Housing

Foreclosure Sale Fairness Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1998

Foreclosure Sale Fairness Act of 1998 - Provides that upon mortgagor request, the foreclosure sale of a single family home shall occur at public auction and be conducted to maximize competitive bidding and obtain the highest sale price.

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999

United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Independent Agencies Title IV: General Provisions Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for FY 1999 for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and for sundry independent agencies. Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General post fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery System; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 109) Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Salisbury, North Carolina, as the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (8) community development block grants; (9) the HOME investment partnerships program; (10) homeless assistance grants; (11) housing for special populations; (12) the Federal Housing Administration; (13) the Government National Mortgage Association; (14) housing policy development and research; (15) fair housing activities; (16) the Lead Hazard Reduction Program; (17) management and administration; (18) the Office of Inspector General; and (19) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 201) Amends the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, I to extend provisions regarding: (1) public and assisted housing minimum rents and preferences; and (2) delays in the reissuance of section 8 vouchers and certificates. Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to extend a provision regarding authorized uses of assistance, including the improvement or replacement of housing, by public housing agencies. (Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary of HUD to make a grant for any State that: (1) received an allocation in a prior fiscal year under the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act; and (2) is not otherwise eligible for such allocation for FY 1999 because the areas in the State outside of the metropolitan statistical areas that qualify do not have the required number of AIDS cases. (Sec. 205) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to set a maximum monthly rent for a single person (other than an elderly or disabled person living with persons determined to be essential to the person's care or well-being) receiving low-income tenant based rental assistance in a certificate or voucher program. Sets the monthly assistance payment for families being admitted to the voucher program who remain in the same unit or complex where rent does not exceed the payment standard at the amount by which rent exceeds the greater of 30 percent of the family's monthly adjusted income or ten percent of the family's monthly income. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to revise the performance funding system used for making annual payments for operation of low-income housing to take into account equity among public housing agencies and include incentives for sound management. (Sec. 209) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to extend a certain cap on the amount of assistance used for public services by the city and county of Los Angeles, California. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (6) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (7) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program; and (7) the National Flood Insurance Fund. Establishes a Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund in the Treasury and makes appropriations for the Fund. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for human space flight, science, aeronautics, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Requires NASA to develop a revised appropriation structure for submission in the FY 2000 budget request consisting of two basic appropriations (human space flight and science, aeronautics, and technology) with a separate appropriation for the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 423) Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a final rule amending its Flammable Fabrics Act standards to revoke the amendments to the standards for the flammability of children's sleepwear sizes, up to size 14. Appropriates additional funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical and prosthetic research and for NSF research and related activities.

Strategic Transitional Employment Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs Subtitle A: State Activities Subtitle B: Local Activities Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas Subtitle D: General Provisions Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs Title V: Community Development Venture Capital Title VI: Revenue Provisions Strategic Transitional Employment Program Act - Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to assist eligible States and outlying areas in developing strategic transitional employment programs that provide community employment, in local areas with identified communities. (Sec. 101) Defines outlying areas as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program development costs. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs - Subtitle A: State Activities - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to assist eligible States in making grants to local areas, in order to implement employment programs in the States. (Sec. 201) Bases such State allotments on numbers of unemployed individuals and individuals in poverty. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program implementation costs. (Sec. 202) Sets forth requirements for: (1) State plans, including priorities for selection of local areas with identifiable communities; and (2) State administration and reports. Subtitle B: Local Activities - Requires States receiving such allotments to use them to make grants to local areas. (Sec. 212) Sets forth requirements for local plans. (Sec. 213) Requires local areas to use such grant funds to implement employment programs that provide community employment with eligible employers to eligible individuals. Requires such community employment to be entry-level employment that the local chief elected official, after consultation with local organizations' representatives, determines to meet: (1) the skills and needs of eligible individuals in the identified communities in the local area; and (2) the needs of the local area for affordable housing, human services, infrastructure, environmental conservation or restoration, and small business development. Allows such community employment to include employment related to directory assistance services, recreational equipment design and construction, removal of lead paint or asbestos, renovation of schools and community centers, after-school and summer recreational programs, child care and home health care services, elder care, teacher aide services, construction and renovation of affordable housing, and community crime prevention. Authorizes the chief local official to elect to include in such community employment paid participation in training and education programs for up to ten hours per week per participant. Requires paid participation in structured job search activity, as part of such community employment, in accordance with standards specified by the chief elected official. Limits to 12 months the period of a participant's employment under the program. Authorizes the Secretary, upon request and justification by the chief local elected official, to waive such limit and allow participant employment for up to 12 additional months, for not more than 20 percent of program participants. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements. (Sec. 214) Sets forth program requirements with respect to: (1) employee wages and other benefits; (2) labor standards; (3) grievance procedures; and (4) information on worker rights. Prohibits use of program funds for business relocation and related activities, and for other specified activities. Prohibits requiring any individual to participate in an employment program under this title as a condition of receiving any benefit under any Federal or State law. (Sec. 215) Sets forth requirements for nondiscrimination, local administration, and local reports. Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to one-quarter of one percent of appropriations under this title to make grants to eligible outlying areas to implement employment programs. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth requirements for Federal monitoring, reports, and administration. (Sec. 234) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary, if the funds allotted to a State under title II for a fiscal year are not distributed to the State for such fiscal year, to: (1) first use the funds for competitive, direct grants to local areas in the State for implementation of employment programs; and (2) reallot any remaining funds to remaining eligible States. Sets the Federal share at two- thirds of such program implementation costs. Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to three percent of appropriations, under certain provisions of titles I and II, to make grants to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to develop and implement employment programs. Title V: Community Development Venture Capital - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to one or more intermediary organizations to develop the capacity of community development venture capital organizations. Sets forth requirements for use and allocation of such assistance, and for matching funds. (Sec. 501) Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that no trade or business expense deduction shall be allowed for excessive compensation to a full-time employee. (Sec. 602) Revises the definition of part F income (earnings and profits of a controlled foreign corporation) to eliminate foreign base company income (including certain export trade corporation income) and the deferral of any income to another taxable year. (Sec. 603) Expresses the sense of the Senate that any additional sums necessary for the implementation of this Act not already offset by the other provisions of this title should be offset by reductions in the exclusion of income of Foreign Sales Corporations.

Anti-Redlining Insurance Disclosure Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998

Anti-Redlining Insurance Disclosure Act of 1998 - Requires designated insurers to annually submit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and make available to the public with respect to types of insurance in designated metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) information concerning: (1) total numbers of policies, exposure units, and premiums; (2) property claims by type; (3) underwriting standards; and (4) licensed agents. Requires nondesignated insurers to submit to the Secretary their annual total exposure units (in car and house years) of policies in a designated line sold in their MSA. Exempts insurers in States with substantially similar disclosure provisions from such requirements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for specification of collected data; and (2) implement a public access system to such insurance information. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to designate: (1) MSAs for which reporting is required; and (2) insurers. Sets forth the following insurance lines requiring reporting: (1) automobile insurance; (2) homeowners insurance; (3) dwelling fire insurance; (4) small business insurance; and (5) surety bonds. (Authorizes the Secretary to designate additional insurance lines.) (Sec. 5) Sets forth disclosure requirements for rejected insurance applicants. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to establish a task force on insurance agency appointments which shall: (1) review and recommend solutions to improve inner city and minority insurance agents' ability to market insurance products, including steps to increase minority appointments. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to annually collect and make available to the public insurance data from each designated MSA. (Sec. 10) Sets forth civil and injunctive remedies for agent violations of this Act. (Sec. 11) Terminates this Act five years from its effective date (with a two-year discretionary extension). (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies of: (1) insurance applicants; (2) insurer actions to meet needs of minority and low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, including small businesses; (3) disparate claim treatment; (4) territory rating; and (5) reinvestment requirements.

To amend the Impact Aid program to provide for computation of payments to local educational agencies under that program based on eligible federally connected children living in military housing constructed pursuant to limited partnerships with private developers.

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for computation of payments to local educational agencies under the Impact Aid program based on eligible federally-connected children living in military housing constructed pursuant to limited partnerships with private developers.

Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Title II: Education Benefits Title III: Court of Veterans Appeals Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions Relating to the Court Subtitle B: Retirement-Related Provisions Subtitle C: Renaming of Court Title IV: Other Matters Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 1998 - Title I: Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary), effective December 1, 1998, to increase the rates of and limitations on veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents of certain disabled veterans, the clothing allowance for certain service-disabled veterans, veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and children, and supplemental DIC for disabled adult children. Title II: Education Benefits - Changes from a fiscal to calendar year basis the calculation of a reporting fee to be charged to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover certain reporting costs of educational institutions who have veterans enrolled under the veterans' educational assistance program (VEAP). Requires such fee to be paid from amounts appropriated for veterans' readjustment benefits. (Sec. 202) Allows an individual to elect to be paid in advance under the veterans' work-study program. (Current law requires such advance payment.) (Sec. 205) Waives certain wage increase and minimum pay rate requirements with respect to Federal job training programs. (Sec. 206) Requires the Secretary to furnish to members of the armed forces participating in VEAP information relating to the benefits, limitations, procedures, eligibility requirements and other aspects of such program, including application requirements. Requires amounts appropriated for veterans' readjustment benefits to be used to cover the costs of providing such information. (Sec. 207) Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to inform military personnel who have not completed their initial obligated period of active or reserve duty but who wish to be discharged or released for the convenience of the Government of the minimum active-duty requirements for entitlement to VEAP benefits. Requires a description of such notification efforts to be included in a currently required report from the Secretary of Defense to the Congress. Title III: Court of Veterans Appeals - Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions Relating to the Court - Authorizes a judge of the Court of Veterans Appeals (Court) who is nominated for reappointment and whose current term of office expires to continue in office for up to one year while such nomination is pending. Subtitle B: Retirement-Related Provisions - Authorizes the recall of retired Court judges who, upon retirement, notify the chief judge in writing of their availability and willingness to be recalled. Prohibits such a judge from being recalled for more than 90 days in a calendar year without his or her consent, or for more than 180 days in a year in any case. (Sec. 312) Disregards as a creditable year of service as a judge any fractional part of a year less than 183 days, while crediting any fractional part of 183 days or more. (Sec. 313) Defines the retired pay eligibility of judges who: (1) are not recalled due to disability; (2) do not provide notice of availability for recall; or (3) are removed from recall-eligible status. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments to Court judges' retired pay, but disallows any adjustment which would result in that judge's retired pay exceeding the current pay authorized for active judges. (Sec. 314) Exempts the Court of Veterans Appeals Retirement Fund from sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). (Sec. 315) Mandates forfeiture of all retired pay benefits, from the inception of representation until one year after such representation ends, for retired Court judges who represent a client in any claim for veterans' benefits. (Sec. 316) Allows one eligible Court judge to retire each year beginning in 1999 and ending in 2003. Makes eligible for such retirement any associate judge who: (1) has at least ten years of creditable judicial service; (2) has made an election to receive retired pay; (3) has at least 20 years of creditable combined service as a judge, member of Congress, member of the armed forces, or certain Federal service; and (4) is at least 55 years of age. Requires notice to the President and the chief judge of the intention to retire. Provides the retired pay rate, as well as an adjustment to such rate for judges making themselves available for recall. (Sec. 317) Requires judges' survivor annuities to be increased at the same time and by the same percentage that annuities payable from the Judicial Survivors' Annuity Fund are increased. (Sec. 318) Requires the Court chief judge to report to the veterans' committees on the feasibility and desirability of: (1) merging the Court's retirement plan with retirement plans of other Federal judges; and (2) allowing Court judges to participate in the survivor annuity programs available to other Federal judges. Subtitle C: Renaming of Court - Renames the Court as the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Title IV: Other Matters - Makes Federal procurement law as outlined under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 applicable to VA services or supplies contracts. (Sec. 402) Extends permanently (currently expires on October 27, 1999) the eligibility of members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans. (Sec. 403) Requires the Secretary to furnish burial flags at the funerals of former members of the Selected Reserve who: (1) completed at least one year of enlistment or, if an officer, completed their period of initial obligated service; (2) were discharged from duty due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or (3) died while a member of such Reserve. (Sec. 404) Revises cost limitations with respect to grants made by the Secretary to States for establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries (State cemetery grant program). Requires the State to contribute the amount by which specified costs exceed grant amounts. Removes the requirement that amounts authorized for the grant program shall remain available only until the end of the second fiscal year after their appropriation. Increases and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for the grant program. (Sec. 405) Revises provisions concerning the disabled veterans' outreach program to: (1) require amounts authorized for the program to be sufficient to provide one program specialist for each 7,400 veterans residing in a State who are between the ages of 20 and 64; and (2) remove the requirement that preference in the appointment of such specialists be given to Vietnam era disabled veterans. (Sec. 406) Makes permanent the VA's authority to use certain amounts made available due to a pension limitation for certain veterans receiving nursing home care to cover operating expenses at VA medical facilities. (Sec. 407) Revises provisions concerning the Board of Veterans' Appeals to: (1) require Board members to be known as veterans administrative law judges; (2) require each member to be an attorney in good standing with a State bar; (3) direct the Secretary to appoint to a Board attorney position a member who is removed from the Board, but who served as an attorney in the civil service before the Board appointment. (Sec. 408) Eliminates a provision requiring premiums paid on specified policies issued to disabled veterans under the National Service Life Insurance Act of 1940 to be credited directly to, and benefits to be made from, the National Service Life Insurance appropriation.

Saul N. Ramirez, Jr., of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Dwight P. Robinson, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 19 June 1998

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agricultural Programs Title II: Conservation Programs Title III: Rural Economic and Community Development Programs Title IV: Domestic Food Programs Title V: Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Title VI: Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration Title VII: General Provisions Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 - Title I: Agricultural Programs - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for the following Department of Agriculture programs and services: (1) Office of the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) executive operations (Chief Economist, National Appeals Division) (3) Office of Budget and Program Analysis; (4) Office of the Chief Information Officer; (5) Chief Financial Officer; (6) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration; (7) Agriculture buildings and facilities and rental payments; (8) hazardous waste management; (9) departmental administration; (10) outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers; (11) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; (12) Office of Communications; (13) Office of the Inspector General; (14) Office of the General Counsel; (15) Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics; (16) Economic Research Service; (17) National Agricultural Statistics Service; (18) Agricultural Research Service; (19) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; (20) Native American Institutions Endowment Fund; (21) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; (22) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (23) Agricultural Marketing Service; (24) funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply; (25) payments to States and possessions; (26) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; (27) Food Safety and Inspection Service; (28) Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; (29) Farm Service Agency; (30) State mediation grants; (31) dairy indemnity program; (32) Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund account; (33) Risk Management Agency; (34) Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund; and (35) Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. Title II: Conservation Programs - Appropriates funds for the: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment; and (2) Natural Resources Conservation Service. Title III: Rural Economic and Community Development Programs - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development; (2) Rural Housing Service; (3) Rural Business-Cooperative Service; and (4) Rural Utilities Service. Title IV: Domestic Food Programs - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) child nutrition programs; (2) special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) (3) food stamp program; (4) commodity assistance program; and (5) specified food donation programs. Title V: Foreign Assistance and Related Programs - Appropriates funds for the Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager. Title VI: Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Food and Drug Administration; (2) Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation; (3) Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and (4) Farm Credit Administration. Title VII: General Provisions - Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act.

Strategic Transitional Employment Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs Subtitle A: State Activities Subtitle B: Local Activities Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas Subtitle D: General Provisions Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs Title V: Community Development Venture Capital Title VI: Revenue Provisions Strategic Transitional Employment Program Act - Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to assist eligible States and outlying areas in developing strategic transitional employment programs that provide community employment, in local areas with identified communities. (Sec. 101) Defines outlying areas as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program development costs. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs - Subtitle A: State Activities - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to assist eligible States in making grants to local areas, in order to implement employment programs in the States. (Sec. 201) Bases such State allotments on numbers of unemployed individuals and individuals in poverty. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program implementation costs. (Sec. 202) Sets forth requirements for: (1) State plans, including priorities for selection of local areas with identifiable communities; and (2) State administration and reports. Subtitle B: Local Activities - Requires States receiving such allotments to use them to make grants to local areas. (Sec. 212) Sets forth requirements for local plans. (Sec. 213) Requires local areas to use such grant funds to implement employment programs that provide community employment with eligible employers to eligible individuals. Requires such community employment to be entry-level employment that the local chief elected official, after consultation with local organizations' representatives, determines to meet: (1) the skills and needs of eligible individuals in the identified communities in the local area; and (2) the needs of the local area for affordable housing, human services, infrastructure, environmental conservation or restoration, and small business development. Allows such community employment to include employment related to directory assistance services, recreational equipment design and construction, removal of lead paint or asbestos, renovation of schools and community centers, after-school and summer recreational programs, child care and home health care services, elder care, teacher aide services, construction and renovation of affordable housing, and community crime prevention. Authorizes the chief local official to elect to include in such community employment paid participation in training and education programs for up to ten hours per week per participant. Requires paid participation in structured job search activity, as part of such community employment, in accordance with standards specified by the chief elected official. Limits to 12 months the period of a participant's employment under the program. Authorizes the Secretary, upon request and justification by the chief local elected official, to waive such limit and allow participant employment for up to 12 additional months, for not more than 20 percent of program participants. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements. (Sec. 214) Sets forth program requirements with respect to: (1) employee wages and other benefits; (2) labor standards; (3) grievance procedures; and (4) information on worker rights. Prohibits use of program funds for business relocation and related activities, and for other specified activities. Prohibits requiring any individual to participate in an employment program under this title as a condition of receiving any benefit under any Federal or State law. (Sec. 215) Sets forth requirements for nondiscrimination, local administration, and local reports. Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to one-quarter of one percent of appropriations under this title to make grants to eligible outlying areas to implement employment programs. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth requirements for Federal monitoring, reports, and administration. (Sec. 234) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary, if the funds allotted to a State under title II for a fiscal year are not distributed to the State for such fiscal year, to: (1) first use the funds for competitive, direct grants to local areas in the State for implementation of employment programs; and (2) reallot any remaining funds to remaining eligible States. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program implementation costs. Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to three percent of appropriations, under certain provisions of titles I and II, to make grants to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to develop and implement employment programs. Title V: Community Development Venture Capital - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to one or more intermediary organizations to develop the capacity of community development venture capital organizations. Sets forth requirements for use and allocation of such assistance, and for matching funds. (Sec. 501) Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that no trade or business expense deduction shall be allowed for excessive compensation to a full-time employee. (Sec. 602) Revises the definition of part F income (earnings and profits of a controlled foreign corporation) to eliminate foreign base company income (including certain export trade corporation income) and the deferral of any income to another taxable year.

Older Americans Amendments of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998

Older Americans Amendments of 1998 - Revises the Older Americans Act of 1965 in toto. (Sec. 3) Retains the Administration on Aging in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as well as the Assistant Secretary for Aging. Changes from mandatory to optional: (1) the Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs (renamed the Office on Native Americans); and (2) the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. Directs the Assistant Secretary to designate individuals with pertinent expertise who shall be responsible for administration of: (1) grants for Native American programs on aging; (2) Federal activities relating to State long-term care ombudsman programs; and (3) nutrition services. Revises the duties of the Assistant Secretary. Repeals the specific mandate for the Assistant Secretary to engage in certain activities with respect to policy alternatives for long-term care. Eliminates the National Center on Elder Abuse, the National Aging Information Center, and the Federal Council on the Aging. Authorizes appropriations. Revises and consolidates programs of grants to Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians for the delivery costs of supportive and nutrition services. Prescribes the distribution of funds among the appropriate organizations. Retains the Secretary of the Interior's authority, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to make surplus educational facilities available for multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes appropriations. Revises the programs of grants for State and community programs on aging. Prescribes the allotment of funds for supportive services, multipurpose senior centers, and nutrition services. Retains basic existing requirements for such grants, services, and centers. Eliminates certain rights relating to in-home services for frail older individuals. Repeals authority for: (1) school-based meals for volunteer older individuals and multigenerational programs; (2) specified in-home services for frail older individuals; (3) additional assistance for the special needs of older individuals; (4) specified disease prevention and health promotion services; (5) supportive activities for caretakers who provide in-home services for frail older individuals; (6) specified research; (7) numerous specified demonstration projects, including those concerning ombudsman and advocacy, housing, and pension rights; and (8) numerous specified grant programs, including the neighborhood senior care program, Resource Centers for Native American Elders, and career preparation for the field of aging. Authorizes appropriations. Revises requirements for State long-term care ombudsman programs. Repeals the mandate that a State agency establish an Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Requires the State agency to perform the functions of such Office directly, or contract them out to a public agency or nonprofit private organization. Continues the current mandate for State programs for the prevention and remediation of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; but repeals all specific requirements except those relating to whistleblower immunity, record confidentiality, training, and the prohibition against involuntary participation by alleged victims, abusers, or members of their households. Repeals mandates for State programs for: (1) development of legal and advocacy assistance as a means for ensuring a comprehensive elder rights system; and (2) outreach, counseling, and assistance for insurance and public benefits. Authorizes appropriations for State long-term care ombudsman programs and programs for the prevention and remediation of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Older American Community Service Employment Act of 1998 - Replaces the current authority of the Secretary of Labor to establish an older American community service employment program with a mandate to make competitive grants to States and public and nonprofit private organizations to provide unemployed low-income older individuals, with otherwise poor employment prospects, employment opportunities in providing community services. Revises grant and employment project requirements. Provides for allotments and reservation of funds for such grants. Requires the Secretary of Labor to establish objective performance standards for projects. Authorizes appropriations.

A bill to amend section 203(b) of the National Housing Act relating to the calculation of downpayments.

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1998

Amends the National Housing Act to revise the downpayment calculation for Federal Housing Administration mortgage eligibility. Eliminates the separate calculation for Alaska and Hawaii.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4059) making appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1998

Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 4059 (military construction appropriations).

A bill to amend section 3702 of title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the eligibility of former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans.

United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1998

Extends permanently (currently ends on October 27, 1999) the eligibility of certain former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans.

Rural Enterprise Communities Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1998

Rural Enterprise Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize: (1) 33 additional rural enterprise communities (with an extended designation deadline); (2) designation of certain noncontiguous parcels as empowerment zones or enterprise communities; (3) a special designation exception for certain areas based upon emigration, underemployment, or economic adjustment; and (4) empowerment zone eligibility for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Provides for: (1) designation priority to be given to top performing enterprise communities; and (2) additional specified grants and grant amounts for rural empowerment zones and rural enterprise communities. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to use certain community planning amounts under the Social Security Act to help communities apply for empowerment zone or enterprise community designation. Amends the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to authorize conveyance of Department of Agriculture excess property to support empowerment zones and enterprise communities.

Children's Development Commission Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998

Children's Development Commission Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages for: (1) new or rehabilitated child care and development facilities, including mortgage insurance for fire safety equipment loans; and (2) purchase or refinance of existing child care and development facilities. Establishes the Children's Development Commission which shall: (1) issue facility standards and compliance certifications; and (2) make loans not in excess of $50,000 for facility rehabilitation or renovation. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of the availability of child care facility secondary mortgage markets.

Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1999

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1998

Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1999 - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (2) military construction, DOD (including a transfer of funds); (3) military construction for the Army and Air National Guards; (4) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (6) family housing for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force; (7) family housing, DOD; (8) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (9) the Homeowners Assistance Fund, Defense; and (10) the Base Realignment and Closure Accounts, Parts III and IV. (Sec. 101) Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. (Sec. 118) Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. (Sec. 121) Prohibits an entity from expending funds appropriated by this Act unless such entity agrees to comply with the Buy American Act. (Sec. 122) Expresses the sense of the Congress that entities receiving assistance under this Act should expend such assistance only on American-made equipment and products. (Sec. 125) Mandates that payments received by the Secretary of the Navy under prior law for the conveyance of naval family housing facilities at Paine Field, Washington, are appropriated and available for constructing or acquiring family housing facilities for Naval Station Puget Sound, Washington. (Sec. 126) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of the Army should name the All American Parkway at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as the W.G. "Bill" Hefner All American Parkway.

Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Independent Agencies Title IV: General Provisions Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for FY 1999 for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and for sundry independent agencies. Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General post fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery System; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) establishing an Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development; (8) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (9) community development block grants; (10) brownfields redevelopment; (11) the HOME investment partnerships program; (12) homeless assistance grants; (13) housing for special populations; (14) the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); (15) the Government National Mortgage Association; (16) housing policy development and research; (17) fair housing activities; (18) management and administration; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds made available under this title. (Sec. 201) Extends certain provisions regarding contributions for low-income housing projects and the demolition, disposition, or conversion to home ownership of public housing. Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to extend provisions regarding the streamlining of Section 8 tenant-based assistance. Amends the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, I to extend provisions regarding public and assisted housing minimum rents and preferences. (Sec. 208) Requires the Secretary of HUD to make a grant for any State that: (1) received an allocation for FY 1998 under the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act; (2) is not otherwise eligible for such allocation for FY 1999 because the State does not have the required number of AIDS cases; and (3) would meet such requirement if the cases in the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) for any city within the State (which was not eligible in FY 1998 but is eligible for FY 1999) were considered to be cases outside of such MSAs. (Sec. 210) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend the Secretary of HUD's authority to enter into certain risk-sharing agreements to determine Federal credit enhancements for loans for affordable multifamily housing. Increases the number of units to which those agreements may apply in FY 1999. (Sec. 211) Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) extend certain conditions on obtaining FHA mortgage insurance with regard to calculations of downpayment and makes such calculations applicable to all mortgages (currently, those originating in Alaska and Hawaii); and (2) raise the limit on the amount of principal obligations involved in order to be eligible for such insurance. (Sec. 216) Deems the term "States" to include Indian tribes and Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa for purposes of eligibility for funding under community development block grant provisions of the 1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury for community development financial institutions; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (6) the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (8) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Bars EPA from using funds provided under this Act to enter into or approve agreements that enable the export of Government-owned ships to be dismantled in foreign countries unless the EPA Administrator certifies to the Congress that the environmental standards imposed in the country in which the vessel is to be dismantled or scrapped are comparable to U.S. standards. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program; and (7) the National Flood Insurance Fund. Establishes a Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund in the Treasury and makes appropriations for the Fund. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend through FY 1999: (1) a certain ceiling on obligations issued under the national flood insurance program; (2) the authority for new flood insurance contracts; and (3) the authorization of appropriations for certain studies. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the International Space Station, the space shuttle program, space, earth, life, and microgravity science and academic programs, aeronautics, space transportation, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made.

Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998

Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1999 - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (2) military construction, DOD (including a transfer of funds); (3) military construction for the Army and Air National Guards; (4) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (6) family housing for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force; (7) family housing, DOD; (8) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (9) the Homeowners Assistance Fund, Defense; and (10) the Base Realignment and Closure Accounts, Parts III and IV. (Sec. 101) Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. (Sec. 118) Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. (Sec. 125) Authorizes the transfer of DOD funds for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966. (Sec. 126) Mandates that payments received by the Secretary of the Navy under prior law for the conveyance of naval family housing facilities at Paine Field, Washington, are appropriated and available for constructing or acquiring family housing facilities for Naval Station Puget Sound, Washington.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Agricultural Programs Title II: Conservation Programs Title III: Rural Economic and Community Development Programs Title IV: Domestic Food Programs Title V: Foreign Assistance and Related Programs Title VI: Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration Title VII: General Provisions Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 - Title I: Agricultural Programs - Appropriates funds for FY 1999 for the following Department of Agriculture programs and services: (1) Office of the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) executive operations (Chief Economist, National Appeals Division) (3) Office of Budget and Program Analysis; (4) Office of the Chief Information Officer; (5) Chief Financial Officer; (6) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration; (7) Agriculture buildings and facilities and rental payments; (8) hazardous waste management; (9) departmental administration; (10) outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers; (11) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; (12) Office of Communications; (13) Office of the Inspector General; (14) Office of the General Counsel; (15) Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics; (16) Economic Research Service; (17) National Agricultural Statistics Service; (18) Agricultural Research Service; (19) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; (20) Native American Institutions Endowment Fund; (21) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; (22) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (23) Agricultural Marketing Service; (24) funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply; (25) payments to States and possessions; (26) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; (27) Food Safety and Inspection Service; (28) Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; (29) Farm Service Agency; (30) State mediation grants; (31) dairy indemnity program; (32) Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund account; (33) Risk Management Agency; (34) Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund; and (35) Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. Title II: Conservation Programs - Appropriates funds for the: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment; and (2) Natural Resources Conservation Service. Title III: Rural Economic and Community Development Program s - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development; (2) Rural Housing Service; (3) Rural Business-Cooperative Service; and (4) Rural Utilities Service. Title IV: Domestic Food Programs - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services; (2) child nutrition programs; (3) special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC) (4) food stamp program; (5) commodity assistance program; and (6) specified food donation programs. Title V: Foreign Assistance and Related Programs - Appropriates funds for the Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager. Title VI: Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration - Appropriates funds for the following: (1) Food and Drug Administration; (2) Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation; and (3) Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Title VII: General Provisions - Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act.

Affordable and Quality Child Care Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Funding for Child Care Title II: Dependent Care Tax Credit Reform Title III: Grants to Business Consortia Subtitle A: Grant Program Subtitle B: General Provisions Title IV: After School Program Subtitle A: 21st Century Community Learning Centers Subtitle B: After School Snacks Subtitle C: After-School Prevention Programs Title V: Model States Early Learning Program Title VI: Standards Enforcement Program Title VII: Child Care Provider Scholarship Program Title VIII: Research and Demonstration Program Title IX: Miscellaneous Subtitle A: Child and Adult Food Program Subtitle B: Mortgage Insurance for Child Care and Development Facilities Subtitle C: Sense of the Congress Affordable and Quality Child Care Act of 1998 - Title I: Funding for Child Care - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to make appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for child care subsidy funding under the title IV part A program of Block Grants to States for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). (Sec. 101) Reserves specified portions of such funds for payments to Indian tribes and for quality assurance and quality improvement activities relating to programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA). Provides for allotment of funds among the States and territories according to a specified formula, or for matching payments based on certain portions of their expenditures for specified purposes authorized under CCDBGA. Requires targeting of such subsidy for child care assistance funds as follows: (1) at least 70 percent to working non-welfare families, who are not TANF recipients under a State or territory program; and (2) at least 40 percent for children who have not attained four years of age. Title II: Dependent Care Tax Credit Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the dependent care tax credit and to provide an equivalent benefit where one parent stays at home to provide child care for child under age four. (Sec. 202) Allows a business-related tax credit for employer expenses for employer-provided child care assistance. (Sec. 203) Allows the dependent care credit against the alternative minimum tax. Title III: Grants to Business Consortia - Subtitle A: Grant Program - Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to provide grants to eligible entities to improve access to affordable, local, quality child care services. (Sec. 301) Makes eligible for such a grant a consortium that: (1) has not received a grant under this title; and (2) consists of representatives from at least five businesses (or a nonprofit organization that represents at least five businesses), each of which, to the maximum extent practicable, is located in the same geographic region. Requires States to give priority, in providing such grants, to eligible entities that consist of a majority of representatives from small businesses. Sets a maximum limit on the amount of any such grant provided to an eligible entity for any fiscal year. (Sec. 302) Sets forth requirements for grant applications, use of funds, and matching funds. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for such child care services grants to business consortia. Title IV: After School Program - Subtitle A: 21st Century Community Learning Centers - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act to require that discretionary grants be awarded to local educational agencies (LEAs) for supporting certain programs of public elementary schools or secondary schools, including middle schools, that serve communities with substantial needs for expanded learning opportunities for children and youth. (Sec. 401) Increases the maximum duration of such a grant from three to five years. (Sec. 402) Requires the LEA to demonstrate that it will provide specified portions of the annual costs of project activities from sources other than such grant funds. (Sec. 403) Requires the use of grant funds to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities that offer expanded learning opportunities for children and youth in the community (such as activities conducted before or after school), and which may include any of the currently authorized activities. (Sec. 405) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for such Act. Authorizes continuation awards of FY 1998 grants. Subtitle B: After School Snacks - Amends the National School Lunch Act to provide for participation by certain additional institutions under the child and adult care food program. Allows such institutions to claim reimbursements for meal supplements which they serve without charge to children in afterschool care. (Sec. 411) Revises eligibility requirements for meal supplements for children in afterschool care. Subtitle C: After-School Prevention Programs - Declares that certain provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as set forth in specified legislation passed by the House of Representatives on May 8, 1997, and in effect for purposes of title I of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-119) (under the heading Violent Crime Reduction Programs, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance) shall apply as though amended by this subtitle. Requires that 50 percent of specified amounts paid to a State, local government, or eligible unit be used to improve crime prevention programs in the juvenile justice system. (Sec. 421) Requires such programs to: (1) operate after-school, with high priority given to programs designed and operated by law enforcement personnel, such as police athletic leagues; (2) target high crime neighborhoods or at-risk juveniles; (3) operate educational or recreational activities designed to encourage law-abiding conduct, reduce the incidence of criminal activity, and teach juveniles alternatives to crime; and (4) coordinate with State or local juvenile crime control and juvenile offender accountability programs. Title V: Model States Early Learning Program - Amends SSA title IV part A (TANF) to make appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for model States early learning programs. Provides for allotment of funds among the States, territories, and Indian tribes according to a specified formula, or for matching payments based on portions of their expenditures for an early learning program under CCDBGA. (Sec. 501) Amends CCDBGA to establish the Model States Early Learning Program. Sets forth program requirements for State participation and plans, allowable activities, and annual reports. Title VI: Standards Enforcement Program - Amends CCDBGA to establish a program of annual payments to States for child care standards enforcement. (Sec. 601) Requires States, to be eligible for such payments for a fiscal year, to: (1) include a child care standards enforcement plan in their State plans; and (2) report specified data on enforcement of child care quality and safety plans. Authorizes appropriations. Subjects such program to specified requirements for basic grant payments and annual reports. Title VII: Child Care Provider Scholarship Program - Amends CCDBGA to establish a national child care provider scholarship program. (Sec. 701) Sets forth eligibility criteria for scholarship applicants, including: (1) demonstrated commitment to a child care career; (2) cost sharing by the applicant and employer; and (3) the employer's agreement to provide increased financial incentives to the employee upon completion of the education or training. Includes such program under requirements for State plans, allotments, payments, and annual reports. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Research and Demonstration Program - Amends CCDBGA to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, directly or through grants, contracts, or other arrangements, to carry out research, demonstration projects, and other activities relating to child care, including activities designed to improve the quality and increase the availability of child care. (Sec. 801) Includes among allowable activities under such research and demonstrations program: (1) research on child care needs of low-income families, on good policies and practices, and on retention of child care provider staff; (2) demonstrations of technology-based education and training; (3) demonstration projects for new methods; (4) a National Center on Child Care Statistics; and (5) a hotline to locate local child care resources, and child care consumer education activities. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Child and Adult Food Program - Amends the National School Lunch Act to increase reimbursement rates for family or group day care homes under the child and adult care food program. Subtitle B: Mortgage Insurance for Child Care and Development Facilities - Children's Development Commission Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages for: (1) new or rehabilitated child care and development facilities, including mortgage insurance for fire safety equipment loans; and (2) purchase or refinance of existing child care and development facilities. (Sec. 955) Establishes the Children's Development Commission which shall: (1) issue facility standards and compliance certifications; and (2) make loans not in excess of $50,000 for facility rehabilitation or renovation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 956) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study the availability of child care facility secondary mortgage markets. Subtitle C: Sense of the Congress - Expresses the sense of the Congress that funds should be appropriated under the amendments made by this Act to the maximum extent authorized and consistently with achieving a balanced Federal budget.

William C. Apgar, Jr., of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Nicolas R. Retsinas, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 9 June 1998

Manufactured Housing Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998

Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the eligibility of former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans.

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1998

Extends permanently (currently ends on October 27, 1999) the eligibility of certain former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans.

Older Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 Title II: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Title III: Older Americans Act of 1965 Title IV: Public Health Service Act Title V: Financial Exploitation of Older Individuals Older Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1998 - Title I: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs to fund the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and provide for the offering of training programs regarding such issues for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and relevant Federal, State, and local court officials. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to include elder domestic abuse and adult protective services within its ambit of services, grants, and demonstration grants for community initiatives. (Sec. 205) Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Family Violence Prevention Fund, to study (for a report to the Congress on) the adequacy of training for health professionals with respect to the detection and referral of victims of family violence. Title III: Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Aging to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of older women when establishing research priorities for grants or contracts for research and demonstration projects on elder abuse. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for grants to implement a State long-term care ombudsman program. (Sec. 304) Directs the Assistant Secretary, when making grants and contracts, to give special consideration to projects designed to: (1) expand access to domestic violence shelters and programs for older individuals and encourage the use of certain facilities as emergency short-term shelters; and (2) promote research on legal, organizational, or training impediments to providing services to older individuals through shelters and programs. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for the ombudsman program and for the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit private or tribal organizations to support projects in local communities to coordinate activities for intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) develop outreach programs for assisting victims of elder abuse, including some for assisting individuals in certain senior housing facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 307) Directs the Assistant Secretary to update and improve curricula and implement continuing education training programs for certain providers of health care and social services to improve their ability to recognize and address elder abuse situations. Title IV: Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize training requirements for area health education center programs to include training in domestic violence and elder abuse screening and treatment. Permits the use of certain grant funds for such training in geriatric education centers for health professionals. Requires geriatric training programs for physicians and dentists to include screening for elder abuse and domestic abuse. Title V: Financial Exploitation of Older Individuals - Instructs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the nature and extent of financial exploitation of older individuals.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the tax treatment of section 42 housing cooperatives and the shareholders of such cooperatives, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1998

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize, in the case of a housing cooperative eligible for the low-income housing tax credit: (1) nonresident shareholders to include such credit and the deduction for certain unpaid acquisition interest allowable to the cooperative proportionally in the calculation of their individual income taxes; and (2) resident shareholders to include the deduction for real estate taxes and interest paid by the cooperative proportionally in the calculation of their individual income taxes.

Violence Against Women Act II

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund Violence Against Women Act II - Title I: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Reduce Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible States, Indian tribal governments, or local governmental units to provide technical assistance and computer and other equipment to police departments, prosecutors, and courts to facilitate the widespread, including interstate, enforcement of protection orders. Instructs the Attorney General to give priority to grant applicants that: (1) have established cooperative agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate the enforcement of protection orders from other jurisdictions; and (2) will use the grant to develop and install data collection and communication systems linking police, prosecutors, and the courts in order to identify and track protection orders and violations of such orders. (Sec. 101) Directs the Attorney General to compile and disseminate information about successful data collection and communication systems. Amends Federal criminal code provisions governing full faith and credit given to protection orders to provide that such provisions shall not be construed to: (1) require prior filing or registration of such orders in the enforcing State as a prerequisite to enforcement by such State; or (2) permit a State to notify the party against whom the order has been made that a protection order has been registered or filed in that State. Includes custody and visitation provisions in protection orders within the purview of Federal criminal law governing domestic violence and stalking. (Sec. 102) Amends such Act to designate State, local, and Indian tribal courts as eligible grantees in the program to combat violent crimes against women. Revises allocation percentages for police and prosecutors, victim services, and State and local courts (not less than 25 percent, 30 percent, and ten percent, respectively). Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act to expand training that may be provided under domestic violence training grants to include training with respect to issues concerning individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund for FY 1999 through 2002. Includes State, local, and tribal courts among the grantees eligible for Federal grants to encourage arrest policies. Earmarks a minimum of five percent of the total amount available for grants each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments. (Sec. 103) Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002 for grants to combat violent crimes against women. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for coordinating State victim services activities and for coordinating with Federal, State and local entities engaged in violence against women activities. (Sec. 104) Instructs the Attorney General to transfer flunitrazepam (the "date-rape" drug) from schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule I (the strictest level of Federal drug penalty and control). (Sec. 105) Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002 for grants to encourage arrest policies. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to institutions of higher education for use by campus personnel and student organizations and nonprofit nongovernmental victim services programs to assist campus administrators and campus security personnel to develop and strengthen: (1) effective security and investigation strategies to combat violent crimes against women on campuses; and (2) services to victims of such crimes. Sets forth provisions regarding application requirements and certifications, grant disbursement, the Federal cost share, nonmonetary assistance, and regulations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2002. (Sec. 107) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that any person who, while employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States, engages in conduct that would constitute a domestic violence or sexual assault offense if the conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, shall be subject to prosecution in a U.S. district court. Sets forth provisions regarding concurrent jurisdiction and priority of exercise of jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to designate and authorize any individual serving in a law enforcement position in the Department of Defense to arrest such a person outside of the United States if there is probable cause to believe that such person committed such an offense. Provides for the release of such arrested persons to civilian law enforcement authorities in specified circumstances. Provides for delivery of such persons to the appropriate authorities of a foreign country if: (1) delivery is requested for trial for such conduct as an offense under the laws of that country; and (2) delivery is authorized by a treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to transmit to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation a copy of records of any penal actions taken, including certain nonjudicial punishments imposed, against a member of the armed forces who is discharged, dismissed, or released from active duty. (Sec. 108) Prohibits and sets penalties for willfully causing bodily injury to any person or attempting, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive device, to cause bodily injury to any person, whether or not acting under color of law, because of: (1) the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; or (2) the actual or perceived religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person if, in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or the offense is in or affects such commerce. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of the Treasury and of Justice for FY 1998 through 2000 to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such alleged violations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 109) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to reauthorize for FY 1999 through 2002: (1) rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement grants (and allots not less than five percent of the total made available for each fiscal year for grants to Indian tribal governments); and (2) national stalker and domestic violence reduction grants. (Sec. 111) Modifies Federal criminal code provisions regarding interstate domestic violence, interstate stalking, and interstate violation of a protective order to cover situations where persons travel in interstate or foreign commerce or to or from Indian country. Title II: Strengthening Services to Victims of Violence - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to public and private nonprofit entities: (1) to establish and expand cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence victim advocacy organizations and civil legal assistance providers to strengthen civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence; and (2) to establish and expand efforts and projects to strengthen such assistance by organizations with a demonstrated history of responsive direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of such victims. (Sec. 201) Requires the Attorney General, through contracts, grants, or other arrangements, to establish and operate a network of attorneys and lay advocates to provide legal assistance and other guidance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act with respect to State demonstration grants for programs and projects to prevent family violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance to victims. Requires grant applicants to provide documentation, including memoranda of understanding, of the specific involvement of the State domestic violence coalition and other knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations, in the development of the application. Earmarks funds to provide emergency assistance directly to victims of family violence, or their dependents, who are in the process of fleeing an abusive situation. Changes from a formula amount to $500,000 the minimum allotment to each State for such grants. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to Indian tribes and organizations from any sums not distributed to them. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to private nonprofit organizations for information, training, and technical assistance initiatives in specified subject areas. Authorizes appropriations under such Act through 2002. Revises the formula for the allocation of appropriations for grants for State coalitions. Directs the Secretary to conduct a nationwide needs assessment relating to family violence prevention and services programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to up to ten State domestic violence coalitions, and up to ten local entities that carry out domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, to develop and implement model community intervention strategies to address family violence in underserved populations. Prescribes formulae for the redistribution of funds available due to certain limitations. (Sec. 203) Prohibits any insurer from, directly or indirectly, taking any adverse action against: (1) an innocent insured; or (2) an applicant or insured on the basis that the applicant or insured, or any person employed by the applicant or insured or with whom the applicant or insured is known to have a relationship or association is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse. Defines an innocent insured as a subject of abuse insured under the same policy as the abuser, but who is not (in light of all the facts and circumstances) the cause of any claim incurred or that may incur. Requires any insurer taking an adverse action against a known subject of abuse to advise the applicant or insured in writing of the specific reasons for the action. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce such prohibitions and policy. Provides for a private action against an insurer by an applicant or insured affected by a violation of this Act. (Sec. 204) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline. (Sec. 205) Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to extend through FY 2002 and increase the authorization of appropriations for Federal victims' counselors. (Sec. 206) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitles employees to leave: (1) to address domestic violence and its effects; or (2) to care for a child or parent of the employee who is addressing domestic violence and its effects. Authorizes an employer to require an employee to provide documentation or other corroborating evidence. Amends Federal civil service law to entitle Federal employees to take such leave, subject to the same requirements. (Sec. 207) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize unemployment compensation where an individual is separated from employment due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence. Amends the Social Security Act to require State laws to provide for methods of administration that will ensure that claims reviewers and hearing personnel are adequately trained in the nature and dynamics of claims for unemployment compensation based on domestic violence, including methods of ascertaining and keeping information confidential. (Sec. 208) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty to provide for: (1) legal assistance; and (2) waiver of certain immigration requirements. (Sec. 209) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to add a new Subtitle H (Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Including Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Against Older Individuals). Directs the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs for the purposes of funding the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and offer, or provide for the offering of, training programs to assist law enforcement officers and prosecutors in recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965 with respect to programs addressing such issues, including related training for health professionals. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for programs and activities for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Requires the Secretary to make grants to: (1) support projects in local communities to coordinate activities concerning intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault, against older individuals; and (2) develop and implement outreach programs directed toward assisting older individuals who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including those in senior housing complexes and senior centers. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give preference in the award of certain grants and contracts to any health professions educational entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that each student have had significant training in the identification and referral of victims of elder abuse and neglect. Title III: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States and Indian tribal governments to enable them to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to assist public or private nonprofit entities in establishing and operating supervised visitation centers for purposes of facilitating supervised visitation and visitation exchange of children by and between parents. Requires that priority be given to States that consider domestic violence in making a custody decision and require findings on the record. (Sec. 302) Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on Federal and State laws relating to child custody, including the Parental Kidnaping Prevention Act of 1980, and their effect on child custody cases in which domestic violence is a factor. Requires such study to examine the sufficiency of defenses to parental abduction charges available in cases involving domestic violence, and the burdens and risks encountered by victims of domestic violence arising from compliance with the full faith and credit (and judicial jurisdiction) requirements of that Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for grants through FY 2002. Directs the Secretary to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. (Sec. 304) Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY 2002 for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners; and (3) grants for televised testimony. Directs the Attorney General to compile annually and disseminate, especially to community-based programs (including domestic violence and sexual assault programs), specified information about the use of amounts expended and the projects funded under such Act. Title IV: Strengthening Education and Training to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in awarding grants or contracts for health professions and nurse education, to give preference to a relevant health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, that a student has had significant training in the identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence. (Sec. 401) Defines relevant health professions entity as a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic medicine, a graduate program in mental health practice, a school of nursing, a program for the training of physician assistants, or a program for the training of allied health professionals. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for the development and dissemination of model programs to provide education and training in appropriate and effective responses to victims of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault (including, as appropriate, the effects of domestic violence on children) to individuals (other than law enforcement officers and prosecutors) who are likely to come into contact with such victims during the course of their employment. Limits such grants to public and private nonprofit entities that have: (1) nationally recognized expertise in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) a record of commitment and quality responses to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Requires States to use certain transferred funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers, State sexual assault coalitions, and other public and private nonprofit entities for: (1) educational seminars; (2) hotlines; (3) training programs for professionals; (4) the preparation of informational material; (5) education and training programs for students and campus personnel designed to reduce the incidence of sexual assault at colleges and universities; and (6) other efforts to increase awareness of, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts to increase awareness in underserved communities and awareness among individuals with disabilities. Requires at least 25 percent of grant funds are used for educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school students. Directs the Secretary, through the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault (with a central resource library) to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, as well as to State sexual assault coalitions and local sexual assault programs and to other professionals and interested parties on issues relating to sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to individuals or organizations to carry out educational programs for elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education with respect to information regarding, and prevention of, domestic violence and violence among intimate partners. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 405) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and information on violence, abuse, and sexual assault against women who are individuals with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 406) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to make groups that provide services to or advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities eligible for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. (Sec. 407) Directs the Attorney General to establish a multidisciplinary, multiagency national commission to: (1) evaluate standards of training and practice for licensed health care professionals performing sexual assault forensic examinations, and develop a national recommended training standard; (2) recommend minimum sexual assault forensic examination training for all health care students; (3) review national, State, and local protocols on sexual assault for forensic examinations, and develop a recommended national protocol and a mechanism for nationwide dissemination; and (4) study and evaluate State procedures for payment of forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault, and establish a recommended Federal protocol for such payment. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 408) Authorizes the Attorney General to make a grant to a private, nonprofit entity meeting certain requirements to establish a national clearinghouse and resource center to provide information and assistance to employers and labor organizations on appropriate workplace responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 409) Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to make grants to entities, including domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, to: (1) support specified research and evaluation of education, prevention, and intervention programs on violent behavior against women; and (2) address gaps in research and knowledge about violence against women, including violence against women in underserved communities. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to report to Congress on: (1) Federal and State sentences for homicides or assaults in which the victim was a spouse, former spouse, or intimate partner of the offender; (2) the effect of illicit drugs and alcohol on domestic violence and the sentences imposed for offenses involving them in which domestic violence occurred; (3) the extent to which acts of domestic violence committed against the offender, including coercion, may have contributed to the commission of an offense; (4) an analysis delineated by race, gender, type of offense, and any other categories that would be useful for understanding the problem of domestic violence; and (5) recommendations with respect to all such offenses, including any basis for a downward adjustment in any applicable Federal sentencing guidelines determination. Directs the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities, including sexual assault organizations, research organizations, and academic institutions, in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the experiences of minors and adults who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Requires the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on the status of the law with respect to rape and sexual assault offenses and the effectiveness of the implementation of laws in addressing such crimes and protecting their victims. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Extension of Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund - Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations to the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund through FY 2002. (Sec. 501) Reduces discretionary spending limits for FY 2001 and 2002 in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) by specified offsetting amounts.

American Homeownership Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Removal of Barriers to Affordable Housing Title II: Homeownership Through Mortgage Insurance and Loan Guarantees Title III: Assistance for Self-Help Housing Providers Title IV: Section 8 Homeownership Option Title V: Home Investment Partnerships Program Title VI: Local Homeownership Initiatives Title VII: Manufactured Housing Improvement Title VIII: Indian Housing Homeownership American Homeownership Act of 1998 - Title I: Removal of Barriers to Affordable Housing - Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998 - Requires proposed and final agency rules to analyze their impact upon affordable housing availability. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop model housing impact analyses. (Sec. 103) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize direct appropriations for State and local grants for regulatory barrier removal. (Sec. 104) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make affordable housing barrier removal eligible for community development block grant (CDBG) assistance. (Sec. 105) States that the regulatory barriers clearinghouse shall be established within the Office of Policy Development of HUD under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. Title II: Homeownership Through Mortgage Insurance and Loan Guarantees - Amends the National Housing Act to increase the number of adjustable single family mortgages and loans that may be insured each year. Directs the Secretary to increase premiums as necessary. (Sec. 202) Makes permanent the demonstration program of home equity conversion mortgages for elderly homeowners. Replaces the program limitation based upon number of mortgages with an aggregate outstanding balance limitation. Obligates specified funds for conversion mortgage counseling and related expenses. Requires that mortgagors be given full disclosure of mortgage related costs such as estate planning and financial advice, and that any such costs not be excessive. (Sec. 203) Requires an inspection under the single family housing mortgage insurance program. Directs the Secretary to establish inspection guidelines and maximum costs. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to treat a county or statistical area and contiguous or proximate counties as a single area for certain loan insurance limitation purposes. (Sec. 205) Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to eliminate certain rural housing guaranteed loan limitations. Title III: Assistance for Self-Help Housing Providers - Amends the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 to authorize specified appropriations for Habitat for Humanity and other self-help housing programs. Title IV: Section 8 Homeownership Option - Amends the United States Housing Act to provide a home ownership option under the section 8 housing assistance program, including downpayment assistance. Title V: Home Investment Partnerships Program - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize appropriations for affordable housing programs. Revises the definition of "low-income families." (Sec. 503) Makes limited equity cooperatives and mutual housing associations eligible for home investment partnerships. (Sec. 504) Permits loan pool investment of partnership funds. (Sec. 505) Authorizes the Secretary to make home investment partnerships loan guarantees. Sets forth an aggregate loan guarantee limitation. Title VI: local Homeownership Initiatives - Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to authorize appropriations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, including a pilot home ownership initiative set-aside. (Sec. 602) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary to modify CDBG home ownership income requirements in high-cost areas. (Sec. 603) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to revise the home ownership zone grant program, including providing: (1) grant eligibility for units of general local government (currently nonprofit organizations); and (2) set-asides for specified low-income homebuyers. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 604) Expresses the sense of the Congress in favor of lease-to-own tenancies as home ownership tools. (Sec. 605) Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to extend authorization of appropriations and authority for home ownership counseling. Title VII: Manufactured Housing Improvement - Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council. Title VIII: Indian Housing Homeownership - Establishes the Indian Lands Status Commission which shall analyze and evaluate the Bureau of Indian Affairs' land recording and documentation system. Terminates the Commission one year after appointment of its members.

Disaster Mitigation Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Title II: Streamlining and Cost Reduction Title III: Miscellaneous Disaster Mitigation Act of 1998 - Title I: Predisaster Hazard Mitigation - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Act) to require a State, in submitting a disaster preparedness and prevention program plan prior to receiving assistance under such Act, to set forth a comprehensive and detailed State program for mitigating against emergencies and major disasters, including provisions for prioritizing mitigation measures. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the President to make grants for the development and application of hazard identification technologies that can be used by Federal, State, and local governments and that will likely result in substantial savings over current hazard identification methods. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the President to establish a program to provide financial assistance to States and local governments for implementing predisaster hazard mitigation measures that reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property, including critical facilities and public infrastructure. Provides, with respect to such assistance program, for: (1) minimum and maximum per-State allocation of funds; (2) criteria for granting such assistance and determining appropriate amounts; (3) State Governor recommendations of no less than five local governments to receive such assistance; (4) a requirement that at least ten percent of the amount provided in a fiscal year be furnished for activities in communities of 3,000 or fewer individuals that are economically disadvantaged; (5) a Federal cost-share limit; (6) an authorization of appropriations for FY 1998 through 2000; and (7) a report from the President to the Congress on a process for transferring to State and local governments greater responsibility for administering the program. Title II: Streamlining and Cost Reduction - Directs the President to: (1) establish management cost rates for disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance grantees and subgrantees; and (2) review such rates at least every three years. (Sec. 202) Authorizes the President to make contributions to a private nonprofit facility for the repair, restoration, or replacement of such facility which is damaged or destroyed by a major disaster only if its owner or operator has applied for a disaster loan under the Small Business Act and has been determined to be ineligible for such loan. Limits the Federal share of assistance provided to 75 percent of the net eligible costs of the repair, restoration, or replacement of damaged public and private facilities. Allows a State, local government, or private nonprofit facility, in lieu of repairing, restoring, or replacing such damaged facilities, to receive the Federal cost share limit and repair other facilities or construct new facilities. Authorizes the President to modify the Federal cost share if such modification is likely to reduce the total amount of assistance provided. Provides for the determination of net eligible costs and the modification of such costs. Requires the President to establish an expert panel for the determination of such costs. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance, and, if necessary, direct services to disaster victims who as a direct result of a major disaster have necessary expenses and serious needs for housing, personal property, medical, dental, or funeral services, transportation, and other needs. Authorizes the President to provide housing assistance to those who are displaced from their pre-disaster residence or whose residence is rendered uninhabitable as a result of such disaster. Includes as appropriate direct assistance the provision of other housing units. Limits the use of such units to 18 months, but allows the President to extend such period under extraordinary circumstances. Allows such assistance to include the repair or replacement of the original residence or permanent new housing construction in limited circumstances. Limits to $25,000 the individual or household assistance amount. (Sec. 204) Repeals a provision of the Act authorizing the President to make community disaster loans following major disasters. (Sec. 205) Authorizes a State desiring to administer its own hazard mitigation assistance program to submit for the President's approval an application for the delegation of such authority, under specified criteria. (Sec. 206) Directs the President to conduct and report to the Congress on a pilot program to determine the desirability of State administration of parts of the disaster mitigation assistance program established under the Act. (Sec. 207) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct studies to: (1) estimate the reduction in Federal disaster assistance that has resulted and is likely to result from the enactment of this Act; and (2) determine the current and future expected availability of insurance for public infrastructure eligible for assistance under the Act. Title III: Miscellaneous - Makes a technical correction to the short title of the Act.

American Community Renewal Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title III: Additional Provisions American Community Renewal Act of 1998 - Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 100 renewal communities, of which at least 20 percent shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with neighborhood organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Treats renewal communities as labor surplus areas for all Federal law purposes. Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to 25 percent of qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. (Sec. 205) Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. Title III: Additional Provisions - Provides for local government transfer of unoccupied and substandard Department of Housing and Urban Development multifamily and single family housing in renewal communities, with subsequent disposition priority to be given to community development corporations. (Sec. 302) Amends the Public Health Service Act to make religious organizations eligible to administer specified substance prevention and abuse programs. Sets forth program provisions. (Sec. 303) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that a financial institution's investments in community development organizations located in renewal communities may be considered in evaluations under such Act.

National Guard and Reserve Components Equity Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strategic Planning Title II: Reserve Component Leadership Title III: Use of the Reserve Components for Emergencies Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction Title IV: Strengthened Reforms for Army National Guard Combat Readiness Title V: Pay, Allowances, Retirement, and Other Monetary Benefits Title VI: Other Benefits Title VII: Other Matters National Guard and Reserve Components Equity Act of 1998 - Title I: Strategic Planning - Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to develop and submit to the Congress: (1) a report on the Army reserve component force structure; (2) a master plan for modernization of the National Guard and other reserve components; and (3) a master plan for meeting the military construction requirements of the National Guard and reserve components. Requires the maintaining of current end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel of the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve through the end of FY 2000. Title II: Reserve Component Leadership - Directs the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to identify for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) any matter that directly concerns the National Guard, domestic security, or public safety. Requires the Chief to meet with the JCS when such matters are considered. Includes the Chief as a member of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council of the Department of Defense (DOD). Makes the Chief the principal advisor to the President, the Secretary, and the heads of the military departments on matters of domestic security or public safety. (Sec. 202) Provides authorized grades of the Chief and the chiefs of the reserve components. Excludes such positions from active-duty general and flag officer end strength limitations. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to require that, whenever a person is appointed as a State adjutant general of the National Guard, the board that is to consider the appointee for Federal recognition be convened within 60 days after such appointment. Makes the DOD Inspector General responsible for investigations relating to such appointments. (Sec. 204) Directs the Comptroller General to review and report to the Congress on the promotions of, and extensions of Federal recognition to, officers of the National Guard to determine the timeliness and fairness of the processing of such actions. Title III: Use of the Reserve Components for Emergencies Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include within its authorized assistance an emergency involving a weapon of mass destruction. Authorizes the use of National Guard or reserve personnel to provide an immediate response to incidents involving a use or threatened use of such a weapon. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse a State for expenses incurred by its National Guard in emergency preparedness programs for responding to emergencies involving such weapons. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to order into active duty a reserve unit or member to respond to emergencies involving such weapons, with limitations. Authorizes the use of reserve personnel currently on active duty, or reserve personnel serving on full-time National Guard duty, for such purposes. Excludes personnel so used from various end strength limitations. Title IV: Strengthened Reforms for Army National Guard Combat Readiness - Amends the Army National Guard Combat Readiness Reform Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of the Army to ensure that sufficient training positions and funds are available to meet military education requirements of Army National Guard noncommissioned officers without it being necessary for such officers to be absent from unit annual training in order to meet such requirements. (Sec. 402) Requires the inclusion of professional development training within Army National Guard combat units. Requires all such training to be implemented at the platoon level. Requires the Secretary of the Army to ensure the adequacy of funding for such programs. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary of the Army to use combat simulators and simulations to fully support the complete integration of Army National Guard and active units, as well as to train both units. Title V: Pay, Allowances, Retirement, and Other Monetary Benefits - Requires reserve personnel serving on active duty more than 100 miles from their primary residence to be paid a basic allowance for housing. (Sec. 502) Entitles military personnel to hazardous duty or imminent danger pay for any month in which such personnel are entitled to any basic pay, without regard to the number of days of duty performed for the month. (Sec. 503) Authorizes reserve personnel to make allotments from pay for the support of relatives. (Sec. 504) Authorizes early retirement due to physical disability for Selected Reserve personnel who: (1) have completed at least 15, and less than 20, years of retirement-creditable service; and (2) no longer meet Selected Reserve qualifications solely because of such disability. Title VI: Other Benefits - Repeals a Federal provision which terminates Selected Reserve eligibility for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill on the earlier of ten years after an individual first becomes entitled to such benefits or the date such person is separated from such service. Makes such termination date the date which is ten years after such service. (Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary to carry out and report to the Congress on a demonstration program to test the efficacy of permitting unlimited use of commissary stores by current and former reserve members who are eligible for limited commissary store use. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary to allow members of the Selected Reserve and their dependents to receive transportation on DOD aircraft on a space-available basis to the same extent as active-duty personnel and their dependents. Allows such transportation for the dependent only when accompanying such Reserve member. (Sec. 604) Repeals an October 27, 1999, expiration date on the availability of veterans' housing loans for certain Selected Reserve personnel who have completed more than six years of retirement-creditable military service. Title VII: Other Matters - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add a Ready Reserve-National Guard employee tax credit of 50 percent of the actual compensation paid to such employees in a taxable year, to a maximum of $2,000 per year. Makes such credit part of the general business credit.

Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Army Programs Subtitle C: Navy Programs Subtitle D: Air Force Programs Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Other Matters Title III: Operation and Maintenance Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle C: Environmental Provisions Subtitle D: Counter-Drug Activities Subtitle E: Other Matters Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy Subtitle B: Reserve Component Matters Subtitle C: Other Matters Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters Subtitle E: Other Matters Title VII: Health Care Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management Title X: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Naval Vessels Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Title XII: Joint Warfighting Experimentation Division B: Military Construction Authorizations Title XXI(sic): Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration Subtitle C: Land Conveyances Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XXIX: Juniper Butte Range Lands Withdrawal Division C: Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Title XXXIII: National Defense Stockpile Title XXXIV: Naval Petroleum Reserves Title XXXV: Panama Canal Commission National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for procurement by the armed forces of aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, and shipbuilding and conversion and for other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for: (1) defense-wide procurements; (2) reserve procurements; (3) the Defense Inspector General; (4) the chemical demilitarization program; (5) the Defense Health Program; and (6) the defense export loan guarantee program. Subtitle B: Army Programs - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, beginning with the FY 1999 program year, to enter into a multiyear contract for the procurement of the Longbow Hellfire missile, with a contract term of five years. (Sec 112) Provides required conditions prior to the award of a multiyear procurement contract for the production of the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles to more than one contractor under the previous national defense authorization Act. (Sec. 113) Prohibits the obligation of funds authorized for a certain armored tank modernization kit until 30 days after the Secretary of the Army reports to the defense and appropriations committees on armored system modernization. (Sec. 114) Prohibits the obligation of funds for the procurement of reactive armor tiles until 30 days after the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) submits to the defense and appropriations committees a study of the present and future Army and Marine Corps operational requirements for such tiles. (Sec. 115) Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 to add certain advisory commission travel cost information to a required report on the chemical demilitarization program. (Sec. 116) Amends the Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support Act of 1992 to extend through FY 1999 the authority to carry out the armament retooling and manufacturing support initiative. Subtitle C: Navy Programs - Earmarks funds for the advance procurement and construction of components for the CVN-77 nuclear aircraft carrier program. (Sec. 122) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to increase the amount authorized to be excluded from certain cost limitations under the Seawolf submarine program. (Sec. 123) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, beginning with the FY 1999 program year, to enter into a multiyear contract for the procurement of the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, with a contract term of five years. Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - Earmarks funds for certain follow-on options under the joint surveillance target attack radar system. Prohibits the availability of such funds until 30 days after the Secretary reports to the Congress on fund use. (Sec. 132) Prohibits the obligation of funds for the replacement of engines on aircraft of the Department of Defense (DOD) that are derived from Boeing 707 aircraft until the Secretary has submitted a certain analysis required under the prior defense authorization Act. (Sec. 133) Prohibits the obligation of any funds available for the F-22 aircraft program for advance procurement for the six Lot II F-22 aircraft until 30 days after the Secretary submits to the defense and appropriations committees a certification of the completion of a specified amount of flight testing for such aircraft. Requires a related flight test certification from the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. (Sec. 134) Directs the Secretary to review and report to the defense and appropriations committees on the C-130J aircraft program. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E). Earmarks funds for basic research and applied research projects. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Prohibits more than $233 million from being obligated for the Crusader self-propelled artillery system program until 30 days after the Secretary of the Army reports to the defense and appropriations committees on an assessment of such system. (Sec. 212) Earmarks funds for RDT&E and acquisition of technologies for the transition from the CVN-77 aircraft carrier program to the CV(X) aircraft carrier program and for enhancements to the latter program. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to terminate the Dark Star unmanned aerial vehicle program. Earmarks funds formerly set aside for such program for the procurement of three Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles. Requires specified prior testing of the latter vehicles. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to assess and report to the Congress on the technical obstacles and operational shortcomings expected for the Airborne Laser program. Earmarks program funds, with a limitation on such funds until after the report is received. (Sec. 215) Designates as a national security priority the development of an enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS). Directs the Secretary to develop a GPS in accordance with certain congressionally-mandated priorities. Expresses the sense of the Congress that future-year defense program funding provide sufficient funds for GPS development, and that the Secretary of Transportation should provide sufficient funding to support additional civil frequencies for the GPS and other GPS civil enhancements. Requires the Secretary to submit a GPS plan to the Congress. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to delay until the end of FY 2005 a limitation on the procurement of systems not GPS-equipped. Earmarks funds authorized under this title for an enhanced GPS. (Sec. 216) Amends Federal provisions concerning the DOD manufacturing technology program to require the sharing by DOD and non-federal sources of costs for projects carried out under such program if any of the project results are likely to have an immediate and direct commercial application. Revises related cost-sharing requirements. Requires information concerning project cost-sharing to be included in a required five-year plan for such program. (Sec. 217) Extends permanently (currently expires on September 30, 2002) the authority for the use by commercial entities of DOD major range and test facility installations. Terminates a related reporting requirement. (Sec. 218) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to extend through FY 2001 the authority of the Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry out certain prototype projects. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Urges the United States to seek to foster a climate of cooperation with Russia on matters relating to missile defense, especially in such areas as early warning. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million to FY 1999 O&M accounts from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - Earmarks funds authorized under this title for increasing training and related operations in support of the Special Operations Command's counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and counterterrorism activities. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a pilot program using existing technology to determine the feasibility of tagging hydrocarbon fuels used by DOD to analyze and identify such fuels and their possible theft and misuse. Earmarks O&M funds for the pilot program. (Sec. 313) Authorizes the Secretary of each military department to carry out a pilot program to demonstrate the use of landing fees as a source of funding for the O&M of airfields of such department. Authorizes the imposition of landing fees at military airfields under the program through FY 2000. Allows fee proceeds to be used for landing field O&M. Subtitle C: Environmental Provisions - Authorizes the Secretaries of Defense and the military departments to provide for the transportation into U.S. customs territory of polychlorinated biphenyls generated by or under the control of DOD for purposes of their disposal, treatment, or storage in such customs territory. Outlines transportation and disposal requirements and limitations. (Sec. 323) Amends the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships to allow Navy submersible ships to discharge non-plastic garbage that has been compacted and weighted to ensure negative buoyancy. (Sec. 324) Authorizes the Secretary to pay up to $15,000 from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990 as payment for stipulated civil penalties assessed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) against McClellan Air Force Base, California. (Sec. 326) Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to Canada in each of FY 1999 through 2008 as part of a negotiated settlement for the environmental cleanup of formerly used defense sites there. Provides funding for such payments from amounts authorized for DOD defense-wide O&M. (Sec. 327) Directs the President to notify the Congress before entering into negotiations for the ex-gratia settlement of foreign claims against the United States for environmental cleanup of former DOD installations in a foreign country. Requires such fund use to be specifically authorized by law, treaty, or international agreement. (Sec. 328) Requires activities under the Arctic Military Environmental Cooperation Program to include cooperative activities on environmental matters in the Arctic region with the military departments and agencies of other countries, including the Russian Federation. Earmarks O&M funds for such Program. Prohibits funding obligation until 45 days after the Secretary submits to the defense and appropriations committees a Program plan. Subtitle D: Counter-Drug Activities - Earmarks specified O&M funds for certain support of the drug interdiction efforts of the United States Southern Command in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean areas. (Sec. 332) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend through FY 2004 the program authority for DOD support of certain counter-drug activities. Requires the Secretary, at least 21 days before obligating funds for the modification of a DOD facility for counter-drug purposes, to notify the defense and appropriations committees of such project and its estimated total cost. (Sec. 333) Prohibits any DOD funds authorized under this Act from being used to expand the Southwest border fence until the Secretary reports to the defense and appropriations committees on the extent to which such fence has reduced the illegal transportation of narcotics and other drugs into the United States. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to administer DOD working capital funds during FY 1999 so as to ensure that the total amount of cash balances in such funds on September 30, 1999, exceeds the total amount of such balances on September 30, 1998, by $1.3 billion. Outlines actions to be taken by the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) to achieve such increase. Authorizes the waiver of such requirement to meet a contingency operation or an operation commenced before October 1, 1998, and continuing during FY 1999. Requires a semiannual report from the Under Secretary to the defense committees on the administration of the balance increase. (Sec. 342) Requires amounts charged for depreciation of capital assets to be credited to a separate capital asset subaccount established within a working-capital fund. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and the military departments to provide for separate accounting, reporting, and auditing of funds and activities managed through working-capital funds. Allows charges for goods and services provided through such funds to include amounts for depreciation of capital assets. Requires such Secretaries to: (1) establish billing procedures to ensure that balances in working-capital funds do not exceed requirements; and (2) submit to the Congress detailed annual reports of working-capital fund account and subaccount receipts and disbursements, as well as a proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Repeals the authority to manage working-capital accounts and subaccounts through the Defense Business Operations Fund. Revises the authority of a working-capital fund to retain recovered costs of property disposals. (Sec. 344) Directs the Secretary of each military department to develop and submit to the Congress an implementation schedule for the best commercial inventory practices within such department for the acquisition and distribution of secondary supply items. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the extent to which: (1) each Secretary has complied with such requirement; and (2) best commercial inventory practices are being implemented in the Defense Logistics Agency. (Sec. 345) Earmarks FY 1999 Navy O&M funds for the increased use of smart cards (multitechnology automated reader cards) issued throughout the Navy and Marine Corps. Directs the Secretary of the Navy to take certain steps to increase the issuance of such cards throughout such service branches. Limits procurement funds for the Joint Uniformed Services Identification card until such Secretary has made certain certifications with respect to the issuance of smart cards. Requires such Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees a plan for equipping all naval operational units with smart card technology. (Sec. 346) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Defense should initiate public-private competitions for DOD functions involving not fewer than a number of employees equivalent to 30,000 full-time employees for each of FY 1999 through 2004. Increases to 50 (currently 20) or fewer the number of DOD employees that may be affected in the conversion of a DOD function to contractor performance for which certain congressional notification and reporting requirements may be waived. (Sec. 347) Adds a competitive source selection process to required conditions for providing financial assistance for the support of additional duties assigned to the Army National Guard. (Sec. 348) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987 to repeal a prohibition on the joint military-civilian use of the Robert Gray Army Airfield at Fort Hood, Texas. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Provides the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 1999. (Sec. 402) Increases from six to seven the number of officer positions within the Joint Staff that may be excluded from annual general and flag officer limitations. Extends through FY 2002 the authority for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to designate up to 12 general and flag officer joint duty positions for exclusion from general and flag officer limitations. (Sec. 404) Repeals the requirement that minimum end strengths be sufficient to support two simultaneous major regional contingency operations. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1999 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 1999 for reserve military technicians (dual status). (Sec. 414) Excludes certain temporary active-duty general and flag officers from the annual general and flag officer limitations. (Sec. 415) Increases the number of certain reserve officers and enlisted personnel authorized to be on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 416) Consolidates the end strength authorizations for active-status Naval Reserve flag officers of the Navy Medical Department Staff Corps. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for military personnel. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Repeals a requirement that the Secretary of the military department concerned convene boards to review the cases of officers determined to have failed to establish that they be retained on active duty. (Sec. 502) Provides a permanent exception to the requirement for retirement for years of service for certain Navy and Marine Corps officers designated for limited duty assignments. (Sec. 503) Denies entitlement to involuntary separation pay for an officer discharged for failure to be selected for promotion when the officer requested not to be so selected. Requires the appropriate selection board to submit to the Secretary concerned the name of any officer making such request. (Sec. 504) Increases from three to four years the authorized term of appointment for the Chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps when the Secretary of the Air Force determines that such longer term is justified. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Matters - Provides for the crediting for retirement purposes of service in the higher position for a reserve officer who, after being found qualified for Federal recognition in a higher grade by an appropriate personnel board, serves in a position for which that grade is the minimum authorized grade. (Sec. 512) Allows a reserve officer who, after successfully serving on active duty in a grade above colonel or captain (Navy) for at least six months, is involuntarily transferred from active status, to be credited with satisfactory service in such position for retirement purposes. (Sec. 513) Provides eligibility for consideration for promotion for certain Army and Air Force reserve brigadier generals. (Sec. 514) Provides for the composition of selective early retirement boards for Naval Reserve rear admirals and Marine Corps Reserve major generals. (Sec. 515) Authorizes the President to order members of the Selected Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve mobilization category into active duty to respond to an emergency involving the use or threatened use of a weapon of mass destruction. Authorizes the use of active-duty members of the National Guard for such purpose. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Extends through FY 2003 certain force reduction transition management and benefits authorities, including early retirement and voluntary separation incentive programs and certain time-in-grade requirements. (Sec. 523) Continues eligibility for the voluntary separation incentive program after the involuntary loss of membership in the Ready or Standby Reserve. (Sec. 524) Revises current limitations on the authority of the Secretaries concerned to set rates and waive requirements for reimbursement of expenses incurred for foreign student instruction at U.S. military service academies. (Sec. 525) Repeals a current limitation on the civilian employment of enlisted personnel when such employment interferes with the customary or regular employment of local civilians. (Sec. 527) Prohibits any DOD official from implementing any change of policy regarding the separation or integration of military personnel on the basis of gender that is within the responsibilities of the Commission on Military Training and Gender-Related Issues before the termination of such Commission. (Sec. 528) Provides transitional compensation authority for abused dependent children of military personnel when such children reside with the spouse or former spouse of a member convicted of dependent abuse. (Sec. 529) Directs the Secretary to establish a five-year pilot program to assess whether the armed forces could better meet recruiting requirements by treating GED recipients as having graduated from high school for purposes of enlistment eligibility. Limits to 1,250 annually the number of individuals authorized to be so considered. (Sec. 530) Waives time limitations for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for certain service during World War II or Korea. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 1999 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases the rates of basic pay by 3.1 percent, effective January 1, 1999. (Sec. 602) Increases to $600 the monthly pay for cadets and midshipmen at the service academies. (Sec. 603) Allows a member entitled to the transportation of baggage and household effects due to a change of station to, as an alternative, reimbursement or payment of a monetary allowance in advance of a move arranged by such member. (Sec. 604) Authorizes the Superintendent of a service academy to order a cadet or midshipman suspended from duty at such academy to be placed on involuntary leave without pay. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Extends through December 31, 1999, specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of FY 1999 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 615) Repeals a provision which allows only ten percent of selective reenlistment bonuses paid in a fiscal year to exceed $20,000. (Sec. 616) Increases to $6,000 the maximum authorized Army enlistment bonus. (Sec. 617) Includes within the defense educational loan repayment program a person enrolled in a program of education leading to professional qualifications. Increases the educational loan amounts authorized to be repaid under such program to a maximum of $20,000 per year and $50,000 total per individual. (Sec. 618) Increases to $950 the monthly amount of basic educational assistance authorized to be paid to military personnel possessing critically short skills or specialties. (Sec. 619) Provides that the entitlement of an individual to basic educational assistance benefits shall not be affected by the receipt of an enlistment bonus. Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay for or provide transportation to a member as part of a program of rest and recuperation in connection with contingency operations or unusual conditions at a duty station. (Sec. 622) Authorizes payment for the temporary storage of baggage of military dependent students not taken on an annual trip to an overseas duty station of such student's sponsor. (Sec. 623) Authorizes commercial travel under Federal supply schedules for the travel of a member of the reserves to or from the location of inactive duty training. Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters - Considers, beginning on October 1, 2003, coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to be paid in full when a member's pay has been reduced for such coverage for 30 years or when the member has attained 70 years of age. (Sec. 632) Provides an effective date for the court-ordered election of a spouse's or former spouse's coverage under the SBP. (Sec. 633) Provides for the recovery, care, and disposition of remains of medically retired members who die during hospitalization that began while such members were on active duty. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Excludes the Panama Canal from the definition of a U.S. territory or possession for purposes of military pay and allowance provisions. (Sec. 642) Provides Federal employees' compensation coverage for the period during which student members attend training or a practice cruise. (Sec. 643) Amends the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary, or the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating under the Navy, to provide financial assistance to sponsors of dependents in overseas areas where defense dependent schools are not reasonably available. Title VII: Health Care - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to provide for an inflation-indexed premium under the defense dependents' dental program. (Sec. 702) Extends through June 30, 1999, the authority for the use of personal services contracts for the provision of health care at military entrance processing stations and at other locations which are outside of military medical treatment facility areas. (Sec. 703) Provides for the automatic enrollment under TRICARE Prime (a DOD managed health care program) for each dependent of a member in grade E4 or below who is entitled to CHAMPUS medical and dental care and resides in the catchment area of a facility offering TRICARE Prime. Provides for automatic renewal of enrollments and premium payment options under such coverage. Requires such coverage to take effect no later than January 1, 1999. (Sec. 704) Provides limited continued CHAMPUS coverage, with regard to health care provided between October 1, 1998, and July 1, 1999, for persons unaware of the loss of such coverage due to their recent eligibility for Medicare. (Sec. 705) Directs the Secretary to ensure that the advanced systems developed for recording military personnel data and information include the capability to record organ and tissue donation elections. Outlines responsibilities of the military department secretaries and the Surgeon General with respect to the collection of such information. (Sec. 706) Commends and encourages continuation of the cooperative efforts of DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the delivery of medical care. Directs the DOD and VA Secretaries to jointly conduct: (1) a survey of their respective medical care beneficiary populations to identify the expectations of, requirements for, and behavior patterns of such beneficiaries with respect to medical care; and (2) a review of impediments to cooperation in the delivery of medical care. Requires the Secretary of Defense to review and report semiannually to the congressional defense and veterans' affairs committees (committees) on the TRICARE program to identify opportunities for increased program participation by the VA. Directs the Federal Pharmaceutical Steering Committee to: (1) undertake a comprehensive examination of existing pharmaceutical benefits and programs for beneficiaries of Federal medical care programs; (2) review the existing methods for contracting for and distributing medical supplies and services; and (3) report examination results to the committees. Directs the Secretaries to submit to the committees a report on the status of DOD and VA efforts to standardize physical examinations administered to determine or rate disabilities. Specifies deadlines for required reports. (Sec. 707) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct three demonstration projects to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing health care under CHAMPUS to current and former military personnel and their dependents or dependents of military personnel who died while on active duty for more than 30 days, and who: (1) are 65 years old or older; (2) are entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (3) are enrolled in the Medicare supplemental medical insurance program; and (4) reside in an area of a demonstration project. Requires the Secretary under one such project to permit eligible individuals to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Prohibits eligible individuals from being required to satisfy any FEHB eligibility criteria as a condition of enrollment. Provides for participation management under the FEHB enrollment program. Requires the Secretary, under another project, to permit eligible individuals to enroll in the TRICARE program, with an enrollment fee. Requires the Secretary, under the third project, to permit eligible individuals to participate in the mail order pharmacy benefit under the TRICARE program, with appropriate premiums, deductibles, or copayments. Requires an independent evaluation of each project. Directs the Comptroller General to review such evaluations and report review results to the defense committees. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Authorizes the Secretary to procure articles containing para-aramid fibers and yarns manufactured in any foreign country which: (1) is a party to a defense memorandum of understanding; or (2) permits U.S. firms that manufacture such fibers and yarns to compete with foreign firms in that country. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the head of an agency to enter into a contract for travel-related services that provides for the contractor to furnish services for both official and non-official travel. Makes such provision inapplicable to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service under the Navy. (Sec. 803) Prohibits the head of a defense agency from entering into a contract for a price exceeding fair market cost in the fiscal year following a fiscal year in which DOD attains its contracting goal for participation by small disadvantaged businesses and certain minority institutions. (Sec. 804) Repeals a Federal provision requiring the Secretary to allocate available technical assistance funds equally among Defense Contract Administration Services regions. (Sec. 805) Defense Commercial Pricing Management Improvement Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to clarify the procedures and methods used to determine the reasonableness of prices of items which are exempt from DOD requirements for the submission of certified cost or pricing data. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement procedures: (1) to ensure that a single item manager or contracting officer is responsible for negotiating and entering into all contracts for the procurement of such items from a single contractor; and (2) that provide for the collection and analysis of information on price trends for categories of such items. Requires a defense agency head or military department Secretary to address any unreasonable escalation in prices paid for such items. Requires reports concerning such procedures from the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (Under Secretary) to the defense and appropriations committees. (Sec. 806) Directs the Secretary to revise certain procurement regulations to cover all purchases of goods and services by DOD under contracts entered into or administered by another Federal agency. (Sec. 807) Requires the Under Secretary to prescribe policies and requirements for educational programs of the defense acquisition university structure. (Sec. 808) Repeals the requirement that the Director of Acquisition Education, Training, and Career Development be located within the Office of the Under Secretary. (Sec. 809) Continues eligibility for membership in the defense acquisition corps for persons serving in a position below GS-13 due to a reduction in force, the closure or realignment of a military installation, or any reason other than for cause. (Sec. 810) Authorizes the Secretary to designate ten acquisition programs of the military departments as pilot programs on program manager responsibility for product support. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Reduces from ten to nine the number of Assistant Secretary of Defense positions. Renames the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Information Superiority, with specified duties. (Sec. 903) Authorizes the Secretary to include within the National Defense University any educational institution that the Secretary considers appropriate and so designates. (Sec. 904) Provides for specified percentage reductions in the number of Federal employees and military personnel on the headquarters staffs of various DOD organizations. Allows for the waiver of the prohibition on the management of personnel by end strengths in order to achieve such reductions. Requires the Secretary to submit to the defense and appropriations committees a plan to implement such reductions. (Sec. 905) Directs the Secretary to conduct in each year in which a President is inaugurated a comprehensive examination of the defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan, and related matters with a view toward determining and expressing the U.S. defense strategy, establishing a revised defense plan for the ensuing ten years, and another for the ensuing 20 years. Directs the Secretary, immediately preceding an inaugural year, to establish a nonpartisan, independent panel to be known as the National Defense Panel to: (1) conduct a comprehensive assessment of the above strategies, structures, and plans; and (2) recommend a ten- and 20- year defense strategy after such assessment. (Sec. 906) Directs the Secretary to analyze the structures and processes of DOD for the management of its laboratories and test and evaluation centers and to develop a plan for improving such management. Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to such committees a plan and schedule for implementing a cost-based management information system for such laboratories and test centers. (Sec. 907) Directs the Secretary of each military department to administer all of its Fisher houses as nonappropriated fund instrumentalities. Provides, with respect to such instrumentality, for: (1) a system of governance; (2) the establishment of a central fund as a funding source; and (3) the acceptance of contributions and the imposition of fees for use of such houses. Requires an annual report from each Secretary on Fisher house operations. Provides transitional funding. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to transfer amounts of authorizations made available to DOD under this Division for FY 1999 between any such authorizations for that fiscal year, with a total transfer limit of $2 billion. Requires congressional notification of any such transfers. (Sec. 1002) Authorizes appropriations for DOD for FY 1999 for incremental costs of military operations in and around Bosnia and Herzegovina. Authorizes the transfer of O&M funds for such purpose. (Sec. 1003) Adjusts the amounts authorized to DOD for FY 1998 by the amount by which appropriations pursuant to such authorization were increased or decreased in the 1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act. (Sec. 1004) Makes funds authorized under titles II and III available for Partnership for Peace information management systems. Subtitle B: Naval Vessels - Requires: (1) the U.S.S. Iowa to be listed and maintained on the Naval Vessel Register; and (2) the U.S.S. New Jersey to be stricken from such Register. (Sec. 1012) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into one or more long-term charters for three specified vessels to support the rescue, escort, and towing of submarines. (Sec. 1013) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer specified vessels to foreign countries on a grant basis under provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and on a sale or lease basis under provisions of the Arms Export Control Act. Requires as a condition of such transfers that any vessel repair or refurbishment needed prior to such transfers be performed at a U.S. shipyard, including a Navy shipyard. Terminates the transfer authority two years after the enactment of this Act. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals - Repeals various reports and reporting requirements under Federal armed forces provisions and the National Defense Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1989. (Sec. 1022) Requires the Comptroller General to submit to the Congress an analysis of a biennial financial management improvement plan currently required to be submitted by the Secretary. (Sec. 1023) Directs the Secretary to carry out a study of the feasibility and advisability of selecting on a competitive basis the source or sources for performing DOD finance and accounting services from among private sector sources, the DOD Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), the military departments, and other Federal agencies. Requires the Secretary to perform market research in connection with the study. (Sec. 1024) Prohibits any DFAS operating location from being closed within six months after the Secretary submits to the defense committees a strategic plan for improving the financial management operations at each location. (Sec. 1025) Requires the Secretary to report to the defense committees on the inventory and control of DOD military equipment as of the end of FY 1998, addressing each military department separately. Directs the Inspector General to review the report and submit comments to such committees. (Sec. 1026) Directs the Secretary and the Director of Central Intelligence to jointly submit to the defense committees a report on the plans of DOD and the intelligence community for ensuring the continuity of performance of essential operations that are at risk of failure due to computer systems and other information and support systems that are not year 2000 compliant. (Sec. 1027) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to report to the defense committees on battleship readiness for meeting military requirements for naval surface fire support. (Sec. 1028) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the roles of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff in the investigation of DOD aviation accidents. (Sec. 1029) Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to the Congress a plan for guiding and expanding distance learning initiatives within DOD. (Sec. 1030) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees on U.S. military involvement in major contingency operations and major ongoing operations since the end of the Persian Gulf War, including involvement in the Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Operations Southern Watch and Northern Watch. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary to provide a foreign country or any of its instrumentalities with assistance for destroying, removing, or obtaining from such country: (1) weapons of mass destruction; or (2) materials, equipment, or technology for the delivery or development of such weapons. Requires a certification from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees at least 15 days in advance that such materials, equipment, or technology meet specified requirements. Waives the certification requirement when compliance would compromise U.S. national security objectives. Requires annual reports concerning such activities. (Sec. 1042) Amends the Weapons of Mass Destruction Control Act of 1992 to extend through FY 1999 certain counterproliferation authorities for support of the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq. (Sec. 1043) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to extend through FY 1999 a limitation concerning the retirement or dismantlement of strategic nuclear delivery systems. (Sec. 1044) Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on the feasibility of initiating discussions concerning the possibility of direct-line communications between the commanders in chief of the U.S. Strategic and Space Commands and the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces. (Sec. 1045) Directs the Secretary to review and report to the defense committees on DOD policies and doctrines on chemical warfare defense. Requires the Secretary to modify such policies and doctrines in order to provide adequate protection of military personnel from low-level exposure to a chemical warfare agent. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a plan to establish a research program for determining the effects of chronic and low-dose exposures to such agents. (Sec. 1046) Provides for the accounting treatment of the advanced payment of military personnel. (Sec. 1047) Defines a financial institution, for purposes of the reimbursement of military and civilian DOD personnel for Federal errors in direct deposits of pay, as a bank, savings and loan association, or a credit union chartered by the U.S. Government or a State. (Sec. 1048) Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program on alternative notice procedures concerning the withholding or garnishment of pay of military personnel for the payment of child support or alimony under provisions of the Social Security Act. (Sec. 1049) Provides a limitation on the cost of services provided to the Defense Commissary Agency (DCA) to provide for the efficient management and operation of the commissary system. (Sec. 1050) Authorizes the Secretary to impose a charge for the collection of dishonored checks presented at commissary stores. (Sec. 1051) Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe in regulations DCA authority to meet its telecommunications requirements by obtaining services and related items under the FTS-2001 contract through a frame relay system procured for the DCA. (Sec. 1052) Authorizes service academy superintendents to accept a research grant that is awarded on a competitive basis for a research project carried out by a professor or instructor at such academy for a scientific, literary, or educational purpose. (Sec. 1053) Empowers inspectors general of the military departments with responsibilities concerning military personnel whistleblower protections. (Currently, such responsibilities exist solely under the DOD Inspector General.) Provides simplified whistleblower reporting and notice requirements. Repeals a requirement for a post-investigation interview. (Sec. 1054) Provides for the crediting of amounts recovered from claims against third parties for loss or damage to personal property of military personnel shipped or stored at Government expense. (Sec. 1055) Authorizes the Secretary to permit a dependent of a member of the armed forces to enroll in an elementary or secondary education program on a military installation within the United States while the member is assigned away from such jurisdiction on a remote or unaccompanied assignment under permanent change of station orders. Allows an enrollment to be extended for more than five years if the dependent is still eligible, space is available, and adequate arrangements are made for reimbursement of the Secretary for the costs of the educational services provided. (Sec. 1056) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to charge a fee for providing historical information to the public from the United States Army or Air Force Military History Institutes and the United States Naval or Marine Corps Historical Centers. (Sec. 1057) Requires the inspector general of an armed force to inspect the Armed Forces Retirement Home at least every three years. (Currently, the DOD Inspector General conducts such inspections at least every six years.) Requires the duty of such inspection to alternate among such inspectors general, and requires each inspection to be followed by a report to the Retirement Home Board, the Secretary, and the Congress. (Sec. 1058) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts, all U.S. rights and interest to one surplus F-4 Phantom II aircraft. Requires the Foundation to alter such aircraft so that it no longer has any combat capability. (Sec. 1059) Amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to state that a presidential signature shall constitute approval of vessel war risk insurance requested by the Secretary. (Sec. 1060) Requests the President to issue a proclamation designating March 1, 1999, as "United States Navy Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day." (Sec. 1061) Revises provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to: (1) redesignate the Korean Conflict as the Korean War, for purposes of a program commemorating such War; and (2) provide a limitation on expenditures under the program. (Sec. 1062) Directs the Secretary to report to the defense committees concerning the costs to DOD associated with frequency spectrum allocations. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require any person on whose behalf a Federal entity incurs costs from the relocation of Federal frequencies to compensate the Federal entity in advance for such costs. Title XI: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel - Repeals a Federal provision requiring the Secretary to conduct a program under which qualified spouses of military personnel are given a hiring preference for DOD child care positions. (Sec. 1103) Extends through FY 2003 the authority for the DOD voluntary separation incentive pay program. (Sec. 1104) Amends Federal provisions concerning the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees' Retirement System to provide voluntary early retirement authority for DOD civilian employees who either complete 25 years of service or, after becoming 50 years of age, complete 20 years of service. Outlines voluntary separation requirements, including that: (1) such employee has not received a notice of separation for misconduct or unacceptable performance; and (2) DOD or the military department involved is undergoing a major reorganization, reduction in force, or transfer of functions. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes the Secretary, during the five-year period commencing on the date of enactment of this Act, to carry out a program of experimental use of special personnel management authority (the hiring of up to 20 individuals from outside the civil service and armed forces) to facilitate the recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for research and development projects administered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Limits the period of appointment (four years) and the amount of compensation to be paid to such employees. Title XII: Joint Warfighting Experimentation - Expresses the sense of the Congress supporting the initiative of the Secretary and the JCS Chairman to designate a commander of a combatant command to have the mission for joint warfighting experimentation, the development and validation of new joint warfighting concepts and capabilities, and related DOD strategy for transforming U.S. armed forces to meet future national security threats. Request such commander to have sufficient freedom of action, authority, and resources to establish and conduct the joint warfighting experimentation process. Requests: (1) continued intraservice and multiservice warfighting experimentation, and related experimentation by the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command; and (2) congressional review of the initial and annual reports on joint warfighting experimentation to determine the adequacy of the scope and pace of U.S. military forces to meet future national security challenges. (Sec. 1203) Requires an initial and annual reports from the appointed commander to the Secrretary on the implementation of such experimentation. Directs the Secretary to submit such reports to the chairmen of the defense committees. Division B: Military Construction Authorizations - Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - 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 such Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1998 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to increase the amount authorized for a military construction project at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations for purposes paralleling those for which authorizations are provided for the Army under the previous title. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations for purposes paralleling those for which authorizations are provided for the Army under 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. Authorizes the Secretary to improve existing military family housing units in a specified amount. (Sec. 2403) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2404) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years beginning after 1998 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing projects of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2405) Increases amounts authorized under prior military construction authorization Acts for projects at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, Umatilla Army Depot, Oregon, and Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Virginia. 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 1998 for such contributions. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1998 for Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. (Sec. 2602) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to reduce the authorization of appropriations for Army Reserve military construction. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2001, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing appropriations for military construction for FY 2002, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Revises Federal provisions concerning authorized architectural and engineering services and construction design to: (1) allow such services and design without regard to whether the military construction projects themselves are authorized by law; and (2) increase from $300,000 to $500,000 the amount authorized to be expended for such services before congressional notification is required. (Sec. 2802) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to lease up to 500 family housing units in Italy and up to 800 family housing units in Korea. Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the amount authorized to be expended by the Secretary concerned for a real property lease, acquisition, or transfer before congressional notification is required. Provides an exception to real property transaction reporting requirements in declarations of war, national emergency, major disaster, the use of riot militia, or a contingency operation. Requires such notification within 30 days after any such event. (Sec. 2813) Waives applicability of Federal property disposal regulations under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 with respect to leases entered into at military installations being closed or realigned under the base closure laws. (Sec. 2814) Authorizes the Secretary, as a condition of a lease, license, or other grant of access entered into with another Federal agency for military department property, to require such agency to remove any improvements and to restore such land to its condition before such use. Provides for cost reimbursement in lieu of such removal or restoration. Subtitle C: Land Conveyances - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to: (1) the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant Reuse Authority the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant in Charlestown, Indiana; (2) Bridgton, Maine, the Army Reserve Center there; and (3) Hamilton County, Tennessee, the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Authorizes the Secretary of the: (1) Army to release all interests in the former Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta, Maine; (2) Navy to convey to the Gulf of Maine Aquarium Development Corporation in Portland, Maine, the Naval Reserve Readiness Center in Portland; and (3) Air Force to convey to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the Lake Charles Air Force Station. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to purchase from its developer the entire 366-unit military family housing project at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, if determined to be in the best economic interests of the Air Force. (Sec. 2832) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to carry out beach replenishment in and around San Diego, California. Provides funding and cost limitations. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress 30 days in advance of any such action. Title XXIX: Juniper Butte Range Lands Withdrawal - Juniper Butte Range Land Withdrawal Act - Withdraws the Juniper Butte Range, Idaho, from all forms of appropriation under the public land, mining, and mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Reserves such land to the Air Force for a high hazard training area, dropping training ordnance, electronic warfare and tactical maneuvering and air support, and other defense-related purposes. Modifies airspace restrictions over such lands. Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to compensate individuals engaged in ranching operations for disruption to and loss of grazing on such lands and associated areas. Requires appropriate support from the Bureau of Land Management in the payment of such compensation. Allows for continued grazing until such compensation is paid. Requires such Secretary to provide to the public a map and legal description of the lands reserved. (Sec. 2906) Requires such Secretary to manage the reserved lands and to close such lands to public access in appropriate circumstances. Authorizes such Secretary to enter into leases with the State of Idaho in support of the Range and its operations. Directs such Secretary to suppress brush and range fires caused by Air Force operations. Requires such Secretary to develop an integrated natural resources management plan for the natural resources of withdrawn lands, requiring the Secretaries of the Air Force and the Interior and the governor of Idaho to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the development of the plan. Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to maintain roads and manage withdrawn and acquired mineral resources within the area of the range lands. Outlines water rights. (Sec. 2913) Terminates the withdrawal and reservation 25 years after the enactment of this Act, with relinquishment before such date under appropriate circumstances. Requires such Secretary, at least five years before such termination date, to notify the Congress and the Secretary of the Interior as to whether the Air Force has a continuing military need for such lands after the termination date. Outlines provisions concerning the environmental remediation of such lands and authorized delegation of authority by each of the Secretaries. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Air Force should ensure that Air Force budgetary planning makes available sufficient funding to assure Air Force participation in cooperative efforts developed by the Secretary and the State of Idaho to monitor the impact of military activities on natural, cultural, and other resources and values of the withdrawn lands. (Sec. 2917) Authorizes appropriations. Division C: Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations - Title XXXI(sic): Department of Energy National Security Programs - Subtitle A: National Security Programs Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for FY 1999 for operating expenses, capital equipment, and plant projects necessary in carrying out the following activities for national security programs: (1) weapons activities; (2) environmental restoration and waste management; (3) other defense activities; (4) defense nuclear waste disposal; and (5) defense environmental management privatization initiatives. Subtitle B: Recurring General Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this title for: (1) the cost of a program exceeding 110 percent of the program authorization or $1 million more than the amount authorized; or (2) programs which have not been presented to, or requested of, the Congress until the Secretary of Energy (Secretary, for purposes of this Division) transmits to the defense and appropriations committees a full statement of the action proposed and 30 days have since expired. (Sec. 3122) Places certain funding limits for general plant and construction projects of DOE. Requires congressional reports when amounts exceed such limits. (Sec. 3124) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer DOE-authorized funds: (1) to other Federal agencies for the performance of work for which such funds were authorized; or (2) between authorizations within DOE, to be merged with and available for the same purposes. Requires notification to the defense committees of any such transfers. (Sec. 3125) Directs the Secretary, before submitting a funding request for a construction project in support of a DOE national security program, to complete a conceptual design for such project. Requires a separate funding request for such designs for which the estimated cost exceeds $3 million. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out construction design services in connection with any proposed construction project if the total estimated cost for the design does not exceed $600,000. Requires specific authorization by law for designs exceeding such amount. (Sec. 3126) Authorizes the use of DOE funds for planning, design, and construction activities for any DOE national security program that must proceed expeditiously in order to protect public health and safety, meet the needs of national defense, or protect property. Requires the Secretary to report to the defense and appropriations committees when funds are so used. Makes funds for management and support and for general plant projects under this Subtitle available for all DOE national security programs. (Sec. 3129) Directs the Secretary, during FY 1999, to empower each DOE field office manager with the authority to transfer defense environmental management funds from a program or project under such office's jurisdiction to another program or project in order to address a risk to health, safety, or the environment or to assure the most efficient use of such funds at that field office. Limits such transfers to a total of $5 million per fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to notify the Congress within 30 days after any such transfer. Subtitle C: Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations - Prohibits, with specified exceptions, FY 1999 DOE funds from being obligated or expended to conduct any activities: (1) associated with international cooperative stockpile stewardship; or (2) relating to ballistic or theater missile defense. (Sec. 3133) Prohibits any person from constructing or operating a facility under contract with DOE for fabricating mixed plutonium-uranium oxide nuclear reactor fuel for use in a commercial nuclear reactor without first obtaining a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (Sec. 3134) Directs the Secretary to continue operations and maintain a high state of readiness at the F- and H-canyon facilities at the Savannah River site and to provide technical staff to operate and maintain such facilities. (Sec. 3135) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to authorize DOE federally funded research and development centers to participate in merit-based technology research and development programs. (Sec. 3136) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for payment to the educational foundation chartered to enhance educational activities in the public schools in the vicinity of Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 setting forth policy under the stockpile stewardship program. (Sec. 3142) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to increase compensation levels for scientific, engineering, and technical personnel responsible for safety at DOE nuclear facilities. (Sec. 3143) Expresses the sense of the Senate that OMB should, beginning with FY 2000, transfer the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action program from the defense 050 budget function to a non-defense discretionary budget function. Title XXXII: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Title XXXIII: National Defense Stockpile - Authorizes the National Defense Stockpile (NDS) Manager, during FY 1999, to obligate up to $83 million of the funds in the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund (Fund) for authorized Fund uses, including the disposal of hazardous materials that are environmentally sensitive. Authorizes the NDS Manager to obligate amounts in excess of such amount 45 days after notifying the Congress that extraordinary or emergency conditions necessitate the additional obligations. (Sec. 3303) Directs the President to dispose of NDS materials. Specifies disposal limits. Title XXXIV: Naval Petroleum Reserves - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for activities relating to the naval petroleum reserves. Title XXXV: Panama Canal Commission - Panama Canal Commission Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - Authorizes the Panama Canal Commission to make such expenditures as necessary for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Panama Canal for FY 1999, with specified funding limits. (Sec. 3503) Requires Commission funds to be made available for the purchase and transportation to the Republic of Panama of passenger motor vehicles, with a per vehicle cost limit of $23,000. (Sec. 3504) Requires expenditures authorized under this title to be in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977 and any laws implementing those treaties. (Sec. 3505) Authorizes the Commission to seek and accept donations to carry out Commission promotional activities. (Sec. 3506) Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into one or more agreements under which the United States furnishes administrative services relating to Commission pension, disability, and medical benefits, as well as workmen's compensation, after December 31, 1999, and establishes appropriate procedures for providing advance funding for such services. (Sec. 3507) Repeals on December 30, 1999, current Federal provisions concerning rights of and benefits accruing to Commission employees at the Canal. (Sec. 3508) Repeals a Federal provision establishing a Commission central examining office. (Sec. 3509) Revises provisions concerning Commission liability for vessel accidents to require claimants to be covered by one or more insurance policies totaling at least $1 million against the injuries claimed. Limits Commission liability to amounts in excess of any insurance amounts recovered. (Sec. 3510) Makes a Commission employee eligible, upon request, for appointment on a noncompetitive basis to vacant positions in the competitive civil service within: (1) an area determined by the OPM Director as being within a reasonable commuting distance of the employee's residence; or (2) any Standard Federal Region designated by such employee. Outlines eligibility requirements, including U.S. citizenship and a notice of separation by reason of a reduction in force. (Sec. 3511) Provides compensation levels for members of the Commission's Board of Contract Appeals.

Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title XXI(sic): Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration Subtitle C: Land Conveyances Subtitle D: Other Matters Title XXIX: Juniper Butte Range Lands Withdrawal Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - 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 such Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1998 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to increase the amount authorized for a military construction project at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations for purposes paralleling those for which authorizations are provided for the Army under the previous title. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations for purposes paralleling those for which authorizations are provided for the Army under Title XXI. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to improve existing military family housing units in a specified amount. (Sec. 2403) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2404) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal years beginning after 1998 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing projects of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2405) Increases amounts authorized under prior military construction authorization Acts for projects at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, Umatilla Army Depot, Oregon, and Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Virginia. 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 1998 for such contributions. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1998 for Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities. (Sec. 2602) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to reduce the authorization of appropriations for Army Reserve military construction. Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 2001, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing appropriations for military construction for FY 2002, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Revises Federal provisions concerning authorized architectural and engineering services and construction design to: (1) allow such services and design without regard to whether the military construction projects themselves are authorized by law; and (2) increase from $300,000 to $500,000 the amount authorized to be expended for such services before congressional notification is required. (Sec. 2802) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to lease up to 500 family housing units in Italy and up to 800 family housing units in Korea. Subtitle B: Real Property and Facilities Administration - Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the amount authorized to be expended by the Secretary of the military department concerned for a real property lease, acquisition, or transfer before congressional notification is required. Provides an exception to real property transaction reporting requirements in declarations of war, national emergency, major disaster, the use of riot militia, or a contingency operation. Requires such notification within 30 days after any such event. (Sec. 2813) Waives applicability of Federal property disposal regulations under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 with respect to leases entered into at military installations being closed or realigned under the base closure laws. (Sec. 2814) Authorizes the Secretary, as a condition of a lease, license, or other grant of access entered into with another Federal agency for military department property, to require such agency to remove any improvements and to restore such land to its condition before such use. Provides for cost reimbursement in lieu of such removal or restoration. Subtitle C: Land Conveyances - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to: (1) the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant Reuse Authority the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant in Charlestown, Indiana; (2) Bridgton, Maine, the Army Reserve Center there; and (3) Hamilton County, Tennessee, the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Authorizes the Secretary of the: (1) Army to release all interests in the former Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta, Maine; (2) Navy to convey to the Gulf of Maine Aquarium Development Corporation in Portland, Maine, the Naval Reserve Readiness Center in Portland; and (3) Air Force to convey to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the Lake Charles Air Force Station. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to purchase from its developer the entire 366-unit military family housing project at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, if determined to be in the best economic interests of the Air Force. (Sec. 2832) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to carry out beach replenishment in and around San Diego, California. Provides funding and cost limitations. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress 30 days in advance of any such action. Title XXIX: Juniper Butte Range Lands Withdrawal - Juniper Butte Range Land Withdrawal Act - Withdraws the Juniper Butte Range, Idaho, from all forms of appropriation under the public land, mining, and mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Reserves such land to the Air Force for a high hazard training area, dropping training ordnance, electronic warfare and tactical maneuvering and air support, and other defense-related purposes. Modifies airspace restrictions over such lands. Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to compensate individuals engaged in ranching operations for disruption to and loss of grazing on such lands and associated areas. Requires appropriate support from the Bureau of Land Management in the payment of such compensation. Allows for continued grazing until such compensation is paid. Requires such Secretary to provide to the public a map and legal description of the lands reserved. (Sec. 2906) Requires such Secretary to manage the reserved lands and to close such lands to public access in appropriate circumstances. Authorizes such Secretary to enter into leases with the State of Idaho in support of the Range and its operations. Directs such Secretary to suppress brush and range fires caused by Air Force operations. Requires such Secretary to develop an integrated natural resources management plan for the natural resources of withdrawn lands, requiring the Secretaries of the Air Force and the Interior and the governor of Idaho to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the development of the plan. Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to maintain roads and manage withdrawn and acquired mineral resources within the area of the range lands. Outlines water rights. (Sec. 2913) Terminates the withdrawal and reservation 25 years after the enactment of this Act, with relinquishment before such date under appropriate circumstances. Requires such Secretary, at least five years before such termination date, to notify the Congress and the Secretary of the Interior as to whether the Air Force has a continuing military need for such lands after the termination date. Outlines provisions concerning the environmental remediation of such lands and authorized delegation of authority by each of the Secretaries. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Air Force should ensure that Air Force budgetary planning makes available sufficient funding to assure Air Force participation in cooperative efforts developed by the Secretary and the State of Idaho to monitor the impact of military activities on natural, cultural, and other resources and values of the withdrawn lands. (Sec. 2917) Authorizes appropriations.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that housing assistance provided under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 shall be treated for purposes of the low-income housing credit in the same manner as comparable assistance.

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1998

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disregard certain Native American housing assistance in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for low-income housing credit purposes.

FHA Property Inspection Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998

FHA Property Inspection Act - Amends the National Housing Act to require that properties undergo a compliance inspection by a certified building inspector in order to qualify for single family housing mortgage insurance. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish inspector certification standards.

To amend the National Housing Act to provide for adequate insurance of mortgages on property in Puerto Rico.

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1998

Amends the National Housing Act to include Puerto Rico among the high-cost areas eligible for mortgage insurance assistance.

REAL Life Economic Empowerment Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities Title III: Additional Provisions REAL Life Economic Empowerment Act of 1998 - Title I: Designation and Evaluation of Renewal Communities - Renewing American Communities Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 50 renewal communities. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with neighborhood organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Treats renewal communities as labor surplus areas for all Federal law purposes. Title II: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows a specified deduction for amounts paid into a family development account on behalf of an individual or another qualified individual who is a renewal community resident. Excludes from gross income account distributions used for qualified family development expenses (postsecondary education, first-home purchase, business capitalization, medical, and rollovers). Provides a penalty (with exceptions) in addition to inclusion as gross income for nonqualifying distributions. Provides for designation of up to 25 qualifying renewal communities as matching demonstration areas eligible to receive family development account matching contributions. Authorizes: (1) designation of earned income tax credit payments for family development account deposit; (2) a commercial building revitalization tax credit; (3) increased first year expensing for renewal community businesses; (4) extension of environmental remediation cost expensing and the work opportunity credit for renewal communities; and (5) similar tax treatment of renewal communities and enterprise zones for specified youth residence requirements. (Sec. 205) Makes conforming amendments to provisions respecting: (1) tax on excess contributions and prohibited transactions; (2) trust and annuity information; (3) tax exemption applications; and (4) the commercial revitalization credit. Title III: Additional Provisions - Provides for local government transfer of unoccupied and substandard Department of Housing and Urban Development multifamily and single family housing in renewal communities, with subsequent disposition priority to be given to community development corporations. (Sec. 302) Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that a financial institution's investments in community development organizations located in renewal communities may be considered in evaluations under such Act.

Federal Home Loan Bank System Regulatory Restructuring Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1998

Federal Home Loan Bank System Regulatory Restructuring Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to abolish the Federal Housing Finance Board and transfer its oversight functions for safety and soundness to the Director of Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, and its mission oversight to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992.

Disaster Relief Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Disaster Insurance Program Title II: Termination of Federal Disaster Loan Programs Title III: Federal Program for Reimbursable Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Disaster Relief Partnership Act - Title I: National Disaster Insurance Program - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to establish a national disaster insurance program. Directs the National Disaster Insurance Corporation (established by this Act) to establish and carry out such insurance program to provide coverage to States against certain losses and costs arising from disasters. Provides that such program shall be funded solely by State premiums and payments (after an initial Federal contribution) and operate on an actuarially sound basis. (Sec. 101) Sets forth provisions for program terms and conditions, coverage, annual premium charges, and claims. Establishes the Corporation, which shall not be an agency or establishment of the Federal Government. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to call an organizational meeting for the Corporation. Authorizes appropriations to the Corporation according to a certain formula, as the initial Federal contribution, and prohibits any additional Federal financial assistance to the Corporation. Establishes the Disaster Insurance Advisory Commission. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct and report on audits of the Corporation and the Commission. Title II: Termination of Federal Disaster Loan Programs - Terminates the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan program. Prohibits the Administrator of SBA from making any loan, or entering into an agreement to participate in any loan, under such program. Repeals specified provisions of the Small Business Act to conform to such program termination. (Sec. 202) Repeals provisions for the Consolidated Farm Service Agency emergency loan program under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. (Sec. 203) Repeals the emergency relief program for repair of highways under specified Federal law. (Sec. 204) Amends the National Housing Act to terminate the following Department of Housing and Urban Development mortgage insurance programs for disaster victims: (1) single family home mortgage insurance; and (2) insurance for rehabilitation loans. Title III: Federal Program for Reimbursable Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require reimbursement of the Federal Government. (Sec. 303) Revises provisions relating to: (1) waiver of administrative conditions; (2) emergency support teams; (3) performance of services; (4) procedure for declaration of major disaster; (5) general Federal disaster assistance; (6) essential disaster assistance; (7) repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities; (8) debris removal; (9) temporary housing assistance; (10) unemployment assistance; (11) crisis counseling assistance and training; (12) emergency communications; (13) emergency public transportation; (14) fire suppression assistance (terminating grants for such assistance); (15) timber sale contracts; and (16) the procedure for declaration of emergency, and Federal emergency assistance. (Sec. 307) Replaces insurance provisions with provisions for reimbursement agreements and conditions. Replaces provisions regarding duplication of benefits with provisions for treatment of assistance. Replaces provisions for advance of non-Federal share with provisions for advance of State expenditures. (Sec. 309) Repeals provisions for recovery of assistance from liable parties, hazard mitigation, minimum standards for public and private structures, individual and family grant programs, community disaster loans, simplified procedure, appeals of assistance decisions, and amount of assistance.

Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title XXI: Army Title XXII: Navy Title XXIII: Air Force Title XXIV: Defense Agencies Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations Title XXVIII: General Provisions Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Subtitle B: Other Matters Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - 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 to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1998 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1999 for: (1) Newport Army Depot, Indiana; (2) Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; (3) Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; (4) the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York; (5) Fort Hood, Texas; and (6) Kwajalein Atoll, Kwajalein. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2105) Amends the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year: (1) 1995 to increase the amounts authorized for projects at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, and the Umatilla Army Depot, Oregon; and (2) 1998 to increase the amount authorized for a project at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1999 for the Berthing Pier project authorized for Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to improve existing military family housing units in a specified amount. (Sec. 2403) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the military family housing improvement program. (Sec. 2404) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out energy conservation projects. (Sec. 2405) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal years after 1998 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title. (Sec. 2406) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1990 to increase the amount authorized for a project at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Virginia. 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. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1998 for such Program. Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1998 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 the preceding titles of this Act on October 1, 2001, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for FY 2002, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects. Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing - Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to notify the appropriate congressional committees in the case of architectural and engineering and construction design costs for which the estimated cost exceeds $500,000 (currently $300,000). (Sec. 2802) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force, if determined to be in the best interest of the Air Force, to purchase the developer's entire interest in the 366-unit leased military family housing project at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Requires a report from the Secretary concerned to the defense committees 30 days before entering a real property transaction exceeding $500,000 (currently $200,000). (Sec. 2806) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to require a Federal agency, as part of any lease, permit, license, or other grant of access for the use of lands of a military department, to remove improvements and take any other action necessary to restore the land to its condition prior to its use by such agency.

Consumer Pay Telephone Protection Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1998

Consumer Pay Telephone Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to express the sense of the Congress that: (1) public interest pay telephones should be available and maintained in locations where there would not otherwise likely be a pay telephone; and (2) such telephones should be fairly and equitably supported. Directs each State agency that receives amounts representing unrefunded change from the use of public pay telephones to use such amounts to promote or support the installation, maintenance, and use of public interest pay telephones, including specially designed payphones for the disabled and the provision of payphone service in remote locations, nursing homes, emergency homeless shelters, hospitals, facilities that assist the disabled, schools, and other appropriate locations. Requires a payphone service provider to provide an individual using such payphone the amount of change which exceeds the actual cost of the call, applying such requirement to any local telephone call which exceeds ten cents. Authorizes such provider, in lieu of providing such change, to transfer all excess amounts collected to the appropriate State agency or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote and support public interest pay telephones. Directs the FCC to: (1) prescribe regulations to carry out such requirements; and (2) report to the Congress on the availability of technologies or systems that permit persons who do not have exact change to use pay telephones for local calls without being overcharged. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study and report to the Congress on the competitiveness of the intrastate pay telephone market. Authorizes the FCC, after such study, to: (1) limit the rates for local pay telephone calls; (2) allow the States to establish such rates on a cost basis; (3) limit commissions that providers pay to persons who lease space to such providers for pay telephones; or (4) prohibit providers from entering into exclusive lease contracts which cover multiple locations.

Empowerment Zone Enhancement Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1998

Empowerment Zone Enhancement Act of 1998 - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act with respect to additional grants to: (1) provide for grant funding for additional empowerment zones; (2) set the amount of such grants for zones in urban ($10 million) and rural ($4 million) areas, as well as the timing of such grants (ten years of one-year grants); (3) provide funding for such grants; (4) authorize the use of grants to fund revolving loan funds and similar arrangements to make loans, guarantees, financial services, or related activities more accessible to residents, institutions, organizations, or businesses; (5) require environmental review by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (urban areas) and the Secretary of Agriculture (rural areas); and (6) require the lead implementing entity for an empowerment zone to establish a performance measurement system.

Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Procurement Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations Subtitle B: Other Matters Title III: Operation and Maintenance Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Subtitle C: Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund Title V: Military Personnel Policy Subtitle A: Active Forces Subtitle B: Reserve Forces Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits Subtitle A: Military Pay Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays Subtitle C: Other Matters Title VII: Acquisition Policy and Management Title VIII: Department of Defense Management Subtitle A: General Management Subtitle B: Department of Defense Personnel Management Title IX: General Provisions Subtitle A: Financial Matters Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals Subtitle C: Matters Relating to Terrorism Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Counter Drug Operations Subtitle E: Other Matters National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and for other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 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 contracts by the Army and Navy for the procurement of certain vehicles, weapons, and aircraft. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation, including activities of the Directors of Test and Evaluation and Operational Test and Evaluation. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Adds additional requirements for inclusion in the low-rate initial production of weapon systems. (Sec. 212) Extends through FY 2003 the authority of the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to contract with commercial entities to conduct commercial test and evaluation activities at a major range and test facility installation. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 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 1999 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and (3) the operation of Fisher houses, to be derived from the Fisher House Trust Fund. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified O&M accounts. (Sec. 306) Authorizes the Secretary, using available amounts from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990, to pay stipulated damages under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 assessed against McClellan Air Force Base, California. 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 1999. (Sec. 402) Repeals a requirement that such end strengths be sufficient to support two simultaneous major regional contingencies. (Sec. 403) Revises the due date of an annual manpower requirements report. (Sec. 404) Exempts from general and flag officer grade limits the position of Director, National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Makes permanent (currently ends October 1, 1998) the authority of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to designate up to 12 general and flag officers serving in joint duty positions for exclusion from such limits. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1999 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 1999 for Army and Air Force military technicians (dual status). (Sec. 414) Increases the number of officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 415) Excludes from active-duty end strength limitations certain reserve personnel on active duty for 181 days or more in support of peacetime requirements of the military services and combatant commands. Subtitle C: Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund - Authorizes appropriations for the Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance fund. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Authorizes the Secretary to determine the composition of selective early retirement boards convened for determining retirement status with respect to Naval Reserve rear admirals or Marine Corps Reserve major generals. (Sec. 503) Provides active status service requirements, for promotion consideration purposes, for Army and Air Force Reserve brigadier generals. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the posthumous appointment of officer commissions and warrants, making the date of appointment the date of death. (Sec. 505) Excludes regular chief warrant officers in the W-4 grade from provisions requiring involuntary retirement due to non-selection for promotion. (Sec. 506) Adds required procedures for the selection of judge advocate generals and assistant or deputy judge advocate generals of the military departments. (Sec. 507) Establishes a three-year term of office for the Chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps. (Sec. 508) Provides time-in-grade requirements for reserve general and flag officers who are involuntarily transferred from an active status. (Sec. 509) Eliminates the requirement for a board of review after a board of inquiry determination relating to an officer's substandard performance of duty or certain other findings. (Sec. 510) Authorizes retired and former officers to be considered for promotion by special promotion selection boards. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to order members under his jurisdiction to perform functions in support of the defense agencies and either the active or reserve components. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Military Pay - Waives any FY 1999 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases the rate of basic pay of members of the uniformed services by 3.1 percent, effective January 1, 1999. Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Extends through FY 2001 certain bonuses and special pay for specially skilled military personnel, including nuclear-qualified personnel. (Sec. 612) Extends through FY 2000 certain bonuses and special pay authorities for reserve personnel. (Sec. 613) Extends through FY 2001 the special pay authority for nurse anesthetists. (Sec. 614) Provides reenlistment bonus eligibility for reserve personnel who perform active National Guard and Selected Reserve duty. (Sec. 615) Increases from $4,000 to $6,000 the maximum bonus for Army enlistment. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary, or the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating under the Navy, to provide a transportation allowance for rest and recuperation travel during a period in which personnel perform at a duty station within a contingency operation, or in other appropriate circumstances as determined by such Secretary. Provides allowance limits. (Sec. 622) Deletes the Panama Canal Zone from inclusion within the definition of a U.S. possession. (Sec. 623) Allows for the storage of unaccompanied baggage of military dependent students. (Sec. 625) Provides for the restoration of annual leave lost due to the closure of an installation in the Republic of Panama in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977. Extends through December 31, 2003, the period during which annual leave lost due to the closure of a military installation under a base closure law will be restored. (Sec. 627) Authorizes the Superintendent of a U.S. military academy to order a cadet or midshipman to be placed on involuntary leave without pay: (1) after a suspension pending separation; (2) to repeat an academic semester or year; or (3) for other good cause. (Sec. 628) Repeals the requirement that no more than ten percent of reenlistment bonuses paid during a fiscal year exceed $20,000. (Sec. 629) Amends the Defense Dependents' Education Act of 1978 to authorize the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard in appropriate circumstances, to provide an educational allowance to the sponsors of military dependent students in overseas areas in which DOD has not established defense dependents' schools. (Sec. 630) Amends the Civilian Health Medical Program of the the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) concerning the defense plan for military dependents to: (1) revise the premium amount; and (2) authorize the integration of a basic dental benefit plan into the TRICARE Program (a DOD managed care program). (Sec. 631) Provides for the recovery, care, and disposition of remains of military personnel who die while hospitalized after having been retired by reason of medical disability for an injury, illness, or disease incurred while on active duty, as long as the hospitalization has been continuous since such retirement. (Sec. 632) Revises the voluntary separation incentive program to ensure continued eligibility for members who involuntarily lose membership in a reserve component due to age, years of service, failure of promotion, or medical disqualification. (Sec. 633) Revises the defense domestic dependent elementary and secondary school program to: (1) allow dependents of Federal employees not residing on a military installation to be enrolled in a school program for more than five consecutive school years, at the discretion of the Secretary, where the dependent is qualified, space is available, and the Secretary will be reimbursed for educational services provided. Authorizes the enrollment in such school of the dependent of military personnel assigned to a remote or unaccompanied assignment when such dependent is residing in a U.S. territory, commonwealth, or possession. (Sec. 634) Extends until October 1, 2003: (1) the period during which the Secretary concerned may reduce the required term of active service before qualification for retirement for regular or reserve commissioned officers; (2) the period of exemption from required retirement for certain limited duty Navy commanders and captains; and (3) the exemption from mandatory retirement for failure of promotion for certain Navy and Marine Corps officers designated for limited duty. Title VII: Acquisition Policy and Management - Limits the authority of the head of a defense procuring activity to delegate the approval of the use of noncompetitive procedures in the procurement process. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to set similar limits with respect to the head of a Federal procuring activity. (Sec. 702) Repeals a provision stating that a defense contractor or subcontractor who is granted a waiver from procurement cost or pricing data requirements shall be considered to have met such requirements for purposes of tiered contracts (contracts having one or more contractors and subcontractors). Makes a similar repeal under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 with respect to nondefense contractors or subcontractors. (Sec. 704) Repeals a provision requiring equal allocation of procurement technical assistance program funding among Defense Contract Administrative Services regions. (Sec. 705) Amends the Defense Acquisition Improvement Act of 1986 to repeal the requirement of certain Defense Inspector General oversight of undefinitized contractual actions. (Sec. 706) Amends the Contracts Disputes Act of 1978 to specify the date for the Government payment of interest on contractor cost claims. (Sec. 707) Requires personnel to be assigned to the following positions for no fewer than three years: (1) program manager or deputy manager for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program; (2) program executive officer; (3) general or flag officer or equivalent position; or (4) senior contracting official. (Currently, such requirement extends only to critical acquisition positions.) (Sec. 708) Makes eligible for the defense acquisition corps certain personnel who served as a GS-13 or above but were downgraded below such level due to a reduction in force, a base closure, or reason other than for cause. (Sec. 709) Amends the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act with respect to a test program within the Office of Federal Procurement Policy of alternative and innovative procurement procedures to: (1) remove the requirement that no more than one such test be conducted in any single procuring agency; (2) allow two (currently, one) contracts awarded for such tests to exceed $5 million; (3) reduce from 270 to 120 days before the conduct of a test the date by which a detailed test plan is required to be submitted to specified congressional committees; and (4) extend until January 1, 2003, the termination of the test program. (Sec. 710) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to: (1) remove the word "Pilot" from the Mentor-Protege Pilot Program; (2) authorize DOD to conduct an initiative that would allow DOD to participate in the mentoring of women-owned small business proteges; and (3) expand the definition of a disadvantaged small business concern for purposes of such Program. (Sec. 711) Authorizes holding General Accounting Office protest proceedings in abeyance when the agency involved has agreed to suspend contract award or performance pending completion of any agency protest procedure and any subsequent protest timely filed before the Comptroller General. (Sec. 712) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1993 to revise restrictions on DOD procurement from foreign sources of cotton, silk, wool and other natural fibers and specified derivative products. Title VIII: Department of Defense Management - Subtitle A: General Management - Increases from $5 million to $10 million the authorized annual DOD expenditures for the humanitarian clearance of landmines. Prohibits more than ten percent of such funds from being used to pay reserve personnel performing duty in connection with landmine clearing training and related activities. (Sec. 802) Authorizes the Secretary to impose a surcharge for dishonored checks issued to the Defense Commissary Agency and to deposit collected amounts in the commissary trust revolving fund for payment of costs incurred in collecting on such checks. Provides authorized means of collection, including military pay or entitlements deductions, Federal withholdings, or the use of private collection agencies. (Sec. 803) Amends the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 1991 to revise generally the retirement home inspection requirements of the DOD Inspector General. (Sec. 804) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to exempt operational files of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) from certain public search, review, publication, and disclosure requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Provides for: (1) exceptions; and (2) judicial review of contested cases of withheld records. Requires the Directors of NIMA and Central Intelligence, at least every ten years, to review exempted records to determine whether they may be removed from exemption. Provides for judicial enforcement of such review requirement. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to withhold from public disclosure any geodetic product that the Secretary has determined would, if disclosed, interfere or unfairly compete with an emerging or existing commercial industry or market operation. (Sec. 806) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 which requires certain prior approval procedures with respect to the export of high performance computers. (Sec. 807) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to repeal a provision concerning the authority to waive certain requirements prior to the transfer of the tactical airlift mission to the reserve components. (Sec. 808) Requires funds received from the Federal Republic of Germany representing its share of the costs of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies to be used for Center costs. Authorizes the Secretary to waive reimbursement of certain Center costs for military officers and civilian officials of cooperation partner states of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council or the Partnership for Peace when determined to be in the national security interest. Provides a similar waiver with respect to the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies for military officers and civilian officials of the Asia Pacific Region. Subtitle B: Department of Defense Personnel Management - Authorizes the Secretary to commence a demonstration project of proposals for improving the personnel management policies or procedures for the Defense Commissary Agency. Provides project terms and conditions, limiting the project's scope to the Agency's workforce. Provides project conditions with respect to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. (Sec. 812) Eliminates an employment preference program for the hiring of military spouses as DOD child care employees. (Sec. 813) Preserves certain civil rights protection for former Defense Mapping Agency employees who continue such employment with NIMA. (Sec. 815) Authorizes (currently requires) the Secretary to establish a program for U.S. scientists, engineers, and managers to learn Japanese language and culture. (Sec. 816) Authorizes the Secretary, for five years, to appoint scientific and engineering personnel to conduct experimental research and development through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the defense committees on the use of such authority. Title IX: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Repeals the requirement for a: (1) separate budget request for the procurement of reserve equipment; and (2) two-year DOD budget cycle. (Sec. 903) Amends the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to administer a program to provide off-post emergency preparedness to protect the public in the vicinity of installations where lethal chemical agents and munitions are stored. Authorizes the Director to establish an incentive program to encourage States and local governments to achieve early, efficient, and cost-effective preparedness. Requires the Director to report annually to the Congress on program activities. Requires program funds to be set out in a separate defense-related FEMA account. (Sec. 904) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds from specified defense accounts for combating terrorism or for force protection. (Sec. 905) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds between DOD investment appropriations within acquisition category I and II programs or clearly defined groups of associated acquisition programs, with transfer limits of $500 million per year and $20 million per program. (Sec. 906) Requires annual amounts requested for activities of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization to be set forth in accordance with specified program elements. Requires amounts requested for Theater and National Missile Defense major defense acquisition programs to be specified in individual dedicated program elements, and to be available only for Ballistic Missile Defense activities. Requires management and support requests to be included within the program elements. (Sec. 907) Authorizes the Secretary, after 30 days' prior notification to the appropriate congressional committees, to transfer funds from DOD O&M accounts to military personnel accounts, to be used for military family housing privatization projects. (Sec. 909) Authorizes the Secretary to pay licensing or other fees to foreign countries or international organizations in connection with the sale there of maps, charts, and navigational books. (Sec. 910) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to charge and retain fees for providing historical information to public requesters from the United States Army or Air Force Military History Institute or the Naval or Marine Corps Historical Center. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Report Requirements and Repeals - Repeals a report: (1) concerning a NATO conventional defense assessment of allied performance, NATO conventional defense capabilities, and allied burdensharing; (2) relating to the joint training of special operations forces with friendly foreign forces; (3) on the Defense Business Operations Fund; (4) on the Defense Contract Audit Agency's authority to subpoena records of defense contractors; (5) on the use of funds from the lease of non-excess DOD property; (6) concerning the alternative utilization of military facilities; and (7) concerning a proposed contract for the sale of Gregg Circle Area, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. (Sec. 918) Requires the report on demonstration projects relating to the military health care delivery system to be submitted annually (currently, semiannually). (Sec. 922) Provides an exception from the requirement for a report from the Secretary concerned to the defense committees before entering into certain real property transactions with respect to any such transaction made in connection with a declaration of war, national emergency, or major disaster, a riot, or a contingency operation. Requires such a report within 30 days after entering into such a transaction. (Sec. 923) Repeals certain notification requirements with respect to DOD Inspector General investigations. (Sec. 924) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1989 to repeal the reporting of certain elements of DOD overseas basing costs. (Sec. 925) Directs the Secretary concerned to notify the appropriate congressional committees in the case of architectural and engineering services and construction design for which the estimated costs exceed $500,000 (currently $300,000). Subtitle C: Matters Relating to Terrorism - Authorizes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (currently, only the Secretaries of Defense and the military departments) to purchase right-hand drive motor vehicles for use in a foreign country. Authorizes each such official to purchase nontactical armored passenger vehicles under emergency situations for combating terrorism and for military force protection support. (Sec. 932) Authorizes the Secretary to make DOD personnel available to operate equipment with respect to a foreign or domestic counterterrorism operation or a rendition of a suspected terrorist from a foreign country to the United States for trial. Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Counter Drug Operations - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend through FY 2004 DOD's authority to provide support to other Federal agencies and law enforcement officials for counter-drug activities. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct domestic outreach programs to reduce the demand for illegal drugs among youths. (Sec. 942) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 to: (1) authorize DOD to provide counter-drug support for specified Caribbean countries; (2) extend through FY 2004 the authority to provide such support; and (3) increase the amount authorized for such purpose. Subtitle E: Other Matters - Redefines "financial institution" for purposes of Federal Government reimbursement of charges incurred by military personnel or Federal employees because of Government error in the direct deposit of pay. (Sec. 952) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1987 to authorize drug test results of civil service mariners of the Military Sealift Command to be released to the Coast Guard to the same extent that similar submissions are required from commercial vessel operators. (Sec. 953) Provides for the disposition of amounts collected through military claims services from third parties for loss or damage to personal property shipped or stored at Government expense. (Sec. 954) Allows polychlorinated biphenyls located outside of U.S. customs territory but in U.S. possession and control to be imported for disposal within U.S. customs territory. (Sec. 955) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to lease up to 500 units in Italy and 800 units in Korea, subject to the maximum lease amount, for military family housing purposes. (Sec. 956) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary's agent would be exempt from providing a copy of notice or service as currently required when providing notice and taking action to enforce obligations for child support and alimony payments among military personnel under provisions of the Social Security Act. Requires a report describing the program from the Secretary to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. Terminates the program at the end of FY 2000. (Sec. 957) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into the long-term charter of three specified vessels in support of Navy submarine rescue, escort, and towing.

Model States Child Care Enhancement Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants to Model States Subtitle A: Grants To Improve the Quality of Child Care Services Subtitle B: Grants to Business Consortia Subtitle C: General Provisions Title II: Child Care Standards Enforcement Title III: Loan Deferral Title IV: Research and Demonstrations Title V: Amendments to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 Title VI: Child and Adult Food Program Title VII: Sense of the Congress Model States Child Care Enhancement Act of 1998 - Title I: Grants to Model States - Subtitle A: Grants To Improve the Quality of Child Care Services - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to eligible States to improve the quality of child care services. (Sec. 101) Requires such grants to be used by States for purposes the Secretary shall specify by rule, including: (1) providing specified types of State or federally approved, developmentally appropriate child care training (beyond certain basic training) to individuals who are, or are employed by, compensated child care providers; (2) requiring health consultation and age-appropriate immunization to children who receive child care services assisted under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA) and to other children who receive center-based child care; (3) assisting eligible child care providers to achieve developmentally appropriate child-per-caregiver ratios established by a national accrediting association; (4) making competitive grants to persons for improvements and startup costs incurred to become eligible child care providers; (5) paying costs incurred to obtain comprehensive background checks; (6) increasing payment rates to providers who serve children under CCDBGA and, at State option, require providers to seek accreditation or otherwise enhance the quality of their child care services as a condition of receiving increased payment rates; (7) expanding activities, including resource and referral systems, to educate parents on child care availability and quality; and (8) improving child care availability and quality for children with special needs, including those relating to health and disabilities. (Sec. 102) Requires a State, in order to be eligible to receive such a grant for a fiscal year, to submit to the Secretary an application with specified certifications of State requirements relating to: (1) center-based and group home child care providers to obtain from the State or local government a preemployment criminal background check of each individual subsequently employed to provide child care services, at a cost to providers not to exceed the lesser of $50 or 50 percent of the State or local cost of conducting each check; and (2) State or local health and safety inspections of center-based child care providers at least semiannually, group home child care providers at least annually, family child care providers at least biennially, and all other child care providers periodically. Requires States to certify that: (1) all caregivers who provide child care assisted under CCDBGA receive training in providing medical first aid; (2) caregivers who are, or are employed by, compensated child care providers have specific minimum training determined and provided by the lead agency; (3) all compensated child care providers obtain from parents (or legal guardians) information regarding whether children have received age-appropriate immunizations; (4) specific developmentally appropriate child-per-caregiver ratios apply to center-based child care providers in the State; and (5) the State complies with grant requirements under this title and with specified provisions of CCDBGA. Requires State assurance that it will not reduce or remove any State requirement applicable to child care providers that exceeds any requirement applicable under this title. Requires any State receiving a grant for a fiscal year that applies for another grant in a subsequent fiscal year to demonstrate that it has enforced such requirements. (Sec. 103) Requires allotment among the States of such grants to be based on a specified formula under the Social Security Act. Subtitle B: Grants to Business Consortia - Directs the Secretary to make grants to States to provide grants to eligible entities to improve access to affordable, local, quality child care services. (Sec. 151) Makes eligible for such a grant a consortium that: (1) has not received a grant under this title; and (2) consists of representatives from at least five businesses (or a nonprofit organization that represents at least five businesses), each of which, to the maximum extent practicable, is located in the same geographic region. Requires States to give priority, in providing such grants, to eligible entities that consist of a majority of representatives from small businesses. Sets a maximum limit on the amount of any such grant provided to an eligible entity for any fiscal year. Sets forth requirements for grant applications, use of funds, and matching funds. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Child Care Standards Enforcement - Amends CCDBGA to establish a program of annual payments to States for child care standards enforcement. (Sec. 201) Requires States, to be eligible for such payments for a fiscal year, to: (1) include a child care standards enforcement plan in their State plans; and (2) report specified data on enforcement of child care quality and safety plans. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Loan Deferral - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for student loan deferral for certain child care providers under specified programs for federally insured loans, federally guaranteed loans, and Federal direct student loans. Title IV: Research and Demonstrations - Amends CCDBGA to authorize the Secretary of HHS, directly or through grants, contracts, or other arrangements, to carry out research, demonstration projects, and other activities relating to child care services, including activities designed to improve the quality and increase the availability of child care services. (Sec. 401) Includes among allowable activities under such research and demonstrations program: (1) research on child care needs of low-income families; (2) demonstrations of technology-based education and training; (3) demonstration projects for new methods; (4) a National Center on Child Care Statistics; and (5) a hotline to locate local child care resources, and child care consumer education activities. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Amendments to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 - Amends CCDBGA to require that State certification relating to payment rates, for child care services for which assistance is provided, be based on a survey of the cost of child care services in local markets throughout the State, conducted not more than two years before the date the State application for a block grant is submitted. (Sec. 502) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for CCDBGA. Title VI: Child and Adult Food Program - Amends the National School Lunch Act to increase reimbursement rates for family or group day care homes under the child and adult care food program. Title VII: Sense of the Congress - Expresses the sense of the Congress that funds should be appropriated under the amendments made by this Act to the maximum extent authorized and consistently with achieving a balanced Federal budget.

Older Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 Title II: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Title III: Older Americans Act of 1965 Title IV: Public Health Service Act Title V: Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 Older Women's Protection From Violence Act of 1998 - Title I: Violence Against Women Act of 1994 - Amends the Violence against Women Act of 1994 to direct the Attorney General to: (1) make grants to law school clinical programs to fund the inclusion of cases addressing issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, and sexual assault against older individuals; and (2) develop curricula and provide for the offering of training programs regarding such issues for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and relevant Federal, State, and local court officials. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to include elder domestic abuse and adult protective services within its ambit of services, grants, and demonstration grants for community initiatives. Title III: Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to direct the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Aging to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of older women when establishing research priorities for grants or contracts for research and demonstration projects on elder abuse. (Sec. 303) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for grants to implement a State long-term care ombudsman program. (Sec. 304) Directs the Assistant Secretary, when making grants and contracts, to give special consideration to projects designed to: (1) expand access to domestic violence shelters and programs for older individuals and encourage the use of certain facilities as emergency short-term shelters; and (2) promote research on legal, organizational, or training impediments to providing services to older individuals through shelters and programs. (Sec. 305) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for the ombudsman program and for the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit private organizations to support projects in local communities to coordinate activities for intervention in and prevention of elder abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault; and (2) develop outreach programs for assisting victims of elder abuse, including some for assisting individuals in certain senior housing facilities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 307) Directs the Secretary to develop curricula and implement continuing education training programs for certain providers of health care and social services to improve their ability to recognize and address elder abuse situations. Title IV: Public Health Service Act - Elder Abuse Identification and Referral Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to instruct the Secretary, when awarding grants or contracts, to give preferences to health professions schools or programs that condition the awarding of their degrees or certificates upon significant student training in specified areas of elder abuse identification and treatment. Title V: Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 - Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to permit a financial institution to report suspected financial exploitation of an older individual to law enforcement entities, or government-regulated adult protective services entities. Shields such institution from liability for making such disclosure.

Manufactured Housing Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

Manufactured Housing Improvement Act - Amends the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to revise Federal construction and safety provisions for manufactured homes based upon a consensus standards development process. Eliminates the National Manufactured Home Advisory Council.

Brownfield Community Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants Brownfield Community Empowerment Act - Title I: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to award grants to local governments and citizens' organizations to inventory brownfield sites, conduct brownfield site assessments, and provide training and support to residents and local citizens in assessment, cleanup, and related activities with respect to brownfields and associated waterways and wetlands. Defines a "brownfield site" as a parcel of land that contains or contained abandoned or under-used commercial or industrial facilities, the expansion or redevelopment of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Requires States to submit information to the Administrator on brownfield sites. Directs the Administrator to compile a National Brownfields Registry. (Sec. 112) Requires the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to be used by local governments to capitalize revolving loan funds for the cleanup of brownfield sites and associated properties, rivers, and streams. Authorizes local governments to provide such loans to finance cleanups by such governments or by owners or prospective purchasers of brownfield sites. Gives priority to grant applications that: (1) propose the creation of jobs or job training programs or use existing programs; or (2) involve projects for brownfields located within any empowerment zone or enterprise community. Requires grant recipients to report to the Administrator on the extent of local citizen involvement in funded projects. (Sec. 113) Authorizes appropriations from the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) for such grants for FY 1999 through 2003. Makes certain facilities ineligible for the grant program, including facilities that are the subject of response actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to make exceptions for certain excluded facilities and allow grants on a facility-by-facility basis. (Sec. 116) Amends CERCLA to replace existing conditions on siting with one that prohibits the President from providing any remedial actions unless the State in which the hazardous substance release occurs prohibits the issuance of new permits for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities located within 5,000 feet of any school, currently used or potentially available body of water, drinking water source, residential dwelling, or hospital. (Sec. 119) Authorizes appropriations for grant programs and for assistance to States for voluntary response programs for FY 1999 through 2001. (Sec. 120) Authorizes the Administrator to award grants and cooperative agreements to States, Indian tribes, municipalities, and other entities for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 121) Requires the Administrator to provide financial assistance for brownfields workforce training programs in communities that contain brownfield sites. (Sec. 123) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require Superfund to be available for natural resource damage assessment, restoration, rehabilitation, and replacement activities carried out under CERCLA. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants, in connection with the authority to guarantee obligations to finance certain community development activities, to eligible public entities for projects for the cleanup and economic redevelopment of brownfield sites. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001.

Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Consolidation and Reorganization Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Administration Title II: Programs and Functions of Administration Subtitle A: Transfers from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Transfers from Other Agencies Subtitle B: Additional Provisions Regarding Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Subtitle C: Funding Title III: Advisory Council; Peer Review Title IV: Miscellaneous Authorities Title V: Disposition of Remaining Programs and Functions of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Title VI: General Provisions Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Consolidation and Reorganization Act of 1998 - Title I: Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Administration - Establishes as an independent agency in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Administration, to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Title II: Programs and Functions of Administration - Subtitle A: Transfers from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Transfer from Other Agencies - Transfers to the Administration programs and functions: (1) relating to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Public Health Service Act substance abuse block grants, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); (2) under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994; (3) under specified provisions of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 administered by HHS' Administration for Children and Families (relating to drug abuse and youth gangs and or runaway and homeless youth); (4) under the Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 1990; and (5) under the Drug-Free Public Housing Act of 1988. Subtitle B: Additional Provisions Regarding Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse - Mandates a program to coordinate public and nonprofit private entity activities to provide for a nationwide network for substance abuse prevention. Authorizes grants to assist communities in coordinating substance abuse prevention services. (Sec. 212) Mandates coordination of Administration and Office of National Drug Control Policy activities. Subtitle C: Funding - Authorizes appropriations for the Administration. Title III: Advisory Council; Peer Review - Mandates an advisory council and peer review of grants and cooperative agreements. Title IV: Miscellaneous Authorities - Sets forth miscellaneous authorities of the Secretary of HHS and the Administrator, including regarding facilities (acquiring, constructing, improving, etc.) and the use of personnel, consultants, experts, and volunteers. Title V: Disposition of Remaining Programs and Functions of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Transfers to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration all functions of SAMHSA not transferred under title II of this Act. Terminates SAMHSA. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth transitional and savings provisions and makes conforming amendments.

Disabled Veterans Special Housing Improvements Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

Disabled Veterans Special Housing Improvements Act of 1998 - Increases from $38,000 to $48,070 the maximum amount of authorized assistance from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permanently and totally disabled veterans for the purchase of specially adapted housing. Directs the Secretary to adjust such amounts annually for inflation, beginning in FY 1999.

Children's Development Commission Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

Children's Development Commission Act - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages for: (1) new or rehabilitated child care and development facilities, including mortgage insurance for fire safety equipment loans; and (2) purchase or refinance of existing child care and development facilities. Establishes the Children's Development Commission which shall: (1) issue facility standards and compliance certifications; and (2) make loans not in excess of $50,000 for facility rehabilitation or renovation. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of the availability of child care facility secondary mortgage markets.

Senior Citizens' Housing Financial Restructuring Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

Senior Citizens' Housing Financial Restructuring Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with the consent of the owner, to convert certain housing projects for the elderly from direct loan financing to rental assistance contract financing. Authorizes related debt forgiveness and section 8 contract cancellation.