Environment

Ecosystem and Indigenous Peoples Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1999

Ecosystem and Indigenous Peoples Protection Act - Expresses congressional pleasure that the institutions of the World Bank Group have adopted environmental assessment and information access procedures, but states the sense of Congress that the World Bank Group has not made significant progress in complying with environmental and social mandates. Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to provide that no U.S. funds may be made available to the World Bank Group: (1) if a determination is made that the use of any part of the funds will have a significant adverse environmental impact, or will violate an environmental or social policy of the World Bank Group; (2) if there is significant involuntary resettlement (with an exception); or (3) if a 'pay-for-performance policy' (requiring pay reduction or termination of employees involved in projects violating environmental or social policies) has not been implemented. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct U.S. executive directors in the World Bank Group to use their influence to achieve funding conditions. Provides for enforcement through payment reductions. Calls for public release of information on non- complying projects. Describes the scope of World Bank Group environmental and social policies to include, among other matters, environmental assessment, pest management, safety of dams, cultural property and indigenous peoples.

Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project Facilities Conveyance Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1999

Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project Facilities Conveyance Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, upon acceptance by the appropriate parties of required Federal obligations, to convey the respective portions of the Yellowstone Irrigation Project, the Intake Irrigation Project, and the Savage Unit (irrigation project) of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program to the Intake Irrigation District (Montana), the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Districts No. 1 (Montana) and 2 (North Dakota), and the Savage Irrigation District (Montana). Directs the Secretary and the Western Area Power Administration to continue to provide Pick-Sloan power to each such District as long as the Districts and the Yellowstone Project continue to operate under Pick-Sloan. Requires each such conveyance within 180 days after enactment of this Act, with a two-year deadline if changes in operations are intended. Provides related requirements regarding environmental matters and recreation management.

Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 29 September 1999.#L. Nederhoff & Zn. v Dijkgraaf en hoogheemraden van het Hoogheemraadschap Rijnland.#Reference for a preliminary ruling: Raad van State - Netherlands.#Environment - Directives 76/464/EEC, 76/769/EEC and 86/280/EEC - "Discharge" - Possibility for a Member State to adopt more stringent measures than those provided for in Directive 76/464/EEC - Effect of Directive 76/769/EEC on such a measure.#Case C-232/97.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 29 September 1999

Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 29 September 1999.#A.M.L. van Rooij v Dagelijks bestuur van het waterschap de Dommel.#Reference for a preliminary ruling: Raad van State - Netherlands.#Environment - Directive 76/464/EEC - "Discharge" - Possibility for a Member State to adopt a wider definition of "discharge" than that in the directive.#Case C-231/97.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 29 September 1999

Florida Coast Protection Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 1999

Florida Coast Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to prohibit any Federal official or agency from granting any license or permit for exploration or development of, or production from, any area leased under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act before the State receives a copy of an environmental impact statement under specified provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). (Sec. 3) Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to remove provisions: (1) exempting any area of the outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico from a requirement to submit a development and production plan before development and production under an oil and gas lease; and (2) allowing the Secretary of the Interior to apply provisions relating to oil and gas development and production to a lease located in the Gulf adjacent to the State of Florida. (Sec. 4) Declares that, in the Gulf, the approval of such a plan is a major Federal action for purposes of NEPA. Directs the Secretary to ensure that each affected State receive the final environmental impact statement at least 180 days before the Secretary makes a determination on whether each plan activity complies with the those States' enforceable policies of approved management programs. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary from conducting any preleasing activity or holding a lease sale under this Act in an area within 100 miles off the coast of Florida in: (1) the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area adjacent to Florida; (2) the Straits of Florida Planning Area; or (3) the South Atlantic Planning Area.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000, and October 1, 2000, through February 28, 2001.

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1999

Authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees from October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000, and October 1, 2000, through February 28, 2001: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Governmental Affairs; (11) Judiciary; (12) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Aging; (17) Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. Provides that within the funds in the account "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" appropriated by the legislative branch appropriations Acts for FY 2000 and 2001 there is authorized to be established a special reserve to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1999

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program within EPA. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish the Lake Pontchartrain Executive Council; (2) assist the Council in developing a comprehensive, multi-use watershed management plan for the restoration and protection of the Basin; and (3) provide funding and oversight for voluntary restoration projects for the Basin. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) continue to provide priority funding for the New Orleans Inflow and Infiltration Project sponsored by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board and Jefferson Parish, Louisiana; and (2) carry out this Act.

Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1999

Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 1999 - Title I: Remedy - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to revise general rules for the selection of remedial cleanup actions. Removes a provision requiring the President to specifically address the long-term effectiveness of various alternative treatment or resource recovery technologies. Requires remedial actions to: (1) make contaminated property available for beneficial use to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) protect uncontaminated groundwater and surface water, wherever technically feasible, and restore such water to beneficial uses in a reasonable time period given the circumstances of the release of the hazardous substance concerned. Lists minimum factors to be taken into account by the President in assessing alternative remedial actions and selecting remedial actions. Requires selected remedial actions, unless the President determines that a risk-based standard for a contaminant is based on data and assumptions adequate to assure protection of children's health, to reduce contamination to background levels (where more stringent) with respect to such contaminant, to the maximum extent technically feasible. Prohibits the selection of an action that allows hazardous substances to remain on site above levels that would be protective for unrestricted use unless institutional controls are incorporated into the action to achieve protection of human health and the environment during and after completion of the action. Requires remedial actions for hazardous substances that remain on site to comply with any more stringent and legally applicable tribal standard. Directs the President to ensure that a remedial action attains standards of control protective of human health and the environment in cases where: (1) no Federal, State, or tribal standard has been established for the specific hazardous substance present at the facility where the action is being undertaken; or (2) there are multiple hazardous substances present and the remedial action is not protective even though applicable requirements would be attained. Removes a provision which requires the President to conform a remedial action to a State standard in cases where a State has initiated a law suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to May 1, 1986. Eliminates a provision which allows the President to select a remedial action that does not attain a standard equivalent to a legally applicable standard if compliance with requirements is technically impracticable from an engineering perspective. Sets forth minimum requirements for remedies for contaminated groundwater or surface water in cases where a legally applicable standard for a hazardous substance is waived. Authorizes the President to use institutional controls as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, other response measures under CERCLA. Lists requirements for actions that rely on institutional controls. Provides for funds to be established for facilities for which the selected remedy is containment or at which hazardous substances remain on site above levels that would allow for unrestricted use of the facility. Requires such funds to be sufficient to guarantee successful performance of a remedy and, to the extent technically feasible, future beneficial reuse. Directs the EPA Administrator (Administrator) to report annually to Congress, for each record of decision signed during the previous fiscal year, on the type of institutional controls and media affected and the institution designated to monitor, enforce, and ensure compliance with such controls. Makes procedural requirements of State laws inapplicable to the portion of any removal or remedial action conducted entirely on site, except for recordkeeping and reporting. (Sec. 102) Sets forth criteria for institutional control instruments. Requires the President, if such an instrument is adopted, to record a notice of property use restriction in the public land records for the jurisdiction in which the affected property is located. Makes such instruments enforceable in perpetuity (unless terminated and released) against holders of interest in an affected property and all persons who subsequently acquire such interest. Directs the President to maintain a registry of all property at which institutional controls have been established in connection with response actions. Describes types of institutional control instruments, including easements. Authorizes the President, in order to respond to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, to acquire an easement to limit or control the use of land or other natural resources. Permits easements to be used wherever institutional controls have been selected as a component of a response action. Sets forth provisions regarding the President's authority to assign easements to other parties, issue orders imposing restrictions on land or natural resources, and include State institutional controls in response actions. (Sec. 103) Requires the President to ensure that a removal action is not undertaken in lieu of a long-term remedial action. Title II: Community Participation and Human Health - Subtitle A: Community Participation - Revises provisions regarding grants for technical assistance to make such grants available to Community Advisory Groups or affected communities (defined as two or more individuals affected by the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance at a covered facility). Defines a "covered facility" as a facility: (1) that has been listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (NPL); (2) at which the Administrator is undertaking an action anticipated to exceed one year or a specified funding limit; or (3) with respect to which the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Administrator has accepted a petition requesting a health assessment or related health activity. Expands the list of authorized grant activities and increases the maximum amount of such grants. Requires the President to take specified actions to provide for meaningful public participation in every significant phase of response activities under CERCLA. Permits Community Advisory Groups, affected Indian tribes and communities, and local government and health officials to propose remedial alternatives to the President. Requires the President to make records relating to response actions at a covered facility available to the public throughout all phases of an action. Sets forth additional requirements with respect to public notice of certain removal actions. (Sec. 203) Requires States or Indian tribes with covered facilities to establish Community Information and Access Offices. Provides funding for such Offices. Directs the Administrator to establish Offices for States or tribes that fail to do so. (Sec. 204) Requires the President to provide the opportunity for the establishment of a Community Advisory Group, a representative public forum, to achieve direct, regular, and meaningful consultation with all interested parties throughout all stages of a response action whenever: (1) the President determines such a group will be helpful; or (2) ten individuals residing in the area in which the covered facility is located, or ten percent of the population of a locality in which the covered facility is located, whichever is fewer, petition for a Group to be established. Directs the President to adopt any consensus recommendation of a Group on land use as part of the remedy selected for the facility, with exceptions. Authorizes the President to provide administrative support for such groups. Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a community study that includes an analysis of: (1) the speed of listing; (2) the speed and nature of response actions; (3) the degree to which public views are reflected in response actions; (3) use of institutional controls; and (4) the population, race, ethnicity, and income characteristics of communities affected by facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL. Requires periodic updates of such study. Directs the Administrator to institute necessary improvements or modifications to address any deficiencies identified by the study. (Sec. 206) Requires the Administrator to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in response activities. Subtitle B: Human Health - Directs the President to notify State and local public health authorities and tribal health officials whenever there is reason to believe that a release (or threat of release) of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to perform a health assessment for each facility listed, or proposed for listing, on the NPL, including Federal facilities. Permits related health activities to be performed in lieu of assessments for facilities that are so listed or proposed for ecological reasons only. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop and distribute educational materials on human health effects of hazardous substances to the public. (Sec. 213) Provides for research on exposure or tolerance limits for hazardous substances found commonly at NPL facilities in cases where adequate information on health effects of a substance is not available. Expands the duties of the ATSDR Administrator to require the Administrator to establish an inventory of exposure or tolerance limits for such substances. (Sec. 215) Directs the President, in any case in which a person is relocated in order to reduce exposure and eliminate health risks from hazardous substances, to provide to the individual the replacement value of the individual's residence. (Sec. 216) Authorizes and directs the ATSDR Administrator, pursuant to specified grants and contracts, to provide health services to communities affected by the release of hazardous substances. Makes funds available for such services for FY 2002 through 2006. (Sec. 217) Provides for cooperation with Indian tribes with respect to certain ATSDR activities. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to include in a biennial report on ATSDR activities the health impacts on Indian tribes of hazardous substances from covered facilities. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this title. Title III: Right to Know - Requires the annual disclosure of certain information by potentially responsible parties at NPL facilities and owners or operators of facilities subject to toxic chemical release reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA). Includes within such required disclosures information on quantities of certain hazardous substances and potential exposure of facility employees. Directs the Administrator to consolidate all annual reporting pursuant to title I of CERCLA and other Federal environmental laws to the extent not prohibited by such laws. Prescribes penalties for noncompliance with disclosure requirements. Amends EPCRA to permit the withholding of portions of information required to be disclosed under CERCLA for purposes of protecting trade secrets. (Sec. 302) Requires owners or operators of facilities subject to EPCRA reporting requirements to submit to the Administrator and State officials annual unstudied chemical release forms for each chemical subject to this section that was manufactured, processed, or used in quantities exceeding thresholds during the preceding year at the facility. Permits the Administrator to: (1) apply such requirements to other facilities that use unstudied chemicals, as appropriate; and (2) exclude a class of facilities in a Standard Industrial Classification Code that is required to report under EPCRA if unstudied chemicals will not cause certain adverse human health or environmental effects. Makes subject to the requirements of this section an unstudied chemical: (1) for which the information needed to complete a preliminary assessment of potential toxicity is not available; and (2) that is a compound containing at least carbon, hydrogen, and one or more of the elements chlorine, fluorine, or bromine or is a compound included on the 1990 High Production Volume List issued pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act. Authorizes the addition of chemicals subject to such requirements based on health or environmental effects or presence in human tissues, food stuffs, or drinking water. Excludes from reporting requirements chemicals: (1) that are listed under EPCRA; (2) that are high molecular weight polymers; or (3) for which information is publicly available. Sets forth provisions regarding information needed for preliminary assessment of potential toxicity of unstudied chemicals. Establishes threshold amounts of unstudied chemicals which trigger reporting requirements. Makes release form information publicly available. Authorizes petitions to the Administrator to compel certain actions under this title, including the exemption from reporting, addition of chemicals subject to reporting, and revision of thresholds. Requires the Administrator to establish a national unstudied chemicals inventory based on submitted data. Makes violations of this title subject to civil and administrative penalties under EPCRA. Provides trade secret protection for information disclosed under this title in the same manner as provided under EPCRA. Title IV: Environmental Justice - Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of Commerce, to publish a list of special priority areas which shall be geographic areas in which residents face a high degree of economic distress or social disenfranchisement. Provides for updates to such list no later than two years after each official census count on social and economic characteristics. Describes areas to be included on such list. Requires the President to advertise the right of petition for assessment of a hazardous substance release in such areas. Directs the President to publish a list of special priority facilities which shall be those facilities located in special priority areas that are: (1) listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System; (2) the subject of a petition; or (3) those the President considers appropriate. Establishes deadlines for completing preliminary assessments, site inspections, and hazard ranking of such facilities and for listing them on the NPL. Requires the President to ensure that a remedial action for any such facility on the NPL is completed within three years of placement on the NPL. Provides exceptions from placing such facilities on the NPL. Title V: Children's Environmental Health - Requires the ATSDR Administrator and the Administrator to create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of environmental pollutants commonly found at facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL with known or suspected health risks to which fetuses and children are especially susceptible. Provides for a toxicological profile for each listed substance. Directs the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate, to review and revise, where necessary, environmental and public health regulations, risk assessment policies and procedures, and guidance documents issued under CERCLA to determine whether they consider and fully protect fetal and children's health. Incorporates fetal and children's health concerns into all health research initiatives under CERCLA. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop: (1) guidelines for addressing fetal and children's health issues in health studies and research programs; and (2) criteria for determining when and what type of child-specific health study shall be conducted based on the results of a health assessment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the costs of such research programs should be borne by the manufacturers and processors of the hazardous substance in question. Directs the ATSDR Administrator to: (1) establish an exposure registry for all children exposed to hazardous substances as the result of a release at an NPL facility where levels of exposure are significant for children's health; and (2) implement specified children's environmental health education and training programs. Requires all lists, profiles, studies, and research results conducted under this title to be reported or adopted only after appropriate peer review. Sets forth requirements for peer reviews. Title VI: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Subtitle A: Brownfields - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to local governments to inventory and conduct site assessments of brownfield sites and provide training in the cleanup of such sites. Defines a "brownfield site" as land that contains or contained abandoned or under-used commercial or industrial facilities, the expansion or redevelopment of which may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Sets forth grant application requirements and grant conditions. Requires States to submit information to the Administrator on brownfield sites. Directs the Administrator to compile a National Brownfields Registry. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to be used by local governments to capitalize revolving loan funds for the cleanup of brownfield sites, including associated rivers and streams. Authorizes local governments to provide such loans to finance cleanups by such governments or by owners or prospective purchasers of affected brownfield sites. Sets forth grant application and agreement requirements. Requires grant recipients to report to the Administrator on the extent of local citizen involvement in funded projects. Authorizes the Administrator to award a grant to a State if necessary to facilitate the receipt of funds by local governments that do not have the capabilities to manage grants. Makes certain facilities ineligible for the grant program, including facilities that are the subject of response actions and Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to make exceptions for excluded facilities and allow grants on a facility-by-facility basis. Makes amounts available from the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) to carry out the grant programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 602) Authorizes the Administrator to award grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, States, Indian tribes, municipalities, and other specified agencies and organizations for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 603) Requires the Administrator to provide grants and other forms of assistance for brownfields workforce training programs in communities that contain brownfield sites. Subtitle B: Innocent Landowners and Prospective Purchaser Liability - Amends CERCLA, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the President) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, and cooperation with those conducting response actions. (Sec. 622) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of this section and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. (Sec. 623) Exempts certain contiguous property owners from liability. Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants, in connection with the authority to guarantee obligations to finance certain community development activities, to eligible public entities for projects and activities for economic redevelopment of brownfield sites. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 2001 through 2005. Title VII: Natural Resource Damages - Adds the reasonable costs of recovering natural resource damages to the list of recoverable damages for which liable parties are responsible under CERCLA. (Sec. 703) Eliminates the damage assessment rebuttable presumption and prescribes revised procedures for natural resource damage assessments. (Sec. 704) Authorizes a trustee for natural resources to establish an administrative record on which the trustee will base the selection of a plan for restoration of the resource. Provides for participation of interested persons in the development of an administrative record. (Sec. 705) Provides that the presence of hazardous substances in sediments of U.S. waters above background or reference levels shall be sufficient to establish injury to natural resources for purposes of determining liability. Directs the Administrator and the appropriate natural resource trustees to report to Congress on how response, remedial, and restoration actions are restoring and protecting natural resources affected by the facilities of: (1) Hudson River, New York; (2) Newark and New York Bays, New York and New Jersey; (3) Housatonic River, Connecticut and Massachusetts; (4) New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts; (5) Clark Fork River, Montana; (6) Lavaca Bay, Texas; (7) Palos Verdes, California; (8) Fox River, Wisconsin; (9) Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and (10) Hanford, Washington. (Sec. 706) Requires natural resource trustees to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in restoration activities. (Sec. 707) Revises provisions regarding the statute of limitations on natural resource damage actions. (Sec. 708) Adds archaeological resources to the definition of "natural resources" under CERCLA. (Sec. 709) Authorizes citizen suits to recover natural resources damages. Title VIII: Federal Facilities - Revises provisions regarding the applicability of CERCLA to the U.S. Government. Makes Federal agencies subject to all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements regarding response actions and damages related to, or management of, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants in the same manner as any nongovernmental entity. Waives immunity of the United States with respect to the enforcement of injunctive relief. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under State or Federal response laws. Authorizes the Administrator to issue an abatement order to a Federal agency and requires initiation of an administrative enforcement action in the same manner as action would be initiated against any other person. Requires all funds collected by a State from the Federal Government from penalties imposed under this section to be used only for projects to improve or protect the environment or to defray costs of environmental protection or enforcement unless a State law requires such funds to be used differently. Requires Federal agencies to notify States and the Administrator of removal actions. Sets forth additional conditions under which a Federal property may be transferred to any other person without a covenant warranting that all remedial action has been taken on the property. Establishes additional assurances to be contained in deeds governing such transfers with regard to hazardous substances releases for which a Federal agency is potentially responsible. Title IX: Liability - Provides exemptions to liability (including liability for contribution) for response costs for pre-July 1997 acts if liability is based solely on arranging for disposal, treatment, or transport of, or accepting, a specified limited amount of hazardous substances. Absolves certain small parties of liability based on arrangement or acceptance provisions if the substance involved was municipal solid waste or sewage sludge. Removes a provision which excludes petroleum from the definition of "hazardous substance" under CERCLA. Provides that persons liable for willful releases of hazardous substances or threats thereof may be liable to the United States for punitive damages in an amount of up to two times the costs incurred by Superfund as a result of such a release. Title X: Funding - Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out specified Superfund authorities through FY 2005. (Sec. 1007) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the environmental income tax to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, and before January 1, 2006. Extends specified provisions regarding: (1) Superfund's financing rate; (2) limits on tax if the unobligated balance in Superfund exceeds a specified amount; and (3) the repayment deadline for advances made to Superfund. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Increases the ceiling on certain penalties under CERCLA. Prescribes penalties for specified additional violations. (Sec. 1103) Considers a remedial action that attains applicable requirements to be protective of human health and the environment unless the President determines otherwise. Directs the President to establish additional requirements to ensure such protection, as necessary. Provides that the decontamination regulations for site termination issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 21, 1997, shall not be considered sufficiently protective. Revises the definition of "federally permitted release" under CERCLA with respect to releases of source, special nuclear, or byproduct material in compliance with licenses, permits, regulations, or orders pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to apply such definition only if such licenses, permits, regulations, or orders adequately protect groundwater. Applies requirements of this Act pertaining to Federal facilities to facilities subject to licenses or decontamination regulations for license termination issued by the NRC. Amends environmental excise tax provisions to treat uranium dioxide as a taxable chemical only if it is used as a fuel in a nuclear reactor.

Verankerung wirtschaftlicher Grundsätze im WRG -Fehlen BMU/BMLF - Arbeitsgruppe

Austria · National Council · 24 September 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Andreas Wabl und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Verankerung wirtschaftlicher Grundsätze im WRG <i>(Wasserrechtsgesetz)</i> - Fehlen der am 14. Juli 1999 für die "nächsten Wochen" angekündigten "Vorschläge" einer BMU <i>(Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie)</i> /BMLF <i>(Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft)</i> -Arbeitsgruppe

Verankerung wirtschaftlicher Grundsätze im WRG - Fehlen BMU /BMLF -Arbeitsgruppe

Austria · National Council · 24 September 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Andreas Wabl und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Verankerung wirtschaftlicher Grundsätze im WRG <i>(Wasserrechtsgesetz)</i> - Fehlen der am 14. Juli 1999 für die "nächsten Wochen" angekündigten "Vorschläge" einer BMU <i>(Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie)</i> /BMLF <i>(Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft)</i> -Arbeitsgruppe

Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999

Earth, Wind, and Fire Authorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (the Act) to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002 for: (1) the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to carry out specified activities under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program; (2) the Secretary of the Interior for responsibilities assigned to the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with specified funds earmarked for the Global Seismic Network and for carrying out a competitive, peer-reviewed program under which FEMA awards grants to or enters into cooperative agreements with State and local governments and persons or entities from the academic community and the private sector; (3) the National Science Foundation (NSF) for engineering research and geosciences research; and (4) the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (Sec. 102) Repeals provisions of the Act concerning: (1) non-Federal cost sharing for certain supplemental funds; (2) the authorization of appropriations in prior fiscal years for certain required adjustments in employee salaries and benefits; and (3) the availability of FY 1991-1993 funding. (Sec. 103) Requires the USGS Director to establish and operate an Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System to organize, modernize, and standardize U.S. national, regional, and urban seismic monitoring systems. Requires such Director to transmit to Congress a five-year management plan for establishing and operating the System. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005, and additional amounts for FY 2001 and 2002 for System operation. (Sec. 104) Requires the NSF Director to establish a Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation that will upgrade, link, and integrate a system of geographically distributed experimental facilities for earthquake engineering testing of full-sized structures and partial-scale models. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2004. (Sec. 105) Directs FEMA to: (1) annually provide guidance to other agencies involved in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (Program) concerning the preparation of requests for appropriations for Program activities; and (2) prepare and submit to the Office of Management and Budget an annual Program budget. Requires each Program agency to specify Program activities in their annual request for appropriations. (Sec. 106) Requires the FEMA Director to report to Congress describing Program elements that specifically address the needs of at-risk populations. (Sec. 107) Requires FEMA's comprehensive earthquake education and public awareness program to include increasing public access to available locality-specific information to assist the public in preparing for or responding to earthquakes. Title II: National Weather Service and Related Agencies Authorization Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 to the Secretary of Commerce to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out: (1) Operations, Research, and Facilities activities of the National Weather Service (NWS); (2) Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction activities of NWS; (3) Atmospheric Research Operations, Research, and Facilities environmental research and development activities of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OOAR); (4) Atmospheric Research Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction environmental research and development activities of OOAR; (5) Operations, Research, and Facilities environmental research and development and related activities of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS); and (6) Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction environmental research and development and related activities of NESDIS. (Sec. 205) Directs the NOAA Administrator to make available through the NOAA Internet home page information relating to all research grants and awards made with funds authorized by this Act. Title III: Fire Administration Authorization Act - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002 for Federal fire prevention and control activities. Prohibits the obligation of such funds until the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has verified to specified congressional committees that such obligation is consistent with the strategic plan. (Sec. 302) Directs the USFA Administrator to prepare and submit to such committees: (1) a five-year strategic plan of USFA program activities; and (2) a report describing USFA's research agenda and a plan for implementing such agenda. (Sec. 303) Directs the USFA Administrator to make publicly available, including through the Internet, information on procedures for: (1) acquiring surplus and excess equipment or property that may be useful to State and local fire, emergency, and hazardous material handling service providers; and (2) establishing cooperative agreements between State and local fire and emergency services and Federal facilities in their region for the coordinated provision of such services. (Sec. 306) Directs the USFA Administrator to conduct and report to Congress on an assessment of the need for additional capabilities for Federal counterterrorism training of emergency response personnel.

HOPE for Africa Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999

HOPE for Africa Act of 1999 - Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) for the majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to benefit from new trade, investment, and other economic opportunities provided by this Act, the pre-existing burden of external debt of sub-Saharan African countries must be eliminated; and (2) only significant debt relief will allow operation of local credit markets and eliminate distortions currently hindering development in sub-Saharan Africa. Title I: Cancellation of Debt Owed by Sub-Saharan African Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the President, with specified exceptions, to cancel all concessional and nonconcessional loans made, guarantees issued, or credits extended by the United States to sub-Saharan African countries. Directs the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees concerning the cancellation of debt. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of State to notify foreign governments that have outstanding loans, guarantees, or credits to the government of a sub-Saharan African country that it is U.S. policy to forgive all such debts and that such foreign governments should do the same. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to Congress a plan to advocate the cancellation of debt owed by sub-Saharan African countries to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), including proposed instructions to the U.S. Executive Directors of such financial institutions to use the U.S. vote to advocate that such institutions: (1) unconditionally cancel all debts owed by a sub-Saharan African country to such institution; and (2) provide that until all debts owed have been unconditionally canceled, require that any future loans not be used to finance in whole or part the implementation of any agreement which requires the country to pay more than five percent of its annual export earnings toward the servicing of foreign loans. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on the amount of debt owed to any U.S. person by any country in sub-Saharan Africa and include a plan to acquire each debt obligation owed to each U.S. person. (Sec. 105) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1999 to require the International Financial Institution Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary of the Treasury and report to Congress on the viability and desirability of having each indebted sub-Saharan African country repay foreign loans in their currency. (Sec. 106) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the government of each sub-Saharan African country should allocate 20 percent of its national budget, including the savings from cancellation of debt owed by it to the United States, to other foreign countries, to the IMF and the World Bank, and to U.S. persons for the provision of basic services to individuals in their respective country, as provided for in the United Nations 20/20 Initiative; and (2) prior to the unconditional cancellation of debt owed by sub-Saharan African countries, each such country should not pay in any calendar year an aggregate amount greater than five percent of the export earnings of the country for the prior calendar year. Title II: Trade Provisions Relating to Sub-Saharan Africa - Directs the United States, pursuant to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, to eliminate existing quotas on textile and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius within 30 days after each country demonstrates that it: (1) is not ineligible for benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences of the Trade Act of 1974; (2) does not engage in significant violations of internationally recognized human rights; (3) provides for the enforcement of certain internationally recognized worker rights; and (4) takes adequate measures to prevent illegal transshipment of goods. Directs the President to continue the no quota policy for each of the other sub-Saharan African countries that are in compliance with such requirements. (Sec. 201) Provides that, when the quota for textile and apparel products imported from Kenya or Mauritius is eliminated, the quota for textile and apparel products from China for each calendar year shall be reduced by an amount equal to the volume of imports of all textile and apparel product from all sub-Saharan African countries into the United States in the preceding calendar year, plus five percent of that amount. Requires the Secretary of Labor to determine, and report annually to Congress on, whether or not each sub-Saharan African country is providing for effective enforcement of internationally recognized worker rights. Directs the President to report annually to Congress on the growth in textiles and apparel imported into the United States from countries in sub-Saharan Africa in order to inform U.S. consumers, workers, and textile manufacturers about the effects of the no quota policy. Directs the President to provide an additional benefit of 50 percent tariff reduction for any textile and apparel product of a sub-Saharan African country: (1) that meets the requirements relating to human rights, workers rights, and illegal transshipments; and (2) that is imported directly into the United States from such country if the business enterprise, or a subcontractor of the enterprise, producing the product is in compliance with specified conditions. Sets forth specified conditions for the import of textile and apparel goods into the United States, including goods from a sub-Saharan African country. Sets forth penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act. Directs the U.S. Customs Service to monitor and the Commissioner of Customs to report annually on measures taken by sub-Saharan African countries that import textiles or apparel goods into the United States to prevent unlawful transshipment of such goods and circumvention of this Act or any agreement regulating trade in such goods between such country and the United States. (Sec. 202) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to provide duty-free treatment for articles set forth in the product list of the Lome Treaty that are the product of a beneficiary developing sub-Saharan African country, and in compliance with certain human rights requirements, if the President determines that such articles are not import-sensitive in the context of imports from such countries. Extends duty-free treatment to products from beneficiary developing sub-Saharan African countries through September 30, 2006. (Sec. 203) Grants a U.S. citizen a cause of action in the U.S. district court to seek compliance of sub-Saharan African countries with the requirements of this Act. Title III: Development Assistance for Sub-Saharan African Countries - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that the HIV- AIDS epidemic and other conditions have caused countless deaths and untold suffering among the people of sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 302) Directs the Agency for International Development (AID) to provide capacity building assistance through participatory planning to private and voluntary organizations involved in providing assistance for sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 303) Prohibits military assistance to sub-Saharan African countries. (Sec. 304) Revises critical sectoral priorities provisions to give priority to: (1) increasing food security by promoting agriculture policies in sub-Saharan African countries; (2) improving health conditions in such countries by emphasizing HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment programs; (3) providing increased access to voluntary family planning services, including access to prenatal healthcare; (4) improving education and vocational education, with particular emphasis on primary education and vocational education for women; and (5) developing income-generating opportunities, including development of manufacturing and processing industries and microcredit projects. (Sec. 305) Directs the Administrator of AID to report semiannually to Congress on: (1) how, and to what extent, AID has consulted with nongovernmental organizations in sub-Saharan Africa regarding the use of long-term development assistance to sub-Saharan African countries; (2) the extent to which such assistance has been successful in capacity building among local nongovernmental organizations and in increasing food security and access to health and education services among the people of sub-Saharan Africa; and (3) how, and to what extent, such assistance has furthered the goals of sustainable economic and agricultural development, gender equity, environmental protection, and respect for workers' rights there. (Sec. 306) Declares that amounts appropriated to the Development Fund for Africa shall be appropriated to a separate account for such Fund. Title IV: Sub-Saharan Africa Equity and Infrastructure Funds - Directs the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to initiate one or more equity funds in support of infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa, including basic health services (including AIDS prevention and treatment), hospitals, potable water, sanitation, schools, electrification of rural areas, and publicly-accessible transportation. Title V: Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Export-Import Bank Initiatives - Directs the President to establish an advisory committee to assist the Board of Directors of OPIC in developing and implementing policies, programs, and financial instruments with respect to sub-Saharan Africa, including with respect to equity and infrastructure funds established under this Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to revise provisions establishing an advisory committee to require such committee to assist the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States in developing, among other things, financial instruments with respect to sub-Saharan African countries. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should encourage the accession of sub-Saharan African countries to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. (Sec. 602) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it is in the interest of the United States to take all necessary steps to prevent further spread of infectious disease, particularly HIV-AIDS; and (2) individual countries should have the ability to determine the availability of pharmaceuticals and health care for their citizens, particularly with respect to the HIV-AIDS epidemic. Prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated to any Federal agency to seek the revocation or revisions of any sub-Saharan African intellectual property or competition law or policy designed to promote access to pharmaceuticals or other medical technologies. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations, to take steps to ensure that: (1) at least 20 full-time Commercial Service employees are stationed in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) full-time Service employees are stationed in at least ten different sub-Saharan African countries. Title VII: Offset - Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from carrying out research and development (R&D) activities relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives full payment for such activities from the private sector.

Electricity Competition and Reliability Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1999

Electricity Competition and Reliability Act - Title I: Open Transmission Access - Amends the Federal Power Act (FPA) to declare that Federal regulation of electric energy transmission and sales: (1) does not affect State or municipality authority to require either retail electric competition or unbundled transmission and local distribution service for the delivery of electric energy directly to a retail electric consumer; (2) includes the unbundled transmission of electric energy sold at retail; and (3) does not extend to bundled retail sale of electric energy, the local distribution service component of any unbundled retail electric energy sale, or any retail sale component of unbundled retail electric energy sales which are each subject to State regulation. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) require transmitting utilities to provide transmission services on a nondiscriminatory basis; (2) authorize recovery of stranded costs arising from such requirement; and (3) mandate electric energy transmission directly to retail electric consumers served by local distribution facilities that are subject to open access. Repeals State regulatory authority over the wholesale transmission or sale of certain electric energy that crosses international borders but is not subsequently transmitted into other States. (Sec. 103) Sets a deadline by which each transmitting utility shall either establish or join a regional transmission organization. Permits the Federal transmitting utilities (Tennessee Valley Authority, Bonneville Power Administration, Southwestern Power Administration, and Western Area Power Administration) to participate in such an organization. Prescribes standards and other requirements for such organizations. Directs FERC to encourage incentive transmission pricing policies for approved organizations. (Sec. 104) Grants the consent of Congress to compacts among the States to establish regional transmission siting agencies. (Sec. 105) Permits FERC to mandate that a transmitting utility expand or improve its facilities for electric energy transmission in interstate commerce, subject to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and all other applicable State and Federal laws. Title II: Electric Reliability - Grants FERC regulatory jurisdiction over the electric reliability organization (organized pursuant to this Act), all affiliated regional reliability entities, all system operators, and all users of the bulk-power system for purposes of enforcing compliance with this Act. Sets forth procedural guidelines for establishment of a FERC- approved electric reliability organization (ERO) whose function shall be to develop and enforce standards for an adequate level of reliability of the bulk-power system. Prescribes implementation guidelines. (Sec. 201) Requires the ERO to take all appropriate steps to gain recognition in Canada and Mexico. Requires the United States to use its best efforts to enter into an agreement with such countries to provide for effective compliance with organization standards. Mandates system operator membership in such electric reliability organization, and in the appropriate affiliated regional reliability entity. Mandates annual ERO status reports regarding system reliability and adequacy. Empowers the ERO to take disciplinary and enforcement action. Title III: Consumer Protection - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate rules governing: (1) mandatory disclosure by any retail or wholesale electric vendor to either electric consumers or purchasers; (2) retail electric energy consumer privacy; and (3) unfair trade practices in connection with retail consumer selection of a retail electric supplier ("slamming") and consent for the purchase of goods and services ("cramming"). (Sec. 304) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) every retail electric consumer should have access to electric energy at reasonable and affordable rates; and (2) the States should ensure that retail electric competition does not result in the loss of service to rural, residential, or low-income consumers. Title IV: Mergers - Amends the FPA to subject to FERC approval electric company mergers and disposition of properties (including a holding company in a holding company system that includes an electric utility company). (Sec. 402) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to repeal the requirement that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission forward license applications for certain utilization or production facilities to the Attorney General for antitrust review. Title V: Promoting Competition - Subtitle A: Retail Reciprocity - Amends the Federal Power Act to declare that sales by retail electric energy suppliers (including suppliers located in a foreign country that is a signatory to the North American Free Trade Agreement) are subject to open access (retail reciprocity). Subtitle B: Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 - Repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. (Sec. 513) Prescribes procedural guidelines for both FERC and State access to records of a public utility or natural gas holding company (including associates and affiliates). (Sec. 515) Instructs FERC to promulgate a final rule to exempt specified holding companies from such access requirements. Requires FERC to exempt any person or transaction from such access requirements if it finds that regulation of such person or transaction is irrelevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas company. (Sec. 516) Retains the jurisdiction of FERC and State commissions to determine whether a public utility company or natural gas company may recover in rates certain costs of an associate company. (Sec. 517) Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the United States; (2) a State or its political subdivision; and (3) a foreign governmental authority not operating in the United States. (Sec. 519) Grants FERC certain FPA enforcement powers. (Sec. 522) Transfers from the Securities and Exchange Commission to FERC all books and records that relate primarily to the functions vested in FERC by this Act. (Sec. 524) Amends the FPA to repeal its conflict of jurisdiction guidelines. Subtitle C: Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to declare that, upon enactment of this Act, no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase or sell electric energy or capacity pursuant to PURPA provisions governing cogeneration and small power production. (Sec. 532) Directs FERC to promulgate and enforce regulations to assure that no utility shall be required to absorb the costs associated with electric energy or capacity purchases from a qualifying facility executed prior to enactment of this Act (thus assuring such utilities recovery of all costs associated with such purchases). Provides that such regulations shall be treated as a rule enforceable under the FPA. Subtitle D: Additional Provisions Promoting Competition - Permits acquisition of retail electric energy on an aggregate basis by a group of retail electric consumers, or any entity acting on behalf of such group, if the group is served by local distribution companies whose facilities are subject to open access. (Sec. 542) Requires a local distribution company to allow its retail electric consumers who are certain small-sized power generation facilities to interconnect with its facilities. Title VI: Federal Electric Utilities - Subtitle A: Tennessee Valley Authority - Amends the FPA to repeal: (1) hearing, notice and review procedures relating to interconnection or wheeling orders that result in electric power sales or delivery outside the Tennessee Valley Region; and (2) guidelines governing equitability within territory restricted electric systems (transmission within the Tennessee Valley Region). (Sec. 602) Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to repeal restrictions placed upon the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to sell or deliver power beyond the area for which it was the primary source of power on July 1, 1957. (Sec. 603) Specifies circumstances under which TVA may: (1) sell electric power at retail; and (2) sell excess electric power at wholesale for use outside the Tennessee Valley Region. (Sec. 605) Mandates that TVA and its distributors renegotiate existing long-term contracts with respect to: (1) remaining term; (2) length of termination notice; (3) amount of electric energy that distributors may purchase from non-TVA suppliers, including access to the TVA transmission system; and (4) stranded costs recovery. (Sec. 606) Subjects TVA transmission and local distribution of electric power to FPA jurisdiction to the same extent as a public utility transmission of electric power in interstate commerce is subject to such jurisdiction. (Sec. 607) Permits a distributor to elect to avoid certain TVA regulatory authority regarding certain future wholesale sales of electric power by the TVA. Amends PURPA to redefine "State regulatory authority" so as to remove TVA as a State agency with ratemaking authority over sales of electric energy by any electric utility. Replaces TVA regulatory authority over distributors with that of the distributor's own governing body. (Sec. 608) Prescribes procedural guidelines for FERC approval of TVA plans for recovery of its stranded costs. Bars TVA use of such recovered proceeds to pay for additions to TVA's generating capacity. Mandates that the annual TVA management report to Congress include: (1) long-range financial plans; (2) source of funds used for TVA capacity additions; and (3) reduction of publicly-held TVA debt. (Sec. 609) Subjects the TVA to Federal antitrust jurisdiction. Subtitle B: Bonneville Power Administration - Subjects to the regulatory purview of the FPA the Bonneville Transmission System (the System), including the transmission of electric energy and the provision of necessary associated services over such System. (Sec. 623) Prescribes procedural guidelines for FERC approval of proposals initiated by the Bonneville Administrator (Administrator) to place a surcharge on transmission rates to meet certain statutory cost recovery requirements. (Sec. 624) Bars the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) from selling electric energy or capacity to any retail electric consumer that was not under contract for the purchase of electric energy on October 1, 1998. (Sec. 625) Amends the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act to restrict the acquisition of new major BPA generating resources to: (1) FERC determination of customer payment-in-full for such resources; and (2) BPA determination that no surcharge will be required in connection with such acquisition. (Sec. 626) Subjects the BPA to Federal antitrust jurisdiction. Subtitle C: Other Power Marketing Administrations - Mandates that rates and charges made by each Federal power marketing administration (PMA) shall be the lowest possible that will recover all costs incurred by the United States for the production of electric energy sold by such PMAs. Defines PMAs, under this subtitle, to mean the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Southeastern Power Administration. Grants FERC modification powers with respect to proposed rates submitted by any PMA, including terms and conditions of sale. (Sec. 633) Subjects PMA transmission of electric energy to FPA regulatory jurisdiction. (Sec. 634) Directs FERC to promulgate guidelines governing the accounting principles and requirements of the PMAs, including compliance and administrative reconciliation. (Sec. 635) Subjects each PMA to Federal antitrust laws with respect to sales of electric energy and capacity and the operation of its transmission system. Title VII: Environmental Provisions - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy to make incentive payments to the owner or operator of a qualified renewable energy facility for electric energy generated and sold. Prescribes implementation guidelines. (Sec. 702) Requires each retail electric supplier to make net metering service available upon request to a retail electric consumer served or solicited by such supplier. Authorizes State imposition of: (1) additional requirements; and (2) a cap limiting the amount of net metering available in the State. Retains State authority to require a retail electric supplier to make net metering service available to a retail electric consumer. Title VIII: Provisions Relating to Internal Revenue Code - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to include among the sources of allowable income received or accrued by tax-exempt mutual or cooperative electric companies any revenues received from non-members for qualified open access activities. (Sec. 802) Amends the IRC, with respect to tax-exempt bond financing of certain electric facilities, to define "private business use" to exclude open access transactions with respect to an electric output facility owned by a governmental unit. Permits certain bond issuers to make an irrevocable election to terminate certain tax-exempt financing for electric output facilities. (Sec. 803) Revises IRC rules for nuclear decommissioning costs to increase the amount permitted to be paid into the Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund. (Sec. 804) Revises prescriptions governing renewable energy tax credits to: (1) expand the definition of qualified facility to include a facility using wind to produce electricity; and (2) deny a credit against tax for electricity sold to utilities under certain contracts. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provision - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to report to Congress on the extent to which actions taken by the States have removed regulatory and statutory barriers to interstate commerce in electric energy.

A bill to extend the authorization of appropriations for activities at Long Island Sound.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for certain conservation and management activities in Long Island Sound through FY 2005. Increases the amount available for grants for projects and studies to implement the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.

National Health Museum Site Selection Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999

National Health Museum Site Selection Act - Directs the Administrator of General Services to convey specified property to the National Health Museum, Inc. (the Museum), to provide a site for the construction and operation of a new building to serve as the National Health Museum. Requires the Museum to provide written notification to the Administrator of the date on which it will accept conveyance of the property. Sets forth provisions regarding the purchase price for the property, including requiring the Administrator to report the purchase price to Congress and to deposit it into the Federal Buildings Fund. Provides for reversion of the property to the United States and repayment of the purchase price to the Museum if : (1) it is used for a purpose other than construction and operation of the Museum; (2) the Museum does not commence construction on the property within three years after conveyance, other than for a reason not within the Museum's control; or (3) the Museum ceases to be a nonprofit corporation. Permits the Museum to: (1) demolish or renovate any existing or future improvement on the property; (2) build, own, operate, and maintain new improvements on the property; (3) finance and mortgage the property on customary terms and conditions; and (4) manage the property. Requires the United States to cooperate with the Museum on any zoning or other matter relating to the development or improvement of the property or the demolition of any improvement. Requires the costs of remediation of any environmental hazards existing on the property, including all asbestos-containing materials, to be borne by the United States. Requires the Museum to submit annual reports to the Administrator and Congress on the status of planning, development, and construction of the Museum.

Common Sense Superfund Liability Relief Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1999

Common Sense Superfund Liability Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve of liability for response actions a person who does not impede a response action or natural resource restoration to the extent liability is based solely on arrangement, transportation, or acceptance provisions relating to disposal or treatment of hazardous substances and such activities only involved municipal solid waste or sewage sludge possessed by the person and the person is: (1) the owner, operator, or lessee of residential property which is the source of the waste or sewage sludge; (2) a small business; or (3) a small nonprofit organization. Adds provisions related to defenses to liability of an owner of property acquired after April 15, 1994, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, and cooperation with those conducting response actions. Absolves from liability for response actions certain bona fide prospective purchasers or operators of facilities owned by such purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States in any case in which there are unrecovered response costs not inconsistent with the National Contingency Plan incurred by the United States for which the owner is not liable by reason of this section and the action increases the facility's fair market value.

Missouri River Basin, Middle Loup Division Facilities Conveyance Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999

Missouri River Basin, Middle Loup Division Facilities Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Sherman Reservoir, Milburn Diversion Dam, Arcadia Diversion Dam, related canals and other related lands, water rights, acquired land, distribution and diversion facilities, contracts, personal property, and other U.S.-owned associated interests (the Project) to the Farwell Irrigation District, the Sargent Irrigation District, and the Loup Basin Reclamation District (the Districts) in consideration of payment to the Secretary: (1) by the Districts, of an amount not to exceed $3 million; and (2) by the Western Area Power Administration, of $2 million. Requires such conveyance be made concurrently with the making of the payment by the Districts, but the payment by the Western Area Power Administration shall be made from capacity and energy charges at Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program firm power rates received in FY 1999 or any subsequent fiscal year in which the amount of power sale revenue received exceeds the amount of interest and operation and maintenance obligations of the Western Area Power Administration by at least $2 million, to the extent of the excess. (Sec. 3) Provides for the conveyance of such Project without regard to whether all necessary legal environmental remedial action on any part of the Project has been completed. Extinguishes on the date of such conveyance all obligations between the Commissioner of Reclamation and the Districts relating to the Project and the Repayment and Water Service Contracts. Provides for the Commissioner and the Districts to each pay half of the costs associated with environmental compliance. States that there shall be credited toward the payment made by the Districts: (1) the amount of any payment made by the Districts before the date of the conveyance for environmental compliance in excess of half of the cost of compliance; (2) the amount of any payments made by the Districts under contracts with the Commissioner before January 1, 1999, and the date of the conveyance; (3) the present value of future operation and maintenance costs required for historic preservation on Project land at Sherman Reservoir; and (4) any other amount specified in the memorandum of agreement between the Commissioner and the Districts under this Act. Requires that, of the $2 million paid by the Western Area Power Administration, $500,000 be deposited in the trust fund established by the Districts under this Act, and be available for additional drainage projects. Authorizes appropriations for such additional drainage projects. (Sec. 5) Prohibits the conveyance from being made until the following events have been completed: (1) environmental compliance; and (2) the execution of memoranda of agreement between the Commissioner and the Districts describing the purchase price and other terms and conditions and an agreement by the Districts to manage the Project substantially similar to the manner in which it was managed before the conveyance, including providing for the establishment by the Districts of a Nebraska-Middle Loup River Community Environmental Trust (the District Trust) and by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission of a Nebraska-Middle Loup River Game and Parks Trust (the Game and Parks Commission Trust). Requires the Secretary, on receipt of the payments by the Districts and the Western Area Power Administration, to deposit in the District Trust: (1) $2 million of the amount received from the Districts; and (2) the entire amount received from the capacity and energy charges at Pick-Sloan firm power rates described above. Prohibits any payment under this Act from: (1) being subject to Federal or State income tax; or (2) affecting Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin firm power rates. Declares that the Trusts shall by their charters prohibit the use of any funds deposited in the District Trust for routine operation and maintenance work by the Districts, the Game and Parks Commission, or any of the participating agencies of the Trusts. Requires the Game and Parks Commission Trust to provide for direct priority assistance to the Districts for drainage work in the Middle Loup River Valley under conditions requiring greater trust fund investments than are available from the Trust. Requires the Secretary and the Districts, if the conveyance is not substantially completed on or before December 31, 2000, to promptly submit a status report on such conveyance to the appropriate congressional committees. Provides that the Project shall no longer have a flood control component.

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program within EPA. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish the Lake Pontchartrain Executive Council; (2) assist the Council in developing a comprehensive, multi-use watershed management plan for the restoration and protection of the Basin; and (3) provide funding and oversight for voluntary restoration projects for the Basin. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) continue to provide priority funding for the New Orleans Inflow and Infiltration Project sponsored by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board and Jefferson Parish, Louisiana; and (2) carry out this Act.

To amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 relating to settlements by certain qualified businesses, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999

Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to require the President to enter into settlements of liability for hazardous substance release response actions with qualified businesses (other than those whose liability arose from criminal acts) without regard to extent of liability. Sets forth application procedures for persons seeking such settlements. Provides that such settlements shall require the business to: (1) pay five percent of its average annual gross income for the two years preceding the year the settlement request was submitted over a period of up to ten years, with no interest if the amount is paid in full in five years; and (2) cooperate with the President in providing access and information. Defines a "qualified business" as an applicant whose gross income is less than $3 million per year for the average of the two years preceding the year that an investigation of liability share was initiated and for each of the two years preceding the year that the settlement request is submitted. Directs the President to consider any offer of settlement by a person who is potentially liable for remedial action costs without regard to extent of liability if the person demonstrates that payment of such costs would be a financial hardship. Makes persons whose liability arose from criminal acts ineligible for such settlements. Requires the President, in considering a person's ability to pay, to consider: (1) the person's financial resources; (2) the person's ability to continue in business after payment of the settlement amount; and (3) whether liability for such amount would require the person to seek protection under Federal bankruptcy laws. Sets forth application procedures for persons seeking such settlements and confidentiality requirements for financial information submitted to the President. Allows settlement amounts to be paid over a period of up to ten years, with no interest if the amount is paid in full in five years. Sets forth provisions regarding decisions of nonqualification of parties seeking settlements under this Act and rights to appeal. Authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adjudicate denials of settlement. Requires Federal district courts, in reviewing proposed settlements under this Act, to give deference to the President's determination that a settlement is in the public interest and meets legal standards for court approval. (Sec. 3) Adds CERCLA provisions governing owner-operator status of persons owning or operating property contiguous to a release site. Absolves such persons of liability as owners or operators, subject to certain conditions. Requires the President to delist up to 20 individual parcels of real property from the National Priorities List (NPL) annually in order to conform with amendments that exclude from the NPL properties at which no release has occurred but to which a hazardous substance has migrated.

Dakota Water Resources Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1999

Dakota Water Resources Act of 1999 - Amends Federal provisions relating to the Garrison water diversion unit, North Dakota (part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program), to: (1) revise the stated purpose of offsetting the loss of farmland resulting from the construction of features of such Program to provide for offsetting such loss by means of a multipurpose federally- assisted water resource project providing irrigation, municipal, rural, and industrial water systems, fish, wildlife, and other natural resource conservation and development, recreation, flood control, ground water recharge, and augmented stream flows; and (2) authorize the State of North Dakota, jointly with the Secretary of the Interior, to construct such project within the State. Directs the Secretary to estimate the actual construction cost of unit facilities already in existence, as well as their annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. Makes the Secretary responsible for operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of that portion of the capacity of such facilities that remain unused. Makes the State responsible for: (1) O&M costs of the proportionate share of existing unit facilities that are used and for the full O&M costs of any facility constructed; and (2) the cost of providing energy to authorized unit facilities. Requires the Secretary to enter into one or more contracts with North Dakota to carry out this Act, including O&M of the completed unit facilities and design and construction of new facilities. Declares that the Secretary, prior to construction of any water systems authorized under this Act to deliver Missouri River water into the Hudson Bay Basin, must determine that adequate treatment can be provided to meet certain treaty requirements. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions concerning unit operational costs to make nonreimbursable: (1) all fish and wildlife enhancement costs incurred in connection with waterfowl refuges or production areas, as well as wildlife conservation areas proposed for Federal or State administration; and (2) 50 percent of recreation area costs, if non-Federal public bodies assume the remainder of such costs. Provides for the determination of such non-Federal share. Deauthorizes Taayer Reservoir and Lonetree Dam and Reservoir as project features. (Sec. 4) Allows the calculation of interest during construction of a feature only until such feature is substantially complete, and regardless of whether it is placed into service. (Sec. 5) Includes certain areas of North Dakota within the area in which the Secretary is authorized to develop irrigation facilities, but prohibits the development of any such facility in the Hudson Bay-Devils Lake Basin. Allows such developed irrigation to receive Pick-Sloan pumping power. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Snake Creek Pumping Plant, New Rockford Canal and McClusky Canal features of the principal supply works; (2) as appropriate, rehabilitate or complete such features consistent with the purposes of this Act; (3) select a preferred alternative to implementing this Act; and (4) in making this selection, consider, as one alternative, connecting to principal supply works already in existence. Requires the Secretary to investigate and report on an undesignated 28,000 acres of irrigation areas in North Dakota. (Sec. 6) Prohibits any reallocation of project costs to Pick-Sloan customers. (Sec. 7) Revises provisions authorizing the construction of municipal, rural, and industrial water systems in North Dakota to: (1) authorize the State to use Federal and non-Federal funds for grants or loans for such systems (provides for proceeds from loan repayments and any interest thereon to be treated as Federal funds); (2) make additional projects eligible for such funding; (3) authorize the State to develop and implement a water conservation program; (4) make nonreimbursable the costs of features constructed on the Missouri River by the Secretary of the Army before the date of enactment of this Act; and (5) add Turtle Mountain to the areas in which the Secretary is required to maintain necessary water systems. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to select and construct a feature or features to deliver Missouri River water to the Sheyenne River water supply and release facility. Directs the Secretary and the State to jointly report to Congress on the comprehensive water quality needs of the Red River Valley and options for meeting those needs. Requires environmental impact statements to be provided. Directs the Secretary to construct, operate, and maintain a Sheyenne River water supply and release feature capable of delivering a specified water supply for the cities of Fargo and Grand Forks and surrounding communities. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the State to convey U.S. rights and interests in the Oakes Test Area. (Sec. 10) Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out provisions added by this Act. (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to make an annual Federal contribution from specified funds authorized under this Act to the Natural Resources Trust (previously named the Wetlands Trust), limiting such annual contribution to $12 million. Directs the Secretary to make additional annual contributions equal to five percent of the total amount appropriated for such Trust in a fiscal year. Adds to authorized Trust uses the enhancement, restoration, and management of grassland conservation and riparian areas. Adds to Trust authority the power to fund incentives for conservation practices by landowners.

proposition de loi relative aux enquêtes publiques et modifiant la loi n° 83-630 du 12 juillet 1983 relative à la démocratisation des enquêtes publiques et à la protection de l'environnement

France · Senate · 21 September 1999

A bill to authorize additional emergency disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Dennis and Hurricane Floyd.

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999

Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for FY 2000 for expenses relating to the provision of disaster relief for agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Floyd and for other Hurricane Floyd-related relief under: (1) the flooded land reserve program; (2) the Wetlands Reserve Program; (3) the Environmental Quality Incentives Program; (4) the Emergency Conservation Program; (5) the rural housing insurance fund; (6) the program to provide low income housing repair grants under the Housing Act of 1949; and (7) any other program that provides appropriate disaster relief, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Department of Commerce for FY 2000 for expenses of providing emergency disaster assistance to persons or entities that have incurred losses from a commercial fishery failure due to Hurricane Floyd; and (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency for FY 2000 for emergency expenses resulting from Hurricane Floyd. Provides that the appropriation of any amount authorized under this Act shall be: (1) designated as emergency spending in accordance with the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act); and (2) made available on an emergency basis.

East Timor Self-Determination Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999

East Timor Self-Determination Act of 1999 - Declares that: (1) Congress recognizes that the Government of Indonesia took a positive step by agreeing on September 12, 1999, to the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to East Timor; and (2) the purpose of this Act is to encourage such Government to take such additional steps as are necessary to create a peaceful environment in which the United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) can fulfill its mandate and implement the results of the August 30, 1999, vote on East Timor's political status. Prohibits the provision of multilateral and bilateral economic assistance (except humanitarian assistance), or military assistance, or the licensing or delivery of exports of defense articles or defense services (except in connection with the international peacekeeping force) to the Government of Indonesia or East Timor. Urges the President to continue to coordinate with other countries, particularly member states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, to develop a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to further the purposes of this Act.

Clean Smokestacks Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1999

Clean Smokestacks Act of 1999 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to achieve specified reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and mercury from powerplants (electric generation facilities with a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts or greater that use a combustion device to generate electricity for sale) by January 1, 2005. Requires outdated powerplants, on the later of the date 30 years after the powerplant commenced operation or five years after this Act's enactment, to comply with the most recent new source performance standards under CAA provisions regarding air quality and emissions limitations and with specified requirements for modified sources. Defines an "outdated powerplant" as a powerplant that has been in operation for 30 years or more.

Judgment of the Court (Fifth Chamber) of 21 September 1999.#Commission of the European Communities v Ireland.#Environment - Directive 85/337/EEC - Assessment of the effects of certain public or private projects - Setting of thresholds.#Case C-392/96.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 21 September 1999

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1999

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes FY 2000 appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General post fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery Administration; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes FY 2000 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) establishment of an Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development in HUD; (8) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (9) community development block grants; (10) brownfields redevelopment; (11) the HOME investment partnerships program; (12) homeless assistance grants; (13) housing for special populations; (14) the Federal Housing Administration; (15) the Government National Mortgage Association; (16) housing policy development and research; (17) fair housing activities; (18) the Lead Hazard Reduction Program; (19) management and administration; (20) the Office of Inspector General; and (21) 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. 204) Amends the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act to provide for allocation of resources for housing for persons with AIDS to States that received an allocation in a prior fiscal year for having more than 1,500 AIDS cases outside of a metropolitan statistical area with a population exceeding 500,000. Repeals a minimum grant requirement under such Act. (Sec. 205) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend the Secretary of HUD's authority to enter into certain risk-sharing agreements to determine Federal credit enhancements for loans for affordable multifamily housing. Extends to FY 2000 a provision that increases the number of units to which those agreements may apply in FY 1999. (Sec. 206) Authorizes eligible low-income housing project owners to: (1) prepay mortgages on such projects; and (2) request voluntary termination of a mortgage insurance contract with respect to such a project, notwithstanding certain requirements under the National Housing Act. Permits mortgage prepayment or contract termination only if: (1) such prepayment or termination is consistent with the terms of the mortgage on, or insurance contract for, the project; (2) the owner agrees not to increase rent charges for any project dwelling during the 60-day period beginning on the prepayment or termination; and (3) the owner provides notice of intent to prepay or terminate within a certain time period, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 209) Amends provisions of the National Housing Act regarding payments of claims on defaulted mortgages with respect to multifamily housing units and health facilities to allow full (in addition to partial) payment of claims under one or more mortgage insurance contracts in connection with certain mortgage restructurings. (Sec. 210) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to direct owners responsible for determining a participant's eligibility or level of benefits to require families receiving certain HUD family income matching information to disclose such information. Includes families who receive such information and dwell in units receiving certain project-based assistance within the list of families subject to the disclosure requirement. (Sec. 211) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to delete a provision regarding an emergency reserve and set-aside funds under the section regarding the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds. (Sec. 214) Establishes compensation ceilings with respect to funds provided for the Public Housing Operating Fund and the Youthbuild program. (Sec. 216) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary of HUD to establish income ceilings, with respect to eligibility for public housing or project-based Section 8 assistance, that are higher or lower than 30 percent of the area median income based on findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes. (Sec. 217) Requires the Comptroller General to certify to Congress on a quarterly basis on the cost of time attributable to the failure of HUD to cooperate in any General Accounting Office (GAO) investigation with regard to HUD activities. Directs the Secretary of HUD to reimburse GAO for such costs from the salaries and expenses account. (Sec. 218) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to allow funds made available for home investment partnerships to be used to preserve housing assisted or previously assisted with Section 8 assistance. (Sec. 219) 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. 220) Requires the Secretary of HUD to transfer the administration of the Small Cities component of the Community Development Block Grants program to the State of New York, to be administered by the Governor. (Sec. 221) Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to renew project-based rental housing contracts under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 at up to market levels. Directs the Secretary to: (1) offer to renew expired section 8 contracts at up to market levels in low-vacancy areas or areas with concentrations of elderly or disabled families; and (2) establish certain market rents. Authorizes ten-year section 8 contract renewals. (Sec. 222) Amends Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide for enhanced voucher assistance for certain families in projects where mortgages have been prepaid, mortgage insurance contracts have been terminated, or Section 8 rental assistance contracts have expired or been terminated. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 to provide for Section 8 enhanced voucher assistance for certain tenants in housing where Section 8 assistance is not renewed. Amends the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 to provide for Section 8 enhanced voucher assistance for certain tenants in housing where mortgages have been prepaid or insurance contracts have been terminated. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes FY 2000 appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (6) the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (8) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program;(7) the National Flood Insurance Fund; and (8) the National Insurance Development Fund. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend through FY 2000: (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 Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the International Space Station, launch vehicles and payload operations in support of the space shuttle program, 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 the Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 423) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to carry out a specified executive order regarding federalism. (Sec. 426) Prohibits the obligation of funds provided in this Act after February 15, 2000, unless each agency that receives such funds provides justifications to the Appropriations Committees for all salary and expense activities for FY 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 427) Amends the Fair Housing Act to require prospective complainants, before filing a complaint involving a published notice, statement, or advertisement that indicates a preference or discrimination with respect to the sale or rental of housing, to serve a prospective respondent with notice of the alleged violation to allow remedial action by the respondent. Prohibits an administrative action from being brought by the prospective complainant if the respondent acts to cease publication of the alleged item in violation within 72 hours of receipt of notice or prior to the next publication, whichever is greater. Bars civil actions by aggrieved persons under the same circumstances.

Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 16 September 1999.#World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Others v Autonome Provinz Bozen and Others.#Reference for a preliminary ruling: Verwaltungsgericht, Autonome Sektion für die Provinz Bozen - Italy.#Environment - Directive 85/337/EEC - Assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects.#Case C-435/97.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 16 September 1999

proposition de loi tendant à instituer une mesure fiscale en faveur de la prévention contre les incendies en milieu forestier

France · Senate · 15 September 1999

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of "family friendly" programming on television.

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1999

Recognizes and honors the efforts of the Forum on Family Friendly Programming and other entities supporting family friendly programming. Expresses support for: (1) efforts of the television network and production community to produce more quality family friendly programming; and (2) the Family Friendly Programming Awards, development fund and scholarships. Encourages the media and American advertisers to further a family friendly television environment with appropriate advertisements accompanying the programming.

New Markets Initiative Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1999

New Markets Initiative Act of 1999 - Title I: New Markets Venture Capital Program - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a New Markets Venture Capital Program, under which the SBA may: (1) enter into a participation agreement with each new market venture capital company (company) for encouraging venture capital investment in smaller enterprises located in urban and rural areas; (2) guarantee debentures issued by each company; and (3) make technical assistance grants to each company. Makes eligible as a participating company in the Program one which: (1) is a newly formed for-profit entity or newly formed for-profit subsidiary of an existing company; and (2) has a management team with experience in community development financing or venture capital financing. Outlines application requirements and SBA selection criteria, requiring the SBA to ensure that companies are chosen so that investments under the Program will be made nationwide. Outlines conditions to be met by each company before final approval, including: (1) a capital investment requirement of at least $5 million from investors who meet SBA-established criteria; and (2) binding commitments with non-SBA sources for Program marketing, management, and technical assistance. Authorizes the SBA to: (1) guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on debentures issued by companies, not to exceed 150 percent of the contributed capital; (2) make grants to each company to provide marketing, management, and technical assistance for the benefit of smaller enterprises financed by such company; (3) issue trust certificates representing ownership of all or a fractional part of SBA-guaranteed debentures under this Act; and (4) charge fees with respect to any guarantee or certificate issued. Authorizes any national bank, member bank of the Federal Reserve System, and any other bank which is insured to the extent permitted under applicable State law to invest in any company or in any entity established to invest solely in such companies. Limits such investment to five percent of such bank's capital and surplus. Requires each company to provide the SBA with any required information. Subjects each company to examinations made at the direction of the Investment Division of the SBA. Authorizes the SBA to obtain injunctions and other relief against companies violating requirements of this Act, which shall include a breach of fiduciary duty in unlawful acts and omissions by company officers, directors, employees, or agents. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2005 to carry out this title. (Sec. 103) Exempts a company from debtor status under Federal bankruptcy law. (Sec. 104) Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to authorize a Federal savings association to invest in company securities, with an investment limit of five percent of the association's capital and surplus. Title II: Small Business Loans - Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) increase to $150,000 (formerly $100,000) the authorized outstanding loan balance for small businesses receiving start-up loans from the SBA; (2) increase from $80,000 to $120,000 the total deferred participation share threshold of an SBA-guaranteed loan for which the loan fee cannot exceed two percent; and (3) reduce the annual loan fee with respect to guaranteed loans of less than $150,000. Title III: America's Private Investment Companies - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to license and regulate America's Private Investment Companies (APICs). Provides related administrative authority over APICs. Authorizes the Secretary to set and collect fees for loan guarantees and commitments made under this title. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2003 for the cost of such loan guarantees and for administrative expenses. (Sec. 304) Outlines APIC selection criteria, requiring such APICs to: (1) be a private, for-profit entity that qualifies as a community development entity (an entity that provides investment capital for low-income communities or persons); (2) have available a minimum of $25 million in equity capital; (3) have the necessary knowledge and experience to make investments for community development in distressed areas; and (4) prepare and submit an investment strategy and a statement of public purpose goals in connection with such investments. Outlines: (1) administrative procedures concerning the selection of qualified APICs by the Secretary; and (2) APIC powers, authorities, and investment and leverage limits. (Sec. 306) Authorizes the Secretary to make commitments to guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on debentures issued by APICs, to issue trust certificates representing ownership of all or a fractional part of such guaranteed debentures, and to guarantee such certificates. Outlines guarantee and certificate limits, terms and conditions. (Sec. 307) Authorizes an APIC to request the guarantee of a debenture that such APIC intends to issue. Provides additional APIC requirements for such requests when: (1) the proceeds of the debenture are to be used as an APIC initial expenditure for a project or activity to fund qualified low-income community investments; and (2) such expenditure would require an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related laws. Authorizes the Secretary, in the latter case, to guarantee such debenture if the appropriate State or local governmental unit assumes such environmental review responsibilities. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to carry out such a debenture guarantee only after consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality. Outlines procedures for the approval of a request for the guarantee of a debenture to be used for low-income community investment. (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretary to examine and monitor APIC operations and activities for compliance with sound management practices and satisfaction of program and procedural goals of this Act and related Acts. (Sec. 309) Authorize the Secretary to: (1) provide incentives, such as increased credit subsidies, as an award for high performance of an APIC in carrying out its investment strategy and statement of goals; and (2) provide penalties, including civil penalties and withdrawal of investment funds, for an APIC's failure to conform to such strategies and statements or noncompliance with requirements of this Act. Title IV: New Markets Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a new markets tax credit for taxpayers holding a qualified equitable investment, in the amount of six percent of the amount paid to the qualified community development entity for authorized investments under this Act. Provides a tax credit limit of $1.2 billion for each of calendar years 2000 through 2004, to be allocated among selected qualified community development entities. Provides for tax credit recapture in appropriate cases. Makes such credit part of the general business tax credit.

Natural Resources Reinvestment Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999

Natural Resources Reinvestment Act of 1999 - Establishes the Land and Water Resources Stewardship Council to oversee grants for State land and water conservation programs. Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to appropriate funds for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, to be used for outdoor conservation, recreation, and open space resource activities. Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to provide grants for the acquisition or development of new park land or neighborhood recreation sites. Extends permanently the Historic Preservation Fund. Establishes in the Land and Water Conservation Fund a special account for grants for the conservation of State land or water of national or regional significance. State Conservation Assistance Grants Act of 1999 - Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fund, to be apportioned to: (1) historically oil and gas productive coastal States for Continental Shelf environmental remediation and administrative expenses; and (2) other States for clean air, water, habitat and wildlife, parks and recreation, and other conservation activities. Amends the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 to require States receiving apportionments from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund (established herein) to develop and implement programs for the conservation of fish and wildlife species that are not hunted, trapped, or fished. Provides funds for the acquisition or restoration of watershed wetland, adjacent land, or buffer strips. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and carry out a grant program for protecting farmland topsoil by limiting nonagricultural uses.

Children's Sleepwear Safety Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999

Children's Sleepwear Safety Act of 1999 - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to propose for comment and issue a final rule amending its Flammable Fabrics Act standards to revoke the amendments to the standards for the flammability of children's sleepwear issued by the Commission on September 9, 1966. Provides that: (1) the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, or any other statute or executive order shall not apply with respect to the promulgation of such rule; and (2) sleepwear manufactured or imported before the effective date of the Commission's revocation shall not be considered in violation of the Flammable Fabrics Act if it complied with the rules in effect at the time it was manufactured or imported.

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission and telecommunications facilities, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to repeal a provision which prohibits a State or local government from regulating the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations concerning such emissions. Requires, in an action in which a person is seeking to place, construct, or modify a telecommunications facility, that such person bear the burden of proof as to the necessity of such placement, construction, or modification. Prohibits the FCC from adopting as a final rule a specified proposed rule which preempts State and local authority over the placement of broadcast transmission facilities. States that no provision of the Act may be interpreted to: (1) authorize any person or entity to place, construct, or modify telecommunications facilities in a manner inconsistent with State or local law if alternative technology is capable of delivering the broadcast or telecommunications signals without the use of a tower; or (2) prohibit a State or local government from requiring the production of safety and interference studies with respect to such facilities.

To impose an immediate suspension of assistance to the Government of Indonesia until the results of the August 30, 1999, vote in East Timor have been implemented, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors to the international financial institutions to oppose, and vote against, any extension of financial assistance of any kind to the Government of Indonesia (except humanitarian assistance to it or East Timor). Expresses the sense of Congress that such institutions should withhold the balance of any undisbursed approved loans or other assistance to the Government of Indonesia. Prohibits the availability of appropriated funds to Indonesia for: (1) economic and development assistance, except subject to the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications; and (2) military assistance. Prohibits the licensing of exports of defense articles and defense services to Indonesia. Urges the President to coordinate with other countries (particularly member states of the Asia-pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum) to develop a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to further the purposes of this Act, including urging other countries to take measures similar to those contained in it. Imposes such prohibitions on the Government of Indonesia until the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) a safe environment exists for the return of Timorese who were forced to flee the militia-led violence; (2) the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) can resume its mandate pursuant to the June 11, 1999, authorization by the UN Security Council, without threat or intimidation; (3) steps have been taken to implement the results of the August 30, 1999, vote on East Timor's political status; and (4) the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia is conducting itself in a manner consistent with its responsibilities to its citizens and its international commitments. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should strongly support the authorization of an international peacekeeping force for East Timor.

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of "family friendly" programming on television.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1999

Recognizes and honors the efforts of the Family Friendly Programming Forum and other entities supporting family friendly programming. Expresses support for efforts of the television network and production community to produce more quality family friendly programming, as well as the Family Friendly Programming Awards, development fund, and scholarships. Encourages the media and American advertisers to further a family friendly television environment with appropriate advertisements accompanying the programming.

Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 9 September 1999.#Commission of the European Communities v Federal Republic of Germany.#Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations - Directive 90/313/EEC - Freedom of access to information on the environment - Definition of 'public authorities' - Exclusion of the courts, criminal prosecution authorities and disciplinary authorities - Partial communication of information - Exclusion of the right to information during administrative proceedings - Amount of charges and mode of collecting them.#Case C-217/97.

European Union · Court of Justice of the European Union · 9 September 1999

East Timor Self-Determination Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors to the international financial institutions to oppose, and vote against, any extension by such institutions of financial assistance of any kind to the Government of Indonesia (except humanitarian assistance to it or East Timor). Expresses the sense of Congress that such institutions should withhold the balance of any undisbursed approved loans or other assistance to the Government of Indonesia. Prohibits the availability of appropriated funds to Indonesia for: (1) economic and development assistance, except subject to the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications; and (2) military assistance. Prohibits the licensing of exports of defense articles and defense services to Indonesia. Urges the President to coordinate with other countries (particularly member states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum to develop a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to further the purposes of this Act, including urging other countries to take measures similar to those contained in this Act. Imposes such prohibitions on the Government of Indonesia until the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) a safe environment exists for the return of Timorese who were forced to flee the militia-led violence; (2) the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) can resume its mandate pursuant to the June 11, 1999, authorization by the UN Security Council without threat or intimidation; (3) steps have been taken to implement the results of the August 30, 1999, vote on East Timor's political status; and (4) the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia is conducting itself in a manner consistent with its responsibilities to its citizens and its international commitments. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should strongly support the authorization of an international peacekeeping force for East Timor.

Biomass Research and Development Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999

Biomass Research and Development Act of 1999 - Directs the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture (the Secretaries) to coordinate policies and procedures that promote research, development, and demonstration on the production of biobased products for ensuring full consideration of potential feed-stock resources for energy-efficient, economically competitive, and environmentally sound biobased products and assessing the environmental, economic, and social impact of the production of such products from biomass on a large scale. Requires the Secretaries to each designate a high-level officer as a point of contact from their respective Departments and provides for such points of contact to jointly: (1) assist in arranging interlaboratory, interagency, and site-specific supplemental agreements for research, development, and demonstration projects relating to biobased products; (2) administer the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (Initiative); and (3) respond in writing to each recommendation made by the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretaries to establish a Biomass Research and Development Board to coordinate programs within and among the departments and agencies of the Federal Government to promote the use of biobased products by maximizing the benefits deriving from Federal grants, research and development agreements, and other assistance, and bringing coherence to Federal planning. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretaries to establish a Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to advise the Secretaries concerning the technical focus and direction of requests for proposals issued under the Initiative and procedures for reviewing such proposals and facilitate consultations and partnerships among Federal agencies, the research community, agricultural and forestry producers, industry, consumers, and other interested groups to carry out program activities relating to the Initiative, and evaluate and perform strategic planning on such program activities. Requires the Advisory Committee to: (1) advise the points of contact respecting the Initiative and evaluate and make written recommendations to the Board to ensure that funds appropriated for the Initiative are distributed and used consistently for grants, contracts, and other financial assistance under this Act; (2) ensure that the points of contact are funding proposals that are selected on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis, as determined by an independent panel of scientific and technical peers; and (3) ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with this Act. Provides for the Advisory Committee to coordinate its activities with other Federal advisory committees working in related areas to avoid duplication of effort. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretaries, acting through their respective points of contact and in consultation with the Board, to establish and carry out the Initiative under which competitively awarded grants, contracts, and other financial assistance are provided to, or entered into with, eligible entities to carry out research, development, and demonstration respecting biobased products. Specifies the purposes for which such grants, contracts, and other financial assistance shall be provided. Requires Federal agencies to issue regulations establishing procedures to ensure that no class of applicants has an unfair advantage in competing for an award. Requires the points of contact, after consultation with the Board, to: (1) publish annually a joint request for proposals for such grants, contracts, and other financial assistance; (2) provide a preference in such grants, contracts, and other financial assistance to consortia involving experts from multiple institutions and academic disciplines working on cross-cutting or integrative research, development, and demonstration challenges; and (3) require that such assistance be awarded competitively after the establishment of procedures that provide for scientific peer review by an independent panel of scientific and technical peers. Requires such grants, contracts, or other financial assistance to be used to conduct: (1) research and development in technologies or processes determined by the Advisory Committee to be consistent with the purposes specified under this Act; (2) research into the sustainability and long-term environmental impacts of the technologies or processes; (3) research into the economic viability (including the cost, net energy and comparative energy uses) of the technologies or processes; or (4) pilot projects of processes and technologies that lead to a better understanding of the energy or environmental impacts or performance characteristics of a biobased product. Prohibits the provision of such financial assistance for a demonstration project unless at least an equal amount of funding is obtained for such project from non-Federal sources. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide such administrative support and funds to the Board and the Advisory Committee as are necessary to enable them to carry out this Act. Declares that the Secretary of Agriculture and the heads of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of the Interior may, and are encouraged to, provide such support and funds to the Board and the Advisory Committee. (Sec. 9) Requires the Secretaries to transmit to Congress specified initial and final reports.

To impose an immediate suspension of assistance to the Government of Indonesia until the results of the August 30, 1999, vote in East Timor have been implemented, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1999

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors to the international financial institutions to oppose, and vote against, any extension of financial assistance of any kind to the Government of Indonesia (except humanitarian assistance to it or East Timor). Expresses the sense of Congress that such institutions should withhold the balance of any undisbursed approved loans or other assistance to the Government of Indonesia. Prohibits the availability of appropriated funds to Indonesia for: (1) economic and development assistance, except subject to the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications; and (2) military assistance. Prohibits the licensing of exports of defense articles and defense services to Indonesia. Urges the President to coordinate with other countries (particularly member states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum) to develop a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to further the purposes of this Act, including urging other countries to take measures similar to those contained in it. Imposes such prohibitions on the Government of Indonesia until the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) a safe environment exists for the return of Timorese who were forced to flee the militia-led violence; (2) the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) can resume its mandate pursuant to the June 11, 1999, authorization by the UN Security Council, without threat or intimidation; (3) steps have been taken to implement the results of the August 30, 1999, vote on East Timor's political status; and (4) the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia is conducting itself in a manner consistent with its responsibilities to its citizens and its international commitments. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should strongly support the authorization of an international peacekeeping force for East Timor.

Art. 23d Abs. 1 B-VG Zoorichtlinie der EU

Austria · Federal Council · 10 August 1999

Anfrage der Bundesräte Jürgen Weiss, Dr. Reinhard Eugen Bösch und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Abweichung von einer einheitlichen Länderstellungnahme gemäß Art. 23d Abs. 1 B-VG hinsichtlich der Zoorichtlinie der EU

Coastal Zone Management Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

Coastal Zone Management Act of 1999 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to modify several definitions and the Act's statement of national policy. (Sec. 6) Extends provisions authorizing management program development grants. (Sec. 7) Allows grants to States for administering the State's coastal zone management program (administrative grants) to be used for developing and implementing coastal nonpoint pollution control program components. (Sec. 8) Allows resource management improvement grants (resource grants) to be used (among other authorized uses) for: (1) important coastal habitats that have not been designated, under specified provisions, for preservation or restoration; (2) redevelopment of deteriorating and underutilized historic waterfronts and ports designated in the State's management program, under specified provisions, as areas of particular concern; (3) coordination and implementation of approved coastal nonpoint pollution control plans; and (4) work, resources, or technical support necessary to preserve, restore, enhance, or create coastal habitats. Replaces provisions relating to State matching funds (regarding this or other Federal programs) and limiting the amount of grants with provisions requiring: (1) a State that chooses to fund a project under this paragraph to submit a combined application for administrative grants and resource grants and match the combined amount of such grants in the ratio required in administrative grant provisions; and (2) that the Federal funding for the project be a portion of the State's annual allocation under administrative grant provisions. Allows resource grants to be used to pay a State's share of costs required under any other Federal program that is consistent with the purposes of this paragraph. Allows a State to allocate (in addition to currently- authorized recipients) to any reserve in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System a portion of any resource grant to carry out the purpose of this paragraph. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to assist States (currently, States and their local governments) in identifying and obtaining from other Federal agencies (currently, from other sources) technical and financial assistance in achieving the resource grant objectives. (Sec. 9) Requires that Coastal Zone Management Fund loan repayments be: (1) retained by the Secretary (currently, retained by the Secretary as offsetting collections) and deposited into the Fund; and (2) available to the Secretary, subject to appropriations Acts, for the purposes of this Act and transferred to the Operations, Research, and Facilities account of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to offset the costs of implementing the Act. (Sec. 10) Modifies the objectives of coastal zone enhancement grants. Removes provisions directing the Secretary to retain between ten and 20 percent of the amounts appropriated to implement administrative grants and resource grants provisions to implement enhancement grants provisions. (Sec. 11) Authorizes grants to coastal States to assist in specified community and local activities (community grants). Requires: (1) a State that chooses to fund a project under this paragraph to submit a combined application for enhancement grants and community grants and match the combined amount of such grants in a specified ratio; and (2) that the Federal funding for the project be a portion of the State's annual allocation under enhancement grant provisions. Allows a State to allocate to a qualified local entity amounts received by the State under this paragraph. Directs the Secretary to assist States and local entities in identifying and obtaining from other Federal agencies technical and financial assistance in achieving community grant objectives. (Sec. 12) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) conduct a program to develop and apply innovative coastal and estuarine environmental technology and methodology through a cooperative program; and (2) make extramural grants to conduct the program. (Sec. 13) Modifies the required contents of a currently-mandated continuing review of the performance of coastal States regarding coastal management. (Sec. 14) Allows (currently, requires) the conducting of the "Walter B. Jones Awards" program to promote excellence in coastal zone management by identifying and acknowledging outstanding accomplishments in the field. Modifies the source of the funds involved. (Sec. 15) Sets forth the nature of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a reserve if (among other criteria) the Secretary finds that designation will provide opportunities for education, interpretation, training, and demonstration projects (currently, for public education and interpretation). Revises the matters required to be included in the Secretary's guidelines for System research, education and resource stewardship (currently, for System research). Includes in the actions the Secretary must take to promote and coordinate System use for research establishing partnerships with other Federal and State estuary management programs to coordinate and collaborate on estuarine research. Authorizes grants for educational, interpretive, or training activities as well as for research and monitoring. Removes the dollar limit on the assistance provided for acquisition of lands and waters for any one reserve and allows certain nonfederal costs to be used to match the Federal share. Modifies other limits on the grants. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements, financial agreements, grants, contracts, or other agreements authorizing a nonprofit organization to solicit donations to carry out System purposes and policies; and (2) accept donations of funds and services to carry out System purposes and policies. (Sec. 16) Modifies various reporting requirements. (Sec. 17) Authorizes appropriations to carry out specified provisions of the Act. Removes a provision prohibiting the use of Federal funds received from other sources from being used to pay a State's share of costs under enhancement grant provisions. Increases to three years the limit after which unobligated funds revert to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to make reverted funds available to States under the Act (currently, available for grants under the section for which the reverted amount was originally made available). Allows Federal funds allocated under the Act to be used by grantees to purchase Federal products and services not otherwise available. Requires that appropriated amounts, except for amounts appropriated under administrative costs provisions, be available only for grants to States and prohibits their use for other program, administrative, or overhead costs of NOAA or the Department of Commerce.

Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

Superfund Recycling Equity Act of 1999 - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to absolve persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Makes such exemptions inapplicable if the recyclable material contained polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard.

America's Private Investment Companies Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

America's Private Investment Companies Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to license America's Private Investment Companies (APICs) (for-profit investment companies formed to make equity and credit investments for large-scale business development in low-income communities). Authorizes the Secretary to impose fees and charges for administrative costs and to collect fees for loan guarantee commitments and loans made under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2003 for loan guarantee commitments and for administrative expenses. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to select APICs for licensing on the basis of competitions announced through the Federal Register. Outlines application and licensee selection requirements and criteria, including that each such entity have available at least $25 million in equity capital. (Sec. 106) Requires substantially all investments made by selected APICs to be qualified low-income community investments if such investments are financed by the Secretary under this Act. Outlines investment limits and borrowing and repayment conditions. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Secretary, consistent with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, to make commitments to guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on debentures issued by APICs, to issue trust certificates representing ownership of all or a fractional part of such debentures, and to guarantee the payment of principal and interest on such certificates. (Sec. 108) Authorizes an APIC to request that the Secretary guarantee a debenture that the APIC intends to issue under this Act. Outlines special requirements for: (1) requests which would include funding for initial expenditures for a project or activity; and (2) certification by a State or unit of general local government of responsibility for environmental reviews in connection with authorized projects or activities. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to examine and monitor the operations and activities of APICs for compliance with sound financial management practices and satisfaction of the program and procedural goals of this and related Acts. (Sec. 110) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) increase the credit subsidy allocated to an APIC as an award for high performance in carrying out its investment strategy and public purpose goals; and (2) penalize APICs for fraud, mismanagement, or noncompliance (allowing for notice and opportunity to respond prior to such penalties).

21st Century School Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

21st Century School Modernization Act - Title I: School Modernization and Improvement - Establishes a grants program for modernization of public elementary and secondary education facilities. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to award such grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) in specified categories based on numbers of students enrolled, and to set maximum award amounts for each such category. Authorizes the Secretary to reserve not more than one percent of program funds to provide assistance to Indian schools. (Sec. 102) Sets forth requirements for grant award criteria, allocation among categories, and frequency. (Sec. 103) Sets forth application requirements for eligible LEAs. (Sec. 104) Requires grant funds to be used only to ensure the health and safety of students through the repair, renovation, alteration, or construction of a public elementary school or secondary school facility. Authorizes use of grant funds to meet specified requirements under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (Sec. 105) Sets forth general program provisions for the Secretary, relating to budget and accounting, use of funds, legal powers, and applicability of the Government Corporation Control Act. (Sec. 106) Requires program contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers and mechanics at least at the rate required under the Davis-Bacon Act, and provides for coverage under the Copeland Anti-Kickback Act. (Sec. 107) Sets forth requirements for maintenance of effort, supplementation of other funds, and environmental safeguards. Prohibits use of grant funds for acquiring real property, for paying associated maintenance costs, or for athletic and similar facilities. (Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to reserve not more than one percent of program funds for data collection, studies and evaluations, and a report to the Congress. (Sec. 109) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: State Infrastructure Banks for Schools - Establishes a pilot program for State infrastructure banks. (Sec. 201) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make grants to State infrastructure banks and multistate infrastructure banks in States that have entered into cooperative agreements to provide initial capital for loans to LEAs for building or repairing public elementary or secondary schools and to public libraries for building or repairing library facilities. Sets forth requirements for such State infrastructure banks, including provisions for loan applications, criteria for loans, qualifying projects, Davis-Bacon wage rate coverage, program administration costs, and Secretarial review and report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Schools as Centers of the Community - Establishes a grants program to assist LEAs and their communities to increase the involvement of parents, teachers, students, and community groups in the planning and design of new and renovated public elementary and secondary school buildings that: (1) enhance teaching and learning, and accommodate the needs of all learners; (2) serve as a center of the community; (3) promote health, safety, and security; (4) effectively use all available resources; and (5) are flexible and can accommodate changing community needs. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to award such one-year matching grants to LEAs participating in eligible consortia to support such planning and design. (Sec. 304) Requires such grants to be used for planning and design of a new, or of the renovation of an existing, school building. Allows grants to be used for: (1) community outreach activities; (2) developing a master plan for a school district, involving all stakeholders; and (3) administrative support. (Sec. 305) Sets forth grant application requirements for LEAs. (Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations.

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1999 - Title I: Brownfields Revitalization - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish programs to provide grants to eligible entities (including local government units, redevelopment agencies, States, and Indian tribes) for site characterization and assessment of, and performance of response actions at, brownfields facilities. Defines a "brownfield facility," with exceptions, as real property, the expansion or redevelopment of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, including property contaminated with a controlled substance or precursor chemical to such a substance. (Sec. 102) Adds CERCLA provisions governing owner-operator status of persons owning or operating property contiguous to a release site. Absolves such persons of liability as owners or operators, subject to certain conditions. Requires the President to delist up to 20 individual parcels of real property from the National Priorities List (NPL) annually in order to conform with amendments that exclude from the NPL properties at which no release has occurred but to which a hazardous substance has migrated. (Sec. 103) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of provisions limiting liability of fiduciaries and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. (Sec. 104) Deems a person, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to have undertaken appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that inquiries were undertaken in accordance with specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the Administrator). Deems the appropriate inquiry requirements to be satisfied by a site inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further investigation in the case of property for residential or similar use purchased by a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity. Title II: State Response Programs - Adds CERCLA provisions requiring the Administrator to provide grants to States to establish and expand qualifying State response programs, comprised of elements including public participation opportunities, oversight and enforcement authorities, and certification mechanisms. Restricts authority to take enforcement actions under CERCLA in cases of hazardous substance releases subject to a State response plan. Authorizes the President to bring enforcement actions in certain instances, including cases where a State requests assistance or is unable to conduct a response action or there is a public health or environmental emergency or migration of contamination across State lines. Authorizes the President, if a State is unwilling or unable to take action to address a health or environmental emergency, to require the State to reimburse the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) for response costs incurred by the United States, with exceptions. (Sec. 202) Replaces provisions regarding the revision of the National Contingency Plan with those requiring the President to complete the evaluation of facilities classified as awaiting an NPL decision to determine the risk to public health or welfare or the environment posed by each facility as compared with other facilities. Prohibits additions to the NPL without concurrence from the Governor of the State in which the affected facility is located. Directs the Administrator, from amounts appropriated under CERCLA, to fund a cooperative agreement for an independent analysis of the projected ten-year costs for the implementation of the Superfund program. (Sec. 203) Alters the criteria for the continuance of obligations for removal actions to provide that actions shall not continue after $5 million (currently, $2 million) has been obligated or three years (currently, 12 months) have elapsed from the date of initial response to a release or threatened release of hazardous substances. (Sec. 204) Revises conditions for State financial and other assurances with respect to remedial actions to prohibit the Administrator from providing any funding for such actions unless the State enters into an agreement that provides assurances for State payment of ten percent of the costs of the action and operation and maintenance costs. Permits the Administrator to require a State contribution of 50 percent of the costs of any sums expended in response to a release at a facility that was operated by a State or political subdivision at the time of any disposal of hazardous substances. Title III: Fair Share Liability Allocations and Protections - Creates exceptions to liability for response costs at NPL-listed facilities for certain: (1) home owners or renters, small businesses, or small nonprofit organizations with respect to certain arrangements for, or transport of, municipal solid waste (MSW) or sewage sludge; (2) de micromis contributors; and (3) small businesses. Establishes limitations to liability for certain codisposal landfills (certain MSW or sewage sludge landfills that may have received hazardous waste and that contain predominately MSW or sewage sludge transported from outside the facility). Provides for settlements with certain parties whose liability is based on arrangement, transport, or acceptance provisions with respect to MSW or sewage sludge at NPL facilities. Absolves persons (other than owners or operators) who arranged for the recycling of, or transported, recyclable material from liability for environmental response actions. Excludes from the definition of "recyclable material" certain shipping containers having hazardous substances and any material containing polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million or any new Federal standard. Deems transactions involving scrap paper, plastic, glass, textiles, or rubber (other than whole tires) to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that the following criteria were met: (1) the recyclable material met a commercial specification grade and a market existed for the material; (2) a substantial portion of the material was made available for use as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product; (3) the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; and (4) with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations. Deems transactions involving scrap metal to be arranging for recycling if the person who arranged the transaction demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; (2) he or she complied with applicable standards regarding activities associated with the recycling of scrap metals; and (3) the scrap metal was not melted prior to the transaction. Deems transactions involving spent lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other batteries to be arranging for recycling if the person involved demonstrates that: (1) the criteria for scrap materials were met; and (2) he or she complied with applicable Federal environmental regulations or standards regarding such batteries. Makes the exemptions from liability under this Act inapplicable if the person: (1) had an objectively reasonable basis to believe at the time of the recycling transaction that the recyclable material would not be recycled or would be burned as fuel or for energy recovery or incineration or that the consuming facility was not in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; (2) had reason to believe that hazardous substances had been added to the material for purposes other than processing for recycling; or (3) failed to exercise reasonable care with respect to the management of the material. Considers transactions involving recyclable material that consists of used oil to be arranging for recycling if the person involved did not mix such material with a hazardous substance following the removal of the oil from service and demonstrates that the material was sent to a facility that recycled used oil by using it as a feedstock for the manufacture of a new saleable product or: (1) demonstrates that the material (or product to be made from the material) could have been a replacement for a virgin raw material; (2) demonstrates that, with respect to transactions occurring 90 days after this Act's enactment, the person exercised reasonable care to determine that the facility where the material would be managed by another was in compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws or regulations; and (3) was in compliance with regulations or standards for the management of used oil under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Exempts from liability certain railroad owners or operators of spur tracks whose tracks meet specified conditions and who did not cause or contribute to the release concerned. Limits liability for certain organizations that hold title to a vessel or facility as a result of a charitable gift. (Sec. 302) Adds to the list of parties eligible for expedited final settlements certain persons, small businesses, or municipalities that demonstrate an inability or limited ability to pay response costs. Revises conditions of eligibility for such settlements for de minimis parties. (Sec. 303) Requires the President to initiate an impartial fair share allocation, conducted by a neutral third party at NPL facilities if: (1) there is more than one potentially responsible party (PRP) that is not eligible for specified exemptions or limitations to liability, eligible for an expedited final settlement, or insolvent, bankrupt, or defunct; and (2) at least one of the PRPs agrees to bear the costs of the allocation under conditions prescribed by the President. Requires the allocator to estimate the fair share of each PRP using specified equitable factors. Includes within such allocations response costs at NPL facilities that are not addressed in an administrative settlement or settlement or judgment approved by a Federal district court. Authorizes a party to settle any liability to the United States for response costs for its allocated fair share. Authorizes the President and the Attorney General to jointly reject an allocation report under certain conditions. Allocates shares attributable to insolvent, defunct, or bankrupt parties, or unattributable shares, among responsible parties, except certain parties with limited liability described by this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding orphan shares. Stays all contribution and cost recovery actions against parties eligible for expedited final settlements and those eligible for settlements based on certain limitations on liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW and sewage sludge until the Administrator offers a settlement. Suspends any statute of limitations applicable to such actions during the period that a stay is in effect. Bars the President from issuing orders with respect to abatement actions at a facility to any non-Federal party or commencing or maintaining any new or existing action to recover response costs if he fails to fund a statutory orphan share, reimburse a party, or include an orphan share estimate in any settlement when required to do so. Declares that settlements under allocation provisions, those regarding expedited final settlements, and settlements for parties with limited liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW and sewage sludge shall provide complete protection from all claims for contribution or cost recovery for response costs addressed in the settlement. Authorizes a party to retain the right to seek cost recovery or contribution for costs outside the scope of an allocation except from certain parties with limited liability described by this Act or those who have settled. Makes persons who commence contribution actions against parties who are not liable or who have resolved liability liable to such persons for all reasonable costs of defending the action. Provides that parties that settle liability under allocation provisions or provisions regarding expedited final settlements or limited liability with respect to the arrangement of MSW or sewage sludge waive rights to seek cost recovery or contribution. Authorizes the President, as a condition of a settlement under allocation provisions or those regarding limited liability for the arrangement of MSW or sewage sludge, to require parties to conduct a response action. Requires the President to reimburse such parties for costs incurred in excess of a party's allocated fair share. Bars a court from approving any settlement under this Act unless it includes an estimate of the statutory orphan share that is fair, reasonable, and consistent. Title IV: Remedy Selection and Natural Resource Damages - Revises provisions regarding selection of remedial actions to require the selection process to include, for any discrete area containing a principal hazardous constituent of a hazardous substance that poses a substantial health or environmental risk because of high toxicity or mobility, a preference for an action that includes treatment that reduces the risk. Authorizes the President, with respect to such a discrete area, to select a final containment remedy at a landfill, mining site, or similar facility under certain conditions. Requires remedial actions to require a level or standard of control for each hazardous substance that at least attains the substantive requirements of all promulgated standards under: (1) each Federal environmental law legally applicable to the action or to the level of cleanup for the substance concerned; (2) any more stringent and legally applicable State environmental or facility siting law that the State demonstrates is of general applicability, is identified to the President as being applicable, and has consistently applied to other remedial actions in the State; and (3) any such State law promulgated after this Act's enactment. Sets forth conditions under which the President may select a remedial action that does not attain such level or standard of control. Requires a remedial action, if no applicable Federal or State standard is established for a specific hazardous substance, to attain a standard protective of human health and the environment. (Sec. 402) Directs the President, in selecting a remedial action, to conduct and utilize a facility-specific risk evaluation. Describes requirements for, and uses of, such evaluations. (Sec. 403) Revises provisions regarding natural resource damages to permit the measure of such damages to include only the reasonable costs of: (1) restoring, replacing, or acquiring the equivalent of an injured, destroyed, or lost natural resource to reinstate its human uses and environmental functions; (2) providing an equivalent resource during the period of any interim lost use to the extent that a substitute is not reasonably available; and (3) assessing the damages. (Sec. 404) Prohibits double recovery for natural resource damages under CERCLA and other laws. Title V: Funding - Revises provisions regarding uses of Superfund. Requires the President to use amounts appropriated out of Superfund only to: (1) enter into mixed funding agreements; (2) reimburse a party for response costs incurred in excess of the allocated share as described in a final settlement; and (3) perform response actions. Authorizes appropriations from Superfund for FY 2000 through 2004. Prohibits claims against Superfund from being valid or paid in excess of the total amount in Superfund at any one time. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health assessments and consultations and related activities; (2) hazardous substance research, demonstration, and training; (3) brownfields grant programs; (4) qualifying State response programs; and (5) the Department of Justice for enforcement.

Community Open Space Bonds Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

Community Open Space Bonds Act of 1999 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide a tax credit to holders of Community Open Space bonds (as defined), the proceeds of which are used for qualified environmental infrastructure projects (as defined); and (2) establish in the Executive Branch and authorize appropriations for, a Community Open Space Bonds Board.

A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain property from the United States to Stanislaus County, California.

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to convey to Stanislaus County, California, specified lands known as the NASA Ames Research Center, Crows Landing Facility. Prohibits such conveyance from relieving Federal agencies of environmental remediation responsibilities. Subjects any other remediation of contamination within or related to structures or fixtures on such property to negotiation to the extent permitted by law. Retains NASA's right to use such property for aviation activities without consideration and on mutually acceptable terms. Requires NASA to relinquish legislative jurisdiction over the conveyed property to California.

National Telecommuting and Air Quality Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

National Telecommuting and Air Quality Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make a grant to a nonprofit private entity (specifically, the National Environmental Policy Institute (NEPI), if it applies, or another appropriate applicant, if NEPI does not apply) for the purpose of developing a design for a proposed ozone precursor credit-trading pilot program in which: (1) methods would be evaluated and developed for calculating reductions in emissions of ozone precursors (air pollutants) that can be achieved as a result of reduced vehicle-miles-traveled (VMTs) by telecommuting employees; (2) regulated entities would present emission credits to the Federal Government or to the State (as applicable under the Clean Air Act) and the amounts of reductions in emissions of air pollutants represented by such credits would be for purposes of compliance with the Clean Air Act; and (3) the Federal Government would explore means to facilitate the transfer of emission credits between participating employers and regulated and other entities. Sets forth recommended sites for the operation of such pilot program, including: (1) the greater metropolitan region of the District of Columbia (including areas in Maryland and Virginia); (2) the greater metropolitan region of Los Angeles, California; (3) the greater metropolitan region of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (including surrounding New Jersey areas); and (4) two additional areas to be selected by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to require the grantee to study and report to Congress and to the Secretary on the potential significance of the proposed pilot program as an incentive for expanding telecommuting and reducing VMTs in the geographic areas, and the extent to which it would have positive effects on national, State, and local air quality and energy conservation and consumption. Authorizes appropriations.

A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission and telecommunications facilities, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to repeal a provision which prohibits a State or local government from regulating the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations concerning such emissions. Requires, in an action in which a person is seeking to place, construct, or modify a telecommunications facility, that such person bear the burden of proof as to the necessity of such placement, construction, or modification. Prohibits the FCC from adopting as a final rule a specified proposed rule which preempts State and local authority over the placement of broadcast transmission facilities. States that no provision of the Act may be interpreted to: (1) authorize any person or entity to place, construct, or modify telecommunications facilities in a manner inconsistent with State or local law if alternative technology is capable of delivering the broadcast or telecommunications signals without the use of a tower; or (2) prohibit a State or local government from requiring the production of safety and interference studies with respect to such facilities. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out an independent assessment of the effects of radio frequency emission on human health. Authorizes appropriations.

Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1999

Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Act of 1999 - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified segments of the Wekiva River, Rock Springs Run, and Black Water Creek in Florida (Wekiva river system) as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with Florida and Lake, Orange, and Seminole counties, and appropriate local planning and environmental organizations to provide for the long-term protection, preservation, and enhancement of the Wekiva river system. Declares that use of such agreements shall not constitute National Park Service administration of the Wekiva river system and shall not cause such system to be considered as a National Park System unit. Requires publicly owned lands within the system's boundaries to continue to be managed by the agency having jurisdiction over the lands. Requires the Secretary to establish the Wekiva River System Advisory Management Committee to assist in the development of the comprehensive management plan required by the Act for the system. Authorizes appropriations.