Environment

FUEL DUTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 1 November 2000

after 'efficiency', insert ', protect essential rural users'.

Fishery and Aquaculture Oil Spill Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2000

Fishery and Aquaculture Oil Spill Assistance Act - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to: (1) direct the President to establish a loan program to assist injured parties in an oil spill in meeting financial obligations during the claims procedure; and (2) allow the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to be used to make such loans. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a study assessing the effectiveness of the claims procedures and emergency response programs under such Act with respect to fishermen and aquaculture producers, together with appropriate legislative or other recommendations to improve such procedures and programs.

Fishery and Aquaculture Oil Spill Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2000

Fishery and Aquaculture Oil Spill Assistance Act - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to: (1) direct the President to establish a loan program to assist injured parties in an oil spill in meeting financial obligations during the claims procedure; and (2) allow the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to be used to make such loans. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a study assessing the effectiveness of the claims procedures and emergency response programs under such Act with respect to fishermen and aquaculture producers, together with appropriate legislative or other recommendations to improve such procedures and programs.

Energieeffizienzverbesserung bei Bundesgebäuden

Austria · National Council · 31 October 2000

Bericht des Bautenausschusses über den Antrag 259/A(E) der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Energieeffizienzverbesserung bei Bundesgebäuden

EU-Projekte zur Sanierung nuklearer Altlasten auf der Halbinsel Kola

Austria · National Council · 30 October 2000

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend eine österreichische Initiative für EU-Projekte zur Sanierung nuklearer Altlasten auf der Halbinsel Kola und in der Barents-See

Clean Water Enforcement and Compliance Improvement Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2000

Clean Water Enforcement and Compliance Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to set forth requirements for States to post information regarding water quality and environmental and health effects at waters that do not meet standards or have fish or shellfish contamination. Provides for the imposition of penalties for violations of pretreatment program requirements. Removes provisions that permit State enforcement actions to serve as a bar to Federal enforcement actions. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) conduct inspections of facilities operated by significant noncompliers at which violations occurred; and (2) report annually to Congress and State Governors on significant noncompliers. Requires State pollutant discharge permit programs to include specified inspection, monitoring, and reporting requirements. Prohibits the issuance of permits to significant noncompliers until conditions giving rise to violations have been corrected. Requires discharge permit applicants to submit pollution prevention plans to the Administrator. Authorizes citizen suits for past violations of effluent standards or limitations if there is evidence that violations have been repeated. Amends employee protection provisions of the Act, to include a prohibition against harassment or prosecution of, or discrimination against, persons for assisting in achieving compliance with, or refusing to violate, the Act. Establishes the Clean Water Trust Fund for mitigation projects. Makes Federal agencies subject to all Federal, State, and local water pollution control and abatement requirements in the same manner as any other person. Waives sovereign immunity of the United States with respect to such requirements.

Industry and the environment: gas and noise emissions from recreational craft (amendment of Directive 94/25/EC)

European Union · European Parliament · 27 October 2000

National Electricity and Environmental Technology Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2000

National Electricity and Environmental Technology Act - Title I: Accelerated Technology Research and Development Program for Advanced Clean Coal Technology for Coal-Based Electricity Generating Facilities - Subtitle A: National Coal-Based Technology Development and Applications Program - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) identify technology costs and associated performance goals that would permit continued cost-competitive use of coal for electricity generation, for chemical feedstocks, and for transportation fuel for designated time periods; and (2) implement research and development programs that include demonstration and commercial application of coal-based technologies. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Plant Technology Applications - Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to develop economically and environmentally acceptable advanced technologies for utilization within current electricity generation facilities using coal as the primary feedstock; (2) transmit a detailed plan to Congress; and (3) solicit proposals for demonstrations designed to achieve such technical milestones. Authorizes the Secretary to use certain non-obligated funds. Title II: Credit for Emission Reductions and Efficiency Improvements in Existing Coal-Based Electricity Generation Facilities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for investment in a qualifying clean coal technology unit; and (2) set forth the formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a unit. Title III: Incentives for Early Commercial Applications of Advanced Clean Coal Technologies - Sets forth: (1) a tax credit for investment in a qualifying advanced clean coal technology facility; and (2) a formula for determining a tax credit for production from such a facility. Exempts the installation of a qualifying system of continuous emission control from new source review requirements under the Clean Air Act. Grants a ten-year exemption from any new or increased emission control requirements for the specific pollutant controlled by such a system to any existing coal-based electricity generating unit on which it has been installed, if the system meets or exceeds the specified standard of performance for new stationary sources. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a financial risk pool for a limited time to offset the modification costs resulting from the failure of qualifying advanced clean coal technology to achieve its design performance. Title IV: Treatment of Certain Tax-Exempt Entities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to excessive credits to cite conditions under which credits for emission reductions and efficiency improvements in existing coal-based generating facilities may be treated as refundable credits. Entitles the Tennessee Valley Authority to aggregate certain clean coal technology credits and apply them as a credit against certain annual statutory payment obligations.

Orphan Meth Lab Cleanup Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2000

Orphan Meth Lab Cleanup Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to make it unlawful for any person to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and related salts and isomers or 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine or its salts or isomers. Requires all civil and criminal penalties imposed with respect to methamphetamine to be deposited in the Orphan Meth Lab Cleanup Account and used to make grants to local governments for the costs of environmental remediation of orphan meth labs (methamphetamine production facilities for which no responsible party can be determined).

Vietnam Education Foundation Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2000

Vietnam Education Foundation Act of 2000 - Establishes the Vietnam Education Foundation to further the process of reconciliation between the United States and Vietnam by awarding fellowships to: (1) Vietnamese nationals to study at U.S. institutions of higher education at graduate and post-graduate levels in the fields of physical sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, environmental sciences, medicine, technology, and computer sciences; and (2) U.S. citizens to teach in Vietnam in appropriate Vietnamese institutions in the same fields of study. Authorizes such fellowships to include funding for the study of scientific and technical vocabulary in English. Establishes the Vietnam Debt Repayment Fund which shall consist of deposits as offsetting receipts of all payments (including interest) made by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the U.S.-Vietnam debt agreement, dated April 7, 1997. Makes amounts deposited into the Fund available for Foundation activities.

Vietnam Education Foundation Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

Vietnam Education Foundation Act of 2000 - Establishes the Vietnam Education Foundation to further the process of reconciliation between the United States and Vietnam by awarding fellowships to: (1) Vietnamese nationals to study at U.S. institutions of higher education at graduate and post-graduate levels in the fields of physical sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, environmental sciences, medicine, technology, and computer sciences; and (2) U.S. citizens to teach in Vietnam in appropriate Vietnamese institutions in the same fields of study. Authorizes such fellowships to include funding for the study of scientific and technical vocabulary in English. Establishes the Vietnam Debt Repayment Fund which shall consist of deposits as offsetting receipts of all payments (including interest) made by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the U.S.-Vietnam debt agreement, dated April 7, 1997. Makes amounts deposited into the Fund available for Foundation activities.

International Climate Change Science Commission Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

International Climate Change Science Commission Act - Requests and authorizes the President to negotiate an international agreement to establish an international commission to conduct scientific assessments of global climate change, the factors involved in and the consequences of such change, and the potential effect of measures undertaken for affecting such change. Requires the President to appoint U.S. members from a list of individuals nominated by the National Science Board. Requires the National Science Foundation to provide support services.

California Reclaimed Water Act for the 21st Century

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

California Reclaimed Water Act for the 21st Century - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) coordinate projects for the reclamation and reuse of water under such Act with projects and programs under the CALFED Bay-Delta Program; and (2) take into account Federal expenditures for projects under such Act in making determinations under the CALFED Program relating to the equitable implementation of ecosystem restoration and water management. Requires project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) participate in the design, planning, and construction of the Castaic Lake Water Agency reclaimed water project, the Clear Lake Basin water reuse project, the Inland Empire regional water recycling project, the San Pablo Baylands water reuse projects, the Lower Chino Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project, the West Basin Comprehensive Desalination Demonstration Program in Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles Water Recycling Program (replaces existing provisions authorizing the Secretary's participation in the Los Angeles area water reclamation and reuse project); (2) provide design and construction assistance for the East Bay Municipal Utility District/Dublin San Ramon Services District advanced wastewater reuse treatment project; (3) provide assistance to California in carrying out projects under the California water recycling program; and (4) carry out programs to assist agencies in projects to construct regional brine lines in the San Francisco Bay and Santa Clara Valley areas and to export the salinity imported from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program in cooperation with the Water Reuse Foundation to conduct research concerning water reuse in relation to public health, water quality, new technology, salt management, economics, and ecosystem restoration. Adds a separate Federal cost share limitation with respect to the San Gabriel Basin demonstration project.

Taxpayer Relief Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

Taxpayer Relief Act of 2000 - Title I: FSC Repeal and Extraterritorial Income Exclusion - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal subpart C (Taxation of Foreign Sales Corporations) of part III (Income From Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N ( Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of chapter 1 (Normal Taxes and Surtaxes). Excludes from gross income "extraterritorial income," except that extraterritorial income which is not qualifying "qualifying foreign trade income" shall not be excluded from gross income. Defines "extraterritorial income" as gross income of the taxpayer attributable to "foreign trading gross receipts" of the taxpayer. Defines "qualifying foreign trade income," with respect to any transaction, as the amount of gross income which, if excluded, will result in a reduction of the taxable income of the taxpayer from such transaction equal to the greatest of: (1) 30 percent of the foreign sale and leasing income derived by the taxpayer from such transaction; (2) 1.2 percent of the foreign trading gross receipts derived by the taxpayer from the transaction; or (3) 15 percent of the foreign trade income derived by the taxpayer from the transaction. Prohibits, in any event, the amount determined under clause (2) from exceeding 200 percent of the amount determined under clause (3). Permits an alternative computation. Defines "foreign trading gross receipts" as the gross receipts of the taxpayer which are: (1) from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of qualifying foreign trade property; (2) from the lease or rental of qualifying foreign trade property for use by the lessee outside the United States; (3) for services which are related and subsidiary to either any sale, exchange, or other disposition of qualifying foreign trade property by such taxpayer, or any lease or rental of qualifying foreign trade property described in clause (2) by such taxpayer; (4) for engineering or architectural services for construction projects located (or proposed for location) outside the United States; or (5) for the performance of managerial services for a person other than a related person in furtherance of the production of foreign trading gross receipts described in clause (1), (2), or (3). Prohibits clause (5) from applying to a taxpayer for any taxable year unless at least 50 percent of its foreign trading gross receipts (determined without regard to this sentence) for such taxable year is derived from activities described in clause (1), (2), or (3). Excludes specified receipts from the definition. Sets forth additional definitions and rules. Title II: Small Business Tax Relief - Extends the work opportunity tax credit. (Sec. 202) Increases the maximum dollar limitation on reforestation expenses eligible for amortization and suspends such dollar limitation through calendar year 2003. (Sec. 203) Increases to $35,000 the amount which may be expensed as section 179 property. (Sec. 204) Increases the deduction for meal expenses. (Sec. 205) Restores the business meal expense deduction to 80 percent for individuals subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department of Transportation. (Sec. 206) Amends IRC provisions (as amended by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) to repeal revisions to the Code (made by the Act) which repealed the use of the installment method of accounting for accrual method taxpayers and modified the pledge rules of installment obligations. (Sec. 207)provide that income averaging for farmers shall not increase alternative minimum tax liability. Extends to commercial fishermen the same income averaging provisions currently allowed to farmers. (Sec. 208) Repeals specified occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine, and beer. Revises recordkeeping requirements for wholesale and retail liquor dealers. Makes it unlawful for any liquor dealer (except one selling beer exclusively) to purchase distilled spirits from any person other than a specified wholesale liquor dealer. (Sec. 209) Excludes from individual gross income the discharge of qualified residential indebtedness in excess of the outstanding principal of such indebtedness (prior to discharge) over the sum of any sales proceeds and any other outstanding principal indebtedness secured by the property. (Sec. 210) Permits certain small businesses to use cash accounting. (Sec. 211) Amends the Federal Reserve Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to: (1) provide that a depository institution may permit owners of interest or dividend paying accounts to make up to 24 transfers monthly for any purpose to their other demand deposits in the same institution; and (2) repeal the proscription against the payment of interest on demand deposits. Title III: Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance Provisions - Permits the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. (Sec. 302) Phases-in a 100 percent deduction (for both itemizers and nonitemizers) for the health and long-term care insurance costs of individuals not participating in employer-subsidized health plans. (Sec. 303) Extends, for two years the availability of medical savings accounts. (Sec. 304) Revises consumer protection provisions for long-term care insurance contracts. (Sec. 305) Allows a deduction, to itemizers and nonitemizers, for providing long-term care in the home to household members. Title IV: Pension and Individual Retirement Arrangement Provisions - Retirement Savings and Pension coverage Act of 2000 - Subtitle A--Individual Retirement Accounts - Increases IRA contribution limits. Provides for catch-up contributions for individuals over age 50. (Sec. 402) Amends the IRC and ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) to permit employees to make IRA contributions under a qualified employer plan. (Sec. 403) Exempts from inclusion as income individual retirement account (IRA) distributions used for qualified charitable purposes. (Sec. 404) Increases the adjusted gross income limit for Roth IRA contributions and conversions. Subtitle B: Expanding Coverage - Provides for increases in amounts of benefit and contribution limits. Sets indexes for inflation in various increments on such increased limits. (Sec. 412) Revises requirements relating to plan loans for subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors. (Sec. 413) Revises specified top-heavy rules. Repeals family aggregation rules. Revises the definition of key employee. Provides that, at the election of the employer, any employee elective contribution to a plan shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining: (1) whether a plan is a top-heavy plan (or whether any aggregation group which includes such plan is a top-heavy group); or (2) compensation. Requires that employer matching contributions be taken into account for purposes of minimum contribution requirements. Revises requirements for qualifications. Provides for distributions during the last year before a determination date is taken into account. Excludes from the definition of top-heavy plan: (1) cash or deferred arrangements using alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements; and (2) defined contribution plans using alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements. Provides that elective deferrals will not be taken into account for purposes of a special rule where the maximum contribution is less than three percent. (Sec. 414) Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. (Sec. 415) Repeals specified coordination requirements under the Code for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 416) Eliminates user fee requirements for requests to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the status of pension plans. (Sec. 417) Revises certain deduction limits for stock bonus and profit sharing trusts and for defined contribution plans. (Sec. 418) Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as Roth contributions. Subtitle C: Enhancing Fairness for Women - Allows individuals who are age 50 or older to make additional contributions to an applicable employer plan (Section 401(k) plan or similar plan). (Sec. 422) Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Increases the 25 percent of compensation limitation on annual additions under a defined contribution plan to 100 percent. Declares that certain contributions by church plans are not to be treated as exceeding a specified limit. Sets limits on contributions to a tax-sheltered annuity which are similar to the limits applicable to tax-qualified plans. Increases the 33 and one-third percent of compensation limitation on deferrals under a section 457 plan to 100 percent of compensation. (Sec. 423) Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under the Code and ERISA. Requires employer matching contributions to vest at least as rapidly as under three-year cliff vesting or under six-year graded vesting that provides for a nonforfeitable right to 20 percent of employer matching contributions for each year of service beginning with the participant's second year of service and ending with 100 percent after six years of service. (Sec. 424) Revises minimum distribution rules under the Code. Revises requirements for actuarial adjustment of benefits under a defined benefit plan. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) to: (1) simplify and finalize the regulations relating to minimum distribution requirements; and (2) modify such regulations to reflect increases in life expectancy, and revise required distribution methods so that, under reasonable assumptions, the amount of the required minimum distribution does not decrease over a participant's life expectancy. Provides that, during the first year that such revised regulations are in effect, required distributions for future years may be redetermined, with the opportunity to choose a new designated beneficiary and to elect a new method of calculating life expectancy. Excludes specified amounts from minimum distribution requirements. Repeals a rule relating to distributions begun before death occurs. Reduces the excise tax on failures to satisfy the minimum distribution rules to ten percent of the amount that was required to be distributed but was not distributed. (Sec. 425) Revises requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. Applies the taxation rules for qualified plan distributions pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order to distributions made pursuant to a domestic relations order from a section 457 plan. (Sec. 426) Modifies provisions for safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans. Directs the Secretary to reduce from 12 months to six months the period during which an employee is prohibited from making elective contributions and employee contributions in order for a distribution to be deemed necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need. Provides that a hardship distribution made pursuant to plan terms is not an eligible rollover distribution. (Sec 427) Makes the ten percent excise tax on nondeductible contributions inapplicable to a nondeductible SIMPLE plan or a SIMPLE IRA solely because the contributions are not trade or business expenses. Subtitle D: Increasing Portability for Participants - Permits rollovers from and to various types of plans under the Code. (Sec. 432) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers into workplace retirement plans only if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 433) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust under specified conditions. (Sec. 434) Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the 60-day rollover period if the failure to waive such requirement would be against equity or good conscience, including cases of casualty, disaster, or other events beyond the reasonable control of the individual subject to such requirement. (Sec. 435) Sets forth requirements for treatment of forms of distribution available under transferor and transferee plans under the Code and ERISA. (Sec. 436) Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. Repeals business sale requirements. (Sec. 437) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. (Sec. 438) Allows employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out amounts, under retirement plan provisions of the Code. (Sec. 439) Revises minimum distribution and inclusion requirements for section 457 plans. Subtitle E: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Increases and repeals, for plan years beginning in 2004 and following years, the current liability full funding limit. (Sec. 442) Revises maximum contribution deduction rules. Applies such rules to all defined benefit plans. (Sec. 443) Allows an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent that they exceed the full-funding limitation. (Sec. 444) Imposes an excise tax on a plan failing to provide required notice of a significant reduction in the rate of future benefit accrual. (Sec. 445) Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. (Sec. 446) Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 447) Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Allows written or electronic statements. Requires multiemployer plans to furnish a statement (written or electronic) on request. (Sec. 448) Imposes an excise tax on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) that engage in prohibited transactions with disqualified individuals who are deemed to be substantial shareholders of the corporation sponsoring the plan. Subtitle F: Reducing Regulatory Burdens - Revises requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. (Sec. 452) Allows applicable dividends of ESOPs to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. (Sec. 453) Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. (Sec. 454) Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities under the Code. (Sec. 455) Treats the provision of certain retirement planning services by an employer to an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit to the extent it is not treated as a working condition fringe. Prohibits including an amount in an employee's gross income solely because the employee may choose between any retirement planning fringe and compensation otherwise includible in gross income, providing such choices are available in a way that does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees. (Sec. 456) Directs the Secretary to provide simplified annual filing requirements for: (1) one-participant (an owner and spouse) retirement plans with assets below a specified amount; and (2) plans with fewer than 25 employees. (Sec. 457) Directs the Secretary to continue to update and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS), or any successor program, giving special attention to: (1) increasing the awareness and knowledge of small employers concerning the availability and use of EPCRS; (2) taking into account special concerns and circumstances that small employers face with respect to compliance and correction of compliance failures; (3) extending the duration of the self-correction period under the Administrative Policy Regarding Self-Correction (APRSC) for significant compliance failures; (4) expanding the availability to correct insignificant compliance failures under APRSC during audit; and (5) assuring that any tax, penalty, or sanction that is imposed by reason of a compliance failure is not excessive and bears a reasonable relationship to the nature, extent, and severity of the failure. (Sec. 458) Repeals a multiple use test, and directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations, as necessary, including ones permitting appropriate aggregation of plans and contributions. (Sec. 459) Directs the Secretary to provide by regulation circumstances under which plans can use a facts and circumstances test, which was in effect before 1994, to satisfy nondiscrimination, coverage, and line of business rules. (Sec. 460) Exempts plans maintained by any governmental entity from certain nondiscrimination rules. (Sec. 461) Directs the Secretary to modify specified regulations to require: (1) that the applicable distribution notice period be not more than 180 (currently 90) and not less than 30 days before the date distribution commences; and (2) the description of a participant's right, if any, to defer receipt of a distribution include a description of the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 462) Revises ERISA requirements for annual report dissemination. (Sec. 463) Revises ERISA provisions concerning the National Summit on Retirement Savings. (Sec. 454) Requires a study concerning the effects of this Act on pension coverage. Subtitle G: Other ERISA Provisions - Amends ERISA to revise requirements relating to missing participants. Directs the PBGC to prescribe rules relating to missing participants for multiemployer plans covered by the PBGC that terminate. Allows the administrator of a plan not otherwise subject to such PBGC regulation to elect to transfer a missing participant's benefits to the PBGC upon termination of the plan, under specified conditions. (Sec. 472) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 to provide that, during the first five years of a new single-employer plan of a small employer (100 or fewer employees), the flat rate Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC) premium will be five dollars per plan participant. (Sec. 473) Provides for a reduced additional PGBC variable premium for new employers. (Sec. 474) Authorizes the PBGC to pay, subject to regulations, interest on the amount of any overpayment of premium refunded to a designated payor. (Sec. 475) Amends ERISA, with respect to limitations on the guarantee of single-employer plan benefits, to rename a "substantial owner" a "majority owner," who owns either the entire interest in an unincorporated trade or business, or: (1) 50 percent or more (currently more than ten percent) of either the capital interest or the profits interest in a partnership; or (2) 50 percent or more (currently more than ten percent) in value of either the voting stock of a corporation or all its stock. Revises the formula for the amount of benefits guaranteed for a majority owner of a plan which is in effect for less than 60 months when the plan terminates. Prescribes priorities for the allocation of assets to benefits when the assets available for the initial allocation are insufficient to satisfy in full the accrued benefits of all the individuals derived from their contributions. (Sec. 476) Increases the amounts of multiemployer plan benefits guaranteed under ERISA. (Sec. 477) Changes from mandatory to discretionary the Secretary of Labor's authority to assess civil penalties against fiduciaries or other persons. Changes the penalty amount from 20 percent of the applicable recovery amount to any amount up to 20 percent of the applicable recovery amount. Revises the meaning of applicable recovery amount. Makes a person jointly and severally liable for the penalty to the same extent that such person is jointly and severally liable for the applicable recovery amount on which the penalty is based. Conditions the assessment of any penalty upon notice to the person and the opportunity for a hearing on the violation and the applicable recovery amount. (Sec. 478) Directs the Secretary of Labor to modify a certain regulation concerning benefit suspension notification in the case of an employer returning to work for a former employer. Subtitle H: Plan Amendments - Prescribes time requirements for plan amendments. Title V: School Construction Provisions - Increases the amount by which certain governmental bonds used to finance public school capital expenditures may be exempted from specified arbitrage bond provisions. (Sec. 502) Modifies arbitrage rebate rules applicable to public school construction bonds. (Sec. 503) Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 to revise the special arbitrage rule. (Sec. 504) Provides for the treatment of qualified public educational facility bonds as exempt facility bonds. Defines a "qualified public educational facility" as any school facility which is: (1) part of a public elementary school or a public secondary school; and (2) owned by a private, for-profit corporation pursuant to a public-private partnership agreement with a State or local educational agency. Provides for an exception from the State volume cap. (Sec. 505) Permits a tax credit to an eligible taxpayer holding a qualified zone academy bond. Defines such a bond. Sets a national zone academy bond limitation. Title VI: Community Revitalization - Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 40 renewal communities, of which at least 12 shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows: (1) a renewal community employment credit; (2) a commercial revitalization deduction; (3) increased expensing for renewal community business assets; and (4) the work opportunity credit for hiring youth residing in renewal communities. Subtitle B: Extension and Expansion of Empowerment Zone Incentives - Provides for the designation of additional empowerment zones and increased empowerment zone tax incentives. Subtitle C: New Markets Tax Credi t- Establishes a new markets tax credit with respect to specified qualified low-income community investments. Sets a national new markets tax credit limitation. Subtitle D: Improvements in Low-Income Housing Credit - Amends the Code, with respect to the low-income housing credit, to revise the formula for the State housing credit ceiling. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to the State ceiling. (Sec. 632) Revises the housing priority selection criteria a housing credit agency must use to develop a qualified plan for allocating housing credit dollar amounts among projects. Requires such criteria to include: (1) whether the project would use existing housing as part of a community revitalization plan; (2) tenant populations of individuals with children; and (3) projects intended for eventual tenant ownership. Drops from such criteria participation of local tax-exempt organizations. Requires a qualified allocation plan to give preference in making allocations to projects located in qualified census tracts whose development contributes to a concerted community revitalization plan. (Sec. 633) Requires housing credit agencies to: (1) provide for a comprehensive market study (by a disinterested party, at the developer's expense) of the housing needs of low-income individuals in the area to be served by the project before the credit allocation is made; and (2) make public a written explanation for any allocation of a housing credit dollar amount not made in accordance with the agency's established priorities and selection criteria. (Sec. 634) Revises special rules for the determination of the adjusted basis of buildings eligible for the low-income housing credit. Requires adjusted basis to include property used throughout the taxable year in providing any community service facility designed to serve primarily individuals (even if they are not tenants) whose income is 60 percent or less of area median income. Declares that assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 shall be disregarded in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for purposes of the low-income housing credit. (Sec. 635) Revises the definition of a qualified building (placed in service not later than the second calendar year following a housing credit dollar amount allocation) with respect to which the amount of a low-income housing credit may exceed the credit amount allocated to the building. Sets an alternative date for valuation of the taxpayer's actual basis in the project of which the building is a part (where the actual basis is more than ten percent of the taxpayer's reasonably expected basis). Allows the valuation of the actual basis to be as of the later of the date which is six months after the date that the allocation was made or (as currently) the close of the calendar year in which the allocation is made. Revises the formula for determination of the amount of State housing credit ceiling returned in a calendar year to include the dollar amount previously allocated to a project which fails to meet the ten percent test on a date after the close of the calendar year in which the allocation was made. Revises special rules for the increased basis of a building located in certain high cost areas to redefine a qualified census tract to include, as an alternative to existing criteria, a tract with a poverty rate of at least 25 percent. (Sec. 636) Revises the formula for determining unused housing credit carryovers allocated among certain States. Subtitle E: Other Community Renewal and New Markets Assistance - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 to direct the Secretary to transfer ownership of qualified HUD-held properties (substandard or unoccupied multifamily or unoccupied single family properties) to local governments and community development corporations under specified conditions. Requires such properties to be held by HUD for at least six months. (Sec 642) Directs the Secretary, upon request of the appropriate jurisdiction, to designate as a revitalization area all portions of such jurisdiction meeting the necessary criteria. (Sec. 643) Revises the current demonstration mortgage reinsurance program to: (1) make such program a risk-sharing program served by private mortgage insurers and insured community development financial institutions (as defined by this Act); (2) enlarge the program to four administrative areas; and (3) require such entities to assume a secondary percentage of loss of an insured mortgage. (Sec. 644) Permits a religious organization to receive Federal funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Prohibits funding discrimination against such an organization so long as its program is implemented in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution. Subtitle F: Other Provisions - Provides for an accelerated phase-in of specified increases in the volume cap on private activity bonds. (Sec. 652) Repeals the targeted area limitation on the expense deduction for environmental remediation costs and to extend the termination date of such deduction from December 31, 2001, to June 30, 2003. (Sec. 653) Extends the DC homebuyer tax credit for two additional years. Title VII: Administrative, Miscellaneous, and Technical Provisions - Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth various administrative provisions, including provisions concerning: (1) the exemption of certain reporting requirements; (2) the extension of deadlines for IRS compliance with certain notice requirements; (3) the extension of authority for undercover operations; (4) confidentiality of certain documents relating to closing and similar agreements and to agreements with foreign governments; (5) an increase in the threshold for Joint Committee reports on refunds and credits; (6) the treatment of missing children with respect to certain tax benefits; and (7) the prevention of the duplication of loss through the assumption of liabilities giving rise to a deduction. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the: (1) 4.3-cent motor fuel excise taxes on railroads and inland waterway transportation which remain in general fund; (2) reduction of deductions for mutual life insurance companies; and (3) policyholders surplus account provisions. Sets forth provisions concerning, among other things: (1) a credit to holders of qualified Amtrak bonds; (2) farm, fishing, and ranch risk management accounts; (3) the extension of the enhanced deduction for corporate donations of computer technology; (4) relief from Federal tax liability arising with respect to certain claims against the Department of Agriculture for discrimination in farm credit and benefit programs; (5) the expansion of the credit for adoption expenses; and (6) the treatment of Indian tribal governments under Federal Unemployment Tax Act. Subtitle C: Technical Corrections - Makes amendments to the: (1) Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999; (2) Tax and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998; (3) Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; (4) Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; (5) Balanced Budget Act of 1997; (6) Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996; and (7) Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990. Subtitle D: Pay-Go Adjustments - Sets forth pay-go adjustment provisions.

California Reclaimed Water Act for the 21st Century

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

California Reclaimed Water Act for the 21st Century - Amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) coordinate projects for the reclamation and reuse of water under such Act with projects and programs under the CALFED Bay-Delta Program; and (2) take into account Federal expenditures for projects under such Act in making determinations under the CALFED Program relating to the equitable implementation of ecosystem restoration and water management. Requires project compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) participate in the design, planning, and construction of the Castaic Lake Water Agency reclaimed water project, the Clear Lake Basin water reuse project, the Inland Empire regional water recycling project, the San Pablo Baylands water reuse projects, the Lower Chino Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project, the West Basin Comprehensive Desalination Demonstration Program in Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles Water Recycling Program (replaces existing provisions authorizing the Secretary's participation in the Los Angeles area water reclamation and reuse project); (2) provide design and construction assistance for the East Bay Municipal Utility District/Dublin San Ramon Services District advanced wastewater reuse treatment project; (3) provide assistance to California in carrying out projects under the California water recycling program; and (4) carry out programs to assist agencies in projects to construct regional brine lines in the San Francisco Bay and Santa Clara Valley areas and to export the salinity imported from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program in cooperation with the Water Reuse Foundation to conduct research concerning water reuse in relation to public health, water quality, new technology, salt management, economics, and ecosystem restoration. Adds a separate Federal cost share limitation with respect to the San Gabriel Basin demonstration project.

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the District of Columbia for FY 2001, including amounts for the Federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) for incentives for adoption of children; (3) for the commercial revitalization program; (4) to the District of Columbia Public Schools; (5) for the Metropolitan Police Department; (6) to Covenant House Washington for a new community service center for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth; (7) to the District of Columbia Corrections Trustee Operations; (8) to the District of Columbia Courts; (9) to the Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (10) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (including transfer of funds); (11) to the Washington Interfaith Network for costs incurred in carrying out preconstruction activities at the former Fort Dupont Dwellings and Additions; (12) for a study and development of a plan to simplify the District government employee compensation system; (13) for construction of a Metrorail station to be located at New York and Florida Avenues, Northeast; (14) for Brownfield Remediation at Poplar Point; (15) to reimburse the District for expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities; (16) to the Children's National Medical Center; (17) to the Child Advocacy Center; (18) to the St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc. expansion project; and (19) to the District of Columbia Special Olympics. Appropriates specified sums out of the District's general fund (and other funds, in some cases) for the current fiscal year for: (1) operating expenses (with certain limits); (2) the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority (Authority); (3) governmental direction and support; (4) economic development and regulation; (5) public safety and justice; (6) the public education system; (7) human support services; (8) public works; (9) receivership programs; (10) replacement of funds expended during FY 2000 from the Reserve established by the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995; and (11) the emergency reserve fund established under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act by this Act. Provides funds for the purpose of restructuring the delivery of health services in the District of Columbia, provided the restructuring plan reduces personnel levels of D.C. General Hospital and of the Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) consistent with the reduction set forth in the August 25, 2000, PBC Board of Directors resolution. Appropriates funds for: (1) repayment of loans and interest; (2) repayment of general fund recovery debt; (3) payment of interest on short-term borrowing; (4) reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities; (5) lease payments in accordance with the Certificates of Participation involving the land site underlying the building located at One Judiciary Square; (6) expenses associated with the John A. Wilson Building; (7) optical and dental insurance payments; (8) management supervisory service; (9) the implementation of a Cafeteria Plan; (10) the Water and Sewer Authority and the Washington Aqueduct; (11) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (12) the Sports and Entertainment Commission; (13) the District of Columbia Health and Hospitals Public Benefit Corporation; (14) the District of Columbia Retirement Board; (15) the Correctional Industries Fund; (16) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund; and (17) capital outlay (including rescissions). Transfers specified funds to the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund to be spent pursuant to local law. Requires the Mayor and District Council to make reductions of specified amounts for operational improvements savings and for management reform savings in local funds to one or more of the appropriation headings in this Act. Sets forth authorizations as well as limitations and prohibitions on the uses of appropriations under this Act, and directives to the Mayor, the Council, and the Board of Education identical with or similar to those in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000. (Sec. 104) Requires the Mayor to maintain an index of all employment personal services and consulting contracts (except collective bargaining agreements or related contracts) in effect on behalf of the District government, including severance clause information. (Sec. 129) Amends the District of Columbia School Reform Act to modify contracting requirements for public charter schools with respect to: (1) specify exceptions to the notice requirements for procurement contracts; and (2) submission of contracts to the eligible chartering authority. Provides that no provision of any law regarding the establishment, administration, or operation of District public charter schools shall apply if it duplicates or is inconsistent with such Act. Subjects a public charter school which offers a preschool or prekindergarten program to the same child care licensing requirements (if any) which apply to a District public school which offers such a program. Allows a public charter school to: (1) assign payments made to the school to a financial institution for use as collateral to secure a loan or for the repayment of a loan; (2) acquire goods and services through the General Services Administration (GSA) and participate in GSA programs in the same manner and to the extent as any District government entity; and (3) delegate to a nonprofit, District tax-exempt organization the school's authority to participate in such programs. (Sec. 123) Prohibits the expenditure of funds appropriated under this Act for abortions except where the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 124) Bars the use of funds made available by this Act to implement or enforce: (1) the District of Columbia Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992 (also known as the District Domestic Partner Act); or (2) any system of registration of unmarried, cohabiting couples for purposes of extending them benefits on the same basis as such benefits are extended to legally married couples. (Sec. 126) Allows the Mayor to accept, obligate, and expend Federal, private, and other grants received by the District government that are not reflected in the amounts appropriated in this Act if the Chief Financial Officer reports to the Authority on detailed information regarding such grant, and the Authority approves such activity. Prohibits any obligation or expenditure from the general fund or other District government funds in anticipation of the approval or receipt of a Federal, private, or other grant not subject to this Act. (Sec. 129) Prohibits any D.C. government officer or employee from entering into a procurement agreement in excess of $2,500 on behalf of any D.C. government entity until the officer or employee has analyzed how procurement under D.C. government regulations and procedures would differ from procurement under the Federal supply schedule and other Government Services Administration regulations and procedures. (Sec. 131) Requires recipients of funds under this Act to comply with the Buy American Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, such funds should be used to purchase only American-made equipment and products. Declares a person ineligible to receive any contract made with funds provided under this Act if the person has been judicially determined to have intentionally affixed a "Made in America" label to a product that is not U.S.-made. (Sec. 134) Prohibits the use of funds contained in this Act to transfer or confine inmates classified above the medium security level, as defined by the Federal Bureau of Prisons classification instrument, to the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center located in Youngstown, Ohio. (Sec. 135) Amends Federal law to transfer from the Comptroller General of the United States to the District's Inspector General responsibility for the annual financial statement audit of the District's Highway Trust Fund. (Sec. 137) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. (Sec. 140) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act 60 days after its enactment to pay the salary of any chief financial officer of any District government office who has not filed a certification with the Mayor and the Chief Financial Officer that the officer understands the duties and restrictions applicable, including any duty to prepare certain requested reports. (Sec. 141) Requires the proposed FY 2002 budget of the District government to specify potential adjustments that might become necessary in the event that the management savings achieved by the District during the year do not meet the level of management savings projected. (Sec. 142) Requires any document showing the budget for a District government office that contains specified general, nondescriptive labels categorizing activities to include descriptions of the types of activities covered and a detailed breakdown of the amount allocated for each one. (Sec. 143) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to enact or carry out any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) derivative. Provides that the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998, also known as Initiative 59, approved by the electors of the District on November 3, 1998, shall not take effect. (Sec. 144) Authorizes the D.C. Mayor to allocate the District's limitation amount of qualified zone academy bonds among qualified zone academies within the District. (Sec. 145) Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to treat the Trustee and employees of the Office of the Trustee and the Office of Adult Probation, the employees of the Office of Parole, and the employees of the Pretrial Services Agency as Federal employees solely for purposes relating to the Civil Service Retirement System, the Federal Employees Retirement System, life insurance, and health insurance. (Sec. 146) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Authority should quickly complete the sale of the Franklin School property which has been vacant for over 20 years. (Sec. 147) Declares that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the Council or Mayor from addressing the issue of the provision of contraceptive coverage by health insurance plans; but (2) it is the intent of Congress that any legislation enacted on such issue should include a "conscience clause" which provides exceptions for religious beliefs and moral convictions. (Sec. 148) Repeals the Medical Examiner chapter of the District of Columbia Code. Makes such repeal effective on the date on which legislation enacted by the Council to establish the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the executive branch of the District government takes effect. (Sec. 149) Requires the Superior Court of the District or the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to assign interest on a voucher submitted by a court-appointed attorney for payment if the voucher is not paid within 45 days of its submission. (Sec. 150) Makes it unlawful for any person to distribute any needle or syringe for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug in any area of the District of Columbia within 1000 feet of a public or private elementary or secondary school (including a public charter school). Specifies sites deemed outside or inside such 1000-foot perimeter. (Sec. 151) Appropriates a Federal contribution to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department upon enactment by the District of a specified law banning possession of tobacco products by individuals under age 18. (Sec. 152) Declares that nothing in this Act bars the District of Columbia Corporation Counsel from reviewing or commenting on briefs in private lawsuits, or from consulting with officials of the District government regarding such lawsuits. (Sec. 153) Declares that nothing in the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 may be construed to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from negotiating and entering into cooperative agreements and grants which affect real property of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia, if the principal purpose of the agreement or grant is to provide comparable benefits for Federal and Non-Federal properties in the District of Columbia. (Sec. 154) Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to direct the District of Columbia to conduct its financial management in accordance with a comprehensive financial management policy covering cash, debt, financial asset, emergency reserve management policies, and a policy for determining real property tax exemptions for the District of Columbia. Prescribes procedures for: (1) annual review of the comprehensive management policy by the Chief Financial Officer; and (2) development of the first such policy. (Sec. 155) Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to outline the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in a non-control year or following the lapse of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority. (Sec. 156) Declares that employees of the District of Columbia government will only receive overtime compensation for time worked in excess of 40 hours per week. (Sec. 157) Authorizes the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency to continue to operate its ongoing drug-free workplace testing program during the period that its plan is being reviewed for approval by the Department of Health and Human Services. (Sec. 158) Requires the Mayor to report quarterly, beginning October 1, 2000, to specified congressional committees on the District's progress with respect to: (1) crime; (2) access to drug abuse treatment; (3) management of parolees and pre-trial violent offenders; (4) education; (5) improvement in basic District services, including rat control and abatement; (6) application for and management of Federal grants; and (7) indicators of child well-being. (Sec. 159) Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to establish an interest-bearing emergency cash reserve fund into which the Mayor shall deposit an amount required to maintain a balance (by FY 2004, and incrementally until then) of at least four percent of the total budget appropriated for operating expenditures for the fiscal year which is derived from local funds. Requires full replenishment of the fund at the beginning of each fiscal year. Limits the use of the emergency reserve fund to unanticipated and non-recurring extraordinary needs of an emergency nature, including a natural disaster or calamity or unexpected obligations by Federal law. Prohibits use of such fund for: (1) District agency receiverships; (2) shortfalls in projected reductions in the District's proposed budgets; or (3) settlements and judgments by or against the District government. Establishes an interest- bearing contingency cash reserve fund into which the Mayor shall deposit an amount required to maintain a balance (by FY 2007, and incrementally during FY 2005 and 2006) of at least three percent of the total budget appropriated for operating expenditures for the fiscal year which is derived from local funds. Requires full replenishment of the fund at the beginning of each fiscal year. Limits the use of the fund to non-recurring or unforeseen needs arising during the fiscal year, including expenses associated with unforeseen weather or other natural disasters, unexpected obligations by Federal law or new public safety or health needs or requirements identified after the budget process has occurred, or opportunities to achieve cost savings. Allows use of the fund to cover revenue shortfalls experienced for cash receipts that are at least five percent below forecast for three consecutive months (based on a two-month rolling average). Prohibits use of such fund for shortfalls in projected reductions included in the District's proposed budgets. Conditions any use of the fund on the Chief Financial Officer's analysis of: (1) the availability of other sources of funding to carry out a particular allocation; and (2) the impact of such allocation on the balance and integrity of the fund itself. Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995 to repeal current requirements for a positive reserve fund balance. (Sec. 160) Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to authorize the City Council to delegate to the District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation the Council's authority to issue revenue bonds, notes, and other obligations used to finance capital projects which are secured by payments under the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. Waives the congressional review period for the Tobacco Settlement Financing Act of 2000. (Sec. 161) Amends the Student Loan Marketing Association Reorganization Act of 1996, as amended by the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000, to provide a set aside of specified appropriations for a credit enhancement fund for grants to eligible nonprofit corporations and other specified entities for public charter schools in the District. (Sec. 162) Grants the D.C. Mayor exclusive authority to approve and execute leases of the Washington Marina and the Washington municipal fish wharf with the existing lessees for an initial term of 30 years and other terms and conditions the Mayor deems appropriate. (Sec. 163) Amends the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 to provide for transfer without consideration to Fairfax County, Virginia, of any property located south of Silverbrooke Road identified for educational uses in the County reuse plan. (Sec. 164) Amends the District of Columbia Procurement Practices Act of 1985 to allow the District's Inspector General to contract for the independent audit of the District's financial statements with an auditor who was a subcontractor to the independent auditor who audited the District's financial statements for the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 165) Amends the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 to direct the Administrator of General Services to convey to Fairfax County, Virginia, fee simple title to the Laurel Hill Residential Land located at the Lorton Correctional Complex north of Silverbrooke Road, if by January 15, 2001, Fairfax County agrees to convey Meadowood Farm to the Secretary of the Interior. (Sec. 166) Amends the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000 to authorize the Federal Highway Administration to conduct and perform specified 14th Street bridge work related to a project to complete design requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for the construction of expanded lane capacity for the 14th Street Bridge.

FUEL DUTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 24 October 2000

That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to reform the tax system to increase incentives to reduce environmental damage; recognises the important role that fuel duty has played in meeting this commitment; welcomes the reduction in traffic growth to below the rate of economic growth, with rail passengers up by 17 per cent. since May 1997 and cycling up by five per cent. since 1998; recognises that some motorists are finding it hard to cope with the increased cost of fuel; and urges the Government to reform the fiscal system in order to encourage fuel efficiency and promote the use of alternative cleaner fuels by means, for example, of reducing vehicle excise duty for the most efficient cars, increasing financial incentives for motorists and hauliers to convert or buy vehicles powered by liquid petroleum gas, encouraging fuel suppliers to rapidly increase the 500 fuel stations where LPG is currently available and increasing research and development grants into fuel cell technology.

Coastal Resources Enhancement and Restoration Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2000

Coastal Resources Enhancement and Restoration Act of 2000 - Amends the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to require not less than ten percent of amounts appropriated for grants for engineering research to be used by the National Science Foundation for grants for coastal engineering and coastline protection research. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct a Federal agency found to have violated the Act in connection with the discharge or runoff of pollutants into U.S. coastal waters and ordered to undertake a supplemental environmental program in lieu of paying fines to be given the option of constructing artificial reefs and undertaking aquatic habitat restoration projects. Requires the Secretary of the Army, in determining which shores other than public will be eligible for Federal assistance for shore protection, to consider a publicly owned shore with insufficient public access to be a privately owned shore. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to allow a publicly owned shore with insufficient public access to be considered a privately owned shore for purposes of costs of constructing projects or measures for beach erosion control and water quality enhancement assigned to projects for flood control and other water resources purposes. Directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out a comprehensive ocean observing system pilot program. Requires the establishment of two regional test projects, one of which shall be located at the Southern California Bight from Encinitas, Mexico, to Point Dume, California, with Orange County, California, serving as the focal point. Establishes a beach nourishment account in the Treasury to carry out: (1) such pilot program; and (2) projects for beach nourishment, shore protection, and beach erosion control.

Savage Rapids Dam Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2000

Savage Rapids Dam Act of 2000 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, prior to removal of Savage Rapids Dam, to: (1) design and install modern electric irrigation pumps and associated infrastructure at or near the Dam on the Rogue River in Oregon to supply water to the Grants Pass Irrigation District; (2) install fish screens at the pump stations; and (3) certify that the pumping facilities are operational and in conformity with environmental regulations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the Dam and remove it and to correct any deficiencies in the design, specification, and installation of the pumps. Vests title to the pumping facilities in the District. Requires the Bureau of Reclamation to monitor any impacts downstream from the Dam resulting from dam removal and to implement appropriate remedial actions. Requires the Bureau and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement fisheries enhancement projects upstream of the Dam and downstream to the mouth of Applegate River to minimize the impact, and maximize the benefit, of dam removal. Requires the Secretary to work with the State of Oregon and Josephine and Jackson Counties to implement community recreational enhancement projects.

2000/664/EC: Council Decision of 23 October 2000 amending Decision 2000/265/EC on the establishment of a financial regulation governing the budgetary aspects of the management by the Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of contracts concluded in his name, on behalf of certain Member States, relating to the installation and the functioning of the communication infrastructure for the Schengen environment, 'SISNET'

European Union · EUR-Lex · 23 October 2000

Seafood Safety and Mercury Screening Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2000

Seafood Safety and Mercury Screening Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a tolerance for methyl mercury in seafood, which shall be based on a scientific analysis of the health risks attributable to such substance. Deems unsafe any seafood containing methyl mercury over the tolerance limits. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that such tolerance is safe and to modify or revoke any tolerance found to be unsafe; and (2) ensure that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to pregnant women, infants, and children from aggregate exposure to methyl mercury. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a system for the ongoing collection and analysis of seafood samples to determine the extent of tolerance compliance; (2) design and implement a national public education program regarding the presence of methyl mercury in seafood; (3) work with States and other appropriate entities to develop national and regional methyl mercury advisories; (4) consider, when determining such tolerance, certain findings of the National Academy of Sciences regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended level for methyl mercury; and (5) report to Congress on progress made in establishing the tolerance.

Proposal for a Council Decision amending Directive 90/219/EEC as regards the criteria for establishing the safety to human health and the environment of types of genetically modified micro-organisms

European Union · European Commission · 19 October 2000

Scheitern der österreichischen Stromlösung

Austria · National Council · 18 October 2000

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Georg Oberhaidinger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit betreffend Scheitern der österreichischen Stromlösung

A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to exclude beverage alcohol compounds emitted from aging warehouses from the definition of volatile organic compounds.

United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2000

Amends the Clean Air Act to exclude from the definition of "volatile organic compound" beverage alcohol compounds (ethanol) emitted from aging warehouses.

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2000

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001- Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and for sundry independent agencies. Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) departmental administration; (8) the National Cemetery Administration; (9) the Office of Inspector General; (10) construction; (11) the parking revolving fund; and (12) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 114) Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated for medical care for the Department of Veterans Affairs for the realignment of the health care delivery system in Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs makes a specified certification regarding impacts on the accessibility of veterans health care services to affected veterans. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (8) the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development; (9) empowerment zones and enterprise communities; (10) the community development fund; (11) brownfields redevelopment; (12) the HOME investment partnerships program; (13) homeless assistance grants; (14) Shelter Plus Care program renewals; (15) housing for special populations; (16) the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); (17) the Government National Mortgage Association; (18) housing policy development and research; (19) fair housing activities; (20) the Lead Hazard Reduction Program; (21) management and administration; (22) the Office of Inspector General; and (23) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary of HUD, from amounts made available under this title for FY 2001 for housing opportunities for persons with AIDS, to make a grant for any State that: (1) received an allocation in a prior fiscal year due to having a specified number of AIDS cases outside of a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) with a population exceeding 500,000; and (2) is not otherwise eligible for a FY 2001 allocation because the areas outside the MSAs that qualify for funding in FY 2001 do not have the number of AIDS cases required. (Sec. 206) Bars the use of funds appropriated by any Act by the Secretary of HUD to prohibit any entity that is responsible for convening and managing a continuum of care process in a community for purposes of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act from participating in such capacity unless the Secretary has published in the Federal Register a description of all circumstances that would be grounds for, and the procedures for, such prohibition. (Sec. 207) Requires any grant or assistance made pursuant to this title to be made in accordance with HUD accountability provisions of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 on a competitive basis. (Sec. 210) Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to make housing assistance under such Act available for law enforcement officers on reservations or in other Indian areas if the presence of such officers may deter crime. (Sec. 211) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated in any Act by the Secretary of HUD to provide any assistance to benefit a facility which sells predominantly cigarettes or other tobacco products (such sales representing more than 35 percent of the annual, total in-store, non-fuel sales). (Sec. 212) Bars the use of funds to implement the June 2000 agreement between the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration, and HUD related to the allocation of operating subsidies for such Housing Administration unless the Housing Administration and HUD submit by December 31, 2000, a schedule of benchmarks and measurable goals to the Appropriations Committees designed to address issues of mismanagement and safeguards against fraud and abuse. (Sec. 214) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide for onsite computer access and training resources for public housing residents. Authorizes computer centers in and around public housing, through a Neighborhood Networks initiative and related activities, to be established, operated, and assisted by the use of: (1) public housing capital and operating funds, and certain technical assistance; and (2) demolition, site revitalization, replacement housing, and tenant-based assistance grants for projects. (Sec. 215) Considers the properties known as the Hawthornes in Independence, Missouri, as eligible multifamily housing for purposes of participating in a specified multifamily housing restructuring program. (Sec. 216) Amends the National Housing Act to extend through FY 2001 the authority for all project owners to retain excess income under the rental and cooperative housing program. (Sec. 217) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to modify the definition of "urban county" for purposes of the community development block grant program and to authorize an urban county that was so classified for FY 1999, at its option, to remain classified as such for purposes of such Act. (Sec. 218) Exempts public housing agencies in Alaska and Mississippi from certain membership requirements for their boards of directors under the United States Housing Act of 1937. (Sec. 221) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to make recipients under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 eligible for certain supportive services and empowerment activities currently offered to public housing residents. (Sec. 222) Extends the availability of certain grants made available under an economic development initiative pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 through FY 2001. (Sec. 224) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to extend through FY 2001 the 25 percent public services cap for the City of Los Angeles, California, under the community development block grant program. (Sec. 226) Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to permit the use of assistance for the costs of implementing management information systems for collecting unduplicated counts of homeless people and analyzing patterns of use of assistance under such Act. (Sec. 227) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize loan guarantees for Indian housing to be used to refinance standard housing on Indian trust lands or in Alaska Native areas. (Sec. 228) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to include within the definition of "eligibility event," for purposes of eligibility for enhanced Section 8 voucher assistance, any termination or expiration of a contract for rental assistance during fiscal years after 1996 prior to the effective date of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001. (Sec. 229) Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to prohibit grants for housing assistance for any governmental entity unless such entity agrees to develop and implement policies for the discharge of persons from publicly funded institutions to prevent such discharge from immediately resulting in homelessness. (Sec. 230) Amends the Preserving Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens and Families into the 21st Century Act to redesignate the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care Facility Needs in the 21st Century as the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century. (Sec. 231) Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to terminate the Interagency Council on the Homeless on October 1, 2005 (currently, October 1, 1994). (Sec. 232) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise provisions regarding Section 8 public housing agency (PHA) project-based assistance. Allows a PHA to use amounts provided under an annual contributions contract to enter into a housing assistance payment contract with respect to an existing, newly constructed, or rehabilitated structure subject to specified requirements, including those for: (1) income mixing; (2) resident choice; (3) contract terms and extensions; (4) rent calculations; and (5) tenant selection. (Sec. 233) Requires the Secretary of HUD, in managing and disposing of any multifamily property that is held by the Secretary and occupied primarily by elderly or disabled families, to maintain any Section 8 rental assistance payments that are attached to any dwelling units in the property. (Sec. 234) Makes section 8 family unification assistance available for up to 18 months for eligible youths between the ages of 18 and 21 who have left foster care at age 16 or older. (Sec. 235) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to make permanent an FHA multifamily mortgage credit demonstration program. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service (with a rescission of amounts available in the National Service Trust); (6) the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; (8) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses; (9) the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for carrying out specified activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA); and (10) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for carrying out specified activities under CERCLA, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, and the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Amends the Clean Air Act to make prohibitions on Federal assistance (including highway funds) for activities which do not comply with State implementation plans for air quality standards inapplicable to nonattainment areas until one year after the area is first designated nonattainment for a specific national ambient air quality standard. Applies this provision with respect to the standard for which an area is newly designated nonattainment and provides that it does not affect the area's requirements with respect to other standards for which it is designated nonattainment. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program; (7) the National Flood Insurance Fund; and (8) the National Flood Mitigation Fund. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend through December 31, 2001: (1) a certain ceiling on obligations issued under the national flood insurance program; and (2) the authorization of appropriations for certain studies. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Federal Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for human space flight, science, aeronautics, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 426) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any of the funds provided in title II of this Act for technical assistance, training, or management improvements unless HUD provides a description of each proposed activity and a detailed budget estimate of costs as part of the budget justifications to the Appropriations Committees. (Sec. 427) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for the designation, or approval of the designation, of any area as an ozone nonattainment area under the Clean Air Act pursuant to the eight-hour national ambient air quality standard for ozone promulgated by the EPA on July 18, 1997, and remanded by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals on May 14, 1999, in the case American Trucking Ass'ns. v. EPA prior to June 15, 2001, or final adjudication of such case by the Supreme Court, whichever occurs first. (Sec. 428) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Federal Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1996 to authorize the NASA Administrator to offer voluntary separation incentive payments in order to restructure and improve the efficiency of the workforce. Extends voluntary separation incentives under such Act for separations occurring before September 30, 2002 (currently, September 30, 2000). Requires the NASA Administrator to report to the Appropriations Committees on restructuring activities. (Sec. 429) Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to extend, though December 31, 2001, its commercial space launch industry damage indemnification provisions. Title V: Filipino Veterans' Benefits Improvements - Makes a certain payment rate for service-connected disability benefits paid to members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army who served with U.S. armed forces during World War II inapplicable to those members who are U.S. citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Makes such individuals eligible for hospital and nursing home care and medical services in the same manner as a veteran. Authorizes medical services to veterans with service-connected disabilities within the limits of an outpatient clinic in the Philippines under the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' direct jurisdiction. Title VI: Debt Reduction - Provides for the deposit of an additional amount into the account to reduce the public debt.

93 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by trawler skippers in attracting manpower to go out on fishing trips which can take five to eight days; his views on whether fishermen have a most difficult job in a most hostile environment; and the plans he has to help the fishing industry. [22081/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 October 2000

93 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by trawler skippers in attracting manpower to go out on fishing trips which can take five to eight days; his views on whether fishermen have a most difficult job in a most hostile environment; and the plans he has to help the fishing industry. [22081/00]

93 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by trawler skippers in attracting manpower to go out on fishing trips which can take five to eight days; his views on whether fishermen have a most difficult job in a most hostile environment; and the plans he has to help the fishing industry. [22081/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 October 2000

93 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by trawler skippers in attracting manpower to go out on fishing trips which can take five to eight days; his views on whether fishermen have a most difficult job in a most hostile environment; and the plans he has to help the fishing industry. [22081/00]

Rapid Change Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2000

Rapid Change Opportunity Act - Title I: Funding for Additional Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Strategic Planning Communities - Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Enhancement Act of 2000 - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to revise additional grants requirements, providing for: (1) additional State entitlements to grants for designated qualified empowerment zones and qualified enterprise communities as well as for strategic planning communities (currently not provided for); (2) specified funding for such additional empowerment zone State grants (according to urban or rural status) as well as for additional enterprise community State grants and strategic planning community State grants; (3) direct grants to the governing bodies of eligible Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages or regional or village corporations, subject to certain conditions; (4) use of grant funds for revolving loan fund loans to residents, institutions, organizations, or businesses that hire disadvantaged adults and youths; and (5) environmental review to ensure that the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other applicable Federal law are most effectively implemented in connection with the expenditure of grant funds under SSA title XX additional grants provisions. Title II: Credit Against Income Tax for Certain Investments in Businesses Located in Low-Income Communities - New Markets Tax Credit Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited credit to a taxpayer making a qualified low-income community investment. Title III: Exclusion of Certain Severance Payment Amounts from Income - Layoff Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to$50,000 of any "qualified severance payment." Excludes from such definition payments exceeding $150,000. Title IV: Extension of Medical Benefits - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to establish a new qualifying event to extend medical benefits to covered employees who become eligible for trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974. Title V: Community Economic Adjustment Act of 2000 - Community Economic Adjustment Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act to establish an Office of Community Economic Adjustment in the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce to coordinate the Federal response in regions and communities experiencing severe and sudden economic distress, to help such regions and communities in restructuring their economies. Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary of Labor to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing and carrying out one or more pilot projects to provide public employment for temporarily dislocated workers. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to include assistance for the preparation of resumes and related pre-employment assistance for eligible individuals under required local: (1) elements of programs for youth; and (2) core services for adults and dislocated workers. Authorizes appropriations to the President for a specified FY 2001 contribution to the International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251 (2) (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty

European Union · European Commission · 16 October 2000

eines österreichischen Klimaschutzmaßnahmenplans zur Erreichung des Kyoto-Ziels

Austria · National Council · 13 October 2000

Bericht des Umweltausschusses über den Antrag 177/A(E) der Abgeordneten Mag. Ulrike Sima, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend eines österreichischen Klimaschutzmaßnahmenplans zur Erreichung des Kyoto-Ziels

Kernkraftwerks (KKW) Temelin

Austria · National Council · 13 October 2000

Bericht des Umweltausschusses über den Antrag 121/A(E) der Abgeordneten Karlheinz Kopf, Mag. Karl Schweitzer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungsverfahren (UVP) für ein Hilfsbetriebsgebäude des in Bau befindlichen Kernkraftwerks (KKW) Temelin in der Tschechischen Republik <br><br>und <br><br>über den Antrag 205/A(E) der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Umsetzung der Abschlusserklärung der Delegation aller neun Landtage zur Verhinderung grenznaher Atomkraftwerke vom 9. Mai 2000 <br><br>und <br><br>über den Antrag 206/A(E) der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Schlussoffensive gegen den Fertigbau des AKW Temelin

Schlussoffensive gegen den Fertigbau des AKW Temelin

Austria · National Council · 13 October 2000

Entschließungsantrag des Umweltausschusses betreffend Verhinderung der Inbetriebnahme des Atomkraftwerkes Temelin und Untersagung von Stromimporten aus Drittstaaten, deren Anlagen nicht dem Stand der Technik entsprechen, im Sinne des Art. 2 § 13 Energieliberalisierungsgesetzes

Vorgangsweise der Bundesregierung nach der Inbetriebnahme Temelin

Austria · Federal Council · 12 October 2000

Anfrage der Bundesräte Johann Kraml und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend die weitere Vorgangsweise der Bundesregierung nach der Inbetriebnahme des Atomkraftwerks Temelin

Volksbefragung Erhalt des öffentlichen Waldes,

Austria · National Council · 11 October 2000

Bericht des Hauptausschusses über den Antrag 258/A der Abgeordneten Dr. Alfred Gusenbauer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen gemäß Artikel 49b B-VG iVm § 26 GOG-NR auf Durchführung einer Volksbefragung gemäß Artikel 49b B-VG für den Erhalt des öffentlichen Waldes, für die Wahrung der freien Zugänglichkeit zum Wald und zu den Seegrundstücken als Erholungsraum und für den Erhalt der öffentlichen Wasserressourcen

projet de loi relatif à la protection et à la mise en valeur du milieu marin de la région des Caraïbes

France · Senate · 11 October 2000

Genetically Engineered Foods Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2000

Genetically Engineered Foods Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations that require a producer of a genetically engineered food, in order to obtain approval to introduce such food into interstate commerce, to use a specified premarket consultation and approval process. Requires: (1) the producer to submit to the Secretary each summary of research, test results, and related materials concerning such food; and (2) such information to be made publicly available. Requires information submitted to be adequate to allow the Secretary to fully assess the safety of the food. Allows the Secretary to issue a proposed rule that exempts from such regulations: (1) a narrowly defined category of specific genetically engineered foods if at least ten foods in such category have been found to be safe; and (2) genetically engineered foods that the Secretary determines are regulated under other Federal law. Requires the Secretary, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare and submit to the appropriate congressional committees reports on genetically engineered foods and related concerns. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a program for the marketplace testing of genetically engineered foods; and (2) a registry for such foods that includes their regulatory status. Prohibits the introduction into commerce of such foods that do not meet the requirements of this Act. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a competitive grant program for research on the economic and environmental risks and benefits of using biotechnology in food production.

Spanplatten-Recycling, -verordnung und -kennzeichnung

Austria · National Council · 10 October 2000

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Arbeit betreffend Spanplatten-Recycling, -verordnung und -kennzeichnung

Spanplatten-Recycling, -verordnung und -kennzeichnung

Austria · National Council · 10 October 2000

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Spanplatten-Recycling, -verordnung und -kennzeichnung

Researchers and Farmers Freedom From Terrorism Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2000

Researchers and Farmers Freedom From Terrorism Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal criminal code to: (1) remove the requirement that physical disruption to the functioning of an animal enterprise must be intentional in order to be criminal; (2) increase the possible term of imprisonment for such disruption from one to five years; and (3) make it unlawful for anyone to maliciously damage or destroy by means of fire or explosives any building, vehicle, or property used by an animal enterprise. Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to establish and maintain a national clearinghouse for information on incidents of crime and terrorism committed against or directed at: (1) any animal enterprise; (2) any commercial activity because of a perceived impact of such activity on the environment; or (3) any person because of such person's connection with or support of such an enterprise or activity.

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus concerning the participation of the Republic of Cyprus in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network - Information concerning the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus concerning the participation of the Republic of Cyprus in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Slovenia concerning the participation of Slovenia in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Estonia concerning the participation of the Republic of Estonia in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Latvia concerning the participation of the Republic of Latvia in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Turkey concerning the participation of the Republic of Turkey in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Hungary concerning the participation of the Republic of Hungary in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Malta concerning the participation of the Republic of Malta in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and Romania concerning the participation of Romania in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria concerning the participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Slovak Republic concerning the participation of the Slovak Republic in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000

Agreement between the European Community and the Czech Republic concerning the participation of the Czech Republic in the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

European Union · EUR-Lex · 9 October 2000