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Bill· SS. 2177 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should award a Presidential Unit Citation to the final crew of the U.S.S. Indianapolis for their courage and fortitude after their ship was torpedoed and sunk on July 30, 1945. Permits such award notwithstanding time limitations otherwise applicable.
Law· HRH.R. 4060 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Defense - Civil Title II: Department of the Interior Title III: Department of Energy Title IV: Independent Agencies Title V: General Provisions Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1999 - Title I: Department of Defense - Civil - Makes appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for FY 1999 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 authorized water development and related projects; (4) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries; (5) water development projects operation and maintenance; (6) the navigable waters and wetlands regulatory program; (7) formerly utilized sites remedial action program; and (8) general expenses. Title II: Department of the Interior - Makes FY 1999 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; (5) California Bay-Delta Ecosystem Restoration; and (6) general administrative expenses. Title III: Department of Energy - Makes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 1999 for: (1) energy supply programs; (2) non-defense environmental management; (3) the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; (4) general DOE science and research activities; (5) the Nuclear Waste Disposal Fund; (6) DOE administration; (7) Office of the Inspector General; (8) atomic energy defense weapons activities; (9) defense environmental restoration and waste management; (10) defense facilities closure projects; (11) defense environmental management privatization; (12) other DOE defense activities; (13) defense nuclear waste disposal; (14) 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 (15) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to: (1) award either a management and operating contract without competitive procedures, or a contract that deviates from the Federal Acquisition Regulation, unless the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) grants a waiver on a case-by-case basis; (2) develop or implement a workforce restructuring plan for DOE employees, or to provide them with enhanced severance payments or other benefits; (3) augment specified funds made available for severance payments and other benefits and community assistance grants under specified law; (4) prepare or initiate Requests for Proposals for a program that has not been funded by the Congress; and (5) produce or provide articles by any DOE activity (except electric transmission and sales by a Federal power marketing administration) for the purpose of selling them to a person outside the Federal Government unless the Secretary determines that such articles or services are not available from a commercial source in the United States. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1999 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: General Provisions - Declares the sense of the 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 labelled products as made in America. (Sec. 503) 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 develop a plan, which shall conform 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. Makes San Luis Unit beneficiaries of drainage service or drainage studies responsible to reimburse the United States fully for any future obligations of Federal funds relating to, or providing for, such service or studies for the San Luis Unit. (Sec. 504) Prohibits the use of any funds to restart the High Flux Beam Reactor. (Sec. 505) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from September 30, 1998, through September 30, 1999, the Narc authority to assess annual charges. (Sec. 506) Specifies additional purposes for which NRC appropriations shall be available. (Sec. 507) Amends the Fiscal Year 1993 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act to repeal the prohibition against the use of funds, without specific congressional authorization, to conduct any studies relating to or leading to the possibility of changing from the currently required "at cost" to a "market rate" or any other noncost-based method for the pricing of hydroelectric power by the six Federal public power authorities, or other Federal agencies or authorities. Amends the Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1986, to repeal the prohibition against the use of funds, without specific congressional authorization, to solicit proposals, prepare or review studies, or draft proposals designed to transfer out of Federal ownership, management, or control in whole or in part the facilities and functions of the Federal power marketing administrations in the contiguous 48 States, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Sec. 508) Prohibits DOE from implementing or enforcing its own regulatory system for environment, safety, and health, with respect to the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Sets a deadline for the Secretary to transmit a plan to the Congress for the termination of DOE authority to regulate its contractors and to self- regulate its own operations regarding those concerns at such Laboratory. Requires the NRC Chairman to submit a plan to the Congress for regulating accelerator-produced radioactive material and ionizing radiation generating machines at DOE facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 4057 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Airport Improvement Program Reauthorization Act of 1998 - Amends Federal aviation law to reauthorize the Airport Improvement Program through FY 1999, with a specified allocation for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Facilities and Equipment Program. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for FAA operations through FY 1999. (Sec. 6) Makes specified changes to the formula for crediting airport improvement fund amounts to the discretionary fund. Revises the apportionment of airport improvement fund amounts to sponsors of primary airports and to the States for each fiscal year. Authorizes the use of airport improvement funds apportioned to Alaska, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii for any of their public airports. Authorizes the use of State-apportioned airport improvement funds for integrated airport system planning that encompasses one or more primary airports. Increases the apportionment for airport improvement funds for airport noise compatibility programs. Authorizes three percent of such funds to be set-aside for airport security, giving highest priority to the testing and evaluation of explosive detection equipment for airports. Authorizes the use of the supplemental apportionment of airport improvement funds for Alaska for any of its public airports. Repeals a certain limitation on the apportionment of airport improvement funds for commercial service airports in Alaska. Increases from 12 to 14 at any time the number of current or former military airports that may receive airport improvement funds. Revises U.S. policies regarding aviation programs to encourage the funding and use of integrated in-pavement lighting systems for runways and taxiways and other runway and taxiway incursion prevention devices. (Sec. 7) Provides that 20 percent of small airport grant funds be set-aside for each of the next five fiscal years to assist airport sponsors in meeting the safety terms in airport operating certificates. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, whenever making such grants, to notify the grant recipient that the grant's source is from the small airport fund. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Secretary to approve not more than 20 projects in which airport improvement grant funds may be used to implement innovative financing techniques for airport development projects. (Sec. 9) Declares that the Government's share of costs shall be: (1) not more than 90 percent for airport improvement projects funded under the State block grant program; and (2) 100 percent for airport security projects funded with airport improvement funds. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the Secretary, in order to enable additional air service by an air carrier with less than 12 flights per day at an airport, to consider, when determining what is an allowable terminal development cost, the shell of a terminal building (including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and aircraft fueling facilities adjacent to an airport terminal building as nonrevenue-producing public-use areas of the airport meeting certain requirements. (Sec. 11) Makes airport improvement funds available to repay money borrowed to pay the costs for terminal development provided the Secretary decides that repayment will not defer any needed airport development project affecting safety, security, or capacity (currently, any project outside the terminal area at that airport). (Sec. 12) Requires any Federal executive branch department, agency, or instrumentality to grant priority to a request by a public agency (except another Federal executive branch department, agency, or instrumentality) for surplus property for use at a public airport. Authorizes the Secretary to waive, without charge, a term of a gift of an interest in such property after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment and other specified conditions are met. (Sec. 13) Authorizes the Secretary to obligate airport improvement funds and amounts from the airport and airway trust fund for any project to construct a new runway at an international airport. (Sec. 14) Prohibits the Administrator of the FAA from selecting a site for, or beginning construction of, the Potomac Metroplex terminal radar approach control facility in Virginia before the 90th day after a report to the Congress on the relative costs and benefits of constructing the facility on land already owned by the United States (including land located outside the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area). (Sec. 16) Revises the amount of certain funds apportioned to the discretionary and small airport funds. Authorizes the Secretary to distribute specified percentages of funds from the small airport fund for grants for projects at small hub airports, public-use airports, and certain commercial service airports. Declares that an airport development project shall remain eligible for funding from the discretionary fund (subject to the availability of funds) even though the airport's status changes from a primary to a nonprimary airport.
Law· HRH.R. 4059 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1999 - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (2) military construction, DOD (including a transfer of funds); (3) military construction for the Army and Air National Guards; (4) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (6) family housing for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force; (7) family housing, DOD; (8) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (9) the Homeowners Assistance Fund, Defense; and (10) the Base Realignment and Closure Accounts, Parts III and IV. (Sec. 101) Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. (Sec. 118) Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. (Sec. 121) Prohibits an entity from expending funds appropriated by this Act unless such entity agrees to comply with the Buy American Act. (Sec. 122) Expresses the sense of the Congress that entities receiving assistance under this Act should expend such assistance only on American-made equipment and products. (Sec. 125) Mandates that payments received by the Secretary of the Navy under prior law for the conveyance of naval family housing facilities at Paine Field, Washington, are appropriated and available for constructing or acquiring family housing facilities for Naval Station Puget Sound, Washington. (Sec. 126) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Army should name the All American Parkway at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as the W.G. "Bill" Hefner All American Parkway.
Bill· HRH.R. 4061 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified amount to the survivors of 14 military personnel and one civilian Federal employee who were killed on April 14, 1994, when U.S. F-15 fighter aircraft mistakenly shot down two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Iraq. Limits attorney's fees in connection with such survivor claims. Requires a report from the Secretary to the Congress on payments made.
Bill· SS. 2168 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Independent Agencies Title IV: General Provisions Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for FY 1999 for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and for sundry independent agencies. Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General post fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery System; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) establishing an Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development; (8) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (9) community development block grants; (10) brownfields redevelopment; (11) the HOME investment partnerships program; (12) homeless assistance grants; (13) housing for special populations; (14) the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); (15) the Government National Mortgage Association; (16) housing policy development and research; (17) fair housing activities; (18) management and administration; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 201) Extends certain provisions regarding contributions for low-income housing projects and the demolition, disposition, or conversion to home ownership of public housing. Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to extend provisions regarding the streamlining of Section 8 tenant-based assistance. Amends the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, I to extend provisions regarding public and assisted housing minimum rents and preferences. (Sec. 208) Requires the Secretary of HUD to make a grant for any State that: (1) received an allocation for FY 1998 under the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act; (2) is not otherwise eligible for such allocation for FY 1999 because the State does not have the required number of AIDS cases; and (3) would meet such requirement if the cases in the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) for any city within the State (which was not eligible in FY 1998 but is eligible for FY 1999) were considered to be cases outside of such MSAs. (Sec. 210) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend the Secretary of HUD's authority to enter into certain risk-sharing agreements to determine Federal credit enhancements for loans for affordable multifamily housing. Increases the number of units to which those agreements may apply in FY 1999. (Sec. 211) Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) extend certain conditions on obtaining FHA mortgage insurance with regard to calculations of downpayment and makes such calculations applicable to all mortgages (currently, those originating in Alaska and Hawaii); and (2) raise the limit on the amount of principal obligations involved in order to be eligible for such insurance. (Sec. 216) Deems the term "States" to include Indian tribes and Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa for purposes of eligibility for funding under community development block grant provisions of the 1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (6) the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (8) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Bars EPA from using funds provided under this Act to enter into or approve agreements that enable the export of Government-owned ships to be dismantled in foreign countries unless the EPA Administrator certifies to the Congress that the environmental standards imposed in the country in which the vessel is to be dismantled or scrapped are comparable to U.S. standards. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program; and (7) the National Flood Insurance Fund. Establishes a Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund in the Treasury and makes appropriations for the Fund. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend through FY 1999: (1) a certain ceiling on obligations issued under the national flood insurance program; (2) the authority for new flood insurance contracts; and (3) the authorization of appropriations for certain studies. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the International Space Station, the space shuttle program, space, earth, life, and microgravity science and academic programs, aeronautics, space transportation, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made.
Bill· SS. 2160 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1999 - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (2) military construction, DOD (including a transfer of funds); (3) military construction for the Army and Air National Guards; (4) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (6) family housing for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force; (7) family housing, DOD; (8) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (9) the Homeowners Assistance Fund, Defense; and (10) the Base Realignment and Closure Accounts, Parts III and IV. (Sec. 101) Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. (Sec. 118) Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. (Sec. 125) Authorizes the transfer of DOD funds for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966. (Sec. 126) Mandates that payments received by the Secretary of the Navy under prior law for the conveyance of naval family housing facilities at Paine Field, Washington, are appropriated and available for constructing or acquiring family housing facilities for Naval Station Puget Sound, Washington.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 53 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should award a Presidential Unit Citation to the final crew of the U.S.S. Indianapolis for their courage and fortitude after their ship was torpedoed and sunk on July 30, 1945. Permits such award notwithstanding time limitations otherwise applicable.
Bill· HRH.R. 4035 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Drugs and Informed Consent Armed Forces Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide that if the Secretary of Defense submits to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) a request to waive the requirement of prior informed consent with respect to the administration of a drug to members of the armed forces for investigational use, then any determination by the Secretary of Defense that obtaining such consent is not feasible or is contrary to the best interests of the members involved shall not be effective unless the President provides to the HHS Secretary a written statement concurring in that determination.
Bill· HRH.R. 4056 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Bosnia Force Realignment Act - Prohibits the use of any funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 1999 or any subsequent fiscal year for the deployment of any U.S. ground combat forces in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina after June 30, 1999. Provides exceptions to such prohibition to the extent necessary to support: (1) a limited number of U.S. military personnel sufficient only to protect U.S. diplomatic facilities; or (2) non-combat military personnel sufficient only to advise the commanders of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO) peacekeeping operations there. Prohibits DOD funds from being used after June 30, 1999, for: (1) the conduct of, or support for, any law enforcement activities in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, except for the training of law enforcement personnel or to prevent imminent loss of life; (2) any activity that may jeopardize the primary mission of the NATO-led force in preventing armed conflict there; (3) the transfer of refugees within the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina that has a purpose of acquiring control by one Bosnian Entity of territory allocated to another or that may expose U.S. armed forces to substantial risk; or (4) implementation of any decision to change the legal status of any territory within the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, unless expressly agreed to by all signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement. Requires the President to report to the Congress on the progress of the withdrawal of U.S. ground combat forces from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bill· HRH.R. 4036 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998
Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Act of 1998 - Presumes to be service-connected (and therefore compensable or treatable under Federal veterans' benefits provisions) an illness that: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines to have a positive association with a biological, chemical, or other toxic agent or environmental or wartime hazard (agent or hazard) associated with service in the southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; and (2) becomes manifest in a veteran who was exposed to such agent or hazard by reason of such service. Presumes such exposure unless there is conclusive evidence otherwise. Directs the Secretary to contract with an independent scientific body to establish a panel for reviewing medical and scientific literature to identify those diseases and illnesses associated with exposure of humans or animals to specified pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants. Requires each disease or illness identified that becomes manifest in a Gulf veteran to be presumed to be service-connected. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the updating of presumed exposures. Enumerates the pesticides, agents, compounds, particulates, radiation, and pollutants to which Gulf veterans shall be presumed to have been exposed. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a plan for establishing a panel to review the statistical occurrence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed illnesses and symptoms among Gulf War veterans and their families. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan for the establishment of a permanent expert advisory group to advise the President and the congressional defense and intelligence committees on the adequacy of current U.S. chemical, biological, and radiological defense technologies, procurement practices, and doctrine for defending U.S. forces against both the immediate and chronic consequences of acute and subacute exposures to chemical, biological, radiological, or other genotoxic battlefield materials.
Bill· HRH.R. 4027 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998
Authorizes unpaid veterans' benefits that have accrued to an individual for up to eight (currently, two) years prior to his or her death to be paid to survivors.
Bill· HRH.R. 4016 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998
Extends permanently (currently ends on October 27, 1999) the eligibility of certain former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 463 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998
Establishes the Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military-Commercial Concerns With the People's Republic of China. (Sec. 2) Requires the Committee to conduct a full and complete inquiry regarding the following matters and report such findings and recommendations, including those concerning the amendment of existing law or the enactment of new law, to the House of Representatives as it considers appropriate: (1) the transfer of technology, information, advice, goods, or services that may have contributed to the enhancement of the accuracy, reliability, or capability of nuclear- armed intercontinental ballistic missiles or other weapons of the People's Republic of China (PRC), or that may have contributed to the enhancement of the PRC's domestic or foreign intelligence capabilities, or that may have contributed to the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction, missiles, or other weapons or armaments by the PRC; (2) the effect of any transfer or enhancement referred to in this Act on regional security and the national security of the United States, its friends, and its allies; (3) the conduct of the executive branch of the United States Government with respect to such transfers or enhancements and the effect of that conduct on U.S. national security, its friends, and its allies; (4) the conduct of defense contractors, weapons manufacturers, satellite manufacturers, and other private or government-owned commercial firms with respect to the transfers or enhancements; (5) the enforcement of Federal law, including statutes, regulations, or executive orders, with respect to such transfers or enhancements; (6) any effort by the PRC Government or any other person or entity to influence any of the foregoing matters through political contributions, bribery, influence-peddling, or otherwise; (7) decision-making within the executive branch of the United States Government with respect to any of the foregoing matter; (8) efforts to conceal or withhold information or documents relevant to any of the foregoing matters or to otherwise obstruct justice, or to obstruct the work of the Select Committee or any other congressional committee in connection with those matters; and (9) all matters relating directly or indirectly to any of the foregoing matters. Allows, in the Select Committee's discretion, reports to the House to be made in secret sessions pursuant to rule XXIX of the Rules of the House. (Sec. 5) Prohibits an employee of the Select Committee or any person engaged by contract or otherwise to perform services for or at the request of the Committee from being given access to any classified information by the Committee unless the individual has: (1) agreed in writing and under oath to be bound by the rules of the House (including the jurisdiction of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and the Select Committee as to the security of such information during and after the period of his or her employment or contractual agreement with the Select Committee); and (2) received an appropriate security clearance as determined by the Select Committee in consultation with the Director of Central Intelligence. (Sec. 6) Specifies provisions regarding: (1) limits on disclosure of information in the Select Committee's possession; (2) procedures for handling such information; (3) the transfer of information to the Select Committee from other House committees; and (4) means by which the Select Committee gathers information. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the Select Committee to inspect and receive for the tax years 1991 through 1998 any tax return, return information, or other tax-related material, held by the Secretary of the Treasury, related to individuals and entities named by the Select Committee as possible participants, beneficiaries, or intermediaries in the transactions under investigation.
Bill· SS. 2138 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Defense - Civil Title II: Department of the Interior Title III: Department of Energy Title IV: Independent Agencies Title V: General Provisions Title VI: Denali Commission Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1999 - Title I: Department of Defense - Civil - Makes appropriations to the Department of the Army and its Corps of Engineers for FY 1999 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 authorized water development and related projects; (4) certain flood control projects on the Mississippi River and its tributaries; (5) water development projects operation and maintenance; (6) the navigable waters and wetlands regulatory program; (7) formerly utilized atomic energy program sites remediation; and (8) general expenses. Authorizes use of the Revolving Fund to construct an addition to the United States Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District main office building on Elmendorf Air Force Base. (Sec. 101) Bars application of a fully allocated funding policy to projects for which funds are identified in specified Committee reports. Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake such projects using continuing contracts. (Sec. 102) Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary of the Army shall provide planning, design and construction assistance to non-Federal interests in implementing water-related environmental infrastructure and environmental resources development projects in Alaska. (Sec. 103) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to revise the Missouri River Master Water Control Manual when it is made known to the pertinent Federal authority that such revision provides for an increase in the springtime water release program during the spring heavy rainfall and snow melt period in States with rivers draining into the Missouri River below the Gavins Point Dam. Title II: Department of the Interior - Makes FY 1999 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; (5) California Bay-Delta Ecosystem Restoration; and (6) general administrative expenses. Title III: Department of ENERGY - Makes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 1999 for: (1) energy supply programs; (2) non-defense environmental management; (3) the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; (4) general DOE science and research activities; (5) the Nuclear Waste Disposal Fund; (6) DOE administration; (7) Office of the Inspector General; (8) atomic energy defense weapons activities; (9) defense environmental restoration and waste management; (10) defense facilities closure projects; (11) defense environmental management privatization; (12) other DOE defense activities; (13) defense nuclear waste disposal; (14) 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 (15) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Sec. 301) Prohibits funds under this Act from being used to: (1) award either a management and operating contract without competitive procedures, or a contract that deviates from the Federal Acquisition Regulation, unless the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) grants a waiver on a case-by-case basis; (2) develop or implement a workforce restructuring plan for DOE employees, or to provide them with enhanced severance payments or other benefits; (3) augment specified funds made available for severance payments and other benefits and community assistance grants under specified law; (4) prepare or initiate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for a program that has not been funded by the Congress; or (5) decrease the concentration of radioactive contamination in waste in order to comply with the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. (Sec. 307) Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to redesignate the Office of Energy Research the Office of Science Research. (Sec. 308) Amends the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) Privatization Act to instruct the Secretary of Energy to reimburse a contractor or subcontractor for the costs of providing security to bring a gaseous diffusion plant into compliance with statutory guidelines. (Sec. 309) Directs the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to sell electric power at wholesale, upon the request of a joint operating entity, for the purpose of meeting the firm power loads of regional public bodies and cooperatives that are members of participants of such entity. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1999 for: (1) the Appalachian Regional Commission; (2) the Denali Commission; (3) the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; (4) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); (5) the NRC Office of the Inspector General; (6) the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board; and (7) the Tennessee Valley Authority. Title V: General Provisions - Declares the sense of the 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 labelled products as made in America. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to pay the salary of any Department of the Interior officer or employee for the Animas-La Plata Project, in Colorado and New Mexico, except for: (1) activities required to comply with the applicable provisions of current law; and (2) continuation of activities pursuant to the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-585). (Sec. 506) 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 develop a plan, which shall conform 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. Makes San Luis Unit beneficiaries of drainage service or drainage studies responsible to reimburse the United States fully for any future obligations of Federal funds relating to, or providing for, such service or studies for the San Luis Unit. (Sec. 507) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend from September 30, 1998, through September 30, 1999, the NRC's authority to assess annual charges. (Sec. 508) Prohibits the use of any funds to restart the High Flux Beam Reactor. Title VI: Denali Commission - Denali Commission Act of 1998 - Establishes the Denali Commission to develop a statewide, comprehensive plan for economic and infrastructure development, establish priorities, approve project and grant proposals, and administer funds appropriated to such Commission. Directs the Commission to: (1) solicit project proposals to modernize infrastructure from local governments and other organizations; (2) report annually to the President, the Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, and the Governor of Alaska; and (3) develop a repair or replacement program for bulk fuel storage tanks in Alaska which are not in compliance with Federal and State law. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 244 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the U.S. Government should remain committed to honoring the memory and spirit of the brave citizens of China who suffered and died in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, for attempting to assert their internationally recognized rights; and (2) supporting the peaceful transition to democratic governance and the observance of internationally recognized human, civil, and political rights and the rule of law in China should be a principal goal of U.S. foreign policy.
Bill· HRH.R. 4010 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
Federal Surplus Property Improvement Act of 1998 - Requires that nonlethal excess supplies of the Department of Defense be made available to a State or a local government upon request before such supplies are made available for humanitarian relief purposes. Permits the President to make such supplies available for humanitarian purposes before they are made available to a State or local government in response to a natural disaster emergency. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, with respect to the transfer of property for environmental protection in foreign countries, to prohibit such transfers unless the Administrator of General Services (GSA Administrator) determines that there are no Federal or State use requirements for the property under any other provision of law. Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) repeal the requirement permitting the transfer of U.S.-owned technology or surplus property to participants in the small business and capital ownership development program on a priority basis; and (2) subject to the oversight of the GSA Administrator, in consultation with State agencies responsible for surplus property distribution, the transfer of such technology or surplus property to program participants. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Energy to transfer surplus equipment to an educational institution with which it has a partnership agreement. Requires the Administrator of General Services to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of surplus personal property donation and disposal programs (except for any program that grants access to personal property by local communities affected by the closure of a military base), along with recommendations for consolidating such programs under a single Federal authority.
Bill· HRH.R. 4007 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1998
Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act - Establishes the Nazi War Criminal Records Interagency Working Group to locate, identify, inventory, recommend for declassification, and make available to the public at the National Archives and Records Administration, all classified Nazi war criminal records of the United States. Requires that: (1) Group members include the Director of the Holocaust Museum, the Historian of the Department of State, and the Archivist of the United States; and (2) the Group submit a report to the Congress describing all such records, their disposition, and the Interagency Group's activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires such records to be released in their entirety, except that an agency head may exempt from release specific information that would compromise privacy, national security, or U.S. foreign policy, as specified. States that in applying the exemptions there shall be a presumption that the public interest in the release of Nazi war criminal records will be served by disclosure and release of the records. Permits assertion of such exemption only when the agency head determines that disclosure and release would be harmful to a specific interest identified. Requires such a determination to be promptly reported to the appropriate congressional committees, including the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Subjects such exemptions to the same standard of review that applies to records withheld under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for matters that are specifically authorized by an executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy. Provides an additional exception from disclosure for records: (1) related to or supporting any investigation, inquiry, or prosecution by the Office of Special Investigations of the Department of Justice; or (2) solely in the possession or control of that office. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that the exemption from public disclosure authorized under such Act for operational files of the Central Intelligence Agency shall not apply to information regarding any operational file, or portion of any operational file that constitutes a Nazi war criminal record. Provides for expedited processing of FOIA requests for Nazi war criminal records.
Bill· SS. 2132 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Military Personnel Title II: Operation and Maintenance Title III: Procurement Title IV: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Title V: Revolving and Management Funds Title VI: Other Department of Defense Programs Title VII: Related Agencies Title VIII: General Provisions Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999 - Title I: Military Personnel - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for active-duty and reserve personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force and for National Guard personnel in the Army and Air Force. Title II: Operation and Maintenance - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Army, Navy, and Air Force (including a transfer of funds in each case), the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, the reserve components, and the Army and Air National Guards. Appropriates funds for: (1) overseas contingency operations (including a transfer of funds); (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; (3) environmental restoration for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and defense-wide (including a transfer of funds in each case); (4) environmental restoration at former defense sites (including a transfer of funds); (5) overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid; (6) nuclear threat reduction programs with respect to republics of the former Soviet Union; (7) quality of life enhancements, defense (including a transfer of funds); (8) renovation of the Pentagon (including a transfer of funds); and (9) morale, welfare, and recreation and personnel support for contingency deployments (including a transfer of funds). Title III: Procurement - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for procurement by the armed forces and its reserve components of aircraft, missiles, weapons, tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, and shipbuilding and conversion and for other procurement. Appropriates funds for defense-wide procurement and for National Guard and reserve equipment. Title IV: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for research, development, test and evaluation by the armed forces and defense agencies. Appropriates funds for the Directors of Test and Evaluation and Operational Test and Evaluation. Title V: Revolving and Management Funds - Appropriates funds for: (1) the defense working capital funds (including a transfer of funds); and (2) programs under the National Defense Sealift Fund. Title VI: Other Department of Defense Program s - Appropriates funds for: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) medical and health care programs; (2) the destruction of lethal chemical agents and munitions; (3) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities, defense (including a transfer of funds); and (4) expenses and activities of the Office of Inspector General in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978. Title VII: Related Agencies - Appropriates funds for: (1) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund; (2) expenses of the Intelligence Community Management Account; (3) authorized payments to the Kaho'olawe Island Conveyance, Remediation, and Environmental Restoration Fund; and (4) national security scholarships, fellowships, and grants (using funds derived from the National Security Education Trust Fund). Title VIII: General Provisions - Specifies authorized, restricted, and prohibited uses of appropriated funds. (Sec. 8008) Authorizes procurement funds appropriated under this Act to be used for multiyear procurement contracts for E-2C aircraft, the Longbow Hellfire missile, and medium tactical vehicle replacement. (Sec. 8010) Prohibits during FY 1999 the management by end strengths of DOD civilian personnel. (Sec. 8019) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to establish with host governments of NATO-member countries an account for the deposit of residual value amounts negotiated in the return of U.S. military installations to such countries. (Sec. 8031) Authorizes DOD to incur up to $350 million in obligations for DOD personnel compensation, military construction projects, and supplies and services in anticipation of receipts of contributions from the Government of Kuwait. (Sec. 8032) Earmarks funds from this Act for the Civil Air Patrol. (Sec. 8033) Prohibits the use of funds from this Act to establish a new DOD federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). Limits the Federal compensation to be paid to DOD FFRDC members or consultants. Prohibits the use of FY 1999 DOD FFRDC funds for new building construction, cost-sharing payments for projects funded by Government grants, absorption of cost overruns, or certain charitable contributions. Limits the staff years of technical effort that may be funded for DOD FFRDCs from FY 1999 funds. Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees concerning such staff year allocations. (Sec. 8040) Directs the President to include within each fiscal year budget the amounts requested for administrative activities of DOD, the military departments, and the defense agencies. (Sec. 8046) Prohibits the use of funds: (1) for the modification of an aircraft, weapon, ship, or other equipment that the military department concerned plans to retire or otherwise dispose of within five years after completion of the modification; (2) by a DOD entity without compliance with the Buy American Act; (3) for assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea unless specifically appropriated for such purpose; (4) to reduce the civilian medical and medical support personnel assigned to military treatment facilities below the September 30, 1997, level; and (5) to transport chemical munitions to the Johnston Atoll for storage or demilitarization (with an exception and an authorized wartime waiver by the President). (Sec. 8049) Earmarks funds appropriated under this Act for the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts on Indian lands resulting from DOD activities. (Sec. 8056) Authorizes DOD to lease real and personal property at the Adak Naval Air Facility, Alaska. (Sec. 8057) Rescinds specified funds from various accounts under prior defense appropriations Acts. (Sec. 8064) Prohibits the transfer to any other department or agency, except as specifically provided in an appropriations law, of funds available to DOD or the Central Intelligence Agency in any fiscal year for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. (Sec. 8071) Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to specified congressional committees setting forth all costs incurred by DOD in implementing or supporting United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions. (Sec. 8072) Prohibits FY 1998 DOD funds from being obligated or expended to transfer to another nation or international organization defense articles or services for use in any UN peacekeeping or peace enforcement operation, or for any other international peacekeeping, peace enforcement, or humanitarian assistance operation, unless specified congressional committees are given 15 days' advance notice. (Sec. 8073) Directs the Secretary, to the extent authorized by law, to issue loan guarantees in support of U.S. defense exports not otherwise provided for, with a contingent liability limit of $15 billion. Requires quarterly reports to specified congressional committees on such loan guarantees. (Sec. 8078) Authorizes the use of DOD O&M funds in support of U.S. missions and with eligible organizations and activities outside of DOD. (Sec. 8081) Directs the Secretary, upon the enactment of this Act, to make specified transfers between various DOD accounts. (Sec. 8082) Directs the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) to report to the defense committees identifying separately any activity for which the fiscal year 2000 budget request was reduced because the Congress appropriated funds above the President's request for that activity for FY 1999. (Sec. 8084) Authorizes the Secretary to waive reimbursement of certain educational costs of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies for military officers and civilian officials of foreign countries if determined to be in the national security interest. (Sec. 8086) Appropriates during FY 1998 amounts necessary for the O&M of Fisher houses. (Sec. 8090) Directs DOD to submit to the defense committees a budget justification document for the active and reserve military personnel accounts which identifies the amounts requested by the President to be appropriated to DOD for military personnel in any budget request for FY 2000. (Sec. 8093) Requires each budget request submitted by the President for FY 2000 and thereafter to separately identify all costs incurred by DOD to support NATO expansion. (Sec. 8094) Authorizes the Secretary, on a case-by-case basis, to waive limitations on the procurement of defense items from a foreign country if: (1) the Secretary determines that such limitation would invalidate cooperative programs or reciprocal trade agreements for the procurement of defense items; and (2) such country does not discriminate against the same or similar defense items produced in the United States for that country. Provides exceptions. (Sec. 8097) Reduces by $150 million the total amount appropriated for O&M under this Act to reflect savings from consolidations and personnel reductions mandated under the Defense Reform Initiative. (Sec. 8098) Reduces by $400.6 million the total amount appropriated in this Act to reflect savings from revised economic assumptions, to be allocated among various DOD accounts. (Sec. 8100) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer naval vessels on a sale or combined sale-lease basis (in accordance with a specified amendment to be proposed to S. 2057 as filed in the Senate). Establishes in the Treasury the Defense Vessels Transfer Program Account for paying costs associated with vessel transfers. (Sec. 8101) Enacts into law specified amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 which limit: (1) the Secretary's waiver authority with respect to maintaining certain cash balances in DOD working capital funds; and (2) the National Defense Stockpile disposal authority of the President.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 242 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President: (1) should not go to China to attend a summit with President Jiang until he has provided a full disclosure to the Congress concerning the transfer of U.S. satellite and missile technology to China and until U.S. policy towards China has been formulated more effectively to protect U.S. national security, economic, and human rights interests; (2) should submit a report to the Congress after the proposed summit in China concerning his progress in securing the release of persons remaining imprisoned in China and Tibet and other significant steps to improve human rights; and (3) in addition to applauding narrow trade concessions from China, should ensure that the highest levels of diplomacy are used to open the entire Chinese market to U.S. trade and investment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) China's accession to the World Trade Organization should be conditioned on China's compliance with past market access commitments and further steps to open China's market to U.S. investment and trade in goods and services; and (2) the United States should not jeopardize cooperation with and assistance to the Government of Taiwan to appease the Chinese Government, but instead should maintain unambiguously its legal commitments to help maintain Taiwan's capacity for self-defense while calling upon the Chinese Government to renounce the use of force against the people of Taiwan.
Bill· HRH.R. 3993 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
Extends through September 30, 1996, the period during which beneficiaries of veterans who died in the line of duty on or after October 29, 1992, may apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs for a death gratuity under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 456 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1998
Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to add rule LII (Drug Testing) to require each Member, officer, and employee of the House to participate in a mandatory drug testing program. Conditions the employment of officers and employees by the House on participation in the program. Requires: (1) the Clerk of the House to contract with a private, nongovernmental entity to carry out the drug testing program; and (2) random testing of each Member, officer, and employees on a neutral selection basis, and in an appropriate testing frequency and ratio (as defined by this rule), and in addition to any methods under the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, using urinalysis, hair testing, and other appropriate methods of testing for illegal use of controlled substances. Requires confirmed positive results to be provided to the Member, officer, or employee involved or in the case of: (1) a Member, to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct; (2) an employee of a Member, to the Member; (3) an employee of a committee, to the chair and ranking minority member of the committee; and (4) an officer or employee not described in paragraphs (3) or (4), to the Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, and Minority Whip. Requires each final test result of Members to be included in a biennial report of the Clerk of the House and printed as a House document. Subjects, at the request of the supervising Member of an officer or employee of the House, the individual to a drug test if: (1) evidence exists that supports a reasonable suspicion that the officer or employee may be engaging in or has engaged in the illegal use of controlled substances, or is otherwise in violation of a drug abuse prevention policy of the supervising Member; (2) such individual is participating in or has participated in a substance abuse treatment program under an employee assistance program or is otherwise receiving treatment or counseling for substance abuse; (3) such individual has been involved in an accident which may have involved human error and which caused or may have caused a fatality, an injury, or significant property damage in an estimated amount of at least $200; (4) the supervising Member proposes to promote the individual; or (5) the individual is returning to employment with the House after a period of absence of at least six months. Requires the Committee to take appropriate action against any Member who refuses to provide a sample for testing under the program. Prohibits an individual who is first given an offer of employment by the House on or after June 1, 1998, from being hired unless: (1) the individual executes a witnessed statement agreeing to participate in the random drug testing program if hired and agreeing to waive legal rights of challenge; (2) the individual provides a sample for the testing; and (3) the individual's sample does not produce a confirmed positive result. Precludes an officer or employee from carrying out any duties with respect to the fields of national defense, foreign policy, intelligence, law enforcement, or any other field involving national security or public safety (as determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Committee on House Oversight) unless the individual participates in the drug testing program. Amends rule XXXII (Of admission to the floor) to prohibit an officer or employee of the House from being entitled to admission to the Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto unless such individual participates in the drug testing program. Amends rule I (Duties of the Speaker) to strike provisions requiring the Speaker to develop a system for drug testing in the House.
Bill· HRH.R. 3980 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1998
Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Care and Research Act of 1998 - Authorizes priority hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any illness for veterans who served on active duty: (1) in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Vietnam era; or (2) in combat against a hostile force after the date of enactment of this Act. Allows such priority notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such condition is attributable to such service. Extends through December 31, 2001, the authority for the provision of such services to other Persian Gulf War veterans. Authorizes priority service for a period of five years after discharge or release. Requires a report from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Congress on the experiences under the priority care. Directs the Secretary to establish in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs a National Center for the Study of War-Related Illnesses to promote the clinical, research, and educational activities of the VHA with respect to war- related illnesses, including medically unexplained illnesses. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the review of a methodology which could be used by the Department to determine the efficacy of treatments furnished to, and health outcomes of, Persian Gulf War veterans who have been treated for illnesses which may be associated with their service. Requires an implementation report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees. Authorizes the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to contract with NAS to develop a curriculum pertaining to the care and treatment of Persian Gulf War veterans who have ill-defined or undiagnosed illnesses for use in the continuing medical education of both general and specialty physicians providing care to such veterans. Amends the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Health Status Act to direct Federal department or agency heads designated by the President to establish within their respective departments an advisory committee to advise on proposed research studies, plans, or strategies relating to the health consequences of military service in the Persian Gulf theater of operations. Requires: (1) related reports; and (2) the public availability of all research findings.
Bill· SS. 2121 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Space Launch Cost Reduction Act of 1998 - Establishes a Commercial Space Launch Industry Loan Guarantee program to provide loan guarantees to support the private development of qualified commercial space launch vehicle initiatives. Requires such program to be carried out by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Prohibits the program from: (1) providing for loan guarantees pertaining to the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of space launch sites; or (2) removing, restricting, or replacing funding provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) to companies participating in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program. Makes companies receiving DOD funding for the development of such vehicles ineligible for loan guarantees for the same vehicles. (Sec. 103) Creates a Space Launch Vehicle Loan Guarantee Fund (Fund) to be used by the Administrator as a revolving fund to carry out this Act. Allocates a specified amount to the Fund. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee eligible obligations under this Act. Describes security interests required for the guarantee of obligations. Permits the Administrator to require an obligor to obtain private bond insurance with respect to the Government's risk of default by the obligor. Provides for: (1) a system of risk categories for obligations that categorizes the relative risk of guarantees with respect to specified risk factors; and (2) a subsidy rate for each of the categories equivalent to the cost of obligations in the category. Deems the estimated cost to the Government of a guarantee to be the amount of the guarantee multiplied by the subsidy rate. Authorizes the Administrator to accept on behalf of an applicant a commitment from a non-Federal source to fund credit risk premiums with respect to the loan that is the subject of an application. (Sec. 105) Permits the Administrator to guarantee payment of principal and interest on an obligation for the purpose of financing: (1) for construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of a space launch vehicle which is designed for commercial use; or (2) the purchase, reconstruction, or reconditioning of space launch vehicles for which obligations were guaranteed under this Act that, under default provisions, are vehicles for which obligations were accelerated and paid, acquired by the Fund, or sold at foreclosure instituted by the Administrator. Sets forth conditions on such obligations and restrictions on guarantees. Prescribes fees for guarantees and for investigation of guarantee applications. (Sec. 106) Sets forth procedures to be followed in cases of default. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Administrator, if the proceeds of an obligation guaranteed under this Act are to be used to finance the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of a space launch vehicle which will serve as security for the Administrator's guarantee, to hold a portion of such proceeds in escrow. Sets forth requirements for disbursements from, and investments of, the escrow fund.
Bill· SS. 2115 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Department of Veterans Affairs Primary Care Providers Incentive Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Assistance Program (EAP), to carry out a scholarship program for Department employees enrolled in a field of education or training in the health professions. Requires participating employees to be employed for at least two years and to demonstrate financial need. Requires scholarship priority to be given to: (1) applicants pursuing a field relating to the provision of primary health care services; and (2) applicants employed at Department health-care facilities in rural areas or at which there is an inadequate supply of qualified health-care personnel. Requires an agreement between the Secretary and the participant under which the scholarship is provided in return for the agreement to serve as a full-time employee in the Department's Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for one year for each year in which the scholarship is provided, but for not less than two years. Prohibits individual scholarship payments from exceeding $10,000 in any one year and from continuing for more than three years. Allows up to a six-year period for part-time students. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) Federal employee status of participants; (2) determination of the service commencement date; and (3) liability for breach of the service agreement. Prohibits the Secretary from furnishing such scholarships after December 31, 2001. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out as part of the EAP a program to be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Primary Care Workers Education Debt Reduction Program under which financial assistance shall be provided to personnel serving in health-care positions in the VHA to reduce the debt incurred in completing programs of education or training for such service. Directs the Secretary to give priority preference under such Program to: (1) individuals recently appointed in fields relating to primary care health services; (2) individuals recently appointed in fields in which the recruitment or retention of an adequate supply of qualified health-care personnel is difficult; and (3) any other individuals serving in either of such fields. Defines "recently appointed" as appointed within six months. Allows such payments only if the individual maintains an acceptable level of performance during the payment period. Provides maximum payment amounts of $6,000, $8,000, and $10,000 for the first, second, and third years, respectively. Prohibits any such payments after December 31, 2001. Repeals a provision of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 which prohibits payments of tuition loans on behalf of VHA employees. Directs the Secretary to notify Department employees of the benefits available under both the Scholarship and Debt Reduction Programs.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 237 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) encourage the new political leadership in Indonesia to institute genuine democratic and economic reforms, including the establishment of an independent judiciary, civilian control of the military, and the release of political prisoners; (2) encourage the new political leadership in Indonesia to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the people of Indonesia and East Timor; and (3) work actively, through the United Nations and with U.S. allies, to carry out the directives of existing U.N. resolutions on East Timor and to support an internationally supervised referendum on self-determination.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 99 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Requires, in conformance with a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998, the display of the POW-MIA flag at the U.S. Capitol to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 1998.
Bill· HRH.R. 3970 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Prohibits the award of the Purple Heart to persons convicted of a capital offense that carries a sentence of death or life imprisonment without parole.
Bill· HRH.R. 3954 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Consumer's Choice Protection Act of 1998 - Declares the purposes of this Act, including to make it clear that firearms imports may not be subject to discriminatory treatment, and that citizens should retain the choice to own and use such firearms for all lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, collecting, competitive shooting, or plinking. Amends the Federal criminal code with respect to mandatory authorization of the importation or bringing into the United States of certain firearms or ammunition. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to authorize importation of any such weapon or ammunition within 30 days after receiving the application for an import permit. Excludes from such importation mandate any firearm subject to the ban on semiautomatic assault weapons. Requires the Secretary also to authorize within 30 days of receiving an application the conditional importation or bringing in of any weapon or ammunition for examination and testing to determine whether regular importation or bringing in shall be allowed.
Bill· HRH.R. 3948 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Entitles to veterans' disability compensation a veteran whose disease or injury is attributable in whole or part to the use of tobacco products. Authorizes an additional $1 billion for FY 1999 for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 281 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should support a complete transition that will lead immediately to a democratically elected, nonmilitary government in Indonesia and that includes: (1) the release of political prisoners; (2) legalization of political organizing activities; (3) international monitoring of human rights conditions; (4) a roundtable for all party discussions; (5) a transitional government of national unity; (6) democratic elections; (7) a truth commission to address past political crimes; and (8) recognition that past injustices require redress.
Bill· SS. 2110 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Violence Against Women Act II - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States, Indian tribal governments, or local governmental units to provide technical assistance and computer and other equipment to police departments, prosecutors, and courts to facilitate the widespread, including interstate, enforcement of protection orders. Instructs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applicants that: (1) have established cooperative agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the enforcement of protection orders from other jurisdictions; and (2) will use the grant to develop and install data collection and communication systems linking police, prosecutors, and the courts in order to identify and track protection orders and violations of such orders. (Sec. 101) Directs the Attorney General to compile and disseminate information about successful data collection and communication systems. Amends Federal criminal code provisions governing full faith and credit given to protection orders to provide that such provisions shall not be construed to: (1) require prior filing or registration of such orders in the enforcing State as a prerequisite to enforcement by such State; or (2) permit a State to notify the party against whom the order has been made that a protection order has been registered or filed in that State. Includes custody and visitation provisions in protection orders within the purview of Federal criminal law governing domestic violence and stalking. (Sec. 102) Amends such Act to designate State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees in the program to combat violent crimes against women. Revises allocation percentages for police and prosecutors, victim services, and State and local courts (not less than 25 percent, 30 percent, and ten percent, respectively). Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act to expand training that may be provided under domestic violence training grants to include training with respect to issues concerning individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund for FY 1999 through 2002. Includes State, local, and tribal courts among the grantees eligible for Federal grants to encourage arrest policies. Earmarks a minimum of five percent of the total amount available for grants each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments. (Sec. 103) Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002 for grants to combat violent crimes against women. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for coordinating State victim services activities and for coordinating with Federal, State and local entities engaged in violence against women activities. (Sec. 104) Instructs the Attorney General to transfer flunitrazepam (the "date-rape" drug) from schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule I (the strictest level of Federal drug penalty and control). (Sec. 105) Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002 for grants to encourage arrest policies. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to institutions of higher education for use by campus personnel and student organizations and nonprofit nongovernmental victim services programs to assist campus administrators and campus security personnel to develop and strengthen: (1) effective security and investigation strategies to combat violent crimes against women on campuses; and (2) services to victims of such crimes. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements and certifications, grant disbursement, the Federal cost share, nonmonetary assistance, and regulations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002. (Sec. 107) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person who, while employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States, engages in conduct that would constitute a domestic violence or sexual assault offense if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be subject to prosecution in a U.S. district court. Sets forth provisions regarding concurrent jurisdiction and priority of exercise of jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to designate and authorize any individual serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense to arrest such a person outside of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that such person committed such an offense. Provides for the release of such arrested persons to civilian law enforcement authorities in specified circumstances. Provides for delivery of such persons to the appropriate authorities of a foreign country if: (1) delivery is requested for trial for such conduct as an offense under the laws of that country; and (2) delivery is authorized by a treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to transmit to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation a copy of records of any penal actions taken, including certain nonjudicial punishments imposed, against a member of the armed forces who is discharged, dismissed, or released from active duty. (Sec. 108) Prohibits and sets penalties for willfully causing bodily injury to any person or attempting, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, to cause bodily injury to any person, whether or not acting under color of law, because of: (1) the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) the actual or perceived religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person if, in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or the offense is in or affects such commerce. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and of Justice for FY 1998 through 2000 to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such alleged violations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 109) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to reauthorize for FY 1999 through 2002: (1) rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants (and allots not less than five percent of the total made available for each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments); and (2) national stalker and domestic violence reduction grants. (Sec. 111) Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding interstate domestic violence, interstate stalking, and interstate violation of a protective order to cover situations where persons travel in interstate or foreign commerce or to or from Indian country. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to public and private nonprofit entities: (1) to establish and expand cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence victim advocacy organizations and civil legal assistance providers to strengthen civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence; and (2) to establish and expand efforts and projects to strengthen such assistance by organizations with a demonstrated history of responsive direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of such victims. (Sec. 201) Requires the Attorney General, through contracts, grants, or other arrangements, to establish and operate a network of attorneys and lay advocates to provide legal assistance and other guidance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act with respect to State demonstration grants for programs and projects to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Requires grant applicants to provide documentation, including memoranda of understanding, of the specific involvement of the State domestic violence coalition and other knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations, in the development of the application. Earmarks funds to provide emergency assistance directly to victims of family violence, or their dependents, who are in the process of fleeing an abusive situation. Changes from a formula amount to $500,000 the minimum allotment to each State for such grants. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to Indian tribes and organizations from any sums not distributed to them. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to private nonprofit organizations for information, training, and technical assistance initiatives in specified subject areas. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through 2002. Revises the formula for the allocation of appropriations for grants for State coalitions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a nationwide needs assessment relating to family violence prevention and services programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to up to ten State domestic violence coalitions, and up to ten local entities that carry out domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, to develop and implement model community intervention strategies to address family violence in underserved populations. Prescribes formulae for the redistribution of funds available due to certain limitations. (Sec. 203) Prohibits any insurer from, directly or indirectly, taking any adverse action against: (1) an innocent insured; or (2) an applicant or insured on the basis that the applicant or insured, or any person employed by the applicant or insured or with whom the applicant or insured is known to have a relationship or association is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse. Defines an innocent insured as a subject of abuse insured under the same policy as the abuser, but who is not (in light of all the facts and circumstances) the cause of any claim incurred or that may incur. Requires any insurer taking an adverse action against a known subject of abuse to advise the applicant or insured in writing of the specific reasons for the action. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce such prohibitions and policy. Provides for a private action against an insurer by an applicant or insured affected by a violation of this Act. (Sec. 204) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline. (Sec. 205) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend through FY 2002 and increase the authorization of appropriations for Federal victims' counselors. (Sec. 206) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitles employees to leave: (1) to address domestic violence and its effects; or (2) to care for a child or parent of the employee who is addressing domestic violence and its effects. Authorizes an employer to require an employee to provide documentation or other corroborating evidence. Amends Federal civil service law to entitle Federal employees to take such leave, subject to the same requirements. (Sec. 207) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize unemployment compensation where an individual is separated from employment due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require State laws to provide for methods of administration that will ensure that claims reviewers and hearing personnel are adequately trained in the nature and dynamics of claims for unemployment compensation based on domestic violence, including methods of ascertaining and keeping information confidential. (Sec. 208) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty to provide for: (1) legal assistance; and (2) waiver of certain immigration requirements. (Sec. 209) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to add a new Subtitle H (Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Including Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Older Individuals). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs for the purposes of funding the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and offer, or provide for the offering of, training programs to assist law enforcement officers and prosecutors in recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to programs addressing such issues, including related training for health professionals. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for programs and activities for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Requires the Secretary to make grants to: (1) support projects in local communities to coordinate activities concerning intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop and implement outreach programs directed toward assisting older individuals who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including those in senior housing complexes and senior centers. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give preference in the award of certain grants and contracts to any health professions educational entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that each student have had significant training in the identification and referral of victims of elder abuse and neglect. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States and Indian tribal governments to enable them to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to assist public or private nonprofit entities in establishing and operating supervised visitation centers for purposes of facilitating supervised visitation and visitation exchange of children by and between parents. Requires that priority be given to States that consider domestic violence in making a custody decision and require findings on the record. (Sec. 302) Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on Federal and State laws relating to child custody, including the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980, and their effect on child custody cases in which domestic violence is a factor. Requires such study to examine the sufficiency of defenses to parental abduction charges available in cases involving domestic violence, and the burdens and risks encountered by victims of domestic violence arising from compliance with the full faith and credit (and judicial jurisdiction) requirements of that Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for grants through FY 2002. Directs the Secretary to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. (Sec. 304) Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners; and (3) grants for televised testimony. Directs the Attorney General to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in awarding grants or contracts for health professions and nurse education, to give preference to a relevant health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that a student has had significant training in the identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence. (Sec. 401) Defines relevant health professions entity as a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic medicine, a graduate program in mental health practice, a school of nursing, a program for the training of physician assistants, or a program for the training of allied health professionals. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for the development and dissemination of model programs to provide education and training in appropriate and effective responses to victims of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault (including, as appropriate, the effects of domestic violence on children) to individuals (other than law enforcement officers and prosecutors) who are likely to come into contact with such victims during the course of their employment. Limits such grants to public and private nonprofit entities that have: (1) nationally recognized expertise in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) a record of commitment and quality responses to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires States to use certain transferred funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers, State sexual assault coalitions, and other public and private nonprofit entities for: (1) educational seminars; (2) hotlines; (3) training programs for professionals; (4) the preparation of informational material; (5) education and training programs for students and campus personnel designed to reduce the incidence of sexual assault at colleges and universities; and (6) other efforts to increase awareness of, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts to increase awareness in underserved communities and awareness among individuals with disabilities. Requires at least 25 percent of grant funds are used for educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school students. Directs the Secretary, through the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault (with a central resource library) to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, as well as to State sexual assault coalitions and local sexual assault programs and to other professionals and interested parties on issues relating to sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to individuals or organizations to carry out educational programs for elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education with respect to information regarding, and prevention of, domestic violence and violence among intimate partners. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 405) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and information on violence, abuse, and sexual assault against women who are individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 406) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make groups that provide services to or advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities eligible for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. (Sec. 407) Directs the Attorney General to establish a multidisciplinary, multiagency national commission to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend minimum sexual assault forensic examination training for all health care students; (3) review national, State, and local protocols on sexual assault for forensic examinations, and develop a recommended national protocol and a mechanism for nationwide dissemination; and (4) study and evaluate State procedures for payment of forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault, and establish a recommended Federal protocol for such payment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 408) Authorizes the Attorney General to make a grant to a private, nonprofit entity meeting certain requirements to establish a national clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employers and labor organizations on appropriate workplace responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 409) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to make grants to entities, including domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, to: (1) support specified research and evaluation of education, prevention, and intervention programs on violent behavior against women; and (2) address gaps in research and knowledge about violence against women, including violence against women in underserved communities. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to report to Congress on: (1) Federal and State sentences for homicides or assaults in which the victim was a spouse, former spouse, or intimate partner of the offender; (2) the effect of illicit drugs and alcohol on domestic violence and the sentences imposed for offenses involving them in which domestic violence occurred; (3) the extent to which acts of domestic violence committed against the offender, including coercion, may have contributed to the commission of an offense; (4) an analysis delineated by race, gender, type of offense, and any other categories that would be useful for understanding the problem of domestic violence; and (5) recommendations with respect to all such offenses, including any basis for a downward adjustment in any applicable Federal sentencing guidelines determination. Directs the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities, including sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the experiences of minors and adults who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Requires the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on the status of the law with respect to rape and sexual assault offenses and the effectiveness of the implementation of laws in addressing such crimes and protecting their victims. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations to the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. (Sec. 501) Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 2001 and 2002 in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) by specified offsetting amounts.
Bill· SS. 2108 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance Accelerated Death Benefits Act - Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to prescribe regulations under which any terminally ill person insured under either Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance or Veterans' Group Life Insurance may elect to receive in a lump-sum payment a portion of the face value of such insurance as an accelerated death benefit, reduced by an amount necessary to ensure that there is no increase in the actuarial value of the benefit paid. Prohibits any benefit so paid from exceeding 50 percent of the face value of the person's insurance in force on the date of such election. Requires any portion unpaid to be payable upon the actual death of the individual. Defines a person as "terminally ill" if such person has a medical prognosis of a life expectancy of less than a period prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, but in no case longer than 12 months. Makes irrevocable the election to receive such early benefit.
Bill· HRH.R. 3933 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998
Allows members of the armed forces to elect to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) by way of contributions from basic pay. Allows such election to be made only during the TSP open enrollment periods, with an exception. Prohibits such contributions from exceeding five percent of basic pay. Prohibits for such members the one percent Federal contribution to an individual's TSP. Adds to the Employees Thrift Advisory Council one member to represent such military participants. Considers as a separation from service, for purposes of entitlement to TSP benefits, a member's release from active service, transfer to inactive status, or transfer to a retired list.
Bill· SS. 2102 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Nigerian Democracy and Civil Society Empowerment Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should actively seek the cooperation of other countries as part of the U.S. policy of isolating the military government of Nigeria; (2) the President should instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) to use the U.S. vote at the UNCHR annual meeting to condemn human rights abuses in Nigeria, and to press for the continued renewal of the mandate of, and continued access to Nigeria for, the special rapporteur on Nigeria; and (3) the President should not send any other envoy to Nigeria, besides the U.S. Ambassador, without prior notification of the Congress, and should not designate a special envoy to Nigeria without consulting the Congress. (Sec. 4) Earmarks specified development assistance funds for FY 1999 through 2001 to: (1) nongovernmental organizations to promote democracy, good governance, and the rule of law in Nigeria; (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to provide grants to support individuals or nongovernmental organizations that seek to promote, directly or indirectly, the advancement of human rights there; and (3) the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) to support its activities in Nigeria, including the promotion of greater awareness among Nigerians of constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of AID should: (1) increase the number of U.S. personnel at its office in Lagos, Nigeria, from within its current, overall staff resources; and (2) consider placement of personnel elsewhere in Nigeria. (Sec. 5) Prohibits economic and military assistance or arms transfers to the Government of Nigeria. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified international financial institutions to use the U.S. vote to oppose any multilateral assistance to the Government of Nigeria. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of State to deny a visa to, and the Attorney General shall exclude from the United States, certain Nigerian nationals. (Sec. 7) Declares that, unless a free and fair presidential election has occurred in Nigeria during 1998, the President shall: (1) prohibit, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, any financial transaction involving the participation by a Nigerian national as a representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a sporting event in the United States; (2) prohibit entry into the United States of any employees or military officers of the Nigerian government and their immediate families; (3) list by name to the appropriate congressional committees any senior Nigerian government officials and military officers who are suspended from entry into the United States; and (4) consider additional economic sanctions against Nigeria. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any international sports organization in which the United States is represented should refuse to invite the participation of any Nigerian national in any sporting event in the United States sponsored by that organization. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the President to waive any prohibition contained in this Act, provided the President makes a certain determination, and notifies the Congress, regarding Nigeria's human rights record and progress toward democracy. (Sec. 9) Prohibits any U.S. department or agency from providing any assistance or other contribution to any political party, group, organization, or person if it would have the purpose or effect of supporting or influencing any election or campaign for election in Nigeria. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if: (1) the climate exists in Nigeria for a free and fair democratic election that will lead to civilian rule; or (2) it is in the U.S. national interests to do so. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on governmental corruption in Nigeria.
Bill· SS. 2103 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Personal Privacy Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit and set penalties for harassing any person within the United States or the U.S. special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. Defines "harass" to mean persistently physically following or chasing a person in a manner that causes such person to have a reasonable fear of bodily injury, in order to capture by a visual or auditory recording instrument any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of the person for commercial purposes. Prohibits: (1) trespassing on private property in order to capture any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of any person for commercial purposes; and (2) capturing any such image, recording, or impression of a personal or familial activity through the use of a visual or auditory enhancement device, even if no physical trespass has occurred, if the subject has a reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to the activity captured and if the image, recording, or impression could not have been captured without a trespass if not produced by the use of the enhancement device. Authorizes any person who is legally present in the United States and who is subjected to a violation of this Act to bring a civil action to obtain compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive and declaratory relief. Directs the court to allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees, including expert fees. Specifies that: (1) it shall not be a defense to a prosecution or civil action that no image or recording was captured or sold; and (2) only a person physically present at the time of, and engaging or assisting another in engaging in, a violation is subject to criminal charge or civil liability under this Act. Makes this Act's prohibitions inapplicable to official law enforcement activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 3906 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Military Parole Limitation Act of 1998 - Amends provisions concerning military correctional facilities to prohibit an offender serving a sentence of confinement for life from being granted parole before the completion of at least 30 years of such confinement.
Bill· HRH.R. 3918 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1998
Indonesia Human Rights Before Military Assistance Act - Prohibits U.S. military assistance to the Government of Indonesia unless the President certifies that it: (1) has been elected in free and fair elections; (2) does not repress civilian political expression; and (3) has made substantial improvement in human rights conditions in Indonesia and East Timor, as determined by independent international or U.S. monitors and the Secretary of State (including the release of political prisoners, open access throughout Indonesia, East Timor, and Irian Jaya (West Papua) to international monitoring and relief organizations as well as the press, and establishment of rule of law in Indonesia).
Bill· HRH.R. 3890 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Nigerian Democracy and Civil Society Empowerment Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should, in any and all international fora, actively seek the cooperation of other countries as part of the U.S. policy of isolating the military government of Nigeria; (2) the President should instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) to use the U.S. vote at the UNHRC annual meeting to condemn human rights abuses in Nigeria, and to press for the appointment of a special rapporteur on Nigeria; and (3) the President should not send any other envoy, besides the U.S. Ambassador, to Nigeria without prior notification of the Congress and should not designate a special envoy to Nigeria without consulting the Congress. (Sec. 4) Earmarks specified development assistance funds for FY 1999 through 2001 to: (1) nongovernmental organizations to promote democracy, good governance, and the rule of law in Nigeria; (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to provide grants to support individuals or nongovernmental organizations that seek to promote, directly or indirectly, the advancement of human rights there; and (3) the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) to support its activities in Nigeria, including the promotion of greater awareness among Nigerians of constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Administrator of AID should: (1) increase the number of U.S. personnel at its office in Lagos, Nigeria, from within its current, overall staff resources; and (2) consider placement of personnel elsewhere in Nigeria. (Sec. 5) Prohibits economic and military assistance or arms transfers to the Government of Nigeria. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified international financial institutions to use the U.S. vote to oppose any multilateral assistance to the Government of Nigeria. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of State to deny a visa to, and the Attorney General shall exclude from the United States, certain Nigerian nationals. (Sec. 7) Declares that, unless a free and fair presidential election has occurred in Nigeria during 1998, the President shall: (1) prohibit, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, any financial transaction involving the participation by a Nigerian national as a representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a sporting event in the United States; (2) prohibit entry into the United States of any employees or military officers of the Nigerian government and their immediate families; (3) list by name to the appropriate congressional committees any senior Nigerian government officials and military officers who are suspended from entry into the United States; and (4) consider additional economic sanctions against Nigeria. Expresses the sense of the Congress that any international sports organization in which the United States is represented should refuse to invite the participation of any Nigerian national in any sporting event in the United States sponsored by that organization. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the President to waive any prohibition contained in this Act, provided the President makes a certain determination, and notifies the Congress, regarding Nigeria's human rights record and progress toward democracy. (Sec. 9) Prohibits any U.S. department or agency from providing any assistance or other contribution to any political party, group, organization, or person if it would have the purpose or effect of supporting or influencing any election or campaign for election in Nigeria. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if: (1) the climate exists in Nigeria for a free and fair democratic election that will lead to civilian rule; or (2) it is in the U.S. national interests to do so. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on governmental corruption in Nigeria.
Bill· HRH.R. 3894 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Air Force Science and Technology Reinvigoration Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) not less than two and one-half percent of the funds available for obligation by the Air Force should be dedicated to science and technology; (2) management and funding for science and technology by the Air Force should be separate from management and funding for acquisition; (3) not less than 15 percent of science and technology funds available for obligation by the Air Force should be invested in new technology areas, including critical information technology programs, for the next five years; (4) the Air Force should increase the number of Air Force officers and civilian employees holding doctorate degrees in technical fields and the number and variety of technical degrees at the master's level granted to Air Force officers and civilian employees from both the Air Force Institute of Technology and civilian universities; and (5) a concentrated effort should be made to eliminate five percent of science and technology programs each year, with funds from the discontinued programs used for new science and technology programs. Makes amendments relating to science and technology functions of the Department of the Air Force, including to: (1) make research and development a separate function of the Secretary of the Air Force, (currently included as an equipping function of the Secretary); (2) make the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force solely responsible for research and development functions within the Office of the Secretary and the Air Staff; (3) establish in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science and Technology to be responsible for the overall supervision of science and technology functions of the Department of the Air Force; and (4) establish within the Air Staff a Deputy Chief of Staff for Science and Technology. Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into a contract with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to study the technology base of the Air Force. Requires such study to: (1) recommend the minimum requirements to maintain a technology base that is sufficient, based on both historical developments and future projections, to project superiority in air and space weapons systems and information technology; (2) address the effects on national defense and civilian aerospace industries and information technology by reducing funding below the minimum level of two and one- half percent; and (3) recommend the appropriate level of staff holding baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees, and the optimal ratio of civilian and military staff holding such degrees, to ensure that science and technology functions of the Air Force remain vital.
Bill· HRH.R. 3901 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to revise the definition of "domestic violence" to include acts or threats of violence, excluding acts of self-defense, committed by: (1) a current or former spouse of the victim; (2) a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; (3) a person who is cohabitating, or has cohabitated, with the victim; (4) a person who is or has been in a continuing romantic or intimate social relationship with the victim; (5) a person similarly situated to the victim's spouse; or (6) any other person against a victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction and for other purposes. Reauthorizes appropriations for grants to encourage arrest policies with respect to domestic violence. Requires that at least five percent of the funds appropriated for such purpose be used for grants to Indian tribal governments.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 441 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the consideration of H.R. 3616 (Department of Defense authorization).
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 278 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) any missile defense program to protect the United States against a ballistic missile attack should be designed to protect Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories and commonwealths on an equal basis with the contiguous States; and (2) any National Intelligence Estimate prepared with respect to intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities of foreign countries should include assessment of the threat to Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories and commonwealths.
Bill· SS. 2081 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
National Defense Science and Technology Investment Act of 1998 - States that, for each year from FY 2000 until 2008, it shall be an objective of the Secretary of: (1) Defense to increase the Defense Science and Technology Program (DSTP) budget by not less than two percent over inflation over the year before; and (2) Energy to increase the budget for nonproliferation science and technology activities by not less than two percent over inflation over the year before. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to expend funds from Department of Defense (DOD) 6.1, 6.2, or 6.3 accounts in supporting any individual DSTP project or program. Directs the Secretary to attempt to leverage commercial research, technology, products, and processes for the benefit of DOD. Allows funds made available to the DSTP to be used only to benefit DOD. Includes as key DSTP objectives: (1) the sustainment of research capabilities in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to DOD; (2) the education and training of the next generation of scientists and engineers in disciplines relevant to future defense systems; and (3) the continued support of the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and research programs at historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions.
Bill· HRH.R. 3882 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide, for purposes of determining the exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence, that a member of the U.S. armed forces shall be treated as using such property as a principal residence while away from home on extended duty.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 435 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998
Sets forth the rule (closed) for the consideration of H.R. 3616 (Department of Defense authorization).
Bill· SS. 2074 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Programs - Phase I Subtitle A: Expansion of SCHIP to Provide Health Insurance Coverage to Additional Individuals Subtitle B: State Health Coverage Outreach Programs Title II: Universal Affordable Comprehensive Health Care - Phase II Title III: Patient Protections Subtitle A: Utilization Management Subtitle C (sic): Health Plan Standards Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Miscellaneous Healthy Americans Act - Title I: State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Programs - Phase I - Subtitle A: Expansion of SCHIP to Provide Health Insurance Coverage to Additional Individuals - Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA), renamed State Health Insurance Programs, to add a new part B (State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Program - Phase I) (UHICP) in order to provide funds to enable participating States to initiate and expand State-administered systems of health insurance coverage for individuals and families with incomes at or below 300 percent of the poverty line. (Sec. 101) Provides that a State is not eligible for a payment under this title unless it has submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a phase I State universal coverage plan (phase I plan) that: (1) sets forth how the State intends to use the funds provided to expand SCHIP, now under a new part A of SSA title XXI, to provide universal health insurance coverage to eligible individuals and families within the State; and (2) has been approved in accordance with prescribed guidelines. Outlines plan requirements. Conditions a State's eligibility to receive part B funds on its agreeing to administer a phase I plan with a goal of providing health insurance coverage for 100 percent of the eligible individuals and families who reside in the State and who have income that is equal to or less than 300 percent of the poverty line by not later than September 30, 2003. Specifies the required scope of such health insurance coverage. Allows for cost-sharing, with certain limitations. Prohibits phase I plans from permitting the imposition of any preexisting condition exclusion for covered benefits under the plan. Makes appropriations for part B allotments to States, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Subtitle B: State Health Coverage Outreach Programs - Directs the Secretary to award grants to qualified States submitting outreach plans in order for them to establish State-administered outreach programs to maximize the enrollment of eligible individuals and families in the Medicaid, SCHIP, and UHICP (Phase I) programs. Makes necessary appropriations. Title II: Universal Affordable Comprehensive Health Care-Phase II - Amends SSA title XXI to add a new part C (State Universal Health Insurance Coverage Program - Phase II) in order to provide funds to enable participating States to establish State-administered systems to ensure universal, affordable, and comprehensive health insurance coverage. Sets forth plan, allotment, and grant requirements similar to those for phase I plans. Requires States, to be eligible to receive part C funds, to establish and implement procedures to certify: (1) private and public health care plans as qualified plans; and (2) public health care programs as qualified programs. (Sec. 202) Requires States submitting phase II plans to have in effect a State law that requires any health plan offered in the State to: (1) offer benefits to plan enrollees that are at least actuarially equivalent to health insurance benefits offered to Federal employees; (2) include mental health and substance abuse benefits at least equal to medical and surgical benefits; and (3) limit premiums and cost-sharing to certain formula maximums. (Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to propose to the appropriate congressional committees technical and conforming amendments necessary to: (1) apply such premiums and cost-sharing limitations to Medicare- eligible residents; (2) provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs for such individuals under Medicare; and (3) provide full mental health and substance abuse treatment parity to such individuals under Medicare. Title III: Patient Protections - Subtitle A: Utilization Management - Requires a health plan to have in place a utilization review program certified by the State and meeting the requirements of this subtitle. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the establishment, operation, and certification and periodic recertification of health plan utilization review programs. Authorizes a State to certify a health plan as meeting such standards if it has met the utilization standards required for accreditation as applied by a nationally recognized, independent, nonprofit accreditation entity. Requires a State that makes such a determination to review periodically the standards used by the private accreditation entity to ensure that they meet or exceed the Secretary's standards. Outlines health plan requirements with respect to the disclosure of information to prospective covered individuals, covered individuals, and State officials, as well as requirements with regard to emergency care. Subtitle C (sic): Health Plan Standards - Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the certification and periodic recertification of health plans, including standards which require plans to meet the requirements of this subtitle. (Sec. 321) Requires a State to provide for the certification of health plans if the certifying authority designated by the State determines that the plan meets the applicable requirements of this title. (Sec. 322) Specifies requirements for health plans relating to: (1) minimum solvency requirements; (2) information on terms of plan; (3) accessibility of covered health care services and access to specialized treatment; (4) credentialing for health providers; (5) grievance procedures; (6) confidentiality standards; (7) discrimination; and (8) selective marketing. Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs a State to prohibit the offering or issuance of any health plan which does not meet the requirements of this title. (Sec. 331) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to take corrective action to terminate or disqualify a self-insured plan that does not meet the standards developed under this title. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Provides that specified administration and enforcement requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 shall not apply with respect to health benefits provided under a group health plan qualified to offer such benefits under a phase I or II plan. (Sec. 402) Expresses the sense of the Congress that any sums necessary for the implementation of this Act should be offset by: (1) reductions in unnecessary tax benefits available only to individuals and large corporations in the maximum tax brackets; (2) increases in taxes from the sale of tobacco products; (3) elimination of duplicative and wasteful military spending; and (4) direct savings in health care expenditures resulting from the implementation of this Act.
Bill· SS. 2077 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strategic Planning Title II: Reserve Component Leadership Title III: Use of the Reserve Components for Emergencies Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction Title IV: Strengthened Reforms for Army National Guard Combat Readiness Title V: Pay, Allowances, Retirement, and Other Monetary Benefits Title VI: Other Benefits Title VII: Other Matters National Guard and Reserve Components Equity Act of 1998 - Title I: Strategic Planning - Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to develop and submit to the Congress: (1) a report on the Army reserve component force structure; (2) a master plan for modernization of the National Guard and other reserve components; and (3) a master plan for meeting the military construction requirements of the National Guard and reserve components. Requires the maintaining of current end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel of the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve through the end of FY 2000. Title II: Reserve Component Leadership - Directs the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to identify for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) any matter that directly concerns the National Guard, domestic security, or public safety. Requires the Chief to meet with the JCS when such matters are considered. Includes the Chief as a member of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council of the Department of Defense (DOD). Makes the Chief the principal advisor to the President, the Secretary, and the heads of the military departments on matters of domestic security or public safety. (Sec. 202) Provides authorized grades of the Chief and the chiefs of the reserve components. Excludes such positions from active-duty general and flag officer end strength limitations. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to require that, whenever a person is appointed as a State adjutant general of the National Guard, the board that is to consider the appointee for Federal recognition be convened within 60 days after such appointment. Makes the DOD Inspector General responsible for investigations relating to such appointments. (Sec. 204) Directs the Comptroller General to review and report to the Congress on the promotions of, and extensions of Federal recognition to, officers of the National Guard to determine the timeliness and fairness of the processing of such actions. Title III: Use of the Reserve Components for Emergencies Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include within its authorized assistance an emergency involving a weapon of mass destruction. Authorizes the use of National Guard or reserve personnel to provide an immediate response to incidents involving a use or threatened use of such a weapon. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse a State for expenses incurred by its National Guard in emergency preparedness programs for responding to emergencies involving such weapons. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to order into active duty a reserve unit or member to respond to emergencies involving such weapons, with limitations. Authorizes the use of reserve personnel currently on active duty, or reserve personnel serving on full-time National Guard duty, for such purposes. Excludes personnel so used from various end strength limitations. Title IV: Strengthened Reforms for Army National Guard Combat Readiness - Amends the Army National Guard Combat Readiness Reform Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of the Army to ensure that sufficient training positions and funds are available to meet military education requirements of Army National Guard noncommissioned officers without it being necessary for such officers to be absent from unit annual training in order to meet such requirements. (Sec. 402) Requires the inclusion of professional development training within Army National Guard combat units. Requires all such training to be implemented at the platoon level. Requires the Secretary of the Army to ensure the adequacy of funding for such programs. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary of the Army to use combat simulators and simulations to fully support the complete integration of Army National Guard and active units, as well as to train both units. Title V: Pay, Allowances, Retirement, and Other Monetary Benefits - Requires reserve personnel serving on active duty more than 100 miles from their primary residence to be paid a basic allowance for housing. (Sec. 502) Entitles military personnel to hazardous duty or imminent danger pay for any month in which such personnel are entitled to any basic pay, without regard to the number of days of duty performed for the month. (Sec. 503) Authorizes reserve personnel to make allotments from pay for the support of relatives. (Sec. 504) Authorizes early retirement due to physical disability for Selected Reserve personnel who: (1) have completed at least 15, and less than 20, years of retirement-creditable service; and (2) no longer meet Selected Reserve qualifications solely because of such disability. Title VI: Other Benefits - Repeals a Federal provision which terminates Selected Reserve eligibility for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill on the earlier of ten years after an individual first becomes entitled to such benefits or the date such person is separated from such service. Makes such termination date the date which is ten years after such service. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to carry out and report to the Congress on a demonstration program to test the efficacy of permitting unlimited use of commissary stores by current and former reserve members who are eligible for limited commissary store use. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary to allow members of the Selected Reserve and their dependents to receive transportation on DOD aircraft on a space-available basis to the same extent as active-duty personnel and their dependents. Allows such transportation for the dependent only when accompanying such Reserve member. (Sec. 604) Repeals an October 27, 1999, expiration date on the availability of veterans' housing loans for certain Selected Reserve personnel who have completed more than six years of retirement-creditable military service. Title VII: Other Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add a Ready Reserve-National Guard employee tax credit of 50 percent of the actual compensation paid to such employees in a taxable year, to a maximum of $2,000 per year. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.
Bill· HRH.R. 3856 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Directs the Secretary of the Army to convey to the City of Kankakee, Illinois, the parcel of Federal real property that contains the vacant Stefaninch Army Reserve Center, to be developed for public benefit.
Bill· HRH.R. 3863 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998
Provides for a special Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) part B enrollment period, reduction in or elimination of Medicare part B late enrollment penalty, and a special Medigap open enrollment period for certain military retirees and dependents.