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Bill· SS. 2483 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to include small businesses owned and controlled by women as eligible entities under the Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program (a program of defense contracting and subcontracting assistance for disadvantaged small businesses).
Bill· SS. 2481 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations - Authorizes the Secretary of the: (1) Army to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the UH/60-CH/60 helicopter; and (2) Navy to enter into a multiyear procurement contract for the DDG-51 (destroyer). Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for research, development, test, and evaluation for the armed forces. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2001. Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to use specified O&M funds to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for certain costs incurred in connection with the former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site in Suffolk, Virginia. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay from any available funds certain fines or penalties imposed by the EPA or a State in connection with environmental violations at specified sites. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to require payment by civil air carriers for support provided by the United States at Johnston Atoll that is either requested by such carrier or required to accommodate the carrier's use of the Atoll. Prohibits landing fees from being charged if support costs are charged. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer excess titanium sponge from the National Defense Stockpile to a military department or defense agency for use in manufacturing defense equipment. (Sec. 323) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through FY 2003 a pilot program for the acceptance and use of landing fees charged for the use of domestic military airfields by civilian aircraft. Extends related report requirements. (Sec. 324) Repeals a provision requiring a nonappropriated fund instrumentality, under certain conditions, to be the most economical method of distribution of alcoholic beverages within the commissary system. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2001. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2001 for the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves, as well as reserve military technicians. (Sec. 414) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 415) Excludes from active-duty end strength limitations reserve personnel on active duty, or members performing full-time National Guard duty, to perform funeral honors functions. (Sec. 416) Excludes from the above limitations reserve personnel serving on active duty for more than 180 days to perform special work in support of the armed forces and combatant commands, except that such number may not exceed two tenths of one percent of the end strength for all active-duty personnel. (Sec. 417) Authorizes the Secretary to suspend grade strength limitations in times of war or national emergency declared by Congress or the President with respect to senior enlisted personnel and senior reserve officers on active duty for full-time National Guard or reserve administrative duty. Limits such suspension to two years from the suspension or one year after the declaration of war or national emergency, whichever occurs first. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to retain Medical Service Corps officers in an active status until 67 years of age. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the release to the armed force concerned of the names of active-duty and reserve active-status list officers recommended for promotion upon transmittal to the President of the report of the selection board that considers such officers for promotion. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Policy - Makes certain active-duty list promotion, separation, and involuntary retirement authorities inapplicable to reserve general and flag officers serving in certain positions designated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). (Sec. 512) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to increase the number of officers and enlisted personnel serving on active duty or full-time National Guard duty in specified grades. (Sec. 514) Excludes medical and dental officers from reserve commissioned officer end strength limitations. (Sec. 515) Makes certain active-duty promotion, separation, and retirement authorities inapplicable to members on the reserve active status list ordered to active duty for a period of three years or less. (Sec. 516) Removes an application requirement for the continuation of officers on the reserve active-status list. Subtitle C: Education and Training - Repeals a provision authorizing a certain funding increase to be used for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (Sec. 522) Removes an annual funding limit with respect to the National Guard Challenge Program. Subtitle D: Medal of Honor Recipients - Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Ed W. Freeman for service during the Vietnam conflict and to Andrew J. Smith for service during the Civil War. Subtitle E: Joint Management - Requires an officer, in order to qualify for a joint specialty designation, to: (1) have successfully completed an accredited program from a joint professional military education institution and a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment; or (2) have successfully completed two full tours of duty in a joint duty assignment. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such qualifications for an officer who, due to unusual circumstances, has one or more qualifications comparable to the qualifications waived. Allows such qualifications to be waived in the case of a general or flag officer when determined necessary to meet a critical need. Requires the: (1) Secretary to designate joint duty assignments for general and flag officers that must be filled by joint specialty officers; and (2) JCS Chairman to accredit joint professional military education institutions. (Sec. 542) Revises promotion policy objectives for joint officers. Requires the appropriate military department Secretary to validate the qualifications of officers for eligibility for joint duty assignments, including satisfaction of requirements for promotion to brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half). Directs the Secretary to prescribe policies to ensure that promotion-eligible joint specialty officers are appropriately considered for such promotion. (Sec. 543) Repeals the requirement that an officer graduating from an accredited joint professional military education school be assigned to a joint duty assignment as that officer's next duty assignment. Decreases to two (currently three) months the minimum duration of a principal course of instruction provided by the Armed Forces Staff College. (Sec. 544) Repeals provisions specifying the length of joint duty assignments. Requires such length to mirror the standard length established by the Secretary for each installation or location at which joint duty assignments are authorized. Allows the Secretary to: (1) waive such requirement when critical to meet military personnel management requirements; and (2) curtail a joint duty assignment for an officer who has served in that assignment for at least two years. Provides conditions under which an officer shall be considered to have completed a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment. (Sec. 545) Directs the Secretary to enhance the capabilities of the Joint Staff to monitor the personnel issues of officers with the joint specialty designation and other officers who have served in joint duty assignments. (Sec. 546) Revises, generally, information required in an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on joint specialty officers and assignments. Subtitle F: Selection Board Appeals - Makes ineligible for judicial relief a person challenging the action or recommendation of a military selection board unless such person has first been considered by a special board or denied such consideration by the Secretary concerned. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to correct a person's military records in accordance with a recommendation made by a special board. Requires the appropriate relief associated with such correction (restoration to duty status; eligibility for additional pay). Makes such provisions inapplicable to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy. Authorizes judicial review of a decision not to convene a special selection board for consideration of a corrective action taken. Subtitle G: Other Matters - Exempts from recalled retiree limits those officers assigned to the Army, Navy, or Air Force Retiree Council. (Sec. 562) Requires the following defense acquisition positions to be assigned for at least a three-year period: program manager or deputy program managers for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program, program executive officers, general or flag officers or their civilian equivalent, and senior contracting officials. Title VI: Compensation and Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to delegate (with a limitation) the authority to waive operational flying duty requirements prior to the award of aviation career incentive pay. (Sec. 602) Includes as eligible activities for the payment of special pay currently provided for reserve medical and dental officers active duty for training, annual training, or special work. (Sec. 603) Authorizes members performing funeral honors duty to receive either the allowance for such duty or the rate of pay for members of the reserves or National Guard performing inactive-duty training. (Sec. 604) Extends through FY 2002 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2000 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 607) Authorizes special pay for Coast Guard physician assistants. Subtitle B: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the advance payment of temporary lodging expenses incurred by a member and his or her dependents while making a change in permanent duty stations. (Sec. 612) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay to a member a share of the savings resulting from less-than-average shipping and storage costs of the member's baggage and household effects in connection with a change of duty station. (Sec. 614) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay a member a share of the savings realized from not having a vehicle transported or stored overseas. Authorizes a member to elect to have a vehicle stored at Government expense in lieu of a transportation allowance for an unaccompanied assignment. Subtitle C: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Survivors Benefit Plan - Entitles to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance a person who volunteers for assignment to a category in the Individual Ready Reserve that is subject to an involuntary call to active duty. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Entitles to appointment to a service academy the children of members of the reserves who: (1) are currently so serving and have earned at least 2,880 retirement credit points; or (2) would be, or who died while they would have been, entitled to retired pay except for not having attained 60 years of age. (Sec. 632) Authorizes the annual payment of a $2,000 personal money allowance for individuals serving as the senior enlisted member of an armed force. (Sec. 633) Increases the initial and annual allowance for officers for the purchase of required uniforms and equipment. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the Secretary (currently, the President) and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy to prescribe requirements and allowances for clothing for enlisted personnel. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Entitles Medal of Honor recipients and their dependents to medical and dental care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations - Prohibits the head of an agency, unless certain congressional reporting requirements are first met, from entering into or extending a multiyear contract for any defense system if the value of such contract would exceed $500 million. (Sec. 802) Repeals the requirement for certain contractor assurances regarding the completeness, accuracy, and contractual sufficiency of contractor-provided technical data. (Sec. 803) Exempts cost and cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contracts with a contractor that maintains an approved purchasing system from certain subcontract notification requirements. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to allow participation by defense contractor employees in the analytical and logistic support for the operational test and evaluation of a system. Places limitations with respect to participation in the establishment of operational test and evaluation criteria for contractors that have participated in the development or production of a system. (Sec. 806) Authorizes DOD acquisition pilot programs to be continued through the end of program production. (Sec. 807) Amends the Small Business Act to reduce from ten to five days the wait period after posting notice of a solicitation from an executive agency for a contract for property or services exceeding $25,000, when such notice is accessible electronically. States that providing widespread electronic public notice of contract solicitation in a convenient form that allows user access through a single Government-wide point of entry shall satisfy Federal contract solicitation publication requirements. Makes identical amendments to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act with respect to required notice of solicitation for Federal procurement contracts. Changes from annually to biennially a report requirement under the latter Act with respect to implementation of the use of electronic commerce in Federal procurement. Makes this section inapplicable when the President determines such application would be inconsistent with any international agreement to which the United States is a party. (Sec. 808) Authorizes the Secretary to have orders made under DOD indefinite-delivery contracts for gloves, boots, humanitarian and operational rations, and toxicological agent protection clothing for States, territories, State or territory departments or agencies, the government of an Indian tribe, the District of Columbia, and qualified, non-profit agencies for the blind and severely handicapped. Authorizes the Secretary to require the appropriate entity to reimburse DOD for administrative costs in connection with such orders. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Amends provisions concerning defense procurement contract goals for small disadvantaged businesses and certain minority educational institutions to prohibit the suspension of the authority to enter into a contract for a price exceeding fair market value when the President or his designee determines that such contracts are necessary to remedy demonstrated discrimination in an industry category. (Sec. 812) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to redefine "conventional ammunition" as that ammunition managed by DOD's Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition (includes a list of qualifying conventional ammunition). (Sec. 813) Extends through the end of production the authority for the Joint Direct Attack Munition pilot program. (Sec. 814) Amends provisions concerning rights to equipment technical data developed exclusively at private expense to authorize DOD rights to such data when operation, maintenance, or installation services are to be provided by other than the original contractor or subcontractor. Requires such rights to be negotiated between the Government and the contractors involved. Prohibits any private-only rights to such data when the information is necessary for critical operation, maintenance, or installation of deployed equipment and such services are to be provided by other than the original contractor or subcontractor. (Sec. 815) Waives live-fire survivability requirements with respect to the MH-47E/MH-60K helicopter modification programs. Requires any waiver granted to be included in program reporting requirements. (Sec. 816) Repeals the requirement that, before a multiyear contract may be entered into for a defense acquisition program, the Secretary must certify to Congress that the current future-years defense program fully funds the support costs associated with the multiyear program. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department of Defense Organization - Redesignates as deputy commandants the chief and deputy and assistant chiefs of staff within the Marine Corps headquarters. (Sec. 902) Includes within the definition of an Inspector General, for purposes of general investigations, an officer of the armed forces or DOD employee assigned or detailed to serve as an inspector general at any level in DOD. (Sec. 903) Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and the Secretary of Energy to withhold from otherwise required public disclosure certain sensitive information of foreign governments and international organizations if such Secretary determines that the release of such information would have an adverse effect on the ability of the U.S. Government to obtain the same or similar information in the future. Provides limitations and exceptions. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to accept gifts intended for the Naval Academy or the Naval Academy Museum and to deposit such gifts into the United States Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund. Repeals the Naval Academy Museum Fund and the Naval Historical Center Fund and requires amounts in such funds to be transferred to the Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund and the Navy General Gift Fund, respectively. (Sec. 912) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, during FY 2000, to disburse to an entity designated by a gift donor the current cash value of gifts previously accepted for the Naval Academy Gift Fund. (Sec. 913) Revises the maximum size of parcel post packages authorized to be mailed from postal services at U.S. military installations, at no cost to the sender, by U.S. military personnel and forces of friendly foreign nations. (Sec. 914) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the temporary assignment (detail) at a DOD laboratory of up to 100 individuals previously employed by private commercial entities to conduct science and engineering. (Sec. 915) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the payment of retraining and relocation expenses to facilitate the reemployment of DOD employees being separated due to a reduction in force or transfer of functions at a DOD facility or installation. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Provides DOD administrative offsets for overpayments made to carriers supporting DOD or for liquidated damages due under DOD transportation services contracts. (Sec. 1002) Requires the annual joint Office of Management and Budget/Congressional Budget Office report on the scoring of budget outlays to reflect and include specified information on the differences between the relevant defense budget outlay rates or assumptions used by the two offices. (Sec. 1003) Repeals a provision of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 requiring a two-year defense budget cycle. (Sec. 1004) Codifies a recurring appropriations Act provision concerning the use of O&M funds for reimbursements related to certain reserve intelligence or counterintelligence support. Subtitle B: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary to provide humanitarian and civic assistance in connection with military operations for areas of a country that are underserved by medical, dental, and veterinary professionals. Authorizes the use of up to ten percent of such assistance for pay and allowances of special operations command reserves providing training and activities related to the clearing of land mines for humanitarian purposes. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements and Repeals - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to repeal a required annual report on the B-2 bomber aircraft program. (Sec. 1016) Revises an annual report deadline from the Secretary to Congress with respect to National Guard and reserve equipment. Requires the Coast Guard Reserve to be included in such reports and requires additional report information. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Exempts a military testamentary instrument from State testamentary laws. Accords such instruments the same legal effect as State testamentary instruments presented for probate. Outlines requirements for the legal execution of such instruments. Makes such instrument self-proving upon such execution, signature, and witnessing. (Sec. 1022) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to charge and retain fees for providing historical material or research assistance to public requesters from the Army Military History Institute, the Naval or Marine Corps Historical Center, or Air Force Historical Research Agency. Requires such fees to be used to offset the cost of such material or assistance. (Sec. 1023) Amends provisions concerning cooperative military airlift agreements to remove a provision which requires the Secretary to enter into such agreements only under the authority provided therein. (Sec. 1024) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 which prohibits any Cooperative Threat Reduction funds from being used for the planning, design, or construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility in Russia. Title XI: Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2000 - Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 2000 - Establishes the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Authorizes Commission appropriations. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2005. (Sec. 1103) Requires the Secretary, as part of the budget documents submitted to Congress for each of FY 2004 and 2006, to include a military force structure plan assessing probable threats to national security for the proceeding six-year period and the anticipated levels of funding needed to address such threats. Requires each plan to be submitted to the Commission. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish in the Federal Register and transmit to the defense and appropriations committees the proposed and final criteria to be used in making recommendations for the closure or realignment of military installations inside the United States; and (2) publish and transmit to such committees a list of recommended installations based on the force structure plan. Prohibits the Secretary, in considering installations, from taking into account whether an installation has previously been considered or proposed for closure or realignment, or whether any advance conversion planning has been undertaken by a community in anticipation of a closure or realignment. Directs the Commission, after receiving the Secretary's recommendations, to conduct public hearings and report to the President its findings and conclusions with respect to such recommendations. Authorizes the Commission to make recommendations different from the Secretary if it determines that the Secretary deviated substantially from the force structure plan. Requires prior publication of such changes, together with public hearings. Requires Commission report copies to be transmitted to the defense and appropriations committees. Requires the President, by specified dates, to approve or disapprove Commission recommendations by way of reports to the Commission and Congress. Requires the Commission to submit a revised list if any recommendations are disapproved, subject to presidential certification. (Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary, after a final list is approved, to: (1) begin to close or realign all recommended installations within two years after the date of approval; and (2) complete all closures and realignments within six years after such approval. Prohibits the Secretary from carrying out any closure or realignment if a joint congressional resolution is enacted which disapproves such recommendation. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes the Secretary to take all necessary actions to implement such closure or realignment recommendations, including required transfers or disposals of property. Requires appropriate consideration of any redevelopment plan for the community within or surrounding such an installation. Directs the Secretary to consult with the entity responsible for the redevelopment plan to identify items (nonmilitary) of personal property on an installation that the entity desires to be retained for installation reuse or redevelopment. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer real and personal property on such an installation to the redevelopment authority concerned for job generation purposes. Requires all property transferred to support the economic redevelopment of the installation. Directs the Secretary, after taking appropriate action with an entity with respect to a redevelopment plan, to determine whether another Federal department or agency has identified a use for, or will accept transfer of, any remaining portion of an installation. Outlines procedures for property transfers to a redevelopment authority or another Federal department or agency. Expresses the sense of Congress that, as soon as practicable after the date of approval of a closure or realignment, the appropriate redevelopment authority should begin to conduct outreach efforts to provide information on the availability of an installation's buildings and property to representatives of the homeless or other entities interested in assisting the homeless. Outlines procedures for State and local governments, representatives of the homeless, and other interested parties to notify a redevelopment authority of interest in, and plans for, buildings and property for such purpose. Requires the redevelopment authority, after such notification, to develop a redevelopment plan (with opportunity for public comment). Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretaries of Defense and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Requires the HUD Secretary to review such plan, taking into consideration the predominant views of the local communities, and to notify the Secretary and the redevelopment authority of plan approval or disapproval. Requires submission of a revised plan if the original plan is disapproved. Provides for implementation of an approved plan. Requires the Secretary to carry out an environmental impact analysis of the closure or realignment of each installation. Authorizes the Secretary, when it is determined to be in the best interests of DOD, to enter into agreements with local governments for the provision at such installations of police or security, fire protection, airfield operation, or other community services. Outlines required actions for closed or realigned installations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other environmental compliance laws. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements for the transfer of property or facilities located at or near an installation to any person who agrees to transfer to the Secretary housing units located at or near a military installation at which there is a shortage of suitable military housing. Requires a report to the defense and appropriations committees on each agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase from military personnel any interests in manufactured housing located at a manufactured housing park at an installation to be closed or realigned, or to make a payment to a member to relocate such housing, if the Secretary determines that: (1) it is in the best interests of the Federal Government to eliminate or relocate the housing park; and (2) such elimination or relocation would result in unreasonable financial hardship to the housing owners. Limits such payments to 90 percent of the purchase price of such housing, plus the costs of any permanent improvements. (Sec. 1106) Establishes the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2000 for use in connection with all closures or realignments under this Title. Requires annual Account financial reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees. Provides for the disposal or transfer of commissary stores and property purchased with nonappropriated funds located on a military installation to be closed or realigned. (Sec. 1107) Directs the Secretary, as part of the DOD budget request for FY 2005 and each subsequent year in which the Secretary carries out activities under this Title, to report to the defense and appropriations committees: (1) a schedule of the closures and realignments to be carried out, together with costs incurred and savings to be achieved; and (2) a description of the military installations to which functions are to be transferred as a result of such closures and realignments, as well as the environmental effects of such transfers. (Sec. 1108) Outlines procedures for the congressional consideration of a joint resolution disapproving the recommendations of the Commission under this Title. (Sec. 1109) Makes this Title the exclusive military base closure and realignment authority during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2005. Prohibits any DOD funds other than those provided herein from being used to select, close, or realign any military installation (with exceptions for those authorized under prior law).
Bill· SS. 2474 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2000
Department of Defense Cost Management and Accountability Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a system for monitoring the performance of functions of the Department of Defense (DOD) that are performed by 50 or more employees and have been subjected to a workforce review (a review as to whether the function should be performed by such employees or by a private workforce). Requires measurement of the costs and benefits of selecting one workforce over the other. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on the workforce performance review. Requires the Secretary to include such costs and benefits in preparing the future-years DOD budget. Requires the Secretary, when deciding to change a DOD commercial or industrial type function from performance by DOD employees to private sector performance, to certify to Congress that such decision did not include predetermined personnel constraints. Requires inclusion of the potential impact on the local community within a required report concerning such performance change.
Bill· SS. 2457 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2000
Authorizes the receipt of in-kind consideration for the lease of any property on a military installation.(Currently, a substantial portion of the installation must be leased in order for in-kind consideration to be accepted.)
Bill· SS. 2419 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2000 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to change the amount of monthly veterans' educational assistance allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill from a fixed amount adjusted for inflation to an amount equal to the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for commuter students at public institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees (75 percent of such amount for veterans whose initial obligated period of active duty is two years). Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine such average monthly costs each year, and to publish such amounts in the Federal Register. Makes such amendment effective as of October 1, 2000.
Bill· SS. 2448 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Internet Integrity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2000 - Title I: Cyber-Hacking - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for engaging in fraudulent access and related activities in connection with computers, including: (1) when the defendant uses a person less than 18 years old to commit the offense; (2) when the offense causes aggregate losses of at least $5,000; (3) when the offense causes the modification or impairment of medical diagnosis, treatment, or care; (4) when the offense causes a physical injury to any person; (5) when the offense causes a threat to public health or safety; or (6) when the offense damages a computer system used by or for a government entity in the administration of justice, national defense, or national security. Increases the prison term for a succeeding conviction of the same offense. (Sec. 102) Requires the criminal and civil forfeiture of any property used in committing such offenses, as well as any property constituting or derived from proceeds from such offense. (Sec. 104) Includes such offenses when committed by juveniles as offenses under which the Attorney General may certify to the appropriate district court a substantial Federal interest in exercising Federal prosecution. (Sec. 105) Includes as a defense against prosecution for a computer offense by a telecommunications provider, subscriber, or other aggrieved person that the person providing the information was responding to the request of a governmental entity. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Federal interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications for a suspected felony violation relating to computer fraud and abuse. (Sec. 107) Provides for the criminal forfeiture of any replicator or other device used to copy a computer program or computer program documentation or packaging. (Sec. 108) Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend Federal sentencing guidelines to provide guidelines relating to computer fraud and abuse and the use of encryption in connection with the commission or concealment of criminal acts. (Sec. 109) Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to construct and equip a National Cyber-Crime Technical Support Center to serve as the centralized technical resource for Federal, State, and local law enforcement and to provide technical assistance in the investigation of computer-related criminal activities. Requires the Director to develop at least ten regional computer forensic laboratories, and to provide support, education, and assistance for such existing laboratories. Directs the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make a grant to each State to develop and establish programs to assist State and local law enforcement in enforcing laws relating to computer crime and for related activities. Requires each State receiving grant funds to assure the Attorney General (AG) that it has in effect laws penalizing computer crime. Limits the Federal share to 90 percent of program costs. Authorizes the AG to make grants to Indian tribes for such purposes. Provides funding limitations. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Anti-Fraud Protections - Provides criminal penalties for intentionally and without consent or authorization initiating the transmission of an unsolicited commercial electronic mail advertisement to one or more protected computers with knowledge that such advertisement falsifies an Internet domain, header, or other identifying information. Title III: Privacy and Confidentiality Protections - Requires the inclusion within an application for a pen register or trap and trace device a description of the facts upon which such request is based. Requires to be included in annual reports concerning such authorized uses the offense specified and the number and nature of the facilities affected. (Sec. 302) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a satellite carrier or distributor, at the time of entering into an agreement to provide any satellite home viewing service to a subscriber and at least annually thereafter, to notify the subscriber of any personally identifiable information collected and its use, the nature and purposes of any disclosure of such information, the subscriber's access to such information, and the subscriber's right to enforce all appropriate information collection and disclosure limitations. Prohibits a carrier or distributor from collecting such information without prior written or electronic subscriber consent, except: (1) to obtain information necessary to render such service; or (2) to detect unauthorized reception of satellite communications. Prohibits a carrier from disclosing such information, except: (1) when necessary for a business purpose; (2) to a law enforcement agency pursuant to a warrant; or (3) in limited circumstances, to disclose subscriber names and addresses to another provider of satellite or other services. Provides procedures for obtaining a warrant under (2), above. Requires a subscriber to be provided access to all personal information collected and maintained by a carrier or distributor. Provides civil relief for violations of such requirements. (Sec. 303) Requires certain information concerning discovered encryption activities to be included in reports required in connection with the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications. (Sec. 304) Prohibits an interactive computer service (service) from disclosing to a person other than the consumer any personally identifiable information, unless: (1) the service notifies the consumer of such disclosure; (2) the consumer is given the opportunity to object to the disclosure; and (3) the service explains how the consumer can exercise the nondisclosure option. Require the service to provide to the consumer, at the beginning of the business relationship, the service's policies and practices with regard to the collection and use of such information. Provides a civil cause of action for violations of such requirements. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the AG to carry out a national media campaign to raise public awareness of existing rights, laws, and regulations relating to Internet security and the privacy of personally identifiable information over the Internet. Outlines campaign objectives and elements. Prohibits the use of funds for political activities, with an exception. Requires the AG to enter into an agreement with a qualified certified public accountant to obtain a campaign assessment. Requires a report, after such assessment, from the AG to the congressional judiciary and appropriations committees. Terminates the campaign three years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2003. (Sec. 306) Makes it unlawful to knowingly and with intent to defraud obtain, or cause to be disclosed to any person, personally identifiable information of an interactive computer service relating to another person without that person's consent or authorization. Allows such service or its employees to obtain such information in the course of: (1) system testing or security procedures; (2) investigations of misconduct allegations of such employees; or (3) recovering information which was obtained in a criminal manner. Title IV: National Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection - Directs the AG to appoint a Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Computer Crime and Intellectual Property (Deputy Assistant) to: (1) advise Federal prosecutors and law enforcement personnel regarding computer and intellectual property crime; (2) coordinate national and international activities for combating such crime; (3) guide and assist Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and personnel, as well as appropriate foreign entities, regarding responses to threats of such crimes; and (4) undertake related coordinating, training, and legislative recommendation activities. Requires the individual who holds the position of head of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of DOJ to act as the Deputy Assistant until the AG appoints another individual to that Section position. Authorizes appropriations for such Section. (Sec. 402) Requires the FBI's Director of the National Infrastructure Protection Center to use appropriated funds to gather and analyze information concerning threats to, and provide assessments and assistance for protecting, the national critical infrastructure. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 403) Amends Federal employee provisions to authorize the assignment or transfer of a Federal employee to a provider of wire or electronic communication service, data encryption service, or related service in order to further objectives of this Act. Title V: International Computer Crime Enforcement - International Computer Crime Enforcement Assistance Act of 2000 - Authorizes the AG to provide computer crime (other than trade secrets or undisclosable proprietary information) evidence or information to a foreign law enforcement authority (foreign authority) in order to assist in the enforcement of foreign computer crime law. Requires a mutual assistance agreement with the appropriate foreign country or organization prior to the release of such information. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the AG to provide investigative assistance to foreign authorities for obtaining computer crime evidence relating to the enforcement of foreign computer crime laws. Requires a mutual assistance agreement. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the appropriate U.S. district court, upon application of the AG under a mutual assistance agreement, to order a person to give testimony or a statement, or to produce a document or other thing, in order to assist a foreign authority to enforce a foreign computer crime law. Outlines court procedures. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the AG from taking any actions authorized under this title unless the AG determines that: (1) the foreign authority concerned will honor its mutual assistance agreement; (2) providing evidence will not violate any agreement; and (3) disclosing evidence or exercising authority is consistent with U.S. public interests. (Sec. 506) Authorizes the AG to receive reimbursement from a foreign authority for costs incurred in exercising authority under this title. (Sec. 507) Exempts determinations made under section 505 from judicial review. (Sec. 508) Outlines computer crime mutual assistance agreement elements, including a requirement that the foreign authority will provide the AG with comparable assistance, and will protect evidence provided in the same manner as the AG would. Excludes from such agreements computer crime evidence: (1) occurring before a grand jury for which disclosure is prevented by Federal law (with exceptions); (2) that is specifically authorized under Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and is classified or pending classification; or (3) that is classified under the Atomic Energy Act. Requires prior publication of any mutual assistance agreement, as well as subsequent publication of agreement modifications and terminations. (Sec. 510) Requires the AG to report to the congressional judiciary committees regarding the effects of this title on the enforcement of Federal computer crime laws as well as foreign authority compliance with mutual assistance agreements. Title VI: Severability - Provides for the severability of provisions of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4334 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2000 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to change the amount of monthly veterans' educational assistance allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill from a fixed amount adjusted for inflation to an amount equal to the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for commuter students at public institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees (75 percent of such amount for veterans whose initial obligated period of active duty is two years). Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine such average monthly costs each year and to publish such amounts in the Federal Register.
Bill· HRH.R. 4302 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a major medical facility renovation project for the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Bronx, New York. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 and specifically limits other funding from the Construction, Major Projects, account.
Bill· HRH.R. 4288 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Amends the National Nuclear Security Administration Act to direct the Administrator for Nuclear Security to ensure that the operations and activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration are executed in full compliance with Federal and State environmental, safety, and health laws and regulations (including any directives issued thereunder, and waivers of Federal sovereign immunity). States that all environmental protection, safety, and health provisions applicable to Department of Energy functions or facilities immediately before the effective date of this Act shall continue to apply to corresponding functions or facilities of the Administration.
Bill· HRH.R. 4304 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for student loan forgiveness for members of the Armed Forces on active duty, under the Federal Perkins Loan program.
Bill· HRH.R. 4300 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Persian Gulf Security Cost Fairness Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), that relied on the United States for their military protection in 1990 and 1991, including during the Persian Gulf conflict, and continue to depend on the United States for their security and stability, should share in the responsibility for that stability and security commensurate with their national capabilities. Directs the President to seek to have each country in the Persian Gulf region to which the United States extends military protection take one or more specified financial and budgetary actions to increase their burdensharing. Authorizes the President, in seeking such actions or in responding to a country's failure to undertake one or more of them, to: (1) reduce the end strength level of members of the Armed Forces assigned to permanent or part-time duty in the Persian Gulf region; (2) impose on the country fees or other charges similar to those such countries impose on U.S. forces stationed in them; (3) suspend, modify, or terminate any bilateral security agreement the United States has with that country; (4) reduce any U.S. bilateral assistance appropriated for that country; or (5) take any other appropriate action. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on: (1) steps taken by other countries to complete the actions required by this Act; (2) all measures taken by the President to achieve such actions; (3) amounts such countries have allocated to take such actions; and (4) the budgetary savings to the United States expected to accrue as a result of the steps taken under this Act. Requires the President to review and report to Congress on the status of elements of the U.S. Armed Forces permanently stationed outside the United States, including the national security bases for forward deployment and burdensharing relationships.
Bill· HRH.R. 4319 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
East Timor Repatriation and Security Act of 2000 - Declares the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should utilize all diplomatic and economic means to press for: (1) the safe repatriation to East Timor of all East Timorese in West Timor and elsewhere who wish to return; (2) an end to border incidents, infiltration of militias, and to any other violent actions by militias and the armed forces of the Republic of Indonesia against the people or territory of East Timor; (3) processes leading to justice for the victims of the 1999 violence in East Timor; (4) rapid reconstruction of East Timor, making maximum use of local personnel; and (5) a significant increase in employment for East Timorese in all internationally-sponsored reconstruction and United Nations efforts relating to East Timor. Prohibits resumption of U.S. military relations with, and military assistance for, the armed forces of the Republic of Indonesia suspended by the President on September 9, 1999, until the President certifies to Congress that the Government of Indonesia provides for: (1) the territorial integrity of East Timor; (2) the security of refugees and the safety of the East Timor population; and (3) has brought to justice those individuals who have committed murder, rape, torture, and other crimes against humanity in East Timor and elsewhere. Recognizes and salutes those members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have assisted the international peacekeeping operation in East Timor.
Bill· HRH.R. 4313 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Non-Commissioned Officer and Petty Officer Pay Table Equity Act of 2000 - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to increase as of October 1, 2000, the amounts of basic pay authorized for enlisted personnel in grades E-5 through E-7.
Bill· HRH.R. 4293 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Nursing Home Criminal Background Check Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a nursing facility from knowingly employing a person who has not passed a criminal background check in connection with that employment. Provides for a fine of up to $5,000 for a violation. Requires: (1) the Attorney General to notify nursing facilities of the requirements of this Act; (2) each nursing facility to require each applicant for employment to make a statement in writing containing the applicant's name, address, and date of birth appearing on a valid identification document, a description of the identification document used, the applicant's Social Security number, and a statement that such applicant has never been convicted of a crime of violence or a crime involving illegal activity relating to controlled substances; (3) the nursing facility to transmit each applicant statement to the Attorney General; and (4) the Attorney General to determine whether the applicant has ever been convicted of such a crime and, if so, to inform the nursing facility that the applicant did not pass the background check. Specifies that if after a specified period the nursing facility has not been informed by the Attorney General that the applicant has been so convicted, the applicant shall be deemed to have passed the background check. Provides that: (1) in no case shall the nursing facility or the applicant be charged a fee in connection with the background check process; and (2) it is a complete defense to any cause of action against a nursing facility based on a failure or refusal to hire the applicant that the applicant did not pass the check. (Sec. 3) Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) and title XVIII of such Act (Medicare) to require a nursing facility administrator to meet the requirements of this Act. Requires the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on the effects of background checks in nursing home settings.
Bill· HRH.R. 4277 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Federal Employees Health Insurance Premium Conversion Act - Requires the Office of Personnel Management to make available to Federal annuitants the option to pay their Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program enrollment charges through a health insurance premium conversion arrangement beginning on the same date as when such option first becomes available to Federal employees generally, but no later than the deadline specified below. Requires: (1) each employing entity within the legislative branch to establish a plan, similar to the health insurance premium conversion arrangement, for their employees; and (2) the Secretary of Defense (or each appropriate Secretary with respect to the Coast Guard and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health Service) to establish such a plan for members and retired members of the uniformed services. Requires that all such plans be completed so that such option shall become available no later than the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2001.
Bill· HRH.R. 4282 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program II and Local Medical Emergency Reimbursement Act - Title I: State Criminal Alien Assistance Program II - State Criminal Alien Assistance Program II Act of 2000 - Amends the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to provide for the reimbursement of States (or their political subdivisions if appropriate) for indirect costs of incarcerating illegal aliens. Defines such costs as: (1) court costs, county attorney costs, and non-trial criminal proceedings; (2) indigent defense; and (3) unsupervised probation costs. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the reimbursement of States for costs of incarcerating juvenile aliens. Provides that reimbursement of States for incarcerating illegal aliens and certain Cuban nationals shall be allocated to give special consideration for any State that: (1) shares a border with Mexico or Canada; or (2) has a large number of undocumented aliens. Title II: Reimbursement of States and Localities for Emergency Health Services to Undocumented Aliens - Authorizes appropriations for allotments to States to be paid to local governments, hospitals, and other providers for emergency health services provided to undocumented aliens. Provides special consideration for providers: (1) in a border county with Mexico or Canada; or (2) in an area with a large number of undocumented aliens. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4335 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit hazardous duty pay of members of the Armed Forces from being taken into account in computing the earned income credit.
Bill· HRH.R. 4328 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Reservists Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction, as a trade or business expense, of certain expenses of members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces incurred while away from home in connection with such service.
Bill· HRH.R. 4268 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act - Increases as of October 1, 2002, the rates of veterans' basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill. (Sec. 3) Authorizes participants in the Veterans Educational Assistance Program who have continuously served on active duty since October 9, 1996, to enroll in the Montgomery GI Bill program. Provides a one- year enrollment period. Requires monthly pay reductions to cover program costs. (Sec. 4) Increases the rates of veterans' survivors and dependents educational assistance, as well as assistance for correspondence courses, special restorative training, and apprenticeship training. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to annually increase such amounts by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. (Sec. 5) Revises the effective date for the award of survivors and dependents educational assistance with respect to survivors or dependents of individuals receiving a veterans' disability rating who apply for such assistance within one year after the rating decision, even though such assistance is for a program of education for months preceding such rating. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the payment of basic educational assistance during periods between school terms where the period between such terms does not exceed eight weeks and both the terms preceding and following such period are not shorter than such period. (Sec. 7) Authorizes as of October 1, 2000, the use of basic educational assistance for payment of vocation or profession certification or licensing tests. (Sec. 8) Extends through: (1) December 31, 2008, the authority to guarantee the payment of principal and interest on certificates or other securities evidencing an interest in a pool of veterans' mortgage loans; (2) September 30, 2008, the authority to charge a home loan fee for Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed veterans' housing loans; (3) September 30, 2008, certain procedures applicable to foreclosure sales on defaulted home loans guaranteed by the Department; (4) September 30, 2008, the authority of the Secretary to utilize certain veterans' income verification procedures; and (5) September 30, 2008, a veterans' pension limitation for certain recipients of nursing home care covered under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 9) Codifies provisions recurring in annual Department appropriations Acts relating to: (1) veterans' disability compensation and pensions; (2) veterans' medical care; (3) medical administration and miscellaneous operating expenses; (4) general operating expenses; (5) construction, major projects; and (6) construction, minor projects. (Sec. 10) Makes a provision of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 which terminates on December 31, 1999, all reporting requirements contained on a list prepared by the Clerk of the House of Representatives for the first session of the 103d Congress inapplicable to certain Departments reports. Terminates the requirement for certain budget reports, reports on equitable relief cases, and reports from advisory committees on former prisoners of war and women veterans. Requires that, whenever the Secretary submits to Congress or a congressional committee a report required by law or by joint explanatory statement of a conference committee, the Secretary shall include with such report a statement of the cost of preparing the report and the methodology used in preparing the cost statement.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 311 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States should continue to actively pursue a full accounting of all members of the armed forces (and others) who remain unaccounted for from past conflicts (particularly the Korean and Vietnam Wars); (2) as part of such efforts, the Secretary of Defense should continue at current levels activities to account for persons who are unaccounted for from such conflicts and who were at any time classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action or who were determined to have been killed in action although the body was not recovered, and the United States should continue to declassify Department of Defense documents and to release intelligence information held by agencies of the Government that relates to cases of such persons; and (3) the United States should continue to take steps necessary for pursuing, in the case of any future military conflict, a full accounting of all personnel who are classified at any time as a prisoner of war or missing in action.
Bill· SS. 2414 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of State, with the assistance of the Assistant Secretary of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, to include in the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices specified information on the status of trafficking in persons in various countries, and the steps, if any, that governments are taking to end such trafficking and assist the victims. (Sec. 5) Requires the President to establish an Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, which shall: (1) measure and evaluate the progress of the United States and other countries in trafficking prevention, protection, and assistance to victims of trafficking, and prosecution and enforcement against traffickers; (2) expand interagency procedures to collect and organize data; (3) engage in efforts to facilitate cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination; (4) examine the role of the international sex tourism industry in the trafficking of persons and in the sexual exploitation of women and children around the world; and (5) engage in advocacy, with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, among other entities, to advance the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to assist the Task Force. (Sec. 6) Directs the President, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (AID) and the heads of other appropriate agencies, to carry out initiatives to enhance economic opportunity for potential victims of trafficking as a method to deter trafficking, including: (1) microcredit lending programs, training in business development, skills training, and job counseling; (2) programs to promote women's participation in economic decisionmaking; (3) programs to keep children, especially girls, in elementary and secondary schools, and to educate children, women, and men who have been victims of trafficking; (4) development of educational curricula regarding the dangers of trafficking; and (5) grants to nongovernmental organizations to accelerate and advance the political, economic, social, and educational roles and capacities of women in their countries. Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State, to carry out programs to increase public awareness, particularly among potential victims, of the dangers of trafficking and the protections available for such victims. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of State and the AID Administrator to establish programs and initiatives in foreign countries to: (1) meet the mental and physical health, housing, legal, and other assistance needs of victims of trafficking and their children; (2) assist in their safe integration, reintegration, or resettlement, including, if appropriate, their spouses and parents; and (3) take steps to enhance cooperative efforts among foreign countries, including countries of origin of trafficking victims, to assist in their integration, reintegration, or resettlement. Requires the Attorney General, the HHS Secretary, the Secretary of Labor, and the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation to expand existing services to provide assistance to victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons within the United States, without regard to their immigration status. Defines severe forms of trafficking as: (1) sex trafficking in which either a commercial sex act or any act or event contributing to such an act is effected or induced by fraud, force, coercion, or deception, or in which the person induced to perform such act is under age 18; or (2) the recruitment, harboring, provision, transportation, employment, transfer, receipt, purchase, sale, or securing, by any means, of a person, through the use of force, coercion, fraud, or deception, for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, or slavery or slavery-like practices. Makes victims of severe forms of trafficking in the United States eligible, without regard to immigration status, for any benefits otherwise available under the Crime Victims Fund, including victim services, compensation, and assistance. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, territories and possessions of the United States, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim service organizations to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for victims of trafficking. Authorizes a victim of a violation of the anti-trafficking criminal prohibitions of this Act to bring a civil action in U.S. district court. Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of State to promulgate regulations for law enforcement personnel, immigration officials, and Department of State officials to implement specified requirements for: (1) physical protection, housing, medical care, food, and other assistance to victims of severe forms of trafficking while in U.S. custody; (2) immunity of such victims from penalties for unlawful acts owing to having been trafficked, including use of false documents, entry into the country without documentation, or working without documentation; (3) access to legal assistance, information about their rights, and translation services; (4) continued presence in the United States for the prosecution of those responsible for trafficking, with measures for witness protection; and (5) training of State Department and Department of Justice personnel in identifying such victims and providing them protection. Urges that funds from asset forfeitures be first disbursed to satisfy any judgments awarded victims of trafficking. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a new "T" nonimmigrant visa for victims of trafficking (and specified family members), subject to certain requirements. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) refer such aliens to nongovernmental organizations to educate them about their options and resources while in the United States; and (2) grant them authorization to engage in employment in the United States. Authorizes the Attorney General to adjust to permanent residence the status of any such aliens who meet specified criteria. (Sec. 8) Sets forth minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking for a country of origin, transit, or destination for a significant number of victims. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary of State and AID to provide assistance to foreign countries directly, or through nongovernmental, intergovernmental and multilateral organizations, for programs and activities designed to meet such minimum international standards for the elimination of trafficking. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the President to impose any of specified measures against any foreign country which does not meet such minimum standards. Authorizes the President to deny to the country assistance of any kind provided by grant, sale, loan, lease, credit, guaranty, or insurance, or by any other means, by any Federal agency or instrumentality (except certain assistance intended to benefit the people of that country directly, and which is not channeled through the country's governmental agencies or entities). Authorizes the President to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions (multilateral development banks) to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any loan or financial or technical assistance to the country. Authorizes the President to prohibit the transfer of defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the Arms Export Control Act, including defense articles and defense services licensed or approved for export, to the country or any of its nationals. Authorizes the President to: (1) prohibit or substantially restrict exports to the country of goods, technology, and services (excluding agricultural commodities and products otherwise subject to control); and (2) suspend existing licenses for the transfer of items the export of which is controlled under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the Export Administration Regulations. Requires the President to report to Congress on the measures applied and the reasons for doing so. (Sec. 11) Authorizes the President to exercise certain authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in the case of any foreign person listed publicly by the Secretary of State as: (1) playing a significant role in a severe form of trafficking in persons, directly or indirectly in the United States or any of its territories or possessions; (2) materially assisting in or otherwise supporting activities of a significant foreign trafficker; or (3) owning, controlling, directing, or acting for or on behalf of, a significant foreign trafficker. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from admission into the United States of persons who have been listed, or are known by the Attorney General or a consular official, as having benefitted from illicit activities of traffickers in persons. (Sec. 12) Amends the Federal criminal code to prescribe penalties for: (1) trafficking into involuntary servitude, peonage, or slavery-like conditions; (2) sex trafficking of children or by force, fraud, or coercion; and (3) unlawful possession of documents in furtherance of trafficking, involuntary servitude, peonage, or slavery-like conditions. Includes among such penalties mandatory restitution of victim losses. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of offenses involving the trafficking of persons, including component or related crimes of peonage, involuntary servitude, slave trade offenses, and possession, transfer or sale of false immigration documents in furtherance of trafficking. (Sec. 13) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4245 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Armed Services Educational Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income Federal student loan payments made on behalf of members of the Armed Forces and the National Health Service Corps.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 98 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Commends the African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Native Alaskan, and other minority veterans of the armed forces who served during World War II, especially those who gave their lives in such service. Expresses support for the goals and ideas of Day of Honor 2000 to celebrate and recognize such service. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to honor such veterans with appropriate programs and activities.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 304 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Condemns violations of human rights by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime in the Republic of Belarus, especially the conviction and sentencing of Andrei Klimov, Vasiliy Leonov, and Vladimir Koudinov on politically motivated charges. Urges their release. Expresses grave concern about the disappearances of Viktor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, and Yuri Zakharenka. Calls on the Lukashenka regime to ensure a full and timely investigation of these cases. Calls for immediate dialogue between the Lukashenka regime and the opposition and the restoration of a democratically elected government in Belarus. Urges the Lukashenka regime to: (1) respect and ensure the human rights of all Belarusian citizens, including members of the opposition currently being illegally detained in violation of their constitutional rights; (2) respect the rule of law and an independent judiciary; and (3) hold legitimate, free and fair parliamentary elections. Supports the appeal by the Consultative Council of Belarusian opposition parties to the Government of the Russian Federation, the State Duma, and the Federation Council calling for a cessation of support for the Lukashenka regime. Calls on the international community to support the opposition in Belarus by continuing to meet with the legitimately elected parliament. Supports Belarus's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as its market democratic transformation and integration among the broader trans-Atlantic community of nations. Calls on the President of the United States to: (1) ensure assistance to and cooperation with Belarusian opposition figures; (2) ensure that adequate resources are made available on an urgent basis to support those programs aimed at strengthening independent media, human rights, civil society, independent trade unions, and the democratic opposition in Belarus; (3) support the free flow of information into Belarus; (4) raise the issue of financial support provided by the Russian Federation to the Lukashenka regime at the highest levels of the Russian Federation Government; and (5) urge the Government of the Russian Federation, in accordance with its international commitments, to fully respect the sovereignty of Belarus, particularly in light of the illegitimate nature of the Lukashenka regime. Calls on the President to report to Congress on: (1) the human rights situation, democratic process, elections, independence of the media, and the Lukashenka regime's control of the economy in Belarus; (2) steps undertaken to persuade the Russian Federation Government to end support to the Lukashenka regime; and (3) the status of Russian Federation-Belarus military integration.
Bill· SS. 2397 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Military Recruiter Access Enhancement Act of 2000 - Denies Department of Defense educational assistance funds to each local educational agency (LEA) that denies recruiting access to the armed forces. Requires the Secretary of Defense to maintain a list of such LEAs. Directs the Secretary to notify the chief executive of any State in which an LEA continues to deny such access and to request assistance in obtaining such access. Requires the inclusion on such LEA list of all LEAs denying access to at least two of the military departments.
Bill· SS. 2402 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Help Our Professionals Educationally (HOPE) Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Secretary of each military department (Secretary concerned) to permit individuals who are entitled to basic educational assistance under the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) to transfer such assistance to their spouse, one or more children, or a combination thereof. Requires the individual to: (1) have completed six years of military service before any such transfer; and (2) designate the transferees chosen, the percentage of assistance for each, and the period in which such transfer shall be effective. Prohibits any transferee from using such assistance until the transferor has completed ten years of military service. Requires any child receiving such assistance to complete his or her entitlement before attaining 26 years of age. Requires annual reports beginning in 2002 from each Secretary concerned to the congressional Armed Services committees concerning such transfers. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the manner in which each Secretary proposes to exercise such authority. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to entitle to basic educational assistance under the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program those individuals who: (1) are current VEAP participants, disenrolled VEAP participants, or elected to no longer participate in VEAP; (2) are serving on active duty; and (3) before applying for benefits, have completed the requirements of a secondary school diploma or the equivalent of 12 semester hours in a program of education leading to a standard college degree. Reduces the basic pay of Program participants. Provides for: (1) the transfer of account funds under prior enrollments; and (2) transfers of appropriate amounts to the Secretary of Defense for deposit into the Department of Defense Education Benefits Fund to cover Program costs. Requires annual reports beginning in 2002 from each Secretary concerned to the congressional Armed Services committees concerning such entitlements. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the manner in which each Secretary proposes to exercise such authority (requiring a separate report from the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard). Revises provisions concerning the payment of tuition for off-duty training or education to: (1) allow the Secretary concerned to pay all (currently up to 75 percent) of such education expenses; and (2) remove payment limitations for certain enlisted personnel and individuals enrolled in a high school completion program. Allows military personnel entitled to assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to use such entitlement for the payment of tuition or expenses not paid by the Secretary concerned. Directs the Secretary of Defense, at the election of individuals pursuing off-duty education, to pay a basic educational assistance allowance to meet all or a portion of such expenses not paid for by the Secretary concerned. Authorizes such allowance for up to 36 months. Extends until five years after separation the educational assistance entitlement for members of the Selected Reserve who continue to serve at the end of the 10-year period during which such individuals were entitled to such assistance.
Bill· SS. 2388 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Authorizes FY 2001 appropriations for the Maritime Administration of the Department of Transportation for operations, training activities, and the costs of guaranteed loans under the Merchant Marine Act, 1936. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to exempt from certain U.S.-build requirements any drybulk or breakbulk vessel over 7,500 deadweight tons that has been built in and delivered from a foreign shipyard, or contracted for construction in a foreign shipyard, before the earlier of: (1) one year after the enactment of this Act; or (2) the effective date of the OECD Shipbuilding Trade Agreement Act. Requires such a vessel to: (1) have any additional shipyard work necessary to receive a Coast Guard certificate of inspection performed in a U.S. shipyard; (2) not be documented in another country before being documented under U.S. law; (3) comply with inspection standards imposed on ocean common carriers; and (4) be delivered on or before the third anniversary of the date of the construction contract. Amends the National Maritime Heritage Act of 1994 to postpone from September 30, 2001, until September 30, 2006, the deadline for disposal of vessels National Defense Reserve Fleet after July 1, 1994, that are not assigned to the Ready Reserve Force component of that fleet, and not specifically authorized or required by statute for any other use.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 103 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Honors the service and sacrifice of the members of the armed forces and Federal civilian employees who, during the Vietnam era, served in the Republic of Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia or otherwise served in support of U.S. operations in Vietnam and in support of U.S. national security interests throughout the world. Recognizes and honors the sacrifice of the families of those individuals who lost their lives or remain unaccounted for or were injured during that era in Southeast Asia or elsewhere in the world in defense of U.S. national security interests.
Bill· HRH.R. 4237 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2000 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to modify the definition of "religion" to include all aspects of religious observance, practice, and belief unless, after initiating and engaging in an affirmative and bona fide effort, an employer demonstrates that it is unable to reasonably accommodate a religious observance or practice without undue hardship (action requiring significant difficulty or expense) on the conduct of the employer's business. Prohibits deeming an accommodation by the employer reasonable if the accommodation does not remove the conflict between employment requirements and the religious observance or practice. Excludes, in certain circumstances, a defense that the accommodation would be in violation of a seniority system. Prohibits requiring payment of premium wages for work performed during hours to which premium wages would ordinarily be applicable if work is performed during those hours only to accommodate religious requirements of an employee.
Bill· HRH.R. 4231 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice relating to the court-martial sentence of confinement for life without eligibility for parole (sentence) to: (1) repeal a provision allowing the Secretary of the military department concerned to take certain actions to set aside such a sentence; (2) state that a sentence reprieve or pardon can originate only with the President; (3) state that a military department Secretary, Under Secretary, or Assistant Secretary may not commute, remit, or suspend that part of a sentence providing for life without eligibility for parole; (4) prohibit the suspension of such part of a sentence after it is ordered executed; and (5) prohibit the granting of parole with respect to such sentences.
Bill· HRH.R. 4233 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Deducts a specified amount from the financial assistance authorized for Egypt for FY 2001 under the Foreign Military Financing Program account under the Arms Export Control Act in order to deduct one-half of the cost of investigating the crash of Egypt Air Flight 990.
Bill· SS. 2382 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2000
Technical Assistance, Trade Promotion, and Anti-Corruption Act of 2000 - Title I: Promoting Trade and Protecting United States Jobs - Subtitle A: Private Sector Development - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to designate a private, nonprofit organization as eligible to receive Enterprise Funds with respect to any country for promoting: (1) development of the private sectors of eligible countries, including small businesses, the agricultural sector, and joint ventures with United States and host country participants; and (2) policies and practices conducive to private sector development in such countries on the same basis as Enterprise Funds are provided for Poland and Hungary under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989. Subtitle B: Protection of United States Jobs and Exports - Prohibits: (1) U.S. bilateral assistance (including direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)) to finance any loan to establish or expand production of any commodity for export by any country other than the United States, if such commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of the same, similar, or competing commodity; and (2) U.S. development assistance for any testing or breeding feasibility study, variety improvement or introduction, consultancy, publication, conference, or training in connection with the growth or production in a foreign country of an agricultural commodity grown or produced in the United States, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 112) Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct 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 assistance by them for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export, if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of the same, similar, or competing commodity. (Sec. 113) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit U.S. assistance (other than direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs by OPIC) to provide: (1) financial incentive to a business enterprise located in the United States to relocate outside the United States if such incentive is likely to reduce the number of employees of such enterprise because U.S. production is being replaced by it outside the United States; (2) assistance to establish or develop in a foreign country any export processing zone in which the tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws of such country do not apply to activities within the zone, unless the President determines and certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of jobs within the United States; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights within a recipient country or zone, except that such assistance shall not be precluded for the informal sector of such country, micro and small-scale enterprise, and smallholder agriculture. (Sec. 114) Declares that assistance under this Act should make full use of American resources, including commodities, products, and services, to the maximum extent possible. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all agricultural commodities, equipment, and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. Requires Federal agency heads, in providing financial assistance to or entering into any contract with any entity using funds made available in this Act, to notify such entity of this intention. Subtitle C: Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement - Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 - Sets forth provisions respecting presidential and congressional authorities and procedures for the imposition of new, and termination of existing, unilateral agricultural and medical sanctions. (Sec. 125) Requires prohibitions on certain U.S. assistance to a country supporting international terrorism to remain in effect until the Secretary of State determines that such country has repeatedly provided support for such terrorism. Title II: Economic Assistance - Subtitle A: Assistance Authorities - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise certain principles in the provision of U.S. bilateral development assistance to a foreign country to state that the successful transition of a developing country is dependent upon the economic reform and development of its institutions of democratic governance and its adherence to the rule of law. (Sec. 202) Increases from 25 million to $50 million the amount of foreign assistance funds that the President is authorized to use for emergency contingencies during any fiscal year. (Sec. 203) Provides for a waiver of restrictions on foreign assistance for narcotics-related assistance to foreign countries. (Sec. 204) Establishes a working capital fund for the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) which shall be available without fiscal year limitation for expenses of personal and nonpersonal services, equipment, and supplies for international cooperative administrative support services, and rebates from the use of U.S. Government credit cards. (Sec. 205) Provides that an organization shall be eligible for population planning assistance in a fiscal year if the AID Administrator determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that it has not used such assistance for abortions or involuntary sterilizations. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations for development assistance to foreign countries. Earmarks specified amounts from such appropriations for: (1) certain activities of the Global Environment Center of the AID; (2) certain water and coastal resources activities; and (3) assistance to East Timor. (Sec. 208) Amends the Horn of Africa Recovery and Food Security Act to make Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance available for certain activities to aid the poor majority in the Horn of Africa. (Sec. 209) Declares that the total amount of development assistance made available for FY 2001 for sub-Saharan Africa shall bear the same proportion to the total amount of development assistance made available for that fiscal year as the total amount of development assistance for such region made available for FY 2000 bears to the total amount of development assistance made available for FY 2000. (Sec. 210) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make U.S. foreign assistance funds available for nonmilitary education programs and for anticorruption programs. Subtitle B: International Disaster Assistance - Authorizes the President to provide, through international disaster assistance, for the reconstruction of foreign countries affected by natural disasters. (Sec. 212) Requires the Administrator of AID, in processing applications for the transportation of humanitarian assistance abroad, to afford priority to applications for the transportation of disaster relief assistance. Subtitle C: Sudan Peace Act - Sudan Peace Act - Declares that Congress: (1) condemns violations of human rights on all sides of the conflict in Sudan (including the Government of Sudan), the ongoing slave trade there, and the Government's increasing use and organization of "murahalliin" or "mujahadeen", Popular Defense Forces (PDF), and regular Sudanese Army units into raiding and slaving parties in Bahr al Ghazal, the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile regions; and (2) recognizes that the use of raiding and slaving parties is a tool for creating food shortages as a systematic means to destroy the societies, culture, and economies of the Dinka and Nuba peoples in a policy of low-intensity ethnic cleansing. (Sec. 225) Expresses the sense of Congress that it: (1) declares its support for the efforts by U.S. executive branch officials and the President's Special Envoy for Sudan to lead in a reinvigoration of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-sponsored peace process; (2) calls on IGAD member states, the European Union, the Organization of African Unity, Egypt, and other key states to support such process; (3) urges Kenya's leadership in the implementation of the process; and (4) declares that any such diplomatic efforts toward resolution of the conflict in Sudan are best made through a peace process based on the Declaration of Principles reached in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 20, 1994, and that the President should not create any process which could be viewed as a parallel or competing diplomatic track. (Sec. 226) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, should take specified actions to increase pressure on the combatants involved in the war in Sudan. (Sec. 227) Directs the President to report to Congress on: (1) the specified sources (including any U.S. sources) and current status of Sudan's financing and construction of oil exploitation infrastructure and pipelines; (2) such financing's relation to sanctions contained in the Executive Order of November 4, 1997; (3) the extent of aerial bombardment by the Government of Sudan forces in areas outside its control; (4) the number, duration, and locations of air strips or other humanitarian relief facilities to which access is denied by any party to the conflict; and (5) the status of the IGAD-sponsored peace process or any other ongoing effort to end the conflict, including specific and verifiable steps taken by the parties to the conflict, the members of the IGAD Partners Forum, and the members of IGAD toward a comprehensive solution to the war. (Sec. 228) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should organize and maintain a formal consultative process with the European Union, the United Nations Security Council, and other relevant parties on coordinating an effort within the UN to revise the terms of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) to end the Government of Sudan's veto power over OLS plans for air transport relief flights. (Sec. 229) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should continue to increase the use of non-OLS agencies in the distribution of relief supplies in southern Sudan. (Sec. 230) Directs the President to develop and report to Congress on a contingency plan to provide, outside UN auspices, the greatest amount of U.S. Government and privately donated relief to all affected areas in Sudan, including the Nuba Mountains, Upper Nile, and Blue Nile, in the event the Government of Sudan imposes a ban on OLS air transport relief flights. (Sec. 231) Supports the President's ongoing efforts to diversify and increase the effectiveness of U.S. assistance to populations in areas of Sudan outside the control of the Government of Sudan, especially the long-term focus shown in the Sudan Transition Assistance for Rehabilitation (STAR) program with its emphasis on promoting democracy, self-reliance, and actively supporting people-to-people reconciliation efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Grants the President authority to undertake any appropriate programs using Federal agencies, contractual arrangements, or direct support of indigenous groups, agencies, or organizations in areas outside the control of the Government of Sudan (including northern, southern, and eastern regions) in an effort to provide emergency relief, economic self-sufficiency, build civil authority, provide education, enhance rule of law and the development of the judiciary, support people-to-people reconciliation efforts, or implementation of any programs in support of any viable peace agreement. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should immediately and to the fullest extent possible utilize the Office of Transition Initiatives at the Agency for International Development to pursue such programs in the Sudan; and (2) priority should be given in current and future development or transition programs undertaken by the U.S. Government to rebuilding and supporting the Rumbek Secondary School in the Sudan. (Sec. 232) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should assess the humanitarian needs in the Nuba Mountains, Red Sea Hills, and Blue Nile regions of Sudan, and respond appropriately to those needs. (Sec. 233) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees detailing possible options or plans of the U.S. Government for the provision of nonlethal assistance to participants of the National Democratic Alliance. Subtitle D: Assistance to Countries With Large Populations Having HIV/AIDS - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise requirements for assistance for health programs in developing countries to declare that Congress recognizes: (1) the growing international dilemma of children with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and (2) that mother-to-child transmission prevention strategies can serve as a major force for change in developing regions, and that it is therefore a major objective of the foreign assistance program to control the acquired immune deficiency syndrom (AIDS) epidemic. Provides that Congress expects the agency primarily responsible for administering this Act to make the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS a priority in the foreign assistance program for developing countries. Authorizes appropriations (earmarking amounts for training and training facilities in sub-Saharan Africa and U.S. contributions to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative). (Sec. 245) Directs the President to enter into negotiations with foreign government officials and other interested parties to establish an international vaccine purchase fund that would: (1) accept contributions from governments to purchase and distribute in developing countries vaccines for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and any infectious disease which causes the deaths of over one million people worldwide each year; and (2) be a significant market incentive for private sector vaccine research. (Sec. 246) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into negotiations with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) or the International Development Association (IDA), and with their member nations and other interested parties, for the creation of two trust funds which would accept contributions from governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental entities to: (1) address the AIDS epidemic in countries eligible to borrow from the IDA; and (2) provide support for or the establishment of programs which provide primary and secondary education for orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 248) Directs the President to coordinate the development of multidonor strategy to provide for the support and education of AIDS orphans and the families, communities, and institutions most affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Requires the United States to ensure that classroom training under the African Crisis Response Initiative includes military-based education on the prevention of the spread of AIDS. Subtitle E: International Tuberculosis Control - International Tuberculosis Control Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise requirements for assistance for health programs in developing countries to declare that Congress recognizes: (1) the growing international problem of tuberculosis; and (2) that the means exist to control and treat it, and that it is therefore a major objective of the foreign assistance program to control the disease. (Sec. 253) Declares that Congress expects the agency primarily responsible for administering this Act to: (1) coordinate with the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and other organizations toward the development and implementation of a comprehensive tuberculosis control program; and (2) set as a goal the detection of at least 70 percent of the cases of infectious tuberculosis, and the cure of at least 85 percent of the cases detected, in those countries in which the agency has established development programs, by December 31, 2010. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Global Opportunities for Biotechnology in Agriculture - Advancing the Global Opportunities for Biotechnology in Agriculture Act of 2000 - Authorizes the appropriation of certain foreign assistance funds to the President for programs and projects designed, through the establishment of technical exchange programs for foreign officials and U.S. biotechnology experts, to educate government officials in developing countries regarding the use of biotechnology in the agricultural sector and the regulatory procedures used by the United States with respect to agricultural products using biotechnology. Declares that such programs shall encourage acceptance by such countries of products approved under the U.S. regulatory system or, in the case of countries which choose to establish a national regulatory system based on science, to encourage adoption of domestic approval processes based on objective scientific principles. (Sec. 265) Directs the President to establish an interagency process for all relevant executive branch agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Office of the U.S. Trade of Representative, the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), the Department of Commerce, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to coordinate efforts and to generate support for the acceptance of agricultural biotechnology. Urges U.S. policies to stress the prominence of science as the foundation for regulatory decision-making and work aggressively in international fora such as the World Trade Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, including its CODEX Alimentarius, and the United Nations, to advocate for science-based decision-making. Urges AID and the Department of Agriculture to ensure that all food and grain products that meet U.S. health and safety requirements are acceptable to foreign countries under relevant food aid programs. (Sec. 266) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should work with U.S. embassies abroad to develop bilateral support from foreign governments for the approval of science-based trading regimes in multilateral forums and organizations. Title III: Peace Corps of the United States - Amends the Peace Corps Act to redesignate the Peace Corps as the Peace Corps of the United States. Title IV: Strengthening Anticorruption Measures and Accountability - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to authorize appropriations through FY 2003 for U.S. contributions to the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Trust Fund of the World Bank. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of each multilateral development bank to exert U.S. influence to strengthen each bank's procedures and management controls to ensure that funds disbursed by it to borrowing countries are used as intended and in a manner that complies with the conditions of the bank's loan to such country. (Sec. 403) Directs the Comptroller General to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the sufficiency of audits of the financial operations of each multilateral development bank conducted by persons or entities outside of such bank. (Sec. 404) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the President's discretionary authority to transfer certain funds to certain international financial institutions for the purpose of bilateral funding. Title V: Serbia Democratization Act - Serbia Democratization Act of 2000 - Subtitle A: Support for the Democratic Forces - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance and other support to promote and strengthen institutions of democratic government and the growth of an independent civil society in Serbia, including ethnic tolerance and respect for internationally recognized human rights. Authorizes appropriations. Urges the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that such assistance shall not be provided to the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia. (Sec. 512) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the Government of Montenegro, unless the President determines, and reports to the appropriate congressional committees, that the leadership of such government is not committed to, or is not taking steps to promote, democratic principles, the rule of law, or respect for internationally recognized human rights. (Sec. 513) Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to further the open communication of information and ideas through the increased use of radio and television broadcasting (Voice of America and Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty, Incorporated) to Yugoslavia in both the Serbo-Croatian and Albanian languages. Subtitle B: Assistance to the Victims of Oppression - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Government of Yugoslavia and the Government of Serbia bear responsibility to the victims of the conflict in Kosovo, including refugees and internally displaced persons, and for property damage in Kosovo; (2) under President Milosevic's direction neither government has provided the resources to assist innocent, civilian victims of oppression in Kosovo; and (3) because neither government has fulfilled the responsibilities of a sovereign government toward the Kosovar people, the international community offers the only course for humanitarian assistance to victims of oppression in Kosovo. (Sec. 523) Authorizes the President to furnish assistance (including economic support funds) under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 for: (1) relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in Kosovo; and (2) refugees and persons displaced by the conflict there. Prohibits assistance to any organization that has been designated as a terrorist organization. Subtitle C: "Outer Wall" Sanctions - Imposes certain economic and non-economic ("Outer Wall") sanctions against Yugoslavia until the President determines, and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, that the Government of Yugoslavia has made significant progress in meeting certain conditions, including: (1) agreement on a lasting settlement in Kosovo; (2) compliance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina; (3) implementation of internal democratic reform; (4) settlement of all succession issues with the other republics that emerged from the break-up of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and (5) cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, including the transfer to the Hague of all individuals in Yugoslavia indicted by the Tribunal. (Sec. 531) Sets forth such sanctions, including instructing: (1) the U.S. executive directors of the international financial institutions to oppose, and vote against, any extension of any financial assistance of any kind to the Government of Yugoslavia; (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to oppose and block any consensus to allow the participation of Yugoslavia in the OSCE; (3) the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) to oppose any resolution in the UN Security Council to admit Yugoslavia to the UN, including any proposal to allow it to assume the membership of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the UN General Assembly; (4) the U.S. Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council to oppose the extension to Yugoslavia of membership in the Partnership for Peace program or any other affiliated NATO organization; and (5) the U.S. Representatives to the Southeast European Cooperation Initiative (SECI) to actively oppose the extension of SECI membership to Yugoslavia. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President: (1) should not restore full diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia until the President has determined, and reported to the appropriate congressional committees, that Yugoslavia has met the aforementioned conditions; and (2) should encourage all other European countries to diminish their level of diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia. (Sec. 532) Expresses the sense of Congress that if any international financial institution approves a loan or other financial assistance to the Government of Yugoslavia over the opposition of the United States, then the Secretary of the Treasury should withhold from payment the U.S. share of any increase in the paid-in capital of such institution in an amount equal to the amount of such loan or other assistance. Subtitle D: Other Measures Against Yugoslavia - Blocks all property of the Government of Serbia or the Government of Yugoslavia (including commercial, industrial, or public utility or entities) that is in the United States. (Sec. 542) Directs the President to use the authorities under the Immigration and Nationality Act to suspend the entry into the United States of any alien who: (1) holds a position in the senior leadership of the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia; or (2) is a spouse, minor child, or agent of such person. (Sec. 543) Prohibits the export of computers, computer software, or goods or technology intended to manufacture or service computers to or for use by the Government of Yugoslavia or by the Government of Serbia (including the military, the police, the prison system, and the national security agencies of such republics). Declares that nothing in this section shall prevent the issuance of licenses to ensure the safety of civil aviation and safe operation of U.S.-origin commercial passenger aircraft and to ensure the safety of ocean-going maritime traffic in international waters. (Sec. 544) Prohibits: (1) any Government agency (including the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation) from extending any loan, credit guarantee, insurance, financing, or other similar financial assistance to the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia; and (2) any funds being made available for activities of the Trade and Development Agency in or for Serbia. Urges all other countries, particularly European countries, to suspend any of their programs that provide similar financial assistance to the Government of Yugoslavia or the Government of Serbia, including rescheduling either government's debt under more favorable conditions. Prohibits any U.S. national from making or approving any loan or other extension of credit (unless it is for housing, education, or humanitarian benefit to assist the victims of repression in Kosovo), directly or indirectly, to the Government of Yugoslavia or to the Government of Serbia. (Sec. 545) Prohibits the U.S. Government (including any Federal agency or entity) from providing assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act (including the provision of Foreign Military Financing or international military education and training (IMET)) or providing any defense articles or defense services under such Acts, to the armed forces of the Government of Yugoslavia or of the Government of Serbia. (Sec. 546) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should continue to seek to coordinate with other countries, particularly European countries, a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to further the purposes of this Act, including, as appropriate, encouraging other countries to take similar measures contained in this title. (Sec. 547) Exempts from the sanctions imposed in this Act both Kosovo and Montenegro (unless the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the leadership of the Government of Montenegro is not committed to, or is not taking steps to promote, democratic principles, the rule of law, or respect for internationally recognized human rights). Provides for a waiver and termination of sanctions imposed against Yugoslavia. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares it is U.S. policy to support the investigation of President Slobodan Milosevic by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and grave breaches of the Geneva Convention. (Sec. 552) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should call on NATO allies in negotiating the future of Kosovo to establish guarantees for the rights of the ethnic Hungarian community of Vojvodina. (Sec. 553) Declares it is U.S. policy to insist that the Government of Yugoslavia has the responsibility to engage in good faith negotiations with the Governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Slovenia for resolution of outstanding property issues and disposition of specified properties located in the United States. Expresses the sense of Congress that if the Government of Yugoslavia refuses to negotiate in good faith, the President should take steps to return such properties to such governments. (Sec. 554) Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to Yugoslavia if he determines, and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, that the Government of Yugoslavia is committed to democratic principles and the rule of law and respects internationally recognized human rights. Title VI: Microenterprise Assistance - Microenterprise for Self-Reliance Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to set forth congressional findings and policy, including that: (1) the development of microenterprise (including micro- and small enterprises) is a vital factor in the growth of developing countries and in the development of free, open, and equitable international economic systems; (2) it is in the best interest of the United States to assist the development of microenterprises and of enterprises of the poor in developing countries; and (3) the support of microenterprise can be served by programs that provide credit, savings, training, technical assistance, and business development services. (Sec. 604) Authorizes the President to provide grants and other assistance for programs to increase the availability of credit and other services to microenterprises (including micro- and small enterprises) lacking full access to capital training, technical assistance, and business development services through: (1) grants to microfinance institutions; (2) loans and guarantees to credit institutions (with a limit of $30 million per borrower); (3) grants to microenterprise institutions for training, technical assistance, and business development services; and (4) policy and regulatory programs at the country level. (Sec. 606) Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to establish: (1) a monitoring system that provides, among other things, for performance goals for microenterprise development grant assistance; (2) eligibility criteria for determining which entities shall carry out activities receiving credit assistance; and (3) a U.S. Microfinance Loan Facility to prevent the bankruptcy of microfinance institutions caused by natural disasters, war or civil conflict, national financial crisis, or other short-term financial movements that threaten the long-term development of such institutions. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 607) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the most cost-effective methods and measurements for increasing the access of poor people overseas to credit, other financial services, and related training. (Sec. 608) Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the administrator of AID and the Secretary of State should seek to support and strengthen the effectiveness of microfinance activities in United Nations (UN) agencies, such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the UN Development Program, which have provided key leadership in developing the microenterprise sector; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury should instruct each U.S. Executive Director of the multilateral development banks to advocate the development of a coherent and coordinated strategy to support the microenterprise sector, including an increase of multilateral resource flows for building microenterprise retail and wholesale intermediaries. Title VII: Defense and Security Assistance - Subtitle A: Military and Related Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for foreign military financing grants and direct loans. (Sec. 711) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to increase the aggregate value of the emergency drawdown of defense articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense (DOD), defense services of DOD, and international military education and training (IMET) to foreign countries in any fiscal year. Authorizes the drawdown of such articles, services, and training for counterterrorism and nonproliferation purposes. (Sec. 712) Authorizes the President to provide for the transportation of excess defense articles without charge to a country for the costs of such transportation if, among other things, the total weight of such transfer does not exceed 50,000 pounds (currently, 25,000 pounds). Subtitle B: International Military Education and Training - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for IMET assistance to foreign countries. Sets forth certain additional requirements with respect to the provision of such assistance. Subtitle C: Nonproliferation and Export Control Assistance - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to foreign countries in order to enhance their ability to halt the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and advanced conventional weaponry. (Sec. 731) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 (earmarking amounts for training and education of personnel from friendly countries in the United States, science and technology centers in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, and static cargo x-ray facility in Malta). Subtitle D: Antiterrorism Assistance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for antiterrorism assistance to foreign countries. Subtitle E: Integrated Security Assistance Planning - Requires the Secretary of State to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on a National Security Assistance Strategy for the United States. (Sec. 752) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for security assistance surveys used in preparing the Strategy. (Sec. 761) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for foreign military financing grants for the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Earmarks specified amounts of IMET assistance funds for such countries, including Greece and turkey. (Sec. 763) Earmarks specified amounts for FY 2001 for foreign military financing grants for Israel and Egypt. Earmarks specified amounts for such grants (including IMET assistance) for: (1) Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; (2) Philippines; (3) Georgia; (4) Malta; (5) Slovenia; (6) Slovakia; (7) Romania; and (8) Bulgaria. (Sec. 765) Earmarks certain funds for FY 2001 to assist GUUAM countries (group of countries that signed a protocol on quadrilateral cooperation on November 25, 1997) and Armenia to: (1) strengthen national control of their borders (including to prevent the trafficking of illegal narcotics and the proliferation of technology and materials related to weapons of mass destruction, and to contain and inhibit transnational organized criminal activities); and (2) promote the independence and territorial sovereignty of such countries. Subtitle F: Other Provisions - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the use of defense articles and defense services made available through the provision of U.S. military assistance to foreign countries for antiterrorism and nonproliferation purposes. (Sec. 772) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to authorize the President to reduce the price for the sale of DOD and Coast Guard defense articles to eligible foreign countries if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 773) Repeals certain congressional reporting and certification requirements with respect to cooperative projects with North American Treaty Organization countries. (Sec. 774) Exempts a prohibition on U.S. assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan from certain congressional oversight provisions under the National Security Act of 1947. (Sec. 775) Sets forth the maximum value of additions to stockpiles in foreign countries for FY 2001. Makes amounts available for such stockpiles in the Republic of Korea. (Sec. 776) Authorizes the President to transfer to Israel certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in return for concessions to be negotiated by the Secretary of Defense. (Sec. 777) Prohibits US sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf, with certain exceptions. (Sec. 778) Amends Federal law to increase: (1) the bond required to be filed with the Secretary of the Treasury in cases where certain required export information may be filed with the Secretary by a carrier in connection with the exportation or transportation of cargo after the departure of such carrier from the port or place of exportation or transportation; and (2) the penalty for a carrier's failure to file such information within the prescribed period. Subjects a person who knowingly fails to file, or knowingly files false or misleading, export information through the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) or the Automated Export System (AES) to a fine not to exceed $10,000, or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. Increases the civil penalty with respect to the violation of the other reporting requirements under this Act. (Sec. 779) Authorizes for FY 2001 the use of DOD funds for crating, packing, handling, and transporting excess defense articles to Mongolia. (Sec. 780) Directs the President to certify annually to the appropriate congressional committees that any Russian person engaged in a commercial operation involving Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) equipment or technology with a U.S. person pursuant to an arms export license issued within the 36 months preceding the certification is not suspected of contributing to the acquisition, design, development, or production of MTCR-class ballistic missiles in Iran at any time since January 1, 2000. Authorizes the President to terminate such license if it is determined that the foreign person has engaged in the transfer of any MTCR equipment or technology. (Sec. 781) Makes specified amounts of economic support fund (ESF) and foreign military financing funds available only to Israel for FY 2001 through 2008. Subtitle G: Transfers of Naval Vessels - Authorizes the President to transfer certain naval vessels to: (1) Australia; (2) Brazil; (3) Chile; (4) Egypt; (5) Greece; and (6) Turkey. (Sec. 792) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the inapplicability of aggregate annual limitation on the value of transferred excess defense articles; (2) who should be charged the costs related to such transfers; (3) conditions related to the transfer of naval vessels on a combined lease-sale basis; and (4) the funding of costs related to such transfers. Subtitle H: Definition - Defines "appropriate committees of Congress". Title VIII: Special Authorities and Other Provisions - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to set forth additional authority under the Arms Export Control Act for the prohibition on assistance to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that furnishing such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance to foreign countries to provide program and management oversight for activities that are funded by such assistance in countries in which such agency does not have a field mission or office. (Sec. 803) Sets forth revised requirements with respect to the availability of foreign assistance funds for the winding up of programs that have been terminated. (Sec. 804) Authorizes the President to furnish foreign assistance to support or strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin American and the Caribbean. Repeals the prohibition against the participation of DOD personnel and members of the U.S. armed forces in the provision of training with respect to the administration of justice in such countries. (Sec. 805) Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to require the annual reporting of environmental impact of multilateral development bank assistance proposals (currently made semi-annually). (Sec. 806) Expresses the sense of the Senate on environmental contamination and health effects emanating from former U.S. military facilities in the Philippines. (Sec. 807) Repeals obsolete provisions of specified Federal laws.
Law· SJRESS.J.Res. 44 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Expresses support for the Day of Honor 2000 to honor and recognize the service of minority veterans in the U.S. armed forces during World War II.
Law· HRH.R. 4205 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations - Authorizes the use of multiyear procurement contracts for the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the UH/60-CH/60 helicopter, and the DDG-51 (destroyer). Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2001. Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a specified amount for certain removal costs connected with the former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site in Suffolk, Virginia. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned (Secretary concerned) to pay certain fines and penalties imposed by the EPA or a State in connection with environmental violations at specified sites. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to issue regulations requiring payment by civil air carriers for certain air and landing support provided at Johnston Atoll. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary, upon request from a department Secretary or defense agency director, to transfer excess titanium sponge from the National Defense Stockpile for use in manufacturing defense equipment. (Sec. 323) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through FY 2003 a pilot program for the acceptance and use of landing fees charged for the use of military airfields by civil aircraft. Extends a required implementation report date. (Sec. 324) Repeals a provision requiring a nonappropriated fund instrumentality to be considered as the most economical method of distribution of covered alcoholic beverages for resale on a military installation if the use of a private distributor would subject such beverages to direct or indirect State taxation. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2001. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2001 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2001 for military technicians. (Sec. 414) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 415) Exempts from the active-duty end strength limitation those members of the reserve: (1) or National Guard serving on active duty to prepare for and perform military funeral honor functions; and (2) on active duty for 181 days or more to perform special work in support of the armed forces and combatant commands. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to retain Medical Service Corps officers beyond the normal required retirement age. Withdraws the authority to so retain veterinary officers. (Sec. 503) Provides for the release to the military department concerned of the names of officers considered for promotion to a grade below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) upon transmittal to the President of the report of such selection board. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Policy - Exempts certain reserve and general flag officers serving in joint duty assignments from the active duty list for promotion purposes. (Sec. 512) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, upon a determination that it is in the national security interest, to increase the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel serving on active duty or full-time National Guard duty. (Sec. 514) Exempts medical and dental officers from reserve end strength limitations. (Sec. 515) Includes under certain promotion authority an individual on the Reserve Active Status List who is ordered to active duty for a period of three years or less. Subtitle C: Education and Training - Repeals a provision which allows the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Program to be funded from certain excess National Guard Challenge Program funding. Removes an annual funding limit with respect to the latter program. Subtitle D: Medal of Honor Recipients - Waives certain time limitations with respect to the award of the Medal of Honor to: (1) Ed W. Freeman of Boise, Idaho, for acts of valor during the Vietnam conflict; and (2) Andrew J. Smith (posthumously) for acts of valor during the Civil War. Subtitle E: Joint Management - Revises provisions concerning the joint officer specialty program to: (1) provide for the designation of officers with the joint specialty officer identifier; (2) allow an officer to be designated with such an identifier after completing two full tours of duty in joint duty assignments; (3) allow the Secretary concerned to waive designation requirements for a particular officer for unusual circumstances, or for a critical need (the latter only in the case of a general or flag officer); (4) provide for joint specialty officer designations for general and flag officer positions; and (5) require accreditation by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) for any educational institution designated as a joint professional military education institution. Revises policy objectives and qualifications for joint duty officers. (Sec. 543) Repeals a provision requiring officers graduating from a joint professional military education school to be assigned to a joint duty assignment for that officer's next duty assignment. Reduces from three to two months the duration of the principal course of instruction offered at the Armed Forces Staff College. (Sec. 544) Requires the length of a joint duty assignment to mirror the standard tour length that the Secretary establishes for each installation or location at which joint duty assignments are authorized. Allows waivers from such required tour length only on a case-by-case basis. Repeals provisions providing for the initial joint duty assignment of officers with critical occupational specialties. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to request the joint activity to which an officer is assigned to curtail such officer's assignment. Repeals provisions concerning average joint duty tour lengths. Revises the criteria under which full tour credit will be recognized for promotion purposes. (Sec. 545) Makes the JCS (currently the Secretary) responsible for monitoring the personal issues (careers) of officers with the joint specialty designation as well as other officers who have served in joint duty assignments. (Sec. 546) Revises generally information required in an annual report from the Secretary to Congress concerning joint specialty duty assignments and experience. (Sec. 548) Repeals minimum joint duty completion requirements in the case of an officer selected by a promotion board for appointment to the grade of brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) while serving in a joint duty assignment. Subtitle F: Selection Board Appeals - Provides exclusive remedies available to a person challenging the action or recommendation of a selection board. Bars any such person from entitlement to judicial relief unless he or she has first been considered by a special board or refused such consideration by the Secretary concerned. Provides for appropriate correction of military records or restoration of appropriate status, rights, and entitlements if consideration by a special board results in a decision favorable to the individual. Makes this section inapplicable to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy. Subtitle G: Other Matters - Exempts members of the Army, Navy, or Air Force Retiree Council from limits on the authorized number of recalled retirees. (Sec. 562) Mandates a three-year tenure requirement for the following positions (currently designated only as critical acquisition positions): program or deputy program manager for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program; program executive officer, general or flag officer or civilian equivalent thereto; or senior contracting official. Title VI: Compensation and Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to delegate the authority to waive operational flying duty requirements for purposes of entitlement to incentive pay. (Sec. 602) Authorizes special pay (in lieu of any other special pay) for reserve medical and dental officers performing annual training, active duty for training, and active duty for special work. (Sec. 603) Provides compensation rates for reserve and National Guard personnel performing funeral honors duty. (Sec. 604) Extends through FY 2002 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2000 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. Subtitle B: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the advance payment of allowances for temporary lodging expenses. (Sec. 612) Provides for the payment of a prorated amount for the transportation of baggage and household effects when less than the authorized weight limit is shipped. (Sec. 613) Authorizes the advance payment of per diem for temporary lodging expenses. (Sec. 614) Authorizes a member entitled to the transportation of a motor vehicle to instead be paid a prorated share of the savings achieved by the member in not sending the vehicle to the new duty station. Authorizes the storage of such motor vehicle in lieu of shipping. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Makes eligible for appointment to a military service academy the children of a member of the reserves who either: (1) have earned at least 2,880 military retirement credit points; or (2) are, or who died while they were, eligible for military retired pay, but had not yet reached age 60. (Sec. 632) Authorizes a personal money allowance of $2,000 annually for senior enlisted members of the armed forces. (Sec. 633) Increases the initial and annual uniform allowance. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the Secretary (and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating under the Navy) to prescribe the quantity and kind of clothing to be worn by enlisted personnel. (Currently, the President has such authority.) Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Entitles Medal of Honor recipients to medical and dental care in the same manner and to the same extent as those entitled to military retired or retainer pay. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations - Eliminates: (1) the requirement that a contractor furnish written assurances that technical data furnished complies with contractual requirements; and (2) certain subcontract notification requirements. (Sec. 805) Redesignates major defense acquisition programs as major systems for purposes of applying operational test and evaluation requirements. Authorizes defense contractors to participate in certain phases of such test and evaluation, including analytical and logistic support. Requires certain steps to ensure the impartiality and integrity of contractor employees involved in such process. (Sec. 808) Allows the Secretary of Defense to utilize indefinite-delivery contracts for gloves, boots, humanitarian and operational rations, and toxicological agent protective clothing, upon request of a State or U.S. territory, Puerto Rico, an Indian tribe, the District of Columbia, or a qualified, nonprofit agency for the blind or severely handicapped. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Prohibits the suspension of defense procurement contract preferences for small disadvantaged businesses and historically black and other minority educational institutions if the President determines that contracts for a price exceeding fair market value cost are necessary to remedy demonstrated discrimination in that industry category. (Sec. 812) Revises the definition of "conventional ammunition" under the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to include ammunition managed by DOD's Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition. (Sec. 813) Provides a further exception to the technical data rights for items developed exclusively at private expense when operation, maintenance, or installation services are to be provided other than by the contractor or subcontractor. (Sec. 814) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the application of survivability tests to the MH-47E and MH-60K helicopter modification programs before full material release of such helicopters for operational use. Requires a report with any such waiver. (Sec. 815) Repeals the requirement that the Secretary certify to Congress that the future-years defense program fully funds support costs associated with the multiyear contracting program. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department of Defense Organization - Redesignates Marine Corps Deputy and Assistant Chiefs of Staff as Deputy Commandants. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Consolidates the Naval Academy General Gift Fund and the Naval Academy Museum Fund into the United States Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund. Repeals the Naval Academy Museum Fund and the Naval Historical Center Fund. (Sec. 912) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to dispose of the current cash value of previously accepted gifts to the Naval Academy Gift Fund by transfer to an entity designated by the donor. (Sec. 913) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the payment of retraining and relocation expenses to facilitate the reemployment of DOD employees who are being involuntarily separated due to a reduction-in-force or transfer of military functions. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal employer to pay the costs (for up to 12 months) of retraining such individuals for employment with that employer. Prohibits: (1) the total amount of retraining payments for each individual from exceeding $10,000; and (2) payment for training or relocations commenced after September 30, 2003. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Provides for the offset of overpayments made to DOD contract carriers for transportation services. (Sec. 1002) Changes an annual date for submission of a report concerning the scoring of defense budget outlays. (Sec. 1003) Codifies provisions concerning O&M reimbursements for certain reserve intelligence or counterintelligence support. Subtitle B: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance - Includes underserved areas for the provision of defense humanitarian and civic assistance. (Sec. 1012) Increases from $5 million to $10 million the annual limit on costs of equipment, services, and supplies provided in connection with the clearance of land mines in foreign countries. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements and Repeals - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to repeal a B-2 bomber reporting requirement. (Sec. 1016) Requires an annual report concerning National Guard and reserve equipment to include information concerning Coast Guard Reserve equipment. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Requires a military will or codicil, executed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary (or Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating under the Navy), to be recognized as a valid testamentary instrument. Outlines general requirements for such wills and codicils, including self-proof through testator acknowledgment and witnesses. Prohibits anything in this section from invalidating other testamentary instruments. (Sec. 1022) Repeals a provision which allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative military airlift agreements with allied countries only under authority of current provisions concerning such agreements. (Sec. 1023) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 which prohibits FY 2000 Cooperative Threat Reduction funds from being used for a chemical weapons destruction facility in Russia. Division B: Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to construct or acquire family housing units, carry out architectural planning and design activities, and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after: (1) 2000 for military construction, land acquisition, and family housing functions of the Army; and (2) 2001 for completion of certain previously-authorized military construction projects. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Fort Hood, Texas. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the first paragraph of the previous title. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations similar to those provided for the Army under the first paragraph of Title XXI. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. (Sec. 2402) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2403) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after: (1) 2000 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD; and (2) 2001 for completion of a previously-authorized project. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for such Program. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for the Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2003, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2004, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the minor real property transaction threshold before certain congressional notification and reporting is required from the Secretary concerned. (Sec. 2802) Includes a military readiness center within the definition of an armory. (Sec. 2803) Extends through February 10, 2006, the authority of the Secretary concerned to enter into contracts for the construction or acquisition of military family housing facilities. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to provide utilities or services on a reimbursable basis as part of a project for the acquisition or construction of military family housing units located on a military installation. (Sec. 2805) Amends provisions concerning the leasing of military family housing at the United States Southern Command in Miami, Florida, to: (1) remove an annual $60,000 limit on individual housing lease costs; (2) allow such leases to extend for up to five years; and (3) allow the Secretary of the Army to adjust the maximum annual limit on such leases by the amount of the annual basic allowance for housing increase in the Miami area. (Sec. 2806) Removes certain limitations on housing space based on pay grade and allows the Secretary concerned to ensure that room patterns and floor areas are generally comparable to patterns and areas of similar housing units in that locality. (Sec. 2807) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to modify the authority for a land conveyance at the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California.
Bill· HRH.R. 4208 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to require an authorized per diem allowance for members who are deployed 251 days or more out of the preceding 365 days to take effect on the first day of the month after enactment of this Act (currently, October 1, 2001.) Makes eligible for such allowance members of the Coast Guard when not operating as a service of the Navy. Directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report to Congress on the extent to which such allowance is being paid to regular and reserve personnel, its effect on morale and retention rates, and the feasibility of establishing a reduced eligibility threshold for members of National Guard and reserve units serving on active duty of more than 30 days. Authorizes the Secretary, after such study, to reduce the threshold below 251 days (requiring congressional notification of any such change). Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the possibility of tax credits or small business loan incentives for businesses that employ National Guard and reserve personnel. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of expanding the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps of each military department, the Civil Air Patrol, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and the Young Marines.
Bill· HRH.R. 4214 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Armed Forces Educational Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income certain payments on student loans of members of the Armed Forces.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 94 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Constitutional Amendment - Requires any legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws to require the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of each House voting and present, unless the legislative measure is determined not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for the purposes of determining any increase in the internal revenue, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Permits Congress to waive such requirements when: (1) a declaration of war is in effect; or (2) the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by an adopted joint resolution. Prohibits any increase in the internal revenue enacted under such a waiver from being effective for longer than two years.
Bill· SS. 2357 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
Armed Forces Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment Act of 2000 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid military retired pay concurrently with veterans' disability compensation.
Bill· HRH.R. 4190 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
Amends Federal highway provisions under the high priority projects program to increase the Federal share for the reconstruction of a road and causeway in Shiloh Military Park in Hardin County, Tennessee, to 100 percent of the total cost.
Bill· HRH.R. 4167 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2000
Innocence Protection Act of 2000 - Title I: Exonerating the Innocent through DNA Testing - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a court established by an Act of Congress, at any time after conviction, to apply to the court that entered the judgment for forensic DNA testing of any biological material that: (1) is related to the investigation or prosecution that resulted in the judgment; (2) is in the actual or constructive possession of the Government; and (3) was not previously subjected to DNA testing, or can be subjected to retesting with new DNA techniques that provide a reasonable likelihood of more accurate and probative results. Sets forth procedures regarding notice to the Government and preservation of remaining biological material. Directs the court to order DNA testing pursuant to such application upon a determination that testing may produce non-cumulative, exculpatory evidence relevant to an applicant's claim that the applicant was wrongfully convicted or sentenced. Specifies that the cost of DNA testing shall be borne by the Government or the applicant, as the court may order in the interests of justice, if it is shown that the applicant is not indigent and possesses the means to pay. Authorizes the court at any time to appoint counsel for an indigent applicant. Establishes post-testing procedures, including ordering a hearing and entering any order that serves the interests of justice, including an order setting aside the judgment or granting a new trial or re-sentencing if the results of the DNA testing are favorable to the applicant. Requires the Government to preserve any biological material secured in connection with a criminal case for such period as any person remains incarcerated in connection with that case, with exceptions. (Sec. 103) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Safe Streets Act) to include among the requirements for DNA identification grants, and for drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grants, that the State will: (1) preserve all biological material secured in connection with a State criminal case for not less than the period of time that biological material is required to be preserved under this Act in the case of a person incarcerated in connection with a Federal criminal case (biological material preservation requirements); and (2) make DNA testing available to any person convicted in State court to the same extent, and under the same conditions, that DNA testing is available under this Act to any person convicted in a court established by an Act of Congress. Makes DNA samples obtained by, and DNA analyses performed at, a forensic laboratory accessible for criminal defense purposes to a defendant, who shall have access to samples and analyses performed in connection with the case in which such defendant was charged or convicted. Requires applications for public safety and community policing grants, if any part of funds received from such a grant is to be used to develop or improve a DNA analysis capability in a forensic laboratory, or to obtain or analyze DNA samples for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System, to make specified certifications including that: (1) DNA analyses performed at such laboratory will satisfy or exceed the current standards for a quality assurance program for DNA analysis issued by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the DNA Identification Act of 1994; (2) DNA samples and analyses obtained and performed by such laboratory will be accessible only consistent with specified requirements; (3) the laboratory and each analyst performing DNA analyses at the laboratory will undergo, at regular intervals not exceeding 180 days, external proficiency testing by a DNA proficiency testing program that meets certain standards; and (4) the State will meet biological material preservation requirements. (Sec. 104) Prohibits a State from denying a request, made by a person in custody resulting from a State court judgment, for DNA testing of biological material that: (1) is related to the investigation or prosecution that resulted in the conviction of the person or the sentence imposed on the person; (2) is in the actual or constructive possession of the State; and (3) was not previously subjected to DNA testing, or can be subjected to retesting with new DNA techniques that provide a reasonable likelihood of more accurate and probative results. Makes an exception upon a judicial determination that testing could not produce non-cumulative evidence establishing a reasonable probability that the person was wrongfully convicted or sentenced. Bars a State from relying upon a time limit or procedural default rule to deny a person an opportunity to present non-cumulative, exculpatory DNA results in court, or in an executive or administrative forum in which a decision is made in accordance with procedural due process. Authorizes a person to enforce this section in a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief, filed either in a State court of general jurisdiction or in U.S. district court. Specifies that no State or State executive or judicial officer shall have immunity from such actions. Title II: Ensuring Competent Legal Services in Capital Cases - Amends the Safe Streets Act (regarding Byrne grant programs) to require that State applications include, if the State prescribes, authorizes, or permits the death penalty for any offense, a certification that the State has established and maintains an effective system for providing competent legal services to indigents at every phase of a State criminal prosecution in which a death sentence is sought or has been imposed, up to and including direct appellate review and post-conviction review in State court. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to promulgate regulations specifying the elements of an "effective system" including: (1) a centralized and independent appointing authority which shall have authority and responsibility to undertake specified activities, such as to recruit attorneys who are qualified to represent indigents in capital proceedings, draft and annually publish a roster of such attorneys, draft and annually publish qualifications and performance standards for such attorneys, and periodically review the roster, monitor attorney performance, provide a mechanism by which members of the Bar may comment on the performance of their peers, and delete the name of any attorney who fails to meet specified requirements; and (2) specified compensation and reimbursement requirements of private attorneys and public defender organizations. Requires applications for discretionary (justice system improvement) grants to include satisfying such certification requirement. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to include in a report to Congress on such grants to each State a description and a comparative analysis of the systems established by each State in order to satisfy the certification requirement, including qualifications and performance standards, rates of compensation, and rates of reimbursement. (Sec. 202) Amends the judicial code to direct the court, in a proceeding instituted by an indigent applicant under sentence of death, to neither presume a finding of fact made by a State court to be correct nor decline to consider a claim on the ground that the applicant failed to raise such claim in State court at the time and in the manner prescribed by State law, unless: (1) the State provided the applicant with legal services at the stage of the State proceedings at which the State court made the finding of fact or the applicant failed to raise the claim; and (2) the legal services the State provided satisfied the regulations promulgated by the Director of the Administrative Office pursuant to the Safe Streets Act. (Sec. 203) Amends the Federal criminal code to require the Director of the Administrative Office to: (1) award grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of providing defense services in capital cases; and (2) develop guidelines to ensure that defense services provided by recipients of such grants and contracts are consistent with applicable legal and ethical proscriptions governing the duties of counsel in capital cases. Title III: Compensating the Unjustly Condemned - Rewrites judicial code provisions regarding compensation for unjust imprisonment. Limits the amount of damages awarded to $50,000 for each 12-month period of incarceration, except that a plaintiff who was unjustly sentenced to death may be awarded not more than $100,000 for each 12-month period of incarceration. Directs the court, in assessing damages, to consider: (1) the circumstances surrounding the unjust conviction, including any misconduct by Federal officers or employees; (2) the length and conditions of the unjust incarceration; and (3) family circumstances, loss of wages, and pain and suffering of the plaintiff. (Sec. 302) Amends the Safe Streets Act to require applicants for criminal justice facility construction grants to provide reasonable assurance that the applicant, or the State in which it is located, does not prescribe, authorize, or permit the death penalty for any offense, or: (1) has established and maintains an effective procedure by which any person unjustly convicted of an offense against the State and sentenced to death may be awarded reasonable damages upon substantial proof that the person did not commit any of the acts with which the person was charged; and (2) the conviction of that person was reversed or set aside on the ground that the person was not guilty of the offense or offenses of which the person was convicted, the person was found not guilty of such offenses on new trial or rehearing, or the person was pardoned upon the stated ground of innocence and unjust conviction. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the criminal code to prohibit the Government from seeking the death penalty in any case initially brought before a U.S. district court that sits in a State that does not prescribe, authorize, or permit the imposition of such penalty for the alleged conduct, except upon written certification of the Attorney General (or designee) that: (1) the State does not have jurisdiction or refuses to assume jurisdiction over the defendant with respect to the alleged conduct; (2) the State has requested that the Government assume jurisdiction; or (3) the offense charged is one of certain listed offenses, including destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities, assassination, kidnapping, and assault of specified Government officials. (Sec. 402) Rewrites Controlled Substances Act provisions regarding continuing criminal enterprises to direct the court, upon a recommendation that the defendant should be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without possibility of release, to sentence the defendant accordingly (otherwise, the court shall impose any lesser sentence that is authorized by law). (Sec. 403) Rewrites provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 regarding Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-In-Sentencing Incentive Grants to require State applicants to provide assurances to the Attorney General that: (1) the State has implemented policies that provide for the recognition of the rights and needs of crime victims; and (2) in any capital case in which the jury has a role in determining the sentence imposed on the defendant, the court, at the defendant's request, shall inform the jury of all statutorily authorized sentencing options in the particular case, including applicable parole eligibility rules and terms. (Sec. 404) Requires the Attorney General, within two years and annually thereafter, to prepare and transmit to Congress a report concerning the administration of capital punishment laws by the Government and the States. Directs the Attorney General or the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, as appropriate, to ensure that the reports are: (1) distributed to national print and broadcast media; and (2) posted on an Internet website maintained by the Department of Justice. (Sec. 405) Amends the judicial code to provide that, regarding exhaustion of remedies available in State courts, if the highest court of a State has discretion to decline appellate review of a case or a claim, a petition asking that court to entertain a case or a claim is not an available State court procedure. (Sec. 406) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the death penalty is disproportionate and offends contemporary standards of decency when applied to a person who is mentally retarded or who had not attained age 18 at the time of the offense.
Bill· HRH.R. 4165 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2000
Keep the Colorado River Clean Act - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to direct the United States to convey to the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation all Federal lands within the exterior boundaries of NOSR-2 (Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2), both surface and mineral rights, without retaining any management authority over the conveyed lands or tribal activities thereon, but reserving to the United States: (1) a nine percent royalty interest in the value of any oil, gas, other hydrocarbons, and all other minerals produced, saved, and sold from such lands, the payments to be made by the Tribe to the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) when produced, saved, or sold during the period minerals are being extracted; (2) that portion of the bed of Green River contained entirely within NOSR-2; (3) the lands, including surface and mineral rights, to the west of the river within NOSR-2; and (4) a 1/4 mile scenic easement on the east side of the river within NOSR-2. Provides that such lands conveyed to the Tribe shall not revert to the United States for management in trust status. Revokes all existing withdrawals on NOSR-2. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer the lands and interests in lands reserved from such conveyance and to prepare and submit to Congress a land use plan for the management of these lands and interests in lands within three years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the Tribe to pay the royalty interest reserved from conveyance free of all development, production, marketing, and operating expenses. Requires the United States to bear and pay gross production taxes, pipeline taxes, and allocation taxes assessed against the gross production. Requires the Tribe to: (1) report annually to the Secretary and Congress on its resource development and other activities concerning the property transferred; and (2) submit every five years to a financial audit of such activities, with the first audit taking place five years after the date of transfer and the results of each audit being included in the next annual report after completion. Requires the Tribe to: (1) manage its lands adjacent to and within a 1/4 mile of the Green River in a protected status and in a manner consistent with the provisions contained in a government-to-government agreement and a specified memorandum of understanding as agreed to by the Tribe and the Secretary of the Interior; (2) protect any plant species listed as endangered or threatened that is located on the NOSR-2 lands conveyed to the Tribe in a manner consistent with the then current levels of legal protection, and this protection to be performed fully under tribal jurisdiction and in accordance with a government-to-government agreement between the Tribe and the Secretary of the Interior; and (3) manage the horses not owned by the Tribe or tribal members that are located or found on such lands in a manner consistent with then current Federal protections granted such animals, provided that the management, control, and protection of such horses will be performed fully under tribal jurisdiction and in accordance with a government-to-government agreement between the Tribe and the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prepare a plan to commence, within one year following preparation of such plan, remedial action, including groundwater restoration, at the uranium milling site near Moab, Utah; and (2) retain the amounts received as royalties under this Act (and such amounts shall be available to carry out such remedial action). Requires upon completion of such remedial action all such royalty amounts to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to designate the Moab uranium milling site as a processing site, with specified exceptions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4173 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2000
Amends Federal retirement provisions to include members of the uniformed services as employees who may participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Entitles such a member to the balance in his or her TSP account in addition to any benefits or pay to which such member is entitled to under Federal armed forces provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4174 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income certain retention and reenlistment bonuses for members of the Armed Forces.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 101 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2000
Sets forth the congressional budget for the Government for FY 2001, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY 2002 through 2005 and the revised budgetary levels for FY 2000. Title I: Levels and Amounts - Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY 2001 through 2005 (and revised levels and amounts for FY 2000), with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) public debt; and (6) debt held by the public. (Sec. 102) Sets forth for such fiscal years specified amounts of revenues and outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, including amounts of new budget authority and outlays for administrative expenses. (Sec. 103) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and budget outlays for specified major functional categories for FY 2001 through 2005 (and revised levels for FY 2000). (Sec. 104) Requires the Senate Finance Committee to report to the Senate a reconciliation bill proposing changes in laws within its jurisdiction to reduce revenues by specified amounts in FY 2001 and the period of FY 2001 through 2005. Title II: Budgetary Restraints and Rulemaking - Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any revision to this or any other concurrent budget resolution (or an amendment or conference report) that sets forth a deficit for any fiscal year. Makes such point of order inapplicable if: (1) the most recent of the Department of Commerce's advance, preliminary, or final reports of real economic growth indicate that the rate of real economic growth for the most recently reported quarter and immediately preceding quarter is less than one percent; or (2) a declaration of war is in effect. Provides that if the social security surplus in any fiscal year is used to finance general Federal Government operations, such amount shall be deducted from the available amount of discretionary spending for the following fiscal year for purposes of any concurrent budget resolution. Waives or suspends the point of order under this section in the Senate only by an affirmative three-fifths majority vote. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on such point of order. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the adjustment of spending aggregates and other budgetary levels and limits and revision of allocations in the Senate for legislation reported by the Finance Committee to provide a prescription drug benefit for FY 2001 through 2003, provided the legislation will not reduce the on-budget surplus by a total of $20 billion during these years and will not cause an on-budget deficit. Requires such adjustments to be made for legislation or an amendment that provides prescription drug coverage if the Finance Committee has not reported such legislation before September 1, 2000. Authorizes the Chairman of the Budget Committee (Chairman), if legislation is reported by the Finance Committee that extends the solvency of the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund without the use of transfers of new subsidies from the general fund, decreasing beneficiaries' access to health care, and excluding the cost of extending and modifying the prescription drug benefit described above, to change committee allocations and spending aggregates by up to $20 billion total for FY 2004 and 2005 to fund such benefit if such legislation will not cause an on-budget deficit. (Sec. 203) Permits the Chairman, whenever the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee reports a bill (or an amendment or conference report is submitted) that provides additional resources for counties and complies with this section, to increase the allocation of budget authority (and resulting outlays to that committee by the amount) provided by such legislation, with limitations. Provides that legislation complies if it provides for the stabilization of receipt-based payments to counties that support school and road systems and provides that a portion of those payments would be dedicated toward local investments in Federal lands within the counties. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the appropriate Budget Committee Chairman, if the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry reports a bill before June 29, 2000 (or an amendment or conference report is submitted), that provides assistance for producers of program and specialty crops and enhancements for agriculture conservation that does not cause a specified net increase in budget authority and outlays, to increase the allocation of budget authority (and resulting outlays to that committee by the amount) provided by such legislation, with limitations. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Chairman to reduce spending and revenue aggregates and revise committee allocations for legislation that reduces revenues if such legislation will not increase the deficit or decrease the surplus for FY 2001 or for the period of FY 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 206) Requires the: (1) Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to update its economic and budget outlook for FY 2001 through 2010 by July 1, 2000; and (2) appropriate Budget Committee Chairman to make certain budget adjustments if such update estimates a budget surplus that exceeds the surplus set forth in the CBO's March 2000 outlook. (Sec. 207) Directs the Chairman, if the reconciliation legislation provided for in section 104 or the Medicare legislation provided for in section 202 of this resolution does not become law by October 1, 2000, to make certain adjustments to the pay-as-you-go scorecard and the level of debt held by the public set forth in this resolution. (Sec. 208) Provides that the criteria to be considered in determining whether a proposed expenditure or tax change is an emergency requirement in legislation are whether it is: (1) necessary, essential, or vital; (2) sudden, quickly coming into being, and not building up over time; (3) an urgent, pressing, and compelling need requiring immediate action; (4) unforeseen, unpredictable, and unanticipated; and (5) not permanent, temporary in nature. Requires a committee report or the statement of managers to justify why a requirement should be accorded emergency status if it does not meet such criteria. Strikes emergency requirements in legislation under consideration in the Senate when a point of order is sustained against such requirements. Waives or suspends such point of order only by an affirmative three-fifths majority vote. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair. (Sec. 209) Requires the appropriate Budget Committee chairman, if legislation becomes law that increases the discretionary spending limit for FY 2001 set out in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), to increase a specified allocation called for in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to the appropriate Appropriations Committee. Prohibits such allocation from exceeding the total budget authority and outlays set forth under such Act. (Sec. 210) Provides a point of order in the Senate against consideration of legislation that exceeds certain discretionary spending limits in the defense and nondefense categories for FY 2001. Makes this section inapplicable if a declaration of war is in effect. Waives or suspends such point of order only by an affirmative three-fifths majority vote. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair. (Sec. 211) Provides a point of order in the Senate against consideration of legislation or motions that provide an appropriation of new budget authority for any fiscal year: (1) after the budget year that exceeds a specified amount; and (2) subsequent to the year after the budget year. Makes a point of order in the Senate against consideration of legislation (with exceptions) or motions that contain an appropriation of new budget authority for any fiscal year which does not become available upon the later of enactment of such legislation or the first day of that fiscal year. Waives or suspends such points of order only by an affirmative three-fifths majority vote. Requires the same majority to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair. Terminates this section on October 1, 2002. (Sec. 212) Provides that for purposes of points of order of this resolution and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, provisions contained in legislation, amendments, or motions that affect any surplus funds of the Federal reserve banks shall not be scored with respect to the levels of budget authority, outlays, or revenues contained in such legislation. (Sec. 213) Provides that provisions contained in an appropriations bill (or related amendment or conference report) that result in increased revenues shall continue not to be scored with respect to the level of budget authority or outlays in such legislation for purposes of points of order under this resolution and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. (Sec. 214) Provides for the application and effect of changes in allocations and aggregates made pursuant to this resolution. (Sec. 215) Authorizes the Chairman, whenever the Finance Committee reports a bill (or an amendment or conference report is submitted) that facilitates children with disabilities receiving health care at home and finances health programs designed to allow such children to access the health services they need to remain at home while allowing their families to become or remain employed, to increase the spending aggregate and allocation of budget authority (and resulting outlays) to that committee by the amount provided by such legislation, with limitations. Title III: Sense of the Senate Provisions - Expresses the sense of the Senate with respect to: (1) funding international tuberculosis control efforts; (2) tax relief for parents and funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant; (3) tax relief for college tuition and interest paid on student loans; (4) increased funding for the National Institutes of Health; (5) funding for elementary and secondary education being in proportion to levels authorized in the Educational Opportunities Act; (6) elimination of wasted Federal expenditures and the use of revenue for tax relief or debt reduction; (7) the skilled nursing benefit and Medicare; (8) full funding as discretionary programs of certain conservation, historic preservation, and wildlife programs and funds; (9) increased appropriations for veterans' medical care; (10) educational impact aid; (11) raised acreage limits under the Conservation and Wetlands Reserve Programs; (12) tax simplification; (13) antitrust enforcement regarding agriculture mergers and anticompetitive activity; (14) trade support for American farmers; (15) the effects of social security reform on women; (16) full funding for programs established by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994; (17) the use of the False Claims Act to combat Medicare fraud; (18) funding for the National Guard; (19) protection of the defense readiness accounts; (20) compensation for the Chinese Embassy bombing in Belgrade; (21) access to information technologies and information technology training to address the digital divide; (22) funding for immunization grants; (23) tax credits for small businesses that provide health insurance to low-income employees; (24) funding for certain criminal justice programs; (25) Pell Grant funding; (26) public education reform; (27) funding for U.S. international leadership; (28) the HIV-AIDS epidemic; and (29) funding for tribal colleges.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 280 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the lack of action of most Western governments to respond to the conflict in Chechnya could be interpreted by the Government of the Russian Federation as indifference and thus allow that Government to intensify and expand its military campaign, further contributing to the suffering of the Chechen people; (2) the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, is responsible for the conduct of Russian troops in and around Chechnya and has an obligation to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights norms; and (3) the Government of the Russian Federation and the leadership of the Chechen Government should immediately cease military operations in Chechnya and seek a negotiated settlement to the conflict there. Urges the President of the Russian Federation to: (1) act immediately to end human rights violations by Russian soldiers in Chechnya; (2) allow access into and around Chechnya by international monitors to assess and report on the situation and to investigate alleged atrocities and war crimes; (3) allow international humanitarian agencies such access to Chechen civilians; and (4) investigate atrocities committed in Chechnya and initiate appropriate prosecutions. Urges the President of the United States of America to: (1) affirm respect for human rights, democratic rule of law, and international accountability as a foundation of U.S. foreign policy and as a condition for continued U.S.- Russian cooperation; (2) review U.S. foreign policy toward the Russian Federation with respect to its conduct in Chechnya and its implications for U.S.- Russian relations; (3) promote peace negotiations between the Government of the Russian Federation and the leadership of the Chechen Government through third-party mediation; (4) support societal forces in the Russian Federation working to preserve democracy there; and (5) take tangible steps to demonstrate to the Government of the Russian Federation that the United States strongly condemns its conduct in Chechnya and its unwillingness to find a just political solution to the conflict. Declares that the President should not reverse such actions taken until the Government of the Russian Federation has: (1) acted to end human rights violations by Russian soldiers in Chechnya; (2) provided access into and around Chechnya to international monitors to assess and report on the situation and to investigate alleged atrocities and war crimes; (3) granted international humanitarian agencies access to Chechen civilians; and (4) begun to investigate fully atrocities committed in Chechnya.
Bill· HRH.R. 4131 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2000, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.
Bill· HRH.R. 4134 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft, on a space-available basis, for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 50 percent or more, and for their dependents, on the same basis that such transportation is provided to former military personnel entitled to retired or retainer pay.
Bill· SS. 2322 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Remove Servicemembers from Food Stamps Act of 2000 - Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned, upon application by an enlisted member in pay grade E-5 or below, to pay such member a special subsistence allowance of $180 for each month during which such member is eligible to receive food stamp assistance. Terminates such eligibility upon: (1) termination of food stamp eligibility; (2) payment of such allowance for 12 consecutive months; (3) promotion to a higher grade; or (4) transfer to a permanent change of station. Requires the member to furnish appropriate documentation of his or her eligibility for food stamp assistance. Makes such allowance an addition to the basic allowance for subsistence. Terminates such authority on September 30, 2005. Requires, until 2005, an annual report from the Comptroller General to Congress on the number of military personnel eligible for food stamp assistance.
Bill· HRH.R. 4127 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Classroom Safety Act of 2000 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize school personnel to discipline (including expel or suspend), in the same manner in which such personnel may discipline a child without a disability, a child with a disability who commits specified school-related weapon or drug offenses. (Thus provides an exception to current IDEA procedural safeguards that require placement in an alternative educational setting.) Authorizes such personnel to modify the disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis. Permits assertion of a defense that the offense was committed unintentionally or innocently. Allows the local educational agency (LEA) responsible for providing educational services to a child with a disability who is expelled or suspended under this Act to choose to continue to provide educational services to such child, but specifies that an LEA that so chooses to continue to provide services: (1) is not required by IDEA to provide such child with a free appropriate public education, or any particular level of service; and (2) has discretion as to the location where it provides the services.
Bill· HRH.R. 4124 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Military Retiree Health Care Options Act - Title I: Enrollment of Retirees in TRICARE Prime and Medicare Reimbursement - States that the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) may not prohibit the enrollment of Medicare-eligible military retirees in the managed care option of the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) solely on account of age or entitlement to hospital insurance benefits under part A of Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) to jointly establish a program (subvention program) that, beginning October 1, 2000, provides DOD with reimbursement from the Medicare program for health care services provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and certain military dependents: (1) through the TRICARE program to increase the number of retirees able to enroll in the TRICARE managed care option; and (2) in a military medical treatment facility. Requires program enrollment to be voluntary. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) waive enrollment fees; (2) modify existing TRICARE program contracts to incorporate enrollment provisions; and (3) establish cost-sharing requirements for enrollees. (Sec. 104) Provides for the determination of DOD reimbursement amounts for individuals enrolled in Medicare part A and individuals not enrolled in Medicare part B. (Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary to maintain current DOD health-care efforts for Medicare-eligible retirees in order to avoid imposing added costs to the Medicare program. Requires specified estimates of prior efforts and future targets with respect to DOD health care provided under the subvention program. Directs the Comptroller General to determine and report to the two Secretaries and Congress annually on the extent, if any, to which costs of the Secretary under the TRICARE program and the HHS Secretary under the Medicare program have increased as a result of the subvention program. Requires the Secretaries to take necessary action to offset any added costs. (Sec. 106) Requires the Secretary to reimburse subvention program participants for any late enrollment penalties imposed under the Medicare part B program. (Sec. 107) Provides that, in the case of a Medicare-eligible uniformed services retiree who seeks to enroll in a Medicare supplemental policy, the issuer of such policy may not: (1) deny the issuance or effectiveness of such policy; or (2) discriminate in the policy's price. Makes eligible for: (1) the subvention program an individual who was eligible to enroll under Medicare part B and who did not enroll in the Medicare program during his or her initial enrollment period; and (2) the Medicare supplemental program an individual who was eligible to enroll under Medicare part B. Title II: FEHBP Option for Retirees - Revises provisions concerning a demonstration project which includes certain covered military retirees and their beneficiaries within the Federal Employees Health Benefits program (FEHBP) to: (1) make such program permanent (currently terminates December 31, 2002); (2) remove certain reporting requirements; and (3) remove provisions concerning the application of Medigap protections to demonstration project enrollees. (Sec. 202) Requires the health and dental care benefits provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and TRICARE Standard to be the same as those provided for the highest level of benefits under the service benefit plan of the FEHBP. Title III: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to: (1) expand and make permanent the DOD demonstration project for providing pharmaceuticals by mail to permit Medicare-eligible uniformed services retirees and certain military dependents to participate in such project. Prohibits fees for project participation. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to issue to covered beneficiaries under the TRICARE program an enrollment card for nationwide TRICARE program participation.