Defence

Restoration of Fairness in Immigration Law Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Restoration of Fairness in Immigration Law Act of 2000 - Title I: Due Process in Immigration Proceedings - Subtitle A: Judicial Review in Immigration Proceedings - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) with respect to judicial review of: (1) administrative hearings and habeas corpus; (2) asylum determinations; (3) alien apprehension and detention; (4) document fraud waivers; (5) orders issued in absentia; and (6) denial of voluntary departure requests. Subtitle B: Fairness in Removal Proceedings - Amends the Act with respect to removal proceeding provisions, including: (1) burden of proof for admissibility; (2) presumption in favor of withdrawal of admission application; (3) emergency absences; and (4) reinstatement of removal orders against illegal reentry. Subtitle C: Fairness in Detention - Amends the Act with respect to specified detention provisions, including the establishment of a detention alternatives pilot program. Subtitle D: Consular Review of Visa Applications - Amends the Act to direct the Secretary of State to establish a Board of Visa Appeals. Title II: Fairness and Equity in Cases Involving Previous and Minor Misconduct - Subtitle A: Increased Fairness and Equity Concerning Removal Proceedings - Amends the Act to revise specified removal proceedings provisions. Subtitle B: Increased Fairness and Equity Concerning 5-Year Bars to Admission and Other Grounds for Exclusion - Amends the Act to authorize admission ban waivers and other restrictions on inadmissibility with respect to aliens who: (1) abuse student visa provisions; (2) fail to attend removal proceedings; (3) make false citizenship claims; and (4) have committed minor criminal offenses. Title III: Encouraging Family Reunification - Subtitle A: Reuniting Family Members - Amends the Act with respect to: (1) visas for spouses and children of permanent residents temporarily waiting for visa numbers; and (2) refugee and asylee status for unmarried sons and daughters of refugees and asylees, respectively. Establishes specified protections against processing delays for children. Subtitle B: Limited Waiver of Grounds of Admissibility - Amends the Act to provide discretionary waivers of inadmissibility with respect to: (1) family members; and (2) unusual circumstances. Subtitle C: Eliminating Unfairness and Waste in Section 245(i) Waivers - Amends the Act to eliminate the restriction that only aliens with preference petitions or labor certifications filed by January, 14, 1998, are eligible to adjust to permanent resident status without leaving the United States if they entered without inspection or fall within one of other specified classes. Subtitle D: Equitable Procedures Concerning Voluntary Departure - Amends the Act with respect to voluntary departure to make discretionary: (1) determination of period of voluntary departure; (2) determination of voluntary departure bond based on individual circumstances; and (3) related penalties. Subtitle E: Fairness in Determination of Public Charge - Amends the Act with respect to specified public charge provisions. Title IV: Fairness in Asylum and Public Refugee Proceedings - Subtitle A: Increased Fairness in Asylum Proceedings - Amends the Act to provide for gender-based refugee status. Subtitle B: Increased Fairness sand Rationality in Refugee Consultations - Amends the Act with respect to refugee admission consultations. Title V: Increased Fairness and Equity in Naturalization and Legalization Proceedings - Subtitle A: Naturalization Proceedings - Amends the Act to authorize appropriations for immigration petition processing and backlog reduction. Waives the English language requirement and provides special consideration for the civics requirement with respect to the naturalization of certain aliens who served with special guerilla units operating from Cambodia or Vietnam. Subtitle B: Parity in Treatment for Refugees from Central America and Haiti - Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (Act) to: (1) extend permanent resident status adjustment provisions to qualifying Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran, and Haitian nationals; and (2) extend the application filing deadline. Permits certain pending applications filed by Salvadoran or Guatemalan nationals under the Act or Haitian nationals under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to be converted to an application for status adjustment under the Act. Amends such Acts to: (1) authorize the Attorney General to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility; and (2) provide for issuance of immigrant visas to certain spouses and children. Provides for the limited reopening of certain orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal by certain Haitian, Cuban, or Nicaraguan nationals. Subtitle C: Equality of Treatment for Women's Citizenship - Declares as U.S. citizens certain deceased women who lost their U.S. citizenship solely because of marriage to an alien. Subtitle D: Fairness in the Treatment for Refugees from Liberia - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Liberian nationals. Subtitle E: Fairness in Review of Previously Granted Amnesty Rights - Amends the Act to eliminate the court jurisdiction limitation with respect to judicial review of denied status adjustment applications for certain (unlawful status) aliens. Subtitle F: Legal Amnesty Restoration - Amends the Act to extend registry benefits to aliens who entered the United States prior to January1, 1986. Subtitle G: Equality of Treatment for Asian American Visa Petitions - Amends the Act to extend preferential immigrant treatment to certain U.S.-fathered aliens born in the Philippines or Japan. Title VI: Fairness and Compassion in the Treatment of Battered Immigrants - Amends the Act to modify procedures and provide special rules for battered spouses and children with respect to: (1) adjustment of status; (2) removal and deportation; (3) implementation of immigration provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); (4) waivers and exceptions to inadmissibility for otherwise qualified battered immigrants; (5) calculation of physical presence in VAWA cancellation of removal proceedings and suspension of deportation proceedings; (6) VAWA immigration protections; (7) VAWA cancellation of removal and adjustment of status for certain nonpermanent residents; and (8) good moral character determinations for self-petitioning immediate relatives. Prescribes guidelines for inapplicability of public charge determinations for designated aliens. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to redefine "qualified alien" to include certain battered aliens for purposes of welfare and public benefits eligibility. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 to declare restrictions on the use of assisted housing inapplicable to certain battered aliens. Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to provide that requirements and restrictions placed upon Legal Services Corporation funding shall not be construed to prohibit a recipient from providing related legal assistance to certain aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. Directs the Violence Against Women Grants Office in the Department of Justice to report on services for underserved populations. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Act) to include legal advocacy for domestic violence in immigration cases under the program of grants to encourage arrest policies. Includes alienage status within the definition of "underserved populations." Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to include immigration-related matters under the program of rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to include alienage status within the scope of underserved populations. Amends the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 1999 to obligate funds for grants to combat violence against women, which shall include immigration-related matters. Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to include immigration-related matters under the program of campus domestic violence grants. Amends the Act to require each branch of the U.S. military to train its supervisory military officers in domestic violence dynamics in military families, and the protections available for battered immigrant women and children. Expands the purposes of training grants to combat violent crimes against women to include: (1) training immigration and asylum officers and judges; and (2) training justice system personnel on the judicial ramifications of the Violence Against Women Act, and the potential immigration consequences for perpetrators of domestic violence. Amends the Act to express the intent of the Congress that statutory constraints upon the powers of immigration personnel not be construed as discouraging crime and domestic violence victims from reporting crimes to the police, from cooperating in criminal prosecutions, or from obtaining the legal relief needed for protection from ongoing violence. Amends the Act to establish a humanitarian-material witness nonimmigrant classification. Extends access for battered spouses and children under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act, the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998, and Federal law relating to Cuban adjustment. Title VII: Unused Employment-Based Immigrant Visas - Provides for the recapture of unused employment-based immigrant visas. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Act with respect to: (1) the Board of Immigration Appeals; (2) asset forfeiture; (3) parole authority; (4) erroneous asylum applications; and (5) use of State personnel to carry out immigration functions. Directs the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to establish an Office of Border Patrol Recruitment and Retention. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act. Title IX: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates.

Federal Courts Improvement Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000

Federal Courts Improvement Act of 2000 - Title I: Judicial Financial Administration - Amends Federal judicial code provisions regarding the Judiciary Information Technology Fund to repeal provisions subjecting information technology procurement to provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (also known as the Information Technology Management Reform Act) applicable to executive agencies (thus subjecting the Fund to the budget management process of the executive branch). (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to require the debtor in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case in a district that is not part of a United States trustee region to pay fees equal to those imposed in districts that are part of such a region. Provides for transfers to the fund of specified: (1) reimbursement to the judiciary for civil and criminal forfeiture expenses; and (2) retirement funds. Increases fees: (1) in chapter nine bankruptcy filings; and (2) for converting a chapter seven or chapter 13 bankruptcy case to a chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Title II: Judicial Process Improvements - Provides authority for the appointment of magistrate judges in the district courts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Amends: (1) the Federal Magistrates Act to grant U.S. magistrate judges the power to exercise contempt authority within his or her territorial jurisdiction, including summary criminal contempt authority and criminal and civil contempt authority in civil consent and misdemeanor cases; and (2) the Federal criminal and judicial codes to remove certain limitations on the authority of magistrate judges to try petty offense cases. (Sec. 205) Authorizes judges retired from regular active service to serve as members of the judicial council of the circuit. Provides for the sunset of provisions requiring a civil justice expense and delay reduction plan. Repeals a U.S. Court of Federal Claims fee for the filing of any petition. (Sec. 210) Amends the Criminal Justice Act to: (1) increase the maximum amounts of compensation permitted for attorneys; and (2) authorize reimbursement of expenses in defense of certain malpractice actions. Title III: Judicial Personnel Administration, Benefits, and Protections - Amends the judicial code to include within the definition of "service" for purposes of retirement provisions applicable to the Directors of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Federal Judicial Center, and the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, service as a congressional employee in the capacity of primary administrative assistant to a Member of Congress or in the capacity of staff director or chief counsel for the majority or the minority of a House or Senate committee or subcommittee. (Sec. 302) Makes applicable to employees of the United States Sentencing Commission provisions regarding incentive awards, leave, compensation for work injuries, retirement, unemployment compensation, life and health insurance, and payment for accumulated and accrued leave. Permits continued payment from retired or retainer pay into a military survivors' benefits plan with respect to a regular, reserve, or former member of a uniformed service receiving such pay who becomes employed as a U.S. justice or judge. Authorizes the Director of the Administrative Office to designate judicial branch officers and employees to be disbursing and certifying officers. Authorizes the Judicial Conference to prescribe fees for technology resources in the courts. (Sec. 306) Authorizes: (1) the clerk under the supervision of the court, if the jury selection plan so authorizes, to determine qualification for jury service; and (2) the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to appoint a circuit executive. (Sec. 308) Exempts retired judges of the Court of Federal Claims (CFC) from restrictions as to residence and considers the place where a retired judge maintains the actual abode in which such judge customarily lives to be the judge's official duty station. Provides for the recall of any CFC judge on disability status who, in the estimation of the chief judge, has recovered sufficiently to render judicial service. Deems a CFC judge to be an "officer" for purposes of provisions regarding Federal employees. (Sec. 311) Includes: (1) for purposes of entitlement to lump-sum payment for accumulated and accrued leave on separation, an officer in the legislative or judicial branch who is transferred to a position appointed by the President; and (2) an office, agency, or other establishment in the judicial branch within the scope of provisions regarding the employment of personal assistants for handicapped employees. (Sec. 311) Repeals a requirement for mandatory retirement for the Director of the Federal Judicial Center at age 70. Title IV: Federal Public Defenders - Exempts Federal public defenders from the Tort Claims Act for claims related to representational services.

A bill to permit landowners to assert otherwise-available state law defenses against property claims by Indian tribes.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Permits the defendant in any action or claim by or on behalf of an Indian tribe to enforce a real property right or otherwise asserting a claim of Indian title or right (except in any action or claim against a governmental entity with respect to land that is located within sovereign Indian country) to assert any affirmative defense that would be available under State law to a defendant opposing an analogous action or claim that does not involve an Indian tribe. Provides that the court shall allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee with respect to a claim that was frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation or that the opposing party continued to litigate after it clearly became so. Prohibits any attorney's fee from being assessed against an Indian tribe seeking to enforce a right to an interest in land if the court determines that the land is located within sovereign Indian country.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the size of the estate an incompetent veteran being furnished institutional care by the Department of Veterans Affairs may have without being subject to suspension of benefits.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Increases from $1,500 to $6,000 the threshold estate size of an incompetent veteran being furnished institutional care by the Department of Veterans Affairs may have before being subject to the suspension of pension, compensation, or retirement pay. Directs the Secretary to increase such threshold amount by the same percentage as any increase in benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.

Veterans Readjustment Appointments Reauthorization Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Veterans Readjustment Appointments Reauthorization Act of 2000 - Allows certain veterans to receive veterans readjustment appointments within the Federal Government only within the ten- year period following the later of: (1) the date of their last discharge or release from active duty; or (2) the enactment date of this Act (currently, December 31, 1995).

To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during military service.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Includes within the definition of a "radiation-risk activity" for purposes of eligibility criteria for veterans' disability compensation the exposure to ionizing radiation due to residual contamination resulting from participation in a nuclear detonation, without regard to whether any particular level of radiation exposure was measured for that individual.

Security Assistance Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Defense and Security Assistance Act of 2000 - Title I: Security Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to set the maximum value of additions to stockpiles of defense articles in foreign countries in FY 2001. Makes amounts available for such stockpiles in the Republic of Korea. Authorizes the President to transfer to Israel certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in return for concessions to be negotiated by the Secretary of State. Authorizes for FY 2000 and 2001 the use of Department of Defense funds for crating, packing, handling, and transporting excess defense articles to Mongolia. Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Government should work with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to enable it to procure certain military equipment that can be used to upgrade the capabilities and improve the quality of life of the armed forces of the Philippines. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to authorize the President to exempt a foreign country from the licensing requirements of this Act with respect to exports of defense items only if the U.S. Government has concluded a bilateral agreement with such country (except Canada) that requires it to establish an export control regime at least comparable to that employed by the United States with respect to such defense items and other controlled information and technologies. Prohibits the President from authorizing an exemption for a foreign country until specified congressional committees are notified with respect to such exemption. Declares that a certain certification to Congress with respect to the application for a license for the export of major defense equipment totaling $14 million or more or of defense articles or defense services totaling $50 million or more shall not be required for an application for a license for export of a commercial communications satellite designated on the U.S. Munitions List for launch from, and by nationals of, the United States, or the territory of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Australia, Japan, or New Zealand. Title II: Transfers of Naval Vessels - Authorizes the President to transfer certain naval vessels to: (1) Brazil; (2) Chile; (3) Greece; and (4) Turkey. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the transfer of naval vessels on a combined lease-sale basis (including the funding of costs related to such transfers); (2) the repair of transferred vessels at U.S. and U.S. Navy shipyards; and (3) the transfer of naval vessels on a grant basis.

Medicare Protection and Fairness Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Medicare Protection and Fairness Act of 2000 - Title I: Increase in Payments for Inpatient Hospital Services - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services to provide for: (1) elimination of reduction to market basket percentage increase in FY 2001 and 2002; (2) increase in payments for disproportionate share (DSH) hospitals in FY 2001 and 2002; and (3) elimination of reduction in payments for indirect costs of graduate medical education. Title II: Increase in Payments for Home Health Services - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services to eliminate the 15 percent reduction in the cost limits and per beneficiary limits under such PPS. Makes such amendment effective as if included in the enactment of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999. Title III: Increase in Payments to Medicare+Choice Organizations - Subtitle A: Modifications to Risk Adjustment Methodology - Amends SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) with respect to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations to require that the Medicare+Choice risk adjustment methodology be implemented in a budget neutral manner. Provides for a ten year phased-in implementation of such methodology. Subtitle B: Modifications to the Blended Capitation Rate - Authorizes Medicare+Choice organizations to elect to apply blended capitation rate area-specific and national percentages for 2001 and 2002 (instead of one or the other in different years). Provides for an increase in the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002. Subtitle C: Reporting Requirements for Medicare Health Care Services Furnished in Military Treatment Facilities - Amends SSA title XVIII with respect to the Medicare subvention demonstration project for military retirees to add reporting requirements for costs incurred under the project for purposes of calculating Medicare+Choice payment rates.

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Treasury Department, the U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies. Title I: Department of the Treasury - Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs for development and acquisition of automatic data processing equipment, software, and services; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) repair and restoration of the Treasury building and annex; (6) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (7) programs to expand access to financial services for low- and moderate-income individuals; (8) reimbursement of Treasury Department organizations for costs of providing support to counter, investigate, or prosecute terrorism; (9) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including amounts for maintenance and facility improvements; (10) interagency crime and drug enforcement; (11) the Financial Management Service; (12) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (13) the U.S. Customs Service, including amounts for operations and maintenance of marine vessels and aircraft, automation modernization, and collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee; (14) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (15) the Internal Revenue Service, including amounts for tax law enforcement, earned income tax credit compliance and error reduction initiatives, and information systems and telecommunications support; and (15) the Secret Service, including an amount for construction and improvement of facilities. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 118) Amends Federal law to extend the Treasury Franchise Fund until October 1, 2002. (Sec. 119) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds made available in this Act by the Customs Service for closing the Customs Office at the Port of Racine, Wisconsin. Title II: Postal Service - Postal Service Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for payments to the Postal Service Fund for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) compensation of the President and the White House office; (2) operating, maintenance, and reimbursable expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House; (3) White House repair and restoration; (4) special assistance to the President and the official residence of the Vice President; (5) the Council of Economic Advisers; (6) the Office of Policy Development; (7) the National Security Council; (8) the Office of Administration; (9) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (10) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; (11) the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center; and (12) Federal drug control programs, including amounts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and for a national anti-drug campaign for youth. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) the Federal Election Commission; (3) the Federal Labor Relations Authority; (4) the General Services Administration (GSA), including amounts for the Federal Buildings Fund, Government-wide policy and operations, Office of Inspector General, and allowances and office staff for former Presidents; and (5) carrying out the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 408) Designates the Federal building and courthouse located at 102 North 4th Street in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as the Ronald N. Davies Federal Building and United States Courthouse. (Sec. 410) Designates the U.S. bankruptcy courthouse at 1100 Laurel Street in Columbia, South Carolina, as the J. Bratton Davis United States Bankruptcy Courthouse. (Sec. 411) Designates the U.S. Courthouse Annex located at 901 19th Street in Denver, Colorado, as the Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse Annex. (Sec. 412) Designates the dormitory building currently being constructed on the Core Campus of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, as the Paul Coverdell Dormitory. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (2) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation; (3) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund to carry out activities authorized in the Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Act of 1998; (4) the National Archives and Records Administration, including amounts for repairs and restoration of archives; (5) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (6) the Office of Government Ethics; (7) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including an amount for the Office of Inspector General; (8) Government contributions for health and life insurance benefits for annuitants; (9) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (8) the Office of Special Counsel; and (9) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds made available under this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American provisions. Stamp Out Domestic Violence Act of 2000 - Amends Federal law to require the Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first class mail that is up to 25 percent higher than the regular rate as a voluntary alternative that the public may use to contribute to funding for domestic violence programs. Requires collected amounts to be paid to the Department of Justice. Expresses the sense of the Congress that nothing in this Act should: (1) cause a net decrease in total funds received by the Department or any other Federal agency below the level that would have otherwise been received but for this Act's enactment; or (2) affect first-class or other regular postage rates. Requires special postage stamps to be made available to the public. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the operation of this Act. (Sec. 514) Requires the Director of OMB to submit a report to specified congressional committees that: (1) evaluates, for each agency, the extent to which Federal accounting and collection provisions, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, have reduced burdens imposed by rules issued by the agency; and (2) includes a determination of the need for additional procedures to ensure achievement of such provisions' purposes, evaluates the burden imposed by each major rule that imposes more than 10 million hours of burden, and identifies specific reductions expected to be achieved in FY 2001 and 2002 in the burden imposed by all rules issued by each agency that issued such a major rule. (Sec. 515) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to implement a preference for the acquisition of a firearm or ammunition based on whether the manufacturer or vendor of the firearm or ammunition is a party of an agreement with a Federal agency regarding codes of conduct, operating practices, or product design specifically related to the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms or ammunition under the Federal criminal code. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated for Federal departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 621) Bars the use of funds made available for the Customs Service in this Act to allow the importation of any good produced or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor. (Sec. 627) Requires the OMB Director to report to Congress: (1) estimates of annual costs and benefits of Federal rules and paperwork; (2) impacts of Federal regulation on State, local, and tribal government, small business, wages, and economic growth; and (3) recommendations for reform. Requires the Director to issue guidelines to agencies to standardize measures of costs and benefits and the format of accounting statements. (Sec. 633) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act to enter into or renew a contract which includes a provision providing prescription drug coverage, except where the contract also includes a provision for contraceptive coverage. Makes exceptions to such prohibition for religious health plans. (Sec. 636) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds by executive agencies to provide child care services for Federal civilian employees. (Sec. 637) Authorizes a woman to breastfeed her child on Federal property if the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location. National Health Museum Site Selection Act - Directs the GSA Administrator to convey specified property to the National Health Museum, Inc. (the Museum), to provide a site for the construction and operation of a new building to serve as the National Health Museum. Requires the Museum to provide written notification to the Administrator of the date on which it will accept conveyance of the property. Sets forth provisions regarding the purchase price for the property, including requiring the Administrator to report the purchase price to Congress and to deposit it into the Federal Buildings Fund. Provides for reversion of the property to the United States and repayment of the purchase price to the Museum if : (1) it is used for a purpose other than construction and operation of the Museum; (2) the Museum does not commence construction on the property within three years after conveyance, other than for a reason not within the Museum's control; or (3) the Museum ceases to be a nonprofit corporation. Permits the Museum to: (1) demolish or renovate any existing or future improvement on the property; (2) build, own, operate, and maintain new improvements on the property; (3) finance and mortgage the property on customary terms and conditions; and (4) manage the property. Requires the United States to cooperate with the Museum on any zoning or other matter relating to the development or improvement of the property or the demolition of any improvement. Requires the costs of remediation of any environmental hazards existing on the property, including all asbestos-containing materials, to be borne by the United States. Requires the Museum to submit annual reports to the Administrator and Congress on the status of planning, development, and construction of the Museum. (Sec. 640) Amends Federal civil service provisions to require the removal from employment of Federal law enforcement officers convicted of felonies. (Sec. 641) Amends Federal retirement provisions to reduce to seven percent after December 31, 2000, the required retirement contribution by Federal employees participating under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) (such contribution currently is scheduled to be 7.5 percent for calendar years 2001 and 2002 and 7 percent after 2002). Reduces similarly the required percentage contribution under CSRS for Members of Congress and congressional employees, law enforcement and firefighting personnel, certain judges and magistrates, the Capitol police, and nuclear materials couriers. Makes similar reductions for participants in the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Makes conforming reductions with respect to military and volunteer service under FERS. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act, and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to make similar employee retirement contribution reductions under the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Pension System. Prescribes agency contributions for October 1 through December 31, 2002, in lieu of those required under current law, under CSRS, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System.

Security Assistance Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Security Assistance Act of 2000 - Title I: Military and Related Assistance - Subtitle A: Foreign Military Financing Program - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for foreign military financing grants and direct loans. Subtitle B: Other Assistance - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the aggregate value of the emergency drawdown of defense articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense (DOD), defense services of DOD, and international military education and training (IMET) to foreign countries in any fiscal year. Authorizes the drawdown of such articles, services, and training for counterterrorism and nonproliferation purposes. (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide for the transportation of excess defense articles without charge to a country for the costs of such transportation if, among other things, the total weight of such transfer does not exceed 50,000 pounds (currently, 25,000 pounds). Title II: International Military Education and Training - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for IMET assistance to foreign countries. Sets forth certain additional requirements with respect to the provision of such assistance. Title III: Nonproliferation and Export Control Assistance - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to foreign countries in order to enhance their ability to halt the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and advanced conventional weaponry. (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 (earmarking amounts for training and education of personnel from friendly countries in the United States, science and technology centers in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, and a static cargo x-ray facility in Malta). (Sec. 305) Amends the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act of 1998 to exempt U.S. chemical weapons destruction facilities from the requirement that a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation accompany each inspection team of the Technical Secretariat when inspecting such facilities pursuant to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, opened for signature on January 13, 1993. Title IV: Antiterrorism Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for antiterrorism assistance to foreign countries. Title V: Integrated Security Assistance Planning - Subtitle A: Establishment of a National Security Assistance Strategy - Requires the Secretary of State to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on a National Security Assistance Strategy for the United States. (Sec. 502) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for security assistance surveys used in preparing the Strategy. Subtitle B: Allocations for Certain Countries - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for foreign military financing grants for the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Earmarks specified amounts of IMET assistance funds for such countries, including Greece and Turkey. (Sec. 513) Earmarks specified amounts for FY 2001 for foreign military financing grants for Israel and Egypt. Earmarks specified amounts for such grants (including IMET assistance) for: (1) Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; (2) the Philippines; (3) Georgia; (4) Malta; (5) Slovenia; (6) Slovakia; (7) Romania; and (8) Bulgaria. (Sec. 515) Earmarks certain funds for FY 2001 to assist GUUAM countries (group of countries that signed a protocol on quadrilateral cooperation on November 25, 1997, together with Uzbekistan) and Armenia to: (1) strengthen national control of their borders (including to prevent the trafficking of illegal narcotics and the proliferation of technology and materials related to weapons of mass destruction, and to contain and inhibit transnational organized criminal activities); and (2) promote the independence and territorial sovereignty of such countries. Title VI: Other Provisions - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the use of defense articles and defense services made available through the provision of U.S. military assistance to foreign countries for antiterrorism and nonproliferation purposes. (Sec. 604) Sets forth the maximum value of additions to stockpiles in foreign countries for FY 2001. Makes amounts available for such stockpiles in the Republic of Korea. (Sec. 605) Authorizes the President to transfer to Israel certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in return for concessions to be negotiated by the Secretary of Defense. (Sec. 606) Prohibits US sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 607) Authorizes for FY 2001 the use of DOD funds for crating, packing, handling, and transporting excess defense articles to Mongolia. (Sec. 608) Directs the President to certify annually to the appropriate congressional committees that any Russian person engaged in a commercial operation involving Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) equipment or technology with a U.S. person pursuant to an arms export license issued within the 36 months preceding the certification is not suspected of contributing to the acquisition, design, development, or production of MTCR-class ballistic missiles in Iran at any time since January 1, 2000. Authorizes the President to terminate such license if it is determined that the foreign person has engaged in the transfer of any MTCR equipment or technology. (Sec. 609) Makes specified amounts of economic support fund (ESF) and foreign military financing funds available only to Israel for FY 2001 through 2008. Title VII: Transfers of Naval Vessels - Authorizes the President to transfer certain naval vessels to: (1) Brazil; (2) Chile; (3) Greece; and (4) Turkey. (Sec. 702) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the inapplicability of aggregate annual limitation on the value of transferred excess defense articles; (2) who should be charged the costs related to such transfers; (3) conditions related to the transfer of naval vessels on a combined lease-sale basis; and (4) the funding of costs related to such transfers. Title VIII: Definition - Defines "appropriate committees of Congress".

Veterans Compensation Equity Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Veterans Compensation Equity Act of 2000 - Authorizes the concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and military retired pay, without deduction from either, for individuals who retired from the armed forces with at least 20 years of service, were awarded the Purple Heart, and have a service-connected disability. Makes the rate of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for the surviving spouse of a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart the same as the rate of compensation for service-connected disability or death that would be paid to a veteran if the veteran were not deceased (thereby continuing the DIC payment beyond the veteran's death). Makes annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan 100 percent of the base amount. (Currently, such annuities are specified percentages of such base amount based on age.) Repeals: (1) the requirement for annuity reduction at age 62; and (2) an alternative computation of such annuity for certain beneficiaries. Requires the recomputation of existing annuities due to amendments made by this Act.

To require the conveyance of certain real property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Miles City, Montana.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to convey to Custer County, Montana, the parcels of real property consisting of the Miles City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Complex. Requires that the County: (1) use the parcels conveyed, directly or through an agreement with a public or private entity, for veterans activities, community and economic development, or other public purposes; or (2) convey the parcels to an appropriate public or private entity for such use. Requires the Secretary to make a grant to the County for activities to convert and redevelop the property for such use. Authorizes appropriations.

Pacific Charter Commission Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Asian Pacific Charter Commission Act of 2000 - Establishes the Asian Pacific Charter Commission to: (1) promote a coordinated U.S. foreign policy to ensure economic and military security in the Pacific region of Asia; (2) support democratization, the rule of law, and human rights there; (3) advance free trade and open markets on a reciprocal basis in the region; (4) combat terrorism and the spread of illicit narcotics there; and (5) carry out research and educational or legislative exchanges between the United States and countries in the region.

Nuclear Fuel Reliability Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

The Nuclear Fuel Reliability Act of 2000 - Instructs the chief executive (Transition Manager) responsible for the daily operations of the United States Enrichment Enterprise (USEE), and the Secretary of Energy to submit a plan to the President for the total reacquisition of USEC Inc. (United States Enrichment Corporation). Mandates congressional review of the reacquisition plan. Authorizes the United States to take USEC Inc., upon plan implementation. Authorizes sums for deposit into the United States Enrichment Enterprise Fund in order to effectuate Federal ownership. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to terminate the Executive Agent Agreement between the United States and USEC, Inc. after USEE has been established. Sets forth implementation and transition guidelines. Establishes the United States Enrichment Enterprise as a Federal agency to: (1) operate as a self-financing business enterprise; (2) maintain a reliable, economical domestic source of uranium mining, enrichment, and conversion services; (3) lease Department of Energy uranium enrichment facilities and maintain continued operations of certain gaseous diffusion plant; (4) sell uranium and conversion services so as not to cause a material adverse impact upon domestic conversion or mining industries; (5) sell enriched uranium and related services to the Department of Energy to maintain a strategic reserve of low enriched uranium; (6) conduct research and development to deploy alternative uranium enrichment technologies; and (7) continue to meet objectives of ensuring the nation's common defense and security. Amends the USEC Privatization Act to subject the conversion component of the uranium hexaflouride delivered to the Russian Executive Agent to the restrictions applicable to equivalent amounts of uranium. Prescribes procedural guidelines for uranium transfers and sales. Authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to contract with USEE to operate gaseous diffusion plants on hot standby if a gaseous diffusion plant is closed. Directs DOE to: (1) assess the long term needs of the domestic nuclear utility industry with respect to low enriched uranium; and (2) establish adequate strategic reserves to assure reliable supply (100 percent of U.S. demand and 100 percent of U.S. obligations to any other country under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978) in the event a uranium enrichment plant is closed and the United States is dependent upon only one gaseous diffusion plant. Authorizes DOE to contract with USEE to purchase at cost the separative work unit (SWU, or the level of effort required to increase the concentration of U-235 in natural uranium) delivered under the Agreement between Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons, dated February 18, 1993 (Russian HEU Agreement).

Scientifically Based Education Research, Statistics, Evaluation, and Information Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Scientifically Based Education Research, Statistics, Evaluation, and Information Act of 2000 - Requires that a specified portion of amounts for discretionary programs of the Department of Education (ED) be made available for FY 2002 through 2006 to carry out certain programs under titles I and II of this Act. Title I: National Academy for Education Research, Statistics, Evaluation, and Information - Establishes a National Academy for Education Research, Statistics, Evaluation, and Information (the Academy) as an independent agency in the executive branch, whose Director shall: (1) coordinate with the Secretary of Education to ensure that ED and each of the Centers within the Academy use common sources of data in standardized formats; and (2) ensure that the Commissioner of each Center (under title II, subtitle A) establishes and maintains a regular schedule of data releases for all of the information it collects, with such data to be archived in electronic format and made accessible to the public in a timely fashion. (Sec. 102) Provides for the Academy's board of directors, which is to be known as the National Board for Education Research, Statistics, Evaluation, and Information. (Sec. 103) Establishes within the Academy a National Education Library and Clearinghouse Office (Library), to be headed by a Deputy Director appointed by the Director. Title II: National Centers for Education Research, Evaluation, and Statistics; National Assessment Governing Board - Subtitle A: National Centers for Education Research, Evaluation, and Information - Chapter 1: National Center for Education Research - Establishes within the Academy a National Center for Education Research (NCER). (Sec. 203) Requires the President to appoint a Commissioner of Educational Research (CER), who will head NCER and appoint a Senior Scientist and staff. (Sec. 204) Requires NCER to oversee and support the conduct of an evaluative summary of the primary education priority areas of each of the National Research and Development Centers (NRDCs) which are eligible grantees. Directs CER, on the basis of an NRDC's priorities and research plan, and the extent to which its work has met the standards of scientifically valid research, to: (1) extend or renegotiate any existing grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for a period not to extend beyond FY 2005; or (2) terminate it or prohibit its renewal. (Sec. 205) Establishes within NCER a Committee for Education Research. (Sec. 208) Requires NCER to: (1) ensure that research under its direction follows scientific standards, is published in peer-reviewed journals, and comply with Federal guidelines regarding research misconduct; (2) develop other necessary standards for research conduct and evaluation; (3) review procedures of other Federal agencies engaged in research and development, and solicit recommendations from research organizations and the public; and (4) use specified minimum standards with regard to awarding of funds and evaluation of applicants and recipients of such funds. Chapter 2: National Center for Program Evaluation - Establishes within the Academy a National Center for Program Evaluation (NCPE). (Sec. 212) Requires the President to appoint a Commissioner for Program Evaluation (CPE). (Sec. 213) Requires NCPE to: (1) evaluate programs under title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), other Federal education programs as determined by the Director, and education programs on a contractual basis for other Federal or State agencies; and (2) administer all operations and contracts associated with evaluations under ESEA title I (which are currently administered by ED), including the national assessment, a longitudinal evaluation of the effectiveness of school interventions, and national longitudinal surveys of schools. Sets forth quality standards and other requirements for such evaluations. (Sec. 214) Authorizes CPE to establish one or more independent review panels for each evaluation, or set of evaluations, to assist NCPE. Chapter 3: National Center for Education Statistics - National Education Statistics Act of 2000 - Reauthorizes, revises, and establishes within the Academy the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (Sec. 224) Requires the President to appoint the Commissioner for Education Statistics (CES), who heads NCES and appoints a Deputy Commissioner, Associate Commissioners, and staff. Extends the term of CES to six years. (Sec. 225) Requires NCES to collect, analyze, and disseminate statistics and other information related to education in the United States and in other nations, including specified types of data. Directs CES to make customer service a priority and ensure customer satisfaction through certain means. Authorizes CES to establish: (1) a program to train employees of public and private educational agencies, organizations, and institutions in the use of NCES's standard statistical procedures and concepts; and (2) a fellows program to appoint such employees as temporary fellows to assist NCES. (Sec. 226) Authorizes CES to award grants, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements, on a competitive basis, for a maximum five-year period, and to renew such grants for an additional maximum five-year period. Gives CES final authority within the Academy with respect to decisions regarding the implementation of data collection activities, including the appropriateness of specific collection methodologies, except with respect to the National Assessment of Educational Progress under subtitle B of this title. Authorizes CES to use: (1) the statistical sampling method; (2) information collected from specified types of sources; and (3) interagency agreements or other arrangements with any agencies, organizations, or institutions for collection of information. Directs CES to: (1) provide technical assistance to ED offices that gather data for statistical purposes; (2) coordinate closely with other ED offices in the collection of data; and (3) notify sources of information, at least six months advance, of hardware and software requirements for new collection activities for which electronic submission will be required, and of any other new requirements for data collection and submission. (Sec. 227) Directs CES to submit to the President and the appropriate congressional committees, an annual statistical report on the condition and progress of education in the United States, and to issue regular statistical reports on appropriate education topics. (Sec. 228) Establishes within NCES an Advisory Council for Education Statistics. (Sec. 229) Requires NCES to develop and enforce confidentiality standards. Prohibits use of individually identifiable information for any purpose other than statistical. Sets forth confidentiality provisions relating to NCES administration, employees, staff, temporary staff, and penalties. Allows access to NCES records, including individual identifiers, by the Academy Director, the U.S. Comptroller General, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and the Librarian of Congress; but makes disclosure restrictions applicable to such officials. (Sec. 230) Directs NCES to: (1) provide State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) opportunities to suggest development of particular compilations of statistics, surveys, and analyses that would assist those agencies; (2) furnish special statistical compilations and surveys at the request of appropriate congressional committees; (3) provide access to other Federal agencies needing educational data it receives; and (4) provide all interested parties, for research and statistical information purposes, direct access to data it collects. Allows NCES to: (1) furnish copies of statistical records; and (2) make special statistical compilations and surveys for various entities and to charge fees for such work or services. Authorizes CES to engage in joint statistical projects with various entities. (Sec. 231) Authorizes CES to establish and provide grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance for one or more: (1) national cooperative education statistics systems; and (2) postsecondary education data advisory groups. Subtitle B: National Assessment Governing Board and National Assessment of Educational Progress - Chapter 1: National Assessment Governing Board - Establishes within the Academy the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), which shall have full authority to formulate policy and carry out the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Sets forth requirements for establishment of policy for NAEP. Makes NAGB independent of the Director and the other offices and officers of the Academy. (Sec. 252) Directs NAGB to establish policy for the NAEP (which collectively refers to a long-term trend assessment, national assessment, and State assessments), and carry it out through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with one or more qualified entities or consortia. Sets forth requirements relating to: (1) the schedule for such assessments, including frequency, student ages, grades, and subject areas; (2) prohibited data; (3) public access and confidentiality; (4) voluntary participation by SEAs and LEAs; (5) non-Federal share; (6) student performance levels; (7) reviews and reports; and (8) coverage agreements with schools operated by the Department of Defense or operated or supported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (Sec. 253) Prohibits use of funds by ED, NAGB, the Academy, or an applicable program for activities related to any federally sponsored national test in reading, mathematics, or any other subject that is not specifically and explicitly provided for in authorizing legislation enacted into law. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study or other international comparative assessments developed under the authority of specified provisions of this Act and administered only to a representative sample of pupils in the United States and in foreign nations. Repeals specified provisions of the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for 1999 (Public Law 105-277) relating to the authority of the NAGB over the direction and all policies and guidelines for developing voluntary national tests. Title III: Activities Within the Department of Education - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to replace provisions for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Establishes the Office of Planning, Performance Measurement, and Technical Assistance. Requires the Office Director to provide: (1) assistance for planning and program performance measurement; (2) assistance to SEAs and LEAs in developing and maintaining management information systems; (3) technical assistance and information dissemination for the regional comprehensive technical assistance and reform initiatives which the Office Director establishes and coordinates, and (4) technical assistance and information dissemination for a school-based customer driven technical assistance program under which the Secretary shall award competitive grants to States. (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget provide for a transition of the activities described in this Act previously administered through the Department of Education (ED) and transferred under this Act. (Sec. 402) Repeals: (1) the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994; (2) the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 (which is title IV of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994); and (3) specified provisions relating to educational research, Federal evaluations, demonstrations, and transition projects, or national education statistics under the Department of Education Organization Act, the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, ESEA, and the General Education Provisions Act.

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Treasury Department, the U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies. Title I: Department of the Treasury - Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs for development and acquisition of automatic data processing equipment, software, and services; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) repair and restoration of the Treasury building and annex; (6) a demonstration project to expand access to financial services for low-income individuals; (7) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (8) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including amounts for maintenance and facility improvements; (9) interagency crime and drug enforcement; (10) the Financial Management Service; (11) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (12) the U.S. Customs Service, including amounts for operations and maintenance of marine vessels and aircraft, collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee, and automation modernization; (13) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (14) the Internal Revenue Service, including amounts for tax law enforcement, earned income tax credit compliance and error reduction initiatives, and information systems and telecommunications support; and (15) the Secret Service, including an amount for construction and improvement of facilities. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 122) Bars the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated to the Department of the Treasury in any Act for establishment of a new law enforcement training facility until an assessment of the need for, and cost-effectiveness of, such facility has been carried out by the Comptroller General and approved by the Appropriations Committees. Title II: Postal Service - Postal Service Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for payments to the Postal Service Fund for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) compensation of the President and the White House office; (2) operating, maintenance, and reimbursable expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House; (3) White House repair and restoration; (4) special assistance to the President and the official residence of the Vice President; (5) the Council of Economic Advisers; (6) the Office of Policy Development; (7) the National Security Council; (8) the Office of Administration; (9) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (10) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; (11) the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center; and (12) Federal drug control programs, including amounts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and for a national anti-drug campaign for youth. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) Federal Election Commission; (3) Federal Labor Relations Authority; and (4) General Services Administration (GSA), including amounts for the Federal Buildings Fund, Government-wide policy and operations, Office of Inspector General, and allowances and office staff for former Presidents. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 408) Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 to extend to April 30, 2002, the date through which the GSA Administrator is authorized to offer voluntary separation incentives to specified employees to provide for the closing of the Federal Supply Service distribution centers, forward supply points, and associated programs. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (2) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation; (3) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund to carry out activities authorized in the Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Act of 1998; (4) the National Archives and Records Administration, including amounts for repairs and restoration of archives; (5) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (6) the Office of Government Ethics; (7) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including an amount for the Office of Inspector General; (8) Government contributions for health and life insurance benefits for annuitants; (9) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (8) the Office of Special Counsel; and (9) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds made available under this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 509) Prohibits funds appropriated by this Act from being available for an abortion or the administrative expenses of any Federal employee health plan which provides benefits for abortions. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 514) Directs the Archivist of the United States to transfer certain Federal land located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the Gerald R. Ford Foundation in trust for the purpose of supporting the facilities and programs of the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor. (Sec. 515) Requires the Director of OMB to issue guidelines under the Paperwork Reduction Act that provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information disseminated by agencies in fulfillment of such Act. (Sec. 516) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to implement a preference for the acquisition of a firearm or ammunition based on whether the manufacturer or vendor of the firearm or ammunition is a party to an agreement with a Federal agency regarding codes of conduct, operating practices, or product design specifically related to the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms or ammunition under the Federal criminal code. (Sec. 517) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to allow the placement in interstate or foreign commerce of diamonds that have been mined in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Angola, except for diamonds the country of origin of which has been certified as the Republic of Sierra Leone by government officials of that country who are recognized by the General Assembly of the United Nations. (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. (Sec. 520) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to pay the salary of any OMB employee who makes apportionments under Federal provisions regarding appropriation accounting that prevent the expenditure or obligation by December 31, 2000, of at least 75 percent of the appropriations made for FY 2001 to carry out the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, the Food for Progress Act of 1985, and a specified agricultural assistance provision of the Agricultural Act of 1949. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated for Federal departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 619) Bars the use of funds made available for the Customs Service in this Act to allow the importation of any good produced or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor. (Sec. 624) Requires the OMB Director to report to Congress: (1) estimates of annual costs and benefits of Federal rules and paperwork; (2) impacts of Federal regulation on State, local, and tribal government, small business, wages, and economic growth; and (3) recommendations for reform. Requires the Director to issue guidelines to agencies to standardize measures of costs and benefits and the format of accounting statements. (Sec. 631) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act to enter into or renew a contract which includes a provision providing prescription drug coverage, except where the contract also includes a provision for contraceptive coverage. Makes exceptions to such prohibition for religious health plans. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds by executive agencies to provide child care services for Federal civilian employees. Permits amounts paid to licensed or regulated child care providers to be paid in advance of services rendered, covering agreed upon periods. (Sec. 635) Authorizes a woman to breastfeed her child on Federal property if the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location. (Sec. 637) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for election cycle reporting of certain expenditures. Adds provisions to such Act authorizing the use of facsimile devices or electronic mail for reporting certain contributions or expenditures. Excludes from the definition of "contribution" under such Act any loan of money derived from an advance on a line of credit available to a candidate if such loan is made in accordance with applicable law under commercially reasonable terms and if the person making such loan makes loans in the normal course of business. Changes the deadline for reporting contributions exceeding $1,000 received after the 20th day before an election to require notification of such contribution within 24 (currently, 48) hours of receipt. Requires filing (currently, reporting) of independent expenditure statements for certain expenditures aggregating $1,000 within 24 hours of the expenditure being made. Considers the receipt date (in lieu of the postmark date) to be the date of filing. Applies this section's amendments to elections occurring after January 2001. (Sec. 638) Authorizes qualified Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) police officers, upon written election, to be treated as law enforcement officers for purposes of Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) provisions and to have prior service similarly treated. Defines a "qualified MWAA police officer" as any individual who is currently so employed and is subject to CSRS or FERS by virtue of Federal transportation provisions governing certain Federal employees who transferred to the MWAA. Describes prior service as service as an MWAA or Federal Aviation Administration police officer prior to the effective date of such election. (Sec. 639) Authorizes the President's pay agent, for purposes of determining appropriate pay localities and making comparability payment recommendations, to make comparisons of General Schedule (GS) and non-Federal pay within metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) within the continental United States that have a high level of nonfarm employment and at least 2,500 GS employees using data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys and salary data sets from any entity that regularly compiles similar data for businesses in the private sector. Permits the pay agent to make further determinations or recommendations based on such comparisons for purposes of payments becoming payable between January 1, 2002, and 2007, respectively. Requires the pay agent, based on such comparisons, to determine whether any of the five MSAs with the highest levels of nonfarm employment that have not been previously surveyed by the BLS as discrete pay localities for purposes of provisions governing locality-based comparability payments for Federal employees warrants designation as a discrete pay locality and if so, make recommendations as to the level of payments appropriate during 2002. Requires any MSA that warrants such designation to be designated as a discrete pay locality in time for 2002 comparability payments. Directs the pay agent to report to specified congressional committees on the ongoing efforts of OPM, OMB, and the BLS to revise the methodology currently used by the BLS in performing surveys related to comparability payments. (Sec. 640) Amends Federal retirement provisions to reduce to seven percent after December 31, 2000, the required retirement contribution by Federal employees participating under CSRS (such contribution currently is scheduled to be 7.5 percent for calendar years 2001 and 2002 and 7 percent after 2002). Reduces similarly the required percentage contribution under CSRS for Members of Congress and congressional employees, law enforcement and firefighting personnel, certain judges and magistrates, the Capitol police, and nuclear materials couriers. Makes similar reductions for participants in FERS. Makes conforming reductions with respect to military and volunteer service under FERS. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act, and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to make similar employee retirement contribution reductions under the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Pension System. Prescribes agency contributions for October 1 through December 31, 2002, in lieu of those required under current law, under CSRS, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. (Sec. 641) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require certain information to be filed with the Federal Election Commission in cases where the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the House of Representatives or the Senate uses any Federal Government aircraft for purposes that include carrying out the candidate's election campaign. Makes this section applicable to elections occurring after December 31, 2000.

Waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 4576) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Waives all points of order against the consideration of the conference report on H.R. 4576 (Department of Defense appropriations).

Expressing the sense of the Congress that Harriet Tubman should have been paid a pension for her service as a nurse and scout in the United States Army during the Civil War.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Expresses the sense of Congress that Harriet Tubman should have been paid a pension at the rate of $25 each month for her service as a nurse and scout in the U.S. Army during the Civil War.

Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2000

Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 - Amends Federal veterans benefits provisions to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take specified steps to assist claimants. Requires the Secretary: (1) to notify a claimant whose application is incomplete of the evidence necessary to complete the application (existing law), including the information and medical and lay evidence necessary to substantiate the claim and, as part of such notice, to indicate which portion of such evidence is to be provided by the claimant and which portion the Secretary will attempt to obtain on behalf of the claimant; (2) to make reasonable efforts to assist in obtaining evidence necessary to establish a claimant's eligibility for a benefit (but allows the Secretary to decide a claim without providing such assistance when no reasonable possibility exists that such assistance will aid in the establishment of eligibility) and to obtain relevant records that the claimant adequately identifies to the Secretary and authorizes the Secretary to obtain; and (3) to inform the claimant whenever the Secretary is unable to obtain such records and to request the claimant to notify the Secretary if the claimant intends to obtain such records independently. Requires, in the case of a veteran's claim for disability compensation, the Secretary to: (1) obtain the claimant's existing service medical records and, if the claimant has furnished sufficient information, other relevant service records, existing records of relevant medical treatment or examination of the veteran at Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities or at the expense of the Department, and specified information to be furnished by other agencies; and (2) provide a medical examination or obtain a medical opinion when the evidence of record before the Secretary establishes that the claimant has a current disability or has current symptoms and that there was an event, injury, or disease (or combination thereof) during the claimant's active military, naval, or air service capable of causing or aggravating the claimant's current disability or symptoms, but is insufficient to establish service-connection. (Sec. 4) Places on the claimant the burden of proving entitlement to benefits (currently, of submitting evidence sufficient to justify a belief by a fair and impartial individual that the claim is well grounded). (Sec. 5) Prohibits any Federal department or agency from imposing any charge for providing to the Secretary information for purposes of determining benefit eligibility. (Sec. 6) Provides for: (1) the applicability of provisions of this Act concerning the burden of proof to claims filed before, and not final as of, the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) the readjudication of claims for benefits that were denied, because the claims were not well grounded, during the period between July 14, 1999, and this Act's enactment date.

Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the contributions, sacrifices, and distinguished service of Americans exposed to radiation or radioactive materials as a result of service in the Armed Forces.

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2000

Calls for the designation of July 16, 2000, the 55th anniversary of the first nuclear explosion, the Trinity Shot in New Mexico, as a National Day of Remembrance to honor veterans exposed to radiation or radioactive materials during service in the armed forces.

Veterans Mission for Youth Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Veterans Mission for Youth Act - Amends the Troops-to-Teachers Program Act (title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2000) to direct the Secretary of Defense, through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support Division of the Department of Defense, to establish a Veterans Mission for Youth Initiative to award grants to eligible organizations to carry out programs through which veterans provide mentoring, tutoring, after-school, and other services for youth. Authorizes appropriations.

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Veterans Benefits Act of 2000 - Title I: Annual Compensation Increase - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2000, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date. Title II: Benefits Improvements - Includes as a service-connected and therefore compensable injury under veterans' disability compensation provisions a stroke or heart attack incurred or aggravated by members of the reserves during the performance of inactive-duty training or while traveling to or from such training. (Sec. 202) Provides a monthly rate of compensation for the service-connected loss of one or both breasts due to a radical or modified radical mastectomy. Title III: Veterans Life Insurance - Authorizes participation in the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program for individuals who volunteer for assignment to a mobilization category in the Individual Ready Reserve.

A bill to require certain information from the President before certain deployments of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2000

Prohibits the President from obligating or expending any appropriated funds for a covered deployment of the armed forces until the President submits to the appropriate officials and committees of Congress a report on the deployment which shall: (1) specify the vital national interests which require the deployment, the likely consequences of the deployment on such interests and any other national interests, and the adverse consequences to such interests of the absence of such deployment; (2) specify why diplomatic and other means, other than the deployment, are unable to secure the interests specified; (3) identify concrete policy objectives which are to be achieved by the deployment, the specific military missions which are designed to achieve each such policy objective, and the anticipated date, or the set of conditions, that defines the endpoint of the deployment; and (4) specify the authority for the deployment under the Constitution and under international law. Provides that such prohibition shall not apply in the case of a deployment in response to a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress that is caused by an attack on the United States, or its territories or possessions, or on the armed forces abroad. Requires the President, if the prohibition does not apply with respect to a deployment, to submit to the appropriate congressional officials and committees a report on the deployment that meets the requirements specified above as soon as practicable after the date of the deployment.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the definition of the term "Vietnam era" to provide eligibility for certain veterans benefits that are based on service during the Vietnam era, without regard to whether such service was in the Republic of Vietnam.

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2000

Revises the definition of "Vietnam era," for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits, to remove the requirement that such service must have been performed in the Republic of Vietnam.

China Nonproliferation Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2000

China Nonproliferation Act - Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees on every person (with certain exceptions) with respect to whom there is credible information indicating that such person, on or after January 1, 2000, transferred, retransferred, sold, misused, or diverted from, or within, the People's Republic of China to a foreign person or Chinese national involved in the development or acquisition of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons or ballistic or cruise missiles any goods, services, or technology: (1) listed on the Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines for the Export of Nuclear Material, Equipment and Technology and Guidelines for Transfers of Nuclear-Related Dual-Use Equipment, Material, and Related Technology (both published by the International Atomic Energy Agency), the Missile Technology Control Regime Equipment and Technology Annex of June 11, 1996, the lists of items and substances relating to biological and chemical weapons the export of which is controlled by the Australia Group, the Schedules of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, or the Wassenaar Arrangement list of Dual Use Goods and Technologies and Munitions list of July 12, 1996; or (2) not identified on any of these lists, but would be if they were U.S. goods, services, or technology prohibited or controlled for export to China (or any tier IV countries as defined by the Bureau of Export Administration of the Department of Commerce), and have the potential to contribute to the development, improvement, or production of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or of ballistic or cruise missile systems, or advanced conventional weapons or munitions. (Sec. 3) Requires the President to include in the report information: (1) on any action taken by a person identified in a prior annual report that establishes that the person has discontinued, rectified, or mitigated a prior proliferation activity identified under this Act; (2) on measures taken against such persons or against China in response to proliferation activities; and (3) other specified information. Requires submission of such reports in unclassified form, with classified annexes as necessary. (Sec. 4) Directs the President to apply certain measures for at least 12 months to each person identified in the annual report. Includes among such measures: (1) those set forth Executive Order No. 12938; (2) prohibition of U.S. Government transfers or sales to such person of any item on the U.S. Munitions List, and termination of all sales and after-sale servicing to such person of any defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act; (3) denial of licenses, suspension of existing licenses, and termination of all transfers or sales and after-sale servicing for the transfer to such person of any item the export of which is controlled under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the Export Administration regulations; (4) prohibition of U.S. Government procurement of any goods or services from such person; (5) prohibition of U.S. assistance to such person in the form of grants, loans, credits, guarantees, or otherwise; (6) immediate suspension of any agreements or efforts for the co-development or co-production with such person of any item on the U.S. Munitions List. Sets conditions for the lifting of such measures. (Sec. 5) Requires the President to apply additional specified tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 measures against China if certain circumstances exist. Requires one or more tier 2 measures if a person's proliferation activities are not rectified, or a person has engaged in additional proliferation activities, one year after imposition of section (4) measures, and one or more tier 3 measures if similar circumstances exist two years after imposition of section (4) measures. (Sec. 6) Sets forth procedures for congressional review of any presidential decision not to impose sanctions under this Act, or to exempt a person or China from such sanctions. Mandates imposition of such sanctions if Congress disapproves by joint resolution the President's decision. (Sec. 7) Requires transmittal to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the President's annual report under this Act. Requires the SEC to promulgate regulations to: (1) ensure that securities investors are notified of the identity of any person in the report the securities of which are listed, or authorized for listing, on a registered national securities exchange (or tier or segment) or by a registered national securities association; and (2) require each person included in such a report to provide notice of such inclusion in each written report, registration statement, or other filing or notice required from that person under the securities laws.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for the Department of Defense special compensation benefit for certain severely disabled military retirees.

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2000

Removes the requirement that a veteran's severe service-connected disability must have been rated at least 70 percent disabling by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as of the date of such veteran's retirement or within four years thereafter in order for such veteran to receive special compensation for such disability.

Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2000

Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000 - Title I: Assistance to Countries With Large Populations Having HIV-AIDS - Global AIDS Research and Relief Act of 2000 - Sets forth the purposes of this Act, including to: (1) prevent human suffering; and (2) ensure the viability of economic development, stability, and national security in the developing world by advancing research to understand the causes associated with HIV-AIDS in developing countries and assist in the development of an AIDS vaccine. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that the agency responsible for administering this Act should make the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS a priority in the foreign assistance program for developing foreign countries. Directs the President to enter into negotiations with foreign government officials and other interested parties to establish an international vaccine purchase fund that would accept contributions from governments to purchase and distribute in developing countries vaccines for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and any infectious disease which causes the deaths of over one million people worldwide each year and be a significant market incentive for private sector vaccine research. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into negotiations with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) or the International Development Association (IDA), and with their member nations and other interested parties, for the creation of two trust funds which would accept contributions from governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental entities to: (1) address the AIDS epidemic in countries eligible to borrow from the IDA; and (2) provide support for or the establishment of programs which provide primary and secondary education for orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. Directs the President to coordinate the development of a multidonor strategy to provide for the support and education of AIDS orphans and the families, communities, and institutions most affected by the HIV-AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Requires the United States to ensure that classroom training under the African Crisis Response Initiative includes military-based education on the prevention of the spread of AIDS. Title II: International Tuberculosis Control - International Tuberculosis Control Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise requirements for assistance for health programs in developing countries to declare that Congress recognizes: (1) the growing international problem of tuberculosis; and (2) that the means exist to control and treat it, and that it is therefore a major objective of the foreign assistance program to control the disease. Declares that Congress expects the agency primarily responsible for administering this Act to: (1) coordinate with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and other organizations toward the development and implementation of a comprehensive tuberculosis control program; and (2) set as a goal the detection of at least 70 percent of the cases of infectious tuberculosis, and the cure of at least 85 percent of the cases detected, in those countries in which the agency has established development programs, by December 31, 2010.

Calling upon the Government of Turkey to withdraw its armed forces from the island of Cyprus and to negotiate for the reunification of the Republic of Cyprus.

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2000

Expresses the sense of the Congress that Turkey should: (1) withdraw all its armed forces from the island of Cyprus; and (2) negotiate for the reunification of the Republic of Cyprus on the basis of existing United Nations Security Council resolutions.

A resolution expressing appreciation to the people of Okinawa for hosting United States defense facilities, commending the Government of Japan for choosing Okinawa as the site for hosting the summit meeting of the G-8 countries, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000

Commends the Government of Japan for its choice of Okinawa as the site for hosting the leaders of the G-8 countries. Expresses the Senate's: (1) hope for a successful summit; and (2) deep appreciation to the people of Okinawa for hosting the U.S. military facilities in Okinawa. Urges the President to work with Japanese leaders to devise a joint U.S.-Japan education initiative that strengthens the human resource base in Okinawa, particularly with a view to meeting Okinawa's economic needs and Asia-Pacific aspirations.

Kentucky National Forest Land Transfer Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2000

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) child survival and infectious disease programs, including basic education programs (earmarking amounts for child survival and maternal health, vulnerable children, HIV-AIDS, other infectious diseases, children's basic education, UNICEF, and U.S. contribution to the Global Fund for Children's Vaccines); (3) specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation); (4) specified assistance for Lebanon for scholarships and direct support to the American educational institutions there; (5) international disaster assistance; (6) international disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to support transition to democracy and to long-term development of countries in crisis (provided AID reports to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days before the beginning of such program assistance); (7) micro and small enterprise development programs; (8) direct loans and loan guarantees under the development credit authority program for development assistance to foreign countries (provided such funds are made available only for urban and environmental programs); (9) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (10) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (11) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, and Mongolia); (12) the International Fund for Ireland; (13) ESF assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for the Baltic States, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (14) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union (subject to specified conditions, and earmarking amounts for Georgia and Armenia and for child survival, environmental health, and to combat infectious diseases); (15) the Peace Corps (with a bar on the use of such funds for abortions); (16) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (17) migration and refugee assistance; (18) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (19) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities (including U.S. contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), subject to specified conditions, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission, and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund); (20) the Department of the Treasury international affairs technical assistance program; and (21) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to eligible countries (including through the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Trust Fund under the enhanced HIPC initiative). Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations; (2) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government; and (3) any activity contravening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Prohibits funds to Russia unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that the Russian Federation is in compliance with article V of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe regarding forces deployed in the flank zone in and around Chechnya. Withholds 50 percent of the funds allocated for the Government of the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that it has terminated arrangements to provide Iran with technology to develop a nuclear program or ballistic missile capability. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Indonesia and Guatemala; (2) foreign military financing grants and direct loans (earmarking amounts for Israel and Egypt); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Declares that none of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available to support grant-financed military education and training at the School of the Americas unless: (1) the Secretary of Defense certifies that the instruction and training provided by the School is fully consistent with training and doctrine, particularly with respect to the observance of human rights, provided by the Department of Defense to U.S. military students at Department of Defense institutions whose primary purpose is to train U.S. military personnel; and (2) the Secretary of State, without delegation, certifies that such instruction and training is consistent with U.S. foreign policy objectives and helps support the observance of human rights in Latin America. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to a specified congressional committee by January 15, 2001, on the School's training activities and a general assessment regarding the performance of its graduates during 1998 and 1999. Urges Israel to terminate the existing contract to sell an airborne radar system to the People's Republic of China which could threaten both the forces of democratic Taiwan and the United States in the region surrounding the Taiwan Strait. Prohibits foreign military financing for: (1) Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala; or (2) any non-NATO country participating in the Partnership for Peace Program except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) the International Development Association (IDA), subject to specified conditions; (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (5) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (6) the Asian Development Fund; (7) the African Development Bank; (8) the African Development Fund; (9) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds for the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology, KEDO, or the IAEA. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including that no more than 15 percent of such appropriations shall be obligated during the last month of availability. (Sec. 502) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions; and (2) the transfer of such funds by AID directly to such an institution for the purpose of repaying a foreign country's loan obligations to it. (Sec. 503) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for AID, and for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation and the Trade and Development Agency. Limits the use of funds for entertainment expenses of the Peace Corps, and of entertainment and representation allowances under the Foreign Military Financing Program. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology (except for nuclear safety purposes); (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree; (4) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, or Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financial, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until FY 2002. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a Government of such an Independent State, unless such Government is making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment. Prohibits the availability of assistance also: (1) if such a Government applies or transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership of assets, investments, or ventures (unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest); or (2) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or provide any financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 519) Limits to no more than five percent the amount of export financing funds (other than for administrative expenses) that can be transferred from one appropriation to another, with no appropriation being increased by more than 25 percent by such transfer. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Haiti, Liberia, Serbia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for child survival, basic education, infectious disease activities and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 523) Bars funding for indirect assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or China unless the President certifies that the withholding of such funds is contrary to the U.S. national security interest. (Sec. 524) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees on Appropriations before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the availability of ESF funds to provide general support and grants for nongovernmental organizations located outside China that have as their primary purpose fostering democracy in that country (including earmarking amounts to such organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities). Earmarks ESF funds to the Jamestown Foundation (currently the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights) for a project to disseminate information and support research about China, and related activities. (Sec. 527) Prohibits bilateral assistance funds to any country which the President determines grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or group which has committed an act of international terrorism or otherwise supports such activities. Authorizes the waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) Directs the Secretary of State to report quarterly to the Committees on Appropriations on the use of supplemental appropriations for ESF assistance and military assistance to certain countries. (Sec. 529) Requires all AID contracts and subcontracts to include a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a fair opportunity to bid for insurance when insurance is necessary or appropriate. (Sec. 530) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 531) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are AID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for- nature exchanges. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq, unless the President certifies to Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the U.S. national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in that country; or (3) will be humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. (Sec. 535) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Requires an agency to report to the Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 536) Prohibits the use of funds to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for establishing or developing in a foreign country an export processing zone or other designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of U.S. jobs; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in the recipient country. (Sec. 537) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for the Republic of Serbia (except for Kosovo or Montenegro or for assistance to promote democratization). (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, and displaced Burmese may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. Prohibits the use of funds made available to Cambodia for military or paramilitary purposes. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation programs, and subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Authorizes AID to employ personal services contractors to administer programs for the West Bank and Gaza. Authorizes the President to waive certain prohibitions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organizations (PLO) if the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 539) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by the Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; (2) normalization of relations with Israel by such Arab countries; and (3) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 541) Declares that the restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in this Act or any other Act (except those relating to international terrorism or human rights violations) shall not be construed to restrict assistance: (1) in support of certain programs of nongovernmental organizations; or (2) under specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 542) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 544) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. Earmarks specified amounts to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger abroad. (Sec. 545) Declares that assistance under this Act should make full use of American resources, including commodities, products, and services, to the maximum extent possible. Declares the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all agricultural commodities, equipment, and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American- made. Requires Federal agency heads, in providing financial assistance to or entering into any contract with any entity using funds made available in this Act, to notify such entity of this intention. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on the efforts of such agency heads and the U.S. directors of international financial institutions in complying with such requirements. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any UN member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at international conferences). (Sec. 548) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 550) Withholds assistance from a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 552) Permits the President to provide up to a specified amount of commodities and services to the UN War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 553) Authorizes disposal on a grant basis in foreign countries of demining equipment used in support of the clearance of land mines and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian purposes. (Sec. 554) Prohibits the obligation of appropriations to create in Jerusalem a new U.S. agency office for the purpose of conducting U.S. business with the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and Jericho (or any successor Palestinian governing entity) provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles. (Sec. 555) Prohibits the obligation of certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; or (2) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the United States by eligible countries as a result of: (1) housing guarantees made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms Export Control Act; or (3) any obligation to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits the exercise of such authority only: (1) to implement multilateral official debt relief and referendum agreements known as the Paris Club Agreed Minutes; and (2) with respect to countries with heavy debt burdens that are eligible to borrow from the IDA (but not from the World Bank) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 557) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes the sale, reduction, or cancellation of certain loans to foreign governments, upon receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser that plans to use such loans only for the purposes of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or debt-for nature swaps. Limits such authority to funds appropriated by this Act under the heading of debt restructuring. (Sec. 558) Bars funds appropriated by this Act or any previous appropriations Act for foreign operations, export financing and related programs to be made available for assistance for the Government of Haiti until: (1) the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Haiti has held free and fair elections to seat a new parliament; and (2) the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such Government is fully cooperating with the US efforts to interdict illicit drug traffic through it to the United States. Earmarks a specified percentage of funds appropriated under this Act for bilateral assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean region. (Sec. 559) Requires a specified annual report of the Secretary of State containing the voting record of each foreign member country of the UN to include a side-by-side comparison of each country's overall support for the United States at the UN and the amount of U.S. assistance provided to it in FY 2000. (Sec. 560) Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the UN, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN is not engaged in any effort to implement or impose any taxation on U.S. persons in order to raise revenue for itself or any of its specialized agencies. (Sec. 561) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for its Coast Guard. (Sec. 562) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the use of funds for the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State believes they have committed gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such country is taking steps to bring the responsible persons to justice. (Sec. 564) Provides for bilateral and multilateral assistance sanctions (with humanitarian, democratization, and certain infrastructure project exceptions) against countries harboring war criminals indicted with respect to the former Yugoslavia. Prohibits the provision of bilateral assistance for programs in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest or communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the location, if known, of publicly indicted war criminals, on country, entity and municipality authorities known to have obstructed the work of the Tribunal, and on sanctioned countries, entities, and municipalities. (Sec. 565) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of the Russian Federation unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that the Federation has not enacted laws or promulgated executive orders that discriminate against religious minorities in violation of international agreements on human rights and religious freedoms to which it is a party. (Sec. 566) Subjects the availability of funds in this Act to support programs or activities promoting country participation in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 567) Bars funds to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 568) Earmarks specified foreign assistance funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group, the Multinational Force and Observers, the Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, Middle East Regional Cooperation, and Middle East Multilateral Working Groups. (Sec. 569) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 570) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to Cambodia (except loans to support basic human needs). Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for assistance for the Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 571) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to Congress on all overseas military training provided to, and proposed to be provided to, foreign military personnel under programs administered by the Defense and State Departments during FY 2000 and 2001. (Sec. 572) Earmarks specified funds for KEDO for administrative expenses and heavy fuel oil costs associated with the Agreed Framework (Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula). Earmarks other amounts to KEDO if the President certifies to Congress that North Korea is complying with the provisions of the Agreed Framework. (Sec. 573) Authorizes investment of funds made available to grantees of the African Development Foundation pending expenditure for project purposes when authorized by the President of the Foundation. (Sec. 574) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to provide equipment, technical support, consulting services, or any other assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 575) Earmarks specified amounts of ESF funds for a political transition in Iraq, Iraqi opposition groups for political, economic, humanitarian, and other activities, and for groups and activities seeking the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi government officials for war crimes. Bars the use of such funds for administrative expenses of the State Department. (Sec. 576) Directs AID to submit an annual budget justification consistent with certain requirements of this Act to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 577) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol to the United States Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification pursuant to the U.S. Constitution, and which has not entered into force. (Sec. 578) Directs the Secretary of State, 30 days prior to the initial obligation of ESF funds for the bilateral West Bank and Gaza Program, to certify to the appropriate congressional committees that procedures have been established to assure the Comptroller General will have access to appropriate U.S. financial information in order to review the uses of such funds for the Program. (Sec. 579) Makes foreign military financing program funds available for Indonesia if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Indonesian government and the Indonesian armed forces are taking specified actions to: (1) bring to justice, and cooperate with investigations and prosecutions of, members of the armed forces and militia groups with respect to human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor; (2) allow safe passage for refugees returning home to East Timor from West Timor; and (3) not impede the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET). (Sec. 580) Bars the use of appropriated funds under this Act for the UN Man and the Biosphere Program or the UN World Heritage Fund for programs in the United States. (Sec. 581) Requires the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership of Congress to devise a mechanism to provide for congressional input before making any determination on the nature or quantity of defense articles and services to be made available to Taiwan. (Sec. 582) Urges funds appropriated by this Act for U.S. assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States to the maximum extent practicable to be used for the procurement of articles and services of U.S. origin. (Sec. 583) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act for assistance for the government of any country that has been determined to have: (1) provided lethal or non-lethal military support or equipment, directly or through intermediaries, within the previous six months to the Sierra Leone Revolutionary United Front (RUF), or any other group intent on destabilizing the democratically elected government of the Republic of Sierra Leone; or (2) aided or abetted, within the previous six months, in the illicit distribution, transportation, or sale of diamonds mined in Sierra Leone. (Sec. 584) Authorizes voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees who voluntarily separate (whether by retirement or resignation) on or before December 31, 2001 to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 585) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a working capital fund for AID expenses of personal and nonpersonal services, equipment and supplies. (Sec. 586) Earmarks a specified amount of international organizations and program funds for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (except for any country program in China). Conditions the availability of such funds to UNFPA on specified requirements, including that it does not fund abortions. (Sec. 587) Earmarks a specified amount of funds for population planning activities or other population assistance, with specified restrictions on assistance to foreign organizations that perform or actively promote abortions. (Sec. 588) Requires information relevant to the December 2, 1980, murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador to be made public to the fullest extent possible. (Sec. 589) Declares that funds shall be appropriated to the HIPC Initiative only when the President of the World Bank and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that such institutions will not include user fees or service charges through "community financing", "cost sharing", "cost recovery", or any other mechanism for primary education or primary healthcare, including prevention and treatment efforts for AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and infant, child, and maternal well-being in their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers or any other HIPC-related debt relief or economic reform program or plan or any other IMF or World Bank loan or reform program. (Sec. 590) Bars the use of funds under this Act for abortions or to lobby for or against abortion. (Sec. 591) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold ten percent of the U.S. payment to any international financial institution until the Secretary certifies that such institution has implemented certain procurement and financial management reforms. Title VI: Mozambique, Madagascar, and Southern Africa Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2000 for international assistance and rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Mozambique, Madagascar, and southern Africa.

A bill to provide for the conveyance of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Ft. Lyon, Colorado, to the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to convey a specified parcel of real property, including improvements other than Kit Carson Chapel, comprising the location of Ft. Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Colorado, to the State of Colorado to utilize for purposes of a correctional facility. Prohibits the Secretary from making the conveyance unless the State agrees to provide public access to the Chapel and the cemetery located on such property. Permits the State to satisfy such condition respecting the chapel by relocating it to Ft. Lyon National Cemetery, Colorado, or another appropriate location jointly selected by the Secretary and the State. Prohibits the Secretary from making the conveyance until: (1) the date on which the Secretary opens not less than three health care facilities, and a nursing home care facility, in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, which shall serve as replacement facilities for the Medical Center; and (2) the Secretary completes required environmental restoration activities. Authorizes the Secretary to pay the State or any private nursing home care facility for costs incurred in providing nursing home care to any veteran who is relocated from the Medical Center as a result of the Medical Center's closure. States that the authority to pay voluntary separation incentive payments under the Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1999 to employees of the Medical Center shall apply to eligible employees whose separation occurs before June 30, 2001. Requires the Under Secretary for Health of the Department, acting through the Director of VISN 19, not later than one year after the conveyance, to submit to congressional veterans affairs committees a report on the status of the health care system for veterans under VISN in southern Colorado describing any improvements to such system in southern Colorado that have been put into effect since the date of such conveyance.

A bill to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of Congress to General Wesley K. Clark, United States Army, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and service during the military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present a gold medal to General Wesley K. Clark, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and service as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during the military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). Authorizes appropriations.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption of service connection for the occurrence of hepatitis C in certain veterans.

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

Considers hepatitis C becoming manifest in a veteran to be service-connected, and therefore compensable under veterans' disability provisions, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such illness during the period of such service, as long as it is shown that during such service the veteran experienced: (1) a blood transfusion before December 31, 1992; or (2) hemodialysis.

Michael Colombo Veterans' Claims Correction Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

Michael Colombo Veterans' Claims Correction Act of 2000 - Provides that, for purposes of determining eligible recipients of accrued veterans' benefits, the term "children" shall be applied without regard to age or dependency in the case of a veteran who dies with a pending claim for increased compensation (or an increased disability rating) which is later granted. Makes this Act effective retroactively to veterans dying on or after May 1, 1998, but prohibits such amounts from being paid before October 1, 2000.

Hunting Heritage Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

Hunting Heritage Protection Act - Requires that Federal public land and water be open to access and use for recreational hunting except: (1) as limited by the responsible Federal agency for national security or public safety reasons or for reasons specifically authorized in applicable Federal statutes as reasons for closure; and (2) as such hunting is limited by the State in which such land or water is located. Directs the head of each Federal agency to exercise its authority to manage a natural resource or public land or water so as to support, promote, and enhance recreational hunting opportunities. Declares that Federal land management decisions and actions should result in no net loss of hunting opportunities on public lands. Establishes a National Recreational Hunting Coordination Council to: (1) ensure that Federal agencies consider the social and economic values of healthy wildlife habitats that support recreational hunting; (2) make available to the public the latest resource information and management technologies to assist in the conservation and management of wildlife and the provision of recreational hunting opportunities; (3) assess the implementation of a Comprehensive Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Resource Conservation Plan established under this Act; (4) prepare a biennial report of accomplishments under such Plan; and (5) review and evaluate Federal policies and activities that affect hunting opportunities. Requires the Council, in cooperation with Federal agencies, States, and tribes, and after consulting the hunting community, to develop such Plan. Requires that such plan recommend a five-year agenda for identified Federal agencies and include: (1) measurable objectives to conserve and restore wildlife habitats that support viable and healthy wildlife resources that may be hunted; (2) actions to be taken by such agencies to ensure and facilitate hunting access to appropriate public lands, including Department of Defense lands where provision of hunting opportunities is consistent with national security; and (3) a comprehensive mechanism to evaluate such agenda's achievements. Requires the Council to integrate such plan with existing plans and programs, reduce duplication, and include recommended actions for cooperation with States, tribes, wildlife conservation groups, and the hunting community. Terminates the council ten years after the enactment of this Act.

National Energy Security Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000

National Energy Security Act of 2000 - Title I: Energy Security Actions Required of the Secretary of Energy - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to report annually to the President and Congress on the progress the United States has made toward obtaining the goal of not more than 50 percent dependence on foreign oil sources by 2010. (Sec. 102) Sets a deadline for the Secretary to submit to the President a certain report of the National Petroleum Council, together with recommendations for administrative or legislative actions. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to establish within the National Economic Council an Interagency Work Group on Natural Gas (the Group), whose function shall be to develop a strategy and comprehensive policy for the use of natural gas as an essential component of overall national objectives of energy security, economic growth, and environmental protection. Title II: Amendments to Energy Policy and Conservation Act and Actions Affecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to authorize drawdown and distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) if: (1) the President concurs in the determination of the Secretary of Defense that it will not impair national security; and (2) the Secretary of Energy finds that it will not have an adverse effect on the domestic petroleum industry. (Sec. 201) Extends through FY 2003 the availability of FY 2000 appropriations for SPR authorities. Extends the expiration date for authorities related to domestic supply availability from March 31, 2000, to December 31, 2003. (Sec. 202) Extends from FY 1997 through 2003 the authorization of appropriations for the interagency working group that coordinates Federal programs affecting exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services. Extends the expiration date for standby energy authorities from March 31, 2000, to December 31, 2003. (Sec. 203) Instructs the President to establish immediately an Interagency Panel on the Strategic Petroleum Study to study and report to the President and Congress regarding oil markets and estimated future fluctuations in the price, supply, and demand for crude oil, and to determine appropriate SPR capacity and use. Title III: Provisions to Protect Consumers and Low Income Families and Encourage Energy Efficiencies - Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to repeal: (1) the requirement that participating States share 25 percent of the cost of weatherization programs as a condition for receiving assistance grants; and (2) the mandate that forty percent of weatherization program funds be spent for weatherization program materials. Instructs the Secretary to establish energy audit procedures and techniques. Increases the financial assistance for labor and weatherization materials expenditures per dwelling unit. Includes among such weatherization materials heating and cooling modification costs, including replacement. (Sec. 301) Repeals the mandate for the Secretary to establish, pursuant to State application, a separate average per dwelling unit limitation. (Sec. 302) Amends the EPCA to direct the Secretary, upon State request, to provide information, technical assistance, and funding for specified actions (summer fill programs) to avoid severe seasonal price increases and supply shortages of kerosene, propane, and heating oil during summer months. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations for an Energy Efficiency Science Initiative, managed by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, for grants for energy efficiency research. Title IV: Provisions to Enhance the Use of Domestic Energy Resources - Subtitle A: Hydroelectric Resources - Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of the Army, respectively, to inventory all dams, impoundments, and other facilities under their jurisdiction and to report to Congress on the potential of such facilities to generate hydroelectric power and on actions planned to do so. (Sec. 402) Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to report to Congress on expedited hydroelectric licensing procedures. Subtitle B: Nuclear Resources - Directs the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to report to Congress on: (1) domestic nuclear power generation and production; and (2) the potential for increasing nuclear generating capacity and production as part of the domestic energy mix. Subtitle C: Development of a National Spent Nuclear Fuel Strategy - Establishes an Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel Research within the Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology of the Department of Energy, headed by an Associate Director, to implement an integrated research and development program on technologies for the treatment, recycling, and disposal of high-level nuclear radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, under the general supervision of the Secretary. Confers upon the Secretary grant and contract making authority. Subtitle D: Coal Resources - Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress on the potential for increased generation from existing coal-fired power plants; and (2) provide grants for refinement and demonstration of new technologies for the conversion of coal to liquids. Title V: Improvements to Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management - Federal Oil and Gas Lease Management Improvement Act of 2000 - Emphasizes that this Act does not give a State a property right or interest in any Federal lease or land. Subtitle A: State Option to Regulate Oil and Gas Lease Operation on Federal Land - Permits a State to notify either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (depending upon the appropriate jurisdiction) of its intent to accept authority for regulation of certain oil and gas lease operations on Federal land within such State. Declares an automatic transfer of regulatory authority over designated operations from the appropriate Secretary to the State effective 180 days following receipt of such notification. Bars a Federal agency from exercising authority formerly held by such Secretary with respect to oil and gas lease operations on Federal land. Subtitle B: Use of Cost Savings from State Regulation - Prescribes guidelines to compensate a State for the costs of implementing such transferred authority. Subtitle C: Streamlining and Cost Reduction - Bars the appropriate Secretary from recovering costs for applications and other documents relating to oil and gas leases. (Sec. 532) Requires the Secretary to ensure: (1) timely issuance of Federal agency decisions respecting oil and gas leasing and operations on Federal land; and (2) that unwarranted denials and stays of lease issuance and unwarranted restrictions on lease operations are eliminated from the administration of oil and gas leasing on Federal land. (Sec. 535) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to publish a national inventory of oil and gas reserves and potential resources underlying Federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf. Subtitle D: Federal Royalty Certainty - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Mineral Leasing Act pertaining to oil and gas leases to reformulate the payment of their respective lease royalties. Exempts Indian lands from such reformulation. Subtitle E: Royalty Reinvestment in America - Directs the appropriate Secretary, whenever certain crude oil or natural gas prices dip below a specified level, to allow as a credit against the payment of Federal oil and gas production royalties, a specified percentage of expenditures made for capital exploration and development on Federal oil and gas leases. (Sec. 551) Prohibits capital expenditures made on Outer Continental Shelf leases from being credited against onshore Federal royalty obligations. (Sec. 552) Instructs the appropriate Secretary to reduce the royalty rate for marginal oil and gas production following prescribed guidelines whenever certain crude oil or natural gas prices dip below a specified level. (Sec. 553) Prescribes procedural guidelines under which any operator of an oil well leased under specified statutes may notify the Secretary of the Interior of suspension of operation and production at the well. Title VI: Frontier Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Incentives - Frontier Exploration and Development Incentives Act of 2000 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act governing bidding procedures for oil and gas leases to set a certain net profit royalty share for oil and gas production in the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas of Alaska. (Sec. 602) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to reduce any future royalty or rental obligation by a specified percentage after an oil and gas lease has been granted pursuant to the statutory bidding system. Title VII: Tax Measures to Enhance Domestic Oil and Gas Production - Subtitle A: Marginal Well Preservation - Marginal Well Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to specify a tax credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production. (Sec. 703) Authorizes taxpayer election to expense geological and geophysical expenditures and to delay rental payments for domestic oil and gas wells. Subtitle B: Independent Oil and Gas Producers - Amends the IRC to: (1) set forth a five-year net operating loss carryback for losses attributable to operating mineral interests of independent oil and gas producers; (2) suspend through 2004 the limitation on the total amount of the depletion allowance to 65 percent of taxable income; and (3) suspend through 2006 the taxable income limit with respect to marginal production. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Amends the IRC to: (1) repeal the mandate that certain approved terminals offer dyed diesel fuel and kerosene for nontaxable purposes; and (2) redefine qualified tertiary injectant expenses for purposes of the enhanced oil recovery credit. Title VIII: Tax Measures to Enhance the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, Improve Energy Efficiencies, Protect Consumers and Conversion to Clean Burning Fuels - Amends the IRC to: (1) set forth placed-in-service rules and special rules for biomass facilities; (2) deny renewable electricity production credit to electricity sold to utilities under certain contracts; (3) exclude from gross income as contributions to capital certain amounts received by electric energy, gas, or steam utilities; (4) extend the credit for electricity produced from steel cogeneration; (5) declare certain expense limitations on depreciable business assets inapplicable to a storage facility used in connection with home heating oil distribution; (6) establish a tax credit for certain percentages of residential solar energy photovoltaic and solar water heating property expenditures; and (7) allow an energy credit for 20 percent of the basis of certain fuel cell property and eight percent of the basis of combined heat and power system property placed in service during the taxable year for business uses. Title IX: Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2000 - Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2000 - Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will: (1) result in an environmentally sound program; (2) not result in significant adverse effects upon fish and wildlife; and (3) ensure the receipt of fair market value by the public for the mineral resources to be leased. (Sec. 903) Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and any leasing or development leading to such production. States that Congress determines that the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program and activities authorized by this Act are compatible with the purposes for which the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established, and that no further findings or decisions are required to implement this determination. States this Act is the sole authority for Coastal Plain leasing, and that such Plain is considered "Federal land" for purposes of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate up to a specified total of Coastal Plain acreage as "Special Areas" and close them to leasing if the Secretary determines that these Areas require special management and regulatory protection; and (2) permit leasing in those Special Areas by setting lease terms that limit or condition surface use and occupancy by lessees but permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from sites on leases located outside the designated Special Areas. Declares that this Act constitutes the Secretary's sole authority to close Coastal Plain lands to oil and gas leasing and to exploration, development, and production. Instructs the Secretary to convey the surface estate of specified lands to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and to the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation in order to remove clouds on title and clarify land ownership patterns within the Coastal Plain. (Sec. 905) Declares that the Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement on the Coastal Plain of April 1997 is adequate to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (Sec. 906) States that lands may be leased to any person qualified to obtain a lease for oil and gas deposits under the Mineral Leasing Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe lease procedures. (Sec. 907) Authorizes the Secretary to grant to the highest responsible qualified bidder by sealed competitive cash bonus bid any Coastal Plain lands upon payment of such bonus and a royalty which shall not be less than a certain amount. Prescribes lease terms and conditions. Sets forth bonding requirements to ensure financial responsibility of lessee and avoid Federal liability. (Sec. 912) Directs the Secretary to grant rights-of-way and easements across the Coastal Plain for oil and gas transportation. (Sec. 913) Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to provide for: (1) biannual scheduled onsite inspections for compliance of Coastal Plain facilities with environmental or safety regulations; and (2) annual nonscheduled onsite inspections of such facilities. Title X: Clean, Reliable and Affordable Electricity - Subtitle A: Accelerated Technology Research and Development Program for Advanced Clean Coal Technology for New and Existing Coal-Based Electric Generating Facilities - Part 1: National Coal-Based Technology Development and Applications Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) identify technology costs and associated performance goals that would permit continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, for chemical feedstocks, and for transportation fuel; and (2) implement research and development programs that include demonstration and commercial application of coal-based technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Part 2: Existing Plant Technology Applications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to develop economically and environmentally acceptable advanced technologies for utilization within current electricity generation facilities using coal as the primary feedstock; (2) transmit a detailed plan to Congress; and (3) solicit proposals for demonstrations designed to achieve such technical milestones. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Credit for Emission Reductions and Efficiency Improvements in Existing Coal-Based Electricity Generation Facilities - Amends the IRC to: (1) allow a tax credit for investment in a qualifying clean coal technology unit; and (2) set forth the formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a unit. (Sec. 1033) Provides for a debt repayment mechanism under which the owner of a qualified system of continuous emission control, or a qualified clean coal technology unit, may elect to have credits applied to the prepayment of any debt or obligation for investment in the retrofit, repowering, or replacement of existing coal-based generation with certain systems of continuous emission control and clean coal technology. Subtitle C: Incentives for Early Commercial Applications of Advanced Clean Coal Technologies - Sets forth: (1) a tax credit for investment in a qualifying advanced clean coal technology facility; and (2) a formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a facility. Provides for a debt repayment mechanism under which the owner of a such facility may elect to have such tax credits applied to prepayment of debt or obligations incurred under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

Donald Mancuso, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Defense, vice Eleanor Hill

United States · United States Senate · 28 June 2000

Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000

Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2000 - Title I: Medicare Management and Administration - Subtitle A: Establishment of the Competitive Medicare Agency - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Medicare Competition and Prescription Drugs) to establish, as an independent agency in the executive branch, a Medicare Competition Agency, headed by a Commissioner, to administer the Medicare Prescription Drug and Supplemental Benefit Program (program) under part B (established by title II of this Act) and the Medicare+Choice program under part C (Medicare+Choice) of SSA title XVIII (Medicare). (Sec. 101) Establishes a Medicare Competition and Prescription Drug Advisory Board. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Amends SSA title XVIII to make the Commissioner a member of the Board of Trustees of the Medicare trust funds. (Sec. 103) Amends Federal civil service law to provide for a salary increase for the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Subtitle B: Redefined Medicare Solvency Measures - Amends SSA title XVIII to require the Board of Trustees to make a separate annual report on the operation and status of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and on the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under Medicare part B (Supplementary Insurance), including the Medicare Prescription Drug Account (created by title II of this Act) within it. (Sec. 151) Expresses the sense of Congress that the committees of jurisdiction shall hold hearings on such reports. Title II: Medicare Prescription Drug and Supplemental Benefit Program - Amends SSA title XXII to add a new part B (Medicare Prescription Drug and Supplemental Benefit Program) requiring the Commissioner to establish the Medicare Prescription Drug and Supplemental Benefit Program under which an eligible beneficiary may voluntarily enroll in, and receive access to covered outpatient prescription drugs and other benefits through, a Medicare Prescription Plus plan (plan) offered by a private entity or by a Medicare+Choice plan. Makes the costs of providing program benefits payable from the Medicare Prescription Drug Account. (Sec. 201) Outlines program procedures, including procedures for: (1) enrollment; (2) a Commissioner study and report to Congress on permitting individuals enrolled under Medicare part B but not entitled to benefits under Medicare part A to buy into the program; (3) plan election; (4) beneficiary outreach; (5) application of Medicare+Choice secondary payor requirements to the program in the same manner as they apply under the Medicare+Choice program; (5) alternative coverage requirements; (6) access to negotiated prices; (7) actuarial valuation and determination of annual percentage increases; (8) beneficiary protections, including grievance resolution; (9) requirements for entities offering plans, including licensure; (10) submission and approval of plans; (11) payments to plans for benefits; (12) computation and collection of beneficiary share of premium; (13) additional prescription drug subsidies through reinsurance; (14) plan fees for administrative costs; and (15) creation and use of the Medicare Prescription Drug Account. (Sec. 202) Revises requirements for the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to comply with this Act. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title XVIII part C to prohibit a Medicare+Choice organization from offering prescription drug coverage to a Medicare+Choice plan enrollee unless such drug coverage is at least qualified prescription drug coverage under this Act, and unless specified requirements for such coverage are met. (Sec. 204) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to require a State, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance for its Medicaid plan, to make Medicare prescription drug benefit eligibility determinations for low-income premium and cost-sharing subsidies. Mandates specified increases in applicable Federal matching rates for State expenditures for additional administrative costs. Provides for phased-in Federal assumption of Medicaid prescription drug costs in the case of an individual dually entitled to qualified prescription drug coverage under a Medicaid plan or under a Medicare+Choice plan under Medicare part C. (Sec. 205) Prohibits any new Medigap policy covering prescription drugs from being issued, on or after January 1, 2003, to an individual unless it replaces a Medigap policy that was issued to that individual and that provided some coverage of expenses for prescription drugs. Prohibits the issuer of a Medigap policy from denying or conditioning Medigap coverage for an individual who terminates certain kinds of Medigap policies and applies for certain other kinds. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to establish Medigap protections for individuals who lose Medicare prescription plus plan coverage. (Sec. 206) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the extent to which reimbursement for drugs and biologicals under the current Medicare payment methodology overpays for the cost of such drugs and biologicals compared to the average acquisition cost paid by physicians or other drug suppliers. Title III: Medicare+Choice Reforms - Amends Medicare part C with respect to: (1) increasing in national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002; (2) removing application of budget neutrality beginning in 2002; (3) payments to Medicare+Choice organizations based on risk-adjusted bids; (4) premium reduction and Medicare+Choice monthly supplemental beneficiary premium; (5) rules relating to premiums owed by Medicare+Choice enrollees; (6) allowing plans to include described reductions and other benefits in their basic benefits; (7) a special rule for end-stage renal disease; (8) information comparing plan premiums; (9) national coverage determinations; (10) disclosure requirements; (11) geographic adjustment; (12) Medicare+Choice monthly basic beneficiary premium; (13) a freeze of the health risk adjuster at 20 percent after 2002; and (14) adjustment in payment to include the Commissioner's estimate of the amount of additional payments that would have been made in the area involved if individuals entitled to Medicare+Choice benefits had not received services from facilities of the Departments of Veterans Affairs or of Defense for purposes of calculating annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates. Title IV: Medicare Beneficiary Outreach and Education - Amends SSA title XXII to add a new part C (Medicare Consumer Coalitions) authorizing the Commissioner of the Competitive Medicare Agency to establish Medicare Consumer Coalitions to conduct information programs comparing the original Medicare fee-for-service program, available Medicare+Choice plans, and available Medicare Prescription Plus plans. Authorizes appropriations.

Federal Property Asset Management Reform Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000

Title I: Short Title - Federal Property Asset Management Reform Act of 2000. Title II: Definitions - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to define "landholding agency" to mean any Federal agency that, by specific or general statutory authority, has jurisdiction, custody, and control (jurisdiction) over real property or interests therein, but excludes agencies when they are acting as the sponsors of real property conveyances for public benefit purposes pursuant to Federal provisions regarding the disposal of surplus property. Title III: Life Cycle Planning and Management - Directs the Administrator of General Services: (1) in collaboration with the heads of affected Federal agencies, to establish and maintain current asset management principles to be used as guidance by such agencies in making major decisions concerning the planning, acquisition, use, maintenance, and disposal of real and personal property assets subject to such Act; and (2) to collect such descriptive information, except for classified information, as the Administrator deems will best describe the nature, use, and extent of the real property holdings of the United States. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) establish data and other information technology standards for use by Federal agencies in developing or upgrading agency real property information systems; and (2) withhold information, including the location of classified facilities, when it is determined that withholding such information would be in the public interest (but otherwise the listing compiled under this title shall be public record). Directs the head of each landholding agency to appoint, or designate from among its employees, a Senior Real Property Officer. Allows the appointment of a Real Property Officer for any major component of an agency, who shall report to the Senior Real Property Officer. Makes the Senior Real Property Officer for each agency responsible for continuously monitoring agency real property assets to: (1) ensure that the management of each asset is fully consistent with and supportive of the goals and objectives of the agency's Strategic Plan and reflected in an agency asset management plan; (2) identify assets that can benefit from the application of enhanced asset management tools (see Title IV); (3) ensure, in cases where an asset can benefit from application of an enhanced asset management tool, that any resulting transaction will result in a fair return on the Federal Government investment and protect the Government from unreasonable financial or other risks; and (4) ensure that a listing and description of the agency's assets is provided to the Administrator. Title IV: Enhanced Authorities for Real Property Asset Management - Authorizes the head of a landholding agency to apply an enhanced asset management tool to a real property interest when such interest: (1) when used to acquire replacement real property, is not excess property; (2) is used to fulfill or support a continuing mission requirement; and (3) can, by applying an enhanced asset management tool, improve the support of such mission. Requires the agency head, before applying an enhanced asset management tool to such an interest, to determine that such application: (1) supports the agency's Strategic Plan and real property asset management plan; (2) is the most economical and cost effective option available for the use of the real property; and (3) is documented in a business plan which, commensurate with the nature of the selected tool, analyzes all reasonable options for using the property; takes into account applicable provisions of law, including the National Environmental Policy Act; and evidences compliance with the requirements of the Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Authorizes any landholding agency to acquire replacement real property by: (1) transfer or exchange of real property subject to this Act with other Federal agencies under terms mutually agreeable to the agencies involved; and (2) selling or exchanging a real property asset or interests therein with any non-Federal source, provided that the transaction does not conflict with other applicable laws governing the acquisition of real property interests by Federal agencies, the agency first made the property available for transfer or exchange to other Federal agencies, and the transaction results in the agency receiving fair market value consideration for the asset sold or exchanged. Allows the head of any landholding agency to make available to other Federal agencies and to non-Federal entities the unexpired portion of any government lease for real property, provided that the sublease results in the agency receiving fair market rental value for the asset. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) priorities for subleasing; (2) out-leasing agreements; (3) forms of consideration; (4) transactional reports; and (5) annual reports. Title V: Incentives for Real and Personal Property Management Improvement - Authorizes Federal agencies to retain from proceeds from the sales of personal property amounts necessary to recover the full costs of disposing of such property, including the costs for warehousing, storage, environmental services, advertising, appraisal, and transportation. Directs that: (1) such amounts be deposited into an account available for such expenses without regard to fiscal year limitations; and (2) amounts that are not needed to pay such costs be transferred at least annually to the general fund or to a specific account in the Treasury as required by statute. Rewrites provisions regarding the transfer or sale of property to provide for agency retention of the proceeds from real property, and the crediting of monetary proceeds to the agency's capital asset account. Allows agencies to be reimbursed from the monetary proceeds of real property dispositions or from other available resources, including the agency's capital asset account, for the full costs of disposing of such property. Sets forth a schedule for implementing this title. Title VI: Streamlined and Enhanced Disposal Authorities - Authorizes the Administrator to convey the U.S. interest in surplus real and related personal property which the Secretary of the Interior has determined is suitable and desirable for use as a historic monument, for the benefit of the public, to a qualified nonprofit organization established for the primary purpose of preserving historic monuments, provided that the State, political subdivision, instrumentalities thereof, and municipality in which the property is located do not request conveyance to them. Makes the authority of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch or wholly owned Government corporation to convey or give surplus real and related personal property for public airport purposes subject to the requirements of the Act. Directs that any such surplus real property available for conveyance first be made available to the Administrator for disposal, including conveyance for any public benefit purposes, including public airport use. Amends the Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), on a quarterly basis, to request information from each landholding agency regarding surplus, unutilized, or underutilized public buildings and real property (current law) that have not been previously reported on by the agency; (2) extend to 90 days (currently 60 days) the period during which written notice may be filed of intent to apply for property for use to assist the homeless; (3) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give a preference to applications that contain a certification that their proposal is consistent with the local Continuum of Care strategy for homeless assistance; and (4) make such Act inapplicable to buildings and property that are in a secured area for national defense purposes or that are inaccessible by road and can be reached only by crossing private property. Directs the Secretary of HUD: (1) to survey landholding agencies to determine whether the properties included in the last comprehensive list of properties published under such Act remain available for use to assist the homeless; and (2) to publish in the Federal Register a list of all such properties. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Provides that the authorities granted by this Act to Federal agency heads for real and personal property transactions and management shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any existing authorities. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) severability; and (2) judicial review.

Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules.

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2000

Waives provisions of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives that require a two- thirds vote to consider a report from the Committee on Rules on the same day it is presented to the House with respect to any resolution on or before the legislative day of June 30, 2000, providing for consideration or disposition of a conference report (or any amendment in disagreement) on H.R. 4425 (making appropriations for the Department of Defense for FY 2001).

21st Century Veterans Employment and Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000

21st Century Veterans Employment and Training Act - Entitles the following persons to priority under any Federal employment and training program if the person otherwise meets eligibility requirements for program participation: (1) a veteran who has a service-connected disability, or who served on active duty during a war or campaign for which a campaign badge has been authorized; (2) the spouse of any person who died of a service-connected disability; (3) the spouse of any member serving on active duty who is listed as missing in action, captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power; and (4) the spouse of any veteran who has a permanent total disability resulting from a service-connected disability, or who died while a disability so evaluated was in existence. Requires State and local entities that administer such programs to provide program information and referral assistance to such covered persons. Directs the Secretary of Labor to report annually to the congressional veterans' committees as to whether covered persons are receiving a priority under such programs. Requires any contract of $25,000 or more entered into by a Federal department or agency for the procurement of personal property and nonpersonal services to contain a provision requiring the party contracting with the United States to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified covered veterans. Includes as qualified covered veterans disabled veterans, veterans who served on active duty during a war or campaign for which a campaign badge has been authorized, and veterans who, while serving on active duty, participated in a military operation for which a service medal was awarded. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to any person or entity with respect to veterans' employment emphasis under Federal contracts and federally-funded work force programs. Provides complaint procedures, through the Secretary, the Attorney General, or privately, for individuals who believe that an entity has failed to comply with such requirements. Outlines remedies and related provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to allocate an additional ten full-time equivalent positions from the Employment and Training Administration to the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (Service) to provide such assistance. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary, during the five-year period beginning on October 1, 2002, to carry out a demonstration program for improving and modernizing veterans' employment, training, and placement services. Earmarks program funds, with a minimum funding requirement. Directs the Secretary to establish a panel within the Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment and Training to advise the Secretary on the development and implementation of the program with respect to matters arising at local delivery points in the employment service delivery system. Directs the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training (established under this Act) to implement a comprehensive performance accountability system to measure the performance of veterans' employment and training staff and to determine compliance by State public employment service agencies with veterans' employment and training requirements. Directs the Secretary, under the program, to make grants to States to provide veterans' employment, training, and placement programs and services through employment service delivery systems in the State. Provides for the allocation of grant funds among States. Authorizes the Secretary to make incentive grants to States, political subdivisions, or qualified organizations or entities to enter into contracts with the Secretary to carry out veterans' employment, training, and placement services. Provides for the allocation of incentive grants among such entities and outlines application requirements, including a five-year plan for furnishing such services. Prohibits the Secretary from approving proposals submitted by more than ten States. Outlines grant terms and conditions. Repeals Federal law providing related programs. Establishes within the Department of Labor the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training to formulate and implement all departmental policies and procedures to carry out provisions of this Act and all other Department of Labor employment, unemployment, and training programs that affect veterans. Establishes a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training to assist the Assistant Secretary. Outlines Deputy Secretary qualifications. Directs the Secretary to assign to each State a representative of the Service to serve as the State Director for Veterans' Employment and Training, and to assign necessary support staff. Directs the Secretary to assign to each region for which the Secretary operates a regional office a Service representative to serve as the Regional Administrator of Veterans' Employment and Training. Directs the Secretary, in providing staff for such positions, to appoint qualified veterans as supervisory personnel. Authorizes a State to employ such disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives as necessary to carry out the requirements of this section. Directs the Secretary, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to provide one-stop services and assistance to eligible veterans and other persons electronically through the Internet and other electronic means. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on recommendations for the best possible employment and training services to meet the needs of veterans in the 21st century. Includes as a duty of the Service to implement efforts to ease the transition of servicemembers to civilian careers that are consistent with, or an outgrowth of, the military experiences of such servicemembers. Requires the modernization of veterans' employment and training service delivery points to include technological innovations consistent with the provision of labor exchange services under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Requires the inclusion within certain reports concerning services furnished to veterans those services furnished to servicemembers transitioning to civilian careers. Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans' committees on the performance of States, organizations, and entities in carrying out veterans' employment, training, and placement services. (Sec. 4) Establishes within the Department the President's National Hire Veterans Committee to: (1) furnish information to employers concerning the training and skills of veterans and disabled veterans, and the advantages afforded employers by hiring such veterans; and (2) facilitate employment of such veterans through participation in America's Career Kit national labor exchange and other means. Requires reports from the Secretary to Congress in each of the years 2001 through 2003 on Committee activities. Terminates the Committee 60 days after submission of its last report. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress commending veterans service organizations for their assistance to veterans and calling on such organizations to make personal computers with access to electronic job placement services available to job-ready veterans. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to contract with an appropriate organization or entity to study the economic benefit to the United States of long-term sustained employment of veterans. Requires a report from the organization or entity to the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the recent nuclear weapons security failures at Los Alamos National Laboratory demonstrate that security policy and security procedures within the National Nuclear Security Administration remain inadequate, that the individuals responsible for such policy and procedures must be held accountable for their performance, and that immediate action must be taken to correct security deficiencies.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2000

Expresses the sense of the House that: (1) certain security failures at Los Alamos National Laboratory demonstrate continued inadequacy of nuclear weapons security policy and procedures within the National Nuclear Security Administration and its facilities; (2) individuals responsible for the implementation, oversight, and management of nuclear weapons security policy and procedures within the Administration and its facilities must be held accountable for their performance; and (3) the Administrator for Nuclear Security must take immediate action to improve safeguard procedures for classified nuclear weapons information and correct all identified nuclear weapons security deficiencies within the Administration.

21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000

21st Century Law Enforcement and Public Safety Act - Title I: Supporting Local Law Enforcement and Promoting Crime-Fighting Technologies - Expands the purpose of the COPS (public safety and community policing) program to increase the number of prosecutors as well as police. Authorizes grants for underserved rural areas of less than 25,000 people. Supports the creation or expansion of community-based justice programs. Extends the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act. Integrated Information Technology Assistance Act of 2000 - Authorizes grants and technical assistance to, or contracts with, public agencies, Indian tribal governments, private entities, and international agencies for the development, implementation, and improvement of justice information systems to achieve greater integration and improved information sharing among criminal justice agencies. Authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to expand the Combined DNA Identification System to include information from missing persons and criminal offenses and acts of juvenile delinquency committed under Federal law, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and the District of Columbia Code. Title II: Breaking the Cycle of Drugs and Violence - Subtitle A: Zero Tolerance Drug Supervision - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for programs that support: (1) developing and implementing comprehensive drug testing policies and practices with regard to criminal justice populations; and (2) establishing appropriate interventions to illegal drug use for offender populations. Reestablishes drug courts. Subtitle B: Anti-Drug Provisions - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold funds from any State that has not enacted and is not enforcing a law that considers as intoxicated a driver with an alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or greater. Drug-Free Teenage Drivers Act - Directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish a demonstration program in several States to provide drug testing for all teenaged applicants (or other first time applicants) for a driver's license. Subtitle C: Anti-Drug and Organized Crime Money Laundering Act - Provides that for purposes of proving a violation of provisions involving an illegal money transmitting business, it shall be sufficient for the Government to prove that the defendant knew that the business lacked a license required by State law or failed to comply with money transmitting business registration requirements. Sets forth provisions regarding restraint of assets of persons arrested abroad and long-arm jurisdiction over foreign money launderers. Includes a foreign bank within the definition of "financial institution" for purposes of money laundering provisions. Expands the definition of "specified unlawful activity" to cover certain listed offenses, including, with respect to a financial transaction occurring in the United States, an offense against a foreign nation involving a crime of violence, fraud, bribery of a public official, smuggling or export control violations involving munitions, and an offense under which the United States would be obligated by a multilateral treaty either to extradite the alleged offender or to submit the case for prosecution if the offender were found within U.S. territory. Sets forth provisions regarding criminal forfeiture for money laundering, venue, bulk cash smuggling, and penalties for violations of geographic targeting orders and record-keeping requirements. Title III: Fighting Terrorism and International Crime - Subtitle A: Investigating and Punishing Violent Crimes Against U.S. Nationals Abroad - Prohibits: (1) extortion against U.S. nationals abroad in furtherance of organized crime; and (2) murder or serious assault of a State or local law enforcement, judicial, or other official abroad. Subtitle B: Strengthening the Air, Land and Sea Borders of the United States - Provides for the death penalty under specified circumstances involving violence committed along the U.S. border. Subtitle C: Denying Safe Haven to International Criminals - Provides for extradition for offenses not covered by a list treaty, or absent a treaty, under specified circumstances. Excludes from entry into the United States persons involved in international alien smuggling. Subtitle D: Seizing and Forfeiting the Assets of International Criminals - Authorizes the U.S. Customs Service to examine outbound mail for contraband. Provides for forfeiture of property used to violate Federal explosives laws. Subtitle E: Responding to Emerging International Crime Threats - Provides for U.S. jurisdiction over certain financial crimes committed abroad. Subtitle F: Promoting Global Cooperation in the Fight Against International Crime - Establishes procedures for execution of mutual legal assistance requests. Authorizes training of foreign law enforcement agencies for anti-terrorism purposes. Subtitle G: Streamlining the Investigation and Prosecution of International Crimes in U.S. Courts - Authorizes: (1) Federal reimbursement of State and local law enforcement agencies in international crime cases; and (2) granting safe conduct for foreign witnesses testifying in U.S. courts. Prohibits fugitives from benefitting from time served abroad. Authorizes the suspension of statutes of limitations for the collection of evidence located abroad. Subtitle H: Terrorism - Prohibits specified conduct with respect to biological agents, toxins, and delivery systems. Rail and Mass Transportation Anti-Terrorism and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 - Prohibits specified terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against railroad carriers and mass transportation systems. Title IV: Protecting Americans and Supporting Victims of Crime - Subtitle A: Violence Against Women - Reauthorizes certain Violence Against Women Act programs. Comprehensive Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish mechanisms to measure and evaluate global progress in reducing trafficking. Urges the President to promote economic opportunities for women and establish or expand interagency procedures to collect and organize data, including significant research and resource information on domestic and international trafficking in persons. Creates a new "T" non- immigrant visa classification for certain aliens possessing material information concerning unlawful activity. Authorizes assistance to victims of trafficking without regard to immigration status. Establishes new prohibitions against trafficking and criminal exploitation of workers and unlawful possession of documents in furtherance of trafficking, criminal worker exploitation, involuntary servitude, or peonage. Subtitle B: Children Exposed to Violence - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to provide a sentencing enhancement for violent crimes committed in the presence of children. Subtitle C: Victims Assistance - Expands U.S. jurisdiction over child buying and selling offenses. Subtitle D: Health Care Fraud and Abuse - Directs the Sentencing Commission to study and report on health care fraud sentences. Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Punishment Act of 2000 - Prescribes punishment and fines for engaging in a pattern of violations resulting in harm to residents of nursing homes and related facilities. Subtitle E: Consumer Fraud - Provides for the blocking or termination of service in cases of telemarketing scams. Subtitle F: Pension-Welfare and Labor-Management Racketeering Act - Prescribed fines and terms of imprisonment for: (1) fraud in relation to retirement arrangements; and (2) bribery and graft in connection with employee benefit plans. Provides for forfeiture for retirement offenses. Subtitle G: Environmental Crimes and Enforcement Act - Provides for reimbursement by a person convicted of Federal environmental crimes of State, local, or tribal government costs for assistance in Federal investigation and prosecution of such crimes. Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency a State, local, and tribal environmental enforcement training program. Sets a five year statute of limitations for felony environmental crimes, with exceptions. Provides for environmental crime restitution or remediation. Subtitle H: Hate Crimes Prevention Act - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2000 - Prescribes punishment to be imposed for certain acts of violence committed because of actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of the victim. Title V: Strengthening Federal Criminal Laws to Combat Violent and White-Collar Crime - Subtitle A: Bolstering Federal Law to Fight Violent Crime and Apprehend Dangerous Fugitives - Authorizes the Attorney General to subpoena witnesses to produce records relevant to an investigation regarding apprehension of a fugitive. Subtitle B: Combatting Crime and Improving Operations in Correction Facilities - Increases penalties and expands jurisdiction for sexual abuse and contraband offenses in correctional facilities. Removes wiretap restrictions from prison communications. Subtitle C: Improvements in Federal Law Relating to White Collar Crime - Eliminates the proof of value requirement for felony theft or conversion of grand jury material. Provides for forfeiture of computers and other devices used for counterfeiting. Increases the maximum corporate penalty for antitrust violations. Subtitle D: Federal Law Enforcement Programs - Authorizes executive agencies, under certain circumstances, to pay extended assignment incentives for civil service positions in U.S. territories, commonwealths, or possessions. Subtitle E: Improvements to Federal Sentencing Laws - Rewrites provisions regarding credit for prior custody. Expands a provision allowing for release of non- dangerous offenders who have served at least 30 years in prison who are at least 70 years old.

Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000

Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act of 2000 - Title I: Personnel Matters - Revises pay adjustment authority for nurses employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to require the director of such Department health-care facility to use third-party industry wage surveys in making such adjustments. Prohibits any adjustment from reducing the rate of basic pay applicable to any nurse grade. Prohibits a director, in determining whether to carry out an adjustment, from considering the absence of a current recruitment or retention problem for personnel in that position. Authorizes the Department's Under Secretary for Health to modify any adjustment determination made by a facility director. Makes annual (currently terminated in 1993) a reporting requirement from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the congressional veterans' committees regarding such pay adjustments. Requires the Under Secretary to ensure that: (1) the director of a geographic service area, in formulating policy for the provision of patient care, consult regularly with a senior nurse executive(s); and (2) the director of a health-care facility include a registered nurse on any committee providing recommendations or decisions on medical center operations or policies affecting clinical services, clinical outcomes, budget, or resources. (Sec. 102) Increases the special pay for dentists for: (1) full-time status; (2) completing a post-graduate year of accredited hospital-based training; (3) length-of-service pay; (4) scarce specialty pay; (5) service in a geographic location in which there exists extraordinary difficulties in the recruitment and retention of qualified dentists; and (6) service in certain executive positions. Credits toward civil service retirement calculations 25 percent of the special pay for length-of-service pay for each two years that the dentist completes as a dentist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). (Sec. 103) Exempts VHA pharmacists from a required ceiling on special salary rates for certain VHA health professionals. (Sec. 104) Requires a physician assistant with appropriate experience to advise the Under Secretary on all matters relating to the utilization and employment of VHA physician assistants. (Sec. 105) Revises generally provisions regarding the temporary appointment of graduates of physician assistant training programs. Title II: Construction Authorization - Authorizes the Secretary to carry out major medical facility projects at Department medical centers in Palo Alto, California, Miami, Florida, and Long Beach, California. (Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 and 2002 for the Construction, Major Projects, account for such projects. Title III: Military Service Issues - Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) a protocol is used in any clinical evaluation of a patient to identify pertinent military experiences and exposures that may contribute to the health of the patient; and (2) such information is included in the patient's medical records. Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees on the feasibility and desirability of using a computer-based system in conducting such evaluations. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to contract with an appropriate entity to conduct a follow-up study on post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans. Requires a report to the veterans' committees. Title IV: Medical Administration Matters - Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program in not more than four geographically dispersed areas to improve access to and coordination of inpatient care of eligible veterans. Authorizes the Secretary, under such program to pay the cost of hospital care and medical services furnished on an inpatient basis in a non-Department hospital to a veteran participant. Makes eligible for the program a veteran who: (1) is enrolled to receive medical services from a nearby Department outpatient clinic; (2) requires such care and services for a non-service-connected condition and could not receive such care and services from a Department clinic; and (3) elects to receive such care and services under an entitled health plan. Requires two report from the Secretary to the veterans' committees on program implementation and operation. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the payment of veterans' disability compensation for veterans who are disabled during participation in a compensated work therapy program. (Sec. 403) Extends through December 31, 2005, the authority of the Secretary to establish nonprofit research and education corporations. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the Secretary to furnish temporary lodging in Fisher houses (guest houses) or other appropriate facilities, in connection with the examination, care, and treatment of a veteran, to: (1) a veteran who must travel a significant distance to receive such care and treatment; and (2) a family member and others who accompany such veteran and provide familial support. Authorizes the Secretary to establish charges for such lodging. (Sec. 405) Extends through 2004 an annual reporting requirement describing activities of the Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans. (Sec. 406) Excludes from the right of the Department to recover certain costs from a State for veterans' care facilities not so used for at least 20 years the establishment and operation of an outpatient clinic at such a facility. (Sec. 407) Prohibits the Secretary from entering into an enhanced-use lease of Department property until 90 days after notifying the veterans' committees of the intention to designate property for such use. (Sec. 409) Designates the outpatient clinic in Rome, New York, as the Donald J. Mitchell Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. (Sec. 410) Directs the Secretary to release a reversionary interest in certain real property in Johnson City, Tennessee, previously transferred to the State of Tennessee.

Puerto Rico-United States Bilateral Pact of Non-territorial Permanent Union and Guaranteed Citizenship Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000

Puerto Rico-United States Bilateral Pact of Non-territorial Permanent Union and Guaranteed Citizenship Act - Sets forth provisions regarding Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States, including that: (1) the people of Puerto Rico may reaffirm its status as a sovereign Commonwealth in permanent union with the United States; (2) persons born in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall continue being U.S. citizens by birthright; (3) the United States shall maintain its authority and responsibility for matters of defense with respect to Puerto Rico; (4) a common market and currency shall continue to exist between it and the United States; and (5) the Puerto Rican people's self-government emanates from the Commonwealth, and therefore they retain all the powers not delegated to the United States.

Veterans Cold Weather Injury Compensation Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000

Veterans Cold Weather Injury Compensation Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain a registry of veterans who, while in active military service, were exposed for a significant period of time to sustained periods of extremely cold weather (seven days or more of average temperatures of 32 degrees or lower). Requires such registry to be used to determine the association, if any, between the disabilities of such veterans and the exposure to such weather. Presumes cold-weather injuries in such veterans to be service-connected and therefore compensable through veterans' disability compensation. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days, to prescribe initial regulations on injuries determined to have a positive association with sustained exposure to cold weather.

A bill to establish a commission to examine the efficacy of the organization of the National Nuclear Security Administration and the appropriate organization to manage the nuclear weapons programs of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Establishes the National Commission on Nuclear Security to review the efficacy of the organization of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and the organization and management of the nuclear weapons programs of the United States, under the current Presidential Administration and the Presidential Administration commencing in 2001, including: (1) whether the requirements and objectives of the National Nuclear Security Administration Act are being fully implemented by the Secretary of Energy and NNSA Administrator; (2) the feasibility and advisability of various means of improving the security and counterintelligence posture of NNSA programs; (3) the feasibility and advisability of various modifications of existing management and operating contracts for the laboratories under NNSA's jurisdiction; and (4) whether the national security functions of the Department of Energy, including NNSA, should be transferred to the Department of Defense, established as a semiautonomous agency within the Defense Department, established as an independent agency, or remain as a semiautonomous agency within the Energy Department. Requires the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to Congress and the Secretaries of Energy and Defense, including any recommendations for legislation and administrative action. Restricts the amount of certain previously authorized appropriations that shall be available for activities of the Commission.

Nuclear Secrets Safety Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Nuclear Secrets Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to report to specified congressional committees an inventory of each document or device at each national security laboratory that contains Restricted Data. Amends the National Nuclear Security Administration Act, with respect to procedures for ensuring that any individual is not permitted access to any classified area of a laboratory vault containing Restricted Data, to require such procedures, at a minimum, to provide that an individual shall not have access to any such vault unless, before each access, the individual's identity is verified by an attendant through direct visual observation. Requires the counterintelligence program at each such laboratory to include a polygraph program for individuals with access to any vault containing Restricted Data. Requires each such individual to undergo a polygraph examination within one year after having access to any such vault, in particular within 30 days after first access (or within 120 days after enactment of this Act, if first access occurred on or before enactment). Requires the Administrator for Nuclear Security to ensure that the combination of each lock to each laboratory vault containing Restricted Data is changed not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act.

Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Department of Defense - Civil - Makes appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for FY 2001 for: (1) authorized civil functions of the Department of the Army relating to rivers and harbors, flood control, beach erosion, and related purposes; (2) expenses necessary for the collection and study of information related to such purposes; (3) the prosecution of river and harbor, flood control, shore protection, and related projects; (4) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries; (5) the navigable waters and wetlands regulatory program; (6) formerly utilized sites remedial action program; and (7) general expenses. States that amounts in the Revolving Fund are available for relocating the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters to office space in the General Accounting Office headquarters building in Washington, D.C. (Sec. 101) Extends through FY 2001 the availability of certain appropriations to carry out the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act . (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of the Army to enter into an agreement with the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, wherein the City agrees to assume certain contractual responsibilities of the Trinity River Authority of Texas. Title II: Department of the Interior - Makes FY 2001 appropriations to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Central Utah Project; (2) the Bureau of Reclamation, water and related resources; 3) Bureau of Reclamation Loan Program Account; (4) Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; and (5) general administrative expenses. (Sec. 201) Bars the use of funds under this Act to pay salaries and expenses of personnel to purchase or lease water in the Middle Rio Grande or the Carlsbad Projects in New Mexico unless specified statutory purchase requirements have been met. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assess and collect annually a certain amount from Central Valley Project water and power contractors, and remit it to the Trinity Public Utilities District. Title III: Department of Energy - Makes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 2001: (1) energy supply programs; (2) non-defense environmental management; (3) maintenance and remediation of uranium processing facilities (4) general DOE science activities; (5) nuclear waste disposal activities; (6) DOE administration; (7) Office of the Inspector General; (8) atomic energy defense weapons activities; (9) atomic energy defense and defense nuclear nonproliferation activities; (10) naval reactors activities; (11) defense environmental restoration and waste management; (12) defense facilities closure projects; (13) defense environmental management privatization (14) other DOE defense activities; (15) defense nuclear waste disposal; (16) the various geographical power marketing administrations of DOE (including specified costs for the hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams under the Western Area Power Administration); and (17) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Sec. 301) Prohibits the use of appropriations under under this Act to: (1) award a management and operating contract without competitive procedures unless the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) grants a waiver on a case-by-case basis; (2) award, amend, or modify a contract in a manner that deviates from the Federal Acquisition Regulation unless the Secretary grants a waiver on a case-by-case basis; (3) develop or implement a workforce restructuring plan for DOE employees, or to provide them with enhanced severance payments or other benefits; (4) augment specified funds made available for severance payments and other benefits and community assistance grants under specified law; or (5) prepare or initiate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for a program that has not been funded by Congress. (Sec. 307) Declares that no more than four percent of funds provided to government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories shall be available for Laboratory Directed Research and Development. (Sec. 309) Bars funds (with certain exceptions) to the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to enter into any agreement to perform energy efficiency services outside the legally defined Bonneville service territory, unless the Administrator certifies that such services are unavailable from private sector businesses. (Sec. 310) Prohibits the use of payments to the DOE Working Capital Fund for salaries and expenses of any Federal employee. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (3) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); (4) the NRC Office of the Inspector General; and (5) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Title V: Rescissions - Rescinds specified amounts previously appropriated for interim storage of nuclear waste. Title VI: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that all equipment and products bought with funds 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. Bars contracts funded under this Act from being awarded to any person determined by a court or Federal agency to have falsely labeled products as made in America. (Sec. 603) Prohibits the use of any funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to determine the final point of discharge for the interceptor drain for the San Luis Unit until the Secretary of the Interior and the State of California have developed a plan, which conforms to California water quality standards approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to minimize any detrimental effect of the San Luis drainage waters. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to classify the costs of the Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup and the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Programs as reimbursable or nonreimbursable and collected until fully repaid pursuant to the "Cleanup Program--Alternative Repayment Plan" and the "SJVDP--Alternative Repayment Plan" described in a specified report. (Sec. 604) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from September 30, 2000, through September 30, 2001, NRC authority to assess annual charges. (Sec. 605) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for promulgations to implement a certain 1997 Kyoto Protocol regarding climate change which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification. (Sec. 606) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for FY 2001; and (2) extend standby energy authorities from March 31, 2000 through September 30, 2001.

Military Deployment Health Research Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2000

Military Deployment Health Research Act of 2000 - Title I: National Center for Military Deployment Health Research - Establishes the National Center for Military Deployment Health Research to coordinate and conduct private and public research on deployment-related health issues of members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families. Requires the Center to report to the Military and Veterans Health Coordinating Board, established by prior presidential directive. Requires the Research Working Group of such Board to be disestablished, and their functions assumed by the Center. Establishes a Center Governing Board. Requires the Center's research activities to include Federal research programs as well as Center-initiated research. Requires an annual Center activities report from the Governing Board to Congress. Title II: Centers for Research on Post-Deployment Illnesses in Department of Veterans Affairs - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and operate centers for research, education, and clinical activities related to post-deployment illnesses, designating such centers as National Centers for Military Post-Deployment Illness Research. Defines a "post-deployment illness" as one having an association or relation to a military mission, including a peacekeeping mission. Allows the designation of no more than 25 centers, and requires geographical diversity of such centers. Requires the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a peer review panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals submitted for center designation. Authorizes appropriations.