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201 records in 1998
Austria · National Council · 8 October 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten MMag. Dr. Madeleine Petrovic und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend Kontrolle von österreichischen Bergwerken nach der Katastrophe von Lassing
Austria · National Council · 8 October 1998
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dipl.-Ing. Maximilian Hofmann und Genossen betreffend Überprüfung von möglichen strafrechtlich relevanten Sachverhalten im Bereich der Obersten Bergbehörde im Zusammenhang mit den tragischen Ereignissen im Talkum-Bergwerk von Lassing
Austria · National Council · 8 October 1998
Bundesgesetz über mineralische Rohstoffe (Mineralrohstoffgesetz - MinroG) <br><br>Gesetz geworden als:<br><br>Bundesgesetz über mineralische Rohstoffe, über die Änderung des ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetzes und des Arbeitsinspektionsgesetzes 1993 (Mineralrohstoffgesetz - MinroG)
France · Senate · 8 October 1998
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Colusa Basin Watershed Integrated Resources Management Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for use by the Colusa Basin Drainage District, California, or by local agencies for planning, design, environmental compliance, and construction required to carry out eligible projects in the Colusa Basin Watershed to: (1) reduce the risk of damage to urban and agricultural areas from flooding or the discharge of drainage water or tailwater; (2) assist in groundwater recharge efforts to alleviate overdraft and land subsidence; or (3) construct, restore or preserve wetland and riparian habitat; and (4) capture surface or stormwater for conservation, conjunctive use, and increased water supplies. Requires the Secretary to ensure that funded projects are not inconsistent with watershed protection and environmental restoration efforts being carried out under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act or the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. Directs the Secretary to require that the District and cooperating non-Federal agencies or organizations pay: (1) 25 percent of project costs; and (2) 100 percent of project operation, maintenance, and replacement and rehabilitation costs. Permits funds appropriated pursuant to this Act to be made available: (1) to fund all costs incurred for planning, design, and environmental compliance activities by the District or by local agencies in accordance with agreements with the Secretary; and (2) only to a District or a local agency that has entered into a binding agreement with the Secretary under which the District or local agency is required to pay the non-Federal share of construction costs and which governs the funding of planning, design, and compliance activities costs. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Prohibits construction of any monument, memorial, or other structure at the site of the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, until such time as an environmental impact statement is prepared and made available for the construction. Allows any person to bring a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court against any person (including the United States) to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1998
Shivwits Paiute Indian Band Settlement Act - Directs that: (1) the St. George Water Reuse Project (as described in the Memorandum of Understanding executed by the Shivwits Paiute Indian Band on March 26, 1998, to implement construction, operation, and maintenance of that Project and the Santa Clara Project (MOU)) consist of water treatment facilities, a pipeline, and associated pumping and delivery facilities which will divert and transport water from the Wastewater Treatment Plant located near St. George, Utah, for delivery and use in the Santa Clara River Basin by St. George and the Shivwits; (2) the Project be sized to deliver 2,000 acre-feet annually for use by the Shivwits, in addition to the water delivered to St. George for its use; and (3) the Shivwits water be delivered by St. George through Project facilities to the eastern boundary of the Shivwits reservation. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make a grant of $15 million to St. George to cover the Shivwits' portion of such costs if specified conditions are met. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the parties, including the Secretary, to implement the MOU and the construction of the Project by the execution of an Agreement. (Sec. 6) Directs that the Santa Clara Project consist of a pressurized irrigation pipeline from the existing Gunlock Reservoir to the lower part of the Santa Clara River, along with main lateral pipelines. Specifies that: (1) the Project will result in the pooling of the water rights of the parties to the MOU, including the Shivwits; (2) the water users shall receive their irrigation water from the Project based on a set delivery schedule; and (3) the water supply from the River for irrigation purposes shall be supplemented by groundwater provided by St. George and other water users and from the modified operation of the Reservoir. Projects that in an average or above average year the Shivwits will receive 1,900 acre-feet of water from the Project. Directs that, in a below average year, all users, including the Shivwits, have a proportionate reduction in the quantity of water delivered. Sets forth provisions regarding Project funding, construction, operation, and maintenance. Directs the parties, including the Secretary, to implement the MOU and the construction of the Project by the execution of an Agreement. (Sec. 7) Settles the Shivwits' claim to water, subject to the provisions of this Act and the implementation of the MOU through the two Agreements and the construction of the two projects, as specified. Directs that the Shivwits: (1) receive a total of 1,900 acre-feet annually from the Santa Clara River in an average and above average year, with a proportionate reduction with other Santa Clara Project water users in a below average year; (2) receive 2,000 acre-feet of water annually from the St. George Project, with St. George and Shivwits having equal priority to the water provided from the Project; and (3) have the right to the groundwater produced from existing wells located on the reservation for 100 acre-feet of water annually. (Sec. 8) Directs the parties, including the Secretary, following construction of the Projects, to cooperate in obtaining an interlocutory decree in a pending statutory adjudication, confirming the Shivwits' water right as provided in section 7. (Sec. 9) Grants the Shivwits the right to: (1) participate with the Washington County Water Conservancy District in the development and construction of the Beaver Dam Wash Project; and (2) receive up to 1,000 acre-feet of water annually from that Project subject to the payment of their proportionate share of construction, operation, maintenance, and repair costs. (Sec. 10) Establishes in the Treasury the Shivwits Band Resources Development Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11) Sets forth environmental compliance requirements. Authorizes appropriations to carry out all necessary environmental compliance associated with this settlement. Designates the Bureau of Land Management as the lead agency for such environmental compliance.
European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 8 October 1998
Austria · Federal Council · 7 October 1998
Anfrage der Bundesräte DDr. Franz Werner Königshofer und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Schutz des Wassers vor Verkauf
Austria · Federal Council · 7 October 1998
Anfrage der Bundesräte Mag. John Gudenus und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Forcierung der Biomasse für Heizzwecke
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Anna Elisabeth Aumayr und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Wassersituation in der Steiermark
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Anna Elisabeth Aumayr und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Wassersituation in Salzburg
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Anna Elisabeth Aumayr und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Wassersituation im Burgenland
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Anna Elisabeth Aumayr und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Wassersituation im Burgenland
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Anna Elisabeth Aumayr und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Wassersituation in Salzburg
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Anna Elisabeth Aumayr und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Wassersituation in der Steiermark
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Karl Schweitzer und Genossen betreffend Erstellung eines Entwurfes zu einem Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz, der neben der Abfallwirtschaft im allgemeinen auch auf Beschäftigungsmöglichkeiten für Recycling- und Entsorgungstechniker Rücksicht nimmt
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Karl Schweitzer und Genossen betreffend Ausstiegsszenario aus der Atomkraftnutzung und Finanzierungshilfen für EU-Beitrittswerber, Beitritt zur Espoo-Konvention, Unterzeichnung des Lugano-Abkommens und Finanzierung von Ausstiegsmaßnahmen
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Karlheinz Kopf, Georg Oberhaidinger, Dr. Gabriela Moser, Mag. Thomas Barmüller und Genossen betreffend Übermittlung des Standpunktes Österreichs im Hinblick auf eine allfällige Inbetriebnahme des Atomkraftwerkes Temelin an das tschechische Außenministerium
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen betreffend Erstellung von Atomausstiegskonzepten für ein atomkraftwerkfreies Mitteleuropa und Vorlage eines "Atomverfassungsgesetzes" zur Verankerung eines Atomwaffenverbotes
Austria · National Council · 7 October 1998
Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Andreas Wabl und Genossen betreffend Vorlage eines "Atomverfassungsgesetzes", umfassend das Verbot des Besitzes, der Verwendung, der Herstellung, des Versuches, der Ein-, Aus- und Durchfuhr und der Stationierung von Atomwaffen
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Coastal Impact Assistance Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Reform Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Reinvestment and Environmental Restoration Act of 1998 - Title I: Coastal Impact Assistance - Coastal Conservation and Impact Assistance Act of 1998 - Establishes the Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund (OCSIAF) to provide impact assistance to coastal States from a portion (27 percent) of allocable new OCS revenues (payments received by the United States as royalties, net profit share payments, and related late-payment interest from natural gas and oil leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act). Sets forth a formula for use by the Secretary of the Interior to determine the portion of the allocable share of new revenues attributable to each coastal State and county eligible to receive impact assistance payments. Mandates that such OCS funds be expended by the eligible coastal States and counties for certain environmental projects and activities. Requires: (1) an eligible county to submit for the Governor's approval a plan setting forth the projects and activities for which it proposes to expend OCSIA funds; and (2) the Governor of each recipient State to account to the Congress for all OCSIAF monies received for the previous fiscal year. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Reform - Land and Water Conservation Fund Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (LWCFA) to require an amount equal to 16 percent of specified Outer Continental Shelf revenues to be deposited in the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in the Treasury. (Sec. 203) Makes such funds available, without further appropriation, to carry out LWCFA for each fiscal year through FY 2015. Authorizes appropriations to maintain a certain minimum total annual income of the LWCF. Makes certain amounts covered into the LWCF available for expenditure without appropriation. Allocates such funds as follows: (1) 45 percent for Federal acquisition of certain lands, waters, or interests, with 25 percent of such Federal funds to the Secretary of Agriculture and 75 percent to the Secretary of the Interior; (2) 45 percent for financial assistance to the States for land acquisition, urban conservation, and recreation projects under specified LWCFA provisions, apportioning 60 percent of such State funds to all States equally, 20 percent on the basis of relative State population, and 20 percent on the basis of relative urban population; and (3) ten percent for local governments through the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program of the Department of the Interior. Provides for an LWCFA allocation of funds to Indian tribes and Alaska Native Village Corporations. Requires States to make at least 50 percent of the annual State apportionment under LWCFA available as grants to local governments. Replaces, within a five-year period, LWCFA requirements for comprehensive State plans with requirements for State action agendas. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor recreation and conservation acquisition and development projects eligible for LWCFA grants so long as it provides for public involvement in this process and publishes an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community Recreation and Conservation. Requires such Agendas to: (1) be strategic, originating in broad- based and long-term needs, but focused on actions that can be funded over the next four years, and be updated every four years; (2) consider all providers of recreation and conservation lands, and correlate with other State, regional and local plans for parks, recreation, open space, and wetlands conservation; (3) address wetlands as important outdoor recreation and conservation resources, and incorporate a State wetlands priority conservation plan consistent with the national plan developed under the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act; and (4) be guided in part by recovery action programs developed by urban localities under the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act. Revises LWCFA conditions for approval of conversions. (Sec. 204) Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act (UPRRA) to provide (in addition to the current types of at-risk recreation grants and recovery action program grants) for matching capital grants to local governments in the form of: (1) development grants for development and construction on existing or new neighborhood recreation sites, including indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, support facilities, and landscaping, but excluding routine maintenance and upkeep activities; and (2) acquisition grants for purchasing new parkland to be permanently dedicated and made accessible for public recreation use. Revises UPRRA requirements for: (1) eligibility; (2) matching grants; (3) coordination; and (4) conversion approval. Repeals the limitation on the use of UPRRA funds for acquisition of land or interests in land. Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require an amount equal to seven percent of specified Outer Continental Shelf revenues to be deposited in a new subaccount in the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund (FAWRF), to be invested and to be made available without further appropriation, for apportionment in FY 2000 and thereafter for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. (Sec. 306) Sets forth requirements for: (1) allocation of such subaccount receipts; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. (Sec. 307) Allows certain subaccount funds for such a State wildlife conservation and restoration program to be used for law enforcement and public relations (Sec. 308) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subtitle A: Elimination of Permanent Agricultural Price Support and Production Adjustment Authority Subtitle B: Phaseout of Peanut Program Subtitle C: Other Agricultural Commodities Subtitle D: Forestry Subtitle E: Other Agricultural Programs Title II: Energy and Natural Resources Subtitle A: Hardrock Mining Royalty Subtitle B: Other Energy and Natural Resources Programs Title III: Defense Title IV: Commerce, Science, and Transportation Saving Taxpayers from Obsolete Programs and Spending Act of 1998 - Title I: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - Subtitle A: Elimination of Permanent Agricultural Price Support and Production Adjustment Authority - Eliminates agricultural price support and production adjustment authority. (Sec. 102) Repeals the Agricultural Market Transition Act. Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to repeal flood risk reduction authority. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal conservation farm option authority. (Sec. 103) Repeals the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 to repeal transfer of acreage allotment authority. Amends Federal law to repeal Burley tobacco acreage allotment authority. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962 to repeal wheat diversion authority. Amends Federal law to repeal cotton acreage allotment authority. (Sec. 105) Repeals the Agricultural Act of 1949, with specified exceptions. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to repeal the American Agriculture Protection program. Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to repeal agricultural embargo authority. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to repeal the integrated farm management program. (Sec. 106) Repeals the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. (Sec. 107) Amends the Food Security Commodity Reserve Act of 1996 to repeal the comparability of storage payment provision. (Sec. 108) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,, and Trade Act of 1990 to repeal milk price support and related programs. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal the dairy products incentive program. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962 to repeal the acreage diversion programs. (Sec. 110) Makes the provisions of this subtitle effective as of October 1, 2003. Subtitle B: Phaseout of Peanut Program - Chapter 1 - Marketing Quotas for Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to: (1) revise peanut marketing program provisions for crop years 1999 through 2001; and (2) terminate peanut quotas as of crop year 2002. Chapter 2 - Market Transition Programs for Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to revise the market transition program for 1999 through 2001 crops of quota and additional peanuts. (Sec. 126) Revises nonrecourse loan provisions for the 2002 and subsequent peanut crops. Chapter 3 - Implementation - Sets forth implementation provisions. Subtitle C: Other Agricultural Commodities - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend tobacco deficit reduction assessment authority. (Sec. 132) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to reduce sugarcane (and sugar beet) loan rates through crop year 2002. Requires such loans to be recourse loans. Eliminates sugar price supports and loans as of crop year 2003. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to eliminate sugar marketing quotas and allotments. Subtitle D: Forestry - Amends the National Forest Management Act of 1976 to eliminate below-cost timber sales from National Forest System lands. (Sec. 143) Amends the National Forest Roads and Trails Act to eliminate purchaser road credits as a financing method for national forest road construction. Subtitle E: Other Agricultural Programs - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to eliminate insured electric loan interest subsidies. (Sec. 152) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to repeal the market access program. (Sec. 153) Eliminates the Wildlife Services Program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Title II: Energy and Natural Resources - Subtitle A: Hardrock Mining Royalty - Requires the payment of a royalty to the Federal Government of five percent of the net smelter return from the production of locatable minerals, or mineral concentrates derived from a locatable mineral, produced from any mining claim located under the general mining laws. Establishes the Abandoned Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund, into which all such royalty receipts (and mining claim maintenance fees) shall be deposited for the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past minerals activities (other than coal and fluid minerals activities). Identifies the kinds of land and waters eligible for reclamation expenditures. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund. (Sec. 204) Restricts the issuance of any patents for mining or mill site claims to those for which applications were filed, and certain statutory requirements governing vein or lode claims, placer claims, and mill site claims were complied with, before September 30, 1994. (Sec. 205) Sets forth annual claim maintenance fee requirements (which shall not apply to oil shale claims subject to claim maintenance fees under the Energy Policy Act of 1992). Subtitle B: Other Energy and Natural Resources Programs - Amends the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 to define the terms "legal entity," "operator," and "single farm operation." (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, for each parcel of land to which irrigation water is delivered or proposed to be delivered, to identify a single individual or legal entity as the owner, lessee, or operator. Allows irrigation water to be delivered at less than the normal per-acre cost to either: (1) a qualified recipient that reports gross farm income from a single farm operation in excess of $500,000 per taxable year; or (2) a limited recipient that received such water on or before October 1, 1981, and that reports gross farm income in excess of such amount. Provides an inflation adjustment for calendar years after 1997. Requires lessees (as well as owners and operators) of an irrigation district to furnish such district a certification of compliance with the Act. Allows the Secretary to require a lessee or operator to submit for examination a copy of a tax return for any taxable year in which the single farm operation of the lessee or operator received irrigation water at less than full cost. Repeals a provision exempting district lands held in trust from Federal reclamation ownership and cost pricing limitations. Directs the Secretary to establish penalties for failure to comply with the Act. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior, of the Treasury, and of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to permit the Secretary of the Interior to have access to and use available information collected or maintained by either the Department of the Treasury or Agriculture that would aid in enforcement of the ownership and pricing limitations of Federal reclamation law. (Sec. 212) Amends the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest lands in the 16 contiguous Western States, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public domain lands, where domestic livestock grazing is permitted under applicable law, to establish and implement an annual domestic livestock grazing fee equal to fair market value, based on a specified formula. Abolishes grazing advisory boards. Dedicates the U.S. share of grazing fee receipts to: (1) fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement; (2) restoration and improved management of riparian areas; and (3) enforcement of applicable land management plans, allotment plans, and regulations. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary of Energy to sell all federally- owned and operated electric power generation and transmission facilities under the supervision of, or in coordination with, a Federal power marketing administration. Instructs the Secretary to obtain the highest practicable sales price for the facilities, including the value of future tax revenues that would have been derived from such facilities. Postulates compliance with environmental laws as a condition of any facility purchase. Requires the Secretary to terminate Federal power marketing operations upon sales completion. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to terminate each Department of Energy program or activity that involves pyroprocessing of plutonium. Makes conforming changes to the Energy Policy Act of 1992. (Sec. 215) Prohibits the Secretary from conducting any petroleum research and development, and to report to the Congress on the attendant termination implementation plan. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Defense - Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to report to the Congress recommendations on which of the following tactical fighter aircraft programs should be terminated if only two of such programs were to be funded: the F-A 18E-F; the F-22; or the Joint Strike Fighter. Requires the Secretary to terminate the recommended program, allowing funds to be expended on such program only for termination costs. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the number of tactical aircraft to be acquired under existing (full-scale) production programs to offset the number which were planned to be acquired under the terminated program. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to close the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences upon the completion of the education and training of those enrolled as of December 31, 1998. Prohibits new students from being enrolled after such date. Allows funds available for the University to be expended only for: (1) completing the education and training of such eligible individuals; and (2) closing the University. (Sec. 303) Prohibits the Secretary from obligating or expending any amount of funds available for FY 1999 through 2003 for a Department of Defense (DOD) program that exceeds that portion of the total program amount that represents an allowance needed to meet increased program costs due to inflation, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, or fuel fluctuations, over the total amount necessary to meet such increased costs. Requires the Secretary to return any excess amounts to the Treasury. (Sec. 304) Limits to $400 million the total amount to be obligated in any fiscal year after 1998 for the Army Theater High Altitude Area Defense program. Prohibits any further obligation or expenditure of such funds until an independent panel established by the Secretary certifies to the Secretary and the Congress that such program is programmatically sound. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to require transportation by air for crew members joining a naval vessel deployed abroad unless such Secretary determines that: (1) another means of transportation would be more cost-effective; or (2) the benefits of air transportation are outweighed by safety concerns or concerns about adverse effects on military capabilities. Directs such Secretary to report to the Secretary of Defense on improvements in Navy power projection and power projection support capabilities that result from implementation of the air transportation policy. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to ensure that DOD maintains the most cost-effective, safe, and reliable combination of delivery vehicles that: (1) is necessary to carry not more than the number of warheads agreed to in the START II Treaty; and (2) comprises a force structure that is treaty-compliant. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretary to terminate the D5 missile program, allowing program funds to be used only for termination costs. (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretary to: (1) expeditiously review DOD inventory requirements to identify excess equipment and supplies; and (2) increase by 50 percent by the end of FY 2003 the total amount realized from sales of excess inventory over such total during FY 1998. (Sec. 309) Directs the Secretary to terminate the Navy's Extremely Low Frequency Communication System program, allowing program funds to be used only for termination costs. (Sec. 310) Directs the Secretary to require all the armed forces to use a single tactical aircraft pilot training program, and, by the end of FY 1999, to select one service branch to train such individuals. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such requirement in the interests of national security. Title IV: Commerce, Science, and Transportation - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to terminate U.S. participation in the International Space Station program. Authorizes the Administrator to obligate up to $700 million of such program's funds for termination costs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Title II: State, Local, and Urban Conservation and Recreation Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1998 - Title I: Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance - Establishes the Outer Continental Shelf Impact Assistance Fund (OCSIAF) to provide impact assistance to coastal States from a portion (27 percent) of allocable new OCS revenues (payments received by the United States as royalties, net profit share payments, and related late-payment interest from natural gas and oil leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act). Sets forth a formula for use by the Secretary of the Interior to determine the portion of the allocable share of new revenues attributable to each coastal State and county eligible to receive impact assistance payments. Mandates that such OCS funds be expended by the eligible coastal States and counties for certain environmental projects and activities. Requires: (1) an eligible county to submit for the Governor's approval a plan setting forth the projects and activities for which it proposes to expend OCSIA funds; and (2) the Governor of each recipient State to account to the Congress for all OCSIAF monies received for the previous fiscal year. Title II: State, Local, and Urban Conservation and Recreation - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (LWCFA) to require an amount equal to 23 percent of specified Outer Continental Shelf revenues to be deposited in the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in the Treasury. (Sec. 203) Makes such funds available, without further appropriation, to carry out LWCFA for each fiscal year through FY 2015. Authorizes appropriations to maintain a certain minimum total annual income of the LWCF. Makes certain amounts covered into the LWCF available for expenditure without appropriation. Allocates such funds as follows: (1) 42 percent for Federal acquisition of certain lands, waters, or interests, with 25 percent of such Federal funds to the Secretary of Agriculture and 75 percent to the Secretary of the Interior; (2) 42 percent for financial assistance to the States for land acquisition, urban conservation, and recreation projects under specified LWCFA provisions, apportioning 60 percent of such State funds to all States equally, 20 percent on the basis of relative State population, and 20 percent on the basis of relative urban population; and (3) 16 percent for local governments through the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program of the Department of the Interior. Provides for an LWCFA allocation of funds to Indian tribes and Alaska Native Village Corporations. Requires States to make at least 50 percent of the annual State apportionment under LWCFA available as grants to local governments. Replaces, within a five-year period, LWCFA requirements for comprehensive State plans with requirements for State action agendas. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor recreation and conservation acquisition and development projects eligible for LWCFA grants so long as it provides for public involvement in this process and publishes an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community Recreation and Conservation. Requires such Agendas to: (1) be strategic, originating in broad- based and long-term needs, but focused on actions that can be funded over the next four years, and be updated every four years; (2) consider all providers of recreation and conservation lands, and correlate with other State, regional and local plans for parks, recreation, open space, and wetlands conservation; (3) address wetlands as important outdoor recreation and conservation resources, and incorporate a State wetlands priority conservation plan consistent with the national plan developed under the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act; and (4) be guided in part by recovery action programs developed by urban localities under the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act. Revises LWCFA conditions for approval of conversions. (Sec. 204) Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act (UPRRA) to provide (in addition to the current types of at-risk recreation grants and recovery action program grants) for matching capital grants to local governments in the form of: (1) development grants for development and construction on existing or new neighborhood recreation sites, including indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, support facilities, and landscaping, but excluding routine maintenance and upkeep activities; and (2) acquisition grants for purchasing new parkland to be permanently dedicated and made accessible for public recreation use. Revises UPRRA requirements for: (1) eligibility; (2) matching grants; (3) coordination; and (4) conversion approval. Repeals the limitation on the use of UPRRA funds for acquisition of land or interests in land. Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require an amount equal to ten percent of specified Outer Continental Shelf revenues to be deposited in a new subaccount in the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund (FAWRF), to be invested and to be made available without further appropriation, for apportionment in FY 1999 and thereafter for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. (Sec. 305) Sets forth requirements for: (1) allocation of such subaccount receipts; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. (Sec. 306) Allows certain subaccount funds for such a State wildlife conservation and restoration program to be used for law enforcement and public relations (Sec. 307) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1998
Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before obligating any resources for voluntary separation incentive payments (payments), to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a strategic plan outlining the use of such payments and a proposed organizational chart for the Department of Veterans Affairs once such payments have been completed. Requires such plan to include: (1) the positions and functions to be reduced or eliminated; (2) their effects on meeting efficiency, budget, or staffing goals; (3) the period of time during which such incentives may be paid; and (4) a description of how the affected Department components will operate without the eliminated functions and positions. Authorizes the Secretary to make such a payment only to reduce or eliminate positions or functions identified in the plan. Requires such payments to be in a lump sum and no greater than $25,000 apiece. Requires full repayment from any individual who is subsequently reemployed with any Federal department or agency, with exceptions for certain employment in which the individual possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available. Requires the Secretary to remit to the Office of Personnel Management for credit to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund 15 percent of the final basic pay of each individual receiving such payments. Reduces the total full-time equivalent employees in the Department by one for each individual receiving such a payment. Authorizes the President to waive such reductions upon a determination of the existence of: (1) a state of war or other national emergency; or (2) an extraordinary emergency which threatens life, health, safety, property, or the environment. Provides for continued temporary health insurance coverage for individuals receiving such payments. Prohibits any payment based on the separation of an employee after September 30, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Forest Service should: (1) not close shooting or archery facilities without prior notification to the Congress and the general public unless there is an immediate threat to public safety; (2) avoid unreasonable restrictions in the issuance of special-use permits for firearm and archery sports facilities; (3) fully evaluate alternative sites in the Coronado National Forest, to the extent consistent with the environmental assessment, and provide a reasonable alternative that would allow the Tucson Rod and Gun Club to quickly open a safe facility for firearm and archery sports; and (4) adhere to its deadline of November 20, 1998, for a decision on a site for such Club.
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Gottfried Jaud (ÖVP) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Familienpaket 2000
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage der Bundesrätin Monika Mühlwerth (FPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Aufhebung des Berufsverbotes in Zusammenhang mit der Einführung des "Karenzgeldes für alle"
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Anfrage der Bundesräte Ernest Windholz und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend überhöhte Bezüge im Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Wolfram Vindl (ÖVP) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Bundesstelle für Sektenfragen
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Dr. Vincenz Liechtenstein (ÖVP) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Einführung des Karenzgeldes für alle Mütter und Väter
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Dr. Kurt Kaufmann (ÖVP) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend "Kinderbetreuungs-Milliarde"
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Wolfgang Hager (SPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Förderungsaktionen für Alternativenergien
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Engelbert Weilharter (FPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Umsetzung des Kinderbetreuungsschecks
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Dr. Paul Tremmel (FPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Kennzeichnung für chemische Produkte
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage der Bundesrätin Johanna Schicker (SPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Höhe der Geburtenbeihilfe
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage der Bundesrätin Irene Crepaz (SPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend gezielten Einsatz der Überschüsse aus dem Familienlastenausgleichsfonds als Alternative zum Vorschlag "Karenzgeld für alle"
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Dr. Reinhard Eugen Bösch (FPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Atomausstiegskonzepte der EU-Beitrittswerber
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Erhard Meier (SPÖ) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Verpflichtung Österreichs zur Reduktion klimawirksamer Gase
Austria · Federal Council · 1 October 1998
Mündliche Anfrage des Bundesrates Alfred Schöls (ÖVP) an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie Dr. Martin Bartenstein betreffend Arbeitsgruppe zum Thema "Internet und Kinderpornographie"
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank shall seek to reach an international agreement with the export financing agencies of all the G-7 countries (France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Italy) regarding the environmental policies and procedures to be used in financing export promotion projects. Requires the Board to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on its actions in obtaining such agreement, including a summary of projects financed by other G-7 projects that do not meet the Bank's environmental policies and procedures. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit the Board from withholding financing from a project if the government of any G-7 country is providing (or has indicated approval to provide) financing of the project and such financing is not conditioned on meeting the environmental policies and procedures of the Bank.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Forest Service should: (1) not close shooting or archery facilities without prior notification to the Congress and the general public unless there is an immediate threat to public safety; (2) avoid unreasonable restrictions in the issuance of special-use permits for firearm and archery sports facilities; (3) fully evaluate alternative sites in the Coronado National Forest, to the extent consistent with the environmental assessment, and provide a reasonable alternative that would allow the Tucson Rod and Gun Club to quickly open a safe facility for firearm and archery sports; and (4) adhere to its deadline of November 20, 1998, for a decision on a site for such Club.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Empowerment Zone Enhancement and Rural Enterprise Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize: (1) 33 additional rural enterprise communities (with an extended designation deadline); (2) a special designation exception for certain areas based upon emigration, underemployment, or economic adjustment; and (3) empowerment zone eligibility for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Provides for: (1) designation priority to be given to well performing enterprise communities (with discretionary set-asides for satisfactorily performing communities); and (2) additional specified grants and grant amounts for rural empowerment zones and rural enterprise communities. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to use certain community planning amounts under the Social Security Act to help communities apply for empowerment zone or enterprise community designation. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the increased expensing restriction for developable noncontiguous sites. Amends the Social Security Act to provide that: (1) the Secretaries of Agriculture and of Housing and Urban Development, rather than the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall assume certain environmental review responsibility for the urban and rural empowerment zone and enterprise community grants; and (2) the Secretaries may permit fund release for particular projects on the assumption of such responsibility by States, local governments, or Indian tribes. Amends the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to authorize conveyance of Department of Agriculture excess property to support empowerment zones and enterprise communities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1998
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) if the Government of Mexico does not take actions to recognize and mitigate the inadequacy of sewage infrastructure facilities in Mexico and the adverse environmental and economic impacts of sewage from Mexico on U.S. cities, the United States should review its obligations with Mexico under treaties and other international agreements and take actions to ensure that the Government of Mexico shares in the burdens caused by its sewage infrastructure problems; and (2) any measurement of the responsiveness of the Government of Mexico to requests to mitigate its sewage treatment problems should be based on risk assessment procedures developed in consultation with the San Diego County Health Officer.
Austria · National Council · 30 September 1998
Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Günther Kräuter und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Schüler/innenfreifahrten
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1998
Hydroelectric Licensing Process Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe factors which Federal agency participants in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydroelectric license renewal process (consulting agencies) must consider and document when setting forth conditions for such renewals, including the economic impact of such conditions as well as air quality, flood control, irrigation, navigation, and recreation and drinking water supply. Requires that each condition be subjected to appropriately substantiated scientific peer review based on current empirical data or field-tested data. Requires such consulting agency to provide a license applicant opportunity to obtain expedited administrative review of its proposed conditions before filing a FERC application. Empowers the reviewing body to remand the matter to such agency if the reviewer finds the agency's proposed conditions do not comply with this Act. Sets a one-year deadline by which a consulting agency must file its proposed licensing conditions with FERC. Directs FERC to: (1) conduct an economic analysis of each condition submitted by a consulting agency to determine whether it would render the project uneconomic; (2) conduct a single consolidated environmental review for each licensed project pursuant to its status as lead agency for environmental reviews; and (3) set a deadline for the submission of comments by Federal, State, and local government agencies regarding any environmental impact or assessment required for a project. Instructs FERC to consider the need of license applicants for a prompt decision when setting such deadlines. Directs FERC to study and report to certain congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing a separate licensing procedure for small hydroelectric projects with a generating capacity of five megawatts or less.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Subtitle (sic) A: Health Insurance Bill of Rights Chapter 1: Access to Care Chapter 2: Quality Assurance Chapter 3: Patient Information Chapter 4: Grievance and Appeals Procedures Chapter 5: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship Chapter 6: Promoting Good Medical Practice Chapter 7: Definitions Subtitle B: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act Subtitle C: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Subtitle D: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Subtitle E: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation Subtitle F: Revenue Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 1998 - Subtitle A: Health Insurance Bill of Rights - Chapter 1: Access to Care - Requires any group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, providing emergency services benefits to cover emergency services furnished: (1) without the need for any prior authorization determination; (2) whether or not the health care provider furnishing such services is a participating health care provider; (3) in a way so that the participant, beneficiary, or enrollee who receives emergency services from a nonparticipating provider and without prior authorization is not liable for amounts that exceed the liability that would be incurred if the services were provided by a participating provider and with prior authorization; and (4) without regard to any other term or condition of such coverage (other than exclusion or coordination of benefits, or an affiliation or waiting period, permitted under the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), or the Internal Revenue Code, and other than applicable cost-sharing). (Sec. 101) Requires such coverage in a manner so that, if the emergency services are provided by a nonparticipating health care provider: (1) the participant, beneficiary, or enrollee is not liable for amounts exceeding the liability that would be incurred if the services were provided by a participating provider; and (2) the plan or issuer pays an amount that is not less than the amount paid to a participating provider for the same services. Prescribes the same coverage for maintenance care or post-stabilization care (subject to certain guidelines) by nonparticipating health care providers. (Sec. 102) Requires a plan or coverage that provides benefits only through participating providers to offer a participant the option to purchase point-of-service coverage for benefits provided by a nonparticipating provider, unless the plan offers the participant a choice of health insurance coverage and one or more coverage options that do not provide benefits only through participating providers. (Sec. 103) Requires any plan and any health insurance issuer to permit each participant, beneficiary, and enrollee to receive: (1) primary care from any participating primary care provider available to accept such individual; and (2) (unless the plan or issuer clearly declares choice limitations) medically necessary or appropriate specialty care, pursuant to appropriate referral procedures, from any qualified participating provider available to accept such individual for such care. (Sec. 104) Requires any plan or issuer that requires or provides for designation of a participating primary care provider to permit a female participant, beneficiary, or enrollee to designate a participating physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology as the individual's primary care provider. Prohibits the plan or issuer, in the absence of such a designation, from requiring authorization or a referral by the individual's primary care provider or otherwise for coverage of routine gynecological care (such as preventive women's health examinations) and pregnancy-related services provided by a participating specialist in obstetrics and gynecology to the extent such care is otherwise covered. Permits a plan or issuer to treat the ordering of other gynecological care by such a participating physician as the primary care provider's authorization of such care. Requires a plan or issuer, if it requires or provides for designation of a primary provider for a child, to allow designation of a pediatrician as the child's primary provider. Requires the plan or issuer to refer to an available and accessible specialist any participant, beneficiary, or enrollee with a condition or disease of sufficient seriousness and complexity to require treatment by a specialist, and benefits for such treatment are covered. Requires a plan or issuer to refer an individual to a nonparticipating specialist: (1) only if a participating specialist is not available and accessible; and (2) only at no additional cost to the individual. Requires a plan or issuer to have a procedure by which an individual with an ongoing special condition (life-threatening, degenerative, or disabling) may be referred to a specialist who shall be responsible for and capable of providing and coordinating the individual's primary and specialty care, without referral from the individual's primary care provider. Requires standing referrals to a specialist for any condition requiring ongoing specialist care. (Sec. 105) Prescribes requirements for continuity of care for participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees in the event of a termination of a health care provider or of the contract between a plan and an issuer. (Sec. 106) Prescribes requirements for participation in approved clinical trials of individuals with life-threatening or serious illnesses for which no standard treatment is effective. Prohibits denial of participation in such trials, or discrimination against participants. Limits plan or issuer payments to routine patient costs. (Sec. 107) Requires any plan or issuer that provides prescription drug benefits limited to drugs included in a formulary to: (1) ensure participation of participating physicians and pharmacists in the development of the formulary; (2) disclose to providers, and upon request to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees, the nature of the formulary restrictions; and (3) consistent with the standards for a utilization review program, provide for exceptions from the formulary limitation when a non-formulary alternative is medically indicated. Prohibits a plan or issuer from denying coverage of such a drug or device on the basis that the use is investigational, if certain labeling requirements are met. (Sec. 108) Requires each plan and issuer to have (in relation to the coverage) a sufficient number, distribution, and variety of qualified participating providers to ensure that all covered health care services, including specialty services, will be available and accessible in a timely manner to all participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees. Declares that the previous sentence applies only to plan provider participation and does not require a plan or issuer to create or establish new providers in an area. Permits inclusion among such providers of federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, migrant health centers, and other essential community providers located in the service area. Requires inclusion of such providers if necessary to meet such number, distribution, and variety requirements. (Sec. 109) Prescribes nondiscrimination requirements. Chapter 2: Quality Assurance - Directs each plan and issuer to establish an ongoing, internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 112) Requires each plan and issuer to: (1) collect uniform quality data, including a minimum uniform data set specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) have a written process for the selection of participating health care professionals, including minimum professional requirements; and (3) establish and maintain, as part of any internal quality assurance and continuous quality improvement program including prescription drug benefits, a drug utilization program which encourages appropriate drug use and takes appropriate action to reduce the incidence of improper drug use and adverse drug reactions and interactions. (Sec. 115) Requires each plan and issuer to conduct (or arrange for qualified outside agents to conduct) benefit utilization review activities only in accordance with a utilization review program that meets certain requirements. Prohibits a program from permitting or providing contingent compensation arrangements with its employees, agents, or contractors in a manner that: (1) provides incentives, direct or indirect, for such persons to make inappropriate review decisions; or (2) is based, directly or indirectly, on the quantity or type of adverse determinations rendered. Requires a utilization review program to make determinations and notifications concerning: (1) prior authorization services within three business days after receiving any necessary information; (2) authorization for continued or extended health care services within one business day after receipt of such information; and (3) retrospective review of services previously provided within 30 days of such receipt. (Sec. 116) Directs the President to establish an advisory board to provide information to Congress and the administration on issues relating to quality monitoring and improvement in the health care provided under group health plans and health insurance coverage. Chapter 3: Patient Information - Specifies benefits, access, emergency coverage, prior authorization, grievance and appeals, and other pertinent information which plans and issuers shall provide to participants and beneficiaries at the time of initial coverage, annually, within a reasonable period before or after the date of significant changes, and upon request. (Sec. 122) Requires plans and issuers to establish procedures to: (1) safeguard the privacy of any individually identifiable enrollee information; (2) maintain records and information in an accurate and timely manner; and (3) assure individuals timely access to such records and information. (Sec. 123) Provides for grants to States for creation and operation of a Health Insurance Ombudsman. Requires any State receiving such a grant to contract for such an Ombudsman with a not-for-profit organization that operates independent of group health plans and health insurance issuers. Requires the Secretary to provide through such a contract for an Ombudsman in any State that does not provide for one. Makes such an Ombudsman responsible to: (1) assist consumers in choosing among health insurance coverage or among coverage options offered within group health plans; and (2) provide counseling and assistance to enrollees dissatisfied with their treatment by issuers and plans, and with respect to grievances and appeals of coverage or plan determinations. Chapter 4: Grievances and Appeals Procedures - Requires each plan and issuer to establish a system for the presentation and resolution of oral and written grievances brought by participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees, or health care providers or other individuals acting on behalf of an individual and with the individual's consent. Requires the system to include grievances regarding access to and availability of services, quality of care, choice and accessibility of providers, network adequacy, and compliance with the requirements of this subtitle. (Sec. 132) Requires each plan and issuer to establish an internal appeals process, and provide for an external appeals process, which meet certain requirements. Specifies the appeal rights of participants, beneficiaries, and their representatives, as well as the kinds of decisions which are appealable. Chapter 5: Protecting the Doctor-Patient Relationship - Prohibits any contract or agreement between a plan or issuer and a health care provider from: (1) prohibiting or restricting the provider from engaging in medical communications with the provider's patient; or (2) containing any provision purporting to transfer to the health care provider by indemnification or otherwise any liability relating to activities, actions, or omissions of the plan, issuer, or agent (as opposed to the provider). Declares null and void any such contract or agreement provisions. (Sec. 142) Prohibits any plan or issuer from operating any physician incentive plan that does not meet certain requirements under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 143) Requires any plan or issuer to establish reasonable procedures relating to the participation of health care professionals, including notice of participation rules, written notice of adverse participation decisions, and a process for appealing adverse decisions. (Sec. 144) Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating against a participant, beneficiary, enrollee, or health care provider based on use of, or participation in, a utilization review or a grievance process. Prohibits a plan or an issuer from retaliating or discriminating against a protected health care professional because the professional in good faith: (1) discloses information relating to the care, services, or conditions affecting one or more participants, beneficiaries, or enrollees to an appropriate public regulatory agency, private accreditation body, or management personnel of the plan or issuer; or (2) initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding by such an agency with respect to such care, services, or conditions. Defines good faith action. Chapter 6: Promoting Good Medical Practice - Prohibits a plan or issuer from arbitrarily interfering with or altering the decision of the treating physician regarding the manner or setting in which particular covered services are delivered if they are medically necessary or appropriate for treatment or diagnosis. Allows a plan or issuer to limit the delivery of services to one or more providers within a network. (Sec. 152) Requires a plan or issuer that provides medical and surgical benefits to provide inpatient benefits for a period as determined by the attending physician, consistent with generally accepted medical standards, in consultation with the patient, to be medically appropriate following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node dissection for breast cancer treatment. Prohibits a plan or issuer from: (1) denying to a woman eligibility to enroll or renew coverage solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this title; (2) providing monetary payments or rebates to encourage women to accept less than the minimum protections available under this title; (3) penalizing or otherwise reducing or limiting reimbursement because an attending provider gave care to a participant or beneficiary in accordance with this title; (4) providing incentives (monetary or otherwise) to induce an attending provider to provide care to a participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this title; or (5) restricting benefits (other than imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing) for any portion of a period within a required hospital length of stay in a manner less favorable than the benefits provided for any preceding portion of such stay. (Sec. 153) Requires a plan or issuer to provide coverage for reconstructive breast surgery resulting from a mastectomy, including coverage: (1) for all stages of reconstructive breast surgery performed on a nondiseased breast to establish symmetry with the diseased when reconstruction on the diseased breast is performed; and (2) of prostheses and complications of mastectomy, including lymphedema. Prohibits denial of coverage on the basis that it is for cosmetic surgery. Chapter 7: Definitions - Sets forth definitions. Subtitle B: Application of Patient Protection Standards to Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Under Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of subtitle A of this Act. (Sec. 202) Requires each health insurance issuer to comply with such requirements with respect to individual health insurance coverage. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends ERISA to require each plan and issuer to comply with the patient protection requirements of subtitle A of this Act. (Sec. 302) Provides that nothing in ERISA shall be construed to invalidate, impair, or supersede any cause of action by a participant or beneficiary under State law to recover damages resulting from personal injury or wrongful death against any person (except employers and other plan sponsors): (1) in connection with the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by that person to or for a group health plan; or (2) that arises out of the arrangement by that person for the provision of insurance, administrative services, or medical services by other persons. Defines "personal injury" to mean physical injury and to include an injury arising from the treatment (or failure to treat) a mental illness or disease. Allows such an action against an employer or other plan sponsor only if it is based on the employer's or sponsor's exercise of discretionary authority to decide a claim for covered benefits, and such exercise resulted in personal injury or wrongful death. Subtitle D: Application to Group Health Plans Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan to comply with subtitle A of this Act. Deems that subtitle to be incorporated into the Internal Revenue Code. Subtitle E: Effective Dates; Coordination in Implementation - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to provide for coordination in the implementation of subtitle A of this Act. (Sec. 503) Requires, if enactment of this title (sic) reduces the income and balances of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (established under the Social Security Act), the transfer from the general fund of the Treasury amounts sufficient to ensure that the balance of those funds are not reduced. Subtitle F: Revenue - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reimpose a corporate environmental tax and reapply the hazardous substance superfund financing rate. (Sec. 602) Modifies the definition of "specified liability loss" for purposes of the net operating loss deduction. (Sec. 603) Revises provisions concerning liability. (Sec. 604) Imposes a tax on any person who purchases the right to receive payments under a structured settlement agreement. (Sec. 605) Modifies: (1) the definition of "mathematical or clerical error;" and (2) the foreign tax credit carryback and carrover periods. (Sec. 607) Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require group health plans to provide specified information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services up to quadrennially.
Austria · Federal Council · 25 September 1998
Mündliche Anfrage von BR Franz Richau an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Einnahmen an Altlastenbeiträgen
Austria · Federal Council · 25 September 1998
Mündliche Anfrage von BR Peter Rodek an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Vertragsstaatenkonferenz zum Klimaschutz in Buenos Aires
Austria · Federal Council · 25 September 1998
Mündliche Anfrage von BR Mag. Günther Leichtfried an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Umsetzung der EU-Richtlinie 94/67/EG über die Verbrennung gefährlicher Abfälle