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Bill· HRH.R. 4427 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2000
Banking Equal Treatment Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to authorize: (1) a Federal reserve bank to pay interest on earnings at least quarterly on depository institution balances maintained at a Federal reserve bank; and (2) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe implementing regulations. Requires the Federal reserve banks to transfer specified surplus funds to the Board for transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury for FY 2001 through 2005. Prohibits replenishment of the surplus fund during the fiscal year for which such transfer is made. Mandates that each insured depository institution make available to consumers a consumer transaction account to be known as an "affordable transaction account". Sets forth operational parameters to be prescribed by the Board.
Bill· HRH.R. 4433 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2000
Charitable Contribution Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit tax-free distributions from an individual retirement account made directly to a qualified charity.
Bill· HRH.R. 4434 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that ancestors and lineal descendants of past or present members of the Armed Forces shall be taken into account in determining whether a veterans' organization is exempt from tax.
Bill· SS. 2539 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2000
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 to allow a new composite theoretical performance level established by the President for high-performance computers subject to certain export controls to take effect 30 (currently 180) days after the President reports to specified congressional committees setting forth the new level and its justification. Applies such revised effective date to any changes to the composite theoretical performance level proposed by the President on or after January 1, 2000.
Bill· HRH.R. 4421 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the exclusion of gain on the sale of a principal residence to qualified farmland sold with the residence.
Bill· SS. 2526 (106th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization of 2000 - Title I: Reauthorization and Revisions of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (the Act) to require amounts appropriated for each fiscal year to carry out Indian health human resources and development activities to be allocated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the area office of each service area under a formula developed in consultation with Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Empowers the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) with the administration of Indian health professions scholarships. Requires all recipients of such scholarships awarded after December 31, 2001, to meet the active duty service obligation (service with the IHS or related service for Indians) within the service area from which the scholarship was awarded. Requires the Secretary to make funds available, through area offices, to Indian tribes and tribal organizations to assist such entities in educating Indians to serve as health professionals in Indian communities, as long as such Indians are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a course of study in one of the health professions described by the Act. Requires a written contractual agreement from such recipients to provide service in an Indian health program in the same service area where the entity providing the scholarship is located. Entitles Indian health scholarship recipients to IHS employment or employment by a program of an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or urban Indian organization, or other HHS agencies, as available. Adds Indian tribes and tribal organizations as participants in the Community Health Representative Program under the Act, which provides for the training and use of Indians as community health representatives (currently, as community health paraprofessionals). Allows participants completing a term of education under the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program to be employed within an Indian urban organization. Discontinues the annual authorization of appropriations for the Indian Health Scholarship and Loan Repayment Recovery Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse health professionals seeking positions with Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or urban Indian organizations (currently, only those seeking employment with the IHS) for certain recruitment evaluation expenses. Limits to three years demonstration programs to enable Indian tribes, tribal organizations (current law), and urban Indian organizations to recruit, place, and retain Indian health professionals. Requires health professionals from urban Indian organizations to be given an equal opportunity to participate in a demonstration program to enable Indian health professionals to pursue advanced training or research in needed areas of study. Discontinues the annual authorization of appropriations for the Indian Nursing Program. Requires the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to award grants to community colleges for programs which provide education in a health profession for individuals who desire to practice such profession in the IHS or a tribal health program (currently, only on an Indian reservation or tribal clinic). Provides a funding priority for tribally controlled colleges in service areas where they exist. Authorizes the Secretary to pay a retention bonus to any health professional (currently, physician or nurse) employed by or assigned to, and serving in, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or urban Indian organizations (currently, only in the IHS) who meet specified requirements. Authorizes the Secretary, through area offices, to fund pilot programs for tribes and tribal organizations to address the chronic shortages of health professionals. Deems scholarships and loan reimbursements provided under title I (Indian health, human resources and development) of the Act as "qualified scholarships" and therefore excluded from gross income for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. Makes a certain prohibition on the Secretary removing a member of the National Health Service Corps from an Indian health program applicable to health programs operated by urban Indian organizations as well. Requires all service areas served by programs operated by the IHS, tribes, tribal organizations, or urban Indian organizations to be designated as Health Professional Shortage areas under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2012 to carry out title I of the Act. Provides additional authorized uses for funds appropriated under the authority of provisions regarding the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund. Authorizes such funds to be allocated to Indian tribes or tribal organizations. Requires funds provided through the Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund to be administered by service area offices based upon priorities determined by the Indian tribes and tribal organizations within each area. Increases the cost level required to qualify for payments from the Fund. Requires the Secretary to continue to fund through FY 2012 each effective model diabetes project in existence on the date of enactment of the Act. Directs the Secretary to include funding to establish dialysis programs. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to enter into arrangements with Indian tribes or tribal organizations for the delivery of long-term care and similar services to Indians on a shared-services basis. Directs the Secretary to make funding available for research to further the performance of the health service responsibilities of the IHS, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations and to coordinate the activities of other agencies within HHS to address such research needs. Directs the Secretary to provide mammography and other cancer screening through Indian tribes or tribal organizations (currently, only through the IHS). Requires the Secretary to pay certain patient travel costs through Indian tribes and tribal organizations (currently, only through the IHS). Revises provisions regarding epidemiology centers. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to provide funding to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations (currently, Indian tribes) to develop comprehensive school health education programs for children from preschool through grade 12 in schools (currently, schools on reservations) for the benefit of Indian and urban Indian children. Includes urban Indian preadolescent and adolescent youth within a program for innovative mental and physical disease prevention and health promotion and treatment. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to make funding available to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for the prevention, control, and elimination of communicable and infectious diseases. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the IHS, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations, to provide funding for other health care services and programs not otherwise described in the Act, including hospice care and assisted living, long-term health care, home- and community-based services, public health functions, and traditional health care practices. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, to provide funding to monitor and improve the quality of health care for Indian women of all ages through the planning and delivery of programs administered by the IHS. (Currently, an Office of Indian Women's Health Care has such monitoring duty.) Revises provisions regarding nuclear resource development health hazards to direct the Secretary and the IHS to conduct a study and ongoing monitoring programs to determine trends in health hazards to Indian miners and to Indians on or near Indian reservations and in Indian communities as a result of environmental hazards which may result in chronic or life-threatening health problems. Extends through FY 2012 the designation of Arizona as a contract health service delivery area for purposes of providing health care services to members of federally recognized Arizona Indian tribes. Authorizes the Secretary to fund a program using the California Rural Indian Health Board as a contract care intermediary to improve the accessibility of health services to California Indians. Allows certain counties in California that are currently excluded from the contract health services delivery area to be included in such area if funding is provided by the IHS for such services in those counties. Requires the IHS to provide funds for health care programs and facilities operated by Indian tribes and tribal organizations under funding agreements entered into under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEA) on the same basis as such funds are provided to programs and facilities operated directly by the IHS. Exempts from State licensing requirements health care professionals employed by Indian tribes and tribal organizations to carry out the above funding agreements if such individuals are licensed in any other State. Allows elderly or disabled Indians receiving emergency medical care or services from a non-IHS provider or in a non-IHS facility 30 days to notify the IHS of such treatment or admission. Extends through FY 2012 the authorization of appropriations for title II (health services) of the Act. Prohibits the closure of any hospital, outpatient health care, inpatient service, or special care facility operated by the IHS if the Secretary has not submitted to Congress at least one year prior to such proposed closure an evaluation of the impact of such closure. Directs the Secretary to establish a health care facility priority system. Directs the Secretary, beginning in2001, to annually transmit to the President a report setting forth the needs of the IHS and all Indian tribes and tribal organizations for inpatient, outpatient, and specialized care facilities. Directs the Secretary to consult and cooperate with Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations in developing innovative approaches to address unmet needs for the construction of health facilities. Provides authority for the Secretary to use specified appropriated funds for providing sanitation facilities and related services to Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) enter into inter-agency agreements with appropriate Federal agencies to provide financial assistance for safe water supply and sanitary sewage disposal facilities under the Act; and (2) establish standards applicable to the planning, design, and construction of water supply and sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal facilities funded under the Act. Makes the Indian family, community, or tribe primarily responsible for establishing, collecting, and using reasonable user fees for operating and maintaining sanitation facilities. Revises the defined water sanitation deficiency levels for facilities serving an Indian individual or community. Exempts construction or renovation of facilities constructed or renovated by funds made available under title III (facilities) of the Act from the Davis-Bacon Act. Authorizes the Secretary to accept any major expansion (currently, only renovation or modernization) by an Indian tribe of any IHS facility or any other Indian health facility operated pursuant to a funding agreement entered into under ISDEA. Revises grant eligibility requirements with respect to the construction, expansion, or modernization of ambulatory care facilities. Authorizes all Federal agencies to transfer land and improvements to the IHS at no cost for the provision of health care services. Makes certain provisions that authorize leases with Indian tribes applicable to tribal organizations as well. Considers such leases as operating leases for purposes of scoring under the Budget Enforcement Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Health Care Facilities Loan Fund to provide Indian tribes and tribal organizations direct loans, or guarantees for loans, for construction of health care facilities and related facilities and staff quarters. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes Indian tribes and tribal organizations (currently, only Indian tribes) providing health care services pursuant to a funding agreement under the ISDEA to lease permanent structures for providing health care services without obtaining advance approval in appropriations Acts. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to establish joint venture demonstration projects under which an Indian tribe or tribal organization shall expend tribal, private, or other available funds for the acquisition or construction of a health care facility for a minimum of ten years under a no-cost lease, in exchange for agreement by the IHS to provide the equipment, supplies, and staffing for such facility. Makes an Indian tribe or tribal organization liable for noncompletion of such a project. Adds Alaska Native lands to the definition of "Indian lands" for purposes of giving priority to locating Bureau of Indian Affairs and IHS facilities on such lands. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to the President identifying the backlog of maintenance and repair work required at both IHS and tribal health care facilities. Authorizes an Indian tribe or tribal organization which operates a hospital or other health care facility and the federally owned quarters associated therewith pursuant to a funding agreement under the ISDEA to establish the rental rates charged, and to notify the Secretary of its election to exercise such authority. Requires rental occupants to be notified at least 60 days in advance of a change in rental rates by an Indian tribe or tribal organization. Authorizes such tribe or organization to collect rents directly from Federal employees occupying such quarters, under specified conditions and procedures. Authorizes the Secretary to accept from any source funds for the construction of Indian health care facilities, and to enter into funding agreements with other Federal entities for such purposes. Extends through FY 2012 the authorization of appropriations for title III of the Act. Requires the Secretary, in making payments to IHS service units for services rendered to Indians eligible for benefits under title XIX (Medicaid), to ensure that each such unit receives 100 (currently 80) percent of the amounts to which such facilities are entitled under the Medicaid provisions. Directs the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into funding agreements with, Indian tribes (currently, only tribal organizations) for establishing and administering programs on or near Indian reservations and trust areas and Alaska Native villages to assist Indians to enroll and apply for Medicare, Medicaid, and child health assistance under XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts with urban Indian organizations for the provision of such assistance to urban Indians. Makes permanent (currently a demonstration project) a program under which an Indian tribe or tribal organization may directly bill and receive reimbursement for health care services provided for which payment is made under Medicare, Medicaid, a State's children's insurance health plan approved under title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act, or from any other third-party payor. Applies to urban Indian organizations a certain right to recovery of expenses incurred by the United States, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations in providing health services. Provides for the enforcement of such right of recovery. Authorizes tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations to utilize funding from the Secretary under this Act to purchase managed care coverage for IHS beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary to examine, and report to Congress on, the feasibility of entering into or expanding existing arrangements for the sharing of medical facilities and services between the IHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs and other appropriate Federal agencies. Authorizes the IHS to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to assist in achieving parity in health services for Indians. Makes the IHS and programs operated by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or urban Indian organizations the payor of last resort for services provided to persons eligible for services from these programs, notwithstanding contradicting Federal, State, or local law, unless such law explicitly provides otherwise. Makes such entities eligible to receive payment or reimbursement for services provided by such entities from any federally funded health care program, unless there is an explicit prohibition on such payments in the applicable authorizing statute. Authorizes the IHS service unit in Tuba City, Arizona, to enter into a demonstration project with Arizona under which the IHS would provide certain Medicaid services to individuals dually eligible for IHS services and Medicaid in return for payment from the State. Entitles an Indian tribe or tribal organization carrying out programs under the ISDEA, or an urban Indian organization carrying out programs under title V of the Act, to purchase Federal health and life insurance for the employees of such tribe or organization. Requires certain consultation with Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations prior to the adoption of any policy or regulation by the Health Care Financing Administration. Authorizes the IHS, an Indian tribe, or tribal or urban Indian organization to apply for a waiver of certain Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance sanctions. Excludes from the definition of "remuneration," for purposes of specified provisions of the Social Security Act, certain exchanges of value between or among the IHS, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations related to the provision of health care services. Prohibits any Indian eligible for services under Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance of the Social Security Act from being charged a deductible or other payment for any service provided by or through the IHS, an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or urban Indian organization. Excludes certain income and property from the estate, for purposes of eligibility for services or implementing estate recovery rights under Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance. Prohibits a parent from being responsible for reimbursing the Federal Government or a State for the cost of medical services provided to a child through the IHS, an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or urban Indian organization. Provides such entities with a right of recovery from all private and public health plans for the reasonable costs of delivering health services to Indians entitled to receive services. Requires States entering into agreements with one or more managed care organizations to provide services under Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance to enter into such an agreement with the IHS, an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or urban Indian organization that can provide services to Indians who may be eligible or required to enroll in such a managed care plan. Authorizes the Secretary to treat the Navajo Nation as a State, for purposes of Medicaid, to provide medical assistance to Indians living within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. Directs the Health Care Financing Administration to establish and fund a National Indian Technical Advisory Group and an Indian Medicaid Advisory Committee. Extends through FY 2012 the authorization of appropriations for title IV (access to health services) of the Act. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to contract with, or make grants to, an urban Indian organization that provides or arranges for the provision of health care services to urban Indians in more than one urban center. Changes from quarterly to semiannually certain reporting requirements of urban Indian organizations receiving or expending funds pursuant to a grant or contract with respect to health care services provided to urban Indians. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to contractors or other recipients for the lease, purchase, renovation, construction, or expansion of facilities in order to assist them in complying with licensure or certification requirements. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the IHS or the Health Resources and Services Administration, to provide loans to such entities from the Urban Indian Health Care Facilities Revolving Loan Fund (established herein) for the construction, renovation, expansion, or purchase of health care facilities. Redesignates the Branch of Urban Health Programs as the Office of Urban Indian Health. Includes among Office responsibilities the provision of technical assistance to urban Indian organizations. Treats the Tulsa Clinic demonstration project as a permanent program within the IHS direct care program and as a service unit in the allocation of resources and coordination of Indian health care. Requires grants or contracts made or entered into by the Secretary for the administration of urban Indian alcohol programs to become effective no later than September 30, 2001. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the IHS, the Health Care Financing Administration, and other operating and staff divisions of HHS consult with urban Indian organizations prior to taking any action, or approving Federal financial assistance for any action, that may affect urban Indians or urban Indian organizations. Deems an urban Indian organization that has entered into a contract or received a grant pursuant to title V (health services for urban Indians) of the Act to be part of the Public Health Service while carrying out such contract or grant for purposes of coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to make payments for the construction and operation of at least two residential alcohol treatment centers in each State where there reside urban Indian youth with a need for alcohol and substance abuse treatment services and at which there is a significant shortage of such services. Directs the Secretary to permit an urban Indian organization that has entered into a contract or received a grant under title V of the Act to use existing facilities and equipment and other personal property owned by the Federal Government, including that determined to be excess to the needs of the IHS or the General Services Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to those urban Indian organizations that have entered into a contract or grant under title V of the Act for the provision of services for the prevention, treatment, and control of complications resulting from, diabetes among urban Indians. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to enter into contracts with, and make grants to, urban Indian organizations for the use of Indians trained as health service providers through the Community Health Representatives Program in the provision of health care, health promotion, and disease prevention services to urban Indians. Extends through FY 2012 the authorization of appropriations for title V and VI (organizational improvements) of the Act. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, Indian tribes, and tribal and urban Indian organizations, to encourage Indian tribes and tribal organizations to participate in developing area-wide plans for Indian Behavioral Health Services, including plans for treating substance abuse, mental illness, and dysfunctional and self-destructive behavior (suicide, child abuse, and family violence) among Indians. Requires the establishment of a national clearinghouse for such plans and related information. Authorizes technical assistance to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations to develop community behavioral health plans. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to provide a program of comprehensive behavioral health, prevention, treatment, and aftercare for Indian tribes. Requires the development of criteria for the certification of behavioral health service providers and accreditation of service facilities providing such care. Directs (currently, authorizes) the Secretary to make funds available to urban Indian organizations to develop and implement a comprehensive behavioral health program (currently, an alcohol and substance abuse program) of prevention, intervention, treatment, and relapse prevention services that specifically address the spiritual, cultural, historical, social, and child care needs of Indian women, regardless of age. (Currently, such funding is available only to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.) Includes behavioral health services within a current program for acute detoxification and treatment for Indian youth. Authorizes the Secretary to provide specified intermediate behavioral health services to Indian children and adolescents. Requires Indian tribes or tribal organizations (currently, only the Secretary) to develop and implement within each IHS service unit community-based rehabilitation and follow-up services for Indian youth who are having significant behavioral health problems and require long-term treatment, community reintegration, and monitoring after their return to their home community. Provides for the inclusion of family members of such youth in their treatment. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, Indian tribes, and tribal and urban Indian organizations, to provide programs and services to prevent and treat the abuse of multiple forms of substances, including alcohol, drugs, inhalants, and tobacco, among Indian youth residing in Indian communities, on Indian reservations, and in urban areas and to provide appropriate mental health services to address the incidence of mental illness among such youth. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, to provide, in each IHS service area, not less than one inpatient mental health care facility for Indians with behavioral health problems. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement (or provide funding to enable Indian tribes and tribal organizations to implement) programs of behavioral health (currently, alcohol and substance abuse) community leadership training and education. Directs the Secretary, acting through Indian tribes and tribal and urban Indian organizations, to establish and operate fetal alcohol disorders programs in order to meet specified health status objectives. (Currently, the Secretary is authorized to make grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations to establish such programs.) Redesignates a task force established for such purposes as the Fetal Alcohol Disorders Task Force. Includes urban Indian organizations as entities eligible for funding from the Secretary for such programs. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the IHS, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations, to establish programs involving treatment for both victims and perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to provide funding to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, or make appropriate contracts or grants, for research on the incidence and prevalence of behavioral health problems among Indians served by the IHS or such tribes or organizations. Extends through FY 2012 the authorization of appropriations for title VII (behavioral health programs) of the Act. Requires the President to include in required annual reports to Congress reports on various programs established under this Act. Requires regulations implementing amendments to the Act to be negotiated by a rulemaking committee made up of representatives of the Federal Government, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress a plan explaining the manner and schedule by which the Secretary will implement provisions of the Act, as amended by this Act. Directs the Secretary, acting through the IHS, to provide services and benefits for Indians in Montana in a manner consistent with the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in McNabb for McNabb v. Bowen. Directs the IHS to provide health care services during a moratorium period in which certain service eligibility criteria are being developed. Establishes the National Bipartisan Indian Health Care Entitlement Commission to: (1) establish a Study Committee to study the extent of Indian health services needs; (2) review and analyze the Study Committee's report; and (3) make recommendations to Congress for providing health services for Indians as an entitlement. Authorizes appropriations for the Commission. Extends through FY 2012 the authorization of appropriations under title VIII (miscellaneous) of the Act. Title II: Conforming Amendments to the Social Security Act - Subtitle A: Medicare - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require agreements with service providers, in the case of hospitals and critical access hospitals providing Medicare-covered inpatient hospital services, to accept Medicare payment in full for contract health services program operated by the Indian Health Service, by an Indian tribe or tribal organization, or furnished to an urban Indian eligible for health services purchased by an urban Indian organization. (Sec. 202) Replaces specified payment requirements for eligible Indian Health Service facilities with payment requirements for qualified Indian Health programs operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, or an urban Indian organization, including community health aide and nursing services. Subtitle B: Medicaid - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) require a State Medicaid plan to provide for payment of 100 percent of the reasonable costs of Federally-qualified health center services and any other ambulatory services offered by a Federally-qualified plan furnished by an Indian tribe or tribal organization or an urban Indian organization (and for certain at least quarterly State supplemental payments to a Federally-qualified health center under contract with a Medicaid managed care organization); (2) require State Medicaid plan consultation with Indian health programs; and (3) modify the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for health services provided by Indian health programs. Subtitle C: State Children's Health Insurance Program - Amends SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) to: (1) set the enhanced FMAP for a State for a fiscal year to 100 percent with respect to expenditures for child health assistance for services provided through a health program operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, or an urban Indian organization; and (2) permit direct funding of Indian health programs. Subtitle D: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals specified provisions on: (1) facilities assessment under the Indian Health Care Amendments of 1990; and (2) the National Health Service Corps under the Indian Health Care Amendments of 1988.
Bill· SS. 2522 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 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) for specified development assistance (allowing availability of limited amounts for the African Development Foundation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), agriculture and rural development programs (including plant biotechnology research and development), the University of Missouri International Laboratory for Tropical Agriculture Biotechnology, research and training of foreign scientists at the University of California, Davis, California, the Center to Promote Biotechnology in International Agriculture at Tuskegee University, Alabama, the International Fertilizer Development Center, the United States Telecommunications Training Institute, the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program, an international media training center, and Carelift International); (3) global health and related activities, including the prevention, treatment, and control of, and research on, infectious diseases (like HIV-AIDS) in developing countries; (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) food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people; (7) democracy and humanitarian activities in Burma; (8) specified assistance for the preservation of habitats and related activities for endangered wildlife; (9) international disaster assistance; (10) administrative expenses to carry out direct and guaranteed loan programs under the development credit authority program account; (11) the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (12) operating expenses of AID and the AID Office of Inspector General; (13) Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance (earmarking amounts for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and East Timor); (14) ESF assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States (earmarking amounts for Montenegro, Croatia, Kosova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to specified conditions); (15) assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union (earmarking amounts for Russia, the Russian Far East, Georgia, Armenia, and Mongolia, subject to specified conditions); (16) the Peace Corps (but with a prohibition on the use of such funds for abortions); (17) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (18) migration and refugee assistance; (19) the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund; (20) 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); (21) international affairs technical assistance activities of the Department of the Treasury; and (22) 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. Prohibits the availability of certain funds to the Government of the Russian Federation until the Secretary of State certifies that it is: (1) fully cooperating with international efforts to investigate allegations of war crimes and atrocities in Chechnya; and (2) providing full access to international non-government organizations providing humanitarian relief to refugees and internally displaced persons there. Withholds 50 percent of funds appropriated to the Government of the Russian Federation until the President certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that it has terminated arrangements to provide Iran with technology to develop a nuclear program. 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, Tunisia, and Georgia (including drawdowns of defense articles and services)); and (3) international peacekeeping operations (subject to certain conditions). Grants U.S. consent to the transfer by Turkey to Georgia of defense articles sold by the United States to Turkey. 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; (3) the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; (4) the Inter-American Investment Corporation; (5) the Asian Development Fund; (6) the African Development Bank; (7) the African Development Fund; and (8) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Makes appropriations for FY 2001 for international programs and organizations. Sets certain restrictions on international organization funding, including prohibiting the use of funds made available to the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) for activities in China. Prohibits the use of funds for the KEDO, the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology, 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 the use or transfer of funds for bilateral funding of international financial institutions. (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 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 government in default in excess of a year on payments on a U.S. loan (except for any narcotics-related assistance for Colombia, Bolivia, and 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 financing, and related programs, that are returned or not made available for international organizations and programs shall remain available for obligation until 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 a Government directs action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other Independent State of the former Soviet Union; 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 any 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, Pakistan, Panama, Serbia, Sudan, 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 health, family planning, child survival, environment, 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 nongovernmental organizations located outside of China that have as their primary purpose fostering democracy in that country. (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 a waiver of this prohibition by the President for national security and humanitarian reasons, requiring notification to the Committees on Appropriations. (Sec. 528) 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. 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) Prohibits U.S. sale of Stinger missiles in the Persian Gulf region, with certain exceptions. (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 the 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 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. Declares that limits on the availability of funds for international organizations and programs shall not be construed as applying to the International Fund for Agricultural Development. (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) Prohibits the availability of funds under this Act for the Republic of Serbia (except for Kosova or Montenegro or for assistance to promote democratization). (Sec. 538) Declares that funds appropriated under this Act for Afghanistan, Lebanon, Montenegro, and for victims of war, displaced children, displaced Burmese, humanitarian assistance for Romania, and humanitarian assistance for the peoples of Kosova 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 AID to employ personal services contractors to administer programs for the West Bank and Gaza. 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 the Congress with respect to: (1) immediate public renunciation by Arab League countries of the boycott of Israel (reinstated in 1997) and of American firms having commercial ties with Israel; and (2) 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. Repeals certain provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that earmark foreign assistance funds for strengthening the administration of justice in such countries. (Sec. 541) Declares that 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 the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480). (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. Makes specified funds available to private and voluntary organizations to deal with world hunger problems 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. (Sec. 548) Prohibits the use of funds to pay any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any U.N. 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 to 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 Palestine Liberation Organization (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; (2) food (other than food provided at a military installation) not provided in conjunction with Informational Program trips where students do not stay at a military installation; or (3) entertainment expenses for recreational activities. (Sec. 556) Declares that direct costs associated with a foreign customer's additional or unique requirements with respect to the sale of defense articles shall continue to be an allowable cost under the Arms Export Control Act. (Sec. 557) 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 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 International Development Association (but not from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) (IDA-only countries). Prescribes additional conditions for the exercise of such authority. Declares that a reduction of debt shall not be considered assistance for purposes of any provision limiting assistance to a country. (Sec. 558) Authorizes the President to engage in certain debt buybacks or sales. Authorizes sale, reduction, or cancellation of certain loans to foreign governments, upon receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser that plans to use such loans only for the purposes of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or debt-for-nature swaps. Limits such authority to funds appropriated by this Act under the heading of debt restructuring. (Sec. 559) Bars the use of funds made available by this Act for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs from being made available to the Government of Haiti until the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that it has held free and fair elections to seat a new parliament. (Sec. 560) 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 1999. (Sec. 561) 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. 562) Makes the Government of Haiti eligible to purchase U.S. defense articles and services for the civilian-led Haitian National Police and Coast Guard. (Sec. 563) 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. 564) 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. 565) 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. 566) Prohibits the use of funds for the Government of 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. 567) 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. 568) Prohibits funds appropriated under this Act from being provided to the Central Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Sec. 569) Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a plan for the distribution of the 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 Central Government of Cambodia. (Sec. 571) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1993, with respect to a certain human rights report, to repeal the requirement that countries receiving U.S. foreign assistance report on their military expenditures and efforts to reduce them. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Committees on Appropriations on how provisions of such Act are being implemented requiring the U.S. director of each international financial institution to: (1) oppose any loan to a country that does not have in place a civilian audit system that reviews the receipts and expenditures with respect to its armed forces and security forces; and (2) request their institution to prepare an annual report which identifies its lending practices with respect to each major borrowing country. (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) Authorizes voluntary separation incentive payments to AID employees to eliminate AID positions and functions contained in a mandatory strategic plan outlining such payments. (Sec. 576) 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. 577) Makes funds available for FY 2001 for defense article stockpiles in foreign countries, including the Republic of Korea. (Sec. 578) Authorizes the President to abolish the Inter-American Foundation. Transfers all functions of the Foundation to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who also shall be responsible for its administration and the wind-up of any outstanding affairs of the Foundation. (Sec. 579) 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 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. 580) Makes IMET and foreign military financing program funds available to the Government of 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 activities of the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor. (Sec. 581) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a working capital fund for AID expenses of personal and nonpersonal services, equipment and supplies. (Sec. 582) Declares that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) (except Montenegro or Kosova) shall be deemed a state sponsor of terrorism for purposes of granting U.S. courts jurisdiction to award money damages for personal injury caused to or death of a U.S. national by an act of terrorism by an official, employee, or agent of FRY. (Sec. 583) Requires the Secretary of State to consult with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership of Congress to devise a mechanism to provide for congressional input before making any determination on the nature or quantity of defense articles and services to be made available to Taiwan. (Sec. 584) Imposes certain economic and political sanctions against Serbia unless the President certifies to specified congressional committees that Serbia has met specified requirements with respect to succession issues following the dissolution of Yugoslavia, cooperation with war crimes investigations and prosecutions, democratic reforms, and the future of Kosova. Exempts the governments of Montenegro and Kosova from such sanctions. (Sec. 585) Urges the export of U.S. clean coal technology, especially its promotion for use in environmental and energy infrastructure programs, projects, and activities. (Sec. 586) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 to repeal the requirement that a specified amount of foreign military financing funds to Israel be disbursed within 30 days of enactment of such Act. (Sec. 587) Repeals a specified provision under the International Financial Institutions Act requiring a certain annual report on the financial operations of the IMF. (Sec. 588) Extends the authorities of the General Accounting Office (GAO) until all available funds appropriated under the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act are expended. (Sec. 590) Declares, for purposes of eligibility for U.S. foreign assistance, that foreign nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations shall not be: (1) subject to requirements related to the use of non-U.S. Government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities more restrictive than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance; and (2) ineligible for such assistance solely on the basis of health or medical services provided by such organizations with non-U.S. Government funds if such services do not violate U.S. laws or the country's laws. Title VI: Plan Colombia - Makes appropriations for FY 2000 (sic) for expenses of the President and the Department of State to support Central and South America and Caribbean counternarcotics activities (earmarking amounts for Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and other countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean which are cooperating with the U.S. counternarcotics objectives), procurement, refurbishing, and support for UH-1H Huey II helicopters, and administration of demobilizing and rehabilitating activities for child soldiers in Colombia. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the Committees on Appropriations on the proposed uses of such assistance on a country-by-country basis. (Sec. 6101) Makes such counternarcotics assistance available to Colombia for FY 2000 and 2001 only if the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) the President of Colombia has directed that Colombian Armed Forces personnel who have committed gross violations of human rights will be brought to justice in Colombia's civilian courts; (2) the Commander of such forces is promptly suspending from duty any Colombian Armed Forces personnel who have committed such violations or who have aided or abetted paramilitary groups; and (3) that the Colombian Armed Forces and Colombian Government are cooperating with civilian authorities in investigating, prosecuting, and punishing such violators. (Sec. 6102) Directs the President to report to specified congressional committees on the current U.S. policy and strategy regarding U.S. counternarcotics assistance for Colombia and neighboring countries. (Sec. 6103) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Government of Colombia should develop and apply ecologically sound methods for eradicating illicit crops which in turn could reduce loss of life there and in the United States; (2) the effectiveness of U.S. counternarcotics assistance to Colombia depends on their law enforcement officials' having unimpeded access to all of its national territory for purposes of carrying out the interdiction of illegal narcotics and the eradication of illicit crops; and (3) the governments of countries receiving assistance under this title should take steps to prevent the creation of safe havens for narcotics traffickers by ensuring their prompt arrest, prosecution, and sentencing, and if requested, extradition to the United States. (Sec. 6104) Directs the Secretary of State, during the period of the Plan Colombia, to report to specified congressional committees on the extradition of narcotics traffickers. (Sec. 6105) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this title for the support of the aerial spraying of any herbicide unless specified conditions are met. (Sec. 6106) Bars the use of appropriated funds under any Act, with specified exceptions, for support of Plan Colombia until: (1) the President reports to Congress requesting the availability of such funds; and (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the request. Bars the use of appropriated funds under this or any other Act, with specified exceptions, for the assignment in Colombia of U.S. military personnel that would cause the number of such personnel to exceed 250, or the employment of any U.S. civilians as contractors in support of Plan Colombia that would cause their number to exceed 100. Authorizes the President to waive such limitations. Makes additional funds available to the President and AID for international disaster assistance for Mozambique and Southern Africa. Declares that the value of defense articles and services and IMET to Southern Africa shall not be counted against the ceiling limitation in any fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Department of Defense as reimbursement for such drawdowns for southern Africa. Makes additional funds available for salaries and expenses of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Rescinds a specified amount of unobligated funds earmarked for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.
Bill· SS. 2521 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2001 - Division 1 - Appropriates funds for FY 2001 for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure functions administered by the Department of Defense (DOD), namely: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (2) military construction, DOD (including a transfer of funds); (3) military construction for the Army and Air National Guards; (4) military construction for the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves; (5) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (6) family housing for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force; (7) family housing, DOD; and (8) the Base Realignment and Closure Account, Part IV. (Sec. 101) Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act and in other military construction appropriations Acts. (Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000. (Sec. 118) Provides for the transfer of military construction and family housing funds for which appropriations have expired into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense account. (Sec. 119) Directs the Secretary to report annually to the congressional appropriations committees on actions proposed by DOD to encourage other member nations of NATO, Japan, Korea, and U.S. allies in the Arabian Gulf to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of such nations and the United States. (Sec. 125) Rescinds specified amounts of unobligated funds provided in previous military construction appropriations Acts from the following accounts: (1) Army, Navy, Air Force, and DOD military construction; and (2) Army, Navy, and Air Force family housing. Division 2 - 2000 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Counternarcotics Activities, Peacekeeping Operations, and Other National Security Matters - Title I: Counternarcotics - Chapter 1: Department of Defense Military - Makes additional funds available for: (1) Army aircraft procurement; and (2) defense drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. Makes a limited amount available out of amounts appropriated in this Act for DOD for support for counter-drug activities of the Government of Colombia. Subjects the obligation or expenditure of such funds to: (1) a specified certification by the Secretary under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 with respect to authorized uses, security of equipment, review by U.S. personnel, and certain other related factors; and (2) a report by the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Special Operations and Low- Intensity Conflict on the value, duration, and purpose of logistics support, planning, or assistance contracts. Chapter 2: Military Construction, Defense-Wide - Provides additional funds for defense-wide military construction. Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional defense committees on construction, security, and operation of Forward Operating Locations (FOL) in Manta, Ecuador, Aruba, and Curacao. Requires the report to address: (1) a schedule for making each FOL fully operational; (2) a plan that identifies the operating requirements at FOL for the Coast Guard, Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, intelligence community, and DOD and how these requirements will be addressed; (3) a security plan to ensure that FOL facilities and personnel working at these sites are safeguarded from outside threats; and (4) a safety plan to ensure operations conducted at FOL are in accordance with standard operating procedures. Bars providing funds under this Act unless such reporting requirements are met. Chapter 3: Department of Transportation - Makes additional funds available for: (1) Coast Guard operating expenses; (2) acquisition, construction, renovation, and improvement of facilities and equipment for expansion of Coast Guard drug interdiction activities; and (3) operating, maintenance, and training expenses of the Coast Guard Reserve. Title II: Peacekeeping Operations in Kosovo and Other National Security Matters - Chapter 1: Department of Defense Military - Provides additional funds for Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard operation and maintenance (O&M) as well as defense-wide O&M for assistance to Vieques, Puerto Rico. Makes additional funds available for: (1) the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Fund; (2) Air Force aircraft procurement; and (3) the Defense Health Program. (Sec. 2101) Requires members of the uniformed services (from January 1, 2000 through FY 2001) entitled to a basic allowance for housing for a U.S. military housing area to be paid the allowance at a monthly rate not less than the rate in effect on December 31, 1999, in such area for members serving in the same pay grade and with the same dependency status. Authorizes the Secretary, in light of the rates so authorized, to exceed the limitation on the total amount paid for the basic housing allowance in FY 2000 and 2001. (Sec. 2102) Appropriates additional funds for the Defense-Wide Working Capital Fund for price increases resulting from worldwide increases in the price of petroleum. (Sec. 2103) Makes additional appropriations for the Defense Health Program. (Sec. 2104) Requires the Secretary of the Army to be the Executive Agent to lead, consolidate, and coordinate all DOD biometrics information assurance programs. Appropriates an additional amount for Army O&M for carrying out such programs and for continuing such programs of the Information System Security Program. Makes additional appropriations for Navy and Air Force O&M for carrying out such programs with the Army, as Executive Agent, to lead, consolidate, and coordinate. (Sec. 2105) Appropriates additional funds to DOD for the Patriot missile program. Requires DOD to submit a revised Patriot missile program plan to the congressional defense committees within 30 days of this Act's enactment date. (Sec. 2106) Makes additional funds available to DOD for: (1) Operation Walking Shield for technical assistance and transportation of excess housing to Indian tribes located in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota in accordance with existing law; and (2) peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations in East Timor and Mozambique. (Sec. 2108) Transfers a specified amount of defense-wide O&M funds appropriated by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 to the Macalloy Special Account administered by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pay for response actions by, or on behalf of, the EPA under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 at the Macalloy site in Charleston, South Carolina. (Sec. 2109) Requires all funds appropriated by any Act for LHD-8 to be made available for obligation within 15 days of this Act's enactment date. (Sec. 2110) Appropriates additional funds to DOD for communications, communications infrastructure, logistical support, resources, and operational assistance required by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee to stage the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. (Sec. 2111) Requires the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization to notify the congressional defense committees 30 days prior to issuing any type of information or proposal solicitation under the NMD Program. Chapter 2: Department of Energy - Provides additional funds for the Department of Energy for atomic energy weapons activities and other defense activities. Chapter 3: Military Construction, Defense-Wide - Provides additional funds for: (1) defense-wide military construction; (2) Army National Guard military construction for costs arising from the consequences of Hurricane Georges; and (3) Army Reserve military construction for costs arising from the consequences of Hurricane Floyd. (Sec. 2301) Appropriates additional funds to DOD to cover incremental O&M costs to family housing. (Sec. 2303) Provides that this section supersedes authority provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000. Incorporates provisions similar to those contained in such Act that authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to carry out a Base Efficiency Project at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas. Bars the Secretary of the Air Force from exercising such authority until he submits a master plan for Base development to the appropriate congressional committees. Subjects the use of the Base Efficiency Project Fund to advance appropriations. Chapter 4: General Provisions This Division - Repeals a provision of law that requires payment of basic pay and allowances for members of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy for the pay period ending on September 30, 2000, no earlier than October 1, 2000. (Sec. 2403) Rescinds a specified amount of funds in the nondefense, general purpose category to Federal agencies for information technology programs. (Sec. 2404) Deems funds made available in this Act for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress for purposes of the National Security Act of 1947. (Sec. 2405) Repeals certain provisions regarding progress payments and payment procedures of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000. (Sec. 2406) Prescribes a three-year term of office for the first person appointed as Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the Department of Energy. (Sec. 2409) Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to: (1) Ed W. Freeman for actions during the Vietnam War on November 14, 1965, while serving as a Captain in Alpha Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley in the Republic of Vietnam; (2) James K. Okubo for actions during World War II on October 28 and 29 and November 4, 1944, while serving as an Army medic in the medical detachment, 442d Regimental Combat Team at Foret Domaniale de Champ, near Biffontaine, France; and (3) Andrew J. Smith for actions during the Civil War on November 30, 1864, while serving as a corporal in the 55th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry Regiment during the Battle of Honey Hill in South Carolina. Authorizes such Medals of Honor to be awarded posthumously and for service for which a Silver Star or other award has been awarded. (Sec. 2410) Bars funds made available under any provision of law from being available for the continued deployment of U.S. ground combat troops in Kosovo after July 1, 2001, unless and until: (1) the President submits a report to Congress containing a request for specific authorization for the continued deployment, describing progress made in implementing a plan under which other countries will provide ground troops necessary to execute Operation Joint Guardian or a successor operation, and containing information on the total number of troops involved in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, the number of U.S. troops involved, and the percentage of the total troop burden that the United States is bearing; and (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution specifically authorizing the continued deployment of U.S. ground combat troops in Kosovo. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to the continued deployment in Kosovo of such number of U.S. troops necessary to: (1) conduct a safe, orderly, and phased withdrawal of U.S. ground forces from Kosovo in the event that the continued deployment of such troops is not specifically authorized by statute; or (2) protect U.S. diplomatic facilities in Kosovo in existence as of this Act's enactment date. Authorizes presidential waivers of such prohibition for periods of up to 90 days each, absent specific statutory authorization, in the event that: (1) the armed forces are involved in hostilities in Kosovo or that imminent involvement by the armed forces is clearly indicated by the circumstances; or (2) NATO, acting through the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, requests the emergency introduction of U.S. ground forces into Kosovo to assist other military forces involved in hostilities or facing imminent involvement in hostilities. Prohibits the exercise of such authority more than twice unless Congress enacts a law specifically authorizing the additional exercise of the authority. Requires the President, absent specific statutory authorization and whenever there is a deployment of 25 or more members of the U.S. armed forces to Kosovo after July 1, 2001, pursuant to a waiver described above, to report to Congress regarding the deployment within 96 hours of its beginning. Directs the President to develop a plan, by which NATO member countries, with the exception of the United States, and appropriate non-NATO countries will provide, not later than July 1, 2001, all ground combat troops necessary to execute Operation Joint Guardian or a successor operation in Kosovo. Requires the final plan for the achievement of objectives to be submitted to Congress by May 1, 2001. Requires the President to report every 30 days to Congress on the total number of troops involved in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, the number of U.S. troops involved, and the percentage of the total troop burden that the United States is bearing. Directs the President to report to Congress every three months on: (1) the total amount of funds that the United States has expended on peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and the percentage of the total contributions by all countries to such operations that the United States is bearing; and (2) the progress that each other country participating in such operations is making on meeting its financial commitments, its manpower commitments to the international civilian police force in Kosovo, and its troop commitments to such operations. Prohibits the obligation of more than 75 percent of amounts appropriated by this Act for FY 2000 military operations in Kosovo until the President certifies to Congress that the European Commission, the member nations of the European Union, and the European member nations of NATO have met specified funding and police deployment obligations with respect to Kosovo. Requires the President, together with such certification, to report to Congress on: (1) commitments and pledges made by each such organization and nation for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in Kosovo, the Kosovo Consolidated Budget, and police for the United Nations international police force for Kosovo; (2) the amount of assistance that has been provided in each category and the number of police that have been deployed to Kosovo by each such organization or nation; and (3) the full range of commitments and responsibilities that have been undertaken for Kosovo by the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the progress made by those organizations in fulfilling those commitments and responsibilities, an assessment of the tasks that remain to be accomplished, and an anticipated schedule for completing those tasks. Provides that if the President fails to submit such certification and report before July 15, 2000, then the amount appropriated for military operations in Kosovo that remains unobligated shall be available only for purposes of conducting a safe, orderly, and phased withdrawal of U.S. military personnel from Kosovo unless Congress enacts a joint resolution allowing that amount to be used for other purposes. Prohibits other amounts appropriated for DOD in any Act from being obligated to continue the deployment of U.S. military personnel in Kosovo if Congress fails to enact such resolution. Prescribes specific definitions of "joint resolution" for purposes of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4398 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Energy Employees Occupational Illness and Compensation Act of 2000 - Finds that civilian men and women who performed duties in the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons production program over the last 50 years should have efficient, uniform, and adequate compensation for beryllium-related health conditions and radiation-related health conditions in order to assure fairness and equity. Title I: Energy Employees' Beryllium Compensation - Directs the Secretary of Energy to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor to administer this title and for compensation by the Department of Energy for that administration from the Energy Employees Beryllium Compensation Fund (established by this title). Defines "covered employee" to be any employee of any entity that contracted or subcontracted with the Department of Energy to provide services relating to uranium conversion or manufacturing, a beryllium vendor's employee while the entity conducted activities related to beryllium produced or processed for the Department of Energy, who may have been exposed to beryllium, or a resident of Lorain County, Ohio (before 1950 in the area near the Brush Beryllium Company) who has been diagnosed with a covered illness. Provides compensation to such persons. Allows covered employees exposed to beryllium and diagnosed with beryllium-related pulmonary conditions to elect to receive alternative compensation of $200,000. Extends such option to the employee's survivors. Title II: Nuclear Employees' Radiation Compensation - Establishes a similar program and a Nuclear Employees' Radiation Compensation Fund to compensate covered employees for disability or death, medical services, and vocational rehabilitation for certain illnesses attributable to occupational exposure to radiation and other hazardous substances, including leukemia, cancer, and chronic renal disease. Provides for a similar alternative compensation of $200,000. Title III: Employees Exposed to Toxic Substances and Heavy Metals - Allows claims for compensation for illnesses, impairments, diseases, or death for which the claimant can establish that exposure to a hazardous substance occurred while a covered employee at a Department of Energy facility and that such exposure was a contributing factor to the illness, disease, or death. Provides for the establishment of physicians panels for claims evaluations. Title IV: Economic Development Assistance - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to make areas that contain a Department of Energy defense nuclear facility, as defined by specified provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, eligible for assistance under existing provisions relating to: (1) grants for public works and economic development; and (2) grants for economic adjustment.
Bill· HRH.R. 4403 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Law Enforcement Science and Technology Act of 2000 - Establishes in the Department of Justice under the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, an Office of Science and Technology (OST) to be headed by a Director. Abolishes the Office of Science and Technology of the National Institute of Justice and transfers its functions and employees to OST. (Sec. 3) Declares that the mission of OST shall be to: (1) serve as the national focal point for work on law enforcement technology; and (2) carry out programs to improve the safety and effectiveness of, and access to, technology to assist Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Sets forth the duties of OST, including to: (1) establish advisory groups to assess the technology needs of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; (2) establish technical and use standards for, and test and evaluate technologies that may be used by, such agencies; (3) conduct research and development in fields that would improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of technologies used by such agencies; and (4) serve as a clearinghouse for information on law enforcement technologies. Sets forth provisions regarding coordination with Federal agencies, publications, and transfer of funds by OST to other Federal agencies or provide funding to non-Federal entities. (Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for OST. Sets aside specified sums for: (1) regional National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers ; (2) research and development of forensic technologies and methods to improve crime laboratories; (3) development of standards and for the testing and evaluation of technologies; (4) salaries and expenses; and (5) expenditure under the provisions enacted in the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 and the Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance Program (limited to not more than five percent of funds appropriated for OST). Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) non-Federal research; and (2) reductions of funding under this Act in proportion to the amount appropriated if less than $200 million is appropriated for OST in any of fiscal years 2001 through 2005. (Sec. 5) Requires the Director of OST to submit annual reports to the President and Congress on the state of law enforcement technology.
Bill· HRH.R. 4411 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Water Resources Development Act of 2000 - Approves the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to modify the Central and Southern Florida (CSF) Project to restore, preserve, and protect the South Florida ecosystem. Authorizes implementation, at specified total costs, of certain pilot projects and other projects included in the Plan. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to implement modifications to the CSF Project that are consistent with the Plan and that will produce independent and substantial restoration, preservation, or protection benefits to the ecosystem, provided that the total cost of each project accomplished under such authority shall not exceed $35 million and the total Federal cost of all such projects shall not exceed $250 million. Requires a specific authorization of Congress for all other future projects included the Plan. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged individuals within the South Florida ecosystem are informed of the Plan, given the opportunity to review and comment on each project feature, provided opportunities to participate as a small business concern contractor, and given opportunities for employment or internships in emerging industry sectors. Requires the Secretary to establish a goal that not less than ten percent of the amounts made available for construction of projects be expended with small business concerns owned and controlled by such individuals within the ecosystem. Requires the Secretary: (1) to dedicate and manage the water made available from project features for the temporal and spatial needs of the natural system; and (2) after notice and opportunity for public comment and with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior, to issue programmatic regulations identifying the amount of water to be dedicated and managed. Requires that such regulations be completed within two years of the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for public comment, to develop project feature specific regulations to ensure that the benefits anticipated from each feature are achieved and maintained. Requires Secretary to ensure that Plan implementation, including physical or operational modifications to the CSF Project, does not cause substantial adverse impacts on existing legal water uses, including annual water deliveries to Everglades National Park, water for the preservation of fish and wildlife in the natural system, and other legal uses. Prohibits the Secretary from eliminating existing legal sources of water supply until new sources of comparable quantity and quality are available. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Interior to jointly submit to Congress a report on Plan implementation beginning on October 1, 2005 and periodically thereafter (but at least every five years) until October 1, 2036. (Sec. 4) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to replace provisions for the study of water resources needs of river basins and regions with provisions for the assessment of such needs, including cost sharing requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to provide assistance to non-Federal interests in the remediation and restoration of abandoned or idled industrial and commercial sites where such assistance will improve the quality, conservation, and sustainable use of the nation's streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and floodplains. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with federally recognized Indian tribes and other Federal agencies, to study and determine the feasibility of implementing water resources development projects that will substantially benefit Indian tribes and that are located primarily within Indian country or in proximity to Alaska Native villages. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to apply ability to pay requirements relating to flood control or agricultural water supply projects to cost sharing agreements for a feasibility study or for construction of an environmental protection and restoration project. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Secretary to implement a program to reduce vandalism and destruction of property at water resources development projects. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the National Recreation Reservation Service on an interagency basis and fund the Department of the Army's share of those activities required for implementing, operating, and maintaining such Service. (Sec. 10) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to: (1) provide that activities currently performed by personnel under the direction of the Secretary in connection with the operation and maintenance of hydroelectric power generating facilities at Army Corps of Engineers water resources projects are to be considered as inherently governmental functions and not as commercial activities where such activities require specialized training related to hydroelectric power generation; and (2) subject such activities to specified labor standards. (Sec. 11) Amends such Act to increase funding for the Secretary to engage in interagency and international support activities to address problems of national significance to the United States. (Sec. 12) Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to identify and set aside areas at civil works projects that may be used to re-inter Native American remains that have been discovered on project lands and which have been rightfully claimed by a lineal descendant or Indian tribe; (2) in consultation and consent with the lineal descendant or the respective Indian tribe, to recover and re-bury the remains at such sites at full Federal expense; and (3) to transfer to such Indian Tribe the land for use as a cemetery. (Sec. 13) Amends the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 to provide that the approval required of the location and plans, or any modification of plans, for any dam or dike, applies only to any dam or dike that would completely span a waterway currently used to transport interstate or foreign commerce when existing commerce could be adversely affected. (Sec. 14) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to revise cost sharing requirements with respect to the non-Federal share of the cost of a structural project assigned to flood control. (Sec. 15) Authorizes the Secretary to participate with the appropriate Federal and State agencies in the planning and management activities associated with the CALFED Bay Delta Program and to integrate the activities of the Corps of Engineers in the San Joaquin and Sacramento River basins with the long-term goals of the Program. Allows the Secretary to accept and expend funds from other Federal agencies and non- Federal public, private, and non-profit entities to carry out ecosystem restoration projects and activities associated with such Program and to enter into contracts, cooperative research and development agreements, and cooperative agreements with Federal agencies and such entities in carrying out these projects and activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 16) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to revise provisions governing water resources project de-authorizations. Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress annually a list of projects that have been authorized for construction: (1) but for which no appropriations have been obligated during the four preceding fiscal years; and (2) for which construction funds have been obligated in the past but for which no appropriations have been obligated for construction during the two previous consecutive fiscal years. Requires any authorized project to be de-authorized: (1) after seven years after its most recent authorization unless construction funds have been obligated; or (2) if construction funds have been obligated but no new construction appropriations have been obligated during five subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 17) Requires that the guidelines for the preparation of floodplain management plans also require non-Federal interests to take measures to preserve the level of flood protection provided by the project for which required compliance with Federal floodplain management and flood insurance programs applies. (Sec. 18) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, the States of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska, and other affected interests, for the transfer of land that was acquired by the Secretary for the implementation of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River basin program and is located within the reservations of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, ND, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North and South Dakota, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, SD, the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the benefit of such Indian tribes. (Sec. 19) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in Critical Restoration Projects in the area of Puget Sound and its adjacent waters, including the watersheds that drain directly into the Sound, Admiralty Inlet, Hood Canal, Rosario Strait, and the eastern portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4397 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act of 2000 - Makes this Act effective for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 2001. Title I: Budget With Force of Law - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to revise required contents of the annual budget resolution. Requires such resolution to set forth, for the current fiscal year and for at least each of the four ensuing fiscal years: (1) subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for nondefense and defense discretionary spending, direct spending (excluding interest), and interest; and (2) subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for emergencies, for fiscal years to which the amendments made by title II of this Act apply. (Current law requires the resolution to set forth levels of new budget authority and outlays for each major functional category.) Removes a provision which requires the resolution to exclude the outlays and revenue totals of the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program in surplus and deficit totals required under congressional budget process provisions. Revises matters which may be included in the budget resolution. Authorizes the resolution to change the statutory limit on the public debt if the amendment is submitted by the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives or the Senate Finance Committee to the appropriate Budget Committee. Requires the report accompanying the resolution to include: (1) new budget authority and outlays for each major functional category based on allocations of total levels; (2) a measure, as a percentage of gross domestic product, of total outlays, total Federal revenues, the surplus or deficit, and new outlays for nondefense discretionary, defense, and direct spending; and (3) a justification for not subjecting any program or activity for which an allocation is made to annual discretionary appropriations if the resolution includes any committee allocation (other than the Appropriations Committees) exceeding current law levels. Amends Federal provisions concerning elements of the President's required budget submission to Congress. Requires such submission to include, for the affected fiscal year and at least each of the nine ensuing fiscal years: (1) totals of new budget authority and outlays; (2) total Federal revenues and the amount by which the aggregate level of revenues should be increased or decreased by reported bills and resolutions; (3) the budget surplus or deficit; (4) subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for nondefense and defense discretionary spending, direct spending, and interest; (5) the public debt; and (6) subtotals of new budget authority and outlays for emergencies for fiscal years to which title II of this Act applies. Amends the CBA to prohibit a joint resolution on the budget and its accompanying report from: (1) appropriating or providing, impounding, or rescinding any new budget authority; increasing any outlay; or increasing or decreasing any revenue (other than through reconciliation instructions); (2) establishing or changing directly (other than through reconciliation instructions) any program, project, or activity; (3) establishing or changing any limit or control over spending, outlays, receipts, or the surplus or deficit except those that are enforced through congressional rulemaking; or (4) amending any law except as provided under CBA provisions relating to permissible revisions of joint budget resolutions or enacting any provision of law that contains any matter not permitted to be included in such resolutions. Provides a point of order against consideration of any budget resolution or related amendment or conference report that contains matter not specified in content requirements. (Sec. 104) Removes a provision that provides for an adjustment of the allocation of discretionary spending in the House if the budget resolution is not adopted by April 15. Removes an exception which allows general appropriations bills in the House, after May 15, to be considered before the budget resolution has been agreed to. Eliminates a provision which exempts, after April 15, certain reported legislation which does not increase the deficit from a requirement that the budget resolution be adopted before consideration of budget-related legislation. Requires a three-fifths majority in the Senate to waive or suspend provisions requiring the budget resolution to be adopted before budget-related legislation is considered. Provides for expedited procedures upon presidential veto of the budget resolution. Authorizes the House or Senate majority leader to introduce a concurrent or joint budget resolution upon such veto. Discharges the Budget Committees from further consideration of the resolution if such resolution is not reported within five days of referral. Deems any agreed-to concurrent resolution to be the joint budget resolution for the applicable fiscal years. (Sec. 105) Changes CBA references to the concurrent resolution to the joint resolution. Title II: Reserve Fund for Emergencies - Repeals provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) regarding: (1) discretionary spending limits and emergency appropriations; and (2) direct spending and emergency legislation. (Sec. 205) Amends Federal provisions regarding the presidential budget to require such budget to include a reserve fund for emergencies. Requires the budget submission, in the case of budget authority requested for an emergency, to include a justification of the reasons that the emergency is an emergency consistent with the definition set forth under this Act. (Sec. 206) Amends the CBA to provide for adjustments in allocations for the amount of new budget authority or outlays and outlays flowing from budget authority after reporting of a joint budget resolution that provides budget authority for an emergency. Prohibits such adjustments from exceeding the amount reserved for emergencies established by this Act. Permits any such adjustment made by the Budget Committee chairmen to be placed before the committee for its consideration by a majority vote of committee members. Requires the amount set forth in the reserve fund for emergencies for budget authority for a fiscal year to equal the average of the enacted levels of budget authority for emergencies in the five fiscal years preceding the current year. Sets forth a formula for calculating the amount in the fund for outlays. Bases such amount on the average outlays flowing from new budget authority in the fiscal year that the budget authority was provided as well as on average outlays for the four years following such fiscal year. Sets forth procedures for the consideration of legislation that provides budget authority or increases outlays for an emergency in an amount exceeding the amount provided for in the budget resolution. Requires committees, when reporting legislation that provides budget authority for any emergency, to identify all provisions that provide such authority and the resulting outlays in the accompanying report or joint explanatory statement of managers. (Sec. 207) Includes up-to-date tabulations of amounts remaining in the reserve fund for emergencies in summary budget scorekeeping reports provided by the Budget Committees. (Sec. 208) Makes it out of order to consider an amendment to a budget resolution which changes the amount of budget authority and outlays set forth for the emergency reserve fund. Permits limitations on the contents of the budget resolution and the point of order against changing the budget authority and outlays for the emergency reserve fund to be waived or suspended only by a three-fifths majority in the Senate. (Sec. 209) Makes the amendments of this title effective only after the enactment of legislation changing or extending for any fiscal year the discretionary spending limits set forth in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act or legislation reducing the amount of any sequestration under such Act by the amount of any reserve for any emergencies. Title III: Enforcement of Budgetary Decisions - Subtitle A: Application of Points of Order to Unreported Legislation - Applies a certain point of order against the consideration of unreported legislation in the House before the adoption of the budget resolution. Subtitle B: Compliance with Budget Resolution - Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House to require committee reports to include a budget compliance statement prepared by the chairman of the Budget Committee. Subtitle C: Justification for Budget Act Waivers - Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House to provide a point of order against consideration of any resolution from the Committee on Rules to consider any reported legislation which waives specified provisions of the CBA unless the report contains certain information on the provision proposed for waiver. Subtitle D: CBO Scoring of Conference Reports - Amends the CBA to provide for Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis and scoring of conference reports. Requires such analysis to include, for reported legislation and conference reports, a determination of whether the measure provides direct spending. Title IV: Accountability for Federal Spending - Subtitle A: Limitations on Direct Spending - Provides a point of order in the House and the Senate against consideration of legislation that: (1) provides direct spending for a new program unless such spending is limited to a period of ten or fewer fiscal years; or (2) authorizes the appropriation of new budget authority for a new program unless such authorization is specifically provided for a period of ten or fewer fiscal years. Removes provisions regarding points of order and legislation providing new entitlement authority. (Sec. 412) Amends rule XVIII of the Rules of the House to provide that, in the Committee of the Whole, an amendment to subject a new program providing direct spending to discretionary appropriations if offered by the chairman of the Budget or Appropriations Committees may be precluded from consideration only by the specific terms of a special House order. Excludes from the definition of "direct spending," for purposes of this paragraph, outlays flowing from new budget authority for a social security trust fund. Declares that the purpose of the following amendments is to hold the discretionary spending limits and allocations made to the Appropriations Committee harmless for legislation that offsets a new discretionary program with a designated reduction in direct spending. Amends the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to require, if a provision of direct spending legislation is enacted that decreases direct spending for any fiscal year and is designated as an offset and specifically identifies an authorization of discretionary appropriations for a new program, the reductions in new budget authority and outlays resulting from such provision to be designated as an offset in specified CBO pay-as-you-go estimates. Excludes such offsets from such estimates. Requires, if an Act other than an appropriation Act includes provisions reducing direct spending and identifies those provisions as offsets, the adjustments to be an increase in the discretionary spending limits for budget authority and outlays in each fiscal year equal to such authority and outlay reductions, respectively, achieved by the specified offsets. Prohibits the adjustments for the budget year in which the offsetting provisions take effect from exceeding the amount of discretionary new budget authority provided for the new program in an Act making discretionary appropriations and the resulting outlays. Provides for: (1) adjustments to discretionary spending limits, allocations, and budgetary allocations resulting from programs for which offsets were designated and resulting outlays; and (2) reductions of committee allocations of new budget authority and outlays with respect to reported legislation containing provisions that decrease direct spending and are designated as offsets. Subtitle B: Enhanced Congressional Oversight Responsibilities - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House to require House committees, in developing oversight plans, to provide a specific timetable for review of laws, programs, or agencies within their jurisdiction. Requires such timetable to demonstrate that each law, program, or agency within a committee's jurisdiction will be reauthorized at least once every ten years. Removes a provision of such rule pertaining to procedures for consideration of legislation providing new entitlement authority which exceeds the appropriate allocation of budget authority. Requires the House Appropriations Committee to report at least once each Congress (currently, from time to time) on recommendations for terminating or modifying provisions of law which provide permanent budget authority. (Sec. 422) Amends the CBA to require the joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on a joint budget resolution that includes an allocation to a committee (other than the Appropriations Committee) of levels exceeding current law levels to set forth a justification for not subjecting any program to annual discretionary appropriations. Makes conforming amendments to provisions regarding the presidential budget submission and to House rules regarding committee consideration of legislation. (Sec. 424) Requires the Budget Committees, during the 107th Congress, to report results of a study on budget reform proposals. Subtitle C: Strengthened Accountability - Requires certain reports on legislation providing new budget authority or increases or decreases in revenues or tax expenditures to include CBO projections of how such legislation will affect levels of budget authority, outlays, revenue, or tax expenditures for the affected fiscal year and the ensuing nine (currently, four) fiscal years. Provides for ten-year (currently, four) CBO cost estimates of reported legislation as well. Amends rule XIII of the Rules of the House to require committee reports to contain cost estimates for each of 11 fiscal years. (Sec. 432) Repeals rule XXIII (relating to the establishment of the statutory limit on the public debt) of the Rules of the House. Title V: Budgeting for Unfunded Liabilities and Other Long-Term Obligations - Subtitle A: Budgetary Treatment of Federal Insurance Programs - Amends the CBA to establish a new title known as the Federal Insurance Budgeting Act of 2000. Requires the President's budget, beginning with FY 2007, to be based on the risk-assumed cost of Federal insurance programs. Defines "risk-assumed cost" as the net present value of the estimated cash flows to and from the Government resulting from an insurance commitment or modification. Requires the program accounts for such programs to pay: (1) the risk-assumed cost borne by the taxpayer to the financing account; and (2) actual insurance program administrative costs. Requires the financing accounts to: (1) receive premiums and other income; (2) pay all claims for insurance and receive all recoveries; and (3) transfer to the program account at least annually amounts necessary to pay administrative costs. Provides that a negative risk-assumed cost shall be transferred from the financing to the program account and from the program account to the general fund. Requires all payments by or receipts of the financing accounts to be treated in the budget as a means of financing. Permits insurance commitments to be made for FY 2007 and thereafter only to the extent that new budget authority to cover the risk-assumed cost is provided in advance in an appropriations Act. Prohibits modification of an outstanding commitment in a manner that increases the risk-assumed cost unless budget authority for the additional cost has been provided in advance. Makes such requirements inapplicable to insurance programs that constitute entitlements. Provides for re-estimations of risk-assumed cost in each subsequent year. Requires agencies with responsibility for Federal insurance programs to develop models to estimate risk-assumed cost by year through the budget horizon and to submit such models, all relevant data, justifications for critical assumptions, and annual projected risk-assumed costs to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with budget requests each year starting with the request for FY 2003. Directs OMB and CBO, after a comment period for interested persons, to revise the models, data, and major assumptions they would use to estimate the risk-assumed cost of Federal insurance programs. Makes such requirement inapplicable to an agency that is subject to statutory requirements to maintain a risk-based assessment system with a minimum level of reserves against loss and to assess insured entities for risk-based premiums. Requires the President's budget submissions and budgets and CBO's reports on the economic and budget outlook for FY 2004 through 2006 to estimate, for display purposes only, the risk-assumed cost of existing or proposed Federal insurance programs. Requires OMB, CBO, and the General Accounting Office to report to the Budget Committees on the advisability and appropriate implementation of this subtitle. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2006 to OMB and each agency responsible for administering a Federal program to carry out this subtitle. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow from, receive from, lend to, or pay the insurance financing accounts appropriate amounts. Establishes a financing account for each Federal insurance program on September 30, 2006. Appropriates to such accounts the amount of the risk-assumed cost of outstanding Federal insurance commitments as of the close of September 30, 2006. Terminates this subtitle on the last day of FY 2008. Subtitle B: Reports on Long-Term Budgetary Trends - Requires the President's budget submission to include: (1) an analysis based upon current law and one based upon the policy assumptions underlying the submission for every fifth year of the period of the 75 fiscal years beginning with the affected fiscal year of the estimated levels of total new budget authority, outlays, estimated revenues, surpluses, and deficits and, for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and all other direct spending, estimated levels of total new budget authority and outlays; and (2) a specification of underlying assumptions and a sensitivity analysis of factors that have a significant effect on the projections made in each analysis and a comparison of the effects of the two analyses on the economy. Establishes a conforming requirement for CBO's annual report to the Budget Committees on fiscal policy. Title VI: Baselines and Byrd Rule - Subtitle A: The Baseline - Revises required elements of the President's budget submission to include percentage changes between the current year and the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted for: (1) estimated expenditures and appropriations which are necessary to support the Government, with an exception for detailed budget estimates; (2) laws in effect when the budget is submitted and proposals in the budget to increase revenues as well as for each of the nine ensuing fiscal years; and (3) certain proposed appropriations and expenditures for legislation that would establish or expand Government activities or functions, with an exception for detailed budget estimates. Includes within the submission: (1) a comparison of levels of estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for each function and subfunction in the current fiscal year and the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, along with the proposed increase or decrease of spending in percentage terms for each function and subfunction; (2) a table on sources of growth in total direct spending under current law and as proposed in the submission for the budget year and the ensuing nine fiscal years; and (3) a comparison of the estimated level of obligation limitations, budget authority, and outlays for highways subject to discretionary spending limits set forth in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted and the corresponding levels for such year under current law as adjusted. (Sec. 612) Amends the CBA to require the report accompanying the budget resolution to include: (1) a comparison of levels for the current fiscal year with proposed spending and revenue levels for subsequent fiscal years along with the proposed increase or decrease of spending in percentage terms for each function; and (2) a comparison of the proposed levels of new budget authority and outlays for the highway category for the budget year with the corresponding levels under current law as adjusted consistent with the anticipated revenue alignment adjustments made pursuant to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act. (Sec. 613) Includes similar requirements in certain CBO reports. (Sec. 614) Requires the OMB and CBO Directors, in making budgetary projections for years for which there are no discretionary spending limits, to assume discretionary spending levels at the levels for the last fiscal year for which such levels were in effect. Subtitle B: The Byrd Rule - Makes certain procedures (Byrd rule) that provide for the removal of extraneous matter in reconciliation legislation inapplicable to conference reports.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 496 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Sets forth the rule (modified open) for the consideration of H.R. 3709 (moratorium on Internet taxes).
Bill· HRH.R. 4392 (106th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 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 the: (1) Central Intelligence Agency; (2) Department of Defense; (3) Defense Intelligence Agency; (4) National Security Agency; (5) Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; (6) Departments of State, the Treasury, and Energy; (7) Federal Bureau of Investigation; (8) National Reconnaissance Office; and (9) National Imagery and Mapping Agency. 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. Allows the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to authorize 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 whenever such authority is exercised. Authorizes appropriations for the Intelligence 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 of employee, or member of the armed forces, who is detailed to such staff. 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 - 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. 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. 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.
Bill· SS. 2507 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 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 (DIA); (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. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002 through 2005 for the CIA, DIA, NSA, and NRO. (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, 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. 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 - 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) Amends the Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties against current or former U.S. officers or employees, or persons with current or former access to classified information, who willfully disclose such information to a person not authorized access to such information, with exceptions for disclosures to: (1) any justice or judge of a U.S. court under article III of the Constitution; or (2) the Senate or House, a committee, subcommittee, or joint committee thereof, or a member of Congress. (Sec. 304) 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 prisoners of war and missing persons. (Sec. 305) 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. 306) Requires the DCI to certify to the congressional 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 and executive orders relating to such materials. Requires a report to the intelligence committees when noncompliance is determined. Prohibits funds from being obligated by such Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research until the DCI has certified full compliance of each element. Prohibits an element from retaining or storing classified information until full compliance is achieved. Authorizes the President 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. 307) Amends the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act to state that no provision of such Act shall be construed to prohibit a U.S. citizen from raising any challenge to the blocking of assets by the United States. (Sec. 308) Makes FY 2000 Federal counterdrug activities funding available for administrative costs of the Counterdrug Intelligence Executive Secretariat authorized by the General Counterdrug Intelligence Plan of February 12, 2000. Title IV: Central Intelligence Agency - Amends the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 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 concerning possible criminal conduct of a current or former CIA official; (3) the IG becomes aware of possible criminal conduct of a current or former CIA official through means other than an investigation, inspection, or audit; 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. 403) Provides for additional deposits into the Central Services Working Capital Fund. Extends through March 31, 2005, the authority for the CIA central services program. (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 - Extends through December 31, 2002, the authority for DOD to engage in commercial activities in connection with intelligence collection activities. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, in order to satisfy nuclear test explosion requirements applicable to the United States, to convey or otherwise provide to a foreign government, and to install, monitoring and associated equipment. Requires an agreement with the applicable foreign government concerning appropriate access to the data produced and authorized equipment inspection, testing, repair, and replacement. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the DCI, during the five-year period after the enactment of this Act, to carry out a program of experimental use of a specialized personnel management authority to facilitate the recruitment of eminent experts in science or engineering for research and development projects administered by intelligence community elements of NIMA, the NSA, the NRO, and the DIA. Limits to four years the employment of such experts, with an authorized two-year extension when necessary to promote element efficiency. Allows limited annual payments to such employees in addition to authorized Federal basic pay. Requires annual reports during the five-year period from the DCI to the intelligence committees.
Bill· SS. 2515 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2000 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (MediKids Program) under which an eligible individual born after December 31, 2001, who has not attained age 23 may enroll in the MediKids Program for entitlement to benefits specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Includes among such benefits the following: (1) at least the same benefits available under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) under SSA title XVIII; (2) early and periodic screening, diagnostic services, and treatment services under Medicaid (SSA title XIX); and (3) prescription drugs and biologicals. Provides for cost-sharing, a payment schedule for covered benefits, and a monthly MediKids premium and the means for payment of it. Provides for a reduction in premium for certain low-income families. (Sec. 2) Creates in the Treasury the MediKids Trust Fund (Trust Fund) for collected premiums, appropriated amounts, and other revenues for use in funding the coverage provided under the MediKids Program and maintaining its financial solvency. Authorizes the Secretary to implement a care coordination services program including specified elements under which eligible individuals may elect to have health care services covered under new SSA title XXII managed and coordinated by a designated care coordinator. Sets forth administration and miscellaneous provisions applicable to new SSA title XXII, including provisions for coordination with Medicaid and SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) and the maintenance of Medicaid eligibility and benefits for children. Amends SSA title XVIII to increase the membership of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to from 17 to 19 members, with the initial terms of additional members staggered. (Sec. 3) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a MediKids premium tax in the case of any taxpayer required to pay a premium under the MediKids program for an eligible individual; and (2) provide for a refundable tax credit for cost-sharing expenses under the MediKids program. (Sec. 5) Mandates deposit in the Treasury of any amounts: (1) recovered by the United States in the civil action brought on September 22, 1999, under the Medical Care Recovery Act and other specified provisions of Federal law in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the tobacco industry and associated parties; and (2) attributable to expenditures of HHS for tobacco-related illnesses. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to propose a gradual schedule of progressive tax changes to fund the MediKids program as the number of enrollees grows in the out-years.
Bill· SS. 2503 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Renewable Fuels Act of 2000 - Amends provisions of the Clean Air Act regarding motor vehicle emission and fuel standards to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control or prohibit the introduction into commerce, manufacture, or sale of fuels or fuel additives if such a fuel or additive or its emission product causes or contributes to air, water, or soil pollution that may be anticipated to endanger the public health or welfare or the environment (currently, if any emission product causes or contributes to air pollution that may be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare). Prohibits States or political subdivisions, except as otherwise provided, from prescribing or enforcing any control or prohibition on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a fuel additive in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine for purposes of motor vehicle emission control or water or soil quality protection. Adds water or soil quality protection to the list of purposes for which States may prescribe or enforce controls or prohibitions on fuel or fuel additives in certain circumstances. Requires States seeking to prescribe or enforce such controls or prohibitions for water or soil quality protection (in cases where the State implementation plan for attainment of national ambient air quality standards so provides) to petition the Administrator for authority to take such action. Sets forth criteria for granting such petitions, including that the authority is necessary to protect the environment or public health or welfare or is not likely to have an adverse effect on fuel availability or price that outweighs any benefits associated with the control or prohibition. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations applicable to gasoline refiners, blenders, or importers to ensure that gasoline sold or introduced into commerce in an area after January 1, 2004, has an MTBE content at a level that: (1) may not be reasonably anticipated to endanger natural resources and the public health; and (2) does not exceed the annual average volume of MTBE per gallon of gasoline used in the area before 1995. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Administrator to adjust the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) performance standard with respect to the use of reformulated gasoline in specified nonattainment areas in the case of a fuel formulation that achieves reductions in the quantity of mass emissions of carbon monoxide that are greater than or less than the reductions associated with such a gasoline that contains 2.0 percent oxygen by weight and meets other applicable requirements. Bases the adjustment amount on the effect on ozone concentrations of the combined reductions in VOC and carbon monoxide emissions. Permits the Administrator to waive the oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline for any ozone nonattainment area if a State Governor submits an application that: (1) demonstrates that the State is in full compliance with Federal regulations concerning the control and prevention of leaking underground storage tanks (USTs); or (2) provides a plan that outlines the measures the State will take to fully comply with the UST regulations by no later than two years after such application is received. Limits the aromatic hydrocarbon content of reformulated gasoline to 22 (currently, 25) percent by volume. Requires the Administrator to revise performance standards regarding reformulated gasoline to ensure that: (1) the ozone-forming potential, taking into account all ozone precursors, of the aggregate emissions during the high ozone season from baseline vehicles when using reformulated gasoline does not exceed such potential of the emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with regulations that were in effect on January 1, 2000, and applicable to such gasoline sold in 2000 and subsequent calendar years; and (2) the aggregate emissions of specified pollutants, including toxics, from such vehicles when using such gasoline do not exceed such emissions from such vehicles when using reformulated gasoline that complies with the regulations described in (1). (Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator, upon the application of a State Governor, to apply prohibitions on the sale of conventional gasoline in covered areas (areas requiring the use of reformulated gasoline), to any nonclassified areas (opt- in areas). (Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for gasoline renewable source (including biomass ethanol) content requirements applicable to refiners, blenders, or importers. Increases such requirement annually to require a content of 1.3 percent in 2000 and 3.3 percent by 2010 and thereafter. Provides for credits for persons who refine, blend, or import gasoline that contains a quantity of fuel derived from such sources or a quantity of biomass ethanol that exceeds applicable requirements. Authorizes the use or transfer of such credits for compliance purposes. Permits the Administrator to waive renewable source content requirements on petition by a State and upon determining that: (1) implementation of the requirements would severely harm the U.S. or a State or regional economy or environment; or (2) there is an inadequate domestic supply or distribution capacity to meet such requirements. Terminates waivers after one year but authorizes renewals. Permits renewable source content regulations to provide exemptions for small refiners. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on reductions in emissions of criteria air pollutants listed under the Act and greenhouse gases that result from implementation of renewable source content requirements. Requires the Administrator to promulgate renewable source content regulations applicable to diesel fuel. Amends Federal highway provisions to provide that for purposes of determining the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users paid into the Highway Trust Fund, the amount paid into the Fund with respect to the sale or gasohol or other fuels containing alcohol by reason of taxes imposed on special fuels or gasoline shall be treated as equal to the amount that would have been imposed without regard to the reduction in revenues resulting from renewable source content regulations under the Clean Air Act and specified Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning alcohol fuels. (Sec. 6) Changes references to calendar year 1990 to 1999 in reformulated gasoline provisions concerning anti-dumping. Updates the baseline from 1990 to 1999 for purposes of such provisions. (Sec. 7) Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the EPA Administrator to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for paying reasonable costs incurred under cooperative agreements with States of: (1) certain corrective actions and compensation programs; (2) administrative expenses directly related to such programs; or (3) enforcement of State or local requirements regulating USTs. Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement a strategy to take corrective action in response to releases from leaking USTs located within the exterior boundaries of an Indian reservation or another area within tribal jurisdiction; and (2) enforce requirements regulating such USTs. Requires the Administrator to conduct studies to: (1) determine the corrosive effects of MTBE and other widely used fuels and fuel additives on USTs; and (2) assess the potential public health and environmental risks associated with the use of aboveground storage tanks and the effectiveness of State and Federal regulations or voluntary standards to provide adequate public health and environmental protection. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Administrator to enter into cooperative agreements with the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Agriculture, States, local governments, private landowners, and other interested parties to establish voluntary pilot projects to protect the water quality of private wells and provide technical assistance to users of water from such wells.
Law· HRH.R. 4391 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act - Amends Federal provisions concerning tax authority to deem mobile telecommunications services provided in a taxing jurisdiction as provided by the customer's home service provider. Subjects charges for such services to taxation by the taxing jurisdiction whose territorial limits encompass the customer's place of primary use, regardless of where the services originate, terminate, or pass through. Prohibits any other taxing jurisdiction from imposing any tax, charge, or fee for such services. Authorizes a State or a designated database provider to provide an electronic database to a home service provider in a format which designates for each street address the appropriate taxing jurisdiction as identified by a nationwide standard numeric code. Requires the State or designated database provider to provide notice of the availability of such electronic database, as well as subsequent revisions thereto. Holds harmless from any fee liability a home service provider that uses such database. Holds a provider harmless from any such liability in the absence of such a database if the provider employs an enhanced zip code to assign each street address to a specific taxing jurisdiction and exercises due diligence to ensure that each address is assigned to the correct taxing jurisdiction. Requires one specific taxing jurisdiction to be assigned when an enhanced zip code overlaps boundaries of different taxing jurisdictions. Terminates the authority to use the enhanced zip code on the later of: (1) 18 months after the nationwide standard numeric code has been approved; or (2) six months after a such electronic database is provided. Authorizes a taxing jurisdiction, or a State acting on behalf of such jurisdiction: (1) to determine the place of primary use for purposes of appropriate taxing authority; and (2) if necessary, to notify a home service provider to change the assignment of a taxing authority to reflect the appropriate place of primary use. Authorizes a taxing jurisdiction to require the home service provider to obtain and maintain the customer's place of primary use for taxing purposes. Provides transition provisions and special rules.
Bill· HRH.R. 4390 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2000 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (MediKids Program) under which an eligible individual born after December 31, 2001, who has not attained age 23 may enroll in the MediKids Program for entitlement to benefits specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Includes among such benefits the following: (1) at least the same benefits available under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) under SSA title XVIII; (2) early and periodic screening, diagnostic services, and treatment services under Medicaid (SSA title XIX); and (3) prescription drugs and biologicals. Provides for cost-sharing, a payment schedule for covered benefits, and a monthly MediKids premium and the means for payment of it. Provides for a reduction in premium for certain low-income families. (Sec. 2) Creates in the Treasury the MediKids Trust Fund (Trust Fund) for collected premiums, appropriated amounts, and other revenues for use in funding the coverage provided under the MediKids Program and maintaining its financial solvency. Authorizes the Secretary to implement a care coordination services program including specified elements under which eligible individuals may elect to have health care services covered under new SSA title XXII managed and coordinated by a designated care coordinator. Sets forth administration and miscellaneous provisions applicable to new SSA title XXII, including provisions for coordination with Medicaid and SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) and the maintenance of Medicaid eligibility and benefits for children. Amends SSA title XVIII to increase the membership of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission from 17 to 19 members, with the initial terms of additional members staggered. (Sec. 3) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a MediKids premium tax in the case of any taxpayer required to pay a premium under the MediKids Program for an eligible individual; and (2) provide for a refundable tax credit for cost-sharing expenses under the MediKids Program. (Sec. 5) Mandates deposit in the Treasury of any amounts: (1) recovered by the United States in the civil action brought on September 22, 1999, under the Medical Care Recovery Act and other specified provisions of Federal law in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the tobacco industry and associated parties; and (2) attributable to expenditures of HHS for tobacco-related illnesses. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to propose a gradual schedule of progressive tax changes to fund the MediKids program as the number of enrollees grows in the out-years.
Bill· HRH.R. 4377 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2000 - Requires: (1) Governors of each State receiving monies from the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (established under this Act) to report on June 15 of each year to the Secretaries of the Interior or of Agriculture, as appropriate, accounting for the money received for the previous fiscal year, including the funded projects and activities; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to Congress on monies the Departments of the Interior and of Agriculture have spent out of the Fund, including a summary of such Governors' reports. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Conservation and Reinvestment Act Fund (CRAF). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into CRAF certain Outer Continental Shelf revenues, undisbursed amounts under title I of this Act, and certain interest earned on CRAF investments. Transfers all amounts deposited into the CRAF as follows: (1) to the Secretary of the Interior for payment of $1 billion to States for impact assistance and coastal conservation, $125 million for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978, $100 million for the National Historic Preservation Act, and $50 million to develop and implement Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements; (2) to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture for payment of $200 million for Federal and Indian land restoration; (3) to the Secretary of Agriculture $100 million to carry out the farmland protection program under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, and the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program and the Forest Legacy Program established under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; (4) to the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the amount of $900 million; and (5) to the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund (FAWRF) established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in the amount of $350 million. Provides that any shortfalls less than $2.825 billion in a fiscal year, after FY 2000, proportionally reduce such sums for that fiscal year. (Sec. 6) Limits the amount available for administrative expenses to two percent. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect the prohibition contained in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (as amended by this Act) that bars the use of funds transferred to the FAWRF by this Act for administrative or execution of program expenses. (Sec. 8) States that it is the intent of Congress that States not use this Act as an opportunity to reduce State or local resources for the programs funded by this Act. Prohibits a State or local government from receiving funds under this Act during any fiscal year: (1) when its expenditures of non-Federal funds for recurrent expenditures for programs for which such funding is provided will be less than its expenditures were for such programs during the preceding fiscal year; or (2) for a program unless the Secretary of the Interior is satisfied that such a grant will be used to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of State, local, or other non-Federal funds available for such program. Exempts a State or local government from such prohibition if the Secretary determines that a reduction in expenditures is: (1) attributable to a non-selective reduction in the expenditures in the programs of all executive branch agencies of such entity; or (2) a result of reductions in State or local revenue as a result of a downturn in the economy. Treats all funds received by a State or local government under this Act as Federal funds for purposes of compliance with provisions in effect under other law requiring that non-Federal funds be used to provide a portion of the funding for any program or project. (Sec. 10) Prohibits: (1) the taking of private property in whole or in part, without just compensation; and (2) Federal agencies, using funds appropriated by this Act, from applying any regulation on any lands until the lands or water or an interest therein is acquired, unless authorized to do so by another Act of Congress. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to design a standardized sign and, where appropriate, require its installation at sites receiving funds under this Act. Title I: Impact Assistance and Coastal Conservation - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to allocate such transferred CRAF payments to coastal States for impact assistance and coastal conservation only if such States have: (1) a Secretary-approved Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan; (2) agreed to provide specified reports; and (3) certain necessary fiscal control and fund accounting procedures. (Sec. 101) Sets forth the formula for allocating such funds to coastal States and coastal political subdivisions. (Sec. 102) Requires the development and submission of a Coastal State Conservation and Impact Assistance Plan by each coastal State seeking to receive grants under this title (and in the case of a producing State, the Governor) to incorporate the plans of the coastal political subdivisions into the Statewide plan for transmittal to the Secretary of the Interior for approval or disapproval before the disbursement of CRAF funds. Specifies authorized uses of the CRAF funds. Title II: Land and Water Conservation Fund Revitalization - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to provide that all CRAF funds transferred to the Land and Water Conservation Fund shall be covered into the Fund. (Sec. 203) Makes $900 million available each fiscal year after FY 2001 for expenditure without further appropriation, to be allocated as follows: (1) 50 percent for Federal purposes; and (2) 50 percent for State grants. (Sec. 205) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of the Federal portion of such funds for any land or water interest acquisition except those specified and approved by Congress in the appropriate appropriations Act. Prescribes: (1) a procedure for preparing and transmitting to Congress of a list of proposed Federal acquisitions; and (2) notification to specified officials of affected areas with respect to such proposed acquisitions. (Sec. 206) Revises the formula used to allocate amounts made available for State purposes from the Fund each fiscal year. Requires reapportionment of such funds to other States. Makes all federally recognized Indian tribes, or in the case of Alaska, Native Corporations eligible to receive shares of such apportionment in accordance with a competitive grant program established by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires each State, with an exception, to make available as grants to local governments at least 50 percent of its annual apportionment or an equivalent amount made available from other sources. (Sec. 207) Revises the requirement that a State have a comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan as a prerequisite to consideration by the Secretary of the Interior of financial assistance for acquisition or development projects. Allows each State to define its own priorities and criteria for selection of outdoor conservation and recreation acquisition and development projects eligible for grants under this Act if the priorities and criteria defined are consistent with the purposes of this Act, the State provides for public involvement in this process, and publishes an accurate and current State Action Agenda for Community Conservation and Recreation, within five years after enactment of this Act, indicating the needs it has identified and the priorities and criteria it has established. Allows an existing Comprehensive State Plan to remain in effect until the appropriate State adopts a State Action Agenda. (Sec. 209) Requires the Secretary to approve, subject to certain conditions, the conversion of property (other than for public outdoor recreation use) acquired or developed with assistance under the Act only if the State demonstrates no prudent or feasible alternative exists. Exempts from such requirement those properties that no longer meet the criteria within the State Plan or Agenda as an outdoor conservation and recreation facility due to changes in demographics, or that must be abandoned because of environmental contamination which endangers public health and safety. (Sec. 210) Provides that nothing in this title shall affect any State or Federal water law or an interstate compact governing water, alter any allocations of water rights, or create any new water rights. Title III: Wildlife Conservation and Restoration - Amends the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (FAWRA) to require CRAF funds transferred for FAWRA purposes to be deposited in a new subaccount in the FAWRF, to be made available without further appropriation, for apportionment in each fiscal year for State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. (Sec. 304) Sets forth requirements for: (1) apportionment of such subaccount funds; (2) applications for approval of, and development grants for, State wildlife conservation and restoration programs; and (3) coordination. Prohibits such funds from being used for expenses incurred in the administration and execution of programs. Limits to ten percent the use of such funds for wildlife-associated recreation. (Sec. 305) Allows the subaccount funds to be used for a wildlife conservation education program. Exempts education efforts, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife. (Sec. 306) Prohibits a State from receiving FAWRA matching funds if it diverts any funds from wildlife conservation purposes. Title IV: Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program Amendments - Amends the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 to make transferred CRAF funds available to the Secretary of the Interior, without further appropriation, to assist local governments in improving their park and recreation systems. Sets forth limits on the use of such funds. (Sec. 404) Provides for the development of new recreation areas and facilities (including the acquisition of lands for such development) under the urban park and recreation recovery program. (Sec. 406) Revises requirements for: (1) Federal assistance grant eligibility; (2) matching grants to local governments for rehabilitation, development, acquisition, and innovation purposes; (3) local park and recreation recovery action programs; (4) State action incentives; and (5) conversion of recreation property for any other purposes other than public recreation purposes. (Sec. 411) Repeals sunset provisions and congressional reporting requirements with respect to: (1) the impact of the urban park and recreation recovery program; and (2) the annual achievements of the innovation grant program. Title V: Historic Preservation Fund - Amends the National Historic Preservation Act to provide that amounts transferred from the CRAF each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Historic Preservation Fund to be available without further appropriation to carry out the Act. (Sec. 501) Requires at least one half of the funds obligated or expended each fiscal year under this Act to be used for preservation projects on historic properties (giving priority to the preservation of endangered historic properties). (Sec. 502) Authorizes a State to provide financial assistance to the management entity for any national heritage area or national heritage corridor to support cooperative historic preservation planning and development. Title VI: Federal and Indian Lands Restoration - Makes CRAF funds transferred to the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture available to be used as a dedicated source of funding for a coordinated program on Federal and Indian lands to restore degraded lands, protect resources that are threatened with degradation, and protect public health and safety. Allocates: (1) 60 percent to the Secretary of the Interior for lands within the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management; (2) 30 percent to the Secretary of Agriculture for lands within the National Forest System; and (3) ten percent to the Secretary of the Interior for competitive grants to qualified Indian tribes (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health). (Sec. 603) Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) each establish priority lists for the use of funds (giving priority to projects based upon the protection of significant resources, the severity of damages or threats to resources, and the protection of public health or safety); and (2) jointly establish a coordinated program for tracking the progress of activities carried out with amounts made available by this title and determining the extent to which demonstrable results are being achieved. Title VII: Farmland Protection Program and Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Subtitle A: Farmland Protection Program - Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to revise requirements for the farmland protection program. Repeals the mandate that the Secretary purchase conservation easements or other interests in lands with prime, unique, or other productive soil subject to a pending offer from a State or local government. Authorizes the Secretary, instead, to provide matching grants, under specified conditions, to State or local governments, Indian tribes, or certain private organizations to provide the Federal share of up to 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing permanent conservation easements in such lands or conservation easements or other interests in such lands when they are subject to a pending offer from a State or local government. (Sec. 702) Provides that CRAF funds transferred to the Secretary under this Act in a fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary, without further appropriations, to carry out the programs specified in section five of this Act. Subtitle B: Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery - Makes CRAF funds transferred from the CRAF for this title in a fiscal year available to the Secretary of the Interior without further appropriations, in that fiscal year, to provide financial assistance to persons for development and implementation of Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Agreements entered into under this title. Requires the Secretary to give priority to the development and implementation of Agreements that: (1) implement actions identified under recovery plans approved by the Secretary; (2) have the greatest potential for contributing to the recovery of an endangered or threatened species; and (3) require use of the assistance on land owned by a small landowner. (Sec. 713) Prohibits the Secretary from providing financial assistance for any action that is required by a permit or an incidental take statement issued under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or that is otherwise required under Federal law. (Sec. 714) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into such Agreements and sets forth Agreement requirements, including: (1) requiring activities not otherwise mandated by law that contribute to species recovery; and (2) specifying species recovery goals. Requires the Secretary to review Agreements in compliance, periodically monitor the implementation of each Agreement, and disburse financial assistance to implement the Agreement.
Bill· HRH.R. 4383 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Qualified Personal Service Corporations Clarification Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the criteria for determining whether a corporation is a qualified personal service corporation. Includes within the definition of qualified personal service corporation a qualifying corporation substantially all of whose stock is held by certain former employees. (Thus permitting such corporation to use the cash method of accounting.)
Bill· HRH.R. 4379 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Neighbor to Neighbor Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a non-itemizer to deduct up to $500 ($1,000 on a joint return) annually in charitable contributions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4381 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to income averaging for farmers to take into account as negative taxable income, in the case of any prior taxable year, any excess of : (1) the deductions allowed for such taxable year reduced by the net operating loss for such year; over (2) the gross income for such year.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 490 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Save Our Surplus for Debt Reduction and Tax Rebate Resolution of 2000 - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that if the Office of Management and Budget, in its supplemental summary of the budget for FY 2001, projects an increase in the on-budget surplus from the projection for that surplus set forth in the President's budget submission for such fiscal year that: (1) is $16 billion or less for FY 2000, then such amount should be dedicated to reducing publicly- held debt; or (2) exceeds such amount for FY 2000, then $16 billion should be returned as a tax rebate distributed equally to every American household that paid Federal income taxes for taxable year 1998 and any excess should be dedicated to reducing such debt. Expresses the sense of the House that any individual receiving a tax rebate who desires to do so may return the check in order to reduce such debt.
Law· HRH.R. 4365 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Children's Health Act of 2000 - Title I: Autism - Subtitle A: Surveillance and Research Regarding Prevalence and Pattern of Autism - Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research, and Epidemiology Act of 2000 (ASSURE) - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants and cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Mandates establishment, through grants or cooperative agreements, of three to five centers of excellence in autism and pervasive developmental disorders epidemiology to collect and analyze autism information. Requires that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) serve as the coordinating agency for autism and pervasive development disorders surveillance through the establishment of a clearinghouse for data generated from the monitoring programs created under this subtitle. Mandates establishment of an Advisory Committee for Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Epidemiology Research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Expansion, Intensification, and Coordination of Autism Activities of National Institutes of Health With Respect to Autism - Advancement in Pediatric Autism Research Act of 2000 - Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH activities regarding autism. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that there is in operation an interagency Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all Department of Health and Human Services efforts concerning autism, including activities carried out through the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Requires the Director, among other things, to make awards of grants or contracts to public or nonprofit entities for centers of excellence regarding research on autism. Requires the Director to establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the general public. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Title II: Research and Development Regarding Fragile X - Fragile X Research Breakthrough Act of 2000 - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to: (1) expand, intensify, and coordinate the Institute's activities respecting research on the mental retardation disease known as fragile X; and (2) make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit entities for the development and operation of at least three centers for fragile X research. Requires each center to conduct basic and clinical research, which may include clinical trials of new or improved diagnostic methods and drugs or other treatment approaches. Allows such centers to use grant funds to provide fees to individuals serving as subjects in clinical trials. Requires the Director to provide for the coordination of the centers' activities, including the exchange of information. Requires each center to use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions. Allows support to be provided to a center for up to five years, with authorized extensions. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to enter into contracts with qualified health professionals who agree to conduct fragile X research in return for repayment (up to $35,000 for each year of service) of such health professionals' educational loans. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Juvenile Arthritis and Related Conditions - Requires the Directors of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases to expand and intensify their respective programs of research and related activities concerning juvenile arthritis and related conditions. Directs the Secretary, through the appropriate agencies of the Public Health Service, to develop a coordinated effort to help ensure that a national infrastructure is in place to train and develop pediatric rheumatologists. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Reducing Burden of Diabetes Among Children and Youth - Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a system to collect data on juvenile diabetes, including its incidence and prevalence, and to establish a national database for such data; and (2) implement a national public health effort to address type 2 diabetes in youth. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to conduct or support long-term epidemiological studies concerning type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Directs the Secretary to: (1) support regional clinical centers for the cure of juvenile diabetes; and (2) provide for a national effort to develop a vaccine for type 1 diabetes. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Asthma Treatment Services for Children - Children's Asthma Relief Act of 2000 - Subtitle A: Treatment - Directs the Secretary to award grants to: (1) provide access to medical care for children who live in areas with a high asthma prevalence and lack access to medical care; (2) provide on-site education to parents, children, health care providers, and medical teams to recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma and to train them in the use of medications to treat asthma and prevent its exacerbations; (3) decrease preventable trips to the emergency room by making medication available to individuals who have not previously had access to treatment or education in asthma management; and (4) provide other direct and support services that ameliorate conditions that exacerbate or induce asthma. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Prevention Activities - Amends the Act to include, within the preventive health and health services block grant, any system for reducing asthma and asthma-related illnesses, especially with regard to children, through urban cockroach pest management in public facilities through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. Subtitle C: Coordination of Federal Activities - Requires the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Director to: (1) identify all Federal programs carrying out asthma-related activities; (2) develop a Federal plan for responding to asthma; and (3) submit recommendations to appropriate congressional committees on ways to strengthen and improve Federal coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Compilation of Data - Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (2) compile and publish annually data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally. Title VI: Birth Defects Prevention Activities - Subtitle A: Folic Acid - Folic Acid Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program, directly or through grants or contracts, for professional and public education and training, research, and epidemiological activities regarding folic acid and birth defects. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Establishes a National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on birth defects; (2) operate centers for the conduct of applied epidemiological research on prevention of those defects; and (3) provide birth defect prevention information and education to the public. Transfers to such Center all activities, budgets, and personnel of the National Center for Environmental Health that relate to birth defects, folic acid, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, child development, newborn screening, autism, fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, pediatric genetics, and disability prevention. Title VII: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment Regarding Hearing Loss in Infants - Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2000 - Mandates grants or cooperative agreements to: (1) develop statewide newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems; and (2) provide technical assistance to State agencies to complement an intramural program and to conduct applied research related to newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and systems. Requires NIH to continue a program of research and development on the efficacy of new screening techniques and technology. Mandates Federal coordination and collaboration with State and local agencies, consumer groups, national medical, health, and education specialty organizations, deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and their families, qualified professional personnel, and related commercial industries. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Children and Epilepsy - Directs the Secretary, directly or through grants or contracts, to develop and implement public health surveillance, education, research, and intervention strategies to improve the lives of persons with epilepsy, with emphasis on children. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments for demonstration projects to improve access to health and other services regarding seizures to encourage early detection and treatment in children and others residing in medically underserved areas. Authorizes appropriations. Title IX: Safe Motherhood; Infant Health Promotion - Subtitle A: Safe Motherhood Monitoring and Prevention Research - Safe Motherhood Monitoring and Prevention Research Act - Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a national monitoring and surveillance program to identify and promote the investigation of deaths and severe pregnancy complications; (2) expand the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to provide surveillance and collect data in each State; and (3) expand the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program to provide technical support, financial assistance, or the time-limited assignment of senior epidemiologists to maternal and child health programs in each State. Permits the Secretary to carry out specified activities to promote safe motherhood. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Subtitle B: Pregnant Mothers and Infants Health Promotion - Pregnant Mothers and Infants Health Protection Act - Requires the Secretary to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on prenatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug usage; (2) conduct applied epidemiological research on the prevention of prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug usage; (3) support, conduct, and evaluate the effectiveness of educational and cessation programs; and (4) provide information and education to the public on the prevention and implications of prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug usage. Authorizes appropriations. Title X: Revision and Extension of Programs - Subtitle A: Pediatric Research Initiative - Pediatric Research Initiative Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (the Act) to mandate establishment, in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), of a Pediatric Research Initiative. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to support activities to increase: (1) the number and size of institutional training grants to pediatric departments of medical schools and to children's hospitals; and (2) the number of career development awards for health professionals who are in pediatric specialties or subspecialties and intend to build careers in pediatric basic and clinical research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Other Programs - Extends through FY 2003 programs under the Act for: (1) immunizations; and (2) screenings, referrals, and education regarding lead poisoning. Title XI: Childhood Skeletal Malignancies - Directs the Secretary to: (1) study environmental and other risk factors for childhood skeletal cancers; (2) carry out projects to improve outcomes among children with such cancers and related secondary conditions; and (3) ensure that such activities are coordinated with other Public Health Service activities focused on childhood cancers and limb loss. Authorizes the Secretary to revise, for this title, the definition of "childhood skeletal cancer" as the Secretary determines appropriate. Authorizes appropriations. Title XII: Adoption Awareness - Subtitle A: Infant Adoption Awareness - Infant Adoption Awareness Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary to make grants to national, regional, or local adoption organizations to develop and implement programs to train health center staff in providing adoption information and referrals to pregnant women on an equal basis with all other courses of action included in nondirective counseling. Provides for the development of related best practices guidelines. Allows a grantee to spend the grant for development of a training curriculum. Requires grantees, in the training they provide, to make reasonable efforts to include voluntary family planning projects, community health centers, migrant health centers, centers regarding homeless individuals and residents of public housing, and health centers that receive grants under the Public Health Service Act to provide services in schools. Directs the Secretary to require that each program providing voluntary family planning services with a grant from the Secretary provide nondirective counseling and referrals on all the options, including adoption. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Special Needs Adoption Awareness - Directs the Secretary: (1) to make grants for planning, developing, and carrying out a national campaign to provide information to the public regarding the adoption of special needs children; (2) directly or though grant or contract, to carry out a program that, through toll-free telecommunications, makes available to the public information regarding the adoption of special needs children; and (3) to make grants for assistance to support groups for adoptive parents, adopted children, and siblings of adopted children, and for studies to identify the reasons for adoption disruptions. Authorizes appropriations. Title XIII: Traumatic Brain Injury - Traumatic Brain Injury Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include in the allowed uses of currently-authorized grants to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury the implementation of a national education and awareness campaign on such injury. Includes brain dysfunction caused by anoxia (currently, caused by anoxia due to near drowning) in the definition of "traumatic brain injury." Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States or their designees to operate the State's traumatic brain injury registry, and to academic institutions to conduct applied research that will support registry development, to collect specified types of traumatic brain injury data. (Sec. 1303) Amends provisions relating to the NIH program of trauma research to include brain dysfunction caused by anoxia (currently, caused by anoxia due to near drowning) in the definition of "traumatic brain injury." Authorizes appropriations to carry out the program. (Sec. 1304) Removes, with respect to grants for demonstration projects to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury, a requirement that State matching funds be in cash. Revises other matching fund requirements for those grants and sets forth required and allowed uses for grant funds. Includes brain dysfunction caused by anoxia (currently, caused by anoxia due to near drowning) in the definition of "traumatic brain injury." Authorizes appropriations. Title XIV: Prevention and Control of Injuries - Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the prevention and control of injuries. Title XV: Healthy Start Initiative - Healthy Start Initiative Continuation Act - Directs the Secretary to continue in effect the Healthy Start Initiative, a current demonstration project of grants for areas with high rates of infant mortality. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out the program nationally. Authorizes additional grants to States to assist communities with technical assistance, replication of successful projects, and State policy formation. Authorizes grants to health care entities to provide: (1) health services for pregnant women or infants (up to one year) that are medically appropriate to prevent or mitigate congenital defects or other serious obstetric complications, allowing grant funds to be used for transportation and subsistence expenses for a pregnant woman; and (2) ultrasound for pregnant women on medical indication. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XVI: Oral Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and Indian tribes to increase the resources available for community water fluoridation, allowing grants to be used to purchase equipment, train engineers, develop educational materials, or support the monitoring and quality maintenance infrastructure. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project to assist rural water systems in implementing specified water fluoridation guidelines. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and Indian tribes for the development of school-based dental sealant programs to improve children's access to sealants, with grantees using the amounts received to provide children in second and sixth grades with access to dental care and dental sealant services. Requires, for eligibility, that: (1) urban schools be in an area where more than half the student population is participating in Federal or State free or reduced meal programs; and (2) rural schools be in a district with a median income below a specified level. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XVII: Vaccine Compensation Program - Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Amendments of 2000 - Requires a petition for compensation for a vaccine-related injury or death, in addition to current matters, to demonstrate that administration of a qualified vaccine resulted in inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention. Makes the previous sentence effective on enactment, including regarding pending petitions. Title XVIII: Hepatitis C - Hepatitis C and Children Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Secretary to provide for programs relating to hepatitis C and: (1) implementation of a national system to determine incidence and prevalence of infection; (2) the identification, contacting, and referral of individuals infected by blood transfusions before July 1992 when they were infants, small children, or adolescents; (3) public information and education; and (4) the education, training, and skills of health professionals. Authorizes the Secretary, directly or through grants, to provide for improvements in the quality of clinical laboratory procedures regarding hepatitis C. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XIX: NIH Initiative on Autoimmune Diseases - NIH Autoimmune Diseases Initiative Act of 2000 - Requires the NIH director to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and other NIH activities regarding juvenile-onset diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erthematosus, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn's disease, colitis, and other diseases or disorders as the Secretary determines appropriate (autoimmune diseases). Directs the Secretary to establish the Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee and the Autoimmune Diseases Public Advisory Council. Requires the Committee to develop, and at least annually review (and revise as appropriate), a plan for conducting and supporting research and education on autoimmune diseases through the national research institutes. Requires the NIH director to ensure that NIH activities are implemented in accordance with the plan. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title XX: Graduate Medical Education Programs in Children's Hospitals - Authorizes appropriations for payments to children's hospitals for direct expenses associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs. Title XXI: Special Needs of Children Regarding Organ Transplantation - Pediatric Organ Transplantation Improvement Act of 2000 - Requires the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to: (1) recognize the differences in health and organ transplantation issues between children (individuals under the age of 18) and adults and adopt criteria, policies, and procedures that address children's unique health care needs; and (2) carry out studies and demonstration projects to improve procedures for organ donation procurement and allocation. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the costs of immunosuppressive drugs provided to children pursuant to organ transplants and the extent to which health plans and health insurance cover such costs, including recommendations on issues particular to the special health and transplantation needs of children. Title XXII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires the NIH director to report to Congress on activities that in FY2000 were, or in the next five fiscal years are planned to be, conducted or supported by NIH regarding rare diseases in children, including (in FY2000) Friedreich's ataxia. Title XXIII: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for this Act and its amendments.
Bill· HRH.R. 4369 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2000
Veterans' Health Care Improvement and Prescription Drug Cost Relief Act of 2000 - Title I: Senior Health Care - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through December 31, 2005, the TRICARE Senior Supplement Program (a demonstration program under which certain Medicare-eligible senior citizens are given medical care and services under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) for which DOD is reimbursed through the Medicare program). Amends the Social Security Act to extend through the same date a similar demonstration program known as TRICARE Senior Prime. Authorizes the latter program to be offered at major medical centers of DOD (currently limited to six military treatment facilities). (Sec. 103) Amends a demonstration program offering health care coverage to certain military personnel, spouses, and dependents through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to allow eligible beneficiaries who will be at least 65 years of age on December 31, 2002, to enroll, or extend a previous enrollment, during a three-year period of open enrollment for the year 2003. Extends such demonstration program through December 31, 2005. Repeals the ten-site limit for the program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to charge an enrollment fee for participation in the TRICARE pharmacy system (a program for providing reduced-cost pharmaceuticals to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries). Authorizes the Secretary to impose one or more cost-sharing requirements upon such participants. Allows participants to pay required premiums on a monthly or annual basis. Title II: TRICARE Program - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) relating to medical and dental care provided to certain members and former members of the armed forces to: (1) make eligible for such services members and former members of the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service; (2) require coverage for immediate family members of eligible individuals to be comparable to coverage for medical care and standards for timely access to such care under TRICARE Prime; and (3) entitle dependents of members performing duty in remote locations who reside with such member to the same care and waiver of such care under CHAMPUS as the members themselves. (Sec. 202) Prohibits a member from being charged a copayment for care provided under TRICARE Prime to an immediate family member. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to improve certain business practices used when administering the access of eligible persons to health care services through the TRICARE program. Title III: Joint Initiatives With Department of Veterans Affairs - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) prescribe a centralized process for the reporting, compiling, and analysis of errors in the provision of health care under their respective departments that endanger patients beyond the normal risks associated with such care and treatment; and (2) develop a system for the use of bar codes for the identification of pharmaceuticals. Requires the Secretary of Defense to experiment with the use of such bar codes in the current DOD mail order pharmaceuticals demonstration project. Title IV: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to authorize the following persons to obtain prescription pharmaceuticals from DOD by mail: (1) individuals who are eligible for medical care under CHAMPUS; or (2) individuals who would be so eligible except for also being entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to prescribe an appropriate fee or copayment for pharmaceuticals so obtained. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to limit to $100 million the annual cost limitation for the CHAMPUS individual case management program. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to carry out two studies to assess the feasibility and desirability of financing the military health care program for military retirees on an accrual basis.
Bill· SS. 2493 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2000
Tobacco Smuggling Eradication Act of 2000 - Title I: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends chapter 52 (Cigars, Cigarettes, Smokeless Tobacco, and Cigarette Papers and Tubes) of the Internal Revenue Code to require all packages of tobacco products to carry a unique legibly printed serial number by which the Secretary of the Treasury can identify the manufacturer or importer and the location and date of manufacture or importation. Requires tobacco products sold on Indian reservations to be labeled as such. Requires a tobacco wholesaler to have a permit and to maintain certain records. Requires export warehouse proprietors to file certain reports with the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into certain tobacco related information agreements with foreign countries. Establishes new offenses relating to the distribution of tobacco. Raises the $1,000 civil penalty under chapter 52 to $10,000. Title II: Amendments Relating to the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act - Amends Federal criminal code provisions concerning contraband cigarette trafficking to: (1) expand the applicability of such Act from cigarettes only to "tobacco product" (cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and pipe tobacco); (2) define "contraband tobacco product" as a quantity of tobacco product that is equivalent to or more than 30,000 cigarettes (currently, 60,000) which bear no evidence of the payment of applicable State tobacco taxes; (3) establish new unlawful acts; and (4) require additional recordkeeping. Repeals Federal law provisions concerning reports required to State tobacco tax administrators by individuals engaged in interstate cigarette commerce.
Bill· HRH.R. 4353 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2000
Federal Living Wage Responsibility Act - Requires any employer under a Federal contract or subcontract exceeding $10,000 to pay each employee working on or hired in conjunction with such contract or subcontract the greater of: (1) $8.20 an hour; or (2) an hourly wage necessary for such employee to earn, while working 40 hours a week on a full-time basis, the amount of the Federal poverty level for a family of four. Exempts employers that are: (1) small business concerns; or (2) nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, if the ratio of the total compensation of the chief executive officer to that of the full-time equivalent of their lowest-paid employee is not greater than 25 to 1. Makes ineligible for such required living wage level any employee participating in: (1) an apprenticeship program; or (2) any other training program, which is not longer than six months and is offered to an employee while employed in productive work, that provides training, technical and other related skills, and personal skills essential to full and adequate job performance. Prohibits employers from avoiding paying the required living wage by laying off or otherwise terminating an employee with the intention of replacing that employee with one not eligible for such wage because of participation in an apprenticeship or training program. Requires all Federal contracts and subcontracts to require such living wage payment. Requires Federal contract and subcontract suspension and a five-year ineligibility period for employers who violate such requirement. Makes such employers liable for unpaid wages and an equal amount of liquidated damages. Directs the Secretary of Labor to pay the employees who were not paid such living wage the amount recovered from their employers.
Bill· HRH.R. 4363 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2000
Military Thrift Savings Plan Implementation Act - Provides for the implementation of certain provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 for purposes of allowing military personnel to participate in the Federal Thrift Savings Plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 4358 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2000
Omnibus District of Columbia Tax Incentive Recovery Act of 2000 - Title I: Imposition and Withholding of Nonresident Wage Tax - District of Columbia Nonresident Tax Credit Act of 2000 - Subjects every nonresident individual employed in the District of Columbia to a tax equal to two percent of wages from employment in the District of Columbia and two percent of net earnings from self-employment in the District of Columbia, so long as there is a corresponding Federal credit, subject to exceptions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish such a credit. Title II: Modifications to Enterprise Zone Benefits Available with Respect to the District of Columbia - District of Columbia City-Wide Enterprise Zone Act of 2000 - Designates the entire District of Columbia as the District of Columbia Enterprise Zone. Treats the entire District of Columbia as an empowerment zone. Title III: Limitation on Income Tax Imposed on Individuals Who Are Residents of the District of Columbia - District of Columbia Economic Recovery Act of 2000 - Prohibits the net tax income of District of Columbia residents from exceeding specified limits. Requires a study of the impact of such limits for District residents. Title IV: First-Time Homebuyer Credit for District of Columbia Made Permanent - District of Columbia $5,000 Homebuyer Credit Act of 2000 - Makes the first-time homebuyer credit for the District permanent.
Bill· SS. 2487 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2000
Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 to the Secretary of Transportation for the Maritime Administration. Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to declare that certain restrictions concerning a vessel built in a foreign country shall not apply to a drybulk or breakbulk vessel over 7,500 deadweight tons that has been delivered from a foreign shipyard or contracted for construction in a foreign shipyard before the earlier of specified dates. Deems U.S.-built any vessel timely contracted for or delivered and documented under U.S. law, if certain conditions are met. Names vessels of the National Defense Reserve Fleet that may be scrapped in foreign countries under terms and conditions prescribed by the Secretary. Authorizes the scrapping of additional vessels in the Fleet if the Secretary determines that they will become hazards to navigation or the environment.
Bill· SS. 2491 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2000
Library of Congress Financial Management Act of 2000 - Title I: Library of Congress Revolving Fund - Authorizes the Librarian, in the operation of Fund activities, to enter into: (1) contracts for the lease and acquisition of goods and services for a period that begins in one fiscal year and ends in the next fiscal year, pursuant to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act; and (2) multi-year contracts for the acquisition of property and services, pursuant to such Act. (Sec. 105) Repeals provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1998 establishing the Cooperative Acquisitions Program Revolving Fund for financing a Library program to acquire foreign publications and research materials on behalf of participating institutions on a cost-recovery basis. (Sec. 106) Prohibits the construction of this title to affect the terms and conditions of employment of any Library of Congress employee who carries out any activities designated as a Revolving Fund service activity or who is assigned to a Revolving Fund service unit. Title II: Cataloging Products and Services - Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to make cataloging products and services, created by the Library, available for purchase at prices that reflect as closely as practicable the cost of distribution over a reasonable period. (Sec. 202) Repeals Federal law provisions that authorize the Librarian of Congress to sell copies of card indexes and other publications to institutions or individuals. Title III: Library of Congress Trust Fund Board - Revises the composition of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board to include the vice chair of the Joint Committee on the Library. Decreases the Board's quorum from nine to seven members for the transaction of business. Provides for a temporary extension of Board members' terms. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
Bill· SS. 2486 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2000
Military Health Care Improvements Act of 2000 - Title I: Senior Health Care - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through December 31, 2005, the TRICARE Senior Supplement Program (a demonstration program under which certain Medicare-eligible senior citizens are given medical care and services under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) for which DOD is reimbursed through the Medicare program). Amends the Social Security Act to extend through the same date a similar demonstration program known as TRICARE Senior Prime. Authorizes the latter program to be offered at major medical centers of DOD (currently limited to six military treatment facilities). (Sec. 103) Amends a demonstration program offering health care coverage to certain military personnel, spouses, and dependents through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to allow eligible beneficiaries who will be at least 65 years of age on December 31, 2002, to enroll, or extend a previous enrollment, during a three-year period of open enrollment for the year 2003. Extends such demonstration program through December 31, 2005. Repeals the ten-site limit for the program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to charge an enrollment fee for participation in the TRICARE pharmacy system (a program for providing reduced-cost pharmaceuticals to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries). Authorizes the Secretary to impose one or more cost-sharing requirements upon such participants. Allows participants to pay required premiums on a monthly or annual basis. Title II: TRICARE Program - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) relating to medical and dental care provided to certain members and former members of the armed forces to: (1) make eligible for such services members and former members of the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service; (2) require coverage for immediate family members of eligible individuals to be comparable to coverage for medical care and standards for timely access to such care under TRICARE Prime; and (3) entitle dependents of members performing duty in remote locations who reside with such member to the same care and waiver of such care under CHAMPUS as the members themselves. (Sec. 202) Prohibits a member from being charged a copayment for care provided under TRICARE Prime to an immediate family member. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to improve certain business practices used when administering the access of eligible persons to health care services through the TRICARE program. Title III: Joint Initiatives With Department of Veterans Affairs - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) prescribe a centralized process for the reporting, compiling, and analysis of errors in the provision of health care under their respective departments that endanger patients beyond the normal risks associated with such care and treatment; and (2) develop a system for the use of bar codes for the identification of pharmaceuticals. Requires the Secretary of Defense to experiment with the use of such bar codes in the current DOD mail order pharmaceuticals demonstration project. Title IV: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to authorize the following persons to obtain prescription pharmaceuticals from DOD by mail: (1) individuals who are eligible for medical care under CHAMPUS; or (2) individuals who would be so eligible except for also being entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to prescribe an appropriate fee or copayment for pharmaceuticals so obtained. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to limit to $100 million the annual cost limitation for the CHAMPUS individual case management program. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to carry out two studies to assess the feasibility and desirability of financing the military health care program for military retirees on an accrual basis.
Bill· SS. 2483 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to include small businesses owned and controlled by women as eligible entities under the Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program (a program of defense contracting and subcontracting assistance for disadvantaged small businesses).
Bill· SS. 2479 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit of $5,000 for a pre-kindergarten or early childhood educator or kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, aide, or principal in an elementary or secondary school on a full-time basis; and (2) exclude from gross income the value of anything received solely by reason of the successful completion of advanced certification requirements provided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Bill· SS. 2475 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Neighbor to Neighbor Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a non-itemizer to deduct up to $500 ($1,000 on a joint return) annually in charitable contributions.
Bill· SS. 2481 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program. Subtitle B: Multi-Year Contract Authorizations - Authorizes the Secretary of the: (1) Army to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the UH/60-CH/60 helicopter; and (2) Navy to enter into a multiyear procurement contract for the DDG-51 (destroyer). Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for research, development, test, and evaluation for the armed forces. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for operation and maintenance (O&M) for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (DOD). (Sec. 302) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for: (1) working capital and revolving funds; and (2) the Armed Forces Retirement Home. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the transfer of up to $150 million from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund to specified military O&M accounts for FY 2001. Subtitle B: Environmental Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to use specified O&M funds to reimburse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for certain costs incurred in connection with the former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site in Suffolk, Virginia. (Sec. 312) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay from any available funds certain fines or penalties imposed by the EPA or a State in connection with environmental violations at specified sites. Subtitle C: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to require payment by civil air carriers for support provided by the United States at Johnston Atoll that is either requested by such carrier or required to accommodate the carrier's use of the Atoll. Prohibits landing fees from being charged if support costs are charged. (Sec. 322) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer excess titanium sponge from the National Defense Stockpile to a military department or defense agency for use in manufacturing defense equipment. (Sec. 323) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through FY 2003 a pilot program for the acceptance and use of landing fees charged for the use of domestic military airfields by civilian aircraft. Extends related report requirements. (Sec. 324) Repeals a provision requiring a nonappropriated fund instrumentality, under certain conditions, to be the most economical method of distribution of alcoholic beverages within the commissary system. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 2001. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 2001 for the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves, as well as reserve military technicians. (Sec. 414) Increases the number of certain officers and enlisted personnel authorized to serve on active duty in support of the reserves. (Sec. 415) Excludes from active-duty end strength limitations reserve personnel on active duty, or members performing full-time National Guard duty, to perform funeral honors functions. (Sec. 416) Excludes from the above limitations reserve personnel serving on active duty for more than 180 days to perform special work in support of the armed forces and combatant commands, except that such number may not exceed two tenths of one percent of the end strength for all active-duty personnel. (Sec. 417) Authorizes the Secretary to suspend grade strength limitations in times of war or national emergency declared by Congress or the President with respect to senior enlisted personnel and senior reserve officers on active duty for full-time National Guard or reserve administrative duty. Limits such suspension to two years from the suspension or one year after the declaration of war or national emergency, whichever occurs first. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Policy - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to retain Medical Service Corps officers in an active status until 67 years of age. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the release to the armed force concerned of the names of active-duty and reserve active-status list officers recommended for promotion upon transmittal to the President of the report of the selection board that considers such officers for promotion. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Policy - Makes certain active-duty list promotion, separation, and involuntary retirement authorities inapplicable to reserve general and flag officers serving in certain positions designated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). (Sec. 512) Authorizes the Secretary, in the national interest, to increase the number of officers and enlisted personnel serving on active duty or full-time National Guard duty in specified grades. (Sec. 514) Excludes medical and dental officers from reserve commissioned officer end strength limitations. (Sec. 515) Makes certain active-duty promotion, separation, and retirement authorities inapplicable to members on the reserve active status list ordered to active duty for a period of three years or less. (Sec. 516) Removes an application requirement for the continuation of officers on the reserve active-status list. Subtitle C: Education and Training - Repeals a provision authorizing a certain funding increase to be used for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. (Sec. 522) Removes an annual funding limit with respect to the National Guard Challenge Program. Subtitle D: Medal of Honor Recipients - Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Ed W. Freeman for service during the Vietnam conflict and to Andrew J. Smith for service during the Civil War. Subtitle E: Joint Management - Requires an officer, in order to qualify for a joint specialty designation, to: (1) have successfully completed an accredited program from a joint professional military education institution and a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment; or (2) have successfully completed two full tours of duty in a joint duty assignment. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such qualifications for an officer who, due to unusual circumstances, has one or more qualifications comparable to the qualifications waived. Allows such qualifications to be waived in the case of a general or flag officer when determined necessary to meet a critical need. Requires the: (1) Secretary to designate joint duty assignments for general and flag officers that must be filled by joint specialty officers; and (2) JCS Chairman to accredit joint professional military education institutions. (Sec. 542) Revises promotion policy objectives for joint officers. Requires the appropriate military department Secretary to validate the qualifications of officers for eligibility for joint duty assignments, including satisfaction of requirements for promotion to brigadier general or rear admiral (lower half). Directs the Secretary to prescribe policies to ensure that promotion-eligible joint specialty officers are appropriately considered for such promotion. (Sec. 543) Repeals the requirement that an officer graduating from an accredited joint professional military education school be assigned to a joint duty assignment as that officer's next duty assignment. Decreases to two (currently three) months the minimum duration of a principal course of instruction provided by the Armed Forces Staff College. (Sec. 544) Repeals provisions specifying the length of joint duty assignments. Requires such length to mirror the standard length established by the Secretary for each installation or location at which joint duty assignments are authorized. Allows the Secretary to: (1) waive such requirement when critical to meet military personnel management requirements; and (2) curtail a joint duty assignment for an officer who has served in that assignment for at least two years. Provides conditions under which an officer shall be considered to have completed a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment. (Sec. 545) Directs the Secretary to enhance the capabilities of the Joint Staff to monitor the personnel issues of officers with the joint specialty designation and other officers who have served in joint duty assignments. (Sec. 546) Revises, generally, information required in an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on joint specialty officers and assignments. Subtitle F: Selection Board Appeals - Makes ineligible for judicial relief a person challenging the action or recommendation of a military selection board unless such person has first been considered by a special board or denied such consideration by the Secretary concerned. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to correct a person's military records in accordance with a recommendation made by a special board. Requires the appropriate relief associated with such correction (restoration to duty status; eligibility for additional pay). Makes such provisions inapplicable to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy. Authorizes judicial review of a decision not to convene a special selection board for consideration of a corrective action taken. Subtitle G: Other Matters - Exempts from recalled retiree limits those officers assigned to the Army, Navy, or Air Force Retiree Council. (Sec. 562) Requires the following defense acquisition positions to be assigned for at least a three-year period: program manager or deputy program managers for a significant nonmajor defense acquisition program, program executive officers, general or flag officers or their civilian equivalent, and senior contracting officials. Title VI: Compensation and Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - Authorizes the Secretary concerned to delegate (with a limitation) the authority to waive operational flying duty requirements prior to the award of aviation career incentive pay. (Sec. 602) Includes as eligible activities for the payment of special pay currently provided for reserve medical and dental officers active duty for training, annual training, or special work. (Sec. 603) Authorizes members performing funeral honors duty to receive either the allowance for such duty or the rate of pay for members of the reserves or National Guard performing inactive-duty training. (Sec. 604) Extends through FY 2002 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2000 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces. (Sec. 607) Authorizes special pay for Coast Guard physician assistants. Subtitle B: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Authorizes the advance payment of temporary lodging expenses incurred by a member and his or her dependents while making a change in permanent duty stations. (Sec. 612) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay to a member a share of the savings resulting from less-than-average shipping and storage costs of the member's baggage and household effects in connection with a change of duty station. (Sec. 614) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay a member a share of the savings realized from not having a vehicle transported or stored overseas. Authorizes a member to elect to have a vehicle stored at Government expense in lieu of a transportation allowance for an unaccompanied assignment. Subtitle C: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Survivors Benefit Plan - Entitles to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance a person who volunteers for assignment to a category in the Individual Ready Reserve that is subject to an involuntary call to active duty. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Entitles to appointment to a service academy the children of members of the reserves who: (1) are currently so serving and have earned at least 2,880 retirement credit points; or (2) would be, or who died while they would have been, entitled to retired pay except for not having attained 60 years of age. (Sec. 632) Authorizes the annual payment of a $2,000 personal money allowance for individuals serving as the senior enlisted member of an armed force. (Sec. 633) Increases the initial and annual allowance for officers for the purchase of required uniforms and equipment. (Sec. 634) Authorizes the Secretary (currently, the President) and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy to prescribe requirements and allowances for clothing for enlisted personnel. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Entitles Medal of Honor recipients and their dependents to medical and dental care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations - Prohibits the head of an agency, unless certain congressional reporting requirements are first met, from entering into or extending a multiyear contract for any defense system if the value of such contract would exceed $500 million. (Sec. 802) Repeals the requirement for certain contractor assurances regarding the completeness, accuracy, and contractual sufficiency of contractor-provided technical data. (Sec. 803) Exempts cost and cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contracts with a contractor that maintains an approved purchasing system from certain subcontract notification requirements. (Sec. 805) Authorizes the Secretary to allow participation by defense contractor employees in the analytical and logistic support for the operational test and evaluation of a system. Places limitations with respect to participation in the establishment of operational test and evaluation criteria for contractors that have participated in the development or production of a system. (Sec. 806) Authorizes DOD acquisition pilot programs to be continued through the end of program production. (Sec. 807) Amends the Small Business Act to reduce from ten to five days the wait period after posting notice of a solicitation from an executive agency for a contract for property or services exceeding $25,000, when such notice is accessible electronically. States that providing widespread electronic public notice of contract solicitation in a convenient form that allows user access through a single Government-wide point of entry shall satisfy Federal contract solicitation publication requirements. Makes identical amendments to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act with respect to required notice of solicitation for Federal procurement contracts. Changes from annually to biennially a report requirement under the latter Act with respect to implementation of the use of electronic commerce in Federal procurement. Makes this section inapplicable when the President determines such application would be inconsistent with any international agreement to which the United States is a party. (Sec. 808) Authorizes the Secretary to have orders made under DOD indefinite-delivery contracts for gloves, boots, humanitarian and operational rations, and toxicological agent protection clothing for States, territories, State or territory departments or agencies, the government of an Indian tribe, the District of Columbia, and qualified, non-profit agencies for the blind and severely handicapped. Authorizes the Secretary to require the appropriate entity to reimburse DOD for administrative costs in connection with such orders. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Amends provisions concerning defense procurement contract goals for small disadvantaged businesses and certain minority educational institutions to prohibit the suspension of the authority to enter into a contract for a price exceeding fair market value when the President or his designee determines that such contracts are necessary to remedy demonstrated discrimination in an industry category. (Sec. 812) Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to redefine "conventional ammunition" as that ammunition managed by DOD's Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition (includes a list of qualifying conventional ammunition). (Sec. 813) Extends through the end of production the authority for the Joint Direct Attack Munition pilot program. (Sec. 814) Amends provisions concerning rights to equipment technical data developed exclusively at private expense to authorize DOD rights to such data when operation, maintenance, or installation services are to be provided by other than the original contractor or subcontractor. Requires such rights to be negotiated between the Government and the contractors involved. Prohibits any private-only rights to such data when the information is necessary for critical operation, maintenance, or installation of deployed equipment and such services are to be provided by other than the original contractor or subcontractor. (Sec. 815) Waives live-fire survivability requirements with respect to the MH-47E/MH-60K helicopter modification programs. Requires any waiver granted to be included in program reporting requirements. (Sec. 816) Repeals the requirement that, before a multiyear contract may be entered into for a defense acquisition program, the Secretary must certify to Congress that the current future-years defense program fully funds the support costs associated with the multiyear program. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department of Defense Organization - Redesignates as deputy commandants the chief and deputy and assistant chiefs of staff within the Marine Corps headquarters. (Sec. 902) Includes within the definition of an Inspector General, for purposes of general investigations, an officer of the armed forces or DOD employee assigned or detailed to serve as an inspector general at any level in DOD. (Sec. 903) Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and the Secretary of Energy to withhold from otherwise required public disclosure certain sensitive information of foreign governments and international organizations if such Secretary determines that the release of such information would have an adverse effect on the ability of the U.S. Government to obtain the same or similar information in the future. Provides limitations and exceptions. Subtitle B: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to accept gifts intended for the Naval Academy or the Naval Academy Museum and to deposit such gifts into the United States Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund. Repeals the Naval Academy Museum Fund and the Naval Historical Center Fund and requires amounts in such funds to be transferred to the Naval Academy Gift and Museum Fund and the Navy General Gift Fund, respectively. (Sec. 912) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, during FY 2000, to disburse to an entity designated by a gift donor the current cash value of gifts previously accepted for the Naval Academy Gift Fund. (Sec. 913) Revises the maximum size of parcel post packages authorized to be mailed from postal services at U.S. military installations, at no cost to the sender, by U.S. military personnel and forces of friendly foreign nations. (Sec. 914) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the temporary assignment (detail) at a DOD laboratory of up to 100 individuals previously employed by private commercial entities to conduct science and engineering. (Sec. 915) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for the payment of retraining and relocation expenses to facilitate the reemployment of DOD employees being separated due to a reduction in force or transfer of functions at a DOD facility or installation. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Provides DOD administrative offsets for overpayments made to carriers supporting DOD or for liquidated damages due under DOD transportation services contracts. (Sec. 1002) Requires the annual joint Office of Management and Budget/Congressional Budget Office report on the scoring of budget outlays to reflect and include specified information on the differences between the relevant defense budget outlay rates or assumptions used by the two offices. (Sec. 1003) Repeals a provision of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 requiring a two-year defense budget cycle. (Sec. 1004) Codifies a recurring appropriations Act provision concerning the use of O&M funds for reimbursements related to certain reserve intelligence or counterintelligence support. Subtitle B: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance - Authorizes the Secretary to provide humanitarian and civic assistance in connection with military operations for areas of a country that are underserved by medical, dental, and veterinary professionals. Authorizes the use of up to ten percent of such assistance for pay and allowances of special operations command reserves providing training and activities related to the clearing of land mines for humanitarian purposes. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements and Repeals - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to repeal a required annual report on the B-2 bomber aircraft program. (Sec. 1016) Revises an annual report deadline from the Secretary to Congress with respect to National Guard and reserve equipment. Requires the Coast Guard Reserve to be included in such reports and requires additional report information. Subtitle D: Other Matters - Exempts a military testamentary instrument from State testamentary laws. Accords such instruments the same legal effect as State testamentary instruments presented for probate. Outlines requirements for the legal execution of such instruments. Makes such instrument self-proving upon such execution, signature, and witnessing. (Sec. 1022) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to charge and retain fees for providing historical material or research assistance to public requesters from the Army Military History Institute, the Naval or Marine Corps Historical Center, or Air Force Historical Research Agency. Requires such fees to be used to offset the cost of such material or assistance. (Sec. 1023) Amends provisions concerning cooperative military airlift agreements to remove a provision which requires the Secretary to enter into such agreements only under the authority provided therein. (Sec. 1024) Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 which prohibits any Cooperative Threat Reduction funds from being used for the planning, design, or construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility in Russia. Title XI: Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2000 - Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 2000 - Establishes the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Authorizes Commission appropriations. Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2005. (Sec. 1103) Requires the Secretary, as part of the budget documents submitted to Congress for each of FY 2004 and 2006, to include a military force structure plan assessing probable threats to national security for the proceeding six-year period and the anticipated levels of funding needed to address such threats. Requires each plan to be submitted to the Commission. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publish in the Federal Register and transmit to the defense and appropriations committees the proposed and final criteria to be used in making recommendations for the closure or realignment of military installations inside the United States; and (2) publish and transmit to such committees a list of recommended installations based on the force structure plan. Prohibits the Secretary, in considering installations, from taking into account whether an installation has previously been considered or proposed for closure or realignment, or whether any advance conversion planning has been undertaken by a community in anticipation of a closure or realignment. Directs the Commission, after receiving the Secretary's recommendations, to conduct public hearings and report to the President its findings and conclusions with respect to such recommendations. Authorizes the Commission to make recommendations different from the Secretary if it determines that the Secretary deviated substantially from the force structure plan. Requires prior publication of such changes, together with public hearings. Requires Commission report copies to be transmitted to the defense and appropriations committees. Requires the President, by specified dates, to approve or disapprove Commission recommendations by way of reports to the Commission and Congress. Requires the Commission to submit a revised list if any recommendations are disapproved, subject to presidential certification. (Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary, after a final list is approved, to: (1) begin to close or realign all recommended installations within two years after the date of approval; and (2) complete all closures and realignments within six years after such approval. Prohibits the Secretary from carrying out any closure or realignment if a joint congressional resolution is enacted which disapproves such recommendation. (Sec. 1105) Authorizes the Secretary to take all necessary actions to implement such closure or realignment recommendations, including required transfers or disposals of property. Requires appropriate consideration of any redevelopment plan for the community within or surrounding such an installation. Directs the Secretary to consult with the entity responsible for the redevelopment plan to identify items (nonmilitary) of personal property on an installation that the entity desires to be retained for installation reuse or redevelopment. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer real and personal property on such an installation to the redevelopment authority concerned for job generation purposes. Requires all property transferred to support the economic redevelopment of the installation. Directs the Secretary, after taking appropriate action with an entity with respect to a redevelopment plan, to determine whether another Federal department or agency has identified a use for, or will accept transfer of, any remaining portion of an installation. Outlines procedures for property transfers to a redevelopment authority or another Federal department or agency. Expresses the sense of Congress that, as soon as practicable after the date of approval of a closure or realignment, the appropriate redevelopment authority should begin to conduct outreach efforts to provide information on the availability of an installation's buildings and property to representatives of the homeless or other entities interested in assisting the homeless. Outlines procedures for State and local governments, representatives of the homeless, and other interested parties to notify a redevelopment authority of interest in, and plans for, buildings and property for such purpose. Requires the redevelopment authority, after such notification, to develop a redevelopment plan (with opportunity for public comment). Requires such plan to be submitted to the Secretaries of Defense and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Requires the HUD Secretary to review such plan, taking into consideration the predominant views of the local communities, and to notify the Secretary and the redevelopment authority of plan approval or disapproval. Requires submission of a revised plan if the original plan is disapproved. Provides for implementation of an approved plan. Requires the Secretary to carry out an environmental impact analysis of the closure or realignment of each installation. Authorizes the Secretary, when it is determined to be in the best interests of DOD, to enter into agreements with local governments for the provision at such installations of police or security, fire protection, airfield operation, or other community services. Outlines required actions for closed or realigned installations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other environmental compliance laws. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements for the transfer of property or facilities located at or near an installation to any person who agrees to transfer to the Secretary housing units located at or near a military installation at which there is a shortage of suitable military housing. Requires a report to the defense and appropriations committees on each agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase from military personnel any interests in manufactured housing located at a manufactured housing park at an installation to be closed or realigned, or to make a payment to a member to relocate such housing, if the Secretary determines that: (1) it is in the best interests of the Federal Government to eliminate or relocate the housing park; and (2) such elimination or relocation would result in unreasonable financial hardship to the housing owners. Limits such payments to 90 percent of the purchase price of such housing, plus the costs of any permanent improvements. (Sec. 1106) Establishes the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2000 for use in connection with all closures or realignments under this Title. Requires annual Account financial reports from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees. Provides for the disposal or transfer of commissary stores and property purchased with nonappropriated funds located on a military installation to be closed or realigned. (Sec. 1107) Directs the Secretary, as part of the DOD budget request for FY 2005 and each subsequent year in which the Secretary carries out activities under this Title, to report to the defense and appropriations committees: (1) a schedule of the closures and realignments to be carried out, together with costs incurred and savings to be achieved; and (2) a description of the military installations to which functions are to be transferred as a result of such closures and realignments, as well as the environmental effects of such transfers. (Sec. 1108) Outlines procedures for the congressional consideration of a joint resolution disapproving the recommendations of the Commission under this Title. (Sec. 1109) Makes this Title the exclusive military base closure and realignment authority during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2005. Prohibits any DOD funds other than those provided herein from being used to select, close, or realign any military installation (with exceptions for those authorized under prior law).
Bill· SS. 2484 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Immigrants to New Americans Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants for model programs to offer: (1) educational services to immigrant students in elementary and secondary schools, such as English as a second language classes, literacy programs, programs for introduction to the education system, and civics education; and (2) services to such students' parents, such as parent education and literacy development services, as well as activity coordination with other entities to provide comprehensive community social services such as health care, job training, child care, and transportation services. Limits the number of such grants to ten in a fiscal year. Limits the duration of any such grant to five years, with not more than one year for planning and design. Requires that each partnership eligible to receive such a grant include at least one local educational agency and at least one community-based organization. Allow such a partnership to include another entity such as an institution of higher education, a local or State government agency, a private sector entity, or another entity with expertise in working with immigrants. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2465 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2000
Prescription Price Equity Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny, to any taxpayer who is a member of a worldwide affiliated group with any disqualified gross receipts from any developed foreign country, the applicable percentage of the research-related tax benefits. Defines the term "disqualified gross receipts" to mean, with respect to any developed foreign country, gross receipts of the worldwide affiliated group from prescription drugs manufactured or produced by any member of such group and sold for use or consumption in such country if such gross receipts are at least five percent less than the amount which would be such gross receipts were such drugs sold at their respective average manufacturing prices charged by members of such group in the United States. Defines, in addition, the terms "developed foreign country," "applicable percentage," and "research-related tax benefits."
Bill· SS. 2455 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2000
Small Business Employment and Education Enhancement Act of 2000 - Expresses the sense of Congress regarding: (1) locally-driven initiatives to improve education; (2) considering the views of small business concerning education; (3) education initiatives as key to fostering small business expansion, entrepreneurship, and job creation; (4) the Department of Education facilitating the sharing of ideas and best practices at State and local levels, particularly with respect to partnerships between small businesses and school systems; and (5) the expediting of the Department's approval of programs or proposals. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Education to disseminate information and facilitate the sharing of information designed to assist small businesses in working with school systems to improve the education system through specified means, including the Internet World Wide Web. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a centralized database of materials to act as a clearinghouse for information on successful initiatives and best practices regarding the involvement of small businesses in education. (Sec. 6) Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Office of Small Business Education, administered by a Director, to: (1) review the needs of small businesses and the contributions the small business community may make with respect to efforts to improve education; (2) promote efforts to address the needs of small businesses though education programs; (3) work to remove impediments to partnerships between school systems and small businesses; and (4) propose solutions to education-related problems facing small businesses. (Sec. 7) Requires the Director to provide technical assistance to small businesses, small business organizations, school systems, and communities working cooperatively to improve education outcomes. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a small business education opportunity tax credit for qualified education opportunity expenses. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the challenges facing small businesses in obtaining workers with adequate skills.
Bill· SS. 2456 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a $10,000 credit for the adoption of a child with special needs. Increases the adoption income limitation.
Bill· SS. 2431 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Telework Tax Incentive Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of up to $500 annually for "qualified teleworking expenses." Defines such expenses.
Bill· SS. 2437 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Water Resources Development Act of 2000 - Approves the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to modify the Central and Southern Florida (CSF) Project to restore, preserve, and protect the South Florida ecosystem. Authorizes implementation, at specified total costs, of certain pilot projects and other projects included in the Plan. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to implement modifications to the CSF Project that are consistent with the Plan and that will produce independent and substantial restoration, preservation, or protection benefits to the ecosystem, provided that the total cost of each project accomplished under such authority shall not exceed $35 million and the total Federal cost of all such projects shall not exceed $250 million. Requires a specific authorization of Congress for all other future projects included the Plan. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged individuals within the South Florida ecosystem are informed of the Plan, given the opportunity to review and comment on each project feature, provided opportunities to participate as a small business concern contractor, and given opportunities for employment or internships in emerging industry sectors. Requires the Secretary to establish a goal that not less than ten percent of the amounts made available for construction of projects be expended with small business concerns owned and controlled by such individuals within the ecosystem. Requires the Secretary: (1) to dedicate and manage the water made available from project features for the temporal and spatial needs of the natural system; and (2) after notice and opportunity for public comment and with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior, to issue programmatic regulations identifying the amount of water to be dedicated and managed. Requires that such regulations be completed within two years of the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for public comment, to develop project feature specific regulations to ensure that the benefits anticipated from each feature are achieved and maintained. Requires Secretary to ensure that Plan implementation, including physical or operational modifications to the CSF Project, does not cause substantial adverse impacts on existing legal water uses, including annual water deliveries to Everglades National Park, water for the preservation of fish and wildlife in the natural system, and other legal uses. Prohibits the Secretary from eliminating existing legal sources of water supply until new sources of comparable quantity and quality are available. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Interior to jointly submit to Congress a report on Plan implementation beginning on October 1, 2005 and periodically thereafter (but at least every five years) until October 1, 2036. (Sec. 4) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to replace provisions for the study of water resources needs of river basins and regions with provisions for the assessment of such needs, including cost sharing requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to provide assistance to non-Federal interests in the remediation and restoration of abandoned or idled industrial and commercial sites where such assistance will improve the quality, conservation, and sustainable use of the nation's streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and floodplains. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with federally recognized Indian tribes and other Federal agencies, to study and determine the feasibility of implementing water resources development projects that will substantially benefit Indian tribes and that are located primarily within Indian country or in proximity to Alaska Native villages. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to apply ability to pay requirements relating to flood control or agricultural water supply projects to cost sharing agreements for a feasibility study or for construction of an environmental protection and restoration project. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Secretary to implement a program to reduce vandalism and destruction of property at water resources development projects. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the National Recreation Reservation Service on an interagency basis and fund the Department of the Army's share of those activities required for implementing, operating, and maintaining such Service. (Sec. 10) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to: (1) provide that activities currently performed by personnel under the direction of the Secretary in connection with the operation and maintenance of hydroelectric power generating facilities at Army Corps of Engineers water resources projects are to be considered as inherently governmental functions and not as commercial activities where such activities require specialized training related to hydroelectric power generation; and (2) subject such activities to specified labor standards. (Sec. 11) Amends such Act to increase funding for the Secretary to engage in interagency and international support activities to address problems of national significance to the United States. (Sec. 12) Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to identify and set aside areas at civil works projects that may be used to re-inter Native American remains that have been discovered on project lands and which have been rightfully claimed by a lineal descendant or Indian tribe; (2) in consultation and consent with the lineal descendant or the respective Indian tribe, to recover and re-bury the remains at such sites at full Federal expense; and (3) to transfer to such Indian Tribe the land for use as a cemetery. (Sec. 13) Amends the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 to provide that the approval required of the location and plans, or any modification of plans, for any dam or dike, applies only to any dam or dike that would completely span a waterway currently used to transport interstate or foreign commerce when existing commerce could be adversely affected. (Sec. 14) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to revise cost sharing requirements with respect to the non-Federal share of the cost of a structural project assigned to flood control. (Sec. 15) Authorizes the Secretary to participate with the appropriate Federal and State agencies in the planning and management activities associated with the CALFED Bay Delta Program and to integrate the activities of the Corps of Engineers in the San Joaquin and Sacramento River basins with the long-term goals of the Program. Allows the Secretary to accept and expend funds from other Federal agencies and non- Federal public, private, and non-profit entities to carry out ecosystem restoration projects and activities associated with such Program and to enter into contracts, cooperative research and development agreements, and cooperative agreements with Federal agencies and such entities in carrying out these projects and activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 16) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to revise provisions governing water resources project de-authorizations. Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress annually a list of projects that have been authorized for construction: (1) but for which no appropriations have been obligated during the four preceding fiscal years; and (2) for which construction funds have been obligated in the past but for which no appropriations have been obligated for construction during the two previous consecutive fiscal years. Requires any authorized project to be de-authorized: (1) after seven years after its most recent authorization unless construction funds have been obligated; or (2) if construction funds have been obligated but no new construction appropriations have been obligated during five subsequent fiscal years. (Sec. 17) Requires that the guidelines for the preparation of floodplain management plans also require non-Federal interests to take measures to preserve the level of flood protection provided by the project for which required compliance with Federal floodplain management and flood insurance programs applies. (Sec. 18) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, the States of South and North Dakota of the affected interest, and with the affected Indian tribes, for the transfer of land that was acquired by the Secretary for the implementation of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River basin program and that is located within the reservations of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, ND, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North and South Dakota, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, SD, the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the benefit of such Indian tribes. (Sec. 19) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in Critical Restoration Projects in the area of Puget Sound and its adjacent waters, including the watersheds that drain directly into the Sound, Admiralty Inlet, Hood Canal, Rosario Strait, and the eastern portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2445 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Assistance in Development for Communities Act (AID for Communities Act) - Authorizes a trade-affected community, a group of such communities, or the Governor of a State on behalf of such communities to petition the Secretary of Commerce for eligibility certification for community-based economic development assistance. Specifies communities with a certain number of workers certified for trade adjustment assistance, including assistance with regard to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 5) Declares that each certified trade-affected community shall receive a grant of up to $100,000 for planning and technical assistance to develop economic plans for community adjustment assistance and community diversification. Makes community adjustment assistance available for: (1) constructing or expanding the industrial and commercial infrastructure, as well as advanced manufacturing centers, industrial parks, and water and sewer facilities; (2) improving educational opportunities, transportation, and technology infrastructure; (3) establishing small business incubators; and (4) taking other action necessary to capitalize on opportunities to diversify the economy and develop new industrial and commercial ventures. (Sec. 6) Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the work opportunity tax credit for a portion of qualified wages an employer pays members of a targeted group, to treat as a targeted group individuals certified by the designated local agency as adversely affected by trade-related activities and residing in a trade-affected community. Establishes a new markets tax credit for any taxpayer holding a qualified equity investment equal to six percent of the amount paid to the qualified community development entity for such investment at its original issue, if: (1) the investment is acquired by the taxpayer at its original issue solely in exchange for cash; and (2) substantially all of such cash is used by the entity to make qualified low-income community investments. Defines qualified community development entity as any domestic corporation or partnership (including a specialized small business investment company or community development financial institution): (1) whose primary mission is serving, or providing investment capital for, low-income communities or low-income persons; and (2) which maintains accountability to residents of low-income communities through representation on governing or advisory boards or otherwise. Sets a new markets tax credit limitation of $750 million for each of calendar years 2001 through 2005, and zero for following years. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to establish a one-stop clearinghouse for States and local governments to obtain information regarding assistance available for trade-affected communities. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2452 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Reading Deficit Elimination Act - Title I: Reducing the Reading Deficit - Reduces the total amount of Federal discretionary spending appropriated for a fiscal year by an amount that bears the same relation to 0.5 percent of the total amount of such spending for the preceding fiscal year as the total number of children enrolled in kindergarten through fourth grade in public elementary schools in States submitting requests for funds under this title bears to the total number of such children in all States. Reallots such Reading Enhancement and Achievement Disbursement (READ) funds to States to reduce the national reading deficit through the use of programs of reading instruction based on scientifically-based reading research, which includes a sequence of instruction in phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, reading fluency, spelling, writing, and reading comprehension strategies. (Sec. 103) Requires States to allocate 95 percent of such allotments to local educational agencies (LEAs) on the basis of relative numbers of such children, for use for teacher training, instructional materials, student assessment, teacher bonuses, and tuition assistance grants to parents or guardians to purchase tutoring. Repeals this title on the date that the National Assessment of Educational Progress publishes a notice certifying that the national reading deficit is less than five percent of the total number of children enrolled in grades kindergarten through fourth grade in the United States. Title II: Improving Literacy Through Family Literacy Projects; Reauthorization of Inexpensive Book Distribution Program - 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. 201) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for such Even Start programs, and increases the amounts authorized. (Sec. 202) 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. 203) 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) award a competitive demonstration grant of sufficient amount and duration for a potentially high-quality family literacy program in a prison that houses women and their preschool age children; (3) ensure coordination of family literacy programs under Even Start with similar programs operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); and (4) 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. Requires all such 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 school education, or adult education; or (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 one of those two 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 administrating each local Even Start program be trained in operating a family literacy program. Requires Even Start programs to: (1) use research-based techniques for helping children learn to read, as well as for helping adults where appropriate research is available; 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, under certain conditions. 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 goals described in the State plan (as well as, under current law, evaluating the program based on State-developed program quality indicators). Eliminates the eight-year limitation on a subgrantee's receiving Even Start funds. 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 the Secretary, and any Even Start grantee or subgrantee, to treat religious organizations the same as other nongovernmental organizations for purposes of participating in eligible partnerships receiving or applying for such assistance, under specified conditions and limitations. Prohibits Even Start services from being provided through vouchers or certificates. (Sec. 204) 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 with parents who do not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent or who have low levels of literacy. (Sec. 205) 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: (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. 206) 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. Subtitle II: Inexpensive Book Distribution Program - Reauthorizes and revises the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program, with respect to which the Secretary of Education contracts with Reading is Fundamental (RIF). Requires RIF to support and promote programs which include distribution of books to young and school-aged children that motivate them to read. (Sec. 211) Requires RIF also to provide training to subcontractors. Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for such Program. Requires assisted local reading motivation programs to: (1) use Program assistance to provide books, training for volunteers, motivational activities, and other essential literary resources; and (2) give highest priority to serving the youngest and neediest children. Allows subcontractors operating such programs in low-income communities with substantial numbers or percentages of children with special needs to use funds from other Federal sources to pay up to one-half of the non-Federal share of funds used for acquiring and distributing books. Authorizes RIF, under specified conditions, to waive certain requirements for subcontractors and to enter into multi-year subcontracts.
Bill· SS. 2450 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act - Prohibits the imposition of any tax by the Internal Revenue Code: (1) for any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2004; and (2) in the case of any tax not imposed on the basis of a taxable year, on any taxable event or for any period after December 31, 2004. Excepts the: (1) tax on self-employment income (chapter 2 of the Code); (2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (chapter 21 of the Code); and (3) Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Code). Establishes the National Commission on Tax Reform and Simplification to review: (1) the present structure and provisions of the Code; (2) whether the tax systems of other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of funding government revenue requirements; (3) whether the income tax should be replaced with a tax imposed in a different manner or on a different base; and (4) whether the Code can be simplified, absent wholesale restructuring or replacement. Requires a Commission report to Congress on review results, with recommendations for Code reform and simplification. Terminates the Commission 90 days after such report. Authorizes appropriations (with interim funding). Declares that any new Federal tax system should be approved by Congress in its final form before July 4, 2004, and, if not, Congress should be required to vote to reauthorize the Code.
Bill· SS. 2446 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax deduction (for individual loss) and tax exceptions to homeowners and small businesses for the repair of Formosan termite damage.
Bill· SS. 2436 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal 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, 2004.
Bill· SS. 2424 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Digital Divide Elimination Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide earned income-eligible taxpayers with a credit (50 percent of expenses up to $500 annually) for the purchase of qualifying Internet-accessible computers and equipment. Extends and expands the deduction for charitable computer contributions to elementary and secondary schools.
Bill· SS. 2422 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Farm Relief and Economic Development Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to farmers, to among other things: (1) allow a deduction from gross income for amounts paid into an interest-bearing Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) Account, created for the farmer's exclusive benefit; (2) exclude net earnings from a lease agreement (currently, an arrangement) from income with respect to farmland; (3) treat conservation reserve program payments as real estate rentals for self-employment earnings purposes; (4) provide a limited exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale of qualified farm property, to the extent such property does not exceed 160 acres; (5) exempt certain small issue bonds from the State volume cap; (6) exclude from gross income gain from the transfer of farm property to satisfy up to $350,000 of qualified farm indebtedness; (6) increase the number of years for which a loss may be carried back; and (7) coordinate income averaging with the alternative minimum tax.
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