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Resolution· SRESS.Res. 35 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) in authorizing medical facility projects and leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Congress should authorize projects that are designed specifically for treating veterans with Alzheimer's disease and conducting related research; (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should encourage innovation by Department health care personnel in treating veterans with such disease; and (3) the Secretary should consider and facilitate the sharing of information on such disease among Department facilities and personnel.
Bill· HRH.R. 743 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Military Retirees' Medicare Equity Act of 1999 - Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of certain military retirees and dependents, to provide for a special open enrollment period during which such an individual may enroll under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act without being assessed a late enrollment penalty. Prohibits an issuer of a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy, in the case of such an individual who seeks to enroll during such special enrollment period, from denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of such a policy, or from discriminating in its pricing on the basis of the individual's health status, medical condition, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, genetic information, evidence of insurability, or disability.
Bill· HRH.R. 738 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Taxpayer Oversight of Surplus Property Act - Requires that nonlethal excess supplies of the Department of Defense be made available to a State, a local government, a territory, or a possession upon request before such supplies are made available for humanitarian relief purposes. Permits the President to make such supplies available for humanitarian purposes before they are made available to a State, local government, territory, or possession in response to a natural disaster emergency. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit the transfer of property for environmental protection in foreign countries unless the Administrator of General Services (GSA Administrator) determines that there is no Federal or State use requirement for the property under any other provision of law. Requires the GSA Administrator to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of surplus personal property donation and disposal programs (except for any program that grants access to personal property by local communities affected by the closure of a military base), along with recommendations for consolidating such programs under a single Federal authority.
Bill· HRH.R. 708 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
States that the remarriage of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of the following benefits to such person if the remarriage has been terminated by death or divorce unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that the divorce was secured through fraud or collusion: (1) dependency and indemnity compensation; (2) medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans; (3) educational assistance; and (4) housing loans.
Bill· HRH.R. 732 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Army to close the military education and training facility known as the United States Army School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia. Repeals current statutory authority for the School. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in each training activity undertaken by the United States with foreign security forces, the Secretary of Defense should: (1) substantially increase emphasis upon respect for human rights, the proper role of a military within a democratic society, and appropriate management of defense and security policy; and (2) implement Department of Defense regulations regarding the screening of foreign candidates for inclusion in the training activity to ensure that the United States does not train individuals implicated in human rights abuses, illegal drug trafficking, or corruption.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 59 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is to be commended for its pivotal role in preserving trans-Atlantic peace and stability; (2) the NATO allies, at the Summit meeting to be held in Washington, D.C., in April, 1999, should articulate a concrete vision for the Alliance in the 21st century; (3) the Alliance must recognize and act upon the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism by intensifying consultations among political and military leaders, and deploying comprehensive capabilities to counter such threats to the international community; (4) the Alliance should pace, not pause, the process of NATO enlargement and remain prepared to extend invitations for accession negotiations to appropriate European democracies, while strengthening its relations with Russia and the Ukraine as essential partners in building long-term peace in the Euro-Atlantic area; and (5) the Alliance should fully support the North Atlantic Assembly's activities in enhancing and stabilizing democracy in Central and Eastern Europe nations.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 62 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1999
Calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for human rights by all combatants in Sierra Leone. Appeals to all parties to the conflict to engage in dialogue without preconditions. Supports the people of Sierra Leone in their quest for a democratic, stable country and a reconciled society. Urges the President, the Secretary of State, and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs to support the democratically elected Government of Sierra Leone and give high priority to helping resolve the conflict. Declares that the House of Representatives abhors the gross human rights violations ongoing in Sierra Leone, including the dismemberment of citizens by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Demands that they immediately stop such acts. Condemns the West African countries and those outside the region that are aiding the AFRC-RUF. Demands that they immediately withdraw their combatants and cease providing assistance to the rebels. Applauds the Economic Community of West African States Military Observation Group (ECOMOG) for its support of the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone. Urges it to diversify its forces with troops from additional Economic Community of West African States countries and remain engaged in Sierra Leone until a comprehensive settlement of the conflict is achieved. Calls upon the United States to provide increased, appropriate logistical and political support for ECOMOG and for Ghana and Mali.
Bill· SS. 404 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Prohibits the President from transferring a veterans memorial object that was brought to the United States as a memorial of combat abroad to a foreign country or entity controlled by a foreign government, or to any person for ultimate transfer or conveyance to such a country or entity, unless specifically authorized by law.
Bill· HRH.R. 690 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Includes bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma within the list of diseases presumed to be service-connected, in the case of exposure to ionizing radiation, and therefore compensable for purposes of veterans' disability compensation and medical care.
Bill· HRH.R. 691 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Veterans Tobacco Trust Fund Act of 1999 - Establishes in the Treasury the Veterans Tobacco Trust Fund. Provides that if a lawsuit is brought by the United States against tobacco manufacturers for costs incurred due to tobacco-related illnesses, then there shall be credited to the Fund, without further appropriation, the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount recovered as the amount for the Department of Veterans Affairs' costs for health care attributable to tobacco-related illnesses bears to the total amount sought in the suit. Makes such amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for: (1) furnishing veterans' medical care and services; and (2) conducting medical, rehabilitation, and health systems research, with particular emphasis on research relating to the prevention and treatment of, and rehabilitation from, tobacco addiction and diseases associated with tobacco use.
Bill· HRH.R. 678 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Veterans' Memorials Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose penalties upon individuals who, in circumstances affecting interstate or foreign commerce, willfully injure or commit any degradation against any structure on public property commemorating the service of U.S. military personnel.
Bill· HRH.R. 679 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1999
Trident II (D-5) Missile Production Limitation Act - Prohibits funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for fiscal years after 1999 from being obligated or expended for production of additional Trident II (D-5) missiles. Allows amounts appropriated to the Department to be expended for such missile only to complete production of those missiles commenced with funds appropriated before FY 2000.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 33 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Designates May 1999 as National Military Appreciation Month.
Bill· HRH.R. 633 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Retirement Trust Fund Integrity Act of 1999 - Establishes in the Treasury the Retirement Investment Fund (Fund). Requires the transfer to the Fund of that portion of each of the following trust funds that is not required to meet current withdrawals: the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund; the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund; the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund; the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund; and the Railroad Retirement Account. Directs the Retirement Trust Fund Investment Board to establish for the Fund a Common Stock Index Investment Fund for the investment of Fund assets. Requires an annual examination and report by a qualified public accountant of Fund books and records. Provides fiduciary responsibilities. Establishes the Retirement Trust Fund Investment Board as an independent agency, with an Executive Director chosen by Board members. Requires the Executive Director to report to each House of Congress and specified congressional committees on the state of the Fund. Prohibits Fund receipts and disbursements from being counted as new budget authority for purposes of the Federal budget, the congressional budget, or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Provides special reporting requirements for the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget with respect to Fund assets.
Bill· HRH.R. 652 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Veterans Burial Benefits Act of 1999 - Increases from $300 to $600 the authorized allowance for burial and funeral expenses for deceased veterans who: (1) at the time of death were in receipt of veterans' disability compensation or veterans' pension benefits; or (2) were veterans of any war or were discharged or released from active military service for a service-connected disability and for whom there is no next of kin or sufficient resources to cover funeral and burial costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 648 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Military Retired Pay Restoration Act of 1999 - Amends Federal armed forces provisions to repeal: (1) a reduction in retirement pay applicable to individuals who first became members after July 31, 1986, had less than 30 years of military service, and were under 62 years of age at the time of retirement; (2) a reduced annual cost-of-living adjustment in the retired pay of such individuals; and (3) a provision restoring the full retirement amount for such individuals upon reaching 62 years of age.
Bill· HRH.R. 647 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense from being obligated or expended for the deployment of U.S. armed forces in Kosovo, with an exception when specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 631 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Fraud and Prevention and Related Provisions Title II: Benefits for Philippino (sic) Veterans of World War I SSI Fraud Prevention Act of 1999 - Title I: Fraud and Prevention and Related Provisions - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as other related SSA titles, to outline various fraud-related prevention measures concerning the OASDI and SSI programs, including measures for: (1) making representative payees primarily liable for repayment of deceased recipient overpayments; (2) requiring provision of State prisoner information to Federal and federally assisted SSI benefit programs; (3) providing for recovery of SSI benefit overpayments from lump sum SSI benefit payments; (4) establishing rules under the OASDI and SSI programs relating to collection of overpayments from individuals convicted of crimes; (5) adding additional debt collection mechanisms to the SSI program from the OASDI program; (6) providing for the treatment of assets held in trust under SSI; (7) providing that an individual or the spouse of an individual who disposes of resources for less than fair market value under the SSI program on or after a described look-back date makes the individual ineligible for SSI benefits for a certain monthly period; (8) providing for a loss of benefits as a penalty for SSI- and OASDI-related fraud; (9) excluding attorneys and physicians convicted of specified violations, including any criminal violation relating to an initial application for, or continuing entitlement to or eligibility for, OASDI or SSI benefits, respectively, from participation in the social security disability programs under SSA titles II and XVI; (10) providing for annual reviews by State disability determination services under SSA title II of professionals conducting consultative examinations; (11) providing for periodic computer matches under SSA title XVI with Medicare and Medicaid (SSA titles XVIII and XIX, respectively) institutionalization data maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (12) authorizing access to the Commissioner of Social Security under SSA title XVI to any financial institution record with respect to the applicant for, or recipient of, SSI benefits whenever the Commissioner determines such record is needed with respect to a benefit or eligibility determination. Provides that whenever the Commissioner of Social Security requests information from a State for the purpose of ascertaining an individual's eligibility for, or correct amount of, OASDI or SSI benefits, the standards of the Commissioner promulgated pursuant to any Federal law for the use, safeguarding, and disclosure of information are deemed to meet any standards of the State that would otherwise apply to the disclosure of information by the State to the Commissioner. Directs the Commissioner to conduct a study and report to specified congressional committees on possible measures to improve fraud prevention with regard to SSA title II disability benefits and administrative processing with regard to SSA title XVI benefits. Amends SSA title VII (Administration) to require inclusion by the Commissioner in the annual Social Security Administration budget of the amounts necessary to combat applicant and beneficiary fraud. Title II: Benefits for Philippino (sic) Veterans of World War II - Amends SSA title XVI to provide for reduced SSI benefits to certain individuals who served in the military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while such forces were in the service of U.S. armed forces during World War II who move back to the Philippines, and for so long as they reside in the Philippines.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 25 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1999
Recognizes the sacrifice and dedication of members of the armed forces throughout the Nation's history.
Bill· SS. 389 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 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 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. 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 of 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 625 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1999
Veterans Education Benefits Equity Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay monthly veterans' educational assistance to eligible veterans during periods between school terms if: (1) the interval between such periods does not exceed eight weeks (currently, one month); and (2) both the terms preceding and following the period are not shorter in duration than such period.
Bill· HRH.R. 628 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1999
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign military personnel to assist: (1) the Immigration and Naturalization Service in preventing the entry into the United States of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens; and (2) the U.S. Customs Service in the inspection of cargo, vehicles, and aircraft at points of entry into the United States. Requires: (1) the establishment of an appropriate training program for such personnel; and (2) a civilian law enforcement officer from the appropriate agency to accompany any member performing duties at a border location. Prohibits any such assignment from being made or continued after September 30, 2003.
Bill· HRH.R. 618 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1999
Gulf War Veterans' Iraqi Claims Protection Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States (U.S. Commission) to receive, determine the validity of, and certify claims by U.S. nationals against the Government of Iraq, giving first priority to non-commercial claims of members of the U.S. armed forces and other individuals arising out of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait, or out of the 1987 attack on the USS Stark. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury an Iraq Claims Fund for the payment of such claims. Authorizes the President, subject to specified limitations, to vest and liquidate Iraqi Government assets in the United States that have been blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and allocate the proceeds to the Fund to satisfy claims against the Government of Iraq by U.S. nationals, as well as claims of the U.S. Government that are outside the jurisdiction of the United Nations Compensation Commission. Provides for the reimbursement to the U.S. Government of expenses incurred in administering this Act. Establishes an order of priority for payment of claims. Directs the U.S. Commission to certify to the Secretary each award made under this Act. Sets forth a ten-year statute of limitations on any demand or claim for the payment of such an award.
Bill· SS. 385 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1999
Safety Advancement for Employees Act of 1999 - SAFE Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to direct the Secretary of Labor to establish a third party consultation services program that certifies individuals to provide consultation services to help employers identify and correct safety and health hazards in the workplace. (Sec. 3) Provides for: (1) a registry of certified consultants; (2) disciplinary actions against consultants for malfeasance; (3) scope and guidelines for such consultative services; and (4) access to records. Exempts from assessment of certain civil penalties for one year thereafter any employer who receives from a certified consultant a certificate of compliance, and: (1) who makes a good faith effort to remain in compliance with OSHA; or (2) the hazards of whose workplace do not undergo a fundamental change (for the worse). Allows an employer to receive a one-year renewal of such a certificate of compliance if a qualified consultant makes certain determinations in an onsite visit and survey. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish a special advisory committee, with expertise in workplace safety and health, to advise on the establishment and implementation of a third party consultation services program. (Sec. 5) Requires certain Federal personnel responsible for enforcing OSHA to: (1) meet specified eligibility requirements; and (2) receive professional education and training at least every five years if they carry out inspections or investigations. (Sec. 8) Revises inspection methods. Authorizes the Secretary's representative to contact an employer by telephone, facsimile, or other appropriate methods to determine whether: (1) the employer has taken corrective actions with respect to the alleged violation or danger; or (2) there are reasonable grounds to believe that a hazard exists. Provides that certain inspections are not required to be conducted if the Secretary determines that an inspection request was made for reasons other than employee safety and health or that the employees are not at risk. (Sec. 7) Establishes the use of alternative safe methods as an affirmative defense for employers. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States for State consultation services to employers concerning the provision of safe and healthful working conditions. Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program in three States to provide small businesses, upon request, for a nominal fee, with expedited consultation services on safe and healthful working conditions. Requires the Secretary, before issuing a citation to an employer for a violation found during a consultation, to permit the employer to carry out corrective measures. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) cooperative agreements to encourage the establishment of comprehensive safety and health management systems with specified features; and (2) a voluntary protection program with specified features to encourage the achievement of excellence in both the technical and managerial protection of employees from occupational hazards. (Sec. 10) Authorizes employers to establish alcohol and substance abuse testing programs in accordance with specified Federal guidelines. (Sec. 11) Sets forth consultation alternatives to issuance of citations. Allows the Secretary's representative to provide discretionary compliance or technical assistance to an employer in correcting a violation discovered during an inspection or investigation, without issuing a citation. Authorizes the Secretary's representative to issue a warning in lieu of a citation for: (1) violations with no significant relationship to employee safety or health; and (2) employers who in good faith act promptly to abate violations that are not willful or repeated.
Bill· SS. 384 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1999
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to waive any domestic source or content requirements (Buy American requirements) and thereby authorize the procurement of items that are grown, reprocessed, reused, produced, or manufactured outside the United States or its possessions, when the Secretary determines that one or more conditions currently authorizing the waiver of procurement limitations on other than U.S. goods apply.
Bill· SS. 371 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Central American and Caribbean Relief Act - Title I: United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement - United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Enhancement Act - Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) to accord, for a specified period, the same tariff and quota treatment (duty-free treatment, free of any quantitative limitations) given certain textile and apparel articles imported from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries to such articles from CBERA beneficiary countries planning to become parties to the Free Trade Area of the Americas, or a comparable trade agreement. Subjects to certain penalties exporters or countries that engage in the transshipment of such articles (preferential treatment claimed on the basis of material false information concerning the country of origin, manufacture, processing, or assembly of the article or any of its components). (Sec. 104) Directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to report biennially to Congress and the President on the economic impact of this Act on U.S. industries and consumers, including its effectiveness in promoting drug-related crop eradication and crop substitution efforts of CBERA beneficiary countries. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the President (with respect to factors considered in the designation of a country as a beneficiary country) to determine that a country is not providing adequate protection of intellectual property rights even if it is in compliance with its obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. (Sec. 106) Grants duty-free treatment of rum liqueurs and spirituous beverages from Canada and Mexico if certain conditions are met. Title II: Economic Support Fund and Other Assistance - Authorizes appropriations to: (1) provide economic support fund (ESF) assistance to areas of Central America and the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 for roads, agricultural investment, microcredit loans, water sanitation, health clinics, vaccinations, and technical assistance for housing; (2) provide international disaster assistance for such areas; and (3) the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct imaging and analysis in Honduras and Nicaragua to minimize future loss of life and property. Earmarks specified amounts, over a five year period, for eligible expenses in connection with developing new or renovating existing structures to provide decent, safe, and sanitary nonluxury dwellings (Habitat for Humanity) in the affected Central American and Caribbean countries. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Interior to develop a river monitoring system in Honduras. Title III: Department of Defense - Authorizes the President to direct the drawdown of defense articles and services from the stocks of the Department of Defense (DOD) for the purpose of providing disaster relief and reconstruction to the affected areas of Central America and the Caribbean. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the New Horizons Program, earmarking amounts for use for Central America and the Dominican Republic (including the National Guard and Reserve); (2) Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid programs; and (3) the Commanders-in-Chief CINC Initiative Fund. Title IV: International Monetary Relief - Authorizes the President, subject to specific appropriations, to reschedule the repayment of interest on, and reduce the amount of, the indebtedness owed by Honduran and Nicaraguan governments to the United States in FY 1999 and 2000. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the U.S. Governor of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) to contribute $25 million to the Central American Emergency Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: OPIC - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should foster U.S. private investment and enhance the ability of private enterprise to make its full contribution in the hurricane-affected areas of Central America and the Caribbean. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 501) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make Central American and Caribbean countries affected by Hurricane Mitch and Hurricane Georges eligible for equity investment financing under the pilot equity finance program. Increases the amount of transfers that OPIC can make from its noncredit account revolving fund to its revolving fund for acquisition of equity. Title VI: Microcredit and Agricultural Assistance - Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to use credit and microcredit assistance to provide disaster assistance to rehabilitate agriculture production in the hurricane-affected areas of Central America and the Caribbean. (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Administrator of AID to utilize relevant foreign assistance programs and initiatives for the Central America and Caribbean region to support private producer-owned cooperative marketing associations there, including rural business associations owned and controlled by farmer shareholders. (Sec. 604) Directs the Administrator of AID to develop a comprehensive plan to coordinate and build on the research and extension activities of U.S. land-grant universities, international agricultural research centers, and national agricultural research and extension centers in Central America and the Caribbean. (Sec. 605) Provides assistance through the nonemergency food assistance programs of the Agriculture Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to the hurricane- affected Central American and Caribbean areas.
Bill· SS. 381 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Provides that eligibility of the following individuals for benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act shall not terminate by reason of a change of residence to the Philippines, but such benefit shall be reduced by 25 percent in the case of individuals who: (1) as of the date of enactment of this Act, are receiving SSI benefits; and (2) before December 31, 1946, served in the Philippine military forces while such forces were in the service of U.S. armed forces pursuant to the President's military order.
Bill· HRH.R. 605 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Act of 1999 - Amends Federal provisions relating to the authority and administration of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to authorize a retired judge to be recalled for further Court service if such judge, at the time of his or her retirement, provided written notice of his or her availability for further service. Prohibits such a judge from being recalled for more than 90 days without the judge's consent or for more than 180 days during any calendar year. Requires the removal of a judge from recall-eligible status if such judge declines to perform such further service. (Sec. 4) Disregards, for purposes of the calculation of years of service as a judge, any fractional part of a year that is less than 183 days, but credits as a full year any fractional part consisting of 183 days or more. (Sec. 5) Revises generally provisions concerning the calculation of retired pay of recall-eligible judges, judges who did not make themselves available for recall, and judges who are removed from the recall-eligible list. Provides cost-of-living adjustments to such pay. (Sec. 6) Requires a retired judge who represents a client in any claim against the United States relating to veterans' benefits to forfeit all retired pay rights for one year after such representation begins. (Sec. 7) Provides early retirement authority for Court judges in order to provide for staggered terms of such judges.
Bill· HRH.R. 606 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Education Title II: Employment and Training Title III: Health Care Title IV: Economic Equity Title V: Organizational Restructuring Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Services Improvement Act of 1999 - Title I: Education - Amends Federal provisions relating to the veterans' educational assistance program (VEAP) to: (1) increase its monthly rates of educational assistance; (2) require the Secretary of Defense to notify a member of the armed forces of the availability of VEAP benefits and eligibility requirements within 90 days after such individual enters on active duty; (3) repeal a provision allowing individuals to elect not to receive VEAP assistance; (4) revise provisions concerning VEAP enrollment; and (5) authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to make accelerated payments of VEAP basic educational assistance. Provides an enhanced educational assistance entitlement under VEAP to each individual who: (1) after September 30, 1999, first enters on active duty, or reenlists or extends such duty, for at least four years; (2) serves on active duty and is discharged for reasons other than willful misconduct or inappropriate discharge of duty, or is discharged involuntarily for the convenience of the Government as a result of a reduction in force; (3) completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma within their period of active duty; and (4) after completing the required period of active duty, continues on active duty, is discharged honorably, is released honorably and is placed on an inactive status list, or is released for further service in a reserve component after honorable active-duty service. Provides definitions, exceptions, and conditions. Allows such qualifying individuals up to 36 months of educational assistance. Authorizes the transfer of such entitlement to a spouse or child, or combination thereof, under certain conditions. Provides for the payment of additional educational expenses (books and supplies). Provides educational assistance amounts, with amounts for fiscal years after 2000 based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. Allows qualifying individuals to also receive tutorial assistance, with a maximum of $1,200 in such assistance per individual. (Sec. 102) Requires each State veterans education development agency (currently, each State approving agency) to: (1) actively promote the development of on-job training programs for veterans; and (2) give priority to programs that provide training to veterans with disabilities. Requires (currently authorizes) such agency to approve educational courses offered for participation in VEAP. Title II: Education and Training - Makes eligible for veterans' job counseling, training, and placement services veterans with existing employment barriers and recently separated veterans. Designates veterans' case managers and veterans' employment facilitators for service under such programs. Replaces program references to the Job Training and Partnership Act and the Veterans' Job Training Act with references to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contract with entities which agree to provide employment and training services for veterans, requiring such grants or contracts to be awarded on a competitive basis. Outlines requirements for entities providing services under the program. Provides grant terms, conditions, and limitations. Directs the Secretary to make available necessary funds to support the veterans' case managers and veterans' employment facilitators designated above. Outlines veterans' services required to be performed by such managers and facilitators. Includes within a study to be conducted by the Secretary concerning unemployment among certain veterans those veterans who served on active duty after the Vietnam era who did or did not serve in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized. Directs the Secretary of Labor to resolve certain discrepancies regarding the number of veterans who use State employment services, and to report to the appropriate congressional committees. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to require that performance measurements for the veterans' vocational rehabilitation program focus on specified outcome measures, including those who actually enter employment. Requires all case management and employment services under such program to be provided exclusively by Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) personnel or by a veterans' case manager. Makes this section effective on October 1, 2000. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for a program under which the Secretary of Labor furnishes counseling and other employment and training assistance to military personnel being separated from active duty, and the spouses of such members. Requires appropriations increases for FY 2000 and each succeeding fiscal year based on Consumer Price Index increases. (Sec. 204) Provides deadlines for the commencement of preseparation counseling for military personnel prior to their retirement, discharge, or release from duty. Requires a member to be considered involuntarily separated, for purposes of such benefits, if the member is being discharged or released as the result of a force- management reduction. (Sec. 206) Requires appropriate support from the Secretary to the Secretary of Labor with respect to employment, training, and other transitional assistance provided to separated military personnel. (Sec. 207) Provides a priority in the provision of veterans' employment, training, or related services for disabled veterans, veterans with employment barriers, and veterans separated from active duty for less than four years. (Sec. 208) Establishes within the executive branch the Veterans' Employment Network to: (1) raise employer awareness of the advantages of hiring separating and recently separated servicemembers and veterans; (2) facilitate the employment of such individuals through national electronic labor exchanges; and (3) foster, and facilitate the coordination of, Federal, State, and local governmental programs marketing the employment of such individuals. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and thereafter. (Sec. 209) Directs the Secretary of Labor to design, establish, and maintain on the Internet an electronic site to be known as the Veterans and Servicemembers Internet Site which shall match veterans and servicemembers with prospective employers. Requires the site to be publicized to prospective employers, veterans, and military and veterans' associations. (Sec. 210) Amends Federal employment provisions to: (1) eliminate the reduction in retired pay for officers who become federally employed after such retirement, in the case of officers who become eligible to begin receiving such retired pay after December 31, 1999; (2) repeal a provision limiting post-retirement employment of retired military personnel within DOD; (3) provide that, for purposes of maximum age entry limitations for Federal fire fighters and law enforcement officers, a veteran's actual age shall be considered decreased by the period of active military duty served; and (4) authorize the accrual of annual leave with pay for Federal employees who are Vietnam era veterans. (Sec. 214) Requires any solicitation issued by the Departments of Defense, Labor, or Veterans Affairs for the procurement of real or personal property or nonpersonal services to require each offeror to include: (1) a description of the offeror's program for hiring and promoting qualified eligible veterans; and (2) an affirmative commitment to hire eligible veterans as a specific percentage of the workforce. Title III: Health Care - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to: (1) revise the fees charged for the provision of transitional health care coverage for certain former military personnel; (2) provide that such coverage shall be secondary to any other private health care plan or insurance; and (3) direct the Secretary of Defense to timely notify all persons eligible for such revised benefits. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs (the Secretaries) to: (1) jointly establish policies for the unified procurement within their respective departments of pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, and medical equipment; and (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding for implementing such policies. Provides funding. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretaries to develop and maintain a clinically-based medications formulary for use by their respective departments. Allows the Secretaries to procure items listed on the formulary without seeking competition. (Sec. 304) Prohibits, after one year after the enactment of this Act, any medical or surgical product from being procured for either department's health care system unless the product bears a universal product number, or unless such product has been excepted from such requirement by considerations of health and safety. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretaries to jointly: (1) establish a single solicitation for the replacement of the existing legacy medical information management systems within their departments with integrated and interoperable systems; (2) develop policies to ensure that commercially available technology is used to enhance or replace parts of such system; and (3) develop and maintain a common set of technical and data standards to facilitate data exchange between such systems. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretaries to undertake a program to ensure public awareness of the benefits of the health-care research that their departments conduct, requiring a financial return on such research programs. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretaries to conduct a pilot program during FY 2000 and 2001 under which hospital care and medical services authorized to be furnished by contract are furnished by contractors under contracts entered into under the TRICARE Program (a DOD managed health care program). (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretaries and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to jointly review the various forms of Federal support provided to teaching hospitals and medical schools. Directs the Secretaries to jointly review the extent and nature of the collaboration between the graduate medical programs of their departments and to take necessary action to achieve opportunities for greater collaboration. (Sec. 309) Amends the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 for the Department's program for homeless veterans. Requires the Secretary to direct that a significant portion of the savings achieved by the Veterans Health Administration through the closure of acute care beds is redirected to the furnishing of community-based residential treatment to homeless veterans. Directs the Secretary to utilize current authority to enter into enhanced-use leases to provide support for such care. Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend through FY 2001 the authorization of appropriations for the homeless veterans reintegration project. Title IV: Economic Equity - Part A: Home Loan Guaranty Program - Revises the loan limits for Department-guaranteed loans made to veterans for the purchase or construction of homes. (Sec. 402) Makes permanent (currently terminates on October 27, 1999) a program providing Department-guaranteed housing loans to members and former members of the Selected Reserve. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a system for issuing certificates to such members representing their eligibility for such loans after completion of their required duty period. (Sec. 403) Exempts from Department-guaranteed loan fee requirements a veteran who first entered active duty after the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to conduct in selected test sites a pilot program of revised procedures in cases of veterans' defaults of Department-guaranteed loans. Prohibits conveyance to the Secretary of the property that secured such loan. Directs the Secretary to publish proposed rules for notice and comment regarding the procedures for liquidating loans and paying guaranty claims under the program. Terminates the pilot program after five years. Part B: Other Programs - Authorizes members of the armed forces serving on active duty to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, limiting member contribution to five percent of basic pay plus any reenlistment bonus. Prohibits matching Federal contributions on behalf of such members. (Sec. 412) Establishes in the Office of the Secretary the Office of Veterans Business Assistance to provide veterans with: (1) access to information regarding services and assistance available to veterans who wish to operate small businesses and other subjects of use to such veterans; (2) assistance in gaining access to business capital; (3) management assistance; and (4) assistance in gaining access to markets for their products or services. Requires the Office to create and maintain an information clearinghouse through an Internet electronic site regarding Federal, State, local, and private sector programs of assistance to veterans and others. Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) provide a target of $10 million per fiscal year for loans to veterans' small businesses; (2) include disabled veterans' small businesses within certain Federal subcontracting goals; and (3) include veterans' and disabled veterans' small businesses within certain Federal procurement goals. Provides preliminary goals for the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs for participation by veterans' small businesses in Federal prime contract and subcontract awards. Directs the Secretary, the Secretary of Labor, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to jointly develop and submit to the President a program of comprehensive outreach to assist veteran entrepreneurs. (Sec. 413) Terminates the Persian Gulf War period on February 28, 1993, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits and assistance. Title V: Organizational Structure - Directs the Department's Under Secretary for Health and DOD's Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs to establish a unified, joint policy staff responsible for: (1) identifying opportunities to increase joint, cooperative, and coordinated operations of the health care systems of such departments and the sharing of health care resources; and (2) initiating, facilitating, and monitoring efforts to utilize such opportunities. (Sec. 502) Requires any person who is an eligible health care beneficiary of either the Department or DOD to be eligible to receive from the other department the same health care services that such beneficiary is eligible to receive from the department of which the person is a primary beneficiary. Directs the Secretaries to jointly establish policies and procedures for their respective departments to furnish health care to beneficiaries of the other department. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretaries to jointly enter into an agreement with an independent entity for the study of the physical infrastructure, the organizational structures, and the operations of the health care systems of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretaries to: (1) review the geographic boundaries of the administrative structures of the field operations of their respective health care systems; and (2) take such action to make such boundaries congruent, except where doing so would interfere with the efficient furnishing of quality health care services. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary of Defense, at the time of the award or extension of TRICARE contracts, to recognize as military treatment facility equivalents within the geographic areas covered under such contracts Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities that: (1) agree to furnish health care services to DOD beneficiaries at or below the prices than non-government facilities would charge; (2) are capable of furnishing care of acceptable quality; and (3) certify that they are able to provide such services without detriment to the furnishing of care to veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 601 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Amends Federal provisions relating to the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to change from October 1, 2008, to October 1, 2003, the effective date on or after which no reduction may be made in the retired pay of an SBP participant for any month after the later of: (1) the 360th month for which such pay was so reduced; or (2) the month during which the participant attains 70 years of age.
Bill· HRH.R. 608 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to audit purchases of military clothing and clothing-related items in excess of the micro-purchase threshold during FY 1998 by U.S. military installations located within the United States and its territories and possessions in order to determine the extent to which such installations procured such items in violation of the Buy American Act. Requires a report.
Bill· HRH.R. 584 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Requests the President to award the Medal of Honor to Brevet Brigadier General Strong Vincent, posthumously, for his actions in the defense of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.
Law· HRH.R. 4 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Declares that it is U.S. policy to deploy a national missile defense.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 41 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1999
Honoring American Military Women for Their Service in World War II Resolution - Honors the women who served the United States in military capacities during World War II. Recognizes that these women contributed vitally to the victory of the United States and the Allies in the war.
Bill· SS. 342 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle A: Authorizations Subtitle B: Limitations and Special Authority Title II: International Space Station Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2000, 2001, and 2002 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) the International Space Station; (2) launch vehicle and payload operations; (3) science, aeronautics, and technology, including a specified amount for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research; (3) mission support; (4) the Inspector General. Subtitle B: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth limitations on and special authorities for the use of funds, with prior notice to the Congress: (1) for the construction of new facilities and the repair, rehabilitation, or modification of existing facilities; and (2) in excess of authorizations or for programs not funded by the Congress. Title II: International Space Station - Prohibits funds or in-kind payments from being transferred to any Russian Government entity or Russian contractor to perform work on the International Space Station which the Russian Government pledged to provide at its expense. Sets forth specified exceptions. (Sec. 201) Directs the Administrator of NASA to develop and deliver to Congress a contingency plan for the removal or replacement of each Russian Government element of the International Space Station that lies in the Station's critical path, as well as Russian space launch services. Directs the Administrator to report bimonthly, on or before December 1, 1999, and until substantial completion of the assembly of the Space Station, to Congress whether or not the Russians have performed work expected of them and necessary to complete the Space Station. Directs the President to notify Congress of the decision on whether or not to proceed with permanent replacement of the Russian Service Module, other Russian elements in the critical path of the Space Station, or Russian launch services. (Sec. 202) Limits (excluding funding and costs of the Station and space shuttle launch with respect to operations, research, and crew return activities subsequent to substantial completion of the Space Station) the total amount that may be appropriated for: (1) assembly costs of the Space Station; and (2) space shuttle launch costs in connection with Space Station assembly. Provides for increases attributable to: (1) inflation; (2) compliance with changes in Federal, State, or local laws enacted; and (3) the lack of performance or the termination of participation of any of the participating countries; and (4) the incorporation of new technologies. Requires the Administrator to provide written notices of such increases to specified congressional committees. Requires the Administrator, as part of the annual Shuttle program and Station budget request, to identify the costs for assembly and development of the Space Station. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Administrator to reciprocally waive claims with cooperating parties under which each party agrees to be responsible for damage or loss to its property, or for losses resulting from injury or death sustained by its employees, as a result of activities related to the Space Station Program. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to require: (1) the President to submit to the Congress the annual aeronautics and space report in May (currently, January); and (2) such report to address activities on a fiscal (currently, calendar) year basis. Permits the Administrator to delay, for up to five years after development, the unrestricted public disclosure of technical data generated in the performance of experimental, developmental or research activities or programs conducted or funded by NASA if such data would have been a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) if it had been obtained from a non-Federal party. Declares that such data shall not be subject to FOIA disclosure requirements. (Sec. 302) Requires the Administrator to consider closed military installations and excess or underutilized Government facilities for meeting NASA's requirements. Encourages NASA to make the underutilized Stennis Space Center infrastructure available for launch vehicle development activities if so requested by the U.S. space launch industry and to notify the Science Committees if existing Administration authority is insufficient for this purpose. (Sec. 304) Requires the Administrator to provide notice to the Science Committees and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on reprogramming and reorganization matters. (Sec. 305) Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding NASA assessing, correcting, and developing contingency plans for its year 2000 date-related computer problem. (Sec. 306) Amends the Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act of 1949 to include hypersonic wind tunnel construction within the scope of covered research and development facilities. (Sec. 307) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator should donate educationally useful Federal equipment to schools to enhance science and mathematics programs. Requires the Administrator to submit annual reports on such donations to the Congress. (Sec. 308) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to permit the Administrator to vest title in tangible personal property to a participant in a cooperative agreement if the participant's primary purpose is research or technology development. (Sec. 309) Amends the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 to modify the applicability and cost limits of, and extend the authority for, the NASA Mid-Range Procurement Test Program. (Sec. 310) Amends Federal law to prohibit the launch of a payload containing material for obtrusive space advertising. Requests the President to negotiate with foreign launching nations for the purpose of reaching agreements prohibiting the use of outer space for obtrusive space advertising, and expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take action to enforce the terms of any such agreement.
Bill· SS. 351 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Taxpayer Oversight of Surplus Property Act - Requires that nonlethal excess supplies of the Department of Defense be made available to a State or a local government upon request before such supplies are made available for humanitarian relief purposes. Permits the President to make such supplies available for humanitarian purposes before they are made available to a State or local government in response to a natural disaster emergency. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, with respect to the transfer of property for environmental protection in foreign countries, to prohibit such transfers unless the Administrator of General Services (GSA Administrator) determines that there are no Federal or State use requirements for the property under any other provision of law. Requires the GSA Administrator to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of surplus personal property donation and disposal programs (except for any program that grants access to personal property by local communities affected by the closure of a military base), along with recommendations for consolidating such programs under a single Federal authority.
Bill· SS. 350 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Military Health Care Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to direct the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the medical and dental coverage available through the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense managed health care program) is substantially similar to the medical and dental coverage available under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program that has the most subscribers as of January 1, 2000. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the portability of benefits under the TRICARE program; and (2) minimize the certification requirements imposed upon TRICARE beneficiaries. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the level of reimbursement provided to TRICARE health care providers when necessary to ensure an adequate number of qualified providers under such program.
Bill· HRH.R. 542 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to reduce from 18 to 14 the number of Trident ballistic missile submarines subject to statutory limitation on retirement or dismantlement. Expresses the sense of the Congress that, if the Secretary of the Navy should reduce the number of such operational submarines from the current 18 to 14, the amount otherwise programmed for national missile defense programs for any fiscal year after such reduction should be increased by the savings derived from such reduction.
Bill· HRH.R. 566 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Stand Down Authorization Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: (1) to carry out Stand Down events (events to provide veterans who are without a home, unemployed, experiencing health or social adjustment challenges, or otherwise in need with one to three days of safety and security and access to food, shelter, clothing, benefits certification, health care, or any other appropriate form of assistance); and (2) in connection with such events, to provide outreach services, use Department of Veterans Affairs personal property, and provide any other appropriate benefit or service. Directs the Secretary to establish and implement a pilot program under which the Secretary shall carry out a single Stand Down event in each State in each calendar year, beginning in 2000. Requires an annual report to the Congress on pilot program implementation and recommendations for legislation.
Bill· HRH.R. 525 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Defense of the Environment Act of 1999 - Requires any report of a congressional committee or committee of conference accompanying a public bill or joint resolution that includes any provision that reduces environmental protection to contain: (1) an identification and description of the provision; (2) an assessment of the extent of such reduction; (3) a description of any actions to avoid such reduction; and (4) any statement received from the Comptroller General, upon request of the committee or a majority of either the minority or majority members of the committee, assessing the reduction. Deems a provision to reduce environmental protection if it may: (1) allow increased pollution; (2) adversely affect the environmental quality of public lands or diminish protection of species that may be endangered; (3) increase children's exposure to environmental contaminants and other environmental risks; or (4) have the effect of shielding environmental law violators or limiting judicial review of agency action under authority of any environmental law. Provides for consultation and assistance of the Comptroller General at the request of any committee. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that each Federal agency: (1) collects and catalogs available information that would assist in assessing whether any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report provision would reduce environmental protection; (2) facilitates the availability of such information for Congress' use; and (3) makes such information readily available to the Comptroller General for purposes of fulfilling the assessment and consultation duties described above. Requires such information to be made publicly available. Makes out of order in the House of Representatives and the Senate the consideration of any reported bill or joint resolution, or conference report, unless the committee has complied with the identification and assessment provisions of this Act. Makes any rule waiving these provisions out of order in the House. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives with respect to the striking of, and points of order against, provisions reducing environmental protection within the meaning of this Act. Provides Senate procedures for the striking of such provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 551 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Provides that for purposes of computing retired pay for non-regular military service, a person's days of active service shall include days served in active status after qualifying for retired pay, which shall be credited when the person leaves active status. Makes such provision effective with respect to any person qualifying for retired pay after January 1, 1988.
Bill· HRH.R. 550 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Prohibits the award of the Purple Heart to persons convicted of a capital offense that carries a sentence of death or life imprisonment without parole.
Bill· HRH.R. 556 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Allows members of the armed forces to elect to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) by way of contributions from basic pay. Prohibits such contributions from exceeding five percent of basic pay. Prohibits for such members the one percent Federal contribution to an individual's TSP. Adds to the Employees Thrift Advisory Council one member to represent such military participants. Considers as a separation from service, for purposes of entitlement to TSP benefits, a member's release from active service, transfer to inactive status, or transfer to a retired list.
Bill· HRH.R. 552 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide for the award of the Navy Combat Ribbon with respect to participation in ground or surface combat during any period after July 4, 1943, and before March 1, 1961.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 22 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Declares that: (1) the President should seek a public renunciation by the People's Republic of China of any use of force, or threat to use force, against Taiwan; and (2) the United States should help Taiwan defend itself in case of threats or a military attack by China.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 23 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1999
Expresses the sense of the Congress that during FY 1999 the Secretaries of the military departments should provide honor guard details for the funerals of veterans in the same manner as required under Federal law effective January 1, 2000.
Bill· HRH.R. 491 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
Medicare+Choice Program Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends parts C (Medicare+Choice) and D (Miscellaneous Provisions) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act concerning the Medicare+Choice and Medigap programs to, among other things: (1) allow enrollment in alternative Medicare+Choice plans of Medicare beneficiaries whose Medicare+Choice organizations or group health plans under which they are enrolled have provided notice of intended coverage termination; (2) guarantee access for certain Medicare beneficiaries to Medigap policies in case of involuntary termination of coverage under a Medicare+Choice plan; (3) apply Medicare+Choice and Medigap consumer protections to disabled and end-stage renal disease Medicare beneficiaries; (4) prohibit attained-age rating of premiums for Medigap policies; (5) provide for non-preemption of State prescription drug coverage mandates in case of approved State Medigap waivers; (6) prohibit "cold-call" marketing of Medicare+Choice plans; (7) grant flexibility in the definition of the term "service area" under the Medicare+Choice program; (8) provide for a three-year phase-in of risk adjustment of Medicare+Choice plan payments; (9) allow delays in certain deadlines under the Medicare+Choice program, such as delay in the rate promulgation deadline; (10) account for costs of Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense military facility services to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in calculating Medicare+Choice plan payment rates; (11) increase civil monetary penalties for failure to meet Medigap open enrollment requirements; and (12) provide for National Association of Insurance Commissioners, at the request of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, review, and, along with the Secretary, update of benefit packages for Medigap policies.
Bill· HRH.R. 475 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
Provides coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) for an unremarried former spouse of a member or former member of the armed forces who performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable service and who was married to the former spouse for at least 17 years during the period of such creditable service. Provides eligibility for the use of commissary stores for such former spouses.
Bill· HRH.R. 456 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified amount to the survivors of 14 military personnel and one civilian Federal employee who were killed on April 14, 1994, when U.S. F-15 fighter aircraft mistakenly shot down two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Iraq. Limits attorney's fees in connection with such survivor claims.
Law· HRH.R. 435 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Miscellaneous Trade Corrections Title II: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions; Other Trade Provisions Subtitle A: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions Subtitle B: Trade Provisions Title III: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 1999 - Title I: Miscellaneous Trade Corrections - Makes various specified miscellaneous technical corrections to the Trade Act of 1974 and other specified Federal law involving: (1) abolishment of the East-West Foreign Trade Board; (2) repeal of the requirement that certain small vessels departing from a foreign port, or which visited a hovering vessel, carry a certificate for the importation into the United States of alcoholic spirits; (3) repeal of the exemption of documented tugs with a Great Lakes endorsement from certain entry and clearance requirements; (4) change of general most-favored-nation (MFN) status to general or normal trade relations (NTR) status under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States; and (5) conforming amendments to obsolete references to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). (Sec. 1003) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to allow certain entries of television receivers, monitors, and picture tubes, and combination TV-VCRs with a diagonal measurement of up to 34.29cm (currently, 33.02 cm), or 13.5 inches, to be classified as 13 inches for purposes of tariff treatment under the Schedule. Directs the Customs Service, upon proper request, to liquidate or reliquidate certain entries made on or after January 1, 1995, and before 15 days after enactment of this Act, as if such amendment applied to such entries. Title II: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions; Other Trade Provisions - Subtitle A: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for temporary duty suspensions for: (1) specified chemicals and dyes through December 31, 2001; (2) snowboard boots with uppers of textile materials through December 31, 2001; (3) ink-jet textile printing machinery through December 31, 2001; (4) textile printing machinery through December 31, 2001; (5) substrates of synthetic quartz or synthetic fused silica imported into the United States in bulk or in forms or packages for retail sale through December 31, 2001; (6) power weaving machines (looms), shuttle type, for weaving fabrics between 30 cm and 4.9m in width, if entered without off-loom or large loom take-ups, drop wires, heddles, reeds, harness frames or beams, through December 31, 2001; (7) skating boots for use in the manufacture of in-line roller skates through December 31, 2001; (8) dual thrust chamber rocket engines, each having a maximum static sea level thrust exceeding 3,550 kN and nozzle exit diameter exceeding 127cm, through December 31, 2001; (9) certain manufacturing equipment through December 31, 2001; (10) textured rolled glass sheets through December 31, 2001; (11) certain anti-HIV drug substances through June 30, 1999; (12) certain high-performance loudspeakers not mounted in their enclosures, through December 31, 2001; (13) parts for use in the manufacture of certain high-performance loudspeakers through December 31, 2001; and (14) certain polymers through December 31, 2001. (Sec. 2129) Reduces the duty on a certain dye and on certain chemicals variously through December 31, 1999, December 31, 2000, and December 31, 2001. (Sec. 2161) Reduces the duty, through December 31, 2001, on weaving machines (looms), shuttleless type, for weaving fabrics between 30cm and 4.9m in width, entered without off-loom or large loom takeups, drop wires, heddles, reeds, harness frames, or beams. Subtitle B: Other Trade Provisions - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend to certain fine jewelry certain trade benefits of insular possessions of the United States. (Sec. 2401) Mandates treatment as a product of the Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa, during 1999 and 2000, of any article of jewelry assembled in such territory or possession. (Sec. 2402) Provides for the tariff treatment of certain components of scientific instruments and apparatus, as well as the application of the domestic equivalency test to such components. (Sec. 2403) Directs the U.S. Customs Service to liquidate or reliquidate (refund duty on) certain entries made at Los Angeles, California, and New Orleans, Louisiana, in accordance with the final decision of the International Trade Administration for shipments entered between October 1, 1984, and December 14, 1987 (case number A- 274-001). (Sec. 2404) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that packaging material produced in the United States (currently, any packaging material), which is used by the manufacturer or any other person on or for articles which are exported or destroyed, shall also be eligible for a refund (drawback) of 99 percent of any duty, tax, or fee imposed on the importation of such material used to manufacture or produce the packaging material. (Sec. 2405) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, by January 1, 2000, to provide for the inclusion of commercial importation data from foreign-trade zones in the National Customs Automation Program (an automated and electronic system for processing commercial importations). (Sec. 2406) Permits the deferral (until sale) of duty payment on any large yacht (a vessel exceeding 79 feet in length and used primarily for recreation or pleasure) that is imported for sale at a boat show, if the importer of record: (1) certifies to the Customs Service that it is imported for sale at a boat show in the United States; and (2) posts a bond in an amount equal to twice the amount of the duty ordinarily owed on such yacht. (Sec. 2407) Directs the appropriate customs officer to allow or deny within 30 days after the filing date any application for further review with respect to a protest to a decision of the Customs Service. Requires that any allowed protest be forwarded to the customs officer who will conduct the further review. (Sec. 2408) Authorizes the Customs Service, notwithstanding the fact that a valid protest was not filed, to reliquidate an entry to refund merchandise processing fees paid on goods qualifying under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rules of origin for which no claim for preferential tariff treatment was made at the time of importation, provided that the importer meets certain conditions. (Sec. 2409) Authorizes the entry or withdrawal from a warehouse of international travel merchandise subject to a duty. (Sec. 2410) Revises requirements with respect to the five-year review by the administering authority and the International Trade Commission of countervailing duty or antidumping duty orders, notices of injury determination, or determinations to continue an order or suspension agreement. Excludes from the computation of the five-year period preceding such a review any period during which the importation of the subject merchandise is prohibited on account of U.S. imposition of certain sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or other Federal law against the country in which such merchandise originates, if that country is not a member of the World Trade Organization. (Sec. 2411) Applies the rates of duty effective after December 31, 1994, under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, if lower, to certain water resistant wool trousers that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after December 31, 1988, and before January 1, 1995. (Sec. 2412) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide duty-free treatment of previously imported goods for which a duty was paid if they are: (1) exported within three years after the date of such previous importation; (2) sold for exportation and exported to individuals for personal use; (3) reimported without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means while abroad; (4) reimported as personal returns from those individuals, whether or not consolidated with other personal returns prior to reimportation; and (5) reimported by or for the account of the person who exported them from the United States within one year of such exportation. (Sec. 2413) Grants duty-free treatment, through December 31, 2002, to the personal effects of, and other equipment imported and used by, participants, their families and associated members, and officials involved in the 1999 International Special Olympics, the 1999 Women's World Cup Soccer, the 2001 International Special Olympics, the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and the 2002 Winter Paralympic Games. Declares that such articles shall be: (1) free of applicable taxes and fees; but (2) not exempt from routine customs inspections. (Sec. 2414) Directs the U.S. Customs Service, upon request, to liquidate or reliquidate (refund duty on) certain entries (filed at the port of Los Angeles) of indirect electrostatic copiers at the rate of duty that would have been applicable to such merchandise if they had been liquidated or reliquidated at a duty rate applicable to other automated data processing (ADP) thermal transfer printer units on the date of entry. (Sec. 2415) Directs the U.S. Customs Service to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of certain entries in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Decision 86-126(M) and Customs Ruling No. 224697, dated November 17, 1994. (Sec. 2417) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize duty-free sales enterprises to be located, among other places, within a port of entry, or within 25 statute miles of a staffed port of entry, if reasonable assurance can be provided that the duty-free merchandise sold by the enterprise will be exported by individuals departing from the customs territory through an international airport located within the territory. (Sec. 2418) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to continue, indefinitely, the use of customs user fees (to the extent funds remain available after making certain reimbursements) for salaries for up to 50 full-time equivalent inspectional positions to provide preclearance customs services. Decreases from $6.50 to $5 the customs user fee charged to each passenger that arrives aboard a commercial vessel or commercial aircraft from a place outside the U.S. customs (except $1.75 shall be charged to each passenger aboard a commercial vessel that arrives from Canada, Mexico, a U.S. territory or possession, or an adjacent island). Earmarks a specified amount of certain customs user fees to the Customs Service for automated commercial systems. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to establish an advisory committee, consisting of representatives from the airline, cruise ship, and other transportation industries, to advise the Commissioner on issues related to the performance of the inspectional services of the Customs Service. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the Secretary, for a specified period, to prescribe an alternative mid-point interest accounting methodology, which may be employed by the importer, based upon aggregate data in lieu of accounting for such interest from each deposit data provided. (Sec. 2419) Allows a duty drawback (refund of duty) for methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a finished petroleum derivative, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 2420) Revises the methodology used to calculate the drawback (refund of duties) on the export of finished petroleum derivatives that have been manufactured with (substituted for) a qualified article which is of the same kind and quality (whether imported duty-paid or domestic). Redefines the term "qualified article" to include certain manufactured articles (primary forms), including articles of the same kind and quality, or any combination thereof, that are transferred as certified in a certificate of delivery or certificate of manufacture and delivery to an exporter in a quantity not greater than the quantity of articles purchased or exchanged for use in the manufactured article. (Sec. 2421) Directs the U.S. Customs Service, upon proper request, to: (1) liquidate or reliquidate as if the special column one duty rate applicable for Canada applied to certain entries of mueslix cereal; and (2) refund to the importer any excess duties paid with respect to such entries. (Sec. 2422) Directs the Foreign Trade Zones Board to expand Foreign Trade Zone No. 143 to include areas in the vicinity of the Chico Municipal Airport in accordance with the application submitted to the Board by the Sacramento-Yolo Port District of Sacramento, California, on March 11, 1997. (Sec. 2423) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to exempt certain woven fabrics containing silk or silk waste from the country of origin marking requirements. (Sec. 2424) Authorizes the President to: (1) determine that title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (denying nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of certain countries) should no longer apply to Mongolia; and (2) based upon such determination, extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to Mongolian products. (Sec. 2425) Authorizes the Commissioner of the Customs Service to establish a pilot program for FY 1999 to provide 24-hour cargo inspection service on a fee-for-service basis at a certain international airport. (Sec. 2426) Directs the Department of Defense to permit the dependent children of deceased U.S. Customs Aviation Group Supervisor Pedro J. Rodriquez attending the Antilles Consolidated School System at Ford Buchanan, Puerto Rico, to complete their primary and secondary education without cost to them or any parent or relative. End of downloaded material Title III: Amendments To Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions concerning a corporation, its shareholders, and the transferring of certain assets and liabilities.
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