Defence

Troops-to-Teachers Program Improvement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Troops-to-Teachers Program Improvement Act of 1999 - Transfers from the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard to the Secretary of Education (Secretary) jurisdiction over a program (to be known as the Troops-to-Teachers Program (program)) to assist eligible members of the armed forces after their discharge, release, or retirement to: (1) obtain certification or licensing as elementary or secondary school teachers or vocational or technical teachers; and (2) facilitate the employment of such members by local educational agencies identified under this Act. Makes eligible for such program members who applied for the current teacher placement program and otherwise satisfy eligibility criteria. Requires the Secretary to provide information concerning the program, and make program applications available, to such members as part of their preseparation counseling. Directs the Secretary to pay a stipend of $3,000 to each program participant, with a limit of 5,000 such stipends in a fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary, in lieu of such stipend amount, to pay a bonus of $5,000 to each participant who agrees to accept full-time employment as a teacher for not less than four years in a high need school. Limits to 1,000 the number of such bonuses in a fiscal year. Mandates that provision of assistance under the program shall not reduce or affect entitlement to benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, or consortia of States, for operating offices for recruiting eligible members for program participation and facilitating employment of such participants in the schools of such States. Limits to $4 million the total amount of grants in a fiscal year. Requires the Secretaries involved to complete the jurisdictional transfer of the program not later than October 1, 1999. Requires program reports from the Secretary and the Comptroller General. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Education for FY 2000 through 2004. Limits to five percent of program funds the amount authorized for management infrastructure.

Department of Energy Foreign Visitors Program Moratorium Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Department of Energy Foreign Visitors Program Moratorium Act of 1999 - Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from admitting to any Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory facility any individual who is a citizen of a country named on the current DOE sensitive countries list. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such prohibition on a case-by-case basis when considered necessary for national security, but requires prior notification to the congressional defense committees, followed by a ten-day waiting period . Directs the Secretary to establish a counterintelligence program at each of the national laboratories which shall include a plan to investigate any prior breaches of security discovered after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires background checks on all foreign citizens before entry into a national laboratory. Requires the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the status of counterintelligence activities at each national laboratory.

Nuclear Waste Protection and Responsible Compensation Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

Nuclear Waste Protection and Responsible Compensation Act - Prohibits commercial spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste (fuel and waste) from being transported offsite for away-from-reactor storage until a final license for a permanent disposition program is issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Authorizes State and local governments to negotiate with nuclear reactor utilities (utilities) to provide additional protections above the current Federal minimum standards to ensure that citizens and local communities are adequately protected from fuel and waste. Requires each utility, beginning in FY 2000, to retain the amount such utility would be required to pay into the Nuclear Waste Fund and deposit such amount into a nuclear waste escrow account. Requires such funds to be collected by the Secretary of Energy from each utility in September of 2004 and 2009, and deposited into such Fund. Requires interest collected on the escrow accounts to be deposited into a Utility On-site Compensation Fund, to be used for the on-site storage of fuel and waste that should have been accepted by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to establish the Federal Shutdown Reactor Fund for reactor shutdowns. Requires a utility which has been shut down to establish a Utility Shutdown Reactor Fund for the costs of on-site storage of fuel and waste at the shut down reactor. Adjusts the current priority for reactor fuel and waste to place first in such priority all fuel and waste at shut down nuclear reactors. Provides that such fuel and waste shall be considered to be non-defense wastes under this Act.

Y2K Fairness in Litigation Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Prelitigation Procedures for Year 2000 Civil Actions Title II: Year 2000 Civil Actions Involving Contracts Title III: Year 2000 Civil Actions Involving Tort and Other Noncontractual Claims Title IV: Class Actions Involving Year 2000 Claims Title V: Effective Date Y2K Fairness in Litigation Act - Title I: Prelitigation Procedures for Year 2000 Civil Actions - Requires the prospective plaintiff, before filing a year 2000 claim, except in an action for a claim that seeks only injunctive relief, to provide to each prospective defendant a written notice that identifies and describes with particularity: (1) any manifestation of a material defect alleged to have caused injury; (2) the injury allegedly suffered or reasonably risked; and (3) the relief or action sought. Prohibits a prospective plaintiff from filing a year 2000 claim in Federal or state court until the expiration of 90 days after providing such notice, with exceptions. Requires each prospective defendant, within 30 days after receipt of the notice, to provide to each prospective plaintiff a written statement that acknowledges receipt of the notice and describes any actions that the defendant will take, or has taken, to address the defect or injury identified. Sets forth provisions regarding failure to respond, failure to provide notice, effective contractual waiting periods, sanctions for frivolous invocation of the stay provision, and time computations. (Sec. 102) Authorizes either party, at any time during the 90-day notification period, to request the other party to use alternative dispute resolution. Provides that if, based upon that request, the parties enter into an agreement to use alternative dispute resolution, the parties may also agree to an extension of that 90-day period. (Sec. 103) Requires the complaint, in any year 2000 civil action in which the plaintiff seeks an award of money damages, to state with particularity: (1) the nature and amount of each element of damages; and (2) the factual basis for the calculation of the damages. Requires the complaint, in any year 2000 civil action in which the plaintiff alleges the product or service was defective, to: (1) identify with particularity the manifestations of the material defects; and (2) state with particularity the facts supporting the conclusion that the defects were material. Sets forth provisions regarding state of mind, dismissal for failure to meet pleading requirements, stay of discovery, and preservation of evidence. (Sec. 104) Bars recovery for any year 2000 claim on account of injury that the plaintiff could reasonably have avoided in light of any disclosure or other information with respect to which the plaintiff was, or reasonably should have been, aware. Directs that damages awarded for any such claim exclude any amount the plaintiff reasonably could have avoided. Title II: Year 2000 Civil Actions Involving Contracts - Provides that all written contractual terms, including limitations or exclusions of liability or disclaimers of warranty, shall be fully enforceable in resolving a claim in any action in which a year 2000 claim is advanced. Specifies that the interpretation of an issue in a contract with respect to which the contract is silent shall be determined by applicable law in effect at the time that the contract was entered into. Makes this provision inapplicable in any case in which a court determines that the contract as a whole is unenforceable due to an infirmity in the formation of the contract under then applicable law. (Sec. 202) Sets forth provisions regarding evidence of reasonable efforts and impossibility or commercial impracticability. Title III: Year 2000 Civil Actions Involving Tort and Other Noncontractual Claims - Makes a person against whom a final judgment is entered on a year 2000 claim solely liable for the portion of the judgment that corresponds to the percentage of that person's responsibility, with exceptions. Directs the court to instruct the jury to answer special interrogatories (or if there is no jury, to make findings as to each defendant and plaintiff and each of the other persons claimed to have caused or contributed to the plaintiff's loss) concerning the percentage of that person's responsibility, measured as a percentage of the total fault of all persons who caused or contributed to the total loss incurred by the plaintiff. (Sec. 302) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) state of mind and foreseeability of injury; (2) a reasonable efforts defense; and (3) limits on economic losses. Title IV: Class Actions Involving Year 2000 Claims - Provides that, in any action involving a year 2000 claim that a product or service is defective, the action may be maintained as a class action in Federal or State court with respect to that claim only if: (1) the claim satisfies all other prerequisites established by applicable Federal or State law; and (2) the court finds that the alleged defect in the product or service was a material defect with respect to a majority of the class members. Title V: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective January 1, 1999.

An Act to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in various locations in the United States, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area to serve veterans and their families.

Taiwan Security Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

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

A resolution expressing the support of the Senate for the members of the United States Armed Forces who are engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Expresses support for the U.S. military personnel who are engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and recognizes their professionalism, dedication, patriotism, and courage.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area to serve veterans and their families.

War Powers Amendments of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

War Powers Amendments of 1999 - Amends the War Powers Resolution to: (1) include within its purposes that the collective judgment of Congress and the President shall apply to the participation of U.S. armed forces in certain military operations of the United Nations (UN); and (2) specify that the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war and the power of the purse (appropriations). (Sec. 3) Authorizes the introduction of U.S. armed forces into hostilities only: (1) pursuant to a declaration of war; (2) under specific statutory authorization; (3) to repel or forestall the imminent threat of attack upon the United States; or (4) for the evacuation of U.S. citizens from areas outside the United States. (Sec. 4) Requires: (1) the President to consult with Congress with respect to such introduction of U.S. armed forces in a foreign country or area, or their use within a UN operation; and (2) the use of an executive-legislative consultative group to aid the President and Congress in such consultation. (Sec. 6) Requires the President to remove U.S. armed forces within 60 days after their introduction unless Congress: (1) has declared war; (2) has enacted a joint resolution specifically authorizing such action; (3) has extended by law such 60-day limit; or (4) is physically unable to meet due to an armed attack upon the United States. Authorizes the President to extend such period by 30 days due to unavoidable military necessity. Prohibits funding after such authorized period(s). (Sec. 7) Provides expedited congressional procedures for the consideration of a joint resolution that: (1) provides specific authorization for the use of armed forces in hostilities; and (2) is introduced after the President has submitted a written request to Congress for enactment of such an authorization (designating such resolution as a privileged resolution). (Sec. 8) Authorizes any member of Congress to bring an action on the ground that the President or the armed forces have not complied with any provision of this joint resolution (providing expedited consideration of such action). (Sec. 9) Provides that authority to introduce U.S. armed forces into hostilities shall not be inferred from: (1) any provision of law that does not specifically authorize such introduction and that does not state that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization; or (2) any treaty that is not implemented by legislation specifically authorizing such introduction and that does not state that it constitutes specific statutory authorization.

Extending the Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns With the People's Republic of China.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Extends the term of the Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military-Commercial Concerns With the People's Republic of China until the earlier of April 30, 1999, or the date on which it completes its activities.

Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the members of the United States Armed Forces who are engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Expresses support for the members of the U.S. armed forces who are in engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the members of the United States Armed Forces who are engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Expresses support for the members of the U.S. armed forces who are in engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding maintenance of the nuclear weapons stockpile.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the priority of the nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship program should be the safety and security of the existing stockpile, while maintaining sufficient weapon reliability to ensure the arsenal's deterrent effect and not attempting to develop new weapons; (2) the stockpile can be maintained with a program that is far smaller, less expensive, and does not require facilities or experiments that are likely to be used for warhead design or development; and (3) the Secretary of Energy should redirect the Department of Energy program for custodianship of the nuclear weapons arsenal toward less costly, less provocative methods that are consistent with U.S. treaty obligations.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the United States Postal Service honoring the members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the Postal Service to honor the members of the armed forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart; and (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued in 1999, the year marking the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington.

Providing support to the United States Armed Forces in their efforts to halt the brutal ethnic cleansing of Kosovar Albanians.

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1999

Expresses full support for the U.S. armed forces in efforts to halt the brutal ethnic cleansing of Kosovar Albanians.

Veterans Expedited Military Medals Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Veterans Expedited Military Medals Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to make available to specified military organizations necessary funds for eliminating the backlog of unsatisfied requests made to the Department of Defense for the issuance or replacement of military decorations for former military personnel. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the status of such backlog.

Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 - Establishes within the Treasury an embassy construction and security account for the purpose of constructing, or providing security upgrades to, U.S. diplomatic facilities in order to meet specified security requirements, including that: (1) threat assessments such as the Emergency Action Plan and the Composite Threat List address threats to U.S. missions from large vehicular bombs and transnational terrorism; (2) in the selection of sites for new U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad, that all U.S. Government agencies (except military installations) be located on the same compound; (3) each newly constructed or acquired U.S. diplomatic facility be sited not less than 100 feet from the perimeter of the property on which the facility is situated; (4) appropriate Department of State and U.S. diplomatic personnel undertake crisis management training for mass casualty and mass destruction incidents relating to diplomatic facilities; (5) there is adequate Department of State support for the Foreign Emergency Support Team; (6) the Secretary of State enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Defense setting out rapid response procedures for mobilization of personnel and equipment of their respective departments to provide more effective assistance in times of emergency with respect to U.S. diplomatic facilities; and (7) all U.S. diplomatic missions have emergency equipment and records stored at a secure off-site facility. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress an identification of U.S. diplomatic facilities that are most vulnerable to terrorist attack, setting out, in tiers of 20, those facilities from the most to the least vulnerable to such an attack. Requires account funds allocated for construction of new embassies to be used to rebuild only those embassies in the top three tiers. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to review, and report to Congress on, the findings of the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel with respect to the closure of vulnerable U.S. diplomatic missions overseas. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the role and function of each U.S. diplomatic facility through 2010. (Sec. 9) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the President to award an overseas service star to any member of the Foreign Service or any other civilian Government employee who while employed at, or assigned permanently or temporarily to, an official mission overseas, or while traveling abroad on official business, incurred a wound or other injury or an illness (whether or not resulting in death): (1) as the person was performing official duties; (2) as the person was on the premises of a U.S. mission abroad; or (3) by reason of the person's status as a U.S. Government employee. Specifies award requirements.

A concurrent resolution authorizing the President of the United States to conduct military air operations and missile strikes against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Authorizes the President to conduct military air operations and missile strikes in cooperation with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Child Custody Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Child Custody Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit transporting an individual under age 18 across a State line to obtain an abortion and thereby abridging the right of a parent under a law in force in the State where the individual resides requiring parental involvement in a minor's abortion decision. Makes an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the life of the minor. Specifies that neither the minor transported nor her parent may be prosecuted or sued for a violation of this Act. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution for, or to a civil action based on, such a violation that the defendant reasonably believed that before the individual obtained the abortion, the parental consent or notification or judicial authorization that would have been required had the abortion been performed in the State where the individual resides, took place. Authorizes any parent who suffers legal harm from a violation to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action. Defines "parent" to include a guardian, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis who has care and control of the minor, and with whom the minor regularly resides, who is designated by such law as a person to whom notification, or from whom consent, is required.

Veterans' Claims Adjudication Improvement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Veterans' Claims Adjudication Improvement Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a quality assurance program in the Veterans Benefits Administration, either through a single division or separate quality assurance entities. Requires: (1) the Under Secretary for Benefits to perform and oversee quality reviews of such division or entities; (2) an adequate number of quality assurance personnel within the Administration; and (3) an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on quality assurance activities.

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurses Appreciation Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurses Appreciation Act of 1999 - Amends Federal provisions relating to the pay of health care personnel within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide that, effective October 1, 1999, pay adjustments for registered nurses and certain other positions within the VHA shall be made in the same manner as those generally applicable to Federal employees. Provides that, effective October 1, 2002, whenever the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that such rates of pay are inadequate to recruit or retain high-quality health care personnel at such a facility, the Secretary shall adjust such pay to achieve consistency with the rate of compensation for corresponding health-care professionals in the Bureau of Labor Statistics labor market area of that facility.

To amend the retirement provisions of title 5, United States Code, to extend to inspectors of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, revenue officers of the Internal Revenue Service, and certain others, the same treatment as is accorded to law enforcement officers.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Amends Federal civil service provisions relating to the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System to expand the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include (and thus extend the applicability of such provisions to): (1) a revenue officer of the Internal Revenue Service; (2) a customs inspector of the U.S. Customs Service; (3) a customs canine enforcement officer of the U.S. Customs Service; (4) an Immigration and Naturalization Service inspector; (5) a Department of Defense police officer; (6) a Department of Defense Command Investigations Division detective; (7) a Bureau of Engraving and Printing officer; (8) a postal police officer; (9) a Secret Service special officer; (10) a Drug Enforcement Administration diversion investigator; (11) a U.S. Customs Operation Enforcement Officer; and (12) a U.S. Customs Detection System Specialist Airborne and Flight Engineer. Prohibits applying the amendments made by this Act with respect to any period of service preceding this Act's enactment unless the employee involved (or, if applicable, an appropriate survivor) pays into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund an amount equal to the total additional amounts which should have been deducted and withheld from pay (in excess of amounts actually deducted and not refunded) if such amendments had then been if effect, with interest. Requires the appropriate agency, no later than 90 days after the date on which such payment is made by an individual, to pay into the Fund any additional amounts which should have been paid by that agency into such Fund, with interest, as if this Act's amendments had been in effect during the prior periods of service involved.

To direct the Secretary of Defense to provide financial assistance to the Tri-State Maritime Safety Association of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for use for maritime emergency response on the Delaware River.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide financial assistance to the Tri-State Maritime Safety Association of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for use for maritime emergency response on the Delaware River. Allocates such funds between: (1) startup costs; and (2) a study to evaluate emergency response in the Delaware River maritime community.

Veterans Expedited Military Medals Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Veterans Expedited Military Medals Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish and carry out a plan to make available to specified defense organizations the funds and other resources necessary to ensure the elimination of the backlog in satisfying requests of former military personnel for the issuance or replacement of military decorations. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the plan and backlog status.

Condemning the murder of human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson and calling for the protection of defense attorneys in Northern Ireland.

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1999

Recognizes the historic significance of the 1998 Good Friday Peace Accords and commends the people of Northern Ireland for their commitment to work together in peace. Condemns all violence committed in violation of the Northern Ireland cease-fire agreement. Calls on the Government of the United Kingdom to: (1) launch an inquiry totally independent of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to gather evidence, conduct the ground investigation, and issue a detailed, public report on the murder of defense attorney Rosemary Nelson; (2) institute an independent judicial inquiry into allegations that defense attorneys are systematically harassed and intimidated by security forces; and (3) implement the United Nations Special Rapporteur's recommendation for an independent inquiry into the possibility of collusion in the killing of defense attorney Patrick Finucane.

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2000

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations Title II: Department of State Authorities and Activities Title III: Organization of the Department of State; Personnel of the Department of State; Foreign Service Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs Title V: International Broadcasting Title VI: International Organizations and Commissions Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 - Title I: Authorizations of Appropriations - Chapter 1: Department of State - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 2000 and 2001 for: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) contributions to international organizations and international peacekeeping activities; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance; (5) public diplomacy programs; (6) certain voluntary contributions to international organizations; and (7) the Asia Foundation. Withholds a certain amount of funds from the United Nations Development Program that will be spent in Burma during each fiscal year unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Program's activities in Burma: (1) are focused on eliminating human suffering and addressing the needs of the poor; (2) are undertaken only through international or private voluntary organizations that are independent of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) (formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)); (3) provide no financial, political, or military benefit to the SPDC; and (4) are carried out only after consultation with the leadership of the National League for Democracy and the national Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Prohibits the use of U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) the UNFPA has terminated all activities in China; or (2) during the 12 months preceding the certification, there have been no abortions as the result of coercion by the Government of China. Chapter 2: Broadcasting Board of Governors - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for the Broadcasting Board of Governors to carry out certain international broadcasting activities. Title II: Department of State Authorities and Activities - Chapter 1: Authorities and Activities - Authorizes the Secretary of State and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to lease commercial aircraft to transport equipment and personnel in the event of a terrorist attack abroad, provided there have been reasonable efforts to obtain appropriate Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft and such aircraft are unavailable. (Sec. 202) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the extent of international drug trafficking from or through Cuba. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the compliance by the parties of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction with such convention. (Sec. 204) Repeals specified Federal laws eliminating certain reports. (Sec. 205) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (as enacted by division D of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999) to make permanent certain reporting requirements, including reports on: (1) claims by U.S. firms against the Government of Saudi Arabia; (2) certain determinations under title IV of the Libertad Act; and (3) relations with Vietnam. Extends through January 1, 2002, the requirement that the President report to specified congressional committees on cooperative projects with Russia in the area of ballistic missile defense, including in the area of early warning. (Sec. 206) Repeals a provision concerning the return of passport fees upon refusal to vise'. (Sec. 207) Directs the President to attempt, through negotiations with all Wassenaar Arrangement countries, to achieve the foreign policy goal of an international arms sales code of conduct that restricts or prohibits arms transfers to countries that: (1) do not respect democratic processes and the rule of law; (2) do not adhere to internationally recognized norms on human rights; (3) are engaged in acts of armed aggression; or (4) do not participate in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. Directs the President to report on such countries and negotiations to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 208) Establishes within the Department of State the Human Rights and Democracy Fellowship Program. Provides for the employment of not more than 12 fellows in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor who have expertise in human rights policy, human rights law, or related subjects and who are not permanent employees of the U.S. Government. (Sec. 209) Authorizes interest accrued on certain joint funds under agreements for cooperation in environmental, scientific, cultural and related areas to be used by the Department of State without return to the Treasury and without further appropriation by Congress. Chapter 2: Consular and Related Activities - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to revise provisions concerning the State Department and the death of U.S. citizens abroad. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) notification of next of kin by consular officers; (2) the appointment of such officers as administrators of the estate; and (3) losses in connection with the conservation of the estate. Chapter 3: Refugees - Bars the use of funds (including migration and refugee assistance) for the involuntary return of a person to a country in which the person has a well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. (Sec. 272) Requires a certain human rights report in connection with the provision of security assistance to a foreign country to include the extent to which such country has extended protection to refugees (including the provision of first asylum and resettlement). (Sec. 273) Includes State Department employees within guidelines that address potential biases by such personnel that are hired abroad and involved with duties which could constitute a barrier to a refugee claim if such personnel carries a bias against the claimant on the grounds of religion, race, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to ensure that persons with potential biases against a refugee applicant shall not be used in processing determinations of refugee status, including interpretation of conversations or examination of documents presented by such applicants. (Sec. 274) Bars the use of funds to support a larger number of personnel assigned to U.S. diplomatic or consular posts in Vietnam than the number assigned to such posts on March 22, 1999, unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that certain conditions with respect to Vietnamese refugees have been met. Title III: Organization of the Department of State; Personnel of the Department of State; Foreign Service - Chapter 1: Organization of the Department of State - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish within the Department of State the Bureau for International Information Programs and the Bureau for Educational and Cultural exchange Programs. (Sec. 302) Amends specified Federal laws to remove the Inspector General of the Foreign Service from its provisions. Chapter 2: Personnel of the Department of State - Provides for the award of the Foreign Service Star. (Sec. 322) Eliminates provisions allowing leaves of absence with pay in accordance with prevailing law and employment practices in the locality of employment for non-family members of foreign national employees of the Foreign Service and U.S. citizens hired abroad for employment in positions customarily filled by Foreign Service employees. (Sec. 323) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require a Foreign Service employee who regularly commutes from his or her place of residence in the United States to an official duty station in Canada or Mexico to receive a border equalization adjustment (locality pay adjustment). (Sec. 324) Declares that nothing shall prevent a Foreign Service grievant from placing a rebuttal to accompany a record of disciplinary action in such grievant's personnel records nor prevent the Department of State from including a response to such rebuttal, including documenting those cases in which the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board has reviewed and upheld the discipline. (Sec. 325) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the extent to which administrative and technical personnel posted to U.S. missions abroad who do not have diplomatic status suffer financial disadvantages from their lack of such status, including proposals to alleviate such disadvantages. (Sec. 326) Authorizes the Secretary to extend hiring authority to the heads of Federal agencies or other Government entities to appoint individuals abroad (including family members of the Foreign Service or of other Government employees) to positions to which career Foreign Service employees are not customarily assigned. (Sec. 327) Amends Federal law to authorize up to three months advance pay to be paid to: (1) a U.S. citizen employee of a Government agency (other than family members of Government employees) who is assigned or located, and must (or a family member who must) undergo medical treatment, outside the United States; and (2) each foreign national employee or nonfamily member U.S. citizen who is located, and must undergo medical treatment, outside of the country of employment. (Sec. 528) Authorizes the spouse and dependents of Foreign Service employees who have died in a foreign country to receive a transfer allowance (extraordinary, necessary, and reasonable subsistence and other relocation expenses). Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Amends the Human Rights, refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions Act of 1996 to designate educational and cultural exchange programs between the United States and Tibet as the 'Ngawang Choephel Exchange Programs'. (Sec. 401) Extends through FY 2001 scholarships for Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who live outside Tibet and Burma, respectively. (Sec. 402) Prohibits any educational and cultural exchange program between the United States and a foreign country from being conducted through a contractor or grantee that is associated with any government that denies democracy or violates the right to freedom of expression or other internationally-recognized human rights. (Sec. 403) Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to prohibit the Secretary (currently, the United States Information Agency (USIA)) from awarding any grant or contract with respect to educational and cultural exchange programs until 45 days (currently, 15 days) after notice is provided to specified congressional committees of the intent to award such grant or contract. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to take all appropriate steps to ensure that no foreign espionage agent is a participant in any educational and cultural exchange program. (Sec. 405) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to: (1) rename the North-South Center Act of 1991 as the Dante B. Fascell North-South Center Act of 1991; and (2) redesignate the North-South Center as the Dante B. Fascell North-South Center. (Sec. 406) Repeals a specified section of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 calling for the abolition of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (effectively continuing the Commission). (Sec. 407) Prohibits the State Department (currently, the USIA) from expending any funds for a U.S. Government funded pavilion or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world's fair registered by the Bureau of International Expositions in excess of amounts expressly authorized and appropriated, with specified exceptions. Title V: International Broadcasting - Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to make permanent the authorization of funding for Radio Free Asia. Repeals Radio Free Asia funding limits. (Sec. 502) Repeals policy statements urging the privatization of Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty, Incorporated (RFE-RL). Increases the limit on grant amounts to RFE-RL, Incorporated. (Sec. 503) Grants immunity from civil liability to members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors when acting in their capacities as members of the board of directors of RFE-RL, Incorporated and Radio Free Asia. Title VI: International Organizations and Commissions - Provides for the appointment of members as part of the American delegation to the conference of the Bureau of the Interparliamentary Union whenever Congress does not appoint its allotment of members to the American delegation. Renames the United States-European Community Interparliamentary Group as the Transatlantic Legislative Dialogue. (Sec. 602) Authorizes the Commissioner of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to provide technical tests, evaluations, information, surveys, or other similar services to state or local governments upon request on a reimbursable basis.

Omnibus Mercury Emissions Reduction Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1999

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

Brian E. Sheridan, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Henry Allen Holmes.

United States · United States Senate · 18 March 1999

Educating America's Children for Tomorrow (ED-ACT)

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Educating America's Children for Tomorrow (ED-ACT) - Title I: Empowering Parents and Students - Requires the Secretary of Education to award the total amount of certain applicable education funding directly to local educational agencies (LEAs). (Sec. 101) Requires such direct awarding of all the funds that are appropriated for the Department of Education for the fiscal year for programs or activities under specified provisions of: (1) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; (2) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; (3) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and (4) the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Sets deadlines for each LEA to conduct a census to determine, and report to the Secretary, the number of kindergarten through grade 12 students in the State for the academic year. Sets forth: (1) a formula for determination of such award amounts, based on relative numbers of such students and of educationally disadvantaged students in each LEA; and (2) penalties for false information. Authorizes each LEA to use its allotment award for specified types of innovative assistance programs. Sets forth accountability requirements. Requires direct award to eligible LEAs of ESEA title A part 1 funds for educationally disadvantaged students, for support of programs or activities that the LEAs deem appropriate. Title II: Prohibition Regarding Funding for Developing or Implementing National Education Standards - Prohibits any Federal funds from being obligated or expended to develop or implement national education standards. Title III: Troops-To-Teachers Program - Troops-To-Teachers Program Improvement Act of 1999 - Transfers from the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard to the Secretary of Education (Secretary) jurisdiction over a program to assist eligible members of the armed forces after their discharge, release, or retirement to: (1) obtain certification or licensing as elementary or secondary school teachers or vocational or technical teachers; and (2) facilitate the employment of such members by local educational agencies identified under this Act. (Sec. 302) Requires the Secretary to provide information concerning the placement program, and make program applications available, to such members as part of their pre-separation counseling. Directs the Secretary to pay a stipend of $5,000 to each program participant, with a limit of 3,000 such stipends in a fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary, in lieu of such stipend amount, to pay a bonus of $10,000 to each participant who agrees to accept full-time employment as a teacher for not less than four years in a high need school. Limits to 1,000 the number of such bonuses in a fiscal year. Mandates that provision of assistance under such program shall not reduce or affect entitlement to benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, or consortia of States, for operating offices for recruiting eligible members for program participation and facilitating employment of such participants in the schools of such States. Limits to $4 million the total amount of grants in a fiscal year. Limits to five percent of program funds the amount authorized for management infrastructure. Requires the Secretaries involved to complete the jurisdictional transfer of the program no later than October 1, 1999. Requires program reports from the Secretary and the Comptroller General. Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Education for FY 2000 through 2004. Title IV: English Plus and Multilingualism - Expresses the sense of the Congress that our Nation must: (1) support literacy programs, including programs designed to teach English, as well as those dedicated to helping Americans learn and maintain languages in addition to English; (2) recognize the importance of English as the unifying language of the United States, and the importance of English fluency for individuals who want to succeed in U.S. society; (3) recognize that command of the English language is a critical component of the success and productivity of U.S. children, and should be encouraged at every age; (4) recognize that a skilled labor force is crucial to U.S. competitiveness in a global economy, and the ability to speak one or more languages in addition to English is a significant skill; and (5) recognize the benefits, both on an individual and a national basis, of developing the Nation's linguistic resources. (Sec. 402) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on multilingualism in the United States. Title V: Educational Opportunities for Disadvantaged Children - Establishes an educational choice demonstration program of competitive discretionary grants to State and local programs that give middle- and low-income families choices of all schools, public, private or religious. (Sec. 502) Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 2001 through 20003. Authorizes the Secretary of Education (the Secretary, for this title) to award competitive grants to up to ten States or localities to carry out such educational choice programs. (Sec. 503) Includes among grant eligibility requirements for States and localities, their: (1) having taken significant steps to provide a choice of schools to families with school children residing in the program area, including those families who are not eligible for scholarships under this title; (2) assuring they will provide scholarships to parents of eligible children that may be redeemed for elementary or secondary education for their children at a broad variety of public and private schools, including religious schools, if any, serving the area; (3) agreeing to match 50 percent of the Federal funds provided for the scholarships; and (4) allowing lawfully operating public and private schools, including religious schools, if any, serving the area to participate in the program. (Sec. 504) Requires each State or locality awarded a grant under this title to provide scholarships to the parents of eligible children. Sets the value of each scholarship at the sum of: (1) $2,000 from funds provided under this title; (2) $1,000 in matching funds from the State or locality; and (3) an additional amount, if any, of State, local, or nongovernmental funds. Provides that such scholarships awarded shall not be considered income of the parents for Federal income tax purposes or for determining eligibility for any other Federal program. (Sec. 505) Requires that a child eligible for such a scholarship: (1) resides in the program area; (2) will attend a public or private or school participating in the program; and (3) be from a low-income family, as determined by the State or locality in accordance with regulations of the Secretary. Prohibits the maximum family income for scholarship eligibility under this title from exceeding the State or national median family income adjusted for family size, whichever is higher. Provides for continuing awards to scholarship recipients for each year of the program, except under specified individual circumstances. Gives priority to providing scholarships to eligible children from the lowest income families. (Sec. 508) Directs the Secretary to award up to ten grants annually, taking specified factors into consideration. Limits the award period of each grant to a maximum of three years. (Sec. 509) Allows funds under this title to be used: (1) first for the payment of tuition and fees at the school selected by the parents of the child for whom the scholarship was provided, and for the reasonable costs of the child's transportation to the school, if the school is not in the school district to which the child would be assigned in the absence of a program under this title; (2) next, if the parents so choose, to obtain supplementary academic services for the child, at a cost of not more than $500, from any provider chosen by the parents, that the State or locality, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, determines is capable of providing such services and has an appropriate refund policy; and (3) lastly, if any funds remain, for educational programs that help eligible children achieve high levels of academic excellence in the school attended by the eligible children for whom a scholarship was provided, if the eligible children attend a public school, or by the State or locality for additional scholarships in the year or the succeeding year of its program, if the child attends a private school. (Sec. 510) Provides that this title shall not affect funding under other State or local programs, or under other Federal programs, including specified programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Declares that scholarships under this title are to aid families, not institutions, and that a parent's expenditure of such scholarship funds at a school or for supplementary academic services shall not constitute Federal financial aid or assistance to that school or to the provider of supplementary academic services. Requires, as a condition of participating and receiving scholarship funds on under this title, a school or provider of supplementary academic services to comply with specified antidiscrimination provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. (Sec. 511) Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Education to conduct a national evaluation of such program, including certain assessments and comparisons. (Sec. 512) Prohibits any provision or requirement of this title from being enforced through a private cause of action. Title VI: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a nonrefundable personal tax credit of up to $500 ($250 for a married individual filing a separate return) for qualified charitable contributions to schools. (Sec. 602) Increases (from $500 to $1,000) the annual contribution limit for education individual retirement accounts. Title VII: Developing Better Education Tools - Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study, collect data, make recommendations, and report on the education of minority students, including Native American students, Asian American students, and all other students who are often combined in statistical data under the category of other. Directs the Secretary of Education to make funds available to the Comptroller General for such purpose, from available funds for salaries and expenses at the Department of Education. (Sec. 702) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study to determine whether requiring teacher training in a specific subject matter or at least a minor degree in a subject matter (such as mathematics, science, or English) results in improved student performance. (Sec. 703) Expresses the sense of the Senate urging State and local testing, evaluating, and rewarding of teachers for their expertise and teaching in specific subject areas. Title VIII: Empowering Students - Directs the Secretary of Education to gradually reduce the sum of the costs for employees and administrative expenses at the Department of Education as of the date of enactment of this Act incrementally each year until such sum is reduced by 35 percent, by October 1, 2004.

Child Custody Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Child Custody Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit transporting an individual under age 18 across a State line to obtain an abortion and thereby abridging the right of a parent under a law in force in the State where the individual resides requiring parental involvement in a minor's abortion decision. Makes an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the life of the minor. Specifies that neither the minor transported nor her parent may be prosecuted or sued for a violation of this Act. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution for, or to a civil action based on, such a violation that the defendant reasonably believed that before the individual obtained the abortion, the parental consent or notification or judicial authorization that would have been required had the abortion been performed in the State where the individual resides, took place. Authorizes any parent who suffers legal harm from a violation to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action. Defines "parent" to include a guardian, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis who has care and control of the minor, and with whom the minor regularly resides, who is designated by such law as a person to whom notification, or from whom consent, is required.

Servicemembers Educational Opportunity Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Servicemembers Educational Opportunity Act of 1999 - Amends Federal basic educational assistance provisions (the Montgomery GI Bill) to authorize enhanced educational assistance to a member of the armed forces who, after September 30, 1999: (1) first enters on active duty; (2) reenlists or continues to serve on active duty; (3) serves a continuous period of active duty of four years; or (4) serves and is discharged or released for a service-connected disability, at the convenience of the Government (after serving at least 42 months of such duty), or due to a reduction in force. Requires each such member to also have completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma or its equivalent by no later than the original ending date before such extension of duty. Limits to 36 months the period for such enhanced assistance, with a special rule for certain early separations. Requires the payment of educational expenses under such program, including 90 percent of the costs of tuition and fees, and reasonable costs of books, and other supplies. Requires such amounts to be considered income for purposes of eligibility for Federal educational loans or grants under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Provides: (1) a monthly stipend for approved programs of education, with different rates for programs pursued on a full-time, three quarter-time, or half-time basis; and (2) tutorial assistance. (Sec. 3) Repeals, with respect to such assistance: (1) a required monthly reduction in pay for individuals who do not elect to participate in such assistance program; and (2) a provision authorizing individuals to elect not to receive such assistance.

Expressing a declaration of space leadership.

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1999

Declares that Congress supports the strongest possible commitment to space exploration and development as a national priority, and that the nation must give the highest commitment to: (1) policies that ensure economic opportunities in the market that space offers; (2) U.S. global leadership and competitive advantage in the development of commercial space products and services; (3) space defense systems that allow the armed forces the greatest advantage in guarding national security and defending American people and interests; (4) assurance that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration can guarantee American leadership in space exploration and the development of advanced technologies; and (5) policies that promote private investment in space products and services.

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.

1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Title II: Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Title III: Technical Corrections 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act - Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for: (1) salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency; and (2) direct and guaranteed farm ownership loans, direct and guaranteed subsidized farm operating loans, and emergency farm loans. Chapter 2 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Justice for the Immigration and Naturalization Service for salaries and expenses, enforcement and border affairs. Chapter 3 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense for: (1) Army reserve personnel and Army and Air Force National Guard personnel; (2) Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force as well as defense-wide O&M; and (3) overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid. Chapter 4 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for: (1) international disaster relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction assistance pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Economic Support Fund for assistance to Jordan; (3) expenses to address the effects of hurricanes in Central America and the Caribbean and the earthquake in Columbia; (4) the Treasury Department for debt restructuring; and (5) the Foreign Military Financing Program for grants to Jordan pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act. Prohibits the value of articles, services, and military education and training authorized to be drawn down by the President under a specified provision of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 from being counted against the ceiling limitation of that section. Chapter 5 - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations to the U.S. Forest Service for reconstruction and construction in connection with damages from Hurricane Georges and other natural disasters in Puerto Rico. Chapter 6 - Rescinds specified amounts of funds for: (1) the Department of Agriculture for the cost of foreign assistance direct credit agreements; (2) the Department of Energy for atomic energy defense activities; (3) the Trade and Development Agency for export and investment assistance; (4) the Agency for International Development for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs; (5) the Economic Support Fund for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs; (6) assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; (7) assistance for the new independent States of the former Soviet Union; (8) peacekeeping operations; (9) reconstruction and development of international financial institutions; (10) callable capital stock in certain international financial institutions; (11) international organizations and programs; (12) the Department of Transportation for contract authorization for small community air service; (13) the Federal Highway Administration for State infrastructure banks; and (14) the Federal Transit Administration for contract authorization for transit programs and interstate transfer grants. Amends the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 to reduce the amount of emergency supplemental appropriations for defense-wide O&M under such Act. Title II: Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions - Chapter 1 - Makes supplemental appropriations for the U.S. Supreme Court for salaries and expenses. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the United States Information Agency for buying power maintenance. Chapter 2 - Makes supplemental appropriations for expenses for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Chapter 3 - Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the Bureau of Land Management for the management of land and resources. Makes supplemental appropriations for the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians for Indian trust programs, including litigation support. Chapter 4 - Reduces the amount of funds available for the Employment and Training Administration for State unemployment insurance and employment service operations. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services for a Federal capital loan program for nursing; and (2) the Department of Education for education research, statistics, and improvement. Makes supplemental appropriations for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for National Public Radio. Chapter 5 - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Architect of the Capitol for: (1) renovation of the House Page dormitory; and (2) life safety renovations to the O'Neill House Office Building. Increases for FY 2000 and thereafter the amount authorized to be appropriated for the Office of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the lump-sum allowance for the Office of the Majority Whip of the House. Authorizes the transfer of funds between various accounts under the heading "House Leadership Offices," beginning with FY 1999. Chapter 6 - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Postal Service Fund for revenue forgone reimbursement. Rescinds a specified amount of funds for the Executive Office of the President for unanticipated needs of natural disasters of national significance. Chapter 7 - Earmarks a specified amount of funds made available for the Economic Development Initiative for projects to revitalize and redevelop the Los Angeles Civic Center neighborhood and for development of a child care center in Huntington Park, California. (Sec. 2001) Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture, in making loan deficiency payments under the Agricultural Market Transition Act to producers of club wheat, from assessing a premium adjustment on the amount that would otherwise be computed for club wheat to reflect a premium paid to ensure its availability in creating a specialty product known as western white wheat. Requires a retroactive payment to each such producer that received a discounted loan deficiency payment as a result of a premium adjustment against club wheat. Title III: Technical Corrections - Makes technical, clarifying, and conforming amendments to the: (1) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999; (2) Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999; and (3) Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1999. (Sec. 3006) Revises fiscal year requirements and funding amounts under specified provisions of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999. Earmarks certain funds appropriated under such Act. (Sec. 3008) Makes certain funds appropriated under the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 for highway traffic safety operations and research available through FY 1999. Amends the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 to authorize a specified transfer and allocation of funds by the Capitol Police Board. (Sec. 3011) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to make certain funds transferred under such Act to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States available through FY 2000.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish headstones or markers for the marked graves of certain individuals.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Makes marked (currently, only unmarked) graves of certain veterans eligible for the provision of a headstone or marker through the Department of Veterans Affairs, as long as such headstone or marker can be furnished at no cost to the United States.

American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 1999 - Repeals: (1) the United Nations Participation Act of 1945; (2) the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act; (3) the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Act; and (4) the United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973. Directs the President to terminate U.S. participation in the United Nations (UN), including any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other affiliated body. Requires closure of the United States Mission to the UN. Prohibits the authorization of funds for the U.S. assessed or voluntary contribution to the UN. Prohibits: (1) the authorization of funds for any U.S. contribution to any UN military operation; and (2) the expenditure of funds to support the participation of U.S. armed forces as part of any UN military or peacekeeping operation. Bars U.S. armed forces from serving under UN command. Prohibits the use of any U.S. facility or property by the UN or any of its affiliated agencies. Repeals diplomatic immunity for foreign UN employees (including families or servants of such employees). Terminates the United States: (1) membership in World Health Organization (WHO); and (2) participation in all conventions and-or agreements with the UN. Declares that nothing in this Act shall affect the rights regarding reemployment of employees with the Government after service with an international organization. Requires the Secretary of State to notify the UN of the provisions of this Act.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4) to declare it to be the policy of the United States to deploy a national missile defense.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of H.R. 4 (U.S. policy to deploy a national missile defense).

Recognizing the importance of veterans to the United States and expressing support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students (VETS) Day.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Recognizes the importance of veterans to the United States. Expresses support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students Day (programs that educate children about the service of veterans and the sacrifices made by them and their families).

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1999

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should reaffirm its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the specific guarantees for the provision of legitimate defense articles to Taiwan contained therein; and (2) Congress has grave concerns over China's military modernization and weapons procurement program, especially ballistic missile capability and deployment that seem particularly directed toward threatening Taiwan. Calls on the President to: (1) direct all appropriate officials to raise these concerns with officials from the People's Republic of China; (2) seek from Chinese leaders a public renunciation of any use of (or threat to use) force against Taiwan; and (3) provide an annual report detailing the military balance on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Calls for: (1) the executive branch to inform the appropriate congressional committees when officials from Taiwan seek to purchase defense articles for self-defense; (2) the U.S. Government to encourage a regional high-level dialogue on the best means of ensuring stability, peace, and freedom of the seas in East Asia; and (3) the President to encourage further dialogue between Taiwan and China. Declares that it should be U.S. policy to publicly support Taiwan's admission to the World Trade Organization as soon as possible and to encourage others to adopt similar policies.

A bill to suspend certain sanctions with respect to India and Pakistan.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999

Terminates, for a five-year period, certain nuclear proliferation sanctions against India and Pakistan with respect to any grounds for their imposition arising: (1) under the Arms Export Control Act and the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 before enactment of this Act; and (2) prior to enactment of this Act if imposition of such sanctions would deny any license for the export of any defense article, or related defense service or technology, needed by such country as a replacement or spare part for an item in the country's inventory, as a substitute for such an item in any case where that item is no longer being manufactured and readily available, or as a safety enhancement that would not significantly improve the country's combat capabilities. Applies specified requirements of the Arms Export Control Act to such defense articles, defense services, or technologies. Prohibits use of the authority of this Act to provide economic support fund assistance except for assistance that supports nongovernmental organization activities, democracy, or humanitarian activities. Repeals: (1) a specified section of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 relating to certain nuclear non-proliferation conditions on assistance to Pakistan; and (2) the India-Pakistan Relief Act (title IX of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, as contained in Public Law 105-277).

To exclude grants for student financial assistance from the prohibition on certain departments and agencies of the Government making grants to institutions of higher education that prevent ROTC access to campus or military recruiting on campus.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1999

Amends the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997, specified Federal law relating to Department of Defense funds, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to exclude grants for student financial assistance from the prohibition on certain Federal departments and agencies making grants to institutions of higher education that prevent ROTC access to campus or military recruiting on campus.

Indian Tribal Economic Development and Contract Encouragement Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1999

Indian Tribal Economic Development and Contract Encouragement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to remove the applicability of certain restrictions on agreements with non-U.S. citizen individual Indians. Makes a requirement that a contract bear the approval of the Secretary of the Interior inapplicable to any contract in any case in which: (1) the Secretary fails to approve or disapprove the contract within 90 days of its filing with the Secretary or the Indian tribe notifies the Secretary that the contract is not subject to requirements prescribed under existing law; and (2) the Secretary fails to inform the tribe within a certain time period that the Secretary intends to review the contract by the date specified in (1). Directs the Secretary to refuse to approve a contract if it: (1) violates Federal law; or (2) is subject to existing requirements and does not include provisions that provide for remedies in case of breach of contract, that reference a tribal code, ordinance, or court ruling that discloses the tribe's right to assert sovereign immunity as a defense in an action brought against the tribe, or that include an express waiver of such right to sovereign immunity. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any contract not covered under existing provisions. Requires the Secretary to notify tribes if a contract is not so covered. Authorizes tribes to bring actions for recovery of amounts paid to any person in excess of an amount approved by the Secretary in cases where contracts are in violation of existing requirements and determined to be null and void. Requires recovered amounts to be for the use of the tribe for whom they were recovered. Amends the Indian Reorganization Act to remove a requirement that a tribe's choice of legal counsel and fixing of fees be subject to the Secretary's approval.

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1999

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999 - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to revise and rename it the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1999. Instructs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to: (1) develop and operate a repository for the permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; (2) accept spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by no later than June 30, 2003; (3) provide for the transportation of such wastes; (4) pursue expeditiously the development of each component of the integrated management system; and (5) engage private sector participation to the greatest extent possible in the implementation of this Act. Shields the United States from any financial liability for the Secretary's failure to meet acceptance or emplacement deadlines under this Act. Instructs the Secretary to utilize truck transport to move spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from the mainline rail line at Caliente, Nevada, to the interim storage facility site. Authorizes the Secretary to use rail transportation to meet the requirements of this Act if direct rail access becomes available to the interim storage facility site. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to develop the capability to commence rail to truck intermodal transfer at Caliente, Nevada. Provides for heavy-haul transportation route and truck transportation. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Caliente and Lincoln County, Nevada, to provide advice to the Commission regarding intermodal transfer and to facilitate on-site representation. Provides that reasonable expenses of such representation shall be paid by the Secretary. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the availability of safe transportation for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from Department of Energy sites and sites designated by the contract holders to mainline transportation facilities and from mainline transportation facilities to the interim storage facility or repository, using routes that minimize transportation through populated areas. Mandates development of a comprehensive management plan that ensures safe transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from Department of Energy sites and sites designated by the contract holders to the interim storage facility site. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary shall: (1) develop a transportation plan for the implementation of each shipping campaign from each site at which high-level nuclear waste is stored; and (2) evaluate the relative safety of proposed shipping routes and modes from each shipping origin to the interim storage facility or repository compared with the safety of alternative modes and routes. Prescribes general transportation requirements, including technical assistance and funds for: (1) States, Indian tribes, and nonprofit employee and joint labor-management organizations for worker health and safety training and education programs; and (2) emergency response situations. Prohibits shipments of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste through any grant-eligible jurisdiction: (1) until the Secretary has determined that personnel in all State, local, and tribal jurisdictions on primary and alternative shipping routes have met acceptable standards of training for emergency responses to accidents involving spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste; and (2) unless technical assistance and funds to implement safe transportation procedures and emergency response situations have been available for at least three years prior to shipment. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States and Indian tribes for development and implementation of plans to prepare for such shipments. Requires a transporter of nuclear waste under contract with the Secretary to comply with all governmental and Indian tribal transportation regulations. Instructs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate employee protection training standards for workers directly involved in nuclear waste transportation, storage, and disposal. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of Energy is instructed to design, construct, and operate an interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in accordance with Federal licensing regulations governing independent spent fuel storage installations. Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary is instructed to implement site characterization activities at the Yucca Mountain site in accordance with the Secretary's program approach to site characterization (Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program Plan). Prescribes authorization guidelines for an interim storage facility, and for a permanent repository, including: (1) licensing standards; (2) compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act; and (3) land withdrawal. Instructs the Secretary to offer Nye County, Nevada, an opportunity to designate an on-site oversight representative to conduct on-site oversight activities at the Yucca Mountain site. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to enable affected Indian tribes or local governmental units to monitor and review the impact of the integrated management system upon residents at the Yucca Mountain site; and (2) offer financial and technical assistance, as well as payments in lieu of taxes, to help a tribe or local governmental unit to mitigate such impact. Instructs the Secretary to offer to enter into separate benefits agreements with Lincoln and Nye Counties concerning the integrated management system. Provides that acceptance of benefits under this Act by any affected Indian tribe or local government shall not be deemed an expression of consent to the siting of an interim storage facility or repository in Nevada. Sets a deadline by which the Secretary of the Interior shall convey all Federal interest in specified property to Nye County, Lincoln County, or to the city of Caliente, Nevada. Authorizes the Secretary to grant payments in lieu of taxes to any affected Indian or local jurisdiction until the termination of the integrated management system activities. Prescribes contract guidelines for the Secretary to accept title to, and transport, store, and dispose of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. Prescribes a schedule of annual fees payable to the Secretary of Energy for electricity generated and sold by civilian nuclear power reactors, and of a one-time fee for spent nuclear fuel used in such generation. Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to suspend the license of any licensee who fails or refuses to pay such fee. States that payment of the fee relieves the payer of further financial obligation to the Federal Government for its long-term storage or permanent disposal of spent fuel or waste derived from spent nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in a civilian power reactor before January 7, 1983. Continues the Nuclear Waste Fund. Prohibits the Secretary from expending certain funds to design or construct packages for the transportation, storage, or disposal of spent nuclear fuel from civilian nuclear power reactors. Establishes the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management within the Department of Energy, whose Director shall be directly responsible to the Secretary for executing the Secretary's functions under this Act. Mandates audits of Office operations, including its contractors and subcontractors at all tiers, and audits of management practices and performances every five years. Directs the Secretary to issue a final rule establishing the appropriate portion of the costs of managing high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel allocable to the interim storage or permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste from atomic energy defense activities and spent nuclear fuel from foreign research reactors. Authorizes appropriations. Preempts State and local law in favor of this Act. Precludes this Act from being construed as: (1) constituting either an express or implied Federal reservation of water rights for any purpose arising under it; (2) authorizing the Federal use of eminent domain to acquire water rights; or (3) limiting the exercise of water rights as provided under Nevada State laws. Grants U.S. courts of appeals original and exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions under this Act. Prescribes guidelines for NRC licensing hearings regarding facility expansions and transshipments. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting site-specific activities for a second repository unless the Congress has specifically authorized and appropriated funds for them. Requires the NRC to promulgate regulatory guidelines for: (1) financial arrangements for low-level radioactive waste site closures; and (2) training and qualification of civilian nuclear powerplant personnel. Delineates an emplacement schedule for contract holders' spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Prohibits: (1) subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; and (2) any obligation of funds for any such related activity. States that the Secretary's acceptance of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste constitutes a transfer of title to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) accept all spent nuclear fuel withdrawn from Dairyland Power Cooperative's La Crosse Reactor; and (2) pay for the on-site storage of such fuel until DOE removes it from the site. Expresses the sense of the Congress that to the greatest extent practicable all equipment and products purchased with funds made available under this Act should be American-made. Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity to which it provides financial assistance or contracts. Prohibits contracts with persons falsely labeling products as "Made in America." Continues the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to improve the management of the civilian radioactive waste management program to ensure to the maximum extent its operation like a private business. Directs the Secretary to employ, on an on-going basis, integrated performance modeling regarding site characterization. Instructs the Secretary to report to the Congress on actions planned to implement this Act, (including the development of the Integrated Waste Management System) and to provide annual status updates. Provides for continuation of specified contracts executed under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.

Intergovernmental Tax Agreement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1999

Intergovernmental Tax Agreement Act of 1999 - Grants U.S. consent to States and Indian tribes to enter into intergovernmental compacts and agreements concerning the collection and remittance of : (1) applicable State taxes on retail commercial transactions involving non-Indians on Indian lands; or (2) covered tribal equivalency taxes. Permits: (1) a tribe to request the Secretary of the Interior to initiate negotiations on that tribe's part with a State for the purpose of entering into a tax compact; and (2) a State to request the Secretary to initiate negotiations between a tribe and the State to enter into such a tax compact. Requires: (1) a request by a tribe or State to be in writing; (2) the Secretary to issue a written response within 30 days after receiving a request to the submitting tribe or State; (3) the Secretary to commence negotiations with respect to the tax compact that is the subject of the request submitted by the tribe or State within 30 days after receiving such request; and (4) the parties to complete the negotiations within 120 days, unless the parties agree to an extension. Directs the Secretary to initiate a mediation process, with the goal of achieving a tax compact, if: (1) the party that was requested to enter into negotiations failed to respond to that request; or (2) upon the completion of an applicable period for negotiations, the parties have failed to execute a compact. Establishes an Intergovernmental Dispute Resolution Panel to consider and render decision on: (1) a dispute between a State and a tribe that is referred to the Panel at the Secretary's discretion if negotiations and mediation do not result in the execution of a compact; and (2) any claim involving the collection or payment of retail taxes claimed by a State with respect to transactions conducted on Indian lands. Grants, except as provided, original jurisdiction to U.S. district courts with respect to: (1) the enforcement of any compact; and (2) any civil action, claim, counterclaim, or setoff brought by any party to secure equitable relief, including injunctive and declaratory relief. Prohibits any action from being brought to recover damages arising out of or in connection with an agreement or compact, except as specifically provided for in that agreement or compact. Provides for each compact to specify that each party to the compact: (1) consents to litigation to enforce the compact; and (2) waives any defense of sovereign immunity to the extent necessary to enforce that compact.

Child Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Child Care and Development Block Grant Title II: Supporting Family Choices in Child Care Title III: Quality Child Care Loan Forgiveness Title IV: Offsets Child Development Act - Title I: Child Care and Development Block Grant - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA) to increase and extend through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for direct child care and quality improvement activities. (Sec. 102) Authorizes and makes appropriations for specified additional activities, including: (1) child care programs in general; (2) out-of-school care for school-age children; (3) improving availability of quality child care services; (4) challenge grants to increase the availability and quality of child care; (5) professional development activities and compensation; and (6) child care capital financing programs. (Sec. 103) Requires establishment of State and local child care coordinating boards to carry out specified duties, including ones currently given to designated State and local agencies. (Sec. 104) Requires State plans to provide for: (1) State use of allotments for the appropriate additional activities; (2) market rate payments for child care services, with exceptions for certain kinds of care; (3) use of the Federal share (80 percent) for the appropriate additional activities; and (4) a report, plan, and proposal for a child care capital financing program. (Sec. 105) Sets forth requirements for State use of specified additional activity allotments for: (1) child care programs in general; and (2) local grants for out-of-school care programs for school-age children. (Sec. 106) Sets forth requirements for State use of specified additional activity allotments for the following child care quality improvement activities: (1) improved availability of quality child care services; (2) challenge grants to increase the availability and quality of child care; and (3) professional development activities and compensation. (Sec. 107) Sets forth requirements for State use of specified additional activity allotments for child care capital financing programs. Sets forth required uses of aid for child care capital projects. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a child care Federal guarantee program to guarantee notes and other obligations issued by States to assist certain entities in obtaining financing for such projects. (Sec. 110) Requires States that receive CCDBGA allotments to conduct periodic surveys to collect certain wage and rate information relating to child care providers, and to report survey results to the Secretary. (Sec. 111) Revises requirements for payments for the benefit of Indian children. Sets forth the relationship between appropriated funds, certain reservations of funds for specified activities, and allotments under CCDBGA. Title II: Supporting Family Choices in Child Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the formula to increase the dependent care income tax credit for certain taxpayers, indexed for inflation, with an even greater credit for employment-related dependent care expenses; (2) allow a minimum dependent care income tax credit for stay-at-home parents; and (3) provide for advance payment by the employer of an employee's dependent care income tax credit. Title III: Quality Child Care Loan Forgiveness - Quality Child Care Loan Forgiveness Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to increase from $10 million to $200 million the amount authorized to be appropriated for FY 1999 for the program of student loan forgiveness for child care providers. (Sec. 305) Requires cancellation of certain percentages of their student loans for full-time child care providers or educators who work in qualified child care facilities and who have degrees in early childhood education. Title IV: Offsets - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the oil and gas percentage depletion allowance; (2) the enhanced oil recovery credit; (3) the exemption from alternative minimum tax for small corporations; and (4) the exclusion from gross income of an individual's foreign earned income. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Defense to terminate the F-22 aircraft program. Directs the President to reduce the U.S. inventory of strategic nuclear delivery systems to the levels applicable to the United States, within the time provided, in the START II Treaty. (Sec. 403) Reduces by five percent the amount available for U.S. intelligence and intelligence-related activities for FY 2000 through 2004. (Sec. 404) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide for recoupment of certain foreign military sales costs and expenses. (Sec. 405) Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to terminate U.S. participation in the International Space Station program.

A concurrent resolution concerning the 20th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should reaffirm its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the specific guarantees of provision of legitimate defense arrangements to Taiwan contained therein; and (2) Congress has grave concerns over the People's Republic of China's growing arsenal of nuclear and conventionally armed ballistic missiles, the movement of those missiles into a closer geographic proximity to Taiwan, and the effect that buildup may have on stability in the Taiwan Strait. Calls on the President to: (1) direct all appropriate officials to raise with Chinese officials such concerns; (2) seek from Chinese leaders a public renunciation of any use of (or threat to use) force against Taiwan; and (3) provide an annual report detailing the military balance on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Calls for the Secretary of Defense to inform the appropriate congressional committees when officials from Taiwan seek to purchase defense articles for self-defense. Declares that: (1) the U.S. Government should encourage a high-level dialogue with officials from Taiwan and other U.S. allies in East Asia; and (2) it should be U.S. policy to publicly support Taiwan's admission to the World Trade Organization and encourage others to adopt similar policies.

Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

Montgomery GI Bill Improvements Act of 1999 - Amends Federal basic educational assistance provisions (the Montgomery GI Bill) to authorize enhanced educational assistance to a member of the armed forces who, after September 30, 1999: (1) first enters on active duty; (2) reenlists or continues to serve on active duty; (3) serves a continuous period of active duty of four years; or (4) serves and is discharged or released for a service-connected disability, at the convenience of the Government (after serving at least 42 months of such duty), or due to a reduction in force. Limits to 36 months the period for such enhanced assistance, with a special rule for certain early separations. Requires the payment of educational expenses under such program, including tuition and fees, books, and other supplies. Provides: (1) a monthly stipend for approved programs of education, with different rates for programs pursued on a full-time, three quarter-time, or half-time basis; and (2) tutorial assistance. (Sec. 3) Increases the monthly rates of basic educational assistance. (Sec. 4) Repeals, with respect to such assistance: (1) a required monthly reduction in pay for individuals who do not elect to participate in such assistance program; (2) a provision authorizing individuals to elect not to receive such assistance; (3) the requirement that participants complete the requirements of a high school diploma or equivalency certificate prior to the end of their initial obligated period of service in order to be eligible to receive such assistance; and (4) provisions limiting an individual's opportunity to withdraw an election not to enroll in such assistance program. (Sec. 5) Authorizes an individual entitled to basic educational assistance to receive an accelerated payment of such allowance, beginning on March 1, 2000, under certain conditions. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the use of basic educational assistance for: (1) the payment of vocational or professional licensing or certification tests required under Federal, State, or local law; (2) preparatory courses for college and graduate school entrance exams; and (3) training for technological occupations offered by entities other than educational institutions. (Sec. 9) Authorizes enrollment in the basic educational assistance program for individuals who: (1) before October 10, 1996, were enrolled in the veterans' educational assistance program (VEAP); (2) had continuously served on active duty since October 9, 1996; and (3) if discharged or released from active duty after the date on which the individual elects to participate in the basic educational assistance program, were discharged or released with an honorable discharge. Discontinues, after the enactment of this Act, the required reduction in basic pay for VEAP participants.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the memorialization at the columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery of veterans who have donated their remains to science, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to honor, by marker or other appropriate means at the columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, the memory of veterans eligible for inurnment there whose organs or remains were donated to science.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to require an annual report by the Secretary of Defense on the military capabilities of the People's Republic of China.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

Directs the Secretary of Defense to report annually to Congress on the future pattern of military modernization of the People's Republic of China, including both the probable course of military-technological development in the People's Liberation Army and the development of Chinese military strategy and operational concepts.

To provide for equitable retirement for military reserve technicians who are covered under the Federal Employment Retirement System or the Civil Service Retirement System.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1999

Entitles to an annuity under either the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employee Retirement System a military reserve technician who is separated from service as a technician after either: (1) becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of such service; or (2) completing 25 years of such service.