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Bill· SS. 2650 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1998
Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to States for use by public schools to develop or expand gifted and talented education programs through one or more of the following activities: (1) professional development programs; (2) technical assistance; (3) innovative programs and services; and (4) emerging technologies, including distance learning. Sets forth requirements for grant applications, allotment to States, and reporting. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2648 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1998
Keeping the Internet Decent and Safe Act - Authorizes an elementary or secondary school to use funds received: (1) under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for school technology resource grants and national challenge grants for technology in education; and (2) under the Museum and Library Services Act to purchase software designed to permit a person to limit access to material on the Internet that is harmful to minors. (Sec. 3) Provides for criminal and civil forfeiture for: (1) offenses relating to child pornography; (2) knowingly enticing or coercing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity; (3) transporting a minor in interstate or foreign commerce with intent that such individual engage in criminal sexual activity; or (4) travelling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to engage in a criminal sexual act with a juvenile. Includes within the definition of "crime of violence" (thus, providing for detention for): (1) knowingly enticing or coercing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity; and (2) transporting for criminal sexual activity, or travelling with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with, a juvenile.
Bill· HRH.R. 4874 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1998
International Military Training Transparency and Accountability Act - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the sale, lease, loan, or grant of defense services or training (including Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET)) to any foreign country that is prohibited or restricted from receiving international military education and training (IMET), or other military assistance or arms transfers. Permits a foreign country that is eligible to receive only expanded IMET, and is not prohibited from receiving any other military assistance or arms transfers, to receive defense services and training if it provides for training of civilian officials and military officers of the armed forces on military justice, international human rights standards, and the proper role of such forces in a democratic society. Permits a foreign country otherwise prohibited or restricted from receiving IMET or any other military assistance or arms transfers to receive defense services and training substantially unrelated to the prohibited military assistance or arms transfers, provided the President makes a specified certification to the Congress. Authorizes the President to waive any prohibition under this Act with respect to a foreign country upon certification to the Congress that it is important to the national security of the United States.
Bill· SS. 2647 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Targeted Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Programs Subtitle A: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign Subtitle B: Drug-Free Prisons and Jails Subtitle C: Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance Title II: Statement of National Antidrug Policy Subtitle A: Congressional Leadership in Community Coalitions Subtitle B: Rejection of Legalization of Drugs Subtitle C: Report on Streamlining Federal Prevention and Treatment Efforts Drug Demand Reduction Act - Title I: Targeted Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Programs - Subtitle A: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign - Drug-Free Media Campaign Act of 1998 - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to: (1) conduct a national media campaign for the purpose of reducing and preventing drug abuse among young people in the United States; and (2) use appropriated funds for media that focuses on, or that includes specific information on, prevention or treatment resources for consumers within specific local areas. (Sec. 103) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) authorized and prohibited uses of funds; and (2) matching and reporting requirements. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Drug-Free Prisons and Jails - Drug-Free Prisons and Jails Act of 1998 - Requires the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to establish a model substance abuse treatment program for substance-involved offenders by providing financial assistance to grant recipients and evaluating the success of programs conducted pursuant to this subtitle. Limits grant awards and administrative costs. (Sec. 114) Sets forth requirements for grant applications, review and approval of awards, permissible uses of funds, and evaluation and reporting requirements. Requires the Director to establish minimum criteria for program evaluation. (Sec. 118) Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund. Subtitle C: Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance - Drug-Free Schools Quality Assurance Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the chief executive officer of each State or other entity designated to be responsible for education activities to: (1) establish a standard of quality for drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention programs implemented in public schools in the State in accordance with specified criteria (including a comparison of the rate of illegal use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco by students enrolled over a specified period, the rate of suspensions or expulsions, program effectiveness, parental and community involvement, and the extent of review of existing community drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention programs before implementation); and (2) identify and designate, upon application by a public elementary or secondary school, any such school that achieves such standard as a quality program school. Sets forth provisions regarding requests for a quality program designation and public notification. Title II: Statement of National Antidrug Policy - Subtitle A: Congressional Leadership in Community Coalitions - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the individual Members of the House of Representatives should establish community-based anti-drug coalitions in their congressional districts or should actively support such coalitions that already exist. Subtitle B: Rejection of Legalization of Drugs - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the States and their citizens should reject drug legalization; and (2) each State should make efforts to be drug-free. Subtitle C: Report on Streamlining Federal Prevention and Treatment Efforts - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Federal Government efforts to reduce the demand for illegal drugs in the United States are frustrated by the fragmentation of those efforts across multiple departments and agencies; and (2) improvement of those efforts can best be achieved through consolidation and coordination. Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a report evaluating options for increasing the efficacy of Federal drug prevention and treatment programs and activities. Requires such report to include a thorough review of the activities and potential consolidation of existing Federal drug information clearinghouses. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2643 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1998
Drug Elimination and Justice Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for grants for community learning centers for FY 1999 through 2004. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002 to: (1) the Drug Court Program Office of the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to carry out a pilot program to establish a Federal drug court in each of ten cities in the United States that have increasing drug enforcement problems; and (2) DOJ for additional prosecutorial resources dedicated to drug enforcement in each of such cities. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004 for the "Cops on the Beat" program, half of which shall be used for cooperative partnerships between schools and State and local police departments to provide for the use of police officers in schools. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to increase the minimum sentencing penalties for distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, or manufacturing a controlled substance within prescribed distances of a school or other specified facilities and to include public libraries among those facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 4856 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Miscellaneous Trade Corrections Title II: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions; Other Trade Provisions Subtitle A: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions Subtitle B: Other Trade Provisions Title III: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 1998 - Title I: Miscellaneous Trade Corrections - Makes various specified miscellaneous technical corrections to the Trade Act of 1974 and other specified Federal law involving: (1) abolishment of the East-West Foreign Trade Board; (2) repeal of the requirement that certain small vessels departing from a foreign port, or which visited a hovering vessel, carry a certificate for the importation into the United States of alcoholic spirits; (3) repeal of the exemption of documented tugs with a Great Lakes endorsement from certain entry and clearance requirements; (4) change of general most-favored-nation (MFN) status to general or normal trade relations (NTR) status under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States; and (5) conforming amendments to obsolete references to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). (Sec. 1003) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to allow certain entries of television receivers, monitors, and picture tubes, and combination TV-VCRs with a diagonal measurement of up to 34.29cm (currently, 33.02 cm), or 13.5 inches, to be classified as 13 inches for purposes of tariff treatment under the Schedule. Directs the Customs Service, upon proper request, to liquidate or reliquidate certain entries made on or after January 1, 1995, and before 15 days after enactment of this Act, as if such amendment applied to such entries. Title II: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions; Other Trade Provisions - Subtitle A: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for temporary duty suspensions for: (1) specified chemicals and dyes through December 31, 2001; (2) snowboard boots with uppers of textile materials through December 31, 2001; (3) ink-jet textile printing machinery through December 31, 2001; (4) textile printing machinery through December 31, 2001; (5) substrates of synthetic quartz or synthetic fused silica imported into the United States in bulk or in forms or packages for retail sale through December 31, 2001; (6) power weaving machines (looms), shuttle type, for weaving fabrics between 30 cm and 4.9m in width, if entered without off-loom or large loom take-ups, drop wires, heddles, reeds, harness frames or beams, through December 31, 2001; (7) skating boots for use in the manufacture of in-line roller skates through December 31, 2001; (8) dual thrust chamber rocket engines, each having a maximum static sea level thrust exceeding 3,550 kN and nozzle exit diameter exceeding 127cm, through December 31, 2001; (9) certain manufacturing equipment through December 31, 2001; (10) textured rolled glass sheets through December 31, 2001; (11) certain anti-HIV drug substances through June 30, 1999; (12) certain high-performance loudspeakers not mounted in their enclosures, through December 31, 2001; (13) parts for use in the manufacture of certain high-performance loudspeakers through December 31, 2001; (14) textile doubling or twisting machines through December 31, 1998; and (15) certain polymers through December 31, 2001. (Sec. 2129) Reduces the duty on a certain dye and on certain chemicals variously through December 31, 1998, December 31, 1999, December 31, 2000, and December 31, 2001. (Sec. 2161) Reduces the duty, for December 31, 1998, and December 31, 2001, respectively, on weaving machines (looms), shuttleless type, for weaving fabrics between 30cm and 4.9m in width, entered without off-loom or large loom takeups, drop wires, heddles, reeds, harness frames, or beams. Subtitle B: Other Trade Provisions - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend to certain fine jewelry certain trade benefits of insular possessions of the United States. (Sec. 2401) Mandates treatment as a product of the Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa, during 1999 and 2000, of any article of jewelry assembled in such territory or possession. (Sec. 2402) Provides for the tariff treatment of certain components of scientific instruments and apparatus, as well as the application of the domestic equivalency test to such components. (Sec. 2403) Directs the U.S. Customs Service to liquidate or reliquidate (refund duty on) certain entries made at Los Angeles, California, and New Orleans, Louisiana, in accordance with the final decision of the International Trade Administration for shipments entered between October 1, 1984, and December 14, 1987 (case number A- 274-001). (Sec. 2404) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that packaging material produced in the United States (currently, any packaging material), which is used by the manufacturer or any other person on or for articles which are exported or destroyed, shall also be eligible for a refund (drawback) of 99 percent of any duty, tax, or fee imposed on the importation of such material used to manufacture or produce the packaging material. (Sec. 2405) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, by January 1, 2000, to provide for the inclusion of commercial importation data from foreign-trade zones in the National Customs Automation Program (an automated and electronic system for processing commercial importations). (Sec. 2406) Permits the deferral (until sale) of duty payment on any large yacht (a vessel exceeding 79 feet in length and used primarily for recreation or pleasure) that is imported for sale at a boat show, if the importer of record: (1) certifies to the Customs Service that it is imported for sale at a boat show in the United States; and (2) posts a bond in an amount equal to twice the amount of the duty ordinarily owed on such yacht. (Sec. 2407) Directs the appropriate customs officer to allow or deny within 30 days after the filing date any application for further review with respect to a protest to a decision of the Customs Service. Requires that any allowed protest be forwarded to the customs officer who will conduct the further review. (Sec. 2408) Authorizes the Customs Service, notwithstanding the fact that a valid protest was not filed, to reliquidate an entry to refund merchandise processing fees paid on goods qualifying under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rules of origin for which no claim for preferential tariff treatment was made at the time of importation, provided that the importer meets certain conditions. (Sec. 2409) Authorizes the entry or withdrawal from a warehouse of international travel merchandise subject to a duty. (Sec. 2410) Revises requirements with respect to the five-year review by the administering authority and the International Trade Commission of countervailing duty or antidumping duty orders, notices of injury determination, or determinations to continue an order or suspension agreement. Excludes from the computation of the five-year period preceding such a review any period during which the importation of the subject merchandise is prohibited on account of U.S. imposition of certain sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or other Federal law against the country in which such merchandise originates, if that country is not a member of the World Trade Organization. (Sec. 2411) Applies the rates of duty effective after December 31, 1994, under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, if lower, to certain water resistant wool trousers that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after December 31, 1988, and before January 1, 1995. (Sec. 2412) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide duty-free treatment of previously imported goods for which a duty was paid if they are: (1) exported within three years after the date of such previous importation; (2) sold for exportation and exported to individuals for personal use; (3) reimported without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means while abroad; (4) reimported as personal returns from those individuals, whether or not consolidated with other personal returns prior to reimportation; and (5) reimported by or for the account of the person who exported them from the United States within one year of such exportation. (Sec. 2413) Grants duty-free treatment, through December 31, 2002, to the personal effects of, and other equipment imported and used by, participants, their families and associated members, and officials involved in the 1999 International Special Olympics, the 1999 Women's World Cup Soccer, the 2001 International Special Olympics, the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and the 2002 Winter Paralympic Games. Declares that such articles shall be: (1) free of applicable taxes and fees; but (2) not exempt from routine customs inspections. (Sec. 2414) Directs the U.S. Customs Service, upon request, to liquidate or reliquidate (refund duty on) certain entries (filed at the port of Los Angeles) of indirect electrostatic copiers at the rate of duty that would have been applicable to such merchandise if they had been liquidated or reliquidated at a duty rate applicable to other automated data processing (ADP) thermal transfer printer units on the date of entry. (Sec. 2415) Directs the U.S. Customs Service to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation (refund) of certain entries in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Decision 86-126(M) and Customs Ruling No. 224697, dated November 17, 1994. (Sec. 2417) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize duty-free sales enterprises to be located, among other places, within a port of entry, or within 25 statute miles of a staffed port of entry, if reasonable assurance can be provided that the duty-free merchandise sold by the enterprise will be exported by individuals departing from the customs territory through an international airport located within the territory. (Sec. 2418) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to continue, indefinitely, the use of customs user fees (to the extent funds remain available after making certain reimbursements) for salaries for up to 50 full-time equivalent inspectional positions to provide preclearance customs services. Decreases from $6.50 to $5 the customs user fee charged to each passenger that arrives aboard a commercial vessel or commercial aircraft from a place outside the U.S. customs (except $1.75 shall be charged to each passenger aboard a commercial vessel that arrives from Canada, Mexico, a U.S. territory or possession, or an adjacent island). Earmarks a specified amount of certain customs user fees to the Customs Service for automated commercial systems. Directs the Commissioner of Customs to establish an advisory committee, consisting of representatives from the airline, cruise ship, and other transportation industries, to advise the Commissioner on issues related to the performance of the inspectional services of the Customs Service. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize the Secretary, for a specified period, to prescribe an alternative mid-point interest accounting methodology, which may be employed by the importer, based upon aggregate data in lieu of accounting for such interest from each deposit data provided. (Sec. 2419) Allows a duty drawback (refund of duty) for methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a finished petroleum derivative, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 2420) Revises the methodology used to calculate the drawback (refund of duties) on the export of finished petroleum derivatives that have been manufactured with (substituted for) a qualified article which is of the same kind and quality (whether imported duty-paid or domestic). Redefines the term "qualified article" to include certain manufactured articles (primary forms), including articles of the same kind and quality, or any combination thereof, that are transferred as certified in a certificate of delivery or certificate of manufacture and delivery to an exporter in a quantity not greater than the quantity of articles purchased or exchanged for use in the manufactured article. (Sec. 2421) Directs the U.S. Customs Service, upon proper request, to: (1) liquidate or reliquidate as if the special column one duty rate applicable for Canada applied to certain entries of mueslix cereal; and (2) refund to the importer any excess duties paid with respect to such entries. (Sec. 2422) Directs the Foreign Trade Zones Board to expand Foreign Trade Zone No. 143 to include areas in the vicinity of the Chico Municipal Airport in accordance with the application submitted to the Board by the Sacramento-Yolo Port District of Sacramento, California, on March 11, 1997. (Sec. 2423) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to exempt certain woven fabrics containing silk or silk waste from the country of origin marking requirements. (Sec. 2424) Authorizes the President to: (1) determine that title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (denying nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of certain countries) should no longer apply to Mongolia; and (2) based upon such determination, extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to Mongolian products. (Sec. 2425) Authorizes the Commissioner of the Customs Service to establish a one-year pilot program to provide 24-hour cargo inspection service on a fee-for-service basis at a certain international airport. (Sec. 2426) Directs the Department of Defense to permit the dependent children of deceased U.S. Customs Aviation Group Supervisor Pedro J. Rodriquez attending the Antilles Consolidated School System at Ford Buchanan, Puerto Rico, to complete their primary and secondary education without cost to them or any parent or relative. Title III: Amendments To Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions concerning a corporation, its shareholders, and the transferring of certain assets and liabilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 4864 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1998
Education Bill of Rights Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to promote certain education initiatives. Requires an applicant LEA, to be eligible for such a grant, to demonstrate that it has developed the following initiatives: (1) a charter school program to allow parents greater choice in selecting the appropriate educational setting for their child; (2) a parental school choice program that allows parents the ability to select a public school located within the LEA; (3) a vocational and academic opportunities program that allows parents to choose a vocational or college preparatory program for their secondary school student child; (4) an early elementary reading program to ensure that all students can read by the third grade; (5) a program to provide a safe and drug-free environment at school; (6) a locally-developed standardized testing program; (7) curriculum development panels composed of teachers and parents; (8) a program to improve or increase the standards for teachers; (9) a merit pay system to reward teachers who meet or exceed performance criteria; and (10) a teaching excellence program to ensure that the most qualified teachers are hired, including teachers with expertise in the workplace. Sets forth a formula for allocation of funds to LEAS that meet such eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4870 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Facilitating Affiliation Among Securities Firms, Insurance Companies, and Depository Institutions Subtitle A: Affiliations Subtitle B: Streamlining Supervision of Financial Holding Companies Subtitle C: Subsidiaries of National Banks Subtitle D: Wholesale Financial Holding Companies; Wholesale Financial Institutions Subtitle E: Preservation of FTC Authority Subtitle F: Applying the Principles of National Treatment and Equality of Competitive Opportunity to Foreign Banks and Foreign Financial Institutions Subtitle G: Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization Subtitle H: Direct Activities of Banks Subtitle I: Deposit Insurance Funds Subtitle J: Effective Date of Title Title II: Functional Regulation Subtitle A: Brokers and Dealers Subtitle B: Bank Investment Company Activities Subtitle C: Securities and Exchange Commission Supervision of Investment Bank Holding Companies Subtitle D: Studies Title III: Insurance Subtitle A: State Regulations of Insurance Subtitle B: Redomestication of Mutual Insurers Subtitle C: National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Title IV: Unitary Savings and Loan Holding Companies Title V: Financial Information Privacy Title VI: Miscellaneous Financial Services Act of 1998 - Title I: Facilitating Affiliation Among Securities Firms, Insurance Companies, and Depository Institutions - Subtitle A: Affiliations - Amends the Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall Act) to repeal the prohibitions: (1) against affiliation of any Federal Reserve member bank with an entity engaged principally in securities activities (securities affiliate); and (2) against simultaneous service by any officer, director, or employee of a securities firm as an officer, director, or employee of any member bank (interlocking directorates). (Sec. 102) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (BHCA) to exempt from its prohibition against interests in nonbanking organizations the shares of any company whose activities had been determined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board), as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. (Sec. 103) Creates a statutory mechanism for the establishment of financial holding companies (FHCs) whose subsidiary depository institutions are well-capitalized and well-managed and meet other specified criteria. Instructs the Board to establish and apply comparable capital standards to a foreign bank with a subsidiary bank or commercial lending company in the United States. Cites conditions under which newly acquired depository institutions shall enjoy limited exclusions from the community needs requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977. Permits an FHC and a Board-supervised investment bank holding company (BHC) to engage in any activity and acquire the shares of any company whose activities have been determined by the Board to be either financial in nature, or incidental to financial activities. Mandates consultation and coordination, according to specified guidelines, between the Board and the Department of the Treasury regarding determination of whether an activity is financial in nature, or incidental to financial activities. Includes among such activities any investments, lending, insurance, securities transactions, certain financial operations abroad, and ownership or control of banking interests. Requires an FHC to make assurances that risk management procedures adequately protect insured depository institution subsidiaries, including reasonable measures to preserve separate corporate identity and limited liability. Mandates notification to the Board of certain large business combinations with FHCs or wholesale FHCs. Cites circumstances under which an FHC (and its foreign counterpart) may engage in nonfinancial activities. Permits FHCs which were not BHCs or foreign banks before becoming FHCs to retain limited non-financial activities and affiliations. Sets forth cross-marketing restrictions for FHC-controlled depository institutions. (Sec. 104) Preempts State anti-affiliation laws restricting transactions among insured depository institutions, wholesale financial institutions, insurance concerns, and national banks. Cites exceptions to such preemption, especially for State regulation of the business of insurance, including the retention of State capitalization requirements for an insurance entity acquired by another entity, and specified consumer protections. Declares that this Act shall not affect State antitrust and general corporate law. Retains State oversight authority over specified financial activities other than insurance. Prohibits State regulation of the insurance activities of an insured depository institution or wholesale financial institution in any way that discriminates adversely between insured depository institutions or wholesale financial institutions and other entities engaged in insurance activities. (Sec. 105) Requires that mutual bank holding companies be regulated on the same terms as bank holding companies. (Sec. 106) Amends the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (RNIBBEA) to apply its prohibition against deposit production offices to interstate branches acquired or established under this Act, including all branches of a bank owned by an out-of-State BHC. (Sec. 107) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to apply to any branch of a bank controlled by an out-of-State BHC certain requirements for branch closures by an interstate bank. (Sec. 108) Authorizes well-capitalized and well-managed limited purpose banks to engage in any banking activity. (Maintains the restriction that such banks may accept demand deposits or make commercial loans, but not both.) Prohibits such banks from permitting any overdraft (including intraday overdrafts), or incurring overdrafts in their accounts at a Federal Reserve Bank, on behalf of an affiliate, with certain exceptions. Permits such banks to: (1) issue corporate credit cards; (2) cross market affiliates; and (3) avoid divestiture by correcting violations within six months of receiving notice from the Board. (Sec. 109) Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to present interim reports to the Congress regarding an ongoing multistage study of consumer privacy issues. (Sec. 110) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the projected impact that the enactment of this Act will have on financial institutions with total assets of $100 million or less. Subtitle B: Streamlining Supervision of Financial Holding Companies - Prohibits the Board from imposing any capital or capital adequacy criteria upon a non-depository institution FHC subsidiary that is in compliance with State or Federal capitalization rules, or is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Prohibits the Board, in developing capital adequacy requirements, from taking into consideration any affiliated investment company which is not a bank holding company nor controlled by one holding 25 percent or more shares of the investment company worth more than $1 million. (Sec. 111) Authorizes the Board to transfer its BHC oversight authority to the appropriate Federal banking agency if a BHC is not significantly engaged in non-banking activities. Mandates Board deference to the SEC and relevant State securities and insurance authorities with respect to interpretations and enforcement of activities (functional regulation) within their respective jurisdictions. (Sec. 112) Provides that a declaration filed by a company seeking to be an FHC shall satisfy BHC registration requirements but not any requirement to file an application to acquire a bank. Revises BHCA divestiture procedures to permit a BHC to elect divestiture of either a nonbanking subsidiary or an insured depository institution. (Sec. 113) Declares ineffective and non-enforceable any Board actions requiring an insurance company BHC or a registered securities broker-dealer BHC to provide assets to a subsidiary insured depository institution if the State insurance authority, or the SEC, determines in writing that such actions would have a material adverse effect on the BHC's financial condition. Permits the Board to order divestiture of the subsidiary in lieu of other action. (Sec. 114) Authorizes the Board to restrict relationships or transactions between: (1) a BHC depository institution subsidiary and its affiliates (other than a subsidiary of the institution); and (2) a foreign bank and its U.S. affiliates. (Sec. 115) Grants the SEC exclusive authority to examine and inspect any non-BHC registered investment company. Prohibits a Federal banking agency from inspecting or examining such a non-BHC company. Permits the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to examine the affiliate of an insured depository institution in order to disclose fully the impact of their relationship upon such institution. (Sec. 116) Prohibits the Board from taking any action under the BHCA or the FDIA against a BHC-regulated subsidiary unless it is necessary to prevent or redress an unsafe or unsound practice or breach of fiduciary duty by the subsidiary that poses a material risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of an affiliated depository institution or to the domestic or international payment systems. (Sec. 117) Declares it is the intent of the Congress that the Board and State insurance regulators should: (1) coordinate their respective supervision of companies that control a depository institution and a company engaged in insurance activities; and (2) share relevant information on a confidential basis (including information regarding the financial health of the consolidated organization, and transactions and relationships between insurance companies and affiliated depository institutions). States that Federal banking agencies for depository institutions should also share information with State insurance regulators on a confidential basis regarding transactions and relationships between depository institutions and affiliated companies engaged in insurance activities. Sets forth guidelines for such information exchange and confidentiality. (Sec. 118) Declares that BHCA restrictions placed upon Board authority over bank holding companies and their nonbank subsidiaries shall also limit the authority of the FDIC with respect to such companies and their nonbank subsidiaries. (Sec. 119) Amends the FDIA to prohibit the use of the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) and the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF) to benefit any affiliates or subsidiaries of certain insured depository institutions in receivership, in default, or in danger of default, or of any insured depository institution in such circumstances that is acquiring another insured depository institutions. Subtitle C: Subsidiaries of National Banks - Amends Federal law governing national banks to prohibit a subsidiary of a national bank from engaging in any activity, or owning any shares of a company engaged in any activity, that a national bank is not permitted to engage in directly, or that is conducted under terms or conditions other than those that would govern the conduct of the activity by a national bank. Authorizes a national bank to own a subsidiary engaged in activities that are not permissible for a national bank only if a national bank is specifically authorized by the express terms of a Federal statute to own or control the subsidiary. (Sec. 121) Authorizes a national bank, with Comptroller of the Currency approval, to control a company that engages in agency activities determined to be financial in nature or incidental to such activities if: (1) the company engages in such activities solely as agent and not directly or indirectly as principal; and (2) the national bank and all its depository institution affiliates are well-capitalized and well-managed and have achieved a satisfactory or better rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA) at the institution's most recent examination. (Sec. 122) Amends Federal criminal law to proscribe misrepresentations regarding depository institution liability for obligations of affiliates. (Sec. 123) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to repeal: (1) the Board's power to restrict the percentage of individual bank capital and surplus represented by loans secured by stock or bond collateral; and (2) the Board's duty to establish such restrictions with a view to preventing the undue use of bank loans for the speculative carrying of securities. Subtitle D: Holding Companies; Wholesale Financial Institutions - Chapter 1: Wholesale Financial Holding Companies - Sets forth a statutory mechanism for regulation of wholesale financial holding companies that do not control a bank other than a wholesale financial institution (WFI) or specified, limited-purpose institutions. Requires such a company to be a registered bank holding company predominantly engaged in certain financial activities, and in control of one or more WFIs. Specifies the limits of Board examinations of such companies. (Sec. 131) Prohibits the Board, in developing capital adequacy requirements, from taking into consideration any affiliated investment company which is not a bank holding company nor controlled by one holding 25 percent or more shares of the investment company worth more than $1 million. Specifies the kinds of nonfinancial activities in which Board-supervised companies may engage. Sets forth guidelines for the treatment of certain nonfinancial investments and affiliations of foreign banks operating within the United States as Board-supervised wholesale financial holding companies. Chapter 2: Wholesale Financial Institutions - Amends the Revised Statutes to permit a national bank to operate as a noninsured national WFI subject to FRA and the regulatory authority of the Comptroller of the Currency. Amends FRA to prescribe procedural guidelines for State bank membership as a noninsured WFI in the Federal Reserve System, subject to FDIA enforcement authority and prompt corrective action requirements. Subjects such institutions to the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 only if the WFI has an affiliate that is an insured depository institution or that operates an insured branch. (Sec. 136) Prohibits a WFI from receiving initial deposits of $100,000 or less except on an incidental and occasional basis. Limits incidental deposits of $100,000 or less to a maximum five percent of a WFI's total deposits. Sets forth capital and managerial requirements for certain WFIs controlled by companies under the jurisdiction of either the SEC or the BHCA. Empowers the Comptroller of the Currency (in the case of a national WFI), and the Board to direct a WFI conservator or receiver to file a petition under title II of the Federal bankruptcy code. Amends FDIA to prescribe procedures whereby an insured State-chartered bank or a national bank may voluntarily terminate its status as an insured depository institution. Requires any such terminated bank to become a WFI in order to accept any deposits. Amends Federal bankruptcy law to prescribe WFI liquidation guidelines. Subtitle E: Preservation of FTC Authority - Amends the BHCA to require the Board to notify the FTC of its approval of a proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation which involves acquisition of nonbanking interests. (Sec. 142) Directs certain Federal banking agencies to make data available to the Attorney General and the FTC that they deem necessary for antitrust review under specified statutes. (Sec. 143) Excludes from FTC jurisdiction any nondepository institution subsidiary or affiliate of a bank or savings association. Amends the Clayton Act to apply its premerger notification and waiting period requirements to any portion of a merger or acquisition transaction that does require notice under BHCA but does not require approval. (Sec. 144) Instructs the Comptroller General to report annually to the Congress on market concentration in the financial services industry and its impact on consumers. Subtitle F: Applying the Principles of National Treatment and Equality of Competitive Opportunity to Foreign Banks and Foreign Financial Institutions - Amends the International Banking Act of 1978 (IBA) to terminate the grandfathered authority of a foreign bank or company under the IBA to engage in any financial activity, if it files a BHCA declaration to function as a qualified BHC (QBHC). (Consequently, foreign banks with grandfathered affiliates would be permitted to keep them on the same terms and conditions that govern domestic banking organizations.) (Sec. 152) Amends the FDIA to allow insured foreign banks and foreign WFIs to terminate deposit insurance voluntarily in the same manner and to the same extent as insured State or national banks. (Sec. 153) Amends the International Banking Act of 1978 to authorize the Board to examine any affiliate of a foreign bank conducting business in any State in which the Board deems it necessary to determine and enforce compliance with Federal banking law. Subtitle G: Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization - Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (FHLBA) to expand Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) membership parameters to make a Federal savings association's membership in the FHLB system voluntary instead of mandatory. Permits such an association to withdraw its membership (currently such withdrawal is prohibited). (Sec. 164) Modifies guidelines governing long-term advances to: (1) allow advances to any community financial institution for small businesses, agricultural, rural development, or low-income community development lending; (2) make the cash (as well as the deposits) of an FHLB eligible collateral for securing a bank's interest in a loan or advance; and (3) repeal the 30 percent of capital cap on the aggregate amount of outstanding advances secured by real estate related collateral. Includes within the categories of collateral eligible for bank loan secured loans for small business, agriculture, rural development, or low-income community development, or securities representing a whole interest in such secured loans, in the case of any community financial institution. Authorizes an FHLB to renew certain advances on its own determination without concurrence by the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB). Requires an FHLB member with an advance secured by insufficient eligible collateral to reduce its level of outstanding advances according to a schedule determined by the FHLB (currently, by the FHF Board). Authorizes such Board to: (1) review the collateral standards applicable to each Federal home loan bank for designated classes of collateral; and (2) require an increase in such standards for safety and soundness purposes. (Sec. 165) Revises eligibility criteria to permit certain community financial institutions to gain FHLB membership regardless of the percentage of total assets represented by residential mortgage loans. (Sec. 166) Amends the FHLBA to increase from two years to four years the term of an elective director of a Federal home loan bank. Repeals the mandates for: (1) a procedure for informal review of certain supervisory decisions; and (2) the Housing Opportunity Hotline program. Repeals: (1) the prohibition against an FHLB's acquisition of a bank building by purchase or over ten-year lease; (2) the requirement for FHFB approval of personnel decisions as well as the exercise of corporate powers by any FHLB; and (2) authorization for an FHLB president to be a member of the FHLB board. Grants the FHFB power to: (1) issue charges upon an FHLB or any executive officer or director for violation of law or regulation in connection with the granting of any application or other request by the bank, or any written agreement between the bank and the FHFB, and take affirmative action to correct conditions resulting from violations or practices, or to limit FHLB activities; (2) address insufficiencies in capital levels resulting from automatic membership of a Federal savings association in the local FHLB; and (3) sue and be sued. Repeals FHFB jurisdiction to approve the granting by an FHLB of a member's application to secure an advance. Expands the mandate of FHLB Affordable Housing Programs to include providing subsidies (in addition to subsidized interest rates) on advances for member lending for low- and moderate-income housing. Authorizes each FHLB board of directors to approve member requests for Affordable Housing Program subsidies. Revises guidelines governing reserves and dividends to permit dividend payments out of previously retained earnings or current net earnings (currently, only out of net earnings). Repeals the requirement for: (1) FHFB approval for such dividend payments; and (2) investment of FHLB reserves exclusively in U.S. obligations or certain other Federal Government-related securities. (Sec. 167) States that FHLB payments to the Resolution Funding Corporation to cover interest payments on obligations shall be a specified percentage of net earnings (currently an aggregate sum certain). Subtitle H: Direct Activities of Banks - Amends Federal banking law to provide that limitations placed on securities transactions by a national banking association for its own account do not apply to State, local, or municipal bond transactions by a well-capitalized national banking association. Subtitle I: Deposit Insurance Funds - Directs the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to study and report to the Congress on specified issues regarding the BIF and the SAIF, including their safety and soundness, and the adequacy of their reserve requirements in light of mergers and consolidations within the industry. (Sec. 187) Amends the FDIA and the Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 to eliminate the Special Reserve of the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF), and the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), respectively (established to provide emergency funds if the reserve ratio of either fund remains below 50 percent of its designated ratio for one year). Subtitle J: Effective Date of Title - Sets forth the effective date of Title I of this Act. Title II: Functional Regulation - Subtitle A: Brokers and Dealers - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) to include certain bank activities within the definition of "broker" and "dealer" (thus subjecting them to registration requirements and regulation under the Exchange Act). (Sec. 203) Requires a registered securities association to create a limited qualification category, without a testing requirement, for certain bank employees effecting sales as part of a non-public primary securities offering (private placement sales). (Sec. 204) Amends the FDIA to direct the appropriate Federal banking agencies to: (1) promulgate regulations and complaint procedures applicable to retail transactions, solicitations, advertising, or offers of any security by any insured depository institution or affiliate other than a registered broker or dealer; (2) jointly establish a grievance process for customer complaints against banks or bank employees arising in connection with securities sales or purchases; and (3) establish recordkeeping requirements for banks relying on exceptions and exemptions from the definitions of broker and dealer under the Exchange Act. (Sec. 206) Defines traditional banking product. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to authorize the SEC to determine by regulation that a bank that effects transaction in, or buys or sells, a new product should be subject to certain registration requirements. Sets forth procedural guidelines for the filing of a petition for judicial review by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any aggrieved party. (Sec. 207) Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to define: (1) derivative instrument so as to exclude a traditional banking product; (2) qualified investor; and (3) government security, so as to include a qualified Canadian government obligation. Subtitle B: Bank Investment Company Activities - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to authorize the SEC to prescribe conditions under which a bank or its affiliate serving as promoter, organizer, or principal underwriter for a registered management company or a registered unit investment trust may also serve as custodian of such company or trust. Permits the SEC to bring a civil action against a custodian for a registered investment company for breach of fiduciary duty involving personal misconduct. (Sec. 212) Declares it is unlawful for an affiliate, promoter, or principal underwriter for a registered investment company to lend to it or its subsidiaries in contravention of SEC prescriptions. (Sec. 213) Modifies the definition of "interested person" to identify transactions, services, and loans taking place during the six months preceding determination of an interested person which would make a person an affiliated person of a broker or dealer. Prohibits a registered investment company from having a majority of its board of directors consisting of personnel or senior officers of the subsidiaries of any one bank, or of any single BHC, its affiliates and subsidiaries. (Sec. 214) Modifies guidelines pertaining to unlawful misrepresentation of guarantees and the deceptive use of names. (Sec. 215) Modifies the definition of "broker" to exclude any person who would be deemed a broker solely by reason of the fact that such person is an underwriter for one or more investment companies. (Sec. 216) Modifies the definition of "dealer" to exclude an insurance or an investment company. (Sec. 217) Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to modify the definition of investment adviser to remove the exclusion for banks that advise investment companies. Revises the definitions of broker and dealer. (Sec. 220) Mandates interagency sharing between the appropriate Federal banking agency and the SEC of examination results and other information pertaining to the investment advisory activities of a registered BHC and its separately identifiable departments or divisions. (Sec. 221) Amends the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to revise the exclusion from their purview of certain bank common trust funds to specify the exclusion of any interest or participation in any common trust fund or similar fund that is excluded from the definition of "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to revise such exclusion guidelines for certain bank common trust funds. (Sec. 222) Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to prescribe circumstances under which an investment adviser holding shares of an investment company in a fiduciary capacity must transfer the power to vote such shares to the beneficial owners or to another non-affiliated fiduciary. Subtitle C: SEC Supervision of Investment Bank Holding Companies - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to permit certain investment bank holding companies that do not have a bank or savings association affiliate to elect SEC supervision. (Sec. 231) Provides for voluntary withdrawal from SEC supervision by specified investment bank holding companies. Sets forth the parameters of SEC supervision of investment bank holding companies, including authority to set capital adequacy standards. Instructs the SEC, in developing its rules, to consider use of debt and other liabilities (double leverage) by the supervised investment BHC in order to fund capital investments in affiliates. Prohibits the SEC from imposing capital adequacy requirements on regulated nonbanking entities (other than a broker or a dealer) that are in compliance with the capital requirements of another Federal regulatory body or State insurance authority. Mandates SEC deference to appropriate regulatory banking agencies and State insurance regulators with respect to the banking and insurance laws under their purviews. Grants the SEC backup inspection authority for certain wholesale financial holding companies for monitoring and compliance enforcement purposes. Subtitle D: Studies - Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the efficacy, costs, and benefits of requiring a federally-insured depository institution to disclose to its retail consumers through the use of a logo or seal that its investment or insurance products are not FDIC-insured. (Sec. 242) Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress regarding the efficacy and benefits of uniformly limiting commissions and costs incurred by customers in the acquisition of financial products. Title III: Insurance - Subtitle A: State Regulation of Insurance - Declares that the McCarran-Ferguson Act remains the law of the United States. (Sec. 302) Mandates: (1) State licensure of any entity providing insurance in a State as principal or agent; and (2) State functional regulation of insurance sales activity. (Sec. 304) Prohibits a national bank and its subsidiaries from providing insurance as principal in a State, except for certain authorized products (which may not include title insurance or taxable annuity contracts). (Sec. 305) Prohibits national banks and subsidiaries from selling or underwriting title insurance, except for certain grandfathered banks and subsidiaries already doing so. (Sec. 306) Establishes expedited dispute resolution for regulatory conflicts between State insurance regulators and Federal financial regulators. (Sec. 307) Requires each Federal banking agency to: (1) issue consumer protection regulations (including physical segregation of banking activities from insurance product activities); and (2) prohibit discrimination against victims of domestic violence. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the States should adopt regulations prohibiting such discrimination regarding insurance products that are at least as strict as those under this Act. Mandates that the Federal banking agencies jointly establish a consumer complaint mechanism to address violations of this Act expeditiously. (Sec. 308) Preempts State law restricting: (1) insurance companies or insurance affiliates from becoming a financial holding company or acquiring control of a bank; and (2) the amount of an insurer's assets that can be invested in a bank (except that the insurer's State of domicile may limit such investments to five percent (or any higher threshold) of the insurer's admitted assets). Preempts State laws that restrict reorganization by an insurer from mutual form to stock form. Subtitle B: Redomestication of Mutual Insurers - Applies this title only to a mutual insurance company in a State which has not enacted a law expressly establishing reasonable terms for a mutual insurance company domiciliary to reorganize into a mutual holding company. (Sec. 312) Authorizes a mutual insurer organized under the laws of any State to transfer its domicile to another State pursuant to a reorganization in which such insurer becomes a stock insurer that is a subsidiary of a mutual holding company. Requires prospective redomesticating insurers to comply with specified reorganization requirements of the State insurance regulator of the transferee domicile. Preempts State laws restricting such redomestication. Subtitle B: National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers - Sets forth a regulatory framework for uniform multistate licensing for insurance sales practices, to take effect only if a majority of the States have not enacted uniform laws and regulations governing the licensure of insurance sales by individuals and entities within three years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 322) Establishes the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (the Association) as a non-profit, non-Federal agency, to provide a mechanism for uniform licensing, appointment, continuing education, and other insurance producer sales qualification requirements which can be adopted and applied on a multistate basis, while preserving the right of States to regulate insurance producers and insurance-related consumer protection and unfair trade practices. (Sec. 324) Subjects the Association (which shall not be considered a Federal agency or instrumentality) to regulation by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Requires the Association to establish an office of consumer complaints. Vests management of the Association in a board of directors. Cites circumstances under which Association rules preempt State regulation of insurance producers. Requires the Association to coordinate with the National Association of Securities Dealers in order to mitigate administrative burdens that may result from dual membership. Title IV: Unitary Savings and Loan Holding Companies - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to prohibit new affiliations between savings and loan holding companies and certain commercial firms, except in specified circumstances. (Sec. 402) Permits Federal savings associations to convert into national banks if the resulting bank meets all applicable financial, management, and capital requirements. (Sec. 403) Amends specified Federal law to declare that any depository institution the charter of which is converted from that of a Federal savings association to a national bank or a State bank after enactment of this Act may retain the term "Federal" in its name so long as it remains an insured depository institution. Title V: Financial Information Privacy - Financial Information Privacy Act of 1998 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to: (1) specify the types of enterprises constituting a financial institution within its purview; and (2) authorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe regulations clarifying or describing the types of institutions which shall be treated as financial institutions for purposes of this Act. (Sec. 501) Declares it a violation of this Act to obtain or solicit customer information of a financial institution relating to another person under false pretenses with intent to deceive. Exempts from such proscription: (1) law enforcement agencies; (2) financial institutions engaged in testing security procedures, investigating misconduct or negligence, or recovering customer information obtained or received under false pretenses; as well as (3) customer information of financial institutions available as a public record under Federal securities laws. Grants the FTC, certain banking regulatory agencies, and the States enforcement powers under this Act. Subjects violations of this Act to Federal civil and criminal penalties. Requires each Federal banking agency to issue advisories to the depository institutions under its jurisdiction relating to the deterrence and detection of the activities proscribed by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress: (1) on the efficacy and adequacy of the remedies provided in this Act addressing attempts to obtain financial information by fraudulent means or by false pretenses; and (2) any recommendations for additional action to address threats to the privacy of financial information created by such attempts. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Amends Federal criminal law to cite circumstances under which a court may direct disclosure of grand jury information concerning a banking law violation to certain personnel of a Federal or State financial institution. (Sec. 602) Expresses the sense of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs that: (1) the small business tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code should be more widely available to community banks; and (2) in conjunction with any financial modernization legislation the Congress should amend the Code for certain purposes. Urges such legislation to: (1) increase the number of S corporation shareholders; (2) permit S corporation stock to be held in individual retirement accounts (IRAs); (3) clarify that interest on investments held for safety, soundness, and liquidity purposes should not be considered passive income; (4) provide that bank director stock is not treated as a disqualifying second class of stock for S corporations; and (5) improve the tax treatment of bad debt and interest deductions. (Sec. 603) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to permit a depository institution to continue any lawful investments in Government-sponsored enterprises made before April 11, 1996. (Sec. 604) Amends the BHCA of 1956 to repeal certain authority, requirements, and restrictions relating to insurance activities of savings bank subsidiaries of bank holding companies. (Sec. 605) Declares that the vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may serve as a member of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority. (Sec. 606) Amends the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 to add to title I a new subtitle C, which may be cited as the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1998. Directs the Administrator of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (Administrator) to establish a microenterprise technical assistance and capacity building program to provide Fund grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to: (1) provide training and technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs; (2) provide training and capacity building services to help microenterprise development organizations and programs develop microenterprise training and services; and (3) aid in researching and developing the best practices in the field of microenterprise and technical assistance programs for disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Sets forth an allocation formula for such assistance and for grants benefitting very low-income persons, including those residing on Indian reservations. Authorizes a qualified organization to provide subgrants to small and emerging microenterprise entities. Mandates matching funds from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2638 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies Title II: Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Title III: Howard Baker School of Government Title IV: John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy Title I: Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, to establish an endowment fund to support the Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies, which the University shall establish at the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government under a Leadership Council in order to receive such grant. (Sec. 103) Requires such Institute to: (1) further the knowledge and understanding of students about public service, the U.S. Government, and the Constitution; (2) increase awareness among youth of the importance of public service; (3) establish a Mark O. Hatfield Fellows program for students of government, public policy, public health, education, or law who have demonstrated a commitment to public service through volunteer activities, research projects, or employment; (4) create library and research facilities; and (5) support the professional development of elected officials at all levels of government. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Paul Simon Public Policy Institute - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois, to establish an endowment fund to support the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, which the University shall establish in order to receive such grant. (Sec. 202) Includes among the Institute's duties research, analysis, debate, and policy recommendations with respect to world hunger, mass media, foreign policy, education, and employment. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Howard Baker School of Government - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, to establish the Howard Baker School of Government and its endowment fund. (Sec. 303) Requires the School to further the study of democratic institutions and public affairs, among other duties. (Sec. 304) Requires the School to operate with the guidance of a Board of Advisors. (Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, to establish the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy and its endowment fund. (Sec. 402) Requires the Institute to further the study of public service and public policy issues, among other duties. (Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4844 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1998
Child Care Quality Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA) to establish a child care quality improvement grant program to assist States in improving the quality of child care for infants and children (program). (Sec. 3) Amends the Social Security Act to make appropriations for such program. Sets forth reservation, allotment, and Federal matching formulas. Requires States, in applying for program grants, to list established goals for quantifiable improvements in child care quality within the State (quality benchmarks), that accomplish: (1) increased training for child care providers and administrators; (2) enhanced licensing standards (including at a minimum health and safety, adult- to-child ratios, groups sizes, and criminal background checks) that will apply to a broader range of child care facilities; (3) reduced numbers of unlicensed facilities offering child care; (4) increased State monitoring and enforcement of licensed providers; (5) decreased caregiver turnover rates at child care facilities through incentives such as increased compensation; (6) higher levels of accreditation among licensed child care facilities; and (7) other standards and practices to improve the quality of child care. Requires States to use program funds only for the specified program goals and the quality benchmarks set forth in their State plans. Excludes from such program assistance specified types of child care providers and family child care providers, with certain exceptions. Requires States that receive program funds to make competitive grants to local collaboratives to: (1) provide, in the community, activities designed to strengthen the quality of child care for young children and expand the supply of high quality child care services for young children; and (2) pay for the salary and expenses of an administrator to oversee such activities. Allows program funds to be used to renovate or repair a child care facility, other than a private residence, as necessary to bring the facility into compliance with requirements for State licensing or for accreditation by organizations with nationally recognized standards for providing high-quality care to children. Provides for consumer education and information sharing under CCDBGA. Revises CCDBGA reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on: (1) State quality benchmark reports; and (2) the extent to which program funds have improved the quality of child care. Establishes a program of research and demonstrations under CCDBGA. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out research, demonstration projects, and other activities relating to child care, including activities designed to improve the quality and increase the availability of child care. Requires such activities to be coordinated with activities under the Department of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Includes among authorized activities: (1) research on child care needs of low-income families, good policies and practices, and retention of child care provider staff; (2) demonstrations of technology-based education and training and of new methods; and (3) establishment and operation of a National Center on Child Care Statistics and a hotline for child care resources, referrals and consumer education. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Establishes the Advisory Commission on Quality Child Care to study and report to the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on: (1) the most important issues affecting the quality of child care; (2) the most efficient and effective manner of ensuring that families in the United States receive quality health care; and (3) other related topics.
Bill· HRH.R. 4846 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase, up to a maximum of $5,000 for taxable years 2002 and thereafter, the deduction allowed for interest on education loans.
Bill· HRH.R. 4830 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies Title II: Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Title III: Howard Baker School of Government Title IV: John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy Title I: Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, to establish an endowment fund to support the Oregon Institute of Public Service and Constitutional Studies, which the University shall establish at the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government under a Leadership Council in order to receive such grant. (Sec. 103) Requires such Institute to: (1) further the knowledge and understanding of students about public service, the U.S. Government, and the Constitution; (2) increase awareness among youth of the importance of public service; (3) establish a Mark O. Hatfield Fellows program for students of government, public policy, public health, education, or law who have demonstrated a commitment to public service through volunteer activities, research projects, or employment; (4) create library and research facilities; and (5) support the professional development of elected officials at all levels of government. (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Paul Simon Public Policy Institute - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois, to establish an endowment fund to support the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, which the University shall establish in order to receive such grant. (Sec. 202) Includes among the Institute's duties research, analysis, debate, and policy recommendations with respect to world hunger, mass media, foreign policy, education, and employment. (Sec. 206) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Howard Baker School of Government - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, to establish the Howard Baker School of Government and its endowment fund. (Sec. 303) Requires the School to further the study of democratic institutions and public affairs, among other duties. (Sec. 304) Requires the School to operate with the guidance of a Board of Advisors. (Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy - Authorizes the Secretary to award a grant to Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, to establish the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy and its endowment fund. (Sec. 402) Requires the Institute to further the study of public service and public policy issues, among other duties. (Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4833 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1998
Constructive Learning Environment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants for up to five years to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) provide a sufficient number of teachers and facilities to accommodate students who are disruptive in the classroom; and (2) train teachers to effectively educate such students. Gives priority to LEAs that: (1) serve a high number of low-income students, determined by the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act; or (2) are located in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4808 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1998
Depository Institution-GSE Affiliation Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to specify circumstances under which the Secretary of the Treasury may: (1) approve an affiliation between a depository institution and the Student Loan Marketing Association (SALLIE MAE) solely in its reorganized, privatized status as "the Holding Company," not in its status as a government sponsored enterprise (GSE); and (2) impose affiliation terms and conditions, including constraints upon either the issuance of debt obligations by SALLIE MAE in its GSE status, or upon the use of proceeds from such obligations. (Current law prohibits affiliations between depository institutions and GSEs.) Limits the value of the investment portfolio of SALLIE MAE in its GSE status in the event such affiliation should occur to the lesser of: (1) its value upon enactment of this Act; or (2) its value on the date such affiliation is consummated. Grants the Secretary enforcement powers under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Bill· SS. 2602 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
K-12 Community Participation Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit for the expenses of attending elementary and secondary schools (including home schooling) and for contributions to charitable organizations which provide scholarships for children to attend such schools.
Bill· SS. 2604 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Directs the Secretary of Education to provide three-year demonstration grants to local educational agenciess for: (1) extending the length of the school year to 210 days; (2) studying methods for extending learning time within or beyond the school day or year; (3) consulting with the community, parents, and students in developing a plan for such extended day or year; and (4) researching, developing, and implementing ways to maximize the quality and percentage of common core learning time in the school day, and to extend learning time during or beyond the school day or year. Defines common core learning time as high-quality, engaging instruction in challenging content in the core academic subjects of English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2601 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Directs each State to notify the Secretary of Education regarding its election to receive its portion of certain education funding according to: (1) a State block grant option, through a State allotment based on State population of individuals aged five through 17; (2) a local block grant option, with the Secretary sending the funding directly to local educational agencies (LEAs) in the State through a local allotment based on school district population of individuals aged five through 17; or (3) a Federal statute option, based on a certain State and local allotment process and formula. Applies such block grant options to all funds appropriated for the Department of Education for FY 2000 or any succeeding fiscal year to carry out programs or activities under: (1) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (other than titles I and X); (2) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (other than titles VIII, IX, and XIV); (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; and (4) the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act. Allows States and LEAs to reserve certain portions of their allotments for specified administrative and other activities.
Bill· SS. 2615 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report within six months to specified congressional committees: (1) detailing the progress the Department of the Interior has made in implementing provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (regarding revenue- producing visitor services and local hires) and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, on lands under the jurisdiction of the Department in Alaska; (2) including a detailed action plan on the future implementation of those provisions; (3) describing in detail the measures and actions that will be taken, with a description of anticipated results to be achieved during the next three fiscal years; and (4) identifying any laws, rules, regulations, and policies which act as a deterrent to hiring or contracting with Alaska Natives to perform and conduct activities and programs of agencies and bureaus under the Department's jurisdiction regarding activities on lands under its jurisdiction in Alaska. Requires the Secretary to: (1) implement pilot programs to employ residents of local communities at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve (all National Park System units located in northwest Alaska); (2) report the results to such committees; and (3) consult with Native Corporations, nonprofit organizations, and tribal entities in the immediate vicinity of such units, and to the extent practicable, involve them in the development of interpretive materials and the pilot programs relating to such units.
Bill· SS. 2603 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Promoting Access to Health Care Services in Rural Areas Under the Medicare Program Title II: Additional Provisions to Address Shortages of Health Professionals in Rural Areas Title III: Development of Telehealth Networks Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions Promoting Health in Rural Areas Act of 1998 - Title I: Promoting Access to Health Care Services in Rural Areas Under the Medicare Program - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make certain adjustments to the calculation of annual capitation rates used in determining payments to Medicare+Choice organizations. (Sec. 102) Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to convert into a permanently authorized program the current demonstration program for direct billing of Medicare, Medicaid (SSA title XIX), and other third party payors by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Alaska Native health organizations. (Sec. 103) Amends Medicare to: (1) revise payment requirements for sole community hospitals with regard to the substitution of certain allowable operating costs for base cost reporting periods beginning with discharges occurring in FY 2000; (2) provide for conversion of certain recently closed hospitals to critical access hospitals; (3) make certain technical amendments with regard to adjustments for graduate medical education, both indirect and direct; (4) modify the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program to provide for a reduction in the discharge percentage required for any hospital to be eligible to participate in the program; (5) provide for rural representation on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (6) provide for Medicare coverage of qualified mental health professional services; and (7) provide for an all-inclusive payment rate option (in addition to the current reasonable cost method) for outpatient critical access hospital services. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a waiver process in which entities and individuals under Medicare that are located in an urban or large urban area for purposes of Medicare reimbursement may apply to the Secretary to be considered to be located in a rural area for such purposes if such entity or individual is located in a rural area or outside of an urbanized area. Title II: Additional Provisions to Address Shortages of Health Professionals in Rural Areas - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to include among health professional shortage areas frontier areas with six or fewer residents per square mile. Requires the Secretary to consider any pending retirements or resignations of available physicians when determining whether to designate an area as a health professional shortage area. (Sec. 202) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to exclude from an individual's gross income certain amounts received under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program under PHSA. (Sec. 203) Amends Federal civil service law to provide for the designation of underserved areas under health care contracts administered by the Office of Personnel Management. (Sec. 204) Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) to extend Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services to all Medicare items and services in all rural areas, including services by physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Requires the entire payment for telehealth services to go to the consulting physician instead of being split with the referring physician. Adds additional congressional reporting requirements pertaining to such program. (Sec. 205) Expresses the sense of the Congress that States should establish a system that facilitates the provision of telehealth services across State lines. (Sec. 206) Redesignates the Joint Working Group on Telemedicine as the Joint Working Group on Telehealth, with the chairperson being designated by the Office for the Advancement on Telehealth. Directs the Joint Working Group to ensure that individuals representing the interests of rural areas are members of the Group. Establishes the mission of the Joint Working Group, among other things, as identifying, monitoring, and coordinating Federal telehealth projects and programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Development of Telehealth Networks - Directs the Secretary to provide specified financial assistance for the purpose of expanding access to health care services for individuals in rural and frontier areas through the use of telehealth. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends IRC with regard to the non-deductible interest expense of financial institutions allocable to tax-exempt income, and the limited exception from such non-deductibility for interest expense on certain tax-exempt small issuer obligations. Allows a small issuer, the proceeds of whose obligations are to be used to make or finance eligible loans for health care or educational purposes, to elect to apply specified current limitations on the amount of obligations by treating each borrower as the issuer of a separate issue. (Sec. 402) Requires the heads of the National Health Service Corps, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, and the Bureau of the Census to negotiate and enter into interagency agreements with HHS agencies and offices under which they will be provided access to data sets for the intramural and extramural research they conduct or support.
Bill· HRH.R. 4767 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Improved Children's Health Coverage Act of 1998 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to mandate: (1) development and use of a uniform, simplified application form for establishing eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP benefits; (2) coordinated enrollment processes; and (3) timely response to inquiries received through a national toll-free telephone number for information on children's coverage under such programs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish such number. (Sec. 2) Declares the costs to administer such development and use to be a reasonable cost to administer a State's CHIP plan regardless of whether such expenditures might also be related to the administration of SSA title XIX. Eliminates certain limitations from applying to such administrative costs. Requires the Secretary to permit common administrative expenditures between SSA titles XIX and XXI to be paid for under SSA title XXI. Mandates periodic independent State audits of enrollment processes to determine the extent to which children provided CHIP assistance are eligible for Medicaid assistance (and, therefore, should be provided Medicaid assistance rather than CHIP assistance). Amends SSA titles XIX to provide for additional entities (including elementary and secondary schools, child support enforcement agencies, and child care resource and referral agencies) that are qualified to determine Medicaid presumptive eligibility for low-income children. (Sec. 3) Amends SSA title XXI to require a State child health plan to: (1) specify methods to ensure coordination of pediatric care within a family; (2) make the State and its contractors, and not beneficiaries and families, responsible for applying limitations on cost-sharing; (3) impose, at its option, a flat limit (of up to $500) on out-of-pocket expenditures for certain low-income children (as an alternative to the current five percent of family income); and (4) provide a grace period and prior notice before disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. Prohibits State child health plan eligibility standards from permitting the use of mandatory waiting periods, unless the Secretary finds that such a period would not be contrary to title XXI. (Sec. 4) Amends SSA title XIX to provide for: (1) automatic reassessment of eligibility for CHIP benefits for children losing Medicaid eligibility; (2) optional CHIP coverage of low-income, uninsured pregnant women; (3) State option to cover legal immigrants under the Medicaid and CHIP programs; (4) elimination of the funding offset for exercise of the presumptive eligibility option; and (5) CHIP and Medicaid program coordination with the Maternal and Child Health Services program under SSA title V.
Bill· HRH.R. 4780 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
K-12 Community Participation Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit for the expenses of attending elementary and secondary schools (including home schooling) and for contributions to charitable organizations which provide scholarships for children to attend such schools.
Bill· HRH.R. 4779 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
Directs each State to notify the Secretary of Education regarding its election to receive its portion of certain education funding according to: (1) a State block grant option, through a State allotment based on State population of individuals aged five through 17; (2) a local block grant option, with the Secretary sending the funding directly to local educational agencies (LEAs) in the State through a local allotment based on school district population of individuals aged five through 17; or (3) a Federal statute option, based on a certain State and local allotment process and formula. Applies such block grant options to all funds appropriated for the Department of Education for FY 2000 or any succeeding fiscal year to carry out programs or activities under: (1) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (other than titles I and X); (2) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (other than titles VIII, IX, and XIV); (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; and (4) the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act. Allows States and LEAs to reserve certain portions of their allotments for specified administrative and other activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 4766 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1998
English Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to study and report to congressional officials on the availability of educational instruction in the English language to student citizens in public schools in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Requires such report to recommend measures to implement, if the Congress adopts legislation that conditions and restricts Federal assistance for education in Puerto Rico, including English instruction requirements for Federal Pell grant recipients.
Bill· SS. 2590 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Facilitating Affiliation Among Securities Firms, Insurance Companies, and Depository Institutions Subtitle A: Affiliations Subtitle B: Streamlining Supervision of Financial Holding Companies Subtitle C: Subsidiaries of National Banks Subtitle E (sic): Preservation of FTC Authority Subtitle F: Applying the Principles of National Treatment and Equality of Competitive Opportunity to Foreign Banks and Foreign Financial Institutions Subtitle G: Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization Subtitle H: Direct Activities of Banks Subtitle I: Deposit Insurance Funds Subtitle J: Effective Date of Title Title II: Functional Regulation Subtitle A: Brokers and Dealers Subtitle B: Bank Investment Company Activities Subtitle C: Securities and Exchange Commission Supervision of Investment Bank Holding Companies Subtitle D: Studies Title III: Insurance Subtitle A: State Regulation of Insurance Subtitle B: National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Title IV: Unitary Savings and Loan Holding Companies Title V: Financial Information Privacy Title VI: Miscellaneous Financial Services Act of 1998 - Title I: Facilitating Affiliation Among Securities Firms, Insurance Companies, and Depository Institutions - Subtitle A: Affiliations - Amends the Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall Act) to repeal the prohibitions: (1) against affiliation of any Federal Reserve member bank with an entity engaged principally in securities activities (securities affiliate); and (2) against simultaneous service by any officer, director, or employee of a securities firm as an officer, director, or employee of any member bank (interlocking directorates). (Sec. 102) Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (BHCA) to exempt from its prohibition against interests in nonbanking organizations the shares of any company whose activities had been determined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board), as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. (Sec. 103) Creates a statutory mechanism for the establishment of financial holding companies (FHCs) whose subsidiary depository institutions are well-capitalized and well-managed and meet other specified criteria. Instructs the Board to establish and apply comparable capital standards to a foreign bank with a subsidiary bank or commercial lending company in the United States. Permits an FHC and a Board-supervised investment bank holding company (BHC) to engage in any activity and acquire the shares of any company whose activities have been determined by the Board to be either financial in nature, or incidental to financial activities. Mandates consultation and coordination, according to specified guidelines, between the Board and the Department of the Treasury regarding determination of whether an activity is financial in nature, or incidental to financial activities. Includes among such activities any investments, lending, insurance, securities transactions, certain financial operations abroad, and ownership or control of banking interests. Requires an FHC to make assurances that risk management procedures adequately protect insured depository institution subsidiaries, including reasonable measures to preserve separate corporate identity and limited liability. Mandates notification to the Board of certain large business combinations with FHCs or wholesale FHCs. Cites circumstances under which an FHC (and its foreign counterpart) may engage in nonfinancial activities. Permits FHCs which were not BHCs or foreign banks before becoming FHCs to retain limited non-financial activities and affiliations. Sets forth cross-marketing restrictions for FHC-controlled depository institutions. (Sec. 104) Preempts State anti-affiliation laws restricting transactions among insured depository institutions, wholesale financial institutions, insurance concerns, and national banks. Cites exceptions to such preemption, especially for State regulation of the business of insurance, including the retention of State capitalization requirements for an insurance entity acquired by another entity, and specified consumer protections. Prohibits State regulation of the insurance activities of an insured depository institution or wholesale financial institution in any way that discriminates adversely between insured depository institutions or wholesale financial institutions and other entities engaged in insurance activities. (Sec. 105) Requires that mutual bank holding companies be regulated on the same terms as bank holding companies. (Sec. 106) Amends the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (RNIBBEA) to apply its prohibition against deposit production offices to interstate branches acquired or established under this Act, including all branches of a bank owned by an out-of-State BHC. (Sec. 107) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to apply to any branch of a bank controlled by an out-of-State BHC certain requirements for branch closures by an interstate bank. (Sec. 108) Authorizes well-capitalized and well-managed limited purpose banks to engage in any banking activity. (Maintains the restriction that such banks may accept demand deposits or make commercial loans, but not both.) Prohibits such banks from permitting any overdraft (including intraday overdrafts), or incurring overdrafts in their accounts at a Federal Reserve Bank, on behalf of an affiliate, with certain exceptions. Permits such banks to: (1) issue corporate credit cards; (2) cross market affiliates; and (3) avoid divestiture by correcting violations within six months of receiving notice from the Board. (Sec. 109) Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to present interim reports to the Congress regarding an ongoing multistage study of consumer privacy issues. (Sec. 110) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the projected impact that the enactment of this Act will have on financial institutions with total assets of $100 million or less. Subtitle B: Streamlining Supervision of Financial Holding Companies - Prohibits the Board from imposing any capital or capital adequacy criteria upon a non-depository institution FHC subsidiary that is in compliance with State or Federal capitalization rules, or is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Prohibits the Board, in developing capital adequacy requirements, from taking into consideration any affiliated investment company which is not a bank holding company nor controlled by one holding 25 percent or more shares of the investment company worth more than $1 million. (Sec. 111) Authorizes the Board to transfer its BHC oversight authority to the appropriate Federal banking agency if a BHC is not significantly engaged in non-banking activities. Mandates Board deference to the SEC and relevant State securities and insurance authorities with respect to interpretations and enforcement of activities (functional regulation) within their respective jurisdictions. (Sec. 112) Provides that a declaration filed by a company seeking to be an FHC shall satisfy BHC registration requirements but not any requirement to file an application to acquire a bank. Revises BHCA divestiture procedures to permit a BHC to elect divestiture of either a nonbanking subsidiary or an insured depository institution. (Sec. 113) Declares ineffective and non-enforceable any Board actions requiring an insurance company BHC or a registered securities broker-dealer BHC to provide assets to a subsidiary insured depository institution if the State insurance authority, or the SEC, determines in writing that such actions would have a material adverse effect on the BHC's financial condition. Permits the Board to order divestiture of the subsidiary in lieu of other action. (Sec. 114) Authorizes the Board to restrict relationships or transactions between: (1) a BHC depository institution subsidiary and its affiliates (other than a subsidiary of the institution); and (2) a foreign bank and its U.S. affiliates. (Sec. 115) Grants the SEC exclusive authority to examine and inspect any non-BHC registered investment company. Prohibits a Federal banking agency from inspecting or examining such a non-BHC company. (Sec. 116) Prohibits the Board from taking any action under the BHCA or the FDIA against a BHC-regulated subsidiary unless it is necessary to prevent or redress an unsafe or unsound practice or breach of fiduciary duty by the subsidiary that poses a material risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of an affiliated depository institution or to the domestic or international payment systems. (Sec. 117) Declares it is the intent of the Congress that the Board and State insurance regulators should: (1) coordinate their respective supervision of companies that control a depository institution and a company engaged in insurance activities; and (2) share relevant information on a confidential basis (including information regarding the financial health of the consolidated organization, and transactions and relationships between insurance companies and affiliated depository institutions). States that Federal banking agencies for depository institutions should also share information with State insurance regulators on a confidential basis regarding transactions and relationships between depository institutions and affiliated companies engaged in insurance activities. Sets forth guidelines for such information exchange and confidentiality. (Sec. 118) Declares that BHCA restrictions placed upon Board authority over bank holding companies and their nonbank subsidiaries shall also limit the authority of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision with respect to such companies and their nonbank subsidiaries. (Sec. 119) Amends the FDIA to prohibit the use of the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) and the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF) to benefit any affiliates or subsidiaries of certain insured depository institutions in receivership, in default, or in danger of default, or of any insured depository institution in such circumstances that is acquiring another insured depository institution. Subtitle C: Subsidiaries of National Banks - Amends Federal law governing national banks to set forth conditions under which subsidiaries of well-capitalized, well-managed national banks may, with the Comptroller of the Currency's approval, engage in financial activities impermissible for a national bank. Sets parameters within which a national bank subsidiary may underwrite non-credit related insurance, or engage in real estate or development activities. Requires a national bank that establishes or maintains a financial subsidiary to implement specified safeguards. Empowers the Comptroller of the Currency to enforce such safeguards. (Sec. 121) Permits a national bank to hold an interest in a company wholly-owned by insured depository institutions or their subsidiaries, and which engages in agency activities permissible for financial subsidiaries of national banks. (Sec. 122) Amends Federal criminal law to proscribe misrepresentations regarding depository institution liability for obligations of affiliates. (Sec. 123) Amends the Federal Reserve Act to repeal: (1) the Board's power to restrict the percentage of individual bank capital and surplus represented by loans secured by stock or bond collateral; and (2) the Board's duty to establish such restrictions with a view to preventing the undue use of bank loans for the speculative carrying of securities. (Sec. 124) Sets forth rules governing transactions between financial subsidiaries of a bank and the bank, and between such subsidiaries and nonbank affiliates. (Sec. 125) Amends the BHCA of 1956 to mandate the prior approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for any action that causes any bank with consolidated assets of at least $15 billion (or any group of affiliated banks with combined assets of at least $15 billion) to cease to be controlled by any bank holding company, financial holding company, or wholesale financial holding company. Subtitle E (sic): Preservation of FTC Authority - Amends the BHCA to require the Board to notify the FTC of its approval of a proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation which involves acquisition of nonbanking interests. (Sec. 142) Directs certain Federal banking agencies to make data available to the Attorney General and the FTC that they deem necessary for antitrust review under specified statutes. (Sec. 143) Excludes from FTC jurisdiction any nondepository institution subsidiary or affiliate of a bank or savings association. Amends the Clayton Act to apply its premerger notification and waiting period requirements to any portion of a merger or acquisition transaction that does require notice under BHCA but does not require approval. (Sec. 144) Instructs the Comptroller General to report annually to the Congress on market concentration in the financial services industry and its impact on consumers. Subtitle F: Applying the Principles of National Treatment and Equality of Competitive Opportunity to Foreign Banks and Foreign Financial Institutions - Amends the International Banking Act of 1978 (IBA) to terminate the grandfathered authority of a foreign bank or company under the IBA to engage in any financial activity, if it files a BHCA declaration to function as a qualified BHC (QBHC). (Consequently, foreign banks with grandfathered affiliates would be permitted to keep them on the same terms and conditions that govern domestic banking organizations.) (Sec. 152) Amends the FDIA to allow insured foreign banks and foreign wholesale financial institutions (WFIs) to terminate deposit insurance voluntarily in the same manner and to the same extent as insured State or national banks. (Sec. 153) Amends the International Banking Act of 1978 to authorize the Board to examine any affiliate of a foreign bank conducting business in any State in which the Board deems it necessary to determine and enforce compliance with Federal banking law. Subtitle G: Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization - Federal Home Loan Bank System Modernization Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (FHLBA) to expand Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) membership parameters to make a Federal savings association's membership in the FHLB system voluntary instead of mandatory. Permits such an association to withdraw its membership (currently such withdrawal is prohibited). (Sec. 164) Modifies guidelines governing long-term advances to: (1) allow advances to any community financial institution for small businesses, agricultural, rural development, or low-income community development lending; (2) make the cash (as well as the deposits) of an FHLB eligible collateral for securing a bank's interest in a loan or advance; and (3) repeal the 30 percent of capital cap on the aggregate amount of outstanding advances secured by real estate related collateral. Includes within the categories of collateral eligible for bank loan secured loans for small business, agriculture, rural development, or low-income community development, or securities representing a whole interest in such secured loans, in the case of any community financial institution. Authorizes an FHLB to renew certain advances on its own determination without concurrence by the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB). Requires an FHLB member with an advance secured by insufficient eligible collateral to reduce its level of outstanding advances according to a schedule determined by the FHLB (currently, by the FHF Board). Authorizes such Board to: (1) review the collateral standards applicable to each Federal home loan bank for designated classes of collateral; and (2) require an increase in such standards for safety and soundness purposes. (Sec. 165) Revises eligibility criteria to permit certain community financial institutions to gain FHLB membership regardless of the percentage of total assets represented by residential mortgage loans. (Sec. 166) Amends the FHLBA to increase from two years to four years the term of an elective director of a Federal home loan bank. Repeals the mandates for: (1) a procedure for informal review of certain supervisory decisions; and (2) the Housing Opportunity Hotline program. Repeals: (1) the prohibition against an FHLB's acquisition of a bank building by purchase or over ten-year lease; (2) the requirement for FHFB approval of personnel decisions as well as the exercise of corporate powers by any FHLB; and (2) authorization for an FHLB president to be a member of the FHLB board. Grants the FHFB power to: (1) issue charges upon an FHLB or any executive officer or director for violation of law or regulation in connection with the granting of any application or other request by the bank, or any written agreement between the bank and the FHFB, and take affirmative action to correct conditions resulting from violations or practices, or to limit FHLB activities; (2) address insufficiencies in capital levels resulting from automatic membership of a Federal savings association in the local FHLB; and (3) sue and be sued. Repeals FHFB jurisdiction to approve the granting by an FHLB of a member's application to secure an advance. Expands the mandate of FHLB Affordable Housing Programs to include providing subsidies (in addition to subsidized interest rates) on advances for member lending for low- and moderate-income housing. Authorizes each FHLB board of directors to approve member requests for Affordable Housing Program subsidies. Revises guidelines governing reserves and dividends to permit dividend payments out of previously retained earnings or current net earnings (currently, only out of net earnings). Repeals the requirement for: (1) FHFB approval for such dividend payments; and (2) investment of FHLB reserves exclusively in U.S. obligations or certain other Federal Government-related securities. (Sec. 167) States that FHLB payments to the Resolution Funding Corporation to cover interest payments on obligations shall be a specified percentage of net earnings (currently an aggregate sum certain). Subtitle H: Direct Activities of Banks - Amends Federal banking law to provide that limitations placed on securities transactions by a national banking association for its own account do not apply to State, local, or municipal bond transactions by a well-capitalized national banking association. Subtitle I: Deposit Insurance Funds - Directs the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to study and report to the Congress on specified issues regarding the BIF and the SAIF, including their safety and soundness, and the adequacy of their reserve requirements in light of mergers and consolidations within the industry. Subtitle J: Effective Date of Title - Sets forth the effective date of Title I of this Act. Title II: Functional Regulation - Subtitle A: Brokers and Dealers - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) to include certain bank activities within the definition of "broker" and "dealer" (thus subjecting them to registration requirements and regulation under the Exchange Act). (Sec. 203) Requires a registered securities association to create a limited qualification category, without a testing requirement, for certain bank employees effecting sales as part of a non-public primary securities offering (private placement sales). (Sec. 204) Amends the FDIA to direct the appropriate Federal banking agencies to: (1) promulgate regulations and complaint procedures applicable to retail transactions, solicitations, advertising, or offers of any security by any insured depository institution or affiliate other than a registered broker or dealer; (2) jointly establish a grievance process for customer complaints against banks or bank employees arising in connection with securities sales or purchases; and (3) establish recordkeeping requirements for banks relying on exceptions and exemptions from the definitions of broker and dealer under the Exchange Act. (Sec. 206) Defines traditional banking product, and amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to define a new banking product as a security that: (1) was not subject to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation as a security before enactment of this subtitle; and (2) is not a traditional banking product. Includes as a traditional banking product any product or instrument promulgated in the Federal Register by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to be a new banking product. Prescribes procedural guidelines under which the SEC may obtain judicial review of the Board's promulgation. Requires the court to determine whether the subject product or instrument would be more appropriately regulated under either Federal banking laws or Federal securities laws. (Sec. 207) Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to define: (1) derivative instrument so as to exclude a traditional banking product; (2) qualified investor; and (3) government security, so as to include a qualified Canadian government obligation. Subtitle B: Bank Investment Company Activities - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to authorize the SEC to prescribe conditions under which a bank or its affiliate serving as promoter, organizer, or principal underwriter for a registered management company or a registered unit investment trust may also serve as custodian of such company or trust. Permits the SEC to bring a civil action against a custodian for a registered investment company for breach of fiduciary duty involving personal misconduct. (Sec. 212) Declares it is unlawful for an affiliate, promoter, or principal underwriter for a registered investment company to lend to it or its subsidiaries in contravention of SEC prescriptions. (Sec. 213) Modifies the definition of "interested person" to identify transactions, services, and loans taking place during the six months preceding determination of an interested person which would make a person an affiliated person of a broker or dealer. Prohibits a registered investment company from having a majority of its board of directors consisting of personnel or senior officers of the subsidiaries of any one bank, or of any single BHC, its affiliates and subsidiaries. (Sec. 214) Modifies guidelines pertaining to unlawful misrepresentation of guarantees and the deceptive use of names. (Sec. 215) Modifies the definition of "broker" to exclude any person who would be deemed a broker solely by reason of the fact that such person is an underwriter for one or more investment companies. (Sec. 216) Modifies the definition of "dealer" to exclude an insurance or an investment company. (Sec. 217) Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to modify the definition of investment adviser to remove the exclusion for banks that advise investment companies. Revises the definitions of broker and dealer. (Sec. 220) Mandates interagency sharing between the appropriate Federal banking agency and the SEC of examination results and other information pertaining to the investment advisory activities of a registered BHC and its separately identifiable departments or divisions. (Sec. 221) Amends the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to revise the exclusion from their purview of certain bank common trust funds to specify the exclusion of any interest or participation in any common trust fund or similar fund that is excluded from the definition of "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to revise such exclusion guidelines for certain bank common trust funds. (Sec. 222) Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to prescribe circumstances under which an investment adviser holding shares of an investment company in a fiduciary capacity must transfer the power to vote such shares to the beneficial owners or to another non-affiliated fiduciary. Subtitle C: SEC Supervision of Investment Bank Holding Companies - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to permit certain investment bank holding companies that do not have a bank or savings association affiliate to elect SEC supervision. (Sec. 231) Provides for voluntary withdrawal from SEC supervision by specified investment bank holding companies. Sets forth the parameters of SEC supervision of investment bank holding companies, including authority to set capital adequacy standards. Instructs the SEC, in developing its rules, to consider use of debt and other liabilities (double leverage) by the supervised investment BHC in order to fund capital investments in affiliates. Prohibits the SEC from imposing capital adequacy requirements on regulated nonbanking entities (other than a broker or a dealer) that are in compliance with the capital requirements of another Federal regulatory body or State insurance authority. Mandates SEC deference to appropriate regulatory banking agencies and State insurance regulators with respect to the banking and insurance laws under their purviews. Grants the SEC backup inspection authority for certain wholesale financial holding companies for monitoring and compliance enforcement purposes. Subtitle D: Studies - Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the efficacy, costs, and benefits of requiring a federally-insured depository institution to disclose to its retail consumers through the use of a logo or seal that its investment or insurance products are not FDIC-insured. (Sec. 242) Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress regarding the efficacy and benefits of uniformly limiting commissions and costs incurred by customers in the acquisition of financial products. Title III: Insurance - Subtitle A: State Regulation of Insurance - Declares that the McCarran-Ferguson Act remains the law of the United States. (Sec. 302) Mandates: (1) State licensure of any entity providing insurance in a State as principal or agent; and (2) State functional regulation of insurance sales activity. (Sec. 304) Prohibits a national bank and its subsidiaries from providing insurance as principal in a State, except for certain authorized products (which may not include title insurance or taxable annuity contracts). (Sec. 305) Prohibits national banks and subsidiaries from selling or underwriting title insurance, except for certain grandfathered banks and subsidiaries already doing so. (Sec. 306) Establishes expedited dispute resolution for regulatory conflicts between State insurance regulators and Federal financial regulators. (Sec. 307) Requires each Federal banking agency to: (1) issue consumer protection regulations (including physical segregation of banking activities from insurance product activities); and (2) prohibit discrimination against victims of domestic violence. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the States should adopt regulations prohibiting such discrimination regarding insurance products that are at least as strict as those under this Act. Mandates that the Federal banking agencies jointly establish a consumer complaint mechanism to address violations of this Act expeditiously. (Sec. 308) Preempts State law restricting: (1) insurance companies or insurance affiliates from becoming a financial holding company or acquiring control of a bank; and (2) the amount of an insurer's assets that can be invested in a bank (except that the insurer's State of domicile may limit such investments to five percent (or any higher threshold) of the insurer's admitted assets). Preempts State laws that restrict reorganization by an insurer from mutual form to stock form. Subtitle B: National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers - Sets forth a regulatory framework for uniform multistate licensing for insurance sales practices, to take effect only if a majority of the States have not enacted uniform laws and regulations governing the licensure of insurance sales by individuals and entities within three years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 322) Establishes the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (the Association) as a non-profit, non-Federal agency, to provide a mechanism for uniform licensing, appointment, continuing education, and other insurance producer sales qualification requirements which can be adopted and applied on a multistate basis, while preserving the right of States to regulate insurance producers and insurance-related consumer protection and unfair trade practices. (Sec. 324) Subjects the Association (which shall not be considered a Federal agency or instrumentality) to regulation by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Requires the Association to establish an office of consumer complaints. Vests management of the Association in a board of directors. Cites circumstances under which Association rules preempt State regulation of insurance producers. Requires the Association to coordinate with the National Association of Securities Dealers in order to mitigate administrative burdens that may result from dual membership. Title IV: Unitary Savings and Loan Holding Companies - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to prohibit new affiliations between savings and loan holding companies and certain commercial firms, except in specified circumstances. (Sec. 402) Permits Federal savings associations to convert into national banks if the resulting bank meets all applicable financial, management, and capital requirements. (Sec. 403) Amends specified Federal law to declare that any depository institution the charter of which is converted from that of a Federal savings association to a national bank or a State bank after enactment of this Act may retain the term "Federal" in its name so long as it remains an insured depository institution. Title V: Financial Information Privacy - Financial Information Privacy Act of 1998 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to: (1) specify the types of enterprises constituting a financial institution within its purview; and (2) authorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe regulations clarifying or describing the types of institutions which shall be treated as financial institutions for purposes of this Act. (Sec. 501) Declares it a violation of this Act to obtain or solicit customer information of a financial institution relating to another person under false pretenses with intent to deceive. Exempts from such proscription: (1) law enforcement agencies; (2) financial institutions engaged in testing security procedures, investigating misconduct or negligence, or recovering customer information obtained or received under false pretenses; as well as (3) customer information of financial institutions available as a public record under Federal securities laws. Grants the FTC, certain banking regulatory agencies, and the States enforcement powers under this Act. Subjects violations of this Act to Federal civil and criminal penalties. Requires each Federal banking agency to issue advisories to the depository institutions under its jurisdiction relating to the deterrence and detection of the activities proscribed by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress: (1) on the efficacy and adequacy of the remedies provided in this Act addressing attempts to obtain financial information by fraudulent means or by false pretenses; and (2) any recommendations for additional action to address threats to the privacy of financial information created by such attempts. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Amends Federal criminal law to cite circumstances under which a court may direct disclosure of grand jury information concerning a banking law violation to certain personnel of a Federal or State financial institution. (Sec. 602) Expresses the sense of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs that: (1) the small business tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code should be more widely available to community banks; and (2) in conjunction with any financial modernization legislation the Congress should amend the Code for certain purposes. Urges such legislation to: (1) increase the number of S corporation shareholders; (2) permit S corporation stock to be held in individual retirement accounts (IRAs); (3) clarify that interest on investments held for safety, soundness, and liquidity purposes should not be considered passive income; (4) provide that bank director stock is not treated as a disqualifying second class of stock for S corporations; and (5) improve the tax treatment of bad debt and interest deductions. (Sec. 603) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to specify circumstances under which the Secretary of the Treasury may: (1) approve an affiliation between a depository institution and the Student Loan Marketing Association (SALLIE MAE) solely in its reorganized, privatized status as "the Holding Company", not in its status as a government sponsored enterprise (GSE); and (2) impose affiliation terms and conditions, including restrictions upon either the issuance of debt obligations by SALLIE MAE in its GSE status, or upon the use of proceeds from such obligations. (Current law prohibits affiliations between depository institutions and GSEs). Limits the value of the investment portfolio of SALLIE MAE in its GSE status in the event such affiliation should occur to the lesser of: (1) its value upon enactment of this Act; or (2) its value on the date such an affiliation is consummated. Grants the Secretary enforcement powers under the Higher Education Act of 1965. (Sec. 604) Amends the BHCA of 1956 to repeal certain authority, requirements, and restrictions relating to insurance activities of savings bank subsidiaries of bank holding companies.
Bill· SS. 2591 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow an institution of higher education that awards associate degrees to award certain campus-based student assistance to secondary school students from low-income families who are concurrently enrolled in a secondary school and in a vocational or technical program at such institution.
Bill· SS. 2583 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Expanded Opportunities for Training Pediatric Dental Health Care Providers Title II: Ensuring Delivery of Pediatric Dental Services Under the Medicaid and SCHIP Programs Title III: Pediatric Dental Research Title IV: Surveillance and Accountability Title V: Miscellaneous Children's Dental Health Improvement Act of 1998 - Title I: Expanded Opportunities for Training Pediatric Dental Health Care Providers - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) develop training materials for use by health professionals to promote oral health through health education; (2) make grants to schools that train pediatric dental health providers to meet the costs of projects for developing or improving training programs in providing dental health services to children; (3) increase the number of dental health providers skilled in treating children who become members of the National Health Service Corps so that there are specified numbers of additional dentists and dental hygienists, ensuring that at least 20 percent of dentists in the Corps are pediatric dentists and another 20 percent have general practice residency training; and (4) establish 36 additional training positions annually for pediatric dentists at centers of excellence. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 104) Provides for a dental officer multiyear retention bonus for the Indian Health Service. (Sec. 105) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary to make Medicare payments for their direct and indirect operating expenses to approved nonhospital based dentistry residency training programs providing oral health care to children. Provides for a permanent dental exemption from voluntary residency reduction incentive payment programs under Medicare. (Sec. 106) Amends PHSA to allow the Secretary to designate dental health professional shortage areas. Includes dental hygienists in PHSA's loan repayment program. Title II: Ensuring Delivery of Pediatric Dental Services Under the Medicaid and SCHIP Programs - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) provide for quarterly payment to a State of an amount equal to the greater of the Federal medical assistance percentage or 75 per cent of the sums expended during the quarter attributable to dental services for children; (2) require a State Medicaid plan to provide for payment for dental services for children at a rate designed to create an incentive for providers of such services (but that does not result in a reduction or other adverse impact on the extent to which the State provides dental services to adults); (3) set the required minimum Medicaid expenditures each year for dental health services for children; (4) require the State to verify annually sufficient numbers of Medicaid-participating dentists; (5) provide for inclusion of the recommended age for the first dental visit in the definition of early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services; and (6) provide for use of Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds to treat low-income children with special oral health needs who reside in certain States. (Sec. 207) Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to direct the Secretary to award grants to States to supplement payments made under State Medicaid and CHIP programs for the treatment of children with special oral health care needs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary to establish demonstration projects designed to increase access to dental services for children in underserved areas. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Pediatric Dental Research - Directs the Secretary to: (1) support community based research designed to improve our understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pediatric oral, dental, craniofacial diseases and conditions and their sequelae in high risk populations; and (2) develop clinical approaches for pediatric dental disease risk assessment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 302) Amends PHSA to direct the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research to conduct and support activities with respect to existing barriers to dental care for children and establishment of measures of oral health quality, including access to oral health care for children. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to convene a Consensus Development Conference to: (1) examine the management of early childhood caries; and (2) support research on the biology and physiologic dynamics of infectious transmission of dental caries. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Surveillance and Accountability - Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect and report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the dental, craniofacial, and oral health of residents of at least one State from each HHS region. (Sec. 402) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to require a State Medicaid plan to provide for reporting to the Secretary: (1) the percentage of expenditures for early and periodic dental screening, diagnostic, and treatment services; and (2) the percentage of general and pediatric dentists licensed in the State and providing services commensurate with State plan eligibility. (Sec. 403) Directs the Administrator of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees the percentage of children enrolled in a Head Start or Early Start program who have access to and who obtain dental care, including children with special oral, dental, and craniofacial health needs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Sets forth effective dates for this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4738 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Extension and Modification of Certain Expiring Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Provisions Subtitle B: Generalized System of Preferences Title II: Other Provisions Title III: Revenue Offsets Title IV: Technical Corrections Title I: Extension and Modification of Certain Expiring Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to temporarily extend the: (1) credit for increasing research activities; and (2) work opportunity credit. (Sec. 103) Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to permanently extend income averaging for farmers. (Sec. 104) Extends permanently the special rule for contributions of stock for which market quotations are readily available. Establishes rules for the public inspection of the returns of private foundations. (Sec. 105) Revises provisions concerning the special rule for income derived in the active conduct of banking, financing, or similar businesses to provide, as general rule, that foreign personal holding company income shall not include qualified banking or financing income of an eligible controlled foreign corporation. Revises the definition of insurance income and provides that, as a general rule, foreign personal holding company income shall not include qualified insurance income of a qualifying insurance company. (Sec. 106) Extends provisions which permit the disclosure of tax return information to the Secretary of Education with respect to taxpayers who have certain student loans. Subtitle B: Generalized System of Preferences - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend the Generalized System of Preferences through December 31, 1999. Provides for the retroactive application of certain liquidations and reliquidations. Title II: Other Provisions - Requires a comprehensive study and report of recovery periods and depreciation methods under the accelerated cost recovery system. (Sec. 202) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to disregard specified payment options provided by the Emergency Farm Financial Relief Act. (Sec. 203) Provides for the deduction of 100 percent of the costs of the health insurance of self-employed individuals by the year 2003 (currently, by the year 2007). (Sec. 204) Increases the State private activity bond volume limit to $75 per resident or an aggregate limit of $225 million by calendar year 2007. (Sec. 205) Increases by one percent, for 1999 and 2000, the estimated tax safe harbor for those individuals with incomes over $150,000. Title III: Revenue Offsets - Amends IRC provisions concerning the complete liquidations of subsidiaries to provide that if a corporation receives a distribution form a regulated investment company or a real estate investment trust which is considered as being in complete liquidation of such company or trust, then such corporation shall treat as a dividend from such trust or company an amount equal to the deduction for dividends paid allowable to such company or trust by reason of such distribution. (Sec. 302) Adds any vaccine against rotavirus gastroenteritis to the list of taxable vaccines. (Sec. 303) Modifies the definitions of "mathematical or clerical error" and "specified liability loss." Title IV: Technical Corrections - Revises provisions of the IRC, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Tax Reform Act of 1984, and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.
Bill· HRH.R. 4739 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Workforce Trust Fund; Payments to Teaching Hospitals Subtitle A: Establishment and Financing of Fund Subtitle B: Additional Payments to Teaching Hospitals Subtitle C: Conforming Changes in Medicare Payment for Direct Costs of Graduate Medical Education Title II: Health Workforce Priorities Title III: Modification in Medicare Payment for IME and DSH Title IV: Additional Payments for Graduate Education for Non-Physician Health Professionals All-Payer Graduate Medical Education Act - Title I: Health Care Workforce Trust Fund; Payments to Teaching Hospitals - Subtitle A: Establishment and Financing of Fund - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Health Care Workforce Trust Fund to provide for the financing of graduate medical education. Appropriates to the Fund amounts from: (1) specified fees imposed on health insurance; (2) the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and (3) the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Additional Payments to Teaching Hospitals - Provides for payments to eligible teaching hospitals. Requires a study. Subtitle C: Conforming Changes in Medicare Payment for Direct Costs of Graduate Medical Education - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions concerning the formula for graduate medical education costs. Title II: Health Workforce Priorities - Requires a plan to reduce medical residency training positions. Title III: Modification in Medicare Payment for IME and DSH - Modifies specified Medicare payments. Title IV: Additional Payments for Graduate Education for Non- Physician Health Professionals - Requires a plan followed by the making of payments to support institutions providing graduate medical education to non-physician health professionals.
Bill· HRH.R. 4736 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Medicare Nursing and Paramedical Education Act of 1998 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) exclusion of approved nursing and paramedical education program costs in calculating the Medicare+Choice payment rate; and (2) additional payment to hospitals of nursing and paramedical education program costs for Medicare+Choice organization and Medicare managed care enrollees.
Bill· HRH.R. 4740 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit, without payment of the ten-percent additional tax on early distributions from qualified retirement plans and under specified conditions, early distributions from employee stock ownership plans for qualified higher education expenses and qualified first-time homebuyer purchases.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 584 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the further consideration of H.R. 4274 (Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies appropriations).
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 339 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Urges all international organizations, foreign countries, and U.S. agencies engaged in economic development, humanitarian, and other forms of bilateral or multilateral assistance to evaluate the ability of such assistance to achieve the amelioration of human suffering in each region of Somalia. Urges the President not to delay, diminish, or cancel the amounts and kinds of assistance: (1) otherwise appropriate to the people of certain regions in Somalia because conditions may not be propitious for such assistance in other Somali regions; and (2) directed toward any region in Somalia waiting for a permanent resolution of the efforts now underway to forge a new government for Somalia. Calls upon all Somali parties to continue to work toward a permanent end to the civil strife there and the adoption of a permanent governmental structure most conducive to the well-being and basic human rights of all Somali people. Calls on the President to: (1) work with the international community to help bring an end to the suffering of the Somali people and work toward a negotiated settlement of the Somali conflict; (2) increase the levels of humanitarian assistance provided to Somalia; (3) provide funding for demobilization and demining efforts in Somalia; (4) provide assistance in the health and education sectors of Somalia; and (5) work with other donor groups to assist the Somali people in reconstruction and development.
Bill· SS. 2573 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subtitle A: Elimination of Permanent Agricultural Price Support and Production Adjustment Authority Subtitle B: Phaseout of Peanut Program Subtitle C: Other Agricultural Commodities Subtitle D: Forestry Subtitle E: Other Agricultural Programs Title II: Energy and Natural Resources Subtitle A: Hardrock Mining Royalty Subtitle B: Other Energy and Natural Resources Programs Title III: Defense Title IV: Commerce, Science, and Transportation Saving Taxpayers from Obsolete Programs and Spending Act of 1998 - Title I: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - Subtitle A: Elimination of Permanent Agricultural Price Support and Production Adjustment Authority - Eliminates agricultural price support and production adjustment authority. (Sec. 102) Repeals the Agricultural Market Transition Act. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to repeal flood risk reduction authority. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal conservation farm option authority. (Sec. 103) Repeals the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 to repeal transfer of acreage allotment authority. Amends Federal law to repeal Burley tobacco acreage allotment authority. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962 to repeal wheat diversion authority. Amends Federal law to repeal cotton acreage allotment authority. (Sec. 105) Repeals the Agricultural Act of 1949, with specified exceptions. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to repeal the American Agriculture Protection program. Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to repeal agricultural embargo authority. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to repeal the integrated farm management program. (Sec. 106) Repeals the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. (Sec. 107) Amends the Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 1996 to repeal the comparability of storage payment provision. (Sec. 108) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,, and Trade Act of 1990 to repeal milk price support and related programs. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal the dairy products incentive program. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962 to repeal the acreage diversion programs. (Sec. 110) Makes the provisions of this subtitle effective as of October 1, 2003. Subtitle B: Phaseout of Peanut Program - Chapter 1 - Marketing Quotas for Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to: (1) revise peanut marketing program provisions for crop years 1999 through 2001; and (2) terminate peanut quotas as of crop year 2002. Chapter 2 - Market Transition Programs for Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to revise the market transition program for 1999 through 2001 crops of quota and additional peanuts. (Sec. 126) Revises nonrecourse loan provisions for the 2002 and subsequent peanut crops. Chapter 3 - Implementation - Sets forth implementation provisions. Subtitle C: Other Agricultural Commodities - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend tobacco deficit reduction assessment authority. (Sec. 132) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to reduce sugarcane (and sugar beet) loan rates through crop year 2002. Requires such loans to be recourse loans. Eliminates sugar price supports and loans as of crop year 2003. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to eliminate sugar marketing quotas and allotments. Subtitle D: Forestry - Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 to eliminate below-cost timber sales from National Forest System lands. (Sec. 143) Amends the National Forest Roads and Trails Act to eliminate purchaser road credits as a financing method for national forest road construction. Subtitle E: Other Agricultural Programs - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to eliminate insured electric loan interest subsidies. (Sec. 152) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to repeal the market access program. (Sec. 153) Eliminates the Wildlife Services Program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Title II: Energy and Natural Resources - Subtitle A: Hardrock Mining Royalty - Requires the payment of a royalty to the Federal Government of five percent of the net smelter return from the production of locatable minerals, or mineral concentrates derived from a locatable mineral, produced from any mining claim located under the general mining laws. Establishes the Abandoned Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund, into which all such royalty receipts (and mining claim maintenance fees) shall be deposited for the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past minerals activities (other than coal and fluid minerals activities). Identifies the kinds of land and waters eligible for reclamation expenditures. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. (Sec. 204) Restricts the issuance of any patents for mining or mill site claims to those for which applications were filed, and certain statutory requirements governing vein or lode claims, placer claims, and mill site claims were complied with, before September 30, 1994. (Sec. 205) Sets forth annual claim maintenance fee requirements (which shall not apply to oil shale claims subject to claim maintenance fees under the Energy Policy Act of 1992). Subtitle B: Other Energy and Natural Resources Programs - Amends the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 to define the terms "legal entity," "operator," and "single farm operation." (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, for each parcel of land to which irrigation water is delivered or proposed to be delivered, to identify a single individual or legal entity as the owner, lessee, or operator. Allows irrigation water to be delivered at less than the normal per-acre cost to either: (1) a qualified recipient that reports gross farm income from a single farm operation in excess of $500,000 per taxable year; or (2) a limited recipient that received such water on or before October 1, 1981, and that reports gross farm income in excess of such amount. Provides an inflation adjustment for calendar years after 1997. Requires lessees (as well as owners and operators) of an irrigation district to furnish such district a certification of compliance with the Act. Allows the Secretary to require a lessee or operator to submit for examination a copy of a tax return for any taxable year in which the single farm operation of the lessee or operator received irrigation water at less than full cost. Repeals a provision exempting district lands held in trust from Federal reclamation ownership and cost pricing limitations. Directs the Secretary to establish penalties for failure to comply with the Act. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior, of the Treasury, and of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to permit the Secretary of the Interior to have access to and use available information collected or maintained by either the Department of the Treasury or Agriculture that would aid in enforcement of the ownership and pricing limitations of Federal reclamation law. (Sec. 212) Amends the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest lands in the 16 contiguous Western States, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public domain lands, where domestic livestock grazing is permitted under applicable law, to establish and implement an annual domestic livestock grazing fee equal to fair market value, based on a specified formula. Abolishes grazing advisory boards. Dedicates the U.S. share of grazing fee receipts to: (1) fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement; (2) restoration and improved management of riparian areas; and (3) enforcement of applicable land management plans, allotment plans, and regulations. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell all federally- owned and operated electric power generation and transmission facilities under the supervision of, or in coordination with, a Federal power marketing administration. Instructs the Secretary to obtain the highest practicable sales price for the facilities, including the value of future tax revenues that would have been derived from such facilities. Postulates compliance with environmental laws as a condition of any facility purchase. Requires the Secretary to terminate Federal power marketing operations upon sales completion. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to terminate each Department of Energy program or activity that involves pyroprocessing of plutonium. Makes conforming changes to the Energy Policy Act of 1992. (Sec. 215) Prohibits the Secretary from conducting any petroleum research and development, and to report to the Congress on the attendant termination implementation plan. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Defense - Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to report to the Congress recommendations on which of the following tactical fighter aircraft programs should be terminated if only two of such programs were to be funded: the F-A 18E-F; the F-22; or the Joint Strike Fighter. Requires the Secretary to terminate the recommended program, allowing funds to be expended on such program only for termination costs. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the number of tactical aircraft to be acquired under existing (full-scale) production programs to offset the number which were planned to be acquired under the terminated program. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to close the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences upon the completion of the education and training of those enrolled as of December 31, 1998. Prohibits new students from being enrolled after such date. Allows funds available for the University to be expended only for: (1) completing the education and training of such eligible individuals; and (2) closing the University. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the Secretary from obligating or expending any amount of funds available for FY 1999 through 2003 for a Department of Defense (DOD) program that exceeds that portion of the total program amount that represents an allowance needed to meet increased program costs due to inflation, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, or fuel fluctuations, over the total amount necessary to meet such increased costs. Requires the Secretary to return any excess amounts to the Treasury. (Sec. 304) Limits to $400 million the total amount to be obligated in any fiscal year after 1998 for the Army Theater High Altitude Area Defense program. Prohibits any further obligation or expenditure of such funds until an independent panel established by the Secretary certifies to the Secretary and the Congress that such program is programmatically sound. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to require transportation by air for crew members joining a naval vessel deployed abroad unless such Secretary determines that: (1) another means of transportation would be more cost-effective; or (2) the benefits of air transportation are outweighed by safety concerns or concerns about adverse effects on military capabilities. Directs such Secretary to report to the Secretary of Defense on improvements in Navy power projection and power projection support capabilities that result from implementation of the air transportation policy. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to ensure that DOD maintains the most cost-effective, safe, and reliable combination of delivery vehicles that: (1) is necessary to carry not more than the number of warheads agreed to in the START II Treaty; and (2) comprises a force structure that is treaty-compliant. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretary to terminate the D5 missile program, allowing program funds to be used only for termination costs. (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretary to: (1) expeditiously review DOD inventory requirements to identify excess equipment and supplies; and (2) increase by 50 percent by the end of FY 2003 the total amount realized from sales of excess inventory over such total during FY 1998. (Sec. 309) Directs the Secretary to terminate the Navy's Extremely Low Frequency Communication System program, allowing program funds to be used only for termination costs. (Sec. 310) Directs the Secretary to require all the armed forces to use a single tactical aircraft pilot training program, and, by the end of FY 1999, to select one service branch to train such individuals. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirement in the interests of national security. Title IV: Commerce, Science, and Transportation - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to terminate U.S. participation in the International Space Station program. Authorizes the Administrator to obligate up to $700 million of such program's funds for termination costs.
Bill· SS. 2571 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Notification of Federal Benefit Recipients Regarding Data Verification Title II: Federal Benefit Program Management Improvement Tests Federal Benefit Verification and Integrity Act - Title I: Notification of Federal Benefit Recipients Regarding Data Verification - Requires an agency that administers a Federal benefit payment program to provide notice informing applicants, in information material and instructions accompanying program application forms, that their data may be verified. Permits an agency to comply with the preceding requirement by modifying program materials and applications to include such notice as part of their normal reissuance cycle for reprinting forms, but in no case later than December 31, 2000. Requires the head of each such agency to maintain a record of each applicant's acknowledgment that he or she has received notice of the uses and disclosures to be made of his or her information, for as long as he or she receives benefits from or owes a debt to the Government under the program. Title II: Federal Benefit Program Management Improvement Test s - Permits a Federal agency that administers a Federal benefit program to conduct a test of information technology practices or techniques for improving income verification, debt collection, data privacy and integrity protection, and identification authentication in the administration of the program, in accordance with a proposal approved by a Federal Benefit Verification and Payment Integrity Board. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Chief Information Officers' Council to each recommend to the Board various information technology practices and techniques that should be tested. Permits the head of an agency to develop and submit to the Board a proposal for carrying out a test for a specific Federal benefit program administered by the agency. Specifies that the proposal contain specific goals, including a schedule, for improving customer service and error reduction in the program and other information requested by the Board. Requires such proposal to provide for the testing of information sharing in an integrated manner where feasible of electronic practices and techniques for improving Federal benefit program management. Requires any agency whose proposals would require access to another agency's database to consult with that agency prior to submission of the proposal to the Board. States that a proposal submitted to the Board: (1) must contain a description of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of records and to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to their security or integrity which could result in substantial harm, embarrassment, inconvenience, or unfairness to any individual with respect to whom information is maintained; (2) include, in particular, prohibitions on duplication and redisclosure of records provided by the source agency within or outside the recipient entity, except where required by law or essential to the conduct of the test; and (3) include an estimate for reimbursement that may be charged by a Federal agency to another agency in conducting tests under the proposal. Requires: (1) the Board to review and recommend disposition of the proposal to the heads of the data sharing agencies under the proposal; and (2) an agency head to respond to the Board within 90 days. Requires such response to include findings by the data integrity board. Permits the head of an agency participating in a test to enter into a cooperative agreement with a State or contract with a private entity under which the State or such entity may provide services on behalf of the Federal agency in carrying out the test. Requires the Board to: (1) prepare a plan for implementation, including for the coordination of the conduct of tests and the procedures for submission of proposals for those tests; and (2) submit annually to the Congress a report on the tests conducted. Provides for the Chairperson of the Board to make recommendations annually to the Director regarding how savings resulting from the implementation of this Act may be used to enhance program integrity in high-risk programs such as Medicare and to reduce the potential of waste, fraud, and erroneous payments. Permits the Board to request a Federal agency head that administers a Federal benefit program to conduct a test, including the submission of a proposal for such a test and provides for the agency head to respond within 30 days by approving or disapproving such a request of the Board. (Sec. 202) Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disclose information to another Federal agency from the National Directory of New Hires based on matches conducted by HHS for purposes of conducting a test under this Act. Requires the Secretary to take into consideration the potential negative impact of the disclosure or use of such information on the effective operation of the Federal Parent Locator Service and of any other Federal and State child support enforcement activities under the Social Security Act. Provides for an agency head to whom information is disclosed to reimburse the Secretary in accordance with such Act. Allows an agency head to whom information is disclosed to: (1) disclose the information to another Federal agency for use by the agency only as specified under a test proposal under this Act; and (2) disclose such information to a State agency administering a federally funded benefit program, a public housing authority, or a guaranty agency (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965) only for the purpose of conducting the test. Disallows an entity that receives information for use in a test under this Act that it was not otherwise authorized by law to obtain from redisclosing the information or using it for any other purpose. (Sec. 203) Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to: (1) increase certain criminal penalties under such Act; and (2) permit a court, in a civil suit in which it determines that an agency acted in a manner that was willful and intentional, to award punitive damages in addition to damages and costs required under current law. (Sec. 204) Establishes the Federal Benefit Verification and Payment Integrity Board. Provides for the Board to periodically report to the Director regarding its activities. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to: (1) acquire on behalf of Federal agencies commercial services for accepting electronic payments for grants or loans and electronic claims submissions from the public; (2) expend such funds for the design, testing, and pilot of a standard method by which the public may be provided consistent, secure, and convenient electronic access in applying to Federal agencies for loans and grants and in submitting claims; and (3) beginning in FY 2002, finance the acquisition and management of the commercial services. Requires the Board, if it determines that any information technology practice, technique, or information sharing initiative tested was successfully demonstrated in the test and should be implemented in the administration of a Federal benefit program, to: (1) recommend regulations or legislation to implement that practice, technique, or initiative, if that implementation is not otherwise prohibited under another law; or (2) include in its annual report to the Congress recommendations for such legislation as may be necessary to authorize that implementation.
Bill· SS. 2558 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Domestic Violence Prevention Subtitle A: Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence Subtitle B: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Subtitle C: Access to Safety and Advocacy Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments Subtitle E: Battered Immigrants Women's Economic Security Title II: Violence Against Women and the Workplace Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Workplace Grant Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Subtitle D: Employment Protection for Battered Women Subtitle E: Battered Women's Shelters and Services Title III: Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence Under Programs Authorized Under the Social Security Act Battered Women's Economic Security Act - Title I: Domestic Violence Prevention - Subtitle A: Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence - Domestic Violence Victims' Housing Act -Authorizes increased budget authority under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to be made available exclusively to public housing agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations solely to provide tenant-based assistance to families who must leave their residence as a result of domestic violence. Subtitle B: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection - Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits insurers from engaging in specified discriminatory practices with respect to individuals who are, have been, or may be the subject of abuse or have incurred or may incur abuse-related claims. Prescribes confidentiality guidelines governing disclosure of an individual's abuse status. (Sec. 127) Prohibits subrogation of claims resulting from abuse without the informed consent of the subject of abuse. (Sec. 128) Grants the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce this Act. Authorizes a private cause of action in State or Federal court by a subject of abuse who has been adversely affected by actions of an insurer in violation of this Act. Subtitle C: Access to Safety and Advocacy - Access to Safety and Advocacy Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to certain eligible grantees to provide legal assistance to domestic violence victims, regardless of sexual orientation or immigration status. (Sec. 137) Authorizes appropriations and prescribes allocation guidelines. Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments - Sets forth conforming amendments to specified Federal law. Subtitle E: Battered Immigrant Women's Economic Security - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to create a special category of eligibility for non-213A aliens (aliens without a sponsor's affidavit of support) who fall within specified domestic violence guidelines. (Sec. 152) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to cite circumstances in which the Attorney General may waive: (1) deportability for certain aliens who are first time domestic violence offenders, and are current in their court-ordered child support payments; and (2) inadmissibility criteria for certain aliens who are battered spouses whose family members are U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent residents. (Sec. 155) Grants access to naturalization for divorced victims of domestic abuse. Empowers the Attorney General to grant employment authorizations to certain aliens who are victims of domestic violence and whose applications for immigrant status are pending. (Sec. 158) Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, to declare certain battered aliens eligible for food stamps and housing assistance, respectively. (Sec. 160) Amends the Social Security Act to preclude the collection of information concerning the immigration status of a parent applying for assistance on behalf of a qualified child. (Sec. 162) Amends PRWORA to permit a battered alien to continue after divorce to count the qualifying quarters worked by the spouse- batterer during the marriage, thus enabling such alien to receive certain public benefits. Title II: Violence Against Women and the Workplace - Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Workplace Grant - Authorizes the Attorney General to award a grant to a private non-profit entity (including one within the boundaries of an Indian reservation) for the establishment and operation of a national clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employer and labor organization efforts to aid victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights - Victims' Employment Rights Act - Prohibits employer discrimination regarding conditions or privileges of employment predicated upon an employee's status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Subjects a violator to liability for monetary damages, and for equitable relief, including reinstatement and promotion. Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit - Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) to provide a workplace safety program tax credit for 40 percent of the costs incurred or paid by an employer for violence against women safety and education. Subtitle D: Employment Protection for Battered Women - Battered Women's Employment Protection Act - Amends the IRC to mandate unemployment compensation for an individual separated from employment as a direct result of a domestic violence experience. (Sec. 243) Amends the Social Security Act to mandate that claims reviewers and hearing personnel are trained in the nature and dynamics of domestic violence and in ascertaining and keeping confidential information about domestic violence experiences so that employee separations stemming from domestic violence are screened, identified, and adjudicated in full confidentiality. (Sec. 244) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the Federal Medical Leave Act to entitle to leave those employees who must address the effects of domestic violence. Subtitle E: Battered Women's Shelters and Services - Battered Women's Shelters and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to: (1) authorize increased appropriations and extend them through FY 2003; and (2) specify amounts for information and technical assistance centers, as well as for State domestic violence coalitions. (Sec. 253) Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to deny State demonstration grant applications that fail to document the specific involvement of the State domestic violence coalition and other knowledgeable entities in the development of the State application. Revises guidelines governing fund allotment and information and technical assistance centers. Instructs the Secretary to award grants to: (1) develop and implement model community intervention strategies to address domestic violence in underserved populations; (2) enable State domestic violence coalitions to provide emergency assistance through an emergency assistance fund administered by such coalitions for victims of domestic violence; and (3) State domestic violence coalitions for technical assistance and training. Title III: Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence Under Programs Authorized under the Social Security Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prescribe guidelines under which the Commissioner of Social Security shall grant a properly verified request for a change of social security number submitted by a victim of domestic violence. (Sec. 302) Prescribes guidelines under which States may grant temporary good cause waivers of compliance to victims of domestic violence without jeopardizing State compliance with TANF requirements. (Sec. 303) Extends to any unreasonable risk posed to the health, safety, or liberty of a parent or child certain protections from information disclosure applying to the Federal Parent Locator Service and any State plan for child and spousal support. (Sec. 304) Prescribes guidelines under which the Secretary shall award bonus grants to States for high performance in implementing a program designed to enhance the ability of recipients of assistance to become economically self-sufficient. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2553 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1998
Amends the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994 to authorize local drug and violence prevention programs (through a partnership of the local educational agency, schools, law enforcement officials, and appropriate community groups) to establish school violence prevention hotlines.
Bill· SS. 2555 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1998
Deauthorizes the Blunt Reservoir feature of the Oahe Irrigation Project authorized as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to convey all of the preferential lease parcels to the Commission of Schools and Public Lands of South Dakota, on the condition that the Commission honor the purchase option provided to preferential leaseholders under this Act. Requires a preferential leaseholder to have an option to purchase from the Commission the preferential lease parcel that is the subject of the lease. Permits a preferential leaseholder to elect to purchase a parcel on one of the following terms: (1) cash purchase for the amount that is equal to the value of the parcel minus ten percent of that value; or (2) installment purchase, with 20 percent of the value of the parcel to be paid on the purchase date and the remainder to be paid over 30 years at three percent annual interest. Provides for such leaseholders to have until ten years after the date of the conveyance to exercise such option. Directs the Secretary, through the Commissioner, to convey to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks the Blunt Reservoir parcels that are leased on a nonpreferential basis to be used for the purpose of mitigating the wildlife habitat that was lost as a result of the development of the Pick-Sloan project.
Bill· HRH.R. 4700 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Findings; Need to Replace the Income Tax Title II: Simplified USA Tax for Individuals Title III: Simplified USA Tax for Business Title IV: Deferred Compensation Plans Title V: Repeal of Estate and Gift Taxes Title VI: Technical and Administrative Changes; Effective Dates Simplified USA Tax Act of 1998 - Title I: Findings; Need to Replace the Income Tax - Sets forth findings, the main features of the Simplified USA Tax System, and the concepts and structure of the Simplified USA Tax System. Title II: Simplified USA Tax for Individuals - Establishes a new chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), "Simplified USA Tax for Individuals." Establishes tax rates at 15, 25, and 30 percent. Sets forth provisions defining gross income, exclusions from gross income, alimony and child support deductions, personal and dependency deductions, the family living allowance, the homeowner deduction, the education deduction (equal, as a general rule, to the sum of all qualified education expenses), the philanthropic transfer deduction, the kiddie tax (concerning taxable income of children), and tax credits (including allowing a payroll tax credit). Sets forth provisions concerning a Roth IRA, a deductible IRA, annuities, endowment contracts, and life insurance contracts. Permits contributions to a Roth IRA of up to the amount of an individual's adjusted gross income. Provides, as a general rule, for the exclusion from gross income of Roth IRA distributions. Sets forth provisions concerning basis, business transactions, and nonrecognition transactions. Establishes rules for exclusion from gross income, rules relating to deductions, and rules for the rental of real estate. Requires a trust or estate to prepay the Simplified USA Tax for individuals. Sets the tax rate at 30 percent on the taxable income of a trust or estate when the taxable income exceeds $3,800. Sets forth rules concerning trusts and estates, including rules for credits, deductions, trust income, distributions, beneficiaries, charitable remainder trusts, reversionary interests, and funeral trusts. Title III: Simplified USA Tax for Businesses - Renumbers the current chapter 2 (Tax on Self-Employment Income) of the IRC as chapter 3. Establishes a new chapter 2, "Simplified USA Tax for Businesses." States that the tax equals the amount by which the business tax exceeds the payroll tax credit. Defines the "business tax" as the sum of: (1) 8 percent of the portion of the gross profits of the business entity for the taxable year that does not exceed $150,000; and (2) 12 percent of such portion of the gross profits of the business entity for the taxable year that exceeds $150,000. Directs the Secretary to prescribe rules under which the gross profits of business entities under common control are aggregated for purposes of applying the benefit of the lower rate. States that such rules shall be similar to rules applicable under IRC sections 1551 (Disallowance of the benefits of the graduated corporate rates and accumulated credit) and 1561 (Limitations on certain multiple tax benefits in the case of controlled corporations). Defines the "payroll tax credit" as a credit for the social security, railroad retirement, and hospital insurance taxes paid by an employer. Sets forth subchapters governing: (1) the basic rules for the business tax; (2) capital contributions, mergers, acquisitions, and distributions; (3) accounting method rules; (4) land and rental property; (5) insurance and financial products; (6) financial intermediation and financial institutions; (7) tax-exempt organizations; (8) cooperatives; (9) sourcing rules; (10) business conducted in a possession; (11) the payroll tax credit; (12) the import tax (as a general rule, eleven percent of the customs value of property or services); and (12) transition, administration, and consolidated returns (permitted, if it would have been permitted under the IRC provisions governing consolidated returns and such provisions were applied by treating each business entity as a corporation and its owners or partners as shareholders). Repeals chapter 6 (Consolidated Returns) of the IRC. Title IV: Deferred Compensation Plans - Provides, in general, that subchapter D (Deferred Compensation) of chapter 1 of the IRC is saved. Title V: Repeal of Estate and Gift Taxes - Repeals Subtitle B (Estate and Gift Taxes) of the IRC. Title VI: Technical and Administrative Changes: Effective Dates - Renames the IRC the "USA Tax Code." Makes other amendments to the IRC which reflect the amendments made by this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4683 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Provisions Relating to Women's Health Research at National Institutes of Health Title II: Provisions Relating to Women's Health at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendments of 1998 - Title I: Provisions Relating to Women's Health Research at National Institutes of Health - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for programs regarding diethylstilbestrol (DES). Mandates a program of education of health professionals and the public concerning DES. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Extends the authorizations of appropriations for: (1) research on osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and related bone disorders; (2) breast cancer programs; and (3) programs on ovarian and other cancers of the reproductive system of women. (Sec. 104) Mandates expansion, intensification, and coordination of research and related activities of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute regarding heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations for research into the aging processes of women. (Sec. 106) Requires that the Director of the National Institutes of Health (currently, the Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health) appoint members of the Advisory Committee on Women's Health. Title II: Provisions Relating to Women's Health at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Adds the provision of support services such as case management to the purposes of breast and cervical cancer programs (authorized under current provisions). Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Center for Health Statistics and the National Program of Cancer Registries. (Sec. 203) Allows certain breast and cervical cancer programs to be carried out through grants to public and nonprofit private entities and contracts with public or private entities (currently, through grants and contracts with public or nonprofit private entities). Allows a State to give priority to a nonprofit entity over an entity that is not a nonprofit if the quality of the entities' applications are equivalent. Extends authorizations of appropriations for various preventive health measures relating to breast and cervical cancers. (Sec. 204) Extends the authorizations of appropriations for: (1) centers for research and demonstration regarding health promotion and disease prevention; and (2) community projects to coordinate intervention and prevention of domestic violence.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 333 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that public schools should conduct ceremonies and other activities to educate and inform students about the sacrifice and commitment of veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
Bill· SS. 2539 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 1998 - Authorizes the oilheat industry to conduct a referendum through a qualified industry organization among retailers and wholesalers for the creation of a National Oilheat Research Alliance to develop programs concerning oilheat research and development, safety issues, consumer education, and training. Defines industry to include those persons involved in the production, transportation, and sale of oilheat, and those engaged in the manufacture and distribution of oilheat utilization equipment in the United States (but not the ultimate consumers of oilheat). Permits State industry trade association participation in such Alliance. Prescribes guidelines for Alliance membership and representation. Requires the Alliance to: (1) levy and collect annual assessments on the wholesale sale of No. 1 distillate and No. 2 dyed distillate sufficient to cover Alliance plans and program costs; and (2) establish a program coordinating its operation with that of any similar State, local, or regional program. Prescribes allocation guidelines governing Alliance funds made available to a qualified State association. Conditions fund availability upon the Alliance's determination that the funds will be used to benefit the oilheat industry directly. Empowers the Alliance to bring suit in Federal district court to compel compliance with any assessments it levies. Mandates that Alliance-funded consumer education activities include a statement that they were supported by the Alliance. Prohibits such consumer education activities from including: (1) a reference to a private brand name; (2) a false or unwarranted claim on behalf of oilheat or related products; or (3) a reference regarding the attributes or use of any competing product. Prescribes procedural guidelines for the filing and transmittal of complaints, including judicial review in Federal court.
Bill· HRH.R. 4670 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Women and Children's Resources Act - Mandates annual grants to States for programs to provide: (1) information, education, and counseling on alternatives to abortion and on sexual abstinence, pregnancy testing and follow-up services, and prenatal and postpartum health; and (2) related services, items, and assistance. Makes eligible persons who are: (1) pregnant, the parent or guardian of an infant under 12 months old, or the partner of those individuals; and (2) under a specified income level. Prohibits the programs from performing or making referrals for abortions or providing or making referrals for information, education, or counseling that presents abortion as a pregnancy option. Requires States to carry out the programs through nonprofit private entities, but excludes entities with activities during the preceding five years that present abortion as an option. (Sec. 4) Allows a State to contract with religious organizations on the same basis as any other nongovernmental provider without impairing the religious character of the organization and without diminishing the religious freedom of beneficiaries. Requires that programs be implemented consistent with the establishment clause of the Constitution. Prohibits the Federal and State Governments from discriminating against an organization on the basis that the organization has a religious character. Prohibits a contracting religious organization from discriminating against an individual on the basis of religion, religious belief, or refusal to actively participate in a religious practice. Declares that these provisions do not preempt any provision of a State constitution or State statute restricting the expenditure of State funds in or by religious organizations. (Sec. 6) Sets forth a formula for the allotment of funds to the States. (Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4664 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 - Declares that it should be the policy of the United States to seek to remove the Saddam Hussein regime from power in Iraq and to replace it with a democratic government. Authorizes the President, after notifying specified congressional committees, to provide to the Iraqi democratic opposition organizations: (1) grant assistance for radio and television broadcasting to Iraq; (2) Department of Defense defense articles and services and military education and training; and (3) humanitarian assistance, with emphasis on addressing the needs of individuals who have fled from areas under the control of the Hussein regime. Prohibits assistance to any group or organization that is engaged in military cooperation with the Hussein regime. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to designate one or more Iraqi democratic opposition organizations that meet specified criteria as eligible to receive assistance under this Act. Urges the President to call upon the United Nations to establish an international criminal tribunal for the purpose of indicting, prosecuting, and imprisoning Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi officials who are responsible for crimes against humanity, genocide, and other criminal violations of international law. Expresses the sense of the Congress that once the Saddam Hussein regime is removed from power in Iraq, the United States should support Iraq's transition to democracy by providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and democracy transition assistance to Iraqi parties and movements with democratic goals, including convening Iraq's foreign creditors to develop a multilateral response to the foreign debt incurred by the Hussein regime.
Bill· HRH.R. 4656 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
City of North Las Vegas Public Land Acquisition Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to dispose of specified lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management in Clark County, Nevada. Permits Nevada or the unit of local government in whose jurisdiction the lands are located, to elect to obtain any such lands for local public purposes. Requires the Secretary, upon application by a unit of local government or regional governmental entity, to issue right-of-way grants on Federal lands in Clark County, Nevada, for all reservoirs, canals, channels, ditches, pipes, pipelines, tunnels, and other facilities and systems needed for: (1) the impoundment, storage, treatment, transportation, or distribution of water (other than water from the Virgin river) or wastewater; or (2) flood control management. Directs that, of the gross proceeds of sales of lands in a fiscal year: (1) five percent be paid directly to Nevada for use in the State's general education program; (2) ten percent be paid directly to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for water treatment and transmission facility infrastructure in Clark County; and (3) the remainder be deposited in a special account for use pursuant to the special account provisions specified under this Act. Requires that, in the case of a land exchange, the non-Federal party provide direct payments to Nevada and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Allows amounts deposited in the special account to be expended by the Secretary for: (1) the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land in Nevada, with priority given to lands located within Clark County; (2) capital improvements at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and other areas administered by the Bureau in Clark County, and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area; (3) development of a multispecies habitat conservation plan in Clark County; (4) development of parks, trails, and natural areas in Clark County pursuant to a cooperative agreement with a unit of local government; and (5) reimbursement of costs incurred by the Bureau's local offices in arranging sales or exchanges under this Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) coordinate the use of the special account with the Secretary of Agriculture, Nevada, local governments, and other interested persons to ensure accountability and demonstrated results; and (2) submit an annual report on all transactions under this Act to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Resources. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) acquire with proceeds of the special account environmentally sensitive land and interests; and (2) transfer, upon request by a grantee of lands within Clark County that are subject to a lease or patent issued under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, the reversionary interest in such lands to other non-Federal lands.
Bill· HRH.R. 4665 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 1997 - Establishes as an independent entity within the executive branch the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program to award 12-month Bill Emerson Hunger Fellowships (addressing domestic hunger and other humanitarian needs) and Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowships (addressing international hunger and other humanitarian needs) to develop and train individuals for careers in humanitarian service. Establishes the Congressional Hunger Fellows Trust Fund for the deposit and receipt of Program funds. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4657 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Spring Mountain Exchange Act of 1998 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Rhodes Design and Development Corporation certain Federal lands in Clark County, Nevada, in exchange for: (1) certain Corporation lands in Nevada; and (2) specified payments by the Corporation to the State of Nevada for use in its general education program and to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for water treatment and transmission facility infrastructure. Provides that such payments shall be considered to be a cost incurred by the Corporation and shall be compensated by the Secretary.
Bill· HRH.R. 4659 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Keep Kids Safe at Schools Act - Amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to include elementary and secondary schools as qualified entities that are subject to such Act's requirements for a national system of child abuse crime information and background checks.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 564 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 4274 (Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies appropriations).
Bill· SS. 2525 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1998
Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 - Declares that it should be the policy of the United States to seek to remove the Saddam Hussein regime from power in Iraq and to replace it with a democratic government. Authorizes the President, after notifying specified congressional committees, to provide to the Iraqi democratic opposition organizations: (1) grant assistance for radio and television broadcasting to Iraq; (2) Department of Defense defense articles and services and military education and training; and (3) humanitarian assistance, with emphasis on addressing the needs of individuals who have fled from areas under the control of the Hussein regime. Prohibits assistance to any group or organization that is engaged in military cooperation with the Hussein regime. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to designate one or more Iraqi democratic opposition organizations that meet specified criteria as eligible to receive assistance under this Act. Urges the President to call upon the United Nations to establish an international criminal tribunal for the purpose of indicting, prosecuting, and imprisoning Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi officials who are responsible for crimes against humanity, genocide, and other criminal violations of international law. Expresses the sense of the Congress that once Saddam Hussein is removed from power in Iraq, the United States should support Iraq's transition to democracy by providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and democracy transition assistance to Iraqi parties and movements with democratic goals, including convening Iraq's foreign creditors to develop a multilateral response to the foreign debt incurred by the Hussein regime.
Law· HRH.R. 4655 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1998
Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 - Declares that it should be the policy of the United States to seek to remove the Saddam Hussein regime from power in Iraq and to replace it with a democratic government. Authorizes the President, after notifying specified congressional committees, to provide to the Iraqi democratic opposition organizations: (1) grant assistance for radio and television broadcasting to Iraq; (2) Department of Defense defense articles and services and military education and training; and (3) humanitarian assistance, with emphasis on addressing the needs of individuals who have fled from areas under the control of the Hussein regime. Prohibits assistance to any group or organization that is engaged in military cooperation with the Hussein regime. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to designate one or more Iraqi democratic opposition organizations that meet specified criteria as eligible to receive assistance under this Act. Urges the President to call upon the United Nations to establish an international criminal tribunal for the purpose of indicting, prosecuting, and imprisoning Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi officials who are responsible for crimes against humanity, genocide, and other criminal violations of international law. Expresses the sense of the Congress that once the Saddam Hussein regime is removed from power in Iraq, the United States should support Iraq's transition to democracy by providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and democracy transition assistance to Iraqi parties and movements with democratic goals, including convening Iraq's foreign creditors to develop a multilateral response to the foreign debt incurred by the Hussein regime.