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Bill· SS. 2228 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Advisory Committee Termination and Streamlining Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to terminate, three years after the enactment of this Act, each advisory committee established, authorized, or reauthorized by statute, with the exception of any advisory committee the purpose of which is to: (1) provide for peer review of Federal grant or research applications or similar activities; (2) provide advice and recommendations relating to academic certification of Federal institutions; or (3) address critical needs relating to health, safety, national security, or other concerns as the President may certify. Directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration to prescribe regulations (currently, administrative guidelines) applicable to advisory committees. Changes to March 15 the deadline for the submission of the annual report by the President to the Congress on the activities, status, and changes in the composition of advisory committees in existence during the preceding fiscal year. Revises the requirement for public notice of advisory committee meetings to be published in the Federal Register to require the Administrator to prescribe regulations to provide for other types of public notice in addition to, or in lieu of, notices in the Federal Register.
Bill· SS. 2219 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Missouri River Basin, Middle Loup Division Project Facilities Conveyance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Farwell and Sargent Irrigation Projects, Nebraska, to: (1) the Farwell Irrigation District, the Sargent Irrigation District, and the Loup Basin Reclamation District; (2) a combination of such districts; or (3) an organization established by one or more of such districts as an interlocal cooperation agency. Includes certain related property and facilities as part of such conveyance. Requires: (1) certain environmental compliance prior to such conveyance; (2) specified payment by project beneficiaries and power producers as satisfaction for outstanding obligations; and (3) current irrigation and related project purposes to be continued after such conveyance. Provides for payment by the United States for required drainage work on the conveyed facilities, such payment to be 100 percent of such costs for FY 2000, but reduced by five percent for each fiscal year thereafter to zero percent for FY 2020 and thereafter. Allows project facilities to be used for fish, wildlife, and recreation uses, as long as such uses are compatible with the primary project purposes. Requires project beneficiaries, as a condition to such conveyance, to establish the Nebraska-Middle Loup River Community Environmental Trust Fund to preserve, protect, enhance, and manage project property in a manner necessary to achieve project purposes. Prohibits such Fund from being used for routine maintenance and operation costs. Directs the Secretary to complete all investigation and preservation activities required under the National Historic Preservation Act at archaeological sites on project property. Modifies project purposes to exclude flood control.
Bill· SS. 2220 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Legislative Line Item Rescission Act - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose to the Congress the cancellation of any budget item (or repeal of any targeted tax benefit) provided in an appropriations Act. Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to the Congress with such a proposal that clearly identifies the budget items proposed to be cancelled. Requires the reduction of discretionary spending limits and the adjustment of certain balances (with respect to repeals of targeted tax benefits) and committee allocations not later than five days after the date of enactment of a bill containing cancellations of budget items. Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of such bill. Grants the President the authority to direct that any budget item proposed to be cancelled in the special message not be available for obligation or take effect for a period not to exceed 45 calendar days from the date the President transmits such message. Excludes from the definition of "budget item" any amount to fund direct spending programs and the administrative expenses of social security. Includes a targeted tax benefit in such definition. Repeals the Line Item Veto Act.
Bill· SS. 2233 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Biomass and Coal Facilities Extension Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the placed-in-service date for biomass and coal facilities.
Bill· SS. 2229 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the Lifetime Learning Credit for an elementary or secondary school teacher incurring expenses for taking part in an approved program which improves the teacher's capacity to use technology in teaching.
Bill· SS. 2221 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Separate Enrollment and Line Item Veto Act of 1998 - Prohibits the Committee on Appropriations of either the House of Representatives or the Senate from reporting an appropriation measure that fails to contain such level of detail on the allocation of an item of appropriation proposed by that House as is set forth in the accompanying committee report. Prohibits a congressional committee from reporting an authorization measure containing new direct spending or new targeted tax benefits unless such measure presents such items separately and the accompanying committee report contains the necessary level of detail. Prohibits the filing of conference reports on appropriations measures that fail to contain such level of detail on the allocation of an item as is set forth in the accompanying statement of managers. (Sec. 3) Allows the waiver or appeal of such prohibitions by a three-fifths vote of the appropriate House. (Sec. 4) Requires separate enrollment of each item of appropriation or authorization in measures passed by both Houses in identical form. Provides for congressional consideration of such bills. (Sec. 6) Provides for expedited judicial review of provisions of this Act in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and direct appeals to the Supreme Court. (Sec. 7) Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) and the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit the inclusion of nonemergency spending proposals in emergency spending legislation. Allows such proposals to contain rescissions of budget authority or provisions that reduce direct spending. (Sec. 8) Requires savings from rescissions bills to be used for deficit reduction. (Sec. 9) Requires the President to submit legislation for the periodic review, reauthorization, and sunset of tax expenditures with the FY 2000 budget. Requires the inclusion in the budget beginning with FY 2002 of a performance plan for measuring the overall effectiveness of tax expenditures, including a schedule for periodically assessing the effects of specific tax expenditures in achieving performance goals. Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to include as a pilot project the periodic analyses of such goals and the relationship between tax expenditures and spending programs. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to prohibit consideration in the House and the Senate of legislation that contains a tax expenditure unless the expenditure terminates not later than ten years after the date of its enactment. (Sec. 10) Makes this Act effective until the end of FY 2003.
Bill· SS. 2231 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit Title III: Other Provisions International Tax Simplification for American Competitiveness Act of 1998 - Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations which will eliminate multiple inclusion of any item in income if there is a redemption through the use of related corporations and either the acquiring or issuing corporation is a foreign corporation. (Sec. 102) Excludes from the definition of "foreign personal holding company income" income which is derived in the active conduct by a controlled foreign corporation of a banking, financing, or similar business, subject to stated conditions. (Sec. 103) Requires a study and a report on the feasibility of treating all countries in the European Union as one country under subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) of part III (Income From Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N (Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of chapter 1 (Normal Taxes and Surtaxes) of the IRC. Provides, with respect to subpart F, for: (1) expansion of the de minimis rule; (2) the determination of earnings and profits under generally accepted accounting rules; (3) the treatment of pipeline transportation income and income from the transmission of high voltage electricity; and (4) look-through treatment for certain sales of partnership interests. Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit - Extends the period to which excess foreign taxes may be carried. (Sec. 202) Defines overall domestic loss and sets forth provisions for determining taxable income for any taxpayer sustaining such a loss. (Sec. 203) Sets forth special rules relating to financial services income. (Sec. 204) Sets forth provisions, concerning the foreign tax credit and: (1) the treatment of dividends from certain corporations; (2) the look-through rules; (3) ordering rules for foreign tax credit carryovers; and (4) the repeal of the limitation of such credit under the alternative minimum tax. Title III: Other Provisions - Applies constructive ownership rules for purposes of determining certain post-1986 undistributed U.S. earnings. (Sec. 302) Applies capitalization rules to nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. (Sec. 303) Repeals the special rule for military property with respect to exempt foreign trade income. (Sec. 304) Revises the definition of U.S. property to exclude certain assets acquired by dealers in the ordinary course of business. (Sec. 305) Exempts from the taxes on nonresident aliens and foreign corporations certain regulated investment company dividends. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit, to exclude from the definition of the term "intangible property" any preliminary agreement which is not legally enforceable. (Sec. 307) Sets forth provisions concerning airline mileage awards to certain foreign persons. (Sec. 308) Repeals subpart G (Export Trade Corporations) of part III of subchapter N of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Bill· SS. 2215 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs Subtitle A: State Activities Subtitle B: Local Activities Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas Subtitle D: General Provisions Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs Title V: Community Development Venture Capital Title VI: Revenue Provisions Strategic Transitional Employment Program Act - Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to assist eligible States and outlying areas in developing strategic transitional employment programs that provide community employment, in local areas with identified communities. (Sec. 101) Defines outlying areas as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program development costs. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs - Subtitle A: State Activities - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to assist eligible States in making grants to local areas, in order to implement employment programs in the States. (Sec. 201) Bases such State allotments on numbers of unemployed individuals and individuals in poverty. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program implementation costs. (Sec. 202) Sets forth requirements for: (1) State plans, including priorities for selection of local areas with identifiable communities; and (2) State administration and reports. Subtitle B: Local Activities - Requires States receiving such allotments to use them to make grants to local areas. (Sec. 212) Sets forth requirements for local plans. (Sec. 213) Requires local areas to use such grant funds to implement employment programs that provide community employment with eligible employers to eligible individuals. Requires such community employment to be entry-level employment that the local chief elected official, after consultation with local organizations' representatives, determines to meet: (1) the skills and needs of eligible individuals in the identified communities in the local area; and (2) the needs of the local area for affordable housing, human services, infrastructure, environmental conservation or restoration, and small business development. Allows such community employment to include employment related to directory assistance services, recreational equipment design and construction, removal of lead paint or asbestos, renovation of schools and community centers, after-school and summer recreational programs, child care and home health care services, elder care, teacher aide services, construction and renovation of affordable housing, and community crime prevention. Authorizes the chief local official to elect to include in such community employment paid participation in training and education programs for up to ten hours per week per participant. Requires paid participation in structured job search activity, as part of such community employment, in accordance with standards specified by the chief elected official. Limits to 12 months the period of a participant's employment under the program. Authorizes the Secretary, upon request and justification by the chief local elected official, to waive such limit and allow participant employment for up to 12 additional months, for not more than 20 percent of program participants. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements. (Sec. 214) Sets forth program requirements with respect to: (1) employee wages and other benefits; (2) labor standards; (3) grievance procedures; and (4) information on worker rights. Prohibits use of program funds for business relocation and related activities, and for other specified activities. Prohibits requiring any individual to participate in an employment program under this title as a condition of receiving any benefit under any Federal or State law. (Sec. 215) Sets forth requirements for nondiscrimination, local administration, and local reports. Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to one-quarter of one percent of appropriations under this title to make grants to eligible outlying areas to implement employment programs. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth requirements for Federal monitoring, reports, and administration. (Sec. 234) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary, if the funds allotted to a State under title II for a fiscal year are not distributed to the State for such fiscal year, to: (1) first use the funds for competitive, direct grants to local areas in the State for implementation of employment programs; and (2) reallot any remaining funds to remaining eligible States. Sets the Federal share at two- thirds of such program implementation costs. Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to three percent of appropriations, under certain provisions of titles I and II, to make grants to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to develop and implement employment programs. Title V: Community Development Venture Capital - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to one or more intermediary organizations to develop the capacity of community development venture capital organizations. Sets forth requirements for use and allocation of such assistance, and for matching funds. (Sec. 501) Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that no trade or business expense deduction shall be allowed for excessive compensation to a full-time employee. (Sec. 602) Revises the definition of part F income (earnings and profits of a controlled foreign corporation) to eliminate foreign base company income (including certain export trade corporation income) and the deferral of any income to another taxable year. (Sec. 603) Expresses the sense of the Senate that any additional sums necessary for the implementation of this Act not already offset by the other provisions of this title should be offset by reductions in the exclusion of income of Foreign Sales Corporations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4186 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Medicare Contracting Flexibility Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to flexibility in contracting for Medicare claims processing. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Care Financing Administration, to contract for claims processing with carriers that are not insurance companies. Requires the Secretary, at least every five years, to permit each service provider, including a group of hospitals or a group of another class of providers under common ownership by or control of a particular entity, to choose a fiscal intermediary from among those the Secretary proposes. Revises and reduces the number of contract performance requirements the Secretary must develop for fiscal intermediaries. Permits the non-competitive term renewal of a contract with any fiscal intermediary that has met or exceeded performance requirements. Waives competitive requirements for fiscal intermediary contracts entered within into within a certain period after enactment of this Act. Requires year 2000 compliance by fiscal intermediaries and carriers.
Bill· HRH.R. 4152 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Pension Access and Coverage Subtitle A: Improved Access to Individual Retirement Savings Subtitle B: Secure Money Annuity or Retirement (SMART) Trusts Subtitle C: Improved Fairness in Retirement Plan Benefits Title II: Security Subtitle A: General Provisions Subtitle B: ERISA Enforcement Subtitle C: Increase in Excise Tax on Employer Reversions Title III: Portability Title IV: Comprehensive Women's Pension Protection Subtitle A: Pension Reform Subtitle B: Protection of Rights of Former Spouses to Pension Benefits Under Certain Government and Government-Sponsored Retirement Programs Subtitle C: Modifications of Joint and Survivor Annuity Requirements Title V: Date for Adoption of Plan Amendments Retirement Accessibility, Security, and Portability Act of 1998 - Title I: Pension Access and Coverage - Subtitle A: Improved Access to Individual Retirement Savings - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow a tax credit for up to a maximum $500 of the qualified start-up costs of eligible small employers in establishing a qualified pension plan or qualified employer payroll deduction system. (Sec. 102) Provides for an exclusion from an employee's gross income of payroll deduction contributions to individual retirement accounts (IRAs). (Sec. 103) Provides for a nonrefundable tax credit for contributions to individual retirement plans. (Sec. 104) Allows the use without penalty of distributions from certain plans during periods of unemployment. Subtitle B: Secure Money Annuity or Retirement (SMART) Trusts - Establishes a defined benefit plan option for small businesses, to be known as secure money annuity or retirement (SMART) trusts. Subtitle C: Improved Fairness in Retirement Plan Benefits - Amends the IRC to require a specified minimum employer contribution to SIMPLE retirement accounts. Provides for an employer option to suspend contributions with 30-days' notice. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to fiduciary duties in the case of such accounts. (Sec. 122) Amends the IRC to set forth various nondiscrimination rules for qualified cash or deferred arrangements and matching contributions. (Sec. 123) Increases from $75,000 to $80,000 per year specified compensation criteria for a highly compensated employee. Excludes specified categories of employees with respect to age, short length of service, and part-time service from the meaning of highly compensated employee. (Sec. 124) Includes multiemployer plans, as well as governmental plans, under specified provisions of IRC for: (1) special limitation rules relating to compensation limits; and (2) exemptions for survivor and disability benefits. (Sec. 125) Declares that compensation deferred under a mirror plan shall not be taken into account in applying certain limits (with respect to deferred compensation plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations) to compensation deferred under any other deferred compensation plan. (Sec. 126) Amends specified Federal law relating to Federal employees to allow immediate participation in the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal employees by eliminating certain waiting periods. (Sec. 127) Amends IRC and ERISA to set a full funding limitation for multiemployer plans. (Sec. 128) Eliminates IRC partial termination rules for multiemployer plans. (Sec. 129) Replaces the 150 percent of current liability factor in the calculation of the full-funding limit with an incremental scale from 155 percent in 1998 to 170 percent in 2001, followed by zero in 2002 and succeeding years. Title II: Security - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends ERISA to revise requirements for periodic pension benefits statements. (Sec. 202) Applies an ERISA requirement for annual, detailed investment reports to certain IRC section 401(k) plans. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of Labor, in prescribing regulations for required information in such reports, to consider including specified types of information. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the extent to which pension plans invest in collectibles; and (2) whether such investments present a risk to the pension security of the participants and beneficiaries of such plans. (Sec. 205) Amends IRC to prohibit qualified employer plans from making loans through credit cards and other intermediaries. (Sec. 206) Increases the amounts of multiemployer plan benefits guaranteed under ERISA. (Sec. 207) Increases the maximum amount of the civil penalty which may be assessed administratively for certain prohibited transactions. (Sec. 208) Amends ERISA with respect to substantial owner benefits to revise the phase-in of guarantee and the allocation of assets. (Sec. 209) Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on plans from which residual assets were distributed to employers (reversion report). Subtitle B: ERISA Enforcement - Amends ERISA enforcement provisions to change from mandatory to discretionary the Secretary's authority to impose certain civil penalties for breach of fiduciary responsibilities. (Sec. 212) Revises reporting and enforcement requirements for employee benefit plans. Requires plan administrators and accountants to notify the Secretary: (1) of specified irregularities; and (2) upon termination of the accountant. Authorizes the Secretary to impose civil penalties for failure to make such notifications. (Sec. 213) Sets forth additional ERISA requirements for qualified public accountants. (Sec. 214) Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Labor to study, and report to the Congress and the Secretary on, the need for regulatory standards and procedures to authorize the Secretary, in appropriate cases, to prohibit persons from serving as qualified accountants for purposes of specified annual reports. Subtitle C: Increase in Excise Tax on Employer Reversions - Amends the IRC to increase the excise tax on reversions of qualified employee benefit plan assets to employers. Title III: Portability - Amends ERISA and the IRC to provide for faster vesting of employer matching contributions. (Sec. 302) Revises certain restrictions on distributions from IRC section 401(k) plans. (Sec. 303) Amends ERISA and the IRC with respect to an accrued benefit not to be decreased by plan amendment to revise the treatment of transfers between defined contribution plans. (Sec. 304) Amends ERISA rules requiring transfer of benefits of missing participants to direct the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to prescribe similar rules for multiemployer plans that terminate. Requires transfer of missing participants' plan benefits to the PBGC by certain plans not otherwise subject to ERISA enforcement provisions. (Sec. 305) Allows rollovers from and to the IRC section 403(b) plans. (Sec. 306) Amends the IRC to set forth requirements relating to rollover contributions from deferred compensation plans of State and local governments. (Sec. 307) Extends the IRC 60-day rollover period in the case of presidentially declared disasters and service in combat zones. (Sec. 308) Excludes from gross income, for certain IRC purposes, amounts involved in a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to a defined benefit governmental plan, if such transfer is for: (1) purchase of service credit under such plan; or (2) a specified type of repayment. Title IV: Comprehensive Women's Pension Protection - Subtitle A: Pension Reform - Amends the IRC and ERISA to provide for the spouse's right to know specified distribution information relating to survivor annuities. Provides for the employee's right to know of the opportunity for elective contributions under IRC section 401(k) plans. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary of Labor to contract with an independent organization to create a women's pension toll-free phone number and contact. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Amends the Social Security Act to modify the government pension offset with respect to certain insurance benefits for wives, husbands, widows, widowers, and mothers and fathers. (Sec. 404) Amends the IRC and ERISA to treat periods of family and medical leave, under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as hours of service for purposes of pension participation and vesting. (Sec. 405) Amends the IRC to: (1) disallow integration for simplified employee pensions; and (2) provide for eventual repeal of certain pension integration rules. (Sec. 406) Amends the IRC and ERISA with respect to division of pension benefits upon divorce, at the former spouse's election, to deem any State divorce decree to be a domestic relations order specifying that half of the marital share of the participant's accrued benefit is to be provided to such former spouse. (Sec. 407) Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (RRA) to entitle divorced spouses to railroad retirement annuities independent of the employee's actual entitlement. Subtitle B: Protection of Rights of Former Spouses to Pension Benefits Under Certain Government and Government-Sponsored Retirement Programs - Amends RRA to extend Tier II railroad retirement benefits to surviving former spouses pursuant to divorce agreements. (Sec. 412) Amends Federal civil service law with respect to survivor annuities for widows, widowers, and former spouses of Federal employees who die before attaining the age for deferred annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). (Sec. 413) Amends Federal civil service law with respect to payment of lump-sum benefits to former spouses of Federal employees under CSRS and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Subtitle C: Modifications of Joint and Survivor Annuity Requirements - Modifies ERISA and IRC requirements for joint and survivor annuities to provide for an alternative joint and two-thirds survivor annuity payable while both the participant and the spouse are alive. (Sec. 422) Requires spousal consent for distributions from the IRC section 401(k) plans. Title V: Date for Adoption of Plan Amendments - Sets forth dates for adoption of plan amendments.
Bill· HRH.R. 4192 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax exempt status for a trust which is an electing Settlement Trust under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4184 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Teacher Technology Access Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited credit to an elementary or secondary school teacher for qualified computer expenditures.
Bill· HRH.R. 4174 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to replace provisions regarding the rescission of budget authority with those authorizing the President to propose the rescission of any budget authority provided in an appropriation Act or repeal of any targeted tax benefit provided in any revenue Act. Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to the Congress with such a proposal that clearly identifies the budget authority proposed to be rescinded or the targeted tax benefit to be repealed. Includes within such bill a Deficit Reduction Account. Permits the President to place in the Account an amount not to exceed total rescissions in the bill. Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of such bill. Makes any amount of budget authority proposed to be rescinded available for obligation on the day after the date either House rejects such bill. Deems any targeted tax benefit proposed for repeal to be repealed unless either House rejects such bill during a prescribed time frame.
Bill· HRH.R. 4140 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the occupational tax on retail and wholesale dealers of liquor and beer and on rectifiers and brewers.
Bill· HRH.R. 4185 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Teacher Technology Training Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the Lifetime Learning Credit for an elementary or secondary school teacher attending an approved technology training course.
Bill· HRH.R. 4173 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit Title III: Other Provisions International Tax Simplification for American Competitiveness Act of 1998 - Title I: Treatment of Controlled Foreign Corporations - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations which will eliminate multiple inclusion of any item in income if there is a redemption through the use of related corporations and either the acquiring or issuing corporation is a foreign corporation. (Sec. 102) Excludes from the definition of "foreign personal holding company income" income which is derived in the active conduct by a controlled foreign corporation of a banking, financing, or similar business, subject to stated conditions. (Sec. 103) Requires a study and a report on the feasibility of treating all countries in the European Union as one country under subpart F (Controlled Foreign Corporations) of part III (Income From Sources Without the United States) of subchapter N (Tax Based on Income From Sources Within or Without the United States) of chapter 1 (Normal Taxes and Surtaxes) of the IRC. Provides, with respect to subpart F, for: (1) expansion of the de minimis rule; (2) the determination of earnings and profits under generally accepted accounting rules; (3) the treatment of pipeline transportation income and income from the transmission of high voltage electricity; and (4) look-through treatment for certain sales of partnership interests. Title II: Provisions Relating to Foreign Tax Credit - Extends the period to which excess foreign taxes may be carried. (Sec. 202) Defines overall domestic loss and sets forth provisions for determining taxable income for any taxpayer sustaining such a loss. (Sec. 203) Sets forth special rules relating to financial services income. (Sec. 204) Sets forth provisions, concerning the foreign tax credit and: (1) the treatment of dividends from certain corporations; (2) the look-through rules; (3) ordering rules for foreign tax credit carryovers; and (4) the repeal of the limitation of such credit under the alternative minimum tax. Title III: Other Provisions - Applies constructive ownership rules for purposes of determining certain post-1986 undistributed U.S. earnings. (Sec. 302) Applies capitalization rules to nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. (Sec. 303) Repeals the special rule for military property with respect to exempt foreign trade income. (Sec. 304) Revises the definition of U.S. property to exclude certain assets acquired by dealers in the ordinary course of business. (Sec. 305) Exempts from the taxes on nonresident aliens and foreign corporations certain regulated investment company dividends. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit, to exclude from the definition of the term "intangible property" any preliminary agreement which is not legally enforceable. (Sec. 307) Sets forth provisions concerning airline mileage awards to certain foreign persons. (Sec. 308) Repeals subpart G (Export Trade Corporations) of part III of subchapter N of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Bill· HRH.R. 4169 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Educational Facilities Improvement Title II: Reducing Class Size Title III: Charter Schools Title IV: Scholarships Title V: Voluntary National Tests Title VI: A+ Accounts for Public and Private Schools Title VII: Dollars to the Classroom Putting America's Children First Act of 1998 - Title I: Educational Facilities Improvement - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) title XII (School Facilities Infrastructure Improvement) to establish an educational facilities construction and renovation bond subsidy program. (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Education to use such bond subsidy program funds to pay up to 50 percent, according to a sliding scale based on need, of the interest costs applicable to any State or local bond for construction or renovation of educational facilities in local areas. Provides for: (1) mandatory direct grants to local bond authorities for up to 100 local areas with the highest numbers of school age children whose families do not exceed 100 percent of the poverty line (plus an optional 25 additional local areas with extraordinary construction or renovation needs); and (2) mandatory grants to States for State or local bond authority assistance for local areas according to a specified formula. Authorizes reservation of specified amounts for Indian schools, schools in U.S. territories, and certain studies, evaluations, and reports. Sets forth requirements for authorized activities, waivers (in order to increase assistance), fair wages, and reports. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999. Title II: Reducing Class Size - Establishes a program to help States and local educational agencies (LEAs) recruit, train, and hire 100,000 additional qualified teachers to: (1) reduce class sizes nationally, in grades one through three, to an average of 18 students per classroom; and (2) improve teaching in the early grades so that all students can learn to read independently and well by the end of the third grade. (Sec. 203) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Entitles States with approved applications to allotments according to a specified formula. Reserves certain funds for evaluations, outlying areas, and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools. (Sec. 205) Sets forth requirements for: (1) State applications and the Secretary's approval; (2) within-State allocations; (3) State level activities; (4) local uses of funds; matching funds; (5) carryover; (6) accountability; (7) participation of private school teachers; and (8) evaluation. Title III: Charter Schools - Amends ESEA title X part C (Public Charter Schools) to authorize a State educational agency (SEA) to use funds for planning, designing, and initial implementation of public charter schools. Requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to use innovative assistance funds for the same purpose. (Sec. 302) Extends the grant program period of eligibility. Allows basic grants or subgrants for planning, design, or initial implementation of charter schools to be awarded for a period of up to five years, which may be followed by an additional two-year extension period, notwithstanding that the State does not have a specific statute exempting charter schools from significant State or local rules that inhibit the flexible operation and management of public schools. Sets forth certain priorities for awarding grants to SEAs. Bases such priorities on requirements of State laws regarding charter schools' budget autonomy, increased numbers, and periodic review and evaluation. Includes among requirements for SEA applications a description of how the SEA will: (1) inform each charter school of available Federal programs and funds that each such school is eligible to receive; (2) ensure that each such school receives its commensurate share of Federal education funds allocated by formula; and (3) disseminate best or promising practices of charter schools to LEAs. Requires SEA applications to include assurances that, and descriptions of how, LEAs will comply with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act with respect to provision of special education and related services to children with disabilities in charter schools. Includes among selection criteria for awarding grants to SEAs the number of charter schools created in the State. Prohibits States that receive grants under this Act and designate a tribally controlled school as a charter school from considering payments to a school under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 in determining the eligibility of the school to receive any other Federal, State, or local aid or the amount of such aid. Eliminates authority for State revolving loan funds for charter schools. Directs the Secretary to: (1) reserve a specified amount for national activities on behalf of such schools; and (2) (along with SEAs) ensure that each public charter school receives its full share of funding for LEAs for helping disadvantaged children meet high standards. Sets forth requirements for student records transfer and for paperwork reduction. Specifies that a public charter school: (1) must have a performance contract with the authorized public chartering agency in the State; and (2) is a school to which parents choose to send their children. Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for the public charter schools grant program. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to make contracts or subcontracts with persons who have fraudulently labelled products as "Made in America." Title IV: Scholarships - Amends ESEA title VI (Innovative Education Program Strategies) to allow any State that has enacted or will enact a law establishing a voluntary public and private school parental choice scholarship program in compliance with specified ESEA requirements to reserve an additional 15 percent from its annual ESEA title VI allotment for use exclusively for such parental choice programs. Requires State educational agencies, except in the case of such programs, to distribute 90 percent (currently 85 percent) of title VI funds to local educational agencies based on criteria which gives priority to low-income families and areas. (Sec. 403) Includes such parental choice programs among State and local uses of title VI funds. Requires such parental choice programs to be located in an area that has the greatest numbers or percentages of children: (1) living in areas with a high concentration of low-income families; (2) from low-income families; or (3) living in sparsely populated areas. Requires such programs to ensure that program participation is limited to families whose family income does not exceed 185 percent of the poverty line. Directs the Comptroller General to make contracts for annual evaluation of each parental choice program. Provides that title VI funds to establish a parental choice program shall be considered assistance to the student and shall not be considered as assistance to any school that chooses to participate in such program. Prohibits the Secretary from exercising any direction, supervision, or control over curricula, program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any school that chooses to participate in a parental choice program. Title V: Voluntary National Tests - Directs the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement, before any funds are obligated for a fiscal year, to submit to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a spending plan for activities funded through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for such year. (Sec. 502) Gives to the National Assessment Governing Board (established under the National Education Statistics Act of 1994) exclusive authority over all policies, direction, and guidelines for establishing and implementing voluntary national tests for fourth grade English reading and eighth grade mathematics. (Sec. 503) Requires such tests to be made available, upon request, to a State, local educational agency, or private or parochial school. Prohibits making the use of such tests a condition for receiving any Federal funds. (Sec. 504) Directs the Board to review the current national test development contract, and modify it as necessary, or terminate it and negotiate a new contract under the Board's exclusive control. Sets forth Board responsibilities with respect to development of, and content and standards for, such tests. (Sec. 505) Prohibits a State or local educational agency from requiring any private or parochial school student, or home-schooled individual, to take any test developed under this Act without the student's or individual's written consent. (Sec. 506) Amends the National Education Statistics Act of 1994 to: (1) revise requirements for appointment of Board members; and (2) provide that the Board, in its exercise of its functions, powers, and duties, shall be independent of the Secretary of Education and the other offices and officers of the Department of Education. (Sec. 507) Directs the Secretary to appoint individuals to fill vacancies on the Board caused by expiration of member terms or creation of new membership positions under this Act. Title VI: A+ Accounts for Public and Private Schools - A+ Accounts for Public and Private Schools Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit tax-free expenditures from education individual retirement accounts for elementary and secondary education expenses (including tuition, special needs services, home schooling expenses, and transportation expenses) required for attendance at a public, private, or religious school, or for homeschooling that meets State or local requirements. (Sec. 602) Increases from $500 to $2,500, through December 31, 2002, the maximum annual contribution to such an account. Title VII: Dollars to the Classroom - Dollars to the Classroom Act - Requires the Secretary to award directly to the States the total amount of all the funds (except those used for specified multiyear awards) that are appropriated for the Department of Education for the fiscal year for specified programs or activities under: (1) the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; (2) the Educational Research, Development, Disseminations, and Improvement Act of 1994; (3) the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994; (4) the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and (5) the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (Sec. 702) Sets deadlines for: (1) each State to conduct a census to determine, and report to the Secretary, the number of kindergarten through grade 12 students in the State for the academic year; and (2) the Secretary to publish and disburse the amount each State will receive under this Act for the succeeding fiscal year. Sets forth: (1) a formula for determination of such award amounts, based on relative numbers of such students in each State; and (2) penalties for false information. Provides for continuation of certain multiyear awards made before enactment of this Act. Requires award amounts under this Act to be paid to the State Governor, who shall make them available to the individual or entity in the State responsible for the State administration of Federal education funds. Prescribes requirements for the use of such funds, earmarking not less than 95 percent for distribution to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the costs of activities or services provided in the classroom that LEAs determine appropriate, excluding associated administrative expenses, but including nonadministrative expenses associated with statewide or district wide initiatives directly affecting classroom learning. Prohibits: (1) any Federal agency head except the Secretary from promulgating regulations under this title; and (2) the Secretary from issuing any regulations regarding the types of activities or services that may be assisted under this title. (Sec. 703) Amends ESEA title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards) to require that at least 95 percent of title I funds made available to an LEA be used for costs of activities and services provided in the classroom for the fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a plan for streamlining regulations and eliminating bureaucracy so that 95 percent of such ESEA title I funds for LEAs are used for the costs of activities and services provided in the classroom; and (2) recommend to the Congress legislation containing changes to Federal law needed for such funds to be used in such manner. (Sec. 704) Requires each LEA that receives funds under this Act to provide for the participation of children enrolled in private and home schools.
Bill· HRH.R. 4165 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the gas guzzler tax automobiles that are lengthened by certain small manufacturers.
Bill· HRH.R. 4175 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Future Entrepreneurs of America Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to States for entrepreneurship education and training programs for students in grades seven through 12 (programs). Allows such grants to States in any fiscal year in which appropriations under this Act equal or exceed a specified amount. Sets forth requirements for: (1) State plans; (2) grant allocations to States; (3) use of funds for local programs and for State monitoring, evaluation, and administrative costs; and (3) State reports. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct grants to local educational authorities and public schools for such programs, in any fiscal year for which appropriations do not reach the level required for grants to States. Directs the Secretary to make a competitive grant or contract for a national clearinghouse for instructional materials and information regarding exemplary entrepreneurship education and training programs and best practices. Directs the Secretary to develop performance measures and evaluate programs assisted under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4149 (105th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Forest Service Cost Reduction and Fiscal Accountability Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to prepare an implementation schedule for a Forest System accounting system to be known as the All Resources Accounting System which shall include: (1) specified program areas; (2) cost allocations; (3) identification of indirect expenditures and general administration costs; and (4) separate reports for Forest System units, State and private forestry, and research. Directs the Secretary to: (1) limit and eliminate within a certain period indirect expenditures from Forest Service trust funds or permanent appropriations; (2) disclose indirect expenditures and general administration costs in annual budget requests; and (3) prepare a five-year Forest System cost reduction strategic plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 4167 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Military Retiree Health Care Relief Act - Amends: (1) the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable credit for premiums paid by military retirees for Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) coverage; and (2) part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate, as specified, the ten percent part B premium penalty.
Bill· HRH.R. 4139 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts received under a qualified State birth-related injury compensation program.
Bill· HRH.R. 4147 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1998
Higher Education Affordability Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $500 to $5,000 the maximum annual contribution limit for an education individual retirement account.
Bill· SS. 2210 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of 1998 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant classification for (nonimmigrant) nurses in health professional shortage areas. Sets forth admissions requirements, including a maximum three-year stay. Limits: (1) eligible hospitals; (2) fiscal year entrants; and (3) the number of entrants permitted to work in any one State. Requires the Secretary of Labor to compile a public list of facilities petitioning for the admission of each such nurse. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to jointly submit recommendations for an alternative solution to using foreign nurses to resolve the U.S. nursing shortage.
Bill· SS. 2214 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Economic Growth Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual capital gains tax rates.
Bill· SS. 2211 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Taxpayers' Defense Act of 1998 - Amends Federal law provisions concerning discretionary congressional review of agency rules to set forth provisions mandating that a rule that establishes or increases a tax, however denominated, shall not take effect before the enactment of a bill the text of which has been submitted to each House of the Congress by the agency promulgating the rule in a report that contains the bill's text and an explanation of the bill. Exempts a rule promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code. Outlines introduction, referral, and consideration procedures for approval of the bill. Applies the same requirements to certain Federal Communications Commission rules concerning universal service, except with respect to specified approval procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 4132 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Accounting Fairness for Physicians and Dentists Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a physician or dentist to use the cash basis of accounting.
Bill· HRH.R. 4134 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit Year 2000 computer problem conversion costs to be expensed; and (2) increase, for 1998 and 1999, the limitation for such costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 4126 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Reforestation Tax Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction to a taxpayer who has a qualified timber gain in an amount equal to the qualified percentage of such gain. Decreases the amortization period for reforestation expenditures.
Bill· HRH.R. 4125 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Economic Growth Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual capital gains tax rates.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 489 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1998
Sets forth the rule (modified closed) for the consideration of H.R. 4112 (legislative branch appropriations)
Law· SS. 2206 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Head Start Programs Title II: Community Services Block Grant Program Title III: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Title IV: Assets for Independence Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998 - Title I: Head Start Programs - Head Start Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Head Start Act to reauthorize and revise its programs. (Sec. 103) Revises the statement of purpose to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low income children. (Sec. 104) Revises definitions of family literacy services, of full-working-day, and of migrant or seasonal Head Start program. Adds definitions of child with a disability and of reliable and replicable research. (Sec. 105) Provides for financial assistance to Head Start programs that enable children to attain school readiness (as well as to attain their full potential). (Sec. 106) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for Head Start program activities. Directs the Secretary of Education to make available certain amounts for such program activities, transition activities, impact studies, and other research and evaluation activities. (Sec. 107) Revises requirements for allotment of funds. Allows set-aside funds to be used for: (1) activities related to correcting deficiencies and conducting proceedings to terminate the designation of Head Start agencies; and (2) research and evaluation. Revises funding for Indian and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) continue the administrative arrangement for meeting the needs of migrant and Indian children; and (2) assure that appropriate funds are provided to meet the needs of such children. Revises requirements relating to use of quality improvement funds for: (1) children with disabilities; (2) encouraging staff training; and (3) staff training related to promotion of language skills and literacy growth of children and the acquisition of English for children from non-English-speaking backgrounds. Requires that each State initially receive an amount of Head Start funds equal to the amount received in FY 1998. Revises various requirements for collaboration grants. Directs the Secretary to provide supplemental funding to: (1) States that develop unified plans for early childhood education and child care that include participation of Head Start agencies; and (2) States that engage in other innovative collaborations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) review barriers to collaboration; (2) develop initiatives to eliminate such barriers; and (3) develop a mechanism to resolve conflicts between programs. Increases the amount of funds set-aside for Early Head Start. Authorizes the Secretary to reduce these amounts, if necessary to avoid a reduction in Head Start services or quality, subject to certain conditions. Revises requirements relating to enrollment of children with disabilities. Directs the Secretary to consider specified factors concerning applicants in awarding expansion funds. (Sec. 108) Revises requirements relating to designation of Head Start agencies. Allows designation of for-profit organizations. Directs the Secretary, in making such designations, to: (1) consult with the State Governor; (2) give priority to existing Head Start grantees or their successors, unless the agency has failed to meet certain requirements; (3) give priority to Head Start agencies that have met or exceeded performance standards and performance measures; and (4) consider an applicant's plan to seek parent involvement and meet the needs of non-English background children and children with disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to designate an interim Head Start grantee until a qualified applicant from the community is designated. (Sec. 109) Requires education performance standards to ensure children's school readiness and development of a minimum level of literacy awareness and understanding. Requires performance measures to assess the impact of the services provided to children and their families. Revises monitoring provisions to require: (1) review teams to include individuals knowledgeable about the needs of children with disabilities; and (2) reviews to include a review and assessment of program effectiveness in accordance with outcome-based performance measures and performance standards. Requires Head Start agencies to: (1) immediately correct any identified deficiencies that threaten health or safety or the integrity of Federal funds; (2) correct a deficiency within 90 days of being informed, if the Secretary determines that 90 days is reasonable; and (3) develop and obtain approval for a quality improvement plan, if required by the Secretary. (Sec. 110) Revises powers and functions of Head Start agencies. (Sec. 111) Revises Head Start transition provisions to require each Head Start agency to coordinate with the local education agency and schools in which participating Head Start children will enroll. (Sec. 112) Allows State Governors 45 days in which to disapprove any plan to carry out a Head Start program within the State through contract, agreement, grant, or other assistance. Prohibits the Secretary from overruling a Governor's disapproval in cases in which the disapproval is because of failure to comply with State health, safety and child care laws and regulations applicable to comparable programs within the State. (Sec. 113) Revises requirements for participation in Head Start regarding: (1) continuing eligibility of children who have participated in the Head Start program and whose families have met the low-income criteria; (2) use of a sliding fee scale for extended day services in full-day programs that operate through collaborations with other agencies or entities; and (3) continuous recruitment and acceptance of applications for Head Start throughout the year. (Sec. 114) Revises requirements for Early Head Start programs for families with infants and toddlers. Adds a reference to infants and toddlers with disabilities. Limits eligibility to pregnant women and families with children under age three. Directs the Secretary to use a portion of Early Head Start funds for monitoring, training, technical assistance, and evaluation. (Sec. 115) Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure provision of technical assistance to Head Start agencies, other entities and States in collaborative efforts to promote full-day, full-year services; and (2) assist Head Start agencies and programs in expediting information sharing about innovative models for providing full-day, full-year services, and in ensuring school readiness of children and meeting education performance standards. (Sec. 116) Requires each Head Start classroom to have a teacher with demonstrated competency to perform certain functions (in addition to certificate and degree requirements already contained in current law). Directs the Secretary to grant a 180-day waiver of degree requirements for Head Start teachers, upon request, if the Head Start agency has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit an individual with the required credential, certificate or degree. (Sec. 117) Requires: (1) comparative studies of children participating in Head Start with eligible children who did not participate; and (2) a national Head Start impact research and a quality improvement study. Title II: Community Services Block Grant Program - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to reauthorize and revise its programs. (Sec. 201) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for community services block grants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reserve specified portions of annual appropriations for payments to territories, training and technical assistance and other activities, and discretionary activities. Revises or adds provisions relating to: (1) program authorization; (2) apportionment of funds to territories; (3) allotment and payment of funds to States; (4) use of funds by States for grants to eligible entities; (5) State applications and plans; (6) designation and redesignation by States of eligible entities in unserved areas of the State; (7) tripartite boards for eligible entities; (8) direct payment of funds by the Secretary to Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (9) the Secretary's carrying out certain functions of the Act through the Office of Community Services, and through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; (10) the Secretary's use of set-aside funds for training, technical assistance, planning, evaluation, and data collection activities; (11) State monitoring of eligible entities to determine whether such entities meet performance goals, administrative standards, financial management requirements, and other State requirements; (12) corrective action, termination and reduction of funding, in cases where a State determines that an eligible entity materially fails to comply with the terms of an agreement or the State plan, or to meet appropriate standards, goals, and other State requirements; (13) fiscal controls, audits, and withholding of Federal funds; (14) Federal and State accountability and reporting on the performance of eligible entities; (15) limitations on the use of funds; (16) participation of faith-based organizations in programs under the Act; and (17) the Secretary's use of set-aside funds for discretionary activities involving community economic development, rural community development, and neighborhood innovation projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for: (1) community food and nutrition programs; and (2) national or regional programs designed to provide instructional activities for low-income youth. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Repeals provisions of the Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1986 relating to: (1) interest rates payable on certain rural development loans, and assignment of loan contracts; and (2) demonstration partnership agreements addressing the needs of the poor. Title III: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to reauthorize and revise its programs. (Sec. 301) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) low-income home energy assistance programs (LIHEAP) in general; and (2) the incentive program for leveraging non- Federal resources. (Reduces the authorized amount for the incentive program except in fiscal years when appropriations for the general program reach a specified minimum level.) (Sec. 303) Provides for release of LIHEAP funds in response to emergencies, including a natural disaster, any other event meeting criteria the Secretary determines appropriate, or a significant increase in: (1) home energy supply shortages or disruptions; (2) the cost of home energy; (3) home energy disconnections; (4) participation in a public benefit program such as the food stamp program; or (5) a significant increase in unemployment or layoffs. (Sec. 304) Includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the combined Freely Associated States as participants in LIHEAP. (Sec. 306) Prohibits certain transfers out of LIHEAP. (Sec. 307) Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate and report to the Congress on the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge program. (Sec. 308) Increases the amount of funds available for technical assistance, training, and compliance reviews. Authorizes the Secretary to use such funds for: (1) onsite program reviews; and (2) interagency agreements, including agreements with Federal agencies. Title IV: Assets for Independence - Assets for Independence Act - Provides for the establishment of individual development account (IDA) demonstration projects designed to determine: (1) the social, civic, psychological, and economic effects of providing to individuals and families with limited means an incentive to accumulate assets by saving a portion of their earned income in an individual development account; (2) the extent to which an asset-based policy that promotes saving for education, home ownership, and microenterprise development may be used to enable individuals and families with limited means to increase their economic self-sufficiency; and (3) the extent to which an asset-based policy stabilizes and improves families and the community in which they live. (Sec. 404) Limits the use of IDA distributions to specified postsecondary educational, first-home purchase, and business capitalization expenses, as well as transfers to IDAs of family members. (Sec. 405) Allows not-for-profit organizations, State or local government agencies, and tribal governments to apply to the Secretary of HHS for grants for such demonstration projects. Directs the Secretary to publicly announce funding for such projects and make applications widely available to qualified entities. Sets forth criteria for application approval, including project sufficiency, administrative ability, ability to assist participants, commitment of non-Federal funds, and adequacy of information for evaluation. (Sec. 406) Directs the Secretary to make annual grants for four project years for such demonstration projects to entities with approved applications. Limits the amount of such a grant to any qualified entity in a single year to the lesser of $1 million or an amount equal to the amount of non-Federal matching funds. (Sec. 407) Requires each qualified not-for-profit organization receiving a grant to establish a reserve fund for deposit of private and public funds provided for the demonstration project, as well as proceeds from investments. (Sec. 408) Makes an individual eligible for assistance under a demonstration project if the individual is a member of a household that: (1) is eligible for assistance under part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act; or (2) meets certain income and net worth tests. (Sec. 410) Allows IDAs, to which qualified individuals may contribute, to be matched from grant funds by the qualified entity conducting the demonstration project, according to a certain formula, in an amount up to $2,000 per individual ($4,000 per household). (Sec. 411) Provides for local control over such demonstration projects. (Sec. 412) Requires annual progress reports by qualified entities. (Sec. 413) Directs the Secretary to terminate a demonstration project upon determination of noncompliance with requirements and failure to implement corrective recommendations. (Sec. 415) Prohibits considering funds in the IDA of a demonstration project participant as income for purposes of any Federal or federally-assisted program based on need. (Sec. 416) Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2203 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) businesses should adopt drug-free workplace programs; and (2) States should consider incentives to encourage businesses to adopt such programs, such as reductions in workers' compensation or unemployment insurance premiums, tax deductions, or liability limitations. Amends the Small Business Act to establish a drug-free workplace demonstration program, under which the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) may make grants to, and contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible intermediaries to provide financial assistance to small businesses seeking to establish such a program. Sets forth intermediary eligibility requirements. Requires such a program to include: (1) a written policy, including prohibitions against substances in the workplace and violation consequences; (2) alcohol and drug abuse prevention training for employees; (3) employee drug testing; (4) employee access to an assistance program; and (5) continuing alcohol and drug abuse prevention assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Requires small business development centers to provide information and assistance to small businesses in developing drug-free workplace programs.
Law· HRH.R. 4112 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Congressional Operations Title II: Other Agencies Title III: General Provisions Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for the legislative branch for FY 1999. Title I: Congressional Operations - Congressional Operations Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for the House of Representatives for: (1) a specified widow of a deceased Member of Congress; (2) House leadership offices; (3) Members' representational allowances; (4) committee employees; (5) officers and employees; (6) specified allowances and expenses; and (7) the House Child Care Center. (Sec. 101) Amends H. Res. 611, 97th Congress, to exclude the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) from the Page Board's composition. (Sec. 102) Amends H. Res. 1047, 95th Congress, to increase the limitation on expenses for House participation in interparliamentary institutions, reception of members of foreign legislative bodies and foreign officials, and meetings with Government officials. (Sec. 103) Establishes an account in the House for purposes of carrying out training and program development activities of the Republican Conference and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 104) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations, Act, 1991 to allow the Official Mail Allowance to be used for payment of any nonpostage fee or charge, including fees or charges for express mail, express mail drop shipment, certified mail, registered mail, return receipt, address correction, or postal insurance. Removes provisions permitting the use of the Members' Representational Allowance for a Representative's payment of nonpostage fees and charges for the above services and for postage for mail for official business sent outside the United States. (Sec. 105) Requires any information on payments made by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to an individual for attendance as a witness before the Committee in executive session during a Congress to be reported by the second semiannual report filed under specified provisions of the House of Representatives Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act in the following Congress. (Sec. 106) Permits the Committee on House Oversight to prescribe by regulation appropriate conditions for the incidental use, for other than official business, of equipment and supplies owned or leased by, or the cost of which is reimbursed by, the House. (Sec. 107) Authorizes the Speaker and the Majority and Minority Leaders to each appoint and fix the compensation of one consultant, on a temporary or intermittent basis, at a daily rate of compensation not in excess of the per diem equivalent of the highest gross rate of annual compensation which may be paid to employees of a House standing committee. (Sec. 108) Requires the House to participate in State and local government transit programs to encourage House employees to use public transportation. (Sec. 109) Provides that amounts appropriated in this Act for House salaries and expenses and Members' Representational Allowances shall be available only for FY 1999 and any amount remaining after all payments are made under such allowances shall be deposited in the Treasury to be used for deficit reduction. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Joint Economic, Printing, and Taxation Committees; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; and (3) the Capitol Police Board. (Sec. 110) Sets forth administrative provisions regarding the Capitol Police Board. Appropriates funds for the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office and for statements of appropriations. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Office of Compliance; (2) the Congressional Budget Office; (3) the AOC for salaries and expenses, Capitol buildings and grounds, House office buildings, and the Capitol power plant; (4) the Library of Congress for the Congressional Research Service's (CRS) salaries and expenses; and (5) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 111) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1998 to revise amounts appropriated to GPO for congressional printing and binding. Title II: Other Agencies - Appropriates funds for salaries and expenses for: (1) the Botanic Garden; and (2) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and furniture and furnishings. (Sec. 201) Provides a limited amount of funds for the Library and for CRS for attendance at meetings concerned with the function for which an appropriation is made. (Sec. 202) Prohibits the use of funds by the Library to administer any flexible or compressed work schedule which: (1) applies to any manager or supervisor in a position equal to or higher than a GS-15 grade; and (2) grants such individual the right to not be at work on a workday because of time worked on another workday. (Sec. 203) Establishes limits on: (1) the number of employees hired by the Library to perform reimbursable work for other agencies; and (2) funds for representation and reception expenses associated with the Library incentive awards program and Overseas Field Offices. (Sec. 206) Specifies limits on the obligational authority of the Library for reimbursable and revolving fund activities funded from sources other than appropriations to the Library in appropriation Acts for the legislative branch. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the Library of Congress to receive funds from participants in, and sponsors of, an international legal information database led by the Law Library of Congress, and to credit such funds to the Library's appropriations, up to the extent authorized in appropriations Acts, for the development and maintenance of the database. Makes appropriations for: (1) the AOC for the Congressional Cemetery and for Library buildings and grounds; and (2) salaries and expenses of the GPO's Office of Superintendent of Documents and for the General Accounting Office. (Sec. 208) Requires the AOC to make a grant to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in accordance with an agreement entered into by the AOC with the National Trust and the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery in order to assist in the Cemetery's perpetual care and maintenance. Specifies the terms and conditions of such agreement. (Sec. 209) Sets forth limitations on: (1) gifts and trust funds of the Library of Congress transferred to the AOC for the structural and mechanical work and refurbishment of certain Library buildings and grounds; and (2) expenditures for improvements to the National Audio Visual Conservation Center in Culpeper, Virginia. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth prohibitions on the use of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 305) Sets forth Buy American provisions. (Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations as necessary to an account for awards and settlements authorized under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. (Sec. 307) Makes a limited amount of funds available for costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the AOC to enter into energy savings performance contracts for energy savings projects in the Capitol Complex under specified conditions. (Sec. 309) Amends Federal civil service law to apply severance pay provisions to AOC employees, other than temporary employees. (Currently, such provisions apply only to full-time employees of the Senate restaurants.) Sets forth early retirement provisions with respect to AOC employees. Includes AOC employees: (1) (currently, up to 50 eligible Senate restaurant employees) in the voluntary program established by the AOC under which voluntary separation incentive payments may be offered to such employees for voluntary separation, through resignation or retirement, through FY 1999; and (2) in the program established by the AOC to provide retraining, job placement, and counseling services to current and certain former Senate restaurant employees (other than reemployed annuitants or temporary employees). (Sec. 310) Amends Federal civil service law to apply severance pay provisions to GPO employees, other than temporary employees. Sets forth early retirement provisions with respect to such employees and entitles them to annuities. Requires the Public Printer to establish a program under which voluntary separation incentive payments may be offered to eligible GPO employees (other than reemployed annuitants, employees eligible for Federal disability retirement systems, or temporary employees) for voluntary separation, through resignation or retirement, through FY 2001. Authorizes the Public Printer to establish a program to provide retraining, job placement, and counseling services to current and former GPO employees (other than reemployed annuitants or temporary employees).
Bill· HRH.R. 4120 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
Savings and Investment Relief Act of 1998 - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to transaction fees for both exchange-traded and exchange-regulated securities and off-exchange trades of last-sale-reported securities. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to prescribe annually a fiscal year fee limitation based upon the pro rata share of the aggregate dollar amount of securities sales, so that total fee payments will not exceed specified limits. Requires each national securities exchange and national securities association to adopt implementing rules which provide fee reductions for all market participants. Directs the SEC to report annually to the Congress on the total amount of transaction fees collected by each national securities exchange and national securities association. Authorizes future appropriations Acts to increase such fee limitations in any year in which the total fees collected are insufficient for SEC budget authority provided under such Acts.
Law· HRH.R. 4110 (105th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Title II: Education Benefits Title III: Court of Veterans Appeals Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions Relating to the Court Subtitle B: Retirement-Related Provisions Subtitle C: Renaming of Court Title IV: Other Matters Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 1998 - Title I: Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary), effective December 1, 1998, to increase the rates of and limitations on veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents of certain disabled veterans, the clothing allowance for certain service-disabled veterans, veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and children, and supplemental DIC for disabled adult children. Title II: Education Benefits - Changes from a fiscal to calendar year basis the calculation of a reporting fee to be charged to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover certain reporting costs of educational institutions who have veterans enrolled under the veterans' educational assistance program (VEAP). Requires such fee to be paid from amounts appropriated for veterans' readjustment benefits. (Sec. 202) Allows an individual to elect to be paid in advance under the veterans' work-study program. (Current law requires such advance payment.) (Sec. 205) Waives certain wage increase and minimum pay rate requirements with respect to Federal job training programs. (Sec. 206) Requires the Secretary to furnish to members of the armed forces participating in VEAP information relating to the benefits, limitations, procedures, eligibility requirements and other aspects of such program, including application requirements. Requires amounts appropriated for veterans' readjustment benefits to be used to cover the costs of providing such information. (Sec. 207) Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to inform military personnel who have not completed their initial obligated period of active or reserve duty but who wish to be discharged or released for the convenience of the Government of the minimum active-duty requirements for entitlement to VEAP benefits. Requires a description of such notification efforts to be included in a currently required report from the Secretary of Defense to the Congress. Title III: Court of Veterans Appeals - Subtitle A: Administrative Provisions Relating to the Court - Authorizes a judge of the Court of Veterans Appeals (Court) who is nominated for reappointment and whose current term of office expires to continue in office for up to one year while such nomination is pending. Subtitle B: Retirement-Related Provisions - Authorizes the recall of retired Court judges who, upon retirement, notify the chief judge in writing of their availability and willingness to be recalled. Prohibits such a judge from being recalled for more than 90 days in a calendar year without his or her consent, or for more than 180 days in a year in any case. (Sec. 312) Disregards as a creditable year of service as a judge any fractional part of a year less than 183 days, while crediting any fractional part of 183 days or more. (Sec. 313) Defines the retired pay eligibility of judges who: (1) are not recalled due to disability; (2) do not provide notice of availability for recall; or (3) are removed from recall-eligible status. Authorizes cost-of-living adjustments to Court judges' retired pay, but disallows any adjustment which would result in that judge's retired pay exceeding the current pay authorized for active judges. (Sec. 314) Exempts the Court of Veterans Appeals Retirement Fund from sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). (Sec. 315) Mandates forfeiture of all retired pay benefits, from the inception of representation until one year after such representation ends, for retired Court judges who represent a client in any claim for veterans' benefits. (Sec. 316) Allows one eligible Court judge to retire each year beginning in 1999 and ending in 2003. Makes eligible for such retirement any associate judge who: (1) has at least ten years of creditable judicial service; (2) has made an election to receive retired pay; (3) has at least 20 years of creditable combined service as a judge, member of Congress, member of the armed forces, or certain Federal service; and (4) is at least 55 years of age. Requires notice to the President and the chief judge of the intention to retire. Provides the retired pay rate, as well as an adjustment to such rate for judges making themselves available for recall. (Sec. 317) Requires judges' survivor annuities to be increased at the same time and by the same percentage that annuities payable from the Judicial Survivors' Annuity Fund are increased. (Sec. 318) Requires the Court chief judge to report to the veterans' committees on the feasibility and desirability of: (1) merging the Court's retirement plan with retirement plans of other Federal judges; and (2) allowing Court judges to participate in the survivor annuity programs available to other Federal judges. Subtitle C: Renaming of Court - Renames the Court as the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Title IV: Other Matters - Makes Federal procurement law as outlined under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 applicable to VA services or supplies contracts. (Sec. 402) Extends permanently (currently expires on October 27, 1999) the eligibility of members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans. (Sec. 403) Requires the Secretary to furnish burial flags at the funerals of former members of the Selected Reserve who: (1) completed at least one year of enlistment or, if an officer, completed their period of initial obligated service; (2) were discharged from duty due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or (3) died while a member of such Reserve. (Sec. 404) Revises cost limitations with respect to grants made by the Secretary to States for establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries (State cemetery grant program). Requires the State to contribute the amount by which specified costs exceed grant amounts. Removes the requirement that amounts authorized for the grant program shall remain available only until the end of the second fiscal year after their appropriation. Increases and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for the grant program. (Sec. 405) Revises provisions concerning the disabled veterans' outreach program to: (1) require amounts authorized for the program to be sufficient to provide one program specialist for each 7,400 veterans residing in a State who are between the ages of 20 and 64; and (2) remove the requirement that preference in the appointment of such specialists be given to Vietnam era disabled veterans. (Sec. 406) Makes permanent the VA's authority to use certain amounts made available due to a pension limitation for certain veterans receiving nursing home care to cover operating expenses at VA medical facilities. (Sec. 407) Revises provisions concerning the Board of Veterans' Appeals to: (1) require Board members to be known as veterans administrative law judges; (2) require each member to be an attorney in good standing with a State bar; (3) direct the Secretary to appoint to a Board attorney position a member who is removed from the Board, but who served as an attorney in the civil service before the Board appointment. (Sec. 408) Eliminates a provision requiring premiums paid on specified policies issued to disabled veterans under the National Service Life Insurance Act of 1940 to be credited directly to, and benefits to be made from, the National Service Life Insurance appropriation.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 485 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 4104 (making appropriations for the Department of the Treasury, U.S. Postal Service, Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies).
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 484 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1998
Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 4103 (Department of Defense appropriations).
Bill· SS. 2200 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to restore and make permanent the exclusion from gross income for amounts received under qualified group legal services plans.
Bill· HRH.R. 4104 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of the Treasury Title II: Postal Service Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President Title IV: Independent Agencies Title V: General Provisions Title VI: General Provisions Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for FY 1999 for the Treasury Department, the U.S. Postal Service, the Executive Office of the President, and certain independent agencies. Title I: Department of the Treasury - Makes appropriations for the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) the Office of Professional Responsibility; (3) automation enhancement; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) repair and restoration of the Treasury building and annex; (6) the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; (7) violent crime reduction programs; (8) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, including amounts for acquisition of additional real property and facilities and maintenance and facility improvements; (9) interagency law enforcement with respect to organized crime drug trafficking; (10) the Financial Management Service; (11) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; (12) the U.S. Customs Service, including amounts for operations and maintenance of marine vessels and aircraft and collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee; (13) the Bureau of the Public Debt; (14) the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including amounts for tax law enforcement, earned income tax credit compliance and error reduction initiatives, information systems, and information technology investments; and (15) the Secret Service, including an amount for construction and improvement of facilities. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title II: Postal Service - Makes appropriations for payments to the Postal Service Fund for revenue foregone on free and reduced rate mail. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title III: Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the President - Executive Office Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for: (1) compensation of the President and the White House office; (2) operating, maintenance, and reimbursable expenses of the Executive Residence at the White House; (3) special assistance to the President and the official residence of the Vice President; (4) the Council of Economic Advisers; (5) the Office of Policy Development; (6) the National Security Council; (7) the Office of Administration; (8) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); (9) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; (10) Federal drug control programs, including amounts for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and for a national anti-drug campaign for youth; (11) emergency expenses related to year 2000 conversion of Federal information technology systems; and (12) unanticipated needs in furtherance of the national interest, security, or defense. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: Independent Agencies - Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 - Makes appropriations for the: (1) Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (2) Federal Election Commission; (3) Federal Labor Relations Authority; and (4) General Services Administration (GSA), including amounts for the Federal Buildings Fund, Government-wide policy and operations, Office of Inspector General, and allowances and office staff for former Presidents. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 409) Requires the GSA Administrator to convey all right, title, and interest in: (1) real property in Miami-Dade County, Florida, comprising the U.S. Naval Observatory-Alternate Time Service Laboratory to the University of Miami for use as a research facility; and (2) specified Army Reserve property in Racine, Wisconsin, to the city of Racine, Wisconsin, for use as a water and wastewater utility site. Makes appropriations for: (1) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund to carry out activities under the Environmental Policy and Conflict Resolution Act of 1997; (2) the Merit Systems Protection Board; (3) the National Archives and Records Administration, including amounts for repairs and restoration of archives and presidential libraries; (4) the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; (5) the Office of Government Ethics; (6) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), including an amount for the Office of Inspector General; (7) Government contributions for health and life insurance benefits for annuitants; (8) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (9) the Office of Special Counsel; and (10) the U.S. Tax Court. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title V: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds made available under this Act. (Sec. 511) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the staff director and general counsel of the Federal Election Commission to be elected by at least four Commission members (currently, appointed by the Commission) and limits their terms to four consecutive years without reappointment. (Sec. 512) Provides for payment of attorney's fees, costs, and sanctions required to be made by the Federal Government in the case Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc. v. Clinton from amounts made available for compensation of the President and the White House office. (Sec. 514) Prohibits funds appropriated by this Act from being available to pay for an abortion or for the administrative expenses of any Federal employee health plan which provides benefits for abortions. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 516) Bars the expenditure of funds appropriated by this Act by OPM to enter into or renew any contract for a Federal employee health benefits plan which provides: (1) coverage for prescription drugs unless such plan also provides equivalent coverage for all prescription contraceptive drugs or devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration; or (2) benefits for outpatient services provided by a health care professional unless such plan also provides equivalent benefits for outpatient contraceptive services. Title VI: General Provisions - Sets forth authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated for Federal departments, agencies, and corporations. (Sec. 624) Requires the OMB Director to report to the Congress: (1) estimates of costs and benefits of Federal regulatory programs and of each rule likely to have a gross annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more in increased costs; (2) impacts of Federal rules on the private sector and all levels of government; and (3) recommendations for reform or elimination of inefficient regulatory programs. (Sec. 628) Provides that annual adjustments in rates of pay under the General Schedule shall not be considered to have taken effect in FY 1999 in the rates for the statutory pay systems for purposes of certain provisions of law amended by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. (Sec. 631) Bars the use of funds made available for the Customs Service in this Act to allow the importation of any good produced or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor. (Sec. 637) Provides that, for purposes of provisions of law relating to tort liability, certain Federal law enforcement officers and special agents in the Diplomatic Security Service of the Department of State shall be construed to be acting within the scope of their office or employment if they take any action, including the use of force, that is determined to be necessary to: (1) protect an individual in such an officer's presence from a crime of violence; (2) provide immediate assistance to an individual who has suffered or who is threatened with bodily harm; or (3) prevent the escape of any individual who such an officer reasonably believes to have committed, in his or her presence, a crime of violence. (Sec. 639) Amends Federal law to require compensation at time-and-a-half per hour for any hours worked in excess of 106 during a biweekly pay period or 53 in an administrative workweek by Federal fire fighters. Sets forth pay provisions with respect to Federal fire fighters. Grants fire fighters subject to such pay provisions whose regular tours of duty average at least 60 hours or less per week and exclude a basic 40-hour workweek an increase in basic pay equal to two step-increases of the applicable General Schedule grade. Provides that such increase shall not be an equivalent increase in pay. (Sec. 640) Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to conduct a review of Federal efforts and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan to improve coordination among Federal agencies with responsibility to protect the borders against drug trafficking. (Sec. 641) Makes a minimum amount available to executive agencies for carrying out flexiplace work telecommuting programs. (Sec. 642) Revises Federal law to entitle a Senior Executive Service (SES) career appointee awarded the rank of Meritorious Executive to 20 percent of annual basic pay (currently, a lump-sum payment of $10,000). Grants appointees awarded the rank of Distinguished Executive 35 percent of annual basic pay (currently, a lump-sum payment of $20,000). (Sec. 643) Raises the fiscal year limit on the aggregate amount of performance awards for SES career appointees made by an agency. (Sec. 644) Requires the President to provide for alternative annual adjustments to Federal pay schedules where otherwise required adjustments are inappropriate because of a declared state of war or severe economic conditions (currently, because of national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare). Considers severe economic conditions to exist if, during the 12-month period ending two calendar quarters before the date the adjustment is scheduled to take effect, there occur two consecutive quarters of negative growth in the Gross Domestic Product. Makes conforming amendments to provisions regarding authority to make alternative levels of comparability payments. Provides for a 3.1 percent increase in rates of basic pay for Federal employees for FY 1999. (Sec. 646) Revises Federal provisions regarding international postal arrangements to make the U.S. Trade Representative responsible for the formulation and oversight of foreign policy related to international postal and delivery services. Prohibits the U.S. Trade Representative from negotiating any international agreement that would grant an undue or unreasonable preference to the Postal Service, a private service provider, or other person with respect to any class of mail or type of mail service. Authorizes the Postal Service to enter into commercial and operational contracts relating to international postal services but bars the Postal Service from entering into a contract with a foreign government agency if it would grant an undue or unreasonable preference to the Postal Service with respect to any class of mail or type of service.
Bill· HRH.R. 4106 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1998
Fairness to Employees for Meals in the Workplace Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the limitation on the deduction by a business of the cost of food and beverages furnished to employees on premise.
Bill· HRH.R. 4102 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1998
Child Care for Working Parents Act of 1998 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant, for up to five years subject to annual approval, to a private, nonprofit entity for operation of a national, toll-free telephone hotline to provide information and assistance to families seeking quality early childhood education services. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3) Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBGA) to extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 2002. Requires State plans to ensure timely payments to participating child care providers for child care services under CCDBGA. Requires States to use at least four percent of CCDBGA assistance for one or more of the following: (1) resource and referral programs; (2) grants or loans to assist in meeting State and local standards; (3) monitoring of compliance with licensing and regulatory requirements; (4) training; and (5) compensation. (Sec. 4) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a tax credit for employer expenses in providing certain dependent care services. Makes such employer day care center credit part of the general business credit. Disallows a specified double benefit with respect to such credit. (Sec. 5) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to extend through FY 2002 the authorization of appropriations for a program of assistance for an extended time for learning and a longer school year.
Bill· HRH.R. 4105 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1998
Internet Tax Freedom Act - Prohibits, for three years after enactment of this Act, any State or political subdivision from imposing, assessing, collecting, or attempting to collect taxes on Internet access, bit taxes, or multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Provides an exception for such taxes imposed by certain States and in effect on the date of enactment of this Act (requiring such States, within one year, to expressly affirm that such a tax is imposed on Internet access). Establishes the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce to study State and local taxation of transactions using the Internet and Internet access, examine model State legislation with respect to such taxation and simplified administrative procedures concerning such taxation, and transmit to the President and the Congress proposed legislation reflecting the findings of such study and examination. Directs the President to review such proposals and submit to the Congress such policy recommendations as deemed necessary or expedient. Provides for the expedited consideration of the proposed legislation. (Sec. 3) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission or any State commission from having regulatory authority or jurisdiction with respect to charges paid by subscribers for Internet access or online services. (Sec. 4) Exempts providers of such services from Federal regulatory fees. Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to determine whether any direct or indirect Federal regulatory fees, other than the fees identified under the Act, are imposed on such providers, and if so, make recommendations to the Congress regarding whether such fees should be modified or eliminated. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary of Commerce to examine: (1) barriers imposed in foreign markets on U.S. providers of property, goods, services, or information engaged in electronic commerce and on U.S. providers of telecommunications services; (2) how the imposition of such barriers will affect U.S. consumers, the competitiveness of U.S. citizens acting as such providers in foreign markets, and the growth and maturing of the Internet; and (3) measures the Government should pursue to foster, promote, and develop electronic commerce in the United States and in foreign markets. Directs: (1) the Secretary to report to the Congress on the results of the examination; and (2) the President to review such report and submit to the appropriate congressional committees such policy recommendations as deemed necessary or expedient. (Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek bilateral and multilateral agreements to remove barriers to global electronic commerce through various international organizations to require that the provision of Internet access or online services be free from undue and discriminatory regulation by foreign governments and that electronic commercial transactions between U.S. and foreign providers of property, goods, services, and information be free from undue and discriminatory regulation, international tariffs, and discriminatory taxation.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 482 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1998
Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 4101 (Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies program appropriations).
Bill· SS. 2198 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998
Taxpayers' Defense Act of 1998 - Amends Federal law provisions concerning discretionary congressional review of agency rules to set forth provisions mandating that a rule that establishes or increases a tax, however denominated, shall not take effect before the enactment of a bill the text of which has been submitted to each House of the Congress by the agency promulgating the rule in a report that contains the bill's text and an explanation of the bill. Exempts a rule promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code. Outlines introduction, referral, and consideration procedures for approval of the bill.
Bill· SS. 2197 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to certain reacquisitions of real property to allow an election of deduction in lieu of basis increase where indebtedness secured by property has original issue discount and is held by a cash method taxpayer.
Bill· HRH.R. 4096 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998
Taxpayer's Defense Act - Amends Federal law provisions concerning discretionary congressional review of agency rules to set forth provisions mandating that a rule that establishes or increases a tax, however denominated, shall not take effect before the enactment of a bill the text of which has been submitted to each House of the Congress by the agency promulgating the rule in a report that contains the bill's text and an explanation of the bill. Exempts a rule promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code. Outlines introduction, referral, and consideration procedures for approval of the bill.
Bill· HRH.R. 4094 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Financial Support for Brownfield Site Remediation Title II: Financial Support for Brownfield Site Prevention and Redevelopment Brownfield Redevelopment and Environmental Revitalization Act of 1998 - Title I: Financial Support for Brownfield Site Remediation - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to provide grants to States and local governments to inventory and conduct site assessments of, and other pre-cleanup activities at, brownfield sites. (Sec. 102) Directs the Administrator to establish a program of grants to States and local governments for capitalization of loan programs for brownfield site cleanup by the locality or owner or prospective purchaser. (Sec. 103) Makes amounts in the Hazardous Substance Superfund (the Fund) available for carrying out such grant programs. Authorizes appropriations from the Fund. (Sec. 104) Imposes funding limitations. (Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the site assessment and loan capitalization programs. Title II: Financial Support for Brownfield Site Prevention and Redevelopment - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit that is 50 percent of the costs: (1) paid or incurred by the taxpayer for environmental remediation of any qualified contaminated site which is owned by the taxpayer; and (2) incurred by the taxpayer pursuant to an environmental remediation plan for such site which was approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Prohibits the environmental remediation credit from being determined unless the Administrator certifies that the remediation plan has been completed. Requires the credit to be taken into account ratably over the applicable five-year taxable period if the Administrator certifies that such plan has been completed. Permits a taxpayer to cease such remediation if: (1) the cost of completing the remediation plan exceeds 200 percent of the estimated costs of completing such plan; and (2) the State or local official administering the remediation credit program agrees with such determination. Makes certain taxpayers ineligible for the credit. Makes the environmental remediation credit part of the sum of the current year general business credit and allows any unused portion as a deduction for certain unused business credits. (Sec. 202) Allows an income tax deduction for payments into a tax-exempt Hazardous Waste Remediation Reserve to be used exclusively to pay costs of the taxpayer to: (1) assess the extent of a site's environmental contamination and its expected remediation cost; and (2) remediate the contamination. (Sec. 203) Permits, as specified, the issuance of tax-exempt qualified contaminated site remediation bonds. (Sec. 204) Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to set aside a specified amount available for the development company program for local development companies to use to finance projects that assist existing or prospective new businesses in carrying out site assessment and cleanup activities at brownfield sites. (Sec. 205) Directs the SBA to promote the formation of small business investment companies (SBICs) devoted to: (1) brownfield site cleanup activities; or (2) projects that help existing companies clean up their facilities and adopt new, clean technologies. Waives filing fees for such companies. Requires the SBA to set aside a specified amount available for the SBIC program to provide leverage to such companies.
Bill· HRH.R. 4097 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs Subtitle A: State Activities Subtitle B: Local Activities Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas Subtitle D: General Provisions Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs Title V: Community Development Venture Capital Title VI: Revenue Provisions Strategic Transitional Employment Program Act - Title I: Grants to States for Development of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to assist eligible States and outlying areas in developing strategic transitional employment programs that provide community employment, in local areas with identified communities. (Sec. 101) Defines outlying areas as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program development costs. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Grants to States for Implementation of Employment Programs - Subtitle A: State Activities - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to assist eligible States in making grants to local areas, in order to implement employment programs in the States. (Sec. 201) Bases such State allotments on numbers of unemployed individuals and individuals in poverty. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program implementation costs. (Sec. 202) Sets forth requirements for: (1) State plans, including priorities for selection of local areas with identifiable communities; and (2) State administration and reports. Subtitle B: Local Activities - Requires States receiving such allotments to use them to make grants to local areas. (Sec. 212) Sets forth requirements for local plans. (Sec. 213) Requires local areas to use such grant funds to implement employment programs that provide community employment with eligible employers to eligible individuals. Requires such community employment to be entry-level employment that the local chief elected official, after consultation with local organizations' representatives, determines to meet: (1) the skills and needs of eligible individuals in the identified communities in the local area; and (2) the needs of the local area for affordable housing, human services, infrastructure, environmental conservation or restoration, and small business development. Allows such community employment to include employment related to directory assistance services, recreational equipment design and construction, removal of lead paint or asbestos, renovation of schools and community centers, after-school and summer recreational programs, child care and home health care services, elder care, teacher aide services, construction and renovation of affordable housing, and community crime prevention. Authorizes the chief local official to elect to include in such community employment paid participation in training and education programs for up to ten hours per week per participant. Requires paid participation in structured job search activity, as part of such community employment, in accordance with standards specified by the chief elected official. Limits to 12 months the period of a participant's employment under the program. Authorizes the Secretary, upon request and justification by the chief local elected official, to waive such limit and allow participant employment for up to 12 additional months, for not more than 20 percent of program participants. Sets forth individual eligibility requirements. (Sec. 214) Sets forth program requirements with respect to: (1) employee wages and other benefits; (2) labor standards; (3) grievance procedures; and (4) information on worker rights. Prohibits use of program funds for business relocation and related activities, and for other specified activities. Prohibits requiring any individual to participate in an employment program under this title as a condition of receiving any benefit under any Federal or State law. (Sec. 215) Sets forth requirements for nondiscrimination, local administration, and local reports. Subtitle C: Activities in Outlying Areas - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to one-quarter of one percent of appropriations under this title to make grants to eligible outlying areas to implement employment programs. Subtitle D: General Provisions - Sets forth requirements for Federal monitoring, reports, and administration. (Sec. 234) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Federal Grants to Local Areas for Implementation of Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary, if the funds allotted to a State under title II for a fiscal year are not distributed to the State for such fiscal year, to: (1) first use the funds for competitive, direct grants to local areas in the State for implementation of employment programs; and (2) reallot any remaining funds to remaining eligible States. Sets the Federal share at two-thirds of such program implementation costs. Title IV: Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations for Employment Programs - Directs the Secretary to reserve up to three percent of appropriations, under certain provisions of titles I and II, to make grants to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to develop and implement employment programs. Title V: Community Development Venture Capital - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to one or more intermediary organizations to develop the capacity of community development venture capital organizations. Sets forth requirements for use and allocation of such assistance, and for matching funds. (Sec. 501) Authorizes appropriations. Title VI: Revenue Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that no trade or business expense deduction shall be allowed for excessive compensation to a full-time employee. (Sec. 602) Revises the definition of part F income (earnings and profits of a controlled foreign corporation) to eliminate foreign base company income (including certain export trade corporation income) and the deferral of any income to another taxable year.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 478 (105th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1998
Sets forth the rule (open) for the consideration of H.R. 4060 (energy and water development appropriations).