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Bill· SS. 2503 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Renewable Fuels Act of 2000 - Amends provisions of the Clean Air Act regarding motor vehicle emission and fuel standards to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control or prohibit the introduction into commerce, manufacture, or sale of fuels or fuel additives if such a fuel or additive or its emission product causes or contributes to air, water, or soil pollution that may be anticipated to endanger the public health or welfare or the environment (currently, if any emission product causes or contributes to air pollution that may be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare). Prohibits States or political subdivisions, except as otherwise provided, from prescribing or enforcing any control or prohibition on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a fuel additive in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine for purposes of motor vehicle emission control or water or soil quality protection. Adds water or soil quality protection to the list of purposes for which States may prescribe or enforce controls or prohibitions on fuel or fuel additives in certain circumstances. Requires States seeking to prescribe or enforce such controls or prohibitions for water or soil quality protection (in cases where the State implementation plan for attainment of national ambient air quality standards so provides) to petition the Administrator for authority to take such action. Sets forth criteria for granting such petitions, including that the authority is necessary to protect the environment or public health or welfare or is not likely to have an adverse effect on fuel availability or price that outweighs any benefits associated with the control or prohibition. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations applicable to gasoline refiners, blenders, or importers to ensure that gasoline sold or introduced into commerce in an area after January 1, 2004, has an MTBE content at a level that: (1) may not be reasonably anticipated to endanger natural resources and the public health; and (2) does not exceed the annual average volume of MTBE per gallon of gasoline used in the area before 1995. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Administrator to adjust the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) performance standard with respect to the use of reformulated gasoline in specified nonattainment areas in the case of a fuel formulation that achieves reductions in the quantity of mass emissions of carbon monoxide that are greater than or less than the reductions associated with such a gasoline that contains 2.0 percent oxygen by weight and meets other applicable requirements. Bases the adjustment amount on the effect on ozone concentrations of the combined reductions in VOC and carbon monoxide emissions. Permits the Administrator to waive the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline for any ozone nonattainment area if a State Governor submits an application that: (1) demonstrates that the State is in full compliance with Federal regulations concerning the control and prevention of leaking underground storage tanks (USTs); or (2) provides a plan that outlines the measures the State will take to fully comply with the UST regulations by no later than two years after such application is received. Limits the aromatic hydrocarbon content of reformulated gasoline to 22 (currently, 25) percent by volume. 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, including toxics, 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). (Sec. 4) 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. 5) Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for gasoline renewable source (including biomass ethanol) content requirements applicable to refiners, blenders, or importers. Increases such requirement annually to require a content of 1.3 percent in 2000 and 3.3 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 or a quantity of biomass ethanol that exceeds applicable requirements. Authorizes the use or transfer of such credits for compliance purposes. Permits the Administrator to waive renewable source content requirements on petition by a State and upon determining that: (1) implementation of the requirements would severely harm the U.S. or a State or regional economy or environment; or (2) there is an inadequate domestic supply or distribution capacity to meet such requirements. Terminates waivers after one year but authorizes renewals. Permits renewable source content regulations to provide exemptions for small refiners. 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. Requires the Administrator to promulgate renewable source content regulations applicable to diesel fuel. 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 or 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 and specified Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning alcohol fuels. (Sec. 6) Changes references to calendar year 1990 to 1999 in reformulated gasoline provisions concerning anti-dumping. Updates the baseline from 1990 to 1999 for purposes of such provisions. (Sec. 7) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the EPA Administrator to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for paying reasonable costs incurred under cooperative agreements with States of: (1) certain corrective actions and compensation programs; (2) administrative expenses directly related to such programs; or (3) enforcement of State or local requirements regulating USTs. Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement a strategy to take corrective action in response to releases from leaking USTs located within the exterior boundaries of an Indian reservation or another area within tribal jurisdiction; and (2) enforce requirements regulating such USTs. Requires the Administrator to conduct studies to: (1) determine the corrosive effects of MTBE and other widely used fuels and fuel additives on USTs; and (2) assess the potential public health and environmental risks associated with the use of aboveground storage tanks and the effectiveness of State and Federal regulations or voluntary standards to provide adequate public health and environmental protection. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Agriculture, States, local governments, private landowners, and other interested parties to establish voluntary pilot projects to protect the water quality of private wells and provide technical assistance to users of water from such wells.
Bill· SS. 2505 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Telehealth Improvement and Modernization Act of 2000 - Revises the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to: (1) revise telehealth payment methodology; (2) eliminate certain fee-sharing requirements; (3) eliminate the requirement for a telepresenter; (4) revise reimbursement guidelines for Medicare beneficiaries who do not reside in a health professional shortage area to include eligible telehealth beneficiaries; (5) modify telehealth coverage for direct patient care; (6) redefine physicians and practitioners eligible for telehealth reimbursement; (7) include certain store-and-forward technologies in Federal telemedicine demonstration programs in Alaska or Hawaii; and (8) permit a home health agency to furnish a home health service via a telecommunications system under certain conditions.
Law· HRH.R. 4386 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give States the option of making medical assistance for breast and cervical cancer-related treatment services available during a presumptive eligibility period to certain low-income women without creditable coverage who have already been screened for such cancers under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breast and cervical cancer early detection program and need treatment. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Food and Drug Act) with regard to human papillomavirus (HPV). Outlines various surveillance (including study), prevention, and educational measures concerning HPV. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) under PHSA to require all its publicly available informational materials related to condoms or sexually transmitted diseases to specifically state the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of condoms in preventing the transmission of HPV, herpes, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Requires under the Food and Drug Act that the labeling of condoms indicate that condoms do not effectively prevent the transmission of HPV and that such virus can cause cervical cancer.
Bill· HRH.R. 4390 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2000 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (MediKids Program) under which an eligible individual born after December 31, 2001, who has not attained age 23 may enroll in the MediKids Program for entitlement to benefits specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Includes among such benefits the following: (1) at least the same benefits available under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) under SSA title XVIII; (2) early and periodic screening, diagnostic services, and treatment services under Medicaid (SSA title XIX); and (3) prescription drugs and biologicals. Provides for cost-sharing, a payment schedule for covered benefits, and a monthly MediKids premium and the means for payment of it. Provides for a reduction in premium for certain low-income families. (Sec. 2) Creates in the Treasury the MediKids Trust Fund (Trust Fund) for collected premiums, appropriated amounts, and other revenues for use in funding the coverage provided under the MediKids Program and maintaining its financial solvency. Authorizes the Secretary to implement a care coordination services program including specified elements under which eligible individuals may elect to have health care services covered under new SSA title XXII managed and coordinated by a designated care coordinator. Sets forth administration and miscellaneous provisions applicable to new SSA title XXII, including provisions for coordination with Medicaid and SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) and the maintenance of Medicaid eligibility and benefits for children. Amends SSA title XVIII to increase the membership of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission from 17 to 19 members, with the initial terms of additional members staggered. (Sec. 3) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a MediKids premium tax in the case of any taxpayer required to pay a premium under the MediKids Program for an eligible individual; and (2) provide for a refundable tax credit for cost-sharing expenses under the MediKids Program. (Sec. 5) Mandates deposit in the Treasury of any amounts: (1) recovered by the United States in the civil action brought on September 22, 1999, under the Medical Care Recovery Act and other specified provisions of Federal law in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the tobacco industry and associated parties; and (2) attributable to expenditures of HHS for tobacco-related illnesses. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to propose a gradual schedule of progressive tax changes to fund the MediKids program as the number of enrollees grows in the out-years.
Bill· HRH.R. 4377 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2000 - Requires: (1) Governors of each State receiving monies from the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (established under this Act) to report on June 15 of each year to the Secretaries of the Interior or of Agriculture, as appropriate, accounting for the money received for the previous fiscal year, including the funded projects and activities; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to Congress on monies the Departments of the Interior and of Agriculture have spent out of the Fund, including a summary of such Governors' reports. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (CRAF). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into CRAF certain Outer Continental Shelf revenues, undisbursed amounts under title I of this Act, and certain interest earned on CRAF investments. Transfers all amounts deposited into the CRAF as follows: (1) to the Secretary of the Interior for payment of $1 billion to States for impact assistance and coastal conservation, $125 million for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, $100 million for the National Historic Preservation Act, and $50 million to develop and implement Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements; (2) to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture for payment of $200 million for Federal and Indian land restoration; (3) to the Secretary of Agriculture $100 million to carry out the farmland protection program under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, and the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program and the Forest Legacy Program established under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; (4) to the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the amount of $900 million; and (5) to the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund (FAWRF) established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in the amount of $350 million. Provides that any shortfalls less than $2.825 billion in a fiscal year, after FY 2000, proportionally reduce such sums for that fiscal year. (Sec. 6) Limits the amount available for administrative expenses to two percent. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect the prohibition contained in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (as amended by this Act) that bars the use of funds transferred to the FAWRF by this Act for administrative or execution of program expenses. (Sec. 8) States that it is the intent of Congress that States not use this Act as an opportunity to reduce State or local resources for the programs funded by this Act. Prohibits a State or local government from receiving funds under this Act during any fiscal year: (1) when its expenditures of non-Federal funds for recurrent expenditures for programs for which such funding is provided will be less than its expenditures were for such programs during the preceding fiscal year; or (2) for a program unless the Secretary of the Interior is satisfied that such a grant will be used to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of State, local, or other non-Federal funds available for such program. Exempts a State or local government from such prohibition if the Secretary determines that a reduction in expenditures is: (1) attributable to a non-selective reduction in the expenditures in the programs of all executive branch agencies of such entity; or (2) a result of reductions in State or local revenue as a result of a downturn in the economy. Treats all funds received by a State or local government under this Act as Federal funds for purposes of compliance with provisions in effect under other law requiring that non-Federal funds be used to provide a portion of the funding for any program or project. (Sec. 10) Prohibits: (1) the taking of private property in whole or in part, without just compensation; and (2) Federal agencies, using funds appropriated by this Act, from applying any regulation on any lands until the lands or water or an interest therein is acquired, unless authorized to do so by another Act of Congress. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to design a standardized sign and, where appropriate, require its installation at sites receiving funds under this Act. Title I: Impact Assistance and Coastal Conservation - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to allocate such transferred CRAF payments to coastal States for impact assistance and coastal conservation only if such States have: (1) a Secretary-approved Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan; (2) agreed to provide specified reports; and (3) certain necessary fiscal control and fund accounting procedures. (Sec. 101) Sets forth the formula for allocating such funds to coastal States and coastal political subdivisions. (Sec. 102) Requires the development and submission of a Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan by each coastal State seeking to receive grants under this title (and in the case of a producing State, the Governor) to incorporate the plans of the coastal political subdivisions into the Statewide plan for transmittal to the Secretary of the Interior for approval or disapproval before the disbursement of CRAF funds. Specifies authorized uses of the CRAF funds. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to provide that all CRAF funds transferred to the Land and Water Conservation Fund shall be covered into the Fund. (Sec. 203) Makes $900 million available each fiscal year after FY 2001 for expenditure without further appropriation, to be allocated as follows: (1) 50 percent for Federal purposes; and (2) 50 percent for State grants. (Sec. 205) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of the Federal portion of such funds for any land or water interest acquisition except those specified and approved by Congress in the appropriate appropriations Act. Prescribes: (1) a procedure for preparing and transmitting to Congress of a list of proposed Federal acquisitions; and (2) notification to specified officials of affected areas with respect to such proposed acquisitions. (Sec. 206) Revises the formula used to allocate amounts made available for State purposes from the Fund each fiscal year. Requires reapportionment of such funds to other States. Makes all federally recognized Indian tribes, or in the case of Alaska, Native Corporations eligible to receive shares of such apportionment in accordance with a competitive grant program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires each State, with an exception, to make available as grants to local governments at least 50 percent of its annual apportionment or an equivalent amount made available from other sources. (Sec. 207) Revises the requirement that a State have a comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan as a prerequisite to consideration by the Secretary of the Interior of financial assistance for acquisition or development projects. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor conservation and recreation acquisition and development projects eligible for grants under this Act if the priorities and criteria defined are consistent with the purposes of this Act, the State provides for public involvement in this process, and publishes an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community Conservation and Recreation, within five years after enactment of this Act, indicating the needs it has identified and the priorities and criteria it has established. Allows an existing Comprehensive State Plan to remain in effect until the appropriate State adopts a State Action Agenda. (Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to approve, subject to certain conditions, the conversion of property (other than for public outdoor recreation use) acquired or developed with assistance under the Act only if the State demonstrates no prudent or feasible alternative exists. Exempts from such requirement those properties that no longer meet the criteria within the State Plan or Agenda as an outdoor conservation and recreation facility due to changes in demographics, or that must be abandoned because of environmental contamination which endangers public health and safety. (Sec. 210) Provides that nothing in this title shall affect any State or Federal water law or an interstate compact governing water, alter any allocations of water rights, or create any new water rights. Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require CRAF funds transferred for FAWRA purposes to be deposited in a new subaccount in the FAWRF, to be made available without further appropriation, for apportionment in each fiscal year for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. (Sec. 304) Sets forth requirements for: (1) apportionment of such subaccount funds; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. Prohibits such funds from being used for expenses incurred in the administration and execution of programs. Limits to ten percent the use of such funds for wildlife-associated recreation. (Sec. 305) Allows the subaccount funds to be used for a wildlife conservation education program. Exempts education efforts, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife. (Sec. 306) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes. Title IV: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Amendments - Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to make transferred CRAF funds available to the Secretary of the Interior, without further appropriation, to assist local governments in improving their park and recreation systems. Sets forth limits on the use of such funds. (Sec. 404) Provides for the development of new recreation areas and facilities (including the acquisition of lands for such development) under the urban park and recreation recovery program. (Sec. 406) Revises requirements for: (1) Federal assistance grant eligibility; (2) matching grants to local governments for rehabilitation, development, acquisition, and innovation purposes; (3) local park and recreation recovery action programs; (4) State action incentives; and (5) conversion of recreation property for any other purposes other than public recreation purposes. (Sec. 411) Repeals sunset provisions and congressional reporting requirements with respect to: (1) the impact of the urban park and recreation recovery program; and (2) the annual achievements of the innovation grant program. Title V: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to provide that amounts transferred from the CRAF each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Historic Preservation Fund to be available without further appropriation to carry out the Act. (Sec. 501) Requires at least one half of the funds obligated or expended each fiscal year under this Act to be used for preservation projects on historic properties (giving priority to the preservation of endangered historic properties). (Sec. 502) Authorizes a State to provide financial assistance to the management entity for any national heritage area or national heritage corridor to support cooperative historic preservation planning and development. Title VI: Federal and Indian Lands Restoration - Makes CRAF funds transferred to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture available to be used as a dedicated source of funding for a coordinated program on Federal and Indian lands to restore degraded lands, protect resources that are threatened with degradation, and protect public health and safety. Allocates: (1) 60 percent to the Secretary of the Interior for lands within the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management; (2) 30 percent to the Secretary of Agriculture for lands within the National Forest System; and (3) ten percent to the Secretary of the Interior for competitive grants to qualified Indian tribes (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health). (Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) each establish priority lists for the use of funds (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health or safety); and (2) jointly establish a coordinated program for tracking the progress of activities carried out with amounts made available by this title and determining the extent to which demonstrable results are being achieved. Title VII: Farmland Protection Program and Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Subtitle A: Farmland Protection Program - Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to revise requirements for the farmland protection program. Repeals the mandate that the Secretary purchase conservation easements or other interests in lands with prime, unique, or other productive soil subject to a pending offer from a State or local government. Authorizes the Secretary, instead, to provide matching grants, under specified conditions, to State or local governments, Indian tribes, or certain private organizations to provide the Federal share of up to 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing permanent conservation easements in such lands or conservation easements or other interests in such lands when they are subject to a pending offer from a State or local government. (Sec. 702) Provides that CRAF funds transferred to the Secretary under this Act in a fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary, without further appropriations, to carry out the programs specified in section five of this Act. Subtitle B: Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Makes CRAF funds transferred from the CRAF for this title in a fiscal year available to the Secretary of the Interior without further appropriations, in that fiscal year, to provide financial assistance to persons for development and implementation of Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into under this title. Requires the Secretary to give priority to the development and implementation of Agreements that: (1) implement actions identified under recovery plans approved by the Secretary; (2) have the greatest potential for contributing to the recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and (3) require use of the assistance on land owned by a small landowner. (Sec. 713) Prohibits the Secretary from providing financial assistance for any action that is required by a permit or an incidental take statement issued under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or that is otherwise required under Federal law. (Sec. 714) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into such Agreements and sets forth Agreement requirements, including: (1) requiring activities not otherwise mandated by law that contribute to species recovery; and (2) specifying species recovery goals. Requires the Secretary to review Agreements in compliance, periodically monitor the implementation of each Agreement, and disburse financial assistance to implement the Agreement.
Bill· SS. 2501 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Generic Pharmaceutical Access and Choice for Consumers Act of 2000 - Title I: Encouragement of the Use of Generic Drugs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require each grant or contract entered into under the Act that involves the provision of health care items or services to individuals to include provisions to ensure that, to the extent feasible, any prescriptions provided for under such grant or contract are filled by providing the generic form of the drug involved, unless the nongeneric form of the drug is either specifically ordered by the prescribing provider or requested by the individual for whom the drug is prescribed. Makes similar changes under the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, Medicare program, Medicaid program, and programs affecting Indians, veterans, the uniformed services, and prisoners. Title II: Therapeutic Equivalence Requirements for Generic Drugs - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that for each abbreviated drug application file there shall be a determination as to whether the new drug for which the application is filed is the therapeutic equivalent of a listed drug prior to the approval of the application. Title III: Generic Pharmaceuticals and Medicare Reform - Expresses the sense of the Senate that legislative language requiring, to the extent feasible, a preference for the safe and cost-effective use of generic pharmaceuticals should be considered in conjunction with any legislation that adds a comprehensive prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 302 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Declares the sense of the Senate that the Health Care Financing Administration should: (1) consider the unique nature of the emergency medical services (EMS) delivery system in New Jersey when implementing new reimbursement guidelines for paramedics and hospitals under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) promote innovative EMS systems enacted by States that reduce reimbursement costs to the Medicare program while ensuring that all residents receive quick and appropriate emergency care when needed.
Law· HRH.R. 4365 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Children's Health Act of 2000 - Title I: Autism - Subtitle A: Surveillance and Research Regarding Prevalence and Pattern of Autism - Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research, and Epidemiology Act of 2000 (ASSURE) - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants and cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Mandates establishment, through grants or cooperative agreements, of three to five centers of excellence in autism and pervasive developmental disorders epidemiology to collect and analyze autism information. Requires that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) serve as the coordinating agency for autism and pervasive development disorders surveillance through the establishment of a clearinghouse for data generated from the monitoring programs created under this subtitle. Mandates establishment of an Advisory Committee for Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Epidemiology Research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Expansion, Intensification, and Coordination of Autism Activities of National Institutes of Health With Respect to Autism - Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act of 2000 - Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH activities regarding autism. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that there is in operation an interagency Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all Department of Health and Human Services efforts concerning autism, including activities carried out through the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Requires the Director, among other things, to make awards of grants or contracts to public or nonprofit entities for centers of excellence regarding research on autism. Requires the Director to establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the general public. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Title II: Research and Development Regarding Fragile X - Fragile X Research Breakthrough Act of 2000 - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to: (1) expand, intensify, and coordinate the Institute's activities respecting research on the mental retardation disease known as fragile X; and (2) make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit entities for the development and operation of at least three centers for fragile X research. Requires each center to conduct basic and clinical research, which may include clinical trials of new or improved diagnostic methods and drugs or other treatment approaches. Allows such centers to use grant funds to provide fees to individuals serving as subjects in clinical trials. Requires the Director to provide for the coordination of the centers' activities, including the exchange of information. Requires each center to use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions. Allows support to be provided to a center for up to five years, with authorized extensions. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to enter into contracts with qualified health professionals who agree to conduct fragile X research in return for repayment (up to $35,000 for each year of service) of such health professionals' educational loans. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Juvenile Arthritis and Related Conditions - Requires the Directors of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases to expand and intensify their respective programs of research and related activities concerning juvenile arthritis and related conditions. Directs the Secretary, through the appropriate agencies of the Public Health Service, to develop a coordinated effort to help ensure that a national infrastructure is in place to train and develop pediatric rheumatologists. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Reducing Burden of Diabetes Among Children and Youth - Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a system to collect data on juvenile diabetes, including its incidence and prevalence, and to establish a national database for such data; and (2) implement a national public health effort to address type 2 diabetes in youth. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to conduct or support long-term epidemiological studies concerning type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Directs the Secretary to: (1) support regional clinical centers for the cure of juvenile diabetes; and (2) provide for a national effort to develop a vaccine for type 1 diabetes. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Asthma Treatment Services for Children - Children's Asthma Relief Act of 2000 - Subtitle A: Treatment - Directs the Secretary to award grants to: (1) provide access to medical care for children who live in areas with a high asthma prevalence and lack access to medical care; (2) provide on-site education to parents, children, health care providers, and medical teams to recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma and to train them in the use of medications to treat asthma and prevent its exacerbations; (3) decrease preventable trips to the emergency room by making medication available to individuals who have not previously had access to treatment or education in asthma management; and (4) provide other direct and support services that ameliorate conditions that exacerbate or induce asthma. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Prevention Activities - Amends the Act to include, within the preventive health and health services block grant, any system for reducing asthma and asthma-related illnesses, especially with regard to children, through urban cockroach pest management in public facilities through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. Subtitle C: Coordination of Federal Activities - Requires the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Director 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 appropriate congressional committees on ways to strengthen and improve Federal coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Compilation of Data - Requires the Secretary 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 publish annually data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally. Title VI: Birth Defects Prevention Activities - Subtitle A: Folic Acid - Folic Acid Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program, directly or through grants or contracts, for professional and public education and training, research, and epidemiological activities regarding folic acid and birth defects. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Establishes a National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on birth defects; (2) operate centers for the conduct of applied epidemiological research on prevention of those defects; and (3) provide birth defect prevention information and education to the public. 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, and disability prevention. Title VII: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment Regarding Hearing Loss in Infants - Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2000 - Mandates grants or cooperative agreements to: (1) develop statewide newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems; and (2) provide technical assistance to State agencies to complement an intramural program and to conduct applied research related to newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems. Requires NIH to continue a program of research and development on the efficacy of new screening techniques and technology. Mandates Federal coordination and collaboration with State and local agencies, consumer groups, national medical, health, and education specialty organizations, deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and their families, qualified professional personnel, and related commercial industries. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Children and Epilepsy - Directs the Secretary, directly or through grants or contracts, to develop and implement public health surveillance, education, research, and intervention strategies to improve the lives of persons with epilepsy, with emphasis on children. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments for demonstration projects to improve access to health and other services regarding seizures to encourage early detection and treatment in children and others residing in medically underserved areas. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Safe Motherhood; Infant Health Promotion - Subtitle A: Safe Motherhood Monitoring and Prevention Research - Safe Motherhood Monitoring and Prevention Research Act - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a national monitoring and surveillance program to identify and promote the investigation of deaths and severe pregnancy complications; (2) expand the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to provide surveillance and collect data in each State; and (3) expand the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program to provide technical support, financial assistance, or the time-limited assignment of senior epidemiologists to maternal and child health programs in each State. Permits the Secretary to carry out specified activities to promote safe motherhood. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Subtitle B: Pregnant Mothers and Infants Health Promotion - Pregnant Mothers and Infants Health Protection Act - Requires the Secretary to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on prenatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug usage; (2) conduct applied epidemiological research on the prevention of prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug usage; (3) support, conduct, and evaluate the effectiveness of educational and cessation programs; and (4) provide information and education to the public on the prevention and implications of prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug usage. Authorizes appropriations. Title X: Revision and Extension of Programs - Subtitle A: Pediatric Research Initiative - Pediatric Research Initiative Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (the Act) to mandate establishment, in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), of a Pediatric Research Initiative. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to support activities to increase: (1) the number and size of institutional training grants to pediatric departments of medical schools and to children's hospitals; and (2) the number of career development awards for health professionals who are in pediatric specialties or subspecialties and intend to build careers in pediatric basic and clinical research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Other Programs - Extends through FY 2003 programs under the Act for: (1) immunizations; and (2) screenings, referrals, and education regarding lead poisoning. Title XI: Childhood Skeletal Malignancies - Directs the Secretary to: (1) study environmental and other risk factors for childhood skeletal cancers; (2) carry out projects to improve outcomes among children with such cancers and related secondary conditions; and (3) ensure that such activities are coordinated with other Public Health Service activities focused on childhood cancers and limb loss. Authorizes the Secretary to revise, for this title, the definition of "childhood skeletal cancer" as the Secretary determines appropriate. Authorizes appropriations. Title XII: Adoption Awareness - Subtitle A: Infant Adoption Awareness - Infant Adoption Awareness Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary to make grants to national, regional, or local adoption organizations to develop and implement programs to train health center staff in providing adoption information and referrals to pregnant women on an equal basis with all other courses of action included in nondirective counseling. Provides for the development of related best practices guidelines. Allows a grantee to spend the grant for development of a training curriculum. Requires grantees, in the training they provide, to make reasonable efforts to include voluntary family planning projects, community health centers, migrant health centers, centers regarding homeless individuals and residents of public housing, and health centers that receive grants under the Public Health Service Act to provide services in schools. Directs the Secretary to require that each program providing voluntary family planning services with a grant from the Secretary provide nondirective counseling and referrals on all the options, including adoption. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Special Needs Adoption Awareness - Directs the Secretary: (1) to make grants for planning, developing, and carrying out a national campaign to provide information to the public regarding the adoption of special needs children; (2) directly or though grant or contract, to carry out a program that, through toll-free telecommunications, makes available to the public information regarding the adoption of special needs children; and (3) to make grants for assistance to support groups for adoptive parents, adopted children, and siblings of adopted children, and for studies to identify the reasons for adoption disruptions. Authorizes appropriations. Title XIII: Traumatic Brain Injury - Traumatic Brain Injury Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include in the allowed uses of currently-authorized grants to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury the implementation of a national education and awareness campaign on such injury. Includes brain dysfunction caused by anoxia (currently, caused by anoxia due to near drowning) in the definition of "traumatic brain injury." Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States or their designees to operate the State's traumatic brain injury registry, and to academic institutions to conduct applied research that will support registry development, to collect specified types of traumatic brain injury data. (Sec. 1303) Amends provisions relating to the NIH program of trauma research to include brain dysfunction caused by anoxia (currently, caused by anoxia due to near drowning) in the definition of "traumatic brain injury." Authorizes appropriations to carry out the program. (Sec. 1304) Removes, with respect to grants for demonstration projects to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury, a requirement that State matching funds be in cash. Revises other matching fund requirements for those grants and sets forth required and allowed uses for grant funds. Includes brain dysfunction caused by anoxia (currently, caused by anoxia due to near drowning) in the definition of "traumatic brain injury." Authorizes appropriations. Title XIV: Prevention and Control of Injuries - Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the prevention and control of injuries. Title XV: Healthy Start Initiative - Healthy Start Initiative Continuation Act - Directs the Secretary to continue in effect the Healthy Start Initiative, a current demonstration project of grants for areas with high rates of infant mortality. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the program nationally. Authorizes additional grants to States to assist communities with technical assistance, replication of successful projects, and State policy formation. Authorizes grants to health care entities to provide: (1) health services for pregnant women or infants (up to one year) that are medically appropriate to prevent or mitigate congenital defects or other serious obstetric complications, allowing grant funds to be used for transportation and subsistence expenses for a pregnant woman; and (2) ultrasound for pregnant women on medical indication. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XVI: Oral Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and Indian tribes to increase the resources available for community water fluoridation, allowing grants to be used to purchase equipment, train engineers, develop educational materials, or support the monitoring and quality maintenance infrastructure. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project to assist rural water systems in implementing specified water fluoridation guidelines. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and Indian tribes for the development of school-based dental sealant programs to improve children's access to sealants, with grantees using the amounts received to provide children in second and sixth grades with access to dental care and dental sealant services. Requires, for eligibility, that: (1) urban schools be in an area where more than half the student population is participating in Federal or State free or reduced meal programs; and (2) rural schools be in a district with a median income below a specified level. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XVII: Vaccine Compensation Program - Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Amendments of 2000 - Requires a petition for compensation for a vaccine-related injury or death, in addition to current matters, to demonstrate that administration of a qualified vaccine resulted in inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention. Makes the previous sentence effective on enactment, including regarding pending petitions. Title XVIII: Hepatitis C - Hepatitis C and Children Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Secretary to provide for programs relating to hepatitis C and: (1) implementation of a national system to determine incidence and prevalence of infection; (2) the identification, contacting, and referral of individuals infected by blood transfusions before July 1992 when they were infants, small children, or adolescents; (3) public information and education; and (4) the education, training, and skills of health professionals. Authorizes the Secretary, directly or through grants, to provide for improvements in the quality of clinical laboratory procedures regarding hepatitis C. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XIX: NIH Initiative on Autoimmune Diseases - NIH Autoimmune Diseases Initiative Act of 2000 - Requires the NIH director to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and other NIH activities regarding juvenile-onset diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erthematosus, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn's disease, colitis, and other diseases or disorders as the Secretary determines appropriate (autoimmune diseases). Directs the Secretary to establish the Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee and the Autoimmune Diseases Public Advisory Council. Requires the Committee to develop, and at least annually review (and revise as appropriate), a plan for conducting and supporting research and education on autoimmune diseases through the national research institutes. Requires the NIH director to ensure that NIH activities are implemented in accordance with the plan. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XX: Graduate Medical Education Programs in Children's Hospitals - Authorizes appropriations for payments to children's hospitals for direct expenses associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs. Title XXI: Special Needs of Children Regarding Organ Transplantation - Pediatric Organ Transplantation Improvement Act of 2000 - Requires the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to: (1) recognize the differences in health and organ transplantation issues between children (individuals under the age of 18) and adults and adopt criteria, policies, and procedures that address children's unique health care needs; and (2) carry out studies and demonstration projects to improve procedures for organ donation procurement and allocation. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the costs of immunosuppressive drugs provided to children pursuant to organ transplants and the extent to which health plans and health insurance cover such costs, including recommendations on issues particular to the special health and transplantation needs of children. Title XXII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the NIH director to report to Congress on activities that in FY2000 were, or in the next five fiscal years are planned to be, conducted or supported by NIH regarding rare diseases in children, including (in FY2000) Friedreich's ataxia. Title XXIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for this Act and its amendments.
Bill· HRH.R. 4369 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Veterans' Health Care Improvement and Prescription Drug Cost Relief Act of 2000 - Title I: Senior Health Care - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through December 31, 2005, the TRICARE Senior Supplement Program (a demonstration program under which certain Medicare-eligible senior citizens are given medical care and services under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) for which DOD is reimbursed through the Medicare program). Amends the Social Security Act to extend through the same date a similar demonstration program known as TRICARE Senior Prime. Authorizes the latter program to be offered at major medical centers of DOD (currently limited to six military treatment facilities). (Sec. 103) Amends a demonstration program offering health care coverage to certain military personnel, spouses, and dependents through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to allow eligible beneficiaries who will be at least 65 years of age on December 31, 2002, to enroll, or extend a previous enrollment, during a three-year period of open enrollment for the year 2003. Extends such demonstration program through December 31, 2005. Repeals the ten-site limit for the program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to charge an enrollment fee for participation in the TRICARE pharmacy system (a program for providing reduced-cost pharmaceuticals to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries). Authorizes the Secretary to impose one or more cost-sharing requirements upon such participants. Allows participants to pay required premiums on a monthly or annual basis. Title II: TRICARE Program - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) relating to medical and dental care provided to certain members and former members of the armed forces to: (1) make eligible for such services members and former members of the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service; (2) require coverage for immediate family members of eligible individuals to be comparable to coverage for medical care and standards for timely access to such care under TRICARE Prime; and (3) entitle dependents of members performing duty in remote locations who reside with such member to the same care and waiver of such care under CHAMPUS as the members themselves. (Sec. 202) Prohibits a member from being charged a copayment for care provided under TRICARE Prime to an immediate family member. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to improve certain business practices used when administering the access of eligible persons to health care services through the TRICARE program. Title III: Joint Initiatives With Department of Veterans Affairs - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) prescribe a centralized process for the reporting, compiling, and analysis of errors in the provision of health care under their respective departments that endanger patients beyond the normal risks associated with such care and treatment; and (2) develop a system for the use of bar codes for the identification of pharmaceuticals. Requires the Secretary of Defense to experiment with the use of such bar codes in the current DOD mail order pharmaceuticals demonstration project. Title IV: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to authorize the following persons to obtain prescription pharmaceuticals from DOD by mail: (1) individuals who are eligible for medical care under CHAMPUS; or (2) individuals who would be so eligible except for also being entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to prescribe an appropriate fee or copayment for pharmaceuticals so obtained. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to limit to $100 million the annual cost limitation for the CHAMPUS individual case management program. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to carry out two studies to assess the feasibility and desirability of financing the military health care program for military retirees on an accrual basis.
Bill· HRH.R. 4375 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Medicare Drug Cost Savings Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage of self-administered drugs used as a replacement for certain covered drugs. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on implementation of such self-administered drug program.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 315 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a specified amount should be appropriated under the Public Health Service Act for FY 2001 to carry out infrastructure and delivery activities for preventive health service programs to immunize, without charge, children, adolescents, and adults against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Bill· SS. 2494 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2000
Children of Female Vietnam Veterans' Benefits Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to identify birth defects of children of female Vietnam veterans that: (1) are associated with service during the Vietnam era; and (2) result in the permanent physical or mental disability of such children. Excludes spina bifida from such defects, along with familial or birth-related defects or injuries. Directs the Secretary to provide to such children necessary health care to address the defect and any associated disability. Authorizes the Secretary to provide vocational training to such a child if the achievement of a vocational goal is reasonably feasible. Directs the Secretary to pay a monthly allowance to such a child, the amount to be determined through a schedule rating the various covered defects and disabilities and their degree. Prohibits individuals receiving benefits or assistance under these provisions from receiving benefits or assistance under provisions authorizing benefits for children of Vietnam veterans who are born with spina bifida. Prohibits the provision of any assistance or benefits where affirmative evidence shows the birth defect to be the result of something other than service in Vietnam.
Bill· HRH.R. 4347 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2000
Modifies provisions of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 regarding the use of pen registers and trap and trace devices to require a Government agency authorized to install and use such a device to use reasonably available technology that restricts the recording or decoding of electronic or other impulses to the dialing, routing, addressing, and signaling information utilized in the processing and transmitting of wire and electronic communications. Directs the court, upon application made by an attorney for the Government or by a State investigative or law enforcement officer, to enter an ex parte order authorizing the installation and use of such a device if it finds that such attorney or officer has certified that the information likely to be obtained is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation. Requires the order to specify a description of the communications to which the order applies, including the number or other identifier and, if known, the location of the telephone line or other facility to which the device is to be attached or applied, and, in with respect to States, the geographic limits of the order. Provides for emergency installation of such a device in situations involving: (1) an immediate threat to U.S. national security interests or to public health or safety; or (2) an attack on the integrity or availability of a protected computer if such attack would be a Federal computer fraud offense. Modifies the definitions of: (1) "court of competent jurisdiction" to mean any U.S. district court or any U.S. Court of Appeals having jurisdiction over the offense being investigated; and (2) "pen register" and "trap and trace device" to cover processes (as well as devices) and dialing, routing, addressing, or signaling information with respect to a wire or electronic communication. (Sec. 2) Revises Federal criminal code (the code) provisions regarding penalties for fraud and related activity in connection with computers to cover certain attempts to commit punishable offenses and to provide penalties for offenses (or attempts) regarding: (1) loss to one or more persons during any one-year period aggregating at least $5,000 in value; (2) the modification or impairment, or potential modification or impairment, of the medical examination, diagnosis, treatment, or care of one or more individuals; (3) physical injury to any person; (4) a threat to public health or safety; or (5) damage affecting a computer system used by or for a government entity in furtherance of the administration of justice, national defense, or national security. Repeals a limitation on damages in civil actions to economic damages if any of subparagraphs (2) through (5) apply. Directs the court, in imposing sentence on any person convicted of a violation, to order, in addition to any other sentence imposed and irrespective of any State law provision, that such person forfeit to the United States: (1) any property that was used to commit or to facilitate such violation; and (2) any property constituting or derived from any proceeds that such person obtained as a result of such violation. Makes specified Controlled Substances Act provisions regarding the criminal forfeiture, seizure, and disposition of property applicable to this section. Sets forth similar provisions with respect to civil forfeiture. (Sec. 3) Amends provisions of the code regarding juvenile delinquency proceedings in district courts, and transfer for criminal prosecution, to cover situations involving fraud and related activity in connection with computers. (Sec. 4) Modifies provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 to direct the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to ensure that any individual convicted of a felony violation of the prohibition against knowingly causing the transmission of a program, information, code, or command and thereby intentionally causing damage, without authorization, to a protected computer is imprisoned for not less than six months. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, a qualified entity or organization to: (1) conduct research for the prevention of cyberterrorism or to develop technology products or services designed for use in its prevention; and (2) make improvements to the critical information protection architecture of such entity or organization or to refinance improvements previously made to such architecture. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4356 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2000
Senior Health Insurance Pull Out Prevention Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend to three years the initial Medicare+Choice contract period; (2) require one year advance notice of termination of such contract; (3) set forth a mandatory period for timely notice of physician terminations; (4) set forth a restriction upon termination of Medicare+Choice plans in selected areas within a metropolitan statistical area; and (5) mandate continuity of patient care in cases of involuntary termination.
Bill· SS. 2486 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2000
Military Health Care Improvements Act of 2000 - Title I: Senior Health Care - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through December 31, 2005, the TRICARE Senior Supplement Program (a demonstration program under which certain Medicare-eligible senior citizens are given medical care and services under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) for which DOD is reimbursed through the Medicare program). Amends the Social Security Act to extend through the same date a similar demonstration program known as TRICARE Senior Prime. Authorizes the latter program to be offered at major medical centers of DOD (currently limited to six military treatment facilities). (Sec. 103) Amends a demonstration program offering health care coverage to certain military personnel, spouses, and dependents through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to allow eligible beneficiaries who will be at least 65 years of age on December 31, 2002, to enroll, or extend a previous enrollment, during a three-year period of open enrollment for the year 2003. Extends such demonstration program through December 31, 2005. Repeals the ten-site limit for the program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to charge an enrollment fee for participation in the TRICARE pharmacy system (a program for providing reduced-cost pharmaceuticals to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries). Authorizes the Secretary to impose one or more cost-sharing requirements upon such participants. Allows participants to pay required premiums on a monthly or annual basis. Title II: TRICARE Program - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) relating to medical and dental care provided to certain members and former members of the armed forces to: (1) make eligible for such services members and former members of the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service; (2) require coverage for immediate family members of eligible individuals to be comparable to coverage for medical care and standards for timely access to such care under TRICARE Prime; and (3) entitle dependents of members performing duty in remote locations who reside with such member to the same care and waiver of such care under CHAMPUS as the members themselves. (Sec. 202) Prohibits a member from being charged a copayment for care provided under TRICARE Prime to an immediate family member. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to improve certain business practices used when administering the access of eligible persons to health care services through the TRICARE program. Title III: Joint Initiatives With Department of Veterans Affairs - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) prescribe a centralized process for the reporting, compiling, and analysis of errors in the provision of health care under their respective departments that endanger patients beyond the normal risks associated with such care and treatment; and (2) develop a system for the use of bar codes for the identification of pharmaceuticals. Requires the Secretary of Defense to experiment with the use of such bar codes in the current DOD mail order pharmaceuticals demonstration project. Title IV: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to authorize the following persons to obtain prescription pharmaceuticals from DOD by mail: (1) individuals who are eligible for medical care under CHAMPUS; or (2) individuals who would be so eligible except for also being entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to prescribe an appropriate fee or copayment for pharmaceuticals so obtained. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to limit to $100 million the annual cost limitation for the CHAMPUS individual case management program. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to carry out two studies to assess the feasibility and desirability of financing the military health care program for military retirees on an accrual basis.
Bill· SS. 2481 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations - Authorizes the Secretary of the: (1) Army to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the UH/60-CH/60 helicopter; and (2) Navy to enter into a multiyear procurement contract for the DDG-51 (destroyer). Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for research, development, test, and evaluation for the armed forces. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2001. Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to use specified O&M funds to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for certain costs incurred in connection with the former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site in Suffolk, Virginia. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay from any available funds certain fines or penalties imposed by the EPA or a State in connection with environmental violations at specified sites. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to require payment by civil air carriers for support provided by the United States at Johnston Atoll that is either requested by such carrier or required to accommodate the carrier's use of the Atoll. Prohibits landing fees from being charged if support costs are charged. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer excess titanium sponge from the National Defense Stockpile to a military department or defense agency for use in manufacturing defense equipment. (Sec. 323) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through FY 2003 a pilot program for the acceptance and use of landing fees charged for the use of domestic military airfields by civilian aircraft. Extends related report requirements. (Sec. 324) Repeals a provision requiring a nonappropriated fund instrumentality, under certain conditions, to be the most economical method of distribution of alcoholic beverages within the commissary system. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2001. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2001 for the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves, as well as reserve military technicians. (Sec. 414) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 415) Excludes from active-duty end strength limitations reserve personnel on active duty, or members performing full-time National Guard duty, to perform funeral honors functions. (Sec. 416) Excludes from the above limitations reserve personnel serving on active duty for more than 180 days to perform special work in support of the armed forces and combatant commands, except that such number may not exceed two tenths of one percent of the end strength for all active-duty personnel. (Sec. 417) Authorizes the Secretary to suspend grade strength limitations in times of war or national emergency declared by Congress or the President with respect to senior enlisted personnel and senior reserve officers on active duty for full-time National Guard or reserve administrative duty. Limits such suspension to two years from the suspension or one year after the declaration of war or national emergency, whichever occurs first. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to retain Medical Service Corps officers in an active status until 67 years of age. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the release to the armed force concerned of the names of active-duty and reserve active-status list officers recommended for promotion upon transmittal to the President of the report of the selection board that considers such officers for promotion. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Policy - Makes certain active-duty list promotion, separation, and involuntary retirement authorities inapplicable to reserve general and flag officers serving in certain positions designated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). (Sec. 512) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to increase the number of officers and enlisted personnel serving on active duty or full-time National Guard duty in specified grades. (Sec. 514) Excludes medical and dental officers from reserve commissioned officer end strength limitations. (Sec. 515) Makes certain active-duty promotion, separation, and retirement authorities inapplicable to members on the reserve active status list ordered to active duty for a period of three years or less. (Sec. 516) Removes an application requirement for the continuation of officers on the reserve active-status list. Subtitle C: Education and Training - Repeals a provision authorizing a certain funding increase to be used for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (Sec. 522) Removes an annual funding limit with respect to the National Guard Challenge Program. Subtitle D: Medal of Honor Recipients - Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Ed W. Freeman for service during the Vietnam conflict and to Andrew J. Smith for service during the Civil War. Subtitle E: Joint Management - Requires an officer, in order to qualify for a joint specialty designation, to: (1) have successfully completed an accredited program from a joint professional military education institution and a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment; or (2) have successfully completed two full tours of duty in a joint duty assignment. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such qualifications for an officer who, due to unusual circumstances, has one or more qualifications comparable to the qualifications waived. Allows such qualifications to be waived in the case of a general or flag officer when determined necessary to meet a critical need. Requires the: (1) Secretary to designate joint duty assignments for general and flag officers that must be filled by joint specialty officers; and (2) JCS Chairman to accredit joint professional military education institutions. (Sec. 542) Revises promotion policy objectives for joint officers. Requires the appropriate military department Secretary to validate the qualifications of officers for eligibility for joint duty assignments, including satisfaction of requirements for promotion to brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half). Directs the Secretary to prescribe policies to ensure that promotion-eligible joint specialty officers are appropriately considered for such promotion. (Sec. 543) Repeals the requirement that an officer graduating from an accredited joint professional military education school be assigned to a joint duty assignment as that officer's next duty assignment. Decreases to two (currently three) months the minimum duration of a principal course of instruction provided by the Armed Forces Staff College. (Sec. 544) Repeals provisions specifying the length of joint duty assignments. Requires such length to mirror the standard length established by the Secretary for each installation or location at which joint duty assignments are authorized. Allows the Secretary to: (1) waive such requirement when critical to meet military personnel management requirements; and (2) curtail a joint duty assignment for an officer who has served in that assignment for at least two years. Provides conditions under which an officer shall be considered to have completed a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment. (Sec. 545) Directs the Secretary to enhance the capabilities of the Joint Staff to monitor the personnel issues of officers with the joint specialty designation and other officers who have served in joint duty assignments. (Sec. 546) Revises, generally, information required in an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on joint specialty officers and assignments. Subtitle F: Selection Board Appeals - Makes ineligible for judicial relief a person challenging the action or recommendation of a military selection board unless such person has first been considered by a special board or denied such consideration by the Secretary concerned. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to correct a person's military records in accordance with a recommendation made by a special board. Requires the appropriate relief associated with such correction (restoration to duty status; eligibility for additional pay). Makes such provisions inapplicable to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy. Authorizes judicial review of a decision not to convene a special selection board for consideration of a corrective action taken. Subtitle G: Other Matters - Exempts from recalled retiree limits those officers assigned to the Army, Navy, or Air Force Retiree Council. (Sec. 562) Requires the following defense acquisition positions to be assigned for at least a three-year period: program manager or deputy program managers for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program, program executive officers, general or flag officers or their civilian equivalent, and senior contracting officials. Title VI: Compensation and Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to delegate (with a limitation) the authority to waive operational flying duty requirements prior to the award of aviation career incentive pay. (Sec. 602) Includes as eligible activities for the payment of special pay currently provided for reserve medical and dental officers active duty for training, annual training, or special work. (Sec. 603) Authorizes members performing funeral honors duty to receive either the allowance for such duty or the rate of pay for members of the reserves or National Guard performing inactive-duty training. (Sec. 604) Extends through FY 2002 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2000 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 607) Authorizes special pay for Coast Guard physician assistants. Subtitle B: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the advance payment of temporary lodging expenses incurred by a member and his or her dependents while making a change in permanent duty stations. (Sec. 612) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay to a member a share of the savings resulting from less-than-average shipping and storage costs of the member's baggage and household effects in connection with a change of duty station. (Sec. 614) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay a member a share of the savings realized from not having a vehicle transported or stored overseas. Authorizes a member to elect to have a vehicle stored at Government expense in lieu of a transportation allowance for an unaccompanied assignment. Subtitle C: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Survivors Benefit Plan - Entitles to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance a person who volunteers for assignment to a category in the Individual Ready Reserve that is subject to an involuntary call to active duty. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Entitles to appointment to a service academy the children of members of the reserves who: (1) are currently so serving and have earned at least 2,880 retirement credit points; or (2) would be, or who died while they would have been, entitled to retired pay except for not having attained 60 years of age. (Sec. 632) Authorizes the annual payment of a $2,000 personal money allowance for individuals serving as the senior enlisted member of an armed force. (Sec. 633) Increases the initial and annual allowance for officers for the purchase of required uniforms and equipment. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the Secretary (currently, the President) and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy to prescribe requirements and allowances for clothing for enlisted personnel. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Entitles Medal of Honor recipients and their dependents to medical and dental care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations - Prohibits the head of an agency, unless certain congressional reporting requirements are first met, from entering into or extending a multiyear contract for any defense system if the value of such contract would exceed $500 million. (Sec. 802) Repeals the requirement for certain contractor assurances regarding the completeness, accuracy, and contractual sufficiency of contractor-provided technical data. (Sec. 803) Exempts cost and cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contracts with a contractor that maintains an approved purchasing system from certain subcontract notification requirements. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to allow participation by defense contractor employees in the analytical and logistic support for the operational test and evaluation of a system. Places limitations with respect to participation in the establishment of operational test and evaluation criteria for contractors that have participated in the development or production of a system. (Sec. 806) Authorizes DOD acquisition pilot programs to be continued through the end of program production. (Sec. 807) Amends the Small Business Act to reduce from ten to five days the wait period after posting notice of a solicitation from an executive agency for a contract for property or services exceeding $25,000, when such notice is accessible electronically. States that providing widespread electronic public notice of contract solicitation in a convenient form that allows user access through a single Government-wide point of entry shall satisfy Federal contract solicitation publication requirements. Makes identical amendments to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act with respect to required notice of solicitation for Federal procurement contracts. Changes from annually to biennially a report requirement under the latter Act with respect to implementation of the use of electronic commerce in Federal procurement. Makes this section inapplicable when the President determines such application would be inconsistent with any international agreement to which the United States is a party. (Sec. 808) Authorizes the Secretary to have orders made under DOD indefinite-delivery contracts for gloves, boots, humanitarian and operational rations, and toxicological agent protection clothing for States, territories, State or territory departments or agencies, the government of an Indian tribe, the District of Columbia, and qualified, non-profit agencies for the blind and severely handicapped. Authorizes the Secretary to require the appropriate entity to reimburse DOD for administrative costs in connection with such orders. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Amends provisions concerning defense procurement contract goals for small disadvantaged businesses and certain minority educational institutions to prohibit the suspension of the authority to enter into a contract for a price exceeding fair market value when the President or his designee determines that such contracts are necessary to remedy demonstrated discrimination in an industry category. (Sec. 812) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to redefine "conventional ammunition" as that ammunition managed by DOD's Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition (includes a list of qualifying conventional ammunition). (Sec. 813) Extends through the end of production the authority for the Joint Direct Attack Munition pilot program. (Sec. 814) Amends provisions concerning rights to equipment technical data developed exclusively at private expense to authorize DOD rights to such data when operation, maintenance, or installation services are to be provided by other than the original contractor or subcontractor. Requires such rights to be negotiated between the Government and the contractors involved. Prohibits any private-only rights to such data when the information is necessary for critical operation, maintenance, or installation of deployed equipment and such services are to be provided by other than the original contractor or subcontractor. (Sec. 815) Waives live-fire survivability requirements with respect to the MH-47E/MH-60K helicopter modification programs. Requires any waiver granted to be included in program reporting requirements. (Sec. 816) Repeals the requirement that, before a multiyear contract may be entered into for a defense acquisition program, the Secretary must certify to Congress that the current future-years defense program fully funds the support costs associated with the multiyear program. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department of Defense Organization - Redesignates as deputy commandants the chief and deputy and assistant chiefs of staff within the Marine Corps headquarters. (Sec. 902) Includes within the definition of an Inspector General, for purposes of general investigations, an officer of the armed forces or DOD employee assigned or detailed to serve as an inspector general at any level in DOD. (Sec. 903) Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and the Secretary of Energy to withhold from otherwise required public disclosure certain sensitive information of foreign governments and international organizations if such Secretary determines that the release of such information would have an adverse effect on the ability of the U.S. Government to obtain the same or similar information in the future. Provides limitations and exceptions. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to accept gifts intended for the Naval Academy or the Naval Academy Museum and to deposit such gifts into the United States Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund. Repeals the Naval Academy Museum Fund and the Naval Historical Center Fund and requires amounts in such funds to be transferred to the Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund and the Navy General Gift Fund, respectively. (Sec. 912) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, during FY 2000, to disburse to an entity designated by a gift donor the current cash value of gifts previously accepted for the Naval Academy Gift Fund. (Sec. 913) Revises the maximum size of parcel post packages authorized to be mailed from postal services at U.S. military installations, at no cost to the sender, by U.S. military personnel and forces of friendly foreign nations. (Sec. 914) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the temporary assignment (detail) at a DOD laboratory of up to 100 individuals previously employed by private commercial entities to conduct science and engineering. (Sec. 915) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the payment of retraining and relocation expenses to facilitate the reemployment of DOD employees being separated due to a reduction in force or transfer of functions at a DOD facility or installation. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Provides DOD administrative offsets for overpayments made to carriers supporting DOD or for liquidated damages due under DOD transportation services contracts. (Sec. 1002) Requires the annual joint Office of Management and Budget/Congressional Budget Office report on the scoring of budget outlays to reflect and include specified information on the differences between the relevant defense budget outlay rates or assumptions used by the two offices. (Sec. 1003) Repeals a provision of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 requiring a two-year defense budget cycle. (Sec. 1004) Codifies a recurring appropriations Act provision concerning the use of O&M funds for reimbursements related to certain reserve intelligence or counterintelligence support. Subtitle B: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary to provide humanitarian and civic assistance in connection with military operations for areas of a country that are underserved by medical, dental, and veterinary professionals. Authorizes the use of up to ten percent of such assistance for pay and allowances of special operations command reserves providing training and activities related to the clearing of land mines for humanitarian purposes. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements and Repeals - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to repeal a required annual report on the B-2 bomber aircraft program. (Sec. 1016) Revises an annual report deadline from the Secretary to Congress with respect to National Guard and reserve equipment. Requires the Coast Guard Reserve to be included in such reports and requires additional report information. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Exempts a military testamentary instrument from State testamentary laws. Accords such instruments the same legal effect as State testamentary instruments presented for probate. Outlines requirements for the legal execution of such instruments. Makes such instrument self-proving upon such execution, signature, and witnessing. (Sec. 1022) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to charge and retain fees for providing historical material or research assistance to public requesters from the Army Military History Institute, the Naval or Marine Corps Historical Center, or Air Force Historical Research Agency. Requires such fees to be used to offset the cost of such material or assistance. (Sec. 1023) Amends provisions concerning cooperative military airlift agreements to remove a provision which requires the Secretary to enter into such agreements only under the authority provided therein. (Sec. 1024) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 which prohibits any Cooperative Threat Reduction funds from being used for the planning, design, or construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility in Russia. Title XI: Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2000 - Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 2000 - Establishes the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Authorizes Commission appropriations. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2005. (Sec. 1103) Requires the Secretary, as part of the budget documents submitted to Congress for each of FY 2004 and 2006, to include a military force structure plan assessing probable threats to national security for the proceeding six-year period and the anticipated levels of funding needed to address such threats. Requires each plan to be submitted to the Commission. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish in the Federal Register and transmit to the defense and appropriations committees the proposed and final criteria to be used in making recommendations for the closure or realignment of military installations inside the United States; and (2) publish and transmit to such committees a list of recommended installations based on the force structure plan. Prohibits the Secretary, in considering installations, from taking into account whether an installation has previously been considered or proposed for closure or realignment, or whether any advance conversion planning has been undertaken by a community in anticipation of a closure or realignment. Directs the Commission, after receiving the Secretary's recommendations, to conduct public hearings and report to the President its findings and conclusions with respect to such recommendations. Authorizes the Commission to make recommendations different from the Secretary if it determines that the Secretary deviated substantially from the force structure plan. Requires prior publication of such changes, together with public hearings. Requires Commission report copies to be transmitted to the defense and appropriations committees. Requires the President, by specified dates, to approve or disapprove Commission recommendations by way of reports to the Commission and Congress. Requires the Commission to submit a revised list if any recommendations are disapproved, subject to presidential certification. (Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary, after a final list is approved, to: (1) begin to close or realign all recommended installations within two years after the date of approval; and (2) complete all closures and realignments within six years after such approval. Prohibits the Secretary from carrying out any closure or realignment if a joint congressional resolution is enacted which disapproves such recommendation. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes the Secretary to take all necessary actions to implement such closure or realignment recommendations, including required transfers or disposals of property. Requires appropriate consideration of any redevelopment plan for the community within or surrounding such an installation. Directs the Secretary to consult with the entity responsible for the redevelopment plan to identify items (nonmilitary) of personal property on an installation that the entity desires to be retained for installation reuse or redevelopment. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer real and personal property on such an installation to the redevelopment authority concerned for job generation purposes. Requires all property transferred to support the economic redevelopment of the installation. Directs the Secretary, after taking appropriate action with an entity with respect to a redevelopment plan, to determine whether another Federal department or agency has identified a use for, or will accept transfer of, any remaining portion of an installation. Outlines procedures for property transfers to a redevelopment authority or another Federal department or agency. Expresses the sense of Congress that, as soon as practicable after the date of approval of a closure or realignment, the appropriate redevelopment authority should begin to conduct outreach efforts to provide information on the availability of an installation's buildings and property to representatives of the homeless or other entities interested in assisting the homeless. Outlines procedures for State and local governments, representatives of the homeless, and other interested parties to notify a redevelopment authority of interest in, and plans for, buildings and property for such purpose. Requires the redevelopment authority, after such notification, to develop a redevelopment plan (with opportunity for public comment). Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretaries of Defense and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Requires the HUD Secretary to review such plan, taking into consideration the predominant views of the local communities, and to notify the Secretary and the redevelopment authority of plan approval or disapproval. Requires submission of a revised plan if the original plan is disapproved. Provides for implementation of an approved plan. Requires the Secretary to carry out an environmental impact analysis of the closure or realignment of each installation. Authorizes the Secretary, when it is determined to be in the best interests of DOD, to enter into agreements with local governments for the provision at such installations of police or security, fire protection, airfield operation, or other community services. Outlines required actions for closed or realigned installations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other environmental compliance laws. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements for the transfer of property or facilities located at or near an installation to any person who agrees to transfer to the Secretary housing units located at or near a military installation at which there is a shortage of suitable military housing. Requires a report to the defense and appropriations committees on each agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase from military personnel any interests in manufactured housing located at a manufactured housing park at an installation to be closed or realigned, or to make a payment to a member to relocate such housing, if the Secretary determines that: (1) it is in the best interests of the Federal Government to eliminate or relocate the housing park; and (2) such elimination or relocation would result in unreasonable financial hardship to the housing owners. Limits such payments to 90 percent of the purchase price of such housing, plus the costs of any permanent improvements. (Sec. 1106) Establishes the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2000 for use in connection with all closures or realignments under this Title. Requires annual Account financial reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees. Provides for the disposal or transfer of commissary stores and property purchased with nonappropriated funds located on a military installation to be closed or realigned. (Sec. 1107) Directs the Secretary, as part of the DOD budget request for FY 2005 and each subsequent year in which the Secretary carries out activities under this Title, to report to the defense and appropriations committees: (1) a schedule of the closures and realignments to be carried out, together with costs incurred and savings to be achieved; and (2) a description of the military installations to which functions are to be transferred as a result of such closures and realignments, as well as the environmental effects of such transfers. (Sec. 1108) Outlines procedures for the congressional consideration of a joint resolution disapproving the recommendations of the Commission under this Title. (Sec. 1109) Makes this Title the exclusive military base closure and realignment authority during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2005. Prohibits any DOD funds other than those provided herein from being used to select, close, or realign any military installation (with exceptions for those authorized under prior law).
Bill· SS. 2484 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Immigrants to New Americans Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants for model programs to offer: (1) educational services to immigrant students in elementary and secondary schools, such as English as a second language classes, literacy programs, programs for introduction to the education system, and civics education; and (2) services to such students' parents, such as parent education and literacy development services, as well as activity coordination with other entities to provide comprehensive community social services such as health care, job training, child care, and transportation services. Limits the number of such grants to ten in a fiscal year. Limits the duration of any such grant to five years, with not more than one year for planning and design. Requires that each partnership eligible to receive such a grant include at least one local educational agency and at least one community-based organization. Allow such a partnership to include another entity such as an institution of higher education, a local or State government agency, a private sector entity, or another entity with expertise in working with immigrants. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2480 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Imported Perishable Product Safety Improvement Act - Title I: Improvements to the Safety System for Imported Perishable Products - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system to deny the importation of any perishable product if the Secretary makes and publishes: (1) a determination that such product has been associated with repeated outbreaks of disease or has been repeatedly determined to be adulterated, presents a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death, and is likely to cause disease or be adulterated again; or (2) an emergency determination that such product has been strongly associated with a single outbreak of disease that has caused such consequences or death. Prohibits the distribution of perishable products designated by the Secretary for examination until authorized by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to hold a perishable product in a secure storage facility until such a determination can be made. Requires the destruction of products adversely designated. Prohibits: (1) port shopping when a product has been refused admission; and (2) imports of perishable products by debarred persons. Authorizes the Secretary to require the owner of a refused product to clearly label such product as having been refused entry. Title II: Enforcement and Penalties for Importing Contaminated Perishable Products - Provides for the promulgation and enforcement of regulations governing, and the imposition of penalties against, the importing of contaminated perishable products. Authorizes the debarment of repeat offenders. Title III: Improvements to Public Health Infrastructure and Awareness - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to: (1) make grants or agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, eligible agencies to enhance their capacity to carry out activities relating to surveillance and prevention of pathogen-related disease borne in a perishable product; and (2) conduct related research, training, education, and public awareness activities.
Bill· SS. 2464 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2000
Prescription Drug Fairness Act - Amends the Clayton Act to deem: (1) the sale of a prescription drug by a manufacturer outside the United States to be the sale of such drug within the United States for purposes of provisions prohibiting price discrimination; and (2) discrimination in price between wholesalers within the United States and wholesalers outside the United States substantially to injure, destroy, or prevent competition with any person who either grants or knowingly receives the benefit of such discrimination, or with customers of either of them.
Bill· SS. 2466 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2000
Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to enter into negotiations with the Governments of the other G-8 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States) in order to achieve their agreement to eliminate price controls on innovative medicines and the unfair trade practices that result from the application of price controls. Declares that, if within 12 months negotiations have not achieved such objectives, the USTR shall submit to Congress recommendations for the most effective measures (including those specified by the Trade Act of 1974) for eliminating the disparity between the price of prescription drugs in the United States and the price of prescription drugs in the other G-8 countries, with the goal of reducing the price of prescription drugs for U.S. consumers. Requires recommended measures to be of a nature and amount that fully reflect the economic harm inflicted on patients and health care in the United States, and the harm inflicted on the U.S. economy when countries pay the country specific marginal costs of prescription drugs and let the United States cover the research and development costs of innovative prescription drugs.
Bill· SS. 2443 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
State Immunization Funding and Infrastructure Act - Authorizes appropriations for establishing and maintaining preventive health service programs under the Public Health Service Act. Requires that of the amount appropriated specified amounts shall be made available to the Secretary of Health and Human Services: (1) to carry out immunization infrastructure and delivery activities; and (2) for the purchase of domestically licensed and recommended vaccines.
Bill· SS. 2448 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Internet Integrity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2000 - Title I: Cyber-Hacking - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for engaging in fraudulent access and related activities in connection with computers, including: (1) when the defendant uses a person less than 18 years old to commit the offense; (2) when the offense causes aggregate losses of at least $5,000; (3) when the offense causes the modification or impairment of medical diagnosis, treatment, or care; (4) when the offense causes a physical injury to any person; (5) when the offense causes a threat to public health or safety; or (6) when the offense damages a computer system used by or for a government entity in the administration of justice, national defense, or national security. Increases the prison term for a succeeding conviction of the same offense. (Sec. 102) Requires the criminal and civil forfeiture of any property used in committing such offenses, as well as any property constituting or derived from proceeds from such offense. (Sec. 104) Includes such offenses when committed by juveniles as offenses under which the Attorney General may certify to the appropriate district court a substantial Federal interest in exercising Federal prosecution. (Sec. 105) Includes as a defense against prosecution for a computer offense by a telecommunications provider, subscriber, or other aggrieved person that the person providing the information was responding to the request of a governmental entity. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Federal interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications for a suspected felony violation relating to computer fraud and abuse. (Sec. 107) Provides for the criminal forfeiture of any replicator or other device used to copy a computer program or computer program documentation or packaging. (Sec. 108) Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend Federal sentencing guidelines to provide guidelines relating to computer fraud and abuse and the use of encryption in connection with the commission or concealment of criminal acts. (Sec. 109) Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to construct and equip a National Cyber-Crime Technical Support Center to serve as the centralized technical resource for Federal, State, and local law enforcement and to provide technical assistance in the investigation of computer-related criminal activities. Requires the Director to develop at least ten regional computer forensic laboratories, and to provide support, education, and assistance for such existing laboratories. Directs the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make a grant to each State to develop and establish programs to assist State and local law enforcement in enforcing laws relating to computer crime and for related activities. Requires each State receiving grant funds to assure the Attorney General (AG) that it has in effect laws penalizing computer crime. Limits the Federal share to 90 percent of program costs. Authorizes the AG to make grants to Indian tribes for such purposes. Provides funding limitations. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Anti-Fraud Protections - Provides criminal penalties for intentionally and without consent or authorization initiating the transmission of an unsolicited commercial electronic mail advertisement to one or more protected computers with knowledge that such advertisement falsifies an Internet domain, header, or other identifying information. Title III: Privacy and Confidentiality Protections - Requires the inclusion within an application for a pen register or trap and trace device a description of the facts upon which such request is based. Requires to be included in annual reports concerning such authorized uses the offense specified and the number and nature of the facilities affected. (Sec. 302) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a satellite carrier or distributor, at the time of entering into an agreement to provide any satellite home viewing service to a subscriber and at least annually thereafter, to notify the subscriber of any personally identifiable information collected and its use, the nature and purposes of any disclosure of such information, the subscriber's access to such information, and the subscriber's right to enforce all appropriate information collection and disclosure limitations. Prohibits a carrier or distributor from collecting such information without prior written or electronic subscriber consent, except: (1) to obtain information necessary to render such service; or (2) to detect unauthorized reception of satellite communications. Prohibits a carrier from disclosing such information, except: (1) when necessary for a business purpose; (2) to a law enforcement agency pursuant to a warrant; or (3) in limited circumstances, to disclose subscriber names and addresses to another provider of satellite or other services. Provides procedures for obtaining a warrant under (2), above. Requires a subscriber to be provided access to all personal information collected and maintained by a carrier or distributor. Provides civil relief for violations of such requirements. (Sec. 303) Requires certain information concerning discovered encryption activities to be included in reports required in connection with the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications. (Sec. 304) Prohibits an interactive computer service (service) from disclosing to a person other than the consumer any personally identifiable information, unless: (1) the service notifies the consumer of such disclosure; (2) the consumer is given the opportunity to object to the disclosure; and (3) the service explains how the consumer can exercise the nondisclosure option. Require the service to provide to the consumer, at the beginning of the business relationship, the service's policies and practices with regard to the collection and use of such information. Provides a civil cause of action for violations of such requirements. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the AG to carry out a national media campaign to raise public awareness of existing rights, laws, and regulations relating to Internet security and the privacy of personally identifiable information over the Internet. Outlines campaign objectives and elements. Prohibits the use of funds for political activities, with an exception. Requires the AG to enter into an agreement with a qualified certified public accountant to obtain a campaign assessment. Requires a report, after such assessment, from the AG to the congressional judiciary and appropriations committees. Terminates the campaign three years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2003. (Sec. 306) Makes it unlawful to knowingly and with intent to defraud obtain, or cause to be disclosed to any person, personally identifiable information of an interactive computer service relating to another person without that person's consent or authorization. Allows such service or its employees to obtain such information in the course of: (1) system testing or security procedures; (2) investigations of misconduct allegations of such employees; or (3) recovering information which was obtained in a criminal manner. Title IV: National Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection - Directs the AG to appoint a Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Computer Crime and Intellectual Property (Deputy Assistant) to: (1) advise Federal prosecutors and law enforcement personnel regarding computer and intellectual property crime; (2) coordinate national and international activities for combating such crime; (3) guide and assist Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and personnel, as well as appropriate foreign entities, regarding responses to threats of such crimes; and (4) undertake related coordinating, training, and legislative recommendation activities. Requires the individual who holds the position of head of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of DOJ to act as the Deputy Assistant until the AG appoints another individual to that Section position. Authorizes appropriations for such Section. (Sec. 402) Requires the FBI's Director of the National Infrastructure Protection Center to use appropriated funds to gather and analyze information concerning threats to, and provide assessments and assistance for protecting, the national critical infrastructure. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 403) Amends Federal employee provisions to authorize the assignment or transfer of a Federal employee to a provider of wire or electronic communication service, data encryption service, or related service in order to further objectives of this Act. Title V: International Computer Crime Enforcement - International Computer Crime Enforcement Assistance Act of 2000 - Authorizes the AG to provide computer crime (other than trade secrets or undisclosable proprietary information) evidence or information to a foreign law enforcement authority (foreign authority) in order to assist in the enforcement of foreign computer crime law. Requires a mutual assistance agreement with the appropriate foreign country or organization prior to the release of such information. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the AG to provide investigative assistance to foreign authorities for obtaining computer crime evidence relating to the enforcement of foreign computer crime laws. Requires a mutual assistance agreement. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the appropriate U.S. district court, upon application of the AG under a mutual assistance agreement, to order a person to give testimony or a statement, or to produce a document or other thing, in order to assist a foreign authority to enforce a foreign computer crime law. Outlines court procedures. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the AG from taking any actions authorized under this title unless the AG determines that: (1) the foreign authority concerned will honor its mutual assistance agreement; (2) providing evidence will not violate any agreement; and (3) disclosing evidence or exercising authority is consistent with U.S. public interests. (Sec. 506) Authorizes the AG to receive reimbursement from a foreign authority for costs incurred in exercising authority under this title. (Sec. 507) Exempts determinations made under section 505 from judicial review. (Sec. 508) Outlines computer crime mutual assistance agreement elements, including a requirement that the foreign authority will provide the AG with comparable assistance, and will protect evidence provided in the same manner as the AG would. Excludes from such agreements computer crime evidence: (1) occurring before a grand jury for which disclosure is prevented by Federal law (with exceptions); (2) that is specifically authorized under Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and is classified or pending classification; or (3) that is classified under the Atomic Energy Act. Requires prior publication of any mutual assistance agreement, as well as subsequent publication of agreement modifications and terminations. (Sec. 510) Requires the AG to report to the congressional judiciary committees regarding the effects of this title on the enforcement of Federal computer crime laws as well as foreign authority compliance with mutual assistance agreements. Title VI: Severability - Provides for the severability of provisions of this Act.
Bill· SS. 2444 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage of Childhood Immunization Act of 2000 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require comprehensive health insurance coverage for childhood immunization to be provided by health plans and insurance issuers in both group and individual markets.
Bill· SS. 2434 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Preservation Act of 2000 - Requires amounts allotted to a State under title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act for FY 1998 and 1999 to remain available through FY 2002, notwithstanding a specified time limitation on the availability of such amounts.
Bill· SS. 2430 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Internet Security Act of 2000 - Amends the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 (the Act) to set forth penalties for unlawfully accessing to commit fraud, and damaging, a protected computer where that conduct: (1) causes a loss aggregating at least $5,000 in value during a one-year period to one or more individuals; (2) modifies or impairs the medical examination, diagnosis, treatment, or care of one or more individuals; (3) causes physical injury to any person; or (4) threatens public health or safety. Includes attempted offenses within the scope of the Act. Provides for the forfeiture to the United States of the offender's interest in any: (1) personal property used to commit or facilitate the offense; and (2) real or personal property that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to a violation. Limits "losses" (currently, "damages for violations involving damage") to economic damages. Defines "loss" to include: (1) the reasonable costs to any victim of responding to the offense, conducting a damage assessment, and restoring the system and data; and (2) any lost revenue or costs incurred by the victim as a result of interruption of service. Specifies that property subject to forfeiture, any seizure and disposition of property, and any administrative or judicial proceeding in relation thereto shall be governed by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) acts that damage computers used in the delivery of critical infrastructure services pose a serious threat to public health and safety and have the potential to cause losses to victims; and (2) the Government should have jurisdiction to investigate acts affecting protected computers, even if the effects of such acts occur wholly outside the United States. (Sec. 4) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to ensure that any individual convicted of a violation of the Act regarding the accessing of a protected computer under specified unlawful circumstances can be subjected to appropriate penalties, without regard to any mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. (Sec. 5) Directs the court, with respect to any person convicted of trafficking in counterfeit computer labels, program documentation, or packaging, to order the forfeiture and destruction or other disposition of anything used to copy or produce the computer program or other item to which the counterfeit label was affixed. (Sec. 7) Rewrites Federal criminal code provisions regarding pen registers and trap and trace devices to authorize the court, with respect to requests from an attorney for the Government or a State law enforcement or investigative officer, to enter an order authorizing the installation and use of such a device if the court finds that the information likely to be obtained is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation. Requires that the use of the device be conducted in such a way as to minimize the recording or decoding of any electronic or other impulses that are not related to the dialing and signaling information utilized in processing by the service provider upon whom the order is served. (Sec. 8) Revises the definition of "pen register" to: (1) mean a device or process that records or decodes electronic or other impulses that identify the telephone numbers or electronic addresses dialed or otherwise transmitted by an instrument or facility from which a wire or electronic communication is transmitted and used for purposes of identifying the destination or termination of such communication by the service provider upon which the order is served; and (2) exclude any device or process used by a provider or customer of a wire or electronic communication service for billing or recording as an incident to billing for communications services or for cost accounting or other like purposes in the ordinary course of its business. (Sec. 9) Requires that the Attorney General's annual report to Congress regarding pen register and trap and trace devices include information concerning: (1) the period of interceptions authorized by the order and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; (2) the offense specified in the order, application, or extension; (3) the number of investigations involved; (4) the number and nature of the facilities affected; and (5) the identity of the applying investigative or law enforcement agency making the application and the person authorizing the order. (Sec. 10) Rewrites code provisions regarding the interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications to permit a person acting under color of law to intercept: (1) a wire, oral, or electronic communication if such person is a party to the communication or if one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception; and (2) a wire or electronic communication if the transmission is causing harmful interference to a lawfully operating computer system, if any person who is not a provider of service to the public and who is authorized to use the facility from which the wire or electronic communication is to be intercepted has given prior consent to the interception, and if the interception is conducted only to the extent necessary to identify the source of the harmful interference. (Sec. 11) Requires the Attorney General's annual reports to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to include the number of orders in which encryption was encountered and whether such encryption prevented law enforcement from obtaining the plain text of communications intercepted. (Sec. 12) Directs the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs to make a grant to each State to: (1) assist State and local law enforcement in enforcing State and local criminal laws relating to computer crime and in educating the public to prevent and identify computer crime; (2) assist in educating and training State and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors to conduct investigations and forensic analyses of evidence and prosecutions of computer crime; (3) assist State and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors in acquiring computer and other equipment to conduct investigations and forensic analysis of evidence of computer crimes; and (4) facilitate and promote the sharing of Federal law enforcement expertise and information about the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of computer crimes with State and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors, including the use of multi-jurisdictional task forces. Sets forth provisions regarding use of grant amounts, required State assurances to be eligible to receive a grant, and matching funds. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Attorney General to use amounts made available herein to make grants to Indian tribes.
Bill· HRH.R. 4330 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Medicare Women's Preventive Care Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of annual screening pap smears and pelvic and clinical breast exams. (Current law provides coverage for individuals who have not had such an exam within the preceding three years, with coverage for annual exams in specified circumstances.)
Bill· HRH.R. 4277 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Federal Employees Health Insurance Premium Conversion Act - Requires the Office of Personnel Management to make available to Federal annuitants the option to pay their Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program enrollment charges through a health insurance premium conversion arrangement beginning on the same date as when such option first becomes available to Federal employees generally, but no later than the deadline specified below. Requires: (1) each employing entity within the legislative branch to establish a plan, similar to the health insurance premium conversion arrangement, for their employees; and (2) the Secretary of Defense (or each appropriate Secretary with respect to the Coast Guard and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health Service) to establish such a plan for members and retired members of the uniformed services. Requires that all such plans be completed so that such option shall become available no later than the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2001.
Bill· HRH.R. 4280 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
National Institutes of Health EPSCoR Program Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the program for enhancing the competitiveness of entities conducting biomedical and behavioral research in obtaining funds from the National Research Institutes. Establishes a new experimental program to stimulate competitive research (EPSCoR) to enhance the research competitiveness of a non-Federal entity located in an EPSCoR State (as defined in this Act). Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4301 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the wholesale distributor of certain drugs who is not the manufacturer or an authorized distributor of record for a calendar year (currently, the language "for a calendar year" is not in the Act) of a drug to provide to the recipient of the drug a statement identifying each prior sale, purchase, or trade of such drug.
Bill· HRH.R. 4337 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to limit the documentation or electronic information an importer of record must file with the U.S. Customs Service to that alone necessary to enable the Customs Service to determine whether the merchandise may be released from customs custody. Specifies such information. (Sec. 1) Revises the condition for delivery from customs custody of imported merchandise to repeal the requirement that such merchandise has been inspected, appraised, or examined and is reported by the Customs Service to have been truly and correctly invoiced and found to comply with the requirements of U.S. law. Permits delivery from custody if: (1) the merchandise has been determined through inspection, examination, or other method to pose no threat to the public health, safety, or welfare; and (2) the merchandise description and origin are correctly stated. Revises the definition of electronic entry to conform to such revised requirement. (Sec. 2) Requires a National Customs Automation Program participant qualifying for remote location filing to be capable of providing, on an entry-by-entry basis, for an electronic import activity summary statement of required information (or, as currently, for an electronic entry summary). (Sec. 3) Revises the filing requirement for entry of imported merchandise to allow filing of declared value, classification, and applicable duty rate as part of an entry summary, or, in the alternative, an import activity summary statement. Declares that information filed as part of an import activity summary statement shall be sufficient for such purposes if the monthly activity is totaled by tariff number, country of origin, and any relevant special duty program indicators. Requires any variances of such information from the information contained in the underlying documents, electronically transmitted information, or written or oral statements for individual shipments, in the absence of fraud, to be considered clerical errors. Allows import activity summary statement information to be electronic. Declares that importer activity summary statement information: (1) may be provided in the aggregate by tariff numbers, country of origin, and any relevant special duty program indicators; and (2) need not be related to specific entries or shipments. (Sec. 4) 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. 5) Revises requirements for the filing of a reconciliation with regard to entry of merchandise elements. Declares that a party shall not be required to indicate on an individual import entry, entry summary, or import activity summary statement basis whether a reconciliation will be filed, except to the extent that the party wishes to allocate information specifically to an import entry, entry summary, or importer activity summary statement. (Sec. 6) Revises the exception of clerical errors or mistakes of fact from the prohibition of fraud, gross negligence, or negligence. Declares that, absent fraud, variances between any document or electronically transmitted information, or written or oral statements, with respect to individual shipments and the aggregate information properly filed as part of an entry summary, an import activity summary statement, or a reconciliation shall be considered to be clerical errors. Provides that, with regard to violations that are material incorrect statements and omissions, to the extent that the effect of incorrect information presented or information omitted by a person in an entry, entry summary, import activity summary statement, or reconciliation is reduced by other information in or relating to the same or other such documents during the relevant period, the violation shall be material only to the extent of the net error or omission. Limits the Customs Service to collecting only the net underpayment to the extent that any deprivation of duties, taxes, or fees owed the United States as a result of a violation of the prohibition against fraud, gross negligence, or negligence is offset by overpayments of duties, taxes, or fees during the relevant period. (Sec. 7) Requires that, for purposes of determining the transaction value of imported merchandise, and whether the circumstances of the sale of the imported merchandise indicate that the relationship between the buyer and seller did not influence the price actually paid or payable, there shall be taken into account other sales during a representative timeframe in the normal course of trade in merchandise of the same class or kind. (Sec. 8) Prohibits a drawback (refund) of customs duties on imported merchandise for Customs Service destruction of an article manufactured or produced in the United States with the use of such merchandise, unless the completed article is destroyed by the Customs Service within five years after importation of the merchandise involved. Qualifies for a drawback only an article completely destroyed so that no valuable waste or scrap results. Provides that, if waste or scrap resulting from the destruction of merchandise or articles has commercial value, then drawback is allowable based on the quantity of merchandise or articles destroyed, reduced by an amount equal to the quantity of the destroyed merchandise or articles that the value of the waste or scrap would replace. (Sec. 9) Extends the exemption of instruments of international traffic from application of the customs laws to all types of containers and shipping devices such as lift vans, cargo vans, shipping tanks, skids, pallets, racks, boxes, materials for stuffing containers, and other similar items. Excludes such items also from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. (Sec. 10) Amends the General Notes of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to authorize the classification, at the importer's option, of importations of any part or component for complete or finished dies or machinery tools and equipment under the specific heading or subheading for the complete or finished article with which it is to be used, installed, or assembled, if the importer files, in a specified manner, an election that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Customs Service a preexisting binding agreement for the purchase by the importer of the complete article for which the part or component is being imported.
Bill· HRH.R. 4265 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Cancer and Terminal Illness Patient Health Care Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to waive the employee portion of Social Security taxes on individuals diagnosed with a terminal disease or cancer (including cancer in remission).
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 477 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the cost disparity between identical prescription drugs sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico should be reduced or eliminated.
Law· HRH.R. 4249 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Cross-Border Cooperation and Environmental Safety in Northern Europe Act of 2000 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States Northern Europe Initiative is a sound framework for future United States involvement in Northern Europe; (2) the European Union should move expeditiously to authorize and fund the proposed "Northern Dimension" Initiative at appropriate yet substantial levels of assistance; (3) the United States should continue to support a wide-ranging strengthening of democratic and civic institutions on a regional basis to provide a foundation for political stability and investment opportunities, including cross-border exchanges, in Northern Europe; (4) the United States should demonstrate continued commitment to address environmental security challenges in Northwest Russia, in cooperation with partners in the region; and (5) recently-elected Russian President Vladimir Putin should rapidly conclude pending nuclear waste management agreements to enable assistance programs to go forward. Allocates specified sums from previously authorized appropriations for assistance and related programs for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States for the United States Northern Europe Initiative projects relating to environmental cleanup, law enforcement, public health, energy, business and trade promotion. Instructs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on: (1) the threat to environmental security presented by Russian marine nuclear reactor, waste, and contamination; and (2) possibilities for expanded United States and multilateral assistance programs for environmental clean-up in Northwest Russia, including technical exchanges and private- public partnerships.
Bill· HRH.R. 4253 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Pulmonary Hypertension Research Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute with respect to research on pulmonary hypertension. Requires a report. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4246 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Cyber Security Information Act - Authorizes any Federal entity to expressly designate a request for the voluntary provision of information relating to cyber security (defined as the vulnerability of any computing system, software program, or critical infrastructure to, or its ability to resist, intentional interference, compromise, or incapacitation through misuse of the Internet or public or private telecommunications systems or other similar conduct that violates Federal, State, or international law, harms interstate commerce, or threatens public health or safety), including cyber security statements (conveyances of information by means of a cyber security Internet website relating to cyber security), as a cyber security data gathering request. Specifies that such a request shall: (1) specify an entity to gather responses to the request; (2) be from a private entity to a Federal entity; or (3) be deemed to have been made and to have specified such a private entity when the Federal entity has voluntarily been given cyber security information gathered by that private entity, including by means of a cyber security Internet website. Provides that a cyber security statement or other such information provided by a party in response to a request: (1) shall be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act; (2) shall not be disclosed to or by any third party; and (3) may not be used by any Federal or State entity or by any third party in any civil action arising under Federal or State law. Makes exceptions regarding separately obtained information submitted in response to a request through the use of independent legal authorities and regarding information disclosed generally or broadly to the public with the express consent of the party. (Sec. 5) Makes the antitrust laws inapplicable to conduct engaged in solely for facilitating or communicating about the correction or avoidance of a cyber security related problem. Makes an exception with respect to conduct that involves or results in an agreement to boycott any person, to allocate a market, or to fix prices or output. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the President to establish working groups of Federal employees who will engage outside organizations in discussions to address cyber security and to share information related to cyber security.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 305 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the presence of brain activity and spontaneous cardiac activity should be considered conclusive evidence for all legal purposes of the presence of human life, without regard to age, health, defects, or condition of dependency; (2) the absence of such activity, other than an irreversible cessation of these activities, should not be considered conclusive evidence for legal purposes that a human life is not present; and (3) the Constitution protects all human life in the United States.
Bill· SS. 2399 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Transplant Patients Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove time limitations on the coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for individuals who have received organ transplants. (Current law only provides coverage for such drugs for certain time periods after the transplant procedure.) Applies certain secondary payer requirements with respect to individuals with end stage renal disease without regard to any time limitations in the case of immunosuppressive drugs furnished after this Act's enactment.
Bill· SS. 2398 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Organ Transplantation Fairness Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to modify: (1) the requirements organ procurement organizations must meet to be eligible for certain existing grants, including organization certification requirements; and (2) requirements and limitations regarding the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, including regarding organ allocation and regarding the disposition of listing and participation fees. Requires that the scientific registry of organ transplant recipients also include information respecting donors and patients in transplants involving living donors. Authorizes grants and contracts for travel and subsistence expenses of living donors. Mandates a public education program regarding organ donation (either directly by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or through grants or contracts). Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants for studies and demonstration projects regarding increasing donation rates; and (2) make grants to States for public education and programs to increase the number of donors. Provides for a bronze medal for donors (or, if the donor is deceased, the donor's family). Prohibits States or their subdivisions from establishing or continuing in effect any law, rule, regulation, or other requirement that would restrict the ability of any entity to comply with Network organ allocation policies.
Bill· SS. 2394 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Teaching Hospital Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise a certain formula pertaining to additional payments to hospitals with indirect costs of medical education to maintain the value of a certain variable used in the indirect teaching adjustment factor at the FY 1999 level on or after October 1, 2000. (Current law requires a lesser value for such variable in FY 2001 and thereafter.)
Bill· HRH.R. 4235 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Medicare Low-Income Prescription Drug Assistance Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an entitlement program under which certain low-income individuals enrolled for benefits under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act may voluntarily enroll and receive benefits for covered outpatient prescription drugs after payment of monthly premiums.
Bill· HRH.R. 4239 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Teaching Hospital Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise a formula pertaining to additional payments to hospitals with indirect costs of medical education to maintain the value of a variable used in the indirect teaching adjustment factor at the FY 1999 level on or after October 1, 2000. (Current law requires a lesser value for such variable in FY 2001 and thereafter.)
Bill· HRH.R. 4242 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Orphan Drug Innovation Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, with respect to orphan drugs, to provide for the waiver of the seven-year prohibition against approval for a drug which is clinically superior to an approved drug.
Bill· HRH.R. 4236 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Seniors Health Choice Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with regard to: (1) application of the budget neutrality principle to the new Medicare+Choice risk adjustment methodology; (2) establishment of health-status risk adjustment methodology; (3) an additional minimum annual increase in Medicare+Choice capitation rates; and (4) payment of an additional drug inflation differential for Medicare+Choice plans offering qualified prescription drug coverage. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to discontinue immediately all activity related to requiring Medicare+Choice organizations to submit encounter data for sites other than hospital inpatient departments, before final regulations are promulgated implementing the health-status risk adjustment methodology established under this Act.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 96 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2000
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that all citizens of the United states shall enjoy the right to health care of equal high quality.
Bill· SS. 2379 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Kids Deserve Freedom from Tobacco Act of 2000 or KIDS Act - Title I: Protection of Children from Tobacco - Subtitle A: Food and Drug Administration Jurisdiction and General Authority - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) to prohibit the manufacture, labeling, distribution, advertising and sale of any adulterated or misbranded tobacco product in violation of regulations under the Act or this Act. Empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services to regulate any tobacco product as a drug, as a device intended for human use, or both. Subtitle B: Regulation of Tobacco Products - Authorizes the Secretary to adopt a safety and effectiveness performance standard for a tobacco product, regardless of whether the product has been classified as a device intended for human use, including provisions to achieve the best public health result. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a Scientific Advisory Committee to evaluate whether a level exists at which nicotine yields do not produce drug dependence; (2) review and determine whether persons under 18 are obtaining tobacco products via the mail; (3) implement a proposed resolution concerning restrictions on tobacco marketing, advertising, and access; and (4) require warnings on cigarette and smokeless tobacco labeling and advertisements. Requires each manufacturer to annually submit an ingredient list, as well as a safety assessment for each desired new ingredient. Outlines requirements with respect to a manufacturer's claim that a tobacco product imposes reduced risks in relation to other tobacco products. Requires each manufacturer to disclose all nonpublic information and research relating to tobacco addiction or dependency or to the health or safety of tobacco products. Directs the Secretary to prescribe good manufacturing practice standards for tobacco products. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes this Act inapplicable to the producers of tobacco leaf. Directs the Secretary to require tobacco retail establishments accessible to individuals under 18 to comply with applicable advertising restrictions.
Bill· SS. 2378 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Stop All Frequent Errors (SAFE) in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Additional Responsibilities for the Secretary in Order To Improve Health Care Quality). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) requirements for patient safety programs as a condition for the participation of service providers in the Medicare program; and (2) a patient safety reporting system for collection and analysis of standardized information concerning sentinel (major error) and additional error events (applicable events) occurring to an individual in the provider's care or custody, and reporting of such information to the appropriate State agency, national accrediting body, or appropriate peer review organization. (Sec. 3) Requires the agency or entity designated by a service provider to ensure that the service provider: (1) investigates an applicable event; (2) determines the root cause or causes; and (3) establishes and implements a time-limited plan or strategy to correct the problem or problems that resulted in the applicable event, lead to reduction of the risk of such event happening in the future, and allow the designated agency or entity to determine the appropriateness of the root cause analyses and any corrective actions proposed or taken by the service provider. Provides for enforcement of requirements for designated agencies and entities. Places limitations on information regarding applicable events with respect to a service provider. Directs the Secretary to provide the director of the Center for Patient Safety with any information that the director of the Center determines necessary to carry out the Center's mission. Sets forth confidentiality requirements respecting any information, including patient information, developed by or on behalf of a service provider with respect to an applicable event. Amends SSA title XIX to apply Medicare patient safety requirements of this Act to the Medicaid congregate care providers. Establishes within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality the Center for Patient Safety, headed by a director, to improve patient safety and reduce the incidence of errors in the provision of health care. Authorizes the Center's director to award grants to service providers, congregate care providers, and health professionals affiliated with such service providers or congregate care providers for the establishment and operation of patient safety programs. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4219 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Home Health Fairness Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate a specified 15 percent reduction in cost and per beneficiary limits with respect to payment rates for home health services under the Medicare prospective payment system. Makes this Act effective as if included in the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999.
Law· HRH.R. 4205 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations - Authorizes the use of multiyear procurement contracts for the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the UH/60-CH/60 helicopter, and the DDG-51 (destroyer). Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2001. Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a specified amount for certain removal costs connected with the former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site in Suffolk, Virginia. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned (Secretary concerned) to pay certain fines and penalties imposed by the EPA or a State in connection with environmental violations at specified sites. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to issue regulations requiring payment by civil air carriers for certain air and landing support provided at Johnston Atoll. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary, upon request from a department Secretary or defense agency director, to transfer excess titanium sponge from the National Defense Stockpile for use in manufacturing defense equipment. (Sec. 323) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through FY 2003 a pilot program for the acceptance and use of landing fees charged for the use of military airfields by civil aircraft. Extends a required implementation report date. (Sec. 324) Repeals a provision requiring a nonappropriated fund instrumentality to be considered as the most economical method of distribution of covered alcoholic beverages for resale on a military installation if the use of a private distributor would subject such beverages to direct or indirect State taxation. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2001. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2001 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 413) Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2001 for military technicians. (Sec. 414) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 415) Exempts from the active-duty end strength limitation those members of the reserve: (1) or National Guard serving on active duty to prepare for and perform military funeral honor functions; and (2) on active duty for 181 days or more to perform special work in support of the armed forces and combatant commands. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to retain Medical Service Corps officers beyond the normal required retirement age. Withdraws the authority to so retain veterinary officers. (Sec. 503) Provides for the release to the military department concerned of the names of officers considered for promotion to a grade below brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) upon transmittal to the President of the report of such selection board. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Policy - Exempts certain reserve and general flag officers serving in joint duty assignments from the active duty list for promotion purposes. (Sec. 512) Authorizes the Secretary concerned, upon a determination that it is in the national security interest, to increase the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel serving on active duty or full-time National Guard duty. (Sec. 514) Exempts medical and dental officers from reserve end strength limitations. (Sec. 515) Includes under certain promotion authority an individual on the Reserve Active Status List who is ordered to active duty for a period of three years or less. Subtitle C: Education and Training - Repeals a provision which allows the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Program to be funded from certain excess National Guard Challenge Program funding. Removes an annual funding limit with respect to the latter program. Subtitle D: Medal of Honor Recipients - Waives certain time limitations with respect to the award of the Medal of Honor to: (1) Ed W. Freeman of Boise, Idaho, for acts of valor during the Vietnam conflict; and (2) Andrew J. Smith (posthumously) for acts of valor during the Civil War. Subtitle E: Joint Management - Revises provisions concerning the joint officer specialty program to: (1) provide for the designation of officers with the joint specialty officer identifier; (2) allow an officer to be designated with such an identifier after completing two full tours of duty in joint duty assignments; (3) allow the Secretary concerned to waive designation requirements for a particular officer for unusual circumstances, or for a critical need (the latter only in the case of a general or flag officer); (4) provide for joint specialty officer designations for general and flag officer positions; and (5) require accreditation by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) for any educational institution designated as a joint professional military education institution. Revises policy objectives and qualifications for joint duty officers. (Sec. 543) Repeals a provision requiring officers graduating from a joint professional military education school to be assigned to a joint duty assignment for that officer's next duty assignment. Reduces from three to two months the duration of the principal course of instruction offered at the Armed Forces Staff College. (Sec. 544) Requires the length of a joint duty assignment to mirror the standard tour length that the Secretary establishes for each installation or location at which joint duty assignments are authorized. Allows waivers from such required tour length only on a case-by-case basis. Repeals provisions providing for the initial joint duty assignment of officers with critical occupational specialties. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to request the joint activity to which an officer is assigned to curtail such officer's assignment. Repeals provisions concerning average joint duty tour lengths. Revises the criteria under which full tour credit will be recognized for promotion purposes. (Sec. 545) Makes the JCS (currently the Secretary) responsible for monitoring the personal issues (careers) of officers with the joint specialty designation as well as other officers who have served in joint duty assignments. (Sec. 546) Revises generally information required in an annual report from the Secretary to Congress concerning joint specialty duty assignments and experience. (Sec. 548) Repeals minimum joint duty completion requirements in the case of an officer selected by a promotion board for appointment to the grade of brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half) while serving in a joint duty assignment. Subtitle F: Selection Board Appeals - Provides exclusive remedies available to a person challenging the action or recommendation of a selection board. Bars any such person from entitlement to judicial relief unless he or she has first been considered by a special board or refused such consideration by the Secretary concerned. Provides for appropriate correction of military records or restoration of appropriate status, rights, and entitlements if consideration by a special board results in a decision favorable to the individual. Makes this section inapplicable to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy. Subtitle G: Other Matters - Exempts members of the Army, Navy, or Air Force Retiree Council from limits on the authorized number of recalled retirees. (Sec. 562) Mandates a three-year tenure requirement for the following positions (currently designated only as critical acquisition positions): program or deputy program manager for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program; program executive officer, general or flag officer or civilian equivalent thereto; or senior contracting official. Title VI: Compensation and Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to delegate the authority to waive operational flying duty requirements for purposes of entitlement to incentive pay. (Sec. 602) Authorizes special pay (in lieu of any other special pay) for reserve medical and dental officers performing annual training, active duty for training, and active duty for special work. (Sec. 603) Provides compensation rates for reserve and National Guard personnel performing funeral honors duty. (Sec. 604) Extends through FY 2002 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2000 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. Subtitle B: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the advance payment of allowances for temporary lodging expenses. (Sec. 612) Provides for the payment of a prorated amount for the transportation of baggage and household effects when less than the authorized weight limit is shipped. (Sec. 613) Authorizes the advance payment of per diem for temporary lodging expenses. (Sec. 614) Authorizes a member entitled to the transportation of a motor vehicle to instead be paid a prorated share of the savings achieved by the member in not sending the vehicle to the new duty station. Authorizes the storage of such motor vehicle in lieu of shipping. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Makes eligible for appointment to a military service academy the children of a member of the reserves who either: (1) have earned at least 2,880 military retirement credit points; or (2) are, or who died while they were, eligible for military retired pay, but had not yet reached age 60. (Sec. 632) Authorizes a personal money allowance of $2,000 annually for senior enlisted members of the armed forces. (Sec. 633) Increases the initial and annual uniform allowance. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the Secretary (and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating under the Navy) to prescribe the quantity and kind of clothing to be worn by enlisted personnel. (Currently, the President has such authority.) Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Entitles Medal of Honor recipients to medical and dental care in the same manner and to the same extent as those entitled to military retired or retainer pay. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations - Eliminates: (1) the requirement that a contractor furnish written assurances that technical data furnished complies with contractual requirements; and (2) certain subcontract notification requirements. (Sec. 805) Redesignates major defense acquisition programs as major systems for purposes of applying operational test and evaluation requirements. Authorizes defense contractors to participate in certain phases of such test and evaluation, including analytical and logistic support. Requires certain steps to ensure the impartiality and integrity of contractor employees involved in such process. (Sec. 808) Allows the Secretary of Defense to utilize indefinite-delivery contracts for gloves, boots, humanitarian and operational rations, and toxicological agent protective clothing, upon request of a State or U.S. territory, Puerto Rico, an Indian tribe, the District of Columbia, or a qualified, nonprofit agency for the blind or severely handicapped. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Prohibits the suspension of defense procurement contract preferences for small disadvantaged businesses and historically black and other minority educational institutions if the President determines that contracts for a price exceeding fair market value cost are necessary to remedy demonstrated discrimination in that industry category. (Sec. 812) Revises the definition of "conventional ammunition" under the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to include ammunition managed by DOD's Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition. (Sec. 813) Provides a further exception to the technical data rights for items developed exclusively at private expense when operation, maintenance, or installation services are to be provided other than by the contractor or subcontractor. (Sec. 814) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the application of survivability tests to the MH-47E and MH-60K helicopter modification programs before full material release of such helicopters for operational use. Requires a report with any such waiver. (Sec. 815) Repeals the requirement that the Secretary certify to Congress that the future-years defense program fully funds support costs associated with the multiyear contracting program. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department of Defense Organization - Redesignates Marine Corps Deputy and Assistant Chiefs of Staff as Deputy Commandants. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Consolidates the Naval Academy General Gift Fund and the Naval Academy Museum Fund into the United States Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund. Repeals the Naval Academy Museum Fund and the Naval Historical Center Fund. (Sec. 912) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to dispose of the current cash value of previously accepted gifts to the Naval Academy Gift Fund by transfer to an entity designated by the donor. (Sec. 913) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the payment of retraining and relocation expenses to facilitate the reemployment of DOD employees who are being involuntarily separated due to a reduction-in-force or transfer of military functions. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal employer to pay the costs (for up to 12 months) of retraining such individuals for employment with that employer. Prohibits: (1) the total amount of retraining payments for each individual from exceeding $10,000; and (2) payment for training or relocations commenced after September 30, 2003. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Provides for the offset of overpayments made to DOD contract carriers for transportation services. (Sec. 1002) Changes an annual date for submission of a report concerning the scoring of defense budget outlays. (Sec. 1003) Codifies provisions concerning O&M reimbursements for certain reserve intelligence or counterintelligence support. Subtitle B: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance - Includes underserved areas for the provision of defense humanitarian and civic assistance. (Sec. 1012) Increases from $5 million to $10 million the annual limit on costs of equipment, services, and supplies provided in connection with the clearance of land mines in foreign countries. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements and Repeals - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to repeal a B-2 bomber reporting requirement. (Sec. 1016) Requires an annual report concerning National Guard and reserve equipment to include information concerning Coast Guard Reserve equipment. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Requires a military will or codicil, executed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary (or Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating under the Navy), to be recognized as a valid testamentary instrument. Outlines general requirements for such wills and codicils, including self-proof through testator acknowledgment and witnesses. Prohibits anything in this section from invalidating other testamentary instruments. (Sec. 1022) Repeals a provision which allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative military airlift agreements with allied countries only under authority of current provisions concerning such agreements. (Sec. 1023) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 which prohibits FY 2000 Cooperative Threat Reduction funds from being used for a chemical weapons destruction facility in Russia. Division B: Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to construct or acquire family housing units, carry out architectural planning and design activities, and improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after: (1) 2000 for military construction, land acquisition, and family housing functions of the Army; and (2) 2001 for completion of certain previously-authorized military construction projects. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Fort Hood, Texas. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army under the first paragraph of the previous title. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations similar to those provided for the Army under the first paragraph of Title XXI. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. (Sec. 2402) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2403) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after: (1) 2000 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD; and (2) 2001 for completion of a previously-authorized project. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for such Program. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 2000 for the Guard and reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2003, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2004, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the minor real property transaction threshold before certain congressional notification and reporting is required from the Secretary concerned. (Sec. 2802) Includes a military readiness center within the definition of an armory. (Sec. 2803) Extends through February 10, 2006, the authority of the Secretary concerned to enter into contracts for the construction or acquisition of military family housing facilities. (Sec. 2804) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to provide utilities or services on a reimbursable basis as part of a project for the acquisition or construction of military family housing units located on a military installation. (Sec. 2805) Amends provisions concerning the leasing of military family housing at the United States Southern Command in Miami, Florida, to: (1) remove an annual $60,000 limit on individual housing lease costs; (2) allow such leases to extend for up to five years; and (3) allow the Secretary of the Army to adjust the maximum annual limit on such leases by the amount of the annual basic allowance for housing increase in the Miami area. (Sec. 2806) Removes certain limitations on housing space based on pay grade and allows the Secretary concerned to ensure that room patterns and floor areas are generally comparable to patterns and areas of similar housing units in that locality. (Sec. 2807) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to modify the authority for a land conveyance at the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California.
Bill· HRH.R. 4207 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
FDA Tobacco Authority Amendments Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to, among other things: (1) include "nicotine in a tobacco product" in the definition of the term "drug" and to include "a tobacco product" in the definition of the term "device;" and (2) set forth provisions for tobacco products concerning special standards for such products, warnings regarding such products, and a rule of construction regarding farmers and related entities.
Bill· SS. 2365 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
Home Health Payment Fairness Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate a specified 15 percent reduction in cost and per beneficiary limits with respect to payment rates for home health services under the Medicare prospective payment system.