Environment

CALFED Extension Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000

CALFED Extension Act of 2000 - Directs Federal agencies, through the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, to develop a program to achieve increased water supply, system reliability, water quality, water use efficiency, water transfers, levee protection, and environmental benefits in the Central Valley water system in California. Requires funding for water supply enhancements and environmental benefits to proceed concomitantly. Directs such Federal agencies to: (1) ensure that Federal participation results in continuous, measurable, and significant benefits in increased water supply yield, water supply reliability, and improved water quality; and (2) participate with involved State agencies to develop and recommend by May 30, 2001, a proposed structure for CALFED operations to be authorized by Congress and the California legislatures. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) management of the Environmental Water Account to reduce the risk of water supply delivery disruptions, to reduce Delta water quality degradation, and to mitigate such impacts; (2) land acquisition; (3) reporting requirements; (4) Program participant coordination; and (5) a required Office of Management and Budget interagency crosscut budget report. Directs CALFED to: (1) provide a statement of goals for long term water quality, water supply reliability, and ecosystem restoration; (2) provide ecological monitoring plans to gauge project performance relative to ecological goals; (3) establish a Coordination Program to ensure the coordination of goal-setting, funding, and implementation so as to ensure the effective expenditure of Federal funds for CALFED related activities.

Restoring the Everglades, an American Legacy Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000

Restoring the Everglades, an American Legacy Act - Approves the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan contained in the "Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement" dated April 1, 1999, as modified by this Act (the Plan) as a framework for modifications and operational changes to the Central and Southern Florida Project that are needed to: (1) restore, preserve, and protect the South Florida ecosystem; and (2) provide for the water-related needs of the region. Directs the Secretary of the Army (the Secretary): (1) in carrying out the Plan, to integrate such activities with ongoing Federal and State projects and activities; (2) to carry out specified listed projects included in the Plan, taking into account the protection of water quality by considering applicable State water quality standards and including features necessary to ensure that all ground water and surface water discharges from any authorized project feature will meet all applicable water quality standards and applicable water quality permitting requirements; and (3) in developing the projects authorized, to provide for public review and comment in accordance with applicable Federal law. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) specified pilot projects and initial projects included in the plan that are authorized for implementation; (2) conditions (i.e., reporting requirements, funding contingent on approval, modified water delivery, maximum costs of projects) for project implementation; and (3) the maximum cost of authorized project features. Sets forth provisions regarding additional program authority, authorization of future projects, the Federal cost share (50 percent), project evaluation, and exclusions and limitations from the Plan (regarding 245,000 acre-feet of water, wastewater reuse, and approval with limitations for the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and the Southern Corkscrew regional ecosystem). Directs the Secretary: (1) on completion and evaluation of the wastewater reuse pilot project, in an appropriately timed five-year report, to describe the results of the evaluation of advanced wastewater reuse in meeting, in a cost effective manner, the requirements of restoration of the natural system; and (2) to submit such report to Congress before congressional authorization for advanced wastewater reuse is sought. States that the overarching objective of the Plan is the restoration, preservation, and protection of the South Florida Ecosystem while providing for other water-related needs of the region, including water supply and flood protection. Directs that the Plan be implemented to ensure the protection of water quality in, the reduction of the loss of fresh water from, and the improvement of the environment of, the South Florida Ecosystem and to achieve and maintain the benefits to the natural system and human environment described in the Plan and required pursuant to this Act, for as long as the project is authorized. Prohibits any appropriation from being made for the construction of a project contained in the Plan until the President and the Governor of the State ensure, by regulation or other appropriate means, that water made available under the Plan will not be permitted for a consumptive use or otherwise made unavailable by the State until sufficient reservations of water for the restoration of the natural system are made under State law and consistent with the Plan.. Authorizes any person or entity that is aggrieved by a failure of the United States or any governor or other officer of a State to comply with any provision of the agreement to bring a civil action in U.S. district court for an injunction or other appropriate relief, subject to specified limitations. Directs the Secretary, within two years, after notice and opportunity for public comment, and with the concurrence of and consultation with specified parties, to promulgate regulations which shall establish a process to: (1) provide guidance for the development of project implementation reports, project cooperation agreements, and operating manuals that ensure that Plan goals and objectives are achieved; (2) ensure that new information resulting from changed or unforeseen circumstances, new scientific or technical information or information that is developed through the principles of adaptive management contained in the Plan, or future authorized changes to the Plan are integrated into implementation of the Plan; and (3) ensure protection of the natural system consistent with Plan goals and purposes. Directs the Secretary and the non-Federal sponsor (subject to specified requirements) to: (1) develop project implementation reports in accordance with the Plan; (2) execute project cooperation agreements in accordance with the Plan; and (3) develop and issue, for each project or group of projects, an operating manual that is consistent with the water reservation or allocation for the natural system described in the project implementation report and cooperation agreement for the project or group of projects. Requires that the Secretary ensure that Plan implementation, including physical or operational modifications to the Central and Southern Florida Project, does not cause significant adverse impact on existing legal water users. Prohibits the Secretary from eliminating existing legal sources of water until a new source of water supply of comparable quantity and quality is available to replace the water to be lost as a result of implementation of the Plan. Directs the Secretary to maintain authorized levels of flood protection in existence on the date of this Act's enactment. Directs the Secretary and the Governor to develop an agreement for resolving disputes between the Corps of Engineers and the State associated with Plan implementation. Requires that such agreement establish a mechanism for the timely and efficient resolution of disputes, including: (1) a preference for the resolution of disputes between the Jacksonville District of the Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District; (2) a mechanism for the Jacksonville District of the Corps of Engineers or the South Florida Water Management District to initiate dispute resolution process for unresolved issues; (3) the establishment of appropriate time frames and intermediate steps for the elevation of disputes to the Governor and the Secretary; and (4) a mechanism for the final resolution of disputes, within 180 days from the date that the dispute resolution process is initiated. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a project implementation report under this Act until the agreement established herein has been executed. Specifies that nothing in such agreement shall alter or amend any existing Federal or State law or the responsibility of any agreement party to comply with Federal or State law. Directs the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Governor to establish an independent scientific review panel convened by a body such as the National Academy of Sciences to review the Plan's progress toward achieving the natural system restoration goals of the Plan. Requires the panel to produce a biennial report to Congress, the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Governor that includes an assessment of ecological indicators and other measures of progress in restoring the ecology of the natural system, based on the Plan. Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) in executing the Plan, small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals are provided opportunities to participate; and (2) impacts on socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including individuals with limited English proficiency, and communities are considered during Plan implementation and that public outreach and educational opportunities are provided to individuals of South Florida. Sets forth reporting requirements.

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Latvia in the financial instrument of the Community for the environment (LIFE)

European Union · European Commission · 6 September 2000

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Slovenia in the financial instrument of the Community for the environment (LIFE)

European Union · European Commission · 6 September 2000

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Hungary in the financial instrument of the Community for the environment (LIFE)

European Union · European Commission · 6 September 2000

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Romania in the financial instrument of the Community for the environment (LIFE)

European Union · European Commission · 6 September 2000

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Estonia in the financial instrument of the Community for the environment (LIFE)

European Union · European Commission · 6 September 2000

Einführung einer sozialen Staffelung von Agrarfördermitteln, insbesondere der Marktordnungsprämie

Austria · National Council · 5 September 2000

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Alfred Gusenbauer, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Einführung einer sozialen Staffelung von Agrarfördermitteln, insbesondere der Marktordnungsprämie, durch den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft

Sonderzahlung Österreichs an die Tschechische Republik für den Verzicht auf das Kernkraftwerk Temelin

Austria · National Council · 5 September 2000

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend einmalige Sonderzahlung Österreichs an die Tschechische Republik für den Verzicht auf das Kernkraftwerk Temelin und Verankerung derselben im Budget 2001

Berücksichtigung angemessener Dotierung bei der Erstellung zukünftiger Bundesvoranschläge, Hinwirken auf einen Aufschub der Inbetriebnahme des Kernkraftwerkes Temelin

Austria · National Council · 5 September 2000

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Andreas Khol, Ing. Peter Westenthaler, Mag. Ulrike Sima, Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend Berücksichtigung angemessener Dotierung bei der Erstellung zukünftiger Bundesvoranschläge, Hinwirken auf einen Aufschub der Inbetriebnahme des Kernkraftwerkes Temelin bis zur Klärung offener Fragen zu dessen Sicherheit und Umweltverträglichkeit sowie auf eine Einbindung Österreichs in alle weiteren Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungs(UVP)-Verfahren und Verweigerung der Zustimmung zum Energiekapitel in den EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Tschechischen Republik bis zum Nachweis aktueller Sicherheitsstandards und der Umweltverträglichkeit des Kernkraftwerks

Environment: substances that deplete the ozone layer - metered dose inhalers and medical drug pumps

European Union · European Parliament · 4 September 2000

Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2) (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a European Parliament and Council recommendation providing for minimum criteria for environmental inspections in the Member States, amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty

European Union · European Commission · 4 August 2000

Clean and Renewable Fuels Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Clean and Renewable Fuels Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to prohibit, effective January 1, 2001, a person from selling or dispensing to ultimate consumers any fuel or fuel additive containing methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in the United States other than in specified nonattainment areas required to meet the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline and in which MTBE was used to meet such requirement before January 1, 2000. Provides for phased reductions in the use of MTBE in fuel or fuel additives and for a trading program to allow persons to sell and purchase authorizations to sell or dispense MTBE. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to require persons selling or dispensing gasoline that contains MTBE to label gasoline dispensing systems with a notice stating that the gasoline contains MTBE and that provides information concerning health and environmental risks. Prohibits, effective three years after this Act's enactment date, the manufacture, introduction into commerce, sale, or dispensing of a fuel or fuel additive containing MTBE or any other ether compound. Permits the Administrator to waive such prohibition with respect to an ether compound other than MTBE if the use of the compound will not pose a significant risk to human health or the environment. Authorizes the Administrator, if MTBE is contaminating or posing a substantial risk of contamination of soil, groundwater, or surface water in an area, to take necessary action to protect human health and the environment, including requiring a more rapid reduction (or immediate termination) of the quantity of MTBE sold or dispensed in a fuel or fuel additive in the area. Permits States to impose restrictions or prohibitions on the sale or use of MTBE as appropriate to protect human health and the environment. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the EPA Administrator to develop technical guidelines to assist in the investigation and cleanup of MTBE in soil or groundwater. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with interested parties to establish voluntary pilot projects for the cleanup of MTBE and the protection of private wells from MTBE and provide technical assistance in carrying out such projects. Requires the Administrator to amend certain guidance to require State source water assessment programs to be revised to give high priority to groundwater areas and aquifers that have been contaminated, or are most vulnerable to contamination, by MTBE. (Sec. 3) Amends the CAA to require the Administrator to promulgate regulations that establish a procedure for submission of petitions for: (1) a waiver for an area of any per-gallon oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline; and (2) averaging of such requirement over a period of time of up to one year. Directs the Administrator to grant such a petition if necessary to: (1) avoid a shortage or disruption in supply of reformulated gasoline; (2) avoid the payment by consumers of excessive prices for such gasoline; or (3) facilitate the attainment by an area of a national primary ambient air quality standard. Requires the regulations to ensure that the human health and environmental benefits of reformulated gasoline are maintained during the period of any waiver. Permits the Administrator, if the Secretary of Energy finds that there is an insufficient domestic supply of oxygenates to meet the oxygen content requirement and upon State petition, to promulgate regulations temporarily reducing or waiving such requirement for an area to ensure an adequate supply of reformulated gasoline. Requires such regulations to ensure that the human health and environmental benefits of reformulated gasoline are maintained during the period of the temporary reduction in the oxygen content requirement. (Sec. 4) Limits the aromatic hydrocarbon content of reformulated gasoline to 22 (currently, 25) percent by volume. Prohibits the average aromatic hydrocarbon content of such gasoline from exceeding the average aromatic hydrocarbon content of such gasoline sold in covered areas (specified ozone nonattainment areas where the use of such gasoline is required) for use in baseline vehicles when using such gasoline during 1999 or 2000. Limits the maximum aromatic hydrocarbon content per gallon of reformulated gasoline to 30 percent. Limits the olefin content of reformulated gasoline to eight percent by volume. Bars the average olefin content of reformulated gasoline from exceeding the average olefin content of such gasoline sold in covered areas for use in baseline vehicles when using such gasoline during 1999 or 2000. Limits the maximum olefin content per gallon of reformulated gasoline to ten percent. (Sec. 5) Applies certain limitations on emissions of toxic air pollutants from baseline vehicles using reformulated gasoline to precursors of such pollutants as well. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards regarding reformulated gasoline to ensure that: (1) the ozone-forming potential, taking into account all ozone precursors, of the aggregate emissions during the high ozone season from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline does not exceed such potential of the emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with regulations that were in effect on January 1, 2000, and applicable to such gasoline sold in 2000 and subsequent calendar years; and (2) the aggregate emissions of specified pollutants or their precursors, including toxic air pollutants, from such vehicles when using such gasoline do not exceed such emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with the regulations described in (1). Provides for adjustments to the performance standard for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to account for emissions of carbon monoxide that are greater or less than a specified baseline for emissions achieved by reformulated gasoline containing two percent oxygen by weight and meeting other performance standards. Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards by redefining "baseline vehicles" to mean vehicles representative of vehicles (including off-road vehicles) in use as of January 1, 2000. (Sec. 8) Requires the Administrator, upon the application of a State Governor, to apply prohibitions on the sale of conventional gasoline in covered areas (areas requiring the use of reformulated gasoline), to any nonclassified areas (opt- in areas). (Sec. 9) Changes references to calendar year 1990 to 1999 or 2000 (whenever lower emissions occurred) in reformulated gasoline provisions concerning anti-dumping. Adds particulate matter, fine particulate matter, and precursor pollutants to the list of pollutants to which emissions limitations under such provisions apply. Updates the baseline from 1990 to 1999 or 2000 for purposes of such provisions. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations applicable to gasoline refiners, blenders, or importers to ensure that gasoline sold or introduced into commerce (other than reformulated gasoline) does not have an aromatic hydrocarbon or olefin content exceeding the content of gasoline sold or introduced into commerce in 1999 or 2000, in whichever occurred the lower of such content. (Sec. 10) Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for gasoline renewable source content requirements applicable to refiners, blenders, or importers. Increases such requirement annually to require a content of 1.3 percent in 2000 and 4.2 percent by 2010 and thereafter. Provides for credits for persons who refine, blend, or import gasoline that contains a quantity of fuel derived from such sources that exceeds applicable requirements. Authorizes the use or transfer of such credits for compliance purposes. Allows the Administrator to promulgate regulations governing such credits to prevent excessive geographical concentration in the use of fuel derived from renewable sources that would tend unduly to: (1) affect its price, supply, or distribution; (2) impede the development of the renewable fuels industry; or (3) otherwise interfere with this section's purposes. Permits the Administrator to waive renewable source content requirements with respect to an area on petition by a State and upon determining that: (1) implementation of the requirements would severely harm the area's economy or environment or there is an inadequate domestic supply or distribution capacity to meet such requirements; and (2) use of the credit program would not alleviate circumstances on which the petition is based. Terminates waivers on the earlier of the date on which the reason for the waiver no longer exists or one year after it is granted but authorizes renewals. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on reductions in emissions of criteria air pollutants listed under the Act and greenhouse gases that result from implementation of renewable source content requirements and on the impact of such requirements on demand for materials for producing renewable source fuels, adequacy of food and feed supplies, rural economic growth, and energy security. Requires the Administrator to promulgate renewable source content regulations applicable to diesel fuel and to establish a renewable source content program for diesel similar to the program for gasoline. Amends Federal highway provisions to provide that for purposes of determining the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users paid into the Highway Trust Fund, the amount paid into the Fund with respect to the sale of gasohol or other fuels containing alcohol by reason of taxes imposed on special fuels or gasoline shall be treated as equal to the amount that would have been imposed without regard to the reduction in revenues resulting from renewable source content regulations under the Clean Air Act, certain other regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and specified Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning alcohol fuels.

International Carbon Sequestration Incentive Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

International Carbon Sequestration Incentive Act - Title I: Investment Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited tax carbon sequestration investment credit in the case of an eligible taxpayer who is subject to the terms and conditions of a carbon sequestration project contract with respect to a sponsored carbon sequestration project outside the United States. Title II: Loan Guarantees and Equity Investment Insurance - Permits an owner or operator of property that is located outside of the United States to enter into a carbon sequestration project contract under specified terms and conditions to be eligible for: (1) an extension of credit from the Export-Import Bank of the United States of up to 75 percent of the cost of carrying out the carbon sequestration practices specified in the contract to the extent that the Export-Import Bank determines that the cost sharing is appropriate, in the public interest, and otherwise meets requirements of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945; and (2) investment insurance issued by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation pursuant to provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 if the Corporation determines that issuance of the insurance is consistent with such provisions.

Federal Reformulated Fuels Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Federal Reformulated Fuels Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to authorize a State Governor, upon notification to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the 90-day period beginning on this Act's enactment date, to waive oxygen content requirements for reformulated gasoline sold or dispensed in the State. Considers gasoline that complies with all other requirements for reformulated gasoline other than those regarding oxygen content to be reformulated gasoline. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to ensure that reductions of toxic air pollutant emissions achieved under the reformulated gasoline program before this Act's enactment are maintained in States for which the oxygenate requirement is waived or to apply a specified alternative performance standard to reformulated gasoline sold in such States. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Administrator to control the sale or introduction into commerce of any fuel or fuel additive that causes or contributes to air or water pollution that may be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Permits States not subject to a prohibition on enforcement of certain State emission control standards to prescribe such control on fuel or fuel additives for water quality protection purposes. Requires the Administrator to ban the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline unless the use of MTBE is determined to pose no substantial risk to water or air quality or human health. Authorizes the Administrator to establish a schedule to phase out the use of MTBE preceding such ban. Prohibits (if the Administrator makes the determination described above), for the fourth calendar year after this Act's enactment date and thereafter, the quantity of gasoline sold or introduced into commerce by a gasoline refiner, blender, or importer from containing on average more than one percent by volume MTBE and bars such individuals from selling or introducing into commerce any gasoline that contains more than a specified percentage by volume of MTBE as determined by the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate regulations to provide for an MTBE credit trading program to authorize persons who refine, blend, or import gasoline with less than the maximum MTBE content to use or transfer such credits to others for compliance purposes. Requires such regulations to ensure that the total quantity of gasoline sold or introduced into commerce during any calendar year by all such individuals contains on average not more than one percent MTBE. Provides for a temporary waiver of such limitations if there is an insufficient domestic capacity to produce or import gasoline. Authorizes a State to make such waiver inapplicable to any area with respect to which the State has exercised authority to limit the sale or use of MTBE. Permits States to petition the Administrator to eliminate the use of MTBE in gasoline in the State in order to protect air or water quality or human health. (Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations concerning the use of conventional gasoline to eliminate any increase in emissions of criteria air pollutants that may have resulted during 2005 and 2006 over the amount of such emissions during 1998 through 1999. Makes such regulations inapplicable to certain States that adopted emissions control standards before March 30, 1966. Eliminates a specified waiver for ethanol under provisions governing Reid vapor pressure limitations on gasoline. (Sec. 5) Directs (currently, authorizes) the Administrator, for purposes of registration of fuels or fuel additives and on a regular basis, to require manufacturers of such fuels or additives to conduct tests to determine potential public health and environmental effects (currently, public health effects) of the fuel or additive and to meet other existing requirements. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator to report to Congress every five years on: (1) reductions in emissions of criteria air pollutants, precursors of those pollutants, toxic air pollutants, and greenhouse gases that result from implementation of CAA provisions regarding regulation of fuels; and (2) regulatory options to achieve reductions in the risk to public health and the environment posed by fuels and fuel additives and recommendations for statutory changes necessary to implement such options. (Sec. 7) Authorizes the Administrator to approve State implementation plan revisions that apply a prohibition on the sale of conventional gasoline in covered areas (areas requiring the use of reformulated gasoline) to a nonclassified area. (Sec. 8) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize the EPA Administrator and States to use funds from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to carry out corrective actions with respect to a release of MTBE that presents a risk to human health or welfare or the environment. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the Administrator or a State to use funds appropriated from the Trust Fund for: (1) necessary expenses directly related to the implementation of provisions regarding the response program for petroleum; (2) enforcement regarding underground storage tanks; and (3) inspection of such tanks. Authorizes appropriations.

American Wetland Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

American Wetland Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to declare that it is national policy to: (1) achieve, through regulatory means that take into account that 75 percent of the wetland in the contiguous United States is privately owned and that private property rights should not be unreasonably infringed and through nonregulatory opportunities involving all levels of government and supported by private initiatives, the conservation, creation, and restoration of wetland to increase the quantity and quality of, and meet the interim goal of no overall net loss for the remaining, wetland resource base of the contiguous United States, taking into account the status and trends of such base in particular regions and areas; and (2) foster wetland mitigation banking as a means to mitigate the unavoidable loss of wetland by providing a regulatory framework for the use of mitigation banking, making appropriate use of existing, successful programs, and taking into account regional variations in wetland conditions, functions, and values. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to issue a mitigation bank charter to a person who, with respect to the project or projects to be included in the scope of the charter, meets specified criteria. Requires an applicant to submit an application signed by a responsible official which includes, at a minimum, information on such criteria. Sets forth provisions regarding reports, decision deadlines, and other procedural matters. Authorizes a mitigation bank, on receipt of a charter, to offer mitigation credits for sale, subject to specified requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to provide additional guidance on the size and use of the service area and to resolve interstate disagreements. Authorizes an approved mitigation bank to provide compensatory mitigation for activities requiring authorization under this Act or be used in satisfaction of injunctive relief ordered by the Secretary, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, or a court. States a preference for in-kind compensation of wetland impacts. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to establish standards and criteria applicable to the use of on-site mitigation, in-lieu fees, and other off-site mitigation as compensatory mitigation that are similar to those standards applicable to a mitigation bank. Sets forth reporting requirements. Allows a State that operates an approved program regulating the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters to administer a wetland mitigation banking program in accordance with State procedures if such banking program is approved by the Administrator as part of the State's dredged or fill material program.

A bill to clarify that certain penalties provided for in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 are the exclusive criminal penalties for any action or activity that may arise or occur in connection with certain discharges of oil or a hazardous substance.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Declares that existing criminal penalties under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and its amendments provide the exclusive criminal penalties for any action or activity that may arise or occur in connection with a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance referred to by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, or otherwise exempt any person from, liability for conspiracy to commit any offense against the United States, for fraud and false statements, or for the obstruction of justice.

To clarify that certain penalties provided for in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 are the exclusive criminal penalties for any action or activity that may arise or occur in connection with certain discharges of oil or a hazardous substance.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Declares that existing criminal penalties under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and its amendments provide the exclusive criminal penalties for any action or activity that may arise or occur in connection with a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance referred to by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, or otherwise exempt any person from, liability for conspiracy to commit any offense against the United States, for fraud and false statements, or for the obstruction of justice.

Increased Environmental Compliance Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Increased Environmental Compliance Act of 2000 - Prescribes additional penalties (with amounts based on the number of violations) for subsequent violations of the same environmental law or separate environmental laws at a site owned or operated by a repeat violator, or for violations for the same regulated activity under one or more environmental laws. Defines a "repeat violator" as a person who has violated the same environmental law at the same site or for the same regulated activity at least twice during the preceding five-year period or any environmental law at the same site or for the same activity at least twice during the preceding three-year period. Prescribes minimum additional penalties for catastrophic events of pollutant releases that result in serious human injury or death or serious environmental damage (or the potential for such injury, death, or damage) or in both serious human injury or death and in serious environmental damage. Bases penalties on the amounts of hazardous air pollutants, criteria air pollutants (as defined under the Clean Air Act), or ozone-depleting substances emitted, or hazardous substances released, in the course of the event, with the highest penalties for cases in which injury or death and environmental damage occur. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with respect to any person responsible for creating a condition that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health or the environment in violation of an environmental law, to issue an administrative order or bring a civil action seeking relief as necessary to protect human health or the environment. Limits the maximum relief to $10 million, to be paid into the EPA Health and Environmental Trust Fund. Makes the Trust Fund available to pay costs incurred by the Federal Government in addressing a health or environmental threat for which a fine was collected under this section and in accordance with the statutory authority under which the action seeking payment was initiated.

Northern Front Range Roadless Area and Mountain Backdrop Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Northern Front Range Roadless Area and Mountain Backdrop Protection Act - Requires specified lands within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture as protected roadless areas. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the suitability of such lands for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Requires the Secretary to review, and report to Congress on, appropriate actions for preserving the open and undeveloped character of certain lands within the Rocky Flats Front Range Mountain Backdrop west of the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site in Jefferson County, Colorado.

Local Participation in Railroad Operations Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Local Participation in Railroad Operations Act - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit rail carriers from constructing, developing, or expanding railroad maintenance facilities, intermodal rail transfer facilities, railroad sidings, railroad bridges, railroad yards, or other railroad facilities unless the Surface Transportation Board determines that the rail carrier has provided affected local communities with notice and an opportunity to be heard with respect to such activities. Sets forth requirements with respect to such public meetings. Prohibits the Board from approving the consolidation, merger, and acquisition of control of a rail carrier by one or more rail carriers unless it has received assurances that the rail carriers have addressed adequately and will continue to address adequately problems identified with respect to the quality of life and safety of persons who live, work, or are for any other reason near railroad tracks. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish in the Federal Register proposed regulations for reducing noise pollution generated from railroad operations and railroad facilities. Sets forth certain regulation requirements. Repeals a section of the Noise Control Act of 1972 regarding railroad noise emission standards upon the issuance of the final regulations under this Act.

To amend the Fderal Water Pollution Control Act to increase efforts to prevent and reduce contamination of navigable waters by methyl tertiary butyl ether, tetrachloroethylene, and trichloroethylene, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to engage in research and studies on the removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether from waters. Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out water pollution prevention and control investigations, training, and information activities through FY 2004. Adds to the list of State programs that may receive priority for water quality management grants those that control problems resulting from storage tank petroleum releases and problems involving the presence of dry cleaning solvents in groundwater or surface water. Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for grants for water quality protection programs and groundwater quality protection. Increases the maximum amount available for groundwater quality protection grants.

To make appropriations for fiscal year 2001 for the Federal share of certain construction costs of a sewage treatment facility in Waterbury, Connecticut.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Appropriates funds for FY 2001 for Environmental Protection Agency State and tribal assistance grants for a grant to the city of Waterbury, Connecticut, for payment of the Federal share of a balloon payment due by the city in July 2001 for the construction of a sewage treatment facility.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that environmentally sound processes for dry and wet cleaning should be accepted by financial institutions as safe investments.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000

Declares that Congress urges financial institutions to: (1) promote environmentally responsible dry and wet cleaning processes; and (2) work with business enterprises to provide streams of capital to protect the environment.

Zero Tolerance for Repeat Polluters Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Zero Tolerance for Repeat Polluters Act of 2000 - Prescribes additional penalties (with amounts based on the number of violations) for subsequent violations of the same environmental law or separate environmental laws at a site owned or operated by a repeat violator, or for violations for the same regulated activity under one or more environmental laws. Defines a "repeat violator" as a person who has violated the same environmental law at the same site or for the same regulated activity at least twice during the preceding five-year period or any environmental law at the same site or for the same activity at least twice during the preceding three-year period. Prescribes minimum additional penalties for catastrophic events of pollutant releases that result in serious human injury or death or serious environmental damage (or the potential for such injury, death, or damage) or in both serious human injury or death and in serious environmental damage. Bases penalties on the amounts of hazardous air pollutants, criteria air pollutants (as defined under the Clean Air Act), or ozone-depleting substances emitted, or hazardous substances released, in the course of the event, with the highest penalties for cases in which injury or death and environmental damage occur. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with respect to any person responsible for creating a condition that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health or the environment in violation of an environmental law, to issue an administrative order or bring a civil action seeking relief as necessary to protect human health or the environment. Limits the maximum relief to $10 million, to be paid into the EPA Health and Environmental Trust Fund. Makes the Trust Fund available to pay costs incurred by the Federal Government in addressing a health or environmental threat for which a fine was collected under this section and in accordance with the statutory authority under which the action seeking payment was initiated.

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Treasury Department, the U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies. Title I: Department of the Treasury - Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs for development and acquisition of automatic data processing equipment, software, and services; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) repair and restoration of the Treasury building and annex; (6) programs to expand access to financial services for low- and moderate-income individuals; (7) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (8) reimbursement of Treasury Department organizations for costs of providing support to counter, investigate, or prosecute terrorism; (9) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including an amount for maintenance and facility improvements; (10) interagency crime and drug enforcement; (11) the Financial Management Service; (12) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (13) the U.S. Customs Service, including amounts for collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee, operation and maintenance of marine vessels and aircraft, and automation modernization; (14) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (15) the Internal Revenue Service, including amounts for tax law enforcement, earned income tax credit compliance and error reduction initiatives, and information systems and telecommunications support; and (15) the Secret Service, including an amount for construction and improvement of facilities. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 120) Amends Federal law to extend the Treasury Franchise Fund until October 1, 2002. Title II: Postal Service - Postal Service Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for payment to the Postal Service Fund for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) compensation of the President and the White House office; (2) operating, maintenance, and reimbursable expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House; (3) White House repair and restoration; (4) special assistance to the President and the official residence of the Vice President; (5) the Council of Economic Advisers; (6) the Office of Policy Development; (7) the National Security Council; (8) the Office of Administration; (9) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (10) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; (11) the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center; and (12) Federal drug control programs, including amounts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and for a national anti-drug campaign for youth. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) the Federal Election Commission; (3) the Federal Labor Relations Authority; (4) the General Services Administration (GSA), including amounts for the Federal Buildings Fund, Government-wide policy and operations, Office of Inspector General, and allowances and office staff for former Presidents; and (5) carrying out the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 408) Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 to extend to April 30, 2002, the date through which the GSA Administrator is authorized to offer voluntary separation incentives to specified employees to provide for the closing of the Federal Supply Service distribution centers, forward supply points, and associated programs. (Sec. 409) Designates the Federal building and courthouse located at 102 North 4th Street in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as the Ronald N. Davies Federal Building and United States Courthouse. (Sec. 411) Designates the U.S. bankruptcy courthouse at 1100 Laurel Street in Columbia, South Carolina, as the J. Bratton Davis United States Bankruptcy Courthouse. (Sec. 412) Designates the U.S. Courthouse Annex located at 901 19th Street in Denver, Colorado, as the Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse Annex. (Sec. 413) Designates the dormitory building currently being constructed on the Core Campus of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, as the Paul Coverdell Dormitory. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (2) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation; (3) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund to carry out activities authorized in the Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Act of 1998; (4) the National Archives and Records Administration, including amounts for repairs and restoration of archives; (5) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (6) the Office of Government Ethics; (7) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including an amount for the Office of Inspector General; (8) Government contributions for health and life insurance benefits for annuitants; (9) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (8) the Office of Special Counsel; and (9) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds made available under this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 509) Prohibits funds appropriated by this Act from being available for an abortion or the administrative expenses of any Federal employee health plan which provides benefits for abortions. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 514) Directs the Archivist of the United States to transfer certain Federal land located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the Gerald R. Ford Foundation in trust for the purpose of supporting the facilities and programs of the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor. (Sec. 515) Requires the Director of OMB to issue guidelines under the Paperwork Reduction Act that provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information disseminated by agencies in fulfillment of such Act. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. (Sec. 518) Requires the Director of OMB to submit a report to specified congressional committees that: (1) evaluates, for each agency, the extent to which Federal accounting and collection provisions, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, have reduced burdens imposed by rules issued by the agency; and (2) includes a determination of the need for additional procedures to ensure achievement of such provisions' purposes, evaluates the burden imposed by each major rule that imposes more than 10 million hours of burden, and identifies specific reductions expected to be achieved in FY 2001 and 2002 in the burden imposed by all rules issued by each agency that issued such a major rule. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated for Federal departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 619) Bars the use of funds made available for the Customs Service in this Act to allow the importation of any good produced or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor. (Sec. 624) Requires the OMB Director to report to Congress: (1) estimates of annual costs and benefits of Federal rules and paperwork; (2) impacts of Federal regulation on State, local, and tribal government, small business, wages, and economic growth; and (3) recommendations for reform. Requires the Director to issue guidelines to agencies to standardize measures of costs and benefits and the format of accounting statements. (Sec. 630) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act to enter into or renew a contract which includes a provision providing prescription drug coverage, except where the contract also includes a provision for contraceptive coverage. Makes exceptions to such prohibition for religious health plans. (Sec. 633) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds by executive agencies to provide child care services for Federal civilian employees. (Sec. 634) Authorizes a woman to breastfeed her child on Federal property if the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location. (Sec. 636) Authorizes qualified Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) police officers, upon written election, to be treated as law enforcement officers for purposes of Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) provisions and to have prior service similarly treated. Defines a "qualified MWAA police officer" as any individual who is currently so employed and is subject to CSRS or FERS by virtue of Federal transportation provisions governing certain Federal employees who transferred to the MWAA. Describes prior service as service as an MWAA or Federal Aviation Administration police officer prior to the effective date of such election. (Sec. 637) Authorizes the President's pay agent, for purposes of determining appropriate pay localities and making comparability payment recommendations, to make comparisons of General Schedule (GS) and non-Federal pay within metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) within the continental United States that have a high level of nonfarm employment and at least 2,500 GS employees using data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys and salary data sets from any entity that regularly compiles similar data for businesses in the private sector. Permits the pay agent to make further determinations or recommendations based on such comparisons for purposes of payments becoming payable between January 1, 2002, and 2007, respectively. Requires the pay agent, based on such comparisons, to determine whether any of the five MSAs with the highest levels of nonfarm employment that have not been previously surveyed by the BLS as discrete pay localities for purposes of provisions governing locality-based comparability payments for Federal employees warrants designation as a discrete pay locality and if so, make recommendations as to the level of payments appropriate during 2002. Requires any MSA that warrants such designation to be designated as a discrete pay locality in time for 2002 comparability payments. Directs the pay agent to report to specified congressional committees on the ongoing efforts of OPM, OMB, and the BLS to revise the methodology currently used by the BLS in performing surveys related to comparability payments. (Sec. 639) Amends Federal civil service provisions to require the removal from employment of Federal law enforcement officers convicted of felonies. (Sec. 640) Amends Federal retirement provisions to reduce to seven percent after December 31, 2000, the required retirement contribution by Federal employees participating under CSRS (such contribution currently is scheduled to be 7.5 percent for calendar years 2001 and 2002 and 7 percent after 2002). Reduces similarly the required percentage contribution under CSRS for Members of Congress and congressional employees, law enforcement and firefighting personnel, certain judges and magistrates, the Capitol police, and nuclear materials couriers. Makes similar reductions for participants in FERS. Makes conforming reductions with respect to military and volunteer service under FERS. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act, and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to make similar employee retirement contribution reductions under the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Pension System. Prescribes agency contributions for October 1 through December 31, 2002, in lieu of those required under current law, under CSRS, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. (Sec. 643) Amends the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1988 to require all existing and newly hired workers in any child care center located in an executive facility to undergo a criminal history background check. Defines an "executive facility" as a facility owned or leased by an office or entity within the executive branch (including one owned or leased by the GSA on behalf of an office or entity within the judicial branch). (Sec. 644) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act by any Federal agency to: (1) collect, review, or create aggregate lists that include personally identifiable information about an individual's access to or use of any Internet site of the agency; or (2) enter into an agreement with a third party to collect, review, or obtain any such list that includes personally identifiable information relating to an individual's access to or use of any nongovernmental Internet site. (Sec. 645) Amends Federal civil service provisions to set forth provisions regarding pay for certain administrative appeals judges. (Sec. 646) Requires the Inspector General of each agency to report to Congress any agency activity related to: (1) the collection or review of singular data, or the creation of aggregate lists that include personally identifiable information about individuals who access any Internet site of the agency; and (2) entering into agreements with third parties to collect, review, or obtain such lists or data relating to any individual's access or viewing habits for governmental and nongovernmental Internet sites.

Calling on the Government of Azerbaijan to hold free and fair parliamentary elections in November 2000.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000

Urges the U.S. Government to remind President Heydar Aliev of Azerbaijan of the commitments he made to President Clinton regarding free and fair elections and to work with President Aliev toward that end. Emphasizes the importance of free and fair parliamentary elections as a critical component in the consolidation of democracy in Azerbaijan. Urges the Azerbaijan Government and Parliament to: (1) come into compliance with its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) commitments on democratization and the holding of free and fair elections by accepting the recommendations and proposed amendments to the law on elections by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights; and (2) work with opposition parties and nongovernmental organizations to create a pre-election environment that assures equality of conditions, as well as freedom of assembly and expression for all political parties and candidates wishing to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Green Paper - Environmental issues of PVC

European Union · European Commission · 26 July 2000

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise

European Union · European Commission · 26 July 2000

A bill to provide for management and leadership training, the provision of assistance and resources for policy analysis, and other appropriate activities in the training of Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000

Amends the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to: (1) include among the purposes of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation the development of resources to properly train Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy (current law) by conducting management and leadership training of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and others involved in tribal leadership, by providing assistance and resources for policy analysis, and by carrying out other appropriate activities; (2) apply the Act's administrative provisions (with a specified exception) to Foundation activities; and (3) authorize appropriations to carry out such activities for a five-year period.

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000

District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the District of Columbia for FY 2001, including amounts for the Federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) for incentives for adoption of children; (3) to the Chief Financial Officer of the District; (4) to the District of Columbia Corrections Trustee Operations; (5) to the District of Columbia Courts; (6) to the Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (7) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (including transfer of funds); (8) to the Washington Interfaith Network for costs incurred in carrying out preconstruction activities at the former Fort Dupont Dwellings and Additions; (9) for a study of tax reform in the District; (10) for a study and design of a simplified District government personnel system; (11) for construction of a Metrorail station to be located at New York and Florida Avenues, Northeast (including transfer of funds); (12) for a National Museum of American Music; and (13) to reimburse the District for expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities. Appropriates specified sums out of the District's general fund (and other funds, in some cases) for the current fiscal year for: (1) operating expenses (with certain limits); (2) the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority (Authority); (3) governmental direction and support; (4) economic development and regulation; (5) public safety and justice; (6) the public education system; (7) human support services; (8) public works; (9) receivership programs; and (10) the Reserve (subject to specified conditions). Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995 to revise Reserve requirements. Appropriates funds for: (1) repayment of loans and interests; (2) repayment of general fund recovery debt; (3) payment of interest on short-term debt; (4) reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities; (5) lease payments in accordance with the Certificates of Participation involving the land site underlying the building located at One Judiciary Square; (6) expenses associated with the John A. Wilson Building; (7) optical and dental insurance payments; (8) management supervisory service; (9) the implementation of a Cafeteria Plan; (10) the Water and Sewer Authority and the Washington Aqueduct; (11) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (12) the Sports and Entertainment Commission; (13) the District of Columbia Health and Hospitals Public Benefit Corporation; (14) the District of Columbia Retirement Board; (15) the Correctional Industries Fund; (16) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund; and (17) capital outlay (including rescissions). Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to declare that: (1) beginning July 1, 2001, the fiscal year for the District of Columbia Public Schools and the District of Columbia Public Charter Schools shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30 of each calendar year; and (2) the District's public schools shall take appropriate action to ensure that its financial books are closed by June 30, 2003. Specifies conditions for the replacement of funds expended during FY 2000 from the Reserve established by the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, and for the use and allocation of the unexpended portion carried over into FY 2001. Transfers specified funds to the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund to be spent pursuant to local law. Requires the Mayor and District Council to make reductions of specified amounts for operational improvements savings and for management reform savings in local funds to one or more of the appropriation headings in this Act. Sets forth authorizations as well as limitations and prohibitions on the uses of appropriations under this Act, and directives to the Mayor, the Council, and the Board of Education identical with or similar to those in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000. (Sec. 107) Requires the Mayor to maintain an index of all employment personal services and consulting contracts (except collective bargaining agreements or related contracts) in effect on behalf of the District government, including severance clause information. (Sec. 127) Provides that nothing in the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 may be construed to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from negotiating and entering into cooperative agreements and grants authorized by law which affect Federal real property in the District if the principal purpose of such agreements or grant is to provide comparable benefits for Federal and Non-Federal properties in the District. (Sec. 128) Amends the District of Columbia School Reform Act to establish conditions for granting preference in use of surplus school properties to public charter schools. (Sec. 129) Amends such Act to modify contracting requirements for public charter schools with respect to: (1) specify exceptions to the notice requirements for procurement contracts; and (2) submission of contracts to the eligible chartering authority. Provides that no provision of any law regarding the establishment, administration, or operation of District public charter schools shall apply if it duplicates or is inconsistent with such Act. Subjects a public charter school which offers a preschool or prekindergarten program to the same child care licensing requirements (if any) which apply to a District public school which offers such a program. Allows a public charter school to: (1) assign payments made to the school to a financial institution for use as collateral to secure a loan or for the repayment of a loan; (2) acquire goods and services through the General Services Administration (GSA) and participate in GSA programs in the same manner and to the extent as any District government entity; and (3) delegate to a nonprofit, District tax-exempt organization the school's authority to participate in such programs. (Sec. 130) Prohibits the expenditures of funds appropriated under this Act for abortions except where the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 131) Bars the use of funds under this Act to implement or enforce: (1) the District of Columbia Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992 (also known as the District Domestic Partner Act); or (2) any system of registration of unmarried, cohabiting couples for purposes of extending them benefits on the same basis as such benefits are extended to legally married couples. (Sec. 136) Allows the Mayor to accept, obligate, and expend Federal, private, and other grants received by the District government that are not reflected in the amounts appropriated in this Act if the Chief Financial Officer reports to the Authority on detailed information regarding such grant, and the Authority approves such activity. Prohibits any obligation or expenditure from the general fund or other District government funds in anticipation of the approval or receipt of a Federal, private, or other grant not subject to this Act. (Sec. 142) Requires recipients of funds under this Act to comply with the Buy American Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, such funds should be used to purchase only American-made equipment and products. Declares a person ineligible to receive any contract made with funds provided under this Act if the person has been judicially determined to have intentionally affixed a "Made in America" label to a product that is not U.S.-made. (Sec. 147) Prohibits the use of funds contained in this Act to transfer or confine inmates classified above the medium security level, as defined by the Federal Bureau of Prisons classification instrument, to the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center located in Youngstown, Ohio. (Sec. 148) Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, as amended by the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000, to require the financial plan or budget for the District of Columbia to contain a $150 million Reserve, which shall only be expended according to certain criteria and shall not fund District agencies under court ordered receivership or shortfalls in projected reductions in the District budget for general supply schedule savings, management reform savings, or cafeteria plan savings. Requires annual replenishment of the Reserve to maintain the $150 million balance. Amends the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000 to require the District to maintain an annual positive balance at the end of each fiscal year in an amount not less than four percent of the projected general fund expenditures for the following fiscal year. (Sec. 149) Amends Federal law to transfer from the Comptroller General of the United States to the District's Inspector General responsibility for the annual financial statement audit of the District's Highway Trust Fund. (Sec. 150) Prohibits the use of: (1) Federal funds contained in this Act for any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug; or (2) funds in this Act for rental payments under a lease for the use of real property by the District government, or to enter a lease, or purchase or manage real property for the District, unless specified conditions are met. (Sec. 152) Terminates such conditioned prohibition on the use of funds contained in this Act to lease, purchase, or manage real property for the District if the District enacts legislation to reform the practices and procedures governing such activities and disposition of its surplus real property. (Sec. 153) Amends Federal law to provide a specified sum from the National Highway System funds apportioned to the District to complete all design requirements and all requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for the construction of expanded lane capacity for the Fourteenth Street Bridge. (Sec. 154) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act 30 days after its enactment to pay the salary of any chief financial officer of any District government office who has not filed a certification with the Mayor and the Chief Financial Officer that the officer understands the duties and restrictions applicable, including reports required as a result of this Act or its amendments. Subjects chief financial officers who violates such provisions to civil money penalties. (Sec. 155) Provides that District government employees will only receive compensation for overtime work in excess of 40 hours per week (or other applicable tour of duty) or work actually performed, in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Makes this provision effective December 27, 1996 in order to ratify and approve the Resolution and Order of the Authority, dated December 27, 1996. (Sec. 156) Requires the proposed FY 2002 budget of the District government to specify potential adjustments that might become necessary in the event that the management savings achieved by the District during the year do not meet the level of management savings projected. (Sec. 157) Requires any document showing the budget for a District government office that contains specified general, nondescriptive labels categorizing activities to include descriptions of the types of activities covered and a detailed breakdown of the amount allocated for each one. (Sec. 158) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to enact or carry out any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) derivative. Provides that the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998, also known as Initiative 59, approved by the electors of the District on November 3, 1998, shall not take effect. (Sec. 159) Authorizes the Mayor to allocate the District's limitation amount of qualified zone academy bonds among qualified District zone academies. (Sec. 160) Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to treat the Trustee and employees of the Office of the Trustee and the Office of Adult Probation, the employees of the Office of Parole, and the employees of the Pretrial Services Agency as Federal employees solely for purposes relating to the Civil Service Retirement System, the Federal Employees Retirement System, life insurance, and health insurance. (Sec. 161) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the patients of Saint Elizabeths Hospital and the District taxpayers are being poorly served by the current facilities and management of the Hospital; (2) the Authority should quickly complete the sale of the Franklin School property which has been vacant for over 20 years; and (3) the District government should take all necessary steps to ensure that its officials maintain a fiduciary duty to the District taxpayers in the administration of funds under their control. (Sec. 164) Prohibits any amounts from being made available during FY 2001 to the District of Columbia Health and Hospitals Public Benefit Corporation (through reprogramming, transfers, loans, or any other mechanism) other than the amounts which are otherwise provided for in this Act. (Sec. 165) Requires the Chief Financial Officer for each payment or group of payments made by or on behalf of the Corporation to sign an affidavit certifying that the making of the payment does not constitute a violation of Federal law provisions about limitations, exceptions, and penalties with respect to appropriations. (Sec. 166) Prohibits the Corporation from obligating or expending any amounts during FY 2001 unless (at the time of the obligation or expenditure) the Corporation certifies that such activity is within the budget authority provided in this Act. (Sec. 167) Declares that nothing in this Act bars the District of Columbia Corporation Counsel from reviewing or commenting on briefs in private lawsuits, or from consulting with officials of the District government regarding such lawsuits. (Sec. 168) Provides that the Health Insurance Coverage for Contraceptives Act of 2000 shall not take effect. Declares that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the Council or Mayor from addressing the issue of the provision of contraceptive coverage by health insurance plans; but (2) it is the intent of Congress that any legislation enacted on such issue should include a "conscience clause" which provides exceptions for religious beliefs and moral convictions. (Sec. 169) Repeals the Medical Examiner chapter of the District of Columbia Code. Makes such repeal effective on the date on which legislation enacted by the Council to establish the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the executive branch of the District government takes effect. (Sec. 170) Requires the Superior Court of the District or the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to assign interest on a voucher submitted by a court-appointed attorney for payment if the voucher is not paid within 45 days of its submission.

Community Environmental Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Community Environmental Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to define "covered substance" to mean hazardous contaminants, chemicals, materials, wastes, and substances listed, identified, or defined in specified laws or designated by the President. Prohibits any entity that handles, manages, treats, releases, disposes, stores, transports, or delivers covered substances from disproportionately exposing any individual or community, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, to any covered substance. Authorizes enforcement: (1) by denial or termination of authorization to handle, manage, treat, release, discharge, dispose, store, transport, remove, move, or deliver covered substances; (2) by any other means authorized by law; and (3) for entities receiving Federal financial assistance, through specified compliance provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

TMDL Regulatory Accountability Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

TMDL Regulatory Accountability Act of 2000 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) solicit public comment on revisions to regulations pertaining to the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) program and the water quality planning and management program published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2000; (2) solicit State comments on the impact of such revisions on implementation and effectiveness of State programs; and (3) maintain a record of public comments and publish a response in the Federal Register. Directs the Administrator to transmit to Congress an analysis of the monitoring data needed for development and implementation of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) which shall address data gaps identified by the Comptroller General in a March 2000 report entitled "Water Quality, Key EPA and State Decisions Limited By Inconsistent and Incomplete Data." Requires the Administrator to make arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report on the scientific bases underlying the development of TDMLs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator, with respect to the economic analysis performed on regulatory changes identified by the Comptroller General in the June 2000 report entitled "Clean Water Act: Proposed Revisions to EPA Regulations to Clean Up Polluted Waters," to prepare certain statements and analyses required under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 with respect to: (1) significant regulatory actions that may result in expenditures by State, local, and tribal governments or the private sector of $100 million or more annually; and (2) selection of a least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative. Requires the Administrator to conduct analyses of the effects of the revisions to the regulations pertaining to the NPDES and water quality planning and management on small entities. Directs the Administrator to review the information provided or developed under this Act and consider whether the revisions to such regulations should be changed. Requires an explanation to Congress of the decision to change or not to change such revisions.

Truth in Regulating Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000

Truth in Regulating Act of 2000 - Provides that when a Federal agency (except an independent regulatory agency) publishes an economically significant rule, a chairman or ranking member of a committee of jurisdiction of either House of Congress may request the Comptroller General to review such rule. Defines "economically significant rule" to mean any proposed or final rule, including an interim or direct final rule, that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities, or for which an agency has prepared an initial or final regulatory flexibility analysis. Requires the Comptroller General to submit a report on each rule reviewed, including an independent evaluation of an agency's analysis of the costs and benefits, and alternative approaches in the notice of proposed rulemaking and in the rulemaking record, as well as of any regulatory impact analysis, federalism assessment, or other analysis or assessment prepared by the agency or required for the rule, and the results of the evaluation and the implication of those results. Grants the Comptroller General discretion to develop procedures for determining the priority and number of requests for review. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2003. Provides for the pilot project established under this Act to continue for a three-year period, if specified appropriations are provided. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on such project's effectiveness and on whether it should be authorized permanently.

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Treasury Department, the U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies. Title I: Department of the Treasury - Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs for development and acquisition of automatic data processing equipment, software, and services; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) repair and restoration of the Treasury building and annex; (6) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (7) programs to expand access to financial services for low- and moderate-income individuals; (8) reimbursement of Treasury Department organizations for costs of providing support to counter, investigate, or prosecute terrorism; (9) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including amounts for maintenance and facility improvements; (10) interagency crime and drug enforcement; (11) the Financial Management Service; (12) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (13) the U.S. Customs Service, including amounts for operations and maintenance of marine vessels and aircraft, automation modernization, and collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee; (14) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (15) the Internal Revenue Service, including amounts for tax law enforcement, earned income tax credit compliance and error reduction initiatives, and information systems and telecommunications support; and (15) the Secret Service, including an amount for construction and improvement of facilities. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 118) Amends Federal law to extend the Treasury Franchise Fund until October 1, 2002. (Sec. 119) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds made available in this Act by the Customs Service for closing the Customs Office at the Port of Racine, Wisconsin. Title II: Postal Service - Postal Service Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for payments to the Postal Service Fund for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) compensation of the President and the White House office; (2) operating, maintenance, and reimbursable expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House; (3) White House repair and restoration; (4) special assistance to the President and the official residence of the Vice President; (5) the Council of Economic Advisers; (6) the Office of Policy Development; (7) the National Security Council; (8) the Office of Administration; (9) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (10) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; (11) the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center; and (12) Federal drug control programs, including amounts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and for a national anti-drug campaign for youth. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) the Federal Election Commission; (3) the Federal Labor Relations Authority; (4) the General Services Administration (GSA), including amounts for the Federal Buildings Fund, Government-wide policy and operations, Office of Inspector General, and allowances and office staff for former Presidents; and (5) carrying out the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 408) Designates the Federal building and courthouse located at 102 North 4th Street in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as the Ronald N. Davies Federal Building and United States Courthouse. (Sec. 410) Designates the U.S. bankruptcy courthouse at 1100 Laurel Street in Columbia, South Carolina, as the J. Bratton Davis United States Bankruptcy Courthouse. (Sec. 411) Designates the U.S. Courthouse Annex located at 901 19th Street in Denver, Colorado, as the Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse Annex. (Sec. 412) Designates the dormitory building currently being constructed on the Core Campus of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, as the Paul Coverdell Dormitory. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (2) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation; (3) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund to carry out activities authorized in the Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Act of 1998; (4) the National Archives and Records Administration, including amounts for repairs and restoration of archives; (5) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (6) the Office of Government Ethics; (7) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including an amount for the Office of Inspector General; (8) Government contributions for health and life insurance benefits for annuitants; (9) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (8) the Office of Special Counsel; and (9) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds made available under this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American provisions. Stamp Out Domestic Violence Act of 2000 - Amends Federal law to require the Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first class mail that is up to 25 percent higher than the regular rate as a voluntary alternative that the public may use to contribute to funding for domestic violence programs. Requires collected amounts to be paid to the Department of Justice. Expresses the sense of the Congress that nothing in this Act should: (1) cause a net decrease in total funds received by the Department or any other Federal agency below the level that would have otherwise been received but for this Act's enactment; or (2) affect first-class or other regular postage rates. Requires special postage stamps to be made available to the public. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the operation of this Act. (Sec. 514) Requires the Director of OMB to submit a report to specified congressional committees that: (1) evaluates, for each agency, the extent to which Federal accounting and collection provisions, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, have reduced burdens imposed by rules issued by the agency; and (2) includes a determination of the need for additional procedures to ensure achievement of such provisions' purposes, evaluates the burden imposed by each major rule that imposes more than 10 million hours of burden, and identifies specific reductions expected to be achieved in FY 2001 and 2002 in the burden imposed by all rules issued by each agency that issued such a major rule. (Sec. 515) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to implement a preference for the acquisition of a firearm or ammunition based on whether the manufacturer or vendor of the firearm or ammunition is a party of an agreement with a Federal agency regarding codes of conduct, operating practices, or product design specifically related to the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms or ammunition under the Federal criminal code. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated for Federal departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 621) Bars the use of funds made available for the Customs Service in this Act to allow the importation of any good produced or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor. (Sec. 627) Requires the OMB Director to report to Congress: (1) estimates of annual costs and benefits of Federal rules and paperwork; (2) impacts of Federal regulation on State, local, and tribal government, small business, wages, and economic growth; and (3) recommendations for reform. Requires the Director to issue guidelines to agencies to standardize measures of costs and benefits and the format of accounting statements. (Sec. 633) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act to enter into or renew a contract which includes a provision providing prescription drug coverage, except where the contract also includes a provision for contraceptive coverage. Makes exceptions to such prohibition for religious health plans. (Sec. 636) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds by executive agencies to provide child care services for Federal civilian employees. (Sec. 637) Authorizes a woman to breastfeed her child on Federal property if the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location. National Health Museum Site Selection Act - Directs the GSA Administrator 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. (Sec. 640) Amends Federal civil service provisions to require the removal from employment of Federal law enforcement officers convicted of felonies. (Sec. 641) Amends Federal retirement provisions to reduce to seven percent after December 31, 2000, the required retirement contribution by Federal employees participating under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) (such contribution currently is scheduled to be 7.5 percent for calendar years 2001 and 2002 and 7 percent after 2002). Reduces similarly the required percentage contribution under CSRS for Members of Congress and congressional employees, law enforcement and firefighting personnel, certain judges and magistrates, the Capitol police, and nuclear materials couriers. Makes similar reductions for participants in the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Makes conforming reductions with respect to military and volunteer service under FERS. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act, and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to make similar employee retirement contribution reductions under the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Pension System. Prescribes agency contributions for October 1 through December 31, 2002, in lieu of those required under current law, under CSRS, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System.

Recreational Waters Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000

Recreational Waters Protection Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review the capabilities of existing marine sanitation technology and publish revised standards for marine sanitation devices pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Provides that such standards shall require a baseline effluent water quality of not more than ten fecal coliform per 100 milliliters and a reduction in biological oxygen demand of at least35 percent. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make State authority to prohibit the discharge of sewage (whether treated or not) inapplicable to vessels that operate a type I or II marine sanitation device that meets the revised standards pursuant to the Recreational Waters Protection Act.

Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2000 - Title I: Tariff Provisions - Subtitle A: Temporary Duty Suspensions and Reductions - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to provide for temporary duty suspensions through December 31, 2003 for: (1) certain HIV-AIDS drugs; (2) specified chemicals and dyes; (3) instant print film in rolls; (4) certain compound optical microscopes; (5) certain cathode-ray tubes; (6) certain categories of raw cotton; (7) rhinovirus drugs; (8) tungsten concentrates; (9) certain ion-exchange resin; (10) vision inspection systems; (11) anode presses; (12) trim and form for forming capacitor leads; (13) certain assembly machines; (14) certain herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides; (15) rackers used for attaching raw anodes to process bars; (16) certain self-adhesive sheets; (17) certain polyamides; (18) certain plastic additives; (19) a certain organic surface-active agent; (20) monochrome glass envelopes; and (21) ceramic coater for laying down and drying ceramic. Reduces the duty through December 31, 2003 on: (1) color instant print film; (2) certain cathode-ray tubes; (3) a certain herbicide and fungicide; and (4) specified chemicals. Reduces the duty on a certain chemical for the period December 31, 2000, through December 31, 2003. Reduces the duty on certain dyes for the period December 31, 2000, through December 31, 2002. Extends the existing suspension of duty through December 31, 2003 for: (1) certain chemicals and dyes; (2) a certain polymer; and (3) certain semi-manufactured forms of gold. Grants duty-free treatment to certain chemicals through December 31, 2003. Subtitle B: Other Tariff Provisions - Directs the U.S. Customs service to liquidate or reliquidate (refund duty on) specified entries with respect to: (1) certain telephone systems; (2) certain color television receivers; (3) copper and brass sheet and strips; and (4) certain antifriction bearings. Product Development and Testing Act of 2000 - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to grant duty-free treatment to imports of prototypes used to promote product development, testing, product evaluation or quality control in the United States. Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make it unlawful for any person to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any dog or cat fur product; or (2) introduce into interstate commerce, manufacture for introduction into interstate commerce, sell or offer to sell, trade, advertise, or transport or distribute in interstate commerce, any dog or cat fur product. Sets forth certain exceptions. Subjects a person to civil penalties for violations of this Act. (Sec. 1431) Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary of the Treasury's authority to prescribe an alternative mid-point interest accounting methodology with respect to the assessment of interest due to an underpayment of duties, fees, or interest. (Sec. 1432) Exempts from provisions requiring the arrival of certain vessels to make formal entry at a U.S. customhouse any vessel required to anchor at the Belle Isle Anchorage, Michigan, for purposes of awaiting the availability of cargo or berthing space or for taking on a pilot or awaiting pilot services, or at the direction of the Coast Guard, before proceeding to the Port of Toledo, Ohio, where the vessel makes entry or obtains clearance to enter a customhouse. (Sec. 1433) Directs the Commissioner of the Customs Service to designate the San Antonio International Airport in San Antonio, Texas, as an airport at which certain private aircraft arriving in the United States from a foreign area may land for processing by the Customs Service. (Sec. 1434) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish by regulation a separate class of bonded warehouse for the storage and manipulation of international travel merchandise (duty-free or domestic merchandise which is placed on board aircraft on international flights for sale to passengers, but which is not merchandise incidental to the operation of a duty-free sales enterprise) pending its placement on board aircraft departing for foreign destinations. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the treatment of such merchandise stored at bonded warehouses and staging areas (outside of the warehouse). (Sec. 1435) Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to decrease the rate of duty, over a specified period of time, on goods purchased abroad and brought back into the United States by U.S. travelers. (Sec. 1436) Grants duty-free treatment to the personal effects of, and other equipment imported and used by, participants, their families and associated members, and officials involved in an athletic event held in the United States like the Olympics, the Goodwill Games, the Special Olympics World Games, the World Cup Soccer Games, or any similar international athletic event. Declares that such articles shall be: (1) free of applicable taxes and fees; but (2) not exempt from routine customs inspections. (Sec. 1437) Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to permit collection of customs fees for the arrival of certain ferries. (Sec. 1438) Directs the U.S. Customs Service to treat N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide and N-tert-Butyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide as 'commercially interchangeable" for purposes of allowing a drawback (refund of duty) on imports of N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (certain rubber vulcanized accelerators). (Sec. 1439) Exempts gum arabic and other byproducts (other than balsams, tragacanth, and karaya) from the prohibition on the import of products from Sudan. (Sec. 1440) Directs the Commissioner of Customs to implement a fee-for-service agreement with Broward County, Florida, to provide personnel and infrastructure necessary to conduct cargo clearance, inspection, and other customs services in order to accommodate international air cargo carriers for a two year period if and when such county enters into a contract with one or more such carriers for services at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (Sec. 1441) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to substitution of finished petroleum derivatives. (Sec. 1442) Authorizes the U.S. Customs Service, upon application of an importer, to treat as a single entry for tariff treatment purposes two or more entries of merchandise that are part of a single commercial transaction but are imported into the United States in such multiple separate entries due to the size or nature of the merchandise or due to the inability of the carrier to include all of the merchandise in a single shipment. (Sec. 1443) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on U.S. customs procedures. Subtitle C: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act. Title II: Other Trade Provisions - Declares that a worker shall be certified by the Secretary of Labor as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974 if such worker was: (1) determined to be covered under Trade Adjustment Assistance Certification TA-W-31,402; and (2) necessary for the environmental remediation or closure of a copper mining facility. (Sec. 2002) Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to cigarettes manufactured for export, but which nevertheless are sold domestically. Sets additional restrictions on tobacco products labeled for export. (Sec. 2004) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to set forth certain restrictions with respect to the importation of certain cigarettes. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such requirements.

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Treasury Department, the U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies. Title I: Department of the Treasury - Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) department-wide systems and capital investments programs for development and acquisition of automatic data processing equipment, software, and services; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) the Inspector General for Tax Administration; (5) repair and restoration of the Treasury building and annex; (6) a demonstration project to expand access to financial services for low-income individuals; (7) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (8) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including amounts for maintenance and facility improvements; (9) interagency crime and drug enforcement; (10) the Financial Management Service; (11) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (12) the U.S. Customs Service, including amounts for operations and maintenance of marine vessels and aircraft, collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee, and automation modernization; (13) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (14) the Internal Revenue Service, including amounts for tax law enforcement, earned income tax credit compliance and error reduction initiatives, and information systems and telecommunications support; and (15) the Secret Service, including an amount for construction and improvement of facilities. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 122) Bars the obligation or expenditure of funds appropriated to the Department of the Treasury in any Act for establishment of a new law enforcement training facility until an assessment of the need for, and cost-effectiveness of, such facility has been carried out by the Comptroller General and approved by the Appropriations Committees. Title II: Postal Service - Postal Service Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for payments to the Postal Service Fund for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for: (1) compensation of the President and the White House office; (2) operating, maintenance, and reimbursable expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House; (3) White House repair and restoration; (4) special assistance to the President and the official residence of the Vice President; (5) the Council of Economic Advisers; (6) the Office of Policy Development; (7) the National Security Council; (8) the Office of Administration; (9) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (10) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; (11) the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center; and (12) Federal drug control programs, including amounts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and for a national anti-drug campaign for youth. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) Federal Election Commission; (3) Federal Labor Relations Authority; and (4) General Services Administration (GSA), including amounts for the Federal Buildings Fund, Government-wide policy and operations, Office of Inspector General, and allowances and office staff for former Presidents. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 408) Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 to extend to April 30, 2002, the date through which the GSA Administrator is authorized to offer voluntary separation incentives to specified employees to provide for the closing of the Federal Supply Service distribution centers, forward supply points, and associated programs. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (2) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation; (3) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund to carry out activities authorized in the Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Act of 1998; (4) the National Archives and Records Administration, including amounts for repairs and restoration of archives; (5) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (6) the Office of Government Ethics; (7) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including an amount for the Office of Inspector General; (8) Government contributions for health and life insurance benefits for annuitants; (9) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (8) the Office of Special Counsel; and (9) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds made available under this Act. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 509) Prohibits funds appropriated by this Act from being available for an abortion or the administrative expenses of any Federal employee health plan which provides benefits for abortions. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 514) Directs the Archivist of the United States to transfer certain Federal land located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the Gerald R. Ford Foundation in trust for the purpose of supporting the facilities and programs of the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor. (Sec. 515) Requires the Director of OMB to issue guidelines under the Paperwork Reduction Act that provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information disseminated by agencies in fulfillment of such Act. (Sec. 516) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to implement a preference for the acquisition of a firearm or ammunition based on whether the manufacturer or vendor of the firearm or ammunition is a party to an agreement with a Federal agency regarding codes of conduct, operating practices, or product design specifically related to the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms or ammunition under the Federal criminal code. (Sec. 517) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to allow the placement in interstate or foreign commerce of diamonds that have been mined in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Angola, except for diamonds the country of origin of which has been certified as the Republic of Sierra Leone by government officials of that country who are recognized by the General Assembly of the United Nations. (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to propose or issue rules or orders for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. (Sec. 520) Bars the use of funds made available in this Act to pay the salary of any OMB employee who makes apportionments under Federal provisions regarding appropriation accounting that prevent the expenditure or obligation by December 31, 2000, of at least 75 percent of the appropriations made for FY 2001 to carry out the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, the Food for Progress Act of 1985, and a specified agricultural assistance provision of the Agricultural Act of 1949. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated for Federal departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 619) Bars the use of funds made available for the Customs Service in this Act to allow the importation of any good produced or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor. (Sec. 624) Requires the OMB Director to report to Congress: (1) estimates of annual costs and benefits of Federal rules and paperwork; (2) impacts of Federal regulation on State, local, and tribal government, small business, wages, and economic growth; and (3) recommendations for reform. Requires the Director to issue guidelines to agencies to standardize measures of costs and benefits and the format of accounting statements. (Sec. 631) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act to enter into or renew a contract which includes a provision providing prescription drug coverage, except where the contract also includes a provision for contraceptive coverage. Makes exceptions to such prohibition for religious health plans. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds by executive agencies to provide child care services for Federal civilian employees. Permits amounts paid to licensed or regulated child care providers to be paid in advance of services rendered, covering agreed upon periods. (Sec. 635) Authorizes a woman to breastfeed her child on Federal property if the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location. (Sec. 637) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for election cycle reporting of certain expenditures. Adds provisions to such Act authorizing the use of facsimile devices or electronic mail for reporting certain contributions or expenditures. Excludes from the definition of "contribution" under such Act any loan of money derived from an advance on a line of credit available to a candidate if such loan is made in accordance with applicable law under commercially reasonable terms and if the person making such loan makes loans in the normal course of business. Changes the deadline for reporting contributions exceeding $1,000 received after the 20th day before an election to require notification of such contribution within 24 (currently, 48) hours of receipt. Requires filing (currently, reporting) of independent expenditure statements for certain expenditures aggregating $1,000 within 24 hours of the expenditure being made. Considers the receipt date (in lieu of the postmark date) to be the date of filing. Applies this section's amendments to elections occurring after January 2001. (Sec. 638) Authorizes qualified Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) police officers, upon written election, to be treated as law enforcement officers for purposes of Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) provisions and to have prior service similarly treated. Defines a "qualified MWAA police officer" as any individual who is currently so employed and is subject to CSRS or FERS by virtue of Federal transportation provisions governing certain Federal employees who transferred to the MWAA. Describes prior service as service as an MWAA or Federal Aviation Administration police officer prior to the effective date of such election. (Sec. 639) Authorizes the President's pay agent, for purposes of determining appropriate pay localities and making comparability payment recommendations, to make comparisons of General Schedule (GS) and non-Federal pay within metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) within the continental United States that have a high level of nonfarm employment and at least 2,500 GS employees using data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys and salary data sets from any entity that regularly compiles similar data for businesses in the private sector. Permits the pay agent to make further determinations or recommendations based on such comparisons for purposes of payments becoming payable between January 1, 2002, and 2007, respectively. Requires the pay agent, based on such comparisons, to determine whether any of the five MSAs with the highest levels of nonfarm employment that have not been previously surveyed by the BLS as discrete pay localities for purposes of provisions governing locality-based comparability payments for Federal employees warrants designation as a discrete pay locality and if so, make recommendations as to the level of payments appropriate during 2002. Requires any MSA that warrants such designation to be designated as a discrete pay locality in time for 2002 comparability payments. Directs the pay agent to report to specified congressional committees on the ongoing efforts of OPM, OMB, and the BLS to revise the methodology currently used by the BLS in performing surveys related to comparability payments. (Sec. 640) Amends Federal retirement provisions to reduce to seven percent after December 31, 2000, the required retirement contribution by Federal employees participating under CSRS (such contribution currently is scheduled to be 7.5 percent for calendar years 2001 and 2002 and 7 percent after 2002). Reduces similarly the required percentage contribution under CSRS for Members of Congress and congressional employees, law enforcement and firefighting personnel, certain judges and magistrates, the Capitol police, and nuclear materials couriers. Makes similar reductions for participants in FERS. Makes conforming reductions with respect to military and volunteer service under FERS. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act, and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to make similar employee retirement contribution reductions under the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Pension System. Prescribes agency contributions for October 1 through December 31, 2002, in lieu of those required under current law, under CSRS, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. (Sec. 641) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require certain information to be filed with the Federal Election Commission in cases where the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the House of Representatives or the Senate uses any Federal Government aircraft for purposes that include carrying out the candidate's election campaign. Makes this section applicable to elections occurring after December 31, 2000.

Corps of Engineers Reform Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Corps of Engineers Reform Act of 2000 - Title I: Project Planning - Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to direct the Secretary of the Army to ensure that feasibility reports for the following water resources projects are subject to review by an independent panel of experts established under this title: (1) projects with an estimated cost of more than $25 million, including mitigation costs; and (2) controversial projects, as defined under this title. Establishes in the Army Corps of Engineers an Office of Independent Review to review the projects covered under this title. Defines as controversial projects those which: (1) are subject to a substantial degree of public controversy; (2) the affected State objects to; or (3) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines are likely to have a significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife after taking into account any proposed mitigation plan. Limits to $250,000 the cost of a review, authorizing the Secretary to waive such limit for good cause shown. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to establish a stakeholder advisory group to assist the Secretary with the development of each feasibility study under this title and to enhance public participation in such study. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to monitor the economic and environmental results of each project having an estimated total cost of more than $25 million and to report annually to Congress on such project's performance. (Sec. 104) Prohibits the Secretary from recommending a plan for a proposed project until all project costs, including mitigation, have been calculated. (Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to revise the principles and guidelines for flood control projects to: (1) incorporate a national ecological restoration account, a national economic development account, and an optimum trade-off plan to maximize account benefits; (2) incorporate new techniques in risk and uncertainty analysis; (3) eliminate biases and disincentives for nonstructural flood damage projects; (4) incorporate new analytical techniques; and (5) encourage the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. (Sec. 106) Requires the Corp's Environmental Advisory Board to review all water resource reconnaissance studies to assess whether a proposed project is likely to have environmental impacts that cannot be successfully mitigated and to make recommendations to the Secretary based on such review. Title II: Mitigation - Requires the submission of a plan which will fully mitigate (currently, only mitigate) fish and wildlife losses created by a project before the Secretary may propose the authorization of such project to Congress. Directs the Secretary, in such mitigation, to meet the highest standards typically required of private parties under related Federal programs and to acquire and restore at least an acre of habitat to replace each acre negatively impacted by the project. Prohibits the Secretary from recommending a project alternative unless the Secretary determines that the mitigation plan for the alternative project will cost-effectively and successfully mitigate all adverse impacts of such project on aquatic resources and fish and wildlife. Requires the Secretary to complete all planned mitigation in a particular watershed before constructing any new project in that watershed. (Sec. 202) Requires the Secretary, to ensure concurrent mitigation, to complete 50 percent of all required project mitigation before beginning project construction and to use a proportionate amount of project funding to complete such mitigation.

To disapprove the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency on July 13, 2000, relating to total maximum daily loads under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency on July 13, 2000, relating to total maximum daily loads under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Declares that such rule shall have no effect.

To disapprove a final rule promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency concerning water pollution.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000

Disapproves a specified rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to water pollution under the total maximum daily load program. Declares that such rule shall have no effect.

A joint resolution to disapprove a final rule promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency concerning water pollution.

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2000

Disapproves a specified rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to water pollution under the total maximum daily load program. Declares that such rule shall have no effect.

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the historic significance of the 210th anniversary of the establishment of the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2000

Recognizes the 210th anniversary of the establishment of the Coast Guard. Commends: (1) the Coast Guard's effectiveness in protecting the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security interests; and (2) the men and women serving in the Coast Guard. Expresses support for the Coast Guard in its efforts to remain "Semper Paratus" Always Ready -- as it moves forward to meet the demands of the 21st century.

Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE)

European Union · EUR-Lex · 17 July 2000

Umweltverträglichkeit von Massentierhaltungen

Austria · National Council · 14 July 2000

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Eva Glawischnig, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft betreffend Umweltverträglichkeit von Massentierhaltungen

A bill to provide for all right, title, and interest in and to certain property in Washington County, Utah, to be vested in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2000

Vests in the United States: (1) specified real property owned by Environmental Land Technology, Ltd. (ELT) within the Red Cliffs Reserve in Washington County, Utah; and (2) specified real property owned by ELT which is adjacent to the land within the Reserve, but is landlocked as a result of the creation of the Reserve. Directs the United States to pay specified compensation to the owners of any such real property from the permanent judgment appropriation or from another appropriate Federal Government fund. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in the absence of a negotiated settlement, or an action by an owner, to initiate a proceeding seeking a determination of just compensation. Prohibits the Secretary from allowing any unauthorized use of such lands, except for the termination of all current activities and the removal of any equipment, facilities, or personal property. Requires the Secretary, if requested by a land owner, to credit a surplus property account to be established in the name of the owner. Allows the land owner, using the credit in such account, to bid as any other bidder for surplus property, wherever located.

Children's Public Health Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Children's Public Health Act of 2000 - Title I: Injury Prevention - Subtitle A: Traumatic Brain Injury - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a national education and awareness campaign regarding prevention of traumatic brain injury. Modifies requirements and authorizes appropriations regarding a currently-mandated study of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes an existing trauma research program to include research on cognitive disorders and neurobehavioral consequences of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations for that program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes grants for projects (currently, for demonstration projects) to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury. Allows required matching funds to be in cash or in kind (currently, in cash). Regulates the use of grant funds. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Child Care Safety and Health Grants - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to States to establish programs to improve the health and safety of children receiving child care outside the home. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Maternal and Infant Health - Subtitle A: Safe Motherhood and Infant Health Promotion - Pregnant Women and Infants Health Protection Act - Directs the Secretary to carry out programs relating to prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug use. Authorizes grants and contracts. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish and implement a national surveillance program regarding investigation of deaths and severe complications during pregnancy; (2) expand the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System; and (3) expand the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Healthy Start Initiative - Healthy Start Initiative Continuation Act - Directs the Secretary to continue the Healthy Start Initiative (to reduce infant mortality and improve perinatal outcomes) and authorizes carrying it out on a national basis. Authorizes, if funding increases, additional grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to provide other health services (including ultrasound, prenatal care, genetic counseling, and fetal and other surgery) for pregnant women or infants that are medically appropriate to prevent or mitigate congenital defects or other serious obstetric complications. Allows using grant funds for paying transportation and subsistence expenses to assist the woman in obtaining health services from the grantee involved. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Establishes the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available date on birth defects and developmental disabilities; and (2) conduct applied epidemiological research, and provide information and education to the pubic, on prevention of such defects and disabilities. Transfers to such Center all activities, budgets, and personnel of the National Center for Environmental Health that relate to birth defects, folic acid, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, child development, newborn screening, autism, Fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, pediatric genetics, disability prevention, and other activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Folic Acid Education Program - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of professional and public education and training, research, and epidemiological activities regarding folic acid and birth defects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Pediatric Public Health Promotion - Subtitle A: Asthma - Directs the Secretary to make grants to provide comprehensive asthma-related services for children and other individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Allows preventive health and health services block grant funds to be used for projects to reduce the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related illnesses among urban populations, especially children, by reducing exposure to cockroach allergen or other known asthma triggers through pest management that minimizes or avoids pesticide chemicals through a combination of site maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify all Federal programs carrying out asthma-related activities; (2) develop a Federal plan for responding to asthma; and (3) submit recommendations to Congress on ways to strengthen and improve Federal coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) to: (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (2) compile and annually publish data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally and in each State. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Childhood Obesity Prevention - Directs the Secretary to award grants for the development and implementation of State and community-based intervention programs promoting good nutrition and physical activity in children and adolescents. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct research on physical activity, diet, health, health-related behaviors, and childhood obesity and its effects in adulthood; (2) develop and evaluate strategies to prevent and treat obesity and eating disorders; (3) identify obesity behaviors and risk factors; (4) evaluate materials and programs providing nutrition education to parents, teachers, and food service staff of child care and pre-school entities; and (5) evaluate materials and programs designed to educate and encourage physical activity in child care and pre-school facilities. Directs the Secretary to develop a national public campaign to promote and educate children and parents regarding health risks associated with obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition, ways to incorporate physical activity into daily living, the benefits of good nutrition, and strategies to improve eating habits. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a program to educate and train health professionals in effective strategies to identify and assess patients with, or at risk for, obesity or an eating disorder, counsel, refer, or treat patients with obesity or an eating disorder, and educate patients and their families about strategies to improve dietary habits and establish appropriate levels of physical activity. Subtitle C: Early Detection and Treatment Regarding Childhood Lead Poisoning - Modifies application and reporting requirements for existing grants regarding lead poisoning. Directs the Secretary to develop national guidelines for the uniform and complete reporting of all blood lead test results to State and local health departments. Requires the CDCP Director to assist with the improvement of data links between local and State health departments and the CDCP, help States with the development of data management systems for the surveillance of children with lead poisoning, and take other actions regarding lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 322) Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants where data suggests that at least five percent of preschool-age children have an elevated blood level; and (2) conduct education and training programs for health care providers regarding childhood lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Oral Health - Directs the Secretary to support: (1) community-based research on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pediatric oral, dental, craniofacial diseases and conditions and their sequelae in high risk populations; (2) demonstrations of preventive interventions in those populations; and (3) the development of clinical approaches to assess individual patients for the risk of pediatric dental disease. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 332) Directs the Secretary to establish a program of repayment of oral health professionals' educational loans in return for the professionals agreeing to conduct pediatric oral, dental, and craniofacial disease and condition research or training. (Sec. 333) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to increase the resources available for community water fluoridation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 334) Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project to assist rural water systems in implementing the CDCP's water fluoridation guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 335) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the development of programs to improve children's school-based access to sealants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 336) Directs the Secretary to: (1) fund innovative oral health activities that improve the oral health of children under six years who are eligible for services under a Federal health program; and (2) make grants or contracts to increase training of oral health services providers or to increase children's use of dental services. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Pediatric Research - Subtitle A: Pediatric Research Initiative - Mandates the establishment of a Pediatric Research Initiative to conduct and support research and coordination directly related to illnesses and conditions of children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to make available enhanced support for extramural activities relating to the training and career development of pediatric researchers. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to repay the educational loans of pediatricians in return for conducting pediatric research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Autism - Requires the NIH Director to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH activities regarding autism. Requires the Director, among other things, to make grants and contracts for centers of excellence regarding autism research. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish, through grants or cooperative agreements, at least three regional centers of excellence in autism and pervasive developmental disabilities epidemiology to collect and analyze information on autism and developmental disabilities; (2) establish a clearinghouse for the collection and storage of data generated from the monitoring programs created by this title; (3) coordinate the Federal response to requests for assistance from State health department officials regarding potential or alleged autism or developmental disability clusters. Authorizes appropriations; and (4) establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the public. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to establish an Autism Coordinating Committee. Subtitle C: Long-Term Child Development - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to establish a consortium of Federal agency representatives to: (1) plan and implement a prospective cohort study of the effects of chronic and intermittent exposures on human development; and (2) investigate basic mechanisms of developmental disorders and environmental factors that influence growth and developmental processes. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Research on Rare Diseases in Children - Requires the NIH Director to report to Congress on NIH activities regarding children's rare diseases. Subtitle E: GME Programs in Children's Hospitals - Extends the mandate to make annual payments to each children's hospital for the direct and indirect expenses of operating graduate medical residency training programs. Authorizes appropriations.

Great Smoky Mountain Clean Air Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Great Smoky Mountains Clean Air Act of 2000 - Amends the Clean Air Act to identify aggregate emission reduction objectives in connection with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) powerplants. Sets a modernization deadline for outdated TVA powerplants. Prohibits TVA from increasing hydroelectric energy generation in order to achieve such mandated objectives if the increase would require a drawdown of any contiguous lake or reservoir between Memorial Day and August 1.

Clean Power Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Clean Power Act - Instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate a final regulation to address interstate transport of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide pollution; (2) establish a program to issue, record the sale or exchange of, and track allowances of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide, and track and monitor emissions of nitrogen oxide; and (3) promulgate regulations regarding electric utility emissions of mercury that are based upon the protection of human health and the environment. Amends the Clean Air Act to revise sulfur dioxide allowances. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration in the Department of Energy (DOE) to specify the percentage of total domestic electric energy generation that the Administrator estimates to be supplied by renewable energy during a specified calendar year. Sets forth a statutory mechanism for mandatory submission of Renewable Energy Credits by retail electric suppliers to the Secretary of Energy. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to issue and track such credits. Requires each retail electric supplier to make net metering service available upon request of a retail electric consumer whom such supplier currently serves or solicits for service.

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement the oil and gas pipeline safety improvement recommendations provided for in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General's Report (RT-2000-069). (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary, the Administrator of Research and Special Program Administration, and the Director of the Office of Pipeline Safety to comply fully with certain Federal transportation law requirements to ensure timely responsiveness to National Transportation Safety Board recommendations about pipeline safety (including to make a copy of each recommendation on pipeline safety and response available to the public at reasonable cost). (Sec. 4) Requires each pipeline operator, or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State regulatory agency, to submit to the Secretary a plan designed to enhance the qualifications of pipeline personnel and reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to issue regulations requiring operators of natural gas transmission pipelines and of hazardous liquid pipelines to: (1) evaluate the risks to their pipeline facilities in environmentally sensitive areas and high-density population areas; and (2) adopt and implement a program for integrity management that reduces the risk of incident in those areas. Directs the Secretary to require an operator's integrity management plan to be based on risk analysis and contain at least internal inspection or pressure testing that periodically assesses the integrity of the pipeline, clearly defined criteria, and measures that prevent and mitigate unintended releases. Authorizes a State authority under contract with the Secretary to review and assess an operator's risk analyses and integrity management plans required for interstate pipelines located in that State. Requires the Secretary to review and monitor such plans. (Sec. 6) Amends Federal transportation law to revise the Secretary's authority to decide a pipeline facility is hazardous. Authorizes the Secretary, or the appropriate State regulatory agency, to shutdown the operation of the facility if it is determined that continued operation of such facility creates an imminent hazard. (Sec. 7) Revises the public education program requirements for gas pipeline facility owners or operators, including specified items. Applies such requirements to owners or operators of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility. Requires an operator of a gas transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to initiate and maintain liaison with the State emergency response commissions, and local emergency planning committees (or local fire, police, and other emergency response agencies in the absence of a committee) in the areas of pipeline right-of-way, established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 in each State in which it operates. Requires an operator to make available, upon request, to the State emergency response commissions and local emergency planning committees, and in a standardized form to the Office of Pipeline Safety for public dissemination, specified information as well as the operator's integrity management program. Requires the owner or operator of each gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to provide annually to the governing body of each municipality in which the pipeline facility is located a map identifying the facility's location. (Sec. 8) Increases from $25,000 to $500,000 the civil penalty for each facility operator failure to: (1) mark accurately the location of pipeline facilities in the vicinity of a demolition, excavation, tunneling, or construction; or (2) comply with safety standards, prepare and carry out an inspection and maintenance plan, allow access to records, or allow required entries or inspections. Increases the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations to $1 million. Authorizes a court to award temporary or permanent injunctive relief and to assess civil penalties in a civil action brought by the Attorney General to enforce pipeline safety law. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary, if a State pipeline safety program certification is accepted, to make an agreement with a State authority authorizing it to: (1) participate in the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation, including a plan for the State authority to participate in special investigations involving incidents or new construction, as well as (subject to specified requirements) other activities involving interstate pipeline transportation; or (2) assume additional inspection or investigatory duties. Allows the Secretary to end an agreement for the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation when the State authority has not complied with any provision of the agreement. Requires the Secretary to end such an agreement when: (1) gaps are found in the State authority's responsibilities for oversight of intrastate pipeline transportation; (2) the State actions under the agreement have failed to meet certain requirements; or (3) continued oversight participation by the State authority is not promoting pipeline safety. Requires the Secretary to continue to permit a State to carry out interstate pipeline oversight activities under an agreement in effect in 1999, including inspection responsibilities and other actions to ensure compliance with Federal pipeline safety regulations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the collection and use of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline data to revise the causal categories on the accident report forms to eliminate overlapping and confusing categories and include subcategories. Requires the plan to include components to provide the capability to perform sound accident trend analysis and evaluations of pipeline operator performance using normalized accident data. Requires any owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility to report to the Secretary each release to the environment greater than five gallons of the hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide. Directs the Secretary to establish a national depository of data on events and conditions, including spill histories and corrective actions for specific incidents, that can be used to evaluate the risk of, and to prevent, pipeline failures and releases. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary, as part of the DOT research and development program, to direct research attention to the development of alternative technologies: (1) to expand the defect detection capabilities of internal inspection devices; (2) to inspect pipelines that cannot accommodate internal inspection devices available on the date of enactment; and (3) to develop innovative techniques measuring the structural integrity of pipelines. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations with respect to gas and hazardous liquid, State grants, and certain pipeline damage prevention activities. Requires the transfer of specified amounts from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out authorized programs. (Sec. 13) Requires the operator involved in an accident the DOT or the National Transportation Safety Board investigates to: (1) make available to their representatives all records and information pertaining to the accident (including integrity management plans and test results); and (2) afford all reasonable assistance in such investigation. Deems as hazardous any pipeline facility operated by an operator that fails to take prompt action to relieve, reassign, or place on leave (with or without compensation) until the investigation's conclusion any employee whose duties affect public safety, and whose performance of such duties is the subject of such an investigation. (Sec. 14) Sets forth whistle blower protections prohibiting discrimination by pipeline operators or contractors or subcontractors against employees who: (1) provide information, directly or indirectly, to the employer or the Federal Government about any alleged violation of Federal law or regulations relating to pipeline safety; (2) file a related Federal proceeding; or (3) testify or otherwise assist or participate in such a proceeding. Prescribes a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against by any person in violation of this prohibition. (Sec. 15) Requires the Secretary to create a Pipeline Safety Advisory Council pilot program to establish one or more Pipeline Safety Advisory Councils to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on a range of hazardous liquid or natural gas transmission pipeline safety issues affecting pipelines operated in the State in which the Council is established. Requires a Council to report annually to the Secretary on all activities undertaken by it to improve the safety of pipelines, and any action taken by the State and DOT to address pipeline operation safety as a result of the Council's activities. (Sec. 16) Directs the DOT Inspector General to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) DOT's assessment of fines and penalties on gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines, including the cost of corrective actions required by DOT in lieu of fines; and (2) recommendations for actions by the Secretary or Congress to ensure the fines assessed are an effective deterrent for reducing safety risks. (Sec. 17) Authorizes the Secretary to study how best to preserve environmental resources in conjunction with maintaining pipeline rights-of-way.