Housing

Empowerment Zone Enhancement Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 1 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) require environmental review by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (urban areas) and the Secretary of Agriculture (rural areas); and (5) require the lead implementing entity for an empowerment zone to establish a performance measurement system.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase job creation and small business expansion and formation in economically distressed United States insular areas.

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1998

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate additional nominated U.S. insular areas which meet certain eligibility criteria as empowerment zones; and (2) set forth various special rules related to such empowerment zones. Limits to $1 million (for others, $3 million) the amount of tax-exempt enterprise zone facility bonds. Prescribes a table of applicable percentages relating to the empowerment zone employment credit with respect to each newly designated empowerment zone.

National Youth Crime Prevention Demonstration Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1998

National Youth Crime Prevention Demonstration Act - Directs the Attorney General to make a five-year national youth crime prevention demonstration project grant to the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Center to award grants to grassroots organizations to develop youth intervention models in the following cities: (1) Washington, D.C.; (2) Detroit, Michigan; (3) Hartford, Connecticut; (4) Indianapolis, Indiana; (5) Chicago (and surrounding metropolitan area), Illinois; (6) San Antonio, Texas; (7) Dallas, Texas; and (8) Los Angeles, California. (Sec. 4) Requires eligible grassroots entities to: (1) be not-for-profit community organizations with demonstrated effectiveness in mediating and addressing youth violence by empowering at-risk youth to become agents of peace and community restoration; and (2) submit grant applications to the Center to fund intervention models that establish violence-free zones. Requires the Center to consider the grassroots entity's: (1) track record (and that of its key participating individuals) in youth group mediation and crime prevention; (2) engagement and participation with other local organizations; and (3) ability to enter into partnerships with local housing authorities, law enforcement agencies, and other public entities. (Sec. 5) Authorizes use of grant funds for youth mediation, youth mentoring, life skills training, job creation and entrepreneurship, organizational development and training, development of long-term intervention plans, collaboration with law enforcement, comprehensive support services and local agency partnerships, and activities to further community objectives in reducing youth crime and violence. Directs the Center to identify local lead grassroots entities in each designated city which include: (1) the Alliance of Concerned Men of Washington in the District of Columbia; (2) the Hartford Youth Peace Initiative in Hartford, Connecticut; (3) the Family Help-Line in Los Angeles, California; (4) the Victory Fellowship in San Antonio, Texas; and (5) similar grassroots entities in other designated cities. Requires the Center, in cooperation with the Attorney General, also to provide technical assistance for startup projects in other cities. (Sec. 6) Directs the Center to evaluate the effectiveness of grassroots agencies and other public entities involved in such demonstration project and to report to the Attorney General. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.

Higher Education Amendments of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Improving Teacher Quality Title III: Institutional Aid Title IV: Student Assistance Title V: Graduate and Post-Secondary Improvement Programs Title VI: International Education Programs Title VII: Related Programs and Amendments to Other Acts Higher Education Amendments of 1998 - Title I: General Provisions - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to repeal the current title I (Partnerships for Educational Excellence). (Sec. 102) Repeals a disclaimer that nothing in Federal law shall be construed to authorize any Federal agency, officer, or employee to exercise direction, supervision, or control over membership practices or internal operations of fraternal organizations, fraternities, sororities, private clubs, or religious organizations at higher education institutions that are financed exclusively by private funds and have facilities not owned by the institutions. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) publish the expiration dates of terms of members of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity; and (2) solicit nominations for vacancies on such Committee. (Sec. 104) Sets forth provisions relating to prior rights and responsibilities including authorization of appropriations) and to recovery of payments under HEA title VII (Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Academic Facilities) (as in effect before title VII is repealed by this Act). Title II: Improving Teacher Quality - Revises, and transfers to title II, various teacher education provisions (currently in title V). Repeals various unfunded programs, replacing them with a comprehensive program to: (1) improve student achievement; (2) improve preparation of prospective teachers and professional development for teachers; and (3) make higher education institutions accountable for preparing teachers. (Sec. 201) Makes States eligible to compete for Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants to institute State-level reforms to ensure that current and future teachers possess necessary teaching skills and academic content knowledge in the subject areas in which they are assigned to teach. Provides for one-time Teacher Training Partnership Grants to local partnerships that: (1) shall include a school of arts and sciences, a school or program of education, a local educational agency (LEA), and a kindergarten-through-grade-12 school; and (2) may include State education agencies (SEAs), pre-kindergarten programs, non-profit groups, businesses, or teacher organizations. Sets forth accountability requirements for Enhancement and Partnership grants. Directs the Secretary of Education, through the National Center for Education Statistics, to study and report to the Congress on the ways teachers are trained and the extent to which teachers in the United States and other comparable countries () including all participants in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)) are teaching in areas other than the teachers' field of study or expertise (out-of-field teaching). Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible partnerships of higher education institutions and LEAs serving underserved areas to award scholarships, and provide support and followup services, to students in a teacher preparation program, who shall within seven years of completing such program teach full-time for at least five years in a high-poverty school in an underserved geographic area, or repay the amount of the scholarship. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Institutional Aid - Revises HEA title III to give special consideration to applications for Strengthening Institutions grants which propose to acquire high technology equipment for use in strengthening funds management and academic programs. Allows institutions to use up to 20 percent of such grants to establish or increase an endowment fund. Requires a two-year wait-out-period between the receipt of consecutive five-year grants. Revises the definition of Hispanic-serving institution and allows such institutions to use up to 20 percent of part A grants to establish or expand an endowment fund. Encourages such institutions to collaborate with community-based organizations on certain projects. (Sec. 304) Allows Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to use up to 20 percent of part B grants to establish or expand an endowment fund. Revises requirements for eligible professional or graduate institutions to: (1) require matching funds from non-Federal sources only for grants in excess of a specified amount; and (2) allow spending for any qualified graduate program. (Sec. 305) Revises requirements for endowment challenge funds for institutions eligible for assistance under part A or part B. (Sec. 306) Revises, and transfers to title III part D, requirements for HBCU Capital Financing (currently under title VII part B). Includes administrative facilities, student centers, and student unions as capital projects. Authorizes the Secretary to sell guaranteed qualified bonds to any party offering the best terms. (Sec. 307) Revises, and transfers to title III part E, requirements for the Minority Science Improvement Program (currently Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Programs under title X part B). Includes the behavioral sciences under such program. (Sec. 308) Extends the authorization of appropriations for title III programs. Title IV: Student Assistance - Part A: Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education - Revises HEA title IV part A to repeal authority for: (1) Presidential Access Scholarships; (2) model program community partnership and counseling grants; (3) public information; (4) a National Student Savings Demonstration Program; (5) pre-eligibility forms; and (6) technical assistance for teachers and counselors. Repeals authority for special child care services for disadvantaged college students (but establishes a program of campus-based child care for low-income parents in postsecondary education). Repeals authority for the State postsecondary review program. (Sec. 412) Revises the Federal Pell Grant program to extend program authority and increase the Federal Pell Grant maximum awards. Changes the name of the program from Basic Education Opportunities Grants to the Federal Pell Grant program. Replaces the current mandatory 85 percent advance payments to institutions with an alternative system (to be determined by the Secretary) that provides accurate and timely Pell grant program payments to institutions. Revises Pell grant requirements pertaining to maximum and minimum grants. Limits the period of a student's eligibility to receive a Pell grant to 150 percent of the period normally required to complete a course of study (full-time or part-time, as appropriate), with exceptions for students with disabilities. Revises requirements relating to Pell grants for separate courses in English language proficiency. (Sec. 413) Revises requirements Federal Early Outreach and Student Services Programs (which include Federal Trio Programs and National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership Program, as well as programs added by this Act). Increases the minimum grant level for Federal TRIO programs. Revises procedures for awarding TRIO grants and contracts. Permits TRIO directors to administer more than one program for disadvantaged students. Extends the authorization of appropriations for TRIO programs. Includes in the Talent Search Program activities designed to acquaint youth with careers in which individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly underrepresented. Revises authorized activities in Upward Bound to include work-study positions where participating youth are exposed to careers requiring a postsecondary degree. Allows those in such work-study positions to receive a $300 monthly stipend during June, July, and August. Requires the Secretary, in awarding Student Support Services grants to institutions, to consider the institution's efforts and past history in maintaining each student's loan burden at a manageable level when fulfilling the requirement of offering financial assistance to meet full financial need. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to TRIO project entities to work in partnership with non-TRIO entities to disseminate and replicate best practices of, and provide technical assistance for, TRIO projects. (Sec. 414) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership program. (Sec. 415) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Federal supplemental educational opportunity grants (SEOG) program. Eliminates a specific percentage requirement relating to use of SEOG funds for less-than-full-time or independent students. Revises the formula for distributing SEOG campus-based funds in excess of the base guarantee amounts by eliminating a pro rata requirement and allowing all such distribution to be based on fair share. Provides for carry-over and carry-back authority and reallocation with respect to an institution's SEOG funds. (Sec. 416) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Grants to States for State Student Incentives (SSIG) program. Establishes a Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP) for grants to States for a one-third Federal share of the cost of assisting eligible needy students by: (1) increasing the dollar amount of SSIG aid; (2) carrying out transition programs from secondary to postsecondary education; (3) making funds available for community service work-study activities; (4) creating a postsecondary scholarship program for those who wish to enter teaching; (5) creating a scholarship program for those who wish to enter a program of study leading to a degree in mathematics, computer science, or engineering; (6) carrying out early intervention, mentoring, and career education programs; and (7) awarding merit or academic scholarships. Sets forth requirements relating to Federal-State relationships and State agreements under the SSIG program. (Sec. 417) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the high school equivalency program (HEP) and the college assistance migrant program (CAMP) for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork. (Sec. 418) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. (Sec. 419) Establishes a campus-based child care program under a new subpart 7 (Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CAMPUS)). Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to institutions of higher education to assist them in providing campus-base child care services to low-income students. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Federal Family Education Loan Program - Revises HEA title IV part B (Federal Family Education Loan Program) with respect to advances to reserve funds. (Sec. 422) Requires each guaranty agency to establish and deposit specified funds for certain uses into a Federal Student Loan Reserve Fund, with such funds to be invested in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or a State, or in other similarly low-risk securities selected by the guaranty agency. (Sec. 423) Requires each guaranty agency to establish and deposit specified funds for certain uses into an Agency Operating Fund, with such funds (except those transferred from the Reserve Fund) to be invested at the guaranty agency's discretion. (Sec. 424) Revises requirements regarding: (1) applicable interest rates for student loans; and (2) special allowances. (Sec. 425) Revises requirements for Federal payments to reduce student interest costs with respect to: (1) Federal interest subsidies; (2) insurance program agreements, including options for repayment plans; (3) guaranty agreements for reimbursing losses; (4) payments for the costs of certain activities; (5) lenders-of-last-resort; and (6) default aversion assistance. Repeals provisions for: (1) payment to guaranty agencies for lender referral services; and (2) a State share of default costs. (Sec. 426) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into voluntary flexible agreements with guaranty agencies. (Sec. 427) Revises provisions for Federal PLUS loans to parents to: (1) authorize the Secretary to specify additional eligibility criteria; and (2) make PLUS loan applicants subject to verification of immigration status and social security number. (Sec. 428) Revises requirements for Federal consolidation loans to exclude from eligibility for consolidating defaulted loans any borrowers from whom involuntary payments are secured through litigation or administrative wage garnishment. (Sec. 429) Revises conditions for multiple disbursements of student loans. Exempts institutions with low cohort default rates from certain disbursement and endorsement requirements. (Sec. 431) Revises requirements relating to eligible borrowers of unsubsidized Stafford loans. (Sec. 432) Repeals the demonstration program for loan forgiveness for nurses and individuals performing national community service (while retaining the program of loan forgiveness for teachers). (Sec. 433) Directs the Secretary to prescribe common application forms and promissory notes, or multiyear promissory notes, for student financial assistance. Allows guaranty agencies, borrowers, and lenders to use electronically printed versions of the common forms approved by the Secretary. (Sec. 434) Revises requirements for lender disclosure of student loan information to borrowers to permit disclosure by electronic means. (Sec. 435) Requires any institution appealing loss of eligibility to pay the Secretary, during the pendency of the appeal, the equivalent of interest, special allowance, reinsurance, and any related payments the Secretary makes (or is obligated to make) with respect to loans to attending students. Requires any institution exceeding the cohort default rate threshold percentage for two consecutive years to submit to the Secretary a satisfactory default management plan. Formulates a participation rate index. Exempts from loss of eligibility any institution whose participation rate index is equal to or less than 0.0375 for any of the three applicable indices. (Sec. 436) Prescribes requirements for delegation of functions by an eligible lender or guaranty agency. Repeals the authority of the government of the District of Columbia to establish a student loan insurance program. (Sec. 437) Revises requirements relating to the Secretary's collection of origination fees through deduction from interest and special allowance subsidies. (Sec. 438) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study, and report to specified congressional committees on, market-based mechanisms for determining student loan interest rates. Part C: Federal Work-Study Programs - Extends the authorization of appropriations for HEA title IV part C Federal Work-Study Programs. (Sec. 442) Revises work-study program grant requirements with respect to use of funds for independent and less-than-full time students. Sets the Federal share of work-study compensation for students employed in community service at not more than 90 percent. (Sec. 443) Revises requirements, and extends the authorization of appropriations, for work colleges. Part D: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program - Amends HEA title IV part D (William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program) to revise criteria for selection of institutions for Federal direct loan program participation and origination. (Sec. 452) Revises the formula for applicable interest rates for Federal direct student loans. (Sec. 453) Revises direct loan program requirements for contracts for origination, servicing, and data systems. (Sec. 454) Sets forth requirements regarding funds for administrative expenses. Revises the calculation basis for account maintenance fees payable to guaranty agencies. (Sec. 455) Sets forth requirements for cancellation of Stafford-Ford loans for teachers. Part E: Federal Perkins Loans - Amends HEA title IV part E (Federal Perkins Loans) to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Perkins Loan program. (Sec. 462) Revises requirements for: (1) allocation of funds; and (2) institutional default rate calculation and penalties. (Sec. 463) Revises requirements for agreements with institutions of higher education. Requires institutions to report at least annually to credit bureaus any changes to information previously disclosed. (Sec. 464) Revises terms and conditions of loans. Eliminates loans to students in institutions that do not have agreements with the Secretary. Provides for loans of up to $8,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study, and up to $10,000 for the first year of graduate study, for juniors who state in writing that they will study to become full-time elementary or secondary school teachers in schools meeting certain criteria. Sets forth conditions for discharge and rehabilitation of loans. Authorizes participating institutions of higher education to establish incentive repayment programs, with the Secretary's approval. (Sec. 465) Revises requirements for distribution of assets from student loan funds to extend the program. (Sec. 466) Repeals authority for a Perkins Loan Revolving Fund, and requires transfer of its funds to the Treasury. Part F: Need Analysis - Revises HEA title IV part F (Need Analysis) cost of attendance requirements to eliminate specified dollar ceilings on the cost of room and board. Increases income protection allowances for student and family contributions, requiring the Secretary to revise these allowances for each academic year. Replaces current requirements for student financial aid administrator adjustments to loan certifications for special circumstances with general authorization to refuse or adjust loan certifications, with written documentation. Part G: General Provisions - Revises or establishes HEA title IV part G General Provisions relating to: (1) compliance with a master calendar; (2) delay of effective date for late publications; (3) a common financial aid form; (4) use of applications via electronic forms; (5) payments for data; (6) a multiyear promissory note; (7) student eligibility (to include those who have met State requirements with respect to high school education in a home school setting); (8) verification of income data with the Internal Revenue Service; (10) institutional refunds; (11) institutional and financial assistance information for students; (12) electronic media for information dissemination and for exit counseling for borrowers; (13) disclosures required with respect to athletically related student aid; (14) disclosure of campus security policy and campus crime statistics; (15) the national student loan data system; (16) training in financial aid services; (17) specified information on the costs of higher education; (18) program participation agreements; (19) regulatory relief and improvement; (20) distance education demonstration programs; (21) the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance; and (22) regional meetings and negotiated rulemaking. Part H: Program Integrity Triad - Revises HEA title IV part H (Program Integrity Triad) to replace authority for the State Postsecondary Review Program with requirements relating to State responsibilities and institutional responsibility. (Sec. 492) Revises, or establishes, program integrity requirements relating to: (1) standards for accrediting agency recognition; (2) operating procedures; (3) a single application form; (4) financial responsibility standards; (5) financial guarantees from owners; (6) applications and site visits; (7) eligibility time limitations and renewal; (8) provisional certification; (9) treatment of branches; (10) program review and data; and (11) special administrative rules. Part I: Administrative Provisions for Delivery of Student Financial Assistance - Establishes a performance-based organization (PBO) in the Department of Education to administer various functions relating to student financial assistance programs. (Sec. 495) Vests management of the PBO in a Chief Operating Officer (COO) appointed by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary and the COO to develop an annual performance agreement for the PBO establishing measurable goals and objectives for the organization. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Graduate and Postsecondary Education Improvement - Sets forth a new HEA title V (Graduate and Postsecondary Education Improvement) programs to replace the current HEA title V (Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development), hereby repealed. (Sec. 501) Transfers to title V (from current titles IX, X, and XI): (1) the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program; (2) Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need; (3) Urban Community Service; and (4) the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. Part A: Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship program. (Sec. 511) Increases the amount of the payment to an institution with respect to each individual awarded a fellowship under such program. Revises requirements for award of such fellowships to limit eligibility to students who demonstrate financial need. Sets forth requirements for the process and timing of the fellowship competition. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a nongovernmental agency to administer the program. Part B: Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need - Extends the authorization of appropriations for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need. (Sec. 521) Increases the amount of the payment to an institution with respect to each individual awarded a fellowship under such program. Revises requirements for designation of areas of national need and content of applications. Part C: Urban Community Service - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Urban Community Service grants program. (Sec. 531) Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicant eligible institutions that demonstrate commitment to urban community service. Part D: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, and for its grants for planning and special projects. (Sec. 541) Allows a greater number of technical employees. Includes among authorized special projects: (1) institutional restructuring to improve learning and promote cost efficiencies; (2) evaluation and dissemination of model programs; and (3) articulation between two-year and four-year institutions, including developing innovative methods to ensure the successful transfer of students. Part E: Higher Education Access for Students with Disabilities - Sets forth a new title V part F (Higher Education Access for Students with Disabilities). (Sec. 551) Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to higher education institutions to develop model programs to provide technical assistance, training, and professional development for faculty and administrators to teach effectively students with disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to higher education institutions to disseminate their demonstrated exceptional programs for disabilities. Title VI: International Education Programs - Extends the authorization of appropriations for part A (International and Foreign Language Studies). (Sec. 601) Revises or establishes provisions for: (1) graduate and undergraduate national language and area centers and programs and authorized activities; (2) language resource centers; (3) incentives for new and existing undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs, and Federal share and use of funds for such programs; (4) research, studies, and reports; (5) selection of certain grant applicants; (6) equitable distribution of certain funds; (7) American overseas research centers; and (8) development grants for new such centers. (Sec. 602) Extends the authorization of appropriations for part B (Business and International Education Programs). Revises requirements for centers for international business education. (Sec. 603) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Institute for International Public Policy. Raises from one-fourth to one-half the non-Federal matching funds requirement for the minority foreign service professional development program. Requires the non-Federal contribution to be from private sector sources. Revises requirements for the study abroad program to extend the program to students completing the third year of study in the case of a summer abroad program. Provides for an institutional development program of grants to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled community colleges, and minority institutions, to strengthen their international affairs programs. (Sec. 604) Repeals provisions relating to preservation of pre-1992 programs. Title VII: Related Programs and Amendments to Other Laws - Part A: Indian Higher Education Programs - Amends the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 to rename it the Tribally Controlled College or University Act of 1978. (Sec. 711) Extends such Act's programs to colleges and universities. Increases the amount per Indian student of grants to such colleges and universities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants, endowment, and economic development programs. (Sec. 712) Amends the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development. Part B: Advanced Placement Fee Payment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to reimburse low-income individuals for the cost of advanced placement test fees. (This program is currently under the Higher Education Amendments of 1992.) (Sec. 721) Revises such program to: (1) encourage States to support advanced placement teacher training and related activities designed to increase the participation of low-income individuals; and (2) permit the use of up to five percent of funds to disseminate information about the availability of test fee payments. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program. Part C: Institute for Peace Act - Amends the United States Institute for Peace Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Institute. Part D: Community Scholarship Mobilization - Community Scholarship Mobilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award an endowment grant, on a competitive basis, to a national organization to support the establishment or ongoing work of regional, State or community program centers that foster development of local entities in high poverty areas to improve high school graduation rates and postsecondary attendance through academic support services and postsecondary scholarship assistance. (Sec. 745) Directs the Secretary to award one or more such endowment grants pursuant to an agreement with a national association which requires that: (1) 70 percent of endowment fund interest income in any fiscal year be used to assist such centers; (2) 30 percent of such income in any fiscal year be used for scholarships for students from low-income families, to be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis from funds raised by the local entities; and (3) at least 50 percent of all the interest income from the endowment be allocated to establish new local entities or support regional, State or community program centers in high poverty areas. (Sec. 746) Authorizes appropriations. Part E: Grants to States for Workplace and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out the program of Grants to States for Workplace and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders (currently under HEA title X part E). (Sec. 751) Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program. Part F: Education of the Deaf - Education of the Deaf Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Education of the Deaf Act (EDA) to: (1) require elementary and secondary programs to comply with certain requirements under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act; (2) revise requirements relating to agreements with Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID); and (3) revise requirements for audits, reports, investments, and international students. (Sec. 768) Extends the authorization of appropriations for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. (Sec. 769) Revises requirements for Federal endowment programs payments, and for withdrawals and expenditures. Extends the authorization of appropriations for Federal endowment programs (for Gallaudet University and NTID). (Sec. 771) Requires Gallaudet University and the NTID to: (1) establish and disseminate research priorities that reflect public input; and (2) submit reports to the Secretary of Education and specified congressional committees. (Sec. 772) Extends the authorization of appropriations for Gallaudet University and NTID programs under EDA. (Sec. 773) Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a Commission on the Education of the Deaf to identify those education-related factors in the lives of deaf individuals that: (1) result in barriers to successful postsecondary education experiences and employment; or (2) contribute to successful postsecondary education and employment experiences. Authorizes appropriations. Part G: Repeals - Repeals the following HEA provisions: (1) under title VII (Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Academic Facilities), part A (Improvement of Academic and Library Facilities), part C (Loans for Construction, Reconstruction and Renovation of Academic, Housing, and Other Educational Facilities), part D (College Construction Loan Insurance Association), and part E (General Provisions); (2) title VIII (Cooperative Education); (3) under title IX (Graduate Programs), part A (Grants to Institutions and Consortia to Encourage Women and Minority Participation in Graduate Education), part B (Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship Program), part E (Faculty Development Fellowship Program), part F (Assistance for Training in Legal Profession), and part G (Law School Clinical Experience Programs); (4) under title X (Postsecondary Improvement Programs), part B subpart 2 (Science and Engineering Access Programs), part C (Women and Minorities Science and Engineering Outreach Demonstration Program), and part D (Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Program); and (5) under title XI (Community Service Programs), part B (Innovative Projects). (Sec. 781) Repeals the following provisions under the Higher Education Amendments of 1992: (1) under title XIII (Indian Higher Education Programs), part E (Tribal Development Student Assistance Act), part F (American Indian Postsecondary Economic Development Scholarship), and part G (American Indian Teacher Training); (2) title XIV (Studies and Commissions); and (3) title XV (Related Programs and Amendments to Other Laws), including parts A (National Center for the Workplace), part B (National Clearinghouse for Postsecondary Education Materials), part C (School-Based Decisionmakers), part D (Grants for Sexual Offenses Education), and part E (Olympic Scholarships). Part H: Miscellaneous - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Department of Education should: (1) assess immediately the extent of the risk to the operations of the student financial aid system posed by the year 2000 computer problem; (2) give the highest priority to correcting all two-digit date-related problems in the Department's computer systems to ensure that those systems continue to operate effectively in the year 2000 and beyond; and (3) develop contingency plans, with respect to the year 2000 computer problem, for those computer systems that the Department is unable to correct in time. (Sec. 791) Directs the Secretary of Education to report to specified congressional committees on the compliance status of all mission critical systems at the Department, as well as such contingency plans.

Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1998

Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998 - Provides for a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-sponsored biennial conference on (regulatory) barriers to affordable housing. Requires proposed and final agency rules to analyze their impact upon affordable housing availability. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop model housing impact analyses. (Sec. 5) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize direct appropriations for State and local grants for regulatory barrier removal. (Sec. 6) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make affordable housing barrier removal eligible for community development block grant assistance. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each block grant recipient should establish a Barriers to Homeownership and Housing Affordability Council. (Sec. 7) 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. (Sec. 8) Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) repeal the single family mortgage insurance owner-occupancy requirement; (2) repeal mortgage limits on dwellings begun prior to insurance approval; (3) revise the definition of "area"; and (4) revise downpayment provisions.

1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture Chapter 2: Department of Defense Chapter 3: Department of Defense - Civil Chapter 4: Department of the Interior Chapter 5: Department of Defense - Military Construction Chapter 6: Department of Transportation Title II: Rescissions Title III: General Provisions - This Act 1998 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations and rescissions for FY 1998. Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for: (1) the Emergency Conservation Program; (2) the tree assistance program; (3) the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account for emergency insured loans; (4) the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund for livestock and dairy production disaster assistance; and (5) the Natural Resources Conservation Service for watershed and flood prevention operations. Chapter 2: Department of Defense - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force and for reserve personnel, Navy; (2) operation and maintenance (O&M), Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard as well as defense-wide O&M; (3) the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund; (4) the Navy Working Capital Fund; (5) the Defense-Wide Working Capital Fund; and (6) the Defense Health Program. (Sec. 203) Appropriates an additional amount for DOD for the Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Fund. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary of Defense to appoint an independent panel of experts to evaluate recent measures taken to improve the quality of care provided by the Military Health Services System. Requires the panel to: (1) review the DOD Access and Quality Improvement Initiative to assess whether all measures have been taken to ensure that the System delivers services in accordance with high professional standards; and (2) report findings and recommendations to the Secretary, to be forwarded to the Congress. Makes specified funds available for the panel and for any activity identified by the panel that will improve System health care. Chapter 3: Department of Defense - Civil - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for DOD for the Army Corps of Engineers for general O&M for emergency repairs. Makes additional funds available for the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation for water and related resources to repair damage caused by natural disasters. Chapter 4: Department of the Interior - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of the Interior for: (1) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service for construction to repair damage caused by natural disasters; and (2) the U.S. Geological Survey for surveys, investigations, and research related to emergency expenses. Makes additional funds available for the Forest Service for State and private forestry and National Forest System emergency expenses. Chapter 5: Department of Defense - Military Construction - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations available for DOD for: (1) the Base Realignment and Closure Account, Part III for costs arising from El Nino damage; and (2) family housing, Navy and Marine Corps and Air Force for costs arising from Typhoon Paka and El Nino damage. Chapter 6: Department of Transportation - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for the Department of Transportation for: (1) Federal-Aid Highways emergency expenses; and (2) the Federal Railroad Administration for emergency railroad rehabilitation and repair. Title II: Rescissions - Rescinds specified amounts of funds for: (1) the Department of Education for bilingual and immigrant education; (2) Federal Aviation Administration grants-in-aid for airports; (3) the Department of Housing and Urban Development for Section 8 reserves; and (4) the Corporation for National and Community Service for operating expenses of national and community service programs. Title III: General Provisions - This Act - Bars the use of funds made available by this Act for offensive operations by the armed forces against Iraq for purposes of obtaining compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions relating to inspection and destruction of weapons of mass destruction unless such operations are authorized by a law enacted after this Act's enactment.

1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supplemental Appropriations Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture Chapter 2: Department of State Chapter 3: Department of Energy Chapter 4: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Chapter 5: Department of the Interior Chapter 6: Department of Health and Human Services Chapter 7: Legislative Branch Chapter 8: Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Chapter 9: Department of the Treasury Chapter 10: Department of Veterans Affairs Chapter 11: Department of Defense - Military Construction Title II: Rescissions Title III: General Provisions - This Act 1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act - Makes supplemental appropriations and rescissions for FY 1998. Title I: Supplemental Appropriations - Chapter 1: Department of Agriculture - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to compensate for economic losses of persons who had or will have wheat stored in a storage facility that was, or may be, subject to an emergency action notice relating to the presence of Karnal bunt. Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for: (1) departmental administration; (2) the Office of the General Counsel; and (3) the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account for direct and unsubsidized guaranteed farm ownership loans, direct and guaranteed subsidized farm operating loans, and boll weevil eradication program loans. Makes additional funds available for salaries and expenses of the Food and Drug Administration. Chapter 2: Department of State - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of State for arrearage payments for the United Nations and assessed expenses of international peacekeeping. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds for arrearages and international peacekeeping until the share of all assessed contributions for the regular United Nations budget does not exceed 22 percent (and 25 percent for each peacekeeping operation) for any single member. Chapter 3: Department of Energy - Makes an additional amount available for Department of Energy (DOE) departmental administration to cover increases in the cost of work for others, provided such costs are offset by revenue increases derived from specified fees under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. (Sec. 301) Sets forth limitations on specified DOE projects. Chapter 4: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs - Makes supplemental appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for: (1) an increase in the U.S. quota in the International Monetary Fund (IMF); and (2) loans to the IMF under the Bretton Woods Agreements Act pursuant to new arrangements to borrow. Declares that a specified amount of bilateral economic assistance should be made available for Bolivia. (Sec. 401) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated for the U.S. quota in the IMF until the Secretary of the Treasury reports to the appropriate congressional committees that it is IMF policy that arrangements in excess of $500 million involving the use of resources available to the IMF shall include provisions committing the borrowing country to: (1) comply with the terms of international trade agreements of which the country is a signatory; (2) eliminate the policy of Government-directed lending by financial institutions; and (3) guarantee nondiscriminatory treatment in debt resolution proceedings between domestic and foreign creditors and debtors and other concerned persons. (Sec. 402) Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the implementation of IMF-led financial stabilization programs in countries in connection with which the United States has made a commitment to provide or has provided financing from the exchange stabilization fund; and (2) impending disbursements to such countries. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to establish an International Financial Institution Advisory Commission that shall report recommendations to the appropriate committees on the future role and responsibilities of the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. International Monetary Fund Reform and Authorization Act of 1998 - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the IMF to consent, subject to appropriations, to a specified increase in the U.S. IMF quota of Special Drawing Rights. Makes such amendment effective only if the Secretary certifies to certain congressional committees that the investors and banks have made a significant contribution in conjunction with a financing package that, in the context of an international financial crisis, might include taxpayer supported official financing. (Sec. 406) Sets forth conforming amendments for Federal participation in new arrangements to borrow. (Sec. 407) Amends the International Financial Institutions Act (the Act) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the IMF to promote specified policies, including: (1) structuring programs and assistance so as to promote policies and actions that will contribute to exchange rate stability and avoid competitive devaluations; (2) promoting market-oriented reform, trade liberalization, economic growth, democratic governance, and social stability through certain measures; (3) strengthening financial systems in developing countries and encouraging the adoption of sound banking principles and practices; (4) facilitating the development and implementation of internationally acceptable domestic bankruptcy laws in developing countries; (5) promoting policies that aim at appropriate burden-sharing by the private sector so that investors and creditors bear more fully the consequences of their decisions; (6) fostering structural reforms, including procurement reform, that reduce opportunities for corruption, bribery, and drug-related money laundering; (7) designing IMF programs and assistance so that governments channel public funds away from unproductive purposes, including large showcase projects and excessive military spending, and toward investment in human and physical capital; (8) structuring IMF programs and assistance so that improvement of labor standards is incorporated as an integral goal in the policy dialogue with recipient countries; (9) discouraging practices which may promote ethnic or social strife in a recipient country; (10) promoting IMF recognition that macroeconomic developments and policies can affect and be affected by environmental conditions and policies; (11) facilitating greater IMF transparency and accountability; and (12) promoting structural reforms which facilitate credit to small businesses, including microenterprise lending, especially in the world's poorest, heavily indebted countries. Directs the Secretary to establish an IMF Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on the extent to which individual country IMF programs meet the policy goals set out in the Act. (Sec. 408) Denies Federal funds to the IMF unless the Secretary certifies to specified congressional committees that the IMF has made certain meeting minutes and reviews of loan programs available for public inspection. (Sec. 409) Instructs the Secretary to certify to certain congressional committees that the U.S. Executive Director of the IMF will oppose further fund disbursements to Indonesia unless its government complies with the terms of its IMF reform package. (Sec. 410) Expresses the sense of the Congress that Japan should assume a greater regional leadership role, coinciding with its goal of promoting strong domestic demand-led growth and avoiding a significant increase in its external surplus with the United States and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. (Sec. 412) Instructs the Secretary to submit status reports to certain congressional committees regarding progress made toward achieving specified objectives to strengthen safeguards in the global financial system, including measures to promote more efficient functions of global markets. Requires such a report also on progress the U.S. Executive Director of the IMF has made in influencing the IMF to adopt specified policies and reforms of its internal procedures. (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to certify to certain congressional committees that the Secretary has instructed the U.S. Executive Director of the IMF to facilitate timely access by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to IMF information and documents needed by GAO to perform financial reviews of the IMF that will facilitate the conduct of U.S. policy with respect to it. Instructs the Comptroller General to report annually to such congressional committees on IMF financial operations. Chapter 5: Department of the Interior - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Minerals Management Service for royalty and offshore minerals management to meet increased demand and workload requirements stemming from leasing activity in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, to be derived from a transfer of funds; and (3) the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for operation of Indian programs and the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians for Federal trust programs to support litigation involving individual Indian trust fund accounts. Chapter 6: Department of Health and Human Services - Makes additional funds available for the Department of Health and Human Services for Health Care Financing Administration program management. (Sec. 602) Authorizes the obligation of a limited amount of funds in FY 1998 for contracts with Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organizations pursuant to the Social Security Act. Chapter 7: Legislative Branch - Makes supplemental appropriations for the legislative branch for: (1) payments to widows of specified Members of Congress; and (2) the Architect of the Capitol for Capitol building salaries and expenses and for the Capitol Square perimeter security plan. Chapter 8: Department of Transportation and Related Agencies - Provides additional funds for the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Amtrak Reform Council and for National Transportation Safety Board salaries and expenses for expenses resulting from the crash of TWA Flight 800. Chapter 9: Department of the Treasury - Makes supplemental appropriations for the Department of the Treasury for: (1) automation enhancement; (2) Treasury building and annex repair and restoration; and (3) Financial Management Service salaries and expenses for year 2000 century date change conversion requirements. Chapter 10: Department of Veterans Affairs - Provides additional funds for the Veterans Benefits Administration for compensation and pensions. Prohibits requirements set forth in any carbon monoxide Federal implementation plan based on the Clean Air Act as in effect prior to the 1990 amendments from being imposed in Arizona. Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to transfer specified funds to the account for human space flight for the International Space Station program. Chapter 11: Department of Defense - Military Construction - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to carry out beach replenishment in connection with the military construction project for North Island Naval Air Station, California. Title II: Rescissions - Rescinds specified amounts of Department of Agriculture funds for: (1) the Agricultural Research Service; (2) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service salaries and expenses; (3) the Agricultural Marketing Service; (4) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration salaries and expenses; (5) the Food Safety and Inspection Service; (6) Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses; (7) unsubsidized guaranteed operating loans from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund; (8) Natural Resources Conservation Service operations; (9) Rural Housing Service salaries and expenses; and (10) Food and Nutrition Service food program administration. Limits specified funds available for salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out a conservation farm options program. Rescinds specified amounts of funds for the Department of the Interior for: (1) Bureau of Land Management management of lands and resources; (2) Oregon and California grant lands; (3) Fish and Wildlife Service resource management and construction; (4) National Park Service and BIA construction; and (5) the Bureau of Mines. Rescinds specified amounts of Forest Service funds for: (1) forest and rangeland research; (2) State and private forestry; (3) the National Forest System; (4) wildland fire management; and (5) reconstruction and construction. Rescinds specified amounts of DOT funds for: (1) payments to air carriers and small community air service; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration for facilities, engineering, and development and grants-in-aid for airports; and (3) the Federal Railroad Administration for Conrail labor protection. Rescinds specified amounts of Department of Treasury funds for: (1) Treasury building and annex repair and restoration; (2) Customs Service salaries and expenses; and (3) Internal Revenue Service information technology investments. Title III: General Provisions - This Act - Prohibits any part of an appropriation contained in this Act from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless provided otherwise.

National and Community Service Amendments Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle A: Amendments to Subtitle A (General Provisions) Subtitle B: Amendments to Subtitle B (School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning Programs) Subtitle C: Amendments to Subtitle C (National Service Trust Program) Subtitle D: Amendments to Subtitle D (National Service Trust and Provision of National Service Educational Awards) Subtitle E: Amendments to Subtitle E (National Civilian Community Corps) Subtitle F: Amendments to Subtitle F (Administrative Provisions) Subtitle G: Amendments to Subtitle G (Corporation for National and Community Service) Subtitle H: Amendment to Title III (Points of Light Foundation) Subtitle I: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) Title II: Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Subtitle A: Amendments to Title I (National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs) Subtitle B: Amendments to Title II (National Senior Volunteer Corps) Subtitle C: Amendments to Title IV (Administration and Coordination) Subtitle D: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) Title III: Technical Amendments Subtitle A: Technical Amendments to the National and Community Service Act of 1990 Subtitle B: Technical Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 Title IV: Amendments to Other Laws National and Community Service Amendments Act of 1998 - Title I: Amendments to National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Subtitle A: Amendments to Subtitle A (General Provisions) - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) to include among its purposes the expansion and strengthening of service-learning programs to improve the education of children and youth and maximize the benefits of national and community service. Subtitle B: Amendments to Subtitle B (School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning Programs) - Revises NCSA with respect to school-based and community-based service-learning programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation). (Sec. 121) Authorizes the use of school-based grant funds for the provision of training and technical assistance to service-learning programs. Allows a State to apply for school-based service assistance either through a State educational agency (SEA) or through a State Commission. Requires any State receiving such assistance to ensure that the SEA and the State Commission coordinate their respective activities. (Sec. 122) Repeals the Corporation's authority to assist local applicants in nonparticipating States and public or nonprofit organizations with grants for school-based service-learning programs. Repeals authority for local (as distinguished from State or tribal) applications for such grants. (Sec. 123) Revises the formula for school-based grant allotments to States. (Sec. 124) Repeals the limitation to States or Indian tribes of applications to the Corporation for school-based service-learning grants. Requires applications to give assurances that the applicant selected programs on a competitive basis. (Sec. 125) Increases from 15 percent to 25 percent the percentage of assistance which the original recipient of the grant or allotment may use for certain capacity-building activities. Authorizes the Corporation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to place restrictions on the types and amounts of such activities. (Sec. 126) Allows a State to apply for community-based service program assistance either through an SEA or through a State Commission. Requires any State receiving such assistance to ensure that the SEA and the State Commission coordinate their respective activities. (Sec. 127) Repeals the limitation to public or private nonprofit organizations of eligibility (thus making for-profit organizations also eligible) to receive assistance for service-learning clearinghouse activities, as long as they have extensive experience with service-learning, including the use of adult volunteers to foster service-learning. (Sec. 128) Provides for reservation of funds for school-based grant payments to Indian tribes and territories. (Sec. 129) Authorizes the Corporation to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities to support multi-State, demonstration, or other activities to improve or expand effective service-learning programs. (Sec. 130) Revises higher education programs for community service to include service-learning components. Provides for assistance in the form of contracts or cooperative agreements, as well as grants, for such programs. Makes eligible to apply for such assistance higher education institutions, including ones applying as part of a consortium with public or private nonprofit organizations, and State Commissions on National and Community Service or State agencies for higher education as part of a consortium with higher education institutions. Extends the Federal share of 50 percent of project cost to service-learning projects (and maintains that share for community service projects). Subtitle C: Amendments to Subtitle C (National Service Trust Program) - Prohibits the Corporation from making grants to Federal agencies (as opposed to contracts or cooperative agreements) to support national service programs. (Sec. 141) Specifies fiscal year limits on the Corporation's share of the cost of positions approved under the national service laws, as measured by the average budgeted cost per individual enrolled in an approved national service position, including administrative and support costs attributable to such individuals. (Sec. 143) Increases the minimum amount, and revises the maximum limit on the Federal share, for grants to assist State Commissions on National and Community Service. Repeals authority for national service program challenge grants. (Sec. 144) Authorizes the Corporation to make certain National Service Trust Program grant allotments to applicant States, the District Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Repeals the mandate to reserve certain funds for approved national service educational awards. Revises formulas for competitive distribution of remaining grant funds to States and other applicants, including local governments, Indian tribes, public or private nonprofit organizations (including labor unions), and higher education institutions. Revises requirements for grants for national service by individuals with disabilities. Requires grant recipient entities to use such funds to increase the participation of such individuals in activities carried out under the national service laws. (Current law requires use of funds to place a substantial number of such individuals as participants in National Service Trust Program projects.) Authorizes the Corporation to reserve a limited amount of funds to provide operational assistance to programs that receive approved national service positions but do not receive specified National Service Trust Program funds. Limits such operational support to not more than $1,000 per individual enrolled in an approved national service position. Authorizes the Corporation CEO to waive, or specify alternatives to, certain requirements for approved national service positions if this will further the purposes of the national service laws. Prohibits waiver of, or alternatives to, certain requirements relating to labor union consultation and concurrence. (Sec. 145) Adds consideration of the extent to which the program generates volunteer involvement, if applicable, to criteria for evaluating applications for assistance and approved national service positions. (Sec. 146) Revises requirements for selection of national service participants to provide that individuals who receive special leadership training from the Corporation prior to and upon assignment by the Corporation to national service programs shall not, by reason of their status as such leaders, be considered Federal employees, except for purposes of specified laws relating to compensation for work-related injuries and torts claims procedure. (Sec. 147) Revises terms of national service and eligibility conditions for receiving a national service educational award in cases of release for compelling personal circumstances. Authorizes the organization responsible for granting the release to: (1) determine if such circumstances are compelling, if the participant has performed satisfactorily and has completed at least 15 percent of the original term of service; and (2) certify the participant's eligibility for a portion of such award. (Sec. 148) Revises limitations on national service living allowances. Requires reduction of such an allowance by the amount of the individual's concurrent Federal Work-Study award. (Sec. 149) Authorizes the Corporation to waive, or specify alternatives to, certain requirements for matching funds and use of assistance. Prohibits waiver of, or alternatives to, certain requirements relating to labor union consultation and concurrence. Subtitle D: Amendments to Subtitle D (National Service Trust and Provision of National Service Educational Awards) - Makes National Service Trust funds available for: (1) national service scholarships and (2) administrative expenses to ensure effective Trust management. (Sec. 152) Requires the supervisory organization to certify that an individual is eligible to receive a national service educational award from the Trust. Revises eligibility requirements for those released for compelling personal circumstances to include satisfactory performance and completion of at least 15 percent of the required term of service. Provides that an individual may receive no more than the aggregate value of two full-time national service educational awards. (Sec. 153) Makes national service educational award amounts available to pay an individual's expenses incurred in enrolling at any educational institution or training establishment that meets requirements for veterans educational benefits. Expands the definition of qualified student loans for which such payments may be made to include certain loans made directly by the lender to the student. Transfers to the Corporation CEO the authority to approve whether a national service program may offer participants an alternative post-service benefit funded entirely from non-Federal resources. (Sec. 154) Establishes the national service scholarship program. Authorizes the Corporation to use amounts in the Trust to: (1) support the scholarship program to recognize high school juniors and seniors engaged in outstanding community service; and (2) supplement locally-funded scholarships to help cover an individual's postsecondary education or job training costs. Limits the Corporation's share of an individual's scholarship under such program to not more than $500. Subtitle E: Amendments to Subtitle E (National Civilian Community Corps) - Makes it an additional purpose of establishing the National Civilian Community Corps to provide a basis for determining whether residential service programs can meet national and community needs related to natural and other disasters in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other public and private organizations. (Sec. 162) Requires the national service program component of the Corps to be residential. (Sec. 163) Increases the minimum age for Corps participation from 16 to 18 by the end of the calendar year in which the individual enrolls. Repeals the eligibility of persons between 18 and 24 who have not received a high school diploma or its equivalent. Allows, as an alternative to holding a high school diploma or equivalent, not having dropped out of elementary or secondary school to participate, and agreeing to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. (Sec. 164) Authorizes the Corps Director to select individuals with prior supervisory or service experience to be Team Leaders in the Corps to perform service that includes leading and supervising teams of Corps Members. Requires such Team Leaders to be: (1) selected without regard to age limitation; (2) Corps members; and (3) given rights and benefits applicable to Corps Members, without the limitation on the amount of living allowance. (Sec. 165) Includes State Commissions among those to be consulted in developing Corps project proposals. Requires the Corps Director, in project selection, to place appropriate emphasis on projects addressing the environment and in support of disaster relief efforts. (Sec. 166) Eliminates the option of Corps members upon completion of a service period to elect a post-service benefit alternative (of cash or other suitable benefit) instead of a national service educational award (thus requiring them to receive the educational award). (Sec. 167) Transfers to the Corporation CEO specified duties of the Corps Director with respect to a permanent cadre of Corps supervisors and training instructors. Requires the CEO to include the Director in such cadre and consider the Director's recommendations in appointing the other cadre members. (Sec. 168) Requires the Corps Advisory Board to advise the Corporation CEO as well as the Corps Director. Includes nonprofit organizations and the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency among Advisory Board members. Subtitle F: Amendments to Subtitle F (Administrative Provisions) - Revises NCSA with respect to: (1) notice, hearing, and grievance procedures; (2) resolution of displacement complaints; and (3) agreements with States. Subtitle G: Amendments to Subtitle G (Corporation for National and Community Service) - Revises NCSA with respect to: (1) Corporation for National and Community Service terms of office; (2) peer reviewers; and (3) officers. Subtitle H: Amendment to Title III (Points of Light Foundation) - Revises NCSA to allow the Corporation CEO to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Points of Light Foundation's Board of Directors. Subtitle I: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) - Revises and extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for NCSA programs. Title II: Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Subtitle A: Amendments to Title I (National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs) - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise provisions for National Volunteer Antipoverty Programs with respect to the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program's: (1) support of efforts by local agencies and organizations to achieve long-term sustainability of VISTA activities in the absence of Federal assistance; (2) operation by the Director of the ACTION agency; (3) funds for related public awareness and recruitment activities under the national service laws; (4) assistance in post-service transition; (5) cost-sharing; (6) limitation on number of terms of service; (7) grievance procedure; (8) competition requirement for grants and contracts; and (9) consideration, in merit selection of projects, on existing projects' needs as well as potential new projects. (Sec. 219) Repeals authority for the VISTA Literacy Corps. (Sec. 220) Repeals the prohibition against denying assistance to a project or program solely on the basis of the assistance already received. Requires the Corps Director to grant assistance to a project or program only on the basis of merit (as under existing law) and the achievement of sustainability. (Sec. 221) Repeals authority for special volunteer programs. Subtitle B: Amendments to Title II (National Senior Volunteer Corps) - Revises DVSA provisions for national older American volunteer programs. Renames them collectively the National Senior Volunteer Corps (Senior Corps), composed of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), the Senior Companion Program (SCP), and demonstration and other programs of community service opportunities for people 55 years of age or older. (Sec. 233) Allows cost-defraying incentives to Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) project volunteers who make a substantial commitment of time and coordinate activities, including training, and otherwise support other volunteers. Eliminates the requirement for State agency prior review of RSVP grants and contracts. (Sec. 234) Makes eligible for Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) enrollment low-income individuals 55 or older, giving priority to those 60 or older (current law requires such volunteers to be 60 or older). (Sec. 235) Revises requirements for an agreement on FGP person-to-person services. Authorizes the agency responsible for providing such services to determine whether it is in the best interests of a child receiving, and of a particular foster grandparent providing, such services to continue such relationship after the child reaches the age of 21. Requires any foster grandparent replacement to be determined through the mutual agreement of all parties involved in the provision of services to the child. (Sec. 236) Raises the low-income ceiling for FGP eligibility from 125 percent to 150 percent of the poverty line amount. (Sec. 237) Allows individuals who are not low-income persons to serve as FGP volunteers, if their appointment does not prevent or displace low-income persons from being volunteers. Limits to ten percent of FGP appropriations the amount that may be used to cover any costs relating to FGP volunteers who are not low-income persons. (Sec. 238) Authorizes the ACTION Director to: (1) support Foster Grandparent Leaders who, by virtue of past volunteer experience, special skills, and demonstrated leadership abilities, may coordinate activities, including training; and (2) otherwise support the service of FGP volunteers. (Sec. 239) Makes eligible for Senior Companion Program (SCP) enrollment low-income individuals 55 or older, giving priority to those 60 or older (current law requires such volunteers to be 60 or older). (Sec. 240) Authorizes the ACTION Director to: (1) support Senior Companion Leaders who, by virtue of past volunteer experience, special skills, and demonstrated leadership abilities, may coordinate activities, including training; and (2) otherwise support the service of SCP volunteers. (Sec. 241) Revises provisions for grants for programs of national significance. Subtitle C: Amendments to Title IV (Administration and Coordination) - Deems volunteers in DVSA programs to be Federal employees for purposes of family and medical leave requirements. (Sec. 252) Permits program and project evaluation activities to include subjects relating to the national service laws, if the ACTION Director determines that this will assist the Corporation for National and Community Service in conducting more efficient evaluations and in avoiding duplication of effort and function. Repeals the mandate for evaluation of programs relating to services that assist families caring for frail and disabled adult family members. Subtitle D: Amendments to Title V (Authorization of Appropriations) - Extends through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations under DVSA for: (1) the VISTA program; (2) National Senior Service Corps programs (RSVP, FGP, SCP, and programs of national significance); and (3) administration and coordination. (Sec. 264) Authorizes FY 1998 through 2002 appropriations for certain DVSA evaluation activities. Title III: Technical Amendments - Subtitle A: Technical Amendments to the National and Community Service Act of 1990 - Makes various technical amendments to NCSA. Subtitle B: Technical Amendments to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 - Makes various technical amendments to DVSA. Title IV: Amendments to Other Laws - Makes technical amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Bilingual Education Act, and a specified Federal law relating to the Public Lands Corps. (Sec. 403) Repeals the eligibility of the Secretaries of Transportation and of Housing and Urban Development for NCSA funds for the Urban Youth Corps.

Neighborhood Integrity and Responsibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1998

Neighborhood Integrity and Responsibility Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require public housing agencies (PHAs) administering the section 8 housing certificate program to: (1) ensure that program rents are reasonable in comparison with private rentals; and (2) disapprove leases that are not reasonable. Requires (currently authorizes) PHAs to disapprove leases that are not reasonable under the section 8 rental voucher program. Makes PHA administrative fee eligibility dependent upon compliance with such provisions. (Sec. 3) Prohibits (with exceptions) a PHA from providing section 8 tenant-based assistance for more than five units owned by any single owner. (Sec. 4) Revises tenant rent and monthly assistance provisions under the certificate and voucher programs.

Department of Defense Reform Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Structural Changes Title II: Management Title III: Government Travel Reform Title IV: Procurement Provisions Title V: Operations - Use of Reserves Title VI: Intelligence Personnel Management Title VII: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1998 Department of Defense Reform Act of 1998 - Title I: Structural Changes - Eliminates: (1) the position of Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs; and (2) the requirement that such Assistant Secretary be Staff Director to the Joint Nuclear Weapons Council. (Sec. 102) Redesignates the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Humanitarian Activities. (Sec. 103) Directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology to establish policy and requirements for the educational programs of the defense acquisition university structure. (Sec. 104) Eliminates the position of Director of Acquisition Education, Training, and Career Development. (Sec. 105) Requires the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to appoint a Chancellor for Education and Professional Development to exercise authority, direction, and control over Department of Defense (DOD) education and professional development programs, other than those related to professional military education and training. (Sec. 106) Allows (currently, requires) certain institutions to be included in the National Defense University and authorizes additional institutions to be included in the future. (Sec. 107) Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1998 to repeal: (1) a fiscal year funding limitation on the relocation of a DOD organization or function into or within the National Capital Region; and (2) a limitation on the management of a Dod field operating agency. (Sec. 109) Repeals provisions requiring a phased reduction in the number of DOD management headquarters and headquarters support activities personnel. (Sec. 110) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to repeal a limitation on the reorganization of airborne reconnaissance management. Title II: Management - Repeals provisions requiring an annual certification from the Secretaries of the military departments and the heads of defense agencies that civilian DOD employees have not been managed under any end strength limitations. (Sec. 202) Extends through FY 2003 certain early retirement provisions, separation benefits and incentives, and related force reduction transition authorities, including the use of educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill. Allows the Secretary to authorize a military department Secretary to reduce from three to two years the time-in-grade requirement for retention of grade upon voluntary retirement with respect to reserve officers. (Sec. 203) Revises the Federal employee early retirement program to require an employee, in order to be eligible for such program, to be employed continuously by the agency involved for more than 30 days, to be serving under an appointment that is not time-limited, and to not be under notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or unacceptable performance. Requires the agency involved to be undergoing a major reorganization, reduction in force, or transfer of function in order to offer such early retirement. Revises similarly early retirement provisions for the Senior Executive Service. Title III: Government Travel Reform - Revises military pay and allowances provisions to: (1) allow a member to receive a monetary allowance in lieu of the payment of household goods transportation costs; (2) require that such allowance provide an overall cost savings to the Government and be paid in advance of the transportation of such goods; and (3) make appropriations currently available for the payment of such transportation costs also available for the payment of such monetary allowances. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary to acquire official and unofficial travel services under a single procurement conducted under Federal defense procurement requirements and regulations. Allows contracts pursuant to such a procurement to provide for credits, discounts, commissions, or other fees based on the amount of travel-related sales generated by such services. Title IV: Procurement Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations that authorize verification using statistical sampling procedures, after payment, of the receipt and acceptance of goods and services. (Sec. 402) Redesignates "major defense acquisition programs" as "major systems." Revises provisions limiting the participation of contractor personnel in the DOD operational test and evaluation of a major system. Requires assurance of the impartiality of such employees and the integrity of the testing and evaluation, with certain verification steps to be taken by the Secretary when utilizing such personnel. (Sec. 403) Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to allow Federal surplus property disposals, and contracts for such disposals, to be negotiated without the use of public advertisement and full and open competition: (1) when necessary in the public interest during a national emergency; (2) for public health, safety, or national security promotion; (3) for public exigency; (4) when public disposal would cause an adverse impact on an industry sufficient to affect the national economy; (5) when bid prices after public advertising are not reasonable; (6) when the character or condition of the property involved makes it impractical to advertise publicly; (7) when the disposal will be to U.S. states, territories, possessions, or subdivisions thereof; (8) when a non-advertised sale would be advantageous to the Government; and (9) when such a disposal is otherwise authorized by such Act or other law. (Sec. 404) Repeals procurement contract fee limitations with respect to: (1) performance of experimental, developmental, or research work; (2) architectural and engineering services; and (3) the employment of outside architects and engineers. Title V: Operations - Use of Reserves - Excludes from military personnel end strength limitations members of the reserves (enlisted and officer personnel) on active duty and National Guard personnel on full-time duty to participate in emergency preparedness programs involving the use of a weapon of mass destruction. Authorizes such personnel to perform any duties in support of such programs. Provides authority to order a member of the reserves to active duty for an additional 21 days beyond his or her prescribed duty period in order to perform such emergency preparedness assistance. Title VI: Intelligence Personnel Management - Repeals the authority of the Secretary to establish defense intelligence positions in the individual military departments (allowing such appointments only in DOD). (Sec. 602) Provides for the transfer of appropriate employees from the defense civilian intelligence personnel system to the Federal competitive service system. Title VII: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1998 - Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1998 - Establishes an independent Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2005. (Sec. 703) Directs the Secretary, as part of the DOD budget justification for each of FY 2002 and 2006, to include a force structure plan for each military department based on an assessment of probable national security threats during the six-year period for which the budget request is made and of the anticipated funding levels that will be available during such period for national defense purposes. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register and transmit to the defense committees the proposed and final criteria to be used in making recommendations for the closure or realignment of military installations inside the United States. Directs the Secretary, on May 15, 2001, and May 16, 2005, to publish and transmit to such committees a list of installations recommended for closure or realignment on the basis of the such force structure and final criteria. Requires the inclusion of a summary of the selection process used in making such recommendations. Prohibits the Secretary, in making such recommendations, from taking into consideration any advance conversion planning undertaken by a community in anticipation of a closure or realignment. Directs the Secretary to make all information used in making base closure recommendations available to the Commission and the Comptroller General. Requires the following individuals, when submitting base closure or realignment information to the Secretary, to certify its accuracy and completeness: (1) the Secretaries of the military departments; (2) the heads of defense agencies; and (3) each person having duties which include personal and substantial involvement in the preparation and submission of such information. Directs the Commission, after receiving the Secretary's recommendations, to conduct public hearings and report to the President on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for base closures and realignments. Allows the Commission to change a recommendation made by the Secretary when it finds that it deviates substantially from the force structure plan and final criteria. Prohibits the Commission, when making recommendations, from taking into account any advance conversion planning undertaken by an affected community in anticipation of a base closure or realignment. Directs the President, each year in which the Commission makes recommendations, to transmit to the Commission and the Congress a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of such recommendations, together with reasons therefor. (Sec. 704) Directs the Secretary to: (1) close or realign all military installations as recommended by the Commission; and (2) initiate all such closures and realignments within two years, and complete all such closures and realignments within six years, after the President transmits such report. Prohibits any such closure or realignment if disapproved by a congressional joint resolution. (Sec. 705) Outlines closure or realignment implementation requirements, including economic adjustment and community planning assistance for affected communities, environmental restoration, and outplacement assistance for displaced employees. Directs the Administrator of General Services to delegate to the Secretary appropriate authorities for disposing property at targeted installations. Directs the Secretary, before disposing or transferring such property, to consult with State governors and heads of local governments to consider any plan for the use of such property by the local community concerned. Allows for a transfer of property without consideration in the case of an installation located in a rural area whose closure or realignment will have a substantial adverse impact on local communities and on their prospects for economic recovery. Authorizes a transfer of property to the local redevelopment authority (RA) involved, under certain conditions. Requires a determination as to whether another Federal department or agency can use a portion of a closed or realigned installation or will accept transferred property to be made within six months after the date of closure or realignment approval. Requires an RA to which property is transferred to undertake outreach efforts to provide information on the buildings and property involved to representatives of the homeless. Requires such representative to submit to the RA specified information in a notice of interest in such buildings and property, including the homeless assistance program proposed to be carried out at the installation. Directs the RA for each covered installation to prepare and submit to the Secretaries of Defense and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a redevelopment plan for the use of such installation to assist the homeless. Provides for reversion to the RA if the property is not used for such purposes. Directs the HUD Secretary to complete a review of such plan, taking into consideration and being receptive to the predominant views on such plan by the local communities, and to approve or disapprove of the plan (allowing an RA to revise disapproved plans). Directs the Secretary, upon a determination by the HUD Secretary that a plan meets appropriate requirements, to dispose of the buildings and property at such installation (requiring compliance with environmental requirements). Authorizes the Secretary, if it is considered to be in the best interests of the affected communities, to: (1) postpone or extend any deadline required under this section; or (2) enter into agreements with local governments for fire and police services, airfield operations, and other community services for closed or realigned installations, under certain conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement to transfer property designated for an RA to any person who agrees to perform all required environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities. Requires property recipients to pay at least 50 percent of all compliance costs. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such property to a person who agrees, in exchange, to transfer to the Secretary housing units located at or near a military installation at which there is a shortage of suitable military housing, under certain conditions. Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense committees on any proposed exchange agreement. Authorizes the Secretary, in closing or realigning an installation, to purchase housing ownership interests of military personnel at manufactured housing parks established at an installation to be closed or realigned under this Act when: (1) it is in the best interest of the Federal Government to eliminate or relocate such park; and (2) such elimination or relocation would result in an unreasonable financial hardship to current owners. (Sec. 706) Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1998, requiring Account funds to be used for environmental restoration and property management and disposal at installations closed or realigned under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. Requires annual reports from the Secretary to the defense committees on deposits into, and expenditures from, the Account, and requires a report to such committees 60 days after termination of the Secretary's authority to close or realign an installation. (Sec. 707) Requires annual reports from the Secretary to the defense committees, beginning with the budget request for FY 2005, which shall include: (1) a schedule of the closure and realignment actions to be carried out, estimated total expenditures and cost savings, and any adverse environmental effects; and (2) a description of installations to which functions are to be transferred as a result of such closures and realignments. (Sec. 708) Outlines procedures for congressional consideration of a joint resolution disapproving a Commission recommendation of a base closure or realignment. (Sec. 709) Mandates that, during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2005, this title shall be the exclusive authority for selecting or carrying out the closure or realignment of a military installation inside the United States. Prohibits, with exceptions, any other DOD funds from being used for such closures or realignments.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 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 and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) concerning the defense dental 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.

Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999

United States · United States Congress · 23 March 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 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 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.

Violence Against Women Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services Subtitle D: Community Initiatives Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs Title II: Limiting the Effects of Violence of Children Subtitle A: Safe Havens for Children Subtitle B: Violence Against Women Prevention Among Youth in Schools Subtitle C: Family Safety Subtitle D: Domestic Violence and Children Subtitle E: Child Welfare Worker Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Subtitle F: Child Abuse Accountability Title III: Sexual Assault Prevention Subtitle A: Rape Prevention Education Subtitle B: Standards, Practice and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations Subtitle C: Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correction Staff Subtitle D: Hate Crimes Prevention Title IV: Domestic Violence Prevention Subtitle A: Domestic Violence Victims' Housing Subtitle B: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders Subtitle C: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Subtitle D: National Summit on Sports and Violence Subtitle E: Keeping Firearms From Intoxicated Persons Subtitle F: Access to Safety and Advocacy Subtitle G: Federal Witness Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence Title V: Violence Against Women in the Military System Subtitle A: Civil Jurisdiction for Crimes of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Subtitle B: Transitional Compensation and Health Care for Abused Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces Title VI: Preventing Violence Against Women in Traditionally Underserved Communities Subtitle A: Older Women's Protection From Violence Subtitle B: Protection Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities Subtitle C: Battered Immigrant Women Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments to the Violence Against Women Act Title VII: Violence Against Women and the Workplace Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Workplace Grant Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Subtitle D: Battered Women's Employment Protection Subtitle E: Education and Training Grants to Promote Responses to Violence Against Women Subtitle F: Workers' Compensation Title VIII: Educational Institutions and Violence Against Women Subtitle A: Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus Subtitle B: Student Safety Subtitle C: Violence against Women Training for Health Professions Subtitle D: Campus Hate Crimes Right to Know Title IX: Violence Against Women Intervention, Prevention, and Education Research Violence Against Women Act of 1998 - Title I: Continuing the Commitment of the Violence Against Women Act - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to Combat Violence Against Women - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (the Act) to authorize appropriations for grants to combat violent crimes against women. (Sec. 102) Revises grant allocation guidelines governing prosecution grants, victims' services and State court systems. Expands grant purposes to include training that addresses sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking for State, local, and tribal judicial personnel. Directs the Attorney General to deny State grant applications that fail to provide documentation of collaborative efforts with other agencies or organizations. Redefines "victims' services" to include advocacy and assistance for victims seeking legal, social, and health care services. (Sec. 103) Directs the Attorney General to make grants to State domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions for purposes of coordinating with: (1) victim services activities; and (2) Federal, State, and local entities engaged in violence-against-women activities. Subtitle B: National Domestic Violence Hotline - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to authorize increased appropriations for the national domestic violence hotline grant. Requires grantees to submit a grant evaluation report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the HHS Secretary) for publication and public comment as a prerequisite to a grant award or renewal. Subtitle C: Battered Women's Shelters and Services - Battered Women's Shelters and Services Act - Amends the FVPSA to authorize appropriations for State grants. Modifies guidelines governing: (1) allotment of appropriations; (2) grants for information and technical assistance centers; and (3) authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 123) Instructs the HHS Secretary to award grants for: (1) State domestic violence coalitions and local domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance, in order to develop model strategies to address domestic violence in underserved populations; (2) each State domestic violence coalition for an emergency assistance fund for domestic violence victims; and (3) technical assistance and training for State and local domestic violence programs. Subtitle D: Community Initiatives - Authorizes appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives. Subtitle E: Education and Training for Judges and Court Personnel - Amends the Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994 to permit training grants for judges and court personnel to include: (1) child custody, visitation, and safety issues raised by domestic violence and child sexual assault; and (2) the extent to which addressing domestic violence and victim safety contributes to the efficient administration of justice. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies - Amends the Act to reauthorize appropriations to implement the functions of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. (Sec. 153) Mandates that at least five percent of appropriated funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments to treat domestic violence as a serious violation of criminal law. Subtitle G: Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement. Mandates that five percent of such funds be used for grants to Indian tribal governments. Subtitle H: National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction - Amends the Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for grants to enter stalking and domestic violence data into crime information databases. Subtitle I: Federal Victims' Counselors - Amends the Safe Streets for Women Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for the United States Attorneys to appoint Victim-Witness counselors for the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Subtitle J: Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth - Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to authorize appropriations for street-based outreach and education to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation. Subtitle K: Victims of Child Abuse Programs - Amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for: (1) the court-appointed special advocate program; and (2) child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners. (Sec. 191-3) Amends the Act to authorize appropriations for grants for closed-circuit televising of testimony of child abuse victims. Title II: Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children - Subtitle A: Safe Havens for Children - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public or private nonprofit nongovernmental entities to establish and operate supervised visitation centers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Violence Against Women Prevention Among Youth in Schools - Authorizes appropriations for the Secretary of Education to implement a program in primary, middle, and secondary schools to educate young people about violence against women. Subtitle C: Family Safety - Family Safety Act - Amends the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act of 1980 to include among its purposes: (1) the promotion of cooperation between State and tribal courts to protect parents and children from domestic violence or sexual assault; (2) the promotion of realistic and protective standards for interstate relocation when parents dispute custody; (3) the avoidance of jurisdictional conflicts between State courts in matters of child custody and visitation consistent with not endangering or inappropriately punishing parents who are victims of domestic violence, or children who are victims of sexual assault. (Sec. 233) Amends Federal criminal law to provide as a defense to prosecution of either a criminal custodial interference or parental abduction charge, or criminal contempt of court relating to an underlying child custody or visitation determination, that the defendant was fleeing an incident or pattern of domestic violence or sexual assault of the child, or would otherwise have a defense under the International Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines to assist U.S. Attorneys and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine whether to initiate or terminate an action due to the potential availability of such defense. (Sec. 234) Amends the Judicial Code to declare that the intent of full faith and credit doctrine in child custody determinations is to preempt inconsistent State law. Declares that a protection order regarding custody and visitation of a minor child that is consistent with this Act shall be given full faith and credit by the courts of any State where the party who sought the order seeks enforcement. Modifies State court jurisdiction guidelines governing: (1) relocation of the child due to domestic violence or sexual assault; and (2) court authority to decline to exercise jurisdiction on behalf of parents engaged in specified conduct. Subtitle D: Domestic Violence and Children - Expresses the sense of the Congress that for purposes of determining child custody: (1) it is in the best interest of children to have a presumption that their main physical residence should be with their primary caretaker parent unless such parent is unfit; (2) child abuse and sexual abuse allegations should be fully investigated regardless of when raised, or whether the child has withdrawn the allegation; (3) States should not order specified measures if they may endanger either parent or child; and (4) States should provide training to all relevant professionals on how domestic violence and sexual assault affects determinations of custody, child support, and visitation. Subtitle E: Child Welfare Worker Training on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - Directs the Attorney General to make grants jointly with the HHS Secretary to enable child welfare service agencies to train their staffs and modify their policies, procedures, programs, and practices in order to make them consistent with specified principles and goals. Sets forth grantee eligibility criteria. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Child Abuse Accountability - Child Abuse Accountability Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the assignment or alienation of any pension benefit payable to a participant pursuant to a qualified child abuse order. Exempts qualified child abuse orders from preemption by ERISA. Title III: Sexual Assault Prevention - Subtitle A: Rape Prevention Education - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the use of certain State funds for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers and nonprofit State sexual assault coalitions for specified programs. (Sec. 301) Instructs the HHS Secretary to establish a National Resource Center on Sexual Assault to provide resource information, policy, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Indian tribal agencies, State and local sexual assault coalitions and programs, and to other interested parties. Mandates that State grantors ensure that at least 25 percent of the funds are devoted to educational programs targeted for middle school, junior high, and high school aged students. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations - Standards, Practice, and Training for Sexual Assault Examinations Act - Directs the Attorney General 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 sexual assault examination training for health care students to improve recognition of injuries suggestive of rape and sexual assault; and (3) establish a mechanism for nationwide dissemination of a national protocol on sexual assault for forensic examinations. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff - Prevention of Custodial Sexual Assault by Correctional Staff Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish and disseminate to the States certain guidelines regarding the prevention of custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff. Requires withholding of specified correctional facilities funds from any State that fails to implement: (1) such guidelines; or (2) criminal penalties explicitly prohibiting custodial sexual misconduct by correctional staff against prisoners. (Sec. 335) Directs the Attorney General to create a national, confidential, toll-free telephone hotline to collect data, and to provide information and assistance to prisoners who have experienced custodial sexual misconduct by corrections staff. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Hate Crimes Prevention - Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998 - Amends Federal criminal law to establish criminal penalties for willfully causing bodily injury because of a person's race, color, religion, or national origin. (Sec. 345) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes, and, where appropriate, to amend Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who do such recruiting. (Sec. 346) Directs the Administrator of the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to State and local programs to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. (Sec. 347) Authorizes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice (including the Community Relations Service), to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to such hate crimes. Title IV: Domestic Violence Prevention - Subtitle A: Domestic Violence Victims' Housing - Domestic Violence Victims Housing Act - Authorizes appropriations under the United States Housing Act of 1937 solely for public housing agencies and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide tenant-based rental assistance for families leaving a residence due to domestic violence. Subtitle B: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders - Amends Federal criminal law to require the Attorney General to reduce the amount of certain grants to any State that fails to comply with Federal full faith and credit requirements for protection orders. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to assist governmental entities to develop and strengthen law enforcement and recordkeeping strategies to enforce protective orders issued by other governmental entities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection - Victims of Abuse Insurance Protection Act - Prohibits an insurer from denying or restricting insurance coverage on the basis that the applicant or insured (or any employee or associated person) is, has been, or may be the subject of abuse or has incurred or may incur abuse-related claims. Confers enforcement jurisdiction upon the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes a private cause of action by an applicant or insured adversely affected by a violation of this Act. Subtitle D: National Summit on Sports and Violence - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) a national summit should be promptly convened to develop a multifaceted action plan to deter acts of violence, especially domestic violence and sexual assault; (2) the members of such summit should include sports, community, political, and media leaders, as well as Members of Congress and other governmental and community leaders with relevant expertise; and (3) summit members should assume leadership roles deterring acts of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle E: Keeping Firearms from Intoxicated Persons - Amends Federal criminal law to declare unlawful the transfer of a firearm or ammunition to any person reasonably believed to be intoxicated. Subtitle F: Access to Safety and Advocacy - Access to Safety and Advocacy Act - Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to designated grantees and services to improve legal assistance to victims of domestic violence through access to the justice system, legal advocacy, and representation. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle G: Federal Witness Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence - Amends Federal criminal law to include victims of domestic violence within the Federal Witness Protection Program. Title V: Violence Against Women in the Military System - Subtitle A: Civilian Jurisdiction for Crimes of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence - Amends Federal criminal law to declare that domestic violence and sexual assault offenses committed by persons formerly serving with, or presently employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States shall be subject to prosecution in the Federal District Court of the jurisdiction of origin of the person arrested. Provides for concurrent jurisdiction with other military tribunals and foreign governments. (Sec. 502) Amends Federal law governing separation from the armed forces to mandate that: (1) a copy of records of any penal action taken against the departing member of the armed forces be transmitted to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) any member convicted by court-martial of an offense of a sexual nature provide whatever specimen is necessary to conduct DNA analysis for inclusion in the Combined DNA Identification System of the FBI. Subtitle B: Transitional Compensation and Health Care for Abused Dependents of Members of the Armed Forces - Revises Federal guidelines governing transitional compensation and health care for abused dependents of former members of the armed forces. Mandates that an abused dependent of a former member be furnished with medical, dental, and mental health care in uniformed services' facilities with the same eligibility and benefits as were applicable during the former member's active service. Title VI: Preventing Violence Against Women in Traditionally Underserved Communities - Subtitle A: Older Women's Protection From Violence - Older Women's Protection From Violence Act - Chapter 1: 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 training programs in those issues for law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Authorizes appropriations. Chapter 2: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act - Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to require federally-funded State domestic violence coalitions to include within their scope of activities programs targeted to older individuals, including outreach, support groups, and counseling. (Sec. 604-3) Authorizes entities eligible for a community initiatives demonstration grant to include representatives of adult protective services entities. Chapter 3: 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. 605-3) Authorizes appropriations without fiscal year limitation for grants to implement a State long-term care ombudsman program. (Sec. 605-4) Directs such Assistant Secretary to develop curricula and implement continuing education training programs to improve the ability of health care and social services providers to recognize and address instances of elder abuse. (Sec.605-5) 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. 605-6) Authorizes appropriations for the ombudsman and the elder abuse prevention program. (Sec. 605-7) Directs the HHS 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. Chapter 4: Public Health Service Act - Elder Abuse Identification and Referral Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to instruct the HHS 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. Subtitle B: Protection Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities - Protections Against Violence and Abuse for Women with Disabilities Act - Makes the protection of women with disabilities eligible for grants and research under the following Acts: (1) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968; (2) Public Health and Human Services Act; (3) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act; (4) Safe Homes for Women Act of 1994; and Equal Justice for Women in the Courts Act of 1994. (Sec. 617) Authorizes the HHS Secretary to: (1) develop curricula and implement training programs to improve the ability of social service and health providers to recognize and address domestic violence directed against women with disabilities; and (2) make grants and enter into contracts for such training programs for health professionals. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 619) Directs the HHS Secretary to consider the importance of research about the sexual assault of, and violence against, women with disabilities in establishing certain research priorities. (Sec. 619-1) Authorizes the Attorney General to establish a grants program for States and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for information dissemination on abuse and violence against women with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Battered Immigrant Women - Battered Immigrant Women's Protection Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that it is contrary to the law enforcement purposes of the Violence Against Women Act for State law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or judges to: (1) inquire into the immigration status of a domestic violence victim who is seeking protection from crimes of domestic violence, battering, or extreme cruelty to herself or her children; and (2) report such victims to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. (Sec. 623) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise guidelines governing a battered spouse or child with respect to: (1) cancellation of removal and adjustment of status; (2) ineligibility for visas or admission; (3) procedures for granting immigrant status; (4) general classes of deportable aliens; (5) status adjustment of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence; (6) removal proceedings; and (7) married persons and employees for certain nonprofit organizations. (Sec. 630) Authorizes the Attorney General to grant certain battered applicants documentation signifying authorization of employment during the pendency of their application. (Sec. 631) Amends the Privacy Act of 1974 to permit Federal agency disclosure of records to the spouse or child of a naturalized citizen or lawful permanent resident who requests information from the Immigration and Naturalization Service regarding the immigration status of their spouse or parent, or who needs to obtain documentation for an immigration case or domestic violence-related judicial procedure. Excludes from such disclosure the records of victims of battering or extreme cruelty by a spouse or parent. (Sec. 632) Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to redefine "qualified alien" to include certain battered aliens for purposes of welfare and public benefits eligibility. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, the Social Security Act, and the United States Housing Act of 1937, to declare restrictions on the use of assisted housing inapplicable to certain battered aliens. (Sec. 633) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to provide that requirements and restrictions placed upon Legal Services Corporation funding shall not be construed to prohibit a recipient from providing related legal assistance to certain aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. (Sec. 634) Amends the Act to require each branch of the U.S. military to train its supervisory military officers in domestic violence dynamics in military families, and the protections available for battered immigrant women and children. Expands the purposes of training grants to combat violent crimes against women to include: (1) training immigration and asylum officers and judges; and (2) training justice system personnel on the judicial ramifications of the Violence Against Women Act, and the potential immigration consequences for perpetrators of domestic violence. (Sec. 635) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to express the intent of the Congress that statutory constraints upon the powers of immigration personnel not be construed as discouraging crime and domestic violence victims from reporting crimes to the police, from cooperating in criminal prosecutions, or from obtaining the legal relief needed for protection from ongoing violence. Subtitle D: Conforming Amendments to the Violence Against Women Act - Amends the Act to make technical and conforming amendments with respect to law enforcement and prosecution grants. Title VII: Violence Against Women and the Workplace - Subtitle A: National Clearinghouse on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Workplace Grant - Authorizes the Attorney General to award a grant to a private non-profit entity, including one operating within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, to provide for establishment of a national clearinghouse and resource center to disseminate information and assistance to employers and labor organizations responding to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Victims' Employment Rights - Victims' Employment Rights Act - Prohibits an employer from taking any adverse job action against an employee based upon such employee's status, experience, or condition as a victim of crime, even if the crime alleged does not result in criminal prosecution or conviction. Prohibits any adverse job action for an employee's participation in related judicial proceedings requiring absence from work. Prescribes enforcement guidelines, including civil action by an affected employee for actual and treble punitive damages. Subtitle C: Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit - Workplace Violence Against Women Prevention Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer a workplace safety program tax credit for 40 percent of the costs of implementing workplace safety and education programs to combat violence against women. Subtitle D: Battered Women's Employment Protection - Battered Women's Employment Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for unemployment compensation for separation from employment as a direct result of an employee's experience of domestic violence. (Sec. 743) Amends the Social Security Act to provide for the training of claims reviewers and hearing personnel in the nature and dynamics of domestic violence, and in methods of ascertaining and keeping confidential information about domestic violence experiences so that employment separations stemming from such violence are identified and adjudicated while full confidentiality is provided for the employee's claim and submitted evidence. (Sec. 744) Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the provisions concerning Federal employees to establish an entitlement for leave resulting from certain domestic violence situations. Prescribes confidentiality guidelines for an employee's situation of domestic violence. Requires that employees, under State law, be permitted to use existing leave for domestic violence situations. Empowers the Secretary of Labor to enforce the entitlement for leave due to an employee's domestic violence situation. Subtitle E: Education and Training Grants to Promote Responses to Violence Against Women - Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to public and private nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations for the education and training of individuals who, as a result of their employment responsibilities, are likely to come into contact with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle F: Workers' Compensation - Expresses the sense of the Congress that State workers' compensation laws should: (1) provide benefits to eligible female victims of workplace violence, including full compensation for physical and nonphysical injuries; and (2) permit the employee to pursue an action at law (other than statutory workers' compensation benefits) against an employer's role in the act of workplace violence. Title VIII: Educational Institutions and Violence Against Women - Subtitle A: Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus - Amends the Act to authorize Department of Education grants to institutions of higher education for campus personnel and student organizations, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs to provide personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and other equipment for the more widespread apprehension, investigation, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women on campus. (Sec. 801) Authorizes the Secretary of Education to request any Federal agency to use its authorities and resources in support of campus security, investigation, and victim services efforts. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary to provide for, and report to the Congress on, a national baseline study of university campus procedures when receiving a sexual assault report. Subtitle B: Student Safety - Student Safety Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: (1) revise guidelines governing crime logs and annual statistics of criminal offenses on campus; (2) exclude from educational records open to parental review specified records of campus disciplinary proceedings or criminal activity; and (3) modify eligibility criteria for Federal student financial aid services to require institution certification of comprehensive and accurate crime statistics. (Sec. 815) Requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to publish annually and transmit to certain congressional committees and the general public a report identifying model programs for improving campus safety. Subtitle C: Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions - Violence Against Women Training for Health Professions Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary, when making health care grants for rural areas, to give preference to a health professions entity that requires, as a condition of receiving a degree or certificate, each student to have had significant training in identification, examination, treatment, and referral of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Subtitle D: Campus Hate Crimes Right to Know - Campus Hate Crimes Right To Know Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to mandate the separate collection and categorization of on-campus criminal offenses statistics that manifest prejudice based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability. Title IX: Violence Against Women Intervention, Prevention, and Education Research - Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to direct the HHS Secretary and the Attorney General to establish a multi-agency task force coordinating research on violence against women. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 901) Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to entities to: (1) support research to further the understanding of the causes of violent behavior against women; and (2) evaluate education, prevention, and intervention programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Departments of Health and Human Services and of Justice to make grants to domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, research organizations and academic institutions to expand knowledge about violence against women, with a particular emphasis on exploring such issues as they affect underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study and report to the Congress on specified aspects of domestic violence. Directs the Secretary to award grants to designated entities to gather data on the experiences of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault within State health care, judicial, and social services systems. Authorizes appropriations. Instructs the Attorney General to conduct a national study and report to the Congress on laws regarding rape and sexual assault offenses and their effectiveness in addressing those crimes and protecting the victims. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to establish three research centers to: (1) support the development of research and training programs that focus on violence against women; (2) provide collaboration mechanisms between researchers and practitioners; and (3) provide technical assistance for integrating research into service provision. Authorizes appropriations.

1998 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery From Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts, for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1998, and for Other Purposes Chapter 1: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Defense Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies Chapter 5: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Chapter 6: Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch Chapter 7: Subcommittee on Military Construction Chapter 8: Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies Chapter 9: Subcommittee on Treasury and General Government Chapter 10: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Chapter 11: Offsets and Rescissions Title II: General Provisions--This Act 1998 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery From Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts - Title I: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts, for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1998, and for Other Purposes - Chapter 1: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies - Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1998 for the Department of Agriculture for: (1) departmental administration; (2) the Office of the General Counsel; (3) the Farm Service Agency for the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account; (4) the Emergency Conservation Program; (5) the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund for the implementation of a dairy and livestock disaster assistance program; and (6) the Natural Resources Conservation Service for watershed and flood prevention operations. Requires certain funds for employment and training under the Food Stamp Program to remain available until expended. Makes additional funds available for certain salaries and expenses of the Food and Drug Administration. Chapter 2: Subcommittee on Defense - Makes additional funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force and reserve personnel, Navy; (2) operation and maintenance (O&M), Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Army National Guard as well as defense-wide O&M; (3) the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund; (4) the Navy Working Capital Fund; (5) the Defense-wide Working Capital Fund; and (6) the Defense Health Program. Makes additional funds available for overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid. (Sec. 203) Urges the President to: (1) encourage other nations to contribute to preventing Iraq from using weapons of mass destruction; and (2) seek contributions to help defray the costs being incurred in this operation. Provides for the establishment of a special account in the Treasury to receive such contributions. Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on the status of such effort and the results obtained in sharing the burden of common defense. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report to the Congress on the establishment of the burden-sharing account. Chapter 3: Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development - Makes additional funds available to the Army Corps of Engineers for construction and O&M related to emergency repairs due to flooding and other natural disasters. Makes additional appropriations for the Department of Energy for atomic energy defense weapons activities and departmental administration to cover increases in the cost of Work for Others. (Sec. 302) Amends the Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1996 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to extend the period for repayment by the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, and the Nueces River Authority relating to the Nueces River reclamation project, Texas, until: (1) August 1, 2029, for repayment of the municipal and industrial water supply benefits of the project; and (2) August 1, 2044, for repayment of the fish, wildlife, and recreation benefits of the project. Requires the Secretary to extend the period for repayment by the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority relating to the Canadian River reclamation project, Texas, until October 1, 2021. (Sec. 303) Bars the Army Corps of Engineers, before final disposition of the civil action, Bonnichsen v. United States, from authorizing any action to stabilize, cover, or permanently alter land within 100 yards of where Kennewick Man remains were found unless the court determines such an action to be reasonable and necessary. Chapter 4: Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies - Makes additional funds available to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service (NPS) for construction expenses related to repair of damage caused by floods and other natural disasters; (2) the U.S. Geological Survey for surveys, investigations, and research related to emergency expenses resulting from floods and other natural disasters; (3) the Minerals Management Service for royalty and offshore minerals management for increased demand and workload requirements stemming from leasing activity in the Gulf of Mexico; (4) the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, to be derived from a transfer of funds; and (5) the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for operation of Indian programs and the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians for Federal trust programs to support litigation involving individual Indian trust fund accounts. Makes additional funds available to the Forest Service for State and private forestry and the National Forest System for emergency expenses resulting from natural disaster damages. Makes an additional amount available for the Indian Health Service for suicide prevention counseling. (Sec. 404) Petroglyph National Monument Boundary Adjustment Act - Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the NPS, and the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to enter into negotiations for the management of storm water runoff and drainage within the Petroglyph National Monument. Directs the city of Albuquerque to provide design specifications to the Secretary prior to the initiation of construction within a specified corridor. Amends the Petroglyph National Monument Establishment Act of 1990 to remove a requirement that lands within the Monument boundary owned by the State of New Mexico or a political subdivision be acquired only by donation or exchange. Bars any land owned by New Mexico or a political subdivision from being acquired by purchase before: (1) the land is identified by New Mexico or the political subdivision for disposal; or (2) two years have elapsed after the date on which the Secretary has made a final offer to acquire all remaining private land at fair market value. Adjusts the boundary of the Monument to exclude the Paseo Del Norte corridor in the Piedras Marcadas Unit. Provides that the inclusion of such corridor within the Monument boundary before this Act's enactment shall have no effect on any future ownership, use, or management of the corridor. (Sec. 405) Permits the Chief of the Forest Service to authorize and execute any projects, including timber sales, that were previously scheduled for initiation or completion in FY 1998 or 1999 or that may be scheduled hereafter, notwithstanding any moratorium on construction of roads in roadless areas within the National Forest System. Provides funding to States for any previously scheduled projects. Directs the Chief, during such moratorium, to report to the Appropriations Committees on: (1) whether standards and guidelines in existing land and resource management plans compel or encourage entry into roadless areas within the National Forest System for purposes of constructing roads or undertaking any other ground-disturbing activities; (2) all roads within the System and the uses which they serve; and (3) the economic and social effects of the moratorium. Chapter 5: Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies - Makes additional funds available to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for disease control, research, and training and program management of the Health Care Financing Administration. Chapter 6: Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch - Makes additional funds available to the Architect of the Capitol for Capitol buildings, salaries and expenses and Capitol grounds for the Capitol Square Perimeter Security Plan. Chapter 7: Subcommittee on Military Construction - Makes additional funds available to DOD for military construction, Navy and Air Force and family housing, Navy and Marine Corps and Air Force. Chapter 8: Subcommittee on Transportation and Related Agencies - Makes additional funds available to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for: (1) the Office of the Secretary for transportation planning, research, and development; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for operations and facilities and equipment for expenses relating to the year 2000 computer hardware and software problems; (3) Federal aid highways for the emergency relief program; and (4) salaries and expenses for the National Transportation Safety Board for expenses resulting from the crash of TWA Flight 800. Chapter 9: Subcommittee on Treasury and General Government - Makes additional funds available to the Department of the Treasury for year 2000 century date change conversion requirements and to the Financial Management Service for salaries and expenses related to such requirements. Chapter 10: Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies - Makes additional funds available to the Veterans Benefits Administration for compensation and pensions. Chapter 11: Offsets and Rescissions - Rescinds specified amounts of funds for: (1) the Food Safety and Inspection Service; (2) the Farm Service Agency's Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account; (3) Rural Housing Service salaries and expenses; (4) the Bureau of Land Management; (5) Oregon and California grant lands; (6) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resource management and construction; (7) NPS construction; (8) the Bureau of Mines; (9) BIA construction; (10) DOT payments to air carriers and small community air service; (11) FAA grants-in-aid for airports; (12) Federal Railroad Administration Conrail labor protection; (13) Customs Service salaries and expenses; and (14) Internal Revenue Service information technology investments. Authorizes a limited amount of funds to be obligated in FY 1998 for contracts with Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organizations pursuant to the Social Security Act. Title II: General Provisions--This Act - Sets forth limitations on funds made available by this Act. (Sec. 2004) Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report to the Congress on: (1) a revised structure consisting of a single entity to administer certain programs regarding universal service for schools and libraries and telecommunications services for rural health care providers; and (2) funding for such programs. Directs the FCC to prioritize assistance for the schools and library program on the basis of need. Imposes a cap on the compensation of individuals employed by the administering entity. Bars the FCC, before June 1, 1998, from: (1) adjusting the contribution factors for telecommunications carriers with respect to programs described by this section; or (2) collecting any contribution due for the third or fourth quarter of calendar year 1998.

Healthy Kids Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Healthy Kids Trust Fund Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: Payments Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products Title III: Youth Smoking Reduction Targets and Incentives to Reduce Youth Smoking Rates Title IV: Tobacco Transition Assistance for Producers, Communities, and Other Persons Title V: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Title VI: Public Health and Other Programs Subtitle A: Research Programs Subtitle B: Education and Prevention Programs Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Programs Title VII: Liability Protection; Consent Decrees; National Protocol Subtitle A: Liability Protection and Attorney Fees Subtitle B: Consent Decrees Subtitle C: National Tobacco Control Protocol Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IX: Provisions Relating to Native Americans Title X: Tobacco Asbestos Trust Healthy Kids Act - Title I: Healthy Kids Trust Fund - Subtitle A: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Establishes the Health Enhancement and Lowered Tobacco Hazards for Young Kids Trust Fund (HEALTHY Kids Trust Fund) (Fund). Appropriates to the Fund the initial payment under section 102 of this Act and 75 percent of annual assessments under section 102, fines or penalties under section 103, and amounts repaid or recovered under title III. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund as repayable advances. Makes specified percentages of Fund amounts available without further appropriation for carrying out provisions of this Act, for the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and for reducing the Federal debt subject to limit. Excludes amounts for the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the debt from consideration for the Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and House Concurrent Resolution 67 of the 104th Congress. (Sec. 102) Requires each tobacco product manufacturer (including repackers, labelers, and relabelers) to make an initial payment to the Fund based on that manufacturer's stock market capitalization as compared to the average stock market capitalization of all manufacturers. Mandates subsequent annual payments by each manufacturer based on that manufacturer's gross domestic tobacco sales during the year. Provides for floor stock treatment. Makes the initial capitalization-based payment and any penalties under title III not tax deductible. Amends the Federal bankruptcy code regarding the priority of unsecured Federal claims for payments, assessments, or penalties to be paid into the Fund. Prohibits manufacturers from using any liability insurance to make payments into the Fund. Mandates regulations regarding placing a Healthy Kids Stamp on each tobacco product package for which an assessment has been paid. Exempts a manufacturer who has consent decrees with more than 25 States before 1998 from the initial payment and certain portions of annual payments. (Sec. 103) Establishes a tobacco manufacturer licensing program. Requires a manufacturer or importer to be licensed to manufacture, distribute, or import tobacco products and to be eligible for protections under subtitle A of title VII. Mandates, for assessment nonpayment, manufacturer and importer license ineligibility and license revocation or suspension. (Sec. 104) Imposes a minimum monetary penalty for noncompliance with section 102. Subtitle B: Payments - Chapter 1: To States - Requires that funds under section 101 be made available to: (1) reimburse each eligible State for State expenditures under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for the treatment of individuals with tobacco-related conditions or any other State expenses incurred in providing treatment for tobacco-related conditions; and (2) provide funds to local governments. Requires States, in order to receive the funds, to: (1) agree to resolve any State civil action against a tobacco manufacturer, distributor, or retailer; and (2) submit a plan regarding payments to local governments. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a State plan unless the Secretary makes an explicit written finding that local entities will receive an equitable portion. Chapter 2: Federal Health Programs - Establishes the National Institutes of Health Trust Fund for Health Research (Research Fund), transferring to it amounts made available under section 101. Sets forth the portions of Research Fund amounts to be used for specified purposes. Chapter 3: Investments for Children - Requires use of amounts under section 101: (1) working through the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, to improve child care, early childhood development, school-aged care, parent education and supportive services, health services, and services for children with disabilities; and (2) for grants to State and local educational agencies to train, recruit, and hire elementary school teachers, thus reducing average class size for certain grades. Requires States to ensure that: (1) teachers are qualified; and (2) when qualifications are temporarily waived, unqualified teachers are not disproportionately employed in high poverty schools. (Sec. 133) Amends Medicaid provisions regarding presumptive eligibility for children to include in the definition of "qualified entity" elementary or secondary schools, child care resource and referral agencies, agencies and contractors under title IV, part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act, Medicaid agencies, certain public housing agencies and contractors, and agencies authorized to determine child eligibility for health assistance under title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Modifies requirements regarding certain Medicaid expenditures that are counted against individual State allotments. Makes eligible for Medicaid children lawfully present in the United States who would, but for specified provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (relating to a five-year means-tested public benefit waiting period), be eligible under other provisions. Allows a State to include such children in the term "targeted low-income child." Makes the above amendments of this section effective as if they had been included in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Authorizes an increase in the Federal medical assistance percentage to reward a State for certain increases in the number of Medicaid-enrolled children. (Sec. 134) Mandates a demonstration project providing for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs that are provided to an individual with cancer and enrolled in Medicare as part of the individual's participation in a clinical trial and that are not otherwise eligible for Medicare payment. Requires use of amounts available under section 101 to carry out this section. Title II: FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco Products - Deems specified regulations to have been promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) as amended by this title. (Sec. 203) Amends the FDCA to include nicotine in tobacco products in the definition of "drug" and tobacco product delivery components in the definition of "device." Authorizes regulation of any tobacco product as a drug, device, or both. Deems tobacco misbranded if it: (1) states or implies that it presents a reduced health risk unless the product will achieve the best public health result; or (2) violates the FDCA or its regulations. Makes noncompliance with specified provisions added to the FDCA by this Act a prohibited act under the FDCA. Makes provisions preempting State and local requirements inapplicable to tobacco product devices. (Sec. 204) Exempts tobacco products from device Class II special controls if the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that special controls will achieve the best public health result. Declares that, for the purposes of listed provisions, the safety and effectiveness of a tobacco product device need not be found if the action to be taken under any such provision would achieve the best public health result. Authorizes a tobacco product recall if the best public health result would be achieved. (Sec. 205) Establishes the Scientific Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary, examine the effects of tobacco product nicotine yield level alteration, examine whether there is a nicotine threshold below which dependence is not produced, and review other safety, dependence, or health issues regarding tobacco products. Authorizes the Secretary to adopt a tobacco product performance standard regardless of whether the product has been classified under device classification provisions. Allows the standard to include: (1) reduction or elimination of nicotine; or (2) reduction or elimination of other constituents. Authorizes the Secretary to require that a manufacturer test, report, and disclose tobacco and tobacco smoke constituents, including in labeling and advertising. Requires manufacturers to annually submit: (1) an ingredient list for each brand it manufactures; and (2) a safety assessment for each new ingredient it desires to make a part of the product, with current ingredients receiving a safety assessment within five years after enactment of this Act. Requires that the safety assessment demonstrate that the ingredient will not present any risk to consumers or the public in the intended quantities. Mandates regulations to prohibit any ingredient if: (1) no safety assessment has been submitted as required; or (2) the Secretary finds that safety has not been demonstrated. Requires tobacco product packages to disclose: (1) all ingredients; and (2) the percentages of domestic and foreign tobacco. Authorizes the Secretary to require disclosure of an ingredient that relates to a trade secret if the Secretary determines that the disclosure will promote the public health. Mandates specified warnings and related symbols on cigarette and smokeless tobacco packages and advertising. Preempts related State or local requirements. Declares that nothing in this paragraph relieves any person from liability to any other person at common law or under State statutory law. Makes it unlawful to advertise tobacco products on electronic communications subject to Federal Communications Commission jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary to restrict the access of minors to tobacco products. Requires States, in order to receive amounts under section 111 of this Act, to have a program meeting or exceeding the requirements of the model State program under which a retailer would be required to obtain a State or local license to distribute tobacco products. Includes in minimum model program requirements: (1) licensing fees to defray program administration; (2) prohibiting retail distribution without a license; (3) prohibiting distribution to minors; (4) monetary penalties for violations; and (5) suspension and revocation for repeated distribution to minors or violation of State or local law. Provides for specified penalties for distribution to minors, including penalties imposed on employees of retailers, minors (including loss of driving privileges), and retailers. Authorizes enforcement grants to States. Authorizes the Secretary to enforce the prohibition of distribution to minors. Declares that the provisions of this paragraph do not preempt State or local laws providing greater restrictions than these provisions. Mandates a Federal tobacco licensing program regarding military installations, U.S. embassies, Federally-owned facilities, duty-free shops, and any other Federal entity or Federal property. Treats an Indian tribe or tribal organization as a State for applying and enforcing the provisions of this paragraph regarding Indian reservations. Requires each manufacturer to submit to the Secretary each document in the manufacturer's possession: (1) relating to tobacco-caused health effects in humans or animals (including addiction), control of nicotine, tobacco sale or marketing, or research involving safer tobacco products; or (2) produced, or ordered to be produced, in any health-related civil or criminal proceeding, including attorney-client and other documents produced, or ordered to be produced, for in camera inspection. Directs the Secretary to make the documents available to the public. Exempts from public disclosure trade secrets and attorney-client privilege materials unless the Secretary determines disclosure is necessary to promote the public health. Authorizes any individual to begin a civil action: (1) against any person allegedly in violation of these provisions; or (2) against the Secretary or the Commissioner of Food and Drugs for alleged failure to perform as required. Prohibits regulations having the effect of placing burdens on tobacco producers in excess of the burdens generally placed on other agricultural commodity producers. Declares that any authority granted to the Secretary for regulation of any tobacco product as a drug or device is not intended to include the authority to make regulations applicable to persons who grow or cure raw tobacco. Repeals the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986. Title III: Youth Smoking Reduction Targets and Incentives to Reduce Youth Smoking Rates - Mandates an annual survey of the percentage of individuals under 18 (and the percentage of each ethnic group of such individuals) who identify each manufacturer's tobacco product as the usual product used. (Sec. 303) Requires annual determinations of whether the required percentage reduction in underage tobacco use has been achieved. Specifies the required reductions in cigarette and smokeless tobacco products. (Sec. 304) Mandates individual manufacturer monetary penalties if targets are not met for a year. Multiplies the penalties for consecutive failure years. Requires regulations to prohibit the sale of single packs of a manufacturer's tobacco products in cases of repeated noncompliance with required reductions and to require generic packaging in severe repeated noncompliance. Authorizes regulations requiring reductions in the use of other tobacco products by individuals under 18, including manufacturer monetary penalties for reduction failures. Title IV: Tobacco Transition Assistance for Producers, Communities, and Other Persons - Requires each cigarette manufacturer to purchase a minimum quantity of Flue-cured tobacco and Burley tobacco grown in the United States as determined under specified provisions. Authorizes, for a failure to make the minimum purchases, a monetary penalty and a prohibition of further sales until the penalty is paid. Requires penalty deposit in the No Net Cost Tobacco Fund of, or the No Net Cost Tobacco Account for, the producer-owned cooperative marketing associations handling the domestic tobacco that is the subject of the shortage producing the collection. (Sec. 402) Establishes the Tobacco Transition Trust Fund and transfers to it amounts available under section 101. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund as repayable advances as necessary for Fund expenditures. Makes the Fund available for: (1) transition payments to tobacco quota holders and quota lessees to compensate for lost crop value resulting from reduced demand for tobacco; (2) economic development assistance to producing communities; (3) producer, factory worker, and warehousemen retraining; (4) producer scholarships; (5) tobacco crop insurance; and (6) administrative costs of the Secretary of Agriculture associated with a tobacco price support program. Makes those amounts available only if a law is enacted by January 1, 2000, specifically prescribing Fund authorized uses, but allows administration of a price support program if all administrative costs are paid from the Fund. Declares that this title constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts. Terminates the authority of this title unless such a prescribing law is enacted. Title V: Standards to Reduce Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the responsible entity for each non-residential public building (regularly entered by at least ten individuals at least one day per week (except certain types of facilities)) to implement a smoke-free environment policy. Allows designated smoking areas meeting specified requirements. Sets forth special rules for: (1) schools and other facilities serving children; and (2) public transportation. Requires States, in order to receive funds under this Act, to demonstrate enforcement. Title VI: Public Health and Other Programs - Subtitle A: Research Programs - Mandates programs (through grants, contracts, or otherwise) to: (1) promote expanded research concerning specified aspects of tobacco and health; and (2) for the conduct of research on the cultural, social, behavioral, neurological, and psychological reasons that individuals refrain from, begin, continue, or quit using tobacco products. (Sec. 603) Mandates surveillance and evaluation to monitor patterns of tobacco use and determine the effectiveness of various anti-tobacco programs funded under this Act. Requires that funding be made available for the activities under this subtitle. Subtitle B: Education and Prevention Programs - Mandates a program of grants to States for: (1) school-, college-, or university-based education programs concerning tobacco product use dangers; and (2) community-based prevention programs. Requires that funding be made available. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Programs - Requires a program to reduce tobacco use through national and local media-based (such as counter-advertising campaigns) and nonmedia-based education, prevention, and cessation campaigns. Requires that funding be made available. (Sec. 622) Establishes the National Tobacco Cessation Program. Authorizes grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Requires making funding available. (Sec. 623) Establishes a program to provide assistance and compensation to individuals (and entities providing services to individuals) suffering from tobacco-related conditions, targeting uninsured or underinsured individuals who can demonstrate financial hardship. Requires making funding available. (Sec. 624) Authorizes multilateral assistance to foreign countries to assist in reducing and preventing the use of tobacco in foreign countries, focusing on preventing use by minors. Requires making funding available. Establishes in the District of Columbia a private, nonprofit corporation to be known as the American Center on Global Health and Tobacco (ACT). Requires that an International Advisory Council advise ACT. Mandates the annual transfer of a specified amount to carry out this paragraph. Makes ACT and its grantees subject to the oversight and supervision of the Congress. (Sec. 625) Mandates the National Event Sponsorship Program, authorizing grants for the sponsorship of athletic or other social or cultural events that, before enactment of this Act, was provided by a tobacco manufacturer or distributor. Requires making funding available. Terminates the Program ten years after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 626) Requires a program of grants to States to augment existing programs to reduce alcohol and illicit drug use by individuals under 18. Requires making funding available. Title VII: Liability Protection; Consent Decrees; National Protocol - Subtitle A: Liability Protection and Attorney Fees - Requires that, in order to receive funds under section 111, a State resolve any existing, and agree not to start any new, civil claim seeking recovery for expenditures attributable to tobacco-related conditions commenced by the State against a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer and pending at enactment of this Act. Bars the Federal Government from starting any such claim. Prohibits construing these provisions to limit: (1) an individual's right to start a civil claim for past, present, or future conduct by tobacco product manufacturers, distributors, or retailers; or (2) criminal prosecution of tobacco manufacturers, distributors, or retailers. (Sec. 702) Establishes an Arbitration Panel to award attorney's fees and expenses relating to litigation affected by, or legal services resulting in, this Act. Prohibits any Panel award from affecting fee payments required under any provision of this Act. Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the legal services in the class actions filed by the Castano Plaintiffs Legal Committee provided public benefits on which the programs in title IV of this Act are modeled; and (2) such programs do not constitute an exclusive remedy for claims based on addiction or dependence on tobacco products. Subtitle B: Consent Decrees - Requires that, in order to receive funds under section 111 a State, and in order to receive liability protections under subtitle A a tobacco manufacturer, enter into consent decrees under this subtitle. Allows a State to qualify with good faith but unsuccessful efforts. Requires that the decrees resolve State actions for claims associated with manufacturer conduct before this Act. Sets forth required terms, conditions, and limitations. Makes the decrees enforceable by the signatories and the Attorney General. Requires, prior to decree entry by a court, that the decrees be: (1) approved by the Secretary and the Attorney General; (2) fair and reasonable; and (3) in the public interest. Subtitle C: National Tobacco Control Protocol - Chapter 1: Establishment - Requires that a tobacco manufacturer, in order to receive liability protections under subtitle A, enter into a National Tobacco Control Protocol with the U.S. Attorney General and the attorney general of each State that does not opt out. Requires that the Protocol be a binding contract embodying the terms of this subtitle and designed to be enforceable in Federal or State courts. Chapter 2: Terms and Conditions - Declares that this chapter is a part of the Protocol. (Sec. 726) Prohibits tobacco advertising: (1) outdoors; (2) except as allowed in this Act, in any arena or stadium where athletic or other social or cultural activities occur; (3) using a human image or cartoon character; (4) on the Internet, unless inaccessible in or from the United States; and (5) subject to exception, at the point of sale. (Sec. 727) Prohibits a manufacturer from using a trade or brand name of a non-tobacco product for a cigarette or smokeless tobacco product, unless in use before 1998. Sets forth situations in which tobacco brand names or other identification indicia may, with prior notice to the Secretary, be used in advertising and labeling. Prohibits payment for the placement of tobacco products in television programs, motion pictures, or videos or on video game machines. Prohibits direct or indirect payment or consideration for promoting tobacco product image or use through print, film, or broadcast media that appeals to individuals under 18 or through a live performance artist that appeals to such individuals. (Sec. 728) Allows, subject to exceptions, tobacco product labeling and advertising to use only black text on a white background. Limits audio (alone or with video) to words only, prohibiting music and sound effects. (Sec. 729) Prohibits: (1) the use of a tobacco product brand name, logo, symbol, motto, selling message, recognizable color or pattern of colors, or any other indicia of product identification on any service or nontobacco item; (2) offering tobacco purchasers any non-tobacco item in consideration of purchase; and (3) manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from sponsoring any athletic or other social or cultural event in which any indicia of product identification is used (but allows sponsorship under the corporate name, if in use before 1995 and if the corporate name does not include any indicia of product identification). Chapter 3: Enforcement - Allows the Attorney General to bring an action for enforcement, or restrain a breach, of the Protocol. Allows restraining orders, orders of specific performance, civil monetary penalties, and (for officers of manufacturers who knowingly violate the Protocol) criminal penalties, including incarceration. Authorizes grants and contracts for State enforcement. Authorizes use of amounts from the HEALTHY Kids Trust Fund and Department of Justice funds for Attorney General enforcement. (Sec. 732) Authorizes the attorney general of a State to bring an action for enforcement, or to restrain a breach, of the Protocol if the alleged violation occurred in that State. Provides for concurrent Federal and State court jurisdiction in such actions. Allows the remedies specified in section 731. (Sec. 733) Authorizes a manufacturer to file an action seeking a declaration of its Protocol rights and obligations. Authorizes any person to bring an action to enforce the Protocol, with any damages remitted to the Treasury. Entitles any manufacturer to intervene as a matter of right in any Federal or State Attorney General enforcement action. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits the use of funds made available by appropriations or otherwise for specified actions, including: (1) promoting the export, reexport, sale, manufacture, advertising, or use of tobacco products to or in a foreign country; or (2) subject to exception, seeking the removal or reduction of any foreign restriction on the importation, export, sale, manufacture, advertising, use, imposition of tariffs, or taxation of tobacco products. (Sec. 802) Prohibits reprisals against a whistleblower employee of any tobacco product manufacturer, distributor, or retailer for disclosing to specified Federal agencies or State or local authorities information regarding a violation of law related to this Act or related State or local laws. Allows the whistleblower to receive a portion of a payment to the Government resulting from the whistleblower's disclosure. (Sec. 803) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to make it unlawful for any domestic concern, directly or through a foreign subsidiary or affiliate, to use the mails or interstate commerce to contribute to: (1) the foreign sale or distribution of tobacco products to children or the foreign advertising of tobacco products in a way that appeals to children; and (2) the tobacco product export from any country without a package warning label in the primary language or languages of the country of sale or distribution that complies with domestic labeling requirements. Adds the unlawful acts of this section to the FDCA list of prohibited acts and entitles a person who provides information leading to a related criminal conviction to a portion of the criminal fine collected. (Sec. 804) Allows State or local measures to further this Act's purposes not less stringent than the requirements of this Act. Title IX: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares that the provisions of this Act shall apply to the manufacture, distribution, and sale of tobacco products in any area in tribal or tribal organization jurisdiction, with exceptions for religious practices. Mandates regulations applying the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requirements regarding tobacco products to such areas. Provides for the treatment of tribes and tribal organizations under various provisions of this Act. Prohibits manufacturers from engaging in any activity in such areas that is prohibited under the Protocol. Requires that amounts made available under certain portions of section 101 be provided to the Indian Health Service for anti-tobacco-related consumption and cessation activities. Allows tribes and tribal organizations to: (1) take measures to further this Act's purposes in addition to the requirements of this Act; and (2) have rules or practices providing greater protection from the health hazards of environmental tobacco smoke. Prohibits a State from imposing requirements regarding the application of this Act to Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Title X: Tobacco Asbestos Trust - Establishes the Tobacco Asbestos Trust Fund consisting of amounts appropriated or credited to it under section 102. (Sec. 1002) Transfers to the Fund, without further appropriation, amounts from manufacturer assessments under this section. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund as repayable advances. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to assess each tobacco manufacturer an amount sufficient to provide the Fund with specified amounts in certain years. (Sec. 1003) Divides the Fund into Fund I and Fund II. Requires that each Fund be established as Qualified Settlement Funds (as permitted by the Internal Revenue Code). Declares that Fund I represents some portion of the amount of smoking-caused harm paid by asbestos trusts and defendants in the past. Requires that Fund I payments be used to provide credits to asbestos trusts and asbestos defendants who settled and paid asbestos claims of persons who had exposure to tobacco, for the sole purpose of making payment to asbestos claimants by Fund I trustees. Declares that the purpose of Fund II is to pay asbestos tobacco claims brought after enactment of this Act for the tobacco-caused portion of the claimant's harm. (Sec. 1004) Declares that no tobacco company shall be liable: (1) in any civil suit for harm caused by exposure to tobacco or exposure to asbestos to any person who receives compensation from Fund II; or (2) to any asbestos trust or defendant who receives credits from Fund I on any claim arising from payments or obligations to asbestos claimants made or incurred before enactment of this Act.

Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Professions Education and Financial Assistance Programs Subtitle A: Health Professions Education Programs Subtitle B: Nursing Workforce Development Subtitle C: Financial Assistance Title II: Office of Minority Health Title III: Selected Initiatives Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998 - Title I: Health Professions Education and Financial Assistance Programs - Subtitle A: Health Professions Education Programs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace provisions relating to the training of health personnel from disadvantaged backgrounds with provisions mandating grants for programs of excellence in health professions education for underrepresented minority individuals, including to develop large applicant pools, enhance academic performance, train, recruit, and retain faculty, improve resources and curricula, and facilitate research. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to specified types of health professions schools for scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have a financial need for a scholarship, with grant priority based on the proportion of graduates going into primary care, the proportion of underrepresented minority students, and the proportion of graduates working in medically underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a program of contracts for educational loan repayment (for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds) in return for service as faculty members at specified types of health professions schools. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants and contracts to increase the number of underrepresented minority faculty members. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants and contracts to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake education to enter a health profession and for scholarships for health professions education. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals provisions relating to obligated service regarding certain programs. (Sec. 102) Repeals provisions relating to area health education center programs. Modifies provisions relating to training in family medicine by adding: (1) references to internal medicine and general pediatrics; (2) provisions regarding the training of physician assistants; and (3) provisions regarding programs of general or pediatric dentistry. Authorizes appropriations. Repeals provisions regarding: (1) training in internal medicine, general pediatrics, general dentistry, physician assistants, and podiatric medicine; and (2) traineeships, fellowships, and the amount of grants. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry. (Sec. 103) Replaces provisions relating to training in certain health professions with provisions requiring that, in order to receive assistance under the amendments made by this section, an academic institution use the assistance in collaboration with two or more disciplines. Requires the recipient to carry out innovative demonstration projects for strategic workforce supplementation to meet national goals for interdisciplinary, community-based linkages. Mandates grants and contracts for area health education center programs meeting certain objectives, including recruiting and training health professionals from and for underserved areas and underserved populations. Requires that, in order to be eligible for funds under this paragraph, a health education training center be an entity otherwise eligible for funds under the paragraph immediately above and meet other specified requirements, including addressing persistent and severe unmet health care needs in States bordering the United States and Mexico, in Florida, and other areas. Requires that funding be made available. Mandates grants and contracts for the establishment or operation of geriatric education centers. Authorizes grants and contracts for geriatric training projects to train physicians, dentists, and behavioral and mental health professionals who plan to teach geriatric medicine, geriatric behavioral or mental health, or geriatric dentistry. Mandates a program to provide Geriatric Academic Career Awards to promote the career development of individuals as academic geriatricians. Requires Award recipients to provide clinical geriatrics training. Authorizes grants or contracts to help fund interdisciplinary training projects involving: (1) training health practitioners for rural areas; (2) demonstrating cost-effective comprehensive health care; (3) delivering rural health care; (4) enhancing rural health care research; and (5) recruiting and retaining practitioners from rural areas and making rural practice more attractive. Allows the use of student stipends, post-doctoral fellowships, faculty training, and the purchase or rental of transportation and telecommunication equipment. Authorizes grants or contracts for: (1) expanding or establishing programs to increase the number of allied health professionals; (2) projects in preventive and primary care training for podiatric physicians in residency programs providing traineeships; and (3) demonstration projects involving collaboration between chiropractors and physicians to identify and provide effective treatment for spinal and lower back conditions. Mandates establishment of the Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this section. (Sec. 104) Replaces provisions relating to special training projects with provisions authorizing grants or contracts for information collection, analysis, research, and the development of a non-Federal analytic and research infrastructure, all related to the health professions workforce, related issues, and future directions. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Health Professions Education Extension Amendments of 1992 to extend the dates for the final report and termination of the Council on Graduate Medical Education. Allows amounts otherwise appropriated under specified provisions to be used to support the Council's activities. Transfers the amended provisions to the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 105) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants or contracts: (1) to increase the public health workforce and enhance its quality and ability to meet health care needs; and (2) for the operation of public health training centers. Authorizes grants for graduate or specialized training in public health, to assist in providing traineeships in health professions fields in which there is a severe shortage of health professionals. Authorizes grants and contracts for residency programs in preventive medicine and dental public health and related financial assistance to residency trainees. Authorizes grants for: (1) traineeships in health administration, hospital administration, or health policy analysis and planning; and (2) related preparation of students for employment with public or nonprofit private entities. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this section. (Sec. 106) Repeals or removes provisions of the Public Health Service relating to: (1) research on certain health professions issues; (2) chiropractic demonstration projects; (3) the submission of specified information in conjunction with applications for grants or contracts; and (4) the development and publication of certain statistics, the handling of certain personal data, and the submission of certain reports. Imposes new application requirements and lists permitted uses of funds. Requires competitive awarding of grants and contracts. Adds professional counselors to the list of health professions personnel about whom information may be collected and analyzed. (Sec. 107) Requires that programs that have graduated less than three classes be given funding priority if they meet certain criteria relating to serving underserved populations or underserved communities. (Sec. 108) Adds references to behavioral health and to counseling to various generally applicable to health professions education provisions. Includes in the definition of "medically underserved community" an area or population designated by a State governor as a shortage area or medically underserved community. Modifies the definition of "program for the training of physician assistants." Subtitle B: Nursing Workforce Development - Nursing Education and Practice Improvement Act of 1998 - Replaces Public Health Service Act title VIII (Nurse Education) (except provisions relating to student loans, the loan repayment program, and sex discrimination) with a new title on nursing workforce development. Requires that grants and contracts be awarded competitively. Authorizes grants and contracts to: (1) enhance advanced practice nursing education and practice and traineeships for individuals in advanced practice nursing programs; (2) increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing scholarships or stipends, pre-entry preparation, and retention activities; and (3) strengthen capacity for basic nurse education and practice. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice. Subtitle C: Financial Assistance - Chapter 1: School-Based Revolving Loan Funds - Modifies requirements: (1) schools must (in order to participate in the student loan program under specified provisions) meet regarding the percentages of graduates going into primary care; and (2) regarding student noncompliance with loan agreements. Removes a requirement for an annual report to specified congressional committees regarding administration of provisions relating to student loan funds in the context of medical schools and primary care. (Sec. 132) Extends the authorization of appropriations for Federal capital contributions to student loan funds under provisions relating to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Repeals the authorization effective October 1, 2002. (Sec. 133) Allows loan repayment to be extended for up to ten years in specified circumstances. Increases minimum principal and interest payments. Prohibits, notwithstanding any other provisions of Federal or State law, any limit on the period within which a nursing school may seek repayment. Specifies the consequences (applicable if so provided in the agreement) imposed on default concerning an agreement to provide service in consideration for an award of Federal funds regarding nursing education. (Sec. 134) Modifies provisions controlling the maximum limit on a loan made to a student for a school year. Allows repayment to be made over ten to 25 (currently, over ten) years, at the option of the institution. Increases minimum principal and interest payments. Prohibits, notwithstanding any other provisions of Federal or State law, any limit on the period within which a nursing school may seek repayment. Sets a deadline for obligation of amounts from student loan funds under certain provisions that are returned to the Secretary by health professions schools. Chapter 2: Insured Health Education Assistance Loans to Graduate Students - Authorizes loan payment deferral for up to three years while the borrower is providing health care services to Indians through an Indian health program. Removes a requirement that the Office for Health Education Assistance Loan Default Reduction submit an annual report to specified congressional committees. Allows collection of loan balances after the borrower's death. Limits the maximum annual dollar amount of a loan to a student in a graduate program in behavioral and mental health practice, including clinical psychology, and includes institutions offering such programs in the definition of "eligible institution." (Sec. 142) Removes provisions mandating performance standards for lenders and holders of loans. Allows Federal payment of the loan after default, unless the lender, holder, or servicer has a compliance performance rating under 97 percent, in which case payment must be made at 98 percent of the loss. (Sec. 143) Sets forth maximum limits for specified fiscal years on the total principal amount of new loans made and installments paid pursuant to lines of credit to borrowers covered by Federal loan insurance under provisions relating to insured health education assistance loans to graduate students. (Sec. 144) Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law, an insured loan to be discharged in bankruptcy. (Current law allows such discharge, but makes no reference to other provisions of law.) (Sec. 145) Prohibits construing specified provisions as prohibiting refinancing of a single loan. Title II: Office of Minority Health - Modifies the duties of the Office of Minority Health. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Minority Health. Requires that grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts be awarded on a competitive basis. Authorizes appropriations: (1) for the Office; and (2) to enable the National Center for Health Statistics to collect data on Hispanics and American Indians and to develop special area population studies on major Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. Locates the Office in the Office of Public Health and Science (currently, in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health). Title III: Selected Initiatives - Amends provisions relating to grants to States for operation of offices of rural health to remove a requirement that non-Federal matching funds be in cash. Extends the authorization of appropriations. Increases the dollar appropriation level after which additional grants are prohibited. (Sec. 302) Removes the minimum and maximum limits on the number of grants to States for certain programs concerning Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. Allows respite care under such programs to be provided to individuals living in single family homes or in congregate settings. Allows grant funds to be used to improve access to home-based or community-based long-term care services. Removes a grant duration limitation. Extends the authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 303) Extends the authorization of appropriations for immunization program grants for no-charge immunizations for children, adolescents, and adults (currently, for individuals). Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Deems active service of Public Health Service commissioned officers to be active military service in the U.S. armed forces for purposes of all laws regarding discrimination on the basis of race and other specified factors. Authorizes leave without pay status for attendance at an educational institution or training program when it is in the best interest of the Service. Declares that provisions mandating confidentiality of certain substance abuse records do not apply to any interchange of records within the uniformed services (currently, within the armed forces). (Sec. 403) Requires that a person who has received a clinical traineeship in counseling under specified provisions serve for specified periods. (Sec. 404) Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for screenings, referrals, and education regarding lead poisoning. (Sec. 405) Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis. Authorizes the set-aside of a specified percentage (currently, a specified dollar amount) for areas with a substantial number of, or a substantial rate of increase in, cases. (Sec. 406) Authorizes establishment of technical and scientific peer review groups and scientific program advisory committees as needed to carry out the functions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Sec. 407) Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions regarding grants for community projects to coordinate intervention and prevention of domestic violence. Provides for a study of the training needs of health professionals concerning the detection and referral of victims of family or acquaintance violence. (Sec. 408) Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for grants for programs to increase the availability of primary health services in health professional shortage areas. (Sec. 409) Allows reservation of up to $2.5 million (currently, requires reservation of $5 million) for construction, renovation, or other improvement of regional centers for primate research. (Sec. 410) Allows a grant or cooperative agreement (currently, a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract), the direct cost of which exceeds $50,000, to be made only if it is recommended after peer review and by the appropriate advisory council. (Sec. 411) Extends the authorizations of appropriations to carry out specified provisions relating to trauma care and to health information and health promotion. (Sec. 413) Limits grants for emergency medical services for children to three years with an optional fourth year (currently, to two years). Allows only three (currently, one) grant in a State per fiscal year. Extends the authorization of appropriations. (Sec. 414) Amends the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1993 to remove provisions requiring that entities receiving funds under that Act comply with specified provisions of the Act popularly known as the Buy American Act. (Sec. 415) Amends Public Health Service Act provisions relating to the determination of the amount of grants to States to improve the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services for individuals and families with HIV disease to list the Virgin Islands and Guam with States. (Currently, they are listed with U.S. territories. Listing them with States changes the formula used for determining the amount of grants.)

Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1998

Affordable Housing Barrier Removal Act of 1998 - Provides for a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-sponsored biennial conference on (regulatory) barriers to affordable housing. Requires proposed and final agency rules to analyze their impact upon affordable housing availability. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop model housing impact analyses. (Sec. 5) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize direct appropriations for State and local grants for regulatory barrier removal. (Sec. 6) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make affordable housing barrier removal eligible for community development block grant assistance. (Sec. 7) 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. (Sec. 8) Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) repeal the single family mortgage insurance owner-occupancy requirement; (2) repeal mortgage limits on dwellings begun prior to insurance approval; (3) revise the definition of "area"; and (4) revise downpayment provisions. (Sec. 9) Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to: (1) include 1- to 4-family residential construction loans within the percent of residential assets required of a qualifying Federal Home Loan Bank; and (2) eliminate the 30 percent cap on certain real estate-related capital that may be held as collateral by a member institution.

Foreign Housing Guaranty Elimination Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1998

Foreign Housing Guaranty Elimination Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the worldwide shelter guaranteed loan program.

Regarding the human rights situation in Sudan and Mauritania, including the practice of chattel slavery and all other forms of booty.

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1998

Calls upon the Governments of Sudan and Mauritania to: (1) honor their obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Abolition of Slavery to prosecute slave owners to the fullest extent under the anti-slavery laws of each such country and to educate individuals being held as slaves concerning their legal rights; and (2) surrender and release all slaves and return them to their homes. Urges: (1) both governments to investigate abuses of slavery; (2) the United Nations Security Council to condemn these acts of slavery by both governments; and (3) the Secretary of the Treasury not to waive any of the current sanctions that are in place against Sudan. Deplores the fighting of the National Islam Front. Advocates strengthening the border between northern and southern Sudan. Encourages human rights organizations to facilitate safe passage for slavery victims to and from conflict zones. Commends the Clinton Administration for sanctioning Sudan and monitoring the acts of Mauritania regarding slavery.

A bill to designate the headquarters building of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, District of Columbia, as the "Robert C. Weaver Federal Building".

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998

Designates the Department of Housing and Urban Development headquarters at 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C., as the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building.

Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 2001

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 2001 Subtitle A: Specific Provisions Subtitle B: General Provisions Title II: Authorizations of Appropriations for Programs Title III: Permanent Enabling Legislation Title IV: Miscellaneous Department of Justice Appropriation Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 2001 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 2001 - Subtitle A: Specific Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2001 to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for: (1) general administration; (2) administrative review and appeals; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) general legal activities; (5) the Antitrust Division; (6) United States Attorneys; (7) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (8) the United States Marshals Service; (9) the Drug Enforcement Administration; (10) the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); (11) fees and expenses of witnesses; (12) interagency crime and drug enforcement; (13) the Federal Prison System; (14) the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission; (15) the Community Relations Service; (16) the Assets Forfeiture Fund; (17) the support of U.S. prisoners in non-Federal institutions; and (18) the United States Parole Commission. (Sec. 102) Limits the funds available to Federal Prison Industries which may be used for administrative expenses and the employment of experts and consultants. Subtitle B: General Provisions - Directs the Attorney General to appoint 200 additional assistant U.S. attorneys by September 30, 2000. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Authorizations of Appropriations for Programs - Amends the Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for: (1) expeditious deportation for denied asylum applicants; (2) Federal victim's counselors (under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994); (3) improving border patrols; (4) expanded special deportation proceedings; (5) training programs; (6) the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program; (7) the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Program; and (8) rural domestic violence and child abuse enforcement assistance (under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994). (Sec. 203) Amends the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for metropolitan fire and emergency services training in responding to terrorist attacks and for research and development to support counter- terrorism technologies. (Sec. 204) Extends through FY 2000 the authorization for the Attorney General to transfer real or personal property of limited or marginal value to a State or local government agency or its designated contractor or transferee for use to support drug abuse treatment, drug and crime prevention and education, housing, job skills, and other community-based public health and safety programs. Specifies that such transfer shall be subject to satisfaction by the recipient involved of any outstanding lien against the property transferred. (Sec. 205) Amends the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000. Title III: Permanent Enabling Legislation - Amends the Federal judicial code to authorize the Attorney General to use funds available to carry out the activities of DOJ for: (1) certain general uses (including certain motor vehicle purchases, insurance, unforeseen emergencies of a confidential character, and payment of interpreters and translators); (2) certain specific uses (such as for aircraft and boats, payment of rewards, and purchase of ammunition and firearms); (3) uniforms; (4) witness fees and expenses; (5) FBI activities; (6) INS administration and law enforcement; and (7) Federal Prison System activities. Prohibits the use of such funds to pay compensation for individuals employed as attorneys who are not duly licensed and authorized to practice under the law of a State, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Permits the use by the recipient of funds paid as reimbursement to a governmental unit in DOJ, to another Federal entity, or to a unit of State or local government. (Sec. 302) Directs the Attorney General to report to each House of Congress in any case in which the Attorney General: (1) establishes a policy to refrain from enforcing any provision of a Federal statute whose enforcement is the responsibility of DOJ because of the Attorney General's position that such provision is unconstitutional; or (2) determines that DOJ will contest, or will refrain from defending, in any proceeding any Federal statutory provision because of such a position. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Attorney General to appoint officials to assist in the protection of the person of the Attorney General. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Repeals a Federal judicial code provision authorizing the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Marshals Service.

Affordable Housing Improvement Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1998

Affordable Housing Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase, and link to the cost-of-living adjustment, the State low-income housing credit ceiling. Modifies provisions concerning: (1) the criteria for allocating housing credits among projects; (2) the responsibilities of housing credit agencies; and (3) the basis of a credit-eligible building.

William C. Apgar, Jr., of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Michael A. Stegman, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 25 February 1998

Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Remedy Title II: Community Participation and Human Health Subtitle A: Community Participation Subtitle B: Human Health Subtitle C: General Provisions Title III: Right to Know Title IV: Environmental Justice Title V: Children's Environmental Health Title VI: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup Subtitle A: Brownfields Subtitle B: Innocent Landowners and Prospective Purchaser Liability Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants Title VII: Natural Resource Damages Title VIII: Federal Facilities Title IX: Liability Title X: Funding Title XI: Miscellaneous Children's Protection and Community Cleanup Act of 1998 - Title I: Remedy - Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to revise general rules for the selection of remedial cleanup actions. Removes a provision requiring the President to specifically address the long-term effectiveness of various alternative treatment or resource recovery technologies. Requires remedial actions to: (1) make contaminated property available for beneficial use to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) protect uncontaminated groundwater and surface water, wherever technically feasible, and restore such water to beneficial uses in a reasonable time period given the circumstances of the release of the hazardous substance concerned. Lists minimum factors to be taken into account by the President in assessing alternative remedial actions and selecting remedial actions. Requires selected remedial actions, unless the President determines that a risk-based standard for a contaminant is based on data and assumptions adequate to assure protection of children's health, to reduce contamination to background levels (where more stringent) with respect to such contaminant, to the maximum extent technically feasible. Prohibits the selection of an action that allows hazardous substances to remain on site above levels that would be protective for unrestricted use unless institutional controls are incorporated into the action to achieve protection of human health and the environment during and after completion of the action. Requires remedial actions for hazardous substances that remain on site to comply with any more stringent and legally applicable tribal standard. Directs the President to ensure that a remedial action attains standards of control protective of human health in the environment in cases where: (1) no Federal, State, or tribal standard has been established for the specific hazardous substance present at the facility where the action is being undertaken; or (2) there are multiple hazardous substances present and the remedial action is not protective even though applicable requirements would be attained. Removes a provision which requires the President to conform a remedial action to a State standard in cases where a State has initiated a law suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to May 1, 1986. Eliminates a provision which allows the President to select a remedial action that does not attain a standard equivalent to a legally applicable standard if compliance with requirements is technically impracticable from an engineering perspective. Sets forth minimum requirements for remedies for contaminated groundwater or surface water in cases where a legally applicable standard for a hazardous substance is waived. Authorizes the President to use institutional controls as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, other response measures under CERCLA. Lists requirements for actions that rely on institutional controls. Provides for funds to be established for facilities for which the selected remedy is containment or at which hazardous substances remain on site above levels that would allow for unrestricted use of the facility. Requires such funds to be sufficient to guarantee successful performance of a remedy and, to the extent technically feasible, future beneficial reuse. Directs the EPA Administrator (Administrator) to report annually to the Congress, for each record of decision signed during the previous fiscal year, on the type of institutional controls and media affected and the institution designated to monitor, enforce, and ensure compliance with such controls. Makes procedural requirements of State laws inapplicable to the portion of any removal or remedial action conducted entirely on site, except for recordkeeping and reporting. (Sec. 102) Sets forth criteria for institutional control instruments. Requires the President, if such an instrument is adopted, to record a notice of property use restriction in the public land records for the jurisdiction in which the affected property is located. Makes such instruments enforceable in perpetuity (unless terminated and released) against holders of interest in an affected property and all persons who subsequently acquire such interest. Directs the President to maintain a registry of all property at which institutional controls have been established in connection with response actions. Describes types of institutional control instruments, including easements. Authorizes the President, in order to respond to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance, to acquire an easement to limit or control the use of land or other natural resources. Permits easements to be used whenever institutional controls have been selected as a component of a response action. Sets forth provisions regarding the President's authority to assign easements to other parties, issue orders imposing restrictions on land or natural resources, and include State institutional controls in response actions. (Sec. 103) Requires the President to ensure that a removal action is not undertaken in lieu of a long-term remedial action. Title II: Community Participation and Human Health - Subtitle A: Community Participation - Revises provisions regarding grants for technical assistance to make such grants available to Community Advisory Groups or affected communities (defined as two or more individuals affected by the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance at a covered facility. Defines a "covered facility" as a facility: (1) that has been listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (NPL); (2) at which the Administrator is undertaking an action anticipated to exceed one year or a specified funding limit; or (3) with respect to which the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Administrator has accepted a petition requesting a health assessment or related health activity. Expands the list of authorized grant activities and increases the maximum amount of such grants. Requires the President to take specified actions to provide for meaningful public participation in every significant phase of response activities under CERCLA. Permits Community Advisory Groups, affected Indian tribes and communities, and local government and health officials to propose remedial alternatives to the President. Requires the President to make records relating to response actions at a covered facility available to the public throughout all phases of an action. Sets forth additional requirements with respect to public notice of certain removal actions. (Sec. 203) Requires States or Indian tribes with covered facilities to establish Community Information and Access Offices. Provides funding for such Offices. Directs the Administrator to establish Offices for States or tribes that fail to do so. (Sec. 204) Requires the President to provide the opportunity for the establishment of a Community Advisory Group, a representative public forum, to achieve direct, regular, and meaningful consultation with all interested parties throughout all stages of a response action whenever: (1) the President determines such a group will be helpful; or (2) ten individuals residing in the area in which the covered facility is located, or ten percent of the population of a locality in which the covered facility is located, whichever is fewer, petition for a Group to be established. Directs the President to adopt any consensus recommendation of a Group on land use as part of the remedy selected for the facility, with exceptions. Authorizes the President to provide administrative support for such Groups. Directs the Administrator to submit to the Congress a community study that includes an analysis of: (1) the speed of listing; (2) the speed and nature of response actions; (3) the degree to which public views are reflected in response actions; (3) use of institutional controls; and (4) the population, race, ethnicity, and income characteristics of communities affected by facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL. Requires periodic updates of such study. Directs the Administrator to institute necessary improvements or modifications to address any deficiencies identified by the study. (Sec. 205) Requires the Administrator to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in response activities. Subtitle B: Human Health - Directs the President to notify State and local public health authorities and tribal health officials whenever there is reason to believe that a release (or threat of release) of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to perform a health assessment for each facility listed, or proposed for listing, on the NPL, including Federal facilities. Permits related health activities to be performed in lieu of assessments for facilities that are so listed or proposed for ecological reasons only. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop and distribute educational materials on human health effects of hazardous substances to the public. (Sec. 213) Provides for research on exposure or tolerance limits for hazardous substances found commonly at NPL facilities in cases where adequate information on health effects of a substance is not available. Expands the duties of the ATSDR Administrator to require the Administrator to establish an inventory of exposure or tolerance limits for such substances. (Sec. 215) Directs the President, in any case in which a person is relocated in order to reduce exposure and eliminate health risks from hazardous substances, to provide to the individual the replacement value of the individual's residence. (Sec. 216) Authorizes and directs the ATSDR Administrator, pursuant to specified grants and contracts, to provide health services to communities affected by the release of hazardous substances. Makes funds available for such services for FY 2000 through 2004. (Sec. 217) Provides for cooperation with Indian tribes with respect to certain ATSDR activities. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to include in a biennial report on ATSDR activities the health impacts on Indian tribes of hazardous substances from covered facilities. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this title. Title III: Right to Know - Requires the annual disclosure of certain information by potentially responsible parties at NPL facilities and owners or operators of facilities subject to toxic chemical release reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA). Includes within such required disclosures information on quantities of certain hazardous substances and potential exposure of facility employees. Directs the Administrator to consolidate all annual reporting pursuant to title I of CERCLA and other Federal environmental laws to the extent not prohibited by such laws. Prescribes penalties for noncompliance with disclosure requirements. Amends EPCRA to permit the withholding of portions of information required to be disclosed under CERCLA for purposes of protecting trade secrets. (Sec. 302) Requires owners or operators of facilities subject to EPCRA reporting requirements to submit to the Administrator and State officials annual unstudied chemical release forms for each chemical subject to this section that was manufactured, processed, or used in quantities exceeding thresholds during the preceding year at the facility. Permits the Administrator to: (1) apply such requirements to other facilities that use unstudied chemicals, as appropriate; and (2) exclude a class of facilities in a Standard Industrial Classification Code that is required to report under EPCRA if unstudied chemicals will not cause certain adverse human health or environmental effects. Makes subject to the requirements of this section an unstudied chemical: (1) for which the information needed to complete a preliminary assessment of potential toxicity is not available; and (2) that is a compound containing at least carbon, hydrogen, and one or more of the elements chlorine, fluorine, or bromine or is a compound included on the 1990 High Production Volume List issued pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act. Authorizes the addition of chemicals subject to such requirements based on health or environmental effects or presence in human tissues, food stuffs, or drinking water. Excludes from reporting requirements chemicals: (1) that are listed under EPCRA; (2) that are high molecular weight polymers; or (3) for which information is publicly available. Sets forth provisions regarding information needed for preliminary assessment of potential toxicity of unstudied chemicals. Establishes threshold amounts of unstudied chemicals which trigger reporting requirements. Makes release form information publicly available. Authorizes petitions to the Administrator to compel certain actions under this title, including the exemption from reporting, addition of chemicals subject to reporting, and revision of thresholds. Requires the Administrator to establish a national unstudied chemicals inventory based on submitted data. Makes violations of this title subject to civil and administrative penalties under EPCRA. Provides trade secret protection for information disclosed under this title in the same manner as provided under EPCRA. Title IV: Environmental Justice - Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of Commerce, to publish a list of special priority areas which shall be geographic areas in which residents face a high degree of economic distress or social disenfranchisement. Provides for updates to such list no later than two years after each official census count on social and economic characteristics. Describes areas to be included on such list. Requires the President to advertise the right of petition for assessment of a hazardous substance release in such areas. Directs the President to publish a list of special priority facilities which shall be those facilities located in special priority areas that are: (1) listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System; (2) the subject of a petition; or (3) those the President considers appropriate. Establishes deadlines for completing preliminary assessments, site inspections, and hazard ranking of such facilities and for listing them on the NPL. Requires the President to ensure that a remedial action for any such facility on the NPL is completed within three years of placement on the NPL. Provides exceptions from placing such facilities on the NPL. Title V: Children's Environmental Health - Requires the ATSDR Administrator and the Administrator to create a scientifically peer-reviewed list of environmental pollutants commonly found at facilities listed or proposed for listing on the NPL with known or suspected health risks to which fetuses and children are especially susceptible. Provides for a toxicological profile for each listed substance. each listed substance. Directs the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate, to review and revise, where necessary, environmental and public health regulations, risk assessment policies and procedures, and guidance documents issued under CERCLA to determine whether they consider and fully protect fetal and children's health. Incorporates fetal and children's health concerns into all health research initiatives under CERCLA. Requires the ATSDR Administrator to develop: (1) guidelines for addressing fetal and children's health issues in health studies and research programs; and (2) criteria for determining when and what type of child-specific health study shall be conducted based on the results of a health assessment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the costs of such research programs should be borne by the manufacturers and processors of the hazardous substance in question. Directs the ATSDR Administrator to: (1) establish an exposure registry for all children exposed to hazardous substances as the result of a release at an NPL facility where levels of exposure are significant for children's health; and (2) implement specified children's environmental health education and training programs. Requires all lists, profiles, studies, and research results conducted under this title to be reported or adopted only after appropriate peer review. Sets forth requirements for peer reviews. Title VI: Brownfield Remediation and Environmental Cleanup - Subtitle A: Brownfields - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to local governments to inventory and conduct site assessments of brownfield sites and provide training in the cleanup of such sites. Defines a "brownfield site" as land that contains or contained abandoned or under-used commercial or industrial facilities, the expansion or redevelopment of which may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Sets forth grant application requirements and grant conditions. Requires States to submit information to the Administrator on brownfield sites. Directs the Administrator to compile a National Brownfields Registry. Directs the Administrator to establish a program to award grants to be used by local governments to capitalize revolving loan funds for the cleanup of brownfield sites, including associated rivers and streams. Authorizes local governments to provide such loans to finance cleanups by such governments or by owners or prospective purchasers of affected brownfield sites. Sets forth grant application and agreement requirements. Requires grant recipients to report to the Administrator on the extent of local citizen involvement in funded projects. Authorizes the Administrator to award a grant to a State if necessary to facilitate the receipt of funds by local governments that do not have the capabilities to manage grants. Makes certain facilities ineligible for the grant program, including facilities that are the subject of response actions and Federal facilities. Authorizes the President to make exceptions for excluded facilities and allow grants on a facility-by-facility basis. Makes amounts available from the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) to carry out the grant programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003. (Sec. 602) Authorizes the Administrator to award grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, States, Indian tribes, municipalities, and other specified agencies and organizations for training, technology transfer, and information dissemination programs to strengthen environmental response activities. (Sec. 603) Requires the Administrator to provide grants and other forms of assistance for brownfields workforce training programs in communities that contain brownfield sites. Subtitle B: Innocent Landowners and Prospective Purchaser Liability - Amends CERCLA, with respect to defenses to liability of an owner of after-acquired property, to deem a person to have made (under current law, "undertaken") appropriate inquiry into the property's previous ownership and uses if the person establishes that an environmental site assessment was conducted which meets specified requirements (compliance with an American Society for Testing and Materials standard or with standards issued by the President) and the person fulfills certain responsibilities concerning information compilation, exercise of appropriate care with respect to hazardous substances at the facility, and cooperation with those conducting response actions. (Sec. 622) Absolves from liability for response actions bona fide prospective purchasers to the extent liability at a facility for a release or threat thereof is based solely on ownership or operation of a facility. Gives a lien upon a facility to the United States for unrecovered response costs in any case in which there are such unrecovered costs for which the owner is not liable by reason of this section and the facility's fair market value has increased above that which existed 180 days before the action was taken. (Sec. 623) Exempts certain contiguous property owners from liability. Subtitle C: Department of Housing and Urban Development Brownfield Grants - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants, in connection with the authority to guarantee obligations to finance certain community development activities, to eligible public entities for projects and activities for economic redevelopment of brownfield sites. Title VII: Natural Resource Damages - Adds the reasonable costs of recovering natural resource damages to the list of recoverable damages for which liable parties are responsible under CERCLA. (Sec. 703) Eliminates the damage assessment rebuttable presumption and prescribes revised procedures for natural resource damage assessments. (Sec. 704) Authorizes a trustee for natural resources to establish an administrative record on which the trustee will base the selection of a plan for restoration of the resource. Provides for participation of interested persons in the development of an administrative record. (Sec. 705) Provides that the presence of hazardous substances in sediments of U.S. waters above background or reference levels shall be sufficient to establish injury to natural resources for purposes of determining liability. Directs the Administrator and the appropriate natural resource trustees to report to the Congress on how response, remedial, and restoration actions are restoring and protecting natural resources affected by the facilities of: (1) Hudson River, New York; (2) Newark and New York Bays, New York and New Jersey; (3) Housatonic River, Connecticut and Massachusetts; (4) New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts; (5) Clark Fork River, Montana; (6) Lavaca Bay, Texas; (7) Palos Verdes, California; (8) Fox River, Wisconsin; (9) Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and (10) Hanford, Washington. (Sec. 706) Requires natural resource trustees to conduct a program to assist in the recruitment and training of individuals in affected communities for employment in restoration activities. (Sec. 707) Revises provisions regarding the statute of limitations on natural resource damage actions. (Sec. 708) Adds archaeological resources to the definition of "natural resources" under CERCLA. (Sec. 709) Authorizes citizen suits to recover natural resources damages. Title VIII: Federal Facilities - Revises provisions regarding the applicability of CERCLA to the U.S. Government. Makes Federal agencies subject to all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements regarding response actions and damages related to, or management of, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants in the same manner as any nongovernmental entity. Waives immunity of the United States with respect to the enforcement of injunctive relief. Makes Federal employees subject to criminal sanctions under State or Federal response laws. Authorizes the Administrator to issue an abatement order to a Federal agency and requires initiation of an administrative enforcement action in the same manner as action would be initiated against any other person. Requires all funds collected by a State from the Federal Government from penalties imposed under this section to be used only for projects to improve or protect the environment or to defray costs of environmental protection or enforcement unless a State law requires such funds to be used differently. Requires Federal agencies to notify States and the Administrator of removal actions. Sets forth additional conditions under which a Federal property may be transferred to any other person without a covenant warranting that all remedial action has been taken on the property. Establishes additional assurances to be contained in deeds governing such transfers with regard to hazardous substances releases for which a Federal agency is potentially responsible. Title IX: Liability - Provides exemptions to liability (including liability for contribution) for response costs for pre-July 1997 acts if liability is based solely on arranging for disposal, treatment, or transport of, or accepting, a specified limited amount of hazardous substances. Absolves certain small parties of liability based on arrangement or acceptance provisions if the substance involved was municipal solid waste or sewage sludge. Removes a provision which excludes petroleum from the definition of "hazardous substance" under CERCLA. Provides that persons liable for willful releases of hazardous substances or threats thereof may be liable to the United States for punitive damages in an amount of up to two times the costs incurred by Superfund as a result of such a release. Title X: Funding - Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out specified Superfund authorities through FY 2003. (Sec. 1007) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the environmental income tax to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998, and before January 1, 2004. Extends specified provisions regarding: (1) Superfund's financing rate; (2) limits on tax if the unobligated balance in Superfund exceeds a specified amount; and (3) the repayment deadline for advances made to Superfund. Title XI: Miscellaneous - Increases the ceiling on certain penalties under CERCLA. Prescribes penalties for specified additional violations. (Sec. 1103) Considers a remedial action that attains applicable requirements to be protective of human health and the environment unless the President determines otherwise. Directs the President to establish additional requirements to ensure such protection, as necessary. Provides that the decontamination regulations for site termination issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 21, 1997, shall not be considered sufficiently protective. Revises the definition of "federally permitted release" under CERCLA with respect to releases of source, special nuclear, or byproduct material in compliance with licenses, permits, regulations, or orders pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to apply such definition only if such licenses, permits, regulations, or orders adequately protect groundwater. Applies requirements of this Act pertaining to Federal facilities to facilities subject to licenses or decontamination regulations for license termination issued by the NRC. Amends environmental excise tax provisions to treat uranium dioxide as a taxable chemical only if it is used as a fuel in a nuclear reactor.

Charitable Giving Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

Charitable Giving Partnership Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize States to use community development block grants provided for nonentitlement areas to offset the costs of State charity tax credits.

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 1998

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Housing Act to state that: (1) nothing in such Act shall be construed to make the expression of an opinion or the seeking of redress from public authority a violation of such Act; and (2) a party shall not be liable for engaging in litigation or administrative proceedings unless done so for an improper purpose, or not supported by evidence or warranted by existing law. (Sec. 3) Requires specificity of complaint. (Sec. 4) States that a provision of State or local law shall not be construed to violate fair housing provisions if the alleging party has not first exhausted State remedies. (Sec. 5) Provides that familial status protection shall apply to persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption and certain foster children. (Sec. 6) States that fair housing provisions shall not prevent local control of residential uses.

Transit Commuter Credit Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Credit for Public Transportation Commuting Expenses Title II: Modification to Treatment of Foreign Oil and Gas Income Title III: Limitations on Payments Under Defense Contracts Title IV: Repeal of Certain Incentives for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development and for Mining Title V: Repeal of Exclusion for Citizens or Residents of United States Living Abroad Transit Commuter Credit Act of 1998 - Title I: Credit for Public Transportation Commuting Expenses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a credit for 20 percent ($150 maximum) of an individual's employment or education related public transportation commuting expenses. Title II: Modifications to Treatment of Foreign Oil and Gas Income - Treats certain taxes paid or accrued to a foreign country with respect to foreign oil and gas income as not creditable for purposes of the foreign tax credit. Treats foreign oil and gas extraction income, and foreign oil related income as separate income categories. Eliminates such categories' exclusion from income for specified purposes. (Changes references to foreign base company oil related income to foreign oil and gas income.) Title III: Limitations on Payments Under Defense Contracts - Prohibits use of Department of Defense funds to pay restructuring costs associated with the merger or acquisition of a Department contractor. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to extend a specified annual contractor restructuring reporting requirement. Sets forth additional information requirements for such report and a related report by the Comptroller General. Amends Federal law to set forth specified compensation limitations for Department contracts. Title IV: Repeal of Certain Incentives for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development and for Mining - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) expensing of intangible drilling and development costs for oil and gas wells and geothermal wells; (2) expensing of mine development and exploration costs; (3) percentage depletion for mines and wells, including oil and gas wells; and (4) the enhanced oil recovery credit. Title V: Repeal of Exclusion for Citizens or Residents of United States Living Abroad - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the foreign earned income and housing allowance gross income exclusion for U.S. citizens and residents abroad.

Older and Disabled Americans Criminal Protection Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1998

Older and Disabled Americans Criminal Protection Act of 1998 - Defines a "shared housing arrangement" as a residential arrangement under which one person provides care or other services for the owner or lessee of a dwelling unit in exchange for free occupancy or a reduced cost for occupancy of that unit or other remuneration. Authorizes: (1) a shared housing referral agency to request the Attorney General to conduct and share criminal background checks respecting shared housing caretaker applicants; and (2) the Attorney General to charge a fee for such service. Provides a criminal penalty for the knowing use of such information for other than housing determinations. States that an agency that reasonably relies upon such information shall not be liable for damages based on such information's inaccuracy.

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding access to affordable housing and expansion of homeownership opportunities.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998

Expresses the sense of the Congress that national goals should include providing access to affordable housing and expanding home ownership opportunities pursued through policies of tax incentives and private and public sector activities.

Kevin Emanuel Marchman, of Colorado, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Joseph Shuldiner, to which position he was appointed during the last recess of the Senate.

United States · United States Senate · 29 January 1998