Rule of law

Miscellaneous Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2000

Miscellaneous Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes miscellaneous appropriations for FY 2001. Division A - Chapter 1 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend the rural designation of certain areas until the 2010 census. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to the Appropriations Committees on the feasibility of including ethanol, biodiesel, and other bio-based fuels as part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (Sec. 105) Amends the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 to appropriate funds for an environmental quality incentives program under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. (Sec. 106) Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in carrying out the bovine tuberculosis eradication program covered by an October 2000 emergency declaration, to pay 100 percent of the amounts of approved claims for materials affected by or exposed to bovine tuberculosis and of approved claims growing out of the destruction of animals. (Sec. 108) Makes additional amounts available for: (1) the Department of Agriculture Office of the General Counsel; and (2) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. Chapter 2 - Makes additional amounts available for the Department of Justice for: (1) the Federal Prison System for an assessment of medical care and incidents of inmate mortality in the Wisconsin State Prison System; (2) the Office of Justice Programs for collection of data on deaths of prisoners in law enforcement custody; (3) community oriented policing services; (4) juvenile justice programs for a grant to Mobile County, Alabama, for a juvenile court network program; (5) the States of Texas and Arizona for reimbursements to county and municipal governments for Federal costs associated with the handling and processing of illegal immigration and drug and alien smuggling cases; (6) an award to the Alliance of Boys & Girls of South Carolina for the establishment of the Strom Thurmond Boys & Girls Club National Training Center; (7) the New Hampshire Department of Safety for investigation and prosecution of violations of Federal trucking laws; and (8) the State of South Dakota for establishment of a regional radio system to facilitate communications between Federal, State, and local law enforcement, firefighting, and other emergency services agencies. Makes additional amounts available for the Department of Commerce for: (1) economic and statistical analysis for the establishment of satellite accounts for the travel and tourism industry; and (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a certain study by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). (Sec. 207) Appropriates additional amounts for: (1) NOAA for disaster assistance for communities affected by the 2000 western Alaska salmon disaster for which the Secretary of Commerce declared a fishery failure under the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act; and (2) the Secretary for providing economic assistance to fishermen and fishing communities affected by Federal closures and fishing restrictions in the Hawaii long line fishery. (Sec. 209) Directs the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to utilize the NAS to conduct an independent scientific review of the November 30, 2000 Biological Opinion for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Council proposed conservation and management measures to implement the Alternatives contained in the Biological Opinion. Requires such fisheries to be managed: (1) in a manner consistent with the Alternatives; and (2) in accordance with the fishery management plan and Federal regulations in effect prior to July 15, 2000. Makes the harvest reduction requirement effective immediately in any 2001 groundfish fishery in which it applies, but limits such reduction to no more than ten percent in the total allowable catch of any fishery. Authorizes the Secretary, upon Council recommendation, to take measures to ensure that harvest levels are sufficient to provide income from these fisheries for small boats and Alaskan on-shore processors that is no less than in 1999. Appropriates an additional amount for a comprehensive research and recovery program for the Steller sea lion. Requires the Secretary, with available funds, to implement a pilot program for innovative non-lethal measures to protect Steller sea lions from marine mammal predators. Appropriates funds for a direct payment to the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference to mitigate the economic losses caused by Steller sea lion protection measures. (Sec. 210) Makes additional amounts available for the Department of State for: (1) educational and cultural exchange programs for the Irish Institute; and (2) increased broadcasting to Russia and surrounding areas and China. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Commission on Online Child Protection; and (2) the Small Business Administration for grants to the Electronic Commerce Resource Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the National Museum of Jazz in New York, New York. (Sec. 213) Amends the Department of State and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2001 to remove a provision which prohibits the use of funds appropriated by any Act to allow for the entry into, or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption in the United States of diamonds mined in specified African countries. Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 to remove provisions setting forth Amy Boyer's Law and those prohibiting the redesignation of Cuyahoga Valley National Park as a Class I area under the Clean Air Act. Chapter 3 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to obligate a certain amount of funds appropriated in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2001 to continue F-22 Lot 1 (10 aircraft) advance procurement to protect the supplier base and preserve program costs and schedule in the event that award of the full funding contract for low-rate initial production of the aircraft is delayed beyond December 31, 2000, because of inability to complete specified requirements in such Act. (Sec. 302) Grants the Department of the Air Force primary jurisdiction and control over Shemya Island and its appurtenant waters. Continues the inclusion of the Island and its waters within the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Transfers jurisdiction to the Secretary of the Interior if there is no longer a need for a military department to exercise primary jurisdiction. Makes any environmental contamination of the Island the responsibility of the responsible military department. Directs the military department exercising primary jurisdiction over the Island to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and conserve Island wildlife and habitat and to grant access to the Fish and Wildlife Service for management of the Wildlife Refuge. (Sec. 306) Appropriates into the Defense Vessels Transfer Program Account such sums as necessary for the costs of the lease-sale transfers authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act, 2001. (Sec. 308) Appropriates an additional amount for Operation and Maintenance, Navy for costs associated with the repair of the U.S.S. Cole. (Sec. 310) Makes additional funds available for Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps for planning and National Environmental Protection Act documentation for the proposed airfield and heliport at the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to convey to the Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales, New Mexico, any excess personal property of the Air Force determined appropriate for use by the Hospital. (Sec. 313) Appropriates an additional amount for the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund. (Sec. 316) Requires the Secretary of the Navy to acquire 50 acres of real property located on Reed Island in Jacksonville, Florida. (Sec. 319) Makes an additional amount available for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide for the Defense Imagery and Mapping Agency Program. (Sec. 320) Prohibits the use of funds made available in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2001 to consolidate or incorporate Air Force radar operations maintenance and support programs or contracts into an Air Force SENSOR or similar acquisition program. (Sec. 321) Appropriates an additional amount for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force for developing rapid diagnostic and fingerprinting techniques along with molecular monitoring systems for the detection of nosocomial infections. (Sec. 323) Directs the Secretaries of the Army and the Interior to prepare a proposed plan for the expansion of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. Authorizes appropriations for the implementation of conservation measures necessary for the final expansion to comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Appropriates amounts to carry out plan activities. Chapter 4 - Makes an additional amount available for the District of Columbia courts for capital repairs necessitated by the recent fire damage to courthouse facilities. Amends the District of Columbia Public Works Act of 1954 to require the inspector general of each Federal agency receiving water and sanitary sewer services from the District of Columbia to report to the Appropriations Committees on the promptness of payment with respect to the services furnished. Repeals a section of the Revised Statutes relating to the District of Columbia and Post Roads. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the District to fund certain programs identified under H.R. 4942 (106th Congress, as introduced) upon certification by the District Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority to the Appropriations Committees that the District Chief Financial Officer, Mayor, and Council have implemented spending reductions necessary to ensure that the District will not have a budget deficit for FY 2001. Directs the Mayor to deposit the annual interest savings resulting from debt reductions using the proceeds of the tobacco securitization program into the emergency reserve fund established by the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001. (Sec. 405) Requires quarterly disbursements to be paid to District public charter schools during FY 2001 in accordance with the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula for Public Schools and Public Charter Schools and Tax Conformity Clarification Amendment Act of 1998. Chapter 5 - Makes additional amounts available for the Army Corps of Engineers for: (1) general investigations; (2) general construction; and (3) repair, restoration, or maintenance of the Mississippi River levees and for the correction of deficiencies in the mainline Mississippi River levees. Provides an additional amount for the Bureau of Reclamation for construction of the Mid-Dakota Rural Water System. Makes additional amounts available for the Department of Energy (DOE) for: (1) energy supply for the Prime, LLC, of central South Dakota for final engineering and project development of the integrated ethanol complex; and (2) science for high temperature superconducting research and development at Boston College. Chapter 6 - Authorizes Economic Support Fund assistance to be made available to provide payment to the Government of the People's Republic of China for property loss and damage arising out of the May 1999 incident in Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Chapter 7 - Makes additional amounts available for the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management for carrying out title VI of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act; (2) the Fish and Wildlife Service for a grant to the Center for Reproductive Biology at Washington State University; (3) the Multinational Species Conservation Fund for Great Ape conservation activities; (4) the National Park Service for completion of studies related to the Arlington Boathouse in Virginia; (5) national recreation and preservation for the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and for a grant to the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission; (6) the Historic Preservation Fund for a grant to the Massillon Heritage Foundation, Inc., in Massillon, Ohio; and (7) construction for the Stones River National Battlefield and the Millenium Cultural Cooperative Park. Provides additional funds for: (1) DOE energy conservation for a grant to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Nevada Test Site Development Corporation; and (2) payment to the endowment fund of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Makes additional funds available to the Indian Health Service for: (1) payment to the Alaska Federation of Natives for its Alaska Native Sobriety and Alcohol Control Program; and (2) drug and alcohol prevention and treatment services for non- Alaska tribes. Chapter 8 - Appropriates funds to the Health Resources and Services Administration for the construction of the Biotechnology Science Center at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and the Christian Nurses Hospice in Brentwood, New York. (Sec. 803) Appropriates funds to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for expansion of the marine biology program at the Long Island Maritime Museum. Chapter 9 - Provides for payments to specified widows of deceased Members of Congress. Makes additional amounts available for: (1) the Architect of the Capitol for construction of emergency egress from the fourth floor of the Capitol building; and (2) the Library of Congress for the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program. Amends Federal civil service retirement provisions to allow retirement credit under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) for certain employees who were employed by the Democratic or Republican Senatorial Campaign or National Congressional Committees for service before December 31, 1990. Entitles certain employees of legislative service organizations of the House of Representatives to receive CSRS or FERS credit as well. (Sec. 903) Makes effective a standing order of the Senate that the reading of conference reports is no longer required if such a report is available in the Senate. Chapter 10 - Appropriates additional funds to the Department of Defense for military construction, Army; Air Force, and Army National Guard. (Sec. 1002) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the surface estate of specified lands in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Air Force. Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to use certain mineral resources on such lands when required for construction needs on the Melrose Air Force Range. (Sec. 1003) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the surface estate of specified lands in Kittitas County, Washington, to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to use certain mineral resources on such lands when required for construction needs on the Yakima Training Center. Chapter 11 - Makes amounts available for: (1) a grant to the Huntsville International Airport; and (2) the Southeast Light Rail Extension Project in Dallas, Texas. (Sec. 1107) Provides additional funds for: (1) the Newark-Elizabeth rail link project, New Jersey; and (2) commercial remote sensing products and spatial information technologies for the study of creating a new highway right-of- way along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. (Sec. 1112) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue certificates of documentation for employment in the coastwise trade for the M/V WELLS GRAY and the ANNANDALE. (Sec. 1113) Authorizes conveyance to Lake County, California, without consideration, of a described property involving a portion of the Coast Guard LORAN Station Middletown reported to the General Services Administration as excess property. (Sec. 1114) Requires conveyance to: (1) the Town of Nantucket, Massachusetts, of certain property that is part of the Coast Guard LORAN Station; and (2) the City of Newburyport, Massachusetts, of certain land upon which the Plum Island Boat House and Lighthouse are situated. (Sec. 1116) Authorizes conveyance, without consideration, of the Coast Guard Station Scituate to NOAA. (Sec. 1117) Amends the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 to extend one of the termination dates of provisions requiring the enforcement of the United States Coast Guard 1997 Enforcement Policy for Cargo Residues on the Great Lakes (regulating incidental discharges from vessels of residues of dry bulk cargo into Great Lakes waters under U.S. jurisdiction). Requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study of the effectiveness of such enforcement policy. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations to enforce a program to regulate incidental discharges from vessels of residues of non- hazardous and non-toxic dry bulk cargo into Great Lakes waters which takes study findings into account. (Sec. 1118) Extends the termination date for the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee. (Sec. 1119) Permits only U.S. vessels to perform certain vessel escort operations and towing assistance. (Sec. 1122) Authorizes the transfer of limited funds to the Traverse City Area Public School District for demolition and removal of the structure commonly known as "Building 402" at former Coast Guard property located in Traverse City, Michigan, and associated site work. (Sec. 1127) Prohibits the Secretary from issuing final regulations regarding audible warnings at highway-rail grade crossings before July 1, 2001. (Sec. 1128) Makes available additional amounts from the Highway Trust Fund for specified projects in Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Colorado. Chapter 12 - Makes an additional amount available for the Federal Buildings Fund to be used for renovating and redeveloping portions of a historic Federal building located in Terre Haute, Indiana. Provides additional funds for the Customs Service for procurement of aircraft and related equipment expenses associated with aviation standardization and training at the Customs National Aviation Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Chapter 13 - Makes an additional amount available for Department of Veterans Affairs construction. Provides additional funds for Department of Housing and Urban Development empowerment zones and enterprise communities and the Community Development Fund. Makes additional funds available for: (1) Environmental Protection Agency science and technology for continuation of the South Bronx Air Pollution Study; and (2) Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency management planning and assistance for programs authorized by the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. Chapter 14 - Considers H. Con Res. 234 (106th Congress), as adopted by the House of Representatives on November 18, 1999, to be considered to have been adopted by the Senate. (Sec. 1402) Makes a provision of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 which eliminates certain reporting requirements inapplicable to certain Federal budget provisions. (Sec. 1403) Rescinds .22 percent of the discretionary budget authority provided for FY 2001 in any Act for each Federal agency, with specified exemptions. Division B - Title I - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to modify eligibility criteria for the child care and adult food program. (Sec. 102) Provides for a summer food pilot project in eligible States during FY 2001 through 2003 to increase the number of children participating in the summer food service program. (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for a Sacramento River, California, diversion project that is consistent with the Water Forum Agreement of April 24, 2000. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 104) Expands the boundaries of a specified flood control project in the Saint Francis River Basin in Missouri and Arkansas. (Sec. 105) Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to permit the city of Alton, Illinois, to construct and reimburse the city for the Federal share of specified recreational facilities. (Sec. 106) Allows the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of the Truckee watershed reclamation project to reclaim and reuse wastewater within and without the service area of Washoe County, Nevada. (Sec. 107) Modifies a specified navigation project in Tampa Harbor, Florida, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to deepen and widen the Alafia Channel. (Sec. 108) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to authorize environmental infrastructure assistance to additional specified projects. Increases the authorization of appropriations for such assistance and the amount of assistance provided to certain projects. (Sec. 109) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to provide technical and financial assistance to carry out projects for the planning, design, and construction of treatment works to improve water quality in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 110) Establishes the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund in the Treasury to be used for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water quality projects. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 111) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to participate in studies and in the planning and design of projects determined to offer a long-term solution to the problem of groundwater contamination caused by perchlorates. Requires the Secretary to participate in investigations and projects related to perchlorates in the Bosque and Leon Watersheds in Texas, Caddo Lake, Texas, and Santa Clarita, California. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 112) Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require each permit, order, or decree issued pursuant to such Act for a discharge from a municipal combined storm and sanitary sewer to conform to the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Policy signed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 11, 1994. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on progress made by EPA, States, and municipalities in implementing and enforcing the CSO control policy. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance and grants for treatment works to carry out pilot projects relating to specified areas of wet weather discharge control. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the Administrator, in any fiscal year in which at least $1.35 billion is available for grants to States for water pollution control revolving funds, to make grants to States or municipalities for planning, design, and construction of treatment works to intercept, transport, control, or treat municipal CSO and sanitary sewer overflows. Gives priority for grants to certain applicants, including municipalities that are financially distressed communities. Authorizes and allocates appropriations. Requires the Administrator to report periodically to Congress on the recommended funding levels for such grants. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on: (1) the extent of health and environmental impacts caused by municipal CSO and sanitary sewer overflows; and (2) the resources spent, and technologies used, by municipalities to address such impacts. Requires the Administrator to maintain a clearinghouse of technologies for addressing such impacts. (Sec. 113) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to provide for construction of fish passage devices at the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam at Federal expense. (Sec. 114) Extinguishes certain reversionary interests and use restrictions contained in deeds for certain lands in Umatilla County, Oregon. (Sec. 115) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to eliminate the authority to carry out a flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration project in Murrieta Creek, California. (Sec. 116) Requires the Secretary of the Army to reimburse East Bay Municipal Water District for the project for aquatic ecosystem restoration, Penn Mine, Calaveras County, California. (Sec. 117) Modifies a flood control project in Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas, to authorize the Secretary to construct intake facilities for the benefit of Lonoke and White Counties, Arkansas. (Sec. 118) Modifies a flood control project in Chehalis River and tributaries, Washington, to authorize the Secretary to provide the non-Federal interest credit toward the non-Federal share of project costs the costs of planning, design, and construction work carried out by the non-Federal interest before the date of execution of a cooperation agreement if the Secretary determines the work integral to the project. (Sec. 120) Directs the National Park Service to work with Fort Sumter Tours, Inc., the concessionaire providing services at Fort Sumter National Monument in South Carolina, on an amicable solution of the current legal dispute between the two parties. Requires the Director of the Service to extend the current contract through March 15, 2001, to facilitate further negotiations and for 180 days if final settlement of disputes is agreed to by both parties. (Sec. 123) Enacts into law H.R. 4904 (106th Congress) (establishes the United States Office for Native Hawaiian Affairs and the Native Hawaiian Interagency Task Force) as passed in the House on September 26, 2000. (Sec. 124) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) negotiate agreements with landowners setting terms for the acquisition of land at Saddleback Mountain, near Rangeley, Maine, for the benefit of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail; (2) complete the pending environmental compliance process for the acquisitions; (3) acquire the land for a specified cost; and (4) convey a portion of the land to the State to ensure the protection of the Trail. (Sec. 125) Enacts into law S. 2273 (106th Congress)(Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area Act of 2000), as passed in the Senate on October 5, 2000. (Sec. 126) Amends the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Act of 1984 to increase the maximum amount authorized to be appropriated for the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission. (Sec. 127) Enacts into law S. 2885 (106th Congress)(Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2000), as passed in the Senate on October 5, 2000. (Sec. 128) Prohibits the use of funds prior to July 31, 2001, to promulgate or enforce a final rule to reduce the use of snowmobiles below current use patterns at a unit in the National Park System during the 2000-2001 or 2001-2002 winter seasons. (Sec. 129) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to extend until March 31, 2001, the Extension of Standstill Agreement entered into on November 22, 1999, by the United States and the holders of interests in seven campsite leases in Biscayne Bay, Miami-Dade County, Florida. (Sec. 134) Amends the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Development Act to extend the termination date for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission. (Sec. 137) Amends Federal law governing the Gulf Islands National Seashore to include within the Seashore specified land on Cat Island, Mississippi. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 138) Amends Federal retirement provisions regarding limitations on the maximum percentage of pay that may be contributed to the Thrift Savings Plan to phase in, by FY 2006, a maximum allowable contribution of 100 percent of basic pay for certain FERS and CSRS participants. (Sec. 139) Excludes the Secret Service and Secret Service Uniformed Division from certain Federal labor-management relations requirements. (Sec. 140) Provides for an increase of 3.7 percent in rates of basic pay for Federal employees in 2001. (Sec. 141) Repeals certain mandatory retirement provisions governing employees of the Alaska Railroad. (Sec. 143) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize certain low-power television station licensees to provide digital data service as a pilot project to demonstrate the feasibility of using such stations to provide high-speed wireless digital data service, including Internet access to unserved areas. (Sec. 144) Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to extend, until FY 2003, a prohibition on the approval of fishery management plans or regulations which create a new individual fishing quota program, with specified exceptions. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to adopt final regulations to implement a fishing capacity reduction program for crab fisheries included in the Fishery Management Plan for Commercial King and Tanner Crab Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Pribilof Islands Transition Act - Amends the Fur Seal Act of 1966 to replace provisions establishing and providing for the administration of the Pribilof Islands Trust with provisions directing the Secretary of Commerce to provide financial assistance to any city government, village corporation, or tribal council of St. George or St. Paul, Alaska. Allows the use of those funds as non-Federal matching funds under any Federal program that requires matching funds. Prohibits the Secretary from using financial assistance under this Act to settle any debt owed to the United States, for administrative or overhead expenses, or for contributions sought or required for costs or fees to clean up any matter that was caused or contributed by any person on or after March 15, 2000. Directs the Secretary, subject to appropriations, to provide assistance to the State of Alaska for designing, locating, constructing, redeveloping, permitting, or certifying solid waste management facilities on the Islands to be operated under Alaska permits. Authorizes appropriations. Shields the United States from liability under this Act associated with specified activities relating to those waste facilities. Declares that the Secretary has no obligation to provide for the development of any form of economy on the Islands not dependent on sealing (but states that this does not affect causes of action under specified provisions arising before enactment of this Act). Terminates all obligations of the Secretary to: (1) convey property under existing provisions; and (2) carry out cleanup activities related to NOAA administration and a specified environmental restoration agreement between NOAA and Alaska. Makes the previous sentence applicable when: (1) Alaska has confirmed that no further corrective action is required at Island sites and units covered by the agreement; (2) the cleanup is complete; (3) the properties can be unconditionally offered for conveyance; and (4) all amounts appropriated for such purposes under the Fur Seal Act of 1966 have been obligated. Prohibits, after the conditions in the previous sentence are met, the Secretary from seeking or requiring financial contribution from any local governmental entity of the Pribilof Islands, any official thereof, or any owner of lands there for costs or fees (relating to specified actions concerning cleanup or closure of solid waste facilities) incurred by the Secretary (except for cleanup fees incurred after March 15, 2000). Repeals, effective when the same conditions are met, provisions of: (1) the Fur Seal Act of 1966 relating to the property conveyance and related matters; and (2) Federal law relating to the cleanup of landfills and wastes left by NOAA. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions of Federal law relating to the cleanup of landfills and wastes left by NOAA. Authorizes the Secretary to provide Alaska a limited amount per year to establish and capitalize a revolving fund to be used by the State for low interest loans to Pribilof Natives to assess, respond to, remediate, and monitor contamination from lead paint, asbestos, and petroleum from underground storage tanks. Authorizes the President to designate any Northwestern Hawaiian Islands coral reef or reef ecosystem as a coral reef reserve to be managed by the Secretary of Commerce. Directs the Secretary, upon designation of such a reserve, to: (1) initiate its designation as a national marine sanctuary; (2) establish a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Reserve Advisory Council; and (3) manage the reserve in a manner consistent with the policies of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act until it is designated as a national marine sanctuary. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Sustainable Fisheries Act to authorize appropriations for each fiscal year for grants to carry out Western Pacific fishery demonstration projects to promote traditional indigenous fishing practices. (Sec. 145) Amends the Department of State Special Agents Retirement Act of 1998 to extend applicability of such Act to participants (special agents) who were serving as of January 1, 1997. (Sec. 146) Calls upon the President to: (1) take all appropriate action to provide relief from injury caused by steel imports; and (2) immediately request the U.S. Trade Commission to commence an expedited investigation for positive adjustment under the Trade Act of 1974. (Sec. 147) Amends the Johnson Act to apply certain prohibitions on the repair, transport, or use of gambling devices on vessels to voyages or segments of voyages that begin and end in Hawaii. (Sec. 148) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to exempt non- commercial educational (NCE) broadcast stations from requirements to make broadcast stations accessible to political candidates. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from taking action against any NCE station which declines to carry a political advertisement. (Sec. 149) Continues the Small Business Innovation Research program during FY 2001. (Sec. 150) Appropriates funds for: (1) the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund; and (2) an account to be established in the Department of Labor for administering the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act. (Sec. 152) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the treatment of certain cancer hospitals. (Sec. 153) Amends the Delta Development Act to apply such Act to Alabama. Amends the Delta Regional Authority Act of 2000 (as incorporated in this Act) to require Alabama to be a full member of the Delta Regional Authority. (Sec. 154) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to establish a pilot program to provide environmental assistance to non-Federal interests in northern Wisconsin. Permits assistance in the form of design and reconstruction assistance or water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects. Provides assistance only for publicly-owned projects. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Vietnam Education Foundation Act of 2000 - Vietnam Education Foundation Act of 2000 - Establishes the Vietnam Education Foundation to award fellowships to: (1) Vietnamese nationals to study at U.S. institutions of higher education at graduate and post-graduate levels in the fields of physical sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, environmental sciences, medicine, technology, and computer sciences; and (2) U.S. citizens to teach in Vietnam in appropriate Vietnamese institutions in the same fields of study. (Sec. 207) Establishes the Vietnam Debt Repayment Fund which shall consist of deposits as offsetting receipts of all payments (including interest) made by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the U.S.-Vietnam debt agreement, dated April 7, 1997. Makes amounts deposited into the Fund available for Foundation activities. (Sec. 210) Bars the awarding of any new fellowship or extension of an existing fellowship after September 30, 2016. Title III: Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 - Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in order to settle the outstanding claims of the Ute Indian tribes on the Animas and La Plata Rivers in Colorado and acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to: (1) complete construction of, operate, and maintain a reservoir, pumping plant, reservoir inlet conduit, and appurtenant facilities to divert and store water from the Animas River to provide a municipal and industrial water supply (the Project); and (2) deliver through the use of such components, specified municipal and industrial water allocations to the San Juan Water Commission, Animas-La Plata Conservancy District, State of Colorado, La Plata Conservancy District of New Mexico, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, and Navajo Nation. Declares that such facilities, if constructed, constitute the Animas- La Plata Project. Prohibits the commencement of construction of any other project features authorized by the Colorado River Basin Project Act without further authorization from Congress. Provides that construction costs required to deliver each tribe's water allocation shall be nonreimbursable. Makes the nontribal repayment obligations for water allocations subject to a final cost allocation by the Secretary upon project completion. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the status of cost-share agreements. Requires the reallocation of water allocations for the Animas-La Plata Conservancy District and the State of Colorado to the Colorado Ute Tribes if no agreement is reached with the District or the State for such allocations. (Sec. 303) Requires the Secretary, upon request of the State Engineer of New Mexico, to assign to the New Mexico Project beneficiaries or the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Department of the Interior interests under a specified permit in order to fulfill the New Mexico non-Navajo purposes of the Project, so long as the assignment does not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to the use of the water. Authorizes the Secretary to construct a water line to augment the existing system that conveys municipal water supplies to the Navajo Indian Reservation at or near Shiprock, New Mexico. Makes construction costs for the water line nonreimbursable. Authorizes appropriations to the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Resource Funds. Requires the Secretary to establish such Funds. Provides for disbursement of Fund monies, with an exception, in accordance with approved natural resource acquisition and enhancement plans. Establishes the Colorado Ute Settlement Fund in the Treasury and authorizes appropriations to the Fund to complete the construction of Project facilities and the Navajo Nation water line. Requires the construction of facilities, allocation of water supply to the Indian tribes, provision of funds, and issuance of an amended final consent decree under this Act to constitute final settlement of tribal claims to water rights on the Animas and La Plata Rivers. Requires such decree to provide for an extension of the current January 1, 2005, deadline for the tribes to commence litigation of their reserved rights claims on such rivers. Title IV - Designates the museum operated by the Secretary of Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the American Museum of Science and Energy and declares it to be the official museum of science and energy of the United States. Title V: Lower Mississippi River Region - Delta Regional Authority Act of 2000 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the Delta Regional Authority to carry out specified activities and approve grants related to the economic development of the Mississippi Delta region (parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee surrounding such Delta). Authorizes the Authority to approve grants for projects to: (1) develop the region's transportation infrastructure; (2) assist the region in job training, employment-related education, and business development; and (3) provide assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped areas. Requires the Authority to: (1) annually designate distressed and nondistressed counties and isolated areas of distress within the region; and (2) allocate at least 75 percent of the appropriations made available under this Act for distressed counties and isolated areas of distress. Prohibits (with an exception) such funds from being used within nondistressed counties. Requires each State member of the Authority to submit a development plan for the area of the region represented by the member. Outlines factors to be considered by the Authority in considering programs and projects for assistance under this Act and in establishing priorities among assistance requests. Requires the Authority to review for approval any State or regional development plan submitted. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates authority provided under this title on October 1, 2002. Amends the Delta Development Act to include the Louisiana parish of Natchitoches in the definition of "Lower Mississippi" for purposes of coverage under such Act. Title VI: Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000 - Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000 - Amends Federal provisions relating to the Garrison water diversion unit, North Dakota (part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program), to include within authorized unit purposes the development of municipal, rural, and industrial water systems, fish, wildlife, and other natural resource conservation and development, recreation, flood control, ground water recharge, and augmented stream flows (currently, only irrigation is authorized). Authorizes the State of North Dakota (currently, only the Secretary of the Interior) to plan and construct within the State a multipurpose water resource development irrigation project. Makes the Secretary responsible for operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of that portion of the capacity of existing unit facilities that remain unused. Makes the State responsible for: (1) O&M costs of the proportionate share of existing used unit facilities, as well as the full O&M costs of any facility constructed after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) the costs of providing energy to authorized unit facilities. Authorizes water systems constructed under this Act to deliver Missouri River water into the Hudson Bay basin, after a certain required determination concerning adequate treatment of such water. (Sec. 603) Revises provisions concerning unit operational costs to make nonreimbursable: (1) all fish and wildlife enhancement costs incurred in connection with waterfowl refuges or production areas, as well as wildlife conservation areas proposed for Federal or State administration; and (2) 50 percent of recreation area costs, if non-Federal public bodies assume the remainder of such costs. Deauthorizes Taayer Reservoir and Lonetree Dam and Reservoir as project features. (Sec. 604) Allows the calculation of interest during construction of a feature only until such feature is substantially complete, and regardless of whether it is placed into service. (Sec. 605) Includes certain areas of North Dakota within the area in which the Secretary is authorized to develop irrigation facilities, but prohibits the development of any such facility in the Hudson Bay-Devils Lake Basin. Allows such developed irrigation to receive Pick-Sloan pumping power. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Snake Creek Pumping Plant, New Rockford Canal, and McClusky Canal features of the principal supply works; and (2) select a preferred alternative to implement this Act after considering connecting the existing principal supply works. Directs the Secretary to investigate and report on an undesignated 28,000 acres of irrigation areas in North Dakota. (Sec. 606) Prohibits any reallocation of project costs to Pick-Sloan customers. (Sec. 607) Revises provisions authorizing the construction of municipal, rural, and industrial water systems in North Dakota to: (1) authorize the State to use Federal and non-Federal funds for grants or loans for such systems (requiring proceeds from loan repayments and interest thereon to be treated as Federal funds); (2) make additional projects eligible for such funding; (3) authorize the State to develop and implement a water conservation program; (4) make nonreimbursable the costs of features constructed on the Missouri River by the Secretary of the Army before the date of enactment of this Act; and (5) add Turtle Mountain to the areas in which the Secretary is required to maintain necessary water systems. (Sec. 608) Deauthorizes the Sykeston Canal. Directs the Secretary to select and construct a feature or features to deliver water to the Sheyenne River water supply and release facility. Requires the Secretary, if selecting a feature under which Missouri River water is used to provide water to such facility, to transmit to Congress a comprehensive report. Prohibits the latter feature from being constructed unless it is specifically authorized by an Act of Congress. Authorizes without further congressional action a feature which uses only in-basin sources to meet Red River Valley water needs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a comprehensive study of the water quality and quantity needs of the Red River Valley and possible options in meeting those needs; (2) solicit input from affected entities and designees; and (3) provide a study draft to affected States and Federal agencies. Allows such States and Federal agencies to review and comment on draft proposals, and requires the Secretary to take such comments into consideration when producing a final report and submitting such report to Congress. Directs the Secretary and the State to jointly report to Congress on the comprehensive water quality needs of the Red River Valley and options for meeting those needs. Requires environmental impact statements to be provided. Directs the Secretary to construct, operate, and maintain a Sheyenne River water supply and release feature capable of delivering a specified water supply for the cities of Fargo and Grand Forks and surrounding communities. Prohibits funds from this Act from being used for carrying out a lake control feasibility study of the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota, or to study any facility or carry out an activity that would permit the transfer of water from the Missouri River drainage basin into Devils Lake. (Sec. 609) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the State to convey U.S. rights and interests in the Oakes Test Area. (Sec. 610) Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out provisions added by this Act. (Sec. 611) Directs the Secretary, from funds authorized under this Act, to make an annual Federal contribution to the Natural Resources Trust (previously named the Wetlands Trust), limiting such contribution to $12 million. Directs the Secretary to make additional annual contributions equal to five percent of the total amount appropriated for such Trust in a fiscal year. Adds to authorized Trust uses the enhancement, restoration, and management of grassland conservation and riparian areas. Adds to Trust authority the power to fund incentives for conservation practices by landowners. Title VII - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish in Stanley County, South Dakota, a reconciliation center known as Reconciliation Place to: (1) enhance knowledge and understanding of the history of Native Americans; (2) interpret the encounters between Lewis and Clark and the Sioux Nation; (3) house the Sioux Nation Tribal Supreme Court (Court); (4) house the Native American Economic Development Council; and (5) house the National Native American Mediation Training Center (Center). Directs the Secretary to award a grant to the Wakpa Sica Historical Society of Fort Pierre, South Dakota, for construction of Reconciliation Place. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 704) Directs the Attorney General to provide technical and financial assistance to ensure the development and operation of the Court and Center. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor - Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Act- Establishes the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in the State of New York and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. Provides for a comprehensive preservation and management Canalway Plan for the Corridor. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Law Enforcement Pay Equity - Law Enforcement Pay Equity Act of 2000 - Amends the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958 to establish a uniform salary schedule for members and officers of the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division and the Park Police. Freezes the percentage rate for locality-based comparability pay for such members and officers at the rate in effect for pay periods during FY 2000. (Sec. 903) Revises certain caps on maximum compensation for such members and officers. (Sec. 908) Amends the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997 to require, for purposes of determining the amount of a Federal benefit payment to an officer or member of the Metropolitan Police Department, that the payment under the District Retirement Program include certain service longevity payments provided for in the Police Recruiting and Retention Enhancement Amendment Act of 1999 (such Act took effect after the freeze date). Title X: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 to change the rate of pay for the Director of the Millennial Housing Commission. Provides for details of Federal personnel to the Commission on a non-reimbursable (currently, reimbursable) basis. (Sec. 1004) Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the adequacy of the capital structure of the Federal Home Loan Bank System as it relates to certain specified risks; (2) the risks associated with further growth in the direct acquisition of mortgages by the System; and (3) a comparison of the risk-based capital standard proposed by the Federal Housing Finance Board for the System to the standard proposed by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight for the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Title XI: Department of the Treasury - Authorizes the President to award: (1) to each of the original twenty-nine Navajo Code Talkers or a surviving family member, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal honoring the Navajo Code Talkers; and (2) to each person who qualified as a Navajo Code Talker (MOS 642) or a surviving family member a silver medal. Title XII: Environmental Protection Agency -Establishes the Aboveground Storage Tank Grant Program for grants to the State of Alaska or the Denali Commission to repair, upgrade, or replace such tanks that: (1) leak or pose an imminent threat of leaking; and (2) are located in a Native village the median household income of which is less than 80 percent of such income in the State, are located within the boundaries of a National Park or Wildlife Refuge System unit or national forest, or on public land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, or that receives payments in lieu of taxes. Authorizes appropriations. Title XIII: National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Authorizes the use of excess funds from the sale of timber on Federal property at the John C. Stennis Space Center by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the acquisition of up to 500 acres of real property to establish education and visitor programs and facilities to promote and preserve the regional and national history of the area and, as necessary, for wetlands mitigation. Title XIV: Certain Alaskan Cruise Ship Operations - Applies this title to all cruise vessel authorized to carry 500 or more passengers for hire. (Sec. 1403) Prohibits the discharge of untreated sewage from a cruise vessel into the waters of the Alexander Archipelago (Archipelago) or U.S. navigable waters within the State of Alaska or the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Reserve). Bars the discharge of treated sewage or graywater from such vessels into such areas unless: (1) the vessel is underway and proceeding at at least six knots; (2) the vessel is not less than one nautical mile from the nearest shore, except in areas designated by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating; (3) the discharge complies with all vessel effluent standards; and (4) the vessel is not in an area where the discharge of treated sewage or graywater is prohibited. Defines "graywater" as galley, dishwasher, bath, and laundry waste water. Authorizes the EPA Administrator to promulgate regulations allowing the otherwise prohibited discharge of treated sewage or graywater where the discharge meets effluent standards determined appropriate for discharges into the marine environment. Allows such discharges, subject to certain conditions, until such regulations are promulgated. (Sec. 1405) Makes discharge prohibitions inapplicable to discharges made for purposes of securing the safety of the vessel or saving life at sea, provided that reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent or minimize the discharge. (Sec. 1406) Requires the Secretary to incorporate into the commercial vessel examination program an inspection regime sufficient to verify that cruise vessels visiting ports in Alaska or operating in the Archipelago or U.S. navigable waters in Alaska or the Reserve are in full compliance with this title, other Federal laws and regulations, and international treaty requirements. Provides for sampling and testing of cruise ship discharges. (Sec. 1407) Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate effluent standards for treated sewage and graywater from cruise vessels operating in such waters. (Sec. 1408) Requires any person in charge of a cruise vessel who has knowledge of a discharge described by this title to report immediately to the Secretary. (Sec. 1409) Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this title. (Sec. 1410) Authorizes the State of Alaska, upon determining that the protection and enhancement of water quality of the Archipelago or U.S. navigable waters in Alaska or the Reserve require greater environmental protection, to petition the Administrator to prohibit the discharge of graywater and sewage from cruise vessels operating in such waters. Title XV: Life Act Amendments - LIFE Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to extend the application of a provision which allows for the adjustment to permanent resident status of certain aliens who entered the United States without inspection. Conditions such authorization on an alien being physically present in the United States on this Act's enactment date. (Sec. 1503) Amends the Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act to provide for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain alien class action participants who participated in Zambrano v. INS. Makes a provision of the INA that requires the reinstatement of removal orders against aliens reentering the United States illegally inapplicable to such class action participants. Provides certain family unity benefits to such aliens as well. (Sec. 1505) Amends the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act to make INA reinstatement removal provisions inapplicable to certain Nicaraguan and Cuban aliens applying for adjustment of status. Makes a conforming amendment to the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 with respect to certain Haitian aliens. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act to permit certain aliens granted temporary protection from deportation who are otherwise eligible for suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal pursuant to the INA to apply for such relief. (Sec. 1506) Makes this title effective as if included in the enactment of the LIFE Act. Title XVI: Improving Literacy Through Family Literacy Projects - Literacy Involves Families Together Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to revise and reauthorize Even Start Family Literacy Programs (Even Start) (part B of title I provisions for Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards). (Sec. 1602) Extends through FY 2001 the authorization of appropriations for such Even Start programs, and increases the amounts authorized. (Sec. 1603) Requires State plans to assure that State educational agencies (SEAs) will encourage local educational agencies (LEAs) and individual schools participating in a program assisted under ESEA title I part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies) to use part A funds to offer family literacy services, if the LEA or school determines that a substantial number of students served under part A have parents who do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, or who have low levels of literacy. (Sec. 1604) Renames ESEA title I part B as William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs. Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) reserve an increased portion of part B Even Start funds for migrant programs, outlying areas, and Indian tribes, under specified conditions; (2) ensure coordination of family literacy programs under Even Start with similar programs operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); and (3) reserve specified portions of Even Start excess funds for scientifically-based research on family literacy by the National Institute for Literacy. Authorizes States to use a portion of Even Start funds to provide technical assistance and training to subgrantees (partnerships of LEAs and eligible organizations) to improve the quality of their family literacy services, giving priority to low-quality programs, provided that such State use of funds for a fiscal year does not result in a decrease from the level of activities and services provided to program participants in the preceding year. Allows State use of such funds to provide technical assistance for local programs to raise additional funds. Requires a majority of instructional staff whose salaries are paid, in whole or in part, with Federal Even Start funds, within four years after enactment of this Act, to: (1) have an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree in a field related to early childhood education, elementary or secondary school education, or adult education; and (2) meet State-established qualifications for such types of education provided as part of an Even Start or other family literacy program. Requires all new instructional staff, beginning on the enactment of this Act, to meet such requirements. Requires, within such four-year period, that: (1) all paraprofessionals whose salaries are paid with any Federal Even Start funds have at least a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent; and (2) the individual responsible for administration of family literacy services to be trained in operating a family literacy program. Requires Even Start programs to: (1) use research-based reading techniques for children and adults; and (2) encourage participating families to attend regularly and remain in the program a sufficient time to meet their program goals. Allows an Even Start program, despite specified age limitations, to permit children eight years of age or older to participate, if such program collaborates with a part A program and part A funds are used to pay the cost of providing part B Even Start services to such children and if the focus of the program continues to remain on families with young children. Includes among indicators of an area's need for part B funds the presence of high numbers or percentages of parents who have been victims of domestic violence or who are receiving assistance under a State program funded by a block grant for temporary assistance to needy families under the Social Security Act. Requires an SEA, in awarding subgrants to continue an Even Start program after the first year, to review the progress of each eligible entity in meeting program objectives described in the State plan (as well as, under current law, evaluating the program based on State-developed program quality indicators). Sets the same limits on the Federal share of renewed subgrants as on Even Start grants. Directs the National Institute for Literacy to use certain reserved Even Start funds for scientifically-based research to determine: (1) the most effective ways of improving literacy skills of adults with reading difficulties; and (2) how family literacy services can best provide parents with knowledge and skills to support their children's literacy development. Requires such research to be carried out through an entity, including a Federal agency, with expertise in doing longitudinal studies of children's literacy skills development and that has developed effective methods of intervention to help children with reading difficulties. (Sec. 1605) Requires State applications for Even Start grants to describe how the State will encourage programs and projects assisted under Even Start to offer family literacy services if the program or project serves a substantial number of migratory children who have parents who do not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent or who have low levels of literacy. (Sec. 1606) Defines family literacy services under ESEA as services provided to participants on a voluntary basis that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family, and that integrate all of the following activities: (1) interactive literacy activities between parents and their children; (2) training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children; (3) parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency; and (4) an age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences. (Sec. 1607) Amends the Education Amendments Act of 1978 to require BIA-operated family literacy programs, under the early childhood education program for Indian children or other programs, to be coordinated with Even Start family literacy programs under ESEA. Title XVII: Children's Internet Protection - Children's Internet Protection Act - Directs the National Communications and Information Administration to initiate a notice and comment proceeding for purposes of: (1) evaluating whether currently available technology protection measures adequately address the needs of educational institutions; (2) making recommendations on how to foster the development of measures that meet such needs; and (3) evaluating the development and effectiveness of local Internet safety policies that are currently in operation after community input. Subtitle A: Federal Funding for Educational Institution Computers - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prohibit funds made available to a local educational agency for a school that does not receive services at discount rates (as provided under the Children's Internet Protection Act) to use such funds to purchase computers to access the Internet or to pay direct costs for such access unless such school: (1) has a policy of Internet safety for minors that includes the operation of a technology protection measure with respect to computers providing such access to protect against visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors; and (2) is enforcing the operation of such measure during any use of such computers. Authorizes the withholding of funds for noncompliance with such requirements. (Sec. 1712) Amends the Museum and Library Services Act to set forth parallel requirements for the use of technology protection measures in certain libraries receiving funding under such Act. Subtitle B: Universal Service Discounts - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set forth parallel technology protection measure requirements for schools and libraries as a condition for receiving universal service discounts. Subtitle C: Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection - Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require schools and libraries receiving universal service rates to: (1) implement an Internet safety policy that addresses access by minors to inappropriate matter, the safety of minors when using direct electronic communications, unauthorized access and disclosures of information, and measures designed to restrict minors' access to harmful materials; and (2) provide public notice and hold at least one public meeting to address the proposed policy. Requires the determination regarding what matter is inappropriate for minors to be made by the school board, library, or other authority so responsible. Subtitle D: Expedited Review - Requires any civil action challenging the constitutionality of this title to be heard by a three-judge district court. Provides for direct appeal to the Supreme Court of any decree holding this title to be unconstitutional.

Dr. Böhmdorfer, Spitzelaffäre und Rechtsstaat

Austria · National Council · 14 December 2000

Dringliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Dr. Alfred Gusenbauer, Dr. Peter Pilz, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundesminister für Justiz betreffend Dr. Böhmdorfer, "Spitzelaffäre" und Rechtsstaat <i>(Verdacht der parteipolitischen Einflußnahme durch</i> <i>widerrechtlich beschaffte Informationen)</i>

Nationalfond der Republik Österreich für Opfer des Nationalsozialismus, Änderung

Austria · National Council · 14 December 2000

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Peter Kostelka, Ing. Peter Westenthaler, Dr. Andreas Khol, Mag. Terezija Stoisits, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend ein Bundesgesetz, mit dem das Bundesgesetz über den Nationalfonds der Republik Österreich für Opfer des Nationalsozialismus geändert wird

Voters' Bill of Rights for the 21st Century

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2000

Voter's Bill of Rights for the 21st Century - Expresses the sense of Congress that American voters in the 21st century should be entitled to the right to: (1) use a ballot format that permits clear identification of candidates and the accurate implementation of voter's preferences in the selection of candidates; (2) use informational technology to select candidates that is fair and user friendly; (3) vote in a manner not prejudiced by media announcements of election results in time zones where the polls have closed or when races are too close to call; (4) vote in a manner not subject to intimidation; (5) have absentee ballots of members of the uniformed service and civilians counted on Election Day; (6) have a uniform statewide standard for counting and recounting all votes; (7) have an Electoral College which reflects the preferences of voters in a fair and accurate manner; (8) have complaints about elections and election contests resolved fairly, accurately, and efficiently; (9) vote on a day of the week which maximizes voter turnout; and (10) make the most informed decision on Election Day. Title I: 21st Century Bipartisan Electoral Commission - Establishes the 21st Century Bipartisan Electoral Commission to: (1) develop a uniform ballot format for presidential elections that is clear, accurate, and presents candidates in a readily recognizable way and that is easy to use for all age groups and America's diverse population; (2) evaluate existing voting technologies to determine their accuracy and effectiveness in reflecting voter's intentions; (3) make recommendations on the feasibility of a Federal matching grant program for States to implement changes in ballot formats and to purchase new, more accurate, and user-friendly voting machines and tabulation technologies; (4) make recommendations about a method of voter identification to ensure accurate recognition of voters, while insuring that no voter is subject to intimidation of any kind in casting votes; (5) establish standards for military voting that address issues of postmarks, witnessing, and time of receipt of ballots to ensure that the votes of members of the uniformed services are counted on Election Day; (6) establish standards for civilian absentee ballots that address issues of voter identification, witnessing, and time of receipt to ensure that these ballots are counted on Election Day; (7) make recommendations to establish a uniform poll closing time; (8) make recommendations on the appropriateness of changing Election Day in presidential election years to the first Sunday in November to increase voter participation; (9) reassess the electoral college and evaluate strategies to better reflect voters intentions across the country for electing the President and Vice President; (10) examine State laws to determine whether or not each State has a uniform statewide standard for vote tabulation, protests, and contests of national, State, and local elections which would protect against equal protection violations under the Constitution; and (11) make recommendations on conducting a 21st Century Voter Education Campaign publicizing its recommendations. Directs the Commission to establish and operate a website to facilitate public comment on and participation in its activities. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Review of Role of Media - Expresses the sense of Congress that broadcasters and other members of the media should review and take steps to strengthen their participation in the voluntary agreement on election reporting described in the report entitled "Single Poll Closing Time for Presidential General Elections in the Continental United States."

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2000

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Labor for: (1) training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and other trust funds; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (8) the Employment Standards Administration; (9) certain special benefits; (10) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (11) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (12) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (13) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (14) departmental management; (15) veterans employment and training; and (16) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 103) Amends part A (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require entities receiving welfare-to-work grant funds to remit to the Secretary of Labor any funds not expended within five (currently, three) years after the date such funds are provided; and (2) eliminate set-aside welfare-to-work grants for successful performance States. (Sec. 104) Prohibits the use of funds provided in any Act making appropriations for FY 2001 to implement regulations regarding temporary alien labor certification applications and petitions for admission of nonimmigrant workers or any similar or successor rule with an effective date prior to October 1, 2001. (Sec. 106) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make funds available from the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account for decreasing processing time for permanent labor certification applications. Title II: Department of Health and Human Services - Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including amounts for the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, the Office of the Director, and buildings and facilities; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Health Care Financing Administration for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, and program management; (9) the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (10) the Administration for Children and Families for child support enforcement and family support programs; (11) low income home energy assistance; (12) refugee and entrant assistance; (13) the child care and development block grant; (14) the social services block grant; (15) children and families services programs; (16) promoting safe and stable families pursuant to a specified provision of the Social Security Act; (17) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (18) the Administration on Aging; (19) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (20) the Office of Inspector General; (21) the Office for Civil Rights; (22) policy research; (23) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers; and (24) the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. Rescinds FY 2001 funds for a sample study of child welfare. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 209) Prohibits funds appropriated in this Act from being made available under title X (population research and voluntary family planning) of the Public Health Service Act unless the award applicant certifies to the Secretary of HHS that it encourages family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning services and provides counseling to minors on resisting attempts to coerce them into engaging in sexual activities. (Sec. 210) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the Medicare+Choice program if the Secretary of HHS denies participation in such program to an otherwise eligible entity (including a Provider Sponsored Organization) because the entity informs the Secretary that it will not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or provide referrals for abortions. (Sec. 212) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY 2001 the authorization of admission into the United States of a specified number of refugees from the independent states of the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania based on religious persecution owing to participation in the Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox churches. Makes September 30, 2001, the latest allowable entry date for specified aliens from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia for purposes of qualifying for adjustment of status. (Sec. 213) Prohibits the use of funds provided in any Act making FY 2001 appropriations for the implementation in Arizona or in Kansas City, Missouri or Kansas, of the Medicare Competitive Pricing Demonstration Project operated by the Secretary of HHS. (Sec. 214) Prohibits funds appropriated by this Act from being used to withhold substance abuse funding from a State pursuant to Public Health Service Act provisions for withholding funds from States that are not in compliance with specified requirements prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors if a State certifies to the Secretary of HHS by March 1, 2001, that it will commit additional State funds to ensure compliance with State laws prohibiting such sales. Requires States to maintain expenditures in FY 2001 for tobacco prevention programs and compliance activities at a level not less than that maintained for FY 2000 and adding to that level the additional funds for such compliance activities required by this section. Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act to withhold such substance abuse funding from a territory that receives less than $1 million. (Sec. 216) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being expended by NIH on a contract for the care of the 288 chimpanzees acquired by NIH from the Coulston Foundation unless the contractor is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International or has a Public Health Service assurance and has not been charged multiple times with egregious violations of the Animal Welfare Act. (Sec. 218) Extends the authority for Federal agencies to offer physicians comparability allowances until September 30, 2005 (currently, September 30, 2000). (Sec. 219) Amends the Public Health Service Act to add to the list of requirements to be met by qualified organ procurement organizations that an organization has been certified or recertified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services within the previous four-year period as meeting performance standards. Requires certification or recertification to be made through a process that either granted certification or recertification with such certification or recertification in effect as of January 1, 2000, and remaining in effect through the earlier of January 1, 2002, or the completion of recertification under regulations promulgated by the Secretary, or that is defined through regulations promulgated by January 1, 2002, that: (1) require recertifications of such organizations no more frequently than once every four years; (2) rely on outcome and process performance measures that are based on empirical evidence of organ donor potential and other related factors in each service area of such organizations; (3) use multiple outcome measures as part of the certification process; and (4) provide for a qualified organization to appeal a decertification to the Secretary on substantive and procedural grounds. (Sec. 220) Authorizes the Secretary of HHS to use certain authorities under the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 and enter into reimbursable agreements with the Department of State in order for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to carry out international HIV/AIDS, other infectious, chronic, and environmental disease, and other health activities abroad during FY 2001. (Sec. 225) Names the National Neuroscience Research Center to be constructed on the NIH Bethesda campus the John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center. Title III: Department of Education - Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Education for: (1) education reform; (2) education for the disadvantaged; (3) impact aid; (4) school improvement activities; (5) reading excellence; (6) Indian education; (7) bilingual and immigrant education; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) student financial assistance; (13) the Federal Family Education Loan program account; (14) higher education; (15) Howard University; (16) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (17) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (18) education research, statistics, and improvement; (19) departmental management; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; and (21) the Office of the Inspector General. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. (Sec. 301) Sets forth general provisions, including prohibitions on use of funds for: (1) transportation to carry out racial desegregation plans, (2) requiring transporting of students for grade restructuring, school pairing, or school clustering, except for special education students and magnet schools; (3) preventing implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in public schools; and (4) transfers of funds beyond specified limits. (Sec. 305) Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate specified aspects of the allocation of funds for programs to help disadvantaged schoolchildren, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) title I part A. (Sec. 306) Requires that specified funds for ESEA title VI programs for promoting equity be allocated through States to local educational agencies (LEAs) for programs to reduce class size with fully qualified teachers. (Sec. 307) Amends the National Educational Statistics Act of 1994 with respect to membership of the National Assessment Governing Board. (Sec. 308) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise student loan program provisions with respect to: (1) restoration of institutional eligibility to participate; and (2) compensation of auditors and examiners. (Sec. 310) Amends the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations in necessary amounts through FY 2003 for tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institutions. (Sec. 311) Provides for perfection of security interests in specified student loans under HEA. (Sec. 312) Revises deadlines for institutions to lower student loan default rates. (Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary of Education to transfer a specified amount from the Fund for the Improvement of Education to the Secretary of the Interior for an award to the National Constitution Center for certain construction activities. (Sec. 314) Revises ESEA with respect to certain character education and programs. (Sec. 315) Directs the Secretary of Education to review the nursing program operated by Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, with discretion to waive certain HEA requirements. (Sec. 316) Revises authorized activities for which States may use incentive grants under the special leveraging educational assistance partnership program under HEA. Prohibits use of such grant funds for administrative costs. (Sec. 317) Allows grant recipients for student support services projects under HEA to use such funds to provide grant aid to students. (Sec. 318) Revises HEA provisions relating to the availability of variable rates of interest under student loan programs. (Sec. 319) Amends the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 to designate certain scholarships for Olympic trainees as B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships. (Sec. 320) Directs the Secretary of Education to release without consideration the reversionary interests retained by the United States as part of the conveyance of certain real property in Marin County, California. (Sec. 321) Directs the Secretary of Education to allocate specified funds for school repair and renovation and technology activities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to certain entities for specified purposes with certain criteria and conditions. (Sec. 322) Establishes and authorizes appropriations for a new ESEA program under which the Secretary of Education is to make at least three demonstration grants for innovative methods of assisting charter school facility acquisition, construction, and renovation by enhancing the availability of loans or bond financing. (Sec. 323) Revises certain formulas under ESEA impact aid programs with respect to: (1) numbers of eligible federally connected children for whom LEAs may receive payments; and (2) determination of average tax rates for general fund purposes for LEAs. Title IV: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Office of Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Education Goals Panel; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the social security trust funds, special benefits for disabled coal miners, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (16) U.S. Institute of Peace. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this title. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, funds appropriated under this Act. (Sec. 505) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act for programs to distribute sterile needles or syringes for the injection of illegal drugs. (Sec. 506) Sets forth Buy American requirements. (Sec. 508) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being expended for abortions or for health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion, except in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or where a woman suffers from a physical condition that would, as certified by a physician, place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Sec. 510) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; or (2) research in which a human embryo is destroyed or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero under Federal regulations and the Public Health Service Act. (Sec. 511) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act for activities to promote the legalization of a controlled substance unless there is significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage to the use of such substance or that federally-sponsored trials are being conducted to determine such advantage. (Sec. 515) Amends the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act to apply a certain schedule for the delivery of SSI supplementation payments to months after September 2001 (currently, 2009). (Sec. 516) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements with States and other entities to conduct sentinel surveillance or other special studies to determine the prevalence in various age groups and populations of specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) in different sites in various U.S. regions through collection of special specimens for HPV using a variety of laboratory-based testing and diagnostic tools; and (2) develop and analyze data from the HPV sentinel surveillance system. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Centers, to conduct prevention research on HPV. Directs the Secretary to prepare and distribute educational materials that include information on HPV. Requires the Secretary to reexamine existing condom labels authorized pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to determine whether the labels are medically accurate regarding their effectiveness in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. (Sec. 517) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to remove the warning label requirement for foods containing saccharin. Amends the Saccharin Study and Labeling Act to repeal requirements for statements on vending machines regarding saccharin health risks and for the distribution of information on saccharin. (Sec. 518) Amends title VIII (Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Commissioner of Social Security to enter into an agreement with any State that provides cash payments on a regular basis to individuals entitled to benefits under such title under which the Commissioner makes such payments on behalf of the State. (Sec. 520) Reduces amounts made available under this Act for departmental management for the Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education on a pro rata basis. Title VI: Assets for Independence - Assets for Independence Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Assets for Independence Act (AIA) (which is title IV of the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998) to revise various provisions relating to program administration and flexibility in the AIA demonstration program (which is to determine the effects that certain savings accounts called individual development accounts (IDAs) can have on low-income individuals and their families). Excludes funds attributable to matching contributions by qualified entities from IDA emergency withdrawals. Includes among eligible grantees low-income credit unions and community development financial institutions. Revises requirements for withdrawals from IDA accounts for the purchase of a home. Increases the amount of funds set aside for economic literacy training and administrative costs. Includes a Federal poverty measure among alternative eligibility criteria. Declares that funds in an IDA shall be disregarded entirely for purposes of determining eligibility for Federal programs based on need. Title VII: Physical Education for Progress Act - Physical Education for Progress Act - Amends title X (Programs of National Significance) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to, and enter into contracts with, local educational agencies (LEAs) to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs for all kindergarten through 12th grade students. (Sec. 701) Requires such grants and contracts to be used for providing: (1) equipment and support to enable students to actively participate in physical education activities; and (2) funds for staff and teacher training and education. Requires LEA assistance applications for such assistance to contain plans for helping school physical education programs make progress toward meeting State standards for physical education. Prohibits extracurricular activities such as team sports and Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program activities from consideration as part of the curriculum of a physical education program assisted under this title. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Early Learning Opportunities - Early Learning Opportunities Act - Provides funds for increasing: (1) availability of early learning programs; and (2) compensation for child care providers. (Sec. 804) Declares that: (1) no person, including a parent, shall be required to participate in any program of early childhood education, early learning, parent education, or developmental screening under this title; (2) nothing in this title shall be construed to affect the rights of parents otherwise established in Federal, State, or local law; and (3) no entity receiving funds under this title shall be required to provide services under this title through a particular instructional method or in a particular instructional setting. (Sec. 805) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (Sec. 806) Directs the Secretary of HHS and the Secretary of Education to develop mechanisms to resolve administrative and programmatic conflicts between Federal programs that would be a barrier to parents, caregivers, service providers, or children related to the coordination of services and funding for early learning programs. Requires nonrestrictive use of equipment and supplies for collaborative activities funded under this title and other law providing for Federal child care or early learning programs. (Sec. 807) Directs the Secretary of HHS to award grants to States to award subgrants to Local Councils to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out early learning programs in the locality served by the Local Council. Sets forth requirements for: (1) uses of funds; (2) duties of Lead State Agencies and of Local Councils; (3) reservations of funds for Indian tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; (4) State allotments based on numbers of children age four and younger and of such children in families below the poverty line; (5) Federal and State grant administration; (6) State eligibility and preferences for Local Councils, and Local Council preferences for projects; (7) performance goals; and (8) local allocations, applications, and administration. Title IX: Rural Education Achievement Program - Rural Education Achievement Program - Revises ESEA title X part J subpart 2 to set forth the Rural Education Initiative. (Sec. 901) Authorizes appropriations for formula grants and competitive grants programs for rural LEAs with small enrollments (less than 600). Sets forth program requirements for academic achievement assessments and accountability.

Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2000

Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Title I: Community Renewal and New Markets - Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 40 renewal communities, of which at least 12 shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows: (1) a renewal community employment credit; (2) a commercial revitalization deduction; (3) increased expensing for renewal community business assets; and (4) the work opportunity credit for hiring youth residing in renewal communities. Subtitle B: Extension and Expansion of Empowerment Zone Incentives - Provides for the designation of additional empowerment zones and increased empowerment zone tax incentives. Subtitle C: New Markets Tax Credit - Establishes a new markets tax credit with respect to specified qualified low-income community investments. Sets a national new markets tax credit limitation. Subtitle D: Improvements in Low-Income Housing Credit - Amends the Code, with respect to the low-income housing credit, to revise the formula for the State housing credit ceiling. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to the State ceiling. (Sec. 132) Revises the housing priority selection criteria a housing credit agency must use to develop a qualified plan for allocating housing credit dollar amounts among projects. Requires such criteria to include: (1) whether the project would use existing housing as part of a community revitalization plan; (2) tenant populations of individuals with children; and (3) projects intended for eventual tenant ownership. Drops from such criteria participation of local tax-exempt organizations. Requires a qualified allocation plan to give preference in making allocations to projects located in qualified census tracts whose development contributes to a concerted community revitalization plan. (Sec. 133) Requires housing credit agencies to: (1) provide for a comprehensive market study (by a disinterested party, at the developer's expense) of the housing needs of low-income individuals in the area to be served by the project before the credit allocation is made; and (2) make public a written explanation for any allocation of a housing credit dollar amount not made in accordance with the agency's established priorities and selection criteria. (Sec. 134) Revises special rules for the determination of the adjusted basis of buildings eligible for the low-income housing credit. Requires adjusted basis to include property used throughout the taxable year in providing any community service facility designed to serve primarily individuals (even if they are not tenants) whose income is 60 percent or less of area median income. Declares that assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 shall be disregarded in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for purposes of the low-income housing credit. (Sec. 135) Revises the definition of a qualified building (placed in service not later than the second calendar year following a housing credit dollar amount allocation) with respect to which the amount of a low-income housing credit may exceed the credit amount allocated to the building. Sets an alternative date for valuation of the taxpayer's actual basis in the project of which the building is a part (where the actual basis is more than ten percent of the taxpayer's reasonably expected basis). Allows the valuation of the actual basis to be as of the later of the date which is six months after the date that the allocation was made or (as currently) the close of the calendar year in which the allocation is made. Revises the formula for determination of the amount of State housing credit ceiling returned in a calendar year to include the dollar amount previously allocated to a project which fails to meet the ten percent test on a date after the close of the calendar year in which the allocation was made. Revises special rules for the increased basis of a building located in certain high cost areas to redefine a qualified census tract to include, as an alternative to existing criteria, a tract with a poverty rate of at least 25 percent. (Sec. 136) Revises the formula for determining unused housing credit carryovers allocated among certain States. Subtitle E: Other Community Renewal and New Markets Assistance - Part I: Provisions Relating to Housing and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 to direct the Secretary to transfer ownership of qualified HUD-held properties (substandard or unoccupied multifamily or unoccupied single family properties) to local governments and community development corporations under specified conditions. Requires such properties to be held by HUD for at least six months. (Sec. 142) Directs the Secretary, upon request of the appropriate jurisdiction, to designate as a revitalization area all portions of such jurisdiction meeting the necessary criteria. (Sec. 143) Revises the current demonstration mortgage reinsurance program to: (1) make such program a risk-sharing program served by private mortgage insurers and insured community development financial institutions (as defined by this Act); (2) enlarge the program to four administrative areas; and (3) require such entities to assume a secondary percentage of loss of an insured mortgage. (Sec. 144) Permits a religious organization to receive Federal funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Prohibits funding discrimination against such an organization so long as its program is implemented in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution. Part II: Advisory Council on Community Renewal - Advisory Council on Community Renewal Act - Establishes the Advisory Council on Community Renewal Act to advise the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on the designation of renewal communities and on the exercise of authorities granted to the Secretary pursuant to this title. Subtitle F: Other Provisions - Provides for an accelerated phase-in of specified increases in the volume cap on private activity bonds. (Sec. 162) Repeals the targeted area limitation on the expense deduction for environmental remediation costs and to extend the termination date of such deduction from December 31, 2001, to June 30, 2003. (Sec. 163) Extends the DC homebuyer tax credit for two additional years. (Sec. 164) Extends DC Enterprise Zone provisions for an additional year. (Sec. 165) Expands and extends the enhanced deduction for corporate donations of computer technology. (Sec. 166) Provides for the treatment of Indian tribal governments under Federal Unemployment Tax Act. Title II: Two-Year Extension of Availability of Medical Savings Accounts - Extends, for two years the availability of medical savings accounts. Renames such accounts Archer MSAs. Title III: Administrative and Technical Provisions - Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth various administrative provisions, including provisions concerning: (1) the exemption of certain reporting requirements; (2) the extension of deadlines for IRS compliance with certain notice requirements; (3) the extension of authority for undercover operations; (4) confidentiality of certain documents relating to closing and similar agreements and to agreements with foreign governments; (5) an increase in the threshold for Joint Committee reports on refunds and credits; (6) the treatment of missing children with respect to certain tax benefits; (7) the prevention of the duplication of loss through the assumption of liabilities giving rise to a deduction; and (8) the disclosure of certain return information to the Congressional Budget Office, but only concerning long-term social security and medicare models. Subtitle B: Technical Corrections - Makes amendments to the: (1) Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999; (2) Tax and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998; (3) Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; (4) Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; (5) Balanced Budget Act of 1997; (6) Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996; and (7) Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990. Title IV: Tax Treatment of Securities Futures Contracts - States that, in general, a gain or loss attributable to the sale or exchange of a futures contract shall be considered gain or loss from the sale or exchange of property which has the same character as the property to which the contract relates has in the hands of the taxpayer if acquired by the taxpayer.

proposition de loi relative à la répartition des sièges de sénateurs

France · Senate · 13 December 2000

proposition de loi organique relative à l'élection des députés et des sénateurs dans les territoires d'outre-mer et en Nouvelle-Calédonie

France · Senate · 13 December 2000

Bundesverfassungsgesetz über den Verfassungsrang bestimmter finanzausgleichsrechtlicher Bestimmungen

Austria · National Council · 11 December 2000

Bericht des Budgetausschusses über die Regierungsvorlage (387 d.B.): Bundesverfassungsgesetz über den Verfassungsrang bestimmter finanzausgleichsrechtlicher Bestimmungen

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct popular election of the President and Vice President of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2000

Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the direct popular election of the President and the Vice President.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide a new procedure for appointment of Electors for the election of the President and Vice President.

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2000

Constitutional Amendment - Provides for a new procedure for appointment of electors for the election of the President and Vice President under which the number of Electors in each State appointed for each candidate shall bear the same ratio to the total number of Electors as each candidate's popular vote total bears to the overall popular vote total in the State.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide a new procedure for appointment of Electors for the election of the President and Vice President.

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2000

Constitutional Amendment - Provides for a new procedure for appointment of electors for the election of the President and Vice President: (1) two Electors for the winner of the popular vote in a State; plus (2) one Elector for the popular vote winner of each Congressional district. Declares the person receiving the greatest number of Electors appointed from all States to be the President.

Einrichtung einer unabhängigen Regulierungsbehörde in den Bereichen audiovisuelle Medien und Telekommunikation; Einrichtung der "KommAustria"; Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz, Kabel- und Satelliten-Rundfunkgesetz u.a., Änderung

Austria · National Council · 5 December 2000

Bundesgesetz, mit dem ein Bundesverfassungsgesetz über die Einrichtung einer unabhängigen Regulierungsbehörde in den Bereichen audiovisuelle Medien und Telekommunikation erlassen wird, ein Bundesgesetz über die Einrichtung der "Kommunikations-Kommission Austria" ("KommAustria") erlassen wird sowie das Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz, das Kabel- und Satelliten-Rundfunkgesetz, das Rundfunkgesetz, das Fernsehsignalgesetz, das Telekommunikationsgesetz, das Zugangskontrollgesetz, das Kartellgesetz und das Signaturgesetz geändert werden

demokratischer Grundrechte

Austria · National Council · 30 November 2000

Schriftliche Anfrage der Abgeordneten Heidrun Silhavy, Kolleginnen und Kollegen an den Bundeskanzler betreffend demokratische Grundrechte <i>(Zulässigkeit politischer Proteste)</i>

proposition de loi organique relative aux conditions d'application de l'article 68-2 de la Constitution

France · Senate · 30 November 2000

proposition de loi constitutionnelle relative à la Cour de Justice de la République

France · Senate · 30 November 2000

Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz um Bestimmungen über einen weisungsfreien Bundesstaatsanwalt

Austria · National Council · 24 November 2000

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Peter Kostelka, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend ein Bundesverfassungsgesetz, mit dem das Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz um Bestimmungen über einen weisungsfreien Bundesstaatsanwalt ergänzt wird

Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz um Bestimmungen über einen weisungsfreien Bundesstaatsanwalt

Austria · National Council · 22 November 2000

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Peter Kostelka, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend ein Bundesverfassungsgesetz, mit dem das Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz um Bestimmungen über einen weisungsfreien Bundesstaatsanwalt ergänzt wird

Bundesverfassungsgesetz über den Verfassungsrang bestimmter finanzausgleichsrechtlicher Bestimmungen

Austria · National Council · 22 November 2000

Bundesverfassungsgesetz über den Verfassungsrang bestimmter finanzausgleichsrechtlicher Bestimmungen

Römisches Statut des Internationalen Strafgerichtshofs

Austria · National Council · 21 November 2000

Bericht des Außenpolitischen Ausschusses über die Regierungsvorlage (196 d.B.): Römisches Statut des Internationalen Strafgerichtshofs samt Erklärung der Republik Österreich

Bundesvergabegesetz 1997, Änderung

Austria · National Council · 16 November 2000

Bericht und Antrag des Verfassungsausschusses betreffend ein Bundesgesetz, mit dem das Bundesvergabegesetz 1997 geändert wird

proposition de loi constitutionnelle relative aux délais de transposition des directives communautaires

France · Senate · 14 November 2000

Schaffung einer verfassungsrechtlichen Grundlage für das Stellungnahmeverfahren des Bundesrates zu Gesetzesvorschlägen

Austria · National Council · 13 November 2000

Gesetzesantrag der Bundesräte Johann Payer, Jürgen Weiss, Anna Elisabeth Haselbach, Ludwig Bieringer, Prof. Albrecht Konecny und Univ.Prof. Dr. Peter Böhm, Kolleginnen und Kollegen vom 9. November 2000 betreffend ein Bundesverfassungsgesetz, mit dem das Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz 1920 in der Fassung von 1929 geändert wird <i>(Schaffung einer verfassungsrechtlichen Grundlage für das</i> <i>Stellungnahmeverfahren des Bundesrates zu</i> <i>Gesetzesvorschlägen)</i>

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2000

Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Title I: Intelligence Activities - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the conduct of intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); (2) Department of Defense (DOD); (3) Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) National Security Agency (NSA); (5) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); (6) National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA); (7) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (8) Departments of State, the Treasury, and Energy; and (9) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (Sec. 102) Specifies that the amounts authorized to be appropriated and the authorized personnel ceilings as of September 30, 2001, for such activities are those specified in the Classified Schedule of Authorizations, which shall be made available to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the President. (Sec. 103) Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), with the approval of Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to authorize the employment of civilian personnel in excess of the number authorized for FY 2001 when the DCI determines that such action is necessary to the performance of important intelligence functions, subject to specified limitations. Requires notification of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees when such authority is exercised. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for the Community Management Account of the DCI for FY 2001. Authorizes full-time personnel for elements within such Account as of September 30, 2001. Provides for the reimbursement of any U.S. officer or employee, or member of the armed forces, who is detailed to such staff. Earmarks funds authorized under this Act for the National Drug Intelligence Center. Requires a transfer of funds from the DCI to the Attorney General to operate the Center. (Sec. 105) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to provide that, with respect to DOD, the authority to object to a transfer of funds or personnel within the National Foreign Intelligence Program may be delegated by the Secretary of Defense (Secretary), but only to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. (Currently, the Secretary or the head of the military department involved may object to such a transfer.) Title II: Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund. Title III: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Intelligence Community - Permits appropriations authorized by this Act for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees to be increased by such additional amounts as may be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits authorized by law. (Sec. 302) Specifies that the authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or laws of the United States. (Sec. 303) Expresses the sense of Congress that the DCI should continue to direct that elements of the intelligence community should competitively award contracts in a manner that maximizes the procurement of products properly designated as having been made in the United States. (Sec. 304) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to establish the National Security Agency Voluntary Separation Pay Act to authorize the DCI to establish a program under which NSA employees who are at least 50 years old and have completed 20 years of service or who have completed 25 years of service shall be eligible for early retirement, separation pay for voluntary separation, or both. Provides: (1) separation pay limits and certain reemployment restrictions; and (2) certain reporting requirements concerning the use of such authority. (Sec. 305) Empowers the DCI to authorize travel on any common carrier when such travel: (1) is consistent with intelligence community mission requirements; or (2) is required for covert purposes, operational needs, or other exceptional circumstances necessary for the successful performance of such a mission. (Sec. 306) Requires the DCI to update a report required under a prior intelligence authorization Act concerning the authority of DOD to engage in commercial activities in connection with intelligence collection activities. (Sec. 307) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to require the DCI to establish and maintain in the intelligence community an analytic capability with responsibilities for intelligence in support of U.S. activities relating to post-1990 unaccounted for U.S. personnel (military missing persons and U.S. nationals killed while engaged in activities on behalf of the United States). (Sec. 308) Prohibits any Federal law that implements a treaty or other international agreement from being construed as making unlawful an otherwise lawful and authorized intelligence activity of the U.S. Government or its employees, or other person acting on their behalf, unless such law specifically addresses such activity. (Sec. 309) Requires the DCI to certify to the intelligence committees whether or not each element of the State Department that handles, retains, or stores classified material (element) is in full compliance with all applicable directives relating to such materials. Requires a report to the intelligence committees when noncompliance is determined. Prohibits an element from retaining or storing classified information until full compliance is achieved. Authorizes the DCI to waive the applicability of this section in the national security interest, requiring a report to the intelligence committees upon the exercise of such waiver. (Sec. 310) Designates a portion of Woodrow Wilson Plaza in Washington, D.C., as Daniel Patrick Moynihan Place, in recognition of such Senator's promotion of architecture and urban planning in the Nation's capital. Subtitle B: Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office (DTS-PO) - Reorganizes the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Program Office (DTS-PO) established under the Department of State and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1992 to: (1) state as a Program purpose the establishment and maintenance of a diplomatic telecommunications system and network capable of providing multiple levels of service at diplomatic facilities abroad; (2) establish the position of Chief Executive Officer of the DTS-PO, with specified duties; (3) establish Deputy Executive Officer positions; and (4) authorize the OMB Director to prescribe pay rates for DTS-PO employees. (Sec. 323) Establishes the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service Oversight Board to perform specified DTS-PO oversight activities. (Sec. 324) Requires the OMB Director to report to specified congressional committees on DTS-PO program elements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 through 2006. Title IV: Central Intelligence Agency - Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to require receipts for utility services and meals and for the rental of property and equipment to CIA employees and detailees to be deposited into the Central Services Working Capital Fund. (Sec. 403) Amends the above Act to require a report from the Inspector General (IG) to the intelligence committees when: (1) an investigation, inspection, or audit focuses on a current or former CIA official who holds or held a position subject to appointment by the President, or holds or held the CIA executive director or certain deputy director positions; (2) a matter requires a report from the IG to the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning possible criminal conduct of a current or former CIA official; (3) the IG receives notice from the DOJ declining or approving prosecution of possible criminal conduct of any such official; or (4) the IG, after exhausting all possible alternatives, is unable to obtain significant documentary information in the course of an investigation, inspection, or audit. ( (Sec. 404) Authorizes the DCI to detail CIA employees to the NRO. (Sec. 405) Provides a three-year availability for obligation of CIA funds transferred after FY 2000 to another Federal department or agency for the acquisition of land. Requires an annual report from the DCI to the intelligence committees on such fund transfers. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the DCI to designate and reimburse CIA employees for one-half of the costs of professional liability insurance. Requires a report from the DCI to the intelligence committees on each designation. Title V: Department of Defense Intelligence Activities - Directs NRO to negotiate, write, execute, and manage vehicle acquisition or launch contracts that affect or bind NRO and to which the United States is a party. (Sec. 502) Requires the Secretary to respond within 30 days to a request from the DCI to exercise the Secretary's authority under prior law to carry out a program of special personnel management at NIMA and NSA for the recruitment of experts in science and engineering. (Sec. 503) Requires the DCI, in coordination with the Secretary, to study and report to the defense and intelligence committees on the utility and feasibility of various options for improving the management and organization of measurement and signature intelligence. Title VI: Counterintelligence Matters - Counterintelligence Reform Act of 2000 - Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (the Act, for purposes of this title) to direct the Attorney General (AG), upon request from the FBI Director, the Secretary of Defense or State, or the DCI, to review an application for a court order approving the electronic surveillance of a foreign power or foreign agent suspected of espionage. Prohibits any requesting official from delegating such authority, except due to disability. Requires the AG to notify a requesting official of his determination, including any modifications needed before approving the application. Authorizes the issuing judge to consider past activities of the target (as well as facts and circumstances relating to current and future activities of such target) in determining whether or not probable cause exists for issuance of the order. (Sec. 603) Provides the same requirements, prohibitions, and authorities as above for requests from such officials for a court order for a physical search of a target under the Act. (Sec. 604) Requires information acquired under the Act to be included in required semiannual reports from the AG to the intelligence committees concerning all electronic surveillance conducted by the United States. Requires the AG to report to such committees on the authorities and procedures utilized by the DOJ for determining whether or not to disclose for law enforcement purposes information acquired under the Act. (Sec. 605) Requires the FBI Director to submit to the head of the Federal agency or department concerned a written assessment of the potential impact of the actions of that agency or department on an FBI counterintelligence investigation. Requires the agency or department head to use such assessment to determine whether their actions should be continued. Requires the Director and appropriate agency or department head to continue to consult in a timely manner with respect to such investigations. Requires the FBI to notify appropriate officials within the executive branch of the commencement of a full field espionage investigation of a Federal employee. Prohibits such official, after such notification, from taking any action with respect to such employee that would likely alert the employee to the FBI investigation. (Sec. 606) Authorizes appropriations to DOJ for FY 2001 through 2003 for certain activities of the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review for providing increased protection of national security at DOJ. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any such funds for FY 2002 and 2003 until the AG reports to the intelligence committees on the manner in which such funds will be used. Requires the AG to report to such committees concerning: (1) corrective actions concerning electronic surveillance; and (2) actions to be taken to promote quick and efficient responses to national security issues, as well as the appropriate dissemination of intelligence information within DOJ and the formulation of policy on national security issues. (Sec. 607) Amends the Classified Information Procedures Act to direct the Assistant AG for the Criminal Division of DOJ and the appropriate U.S. Attorney to brief senior agency officials with respect to any case involving classified information that originated in the agency of that senior official. Title VII: Declassification of Information - Public Interest Declassification Act of 2000 - Establishes within the executive branch the Public Interest Declassification Board to: (1) advise the President and other appropriate executive officials on the systematic, thorough, coordinated, and comprehensive identification, collection, review for declassification, and release to Congress, interested agencies, and the public of records and materials that are of archival value, including those of extraordinary public interest; (2) promote the fullest possible public access to a documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities; (3) provide recommendations to the President for the identification, collection, and review for declassification of such information that does not undermine the U.S. national security interest; and (4) advise the President and other appropriate officials on policies deriving from the issuance of executive orders regarding the classification and declassification of national security information. (Sec. 704) Requires the head of any agency with authority to classify information to provide annually to the Board or one of the intelligence committees a summary briefing and report on their declassification of national security information. Requires the Board to then recommend to such agency ways in which their declassification program could be improved. Requires the Board to recommend to the President proposed initiatives to identify, collect, and review for declassification classified records and materials of extraordinary public interest. Requires the OMB Director to publish annually a description of the President's declassification program and priorities, and the funds requested to implement such program. (Sec. 705) States that nothing in this Act shall limit the authority of the: (1) head of an agency to classify information or to continue the classification of information previously classified, or to grant or deny access to a special access program; or (2) DCI to protect intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure. (Sec. 706) Requires the head of each agency with authority to classify information and the head of each Federal Presidential library to designate an employee to act as liaison to the Board for purposes of this title. Requires such agency or library head to notify the Board when he or she determines it necessary to deny or restrict Board access to information contained in a record or material held by such agency or library. Allows an agency head, at the conclusion of a declassification review, to determine either that the public interest in a disclosure outweighs its need for protection, or that the interest of the agency to protect the information outweighs the public's need for access. Requires the Board to report annually to specified congressional committees on Board activities under this title. Outlines procedures for agency notification to the Board that access to records or materials has been denied. (Sec. 707) States that this Act does not create any right or benefit subject to judicial review. (Sec. 708) Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Disclosure of Information on Japanese Imperial Governmen t- Japanese Imperial Government Disclosure Act of 2000 - Directs the President to require the Nazi War Criminal Records Interagency Working Group, established under prior law, to remain in existence for three years. Requires the Group to: (1) locate, identify, inventory, recommend for declassification, and make available to the public all classified Japanese Imperial Government records of the United States relating to the experimentation and persecution by the Japanese Government or its allies of persons because of race, religion, national origin, or political opinion; (2) expedite the release of such records to the public; and (3) report to Congress. Redesignates such Group as the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 803) Requires the Group to release such records in their entirety, with certain confidentiality or national security exceptions. Provides a rebuttable presumption that the public interest will be served by the disclosure of such records. (Sec. 804) Provides for the expedited processing of Freedom of Information Act requests for such records for parties claiming to have been so persecuted.

44 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will introduce legislation and a Bill to amend the Constitution to enshrine and recognise the role of carers in society based on the carer's charter of Care Alliance Ireland. [24985/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 November 2000

44 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will introduce legislation and a Bill to amend the Constitution to enshrine and recognise the role of carers in society based on the carer's charter of Care Alliance Ireland. [24985/00]

44 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will introduce legislation and a Bill to amend the Constitution to enshrine and recognise the role of carers in society based on the carer's charter of Care Alliance Ireland. [24985/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 November 2000

44 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will introduce legislation and a Bill to amend the Constitution to enshrine and recognise the role of carers in society based on the carer's charter of Care Alliance Ireland. [24985/00]

proposition de loi relative à l'âge maximal d'éligibilité aux élections

France · Senate · 8 November 2000

proposition de loi organique relative à l'âge maximal d'éligibilité aux élections des députés et des sénateurs

France · Senate · 8 November 2000

6 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the work of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution; if he has received an interim report from the committee; and when a final report will be published. [24061/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 November 2000

6 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the work of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution; if he has received an interim report from the committee; and when a final report will be published. [24061/00]

5 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself with the work of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22940/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 November 2000

5 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself with the work of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22940/00]

4 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach the plans he has to bring forward amendments to the Constitution within the lifetime of this Dáil. [21139/0]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 November 2000

4 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach the plans he has to bring forward amendments to the Constitution within the lifetime of this Dáil. [21139/0]

3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the plans he has for amendments to the Constitution or for referenda to be brought forward during the current Dáil session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21075/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 November 2000

3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the plans he has for amendments to the Constitution or for referenda to be brought forward during the current Dáil session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21075/00]

1 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, for amendments to the Constitution he intends to bring forward within the lifetime of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19835/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 8 November 2000

1 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, for amendments to the Constitution he intends to bring forward within the lifetime of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19835/00]

180 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft of the report on abortion from the chairperson of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; if he has made any submissions to the chairperson as to the contents of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21932/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 November 2000

180 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft of the report on abortion from the chairperson of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; if he has made any submissions to the chairperson as to the contents of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21932/00]

110 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft copy of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution report on abortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 November 2000

110 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft copy of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution report on abortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/00]

180 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft of the report on abortion from the chairperson of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; if he has made any submissions to the chairperson as to the contents of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21932/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 November 2000

180 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft of the report on abortion from the chairperson of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; if he has made any submissions to the chairperson as to the contents of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21932/00]

110 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft copy of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution report on abortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/00]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 7 November 2000

110 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a draft copy of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution report on abortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/00]

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct popular election of the President and Vice President of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2000

Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the direct popular election of the President and the Vice President.

proposition de loi relative à la promotion publicitaire de la gestion d'une collectivité

France · Senate · 26 October 2000

proposition de loi relative à la publication et à la diffusion de certains sondages d'opinion

France · Senate · 26 October 2000

Taxpayer Relief Act of 2000

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

Taxpayer Relief Act of 2000 - Title I: FSC Repeal and Extraterritorial Income Exclusion - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal subpart C (Taxation of Foreign Sales Corporations) of part III (Income From Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N ( Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of chapter 1 (Normal Taxes and Surtaxes). Excludes from gross income "extraterritorial income," except that extraterritorial income which is not qualifying "qualifying foreign trade income" shall not be excluded from gross income. Defines "extraterritorial income" as gross income of the taxpayer attributable to "foreign trading gross receipts" of the taxpayer. Defines "qualifying foreign trade income," with respect to any transaction, as the amount of gross income which, if excluded, will result in a reduction of the taxable income of the taxpayer from such transaction equal to the greatest of: (1) 30 percent of the foreign sale and leasing income derived by the taxpayer from such transaction; (2) 1.2 percent of the foreign trading gross receipts derived by the taxpayer from the transaction; or (3) 15 percent of the foreign trade income derived by the taxpayer from the transaction. Prohibits, in any event, the amount determined under clause (2) from exceeding 200 percent of the amount determined under clause (3). Permits an alternative computation. Defines "foreign trading gross receipts" as the gross receipts of the taxpayer which are: (1) from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of qualifying foreign trade property; (2) from the lease or rental of qualifying foreign trade property for use by the lessee outside the United States; (3) for services which are related and subsidiary to either any sale, exchange, or other disposition of qualifying foreign trade property by such taxpayer, or any lease or rental of qualifying foreign trade property described in clause (2) by such taxpayer; (4) for engineering or architectural services for construction projects located (or proposed for location) outside the United States; or (5) for the performance of managerial services for a person other than a related person in furtherance of the production of foreign trading gross receipts described in clause (1), (2), or (3). Prohibits clause (5) from applying to a taxpayer for any taxable year unless at least 50 percent of its foreign trading gross receipts (determined without regard to this sentence) for such taxable year is derived from activities described in clause (1), (2), or (3). Excludes specified receipts from the definition. Sets forth additional definitions and rules. Title II: Small Business Tax Relief - Extends the work opportunity tax credit. (Sec. 202) Increases the maximum dollar limitation on reforestation expenses eligible for amortization and suspends such dollar limitation through calendar year 2003. (Sec. 203) Increases to $35,000 the amount which may be expensed as section 179 property. (Sec. 204) Increases the deduction for meal expenses. (Sec. 205) Restores the business meal expense deduction to 80 percent for individuals subject to the hours of service limitations of the Department of Transportation. (Sec. 206) Amends IRC provisions (as amended by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999) to repeal revisions to the Code (made by the Act) which repealed the use of the installment method of accounting for accrual method taxpayers and modified the pledge rules of installment obligations. (Sec. 207)provide that income averaging for farmers shall not increase alternative minimum tax liability. Extends to commercial fishermen the same income averaging provisions currently allowed to farmers. (Sec. 208) Repeals specified occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine, and beer. Revises recordkeeping requirements for wholesale and retail liquor dealers. Makes it unlawful for any liquor dealer (except one selling beer exclusively) to purchase distilled spirits from any person other than a specified wholesale liquor dealer. (Sec. 209) Excludes from individual gross income the discharge of qualified residential indebtedness in excess of the outstanding principal of such indebtedness (prior to discharge) over the sum of any sales proceeds and any other outstanding principal indebtedness secured by the property. (Sec. 210) Permits certain small businesses to use cash accounting. (Sec. 211) Amends the Federal Reserve Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to: (1) provide that a depository institution may permit owners of interest or dividend paying accounts to make up to 24 transfers monthly for any purpose to their other demand deposits in the same institution; and (2) repeal the proscription against the payment of interest on demand deposits. Title III: Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance Provisions - Permits the deduction of 100 percent of the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. (Sec. 302) Phases-in a 100 percent deduction (for both itemizers and nonitemizers) for the health and long-term care insurance costs of individuals not participating in employer-subsidized health plans. (Sec. 303) Extends, for two years the availability of medical savings accounts. (Sec. 304) Revises consumer protection provisions for long-term care insurance contracts. (Sec. 305) Allows a deduction, to itemizers and nonitemizers, for providing long-term care in the home to household members. Title IV: Pension and Individual Retirement Arrangement Provisions - Retirement Savings and Pension coverage Act of 2000 - Subtitle A--Individual Retirement Accounts - Increases IRA contribution limits. Provides for catch-up contributions for individuals over age 50. (Sec. 402) Amends the IRC and ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) to permit employees to make IRA contributions under a qualified employer plan. (Sec. 403) Exempts from inclusion as income individual retirement account (IRA) distributions used for qualified charitable purposes. (Sec. 404) Increases the adjusted gross income limit for Roth IRA contributions and conversions. Subtitle B: Expanding Coverage - Provides for increases in amounts of benefit and contribution limits. Sets indexes for inflation in various increments on such increased limits. (Sec. 412) Revises requirements relating to plan loans for subchapter S owners, partners, and sole proprietors. (Sec. 413) Revises specified top-heavy rules. Repeals family aggregation rules. Revises the definition of key employee. Provides that, at the election of the employer, any employee elective contribution to a plan shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining: (1) whether a plan is a top-heavy plan (or whether any aggregation group which includes such plan is a top-heavy group); or (2) compensation. Requires that employer matching contributions be taken into account for purposes of minimum contribution requirements. Revises requirements for qualifications. Provides for distributions during the last year before a determination date is taken into account. Excludes from the definition of top-heavy plan: (1) cash or deferred arrangements using alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements; and (2) defined contribution plans using alternative methods of meeting nondiscrimination requirements. Provides that elective deferrals will not be taken into account for purposes of a special rule where the maximum contribution is less than three percent. (Sec. 414) Provides that elective deferrals shall not be taken into account for purposes of limits on certain plan contributions. (Sec. 415) Repeals specified coordination requirements under the Code for deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations. (Sec. 416) Eliminates user fee requirements for requests to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the status of pension plans. (Sec. 417) Revises certain deduction limits for stock bonus and profit sharing trusts and for defined contribution plans. (Sec. 418) Provides for optional treatment of elective deferrals as Roth contributions. Subtitle C: Enhancing Fairness for Women - Allows individuals who are age 50 or older to make additional contributions to an applicable employer plan (Section 401(k) plan or similar plan). (Sec. 422) Sets forth requirements relating to equitable treatment for contributions of employees to defined contribution plans. Increases the 25 percent of compensation limitation on annual additions under a defined contribution plan to 100 percent. Declares that certain contributions by church plans are not to be treated as exceeding a specified limit. Sets limits on contributions to a tax-sheltered annuity which are similar to the limits applicable to tax-qualified plans. Increases the 33 and one-third percent of compensation limitation on deferrals under a section 457 plan to 100 percent of compensation. (Sec. 423) Provides for faster vesting of certain employer matching contributions under the Code and ERISA. Requires employer matching contributions to vest at least as rapidly as under three-year cliff vesting or under six-year graded vesting that provides for a nonforfeitable right to 20 percent of employer matching contributions for each year of service beginning with the participant's second year of service and ending with 100 percent after six years of service. (Sec. 424) Revises minimum distribution rules under the Code. Revises requirements for actuarial adjustment of benefits under a defined benefit plan. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) to: (1) simplify and finalize the regulations relating to minimum distribution requirements; and (2) modify such regulations to reflect increases in life expectancy, and revise required distribution methods so that, under reasonable assumptions, the amount of the required minimum distribution does not decrease over a participant's life expectancy. Provides that, during the first year that such revised regulations are in effect, required distributions for future years may be redetermined, with the opportunity to choose a new designated beneficiary and to elect a new method of calculating life expectancy. Excludes specified amounts from minimum distribution requirements. Repeals a rule relating to distributions begun before death occurs. Reduces the excise tax on failures to satisfy the minimum distribution rules to ten percent of the amount that was required to be distributed but was not distributed. (Sec. 425) Revises requirements relating to tax treatment of division of section 457 plan benefits upon divorce. Applies the taxation rules for qualified plan distributions pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order to distributions made pursuant to a domestic relations order from a section 457 plan. (Sec. 426) Modifies provisions for safe harbor relief for hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans. Directs the Secretary to reduce from 12 months to six months the period during which an employee is prohibited from making elective contributions and employee contributions in order for a distribution to be deemed necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need. Provides that a hardship distribution made pursuant to plan terms is not an eligible rollover distribution. (Sec 427) Makes the ten percent excise tax on nondeductible contributions inapplicable to a nondeductible SIMPLE plan or a SIMPLE IRA solely because the contributions are not trade or business expenses. Subtitle D: Increasing Portability for Participants - Permits rollovers from and to various types of plans under the Code. (Sec. 432) Permits individual retirement plan (IRA) rollovers into workplace retirement plans only if certain conditions are met. (Sec. 433) Permits rollover of after-tax contributions in an exempt trust under specified conditions. (Sec. 434) Sets forth a hardship exception to the 60-day rule. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the 60-day rollover period if the failure to waive such requirement would be against equity or good conscience, including cases of casualty, disaster, or other events beyond the reasonable control of the individual subject to such requirement. (Sec. 435) Sets forth requirements for treatment of forms of distribution available under transferor and transferee plans under the Code and ERISA. (Sec. 436) Revises restrictions on distributions, including the same desk exception. Repeals business sale requirements. (Sec. 437) Authorizes trustee-to-trustee transfers to purchase permissive service credit with respect to governmental defined benefit plans. (Sec. 438) Allows employers to disregard rollovers for purposes of cash-out amounts, under retirement plan provisions of the Code. (Sec. 439) Revises minimum distribution and inclusion requirements for section 457 plans. Subtitle E: Strengthening Pension Security and Enforcement - Increases and repeals, for plan years beginning in 2004 and following years, the current liability full funding limit. (Sec. 442) Revises maximum contribution deduction rules. Applies such rules to all defined benefit plans. (Sec. 443) Allows an employer, in determining the amount of nondeductible contributions for any taxable year, to elect not to take into account any contributions to a defined benefit plan except to the extent that they exceed the full-funding limitation. (Sec. 444) Imposes an excise tax on a plan failing to provide required notice of a significant reduction in the rate of future benefit accrual. (Sec. 445) Makes certain compensation limitations for defined benefit plans inapplicable to governmental and multiemployer plans. Prohibits combining or aggregating a multiemployer plan with any other plan maintained by the employer for the purpose of applying such limitations. (Sec. 446) Amends the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to protect investment of employee contributions to 401(k) plans by providing that specified requirements apply to elective deferrals for plan years beginning after December 31, 1998. (Sec. 447) Requires that pension benefit statements be furnished annually (once every three years for defined benefit plans) or on request. Allows written or electronic statements. Requires multiemployer plans to furnish a statement (written or electronic) on request. (Sec. 448) Imposes an excise tax on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) that engage in prohibited transactions with disqualified individuals who are deemed to be substantial shareholders of the corporation sponsoring the plan. Subtitle F: Reducing Regulatory Burdens - Revises requirements relating to timing of plan valuations. (Sec. 452) Allows applicable dividends of ESOPs to be reinvested without loss of dividend deduction. (Sec. 453) Repeals a transition rule relating to certain highly compensated employees under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. (Sec. 454) Directs the Secretary to modify certain regulations with respect to certain plan participation by employees of tax-exempt entities under the Code. (Sec. 455) Treats the provision of certain retirement planning services by an employer to an employee as a de minimis fringe benefit to the extent it is not treated as a working condition fringe. Prohibits including an amount in an employee's gross income solely because the employee may choose between any retirement planning fringe and compensation otherwise includible in gross income, providing such choices are available in a way that does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees. (Sec. 456) Directs the Secretary to provide simplified annual filing requirements for: (1) one-participant (an owner and spouse) retirement plans with assets below a specified amount; and (2) plans with fewer than 25 employees. (Sec. 457) Directs the Secretary to continue to update and improve the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS), or any successor program, giving special attention to: (1) increasing the awareness and knowledge of small employers concerning the availability and use of EPCRS; (2) taking into account special concerns and circumstances that small employers face with respect to compliance and correction of compliance failures; (3) extending the duration of the self-correction period under the Administrative Policy Regarding Self-Correction (APRSC) for significant compliance failures; (4) expanding the availability to correct insignificant compliance failures under APRSC during audit; and (5) assuring that any tax, penalty, or sanction that is imposed by reason of a compliance failure is not excessive and bears a reasonable relationship to the nature, extent, and severity of the failure. (Sec. 458) Repeals a multiple use test, and directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations, as necessary, including ones permitting appropriate aggregation of plans and contributions. (Sec. 459) Directs the Secretary to provide by regulation circumstances under which plans can use a facts and circumstances test, which was in effect before 1994, to satisfy nondiscrimination, coverage, and line of business rules. (Sec. 460) Exempts plans maintained by any governmental entity from certain nondiscrimination rules. (Sec. 461) Directs the Secretary to modify specified regulations to require: (1) that the applicable distribution notice period be not more than 180 (currently 90) and not less than 30 days before the date distribution commences; and (2) the description of a participant's right, if any, to defer receipt of a distribution include a description of the consequences of failing to defer such receipt. (Sec. 462) Revises ERISA requirements for annual report dissemination. (Sec. 463) Revises ERISA provisions concerning the National Summit on Retirement Savings. (Sec. 454) Requires a study concerning the effects of this Act on pension coverage. Subtitle G: Other ERISA Provisions - Amends ERISA to revise requirements relating to missing participants. Directs the PBGC to prescribe rules relating to missing participants for multiemployer plans covered by the PBGC that terminate. Allows the administrator of a plan not otherwise subject to such PBGC regulation to elect to transfer a missing participant's benefits to the PBGC upon termination of the plan, under specified conditions. (Sec. 472) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 to provide that, during the first five years of a new single-employer plan of a small employer (100 or fewer employees), the flat rate Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC) premium will be five dollars per plan participant. (Sec. 473) Provides for a reduced additional PGBC variable premium for new employers. (Sec. 474) Authorizes the PBGC to pay, subject to regulations, interest on the amount of any overpayment of premium refunded to a designated payor. (Sec. 475) Amends ERISA, with respect to limitations on the guarantee of single-employer plan benefits, to rename a "substantial owner" a "majority owner," who owns either the entire interest in an unincorporated trade or business, or: (1) 50 percent or more (currently more than ten percent) of either the capital interest or the profits interest in a partnership; or (2) 50 percent or more (currently more than ten percent) in value of either the voting stock of a corporation or all its stock. Revises the formula for the amount of benefits guaranteed for a majority owner of a plan which is in effect for less than 60 months when the plan terminates. Prescribes priorities for the allocation of assets to benefits when the assets available for the initial allocation are insufficient to satisfy in full the accrued benefits of all the individuals derived from their contributions. (Sec. 476) Increases the amounts of multiemployer plan benefits guaranteed under ERISA. (Sec. 477) Changes from mandatory to discretionary the Secretary of Labor's authority to assess civil penalties against fiduciaries or other persons. Changes the penalty amount from 20 percent of the applicable recovery amount to any amount up to 20 percent of the applicable recovery amount. Revises the meaning of applicable recovery amount. Makes a person jointly and severally liable for the penalty to the same extent that such person is jointly and severally liable for the applicable recovery amount on which the penalty is based. Conditions the assessment of any penalty upon notice to the person and the opportunity for a hearing on the violation and the applicable recovery amount. (Sec. 478) Directs the Secretary of Labor to modify a certain regulation concerning benefit suspension notification in the case of an employer returning to work for a former employer. Subtitle H: Plan Amendments - Prescribes time requirements for plan amendments. Title V: School Construction Provisions - Increases the amount by which certain governmental bonds used to finance public school capital expenditures may be exempted from specified arbitrage bond provisions. (Sec. 502) Modifies arbitrage rebate rules applicable to public school construction bonds. (Sec. 503) Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 to revise the special arbitrage rule. (Sec. 504) Provides for the treatment of qualified public educational facility bonds as exempt facility bonds. Defines a "qualified public educational facility" as any school facility which is: (1) part of a public elementary school or a public secondary school; and (2) owned by a private, for-profit corporation pursuant to a public-private partnership agreement with a State or local educational agency. Provides for an exception from the State volume cap. (Sec. 505) Permits a tax credit to an eligible taxpayer holding a qualified zone academy bond. Defines such a bond. Sets a national zone academy bond limitation. Title VI: Community Revitalization - Subtitle A: Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to designate (upon local or State nomination) up to 40 renewal communities, of which at least 12 shall be in rural areas. Requires for nomination purposes that: (1) the area be experiencing high rates of poverty and unemployment and general distress; and (2) State and local governments enter into written contracts with community organizations to promote specified economic growth and employment activities. Excludes from gross income capital gains on the sale or exchange of a qualified community asset (stock, business property, or partnership interest) held for more than five years. Allows: (1) a renewal community employment credit; (2) a commercial revitalization deduction; (3) increased expensing for renewal community business assets; and (4) the work opportunity credit for hiring youth residing in renewal communities. Subtitle B: Extension and Expansion of Empowerment Zone Incentives - Provides for the designation of additional empowerment zones and increased empowerment zone tax incentives. Subtitle C: New Markets Tax Credi t- Establishes a new markets tax credit with respect to specified qualified low-income community investments. Sets a national new markets tax credit limitation. Subtitle D: Improvements in Low-Income Housing Credit - Amends the Code, with respect to the low-income housing credit, to revise the formula for the State housing credit ceiling. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to the State ceiling. (Sec. 632) Revises the housing priority selection criteria a housing credit agency must use to develop a qualified plan for allocating housing credit dollar amounts among projects. Requires such criteria to include: (1) whether the project would use existing housing as part of a community revitalization plan; (2) tenant populations of individuals with children; and (3) projects intended for eventual tenant ownership. Drops from such criteria participation of local tax-exempt organizations. Requires a qualified allocation plan to give preference in making allocations to projects located in qualified census tracts whose development contributes to a concerted community revitalization plan. (Sec. 633) Requires housing credit agencies to: (1) provide for a comprehensive market study (by a disinterested party, at the developer's expense) of the housing needs of low-income individuals in the area to be served by the project before the credit allocation is made; and (2) make public a written explanation for any allocation of a housing credit dollar amount not made in accordance with the agency's established priorities and selection criteria. (Sec. 634) Revises special rules for the determination of the adjusted basis of buildings eligible for the low-income housing credit. Requires adjusted basis to include property used throughout the taxable year in providing any community service facility designed to serve primarily individuals (even if they are not tenants) whose income is 60 percent or less of area median income. Declares that assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 shall be disregarded in determining whether a building is federally subsidized for purposes of the low-income housing credit. (Sec. 635) Revises the definition of a qualified building (placed in service not later than the second calendar year following a housing credit dollar amount allocation) with respect to which the amount of a low-income housing credit may exceed the credit amount allocated to the building. Sets an alternative date for valuation of the taxpayer's actual basis in the project of which the building is a part (where the actual basis is more than ten percent of the taxpayer's reasonably expected basis). Allows the valuation of the actual basis to be as of the later of the date which is six months after the date that the allocation was made or (as currently) the close of the calendar year in which the allocation is made. Revises the formula for determination of the amount of State housing credit ceiling returned in a calendar year to include the dollar amount previously allocated to a project which fails to meet the ten percent test on a date after the close of the calendar year in which the allocation was made. Revises special rules for the increased basis of a building located in certain high cost areas to redefine a qualified census tract to include, as an alternative to existing criteria, a tract with a poverty rate of at least 25 percent. (Sec. 636) Revises the formula for determining unused housing credit carryovers allocated among certain States. Subtitle E: Other Community Renewal and New Markets Assistance - Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 to direct the Secretary to transfer ownership of qualified HUD-held properties (substandard or unoccupied multifamily or unoccupied single family properties) to local governments and community development corporations under specified conditions. Requires such properties to be held by HUD for at least six months. (Sec 642) Directs the Secretary, upon request of the appropriate jurisdiction, to designate as a revitalization area all portions of such jurisdiction meeting the necessary criteria. (Sec. 643) Revises the current demonstration mortgage reinsurance program to: (1) make such program a risk-sharing program served by private mortgage insurers and insured community development financial institutions (as defined by this Act); (2) enlarge the program to four administrative areas; and (3) require such entities to assume a secondary percentage of loss of an insured mortgage. (Sec. 644) Permits a religious organization to receive Federal funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Prohibits funding discrimination against such an organization so long as its program is implemented in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution. Subtitle F: Other Provisions - Provides for an accelerated phase-in of specified increases in the volume cap on private activity bonds. (Sec. 652) Repeals the targeted area limitation on the expense deduction for environmental remediation costs and to extend the termination date of such deduction from December 31, 2001, to June 30, 2003. (Sec. 653) Extends the DC homebuyer tax credit for two additional years. Title VII: Administrative, Miscellaneous, and Technical Provisions - Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth various administrative provisions, including provisions concerning: (1) the exemption of certain reporting requirements; (2) the extension of deadlines for IRS compliance with certain notice requirements; (3) the extension of authority for undercover operations; (4) confidentiality of certain documents relating to closing and similar agreements and to agreements with foreign governments; (5) an increase in the threshold for Joint Committee reports on refunds and credits; (6) the treatment of missing children with respect to certain tax benefits; and (7) the prevention of the duplication of loss through the assumption of liabilities giving rise to a deduction. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the: (1) 4.3-cent motor fuel excise taxes on railroads and inland waterway transportation which remain in general fund; (2) reduction of deductions for mutual life insurance companies; and (3) policyholders surplus account provisions. Sets forth provisions concerning, among other things: (1) a credit to holders of qualified Amtrak bonds; (2) farm, fishing, and ranch risk management accounts; (3) the extension of the enhanced deduction for corporate donations of computer technology; (4) relief from Federal tax liability arising with respect to certain claims against the Department of Agriculture for discrimination in farm credit and benefit programs; (5) the expansion of the credit for adoption expenses; and (6) the treatment of Indian tribal governments under Federal Unemployment Tax Act. Subtitle C: Technical Corrections - Makes amendments to the: (1) Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999; (2) Tax and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998; (3) Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; (4) Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; (5) Balanced Budget Act of 1997; (6) Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996; and (7) Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990. Subtitle D: Pay-Go Adjustments - Sets forth pay-go adjustment provisions.

To reaffirm the commitment of the United States to help Guam achieve full self-governance, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000

Declares that Congress: (1) recognizes its duty under the Constitution to promote the political development and advancement of Guam; (2) reaffirms its commitment to help Guam achieve full self-governance; (3) aspires to eradicate colonialism and grant the Chamorro people of Guam the right to self-determination by 2010; (4) continues to support and respect human rights; and (5) urges the President to also reaffirm the U.S. commitment to help Guam achieve full self- governance and to grant the Chamorro people of Guam the right to self-determination by 2010.

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the Government of the United States should actively support the aspirations of the democratic political forces in Peru toward an immediate and full restoration of democracy in that country.

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2000

Declares that Congress: (1) supports efforts toward restoring democracy in Peru, including the shortening of the term of Alberto Fujimori, the recent call for new elections, and the decision to deactivate the National Intelligence Service (SIN); (2) is concerned that the same elements which have systematically undermined democratic institutions in Peru and which manipulated the electoral process in April and May 2000 remain in power and are in a position to manipulate the upcoming electoral process; and (3) supports the efforts of Peruvian democratic civil society to create the necessary conditions for free and fair elections. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it should be U.S. policy to actively support the aspirations of the democratic political forces in Peru for a credible transition toward the full restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Peru and to work with the international community to assist democratic forces in Peru in restoring democracy; (2) the Government of Peru should establish a fully independent and credible election authority and end all interference with freedom of speech and the media and should fully implement the recently enacted law deactivating the SIN; and (3) the U.S. Government should cooperate fully with any credible investigation of narcotics or arms trafficking by officials of the Peruvian Government.

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2000

Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2001 - Title I: Export and Investment Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) direct loans, loan guarantees, tied-aid grants, insurance, and administrative expenses under Export-Import Bank programs; (2) Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) direct and guaranteed loans and credit and insurance programs, including administrative expenses; and (3) the Trade and Development Agency. Title II: Bilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) the Agency for International Development (AID) child survival and infectious disease programs, including basic education programs (earmarking amounts for child survival and maternal health, vulnerable children, HIV-AIDS, other infectious diseases, children's basic education, UNICEF, U.S. contributions to the Global Fund for Children's Vaccines and to an international HIV-AIDS fund, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative); (3) specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the Inter-American Foundation and the African Development Foundation, agriculture and rural development programs (including plant biotechnology research and development), the International Fertilizer Development Center, AmeriCares for the construction, rehabilitation, and operation of community-based primary healthcare facilities in Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute, the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program, and an international media training center); (4) specified projects aimed at reunification of Cyprus; (5) specified assistance for Lebanon for scholarships and direct support of the American educational institutions there; (6) democracy and humanitarian activities in Burma; (7) specified assistance for the preservation of habitats and related activities for endangered wildlife; (8) international disaster assistance; (9) international disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to support transition to democracy and to long-term development of countries in crisis (provided AID reports to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days before the beginning of such program assistance); (10) micro and small enterprise development programs; (11) direct loans and loan guarantees under the development credit authority program for development assistance to foreign countries (provided such funds are made available only for urban and environmental programs); (12) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (13) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (14) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, East Timor, Indonesia, Mongolia, and the National Democratic Alliance of Sudan); (15) the International Fund for Ireland; (16) ESF assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for Kosova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (17) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union (earmarking amounts for the Southern Caucasus region, the Russian Far East, assistance to meet the health and other assistance needs of victims of trafficking in persons, Ukraine, Georgia, and child survival, environmental health, and to combat infectious diseases, subject to specified conditions); (18) the Peace Corps (but with a prohibition on the use of such funds for abortions); (19) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (20) migration and refugee assistance; (21) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (22) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities (including U.S. contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), subject to a specified condition, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission, the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), subject to specified conditions, and the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund); (23) international affairs technical assistance activities of the Department of the Treasury; and (24) debt restructuring of concessional loans, guarantees, and credits made to least developed countries. Bars the use of development assistance funds for: (1) coercive abortions or involuntary sterilizations (but allowing them for voluntary family planning projects in developing nations that meet specified requirements; and (2) U.S. private and voluntary organizations which obtain less than 20 percent of annual funding from sources other than the U.S. Government. Withholds 60 percent of funds appropriated to the Government of the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations it has met certain conditions. Title III: Military Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) expanded international military education and training (IMET) to Indonesia and Guatemala (subject to a specified condition); (2) foreign military financing grants (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Malta, Tunisia, and Georgia (including drawdowns of defense articles and services)); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to a specified condition). Prohibits foreign military financing for Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala. Title IV: Multilateral Economic Assistance - Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for the U.S. contribution to: (1) the Global Environment Facility of the International Bank for reconstruction and Development (World Bank); (2) the International Development Association (IDA) (providing that in negotiating U.S. participation in the next replenishment of the IDA that the Secretary of the Treasury accord high priority to providing it with the policy flexibility to provide new grant assistance to countries eligible for debt reduction under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative); (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (5) the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund; (6) the Asian Development Fund; (7) the African Development Bank; (8) the African Development Fund; (9) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and (10) the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for international organizations. Earmarks a specified amount for the World Food Program. Prohibits the use of funds for the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology, KEDO, or the IAEA. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including that no more than 15 percent of such appropriations shall be obligated during the last month of availability. (Sec. 502) Prohibits: (1) the use of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions; and (2) the transfer of such funds by AID directly to such an institution for the purpose of repaying a foreign country's loan obligations to it. (Sec. 503) Sets forth limits on the use of appropriations, including no more than specified maximums for official residence expenses, entertainment expenses, and representation allowances for AID, and for entertainment and representation allowances for the Inter-American Foundation and the Trade and Development Agency. Limits the use of funds for entertainment expenses of the Peace Corps, and of entertainment and representation allowances under the Foreign Military Financing Program. (Sec. 506) Prohibits the use of funds for: (1) the export of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology (except for nuclear safety purposes); (2) direct assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, or Syria; (3) assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree; (4) certain transfers between appropriations accounts without prior presidential consultation with Congress; (5) assistance to any country in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, or Peru); and (6) assistance (except in certain circumstances) for production of any commodity for export by a foreign country, if the commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets when the resulting productive capacity is expected to become operative, and if the assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 514) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors of specified international financial institutions to oppose any assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if it is in surplus on world markets and such assistance will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a similar commodity. (Sec. 516) Declares that funds appropriated for foreign operations, export financial, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs, shall remain available for obligation through FY 2002. (Sec. 517) Prohibits the availability of assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union to a Government of such an Independent State, unless such Government is making progress in implementing comprehensive economic reforms based on market principles, private ownership, respect for commercial contracts, and equitable treatment of foreign private investment. Prohibits the availability of assistance also: (1) if such a Government applies or transfers U.S. assistance to any entity for the purpose of expropriating or seizing ownership of assets, investments, or ventures (unless the President determines such assistance is in the national interest); (2) if such Government directs any action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other Independent State such as those violations included in the Helsinki Final Act; or (3) to enhance its military capability (except for demilitarization, demining, or nonproliferation programs). (Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of development assistance funds for abortions or involuntary sterilizations as methods of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions, or provide financial incentive to undergo sterilization. (Sec. 519) Limits to no more than five percent the amount of export financing funds (other than for administrative expenses) that can be transferred from one appropriation to another, with no appropriation being increased by more than 25 percent by such transfer. (Sec. 520) Prohibits the use of funds for Colombia, Haiti, Liberia, Serbia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, except through the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 522) Makes funds available to AID for child survival, basic education, infectious disease activities and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) research and control in developing countries. (Sec. 523) Bars funding for indirect assistance or reparations to Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or China unless the President certifies that the withholding of such funds is contrary to the U.S. national security interest. (Sec. 524) Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to notify the Committees on Appropriations before providing excess DOD articles to certain NATO and major non-NATO countries. (Sec. 526) Authorizes the availability of ESF funds to provide general support and grants for nongovernment organizations located outside China that have as their primary purpose fostering democracy and rule of law in that country (including earmarking amounts to such organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities). Earmarks ESF funds to the Jamestown Foundation (currently the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights) for a project to disseminate information and support research about China, and related activities. (Sec. 527) Prohibits bilateral assistance funds to any country which the President determines grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or group which has committed an act of international terrorism or otherwise supports such activities. Authorizes the waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) Directs the Secretary of State to report quarterly to the Committees on Appropriations on the use of supplemental appropriations for ESF assistance and military asistance to certain countries. (Sec. 529) Requires all AID contracts and subcontracts to include a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a fair opportunity to bid for insurance when insurance is necessary or appropriate. (Sec. 530) Directs the Secretary of State to determine, and report periodically to the Committees on Appropriations, whether Peru has made substantial progress in creating the conditions for free and fair elections, and in respecting human rights, the rule of law, the independence and constitutional role of the judiciary and national congress, and freedom of expression and independent media. Prohibits the use of funds for assistance to Peru unless the Secretary determines that it has made substantial progress with respect to such goals. Earmarks amounts to support the work of nongovernmental organizations and the Organization of American States in promoting free and fair elections, democratic institutions, and human rights in Peru. (Sec. 531) Authorizes nongovernmental organizations which are AID grantees or contractors to place funds made available to them under this Act in interest bearing accounts in order to enhance their participation in economic activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including endowments and debt-for-development and debt-for-nature exchanges. (Sec. 532) Directs the Administrator of AID to require foreign countries that receive foreign assistance which results in the generation of local currencies to deposit such currencies in a separate account to be used to finance foreign assistance activities. (Sec. 533) Prohibits payments to any international financial institution while the U.S. Executive Director to the institution is compensated at a rate in excess of that for Level IV of the Executive Schedule. (Sec. 534) Bars assistance to any country that is not in compliance with the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq, unless the President certifies to Congress that such assistance: (1) is in the U.S. national interest; (2) will directly benefit the needy people in that country; or (3) will be humanitarian assistance for foreign nationals who have fled Iraq and Kuwait. (Sec. 535) Declares that provisions under this or any other Act authorizing appropriations for foreign operations or export financing shall not be construed to prohibit activities authorized by the Peace Corps Act, the Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development Foundation Act. Requires an agency to report to the Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting or proposing activities in a country for which such assistance is prohibited. (Sec. 536) Prohibits the use of funds to provide: (1) any financial incentive to a business for purposes of inducing it to relocate outside the United States if it will reduce the number of employees in the United States; (2) assistance for establishing or developing in a foreign country an export processing zone or other designated area in which a country's tax, tariff, labor, environment, and safety laws do not apply to activities in the area, unless the President certifies that such assistance is not likely to cause a loss of U.S. jobs; or (3) assistance for any project that contributes to the violation of internationally recognized workers rights in the recipient country. (Sec. 537) Urges the export of U.S. clean coal technology. (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, and displaced Burmese may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. Prohibits the use of funds made available to Cambodia for military or paramilitary purposes. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds to support tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation programs, and subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Authorizes the use of foreign assistance funds by AID to employ up to 25 personal services contractors in the United States for the purpose of providing direct, interim support for new or expanded overseas programs and activities managed by it until permanent direct hire personnel are hired and trained. Authorizes the President to waive certain prohibitions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) if the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest. (Sec. 539) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by the Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; (2) normalization of relations with Israel by such Arab countries; and (3) steps the President should take to encourage such renunciation. (Sec. 540) Authorizes the use of ESF funds to strengthen the administration of justice in countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and in other regions. (Sec. 541) Declares that the restrictions on assistance to foreign countries contained in this Act or any other Act (except those relating to international terrorism or human rights violations) shall not be construed to restrict assistance: (1) in support of certain programs of nongovernmental organizations; or (2) under specified provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954. (Sec. 542) Authorizes the reprogramming of earmarked appropriations for other programs within the same account, provided certain requirements are met. (Sec. 544) Prohibits the use of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States that were not authorized before the enactment of this Act. Earmarks specified amounts to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger abroad. (Sec. 545) Declares that assistance under this Act should make full use of American resources, including commodities, products, and services, to the maximum extent possible. Declares the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, all agricultural commodities, equipment, and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. Requires Federal agency heads, in providing financial assistance to or entering into any contract with any entity using funds made available in this Act, to notify such entity of this intention. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually on the efforts of such agency heads and the U.S. directors of international financial institutions in complying with such requirements. (Sec. 546) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any UN member (including costs for attendance of another country's delegation at international conferences). (Sec. 548) Prohibits the provision of funds to a private voluntary organization that fails to provide any document, file, or record necessary to the auditing requirements of AID. (Sec. 549) Prohibits the provision of funds to any foreign government that provides lethal military equipment to a country that the Secretary of State has determined has a terrorist government, unless the President determines that the furnishing of such assistance is in the U.S. national interest. (Sec. 550) Withholds assistance from a foreign country in an amount equal to 110 percent of the total unpaid parking fines and penalties owed by the country to the District of Columbia. (Sec. 551) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO for the West Bank and Gaza unless the President has exercised certain authorities to suspend prohibitions on assistance to the PLO. (Sec. 552) Permits the President to provide up to a specified amount of commodities and services to the UN War Crimes Tribunal if doing so will contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide or other violations of international law in the former Yugoslavia. (Sec. 553) Authorizes disposal on a grant basis in foreign countries of demining equipment used in support of the clearance of land mines and unexploded ordnance for humanitarian purposes. (Sec. 554) Prohibits the obligation of appropriations to create in Jerusalem a new U.S. agency office for the purpose of conducting U.S. business with the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and Jericho (or any successor Palestinian governing entity) provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles. (Sec. 555) Prohibits the obligation of certain funds appropriated for Informational Program activities to pay for: (1) alcoholic beverages; or (2) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Authorizes the President to reduce amounts owed to the United States by eligible countries as a result of: (1) housing guarantees made pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms Export Control Act; or (3) any obligation to pay for purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation. Permits the exercise of such authority only: (1) to implement multilateral official debt relief and referendum agreements known as the Paris Club Agreed Minutes; and (2) with respect to countries with heavy debt burdens that are eligible to borrow from the IDA (but not from the World Bank) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. (Sec. 558) Bars funds appropriated by this Act or any previous appropriations Act for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs to be made available for assistance for the Government of Haiti until: (1) the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Haiti has held free and fair elections to seat a new parliament; and (2) the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such Government is fully cooperating with the U.S. efforts to interdict illicit drug traffic through it to the United States. Earmarks a specified percentage of funds appropriated under this Act for bilateral assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean region. (Sec. 559) Requires a specified annual report of the Secretary of State containing the voting record of each foreign member country of the UN to include a side-by-side comparison of each country's overall support for the United States at the UN and the amount of U.S. assistance provided to it in FY 2000. (Sec. 560) Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the UN, including the UN Development Program, unless the President certifies to Congress 15 days in advance of such payment that the UN is not engaged in any effort to implement or impose any taxation on U.S. persons in order to raise revenue for itself or any of its specialized agencies. (Sec. 561) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for its Coast Guard. (Sec. 562) Prohibits the obligation of any appropriations for the PLO unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests. (Sec. 563) Prohibits the use of funds for the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State believes they have committed gross violations of human rights, unless the Secretary reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such country is taking steps to bring the responsible persons to justice. (Sec. 564) Provides for bilateral and multilateral assistance sanctions (with humanitarian, democratization, and certain infrastructure project exceptions) against countries harboring war criminals indicted with respect to the former Yugoslavia. Prohibits the provision of bilateral assistance for programs in which publicly indicted war criminals are known to have any financial interest or communities that are not in compliance with specified sections of the Dayton Agreement relating to war crimes and the Tribunal. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the location, if known, of publicly indicted war criminals, on country, entity and municipality authorities known to have obstructed the work of the Tribunal, and on sanctioned countries, entities, and municipalities. (Sec. 565) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of the Russian Federation unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that the Federation has not enacted laws or promulgated executive orders that discriminate against religious minorities in violation of international agreements on human rights and religious freedoms to which it is a party. (Sec. 566) Subjects the availability of funds in this Act to support programs or activities promoting country participation in the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 567) Bars funds to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 568) Earmarks specified foreign assistance funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group, the Multinational Force and Observers, the Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, Middle East Regional Cooperation, and Middle East Multilateral Working Groups. (Sec. 569) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of assets of an Enterprise Fund before any distribution resulting from liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Fund. (Sec. 570) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of international financial institutions to oppose loans to Cambodia (except loans to support basic human needs). Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for assistance for the Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 571) Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to report jointly to Congress on all overseas military training provided to, and proposed to be provided to, foreign military personnel under programs administered by the Defense and State Departments during FY 2000 and 2001. (Sec. 572) Earmarks specified funds for KEDO for administrative expenses and heavy fuel oil costs associated with the Agreed Framework (Joint Declaration on Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula). Earmarks other amounts to KEDO if the President certifies to Congress that North Korea is complying with the provisions of the Agreed Framework. (Sec. 573) Authorizes investment of funds made available to grantees of the African Development Foundation pending expenditure for project purposes when authorized by the President of the Foundation. (Sec. 574) Bars the use of funds appropriated under this Act to provide equipment, technical support, consulting services, or any other assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation. (Sec. 575) Earmarks specified amounts of ESF funds for programs benefitting the Iraqi people, including for food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance, and for a political transition in Iraq, Iraqi opposition groups for political, economic, humanitarian, and other activities, and for groups and activities seeking the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi government officials for war crimes. Bars the use of such funds for administrative expenses of the State Department. (Sec. 576) Directs AID to submit an annual budget justification consistent with certain requirements of this Act to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 577) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this Act to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol to the United States Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification pursuant to the U.S. Constitution, and which has not entered into force. (Sec. 578) Directs the Secretary of State, 30 days prior to the initial obligation of ESF funds for the bilateral West Bank and Gaza Program, to certify to the appropriate congressional committees that procedures have been established to assure that the Comptroller General will have access to appropriate U.S. financial information in order to review the uses of such funds for the Program. (Sec. 579) Makes foreign military financing program funds available for Indonesia if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Indonesian government and the Indonesian armed forces are taking specified actions to: (1) bring to justice, and cooperate with investigations and prosecutions of, members of the armed forces and militia groups with respect to human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor; (2) allow safe passage for refugees returning home to East Timor from West Timor; and (3) not impede the UN Transitional Authority in East Timor. (Sec. 580) Bars the use of appropriated funds under this Act for the UN Man and the Biosphere Program or the UN World Heritage Fund for programs in the United States. (Sec. 581) Directs the President, not less than 30 days prior to the next round of arms talks between the United States and Taiwan, to consult with appropriate congressional leaders and committee chairmen and ranking members regarding: (1) Taiwan's requests for purchase of defense articles and defense services during the pending round of arms talks; (2) the Administration's assessment of the legitimate defense needs of Taiwan; and (3) the decision-making process used by the Executive branch to consider such requests. (Sec. 582) Urges funds appropriated by this Act for U.S. assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States to the maximum extent practicable to be used for the procurement of articles and services of U.S. origin. (Sec. 583) Bars the use of funds appropriated by this Act for assistance for the government of any country that has been determined to have: (1) provided lethal or non-lethal military support or equipment, directly or through intermediaries, within the previous six months to the Sierra Leone Revolutionary United Front (RUF), or any other group intent on destabilizing the democratically elected government of the Republic of Sierra Leone; or (2) aided or abetted, within the previous six months, in the illicit distribution, transportation, or sale of diamonds mined in Sierra Leone. (Sec. 584) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 to authorize voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees who voluntarily separate (whether by retirement or resignation) on or before December 31, 2001, to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 585) Earmarks a specified amount of international organizations and program funds for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (except for any country program in China). Conditions the availability of such funds to UNFPA on specified requirements, including that it does not fund abortions. (Sec. 586) Makes any national of Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos who was paroled into the United States before October 1, 1997, eligible for adjustment of status. (Sec. 587) Requires information relevant to the December 2, 1980, murders of four American churchwomen in El Salvador to be made public to the fullest extent possible. (Sec. 588) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold ten percent of the U.S. payment to any international financial institution until the Secretary certifies that such institution has implemented certain procurement and financial management reforms. (Sec. 589) Authorizes the commercial leasing of defense articles (instead of government-to-government sale) to Israel, Egypt, NATO, and major non-NATO allies if the President determines that there are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons. (Sec. 591) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 to abolish the Inter-American Foundation in 2001. (Sec. 593) Extends the authorities of the General Accounting Office until all available funds appropriated under the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act are expended. (Sec. 594) Earmarks funds made available under this Act for Serbia, subject to specified conditions. (Sec. 595) Declares that the provisions of S. 3140 relating to the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over land of the Tennessee Valley Authority within the Daniel Boone National Forest to the Secretary of Agriculture are hereby enacted into law. (Sec. 596) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors at specified international financial institutions to oppose any loan of such institutions that would require user fees or service charges on poor people for primary education or primary health care, including prevention and treatment efforts for HIV-AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and infant, child, and maternal well-being, in connection with the institutions' lending programs. (Sec. 597) Makes certain foreign assistance funds available for basic education programs for Pakistan. (Sec. 598) Earmarks a certain amount of bilateral economic assistance funds for population planning activities or other population assistance. Title VI: Emergency Supplemental Appropriation - Authorizes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 2001 to the President for: (1) the AID for international disaster assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Mozambique, Madagascar, and southern Africa; (2) operating expenses of AID; (3) bilateral economic assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts only for Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia); (4) IMET and foreign military financing for grants to countries of the Balkans and southeast Europe; and (5) the Department of the Treasury for a contribution to the HIPC Trust Fund of the World Bank. (Sec. 601) Declares that amounts appropriated under this title or under any other provision of law for FY 2001 that are in addition to funds made available under title II of this Act shall be deemed to have been appropriated under such title and are subject to all limitations and restrictions contained in this Act. Title VII: Debt Reduction - Makes additional funds available for FY 2001 for the Bureau of the Public Debt for reduction of the public debt. Title VIII: International Debt Forgiveness and International Financial Institutions Reform - Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2001 though 2003 for U.S. contributions to the HIPC Trust Fund of the World Bank. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of each multilateral development bank to exert U.S. influence to strengthen each bank's procedures and management controls to ensure that funds disbursed by it to borrowing countries are used as intended and in a manner that complies with the conditions of the bank's loan to such country. (Sec. 803) Directs the Comptroller General to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on the sufficiency of audits of the financial operations of each multilateral development bank conducted by persons or entities outside of such bank. (Sec. 804) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the President's discretionary authority to transfer certain funds to certain international financial institutions for the purpose of bilateral funding. (Sec. 805) Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to declare that it is the policy of the United States to work to implement specified lending reforms in the International Monetary Fund.

Returning to the Senate the bill S. 1109.

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2000

Returns to the Senate S. 1109 (bear protection) because, in the opinion of the House of Representatives, it contravenes the Constitution and infringes upon the privileges of the House.

"Doter la France de sa nouvelle Constitution financière, un préalable à la réforme de l'État"

France · Senate · 19 October 2000

Étude menée sur la réforme de l'ordonnance organique n°59-2 du 2 janvier 1959 portant loi organique relative aux lois de finances

proposition de loi organique relative à la concomitance de l'élection présidentielle et des élections législatives.

France · Senate · 19 October 2000

Recognizing the founding of the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2000

Recognizes and commends the members of the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA) for joining forces in their common struggle for freedom and the rule of law. Calls for: (1) Asian governments to heed ARDA's calls for political and legal reforms and to engage ARDA members in dialog; and (2) an immediate end to human rights violations committed against Asian democracy activists.

Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz, Verfassungsgerichtshofgesetz, Änderung

Austria · National Council · 18 October 2000

Antrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Ulrike Baumgartner-Gabitzer, Dr. Michael Krüger, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend ein Bundesgesetz, mit dem das Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz und das Verfassungsgerichtshofgesetz geändert werden

proposition de loi relative à la prise en considération du vote blanc

France · Senate · 17 October 2000