Environment

National Telecommuting and Air Quality Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 1999

National Telecommuting and Air Quality Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make a grant to a nonprofit private entity (specifically, the National Environmental Policy Institute, if it applies) for the purpose of developing a design for a proposed ozone precursor credit-trading pilot program in which: (1) methods would be evaluated and developed for calculating reductions in emissions of ozone precursors (air pollutants) that can be achieved as a result of reduced vehicle-miles-traveled (VMTs) by telecommuting employees; (2) regulated entities would present emission credits to the Federal Government or to the State (as applicable under the Clean Air Act) and the amounts of reductions in emissions of air pollutants represented by such credits would be for purposes of compliance with the Clean Air Act; and (3) the Federal Government would explore means to facilitate the transfer of emission credits between participating employers and regulated and other entities. Sets forth recommended sites for the operation of such pilot program, including: (1) the greater metropolitan region of the District of Columbia (including areas in Maryland and Virginia); (2) the greater metropolitan region of Los Angeles, California; and (3) three additional areas to be selected by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to require the grantee to study and report to Congress and to the Secretary on the potential significance of the proposed pilot program as an incentive for expanding telecommuting and reducing VMTs in the geographic areas, and the extent to which it would have positive effects on national, State, and local air quality and energy conservation and consumption. Authorizes appropriations.

Bergabbruch in der Gemeinde Schwaz

Austria · National Council · 16 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten DDr. Erwin Niederwieser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend Bergabbruch in der Gemeinde Schwaz

die Liberalisierung des Gasmarktes in Österreich

Austria · National Council · 16 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Georg Oberhaidinger und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend die Liberalisierung des Gasmarktes in Österreich

Reinhaltungsverband Region Neusiedler-See Westufer

Austria · National Council · 16 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Franz Steindl und Genossen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend Reinhaltungsverband Region Neusiedler-See Westufer

Personalpolitik Österreichischen Donaubetriebs AG

Austria · National Council · 16 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Mag. Dr. Udo Grollitsch und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend Personalpolitik besonders in Vorstand und Aufsichtsrat der Österreichischen Donaubetriebs AG (ÖDOBAG)

Lassing - ein Jahr danach

Austria · National Council · 16 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten MMag. Dr. Madeleine Petrovic und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend <i>(Bergwerksunglück in)</i> Lassing - ein Jahr danach

vergleichende Studie zur Vollziehung des Tierschutzes

Austria · National Council · 16 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Georg Schwarzenberger und Genossen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend vergleichende Studie zur Vollziehung des Tierschutzes <i>(Auftragsvergabe durch das Bundeskanzleramt entsprechend dem</i> <i>Antrag 832/A [E] der Abgeordneten MMag. Dr.</i> <i>Madeleine Petrovic und Genossen)</i>

vergleichende Studie zur Vollziehung des Tierschutzes

Austria · National Council · 16 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage an den Präsidenten des Nationalrates des Abgeorneten Georg Schwarzenberger und Genossen betreffend vergleichende Studie zur Vollziehung des Tierschutzes <i>(Auftragsvergabe durch das Bundeskanzleramt entsprechend dem</i> <i>Antrag 832/A[E] der Abgeordneten MMag. Dr. Madeleine</i> <i>Petrovic und Genossen)</i>

Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1999

Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act of 1999 - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for world peace and security; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.

Wasserrechtsgesetz 1959

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Einstimmigkeitsprinzips Sicherstellung der österreichischen Wasserressourcen

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Anna Elisabeth Aumayr und Genossen betreffend Beibehaltung des Einstimmigkeitsprinzips <i>(Artikel 130s EG-Vertrag)</i> zur Sicherstellung der österreichischen Wasserressourcen

unerlaubtes Grillen im Grüngürtel

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Helene Partik-Pablé und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend unerlaubtes Grillen im Grüngürtel <i>(von Wien)</i>

neobergfreie Mineralrohstoffe

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten MMag. Dr. Madeleine Petrovic und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend neobergfreie Mineralrohstoffe

Alpenkonvention

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Alpenkonvention

Schwazer Felssturz

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten MMag. Dr. Madeleine Petrovic und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend Schwazer Felssturz

Verarmung der ländlichen Bevölkerung durch gesetzwidrige Kanalprojekte

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Mündliche Anfrage des Abgeordneten Andreas Wabl an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Verarmung der ländlichen Bevölkerung durch gesetzwidrige Kanalprojekte <br><br>Was gedenken Sie auf Grund der zunehmenden Verarmung der ländischen, insbesondere der (berg)bäuerlichen Bevölkerung, die von gesetzwidrigen Kanalprojekten wesentlich mitverursacht wird, in Ihrem Verantwortungsbereich zu tun?

Unterbindung des Einsatzes von Antibiotika in Futtermitteln

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Mündliche Anfrage des Abgeordneten Karl Smolle an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Unterbindung des Einsatzes von Antibiotika in Futtermitteln <br><br>Welche politischen Maßnahmen werden Sie setzen, um zukünftig den Einsatz von Antibiotika in Futtermitteln zu unterbinden?

Wasserrechtsgesetz 1959

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Mineralrohstoffgesetz - MinroG

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz, Änderung (Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz-Novelle 1999)

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Antrag der Abgeordneten Johannes Zweytick, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Peter Keppelmüller, Mag. Karl Schweitzer, Ing. Monika Langthaler, Mag. Helmut Peter und Genossen betreffend ein Bundesgesetz, mit dem das Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz geändert wird (Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz-Novelle 1999)

Erhöhung der Bergbausicherheit

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Dr. Udo Grollitsch und Genossen betreffend Erhöhung der Bergbausicherheit sowie der Effizienz der Vollziehung im Bereich des Bergbaues

Klärung der Vorgänge in Zusammenhang mit dem Felssturz in Schwaz

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Dr. Udo Grollitsch und Genossen betreffend die Klärung der Vorgänge sowie Verantwortlichkeiten in Zusammenhang mit dem Felssturz in Schwaz

Aufhebung der Trinkwasser-Ausnahmeverordnung,

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen betreffend Sicherstellung der gesundheitlichen Unbedenklichkeit des österreichischen Trinkwassers durch Aufhebung der Trinkwasser-Ausnahmeverordnung, BGBl. Nr. 384/1993 i.d.F. BGBl. Nr. 287/1996

die Einrichtung eines Beirates zur ländlichen Entwicklung

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Andreas Wabl, Karl Smolle und Genossen betreffend Einrichtung eines Beirates zur ländlichen Entwicklung mit dem Aufgabenbereich Entwicklung, Bewertung und Überprüfung der Umwelt- und Naturschutzaspekte im österreichischen Programm zur ländlichen Entwicklung

Gebarungskontrolle der Wasserwirtschaftsverbände

Austria · National Council · 15 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Karl Schweitzer und Genossen betreffend Gebarungskontrolle der Wasserwirtschaftsverbände

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1999

Authorizes expenditures by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for the 106th Congress.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1999

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 - Title I: Authorization - Authorizes appropriations from the Nuclear Waste Fund for FY 2000 for: (1) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); and (2) the NRC Office of Inspector General. (Sec. 102) Allocates such appropriations among: (1) Nuclear Reactor Safety; (2) Nuclear Materials Safety; (3) Nuclear Waste Safety; (4) the International Nuclear Safety Support Program; and (5) Management and Support. Prohibits the NRC from using more than one percent of such allocations to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with organizations such as universities, State and local governments, and not-for-profit institutions. Mandates NRC notification to the Congress as a prerequisite to specified reallocations. Restricts the use of Nuclear Waste Fund appropriations solely to NRC high-level nuclear waste activities. (Sec. 104) Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to extend through FY 2004 NRC authority to assess and collect user fees and annual charges. (Sec. 105) Authorizes the NRC, beginning in FY 2001, to assess and collect fees for full cost recovery from other Federal agencies in return for services rendered by the NRC (rather than recover these costs through the annual fees assessed to all NRC licensees). Title II: Other Provisions - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prescribe guidelines for the carrying of firearms and the authority to make arrests by employees or contractors of NRC licensees or certificate holders for the protection of property of significance to the common defense and security located at facilities owned or operated by an NRC licensee or certificate holder or being transported to or from such facilities. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the NRC to issue trespass regulations relating to the introduction of dangerous weapons, explosives, or other dangerous instruments or materials likely to produce substantial personal injury or damage to property subject to its licensing or certification authority. (Sec. 203) Revises the crime of sabotage of Federal nuclear facilities to cover any production, utilization, waste storage, treatment, disposal, uranium enrichment, or nuclear fuel fabrication facility subject to licensing or certification under this Act during its construction where the destruction or damage caused or attempted could affect public health and safety during facility operation. (Sec. 204) Provides that the initial duration of a combined construction and operating license for a production or utilization facility may not exceed 40 years from the date on which the NRC finds, prior to facility operation, that specified statutory acceptance criteria have been met. (Sec. 205) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to: (1) to limit to production facilities the proscription against issuance of a license to an alien or entity whom the NRC believes to be owned, controlled or dominated by a foreign entity or government (thus allowing licensure of foreign-owned utilization facilities); and (2) declare certain antitrust review procedures inapplicable to pending or future license applications to construct or operate utilization facilities for either commercial or medical therapy and research and development purposes. (Sec. 207) Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to: (1) redefine "federally permitted release" as any release of source, byproduct, and special nuclear material in accordance with NRC regulations following termination of an NRC or State-issued license; and (2) limit commencement of administrative or judicial actions to those requested by either a State Governor or the NRC with respect to such material that is subject to either NRC or State decontamination regulations for license termination. (Sec. 209) Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to prescribe guidelines for temporary continuation of service by an NRC commissioner whose term has expired. (Sec. 210) Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize the NRC to accept, hold, utilize, sell, and administer gifts, bequests, or donations of real and personal property for the purpose of aiding or facilitating its work. Establishes in the Treasury a fund for deposit of any gift of money accepted pursuant to such authority, to be held in trust by the Secretary of the Treasury and appropriated, without fiscal year limitation, to the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission without further appropriations action. (Sec. 211) Repeals the requirement that the NRC maintain an office for the service of process and papers within the District of Columbia.

San Francisco Bay Shipping and Fisheries Enhancement Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1999

San Francisco Bay Shipping and Fisheries Enhancement Act of 1999 - Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Army to carry out a navigation project in San Francisco Bay, California, to remove underwater hazards to navigation near Alcatraz Island; (2) the Commandant of the Coast Guard to modify navigation lanes and reroute vessel traffic after completion of the second phase of such project to improve safety and efficiency; and (3) the Maritime Administrator to ensure that operational vessels owned by, or operated under contract to, the Maritime Administration are surveyed for risks for oil spills or other hazards to human health or the environment. Authorizes appropriations.

Donaufische

Austria · National Council · 14 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an die Bundesministerin für Arbeit, Gesundheit und Soziales betreffend Donaufische <i>(Kontaminationen mit Hexachlorbenzol)</i>

Tierversuchsgesetz 1988

Austria · National Council · 14 July 1999

Donaufische

Austria · National Council · 14 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Donaufische <i>(Kontaminationen mit Hexachlorbenzol)</i>

Weiterleitung eines inkompetenten und nicht gesetzeskonformen Berichts

Austria · National Council · 14 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Peter Keppelmüller und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend die Weiterleitung eines inkompetenten und nicht gesetzeskonformen Berichts des Bundesministers für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten an den Nationalrat gemäß § 13 Luftreinhaltegesetz (LRGK) <i>(III-176 d.B.)</i>

Erlassung von Verordnungen und Durchführungsbestimmungen zum Tierversuchsgesetz 1988

Austria · National Council · 14 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Mag. Dr. Udo Grollitsch und Genossen betreffend Erlassung von Verordnungen und Durchführungsbestimmungen zum Tierversuchsgesetz 1988

Clean Energy Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1999

Clean Energy Act of 1999 - Sets deadlines by which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (the Administrator) is directed to: (1) promulgate a final regulation to establish a schedule of limits on the quantity of certain pollutants that all covered generation facilities in the aggregate nationwide shall be permitted to emit in each calendar year; and (2) determine the generation performance standard for such pollutants per megawatt- hour of electric production by covered generation facilities for the next calendar year. Prescribes guidelines for an annual individual emissions allocation formula. Instructs the Administrator to: (1) establish a system for the accurate monitoring of the quantity of each pollutant annually emitted by a covered generation facility; (2) compare the quantity of a pollutant emitted annually by a generation facility with the individual emissions allocation applicable to the facility for the year; and (3) issue emissions credits to a covered generation facility for reduced pollutant emissions. Sets forth a penalty schedule for noncompliance by an owner or operator of a covered generation facility required to submit an emissions credit. Prohibits a generating plant from emitting specified pollutants if the Administrator determines, upon review, that an emissions rate of specified pollutants in excess of the generation performance standard can be reasonably anticipated to cause or contribute to significant adverse local impacts. Establishes a civil penalty for noncompliance. (Sec.5) Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Electric System Public Benefits Board (the Board). Requires the Board to establish at a financial institution the "National Electric System Public Benefits Fund" to provide matching funds to support specified State public service energy programs. Prescribes funding guidelines and implementation. (Sec.7) Sets forth renewable energy portfolio standards for a nonhydroelectric facility that generates electric energy for sale (covered generation facility). Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to: (1) establish standards and procedures for certification by a covered generation facility to a purchaser of electricity regarding the amount of electricity generated by renewable and non-renewable energy sources; (2) issue renewable energy credits to covered generation facilities; and (3) maintain records of all renewable energy credit issued and all those sold or exchanged by a covered generation facility. Imposes a civil penalty upon a covered generation facility for noncompliance. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to repeal its provisions governing cogeneration and small power production facilities. Retains: (1) the validity of contracts entered under such provisions; and (2) FERC jurisdiction to ensure continued status of such facilities and specified exemptions under those provisions. (Sec.8) Requires an electric company to allow a retail electric customer to interconnect and employ a net metering system using specified equipment. Prescribes guidelines governing: (1) net metering accounting and measurements; (2)electricity supplied exceeding electricity generated; (3) electricity generated exceeding electricity supplied; (4) unused credit; and (5) safety requirements. (Sec.9) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a disclosure system enabling retail consumers to knowledgeably compare retail electric services; (2) promulgate regulations in consultation with a specified interagency Federal task force governing disclosures of emissions and electricity generation data. Deems failure of a retail company to accurately disclose such requisite data as a deceptive act in commerce under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Grants the Secretary enforcement powers. Precludes a State or political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any emission standard or limitation that is less stringent that mandated by this Act.

Credit for Voluntary Actions Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1999

Credit for Voluntary Actions Act - Authorizes the President to enter into legally binding voluntary action agreements with any person under which the United States agrees to provide greenhouse gas reduction credit usable beginning in the compliance period (during which a domestic greenhouse gas regulatory statute is in effect) if such person reduces greenhouse gas emissions or sequesters carbon before the end of the credit period. Defines the credit period as: (1) the period of January 1, 1999, through the earlier of the day before the compliance period begins or the end of the ninth calendar year beginning after enactment of this Act; or (2) a different period determined under extension or adjustment provisions of this Act. (Sec. 5) Requires a participant to receive greenhouse gas reduction credit under such an agreement if such participant takes an action that: (1) reduces such emissions or sequesters carbon before the end of the credit period; and (2) will result in an addition to the U.S. quantified emission limitation during the credit period. Authorizes agreements to entitle a participant to receive credit for a reduction or sequestration that is not creditable under such requirements and is for a project accepted before December 31, 2000, under the U.S. Initiative for Joint Implementation, financing for which was provided or construction of which was commenced before such date. Limits the period in which credit may be earned to the earlier of the earliest date on which credit may be earned for a reduction, sequestration, or comparable project under a congressionally authorized domestic greenhouse gas regulatory statute or the end of the credit period. Grants a participant credit if, during the credit period, the participant's aggregate greenhouse gas emissions from domestic sources covered by the agreement are less than the sum of the participant's annual source baselines during such period. Treats the amount by which the aggregate net carbon sequestration for such period in a participant's domestic carbon reservoirs exceeds the sum of the annual reservoir baselines for such period as an emission reduction. Sets forth circumstances under which a participant is entitled to receive one ton of reduction credit for reductions or sequestration for 1991 through 1998. Authorizes an extension of the period during which credit may be earned if the Congress so permits by law. Requires the President to report the cumulative balance of emissions credits potentially earned under all agreements annually to Congress and notify Congress of a determination that such balance has reached or exceeded 365 million. Entitles participants, at the end of the credit period, to one ton of reduction credit for each creditable ton. Bars credits for the reduction of certain greenhouse gases used in automatic fire suppression systems. (Sec. 6) Establishes annual source or reservoir baselines for the years in the credit period equal to a participant's average annual greenhouse gas emissions from domestic sources or average level of carbon stocks in reservoirs during a three-year base period ending with this Act's enactment date, with specified adjustments. Provides for alternative base periods if data is unavailable or unrepresentative. Authorizes participants to elect a base period earlier than the one prescribed by this Act (excluding years earlier than 1990) to reflect voluntary reductions made before that period. Provides for adjustment of the period during which credit may be earned if an election is made for a base period earlier than 1996. (Sec. 7) Requires agreements to cover all greenhouse gas sources that a participant owns on the date on which an agreement is entered into. Permits agreements to exclude small or diverse sources where the emissions represent a de minimis percentage of the participant's total emissions. Defines a participant's annual baseline as the product of its baseline emissions, economic change factor (ratio of product output during the year and average annual output during the base period), and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) adjustment factor (difference between 100 and the percentage by which the U.S. GDP has increased since the base period). Authorizes coverage for other owned sources and reservoirs. (Sec. 8) Establishes reporting, measurement, and verification procedures and requires public availability of participants' reports. (Sec. 9) Permits the President to enter into agreements with participants that manufacture or construct for sale to end-users equipment or facilities that emit greenhouse gases and adopt end use efficiency technologies. Sets forth provisions regarding the emissions baselines and calculation of reduction credits for such participants. Authorizes participants that manufacture automobiles to enter into agreements under this section. (Sec. 10) Requires agreements to entitle participants to receive reduction credit for permanent protection of carbon stocks in mature primary forests, reforestation and afforestation, and improved forest carbon stock management in forests that have merchantable timber. Sets forth provisions for the calculation of credits under this section. Makes eligible to participate in the program established by this section: (1) private lands and lands that are transferred into permanent protection under State or Federal jurisdiction during the credit period; and (2) mature primary forests and lands on which reforestation and afforestation is initiated during the credit period. Sets forth additional requirements for eligible forests. Limits carbon stock increase credits to 20 percent of all credits allocated under this Act. Sets forth requirements for monitoring and reporting with respect to carbon stocks. (Sec. 11) Permits participants to purchase credit from and sell credit to other participants and sell credit to non-participants. Authorizes pooling arrangements under which a group of participants acts as a single participant for purposes of entering into an agreement. (Sec. 12) Requires agreements to provide that: (1) credit earned under an agreement shall be provided in addition to any otherwise available authorizations of the participant to emit greenhouse gases during the compliance period under a domestic statute; and (2) if the allocation of authorizations under such statute is based on the level of a participant's emissions in a historic period later than the participant's base period under the agreement, any credit to which the participant was entitled during such historic period shall be added back to the participant's emissions level for such period.

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - Fisheries management and nature conservation in the marine environment

European Union · European Commission · 14 July 1999

Abfallaufkommen in Österreich

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Abfallaufkommen in Österreich

Verringerung von Atomstromimporten

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen betreffend Verringerung von Atomstromimporten

Bodennutzung, Landwirtschaft

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Bodennutzung, Landwirtschaft <i>(Expansion der Siedlungsflächen)</i>

Naturschutz

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Umwelt, Jugend und Familie betreffend Naturschutz

Alternativen und Ergänzungen zur Lawinenverbauung für effizienten Einsatz der Mittel

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten DDr. Erwin Niederwieser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für Land- und Forstwirtschaft betreffend Alternativen und Ergänzungen zur Lawinenverbauung für effizienten Einsatz der Mittel

Stromimporte

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen an den Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten betreffend Stromimporte

Umweltanlagengesetz

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Antrag der Abgeordneten Ing. Monika Langthaler und Genossen betreffend ein Umweltanlagengesetz

Verwirklichung des Aktionsplans der Bundesregierung für die weitere österreichische Anti-Atom-Politik

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Karlheinz Kopf, Georg Oberhaidinger, Mag. Karl Schweitzer, Dr. Gabriela Moser, Mag. Thomas Barmüller und Genossen betreffend Verwirklichung des Aktionsplans der Bundesregierung für die weitere österreichische Anti-Atom-Politik

Atomausstiegskonzepte für die grenznahen Kraftwerke Gründung eines interdisziplinären Forschungsinstitutes "Atomausstieg" mit Sitz in Wien

Austria · National Council · 13 July 1999

Unselbständiger Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Gabriela Moser und Genossen betreffend Atomausstiegskonzepte für die grenznahen Kraftwerke Temelin, Dukovany, Mochovce, Páks, Krško, Ohu/Isar, Gundremmingen, Mühleberg und Beznau sowie Gründung eines interdisziplinären Forschungsinstitutes "Atomausstieg" mit Sitz in Wien

Long Island Sound Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999

Long Island Sound Protection Act - Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act to apply provisions regulating ocean dumping to the dumping of dredged material in Long Island Sound from any Federal project (or pursuant to Federal authorization) or from a dredging project by a non-Federal applicant exceeding 25,000 cubic yards if: (1) one or more projects of that type produce an aggregate of material exceeding such volume; and (2) the projects are carried out in a proximate geographical area or the aggregate quantity of material is transported, for dumping, by the same barge. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) promulgate regulations defining "proximate geographical area"; and (2) designate, under existing provisions relating to a dumping permit program, at least one site for the dumping of dredged material generated in the vicinity of Long Island Sound. Prohibits, except at the site or sites so designated, the dumping of dredged material in the Sound after the date at least one site is designated.

African Growth and Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999

African Growth and Opportunity Act - Declares the support of Congress for the economic self-reliance of sub-Saharan African countries committed to economic and political reform, market incentives and private sector growth, eradication of poverty, and the importance of women to economic growth and development. (Sec. 4) Makes a sub-Saharan African country eligible to participate in programs, projects, or activities, or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act if the President determines, according to specified evidence, that it does not engage in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, and has established, or is making continual progress toward establishing, a market-based economy. Directs the President to monitor and review the progress of sub-Saharan African countries to determine their current or potential eligibility under the requirements of this Act. Makes ineligible to participate in programs or receive assistance or other benefits under this Act any countries that have not made progress in meeting such requirements. (Sec. 5) Directs the President to convene annual high-level meetings between U.S. Government officials and officials of the governments of sub-Saharan African countries to foster close economic ties between them. Directs the President to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, which shall, among other things, encourage joint ventures between small and large businesses. Directs the United States Information Agency (USIA), in order to assist the Forum, to disseminate economic information in support of the free market economic reforms contained in this Act. Authorizes appropriations (but with a bar on the use of funds to create or support any nongovernmental organization whose aim is to facilitate trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa). (Sec. 6) Directs the President to develop a plan meeting certain requirements to enter into one or more trade agreements with certain eligible sub-Saharan African countries to establish a United States-Sub-Saharan Africa Free Trade Area. (Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that reform of trade policies in sub-Saharan Africa that removes structural impediments to trade, consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO), can lay the groundwork for sustained growth there in both textile and apparel exports. Directs the United States, pursuant to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, to eliminate the existing quotas on textile and apparel exports to the United States from Kenya and Mauritius, provided they adopt a visa system to guard against the unlawful transshipment of such goods and the use of counterfeit documents. Directs the President to: (1) continue the existing no quota policy for sub-Saharan African countries; and (2) report to Congress on the growth in textiles and apparel exports to the United States from such countries in order to protect U.S. consumers, workers, and textile manufacturers from economic injury on account of the no quota policy. Sets forth enforcement procedures (including penalties) for violations of the requirements contained in this Act. (Sec. 8) Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to provide duty-free treatment for any non-import-sensitive article that is the growth, product, or manufacture of an eligible sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing country. Waives the competitive need limitation with respect to eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Extends duty-free treatment to sub-Saharan African beneficiary developing countries through June 30, 2009. (Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury should instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to use their votes to encourage their institutions to develop enhanced mechanisms which further economic and trade reforms and deep debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt initiative in eligible sub-Saharan African countries; and (2) relief provided to such countries under the HIPC debt initiative should primarily be made through grants rather than through extended-term debt, with interim financing for eligible countries that establish a strong record of macroeconomic reform. (Sec. 10) Expresses the sense of Congress that the stated policy of the executive branch in the 1997 Partnership for Growth and Opportunity in Africa initiative is a step toward the establishment of a comprehensive trade and development policy for sub-Saharan Africa and is a companion to the policy goals set forth in this Act. Directs the President, in addition to continuing bilateral and multilateral economic and development assistance, to target technical assistance toward: (1) developing relationships between U.S. firms and firms in sub-Saharan Africa; (2) providing assistance to sub-Saharan African countries to liberalize trade and promote exports, bring their regimes into compliance with WTO standards, make financial and fiscal reforms, and promote greater agribusiness linkages; (3) addressing critical agricultural policy issues as market liberalization, agricultural export development, and agribusiness investment in processing and transporting agricultural commodities; (4) increasing the number of reverse trade missions to growth-oriented sub-Saharan African countries; (5) increasing trade in services; and (6) encouraging greater sub-Saharan participation in future WTO negotiations on services and making further commitments in their schedules to the General Agreement on Trade in Services in order to encourage the removal of tariff and nontariff barriers. (Sec. 11) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should exercise its authorities to initiate, in addition to any existing fund, an equity fund or funds in support of projects (including infrastructure projects) in sub-Saharan African countries, particularly projects that expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and employment for the poor. (Sec. 12) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the Board of Directors of OPIC to increase financial assistance in sub-Saharan Africa. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to make similar changes with respect to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. (Sec. 13) Directs the President to establish the position of Assistant United States Trade Representative for African Affairs within the Office of the United States Trade Representative to direct and coordinate interagency activities on U.S.-Africa trade policy and investment matters. (Sec. 14) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations, to take steps to ensure that at least 20 full-time U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service employees are stationed in sub-Saharan Africa, including full-time Service employees stationed in not less than ten different sub-Saharan African countries. Directs the Service to take specified action to encourage the export of U.S. goods and services to sub-Saharan African countries. (Sec. 16) Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the extent appropriate, the U.S. Government should make every effort to donate to governments of eligible sub-Saharan African countries air traffic control equipment that is no longer in use, including appropriate related reimbursable technical assistance for such equipment. (Sec. 17) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa depends in large measure upon the development of a receptive environment for trade and investment, and that to achieve this objective the United States Agency for International Development should continue to support programs which help create this environment; and (2) investments in human resources, development, and implementation of free market policies, including policies to liberalize agricultural markets and improve food security, and the support for the rule of law and democratic governance should continue to be encouraged and enhanced on a bilateral and regional basis. Sets forth congressional declarations with respect to the Development Fund for Africa in providing development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa. (Sec. 19) Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the special accounting rule allowing a taxpayer (otherwise required to use the accrual method) not to accrue any portion of amounts received for qualified personal services which (on the basis of experience) will not be collected, so long as the taxpayer does not charge interest or a penalty for failure to timely pay the amount charged. Limits this exception to the accrual accounting requirement to services in the fields of health, law, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, or consulting. (Sec. 20) Adds to the list of taxable vaccines any conjugate vaccine of streptococcus pneumoniae. Directs the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees on the adequacy of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund to meet future claims made against it.

Financial Freedom Act of 1999

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999

Financial Freedom Act of 1999 - Title I: Broad-Based Tax Relief - Subtitle A: 10-Percent Reduction in Individual Income Tax Rates - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide for the phase-in of a ten percent individual income tax rate. Subtitle B: Marriage Penalty Tax Relief - Phases-in a standard deduction on a joint (married) return equal to twice the deduction of a single (not married) return. (Sec. 112) Makes the modified adjusted gross income limitation applicable in determining the deduction for interest on educational loans on a joint return double the limit of a single return. (Sec. 113) Raises from $100,000 (currently applicable to any filing status) to $160,000 (in the case of a joint return) the adjusted gross income limit applicable to rollovers from regular IRAs to Roth IRAs. Subtitle C: Repeal of Alternative Minimum Tax on Individuals - Phases-in a repeal of the alternative minimum tax for individuals. Title II: Relief from Taxation on Savings and Investments - Excludes from gross income a limited amount of dividends and interest otherwise includible in gross income. (Sec. 202) Reduces the individual capital gains tax rate. (Sec. 203) Applies the capital gains tax rates to capital gains of designated settlement funds. (Sec. 204) Provides, with respect to exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence, for the suspension of the five-year ownership and use requirement during the time that a member (or spouse) of the uniformed services or Foreign Service is on qualified official extended duty (as defined by this Act). (Sec. 205) Treats certain dealer derivative financial instruments, hedging transactions, and supplies as ordinary assets. (Sec. 206) Revises provisions concerning the worthless securities of financial institutions. Title III: Incentives for Business Investment and Job Creation - Phases-in a corporate capital gains tax rate reduction. (Sec. 302) Phases- in a repeal of the alternative minimum tax on corporations. Repeals the 90 percent limitation on the utilization of the foreign tax credit. Title IV: Education Savings Incentives - Renames education individual retirement accounts education savings accounts. Increases to $2,000 the maximum annual contribution allowed to such accounts. Permits tax-free expenditures from such accounts for elementary and secondary education expenses required for attendance at a public, private, or religious school, or for homeschooling that meets State requirements. Waives certain age limitations in cases of children with special needs. Permits corporations to contribute to such accounts. (Sec. 402) Permits private educational institutions to maintain qualified tuition programs which are comparable to qualified State tuition programs. Excludes qualified distributions from such accounts from gross income. (Sec. 403) Excludes from gross income certain amounts received under the National Health Corps Scholarship Program, the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program, the National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program, or any similar State program. (Sec. 404) Increases the amount by which certain governmental bonds used to finance public school capital expenditures may be exempted from specified arbitrage bond provisions. (Sec. 405) Modifies arbitrage rebate rules applicable to public school construction bonds. (Sec. 406) Repeals the 60-month limitation period on the allowance of the interest deduction on loans for higher education expenses. Title V: Health Care Provisions - Phases-in a 100 percent deduction (for both itemizers and nonitemizers) for the health and long- term care insurance costs of individuals not participating in employer-subsidized health plans. (Sec. 502) Permits offering long-term care insurance under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. (Sec. 503) Revises medical savings accounts provisions to: (1) repeal the limitation on the number of accounts; (2) make all employers (currently limited to small employers) eligible to offer accounts; (3) increase contribution deduction amounts; (4) permit employer and employee contributions; (5) reduce high deductible health plan deductibles; and (6) permit accounts to be offered under cafeteria plans. (Sec. 504) Permits a taxpayer an additional exemption for certain elderly family members who need long-term care and who reside with the taxpayer. (Sec. 505) Expands the time frame for human clinical trials qualifying for the orphan drug credit. (Sec. 506) Adds to the list of taxable vaccines any conjugate vaccine of streptococcus pneumoniae. Title VI: Estate Tax Relief - Subtitle A: Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Taxes; Repeal of Step Up in Basis At Death - Repeals the estate tax, gift tax, and the tax on generation-skipping transfers, effective January 1, 2009. (Sec. 602) Terminates, effective January 1, 2009, the current provisions providing for determining the basis of property the acquired from a decedent and sets forth new provisions for determining the basis of certain property acquired from a decedent dying after December 31, 2008. Subtitle B: Reductions of Estate and Gift Tax Rates Prior to Repeal - Sets forth additional estate and gift tax reductions applicable to the period prior to repeal. Subtitle C: Unified Credit Replaced Unified Exemption Amount - Replaces the unified credit with a unified exemption amount. Subtitle D: Modifications of Generation-Skipping Tax - Amends provisions concerning the special rules for allocation of the generation-skipping tax (GST) exemption to provide, as a general rule, that: (1) if any individual makes an indirect skip during such individual's lifetime, any unused portion of such individual's GST exemption shall be allocated to the property transferred to the extent necessary to make the inclusion ratio for such property zero; and (2) if the amount of the indirect skip exceeds such unused portion, the entire unused portion shall be allocated to the property transferred. Title VII: Tax Relief for Distressed Communities and Industries - Subtitle A: American Community Renewal Act of 1999 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 20 renewal communities, of which at least four shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to five qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax deduction; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. Permits a deduction for contributions to a family development account whether or not a taxpayer itemizes. (Sec. 705) Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. (Sec. 706) Sets forth reporting requirements. Subtitle B: Farming Incentive - Disregards any option to accelerate the receipt of any payment under a production flexibility contract which is payable under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, in determining the taxable year for which such payment is properly includible in gross income for purposes of the IRC. Subtitle C: Oil and Gas Incentive - Permits a five-year net operating loss carryback for losses attributable to operating mineral interests of independent oil and gas producers. Subtitle D: Timber Incentive - Increases the maximum permitted amortization of reforestation expenditures. Subtitle E: Steel Industry Incentive - Increases, for steel companies, the credit allowed against the regular tax for prior year minimum tax liability. Title VIII: Relief for Small Businesses - Provides for the deduction of 100 Percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. (Sec. 802) Increases to $30,000 the amount which may be expensed as section 179 property. (Sec. 803) Makes the 6.2 percent Federal Unemployment Tax Act rate effective through calendar year 2004 (currently, 2007) and the 6.0 percent rate effective through calendar year 2005 (currently, 2008). (Sec. 804) Phases-in an 80 percent meal expenses deduction. Title IX: International Tax Relief - Permits, for interest allocation rule purposes, treating each electing worldwide affiliated group an affiliated group. (Sec. 902) Revises provisions concerning the of application of look-thru rules to dividends from noncontrolled section 902 corporations to provide, in general, that any dividend from a noncontrolled section 902 corporation with respect to the taxpayer shall be treated as income in a separate category in proportion to the ratio of: (1) the portion of earnings and profits attributable to income in such category; to (2) the total amount of earnings and profits. (Sec. 903) Excludes from the definition of "foreign base company oil related income" the pipeline transportation of oil or gas within such foreign country. (Sec. 904) Excludes from the definition of "foreign base company services income" income derived in connection with the performance of services which are related to the transmission of high voltage electricity. (Sec. 905) Defines overall domestic loss and sets forth provisions for determining taxable income for any taxpayer sustaining such a loss. (Sec. 906) Repeals the special rule for military property with respect to exempt foreign trade income. (Sec. 907) Exempts from taxation certain regulated investment company dividends received by nonresident aliens. Treats certain regulated investment company stock owned by nonresident noncitizens as non-U.S. property for estate tax purposes. (Sec. 908) Repeals section 907 (Special Rules In Case of Foreign Oil and Gas Income) of the IRC. (Sec. 909) Requires a study and a report on the feasibility of treating all countries in the European Union as one country under subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) of part III (Income From Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N (Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of chapter 1 (Normal Taxes and Surtaxes) of the IRC. (Sec. 910) Permits the President to determine that the continued denial of the foreign tax credit with respect to a foreign country is no longer in the national interests of the United States. (Sec. 911) Treats advance pricing agreements as confidential taxpayer information. (Sec. 912) Phases in an increase in the dollar limitation on the section 911 (Citizens or Residents of the United States Living Abroad) exclusion. Title X: Provisions Relating to Tax-Exempt Organizations - Exempts an organization from income tax if it is created by a State to provide property and casualty insurance coverage for property for which such coverage is otherwise unavailable. (Sec. 1002) Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 to revise the special arbitrage rule. (Sec. 1003) Amends the IRC to disallow a deduction for the transfer of a charitable contribution to or for the use of a State or charitable tax-exempt organization or trust if in connection with such transfer: (1) the organization directly or indirectly pays, or has previously paid, any premium on any personal benefit contract (life insurance, annuity, or endowment contract, also known as charitable split-dollar life insurance) with respect to the transferor; or (2) there is an understanding (side agreement) that any person will directly or indirectly pay any premium on such contract with respect to such transferor. Imposes on such organization an excise tax equal to the premiums paid by it on the personal benefit contract. Provides that certain persons shall not be treated as indirect beneficiaries: (1) in certain cases in which a charitable organization purchases an annuity contract to fund an obligation to pay a charitable gift annuity; or (2) solely by reason of being a noncharitable recipient of an annuity or unitrust amount paid by a charitable remainder trust that holds a life insurance, annuity or endowment contract. (Sec. 1004) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a procedure for exemption from the self- dealing tax. (Sec. 1005) Revises provisions concerning: (1) declaratory judgments relating to tax-exempt organizations; and (2) the special rules for certain amounts of unrelated business taxable income received from controlled entities. Title XI: Real Estate Provisions - Subtitle A: Provisions Relating to Real Estate Investment Trusts - Part I: Treatment of Income and Services Provided by Taxable REIT Subsidiaries - Excludes taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRSs) from the five and ten percent asset tests. (Sec. 1102) Allows TRSs to provide non-customary tenant services. (Sec. 1103) Allows a REIT to establish a TRS (as defined). (Sec. 1104) Includes in the definition of "disqualified interest" (Sec. 163 of the IRC) any interest paid or accrued by a TRS to the REIT. (Sec. 1105) Imposes a 100 percent tax on any interest payments by a TRS to the REIT in excess of the commercially reasonable interest rate. Part II: Health Care REITs - Includes within the definition of the term "foreclosure property" any qualified health care property acquired by a REIT as the result of the termination of a lease of such property. Part III: Conformity With Regulated Investment Company Rules - Changes the distribution requirement from 95 percent to 90 percent. Part IV: Clarification of Exception From Impermissible Tenant Service Income - Provides, with respect to the definition of an independent contractor, that in the event that any class of stock of is regularly traded on an established securities market, only owners who own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent of such class of stock shall be taken into account as owning any of the stock of such class for purposes of applying the 35 percent limitation. Part V: Modification of Earnings and Profits Rules - Provides rules for determining whether a Regulated Investment Company (RIC) has earnings and profits form a non-RIC year. Part VI: Study Relating to Taxable REIT Subsidiaries - Directs the: (1) Commissioner of Internal Revenue shall conduct a study to determine how many taxable REIT subsidiaries are in existence and the aggregate amount of taxes paid by such subsidiaries; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report to Congress describing the results of such study. Subtitle B: Modification of At-Risk Rules for Publicly Traded Securities - Revises, with respect to real property, provisions concerning the treatment under the at-risk rules of publicly traded nonrecourse debt. Subtitle C: Treatment of Construction Allowances and Certain Contributions To Capital of Retailers - Amends provisions which exclude from the gross income of a lessee any amount received in cash by a lessee from a lessor under a short-term lease of retail space used for the purpose of such lessee's constructing or improving long-term real property for use in the lessee's business to makes such exclusion inapplicable under a short-term lease if the lessee is a qualified retail business. (Sec. 1172) Defines the term "contribution to the capital of the taxpayer" to include any amount of money or other property received by the taxpayer if: (1) the taxpayer has entered into an agreement to operate a qualified retail business at a particular location for at least 15 years; (2) immediately after the receipt of such money or other property, the taxpayer owns the land and the structure to be used by the taxpayer in carrying on a qualified retail business at such location, or the taxpayer uses such amount to acquire ownership of at least such land and structure; (3) such amount meets the requirements of the expenditure rule; and (4) the contributor of such amount does not hold a beneficial interest in any property located on the premises of such qualified retail business other than de minimis amounts of property associated with the operation of property adjacent to such premises. Defines the terms "expenditure rule" and "qualified retail business." Title XII: Provisions Relating to Pensions - Subtitle A: Expanding Coverage - Increases the $90,000 limit on defined benefit plans to $160,000. Changes the age from which such limit will be reduced from the social security retirement age to 62 and the age from which the limit will be increased from the social security retirement age to 65. Increases the $30,000 limit for defined benefit contribution plans to $40,000. Increases the $150,000 compensation limit to $200,000. Increases the elective deferral limit to $15,000. (Sec. 1202) Eliminates certain current rules concerning plan loans made to an owner-employee. (Sec. 1203) Revises the definition of a top-heavy plan and a key employee for purposes of the special rules for top-heavy plans. Takes into account: (1) matching contributions for minimum contribution requirements; and (2) distributions during the last year before the determination date. (Sec. 1204) Provides that elective deferral contributions are not subject to deduction limits. (Sec. 1205) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide that, during the first five years of a new single-employer plan of a small employer (100 or fewer employees), the flat rate Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC) premium will be five dollars per plan participant. Provides for a reduced additional PGBC variable premium for new and small employers. (Sec. 1207) Repeals specified coordination requirements under the Code for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 1208) Eliminates user fee requirements for requests to the IRS concerning the status of pension plans. (Sec. 1209) Revises the definition of compensation, for purposes of the deduction rules, to include salary reduction amounts treated as a participant's compensation. (Sec. 1210) Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as plus contributions. Defines such contributions. (Sec. 1211) Phases-in an increase in the minimum annual benefit permitted under a defined benefit contribution plan. Subtitle B: Enhancing Fairness for Women - Allows additional salary reduction catch-up contributions for those approaching retirement under IRC requirements relating to: (1) elective deferrals; (2) simple retirement accounts; and (3) deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 1222) Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Requires that certain contributions by church plans are not to be treated as exceeding a specified limit. (Sec. 1223) Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions. (Sec. 1224) Revises minimum distribution rules under the IRC. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) simplify and finalize the regulations relating to minimum distribution requirements; and (2) modify such regulations to reflect increases in life expectancy, and revise required distribution methods so that, under reasonable assumptions, the amount of the required minimum distribution does not decrease over a participant's life expectancy. Provides that, during the first year that such revised regulations are in effect, required distributions for future years may be redetermined, with the opportunity to choose a new designated beneficiary and to elect a new method of calculating life expectancy. (Sec. 1225) Revises requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. Subtitle C: Increasing Portability for Participants - Permits rollovers from and to various types of plans under the IRC. (Sec. 1232) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers only if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 1233) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust under specified conditions. (Sec. 1234) Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. (Sec. 1235) Sets forth requirements for treatment of forms of distribution available under transferor and transferee plans, under the IRC. (Sec. 1236) Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. (Sec. 1237) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. (Sec. 1238) Allows employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out amounts, under retirement plan provisions of the Code and ERISA. (Sec. 1239) Revises minimum distribution and inclusion requirements for section 457 plans. Subtitle D: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Amends the IRC to revise the percentage of current liability funding limit. (Sec. 1242) Revises maximum contribution deduction rules and applies them to all defined benefit plans under the IRC. (Sec. 1243) Amends ERISA to revise requirements relating to missing participants. Directs the PBGC to prescribe rules relating to missing participants for multiemployer plans covered by the PBGC that terminate. Allows the administrator of a plan not otherwise subject to such PBGC regulation to elect to transfer a missing participant's benefits to the PBGC upon termination of the plan, under specified conditions. (Sec. 1244) Amends the IRC to allow an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent that they exceed the full-funding limitation. (Sec. 1245) Imposes an excise tax on a plan failing to provide required notice of a significant reduction in the rate of future benefit accrual. Subtitle E: Reducing Regulatory Burdens -Repeals a multiple use test. Directs the Secretary prescribe regulations permitting appropriate aggregation of plans and contributions. (Sec. 1252) Amends the Code and ERISA to revise requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. (Sec. 1253) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify regulations in order to expand the ability of a pension plan to demonstrate compliance with the nondiscrimination and line of business requirements. (Sec. 1254) Amends ERISA rules for substantial owners relating to plan terminations to revise: (1) the phase-in of the guarantee; and (2) the allocation of assets. (Sec. 1255) Amends IRC requirements for applicable dividends to allow dividends of employee stock ownership plans to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. (Sec. 1256) Revises the notice and consent period regarding distributions. Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations to provide that the description of a participant's right, if any, to defer receipt of a distribution shall also describe the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 1257) Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. (Sec. 1258) Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities under the IRC. (Sec. 1259) Excludes qualified retirement planning services from gross income (as a fringe benefit). (Sec. 1260) Prescribes requirements for plan amendments or annuity contract amendments under the IRC. (Sec. 1261) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue model defined contribution and benefit plans that fit the needs of small businesses. (Sec. 1262) Directs the Secretary to provide for the filing of a simplified annual return in the case of a retirement plan covering less than 25 employees. (Sec. 1263) Directs the Secretary to continue to update and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System. Title XIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Subtitle A: Provisions Primarily Affecting Individuals - Provides that the exclusion of State or local government foster care payments from the gross income of foster care providers shall also apply to payments by qualifying placement agencies. (Sec. 1302) Excludes from an individual's gross income amounts received as reimbursement regarding the use of a passenger automobile for the benefit of a charitable organization. Relieves the organization of certain reporting requirements regarding the reimbursements. (Sec. 1303) Requires a W-2 to include employer Social Security taxes paid. Subtitle B: Provisions Primarily Affecting Businesses - Includes income from publicly traded partnerships as qualifying income of regulated investment companies. Excludes distributions from the source-based inclusion limitation applicable to other partnerships. (Sec. 1312) Applies specified passive activity provisions for publicly traded partnerships to regulated investment companies. (Sec. 1313) Makes certain large electric trucks, vans and buses eligible for the $50,000 deduction clean-fuel property deduction, but not the $4,000 electric vehicle credit. (Sec. 1314) Modifies the special rules concerning nuclear decommissioning costs. (Sec. 1315) Repeals certain provisions concerning the filing of consolidated returns by insurance companies. Subtitle C: Provisions Relating to Excise Taxes - Combines the Hazardous Substance Superfund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund (LUST) into the Environmental Remediation Trust Fund (established by this Act). (Sec. 1322) Repeals the: (1) LUST taxes on fuel used in trains; and (2) 4.3-cents- per-gallon General Fund excise tax on diesel fuel used by railroads and on fuels used by barges operating on designated inland waterways. (Sec. 1323) Repeals the excise tax on fishing tackle boxes. Subtitle D: Other Provisions - Amends IRC provisions concerning State private activity bond volume limits to repeal the adjustment for years after 1987. (Sec. 1332) Permits, in general, an electing Alaska Native Settlement Trust to exclude contributions, during the year of contribution, from the gross income of a beneficiary. Subtitle E: Tax Court Provisions - Authorizes the Tax Court to charge a filing fee of up to $60 in all cases commenced by petition. (Sec. 1342) Authorizes the Tax Court to make the $30 practice fee available to pro se taxpayers. (Sec. 1343) Permits the Tax Court to apply the doctrine of equitable recoupment to the same extent that it is available in civil tax cases. Title XIV: Extensions of Expiring Provisions - Extends, for five years, the: (1) research credit; (2) subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) exemption for active income financing; (3) taxable income limit on percentage depletion for marginal oil and gas wells; and (4) work opportunity credit and the welfare-to-work credit. Title XV: Revenue Offsets - Amends provisions involving returns relating to the cancellation of indebtedness by certain entities to include within the definition of "applicable financial entity" any organization a significant trade or business of which is the lending of money. (Sec. 1502) Directs the Secretary to establish a program requiring the payment of user fees for requests to the IRS for ruling letters, opinion letters, determination letters, and other similar requests. Terminates fees October 1, 2007. (Sec. 1503) Modifies rules relating to the exemption of certain ten or more employer plans from welfare benefit fund provisions. (Sec. 1504) Increases the withholding rate for nonperiodic distributions from 10 to 15 percent. (Sec. 1505) Makes a controlled entity ineligible to be a REIT. Defines "controlled entity." (Sec. 1506) Treats a gain as an ordinary gain to the extent such gain exceeds the net underlying long-term capital gain where the taxpayer has gain from a constructive ownership transaction with respect to any financial position and such gain otherwise would be treated as a long-term capital gain. Provides that, to the extent such gain is treated as a long-term capital gain after the application of the previous sentence, the determination of the applicable capital gain rate (or rates) shall be determined on the basis of the respective rate (or rates) that would have been applicable to the net underlying long-term capital gain. Sets forth definitions and exceptions. (Sec. 1507) Prohibits transfers of excess pension assets to retiree health account made after September 30, 2009 (currently, after December 31, 2000), from being treated as qualified transfers. (Sec. 1508) Prohibits, in general, the use of the installment method of accounting for accrual method dispositions. Title XVI: Technical Corrections - Sets forth amendments concerning, among other things: (1) the Tax and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998; (2) the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; (3) the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; (4) the treatment of worthless securities of affiliated corporations; (5) the IRA contribution amount of the lesser earning spouse; (6) modified endowment contracts; (7) lump-sum distributions; and (8) tentative carryback adjustments of losses from section 1256 contracts.

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of the Treasury Title II: Postal Service Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President Title IV: Independent Agencies Title V: General Provisions Title VI: General Provisions Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 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, 2000 - 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) violent crime reduction programs; (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 an amount for operations and maintenance of marine vessels and aircraft; (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. 116) Authorizes the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, from October 1, 1999, through January 1, 2003, to offer voluntary separation incentives to specified employees to carry out the plan to reorganize the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. (Sec. 119) Permits the Commissioner of the Financial Management Service, from October 1, 1999, through January 31, 2000, to offer such incentives to specified employees to carry out the closure of the Chicago Financial Center in a manner deemed efficient, equitable to employees, and cost-effective. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, prior to obligating resources for voluntary separation incentive payments, to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a strategic plan outlining the intended use of such payments and a proposed organizational chart for the agency once such payments have been completed. Provides for approval of such plan by the OMB Director. Permits such payments only in accordance with the strategic plan. Reduces the total number of funded employee positions in the agency by one position for each vacancy created by the separation of any employee who has received such a payment unless OMB believes that the agency plan demonstrates that the positions would better be used to reallocate occupations or reshape the workforce and produce a more cost-effective result. Title II: Postal Service - Postal Service Appropriations Act, 2000 - 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, 2000 - Makes appropriations for: (1) compensation of thePresident 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) specialassistance to the President and the official residence of the Vice President; (5) the Council ofEconomic Advisers; (6) the Office of Policy Development; (7) the National Security Council; (8) the Office of Administration; (9) OMB; (10) the Office of National Drug Control Policy;(11) Federal drug control programs, including amounts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and for a national anti-drug campaign for youth; and (12) unanticipated needs in furtherance of the national interest, security, or defense. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 - 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. 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, 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; (10) the Office of Special Counsel; and (11) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Rescinds a specified amount of funds made available for the National Historical Publications And Records Commission grants program. Establishes a revolving fund in the Treasury to be available for expenses and equipment necessary to provide for storage and related services for all temporary and pre-archival Federal records to be stored or stored at Federal National and Regional Records Centers by Federal agencies. Appropriates funds for the fund's initial capitalization. Credits the fund with user charges received from other Federal Government accounts as payment for providing personnel, storage, materials, supplies, equipment, and services. Requires the National Archives and Records Administration to provide quarterly reports on the fund to specified congressional committees. 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 to pay 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. 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. 628) 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. 634) Prohibits the use of funds made available in any Act for the implementation of Federal criminal code provisions regarding a national instant criminal background check system unless the system allows, in connection with the delivery of a firearm to a Federal firearms licensee as collateral for a loan, the check to be performed at the time the collateral is offered and provided that: (1) the licensee notifies local law enforcement within 48 hours of receiving a denial on the person offering collateral; and (2) such criminal code provisions apply at the time of the firearm's redemption. (Sec. 635) 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. 638)Establishes a Chief Financial Officer within the Executive Office of the President, to be appointed by the President. (Sec. 639) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to direct the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to promulgate a regulation requiring the electronic filing (accessible by computers) of any required designation, statement, or report, if the person required to file the designation, statement, or report has, or has reason to expect to have, aggregate contributions or expenditures in excess of an FEC-determined threshold amount. Requires the regulation to allow an electronic or alternative filing by any person not required to make such filing. Requires the FEC to make any filing accessible to the public on the Internet within 24 hours after receipt. (Sec. 640) Authorizes the FEC, in the case of a violation of any requirement for the reporting of receipts or disbursements: (1) to find (after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record) that a person committed such a violation on the basis of information obtained pursuant to specified current procedures; and (2) based on such finding, to require the person to pay a civil money penalty in an amount determined under a schedule of penalties the FEC establishes and publishes, which takes into account the amount of the violation involved, the existence of previous violations by the person, and such other factors as the FEC considers appropriate. Provides for judicial review of any adverse determination in the appropriate U.S. district court. (Sec. 641) Requires election cycle reporting in the case of an authorized committee of a candidate for Federal office. (Sec. 643) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds by executive agencies to provide child care services for Federal civilian employees. (Sec. 644) Increases the President's annual compensation. (Sec. 646) Transfers all personnel of the General Accounting Office employed to carry out the functions of the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program to GSA. (Sec. 648) Expresses the sense of the Congress that there should continue to be parity between the adjustments in compensation of members of the uniformed services and U.S. civilian employees.

Eastern Santa Clara Basin Water Quality Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1999

Eastern Santa Clara Basin Water Quality Act - Establishes in the Treasury an Eastern Santa Clara Basin Restoration Fund to be administered by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, in cooperation with the city of Santa Clarita, California, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the Castaic Lake Water Agency. Requires that the proceeds from such Fund be used for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water quality projects that: (1) are related to sites that are sources of perchlorates or any associated contaminants; (2) are located in Santa Clarita; and (3) potentially affect the Eastern Santa Clara groundwater basin. Authorizes appropriations for such Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to accept and administer in cooperation with Santa Clarita, the Department, and the Agency any funds which the State of California, local government agencies, or private entities may contribute to such Fund. Requires the Secretary to integrate the water projects with other Federal and State water projects in and around the Eastern Santa Clara groundwater basin. Prohibits counting any of the funds made available for such projects as part of the Federal share of any previously authorized Federal project or activity. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with State and local government agencies, to participate in studies and other investigative activities and in the planning and design of projects that offer a long-term solution to groundwater contamination caused by perchlorates. Authorizes appropriations and provides that no less than $2 million per fiscal year of such appropriated amounts shall be for projects located in Santa Clarita conducted in cooperation with the Agency.