten-day emergency stay of emergency orders revoking an airman's certificate. (Sec. 712) Directs the FAA Administrator to establish new fees for, among other things, FAA services to any entity obtaining such services outside the United States (except no fee shall be imposed for production-certification related service performed outside the United States). (Sec. 714) Directs the FAA Administrator to study, and submit the results to Congress on, the feasibility of requiring U.S. airports to install enhanced vision technologies to replace or enhance conventional landing light systems over a ten-year period. Includes the installation of such technologies at airports as an activity eligible for airport development project funds. (Sec. 715) Amends the Airport Noise and capacity Act to make foreign air carriers eligible for a waiver from stage three noise level requirements for certain aircraft. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure under which a person may operate a stage one or stage two aircraft in nonrevenue service to or from a U.S. airport in order to: (1) sell the aircraft outside the United States; (2) sell the aircraft for scrapping; or (3) obtain modifications to the aircraft to meet stage three noise levels. (Sec. 718) Extends the Secretary's authority to approve an application of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: (1) for airport development project grants; or (2) to impose a passenger facility fee. (Sec. 719) Declares that a memorandum of agreement between the FAA Administrator and any person that directly obtains aircraft situational display data shall require that such person: (1) demonstrate the capability of selectively blocking the display of any aircraft-situation-display-to-industry derived data related to any identified aircraft registration number; and (2) agree to block selectively the aircraft registration numbers of any aircraft owner or operator upon FAA request. (Sec. 720) Authorizes the Secretary to hire additional personnel to eliminate the backlog of pending equal employment opportunity complaints to the department of Transportation (DOT) and to ensure that investigations of complaints are completed no later than 180 days after the initiation of the investigation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 721) Directs the Secretary, subject to specified conditions, to waive any term contained in the deed of conveyance with respect to airport property that is no longer required for purposes of the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport. (Sec. 722) Authorizes the City of Los Angeles Department of Airports to grant an easement to the California Department of Transportation to lands required to provide a right-of-way for the construction of the California State Route 138 bypass. (Sec. 723) Declares that flight operations conducted by Alaska guide pilots shall be regulated under the general operating and flight rules contained in part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. Directs the FAA Administrator to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to modify the general operating and flight rules by establishing special rules requiring Alaska guide pilots to: (1) operate aircraft inspected no less often than after 125 hours of flight time; (2) participate in an annual flight review; (3) have at least 500 hours of flight time as a pilot; (4) have a commercial rating; (5) hold at least a second-class medical certificate; and (6) hold a letter of authorization certifying that the pilot is in compliance with the rules issued by the Administrator. (Sec. 725) Extends, through December 31, 2004, the aviation war risk insurance program. (Sec. 726) Amends the centennial of Flight Commemoration Act to include as one of the duties of the Centennial of Flight Commission to publish popular and scholarly works related to the history of aviation or the anniversary of the centennial of powered flight. Requires the Commission to adopt a policy to protect against possible conflicts of interest involving its members and employees. Requires Commission duties to be carried out by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (Sec. 727) Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a pilot program to test and evaluate the benefits of long-term capital leasing contracts of aviation equipment and facilities. (Sec. 729) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Advisory Panel to review issues related to the use and oversight of aircraft and aviation component repair and maintenance facilities located within, or outside of, the United States; and (2) seek the advice of the panel on methods to increase safety by improving the oversight of aircraft repair facilities. Directs the Secretary to require, by regulation, domestic and foreign air carriers and repair facilities to submit certain information (including the existence of employee drug and alcohol testing programs at foreign repair facilities) in order to assess balance of trade and safety issues with respect to work performed on aircraft used by domestic and foreign carriers and corporate operators. Requires the Secretary to make such information available to the public. Title VIII: National Parks Air Tour Management - National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 1999 - prohibits a commercial air tour operator from conducting commercial air tour operations over a national park or tribal lands, except in accordance with this Act, conditions prescribed for that operator by the FAA Administrator, and with any commercial air tour management plan for the park or tribal lands. (Sec. 803) Sets forth specified requirements with respect to: (1) the granting of authority to commercial air tour operators to conduct air tour operations over national parks or tribal lands, with specified exceptions; and (2) establishment of commercial air tour management plans. Exempts from the requirements of this Act: (1) the Grand Canyon National Park, or any Indian country within or abutting such park; or (2) any land or waters located in Alaska. (Sec. 804) Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director of the National Park Service (Director) to establish, jointly, an advisory group to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to the operation of commercial air tours over and near national parks. (Sec. 805) Directs the FAA Administrator to report to Congress on the effects proposed overflight fees are likely to have on the commercial air tour industry. Directs the FAA Administrator and the Director to report jointly to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in providing incentives for the development and use of quiet aircraft technology. Title IX: Truth in Budgeting - Truth in Budgeting Act - Prohibits the receipts and disbursements of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund from being counted as new budget authority, outlays, receipts, or deficit or surplus for purposes of the Federal budget as submitted by the President, the congressional budget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman- Hollings Act). Amends Federal aviation law to require the Secretary to estimate annually: (1) what, but for this Act, would be at the close of the next fiscal year the amount of unfunded aviation authorizations; and (2) the net aviation receipts at the close of such year. Title X: Aviation Spending Guarantee - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency deficit Control Act of 1985 to establish discretionary spending categories in budget authority and outlays for the traditional aviation general fund (FAA operation account (69-1301- 0-1-402)) for FY 2000 through 2004 (including adjustment for inflation). Provides for the reduction in discretionary spending limits for budget authority and outlays for FY 2000 through 2002. (Sec. 1002) Prohibits the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from making any estimates of changes in direct spending outlays and receipts for any fiscal year resulting from this title. (Sec. 1003) Sets forth FAA guaranteed spending levels for budget resources for FY 2000 through 2004 (including adjustments to align with revenues). Authorizes appropriations for the AIP program. Sets forth estimated aviation income levels for FY 2000 through 2004.

Public Services Aviation Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1999

Public Services Aviation Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation safety law to consider a government-owned aircraft to be a public aircraft if it is: (1) operated in the performance of a governmental function by a unit of government on behalf of another unit of government pursuant to a cost reimbursement agreement; or (2) transporting (for non-commercial purposes) crewmembers whose presence is associated with the administration or support (or, as currently, performance) of a governmental function such as, but not limited to, public safety, among other functions specified by current law.

Aviation Safety Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1999

Aviation Safety Protection Act - Amends Federal transportation law to establish a whistleblower protection program for airline employees providing air safety information. Prohibits air carriers, contractors, and subcontractors from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee as to pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee: (1) is about to provide or has provided to the Federal Government information relating to any violation of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order, regulation, or standard, or any other Federal law relating to air carrier safety; or (2) is about to file or has filed a proceeding, or testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding relating to such violations. Sets forth a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of this Act. Specifies civil penalties for violation of this Act.

Aviation Consumer Right To Know Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999

Aviation Consumer Right To Know Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit any air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent from selling air transportation in the United States for a flight that bears a designator code of another air carrier unless the air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent informs the person purchasing the air transportation that the carrier providing such transportation will be a carrier other than the carrier whose designator code is used to identify the flight and informs the person of the corporate name of the other carrier. Requires an air carrier, upon the request of any person (including a governmental entity), to disclose the number or percentage of seats that the carrier intends to make available on a specific date for use by a person redeeming an award under a frequent flyer program. Requires the air carrier to also: (1) provide the person full access to all fares for air transportation provided by it, regardless of the technology the person uses to access the fares; and (2) permit the person to purchase air transportation at any published fare. Prohibits an air carrier from: (1) prohibiting a person (including governmental entity) that purchases air transportation from only using a portion of the air transportation purchased (including using the air transportation purchased only for one-way travel instead of round-trip travel); and (2) assessing an additional fee or charge to the person, or any ticket agent that sold the air transportation to such person. Requires any announcement by an air carrier of a delay or cancellation of a flight, a diversion of a flight to an airport other than the airport at which the flight is scheduled to land, or a delay in deplaning at an airport to include an explanation of the reason for such delay, cancellation, or diversion and, in the case of a delay, the expected length of the delay. Prohibits an air carrier from providing false or misleading explanations. Prohibits an air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent from selling air transportation in the United States for a flight on which an insecticide is planned to be used in the aircraft while passengers are on board the aircraft unless such air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent first informs the person purchasing the air transportation of its use, including the name of the insecticide.

Air Service Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999

Air Service Restoration Act - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a five-year pilot aviation development program to be administered by a program director designated by the Secretary. Requires the program director to: (1) function as a facilitator between small communities and air carriers; (2) carry out a specified airline service restoration program; (3) ensure that the Bureau of Transportation Statistics collects data on passenger information to assess the service needs of small communities; (4) coordinate efforts with other Federal, State, and local agencies to increase the viability of service to small communities and the creation of aviation development zones; and (5) recommend policies to the Secretary and Congress that will ensure that small communities have access to quality, affordable air transportation services. Requires the program director to report annually to the Secretary and the Congress with respect to the availability of quality air transportation services to small communities. (Sec. 5) Authorizes no more than 40 small communities or a consortia of small communities or a State to develop an assessment of air service requirements and submit it with an air service program proposal to the program director. Sets forth specified program requirements. Requires the program director to report annually to Congress on progress in expanding commercial aviation service to smaller communities. . Requires the program director to establish a five-year pilot program to assist communities and States with inadequate access to the national transportation system to improve such access, including facilitating better link-ups to such system. Sets forth certain requirements and eligibility criteria with respect to communities participating in the pilot program. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to review, and promulgate regulations to address, the marketing practices of air carriers that may inhibit the availability of quality, affordable air transportation services to small and medium-sized communities. (Sec. 8) Requires major air carriers providing air service to essential airport facilities that have interline agreements involving ticketing, baggage, and ground handling, and terminal and gate access with other carriers, to provide on a nondiscriminatory basis the same services to any requesting air carrier that offers air service to a small community airport. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to issue a determination as to whether a price established by an air carrier for a route in air transportation that contains a flight segment to or from an airport dominated by the carrier ( if more than 50 percent of the daily passenger enplanements at an airport are enplanements of such carrier) is reasonable if an individual files with the Secretary a written request for such determination. Authorizes the Secretary to only determine whether such price is reasonable or unreasonable and not set a price.

Consumer Access to Travel Information Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999

Consumer Access to Travel Information Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation policy law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to consider it in the public interest, and consistent with public convenience and necessity, to ensure that consumers may obtain unbiased information in an efficient and convenient manner from travel agents and other independent sources about air transportation passenger services and fares. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the availability of such information to consumers. Requires the Secretary, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to issue a cease and desist order to any air carrier or other party engaged in any practice or policy which constitutes a predatory, unfair, or deceptive practice or unfair method of competition which restricts the widespread, convenient, and efficient access by the public to unbiased comparative air transportation passenger service and fare information or the sale, booking, or distribution of air transportation passenger services or products.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 603) to amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify the application of the Act popularly known as the "Death on the High Seas Act" to aviation incidents.

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1999

Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 603 (applying the "Death on the High Seas Act" to aviation incidents).

Airline Competition Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1999

Airline Competition Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation law to make eligible large hub airports and low-competition airports for slots (takeoff and landing authority) for air carriers providing essential air service at such airports. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to give preference in granting an exemption from certain requirements limiting takeoffs and landings at high density airports to air transportation provided to low-competition airports that are located within a 500-mile radius of a high density airport. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations that define predatory practices and unfair methods of competition of air carriers for purposes of applying this Act to complaints of such practices under section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, or any other applicable provision of law. Directs the Secretary to: (1) after a complaint alleging a predatory practice or unfair method of competition by an air carrier is filed on or after enactment of this Act with the Secretary under section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, or any other applicable provision of law, make an initial finding of whether such practice that is the subject of the complaint constitutes a predatory practice or unfair method of competition; and (2) complete action on such complaints filed with the Secretary before enactment of this Act. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress concerning barriers to entry, predatory practices (including pricing), and other limits on competition in the aviation industry. (Sec. 6) Declares that nothing in this Act shall authorize the Secretary to take action that would increase aircraft noise in any community in the vicinity of an airport. Directs the Secretary to issue proposed regulations that establish and implement stage 4 noise levels which provide for the significant reduction in the noise level of, and which are consistent with levels attainable through the use of the most effective noise control technology available for stage 3 aircraft as of January 1, 1999, for, stage 4 aircraft. (Sec. 7) Amends Federal aviation law provisions prohibiting State regulation of air prices, routes, and services to declare that such provisions shall not bar a cause of action brought against an air carrier by one or more private parties seeking to enforce any right under the common law of any State or State statute other than a statute purporting to directly prescribe fares, routes, or levels of air transportation service.

Standortsicherung Wien für die zentraleuropäische Flugsicherung

Austria · National Council · 24 February 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Martin Graf und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Wissenschaft und Verkehr betreffend Standortsicherung Wien für die zentraleuropäische Flugsicherung

National Weather Service Flexible Work Scheduling Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1999

National Weather Service Flexible Work Scheduling Act - Provides an overtime hourly rate of pay of one and one-half times the hourly rate of basic pay and provides that all such pay is premium pay for an employee of the National Weather Service who occupies a nonmanagerial position in GS-14 or under: (1) the duties of which are essential to the immediate daily operation of the forecast and warning responsibilities of the Service and directly affect public and aviation safety; (2) in which overtime work is usually unscheduled due to the vicissitudes of severe weather; and (3) in which overtime work is therefore unusually taxing. Exempts such an employee from the limitation on aggregate pay, including premium pay, for a pay period. Provides for a National Weather Service employee, who works during a regularly scheduled eight-hour period of service a part of which is performed on Sunday, to be paid at his or her basic pay rate, plus premium pay at a rate equal to 25 percent of his or her basic pay rate with respect to that portion of such period of service which is performed on Sunday. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to provide for the rounding of any fraction of an hour of service performed on Sunday to the next highest whole number, with offsetting rounding in non-Sunday service so that the total service for the period involved remains the same.

To direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to establish requirements for Alaska guide pilots who conduct flight operations, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999

Declares that flight operations conducted by Alaska guide pilots shall be regulated under the general operating and flight rules contained in part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to modify the general operating and flight rules by establishing special rules requiring Alaska guide pilots to: (1) operate aircraft inspected no less often than after 125 hours of flight time; (2) participate in an annual flight review; (3) have at least 500 hours of flight time as a pilot; (4) have a commercial rating; (5) hold at least a second-class medical certificate; and (6) hold a letter of authorization certifying that the pilot is in compliance with the rules issued by the Administrator.

Passenger Entitlement and Competition Enhancement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999

Passenger Entitlement and Competition Enhancement Act of 1999 - Title I: Passenger Protections - Amends Federal aviation law to require an air carrier to ensure access to necessary services and conditions, including food, water, restroom facilities, and emergency medical services for all passengers boarded on a flight. Requires: (1) each air carrier to submit to the an emergency plan to the Secretary of Transportation; and (2) the Secretary to suspend the authority of the air carrier if it fails to submit a plan. Requires an air carrier to provide notice of any potential or actual significant delays in the departure or arrival of a flight to each passenger. Makes such carrier liable to each airline passenger for any excessive departure or arrival delay of the aircraft (more than two or three hours). Prohibits an air carrier from limiting its liability for provable direct or consequential damages resulting from the disappearance of, damage to, or delay in delivery of a passenger's personal property (including luggage), in its custody to an amount less than $2,500 per passenger. Requires an air carrier to provide, at a minimum, to a passenger who is denied boarding involuntarily from an oversold flight on which the passenger has a confirmed seat: (1) alternative transportation to the passenger's final destination; and (2) if the scheduled arrival time of the alternative transportation is not within two hours of the passenger's originally scheduled arrival time, a refund or voucher for air transportation equal in value to the amount paid by the passenger for the original flight. (Sec. 102) Sets forth a civil penalty for violations of this Act. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary by rule to: (1) issue a statement that outlines consumer rights of air passengers, including passenger rights contained in this Act; and (2) require an air carrier to provide conspicuously the statement to each passenger of the carrier. Title II: Air Carrier Competition - Directs the Secretary to allocate slots (arrival and departure spaces) at each slot-controlled airport for assignment to new entrant air carriers (carriers currently not holding slots) and limited incumbent carriers (carriers holding less than 12 slots at a particular airport). Outlines application procedures for the receipt of such slots at high density airports. Authorizes the Secretary to withdraw an auctionable slot from a major air carrier if it is determined that the slot is being used by the air carrier in an inconsistent manner. (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary to withdraw from major carriers at each airport a specified percentage of slots for auction to qualified applicants through competitive bidding, as long as the auctioned slot will or is likely to increase competition among carriers. Allows only new entrant and limited incumbent air carriers to participate in such auctions. Requires deposits in an auction trust fund. Directs the Secretary to conduct a public inquiry and submit to Congress a report evaluating the competitive bidding process used. Provides special rules, including rule governing the resale or reversion of purchased slots. (Sec. 202) Sets forth a maximum civil penalty of $10,000 for any air carrier to engage in an unfair method of competition with respect to air transportation on any route, or any other regulation issued by the Department of Transportation. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress, and make available to the public, a quarterly report: (1) containing a ranking of the ten domestic routes with the highest and lowest average costs to the passenger; and (2) ranking the large hub airports by market concentration using the Herfindahl-Hirschmann Index as a measure and identifying the market share of each airline operating at each airport. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the ability of and proposals for new entrant carriers, and carriers with less than fiver percent of the departures at a major hub airport, to obtain permanent gates and other airport facilities on terms substantially equivalent to those provided to incumbent carriers.

Staten Island Aircraft Noise Correction Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1999

Staten Island Aircraft Noise Correction Act of 1999 - Declares that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should remedy the problem it has created by formulating and implementing plans to mitigate aircraft noise over certain areas of Staten Island, New York. Directs the FAA Administrator to develop and publish a plan to investigate and test a straight-out southbound departure procedure from Runway 22 of Newark International Airport. Confers standing in U.S. district court upon any Staten Island resident to compel the FAA Administrator to comply with this Act.

National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999

National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 1999 - Amends Federal aviation law to prohibit a commercial air tour operator from conducting commercial air tour operations over a national park (including tribal lands), except in accordance with this Act, conditions prescribed for that operator by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and with any applicable commercial air tour management plan for the park. (Sec. 3) Sets forth specified requirements with respect to: (1) the granting of authority to commercial air tour operators to conduct air tour operations over national parks or tribal lands, with specified exceptions; (2) establishment of commercial air tour management plans; and (3) determination of whether a flight is a commercial air tour operation. Subjects air tour management plans to judicial review. (Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator of the FAA and the Director of the National Park Service (Director) to establish, jointly, an advisory group to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to commercial air tours over and near national parks. (Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator of the FAA to report to Congress on the effects overflight fees are likely to have on the commercial air tour industry. Directs the Administrator of the FAA and the Director to report jointly to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in providing incentives for the development and use of quiet aircraft technology. (Sec. 6) Exempts any unit of the National Park System, or any other land or water, located in Alaska from the requirements of this Act.